Topic: Korean

Sir Dr. Jeff of Atherton, California, recalled John C. Dvorak's "insider's eye" in PC Magazine during the 1980s. He also remembered Dvorak's antics on TWiT, such as switching the language on Nilay Patel's phone to Korean or Russian. Jeff noted that he heard Dvorak sounding congested in his final episode and wished he could have told him to see a cardiologist.

In a recent national broadcast, President Trump compared the duration of the current Iran conflict to historical wars like World War I and World War II. Critics argue these comparisons inadvertently suggest a long-term commitment, despite Trump's stated desire to exit the region quickly. Senator John Kennedy has also pushed for a swift withdrawal, arguing that primary objectives have already been achieved.

The Department of Defense is investing billions to increase artillery production by 500% over the next two years, the largest expansion since the Korean War. Undersecretary Bill LaPlante stated that the U.S. is scouring the globe for Soviet-era munitions while modernizing domestic plants. Historical comparisons show that while the Korean War-era budget was lower in absolute terms, a higher percentage of spending was directed toward ammunition compared to modern "junk" projects.

A reported CO2 shortage in Germany and Mexico is linked to difficulties in sourcing carbonated beverages like Topo Chico. The discussion segues into a humorous rebrand of Korean side-dish pickles as "K-Crew" or "Korean Crudité."

A recording surfaced of a phone line purportedly for a "Hillary Clinton 2020" campaign, though its authenticity is questioned. The segment transitions into a discussion of classic phone pranks, such as the "conference call" gag where two unsuspecting parties are connected to each other. John C. Dvorak also recalls a prank involving changing the language settings on new smartphones to Korean.

The hosts read a list of donors contributing between $50 and $100, including a tribute from Heather Rodriguez for her great-grandparents' internment on what would have been their 69th wedding anniversary. Other notable donors include "Maxine Waters Gravel," which maintains its own Twitter account, and various "Barons" and "Sirs" of the No Agenda Peerage.

The hosts announce upcoming listener meetups in Des Moines, Iowa, on February 22nd and Austin, Texas, on March 2nd at Austin Beerworks. A brief review of "Loro," a new Korean barbecue-inspired restaurant in Austin, describes it as a "hipster joint" that serves brisket but lacks traditional Korean table-side cooking.

North Korea returned approximately 50 caskets containing the remains of soldiers thought to be Americans killed during the Korean War. The transfer took place at Osan Air Base in South Korea on the 65th anniversary of the armistice. This move is seen as a fulfillment of a pledge made by Kim Jong-un to President Trump during the Singapore summit.

NBC News reports that President Trump sent a CD of Elton John's "Rocket Man" to Kim Jong-un via Mike Pompeo as a reference to a previous insult. The segment disputes NBC's claims regarding the return of American soldier remains, noting that some remains have already been returned despite media reports to the contrary. The hosts criticize NBC for relying on unnamed intelligence sources to claim North Korea is expanding its nuclear arsenal.

The segment explores how intelligence agencies allegedly place stories in foreign news outlets to have them "blow back" into the American media as established facts. Citing the book "Family of Secrets," the hosts argue that mainstream media is co-opted and no longer credible. They position their podcast as a logical alternative that mines available information to find inconsistencies in official narratives.

Details of a Korean dinner are shared, featuring spicy squid, shrimp, and beef. A humorous moment is described where a professor used a laboratory torch to caramelize a homemade crème brûlée. The hosts conclude that their social interactions with "Obots" have become too friendly to maintain their usual level of mockery.

Circulating photos of the Asiana Flight 214 crash at San Francisco International Airport are scrutinized for potential inconsistencies, including discrepancies in grass height and aircraft markings. The hosts discuss the competitive landscape between Boeing and Airbus, noting that Korean Airlines recently placed a significant order for Boeing 777s. They express skepticism regarding the narrative of the crash and the involvement of unmarked black cars at the scene.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer convinced UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to speak directly to Kim Jong-un in Korean during a televised interview. Blitzer asserted that the North Korean leader was likely watching CNN in Pyongyang. The segment is mocked for its absurdity, as Blitzer appeared to "direct" the UN chief like an actor on a movie set to gain "respect" from the North Korean regime.

The hosts question a quote attributed to John F. Kennedy regarding his predecessor's faults and discuss the historical popularity of Dwight D. Eisenhower. They note the heavy emphasis on Ronald Reagan's legacy during the Tea Party convention, which coincided with his 99th birthday.

North Korea announced it is no longer bound by the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War, effectively returning the peninsula to a state of war. This escalation follows South Korea's decision to join the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) to search vessels for weapons of mass destruction. The North warned that any attempt to search its ships would result in a military strike.