Best of the Left Podcast

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Air Date: 5/29/2018

Today we take a look at the legacy of the Confederacy, the monuments and white supremacy it left behind and the racial terror institutionalized in America based on upholding its values

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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 

Ch. 2: Act 1: Confederacy - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date 10-09-17

Ch. 3: Song 1: Long and Low Cloud - The Bulwark


Ch. 4: Act 2: Avenue of Second Place Trophies - Backstory - Air Date 6-22-17

Ch. 5: Song 2: N/A


Ch. 6: Act 3: Monumental Questions - On The Media - Air Date 10-31-17

Ch. 7: Song 3: Gullwing Sailor - Migration


Ch. 8: Act 4: Taking Down the Confederacy — Symbol by Symbol - @theLFshow w @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date 5-2-18

Ch. 9: Song 4: Inessential - Bayou Birds


Ch. 10: Act 5: Bryan Stevenson on the racial terrorism of lynching - Cape Up - Air Date 4-24-18

Ch. 11: Song 5: Heather - Migration


Ch. 12: Act 6: Thoughtful comments on the process of remembering history - Code Switch - Air Date 8-23-17

Ch. 13: Song 6: Open Flames - Aeronaut


Ch. 14: Act 7: Mitch Landrieu on understanding the debate over southern culture - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 3-26-18

Ch. 15: Song 7: Yarrow and Root - The Bulwark


Ch. 16: Act 8: Bryan Stevenson on the ongoing burden of the disease of white supremacy - Cape Up - Air Date 4-24-18


Ch. 17: Final comments on understanding the moral argument of those who defend the Confederacy but not slavery

Bonus Clip: A defense of the non-slave-holding confederate soldier's motives - Code Switch - Air Date 8-23-17

Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

(Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions)


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Check out the BotL iOS/AndroidApp 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 iTunesand Stitcher!

Direct download: 1186_Confederacy_Air_Date_5-29-18_-_5-29-18_21.44_MONO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Air Date: 6/09/2017

Today we take a look at some of the structures of white supremacy and the moment in the sun it is currently enjoying

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Visit: https://www.patreon.com/BestOfTheLeft

Show Notes

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

Ch. 2: Act 1: Hate Groups Promise Revolt If Trump Abandons White Supremacy - @RingOfFireRadio - Air Date: 12-31-16

Ch. 3: Song 1:  A Dose of White Supremacy - Neffe Odom Kragh-Muller


Ch. 4: Act 2: As Confederate Monuments Come Down, the Struggle Continues - On the Media - Air Date 5-26-17

Ch. 5: Song 2:  Soft Serve - Soul Coughing


Ch. 6: Act 3: Steve Bannon Loves This "Shockingly Racist" Book - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 03-08-17

Ch. 7: Song 3:  Your Racist Friend - They Might Be Giants


Ch. 8: Act 4: Heidi Beirich on White Supremacist violence - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 6-2-17

Ch. 9: Song 4:  We Are Nowhere And It's Now - Bright Eyes


Ch. 10: Act 5: Learn How to Effectively Fight & Report Hate in Your Community via @SPLCenter - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 11: Song 5:  Right to Complain - Trombone Shorty & Marc Broussard


Ch. 12: Act 6: Something Is Emerging From This Community - On the Media - Air Date 6-2-17


Voicemails

Ch. 13: How do we talk to people who's beliefs aren't based on fact? - Marguerite from North Carolina 

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics


Ch. 14: Final comments on the toxic garbage dump that is White Supremacy

Ch. 15: Bonus Clip: How to Argue - Love and Radio - Air Date 2-11-17

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


Activism:

TAKE ACTION

Read and share SPLC's "Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Response Guide"

#ReportHate crimes to SPLC at splcenter.org/reporthate 

Stay informed about hate-fueled incidents across the country via SPLC's Hatewatch 

EDUCATE YOURSELF

SPLC Hatewatch: Headlines for 6/7/2017 (SPLC Hatewatch)

Defiant Alt-Right “Patriots” Encounter Portland’s Simmering Anger After Train Killings (SPLC Hatewatch)

As Hate Crimes Rise, The Trump Administration Blocks Funding to Fight Domestic Extremism (Right Wing Watch)

Why Taking Down Confederate Memorials is Only a First Step (The Conversation)

Protest in the Era of Donald Trump (Huffington Post)

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Amanda Hoffman


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: Rerun_1110_White_Supremacy_Air_Date_6-9-17_Ad_Free_-_5-25-18_22.36.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Air Date: 5/22/2018

Today we take a look at the importance of the upcoming mid-term elections and the necessary danger of infighting amongst the left

Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

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Visit: https://www.patreon.com/BestOfTheLeft

 

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 

Ch. 2: Act 1: Dems Targeting 12 States to Prevent Decade of Republican Gerrymandering - @DavidPakmanShow - Air Date 02-09-18

Ch. 3: Song 1: Stale Case - Darby


Ch. 4: Act 2: The Blue Wave: Flipping Seats Alone Is Not Enough - Ring of Fire (via Majority Report) - Air Date 3-31-18

Ch. 5: Song 2: Blue Jay - Feathers


Ch. 6: Act 3: The toxicity and danger of fighting amongst the left - This is Hell - Air Date 1-16-18

Ch. 7: Song 3: Streamer - Arc and Crecent


Ch. 8: Act 4: Fighting the Oligarchy Inside the Democratic Party - TheRealNews - Air Date 4-30-18

Ch. 9: Song 4: Tripoli - Pecan Grove


Ch. 10: Act 5: Eliane Glaser on standing up for the Left - This is Hell - Air Date 5-8-18

Ch. 11: Song 5: Great is the Contessa - The Contessa


Ch. 12: Act 6: The lesser of two evils is looking a lot better these days - Humorless Queers - Air Date 5-9-18


Voicemails

Ch. 13: How coops are more equitable - Tyler from Minneapolis

Ch. 14: A variety of thoughts on several recent episodes - Laura from Alameda, CA

Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent


Ch. 15: Final comments on learning to not worry about the perverse incentives built into cap and dividend legislation

Help fight climate change! Donate to Jay's Climate Ride fundraiser!

Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

(Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions)


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Check out the BotL iOS/AndroidApp 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 iTunesand Stitcher!

Direct download: 1185_Progressives_Elections_Air_Date_5-22-18_-_5-23-18_11.38.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Air Date: 5/18/2018

Today we take a look at the context and history that preceded the US cancellation of the Iran nuclear agreement

Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Become a member and enjoy ad-free episodes and bonus content!

Visit: https://www.patreon.com/BestOfTheLeft

 

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 

Ch. 2: Act 1: Trump Pulls United States Out of Iran Nuclear Deal, Dramatically Escalating Threat of War with Iran - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 05-09-18

Ch. 3: Song 1: Parade Shoes - Arc and Crecent


Ch. 4: Act 2: Understanding the history of Iran not having a nuclear weapons program - Citations Needed - Air Date 11-2-17

Ch. 5: Song 2: Lord Weasel - Molerider


Ch. 6: Act 3: The middle eastern country with a secret nuclear weapons program - @Intercepted w @JeremyScahill - Air Date 5-2-18

Ch. 7: Song 3: Open Flames - Aeronaut


Ch. 8: Act 4: Michael Klare explaining the geopolitical fallout from the US cancellation of Iran nuclear deal - Start Making Sense - Air Date 5-10-18

Ch. 9: Song 4: Cloud Line - K4


Ch. 10: Act 5: The US can't understand how other countries see our actions - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 5-13-18

Ch. 11: Song 5: Vengeful - Warmbody


Ch. 12: Act 6: Amy Wilentz: From Gaza to Jerusalem - Start Making Sense - Air Date 5-17-18


Voicemails

Ch. 13: UBI/Job Guarantee made me think lots of thoughts - Dave from Olympia, WA

Ch. 14: Please address the issue of risk for workers in coop businesses - Rob from Tacoma, WA

Ch. 15:(Unedited) Criticizing clip from The Weeds on jobs guarantee - Jeff from New Jersey

Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent


Ch. 16: Final comments on criticizing a jobs guarantee program and analyzing how risk is managed in a worker-owned coop

Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

(Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions)


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Check out the BotL iOS/AndroidApp 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 iTunesand Stitcher!

Direct download: 1184_Iran.Israel_Air_Date_5-18-18_-_5-19-18_15.59.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Air Date: 5/8/2018

Today we take a look at both the policies of a Federally-Guaranteed Jobs program and a Universal Basic Income and hear arguments for and against each

Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Become a member and enjoy ad-free episodes and bonus content!

Visit: https://www.patreon.com/BestOfTheLeft

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 

Ch. 2: Act 1: Understanding different styles of basic income schemes - Upstream - Air Date 8-16-17 

Ch. 3: Song 1: Tripoli - Pecan Grove


Ch. 4: Act 2: Basic income will only strengthen neoliberalism - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 3-20-18

Ch. 5: Song 2: Wingspan - Bayou Birds


Ch. 6: Act 3: Avoiding the neoliberal vision for basic income - The Other Washington - Air Date 12-9-17

Ch. 7: Song 3: Astrisx - Bodytonic


Ch. 8: Act 4: A basic income is not transformative enough - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 3-20-18

Ch. 9: Song 4: Minutes - Pacha Faro


Ch. 10: Act 5: Reframing basic income away from welfare - Upstream - Air Date 9-26-18

Ch. 11: Song 5: Hundred Mile - K2


Ch. 12: Act 6: Debating between guaranteed jobs vs income - The Next System Project - Air Date 12-21-17

Ch. 13: Song 6: The Wooden Platform - The Bulwark


Ch. 14: Act 7: The class and stigma problems of a jobs guarantee - The Weeds - Air Date 5-2-18

Ch. 15: Song 7: Feathersoft - Barstool


Ch. 16: Act 8: Benefits of a job guarantee - Left Out - Air Date 5-8-18

Ch. 17: Song 8: Vittoro - Aeronaut


Ch. 18: Act 9: Understanding some of the implementation problems of a jobs guarantee - The Weeds - Air Date 5-2-18

Ch. 19: Song 9: Andelo - Pacha Faro


Ch. 20: Act 10: Comparing guaranteed jobs vs incomes - The Other Washington - Air Date 12-9-17


Voicemails

Ch. 21: Political Intersectionality - Alan from Connecticut

Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent


Ch. 22: Final comments on social programs and the destructive power of stigma

Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

(Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions)


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Check out the BotL iOS/AndroidApp 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 iTunesand Stitcher!

Direct download: 1183_UBI_And_Guaranteed_Jobs_Air_Date_5-15-18_-_5-16-18_11.45.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Air Date: 7/12/2017

Today we look at many of our misconceptions of the nature of poverty, the interconnectedness of economics with all aspects of life and some suggestions on how to pursue justice

Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Become a member and enjoy ad-free episodes and bonus content!

Visit: https://www.patreon.com/BestOfTheLeft

Show Notes

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

Ch. 2: Act 1: Dividing the generations to distract from the class war - CounterSpin @FAIRmediawatch - Air Date 1-8-16

Ch. 3: Song 1:  Class-Warfare - Chris Priest


Ch. 4: Act 2: The frames through which we look at low-income aid programs - @offkiltershow - Air Date 6-9-17

Ch. 5: Song 2:  Call It Even - Scott Simons


Ch. 6: Act 3: Does prolonged exposure to poverty have a lasting effect on the brain? - The Inquiry - Air Date 5-25-17

Ch. 7: Song 3:  Sur Le Fil - Yann Tiersen


Ch. 8: Act 4: Everything is economic - The Other Washington from @civicskunkworks - Air Date 5-25-17

Ch. 9: Song 4:  Poverty (Single (Stereo)) - Bobby "Blue" Bland


Ch. 10: Act 5: Rutger Bregman: Poverty isn't a lack of character; it's a lack of cash - @TEDTalks - Air Date 6-13-17

Ch. 11: Song 5:  Protect & Serve - Stiff Little Fingers


Ch. 12: Act 6: Bryan Stevenson: the opposite of poverty is not wealth, the opposite of poverty is justice - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 5-16-17


Ch. 13: Final comments asking the question of the age: What the f**k is wrong with economists?

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


Recommended Reading/Sharing:

Why do we think poor people are poor because of their own bad choices? (Outclassed, The Guardian)

45 million Americans rely on food stamps. Trump wants to gut the program. (Vox)

The Problem Isn’t Food Stamps, It’s Poverty (Editorial Board, New York Times)

What Works to Reduce Poverty (Center of Budget and Policy Priorities)

Trump’s Budget Cuts Deeply Into Medicaid and Anti-Poverty Efforts (New York Times)

Welfare programs shown to reduce poverty in America (The Guardian, 2014)

Curated by BOTL Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman


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!


Air Date: 5/8/2018

Today we take a look at how we came to have some of the mandatory minimum laws that we do, how they came out of a sense of desperation from an underserved and ignored community, and how prosecutors have used those laws to make things worse. But there is hope to turn this around.

Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Become a member and enjoy ad-free episodes and bonus content!

Visit: https://www.patreon.com/BestOfTheLeft

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 

Ch. 2: Act 1: Locking up our own, good intentions and underestimating the harm of lockup - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 7-22-17

Ch. 3: Song 1: Swapping Tubes - Studio J


Ch. 4: Act 2: Why prosecutors, not cops, are the keys to criminal justice reform Part 1 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 8-22-17

Ch. 5: Song 2: Petra - Lathe


Ch. 6: Act 3: Locking up our own, how desperation created polices that made things worse - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 7-22-17

Ch. 7: Song 3: On Early Light - Cholate


Ch. 8: Act 4: Why prosecutors, not cops, are the keys to criminal justice reform Part 2 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 8-22-17

Ch. 9: Song 4: Cat's Eye - Marble Run


Ch. 10: Act 5: Shaun King: Real Justice TEAMS - Real Justice - Air Date 4-10-18 

Ch. 11: Song 5: Donder - Darby


Ch. 12: Act 6: Adam Foss: A prosecutor's vision for a better justice system - TEDTalks - Air Date: 3-21-16


Voicemails

Ch. 13: Straightening out some views from the left - Craig from Ohio

Ch. 14: Response to V from NY about the history of power in the black community - Marguerite from Fortuna, CA

Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent


Ch. 15:Final comments on the production choices of the show

Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

(Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions)


Activism:

TAKE ACTION

Get involved in your state's District Attorney elections: Join Real Justice Local Teams

Follow @RealJusticePACon Twitter

Follow Prosecutor Adam Foss on Twitter

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Read "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Read "Locking Up Our Own" by James Forman Jr.

Read "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Read "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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 the BotL iOS/AndroidApp 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 iTunesand Stitcher!

Direct download: 1182_Policing_Air_Date_5-8-18_-_5-9-18_12.36.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Air Date: 5/4/2018

Today we take a look at the falling dominoes of rebellion and demands for justice in the form of teachers strikes as they go from one educationally decimated red state to the next

Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Become a member and enjoy ad-free episodes and bonus content!

Visit: https://www.patreon.com/BestOfTheLeft

 

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 

Ch. 2: Act 1: Teachers Say What's Wrong With Education In The U.S. - AJ+ - Air Date: 09-03-15

Ch. 3: Song 1:  N/A


Ch. 4: Act 2: Red State Revolt: Teachers Fight Back Against GOP Education Cuts - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date: 05-01-18

Ch. 5: Song 2:  Decompression - Rayling


Ch. 6: Act 3: Teacher's strikes are women's strikes - This is Hell - Air Date 4-24-18

Ch. 7: Song 3:  We were there - Robin Roberts


Ch. 8: Act 4: West Virginia Sees the Biggest Public Sector Worker Strike in 30 Years - Ring of Fire Radio - Air Date 03-10-18

Ch. 9: Song 4: If it weren't for the union - Robin Roberts


Ch. 10: Act 5: Possible unintended consequences from the Janus decision - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 3-15-18

Ch. 11: Song 5:  The Contract - Robin Roberts


Ch. 12: Act 6: Cracks appearing in the low-tax paradigm - Diane Rehm: On My Mind - Air Date 4-28-18

Ch. 13: Song 6:  Surly Bonds - Aeronaut


Ch. 14: Act 7: 5 Ways to Support Teachers Striking Around the US - Best of the Left Activism

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


Ch. 16: Act 8: Corey Robin Striking Teachers Are “Real Resistance” to “Incoherent” Republicans and “Gutted” Dems - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 04-12-18


Voicemails

Ch. 17: Be wary of judging another culture's approach to regulation - Whitney from Seattle

Ch. 18: Discussing guns - Colin from Cleveland, OH

Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent


Ch. 19:Final comments

Help fight climate change! Donate to Jay's Climate Ride fundraiser!

Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

(Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions)


Activism:

TAKE ACTION

5 Ways to Support Teachers Striking:

1. Call your members of Congress 

2. March with teachers

3. Help with childcare

4. Explain the strikes to your kids

5. Donate to funds supporting striking teachers (see activism blog pagefor links)

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Women are leading the wave of strikes in America. Here's why.(The Guardian)

The Outcome in Arizona(Jacobin)

Colorado Republican lawmakers want to punish striking teachers with jail time.(Vox)

What you need to know about why Colorado teachers are walking out of classes and onto the Capitol(Denver Post)

What’s at Stake in the Teachers’ Strikes? (The Nation)

Teachers are Leading the Working-Class Insurgency(The Nation)     

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 the BotL iOS/AndroidApp 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 iTunesand Stitcher!

Direct download: 1181_Teacher_Strikes_Air_Date_5-4-18_-_5-5-18_17.48.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST

Air Date: 5/1/2018

Today I tell stories about Bhutan including personal experiences and what I can about the cultural and political past, present and future of the country

Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Become a member and enjoy ad-free episodes and bonus content!

Visit: https://www.patreon.com/BestOfTheLeft

 

Direct download: 1180_Bhutan_Travelogue_Air_Date_4-30-18_-_5-2-18_16.02.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EST