Best of the Left Podcast

Today we look at the intersection of the climate crisis with our current economic system including how monopolies, trade deals, market failures and the concept of “externalities” all work together to make climate change worse

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Show Notes

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

Ch. 2: Act 1: Externalities - by @DavidSuzuki - Resource Based Economy - Air Date: 7-26-13

Ch. 3: Song 1: N/A

Ch. 4: Act 2: The True Cost Of Fossil Fuels - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 10-28-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: The Price You Pay - Bruce Springsteen

Ch. 6: Act 3: TransCanada Uses NAFTA to sue The US Over Keystone Pipeline! - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 01-08-16

Ch. 7: Song 3: Smoke And Mirrors - Giraffe

Ch. 8: Act 4: Nevada guts their net metering program, killing the solar industry - @greennewsreport - Air Date 1-12-16

Ch. 9: Song 4: Sunshine to Burn (The Long Grass) - The Sand Pebbles

Ch. 10: Act 5: Ronald Wright on Progress Traps - The Green Interview - Air Date: 8-1-11

Ch. 11: Song 5: Farmscrapers - Dad Rocks!

Ch. 12: Act 6: Is the Military the Future of Renewable Energy? - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 12-04-15

Ch. 13: Song 6: Hands To Myself - Selena Gomez

Ch. 14: Act 7: Porter Ranch Massive CA Gas Leak & What It Means - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date 01-12-16

Ch. 15: Song 7: Payne's Bay - Beirut

Ch. 16: Act 8: Is Aliso Canyon California's BP Blowout? - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 01-08-16

Ch. 17: Song 8: Devil Town - Tony Lucca

Ch. 18: Act 9: #LeapYear Manifesto: For New Economic & Energy Systems via @NaomiAKlein — Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 19: Act 9A: The Leap Manifesto As Explained By @NaomiAKlein - Huffington Post Canada - Air Date: 9-15-15

Ch. 20: Song 9: This Fickle World - Theo Bard

Ch. 21: Act 10: Surviving Progress Film (condensed version)

Direct download: Rerun_988_Climate_Science_Air_Date_2-5-16_-_12-26-17_22.20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:45pm EST

Fri, 22 December 2017

#1039 What worker coops can do for us (Capitalism) (Encore)

Air Date: 08/30/2016

Today we look in detail at the overdue concept of worker-owned and operated enterprises and what they can do to help improve the lives of people who work for a living

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Show Notes

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

Ch. 2: Act 1: Own The Change: Building Workplace Democracy One Worker Cooperative At A Time - The F Word w/ @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 2-9-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: We Demand Change - Tristan James

Ch. 4: Act 2: Dispelling some myths about worker coops - Economic Update w: @profwolff - Air Date 6-12-16

Ch. 5: Song 2: Banking on a Myth - Andrew Bird

Ch. 6: Act 3: Defying the Crisis - The Spanish Collective Mondragan - Air Date 1-25-12

Ch. 7: Song 3: Look To The Future - Birthrite

Ch. 8: Act 4: Julia Hutchins: How cooperative businesses can answer tough business challenges - TEDxMileHigh - Air Date 12-16-13

Ch. 9: Song 4: Cooperation - Jim Valley

Ch. 10: Act 5: The Promise and Limitations of Worker Co-ops -- Gar Alperovitz - Workplace Democracy - Air Date 9-15-14

Ch. 11: Song 5: Interesting Times - Akira the Don

Ch. 12: Act 6: The UK Labor party taking the lead on worker coops - Economic Update w: @profwolff - Air Date 5-9-16

Ch. 13: Song 6: Capitalism Is Tearing Us Apart - sole

Ch. 14: Act 7: Join a Local Democracy @ Work Action Group via @Democracyatwrk - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: Time for Action - Secret Affair

Ch. 16: Act 8: Some barriers that prevent the creation of worker coops - @theLFshow w: @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date 2-23-16

Direct download: Coops_Air_Date_08-30-16_Ad_Free_-_12-22-17_19.32.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:04pm EST

Tue, 19 December 2017

#1153 The War on Christmas™ 2017

Air Date: 12/19/2017

Today we look at the current state of the War on Christmas™. Has it already been won by the forces of Trumpism? Do we need a "Surge"? Are we getting unexpected reinforcements from anti-Santa Christians? Turn in to find out!

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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 Santa's Helper Wearing Blackface? - Intersection - Air Date 12-28-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Let's Just Get Through Christmas - Doctor Turtle

Ch. 4: Act 2: How To Trigger A War On Christmas... - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-22-16

Ch. 5: Song 2: Losers on a Christmas Eve - Greg Atkinson

Ch. 6: Act 3: Trump Declares War On 'The War On Christmas' - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date: 10-17-17

Ch. 7: Song 3: (He Came in Like a) Santa Claus - The Gregory Brothers

Ch. 8: Act 4: Sarah's Monologue on the War on Christmas - I Love You, America on Hulu - Air Date 12-14-17

Ch. 9: Song 4: If you sleep on Christmas

Ch. 10: Act 5: Santa-Hating Pastor Ruins Christmas - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-10-17

Ch. 11: Song 5: Losing Over Christmas - Greg Atkinson

Ch. 12: Act 6: The 'War on Christmas' comes to Washington - CNNMoney - Air Date 12-19-17

Ch. 13: Song 6: There's No War On Christmas When Christmas Is In Your Heart - The Mockers

Ch. 14: Act 7: Jesus Is a Liberal Democrat - Colbert Report - Air Date: 2010

Ch. 15: Final comments on our end-of-year schedule and ongoing fundraising campaign

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

(Additional music from Free Music Archive )

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon & check out our Winter Fundraiser!

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Direct download: 1153_WoC_Air_Date_12-19-17_-_12-19-17_20.14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Fri, 15 December 2017

#1152 Rise of the oligarchy (Money in Politics)

Air Date: 12/15/2017

Today we look at the history and current state of rich people seeking to undermine democratic rule by the people in favor of oligarchy for the rich

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how Notes

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

Ch. 2: Act 1: Why The Koch Brothers Despise The Constitution - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date: 07-26-17

Ch. 3: Song 1: Chilvat - Lillehammer

Ch. 4: Act 2: Jane Mayer on the Rise of Conservative Orthodoxy - On The Media - Air Date 5-5-17

Ch. 5: Song 2: Stale Case - Darby

Ch. 6: Act 3: The complicated reality of corruption rules. @BackStory - Air Date: 11-24-17

Ch. 7: Song 3: Cloud Line - K4

Ch. 8: Act 4: Millionaire Donor Threatens Democrats - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-14-17

Ch. 9: Song 4: Streamer - Arc and Crecent

Ch. 10: Act 5: #GetMoneyOut of Politics with @WolfPAChq @AllofUs @JusticeDems @RepresentdotUS - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 11: Song 5: Celestial Navigation - Aeronaut

Ch. 12: Act 6: Why our democracy in is danger - Belabored (@DissentMag) - Air Date 5-13-16

Voicemails

Ch. 13: Thoughts on Patreon - Anonymous

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics

Ch. 14: Final comments on the win for small-dollar donors with Patreon

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

(Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions & Free Music Archive)

Activism:

Get money OUT of politics by getting involved with...

Wolf PAC

All of Us and Justice Democrats

Represent.Us (check out their Unrig the System Summit)

EDUCATE YOURSELF

House Republican: my donors told me to pass the tax bill “or don’t ever call me again” (Vox)

8 Things You Can Do to Help Get Money Out of Politics (Bill Moyers & Co; 2014)

4 Solutions to Fight the Corruptive Influence of Money in Politics (League of Women Voters; 2015)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon & check out our Winter Fundraiser!

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: 1152_Corruption_Air_Date_12-15-17_-_12-14-17_14.33.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Tue, 12 December 2017

#1094 An identity group that any one of us might join at any time (Disability Rights) (Encore)

Air Date: 4/11/2017

Today we look at a variety of ways to bring the disability rights movement into the mainstream of media, advocacy and the world

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Show Notes

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

Ch. 2: Act 1: Media coverage of disabilities and the ADA getting better but still lacking - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 7-31-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Nothing Is Good Enough (Instrumental) - Aimee Mann

Ch. 4: Act 2: Bringing disability into the mainstream of diversity - Off Kilter (@TalkPoverty) - Air Date: 7-2-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: Going Home - Niklas Aman

Ch. 6: Act 3: Discrimination in immigration then and now - Backstory - Air Date 2-10-17

Ch. 7: Song 3: The Cave - Piano Tribute Players

Ch. 8: Act 4: On Disability and Representation - Black Girls Talking - Air Date 7-20-16

Ch. 9: Song 4: Julie-O - Kevin "KO" Olusola

Ch. 10: Act 5: Stop HR 620: Tell Congress to #ProtectADA via @NDRNAdvocates - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 11: Song 5: La Valse d'Amélie (Version Orchestre) - Yann Tiersen

Ch. 12: Act 6: Elise Roy: When we design for disability, we all benefit - @TEDTalks - Air Date 11-12-16

Ch. 23: Final comments

Bonus Clip 1: Nick Dupree's Story: A Medicaid Victory - All Things Considered - Air Date 2-12-03

Bonus Clip 2: Nick Dupree Fought To Live 'Like Anyone Else' - All Things Considered - Air Date 2-22-17

Bonus Clip 3: Tribute to Nick Dupree - @dccommonsense w/ Dan Carlin - Air Date 3-15-17

Direct download: 1094_Disability_Air_Date_4-11-17_Ad_Free_Rerun_-_12-12-17_20.05.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Fri, 8 December 2017

#1151 Resuscitating the anti-trust movement (Monopolies)

Air Date: 12/8/2017

Today we look at the rebirth of the anti-trust movement in a struggle to save democracy in the face of a new era of worldwide corporate tech monopolies

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Show Notes

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

Ch. 2: Act 1: The Fight for Antitrust - On The Media - Air Date 9-21-17

Ch. 3: Song 1: The Rampart - Castle Danger

Ch. 4: Act 2: Changing how we understand the purpose of anti-monopoly laws - We the Podcast with Rep. @keithellison - Air Date 10-1-17

Ch. 5: Song 2: Sunday Lights - Onesuch Village

Ch. 6: Act 3: Breaking Down The American Monopoly. Part 2 - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-02-16

Ch. 7: Song 3: PolyCoat - The Cabinetmaker

Ch. 8: Act 4: The need to dismantle monopoly and reclaim our property Part 3 - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date 9-16-17

Ch. 9: Song 4: Cloud Line - K4

Ch. 10: Act 5: Platform capitalism and the birth of global monopolies - Ideas - Air Date 9-19-17

Ch. 11: Song 5: Begrudge - Darby

Ch. 12: Act 6: It's time for a third American Revolution to beat back the monopolies Part 4 - We the Podcast with Rep. @keithellison - Air Date 10-1-17

Voicemails

Ch. 13: Sexual harassment of power and control - Corey from the Beltway

Ch. 14: Dystopian Gold Mine - Alan from Connecticut

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics

Ch. 15: Final comments on the trifecta of media consolidation, big data and corporate monopolies in general plus a few thoughts on the recent announcement from Patreon

Support the future of this show! Become a member during our Winter Fundraiser!

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

(Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions & Free Music Archive)

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon & check out our Winter Fundraiser!

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: 1151_Monopolies_Air_Date_12-8-17_-_12-9-17_10.40.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Tue, 5 December 2017

#1150 The Price of Free (Silicon Valley and Big Data)

Air Date: 12/5/2017

Today we look at some of the hidden ways that big tech is influencing our lives personally and societally

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Show Notes

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

Ch. 2: Act 1: The intersection of big data, targeted advertising and elections - Le Show - Air Date 11-26-17

Ch. 3: Song 1: Shhhame (Instrumental Acoustic) - PC-ONE

Ch. 4: Act 2: Throwing rocks at the Google bus: Rethinking how we design technologies and business - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date 9-23-17

Ch. 5: Song 2: There Is Something Wrong - Mystery Mammal

Ch. 6: Act 3: The lifecycle of an economy built on monopolies - We the Podcast with Rep. @keithellison - Air Date 10-1-17

Ch. 7: Song 3: Lacrima D'esperide - Damiano Baldoni

Ch. 8: Act 4: Zeynep Tufekci: We're building a dystopia just to make people click on ads - @TEDTalks - Air Date 11-17-17

Ch. 9: Song 4: Like Music (cdk Mix) (ft. Phasenwandler) - cdk

Ch. 10: Act 5: Baratunde Thurston: We can choose how we design our built and digital environments - Thinking Cap - Air Date 9-14-17

Voicemails

Ch. 11: Me Too - Alan from Connecticut

Ch. 12: Equality actually lifts all boats - Zach from Atlanta

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics

Ch. 13: Final comments on the need for both an individual and social push against the coming tech monopolies dystopia

Support the future of this show! Become a member during our Winter Fundraiser!

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

(Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions & Free Music Archive)

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon & check out our Winter Fundraiser!

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: 1150_Big_Data_Big_Tech_Air_Date_12-5-17_-_12-5-17_19.36.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Fri, 1 December 2017

#1149 The loss of liberty at the hands of concentrated power (Media and Net Neutrality)

Air Date: 12/1/2017

Today we look at the inevitable results of a lax approach to anti-trust legislation: the consolidation of corporate power and money used to buy influence over the writing of regulations which allow for further consolidation of corporate power. Plus, throw in the suppression of anti-corporate opinions through monopolistic media empires and the dismantling of Net Neutrality principles. Welcome to The Gilded Age 2.0

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