Topic: Gingers

A massive lake effect storm moved through the Great Lakes region toward the Northeast, resulting in several feet of snow and at least two deaths. The Buffalo Bills relocated their scheduled home game against the Detroit Lions to Detroit due to the extreme weather conditions. Meteorologists Ginger Zee and Rob Marciano reported on the storm as temperatures dropped to 25 below zero in parts of the northern Rockies.

Homeopathic medicine is widely used in Brazil, where specialized pharmacies are as common as traditional ones. A specific remedy involving salted, dried ginger root is noted for its effectiveness in preserving the voice during extended periods of public speaking. While mainstream figures like Dr. Fauci are unlikely to endorse such methods, they remain popular alternatives in South American cultures.

Adam Curry shared his success using a homeopathic remedy called "Clear Lungs" to treat a persistent cough. John Dvorak recounted a similar experience in Brazil where a homeopathic pharmacist provided a dried ginger remedy that restored his voice during a grueling speaking tour. The hosts discussed the efficacy of certain alternative medicines for vocal and respiratory health compared to traditional over-the-counter options.

John C. Dvorak recounts his "Caddyshack" style battle with a squirrel eating his plums, which ended in the squirrel's "deportation" to Berkeley. This leads to a discussion of Ginger.io, a new app that uses smartphone sensor data to track a user's mental health and alert providers if they become lethargic or isolated. The hosts view this as a precursor to invasive wearable surveillance.

A secondary nor'easter brought snow and sleet to areas already devastated by Superstorm Sandy. Media coverage of the weather is criticized for using overly dramatic alliteration and metaphors, such as "blowing snow into Sandy's open wounds."

MSNBC host Chris Matthews is criticized for his interview with EPIC lawyer Ginger McCall regarding the scanners. During the segment, McCall points to the "revolving door" between the government and security vendors, specifically naming former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Matthews is accused of shouting down the guest and ignoring documented ties between Chertoff's consulting firm and scanner manufacturers.

A UK government leaflet advises those facing job loss to eat more fiber and drink water to cope with stress, which the hosts view as a method of pacification. Meanwhile, the Thai government has classified 13 common plants, including ginger and chili peppers, as hazardous substances. The hosts speculate that these regulations are designed to benefit large corporations like Monsanto by squeezing out small farmers.

A review of old notes mentions Michael Upslow and the future of malicious code, referencing Dutch publisher Elsevier and PC Magazine editor Neil Rubenking. The topic shifts to a scientific claim that Neanderthals were redheads. This leads to an observation about social discrimination against "gingers" in the United Kingdom, potentially linked to historical tensions with the Irish and Scots.