Topic: John Glenn

John Kiriakou has been promoting the idea of Tucker Carlson running for president in 2028, claiming Carlson is under threat and requires heavy security. The hosts dismiss this as a potential "op" or Kiriakou simply seeking attention on podcasts. They note that Carlson appears to enjoy his private life as a fly fisherman and has expressed little genuine interest in entering politics.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 1491 on October 2, 2022, speculating on a potential "October Surprise" ahead of the midterm elections. Curry discusses his recent media appearances on the Glenn Beck and Alex Jones radio shows, noting the strategic value of reaching new audiences through these platforms.

A historical anecdote claims that WD-40 (Water Displacement, 40th formula) was originally developed to prevent water from freezing on the outer skin of the Atlas rocket during the early space program. The product was designed as a penetrant and water displacer rather than a primary lubricant, specifically to protect the thin-skinned fuel cells of the rocket.

The documentary "Riding the Dragon," featuring investigative journalist Peter Schweitzer, details the Biden family's commercial ties to the Chinese government. The film alleges that Hunter Biden's firm invested in Chinese nuclear and surveillance companies while Joe Biden was Vice President. The hosts discuss the "grifter" nature of the Biden family and Joe Biden's recent claim that he has never made more than $400,000.

Producer Glenn Bukowski reports success with "Trump Jobs Karma," leading to a higher-paying position. The hosts also discuss perceived suppression of their content on Twitter, noting that retweets and notifications often appear delayed.

A recent episode of Jeopardy featured a final clue regarding the word "glitch," attributing its popularization to the 1962 book "Into Orbit" by the Mercury astronauts. While the show credited astronaut John Glenn with the term, its actual etymological genesis is questioned. The segment highlights how the term has evolved from space-age slang to a common excuse for modern technical failures.

The hosts discuss the media's sudden interest in the accuracy of unemployment numbers under the Trump administration. They contrast this with the "rosy" numbers reported during the Obama years. They reference Ross Perot's use of charts to explain complex economics and cite John Williams of ShadowStats, who estimates the real unemployment rate is closer to 23-24%.

Journalist Bob Woodward labels the Steele dossier a "garbage document" and argues the intelligence community should apologize to Donald Trump for including it in a briefing. The hosts discuss Woodward's status as a potential CIA-linked figure and what his defense of Trump signifies about internal shifts within the agency.

A controversial intelligence dossier compiled by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele was published by BuzzFeed after circulating among political elites for months. Senator John McCain and journalist David Corn are identified as key figures in the document's dissemination to the FBI and the public.

Adam Curry celebrates his 52nd birthday and the beginning of his 53rd orbit while broadcasting from Austin, Texas. John C. Dvorak joins from Northern Silicon Valley to discuss show logistics and a recent interview featuring Glenn Greenwald. The hosts highlight Greenwald's insights on Brazil and multinational corporations' lack of national allegiance.

The National Review releases a special issue featuring various conservative figures, including Glenn Beck, attacking Donald Trump's candidacy. Editor-in-chief Rich Lowry is noted for a verbal slip where he refers to the candidate as "Donald Drunk." Analyst John Heilemann suggests on MSNBC that the establishment attack serves as an in-kind contribution to Trump by reinforcing his anti-establishment message.

Glenn Greenwald criticizes CIA Director John Brennan for using the Paris attacks to push for expanded surveillance and blaming Edward Snowden for intelligence failures. Greenwald cites a New York Times editorial labeling Brennan a "pathological liar" regarding his public statements. The discussion posits that mass data collection is intended for political blackmail rather than preventing terrorism, as attackers often communicate without digital encryption.

Following Matt Taibbi's departure from First Look Media, editor-in-chief John Cook has also resigned to return to Gawker. The hosts suggest that the $250 million venture funded by Pierre Omidyar is struggling with internal management issues and "editorial independence" conflicts.

Pierre Omidyar issued a statement regarding Matt Taibbi's exit, citing differences in organizational culture. Meanwhile, Glenn Greenwald reported on John Cook's departure, framing it as a planned transition. The hosts speculate that the high-profile hires are fleeing a dysfunctional environment at The Intercept.

The hosts critique the "Moment of Truth" event in New Zealand organized by Kim Dotcom, featuring Edward Snowden and Glenn Greenwald via video link. They argue the event was a political failure, as Dotcom's Mana Party lost its only seat in Parliament while Prime Minister John Key won a massive victory. The hosts characterize the participants as arrogant and out of touch with average New Zealand voters.

Edward Snowden distinguishes between rank-and-file intelligence workers and senior officials who he claims invest themselves with unauthorized powers. The NBC segment concluded with a significant plug for Glenn Greenwald's upcoming reporting, which promises to name specific individuals who have been surveilled. This promotional tie-in reinforces the theory that the interview served as a marketing vehicle for Greenwald's book and a potential Sony Pictures film.

The Intercept, the news outlet founded by Glenn Greenwald, has faced criticism for its slow output and "rudderless" leadership under editor John Cook. The hosts discuss a controversy regarding the outlet's hiring practices and the perception that it was created to "shut up" prominent journalists by making them part of a slow-moving corporate structure.

Adam Curry prepares for a trip to Chicago to observe the teacher strike firsthand. The hosts critique Glenn Beck's focus on survivalism and "selling seeds," contrasting it with their own analytical approach. The episode concludes with a reminder to support the show and a sign-off from Austin and Silicon Valley.

The hosts question why Glenn Beck was absent from his show during the height of the Egypt crisis, replaced by a guest host focusing on oil security. They analyze a segment featuring former Shell Oil CEO John Hoffmeister and writer Steve Moore, who promote a "meme" of $200-per-barrel oil. The discussion highlights how wholesale gasoline prices rose 13 cents immediately following the escalation of protests in Cairo.

The hosts read a list of donors, including Sir John Snyder and Glenn Jansen, and share a note from Vivian Hingsberg regarding her husband's long commute. A listener named Brad Ledin criticizes NPR for its "underwriters," noting a correlation between an REI advertisement and a subsequent story on camping gear. The segment highlights the global reach of the audience, from Chicago to London.