Episodes

The Sandy Hook Elementary shooting has triggered a wave of media assassination and political theater, with CNN host Piers Morgan leading an aggressive push for gun control while President Barack Obama faces scrutiny for his public display of emotion. Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak analyze the discrepancies in early ballistics reports and the convenient timing of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s concussion, which has delayed her testimony regarding the Benghazi attack. Beyond the domestic tragedy, the United States continues to expand its militaristic footprint as the White House renews its authority under the War Powers Resolution for operations in Africa and Kosovo. In the media, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Lisa Van Susteren promote a shift toward mental health surveillance and pre-crime legislation, suggesting that biological predispositions or chemical imbalances should justify forced medication. Meanwhile, the FCC moves to seize broadcast television spectrum for mobile carriers, and the NSA continues its warrantless surveillance of internet traffic through AT&T infrastructure in San Francisco. Adam Curry reports from his tenth day of exile in Amsterdam, navigating the bureaucratic hurdles of the O-1 visa process for his wife, Micky Curry. The duo explores the rise of the civil society meme as a tool for globalism and mocks actor Matt Damon for his comments on social justice and taxation. The episode concludes with a knighting ceremony for major donors and a look at the Dutch Christmas tradition of chocolate wreaths.

GE Chairman Jeffrey Immelt is under fire for praising Chinese state-run communism as an efficient economic model while advising President Barack Obama on domestic job creation. Immelt’s comments to Charlie Rose suggest a corporate pivot toward the 12th five-year plan to secure jet engine contracts, even as the White House touts a $120 million Daimler investment that yielded only 115 union positions. This alignment between multinational corporations and state-controlled markets signals a shift in global trade priorities that bypasses traditional American labor interests. In Washington, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid utilized late-night unanimous consent to advance HR 4310, the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, without public debate or a formal roll-call vote. Simultaneously, the U.S. Justice Department, led by Lanny Breuer, finalized a $1.9 billion settlement with HSBC for laundering $700 billion in Mexican drug cartel funds, notably avoiding criminal prosecution for bank executives. On the domestic front, the NTSB and MADD are pushing for universal ignition interlock devices, a move critics label as pre-crime surveillance, while the Wall Street Journal reports on new Army manuals that prohibit soldiers in Afghanistan from criticizing the Taliban or pedophilia to maintain cultural sensitivity. Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak break down the technical hurdles of building a proprietary podcasting rig via Foxconn while navigating the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. The 12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief is exposed as a high-priced branding exercise for JPMorgan Chase, featuring a bizarre rhetorical appearance by the ghost of Keith Moon via Brian Williams. Between discussions of Syrian rebels using PS3 controllers and the suspicious death of nurse Jacintha Saldana, the hosts grant the territory of France to Baron Stephen von Pelsmacher.

Vladimir Putin officially launched construction of the South Stream gas pipeline this week, signaling a major shift in European energy logistics that may render Syrian transit routes obsolete. The project, a joint venture between Gazprom and European partners, aims to deliver Russian natural gas via the Black Sea, effectively bypassing traditional bottlenecks. This geopolitical maneuver coincides with the Obama administration's public frustration over Qatar allegedly diverting weapons intended for Libyan rebels to extremist factions within the Syrian opposition. In the Netherlands, the housing market faces a total freeze as the government implements strict austerity measures and eliminates tax deductions for interest-only mortgages. Adam Curry reports from Amsterdam on the rise of the Electronic Patient Dossier and a transition toward cashless farmers' markets, while John C. Dvorak analyzes the U.S. fiscal cliff and the expiration of the Alternative Minimum Tax. Meanwhile, the International Telecommunication Union conference in Dubai faces scrutiny over leaked documents proposing global internet regulations that would treat digital traffic like traditional telephony roaming. Technical difficulties from a 1690s-era Amsterdam apartment couldn't stop the knighting of Sir Wiley and Sir Steven during this episode's Value for Value ceremony. Adam Curry experiments with new donation clips from a young girl named Lizzie, including the instant classic line, "Don't eat me, Hillary Clinton." The hosts also find time to sweeten dry C-SPAN footage of Senator Carl Levin with upbeat tracks from the Bohunks.

Adam Curry and Mickey Hoogendyke face a sudden bureaucratic exile in Amsterdam after U.S. Customs and Immigration Services denied Hoogendyke re-entry due to a technical visa complication. The incident forces a broadcast from the Netherlands as Secretary Janet Napolitano’s department maintains a hard line on pending green card applications. Meanwhile, the Dutch public reacts with fury to the fatal beating of a volunteer football referee by youth players, further straining a national environment already tense from Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s controversial Greek bailout contributions. Global instability deepens as rumors of an assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin circulate following his unexplained absence from the public eye. In Washington, Press Secretary Jay Carney appears to follow a scripted narrative regarding Syrian chemical weapons, while CNN and NBC synchronize reports on sarin gas doomsday scenarios involving the Assad regime. These intelligence claims mirror previous media cycles used to justify intervention in Iraq and Libya. Simultaneously, Amnesty International reports on a human rights catastrophe in Yemen involving public executions by Ansar al-Sharia, and the U.S. Senate blocks the UN Treaty on the Rights of the Disabled over sovereignty concerns raised by Senator Mike Lee. Domestic policy shifts as the FDA considers revoking artificially sweetened labeling requirements for fruit jams, potentially hiding chemical additives from consumers. The episode features a knighting ceremony for Wade Ostrander and Andrew Lassemany, while John C. Dvorak and Adam Curry analyze the "red washcloth" trend in preschools designed to hide blood from children. The hosts also scrutinize the DSM-5’s new classification of hoarding as a mental disorder and the viral social contract rhetoric of Elizabeth Warren.

President Barack Obama has launched the #My2k social media campaign to pressure Congress over middle-class tax cuts, a branding move mocked by the Curry-Dvorak Consulting Group for its phonetic similarity to the Y2K computer glitch. Meanwhile, UN Ambassador Susan Rice faces intense scrutiny following financial disclosures revealing a $20 million net worth, including significant holdings in TransCanada and Monsanto. The United Nations General Assembly's vote to upgrade Palestine to a non-member observer state has further complicated the diplomatic landscape, as Rice issues a stern condemnation of the move. In New York City, No Agenda producer Adam Atiyah, known as Knight Sam, was arrested on 56 counts including grand larceny after a drone-themed street art project involving forged NYPD surveillance posters. The European Central Bank recently won a legal victory against Bloomberg to keep documents secret regarding Goldman Sachs' role in hiding Greek debt. In the tech sector, IDG founder Pat McGovern is revealed to have used fictional columnists at InfoWorld to manipulate advertisers like IBM. Additionally, the IMF and Managing Director Christine Lagarde are pushing for a global carbon tax of $23 per metric ton, supported by what critics call polar bear propaganda in the media. Technical difficulties plagued the studio this week following the failure of a TLA 5052 tube preamp, though the loss of 'boom' didn't stop a formal knighting ceremony for Thomas Fields and Adam Michalajczyk. John C. Dvorak shared a harrowing account of an Argentinian ant invasion in his kitchen, while a viral clip of the Noodles Kid sparked a debate on workplace dictatorships. The show also explores the curious case of Dr. Oz and a suspicious frozen pea op-ed that appeared under multiple bylines.

Gilead Sciences faces intense scrutiny following the FDA approval of Truvada as a preventative HIV treatment, a move championed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The pharmaceutical giant saw its stock value double on the Nasdaq in the months preceding the announcement, sparking allegations of insider trading. Critics point to the drug's $14,000 annual price tag and its potential inclusion in mandatory insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act as evidence of a deeply entrenched corporate-political alliance. In the wake of the Benghazi investigation, the CIA admitted to deleting Al-Qaeda references from official talking points, contradicting earlier claims by Ambassador Susan Rice. Meanwhile, the House Republican Conference faces diversity critiques from Rachel Maddow after appointing 19 white men to committee chairmanships, though defenders cite traditional seniority rules. In the private sector, security startup CrowdStrike participated in mock cyber attacks with Janet Napolitano to demonstrate infrastructure vulnerabilities, signaling a shift toward privatized national defense and upcoming federal cyber legislation. Pharmaceutical marketing reaches new heights as Adam Levine promotes Vyvanse for 14-hour productivity, despite warnings of sudden death and mental illness. The NFL grapples with a surge in Adderall-related suspensions, including New York Giants player Tyler Sash, while the puppeteer behind Sesame Street’s Elmo, Kevin Clash, resigns amidst misconduct allegations. From the 'In The Morning' ham radio net to the No Agenda Brewing Challenge, the community continues to deconstruct the skimp layer of modern media.

The White House is under fire for withholding Situation Room imagery from the Benghazi attack while simultaneously codifying a drone rulebook to institutionalize targeted killings. Senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain are challenging Susan Rice over her role in the administration's talking points, as reports surface that the CIA annex may have been holding Libyan militia prisoners. The assassination of Benghazi National Security Chief Colonel Farag El-Dersy further complicates the investigation into the deaths of four Americans. Technological shifts dominate the landscape as the U.S. military establishes 35 Quebec, an elite cyber unit, to compete with Israeli and Russian capabilities. Claims emerge that PGP encryption is compromised by the NSA, leading to a surge in Iron Key hardware security and a return to amateur radio frequencies. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama prepares for a dual inauguration ceremony due to the 20th Amendment, and the World Bank’s Turn Down the Heat report triggers warnings of a global carbon tax. In the UK, the Rotherham Borough Council sparked outrage by removing foster children from a couple based on their UKIP political affiliation. Cultural oddities include a viral bullhorn protest against Black Friday consumerism at Target and the rise of primitive skills courses at Wilderness College. The hosts examine the Lingerie Football League’s expansion into Canada and a charity soccer match between Bosnian priests and imams. Jonathan Rauch concludes with a defense of the right to offend as a necessity for intellectual pluralism.

Susan Rice faces intense scrutiny over her Benghazi talking points as the Congressional Black Caucus defends her potential Secretary of State nomination against claims of incompetence. The diplomatic row at the United Nations coincides with a fragile Gaza ceasefire, which critics suggest served as a convenient distraction for Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration during a period of domestic fiscal tension. Israel’s Iron Dome system is characterized as a high-stakes marketing demonstration for Israel Aircraft Industries, following multi-billion dollar defense contracts with Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Media outlets like CNN and the BBC are criticized for staged war reporting, including a retracted Reuters video featuring a supposedly wounded man in Gaza. Meanwhile, the FBI continues its six-week cycle of homegrown terror arrests, utilizing Facebook surveillance and entrapment-style stings to build cases against individuals recruited via social media. John C. Dvorak and Adam Curry celebrate a traditional Austin Thanksgiving with heirloom pumpkins and ham radio milestones. The duo analyzes the Dutch Sinterklaas controversy involving Black Pete and the historical codification of the holiday by Abraham Lincoln. The session concludes with a look at the jewel wasp’s parasitic life cycle and a knighting ceremony for the show’s most dedicated executive producers.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak investigate a massive explosion in Indianapolis, suggesting the blast site at the home of Dion Longworth may have been a drone strike rather than a gas leak. The hosts cite restricted scene access and connections to defense contractors like Straylight Optical as evidence of a potential cover-up. Meanwhile, the escalation of Operation Pillar of Cloud in Gaza is analyzed as a strategic media war, with the hosts scrutinizing the timing of Israeli military actions against upcoming election cycles. Secondary reports cover the liquidation of Hostess Brands, resulting in 18,500 job losses following a strike by the Baker's Union. In Washington, theories emerge that Hillary Clinton intentionally sabotaged Susan Rice's bid for Secretary of State to eliminate a 2016 political rival. The U.S. government has notified the Federal Register of a $6.5 billion THAAD missile sale to Qatar, despite reports of counterfeit Chinese electronic components found in the thermal weapon sights. Additionally, the Eurozone officially enters a recession while Greek journalist Costas Vaxevanis faces a retrial for leaking the Lagarde List of tax evaders. Adam Curry celebrates passing his amateur radio General Class license exam and plans to pursue the Extra Class license to help make Morse code popular again. The show also highlights a blunt quote from Curry in Wired magazine regarding an iOS 6 podcast bug that caused massive data spikes for listeners. Between discussions of the fiscal cliff and the Jimmy Savile scandal, the hosts prepare for a live Thanksgiving broadcast while mocking the traditional American pilgrim narrative.

The David Petraeus scandal deepens as new theories link the CIA director's downfall to a covert weapons smuggling operation between Benghazi and Syrian rebels. Paula Broadwell, Jill Kelly, and Natalie Kawam emerge as central figures in a narrative involving the FBI-CIA rivalry and unauthorized disclosures regarding the Benghazi annex. President Obama continues to defend UN Ambassador Susan Rice against Senate opposition led by John McCain and Lindsey Graham. Global unrest intensifies as coordinated general strikes across Spain, Portugal, and Greece protest severe austerity measures while the BBC reports on violent clashes in Madrid. In China, the Communist Party completes its leadership transition to Xi Jinping, notably shrinking the Standing Committee to seven members. Financial analyst Marc Faber warns of a total global reset, predicting a 50% asset devaluation driven by unsustainable debt levels and market-forced corrections. Meanwhile, a massive neighborhood explosion in Indianapolis draws federal scrutiny from the DHS and NTSB, sparking skepticism over the official natural gas explanation. Cornel West delivers a blistering critique of the Obama administration on Democracy Now, while Chuck Woolery and Miss Texas Holly Gardner advocate for the Second Amendment. The hosts also explore the scientific discovery of oxytocin as a monogamy hormone, jokingly rebranded as No-Stray Spray. This episode features executive producers Mark Dytham and Dame Astrid alongside a special report on the USS Liberty from Donald P. Gregg.

David Petraeus resigned as CIA Director following an affair with biographer Paula Broadwell, though the timing suggests a tactical move to avoid Benghazi testimony. The White House reportedly pressured Petraeus to maintain a specific narrative regarding the Libya attack, with Mike Morell now positioned to testify. This departure coincides with a broader purge of military and industrial leadership, including the sudden resignation of the new Lockheed Martin CEO. Secondary departures include Rear Admiral Gaouette and General Carter Ham, while FBI agents reportedly refused to enter the Benghazi site due to safety concerns. In Washington, the homes of Nancy Pelosi and Dennis Kucinich were burglarized in a single weekend, resulting in the theft of laptops and sensitive electronics. Meanwhile, President Obama extended the 1979 national emergency regarding Iran, maintaining expanded executive powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In the UK, BBC Director General George Entwistle resigned after only 50 days following the Newsnight child abuse scandal involving Jimmy Savile. Adam Curry shares a behind-the-scenes look at his voiceover audition for a McDonald's McRib commercial, complete with the juicy goodness tagline. John C. Dvorak analyzes the emotional on-air breakdown of NBC's Andrea Mitchell during the Petraeus announcement. The episode concludes with a formal knighting ceremony for the No Agenda Roundtable and a look at the Hitler meme that inspired the episode title.

Barack Obama secured a second term as President of the United States, triggering an immediate stock market downturn and speculation regarding Joe Biden for 2016. ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer faced public scrutiny for her election night performance, while Chris Matthews at MSNBC drew criticism for dismissive comments toward third-party voters. The electoral map shifted significantly as Washington and Colorado voters approved recreational marijuana legalization, contrasting with the defeat of California Proposition 37 regarding GMO labeling. Legal experts warn that Washington Initiative 502 includes strict DUI provisions that may penalize drivers based on THC blood levels rather than active impairment. In the financial sector, Marc Faber predicts a potential economic collapse due to Ben Bernanke and the Federal Reserve enabling endless debt escalation. Geopolitical tensions rise as Admiral James Lyons questions the Benghazi response timeline and the removal of General Carter Ham. Meanwhile, Afghanistan began commercial oil production at the Angot field, sending crude to China while the TAPI gas pipeline project expands to include Bangladesh. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen signaled new alliance capabilities as the Greek parliament passed severe austerity measures and water privatization laws. Media incompetence took center stage as a CNN reporter repeatedly used the phrase exactly similar to describe conflicting voting data. The No Agenda amateur radio network expanded its reach via EchoLink node 780399 as the hosts performed de-douching ceremonies for new donors. Personal anecdotes regarding the oral health risks of quitting smoking and the rise of the vajacial beauty trend provided a human counterpoint to the heavy political analysis of the 2012 cycle.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak broadcast from San Francisco following a high-stakes charity gala for the Reconstructive Surgery Foundation. The event, attended by elite medical venture capitalists from firms like Kleiner Perkins, serves as a backdrop for a deep dive into the political leanings of the hyper-wealthy. Curry details his interactions with billionaire donors while exposing the massive wine markups at the Ritz Carlton Parallel 37, where rare bottles like the 1947 Cheval Blanc command five-figure prices. The global landscape shifts as Hurricane Sandy's aftermath reveals a stark disparity between media narratives and reality. While NBC hosts benefit concerts featuring Bruce Springsteen, reports from Haiti indicate a rice price surge and a cholera outbreak following a controversial visit by Bill and Hillary Clinton to a South Korean-run garment factory. In the Balkans, Madeleine Albright faces war criminal accusations during a Prague book signing, while in Russia, Vladimir Putin struggles with health rumors following a suspicious back injury in Vladivostok. Meanwhile, the Afghan saffron market collapses as Iranian smugglers seize control of the trade, and new theories suggest U.S. drone strikes in Yemen are targeting the khat stimulant supply chain rather than terrorist cells. Technical glitches and ham radio failures haunt the session as Curry battles a severe Texas mold allergy and an infected eye treated with chamomile tea. Between critiques of the British two-pound coin's resemblance to Osama bin Laden and John C. Dvorak's meta-prepper strategy of using silent electric vehicles to raid neighbors, the duo introduces the What's John Eating segment featuring a seasonal persimmon. The broadcast concludes with a stern warning about the sustainability of the No Agenda model and a look at Gary Johnson's unconventional stance on puppy punching.

President Barack Obama appeared in Wisconsin wearing a souvenir-style Air Force One flight jacket to project military leadership during the Hurricane Sandy state of emergency. This calculated political imagery coincides with physicist Michio Kaku’s appearance on CNN, where he detailed the unprecedented collision of three air masses that created the 800-mile-wide storm. While the administration manages the optics of the disaster, conspiracy theorists and insurance adjusters are already navigating the fallout of property damage and potential fraud across the Jersey Shore. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano used the utility outages to lobby for increased cyber security funding at a Washington Post symposium, citing questionable Norton data claiming $114 billion in annual cybercrime losses. Meanwhile, Rachel Maddow and General Electric are advocating for a national stimulus to bury power lines, even as thorium nuclear reactors are proposed as a more resilient alternative to the gas plants that exploded during the surge. In Greece, journalist Costas Vaxevanis faces imprisonment for leaking the Lagarde List of 2,000 alleged tax evaders, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Kosovo to solidify Western interests in regional energy pipelines. Author Brian Evenson breaks down the specific Mormon cadence in Mitt Romney’s speech patterns that mirrors LDS general authorities. The Red Cross and UNICEF face scrutiny over administrative overhead compared to direct community aid, while George Lucas hands the keys of the Star Wars universe to Disney in a massive four-billion-dollar acquisition. The segment concludes with a look at the Belgian prison system’s security failure after a chaplain lost a master key to 180 cells.

The BBC sexual abuse scandal involving the late Sir Jimmy Savile expands as London police investigate over 300 potential cases of predatory behavior. Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini breaks silence on institutional knowledge of Savile's actions, criticizing the British establishment for vetting the presenter for a knighthood despite long-standing rumors of necrophilia. The investigation now points toward a widespread pedophile network involving high-ranking politicians linked to 10 Downing Street. Rear Admiral Charles Gaouette faces removal from duty after allegedly attempting to assist American forces in Benghazi against stand-down orders. Meanwhile, IBM introduces Watson-powered medical analytics to predict patient treatments, fulfilling a long-predicted marketing pivot for the AI technology. In China, over 1,000 protesters in Ningbo successfully suspend a petrochemical plant expansion, signaling a rise in the NIMBY movement against industrial pollution. The Associated Press releases a controversial poll claiming a spike in anti-black prejudice, though critics debunk the methodology for using implicit testing with Chinese characters. Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak attempt a technical amateur radio test between Austin and Silicon Valley using call signs KF5SLN and KJ6LNG. The technical failure leads to a proposal for a dedicated No Agenda radio reflector to bypass internet reliance. Dvorak also celebrates the release of the mystery novel Hot Diggity Dead, authored by his son, known to the audience as Buzzkill Jr.

The Obama administration faces mounting scrutiny over the Disposition Matrix, a permanent database used to track and target terrorism suspects for capture or assassination. During the final 2012 presidential debate, both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney signaled bipartisan support for the continued use of drone strikes, while DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz dismissed inquiries regarding the White House kill list as non-serious. This expansion of executive power coincides with a 158-page United Nations document from the UNODC that seeks to harmonize global laws against the terrorist use of the internet. Investigation into the Benghazi consulate attack reveals redacted State Department emails and a claim of responsibility by Ansar al-Sharia that spokesperson Victoria Nuland struggled to clarify during press briefings. General Wesley Clark and Congressman Jason Chaffetz clashed on CNN over security failures, while reports surfaced of a suspect held in Tunisia whom US authorities have yet to interview. Domestically, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is driving Swiss banks to drop American clients, forcing expatriates to navigate a five-year tax compliance gauntlet and potential exit taxes. Meanwhile, the UK is intensifying arrests for social media posts, and US voters report early voting glitches in North Carolina where machines reportedly flipped votes between candidates. Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak celebrate the fifth anniversary of the program by revisiting the four-minute phone call that launched the show in 2007. Longtime artist Martin JJ announces his semi-retirement from the No Agenda Art Generator, while the hosts explore whether podcasters now qualify for the Producers Guild of America. The technical production of the debates is deconstructed, specifically the use of cross-camera angles to manipulate the perceived height of the candidates.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) introduces Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, a pediatric classification that critics argue facilitates the marketing of antipsychotics like Haldol to children. Reports from the Erowid Experience Vault detail severe physical reactions to such medications, including tardive dyskinesia and involuntary muscle spasms. Meanwhile, President Obama faces backlash for describing the Benghazi attack as "not optimal" during a Daily Show interview with Jon Stewart. Global commodity shifts see sugar prices triple since 2009, while the Wall Street Journal warns of a 1.3 billion bottle wine shortage across France, Italy, and Spain. In California, Monsanto and DuPont fund the opposition to Proposition 37 to prevent mandatory GMO labeling. The Department of Homeland Security graduates its first class of FEMA Corps youth, as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warns of an impending Cyber Pearl Harbor. In Haiti, Hillary Clinton opens the Caracol Industrial Park despite 300,000 citizens remaining in tents following the cholera outbreak. Domestic surveillance expands as the Alameda County Sheriff tests proactive policing drones during the Urban Shield 2012 exercises. Technical oddities define the week as a refurbished vintage AM transmitter from KSFO is modified for amateur radio use in Austin. A listener in Sioux City celebrates a new donut shop opening with an Atlas Shrugged jingle, while others seek karma for job searches and birthdays. The League of Women Voters history reveals why they abandoned presidential debates, calling the current Commission on Presidential Debates a charade.

The second 2012 presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney faced immediate scrutiny for its surreal production quality and a controversial live fact-check by moderator Candy Crowley. The dispute centered on the administration's framing of the Benghazi attack as an act of terror, while the Wall Street Journal simultaneously identified Ahmed Abu Khattala as a primary suspect. Critics suggest the event felt scripted, noting the set's resemblance to an auto showroom and the distracting vocal reactions from an invisible audience. Global tensions rise as Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren warns of a potential world war during an appearance on The View, while a U.S. drone strike in Yemen reportedly kills eight Al-Qaeda operatives. In the UK, Home Secretary Theresa May blocked the extradition of hacker Gary McKinnon to the United States on human rights grounds. Domestically, the FBI arrested Kazi Nafis in a sting operation for a plot to bomb the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, an event some label as orchestrated entrapment. Meanwhile, the House Intelligence Committee issued warnings against Chinese telecom giant Huawei, citing national security risks and potential cyber warfare capabilities. Personal stories and medical warnings round out the report, including a blind man in Lancashire being tasered after police mistook his cane for a samurai sword. A psychiatrist warns that the drug Haloperidol can turn patients into a zombie-like state, while the Wellcome Trust faces criticism for a report that appears to market Ritalin to children. The episode concludes with a knighting ceremony for Sir Toby Knotts as the show approaches its fifth anniversary of listener-supported broadcasting.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta issued a stark warning of a looming Cyber Pearl Harbor, citing the Shamoon virus attack on Saudi Aramco as a precursor to potential national catastrophe. This rhetoric serves as the foundation for a push toward new cybersecurity legislation that would grant corporations legal immunity for sharing private user data with the federal government. The hosts deconstruct this narrative, suggesting the threat is being amplified to justify total internet monitoring and the implementation of the EU-led CleanIT project. In the wake of the vice presidential debate, Joe Biden faces scrutiny for claiming he opposed funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on credit, despite legislative records from 2001 and 2002 showing he voted in favor of both authorizations of force. Meanwhile, the Obama administration and Hillary Clinton’s State Department appear at odds over security failures in Benghazi, as Jay Carney denies knowledge of requested reinforcements. Secondary stories include the indictment of eleven individuals in Houston for exporting militarized microchips to Russia and the exposure of union-led astro-turfing behind the recent Walmart strikes. Adam Curry accidentally destroys his desk lamp during a high-energy knighting ceremony for Thomas Weiler and Kim Moore. The program also features a look back at 1993 CNET pilot tapes involving Halsey Minor and a critical analysis of the European Union receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. John C. Dvorak provides a skeptical take on the probability of cyber attacks originating from mud huts in Waziristan while the duo explores the etymology of common vulgarities.

The Obama administration faces intense scrutiny as a shifting narrative regarding the September 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, moves from a spontaneous protest to a coordinated Al-Qaeda assault. Representative Darrell Issa and Representative Jason Chaffetz lead a House Oversight Committee hearing revealing that the State Department and FBI possess video evidence contradicting the initial White House claims. Pat Smith, mother of Information Officer Sean Smith, publicly challenges Susan Rice and Leon Panetta over the lack of transparency regarding the tragedy. Legal and corporate maneuvers dominate the domestic landscape as the U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear challenges to telecommunications immunity, effectively shielding companies involved in warrantless wiretapping. Meanwhile, a technical flaw in Apple iOS 6 causes massive cellular data overages, and the UK is rocked by the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal involving the BBC and potential elite pedophile rings at Haut de la Garenne. In the technology sector, a congressional committee advises American firms to avoid Huawei and ZTE, citing national security risks that critics suggest are fueled by Cisco lobbying. Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak celebrate the fifth anniversary of the program by conducting a formal knighthood ceremony for top-tier producers Michael Klink and Rick Bressler. The hosts examine the medicalization of poverty following reports of pediatricians prescribing Adderall to low-income students to compensate for failing school environments. The session concludes with a look at Gary Johnson's antitrust lawsuit against the Commission on Presidential Debates and his proposal for a federal consumption tax.