Topic: Partnership

The Conservative Partnership Institute and Hillsdale College are involved in a project to train "vetted" conservatives to deconstruct the administrative state on day one of a new presidency. The initiative aims to ensure that the next conservative leader has a prepared workforce ready to bypass "deep state" resistance.

The CIA anticipates that anti-government protests in Iran will continue for some time due to the courage of the youth population. Director Bill Burns also expressed concern over the emerging "full-fledged defense partnership" between Iran and Russia, specifically regarding the provision of Iranian drones for use in Ukraine.

Linguistics professor Noam Chomsky surprised observers by identifying Donald Trump as the only statesman suggesting a sensible diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis. Chomsky references a "Partnership for Peace" model similar to George H.W. Bush's 1990s proposals. The hosts highlight the lack of media coverage for Chomsky's endorsement of Trump's non-interventionist stance.

The Maricopa County Director of Election Day Voting defended the presence of Dominion employees in the tabulation center, describing them as "subject matter experts." He compared the relationship to a city-owned airport where private airlines provide the pilots and technical expertise. Critics argue this level of access by private contractors compromises election security.

An Ebola outbreak in the North Kivu province of the DRC is highlighted. The hosts note that this region is rich in gold, diamonds, and minerals essential for cell phones. They discuss the "Africa-EU Partnership" and speculate that European elites are looking to secure African resort areas while African populations migrate to Europe, creating a "switcheroo" of demographics.

The hosts open the program discussing local road work in Northern Silicon Valley before transitioning to national infrastructure. They reference the Boston Big Dig as a cautionary tale of long-term, high-cost projects. The discussion shifts to President Donald Trump's proposed trillion-dollar infrastructure plan and his address to a joint session of Congress regarding public-private partnerships.

David Brooks of the New York Times is criticized for his commentary on PBS regarding Donald Trump's "exhausting" pace and the repeal of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The hosts point out that both parties, including Hillary Clinton, eventually opposed the TPP. They argue that Brooks's sudden defense of the secret trade deal is a symptom of "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

Former CIA Chief James Woolsey criticized "political correctness" for hindering anti-terror efforts and called for a public-private partnership to combat Islamic movements. Woolsey made a confusing reference to "Sapiens" and "advertising" as models for identifying potential criminals. The hosts speculate on whether he was referring to a specific consulting firm or a broader surveillance strategy.

A Washington Post article highlights complaints that office air conditioning is set to temperatures that favor men in suits while freezing women in summer attire. This transitions into a review of Rianne Eisler's book, "The Chalice and the Blade," which examines human history through "partnership" versus "dominator" models. The hosts speculate on the rise of female political leadership, citing Elizabeth Warren.

Adam Curry explains his technical approach to the show's "custom sound," including the use of noise gates to create dramatic silence. They discuss their complementary partnership, rejecting the idea of a "star" or "sidekick" dynamic. Curry handles the primary production and button-pushing, which naturally dictates the show's pacing.

Congressman Peter DeFazio discusses his opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the "Fast Track" authority sought by the Obama administration. The hosts suggest the classified nature of the document hides protections for pharmaceutical monopolies and corporate tribunals. They note the slick, coordinated nature of global protests against the trade deal.

The Consortium for Homeland Security Technology filed a notification to invoke antitrust protections and indemnification for its members under a 1993 Act. Companies involved, such as OG Systems and Chesapeake Cartridge Corporation, engage in research for border security and cyber defense. A promotional video for OG Systems featuring CEO Dan Tecchielli is mocked for its "hackathon" culture and youthful corporate vibe.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announces a 315 billion euro investment plan to "kickstart" the European economy. The plan relies on a 1-to-15 leverage ratio of public and private funds. The hosts mock Juncker's "third lung" metaphor and suggest the infrastructure projects are likely "American-style scams" designed to benefit political insiders.

The Republican-controlled Congress is expected to grant President Obama fast-track negotiating authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). While some Democrats oppose the deal to protect the U.S. market, Republicans may push for the total elimination of tariffs. The hosts discuss the potential impact on Asian nations like Japan and Malaysia.

President Obama's West Point speech introduced the Counterterrorism Partnership Fund, a $5 billion initiative designed to train foreign security forces in Yemen, Somalia, Libya, and Syria. The fund is part of the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) budget, which ranges between $50 billion and $70 billion. This shift represents a transition from direct American military intervention to the use of "partnerships" and private contractors to manage regional conflicts.

President Obama signs the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRDA) of 2014, which includes provisions for public-private partnerships in water management. Critics worry this legislation paves the way for the privatization of municipal water supplies by large corporations, including French conglomerates. The hosts compare the potential fallout to the California energy crisis and Enron-era scams.

President Obama's comments during a trade mission in Mexico are deconstructed, specifically his denial that the Ukraine situation is a Cold War chessboard. The hosts argue that Secretary of State John Kerry and "Skull and Bones" insiders are driving a neocon agenda in both Syria and Ukraine. They posit that the administration is caught off guard by the organic nature of the unrest while simultaneously funding radical elements.

Herman Van Rompuy and Vladimir Putin met in Brussels to discuss the "Eastern Partnership," a joint initiative involving former Soviet states like Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. The hosts explain that Russia views these nations as essential buffer states against European expansion, a policy dating back to the 1700s. The tension arises from the EU's attempts to integrate these "pipeline states" into its economic sphere.

Article III of the U.S. Constitution defines treason strictly as levying war against the United States or adhering to its enemies by giving them aid and comfort. The hosts discuss how this definition is being stretched in the digital age to include online leaks. They also touch on the secrecy of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and how it might influence future definitions of international crime.

The hosts review an email from Clarissa Stryker of Google's Media Partnerships team regarding the verification of the No Agenda Google Plus page. They perform a live background check on Stryker, noting her education at Georgetown University and her previous employment at ABC News, while debating the merits of being "verified" on a platform they find overly complicated.