Tue, 29 March 2022
Air Date 3/29/2022
Today we take a look at the current iteration of the cynical culture wars being waged by conservative Republicans against LGBTQ kids for political gain. The current wave of anti-trans and anti-gay legislation sprouting across the country is not about protecting kids and is absolutely nothing new. Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content) Check out Democracy Decoded! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Protecting Women and Children Is a Shield for Transphobia - At Liberty - Air Date 3-17-22 This weaponization of white womanhood and femininity has deep roots in this country’s history, and is prompting unprecedented consequences for the trans community. Nikita Shepard joins to discuss the history and what we can do about it. Ch. 2: Andy Marra on Trans Youth Rights - CounterSpin - Air Date 3-4-22 Texas state leadership is staking a position on that, but humans everywhere are pushing back, and we talk about that with Andy Marra. Ch. 3: The Anti-Trans Agenda (w/ Gillian Branstetter) - Know Your Enemy - Air Date 3-20-22 Matt and Sam talk to Gillian Branstetter, press secretary for the National Women’s Law Center, about the spate of anti-trans laws sweeping the country. We speak with Chase Strangio of the ACLU about recent anti-LGBTQ legislation in Florida, Texas, and Idaho, and pending bills in other states. Ch. 5: Protecting Women and Children Is a Shield for Transphobia Part 2 - At Liberty - Air Date 3-17-22 Ch. 6: Don't Say Gay - Today, Explained - Air Date 3-17-22 The furor over Florida’s latest culture-war legislation has Disney, among the state’s largest employers, turning red. Journalist Steven Monacelli joins to discuss how he actually debated Steven Crowder earlier in the day on a college campus in Texas. Why was Crowder there? Because trans people are playing sports. Ch. 8: Protecting Women and Children Is a Shield for Transphobia Part 3 - At Liberty - Air Date 3-17-22 Ch. 10: Andy Marra on Trans Youth Rights Part 2 - CounterSpin - Air Date 3-4-22 MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 11: Protecting Women and Children Is a Shield for Transphobia Part 4 - At Liberty - Air Date 3-17-22 Ch. 12: The Anti-Trans Agenda (w/ Gillian Branstetter) Part 2 - Know Your Enemy - Air Date 3-20-22 VOICEMAILS Ch. 13: Dynamics of our political parties - Craig from Ohio FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 14: Final comments on the divides within American political parties TAKE ACTION! Contact your Senators to pass the Equality Act via passtheequalityact.com/act Join Lambda Legal's #DontEraseUs campaign to fight anti-LGBTQ+ curriculum (especially if you’re a student or teacher). EDUCATE YOURSELF Read BOTL’s activism segment on the Equality Act from last March (*2021*) for more context Lambda Legal Transgender Rights Toolkit (Lambda Legal) Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman Image Description: A white protest sign is held in the air with the words “YOU WILL NOT ERASE OUR KIDS” drawn on it. The word “NOT” is underlined and colored in red. Each letter in the word “KIDS” is colored in with red, blue, yellow, and orange, respectively. A small blue sticker in the top right corner says “I [heart sign] My Trans Child”. Credit: “2018.10.22 We Won't Be Erased - Rally for Trans Rights, Washington, DC USA 06817” by Ted Eytan, Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0 License | Changes: Cropped, slightly increased brightness, contrast, and saturation
Direct download: 1479_Anti-Trans_wave_Air_Date_3-29-22_General_-_3-29-22_20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:16pm EDT |
Thu, 24 March 2022
Air Date 3/24/2022 Today we take a look at the desperate state of refugees fleeing war, strife and climate disruption as well as the response of governments around the world that espouse liberal platitudes of humanitarianism while hardening their borders against those seeking refuge. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content) Check out Democracy Decoded wherever you get your podcasts! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Fortress Europe: Who gets to come in? - The Real Story - Air Date 11-9-21 The European Union is at loggerheads with Belarus over the arrival of thousands of migrants. It alleges that President Lukashenko has created a deliberate crisis by facilitating the migrants' travel into Belarus and onwards to the country's borders Ch. 2: War in Ukraine - Humane Ukrainians & A Major Refugee Crisis - The Daily Show - Air Date 3-4-22 As Russia's war on Ukraine continues, compassionate Ukrainians come to the aid of Russian soldiers, and Trevor weighs in on the implications of how European countries are welcoming refugees. As Afghanistan faces a dire humanitarian crisis, we look at how more Afghans may die from U.S. sanctions than at the hands of the Taliban. The U.S.'s attempts to block support for the new de facto government have prevented vital funding from flowing It’s been more than six months since the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Since the withdrawal, more than 76,000 Afghans have resettled across the U.S. We check in on resettlement efforts, the challenges facing Afghan refugees, and more Ch. 5: Fortress Europe - Declarations: The Human Rights Podcast - Air Date 2-2-22 In this week’s episode, host Maryam Tanwir and panelist Yasmin Homer discuss the role of technology in the securitization of European borders with MEP Patrick Breyer and researcher Ainhoa Ruiz. Ch. 6: Border walls and the climate crisis w/ Nick Buxton - This Is Hell! - Air Date 11-3-21 The Transnational Institute's Nick Buxton on the report "Global Climate Wall" As the U.S. considers a ban on importing Russian oil as part of sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine, senior advisers to President Biden are reportedly planning to visit Saudi Arabia to secure more oil to make up the shortfall. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 9: Border walls and the climate crisis w/ Nick Buxton Part 2 - This Is Hell! - Air Date 11-3-21 Discussing the connection between climate policy and the entities who stand to profit the most by fortifying against climate refugees FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on small-government conservatives' authoritarian tendencies TAKE ACTION! New way to help defeat fossil fuel allied politicians, no matter their party: Jane Fonda PAC Help Refugees Around the World: International Rescue Committee Anera (Middle East focus) House Refugees in Your Home: Room for Refugees (US, UK, Canada) Refugees at Home (UK only) EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE 8 Ways to Solve the World's Refugee Crisis (Amnesty International) The Great Climate Migration Has Begun (NYTimes, 2020) Climate Change Refugees - the world's forgotten victims (World Economic Forum) #AfricansinUkraine (Twitter hashtag) Climate Change and Disaster Displacement (UNHCR) Refugee Environmental Protection Fund (UNHCR) Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
Direct download: 1478_Refugees_Air_Date_3-24-22_General_-_3-24-22_12.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:23am EDT |
Sat, 19 March 2022
Air Date 3/19/2022
Today we take a look at the details of the planned coup that had its culmination in the form of a violent insurrection at the US Capitol Building on January 6th, 2021 as well as the ongoing efforts to undermine and dismantle the structures of our election system. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: January 6th Planning Was WAY More Detailed Than We Thought - The Majority Report - Air Date 2-5-22 In some ways, the attack on the Capitol looked haphazard but the answer is far scarier. There was much more planning by the group involved. National columnist Will Bunch says there is growing evidence that links Trump and his inner circle to the Capitol attack. Michael Schmidt, Washington correspondent for the New York Times; David Wilson. Former Pentagon adviser Ryan Goodman says former President Trump could have used the Insurrection Act to hold onto power onJanuary 6, 2021. Rep. Pete Aguilar, member of the January 6th Committee It took decades to build our system of non-partisan, professional election administration, but the entire system is now under persistent attack by Trump's MAGA Mob. Michael Schmidt, Washington correspondent for the New York Times Ch. 8: Trump Facing CRIMINAL Charges Per Trump Riot Committee - David Pakman Show - Air Date 3-3-22 The January 6 Trump riot committee has released a list of possible criminal charges committed by former President Donald Trump. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: Thoughts on the Ukraine context episode - Alan from Connecticut FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on our new Discord community server and how to join TAKE ACTION! Become a Poll Worker or Election Official: WorkElections.org EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE Expert fears partisan actors may replace election workers who quit over threats (PBS News Hour) 1 in 5 local election officials say they're likely to quit before 2024 (NPR) Researchers warn that Christian nationalists are becoming more radical and are targeting voting (Washington Post) One in five U.S. election workers may quit amid threats, politics (Reuters) Local election officials are exhausted, under threat and thinking about quitting (Politico) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions) SHOW IMAGE: Description: Black and white photo from a rally. A hand holds up a sign that says "Remember Jan. 6th, Senators. Protect Our Democracy Now". Credit: "January 6th Vigil for Democracy" by Becker1999, Wikimedia Commons | License | Changes: Cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
Direct download: 1477_Jan_6_Coup_Air_Date_3-19-22_General_-_3-19-22_14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:18am EDT |
Wed, 16 March 2022
Air Date 3/16/2022 Today we take a look at the dynamics of mis- and disinformation as well as the history of those, primarily Russia, who are actively using it as a weapon of information warfare against the US, The West, and democracies around the world. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Are you Disinformed or Misinformed? - Harvard Data Science Review Podcast - Air Date 6-17-21 Harvard Data Science Review digs into the world of disinformation and misinformation, and the difference between them. Ch. 2: Moving beyond news deserts and misinformation - Democracy Works - Air Date 2-14-22 Victor Pickard is the C. Edwin Baker Professor of Media Policy and Political Economy at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Democracy Without Journalism? Ch. 3: Why "Cheap Speech" Threatens Democracy - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 3-5-22 Dahlia talks to Rick Hasen about his new book Cheap Speech: How Disinformation Poisons Our Politics–and How to Cure It. Ch. 4: The Firehose of Falsehood Effect - The Propwatch Project - Air Date 4-4-21 Dr. Christopher Paul, senior social scientist of the Pardee RAND Graduate School, discusses his seminal work on the "Firehose of Falsehood" propaganda model. Ch. 5: The long history of Russian disinformation targeting the U.S. - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 11-22-18 From Pizzagate to George Soros conspiracies, “fake news” has become a noxious presence in public discourse, especially since the 2016 presidential election. Ch. 6: Post-Truth: Lee C. McIntyre - Future Hindsight - Air Date 5-14-20 Authoritarians use post-truth to corrupt our faith in the truth. The end goal is not to make citizens believe lies, but to make them so cynical and uncertain, they think they can never know the truth. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 9: Inside Estonia's approach in combating Russian disinformation - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 1-15-22 Russian disinformation is rife in countries formerly ruled from Moscow. Some ex-Soviet states have tried to suppress it altogether by banning Russian television stations and even limiting the use of the Russian language on their own domestic channels. VOICEMAILS Ch. 10: Seeking power from the right and left - Alex from Maryland Old FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on avoiding the nihilism strategy of the Underpants Gnomes TAKE ACTION! Media Literacy Now - Advocate for U.S. Media Literacy Bills at State Level (See Existing Media Literacy Bills and Laws) Tools to Fight Disinformation: List: Tools That Fight Disinformation Online (RAND.org) InVID - Browser plug in to help identify and verify shared videos and images Hamilton 2.0 Dashboard - War in Ukraine (Disinformation tracker) Orgs Fighting Disinformation: Content Authenticity Initiative Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity Alliance for Securing Democracy EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE Short Docuseries: Operation InfeKtion (New York Times) Book: “The Misinformation Age: How False Beliefs Spread” by Calin O’Connor and James Owen Weatherall Video Series: Crash Course Media Literacy Training: First Draft News - Training Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions) SHOW IMAGE: Description: In graphic form, the word "TRUTH" is angled and textured in red. A magnifying glass hovers over most of the letter "U" and the word "LIES" can be seen repeated in rows through the circular glass. Credit: Original design on Pixabay / Changes: angled, text color, background color / Final by Amanda Hoffman
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
Direct download: 1476_Disinformation_Air_Date_3-16-22_General_-_3-16-22_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:55pm EDT |
Tue, 15 March 2022
Original Air Date: 2-8-22 Today, I am talking with Amanda, Erin and Deon. We discuss: - Tragic Optimism - Don't Look Up - Simulacra and Simulation - That Funny Feeling References: 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! |
Fri, 11 March 2022
Air Date 3/11/2022 Today we take a look at the intertwining oil interests that underlie many of the decisions about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how others are responding to it. It is a tangled mess that the US, Europe and other nations are currently attempting to extract themselves from but it will be a long process. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Bombas.com/Best Shop for 20% off! SHOW NOTES Gas prices are going up, but it's not Biden's fault. Thom exposes Trump, Saudi Arabia and Putin's connection to raise gas prices. We speak to energy and climate investigative reporter Antonia Juhasz, author of "The Tyranny of Oil: The World's Most Powerful Industry," about growing calls for a green energy revolution amid the climate crisis and rising prices for fossil fuels. As the horrors of Russia's war on Ukraine continue, we continue focusing on efforts to counter it. Shell Oil apologizes for getting caught secretly buying cheap Russian oil. The MR crew discusses how increasing oil production domestically is being talked about as a solution, but no one is talking about the importance of nationalizing energy. Ch. 6: Banning Russian oil - Today, Explained - Air Date 3-8-22 Gas prices hit a record high in the United States today. Then the White House put an embargo on Russian oil. The Atlantic's Robinson Meyer explains. The prolific author has said that kleptocratic actions are an “existential threat facing our generation.” MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 8: Peak Oil- It's a Crude, Crude World. - Unf*cking The Republic (UNFTR) - Air Date 2-5-22 We tie in good ol’ Milton Friedman again to discuss how trading this ubiquitous fuel went from commodity to casino. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 9: Final comments on the rising demand for clean energy action in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine TAKE ACTION! Find Your Local: Mothers Out Front* (*not just for mothers) Chapters League of Conservation Voters Affiliates Local Politics: Find Your State Legislators and Write and Call Them Find out if your local legislators and candidates have taken the “No Fossil Fuel Money” Pledge Learn how to get your local candidates/legislators to sign the “No Fossil Fuel Money” pledge National Politics: Find out Which Members of Congress are Taking Oil and Gas Money via Open Secrets League of Conservation Voter Environment Scorecard EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE Climate Hawks Join the Debate on Ukraine (New York Times) Newsletter: Heat Pumps for Peace and Freedom (Bill McKibben on Substack) Editorial: What’s better than a ban on Russian oil imports? Ending our dependence on fossil fuels (LA Times) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman SHOW IMAGE: Description: Close up of a white sign that says "War Sized Climate Action Now!" in black, military-style text. To the right, a silhouette of the Iwo Jima memorial shows soldiers raising a wind turbine (instead of a flag). Credit: "CleanEnergyMarch-5-1470274" by Mark Dixon, Flickr | CC by 2.0 License | Changes: Cropped, slight increase in brightness and contrast
Direct download: 1475_Russia_Ukraine_War_Oil_Air_Date_3-11-22_General_-_3-11-22_17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:14pm EDT |
Wed, 9 March 2022
Original Air Date 3/10/2021 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) 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 a 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 Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1403_Biden_Foreign_Policy_Air_Date_3-9-21_Members_-_3-9-21_22_Repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:26pm EDT |
Fri, 4 March 2022
Air Date 3/4/2022 Today we take a look at the history of Ukraine as a Soviet state, war-torn state, famished state, westernizing state, energy-exploring state, annexed state, and invaded state. We also look at the role of the west and NATO as well as Putin's history and possible motivations. Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: The real and imagined history of Ukraine - Today Explained - Air Date 2-25-22 Vladimir Putin says Ukraine isn’t a country. He’s wrong. Timothy Snyder is the Bird White Housum Professor of History at Yale University, specializing in the history of central and eastern Europe. Ch. 3: From spy to president: The rise of Vladimir Putin - Vox - Air Date 3-23-17 Putin’s intent on pushing back against the Western world order... and it appears to be working. Ch. 4: What Russia And Putin Actually Want With Ukraine - AJ+ - Air Date 2-17-22 Troops are being deployed, harsh words have been said, and there is potential for an all-out war. Snyder says the focus on NATO ignores the agency of leaders in Ukraine and elsewhere who have the right to seek their own arrangements. Ch. 6: Is the West to Blame for Russia's Invasion? (no) - TLDR News - Air Date 2-27-22 Some have suggested that the West is the blame for Russia's invasion into Ukraine, we'll explain that argument and why it's fundamentally wrong. Ch. 7: Why Russia is Invading Ukraine - RealLifeLore - Air Date 2-26-22 Explaining the oil interests in Ukraine that may be a motivating factor to Russia. Ch. 8: America, Russia, and Ukraine's Far-Right - The Gravel Institute - Air Date 2-18-22 This video is about American funding for the Azov Battalion. It explicitly condemns Russian propaganda that Ukraine is a "neo-Nazi country." Ch. 9: Putin's Bogus Claim To "Denazify" Ukraine - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 2-25-22 Steven Pifer, the former ambassador to Ukraine under Bill Clinton, and Jason Stanley, author of “How Fascism Works,” join Mehdi Hasan to discuss the Russian propaganda narrative. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 10: A Young Country With An Old History - WorldAffairs - Air Date 1-31-22 Historians Katherine Younger and Emily Channell-Justice tell Ray Suarez the story of modern Ukraine, and why embracing Western values has made Ukraine a threat to Vladimir Putin. Ch. 11: Ukraine: Questions for the Anti-War Movement - Empire Files - Air Date 2-27-22 An analysis of Putin's anti-communist speech Ch. 12: The Crimean War, Putin, and the War Over Reality - The Muckrake Podcast - Air Date 3-1-22 Jared Yates Sexton traces how the New World Order conspiracy theory led to this mess. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 13: Final comments on why you should probably listen to all that again TAKE ACTION! Ways to Help Ukrainians, Protest War, Etc. (*Please always do your own research before giving*): CODEPINK Global Day of Action, Sunday, March 6th: "Stop the War in Ukraine. Russian Troops Out. No to NATO expansion." (CODEPINK) Support Ukraine's Independent Media Organizations and Journalists (Campaign endorsed by The Kyiv Independent) Here’s How You Can Help LGBTQ+ and Black Ukrainian Refugees (Self) 25 Meaningful Ways You Can Help Ukraine (GlobalCitizen) Linkt.ree of Resources/Ways to Help Ukrainians Curated by the nonprofit @RazomforUkraine (Razom for Ukraine) Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman SHOW IMAGE: Description: A blue and yellow Ukrainian flag is waved in the air in front of a cloudy sky above a protest to show solidarity with Ukrainians. Credit: Amanda Hoffman, February 2022 Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
Direct download: 1474_Ukraine_context_Air_Date_3-5-22_General_-_3-4-22_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm EDT |
Wed, 2 March 2022
Air Date 3/2/2022 Today we take a look at the not-so-slow transformation of Republicans from a Bush/McCain/Romney party to a Trump/DeSantis/Putin party complete with cultish devotion and a dependence on a near-total dismissal of truth replaced by propaganda. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content) BestOfTheLeft.com/Advertise Sponsor the show! SHOW NOTES Ruth Ben-Ghiat, professor of history at NYU and author of "Strongmen," talks about right-wing assault on democracy in the United States and familiar patterns between the Trump movement and other authoritarian movements around the world an in history. Ch. 2: Legitimate Political Discourse - Political Gabfest - Air Date 2-10-22 The GOP embrace of Jan. 6 rioters Explaining the seeming anomaly of Trump in the line of Republican presidential nominees Ch. 4: Republicans in complete disarray - The Bradcast w/ Brad Friedman - Air Date 2-7-22 Trump's Republican National Committee labeled the violent, deadly Capitol Insurrection 'legitimate political discourse, and censured conservative Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger for participating in the bipartisan House Jan. 6 Select Committee. Ch. 5: Rick Scott: The Man With The Plan? - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 2-23-22 What does the Republican Party really stand for — besides attacking liberals? One Republican senator is giving a masterclass in his plan to save America. David Jolly joins to discuss. Ch. 6: How Vladimir Putin won Republicans' approval - Vox - Air Date 1-13-17 He's an authoritarian strongman, and he's never been more popular with GOP voters. Alex Wagner: “The shocking thing is when these Republicans look at Russia—its repression and flouting of democratic norms and restriction of essential freedom—when they look at all that they may not see a cautionary tale, but an aspirational one.” MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 8: How Jan 6th Changed Extremism - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 1-5-22 Brandy Zadrozny talks about the landscape of extremism since January 6th and her new investigation that finds some militia and white supremacist groups have shifted tactics, going from protesting to putting energy into local politics and school boards. Ch. 9: The America We Deserve - In The Thick - Air Date 2-8-22 They get into the latest on the January 6th insurrection, and the connection between voter suppression and anti-Black racism. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 10: Final comments on sheep-dogging, coalition governments and power dynamics MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):
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: 1473_GOP_shift_to_authoritariain_cult_Air_Date_3-2-22_General_-_3-2-22_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:22pm EDT |
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