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Air Date 10/29/2022

Today, we take a look at the destruction accomplished over decades by adherents to a libertarian, neoliberal ideology in the UK which culminated recently in the tanking value of the British pound sterling and the resignation of the shortest-serving Prime Minister ever

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Why The United Kingdom Is In A Big Mess - AJ+ - Air Date 1-5-22

Why is post-Brexit Britain such a mess? Rising food and energy prices, empty shelves in stores and worker shortages. But could Brexit lead to something even bigger: the breakup of the United Kingdom?

Ch. 2: What's wrong with Great Britain? - Financial Times - Air Date 4-19-22

The FT's chief economics commentator Martin Wolf says the UK is facing six interlocking crises, from stagnant living standards to a lack of political leadership

Ch. 3: Thatcherism: What We Get Wrong About Neoliberalism - Kay and Skittles - Air Date 10-1-22

Differentiating between neoliberal ideology and how it plays out in practice

Ch. 4: Liz Truss: The Oligarch's Prime Minister | George Monbiot - Double Down News - Air Date 10-4-22

What happens when libertarian ultras get everything they ever wanted all at once? Welcome to Oligarch Island

Ch. 5: “We Are a Democracy in Name Only”: George Monbiot on Truss Resignation & Who Will Be Next British PM - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-21-22

British Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned Thursday after just 45 days in office, the shortest term in the nation’s history. Her low-tax, low-regulation financial policies were widely criticized after they sent the pound plummeting

Ch. 6: James O'Brien claims trickle-down economics is as ghoulish, greedy and gross as it appears - LBC - Air Date 9-21-22

Explaining trickle-down economics for what it is and condemning the big lie that makes it palatable to the masses

Ch. 7: Does Economics Drive All Politics? - WhoWhatWhy - Air Date 10-20-22

Financial Times economic analyst Martin Wolf gives an overview of global economic forces, and looks at Britain’s economic and political chaos.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: The Brexit effect: how leaving the EU hit the UK | FT Film - Financial Times - Air Date 10-18-22

The UK's recent disastrous "mini" Budget can trace its origins back to Britain's decision to leave the European Union. The economic costs of Brexit were masked by the Covid-19 pandemic and the crisis in Ukraine.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the destabilization of neoliberalism


TAKE ACTION!

MIDTERMS MINUTE 2022:

Installment #4: The Rest of the Toss-Up House Races

Short on time? Donate once...

- Secretary of State Races: MoveOn.org's "America for All" midterm election campaign

- Senate Races: SwingLeft Hold the Senate Fund, or SwingLeft Immediate Impact Fund (Senate & House)

- House races: SwingLeft Hold the House Fund, or the SwingLeft Immediate Impact Fund (House & Senate) 

- Governors: SwingLeft Governor Fund

- State Legislative Races: SwingLeft Legislative Fund

MIDTERMS MINUTE Segments: Installment #1 Installment #2 , Installment #3

Researched and written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: The Union Jack flag of the United Kingdom with black charred edges on a black background.

Credit: Union Jack

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1522_UK_Neoliberalism_Air_Date_10-29-22_General_-_10-29-22_08.28.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:52am EDT

Air Date 10/26/2022

Today, we take a look at the 2022 election and the political dynamics at play as the GOP continues on its path of ideological anti-democracy and Democrats work to register new voters and get out the vote.

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: "Democracy Demands We Participate": Black Voters Mobilize for Midterms Amid GOP Voter Suppression Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-21-22

We speak to law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw and civil rights attorney Barbara Arnwine, who are on an Arc of Voter Justice bus tour of 26 cities across the country to increase Black voter turnout at critical midterm elections in November.

Ch. 2: Battling the Big Liars with Dan Pfeiffer - How We Win - Air Date 10-19-22

Biden is making it clear that abortion rights are on the ballot, as early voting kicks off in many states. New polls are worrying Democrats, but don’t worry… keep working!

Ch. 3: Bernie Sanders Knows How Democrats Can Win Featuring Bernie Sanders - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 10-13-22

Democrats need a strategy to win the upcoming midterm election and Senator Bernie Sanders has a strategy to win.

Ch. 4: Battling the Big Liars with Dan Pfeiffer Part 2 - How We Win - Air Date 10-19-22

Ch. 5: Senate Races That Could Tip The Balance - Deconstructed - Air Date 10-14-22

Journalists Jon Ralston and George Chidi join Ryan Grim to discuss two potentially pivotal states, Nevada and Georgia, where tight races for the Senate are underway.

Ch. 6: "Democracy Demands We Participate": Black Voters Mobilize for Midterms Amid GOP Voter Suppression Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-21-22

Ch. 7: How We Vote! with Andrea Hailey - How We Win - Air Date 9-21-22

A conversation with the woman who is leading the charge for the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan voting registration and get-out-the-vote technology platform in America, the CEO of Vote.org, Andrea Hailey!

Ch. 8: Julie Hollar and Jim Naureckas on 2022 Midterms - CounterSpin - Air Date 10-21-22

This midterm is a big-picture election.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: How Midterm Campaigns are Framing Crime - The Takeaway - Air Date 10-20-22

We're joined by Rena Karefa-Johnson, Director of National programming at FWD.us, and Ames Grawert, Senior Counsel at the Justice Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU.

Ch. 10: Julie Hollar and Jim Naureckas on 2022 Midterms Part 2 - CounterSpin - Air Date 10-21-22


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: The prolonged fight - V from Central New York

Ch. 11: Doing the work - Wendy


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on doing the work to normalize all humans


TAKE ACTION!

MIDTERMS MINUTE 2022:

Short on time? Donate once...

- Secretary of State Races: MoveOn.org's "America for All" midterm election campaign

- Senate Races: SwingLeft Hold the Senate Fund, or SwingLeft Immediate Impact Fund (Senate & House)

- House races: SwingLeft Hold the House Fund, or the SwingLeft Immediate Impact Fund (House & Senate) 

- Governors: SwingLeft Governor Fund

- State Legislative Races: SwingLeft Legislative Fund

MIDTERMS MINUTE Segments: Installment #1Installment #2 , Installment #3

Researched and written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Photo of a yellow sticker with black writing that says “Resist the NAZI-GOP Coalition” on a cross walk sign. The red hand “stop” symbol on the sign is visible below the sticker.

Credit: “Resist the NAZI-GOP Coalition Sticker” by Amanda Hoffman | License: CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Direct download: 1521_Election_2022_Air_Date_10-26-22_General_-_10-26-22_13.41.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:39pm EDT

Original Air Date: 10-12-22

Today, I am talking with Amanda, Deon and Erin. We discuss:

- The new fascist party running Italy and their love of Lord of the Rings

- "The Jay Principle" which has something to do with people liking stories they shouldn't

- How to write progressive stories

 

Join our Discord community!

 

References:

Hobbits and the Hard Right: How Fantasy Inspires Italy’s Potential New Leader 

Why liberals love "Downton Abbey" - Salon 

Downton Abbey–Why We Love Rich Aristocrats 

"50 Fantasy & Science Fiction Works That Socialists Should Read" by China Miéville

Tolkien and race 

 

 

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_257_Sample_-_10-25-22_5.40_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:59pm EDT

Original 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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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)

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_Members_-_10-21-22_Repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm EDT

Original Air Date 8/18/2021

Today we take a look at history of white people deciding to get their way through violence and the tradition of having the government look the other way

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: The KKK: History and Myth - Professor Buzzkill History Podcast - Air Date 8-24-17

Practically nothing in the history of the United States has suffered from myth-making and misunderstanding as much as the history of race relations and racist violence. The history Ku Klux Klan is no exception. This is ironic.

Ch. 2: Remembering a White Supremacist Coup - Reveal - Air Date 10-23-20

On the eve of a contentious election, Reveal looks back to the nearly forgotten election of 1898 in Wilmington, North Carolina. A coup d’etat gave birth to much of the structural racism that still plagues our nation today.

Ch. 3: Voices: Children ‘stripped of innocence’ - Cape Up - Air Date 4-11-19

A member of the Little Rock Nine and a survivor of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing both lost the illusion of safety in their young lives.

Ch. 4: Armed and Dangerous - On the Media - Air Date 9-24-20

Armed right-wingers are stoking violence in cities across the country. On this week’s On the Media, a look at the origins of the American militia movement. Plus, as things heat up, Facebook is fanning the flames.

Ch. 5: The Evolution of All-American Terrorism - Reveal - Air Date 6-27-20

The Trump years have seen an increase in domestic terrorist attacks linked by hateful ideologies that thrive online. Reveal teams up with Type Investigations to track each case and determine what the government has done to fight them.

Ch. 6: Radical Caucasian Extremism - News Beat - Air Date 1-9-21

This hugely important episode highlighted the threat posed by such extremists, even as many in the media and government engaged in Islamophobic rhetoric about Muslim Americans.

Ch. 7: "Nobody actually accounts for this violence": How the FBI fails to track white supremacist terrorism - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-5-19

Former FBI agent Mike German says "Unfortunately their policies have actually masked how they use their domestic terrorism resources to make it harder for the Congress to understand how many of those resources are going toward white supremacist violence,"


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Tucker Carlson Doubles Down on White Supremacist 'Great Replacement' Theory - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 4-13-21

The Atlantic's Adam Serwer and Mehdi discuss Carlson's history of promulgating racist rhetoric on prime time television and its real-life consequences.

Ch. 9: Southern Shame Culture & How to Fight Racism w/Jemar Tisby - The Holy Post - Air Date 1-20-21

Jemar Tisby (The Color of Compromise) rejoins Phil to discuss his new book, How to Fight Racism. Actual, real steps to be part of the solution, not part of the problem!


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Response on remix climate episode - Alan from Connecticut


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the arguments against individual climate action


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Black and white photo taken during "Bloody Sunday" in Selma, AL on March 7th 1965. A young John Lewis has fallen on the grass, lifting one hand, while a police officer stands over him wielding a billy club. More chaos fills the background.

Credit: "12 - Civil Rights Movement" (low resolution). Original from the Library of Congress (via U.S. Embassy The Hague on Flickr) | License | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1435_White_Violence_Air_Date_8-18-21_Members_-_11-18-22_Repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm EDT

Air Date 10/14/2022

Today, we take a look at the women-led protests roiling Iran in response to violent crackdowns from the so-called morality police that have led to the deaths of young women demanding rights and freedom.

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

Transcript

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Join our Discord community!


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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Voices of women inside and outside Iran on the uprising after Mahsa Amini's death - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 10-7-22

For nearly three weeks, Iranians have marched in the streets to denounce the Islamic regime that has ruled for more than 40 years. What started as a response to the killing of a young woman by the "morality police," this uprising is now nationwide.

Ch. 2: What Iranian Protesters Need Now - What Next - Air Date 9-28-22

What began as a revolt in the wake of an overstep by Iran’s morality police has evolved into a mass movement calling for “death to the dictator.” Protests in Iran are nothing new, but these demonstrations strike at the heart of the repressive regime.

Ch. 3: “Complete Dissatisfaction with the Current Order”: Why Mahsa Amini Protests in Iran Are Not Slowing Down - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-6-22

Protesters in Iran are continuing to demand justice for Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in the hands of the so-called morality police, as well as envisioning a political future beyond the Islamic Republic.

Ch. 4: 'Woman, Life, Freedom' - On the Media - Air Date 9-30-22

Large-scale protests took over the streets of Iran after twenty-two-year-old Mahsa Amini died on September 16 while in custody of the morality police. She had been arrested her for wearing her headscarf improperly.

Ch. 5: Anti-Regime Protests and the Devastating Effects of US Sanctions in Iran - theAnalysis.news - Air Date 10-5-22

Iranians protest brutal repression and why U.S. statements of solidarity are empty without a reversal of crushing sanctions. Assal Rad joins Talia Baroncelli on theAnalysis.news.

Ch. 6: What’s Happening in Iran and Why? with Reza Aslan - Factually! with Adam Conover - Air Date 9-28-22

Iran is currently being rocked by protests against the oppressive theocratic regime that rules the country. What is happening there, and what brought us to this point?


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Revolutions - Power Corrupts - Air Date 4-2-20

When revolutions happen, everything changes. In this episode, we'll look at how Teddy Roosevelt's son led a CIA-backed coup in 1953 that contributed to the Iranian revolution


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 8: Final comments on the beneficial discomfort of diversity


TAKE ACTION!

MIDTERMS MINUTE 2022 - Installment #3:

How to defend State Governor and Secretary of State races from anti-democracy MAGA extremists

Past Installments: 

Installment #2 - Toss-up Senate Races in GA, NV, PA & WI, & Senate Races Leaning D or R

Installment #1 - Toss-up House Races in CA, NY, & OH, & Open Seats Leaning D or R

Researched and written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A woman stands in the midst of a protest in London wearing full face paint in the color and pattern of the Iranian flag. She holds up both arms and in each hand is a photo of Mahsa Amini, the Iranian woman who died in the custody of the Iranian "Morality Police".

Credit: "Mahsa Amini #1" by Alisdare Hickson, Flickr | License: CC by 2.0 | Changes: Slightly cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1520_Iran_Air_Date_10-14-22_General_-_10-12-22_21.43.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm EDT

Original Air Date: 9-27-22

Today, I am talking with Amanda, Deon and Erin. We discuss:

- Nazis using The Amanda Principle on Uncle Tom's Cabin

- Societal instability driven by businesses always "disrupting" everything

- The anti-social nature of gratitude

 

Connect your Discord to Patreon

 

References:

Germany's strange nostalgia for the antebellum American South 

Forget Disruption. Tech Needs to Fetishize Stability 

Debt: The First 5000 Years (Affiliate link)

 

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_256_Sample_-_10-11-22_19.07.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm EDT

Original Air Date 10/9/2021

Today we take a look at structures and specifics of settler colonialism from around the world including the US, Caribbean, Australia, Israel and Mexico

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: History of US imperialism in Latin America: From settler colonialism to Pink Tide - Moderate Rebels - Air Date 12-12-20

Ben Norton was invited to give this talk on US imperialism in Latin America, for the Workers' Party of Ireland. He discusses the history from European settler colonialism, through the Monroe Doctrine, the first cold war, and the three revolutions.

Ch. 2: Slavery, race and capital in the sixteenth century / Gerald Horne - This Is Hell! - Air Date 7-21-20

Gerald Horne discusses the relationship between racism and expansionist foreign policies

Ch. 3: Settler Colonialism Is Behind Climate Denial - Novara Media - Air Date 1-5-20

Australia is on fire. So why do so many of its politicians seem intent on denying the cause?

Ch. 4: Pearls for empire / Molly A. Warsh - This Is Hell! - Air Date 9-20-21

Historian Molly A. Warsh on her book "American Baroque: Pearls and the Nature of Empire, 1492-1700" from UNC Press.

Ch. 5: Rewriting resistance: how Black rebellion shapes world events - People's Republic - Air Date 8-20-20

This week, we continue our commemoration of Black August with Dr. Gerald Horne, professor of history and author of over 40 books, including The Counter-Revolution of 1776.

Ch. 6: Ilan Pappé: Viewing Israel-Palestine Through the Lens of Settler-Colonialism - The East is a Podcast - Air Date 5-13-20

A 2017 lecture by Ilan Pappé titled "The Value of Viewing Israel-Palestine Through the Lens of Settler-Colonialism" hosted by the WRMEA.

Ch. 7: Crimes of Apartheid - In The Thick - Air Date 5-14-21

Maria is joined by guest co-host and ITT All-star Jamilah King to discuss the continued violence and attacks against Palestinians by Israeli settlers and forces in Gaza. We hear from Gaza-based journalist Hana Salah about what she is seeing on the ground.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Rick Perlstein: ‘I was drafted into the project of settler colonialism as a child’ - The Real News Podcast - Air Date 8-13-21

Marc talks with Rick Perlstein about growing up Jewish in Milwaukee, the process of unlearning Zionist indoctrination, and how the United States' support of an Israeli ethno-state foments continued violence.

Ch. 9: Gerald Horne: Slavery, White Supremacy, & The Roots Of Settler Colonialism - Last Born In The Wilderness - Air Date 5-25-18

Did racism and white supremacy arise as a result of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in the 17th century, or did these concepts exist prior to the mass enslavement of Africans and the genocide of the indigenous peoples on what is now called America?

Ch. 10: So Far from God, So Close to the United States w/ Alexander Aviña - American Prestige - Air Date 9-9-21

The boys speak with Alexander Aviña, an assistant professor of history at Arizona State University, about the history of Mexico and U.S.-Mexican Relations from the 1810 Mexican War of Independence to the "drug war" of today.


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: No velvet glove - Nick From California

Ch. 12: Followup on conspiracy theory hot take - Nick from California


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 13: Final comments on how conspiracy theorists are like timeshare sales people


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

Direct download: 1447_Settler_Colonialism_Air_Date_10-9-21_Members_-_10-11-22_Repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:29am EDT

Air Date 10/8/2022

Today, we take a look at the recent elections in Italy, Brazil and Sweden where far-right parties are either taking power or looking to maintain it as well as the parallels to our own politics including moderate conservatives helping to legitimize the far right while delegitimizing elections.

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

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

ExpressVPN.com/BestOfTheLeft GET INTERNET PRIVACY WITH EXPRESS VPN!

BestOfTheLeft.com/Libro SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSHOPS, GET YOUR AUDIOBOOK FROM LIBRO!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Fascist Brothers of Italy Party takes power in Italy - The Mehdi Hassan Show - Air Date 10-2-22

Why the American right wing is racing to embrace Italy's next prime minister.

Ch. 2: Italian Fascism w/ David Broder - Jacobin Show - Air Date 9-30-22

Our own European editor David Broder explains what Giorgia Meloni and the Brothers of Italy's victory means for Italy.

Ch. 3: Fascist Brothers of Italy Party takes power in Italy Part 2 - The Mehdi Hassan Show - Air Date 10-2-22

Why the American right wing is racing to embrace Italy's next prime minister.

Ch. 4: Fascism scores another victory with Italian election - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 9-26-22

Conservatives in the US have been courting the extreme right on and off all along

Ch. 5: The Stakes Are High - In The Thick - Air Date 10-4-22

"The candidates and their vision for Brazil’s future could not be more different, but the trends underpinning this election are an echo of global experiences,” reports Roberta S. Braga for the ISPI.

Ch. 6: Noam Chomsky & Vijay Prashad: A Lula Victory in Brazil Could Help Save the Planet - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-30-22

Noam Chomsky joins us from Brazil with Vijay Prashad just back from Brazil to discuss Sunday’s Brazilian election between Brazil’s far right president Jair Bolsonaro and former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Ch. 7: Brazil Votes For Democracy While SCOTUS Does Not - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 9-4-22

Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss the ramifications of the Brazilian election for president, as Bolsonaro loses by 5 points and is priming the country to reject the second round election later this month.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Rise of the Swedish far right w/ David Broder - Jacobin Show - Air Date 9-30-22

Jonas Pontusson joins us to unpack the strong electoral showing of the Swedish far right.

Ch. 9: Fascism scores another victory with Italian election - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 9-26-22

A history lesson on the rise and fall of fascism in Europe and what it says about the path we're all on today.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the big problem with small misunderstandings


TAKE ACTION!

MIDTERMS MINUTE 2022 - Installment #2: 

Today’s focus is on toss-up Senate races in GA, NV, PA, and WI, and Senate races (precariously) leaning Democrat or Republican: GET FULL DETAILS AND ACTION LINKS

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Photo from 2014. Far-right Italian politician (and newly elected Prime Minister) Giorgia Meloni stands in front of a backdrop with the Italian tricolor flame, a symbol of the neo-fascist political party in Italy. She is a white woman with straight blond hair. She is wearing a leather jacket and smiling with her arms crossed.

Credit: “Giorgia Melone 2014” by Jose Antonio, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC Attribution 4.0 International | Changes: Black vignette

Direct download: 1519_International_Fascism_Air_Date_10-8-22_General_-_10-7-22_19.04.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm EDT

Air Date 10/5/2022

Today, we take a look at the life and legacy of President Ronald Reagan, the last transformational U.S. president who's regime we are still living in. Between his neoliberal economics, anti-government ideology and white supremacist appeal to authoritarians, he did more to shape the last 40 years of the politics of the country and conservative movement than anyone else.

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: 40 years later, is this the end of Reaganomics? - Make Me Smart - Air Date 12-14-21

It’s been just over 40 years since newly elected President Ronald Reagan declared, “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to the problem, government is the problem.”

Ch. 2: The Democracy We Think We Live In - On the Media - Air Date 8-9-19

Adam Serwer, staff writer at The Atlantic, on the catastrophic, deadly idea that "only white people are fit for self-government."

Ch. 3: General Motors Proves Trickle Down Theory Only Works If You Shower With Gold Water - The Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 12-3-18

Reagan didn't invent trickle down economics and the original metaphor was even more demeaning.

Ch. 4: The Lasting Impact of Reagan's Firing of Air Traffic Controllers (1/2) - The Real News Network - Air Date 8-4-14

Prof. Joseph McCartin and former PATCO spokesperson Elliot Simons discuss the anniversary of the firing and Ronald Reagan's betrayal

Ch. 5: When American Presidents Go to Trial - On the Media - Air Date 9-9-22

Rick Perlstein, a journalist and author of The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan, explains the continuing impact of Gerald Ford's decision to pardon Richard Nixon for his crimes.

Ch. 6: Ronald Reagan “Terrifying Words - ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’” - Professor Buzzkill History Podcast - Air Date 5-13-21

We scrutinize Reagan's famous quote "the nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”

Ch. 7: How Ronald Reagan's Regime Led To The Jan 6th Capitol Riot - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-17-21

The Capitol insurrection on January 6th was a long time coming. Back in 1980, Ronald Reagan's campaign was laying the groundwork for what would become Donald Trump's platform.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: America’s Right Turn with Rick Perlstein - Why Is This Happening? - Air Date 9-1-20

How did America’s modern conservative movement come to power? Historian and author Rick Perlstein’s prolific work has traced the arc of modern electoral politics, and specifically has laid out how modern conservatism arose.

Ch. 9: Why the "Reagan Regime" Endures - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 3-7-22

Presidencies are rarely transformational, and neither Biden nor Trump have lived up to their supporters’ dreams. So what does it take to really change our politics? Host Kai Wright is joined by political theorist Corey Robin to confront that question.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on my first debate about Reagan


TAKE ACTION!

MIDTERMS MINUTE 2022 - Installment #1: 

Today’s focus is on toss-up House races in California, New York, and Ohio, and OPEN or NEW seats that are *leaning* Democrat or Republican: GET FULL DETAILS AND ACTION LINKS

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A large portrait of former American President Ronald Reagan in a dark suit and red tie is framed on a wall in a dim, museum-like room. His smiling face is softly lit with a spotlight.

Credit: “President Ronald Re[a]gan” by LunchboxLarry, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0  | Changes: Slightly cropped

Direct download: 1518_Reagan_Bad_Air_Date_10-5-22_General_-_10-5-22_11.38.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:49pm EDT

Air Date 9/30/2022

Today, we take a look at the attention-grabbing stunt of transporting asylum seekers from Texas to Martha's Vineyard and other politically-liberal destinations and the White supremacist inspirations for this policy.

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: DeSantis, Fox News, and the Martha's Vineyard 'Stunt' - On the Media - Air Date 9-23-22

Philip Bump [@pbump], national correspondent The Washington Post, on the manipulative plan for 48 Venuzulean migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard.

Ch. 2: DeSantis' kidnapping 'stunt' - The BradCast - Air Date 9-19-22

New documents show that the asylum-seekers were lured onto the flights with false promises, providing hard documentary evidence that DeSantis' obscene political stunt may have violated the law.

Ch. 3: The GOP's Martha's Vineyard Stunt Backfired And Then They Just Lied About It – SOME MORE NEWS - Air Date 9-28-22

This week, we're taking a look at the cruelty and shamelessness of when Ron DeSantis human trafficked a bunch of migrants to Martha's Vineyard. This did not go how the GOP thought it would, so they spent the last few weeks lying and pretending it did.

Ch. 4: Latest Border Updates, Martha's Vineyard Lib Owning - REDIRECT Immigration Law and Perspectives - Air Date 9-17-22

Taylor Levy talks about the situation on the border as one of the most knowledgable attorneys when it comes to what is actually happening on the U.S./Mexico border.

Ch. 5: Reverse Freedom Rides Flying Migrants North, Florida Gov. Steals Page from Segregationists Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-20-22

Professor Mwalim Peters, recounts the little-known story of the Reverse Freedom Rides and says the strategy to humiliate liberals is "basically identical to what's happening now in Martha's Vineyard".

Ch. 6: Immigration Defining Us and Them - Now & Then - Air Date 9-27-22

Heather and Joanne discuss the politics and prejudices surrounding the two 1790s Naturalization Laws, the Immigration Act of 1924, the 1965 Hart-Celler Act, and the current Republican rhetoric about migrants at the Southern border.

Ch. 7: Reverse Freedom Rides Flying Migrants North, Florida Gov. Steals Page from Segregationists Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-20-22

Professor Mwalim Peters, recounts the little-known story of the Reverse Freedom Rides and says the strategy to humiliate liberals is "basically identical to what's happening now in Martha's Vineyard".


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Immigration Defining Us and Them Part 2 - Now & Then - Air Date 9-27-22


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on how laws are used to manipulate our sense of justice to support injustice


TAKE ACTION!

National Immigrant Justice Center (specific call for donations to help those being trafficked)

National Immigration Law Center 

Immigration Equality 

Chicago: City of Chicago "Donation and Volunteer Support for New Arrivals from Texas"

New York: South Bronx Mutual Aid (Seeking lawyers, mental health professionals, etc. for migrants)

Washington, DC: Sanctuary DMV's "Texas Migrant Solidarity Donation and Volunteer Links"

Inside The Local Mutual Aid Effort Supporting The Migrants Texas Bused To D.C. (DCist, May 2022)

Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: The words “The Cruelty is the Point” are overlayed on a black and white image of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ face in a black vignette.

Credit: “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis” by Matt Johnson, Flickr | License CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Black and white, black vignette, text overlay

Direct download: 1517_Immigrant_Trafficking_Air_Date_9-30-22_General_-_9-30-22_21.45.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00pm EDT