Best of the Left Podcast

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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.

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Transcript

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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):

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Direct download: 1395_2011_Retrospective_Air_Date_1-31-21_Members_-_1-31-21_11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:48pm EDT

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 

Transcript

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EPISODE SPONSORS: Unf*cking the Republic

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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.

Ch. 3: Former DHS Analyst Daryl Johnson on How He Was Silenced for Warning of Far-Right Militants - Democracy Now - Air Date 9-9-12

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.

Ch. 6: Opinion | Far-right militias and domestic terrorism in America: 'This threat got ahead of us' - Washington Post - Air Date 9-29-20

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?

Ch. 8: Fmr. DHS Sec. Jeh Johnson: 'Principal Terrorist Threat Is Far-Right Violent Extremism' - MSNBC - Air Date 1-20-21

Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson discusses what the Biden administration's national security team will have to undertake.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Former DHS Analyst Trump Administration Not Taking White Nationalist Threat Seriously Enough - Democracy Now - Air Date 4-30-19

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.

Ch. 10: DHS Was Tracking White Supremacist Terrorists, but Nobody Wanted to Listen - The Real News - Air Date 9-20-19

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):

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

SHOW IMAGE:

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

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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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

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.

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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)

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):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Inessential - Bayou Birds
  • Heather - Migration
  • Gondola Blue - Towboat
  • Astrisx - Bodytonic
  • Solemn Application - Wax Museum
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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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

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Transcript


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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: “American Abyss” Fascism Historian Tim Snyder on Trump’s Coup Attempt, Impeachment & What’s Next Part 3 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-13-21

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

Ch. 4: AOC Shares 'Close Encounter', Rips Apart GOP 'Cowards' During Livestream - The Rational National - Air Date 1-13-21

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)

Ch. 9: Trump impeached again; Guest Former diplomat, Rep. Tom Perriello of Open Society US Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 1-13-21

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.

Ch. 10: The Trump Riot Insurrection is NOT Only About Economic Oppression - David Pakman Show - Air Date 1-12-21

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

My Fellow Americans Book

My Fellow Americans Podcast


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1393_GOP_Frankensteins_Monster_Air_Date_1-19-21_General_-_1-19-21_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:16pm EDT

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 

Transcript

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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.

Ch. 4: “American Abyss” Fascism Historian Tim Snyder on Trump’s Coup Attempt, Impeachment & What’s Next Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-13-21

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."

Ch. 6: “American Abyss” Fascism Historian Tim Snyder on Trump’s Coup Attempt, Impeachment & What’s Next Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-13-21

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. 7: Trump impeached again; Guest Former diplomat, Rep. Tom Perriello of Open Society US - The BradCast - Air Date 1-13-21

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".

Ch. 8: Constitutional Lawyer Trump Is a Clear & Present Danger, a Senate Impeachment Trial Is Needed Now - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-14-21

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):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Black Lives Matter: Make it Good Again - Song for Change
  • As America Bleeds - Jason Zucker
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

SHOW IMAGE

"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

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1392_Insurrection_Air_Date_1-16-21_Members_-_1-16-21_22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:58pm EDT

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 

Transcript

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EPISODE SPONSOR: The New Yorker

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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

Ch. 6: Sasha Abramsky on what Trump supporters really think - Start Making Sense from @TheNation - Air Date 3-2-16

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 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

Ch. 14: The Attorney General Defied Trump's Muslim Ban. He Did One Thing He Knows How to Do He Fired Her - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 01-31-17

Trump issues an executive order effectively banning Muslims from several countries

Ch. 15: Christiane Amanpour on the state of the media in a post fact-world - The Investigators with Diana Swain, CBC - Air Date 11-25-16

Trump's treatment of the media is precisely in line with the strategies of dictators around the world

Ch. 16: Antifa: A Look at the Antifascist Movement Confronting White Supremacists in the Streets - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 08-16-17

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?

Ch. 18: Scott Crow on understanding conspiracy narratives required for fascist thinking - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 2-19-18

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.

Ch. 19: Steve Schmidt President Donald Trump Is 'Stoking And Inciting' Worst Among Us - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 10-29-18

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.

Ch. 22: Trump Attacks Anti-Fascists But Is Silent on Boogaloo & Far-Right Groups Engaged in Deadly Violence - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-23-20

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

Ch. 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):

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1391_Fascism_Remix_Air_Date_1-9-21_General_-_1-10-21_12.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

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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 

Transcript


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.

Ch. 2: The Power of Frederick Douglass and the 2nd American Revolution w/ David Blight - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 9-29-20

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):

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

SHOW IMAGE:

"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

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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

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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

Ch. 1: Black Lives Matter Protests, "Outside Agitators," and the Coronavirus - DOOMED with Matt Binder - Air Date 5-30-20

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.

Ch. 2: Structural robbery, mass resistance with William C. Anderson Part 2 - 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. 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.

Ch. 5: America, Racism & Patterns of Change (with Heather Cox Richardson)- Stay Tuned with Preet - Air Date - 6-11-20

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.

Ch. 7: Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor on how racism & racial terrorism fueled nationwide anger - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-1-20

“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.

Ch. 9: The Uprising and Its Leadership: What Does it Look Like in This Moment? - The Takeaway - Air Date 6-10-20

The Uprising and Its Leadership: What Does it Look Like in This Moment? How can leadership lead a social movement to victory?

Ch. 10: Cornel West: Nationwide uprisings herald "America's moment of reckoning" - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-1-20

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):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Thannoid - Bodytonic
  • Hickory Shed - Onesuch Village
  • Coronea - Marisala
  • Cloud Line - K4
  • Decompression - Rayling
  • Jackbird - Feathers
  • Cat's Eye - Marble Run
  • Rafter - Speakeasy
  • Lord Weasel - Molerider
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1355_The_Three_Words_That_Define_an_Era_I_Cant_Breathe_repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:46pm EDT