Topic: Yankees

"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" was proposed as a strong contender for a new national anthem due to its militaristic sound and public domain status. Other songs like "God Bless America" are ruled out because their estates strictly enforce copyrights, making them too expensive for public use. The discussion concluded with a call for listener suggestions for a song that captures the "American spirit" without the vocal difficulties of the current anthem.

An awkward social encounter at Jeffries restaurant in Austin occurs when one of the hosts is introduced to former New York Yankees starting pitcher Darryl May. Unaware of May's professional sports background, the host mistakenly asked if he coached Little League. The discussion covers May's career statistics, including his time playing for the Hanshin Tigers and Mori Giants in Japan, and the embarrassment of failing to recognize a major league athlete.

The hosts discuss the historical meaning of the word "macaroni" in the song Yankee Doodle, noting it was 18th-century slang for something ultra-fashionable or "cool." This leads to a discussion about the recurring Velveeta "Ham Radio Guy" commercial and Adam Curry's recent voiceover audition for a National Geographic reality show titled "Sheer Madness" about sheep farming.

Arjun Makhijani, head of a non-profit nuclear safety foundation, is interviewed by "Atomic Rod" regarding the risks of spent fuel pools. Makhijani argues that pools like those at Vermont Yankee contain more fuel than the Fukushima reactors and are vulnerable to fires if water is drained during an accident or attack. The hosts suggest Makhijani's foundation is funded to promote natural gas interests by stoking fear of nuclear energy.

CNN is criticized for an "ominous" report on the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, which uses the same Mark I design as the Fukushima reactors. The report is viewed as part of a broader effort by natural gas interests to shut down aging nuclear facilities.

The hosts read various listener donations, including a $133.33 contribution from Fresno and a $100 donation from Calgary. One listener, Michael from San Diego, donated $70 after losing a bet on the Yankees-Rangers baseball series. The segment includes "de-douching" rituals and requests for good karma from listeners facing medical issues.