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(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
 
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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: 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...
 
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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
 
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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
 
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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: 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
 
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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
 
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 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
 
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

00:00:35 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
 
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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: 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!

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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