Best of the Left Podcast

Put a description of your podcast here.

The Podcasts

Air Date 2/20/2020

Today we take a look at the relationship between fear, anger and how to deal with the structural forces of harm in our society. To help us, we examine two of the greatest thinkers of the past 65 years, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mister Rogers, and go beyond the nonviolence of King and interrogate Mr. Roger's insistence on liking everyone just the way they are.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

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


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: W. Kamau Bell on coming face to face with white supremacists - Finding Fred - Air Date 11-26-19

Empathy can be found when you understand what circumstances people came from

Ch. 2: Author Christian Picciolini on how white nationalists recruit and radicalize online - Democracy Now! - Air Date 3-18-19

Reformed neo-Nazi and author Christian Picciolini explains how white nationalists target vulnerable online communities

Ch. 3: The dubious luxury of anger - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 6-24-17

Understanding the fear that underlies anger.

Ch. 4: Help the Helpers: Evil cannot withstand forgiveness - Finding Fred - Air Date 12-17-19

On being your best self. On the least of these. On the virtues of a cup of tea.

Ch. 5: Help the Helpers: But forgiveness can be complicated - Finding Fred - Air Date 12-17-19

You can't be nice to everyone because being nice to certain people is inherently cruel to others.

Ch. 6: Anger and forgiveness as a survival strategy - In The Thick - Air Date 10-4-19

Discussing the conviction and sentencing of Amber Guyger, the Dallas police officer who shot and killed her black neighbor, Botham Shem Jean

Ch. 7: Forgiveness in the #MeToo era - Interfaith Voices - Air Date 6-24-18

Many faith traditions emphasize the importance of forgiveness. But in the context of the #MeToo movement, can forgiveness silence women who have been abused?

Ch. 8: Why Do Black People Always Have to Forgive? - The Real News - Air Date 10-4-19

As Botham Jean’s brother makes headlines for “forgiving” Amber Guyger, Real News hosts Jacqueline Luqman and Lisa Snowden-McCray to discuss what Christian forgiveness in the face of oppression means.

Ch. 9: Why accountability matters for faith-based forgiveness - Interfaith Voices - Air Date 7-13-18

Serene Jones says deep forgiveness is actually part of a larger process of seeking justice and accountability.

Ch. 10: The art and science of apologies and forgiveness Commentary - Best of the Left - Air Date 3-23-19

Final comments on strength, power, fragility, apologies, forgiveness and the legacy of the Confederacy

Ch. 11: Help the Helpers: Grace - Finding Fred - Air Date 12-17-19

Grace is to focus on the humanity of others than to see them as monsters.

Ch. 12: Help the Helpers: The fear and hurt that gets in the way - Finding Fred - Air Date 12-17-19

The difficulty of focusing on helping the needy rather than punishing the dangerous

Ch. 13: Van Jones: Why Casting “Bigots” Out Doesn’t Move America Forward - Big Think - Air Date 12-6-17

There is a limit to empathy, you cannot tolerate the intolerant for too long—but having empathy for those who interpret change as scary, and understanding why they think that way, maybe the only inroad to untying this great mess.

Ch. 14: The birth of the Black Power Movement - King in the Wilderness (HBO) - Air Date 4-2-18

The story of King's reaction to the rise of the Black Power movement and the roles of anger, fear and sickness


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 15: Final comments on the various sicknesses infecting our society


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

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1333_Anger_Forgiveness_Grace_Air_Date_2-1-20_Ad_Free_-_12-30-20_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:18pm EDT

MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

MERCHANDISE!

REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy!

Air Date 11/20/2019

Today we take a look at several topics that, at first glance, may seem to be unrelated but that I think are all tied together with a thread that runs through all of them and points the way toward The Great Transition we are currently in the middle of.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How NeoLiberalism Happened with George Monbiot Part 1 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 10-8-19

Nick and his guests discuss the history, the cultural and economic impact of neoliberalism.

Ch. 2: Too Hot For School with Jane McAlevey - On the Media - Air Date 9-20-19

The climate protests and collective action of today mirror the same crises and protests of the FDR era.

Ch. 3: How NeoLiberalism Happened with George Monbiot Part 2 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 10-8-19

Nick and his guests discuss the history, the cultural and economic impact of neoliberalism.

Ch. 4: How whiteness distorts our democracy, with Eddie Glaude Jr. - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 4-4-19

Glaude is the chair of Princeton University’s department of African American studies, the president of the American Academy of Religion, and the author of the powerful book Democracy in Black.

Ch. 5: How NeoLiberalism Happened with Binyamin Appelbaum - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 10-8-19

Nick and his guests discuss the history, the cultural and economic impact of neoliberalism.

Ch. 6: We Are Trapped In The Moral Logic Of Neoliberalism with Adam Kotsko Part 1 - This Is Hell - Air Date 10-2-18

Chuck and Adam discuss neoliberal policy, culture and systems that keep us in massive inequality and divided from each other.

Ch. 7: David Kotz: The Rise and Fall of Neoliberal Capitalism - Union for Radical Political Economics - Air Date 6-19-16

Talk on how Neoliberalism will come to an end

Ch. 8: We Are Trapped In The Moral Logic Of Neoliberalism with Adam Kotsko Part 2 - This Is Hell - Air Date 10-2-18

Chuck and Adam discuss neoliberal policy, culture and systems that keep us in massive inequality and divided from each other.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: SAD Solidarity - Jesse from Boston

Ch. 10: I feel it too - Erin from Philadelphia

Ch. 11: Sunshine policy - Alan from Connecticut

Ch. 12: Take a walk! - Linda from New Jersey


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 13: Final comments on emotional vomiting


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Chilvat - Lillehammer
  • Open Flames - Aeronaut
  • The Envelope - Aeronaut
  • Wingspan - Bayou Birds
  • Celestial Navigation - Aeronaut
  • The Wooden Platform - The Bulwark
  • Stale Case - Darby
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on iTunes | StitcherSpotify | 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

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 1320_End_of_Neoliberalism_Air_Date_11-19-19_Ad_Free_-_12-26-20_20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:38pm EDT

MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

MERCHANDISE!

REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy!


Air Date 12/22/2020

Today we take a look at the origins of the War on Christmas™ and the Christian Persecution Complex™ more broadly but with a particular focus on how that sense of persecution has been funneled and focused into support for Republican politicians.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

EPISODE SPONSOR: Physical Attraction Podcast

Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Myth of the Christian Nation - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 10-17-19

Dan speaks with author and constitutional lawyer Andrew Seidel. They discuss his new book, "The Founding Myth," and dissect the idea that the USA is a Christian nation.

Ch. 2: The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American (with Andrew Seidel) - The Thinking Atheist - Air Date 5-16-19

Andrew Seidel is author of the new book, The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is Un-American. He speaks with Seth Andrews and takes listener calls.

Ch. 3: The Myth of the Persecuted Christian and the Inverted Golden Rule Part 1 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 3-10-20

Brad speaks with Paul Djupe to discuss Djupe's findings that those Christians who live in homogenous Christian communities are most likely to believe that Democrats, atheists, and others are trying to take their rights away.

Ch. 4: Conservatives Have Mastered Art of Playing Victim While Committing the Crime - The Benjamin Dixon Show - Air Date 10-25-20

Explaining the Trayvon Martin Effect whereby the victim and perpetrators are reversed to defend the indefensible and perpetuate the power structure.

Ch. 5: The Myth of the Persecuted Christian and the Inverted Golden Rule Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 3-10-20

Brad speaks with Paul Djupe to discuss Djupe's findings that those Christians who live in homogenous Christian communities are most likely to believe that Democrats, atheists, and others are trying to take their rights away.

Ch. 6: The Power Seekers: How Christian Nationalists Look at the White House - Interfaith Voices Podcast - Air Date 6-12-20

Andrew Whitehead, a religion sociologist from Clemson University, talks about Christian nationalism. Why is it so embedded in some people's idea of the United States?

Ch. 7: Bill O'Reilly and John McCain on Immigration and the White Christian Male Power Structure

Classic clip from the golden age of The O'Reilly Factor

Ch. 8: The Man Who Mobilized The Evangelical Vote - AJ+ - Air Date 4-15-18

The religious right is seen as a political force today, but it wasn't always. Paul Weyrich arrived in Washington, DC, in the 1960s, determined to shake things up by winning evangelical voters over to the Republican Party.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: The Myth of the Christian Nation Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 10-17-19

Dan speaks with author and constitutional lawyer Andrew Seidel. They discuss his new book, "The Founding Myth," and dissect the idea that the USA is a Christian nation.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Upped membership pledge and referring friends - Nick from California

Ch. 11: Where's Amanda? - Zach the Theologian


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on health care administration, GA activism and communist Christmas recommendations


TAKE ACTION!

GA SENATE RUNOFF ELECTIONS ON JAN. 5th:

White People: Call White GA Voters with Gaining Ground (SURJ & Southern Crossroads)

5 Ways to Help in the GA Senate Runoffs (BOTL Activism from Nov. 10th)

How to Help with the Georgia Senate Runoff Elections (Comprehensive list from Mashable)


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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


MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

MERCHANDISE!

REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy!

Air Date 12/18/2020

Today we take a look at the abysmal response to the pandemic in the US, the unavoidable racial overtones inherent in that failed response, the lasting trauma the pandemic has inflicted and why nothing short of systemic change will suffice.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript


EPISODE SPONSORS: GROUND.NEWS/BEST

Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: AOC Calls Out McConnell's B***S**T Stimulus Excuse - The Damage Report - Air Date 12-11-20

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls out Mitch McConnell's BS excuse for holding the stimulus package from the American people. John Iadarola and Brett Erlich break it down on The Damage Report.

Ch. 2: Chris Hayes: I'm Enraged Over America's 'Depraved' Covid Indifference - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 12-9-20

Tonight: America's leadership vacuum and the unrest it's breeding across the states. Then, Donald Trump strongarms Republicans to join his last, desperate push to overturn his election loss.

Ch. 3: How the Economic Downturn has Hurt Vulnerable Americans - Politics with Amy Walter - Air Date 12-11-20

In the nine months that the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the U.S., the most vulnerable Americans have struggled to keep up with monthly expenses. Eight million Americans have fallen into poverty since May and today there are 10 million fewer employed

Ch. 4: Electoral College Votes, Trump STILL Won't Stop - The David Pakman Show - Air Date 12-14-20

The United States continues to be the shame of the world when it comes to rich countries completely failing to deal with the coronavirus pandemic under the guidance of the Donald Trump administration

Ch. 5: Check Your Blindspot - Air Date 12-18-20

Ch. 6: Trump Joins New Election Lawsuit as U.S. Hits Record COVID Deaths: A Closer Look - Late Night with Seth Meyers - Air Date 12-10-20

Seth takes a closer look at President Trump live-tweeting Fox News and trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election while the coronavirus pandemic hits a new grim milestone.

Ch. 7: As COVID Surges Behind Bars in California, Why Is San Quentin Transferring Hundreds of Prisoners? - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-15-20

Prisons across the U.S. are facing their greatest swell in COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Nearly a quarter-million incarcerated people in the U.S. have been infected with COVID-19, according to the Marshall Project.

Ch. 8: Nurse Caring for COVID-19 Patients RIPS Anti-Maskers They’re “Entitled A**holes” - The Humanist Report - Air Date 11-28-20

The Humanist Report (THR) is a progressive political podcast that discusses and analyzes current news events and pressing political issues. Our analyses are guided by humanism and political progressivism.

Ch. 9: Tell It To Me Straight, Doc - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 12-14-20

When Dr. Brittani M. James “rage Tweeted” that she totally gets why her patients are skeptical of the medical system, her thread went viral. She joins Kai to offer insights on the apprehension that many Black Americans are feeling.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: What the Ebola Crisis Tells Us About the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Global South w/ Dr. Paul Farmer - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 12-15-20

Sam and Dr. Farmer discuss the history of epidemics in the global south and how the coronavirus pandemic response in America has shown the west's failures to invest in public health and the medical resources necessary to combat a pandemic diseases.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: Followup on the structures of right and left-wing populist movements - Lynda from Illinois


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the difference between politics and economics


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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: 1388_COVID-19_Response_Air_Date_12-18-20_General_-_12-18-20_21.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:41pm EDT

MEMBERSHIP and Gift Memberships! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

MERCHANDISE!

REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy!

 

Air Date 12/15/2020

Today we take a look at the current state of hyper-partisanship and its origins. The system seems broken because it is broken and it was never designed to work this way in the first place. And what about that bygone era of bipartisanship? It's likely that was a fluke and the result of one-party dominance in the New Deal era, it is not the norm throughout history.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript


EPISODE SPONSORS: GROUND.NEWS/BEST

Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Changes in American Political Parties Part 1 - Professor Buzzkill History Podcast - Air Date 7-2-20

We explain why the Democratic and Republican political parties have the same names, but totally different attitudes and policies over the decades.

Ch. 2: Frances Lee on why bipartisanship is irrational Part 1 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 12-3-20

This is a conversation about that question, about how the system we have incentivizes a politics of confrontation we don’t seem to want and makes steady, stable governance a thing of the past. Princeton political scientist Frances Lee.

Ch. 3: Trump, Evangelicals, Fascism, Torture, Propaganda Q + A Part 1 - FrameLab Podcast - Air Date 3-17-18

Dr. Lakoff and Gil Duran answer listener questions. Topics include: Trump Evangelicals; Conservatism's #1 Rule; Fascism; Capitalism vs. Socialism; the American Idea; Biconceptualism; How the Government Frames Issues Like Torture, and more.

Ch. 4: Changes in American Political Parties Part 2 - Professor Buzzkill History Podcast - Air Date 7-2-20

We explain why the Democratic and Republican political parties have the same names, but totally different attitudes and policies over the decades.

Ch. 5: Trump, Evangelicals, Fascism, Torture, Propaganda Q + A Part 2 - FrameLab Podcast - Air Date 3-17-18

Dr. Lakoff and Gil Duran answer listener questions. Topics include: Trump Evangelicals; Conservatism's #1 Rule; Fascism; Capitalism vs. Socialism; the American Idea; Biconceptualism; How the Government Frames Issues Like Torture, and more.

Ch. 6: Frances Lee on why bipartisanship is irrational Part 2 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 12-3-20

This is a conversation about that question, about how the system we have incentivizes a politics of confrontation we don’t seem to want and makes steady, stable governance a thing of the past. Princeton political scientist Frances Lee.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Frances Lee on why bipartisanship is irrational Part 3 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 12-3-20


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Sharing in misery - Zeke from Steamboat Springs, CO

Ch. 11: Another Dave from Olympia shares the wealth - Eric from Portland


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on where your money to the show goes


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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: 1387_Partisanship_Air_Date_12-15-20_General_-_12-15-20_19.05.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:57pm EDT

MEMBERSHIP and Gift Memberships! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

MERCHANDISE!

REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy!

 

Air Date 12/12/2020

Today we take a look at the prospects for Biden's foreign policy looking forward which seems to be mostly looking backward to an era of American over-confidence and self-ascribed "exceptionalism" that may never have been warranted, the fact of which becomes clearer with every passing year, something people living outside the US have known for decades.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript


EPISODE SPONSORS: GROUND.NEWS/BEST

Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: State-Sanctioned Killers: As Trump Expedites Executions at Home, Biden Builds Team for Wars Abroad part 1 - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 12-9-20

As Biden builds his Cabinet, his national security team is looking a lot like a replay of the Obama-Biden militarist coterie. Biden’s nominees include notorious hawks who were central to the genocidal war in Yemen andthe weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.

Ch. 2: What if the U.S. Just Didn’t? Part 1 - What Next - Air Date 12-10-20

America has an opportunity to take a back seat and embrace global collaboration, Peter Beinart discusses.

Ch. 3: Check Your Blindspot - Air Date 12-12-20

The Ground News app features The Blindspot which highlights news stories that just aren’t being covered by one end of the political spectrum or the other so I use The Blindspot to quiz contestants on theirs.

Ch. 4: State-Sanctioned Killers: As Trump Expedites Executions at Home, Biden Builds Team for Wars Abroad part 2 - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 12-9-20

As Biden builds his Cabinet, his national security team is looking a lot like a replay of the Obama-Biden militarist coterie. Biden’s nominees include notorious hawks who were central to the genocidal war in Yemen andthe weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.

Ch. 5: Why Biden Can't Go Back to the Foreign Policy Status-Quo w/ Stephen Wertheim - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 12-2-20

Sam hosts Stephen Wertheim deputy director of research and policy at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, to discuss Joe Biden's foreign policy appointees and why the president-elect should resist the Washington establishment.

Ch. 6: What if the U.S. Just Didn’t? Part 2 - What Next - Air Date 12-10-20

America has an opportunity to take a back seat and embrace global collaboration, Peter Beinart discusses.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: A Trap? Why Assassination of Top Iranian Nuclear Scientist Could Tie Biden’s Hands in Future Talks - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-30-20

Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated Friday while driving on a highway outside Tehran. Iran accuses Israel of orchestrating the killing, which is the latest in a string of assassinations targeting Iranian scientists


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 8: Fan of Outlander - Cara

Ch. 9: Jacobite Uprising/Confederacy Episode - Marc from London (Scotland Originally!)


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on why it's ok to watch Outlander


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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: 1386_Biden_Foreign_Policy_Air_Date_12-12-20_General_-_12-13-20_09.59.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Air Date 12/9/2020

Today we take a look in real-time at the construction of the world's newest Lost Cause narrative, the failed re-election of Donald Trump. This is not our country's first experience with Lost Causes and it's not, contrary to popular opinion, even our second connection to a Lost Cause narrative because we didn't invent the first one, we borrowed it from somewhere else and I will tell that story today.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

MEMBERSHIP and Gift Memberships! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

REFER-O-MATIC! Click here--> bestoftheleft.com/refer Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy!


EPISODE SPONSORS: GROUND.NEWS/BEST

Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Jay's Opening Comments

Ch. 2: Reading Harry Potter In Scots

Ch. 3: Jay’s comments: the history of a Lost Cause

Ch. 4: Sir Walter Scott, The Old South and The Lost Cause - Who Put The Klan Into Klu Klux Klan?

In this documentary, archaeologist and historian Neil Oliver examines racism in the Deep South and the Scots who first occupied it who influenced where we are today. 

Ch. 5: How Southern socialites rewrote Civil War history - Vox - Air Date 10-25-17

The United Daughters of the Confederacy altered the South's memory of the Civil War.

Ch. 6: How the 'Lost Cause' narrative became American history - Washington Post - Air Date 3-5-20

How the 'Lost Cause' narrative became American history - Washington Post - Air Date 3-5-20

Ch. 7: Monumental Lies - Reveal - Air Date 12-8-18

Myths of the Civil War and slavery are being kept alive at Confederate monuments, where visitors hear stories of “benevolent slave owners” and enslaved people “contented with their lot.” We team up with The Investigative Fund

Ch. 8: Kevin Levin Exposes the Lie and Whitewashed History of So-Called "Black Confederate Soldiers" and the American Civil War - The Chauncey DeVega Show - Air Date 10-18-20

Kevin Levin Exposes the Lie and Whitewashed History of So-Called "Black Confederate Soldiers" and the American Civil War - The Chauncey DeVega Show - Air Date 10-18-20

Ch. 9: MAGA, the New Confederate Lost Cause Part 1 - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 11-16-20

White supremacist myths turn defeated leaders into heroic victors. Will Donald Trump now get the same transfiguration as Robert E. Lee? If history is our guide then there’s reason to worry about the answer to that question.

Ch. 10: MAGA, the New Confederate Lost Cause Part 2 - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 11-16-20

White supremacist myths turn defeated leaders into heroic victors. Will Donald Trump now get the same transfiguration as Robert E. Lee? If history is our guide then there’s reason to worry about the answer to that question.


MEMBERS BONUS CLIPS

Ch. 11: MAGA, the New Confederate Lost Cause Part 3 - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 11-16-20

White supremacist myths turn defeated leaders into heroic victors. Will Donald Trump now get the same transfiguration as Robert E. Lee? If history is our guide then there’s reason to worry about the answer to that question.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Jay’s comments: the last few connections

Ch. 13: Final comments on our ongoing campaigns


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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: 1385_Lost_Cause_Air_Date_12-9-20_General_-_12-9-20_22.38.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

Today's short announcement explains the financial hit the show unexpectedly took recently and lays out all of the ways you can help us get through it, one of which will cost you no money at all.

 

Relevant links discussed:

Membership/Gift Memberships (The lifeblood of the show!)

New Merch Store! (Our first-ever merch availability!)

Refer-O-Matic (Earn gifts for sharing the show!)

 

Thanks in advance for your support!

 

 

 

 

 

Direct download: URGENT_UPDATE_-_12-8-20_17.18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:12pm EDT

Air Date 12/5/2020

Today we take a look at what's behind Trump and his autocratic instincts. The enablers, the supporters and the long lineage of authoritarianism.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

MEMBERSHIP and Gift Memberships! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)


EPISODE SPONSORS: GROUND.NEWS/BEST

Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The crisis isn’t Trump. It’s the Republican Party - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 11-11-20

If the past week — and past four years — have proven anything, it’s that we are not as different as we believed. No longer is the question, "Can it happen here?" It’s happening already.

Ch. 2: Is Democracy in Danger? Legal Experts Dahlia Lithwick and Ian Bassin On Trump, Barr and The Abuse of the Criminal Justice System - The Al Franken Podcast - Air Date 2-23-20

Dahlia Lithwick of Slate and Ian Bassin of Protect Democracy discuss Trump's sickening lurch toward autocracy post-impeachment with the cooperation of Bill Barr.

Ch. 3: Trump's Authoritarian Lineage w/ Ruth Ben-Ghiat - The Majority Report - Air Date 11-12-20

Sam speaks with Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat), professor of History and Italian studies at New York University, about her new book "Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present."

Ch. 4: Check Your Blindspot 12-4-20

Today's episode of America's favorite political game show!

Ch. 5: From Dictator to Demigod - Power Corrupts - Air Date 8-1-19

We explore the strategic logic of cults of personality with stories that you won’t believe but are all too real.

Ch. 6: Juan González The Media Has It Wrong. Record Latinx Turnout Helped Biden. White Voters Failed Dems Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-5-20

“How come none of the experts are asking why white voters underperformed the Democratic Party?”

Ch. 7: How Trump Hacked the Presidency - Trumpcast - 11-13-20

Why Donald Trump’s violation of norms come with more social or political penalties than legal ones

Ch. 8: The Secret Code of the Proud Boys - Trumpcast - Air Date 10-1-20

Virginia Heffernan talks to historian Nicole Hemmer about the Proud Boys—breaking down their hazing and hyper-masculinity, how to be initiated, conservative cults, and how Trump incites them.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Call to increase existing membership pledges - Josh from Wilmington, DE

Ch. 11: Responding to Rutger Bregman - Linda from Illinois


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on utopian thinking and criticizing ideas and implementation separately


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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: 1384_Authoritarianism_Air_Date_12-5-20_General_-_12-5-20_18.46.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

Air Date 12/2/2020

Today we take a look at some of the highlights of how the 2020 election was won, the people doing the work and what's still at stake.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

MEMBERSHIP and Gift Memberships! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)


EPISODE SPONSORS: GROUND.NEWS/BEST | MACKWELDON.COM/BEST

Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Juan González The Media Has It Wrong. Record Latinx Turnout Helped Biden. White Voters Failed Dems - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-5-20

Juan González says "a false narrative" is taking root that Latinx voters were primarily to blame for the weak Democratic result. "The main story is that people of color, especially Latinos, flocked to the polls in numbers that far exceeded expectations.

Ch. 2: The Myth Of The 'Latino Vote' - Latino USA - Air Date 11-13-20

President Trump won Florida, including nearly half of all Latinx-identifying voters in the state. But across the country in Arizona, grassroots groups led a wave of younger Latinx voters to flip the state blue for President-elect Joe Biden.

Ch. 3: An Election We Could Not Sit Out How Indigenous Voters Helped Defeat Trump & Elect Biden - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-18-20

We speak with Allie Young, a citizen of the Navajo Nation and founder of Protect the Sacred, who organized a horseback trail ride to the polls. She says it was important to her to motivate Indigenous youth to turn out.

Ch. 4: Georgia's Senate Runoffs - It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders - Air Date 11-20-20

Georgia's Senate runoffs have become national races as control of the Senate depends on who wins. Tia Mitchell, Washington correspondent for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, on if Georgia voters are looking at the runoffs the same as rest the country is.

Ch. 5: The Power of Black Women at the Ballot Box - The Takeaway - Air Date 11-9-20

Black women have long been the backbone of the Democratic Party, and this year is no different. Exit polls are showing that more than 90 percent of Black women cast their ballots for the Democratic ticket.

Ch. 6: No Car - No Vote in Georgia Senate Run-off 2021 (w/ Greg Palast) - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 11-23-20

Georgia residents wishing to vote might be out of luck if they don't have a car thanks to Brian Kemp's new rule which amounts to a poll tax, any voter without a car registered in Georgia, could be blocked from voting!

Ch. 7: Sam Breaks Down the HUGE Georgia Runoff Election - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 11-14-20

Laying out the importance of engaging with the Georgia Senate runoff elections.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 8: Final comments on memberships and merch


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

 

SHOW IMAGE:

"Volunteer registers a new voter at Comic Con, hosted by Emily Pearson and Matt Pizzolo comic Emmie-X", 2018 by Black Mask Studios via Wikipedia | License | Changes: Cropped & increased contrast

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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: 1383_Election_Organizing_Air_Date_12-2-20_General_-_12-2-20_19.52.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00pm EDT