Topic: Mustard

During an appearance on Bill Maher's show, Casey Means discussed food safety, leading Maher to claim McDonald's is "delicious." Dvorak counters this with personal anecdotes from his time as an air pollution inspector, revealing that McDonald's changed the Big Mac sauce formula from fresh to powdered horseradish.

The hosts open the program discussing the botanical origins of turnips and rutabagas, noting their membership in the mustard family. One host describes eating pickled turnips for breakfast as a theme for the day. The conversation touches on the culinary uses of the swede, also known as the rutabaga, in preparation for a long-form discussion.

Producers from Westerwald, Germany, and Gross Point, Michigan, contributed to the show, sparking a discussion about the quality of Dijon mustard in America. One producer suggested Edmund Fallot as a remedy for "flat" American mustard, while others noted that Trader Joe's (owned by the German company Aldi) offers a more authentic version. The segment concludes with birthday wishes for listeners and a call for continued support of the independent network.

A discussion regarding the declining pungency of Dijon mustard sold at Costco leads to an anecdote about driving a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II in Manhattan during the 1980s. The story details how frequent references to the "Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?" television commercial prompted the keeping of a jar in the glove box. Differences between American-licensed Grey Poupon and authentic French-made versions found in Canada are also noted.

A critique of British culinary habits focuses on the improper construction of hamburgers in UK pubs, where they are often treated as sandwiches and eaten with a knife and fork. The lack of available mustard and the tendency to serve "meatball-style" round patties rather than flat burgers are cited as major grievances. High-end French chefs are also criticized for over-complicating the simple American burger.

On PBS NewsHour, commentators David Brooks and Mark Shields debated the merits of striking Syria. Brooks, appearing nervous, argued that the U.S. must act to maintain the "non-proliferation regime," while Shields pointed out the lack of a coalition and the "poisoning of the well" from the Iraq War. The hosts criticize Brooks for ignoring that a strike without UN approval would violate international law.

A series of listener donations are acknowledged, including a "make good" for a missed birthday. A tangent explores the idea that women and men perceive pricing differently, with a humorous claim that women are "optimists" who round down prices. Specific donors from Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Georgia are thanked for their support.

Media reports have begun mentioning Gaddafi's potential use of mustard gas, a narrative tactic previously used against Saddam Hussein to justify intervention. Senator John McCain is advocating for a no-fly zone, which the hosts interpret as a precursor to bombing radar sites and launching "surgical strikes." The military leadership appears reluctant to engage in a third war while still active in Iraq and Afghanistan.