Topic: Legacy Of Ashes

A study comparing Calgary (non-fluoridated) and Edmonton (fluoridated) showed only a 10% difference in tooth decay prevalence among children, which the hosts argue does not justify the potential risks. The discussion references the book "Legacy of Ashes," which claims the CIA once considered using fluoride to make populations in enemy camps more "docile." The segment concludes that topical application by dentists is a safer alternative to mass water fluoridation.

The hosts discuss Mike Benz's recent viral critique of the book "Legacy of Ashes" by Tim Weiner. While Benz dismisses the book as a "limited hangout" that portrays the CIA as incompetent rather than nefarious, the hosts maintain the book's historical value while considering if the new criticism is intended to resurface the text.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak introduce a special sequentially numbered episode of No Agenda produced for the Christmas holiday to avoid working on the actual day. They discuss the show's history, referencing "sacred texts" like Confessions of an Economic Hitman and the TV series Rubicon. Dvorak highlights Wendy Doniger's book The Hindus, noting its controversial status and ban in India.

The hosts discuss Australia's agreement to join a military airlift to provide equipment to Kurdish forces in Iraq. They reference a passage from the book "Legacy of Ashes" detailing a 1957 meeting where President Eisenhower suggested promoting the idea of "Islamic Jihad" to combat godless communism. This historical context is used to frame current Middle Eastern meddling as a continuation of long-standing policy.

The current political pressure on President Obama is compared to the challenges faced by Jimmy Carter in 1979, specifically the Gulf oil spill and the Iranian Hostage Crisis. Referencing the book "Legacy of Ashes," the hosts discuss how the CIA and intelligence communities have historically undermined presidents, including Richard Nixon. They suggest the current media onslaught regarding the oil spill and personal scandals may be a modern "October Surprise" setup.

Reports from intelligence community insiders suggest the CIA is "freaking out" and angry over new layers of oversight and management added by the Obama administration. The discussion also touches on the fact that no sitting U.S. President has ever visited the war memorial in Nagasaki, Japan. While some argue a visit would be a powerful diplomatic gesture, others suggest the Japanese government might avoid it to prevent logistical and protest-related headaches.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari reportedly told NBC News that the CIA and Pakistan's ISI worked together to create the Taliban. The hosts discuss this historical context, linking it to the book "Legacy of Ashes," which documents the history of CIA blunders and covert operations.

The city of Southampton is moving forward with water fluoridation despite significant public opposition. A theory is presented, citing the book "Legacy of Ashes," that fluoridation has been used by the CIA as a tool to make populations more subservient and calm, specifically referencing operations during the Iran-Contra era.

The upcoming presidential debates are expected to yield high television ratings and significantly impact the 2008 election. The hosts compare the role of Joe Biden to Dick Cheney, suggesting Biden serves as a "shield" for the establishment. Dvorak references his 80-year depression cycle theory and the book Legacy of Ashes while discussing the theatrical nature of American politics.

The NTSB's quick explanation for the Obama plane incident is criticized for lacking technical depth regarding hydraulic lines and control cables. The aircraft involved was an MD-80, the same model that recently crashed in Madrid, leading to speculation about the safety of the fleet. References are made to "Legacy of Ashes" and "Confessions of an Economic Hitman," suggesting that plane tampering is a historical method used by intelligence agencies for assassinations.

The book "Legacy of Ashes" by Tim Weiner is reviewed as a definitive and often humorous history of the CIA's failures and practical jokes. One anecdote describes the CIA sabotaging a Russian pipeline by providing a faulty controller through a Canadian front company, causing the pipeline to explode. The book is characterized as a juvenile but sad account of 50 years of ineffective and violent global interference.