Authors and journalists Howard Wolinsky and Tom Brune discuss their book “The Serpent on the Staff: The Unhealthy Politics of the American Medical Association.” They discuss the political aspects of the healthcare and medical industry in the United States, with particular emphasis placed on the business-side of the American Medical Association (AMA). This program includes an excerpt of an interview with Dr. Quentin Young discussing the AMA. Studs plays "Like a Surgeon" - "Weird Al" Yankovic (1985).

Gordon Adams, political scientist, discusses his book, "The Iron Triangle: The Politics of Defense Contracting." He explores the military budget how it is a drain on the taxpayer's money. Adams explains how private contractors, such as Rockwell Corporation, enter into defense contracts and make money off the government's dependence on the military weapons.

Garry Wills, writer and historian, discusses his book "John Wayne's America: The Politics of Celebrity." He explores the popularity of John Wayne that took him from an actor and made him into an American symbol. He explores how the symbol of John Wayne is used by white male politicians to influence their decisions and how that affected the Vietnam War. Wills gives a biography of John Wayne, including the many influential people in his life such as his working partner, John Ford.

Presenting a rebuttal to editorials opposing the nuclear arms freeze with Dr. Jack Geiger, Dr. George Kistiakowsky, Dr. Herbert (Peter) Schoville and Dr. Kosta Tsipis of MIT.

Cleve Jones talks about the AIDS quilt (NAMES project) that he started, the politics surrounding treating AIDS, and the compassionate feelings that the quilt engenders (compared to American barn raisings). There is a postscript with Mike Savage from Dignity Chicago, a lesbian and gay Catholic organization.

Author, humorist, and poet Calvin Trillin discusses and reads from his book “Enough’s Enough (and Other Rules of Life),” a collection of humorous essays about everyday topics, from social to political. Studs and Trillin discuss why we get cold fronts from Canada, not Greenland; and how to spot a moderate out in public. Studs plays "Out of My Road, Mr. Toad" - Bud Freeman (1970).

Discussing "The Passion of Ayn Rand" (published by Doubleday) with the author Barbara Branden.