Topic: American Sniper

The military-industrial complex's influence on Hollywood is explored through films like American Sniper and Zero Dark Thirty. Belzer explains that the Pentagon and CIA often provide military hardware for productions in exchange for script approval, ensuring a positive portrayal of the armed forces. Reference is made to Carl Bernstein's 1974 reporting on the hundreds of news publications that historically received direct talking points from the CIA.

Greg Carlwood recaps the "Plus" version of the episode, which covers GMO legislation, charter schools, and banking favors in the 114th Congress. He encourages listeners to engage in local politics, such as fighting for public internet or changing marijuana laws, rather than waiting for national shifts. The outro includes a brief mention of his appearance on Marty Leeds' podcast and a critique of the film American Sniper.