Best of the Left Podcast

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The Podcasts

Air Date 9/26/2020

Today we present, instead of what was intended to be a rerun episode, Senator Bernie Sanders' major speech on the threat Donald Trump poses to democracy. Plus, new voice messages and a bonus clip in conversation with one of those messages.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Sen Bernie Sanders Addresses the Nation: Trump's Threat to Our Democracy


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 2: The Progressive Myth - Craig from Ohio

Ch. 3: The Nature of the Internet - Jonathan from Florida

New bonus clips and voices - Jonathan from Florida


Bonus Clip

Ch. 4: Facts Don't Care About Your Feelings, But Decent People Do: The Dangerous Emotional Detachment of the Right - Speak Out with Tim Wise - Air Date 11-27-19


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • 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 PodcastsSpotify | +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 PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1370_Bernie_Speech_Air_Date_9-25-20_General_-_9-26-20_00.05.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00pm EDT

Air Date 9/22/2020

Today we take a look at the rising concern over Facebook as more and more negative impacts of the site become evident to an ever-expanding group of concerned people and, more specifically, we show how it is the fundamental business model of Facebook that is at the heart of its problems.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Early Facebook Investor We Need to Hold Big Tech Accountable For Creating “Toxic Digital Spills” - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-27-19

Early Facebook investor Roger McNamee talks about big tech companies are amplifying hate speech and disinformation. He also talks more about his book, ·Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe.·

Ch. 2: The Covid Conspiracy Boom on Facebook - On the Media - Air Date 8-19-20

Bob speaks to Fadi Quran about the "superspreader" pages that are amassing these page views, the most popular health conspiracies on Facebook, and whether there's any hope that Facebook will address the proliferation of disinformation on its site.

Ch. 3: Beyond the Boycott - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 7-10-20

#StopHateforProfit is an important first step, but we need to go much further.

Ch. 4: The Business Model - The Social Dilemma

Clip from the docudrama "The Social Dilemma" from the Center for Humane Technology (available on Netflix).

Ch. 5: Voting Is Not Enough: Work to Overcome Racist Voter Suppression in Yet Another Election Without the Full Voting Rights Act - Best of the Left Activism

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. For more, visit Bestoftheleft.com/2020Action.

Ch. 6: When Attention Went on Sale - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 4-28-20

Information system that relies on advertising was not born w/ the Internet. But social media platforms have taken it to an entirely new level, becoming a major force in how we make sense of ourselves and the world around us. Columbia Law Professor Tim Wu.

Ch. 7: Power and Politics in Silicon Valley ft. Ramesh Srinivasan - The Michael Brooks Show - Air Date 11-10-19

Ramesh Srinivasan (@RameshMedia), Bernie Sanders surrogate and Professor at the UCLA Department of Information Studies, joins us to discuss the politics of technology. Why conversations about technology need to be conversations about power.

Ch. 8: Yaël Eisenstat: Dear Facebook, this is how you're breaking democracy - TEDTalks - Air Date 9-8-20

In this bold talk, Yaël Eisenstat explores how social media companies like Facebook incentivize inflammatory content, contributing to a culture of political polarization and mistrust -- and calls on governments to hold these platforms accountable.


VOICEMAILS:

Ch. 10: Mythology - Alan from Connecticut

VOICYMAILS:

Ch. 11: Response to Zach the theologian - Nicole

Ch. 12: Your argument convinced me - Zach the theologian

Ch. 13: White Male Privilege - Heidi


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 14: Final comments on the two major changes happening to the show


TAKE ACTION!

Fight Systemic Voter Suppression:

1) Confirm Voter Registration & Talk to Purged Voters:

Vote.org

National Voter Registration Day Toolkit

Call purged voters: Field Team 6 Actions (with Grassroots Democrats HQ)

2) Help People Get Necessary IDs to Vote:

VoteRiders Free Help

3) Increase Black Voter Turnout:

NAACP Black Voices Change Lives

4) Become a Poll Worker:

WorkElections.com

MoreThanaVote.org

React to Ginsburg's Passing with Action:

Volunteer with SwingLeft to Flip the Senate & Target Super States

Donate to Targeted Super States via SwingLeft

Special Elections (Winner sworn-in in November!):

AZ: Unseat McSally. Give to Mark Kelly.  (leading by 9% points) (CPR Rating: Leans D)

GA: Unseat Loeffler. Give to Rev. Raphael Warnock(down by 4% points) (CPR Rating: Lean R)

Tightening Polls Toss Ups:

MT: Unseat Daines. Give to Steve Bullock. (down by 1% point)

GA: Unseat Perdue. Give to Jon Ossoff. (down by 2% points)

IA: Unseat Ernst: Give to Theresa Greenfield. (leading by 3% points)

ME: Unseat Collins. Give to Sara Gideon. (leading by 5-7% points)

NC: Unseat Tillis. Give to Cal Cunningham. (leading by 6% points)

CO: Unseat Gardener. Give to John Hickenlooper. (leading by 7% points)

Close Polls Lean R & Likely R:

AK: Unseat Sullivan. Give to Dr. Al Gross. (tied)

SC: Unseat Graham. Give to Jaime Harrison. (down by 1% points)

TX: Unseat Cornyn. Give to MJ Hegar. (down by 2% points)

KS: Open seat. Give to Bollier. (down by 2% points)

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

7 Years of Gutting Voting Rights (Brennan Center for Justice)

In 2013 the supreme court gutted voting rights – how has it changed the US? (The Guardian)

Here's *exactly* how Democrats win the Senate (CNN)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • 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 PodcastsSpotify | +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 PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1369_Facebook_Air_Date_9-22-20_General_-_9-22-20_21.55.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:23pm EDT

Air Date 9/18/2020

Today we take a look at some of the dynamics at play for some of the most vulnerable people in America who are doing much of the most essential work under the most precarious circumstances

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Essential and Unprotected Part 1 - FRONTLINE, PBS - Air Date 7-22-20

They've been keeping America fed throughout the pandemic · and they say they·ve had to choose between their health and their jobs.

Ch. 2: COVID-19 Presents Major Economic Burden for Domestic Workers - The Takeaway - Air Date 7-7-20

COVID-19 Presents Major Economic Burden for Domestic Workers In recent months, even as some industries have gradually reopened, many domestic workers are still losing jobs and wages due to the pandemic.

Ch. 3: Essential and Unprotected Part 2 - FRONTLINE, PBS - Air Date 7-22-20

They've been keeping America fed throughout the pandemic · and they say they·ve had to choose between their health and their jobs.

Ch. 4: Unemployment benefits are hard to get. That’s on purpose Part 1 - The Uncertain Hour - Air Date 5-27-20

Millions of Americans who are out of work don·t receive unemployment benefits. That·s by design. Today, we·ll look at the history of the United States· unemployment insurance system

Ch. 5: Why “essential” workers are treated as disposable - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 5-20-20

We call them heroes, we label them ·essential,· and we clap for their brave efforts -- even tho with doctors and nurses, these are the people who are putting their own lives at risk to keep our society functioning day in and out amid the worst crisis

Ch. 6: Voting Is Not Enough: Take Part in National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 22nd via @NatlVoterRegDay @SEIU - Best of the Left Activism

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. For more, visit Bestoftheleft.com/2020Action.

Ch. 7: Unemployment benefits are hard to get. That’s on purpose Part 2 - The Uncertain Hour - Air Date 5-27-20

Millions of Americans who are out of work don·t receive unemployment benefits. That·s by design. Today, we·ll look at the history of the United States· unemployment insurance system

Ch. 8: How Labor Organizing Can Help Women and People of Color Unemployed Due to COVID-19 - The Takeaway - Air Date 5-13-20

How Labor Organizing Can Help Women and People of Color Unemployed Due to COVID-19 The economic crisis has disproportionately hurt women and people of color


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Moving beyond the myth of the melting pot - Erin from Philadelphia

Ch. 10: Moving beyond the 'empirical' point of view - Chris from Littleton, CO


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the ironic origins of two of America's most cherished cultural pillars


TAKE ACTION

Register to Vote

Table of voter registration deadlines by state & type (Business Insider) 

Visit NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org (@NatlVoterRegDay) for details on the Sept. 22nd day of action / Watch the kick off event

Visit SEIU2020.org to join the union's 2020 election activities

Get the VoteJoe relational voting app: Text APP to 30330

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

How to Vote in the 2020 Election Project (FiveThirtyEight)

Labor union unveils $150M campaign to help defeat Trump (AP)

Barack Obama Stars in Snapchat PSA Aimed at Younger and First-Time Voters (AdWeek)

Pandemic upends traditional voter registration efforts ahead of November election (CBS)

Voter Registrations Are Way, Way Down During The Pandemic (FiveThirtyEight)

What you need to know about voting absentee in Alabama (Al.com)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • 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 PodcastsSpotify | +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 PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1368_COVID_Labor_Air_Date_9-18-20_-_9-18-20_19.02.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:47pm EDT

Air Date 9/15/2020

Today we take a look at two of America's oldest institutions which are both under attack, the US Post Office and the Census. The clear through-line of the attacks on both is a classic struggle over power.

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

Transcript

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Support us on PodHero

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EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy

IF YOU’RE GOING TO SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USAAmazon CAAmazon UK


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Long, Slow Chipping Away of the USPS - On the Media - Air Date 8-21-20

According to New Republic staff writer Alex Shephard, when journalists start talking about public sector programs like the postal service, they tend to be sucked into a partisan, ideological narrative.

Ch. 2: A wildcat strike in 1970 solved the last crisis at USPS - The Real News - Air Date 8-24-20

Labor activist Paul Prescod gives context to the fight over the future of the post office.

Ch. 3: "The Damage Has Been Done" Historian Says Trump's Postmaster Has Undermined Faith in 2020 Election - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-24-20

Historian Philip Rubio, who teaches at North Carolina A&T State University and worked as a mail carrier for two decades, says decades of political interference have caused a "manufactured crisis" at the U.S. Postal Service. "The damage has been done,"

Ch. 4: Crisis At The Post Office - Planet Money - Air Date 8-21-20

The fight over the US Postal Service is a lot bigger and goes back a lot further than the appointment of Louis DeJoy. It's a fifty-year-old battle between public service and private enterprise.

Ch. 5: Voting Is Not Enough: Know Your State’s 2020 Voting Rules & Voting Best Practices & Help Others - Best of the Left

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. For more, visit Bestoftheleft.com/2020Action.

Ch. 6: Liz OuYang on Census Sabotage - CounterSpin - Air Date 8-14-20

We’ll talk about the White House’s transparent campaign to sabotage the census with civil rights attorney Liz OuYang.

Ch. 7: Census Suppression & Why It Matters - The Daily Show with Trevor Noah - Air Date 7-15-20

Dulcé Sloan meets voter suppression’s nasty cousin, census suppression, and talks to Dr. Jeanine Abrams McLean, Stacey Abrams’s sister, about the 2020 census and the fight to get Black folks accurately represented via the Fair Count organization.

Ch. 8: Why The Census Matters - Another Way, by Lawrence Lessig - Air Date 1-30-20

Adam Eichen is joined by Beth Huang, executive director of Massachusetts Voter Table. The two discuss how the decennial census works, why it is so important, the difficulties involved in enumeration, and what groups are doing to ensure an accurate count.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: White people are tired of living up to the myth - Scott from Arizona

Ch. 10: Voicemail Description – Person from City, State


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the importance of a racial understanding of economic policy and contrasting two foundational myth


TAKE ACTION

Explore and share the "How to Vote in the 2020 Election" Project (FiveThirtyEight)

Remember & Share These Voting Best Practices: 

1. Request your absentee ballot ASAP! RIGHT NOW! 

2. When you have your ballot, vote ASAP but follow ballot rules to the letter to avoid rejection!

3. If you don't want to mail your ballot, find local ballot drop boxes through your state's Secretary of State website or by calling your local election office. Find my state or local election office

4. Track your ballot online to ensure it was received and accepted! To find the tracker, first find your state or local election office

Voting in person is still an option, but be prepared for people to disobey health rules, and for long lines and reduced polling places. Find your polling place

 

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

Voter Registration Deadlines (Vote.org)

Voting by mail in a pandemic: A state-by-state scorecard (Brookings)

How to Vote by Mail in All 50 States (Vice)

The Most Important Mail You'll Ever Send: A Ballot (NPR)

In battlegrounds, absentee ballot rejections could triple (AP)

A white person and a Black person vote by mail in the same state. Whose ballot is more likely to be rejected? (NBC News)

If You Can Grocery Shop in Person, You Can Vote in Person (The Atlantic)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Song Title 
  • Song Title
  • Song Title
  • Song Title
  • Song Title
  • Song Title
  • 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 PodcastsSpotify | +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 PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1367_Post_Office.Census_Air_Date_9-15-20_-_9-15-20_20.00.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:01pm EDT

Air Date 9/11/2020

Today we take a look at the easily predictable, yet growing, eviction crisis in America that is entirely thanks to a political and economic system that is structurally incapable of functioning for the benefit of people over profit.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Ali Velshi Explains The Looming Eviction Crisis - MSNBC - Air Date 7-21-20

Ali Velshi breaks down why millions of Americans could be forced out of their homes

Ch. 2: The Evictions Cliff Part 1, The Cost of Housing - Off Kilter - Air Date 7-18-20

Dan Threet of the National Low Income Housing Coalition and Jay Willis, senior contributor for The Appeal.

Ch. 3: There Is An Eviction Crisis, How Can We Fight Back? - The Michael Brooks Show - Air Date 7-11-20

There Is An Eviction Crisis, How Can We Fight Back?

Ch. 4: Heartbreaking CNN Segment Highlights Eviction Crisis - The Rational National - Air Date 9-3-20

CNN puts a face to the eviction crisis that could hit 30-40 million Americans by the end of 2020.

Ch. 5: The Evictions Cliff Part 2, Cancel Rent and Consider Housing a Human Right - Off Kilter - Air Date 7-18-20

Tara Raghuveer, director of the campaign for a Homes Guarantee and founding director of KC Tenants.

Ch. 6: Voting Is Not Enough: Help Unhoused, Poor and Low-Income Voters Access the Ballot - Best of the Left

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. For more, visit Bestoftheleft.com/2020Action.

Ch. 7: Elizabeth Warren Talks Pending Eviction Crisis in America - NowThis - Air Date 7-25-20

‘This coming eviction crisis is a racial justice crisis’ — Sen. Elizabeth Warren explains why the looming eviction crisis could be devastating for communities of color.

Ch. 8: Can Trump Really ‘Stop Evictions?’ - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 9-2-20

A Trump administration order could allow many renters to avoid eviction through Dec. 31

Ch. 9: There Is No Ethical Capitalism - The Michael Brooks Show - Air Date 9-4-20

Understanding the amorality of capitalism through a structural lens


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Thoughts on the frames through which we see the world - Naomi from Canada


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the dominant culture, national myths and the dominance of whiteness


TAKE ACTION!

Join The Poor People's Campaign's "We Must Do M.O.R.E." Effort

"We Must Do M.O.R.E" Digital Toolkit

Watch the "We Must Do M.O.R.E." Moral Monday Mass Assembly on 9/14 at 7pm ET on Facebook

National Low Income Housing Coalition: National Federal Eviction Moratorium & Toolkit

Nonprofit VOTES: Voting information pertaining to unhoused people

National Coalition for the Homeless

"You Don't Need A Home to Vote" Manual

Get involved in the "You Don't Need a Home to Vote" Project

National Housing Law Project Resources for People Facing Eviction During the Pandemic

National Homelessness Law Center 2020 Election Guide

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

How the COVID-19 housing crisis could affect voter participation (Fast Company)

Evictions Across US Raise Concerns About Voting Process (Voice of America)

How The Eviction Crisis Could Compound Voter Suppression Come November (Huffington Post)

Housing advocate on what to do if you’re being evicted: ‘You have rights’ (CNBC)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE

"IMG_0344" from Chicago Right to Recovery Caravan Rally by Ervin Lopez on Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, increased contrast, brightness and saturation

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSpotify | +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 PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1366_Eviction_Crisis_Air_Date_9-11-20_-_9-11-20_19.01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00pm EDT

Air Date 9/8/2020

Today we take a look at the dynamics of the white nationalist movement, authoritarian psychology, the legacy of Richard Nixon and the uncertainty of a peaceful election.

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

Transcript

MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

Support us on PodHero

Support us on Flattr

EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy

IF YOU’RE GOING TO SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USAAmazon CAAmazon UK


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: White Rage, Trump and Americas Race War with Tim Wise - The Truth Report with Chauncey DeVega - Air Date 8-1-19

Chauncey and Tim Wise discuss the rise of white supremacy and fascism in America.

Ch. 2: Derek Black was groomed to be the new face of white nationalism. Now he's working against it. - Cape Up with Jonathan Capehart - Air Date 7-28-20

Black grew up in a family of white nationalists, with David Duke as his godfather. But he renounced those views in college and recently has been involved in Black Lives Matter protests. "Everyone has a moral choice to decide," he says.

Ch. 3: Trump Caravans and the Threat of Sectarian Violence Part 1 - The Muckrake Podcast - Air Date 9-1-20

Right Wing vigilantism turns to roving bands of MAGA supporters driving into cities and doling out violence.

Ch. 4: Can We Stop Trump From Playing Dictator? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-11-20

The single most consistent defining characteristic of an emerging dictatorship in a country that started as a democracy is that the dictator regularly holds elections and always wins, because he uses the instruments of government to make sure he wins.

Ch. 5: Voting is Not Enough - Get Involved In The Ground Game NOW - Best of the Left

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. For more, visit Bestoftheleft.com/2020Action.

Ch. 6: “Authoritarian Nightmare” John Dean Helped Bring Down Nixon over Watergate. He Says Trump Is Worse - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-27-20

As President Trump is set to accept the Republican Party's formal renomination for president amid ongoing scandals and multiple crises, we speak with John Dean, who served as the White House counsel for President Richard Nixon from 1970 to 1973.

Ch. 7: Trump Caravans and the Threat of Sectarian Violence Part 2 - The Muckrake Podcast - Air Date 9-1-20

Right Wing vigilantism turns to roving bands of MAGA supporters driving into cities and doling out violence.

Ch. 8: Democracy Is On The Ballot - Strange Days with Fernand Amandi - Air Date 8-21-20

Will fascism + white supremacy be the new normal if Joe Biden loses the election? Jason Stanley explains to #StrangeDaysPodcast, How Fascism Works.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the debate between voting emotionally or as a tool toward a theory of change


TAKE ACTION!

GOTV! Grab some friends & get involved with:

Swing Left

Indivisible

Vote Forward

Field Team 6

Move On

Progressive Turn Out Project

Biden-Harris campaign

NAACP's Black Voices Changes Lives

SuperMajority

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

The pandemic is forcing Democrats to ask: How important is door-knocking, anyway? (Vox)

The Shocking Upset That Shows How Democrats Can Crush Trump (Daily Beast)

NAACP Launches An Unprecedented "Black Voices Change Lives" Campaign to Activate Infrequent Black Voters in Critical Battleground States (NAACP)

It’s a lot harder to get out the vote during a pandemic (Marketplace)

Swing Left: The 2020 Super States (Swing Left)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • The Envelope - Aeronaut
  • Turning to You - Landsman Duets
  • Chilvat - Lillehammer
  • Hickory Shed - Onesuch Village
  • This fickle world - Theo Bard
  • One Dirty Sleeve - Wax Museum
  • Vibrant Canopy - Origami
  • 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 PodcastsSpotify | +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 PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1365_Authoritarian_Election_Air_Date_9-8-20_-_9-8-20_19.41.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:51pm EDT

Air Date 9/5/2020

Today we take a look at the protests and counter-protests roiling the nation and recognize the conspiracy-laden fundamentalism of the far-right that is fueling the violence.

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

Transcript

MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

Support us on PodHero

Support us on Flattr

EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy

IF YOU’RE GOING TO SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USAAmazon CAAmazon UK


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Marjorie Cohn on Portland Secret Police - CounterSpin - Air Date 7-24-20

While we wait to see if corporate media can decide which optic is an optic too far, we talk about the legal, constitutional elements of the fight for our right to protest, including against the forces that are sent to police the protesting. Marjorie Kohn.

Ch. 2: Kenosha - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 08-30-20

John Oliver discusses a week that saw the Republican National Convention, a horrific series of shootings in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and a strike in professional sports -- three stories that are really one story, about race in America.

Ch. 3: Trump Attacks Anti-Fascists But Is Silent on Boogaloo & Far-Right Groups Engaged in Deadly Violence - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-23-20

President Trump claims without evidence that anti-fascists are inciting riots at protests against police brutality but has downplayed groups like the “boogaloo” movement, which are using the protests as cover to carry out violence, even murder.

Ch. 4: Trump Cheers On Violent Terror - The Young Turks - Air Date 9-1-20

Trump is promoting violence in the United States. Ana Kasparian and Cenk Uygur discuss on The Young Turks.

Ch. 5: Voting is Not Enough: Become a Poll Worker - Best of the Left Activism

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. For more, visit Bestoftheleft.com/2020Action.

Ch. 6: Trump Caravans and the Threat of Sectarian Violence - The Muckrake Podcast - Air Date 9-1-20

Right-Wing vigilantism turns to roving bands of MAGA supporters driving into cities and doling out violence.

Ch. 7: America's Brutal Police State Expands Its Reach In Portland - The Real News Network - Air Date 7-29-20

The way white moms in Portland are being treated has long been the norm for BIPOC people.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 8: Rewriting the American myth - Erin from Philadelphia


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments asking for your thoughts on our national myths and origin stories or about the stories that other cultures tell themselves


TAKE ACTION!

Become a Poll Worker: WorkElections.com

Spread the word/join the recruitment campaigns: 

Power the Polls (@powerthepolls): Help recruit the next generation of poll workers to power the November Election.

The Poll Workers Project (@PollProject): Volunteer to be a poll worker and become part of the movement to help everyone vote this November

The Poll Hero Project (@pollheroproject): Recruiting thousands of college and high school students to be paid poll workers to make the 2020 election a success!

More Than A Vote (@morethanavote): Fighting against voter suppression. Recruiting poll workers in heavily Black districts across the country. 

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

States scramble to recruit thousands of poll workers amid pandemic shortage (CNN)

Coronavirus creates election worker shortage ahead of November (Politico)

Wanted: Young People To Work The Polls This November (NPR)

The Poll Workers Project is seeking younger generation to work at the polling precincts (The State News)

NBA star LeBron James' group plans effort to recruit poll workers for November (NBC News)

Poll Worker Shortages and Potential Solutions (Canvass from NCSL)

Florida Hit by Poll Worker Shortage (WFLA)

Want to Help Our Community Vote This Year? Be a Poll Worker (HRC, Advocate)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Astrisx - Bodytonic
  • Copper Halls - Blue Dot Sessions
  • Haena - Cloud Harbor
  • Entrap - Darby
  • Quaver - Codebreaker
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE

"March for Justice" Springfield, OR by David Geitgey Sierralupe, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, increased brightness & contrast

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSpotify | +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 PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1364_Sectarian_Violence_in_the_Streets_Air_Date_9-5-20_-_9-5-20_16.08.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:05am EDT

Air Date 9/1/2020

Today we take a look at the concerns being weighed in the debate over returning to in-person learning as the beginning of the school year gets underway.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Trump Push To Reopen Schools: The Last Person We Should Trust With Safety Of Kids - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 7-8-20

There are a bunch of problems that have to be solved in order to open schools safely. But the president is incapable of solving them. He just wants them open, so that people can go back to work, and so things can be "normal,” so he can get reelected.

Ch. 2: As COVID Infections Soar, Trump Attacks Dr. Fauci, CDC & Pushes Schools to Reopen at All Costs - Democracy Now - Air Date 7-13-20

As the world and the United States shatter the daily records of COVID-19 infections, President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos continue to push for public schools to reopen in the fall without a plan to adhere to CDC guidelines.

Ch. 3: D.C. Teachers Fight for Distance Learning in the Pandemic - The Intercept - Air Date 8-3-20

After city officials in Washington D.C. weighed a plan to send teachers back to the classroom as part of a hybrid learning plan, the Washington Teachers Union mobilized a week of actions to push for virtual learning in the fall.

Ch. 4: COVID-19 Will Devastate Schools... And Already Is... - Thom Hartmann Program - 8-4-20

After thinking they had COVID-19 under control, Israel reopened only to find out that schools are the perfect playground for such an insidious virus, schools spread to homes, to businesses, and created new epicenters. In America, it could be worse.

Ch. 5: Kids Positive for Coronavirus After ONE DAY in School - David Pakman Show - Air Date 8-7-20

Kids start testing positive for coronavirus after one day back in school as the entire school year is now in question.

Ch. 6: The Long-Brewing Crisis in Higher Education - On the Media - Air Date 8-28-20

Over the past few weeks, colleges and universities across the United States have re-opened for the fall, despite the public health risks associated with doing so. And the risks have borne out

Ch. 7: American civil society is not equipped to deal with a collective problem like Covid-19 - Jacobin Radio Weekends - Air Date 8-8-20

Ana Kasparian and new co-host Nando Vila dunk on the ludicrous arguments for reopening schools.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 8: Mail-in ballots in Washington don't require a stamp anymore - Kate from Spokane, WA

Ch. 9: The importance of understanding systems protecting themselves - V from Central New York


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on Yascha Mounk’s incredibly ironic article preaching the importance of defending the falsely accused


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Waterbourne - Algea Fields
  • Eventual Victory - Codebreaker
  • Rapids - Grey River
  • Minutes - Pacha Faro
  • Dirtbike Lovers - Desert Orchard
  • One Little Triumph - Piano Mover
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

SHOW IMAGE

"Iowa Teacher Drive for Lives" by Phil Roeder, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped & increased contrast

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSpotify | +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 PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: 1363_Back_to_school_Air_Date_9-1-20_-_9-1-20_21.14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:04pm EDT