Topic: Bio Weapon

The U.S. State Department and Secretary of State Antony Blinken issue warnings that Vladimir Putin may be preparing to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. The hosts observe a rhetorical shift in media coverage where previous discussions regarding biological laboratories are being replaced by warnings of imminent chemical warfare.

The Netflix series "Designated Survivor" features a season three plotline involving a bio-weapon designed by a Republican strategist to target and sterilize minority populations. This narrative is identified as a variation of an old science fiction trope previously seen in "Stargate SG-1." The show's portrayal of political corruption is viewed as a tool for demeaning the Republican Party through popular entertainment.

The hosts offer several predictions for 2014, including a significant decline in Apple's stock following a poor product rollout. Other forecasts include an accidental bio-weapon release from a space station, a major rupture of the San Andreas Fault, and the invasion of Turkey. These predictions range from technological shifts to global geopolitical catastrophes.

The Washington Post reports federal concerns regarding a rogue manufacturer of botulinum toxin in Chechnya. The hosts discuss the potential for the raw material used in Botox to be diverted for use as a biological weapon.

A new media "meme" warns of a likely biological weapon attack by the year 2013. The hosts analyze a report from Senators Graham and Talent suggesting that the risk of a mass-casualty event is increasing due to the accessibility of biological materials.