Topic: The Hill

Adam Curry and Mimi Smith-Dvorak sign off, with Mimi preparing to return to the Olympic Peninsula. They acknowledge the technical support from Jay, JC, and Brendan. The episode concludes with end-of-show mixes by "Follow the Monkey" and "MVP," featuring clips of the administration's "America First" military rhetoric and a musical tribute to John C. Dvorak's recovery.

The hosts critique the current state of AI-generated art, noting a lack of "dynamic range" and a tendency toward "muddy" colors. They observe that many AI prompts result in a similar "pudgy" character style reminiscent of the show *King of the Hill*. They emphasize that while execution is important, the core concept or "gag" remains the most vital element of show art.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 1747 from the Texas Hill Country and Northern Silicon Valley. They discuss the evolution of the term "boomer" and the origin of the phrase "phone off the hook." The hosts reflect on how generational labels are applied based on knowledge and age rather than birth year.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared on *The Rising* to discuss the significantly lower COVID-19 death rates in countries like Haiti and Nigeria compared to the United States. He attributed these discrepancies to low vaccination rates and the widespread use of anti-parasitic drugs like Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine for endemic diseases. Kennedy challenged the host's skepticism by citing over 100 studies showing the efficacy of these drugs in reducing hospitalizations and deaths.

The Hill published a speculative game plan suggesting Joe Biden could replace Kamala Harris with Gavin Newsom before resigning. The hosts dismiss the likelihood of this scenario, citing the potential political fallout within the Democratic Party's core constituencies.

A local report from the Texas Hill Country describes growing frustration and anger among residents regarding the current state of the U.S. government. A local septic technician shared anecdotes about a recent Ted Nugent concert and expressed that many people feel "pushed to the edge" by federal policies. This "boots on the ground" perspective highlights a disconnect between rural sentiment and the national political narrative.

The Hill's Rising podcast features a discussion regarding the efficacy of Ivermectin against COVID-19 in South Africa and Asia compared to the United States. One participant suggests the drug's success in those regions is due to its ability to treat parasitic worms, thereby improving the overall health of patients fighting the virus. The segment notes that while Ivermectin won a Nobel Prize for treating river blindness, its role as a primary COVID-19 treatment remains a subject of intense debate between mainstream and fringe media sources.

The hosts paid tribute to ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, who passed away at age 72. In literary news, author Scott McKenzie is penning a new No Agenda-themed novel titled *The Archivist*, based on the life and stories of John C. Dvorak. The book will be the latest in a series of fictional works inspired by the show's community and themes.

Krystal Ball of "The Hill" criticized the MSNBC interview for failing to mention the multiple people who have corroborated Tara Reade's account. Ball argued that Biden was allowed to frame the issue as a lack of records while ignoring the "weight of evidence" from witnesses who spoke with Reade in the 1990s. This highlights the "MSNBC bubble" where viewers are not presented with the full scope of the allegations.

Former President Barack Obama has reportedly taken an active interest in Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, summoning top aides for briefings in Washington. Obama expressed frustration with Biden's advisors, urging the campaign to hire younger staff to better connect with the Democratic Party's activist base. The meetings focused on modernizing Biden's communications and digital media strategies ahead of the primary season.

The Hill published a series of native advertising videos sponsored by Qualcomm promoting 5G technology and "smart cities." In one video, the Mayor of Pittsburgh discusses using 5G for data mining to solve urban problems, which critics argue is a euphemism for increased government and corporate surveillance. The promotional content is characterized as a "system of systems" designed to harvest data for profit under the guise of public benefit.

Amy Parnes of The Hill discusses Hillary Clinton's future on the Charlie Rose show, suggesting Clinton is distancing herself from the family foundation. Reports indicate that foundation funding has "dried up" and Clinton is looking for a new role, possibly as a university president. The commentary highlights the lack of new information in these journalist-on-journalist interviews.

The Trump administration announced an investigation into "shadow warriors" within the executive branch who leaked transcripts of the President's calls with world leaders. Press Secretary Sean Spicer stated that these leaks breach legal protocols and aim to cripple the administration's foreign policy.

Major publications like The Hill, The Economist, and Politico are selling "turnkey" sponsorship packages for the political conventions. For prices up to $200,000, corporations and think tanks can buy moderated luncheons, custom videos, and access to editorial staff, which the hosts argue completely compromises their journalistic integrity.

An article from The Hill suggests that pollsters are already expressing doubt about their ability to accurately predict the Trump-Clinton election due to high unfavorable ratings. The hosts interpret this as the polling industry "pre-excusing" future failures or potential fraud, following their failure to predict the rise of Donald Trump.

The hosts read various donor notes, including an encoded message from a special operations supporter in California. Sir Jim Spitzer is named the Earl of Suffolk County and requests a clip from Mel Brooks' "History of the World, Part 1." The segment maintains the show's tradition of acknowledging "executive producers" who provide financial support.

The hosts discuss the career trajectory of journalist Erica Hill, noting her move from CBS to NBC. They comment on her being seen doing "stand-up" reporting in the streets of Watertown as a freelancer. An anecdote is shared about a chaotic live shot where she was nearly hit by a car, illustrating the unscripted nature of the breaking news coverage.

"Giant Voice" systems, used for public emergency announcements, are being tested in various U.S. cities. A recording of a weekly test is played, alongside a clip from the movie "The Purge," which features a similar system announcing a period of legalized crime. The hosts encourage listeners to record these announcements to document the increasing presence of automated government voices in public spaces.

The investigation into the murder of Hollywood publicist Ronnie Chasen (born Veronica Cohen) is discussed, with the hosts citing "insider" tips that it was a Russian mob hit over a music deal. They connect this to Randy Quaid's claims about "star whackers" and the Russian mob's presence in Southern California. The segment also mentions Dog the Bounty Hunter's involvement in the Quaid saga and his promotion of a "sketchy" social network called SoAct.

A charity event in Brighton hosted by David Hill of E3 Entertainment featured cruise-line style entertainment and a "gay capital" atmosphere. The gathering included "Super Agent" Keith Bishop and various colorful British personalities. A comedian named Kevin led a social experiment where an entire table laughed on cue to appear as the most interesting group in the room.