No Agenda Show – Episode 1809: "Tomahawk Turnaround"

Date: October 19, 2025
Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak

Main Theme & Overview

In this episode, Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak deliver another whirlwind of media deconstruction, focusing extensively on recent protest movements (notably "No Kings Day"), the persistent confusion about American government systems, global political maneuverings, the evolution of media narratives, and the latest trends in pop culture and generational slang. The hosts also critique the state of activism, geopolitical conflicts, and the peculiarities of American life and media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. No Kings Day: Protest Recap & Analysis

• No Kings Day: Nationwide rallies protesting against "kingly" figures and alleged anti-democratic tendencies, heavily focusing on Trump.
  • Some Republicans dubbed it a “hate America” rally, anticipating violence, which didn't materialize.
  • [01:25] “Better would be if they’d rioted and actually made a fuss that had pulled a George Floyd.” (Adam Curry)
  • Many in the crowd held American flags, which the hosts note is rare for left-leaning protests.
• Vapid Protest Messaging:
  • The hosts highlight how man-on-the-street interviews reveal little concrete reasoning; most participants simply say, “We hate Trump.”
  • [05:11] “Trump’s a bitch.”
    “Why is that?” – “I don’t know. We just don’t like him.” (Protester, clip played by Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak)
• Unity Unicorn:
  Protester in a unicorn suit claims, “We're here doing a peaceful protest, trying to get our democracy back,” and hands out water (?07:19).
• Media Coverage Critique:
  • NPR and mainstream outlets—accused of slant and excessive coverage.
  • Focus on older crowds, “Old, unreconstructed hippie ladies ... just look dreadful.”
    [12:42] (Adam Curry)

2. Misunderstanding “Democracy” vs “Republic”

• The hosts deeply analyze and bemoan the increasingly prevalent misuse of “democracy” for “constitutional republic.”
  • [09:19] “We are a constitutional republic; we’re not a constitutional democracy.” (Adam Curry)
  • They express frustration over how even politicians and media get this wrong, resulting in fundamental confusion in protest movements.

3. Protest Chants & Messaging

• Protesters borrowed old rhyme/chant formats, but with nonsensical or misapplied content:
  • [11:14] “Get FEMA out of DHS.”
  • [11:32] “Hey, hey, Donald J. How many kids did you starve today?”
• Discussion about many participants being older and seemingly out of touch, with few young people visible or filming on phones.

4. Media Deconstruction: NPR & Corporate News

• The hosts break down NPR’s report and mainstream coverage, arguing that they overinflate protest significance and continually reinforce a slanted worldview.
• [13:03] Adam: “NPR wants their funding back ...”

5. Race, Policing & Firearms Discourse

• Critique of Don Lemon's call for minorities to arm themselves amid claims of due process violations.
  • [18:48] John: “Go out and get a gun legally. ... Isn’t that what the Second Amendment was written for?”
• Hosts question the prevalence or validity of activists' claims about police behavior—ask, “Where is the video evidence?”

6. US Anti-Narcotics Operations & International Affairs

• Deep dive into US military campaigns against drug traffickers in the Caribbean and implications for northern European drug routes.
  • [21:29] Adam: “Drugs is the business ... Netherlands is a narco state.”
  • The US is striking more drug-running boats, sometimes with presumed collateral casualties.
• Examination of claims about “extrajudicial killings” and complex geopolitics involving Colombia and Venezuela.
• Joke about mainstream media always reframing US actions as possibly illegal: “Human rights experts have described the strikes as extrajudicial killings.”
  [25:28] John C. Dvorak

7. France: Sanctions, Bank Fines, and Economic Woes

• BNP Paribas found complicit in Sudanese atrocities, potentially facing billions in further damages.
• France’s credit rating downgraded — a move the hosts suggest is tied to international pressure and shifting political alliances.
  • [35:44] John: “S&P projects France’s debt will rise to 121% of GDP by 2028.”

8. Ukraine/Russia Peace Proposals & The “Tomahawk Turnaround”

• President Trump presses Ukraine and Russia toward a ceasefire, proposing to freeze conflict along current lines.
  • Zelensky visits D.C. seeking Tomahawk missiles— US holds back, fearing escalation.
• Media Manipulation:
  • NPR and others present “man on the street” interviews without real Ukrainian voices, only NGO talking heads.
  • [42:31] “Can I hear one Ukrainian voice just once? ... It’s always some analyst.” (John C. Dvorak)
• Speculation over a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest and diplomatic wrangling over potential arrest warrants for Putin.
  • [53:32] Queen Ursula (Von der Leyen) gives cautious approval, emphasizing a “just and lasting peace.”

9. Israel, Gaza & Persistent Tensions

• Update on Gaza ceasefire, delays in returning hostage bodies, and ongoing military operations.
• Critique of the European Union’s pivot toward Mediterranean integration after the “war’s end.”
  • [55:22] Adam reads Ursula von der Leyen’s speech about a “shared Mediterranean home,” which the hosts lampoon.

10. Antisemitism & No-Go Zones in Britain

• Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans banned from Birmingham game over “safety,” widely interpreted as the creation of a Jewish “no go zone”—sharply criticized by conservative commentators.
  • [63:58] John: “No go zone for Jew. No Jews here. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.”

11. Listener Feedback & Inside-Baseball Chat

• Extended reading of letters from listeners on topics including criticism, donation appeals, podcasting methods, and recurring gripes about hosts’ attitudes.
  • [66:11+] A running gag about deconstructing Tucker Carlson, and jokes about “Tucker Derangement Syndrome.”
• Defense of their donation model:
  • [145:06] “You have to have some sincerity… Do you want the money or not?... It’s called asking.” (John)
  • Hosts explain the necessity of “bitching and moaning” to keep the show funded.

12. Podcasting, Video, & Generational Learning

• Conversation about the resistance to video for the No Agenda Show and how the “cone of learning” supports audio retention if listeners actually focus.
  • [76:57] “We are teaching people to listen ... you hear a lot more.” (Adam)

13. Gen Z Slang, Game Shows, and Culture

• Analysis of Gen Z phenomena—from “67” (nonsensical slang) to an American game show where contestants can’t read analog clocks.
  • [80:10] John: “...there would be a game show where adult human beings were tested on their ability to read clock.”
• Talk of TikTok trends, parent/child generational divides, and broader implications for American education and culture.

14. Gen Z-Driven Political Unrest Worldwide

• Observing regime-change efforts and mass youth activism in Morocco, Madagascar, Peru, et al.
• Speculation on whether the coordination is grassroots or an intelligence agency’s “color revolution” playbook.
  • [91:45+] “I think it’s amazing that some Gen Z protests are turning out this way and no one is seeing this.”

15. Religion as “Obsolete” & the Evolution of Faith

• John presents a sociologist’s argument that traditional religions are becoming culturally obsolete—replaced by other identity or spiritual mechanisms.
  • [98:49+] “Obsolete... not that it’s extinct, just not as practiced.”
• Adam: “The internet became the religion.”
  • Critique of churches failing to adapt; “socialization” could provide for youth what older religious forms cannot.

16. Pop Culture: Taylor Swift’s 39 Album Variants

• Taylor Swift’s unprecedented marketing strategy—releasing dozens of collectible versions of the same album for rabid fans.
  • [114:06] “She has an audience that is buying 38 copies of the exact same product.”
• Hosts see it as both fan service and genius exploitation; parallels drawn to Beanie Babies and soda flavors.
  • “Say you buy 20 of these things—Billboard says that’s 20 sales. It helps you get to #1. It’s bull crap.” (Adam, [118:14])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Protester Messaging:
  [05:11]

  “Trump’s a bitch.”
  “Why is that?”
  “I don’t know. We just don’t like him.”
  (Protester, via John & Adam’s field clips)

• On American Civic Ignorance:
  [39:07]

  “This is it. It’s that this is what democracy looks like, which is, you know, we learned that if you paid attention to school...”
  (John C. Dvorak)

• On France’s Economic Downturn:
  [36:02]

  “S&P projects France’s debt will rise to 121% of GDP by 2028, 9% more than last year.”
  (John C. Dvorak)

• On Gen Z Slang:
  [81:41]

  “Six, seven. You’ve got the tone down... it really means nothing at all. But unlike most Internet trends, this one seems to be sticking around...”
  (Segment on “67” trend)

• On Religion Going Obsolete:
  [98:49]

  “Obsolete... not that it’s extinct, just not as practiced.”
  (Notre Dame sociology professor, via John)

• On Bitching and Moaning for Donations:
  [145:06]

  “You have to have some sincerity ... Do you want the money or not?... It’s called asking for the money.”
  (John C. Dvorak)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• No Kings Day protest analysis & field clips: [00:41] – [16:54]
• Democracy vs. Republic explanation: [09:19] – [10:56]
• Protest chants & street party vibe: [10:53] – [12:57]
• NPR/Media coverage critique: [12:14] – [15:46]
• Don Lemon, policing, 2A talk: [18:13] – [20:33]
• US strikes on narco boats: [21:29] – [29:00]
• France, BNP, economic downgrades: [32:08] – [37:41]
• Ukraine diplomacy & media analysis: [38:17] – [54:05]
• EU, Gaza ceasefire, refugee narratives: [54:39] – [59:01]
• Antisemitism and UK football banning: [59:56] – [64:06]
• Listener emails, donation model, Tucker riffs: [66:11] – [71:30]
• Podcasting, learning retention, value-for-value defense: [74:02] – [77:14]
• Gen Z, cultural rot, “67” trend: [78:02] – [89:34]
• Youth activism, global protests: [89:44] – [95:44]
• Religion, socialization, new spiritualities: [96:14] – [110:17]
• Taylor Swift album variants/marketing deconstruction: [110:19] – [124:49]

The Tone & Style

As always, the hosts maintain a free-flowing, irreverent, and highly skeptical tone—mixing wit, banter, and pointed media critique with off-the-cuff humor and inside podcast jokes. They’re unafraid to lampoon sacred cows (in activism, politics, and media), frequently referencing both right- and left-wing foibles, and highlight the ways in which media narratives, education, and pop culture confuse or mislead.

Final Thoughts

Episode 1809 is classic No Agenda: an immersive, fast-paced, and thought-provoking journey through headlines, activism, the dangers of media groupthink, generational divides, and the absurdities of modern political and popular culture—with plenty of spicy banter, audience engagement, and behind-the-scenes insight into the art of media deconstruction.