Topic: Cancellations

A coordinated effort is underway to remove Cesar Chavez's name from public spaces following sexual assault allegations from former associate Dolores Huerta. The New York Times published a report detailing decades of alleged grooming and misconduct within the United Farm Workers union. The hosts speculate that the sudden "cancellation" may be timed to precede a major documentary or film release.

Scott Adams reveals that his public analysis of Donald Trump's persuasion skills resulted in a 40% loss of income and the loss of 75% of his social circle. He explains that he stopped public speaking engagements because he no longer feels safe in front of large crowds due to political polarization.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces the cancellation of Christmas plans for millions in the UK due to a rapidly spreading new variant of the coronavirus. The restrictions, implemented with very short notice, triggered a mass exodus from London. The hosts criticize the move and play clips of WHO officials advising against hugging family members during the holiday season.

Woody Allen's recent "cancellation" in the U.S. has led to Amazon refusing to release his film "A Rainy Day in New York" and major publishers rejecting his autobiography. The hosts suggest "No Agenda Press" could step in to publish the book as a business opportunity.

The Steve Miller Band canceled a 31-concert North American tour, citing extreme weather risks including heatwaves and flooding. CNN's Bill Weir reported that rising insurance costs for outdoor festivals are making tours prohibitive. Critics suggest poor ticket sales may be the actual cause. The hosts mention Miller's membership in the Bohemian Grove and a recent wage theft lawsuit filed by workers at the exclusive club.

The British government is implementing parts of the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act to protect academics and students from "cancel culture." Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized that the ability to explore new ideas is more important than the desire of students not to be offended. Simultaneously, new proposals could allow pub landlords to ban "controversial" banter that staff find offensive, highlighting a contradictory approach to free speech in the UK.

The reaction to Tony Hinchcliffe's Madison Square Garden set is compared to the era of 1980s New York comedy where observational and insult humor were common. References are made to Jerry Seinfeld and Gilbert Gottfried as examples of performers who operated without the modern constraints of "cancel culture" or "hate speech" labels. The discussion suggests that Hinchcliffe is part of a movement attempting to reclaim free speech in the comedy circuit.

A TikToker's viral rant highlights instances of public nudity and sexual acts in front of children during San Francisco Pride. The hosts criticize the lack of police intervention and the city's failure to enforce age restrictions in "fetish zones," linking the cultural climate to broader political shifts.

NPR reported on the "freedom economy," a movement of conservative entrepreneurs building alternatives to mainstream tech and financial institutions. The report highlighted businesses like MyPillow and alternative payment systems like Gab Pay that cater to individuals who feel "canceled" by woke corporations. Critics argue the movement is creating a parallel society for those skeptical of government mandates and traditional banking.

A producer reports that his hotel reservation for the January 6th protests in DC was mysteriously cancelled by Booking.com without notice. The hosts suggest that "social justice warriors" within travel companies may be subverting reservations for Trump supporters. They advise listeners to book directly with hotels and airlines to avoid third-party interference and potential "nightmare" scenarios upon arrival.

A TikTok clip outlines the requirements for being a "trans ally," which includes accepting that one's own thoughts and feelings are irrelevant. The hosts relate this to an incident at the "Podcast Movement" conference where panels were racially engineered and speakers were later cancelled by the very groups they sought to accommodate.

The final set of archival clips covers the post-2020 landscape, including discussions on vaccine efficacy, "cancel culture," and the Jeffrey Toobin Zoom incident. The montage touches on recurring themes like "the hottest day ever" and the necessity of content moderation on social networks. These snippets bring the "best-of" compilation up toward the show's current chronological point.

A viral video features a young white man struggling to explain "privilege" during an interview with a minority woman, highlighting the fear of cancel culture. This leads to a discussion on the current hiring climate in Silicon Valley, where older white male tech entrepreneurs report having zero job options due to diversity-focused hiring mandates and ageism.

The "Russia House" restaurant in Austin, Texas, closed down following the invasion of Ukraine, reflecting a broader trend of cultural cancellation. A local Russian resident notes that while Russian stores in San Francisco and London remain open, the liberal community in Austin has been less tolerant, leading to the loss of traditional New Year celebrations.

Southwest Airlines canceled over 12,000 flights during the 2022 holiday season, operating at only one-third capacity. CEO Bob Jordan issued a video apology, attributing the collapse to a severe winter storm. While some passengers remained patient, thousands of others were stranded at airports across the United States with lost luggage and no reimbursement.

A discussion on "cancellation" compared Al Franken's 2017 resignation to modern commentary by Matt Walsh. The hosts argued that Franken "knuckled under" to pressure from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand during the Me Too movement, whereas Walsh argues that no one is truly canceled unless they consent to the role.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak discuss widespread flight cancellations affecting travelers in Florida and the Texas Hill Country. They speculate that the broken transportation system and actions by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are intentional efforts to restrict travel to the elite.

Bruce Springsteen fans are outraged over Ticketmaster's "dynamic pricing" model, which has seen some tickets for his upcoming tour reach $5,000. In other news, the Seattle chapter of the Audubon Society is dropping "Audubon" from its name due to the namesake's historical ties to slavery. This move is part of a broader trend of "canceling" historical figures, which comedian Bill Burr recently critiqued in his latest stand-up special.

The July 4th holiday weekend saw thousands of flight cancellations and delays due to pandemic-related staffing shortages and pilot strikes. Delta pilots picketed for better pay after flying record amounts of overtime, while American Airlines suspended ticket sales from Amsterdam to the U.S. because of a lack of security staff and ground crew. The TSA reported its highest passenger volumes since the start of the pandemic.

Actor Jeffrey Tambor is confirmed to be alive despite public perception that he had passed away, a phenomenon attributed to the "Mandela Effect" or his total deplatforming from Hollywood. Tambor was removed from the public eye following Me Too allegations and his role in the show Transparent. The confusion is linked to the actual death of his former co-star Gary Shandling.