Jesse Ventura Talks 9/11 Truth with Meria Heller
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Meria is usually pay-to-listen, but right now she's offering a free sample broadcast of her interview with Jesse Ventura! http://911blogger.com/node/15118#comment
Jesse Ventura (born July 15, 1951 as James George Janos), also known as "The Body", "The Star", and "The Governing Body", is an American politician, retired professional wrestler, Navy UDT veteran, actor, and former radio and television talk show host. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004. He is also a 1-time AWA Tag Team Champion.
In the Minnesota gubernatorial election of 1998 he was elected the 38th Governor of Minnesota and served from January 4, 1999 to January 6, 2003 without seeking a second term.
Ventura was born James George Janos in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Bernice Martha (née Lenz) and George William Janos. His father's parents were ethnic Hungarians from what is today Slovakia, and his mother had German ancestry.[1] Ventura said himself he is Slovak.[2] Ventura (then known by his legal name of Janos) graduated from Minneapolis's Roosevelt High School in 1969.
From September 11, 1969 to September 10, 1975 he served in the United States Navy as a Navy UDT and was on active duty January 5, 1970 through December 10, 1973 during the Vietnam era. Ventura served with Underwater Demolition Team 12 during his time on active duty. He later served reserve service as a member of SEAL Team ONE. According to the United States Naval Special Warfare Command policy, Ventura is entitled to use the title "SEAL", due to both his service in the UDT and SEAL teams, and his successful graduation from UDT-R (now BUD/S) training. He was awarded the National Defense Ribbon and the Vietnam Service Ribbon but was not in combat to qualify for the Combat Action Ribbon. In his autobiography, Ventura described SEAL training as the toughest experience of his life. "It's worse than anything you can imagine," he wrote, "You have to want it bad, very bad." Ventura always mentioned how much he respected his SEAL instructor Master Chief Petty Officer Terry "Mother" Moy. He asked Moy to stand by his side when he was sworn in as governor. He ended his inaugural address with the SEAL war cry "HOOYAH!"
He returned to Minnesota and attended North Hennepin Community College in the mid-1970s at the same time he began weightlifting and wrestling. It was around this time that he briefly served as a bodyguard for The Rolling Stones. In 1975, Ventura married his wife Terry. The couple have two grown children: a son, Tyrel (b.1980), and a daughter, Jade (b. 1984).
Wrestling career
He created the stage name Jesse "The Body" Ventura to go with the persona of a bully-ish beach body builder, taking "Ventura" from his wife's maiden name. As a professional wrestler, Ventura wrestled as a "heel", and often used the motto "Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat!" Much of his flamboyant persona was copied from "Superstar" Billy Graham, a charismatic and popular performer during the 1970s and '80s.[4] Years later, as a broadcaster, Ventura made a running joke out of claiming that Graham stole all of his ring attire ideas from him.
Jesse Ventura in the WWF.
Jesse Ventura in the WWF.
In 1975, Ventura made his debut in the Central States territory, before moving to the Pacific Northwest, where he wrestled for promoter Don Owen.[5] During his stay in Portland, Oregon, he had notable feuds with Dutch Savage and Jimmy Snuka and won the Pacific Northwest Wrestling title twice (once from each wrestler), and the tag team titles six times (twice each with Bull Ramos and "Playboy" Buddy Rose, and once each with Steve Strong and Jerry Oates). He later moved to his hometown promotion, the American Wrestling Association in Minnesota, teaming with Adrian Adonis as the "East-West Connection" in 1979.[6]
The duo won the AWA World Tag Team Championship on July 20, 1980 on a forfeit when Verne Gagne, one-half of the tag team champions along with Mad Dog Vachon, failed to show up for a title defense in Denver, Colorado. The duo held the belts for nearly a year, losing to "The High Flyers" (Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell).
Shortly after losing the belts, the duo moved on to the World Wrestling Federation, where they were managed by "Classy" Freddie Blassie. Although the duo was unable to capture the WWF Tag Team Championship, both Adonis and Ventura became title contenders, each earning several title shots at champion Bob Backlund.
"The Body" continued to wrestle until September 1984 when blood clots in his lungs ended his in-ring career; it forced him to miss a title match against WWF Champion Hulk Hogan. Ventura claimed the blood clots were a result of his exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Vietnam. After a failed comeback bid, he began to do color commentary on television for "All-Star Wrestling" (replacing Angelo Mosca) and later "Superstars of Wrestling" (initially alongside Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino, and with McMahon after Sammartino's departure from the WWF in 1988), hosted his own talk segment on the WWF's "Superstars of Wrestling" called "The Body Shop", and did color commentary on radio for a few National Football League teams (among them, the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Ventura most notably co-hosted Saturday Night's Main Event with Vince McMahon and the first six WrestleManias (1985-1990) and most of the WWF's Pay-Per-Views at the time with Gorilla Monsoon (the lone exception for Ventura being the first SummerSlam, in which Ventura served as the guest referee during the main event). Following a dispute with WWF Chairman Vince McMahon over him using his image for the video game company Sega, McMahon-who had a contract with rival company Nintendo at the time- released Ventura from the company in August of 1990 [7].
He also did commentary for World Championship Wrestling from 1992-94. His professional wrestling commentary style was an extension of his wrestling persona, as he was partial to the heels, which was something new and different at the time. The lone exception to this rule was the Wrestlemainia VI match between Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior. Since they were both faces, Ventura took a neutral position in his commentary; even praising Hogan's display of sportsmanship at the end of the match when he handed over the WWF Championship to the Warrior after he lost the title. The praise of Hogan's action was unusual for Ventura because he regularly rooted against Hogan during his matches. Hogan and Jesse were at one point close friends[8]. However, Jesse abruptedly ended the friendship after he discovered, during his lawsuit against Vince McMahon, that Hogan was the one who had told Vince about Jesse's attempt to form a labor union in 1984.[8]
Acting career
Ventura acted in the 1987 movie Predator, whose cast included future California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and future Kentucky Gubernatorial candidate Sonny Landham. He had a starring role in the 1991 sci-fi movie Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe, and supporting roles in The Running Man, Demolition Man, Repossessed, The Master of Disguise (in which he steals the Liberty Bell) and Batman & Robin - the first and last of these also starring Schwarzenegger. Ventura also made an appearance in Major League 2, being "White Lightning" in the movie that the character Willie Mayes Hayes starred in. He also appeared as a self help guru (voice only) in The Ringer trying to turn Johnny Knoxville into a more confident worker. Ventura also had a cameo in The X-Files episode "Jose Chung's From Outer Space" as a Man in Black alongside fellow 'MiB' Alex Trebek. In the Futurama episode "A Head in the Polls", his head is shown in the Hall of Presidents, implying that he was elected President. His jar is labeled Jesse "The Head" Ventura, implying that he changed his nickname once he lost his body.
Political career
See also: Minnesota gubernatorial election, 1998
Mayor of Brooklyn Park
Following his depature from the WWF, Ventura took advice from a former high school teacher and ran for mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota in 1990 on the Independent Party ticket.[9] Ventura successfully beat the city's 18-year incumbent mayor and served from 1991 to 1995.[10] Between 1995 and his run for governor, Ventura had a radio call-in show (KSTP-AM 1500) in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Governor of Minnesota
Ventura ran for Governor of Minnesota in 1998 as the nominee for the Reform Party of Minnesota (he later joined the Independence Party of Minnesota when it broke from its association with the Reform Party of the United States of America). His campaign consisted of a combination of aggressive grassroots events and original television spots, designed by quirky adman Bill Hillsman, using the phrase "Don't vote for politics as usual." He spent considerably less than his opponents (about $300,000), and is widely regarded as one of the first candidates to effectively use the Internet as a medium of reaching out to voters in a political campaign.
He won the election in November 1998, narrowly (and unexpectedly) defeating the major-party candidates: St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman (Republican) and Minnesota Attorney General Hubert H. "Skip" Humphrey III (Democratic-Farmer-Labor).
After his victory, bumper stickers and T-shirts bearing the slogan "My governor can beat up your governor" appeared in Minnesota and became ubiquitous virtually overnight. Ventura circulated material stating his wish to be known in office as "Jesse 'The Mind'". The nickname stuck, but as a sarcastic and facetious way for opponents to highlight his frequent controversial remarks. Far more frequently, people continued to use "Jesse 'The Body'" or adapt his former stage name as "Jesse 'The Governing Body'."
Ventura went on to gain the highest approval rating of any governor in Minnesota history, with some polls ranking his public approval as high as 73 percent in 1999, despite controversial public comments. Later in his term, however, a decline in the economy and a growing unwillingness by the public to accept some of his more controversial behaviors and statements led to a sharp decline in his popularity. Citing undue media scrutiny into the lives of his family he chose not to run for reelection in 2002.
Political positions
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Ventura's main campaign promise was a tax refund to Minnesota residents. The state was running a budget surplus at the time, and Ventura believed that the money should be given back to the public. In political debates, he often admitted that he had not formed an opinion on certain policy questions. Sharing many views with libertarians, Ventura frequently described himself as "fiscally conservative and socially liberal." He selected teacher Mae Schunk as his running mate. His participation in the 1998 Minnesota Governor debates boosted his popularity as a candidate.
Later as governor, he came to support a unicameral (one-house) legislature, light rail public transport, property tax reform, gay rights, and abortion rights. While funding public school education generously, he opposed the teachers' union, and did not have a high regard for the public funding of higher-education institutions. Additionally, Ventura supported the use of medicinal marijuana, advocated a higher role for third parties in national politics, and favored the concept of instant-runoff voting.
Lacking a party base in the Minnesota House and Senate, Governor Ventura's vetoes were often overridden.
Ventura was elected on a Reform party ticket, but he never received support from Ross Perot's Texas faction. When the Reform party was taken over by Pat Buchanan supporters before the presidential elections of 2000, Ventura left the party in February 2000, referring to it as 'hopelessly dysfunctional'. However, he maintained close ties to the Independence Party of Minnesota, which also broke from the Reform party around the same time.
Litigation
In 1987, while negotiating his contract as a WWF commentator, Ventura waived his rights to royalties on videotape sales when he was falsely told that only feature performers received such royalties. In 1991, having discovered that other non-feature performers received royalties, Ventura brought an action for fraud, misappropriation of publicity rights, and unjust enrichment in Minnesota state court against Titan Sports. The case was removed to federal court, and Ventura won an $801,333.06 jury verdict on the last claim. The judgment was affirmed on appeal, and the case,,[11] 65 F.3d 725 (8th Cir.1995), is an important result in the law of restitution.
Now because of Ventura's victorious lawsuit, whenever the WWF/WWE wants to use his commentary for a mass marketed VHS/DVD, Ventura will get a percentage of the sales.
Light rail transit
During the first part of his administration, Ventura strongly advocated for land-use reform and substantial mass transit improvements, such as light rail. In his March 1999 State address, he proclaimed, "I want to ride a train by 2002," referring to a light rail line running between downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America. He made the light rail project a priority, obtaining additional funding from the Minnesota state legislature to keep the project moving. The Hiawatha Line was completed in 2004, significantly exceeding all ridership estimates.
Controversies as Governor
During his tenure as Governor, Ventura experienced several controversies that drew a considerable amount of fire from the press in the Twin Cities, which has long prided itself on independence from and criticism of the state government.
Garrison Keillor
Shortly after Ventura's election as governor of Minnesota, author and humorist Garrison Keillor wrote a satirical book about the event, spoofing Ventura as "Jimmy (Big Boy) Valente," a self-aggrandizing former "Navy W.A.L.R.U.S. (Water Air Land Rising Up Suddenly)" turned professional wrestler turned politician. Initially, Ventura responded angrily to the satire. He became conciliatory afterwards, however, and said that Keillor "makes Minnesota proud".[12]
Shutdown of the Governor's Mansion
Ventura attracted the ire of critics when he chose not to stay at the governor's mansion during his tenure, choosing instead to shut it down and stay at his home in Maple Grove after the legislature refused to increase spending for security. Critics argued that it meant the loss of jobs for several working-class people at the mansion and re-opening the mansion after Ventura's departure would cost more than if Ventura had kept the mansion open.[13]
"Drunken Irishmen" remark
During his term, Ventura made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, in which he responded controversially to the question posed by Letterman, "So which is the better city of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis or St. Paul?". Ventura responded, "Minneapolis. Those streets in St. Paul must have been designed by drunken Irishmen". He later apologized for the remark, adding that it was not intended to be taken seriously.[14]
Pledge of Allegiance
Ventura vetoed a bill to require recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools, saying:
"I believe patriotism comes from the heart. Patriotism is voluntary. It is a feeling of loyalty and allegiance that is the result of knowledge and belief. A patriot shows their patriotism through their actions, by their choice. No law will make a citizen a patriot".[15]
China
After a trade mission to China in 2002, he announced that he would not run for a second term as governor of Minnesota. During another trade mission to Cuba in the summer of 2002, he denounced the economic sanctions of the US against that country.[16]
Wellstone memorial
Ventura greatly disapproved of some of the actions that took place at the 2002 memorial for Senator Paul Wellstone, his family, and others who died in a plane crash on October 25, 2002. Ventura said, "I feel used. I feel violated and duped over the fact that [the memorial ceremony] turned into a political rally".[17][18] He left halfway through the controversial speech made by Wellstone's best friend, Rick Kahn. Because of the rally and other issues revolving around the exclusion of third-party candidates from the resulting election, he appointed Dean Barkley to represent Minnesota in the Senate until Wellstone's term expired in January 2003. Al Franken wrote that Ventura was disrespectful at the memorial, notably for chewing gum throughout the service.
The media
Ventura enjoyed an arduous relationship with the local media. He referred to them as "media jackals," a term that even appeared on the required press passes to enter the governor's press area.[19] He accused the media of hounding him and his family for personal behaviors and beliefs while neglecting coverage of important policy issues. Later, Ventura told a reporter for The Boston Globe that he would have run for a second term if he had been single, referencing the media's effect on his family life.[20]
Statements on prostitution
In one of his books, Ventura mentions a visit to a prostitute near Reno, Nevada and he admitted to visiting brothels in the Philippines while serving in the military. Ventura has publicly stated that prostitution should be legal, since it will exist in any case, and legal controls protecting the health of clients and workers are needed.[21] He said "I voted in hopes to make prostitution legal once, and I'd do it again in a second".[22] He admitted to trading a belt made of gun cartridge cases in exchange for 10 dollars plus the services of a prostitute in Nevada during his younger days.
Early resignation
Governor Ventura sparked media criticism when, nearing the end of his term, he suggested that he might resign from office early to allow his lieutenant governor, Mae Schunk, an opportunity to serve as governor. He further stated that he wanted her to be the state's first female governor, and have her portrait painted and hung in the Capitol along with the other governors. Ventura quickly retreated from the comments, saying he was just floating an idea.[23]
Health
In 2002, Ventura suffered a severe blood clot in his lungs that left him hospitalized.[24]
During his wrestling days, Ventura was a user of anabolic steroids, used to increase his already considerable physique. He admitted to this after retiring from competition, and went on to make public service announcements and appear in printed ads and on posters warning young people about the dangers and health risks of using steroids.[25]
Religion
In a Playboy interview, he said:
"Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers. It tells people to go out and stick their noses in other people's business."
In his 1999 best-selling memoir I Ain't Got Time to Bleed, Ventura responded to the controversy sparked by these remarks by elaborating on his views concerning religion: "I’d like to clarify [my comments published in Playboy] about religious people being weak-minded. I didn’t mean all religious people. I don’t have any problem with the vast majority of religious folks. I count myself among them, more or less. But I believe because it makes sense to me, not because I think it can be proven. There are lots of people out there who think they know the truth about God and religion, but does anybody really know for sure? That’s why the founding fathers built freedom of religious belief into the structure of this nation, so that everybody could make up their minds for themselves. But I do have a problem with the people who think they have some right to try to impose their beliefs on others. I hate what the fundamentalist fanatics are doing to our country. It seems as though, if everybody doesn’t accept their version of reality, that somehow invalidates it for them. Everybody must believe the same things they do. That’s what I find weak and destructive."[26]
Ventura endorsed equal rights for religious minorities, as well as people who don't believe in God, by declaring July 4, 2002, "Indivisible Day" through this proclamation:
"WHEREAS: The unique feature of this nation at its founding was its establishment of a secular Constitution that separated government from religion - something never done before; and WHEREAS: Our secular Constitution has enabled people of all worldviews to coexist in harmony, undivided by sectarian strife; and WHEREAS: President James Madison made clear the importance of maintaining this harmony when he said, "The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the endless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries"; and WHEREAS: The diversity of our people requires mutual respect and equal protection for all our citizens, including minority groups, if we are to remain "One nation, indivisible"; and WHEREAS: It is the unfettered diversity of ideas and worldviews that have made our nation the strongest and most productive in the world; and WHEREAS: Eternal vigilance must be maintained to guard against those who seek to stifle ideas, establish a narrow orthodoxy, and divide our nation along arbitrary lines of race, ethnicity, and religious belief or non-belief. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JESSE VENTURA, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim that Thursday, July 4, 2002 shall be observed as: INDIVISIBLE DAY In the State Of Minnesota."
Governor Ventura's office accidentally proclaimed October 13 to 19, 2002 as "Christian Heritage Week" in Minnesota.[27][28]
Outside career
Ventura has been criticized for privately profiting from his heightened popularity. He was hired as host for the failed XFL football enterprise, served as a referee at a World Wrestling Federation match, and published several books during his tenure as governor. On his weekly radio show, he often criticized the media for focusing on these deals rather than on his policy proposals.[29]
Post-gubernatorial life
Ventura was succeeded in his office by Republican Tim Pawlenty. He began a cable television show in October, 2003, on MSNBC called Jesse Ventura's America. The show was broadcast once a week, on Saturdays, unlike many MSNBC shows which are on five nights a week (this show was originally planned for five nights a week as well, but MSNBC executives changed their minds). At the time of its airing, Jesse Ventura's America was the only national television show filmed in Minnesota. Among his guests were Charles Barkley, Gray Davis, Arianna Huffington, Rob Kampia, and Kathy McKee. However, the show was soon canceled.
In 2004, fellow Navy veteran and Harvard graduate student Christopher Mora promoted the idea that the academic establishment had failed to reach out to citizens experienced in public service, but who did not fit the traditional idea of a politician. He successfully lobbied for the selection of Ventura, who started teaching a study group at Harvard University for the Spring 2004 semester as a visiting fellow at the Kennedy School of Government's Institute of Politics (IOP). His 90-minute study group focused on third party politics, campaign finance, the war on drugs, and other relevant political issues. Ventura scheduled multiple famous friends to appear for his seminars including Dean Barkley and Richard Marcinko. These presentations were among the highest attended in the history of the IOP[citation needed].
On March 14, 2004, Ventura appeared as an honored guest at World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) WrestleMania XX as part of the "WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2004." Later in the evening he approached the ring to interview Donald Trump, who had a front row seat at the event. Trump affirmed that Ventura would receive his moral and financial support were he to ever reenter the world of politics. Alluding to the 2008 election, Ventura boldly announced that "In 2008, maybe we oughta put a wrestler in the White House".
On October 22, 2004, with Ventura by his side, former Maine Governor Angus King endorsed John Kerry for President at the Minnesota state capitol building. Ventura did not say a word at the press conference, showing his continued contempt for the press. When prodded for a statement, Governor King responded, "He plans to vote for John Kerry, but he doesn't want to make a statement and subject himself to the tender mercies of the Minnesota press".[30]
In November 2004, an advertisement began airing in California featuring Ventura. In it, Ventura voices his opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's policies regarding Native American casinos. Like Hogan, Schwarzenegger at one point was also a close friend of Ventura as well, but since Schwarzeneggr's victory in California, Ventura has not reportedly given him any praise; Schawarzenegger didn't even mention Ventura's name in an interview with Fox News in 2005, where reporter Chris Wallace asked him if he was quote "the next Jesse Ventura" [31]. Ventura is serving as an advisory board member for a new group called Operation Truth, a non-profit organization set up "to give voice to troops who served in Iraq." “The current use of the National Guard is wrong....These are men who did not sign up to go occupy foreign nations”.[32]
In August 2005, Ventura became the spokesperson for Betus.com, an online Sportsbook.[33]
In 2005, Ventura repeatedly discussed leaving the United States. In September of 2005, Ventura announced on The Mike Malloy Show that he was leaving the U.S. and planned to "have an adventure". In late October 2005, he went on the The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch and reiterated that he was leaving the U.S. due to, among other things, censorship. He has since moved to Baja California, Mexico.
In September of 2006, Ventura endorsed and campaigned with independent Texas gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman,[34] and Independence Party of Minnesota 's gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson and Team Minnesota. He revealed he now spends much of his time surfing near his home in Mexico.
Ventura participated on the June 11, 2007 WWE Raw Draft Special on the USA Network, where he was seen giving "Appreciation" towards Mr. McMahon.
In April 2008, A book authored by Ventura, titled Don't Start the Revolution Without Me was released. In it, Ventura describes a hypothetical campaign in which he is a candidate for President of the United States in 2008, running as an independent.[35] In an interview with the Associated Press at the time of the book's release, however, Ventura denied any plans for a presidential bid, stating that the scenario is only imaginary and not indicative of a "secret plan to run".[36]
However, in an interview on CNN's The Situation Room on April 7, Ventura hinted that he is considering entering the race for the United States Senate seat now held by Norm Coleman.
Questions regarding 9/11
On April 2nd, 2008, Jesse Ventura expressed doubts on the Alex Jones radio show about some of the events of the 9/11 attacks.[37][unreliable source?]. He said that he felt that many unanswered questions remain, such as how World Trade Center Building 7, which was not struck by a plane, could have collapsed on the afternoon of 9/11 in a manner which resembled a perfectly executed controlled demolition[38][unreliable source?] Ventura stated:
"Two planes struck two buildings . . . but how is it that a third building fell 5 hours later? How could this building just implode into its own footprint 5 hours later - that's my first question - the 9/11 Commission didn't even devote one page to that in their big volume of investigation . . . In my opinion, there is no doubt that that building was brought down with demolition."[39][unreliable source?]
He also expressed bewilderment at how the Twin Towers appeared pulverized[40] and wondered how they could drop at virtually free-fall speed, when, he claimed, no other massive steel-framed buildings had ever collapsed in this manner due to fire before. He stated:
"How could those buildings fall at the speed of gravity - if you put a stopwatch on them, both of those World Trade Center buildings were on the ground in ten seconds - how can that be? ... [Also] jet fuel is four-fifths kerosene, which is not a hot-burning fuel: and they want us to believe that it melted these steel-structured girders and caused these buildings to pancake-collapse to the ground?! I was on the site within two weeks after it happened, and I saw none of these 'pancakes'. Wouldn't they all be piled up in a huge mass on the ground? And yet everything was blown into dust! When you look at it from that aspect, none of it makes any sense, if you apply common sense to it ..." [39]
Bush Administration Insider Says U.S. Government Behind 9/11
Dr. Morgan Reynolds, Ph.D, is professor emeritus at Texas A&M University and former director of the Criminal Justice Center at the National Center for Policy Analysis headquartered in Dallas, TX. He served as chief economist for the United (more)
Dr. Morgan Reynolds, Ph.D, is professor emeritus at Texas A&M University and former director of the Criminal Justice Center at the National Center for Policy Analysis headquartered in Dallas, TX. He served as chief economist for the United (more)
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