Haunted Cosmos: MK Ultra – Government Brainwashing From Allen Dulles to Charles Manson & More

Released on October 16, 2024

Hosts:
Ben Garrett (Speaker A) & Brian Sauvé (Speaker B)

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Haunted Cosmos, Ben Garrett and Brian Sauvé delve deep into the shadowy world of MK Ultra, the CIA's infamous mind control program. They explore its origins, key figures, and the chilling outcomes that have left lasting scars on American history. The discussion intertwines historical facts with speculative theories, offering listeners a comprehensive look into government-sanctioned brainwashing and its far-reaching consequences.

MK Ultra: Origins and Foundations

Brian Sauvé (01:45):
The episode begins by referencing the 1959 novel The Manchurian Candidate, drawing parallels to MK Ultra's objective: creating perfect assassins who can be controlled without their awareness. The hosts outline the narrative of the book, highlighting the protagonist's nightmare of his friend becoming a sleeper agent, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes.

Ben Garrett (34:00):
Garrett emphasizes that even skeptics must acknowledge the extensive time and resources the government invested in mind control research. He states, "Over the course of 20 documented years, countless men gave their entire professional lives to this idea that you could give someone LSD or some other psychedelic drug and end up controlling their minds."

Frank Olson: The First Victim

Brian Sauvé (07:00):
The hosts introduce Frank Olson, a scientist who became one of MK Ultra's first victims. Olson's involvement with the CIA and his subsequent mental breakdown are discussed in detail, painting a picture of a man torn between duty and moral conflict.

Notable Quote (34:00):
Garrett reflects on Olson's guilt: "The unwanted side effects of all of this was Olson's ever-growing conviction that based on the testimony of these prisoners exacted by horrible violence, the US had been using unlawful and viciously painful chemical weapons against their enemies in the Korean War."

Unit 731: A Prelude to MK Ultra

Ben Garrett (52:54):
Garrett traces MK Ultra's roots back to Unit 731, a brutal Japanese research facility during World War II. The atrocities committed there, including vivisections and survival rate studies, set the stage for future mind control experiments.

Brian Sauvé (57:00):
Sauvé explains how after the war, some Unit 731 scientists, like Shiro Ishii, were integrated into the US intelligence community through Operation Paperclip, furthering the development of MK Ultra.

Project Bluebird and Project Artichoke

Ben Garrett (56:00):
The discussion moves to Project Bluebird, later renamed Project Artichoke, initiated during the Korean War. These projects aimed to develop methods of mind control to counter Soviet psychological warfare.

Notable Quote (56:30):
Sauvé states, "The endgame of this project was stated in documents that were later released as a measured attempt to see whether or not a person could be made to involuntarily perform an assassination or other major crime."

Sidney Gottlieb: The Architect of MK Ultra

Brian Sauvé (62:00):
Sauvé introduces Dr. Sidney Gottlieb, the chief scientist behind MK Ultra. Gottlieb's ruthless methods and unyielding dedication to creating controllable assassins are examined.

Notable Quote (65:00):
Garrett remarks, "Gottlieb was initially attracted to White due to his apparent lack of all human sympathy and decency. He liked that he was a psychopath."

MK Ultra Experiments: Methods and Madness

Ben Garrett (74:00):
The hosts detail the various grotesque experiments conducted under MK Ultra, including drug administration, hypnosis, and memory wipes. These inhumane practices were often performed on unsuspecting American citizens, soldiers, and vulnerable populations.

Notable Quote (74:33):
Sauvé encapsulates the moral decay: "It's like, we have to protect all of the people in America, therefore, we have to take up this tool. And tools aren't neutral."

Sirhan Sirhan and the Kennedy Assassinations

Brian Sauvé (85:00):
The episode delves into the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, exploring theories that Sirhan Sirhan was a product of MK Ultra's brainwashing programs. The suspicious behavior of both Sirhan and MK Ultra's involvement raises questions about the true nature of the assassination.

Notable Quote (95:38):
Garrett highlights the complexity: "This is one of those cases where if the Deep State is doing these sorts of things, they're also going to make it as hard as possible for you to know for certain that they did these sorts of things."

Charles Manson: A Possible MK Ultra Experiment?

Brian Sauvé (99:00):
In a shocking twist, the hosts connect Charles Manson to MK Ultra, suggesting that his manipulative abilities and control over his followers might have been influenced by government experiments. They discuss Manson's history, his charisma, and his visits to a CIA-funded clinic, positing that he may have been subjected to mind control techniques.

Notable Quote (100:14):
Sauvé muses, "What sort of thing gave this street sweeping man of average intelligence this kind of influence? I mean, at his command, Linda Kasabian, Susan Atkins, Anne Tex Watt Watson. Tied up a family they had never met before, beat them in their own home, and then primitively killed them before dipping their hands in the victim's blood to write messages on the home's walls that read Helter Skelter and Death to Pigs and Rise."

The Continuing Legacy of MK Ultra

Ben Garrett (78:00):
The episode concludes by questioning whether MK Ultra truly ended in the 1970s or if clandestine operations like MK Search and MK Naomi continue to pursue mind control objectives.

Notable Quote (84:27):
Sauvé offers a hopeful perspective: "But this is a story that no one really knows the full answer to. Let's talk about it. And I think these are deeply interesting. They're very important for us to understand."

Conclusion

Throughout this episode, Ben Garrett and Brian Sauvé weave a narrative that challenges listeners to question the extent of government power and its pursuit of controlling the human mind. By connecting historical events, like the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy and Charles Manson's cult activities, to the ongoing legacy of MK Ultra, the hosts present a compelling case for the dark underbelly of national security programs.

The episode serves as a stark reminder of the ethical boundaries that have been crossed in the name of national security and the enduring impact these actions have on individuals and society as a whole.

Notable Closing Reflection (97:00):
Ben Garrett encapsulates the essence of the discussion: "Nations rise, nations fall, the demons lose. And so this is more a study in like, well, how does the nation fall when it has, you know, taken on this tool of wickedness?"

Key Takeaways:

• MK Ultra's Brutal Genesis: Rooted in WWII atrocities, MK Ultra evolved from Unit 731's inhumane experiments.
• Frank Olson's Tragic End: As one of the first victims, Olson's story highlights the personal cost of government-sanctioned mind control.
• Project Bluebird to Artichoke: These projects laid the groundwork for MK Ultra's expansive and secretive operations.
• Sidney Gottlieb's Role: As MK Ultra's chief scientist, Gottlieb's methods were central to the program's dark objectives.
• Assassination Theories: The connections between MK Ultra and high-profile assassinations, such as Robert F. Kennedy's, remain a topic of intense speculation.
• Charles Manson's Cult: Linking Manson to MK Ultra presents a chilling theory of government influence over dangerous individuals.
• Ongoing Mysteries: The true extent and continuation of MK Ultra-like programs remain uncertain, urging continued inquiry and vigilance.

Refer to the full episode transcript for a more detailed exploration of MK Ultra's intricate and disturbing history.