Topic: The Dish

The discussion shifts to Andrew Sullivan's "The Dish" as a model for independent media monetization through direct subscriptions. The hosts wonder why Glenn Greenwald didn't pursue a similar independent path rather than joining a corporate-style network. They also compare the public personas of Greenwald and Jeremy Scahill, noting Scahill's more "entertaining" and alarmist style.

Glenn Beck's media outlet, The Blaze, has transitioned from a web-based platform to a 24/7 television network available on Dish Network. Analysts predict the network's ratings could eventually surpass those of MSNBC as it builds a dedicated audience for conservative programming. Meanwhile, MSNBC continues to lean into partisan commentary with hosts like Toure and Al Sharpton.

The hosts conduct a knighting ceremony for Joe the Dish Slave, who has reached the $1,000 donation threshold. They debate the appropriate title, eventually settling on "Sir Joe the Dish Slave, Knight of the Charger, the Flatware, and the Chiners."

The hosts read a long list of donations from "Executive Producers" and "Associate Executive Producers." Highlights include a $1,100 donation from a listener in Virginia to establish the "Order of the Dish" and various "karma" requests for new jobs and family health. The segment reinforces the "value-for-value" model of the show, thanking donors from the US, Australia, Germany, and the UK.

John C. Dvorak discovers a short film titled "Clearing the Air" produced by Shell Oil on an experimental Dish Network channel. The film promotes Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) technology as a way to reduce soot and emissions, though the hosts criticize the narrative's technical inconsistencies regarding diesel versus gasoline. The project is identified as a form of corporate propaganda being distributed via satellite and TiVo video-on-demand.