Topic: John Deere

John C. Dvorak shares a piece of obscure tech history regarding a short-lived computer line produced by John Deere in the early 1980s. The hosts sign off by inviting listeners to their upcoming 17th-anniversary celebration. The episode concludes with a musical mix featuring clips of Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, and various show themes.

Donald Trump detailed his economic strategy in interviews with the Chicago and Detroit Economic Clubs, focusing on using high tariffs to force companies like John Deere to keep manufacturing in the U.S. He revealed that he intentionally included a six-year "poison pill" renegotiation clause in the USMCA, which comes due in 2026. This clause allows the U.S. to address "trans-shipments" from China through Mexico and renegotiate trade terms.

A member of the UAW in Kansas shares his "ratification bonus" following the settlement of the John Deere labor strike. Another producer from Florida mentions being named "Salesperson of the Year" but being unable to attend the awards trip due to vaccine mandates. The hosts celebrate the successful end of the labor dispute without bloodshed.

John Deere workers and GE electricians have initiated strikes over profit-sharing and corporate policies. Simultaneously, a report surfaced regarding a Chicago police officer who allegedly died shortly after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, with the death investigation noting the vaccination despite pre-existing conditions. The hosts discuss how these incidents are being handled by local authorities and the potential impact on public perception of mandates.

Over 10,000 John Deere employees in the Midwest went on strike demanding better pay amid record corporate profits. Simultaneously, Kellogg's workers continue a walkout over grueling hours, while Netflix employees staged a protest regarding Dave Chappelle's comedy special.

President Donald Trump announces a "Phase One" trade agreement with China during an Oval Office press briefing. The deal reportedly includes significant Chinese purchases of American agricultural products, projected to reach $40 billion to $50 billion, benefiting US farmers and equipment manufacturers like John Deere.

Rick Friday, an editorial cartoonist for Farm News, was fired after 23 years for a cartoon criticizing the high CEO salaries of Monsanto, DuPont, and John Deere relative to farmer profits. The firing reportedly occurred after one of the mentioned corporations pulled its advertising from the publication. This incident is cited as a clear example of how corporate advertisers can directly suppress editorial content and free speech.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) reports on manufacturers like John Deere using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to prevent owners from modifying vehicle software. Companies argue that allowing access to code could lead to piracy or unsafe modifications. This legal stance challenges the traditional concept of ownership for modern, software-dependent vehicles.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New Orleans seized over $210,000 in counterfeit sports merchandise. The hosts highlight the absurdity of the seizure, which included 477 counterfeit Duracell batteries and fake John Deere hats, questioning if this is the best use of Homeland Security resources.