Topic: Green Jobs

Economist Kenneth Rogoff proposed the creation of a "World Carbon Bank" to transfer funds and technological expertise to developing countries like China. This aligns with John Kerry's claims that green energy is the fastest-growing job sector. However, critics point out that many "green jobs" are low-level sales positions rather than high-tech manufacturing roles.

The hosts analyze the specific phrasing used by the Biden-Harris campaign, such as the term "good paying jobs" versus "well-paying jobs." They argue that this linguistic choice is a deliberate attempt to sound populist while remaining grammatically incorrect. The segment also touches on Harris's habit of referring to Biden simply as "Joe," which they find demeaning to the office of the Vice President.

Listeners shared personal updates, including one producer who sold a digital engagement startup to a major pharmaceutical company. The hosts discussed their musical preferences, noting that Rihanna has replaced Green Day in their current rotation. The segment concludes the first half of the donation acknowledgments, focusing on "Jobs Karma" and the "Value for Value" funding model.

Al Gore claims that China and India are making significant strides in renewable energy, with India aiming for 100% electric vehicles within 13 years. The hosts remain skeptical, suggesting China's shift away from coal is driven by local smog issues rather than global climate concerns. They also mock the statistic that wind turbine technician is the fastest-growing job, suggesting it is because the machines require constant repair.

Democratic candidate Martin O'Malley framed climate change as the greatest business opportunity for the United States in a century. O'Malley proposed transitioning the national electric grid to 100% clean energy by 2050, claiming the plan would create five million jobs. The discussion highlights Iowa's current energy profile, where wind power accounts for approximately 35% of the state's energy.

The European Union's 2030 climate and energy targets are critiqued as a massive economic scam designed to funnel billions of euros into "green" industries. An animated promotional video from the European Commission is mocked for its simplistic approach to complex energy issues. The hosts argue that the 180 billion euro budget for climate action is a form of government-mandated stimulus.

Archival clips highlight the failure of the "green jobs" initiative in California and the absurdity of long pharmaceutical disclaimers, specifically for the drug Stelara. They discuss how PR firms place "native advertising" stories in the news, such as a story about orangutans using iPads, which they link to the promotional cycle for a Planet of the Apes movie.

Green Party candidate Jill Stein and running mate Sherry Honkala were arrested while attempting to enter the presidential debate site. Meanwhile, President Obama's focus on education and manufacturing jobs is criticized as unrealistic for modern college graduates. The segment concludes with a "Rickroll" style critique of political rhetoric and the exclusion of third-party voices.

A series of listener donations are read, including contributions from Raymond Williams and Michael Shoemaker. Many donors request "job karma" or "getting laid karma," and several report successful outcomes from previous requests, such as job promotions and raises. The hosts also thank listeners for wedding gifts and support for the upcoming tour.

Adam Curry analyzes a CBS News report featuring Margaret Brennan in Egypt, pointing out a lack of satellite lag and what he believes is a green screen production error. He criticizes the report's focus on "job creation" in Egypt by American businessmen while the U.S. economy continues to struggle with unemployment.

The "The Future Needs Us" advertising campaign by Norfolk Southern is identified as a direct attack on the trucking industry. The campaign promotes rail as a "green" alternative to smoky trucks and congested roads. The hosts argue this is a global movement to shift infrastructure away from independent trucking toward centralized rail freight.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Copenhagen with 25 House members, emphasizing that the climate deal is primarily about "jobs, jobs, jobs, and jobs." Critics argue that the "green jobs" sector is a form of social engineering designed to create a fake necessity for inefficient technologies like windmills. The rhetoric of energy security is framed as a tool to justify new economic structures despite the high costs to taxpayers.

Kenneth Green warned that cap and trade creates a new financial instrument that could lead to a "carbon bubble" similar to the housing crisis. He also argued that carbon controls favor biofuels, which could lead to the displacement of natural forests by 2065. Green dismissed the promise of "green jobs," asserting that government policy merely shifts jobs with a net loss to the economy.

Van Jones resigned from his position as the Obama administration's Green Jobs Czar following several controversies. The resignation was triggered by reports of his past arrest during the Los Angeles riots and his signature on a petition questioning the government's role in the September 11 attacks. Administration spokespeople claimed Jones had not carefully read the petition before signing.