Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
G. Gordon Liddy just called to interview me about Margaret Thatcher. As I was speaking to him, I was thinking, it would be really interesting to write a book about him. Then I realized, first, that I couldn't possibly top his own book about himself, and second, that a whole generation of American kids probably think of him as "G. Gordon Liddy, talk show host," if they think of him at all.
We talked a bit about the strangeness of that--a generation for whom Watergate is as distant as the Mexican-American war (as he put it in his autobiography). Then someone called in to ask, "Who was Margaret Thatcher?" The question sort of broke my heart and set me on evangelical fire and I had to explain what the Cold War was, and I felt it was so important to close that generation gap and make people understand that this was real, the Cold War was real, I grew up with it!--that before I realized it, I had missed my chance to ask all the questions I wanted to ask about what it's like to be G. Gordon Liddy, the man who destroyed a generation's faith in the American government.
I'm not sure whether you can listen to it for free on the Internet, but if you do, tell me whether you don't hear in his voice the distinct sound of a much more subtle personality than you might think.
- Comment (14)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (2)
Comments :
Aug '10
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
Beyond the myths, this is an incredibly cool guy . With the myths, he is even cooler.
FBI bureau supervisor at 29, held debates with Tim Leary for fun and money, married for 53 years to mother of his five children. 12 grandkids. Pardoned by Carter .
He broke into Ellsberg's shrink's office, not his home . That is some twisted conspiratorial thinking.
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
He's a fascinating person. I attended a lecture of his in 1982, and it was mesmerizing. When it came time for questions from the audience, he said, "We'll play Christians and Lions, ...I will be the lion." And he was! Always a gentleman, he handled the naysayers with dispatch and decorum. A class act, ...but I wouldn't cross him.
Sep '10
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
As a pre-teen durring watergate in a Goldwater-ite household Liddy seemed like the only one with any integrity to me. Always thought it would have been fun to hear him with Leary but never did.
Apr '11
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
http://www.radioamerica.org/POD_ggl.htm
Nov '10
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
The cold war certainly was real.
I was 11 during the Cuban missile crisis and well remember that we were terrified. They had us doing silly things like crawling under our desks at school during the drills. Yah, like that would have preventing one from being turned into a crispy critter.
Edited on Nov 22, 2011 at 11:03amJun '10
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
When Thatcher was worked up and telling her opponents how it is, with the stare, I always had the impression that if someone swung at her with a steel pipe, at that moment--many leftwing Brits would've volunteered I'm sure--the steel pipe would just break in half, and if Thatcher was making an especially strong point she may not even notice it.
Dec '10
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
Thanks for the leg-work, Peter!
Dec '10
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
Here's a direct link to the podcast.
Mar '11
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
His testimony before Erwin makes me giggle *every* time I think if it:
Ervin: "Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
Liddy: "No."
Jun '10
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
Yes, great interview -- thanks, Claire. (And thanks, Peter.)
Claire, you are so relaxed in these interviews (I've probably listened to you 5 or 6 times now in different places). It's a pleasure to hear you and see how your mind turns things over on the fly.
Yes, regarding Liddy, he's a smart guy and subtle (?) -- ya, I guess that fits. Though he's getting older now, he has an amazingly sharp mind and he asked some pretty good questions.
Dec '10
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
Liddy is only subtle when speaking about important topics. However, he is superficially less-subtle and should ask you to pose for his "Stacked and Packed" calendar, wielding a pen, of course.
As for your broken heart, you still managed to distill two central points to convey across the generational void, with very limited time, and that is not evidence for emotional distress.
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
Larry Koler: Yes, great interview -- thanks, Claire. (And thanks, Peter.)
Claire, you are so relaxed in these interviews (I've probably listened to you 5 or 6 times now in different places). It's a pleasure to hear you and see how your mind turns things over on the fly.
I'm always really relaxed in my native language. It's just so easy, it's like cheating.
Dec '10
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
Mr. Liddy is one of my heroes. I saw him at McNeese State University in the early 80's and it seems Dave Carter must have been in that same audience. How bizarre. Anyway I have read Mr. Liddy's autobiography and enjoyed it immensely. It also made me sad for what Watergate did to President Nixon and our country. Wouldn't it have been so cool to be able to meet and converse with Nixon before he died.
Aug '10
Re: Talk Show Host G. Gordon Liddy
Oh well, Liddy for President.