Episode 710 · Sunday, 5 April 2015

Joy Brigade

From Stevie Wonder’s Harpejji performance to the geopolitical chess board of the Iran nuclear deal, the landscape of American policy and pop culture undergoes a radical shift.

By The No Agenda Show | 2h 47m listen | 42 chapters
Joy Brigade cover
The No Agenda Show · No. 710

About this episode

Stevie Wonder’s "Songs in the Key of Life Experience" tour at the Frank Irwin Center in Austin serves as a focal point for a broader look at cultural and technical shifts. The performance featured a guest appearance by India.Arie and the Harpejji, a rare stringed instrument developed by Tim Meeks that bridges the gap between guitar and piano. During the set, Wonder joked about his vision while expressing interest in driving a Tesla, highlighting the intersection of celebrity and emerging automotive technology.

President Barack Obama’s Rose Garden address regarding the Iranian nuclear framework has sparked debate over linguistic evolution and executive priorities. While grammarians argue over the use of "a historic" versus "an historic," critics point to the administration's framing of the deal as a binary choice between diplomacy and war to influence the 2016 election. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that the framework ignores Iran’s ICBM development, and Senator Tom Cotton faces scrutiny for his defense of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In the courts, the FBI arrests Noel Valenzas and Asia Siddiqui in Queens on conspiracy charges involving weapons of mass destruction, though the timing suggests a recurring six-week cycle of counter-terrorism stings.

John C. Dvorak celebrates a birthday falling on Easter Sunday, receiving a pair of CIA cufflinks while reflecting on the physics of 7-10 bowling splits. The show honors new Knights Sir Josh of the Sawdust and Sir Festivus of Alva during a high-level donor roll call. Technical segments explore the use of trees as radio antennas in tropical jungles and the legal battle over John Deere tractor software under the DMCA.


Loading show notes…
Loading clips…
CHAPTER 01 / 42 Discussion

Stevie Wonder Performance, Harpejji Instrument, and Austin Concert

A detailed account of a Stevie Wonder concert at the Frank Irwin Center in Austin, Texas, describes the "Songs in the Key of Life Experience" tour. The performance featured 30 musicians and a guest appearance by India.Arie. Technical details are provided for the Harpejji, a stringed instrument developed in 2007 by Tim Meeks that bridges the gap between guitar and piano layouts.

stevie wonder· austin· frank irwin center· harpejji· tim meeks· marcotti musical products

00:00 That's the kind of idiot she was. I'm Adam Curry. And from Northern Silicon Valley where the rain is rolling in finally, I'm John C. Dvorak. It's Crackpot and Buzzkill! In the morning! I only give weather reports. Exactly. Only on the 8's though. You know, you playing that harp reminds me of last night.

00:41 God I hope it's not what you're gonna say. I don't know what you think I'm gonna say I'll tell you Christina, and I went to the Stevie Wonder songs in the key of life experience tour here in Austin Stevie Wonder's on the road. Yeah, oh good with um man. It was fantastic at the Frank Irwin Center Which I've never been to that's a 16,000 seat arena Which was almost full like they can't sell that you know the the seats inside back at the stage But there must have been 12,000 people there

01:20 What's this arena normally used for? Basketball. Oh, okay. I would just say concerts pretty much, but also basketball. And at a certain point... It's on the campus of UG? Yes, it is. At a certain point, all of a sudden I went, what? Dvorak's here? But it was Stevie playing harmonica, so... Yeah, exactly the same. Wouldn't know the difference I have to say John this if if you have an opportunity you got to go to this You really got to go to this show. It was a bit. It's like a three and a half hour show the guy doesn't stop And he's preaching a message of love and everybody was all singing in the love and everyone's a love fast it was nice Yeah, it was he played a new instrument, which I think we should investigate Okay, the harpogy

02:14 Harpagy. Are you familiar with the Harpagy? No, there's a bunch of these these It's a wind it's a it's like a harmonica, but it's not kind of instruments. There's a slew of them. Yeah, but that's not the Harpagy. The Harpagy, H-A-R-P-E-J-J-I is a stringed musical instrument developed in 2007 by Tim Meeks, founder of Marcotti Musical Products and the instrument aims to bridge the gap in sound and technique between guitar and the piano. Playing surface as an isomorphic keyboard layout arranged in ascending whole tones across strings. The ascending semitones as the strings travel away, etc. etc. So you tap on it. It looks like one of those things, what's the name of those things? Looks a bit like a zither. Yeah, and the ones that hippies used to play. The auto harp.

03:04 Remember the auto-harp? That was no good. But then Indy Ari was the special guest. I mean, the whole thing was just really good. Greg Phelan Gaines, musical director. They have, he had 30 musicians on stage. You get 30 musicians and 30 Stevie Wonder hits and a good time is had by all. No bad. And the fun... I'm looking at this crazy thing. I can't figure out... And the cool thing is, to Christina, so you know, there's two generations there. And all of a sudden she goes, oh cool, he's doing Gangs of Paradise! Which you won't get that joke, but someone out there will. Okay. Never mind. Well, that's good. I'm glad you got out. Yes. Yeah. And

CHAPTER 02 / 42 Discussion

Uber Driver Demographics, John C. Dvorak's Birthday, and Stevie Wonder's Vision

A discussion regarding recent Uber rides in Austin notes a lack of immigrant drivers compared to expectations. The conversation shifts to John C. Dvorak's birthday falling on Easter Sunday and his family's gift-giving traditions. An anecdote from the Stevie Wonder concert claims the artist joked on stage about his blindness and wanting to drive a Tesla.

uber· john c. dvorak· birthday· stevie wonder· tesla

03:58 And unfortunately, I only had two days and not a lot of traveling because I was busting my ass yesterday, obviously, during the whole day trying to get the prep done so I could go to the show. And so I only had an opportunity to take two Ubers. UBER! Just had American drivers. How disappointing. Oh, you got screwed. Yeah, it's... Yeah, because I was all ready and we have the... I'm gonna go do my research. Nothing. We have a jingle here. Show's over. I'm sorry? Show's over. No, it's not over. But I had a cool jingle. I just have no reason to play it now, so I'll play it gratuitously. Nice. Who did that? That is...

04:51 Ron Aldridge did that for us. We're kept in the loop by the super-duper group of uber spies That should do it hey John happy birthday. Oh, thank you. Happy birthday. Happy Easter birthday to you Adam occurred Yeah, did you receive any gifts is everyone down visiting you or what's going on yeah, I was visiting okay everybody gotten any gifts the gift thing because Mimi's is a Gift Nazi oh and she has rules about gifts Do you want to share some of them with us? Yeah? Yeah Christmas? Yeah, you don't open your gifts around close to midnight. We used to hunt on the eve on Christmas Okay, all you and so you open all your gifts, and you have nothing for Christmas morning. Oh

05:44 No, no, this is Christmas night. Yeah. Oh, you go through the whole day. Got it. Got it. That's your Christmas morning gift is anticipation and a sock. You get to open that. And did the sock have a mandarin at the toe? My parents used to do that. I mean, I'm sorry, Santa used to do that to me. I don't know what that even means what you said. Well, you'd hang your stocking by the fire with care and then in the morning you'd wake up. Hit the fire if you're lucky. And then in the morning you'd wake up and then the sock was on the end of your bed with some stocking stuffer things in there. But in the toe, Santa would always put a mandarin and it was like, what do we, I'm not gonna eat this. I don't even know what you're talking about. A mandarin orange? Yeah.

06:29 Huh, no. This such a thing has never been heard of in the United States. Anything, anyplace. This has never been done. Boom, there you have it. We would be using, what are those little ones called? The sweeties or something? Little one what? Those little oranges that are mandarin, actually mandarin oranges. I don't know, John. I don't know. They come in a bag. Okay, so you have when will you receive when does the gift Nazi allow you to receive gifts? Probably sometime after dinner. Oh, okay. I had you are you expecting anything? Are you excited? No, they've given up. I've gotten all my good gifts over the years on you know, what are they gonna get me another harmonica?

07:14 You should really, I mean, you should get the Stevie Wonder songbook. I'm sure you can do some of these songs. I'm sure I could do a couple. Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you. He totally admitted he's not blind. What? Yeah, on stage. Yeah. All of a sudden he goes into this whole routine. It was very improv. Very, very improv. I mean, he had another persona, DJ Tick-Tick Boom, and he's doing all this club. I mean, just crazy, but very funny. And then he's like, ah, yeah, that blind thing, we've put a lot of success on that, huh? Ha ha. And he's like, yeah, I'm waiting for my new Tesla so I can drive it around. He's just cracking all these jokes.

CHAPTER 03 / 42 Discussion

Biz Stain Fighter, Enzyme Cleaning Science, and Retail Availability

The efficacy of Biz Stain and Odor Eliminator is highlighted, specifically its use of enzymes for cleaning towels and linens in cold water. Originally a Procter & Gamble brand, the product is now owned by a different entity, leading to distribution challenges at retailers like Target. Specific Safeway locations in San Francisco are identified as current sources for the detergent.

biz· procter & gamble· enzymes· target· safeway· cleaning products

07:50 And I said yeah when I was a I was 11 my mommy said we're gonna do it little Stevie Oh, I know let's tell everybody he's blind That was good, it was very good well while you were out doing that I went to Target Sorry to hear that yeah, so I went there for the sole purpose of buying some biz some what? Biz. Biz? Yeah, this is a product that used to be owned by Procter & Gamble and everybody heard of it. And then they sold it to some other boneheads who think I may have sold it to another group. And so nobody's heard of it, even though it is the greatest thing. So I'm looking up the, I remember when it came out back in the day, or at least around there.

08:36 It was developed at, and the Europeans apparently used this stuff successfully for a while, but people have lost interest in it. Is this the Biz Stain and Odor Eliminator? Yeah. Uh-huh. So Biz Stain, I want to give people a tip on this, because I want everyone to try to find it. Because Target used to have it, now they have to go, I don't know where I'm going to get it. But try washing towels in this stuff, and the way it works, it's enzymes. that do the cleaning. It's science, it's science is what it is. It's very scientific in fact but you have to be careful it has to be cold water or it decomposes the end so you take cold water you put it in a washing machine put a big giant chunk of the stuff in there and then you get it so it's all dissolved then you let it sit for six hours

09:26 This is the old they don't even talk about this anymore And then you just run the washer as though it was detergent it foams up a little bit and cleans the cleanliness You get out of this is outrageous Especially for towels there is no odor. They're they're fresher. They're brighter looking. They're just dynamite perfect I can't believe how fresh my linen feels, John C. DeVore. You have no idea. Do you think I'm kidding? No, I believe you. Well anyway, but it has to be all cold. Everything has to be cold and it's really a strange process and they gave up trying to market it.

10:02 And heck with it. And of course, it's not owned by Procter & Gamble, so they don't know how to market it because apparently only P&G and Colgate-Palmolive are the only guys that seem to know how to market this sort of thing to the public. I think there's a lot of under the table Well, they have a website, John. Good news. Bizstainfighter.com. I see in the area... I just did 94105 and you can get it at the Safeway on Jackson Street. I would get a thing. Or the Safeway Lifestyle on King Street. Whatever the case, I was running out so I went to Target and I was very disappointed that there wasn't any there.

CHAPTER 04 / 42 Discussion

Dame Tanya, Podcast Listenership, and iPad Soundboard Limitations

A brief mention of Dame Tanya's employment status and her status as a "man overboard" regarding the show's listenership leads to a technical discussion about podcast production. Limitations of using an original iPad 1 as a jingle trigger system are addressed, with a need for a larger touchpad or a more robust soundboard system identified.

dame tanya· ipad· soundboard· jingles· podcast production

10:42 I'm sorry to hear that. Yeah, I'll go to the site. Maybe I can find a place, a source for it. It's a dynamite product. Since this is the once in a 300 year opportunity to celebrate your birthday on Easter, are you celebrating any type of Easter thing? Do you guys do that? We're going to go out to dinner. Okay. You don't have to cook. Or so, where Dame Tanya works occasionally. Oh, nice. But I don't know what she's going to be working tonight. She stopped listening to the show, she's a man overboard. Oh, hold on. This is another one. I gotta, you know what I have to do? I have to re-uh, reset all the jingles I think. MAN OVERBOARD! I need a bigger pad. A bigger, um, you know, touch pad for all the jingles that... Well, what's the size of your pad? It's an iPad, it's an original iPad 1. Well, just get two of them.

CHAPTER 05 / 42 Discussion

Iran Nuclear Framework, Obama's Rhetoric, and English Grammar Evolution

President Barack Obama's Rose Garden speech regarding the Iranian nuclear framework serves as a catalyst for a debate on linguistic shifts. The use of "a historic" versus "an historic" is analyzed, with modern grammarians reportedly favoring the former. Other evolving terms mentioned include "whom" versus "who" and the use of "whilst."

iran· barack obama· nuclear deal· grammar· linguistics· rose garden

11:33 Yeah, that's a little complicated, but yeah. More stuff to carry. No, I just need a different system, I guess. I don't know. Well, I did do some work. Some actual work occurred. And of course, I've been extremely interested in the Iranian deal, which As you know, a framework came to pass. A framework means, yeah, kind of, yeah, maybe. We'll figure it out in the next few months. I have a bunch of Iranian clips. Good. I'll try to weave into what you're doing. Why don't I start? Well, what I did is I took the president, President Obama did a little talk there in the Rose Garden.

12:16 And it was about 20 minutes, and it was very consistent with the messaging. They do this well, and I'm pretty sure this is, of course, is, you know, we've got Megan from Google there now, and we've got, who was the head of engineering from Facebook? He's now also at the White House. He's... Harold Pollack Sheryl Sandberg? No, no, no, no, no. The head of... Kind of a joke there, if anyone's listening. No, I get the joke. So the email blast that went out was very consistent with the same words. The president used the same words in his podcast, which he released today, which is very boring. And he just, I'm not going to play any of that. But this 20 minute speech was interesting. And right off the bat, I discovered that I've been both surprised, surprised. I have been

13:02 Using the language incorrectly for all my life. Today, the United States, together with our allies and partners, has reached a historic understanding with Iran. This sounds so strange to me. I am so used to saying an historic, instead of a historic. And apparently this is wrong. I can kind of explain a little bit of that. Okay. There's a couple of people out there, linguists, English grammarians that have radio shows. And one of a guy who I can't, I haven't heard for years because I think it took him off one of our local stations. I should dig up his website. He explained this and he says that right as of now,

13:50 The more modern way of doing it is to stop using an. This is what I understand as well. I didn't know that this was incorrect. I've always been saying. It's not incorrect. Well, it's just not modern. What I understand the research I found, I did research on it because I wanted to call him out. You were upset about it. Well, yeah. I listened to words and why isn't he doing an historic, an historic? It just doesn't feel right. I don't like it. I don't like it either. I don't think it flows as well, but you don't have to use it. You can still say an historic. Yes, but you don't say, Oh my God, shoot him. I think it has to do with the type of H that you're using. For instance, you don't say an herb garden or an hour. And I say an hour. I do say an hour. It's an honor. Yeah. But I don't say an herb garden. I say, maybe I do an herb. It's kind of flows together, I guess. I don't know.

14:46 I just thought, okay, so the modern way is to say it that way. Is there no rule? Don't we have a rule book for English? Isn't it? Isn't that so official? It's such a great language. Find these guys who know, oh, now, now, don't do that anymore. Who decides this? Another one that's suddenly out of vogue. I still use it. But whom, who the bell tolls you. Now it would be who the bell tolls. And then while or whilst? I still like throwing a whilst in there sometimes. I think I've used whilst once in a while, but I rarely do. It's nothing I would say verbally. Sounds a bit pretentious. I'm a rule follower. So if the rule is that we have to do it, then I'll do it. There you go. Rule followers. Very good, children. Then, of course, the president said the thing that I...one of the things I...it hurts me every single time he does it.

15:40 John, every single time he does it. Can we go back to that rule follower thing for a second before you go on? Yeah, sure. I've been wondering about this because I'm always expected, you know, people that say this or this, I'm a rule follower. How come you're not a... Are you a rule follower? I'm expecting someone to ask me this someday. Okay. And I'm gonna say not necessarily. You wanna try it out? Shall I just try it out for a second? Yeah, let's do it. Okay. Hey, John. Yeah? Are you a rule follower? Not if the rule sucks. In the morning. Hey Leo, how about you? I'm a rule follower. Okay, just want to make sure you're still on board.

CHAPTER 06 / 42 Discussion

Presidential Responsibility, Constitution, and Harry Reid Assault Allegations

Criticism is leveled at President Obama for stating his greatest responsibility is the security of the American people rather than upholding the Constitution. Separately, allegations surface regarding Senator Harry Reid's injuries, suggesting his brother Larry may have been involved. The lack of mainstream media interest in these allegations is cited as evidence of institutional bias.

harry reid· constitution· barack obama· larry reid· media bias

16:18 Um, so here's the thing that the president does time and time again. He switches it up sometimes, but this is the one that irks me the most. As president and commander-in-chief, I have no greater responsibility than the security of the American people. Ah, here we go. I'm sorry, that is incorrect. President 44, incorrect sir, incorrect. Your greatest responsibility is to uphold and protect the Constitution, not the security of the American people. Why does no one ever follow... why am I the only guy? Well, because you're the only one who gives a crap about this. I guess so. It just irks me to no end. Well, and the media doesn't care. In fact, I don't want to change the subject because it's only a short bit, but I did run into a piece on who beat up Harry Reid. Did you run into this? Yes, but do you have a clip about it or you want to... No, I have no clip, I just have a piece of it. Yeah, apparently his brother.

17:18 His brother Larry and his other brother Larry apparently, but his brother Larry is a drunk and he's an alcoholics anonymous and apparently beat up Harry. Hold on a second, hold on a second, hold on a second. Now, is he a recovering alcoholic or is... Yes, he's recovering. No, he apparently is not recovering, but he is an AA member trying to recover. Okay. Well, it's a serious disease, so let's not just take light of that. I didn't take light of it. You said he's a drunk. He's an AA. What can I say? It's not light, I don't mean it lightly, I'm not joking. Whatever the case was, he came into an AA meeting with witnesses and he said he beat up somebody, never said who, but he's worried that the Secret Service was out to get him. He's anonymous at the meeting, named Larry, and then the next day he was busted on some DUI. His picture was in the paper and all the members of the group in the AA meeting said, oh, look at that, that's who it was. But the kicker of the story is not that his brother beat him up, to me.

18:14 And I have an article on a little website that just discussed this in detail. So the kicker was a couple of the members of the group called the local TV station and said to them, hey, we found who beat up Harry Reid, blah, blah, blah. And they went on and on, and the station said, we're not interested. Of course not. We don't want any trolls. This, to me, was the kicker because this is the problem with the media and the only reason that our show even exists. Turn off your television.

CHAPTER 07 / 42 Discussion

Iran Deal Options, 2016 Election Strategy, and Senator Chuck Schumer

The three options presented by the Obama administration regarding Iran—diplomacy, bombing, or sanctions—are framed as a political setup for the 2016 elections. The strategy aims to paint Republicans as warmongers if the deal fails. Senator Chuck Schumer's position is highlighted as complicated due to his ties to Israel and his cautious response to the framework.

iran· nuclear deal· 2016 election· chuck schumer· republicans· diplomacy

19:00 Details at 11. Cain and Abel were nothing compared to Larry and Harry. News at 11. It's just, you'd want to watch this, but no, they didn't even, weren't even interested in the story. Well, then you know, then that means there's... They've been told not to do it. Well, that's a possibility too, which is even worse. You don't like your broadcast license, son? Yeah. All right, back to Iran. By the way, we'll all be licensed on the internet too, and so we'll be all... Oh, I have some proof of that. Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah. Then the president goes on and he's mentioned three options which which this second one was just You know, that's fun It's pretty interesting that he just came out and said this but the fact is we only have three options for addressing Iran's nuclear program first We can reach a robust and verifiable deal like this route and rules by van der Ronde from obtaining a nuclear weapon. I

19:53 The second option is we can bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. Everybody now! Bomb them! We need to kill and bomb them. Bomb them. We need to kill and bomb them. Bomb them. We need to bomb them. We need to kill them and bomb them again. I just find it kind of cavalier. We could bomb we could bomb the fuck out of them if we wanted to not a problem Thereby starting another war in the Middle East another one. Yeah Mm-hmm. Yeah, we don't need that no back arounds program by a few years in other words setting it back by a fraction of the time that this deal will Set it back

20:39 Meanwhile, we'd ensure that Iran would race ahead to try and build a bomb. Third, we could pull out of negotiations, try to get other countries to go along and continue sanctions that are currently in place or add additional ones and hope for the best. This isn't setting back anything. It's making it stay in place. Well, how's exciting it back? Well, you're gonna forget the research they've done So this this particular deal I feel is so multi-pronged, but it really is once again about the 2016 elections No doubt about it So the way this is set up, and I didn't clip all of this stuff, but we have the framework, then the negotiators will work on this, and the details will be fleshed out through June, which probably will mean it'll go all the way through summer, and then we'll start getting it full force in the sweeps week for the fall season. And of course, this is right around the time when we need to really start making everybody look stupid, particularly the Republican Party,

21:40 They need to be looked like they are putting the entire world in danger. And the president was very clear about calling them out, which is this is a setup. And the Republicans, by the way, are going to use this exact same deal for their benefit. So this is a such it'll be such a huge dividing issue amongst the people who still do vote in the country. But it'll be it'll further divide red, left, right, Democrat, Republican. You have to remember that when Obama first ran for president and made all his promises, which now he's beginning to, you know, after seven years, his last year, he's trying to implement a few of them. And one of them, if you recall, besides closing down Gitmo, which he's apparently never going to manage, even though it was the number one thing, he promised that he would go to the table with

22:36 Iran and bargain. And the Republicans use that as leverage against him saying, ah, who would talk to these horrible people? We shouldn't talk to them ever. And McCain, of course, is leading the charge, especially the first go-round, that we can't talk to them. I don't know what we can't because they're unreliable. I have a funny clip that's kind of long which is it can I just put in the little the little threat that he puts here which is the only of only this and one more quick clip and then I want to go to yours yeah so this is just showing the strategy behind the deal and I'm sure that he's I

23:14 I am pretty confident that he said, Hey, take your time. This, you know, let's just announce we're good to go. We can figure out the D and this is just like any big merger. You know, you want to, if you want the stock price to pop, you know, there's things you want to do. And we want some, um, political capital stock price to pop on this. So we need to, whatever we do, if this fails, It's the Republicans. If Congress kills this deal not based on expert analysis and without offering any reasonable alternative. Then it's the United States that will be blamed for the failure of diplomacy. Aha! International unity will collapse. International unity will collapse, John! It will collapse! I love that one. The conflict will widen. The conflict will widen. The American people understand this. Yes, they do. Which is why solid majorities support a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue. So the gauntlet has been thrown down. Now the gauntlet is down. Yeah, not only that, but the Republicans have always been critical of Obama for not being diplomatic.

24:15 and uh... well there's more to this. They really put painting them into a corner and the only one of the guy I mean what it's just it's like a suckers game and they have the suckers already lined up oh haha Yes, and the only guy that's kind of the one mysterious situation in the guy kind of caught in the middle is the next new head of the Senate on the Democrat side, which is Schumer. Schumer is in Israel's pocket. He's their guy. And he doesn't know what to do. It's hilarious. He'll just blame it on the Republicans. Well, he's not blaming it on anybody. He's not saying anything. Not yet. He's neutral. One more piece here. This deal, this is so clear. Goodbye, Hillary. Goodbye, Elizabeth Warren.

CHAPTER 08 / 42 Discussion

John Kerry, Nobel Peace Prize Rumors, and Political Electability

Secretary of State John Kerry is praised by the administration for his role in the Iran negotiations, sparking rumors of a potential Nobel Peace Prize nomination. His future political prospects are debated, contrasting his visibility with other potential Democratic candidates like Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren.

john kerry· nobel peace prize· hillary clinton· elizabeth warren· diplomacy

25:05 Hello, John F. Kerry! And most of all, on behalf of our nation, I want to express my thanks to our tireless, and I mean tireless, Secretary of State John Kerry. And our entire negotiating team. They have worked so hard to make this progress. They represent the best tradition of American diplomacy. And there is now a rumor he could be up for a Nobel Peace Prize. Kerry? Yeah! Oh yeah. I told you this guy thinks he's going to be president. It's so obvious. I wish they'd run him again. It would be so much fun, wouldn't it? Well, the problem is then you'd get a Republican in and you'd have an economic collapse. The Democrats would be in office for it. I have issues with that. A Democrat has to be elected. Did you see him? Well, he's a Democrat. He won't get elected. I said, Democrat has to be elected. He's not electable. Because of his head? Because he's an a-hole.

CHAPTER 09 / 42 Discussion

Benjamin Netanyahu, Iranian General Quotes, and Middle East Security

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's critical response to the Iran deal is analyzed, including his claims about an Iranian general's statements regarding Israel's destruction. Netanyahu argues that the deal fails to address Iran's ICBM development and its regional aggression in places like Yemen. The geopolitical implications for Saudi Arabia and Turkey are also noted.

benjamin netanyahu· israel· iran· yemen· saudi arabia· icbm

26:05 Oh, okay. And Hillary Clinton's not? You know, and he's running George Bush's second term and he couldn't beat George Bush? Please. Did you see Bibi Netanyahu's response? Yeah, I did. Would you like to... He didn't like it. Sure, he did not. I'd like to share this with the group. Yesterday an Iranian general brazenly declared And I quote brazenly now I could not really attribute this quote. I couldn't really find it up. Excuse me. Netanyahu made it up. Israel's destruction is non negotiable. Israel's destruction is non negotiable. Where exactly did I hear this quote? I don't I couldn't find I could find lots of

26:52 So what's the general got to do with negotiations about anything? Who was this general? Did he name his name? He would have named his name. Did he name his name? Nope. Oh But evidently giving Iran's murderous regime a clear path to the bomb is negotiable. Hmm. This is unconscionable I agree with those who have said that Iran's claim that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes doesn't square with Iran's insistence on on keeping underground nuclear facilities, advanced centrifuges, and a heavy water reactor. This is where everyone's eyes glaze over. Nor does it square with Iran's insistence on developing ICBMs and its refusal to come clean with the IAEA on its past weaponization efforts. At the same time, Iran is accelerating its campaign of terror, subjugation, and conquest

27:54 Throughout the region those are some good words there Terry's got a good writer terror subject sub wasn't sub subjugation subjugation and conquest I'm kind of terror Subjugation and conquest. Yeah. Yeah throughout the region. Yeah recently in Yemen. Yes, that's correct and a US jets are refueling The Saudi... our tankers are refueling the Saudi jets. Good. Yeah. The concessions offered to Iran in Lausanne would ensure a bad deal that would endanger Israel, the Middle East, and the peace of the world. This guy's an a-hole. He is. Now is the time for the international community to insist on a better deal.

28:38 A better deal would significantly roll back Iran's nuclear infrastructure. I think he's drinking. He sounds a little bit... Significantly? A better deal would significantly roll back... He does sound drunk. I think he lost his little battle there with these negotiations because heaven forbid that the Iranians become part of the system. So he, I think he, uh, I think he's, he's just drinking away, man. Let's try it again. A better deal would significantly roll back Iran's nuclear infrastructure. A better deal would link the eventual lifting of the restrictions on Iran's nuclear program to a change in Iran's behavior. Iran must stop its aggression in the region, stop its terrorism throughout the world,

CHAPTER 10 / 42 Discussion

Tom Cotton, Religious Freedom Act, and Gay Rights Rhetoric

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas is scrutinized for his opposition to the Iran deal and his defense of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Cotton's rhetoric comparing U.S. social issues to the execution of gay people in Iran is discussed. Speculation is raised regarding Cotton's personal life and potential media narratives aimed at undermining his political standing.

tom cotton· arkansas· iran· gay rights· religious freedom restoration act· cnn

29:30 and stop its threats to annihilate Israel. That should be non-negotiable. And that's the deal that the world powers must insist upon. Okay, good luck with that. Yeah, good luck. We're giving them enough centrifuges to put into a matrix or parallel to absolutely create a nuclear weapon? Well, there's a number of good observations about this. And a couple of these clips will explain it, but first we have to play this clip which I've been itching to play. Because there's a, one of the guys on our watch list, the No Agenda watch list, is quoted on this. Okay, what are we getting? This is the Iran and guess who clip, and this is a backgrounder. The path to conflict will widen. The president telephoned top Republican and Democratic leaders to outline the deal. Many lawmakers reacted cautiously, insisting on more details.

30:26 Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York, typically a strong White House ally, said nothing positive, saying only the deal deserves careful, rigorous, and deliberate analysis, adding he will give it a very careful look. Freshman Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas has seen enough. The terms announced today are not as bad as I had feared. They're much worse. They put Iran on a path to a nuclear weapon, whether Iran follows those terms or whether Iran breaks those terms. The only blame as deserved as President Obama for starting down this dangerous path and now continuing down it. The president insists Iran can be forced to open up its nuclear program to international inspections and John, this is great that you played this.

31:09 Because this cotton guy he is being set up so hugely for such a massive fall. Have you have you seen what they're doing to him? I don't know what you're talking about, but I do find it peculiar that most of the house and center on vacation. Yeah Easter and he's still hanging around and this guy Tom Cotton who? Was the the lead author on the 47? Senator letter open letter to Iran, but he's now going on all the shows anybody's being asked new questions which he immediately tries to steer away from now we've discussed Tom Cotton and We believe well actually we have some photographic evidence of him in a gay bar and you know

31:53 This quick marriage that came down. The beard is in place. Now we don't know and it doesn't really matter. Other than that, Other than that, here's where he's being set up and you just can wait for this, put it in the Red Book. Well, Wolfe and Arkansas, we believe in religious freedom. That's one reason why our former... Well, everybody believes in religious freedom. Well, that's one reason why our former... But the question is the discrimination, potential discrimination against gay Americans. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act was signed by former Arkansas governor Bill Clinton in his first year in office. These laws are modeled on that. and a lot of the concerns about discrimination haven't been brought born to bear over the last 20 years. But I also think it's important that we have a sense of perspective about our priorities. In Iran, they hang you for the crime of being gay. This thing is an outrage what he's saying here.

32:42 be saying, hey we're better than Iran because if you're gay there we hang ya. They're currently imprisoning an American preacher for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in Iran. We should focus on the most important priorities that our country faces right now and I would say that a nuclear armed Iran... Let's move it away to the, let's go back to the nuclear thing because I just said something crazy about Iranians killing gays and here's the headline. I like the way he mispronounces Iran. Oh yeah. We know it's Iran. Because he's never been read in. But he, yeah, because he's set up for the fall. Here's the headline. Tom Cotton, anti-gay. Turns out he's gay. Well there's no anti-gay... He just... No. Where's the anti-gay part of him? Ah.

33:24 He's okay. Where's the anti-gay part of the of the religious freedom act? It's not in there either That's very easy. You just say he is a Republican first of all you're a Republican. You got to be anti-gay It's just Republic gay another gay Republican. Yeah You wait for it. Why is he hiding it? Why was he hiding he married this woman of marriage was a sham Here's the way it would work marriage was a sham if he's so religious Why would he swear to God that he's gonna be with this woman when he would likes men? Why doesn't he just admit it? Why doesn't he just come out with it? Why is he but Troy was he did he've tried to fool the church that he lied to the pastor man You just did all the CNN segments right there and in 10 seconds except they'll do it in 10 days Yeah, well they have to stretch it. Hey, so I just want to point out that he's cruising for a fall All right back to your clips

34:14 All right, so that's him. The funny thing is he's mentioned in almost all the different clips from all the different places. But when you say in Iran, do you know how outrageous that is? In Iran, they kill you. Yeah, how about Saudi Arabia? Why don't you mention that while you're at it? Well, that's a good point. Yeah, he's not going to say that. Or Bahrain for that matter. Or Dubai or any of these places. Yeah. Or Corpus Christi. Sorry. Corp. Sorry All right, so what we got here, uh I think what's this Schuler clip? Oh, no that that's not sure I was thinking Schumer I get my clips. I got let's go with This is interesting Let's do it. Let's do the long clip that just get you have to break this up. That's fine. This is the Iran deal with real skeptics and

CHAPTER 11 / 42 Discussion

Marie Harf, David Brooks, and Nobel Prize Double Winners

State Department spokesperson Marie Harf and New York Times columnist David Brooks provide differing perspectives on the Iran deal's inspection regime. Brooks expresses skepticism about the long-term nature of the Iranian regime. A brief debate occurs regarding whether an individual can win the Nobel Peace Prize twice, referencing Obama's previous win.

marie harf· david brooks· mark shields· nobel peace prize· iran

35:10 And, uh, is this the guy? No, just play this, see where it goes. Under this agreement. And that's what we have done. Our bottom line here in terms of what we need to do. This is Marie Harf. Yeah, she's out there. She's back. Nice. Good to have her. It wasn't interesting enough to get too much out of it because this is part of another package. Right. So I listened to it and it was just, except for a couple of little items which we may put on the next show, she got just flew in and her arms were tired. What's his name's not there. She was glaring at some guy who took over his spot. Like you're sitting in his seat. Really? Yes. I mean, it was a stink eye.

35:51 Let's continue with Marie Harf. Oh, and this one time at band camp, I stuck a flute in my pussy. Under this agreement, and that's what we have done. Our bottom lines here in terms of what we needed to get at the negotiating table have never changed. Other parties to the talk struck notes of caution. The French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, insisted a final agreement must ensure there is no Iranian bomb. If this agreement is not entirely solid, that would mean that Iran could get a bomb, and this is unacceptable. And if this agreement is not perceived as solid, that means that the countries of the region, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and others, could also start thinking of making a bomb. Hey, hey, wait a minute!

36:33 shocked to find out that rebelization is going on here. And that would mean a nuclear proliferation. Dangerous for all. There is no specific schedule on resumption of talks, which have a deadline of June 30th. And to the analysis of Shields and Brooks, that's syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks. David, let me start with you. If the hardliners... Hold on a second. Stop it. Now, this is the end by the way. This is Brooks, you know, the New York Times guy. And he has a very funny, at the very, very end of the clip, he makes a snide remark that I just think, I just thought was, made my head kind of, what? David, let me start with you. If the hardliners or some hardliners in Iran are opposed to this, and if Benjamin Netanyahu is opposed to this,

37:19 Did the US successfully or US and the coalition thread the needle and try to get the negotiations that they wanted to? I don't think so. I must be with the hardliners over here. So, you know, I'm skeptical of the deal. I mean, parts of it are impressive. The inspection regime is pretty good. And so people who really know what they're talking about are saying for 10 years, we'll at least have access to lots of different parts of the Iranian weapon system. Maybe not some of the Republican Guard forts and areas like that, but it's a pretty good regime. My problem with it are twofold. First, the whole goal of this thing was to get rid of the Iranian nuclear program. That's what the president said. We're a long way from that.

37:55 that. Second, in 10 years, lots of bad things can happen. They can really move quickly. Third, it's a big bet on the nature of the Iranian regime. Is it a regime that wants to join the community of nations? If it's that, then it's a home run. Barack Obama will go down in history and he'll earn the Nobel Prize he got whenever he got it. He said he'll earn the prize he already got? Is that what he said? He says he'll earn the prize he got whenever he got it. No, Kerry's gonna get it. He can't get it. No, no, he's not gonna get it. He already has it. He's gonna earn it finally. Oh, but I think you can win the prize twice. No. Yes. No one's ever won the Nobel Peace Prize twice. Hmm. Hitler maybe. You're probably right. Sad. They gotta come up with new people. We're gonna give it to so-and-so. We just gave it to him.

CHAPTER 12 / 42 Discussion

Iranian Grievances, US Foreign Policy, and Stevie Wonder's Advice

An interview with a former Iranian ambassador on Democracy Now! outlines mutual grievances between the U.S. and Iran. The ambassador cites U.S. support for dictators like the Shah, Mubarak, and Ben Ali, as well as the invasion of Iraq, as sources of instability. The segment concludes with a quote from Stevie Wonder urging world leaders to "cut the bullshit."

iran· democracy now· shah of iran· mubarak· saddam hussein· stevie wonder

38:45 Let's give it to him again. We've got to find more people. It's embarrassing if you give it to the same guy. It is. Anyway, the one other clip I have, which is kind of interesting because the guy runs down. This guy's the ex-ambassador to Germany, Iranian ambassador to Germany. And he runs...and he's on Democracy Now! so you can kind of see where this is gonna head. And he runs down a litany of what the Americans think of the Iranians and what they think of America in the streets or in the Uber cabs. It's the same thing you'd be hearing if you had done your job.

39:27 and gotten in the Uber cab. I got in the Uber, they didn't have a... there was no foreigner in there. I'm just... just a pattern. Yeah, okay. Pay no attention to it. But play this. This is complaints from the Iranian DM Means Democracy. Now I'm coding my clips. Yeah, very good. It's about a piece that Peter Baker, a New York Times reporter, recently wrote. He wrote, quote, "'Since the 1979 Iranian revolution that swept out the Washington-supported Shah and brought to power an anti-American Islamic leadership,' The country has been the most sustained destabilizing force in the Middle East. A sponsor of the terrorist groups is Bala and Hamas, a supporter of Shiite militias that killed American soldiers in Iraq, a patron of Syria's government and its bloody civil war, now a backer of the rebels who pushed out the president of Yemen. Could you respond to this? See— It would be funny if you just said no.

40:23 Much better. No, not really. This is how some Americans they read Iran But you should know There is the same reading of some Iranians about the US here we go They believe the US has support the US is the source of instability in the Middle East They believe get him off the air The U.S. has supported all dictators in last 60 years. Shah of Iran was a corrupted dictator. supported by the U.S. Mubarak in Egypt was a corrupted dictator, supported by the U.S. Ben Ali in Tunisia was a corrupted dictator, supported by U.S. And they have a lot of evidences. Even today, many U.S. allies are corrupted and dictator, and there is no human right, no democracy, but they have full support of United States of America.

41:25 They believe that the U.S. invaded Iraq and made Iraq destabilized. They believe the U.S. invaded Afghanistan led to expand of terrorism, al-Qaeda, Jephet al-Nusra, ISIS. They believe Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons against Iran, killed 100,000 Iranians, and the U.S. provided material and technology for Saddam Hussein to use weapons of mass destruction against Iranians. I mean, these are mutual grievances. But we need to change the course. Mistrust is there.

42:09 Every side has its own reading, story and history. Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to rubbleize! Hell yeah! Iran's helping us rubbleize. That's the way I see it. Well, it's working. They're doing Yemen, they're doing Hezbollah, there's lots of stuff. And we control Iran, you control the Middle East. You know what Stevie Wonder said last night? Do you want to hear the genius? Stevie Wonder, he said, if I could talk to all the leaders of the world, you know what I would say? Cut the bullshit. Good old Stevie, straight to the point. Well, that's a good yes.

CHAPTER 13 / 42 Discussion

Oil Prices, Global Food Costs, and Grocery Shopping Habits

The correlation between falling crude oil prices and lower global food distribution costs is examined following a UN Food and Agriculture Organization report. While oil has dropped to $49 a barrel, the impact on retail supermarket prices remains debated. The discussion touches on the logistics of local food production versus imported goods.

oil prices· food prices· united nations· gwen ifill· minnesota· logistics

42:55 I didn't know your mic was so sensitive to off axis. I want to mention that Isaac Piggott has delivered an entire like five or six of these. And shocked, shocked to find out that rebelization's going on here. I think he did a pretty good job on that. I like it. I like it. I have a couple. I'll surprise you with them. You surprise me? Oh, you're gonna surprise me with them? Yes. Well, I thought you'd be surprised that I liked them. No, no, no. I know you. I know what you like. I know what you like, Johnny. Okay, let's play one more clip. This has got nothing to do with the main thing. It's just something else I just want to make as an observation. Play it. Iran and oil prices. On Wall Street, the Iran nuclear deal set oil down a dollar to $49 a barrel. And stocks made up a little ground. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 65 points to close at 17,760.

43:46 I presume if the sanctions are... Sorry? And a follow-up clip to that. Oh, I'm sorry. What is the... Play food prices. Okie dokie. Food prices around the world have reached their lowest point in almost five years. What? The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported the news today. It's due in part to rising production and the falling cost of crude oil. Does Gwen Ifill do her own grocery shopping? It doesn't sound like it. What's happened, which no one's put two and two together apparently, the falling price of oil lowers the cost of distribution because we don't do anything locally. We talk a big game, oh, local, buy local. Most people can't buy local because you can't grow tomatoes in Minnesota. Well, sure you can. They taste like crap, by the way. But the good tomatoes have to be grown in some hot area. What can you grow in Minnesota?

44:42 Oh, I know. Homegrown terrorists. We have that in Minnesota. Yeah, I should have had that one. Yeah, I know. Sorry. I'm awake. It was almost a softball, but unfortunately... You took too long. I was flat-footed. Whatever the case, there's a connection between the Iranian negotiations because it is helping lower the price of oil because it went to... Well, once that oil starts flowing, it'll go even lower. Yeah. And we could... We already control it. We're going to end up with low food prices and everyone's going to be happy except the elites. And the EU. I don't think they're going to be very happy. Well, as far as I can tell, nothing could ever make them happy.

45:25 But were you through with it Ron? I'm done. Yeah, I think so. I just wanted to do the end point which is food's gonna be cheap food. Well, we'll see if it translates all the way through to the supermarket and how long that will take. I'm not seeing it. Now that I have to do all my own grocery shopping. I'm not seeing it. You should go grocery shopping. Yes. You go into the store, you see what's fresh, what looks good. I know. Buy some meat, you go through the meat, you go, ooh, what do I want to eat? And then you grab it. It's like hunting. Yes. Oh, I feel like a lamb. I feel like eating a lamb. It's actually the ultimate hunter-gatherer combo because you're hunting for meat, but you're actually just gathering it up.

CHAPTER 14 / 42 Discussion

Show 710, Bowling Splits, and Professional Bowling History

The significance of episode number 710 is linked to the 7-10 split in bowling, described as one of the most difficult shots in the sport. Personal history involving the University of California NCAA bowling team is shared, explaining the physics and luck required to pick up the split by bouncing pins off the back wall.

show 710· bowling· 7-10 split· ncaa· university of california

46:10 It really works for the human resource. And with that, I would like to thank you for your courage and say, in the morning to you, John C, where the C stands for cleaning products of merit. Dvorak! Oh, that's a good one. Well, in the morning to you, Adam Curry, and also in the morning to all ships that see boots on the ground, feet in the air, subs in the water, and all the dames and all the knights out there. In the morning to all the Minnesotans listening and chat room, noagendastream.com, in the morning to you. Good to see you all here. Actually, I think we have a pretty reasonably low number, I guess, today. I don't know, people are celebrating something. Your birthday, obviously. And we had some... No, they're looking for eggs.

46:51 And Easter egg hunt day we had once we have two special donation amounts one of course is still the Fletcher fest and I have a number of Fletcher shouts to share with you. That's the 314 15 and of course the special 45 15 for the John C. Dvorak birthday Easter combo platter Well, you can also go to since it is my birthday go to I think I have a clip that says happy birthday hit it Happy birthday, douchebag! I'm sorry, I don't know where that came from. Hey, are you going behind my back with Fletcher Clips? Is that what you're doing here? Got a couple lined up. Yeah. All right. Let's thank a few people who are the executive and associate executive producers for show 710, which is something I forgot to, you know, it's kind of, I didn't put that in the newsletter because I didn't write a newsletter. You wrote a newsletter and said, no newsletter, no newsletter for you.

47:52 But the 710 split in bowling, I used to be a bowler, 710 split is the most formidable split that you can get when you're bowling. Except for the big four, it's kind of like, but the big 40, the 710 split... Hold on. The 710 split... Wait, wait John, hold on one second. You can't just gloss over this. You used to be a bowler? Yeah. Professional? No, I know. For money? I bowl with people who became professionals. I was at the University of California bowling team, NCAA team. You never cease to amaze me, John C. Dvorak. Oh, please. And now, you know, from chemical engineer to bowler. Oh, huge span of interests. Anyway, so with the 7-10 split, which I've never picked up,

48:38 It can only be picked up as a as a just lucky so you have to be have to hit what is what is this? What is the arrangement is on the far corners? There's a back hole in the middle. Yeah, and there's no way of sliding a pin over. It's impossible the dude could do it two ways you can pick it up One, if you come toward one of the pins, usually if you're hooking to the right, you'd go to the 7th side, and you'd slam the pin as hard as you could against the wall. And if you were lucky, it would come back onto the lane, spin around, and knock over the 10. It's rare. It does happen. The other way, which is the way I think you could probably cheat to do this.

49:19 You slam into the 7 or the 10 straight head on as hard as you can so it goes into the back and the ball hits it again back there and makes it bounce back out onto the lane and accidentally knocks over the other pin. Nice. I've never done it. And I just the best way to deal with and this relates to our executive producers How today is seven show 710 got it if you were Listening early. I heard okay, and I didn't get to say anything about it was a formidable show number indeed Maurice Tate

CHAPTER 15 / 42 Discussion

Executive Producer Donations, James Webster, and Grand Duke Stephen

High-level donors are recognized, including James Webster from Bayfield, Wisconsin, who donated in honor of his daughter's recovery and a shared birthday with the host. Stephen Pelsmacher is inducted as the Grand Duke of Belgium following a significant contribution. David Foley is also recognized as a Grand Duke for his sequential number donation.

executive producer· donations· bayfield· wisconsin· belgium· grand duke

49:59 Almost hit the 710, but he had 719.30, which is a 314.15 plus 405. I don't know why. Why do 405 fit? That's interesting. Oh, 4515, which is my birthday. Ah, okay. And Easter. I think this pushes me into knighthood. Yeah, I think so. He wants to be Sir Festivus, or Festus. He doesn't want to be Festus. Festus of Alva. Festus of Alva. You got it. Looking forward to the ceremony later on in the show. James Webster came in with $500 from Bayfield, Wisconsin, a home of the Badgers. My daughter, a no-agenda contributor for years, has been on my tail to donate for an embarrassingly long time. I love the show. And the pressure of being a longtime boner and sharing an Easter Sunday, April 5th birthday with John C. was too much to bear. Nice. Do we have him on the list? I'll check.

50:54 to James Webster because he doesn't ask for a shout out or anything. Eric's usually pretty good about that. No, he's not on the list. Now this is pretty sure. James Webster. Yeah. All right. I got him. The great has finally lifted. Also a little karma for said daughter who is recovering from a recent neck surgery would be appreciated. Keep up the good work that no one else seems to have the smarts or courage to do. You've got karma. Now, before you play the jingle, I want to say we have a moment of random number theory at play. We have, well, we have two dukes who came in on the spreadsheet, one right after the... Yeah, I'm sorry, I was somewhere else.

51:50 Okay, well turn 710 refers to the show number. Yes, I understand. I understand I'm in trouble here. Hold on. I mean, I'm trouble. I'm in trouble John a little too much Stevie Wonder No, I can't get the fucking clip the fucking come out Stupid idiot shit max Jesus Christ. Ah Well, maybe Steve Jobs. Oh, no, no. Oh, and then opens a PDF. What the heck is going on, man? I don't want it opening a PDF instead of a clip. Corner wearing the black trunks with gold. He has a record of 33 wins, zero losses and one draw. He's the grand Duke of Belgium and plans for Stephen Vaughn.

52:43 Stephen Pelsmacher in Belgium, 45520. Happy Easter to you both, but especially happy birthday to John C. Podcaster extraordinaire. May it be a day of joy for you both. 455.2 because April 5th, 52 was a momentous occasion. Thank you for all your great work and keep the B-P-I-T-U on the road for as long as you can. Yeah, it sounds like a car Yeah, a young kid boom shakalaka karma for all the dames and nice and for John and Adam in particular if you please Go von Pell's mockers. I was GD. I think it's a grand You've got karma Thank you, and then

53:40 What do you say? Yeah, he's the Grand Duke of the United States of America. F yeah. So David Foley's in with the Duke. They're both Dukes. They're the only Grand Dukes we've gotten. They came in, coincidentally, bang bang. 4-34567, one of my favorite donations. In close, please find a sequential number donation in honor of John's birthday. Adam, please send a dose of No Agenda Karma to John to help him celebrate.

CHAPTER 16 / 42 Discussion

John Fletcher Shouts, Sacrilegious Ringtones, and Producer Karma

The "Fletcher Shouts" donation tier is featured, with listeners requesting specific phrases for use as ringtones, including controversial religious names. Producers from Chicago, Texas, and Manhattan, Kansas, are acknowledged for their support. One producer notes a business upturn following their previous contribution to the show.

john fletcher· ringtones· karma· manhattan kansas· chicago· texas

54:17 Here we go. You've got karma. Now we have some 314.15 donations for John Fletcher. And we're going to talk about ending this allowance. We're thinking April 15th or May 1st, May Day maybe. We'll decide on the next show. Anyway, get it while you can. Jeremy King in Gilmer, Texas, 3-14-15, and he wants a get to work. John Fletcher will know who I will use this on. Okay, so we got a little something going on there. For those of you who are new, the Fletcher shouts and I might as well just do the ones from the previous episode and these will all be released and everyone can use their ringtones and if you happen to have the same name you get lucky. FUGOSATO! You probably won't have Fugosato as a name so that may not be appropriate for you. But here was another request. LADY FINGERS! I can't remember who requested that or... Oh, I'm sorry. That one didn't work.

55:22 He put in a special one today. JESUS CHRIST! BUDDHA! And while we're at it, we might as well get my request in there. MOHAMMAD! All right, so we go to the point of sacrilegious. Yes on the no agenda show 710 named after the bowling split which makes sense if you think about it All right onward Matthew McNulty in Chicago, Illinois 314 15 ITM John and Adam and happy birthday John It's a bonus time again And what better way to spend time of some of that loot on making a donation to the best podcast in the universe I'd like to take advantage of your Fletcher

56:03 pie offer by requesting a shout out to Mick Vader. It's my stage name and I'm trying to get the band back together. So I get some band karma and general karma for all the producers out there. Thanks for all you do, Matt. Yeah. And I'm actually just, excuse me, restarting the jingle machine because it seems like we had a little lag, something going wrong there. Here we go. You've got karma. And then we have, uh, LB Fudge Fountain. Sir, Sir LB Fudge Fountain in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Just a fun guy. 314.15.

56:46 Guilty of heel dragging and securing a Fletcher fudge fountain. Shout out. You see, one of the hosts of the Reflective Air podcast did such a shout out for me at the beginning of one of their recent shows. I didn't want to come off as churlish. Wait, wait, wait, are people now copying our Fletcher stuff? Who knows? I don't want to come out as churlish, retroactively looking a gift horse in the mouth. Then I figured, hey, this is Fletcher we're talking about. The guy's a legend. So I resolve to diversify by assigning Fletcher to SMS alert and not Morgan to ringtone. Bischoff managed. I think it'd be fun to hear the delightful kill them and bomb them again, the Colonel bogey march and a karma chaser deal. Less notes, more show.

57:42 Bomb them. We need to kill and bomb them. Bomb them. We need to kill and bomb them. Bomb them. We need to bomb them. We need to kill them and bomb them again. From Manhattan, Kansas comes in with $245.15. I knew it was time for another producer donation after being sidelined all week with back pain. Painkillers, no. Steroids, no. Please give me some of that Dr. No Agenda feel-good karma, please. Since my last producership, my business has had the best year since 2008. Coincidence? I think not.

58:29 I think not. I'm not chancing that either. So here's another pittance towards my eventual knighthood. The extra 45-15 is for JCD's birthday. His sage advice is worth a tip at the very least. God bless you both and thanks for your experiment in media deconstruction. Request 18 plus karma plus LGY. There's a need for a rescue mission when the world is threatened, the world needs help, it calls on America. And that's the story. You've got karma. Actually, that's cute. It is. Eric Mainz.

CHAPTER 17 / 42 Discussion

Paul Mainz Memorial, Associate Executive Producers, and 1953 Birthdays

A poignant donation from Eric Mainz in Minneapolis honors his late father, Paul, who was born on April 5, 1953. The donation amount was calculated based on the birth date to secure an Associate Executive Producership. The segment includes a birthday shout-out for the deceased and a request for a specific electronic music track.

paul mainz· minneapolis· associate executive producer· memorial· 1953

59:15 Or man's, Maine's man's tomato. Minneapolis, Minnesota nuts 22765. He'll be our last associate executive producer for show 710. Hopefully this makes it in time for the Sunday show. I've never done this before, so I'm not sure how it works. I opened the No Agenda newsletter a couple weeks ago and was amazed to see that John's birthday is on Easter. I was even more excited to see the newsletter mention the fact that Easter hasn't fallen on his birthday. April 5th, says 1953. My dad's birthday was also on April...this is a sad note, by the way. It was also April 5th, and in fact, April 5th, 1953. It was the day my dad was born. I've been hearing for years now that he was looking forward to Easter falling on his birthday again. It was a sign, sadly. My dad passed away very suddenly last November.

1:00:04 He was an incredible man and we miss him very much. Celebrate my dad's birthday, I wanted to give you guys something I care about, something to something I care about. I chose a no agenda show. My donation amount of 22765 is my dad's birthday. 4553 multiplied by five to put me over the amount for an associate executive producership. I'd love to hear a birthday shout out for my dad, Paul. I think my mom would get a kick out of it too. If you haven't asked for too much already, I'd love to hear that eight bit-ish Electronic version of Let's Get Social, which I heard on Thursday's show, followed by an LG Why, keep up the great work and have a happy Easter, John. And we'll throw in some karma for you as well. Sorry for the loss there. You've got karma. Okay.

CHAPTER 18 / 42 Discussion

Void Zero Hospitalization, Telegram App, and Encrypted Messaging

A status update on show contributor Void Zero describes his recovery from lung surgery and his use of mental "command line" exercises to manage pain. The discussion transitions to the Telegram messaging app, highlighting its open-source nature, end-to-end encryption, and peer-to-peer functionality as a secure alternative to mainstream apps.

void zero· telegram· signal· encryption· open source· messaging

1:01:02 All right, that concludes our associate executive producers and executive producers for show 710. And I want to remind people we do have a show on Thursday, which will be less celebratory, but still important. And I want to... Thevorac.org slash NA. Send some karma out to Void Zero. It's kind of fun. So I, he, we've installed some kind of encrypted app thingy, which is either signal or telegram, whatever it is. If he's using it, then I'm sure it's a secure. And he is, has been messaging me from his hospital bed where they opened him up and they like, you know, took out mucus from his lung. He sent me a picture, which I wish I could post it. It's hilarious. He's got two suction tubes and it's just, and then he's on morphine. So he starts texting me and I,

1:01:51 Crazy. But I said, I got an idea. Because he couldn't sleep, you know, he had pain and everything. I said, here's what I do if I can't sleep. Close your eyes, imagine a command line. And then you just start, you know, creating piped commands and see what the result is on your virtual terminal. And it got him through the night. Hopefully today the tubes come out and he can resume his important duties as a knight of the seven-inch rack. Is it seven or twelve? Tell us about the Telegram product. Well, so there's two products. The Telegram product is open source and there's no account needed. An identifier is a phone number, which of course you could spoof the phone number. You don't have to put in your actual real phone number. Oh no, you do because you get a text message or something. I'm not sure. Yes, you do.

1:02:47 But it is, so there's, it's open source, so you can see what's happening, but it is apparently completely encrypted end to end. And you and I are even using it now for some things. Yes, we, well, I can use it all the time. It seems that like, it works just as well as anything. And there's already like two separate systems on the Android thing. There's one that works with the phone number and there's another one. I like this better. It works straightforward. It also receives the, does fine with, you know, the way you input the data with the microphone. And it does, I think you can, can you call people this as well? I don't know. No, maybe not, but you can send pictures and stuff and it works. It works quite well. Yeah, it's peer to peer. So this doesn't have a middleman. Right.

1:03:34 It's a good product. We can talk more about that in tech news if you want, if the tech grouch is willing to join us today. I don't know. Me neither. It's up to you. Thank you very much to our executive and associate executive producers for your support for this program. Our formula is this. We go out, we hit people in the mouth. Shut up, slave. This thing is still... I mean, it's time for a...

CHAPTER 19 / 42 Discussion

Nigeria Oil Bunkering, Off-OPEC Production, and Missing Billions

An intelligence report from an oil engineer in Nigeria explains "Off-OPEC" oil, a form of bunkering where excess production is sold illegally. The report alleges that militants like Tom Polo are contracted to protect these flows with the complicity of the Nigerian Navy. Discrepancies involving $20 billion in missing funds from the NNPC are also detailed.

nigeria· opec· oil bunkering· nnpc· tom polo· world bank

1:04:10 New new jingle system. This is do you hear it cutting out when I hit a new one? It's kind of strange No, a couple of times maybe yeah, I've been using this product Which is the what is it called? It's called the sound bite product from black cat systems You've been using this for the since the day to show one I think of course, you know, it's upgraded throughout the years, but hmm Maybe time to look at some other products Got an email, John, about off OPEC oil, which we discovered as a term in Nigeria with the defeat of Good Luck Jonathan as the president there. And of course we've been following this stolen oil situation. There was, you know, 15 or 20 billion had gone missing and we sent over our military attache, which included accountants. This is how cool our network is, our No Agenda Intelligence Network. This is Axe Grindr,

1:05:08 A code name, obviously. Good day, Mr. Adam. I will try and explain what OffOPEC means. My bio first. I am an oil and gas engineer. Been in Nigeria since 1981. I have worked on flow stations, the construction of flow stations, and gas plants. John, how cool is our intelligence network? It's very cool. Yeah, I know for a fact that we do have to realize that once in a while a ringer comes in Messes with us. Yeah, but we eventually find him and throw him out. I know for a fact we as Nigeria We don't know how much oil is produced from the wells. I have worked on flow stations These are facilities that take the oil in quotes from wells and remove the water and gas from the hydrocarbon fluids flowing from the wells

1:05:53 From the flow station we pump the separated oil into pipelines. The volume of oil pumped into these pipelines is very inaccurate. Usually there's more oil than recorded being pumped. That excess oil definitely goes somewhere. In a day, we could produce 2 million barrels. Only 1.5 million is documented. The remaining is sold off to anyone willing to pay for it. OffOPEC is just another name for oil bunkering. All this bunkering is carried out by appointed militants and protected by the Nigerian Navy Armed forces. So the president definitely gets a cut. Only in this country will the head of the militias, he says militants, sorry, be given the contract to supply the naval warships. Oh, there you go. So they supply the naval warships and the same Navy is fighting these militants in the Delta of the country. You can Google the name Tom Polo. He's the head of the militants. So the militants are protecting the flow of off OPEC oil to the Navy and they actually sell it to the Navy is what I think I'm understanding.

1:06:58 It's what a country. What a country. The central bank governor a while back announced in Nigeria that $20 billion was missing and not remitted by the NNPC. This is what we talked about, the Nigerian Petroleum Cooperation. They covered it up and declared only $1.5 billion was missing. Our finance minister said, nothing to see here. As she of course was formerly working at the World Bank. There it is, off OPEC oil, 500,000 barrels a day being disappeared. Yeah, that's pretty outrageous. That's ridiculous. Well, so there's no count. We just have no do anything we do. Are we are we now an OPEC country? I don't think so. Why not? We produce producers. I think it's really no, it's only a Middle Eastern thing, isn't it? No, no. Venezuela is an OPEC country, I believe. Let's take a look at the book of knowledge. OPEC Wiki. OK. All right. Here we go.

CHAPTER 20 / 42 Discussion

OPEC Membership, Global Production Rankings, and Nuclear Power

The membership and history of OPEC, headquartered in Vienna, are reviewed, noting the inclusion of countries like Venezuela, Nigeria, and Iran. Global oil production rankings are discussed, identifying Russia and Saudi Arabia as top producers. The argument is made that oil-rich nations like Iran pursue nuclear power to maximize oil exports for profit.

opec· vienna· russia· saudi arabia· nuclear energy· co2

1:08:03 It's an original permanent international organization headquartered in Vienna, established in Baghdad September 10th, 1960. Mandate to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its members and to ensure the stabilization of oil markets. Okay, which is kind of what it is. Let's see if there's a list of the members. Algeria, Algeria, oh that's 2014. And we kicked out Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. Okay, that's the group. Yeah, I think we're pretty much messing with all of those people, aren't we?

1:08:39 Well, let's see. Algeria not so much. We let the French do that. Angola, I'm not so sure. Ecuador for sure. Iran and Iraq obviously. Kuwait, no, not too much there in our pocket. Well, we did go up there and stand at the border. Libya, yes. Yeah, Libya. Yeah. Nigeria, yes. Qatar, well... U.A.E., not so much. Venezuela, totally. Absolutely. And if you look at the list, look at the population, this is the area, they don't say production. There's the production list. What's the big ones? The big one, the monster is Saudi Arabia. Yeah. And who's number two? I think Iran would have to be number two. No, no, no. Yeah, no, you're right. But I don't know who's number one.

1:09:24 No, Russia's number one. They're not in. No, but then we're talking about the list on here, it starts at number two because that's Saudi Arabia. Somebody's better than they are. And number three is also missing from the list. And that's another wiki page. And Iran is fourth. They produce a lot. You know, people say, well, they got all this oil, why do they want to build, you know, it's fishy that they want to build a nuke, nuclear power plants. Well, you can't have any type of industry without nuclear power. Is it medical reasons? There's a lot of reasons to have. Well, there's a lot of reasons for that. But also, if oil is, especially if it's floating around $75 to $100 and going to go to $200, they say, or even at $40, you want to

1:10:10 pump the oil and sell it because the overlooked aspect of this is nuke power is so cheap. It's perfect. And it doesn't give, you know, CO2. It's a great source of energy. And the Iranians have made a specialty of it. Yeah. They haven't been indoctrinated by... movies and bull yeah by the bull crap that we have. Are we not dead yet? Why would you if you this is like a cocaine dealer wasting his own product on himself. You want to sell it. You want to sell the oil. You don't want to use the oil.

CHAPTER 21 / 42 Discussion

Reddit Criticism, Citric Acid vs Vitamin C, and Host Expertise

Criticism from the No Agenda Reddit community regarding the hosts' knowledge is addressed, specifically a correction about citric acid versus ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). The hosts defend their broad expertise in sectors ranging from chemical engineering and firefighting to aviation and media deconstruction, despite occasional real-time errors.

reddit· citric acid· vitamin c· ascorbic acid· chemical engineering· firefighting

1:10:47 Anyway, uh, so since I just mentioned, I think it was, yeah, it was on Thursday and someone said, Oh, if you don't get it, you don't want you're talking about that. Don't talk about it. I just wanted to remind people just to, sir, Gene sent this to me here at the top as we discussed on episode seven zero nine and the contrary to this has been interesting debate going on here and there on Twitter about us. It's mainly because we make fun of the seed guy and then you have seed guy fans get all, Oh, they're all upset. Yeah. Upset before you continue. I have a complaint myself. Because you mentioned the Reddit, we have this bunch of couple of Reddit pages, they're no good. Way to go, John. It'll keep them busy. It's not like they're no good.

1:11:30 I, here's, I go back, I don't have the printout of this, but I could go back and forth. There's always an undertone that I don't like. But there's a snide undertone. This guy's like this guy. I won't mention who he is. He goes, he says, oh, and I can't believe some of the things these two guys, by the way, we do try to correct all our errors over time, but this was a classic, classic, classic. Oh, these two guys, I don't believe that they, neither one of them caught this, but citric acid They're talking about citric acid, but citric acid is vitamin C. It is citric acid, it is vitamin C. Citric acid is citric acid, it used to be called sour salt. Vitamin C is ascorbic acid, boneheads. Oh, they had citric acid and they didn't even know it was vitamin C when they were talking about it.

1:12:25 We are so stupid those two guys are stupid. They don't know that citric acid is vitamin C Yeah I'm stoned. I didn't know that so the things we do know about are sorry. Sorry. That's okay television and radio production the mainstream We know that's all that's no we know other things. That's why we can deconstruct things and tell you how to Make a 7-10 split. Thank you. We are a knowledgeable of professional bowling. We are not I know how to use biz properly a biz so cleaning products We also know products are good. We know yes, we know how to fly when aviation got aviation Drive a car drive a car you have many talents, but you are an India chemical engineer a firefighter

1:13:14 I was a chemist actually chemist, but you're also a chemical firefighter. Oh, I can say I know how to do that. Just roll that hose out. Yep. Well, you guys sprays you from behind. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention something. I was thinking about it afterwards. Besides the lewd aspects that you imagine when you wrote, when you come out with a hose, you actually have to have another guy. holding the hose with you behind you because the hose is so powerful. It's like a reach around. If it was just you holding it, you'd just be flying around. Yeah, I know the problem. Yeah, I know you do. Here are the sectors we discussed, which of course we're not experts in, but just to give you an idea, there's a lot of people like, all they do is play clips. Yeah, okay, fine.

1:13:58 I thought you were playing Clips. Our sector is discussed on episode 709 or chemical commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, defense, industrial base, dams, emergency services, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors, materials and waste, transportation systems, water and wastewater systems. Hello. We cover the gamut. And we throw in hookers and other things, and we know what we're doing here. Now, if we're wrong, we're happy to be corrected. You know, there's a couple of things we're not wrong about necessarily, but we're always kind of surmising, we do a lot of that, and we speculate in ways that the mainstream media can't do because of advertising. Right. That's really the genius of our model is we can

CHAPTER 22 / 42 Discussion

Kim Jong-un, Pleasure Squads, and North Korean Propaganda

Reports indicate Kim Jong-un will visit Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin, marking his first trip abroad as leader. Concurrently, media outlets report the reinstatement of "pleasure squads" or "joy brigades" in North Korea following a three-year mourning period for Kim Jong-il. The use of misleading B-roll by news organizations to depict these groups is criticized.

kim jong-un· north korea· moscow· pleasure squads· joy brigades· cnn

1:14:46 And of course when you unfiltered sometimes you say something that's wrong. Or we're also you are hearing us deconstruct and analyze in real time. This is done in real time. Yeah, it's real time. And the chat room often helps out with that. You monitor them. I saw something on CNN. It was so unbelievable that, well of course it's not unbelievable because it's on CNN, but it was this is now this is a news report so expertly done and it falls into information we had previously. We knew that North Korea and Russia were going to have a powwow. This came direct from my uncle Don.

1:15:27 And what he said is he thought it might be held in Helsinki as common ground, but it appears that Kim Jong-un will be going to Moscow. And I've already sent a note to Don. I don't know if he's going. I think you recall he said maybe, like some people were interested, even the State Department was interested in asking if he would do it. It was the first time during the entire Obama administration that they even care about him. I sent him a note, I said, I will carry your suitcase, I will do anything you want, please. I would love, love to go along. I'm sure that's not going to happen. But this report, this is how, this is an outstanding example of how popular culture

1:16:11 And of course I'm referring to the movie, we've already forgotten, The Interview? Was that it? Was it The Interview? Yeah, The Interview. So this is now fiction becoming reality, but probably not because it's bullcrap, but it is just hilarious. And of course, It's real! It's real! It's real! With tensions already high as the US and South Korea conduct military drills, More saber-rattling towards the West. Today, North Korea test firing four short-range missiles, traveling 84 miles before plunging into the sea. A Pentagon official saying, quote, we urge North Korea to reframe from provocative actions that aggravate tensions and instead focus on fulfilling its international obligations and commitments.

1:17:03 Meanwhile, the North Korean leader is setting his sights on his personal indulgence. Kim Jong-un is now reinstituting so-called pleasure squads. According to Chosun Ilbo, a pro-North Korean newspaper, a tradition enjoyed by his father and his grandfather, employing a group of young female companions, picked based on good looks and measurements to be at their disposal right by their side for personal entertainment, whether by synchronized swimming or just a shower of affection. Kim Jong-il died in December 2011. There is a mandatory period of mourning. This guy, by the way, is from the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, which I want to talk about in a minute. Is he implying that Kim Jong-il died in the saddle?

1:17:49 It's edited that way to imply that. And by the way, they show stock footage of almost like Esther Williams era synchronized swimming. You know, the thing that bothers me, they show these B-roll and my favorite is every time they talk about North Korea, they have these goose stepping guys, a bunch of soldiers wandering around. And they show the Pleasure Squad, which is a grainy photo of Kim Jong-un with I think three or four Sorry homely looking I presume North Korean women with helmets on and fatigues, combat fatigue. Not at all a pleasure squad. Just not the right visual. But let's continue. Kim Jong-il died in December 2011. There is a mandatory period of mourning. So it is possible that the son refrained from these practices in observance of those compulsory three years of mourning.

CHAPTER 23 / 42 Discussion

Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, NGO Funding, and The Loved One

An analysis of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) reveals a board comprised of high-level diplomats and academics despite a relatively small annual budget of $207,000. The discussion shifts to film recommendations, including the 1965 dark comedy "The Loved One" and the Ethan Hawke drone warfare film "Good Kill."

hrnk· brookings institution· ngo· tax filings· the loved one· ethan hawke

1:18:47 Now that he's out of that period, he may be in the process of resuscitating these joy brigades. Joy brigades! Kim Jong-un will take his first trip outside the country as the leader. He's due to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia, but his pleasure squad, Brianna, will not travel with him. Oh! What is the use of having a pleasure squad if they're not going to travel with you? What a crock. So the guy so this is a setup because there's a guy who was interviewed and who apparently is helping to propagate this is from the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. Hotel Mike Kilo dot org H M K dot org. I don't think we've ever seen this outfit and this one really scares me. Well, of course it's. OK, yes, yes, there's some gambling going on there. It is a nonprofit. Commer dot org.

1:19:42 org. H-R-N-K, actually forwards to H-R-N-K. And so of course it's a non-profit, it's an NGO. Here's the thing that is frightening. First of all, what we always do is we go look at the board of directors. So we're going to go in and look at the board of directors. We have A co-chair, so this guy was the chairman, I believe. The co-chair... I don't get anything from hrmk.org. H-R-N. No. November. Oh, like North Korea. Okay. Let's see, we have a fellow at the Brookings Institution. We have form administrator of USAID, President Defense Forum Foundation. We have Chief Executor Perth US Asia Center.

1:20:31 A couple of attorneys, the Century Foundation, US Asia Law Institute. Then we have the Advisory Council, which has got to be even better. We've got just a crapload of parliament members from all over the world. And the thing that scares me about this is when I look at their Form 990, as I like to do, How much money do you think these guys raise for this little drinking club of theirs? It'll surprise you. I would guess because of the nature of these guys being high-end diplomats and mass members of parliament, it looks as if they would have a lot of contacts and be able to really draw in like millions. Here's what's so crazy. $207,675 for 2013.

1:21:22 Wow, that's just enough to buy the booze. I think that's all that's all it's used for. I think it's only for the booze. Yeah, because you can't have meetings. You can't fly people around with that kind of money. This is all the flight first class. That's only like each first class flight, especially if it involves the Korean area. That's like three, four grand a pop. This is only this is all no one receives a dime. No one has a payroll. This is all very Kasparov. Oh, no And the Russian hating Gary Kasparov. It's all in there man. It's all in there Wow this group is fantastic is a great did have a great meeting. Yeah, we well and good drinks Huh, what's odd odd group? Hmm, but anyway before them to now say that he has a pleasure squad and ease

1:22:14 Pleasure Squad. What was the thing the other guy said? Did you write that down? He said something else that was cool. Joy Brigade. Joy Brigade. It's a joke title. Joy Brigade. I don't know which one to choose. Pleasure Squad or Joy Brigade. Joy Brigade. I'm really confused now. I need one of those. And it also refers back to The Loved One, a very famous movie, I think came out in the late 60s. And the Loved One, which people should watch again, is about a... I'm gonna put that on my list. The Loved One? It's a beautiful movie. It's fantastic. It's about a guy who's going to... who runs an embalming mortuary or something and he... it's just the sickest movie you've ever seen. It's... yeah, just watch it. Who's in this? Robert Morse?

1:23:07 Yeah, Jonathan Winters, Roddy McDowell, Rod Steiger. Oh cool. Jonathan Winters. Oh good. Oh, this is a good recommendation. Yeah. Great film. I'm gonna put that in right now. I got a copy from our, from Agent Orange actually, our intelligence source in Afghanistan. A copy of, what is it? Has a good kill, the Ethan Hawke drone movie. Oh yeah, I've heard of it. I've never have not. I don't think it's out yet. Is it out? Oh, okay. Well, maybe that's why I haven't seen it. Well, this is what's so interesting. Let me see if it's supposed to come out. Is it coming out or not? Or is it already out? Let me just check on the IMDB. Straight to tape. That would really kill a movie, especially since nobody uses tape anymore. I don't know if it's out or not. You got a million of them today. You're missing them all. Yeah, I know. I hear you, but what do you want me to do? You want me to keep... In the morning. Sorry. Whatever the case,

CHAPTER 24 / 42 Discussion

New York Terror Plot, Noel Valenzas, and Asia Siddiqui Arrests

Two women from Jamaica, Queens, Noel Valenzas and Asia Siddiqui, were arrested for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS. Court documents claim they researched bomb-making and stockpiled propane tanks. The timing of the arrests is questioned in relation to the "six-week cycle" of FBI counter-terrorism activity.

queens· jamaica· fbi· isis· boston marathon· jihad

1:24:09 That's for you. That's my first catch. Yes, but you've said whatever the case ten times already. Whatever the case. Yeah. I get email. I get email. That's good. I like a retroactive. You throw a retroactive at me after I catch you. Yeah. That's mature of you. Hey, I never said I was mature. Okay, I'm a little confused on the timing. One of the things that we track are cycles. And of course, we have the infamous six week cycle, which is the genesis of that is our knowledge from one of our intelligence network analysts and resources who said, the FBI pretty much needs to have something happen every six weeks in order to keep the budgets going, etc. And to remain relevant. Now, I thought that were we supposed to have a six week cycle on the first of April or on the 15th? I'm confused.

1:24:59 It seems like someone popped the cork early on all these crazy chicks in New York. We've never reconfirmed fully the six-week cycle. We have to wait until past the 15th. I know what you're going to talk about. I do have two clips. All right. About the women, the crazy women in New York. who were planning to kill us all. Yes. And we can start with, let's see, what do we have? New York terrorist ladies. This morning, two New York City women accused of plotting a terrorist attack are in federal custody. Court documents say they were influenced by ISIS and the Boston Marathon bombings. Investigators had been tracking Noel Valenzas and Asia Siddiqui since 2013. Jerrika Duncan is outside the home.

1:25:41 In Jamaica, Queens, where the two women once lived together. Jerica, good morning. Good morning. The women are U.S. citizens and until recently were former roommates at this house behind me. Now according to those court records, the women spent months researching how to make bonds. discussing potential targets and even stockpiled some dangerous materials. Valensis and Siddiqui appeared in federal court Thursday afternoon after an early morning raid of their home. According to law enforcement officials, the women expressed violent jihadist beliefs and a desire to execute a terrorist attack on American soil. According to court documents, Valencia has told an undercover informant that she did not understand why people were traveling overseas to wage jihad when there were more opportunities of pleasing Allah here in the United States.

1:26:37 The undercover informant says they expressed interest in pressure cooker bombs like the ones used in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. Valencia indicated her preferred targets were cops or the military rather than civilians. In December of last year, they considered attacking the funeral of one of the two NYPD officers who had been killed two weeks earlier in an ambush attack in Brooklyn. Valencis called it, quote, an attractive potential target. Siddiqui's attorney spoke after her court appearance. My client will enter a plea of not guilty even when there's an indictment and she and I will address everything in the courtroom where it belongs.

CHAPTER 25 / 42 Discussion

FBI Stings, Anarchist Cookbook, and Weapon of Mass Destruction Charges

The Queens terror case is characterized as a potential FBI entrapment or "honeypot" operation, noting that propane tanks are not typically used for pressure cooker bombs. The women face charges of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. The imam of their mosque defends their character, while the media's aggressive questioning of their families is highlighted.

fbi· anarchist cookbook· propane· queens· weapon of mass destruction· loretta lynch

1:27:22 Yeah, so what we know is that this is one of those typical FBI sting. It was not even a sting. It's not a sting. It's a honeypot. It's worse than that. It's like bull crap. It's a setup. It's a total, total setup. I have a backgrounder from the local New York media, which I thought was kind of funny. Go ahead, do you want to play? Let's play the second part because there's actually a kicker in here and I do want to talk a little bit about it. It's the second part of the same report. The imam of the mosque in Queens attended by both women said they are being falsely accused and described Valencia's and her family as a positive force in the community. They've been here five years, I'm not seeing any signs that they've been regularizing

1:28:08 of the Cambodian radical Islam, and that's that. Court documents also claim both women had copies of the anarchist cookbook which explains how to make explosives and authorities became concerned when the women obtained several canisters of propane gas but police say there was no imminent threat. No imminent threat. Propane gas, which can be bought everywhere, is usually used for barbecues. And for outdoor heaters. Yeah, outdoor heaters, barbecues, you can use it for all kinds of things. And you wouldn't make a pressure cooker bomb with propane gas. It's impossible. The gases, the propane gas is, I suppose, if you, it's a big thing. It's just ludicrous. Let's put it this way. To put your

1:28:57 pressure cooker and your propane tank in your backpack is just a little complicated. Now, the other thing is... And they're heavy. Propane tanks are heavy when they're filled. The earlier quote of... I don't understand. Now, here's... It would be like this. Let me... I'll be talking to you on the phone. Of course, the FBI is after us. And I would say the five, which is exactly the quote she said, more or less, but it has the same meaning. Well, hold on. Hold on. Hold on a second. Hold on a second. Hello? Hello. Hey. Hey, hey, hey, I was watching the news. Yeah. I'm just stunned that all these idiot jihadists keep going over to the Middle East when there's so many targets here in the United States. If you're going to go, you know, do something for Allah, I don't see why they just don't pick up, you know, pick a local. It is beyond me. Wow. This is an interesting thought.

1:29:49 What should I do? You know, just something I was thinking about. What should I do? I just don't get it. I don't understand why you go through all the trouble of going over to Syria or wherever it is when you could just blow up some right here. What do I need? What do I need? How do I do this? No, I'm not talking about blowing some. I'm talking about the theory. I don't want you to blow anything up. Are you sure? No, no, I'm good. Allow me to play my report, which I thought was very funny where they talk to the local, it's local, just to just to give you an idea of how crazy this is. So the local reporter went to the spoke with the imam and also tried to speak with one of the women's husband. Yesterday the two women were charged in Brooklyn federal court with conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. A federal complaint alleging they were... Now let's recall a weapon of mass destruction can actually be an M-80 firecracker.

1:30:41 Yes, by the legal description in the same book that describes a US person as a company. We're studying past attacks that they acquired for propane tanks and materials such as fertilizer and a pressure cooker. They allegedly reached out to Al Qaeda and watch. Yeah, yeah. Miracle grow pressure cooker for I don't know, cooking video of ISIS beheadings. Oh, they watched this. If you watch the video of the ISIS beheadings, That should be deemed illegal.

1:31:32 So thing yeah to cook with for a cookout. Thanks, right? I think this whole The story's being blown out of proportion. Today, the husband of Ms. Valensis was among those praying in the mosque. We tried repeatedly to ask him about the case after he left. Check this out. Check this out. She's a beautiful woman, very kind. Can you tell us about these charges? Can you tell us anything about these charges? What can you tell us about your wife? Was your wife a caring person or was she a terrorist? This is about to be the best question I've ever heard. Is your wife is your wife was your wife a loving per caring person or a terrorist? Was she a terrorist sir? Is that a yes or no? Both women pleaded not guilty in federal court in Brooklyn yesterday. I love it. It was your life Can you not be a loving caring person and a terrorist is of these mutually exclusive these two according to the federal complaint? They allegedly told investigators that this was called a war on

1:32:30 and they were studying the chemistry behind bomb making so they could quote, make history. If convicted, they could spend the rest of their lives behind bars. You can spend the rest of your life in jail for not doing anything. Just the intent. There was no intent even. Well, just coincidental bullcrap. Now here's... They said there was no imminent threat. I mean, that was a normal... This is just... So here's where this... We have to read the terrorist factory. Yes. But now this is what this led to. Oh good, I haven't gotten that yet. This is what this led to. So what is mentioned is the anarchist cookbook.

CHAPTER 26 / 42 Discussion

Dianne Feinstein, First Amendment, and San Francisco Political History

Senator Dianne Feinstein's call to remove bomb-making guides from the internet is criticized as an affront to the First Amendment. An anecdote from San Francisco political history describes Feinstein's tenure on a hearing board alongside Barbara Boxer. The story illustrates Feinstein's perceived lack of common sense regarding a workplace safety issue in a file room.

dianne feinstein· first amendment· anarchist cookbook· san francisco· barbara boxer

1:33:07 And I've read this, of course. I've also, I would also say I really enjoyed Abby Hoffman's Steel This Book, which also has some bomb-making instructions in there. Great book. I read that as a very young man. But, Dianne Feinstein... In today's world, you've been thrown into slammer. Yeah, yep. Dianne Feinstein came out with a statement, I have the full statement here. Quote, the arrests of two women in New York accused of plotting to carry out bombings reminds us that the threat of terrorism inside the United States endures. We must remain vigilant against these types of attacks and place a high priority on tracking and interdicting such plots.

1:33:50 I am particularly struck that the alleged bombers made use of online bomb-making guides like the Anarchist Cookbook and Inspire Magazine. These documents are not, in my view, protected by the First Amendment and should be removed from the Internet! What? This woman should be tarred and feathered and dragged out of Congress. Oh, God. How can you say these documents are not protected by the First Amendment and even funnier should be removed from the Internet? Oh, yeah. Well, this is the old book banning thing goes on. How about burning? Forget banning. Burning. I meant burning. I commend the FBI's virtual book burning.

1:34:34 I commend the FBI and the New York City Police Department for their work in preventing this and other potential that didn't prevent any attack. And I'm pleased that Loretta Lynch, a very distinguished attorney, will be leading the prosecution. Now, Loretta Lynch. Oh, where's Loretta Lynch? I think you've got something to tell us. Yep. Well, actually, we're doing this in real time, I have to say. But this is the still unconfirmed attorney general nominee. You see. So I think this is going to... He cropped up in the conversation before it had something to do with Feinstein. And I can't remember what it is. Well, we can... Maybe I can get it. Let me see. So Feinstein's statement is used twofold. One, to deem some written language as unlawful, not protected by the First Amendment. Let's just review for a moment.

1:35:38 Is there any type of writing that is not protected by the First Amendment? Yeah, hello, as a constitutional lawyer I thought you would have a snappy answer. If you write, the theater's on fire. And if you put exclamation marks behind it. This, of course, is outrageous. I can't think of anything. Of course, it's outrageous what she's saying. Doesn't make sense. She's a senator, by the way, right? Yeah. Yeah. She's California. She should be removed from office. You've got Barbara Boxer, who you call... Bangin' Barbara. Bangin' Barbara Boxer. ...Bangin' Barbara and then Feinstein, who is... And I do have my story, which I'm sure I haven't told for years, and you tell it again. When I was an inspector at the Air Pollution District, Feinstein and Boxer were both members of the hearing board.

1:36:33 And they were, you know, one was the mayor and the other one was a local politician. They weren't senators at the time. And Feinstein was just an idiot. And so we had an example. I told this story, you've heard it before, but most people probably haven't. We used to have a file area, which was also where the dispatchers work, which a couple of women would be in there dispatching to people. We had radios. And the file room was also in there, and inspectors would come and engineers would commonly wander in and grab files and then take them and forget to bring them back. And so the file system was sucked because these guys wouldn't check, they wouldn't check them out, nobody knows where they were. So it was just a mess.

1:37:16 So, and the door was always, you know, the door was, they needed the door open because it was a dark room. So they had this door open, so they, so it was people wandering in and out all the time. So the women that worked there were sick of this because it was somewhat their responsibility. So they put a chain in front of the open door so you couldn't really get in. You mean you have to unhook the chain, you make a lot of rack and they'd wonder what you were doing. Feinstein's roaming around for some unknown reason. Just look around, I don't know what she was doing there. She walks by and she sees the chain across the door with the two women inside and she makes a huge fuss. Oh, why are these women chained into this room so they can't move or get out?

1:37:59 and she makes a big fuss and they have to take the chain out so the end result was they had to close and lock the door to keep these inspectors from coming in and out so now the girls were stuck inside with a locked door and her head is gone thank you very much diane that's the kind of idiot she was she never bothered asking the women why the chain was there she just assumed it was to lock them in because men are bad i don't mind if she's an idiot i do mind if a united states senator is trying to put things under a non-protective state under the First Amendment. That's wrong. No, she's an idiot. Okay. So while we were listening to that... That's my story of the day. It's a good story.

CHAPTER 27 / 42 Discussion

Boston Bombing Trial, Missing Backpack Video, and CNN Dramatization

The trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is discussed, focusing on the lack of video evidence showing the defendant placing a backpack at the blast site. CNN is criticized for promoting "new" video that merely shows Tsarnaev shopping at a Whole Foods in Cambridge after the explosion. The media's role in dramatizing the prosecution's timeline is examined.

dzhokhar tsarnaev· boston marathon· cnn· whole foods· cambridge· evidence

1:38:45 I have a little update on the Boston bombing. So this case is ongoing, of course, no cameras are allowed in the court. So we have those silly drawings, which reminds me of laws, you know, cases going back to the Wild West days. I don't know, it's crazy we can't have that, but okay. This is no longer about guilty or innocent. This is about life sentence or death. The death penalty that is what the Tsarnaev kids lawyer is all about. She's not trying to get him exonerated it all. But what we've all been waiting for is the video, the video that shows the Tarnow brother putting his backpack with said pressure cooker bomb into the trash can just before it blew up and then walking away. Even the Massachusetts governor said that was, you know, this the whole case is built on this, we have this evidence, but it doesn't actually appear to exist. He never saw it and there's no video being presented at the trial. However,

1:39:46 We're doing our best to indoctrinate everybody with this CNN headline, new Boston bombing video released. Well, this must be it. The case against Jahar Sarnia, the story you've heard, the evidence you've never seen before. I'm ready. This is it. This is it. It's gonna be it. Sir Nayeb running from the blast site. Minutes later, shopping for milk at a Whole Foods grocery store in Cambridge. Okay, hold on a second. Their timeline. So firstly, he's running away. Yeah, like everyone else around him was running away. And then minutes later, he's shopping in Cambridge. Minutes later, just minutes later. A nice plug for Whole Foods. Oh, yeah. Oh, you know, we have to say to that. I'm shocked.

1:40:25 By the way, I looked at this, this I actually couldn't get a freeze frame. That backpack is pretty flat to be containing a pressure cooker. If you really look at it, it just doesn't seem like it could be in there. It could be dehydrated. Yes, it's a miniature. Inside, they split up. Tamerlan heads toward the finish line. Jahar takes his place in front of the Forum restaurant. There is a phone call between the brothers. So now, so now this is fantastic how this is constructed. So they show him on the phone and they show his other brother on the phone and now they're saying there's a phone call between the two. I don't think that has actually been corroborated or proven anywhere.

1:41:26 But maybe they have cell phone record evidence, but this was just they're cutting it together like a drama piece now. If you're putting this package together, you would have said that the two, according to cell phone records. That's what I yeah, that's what I would throw those words in if you had that evidence. I agree. Then the first explosion. Inside Marathon Sports, shattered glass. This is the new video, essentially, I said essentially, that they're saying is new, which we've already seen is inside that sporting goods store, which is the closed caption camera. Shell-shocked victims. Outside, video never seen before of the horror, the helplessness, and the heroes.

1:42:08 Oh, that's what the new video is. So they show some bleeding people. Now, what she just said here, you don't actually see it. You just don't see him putting the backpack down. You don't see it. But this is, you know, man, it's like so coordinated. It's hard to believe that certainly CNN is coordinating with prosecutors, but it can't be any other way.

1:42:45 I don't think they're coordinated. I think they just ask to...no, you don't have to be coordinated. You're already all in with the government. And so they tell you stuff and you just hope that you report it like a parrot, like a secretary, like a stenographer, and you just have to do that. But from a journalistic standpoint, John, when... Everyone's been waiting for this video. This video doesn't appear and then we're going to go and make new video and say this is new video, which doesn't prove the thing that the video was supposed to prove in the first part. I mean, come on. Where's the New York Times on this? Where's the real journalist saying, hold on a second, this is out of order. It's not there.

CHAPTER 28 / 42 Discussion

Monica Lewinsky, TED Talk, and Cyberbullying Platform

Monica Lewinsky's 18-minute TED Talk regarding her experience as "patient zero" of global online humiliation is analyzed. Lewinsky uses her platform to advocate against cyberbullying and the "blood sport" of public shaming. The discussion touches on her public image, the evolution of online harassment since the 1990s, and the role of media in profit-driven shaming.

monica lewinsky· ted talk· cyberbullying· bill clinton· patient zero· reputation

1:43:27 They're just making new dramatic pieces. It's just to get viewers to watch the show so they can show some advertisements. Mention Whole Foods. Yeah, that's a good one. Yeah. And that's that. This is not really trying to prove anything. Well, at least the easiest way to do it, you take what the press release says, you say, oh, look at this. At least they got the ad. And we get some B-roll that matches this. Yeah, we got B-roll. Oh, there's a new video. Let's put that in. And as soon as you advertise it as a new video, it's a new video. It's not a new video. It's a video. It's just a video. I saw the Monica Lewinsky TED talk, which has now been released. What? Monica Lewinsky gave a... is it TED or TEDx? No, TED. And she did 25 minutes. I mean, come on. Isn't it limited to 15? 18 minutes. Is that the actual... I believe that is the number. I need to know for sure.

1:44:22 Why, you gonna send a nasty note? No, I just want to know time. Yes! Yes! You cut off people, they have to be 18 minutes and she gets to do 25? That's no good. That's way too long. Let's see, TED Talk time limits. I just want to see if there's an actual... 18 minutes, you're right. 18 minutes. They should have maybe changed the rules for her. Now I'm going to take her side for a bit on this. Now we heard her at the 30 under 30 Forbes thing where she already said some of this and she calls herself patient zero which I think you'll hear in this clip. Is there any setup, any reason we're listening to this? Is there something you can tell us? I don't remember the Forbes thing.

1:45:08 Well, this is kind of a reiteration, but this leads into cyberbullying, which is her platform and what she's going to be doing. Oh, right, right, right. But I want to say that I feel for her, and I thought her talk, although too long, was reasonably compelling. She's not a bad speaker. She needs help, for sure, but she's We could fix her, let's put it that way. They're supposed to have coaches at TED that make people... That's why all these speeches sound the same. They have the same cadence. I hate these speeches, by the way. She's not very good at delivering punchlines. She had a couple of them, but I actually had to cut them out of the clip because it took too long and fell flat. But I felt some empathy for her, which is what she wants. Also, she looks kind of hot, John.

1:45:59 I'll tell you, just to completely turn myself into a television producer, she looked good. She had the right outfit on with the flaring shirt because she's... she must be 5'10 or 5'11. She has the pants that flare at the bottom. So fashion-wise, fantastic. The hair is good. She has big doe eyes, look really... I can see what Bill Clinton saw, by the way. But here is... Actually, I didn't see everything that Bill Clinton saw. It's a little dramatic, but it's the click that reverberated around the world and started this horrible cyberbullying.

1:46:45 was that overnight I went from being a completely private figure to a publicly humiliated one worldwide. I was patient zero of losing a personal reputation on a global scale almost instantaneously. I don't think she can make that claim, but I understand why she's doing it. And it does give pause and some reason for thought. This rush to judgment enabled by technology led to mobs of virtual stone throwers. Granted, it was before social media, but people could still comment online, email stories, and of course, email cruel jokes.

1:47:29 They're mean. News sources plastered photos of me all over to sell newspapers, banner ads online, and to keep people tuned to the TV. At least she's got that part right. I'm shocked. Yeah, shocked. But the attention and judgment that I received, not the story, but that I personally received was unprecedented. I was branded as a tramp, tart, slut, whore, bimbo. And of course, that woman. I've been named everything except that woman. Every single thing, but not that woman. I was seen by many, but actually known by few. And I get it. It was easy to forget that that woman was dimensional, had a soul, and was once unbroken.

CHAPTER 29 / 42 Discussion

Online Harassment, Dutch Media, and the Compassion Deficit

The personal experience of being a public figure in the Netherlands is contrasted with Lewinsky's claims, noting the harsh nature of Dutch online commenters. The "compassion deficit" on the internet is discussed as a byproduct of the power dynamic between anonymous commenters and public personalities. The segment concludes that online vitriol is often a projection of the commenters' own frustrations.

netherlands· podcasting· cyberbullying· michael mann· empathy· internet culture

1:48:20 When this happened to me 17 years ago, there was no name for it. Now we call it cyberbullying and online harassment. Yes, there is cyberbullying and online harassment. This is part of a larger campaign, which I feel bad for her. It sucks. It sucked. He said whatever it is, somebody, somebody sucked. Hey, I feel bad, but as a celebrity in for most of my life, yeah, actually right in the Netherlands where you are a I'm a page so I am branded a loser worse. I'm branded right to fight Well, it's not great for you, but it's very funny because you know, you're actually known probably especially there are producers known as a personality of sorts You know who is it gets mad about things and it's got to resin as a normal guy for all practical purposes for the turn and it's like, you know, we know Adam but

1:49:14 then this Netherlands crowd is like, wow. And they're fascinated by you to such an extreme, you go, my God, this sucks. This is terrible. Yeah. They say horrible, horrible things. Worse than being a loser. You are the butt. I'm branded as a podcaster. Could it get any worse than that? Which is another good one. It's just so low on the poll. And sometimes I think I actually am that woman, according to them. That woman. And it's- That woman. And, you know, it can- God, Castor. It can get you- it can get you- it can irk you, but I've learned throughout the years, eh, whatever.

1:49:50 It does go away, but people remember things and they're... David Satterthwaite Oh, they make judgments. Michael Mann They make judgments. And it is the commenters, particularly the Netherlands, and we discussed this on the previous show, it gives people a feeling of power, the feeling of power to say something about someone else who everybody knows. David Satterthwaite Yeah. They don't even know what vitamin C is. Michael Mann Let's listen to the cyberbullying wrap-up. What we need is a cultural revolution. Public shaming as a blood sport has to stop. Never. And it's time for an intervention on the internet and in our culture. Good luck. The shift begins with something simple, but it's not easy. We need to return to a long-held value of compassion. Compassion and empathy. Really? Online, we've got a compassion deficit, an empathy crisis.

1:50:49 Yes, but here's the thing. Tell this to the war machine. There's that. I'm sure that all human beings are ultimately you know, can want to be like Stevie Wonder's love of everything, but most people are firmly grounded in this low vibrational dimension we live in and they're a-holes. Everybody. Me too. Mark Pugner, you're just as guilty. Yeah. And that's what we're so, we're so so disappointed in ourselves that we project anything on anybody and wow does that work well online. And of course it's funny. We like it. We like to... It has humor. It has humor. I'm reading the... This is like the comment, you know, why don't you buy a Mac? Yeah. You know, it's just like, okay. Or when I'm struggling and we're streaming live and something's not working and people say, jiggle the handle.

CHAPTER 31 / 42 Discussion

Donor Roll Call, Birthday Wishes, and No Agenda Rings

A comprehensive list of "45.15" donors is read to celebrate the host's birthday and the Easter holiday. The knighting ceremony for Josh Mandel and Maurice Tate is finalized, granting them the traditional "Hookers and Blow" or "Mutton and Mead" honors. Listeners are directed to the No Agenda Nation website to claim their physical rings.

donations· birthday· knighting· no agenda rings· easter· passover

1:59:09 That's interesting. Yeah, that's what I thought you should wear those Yeah, you know with my French cuffs. I wear them on Leo show All right, how about this? How about the list of all the people? Oh, yeah, you want to do that now? I would you do it in a minute Either way, either way. You promised you would do it. It's a long list. It's a list. Yeah, it is a little long. Okay, here it is. You promised you would do that. It's your birthday. It's your birthday. I'm going to do it. I want to thank these people. And by the way, I want to, there's still some coming in and I will thank them on the next show. But these are the people I'm going to verbally thank for the 45, 15 donations, including which are over the last few shows. If you don't get mentioned, send me a note and you'll get mentioned on the next show because there's still these things coming in. Jennifer Buchanan, Kenneth

1:59:56 Lierman Jr., Nicholas Principe, Matt Frazier, tinyempire.com, Rick Gibbs, Julian Swan, Thomas Nussbaum. Nussbaum! Christian Erickson, Amanda Guerra, Guerra, Guerra. The mail carrier. Yeah, you're, oh, that's nice. Keep it going. Kaelin Nistor, Benjamin Ritgers, Marcel Janota, Eric Blazinski, Wesley Clark, but not that Wesley Clark, I don't think. Keep it going. Clark Pruden, Marna, Marna, Marna. Marina. Judy.

2:00:37 Well, maybe. And then I got one I can't read. Kevin Brussaux. Let me help you. What's the next one? I just like 19 is a bunch of Kevin Brussaux. I see Kevin Brussaux, Chris Durkin, Dane Coleman, Jan LeClerc, Richard Hyde, Tanya Wyman, Craig Allen, Sam Kelly, Richard Chow, Wayne Burgess, Null. No, thank you. No, no. Thomas Grady, Brian Barrow dot com. Keith Hausner, Brian Ferguson, Craig Martin, Nicholas Chomczkiewicz, Jenkins Journal, Brad Doherty, Lee Young, Peter Hughes,

2:01:15 Yancy Samarour, Brian McFadden, Kevin Grant, Eric Van Martyr, James Palmer, Ian Chaffee, Dave Retterer, Stephen Schwartz, Shaina Williams, Levi Wagner, Herbert Harms, Nicholas Stowe, Mike Bruno. This includes previous donations, obviously, as well from previous episodes. Richard Henderson, Lori Frick? Hey! She loves you! Kurt Satov, Michael Siegenthaler, Patrick Kobel, James Mullin, Matthew Stevens, Robert Gutierrez, Benjamin Garcia, Les Smith, Doug Dodge, Tyler Sandberg, Brian Matthews, Jeffrey Wolf, W. Dorko, Robert Goschko, Cody Holbert, John Fletcher, Curtis Smith, Mark Heimerman, Eric Wells, Sherry Laurie, Mark

2:02:06 Lopikola, John Torres, Mark Neiman, James Callahan, Andy Benz, Alassane Sen, Jennifer McCullough, Christopher Walker, Jason Daniels, Jean-Claude Schmitt, Heather Fucinari, Alejandro Vasquez, Michael Schultz, Gary Stern, Scott Rendon, Kevin McLaughlin, Gertz Automation, Philip Rodanakis, Jason Aubrey, Kendall Powers, Aaron Rush, Alexander Mkurev, Bert Beaves, Matthew Machoe, Heli, Eric Brunn, Claudia Gerber, Thomas Gruszka, Ryan Stewart, Andy Kluber, Catherine Lee, John Akin, Scott Olson,

2:02:50 Ralph Massaro Patrick Sullivan Martin Fell nurse Thomas Stanley Paul Starnes Thomas Butterick Brian hasty ultimate gaming hardware Eric Berg Jason Dolan Alexander Schaefer Schaffer Brian Kaufman Roger SD and her blam Yeah, I guess I knew you yeah there you go yeah, yeah, it's a that's a been night people love you and It's clear. Well, yeah, they love you. People love you. Well, I appreciate everybody who helped out on this little celebration. They also love Jesus, obviously, because it's for the Easter. It's a combo deal. Thank you all so much. They love bunnies. Also thank everybody else who is on their plans, doing the monthlies, whatever amount it is. Everything helps. We really appreciate it. Thank you so much for your courage.

2:03:44 It's your birthday, birthday, oh Alright, here we go. Josh Mandel, 35 on April 8th. Chris Areola turns 67 today. James Webster celebrating. Eric Manx celebrates, says happy birthday to his father Paul, who would have been 62 today. Sir John Donovan says happy birthday to Fiona. She celebrated on April 2nd. Jack Genuso, his birthday today. Martin Fellner, a make good he celebrated yesterday. And of course, the one and only John C. Devorah. Celebrating his 63rd birthday today. Happy birthday from all your friends and the staff and management the best podcast in the universe. Whoo two nightings today and uh, yeah, that's a good day for it. Here's bring the Josh Mandel and your sword there we go and Maurice Tate

2:04:32 Gentlemen, both of you have supported the best podcast in the universe. In the amount of $1,000 or more, we could not be more thankful and happy to introduce you and induct you into the table of the No Agenda Knights and Dames. And I hereby pronounce the KDs, Sir Festivus of Alva and Sir Josh of the Sawdust. For you, my friends, I have Hookers and Blow, Rent Boys and Chardonnays, Sake and Sushi, Video Games and Vaporizers, Malt and Barley and Hops, Root Beer and Legos, Whiskey and Wet Wipes, Hot pans, some booze, bong, and some bourbon, or of course the ever-present mutton and mead. Rings are in? Go to noagenination.com slash rings and Eric will get on that right away. Wow! There's a lot of love there for you, man. A lot of love. Well, I appreciate it. Yeah, you should. I do. I said it. I know, you do. That's why you should. I do. I know you do. I said it. It's good.

CHAPTER 32 / 42 Discussion

CBS This Morning, Your World in 90 Seconds, and Nicki Minaj

The "Eye-Opener" segment on CBS This Morning, sponsored by Toyota, is critiqued for its 111-second duration despite being marketed as "90 seconds." The news summary covers the Iran deal, the Kenya terror attack, and Indiana's religious freedom law. A viral clip of Nicki Minaj comforting a crying child is also featured in the broadcast.

cbs this morning· nicki minaj· indiana· tom cotton· advertising· toyota

2:05:24 Okay, what a couple other things going on here. Oh yes, I? Got something's kind of interesting okay? You might not think it's interesting, but I do it must be celebrity related It's close, but here I've never really gotten up early enough to watch the absolute beginning of the CBS morning show okay, I And so they have like, they start with a... it's all you really have to watch is this first part. This is Charlie and... Nora, and Gail, and Gail, Oprah's girlfriend. Oprah's beard. No, not beard, girlfriend, yes. I mean camping buddy. Camping buddy. So the show starts off with

2:06:09 with this. This is the when you first start the show they have a bunch of music and they play this which is the CBS morning show. And the reason... What time is this? Six o'clock? Is it 6am? Something like that. I was up for some unknown reason. I said, oh let me go get... Let me see if there's any clips. So I got this. Is that exactly... You get up and go... Why am I up? Even Democrats say they need to know more. Lost at sea for 66 days, the sailor tells us how he survived. Only on CBS This Morning, the Michigan man who sold his company then gave millions to his workers. But we begin this morning with a look at today's eye-opener, Your World in 90 Seconds.

2:07:05 Alright, this is it. Now this is the part of this is what I want to discuss. Okay. I know maybe I'm a stickler on some things. Oh, by the way, cotton shows up in this too. Oh good. Stickler, but this is your morning. It's the it's called the weekly or the daily hot shot or some crap 90 seconds, but your world in 90 seconds your world in 90 seconds Okay, so we're gonna play it you're gonna hear you this is summarizes everything going on that you need to know you could actually turn the show off at this point unless you want more detail 90 seconds Yes, not exactly yeah Now, this is what they're telling you. 90 seconds. You said it yourself. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Do they have a little clock counting down the 90 seconds? No. Ah. We'll see that you can figure out the 90 seconds on your own computer by recording this. Hit it. It is a good deal. A deal that meets our core objectives. A framework nuclear deal struck with Iran.

2:08:06 The terms announced are not as bad as I had feared. They're much worse. Before I'd say it's a bad deal, I'd say it's not really a deal yet. In New York City, two women allegedly trying to make a bomb Al-Shabaab like the one used in the Boston Marathon. Tell the judge they are not guilty. The worst terror attack in Kenya in nearly two decades. Somalia based group Al-Shabaab says it's behind the attack. Severe weather threat in the Midwest and South. Millions are bracing for thunderstorms, damaging winds and possible tornadoes. The worst weather is right in Kentucky. Flash flooding is a big issue. A sailor has been rescued after being lost at sea for more than two months. You were out on the water for how long? I have been told 66 days. It seemed like a lot longer. President Obama is in Utah, the 49th state he has visited as president. The only state left on his list, South Dakota. Surveillance video, bam, that car crashing right in. Police say they were chasing the driver who jumped out of the car. All that? Now it's into us. For the wind in the corner. Stanford survives!

2:09:07 A woman won a new car thanks to a model's mistake. I won! Congratulations, we'll just give you a car. And all that matters. Indiana changes its religious freedom law. For example, they're lifting the ban on live tweeting the Tonys. It's the most embarrassing thing to come out of Indiana since I came out of Indiana. On CBS This Morning. Nicki Minaj posted a video of a crying boy who calmed down once he placed his head on her chest. It's rare that you get to witness the exact moment someone goes through puberty. This morning's eye-opener is presented by Toyota. Okay, well I can see why you're irked. Oh yeah!

2:09:52 That was 111 seconds. Yeah. Yeah, this is this is completely out of order. It's lies. It's lies. I'm shocked to find that celebrity worship is going on around here. Yes, it's lies and celebrity worship. Lies. 90 seconds my ass. You took 111 seconds to make that point. Yeah, well, now the only thing that was good, I have to admit, was the kid in Nicki Minaj. Did you see this? No, of course not. Okay, the kid is crying or something and she's with him. On her boobs? No, he's just crying and she gives him a hug and then pretty much puts his head right between her boobs. And then they show a close-up of this and the kid is like raising his eyebrows and winking

CHAPTER 33 / 42 Discussion

Trevor Noah, The Daily Show, and Cultural Race Blogging

The appointment of South African comedian Trevor Noah as the successor to Jon Stewart on The Daily Show sparks controversy. Cultural race blogger Wendy Todd's Washington Post op-ed criticizing Noah's jokes about African Americans is discussed. The segment suggests the controversy is a calculated promotional campaign by Comedy Central to drive ratings.

trevor noah· the daily show· comedy central· don lemon· washington post· wendy todd

2:10:37 and smiling. Yeah, baby! Great. It's quite funny. Well, now that you've broached the topic of what we consider real news... And now, back to real news. A great promotional campaign has been underway for a week now for the successor to the Jon Stewart Daily Show. I've been meaning to talk about this. Yeah, well, there was There was just a funny segment with Don, anything with Don Lemon, because this, what is happening, if you don't know, I'm sure everyone has seen this at some point. This kid is from South Africa, Trevor Noah, and he's been making racial jokes about blacks and about Jews and about women. And of course, I think even, did he make any jokes about LGBTQIAP? Well, I'm funny. You should bring it up.

2:11:37 If anybody wants to look him up on YouTube, what's his name? Trevor Noah. He's extremely funny. His timing is absolutely top drawer. Very observant. The one you want to find, the clip you want to find is, is it Zambia? It's Trevor Noah that talks about Zambia. I think it's Zambia or what's the other one that starts with a Z? Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe. That's what it is. Trevor Noah talks about Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe. That is 10 points for Adam Curry in Austin, Texas. Very funny. And a large

2:12:16 gay routine in it, which is also extremely funny. But I could see where someone would be offended by it. Let us listen to someone who's offended by it. I just thought this was interesting, the cultural Marxism, but of course, again, it's all promotion. It's complete 100% promotion. Congratulations. Slow clap for Comedy Central. Good job. This will keep going and then there's Don Lemon who is gay and black. Perfect guy to host this of course. And he has on a cac- he has on... He had a... I think it was a... It might have been Octobox. I think he had eight people on. Oh God. Yeah. Artie Lang. Not the Octobox! Yeah. Artie Lang, Jay Thomas, you know all... Artie Lang is pretty funny.

2:13:03 And Jay Thomas, he doesn't make me laugh, but he's been around a long time. He's professional. He says interesting things. But what is happening here, there's two segments. One is this woman, Wendy Todd, who has a fantastic title, which I think, well, Don Lemon introduces her and it's just, I want this title. And she is of course offended because how can you have a black man who is actually from Africa, making jokes about African Americans. It's unheard of! This is not furthering the conversation in this country. And Wendy Todd, a culture and race blogger. There you go. I want to be in when I grow up, John, I want to be a culture and race blogger.

2:13:50 How do you? And Wendy Todd, a culture and race blogger who wrote a piece in the Washington Post about Trevor Noah. I'm gonna give you some cards. Culture and race blogger. It's great. I love it. I love it. It's fantastic. And Wendy Todd, a culture and race blogger who wrote a piece in the Washington Post about Trevor Noah. And Artie Lang and John Fuglesang join me. They're back with me. Hey, Wendy, this is what you say. You wrote this in the Washington Post, you said, Noah might look like an enlightened choice, but his routines show he isn't. His jokes often hinge on insulting African Americans. Well, you can keep him. I'd like a conscious person of color to the wheel, not someone who's already driven me off a racist cliff.

2:14:32 a conscious person of color. What has this country become? It's horrible. And I want to say again that this guy is extremely funny and his stuff about Africa, he does voices. So he does every African country. Oh great. The difference, little differences between a Ghana and a Nigerian and a South African and a Zimbabwean. It's a Even though most people don't know any of this stuff, the guy is very funny. The bottom line is that this is a great promotional campaign. Really, really good. I'm going to say Wendy Todd is being paid. I'm just going to come out and say it. She's being paid to stir up the controversy. You don't need to pay people like that. You just need to find... How did this get in the Washington Post all of a sudden? She's a blogger and now she's published in the Washington Post? What is she?

CHAPTER 34 / 42 Discussion

Comedy and Political Correctness, Jay Thomas, and Twitter Terrorists

A debate on CNN featuring Jay Thomas and Artie Lang explores the limits of comedy and the influence of "Twitter terrorists" who seek to get comedians fired. Thomas argues that television and HBO provide a safer space for edgy humor than social media. The support of Jon Stewart for Trevor Noah is cited as a key factor in the transition.

jay thomas· twitter· comedy· martha stewart· jon stewart· censorship

2:15:20 Is she an op-ed writer or a blogger or a culture and race blogger? Come on, John. No. She probably got paid for the op-ed, but I don't think she was paid to... Well, maybe. Who knows? You don't know that. It's happened. By her. Have somebody decent. I mean, somebody we know. Well, she's furthering the conversation. He says, clip. At the wheel, I should probably say. You're worried that he'll continue to perpetuate negative stereotypes. Why? I just think that, first of all, you're coming to this country and you're making fun of their residents. I don't understand that. You come to this country making fun of the residents.

2:16:00 White or what she's black to black and you're contributing to stereotypes that are perpetuating a construct That's already devaluing black people here We're getting shot in the street because people do not feel that we're because of jokes. We're getting shot We I guess she means black people in America are getting shot because of jokes value and to make jokes Jokes tribute and perpetuate the ideal. She must be a thrill at a dinner party. I I'm telling you this is all part of the same Feinstein crap, John. There's going to be rules on what kind of jokes you can make on the internet. You can just wait for it. It's upsetting. It's irresponsible.

2:16:37 Why can't comedians of color have the same freedom as other comedians to practice their craft? They do! In fact, comedians of color, the so-called cocks, they have a morning license. They can make these jokes that white comedians, the woks, and touch, I mean the cows, we have the cocks and the cows, if they cannot even go near go near that. They have an extra burden you feel? They're comedians. I don't think it's about them practicing their craft. I think it's also about intention. Is your intention to move a conversation forward if you're exploring something as controversial as race? But if your intention is just to get a joke, then who pays for that? And I feel like African-Americans have paid enough not to have someone come here and make fun of us.

2:17:26 Has she ever been to one of these comedy jams with the black guys? Well, now we have... Holy crap! Now we have Jay Thomas. He is going to set her a little bit straight, but his message I found to be interesting. His message is, if you want entertainment, Don't go to the internet. You've got to get it from your officially paid mainstream media sources. From television and from HBO. You can't get it from the internet. Bad, bad, bad. Twitter is like Botox with an expressive face. It just takes away all expression.

2:18:02 and and then the the the twitter terrorists who are these people that are just twitter terrorists basically shut-ins and they get a chance to attack and bring people down and they've been you know kind of uh... successful in this i really am proud of the fact that was interesting wasn't it i think he's been taken down he's mad about something doesn't he know how to block? proud of the fact that comedy central has backed him up and that Jon Stewart is backing him up too because it would be wonderful to see someone not get fired for something on Twitter. If you release what Martha Stewart said last night on the Bieber roast, if you release that on Twitter, her stock would have been cut in half, she would have been reduced, she made homophobia.

2:18:51 Black people, people in prison, in jail. I mean, she just went on and on. It was spectacular. But it was on TV. It wasn't on Twitter. Ah, TV and not on Twitter. Now you're talking, Jay. That thing is evil, that Twitter thing. That thing is horrible. Well, I think Twitter can be... But if you go back to Jon Stewart, you know, Jon Stewart also backs him. And from one of his greatest bits, you know, which was the faith-off, I think we must just ride the Red Sea log flume with him because he thinks this kid is great. Okay, so let's let's go with him. I think it's very clear. Mainstream or nothing. That's how it goes. Mainstream or nothing. Well, he gets all his money from mainstream, so what else would he say? He's not a blogger.

CHAPTER 35 / 42 Discussion

1977 Global Cooling Report, ABC News, and Climate Cycles

Archival footage from ABC News in 1977 features climatologist Reid Bryson warning of an impending ice age. The report cites cooling temperatures in the North Atlantic and the retreat of armadillos as evidence that the Earth's 10,000-year warm period has ended. This historical perspective is used to challenge contemporary global warming narratives.

abc news· global cooling· ice age· 1977· reid bryson· climate change

2:19:43 We'll see how this pans out, but obviously it's going to be great for ratings. He's controversial. Yeah, I don't know if this guy could do that show. I've watched enough of his acts that he's really outstanding stand-up, but I don't see him sitting behind a desk. I would actually say you or I or both of us would be better than a comedian doing that show. Yeah, I mean, Jon Stewart was never a stand-up. No, no, no. I have something. This is a, I think this will be welcomed by the people who listened in on our conversation twice weekly. I dug up an ABC video from 1977, 1978, and this will take us to the climate gate. To the gate, to the gate, to the climate gate.

2:20:33 The black and white video will be under video and clips in the show notes, and of course this audio, which I've chopped down significantly just to prove the point, will be available as a download. This is about the climate and how ABC News talked about it in 1977. Warm periods like ours last only 10,000 years, but ours has already lasted 12,000. So if the rhythm is right, we are over ready for a return of the ice. Experts like Reeve Bryson, the head of the biggest meteorological department in the world, in Wisconsin, believe that since 1945 that has been in progress. We're returning to an ice age.

2:21:13 They face this on ever-cooler temperature readings in the Great Plains on land and the North Atlantic at sea, and on the headlong retreat of the heat-loving armadillo from Nebraska to the Southwest and to Mexico, and on many more sophisticated sides. The argument that we face some long, cold years is pretty convincing. Don't pack your things and investigate real estate prices in the tropics yet, but there's a theory advanced by climatologists that the last two years of battering by winter means that an ice age is returning to the earth with glaciers down to the Mason-Nixon line and freezing temperatures south of that. Non-expert that I am, I tend to lean towards the ice ages for the evidence adduced by Professor Reed Bryson of the University of Wisconsin, our leading scholar.

2:22:04 Among other items, he cites the rhythm of a hundred thousand years of ice age interrupted briefly by a mere ten thousand years of warmth. And our ten thousand years of warmth has now passed. There you go. That is something that you might want to show your friends. Isn't that nice? Yeah. I'm shocked, shocked to find that climate data is being manipulated around here. Who is that again? That is Isaac Piggott. He's good. He's very good. Well, we got a couple of things here. I got a douchebag report. Oh. Calling out Hershey. There's a big controversy over some little store in Greenwich Village selling Cadbury's that they've imported from England when Hershey's has bought all the rights to Cadbury's in the United States and they've manufactured themselves.

CHAPTER 36 / 42 Discussion

Hershey vs Cadbury, Gray Market Chocolate, and Peanut Butter Oils

Hershey's legal efforts to block the import of British Cadbury chocolate and other UK brands like the Yorkie Bar are detailed. The dispute centers on FDA standards for milk chocolate, which prohibit the use of palm and shea oils found in British recipes. Hershey is accused of using trademark law to protect its market share against superior imported products.

hershey· cadbury· fda· palm oil· yorkie bar· nestle

2:23:06 And I'm reminded of a story from years ago, this will be my last story, when Lohenbrau, which was a decent German beer, and I think they bought them, I think it was Miller or, I think it was Miller or Anheuser-Busch, but I think it was Miller, bought them lock, stock, and barrel and decided to make, because Lohenbrau was a big seller apparently from after World War II until whenever they got bought as an imported beer. And so it was, again, Anheuser-Busch or Miller bought them and then... It was Anheuser-Busch. Okay, Anheuser-Busch bought them. It was gonna be like a little more expensive than Michelob. And the Germans sent over their brewmasters to say, well, okay, since you bought the brand, here's the guys that know how to make it, you know, so you can make it exactly the same way. And the Anheuser-Busch guy said, we're not interested. We know how to make beer.

2:24:06 In fact, they just gave the name back, Lone Brow, they gave it to the Bucks. Well, it's because it started not selling because anybody in their right mind would say, well, why am I paying an extra buck for what amounts to a bottle of bud? Yeah. Well, anyway, so now we have Cadbury's selling to Hershey's and I think Hershey's makes them, to be honest, in my opinion, and I'm going to say that even though... You don't even have to, it's all to your opinion, John. Obviously, my opinion. They make a mediocre product. But let's play this Hershey clip and we talk about the battle between Cadbury's and we find out a few interesting things here in this report which was on the NewsHour. Hershey, Pennsylvania. That the recipes are nearly identical. Jim St. John is Hershey's master chocolatier. The milk, sugar and chocolate were all cooked together

2:24:54 in the British Isles. So we're buying their stuff, it's their specification. It's what the Cadbury family first brought over here to the States. But on the package it says milk first on the English Cadbury and sugar first on the American Cadbury. Yes, that's true. And that's because the rules around labeling are different in England than they are in the United States. They count all the milk including the water that was in the milk. In the United States, we can't count the water. But there is one crucial difference and why Hershey's had to change the recipe to comply with U.S. federal regulations. What they sell in England can't be sold in the United States and be called milk chocolate because they add fats other than cocoa butter. They're using

2:25:41 palm and shea oils. We're only using cocoa butter. So palm oil, shea oil, that's not part of what's considered chocolate in the United States according to FDA standards. Right, so that is not a chocolate in the United States. So those remembrances of warm feelings past are triggered by palm and shea oils? Well, even so, why not let the little store in Greenwich Village sell the original Cadbury chocolate? What's the big deal to Hershey? Our intention is not to go after the smaller shops. I'm sorry, who is going after the shop? Hershey's. They're going after the shop for selling for gray market Cadbury. Gotcha. But when we started seeing this formula in the mass retailers, that's when we got concerned because it's a slippery slope. But say the Brits, it's not just about Cadbury. Hershey's has successfully blocked other British brands like Toffee Crisp made by Nestle in the UK because its wrapper says Hershey's looks like their Reese's peanut butter cups.

2:26:42 And England's Yorkie Bar can no longer be imported because its name sounds like Hershey's York Peppermint Patty. Get the sensation. So now here is a Yorkie Bar from England and you all won't allow this because the name is too similar to a York Peppermint Patty. We own the name York. York Peppermint Patty, you know, started out in York, Pennsylvania. This is a long clip. It's almost over York Yorkshire, you know war of the roses the grand old Duke of York. He had 10,000 men That's where it's supposed to end. Yeah, it should I'd obviously do no no no anyway, but the point to be made is that the this Yorkie bar or whatever it is does the looks like nothing like a York peppermint patty is a big bar and These guys I just pointed out. This is my douchebag clip of the day and

2:27:38 I should mention that Cadbury is not much better. They've been bought and sold and bought and sold. And the idea that they look, you can look it up Cadbury on the Wikipedia and they one time somebody sold to somebody and the next thing you know, they added, they They took out the cocoa butter and added the palm oil so they're cheap in the product even in England, which reminds me of the peanut butter you get in the United States where they extract the peanut oil, which is worth more than the peanut butter, and then they put in some cheap oils. Look at your peanut butter thing. It won't have any peanut oil. It's got some sort of soybean oil or canola oil mixed in with the peanuts. Man 1 Almond butter.

2:28:16 My favorite. Whatever they can, I don't know. It's just a clip. Okay, are you angry about this or? I think it's douchey. Okay, well we'll do a douchebag. DOUCHEBAG! DOUCHEBAG! Hey man, fist bump. Oh, that's all I wanted to do. My phone's my phone. The way I see it, the only good phone's a landline and the phone should be made out of Bakelite. All right, tech news everybody. It's Sunday. That means it's time for tech news. Hold on a second. Someone just bought something with my Apple ID. Now, surely this must be a scam. Second. Yes. Scam. Wow. That's a good one. That's good phishing. What'd they do? How'd you get it? It was an email? Yep. Hello, Apple ID adamantcurry.com, which is I think incorrect, was just used to purchase equal responsibility by climbers from the iTunes store.

CHAPTER 37 / 42 Discussion

Gmail Filtering, Newsletter Delivery, and Corrupt Email Systems

Challenges with the No Agenda newsletter delivery on Gmail are attributed to Google's aggressive and potentially corrupt filtering algorithms. While legitimate newsletters are often sent to the "Promotions" or "Spam" tabs, users reportedly receive unsolicited marketing emails from major retailers. The difficulty of whitelisting specific senders in the Gmail ecosystem is highlighted.

gmail· google· spam· newsletter· promotions tab· whitelist

2:29:10 The purchase was initiated from Mexico. Yeah, okay, fine. I'm gonna fall for that one. Tech news! And I need to remind you of some tech news that you want to talk about. Why don't you tell us about your Gmail? I wrote it down. I wrote it down to do this on Tickmas. What I was going to do, and I'll do it, is that I was going to complain because Gmail, we have a lot of problem getting our newsletter through, which is people literally subscribe to it, and they want it, and they try to whitelist it and do all this sort of thing to get the newsletter so they can read it if they want to.

2:29:53 or not read it if they want to, not because Google says that they should or not. So Google's got all these filters. I wanna read, I don't use Gmail that much so I don't get to clean out my box so I get to notice the stuff that builds up. Well, you can't get the newsletter, you'll get, I'm gonna just read a few of the mails I've got on my Gmail account. Neiman Marcus sent me a Gmail letter. Up to 75% off, Evening Dash. Now I've got something here written in Russian. I don't know what it says, but it's from somebody in it. Okay, it could might even not be Russian. It's some language I don't recognize. Neiman Marcus again. New arrival, see what's just in. John Arrow says enlisting e-alert for homes for sale. Some 92127 area. I don't know, I never signed up for that. Why am I getting it? Oh, you think that these are being put in now?

2:30:44 No, I think what Google does is they, you know, we're not paying to get delivered. We're not, you know, this is a corrupt system that these guys operate. I have so much spam in the Google box and I don't get spam in my normal box. The Google box, I get nothing but spam. Tell me this isn't spam, St. Louis Outlet Mall, Sears Outlet Inventory Reduction Sale. I didn't sign up for this. Toys R Us, and then it's in Hebrew. I didn't sign up for Hebrew. And it goes on and on. So it's really trapping spam is what you're saying. But meanwhile, I did sign up for the No Agenda newsletter and I don't get it. Even if you whitelist it, put it in your address book and move it over, it still doesn't work? I've sent this note. A lot of people say, oh, it's not a problem. I never had a problem.

2:31:36 Most people have a problem if they use Gmail to get what they want to get. Instead, they get yourhealthcare.gov appointment, important notification, final month of special enrollment period. And not...they don't care. Neiman Marcus again. Boy, they're really doing it. Hurry, up to 65% off during real deal sale. Christie Bunnell, vote now for Bring Back My Bar. I will say President Barack Obama, look I have a Gmail account of course, although I don't use it except to receive clips from you when they're too large. President Barack Obama's email preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon went to the promotions tab, which of course it is a promotion so that makes sense I guess.

CHAPTER 38 / 42 Discussion

Tesla Model W, April Fools Jokes, and Stock Market Manipulation

Tesla's April Fools' joke regarding a "Model W" watch caused a brief $1.50 spike in the company's stock price as automated trading systems reacted to the press release. The incident demonstrates how algorithmic trading can be triggered by viral headlines. The legality of such "pump and dump" scenarios, even when intended as humor, is questioned.

tesla· elon musk· april fools· wall street· stock trading· pump and dump

2:32:20 It is a promo. It is a promo. It's a total promotion. It is a promotion. Well, they're doing a good job. I don't know, John. You know, get off Gmail. Don't use it. I have to use it to send you the clips. And of course, this is, you know, people, that's why you got to look. Oh, I remember now because you got a low open rate on the, it went to, it went to promotion and spam because Gmail saw it that way. We'll get, yeah. Yes. Because there was one too many links, I believe. That's why it's, that's why we're doomed. No, we are doomed. Yeah, doomed. However, there's a way out. It's more of a pet peeve than it is. There's a way out. We can make some money. I've figured out how we can make some money finally. Tesla did an April Fool joke. Ha ha ha. Boy, do I despise April Fool jokes, especially from the media. But this was from Tesla and they announced a new product line called Model W, which what the joke was, and worse than an April Fool joke is one that's not funny.

2:33:20 And the headline was announcing the Tesla Model W. And they talked about this watch line they're going to release that tells the time, it gives you the date and you don't need to recharge it. Very funny. But here's what happened. Because this came out as a press release, Most trading systems today on Wall Street and around the world have all kinds of quasi artificial intelligence to look at certain words and then start making trades ahead of it as fast as possible in milliseconds. So when this came out, the headline was announcing the Tesla Model W, the stock jumped a buck 50,

2:34:03 It went up as high as $188.5. 400,000 shares traded in a couple minutes. That's one of the quickest, heaviest volumes of trading for this stock since it started trading. But then, of course, it immediately retracted and dropped down below the price that it opened at. So this is very interesting. you can, if you're fast enough and you know what you're doing, and Andrew Horowitz is listening right now, if you can get the right type of headline out there and you can make it go viral, and I think there's headlines that can go viral by themselves. And we could actually set up a little consortium of people with 50 or 60,000 real Twitter followers.

2:34:56 I bet we could move stock based upon the so-called artificial intelligence and trade it both ways on the way up and on the way down when people figure out to scan. Yeah, that's called an illegal pump and dump scheme, by the way. Oh, so this was not a scheme, this was just a joke and we're very sure of that? Well, no. No. But they gave the excuse, oh, you could probably act innocent, but if you're actually setting up shop to do these things, no, it's illegal. And they will eventually catch up with you. Although the Wolf of Wall Street was a pump and dump operation, if you saw that movie, and if you've ever seen this guy, he got off scot-free. The whole thing was just like, it was, I mean, meanwhile, hello, not the steward, it was the jail. Put in there by our current director of FBI, James Comey.

CHAPTER 39 / 42 Discussion

DMCA Car Hacking, John Deere, and Vehicle Software Ownership

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) reports on manufacturers like John Deere using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to prevent owners from modifying vehicle software. Companies argue that allowing access to code could lead to piracy or unsafe modifications. This legal stance challenges the traditional concept of ownership for modern, software-dependent vehicles.

dmca· john deere· ford· eff· copyright· car hacking

2:35:49 James Tiberius, call me. I always forget about that. That's it? No, well I have a couple other things. Okay, we gotta make Tech News a segment. We do. Electronic Frontier Foundation, not my favorite organization, but they do bring up something very interesting that it is illegal for you to tamper with, reverse engineer, or do anything to your automobile's system. And they will take you to court. And this of course is... Yes, this is based on... When did this get passed? Well, this is based on the DMCA and now the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and they are... People have sold computers for these cars commonly, I thought. You know, you could take your computer out and put in another one that's been modded. I will give you... Well, here it is.

2:36:41 You should not be allowed to modify the code in your car because you might defraud a used car purchaser by changing the mileage. You should not even be allowed to look at the code without the manufacturer's permission because this could allow, and check this, the public to learn how cars work could help malicious hackers hack the car. John Deere, isn't that a tractor company? They argue that letting people modify car computer systems will result in them pirating music through the onboard entertainment system. Oh bull. Yeah, but they're claiming the DMCA protects them for this.

2:37:21 It's interesting because in 2011, Ford and Bug Labs announced that they're creating a platform that will encourage users to modify computers in the automaker's future cars. I mean, the reason you want to do this is because you can set up curves, acceleration curves, shifting curves. You know, this car, like a Lexus, for example, is known to be...you can add 50 horsepower to the car by changing the computer. But that's by putting in a different chip or one of those booster chips or something. Well, you can't do it without deconstructing the old chip. You don't know what to do. Well, it's it's forboden. Well, this is bull crap. That's why it's tech news. At least it's not about a phone. Then I have a... By the way, a new phone was released. Really? Did it have a curved screen? I don't know. It just came out. Oh, wow.

CHAPTER 40 / 42 Discussion

Amazon Echo, Alexa News Briefings, and Amazon Pantry

User experiences with the Amazon Echo and its "Alexa" voice assistant are shared, specifically regarding the customization of news briefings from NPR and the BBC. The Amazon Pantry service is also discussed as a convenient way to ship heavy household staples for a flat fee. The rapid integration of third-party services like Pandora into the Echo platform is noted.

amazon echo· alexa· npr· bbc· amazon pantry· logistics

2:38:17 In the show notes, an entire list of known Easter eggs for the Amazon Echo, which is, you can spend 40. I love this product. I love this. But do you know what I love more than the product? Is the team behind it. I send suggestions, boom, I get five people on emails and they're like, oh, this is good. We should do that. They're really, really working very hard on this. It's fun. Alright, stop. Hammer time. One time, give me one suggestion that you've ever made. Oh, I've made several suggestions. I just want one. When Alexa, that's her name, is reading the news, you have a news briefing, you can customize it, what topics you want, you can have the latest NPR news, which I like hearing because it's NPR news, it's funny to hear, then the BBC news, then she'll go through a list, and this is actually how I came up with the suggestion,

2:39:13 a list of topics that you choose and she'll read it in not a bad voice and not bad cadence. But I noticed that some of the news stories, she would only read the headline and not read the story, which I believe is probably an XML error or some parsing system is wrong somewhere. So I sent this in, I said, by the way, why don't you just make it so she reads the headlines and you can then say, Alexa, read the story. So I could just continue, she can continuously skip over stories until something I want to hear. That's a, that's, I think that's a valid suggestion. Wow. You're putting effort into this. Yes. I like what Amazon does. I like them. I like, I like this company. I like this product, but I like that they're going to, of course you can only buy music now, but they're going to connect it of course to, uh, you already have the shopping list and your to do list. So just automatically order the stuff for me. I've tried out that Amazon pantry.

2:40:02 Have you tried this? I don't know what you're talking about. The pantry box. No. Wasn't that an April Fool joke? I don't know if that's real. Yeah, it's a pantry box. It ships for $5.95 no matter what you put into it. And it's a sizable box. And it's just no matter what the weight is. And it's good for all that crap, you know, like dishwasher detergent and fabric softener and some biz. Yeah. I wonder if they have biz or some sealant bang. Another one of my favorites. So I've made that recommendation and I've done a couple I can't remember offhand I could look at find the emails to the same This is a dynamite product. They just added Pandora now to it, which I find interesting. They're adding a competing music service That's pretty good. So here's some of the stuff they have

2:40:48 Coca-Cola fridge pack, smart water, Lay's potato, these are all commercial items. There's nothing special here. I didn't say it's special, it's the stuff that's a pain in the ass to go out and get. And I just say... You have to shop for your meat anyway, you can pick up a box of laundry detergent. When you live alone and you live on the 15th floor, you are happy to make one trip from the car. By the way, always use liquid detergent. Yes. What else is there? Powder. Oh no, no, always liquid. Um, yeah, anyway. Biz is okay as powder. Biz. Finally, I just put a fun little PDF in the show notes for people who are interested in technology. And this is a summary from the United States Army Electronics Command, MCOM. It's an older one. And it is the performance of trees as radio antennas in tropical jungle forests. It's a fascinating read.

CHAPTER 41 / 42 Discussion

Alexander Popov, Radio Invention History, and Tree Antennas

A US Army Electronics Command PDF describes the use of trees as radio antennas in tropical jungles. This leads to a historical review of Alexander Popov, the Russian scientist credited in Eastern Europe with inventing radio before Marconi and Tesla. Popov's 1895 lightning detector is cited as the first practical radio receiver.

alexander popov· radio· tesla· marconi· antennas· tropical jungle

2:41:51 It's what? They measured performance of trees using trees as radio antennas in tropical jungle forests. But you wire them up. Do you have a wire going up the tree or can you use the tree itself? You use the actual tree itself. How do you do that? You stick a wire in it. You need to read the PDF. And based on that, I discovered Alexander Popov. Alexander who? Popov. Popov. Popov? Popov? P-O-P-O-V? Yeah, Popov. Do you know who he is? Well, I'm gonna find out. But don't look, don't look. Okay. This is the Alexander Stepanovich Popov, Russian. He is credited as the inventor of radio. Usurping Tesla and Marconi. Marconi, yeah.

2:42:47 I didn't know that. Well, the Russians, you know, always do this. The Chinese do it too. But it's on Wikipedia. Well, let me look him up. Alexander Stepanov Popov. Mm hmm. That's acclaimed in his homeland and Eastern European countries as the inventor of radio. So I guess what did he do with it? He invented and did what? He created the first spark interpreter, I guess you could call it, where he could make a radio would detect noise from lightning strikes and ring a bell in concert with the lightning strikes. And from that, you know, he built the Popov lighting detector circuit, which is arguably the first spark gap generator receiver. Just one of those things. This will be me in podcasting in a couple of years. Hey, who's this guy over here?

2:43:41 What does he do? Oh, he's born a couple of years before Bob. They only think he had something to do with podcasting in Holland. Ah, that can't be real. It can't be for real, this guy. So he did a radio station in 1900 on Hogland to provide two-way communication by wireless telegraphy between the Russian naval base and the crew of the battleship General Admiral Apricots in Bilbo. Isn't that cool? And then it ran aground. Yeah. I guess that didn't do much because they were too busy checking their Facebook status. And then one more question, is there a new phone for us to talk about? No. The only good phone's a landline and the phone should be made out of Bakelite. Too bad the tech grouch couldn't join us for today's segment but that is your tech news ladies and gentlemen. Real tech news with things that are interesting to you not just about phones. And a little history too. And that stupid, stupid watch. Oh that watch.