Tue, 29 October 2019
Air Date: 10/29/2019 Today we take a look at some of the main characters that make up the Trump administration to get a sense of who they are, where they're coming from and how they're working tirelessly to ruin everything good about our government and find brand new ways to be terrible Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991 EPISODE SPONSORS: BetterHelp.com/BOTL | Clean Choice Energy SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USA | Amazon CA | Amazon UK MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) BONUS LIMERICK! Trump went to a World Series game and was booed by the crowd, including chants to “Lock Him Up!”: "A leader who's typically viewed As being repugnant and crude And went to a game Expecting some fame To bolster his ego, was booed" SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Rudy Giuliani - Past Present - Air Date 10-15-19 The crew discusses the political history of Rudy Giuliani and he's always been a snake. Ch. 2: Unitary Executive Theory with Charlie Savage - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 2-27-19 Jeremy Scahill and Charlie Savage discuss Bill Barr and Trump and their takeover of the Dept of Justice. Sam discusses Bill Barr and his role in corruption in the Trump administration. Pompeo has a history of making Islamophobic statements. He’s also been a major ally to the billionaire right-wing Koch brothers. Aaron Glantz discusses how Steven Mnuchin profited from ruining people's lives. Ch. 6: Mike Pence with Tom LoBianco - BradCast with Nicole Sandler - Air Date 10-1-19 Nicole chats with Tom LoBianco about the dangerous "Christian" Mike Pence. VOICEMAILS Ch. 7: My puddle of grey is confusing - Erin from Philadelphia Ch. 8: The impact of election 2000 - Holly from San Francisco Ch. 9: Broadcast stations selling ad space full of lies - Chris from San Diego FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 10: Final comments on the legality of running political ads with lies Ch. 11: Limerick of the Day from @LouC17 EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE 'A threat to democracy': William Barr's speech on religious freedom alarms liberal Catholics (The Guardian) Bill Barr’s First Epistle to the Heathens (The New Republic) William Barr Is Neck-Deep in Extremist Catholic Institutions (The Nation) Mike Pence's problem with science (CNN) The Danger of President Pence (The New Yorker) Mike Pence: power, religion and America's 'shadow president' (The Guardian) The Decline and Fall of Rudy Giuliani (GQ) Where Did Rudy Go? (The Atlantic) Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Support the show via Patreon Listen on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | Alexa Devices | +more 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
Direct download: 1315_Trumps_Inner_Circle_Air_Date_10-29-19_-_10-29-19_18.59.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm EST |
Fri, 25 October 2019
Air Date: 10/25/2019 Today we take a look at the complicated series of forces driving the protests in Hong Kong that span the ideological spectrum. Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991
EPISODE SPONSORS: BetterHelp.com/BOTL | Forecast Fest (Available where you get your podcasts) | Clean Choice Energy SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USA | Amazon CA | Amazon UK MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) VOTE IN THE WEEKLY SHOW TOPICS POLL SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Will China crack down on Hong Kong? - The Inquiry - Air Date 6-25-19 Pro-democracy protesters worry that this is being eroded as the Communist party is trying to bring it further under its influence. Complicating matters is Hong Kong’s significant but shrinking economic importance to China. We break down the protests in Hong Kong. Carl Zha provides a primer on what has unfolded with the protests in Hong Kong. Ch. 4: Fighting for the Future of Hong Kong - The Laura Flanders Show - Air Date 10-9-19 The historic demonstrations began in June as a response to the proposal of an extradition agreement with Mainland China. All these months later, the issues have become a lot bigger getting to the heart of the meaning of democracy and Chinese Imperialism. Carl Zha provides a primer on what has unfolded with the protests in Hong Kong. China held its largest military parades ever in Beijing this week to mark 70 years of Communist rule. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, police escalated violence Tuesday by firing live ammunition at demonstrators for the first time in the months-long protests. VOICEMAILS Ch. 7: Don't let the older generations off the hook - Alan from Connecticut Ch. 8: We are in this together - James from Sacramento, CA Ch. 9: Pitching in - Erica from Illinois FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 10: Final comments on the tradition of progressive media supporters getting nicknames MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: KOKUYO, Wikimedia Commons / License / Changes: Cropped vertically and horizontally
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Support the show via Patreon Listen on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | Alexa Devices | +more 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
Direct download: 1314_Hong_Kong_Protests_Air_Date_10-25-19_-_10-25-19_20.39.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EST |
Tue, 22 October 2019
Air Date: 10/22/2019 Today we take a look at why the concept of prison abolition isn’t as scary as it sounds, the answer to the question of what would replace prisons and why you’re wrong for even asking that in the first place. Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991
EPISODE SPONSORS: BetterHelp.com/BOTL | Madison-Reed.com (Promo Code: LEFT) | Clean Choice Energy SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USA | Amazon CA | Amazon UK MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) SHOW NOTES Mariame Kaba discusses prisons, justice and the systems in place that do more harm than good. Marc, Michelle and Vonya discuss the mass incarceration state and what actions are needed to change our systems. Mariame Kaba discusses prisons, justice and the systems in place that do more harm than good. Prisons on America are massive, and mass incarceration is a system of control. Marc, Michelle and Vonya discuss the mass incarceration state and what actions are needed to change our systems. Prisons on America are massive, and mass incarceration is a system of control. Elites like to think they are making progress with small steps towards justice, but we have been criminalized black lives for centuries under white supremacy, tweaking and reforming isn't going to accomplish anything. VOICEMAILS Ch. 8: Show more important than privacy - David from Gaithersberg FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 9: Final comments explaining the coming fiscal cliff the show faces EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE The Prison Abolition Syllabus "(modeled after #FergusonSyllabus, #Charlestonsyllabus, #WelfareReformSyllabus and Trump Syllabus 2.0) seeks to contextualize and highlight prison organizing and prison abolitionist efforts from the 13th Amendment’s re-articulation of slavery to current resistance to mass incarceration, solitary confinement, and prison labor exploitation." The Police Can’t Solve the Problem. They Are the Problem. (NY Times Op-Ed by Derecka Purnell & Marbre Stahly-Butts) Some Prison Abolition-Focused Orgs/Groups/Activists to Follow on Twitter: Black and Pink National: @BLACKandPINKOrg Critical Resistance: @C_Resistance Harvard Prison Divestment Campaign: @HarvardPDC Derecka Purnell: @dereckapurnell Prof. Ibram X. Kendi: @DrIbram Law for Black Lives: @Law4BlackLives Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Support the show via Patreon Listen on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | Alexa Devices | +more 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
Direct download: 1313_Prison_Abolition_Air_Date_10-22-19_-_10-23-19_12.11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00pm EST |
Fri, 18 October 2019
Air Date: 10/18/2019 Today we take a look at the recent developments between Turkey and Syria and the role Trump played in allowing Turkey to effectively invade Syria and extend its border. Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991
EPISODE SPONSORS: BetterHelp.com/BOTL | Blinkist.com/BEST | Clean Choice Energy SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USA | Amazon CA | Amazon UK MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Trump Abandoned Kurds, Genocide To Follow - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-10-19 Turkey has launched an aerial and ground assault on northern Syria targeting Kurdish-controlled areas. The offensive began Wednesday, just days after President Trump ordered U.S. troops to fall back from their positions on the Turkish-Syrian border. The U.S. is deeply involved in the region surrounding Syria. Its actions helped lay the groundwork for the current struggle faced by the Kurds. As Trump gives the green light for a Turkish invasion of Rojava, we ask David Graeber what hope there is left for Syrian Kurds. Ch. 4: Why We Should Have Solidarity With Rojava - The Michael Brooks Show - Air Date 10-14-19 Michael discusses Turkey's impending ethnic cleansing of Kurds and Rojava. As Trump gives the green light for a Turkish invasion of Rojava, we ask David Graeber what hope there is left for Syrian Kurds. Ch. 6: Wasteland of Corruption with Kamran Matin - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 10-16-19 Jeremy Scahill and Kamran Matin discuss the Kurds, and the corruption of the politics of the era. What is going on with the Kurds and Turkey and Syria? Michael and Dhene Bajalan break it down. Ch. 8: Wasteland of Corruption - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 10-16-19 Jeremy Scahill and Kamran Matin discuss the Kurds, and the corruption of the politics of the era. VOICEMAILS Ch. 9: The Empathy Tax as a speech pathologist - Alice Ch. 10: Experience in the workforce - Heather from Texas Ch. 11: Thoughts on being a logical empath - Quai from North Carolina FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on the empathy tax, the cease-fire and Trump’s letter EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE A Look At The History Of The U.S. Alliance With The Kurds (NPR) The U.S. Is Now Betraying the Kurds for the Eighth Time (The Intercept) ‘This is not a cease-fire,’ Turkey FM Cavusoglu insists, contradicting Mike Pence on Syria (NBC News) Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Support the show via Patreon Listen on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | Alexa Devices | +more 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
Direct download: 1312_Turkey.Syria.Kurds_Air_Date_10-18-19_-_10-19-19_12.47.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00pm EST |
Tue, 15 October 2019
Air Date: 10/15/2019
EPISODE SPONSORS: Bombas.com/BEST | Madison-Reed.com (Promo Code: LEFT) | Clean Choice Energy SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USA | Amazon CA | Amazon UK MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) SHOW NOTES One in eight young people have a mental health problem. One big problem is access to treatment. Mental health services are underfunded, leaving many people stuck on waiting lists. Ch. 2: From Stigma to Oppression - Off-Kilter with Rebecca Vallas - Air Date 5-31-19 Mental Illness is very common in the US, from burnout to anxiety to depression to suicide, and our systems don't support proper care. Ch. 3: Neoliberalism Is Creating a Mental Health Crisis - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 02-08-18 Neoliberalism, the belief that markets are democratic and that what works for them, works for all parts of society, isn't working for working people. Neoliberalism is creating a mental health crisis in America and around the world! Ch. 4: David Graeber Bullshit Jobs - Novara Media with James Butler - Air Date 2-1-19 David Graeber discusses neoliberalism, bullshit jobs, capitalism and the value of labor. Ch. 5: On Bullshit Jobs with David Graeber - This Is Hell - Air Date 5-14-18 David Graeber and Chuck discuss bullshit jobs, financial feudalism, the ruling class and human instinct. Ch. 6: Uncovering the Causes of Depression with Johann Hari - The Majority Report - Air Date 3-19-19 The biological makeup of humans has not changed for many centuries, but depression, anxiety and addiction are on the rise. Sam and Johann discuss. Ch. 7: Why You Are Depressed and Anxious with Johann Hari - TED Talks Daily - Air Date 9-18-19 Johann Hair discusses the causes of rising depression and anxiety because of the modern capitalist neoliberal world. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 8: Final comments wrapping up MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Support the show via Patreon Listen on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | Alexa Devices | +more 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
Direct download: 1311_Neoliberalism_Mental_Health_Air_Date_10-15-19_-_10-16-19_13.56.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00pm EST |
Fri, 4 October 2019
Air Date: 10/4/2019 Today we take a look at this whole impeachment kerfuffle I’ve been hearing about. Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991 EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USA | Amazon CA | Amazon UK MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) (No topics poll this week. BotL is on its first-ever real vacation next week!) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Whistleblower Complaint Shows Abuse of Office with James Risen - Democracy Now - Air Date 9-27-19 Nearly 90% of House Democrats now support impeachment. On Thursday, a declassified version of a complaint by an anonymous whistleblower was released, detailing his concerns about Trump’s July phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky. Ch. 2: We've Got Impeachment - Intercepted with Ryan Grim - Air Date 10-2-19 James and Ryan talk about Biden's role in Ukraine and the whistleblower. Ch. 3: How The Bidens Got Involved with Adam Entous - On The Media - Air Date 9-27-19 Interviews about the messy impeachment process and how we got here. Ch. 4: Impeachment, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - Backstory - Air Date 9-27-19 The Backstory crew discusses current and past impeachment situations. Ch. 5: Bigly Liddle Lies - Sanity Cast with John Fugelsang - Air Date 10-1-19 John breaks down everything happening around impeachment. Ch. 6: Impeachment Legalities with Walter Dellinger - Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 9-28-19 Walter and Dahlia break down what exactly is happening during the impeachment whirlwind. Jonathan talks with Maxine Waters about the importance of impeaching Trump. Ch. 8: Impeachment At Last with Jeet Heer - Start Making Sense - Air Date 9-29-19 Jeet Here discusses what has led to impeachment and what it will look like moving forward. The Nation's national correspondent John Nichols says that history shows impeachment has changed the political future, and thinks it is part of a struggle we should not shy away from. VOICEMAILS Ch. 10: 9-11 (ep 1308) - Alan from Connecticut Ch. 11: Evidence-based thinking - Roger Ray from Springfield, MO FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on the latest news on Trump’s impeachment in limerick form TAKE ACTION! INDIVISIBLE: "Activists nationwide are joining together to make a unified demand of our representatives during the October recess (September 30-October 15): Go back to Washington, do your jobs, and take a vote to impeach Trump as soon as possible." Find a Town Hall Event with Your Congressperson During the Congressional Recess Demand Your Representative Support Impeaching Donald Trump EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE It's Time For Everyone to Join the Impeachment Fight (Crooked Media) 9 questions about the Trump-Ukraine whistleblower scandal you were too embarrassed to ask (Vox) The whistleblower complaint, annotated (CNN) Trump call summary shows he pressed Ukrainian president to probe Biden (CBS) Read the Text Messages Between U.S. and Ukrainian Officials (The New York Times) Impeach Donald Trump (The Atlantic, March 2019) Do Americans Support Impeaching Trump? (FiveThirtyEight) Perilous times for Trump: By 45%-38%, Americans support impeaching him over Ukraine allegations, poll finds (USA Today) How Trump's Ukraine call could violate campaign finance laws (Associated Press) 50 Moments That Define an Improbable Presidency (The Atlantic) Here’s why Trump’s poll numbers are defying the impeachment mess (CNBC) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Support the show via Patreon Listen on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | Alexa Devices | +more 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
Direct download: 1310_Impeachment_Air_Date_10-04-19_-_10-4-19_22.05.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00pm EST |
Tue, 1 October 2019
Air Date: 10/1/2019 Today we take an unflinching look at two of the major sources of anxiety in modern life, Donald Trump and the climate crisis, and some of what we can do to find a degree of calm. Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991
EPISODE SPONSORS: Madison-Reed.com (Promo Code: LEFT) | Clean Choice Energy SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USA | Amazon CA | Amazon UK MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) SHOW NOTES Sheldon Solomon discusses why humans are so prone to following leaders to trigger their fear response. Dr. Bandy Lee warns that Trumps mental health is a threat to world peace, and discusses that sick societies produce sick leaders. Renee Lertzman, who works to understand the psychology of how we deal with environmental issues. Her words are especially useful in this time of shared anxiety and concern and uncertainty. Ch. 4: Is Trump A Disease with Dr. Bandy Lee - Trumpcast with Virginia Heffernan - Air Date 7-10-19 Virginia Heffernan talks to Dr. Bandy Lee, psychiatrist at Yale University, for a deep, compelling new take on the long debate about Trump’s mental fitness. Ch. 5: From Stigma to Oppression - Off-Kilter with Rebecca Vallas - Air Date 5-31-19 Mental Illness is very common in the US, from burnout to anxiety to depression to suicide, and our systems don't support proper care. Ch. 6: Are You Feeling Climate Grief? - Eaarth Feels with Rose and Christine - Air Date 8-23-19 Rose and Christine discuss the climate crisis and the strain our mental health is under - and the possibilities. We talk to renowned psychiatrist Allen Frances about his latest book Twilight of American Sanity: A Psychiatrist Analyzes the Age of Trump. VOICEMAILS Ch. 10: Experience with 9/11 and learning about Islam - Heather from Texas Ch. 11: Home run race relation example - Alan from Connecticut Ch. 12: 9/11 and Columbine - Erin from Philadelphia Ch. 13: Millennial depression - Corey from New Jersey FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 14: Final comments on a big announcement regarding steps being taken toward maintaining good mental health MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Support the show via Patreon Listen on iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | Alexa Devices | +more 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
Direct download: 1309_Mental_Health_Trump.Climate_Air_Date_10-01-19_-_10-1-19_20.16.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00pm EST |