Topic: Archer

The House Oversight Committee's investigation into the Biden family focuses on allegations of influence peddling involving Hunter Biden and his business associates. While critics point to the "Biden crime family" narrative, others suggest that such consultancy and family-based access are rampant throughout Congress.

Devin Archer, a former business partner of Hunter Biden, testified before the House Oversight Committee that Hunter frequently put his father, then-Vice President Joe Biden, on speakerphone during business meetings. Archer characterized this as "selling the illusion of access." While Democrats claim the calls were limited to "casual niceties," Republicans view Archer as a key witness in connecting the President to foreign business deals.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security produced a document titled "The SPARS Pandemic 2025-2028," detailing a futuristic pandemic exercise. The scenario describes a world of "Internet Accessing Technology" (IAT) and social fragmentation where the government struggles to communicate with isolated online cliques. It features fictional political figures and emerging social media platforms like "ZapQ" used to manage public health messaging.

A discussion about "Soba" noodles ensues after a donor mentions the dish. The hosts clarify the difference between Soba and Pho, noting a famous Soba chef currently operating in Berkeley, California.

The PBS NewsHour is criticized for a perceived shift in objectivity following the 2016 election. A specific segment featuring an obituary for former Archer Daniels Midland CEO Dwayne Andreas is questioned, as Andreas had not been associated with the company for 20 years. The tribute is viewed as a favor to a long-time corporate underwriter.

A violent ambush on Philadelphia police officer Jesse Hartnett by Edward Archer is discussed. Archer, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, fired a dozen rounds into Hartnett's patrol car. Investigation revealed that the firearm used in the attack was a stolen police service weapon, highlighting the irony that the crime was committed with a gun originally issued by the state.

The show celebrates several listener birthdays and addresses a correction regarding a popular sound clip. A quote previously attributed to the show *Archer* is identified as originating from the anime *Kill la Kill*, while a separate clip involving the CIA and dinosaurs is confirmed as being from *Archer*.

The discussion continues on patents, noting that Apple previously paid $8 million to license a "playlist" patent to avoid future litigation. The hosts then play clips from the animated show "Archer" that satirize the CIA selling cocaine to fund arms for Iraq (or Iran), noting how the show's nuances mirror "No Agenda" themes.

Hunter Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, has joined the board of Burisma Holdings, Ukraine's largest private gas producer. He is joined by Devon Archer, a former fundraiser for John Kerry. The hosts characterize this as "shameless" capitalization on the Ukrainian crisis by the families of top U.S. officials, noting a lack of critical coverage in mainstream media.

A 14-year-old listener, Dieter Archer, wrote in about being taught that slavery was the sole cause of the American Civil War, despite his questions about international influences from Britain and France. The hosts encourage Dieter and his friend to start their own podcast using No Agenda's open-source jingles and format. The segment emphasizes critical thinking and the rejection of mainstream media narratives.

New research links high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to liver damage and obesity, yet the topic is rarely covered by PBS, which is sponsored by HFCS producer Archer Daniels Midland. Pepsi-Cola recently announced it would remove HFCS from its sodas in the coming year due to health concerns. The hosts also note that organic ketchup from Canada often avoids HFCS, unlike most American brands.

The release of the film "The Informant," starring Matt Damon, brings the true story of whistleblower Mark Whitaker and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) to the public. The hosts discuss how ADM engaged in massive price-fixing schemes while maintaining a wholesome image through PBS sponsorships. They note that while Whitaker served prison time, many corporate executives faced minimal consequences.

NPR CEO Vivian Schiller is heard on tape admitting that "underwriting" is essentially the same as advertising or sponsorship. This leads to a scathing critique of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a frequent NPR underwriter. ADM is described as a corrupt organization involved in global price-fixing and corporate espionage, as depicted in the book and film "The Informant." The hosts argue that such sponsorships inevitably influence news content.

The upcoming release of the film "The Informant," starring Matt Damon, brings renewed attention to the Archer Daniels Midland price-fixing scandal of the 1980s. The story highlights the legal complexities of secret recordings and wiretapping. A review of the source book is scheduled for a future segment.

The book "The Informant" by Kurt Eichenwald chronicles the 1990s price-fixing scandal at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) involving the amino acid lysine. ADM executives conspired with Japanese competitors to limit production and set global prices for the livestock feed additive. The investigation utilized 800 hours of FBI surveillance tapes to expose corporate corruption and political influence-peddling.

New stock market derivatives allow investors to bet on the performance of food company indices. "Ultra" derivatives can quadruple gains or losses based on the movement of stocks like Archer Daniels Midland. The hosts discuss the ethics and financial strategy of profiting from food shortages through 401k-compatible short positions.

The decline of scripted dramas on commercial radio and television is compared to the transition from radio to TV in the 1950s. The BBC is highlighted as a rare exception where radio dramas like "The Archers" continue to thrive due to public funding. The hosts argue that commercial pressure inevitably leads to cheaper, unscripted content.