Best of the Left Podcast

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Edition #926

Today, instead of trying to convince you of the benefits of feminism, I’m just going to show you the horrors (for everyone) of patriarchy
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Colin Stokes: How movies teach manhood - @TEDTalks - Air Date: 01-18-13

Ch. 3: Song 1: We're Off to See the Wizard - Judy Garland & Ray Bolger


Ch. 4: Act 2: Boys will be boys in a patriarchal society - @citizenradio - Air Date: 5-22-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Boys Will Be Boys - Alisha


Ch. 6: Act 3: Do Videogame Stereotypes Hurt Men? - PBS Game/Show - Air Date: 08-2-13

Ch. 7: Song 3: Main Theme - String Player Gamer


Ch. 8: Act 4: White men never get to tell their stories - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - AIr Date: 1-9-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Express Yourself - Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band


Ch. 10: Act 5: The Sad Puppy Takeover - @onthemedia - Air Date: 4-17-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Patriarchy (Over & Out) - EP - Planningtorock & rRoxymore


Ch. 12: Act 6: What Fuels Sexism on the Internet? - @majorityfm - Air Date: 11-24-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Empathy - Chasing Kings


Ch. 14: Act 7: What Is the Patriarchy? | Feminist Fridays - @marinashutup - Air Date: 11-02-14


Voicemails

Ch. 16: Thoughts on human nature - Ruben from San Jose

Ch. 17: What's the alternative to high stakes testing? - Chris from Colorado Springs

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments on education reforms and it's panic time for the Climate Hike fundraiser

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Edition #979

Today we check in with the front-line forces in the annual holiday tradition of the War on Christmas™ and take a peek at a few other holiday traditions to boot
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Christians Very Offended By Starbucks Holiday Cups - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-10-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: War on Christmas (Band Practice edition) - Jamie Kilstein and the Agenda


00:05:30 Ch. 4: Act 2: Donald Trump Will Win Non-Existent War on Christmas - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 09-29-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Get Down for the Holidays - Jenny O


00:09:12 Ch. 6: Act 3: Green Christmas (1958) - Stan Freberg

Ch. 7: Song 3: White Wine in the Sun - Tim Minchin


00:16:59 Ch. 8: Act 4: The Absurd "War On Christmas" Arrived Early This Year; Big Thanks To Fox News - @ringoffireradio - Air Date 11-13-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: War On Christmas - The Enablers & Friends


00:26:52 Ch. 10: Act 5: It's Merry Christmas, So F&_% Off - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 12-18-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: (It's Good to Be) A Jew At Christmas - What I Like About Jew


00:29:09 Ch. 12: Act 6: 3 Christmas traditions explained - Life Noggin - Air Date: 12-22-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Tiny Tree Christmas - Guster


00:33:14 Ch. 14: Act 7: Anti-Christmas Atheist War Gangs Psychoanalyzed On Bill O’Reilly - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-06-14

Ch. 15: Song 7: The War On the War On Christmas - Macarone


00:38:55 Ch. 16: Act 8: The panopticon on the shelf - Radio Dispatch - Air Date 12-22-14

Ch. 17: Song 8: "Baby It's Cold Outside" Gets a Feminist Remix - caseymh2010


00:50:36 Ch. 18: Act 9: War on Christmas Update: Congressional Resolution Phase - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 12-16-15


00:55:49 Ch. 19: Final comments on the stress and suffering inflicted on those who have to be with their liberal family during the holidays

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 979_The_War_on_Christmas_2015_and_other_stories.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00am EDT

Edition #978

Today we look at the shifting trends of how and why people work and what may happen when the robots take everyone’s jobs
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Tipping Point: Technology Now Destroying More Jobs Than It Creates - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 06-13-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Work to live - Serious Suicide


00:04:15 Ch. 4: Act 2: Nigel Cameron: A world without work - @TEDTalks - Air Date: 4-23-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: What Would You Do? - The Living End


00:22:40 Ch. 6: Act 3: Robots Will Take Your Job SOON! (seriously) - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 05-09-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Robot friend - Pretty Little Demons


00:28:48 Ch. 8: Act 4: Practical Theology (Because who wants impractical theology?) Part 1 - Progressive Faith Sermons - Dr. Roger Ray - Air Date 12-13-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Courage - Authority Zero


00:37:31 Ch. 10: Act 5: Barry Schwartz: The way we think about work is broken - @TEDTalks - Air Date: 9-8-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Human Nature - Michael Jackson


00:45:50 Ch. 12: Act 6: Practical Theology (Because who wants impractical theology?) Part 2 - Progressive Faith Sermons - Dr. Roger Ray - Air Date 12-13-15


Voicemails

00:56:59 Ch. 13: 7 Violence against women re: abortion? - Robert from New Hampshire

00:59:05 Ch. 14: 8 Response to thoughts on "unskilled labor" - Colin from Cleveland, OH

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:01:34 Ch. 15: Final comments on After Tiller, the Progressive Faith Sermon and how human nature is moulded by our circumstances

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 978_The_future_of_work_Culture.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #977

Today we look at the fundamental barrier to democracy in the US and the veritable swarm of movements springing up to tear it down
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Brazil Bans Corporate Money In Politics. - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 09-19-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Power to the People - John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band


00:08:16 Ch. 4: Act 2: How to Keep Campaign Donations Secret - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 06-06-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Things a Get from Bad to Worse - The Ethiopians


00:17:03 Ch. 6: Act 3: Corruption is Legal in America - Represent.Us (@RepresentDotUs) - Air Date: 4-30-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: N/A


00:22:47 Ch. 8: Act 4: Represent.Us 2015 Strategy - Represent.Us (@RepresentDotUs) - Air Date: 1-15-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: N/A


00:27:09 Ch. 10: Act 5: CBS Chief Loves Trump, Super-PACs, And Corruption - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-13-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Laughing At You - Head Automatica


00:32:48 Ch. 12: Act 6: Yahoo misses the point about the problems of money in politics - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 9-25-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Moneytalks - Vitamin String Quartet


00:36:27 Ch. 14: Act 7: Media Ignores...Americans Want Citizens United Overturned! - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 10-08-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Moneytalks - Vitamin String Quartet


00:41:45 Ch. 16: Act 8: Stamp Money Out Of Politics w/ @BenAndJerrys @StampStampede - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: Time for Action - Secret Affair


00:48:15 Ch. 18: Act 9: Help California FREE Act Fight Money In Politics Now! Sign The Petition - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-04-15


Voicemails

00:54:45 Ch. 19: Framing the abortion debate in terms of bodily integrity - Rachel from Mississippi

00:56:51 Ch. 20: Thoughts on "unskilled" workers - Chris from Fairfax

00:59:34 Ch. 21: Agreeing with the Fight for $15 messaging - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

01:01:01 Ch. 22: Minimum wages across borders doesn't matter much - David in Cincinnati

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:01:54 Ch. 23: Final comments on the cost of books in Canada and a detailed explainer for election reform groups

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Stamp Money Out Of Politics w/@BenAndJerrys @StampStampede

Take Action:

Get your stamps/get involved with: Stamp Stampede

Share your marked money with: StampStampede’s social media feeds

Follow the #GetMoneyOutthread

Sources/further reading:

"Here's How Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Wants To Stamp Money Out Of Politics” via Huffington Post

"Stamp stampede on your dollar -- for democracy” by Ben & Jerry

"Stamp Money Out of Politics – STAMP STAMPEDE” via Democracy Matters

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 977_Legal_corruption_and_how_to_fix_it_Money_in_Politics.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #976

Today we look at a few facts regarding guns and gun control in the US including what’s keeping our politicians from enacting widely supported gun regulations
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Obama Reacts to Mass Shootings | ReFramed - Refinery29 - Air Date: 12-04-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Clodomir - Imagho


00:02:21 Ch. 4: Act 2: See you at the next mass shooting - @jimmy_dore Show - Air Date 12-4-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Going sane - Bryan Everyshed


00:05:13 Ch. 6: Act 3: Study: NO ADVANTAGE to Using Firearms in Self-Defense Situations - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 07-31-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: The Magnificent Seven - The City of Prague Philharmonic


00:10:38 Ch. 8: Act 4: The media forgets to follow the money on gun violence - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 12-11-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Tape - dustmotes


00:15:08 Ch. 10: Act 5: America Is Dying For Gun Control - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-04-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Wake me up - Avicii


00:22:41 Ch. 12: Act 6: Gun control - Jim Jefferies

Ch. 13: Song 6: The Flowers Are Still Standing - Jahzzar


00:37:50 Ch. 14: Act 7: On San Bernardino and the Dickey Amendment - @OntheMedia - Air Date 12-3-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Agnes - Rod Hamilton


00:47:30 Ch. 16: Act 8: #EndTheBan on @CDCgov Research via @Drsforamerica & @Everytown — Best of the Left Activism 

Ch. 17: Song 8: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


00:50:11 Ch. 18: Act 9: Science: Fewer Guns = Fewer Gun Deaths - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 08-29-15


Voicemails

00:59:55 Ch. 19: It's not just about gun sales, it's about rights - Nathan from Vancouver, WA

01:02:29 Ch. 20: No such thing as "unskilled labor" - Will in Mississippi

01:03:20 Ch. 21: Why don't we prosecute anti-abortion groups? - Emma from New York City

01:05:08 Ch. 22: Women aren't seen as full humans - Erin from Philadelphia

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:07:55 Ch. 23: Final comments on the latest updates from the year-end fundraiser

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #EndTheBan on @CDCgov Research via @Drsforamerica & @Everytown

Take Action:

SHARE: "Doctors and Public Health Professionals: End the CDC Gun Violence Research Ban” from Doctors For America

SIGN, Tweet, & Call your senators: #EndGunViolence, #EndTheBan via Everytown for Gun Safety

Sources/further reading:

"Gun violence research: History of the federal funding freeze”

"Congressman Whose Amendment Ended Federal Gun Research: 'I Have Regrets’” via Talking Points Memo

National Rifle Assoc Funding Stats via OpenSecrets.org

"Over 2,000 Physicians Urge Congress to End the Ban on CDC and NIH Gun Violence Research” from Doctors For America

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 976_Another_day_in_America_Mass_Shootings.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #975

Today we look at the history of reproductive rights and the history of the war against them and then examine the recent Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado in this context
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: They want to ban abortion - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 12-1-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Bury the Past - Professional Victims


00:07:41 Ch. 4: Act 2: Cruz in questionable company, offers bizarre response to shooting - Rachel @Maddow - Air Date 11-30-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Cospiratore - Old Splendifolia


00:19:33 Ch. 6: Act 3: Jodi Jacobson on the broader context for the Colorado Springs killings - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 12-4-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: The Cloud - Jim Guthrie


00:31:45 Ch. 8: Act 4: Fox News On Damage Control After “Baby Parts” Propaganda Campaign - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-02-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Untitled - Zoe Keating


00:42:53 Ch. 10: Act 5: Tell the DOJ: #InvestigateClinicViolence as Terrorism via @NARAL — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 11: Song 5: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


00:46:07 Ch. 12: Act 6: Abortion provider 'not deterred' by Colorado attack - Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHPshow) - Air Date 11-28-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Window - The Album Leaf


00:52:27 Ch. 14: Act 7: Journal of abortion provider Dr. Susan Wicklund - @Making_Contact - Air Date 12-9-15


Voicemails

00:58:56 Ch. 15: Thoughts on those who refuse to pay women the same as men - Spencer from Utah

01:01:35 Ch. 16: Muslims are already in danger - Ezra from Washington, DC

01:03:09 Ch. 17: Commenting on Shooting of Laquan McDonald - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:05:55 Ch. 18: Final comments and bonus voicemails from Jack in Chicago, Paul in Winnipeg and Zach in Atlanta

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Tell the DOJ: #InvestigateClinicViolence as Terrorism via @NARAL

Take Action:

SIGN: Tell the Department of Justice to #InvestigateClinicViolence as terrorism via NARAL

SIGN: "Tell the Department of Justice: Investigate attacks on Planned Parenthood clinics for what they are — domestic terrorism.” via @CredoAction

Additional Activism/Resources:

Donate/volunteer with clinic defense: contact The Clinic Vest Project

Follow: #InvestigateClinicViolence

Sources/further reading:

WATCH: ReproAction’s webinar: "Stop Anti-Abortion Terrorism and Harassment”

"Targeted Attacks On Abortion Providers Is Domestic Terrorism” by Katie Klabusich at The Establishment

"‘Living in the Crosshairs’ Puts Human Face on Grim Clinic Violence Statistics” by Katie Klabusich at RH Reality Check

"Activists renew calls for abortion clinic attacks to be labeled domestic terrorism” by Molly Redden at The Guardian

"I Used to Confront Abortion Doctors—Until One Got Murdered” at Time

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Edition #974

Today we look at a variety of ways corporations are working hard to screw over people and the planet in search of profits with a particular focus on the recently-released full text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Joanne Doroshow: Forced arbitration and what it means - CounterSpin @FAIRmediawatch - Air Date 11-6-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Mess Is Mine - Vance Joy


Ch. 4: Act 2: Full Text of TPP Trade Deal Revealed -- and Critics Say It's Even Worse Than They Thought - @democracynow - Air Date: 11-06-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: One Million Miles Away - J. Ralph


Ch. 6: Act 3: TPP: Designed to Protect Investors! - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 11-05-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: World Spins Madly On - The Weepies


Ch. 8: Act 4: The corporations bend governments to their will with the TPP - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date 11-13-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Oligarchy - The Haymarket Squares


Ch. 10: Act 5: "A Very Big Mistake": Joseph Stiglitz Slams Obama for Pushing the TPP - @democracynow - Air Date: 11-12-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Smoke and Mirrors - Imagine Dragons


Ch. 12: Act 6: Opposing the TPP On #Climate Grounds via @IATP, @Public_Citizen & @ExposeTheTPP - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


Ch. 14: Act 7: American Corporations: Workers Pay Taxes, Not US!!! - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 08-22-15


Voicemails

Ch. 15: White people always think they're being called a racist - Elka from Fort Wayne, IN

Ch. 16: World Star Hip Hop is a racist dog whistle - Ruben from San Jose

Ch. 17: Questions about the US and Canadian minimum wages - Paul from Winnepeg

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments on the messaging of the Fight for $15 campaign, membership drive and Theo Bard's "This Fickle World" is now on sale

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism Update!

The TPP is bad for the climate! via "3 Ways the TPP Will Hurt the Climate—If We Let It Pass” at The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

Follow-up/new Action!

CONTACT: your legislators about TPP with climate-specific concerns. via Public Citizen

SHOW why you oppose the TPP on social media via Expose The TPP

Sources/further reading:

FOLLOW: #COP21 for updates on the Paris Climate Negotiations

"It’s Never Been about Trade” via The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

Revisit the original action/segment: "Stop Fast Track of TransPacific Partnership via @MoveOn” — 02/06/2015

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 974_The_Trans_Pacific_Partnership_revealed_Corporate_Takeover.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #973

Today we look at the troubling trends facing today’s low wage workers and those in the middle class who may eventually find themselves to be low wage workers
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: How America Is Killing the Middle Class - AJ+ (@ajplus) - Air Date 10-22-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Working Poor - Horse Feathers


00:04:51 Ch. 4: Act 2: Why Conservatives Hate Unions... - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 02-10-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Let's Eat the Poor - alan ross haynes


00:14:01 Ch. 6: Act 3:  Paul Ryan REALLY Believes in Family Time, Just Not for Your Family - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 11-02-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Let's Go Down - Family of the year


00:21:01 Ch. 8: Act 4: KMart withholds holiday schedules and screws with employees lives - @TalkPoverty Radio - Air Date 11-19-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Oak - Ben McElroy


00:24:52 Ch. 10: Act 5: Retail companies who were open on Thanksgiving don't have much to show for it - @TalkPoverty Radio - Air Date 12-3-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Working Class Hero - Exit Clov


00:27:40 Ch. 12: Act 6:  Fair Wages: A history of getting paid - BackStory - Air Date 3-28-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Family Farm - Chris Dorman


00:36:08 Ch. 14: Act 7: McDonald's Installs Automated Order Kiosks in NYC - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 08-06-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Automation (Live Version) - Allan Sherman


00:40:47 Ch. 16: Act 8: Stiglitz: Sanders is Right - Everybody Has the Right to Healthcare, Sick Days and Family Leave - @democracynow - Air Date: 11-12-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: The Bare Necessities - Bruce Reitherman & Phil Harris


00:48:11 Ch. 18: Act 9: Fight. Strike. Vote. via @FightFor15 - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Song 9: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


00:50:59 Ch. 20: Act 10: Your Job May Be Killing You - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-02-15


Voicemails

00:58:49 Ch. 21: The culture of white supremacy in police work - Geoff from Florida

01:00:11 Ch. 22: Wade didn't say anything racist about cops in schools - Matt in Eastern PA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:03:24 Ch. 23: Final comments on Amazon, labor, coops and an update on the member drive

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Fight. Strike. Vote. via @FightFor15 — Best of the Left Activism

Take Action:

SIGN: the Fight for $15 Vote Pledge

POST: when you buy holiday gifts in your community, tag stores and purchases with #ShopLocal to encourage others to do the same.

Additional Activism/Resources:

SUPPORT good business by using the Think Progress "Holiday Shopping Guide" to see which companies force employees to work holidays.

Sources/further reading:

”Almost Half of All American Workers Make Less Than $15 an Hour” by Michelle Chen at The Nation

"Republicans divided by income over government’s role in ‘safety net’ issues” via Pew Research Center

"Stronger Unions Are the Way to Rebalance Our Economy” by Dorian Warren via Newsweek

"Walmart Threatens City Council For Considering Minimum Wage Increase” at ThinkProgress

"How One City Is Making Sure Bosses Comply With Wage Theft and Paid Sick Leave Laws” at In These Times

"Truth Needle: Is $15 wage dooming Seattle restaurants? Owners say no” at The Seattle Times

"'Do unions still matter?' 5 answers I've offered to my father-in-law when he asks that question.”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 973_Killing_the_middle_class_Labor_Rights.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #972

Today we look at the racist and xenophobic response to muslims trying to escape their war-torn countries in the wake of the recent Paris attacks
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1:  PT 2 Glenn Greenwald on "Submissive" Media's Drumbeat for War and Anti-Muslim Scapegoating - @democracynow - Air Date 11-19-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Tusk - Errors


00:05:53 Ch. 4: Act 2: How The US Screens Refugees - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-18-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Clodomir - Imagho


00:10:25 Ch. 6: Act 3: In Spite of Attacks, France Will Welcome Even More Refugees - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 11-19-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Slipping Away - Michael Andrews


00:14:17 Ch. 8: Act 4: First Muslim Member of U.S. Congress: Restrictions on Syrian Refugees Driven by Fear, Xenophobia - @democracynow - Air Date: 11-26-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Democracy - Leonard Cohen


00:18:42 Ch. 10: Act 5: Spiritual reflections in an age of terrorism: Refugees - Progressive Faith Sermon w Dr. Rodger Ray - Air Date 11-15-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Not in our name - DJ Spooky & Saul Williams


00:23:26 Ch. 12: Act 6: Fear-mongering: "CNN Has Led the Way in This" Claims Glenn Greenwald, on CNN - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 11-24-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Good people - Jack Johnson


00:29:28 Ch. 14: Act 7: "Nativist Hysteria" Against Syrian Refugees Echoes U.S. Rejection of Jewish Refugees in 1930s - @democracynow - Air Date 11-24-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Hipozebra - Selva de Mar


00:37:05 Ch. 16: Act 8: Over Twenty Governors Reject Syrian Refugees Fleeing ISIS - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-17-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: American Land - Bruce Springsteen


00:44:13 Ch. 18: Act 9: Is it actually un-American to fear immigrants and refugees? - About Race - Air Date 11-25-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: Hide Your Tears - Daniel Licht


00:47:55 Ch. 20: Act 10: Tell your Senators to Make #RefugeesWelcome via @theIRC - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 21: Song 10: This fickle world - Theo Bard


00:50:31 Ch. 22: Act 11: Trump Wants Mandatory Badges On Muslim Americans - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-20-15


Voicemails

01:05:02 Ch. 23: White men with guns are not the answer - William J. Jackson

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:06:56 Ch. 24: Final comments on what white supremacy is all about

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Tell your Senator to Make #RefugeesWelcome via @theIRC — Best of the Left Activism

Take Action:

SIGN: "Tell your Senator to Make #RefugeesWelcome: Ask Congress to Support Syrian and Iraqi Refugee Resettlement & Stand for Welcome”

DONATE: Make a lifesaving gift that supports refugee families caught in the world’s most urgent humanitarian crisis.

GIVE A GIFT: RESCUE GIFTS: Symbolic Gifts. Real Rescue.

Additional Activism/Resources:

LIKE & FOLLOW: the International Rescue Committee (IRC) on Facebook and on Twitter

RETWEET: "FACT. Entering the US as a refugee is by far the most difficult and complex of all routes in. #RefugeesWelcome” from IRC: International Rescue Committee

Related Best of the Left Action (11-23-2015): "Oppose the American SAFE Act of 2015 via @TheNation”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 972_Classic_American_Xenophobia_Refugee_Crisis.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #879

Today we take a look at some of the underlying problems with capitalism and their repercussions
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Can Money Buy Happiness? - AsapSCIENCE - Air Date: 12-20-12

Ch. 3: Song 1: Spend - Try to Be Here


Ch. 4: Act 2: Unregulated Capitalism and the Persuit of Happiness... - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 11-12-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Mo Money Mo Problems (feat. Mase & Puff Daddy) - Life After Death (Deluxe Version)


Ch. 6: Act 3: Capitalism is fundamentally undemocratic - Economic Update with @profwolff - Air Date: 11-10-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Capitalism - Capitalism (feat. Bajka) - EP


Ch. 8: Act 4: Thoughts on a basic guaranteed income - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date: 10-20-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: American Way - Essential Masters


Ch. 10: Act 5: Triangle Returns - Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights - Air Date: 03-22-11

Ch. 11: Song 5: Going Home - The Talks


Ch. 12: Act 6: Dr. King's "Bill of Economic and Social Rights" - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 01-21-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: America First - Chicago Wind


Ch. 14: Act 7: Protest Black Friday - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: Right to Complain - Backatown (Bonus Track Version)


Ch. 16: Act 8: When Your Workers Want Rights Just Pay Off A Politician - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 09-18-14


Voicemails

Ch. 18: Asking for thoughts on medical personnel strikes - Peter from Little Rock, AK

Ch. 19: The importance of turnout - Ben from New Jersey

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 20: Final comments on the evolution of political and economic systems

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Protest Black Friday, #BND/#WalmartStrikers

Take Action:

Participate by not participating: Buy Nothing Day #BND via Adbusters

Follow and support Walmart Strikers via #WalmartStrikers on Twitter and Black Friday Protests

Sources/further reading:

"Sit-Down Strike at Walmart and Win? It's Been Done” via Huffington Post

"Letter: Working and middle class should support fast food workers” via Fight For $15

"Poll: Should retailers remain open on Thanksgiving?” with Steven Greenhouse on PBS Newshour

Watch: "This Black Friday, Workers to Challenge the Waltons” via OUR Walmart

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 2014_11_25_Capitalism_will_not_set_you_free_Economics.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am EDT

(2015/11/24) The fear response (#ParisAttacks)

Edition #971

Today we look at the causes of, reactions to and reporting on the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Terrorism is an emotional weapon - Common Sense with Dan Carlin (@dccommonsense) - Air Date 11-14-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Self Inflicted - Katy Perry


00:14:03 Ch. 4: Act 2: Spiritual reflections in an age of terrorism: Fear and Response Part 1 - Progressive Faith Sermon w: Dr. Rodger Ray - Air Date 11-15-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Fear, Terror, and the Fear of Terror - Infinite Third


00:19:01 Ch. 6: Act 3: Why Paris, And Not Beirut? - @onthemedia - Air Date: 11-20-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Scenic World - Beirut


00:26:06 Ch. 8: Act 4: Report from Paris With Manhunt on for Eighth Attacker, France Remains in State of Emergency - @democracynow - Air Date 11-16-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: The Wrong Way - Jahzzar


00:28:46 Ch. 10: Act 5: Jim Naureckas on the differing ways corporate media report terrorist violence - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 11-20-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Tow the Line - Nick Drake


00:39:34 Ch. 12: Act 6: ISIS Threatens To Strike Washington DC - @theyoungturks - Air Date 11-17-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Fearless - For Today


00:43:06 Ch. 14: Act 7: Oppose the American SAFE Act of 2015 via @TheNation — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: This fickle world - Theo Bard


00:45:53 Ch. 16: Act 8: Spiritual reflections in an age of terrorism: Fear and Response Part 2 - Progressive Faith Sermon w/ Dr. Rodger Ray - Air Date 11-15-15


Voicemails

00:58:38 Ch. 17: Thoughts on Israel/Palestine and international terrorism - Erin from Philadelphia

01:03:06 Ch. 18: Reaction to attacks in Paris - Ryan from Phoenix

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:06:10 Ch. 19: Final comments on what to do during the holiday

01:08:34 Ch. 20: The wall of shame featuring Kyle, Michelle and Dan

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Oppose the American SAFE Act of 2015 via @TheNation — Best of the Left Activism

Take Action:

SIGN & SHARE: "An Open Letter to Congress: Do Not Cede to Fear” via The Nation

Find out how your reps voted: "Here's A List Of The Democrats Who Voted To Shut The Door On Syrian Refugees” via HuffingtonPost & use ContactingTheCongress.org to admonish them for their support & encourage your senators to vote no.

Sources/further reading:

H.R. 4038: American SAFE Act of 2015 via GovTrack.us</>

"After Attacks, France Increases Its Commitment To Refugees” at ThinkProgress

#AmericaWelcomes #SyrianRefugees via @MoveOn & @thenation — Best of the Left Activism via episode #959 "The angels of our better nature are being tested (Syrian Refugee Crisis)”

"Paul Ryan’s Alarmist Syrian-Refugee Move Is Playing With Fire” via The Nation

"An update on our refugee work this week” via MoveOn.org

"Could the government shut down over refugees?” via CNN.com

"8 famous Americans with Syrian roots” — including Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Jobs, & Paula Abdul via NY Daily News

"These Famous People Were Refugees” — including Sigmund Freud, Gloria Estefan, Albert Einstein, Henry Kissenger, & Karl Marx via HuffPost

"Senate Dems vow to block refugee bill”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 971_The_fear_response_ParisAttacks.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #970

Today we look at the University of Missouri protests that ousted the university president and look back at the anniversary of the Tamir Rice police killing
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:45 Ch. 2: Act 1: The blueprint of how to exercise power on a college campus - @EdgeofSports with Dave Zirin - Air Date 11-11-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: "Common Enemies" - American Soft - Chris Staples


00:06:19 Ch. 4: Act 2: Fox News Outraged At Missouri College President Resignation - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-11-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Old Days - Chicago


00:14:25 Ch. 6: Act 3: The importance of the solidarity in the Mizzou protests - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date 11-13-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: The Shine - Jahzzar


00:23:39 Ch. 8: Act 4: The media skirmish in Missouri isn’t about the media. It’s about race. - @onthemedia - Air Date: 11-13-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Perspective - Blueprint


00:31:33 Ch. 10: Act 5: A Conversation About Growing Up Black - Op-Docs - Air Date: 05-8-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: N/A


00:36:20 Ch. 12: Act 6: Michele Jawando on some potential elements of an actual criminal justice reform agenda - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 10-16-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Changes - 2Pac


00:45:14 Ch. 14: Act 7: #YearWithoutTamir - Nov 20-23 via @FergusonAction - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: The Poet - Shihan


00:48:26 Ch. 16: Act 8: One year later: A retrospective of the Tamir Rice killing - @IntersectionTNR - Air Date 11-16-15


Voicemails

01:02:17 Ch. 17: One anecdote of school policing - Colin from Cleveland, OH

01:04:17 Ch. 18: A question for Wade - Elka from Fort Wayne, IN

01:05:31 Ch. 19: How we conduct conversations - Nathan from Vancouver, WA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:08:59 Ch. 20: Final comments responding to Nathan with as much precision as possible

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #YearWithoutTamir - Nov 20-23 via @FergusonAction

Take Action:

SIGN: "I pledge to stand with the family of Tamir Rice…” via Ferguson Action

JOIN: #YearWithoutTamir Actions around the country via Ferguson Action

Sources/further reading:

"2 Outside Reviews Say Cleveland Officer Acted Reasonably in Shooting Tamir Rice, 12” at The New York Times

"New report finds Tamir Rice shooting tragic but reasonable” at Cleveland.com

Intersection Episode 9: "Tamir Rice Has Been Dead for a Year: Host Jamil Smith looks back at the police killing of a 12-year-old boy in his hometown, Cleveland.”

"Cleveland, On the Brink” by Jamil Smith at The New Republic

"Tamir Rice's mother to testify before Grand Jury” at WKYC.com

"Outrage Is Growing Over the Tamir Rice Investigation: Is the grand jury process stacked in favor of the cop who killed the 12-year-old?” at Mother Jones

"STUDY: Half of Black Millenials Know a Victim of Police Violence, Still See Cops as Protectors” at Colorlines

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 970_The_power_of_solidarity_Racial_Justice.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #969

Today we look at a variety of challenges faced by the trans community that almost no one else ever has to think about
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: I was fired solely because of my gender - Southern Poverty Law Center (@splcenter) - Air Date: 04-13-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Taken By The Breeze - Les Étoiles


00:04:59 Ch. 4: Act 2: Raising transgender kids - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 4-22-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Kids - MGMT


00:16:48 Ch. 6: Act 3: The Gender Box feat. Miles JaI!! - @LinzerDinzerTV - Air Date: 10-08-12

Ch. 7: Song 3: N/A


00:19:51 Ch. 8: Act 4: Kari Mugo: Critical Conditions - The challenges facing transgender people in the healthcare system - Popaganda (@BitchMedia) - Air Date: 9-10-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: N/A


00:30:50 Ch. 10: Act 5: Healthcare professional calls for care for all - @GLAAD - Air Date: 11-15-13

Ch. 11: Song 5: Luriana Lurilee - Ben McElroy


00:35:19 Ch. 12: Act 6: Lee Mokobe: A powerful poem about what it feels like to be transgender - TED Talks - Air Date: 6-12-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Like A Prayer - Rufio


00:39:53 Ch. 14: Act 7: Leela Ginelle on transphobic myths and the repeal of an equal rights ordinance in Houston - Backtalk (@BitchMedia) - Air Date 11-12-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: When I Grow Up - Garbage


00:50:26 Ch. 16: Act 8: The strategy of saying straight people are terrible will fail - @fakedansavage - Air Date 11-10-15


Voicemails

00:58:16 Ch. 17: Need conflict before one can reach understanding - Nathan from Vancouver, WA

01:00:41 Ch. 18: Why do we hate Amazon? - John from Minneapolis

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:03:56 Ch. 19: Final comments on the imperative to see multiple sides of an issue and what's wrong with Amazon

01:12:24 Ch. 20: The public wall of gentle shaming and encouragement featuring Kyle and Michelle

Shaming Music: Spanish Flea - Herb Alpert

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 969_Barriers_to_employment_to_health_and_to_the_bathroom_Trans_Rights.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #968

Today we check in with the seemingly unending disaster that is the Israeli/Palestinian conflict
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: UpFront - Reality Check- Gaza is still occupied - Al Jazeera English - Air Date: 10-23-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Dreamtime - Uberzone


00:03:10 Ch. 4: Act 2: Gideon Levy: U.S. Criticizes Settlements While Giving Israel "Carte Blanche" to Continue Occupation - @democracynow - Air Date: 10-15-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Zombie - The Cranberries


00:11:16 Ch. 6: Act 3: What Is Israel's Plan For Palestine? - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 09-02-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Natural Blues (Lulu Rouge vs. Stella Polaris Remix) - Single - Moby


00:18:34 Ch. 8: Act 4: Unbalanced reporting on fatalities in Israeli/Palestinian conflict - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 10-23-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: We're Simple Minds - Club 8


00:22:30 Ch. 10: Act 5: Where are the Palestinian Gandhis? - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 08-19-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Standing - VNV Nation


00:30:06 Ch. 12: Act 6: Netanyahu's Holocaust Conspiracy Theory DEBUNKED - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 10-22-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Diamond - Klint


00:34:07 Ch. 14: Act 7: Yousef Munayyer on what's missing in the Israel/Palestine Narratives - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 10-30-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Classical Gas - Vanessa Mae


00:44:48 Ch. 16: Act 8: #SaveSusiya via Jewish Voices For Peace ( @jvplive ) - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


00:48:06 Ch. 18: Act 9: What Peace Deal Could Look Like in Israel & Palestine - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 10-20-15


Voicemails

00:58:07 Ch. 19: Spring Valley is not a symptom of a larger problem - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

01:00:08 Ch. 20: Stop trying to solve societies problems with police - Geoff from Florida

01:02:15 Ch. 21: The discomfort of losing privilege - Todd from Waverly, IA

01:03:50 Ch. 22: Need a new payment processing option - Rebecca from Takoma, WA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:05:14 Ch. 23: Final comments on cops in schools, the discomfort of recognizing our privilege and a new donation method for BotL

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #SaveSusiya via Jewish Voices For Peace ( @jvplive )

Take Action:

SIGN: Tell John Kerry to Defend Susiya! via Jewish Voice for Peace

FOLLOW: #EndTheOccupation & #IsraeliIncitement

Additional Activism/Resources:

SIGN: "Free Political Refugees Hisham Shaban Ghalia and Mounis Hammouda From ICE custody” via Not1More

Sources/further reading:

5 Questions Prime Minister Netanyahu Should be Asked Today via Amnesty International

"Families from threatened Palestinian villages Susiya and Um al-Kheir bring their stories to the US” at Mondoweiss

"Israel, Don’t Level My Village” — Nasser Nawaja at The New York Times

"16 Eye-Opening Photos Show What It's Like Going Back to School in Palestine and Israel” at Mic.com

"Mapping the dead in latest Israeli-Palestinian violence”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 968_The_continuing_quagmire_of_an_apartheid_state_Israel_Palestine.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #967

Today we take a revised look at the road to the Paris climate negotiations in light of the news that President Obama has officially rejected the Keystone XL Pipeline
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: A Carbon Bomb Defused Obama Rejects Keystone XL in Historic Win for Environmental Activism - @democracynow - Air Date 11-9-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Moving Planet - September 24th, 2011: A Day to Move Beyond Fossil Fuels


00:04:29 Ch. 4: Act 2: Obama Kills Keystone XL Pipeline For Good - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-07-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Fight to Win (feat. Cee Lo Green) - Single - Goodie Mob


00:13:05 Ch. 6: Act 3: Getting Easier & Easier to Convert to Solar Power - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 08-29-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: New Magnetic Wonder - The Apples In Stereo


00:17:24 Ch. 8: Act 4: What Is the Biggest Environmental Problem People Don't Know About? - The Atlantic - Air Date: 10-2-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Halcyon Days (Deluxe Edition) - Ellie Goulding


00:21:42 Ch. 10: Act 5: House 'Science' Committee Witch Hunt is Worse than Benghazi! - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 10-27-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Here Comes Science (Audio + Video Version) - They Might Be Giants


00:30:38 Ch. 12: Act 6: Bernie Sanders Proposes BOLD Climate Change Policy - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-05-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Bright Stars and Battle Scars - Stu's Shoes


00:34:55 Ch. 14: Act 7: Who's Leading The Charge for Change? Women - The F Word with @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 10-26-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Fight Back - Garnett Silk


00:37:31 Ch. 16: Act 8: #ActInParis - @sierraclub - Air Date: 9-2-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: "Paris", No Angel - Dido


00:40:13 Ch. 18: Act 9: #KeystoneXL Victory Update & #ActInParis via @sierraclub - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Song 9: This fickle world - Theo Bard


00:44:00 Ch. 20: Act 10: Avi Lewis- This Changes Everything - The @GRITlaura Flanders Show - Air Date 10-27-15


Voicemails

00:54:52 Ch. 21: Responding to Simon re: Jefferson and slavery - Joseph from Toronto

00:56:42 Ch. 22: Soon-to-be member - Diana from Milwaukee, WI

00:57:25 Ch. 23: Intimidated by risk of embarrassment - Brian in Arizona

00:58:25 Ch. 24: Last ever voice memo message from Geoff - Geoff from Florida

00:59:22 Ch. 25: Voice memo option had an effect - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

01:00:00 Ch. 26: Voice memo option had an effect Part 2 - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:02:10 Ch. 27: Final comments on using the power of psychology and public shaming

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism Update!

#KeystoneXL Victory! "KEYSTONE XL VICTORY: TO WIN A FIGHT, YOU HAVE TO PICK ONE: Obama’s pipeline rejection a huge win for citizen action” via Sierra Club

Follow-up/new(ish) Action!

#ActInParis for bold climate action with Sierra Club

Snap a selfie and “go to” Paris with Sierra Club’s #ActInParis Photo Campaign

SIGN on to 350.org’s Plan Through Paris

SIGN to say #ThanksObama for rejecting #KeystoneXL!

Revisit the original actions/segments:

#GlobalClimateMarch via @350

Tar Sands Resistance March #stoptarsands

#KeystoneXL Under Congressional #Climate Deniers

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 967_Going_to_Paris_with_our_heads_held_somewhat_high_Climate.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #966

Today we take a look at the structural systems in place that work to funnel many children, disproportionately children of color, out of the school system and directly into the (in)justice system
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The School to Prison Pipeline - Advancement Project (@adv_project) - Air Date: 7-3-13

Ch. 3: Song 1: N/A


Ch. 4: Act 2: Spring Valley High - Backtalk from @BitchMedia - Air Date 10-29-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: N/A


Ch. 6: Act 3: Stuck In The School-To-Prison Pipeline - @ajplus -Air Date: 5-20-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: N/A


Ch. 8: Act 4: Criminalizing the Classroom: Inside the School-to-Prison Pipeline - @democracynow - Air Date: 10-28-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Hipozebra - Selva de Mar


Ch. 10: Act 5:  Spring Valley High and the school-to-prison pipeline - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 10-30-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Rivers - Plusplus


Ch. 12: Act 6: School to prison pipeline locks kids into the system early - This Week in Blackness (@TWiBnation) - Air Date: 2-19-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: A Farewell To Trends - dustmotes


Ch. 14: Act 7: Policing Schools - Why Are There Cops In Schools? - @ajplus - Air Date: 10-30-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: N/A


Ch. 16: Act 8: SafeQualitySchools.org- Ending the #School2Prison Pipeline via @adv_project - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: The Poet - Shihan


Ch. 18: Act 9: When School Cops Go Bad: South Carolina Incident Highlights Growing Police Presence in Classrooms - @democracynow - Air Date: 10-28-15


Voicemails

Ch. 19: Jefferson fought to end slavery - Simon from San Diego

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 20: Final comments on my untestable hypothesis

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: SafeQualitySchools.org: Ending the #School2Prison Pipeline via @adv_project

Take Action:

Students, parents, educators, law enforcement, and activists! VISIT The Advancement Project’s SafeQualitySchools.org to get involved.

FOLLOW the #School2Prison thread.

SHARE the "School to Prison Pipeline by Advancement Project” video

CONTRIBUTE your stories: #School2Pipeline Stories

Additional Activism/Resources:

SIGN to demand #BlackLivesMatter issues be addressed in primary debates: #RaiseTheDebate via Black Lives Matter at ”ColorOfChange

Sources/further reading:

”What You Need to Know About #AssaultAtSpringValleyHigh” — Infographic via The Advancement Project

"Where Are Black Children Safe?" Roxane Gay at The New York Times

"America Doesn’t Care About Black Women And Girls” by Ijeoma Oluo at The Establishment

"Black Girl Down… and Up” by PrisonCulture

"Take cops out of schools: More officers mean more arrests, even for offenses like talking back.” via The Washington Post

”A Short History of Cops Terrorizing Students” via The Nation

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 966_Criminalizing_the_classroom_School-to-Prison_Pipeline.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #965

Today we take a look at the dangerous intersection women of color inhabit, how their very lives are at risk for simply being who they are and how society tends to turn a blind eye
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Black Girls Matter: Pushed out, over-policed and underprotected - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 2-6-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Put Your Records On (Acoustic) - Corinne Bailey Rae


Ch. 4: Act 2: Say Her Name- Families Seek Justice in Overlooked Police Killings of African-American Women - @democracynow - Air Date: 5-20-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: You'll Find A Way - Santigold


Ch. 6: Act 3: Black Women Suffer Death By Stereotype - The F Word with @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 5-25-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Making Progress - Freedom's Progress


Ch. 8: Act 4: Serial killers hunted down mostly Black women for three decades in South Los Angeles - @Making_Contact - Air Date 9-9-10

Ch. 9: Song 4: Suffering of the Innocents - Squire Tuck


Ch. 10: Act 5:  Obama highlights sexual abuse to prison pipeline - Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHPshow) - Air Date 9-20-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: I feel you - Scala & Kolacny Brothers


Ch. 12: Act 6: Why some try to justify the Spring Valley High assault - This Week in Blackness (@TWiBprime) - Air Date 10-28-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: How Do You See Me - Matrimony


Ch. 14: Act 7: The Story of a "Absolutely Angry Black Woman" - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 10-23-15


Ch. 15: Final comments on the value of slaves at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 965_Death_by_stereotype_the_dehumanizing_of_women_of_color.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #964

Today we take a look at the history of how Christianity was, in large part, cooped by the Republican party on behalf of business interests and how anyone started getting the idea that we were founded as a religious, much less Christian, nation
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: How 'One Nation' Didn't Become 'Under God' Until The '50s Religious Revival Part 1 - Fresh Air - Air Date 3-30-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Timber Timbre - Timber Timbre


00:11:35 Ch. 4: Act 2: The Origin of Religious Freedom Laws... - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 04-27-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Coaster - NOFX


00:20:26 Ch. 6: Act 3: Why Can't They Understand the First Amendment? - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 04-11-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Very Soon ft Funsho Ogundipe - Wanlov the Kubolor


00:31:26 Ch. 8: Act 4: How 'One Nation' Didn't Become 'Under God' Until The '50s Religious Revival Part 2 - Fresh Air - Air Date 3-30-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Kalamazoo - Jason Roseboom


00:40:47 Ch. 10: Act 5: What Would the Founders say about Religious Freedom Laws? - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 04-27-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: The Very Best of Peter, Paul and Mary - Peter, Paul & Mary


00:45:58 Ch. 12: Act 6: Republicans Fire Woman For Not Going To Church - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 08-21-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Dancing In The Streets - The Haymarket Squares


00:52:01 Ch. 14: Act 7: Fascism on the American horizon, wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross - @truthdig - Air Date: 10-11-13


Voicemails

01:05:10 Ch. 15: Thoughts on victimless crimes - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

01:07:21 Ch. 16: Responding to Wade and victimless crimes - Nathan from Vancouver, WA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:09:55 Ch. 17: Final comments on recent bonus content topics

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 964_History_of_the_Christian_Right_Religion.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Edition #963

Today we take a look at the proposed TPP trade deal from a whole variety of different angles. Since the agreement was negotiated entirely in secret, primarily between corporate interests, it's not surprising to find that the deal looks pretty bad for everyday people no matter what angle you're looking from
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Crony Capitalism Goes Global: The TPP & ISDS Explained - Follow the Money #2 - @RepresentDotUs - Air Date: 04-01-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: The Redemption Of Zounds - Zounds


00:06:27 Ch. 4: Act 2: TPP Signed...So What the F&%$ Is In It? - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 10-07-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: She Said - Stray Dogg


00:11:25 Ch. 6: Act 3: TPP will Allow Corporations to Sue Countries! - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 5-14-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Nightwalker Vol. 1 - Boogie Belgique


00:16:01 Ch. 8: Act 4: Don't Expect The Master's Media To Cover the Master's Trade Deal - The F Word with @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 4-28-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Greek Tragedy - Plusplus


00:19:07 Ch. 10: Act 5: TPP vs. Human Rights Groups Express Concern Over Record of Member Nations - @democracynow - Air Date 06-11-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Afraid New World - Easter and the totem


00:24:11 Ch. 12: Act 6:  TPP Grants Banks Terrifying Secret Powers - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 06-20-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Sneeuwland - Oskar Schuster


00:34:05 Ch. 14: Act 7: Obama Rams Through TPP With Little Democratic Support, Even from Black Caucus - @blkagendareport - Air Date: 6-24-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Ennio - Silence Is Sexy


00:38:36 Ch. 16: Act 8: Breast Cancer Patient Arrested for Protesting TPP: "This is Price Gouging at the Cost of Lives" - @democracynow - Air Date: 10-06-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: Adventure, Darling - Gillicuddy


00:48:12 Ch. 18: Act 9: Disaster: TPP Kills Internet Freedom, Bomb-Throwing Begins - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 10-13-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: Horfid (Live @ KEXP) - Lay Low


00:54:24 Ch. 20: Act 10: #FallRising to #StopTPP via @EFF & @FlushtheTPP — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 21: Song 10: Activism - Shihan


00:57:22 Ch. 22: Act 11: Not too early to doubt the motivations of secretive, corporate trade deal - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 10-9-15


01:00:13 Ch. 23: Final comments asking what we can do better here at BotL

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #FallRising to #StopTPP via @EFF & @FlushtheTPP

Update!

Terms on the Trans-Pacific Partnership were finalized: "Trade Officials Announce Conclusion of TPP—Now the Real Fight Begins” via Electronic Frontier Foundation

Follow-up/new Action!

ATTEND the #FallRising to Stop TPP, TTIP, & TISA by registering through Flush the TPP: Call to Action Against Global Corporate Domination: November 14-18 & RSVPing to the Facebook event

Find out projected job loss & more expected in your area using the Public Citizen state-by-state outcome map: 50 Reasons We Cannot Afford the TPP’s Expansion of the NAFTA Model.

Then use ContactingTheCongress.org to directly lobby your representatives to vote no on passage of the TPP.

Sources:

What Is the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP)? via Electronic Frontier Foundation

WATCH: "U.S., Other Nations Reach Agreement On Trans-Pacific Partnership” via NPR

The Trans-Pacific Partnership: Leveling the playing field for American workers & American businesses. via Office of the US Trade Representative

Summary of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement via Office of the US Trade Representative

"TPP deal: US and 11 other countries reach landmark Pacific trade pact” via The Guardian

"TPP or not TPP? What's the Trans-Pacific Partnership and should we support it?” via The Guardian

"Trans-Pacific Partnership Is Reached, but Faces Scrutiny in Congress” via The New York Times

"Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): Job Loss, Lower Wages and Higher Drug Prices” via Public Citizen

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 963_The_corporate_takeover_under_our_noses_Trans-Pacific_Partnership.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/10/23) Building momentum to and through Paris (Climate)

Edition #962

Today we take a look at the state of the political promises being made as we lead up to the international climate negotiations in Paris as well as what we can do about it, plus we see what Exxon knew and when they knew it
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1:  Bill McKibben on U. of California Divesting from Coal and Tar Sands - @democracynow - Air Date 09-10-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Here Comes The Wave (instrumental) - Silence Is Sexy


00:07:56 Ch. 4: Act 2: Climate Desk's Tim McDonnell explains Obama's new plan to fight global warming - Climate Desk - Air Date: 08-03-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: The Shine - Jahzzar


00:10:53 Ch. 6: Act 3: Pretty Words, Ugly Actions: The Obama Legacy on Climate Change - @blkagendareport - Air Date: 8-5-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Thru Nature - deeB


00:16:43 Ch. 8: Act 4: Engineers Develop Plan to Convert US to 100% Clean Energy by 2050 - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 06-13-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Junior - Kaki King


00:23:11 Ch. 10: Act 5: There Is No Such Thing As "Clean Coal" - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 09-03-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Happy Radioactive - Single - The Gregory Brothers


00:27:14 Ch. 12: Act 6: Exxon's History of Climate Change Research - @onthemedia - Air Date: 9-18-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: The Sound of Skeptics - Hoffman and Jerfunkle


00:37:04 Ch. 14: Act 7: Climate Deniers Be Cray! with Jenny Slate - NextGen Climate - Air Date: 6-30-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: !!Going Places!! - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass


00:41:26 Ch. 16: Act 8:  Harper is gone, Exxon is on the ropes, arctic drilling on hold and electric cars are the future - @greennewsreport - Air Date - 10-15- 15

Ch. 17: Song 8: Automatic For the People - R.E.M.


00:46:15 Ch. 18: Act 9: #GlobalClimateMarch via @350 - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Song 9: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


00:48:59 Ch. 20: Act 10: Naomi Klein & Avi Lewis Climate Change Could Be Catalyst to Build a Fairer Economic System - @democracynow - Air Date 10-05-15


Voicemails

00:59:17 Ch. 21: Call to action on voter suppression - Mary from Sweeden

01:00:38 Ch. 22: Depression - Chris from New Hampshire

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:06:29 Ch. 23: Final comments on how how predispositions and relativity effects our happiness

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #GlobalClimateMarch via @350 — Best of the Left Activism

Take Action:

Join the next 350.org #RoadThroughParis event: The #GlobalClimateMarch

Additional Activism/Resources:

GoFossilFree.org’s push ahead of the Paris summit: Register Your Divestment from fossil fuels

Sources/further reading:

"Leaders Discuss Deeper Engagement for Strong Climate Agreement in Paris”

"Solar and Wind Just Passed Another Big Turning Point: It has never made less sense to build fossil fuel power plants.”

via Bloomberg

"Demolishing The 7 Myths Propping Up Fossil Fuels: It's time to set the record straight.” via Huffington Post

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 962_Building_momentum_to_and_through_Paris_Climate.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2014/10/21) Don't police me, bro! (Feminism) (Repost)

Edition #870

Today we take a look at a variety of ways that (mostly) men attempt to police the actions and choices of (mostly) women, causing nothing but damage as a result
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The List of Rules for Women - @jsmooth995 - Air Date: 9-2-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Follow the Rule - Johnny Ace - The Complete Duke Recordings


Ch. 4: Act 2: Victimhood Provides Privleges - @jimmy_dore Show - Air Date 6-13-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Bad Behavior - Bad Behavior


Ch. 6: Act 3: SHE ASKED FOR IT - @lacigreen - Air Date: 09-06-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Deserve Better - Swings and Roundabouts


Ch. 8: Act 4: Shut Your Mouth And Take It, 'Fox & Friends' Advises Women - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 07-08-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Good Old Days - Even Worse


Ch. 10: Act 5: Radical Religion and Male Privilege - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 08-22-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: Second Class Citizen - Out of the Ordinary Songs, Vol. 2


Ch. 12: Act 6: Study Explains Why Hobby Lobby Supporters Are Opposed to Birth Control - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 07-25-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Me and God and Jesus - Crooked Roads Band


Ch. 14: Act 7: The Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act via @healthyteen & @nwlc - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: Time for Action - Time for Action - the Very Best Of


Ch. 16: Act 8: Pondering Gender In 1620 - @radio_dispatch - Air Date: 3-20-14

Ch. 17: Song 8: N/A


Ch. 18: Act 9: Get Your Creak On - @lexiconvalley - Air Date: 12-31-12


Ch. 23: Final comments on my discovery of the oppression of policing

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: The Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act

Take Action:

Sign to support the The Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act legislation backed by the National Women’s Law Center and Healthy Teen Network

Additional Activism/Resources:

Follow #NoTeenShameon Twitter and on Tumblr

Submit your story to #NoTeenShame

Sources/further reading:

"New Mexico Parental-Leave Law Helps Teen Moms Stay in School” via NBC News

"Where’s the ’16, Parenting, and OK’ Reality Show?” by Gloria Malone at RH Reality Check

"#NoTeenShame: A Social Media Movement Pushes Us To Respect Young Mothers & We’re All For It” via Hello Beautiful

Graphic by Repeal Hyde Art Project and available for purchase at RHAP’s Zazzle StoreWritten by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 2014_10_21_Dont_police_me_bro_Feminism.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/10/16) Working our way toward anti-democracy (Voter Suppression)

Edition #961

Today we take a look at a few of the tactics used to suppress voter turnout from the civil rights ear to the modern era as well as some ideas to fix the problem
 
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Click here to donate to support desmoid tumor research!

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Are Voter ID Laws Really a Bad Idea? - @TestTube News - Air Date: 7-10-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Forward - Northbound


00:03:35 Ch. 4: Act 2: A conversation on our changing voting rights w/ @AriBerman and @Dale_E_Ho - Intersection (@IntersectionTNR) - Air Date: 8-10-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Thru Clouds - deeB


00:19:12 Ch. 6: Act 3: Fox & Friend's Call For Literacy Tests Reveals Deep, Deep Irony - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-07-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Vote - Jefferson Coker


00:23:12 Ch. 8: Act 4: Changes to voter laws that raise disturbing connections to the past - @Making_Contact - Air Date: 8-5-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: A Change Is Gonna Come - Ben Sollee


00:34:24 Ch. 10: Act 5: New Election Scandal Cuts MILLIONS of Voters from the Rolls - @RedactedTonight w/ @Lee_Camp - Air Date: 11-03-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: The Wrong Way - Jahzzar


00:39:28 Ch. 12: Act 6: New Law: Everyone Automatically Registered to Vote Unless You Opt Out - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 08-06-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Some Kind Of Mininova - Textile Audio


00:44:28 Ch. 14: Act 7:  Automatic Voter Registration via @BrennanCenter — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: This fickle world - Theo Bard


00:47:47 Ch. 16: Act 8: Gerrymandering - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date: 6-13-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: XBells - Jimmy Penguin


00:54:15 Ch. 18: Act 9: The Conservative Voter Suppression Plot Thickens... - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 10-03-15


Voicemails

01:00:26 Ch. 19:  Thoughts on the treatment of indigenous peoples in Canada - Jessi-Anne from Victoria, British Columbia

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:06:33 Ch. 20: Final comments giving an update on the ongoing battle against a rare disease - click here to donate!

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Automatic Voter Registration via @BrennanCenter

Take Action:

Find the Brennan Center for Justice list of Automatic Voter Registration laws

Let your federal legislators know you support the Automatic Voter Registration Act through ContactingTheCongress.org and your state reps know you support voter expansion through automatic registration via OpenStates.Org

Additional Activism/Resources:

Find out if you’re registered to vote at: CanIVote.org

Sources/further reading:

"The Case for Voter Registration Modernization in 2015” via the Brennan Center for Justice

What Alabama Can Learn From California on Voting Rights via Ari Berman at The Nation

"Gov. Brown approves automatic voter registration for Californians” via LA Times

"Dem unveils automatic voter registration bill” via The Hill

"Make It Easy: The Case for Automatic Registration” via Democracy Journal

"Under new Oregon law, all eligible voters are registered unless they opt out” via LA Times

"Hillary's Game-Changing Voting Reform” via the Brennan Center for Justice

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 961_Working_our_way_toward_anti-democracy_Voter_Suppression.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Edition #960

Today we take a look at the legacy of Christopher Columbus and the echoes of that legacy that can still be strongly felt today
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Columbus Day - How Is That Still A Thing - @LastWeekTonight w/ @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 10-13-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: The Time To Run (Finale) - Dexter Britain


Ch. 4: Act 2: Cultural genocide against indigenous peoples in Canada - Le Show w/ @theharryshearer - Air Date: 6-7-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Ghosts In The Machine - Death And Vanilla


Ch. 6: Act 3: Cultural Genocide: Landmark Report Decries Canada's Forced Schooling of Indigenous Children - @democracynow - Air Date: 6-3-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Sunbeams in High Grass - Feldmaus


Ch. 8: Act 4: The Truth About Columbus Day - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 10-8-12

Ch. 9: Song 4: Flurry - The OO-Ray


Ch. 10: Act 5: Gov't Sells Sacred Native Land To Foreign Mining Company - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 7-25-15 

Ch. 11: Song 5: Piano song - Plusplus


Ch. 12: Act 6: The Navajo Water Lady - CBS Sunday Morning - Air Date: 8-16-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Faraday - dustmotes


Ch. 14: Act 7: The REAL History Of Christopher Columbus - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 10-6-15


Voicemails

Ch. 15: Frustration with Bill Maher - Colin from Cleveland, OH

Ch. 16: Thoughts on negative visualization and mental illness - Katie Klabusich

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 17: Final comments on the power to influence happiness

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 960_Reconsidering_Columbus_Indigenous_Peoples_day.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/10/09) The need to do better (Mass Incarceration)

Edition #959

Today we take a look at the fundamental flaws of our criminal justice system and the emerging consensus that we need to make the changes necessary to do better
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Mass Incarceration Causing More Crime Than It Prevents - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 07-31-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Cospiratore - Old Splendifolia


00:07:09 Ch. 4: Act 2: Brutal Fees Punish Families Of Prison Inmates - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 09-19-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Pale Rider - Ben McElroy


00:15:43 Ch. 6: Act 3: America’s Prison Problem - @DecodeDC - Air Date: 8-6-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: N/A


00:27:16 Ch. 8: Act 4: Mapping out the mass incarceration of black males - Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHPshow) - Air Date 9-19-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: the cherry tree - Burning Bright


00:37:24 Ch. 10: Act 5: Prison Reform To Reduce Sentences Of Non-Violent Drug Offenders - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 08-30-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Llegare - Dom La Nena


00:42:35 Ch. 12: Act 6: Support Bipartisan #JusticeReformNOW via @cut_50 — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: The Poet - Shihan


00:45:53 Ch. 14: Act 7: Bryan Stevenson (@eji_org): Just Mercy and how the shame of our past should drive us to do better - Arts and Ideas (@BBCRadio3) - Air Date: 7-14-15


Voicemails

01:02:02 Ch. 15: A couple more thoughts on giving advice - Anonymous

01:03:17 Ch. 16: Response to the comments about trench coats - Alyson from Colorado

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:04:49 Ch. 17: Final comments about Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (Go read it!)

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Support Bipartisan #JusticeReformNOW via @cut_50

Take Action:

SIGN: "Demand that Congress take action to roll back the incarceration industry in America” via #cut50

Sources/further reading:

"FAMM: House Sentencing Reform Compromise Another Step in Right Direction” via Families Against Mandatory Minimums

“Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act” — the full legislation

"Here's One Thing Washington Agreed On This Week: Sentencing Reform” via NPR

"Senators Announce Bipartisan Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act” — announcement from the Judiciary Committee

"Senate Introduces ‘Gamechanger’ Criminal Justice Reform Bill” via Time

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 959_The_need_to_do_better_Mass_Incarceration.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/10/06) Where the market should not be allowed to tread (Health Care)

Edition #958

Today we take a look at the destructive influence of the market on pharmaceuticals and some ideas on reigning in the system for the betterment of all
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Proof That Obamacare is Working Getting Really Hard to Ignore - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 08-15-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Chicago - Plusplus


00:04:36 Ch. 4: Act 2: Failures of the free market in drug development - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 9-25-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Heirloom - The Black Atlantic


00:15:12 Ch. 6: Act 3: 5500% Price Increase on AIDS Drug Canceled After Outrage - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 09-24-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: The Shine - Jahzzar


00:21:02 Ch. 8: Act 4: Is Pharma the Most Evil Industry? (w/ @JoshZepps) - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 09-28-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Kerouak - Plusplus


00:28:38 Ch. 10: Act 5: Get the Corporations out of Medicare! - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 07-27-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Springish - Gillicuddy


00:35:59 Ch. 12: Act 6: The Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 via @DemandProgress & @OpenCongress - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


00:39:10 Ch. 14: Act 7: .@RishiManchanda: What makes us get sick? Look upstream - @TEDTalks - Air Date: 9-15-14


Voicemails

00:57:29 Ch. 15: Advocating for sustainable change in your cities - Ryan from Pheonix

01:01:21 Ch. 16: On giving advice - Eric from South Carolina

01:05:08 Ch. 17: Trench-coated white kids and religious leaders - Brad from Dallas, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:06:27 Ch. 18: Final comments on how to prove racism is a factor when trying to explain it away

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: The Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 via @DemandProgress & @OpenCongress

Take Action:

Sign the Demand Progress petition to Congress: "Tell Congress to pass Bernie Sanders's bill to rein in prescription drug costs!”

Track the legislation & contact legislators: in the Senate & in the House via GovTrack.us

Additional Activism/Resources:

Send your legislator a letter through OpenCongress.org

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 958_Where_the_market_should_not_be_allowed_to_tread_Health_Care.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/10/02) Citizens demanding equal power (Money in politics)

Edition #957

Today we take a look at the single biggest problem plaguing our political system and the two strongest campaigns fighting to solve it, Lessig2016.us and Wolf-Pac.com
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: How Republicans Protect Secret Donors - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 08-01-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: El Tranvia - Jenifer Avila


Ch. 4: Act 2: Scott Walker is the face now - but the first culprit was 100 years ago - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 3-14-11

Ch. 5: Song 2: A Farewell To Trends - dustmotes


Ch. 6: Act 3: Lawrence Lessig to campaign on sole issue of campaign finance reform - Rachel @maddow - Air Date 9-8-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Getting Somewhere - Allison Moorer


Ch. 8: Act 4: Lawrence Lessig: Bernie Sanders CAN’T End Political Corruption - Interview w/ Cenk Uygur (edited) - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 08-21-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: The Clouds Were Like Lace - Ben McElroy


Ch. 10: Act 5: Private Prison Lobbyists Raising Money for Hillary Clinton - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 07-28-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: The System - Abscondo


Ch. 12: Act 6: Hillary Clinton Wants to Overturn Citizens United... - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 09-09-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Drifts - The OO-Ray


Ch. 14: Act 7: Corporate Media REALLY Doesn’t Wanna Talk Money In Politics - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 09-22-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Here Comes The Wave (instrumental) - Silence Is Sexy


Ch. 16: Act 8: #WeWantDebate in #Election2016 via @Lessig2016 - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: This fickle world - Theo Bard


Ch. 18: Act 9: How hedge fund billionaires literally "check" the people's will - @jimhightower - Air Date: 9-30-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: The Time To Run (Finale) - Dexter Britain


Ch. 20: Act 10: IRS Surrenders To Dark Money - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 08-02-15


Voicemails

Ch. 21: Thoughts on our voting system - Elaine

Ch. 22: The importance of learning moderate use - Sally from San Francisco

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 23: Final comments on the little bit of spring cleaning I've been doing on the back end

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #WeWantDebate in #Election2016 via @Lessig2016

Take Action:

SIGN the petition: Let Lessig Debate! from the Lessig2016 campaign

Sources/further reading:

"Democrat Debate Controversy: Will Lawrence Lessig Be Included?” via Forbes

"Larry Lessig Seeks A Single Issue, Single Year Presidency” via U.S.News and World Report

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 957_Citizens_demanding_equal_power_Money_in_politics.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/09/29) Religion seen through fear (Islamophobia)

Edition #956

Today we take a look at a fresh set of news stories that demonstrate how muslims are seen through an often-racial lens of fear, distrust and hatred
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Angry Sam Harris Fan: Stop Being Unfair to Sam Harris! - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 08-22-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Courage - Authority Zero


00:09:40 Ch. 4: Act 2: Fox News: Obama Not Blaming Islam Enough - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 07-18-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: You Don't Scare Me - Josh Pykee


00:21:01 Ch. 6: Act 3:  Who gets called a terrorist in the media - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 5-22-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: The Typewriter - Arthur Fiedler & Boston Pops Orchestra


00:25:01 Ch. 8: Act 4: Hypocrite: County Official Storms Out of Meeting During Muslim Prayer - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 08-07-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Me and God and Jesus - Crooked Roads Band


00:29:27 Ch. 10: Act 5: Muslim Student Handcuffed Because Of Harmless Science Project - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 09-17-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: City on a Hill - The Minor Leagues


00:43:55 Ch. 12: Act 6: Richard Dawkins: Ahmed's Clock Truther? - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 09-21-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Science Fair - Recess Monkey


00:50:19 Ch. 14: Act 7: Protect Thy Neighbor (@protectneighbor) via @americansunited — Best of the Left Activism 

Ch. 15: Song 7: This Fickle World - Theo bard


00:52:52 Ch. 16: Act 8: Are All Muslims Responsible For Terrorism? - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 07-21-15


Voicemails

00:58:06 Ch. 17: Religious freedom isn't just about Christianity - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

01:01:20 Ch. 18: A coach's thoughts on giving advice - Anonymous

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:07:36 Ch. 19: Final comments on the complicated nature of giving advice

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism:

Protect Thy Neighbor (@protectneighbor) via @americansunited

Take Action:

Add your name to the Americans United or Separation of Church and State> Protect Thy Neighbor Pledge

Download and post The Shield

Tell your legislators: Protect My Neighbors!

Get Legal Help

Additional Activism/Resources:

"You Can Now Donate to the Ahmed Mohamed STEM Scholarship Fund” via Mic

"MacArthur High School and Irving TX police: Apologize to Ahmed Mohamed for criminalizing science” via Change.org

Sources/further reading:

The official feed of Ahmed’s family: @IStandWithAhmed

Muslim teen behind #IStandWithAhmed encourages others to follow their dreams: "Go for it!" http://cbsn.ws/1KgQcbI via CBS News

"‘It’s A Trap!’ Paranoid FRC Head Buys Into Ridiculous Ahmed Mohamed Bomb Plot Scenario” via Americans United or Separation of Church and State>

< a href="https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/pope-problems-papal-visit-incurs-significant-taxpayer-expense">"Pope Problems: Papal Visit Incurs Significant Taxpayer Expense” via Americans United or Separation of Church and State>

"Once More, With Enthusiasm: Texas Attorney General Again Refuses To Recognize Marriage Equality” via Americans United or Separation of Church and State>

via Americans United or Separation of Church and State> and Thom Hartmann

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 956_Religion_seen_through_fear_Islamophobia.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/02/27) Rethinking the fundamentals of drugs and addiction (Drug War) (Repost)

Edition #902

Today we look at the not only the destructive forces at work within the drug war but also look deeper at the causes of addiction and drug abuse that could change all of your preconceived notions on the topic and maybe even our society...
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Drug War Alternatives That Work Overcriminalized #2- Substance Abuse - @bravenewfilms - Air Date: 10-9-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Once There Was a Hushpuppy - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Music from the Motion Picture)


Ch. 4: Act 2: Tracking cars movements in real time as part of the DEA drug war - Le Show (@theharryshearer) - Air Date: 2-1-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Don’t Worry, We'll Be Watching You - Making Mirrors


Ch. 6: Act 3: DC mayor stands up for voters on legal pot, defies congressional GOP - Rachel @Maddow Show - Air Date: 2-26-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Gateway Drug - Dancing In The Streets


Ch. 8: Act 4: Challenge everything you know about drugs - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date: 03-05-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Big Mistake - Fair Ain't Fair


Ch. 10: Act 5: Johann Hari (@johannhari101): Everything We Know About the Drug War & Addiction is Wrong Part 1 - @democracynow - Air Date: 2-4-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Strange Fruit (1939 Single Version) - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Billie Holiday


Ch. 12: Act 6: Poverty drives the demand for opiates - Economic Update with @profwolff - Air Date: 11-17-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Poverty (Single Stereo) - That Did It! - The Duke Recordings, Vol. 3


Ch. 14: Act 7: Johann Hari (@johannhari101): Everything We Know About the Drug War & Addiction is Wrong Part 2 - @democracynow - Air Date: 2-4-15


Voicemails

Ch. 16: Women should get paid the same even if they're away from work for a period - Caleb from Austin, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments telling the story of the pile of shit Patricia Arquette stepped in and the aftermath

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 2015_02_27_Rethinking_the_fundamentals_of_drugs_and_addiction_Drug_War.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/09/22) In search of the good life (Culture)

Edition #955

Today we look at the inherent contradictions in the standard way of pursuing happiness in western culture and examine some alternatives
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:42 Ch. 2: Act 1: The High Price of Materialism - Center for a New American Dream (@newdream) - Air Date: 12-4-11

Ch. 3: Song 1: A Beautiful World - Tim Myers

00:05:54 Ch. 4: Act 2: How To Purchase Redemption From Consumerism! - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 01-14-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Redemption Song - Bob Marley & The Wailers

00:10:05 Ch. 6: Act 3: Almost Half of Americans Didn't Take Single Vacation Day in 2014 - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 01-11-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Vacation - The Go-Go's & Go-Go's

00:14:17 Ch. 8: Act 4: Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us - RSA Animate (@theRSAorg) - Air Date: 4-1-10

Ch. 9: Song 4: All Over The World - Boogie Belgique

00:26:23 Ch. 10: Act 5: The Story of Bottled Water (2010) - @storyofstuff Project - Air Date: 03-17-10

Ch. 11: Song 5: Murky Water - The Autumn Isles

00:34:17 Ch. 12: Act 6: SO INCREDIBLY SAD This is How 3 Generations Answer the Same Question - @BuzzPo - Air Date 7-26-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: N/A

00:37:20 Ch. 14: Act 7: A thousand cuts - @jimhightower - Air Date: 9-22-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Sligo Creek - Al Petteway

00:39:55 Ch. 16: Act 8: #FindYourPark on National @PublicLandsDay - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: Right to Complain - Trombone Shorty & Marc Broussard

00:43:14 Ch. 18: Act 9: Saamah Abdallah: How to achieve good lives that don't cost the Earth - @TEDTalks - Air Date: 7-20-15

Voicemails

00:56:53 Ch. 19: Thoughts on victimless crimes - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

00:58:54 Ch. 20: Libertarians ignore the negotiation of rights - Nathan from Dix Hills, NY

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics

01:01:12 Ch. 21: Final comments on the way we discuss lifestyles and culture

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone

Activism: #FindYourPark on National @PublicLandsDay

Take Action:

Register to volunteer for National Public Lands Day!

Be sure to get your Fee-Free Coupon as a thank you for volunteering!

Sources/further reading:

"More than 175,000 Volunteers Expected on National Public Lands Day, September 26, 2015” via National Public Lands Day

"Let's Move Outside: Public lands make the best playgrounds!” via National Public Lands Day

"Our Land, Up for Grabs” via The New York Times

"This Land Was Your Land” via The American Prospect

"Volunteer on trail crews for National Public Lands Day, Sept. 26” via The Seattle Times

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 955_In_search_of_the_good_life_Culture.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/09/18) The angels of our better nature are being tested (Syrian Refugee Crisis)

Edition #954

Today we look at the worst refugee crisis since WWII and encourage governments around the world to do the right thing to help by opening their doors to victims of war
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: What a migrant crisis looks like - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 8-28-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Ennio - Silence Is Sexy


00:04:00 Ch. 4: Act 2:  Kenneth Roth of Human Rights Watch on Refugee Crisis - @democracynow - Air Date: 08-31-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Gangs - dustmotes


00:10:20 Ch. 6: Act 3: Leadership lacking as refugees flee to Europe and crisis grows - Rachel @Maddow - Air Date 9-2-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Broken boiler - Plusplus


00:17:41 Ch. 8: Act 4: Billionaire Offers To Buy Island For Syrian Refugees - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 09-05-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Clangour And Flutes (Live @ KEXP) - Sindri Már Sigfússon


00:26:08 Ch. 10: Act 5: A Deeper Understanding of Europe's Migration Crisis - @onthemedia - Air Date: 9-11-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: I Can Help (Exciting Live Performances) - Billy Swan


00:35:22 Ch. 12: Act 6: Help My People, Let More War Refugees Settle Here: A Syrian American’s Message to Washington - @democracynow - Air Date: 09-09-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: No-End Ave - Jahzzar


00:40:31 Ch. 14: Act 7: Obama turns to refugee crisis after Iran nuclear deal victory - Rachel @Maddow - Air Date: 9-10-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Black Eyed Susan - Podington Bear


00:42:51 Ch. 16: Act 8: Why isn't the U.S. taking in more refugees? - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 9-2-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: Cetology - Ben McElroy


00:45:15 Ch. 18: Act 9: #AmericaWelcomes #SyrianRefugees via @MoveOn & @thenation - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Song 9: This fickle world - Theo Bard


00:48:22 Ch. 20: Act 10: Cold-Blooded Fox News Demonizes Syrian Refugees - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 09-12-15


Voicemails

00:57:40 Ch. 21: Thoughts on the history of economic populism - V from Western New York

01:01:28 Ch. 22: Thoughts on the use of public and urban space - Ryan from Pheonix

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:05:59 Ch. 23: Final comments on how bad policies begin to sink into our collective psyche

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #AmericaWelcomes #SyrianRefugees via @MoveOn & @thenation

Take Action:

SIGN: Urge the U.S. government to accept more Syrian refugees via MoveOn.org & The Nation

Add your photo to the #AmericaWelcomes campaign on IG & Twitter through MoveOn.org

Sources/further reading:

“Tell the United States to Accept More Refugees and Asylum-Seekers From Syria” via The Nation

"Syrian Refugees: All You Need to Know” via Newsweek

"Turkey Has Spent Nearly $8 Billion Caring For 2.2 Million Syrian Refugees” via Huffington Post

“Syria’s War: Refugee Crisis” — full coverage from AlJazeera America

"Federal Spending: Where Does the Money Go” via the National Priorities Project

"Germany's economy will grow faster because of the million refugees it is helping, study finds” via The Independent

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


(2015/09/15) Beyond Marriage Equality (LGBTQ Rights)

Edition #953

Today we look at a bit of the fallout since the marriage equality SCOTUS decision but we also look beyond marriage equality
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Why is Uganda Sentencing Gays to Life in Prison? - @TestTube - Air Date: 6-27-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: La redécouverte - Yann Tiersen


Ch. 4: Act 2: Evangelicals Desperately Spreading Anti-Gay Message Around The World - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 07-22-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Love Will Come Through - Travis


Ch. 6: Act 3: Court: Gay Conversion Therapy = Fraud - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 07-22-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: All You Fascists - Billy Bragg & Wilco


Ch. 8: Act 4: County Clerk Changes History | PBS - @IndependentLens - Air Date: 04-14-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: One Million Miles Away - J. Ralph


Ch. 10: Act 5: Anti-Gay Christian Clerk Kim Davis Jailed for Contempt of Court - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 09-03-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Piazza, New York Catcher - Belle and Sebastian


Ch. 12: Act 6: Redefining religious freedom - @fakedansavage - Air Date: 9-8-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Going to the Chapel - The Dixie Cups


Ch. 14: Act 7: Right-Wing Christians Can't Decide If Elected Officials Have to Obey the Law - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 09-12-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Keepsake - State Radio


Ch. 16: Act 8: Same-sex marriage ruling does not apply to tribal lands - @HereAndNow - Air Date: 8-10-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: Gotta Have You - The Weepies


Ch. 18: Act 9: Did You Know It's Still Legal To Keep Gay People Out Of Businesses? - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 07-03-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: Hey Ya - Obadiah Parker


Ch. 20: Act 10: Every Child Deserves a Family Act via @family_equality — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 21: Song 10: Activism - Shihan


Ch. 22: Act 11: Boy Scouts End Ban on Gay Adults - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 07-29-15


Voicemails

Ch. 23: Thoughts on legalizing sex work - Nathan from Vancouver, WA

Ch. 24: Promoting Gleaners, libraries and Occupy Your Library - Vicki from Oregon

Ch. 25: But happiness for who? - Chris from Colorado Springs

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 26: Final comments on those LGBT activists who opposed the fight for marriage equality

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Every Child Deserves a Family Act via @family_equality

Take Action:

Tell your elected officials to SUPPORT The Every Child Deserves a Family Act through the Family Equality Council

Additional Activism/Resources:

FOLLOW the challenge to the final complete ban on same-sex couple adoption through Campaign for Southern Equality

Free Resources: Establishing Legal Parent-Child Relationships via ACLU National

Sources/further reading:

Adoption and Foster Care Federal, State, Local Landscape via Family Equality Council

ACLU may challenge newly-signed law on adoption by gays” via Detroit Free Press

"Anti-gay adoption bill another shameful moment for Michigan” via Detroit Free Press

"Preliminary Injunction Filed in Lawsuit Seeking to Immediate Relief From Mississippi Adoption Ban” via The Campaign for Southern Equality

“Discriminatory Treatment In Foster Parenting and Adoptions” via ACLU National

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: Beyond_Marriage_Equality_LGBTQ_Rights.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/09/11) The battle rages whether you pay attention or not (Reproductive Justice)

Edition #952

Today we take a look at the reproductive justice front of the war on women. From legislation to underhanded tricks to acts of terrorism, many are fighting to deny people their right to bodily autonomy
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: How Mad Men informed our current reproductive politics - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date: 4-23-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: A Beautiful Mine - RJD2


Ch. 4: Act 2: Looking behind the curtain of the false accusations against Planned Parenthood - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 8-7-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: The Shine - Jahzzar


Ch. 6: Act 3: Woman Threatens To Kill Abortion Provider - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 08-02-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: River Song - So Brown


Ch. 8: Act 4: The history of Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood - This week in blackness (@TWiBnation) - Air Date: 9-10-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Better Then Way Too Post-Rock - Nic Bommarito


Ch. 10: Act 5: Americans SUPPORT Funding Planned Parenthood - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 08-23-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Rivers - Plusplus


Ch. 12: Act 6: "A Sea Change": With 100 Women in Congress, Lawmakers Go on Offensive w/Landmark Pro-Choice Bill - @democracynow w/@RepBarbaraLee - Air Date: 07-09-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Annie Watched the Windmill Burn - Kirk Pearson and BIT


Ch. 14: Act 7: #4EACHOfUs to #EndHyde via @AllAboveAll @NLIRH — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


Ch. 16: Act 8: Terrorist Caught Attempting To Bomb Abortion Clinic - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 08-22-15


Voicemails

Ch. 17: Questioning the utility of happiness as goals for policy - Ryan from Pheonix

Ch. 18: Happiness, thankfulness and sex work - Anonymous

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 19: Final comments on the utility of happiness for public policy

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #4EACHOfUs to #EndHyde via @AllAboveAll @NLIRH

Take Action:

Add your name in support of #4EACHOfUs: "Write your member of Congress today!” via the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health

Thank the #4EACHOfUs co-sponsors via All* Above All’s 100 Days For Coverage Campaign

Sources/further reading:

"Widespread Public Support Bolsters Bill to End Restrictions on Abortion Coverage” via Truthout

"New Year, Same as the Old Year? 2015 Reproductive Rights Preview”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


(2015/09/08) It is neither all good nor all bad (Sex Workers Rights)

Edition #951

Today we take a look at sex work and why it should be decriminalized rather than demonized
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:35 Ch. 2: Act 1: An introduction to the topic of sex work - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date: 11-6-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Sopra un aereoplanino di carta - Menion


00:04:31 Ch. 4: Act 2: .@MelissaGira Grant: The Work of Sex Work - @grittv w/ @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 3-18-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: We Stand Where Dinosaurs Roamed - Midnight Maps


00:17:49 Ch. 6: Act 3: Decriminalizing sex work will make the world a safer place - @anyaparampil & @CyndeeClay via RT America - Air Date: 8-20-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Solidarity Forever - Pete Seeger


00:26:16 Ch. 8: Act 4: Dominatrix and writer @MistressMatisse: Desired changed to the sex work industry - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date: 11-6-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: I Love You Money - Lowell


00:35:04 Ch. 10: Act 5:  Sex work in New Zealand: The Decriminalization Model - Drugreporter HCLU (@HCLUDrugReform) - Air Date: 8-1-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: N/A


00:48:49 Ch. 12: Act 6: #SexWorkIsWork: Support Decriminalization via @swopusa — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: Right to Complain - Trombone Shorty & Marc Broussard


00:52:47 Ch. 14: Act 7: Sexworker gives relationship advice - @fakedansavage - Air Date: 9-1-15


Voicemails

00:56:20 Ch. 15: Thoughts on the principles of libertarianism - Nathan from Vancouver, WA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:01:03 Ch. 16: Final comments on happiness as the highest principle

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #SexWorkIsWork: Support Decriminalization via @swopusa

Take Action:

Learn how to become an ally with SWOP’s Ally Resources Page

Follow & amplify: #SexWorkIsWork

Additional Activism/Resources:

Resources for sex workers: Safety tips and Screening 101 via via SWOP-Chicago

Sources/further reading:

"Amnesty International’s Long-Due Support for Sex Workers Rights” by Melissa Gira Grant at The Nation

”Playing the Whore: the Work of Sex Work” by Melissa Gira Grant

Q&A on the Policy to Protect Human Rights of Sex Workers — Amnesty International

"LGBT Rights Organizations Join Amnesty International in Call to Decriminalize Sex Work” — Lambda Legal

"How LGBT People Would Benefit From The Decriminalization Of Sex Work” at ThinkProgress

"3 Sex Workers' Rights Organizations That Fight Every Day To End The Stigma” via Bustle

"A Sex Worker Shows Why Her Job Shouldn't Be Illegal” via Refinery29

"How the Feds Took Down Rentboy.com” at Vice.com by Melissa Gira Grant

"Woman kills attacker with his gun, unknowingly takes out a serial killer” via The Daily Dot

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 951_It_is_neither_all_good_nor_all_bad_Sex_Workers_Rights.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #950

Today we take a look at progressivism, define some terms, clarify some stumbling blocks and give some guidance on how to be a better progressive
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: What is 'intersectionality'? - @IntersectionTNR - Air Date: 7-28-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Counting Colors - Anitek


00:07:23 Ch. 4: Act 2: A quick breakdown of identity politics - @CriticizeAfter Dinner - Air Date: 6-1-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Cetology - Ben McElroy


00:12:39 Ch. 6: Act 3: Political correctness isn't just about being polite - Popaganda (@BitchMedia) - Air Date: 3-26-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: N/A


00:19:56 Ch. 8: Act 4: Sarah Jaffe: Are We Mistaking Feelings for Politics? - Radio Dispatch - Air Date: 3-30-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Oak - Ben McElroy


00:34:28 Ch. 10: Act 5: Why I'm a complete and total hypocrite - and actually really proud of it - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 02-14-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Drifts - The OO-Ray


00:40:05 Ch. 12: Act 6: Breaking down modern day acts of rebellion - On Being (@Beingtweets) - Air Date: 1-8-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: N/A


00:46:44 Ch. 14: Act 7: 6 rules of being a good ally - Benjamin Dixon Show (@TheBpDShow) - Air Date: 8-14-15


Voicemails

00:57:36 Ch. 15: How to be a good ally to BlackLivesMatter - Dan from Albany, NY

01:01:36 Ch. 16: Don't let logistics stand in the way of feeding people - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:04:33 Ch. 17: Final comments on the article: “I find this offensive" How offense discourse traps us into inaction

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Direct download: 950_Progressivism-_A_guide.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/09/01) Throwing away food while people starve (Poverty)

Edition #949

Today we take a look at the injustices inherent in a system that criminalizes poverty and allows food insecurity while more than enough food is dumped into landfills
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1:  Nowhere To Go But Jail: OverCriminalized #3- Homelessness -@bravenewfilms - Air Date: 10-9-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: N/A


Ch. 4: Act 2: The Original Sin - Locking up the Food.. - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 04-20-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Better Then Way Too Post-Rock - Nic Bommarit


Ch. 6: Act 3: Republicans Move To Finally Kick Elderly Disabled People Off Food Stamps - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 04-07-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Portland [Demo] - RENMINBI


Ch. 8: Act 4: Here's How to REALLY Punish the Poor for Being Poor - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 05-26-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Little Lion Man - Single - Piano Tribute Players


Ch. 10: Act 5: Food Waste - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 7-19-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Royal American Medley - United States Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps


Ch. 12: Act 6: Millions of Americans Live Under the World Poverty Line - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 08-26-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Mothers of the Night - Moby


Ch. 14: Act 7: #HungerActionMonth via @FeedingAmerica — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: Activism - Shihan


Ch. 16: Act 8: The fantasy of volunteerism addressing poverty - @TalkPoverty Radio - Air Date: 8-20-15


Voicemails

Ch. 17: Visit your public libraries - Jill from California

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments on my hiking trip to Glacier National Park

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #HungerActionMonth via @FeedingAmerica

Take Action:

Join one (or all!) of @FeedingAmerica’s #HungerActionMonth campaigns.

Take TEN SECONDS to support Feeding America’s #Spoontember Thunderclap!

Sources/further reading:

"Hunger and Poverty Fact Sheet” via Feeding America

"49 Million Americans Live With This — So Why Are We So Uncomfortable Talking About It?” via .Mic

"Our Perceptions About the “Unworthy Poor” Haven’t Changed” via TalkPoverty

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 949_Throwing_away_food_while_people_starve_Poverty.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #884

Today we take a look at the recently released Senate torture report and attempt to give guidance on how it should and should NOT be received
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Senate releases report on CIA torture - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 12-9-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Human Rights - One Thing


Ch. 4: Act 2: "We Are Awesome"... - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 12-10-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Look At How Awesome We Are! - Look At How Awesome We Are!


Ch. 6: Act 3: Juan Cole on the lack of response to US torture from the Middle East - @truthdig Radio - Air Date: 12-12-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Machine - Contre jour (Original Soundtrack)


Ch. 8: Act 4: Suggesting alternatives to torture - The Bugle (@hellobuglers) - Air Date: 12-12-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Seduce Me - Joyride


Ch. 10: Act 5: Don't change the subject on torture - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 12-12-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: The Idiots Are Taking Over - The War On Errorism


Ch. 12: Act 6: Pardons would label torturers as criminals - Rachel @Maddow Show - Air Date: 12-9-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: We Know Better - Small Fame


Ch. 14: Act 7: Our culture of impunity - Le Show (@theharryshearer) - Air Date: 12-14-14

Ch. 15: Song 7: Accountability - I've Never Been to Heaven


Ch. 16: Act 8: Prosecute #Torture via @ACLU - Best of the Left Activism

Act 8.5:  They Said No To Torture - @aclu videos - Air Date: 12-12-14

Ch. 17: Song 8: Time for Action - Time for Action - the Very Best Of


Ch. 18: Act 9: Hayes Are really we a nation of laws? - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 12-9-14

Ch. 19: Song 9: Law and Order - The Ultimate TV Themes Collection: Thrillers


Ch. 20: Act 10: What happens when you betray your ideals - @dccommonsense with Dan Carlin - Air Date: 12-14-14


Voicemails

Ch. 21: What's needed to understand the discussion on race - Vphriamer Adis from New York

Ch. 22: The heartland is in media darkness - Vicki from Oregon

Ch. 23: American exceptionalism is bullshit - Chris from Colorado Springs

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 24: Final comments on the underserved oppressed group featured in the most recent bonus episode

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Prosecute #Torture via @ACLU

Take Action:

Write, email, and call (202-353-1555) the Department of Justice to demand the prosecution of those who ordered and orchestrated torture.

SIGN the ACLU petition: No Free Pass For Torture

Additional Activism:

SIGN the ACLU petition demanding the president Honor Those Who Said No To Torture

Sources/further reading:

"Why a Criminal Investigation is Necessary” — The ACLU statement on the Senate Torture Report

"Civil Rights Groups Call for Prosecution of Torture Architects” by Murtaza Hussain at The Intercept

"SSCI Torture Report Key: They Knew It was Torture, Knew It Was Illegal” via empty wheel

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 2014_12_16_One_of_our_Blackest_Marks_The_Torture_Report.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #881

Today we listen and learn from those most deeply effected by the pattern of deaths of black men and women as they talk through their grief and anger
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Ferguson - @MumiaAbuJamal - Air Date: 11-25-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: The Survivors - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Music from the Motion Picture)


Ch. 4: Act 2: Ferguson is Selma - @mychalsmith on @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date: 11-26-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Basique - Mickey Mouse Operation


Ch. 6: Act 3: New rules and time for action - @blackastronaut1 - Air Date: 11-26-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Untitled - Zoe Keating


Ch. 8: Act 4: This is what hopelessness looks like - @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date: 11-26-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Rivers and Roads - The Head and the Heart


Ch. 10: Act 5: The Illipsis- on Ferguson, riots and human limits - @jsmooth995 - Air Date: 11-26-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: Tobacco Road - Tobacco Road


Ch. 12: Act 6: Ferguson's Fall Out - @MumiaAbuJamal - Air Date: 11-29-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Struggle - Ringside


Ch. 14: Act 7: When the System Provides No Remedies to Torture, You Must Overthrow It - @blkagendareport - Air Date: 12-3-14

Ch. 15: Song 7: Take a Look Around (In the Style of Limp Bizkit) [Karaoke Instrumental Version] - Karaoke in the Style of Limp Bizkit - Single


Ch. 16: Act 8: New York City takes to streets in wake of Garner ruling - Rachel @Maddow Show - Air Date: 12-3-14

Ch. 17: Song 8: Everyday (Single Version) - Carly Comando


Ch. 18: Act 9: Death for a Cigarette - @MumiaAbuJamal - Air Date: 12-4-14

Ch. 19: Song 9: If Not Now, When - Anchor & Braille


Ch. 20: Act 10: Prepare yourselves for the long haul - @TWiBnation - Air Date: 12-3-14

Ch. 21: Song 10: Protest song - Anti-Flag


Ch. 22: Act 11: Killer Mike's pre-show Ferguson Grand Jury speech


Voicemails

Ch. 23: Focus on the gasoline, not the match - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

Ch. 24: Thoughts on the big picture of race relations in America - Marcus from Wichita Falls, TX

Ch. 25: Another blow to the psyche - Prof. Rambo from Georgia

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 26: Final comments directing protesters to fergusonresponse.tumblr.com and #thisstopstoday

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 2014_12_05_Processing_Ferguson_Eric_Garner_and_Beyond_BlackLivesMatter.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #948

Today we take a look at a variety of aspects of a new culture we should all be aspiring to where health, happiness and environmental sustainability are all in line with each other
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Alan Watts: What If Money Was No Object? - Tragedy & Hope (@TragedyandHopes) - Air Date: 8-30-13

Ch. 3: Song 1: N/A


00:03:23 Ch. 4: Act 2: Examining the real concept of prosperity - The biggest story in the world (a @guardian podcast) - Air Date: 4-17-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Untitled - Zoe Keating


00:11:47 Ch. 6: Act 3: Josh Farley explains some of the tenets of degrowth - Extraenvironmentalist (@xenvironmental) - Air Date: 5-20-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: The Confrontation - Dan Romer & Benh Zeitlin


00:22:48 Ch. 8: Act 4: Nature Rx - @nature_rx

Ch. 9: Song 4: N/A


00:24:12 Ch. 10: Act 5:  A city goes ecomobile - The Urban Idea - Air Date: 12-24-13

Ch. 11: Song 5: N/A


00:36:57 Ch. 12: Act 6: A 3-Day Work Week Could Save Humanity - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 12-23-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: No Sleep Till Brooklyn - Beastie Boys


00:39:12 Ch. 14: Act 7: David Suzuki explains how we would look to an alien studying us - Extraenvironmentalist (@xenvironmental) - Air Date: 5-20-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Call of the Wild Ones: A Theme - Black Prairie


00:48:35 Ch. 16: Act 8: Visualizing a Plenitude Economy - Center for a New American Dream (@newdream) - Air Date: 9-15-11


Voicemails

00:53:25 Ch. 17: Free will and Liberalism - Gretchen from Minnesota

00:55:43 Ch. 18: A couple of things people don't understand about racism - Anthony from Illinois

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


00:58:09 Ch. 19: Final comments on Plenitude, Mr. Money Mustache and my story of health, happiness, frugality and the environment

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 948_The_shift_in_culture_we_need_Climate.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #947

Today we see what we can learn from the recent #BlackLivesMatter protests against Bernie Sanders and White Progressives™ and the reactions from some Sanders supporters that they sparked
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:34 Ch. 2: Act 1: Black Lives Matter organizer 'Every presidential candidate should expect to hear from us' - Melissa Harris Perry (@MHPshow) - Air Date 8-15-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Racism - The Mighty Sparrow


00:10:49 Ch. 4: Act 2: Interview with Marissa Janae Johnson (@rissaofthewa) after Seattle protest - This Week in Blackness (@TWiBnation) - Air Date: 8-11-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Are You With Me - Vaux


00:21:11 Ch. 6: Act 3: How not to be an ally of racial justice - @citizenradio - Air Date: 8-10-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Springish - Gillicuddy


00:31:39 Ch. 8: Act 4: On #BlackLivesMatter and Defending Bernie Sanders - Jay Smooth (@jsmooth995) - Air Date: 8-15-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Tobacco Road - Common Market


00:36:07 Ch. 10: Act 5: A case of white fragility in the fight for racial justice - This Week in Blackness (@TWiBnation) - Air Date: 8-11-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Hurt Feelings - Flight of the Conchords


00:47:49 Ch. 12: Act 6: Hey Naysayers, Allow Bernie Sanders to Offer You Proof That Black Lives Matter Helps Him - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 08-14-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Hard To Explain - The Riptide Movement


00:54:31 Ch. 14: Act 7: .@JeanneTheoharis social movements cause discomfort - Melissa Harris Perry (@MHPshow) - Air Date 8-15-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Jail - Plusplus


01:01:53 Ch. 16: Act 8: .@VanJones68 goes all in to explain the BlackLives Matter protests - This Week in Blackness (@TWiBnation) - Air Date: 8-12-15


Voicemails

01:04:35 Ch. 17: Examining deep rooted conservatism in the progressive movement - V from Western New York

01:06:19 Ch. 18: What people are forgetting about how racism works - David From Georgia

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:09:13 Ch. 19: Final comments on the different roles each of us play within a movement

#BlackLivesMatter & Racial Justice (admittedly incomplete) Round-up

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Edition #946

Today we take a broad look at the effects of our diminishing privacy
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Illegal Spying Below: Activists Fly Anti-Surveillance Airship over NSA's Utah Data Center - Electronic Frontier Foundation (@EFF) - Air Date: 8-5-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: N/A


Ch. 4: Act 2: Surveillance Beyond the Patriot Act - @onthemedia - Air Date: 5-28-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: All Along the Watchtower - The Jimi Hendrix Experience


Ch. 6: Act 3: What happens if we have a 9/11 of privacy? - Common Sense (@dccommonsense) - Air Date: 7-14-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Life Lessons Episode 1: 5 Ways To Avoid Your Bills - LunchMoney Lewis


Ch. 8: Act 4:  What Is Systemic Racism? - Government Surveillance - @RaceForward - Air Date: 4-22-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Le monde de contre jour - David Ari Leon


Ch. 10: Act 5:  Data and Goliath: Bruce Schneier on the Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World - @democracynow - Air Date: 3-13-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: What Is Your Secret - Nada Surf


Ch. 12: Act 6: Preserve Anonymity, Stand Up For Domain Privacy via @EFF — Best of the Left Activism 

Ch. 13: Song 6: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


Ch. 14: Act 7: The government and technology companies battle over encryption - Common Sense (@dccommonsense) - Air Date: 7-14-15


Voicemails

Ch. 15: Stop Killing our Trans sisters - Uhuru from Sweden

Ch. 16: A story of abuse and a call for a healthier discussion of sexuality - Anonymous

Ch. 17: Tea Consent as part of educational curriculum - Alex from Oregon

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments asking for comments on Black Lives Matter and progressive infighting before the hiatus starts

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Preserve Anonymity, Stand Up For Domain Privacy via @EFF

Take Action:

SIGN: "Preserve Anonymity, Stand Up For Domain Privacy” via the Electronic Frontier Foundation

Sources/further reading:

"Icann plan to end website anonymity 'could lead to swatting attacks’” at The Guardian

"Proposed Domain Name Rule Threatens Website Owner Anonymity” at Buzzfeed

Hear the segment in context:

Episode #946 "What will it take to reverse this trend? (Privacy Rights)"

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Direct download: 946_What_will_it_take_to_reverse_this_trend__Privacy_Rights.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/08/11) Violence and injustice (Trans Rights)

Edition #945

Today we take a look at multiple forms of violence and injustice afflicting trans people as part of their daily lives
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Transgender Rights - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 6-28-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Little People (Black City) (Live @ KEXP) - Matthew Dear


Ch. 4: Act 2: .@SBearBergman on how the natural order is reasserting itself for trans people - @SexOutLoudRadio - Air Date: 10-17-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: She said - Stray Dogg


Ch. 6: Act 3: This piece is called "Trigger Warning" - @Making_Contact - Air Date: 4-21-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Credits - dustmotes


Ch. 8: Act 4: Transforming History - Retro Report - Air Date 6-15-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Some Kind Of Mininova - Textile Audio


Ch. 10: Act 5: #TransHealthFail - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date: 8-6-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Summer - Butano Bazaar


Ch. 12: Act 6: Support @MyTransHealth - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: Activism - Shihan


Ch. 14: Act 7: .@LaverneCox on Bullying and Being a Trans Woman of Color - @KepplerSpeakers - Air Date: 12-19-13


Voicemails

Ch. 15: Explaining the functions of inflation - Jeff from Sacramento, CA

Ch. 16: Open immigration is pro-people and good for the economy - Charlie From Cinncinatti

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments on how to deal with things you don't understand

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Support @MyTransHealth

Take Action:

AMPLIFY and donate to the KICKSTARTER to bring My Trans Health to as many cities as possible.

Additional Activism/Resources:

FOLLOW and amplify: #TransHealthFail

Sources/further reading:

"6 ways the health care system fails transgender patients” via Mashable

"Trans People Are Speaking Out About Their Horrible Experiences With Health Care” via .Mic

"It's hard being trans. It's even harder when you can't find a doctor. A new site hopes to fix that.” via Upworthy

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 945_Violence_and_injustice_Trans_Rights.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #944

Today we take a look at the accusations against Bill Cosby of serial rape, some of the underlying concepts behind consent and how rape culture creates #TheEmptyChair
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: New details revealed in Cosby assault claims - Rachel @Maddow - Air Date 7-6-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: The Time To Run (Finale) - Dexter Britain


Ch. 4: Act 2: Cosby Rape Victim Strikes Back At The View Host - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 07-11-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: American Life (instrumental) - Silence Is Sexy


Ch. 6: Act 3: Republicans Ponder: Is Sex With an Unconscious Person Real, Legitimate Rape? - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 02-10-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: suffer them - Noaidi


Ch. 8: Act 4: Tea Consent - @BlueSeatStudios and the Rockstar Dinosaur Pirate Princess - Air Date: 5-12-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Time for Tea - Madness


Ch. 10: Act 5: Bill Cosby's accusers as you've never seen them before - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 7-27-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Structures In The Sun - Metal Mountains


Ch. 12: Act 6: Protect Funding that Supports Victims of Sexual Violence via @RAINN01 - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: Activism - Shihan


Ch. 14: Act 7: #TheEmptyChair - This week in blackness (@TWiBprime) - Air Date: 7-27-15


Voicemails

Ch. 16: The history of the racial division - Ruben from San Jose

Ch. 17: Asking for thoughts on inflation - Matt from Maryland

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments on inflation vs deflation

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Protect Funding that Supports Victims of Sexual Violence via @RAINN01

Take Action:

Email, tweet, call your representatives from: "Tell Congress to Protect Funding that Supports Victims of Sexual Violence and Helps Catch Rapists”

Sources/further reading:

"‘I’m No Longer Afraid’: 35 Women Tell Their Stories About Being Assaulted by Bill Cosby, and the Culture That Wouldn’t Listen” by Noreen Malone at NY Mag’s ‘The Cut’

"Who Will We Choose to See? Bill Cosby and Believing Survivors” by Tọ́pẹ́ Fádìran at RH Reality Check

"The Empty Chair & 35 Women Standing Up to Bill Cosby, Rapist” by Roxane Gay at The Toast

"Serial rapists commit 9 of 10 campus sexual assaults, research finds” at AlJazeera America

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 944_On_Cosby_and_consent_Rape_Culture.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/08/04) No human being is illegal (Immigration)

Edition #943

Today we take a look at the dysfunctional state of the US immigration system and the political fight brewing over what to do about it
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Coming Out As An Undocumented Immigrant - Latino Voices - AJ+ (@ajplus) - Air Date: 03-20-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Liberate - Buguinha Dub


Ch. 4: Act 2: Donald Trump WRONG About 'Immigrant Crime' - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 07-08-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Untitled 10 - Sunslide


Ch. 6: Act 3: Scott Walker Now Bashing Any and All Immigrants - @majorityfm - Air Date: 04-22-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Oak - Ben McElroy


Ch. 8: Act 4: La Raza Annual Conference Will Be Skipped By EVERY 2016 Republican Candidate - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 07-12-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Mexico - Jimmy Pé


Ch. 10: Act 5: 'OITNB' actress (@dianeguerrero__) speaks out about family's deportation - CNN - Air Date: 11-17-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: Let’s go down - Family of the Year


Ch. 12: Act 6: Mass Graves of Immigrants Found in Texas, But State Says No Laws Were Broken - @democracynow - Air Date: 07-16-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Suffering of the Innocents - Squire Tuck


Ch. 14: Act 7: Did You Know Jesus Was Against Immigration? - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 07-16-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Bible stories - Dublin Duck Dispensary


Ch. 16: Act 8: Hold Border Patrol Responsible via @ACLU — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


Ch. 18: Act 9: Let Them All In? How Immigration Can Help the Economy - @LearnLiberty - Air Date: 01-13-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: All over the world - Boogie Belgique


Ch. 20: Act 10: The Migrant Manifesto by Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) - @migrants_rights Network - Air Date: 11-26-12


Voicemails

Ch. 21: Happiness through polyamory - Katie Klabusich

Ch. 22: Bernie getting the short end of the stick - Matt from Flagstaff

Ch. 23: The importance of hearing from black voices - Sunny from St. Paul, MN

Ch. 24: Happiness through music - Neil

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 25: Final comments on happiness and poverty

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Hold Border Patrol Responsible via @ACLU

Take Action:

SIGN: "Our Border Communities Are Not Constitution-Free Zones" via ACLU

Sources/further reading:

"Signs of Life For Immigration Reform” at U.S. News and World Report

"Jeb Bush unveils border security, immigration reform plan” via WSB-TV

"Documenting Ongoing Border Patrol Abuses” via Immigration Policy Center

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 943_No_human_being_is_illegal_Immigration.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/07/31) Productive progressive infighting (#BlackLivesMatter at #NetrootsNation)

Edition #942

Today we take a look at the #BlackLivesMatter protest at Netroots Nation and the positive results that have emerged in it’s wake
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: The Sandra Bland Video & the Extraordinary Threat to Black Lives - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 07-22-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Blik - deeB


00:09:17 Ch. 4: Act 2: "I Will Light You Up!": New Dash Cam Video Shows Arrest of Sandra Bland, Found Dead in Texas Jail - @democracynow - Air Date: 07-22-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Change The World ( Coldnoise Remix ) - Controlled Collapse


00:11:15 Ch. 6: Act 3: Protesting the White Progressive space at @Netroots_Nation - This week in blackness (@TWiBNation) - Air Date: 7-23-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Please Listen Carefully - Jazzer


00:27:48 Ch. 8: Act 4: Misguided responses to #BlackLivesMatter, including Bernie Sanders at @Netroots_Nation - Back Talk from @BitchMedia - Air Date: 7-23-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Take Care - Dad Rocks!


00:37:44 Ch. 10: Act 5: Having a job isn't going to make me not black - The Black Guy Who Tips (@rodimusprime) - Air Date: 7-22-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Rain Begins To Fall (instrumental) - Silence is Sexy


00:46:19 Ch. 12: Act 6: Bernie Sanders and Black Lives Matter - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 07-21-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Sneeuwland - Oskar Schuster


00:53:06 Ch. 14: Act 7: Black people, we got you! I mean, to a certain extent. - This week in blackness (@TWiBNation) - Air Date: 7-23-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Friends and Neighbors (Remastered) - Single - Sammy Kaye


00:56:14 Ch. 16: Act 8: What Bernie Sanders needs to do to win - Benjamin Dixon Show (@TheBpDShow) - Air Date: 7-24-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: A Lot of Work to Do - Friendly People


01:05:18 Ch. 18: Act 9: Bernie Sanders: Racism & Inequality Are 'Parallel Problems' - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 07-27-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: Close to Me (Closest Mix) - The Cure


01:09:24 Ch. 19: Act 10: .@DFAaction responds to the #BlackLivesMatter protest at Netroots - This week in blackness (@TWiBNation) - Air Date: 7-28-15


01:16:28 Ch. 20: Final comments with an analogy explaining why you shouldn't say "All Lives Matter" in response to "Black Lives Matter"

From Reddit: Why is it so controversial when someone says "All Lives Matter" instead of "Black Lives Matter"?

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone 


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


(2015/07/28) Taking food out of the mouths of babes (Poverty)

Edition #941

Today we take a look at food insecurity for both adults and children as well as one possible solution in the form of a universal basic income
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: War on Poor Grows: No Shellfish, Potatoes, Ketchup for You! - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 05-22-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: can't afford no food - Jeff Eliassen


00:04:36 Ch. 4: Act 2: GOP's Poor-Punishing Legacy Comes to an End (In One State) - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 04-23-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Food - Town Hall


00:08:43 Ch. 6: Act 3: Dr. Harriet Fraad on US economy’s disastrous impact on children - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - AIr Date: 1-25-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Cry for the Children - Jamod Allah


00:19:09 Ch. 8: Act 4: Anna Chudnovsky, Elementary School Teacher - First Call BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition - Air Date: 11-27-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Impossible - Shout Out Louds


00:25:20 Ch. 10: Act 5:  Fired for the offense of feeding children - This week in blackness (@TWiBNation) - Air Date: 6-3-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Broke and Hungry - Jeremy Wallace


00:36:55 Ch. 12: Act 6: Food, Clothing and Health Care Should be Rights... - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 02-12-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Food - Gablé


00:46:34 Ch. 14: Act 7: Keep #SNAP Strong via @FRACtweets — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: This Fickle World - Theo Bard


00:51:59 Ch. 16: Act 8: Basic Income: The Totally Crazy Not Crazy Idea - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 06-25-15


Voicemails

00:58:31 Ch. 17: Happiness through helping people - Colin from Cleveland, OH

00:59:53 Ch. 18: Happiness through autonomy at work - Ryan from Phoenix

01:03:42 Ch. 19: Are the long-term consequinces of nuclear vs solar comparable? - Marty from California

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 20: 12 Final Comments on supporting Katie on Patreon, suggesting you watch the movie Pride and answering a question about nuclear power

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Keep #SNAP Strong via @FRACtweets

Take Action:

Track and support/oppose pending budgetary and program changes to food assistance through Food Research and Action Center’s Legislative Action Center

SIGN: "Tell Congress to Keep SNAP Strong”

Sources/further reading:

"What SNAP Is For” via the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

"Honoring the Legacy of Senators Bob Dole and George McGovern” via World Food Program USA

"Republicans Are Trying to Take Food Out of My Mouth” by Katie Klabusich at RollingStone

Written (mostly) by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 941_Taking_food_out_of_the_mouths_of_babes_Poverty.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #894

Today we take a look at the legacy of Martin Luther King as it was taught to us and fill in the gaps that were left out. Turns out it was no accident those gaps were left in the first place.
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: An except from a lost MLK speech - @democracynow - Air Date: 1-19-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: We Shall Overcome - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions


Ch. 4: Act 2: MLK Day Should be for Everyone - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 01-20-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Like a King - Welcome to the Cruel World


Ch. 6: Act 3: Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes You've Probably Never Heard Before - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 01-20-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: By the Time I Get to Arizona - Power to the People & the Beats - Public Enemy's Greatest Hits


Ch. 8: Act 4: Rev. Madison Shockley on the black liberation theology of MLK - @truthdig Radio - Air Date: 1-16-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Glory (From the Motion Picture "Selma") - Glory (From the Motion Picture "Selma") - Single


Ch. 10: Act 5: Movement Building and the Importance of Youth - Tim Wise - Air Date: 12-5-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: A Dream - Freedom Writers


Ch. 12: Act 6: Demand Congress Address Civil and Human Rights via @civilrightsorg - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 14: Act 7: Gary Younge, author of 'The Speech' with MLK - @Making_Contact - Air Date: 1-13-15


Voicemails

Ch. 16: Encouraging women to speak about their experiences with abortion - Zoe from Durham, NC

Ch. 17: This American Life did a segment on Vocal Fry - Ruben from San Jose

Ch. 18: Thoughts on the impermanence of "culture" - Nathan from Vancouver, WA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 19: Final comments on the invention of racism by the powerful to divide the powerless

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Demand Congress Address Civil and Human Rights via @civilrightsorg

Take Action:

Add your name: Congress Must Address Civil and Human Rights Priorities in 2015 via The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Additional Activism/Resources:

Go. See. Selma. Find listings HERE

Sources/further reading:

"Will Justice Scalia Be the Savior of the Fair Housing Act?” at ACLU.org

"Civil and Human Rights Coalition Troubled by Deletion of “Civil Rights and Human Rights” from Senate Constitution Subcommittee” press release from The Leadership Conference

“Yes, The Oscars Are So White, And Here’s Why That Matters” at MTV.com

#OscarsSoWhite via @ReignOfApril

Ava DuVernay: ‘Selma’ Is the ‘Vision of a Black Storyteller Undiluted’” by Mychal Denzel Smith at The Nation

"Congress Will Be in Session Longer Next Year. Will It Make a Difference?” by Kate Scanlon at The Daily Signal

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 2015_01_30_Dispelling_the_selective_memory_of_Dr._Martin_Luther_King.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #940

Today we take a look at a the continuing drought conditions in California and a variety of plans of action to fight the emission of green house gasses
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: California's epic drought - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date: 7-13-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Cylinder One - Chris Zabriskie


00:04:59 Ch. 4: Act 2: Reframing the CA drought away from climate change - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 6-19-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Drought - Steve Wynn


00:08:25 Ch. 6: Act 3: Actually, Solar and Wind Energy Would Work Just Fine - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 04-24-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Windmill - Listen With Sarah


00:20:23 Ch. 8: Act 4:  Nuclear Power can be Safe... - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 06-12-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Nuclear Waste - Tought Darts!


00:25:04 Ch. 10: Act 5: The solar boom - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date: 7-10-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: All over the world - Boogie Belgique


00:30:41 Ch. 12: Act 6: The Vatican encyclical on the environment - @greennewsreport - Air Date: 6-18-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Cetology - Ben McElroy


00:33:36 Ch. 14: Act 7:  I'm Not A Scientist - @onthemedia - Air Date: 6-19-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Oklahoma (Finale) - Gordon MacRae, Charlotte Greenwood, James Whitmore, Shirley Jones & Jay Flippen


00:40:29 Ch. 16: Act 8: The BP settlement for the gulf oil spill - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 7-10-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: Natural Disaster - D.A. Dad


00:43:36 Ch. 18: Act 9: Coal 101- What's Wrong with Coal? - @SierraClub - Air Date: 5-28-13

Ch. 19: Song 9: Shadow of a Coal Mine - Linda Draper


00:46:22 Ch. 20: Act 10: .@BeyondCoal via @SierraClub — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 21: Song 10: Activism - Shihan


00:49:42 Ch. 22: Act 11: Supreme Court EPA Ruling Is A Big Polluted Kiss To Conservatives - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 06-30-15


Voicemails

00:55:37 Ch. 23: What's the alternative to the coal industry? - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


00:57:25 Ch. 24: Final comments on what we need to do when the coal jobs disappear

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: @BeyondCoal via @SierraClub

Take Action:

SIGN & SHARE: Speak Out For a Strong Clean Power Plan with the The Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign

Get involved in your state through Beyond Coal’s Take Action Page

Sources/further reading:

“United States Phases Out 200th Coal Plant As Momentum For Renewable Energy Grows” via The Sierra Club

"Iowa Utility Will Phase Out Coal At 5 Plants, In Milestone For Sierra Club” by Kate Sheppard via Huffington Post

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 940_What_we_are_facing_and_how_we_are_fighting_Climate.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #939

Today we take a look at a variety of ways the media fails us, from the use of fear tactics and stereotyping to their completely credulous regurgitation of government press releases and all around insider mindset that can never challenge the conventional wisdom
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:39 Ch. 2: Act 1: 7 Totally False Panics Created By The Media - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 04-11-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: The Shine - Jahzzar

00:06:16 Ch. 4: Act 2: Snowden Smear Piece Sums Up Journalism's Sad State - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 06-18-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Portland (Demo) - RENMINBI


00:12:25 Ch. 6: Act 3: US: NSA Surveillance Restricts Press Freedom - HumanRightsWatch (@hrw) - Air Date: 07-28-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Dart - Stray Dogg


00:17:01 Ch. 8: Act 4: MSNBC launches NBCBLK - This week in blackness (@TWiBnation) - Air Date: 1-19-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: perro - Digi G'Alessio


00:25:49 Ch. 10: Act 5: Why Charleston Shooter Isn't Being Called A Terrorist- White Riots vs Black Protests - @bravenewfilms - Air Date: 6-16-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Cospiratore - Old Splendifolia


00:28:43 Ch. 12: Act 6: Is MSNBC Dying? - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 04-03-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: This is based upon a true story - plusplus


00:33:51 Ch. 14: Act 7: How the Delusional Mainstream Media Dismisses Bernie Sanders - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 05-28-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Black Eyed Susan - Podington Bear


00:43:27 Ch. 16: Act 8: The blending of content and advertising - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 12-12-14

Ch. 17: Song 8: Horfid (Live @ KEXP) - Lay Low


00:45:56 Ch. 18: Act 9: HUGE: 22 Towns Will Build Their Own Gigabit Internet Service - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 07-07-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: Greek Tragedy - plusplus


00:49:51 Ch. 20: Act 10: Chuck Todd Slips & Tells Lewis Black EXACTLY Why The Media Sucks - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 01-03-15


Voicemails

00:54:11 Ch. 21: Learning to apologize - Anthony from Indiana

00:57:51 Ch. 22: Happiness through veganism - Nick

01:04:27 Ch. 22: Overcoming the idea of living up to ideals and practicing appreciation - Vicki from Oregon

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:06:48 Ch. 23: Final comments on the relationship between happiness and politics

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 939_We_are_being_failed_in_so_many_ways_Media.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/07/14) What are women complaining about? (Feminism)

Edition #938

Today we take a look at what women are complaining about. Turns out there’s a lot, and for good reason.
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Gerda Lerner - short unedited Interview - BKRenata - Air Date: 7-28-12

Ch. 3: Song 1: Heirloom - The Black Atlantic


 Ch. 4: Act 2: Women in Media: On Feminism - Arthouse - Air Date: 12-23-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Things will change - Audiophil


Ch. 6: Act 3: Intersectionality Video - Giavana Margo - Air Date: 11-20-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: con·form·ist - dustmotes


Ch. 8: Act 4: Framing the debate on family-friendly workplace policies - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 5-29-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Khaf - deeB


Ch. 10: Act 5: Should Men be Excluded From the workplace? - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 05-20-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: The Insider Theme - The Insider


Ch. 12: Act 6: Hollywood Boys' Club Called Out For Sexism - AJ+ - Air Date: 05-21-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Back to the Future - Mikhola


Ch. 14: Act 7: Upworthy & Lady Parts Present: Candid Casting Calls - Upworthy - Air Date: 02-18-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: n/a


Ch. 16: Act 8: Why I'm a... FEMINIST! (gasp) - Laci Green (@gogreen18) - Air Date: 4-23-14

Ch. 17: Song 8: Without a doubt - BJ Block and Dawn Pemberton


Ch. 18: Act 9: I am Not Roof's Woman - The F Word with @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 6-26-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: Drifts - The OO-Ray


Ch. 20: Act 10: Caitlyn Clark's poem in response to UCSB shooting - @Making_Contact - Air Date: 4-21-15

Ch. 21: Song 10: Ennio 08-08 - Silence is sexy


Ch. 22: Act 11: Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment via @ERACoalition - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 23: Song 11: This fickle world - Theo Bard


Ch. 24: Act 12: Woman on the $10 Bill - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver


Voicemails

Ch. 25: Critiquing homeopathy - Marty from California

Ch. 26: Happiness through polyamory - Chris from Seattle

Ch. 27: Happiness through surfing - Issac from DC

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 28: Final comments on gaining a perspective on life that will allow us to follow our bliss

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment via @ERACoalition

Take Action:

SIGN: "Pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)” via MoveOn.org

SUPPORT the ratification of the ERA: Take the Pledge and Contact Your Representatives via the ERA Coalition

Additional Activism:

Watch for the release of the documentary "Equal Means Equal” from the ERA Education Project

Sources/further reading:

"Meryl Streep Helpfully Reminded Congress We Still Don’t Have an Equal-Rights Amendment” at The Cut

"Meryl Streep Is Pushing Congress to Finally Revive the Equal Rights Amendment” at Mother Jones

"The new women warriors: Reviving the fight for equal rights” at CNN.com

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 938_What_are_women_complaining_about__Feminism.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #937

Today we take a look at the corrupting effects of money in politics as well as several signs of progress in the fight for a new, functional system
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: We're Mayday. And we have a plan - @maydayus - Air Date: 3-13-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Le mystère de contre jour - David Ari Leon


00:03:13 Ch. 4: Act 2: Who's really running the country? - @dccommonsense - AIr Date: 3-29-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Oligarchy - The Haymarket Squares


00:08:26 Ch. 6: Act 3: The Koch brothers raise money to rival both GOP and Democratic parties - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 2-8-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: The System - Abscondo


00:15:35 Ch. 8: Act 4: How Is Wolf PAC Achieving Its Latest Win? - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 03-27-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: A Real Hero (feat. Electric Youth) - College


00:24:46 Ch. 10: Act 5: One Man Completely Changed the Money-In-Politcs Debate - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 04-06-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: A Change Is Gonna Come - Ben Sollee


00:30:33 Ch. 12: Act 6: Koch Brothers Shopping For 2016 Republican Candidates - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 05-29-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Those Were the Days / Goodbye - Single - Mary Hopkin


00:39:32 Ch. 14: Act 7: #Leaders4Reform w/@MAYDAYUS — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: Time for Action - the Very Best Of - Secret Affair


00:42:17 Ch. 16: Act 8: Billionaires Unite To Bribe Their Way To Even More Power - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 06-16-15


Voicemails

00:57:26 Ch. 17: For the birds - The Chloe Sanctuary at chloesanctuary.org - Don Scott

01:01:33 Ch. 18: My Brag on homoeopathic wellness - Sunny from St. Paul, MN

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:09:13 Ch. 19: Final comments on the power of the ancient philosophy of Stoicism

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism Update!

S.1538 - Fair Elections Now Act

Follow-up/new Action: #Leaders4Reform w/@MAYDAYUS

Leave a message for Congress: Citizen Recording Studio

Build a bigger #Leaders4Reform coalition: Call your representatives

Sources/additional glimmers of hope:

"The 'Super PAC to End Super PACs' Makes a Strategic Retreat” at Bloomberg Politics

"We tried. We learned. We’re trying something new: Mayday.US, v2” by Lawrence Lessig

"Frodo Baggins for President” by Lawrence Lessig

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 937_Making_progress_on_our_biggest_problem_Money_in_Politics.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/07/07) Drugged and broke (Health Care)

Edition #936

Today we take a look at the terribleness of Big Pharma and the irrationality of not having a single payer insurance system
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: PILLS - The answer to all your problems! - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 10-9-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: War On Drugs (Bonus Track) - Marc Goone


Ch. 4: Act 2: Are Drug Companies the Most Evil? - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 04-29-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: So Much More - Marc Robillard


Ch. 6: Act 3: Marketing to Doctors - @LastWeekTonight w/ @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 02-08-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Ask Your Doctor - Don Arbor


Ch. 8: Act 4: Pharma Advertising in Finland - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 01-03-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Overdose (The Chainsmokers Remix) - Single - Little Daylight


Ch. 10: Act 5: SCOTUS Upholds Obamacare! - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 06-25-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Knock Yourself Out - Jon Brion


Ch. 12: Act 6: US health insurance vs European insurance - Health Care For ALL Oregon (@HCAO)

Ch. 13: Song 6: Dawn Departure, Jefferson County - Black Prairie


Ch. 14: Act 7: Commonwealth Fund: How are people's health coverage going? - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 1-11-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Keepsake - State Radio


Ch. 16: Act 8: Why should I pay for everybody else's healthcare - Health Care For ALL Oregon (@HCAO)

Ch. 17: Song 8: Zebra - Beach House


Ch. 18: Act 9: Universal Access To Affordable Medicine via @NeedyMeds & @AccessOurMeds — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Song 9: The Poet - Shihan


Ch. 20: Act 10: We pay way more for health care and get way less - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 3-29-15


Voicemails

Ch. 21: In response to the libertarian caller - Brian from Ohio

Ch. 22: We're subsidizing the security of the world at our own expense - Nathan from Sunnyvale, South Bay

Ch. 23: I tip my hat to you on recent racism episode - V from Western New York

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 24: Final comments asking for your messages, questions or stories about happiness

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Universal Access To Affordable Medicine via @NeedyMeds & @AccessOurMeds

Take Action:

SIGN the "Access Our Medicine” Declaration from the Access Our Medicine Initiative

Additional Activism/Resources:

Let people know about The Generic Assistance Program (GAP) for prescription medications through NeedyMeds

Sources/further reading:

"Trading Away Health: The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP)” via Doctors Without Borders

"What the Affordable Care Act Means for Prescription Coverage” via The Washington Post

"Prescription Drug Costs and Health Reform: FAQ” via WebMD

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 936_Drugged_and_broke_Health_Care.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/07/03) It is so ordered (Marriage Equality)

Edition #935

Today we take a look at the historic Supreme Court ruling making marriage equality the law of the land
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Gay Marriage Is Now Legal Nationally, But Bigots Will Keep Fighting It - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 06-29-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Victory - Trampled By Turtles


Ch. 4: Act 2: The view of marriage equality from inside the court - @GAY_USAtv - Air Date: 7-1-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: "Equality" - Todd (Tif) Fernandez


Ch. 6: Act 3: The Secret History of Marriage - @DecodeDC - Air Date: 4-17-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Words Are Seeds - My Gay Banjo


Ch. 8: Act 4: Dissenting Justices Cling To Ancient Hate In Opposing Gay Marriage - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 06-27-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Those Were The Days (All In The Family Theme) - Television Heroes


Ch. 10: Act 5: A look at the holdouts against same sex marriage - Le Show (@theharryshearer) - Air Date: 6-28-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Sundown Town - Ry Cooder


Ch. 12: Act 6: Anti-Gay Bryan Fischer Equates Gay Marriage Ruling with 9/11 & Slavery - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 06-29-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Opinions - The Haymarket Squares


Ch. 14: Act 7: The newest 'It gets better' video after SCOTUS rules on marriage equality - @TWiBnation - Air Date: 7-1-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: It Gets Better - Single - Jay Kuo, Blair Shepard & Broadway Sings For The Trevor Project


Ch. 16: Act 8: #Not1More via FAMILIA: Trans Queer Liberation Movement (@familiatqlm) — Best of the Left Activism 

Ch. 17: Song 8: Time for Action - the Very Best Of - Secret Affair


Ch. 18: Act 9: Historic marriage ruling opens new chapter for America - Rachel @maddow Show - Air Date: 6-26-15


Voicemails

Ch. 19: Olive branch from a libertarian - Inaudible from Maryland

Ch. 20: Pushback on Adreana's pushback - Elka from Fort Wayne, IN

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 21: Final comments on the possibility of left/right alliances

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #Not1More via FAMILIA: Trans Queer Liberation Movement (@familiatqlm)

Take Action:

SIGN: "Tell President Obama, Don't Discriminate Against LGBTQ Immigrants” via FAMILIA: Trans Queer Liberation Movement

JOIN the movement to end deportation of undocumented LGBTQ people with #Not1More

Sources/further reading:

“#Not1More RESPONSE TO ICE NEW MEMO ON PROCESSING TRANS DETAINEES”

"A transgender woman of color on the hypocrisy of the gay rights movement” by Raquel Wilis at Quartz

"Obama's reply to a trans woman proves LGBT advocacy stops at gay marriage” by Meredith Talusan at The Guardian

"Was Obama’s Heckler Actually A Transgender Hero?” by Kristina Marusic at MTVIssues

"The Obama Legacy: Inequality, Corporate Trade Deals, Worldwide War” by Kit O’Connell

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 935_It_is_so_ordered_Marriage_Equality.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/06/30) The long shadow of southern white supremacy (Racism)

Edition #934

Today we take a look at the history of race and white supremacy in America to understand the incredibly loud echoes of the past that continue to reverberate strongly in modern society
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: The Trick of Whiteness, Historically and Today - @timjacobwise - Air Date: 12-5-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Time to Go Home - Michael Franti & Spearhead


00:06:56 Ch. 4: Act 2: Black, White and Red All Over - @onthemedia - Air Date: 2-13-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Echo's (from the Past) - Al Huskey


00:12:27 Ch. 6: Act 3: The Story Of The Tulsa Race Riots Will Disgust You - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 05-01-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Black Wall Street - Touchers


00:18:03 Ch. 8: Act 4: How Some Baltimore Neighborhoods Reflect Segregation's Legacy - @MorningEdition on @NPR - Air Date: 5-6-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Segregation - Rankin Scroo


00:23:58 Ch. 10: Act 5: LBJ and the racial divide, 50 years later - @DecodeDC - Air Date: 6-18-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Accountability - Sammy R. Hall


00:30:40 Ch. 12: Act 6: Conservative Pundits Say Removal Of Confederate Flag Will Destroy The South - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 06-26-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Soul Vibrations Black History / Black Culture : Afro-Nicaraguan Music - Soul Vibrations


00:40:16 Ch. 14: Act 7: Will the South Finally be Deprogrammed - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 06-24-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Modern Day Slavery - Waun


00:50:14 Ch. 16: Act 8: Showing Up For Racial Justice @ShowUp4RJ - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: Right to Complain - Trombone Shorty & Marc Broussard


00:54:06 Ch. 18: Act 9:  I'm a redneck and I love America - @TheDixonWhite - Air Date: 04-4-15


Voicemails

01:00:01 Ch. 19: Pushback on Rachel Dolezal segments - Adriana from Long Beach, CA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:02:36 Ch. 20: Final comments on the fundamentals of socially constructed cultural norms

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Showing Up For Racial Justice @ShowUp4RJ

Take Action:

Volunteer and/or participate in actions around the country with Showing Up For Racial Justice

Follow SURJ on Twitter and like the on Facebook

Additional Activism/Resources:

#TakeDownTheFlag

AskAWhitePerson.com

Sources/further reading:

"12 Ways to Be a White Ally to Black People” by Janee Woods at The Root

"White Supremacy Culture: From Dismantling Racism: A Workbook for Social Change Groups” via SURJ

"Take Down the Confederate Flag—Now” by Ta-Nehisi Coates at The Atlantic

"Calls to Drop Confederate Emblems Spread Nationwide” via The New York Times

"Before Charleston, Not Many People Wanted To Take Down The Confederate Flag” via FiveThirtyEight.com

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 933_The_long_shadow_of_southern_white_supremacy_Racism.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/06/26) Heritage (Rachel Dolezal and the Charleston Shooting)

Edition #933

Today we examine the complicated dynamics of the race of Rachel Dolezal and the simple dynamics of the white supremacist terrorist attack on a historical black church on Charleston, SC
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Rachel Dolezal, Guilty or Not Guilty? - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 06-16-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Can't Pretend - Tom Odell


Ch. 4: Act 2: Linda Martín Alcoff on Rachel Dolezal: Race Not an Individual Construct - @democracynow - Air Date: 06-17-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Chameleon - Ryan Beatty


Ch. 6: Act 3: Tamara Winfrey Harris (@whattamisaid): Black Like Who? Rachel Dolezal’s Harmful Masquerade - Backtalk (@BitchMedia) - Air Date: 6-25-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Accept Yourself (David Jensen session 8/25/83) - The Smiths


Ch. 8: Act 4: Rachel Dolezal has nothing to do with trans people - @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date: 6-16-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Big Winter Jacket - Cayucas


Ch. 10: Act 5: A Hate Crime in Charleston - @onthemedia - Air Date: 6-19-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Dust In the Wind - Kansas


Ch. 12: Act 6: The process of trauma in black America - This Week in Blackness (@TWiBprime) - Air Date: 6-18-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: A Dose of White Supremacy - Neffe Odom Kragh-Muller


Ch. 14: Act 7: The Charleston shooting is part of a long history of anti-black terrorism - @voxdotcom - Air Date: 6-20-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: So Terrible It's Terrifying - Earmint


Ch. 16: Act 8:  FBI Director Denies Charleston Shooting Was Terrorism - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 06-23-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: Coward - Vic Chesnutt


Ch. 18: Act 9: Why Charleston Shooter Dylan Roof Isn't a “Terrorist” But Maybe Some of Us Are - @blkagendareport - Air Date: 6-24-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: Turtle (Bonobo Mix) - Pilote


Ch. 20: Act 10: John Oliver on The Charleston Shooting - @LastWeekTonight w/ @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 06-22-15

Ch. 21: Song 10: The losing kind - Harry Shearer


Ch. 22: Act 11: The real history of the Confederate flag - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 6-23-15

Ch. 23: Song 11: Know Your History - Drumma Boy


Ch. 24: Act 13: Tim Wise: Black Deaths and White Culture: Challenging Racism After Charleston - @ToThePoint_KCRW - Air Date: 6-24-15


Voicemails

Ch. 25: We need a real conversation on race, not the distractions - Marcus from Wichita Falls, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 26: Final comments on what's still missing from this episode

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Bonus Clips!

You can't have your identity anymore, just oppression - This Week in Blackness - Air Date: 6-17-15

You almost had me fooled, Rachel - The Read - Air Date: 6-16-15


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 932_Heritage_Rachel_Dolezal_and_the_Charleston_Shooting.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/06/23) Moving the goalposts on undue burden (Reproductive Justice)

Edition #932

Today we take a look at the continued, relentless state-level assault on abortion access around the country and the impending catastrophic consequences in Texas where an ideologically conservative court is openly seeking to overturn Roe V. Wade
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: How To Get An Abortion In The Unites States - @ajplus - Air Date: 12-11-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Someday We Will Foresee Obstacles - Syd Matters


Ch. 4: Act 2: Fox's Keith Ablow - Men Should Be Able To Veto Women's Abortions - @mmfa - Air Date: 05-08-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: We Are the Kids - WALK THE MOON


Ch. 6: Act 3: .@ScottWalker's B.S. Reason For Forcing Women To Get Ultrasounds - @majorityfm - Air Date: 06-04-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Daka's Ultrasound - Theodore Shapiro


Ch. 8: Act 4: Woman Charged with Murder After Taking Abortion Pill - The @DavidPakmanShow - Air Date: 06-10-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Can't Stop (feat. Kanye West) - Theophilus London


Ch. 10: Act 5: North Carolina governor breaks promise again on new abortion laws - @maddow - Air Date: 06-07-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Never Is a Promise - Fiona Apple


Ch. 12: Act 6: The Unborn Ultimatum, @msjwilly - @TheDailyShow - Air Date: 01-15-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Faces Without Names - John Powell


Ch. 14: Act 7: Murder Charges Dismissed for Woman Who Took Abortion Pill - The @DavidPakmanShow - Air Date: 06-12-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Drop the Charges - Grand Agent


Ch. 16: Act 8: As Ruling Threatens to Gut Abortion Access in Texas, Providers Vow to Take Fight to Supreme Court - @naralTX on @democracynow - Air Date: 06-11-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: Oklahoma-Texas Line - Rascal Flatts


Ch. 18: Act 9: New strategy in battle over reproductive rights w/@WholeWomans @rtraister @crfredrickson - @MHPshow - Air Date: 06-14-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: Rockabilly Blues (Texas 1955) - Johnny Cash


Ch. 20: Act 10: #FightBackTX with @FundTexasChoice — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 21: Song 10: Activism - Shihan


Ch. 22: Act 11: .@AngryBlackLady Let's Loose on the Fifth Circuit & Abortion Restrictions in Texas - @TWiBnation - Air Date: 06-10-15


Voicemails

Ch. 23: The social implications of supporting legalization - Casey from Chicago, IL

Ch. 24: More details on shooting 49 rounds - Dylan from Fort Bliss, TX

Ch. 25: Montessori education and an Islamic caliphate - Chris from Colorado Springs

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 26: Final comments on supporting legalization, humanizing and training cops, introverted learning and the Islamic caliphate

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #FightBackTX with @FundTexasChoice

Take Action:

Follow and support Fund Texas Choice

Additional Activism/Resources:

Follow and support the other Texas abortion funds:

Lilith Fund

TEA Fund

West Fund

Whole Woman’s Texas Action Fund

Sources/further reading:

"State Facts About Abortion: Texas” via The Guttmacher Institute

"Fifth Circuit Upholds More HB 2 Provisions, Dares the Supreme Court to Step In” by Jessica Pieklo at RH Reality Check

"Court Upholds Texas’ ‘Devastating’ Anti-Choice Omnibus Law” by Andrea Grimes at RH Reality Check

"Plaintiffs appeal to 5th Circuit Court, Supreme Court following ruling on HB 2” at The Daily Texan

"Fifth Circuit Refuses to Stay Ruling That Could Immediately Shutter All But 9 Abortion Clinics in Texas” via The Center For Reproductive Rights

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 932_Moving_the_goalposts_on_undue_burden_Reproductive_Justice.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/03/06) Theory vs practice (Libertarianism) (Repost)

Edition #903

Today we take a look at the asininity of the modern, American-style Libertarian movement
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The Libertarian Platform - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 08-13-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Do What You Want - Do What You Want - EP


Ch. 4: Act 2: Libertarianism & The Purpose of Freedom - @majorityfm - Air Date: 12-24-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: "Jeremiah Johnson - Main Theme"


Ch. 6: Act 3: Libertarian 'Men With Guns' Arguments Make No Sense - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 06-21-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Celebration Guns - Set Yourself on Fire


Ch. 8: Act 4: Ayn Rand - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 9-29-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: American Greed (Dustin's Ayn Rand Remix) - American Greed (Remixes) - EP


Ch. 10: Act 5: Republican Makes the Case for Libertarianism: Restaurant Workers Should NOT Have to Wash Their Hands - @majorityfm - Air Date: 02-05-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: The Idiots Are Taking Over - The War On Errorism


Ch. 12: Act 6: Libertarianism Capitalism Killed My Best Friend - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 08-14-13

Ch. 13: Song 6: Cancer - The Black Parade


Ch. 14: Act 7: The myth of meritocracy - Economic Update with @profwolff - Air Date: 1-5-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Revolution (Human Need Over Profit) - Tha People's Music


Ch. 16: Act 8: Tree Hugging Libertarians Unknowingly Buys Pieces Of Chilean Hell - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 09-18-14


Voicemails

Ch. 18: Thoughts on addition to things other than drugs - Jay from Jackson Hole, WY

Ch. 19: Don't downplay the severity of addiction - Chris from Colorado Springs

Ch. 20: Dismantling the default - Melissa from New York

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 21: Final comments on intersectionality and the language of inclusivity

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Direct download: 2015_03_06_Theory_vs_practice_Libertarianism.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/06/16) From rewriting wars to waging peace (Foreign Policy)

Edition #931

Today we take a look at how the election is spurring a new round of revisionist history while others look to change the paradigm on waging war altogether
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: The importance of reflecting on past wars - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 5-29-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Bury the Past - Professional Victims


00:04:13 Ch. 4: Act 2: CIA Official: George Bush Misled on Iraq and I Knew…What Do You Want Me to Do? - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 05-22-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Living a Lie (feat. James Mercer) - Aimee Mann


00:14:50 Ch. 6: Act 3: The Wrong Hypothetical Question - @onthemedia - Air Date: 5-22-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: "Re-Write History" - George Dobbs - George Dobbs


00:22:16 Ch. 8: Act 4: Richard Clarke on the lessons of the Iraq War - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 5-21-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: It Goes On and On - The Avett Brothers


00:30:27 Ch. 12: Act 6: Why Costa Rica Can Not be Invaded... - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 06-10-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Peace, My Mind - Bard


00:35:01 Ch. 14: Act 7: "Move the Money" - Reducing the Pentagon Budget via @VFPNational — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: Activism - Shihan


00:37:58 Ch. 16: Act 8: Barry Ladendorf from Veterans for Peace (@VFPNational) on waging peace - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date: 6-6-15


Voicemails

00:50:26 Ch. 17: Thoughts on Montessori school - Elka from Fort Wayne, IN

00:52:33 Ch. 18: 49 Shots Means The Officer Reloaded Twice - Wade From Ft. Worth, TX

00:56:14 Ch. 19: Education funding in Washington State - Dave from Olympia, WA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:00:21 Ch. 20: Final comments on doing my American duty to take some time off

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: "Move the Money" - Reducing the Pentagon Budget via @VFPNational

Take Action:

Use ContactingTheCongress.org to tell your representatives to follow the Veterans For Peach plan to “Move the Money” & “Audit the Pentagon”

Additional Activism/Resources:

Register for the Veterans For Peace 30th Annual Convention, August 5-9

Sources/further reading:

"Praying for Peace While Waging Permanent War?” via CounterPunch

"National Defense Authorization Act: Five Things You Should Know” via the National Priorities Project

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


 Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: From_rewriting_wars_to_waging_peace_Foreign_Policy.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/06/12) Our prisons: cruel and counterproductive (Injustice System)

Edition #930

Today we take a look at the US prison and bail system and explain exactly how it’s built to systematically punish the poor
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: US & North Korea Lead World in This - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 04-20-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Life In Prison - Mitchell


Ch. 4: Act 2: Are U.S. Prisoners Too Patriotic For Their Own Good? - @RedactedTonight w/ @TheRealJFOD - Air Date: 04-28-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: The Political Prisoner - Martin Quibell (from Project Marv)


Ch. 6: Act 3: Solitary Watch and new from a nation in lockdown - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date: 2-28-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Something Good Can Work (Remixes) - EP - Two Door Cinema Club


Ch. 8: Act 4: Brooklyn Community Bail Fund - New Media Advocacy Project (@N_Map) - Air Date 11-12-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Bail Me Out (feat. Joel Madden) - All Time Low


Ch. 10: Act 5: People need to pay for this - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 6-8-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Pay Up - Jivestone


Ch. 12: Act 6: End Cash Bail in New York via @Pretrial & @MoveOn — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: Activism - Shihan


Ch. 14: Act 7: Bail - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 6-7-15


Voicemails

Ch. 16: A Canadian educator perspective on the US school system - Tom From Canada

Ch. 17: Don't use the institutions you don't trust - Marcus from Austin, TX

Ch. 18: The origin of Draconian laws - Dave from Olympia, WA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 19: Final comments on the Fair Elections Now Act

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: End Cash Bail in New York via @Pretrial & @MoveOn

Take Action:

SIGN: "Gov Cuomo: End Cash Bail in New York” via the Pretrial Justice Institute

Additional Activism/Resources:

Follow and support the work of The Bronx Freedom Fund

Follow and support the work of The Brooklyn Bail Fund

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 930_Our_prisons-_cruel_and_counterproductive_Injustice_System.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/06/09) Looking to avert further tragedy (War on Drugs™)

Edition #929

Today we take a look at the continuing failure that is the War on Drugs™ as well as some of the signs of hope that we may be making progress toward shutting it down
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Is Marijuana Harmful to Health? - Healthcare Triage (@HCTriage) - Air Date: 04-19-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: North By North - Faded Paper Figures


00:06:36 Ch. 4: Act 2: Man Gets 13 Years in Prison for 2 Joints Worth of Pot - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 03-13-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Vagabond - Beirut


00:11:31 Ch. 6: Act 3: 'We Don't Need Another Illegal Drug' - @jimmy_dore Show - Air Date 7-12-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Harold T. Wilkins, or How to Wait for a Very Long Time - Fanfarlo


00:18:21 Ch. 8: Act 4: Legalized Marijuana = Millions For Public Schools In Colorado - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 03-16-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Generator (Second Floor) - Freelance Whales


00:23:21 Ch. 10: Act 5: Johann Hari on Everything We Know About the Drug War & Addiction is Wrong - @democracynow - Air Date: 2-6-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Tragedy - Bee Gees


00:35:11 Ch. 12: Act 6: Legalizing marijuana doesn't lead to doomsday scenarios - Le Show (@theharryshearer) - Air Date: 10-26-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Winning the War On Drugs - Asylum Street Spankers


00:39:57 Ch. 14: Act 7: Rand Paul & Others Introduce National Medical Marijuana Bill - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 03-11-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Momentum - The Hush Sound


00:45:31 Ch. 16: Act 8: Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders Talk Drugs - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 06-01-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: War On Drugs (Bonus Track) - Marc Goone


00:51:10 Ch. 18: Act 9: .@POTUS: Free Victims of the Drug War via @DrugPolicyOrg — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Song 9: "This Fickle World" - Theo Bard


00:54:18 Ch. 20: Act 10: Marijuana Shows Medical Value, Feds Don't Give A Sh*t - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 04-12-15


Voicemails

00:58:26 Ch. 21: Thoughts on education and patriarchy - Ruben from San Jose

01:03:48 Ch. 22: Why am I paying taxes and the banks and corporations aren't? - Julie from Boston

01:04:56 Ch. 23: Followup on education discussion - Chuck in Salt Lake City

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:06:39 Ch. 24: Final comments on how to make an apple pie from scratch

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: @POTUS: Free Victims of the Drug War via @DrugPolicyOrg

Take Action:

SIGN to tell the president to Free Victims of the Drug War via the Drug Policy Alliance

Additional Activism/Resources:

FOLLOW the hashtag: #NoMoreDrugWar

For those who want to get more involved, it’s early registration for the International Drug Policy Reform Conference (11/18-11/21/2015)

Sources/further reading:

"President Obama commutes prison sentences of 22 drug offenders” by Trymaine Lee at MSNBC.com

"Prolific Pardoner? Obama Grants Clemency to 22 Prisoners Last Week, but Has Denied Thousands” by Annie Waldman for ProPublica via Truthout

"Will the U.S. Senate Finally Reform Harsh Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drugs?”> via Drug Policy Alliance

"The Nation's Shame: The Injustice of Mandatory Minimums" by Andrea Jones at RollingStone

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 929_Looking_to_avert_further_tragedy_War_on_Drugs_.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/06/05) The criminal enterprise that runs our politics (Big Banks)

Edition #928

Today we take a look at the malfeasance of the big banks and the political corruption that lets them get away with it
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: This Bank is a Criminal Enterprise and the U.S. Government Doesn't Care - @majorityfm - Air Date: 02-09-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Banks of Marble and Other Songs - Pete Seeger


00:06:45 Ch. 4: Act 2: HSBC Bank: criminal enterprise - Disorderly Conduct (@Dis_Con) - Air Date: 2-18-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Hard to Say I'm Sorry / Get Away - Chicago


00:19:24 Ch. 6: Act 3: Billionaire Banker Says Life Is Too Hard - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 01-18-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) [with Donna Summer] - Barbra Streisand


00:26:45 Ch. 8: Act 4: Wall Street Pays Bankers PAID to Infiltrate the US Government - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 02-19-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Revolving Door - Jon Brion


00:30:48 Ch. 10: Act 5: The case for a Robin Hood tax - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 1-18-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Robin Hood (Remastered) - Single - Dick James


00:36:45 Ch. 12: Act 6: Iceland Does The Unimaginable To Its Criminal Bankers - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 03-13-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley


00:42:06 Ch. 14: Act 7: Wall Street Skates Away Free From All Prosecutions For 2008 Collapse - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 05-04-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Shame - The Avett Brothers


00:44:58 Ch. 16: Act 8: Public Banking via @PublicBanksNow & @DemocracyCollab — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: Right to Complain - Trombone Shorty & Marc Broussard


00:48:42 Ch. 18: Act 9: Banks plead guilty, face no consequences - @HumorlessQueers - Air Date: 6-2-15


Voicemails

00:58:28 Ch. 20: What is the progressive idea on education? - David From Cinncinatti

01:00:34 Ch. 21: A loss of unconcious privilege feels like oppression - Jim in Detroit Suburbs

01:00:59 Ch. 22: What's the progressive idea for education funding? - Chuck in Salt Lake City

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:04:22 Ch. 23: Final comments on why we need to change how education is funded

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Public Banking via @PublicBanksNow & @DemocracyCollab

Take Action:

Get involved with The Public Banking Institute by:

Supporting a Local Initiative, Volunteering, and/or Joining a Chapter!

Sources/further reading:

"Inequality’s Dead End — And the Possibility of a New, Long-Term Direction” by Gar Alperovitz of The Democracy Collaborative

"Vermont Votes for Public Banking” by John Nichols at The Nation

"Public banking debate starts in Santa Fe” at Albuquerque Journal

"Public Banking Institute a Partner to a New Project on Economic Alternatives” via The Public Banking Institute

WATCH: "National Launch Webinar: The Next System Project

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 928_The_criminal_enterprise_that_runs_our_politics_Big_Banks.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/06/02) Confronting the evil of our era (Climate)

Edition #927

Today, among other things, we take a look at how and why we need to fundamentally change the way we think about human’s relationship to the environment
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: These 5 steps can help you through tough discussions. Let's use climate change as an example. - @BBCRadio4 Friday Night Comedy - Air Date: 04-14-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Put It to the Test - They Might Be Giants


00:07:28 Ch. 4: Act 2: Paid shills free to write in the media - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 4-24-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Follow The Money - Zounds


00:10:38 Ch. 6: Act 3: Education Doesn’t Matter: Republicans Still Don’t Believe In Climate Change - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 03-30-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: I believe in that - Chip Taylor


00:16:46 Ch. 8: Act 4: 5 Ways To Actually Do Something About Climate Change - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 03-31-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: We Demand Change - Tristan James


00:22:53 Ch. 10: Act 5: Economic actions against the fossil fuel industry - @greennewsreport - Air Date: 4-16-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Apartheid - Junior Murvin


00:26:46 Ch. 12: Act 6: As GOP Candidates Question Climate Change, Texas & Oklahoma Hit by Devastating Floods Killing 23 - @democracynow - Air Date: 5-29-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Flood - Jars of Clay


00:34:14 Ch. 14: Act 7: Reporting on the weather in the context of climate change - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 5-1-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Like the Weather - 10,000 Maniacs


00:36:46 Ch. 16: Act 8: California Oil Pipeline Spill Could Kill Many Animals - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 05-27-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: The Big Oil Spill - Houndmouth


00:41:02 Ch. 18: Act 9: Tar Sands Resistance March #stoptarsands — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Song 9: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


00:43:22 Ch. 20: Act 10: Robert Jay Lifton on How Climate Change Joins Nuclear War in Threatening Human Survival - @democracynow - Air Date: 5-7-15


Voicemails

00:56:28 Ch. 21: Human nature and our changing communities - Charlie From Cincinnati

00:58:32 Ch. 22: Fundamental problems underpinning education problems - Sally from San Francisco

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:02:50 Ch. 23: Final comments on the fundamental tenets of progressivism and TV's LOST

Closing Music: LOST Theme - Life & Death


Activism: Keystone XL

Update!

"Obama Just Vetoed The Keystone XL Pipeline. Now What?” by Emily Atkin at ThinkProgress Climate: final say for approving the Keystone XL permit remains with the State Department

Follow-up/new Action!

JOIN/RSVP: Tarsands Resistance March, June 6th

Let the president know you oppose approval of KXL through WhiteHouse.Gov/contact and @WhiteHouse on Twitter

Sources/further reading:

"Dozens of Canada's tar sands projects on hold as prices fall, analysis shows” at The Guardian

"The Keystone Pipeline Just Lost Big in a Shocking Canadian Election” at Mother Jones

"The Keystone XL Pipeline: What Do You Really Know? You’ve probably read a lot about it. Now take this quiz and find out what you remember.” at The Wall Street Journal

"TransCanada's Keystone Pipeline Network Under Investigation by Federal Regulators” via DeSmog Blog

"Grass-Roots Push in the Plains to Block the Keystone Pipeline’s Path” at The New York Times

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: Confronting_the_evil_of_our_era_Climate.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/05/29) Boys will be boys but we can change what that means (Patriarchy)

Edition #926

Today, instead of trying to convince you of the benefits of feminism, I’m just going to show you the horrors (for everyone) of patriarchy.
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Colin Stokes: How movies teach manhood - @TEDTalks - Air Date: 01-18-13

Ch. 3: Song 1: We're Off to See the Wizard - Judy Garland & Ray Bolger


Ch. 4: Act 2: Boys will be boys in a patriarchal society - @citizenradio - Air Date: 5-22-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Boys Will Be Boys - Alisha


Ch. 6: Act 3: Do Videogame Stereotypes Hurt Men? - PBS Game/Show - Air Date: 08-2-13

Ch. 7: Song 3: Main Theme - String Player Gamer


Ch. 8: Act 4: White men never get to tell their stories - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - AIr Date: 1-9-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Express Yourself - Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band


Ch. 10: Act 5: The Sad Puppy Takeover - @onthemedia - Air Date: 4-17-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Patriarchy (Over & Out) - EP - Planningtorock & rRoxymore


Ch. 12: Act 6: What Fuels Sexism on the Internet? - @majorityfm - Air Date: 11-24-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Empathy - Chasing Kings


Ch. 14: Act 7: What Is the Patriarchy? | Feminist Fridays - @marinashutup - Air Date: 11-02-14


Voicemails

Ch. 16: Thoughts on human nature - Ruben from San Jose

Ch. 17: What's the alternative to high stakes testing? - Chris from Colorado Springs

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments on education reforms and it's panic time for the Climate Hike fundraiser

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 926_Boys_will_be_boys_but_we_can_change_what_that_means_Patriarchy.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/05/26) A bad idea for all the reasons (Death Penalty)

Edition #925

Today we look at the US death penalty from all angles. Cultural norms? We’re an outlier. Protecting the innocent? We kill innocent people. Following the letter of the law? We’re absolutely breaking the 8th amendment of the constitution. Fiscal responsibility? Death penalty costs about 3 times more than life imprisonment. And don’t forget about the racially biased implementation and the structurally biased trail system of death penalty cases. 
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Who are the barbarians? - Le Show (@theharryshearer) - Air Date: 2-1-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Of Mice and Men - End Credits


00:03:26 Ch. 4: Act 2: Shocker!: Scalia's Poster Man for Death Penalty Turns Out to Be Innocent - @majorityfm - Air Date: 09-04-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Death Penalty - Eight Dayz


00:10:50 Ch. 6: Act 3: Rick Perry Executed Innocent Dad After Prosecutor Hides Exculpatory Evidence - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 03-24-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Death Penalty - Surrogate


00:14:42 Ch. 8: Act 4: The Penalty - How much are executions costing you? - @One_For_Ten Films - Air Date: 11-11-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: The Secret Agent: The Secret Agent Ending - Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico & Elias Arizcuren


00:17:11 Ch. 10: Act 5: Death by firing squad - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date: 3-11-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Guillotine - Wildlife


00:22:36 Ch. 12: Act 6: Is Our Execution Method Cruel and Unusual? - @testtube - Air Date: 6-18-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: La nuit - David Ari Leon


00:25:48 Ch. 14: Act 7: Exoquill: End of life cocktailing never looked so clear - Le Show (@theharryshearer) - Air Date: 3-8-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: My Girl - The Temptations


00:29:38 Ch. 16: Act 8: Oklahoma takes a guess, approves nitrogen gas for killing prisoners - Rachel @maddow - Air Date 4-21-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: First Patient - Philip Glass


00:38:34 Ch. 18: Act 9: Death Penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in Anti-Execution State Brings Complications, Not Closure - @democracynow - Air Date: 5-18-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: 1901 - Phoenix


00:48:29 Ch. 20: Act 10: #HaltAllExecutions with @ncadp & @90millionstrong — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 21: Song 10: Activism - Shihan


00:51:05 Ch. 22: Act 11: George Stinney, 14, Executed In Vile Act Of Injustice, Exonerated 70s Years Late - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-19-14


Voicemails

00:58:31 Ch. 23: And they shot MLK too - Patrick from Dallas

01:00:46 Ch. 24: 2nd wave feminism and the definition of a woman - Mckenzie from Oakland, CA

01:03:31 Ch. 25: We need to bring back the parts of school that have been cut - Adam from Chicago

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:05:08 Ch. 26: Final comments on the Imagined Order of human rights that frames our perspective on the death penalty

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #HaltAllExecutions with @ncadp & @90millionstrong

Take Action:

SIGN: ”Join the 90 Million Strong: Call for Halt to All Executions” from 90 Million Strong, a project of The National Coalition To End the Death Penalty

Find more resources on pending executions and educational content: 90MillionStrong.org

Additional Activism/Resources:

JUNE 6: DC Standing for Peace and Justice w/Mothers in Charge

Sources/further reading:

States with and without the Death Penalty via DeathPenaltyInfo.org

“Lethal Entanglements” via The New Republic

“Death penalty foes see Nebraska vote as momentum-builder”

"Boston Bomber’s Execution To Be Delayed 18 Years?” via The Inquisitor

"Few favor death for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, poll finds: Less than 20% of Mass. residents support execution” via The Boston Globe

"Boston Marathon bomber unlikely to be executed – even if jury votes for death” via The Guardian

"European boycott of death penalty drugs lowers rate of US executions” via The Guardian

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 925_A_bad_idea_for_all_the_reasons_Death_Penalty.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/05/22) The revolt against high stakes testing (Education)

Edition #924

Today we look at the growing backlash against high stakes standardized testing that seem to have a whole lot of problems and very few benefits
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Why some students are refusing to take the Common Core test - PBS @NewsHour - Air Date: 03-11-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Standardized Test - Lucas Grein


00:09:15 Ch. 4: Act 2: High stakes tests set people up for failure - @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date: 4-15-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: The Card Cheat - The Clash


00:24:32 Ch. 6: Act 3: High Stakes Testing for High Stakes Economy - The F Word with @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 3-31-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Revolution (Human Need Over Profit) - Tha Truth


00:27:47 Ch. 8: Act 4: Standardized Testing - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 5-3-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Theme (From "the Curse of Monkey Island") - London Music Works


00:46:36 Ch. 10: Act 5: Roll Back Standardized Testing & Support #OptOut — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 11: Song 5: Time for Action - the Very Best Of - Secret Affair


00:49:54 Ch. 12: Act 6: Atlanta Educators Sentenced To An Obscene 20 Years - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 04-09-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: No Justice,No Peace - Wackiavelli


00:57:31 Ch. 14: Act 7: A look at the conviction of teacher for a cheating scandal - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 4-17-15


Voicemails

01:00:38 Ch. 16: Gender is not nearly as rigid as we think it is - Dustin from Arizona

01:03:28 Ch. 17: There are ways to educate yourself on trans issues - Erin from Philadelphia

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:10:35 Ch. 18: Final comments on the old skill I've recently dusted off

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Roll Back Standardized Testing & Support #OptOut

Update: Assessment Reform in Education

FairTest’s opt-out state contacts

Search to find and support test-optional colleges

Follow-up/new Action!

Add your name: "Write Congress to demand less testing, an end to high stakes.”

Support Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)’s Student Testing Improvement and Accountability Act! Use ContactingTheCongress.Org to tell your senators to sign on as co-sponsors and to vote yes.

Sources/further reading:

"Tester Pushes Overhaul of No Child Left Behind Testing Policy” via Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)

“Are Teachers Ok With Opt-Outs?” — hear from teachers on the subject via EdWeek Teacher

“Stop the Testing Circus” via US News

"Opt-Out Parents Have a Point” via US News

"What Happens When Students Boycott a Standardized Test?” by Laura McKenna at The Atlantic

Revisit the original action/segment:

"Assessment Reform via @FairTestOffice - Best of the Left Activism” via Episode #871 "Your child is a widget (Education)” 10/24/2014

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 924_The_revolt_against_high_stakes_testing_Education.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/05/19) Resisting a secret corporate takeover (Trans-Pacific Partnership)

Edition #923

Today we look at the squabbling going on between Obama and every non-corporatist sellout in the country as represented by Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: This is Obama Pretending to Talk About the Merits of a Horrible Trade Deal - @majorityfm - Air Date: 04-24-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: What Is Your Secret - Nada Surf


Ch. 4: Act 2: More Proof Obama's TPP Deal Favors The Rich - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 5-10-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: If I Was President - Single - Wyclef Jean


Ch. 6: Act 3: TPP secrecy is wrong for a democracy - @dccommonsense - AIr Date: 3-29-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Secret - The Pierces


Ch. 8: Act 4: Obama is too proud to beg for the TPP - Le Show (@theharryshearer) - Air Date: 5-17-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: N/A


Ch. 10: Act 5: Who's Writing the TPP? - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 5-12-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: The Chance I Deserve - Club 8


Ch. 12: Act 6: Revolt over TPP- Senate Dems Rebuke Obama by Blocking Debate on Secretive Trade Deal - @democracynow - Air Date: 5-13-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: The Warpath - Conner Youngblood


Ch. 14: Act 7: Reject #Medicare cuts and reject #TPP Fast Track via @DFAaction — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 16: Act 8: Obama Is Blatantly Lying About the Trans-Pacific Partnership - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 5-5-15


Voicemails

Ch. 18: Thanks for Bruce Jenner episode - Chris from Colorado Springs

Ch. 19: Considering starting a coop - Scott from Brooklyn

Ch. 20: A Woman Like Me - Adreana Langston

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 21: Final comments in the need for gender subcategories

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Update: Trans Pacific Partnership!

New Action: Reject #Medicare cuts and reject #TPP Fast Track via @DFAaction

SIGN: "U.S. Senate: Reject Medicare cuts and reject Fast Track” from Democracy For America

h/t Daily Kos"ALERT: DFA Warning New TPP Provision Would Cut Medicare $700 Million to Help Pay for Trade Aid”

Use ContactingTheCongress.org to tell your senators not to support this new provision or the TPP.

Sources/additional info:

"Who’s down with TPP?: Big business wins and democracy loses as both parties lie about free trade” by Bill Curry at Salon

"The TPP Could Have Disastrous Results For The Climate, Environmental Groups Warn” by Samantha Page at ThinkProgress Climate

"A Trade Deal Read In Secret By Only A Few (Or Maybe None)” by Alisa Change at NPR Politics

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 923_Resisting_a_secret_corporate_takeover_Trans-Pacific_Partnership.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/05/15) A crisis of culture (Capitalism)

Edition #922

Today we take a hard look at modern-day civilization and culture and ponder what we could do to make things better
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: The Death of Culture at the Hands of the Profit Motive - @majorityfm - Air Date: 01-20-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: My Conversation - The Uniques


00:13:04 Ch. 4: Act 2: Visionary Sci Fi for an Age of Acquiescence - The F Word with @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 4-20-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Design - Fiction Company


00:15:58 Ch. 6: Act 3: .@ShawnAchor - The happy secret to better work - @TEDTalks - Air Date: 2-1-12

Ch. 7: Song 3: Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (iTunes Originals Version) - Tears for Fears


00:29:08 Ch. 8: Act 4: A Brief History of Humankind - @DecodeDC - Air Date: 4-30-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: "Going Sane" - Two Cheers


00:40:39 Ch. 10: Act 5: Lacking liberty from slavery to feudalism to capitalism - Economic Update with @profwolff - Air Date: 2-1-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Revolution - Grandaddy


00:55:40 Ch. 12: Act 6: .@TheNextSystem Project- National Launch Webinar - Best of the Left Activism


Voicemails

00:58:10 Ch. 14: What I took away from the Baltimore episode - Ryan from Pheonix

01:02:54 Ch. 15: Thanks for Baltimore episode - Isaiah from New York

01:03:35 Ch. 16: Nonviolence doesn't work when society is callous to suffering - Diane from Houston

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:06:01 Ch. 17: Final comments on capitalism, culture and The Next System Project

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: @TheNextSystem Project: National Launch Webinar

Take Action:

WATCH The Next System Project National Launch Webinar moderated by Laura Flanders of GritTV

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 922_A_crisis_of_culture_Capitalism.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/05/12) We all have a trans friend now (Bruce Jenner)

Edition #921

Today we break down the recent interview with Bruce Jenner and what it means for the trans community as a whole going forward
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Bruce Jenner's Heartfelt Interview With Diane Sawyer On ABC 20-20 - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 4-27-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Soul Meets Body - Death Cab for Cutie


00:09:13 Ch. 4: Act 2: It's important to remember that Bruce Jenner's is not the only trans experience - Backtalk from @BitchMedia - Air Date: 4-30-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Knock Yourself Out - Jon Brion


00:16:54 Ch. 6: Act 3: Addressing some of the land mines in the Bruce Jenner interview - @fakedansavage - Air Date: 4-28-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: What I'm Looking For (Ad Version) - Single - Brendan Benson


00:26:04 Ch. 8: Act 4: Bruce Jenner Has a Mental Disorder and Ruined My Childhood - @majorityfm - Air Date: 4-30-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Kyoko's House ("stage blood is not enough") - Philip Glass


00:33:19 Ch. 10: Act 5: Thank you to Bruce Jenner - @GAY_USAtv - Air Date: 4-30-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Be Yourself - Audioslave


00:37:21 Ch. 12: Act 6: Transgender People & the Police: Rights & Resources via @TransLawCenter @SRLP @TransEquality — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: Activism - Shihan


00:40:54 Ch. 14: Act 7: .@ParkerMolloy on the Bruce Jenner episode - @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date: 4-28-15


Voicemails

00:57:12 Ch. 16: Shocked and proud of what's happening in Baltimore - Nelson from Sweden

00:59:18 Ch. 17: Write to CNN to express your displeasure - Nick from California

01:00:28 Ch. 18: Black Women & State violence - Uhuru from Sweden

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:07:43 Ch. 19: Final comments on #RealMothersDayCards and Climate Hike fundraising

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Transgender People & the Police: Rights & Resources via @TransLawCenter @SRLP @TransEquality

"TLC Solidarity with Baltimore” — resources for interacting with law enforcement via The Transgender Law Center

"Participating in Direct Actions: A Guide for Transgender People” via National Center For Transgender Equality

“Tips for trans people dealing with cops and jails” via The Sylvia Rivera Law Project

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 921_We_all_have_a_trans_friend_now_Bruce_Jenner.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/05/08) Continued injustice, continued response (#BaltimoreUprising)

Edition #920

Today we take an in-depth look at the response to Freddie Gray’s murder at the hands of Baltimore police
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The media fails again to act as though #BlackLivesMatter - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 5-1-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Shove It (feat. Spank Rock) - Santigold


Ch. 4: Act 2: Obama suggests we pay attention to neighborhoods before they burn - This Week in Blackness (@TWiBnation) - Air Date: 4-28-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Yell Fire! - Michael Franti & Spearhead


Ch. 6: Act 3: Trying the same failed ideas over and over - The Black Guy Who Tips (@TBGWT) - Air Date: 4-27-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: The Artifact & Living - Michael Andrews


Ch. 8: Act 4: Is Freddie Gray Dead Because Of Lead? - The F Word with @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 5-7-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Going Home - Niklas Aman


Ch. 10: Act 5: How to win a Facebook fight - The @ThreeANegroes - Air Date: 5-2-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Opinions - Llewellyn


Ch. 12: Act 6: White Supremacy in the Narrative of the Baltimore Protests - The Benjamin Dixon Show (@TheBpDShow) - Air Date: 4-29-15

Ch. 13: Song 6:Run the Show - Single - Tribal Seeds


Ch. 14: Act 7: Scolding a 65-year-old councilman for his language - This Week in Blackness (@TWiBnation) - Air Date: 5-6-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: One - Apocalyptica


Ch. 16: Act 8: Demand an Executive Order on Racist, Violent Policing via @ColorOfChange, #BaltimoreUprising edition - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 18: Act 9: They show us how little they value black lives - @rembert Explains - Air Date: 4-29-15


Voicemails

Ch. 20: Feeling occupied at a Baltimore rally - Ronald from Baltimore

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 21: Final comments asking about what we can do as individuals to improve the situation

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Demand an Executive Order on Racist, Violent Policing via @ColorOfChange Redux, #BaltimoreUprising Edition

Follow-up action:

SIGN and share the Color of Change petition: "President Obama: End discriminatory, violent policing and its unjust consequences”

Hear the original activism segment:

Demand an Executive Order on Racist, Violent Policing via @ColorOfChange, episode #915 "A fight for survival (#BlackLivesMatter)”

Sources/further reading:

"Black Protesters Aren’t Thugs—They’re Patriots” by Imani Gandy at RH Reality Check

"As Part of a Reparations Deal, Chicago Teens Will Learn About Police Brutality in School” via Vice

"Chicago City Council Passes Landmark Police Torture Reparations Ordinance” via Amnesty International

"Baltimore Uprising: How Did We Get Here?” by Zerlina Maxwell at Essence.com

"Baltimore uprising: Solidarity protests spread across US LIVE UPDATES” via RT America

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 920_Continued_injustice_continued_response_BaltimoreUprising.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/05/05) We thought we were free (Police State)

Edition #919

Today we take a look at the legacy of torture and police militarization we’re creating and where that path leads us
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: The Reason why Torture Exists - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 12-15-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Hide the Truth - Chronicle


00:08:19 Ch. 4: Act 2: Torture Killed Their Savior, That’s Why These Poll Results Stun - @TheYoungTurks - Air Date: 12-20-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: If Jesus Ever Loved a Woman - Johnny Cash


00:14:52 Ch. 6: Act 3: Turning the US into the potential victim of it's own crimes - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - AIr Date: 12-12-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Open Book - Cake


00:17:09 Ch. 8: Act 4: The most transparent administration in history - Le Show w/@theharryshearer - Air Date: 1-18-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: I'm Looking Through You - The Wallflowers


00:25:20 Ch. 10: Act 5: 13 Years Of Gitmo : What Have We Gotten? - @TheYoungTurks - Air Date: 04-12-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Let It Go - The Neighbourhood


00:30:02 Ch. 12: Act 6: Exporting Torture: Former Chicago Police Detective Tied to Brutality at Guantánamo - @DemocracyNOW - Air Date: 2-26-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Chicago - Sufjan Stevens


00:41:59 Ch. 14: Act 7: Secret CIA Black Sites In American Heartland For 'Disappearing' Citizens - @TheYoungTurks - Air Date: 02-26-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Karma Police - Radiohead


00:49:08 Ch. 16: Act 8: #ChiCopWatch with We Charge Genocide - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: Activism - Shihan


00:52:17 Ch. 18: Act 9: We Thought we Were Free - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 12-16-14


Voicemails

01:00:42 Ch. 19: Important points about police militarization - Adriana from Long Beach, CA

01:03:16 Ch. 20: Deconstructing the roots of white supremacy - V from Western New York

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:06:19 Ch. 21: Final comments on riots being the language of the unheard

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #ChiCopWatch with We Charge Genocide

Take Action:

Support and follow: We Charge Genocide on Facebook and on Twitter via @ChiCopWatch and #ChiCopWatch

Report police misconduct: "Report Encounter"

Additional Activism/Resources:

SIGN: "Fire Chicago Police Detective Dante Servin", #Justice4Rekia via @ColorOfChange’s I Am Color of Change

Sources/further reading:

"In Order to End Police Brutality, We Need to End the Police” by Mychal Denzel Smith at The Nation

"Abolish the Police. Instead, Let’s Have Full Social, Economic, and Political Equality.” by Mychal Denzel Smith at The Nation

"The disappeared: Chicago police detain Americans at abuse-laden 'black site’” by Spencer Ackerman at The Guardian

"Police ‘Reforms' You Should Always Oppose” by Mariame Kaba of Project NIA via Truthout

"Yet Another Victim: Rekia Boyd Killed by Off-Duty Officer” by Mychal Denzel Smith at Ebody

"Black Women Aren’t Just Secondary Casualties of Aggressive Policing” by Dani McClain at The Nation

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 919_We_thought_we_were_free_Police_State.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/05/01) War is a racket (Foreign Policy)

Edition #918

Today we take a look at the underlying causes of war, just one more reason everyone should be questioning the benefits of capitalism
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: War is a racket - @jimmy_dore Show - Air Date: 9-12-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Profit - The Mammals


Ch. 4: Act 2: What war really costs us - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 12-29-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Mic (Military Industrial Complex) - Inna Sense


Ch. 6: Act 3: LEAKED: Lockheed Martin CEO Says War Is Good For Business - @RedactedTonight w/ @leecamp - Air Date: 04-08-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Redacted Tonight Theme Song


Ch. 8: Act 4: Keep the Wars Going and Stay Rich - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 04-20-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: My Wealth Comes to Me - Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore


Ch. 10: Act 5: Our violence comes back to us - Chris Hedges - Air Date: 12-15-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: The Candy Man - Aubrey Woods


Ch. 12: Act 6: Examining Reasons For The Obligation To Fight - @majorityvillain - Air Date 9-17-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Kipinä - Violeta Päivänkakkara


Ch. 14: Act 7: When imperialism meets capitalism - @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date: 2-19-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Oh My God (feat. Iggy Pop) [Digital 45] - Ida Maria


Ch. 16: Act 8: U.S. Drone Strike Kills 2 Al Qaeda Hostages - @majorityfm - Air Date: 04-24-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: Shot In the Dark - Ozzy Osbourne


Ch. 18: Act 9: Drone Pilots, Please Refuse to Fly via @KnowDrones - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Song 9: Activism - Shihan


Ch. 20: Act 10: If U.S. Bombed Iran What Would Actually Happen? - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 04-18-15


Voicemails

Ch. 21: Why the media doesn't cover the lynchings of black women - V from Western New York

Ch. 22: We were only taught half of the civil rights movement - Alex from Montreal

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 23: Final comments on the upcoming Baltimore episode and fundraising for Climate Hike

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Drone Pilots, Please Refuse to Fly via @KnowDrones

Take Action:

Support "Show the Real Truth to United States TV Audiences" via KnowDrones and Veterans For Peace, Sacramento

Additional Activism/Resources:

Sign: "Guantanamo Forever? Tell John McCain: No.” via Amnesty International

Sources/further reading:

"Military Veterans Sponsor TV Commercials in California Condemning U.S. Drone Attacks” via DailyKosM

"Pakistan Is Investigating a CIA Official Accused of Murder After a US Drone Strike” by Jason Leopold at Vice News

"John McCain: The Most Hypocritical, Opportunistic and Untrustworthy Senator” by Steven Rosenfeld at Alternet

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 918_War_is_a_racket_Foreign_Policy.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/04/28) The water wars start at home (Climate)

Edition #917

Today take a look at water in the US, how we use it and why we’re running out of it
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The consequences of fracking revealed in a simple kitchen test. Holy smokes. - @Upworthy - Air Date: 04-21-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Bedtime Stories - Chris Reed


Ch. 4: Act 2: Nebraskan Oil & Gas Committee Challenged To A Glass Of “Safe” Fracking Water - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 03-31-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Can't Get Away - Rodriguez


Ch. 6: Act 3: Ban Fracking on Public Lands via @foodandwater — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 7: Song 3: Activism - Shihan


Ch. 8: Act 4: After Warmest Winter, Drought-Stricken California Limits Water But Exempts Thirstiest Big Growers - @democracynow - Air Date: 4-2-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Let's Work Together 'Live' - Canned Heat


Ch. 10: Act 5: Reality bites California - @greennewsreport - Air Date: 4-2-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Where Have All the Flowers Gone - Tommy Sands, Dolores Keane & Vedran Smailovic


Ch. 12: Act 6: Who Is Sucking Water Out Of California Without A Permit? - @ajplus - Air Date: 04-20-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Watermark - Enya


Ch. 14: Act 7: Cowspiracy: As California Faces Drought, Film Links Meat Industry to Water Scarcity & Climate Change - @democracynow - Air Date: 4-7-15


Voicemails

Ch. 16: A perspective on Indiana from inside Indiana - Katie in Indianapolis

Ch. 17: I don't exactly disapprove of the riots - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments on the launch of my new fundraiser for Climate Hike

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Ban Fracking on Public Lands via @foodandwater

Take Action:

SIGN and share: Ban Fracking on Public Lands! via Food & Water Watch to support Rep Mark Pocan’s legislation

Use ContactingTheCongress.org to let your legislators know you expect them to support Rep. Mark Pocan's Protect Our Public Lands Act of 2015.

Additional Activism/Resources:

SIGN and share: "Tell Governor Brown: Fracking Moratorium now!” via Clean Water Action

Contact Governor Brown directly: Mail/Phone/Email

Sources/further reading:

"The Urgent Case for a Ban on Fracking” via Food & Water Watch

"Exclusive: California used 70 million gallons of water in fracking in 2014” at Reuters

"How Much Water Does The California Oil Industry Actually Use?” via DeSmog Blog

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 917_The_water_wars_start_at_home_Climate.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/04/24) The history and current state of abortion (Reproductive Justice)

Edition #916

Today we listen to some of the stories behind the policies and personal choices being made about abortion in America
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Dorothy Fadiman Doc: Motherhood by Choice, Not by Chance Part 1 - @Making_Contact - Air Date: 2-3-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: La valse d'Amélie (Version piano) - Yann Tiersen


00:11:00 Ch. 4: Act 2: The Stories That Stay With Us - @AbortionFunds - Air Date: 09-27-13

Ch. 5: Song 2: Basique - Little People


00:17:28 Ch. 6: Act 3: Dorothy Fadiman Doc: Motherhood by Choice, Not by Chance Part 2 - @Making_Contact - Air Date: 2-3-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Everyday - Single - Carly Comando


00:29:58 Ch. 8: Act 4: #nofilter: Renee's Digital Memoir - @ThisIsFusion - Air Date: 02-18-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Happy - Sister Hazel


00:32:31 Ch. 10: Act 5: The Term 'Abortion Doctor' is Ridiculous - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 01-02-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: The Obvious Child - Paul Simon


00:37:11 Ch. 12: Act 6: The Case of Purvi Patel & the Criminalization of Pregnancy - This Week in Blackness (@TWiBnation) - Air Date: 4-2-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Alright Alright (Here's My Fist Where's the Fight?) - Sahara Hotnights


00:45:06 Ch. 14: Act 7: 20 Years in Prison for Miscarrying? The Case of Purvi Patel & the Criminalization of Pregnancy - @democracynow - Air Date: 4-2-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Get Up and Go - Single - Broadcast 2000


00:56:47 Ch. 16: Act 8: #FreePurviPatel via @rhrealitycheck — Best of the Left Activism


Voicemails

00:59:30 Ch. 17: Police behavior and the rules of war - Eric from Alabama

01:01:42 Ch. 18: An essay on capitalism - Peter from Michigan

01:04:51 Ch. 19: A message to white people - Charlie in St. Louis

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:06:34 Ch. 20: Final comments on Citizen Ruth and The Obvious Child

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #FreePurviPatel via @rhrealitycheck

Take Action:

SIGN ”Overturn the #PurviPatel Conviction; Repeal Indiana’s Feticide Law” via RH Reality Check

Sources/further reading:

"Purvi Patel Sentenced to 41 Years for Feticide and Neglect of a Dependent” by Imani Gandy at RH Reality Check

Read RH Reality Check's extensive coverage on Purvi Patel’s case

"How Indiana Is Making It Possible to Jail Women for Having Abortions” by Lynn Paltrow of National Advocates for Pregnant Women

"So Far, 2015 Is On Pace to Set Abortion Restriction Records” by Katie Klabusich at Truthout

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 916_The_history_and_current_state_of_abortion_Reproductive_Justice.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/04/21) A fight for survival (#BlackLivesMatter)

Edition #915

Today we take a brief look at the Walter Scott killing, just one of the several recent police killings of unarmed black men in America, as well as examining the broader system in which these killings are allowed to happen
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: American Police Kill More People in March Than UK Police Since 1900 - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 04-03-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Stop the Killing - Kay Kay and the Rays


00:04:21 Ch. 4: Act 2: Why #BlackLivesMatter - The Good Fight (@teamgoodfight) - Air Date: 2-3-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Black Lives Matter - Single - Pastor Chris Harris


00:21:18 Ch. 6: Act 3: If we can't trust our system then what system do we have? - This Week in Blackness (@TWiBnation) - AIr Date: 4-9-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: A System - Sungod Abscondo


00:29:07 Ch. 8: Act 4: What if there had been no camera at the Walter Scott killing? - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 4-10-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Question Authority - Drunk Injuns


00:32:07 Ch. 10: Act 5: Police escalate violence when they should be deescalating - @jimmy_dore Show - Air Date 8-15-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: You're Only Making It Worse - Reno Divorce


00:37:42 Ch. 12: Act 6: The Costly Police Gender Gap - The F Word with @GRITlaura Flanders on @grittv - Air Date: 3-24-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Saving Lives - A Fragile Tomorrow


00:40:52 Ch. 14: Act 7: Black? It's More Dangerous Driving Now Than 12 Years Ago - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 04-19-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: A Dose of White Supremacy - Neffe Odom Kragh-Muller


00:47:50 Ch. 16: Act 8: Juan González on Walter Scott Shooting: When Will the Police Killings of Black Males Stop? - @democracynow - Air Date: 4-10-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: Black Lives Matter - Single - NicDanger


00:51:38 Ch. 18: Act 9: Demand an Executive Order on Racist, Violent Policing via @ColorOfChange — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Song 9: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


00:54:41 Ch. 20: Act 10: An Overreaction: Words On #BlackLivesMatter And MLK - Sarah O'Neal (@sarahadebibe) on @ajplus - Air Date: 01-18-15


Voicemails

00:59:41 Ch. 21: Promoting LGBA2015.org from PrideOfIndy.org - Erin from Philadelphia

01:01:23 Ch. 22: Thoughts on the labels we use - James from Missouri

01:02:28 Ch. 23: JoatU.org as a marketplace to trade skills - Todd from Rochester

01:03:53 Ch. 23: Libertarianism would just bring back the guilded age - Ian from Chattanooga, TN

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:05:34 Ch. 25: Final comments on Time Banking and the lack of coverage of police killings of women of color

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Demand an Executive Order on Racist, Violent Policing via @ColorOfChange

Take Action:

SIGN and share the Color of Change petition: "President Obama: End discriminatory, violent policing and its unjust consequences”

Additional Activism/Resources:

SIGN and share: "Demand the Post and Courier issue a public apology for shameful #WalterScott article”

SIGN and share: "Tell advertisers to ditch Bill O’Reilly”

Sources/further reading:

"President Obama Already Has a Way to Prevent Policing Abuses” by Alan Jenkins and Diego Iniguez-Lopez of The Opportunity Agenda”

"The Origins of Modern Policing” via The Indypendent

"Police ‘Reforms' You Should Always Oppose” by Prison Culture

"Black Americans killed by police in 2014 outnumbered those who died on 9/11” at RawStory

"Abolish the Police. Instead, Let’s Have Full Social, Economic, and Political Equality” by Mychal Denzel Smith at The Nation

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 915_A_fight_for_survival_BlackLivesMatter.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/04/17) Looking for something better (Capitalism)

Edition #914

Today we examine why capitalism is so firmly ingrained and held up in our culture as being synonymous with freedom, meritocracy and fairness despite all of the evidence to the contrary
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: The Next System Project - @TheNextSystem Project - Air Date: 03-30-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Sur le fil - Stéphanie Lapointe


00:05:37 Ch. 4: Act 2: Discussing how to disrupt our current paradigm - @RadioOpenSource - Air Date: 3-24-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Democracy - Leonard Cohen


00:16:11 Ch. 6: Act 3: How do worker coops measure up against capitalist enterprises? - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 3-15-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Struggle - Ringside


00:25:10 Ch. 8: Act 4: Starting and supporting worker co-ops via @Dematwork — BotL Activism

Ch. 9: Song 4: Activism - Shihan


00:29:45 Ch. 10: Act 5: The history of the promotion and criticism of capitalism Part 1 - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 12-15-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: Time Has Come - Europe


00:41:00 Ch. 12: Act 6: When Profits Become Deadly... - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 10-02-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: "Pottersville" - Blank Squirrel


00:50:49 Ch. 14: Act 7: The history of the promotion and criticism of capitalism Part 2 - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 12-15-14


Voicemails

01:01:47 Ch. 15: Many in the health insurance industry want reform - Daniel from CA

01:04:02 Ch. 16: Passionate for Single Payer - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:07:49 Ch. 17: Final comments on the results of the Podcast Awards and my thoughts on Las Vegas and reality TV shows

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Starting and supporting worker co-ops via @Dematwork

Take Action:

Get involved with The Democracy at Work Institute, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives

Utilize the Democracy at Work Institute “Information for Start-ups”

SIGN to support: CA AB 816: Worker Cooperative Act via The SELC

Additional Activism/Resources:

Use the collaborative legal resource e-library created by the Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC) and the Green-Collar Communities Clinic (GC3) Co-opLaw.org

Attend one of the conferences with the National Center For Employee Ownership

Sources/further reading:

"What is a Worker Cooperative?” via The US Federation of Worker Cooperatives

Read the full bill: "AB-816 Cooperative corporations: worker cooperatives”

"CA Worker Coop Act Discussion” via The SELC

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 914_Looking_for_something_better_Capitalism.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/04/14) Refusing to tolerate intolerance (LGBTQ Rights)

Edition #913

Today we take a look at what anti-gay conservatives hoped would be a quite strike against equality in Indiana but turned into a nation-wide backlash against the forces of intolerance.
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: What is the Religious Freedom Restoration Act? - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date: 06-30-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Until the Water Goes Down - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Music from the Motion Picture)


Ch. 4: Act 2: Why the Indiana law is not like other #RFRA laws - @GAY_USAtv - Air Date: 4-3-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: It's Not the Same - Break Out


Ch. 6: Act 3: Indiana Governor's Incoherent Defense of Anti-Gay Law - @majorityfm - Air Date: 03-31-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Indian Moon - Us Against the Crown


Ch. 8: Act 4: Why tolerance doesn't go both ways - Throwing Shade (@bryansafi and @gibblertron) - Air Date: 4-8-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Use Somebody - Scala & Kolacny Brothers


Ch. 10: Act 5: The problem with boycotting Indiana - @TWiBnation - Air Date: 4-1-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: I Can Help - The Best of Billy Swan


Ch. 12: Act 6: .@SeanHannity Thinks Outrage At Anti-Gay Law Should Be Redirected - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 04-02-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Chorus of Fools - Chasing After Ghosts (Bonus Version)


Ch. 14: Act 7: Why the proposed fixes to the Indiana #RFRA law is not good enough - @GAY_USAtv - Air Date: 4-9-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: This Is Not the End - The Sun and the Moon


Ch. 16: Act 8: Federal LGBTQ Bill of Rights via @GetEQUAL — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 18: Act 9: Why Indiana can't get away with their #RFRA law - @fakedansavage - Air Date: 3-31-15


Voicemails

Ch. 20: Left is more than just the Democrats - David in Chicago

Ch. 21: Thanks for the clarification - Adrian from Albuquerque, NM

Ch. 22: Dealing with disease in Great Britain - Jeff from Florida

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 23: Final comments on my experience with socialized health care

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Federal LGBTQ Bill of Rights via @GetEQUAL

Take Action:

SIGN to support GetEQUAL’s LGBTQ Bill of Rights

Additional Activism/Resources:

Use Get Equal’s bill tracker to stay up to date: WeCan’tBelieveThis.org

Sources/further reading:

The LGBTQ Bill of Rights via GetEQUAL

"Cicilline Announces Upcoming Legislation to End LGBT Discrimination” via Rep. David N. Ciciline (D-RI)

”Civil Rights Bill Top Priority For LGBT Voters, According to New Poll” by Amanda Terkel via Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

"Resolution opposing RFRA passes City-County Council” via Wish-TV, Indianapolis

”Stop” — Indiana resident, activist, and writer Melissa McEwan’s take on #BoycottIndiana

Indiana #RFRA Updates via Melissa McEwan

"That Time I Ranted About #BoycottIndiana & Caring About All People” by Katie Klabusich

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 913_Refusing_to_tolerate_intolerance_LGBTQ_Rights.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/04/10) Poking the watchful eye (NSA Spying)

Edition #912

Today we take another look at what spying the government is engaged in and a few ideas to protect yourself.
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: How Has the Internet Changed Privacy? - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date: 3-12-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: The Maelstrom - Sword & Sworcery LP - The Ballad of the Space Babies


10:45 Ch. 4: Act 2: Phony Cell Phone Towers Spying on Us? - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 02-24-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Privacy - Invincible


17:10 Ch. 6: Act 3: Security Researcher Christopher Soghoian on How to Use a Cellphone Without Being Spied On - @democracynow - Air Date: 2-20-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Spies - Parachutes


32:59 Ch. 8: Act 4: Attempting to update our privacy legislation - @HumorlessQueers - Air Date: 2-11-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Letterbox - Flood


42:54 Ch. 10: Act 5: Government Surveillance with Edward Snowden - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 04-05-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: "Party at the NSA - YACHT (feat. @MarcMaron)"


53:59 Ch. 12: Act 6: Jailbreak Your Phone For Security via @EFF - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: "Fickle World" - Theo Bard


56:59 Ch. 14: Act 7: Blueprint for Post-9/11 Surveillance: U.S. Began Bulk Collection of Phone Call Data in 1992 - @democracynow - Air Date: 4-10-15


Voicemails

Ch. 16: The importance of more nuance in labels - Alex from Montreal

Ch. 17: On Left, Liberal and Progressive - Sandy from Inside the Beltway

Ch. 18: Liberal vs. conservative and their perspective of people - Chris in Northern Virginia

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 19: Final comments on the labeling discussion

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Jailbreak Your Phone For Security via @EFF

Take Action:

SIGN the EEF’s petition: Jailbreaking is Not a Crime

Additional Activism/Resources:

Take advantage of EFF’s Surveillance Self-Defense tools.

Sources/further reading:

"EFF General Counsel Takes On NSA Spying”

"Human Rights Watch Sues DEA Over Bulk Collection of Americans’ Telephone Records”

"How to Jailbreak Your iPhone: The Always Up-to-Date Guide [iOS 8.1]”

"Surveillance Techniques: How Your Data Becomes Our Data”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 912_Poking_the_watchful_eye_NSA_Spying.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #911

Today we take a look at some of the causes and consequences of anti-feminism, rape and intimate partner violence
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

00:30 Ch. 2: Act 1: Dr. @HarrietFraad on how capitalism's changes since 1970s have disrupted the personal lives of US men and women - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 4-5-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Emasculate Me - Ignore the Ignorant


15:49 Ch. 4: Act 2: Military Sexual Assault Reporting Up & That’s Actually Good News - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-20-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: All These Things That I've Done - Hot Fuss


21:29 Ch. 6: Act 3: @TheHuntingGround: Film Exposes How Colleges Cover Up Sexual Assault and Fail to Protect Students - @democracynow - Air Date: 1-28-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Landslide - The Smashing Pumpkins: Greatest Hits


38:22 Ch. 8: Act 4: A terrifying number of men say they would rape someone - @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date: 1-16-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Teach Me Something - Stop All Motion


51:10 Ch. 10: Act 5: The Pefect Victim (@theperfectvict) (Trailer)

Ch. 11: Song 5: Window - In a Safe Place


58:04 Ch. 12: Act 6: Fighting the Patriarchy With Film: @thehuntinground & @theperfectvict — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: Activism - The Poet


01:01:13 Ch. 14: Act 7: Domestic Violence Testimony by Brooke Axtell (@SurvivorHealing) - The Grammys - Air Date: 02-08-15

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


01:03:11 Ch. 15: Final comments on Stop Street Harassment Week and my bad week

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Fighting the Patriarchy With Film: @thehuntinground & @theperfectvict

Take Action:

Go see The Hunting Ground and visit their ”Take Action” tab to get involved.

Go see The Perfect Victim and visit their ”Take Action” tab to get involved.

Hear the segment in context:

Episode #911 "Emasculation Nation (Rape and Intimate Partner Violence)"

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 911_Emasculation_Nation_Rape_and_Intimate_Partner_Violence.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #586

The US Empire and the Ring of Power

 

Act 1: Heart Mind-O-Matic - Mark Fiore - Air Date: 02-20-12

Song 1: M.I.B. Main Theme - Danny Elfman

Act 2: US government doesn't talk about the drone war - Counterspin Air Date: 2-3-12

Song 2: Oh Lately It's So Quiet - OK GO

Act 3: Syria's Arab Spring that no one is hearing about - The Bugle Air Date: 2-3-12

Song 3: Catapult - R.E.M.

Act 4: Veto Of Syria UN Resolution Sparks Outrage - Young Turks - Air Date: 02-06-12

Song 4: Help - The Beatles

Act 5: Veto to prevent violence in Syria - The Bugle - Air Date: 2-10-12

Song 5: Scene No. 10 Moderato - London Philharmonic Orchestra

Act 6: Fox Contributor Karl Rove Condemns Obama Apology, Fails to Note Similar Bush Apology in 2008 - Media Matters Air Date: 2-28-12

Act 7: Not a Happy International Women's Day in Afghanistan - The Progressive Air Date: 3-8-12

Song 7: We were there - Robin Roberts

Act 8: Afghan Lady and Taliban News - The Bugle Air Date: 2-17-12

Song 8: Escalation - Daniel Licht

Act 9: Afghanistan Massacre Fallout - Young Turks - Air Date: 3-12-12

Song 9: Come home - OneRepublic Feat. Sara Barellis

Act 10: Son Of Haditha - Mumia Abu-Jamal Air Date: 3-12-12

Song 10: Baba O'Riley - The Who

Act 11: Leave Afghanistan Now - The Progressive Air Date: 3-12-12

Song 11: Letter from an Occupant - The New Pornographers

Act 12: The consequences of the US killing spree in Afghanistan - Counterspin Air Date: 3-16-12

Song 12: Gimme Sympathy - Metric

Act 13: The Reason War Will Go On Forever - Lee Camp

Song 13: Still fighting it - Ben Folds

Act 14: An Army whistle-blower speaks truth about power - Jim Hightower Air Date: 3-14-12

Song 14: Tracked in mud - Cory Davies

Act 15: The US Empire and the Ring of Power - Common Sense - Air Date: 2-20-12

 

Voicemails:

Activist call to action on verbiage and word usage - Chris

Recomending 'Godless Bitches' podcast - Anonymous

Recommending "Women's Magazine" podcast - Elka from Indiana

 

Leave a message at 206-202-3410

 

Voicemail Music: 

Loud Pipes - Ratatat

 

Final comments as an epilogue to the Jimmy Dore Show joke discussion

 

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

 

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes!

Direct download: 586_The_US_Empire_and_the_Ring_of_Power_Foreign_Policy.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/03/31) A cascade of embarrassments (Health Care)

Edition #910

Today we take a look at how our current health care system is pathetic compared to the Single Payer alternative and how conservatives are trying to dismantle the small amount of recent progress that’s been made
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The perverse inequity of our current health care system - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 10-5-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Remains - The Dark Leaves


Ch. 4: Act 2: Our F*cked Up Medical System May Leave This Family Bankrupt - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-23-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: My Favourite Game - Gran Turismo


Ch. 6: Act 3: Europeans Are Confused by Medical Bankruptcy Story - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 11-15-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Was wollen wir trinken - Ungeschieden, Ungekämmt, Ungehört (Live)


Ch. 8: Act 4: Why we pay far more for our medical care - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 10-19-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Work - Uprising (Remastered)


Ch. 10: Act 5: The six words behind the case against Obamacare - @DecodeDC - Air Date: 3-12-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Teddybear's Picnic - De Rock 'n Roll Methode 4


Ch. 12: Act 6: Anti-Obamacare Plaintiffs Show Stunning Ignorance - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 02-12-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: American Way - Essential Masters


Ch. 14: Act 7: The reasons Vermont is abandoning Single Payer health care - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 12-22-14

Ch. 15: Song 7: South Side - Go - The Very Best of Moby


Ch. 16: Act 8: The REAL Conservative Agenda: Privatize Health Care - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 02-05-15


Voicemails

Ch. 17: Thoughts on how to form consensus solutions - Matt from California

Ch. 18: Questioning labels is an important discussion - Adrian from Albuquerque, NM

Ch. 19: Thoughts on political labels - Chuck in Salt Lake City

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 20: Final comments on the labels we give ourselves

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Direct download: 910_A_cascade_of_embarrassments_Health_Care.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/03/27) Debunking the doubters (Climate)

Edition #909

It seems that almost all of the progressive climate change news these days is focused on how crazy the climate change deniers are. I guess this is better than the present-both-sides attitude but it still makes me long for a future where we will just get to ignore them.
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Climate Science: What You Need To Know - It's @okaytobesmart - Air Date: 12-8-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Curious - Curious


Ch. 4: Act 2: Climate Change Denial Is Real & Man-made, Here's Undeniable Proof - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 02-26-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: The Scientist - Heroes


Ch. 6: Act 3: Inhofe's snowball and what the media is missing - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 3-6-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: 1901 - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix


Ch. 8: Act 4: @TassoAzevedo: Hopeful lessons from the battle to save rainforests - @TEDTalks - Air Date: 1-9-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Magalenha - Brasileiro


Ch. 10: Act 5: Climate Ch... - @OntheMedia - Air Date: 3-20-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: A Few Honest Words - Learning to Bend


Ch. 12: Act 6: GOP perspective on climate change is literally laughable - @greennewsreport - Air Date: 3-26-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Change of Time - So Runs the World Away


Ch. 14: Act 7: Florida and the media don't use the term 'Climate Change' - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 3-13-15

Ch. 15: Song 5: Open Your Eyes - Eyes Open


Ch. 16: Act 8: Cap and Dividend For a Healthy Climate via @CCAN — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 6: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 18: Act 9: We Will Destroy The Planet And Here's How - @RedactedTonight with @LeeCamp - Air Date: 01-17-15


Voicemails

Ch. 19: Down with the debtors prison - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

Ch. 20: Solving inter-movement conflicts - Daniel from Albany, NY

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 21: Final comments on the ground rules for a conversation about definitions

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Cap and Dividend For a Healthy Climate via @CCAN

Take Action:

SIGN: "Tell Congress: Act on Climate by Passing Cap-And-Dividend” via Chesapeake Climate Action Network

Visit the TAKE ACTION tab at Climate and Prosperity to volunteer or join the coalition.

Sources/further reading:

"FACT SHEET: The Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2014” via Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

"Cap and Dividend Bill Introduced In Congress (VIDEO)” via Green Action News

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Direct download: 909_Debunking_the_doubters_Climate.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/03/24) Unfair housing, unfair society (Racism)

Edition #908

Today we take a look at the history of housing discrimination in the US and the connection of those polices to the systemic racism and social unrest in places like Ferguson, MO
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: LBJ signs Fair Housing Act 1968

Ch. 3: Song 1: Going Home - The Talks


Ch. 4: Act 2: Fight for fair housing goes to Supreme Court - Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHPshow) - Air Date 1-25-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Discrimination - Meet Me In the Park


Ch. 6: Act 3: Nikole-Hannah Jones (@nhannahjones) & Jennifer Taub (@jentaub) on the Housing Crisis- What's Changed? - @grittv - Air Date: 9-3-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Zebra - Teen Dream


Ch. 8: Act 4: A short history of racist housing policy - Economic Update with @profwolff - Air Date: 3-15-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Modern Day Slavery - Exploring All Avenues


Ch. 10: Act 5: The economics of systemic racism - Disorderly Conduct (@Dis_Con) - Air Date: 1-18-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Something Good Can Work - Tourist History


Ch. 12: Act 6: Ferguson USA - @MumiaAbuJamal - Air Date: 3-9-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: "Middle America" - Chris Priest


Ch. 14: Act 7: The return of debtors prisons in Ferguson - @TWiBnation - Air Date: 2-10-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Powerless - The Big Picture


Ch. 16: Act 8: #KeepHousingFair via @natfairhouse - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: Activism - The Poet


Ch. 18: Act 9: Racist Ferguson Police Department Financially Motivated Against Blacks - @The Young Turks - Air Date: 03-07-15


Voicemails

Ch. 20: Racism and employment - Ruben from San Jose

Ch. 21: The corrective mechanism in libertarianism - Patrick from Dallas

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 22: Final comments on libertarians as snowflakes and my recent bonus episode about being a character in a dystopian future

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #KeepHousingFair via @natfairhouse

Take Action:

Follow #KeepHousingFair through The National Fair Housing Alliance on Facebook and Twitter

Additional Activism/Resources:

CHICAGO VOTERS: the mayoral runoff election is APRIL 7. Rahm has continued harmful Daley policies, so Find Your Polling Place

READ: "Living Apart: How the Government Betrayed a Landmark Civil Rights Law” — a $1.99 Kindle Single by Nikole Hannah-Jones

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 908_Unfair_housing_unfair_society_Racism.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/03/20) Propaganda and warmongering (Netanyahu and the GOP letter to Iran)

Edition #907

Today we take a look at how the GOP in the US is working hand-in-glove with the neoconservative Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, to derail peace negotiations and stroke war with Iran
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Why Netanyahu is Here - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 03-02-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Embarrassed - Sick of Waging War


Ch. 4: Act 2: Israeli Prime Minister Criticized For Questionable Policies - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 03-04-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Obnoxious - What's the Question


Ch. 6: Act 3: Netanyahu's speech and the propaganda against Iran - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date: 3-14-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Made to Suffer - 9 O'clock in the Afternoon


Ch. 8: Act 4: Ex-U.S. Official: With Iran Letter, "Reckless" GOP Places Middle East Hegemony over Security - @democracynow - Air Date: 3-12-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Hey Ya (Solo Version) - The Tip Jar, Vol. 1 - EP


Ch. 10: Act 5: Treason, Stunt, or Idiocy? - @onthemedia - Air Date: 3-13-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Follow The Money - The Redemption Of Zounds


Ch. 12: Act 6: John Kerry Smacks Down the #47Traitors - @majorityfm - Air Date: 03-16-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Awnaw (All Hooks Up Version) - Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz


Ch. 14: Act 7: No War With Iran -- Best of the Left Activism via @ChrisMurphyCT & @MoveOn

Ch. 15: Song 7: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 16: Act 8: Senators Face Backlash Over Letter To Iran - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 03-11-15


Voicemails

Ch. 18: Racism and over-policing - Ruben from San Jose

Ch. 19: Thoughts on the speech about changing the farming paradigm - Ryan from Phoenix

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 20: Final comments on the posting of teh Storify of the Nicole Sandler Disaster of 2015

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: No War With Iran via @ChrisMurphyCT & @MoveOn

TAKE ACTION:

SIGN & Share the MoveOn.org petition The U.S. Senate should continue to give diplomacy with Iran a chance" from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)

SIGN & Share the RootsAction and DailyKos petition: "No War With Iran"

Sources/further reading:

"The Worst Case for War With Iran You’ll Read in a Major Newspaper" by Ali Gharib at The Nation

"The Neocons Strike Back" by Paul Waldman at The American Prospect

"Barney Frank Says Netanyahu And The GOP Want War With Iran" on HuffPost LIve

"The Appalling Case for an Unnecessary War with Iran" by Daniel Larison at The American Conservative

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 907_Propaganda_and_warmongering_Netanyahu_and_the_GOP_letter_to_Iran.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/03/17) Crushing our potential with student debt (Education)

Edition #906

Today we take a look at the effects of student debt, the benefits of making college free and what beyond money is needed
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Appalling: America's Senior Citizens Are Drowning in Student Debt - @majorityfm - Air Date: 09-13-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: When I Grow Up - Ghost Town - Single


Ch. 4: Act 2: EPIC: Germany Abolishes College Tuition Fees - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 10-04-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Look To The Future - If It 'Ay Bost, Dow Fix It!


Ch. 6: Act 3: Refusing To Pay Back Student Debt: The Movement Grows - @RedactedTonight w/@LeeCamp - Air Date: 03-10-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: I Dream Of Feudalism - I Dream Of Feudalism


Ch. 8: Act 4: Obama's Free College Plan Could Cost $60 Billion, Provide Even Bigger Economic Boost - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 01-23-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: So Terrible It's Terrifying - Another Early Evening


Ch. 10: Act 5: Fox Reacts To Obama's Free Community College Plan - @jimmy_dore Show - Air Date: 1-23-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Closer to Free - Go Slow Down


Ch. 12: Act 6: Is it enough to make community college free? - @DecodeDC - Air Date: 2-5-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Hide Your Tears - Dexter (Soundtrack from the TV Series)


Ch. 14: Act 7: Student Aid Bill of Rights via @WhiteHouse — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 16: Act 8: Student Debt - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 09-07-14


Ch. 17: Final comments on David Pakman's supposed "Laugh Off" and the problematic comments of Joel Salatin

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Student Aid Bill of Rights via @WhiteHouse

Take Action: 

Add your name: Student Aid Bill of Rights

Let your reps know you support the plan through ContactingTheCongress.org where you can call, email, and tweet at your representatives using the hashtag #CollegeOpportunity.

Additional Activism/Resources:

Reminder that the states have to agree to implement the president’s community college plan. Even though it would be at no cost to the states, we’ve seen republican (and even some democratic) and split state houses reject free federal money during this administration. Let your state and congressional representatives know you back a plan to make community college available to everyone who wants to attend.

Sources/further reading:

Press Release: “A Student Aid Bill of Rights”

“Your Weekly Address: A Student Aid Bill of Rights”

"5 Reasons Not to Get a Law Degree” via CBS News

"How The $1.2 Trillion College Debt Crisis Is Crippling Students, Parents And The Economy” by Chris Denhart at Forbes.com

"The President Proposes to Make Community College Free for Responsible Students for 2 Years”

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 906_Crushing_our_potential_with_student_debt_Education.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/03/13) Personal, societal and environmental health (Food System)

Edition #905

Today we take a look at what we put in our bodies, how it gets there and how we could do things differently for the betterment of all
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Gabriel Cortez (@gabesoprock): Perfect Soldiers - The Bigger Picture Project (@BigPicCampaign) - Air Date: 2-5-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: N/A


Ch. 4: Act 2: Drinking a 'Medium' Soda Per Day Can Age You As Much As Smoking - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 10-22-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: "Diet Coke" - Airbäg


Ch. 6: Act 3: CFC Keynote - @JoelSalatin - Polyface Farm Part 1 - @marioninstitute - Air Date: 11-5-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Garden Song - Around the Campfire


Ch. 8: Act 4: Industrial Vs Sustainable Agriculture - @FoodMythBusters - Air Date: 08-26-13

Ch. 9: Song 4: Mothers of the Night - Last Night


Ch. 10: Act 5: CFC Keynote - @JoelSalatin - Polyface Farm Part 2 - @marioninstitute - Air Date: 11-5-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: Moment of Truth - Diversity


Ch. 12: Act 6: NYTimes: U.S. Research Lab Lets Livestock Suffer in Quest for Profit - @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date: 1-26-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Down On The Farm - Dancing In The Streets


Ch. 14: Act 7: Curbing #FactoryFarming via @ASPCA & @UN — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: Right to Complain - Backatown (Bonus Track Version)


Ch. 16: Act 8: You Won't Believe What Goes On At These "Farms" - @RedactedTonight w/ @LeeCamp - Air Date: 02-22-15


Voicemails

Ch. 17: The problem with the gender binary - Ash from Washington, DC

Ch. 18: #YesAllPolice started by family member of man killed by police - Dede from Philly

Ch. 19: Libertarian on how tax money is spent - Mick from Australia

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 20: Final comments on libertarianism's lack of a better alternative to government

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Curbing #FactoryFarming via @ASPCA & @UN

Take Action:

10 Ways You Can Fight Factory Farms via The ASPCA

Fight Factory Farming via The Humane Society

Additional Activism/Resources:

Sign: Protect Farm Animals petition from The Humane Society

Use the WorldAnimalNet directory HERE to find anti-factory farm as well as animal rescue/adoption organizations in your country, state, and city.

Sources/further reading:

"Rearing cattle produces more greenhouse gases than driving cars, UN report warns” via the United Nations News Centre

Farm Animal Cruelty — ASPCA facts on factory farms

"How to Stop the Next Pandemic: End Factory Farming” by Thom Hartmann via Truthout

Watch: “Us & The Planet” video from Animals Australia at #MakeItPossible


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 905_Personal_societal_and_environmental_health_Food_System.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/03/10) Opt for compassion and inclusion (Transgender Rights)

Edition #904

Today we take a look at the path many transgender individuals must walk as well as some of the tragic outcomes that are the result of being blocked from that path
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Kristin Beck: transgender veteran spent 20-years as Navy Seal - @SexOutLoudRadio - Air Date: 12-12-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: "Me and God and Jesus - Crooked Roads Band


Ch. 4: Act 2: The complicated morality of transitioning - On Being (@Beingtweets) - Air Date: 12-11-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Le mystère de contre jour - Contre jour (Original Soundtrack)


Ch. 6: Act 3: Lingerie saved my life - A Minnesota Trans Athiest (@TransAtheistPod) - Air Date: 11-12-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Nothing Else Matters - Inquisition Symphony


Ch. 8: Act 4: The tragic, preventable death of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn - @fakedansavage - Air Date: 1-6-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Reach Out I'll Be There - Essential Collection: Four Tops


Ch. 10: Act 5: Pray the Gay Away - Exposed - Laci Green (@gogreen18) - Air Date: 01-14-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: The Bathtub (feat. The Lost Bayou Ramblers) - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Music from the Motion Picture)


Ch. 12: Act 6: Gender Neutral Bathrooms - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 14: Act 7: Disecting trans-exclusionary radical feminism (TERFs) - @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date 7-30-14


Voicemails

Ch. 15: Yelling about libertarians - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

Ch. 16: Explaining misguided libertarian thinking with the BLUB paradox - Landon

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 17: Final comments on one of my favorite Douglas Adams' quotes about how people perceive the world

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Gender Neutral Bathrooms

Take Action:

Call and write your local alderman/city councilperson to push for local gender neutral bathroom ordinances.

Additional Activism/Resources:

TransLifeLine is a crisis hotline staffed by trans people for trans people. Contact them via Twitter and phone: US (877) 565-8860, Canada (877) 330-6366

Sources/further reading:

"INTERVIEW: The Advocate's Parker Marie Molloy on Grantland, Piers Morgan, and More” at The Chicagoist

"A trans advocate’s perspective on Trans 101 questions” at Transadvocate

"TLDEF Condemns Kentucky Bill Targeting Transgender Students for Discrimination” via TransGender Legal

"No label required on West Hollywood's gender-neutral bathrooms” at LA Times

"Austin Makes Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Out Of All Single-Use Stalls, And Other Cities Should Take Note” at Bustle

"My Transgender Coming Out Story” ebook by Parker Mollow


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 904_Opt_for_compassion_and_inclusion_Transgender_Rights.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/03/06) Theory vs practice (Libertarianism)

Edition #903

Today we take a look at the asininity of the modern, American-style Libertarian movement
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The Libertarian Platform - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 08-13-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Do What You Want - Do What You Want - EP


Ch. 4: Act 2: Libertarianism & The Purpose of Freedom - @majorityfm - Air Date: 12-24-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: "Jeremiah Johnson - Main Theme"


Ch. 6: Act 3: Libertarian 'Men With Guns' Arguments Make No Sense - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 06-21-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Celebration Guns - Set Yourself on Fire


Ch. 8: Act 4: Ayn Rand - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 9-29-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: American Greed (Dustin's Ayn Rand Remix) - American Greed (Remixes) - EP


Ch. 10: Act 5: Republican Makes the Case for Libertarianism: Restaurant Workers Should NOT Have to Wash Their Hands - @majorityfm - Air Date: 02-05-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: The Idiots Are Taking Over - The War On Errorism


Ch. 12: Act 6: Libertarianism Capitalism Killed My Best Friend - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 08-14-13

Ch. 13: Song 6: Cancer - The Black Parade


Ch. 14: Act 7: The myth of meritocracy - Economic Update with @profwolff - Air Date: 1-5-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Revolution (Human Need Over Profit) - Tha People's Music


Ch. 16: Act 8: Tree Hugging Libertarians Unknowingly Buys Pieces Of Chilean Hell - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 09-18-14


Voicemails

Ch. 18: Thoughts on addition to things other than drugs - Jay from Jackson Hole, WY

Ch. 19: Don't downplay the severity of addiction - Chris from Colorado Springs

Ch. 20: Dismantling the default - Melissa from New York

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 21: Final comments on intersectionality and the language of inclusivity

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 903_Theory_vs_practice_Libertarianism.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/03/03) The P Word (Racism)  - Rerun

Edition #850

Today we hammer home the details about white privilege once and for all so that there will never be any further confusion about it ever
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Fox News Reporter: Obama and Holder Being Black is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Them - @majorityfm - Air Date: 04-15-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Know Your History - Our Darkest Days


Ch. 4: Act 2: Bill O'Reilly Denies Having White Privilege - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 05-16-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Perpetuum Mobile - Preludes, Airs and Yodels (A Penguin Cafe Primer)


Ch. 6: Act 3: Danielle Lee (@DNLee5): Working twice as hard - @story_collider - Air Date: 12-9-13

Ch. 7: Song 3: Unknown


Ch. 8: Act 4: Same Behavior, Different Treatment - @radio_dispatch - Air Date 4-2-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Pants on the ground - Neil Young


Ch. 10: Act 5: Why Are Black Preschoolers Being Suspended Far More Than Their White Classmates? - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 07-26-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: Everyone's a Little Bit Racist - Avenue Q (Original Broadway Cast Recording)


Ch. 12: Act 6: White Supremacy and the Central Park 5 - @blkagendareport - Air Date: 6-25-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: The Youth - Oracular Spectacular


Ch. 14: Act 7: Caller: White People Don't Understand White Privilege - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 06-26-14

Ch. 15: Song 7: A Change Is Gonna Come - Learning to Bend


Ch. 16: Act 8: Denice Frohman - 1-800-White Man Privilege Hotline - Button Poetry - Air Date: 04-28-14


Ch. 17: Final comments opening up for #askawhitefeminist questions on intersectional feminism

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 850_The_P_Word_Racism_Rerun.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #902

Today we take a look at not only the destructive forces at work within the drug war but also look deeper at the causes of addiction and drug abuse that could change all of your preconceived notions on the topic and maybe even our society as a whole
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991
 

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Drug War Alternatives That Work Overcriminalized #2- Substance Abuse - @bravenewfilms - Air Date: 10-9-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Once There Was a Hushpuppy - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Music from the Motion Picture)


Ch. 4: Act 2: Tracking cars movements in real time as part of the DEA drug war - Le Show (@theharryshearer) - Air Date: 2-1-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Don’t Worry, We'll Be Watching You - Making Mirrors


Ch. 6: Act 3: DC mayor stands up for voters on legal pot, defies congressional GOP - Rachel @Maddow Show - Air Date: 2-26-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Gateway Drug - Dancing In The Streets


Ch. 8: Act 4: Challenge everything you know about drugs - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date: 03-05-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Big Mistake - Fair Ain't Fair


Ch. 10: Act 5: Johann Hari (@johannhari101): Everything We Know About the Drug War & Addiction is Wrong Part 1 - @democracynow - Air Date: 2-4-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Strange Fruit (1939 Single Version) - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Billie Holiday


Ch. 12: Act 6: Poverty drives the demand for opiates - Economic Update with @profwolff - Air Date: 11-17-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: Poverty (Single Stereo) - That Did It! - The Duke Recordings, Vol. 3


Ch. 14: Act 7: Johann Hari (@johannhari101): Everything We Know About the Drug War & Addiction is Wrong Part 2 - @democracynow - Air Date: 2-4-15


Voicemails

Ch. 16: Women should get paid the same even if they're away from work for a period - Caleb from Austin, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments telling the story of the pile of shit Patricia Arquette stepped in and the aftermath

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 902_Rethinking_the_fundamentals_of_drugs_and_addiction_Drug_War.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #901

Today we take a look at the extreme wealth inequality that’s plaguing our nation, the insufficient attempts to correct the problem as well as it’s underlying causes
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The bootstraps myth and The American Dream™ - @DecodeDC - Air Date: 1-8-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Decode DC Theme Song


Ch. 4: Act 2: .@NickHanauer on inequality - @TEDTalks - Air Date: March 2012

Ch. 5: Song 2: "RazorWire" - Chris Priest


Ch. 6: Act 3: Wealth Gap - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date: 7-13-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Heads You Win, Tails I Lose - Surfin' Safari (2001 - Remaster)


Ch. 8: Act 4: Yes, the budget grows and for good reason - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 2-6-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: One Way Street - I Can't Stand the Rain


Ch. 10: Act 5: Can Democrats Stop Republican Social Security Change? - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 01-25-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: I Wish I Knew (Logo Remix) - Gildas Kitsuné Season's Greetings Mix (The Merry Christmas Edition)


Ch. 12: Act 6: Whats With Politicians Fetishizing About Cutting Social Security? - @majorityfm - Air Date: 01-07-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Out of Touch - The Very Best of Daryl Hall & John Oates (Remastered)


Ch. 14: Act 7: Bolstering Unemployment Benefits with the 2016 Budget via @WhiteHouse - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 16: Act 8: Give jobs, not welfare - Economic Update with @profwolff - Air Date: 1-5-15


Voicemails

Ch. 17: The impact of the TPP on marginalized communities - Chrissie from Kansas

Ch. 18: Endorsing choice for vaccinations - Jeff from Cleveland, OH

Ch. 19: The 25% gender wage gap doesn't take hours worked into consideration - Tod from California

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 20: Final comments Part 1: Responding to Jeff from Cleveland about vaccines

Ch. 21: Final comments Part 2: Responding to Tod from California about the gender wage and wealth gaps

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Bolstering Unemployment Benefits with the 2016 Budget via @WhiteHouse

Take Action:

Let the White House know you support the unemployment provisions of the 2016 budget via phone (202-456-1111), email/mail and via Twitter to @WhiteHouse and @BarackObama

Use ContactingTheCongress to let your reps know you expect them to publicly support the unemployment plan.

Sources/further reading:

Fiscal Year 2016 Budget of the U.S/ Government via The White House

"Obama's Budget Proposes a Major Overhaul of Unemployment Insurance” by Danny Vinik at The New Republic

"Right-Wing Media Use Flawed Study To Attack Unemployment Benefits” by Rachel Calvert at Media Matters for America

"U.S. jobless claims fall as labor market gains momentum” by Lucia Mutikani at Reuters

"Conservatives Cheer Research Saying Cuts To Unemployment Benefits Helped The Economy” by Arthur Delaney at HuffPo

"Obama Budget Signals End Of Austerity, Return Of Sanity” by Dave Johnson at Common Dreams

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 901_The_wealth_divide_and_the_crumbling_bridge_across_it_Economics.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #900

Today we get some reminders about what feminism is and what is isn’t, plus make an effort to explain the pay gap in ways that, at long last, everyone can understand
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Explaining the gender pay gap - Workplace Gender Equality Agency (@WGEAgency) - Air Date: 08-07-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Compensation - Spotlite Series - 'Mainline' and 'Casino' Records, Vol. 1


Ch. 4: Act 2: Microsoft CEO: Don't Ask For A Raise, Trust Karma - @TheYoungTurks - Air Date: 10-14-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Apology - Back Sides


Ch. 6: Act 3: Does sexism hurt men? - Laci Green (@gogreen18) - Air Date: 11-14-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Sunday Morning - Tragic Kingdom


Ch. 8: Act 4: Firing Women for Breastfeeding Not Sexist Since Some Men Lactate - @DavidPakmanShow - Air Date: 02-05-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Discrimination - Meet Me In the Park


Ch. 10: Act 5: Talking While Female - @NPR - Air Date: 10-24-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: Young and Beautiful - Twist Is the New Twerk


Ch. 12: Act 6: There's More to the Story of the Shrinking Pay Gap - @PewResearch Center - Air Date: 1-9-14

Ch. 13: Song 6: inequality - What'z Next


Ch. 14: Act 7: The difference between Europe and the US on women in the workforce - Economic Update w/@profwolff - Air Date: 12-22-14

Ch. 15: Song 7: Self Inflicted - One of the Boys


Ch. 16: Act 8: What Your Boobs Say About You - Stuff Mom Never Told You (@MomStuffPodcast) - Air Date: 11-28-14

Ch. 17: Song 8: Science Riot Girls Song 8 - My Smart Hands


Ch. 18: Act 9: Women Are Bad At Negotiating - @planetmoney - Air Date 3-28-14

Ch. 19: Song 9: House of Cards Main Title Theme - House of Cards (Music From the Netflix Original Series)


Ch. 20: Act 10: #EqualPayDay (4/14/2015)- Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Song 10: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 22: Act 11: #MenimistTwitter + Anti- Feminism - @kat_blaque - Air Date: 11-12-14


Voicemails

Ch. 23: Money should go to finding the causes of autism - Colin from Cleveland, OH

Ch. 24: If you give people the option to be stupid, lots of them will - Tyler from Kentucky

Ch. 25: Anti-vaxxers are truthers, birthers and grassy knoll types - Wade from Ft. Worth, TX

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 26: Final comments on why some women are opposed to feminism

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: #EqualPayDay (4/14/2015)

Take Action:

Wear red on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 for #EqualPayDay.

Visit the “What You Can Do” tab at PayEquity.org to track legislation, contact Congress, form a wage club, or do an equality audit of your business.

Sources/further reading:

Wage Gap Fact Sheet via Institute for Women's Policy Research

Equal Pay and the Wage Gap via National Women's Law Center (NWLC)

"Women Can't Afford to Celebrate Equal Pay Day” by Margaret Carlson at Bloomberg View

"For African-American Women—and All Women—Let’s Make Every Day Equal Pay Day” by Stephanie Schriock and Rep. Terri Sewell at The Root

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 900_Stuff_we_shouldn_t_have_to_explain_anymore_Feminism.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #899

Today we take a look at the fact that marriage equality is sweeping the nation and yet it’s clear to see that we still have a long way to go to establish full equality in all aspects
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Details on the march through the courts of marriage equality - @TWiBnation - Air Date: 2-10-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: The New SF Bay Blues - Small Town Heroes


Ch. 4: Act 2: Iain Lee and Justin Dealey experience homophobic abuse - BBC Three Counties Radio - Air Date: 01-07-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Surprise - The Odd Couple


Ch. 6: Act 3: Republicans Lose Their Boner For Gay Marriage - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 10-08-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Words Are Seeds - Country Boys in the City


Ch. 8: Act 4: Gay Panic Legal Defense Outlawed in California - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 09-30-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: The Body Electric - Small Town Heroes


Ch. 10: Act 5: Nondescrimination ban in Kansas was just rescinded - @TWiBnation - Air Date: 2-12-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: "The Asshole Song" - Jimmy Buffett


Ch. 12: Act 6: This is the backlash to marriage equality success - @fakedansavage - Air Date: 2-17-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Love To Watch You Go - Country Boys in the City


Ch. 14: Act 7: The March to Full Marriage Equality Continues with @MEUSA - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 16: Act 8: .@ashbeckham: Owning your duality - @TEDx - Air Date: 11-20-14


Voicemails

Ch. 18: People get very emotional about food choices - Clara from Brooklyn, NY

Ch. 19: Thoughts on reducetarians - Kelly from California

Ch. 20: A nurse on vaccinations - Raven from Louisville, KY

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 21: Final comments on my bad idea to conduct the two biggest conversations of the year simultaneously

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: The March to Full Marriage Equality Continues with @MEUSA

Take Action:

Help finish off the fight for full marriage equality & track state-level discriminatory legislation at: MarriageEquality.org

Join Marriage Equality USA and Equality Kansas fight Governor Brownback’s discriminatory executive action by calling the state capitol at 877-579-6757 and posting messages on Facebook and Twitter

Sources/further reading:

U.S. map of marriage equality via Freedom To Marry

"Arkansas Legislature Passes Bill Allowing LGBT Discrimination” by Dominic Holden

"Governor Brownback Cancels LGBT State Employee Protections” via Equality Kansas

"In Kansas, the governor is rolling back tolerance” by The Washington Post editorial board

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 899_Work_still_to_be_done_LGBTQ_Rights.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #898

I can’t even believe that this is a thing. The anti-science sentiments march on in this country and they’re putting us all at risk of a resurgence of eradicated diseases
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Vaccines Don't Cause Autism: Healthcare Triage #12 - @HCTriage - Air Date: 01-19-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Fraud - Once a Jolly Swagman, Always a Jolly Swagman


Ch. 4: Act 2: On the Anti-Vax Non-troversy - @onthemedia - Air Date: 2-6-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Chorus of Fools - Chorus of Fools - Single


Ch. 6: Act 3: Anti-vaxxer Californians start a new measles outbreak at Disneyland - @TWiBnation - Air Date: 2-3-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Rebuild - We Are Rising


Ch. 8: Act 4: Myth: Vaccine Deniers Are All Hippie Liberals - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 02-01-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: "Fear is a villain" by Theo Bard


Ch. 10: Act 5: The Dangerous Arrogance of the Anti-Vaxxers - @majorityfm - Air Date: 02-04-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: F**k You - True North


Ch. 12: Act 6: Vaccines: How to Avoid Killing and Maiming Children - @MarkFiore's Animation - Air Date: 02-10-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: "Mitch Benn's song to Anti-Vaxer parents - The Now Show - Air Date: 2-6-15"


Ch. 14: Act 7: GOP vaccination fuss suggests politics at play - Rachel @Maddow Show - Air Date: 2-5-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Dumb Ways to Die - Dumb Ways to Die - Single


Ch. 16: Act 8: Fighting the Anti-Vaxxer Movement with @Voices4Vaccines - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: Right to Complain - Backatown (Bonus Track Version)


Ch. 18: Act 9: Vaccines are for the Public Good - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 02-03-15


Voicemails

Ch. 20: If it's within your means then you should change - Nick from Cincinnati

Ch. 21: Advice on making vegitarianism easy - Dave from Olympia, WA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 22: Final comments on food choice and vaccination voicemails

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Fighting the Anti-Vaxxer Movement with @Voices4Vaccines

Take Action:

Use the resources at: Voices For Vaccines

Follow Voices For Vaccines on Twitter and Facebook.

Find out more about the adult pertussis vaccination at: AdultVaccination.org

Sources/further reading:

"A Polio Survivor’s Plea: Vaccinate Your Children” by Minda Dentler at Time.com

"Anti-Vaxxers Brought Measles to the Happiest Place on Earth: A measles outbreak has sickened 70 people at Disneyland, and could be the spark that brings the once-eradicated disease back in force.” by Russell Saunders at The Daily Beast

"Your feelings about vaccines don't trump another child's medical reality” by Jessica Valenti at The Guardian

"Elizabeth Warren Asks Questions About Vaccines, Gets Shocking Answers” by Kaili Joy Gray at Wonkette

"Dear anti-vaxxers: Stop using autism as a bogeyman” by Maria Mora at SheKnows

"I Didn’t Vaccinate My Child—And I Regret It: How I finally discovered that vaccinating your kids is the right thing to do.” by Sally Kohn

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 898_Ignorance_and_fear_sending_us_backwards_Vaccinations.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Edition #897

Today we take a look at the major new stories involving a couple of small countries dealing with their much-larger neighbors
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Major Shift In US-Cuba Relations - Trade, Diplomacy To Flow - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-18-14

Ch. 3: Song 1: Cuba - Cuba


Ch. 4: Act 2: Cuba: America Finally Waking from the Nixon Fog - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 12-17-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Richard Nixon - The American Song-Poem Anthology - Do You Know the Difference Between Big Wood and Brush?


Ch. 6: Act 3: The media responds to normalized relations with Cuba - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 12-19-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Too Rude - Bright Side of Life (Bonus Track Version)


Ch. 8: Act 4: The economic implications of normalizing relations with Cuba - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 12-22-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Going Down to Cuba - Time the Conqueror


Ch. 10: Act 5: Mark Weisbrot on Greek Elections as a response to economic crisis - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 1-30-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Blame (feat. John Newman) - Motion


Ch. 12: Act 6: Media Miss Half the Story of The Greek Election - The F Word with @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 1-27-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Greece - National Anthems (Anthems World)


Ch. 14: Act 7: Germany's double standard on Greece's debt - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 2-1-15


Voicemails

Ch. 16: Asking for vegitarianism is too big of an ask - Scott from Sacramento

Ch. 17: Thoughts on why I still eat meat - Chris from Colorado Springs

Ch. 18: Inertia and customs - Bill in Northern Illinois

Ch. 19: Collective action is more effective than voluntary action - Julie in Brooklyn

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 20: Final comments on the conversation on food choices and results from the listener survey

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 897_Economics_disguised_as_politics_Cuba_and_Greece.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/02/06) Resisting global corporate takeover (Trans-Pacific Partnership)

Edition #896

Today we take a look at what the TPP is all about, why it’s being negotiated in total secrecy and why we need to resist it
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Robert Reich takes on the Trans-Pacific Partnership - @MoveOn - AIr Date: 1-29-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Say It Loud - Invincible


Ch. 4: Act 2: Wikileaks TPP Revelations Prove US in "Left Field" With Trade Deal - @TheRealNews Network - Air Date: 12-15-13

Ch. 5: Song 2: Sound of Defeat - Sound of Defeat - EP


Ch. 6: Act 3: Obama Pushes TPP Passage to World Leaders - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 11-14-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: What Difference Does It Make? - The Smiths (Remastered By Johnny Marr)


Ch. 8: Act 4: Lori Wallach (@WallachLori) on Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date: 11-29-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Revolt - Strong Words for Strong People


Ch. 10: Act 5: Jeff Abbott on CAFTA and the TPP - @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date: 2-2-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Talkback - Now Then...


Ch. 12: Act 6: Stop Fast Track of TransPacific Partnership via @MoveOn — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 14: Act 7: The Deep State Hiding in Plain Sight - @BillMoyersHQ - Air Date: 2-21-14


Voicemails

Ch. 16: Thoughts on Charlie Hebdo and freedom of speech - Nathan from Vancouver, WA

Ch. 17: The effects of animal agrigulture - Kate

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 18: Final comments

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Stop Fast Track of TransPacific Partnership via @MoveOn

Update!

Obama administration asks for fast tracking of TPP: "Democrats oppose Obama's demand for fast-tracking Pacific trade deal” by Siri Srinivas at The Guardian

Follow-up/new Action!

SIGN: Tell Congress: We Can't Afford to Outsource More Jobs via MoveOn.org and the CWA

Sources/further reading:

"NAFTA on Steroids: The Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would grant enormous new powers to corporations, is a massive assault on democracy” by Lori Wallach at The Nation

"The Top Secret Deal Between 11 Countries That Will Affect Your Life" - MOC #186 — Lee Camp

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 896_Resisting_global_corporate_takeover_Trans-Pacific_Partnership.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/02/03) Living like the world is ending (Climate)

Edition #895

Today we check in with our crumbling ecological system and the fastest-growing movement of it’s kind that’s facing off against the fossil fuel companies
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991
 

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The Children’s Climate Crusade - @billmoyersHQ and Company - Air Date: 1-1-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: The Sea Is Rising - Flying Colours


Ch. 4: Act 2: Climate change undermines all conservative principles - @LeeCamp - Air Date: 1-7-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: "The Day the World Came Together" - @350.org


Ch. 6: Act 3: Reporting on the hottest years on record - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date: 1-23-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Banking On a Myth - The Mysterious Production of Eggs


Ch. 8: Act 4: 2014 Hottest Year Since Records Began, Earth Officially Melting - @TheYoungTurks - Air Date: 01-17-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Spring Came, Rain Fell - Spring Came, Rain Fell


Ch. 10: Act 5: The economic consequinces of the drop in price for oil - Economic Update with @profwolff - Air Date: 12-22-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: A System - Inside Open Wide


Ch. 12: Act 6: Global Divestment Day is February 13, 2015 - @350.org

Ch. 13: Song 6: Something Good Can Work - Tourist History


Ch. 14: Act 7: Global Divestment Day via @350 - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 16: Act 8: CFC Keynote - Jay O'Hara: Living like the world is ending - @marioninstitute - Air Date: 11-5-14


Voicemails

Ch. 18: A cop talks about how and why they shoot - Geoff from Florida

Ch. 19: The theory of "thugs" is flawed - Ruben from San Jose

Ch. 20: Thoughts on Ghostbusters and the wage gap - Jill from San Francisco

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 21: Final comments on why women are crappy at negotiating their salaries

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Global Divestment Day via @350

Take Action:

JOIN with 350.org for Global Divestment Day February 13th

Additional Activism/Resources:

Add your name to @NRDC’s letter: “Tell President Obama You Stand Behind His Veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline!”

Sources/further reading:

"US House passes Keystone pipeline bill” at AlJazeera

"Senate Passes Keystone Bill” by Alex Rogers at Time.com

"White House Confirms Obama Will Veto TransCanada's Keystone XL Pipeline” by Carol Linnitt at DesmogBlog

"The New School Submits Bold Plan to Tackle Climate Change” at The New School

"Pope Francis plants a flag in the ground on climate change” by Dr. John Abraham at The Guardian

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Direct download: 895_Living_like_the_world_is_ending_Climate.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/01/30) Dispelling the selective memory of Dr. Martin Luther King

Edition #894

Today we take a look at the legacy of Martin Luther King as it was taught to us and fill in the gaps that were left out. Turns out it was no accident those gaps were left in the first place.
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: An except from a lost MLK speech - @democracynow - Air Date: 1-19-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: We Shall Overcome - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions


Ch. 4: Act 2: MLK Day Should be for Everyone - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 01-20-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Like a King - Welcome to the Cruel World


Ch. 6: Act 3: Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes You've Probably Never Heard Before - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 01-20-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: By the Time I Get to Arizona - Power to the People & the Beats - Public Enemy's Greatest Hits


Ch. 8: Act 4: Rev. Madison Shockley on the black liberation theology of MLK - @truthdig Radio - Air Date: 1-16-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Glory (From the Motion Picture "Selma") - Glory (From the Motion Picture "Selma") - Single


Ch. 10: Act 5: Movement Building and the Importance of Youth - Tim Wise - Air Date: 12-5-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: A Dream - Freedom Writers


Ch. 12: Act 6: Demand Congress Address Civil and Human Rights via @civilrightsorg - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 14: Act 7: Gary Younge, author of 'The Speech' with MLK - @Making_Contact - Air Date: 1-13-15


Voicemails

Ch. 16: Encouraging women to speak about their experiences with abortion - Zoe from Durham, NC

Ch. 17: This American Life did a segment on Vocal Fry - Ruben from San Jose

Ch. 18: Thoughts on the impermanence of "culture" - Nathan from Vancouver, WA

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 19: Final comments on the invention of racism by the powerful to divide the powerless

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Demand Congress Address Civil and Human Rights via @civilrightsorg

Take Action:

Add your name: Congress Must Address Civil and Human Rights Priorities in 2015 via The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Additional Activism/Resources:

Go. See. Selma. Find listings HERE

Sources/further reading:

"Will Justice Scalia Be the Savior of the Fair Housing Act?” at ACLU.org

"Civil and Human Rights Coalition Troubled by Deletion of “Civil Rights and Human Rights” from Senate Constitution Subcommittee” press release from The Leadership Conference

“Yes, The Oscars Are So White, And Here’s Why That Matters” at MTV.com

#OscarsSoWhite via @ReignOfApril

Ava DuVernay: ‘Selma’ Is the ‘Vision of a Black Storyteller Undiluted’” by Mychal Denzel Smith at The Nation

"Congress Will Be in Session Longer Next Year. Will It Make a Difference?” by Kate Scanlon at The Daily Signal

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 894_Dispelling_the_selective_memory_of_Dr._Martin_Luther_King.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/01/27) Bringing harm, one patriarchal policy at a time (Abortion Rights)

Edition #893

Today we take the actual harm caused by restrictive abortion policies and some ways to reframe the debate
 
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Can Abortions Save Lives? - @testtube - Air Date: 1-6-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: A Girl, A Boy, and a Graveyard - The Reluctant Graveyard


Ch. 4: Act 2: Right-Wing Policies Are Literally Killing Women - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 05-17-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Nothing Else Matters - Inquisition Symphony


Ch. 6: Act 3: @KathaPollitt: on the history of abortion rights in America - Diane Rehm Show (@drshow) - Air Date: 10-8-14

Ch. 7: Song 3: Patriarchy Over & Out - Patriarchy Over & Out - EP


Ch. 8: Act 4: Safe And Legal Abortions Difficult By Design - @fakedansavage - Air Date 9-16-14

Ch. 9: Song 4: Shame - Emotionalism (Bonus Track Version)


Ch. 10: Act 5: We would really like some control over your uterus - @TWiBnation - Air Date: 1-13-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Liberty - Frontiers


Ch. 12: Act 6: States Continue Push To Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks - @JenniferLudden on @NPR - Air Date: 1-22-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: The Thing That Made You - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Music from the Motion Picture)


Ch. 14: Act 7: Republican women revolt against abortion ban - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date: 1-22-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Mondo '77 (feat. Francis MacDonald) - Vanilla Sky (Music from the Motion Picture)


Ch. 16: Act 8: End Abortion Coverage Bans - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 18: Act 9: @KathaPollitt reads from her book Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights - @Politics_Prose - Air Date: 10-31-14


Voicemails

Ch. 20: No problem with teaching comparitive religion - Trey from Corvallis

Ch. 21: Privacy laws also protect the already-powerful - Dave from Canada

Ch. 22: One reason why the police shoot to kill - Neil

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 23: Final comments on why cops are trained to shoot to kill and a reminder to nominate BotL in the Best Produced category at PodcastAwards.com

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: End Abortion Coverage Bans

Take Action:

Track H.R.7 via GovTrack.us and use Contacting the Congress to tell your Senators to vote NO when H.R.7 comes to the Senate.

SIGN All* Above All’s letter opposing the Hyde Amendment on the 2016 budget: End Abortion Coverage Bans Now!

Additional Activism/Resources:

SIGN NARAL Pro-Choice America’s petitions to the 114th Congress:

”Ask the Republican Leaders: Where Are The Women?”

”Anti-Choice Politicians Don’t Speak For Me

Sources/further reading:

See who the H.R.7 co-sponsors were: Congressional Bill Tracker — H.R.7

"New Year, Same as the Old Year? 2015 Reproductive Rights Preview” by Katie Klabusich at Truthout

"Roe Should Be a Reality for All, Not Just for a Wealthy Few” by Heidi Williamson at TalkPoverty.org

"Congress Rejected A 20-Week Abortion Ban, But These States Didn’t” by Tara Culp-Ressler at ThinkProgress

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 893_Bringing_harm_one_patriarchal_policy_at_a_time_Abortion_Rights.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/01/23) Fearing and hating what we don’t understand (Religion)

Edition #892

Today we take a look at the propaganda we’re fed to convince us that muslims are dangerous and examine why it’s bullshit
 
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991
 

Support The Good Fight's Kickstarter!

 

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Violence and Muslims - @DecodeDC - Air Date: 1-9-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Dig Down Deep - Dig Down Deep (Bonus Track Version)


Ch. 4: Act 2: Study: Religious Extremism is the Main Cause of Terrorism - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 11-20-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: Tobacco Road - Tobacco Road


Ch. 6: Act 3: Islam isn't more bizarre than Christianity, it's just less familiar to us - @truthdig Radio - Air Date: 1-16-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Perpetuum Mobile - Preludes, Airs and Yodels (A Penguin Cafe Primer)


Ch. 8: Act 4: Countering Radical Islam - @onthemedia - Air Date: 1-16-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Gerudo Valley (From "Ocarina of Time") - Melodies of Hyrule: Music from "the Legend of Zelda"


Ch. 10: Act 5: 'American Sniper' Bashed As Pro-War Anti-Muslim Propaganda - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 01-22-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Little Lies - Fleetwood Mac: Greatest Hits


Ch. 12: Act 6: Slain Muslim Cop’s Brother Delivers A Eulogy All Must Hear - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 01-13-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Porcelain - Play & Play: B Sides


Ch. 14: Act 7: Add the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to the Census via @ACCESS1971 & @NNAAC - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: "This fickle world" - Theo Bard


Ch. 16: Act 8: I am the son of a terrorist. Here's how I chose peace. - @ZakEbrahim on @TEDTalks - Air Date: 9-9-14


Voicemails

Ch. 18: Cutting through the cloud of BS - Colin from Cleveland, OH

Ch. 19: Tired of fighting racism - Xena from New York

Ch. 20: Activism segments are valuable and the government's divine right to kill - Erin from Philadelphia

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 21: Final comments on PodcastAwards.com and the Kickstarter for The Good Fight with Ben Wikler

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Activism: Add the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to the Census via @ACCESS1971 & @NNAAC

Take Action:

Leave a positive comment by February 1 to support adding the MENA region to the Census

Sources/further reading:

Linda Sarsour speaks to MEMO about Islamophobia in America”

"Radio Dispatch Live with Linda Sarsour and Vince Warren” on Radio Dispatch

"For Republicans, Muslims Will Be the Gays of 2016” by Dean Obeidallah at The Daily Beast

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 892_Fearing_and_hating_what_we_don_t_understand_Religion.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2015/01/20) Freedom, terrorism and where we stand (Charlie Hebdo)
Edition #891
Today we take a look at the terrorist attack on the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, including the hypocrisies, the missed points and a reassessment of the place of non-muslims in the War on Islamic Extremism™
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Paris Shooting: At Least 11 Dead in Terror Attack - Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) - Air Date: 01-07-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: "Paris" - Dido


Ch. 4: Act 2: France Rises For Freedom & The World Rises With Them - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 01-13-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: We Stand As One - Occupy This Album


Ch. 6: Act 3: The possible motivations behind the Charlie Hebdo attacks - @truthdig Radio - Air Date: 1-9-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: From Finner - My Head Is An Animal


Ch. 8: Act 4: Calls for press freedom highlights the hypocrisy of world leaders - @democracynow - Air Date: 1-12-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Standing - Empires


Ch. 10: Act 5: The French government is looking for more power in response to terrorist attack - Le Show (@theharryshearer) - AIr Date: 1-11-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Cheer Up, Charlie - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) [25th Anniversary Edition]


Ch. 12: Act 6: Don't miss the bigger picture of the conversation on free speech - @Radio_Dispatch - Air Date: 1-9-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Power of Words - Conversations With Shepherds, Sheep, Guinea Pigs and Monkeys: Nursery Rhymes for the Underfed Mind Vol I


Ch. 14: Act 7: We Believe in Free Speech, No Really! - John Mill - Air Date: 1-15-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: Say What You Mean - Change of Scenery


Ch. 16: Act 8: Understanding free speech and what drives terrorism - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date: 1-18-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: And It Spread - I and Love and You


Ch. 18: Act 9: How societies wrongly react to terrorist attacks - @democracynow - Air Date: 1-12-15

Ch. 19: Song 9: Catalog & Classify - Tiger Banana


Ch. 20: Act 10: We need to understand our place in the conflict with Islamic extremism - @dccommonsense - Air Date: 1-18-15


Ch. 21: Final comments on the nature of Satire

Ch. 21.1:  Giving Charlie Hebdo a pass on racism because they're from the left - @truthdig Radio - Air Date: 1-9-15

Ch. 21.2:  Examining satire at Charlie Hebdo - @Jimmy_Dore Show - Air Date: 1-16-15

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 891_Freedom_terrorism_and_where_we_stand_Charlie_Hebdo_New.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

(2006/05/08) He May Be a Failure, but He's Our Failure (Colbert's Correspondents Dinner Speech)

A special rerun episode from 2006 when Stephen Colbert was invited to give the keynote at the White House Coorespondents Dinner. Getting sick this week gives me the perfect excuse to replay this just after The Colbert Report came to a close.