Chris Hedges speaks with filmmaker Alex Gibney about his new documentary series, which tracks just two examples within the “labyrinth of mirrors” of untraceable corruption that fuels American politics
Without addressing Buckley v. United, the first Supreme Court case to equate money with speech, overturning Citizens United would not end legalized bribery in our elections. Citizens United involves PAC money. Buckley would continue to allow billionaires to buy election. That is as big a problem as corporate PACs now. Think, as just one example, Elon Musk’s multiple billions of dollars donated to Trump’s election campaign. Chris describes Citizens United’s “money as speech” trope as “bizarre.” It’s no more bizarre now than it was when it originated in Buckley. Buckley. These films may be valuable in shedding light on the Ohio matter, but discussing Citizens United without addressing Buckley is like chopping off a limb of the octopus. The subject warrants more careful research than it has been given in this interview or by most of our politicians and media.
Thank you for bringing our attention to this side of Alex Gibney. I have taken a look at the link you provided and others on this topic regarding Assange. Although his work on "Dark Money" reveals the criminal undermining of our pretend Democracy, his trashing of Assange is off track and reckless to say the least. It reminds me how sometimes we get it right and other times so wrong. I wonder if Mr. Gibney has since reconsidered his view of Julian Assange.
It makes you a far more forgiving soul.. nobody who helped lynch Julian will ever erase the stain or get kudos for anything from me.. it's unforgivable forever.
Got that and respect your sentiments Pamela, thank you for being honest.
I consider Julian Assange a hero of the highest magnitude. Like far too many truth tellers in our world these days, he was persecuted for his courage and selfless efforts to show us the truth about our secret government actions- with many believing the opposite about him, like Alex Gibney. With this in mind, it is any wonder how the ongoing genocide of Palestinians is allowed to continue unabated, fully supported by the US government and far too many citizens who go along with it?
With regard to unforgiveable acts - I was the first individual in my family (at age 11) to report a child-molester / priest in our family, and was met with years of total silence and denial until I challenged it myself in my early 30's - all the while NO ONE in my family spoke out or stood with me = soul crushing. Denial and cover-up for the monster who was protected by those around him, including church leaders, until his death from AIDS many years later. This is the type of thing that supporting monsters gets us and is "unforgivable forever."
Strongly agree FF. Yet, here in Blutopian northern New Mexico it is still rather dangerous to speak so candidly about the Democratic wing of our failed government - we continue to get what we accept = utter BS - no end in sight.
Dark money, captured judges, billionaire influencers, a case(s) that facilitates concealed funding, lawyers making it their life’s mission to bring about a singular result and thereby attracting massive amounts of money to do it etc. Fascinating. The scale of corruption in the United States is quite frankly on another dimension. From a South African’s perspective, the “state capture” that enveloped us a decade ago, was amateurish, crude, prosaic. I commented elsewhere that the bête noire of a democracy is political party campaign funding and the funding of individual political candidates. The objective of a democratic order is anathema to these practices. If the democratic institutions are controlled, by whatever measure, by interest groups and by extension a certain class, then the system fails in its stated objective to represent the polity uniformly. Inexorably, these undemocratic practices only serve to fortify the elites grip on power. Ultimately, an oligarchical system is inevitable.
A good reminder of the corrupt and undemocratic nature of the United States with the ultra wealthy controlling our government and where our vote has little value!
I need some assistance as somehow a sum of £44 - has been withdrawn from my Nstionwide - UK bank account on the 3rd Of May!
Im a poor pensioner and cant afford annual subscriptions and i wouldnt have intentionally signed up - even though i admire your brave and brilliantly compassionate method of reporting !
Yours sincerely from email brideymoments687@gmail.com from Rotherham UK from a Nationwide bank account ! Thomas Donaldson
The study below slays the myth that trans ideology affects only the few. Just extrapolate this study of misreported trans crimes to medicine, economics or any other field.
Presently, and this worsens as each day goes by, the statistical underpinnings of our research are rotting away by the inclusion of false information in many of our most crucial data bases. These data bases are meant to provide a foundation for all research and studies on crime, medicine, education and economics. Without the use of valid statistics all conclusions in these areas become corrupted and meaningless. See article below on crime & justice to realize just how enormous an impact this falsification of data is already having. B.W.
P.S. Transgender identified men have the highest rates of H.I.V. If that figure were included in the data base for women I wonder how would it affect treatment targets and outcomes?
Without addressing Buckley v. United, the first Supreme Court case to equate money with speech, overturning Citizens United would not end legalized bribery in our elections. Citizens United involves PAC money. Buckley would continue to allow billionaires to buy election. That is as big a problem as corporate PACs now. Think, as just one example, Elon Musk’s multiple billions of dollars donated to Trump’s election campaign. Chris describes Citizens United’s “money as speech” trope as “bizarre.” It’s no more bizarre now than it was when it originated in Buckley. Buckley. These films may be valuable in shedding light on the Ohio matter, but discussing Citizens United without addressing Buckley is like chopping off a limb of the octopus. The subject warrants more careful research than it has been given in this interview or by most of our politicians and media.
Alex Gibney totally roached Julian Assange in We Steal Secrets smear job against WikiLeaks.
How did Chris miss the traitor history? https://wikileaks.org/IMG/html/gibney-transcript.html
Thank you for bringing our attention to this side of Alex Gibney. I have taken a look at the link you provided and others on this topic regarding Assange. Although his work on "Dark Money" reveals the criminal undermining of our pretend Democracy, his trashing of Assange is off track and reckless to say the least. It reminds me how sometimes we get it right and other times so wrong. I wonder if Mr. Gibney has since reconsidered his view of Julian Assange.
It makes you a far more forgiving soul.. nobody who helped lynch Julian will ever erase the stain or get kudos for anything from me.. it's unforgivable forever.
Got that and respect your sentiments Pamela, thank you for being honest.
I consider Julian Assange a hero of the highest magnitude. Like far too many truth tellers in our world these days, he was persecuted for his courage and selfless efforts to show us the truth about our secret government actions- with many believing the opposite about him, like Alex Gibney. With this in mind, it is any wonder how the ongoing genocide of Palestinians is allowed to continue unabated, fully supported by the US government and far too many citizens who go along with it?
With regard to unforgiveable acts - I was the first individual in my family (at age 11) to report a child-molester / priest in our family, and was met with years of total silence and denial until I challenged it myself in my early 30's - all the while NO ONE in my family spoke out or stood with me = soul crushing. Denial and cover-up for the monster who was protected by those around him, including church leaders, until his death from AIDS many years later. This is the type of thing that supporting monsters gets us and is "unforgivable forever."
Keep in mind that HRC, Biden and Harris all were even more addicted to SuperPAC money than was Trump.
Take away that sweet sweet corporate cash, and the Clinton campaign in particular would have long been dead in the water.
Strongly agree FF. Yet, here in Blutopian northern New Mexico it is still rather dangerous to speak so candidly about the Democratic wing of our failed government - we continue to get what we accept = utter BS - no end in sight.
Dark money, captured judges, billionaire influencers, a case(s) that facilitates concealed funding, lawyers making it their life’s mission to bring about a singular result and thereby attracting massive amounts of money to do it etc. Fascinating. The scale of corruption in the United States is quite frankly on another dimension. From a South African’s perspective, the “state capture” that enveloped us a decade ago, was amateurish, crude, prosaic. I commented elsewhere that the bête noire of a democracy is political party campaign funding and the funding of individual political candidates. The objective of a democratic order is anathema to these practices. If the democratic institutions are controlled, by whatever measure, by interest groups and by extension a certain class, then the system fails in its stated objective to represent the polity uniformly. Inexorably, these undemocratic practices only serve to fortify the elites grip on power. Ultimately, an oligarchical system is inevitable.
A good reminder of the corrupt and undemocratic nature of the United States with the ultra wealthy controlling our government and where our vote has little value!
Which organizations that deliver aid to Gaza do you recommend giving to?
I need some assistance as somehow a sum of £44 - has been withdrawn from my Nstionwide - UK bank account on the 3rd Of May!
Im a poor pensioner and cant afford annual subscriptions and i wouldnt have intentionally signed up - even though i admire your brave and brilliantly compassionate method of reporting !
Yours sincerely from email brideymoments687@gmail.com from Rotherham UK from a Nationwide bank account ! Thomas Donaldson
PLEASE CAN YOU REFUND MY MONEY OF £44.00 WHICH HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM MY ACCOUNT IN FIRST FEW DAYS OF MAY 2025
IM A PENSIONER AND I CANT AFFORD A YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
MY EMAIL is brideymoments687@gmail.com
And my bank is Nationwide in UK
Thank you
I’m going to watch this coming weekend & will let you know how I respond! 😄🩷
The study below slays the myth that trans ideology affects only the few. Just extrapolate this study of misreported trans crimes to medicine, economics or any other field.
Presently, and this worsens as each day goes by, the statistical underpinnings of our research are rotting away by the inclusion of false information in many of our most crucial data bases. These data bases are meant to provide a foundation for all research and studies on crime, medicine, education and economics. Without the use of valid statistics all conclusions in these areas become corrupted and meaningless. See article below on crime & justice to realize just how enormous an impact this falsification of data is already having. B.W.
P.S. Transgender identified men have the highest rates of H.I.V. If that figure were included in the data base for women I wonder how would it affect treatment targets and outcomes?
https://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/accuracy-criminal-statistics-matters