Fri, 14 May 2021
Air Date 7/20/2020 Systems maintain themselves through the efforts of many moving parts that need not understand their roles in maintaining the system as a whole, only their specialized task. Today, I use a case study incident to show how the system of racism defends itself against attack. Many separate parts, none of which understand how their individual actions connect to the larger system, work in complicated yet predictable ways to carry out this defense of racism much like the many specialized antibodies of an immune system work together to isolate and eradicate threats to the host. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Introduction to the story of a story Ch. 2: Yascha Mounk on antiracism in America - The Good Fight - Air Date 7-10-20 Ch. 3: Jay explains the fraught nature of interracial relationships Ch. 4: Introducing the Education Council Meeting incident - The Good Fight - Air Date 7-10-20 Ch. 5: Edward Irizarry speaks about the privilege and racial dynamics of the council Ch. 6: Explaining DARVO: Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender Ch. 7: Robin Brochi responds to Edward Ch. 8: Tom demands to know what’s racist about holding a brown baby Ch. 9: Additional input from other council members Ch. 10: The story of the story Ch. 11: Recap and wrap up Original meeting video: CEC D2 Working Business Meeting June 29, 2020 16:55 - Edward Irizarry Speech 22:50 - Robin Brochi's Apology 26:25 - Tom Wrocklage asks what about his actions were racist 39:20 - Beginning of segment that is ultimately clipped out of context Tom's I-have-a-black-friend video: My friend from my living room on the June 11th CECD2 meeting FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
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: Rerun_1358_White_people_talking_about_race_Air_Date_7-20-20_Ad_Free_-_5-14-21_16.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:58pm EDT |
Tue, 11 May 2021
Air Date: 5-11-21
Red Bull, Elon Musk, and Matt Gaetz - The Bulwark Brooke speaks with Lulu Miller about her new book, "Why Fish Don't Exist" Billy Bragg - Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted Commentary: I love Disney World, but wokeness is ruining the experience
Produced by: |
Sat, 8 May 2021
Air Date 5/8/2021 Today we take a look at the culture that Disney has helped create and how they did it, using cuteness as a weapon to push ideas from racist stereotypes and segregation to the masterful use of hollow nods toward progressivism while reinforcing the ethics of individualism in order to give systemic injustice a pass. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: The Racial Politics of Disney Animals Part 1 - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date 8-28-15 Scholar, writer, and activist Walidah Imarisha is someone who’s been thinking hard about what stories Disney tells and why. She teaches a class on race and Disney films at Portland State University. Ch. 2: 40 Acres and a Movie - Still Processing - Air Date 4-8-21 Disney owns a piece of every living person’s childhood. Now it owns Marvel Studios, too. Jenna and Wesley look at depictions of racist tropes and stereotypes in Disney’s ever-expanding catalog. The company has made recent attempts to atone for its past. Ch. 3: The Racial Politics of Disney Animals Part 2 - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date 8-28-15 Ch. 4: Woke Disney - Lindsay Ellis - Air Date 9-30-21 Nodding to progressive ideas while just proping up capitalism is just marketing. Ch. 5: Disneyfication of American History - American Hysteria - Air Date 1-25-21 Disney has been presenting a fairytale reality within a reality since the 1920s, a far cuter reality that mimics our reality until reality is no longer reality at all. Make sense? Ch. 6: How Disney Ruined Culture - Wisecrack - Air Date 11-9-20 It's no surprise that Disney has an absolute stranglehold on the culture we consume today. But the joys of the Magic Kingdom aside, what if it's actually kind of really bad for art? We'll explain in this Wisecrack Edition: How Disney Ruined Culture. Ch. 7: The (Not So) Wonderful World of Disney - It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders - Air Date 2-16-18 Sam talks to filmmaker and activist Abigail Disney, daughter of Roy E. Disney, about her views on inequality in the U.S., corporate greed and why, despite her last name, she's become one of the more vocal and prominent critics of The Walt Disney empire. Ch. 8: DED Talks: Why Walt Disney is Nothing Like You Think He Was - Cracked - Air Date 1-19-15 Disney tell's his story MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 9: Disneyfication Of Cuteness - American Hysteria - Air Date 1-25-21 Disney has been presenting a fairytale reality within a reality since the 1920s, a far cuter reality that mimics our reality until reality is no longer reality at all. Make sense? Ch. 10: Copyright: Why We Can't Have Nice Things - Wisecrack - Air Date 4-23-21 This video, like everything else in the world, is copyrighted. But what does that really mean? Copyright laws started out as a way to protect creators from having their hard work stolen, but it's turned into something else entirely. VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: Ableism in the show - Alyson from Colorado FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on Woke Disney and Ableist language MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1416_Disney_Air_Date_5-8-21_General_-_5-8-21_12.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:53pm EDT |
Wed, 5 May 2021
Air Date 5/5/2021 Today we take a look briefly at the trial of Derek Chauvin itself before moving on to various responses, a wide-angle lens on some of the forces at play in policing and the work still to be done. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Chauvin Found Guilty on All Counts - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 4-21-21 Introducing the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin Ch. 2: Chauvin Guilty - Criminal (In)justice - Air Date 4-22-21 A Minneapolis jury has found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three counts in the murder of George Floyd. What does it mean for criminal justice reform? We go to Minneapolis to speak with Kandace Montgomery, co-executive director of Black Visions Collective, about their response to the guilty verdict for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. Staff writer for The New Republic, Osita Nwanevu, joins the show to share his thoughts on the conviction of Derek Chauvin. Sam Seder and the Majority Report crew discuss this. Ch. 5: What have we learned - Dr. Roger Ray Part 1 - Progressive Faith Sermons - Air Date 4-25-21 While we want to show respect and support for public servants generally, such respect must also be met, especially now, with a willingness to question authority and to challenge the racism and classism that is so deeply embedded in policing. Ch. 6: Live Event Announcement Join Jay and Roger Ray in a live discussion on Ch. 7: Why Cops Don't Change - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 4-19-21 A retired NYPD detective says the force’s stubborn, insular culture was built to last. And Elie Mystal explains a 1989 Supreme Court ruling that made killing “reasonable.” Ch. 8: What have we learned - Dr. Roger Ray Part 2 - Progressive Faith Sermons - Air Date 4-25-21 MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 9: Why Cops Don't Change Part 2 - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 4-19-21 The guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin came as a relief to many nationwide, but the number of people killed by police since his trial began underscores the broader issues that remain. VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: A rant for Patrons - Andy from New Orleans FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on the business of progressive media MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1415_Chauvin_Trail.Police_Air_Date_5-5-21_General_-_5-5-21_21.28.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:41pm EDT |
Wed, 28 April 2021
Air Date 8/22/2020 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. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 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. 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. 7: Carol Anderson on the Realities of Voter Suppression - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 9-12-18
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 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: 1362_Politics_is_Pointallism_Back_Up_to_See_Things_Clearly_Voter_Suppression.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:14pm EDT |
Sat, 24 April 2021
Air Date 4/24/2021 Today we take a look at the major infrastructure investment plan proposed by the Biden administration, progressive perspectives arguing to make it better and the need to democratize the institutions that constitute our infrastructure. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy!
EPISODE SPONSORS: Check out UnF*cking The Republic Podcast! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Financial journalist and Exec Editor of The American Prospect, DAVID DAYEN, on Biden's infrastructure and public investment bill, how it will be funded, how it addresses economic inequality and the US social welfare infrastructure, what to expect next. Megan Cassella, Politico reporter covering Biden administration economic policy, talks about the big infrastructure proposal from President Biden. Ch. 3: Is America big enough to Go Big again? - Jim Hightower's Radio Lowdown - Air Date 4-13-21 It’s time for America to go back to the future – a future of true greatness created by a people united to build a strong nation for the Common Good. Ch. 4: Infrastructure, mobilization, survival w/ Laleh Khalili - This Is Hell! - Air Date 4-14-21 Political scientist Laleh Khalili on her article "Apocalyptic Infrastructures" for Noēma Magazine. Ch. 5: Infrastructure, Jobs, and More - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 4-5-21 Catherine Rampell, syndicated opinion columnist at The Washington Post, political/economic commentator at CNN and special correspondent at PBS NewsHour, runs through the latest in national politics and news. We’ll hear about the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act (AAIA) from Ernesto Falcon, senior legislative counsel at Electronic Frontier Foundation. Ch. 7: Live Event Announcement On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses how the US home rental market is failing over 20% of all renters, and the basic flaws in Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure proposal. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Financial journalist and Exec Editor of The American Prospect, DAVID DAYEN, on Biden's infrastructure and public investment bill, how it will be funded, how it addresses economic inequality and the US social welfare infrastructure, what to expect next. Ch. 10: Infrastructure, mobilization, survival w/ Laleh Khalili Part 2 - This Is Hell! - Air Date 4-14-21 Political scientist Laleh Khalili on her article "Apocalyptic Infrastructures" for Noēma Magazine. VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: Further thoughts on public welfare programs - Craig from Ohio Ch. 12: More thoughts U.S. complicity - Jonathan from New York FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 13: Final comments on the new propaganda paradigm leading the charge at Fox News Bonus clip: THE QUESTION MARK - THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART - Air Date 9-13-06 Bonus clip: Tucker Carlson Jeopardy - The Daily Social Distancing Show - Air Date 2-15-21 MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE Description: Worker in a hard hat installing fiber optiic internet cable lines from a giant spool into a concrete hole in the ground. Credit: "SRNL Fiber Optic Cable Installation" by Savannah River Site, Flickr | License
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1414_Infrastructure_Bill_Air_Date_4-24-21_General_-_4-23-21_21.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:20pm EDT |
Wed, 21 April 2021
Air Date 4/21/2021 Today we take a look at the insurrection and police violence through the lens of White Supremacy and the rise of the likes of Tucker Carlson who has become the leading spokesman for laundering White Supremacist talking points through a marginally respectable facade. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft
SHOW NOTES "It is very hard not to see some fundamental contradictions in how our country, the state, wields force against its citizens," says Chris Hayes, comparing police responses in Black Lives Matter protests and the Capitol riot. Ch. 2: Black, White, and Blue - Progressive Faith Sermons - Air Date 4-18-21 While many are uncomfortable with calling for defunding the police, there is no way around the need for massive reform of our nation’s police force (and military) to root out the systemic racism that makes encounters between white police and black citizen Ch. 3: Tucker Carlson - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 3-15-21 Tucker Carlson is admired by white nationalists, elected officials, and maybe some of your relatives or coworkers. Given that he has the ear of so many Americans, John Oliver explains where Tucker came from and what his rhetorical tactics are Trevor reflects on the ever-present occurrence of deadly police violence against Black people in the U.S. and the seeming lack of cops willing to rise up and take a stand against it. Ch. 5: Did Tucker Carlson Order Insurrection - The Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 3-26-21 The last broadcaster to suggested something like this against the United States government, was Axis Sally. Worse it was all based on a lie that you might believe about the second amendment. According to reports, a group of House Republicans including Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Green and Arizona's Paul Gosar are forming an "America First Caucus" to protect "Anglo-Saxon political traditions." The Atlantic's Adam Serwer and Mehdi discuss Carlson's history of promulgating racist rhetoric on prime time television and its real-life consequences. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 8: Arrest The Police - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 4-16-21 Jared and Nick have a frank discussion on policing in America in the wake of the Adam Toledo shooting in Chicago. Plus, they dissect what it is the Republicans are embracing considering the usual tropes don't seem to hold as much weight anymore. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments TAKE ACTION! If you pay for cable, you are supporting Fox News: UnFoxMyCableBox via Media Matters Tell Congress: I Won't Pay for Hate via Free Press EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE If you have cable, you are subsidizing Fox News. It might be time to cut the cord. Here's how (Daily Kos) ‘Fox News cheats’: Twitter explains how you pay Fox even if you don’t watch it—and how you can stop (Front Page Live) Fox News Foes Face Uphill Fight to Get Cable Network Dropped (Bloomberg) Tweet from Sleeping Giants on Carlson's lack of advertisers (Sleeping Giants) Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Description: An artist's rendering of Fox New's host Tucker Carlson, with knitted brows, wearing a Klu Klux Klan robe and hood and pointing straight ahead. The background is a Confederate flag. Credit: "Tukkker" by Paul Lee, Flickr | Public Domain
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1413_White_Supremacy.Tucker_Carlson_Air_Date_4-21-21_General_-_4-21-21_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:26pm EDT |
Sat, 17 April 2021
Air Date 4/17/2021 Today we take a look at the surge of anti-trans legislation coming from Republican-controlled state legislatures. Being concerned that suppressing voter turnout by targeting Black and Brown voters may not be enough to keep them in power, they are resorting to targeting another vulnerable population in the next of their infinite series of attempts to create a wedge issue by pitting people's lives and wellbeing against the prejudices of their constituents. We also examine the harm being inflicted on trans people, the trans-exclusionary Radical Feminists who have partnered with conservative coalitions to limit trans rights and briefly explore the world of sex-segregated athletics. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: The Problem with the Focus on the Family - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 4-9-21 We talk Sophie Bjork-James' book, the Divine Institution, to demonstrate how Evangelicals use the nuclear family in order to both attack members of the LGBTQ+ community and detract away from systemic issues related to race and other Public Health issues. Ch. 2: Debunking Myths About Trans People Part 1 - The Majority Report w Sam Seder - Air Date 4-10-21 Caller clarifies misinformation of data regarding trans identified youth vs youth referred to gender clinics. “We are truly witnessing an escalation of attacks on trans people unlike anything I’ve ever seen in government,” says Chase Strangio. We also speak with journalist and activist Raquel Willis, who says higher visibility for trans people is not enough. Dr. Joshua Safer, the executive director at Mount Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, explains why gender-affirming therapies — such as puberty blockers or hormone treatment — are safe and healthy for trans youth. Ch. 5: Debunking Myths About Trans People Part 2 - The Majority Report w Sam Seder - Air Date 4-10-21 Ch. 6: A National Wave of Anti-Trans Bills Part 1 - What Next | Daily News and Analysis - Air Date 3-3-21 The coordinated flood of legislation isn’t new. But now, it’s targeting kids. Ch. 8: The "radical feminists" working against trans rights - Post Reports - Air Date 2-26-20 Samantha Schmidt on a strain of feminism that rejects the existence of transgender identity. Ch. 9: A National Wave of Anti-Trans Bills Part 2 - What Next | Daily News and Analysis - Air Date 3-3-21 Hudson Taylor's talk offers the following thesis: If we are to end homophobia and trans-phobia in the world of sports (and in the world at large), we must end sexism and gender stereotyping in sports first. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Misconceptions about trans people can be shaped by who tells their stories. Three trans journalists weigh in on how that should be done: Imara Jones - creator of TransLash Media, Kate Sosin - reporter at The 19th, Orion Rummler reporter at Axios. Ch. 12: The Problem with the Focus on the Family Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 4-9-21 We talk Sophie Bjork-James' book, the Divine Institution, to demonstrate how Evangelicals use the nuclear family in order to both attack members of the LGBTQ+ community and detract away from systemic issues related to race and other Public Health issues. Sociolinguist Archie Crowley deconstructs three common myths around language, demonstrating how it's a fluid system that naturally evolves in the direction of inclusion. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 14: Final comments on the messy nature of reality TAKE ACTION PasstheEqualityAct.com: *Lobby Day April 21st & #EqualityTime Phone Banking* Learn about end-the-filibuster pressure campaigns in BOTL Episode #1411 EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE What You Need To Know About the Equality Act (Center for American Progress) Why the Equality Act Is So Important (Rolling Stone) Beautiful, sacred and powerful: Inside the roller coaster fight for trans kids in Arkansas (Reckon South) The Roots of Anti-Trans Violence - Report (Transgender Law Center) This record-breaking year for anti-transgender legislation would affect minors the most (CNN) New poll shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose anti-transgender laws (PBS) Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Description: Protest sign that says "TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS" with two Trans Pride flags on either side of the word "ARE." Credit: "Trans Rights are Human Rights" by Marc Nozell, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, blurred edges to wide image
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1412_Anti-Trans_Laws_Air_Date_4-17-21_General_-_4-17-21_11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:13pm EDT |
Fri, 16 April 2021
TAKE ACTION PasstheEqualityAct.com: *Lobby Day April 21st & #EqualityTime Phone Banking* Learn about end-the-filibuster pressure campaigns in BOTL Episode #1411 EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE What You Need To Know About the Equality Act (Center for American Progress) Why the Equality Act Is So Important (Rolling Stone) Beautiful, sacred and powerful: Inside the roller coaster fight for trans kids in Arkansas (Reckon South) The Roots of Anti-Trans Violence - Report (Transgender Law Center) This record-breaking year for anti-transgender legislation would affect minors the most (CNN) New poll shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose anti-transgender laws (PBS)
Posted April 16, 2021; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1412: Trans People as Disposable Chess Pieces in a Despicable Political Game
Direct download: Activism-_Tell_the_Senate_to_Pass_the_EqualityAct_to_Protect_LGBTQ_Rights_and_More.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:40pm EDT |
Wed, 14 April 2021
Air Date 4/14/2021 Today we take a look at the one element of our government that, above all others, has contributed to the absolute disfunction of our democracy. The filibuster was never intended by the founders, always anti-democratic, often used for racist ends and is now being abused at a rate never before seen. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSORS: BOMBAS.COM/BEST Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Filibuster - Last Week Tonight - Air Date 9-9-19 John Oliver explains why filibusters exist, why they shouldn't, and why it's stupid to drink coffee like a cat. President Joe Biden has promised swift action on the pandemic, the economic crisis and more, but much of his agenda hinges on whether he can get enough support in the Senate. Mitch McConnell is on a warpath, and he's getting all his favorite lies lined up. Sam Seder and the Majority Report crew discuss this. Adam Jentleson, who served as a former senior aide to Sen. Harry Reid, joins Mehdi Hasan to explain the history of the filibuster and how, according to Jentleson, it helps conservatives override the nation's democratic system. Ch. 5: Is Filibuster Reform Mitch McConnell's 'Kryptonite?' - Zerlina. - Air Date 3-16-21 Rep. John Yarmuth thinks so. He explains to Zerlina Maxwell why the rule is so important to the Senate Minority Leader, and why McConnell is “scared to death” about the possibility that Democrats will abolish it. Ch. 6: What Is Manchin's Real Agenda w/ David Sirota - The Majority Report - Air Date 4-11-21 David Sirota explains the motivations and unseen pressures playing on Joe Manchin as he continuously pivots his position on the filibuster. Ch. 7: Activism: Support No Excuses PAC and W.V. Cant Wait - Best of the Left - 4-14-21 Ch. 8: Now Is the Time to End the Filibuster - Breaking the Sound Barrier by Amy Goodman - Air Date 3-18-21 Amy Goodman gives a commentary explaining the need to end the filibuster. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Adam Jentleson, former deputy chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, talks with Rachel Maddow about why it's a good idea for Senate Democrats to reform the filibuster and pass popular legislation Ch. 10: Reid Calls for Filibuster Reform to End Gridlock - Nevada Senator Harry Reid - Air Date 11-22-13 On the Senate floor, Senator Reid laid out why we need to reform the rules to ensure qualified presidential nominees get up-or-down votes. Ch. 11: What Is Manchin's Real Agenda w/ David Sirota Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 4-11-21 VOICEMAILS Ch. 12: Wading into the discussion on the child tax credit - Dave from Olympia, WA FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 13: Final comments on racism and population TAKE ACTION! EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE Parliamentarian Rules Democrats Can Officially Bypass the Filibuster (Truthout) Inside the West Virginian Movement to Push Joe Manchin to the Left (The New Republic) Progressive PAC kick-starts search for challengers to Manchin, Sinema (Politico) Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Description: Cartoon version of Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell holding a chart that says "Republican Filibusters." The horizontal bar graph below the title shows an X axis starting with "88th term 1963-64" and ending with "110th term 2007-2008." The bar values range from 3 at the beginning of the time-line to "153 Projected for end of term" at the end. Credits: "Mitch McConnell, Filibuster King" by DonkeyHotey, Flickr | License | Changes: Increased white background to make vertical image square, smudged existing shadow to extend farther, dark blue border added
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1411_Filibuster_Air_Date_4-14-21_General_-_4-14-21_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:41pm EDT |
Sat, 10 April 2021
Air Date 4/10/2021 Today we take a look at the need for a modern assessment of the corporate monopolies who dominate our online and offline experiences, including seeing the negative consequences of monopolies through a racial justice lens. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSORS: Unf*cking the Republic Podcast Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Cory Doctorow, award-winning author, technologist, and founder, joins Azeem Azhar to explore the power of big tech monopolies and how a future wave of antitrust lawsuits could unleash innovation across the sector. Ch. 2: Google and the use and abuse of economic modeling - Follow The Money - Air Date 2-16-21 In this week's episode we unpack what the code is, what it does, why it's necessary and what happens next with Director of the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology, Peter Lewis. Ch. 4: The Facebook News Blackout and the News Media Bargaining Code - Follow The Money - Air Date 2-23-21 In this week's episode we unpack what the code is, what it does, why it's necessary and what happens next with Director of the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology, Peter Lewis. Rebecca talks to Jeremie Greer--one of Liberation in a Generation's co-founders and co-exec directors--about centering grassroots leaders of color in the anti-monopoly movement, and reimagining the antitrust movement’s work through a racial justice lens. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 8: Google and the use and abuse of economic modeling Part 2 - Follow The Money - Air Date 2-16-21 In Anti-Monopoly Activism: Reclaiming Power through Racial Justice, Jeremie Greer and Solana Rice (co-founders and co-executive directors of Liberation in a Generation) argue for organizers of color to be embedded—and centered—in the anti-monopoly fight. VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: Child tax credits don't cause population booms - Erin from Philadelphia Ch. 12: Biden and China - Jonathan from New York FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 13: Final comments on child welfare programs, birth rates and uncomfortably honest political talk MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1410_Tech_Monopolies_Air_Date_4-10-21_General_-_4-10-21_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:19pm EDT |
Thu, 8 April 2021
Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss: - The great shames of the nation - A comparison between Korean-language and English-language coverage of the Atlanta shootings - When it comes to catalyzing a will to change, seeing is believing (and motivating) - The GOP culture wars are about to go scorched-earth because they have nothing else References: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Review the show on iTunes! |
Tue, 6 April 2021
Air Date 6/17/2020 Today we take a look at the uprising sparked by the killing of George Floyd in the context of a world in which that event was just the last straw in an innumerable series of straws. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: A Decade Of Watching Black People Die - Code Switch - Air Date 5-31-20 The last few weeks have been filled with devastating news — stories about the police killing black people. At this point, these calamities feel familiar — so familiar, in fact, that their details have begun to echo each other. Tamika Mallory: “At this point, we’re looking at a nation and a world that has decided that what we saw happen on camera … is no longer acceptable... people have taken to the streets to demand change." Ch. 3: Trevor Speaks Out About the Murder of George Floyd - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-1-20 Trevor discusses the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, the Minneapolis protests, and how racial injustice and police brutality continue to impact black Americans. Ch. 4: Why The 2020 Anti-Racism Uprisings Feel Different - News Beat - Air Date 6-5-20 A veteran of the 1967 Newark Rebellion discusses George Floyd’s death, the culture of police brutality, and whether today's movement can produce change. Ch. 5: Structural robbery, mass resistance with William C. Anderson - This Is Hell! - Air Date 6-4-20 Writer William C. Anderson on the real theft in capitalist society and the uprisings against it, and his article "Forget 'Looting.' Capitalism Is the Real Robbery" for Truthout. Ch. 6: Uprisings Against Police Killings of Black People - Sojourner Truth Radio - Air Date 6-3-20 After a week of protests, the nationwide (and now worldwide) uprising against racism and police killings of Black people in response to the murder of George Floyd continues to grow. Ch. 7: The thin blue line between looting and standard economics - The Bugle - Air Date 6-6-20 Andy, Hari and Tom react to the protests in the USA. We hear the voices of Floyd’s brother Philonise and Reverend Al Sharpton, who urged those gathered “to stand up in George’s name and say, 'Get your knee off our necks!'” Ch. 9: Protests Sweep Across the Globe - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-9-20 Americans take to the streets in historic numbers to protest police brutality, the demand for books about racism skyrockets, and meaningful police reform catches on. Ch. 10: This Is Not a Game - In The Thick - Air Date 6-12-20 Maria and Julio get into how race and activism show up in sports - historically and in the current Black Lives Matter movement - with Howard Bryant, a senior writer for ESPN and correspondent for NPR’s Weekend Edition. Ch. 11: NFL's Roger Goodell We Were Wrong, #BlackLivesMatter - The Young Turks - Air Date 6-5-20 NFL's commissioner has released a statement saying they were wrong to stop protests. Ch. 12: Amanpour Knows an Uprising When She Sees One - Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 6-9-20 CNN International anchor Christiane Amanpour has seen a lot of unrest around the globe. She says we have to see the George Floyd protests for what they are. An uprising. Ch. 13: The Racial Justice Uprising in the U.S. is Taking Hold Overseas - The Takeaway - Air Date 6-8-20 Many foreign leaders have condemned the killing of George Floyd, but demonstrators outside of the U.S. are also attempting to call attention to racial injustice within their own borders. Ch. 14: Protest, Pain & Hope with Karen Attiah - Stay Tuned with Preet - Air Date 6-4-20 Washington Post Global Opinions editor Karen Attiah discusses the ongoing protests sparked by police brutality, legacies of racial violence in America, and the language we use to speak about inequality. Ch. 15: Roundtable On Police Killings & Global Resistance - Sojourner Truth Radio - Air Date 6-5-20 We look at the international response to the police killing of George Floyd. Countries are now being forced to face their own racism and the inter-relationship between racism and imperialism. Ch. 17: Voices of the uprising - Sojourner Truth Radio - Air Date 6-5-20 Highlighting the voices of protesters TAKE ACTION Join The Movement for Black Lives' SixNineteen mobilization: 6/19 (Juneteenth) through 6/21 Visit SixNineteen.com to find events near you, participate virtually, join the D.C. action, or register your own event Text DEFEND to 90975 to get updates on #SixNineteen and future actions Follow @Mvmnt4BlkLives and use #DefendBlackLives , #SixNineteen , #BlackLivesMatter ,& #DefundthePolice on Twitter EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE #SIXNINETEEN: Movement For Black Lives Calls For Juneteenth Actions (Essence) An American Uprising (The New Yorker) What Exactly Does It Mean to Defund the Police? (The Cut, NY Magazine) America, This is Your Chance (NY Times Op-Ed, Michelle Alexander) Police Erupt in Violence Nationwide (Slate) Freedom to Thrive: Reimagining Safety & Security in Our Communities (Popular Democracy) Resources for White People to Learn and Talk About Race and Racism (Fractured Atlas) A Letter to White People Engaged in Conversations Around the Phrase “Defund The Police” (Medium) Louisville police release the Breonna Taylor incident report. It's virtually blank (Louisville Courier Journal) This Is How Hard It Is to Invest in Black Neighborhoods (Bloomberg CityLabs)
MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
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: 1353_George_Floyd_Uprising_Air_Date_6-17-20_-_6-17-20_20.37_Repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:35pm EDT |
Sat, 3 April 2021
Air Date 4/03/2021 Today we take a look at the need for reform to our gun laws through the lens of the recent mass shootings. Support for various reform measures reaches as high as 90% approval in the US, making it one of the most stark examples of our broken, unresponsive, undemocratic government. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES NBC News' Jacob Ward takes a look at the impact the coronavirus pandemic had on mass shootings and gun violence to see how those trends might change now that states begin to lift Covid-19 restrictions. As gun violence flares up once again in this country, Republicans are quick to change the subject while gun apologists roll out their standard response to calls for reform: now is not the time. Ch. 3: The gun solution we're not talking about - Vox - Air Date 9-11-19 Universal background checks won't fix America's gun crisis. But there's something else that might. Rachel Maddow looks back on how Joe Manchin, with Pat Toomey, in the wake of the Sandy Hook gun massacre, supplanted President Obama's call for universal background checks Gun safety advocate Fred Guttenberg, who lost his daughter Jamie in the Parkland school shooting, expresses his frustration with the lack of gun safety legislation, and calls to end the hold the NRA has on Republicans. Ch. 6: Igor Volsky on Ending Gun Violence - CounterSpin - Air Date 3-26-21 This week on CounterSpin: If you look, you can find reminders that the Second Amendment was forged, distressingly, with the aim of preserving “slave patrol” militias in the South. And that courts consistently interpreted it as meaning a “collective” right Ch. 7: Can You Look At The Carnage Of Gun Violence? - The Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 3-24-21 Could you look at the mangled bodies of Americans murdered by gun violence without demanding that guns stop being so available? Ch. 8: Ban Assault Weapons Now - Breaking the Sound Barrier by Amy Goodman - Air Date 3-25-21 The massacres in Boulder, Colorado, with ten killed, and in metro Atlanta, with eight killed, are just two more instances of senseless gun violence enabled by the NRA. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 9: A Look Back at Colorado's History of Mass Shootings - The Takeaway - Air Date 3-26-21 A Look Back at Colorado's History of Mass Shootings Lt. Joe Kenda (ret.) was a detective with the Colorado Springs Police Department for twenty years. During that time, he solved 356 of the 387 murder cases he investigated. VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: Maintaining beliefs and cognitive dissonance - Nick from California FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on the cognitive biases related to aquiring new information TAKE ACTION! MFOL Aid and Alliance - A resource sharing program that will distribute nearly $500k to support anti-violence work led by BIPOC youth organizations and activists on the ground. Directly supporting communities most impacted by gun violence and decentering whiteness in the movement. MFOL Policy Demands for Biden-Harris Administration EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE Violence Against Women Act Runs Into GOP Objections on Guns and Trans Rights (Mother Jones) $5 Billion For Violence Prevention Is Tucked Into Biden Infrastructure Plan (NPR) Can New Gun Violence Research Find a Path Around the Political Stalemate? (NY Times) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Description: Young woman holds a sign at a rally that has the crossed-out words "Thoughts and Prayers." Underneath, it says "REFORM." Credit: "March for Our Lives, NYC" by mathiaswasik, Flickr | License | Changes: cropped
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1409_Gun_Control_Air_Date_4-02-21_General_-_4-2-21_20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:26am EDT |
Wed, 31 March 2021
Air Date 3/31/2021 Today we take a look at the history of anti-Asian hate in America dating back to the very first racially discriminatory immigration law, the ramifications of our imperial exploits in the Philippines, the pattern of lynchings, the myth of the "model minority" and the role of White Supremacy to keep everyone in their roles and White people ignorant of it all. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft
SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: The Missing History of Asian America Part 1 - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 3-22-21 Helen Zia, author of Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People and other books about the Asian American community. She tells the story of that era’s scapegoating of Asian Americans, and draws a line all the way back to the 18th century. The crew speaks with professors Jane Junn and Karthick Ramakrishnan about the context of the Atlanta attacks and how Asian-American political participation has evolved in recent decades. Ch. 3: A History of Hate - In The Thick - Air Date 3-23-21 Maria and Julio unpack the root causes that led to this tragedy with Sung Yeon Choimorrow, ED of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, and Kristine Villaneuva, a journalist and project editor at Resolve Philly’s “Equally Informed” initiative. Ch. 4: The Missing History of Asian America Part 2 - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 3-22-21 Helen Zia, author of Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People and other books about the Asian American community. She tells the story of that era’s scapegoating of Asian Americans, and draws a line all the way back to the 18th century. Anti-Asian hate in the United States is “not anything new,” says Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Vietnamese American writer. “The history of anti-Asian violence in this country goes back to as long as we’ve had Asian immigrants in this country Talking About the Atlanta Shooting, Purity Culture, & Anti-Asian American Violence. Ch. 7: Take Action to #StopAsianHate & Protect APPI Communities via @StopAAPIHate Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. For more, visit Bestoftheleft.com/activism. Ch. 8: Reacting to the Atlanta Shootings - Boom! Lawyered - Air Date 3-28-21 Imani and Jess talk about the increasing violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, the importance of allyship in its wake, and how racist stereotypes against the AAPI community are also fueling new anti-choice legislation Ch. 9: A History of Pandemic Xenophobia & Racism - Social Distance - Air Date 3-24-21 Jim and Maeve speak with Alexandre White, a sociologist and medical historian at Johns Hopkins University. He shares his views on how a legacy of prejudice tied to disease should lead us to reexamine how we respond when outbreaks occur. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 10: The Missing History of Asian America Part 3 - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 3-22-21 Arun Venugopal, senior reporter in WNYC’s Race and Justice Unit, shares his reporting on the community in New York City, which has emerged as an epicenter of day to day reports of harassment and violence. Talking About the Atlanta Shooting, Purity Culture, & Anti-Asian American Violence VOICEMAILS Ch. 12: Preferring guaranteed jobs and universal social safety net - Craig from Ohio Ch. 13: Further thoughts on the child tax credit - Rich FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 14: Final comments on White Ignorance and White Supremacy TAKE ACTION Stop AAPI Hate Calls to Action: Donate to 40 local U.S. AAPI organizations via Movement Hub Ask your elected officials what they are doing to combat anti-Asian hate Advocate for expanded civil rights protections safeguarding Asian Americans and others Support Ethnic Studies in your local school districts and educational institutions Support local Asian-owned businesses EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE How to stop the dangerous rise in hatred targeted at Asian Americans (USA Today) A Tense Lunar New Year for the Bay Area After Attacks on Asian-Americans (NY Times) Hundreds of volunteers are escorting elderly Asian Americans to keep them safe (The Hill) The history of fetishizing Asian women (Vox) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Description: Three women at a rally against anti-Asian racism. An Asian woman in the middle holds a hand-written cardboard sign that says "We are not the virus. Hate is." Another sign to the right says "Stop Asian Hate." Credit: "Stop Asian Hate Rally @ Art Gallery" by GoToVan, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, increased brightness &. contrast
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1408_Anti-Asian_Hate_Air_Date_3-31-21_General_-_3-31-21_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:38pm EDT |
Sun, 28 March 2021
Air Date 3/28/2021 Today we take a look at the progress being made on the effort to reform and defund the police in America as well as the reignited campaign to make society safe for women in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder in the UK. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Austin’s Plan To Defund The Police - In The Loop - Air Date 2-22-21 Another Grim Milestone & Austin’s Plan To Defund The Police House Democrats passed a landmark bill Wednesday that would expand voting rights and another key piece of legislation on police reform through the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act -- something Democrats have been pushing for since the death of Floyd. The House passed the sweeping George Floyd Justice in Policing Act this week. But as long as partisan politics remains the status quo, lawmakers will continue to fail Black Americans. MTV News correspondent Dometi Pongo explains. Ch. 4: Fight to Pass the George Floyd Act, BREATHE Act, & Take LOCAL Action! - Best of the Left Activism Ch. 5: Republicans Vote Against Protecting Women - The Rational National - Air Date 3-18-21 172 members of the house Republican caucus voted against the renewal of the VAWA. Ch. 6: The Problem With the Violence Against Women Act; - Ring of Fire Radio - Air Date 3-26-21 This week on Ring of Fire, Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University and Abigail Higgins, a journalist covering inequality health and gender join us to discuss their piece in The Nation. Despite the High Court rejecting a challenge against the police’s ban of Sarah Everard's vigil, Telegraph Columnists Bryony Gordon and Claire Cohen said they will still attend. Ch. 8: Sarah Everard & Violence Against Women - TyskySour - Air Date 3-12-21 The disappearance and death of Sarah Everard has shone a spotlight on the epidemic of violence against women in Britain, and has provoked an outpouring from women on social media sharing their own experience of harassment, threats and violence Ch. 9: Why women feel unsafe on Britain's streets - Channel 4 News - Air Date 3-11-21 "We are tired of having to pre-empt possible violence. Of having to risk assess every ordinary action every day, every hour of our lives". Ch. 10: Sarah Everard's vigil aggressively broken up by London police - CNN UK - Air Date 3-14-21 The British government is calling for an investigation after police aggressively broke up a vigil being held for Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old woman whose alleged murder while walking home in South London has reignited a national debate in Britain MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 11: The Economics of Abolition - The Laura Flanders Show - Air Date 12-24-20 “Defund the police” became a rallying cry in the summer of 2020 as demonstrators flooded streets across the United States to demand an end to police brutality in the wake of the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd at the hands of the police. Ch. 12: Into Defunding the LAPD - Into America - Air Date 6-11-20 ‘Defund the police’ has become a familiar rallying call at protests across the country. It’s a push to reduce the size of police department budgets, in order to reallocate resources to other parts of the community. And a few cities leaders are listening. VOICEMAILS Ch. 13: Taking kids from parents and the racism of anti-immigration - Bud from Boise FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 14: Final comments on how to report the truth while lying to the high heavens TAKE ACTION! Fight to improve & pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act Fight to pass the BREATHE Act (Movement for Black Lives) (BOTL segment from last summer) Join a local organization or chapter fighting police brutality: some suggestions Explore the ACLU's FIGHTING POLICE ABUSE: A COMMUNITY ACTION MANUAL EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE George Floyd Justice in Policing Act Explained (Note: Headline updated) (Vox) Now is the time to revolutionize policing (BREATHE Act) (Vox) Movement for Black Lives opposes George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (PBS) Why Police Brutality Is a Public Health Issue (Self) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Description: Memorial for Sarah Everard in the U.K. Photo of a tree in a park with flowers and candles at the base and a sign tied to the trunk that reads "#ReclaimTheseStreets!". A woman with a face mask is bending over to add flowers to the memorial. Credit: "Vigil for Sarah Everard in Sheffield" by Tim Dennell, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped and increased contrast and saturation
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1407_Police_Reform.Sarah_Everard_Air_Date_3-28-21_General_-_3-28-21_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:19pm EDT |
Fri, 26 March 2021
Air Date: 3-26-21 Sign up for a membership to hear the full show! Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by:
Direct download: Bonus_Show_227_Sample_-_3-26-21_2329.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:28pm EDT |
Tue, 23 March 2021
Air Date 3/23/2021 Today we take a look at the American Rescue Plan and discuss what it does, where it falls short and whether it could signal the end of an era. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSORS: Unf*cking the Republic Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES President Biden today signed his American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion COVID rescue and relief package that history may someday regard as the long-overdue end of the four-decade old Reagan Era. Zero Republicans in the House or Senate voted for it. We speak with economist Stephanie Kelton, author of "The Deficit Myth," about how the bill could help cut child poverty in half and provide a historic economic boost to the poorest people in the United States. Ch. 3: End of Conservative Era? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 3-15-21 Are we leaving Reagan and Nixon behind for a new FDR era? Is America waking up to the horrors of Reagan and Nixon? President Biden today signed his American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion COVID rescue and relief package that history may someday regard as the long-overdue end of the four-decade old Reagan Era. Zero Republicans in the House or Senate voted for it. Ch. 5: Help Is On the Way - OFF-KILTER with Rebecca Vallas - Air Date 3-12-21 To break down the major income-boosting elements in the ARP Act, and a look at what families can expect to receive in economic relief— Seth Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and a former advisor to President Obama for tax policy. Biden has signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, Democrats are hailing as the largest anti-poverty bill in a generation. “This is transformational,” says economist Joseph Stiglitz. “It says, 'We are actually going to live up to our aspirations" Ch. 7: What's In Biden's Relief Bill - The Majority Report w Sam Seder - Air Date 3-13-21 Highlighting the change in political philosophy that this relief bill demonstrates as well as understanding the 'stickiness' of good policy that helps people Prof. Richard Wolff explains that this relief bill is not a giant giveaway, it's a small downpayment on returning what is owed to the poor and working classes for the upward redistribution of wealth over the past 50 years Ch. 9: Stimulate This Beyotch - Unf*cking the Republic - Air Date 3-19-21 An analysis of the outcome of the relief bill and what it says about our country's ability to govern itself thoughtfully. And alsop swearing. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Moderate Democrats and Republicans alike repeated one common criticism—that infusing so much money into the economy would cause inflation. Austan Goolsbee, past Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, explains why those fears are misplaced. Prof. Richard Wolff explains concierge doctors and the privatization of everything. VOICEMAILS Ch. 12: Universal earned income benefits - Scott Ch. 13: No Payments to Families with Children - Rich FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 14: Final comments on child welfare programs and perverse incentives EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE The goal is "Improved Medicare for All" and we must keep pushing for it, but if you need help right now, you should know... NY Times: "The American Rescue Plan [...] would increase government subsidies to health insurers for covering recently laid-off workers and those who purchase their own coverage." NY Times: "The first step of the federal upgrade should be ready by April 1: Healthcare.gov, where people sign up for insurance in 36 states, will start showing prices that reflect the new policy." Need Health Insurance? A Guide to New Options Under the Stimulus. (NY Times) Obamacare’s About to Get a Lot More Affordable. These Maps Show How. (NY Times) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Image Description: In foreground, a gravestone with the words "R.I.P. Reaganism" and in the background, part of a stimulus check from the U.S. Department of Treasury. Credit: Composite design & text by Amanda Hoffman. Grave image (Pixabay), Stimulus check image (Pixabay)
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1406_American_Rescue_Plan_Air_Date_3-23-21_General_-_3-23-21_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:39pm EDT |
Sat, 20 March 2021
Air Date 3/19/2021 Today we take a look at the decades-old problems with our immigration system, what changes are being made under the new administration, and some of the underlying causes for the massive disfunction we have in addressing the issue. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSORS: The New Yorker Magazine Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Biden Eyes Sweeping Immigration Reform Legislation - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 2-18-21 Deputy White House Communications Director Pili Tobar joins Mehdi Hasan to discuss the Biden administration's immigration reform agenda, and how the president plans to get the votes necessary to pass the most comprehensive immigration reform bill in years Overflowing ICE detention centers. Families separated at the border. A multi-billion-dollar border wall. Over the course of his four-year presidency, Donald Trump used executive power to wage war on the United States’ immigration system Ch. 3: The First 100: Joy Olson - Only in America with Ali Noorani - Air Date 1-27-21 Among President Biden's immigration actions is a $4 billion four-year plan to address root causes of migration in Central America. But when lawmakers talk about addressing migration's “root causes,” what do they really mean? The Biden administration is struggling to address the flow of migrant children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without their parents, many fleeing extreme violence, poverty and natural disasters in their home countries Ch. 5: Biden's Immigration Agenda Tested at the Border - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 3-9-21 With the number of unaccompanied migrant kids in U.S. custody tripling in recent weeks, Florida Immigration Coalition Spokesperson Melissa Taveras joins Mehdi Hasan to discuss the implications for Biden's immigration policy. Join Detention Watch Network's #FirstTen to #CommunitiesNotCages Week of Action - March 22nd-26th Ch. 7: The business of immigrant labor w/ Ruth Milkman - This Is Hell! - Air Date 3-10-21 Sociologist Ruth Milkman on the dynamics of immigration law and low-wage work, and her new book "Immigrant Labor and the New Precariat" for Polity Books. Ch. 8: The Democrats' Long War on Immigrants - Intercepted - Air Date 2-17-21 As Joe Biden took the oath of office this January, Guatemalan security forces at the Honduran border thwarted thousands of U.S.-bound migrants. Decades-long American imperialism has facilitated displacement throughout the region MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 9: The Democrats' Long War on Immigrants Part 2 - The Intercept - Air Date 2-17-21 Ch. 10: Separating Children: Laura Briggs - Future Hindsight - Air Date 2-18-21 Laura Briggs is the author of Taking Children: A History of American Terror. We discuss the history of child separation for political ends, ranging from the enslaved and Native children, to the children of the poor and Central American refugees. VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: Biden needs media training but isn't aggressively evil - Dave from Olympia, WA FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on the mental drain of media BS and the need for small victories TAKE ACTION: Join Detention Watch Network's #FirstTen to #CommunitiesNotCages Week of Action - March 22nd-26th Follow @DetentionWatch Support anti-detention state legislation in Maryland, New Mexico, & Washington EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE: ‘Like an Experimental Concentration Camp’: Whistleblower Complaint Alleges Mass Hysterectomies at ICE Detention Center (Law & Crime) “A SILENT PANDEMIC”: Nurse at ICE Facility Blows the Whistle on Coronavirus Dangers (The Intercept) COVID-19 Outbreak Reported at Otero County Prison Facility (US News & World Report) New Report Documents Systemic Abuse at a New Mexico Immigrant Detention Center (Innovation Law Lab) Thousands of immigrants suffer in solitary confinement in U.S. detention centers (NBC News) Op-Ed: Why abuse and neglect of immigrants proliferate in ICE detention (LA Times) A Cage is Still a Cage: President Biden Must End U.S. Detention of Children and Families (TIME) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Image Description: Close up of a protest sign that reads "Immigration is inevitable. Cruelty is optional.' in hand-written, multi-colored lettering. A smaller sign is held in the background that says "END DETENTION." Credit: "Protesting ICE and Deportation Raids Chicago Illinois 7-13-19_1836" by Charles Edward Miller, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped and increased contrast
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1405_Biden_Immigration_Air_Date_3-19-21_General_-_3-19-21_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am EDT |
Fri, 19 March 2021
TAKE ACTION: Join Detention Watch Network's #FirstTen to #CommunitiesNotCages Week of Action - March 22nd-26th Follow @DetentionWatch Support anti-detention state legislation in Maryland, New Mexico, & Washington EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE: ‘Like an Experimental Concentration Camp’: Whistleblower Complaint Alleges Mass Hysterectomies at ICE Detention Center (Law & Crime) “A SILENT PANDEMIC”: Nurse at ICE Facility Blows the Whistle on Coronavirus Dangers (The Intercept) COVID-19 Outbreak Reported at Otero County Prison Facility (US News & World Report) New Report Documents Systemic Abuse at a New Mexico Immigrant Detention Center (Innovation Law Lab) Thousands of immigrants suffer in solitary confinement in U.S. detention centers (NBC News) Op-Ed: Why abuse and neglect of immigrants proliferate in ICE detention (LA Times) A Cage is Still a Cage: President Biden Must End U.S. Detention of Children and Families (TIME) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman
Direct download: ACTIVISM__Shut_Down_Detention_Centers__Join_the_FirstTen_to_CommunitiesNotCages_Week_of_Action_March_22-26_via_DetentionWatch.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:36pm EDT |
Tue, 16 March 2021
Air Date 7/30/2019 Today we take a look at the ongoing debate about socialism between socialists and non-socialists alike, including discussion of tactical strategies on where to set our goals and how to get from here to there Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: John Nichols on Bernie and Socialism - Start Making Sense - Air Date 6-19-19 Bernie Sanders gave an important speech on socialism last week, and our John Nichols spoke with him about it -- beforehand. Socialism has grown a lot because of demonization. The Left has a war to lose - left policies are the direction of progress and the world is leaning that way - but without proper education and fighting it will take a lot longer. In the long run, democratic socialism wants to end capitalism - to empower working people. It's not just New Deal liberals - its pushing further. Massive momentum is on the Democratic Socialist side and collective action will win. The main alternative to neoliberalism is the proposed renewal of social democracy, such as in the form of Bernie Sanders' proposals. But to move forward we need to discuss the limits of a welfare state that ultimately does not change class relations Was the New Deal socialist? Yes and no. Bernie is pointing to the central model of most democratic socialist-style governments - he points to the good policies of democratic socialism instead of strict definitions. Bernie's solutions, while admirable and helpful, are merely reforms of a fundamentally broken and contradictory system. Reforms set us up for inevitable roll-back by the powerful as we've seen since FDR. Ch. 7: Bhaskar Sunkara on the possibilities of socialism in America - This is Hell - Air Date 5-21-19 Bhaskar Sunkara explores a path to socialism in America - as capitalism collapses and pulls politics towards the right, the promise of a worker-driven, democratic society built on equality and justice can be won by a broad, working-class movement Bernie is calling out the massive power disparities in the US and what policies we can work towards - an Economic Bill of Rights. VOICEMAILS Ch. 9: Fighting climate change means fighting capitalism - Jesse from Boston FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 10: Final comments on the connection between political debates and parenting advice MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE Lorie Shaull , Flickr | License (Modifications: Cropped)
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: 1293_Democratic_Socialism_Air_Date_7-30-19_Ad_Free_-_7-30-19_18.01_Repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:24pm EDT |
Fri, 12 March 2021
Air Date 3/12/2021 Today we take a look at the multiple tactics being implemented in an attempt to undermine the entire concept of democracy because adhering to the will of the majority and allowing for unfettered protests is currently working to the distinct disadvantage of the Republican Party. Most people see the right to vote and to protest as foundational to a functioning democracy, others see them as impediments to their divine right to rule. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
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SHOW NOTES Sarah Repucci explains the factors that have helped drive the grim decline in freedoms and democracy in the U.S. and other areas of the world in recent years, which countries are most at risk and why the United States has dropped in the rankings. Ch. 2: Republicans Launch 253 Voter Suppression Bills - David Pakman Show - Air Date 3-2-21 Republicans launch 253 voter suppression bills across the country, realizing they didn't suppress enough votes in the 2020 election. Ch. 3: The coming anti-protest laws w/ Alleen Brown + Akela Lacy Part 1 - This is Hell! - Air Date 2-12-21 Journalists Alleen Brown and Akela Lacy on their report "State Legislatures Make “Unprecedented” Push on Anti-Protest Bills" for The Intercept, and in a Moment of Truth, Jeff Dorchen empathizes with savages and samurai. Ch. 4: RED ALERT: Anti-Protest Bills Popping Up Everywhere - David Pakman Show - Air Date 8-19-20 Anti-protest bills of all kinds are popping up in numerous states across the United States. Ch. 5: The coming anti-protest laws w/ Alleen Brown + Akela Lacy Part 2 - This is Hell! - Air Date 2-12-21 Ch. 6: Ari Berman on the Attack on Voting Rights - CounterSpin - Air Date 3-12-21 Do elite media think that whether or not the US, in 2021, under pressure from racists, goes back on the whole “one person one vote” thing is a legitimate topic for debate? Across the U.S., Republican lawmakers have introduced more than 250 bills in 43 states aimed at restricting voting access. Ari Berman, author and reporter for Mother Jones, says Republicans are “breaking democracy” with their push to restrict voting. Larry Lessig speaks with Representative John Sarbanes, the architect of the For The People Act (H.R. 1). The two dive into the provisions of this critically important piece of legislation to fix our democracy and what to expect in the months ahead. Ch. 9: Fight GOP Voter Suppression Laws - Best of the Left Activism Stand up against efforts to suppress the vote and subvert our democracy! Democracy strikes back against the anti-democracy GOP, because every democracy story these days includes Republican fraud or attempted voter suppression. House Democrats passed H.R.1 -- the 'For the People Act' -- with zero Republican votes. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Sarah Repucci explains the factors that have helped drive the grim decline in freedoms and democracy in the U.S. and other areas of the world in recent years, which countries are most at risk and why the United States has dropped in the rankings. VOICEMAILS Ch. 13: Critiquing charitable giving - Maureen from Boston FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 14: Final comments on the deep humanity of patronizing patriotism TAKE ACTION! Common Cause H.R. 1 Campaign - Text & Phonebank & Resources Demand Elimination of the Filibuster Follow Your State Legislature & Contact State Reps, Senators and Governor Support Opponents of Suppressionists in Public Office Vote Riders - Help Fight Suppression & Help Voters Get IDs They Need EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE For the People Act Is Needed to Stop New GOP Voter Suppression Bills (Teen Vogue) Annotated Guide to the For the People Act of 2021 (Brennan Center for Justice) How to Restore and Strengthen the Voting Rights Act (Brennan Center for Justice) Blue States Suppress the Vote, Too (The New Republic) Republicans Are Taking Their Voter Suppression Efforts to New Extremes (Mother Jones) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Description: Circular protest sign held in the air by a pair of hands with the words "Voting is a Human Right. Stand for Freedom. Join the Fight!" Credits: "December 10 march for voting rights" (2011) by Michael Fleshman (Flickr) | License | Changes: Cropped
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1404_War_on_Democracy_Air_Date_3-12-21_General_-_3-12-21_20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:18pm EDT |
Tue, 9 March 2021
Air Date 3/9/2021 Today we take a look at the current goings on around the world regarding our foreign policy under the new but not-so-new-feeling leadership of Joe Biden. We check in on Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and a couple of assorted arms sales to authoritarian leaders who support our foreign policy. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSORS: BOMBAS.COM/BEST Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Biden Administration Should Strike a Deal with Iran - World Class - Air Date 2-18-21 Abbas Milani — an expert on U.S.-Iran relations — discusses the Iranian economy, the future of Iran’s leadership, and what a potential nuclear deal could mean for the U.S. The Biden administration is facing intense criticism from U.S. progressives after carrying out airstrikes on eastern Syria said to be targeting Iranian-backed militia groups. Ch. 3: Biden's First Act Of War Hits 3 Countries - Empire Files - Air Date 3-3-21 Biden's Feb. 26 strike in Syria was a crime, and risks major war with three countries. Abby Martin explains. Ch. 4: Whither the Antiwar Left - Empire Has No Clothes - Air Date 2-25-21 This week on Empire Has No Clothes, Kelley, Dan, and I discussed the war in Afghanistan and why it's lost. We also talked with journalist James Carden about the state of the antiwar left and whether Joe Biden might do some good on foreign policy. Ch. 5: What's Next For The War In Afghanistan - NPR Fresh Air - Air Date 3-4-21 America's 19-year war in Afghanistan may soon be coming to an end. The Trump administration negotiated a deal with the Taliban, in which the U.S. agreed to withdraw all its troops by May 1. But the Afghan government was not included in those talks. Ch. 6: Can Joe Biden Save Yemen - Empire Has No Clothes - Air Date 2-11-21 This week on Empire Has No Clothes, Kelley, Dan, and I discussed Joe Biden's announcement that he would withdraw all American support for the war in Yemen. Joe Biden once vowed to hold Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Now, it looks like he's letting him off the hook. Emma Vigeland and the Majority Report crew discuss this. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 8: The future of the US-Saudi relationship (ft. Sen. Chris Murphy) - Worldly - Air Date 3-4-21 Zack, Jenn, and Alex debate whether the US should continue to treat Saudi Arabia as a close partner given its atrocious human rights abuses and the declining US dependence on Middle Eastern oil. Abby Martin covers Biden's first arms deals to major human rights abusers Chile & Egypt; another US military base in Okinawa, opposed by majority of residents, threatens unique biodiversity; militia puts US at crossroads of a new Iraq war Ch. 10: Can Biden remake Trump's Middle East - The Bunker - Air Date 11-25-20 From Israel to Iran, Donald Trump thought he could reset the Middle East. His fixation on the region defined the last four years of US foreign policy. But what will Biden’s presidency mean for America and the Middle East? VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: Introduction to our caste system - Roy from Washington State FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on Biden attempting to talk about Afghanistan and China BONUS CLIPS: CNN Official interview Joe Biden on Afghanistan 'Making progress' - CNN - Air Date 11-28-10 What Biden Said About Uyghurs - CNN Presidential Town Hall MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Image Description: Close up photo of the words "War is Peace" on the page of the book "1984". Credit: "War is Peace" by Mark Hillary | License | Changes: Cropped
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1403_Biden_Foreign_Policy_Air_Date_3-9-21_General_-_3-9-21_21.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:40pm EDT |
Sat, 6 March 2021
Air Date 3/6/2021 Today we take a look at the origins of race and the building of a caste system in the US based largely on the lessons from Isabel Wilkerson, author of "Caste: The Origins of our Discontent" Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSORS: BOOKSHOP: BESTOFTHELEFT.COM/CASTE BLINKIST: BESTOFTHELEFT.COM/BLINKIST Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: John Biewen: The lie that invented racism - TED - Air Date 11-1-20 To understand and eradicate racist thinking, start at the beginning. That's what journalist and documentarian John Biewen did, leading to a trove of surprising and thought-provoking information on the "origins" of race. Ch. 2: Made in America (Seeing White, Part 3) - Scene on Radio - Air Date 3-16-17 Chattel slavery in the US, with its distinctive · and strikingly cruel · laws and structures, took shape over many decades in colonial America. The innovations that built American slavery are inseparable from the construction of Whiteness as we know it. Ch. 3: The Invention of Race - Throughline - Air Date 11-19-20 During a time when race-based science and the eugenics movement were becoming mainstream, anthropologist Franz Boas actively sought to prove that race was a social construct, not a biological fact. Ch. 4: Caste in America with Isabel Wilkerson - Why Is This Happening? with Chris Hayes - Air Date 8-11-20 Does the United States have a caste system? In her research on the Jim Crow South, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist/author Isabel Wilkerson found that the word ·racism· fell far short in capturing the depth and totality of oppression people existed under Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson says racism is an insufficient term for the systemic oppression of Black people in America. Instead, she prefers to refer to America as having a "caste" system. This brief video presents three of Theodore W. Allen’s theses related to the invention of the “white race” and his important analysis of the white supremacy’s role in beating back struggles from below in three great crises in U.S. history. A new way of thinking about race and class with Isabel Wilkerson. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 8: The Invention of Race Part 2 - Throughline - Air Date 11-19-20 During a time when race-based science and the eugenics movement were becoming mainstream, anthropologist Franz Boas actively sought to prove that race was a social construct, not a biological fact. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson says racism is an insufficient term for the systemic oppression of Black people in America. Instead, she prefers to refer to America as having a "caste" system. VOICEMAILS Ch. 10: Thoughts on the bonus material - Kim from Montana FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 11: Final comments TAKE ACTION! Fight for $15 in the Senate: 202-224-3121 (voice) or 202-224-3091 (tty) Fight for H.R. 1 - For the People Act in the Senate: 202-224-3121 (voice) or 202-224-3091 (tty) Fight for George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in the Senate: 202-224-3121 (voice) or 202-224-3091 (tty) Fight to pass the BREATHE Act (read our activism segment): Email members of Congress and more Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Description: Black chalkboard background with the word "CASTE" written in white
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1402_Caste_Air_Date_3-6-21_General_-_3-6-21_17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:28pm EDT |
Wed, 3 March 2021
Air Date 6/21/2019 Today we take a look at the ways that Native Peoples are represented in white society and pop culture, how some are working to take back their own narratives and some insight into the profound effects, both positive and negative, of how peoples are represented. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com SHOW NOTES The Washington Post conducts a flawed survey resulting in a misleading conclusion that most native peoples don't consider Redskins to be an offensive term Racist representation of native peoples in sports and culture supports the anti-native sentiment that drives the MMIWG epidemic Ch. 3: A Native perspective for museums - Native America Calling - Air Date 4-9-19 Native peoples have had their stories told form them by white people for centuries, working in museums and cultural centers create the opportunities to tell their own stories W Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu step in a pile of native cultural appropriation and then slowly, messily wade their way out of it Discussing cultural appropriation in many forms including the legal trademarking of one of the terms most central to native Hawaiian culture, Aloha Ch. 6: 'Reel' Indians and the invention of Hollywood Indian English - Backstory - Air Date 11-22-14 A history lesson on the Hollywood creation of all of the stereotypes we reflexively think of when we think about how native peoples speak Ch. 7: On Native American Loss and Triumph - On the Media - Air Date 10-5-18 David Treuer discusses the means by which Indians have been fighting for social and political change for centuries. VOICEMAILS Ch. 8: Changed my mind in favor of impeachment - Nick from California FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 9: Final comments on the Canadian TV show “First Contact” and what it teaches us about how people do and don’t change their mind EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE Native American imagery is all around us, while the people are often forgotten (National Geographic) The Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women Epidemic Is Inseparable From Native Appropriation(Bustle) ‘It’s called a genocide’: Gavin Newsom apologizes to California’s Native Americans (San Francisco Chronicle) 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: Rerun_1283_Native_MisRepresentation_Native_Peoples_Series_Part_5_-_3-3-21_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:42pm EDT |
Sun, 28 February 2021
Air Date 2/27/2021 Today we take a look at the climate-fueled disaster in Texas from almost every angle; from the strictly scientific to the purely political and all of the disaster capitalism in between. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSOR: UnF*cking The Republic Podcast Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Why on Earth are Winters Getting Worse if the Planet is Getting Warmer - Weathered - Air Date 2-1-21 Weathered is a show hosted by meteorologist Maiya May and produced by Balance Media that helps explain the most common natural disasters, what causes them, how they’re changing, and what we can do to prepare. Ch. 2: Power Outages Becomes Propaganda Nexus - The David Pakman Show - Air Date 2-17-21 Many Republicans, including Tucker Carlson, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and others, falsely claim that the Texas power outages are a direct result of Texas being too reliant on "unreliable" wind power Ch. 3: Chris Hayes To Ted Cruz: Governance Is Not Just ‘Performative Trolling’ - All In - Air Date 2-18-21 There are a million things that a senator can do in the middle of a disaster, none of which interests a politician like Ted Cruz, who sees himself as basically Rush Limbaugh with a Senate office Millions of people in Texas were plunged into freezing cold and darkness as a major winter storm overwhelmed the state's power grid. More than 12 million Texans face water disruptions and have been ordered to boil tap water for safe consumption Naomi Klein, senior correspondent at The Intercept and a professor at Rutgers University, says Republicans’ reaction is “because of panic” over their own culpability. This episode of Warm Regards focuses on two more facets of decision making based on data about how the climate is changing. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 7: How to Prepare for Climate Change Part 1 - Strange Days with Fernand Amandi - Air Date 2-5-21 Ch. 8: How to Prepare for Climate Change Part 2 - Strange Days with Fernand Amandi - Air Date 2-5-21 Ready for the coming impact of climate change? Fear not as CBS Sunday science expert David Pogue tells #StrangeDaysPodcast how to get ready + Frank Schaeffer warns how radicalized evangelical Christians threaten Biden’s agenda & democracy. Ch. 9: Tara Houska and Ruth Breech on Divesting from Toxic Capitalism - For The Wild - Air Date 8-21-19 Climate disaster is unfolding before our eyes every day, and yet banks have poured $1.9 trillion into maintaining and expanding the fossil fuel industry since the Paris Agreement was adopted. VOICEMAILS Ch. 10: The divide is more religious than political - V from Central New York FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 11: Final comments on cancel culture MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1401_Texas.Climate_Air_Date_2-27-21_General_-_2-28-21_17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT |
Wed, 24 February 2021
Air Date 6/28/2019 Today we take a look at the ways that extreme inequality and many of the worst instincts and repercussions of capitalism are being upheld and perpetuated by our culture of philanthropy. It turns out that what we see as the rich giving back is really more of a purchase on their part, a purchase of our acceptance of inequality and the right of the wealthy to rule. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content: Support our show! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Gilded Rage - Future Perfect - Air Date 5-21-19 To put our new age of extreme inequality in perspective, we look back at Andrew Carnegie, who gave America a huge number of libraries so they’d forgive him for his brutal steel mills. We ask: Is the same thing happening in 2019? Ch. 2: Anand Giridharadas: Winners take all Part 1 - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 9-27-18 Anand Giridharadas, author of Winners Take All, on the win-win business- and plutocrat-friendly philanthropy of today’s nouveau riche. Ch. 3: Rob Reich: Is big philanthropy destroying democracy? - Tiny Spark - Air Date 11-7-18 Stanford professor Rob Reich’s new book Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better investigates how charity can undermine democratic values and explores the ways federal policies help to facilitate greater inequality. Ch. 4: Could billionaires solve global poverty? - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 4-25-19 Time editor at large, Anand Giridharadas, discusses whether billionaires can put an end to global poverty if they had the will to do so, and talks about his recent book, Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World Ch. 5: Rob Reich on whether philanthropy is bad for democracy - Rationally Speaking - Air Date 11-12-18 This episode features political scientist Rob Reich, author of "Just Giving: Why Philanthropy is Failing Democracy, and How it Can Do Better". Does it deserve to be tax-deductible? And do philanthropists have too much power in society? Ch. 6: Anand Giridharadas: Winners take all Part 2 - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 9-27-18 Anand Giridharadas, author of Winners Take All, on the win-win business- and plutocrat-friendly philanthropy of today’s nouveau riche. VOICEMAILS Ch. 7: Inequality is the #1 issue - James from Sacramento, CA FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 8: Final comments on covering inequality and presenting a bonus clip on two manifestations of racism BONUS CLIP: Myths of the ruling class with Anand Giridharadas - Why is this happening? - Air Date 10-8-18 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: 1285_Philanthropy.Inequality_Air_Date_6-28-19_-_2-24-21_Repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:11pm EDT |
Sat, 20 February 2021
Air Date 2/20/2021 Today we take a look at the fight to create and maintain workable and humane economic and social floors, beneath which people are not allowed to fall. The fetishization of market forces embraced by decades of neoliberals and weaponized by authoritarians have left millions desperate for basic standards. To draw the connection, we look at the protests by Indian farmers against proposed deregulation and the fight for $15 in the US. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSORS: NEWYORKER.COM/BEST Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Your four talking points for $15-an-Hour minimum wage - Working Life Podcast - Air Date 2-17-21 Right before our eyes, in these very days and at this time of crisis, you can see so clearly this bankrupt system, defended and promoted by greedy CEOs and spineless politicians, but a system people are trying to rebel against and take down. Rebecca sits down with the Economic Policy Institute's David Cooper for a deep dive into Democrats' Raise the Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025. The big news in the minimum wage world this week is the new CBO report—which, among many benefits, also found that a $15 federal minimum wage would cost jobs, increase the deficit, and raise prices. Goldy and Paul explain how CBO arrived at their numbers. Rebecca sits down with the Economic Policy Institute's David Cooper for a deep dive into Democrats' Raise the Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025. This week, journalist and Washington Post columnist, Rana Ayyub, joins to discuss the protest movement and how Modi·s reaction to it fits his pattern of illiberalism and nationalism that marches India away from democracy. P. Sainath, an Indian journalist and the founder of People’s Archive of Rural India, or PARI, who describes why working-class Indians are standing up against “absolutely vicious” new rules that were rammed through Parliament, and show no sign of stopping. Ch. 7: All walls must fall w/Harsha Walia - The Red Nation Podcast - Air Date 2-15-21 Harsha Walia discusses her new book, Border and Rule: Global Migration, Capitalism, and the Rise of Racist Nationalism, the Indian farmers' movement, and how she became an organizer. Professor Richard Wolff joins RJ Eskow to discuss the historic strike taking place in India and possible influence on other countries. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) The big news in the minimum wage world this week is the new CBO report—which, among many benefits, also found that a $15 federal minimum wage would cost jobs, increase the deficit, and raise prices. Goldy and Paul explain how CBO arrived at their numbers. Ch. 10: Amazon Workers Organize! - Working Life Podcast - Air Date 2-10-21 Thousands of workers are trying to get a union at Amazon's huge warehouse in Bessemer Alabama. The ballots have just been mailed and we get an update on the organizing campaign from a good friend of the show Dave Mertz FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 11: Final comments on the results of our disinformation headline contest TAKE ACTION! Call Your Senators to Pass a $15 Federal Minimum Wage: 888-639-5155 Stay engaged with @fightfor15 & #fightfor15 on Twitter Tell Sen. Joe Manchin how you feel, too! EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE The Fight for a $15 Minimum Wage Is Our Selma (Time, Op-Ed) Sanders confident of raising minimum wage as part of $1.9tn Covid package (The Guardian) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Image Description: Image of a young Black woman holding sign that says "Fighting for $15" next to an image of a young Indian man holding a sign that says "If you ate today, thank a farmer". Composite Design by Amanda Hoffman. Images include: “FightFor15-1330695 - #Fightfor15 Protest in Pittsburgh, PA - April 2015” by Mark Dixon, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped and rotated *and* “052 Indian Farmers Protest” by Felton Davis, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, enhanced brightness and contrast
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1400_India.15_Minimum_Air_Date_2-20-21_General_-_2-20-21_21.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:58pm EDT |
Tue, 16 February 2021
Air Date 2/16/2021 Today we take a look at the competing histories fighting for dominance in the minds of Americans; the mythologized and romanticized history as represented by the "patriotic" framing of history from the 1776 Commission report and the much more fact-based approach that doesn't skirt the issue of race from the 1619 Project. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Nikole Hannah-Jones, the architect behind "The 1619 Project," and Ibram X. Kendi, author of “How To Be an Antiracist,” joined Chris Hayes to examine the 400 year legacy of slavery in America. Prof. Eddie Glaude Jr. joins Mehdi Hasan to explain why the Trump administration's 1776 Report is an attempt to stoke a culture war via historical nonsense. Ch. 3: Eric Foner on The 1619 Project - Start Making Sense - Air Date 11-21-19 Historian Eric Foner talks about The New York Times’ “1619 Project,” which argues that the legacy of slavery is central to all of the American past and present—including the White House today. Ch. 4: The 1776 Report - Past Present - Air Date 1-26-21 In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss ·The 1776 Report· issued by the outgoing Trump administration. Ch. 5: The Original Sin of 1619 - In The Thick - Air Date 8-20-19 Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones led a team of black journalists, writers and poets to create The 1619 Project, a deep and thoughtful look into the 400th anniversary of the beginning of slavery in this country. But a lot of the response has been predictable MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 6: Midnight in the Garden of American Heroes - Know Your Enemy - Air Date 2-11-21 Matt and Sam explain West Coast Straussianism, the school of thought behind one of the last acts of the Trump administration: its publication of the "1776 Report," the Right's shabby response to the 1619 Project and blueprint for the American Founding Ch. 7: Adolph Reed Critiques The 1619 Project - The Michael Brooks Show - Air Date 5-14-20 Adolph Reed talks about the 1619 project through the lens of anti-essentialism. VOICEMAILS Ch. 8: Proper attribution for vaccines - Dr. Gay Ch. 9: Financial health of the show? - Nick from California FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 10: Final comments on framing vaccine manufacturers properly MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
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Direct download: 1399_1619_vs_1776_Air_Date_2-16-21_General_-_2-16-21_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:08pm EDT |
Sat, 13 February 2021
Air Date 2/13/2021 Today we take a look at the fallout from the January 6th insurrection, the case for impeachment and/or punishment for every single person involved and discussions for why this process is so important to the stability of the country. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSOR: Unf*cking the Republic Podcast Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: AOC shares harrowing personal story from January 6th attack - The BradCast - Air Date 2-2-21 AOC relates her experience in the capitol and explains why the enablers of the insurrection total lack of remorse is a problem. We air excerpts from speeches by Democratic Congressmembers Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. "Some are already demanding that we move on or, worse, attempting to minimize, discredit or belittle the accounts of survivors" With former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial set to begin in the Senate this week, we feature the speech Democratic Congressmember Cori Bush of Missouri made Thursday on the floor of the House of Representatives to demand accountability for the Ch. 4: Dem House Managers submit pre-Impeachment Trial briefs - The BradCast - Air Date 2-2-21 House Democrats submit their pre-trial filings, detailing a graphic, detailed, painstakingly-documented argument for Trump's conviction for inciting the insurrection. Trump's lawyers filed a largely limp legal brief in response, filled with false claims. Elie Honig, CNN legal analyst and host of the CAFE daily impeachment podcast Third Degree, talks about the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump. Eight hundred people stormed the Capitol building on January 6, but fewer than 200 have been charged with crimes. Why so few? Elie Mystal, The Nation's Justice correspondent, says every one of the 800 committed crimes that day and should be prosecuted. Ch. 7: Life After Fascism: A Brief History - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 1-21-21 Timothy Snyder, professor of history at Yale University and a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, offers historical context for the attack on our democracy. Healing, On its face these concepts sound fine enough: after all, who doesn't like peace? Unity sounds great! But in the majority of political contexts, these warm and fuzzy buzzwords rush past the work of justice and reparations. Seth takes a closer look at former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial being a chance to hold Trump accountable for his crimes and to shine a national spotlight on the decay of the GOP and our democratic institutions. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 10: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene - Past Present - Air Date 2-9-21 In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the controversial tenure of freshman Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Ch. 11: Incitement - What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law - Air Date 1-30-21 With the trial looming, we look at whether Trump has a good argument against the charge he incited a riot on Capitol Hill, and whether or not it's constitutional to impeach someone after they leave office. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on a new game I just invented Game Headlines: Biden to Begin Allowing Asylum Seekers Waiting in Mexico to Enter U.S. Biden to Rescind Medicaid Work Requirements Biden administration launches review aimed at closing Guantanamo prison MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Composite by Amanda Hoffman. Image Includes: "Donald Trump" by Gage Skidmore on Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped/blurred with red overlay *and* "Hats" by Tyler Merbler on Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped with red overlay
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1398_Insurrection_Accountability_Air_Date_2-13-21_General_-_2-13-21_11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:55pm EDT |
Wed, 10 February 2021
Air Date 2/10/2021 Today we take a look at the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the US and around the world. Between White and Black in the US, Israeli and Palestinian in Israel and the Global North and Global South broadly, the legacies of colonialism and racism predictably play themselves out. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSORS: BOMBAS.COM/BEST | C-Span Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Elisabeth Rosenthal on Troubled Vaccine Rollout - CounterSpin - Air Date 1-15-21 Many could and did predict that the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine would be marred by the Trump administration being the Trump administration, and the hollowing out of public health infrastructure. Zeynep Tufecki [@zeynep], associate professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, explains why public health officials send mixed messages on everything from masks to variants. Ch. 3: Racial Disparities Already Taking Shape In Covid Vaccination Rates - MSNBC - Air Date 2-6-21 Rachel Maddow looks at how even though people of color suffer disproportionately more from Covid-19, vaccination statistics are already showing disproportionately fewer people of color being inoculated The Rev. Paul Abernathy on his work addressing vaccine skepticism in Black communities, starting by earning trust and recruiting vaccine trial volunteers in predominantly Black neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. "Israel actually is violating international law because it is denying its responsibility as an occupying power," says Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, member of the Palestinian Parliament "Israelis are getting the vaccines, and Palestinians are getting nothing." As COVID-19 raged and pharmaceutical companies raced to develop a vaccine, Western media routinely asserted the premise that vaccine 'intellectual property' is a zero-sum possession that's been 'stolen' by malicious foreign actors & blackmarket criminals. Ch. 7: Who Owns the COVID-19 Vaccines? - On the Media - Air Date 1-29-21 Dean Baker [@DeanBaker13], senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, on why intellectual property may be getting in the way of vaccine distribution. As COVID-19 raged and pharmaceutical companies raced to develop a vaccine, Western media routinely asserted the premise that vaccine 'intellectual property' is a zero-sum possession that's been 'stolen' by malicious foreign actors & blackmarket criminals. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Vaccine priorities: political and ethical questions about who comes first, after health care workers. Gregg Gonsalves considers the arguments. 40+ African countries have been hit by second wave, and just six have received relatively small vaccine shipments. John Nkengasong, director of the Africa CDC and Prevention, says the world faces "a moral catastrophe" without vaccine equity. VOICEMAILS Ch. 10: Thoughts on "moral panic" - Christina FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on corporations resisting reasonable regulation to avoid setting precedents MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
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Direct download: 1397_Vaccine_Rollout_Air_Date_2-9-21_General_-_2-10-21_12.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:36pm EDT |
Fri, 5 February 2021
Air Date 2/5/2021 Today we take a look at the role that social media plays in the radicalization of discontented communities and engage in the debate over content moderation and de-platforming of individuals. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Why everyone hates Big Tech, with The Verge's Nilay Patel - The Weeds - Air Date 7-19-19 Verge editor-in-chief and Vergecast host Nilay Patel joins Matt in this special crossover episode to explain what Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which allows platforms to circumnavigate liability for user content, really means. Ch. 2: Let’s Break Up Facebook, Google, Amazon - Newsbroke - Air Date 1-30-21 Trump has been removed from the nation’s capital and the nation’s social media feeds. And while it was fun to watch him and other far-right accounts “getting owned” by Twitter, Facebook, Google and other platforms, it does pose an important question Ch. 3: Solving the Facebook Problem at Home and Abroad - On The Media - Air Date 5-22-19 When former Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes penned a New York Times op-ed calling for the breakup of the platform, he was lauded by anti-corporate politicians and the press. Then came a series of hard questions Ch. 4: Zephyr Teachout on "Break 'Em Up" - Off-Kilter - Air Date 8-4-20 Rebecca talks to Zephyr Teachout about her new book "Break 'Em Up: Recovering our Freedom from Big Tech, Big Ag, and Big Money" and why we need an antitrust movement for our time. Sacha Baron Cohen is the well-deserved recipient of ADL’s International Leadership Award, which goes to exceptional individuals who combine professional success with a profound personal commitment to community involvement and to crossing borders Ch. 6: Joan Donovan on how platforms enabled the capital hill riot Part 1 - Big Tech - Air Date 1-21-21 Joan Donovan studies social movements and their use of media and technology to spread their message. Recode’s Peter Kafka speaks with New York Times’s Tech columnist Kevin Roose about big tech’s power and responsibility - and whether it is going to have accountability. Former Facebook Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos joins Mehdi Hasan to explain how Facebook is tackling radicalization on its platform, and where the company is still falling short. Ch. 9: Joan Donovan on how platforms enabled the capital hill riot Part 2 - Big Tech - Air Date 1-21-21 Joan Donovan studies social movements and their use of media and technology to spread their message. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 10: Your Nation's Attention for the Price of a Used Car - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 10-6-20 Today’s extremists don’t need highly produced videos like ISIS. They don’t need deep pockets like Russia. With the right message, a fringe organization can reach the majority of a nation’s Facebook users for the price of a used car. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 11: Final comments on Social Media Externalities MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
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Direct download: 1396_Social_Media_Radicalization_Air_Date_2-5-21_General_-_2-5-21_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:32pm EDT |
Wed, 3 February 2021
Air Date 11/12/2019 Today we take a look at some of the ways that conservative policies, willed into existence almost exclusively by white people, measurably hurt people and shorten life expectancies, including those who most fervently support the self-destructive policies. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) SHOW NOTES ‘People are voting for these policies that are shortening their own life spans.’ — Author of 'Dying of Whiteness' Jonathan Metzl argues that the politics of racial resentment is killing Americans in the heartland. Ch. 2: Slavery and the Lack of Universal Healthcare - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 8-20-19 Jeneen Interlandi, New York Times editorial board member and staff writer for the New York Times Magazine, talks about the intersection of race and lack of universal healthcare in America. Ch. 3: An Incredible Con - Slate Presents: The Queen - Air Date 5-20-19 For presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, Linda Taylor epitomized the brokenness of the federal bureaucracy and the broader trend of poor people getting rich off the public dime. Ch. 4: Dying of Whiteness with Jonathan Metzl - Why Is This Happening? with Chris Hayes - Air Date 3-26-19 Jonathan Metzl writes that the policies promising to Make America Great Again, policies rooted in centering and maintaining the power of whiteness, are shortening the lives of the white Americans who vote for them. Ch. 5: Greater than Fear - Brave New Words - Air Date 9-6-19 In 2018, progressives in Minnesota won across races, defining what it means to be “Minnesotan” through an aspirational narrative of multi-racial populism. Tim speaks with Dr. Jonathan Metzl, a professor of sociology and psychiatry at Vanderbilt University, and the author of the new book, Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America’s Heartland. Ch. 7: People seeking asylum - Brave New Words - Air Date 9-6-19 Over the last few years, facing a conservative and openly xenophobic administration, human rights advocates mounted and won four campaigns challenging offshore detention of people seeking asylum. VOICEMAILS Ch. 8: What was I thinking back then, gosh what am I thinking now? - Alan from Connecticut Ch. 9: Pre-recorded bullshit ads - Dave from Olympia, WA FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 10: Final comments on learning to be wrong and the sad future of podcasting 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: 1318_Why_We_Cannot_Have_Nice_Things_How_Racism_Hurts_Everyone_Including_White_People.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:05pm EDT |
Sun, 31 January 2021
Air Date 1/31/2021 Today we take a look back at the year 2011 in our annual 10-years-past retrospective to see what we may learn. 2010 was an enormous year of news which included the death of Osama Bin Laden, the manufactured budget crisis in Wisconsin, the shooting of Gabby Giffords, Occupy Wall Street, the birth of Trump's Birtherism and much more. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Dumb new congress - Rachel Maddow - Air Date 1-6-11 Ch. 2: Single-Payer Plan - Bernie Sanders Ch. 3: An insiders account of the GOP official strategy - Citizen Radio Ch. 4: Crisis in the Dairyland - For Richer and Poorer (Economics - Wisconsin, Public Unions) - The Daily Show - Air Date 3-3-11 Ch. 5: The survival of the Democratic party in Wisconsin - Rachel Maddow - Air Date 2-17-11 Ch. 6: Scott Walker's Koch Bro. Prank Call - The Young Turks - Air Date 2-23-11 Ch. 7: Evil People Have Plans - Lee Camp Ch. 8: Obama's Wrong-Headed Libyan War - The Progressive Ch. 9: ACLU: Obama Continues Bush Abuses - The Young Turks - Air Date 7-9-11 Ch. 10: Drones not always precise in real world - CounterSpin Ch. 11: A Triumph of Nonviolence in Egypt! - The Progressive Ch. 12: Social Media Allowing Revolutions (Egypt result) - The Young Turks Ch. 13: Osama Bin Laden Dead... What Happens Now? - The David Pakman Show Ch. 14: Activist McKibben: Tar Sands pipeline is climate game over - Countdown Ch. 15: Supporting the EPA and the Koch Bros accidentally fund accurate climate research - Green News Report - Air Date 10-25-11 Ch. 16: Fox News makes you less informed - The Majority Report Ch. 17: The HuffPo buyout and the future of journalism - On the Media Ch. 18: Giffords Shooting 911 Tapes Police Audio First word of Tucson, Arizona shooting, attack on Gabrielle Giffords Ch. 19: FLASHBACK: Right-Wing Media Downplays Threats Toward Democrats - Media Matters Minute Ch. 20: Sarah Palin, Sharron Angle, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck_ Are You Happy Now_ - The Progressive Ch. 21: Oslo Norway Shooter Right Winger...Who's Telling You the Truth? - David Pakman - Air Date 7-26-11 Ch. 22: Congress' Budget-Cutting Immorality - Jim Hightower Ch. 23: Armadebtdon 2011: National Bullshit Ceiling - The Daily Show - Air Date 7-18-11 Ch. 24: Legalized Corruption of Government Exposed by Abramoff - Young Turks - Air Date 11-7-11 Ch. 25: Good news for the big guys - Rachel Maddow - Air Date 4-1-11 Ch. 26: Keith Olbermann reads first collective statement of Occupy Wall Street - Countdown Ch. 27: We stand as one - Joseph Arthur Ch. 28: What the Occupy Wall St movement wants - Planet Money Ch. 29: Occupy my Heart - Ben and Fritz Ch. 30: Cenk Announces Wolf-PAC.com at Occupy Wall Street Ch. 31: Fox News Falsehood: Half of Americans Don't Pay Any Taxes - Media Matters Minute - Air Date 7-18-11 Ch. 32: Trump 2012 - Media Matters Ch. 33: Donald Trump Polls 2012 Presidential Candidate Or Clown_ - The Young Turks - Air Date 4-13-11 Ch. 34: The Trump Inc. Podcast Made a Time Capsule - Trump Inc. - Air Date 1-19-21 Ch. 35: Final comments MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1395_2011_Retrospective_Air_Date_1-31-21_Members_-_1-31-21_11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:48pm EDT |
Tue, 26 January 2021
Air Date 1/26/2021 Today we take a look at our long history of ignoring domestic, right-wing terrorism from the Oklahoma City bombing through to the predictable actions of militia groups in 2020 and beyond. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSORS: Unf*cking the Republic CALL TO ACTION: Join the CCAN Polar Plunge to fight Climate Change: KeepWinterCold.org Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Tracing the roots of the America's biggest domestic terror attack - PBS News Hour - Air Date 2-17-20 The 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing was the largest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. A new documentary on the PBS series American Experience takes a fresh look at the events and motivations that led to the attack by Timothy McVeigh Ch. 2: The Dangers of White Supremacy - It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders - Air Date 10-2-20 Sam talks with Kathleen Belew, assistant professor of history at the University of Chicago, about what we get wrong when we talk about the white power movement. While working as a senior analyst in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2009, Daryl Johnson authored a report warning about the increasing dangers of violent right-wing extremism in the United States, sparking a political firestorm in the process Ch. 4: How the Oklahoma City Bombing Changed the U.S. - AJ+ - Air Date 2-26-19 In the almost 25 years since explosives killed 168 adults and children, what has the United States learned from the Oklahoma City bombing? And what can it tell us about the future of far-right extremism in the U.S.? Ch. 5: Most Violence is Right Wing. Period. Stop Lying - David Pakman Show - Air Date 8-22-19 Most violence is right wing, and it's important not to be distracted from that undeniable reality. The government must wake up to the threat of domestic terrorism before it's too late, says former Homeland Security counterterrorism analyst Daryl Johnson. Ch. 7: What’s Fueling Far-Right Hate in America? - AJ+ - Air Date 2-19-19 The number of far-right extremist groups prone to violence is increasing in the U.S. It's a threat the government was warned about a decade ago. But what's fueling the rise of hate, and what's the nation doing to combat it? Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson discusses what the Biden administration's national security team will have to undertake. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) To talk about the rise of white supremacist violence and the Trump administration’s response, we speak to Daryl Johnson, a former senior analyst in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. No one listened when the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI sounded the alarm about the rise of white supremacist and far-right domestic terrorism, says former DHS intelligence analyst Daryl Johnson and Greg Huffman of Facing South. VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: We made it! (But not all of us) - Nick from California Ch. 12: The cause and result of moral panic - Paul from Vermont FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 13: Final comments on moral panic and the shifting eras of white supremacist violence MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: Composite design by Amanda Hoffman. Original images: "Proud Boy - Jan 6th" Elvert Barnes on Flickr, License | "Before the Siege" by Elvert Barnes on Flickr, License | "Tree of Life building at sunset" by David Fulmer on Flickr, Lincese | "Charleston Church" (Mother Emmanuel) by Zack Carlson on Flickr, Public Domain | "20th Anniversary - Oklahoma City Bombing" by US Army Corps of Engineers - Tulsa, License
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1394_Ignoring_Right-Wing_Terror_Air_Date_1-26-21_General_-_1-26-21_20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:06pm EDT |
Sat, 23 January 2021
Air Date 4/2/2019 Today we take a look at the so-called "Algorithms of Oppression." Not that they're made to be that way on purpose but that it is a natural outcome of a profit-based system that incentivizes people to post the most click-baity content while the system learns the viewer's weaknesses to ruthlessly feed them whatever will keep them engaged. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content: Support our show on Patreon! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Social Media Propagates Hate - Brian Lehrer - Air Date 3-21-19 YouTube will keep playing until you stop it, and it pushes extremes regardless of ideology. It is ruthlessly optimized to keep humans engaged, and YouTube can't possibly police their own content. Ch. 2: Algorithms of Oppression with Dr. Safiya Noble - Delete Your Account - Air Date 4-11-18 Dylan Roof was radicalized through Google - searching one thing gives you further items down the rabbit hole - not the opposing viewpoint. What's worse, is big tech has no accountability for their actions. Ch. 3: The Algorithm with Adam Conover - Point of Inquiry - Air Date 1-10-19 We are all falling for the YouTube slot machine of instant gratification Ch. 4: Fighting White Supremacy on Social Media - Brian Lehrer - Air Date 3-19-19 Are tech companies trying to crack down on hate speech? Those articles are super profitable for social media, and it creates a sensation, so they're not incentivized to change. Ch. 5: Yuval Noah Harari on Hacking Humanity - Ideas from CBC Radio - Air Date 9-5-18 Yuval Harari joins to discuss the human animal and our irrelevance in the digital age. At least when we were being exploited we were still needed. Ch. 6: Is the Press Finally Learning How to Cover White Supremacy? - On the Media - Air Date 3-22-19 Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google are still light years away from developing an enforceable code of ethics for dealing with hate groups but Bob and Joan Donovan discuss why she believes that stymieing the spread of hate online is possible. EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE Facebook is finally banning white supremacy that goes by other names (TechCrunch) Google’s algorithms are keeping us in a political bubble, study finds (MarketWatch) How to Escape Your Political Bubble for a Clearer View (The New York Times, 2017) Echo chambers are dangerous – we must try to break free of our online bubbles (The Guardian, 2017) 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: Rerun_1261_Algorithms_of_extremism_Air_Date_4-2-19_Ad_Free_-_1-23-21_13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:59pm EDT |
Tue, 19 January 2021
MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Air Date 1/19/2021 Today we take a look at the historical roots and modern manifestations of how white supremacy has turned the GOP base into Frankenstein's monster which cannot be controlled and has finally turned on its creator Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES As the House votes to impeach President Trump, the FBI warns there could be a repeat of the violent insurrection he encouraged on January 6, with Trump loyalists planning to hold armed protests nationwide ahead of Joe Biden·s inauguration. Ch. 2: ACLU Responds to Events at the U.S. Capitol Part 2 - At Liberty - Air Date 1-8-21 We wanted to come together to respond to the moment: focusing on moving forward with electoral integrity and a deeper commitment to racial justice. Today you’ll hear experts from the ACLU in conversation: Monica Hopkins, Jeffrey Robinson, and Dale Ho. Ch. 3: Confederate Offspring - Strange Days with Fernand Amandi - Air Date 1-14-21 Jared Yates Sexton & Tim Wise Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared her 'close encounter' during the Capitol riots, and ripped apart Republican 'cowards' during an IG Live. Ch. 5: We've Had Insurrections Before Part 2 - It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders - Air Date 1-12-21 Sam revisits this history with Jamelle Bouie, columnist at The New York Times. They explore why the path toward political unity in our time might actually be through division. Ch. 6: The January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol - Past Present - Air Date 1-12-21 In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Ch. 7: Debunking the Pro-Trump Economic Anxiety Myth - The Choice - Air Date 1-14-21 The Atlantic’s Adam Serwer joins Mehdi Hasan to explain why the Capitol insurrectionists are part of the tradition of painting Trump's supporters as poor and uneducated when they are anything but. Ch. 8: Why Republicans Must Rebuke Trump's Big Lie - All In - Air Date 1-14-21 “If people like Jim Jordan really want to help, they can go on Fox News and tell people there was no election fraud, that this was a free and fair vote. And their side lost,” says Chris Hayes. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) TOM PERRIELLO, now Executive Director of the Open Society Foundation-U.S., explains how the country might be able to carve a path forward to reconciliation and healing after Trump leaves office. Donald Trump riotous insurrection is not merely about economic oppression and class, as some have argued over the last week. VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: The importance of the work of this show - V from Central New York Ch. 12: Flying the flag on January 20 - Bud from Boise Ch. 13: Sharing the show - Rainer from Cuba FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 14: Final comments introducing FDR's Second Inaugural Speech Ch. 15: Second Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1393_GOP_Frankensteins_Monster_Air_Date_1-19-21_General_-_1-19-21_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:16pm EDT |
Sat, 16 January 2021
Air Date 1/16/2021 Today we take a look at the underlying fears and motivations for the insurrection that go beyond the Big Lie™ of a stolen election to the bedrock of white supremacy that has driven white riots for more than 100 years. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: ACLU Responds to Events at the U.S. Capitol - At Liberty - Air Date 1-8-21 We wanted to come together to respond to the moment: focusing on moving forward with electoral integrity and a deeper commitment to racial justice. Today you’ll hear experts from the ACLU in conversation: Monica Hopkins, Jeffrey Robinson, and Dale Ho. Ch. 2: Dorothee Benz on January 6 Insurrection - CounterSpin - Air Date 1-8-21 We talk about coverage of the January 6 attack on the Capitol with political scientist Dorothee Benz. Ch. 3: We've Had Insurrections Before - It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders - Air Date 1-12-21 Sam revisits this history with Jamelle Bouie, columnist at The New York Times. They explore why the path toward political unity in our time might actually be through division. As the House votes to impeach President Trump, the FBI warns there could be a repeat of the violent insurrection he encouraged on January 6, with Trump loyalists planning to hold armed protests nationwide ahead of Joe Biden·s inauguration. Ch. 5: Governor Schwarzenegger's Message Following this Week's Attack on the Capitol "This is my message to my fellow Americans and my friends around the world after January 6, 2021." As the House votes to impeach President Trump, the FBI warns there could be a repeat of the violent insurrection he encouraged on January 6, with Trump loyalists planning to hold armed protests nationwide ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration. Donald Trump made history yet again on Wednesday by becoming the first President to be impeached twice. Ten Republicans joined Democrats in the U.S. House to charge the soon-to-be-former President with "Incitement of Insurrection". Constitutional attorney John Bonifaz says the House “did its duty” and that the Senate must move to take up impeachment proceedings. “Those who did not vote to convict last time are responsible, in part, for allowing this president to stay in office..." VOICEMAILS Ch. 10: Fear-anger and the capital - Alan from Connecticut Ch. 11: Conversing respectfully and the ammo shortage - Beth from Seattle Ch. 12: The joys of sharing - Jon from Omaha, NE FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 13: Final comments on anger, conspiratorial thinking and secret artwork MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE "BEFORE THE SIEGE" by Elvert Barnes on Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, Black Vignette, Increased contrast & saturation
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1392_Insurrection_Air_Date_1-16-21_Members_-_1-16-21_22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:58pm EDT |
Sun, 10 January 2021
Air Date 1/10/2021 Today, in our 15th-anniversary episode, we take a look at the the years and years of warning signs we having been highlighting since 2006 that collectively predict the armed insurrection against the government as the natural end point for a radicalized, conspiratorial, White/Christian-supremacist, permanently-minoritarian political movement that has lost its ability to win power by legitimate means. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! EPISODE SPONSOR: The New Yorker Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: American Fascists, Chris Hedges - Ring of Fire - Air Date 2-12-07 Chris Hedges explains the decades-old prediction of the rise of Christian fascism Ch. 2: Ginsberg and O'Connor death threats - Rachel Maddow - Air Date 2006 Ginsberg and O'Connor deal with detailed death threats as part of the effort to take over the judiciary Ch. 3: O'Connor Decries Republican Attacks on Courts - NPR Morning Edition - Air Date: 3-10-2006 Sandra Day O'Connor warns of creeping dictatorial tendencies referencing efforts to control the courts Ch. 4: Avoid these ends by avoiding these beginnings - The Young Turks - Air Date 3-22-2006 Cenk Uygur highlights the need to prevent dictatorship by avoiding the first steps that can lead to it Ch. 5: Tim Wise on How Donald Trump Legitimizes Racist Ideas - @DavidPakmanShow - Air Date 01-07-16 Tim Wise explains what drives Trump supporters and the burgeoning Trumpism movement Sasha Abramsky speaks with Trump supporters, many of whom ask him his ethnicity before being willing to speak with him Ch. 7: Thirty Black People Booted From Trump Rally - @theyoungturks - Air Date 03-02-16 Secret Service agent choke-slams a journalist at a Trump rally. What will Trump do if he actually wins? Ch. 8: CNN's morally bankrupt hiring of former Trump campaign staffer - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 7-1-16 CNN profits from the Trump campaign to the detriment of the country Ch. 9: Trump Victory Inspires Acts Of Hate Against Minorities - @RingOfFireRadio - Air Date 11-11-16 Post-election rash of hate-crimes spike after Trump victory. Ch. 10: You Will Not Believe This Insane Antisemitic Email - @DavidPakmanShow - Air Date 11-14-16 David Pakman shares an email he recieved and vandilism he witnessed in the wake of Trump's victory Ch. 11: A White Nationalist Will Be Advising Trump'��s Administration - @RingOfFireRadio - Air Date 11-14-16 Steve Bannon tapped to join the Trump administration Ch. 12: How to fight our enemies, the blacks and jews - A real-life White supremacist podcast - Air Date 11-10-16 Clips from an unabashedly White-nationalist podcast in the wake of Trump's election win Ch. 13: It can't happen here - Ideas from the CBC - Air Date 1-17-17 A look at the long history of racial grivance that fuels fascist tendencies in the US Trump issues an executive order effectively banning Muslims from several countries Trump's treatment of the media is precisely in line with the strategies of dictators around the world Trump doubles down when criticized for his comments in the wake of the Charlottesville White supremacists rally Ch. 17: Donald Trump Puts Our Democracy and Our Lives in Serious Danger - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 01-13-18 Not a single president has met more than one of the four qualities identified by political scientists as warning signs of an authoritarian or fascist leader. Trump meets them all. Is this how our Democracy dies? Scott Crow explains why the rise of progressive-left movements are always countered by a rise in right-wing conspiracy theories and why fascism downright requires conspiracies to survive. Donald Trump is "stoking and inciting - for the purposes of political power - the worst amongst us to take action in his name," says Steve Schmidt. Ch. 20: Violent Extremism in the U.S. - NowThis World - Air Date 11-4-18 White supremacist and other right-wing violence are currently the deadliest active domestic extremist movements in the U.S., according to data from several civil rights groups that track hate crimes and extremist violence. Ch. 21: Corruption of Department of Justice Sets Off Alarm Bells - Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 2-12-20 Rachel discusses the crisis in the justice department and the authoritarian actions of Trump. 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. 23: 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. 24: 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. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 25: Final comments to wrap up this anniversary episode MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1391_Fascism_Remix_Air_Date_1-9-21_General_-_1-10-21_12.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT |
Tue, 5 January 2021
MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? Details -> advertisecast.com/BestoftheLeft Air Date 1/5/2021 Today we take a look at the often-overlooked decade of Reconstruction in the wake of the Civil War. After hundreds of years of slavery, Reconstruction was a brief moment of relative democracy and equality before the white power structure reasserted itself and instated the policies that would be known as "Jim Crow Laws" which would last another 80 years. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: The Second Revolution Part 1 - Scene on Radio - Air Date 2-19-20 After the Civil War, a surprising coalition tried to remake the United States into a real multiracial democracy for the first time. Reconstruction, as the effort was called, brought dramatic change to America. For a while. Sam hosts Pulitzer Prize-winning Yale Historian David Blight to discuss his recent biography of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, and how the Reconstruction era lives on in our contemporary politics. Ch. 3: The Second Revolution Part 2 - Scene on Radio - Air Date 2-19-20 After the Civil War, a surprising coalition tried to remake the United States into a real multiracial democracy for the first time. Reconstruction, as the effort was called, brought dramatic change to America. For a while. Ch. 4: Slavery, Race, and the Confederate Army - Professor Buzzkill History Podcast - Air Date 8-14-18 Professor Colin Woodward joins us to discuss the importance of slavery in the minds of Confederate soldiers, as well as its effects on military policy and decision making. He tells us about the Rebels’ persistent belief in the need to defend slavery Ch. 5: The Second Revolution Part 3 - Scene on Radio - Air Date 2-19-20 After the Civil War, a surprising coalition tried to remake the United States into a real multiracial democracy for the first time. Reconstruction, as the effort was called, brought dramatic change to America. For a while. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 6: The Second Revolution Part 4 - Scene on Radio - Air Date 2-19-20 VOICEMAILS Ch. 7: Experiment with Refer-o-Matic - Nick From California New Ch. 8: Power and defining the marginalized - Pat from Chicago FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 9: Final comments on the epic Refer-o-Matic program and why we should be messaging to rural America MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
SHOW IMAGE: "Statue of 'Robert Smalls, U.S. Congressman' -- The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) Washington (DC) October 2016" by Ron Cogswell, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1390_Reconstruction_Air_Date_1-5-21_General_-_1-5-21_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:30pm EDT |
Sat, 2 January 2021
MEMBERSHIP and Gift Memberships! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! Air Date 6/29/2020 Today we take a look deeper at the concept of "I can't breathe," going beyond the literal utterances by victims of police brutality and COVID-19 sufferers to the metaphorical epidemic of exhaustion, burnout, depression and disaffection in the US and around the world. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com SHOW NOTES Matt Binder discusses the Black Lives Matter protests, the police killing of George Floyd, the media's narrative on the protests, riots, and looting, the "outside agitator" trope, and the looming cloud of the coronavirus pandemic. Writer William C. Anderson on the real theft in capitalist society and the uprisings against it, and his article "Forget 'Looting.' Capitalism Is the Real Robbery" for Truthout. Ch. 3: George Floyd, you, me… us - Jim Hightower - Air Date 6-9-20 There’s a growing understanding that we really are “all in this together,” so we’ve got to stand up for George Floyd, each other… and the America we want. Ch. 4: The End of Policing with Alex Vitale Part 1 - Tysky Sour, 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. Boston College History Professor Heather Cox Richardson joins Preet to discuss the evolution of the Republican Party, the utility of historical parallels in this time of protest, and the policies that might help heal our nation. Ch. 6: The End of Policing with Alex Vitale Part 2 - Tysky, 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. “These are not just repeats of past events,” says scholar Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor. “These are the consequences of the failures of this government and the political establishment … to resolve these crises.” Ch. 8: The End of Policing with Alex Vitale Part 3 - Tysky, 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. The Uprising and Its Leadership: What Does it Look Like in This Moment? How can leadership lead a social movement to victory? Professor Cornel West calls the U.S. a “predatory capitalist civilization obsessed with money, money, money.” He also makes connections between U.S. violence abroad and at home. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 11: Final comments on how we all push ourselves until we can't breathe MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1355_The_Three_Words_That_Define_an_Era_I_Cant_Breathe_repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:46pm EDT |
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