James McCord
The researchers at OurHiddenHistory.org (http://ourhiddenhistory.org/) have been busy uploading lots of historical audio and visual recordings, we thank them for keeping this history alive. The only way to understand how we are being screwed today is to reflect on corruption in the past and recognize the patterns of crimes occuring today.
Yesterday I downloaded and listened to the Senate Watergate hearings, specifically the testimony of James McCord. Here is the link to get the MP3 for download:
https://archive.org/details/WatergateHearingsAudio
McCord is a fascinating character. A Nazi-Hunter for the FBI, he was later recruited into the CIA. In fact, he went on to run security for the entire CIA office complex. In an unusual turn of events, he left that prestigious position at CIA and signed on to Richard Nixon’s campaign for President. During Nixon’s bid for reelection McCord was snared in the Watergate break-in, a trap that was very likely intentionally sprung from inside. McCord was tasked with taping locks on several doors to allow entry for the team that was to wiretap and collect information from the Democratic National Committee offices. A watchman in the building removed the tape from the locks, and McCord re-installed more tape – leading to the discovery of the agents. With the exception of G.Gorden Liddy who was FBI, all the men involved were connected to the CIA.
McCord famously wrote this letter to Nixon security operative Jack Caufield, who had threatened McCord and previously sent him chasing clandestine phone calls at highway phone booths:
http://spartacus-educational.com/JFKmccordJ.htm
“On 21st December, 1972, McCord wrote a letter to Jack Caulfield: ” Sorry to have to write you this letter but felt you had to know. if Helms goes, and if the WG (Watergate) operation is laid at the CIA’s feet, where it does not belong, every tree in the forest will fall. It will be a scorched desert. The whole matter is at the precipice right now. Just pass the message that if they want it to blow, they are on exactly the right course. I’m sorry that you will get hurt in the fallout.”
Caulfield was unable to persuade Richard Nixon to leave the CIA alone. On 30th January, 1973, McCord, Gordon Liddy, Frank Sturgis, E. Howard Hunt, Virgilio Gonzalez, Eugenio Martinez, and Bernard L. Barker were convicted of conspiracy, burglary and wiretapping.
In February, 1973, Richard Helms was sacked by Nixon. The following month McCord carried out his threat. On 19th March, 1973, McCord wrote a letter to Judge John J. Sirica claiming that the defendants had pleaded guilty under pressure (from John Dean and John N. Mitchell) and that perjury had been committed.”
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Listening to McCord’s testimony, I found myself remarkably sympathetic to his situation. He tip-toes around discussing his fellow CIA operative Howard Hunt and complains bitterly about his treatment by Jack Caufield. He mentions receiving payments from Dorthy Hunt, Howard Hunt’s wife who was mysteriously killed only months earlier in a plane crash:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_553
“Dorothy Hunt’s death led to the accident becoming caught up in rumors and conspiracy theories related to the unfolding Watergate scandal.[8] Mrs. Hunt was carrying $10,000 in $100 bills when the plane crashed, and some alleged that this money was meant for people connected to Watergate.[2][8] James McCord alleged that Mrs. Hunt supplied the Watergate defendants with money for legal expenses.[2] The FBI’s appearance at the crash scene was also regarded by some as unusually fast.[7][8] Skeptics of the official narrative speculated that the plane was targeted due to Mrs. Hunt’s presence on board, and that sabotage of the flight was covered up by government agencies. As a result, the accident became known as “the Watergate crash.”[7][8]”
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Despite McCord’s intense – and often very funny – testimony, we can feel an underlying reservation to reveal the complete story, something that is only being understood decades later.
If you’ve got an extra hour or so, give this testimony a listen. It’s an important slice of history that is just as relevant today.
Also, please visit our friends at “Our Hidden History”:
Link to McCord’s testimony:
