Topic: Gary Webb

During an interview, Seymour Hersh shared a historical anecdote about CIA operatives in Nicaragua who reportedly shot flechettes at people on beaches for sport. He used the story to illustrate the "cold-blooded" nature of covert operations and the lack of accountability within the agency. The segment also touched on the Iran-Contra affair and the tragic fate of journalist Gary Webb.

During the donor segment, a contributor from Google describes the workplace as having "the largest group of swollen amygdalas on earth." Other donations spark discussions about journalist Gary Webb's reporting on the CIA, wine production in North Carolina's Yadkin Valley, and political arguments at Thanksgiving tables.

Jim Webb announced his withdrawal from the Democratic primary, citing a lack of compatibility with the party's power structure. Webb hinted at a potential run as an independent candidate, leading the hosts to speculate on the possibility of independent debates involving figures like Gary Johnson. They discuss the obstacles third-party candidates face from the established two-party system and its financial backers.

The hosts discuss the historical involvement of the CIA in the crack cocaine epidemic, referencing the work of journalist Gary Webb. Webb's "Dark Alliance" series for the San Jose Mercury News documented how government-linked groups sold drugs to fund foreign conflicts. They criticize modern media for ignoring these connections while continuing to promote the federal drug war.