No Agenda Show – Episode 1793: "Retribution"

Date: August 24, 2025
Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak
Theme: Deconstructing the Media, Political Retribution, Government Overreach, Social Shifts, and International Shenanigans

Episode Overview

In Episode 1793, Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak dive into current events and media narratives, dissecting stories dominated by claims of political retribution, government weaponization, and the ongoing erosion of journalistic integrity. The show traverses high-profile political raids, the circus of immigration policy, shifting generational values, international unrest, and the cyclical hysteria around “the R word”—Retribution. The duo also examine the performance of the media’s newest “celebrity” AI, practical labor market developments, and the ongoing fog surrounding global conflicts (Ukraine, Gaza). The episode maintains the No Agenda tradition of irreverence, skepticism, and humor while encouraging listeners to “do something” beyond complaining online.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Abrego Garcia Immigration Farce

• [00:22–07:08]
  • Coverage of the saga of Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a Salvadoran national facing bizarre deportation threats to Uganda after legal wrangling in the US.
  • Critique of media language: “Maryland man” becomes “Maryland father”; hosts mock Fox, PBS, and BBC for propagandistic phrasing.
  • Curry: “We have been doing business with Uganda. ... And as a non. Yes, the international arms dealer here in Fredericksburg continues.” [04:31]
  • US deals of sending deportees to Uganda, referencing the UK's failed Rwanda deal.
  • The “Catch-22” where betting on criminal records determines eligible countries for deportation.
  • Comedic anecdote: Ugandan pilots trained via YouTube to fly C130s, leading to frequent crashes and a perpetual demand for new planes.
  • Adam and John highlight the farcical element, questioning activist motives.

2. Political Retribution & Weaponization: The Bolton Raid

• [07:10–14:14]
  • Former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s home and office raided by the FBI allegedly over classified documents.
  • Media confusion: Was Bolton present during the raid? Three versions reported.
  • “Retribution” vs. “Justice”: Discussion on whether these actions stem from justice or targeted vengeance—especially after Bolton criticized Trump.
  • Adam: “This is the new. This is it now. Retribution presidency. The new R word this week starts right now.” [10:05]
  • John: “I purposely don't want to really get involved in it. I'm not a fan of John Bolton. I thought it was a sleaze bag, actually.” [08:41]
  • Michael Cohen’s TV commentary predicts Bolton will be indicted and likens his fate to that of Reality Winner.
  • Hosts debate the likelihood of Bolton being careless with documents and the media’s lack of nuance.

3. The Cycle of Outrage & the Emptiness of News Content

• [14:29–21:08]
  • Satire of endless media outrage cycles and the decline of gaffe-rich TV now that personalities like Rachel Maddow and Jen Psaki have reduced airtime.
  • Viral gaffe: An Associated Press anchor unable to read a simple news line, becoming symbolic of content dilution. Adam: “That person could be replaced by AI. That would actually be an improvement.” [20:48]

4. Labor Market Realities – Apprenticeships and Job Openings

• [21:08–27:32]
  • Boots-on-the-ground feedback: Skilled trades (electrician, plumber, machinist) are experiencing a resurgence, with plentiful apprenticeships even in Gen Z.
  • Air Traffic Controller “boots on the ground” report: FAA is desperate for young recruits; requirements and government job benefits discussed.
  • The gap between practical training and “useless” degrees highlighted; testimonials from workers in the field.

5. Gen Z Political Shift & Urban Crime Narrative

• [27:32–38:06]
  • John: Gen Z unexpectedly trending Republican—both men and, increasingly, women.
  • The Democratic Party assumes youth equals Democratic voting bloc and fails to see the shift.
  • Discussion of efforts (led by Trump) to "crack down" on urban crime (e.g., Chicago), with hosts debunking city statistics and criticizing under-reporting/misreporting:
    • Adam: “Notice the homicides. Well, you know, less people died from the shooting. There's other people maimed and full of holes. But it's, it's, it's good. We're trending down. Absolutely.” [32:10]
    • Crime numbers are being manipulated for political purposes; references to “The Wire,” and how local newsrooms no longer scrutinize public safety data.

6. Citizen Reporting & Independent Media

• [38:06–41:09]
  • Praising citizen journos like HeyJackass.com for real data on shootings.
  • Hosts bemoan the loss of local reporting, encouraging listeners to blog, start podcasts, or take to Substack.
  • Adam: “We got blogs, we got Substack. Get out there and start reporting on stuff.” [37:49]

7. International News Roundup

UK: Immigration and Social Malaise

• [43:20–48:55]
  • Anti-migrant protests; UK Labour faces internal backlash due to handling of immigration.
  • Boots-on-the-ground email from Peter: Middle-class Brits are "despondent," fleeing or wanting to leave the country amid economic and social decline.

Global Bureaucracies & The UN

• [49:04–55:27]
  • Spotlight on Amy Pope (International Organization for Migration) as the new archetype of international bureaucratic “evil”—run by unelected, unaccountable elites.
  • The UN’s expansion of “climate change = migration” rhetoric and the Western public’s complicity.
  • Adam’s recurring rally: stop complaining, act locally, and stop scapegoating “the elites.”
    • Adam: “You are to blame. That's what the problem is.” [55:27]

Africa: Nigeria’s Security Crisis

• [58:39–61:12]
  • Nigerian military operations against gangs, mass kidnappings, and the country’s status as homeland to most of the world’s black billionaires.
  • Humorous aside: Email scams (“Nigerian prince”) are GDP-sanctioned activities.

Ukraine, Russia, NATO

• [61:14–73:45]
  • Segment opens with NATO’s Mark Rutte speaking in classic bureaucratic circles (“interoperability,” “irreversible path” for Ukraine).
  • Ongoing sanctions and “decisive moments” for war: Trump’s approach to “massive sanctions or tariffs,” US restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons against Russia.
  • Interview with Gen. Petraeus: Death tolls in Ukraine/Russia rivaling US losses in Vietnam; hosts skeptical of reported statistics.
  • Commentary on why Western media never show the war carnage—suppression aids arms sales.
  • Nord Stream pipeline sabotage suspect arrested (Ukrainian national) in Germany—hosts ridicule the official “explanations.”

Gaza/Israel – Competing Narratives

• [76:07–83:49]
  • Adam and John mock reports of “33 killed,” noting its frequent use as a “signal number” in reporting.
  • PBS interview with Oxfam about “man-made famine” in Gaza; hosts criticize fundraising spin and lack of balance in reporting.
  • UN condemnation of Israeli settlements and the international political positioning around Palestine.

Egypt – Finding Atlantis and Blaming Climate Change

• [85:09–86:27]
  • Discovery of ancient city off Alexandria is immediately linked to “climate change” by news reports. Hosts scoff.

Health “Panics”: Vibrio Bacteria, Radioactive Shrimp

• [86:39–91:19]
  • Confused health reporting about flesh-eating bacteria and radioactive shrimp tied to climate change and international food production.

8. US Domestic Policy Theater

Ghislaine Maxwell’s “Exoneration” of Trump (Epstein Case)

• [91:51–96:03]
  • Audio from interviews where Maxwell “clears” Trump of involvement in sexual misconduct—hosts lampoon the futility and performative nature of the release.

Mail-in Ballots “Fraud” Debate

• [96:03–106:20]
  • PBS segment examining Trump’s pledge to ban mail-in voting via executive order; expert debunks the legal possibility.
  • Discussion of the constitutional basis (Article 1, Section 4)—Congress, not the president, sets rules for federal elections; states manage the rest.
  • Hosts scrutinize language in the expert’s answer: “no evidence of fraud that could have affected the election,” suggesting space for mischief.

Tariff & Trade Policies

• [107:52–114:55]
  • US/Eu tariffs, elimination of the “de minimis” threshold on low-value imports (impacting Chinese e-commerce).
  • Discovery that the $800 threshold was set under Obama (via a Republican-sponsored law), now lowered to $100.

DEI Purge: Target, Smithsonian, and the End of “Wokeness”

• [169:24–174:49]
  • Target CEO steps down amid declining sales and backlash over handling of DEI.
  • President Trump targets the Smithsonian’s approach to DEI/wokeness; New York Times laments the political purge of cultural institutions. Hosts recall historical precedent for government-driven “culture cleansing.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On News Integrity:
  John: “This is not reporting. This is propaganda.” [01:14]
• On Urban Crime Stats:
  Adam: “I don't think I've heard it under double digits ever, just from the weekend. How many people were shot in Chicago?” [31:23]
• On Political Shifts:
  John: “The entire Gen Z is going to be a Republican voting bloc.” [28:01]
• On Complaining vs. Action:
  Adam: “Go run for your local school board, your city council...Stop your complaining and let the podcasters do the work for you.” [53:48]
• On Bureaucratic Elite:
  John: “These are lawless, faithless, ghoulish people who are in it for all of the wrong. They're in it for pride, for greed, for jealousy positions.” [57:08]
• On AI "Productivity":
  John: “It did nothing. Nothing at all. ... So, what's the point?” [164:21–164:29]

Additional Show Highlights

- Podcasting Satire & AI Voice Parody

• Taylor Swift “appearing” on a podcast (AI deepfake clip: [41:48])
  • "I honestly think President Trump is the sexiest motherfucker alive. I mean, hot damn, that man is hot." – “Taylor Swift” (AI) [42:08]
• Hosts mock the content barrenness of modern measured, mainstream shows.

- TikTok & Social Media Satire

• Ban threats vs. government usage; the spread of TikTok culture into US politics.

- Gen Z on Work/Economy

• Viral TikTok rants: Soil biology PhDs can’t find jobs; complaints about having to "work".
• “As a leftist, I really don't want a job”—[126:17]

- No Agenda Tip of the Day

• John’s Culinary Tip: Pumpkin seed oil + balsamic + fresh tomato (preferably heirloom or Ace varieties) during peak season—[200:00]

Segment Guide / Notable Timestamps

• Opening & Media Propaganda: [00:00–05:00]
• Immigration Irony (Abrego Garcia & Uganda): [02:09–07:08]
• Bolton/FBI Raid & Retribution Presidency: [07:10–14:14]
• Media Content Emptiness & Viral Gaffes: [14:29–21:08]
• Labor Market & Apprenticeships: [21:08–27:32]
• Gen Z Political Shift & Urban Crime Data: [27:32–38:06]
• Citizen Reporting & Media Accountability: [38:06–41:09]
• International News (UK, UN, Nigeria, Ukraine): [43:20–75:57]
• Gaza (Oxfam, Reporting Bias), UN Palestine: [76:07–83:49]
• Health Panics & Climate Excuses: [86:39–91:19]
• Mail-in Voting Debate: [96:03–106:20]
• Tariffs & Trade History: [107:52–114:55]
• DEI Culture Wars (Target, Smithsonian): [169:24–174:49]
• NPR & ‘Nerd’ Etymology: [175:11–178:46]
• Meetups & No Agenda Community: [193:21–197:36]
• Tip of the Day & Episode Outro: [200:00–end]

Overall Tone

• Irreverent, humorous, and highly skeptical.
• Intentionally critical of mainstream media, official narratives, and public passivity.
• Encouraging listeners to take action, be informed, and connect locally beyond online complaints.
• Occasional playful self-mockery and extended asides about language, history, culture, and food.

For Listeners

Best For: Anyone wanting a critical, comedic breakdown of the week’s political and media landscape—with a focus on the absurd, the propagandistic, and the unintended consequences of policy and reporting.
Tip: Follow the segment guide above for targeted listening. Episode 1793 is especially rich in commentary on recent political blowback, narrative-building in the media, and the importance of proactivity in public life.