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Air Date 9/29/2021

Today we take a look at the so-called "crisis" on the border involving Haitians attempting to cross into the United States. Some say it's a crisis the US is dealing with, others say it's inappropriate to call human beings a crisis. We humbly suggest that these human beings, not the US, are EXPERIENCING a crisis and the US is exacerbating it. And Biden, by following Trump’s policies, is creating a political crisis for himself.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Border Crisis: Thousands Of Haitians Flown to Haiti Against Their Will - Consider This - Air Date 9-23-21

Thousands of Haitan migrants who were camping out under a bridge in a Texas border town seeking to cross the Rio Grande and find refuge in the US are now being forced back to their home country.

Ch. 2: Psaki Disingenuous When Grilled About Horseback Border Patrol Agents Whipping Haitian Migrants - The Majority Report - Air Date 9-21-21

Psaki cites title 42, a Trump administration rule program allowing the government to expel refugees under the cover of preventing Covid-19 from spreading in the US. The MR crew discusses how disingenuous it is of the Biden Administration

Ch. 3: Not a Humane System - In The Thick - Air Date 9-24-21

Maria and Julio dive deep into the violent border enforcement we witnessed in Del Rio, Texas where thousands of Haitian refugees were being held and turned away. They discuss the horrifying images of Border Patrol agents attacking Haitian iimmigrants.

Ch. 4: Coronavirus-fuelled racism adds to Haitians' plight in Chile - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 5-7-20

Haitians in Chile - the largest migrant community in Latin America - are underpaid and often live in dire conditions.

Ch. 5: What Does Haiti Actually Need? Part 1 - What Next - Air Date 8-25-21

The compounding crises in Haiti aren’t a product of bad luck. They are the result of hundreds of years of international interference and poorly-designed aid programs.

Ch. 6: Haiti Needs a New Narrative - On the Media - Air Date 8-4-21

In the wake of the assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse on July 7th, international media rushed to cover Haiti’s latest political crisis—painting a familiar picture of a nation in turmoil, Haitians in need.

Ch. 7: What Does Haiti Actually Need? Part 2 - What Next - Air Date 8-25-21

The compounding crises in Haiti aren’t a product of bad luck. They are the result of hundreds of years of international interference and poorly-designed aid programs.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Haiti and International Aid - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 8-23-21

After a 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Haiti’s southwestern region, many of us were left wondering -- what does it mean to best support Haiti through disaster? And if the global community has donated so much humanitarian aid, why does it keep happening?


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on viral images from the border and why truth is at a structural disadvantage


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 (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Direct download: 1445_Haitians_on_the_Border_Air_Date_9-29-21_General_-_9-29-21_14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:09am EDT

Air Date 9/25/2021

Today we take a look at the continuing efforts of Trump and his supporters to subvert and ultimately destroy democracy through conspiracy theories, gerrymandering and harassment campaigns

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Trump Sends Delusional Letter Demanding He Be Declared Georgia Winner - David Pakman Show - Air Date 9-20-21

Donald Trump sends a delusional letter to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger requesting Trump be declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election in the state

Ch. 2: The American Prospects' Harold Meyerson on lessons from the GOP's failed CA Recall - The BradCast - Air Date 9-25-21

Analysis of the CA recall as a giant waste of time and money

Ch. 3: Agents of White Supremacy - In The Thick - Air Date 9-17-21

Nathalie Baptiste writes about the flaws of California’s recall election process in this piece for Mother Jones.

Ch. 4: Republican war on elections makes casualties of civilian stewards of democracy - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 9-17-21

Tonight's guests are Charles Stewart III, professor of political science at M.I.T.; and Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University.

Ch. 5: Can Americans Believe In Democracy After This Redistricting Cycle w/ David Daley - The Majority Report - Air Date 9-12-21

Sam Seder discusses gerrymandering with David Daley.

Ch. 6: Donald Trump is Not Going Away No Matter How Much You Wish He Would - The Chauncey DeVega Show - Air Date 9-20-21

Mary Trump explains why so many Americans are still in deep denial about Donald Trump’s enduring power and his ability to cause destruction and other harm to American society and the world.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Redistricting Battle Heats Up Across the U.S. - The Takeaway - Air Date 9-21-21

Ari Berman, senior reporter at Mother Jones, joined The Takeaway to talk redistricting and gerrymandering around the country, as well as the districts and states to watch in the coming months.

Ch. 8: How Will the Ongoing Trump Coup End - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-5-21

Trump's slow coup is setting off a nuclear bomb at the heart of our Republic, but the scariest part no one knows if Democracy will survive?


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Safe, legal, and rare bullshit - Alyson from Boulder, CO

Ch. 10: 9/11 and inevitable slide/leap into wars - Maureen from Boston

Ch. 11: The war prayer - Maureen from Boston


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on how to avoid conspiratorial thinking


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 (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A group of middle-aged and older men stand under a hand-written protest sign that says "Stop the Steal", some wearing camouflage, some wearing masks, all wearing varying baseball caps. Location: Minnesota State Capitol.

Credit: "Stop the Steal" by Chad Davis, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1444_Trumpism.Elections_Air_Date_9-25-21_General_-_9-25-21_17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:09am EDT

Air Date 9/21/2021

Today we take a look at the parallel legacies of 9/11 including the war on terror and military spending, the casual acceptance of Islamophobia, the adoption of ever-wilder conspiracy theories, and the acceleration of the political divide in America culminating, so far, in the January 6th Insurrection.

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Transcript

 

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: 9/11: A Story in Three Parts. - Unf*cking The Republic - Air Date 9-10-21

We were tempted to let the 20th anniversary of 9/11 pass given it will be oversaturated with remembrances and armchair punditry as well as the usual tragedy porn imagery.

Ch. 2: Endless militarization has bled US society dry - The Real News Podcast - Air Date 9-14-21

It’s been 20 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Since then, the US has channeled an unfathomable amount of its resources into the military-industrial complex.

Ch. 3: “Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire”: Deepa Kumar on How Racism Fueled U.S. Wars Post-9/11 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-14-21

According to the Costs of War Project, the wars launched by the United States following 9/11 have killed an estimated 929,000 people in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere.

Ch. 4: 20 Years Later: How 9/11 Changed Being Muslim in America - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 9-10-21

Rowaida Abdelaziz, national reporter for HuffPost where she focuses on immigration, Islamophobia, and social justice issues, joins to discuss how being Muslim in the United States changed after the September 11th attacks.

Ch. 5: 20 Years Since 9/11, 20 Years of Conspiracy Theories - Doomed - Air Date 9-10-21

Matt looks at the conspiracies, hoaxes, and urban legends that surround the day and the Bush administration.

Ch. 6: The road from 9/11 to Donald Trump - Vox Conversations - Air Date 9-12-21

Sean Illing talks with national security reporter Spencer Ackerman, author of the new book Reign of Terror. They discuss the staggering changes to our country in the 20 years since 9/11

Ch. 7: America, 20 years after 9/11 - World Review from the New Statesman - Air Date 9-10-21

Jeremy Cliffeand Sarah Manavis are joined by New Yorker columnist and author Evan Osnos to discuss his new book, Wildland: The Making of America’s Fury and how America has changed since the attacks on New York and Washington.

Ch. 8: The Direct Line From 9/11 to January 6th - WhoWhatWhy - Air Date 9-10-21

Award-winning journalist Spencer Ackerman examines how 9/11 opened the door to America’s worst historical impulses and led directly to Donald Trump and January 6th.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Rescue 9/11 w/ Jim Lobe and Laila Ujayli - American Prestige - Air Date 9-11-21

The boys interview Laila Ujayli, associate editor at Inkstick Media, about growing up as a young Muslim in post-9/11 America.

Ch. 10: Congressmember Barbara Lee, the Lone Vote for Peace After the September 11th Attacks - Breaking the Sound Barrier by Amy Goodman - Air Date 9-9-21

Congressmember Lee courageously voted no against the AUMF twenty years ago.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on Brian Williams and the campaigns we can win vs the campaigns worth winning


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: The camera looks up at a young Muslim woman, wearing a black hoodie with the hood up over her black head covering, as she stands outside a glass entryway looking out into the distance. An American flag is wrapped around her shoulders.

Credit: "Protest against Donald Trump's Muslim ban" by Fibonacci Blue | License | Changes: Cropped and very slight increase in contrast, brightness and saturation

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

 

Direct download: 1443_9.11_Air_Date_9-21-21_General_-_9-21-21_20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:59pm EDT

Air Date 9/18/2021

Today we take a look at the new Texas abortion restrictions and the response from the Supreme Court along with lots of contextualizing commentary taking us back to the Fugitive Slave Act and all the way through to the strain of patriarchal White terrorism that is at the core of the current conservative movement.

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: Marjorie Cohn on Texas Abortion Law, Kimberly Inez McGuire on Abortion Realities Part 1 - CounterSpin - Air Date 9-10-21

We’ll talk with Marjorie Cohn, professor emerita at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, former president of the National Lawyers Guild and author of, among other titles, Drones and Targeted Killing: Legal, Moral and Geopolitical Issues.

Ch. 2: Abortion, Surveillance, and Vigilantism: An American Story Part 1: Fugitive Slave Act - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 9-3-21

SB 8 is unconstitutional and good to go in Texas (and probably a bunch of other states too).

Ch. 3: Marjorie Cohn on Texas Abortion Law, Kimberly Inez McGuire on Abortion Realities Part 2 - CounterSpin - Air Date 9-10-21

Ch. 4: Abortion, Surveillance, and Vigilantism: An American Story Part 2: Distain for the life of the pregnant - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 9-3-21

Ch. 5: Texas Abortion Providers Grapple with New Reality Under Restrictive Law Part 1 - The Takeaway - Air Date 9-3-21

The most restrictive ever abortion rights laws in the U.S. went into effect in the Lone Star state. Called SB8, it bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, before most people even know they’re pregnant.

Ch. 6: Abortion, Surveillance, and Vigilantism: An American Story Part 3: Political Bias of the Court - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 9-3-21

Ch. 7: What Democrats Can Do To Fight the TX Handmaid's Tale (w Elie Mystal) - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 9-7-21

Texas Republicans are creating a real life Handmaid's Tale, does Elie Mystal know how to fight it? Elie Mystal is the justice correspondent for The Nation and author of the forthcoming book, Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution.

Ch. 8: Abortion, Surveillance, and Vigilantism: An American Story Part 4: Failure of the Left and Press - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 9-3-21

Ch. 9: FURY - Gaslit Nation - Air Date 9-7-21

This week’s episode is devoted to the Texas state attack on reproductive rights and civil rights and its ramifications – not just for Texans, but for all Americans.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: Abortion, Surveillance, and Vigilantism: An American Story Part 5: Context of the 80s & 90s - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 9-3-21

Ch. 11: Texas Abortion Providers Grapple with New Reality Under Restrictive Law Part 2 - The Takeaway - Air Date 9-3-21

The Jane Collective was a group that operated out of Chicago and performed thousands of abortions between 1969 and 1973. Guest Laura Kaplan, author of a book about the collective, The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 12: Theory of change; a sub-theory - Scott from Canada

Ch. 13: Paying congress less is a bad idea - Nick From California


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 14: Final comments on the virtues of militaristic messaging


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

Image Credit:The Burden is Undue

by Lorie Shaull, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, slightly enhanced contrast

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1442_Texas_Abortion_Law_Air_Date_9-18-21_General_-_9-17-21_15.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am EDT

Air Date 10/09/2020

Today we take a look at the future of abortion rights and the broader reproductive justice movement in the face of a conservative super-majority on the Supreme Court

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: How The GOP Ended Up Hating Abortion - AJ+ - Air Date 8-4-19

Republicans and their base used to be more supportive of abortion rights than Democrats. Now, they’re pushing for abortion restrictions with an aim to overturn Roe v. Wade. Why did the GOP turn its back on abortion rights?

Ch. 2: Body of Law Beyond Roe - On the Media - Air Date 12-13-19

Activist and scholar Loretta Ross explains the tenets of reproductive justice and how they expand the frame beyond Roe and abortion; Reva Siegel of Yale Law School describes the framework of ProChoiceLife.

Ch. 3: Everyone Loves Someone Who Had an Abortion - National Network of Abortion Funds - Air Date 4-16-20

Access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion, largely depends on where you live and how much money you have. Abortion funds are taking the hassle and harassment out of healthcare by helping people all across our network access and fund abortions.

Ch. 4: 'It is time to have a national law to protect the right of a woman’s choice': Warren - ABC News - Air Date 2-7-20

Candidates weigh in on current abortion laws and President Donald Trump's campaign promise to shift the Supreme Court to the right.

Ch. 5: What Happens When You Restrict Abortion? - AJ+ - Air Date 10-8-19

Restricting abortion access doesn’t have the same impact on everyone. It adversely affects people of color and low-income residents more. But why and how? We traveled to the place with the largest percentage of Black residents in the U.S. to find out.

Ch. 6: The Shadows of a Revolution - Capitalism Hits Home with Dr. Harriet Fraad and Julianna Forlano - Air Date 5-31-20

Lost abortion rights and no paid maternity or family leaves keep women from advancing at work as they take time to care for children. Abortion and family leaves are sites of the revolutionary struggle for America's personal and family life.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 7: "One Person, One Vote" is our saddest and scariest myth - Lance


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 8: Final comments on the zombie talking point of us living in a republic rather than a democracy


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSpotify | +more

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

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on Apple PodcastsStitcher and Facebook!

Direct download: Rerun_1373_Repro_Justice_Air_Date_10-9-20_Members_-_9-15-21_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:47pm EDT

Original Air Date: 9-1-21

Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss:

- How dynastic billionaires are destroying democracy

- The mass psychosis induced by discussing mass psychosis

 

Reference:

You Can Have Billionaires or You Can Have Democracy

 

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

 

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_237_Sample_-_9-14-21_18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:03pm EDT

Air Date 9/11/2021

Today we dig through the archives to give deeper context to the current wave of right-wing extremists threatening violence against the government, our election system, mask and vaccine COVID measures and anyone not agreeing with their conspiratorial worldview.

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: Killing By Numbers: The history of April 19th and 20th - On The Media - Air Date 8-24-10

From Hitler’s birth to the killings at Waco, Columbine and Oklahoma City, each event echoes or evokes the anniversary of the last.

Ch. 2: Gun marches - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 4-24-10

Reporting from 2010 on the anti-government, armed rallies in and around Washington, DC

Ch. 3: The Michigan Kidnapping Plot And Whats Fueling Right Wing Extremism - Consider This - Air Date 10-9-20

The FBI announced Thursday that it had thwarted a plan by far-right militia members to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and charged six men in relation to the plot. The plot began as talk on social media sites.

Ch. 4: Proud Boys & Far-Right Groups Tied to Jan. 6 Attack Reporters & Others at Anti-Mask, Anti-Vax Rally - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-23-21

As COVID-19 cases surge in the United States, anti-mask and anti-vaccine protests are continuing nationwide, with some turning violent. In a shocking story out of California, at least one person was stabbed and two journalists were attacked.

Ch. 5: MAGA Republican Threatens Bloodshed If Elections Stay Rigged - The David Pakman Show - Air Date 9-1-21

Radical Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn threatens "bloodshed" if elections remain "rigged"

Ch. 6: As GOP stays at war against elections, elections officials suffer threats, harassment - Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 9-8-21

A rundown of recent right-wing would-be Capitol Bombers.

Ch. 7: Spencer Ackerman on How the U.S. War on Terror Fueled and Excused Right-Wing Extremism at Home - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-6-21

In an extended conversation with Spencer Ackerman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning national security reporter, he examines the connection he sees between the rise of right-wing extremism in the United States and the so-called war on terror.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: How The FBI Got Inside The Hutaree Militia - All Things Considered - Air Date 4-24-10

Ch. 9: The Truth Behind The Alleged Michigan Kidnapping Case - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 7-22-21

According to the FBI, a group of men in Michigan hatched a plan to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last year. But a Buzzfeed News investigative report has revealed new details—particularly the role that FBI informants played in it.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: The downsides of term limits - Jonathan from NY

Ch. 11: Term Limits, congressional pay and corruption - Nick from California


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on term limits and congressional pay


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 (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: The U.S. Capitol building dome is outlined by a wooden gallows and a noose, which was erected on January 6th on the lawn of the Capitol by right-wing insurrectionists on January 6th, 2021.

Credit: "Gallows V" by Tyler Merbler, Flickr | License | Changes: Slightly cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1441_Right_Wing_Exremists_Air_Date_9-11-21_General_-_9-10-21_20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am EDT

Air Date 9/8/2021

Today we take a look at the legacy of red-lining, the building and subsequent destruction of Black communities and the health and environmental impacts of segregation. The concept of “Structural Racism” is often a metaphor, not something physical that you can touch, but that is not the case when it comes to environmental racism. 

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

Transcript

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OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Environmental Racism: A Hidden Threat with Dr. Dorceta Taylor - Black History Year - Air Date 4-19-21

We're making a deadly mistake if we don't talk about environmental justice when we discuss racism and Black liberation.

Ch. 2: Redlining & Climate Change: A Deadly Combination - News Beat - Air Date 4-27-21

Although the Fair Housing Act of 1968 banned redlining and housing discrimination in general, three out of four redlined communities rated "hazardous" 80 years ago are struggling economically today.

Ch. 3: Monuments to Racism - Environmental Injustice on This Week in Social Justice - News Beat - Air Date 4-8-21

Guests: Catherine Flowers founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice and Amy Stelly, a designer and board member of the Urban Conservancy.

Ch. 4: Environmental Racism is Real Part 1 - Tamarindo Podcast - Air Date 6-16-21

We talk to Environmental justice lawyer Claire Woods about how black and brown communities face the brunt of many environmental justice issues, the connection to racism, and what we can do to help.

Ch. 5: Biden Promises To Grapple With Environmental Racism - Short Wave - Air Date 2-4-21

NPR climate reporter Rebecca Hersher talks about the history of environmental racism in the United States, and what Biden's administration can do to avoid the mistakes of the past.

Ch. 6: Environmental Racism is Real Part 2 - Tamarindo Podcast - Air Date 6-16-21


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Environmental Racism: A Hidden Threat with Dr. Dorceta Taylor Part 2 - Black History Year - Air Date 4-19-21

Ch. 8: Monuments to Racism Part 2 - Environmental Injustice on This Week in Social Justice - News Beat - Air Date 4-8-21


Summary + reading from The Sum of Us on pollution in segregated cities

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Post-Civil War Reconstruction and the occupation of Afghanistan - Dave from Olympia, WA


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on how structural racism becomes personal racism and comparing Reconstruction with the occupation of Afghanistan


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 (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: An official, rectangular metal sign bolted to a telephone poll displays the image of a cropped city map with a red outlined area. Below, the sign reads "Portland's Historic Redline District." Smaller text below reads "In Portland's past, 'redlining' practices created exclusionary zones for 'Negroes and Orientals' by real estate, banking and insurance companies. Agents could lose their licenses for crossing this color barrier. Now, urban gentrification displaces low-income families, as the remaining affordable housing stock in this area disappears." 

Credit: "Redlining" by radcliffe dacanay, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1440_Environmental_Racism_Air_Date_9-7-21_General_-_9-7-21_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:52am EDT

Air Date 9/4/2021

Today we take a look at the slow motion disaster that is the worldwide refugee crisis. We start with the recent focus on Afghan refugees fleeing their country in the wake of America's 20-year war before expanding the view to American and European policies toward asylum-seekers from around the world.

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

Transcript

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BestOfTheLeft.com/Refer Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy!


OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

BestOfTheLeft.com/Descript CHECK OUT OUR FANCY PRODUCTION SOFTWARE!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Advertise Sponsor the show!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Advocates Call on Biden Admin to Move Faster on Resettling Afghan Refugees - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-18-21

President Joe Biden has allocated $500 million in new funds for relocating Afghan refugees following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. The U.S. had already vowed to help evacuate over 80,000 Afghan civilians

Ch. 2: “This Is What America Looks Like”: Ilhan Omar on Her Refugee Journey from Mogadishu to Minneapolis - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-5-21

We speak with Minnesota Congressmember Ilhan Omar about her memoir “This Is What America Looks Like,” the Biden administration’s recent airstrikes in her birth country of Somalia and why the U.S. must remain a country of refuge for people fleeing war

Ch. 3: ‘Desperation And Frustration’: Rep. Omar Reacts To The Biden Refugee Cap - All In - Air Date 4-19-21

“It’s with desperation and frustration that we are speaking out against the Biden administration in their backtracking on this. We do applaud them for changing course, and we just want to make sure they follow through with clear communication.”

Ch. 4: Why seeking asylum in America is so difficult - Vox - Air Date 7-12-18

America has led the world in refugee resettlement for 15 years, but asylum cases have pushed political tempers to a tipping point.

Ch. 5: Green Thinking: Climate and Refugees - Arts & Ideas - 6-15-21

What role do museums and heritage organisations have to play in the climate emergency? How do we stop cultural and historical landmarks from falling into the sea, or is it time to learn to say goodbye?

Ch. 6: This is the worlds deadliest border - Vox - Air Date 5-14-15

Nearly 2,000 migrants have perished in the Mediterranean so far this year. Vox's Dara Lind explains why.

Ch. 7: Death toll surges as migrants try to reach Europe - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 11-27-20

There’s been a surge in the numbers of people drowning in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean as migrants from Africa try to reach Europe. Activist groups are blaming European Union policies for their deaths.

Ch. 8: Understanding the Refugee Crisis in Europe Syria and around the World - vlogbrothers - Air Date 9-18-15

In which John Green discusses the Syrian refugee crisis and the growing number of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and Eritrea crossing the sea with the help of smugglers to seek refuge in European Union nations.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Red State Refugees - The Documentary Podcast - Air Date 8-25-20

President Trump has dramatically reduced the numbers of refugees arriving in the United States, vowing to protect native-born Americans’ interests. But there’s a catch - some of the nation’s reddest communities may not survive without them.

Ch. 10: The Cycles of Trauma for Vietnamese Americans - In The Thick - Air Date 7-23-19

More than forty years after the Vietnam war, Vietnamese refugees are being deported under Trump's immigration policies.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: New listener - Mike from Texas

Ch. 12: Misplaced focus on Manchin - Dan from Greenville, SC


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 13: Final comments on theories of change whether you want them or not


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1439_Refugees_Air_Date_9-4-21_General_-_9-3-21_17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:25pm EDT

Air Date 9/11/2020

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

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Understanding the amorality of capitalism through a structural lens


VOICEMAILS

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


FINAL COMMENTS

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


TAKE ACTION!

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

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

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

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

Nonprofit VOTES: Voting information pertaining to unhoused people

National Coalition for the Homeless

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

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

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

National Homelessness Law Center 2020 Election Guide

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

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

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

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

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

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

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

SHOW IMAGE

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

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com