# Nuke the Gay Pirates > A bankrupt investment bank secures nuclear material while federal reports rebrand ordinary citizens as extremists and reality television producers manufacture a global viral sensation. - **Show:** [The No Agenda Show](https://search.noagendashow.net/index.md) - **Episode:** 89 - **Published:** 2009-04-16 - **Length:** 1h 30m - **Topics:** Yellowcake uranium, DHS report, Somali piracy, [Susan Boyle](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/susan-boyle.md), Google Health, [Tax havens](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tax-havens.md), CLI - **Web page:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates ## About this episode Lehman Brothers holds 450,000 pounds of yellowcake uranium following the collapse of the uranium futures market, an ironic development given the material's role in the Iraq War. Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak analyze this discovery alongside a leaked Department of Homeland Security report that labels military veterans and critics of illegal immigration as potential right-wing extremists. The document suggests that broad swaths of the American public could now be classified as domestic threats based on political affiliation. Following the G20 summit in London, the OECD released a tax haven blacklist that Der Spiegel reports was effectively empty despite aggressive political rhetoric. In the maritime sector, Chinese media claims thousands of porpoises protected vessels from Somali pirates, though the actual crisis stems from illegal toxic waste dumping and the destruction of local fishing economies. Meanwhile, Google Health faces scrutiny after patient advocate Dave deBronckart found insurance billing codes, rather than clinical notes, were populating medical records with dangerous inaccuracies. Additional reports from the Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 crash site indicate Boeing officials recovered sensitive AWACS radar documents and laptops before formal investigators arrived. The viral success of Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent is deconstructed as a manufactured emotional event orchestrated by Simon Cowell and reality television producers. Personal anecdotes from the Crackpot Command Center include a traffic school instructor's arrest in Oakland and the launch of the first No Agenda iPhone app. The hosts also reflect on the passing of Marilyn Chambers and the bizarre legal seizure of a Boston College student's computer because he utilized a command line interface. ## Chapters Each chapter's transcript is at its own link. The whole transcript is at https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/transcript.md. ### 1. No Agenda Introduction, Radio Voice Training (0:03–3:03) Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the April 16, 2009, episode from the Crackpot Command Center. They discuss the "trained voice" phenomenon in radio broadcasting, noting how industry veterans often speak with over-emphasized resonance even off-air. The hosts compare their vocal styles to other broadcasters like Leo Laporte. Keywords: [adam curry](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/adam-curry.md), [john c. dvorak](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/john-c-dvorak.md), [radio broadcasting](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/radio-broadcasting.md), compressor limiter, [leo laporte](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/leo-laporte.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/1.md) ### 2. Laurie Turner, College Radio Anecdote (3:04–5:03) A personal story describes a college radio experience at WITB in West Virginia during the early 1980s. The narrative involves a former colleague named Laurie Turner, who later transitioned into band management. The anecdote concludes with a humorous reflection on a brief romantic encounter followed by a significant life realization for Turner. Keywords: laurie turner, witb, [west virginia](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/west-virginia.md), college radio, [anecdote](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/anecdote.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/2.md) ### 3. No Agenda iPhone App Launch (5:03–6:04) The hosts announce the release of the official No Agenda iPhone app, now available in the Apple App Store for 99 cents. Developed by a listener, the application allows users to stream the show, download podcast episodes, and follow the hosts' Twitter feeds. Plans for a future "G-phone" or Android version are also mentioned. Keywords: [iphone app](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/iphone-app.md), [app store](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/app-store.md), [itunes](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/itunes.md), mobile application, [software development](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/software-development.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/3.md) ### 4. Portugal Travel, Cork Oak Trees (6:04–11:06) A recent trip to the Algarve region of Portugal reveals striking similarities between the Portuguese landscape and California. The discussion details the biology of cork oak trees, noting that they are a specific species of oak and that every tree in Portugal is legally registered. The hosts suggest that California could potentially support a lucrative cork industry based on these environmental parallels. Keywords: [portugal](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/portugal.md), [algarve](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/algarve.md), cork oak, [california](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/california.md), [agriculture](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/agriculture.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/4.md) ### 5. Tea Party Protests, Automated Political Calls (11:10–15:14) The hosts analyze the 2009 Tea Party protests after receiving automated "robocalls" encouraging participation. They question the spontaneity of the movement, suggesting it is orchestrated by major political entities or media figures like Glenn Beck. The segment also touches on the linguistic controversy surrounding the term "tea-bagging" as used in mainstream media coverage. Keywords: [tea party](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tea-party.md), [glenn beck](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/glenn-beck.md), [rush limbaugh](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/rush-limbaugh.md), [political protests](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/political-protests.md), tax revolt [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/5.md) ### 6. Portuguese Cuisine, Sir Cliff Richard Wine (15:15–20:40) A review of the L'Orangerie restaurant in Portugal highlights local delicacies such as pumpkin cream soup and octopus carpaccio. The hosts specifically discuss "Vida Nova," a wine produced by British singer Sir Cliff Richard at his estate in the Algarve. While the wine quality is praised, the pricing in local restaurants is debated. Keywords: l'orangerie, [cliff richard](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/cliff-richard.md), vida nova, portuguese wine, [michelin stars](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/michelin-stars.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/6.md) ### 7. No Agenda Wikipedia Entry (20:40–21:39) The hosts discover that a Wikipedia entry has been created for the No Agenda program. They discuss the accuracy of the crowdsourced history and express hope that fans will monitor the page to prevent vandalism. Keywords: [wikipedia](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/wikipedia.md), [rss feeds](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/rss-feeds.md), internet encyclopedia, [show history](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/show-history.md), online documentation [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/7.md) ### 8. Celebrity News, Marilyn Chambers Passing (21:40–25:09) The segment covers various celebrity headlines, including Ashton Kutcher's race against CNN for one million Twitter followers and Hugh Jackman's $100,000 charity pledge. The hosts also reflect on the death of adult film star Marilyn Chambers at age 56, recalling her impact on the industry and a personal encounter at a past CES convention. Keywords: [ashton kutcher](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/ashton-kutcher.md), hugh jackman, marilyn chambers, [twitter](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/twitter.md), [cnn](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/cnn.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/8.md) ### 9. Susan Boyle, Britain's Got Talent Orchestration (25:11–31:02) The viral success of Susan Boyle on "Britain's Got Talent" is analyzed as a highly produced piece of "unscripted drama." The hosts argue that the performance was staged by Simon Cowell and producers to maximize emotional impact through specific editing, wardrobe choices, and judge reactions. They criticize the public's willingness to accept the segment as a spontaneous event. Keywords: [susan boyle](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/susan-boyle.md), [simon cowell](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/simon-cowell.md), [britain's got talent](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/britain-s-got-talent.md), [reality television](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/reality-television.md), [viral video](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/viral-video.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/9.md) ### 10. Reality TV Production, Aviation Aspirations (31:03–34:41) A discussion regarding the profitability of reality television leads to a conversation about future aircraft purchases. One host expresses interest in acquiring a Beechcraft King Air turboprop, citing its speed and ability to access smaller airports compared to traditional jet aircraft. Keywords: [reality television](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/reality-television.md), [king air](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/king-air.md), turboprop, [aviation](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aviation.md), [aircraft](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aircraft.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/10.md) ### 11. Homeland Security, Bird Flu Distribution Claims (34:41–37:26) Audio from "The Power Hour" features a caller claiming that the Department of Homeland Security is secretly transporting live bird flu across the United States using independent truckers. The report describes elaborate underground silos and refrigerated loads delivered to the Pentagon and other government facilities. The hosts express skepticism regarding the dramatic details of the claim. Keywords: [department of homeland security](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/department-of-homeland-security.md), [bird flu](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/bird-flu.md), power hour, [conspiracy theories](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/conspiracy-theories.md), [trucking](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/trucking.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/11.md) ### 12. Freeganism, Food Waste Ethics (37:27–40:12) The concept of "freeganism"—the practice of reclaiming and eating discarded food—is debated. The hosts criticize wealthy individuals, including a university professor, who participate in the movement as a lifestyle choice. They argue that this practice potentially deprives truly impoverished people of necessary resources. Keywords: freeganism, [food waste](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/food-waste.md), [university of california](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/university-of-california.md), [poverty](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/poverty.md), [ethics](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/ethics.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/12.md) ### 13. Lehman Brothers, Yellowcake Uranium Futures (40:13–41:02) Lehman Brothers reportedly holds 450,000 pounds of "yellowcake" uranium following the collapse of the uranium futures market. The hosts find it ironic that the bankrupt firm possesses the same material that served as a primary justification for the Iraq War. Keywords: [lehman brothers](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/lehman-brothers.md), yellowcake, [uranium](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/uranium.md), [nuclear energy](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/nuclear-energy.md), [iraq war](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/iraq-war.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/13.md) ### 14. G20 Summit, Tax Haven Blacklist (41:02–43:24) Following the G20 summit in London, the OECD published a "blacklist" of international tax havens that was notably empty. Despite political rhetoric promising a crackdown on offshore accounts in places like Switzerland and the Bahamas, German magazine Der Spiegel reported that no jurisdictions were actually outlawed. Keywords: [g20](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/g20.md), [oecd](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/oecd.md), [tax havens](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tax-havens.md), spiegel, [financial regulation](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/financial-regulation.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/14.md) ### 15. Chinese Porpoise Legend, Pirate Deterrence (43:24–45:30) A report from a Chinese news website claims that thousands of porpoises blocked pirates from attacking a vessel. The hosts dismiss the story as "cultural malarkey" and supernatural propaganda similar to historical Japanese myths about divine storms protecting the nation. Keywords: porpoises, [pirates](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/pirates.md), [china](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/china.md), [supernatural](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/supernatural.md), maritime folklore [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/15.md) ### 16. Somali Piracy, Economic Desperation (45:31–51:30) The root causes of Somali piracy are explored, framing the hijackings as a desperate response to illegal fishing and toxic waste dumping in Somali waters. Referencing a story from St. Augustine, the hosts argue that the media ignores the economic destruction of local fishing communities. They criticize the military response and the lack of compassion for the underlying humanitarian crisis. Keywords: [somalia](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/somalia.md), [piracy](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/piracy.md), [st. augustine](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/st-augustine.md), [alexander the great](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/alexander-the-great.md), [maritime law](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/maritime-law.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/16.md) ### 17. Homeland Security, Right-Wing Extremism Report (51:31–53:39) A leaked Department of Homeland Security report warns of potential threats from "right-wing extremists," specifically targeting military veterans and individuals concerned about illegal immigration or gun control. The hosts argue that the report's broad criteria could classify half of the American population as potential domestic terrorists. Keywords: [department of homeland security](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/department-of-homeland-security.md), [right-wing extremists](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/right-wing-extremists.md), [veterans](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/veterans.md), [domestic terrorism](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/domestic-terrorism.md), [barack obama](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/barack-obama.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/17.md) ### 18. Ann Coulter, Public Speaking Analysis (53:40–56:36) The hosts discuss the public persona and speaking abilities of conservative commentator Ann Coulter. Despite her controversial reputation, they praise a lecture she delivered at UC Santa Barbara for its conversational style and logical structure. They encourage listeners to engage with long-form lectures rather than media soundbites. Keywords: [ann coulter](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/ann-coulter.md), uc santa barbara, [public speaking](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/public-speaking.md), [political discourse](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/political-discourse.md), lectures [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/18.md) ### 19. CSI New York, Technology Inaccuracies (56:37–58:43) A recent episode of "CSI: New York" is criticized for its unrealistic portrayal of technology. The plot, involving a high-stakes hunt for a single physical flash drive that no one thought to copy, is cited as an example of poor writing by creators who do not understand digital data. Keywords: [csi new york](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/csi-new-york.md), gary sinise, flash drive, [technology](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/technology.md), [television drama](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/television-drama.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/19.md) ### 20. Google Health, Insurance Code Risks (58:43–1:02:07) The launch of Google Health and the digitization of medical records are examined through the lens of insurance billing. Patient advocate Dave deBronckart discovered that his medical history was populated by insurance codes rather than clinical notes, leading to dangerous inaccuracies such as being mislabeled as schizophrenic due to chemotherapy side effects. Keywords: google health, [national health service](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/national-health-service.md), [insurance codes](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/insurance-codes.md), [medical records](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/medical-records.md), [data privacy](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/data-privacy.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/20.md) ### 21. Traffic School, Insurance Data Clearinghouses (1:02:07–1:05:34) A personal anecdote describes a bizarre experience at a traffic school in Oakland's Chinatown. During the session, the instructor was arrested by undercover officers after delivering a lecture on the "semi-illegal" data clearinghouses used by insurance companies to track drivers. Keywords: [traffic school](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/traffic-school.md), [oakland](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/oakland.md), [insurance companies](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/insurance-companies.md), data clearinghouse, [california](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/california.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/21.md) ### 22. Turkish Airlines Crash, Boeing Engineers (1:05:35–1:07:54) New details emerge regarding the Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 crash, noting that several Boeing engineers on board were working on advanced AWACS radar systems for the Turkish military. Reports indicate that laptops and sensitive documents were recovered from the wreckage by Boeing officials prior to the formal investigation. Keywords: [turkish airlines](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/turkish-airlines.md), [boeing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/boeing.md), awacs, radar technology, air crash investigation [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/22.md) ### 23. Donor Acknowledgments, Low Power FM (1:07:54–1:14:44) The hosts acknowledge financial contributions from the "No Agenda" community, including specific donations of $13.37 and $69.00. They also highlight a listener in Bloomington, Illinois, who is broadcasting the show via a low-power FM transmitter on 90.3 MHz. Keywords: [donations](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/donations.md), [knights](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/knights.md), [low power fm](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/low-power-fm.md), bloomington, [gmail](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/gmail.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/23.md) ### 24. United Airlines, Fat Activism (1:14:44–1:17:09) United Airlines' policy to charge obese passengers for two seats sparks a discussion on "fat activism." The hosts recount an anecdote from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport involving a passenger with a unique body type struggling to secure an extra seat under previous airline regulations. Keywords: [united airlines](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/united-airlines.md), [obesity](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/obesity.md), [airline policy](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/airline-policy.md), seat pricing, [seatac](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/seatac.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/24.md) ### 25. Historical Grooming, Cultural Nudity (1:17:10–1:21:45) A debate arises regarding historical grooming habits and the depiction of nudity in 18th-century paintings. This leads to a cultural comparison between European and American attitudes toward nudity within the family home, with the hosts disagreeing on the appropriateness of casual nudity around children. Keywords: art history, [grooming](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/grooming.md), [nudity](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/nudity.md), european culture, [parenting](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/parenting.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/25.md) ### 26. Command Line Interface, Boston College Seizure (1:21:45–1:25:15) The hosts discuss the efficiency of using Command Line Interfaces (CLI) like VIM for information management. They contrast this with a legal case at Boston College where a student's computer was seized; the search warrant cited the student's use of a "black screen with white font" (a command prompt) as evidence of suspicious activity. Keywords: [vim](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/vim.md), [command line](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/command-line.md), [eff](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/eff.md), boston college, [search warrant](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/search-warrant.md) [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/26.md) ### 27. Social Media Psychology, Show Sign-off (1:25:17–1:29:58) The episode concludes with a discussion on the addictive nature of social media, comparing Facebook to cocaine and Twitter to crack. The hosts reflect on the evolution of online communication from early "fingering" protocols to modern status updates before signing off for the week. Keywords: [twitter](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/twitter.md), [facebook](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/facebook.md), [social media](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/social-media.md), [networking](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/networking.md), cyber sleaze [Chapter transcript](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/89-nuke-the-gay-pirates/chapter/27.md) - [Previous episode](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/88-perchlorate-and-cut-fiber.md) - [Next episode](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/90-lost-your-job-eat-more-fiber.md) --- This is the markdown version of a page on The No Agenda Show for AI agents. 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