Topic: Quarters

McDonald's is dealing with an E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions on Quarter Pounders across 13 states. The hosts speculate on the timing of the outbreak, noting that McDonald's recently sued major beef suppliers Tyson, Cargill, and JBS for price fixing, suggesting potential corporate retaliation.

Following Donald Trump's highly publicized campaign stop at a Pennsylvania McDonald's, the CDC reported a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to Quarter Pounders. The outbreak, which primarily affected Colorado, resulted in one death and dozens of hospitalizations. The hosts suggest the timing of the report is suspicious, noting the illnesses occurred weeks before the news was prioritized.

The challenges of hiring Gen Z employees are discussed, focusing on a perceived lack of socialization and basic logic. A viral video of a young woman who mistakenly bought empty coin wrappers on Amazon, thinking they came pre-filled with quarters for $10, is used as an example of this generational disconnect. The hosts debate whether this represents a broader trend of "idiocy" or just isolated incidents.

A personal anecdote about attempting to use a coin-operated air pump at a gas station highlights the ongoing U.S. coin shortage. The host describes being unable to obtain quarters from a cashier who cited the shortage and a general aversion to handling cash. This trend is viewed as a move toward a cashless society where even basic services require credit card swipes.

A viral image of a 2020 U.S. quarter featuring a bat was debunked as a modified National Park coin rather than a pandemic-themed release. Meanwhile, a real national coin shortage is affecting businesses, including casinos in Las Vegas where social distancing is strictly enforced.

Representative Jim Jordan highlighted a footnote in the House Intelligence Committee report regarding the Penn Quarter Group (PQG). Led by Daniel Jones, PQG reportedly received $50 million from wealthy donors to hire Christopher Steele and Fusion GPS. The hosts criticize the FBI for "outsourcing" intelligence work to private firms led by former colleagues, calling it systemic corruption.

A segment dedicated to high-tier donors includes the knighting of "Circumference" and contributions from Dwayne Melancon and Jason Miller. The hosts propose the creation of a "Quarters Club" for donors who contribute amounts based on the current episode number, such as 855 quarters ($213.75).

Sir Tom "Rod" Adams donated $200 in the form of "800 quarters" to celebrate the show's upcoming 800th episode. Adams, a nuclear energy expert, is praised for providing accurate industry information. The segment also features a humorous "Ayn Rand Mac and Cheese" clip and the return of the "Ant Song" following a discussion about a pest infestation in the studio.

A listener inquiry regarding the prevalence of Ad Council commercials leads to an explanation of the television advertising cycle. The hosts explain that after the heavy spending of the fourth quarter, January is a "light" month for paid ads, forcing networks to fill time with free Public Service Announcements. They clarify that these PSAs are fillers used to maintain the standard 40-minute content to 20-minute ad ratio.

The extreme hyperinflation in Zimbabwe is highlighted, with the hosts describing a 10 million dollar bill that includes an expiration date. The conversation shifts to the changing physical composition of U.S. quarters, noting they feel lighter and "cheaper" than older versions. Advice is given to avoid "collectible" gold coins in favor of actual bullion.