In the early 1970s, as the United States was embroiled in political turmoil, a shadowy figure named G. Gordon Liddy was crafting a series of outlandish and illegal plans that would eventually lead to one of the biggest political scandals in American history. These plans, collectively known as Operation Gemstone, were a testament to the paranoia and desperation of the Nixon administration. Let’s dive into the strange world of Liddy’s dirty tricks unit and explore the bizarre schemes that almost came to fruition.
The Birth of Operation Gemstone
A Man with a Mission
G. Gordon Liddy was no ordinary political operative. A former FBI agent with a fascination for German culture and Nazi terminology, Liddy was recruited by the Nixon administration to run a covert “dirty tricks” unit. This unit, later known as the Plumbers, was tasked with stopping leaks and sabotaging Nixon’s political opponents.
The Grand Presentation
In 1971, Liddy was given a seemingly unlimited budget to create a program of dirty tricks for the upcoming 1972 election. Excited by this opportunity, he developed Operation Gemstone, a multi-faceted plan that he presented to John Mitchell, the former Attorney General who was now running the Committee to Re-elect the President (aptly nicknamed CREEP).
Liddy’s presentation was nothing short of theatrical. He arrived at Mitchell’s office with huge charts, ready to unveil his master plan. Little did he know that his grandiose ideas would shock even the hardened politicians in the room.
The Bizarre Plans of Operation Gemstone
Operation Gemstone was divided into several sub-operations, each named after a precious stone. Here are some of the most outlandish plans Liddy proposed:
Operation Diamond: The Mexican Kidnapping Scheme
One of the most shocking proposals was Operation Diamond. This plan involved drugging and kidnapping members of left-wing groups like the Weather Underground who might disrupt the Republican convention. These activists would then be taken to Mexico and held there until the convention was over.
Operation Sapphire: Spying in the Sky
Liddy proposed using a spy plane to follow the planes of Democratic candidates. The goal? To eavesdrop on their conversations in midair. This plan, dubbed Operation Sapphire, shows just how far Liddy was willing to go to gather intelligence on Nixon’s opponents.
Operation Crystal: The Floating Brothel
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising plan was Operation Crystal. Liddy wanted to set up a houseboat across from the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami during the Democratic Convention. This boat would be filled with prostitutes and wired for sound and video. The idea was to lure Democratic politicians into compromising situations and then use the recordings for blackmail.
Operation Turquoise: Sweating Out the Democrats
In a plan that seems straight out of a cartoon, Operation Turquoise aimed to sabotage the air conditioning systems at the Democratic Convention. The goal was to make the temperature inside the Miami Convention Center soar to 115 degrees, leaving the Democrats sweating profusely and unable to focus on their political discussions.
Operation Coal: The Shirley Chisholm Gambit
Not all of Liddy’s plans involved direct sabotage. Operation Coal proposed secretly funding Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign. The idea was that as a black woman, Chisholm would force other Democrats to attack her, creating division within the party.
The LSD Obsession
One recurring theme in Liddy’s plans was the use of LSD. Like many in the intelligence community at the time, Liddy seemed fascinated by the drug’s potential for causing chaos and confusion.
The Ellsberg Plan
One particularly bizarre scheme involved putting LSD on the steering wheel of Daniel Ellsberg’s car. Ellsberg, who had leaked the Pentagon Papers, was seen as a major threat to the Nixon administration. The plan was for Ellsberg to absorb the LSD through his skin while driving to a Democratic fundraiser, causing him to make a fool of himself while speaking.
This plan, like many others involving LSD, showed a fundamental misunderstanding of how the drug works. As the author notes, “They never ever think that maybe a guy on LSD might just say, no, I can’t speak. I’m too high.”
The Watergate Break-In
While many of Operation Gemstone’s plans were rejected or never implemented, one did go forward: the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex.
Overkill and Incompetence
Liddy’s approach to the Watergate break-in was characterized by overkill and a kind of cloak-and-dagger enthusiasm that bordered on amateurish. The team used special guns, cameras, and tape recorders, much of which was unnecessary or didn’t work properly.
The break-in itself was poorly executed. The burglars used white tape to prop open doors, which was noticed by a security guard. Despite this clear sign that they had been detected, Liddy insisted on continuing the operation.
The Aftermath
Liddy’s Loyalty
When the Watergate scandal broke, Liddy refused to cooperate with investigators. He told his lawyer, “I am never going to defend myself in this case. I’m taking the rap.” This loyalty to Nixon and the administration led to Liddy receiving a 20-year sentence for what was essentially a white-collar crime.
The Unraveling
While Liddy remained silent, others involved in the scandal began to talk. The investigation was led by Mark Felt, the FBI’s number two man, who was secretly leaking information to journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Felt’s motivations were complex – he was an alcoholic who felt bitter about being passed over for the FBI director position.
The Legacy of Operation Gemstone
Operation Gemstone, while largely unrealized, provides a fascinating glimpse into the paranoid mindset of the Nixon administration. It shows how far some were willing to go to maintain power, even when it wasn’t necessary. Nixon was far ahead in the polls and would go on to win the 1972 election in a landslide.
The scandal that emerged from these plans led to Nixon’s resignation and forever changed American politics. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of ethical leadership.
A Reflection of Its Time
Operation Gemstone wasn’t created in a vacuum. It was a product of its time – a period of intense social and political upheaval in the United States. The country was dealing with anti-war protests, civil rights movements, and a general sense of chaos. In this context, Liddy and others in the Nixon administration felt that extreme measures were justified.
However, the outlandish nature of many of these plans also reflects a certain detachment from reality. The LSD schemes, in particular, seem more like plot points from a spy novel than serious political strategies.
The Echoes of Operation Paperclip
Interestingly, the author of our source material draws a connection between Liddy’s fascination with Nazi terminology and the influence of Operation Paperclip, which brought Nazi scientists to the U.S. after World War II. This suggests that the impact of such programs may have been more far-reaching than initially thought, potentially influencing the culture and mindset of some in the American intelligence community.
A Wakeup Call for America
In the end, Operation Gemstone and the Watergate scandal that followed served as a wakeup call for the American people. It exposed the dark underbelly of political power and the lengths to which some would go to maintain it. The scandal led to important reforms and a renewed emphasis on government accountability.
As we look back on this bizarre chapter in American history, we’re reminded of the importance of vigilance in protecting democratic institutions. The outlandish plans of G. Gordon Liddy may seem almost comical today, but they serve as a stark reminder of what can happen when power goes unchecked and loyalty is prized over ethics.
