Topic: Pork

The hosts thank a series of Associate Executive Producers and grant "Jobs Karma" to several listeners. Dvorak brings up a neglected news item regarding Hurricane Florence in North Carolina: the environmental impact of flooded "hog lagoons." He notes that North Carolina is a major pork producer and expresses concern over the massive amount of pig waste inundated by floodwaters.

John C. Dvorak provides a culinary tip recommending Colgin Hickory Liquid Smoke as a versatile seasoning. He suggests using it in spaghetti and pizza sauces to create a "smoked tomato" flavor or as a shortcut for making pulled pork in a standard oven. The tip is noted for its ability to add depth to dishes without becoming bitter.

The CDC has called on certified laboratories to develop rapid tests for bird flu, mirroring the early response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Observers note that while there is a "war on protein" targeting beef, dairy, and poultry, the pork industry—largely owned by Chinese interests like Smithfield Foods—has remained relatively unaffected. Testing for H5N1 is expected to increase as the government prepares for a potential public health rollout.

A viral TikTok video features a woman expressing confusion over a waitress calling a hamburger "cow," insisting that "ham" implies the meat comes from a pig. The anecdote is used to illustrate a perceived decline in the American educational system and general public knowledge. The speaker suggests that such ignorance is widespread among younger generations on social media.

Dr. Robert Malone addressed the "Beef Initiative" conference regarding the potential for mRNA vaccines in the food supply. Malone clarified that while mRNA is not currently used in beef, Merck is already deploying custom mRNA vaccines for the swine (pork) industry under special USDA authorizations. He warned that these formulations can be shed in milk and meat, necessitating strict disclosure and testing protocols that the FDA has yet to mandate.

The UK government released a targeted advertisement for ethnic minorities and Muslims, claiming the COVID-19 vaccine contains no pork or animal products. The ad asserts that vaccination is the "only way" to boost immunity and that the trials were as stringent as those for the MMR vaccine. The hosts label these claims as "outright lies" and "official government drek."

The CHIPS Plus Act is criticized for containing hundreds of pages of "pork," including funding for art in STEM education and maritime technology research. Despite the push for domestic manufacturing, critics point out that the bill only requires 5% of a company's workforce to be in the US to qualify for funds. The discussion explores how decades of outsourcing to China for cheaper labor created the current supply chain vulnerability.

Listener reports from "Pork Fest 2022" in New Hampshire and meetups in New Orleans and Portland describe the vibrant community of No Agenda producers. Upcoming events are announced for Eindhoven, Netherlands, and various cities across the U.S. and Canada. The hosts encourage listeners to attend or start their own meetups to find a "reprieve from the wolfsters" and engage with like-minded critical thinkers.

Smithfield Foods announced it will close its Vernon, California, pork processing plant in early 2023 due to the high cost of doing business in the state. This closure is noted for its potential impact on the supply of animal-derived urea, a key component in Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). The government has yet to intervene in the potential trucking crisis caused by these supply chain disruptions.

National Economic Council Chair Brian Deese attributed half of grocery store inflation to rising prices for beef, pork, and poultry. The hosts frame this as part of a "Great Reset" agenda to discourage meat consumption in favor of plant-based alternatives.

A UK government PSA targeted at ethnic minorities claims the COVID-19 vaccine contains no pork or fetal tissue and is the "only way" to boost immunity. The hosts flag several statements in the ad as blatant lies, particularly the claim that herd immunity is not an option.

CBS News reports on the closure of major meatpacking plants, including Tyson Foods in Iowa, due to COVID-19 outbreaks. Speculation arises that these closures might be a price-gouging tactic by meatpackers to exploit the gap between rancher prices and retail costs.

The discussion explores the possibility that meatpackers are artificially restricting supply to jack up prices on pork. This is linked to the trade agreement requiring tens of billions of dollars in exports to China, which primarily consumes pork and duck.

The closure of Chinese-owned Smithfield pork plants in the United States raises concerns about the stability of the national meat supply. A report from a meat cutter suggests that while smaller USDA-inspected lockers remain open, the shutdown of large-scale facilities will lead to empty retail warehouses. The hosts advise listeners to stock their freezers as a precaution against potential shortages.

The Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was forced to shut down following a massive COVID-19 outbreak among employees. The closure of the facility, which represents 25% of U.S. pork production, raised national security concerns due to the company's 2013 acquisition by the Chinese firm Shuanghui International.

Matthew Linton contributes $910.30 to become a knight, sharing a story of recovering from a near-fatal traumatic brain injury over the last decade. Now working in enterprise data management and outdoor pork farming, he credits the show with helping his cognitive recovery. He is knighted as Sir Matt Knight of the Casa Loma Wonders.

Lawmakers are negotiating an 8.5 billion dollar coronavirus spending bill, which critics fear will be used as a vehicle for "pork" projects. Specifically, there are concerns that the bill will include a quiet reauthorization of the Patriot Act, which is set to expire in mid-March. This tactic of jamming controversial legislation into emergency funding bills is a common practice in Washington.

China faces a severe economic challenge as the Wuhan flu outbreak coincides with a devastating African Swine Fever epidemic, referred to as "pig Ebola." This combination has crippled domestic pork supplies and forced China to increase agricultural imports from the United States as part of their trade agreement.

Impossible Foods unveiled "Impossible Pork" at CES 2020, featuring a plant-based slider made from soy protein and coconut oil. A reporter's live tasting of the product resulted in a lukewarm reaction, with mentions of a strange aftertaste. The hosts express disgust at the trend of "fake food" and the marketing of highly processed meat alternatives.

Scientists warn that up to 25% of the world's pig population could die due to the "Pig Plague" or African Swine Fever. The outbreak has significantly impacted Chinese pork production and may lead to volatility in international commodity markets.