Topic: Atlantic

David Brooks has left The New York Times after 22 years to join The Atlantic, a move the hosts describe as joining a "left-wing rag." His final column for the Times was a 2,800-word essay on the state of the country, which critics described as rambling and poorly written. The transition marks a significant shift for the prominent conservative columnist.

The Atlantic published an article by Sarah Fitzpatrick alleging that FBI Director Kash Patel engaged in excessive drinking and erratic behavior, including a claim that security details had difficulty waking him. The reporting relied on a video of Patel celebrating with the U.S. Olympic hockey team. Critics argue the article is a character assassination attempt similar to tactics used against other Trump administration officials.

Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic, characterizing their reporting on his alleged intoxication as "pure fantasy." The lawsuit specifically disputes claims regarding the use of breaching equipment to enter his room. A brief educational aside clarifies the legal distinction between slander (spoken defamation) and libel (written or published defamation).

NOAA has lowered its confidence in an "above normal" hurricane season for 2025, citing a quiet start with only four named tropical storms and no major hurricanes by early August. Forecasters now expect 13 to 18 total named storms, down from previous estimates. The lack of activity is attributed to tropical dust inhibiting storm growth, contradicting earlier predictions that 2025 would be the "worst year ever" for Atlantic hurricanes.

The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg published details from a Signal group chat involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other senior officials regarding military strikes in Yemen. The leaked messages included timing for F-18 launches and MQ-9 Reaper drone deployments against Houthi targets. While the administration claims no classified methods were compromised, critics argue the two-hour window provided ample warning for foreign intelligence.

The Atlantic published an article regarding Elon Musk's reported use of ketamine to treat depression. The discussion explores the effects of the drug, including "dissociative characteristics" and the "K-hole," and mentions other public figures like Kevin Rose and Scott Galloway in relation to the substance.

Recent reports in The Atlantic suggest that the science behind Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs may be misunderstood, as the weight-loss effects appear to be driven by the brain rather than the gut. These drugs cross the blood-brain barrier and may affect addictive behaviors, though scientists admit they do not fully understand the long-term consequences. Despite this, prescriptions have increased 400% since 2019, with the industry projected to reach $100 billion by 2030.

Mike Benz appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience to detail the rise of the "censorship-industrial complex," tracing its origins to NATO and the State Department around 2014. Benz argues that internet freedom was abandoned in favor of "hybrid warfare" strategies following the Ukraine crisis. However, some critics note that Benz focuses heavily on censorship while omitting the role of the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act in domestic propaganda.

Laurene Powell Jobs is highlighted for her acquisition of The Atlantic and her stated goal of using the publication to shape the "cultural narrative." The discussion links this strategy to recent articles by Ann Applebaum that compare Donald Trump to historical dictators. The hosts argue that the magazine serves as a tool for cross-disciplinary influence involving capital investment and policy.

Despite predictions of a record-breaking hurricane season, the Atlantic Ocean has remained unusually calm in early September. Forecasters are reportedly "flummoxed" by the lack of storm activity, with some theorizing that ocean temperatures have become so high they are actually inhibiting storm formation.

NOAA data indicates the Atlantic Ocean is cooling at a "mysteriously fast rate," contradicting standard global warming narratives. In Oregon, a taxpayer-funded group called Hacienda Community Development Corporation is reportedly offering $30,000 home-buying grants exclusively to non-US citizens, including DACA recipients and asylees.

The Atlantic published an article by Richard Stengel titled "Democracy Dies Behind Paywalls," which argued for making journalism free during the 2024 election. Ironically, the article itself was placed behind a subscription paywall, drawing widespread mockery on social media. The incident is cited as an example of the "tone-deaf" nature of legacy media institutions.

Writer Ann Applebaum argued in The Atlantic that Donald Trump's loyalties do not lie with the United States or its allies. She claimed Trump has "ulterior motives" regarding Russia and should be disqualified from the presidency for being a "traitor" to democracy. The hosts dismiss Applebaum as a "spook" for the elite establishment.

National Public Radio (NPR) named Catherine Maher as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding John Lansing. Maher previously served as the executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation and held positions at the Atlantic Council and the Council on Foreign Relations. Her extensive background in non-profits and international policy boards has led to speculation regarding the influence of the intelligence community on public broadcasting leadership.

MSNBC's Ari Melber and other media figures have faced criticism for labeling Donald Trump as "very unpopular" despite his polling leads. A broader debate in journalism, involving figures like Jay Rosen, suggests that reporters should abandon traditional objectivity to protect democracy from perceived threats.

A writer for The Atlantic argues that the media is failing to convey the "scale of the threat" posed by Donald Trump's rhetoric. He cites Trump's comments about shooting shoplifters and his Truth Social posts regarding General Mark Milley. The hosts argue that the writer is encouraging the media to be even more partisan.

Sir Richard Branson completes a flight from London to New York using 100% sustainable aviation fuel made from waste fats and oils. Despite the milestone, Branson admits the fuel is expensive and in short supply, leading the hosts to dismiss it as a long-term solution.

The hosts examine the cultural landscape of Mother's Day 2023, noting a lack of expected outrage regarding gender-neutral terminology like "birthing persons" or "people with uteri." They critique an article in The Atlantic by Kelly McMasters titled "Why I am Skipping Mother's Day This Year," characterizing it as part of a broader trend of "mom hate." The conversation touches on the various definitions of motherhood, including surrogate and spiritual mothers, while asserting the inherent female nature of the role.

The hosts profile journalist Anne Applebaum, labeling her a "spook" due to her extensive ties to the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Endowment for Democracy. They discuss her background in Poland, her marriage to politician Radoslaw Sikorski, and her coinage of the term "Putinism." Her recent writing in The Atlantic advocating for the total liberation of Ukraine is framed as an establishment narrative.

Professor Emily Oster published an article in The Atlantic calling for a "pandemic amnesty," suggesting that people should forgive the mistakes made during the COVID-19 response. The hosts argue that amnesty is impossible without atonement and apologies from those who enforced mandates and censored dissenting views. They compare the situation to the lack of accountability for the Russiagate narrative.