Episode
Part One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
1:16:10
Published: Tue Oct 09 2018
Description
In Episode 25, Robert is joined by comedian Andy Beckerman (Couples Therapy Podcast) to discuss Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan and the AIDS crisis. When Robert started researching for this episode, he expected it would be a fairly straightforward episode about how homophobia and religious fundamentalism in the halls of American power led to an executive branch that fiddled while thousands of gay people died. The story he uncovered was very different, and somehow even more offensive, than the one he'd set out to research. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chapters
The episode discusses how homophobia and religious fundamentalism in American power led to the neglect of a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic.
00:00 - 03:28 (03:28)
Summary
The episode discusses how homophobia and religious fundamentalism in American power led to the neglect of a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic. Besides, it also features couple therapy and stand-ups that are in a relationship.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
In this podcast, the speaker talks about the start of the AIDS epidemic in the US, which began with a few reported cases of fungal lung infections that were only found in people with very compromised immune systems.
03:28 - 07:42 (04:14)
Summary
In this podcast, the speaker talks about the start of the AIDS epidemic in the US, which began with a few reported cases of fungal lung infections that were only found in people with very compromised immune systems. The CDC reported eight more cases of the disease in LA on July 4th, and the disease was later named AIDS.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
In the early days of AIDS, the disease was often referred to as the "gay plague" or "gay cancer."
07:42 - 09:49 (02:06)
Summary
In the early days of AIDS, the disease was often referred to as the "gay plague" or "gay cancer." While most presidents would not have addressed the disease at such a small scale, the government's initial response was particularly bigoted as they wanted to lock it down as just a "gay disease."
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The government's response to the AIDS epidemic is often overlooked, but it is important to analyze how politicians acted during this crisis and distinguish between their personal biases and their actions.
09:49 - 15:05 (05:16)
Summary
The government's response to the AIDS epidemic is often overlooked, but it is important to analyze how politicians acted during this crisis and distinguish between their personal biases and their actions. Despite opposing abortion, Reagan did not actively push against it and it is important to acknowledge his actions in the context of his era.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The hosts discuss the morality of a "fixer", exploring their role in helping people achieve their goals and the potentially seedy actions they take to do so.
15:05 - 17:47 (02:41)
Summary
The hosts discuss the morality of a "fixer", exploring their role in helping people achieve their goals and the potentially seedy actions they take to do so.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The transcript refers to an article in The Advocate that discusses how Nancy was able to decorate her home for free by convincing a gay decorator who had previously worked for her friend to work on her house.
17:47 - 20:17 (02:30)
Summary
The transcript refers to an article in The Advocate that discusses how Nancy was able to decorate her home for free by convincing a gay decorator who had previously worked for her friend to work on her house. The transcript also contains a crude joke about a penile quill.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
Two unrelated topics - the paradise-like appearance of Koh Tao and the use of imitation voices to represent public figures are discussed, along with a brief mention of a past scandal involving homosexuality in the Reagan administration.
20:17 - 24:11 (03:53)
Summary
Two unrelated topics - the paradise-like appearance of Koh Tao and the use of imitation voices to represent public figures are discussed, along with a brief mention of a past scandal involving homosexuality in the Reagan administration.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The Reagans' true stance on gay rights is much darker than many realize, as they supported a bill that would have banned all gay people and supporters from teaching in California schools and they fired all the gay people in their administration in 1967.
24:11 - 29:09 (04:58)
Summary
The Reagans' true stance on gay rights is much darker than many realize, as they supported a bill that would have banned all gay people and supporters from teaching in California schools and they fired all the gay people in their administration in 1967.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The Reagan Administration's response to the emerging AIDS epidemic featured laughter and apathy, with even the President's spokesman joking about it on record.
29:09 - 31:20 (02:10)
Summary
The Reagan Administration's response to the emerging AIDS epidemic featured laughter and apathy, with even the President's spokesman joking about it on record. There was confusion over basic facts, including how to use acronyms for the disease.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The Reagan administration's lack of acknowledgement on the AIDS epidemic was not only due to homophobia, but also the fear of losing support from those who held bigoted views.
31:20 - 36:03 (04:43)
Summary
The Reagan administration's lack of acknowledgement on the AIDS epidemic was not only due to homophobia, but also the fear of losing support from those who held bigoted views. This is highlighted by the fact that some bigoted individuals, like Lester, still recognized the need for action to be taken.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
Historians and journalists discuss the Reagan White House's attitude toward homosexuality, noting that while there were some gay friends of Nancy Reagan, the overall atmosphere was hostile to the LGBTQ+ community, with staffers using homophobic slurs and gay individuals lacking access to administration officials.
36:03 - 41:03 (04:59)
Summary
Historians and journalists discuss the Reagan White House's attitude toward homosexuality, noting that while there were some gay friends of Nancy Reagan, the overall atmosphere was hostile to the LGBTQ+ community, with staffers using homophobic slurs and gay individuals lacking access to administration officials.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The Reagan administration's decision to spend a total of $220 billion on defense while cutting $150 million from the CDC's budget led to priorities that favored funding for Legionnaire's disease over AIDS, despite AIDS eventually causing a much larger epidemic.
41:03 - 45:45 (04:41)
Summary
The Reagan administration's decision to spend a total of $220 billion on defense while cutting $150 million from the CDC's budget led to priorities that favored funding for Legionnaire's disease over AIDS, despite AIDS eventually causing a much larger epidemic.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The President ordered a high priority be given to AIDS research and had meetings with the National Gay Task Force, as confirmed by a mention in a transcript of a podcast.
45:45 - 49:22 (03:37)
Summary
The President ordered a high priority be given to AIDS research and had meetings with the National Gay Task Force, as confirmed by a mention in a transcript of a podcast. However, a controversial statement was made about the formation of a vestigial hand on the spine of Roger Stone from molecules of the President's body.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The Gay Task Force requested more money for sex education at a state level and to tell people that condoms work to prevent AIDS from Reagan's administration.
49:22 - 55:55 (06:32)
Summary
The Gay Task Force requested more money for sex education at a state level and to tell people that condoms work to prevent AIDS from Reagan's administration. The sex education in the schools was quite poor, with only a nervous gym teacher using a video to teach it.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
A critique of television by rich people was discussed, emphasizing how most of the content is based on what they think normal Americans are like.
55:55 - 1:01:51 (05:56)
Summary
A critique of television by rich people was discussed, emphasizing how most of the content is based on what they think normal Americans are like. It is argued that this is due to a lack of understanding because they have been wealthy their entire lives and prefer politics centered pool parties to really understanding the struggles of the masses.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
In 1982, during unrest in the Philippines, Ronald Reagan invited his dear friend, Ferdinand Marcos, to the White House.
1:01:51 - 1:04:50 (02:59)
Summary
In 1982, during unrest in the Philippines, Ronald Reagan invited his dear friend, Ferdinand Marcos, to the White House. When actor Rock Hudson was denied access to a French army hospital, Hudson's publicist appealed to the Reagans, who were cautious about making exceptions for friends and celebrities.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The speaker has cut out family friends who voted for Trump, due to the impact of policies on marginalized communities like the one affected by AIDS because of social isolation and discrimination, which Democrats were not much better about in the past.
1:04:50 - 1:08:12 (03:21)
Summary
The speaker has cut out family friends who voted for Trump, due to the impact of policies on marginalized communities like the one affected by AIDS because of social isolation and discrimination, which Democrats were not much better about in the past.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
An author highlights the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic in 1986, the same year when the total number of deaths in the US surpassed 21,000.
1:08:12 - 1:11:07 (02:55)
Summary
An author highlights the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic in 1986, the same year when the total number of deaths in the US surpassed 21,000. He also questions whether President Reagan showed indifference to the issue or not.
EpisodePart One: Ronald and Nancy Reagan: The Bastards Behind the AIDS Crisis
PodcastBehind the Bastards
Check out the latest episodes of BastardsPod on AIDS and Ronald Reagan, Death Island's investigation of mysterious tourist deaths on Koh Tao island, and the new season of Beauty Translated, which delves deeper into the trans community and features a news mini-sode every Monday.
1:11:07 - 1:12:39 (01:32)
Summary
Check out the latest episodes of BastardsPod on AIDS and Ronald Reagan, Death Island's investigation of mysterious tourist deaths on Koh Tao island, and the new season of Beauty Translated, which delves deeper into the trans community and features a news mini-sode every Monday.