UPDATE: THURSDAY DECEMBER 8 - there is more to this report than a quick read can do justice to. I will begin this series over the weekend. I’ve been following Rachel Maddow’s podcst, “Ultra,” about the America First Committee and the involvement of high ranking Republican Party office holders in conspiracy with agents of Nazi Germany to spread chaos in American war preparedness, and even a planned attempt by the Nazi government of Germany to intervene in the 1940 presidential election, in favor of President Roosevelt’s Republican opponent (sound familiar?). It’s stunning information, to say the least. I am a World War II historian and thought I was highly familiar with this period in our history, and I have learned things I didn’t know before.
Thank you for drawing attention to the incredibly important information that Rachel has highlighted so excellently in "Ultra". The most high profile sedition trial in American history is that which most of us know nothing about. It is an excellent production, and the podcast has the vibe of the very popular "Serial" podcast.
I am fascinated to learn more about this very dark part of American history, so much that I am actually listening to this podcast for the second time. (Eight episodes, approximately 40 minutes each)
You can get this where ever you get your podcasts. The MSNBC Ultra website also has the podcasts along with transcripts and added photos and information that accompany the podcast.
"Ultra" reflects on our history of "American extremism getting supercharged by proximity to power," and the fact that having Nazis infiltrate our government is nothing new. Not by a long shot. Thank you TC, for highlighting these events. I will be looking forward to hearing all you have to report on this attempt to overthrow our government. All Americans need to understand what happened here so we can learn from it.
That's a great idea and I will look forward to reading it. Decisions like Truman's to "protect" us from harmful information (Iran/Contra, anyone) never work out.
I have listened to all 8 episodes of Ultra, and while I’m not a historian, I have an interest in our history and am educated, that said I was blown away by what I learned about collaborators within our government and business institutions who conspired with the Germans while their sons and neighbors were actively fighting them and dying while doing so. The Justice Department and the Truman administration determined that there were too many of them in our government at the highest levels (just like we are witnessing today), to be able to prosecute them like they deserved, so yes we have been here before, lesson learned doesn’t seem to be the case. I know that I’m preaching to the choir but don’t you think it’s time that the truth, including the parts that are most uncomfortable, is revealed so that we can deal with it and move on, in a way that will benefit all of us? We have got an enormous pile of corrections to put in place, starting with Native Americans, racial inequality, systematic inequality that affects so many, it’s going to take the rest of our lifetimes and more to be that shining city on the hill, but it is doable, and I’m all in.
Thank you for carrying the light into the darkest and most frightening den of our history. While I eagerly await your first release on the 8th, I feel a frisson that makes me want to lock my door and curl up in a corner and hide.
I remember some years back someone suggesting that there were powerful Americans, leaders in business and government, who were supporting the Nazi movement, and government, and I was incredulous, and I was angry that such a thing could even be suggested.
Have listened and want to learn more. How come, I ask, we NEVER EVER EVER heard anything about this before now? The closest I've come to any knowledge is from reading Philip Roth interviews. I can't wait for your reports. Can't wait!
Holy Schitt, do you have security? Is this the same Prescott/Preston Bush who was an instigator/supporter of the Coup of 1933 (Google Smedley Butler) against FDR?
Darn tootin’. And Charles Koch (groomed by HIS father) picked up the organization of Corporate billionaire- Nazi sympathizers, especially after Nixon’s failure to subvert elections (aka, Watergate).
Most of this stuff that you’re going to read has been swept under the rug for too many years. Like the internment of Japanese-American citizens during WW2, most Americans are totally ignorant of its ever occurring. It’s about time this part of our history sees the light of day and will help to explain how our “esteemed” upper crust population is so enamored of totalitarian governments. Anything to make and preserve a buck…like the Kochs, Mercers, and others who have too much money and time on their hands.
Very interesting findings. One correction: George H.W. Bush's father was named Prescott Sheldon Bush. He was first elected to the Senate from Connecticut in 1952. After he retired from the Senate, the man he beat in the election in 1952, Abraham Ribicoff, won the election to succeed him.
Thank you, TC, for filtering the firehose of information and sending us the important streams we might otherwise have missed. I eagerly await your first post on this explosive, long suppressed report. And now I need to go find and listen to “Ultra”. I’m enraged but also have some sympathy with Truman’s decision to bury the report. Americans had just poured five years of courage, unity of purpose, and heartfelt sacrifice into the monumental effort, with the Allies, of wiping Hitler and the Nazi movement from the face of the earth—or so they thought. Truman must have been thoroughly sickened by the extent of complicity with Nazis by prominent Americans. I’m guessing he couldn’t face inflicting that level of cynical disillusionment on the country. It would have been equivalent to America finding out that our intelligence community had all the information necessary to see that the 9/11 attacks were coming but fumbled the ball and failed to prevent them. Oh wait…
Looking forward to your posts on this TC. Ultra is an excellent podcast and I recommend it to everyone. I learned so much I didn’t know about Nazi infiltration into our government. It was well hidden but appears now it can be easily dug up. Thank you TC and Rachel.
My first knowledge of the Bush family dealings with the Nazis was from a book by Kevin Phillips (of all people) called “American Dynasty: Aristocracy Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush” (Penguin, 2004). Reading it was a WTF moment for me.
TC, I will look forward to your posts on the Nazi infiltration of our government and those who benefited from that. Germany has done a better job than the US has in examining its history. WWII was major evidence that German history was horrendous. America has never looked at the previous leaders such a the traitors to the Union who served in the Confederate military. Given all the previously unknown (to me at least) history that I have learned since becoming a subscriber to various newsletters on Substack, it's hard not to feel skeptical and cynical about our political life, especially at the state and national levels. Keep informing us, TC.
Thank you for drawing attention to the incredibly important information that Rachel has highlighted so excellently in "Ultra". The most high profile sedition trial in American history is that which most of us know nothing about. It is an excellent production, and the podcast has the vibe of the very popular "Serial" podcast.
I am fascinated to learn more about this very dark part of American history, so much that I am actually listening to this podcast for the second time. (Eight episodes, approximately 40 minutes each)
You can get this where ever you get your podcasts. The MSNBC Ultra website also has the podcasts along with transcripts and added photos and information that accompany the podcast.
"Ultra" reflects on our history of "American extremism getting supercharged by proximity to power," and the fact that having Nazis infiltrate our government is nothing new. Not by a long shot. Thank you TC, for highlighting these events. I will be looking forward to hearing all you have to report on this attempt to overthrow our government. All Americans need to understand what happened here so we can learn from it.
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-presents-ultra
That's a great idea and I will look forward to reading it. Decisions like Truman's to "protect" us from harmful information (Iran/Contra, anyone) never work out.
I have listened to all 8 episodes of Ultra, and while I’m not a historian, I have an interest in our history and am educated, that said I was blown away by what I learned about collaborators within our government and business institutions who conspired with the Germans while their sons and neighbors were actively fighting them and dying while doing so. The Justice Department and the Truman administration determined that there were too many of them in our government at the highest levels (just like we are witnessing today), to be able to prosecute them like they deserved, so yes we have been here before, lesson learned doesn’t seem to be the case. I know that I’m preaching to the choir but don’t you think it’s time that the truth, including the parts that are most uncomfortable, is revealed so that we can deal with it and move on, in a way that will benefit all of us? We have got an enormous pile of corrections to put in place, starting with Native Americans, racial inequality, systematic inequality that affects so many, it’s going to take the rest of our lifetimes and more to be that shining city on the hill, but it is doable, and I’m all in.
Thank you for carrying the light into the darkest and most frightening den of our history. While I eagerly await your first release on the 8th, I feel a frisson that makes me want to lock my door and curl up in a corner and hide.
I remember some years back someone suggesting that there were powerful Americans, leaders in business and government, who were supporting the Nazi movement, and government, and I was incredulous, and I was angry that such a thing could even be suggested.
Dear Lord....
Have listened and want to learn more. How come, I ask, we NEVER EVER EVER heard anything about this before now? The closest I've come to any knowledge is from reading Philip Roth interviews. I can't wait for your reports. Can't wait!
Holy Schitt, do you have security? Is this the same Prescott/Preston Bush who was an instigator/supporter of the Coup of 1933 (Google Smedley Butler) against FDR?
Darn tootin’. And Charles Koch (groomed by HIS father) picked up the organization of Corporate billionaire- Nazi sympathizers, especially after Nixon’s failure to subvert elections (aka, Watergate).
Most of this stuff that you’re going to read has been swept under the rug for too many years. Like the internment of Japanese-American citizens during WW2, most Americans are totally ignorant of its ever occurring. It’s about time this part of our history sees the light of day and will help to explain how our “esteemed” upper crust population is so enamored of totalitarian governments. Anything to make and preserve a buck…like the Kochs, Mercers, and others who have too much money and time on their hands.
Very eye opening podcast, now we know what Rachel was up to!
Very interesting findings. One correction: George H.W. Bush's father was named Prescott Sheldon Bush. He was first elected to the Senate from Connecticut in 1952. After he retired from the Senate, the man he beat in the election in 1952, Abraham Ribicoff, won the election to succeed him.
Thank you, TC, for filtering the firehose of information and sending us the important streams we might otherwise have missed. I eagerly await your first post on this explosive, long suppressed report. And now I need to go find and listen to “Ultra”. I’m enraged but also have some sympathy with Truman’s decision to bury the report. Americans had just poured five years of courage, unity of purpose, and heartfelt sacrifice into the monumental effort, with the Allies, of wiping Hitler and the Nazi movement from the face of the earth—or so they thought. Truman must have been thoroughly sickened by the extent of complicity with Nazis by prominent Americans. I’m guessing he couldn’t face inflicting that level of cynical disillusionment on the country. It would have been equivalent to America finding out that our intelligence community had all the information necessary to see that the 9/11 attacks were coming but fumbled the ball and failed to prevent them. Oh wait…
I'm looking forward to reading your reports, TC.
Looking forward to your posts on this TC. Ultra is an excellent podcast and I recommend it to everyone. I learned so much I didn’t know about Nazi infiltration into our government. It was well hidden but appears now it can be easily dug up. Thank you TC and Rachel.
My first knowledge of the Bush family dealings with the Nazis was from a book by Kevin Phillips (of all people) called “American Dynasty: Aristocracy Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush” (Penguin, 2004). Reading it was a WTF moment for me.
TC, I will look forward to your posts on the Nazi infiltration of our government and those who benefited from that. Germany has done a better job than the US has in examining its history. WWII was major evidence that German history was horrendous. America has never looked at the previous leaders such a the traitors to the Union who served in the Confederate military. Given all the previously unknown (to me at least) history that I have learned since becoming a subscriber to various newsletters on Substack, it's hard not to feel skeptical and cynical about our political life, especially at the state and national levels. Keep informing us, TC.
Very much looking forward to your presentation TC. Clearing bookshelf space for when this one comes out in book form.