Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a week of work and writing. I’ve started working on another story while I let my last one simmer. I always like to give it some time before I go back in and start editing. But enough about that. Today, I’d like to talk about a movie I saw on Netflix this weekend.
It was cold and rainy and I’m going into hibernation mode, so hubby and I binge watched Netflix this weekend. One of the movies we watched was “American Made.” The Barry Seals story.
It was entertaining, but ultimately ended in tragedy. It’s the true story of Barry Seals, a commercial pilot who was approached by the CIA to take pictures when he flew over areas of Central America. Upon later research it appears that this is false.
Seals ended up running guns for the CIA who were supplying weapons to the Contras to defeat the Sandinistas. So, Barry delivered guns to the contras then smuggled drugs back into the US for the Medellin Cartel. He dropped the drugs into Louisiana to the cartel’s people who delivered the drugs to the dealers. The cartel paid good money and Barry became rich.
The CIA turned a blind eye to the drug smuggling because they needed Barry to run guns for them, but soon other agencies got wind about what was happening. The DEA and the FBI and the ATF all got involved and Barry agreed to take pictures for the DEA to obtain evidence against the drug smugglers.
Some of these photos were leaked to the press and Barry happened to be in the photos. These photos were leaked by our own government against one of its own citizens. If this isn’t an example of our own government’s ruthlessness, I don’t know what is.
It has been speculated that Oliver North leaked the photos. Others have speculated Dan Daniel, a member of congress, leaked the photos. Of course, this theory didn’t rise to the surface from the murky waters of our government until after he died. So, there’s no way he can confirm or deny the story. Convenient, don’t you think?
I highly recommend this documentary. It illustrates how ruthless our government can be. It was an eye-opening experience, that’s for sure. How about you? Have you seen any movies or documentaries that made you stop and think? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!
I’m really not surprised that the US government created this monster, Lisa. Lots of terrible deeds are coming to light, and nobody gets away with anything in the end. Thanks for sharing! I think I’ve seen this movie years ago. What gets me is Tom Cruise doesn’t look anything like the real Barry Seal. Even Hollywood can’t get it right. LOL! Cheers, girlfriend!
I just watched this recently after our Costa Rican guide told us about him and the movie. he said the whole country watched the movie when it came out
I bet they did. It makes me wonder if there are really any good guys out there. 😦
it was really so dark in many ways
It was. I think that’s why they had to do it with a humorous bent, because otherwise, you’d be so depressed watching it. I don’t think we’ll ever know the real truth behind who leaked that photo to the press. It makes me angry when I think about it.
exactly and so much of it is infuriating. our guide told us what it was like to live there during the war being the contra and Sandinistas and when the cia came and opened up shop there
I bet it is. I’d love to hear what your guide had to say about that time. It’d be nice to hear it from someone who actually lived it.
He just said they had to keep adapting and adjusting to whatever was going on. They didn’t want the contras and Sandinistas to kill each other. Costa Rica disbanded their army and is a peaceful country. He said their airport and various things were taken over by one or the other at various times and the cia basically did as it pleased. They were happy when it was all over. He is the one who told me about Barry Seal and I was embarrassed to say that I’d never heard of him.
Oh my gosh. I bet it was a disturbing time. I’m glad it’s over. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Beth.
Thanks for sharing this Documentry . Anita
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by!