Best of the Left Podcast

Tue, 25 August 2020

#1362 Politics is Pointillism, Stand Back to See Things Clearly (Voter Suppression)

Air Date 8/25/2020

Today we take a look at the long history and motivations for voter suppression, explain why it tends to help one party over the other and why vote-by-mail is the best solution to the majority of our voting problems.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Jay explains that voter suppression is like pointillism in that it can only be understood by taking a wide enough view

Ch. 2: Why Do We Still Wait in Line to Vote? Part 1 - The Other Washington from @civicskunkworks - Air Date 5-18-17

Ch. 3: The pointillism of voter suppression (continued)

Ch. 4: Victoria Bassetti of the Brennan Center on the myth of widespread voter fraud - @DecodeDC - Air Date 10-20-16

Ch. 5: @AriBerman: Kris Kobach Is Helping Trump Lay Groundwork for Nationwide Voter Suppression Effort - @DemocracyNow - Air Date: 07-05-17

Ch. 6: Voter ID Suppressed 200,000 Wisconsin Votes; Trump Won by 22,748 - @DavidPakmanShow - Air Date: 05-11-17

Ch. 7: Carol Anderson on the Realities of Voter Suppression - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 9-12-18

Ch. 8: Why Do We Still Wait in Line to Vote? Part 2 - The Other Washington from @civicskunkworks - Air Date 5-18-17

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments

TAKE ACTION!

Know Your Voting Rights & Make a Plan (ACLU)

Let People Vote - State-by-State Rules & Options (ACLU)

Volunteer for a 2020 Voter Protection Team (FairFight)

Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

"December 10 March for Voting Rights" by Michael Fleshman |Changes: cropped | License

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Direct download: 1362_Politics_is_Pointallism_Back_Up_to_See_Things_Clearly_Voter_Suppression_-_8-23-20_01.03.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EST

Wed, 12 August 2020

#1361 Building a Better System of Justice

Air Date 8/12/2020

Today we take a look at Restorative Justice as an antidote to a wide range of injustices we face, from mass incarceration to having a toddler throw a cheerio at your forehead and much of what lies in between.

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Transcript

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EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Abolishing Prisons with Mariame Kaba Part 1 - Why Is This Happening? with Chris Hayes - Air Date 4-9-19

Prison abolitionist Mariame Kaba wants us to explore some truly radical notions. Hear her dismantle what she calls the current "criminal punishment system" and instead employ the ideology of restorative justice.

Ch. 2: The transformative power of restorative justice Part 1 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 6-18-20

Studies show restorative justice programs leave survivors more satisfied, cut recidivism rates, and cost less. sujatha baliga is the director of the Restorative Justice Project at Impact Justice.

Ch. 3: Abolishing Prisons with Mariame Kaba Part 2 - Why Is This Happening? with Chris Hayes - Air Date 4-9-19

Ch. 4: Repairing Justice. An Alternative to Prison with Danielle Sered Part 1 - On the Media with Bob Garfield - Air Date 7-31-19

Bob discusses the problems with prisons and the alternatives to mass incarceration with Danielle Sered

Ch. 5: The transformative power of restorative justice Part 2 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 6-18-20

Studies show restorative justice programs leave survivors more satisfied, cut recidivism rates, and cost less. sujatha baliga is the director of the Restorative Justice Project at Impact Justice.

Ch. 6: Repairing Justice. An Alternative to Prison with Danielle Sered Part 2 - On the Media with Bob Garfield - Air Date 7-31-19

Bob discusses the problems with prisons and the alternatives to mass incarceration with Danielle Sered

Ch. 7: Mass Incarceration, Violence & the Radical Possibilities of Restorative Justice with Danielle Sered - Democracy Now - Air Date 3-14-19

Danielle discusses the alternative options to a violent prison system with community interactions over punishment.

Ch. 8: Restorative Justice with Sonya Shah - Justice In America with Josie Duffy Rice and Clint Smith - Air Date 3-13-19

When people feel responsible and connected it really changes their lives. Restorative justice works in schools. Our system is a goliath, but we are a million sparks to break it down.

Ch. 9: The transformative power of restorative justice Part 3 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 6-18-20

Studies show restorative justice programs leave survivors more satisfied, cut recidivism rates, and cost less. sujatha baliga is the director of the Restorative Justice Project at Impact Justice.

Ch. 10: Repairing Justice. An Alternative to Prison with Danielle Sered Part 3 - On the Media with Bob Garfield - Air Date 7-31-19

Bob discusses the problems with prisons and the alternatives to mass incarceration with Danielle Sered

Ch. 11: Restorative Justice with Danielle Sered - Justice In America with Josie Duffy Rice and Clint Smith - Air Date 3-13-19

What does restorative justice look like? Community-driven repair, making sure the victims and perpetrators work together, rather than punishing both parties.

Ch. 12: Repairing Justice. An Alternative to Prison with Danielle Sered Part 4 - On the Media with Bob Garfield - Air Date 7-31-19

Bob discusses the problems with prisons and the alternatives to mass incarceration with Danielle Sered

Ch. 13: The transformative power of restorative justice Part 4 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 6-18-20

Studies show restorative justice programs leave survivors more satisfied, cut recidivism rates, and cost less. sujatha baliga is the director of the Restorative Justice Project at Impact Justice.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 14: Even the clip out of context gave enough context - Dave from Olympia, WA

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 15: Final comments on the one thing I know about all of your friends

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
Santre - K2
Thannoid - Bodytonic
Vittoro - Aeronaut
Long and Low Cloud - The Bulwark
Weathervane - CloudCover
Horizon Liner - The Pine Barrens
Swapping Tubes - Studio J
On Early Light - Cholate
Feathersoft - Barstool
Entrap - Darby
Hickory Shed - Onesuch Village
On Our Own Again - The Pine Barrens
Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | +more

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Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1361_Restorative_Justice_Air_Date_8-12-20_-_8-12-20_20.37.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:25pm EST

Sat, 8 August 2020

#1360 Redefine, Unburden and #DefundThePolice

Air Date 8/8/2020

Today we take a look at the concept of defunding the police; what it means, what it doesn't and what the goals of the movement are.

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

Transcript

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EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Race, Police, & The Pandemic - FRONTLINE - Air Date 6-2-20

Jelani Cobb describes how the relationship between black Americans and the police has become a “barometer” for race relations in the country and that explosive tensions are “overwhelmingly” in response to an issue of police use of force.

Ch. 2: Panel Discussion on Radical Police Reform - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-10-20

Trevor hosts a panel on movements to radically reimagine policing in the U.S. with Patrisse Cullors, Josie Duffy Rice, Sam Sinyangwe, Mychal Denzel Smith and Alex S. Vitale.

Ch. 3: The Racial Justice Uprising in the U.S. is Taking Hold Overseas - The Takeaway - Air Date 6-8-20

Explaining that an overburdened police system that takes on way too much, including much that is outside the realm of their training, is something that no one should want.

Ch. 4: The End of Policing with Alex Vitale - The Bastani Factor, Novara Media - Air Date 6-3-20

Aaron Bastani interviews author of ‘The End of Policing’, Alex Vitale, to ask just how bad law enforcement is in the United States, and what can be done about it.

Ch. 5: Defunding the Police Is Only the Beginning - The Mother Jones Podcast - Air Date 6-17-20

Josie Duffy Rice joins Jamilah King for a discussion about the recent police killing of Rayshard Brookes in Atlanta, the deep racist and classist structural issues with policing in America, and why defunding the police is only step one.

Ch. 6: Defund Police What It Means & How It Would Really Work - News Beat - Air Date 6-16-20

In the wake of the police slaying of George Floyd in Minneapolis, protesters have not only flooded the streets, but they're actively pushing reforms that go well beyond traditional solutions.

Ch. 7: How to Defund the Police - Boom! Lawyered - Air Date 6-11-20

Racism is baked into the U.S. model of policing. More and more people are starting to believe that no amount of "reform" will help; a full tear-down is required. But what does "defunding the police" actually mean?

Ch. 8: Is It Time To Defund the Police? - Deconstructed with Mehdi Hasan - Air Date 6-11-20

Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors joins Mehdi Hasan to discuss the future of policing and community-oriented systems of public safety in the United States.

Ch. 9: The Politics of "Defund the Police" - Politics with Amy Walter, The Takeaway - Air Date 6-12-20

Congress is reckoning with how to respond to the protests and calls for police accountability. Two national reporters join to discuss the Justice in Policing Act of 2020.

Ch. 10: We Can't Let The Uprising Get Co-opted - The Michael Brooks Show - Air Date 6-10-20

Notes on the uprising and how we move forward without allowing the forces of neoliberalism to co-opt the movement.

Ch. 11: TAKE ACTION:#DefundthePolice Locally via @IndivisibleTeam & Nationally with The #BREATHEAct via @Mvmnt4BlkLives

Call on Local Officials to #DefundthePolice via Indivisible

Ch. 12: Angela Davis: Abolishing police is not just about dismantling. It’s also about building up. - Democracy Now - Air Date 6-12-2020

Amid a worldwide uprising against police brutality and racism, we discuss the historic moment with legendary scholar and activist Angela Davis.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 13: Taken on a journey - Nick from California

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 14: Final comments puncturing the myth of the individuality of whiteness

TAKE ACTION

LOCAL: DEFUND THE POLICE

Call on Local Officials to #DefundthePolice via Indivisible

Indivisible Black Lives Solidarity Action

NATIONAL: PASS THE BREATHE ACT

Learn about and support the BREATHE Act

Spread the word about the BREATHE Act

Sign on as Community Sponsor of the BREATHE Act

ELECTORAL: SUPPORT PROGRESSIVE RACIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES

Upcoming State Primaries

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

The Movement for Black Lives Introduces the BREATHE Act (Colorlines)

What Exactly Does It Mean to Defund the Police? (The Cut, NY Mag,)

What Does It Mean to Invest in Black Communities? (The Nation)

How to Defund the Police (The New Yorker)

How to Make Defunding the Police a Reality (The Nation)

The Cities Taking Up Calls to Defund the Police (Bloomberg)

Defunding the Police Will Actually Make Us Safer (ACLU)

The Black Lives Matter Protests Are Working. Here’s Proof. (HuffPost)

Why We’re Demanding No Cops for Veep (The Nation)

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
PolyCoat - The Cabinetmaker
Tripoli - Pecan Grove
The Wooden Platform - The Bulwark
Tar and Spackle - Plaster
Quaver - Codebreaker
Begrudge - Darby
Eventual Victory - Codebreaker
Sunday Lights - Onesuch Village
Cloud Line - K4
Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE

“Justice for George Floyd - We Demand Change Now” by Fibonacci Blue (Flickr) | Changes: Cropped | License

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | +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

Review the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1360_Defund_the_Police_Air_Date_8-7-20_-_8-8-20_14.24.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:30am EST

Wed, 5 August 2020

#1359 The Life, Legacy and Lessons of John Lewis

Air Date 8/5/2020

Today we take a look at the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis at a moment in time when the lessons he has to teach us are as important as when he first learned them himself during the dawn of the civil rights era.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Honoring C.T. Vivian & Congressman John Lewis - Sojourner Truth Radio - Air Date 7-21-20

Today on Sojourner Truth, we honor the lives and legacies of two icons of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States: C.T. Vivian and Congressman John Lewis.

Ch. 2: #GoodTrouble ft. John Lewis Part 1 - Lift Every Voice - Air Date 1-15-18

Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis & U.S. Senator Cory Booker talk about the struggle for equality and his integral role in helping bring about the end of segregation in the United States.

Ch. 3: CT Vivian What kind of people are you? - Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-20-20

Tape of C.T. Vivian, a top lieutenant of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who died on the same day as Lewis, standing up to a sheriff in Selma, Alabama to defend the right to register Black voters.

Ch. 4: Into Remembering John Lewis - Into America - Air Date 7-21-20

Over the years, Lafayette watched Lewis grow into a national figure, from leading the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and being the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington, to becoming the ‘conscience of Congress.'

Ch. 5: Remembering Rep. John Lewis - Fresh Air - Air Date 7-20-20

Lewis grew up the son of sharecroppers and later became an associate of Martin Luther King Jr. He spoke with Terry Gross in 2009.

Ch. 6: #GoodTrouble ft. John Lewis Part 2 - Lift Every Voice - Air Date 1-15-18

Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis & U.S. Senator Cory Booker talk about the struggle for equality and his integral role in helping bring about the end of segregation in the United States.

Ch. 7: ‘Good Trouble’ A new generation of activists in John Lewis’ indelible legacy - On Point - Air Date 7-20-20

The legacy of John Lewis — the tireless civil rights leader and longtime representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district, who died Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer — won't die with him.

Ch. 8: John Lewis - The Politicrat - Air Date 7-19-20

Omar Moore speaks about Lewis, his leadership, his days at SNCC, his Congressional leadership, Bloody Sunday in Selma in 1965, the Coting Rights Act, the March on Washington, that Bridge, and what we must do to honor Lewis.

Ch. 9: Remembering John Lewis - On Point - Air Date 7-20-20

We look back on the life of John Lewis, the civil rights icon and congressman who dedicated himself to the fight for racial equality.

Ch. 10: Barack Obama's eulogy at John Lewis's funeral

Mr. Obama praised Mr. Lewis, saying “he as much as anyone in our history brought this country a little bit closer to our highest ideals.”

Ch. 11: #GoodTrouble ft. John Lewis Part 3 - Lift Every Voice - Air Date 1-15-18

Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis & U.S. Senator Cory Booker talk about the struggle for equality and his integral role in helping bring about the end of segregation in the United States.

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the passing of Michael Brooks and my thoughts on the impact of COVID-19 on the movement for racial justice

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):