Topic: Breathalyzers

The history of the No Agenda Art Generator is reviewed, highlighting the contributions of Sir Paul Couture and Randy Asher. The hosts discuss specific pieces of artwork, including the first piece from episode 207. A lighthearted debate ensues regarding the depiction of the hosts' hair and physical height in various artistic interpretations.

The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer, the first device to detect the virus in breath samples. While the device provides results in three minutes, the FDA recommends following up positive results with a PCR test. The hosts express skepticism regarding the device's accuracy and potential for misuse.

The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill contains provisions for increased vehicle surveillance, including mandatory breathalyzers and data-gathering devices. As electric vehicles reduce gasoline tax revenue, states are exploring "use taxes" tracked via 5G and GPS. The "SMART" initiative is highlighted as a testing ground for new technologies that could eventually lead to automated ticketing and remote vehicle disabling.

New laws in Canada allow police to demand breath samples from any driver without reasonable suspicion of impairment. Civil rights activists express concern that these powers will lead to increased racial profiling. The hosts predict that such mandatory testing will eventually become a global standard, potentially integrated directly into vehicle ignition systems for insurance purposes.

A discussion regarding French laws requiring yellow vests and breathalyzers in every vehicle led to a suggestion for similar safety mandates in the US. In a separate media critique, NBC News was called out for a reporting error in which they referred to Costa Rica as an island during coverage of the disappearance of Carla Stefaniak.

The use of ignition interlock devices and ankle bracelets is criticized as a "scam" that penalizes individuals beyond their driving privileges. An anecdote describes a driver in Austin required to use a breathalyzer to start his car, who was fined for residual alcohol despite not driving. The segment compares these private enforcement measures to high parking fines in San Francisco.

New legislation in Washington State expands DUI laws to include "huffing" (inhaling chemicals) and mandates cameras on ignition breathalyzers to verify the driver's identity. The hosts characterize these measures as "pre-crime" surveillance and mock the inclusion of huffing, which they note is primarily a problem among 12-year-olds.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced a mandate requiring every car in France to be equipped with a breathalyzer starting in Spring 2012. The hosts mock the regulation, suggesting it will lead to technical glitches and prevent sober drivers from starting their vehicles in emergencies. The show concludes with a French translation of "please blow the car."

The hosts give a birthday shoutout to Justin Cohen and acknowledge a unique donation from Jeff Wheeler, who gave the proceeds from an eBay auction of his breathalyzer. They also process "make good" credits for listeners affected by previous technical issues.

The hosts analyze the motives behind roadside alcohol surveys, noting that while the research covers various substances, heroin is conspicuously absent from the reports. They speculate that the data collection is intended to facilitate a transition from reusable breathalyzers to high-margin disposable mouth swabs for law enforcement.

The discussion shifts to "neo-prohibitionist" policies in Chicago, where individuals with DUI convictions were required to perform breathalyzer tests eight times over a holiday weekend. The hosts compare the lack of public outrage over these restrictions to the legal handling of child pornography cases, where evidence is often difficult to cross-examine.

Pennsylvania has introduced wine vending machines that require customers to swipe a driver's license, look into a camera, and pass a breathalyzer test. The hosts compare this to a San Diego skate park requiring digital fingerprint scans for entry, characterizing these developments as an expansion of the "slave" surveillance state.

Dutch Home Affairs Minister Guusje ter Horst proposed introducing breathalyzer tests for pedestrians in popular nightlife districts. The measure aims to reduce alcohol-related violence, but critics argue it is a tool for police extortion and unnecessary social control.