Topic: 2009

A look back at episode 109 from July 2009 highlights early concerns regarding the swine flu outbreak and the procurement of 600 million vaccine doses for the United States. The virus, often referred to as the "Mexican flu" in Europe, was viewed by some as a precursor to current pandemic management strategies. The segment suggests that previous pandemic plans may have been refined for the current COVID-19 response.

The hosts reminisce about the 2009 "Cash for Clunkers" program, characterizing it as a taxpayer-funded scam that destroyed the used car market. They argue the program failed to provide real economic benefit while wasting functional vehicles.

The hosts revisit a 2009 "No Agenda Classic" regarding a study on the ability to identify gay men by facial muscle tension. They then transition to a recent Trump campaign gag where the President suggested changing the "Make America Great Again" hats to "Make America Great Again, Again" (MAGA Again) to reflect the economic recovery.

The hosts revisit clips from 2009, including Hillary Clinton's visit to a refugee camp in Goma, Congo. Another clip discusses a study from the Journal of Experimental Psychology claiming people can identify sexual orientation based on facial muscle tension. The hosts reflect on how such discussions have become taboo in the decade since the clips originally aired.

The show revisits a 2009 clip where John C. Dvorak correctly predicted Taylor Swift's massive success. This is followed by an archival "Jobs Karma" segment featuring a 1930s Dick Powell song about the Great Depression.

A 2009 study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine claimed that obesity contributes to global warming because heavier people consume more food and use more fuel for transportation. The hosts note that this specific narrative was largely dropped by the media once it began to alienate the target audience for climate activism.

Author Allan Lichtman proposes that the President could be impeached for "crimes against humanity" related to environmental policy and climate change. Lichtman cites a 2009 letter signed by Donald Trump and his children urging action on climate change to highlight a shift in political calculation. The discussion questions the existence of this letter and why it was not utilized during the 2016 campaign.

Adam Curry recounts his 2009 appearance on MSNBC following the death of Michael Jackson, which he claims led to his blacklisting from mainstream media. During the interview, Curry deviated from the approved script about Jackson's MTV legacy to mention a potential "murder angle" and the discovery of drugs in Jackson's home. The segment includes audio of the interview and the host's real-time deconstruction of the "news game."

A 2009 speech by President Obama regarding prolonged detention is revisited, highlighting the administration's policy of holding individuals without traditional prosecution if they pose a security threat. The hosts note the contradiction between this policy and Obama's campaign promise to close Guantanamo Bay.

Economic cycles often involve a "mini-boom" before a major collapse, similar to the patterns seen in the late 19th century and the 1920s. Current theories suggest that a significant market downturn could begin in October 2009, eventually leading to a depression-like bottom in 2013. These cycles are viewed as inevitable fluctuations in the capitalist system rather than isolated events with single causes.