The hosts conduct a formal knighting ceremony for Richard Altman, Trevor, and Mike Saliba. The new knights are granted their titles and invited to the "Round Table" as a reward for their significant financial support.
9 chapters across the catalog
The hosts conduct a formal knighting ceremony for Richard Altman, Trevor, and Mike Saliba. The new knights are granted their titles and invited to the "Round Table" as a reward for their significant financial support.
Mike Richards is removed as executive producer of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune following the resurfacing of derogatory comments made on a podcast years ago. The "Blossom Brigade" is credited with his ouster, referring to fans of Mayim Bialik. The situation is described as a failure of succession planning by Sony Pictures.
Executive producer Mike Richards steps down as the new host of Jeopardy! following the resurfacing of sexist remarks made on a 2014 podcast. The controversy also involves past lawsuits regarding the treatment of models on The Price is Right during his tenure as producer.
Syria Suicide Bombing, Richard Engel, Mission Accomplished Callback
A suicide bombing in Syria killed four Americans, including two service members, shortly after ISIS claimed responsibility. NBC's Richard Engel reported on the attack, using the phrase "hardly mission accomplished" as a callback to the George W. Bush era. The report is criticized for being pro-war and ignoring the role of Turkey in the region.
Admiral Mike Rogers, Russian Election Interference
NSA Director Admiral Mike Rogers testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that he has not been granted, nor has he requested, additional authority to act against Russian election interference. This contradicts media narratives suggesting Trump is actively blocking the NSA from defending the country.
Presidential Security, Nixon and JFK CIA Reorganization
The historical risks faced by presidents who attempt to reorganize the CIA are discussed, citing the fates of John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Vice President Mike Pence is described as having a traditional "Langley" aesthetic, leading to speculation about his relationship with the intelligence community.
Secretary Ash Carter ranks cybersecurity as a top priority, noting that all modern U.S. weapon systems depend on secure networks. Mike Morell and Richard Clark are cited as "cyber nutballs" who frequently appear in the media to warn about the vulnerability of unclassified email systems, including those used by Hillary Clinton and President Obama. The segment suggests the "cyber war" narrative is being used to justify massive government spending and increased surveillance.
Congressman Mike Rogers defended the NSA's Section 215 program on ABC's This Week, claiming a recent advisory report found no evidence of scandal or illegal surveillance. The hosts dispute Rogers' characterization of the report, noting that the panel consisted of insiders like Richard Clark and Mike Morell. They argue the report actually recommends shifting data storage to private third parties rather than ending collection.
The hosts read birthday wishes for listeners and offer "karma" to those facing personal challenges, such as eye surgery or job loss. One listener, Dame Lena, lost her job after 17 years, prompting a discussion about the "job sharing" ideas previously mentioned by Richard Branson.
