Topic: John Williams

Hosts Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 1744 from Texas and Northern Silicon Valley. They discuss the ongoing conservatorship of Wendy Williams and the controversy surrounding her dementia diagnosis. The conversation introduces the term "engagement farming" as a strategy for media growth and audience interaction.

Chris Cuomo launched a new television program featuring guests William Cohen and John Bolton to discuss the geopolitical implications of the war in Ukraine. During the broadcast, Cuomo referred to Russia as the "Soviet Union," a term obsolete since 1991, leading to criticism of his credibility and the show's production. The segment explores the possibility of the program serving as a state-aligned communications device rather than independent journalism.

John C. Dvorak celebrated his 70th birthday with a variety of gifts, including three pounds of ground yak meat shipped from Montana. The conversation explores the availability of exotic meats like water buffalo and elk in Texas, as well as high-end cast iron skillets. Dvorak notes the superior quality of new American-made skillets compared to mass-produced versions found at retailers like Williams Sonoma.

Attorney General William Barr stated in an interview with the Associated Press that the Department of Justice has not seen evidence of widespread fraud that would change the election outcome. Barr specifically addressed claims regarding the manipulation of voting machines, stating nothing has been substantiated. The media has used Barr's comments to counter the legal challenges brought by the Trump campaign.

Former CIA Director John Brennan criticizes President Trump for "exploiting and manipulating" the intelligence community. In a notable slip of the tongue, Brennan uses the word "obamable" instead of "abominable" when describing the current administration's alleged abuse of authority. The hosts interpret his defense of FBI Director Chris Wray as a sign that Wray may be the next official to be removed.

Attorney General William Barr described China's efforts to steal American technology as a "full court blitzkrieg." Barr highlighted the DOJ's "China Initiative" and mentioned that Prosecutor John Durham has begun issuing subpoenas for a grand jury investigation.

Journalist William Arkin criticizes the trend of hiring former intelligence officials, such as John Brennan and James Clapper, as news pundits. He argues that these figures represent a "single war party" and lack the necessary opposition from academics or historians on television panels. This saturation of the national security state in media is framed as a disservice to public discourse.

Attorney General William Barr discusses the ongoing Durham investigation into the origins of the Russia probe during a Fox News interview. Barr clarifies that the investigation is broad, involving multiple agencies and private actors, and cautions that it may take several more months to complete.

The conversation shifts to the crass demeanor often found in successful business moguls, comparing Donald Trump to figures like John DeLorean and William Randolph Hearst. The popularity of television dramas like HBO's Succession is cited as evidence of the public's fascination with dysfunctional business dynasties.

Statistician John Williams of ShadowStats explains how the U.S. government altered the Consumer Price Index (CPI) calculation in the 1980s to lower reported inflation. He details how Alan Greenspan introduced "substitution," assuming that if steak becomes too expensive, consumers will buy chicken, thus maintaining their standard of living. The hosts argue this manipulation allows the government to reduce Social Security cost-of-living adjustments while ignoring the actual rise in expenses.

Malcolm Nance appeared on MSNBC with Brian Williams to discuss a Senate report on Russian "trolls" and disinformation. Nance claimed that Russia has "owned the mindset" of one-third of the U.S. population since 2011 by amplifying racism and far-right conspiracy theories. The hosts criticize the narrative as an insult to the intelligence of American voters.

Hillary Clinton addresses the controversy surrounding Serena Williams at the US Open, attributing the umpire's penalties to sexism and racism. The hosts compare Williams' behavior to past outbursts by male players like John McEnroe. They critique the narrative that powerful women are uniquely disliked, arguing that powerful men are also frequently criticized.

Retired Admiral William McRaven, who oversaw the raid on Osama bin Laden, publishes an open letter in support of John Brennan. McRaven, currently the chancellor of the University of Texas, challenges President Trump to revoke his security clearance as well, comparing the administration's tactics to the McCarthy era.

A series of birthday wishes are extended to members of the No Agenda community and their children. Notable mentions include John Vogel, Paisley Do, and London Foley, who celebrated her 12th birthday. The hosts acknowledge the personal milestones of listeners as part of the show's community-building tradition.

John McEnroe faced significant backlash after an NPR interview where he stated that Serena Williams would be ranked approximately 700th on the men's professional tennis circuit. A follow-up appearance on CBS Morning News is analyzed, where McEnroe refused to apologize for his appraisal. The segment touches on the biological differences in professional sports and the social pressure to avoid making distinctions between male and female athletic performance.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel delivers an emotional monologue regarding his newborn son's congenital heart disease and the necessity of protecting those with pre-existing conditions. He praises Congress for increasing National Institute of Health (NIH) funding by $2 billion despite President Trump's proposed $6 billion cut. The monologue is analyzed as a powerful emotional tool used to influence the national healthcare debate.

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%.

Brian Williams returns to MSNBC to cover the Dallas shootings, drawing parallels between the event and the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. The hosts criticize Williams' commentary as pompous and examine the shifting media narrative regarding the number of suspects involved in the attack. Early reports fluctuated between one and four shooters before settling on a lone gunman.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak conclude the show with a reminder for listeners to check social media for the New York meetup location. They play a montage of the episode's key clips, including Brian Williams' "ripcord" story and President Obama's "our religion" comment. The hosts thank the producers for their support and sign off from Austin and Silicon Valley.

Various theories explain the recent collapse in global oil prices, including a potential 2014 agreement between John Kerry and Saudi Arabia to bankrupt Russia. Another theory suggests that Saudis were duped into "saltwater fracking," a process that cannot be easily stopped once initiated, leading to a permanent oversupply. The hosts remain skeptical of theories that portray Saudi engineers as easily manipulated.