Best of the Left Podcast

Put a description of your podcast here.

The Podcasts

Air Date: 9-29-23

Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin and Deon discuss:

- The economics of witch trials

- The creation of content for capital

- Layers and layers of bullshit obscure reality

- Post script: visit to the Salem museum

 

REFERENCES:

How Social Turmoil Has Increased Witch Hunts throughout History - Scientific American 

To Be a Consumer of Culture Means Living in a Hostage Situation - Slate 

WE’VE LOST THE PLOT - The Atlantic 

Dance, I Said — Dance! And Leave the Package on the Porch. - NYTimes 

The Salem Witch Trials: Restoring Justice - Peabody Essex Museum; Salem, Mass 

 

Join our Discord Server 

 

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_278_Sample_-_9-29-23_18.17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:44pm EST

Air Date 9/26/2023

Rays of hope for the worker's struggle against unfettered, exploitative capitalism are coming from multiple angles as strikes from creatives in Hollywood and autoworkers in Detroit are striking to demand wages, benefits, and protections while executives make arguments for why workers should be made to feel the threat of poverty to keep them in line.

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

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1463 People Are Waking Back Up To The Need For Labor Unions

#1557 Tactics and Counter-Tactics of the Struggle for Labor Rights


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: GM CEO Flails In Response To CNN Question Over Her Pay vs. Workers - The Rational National - Air Date 9-15-23

On day 1 of the UAW strike, CNN questioned CEO of General Motors Mary Barra over why she has seen a 34% increase in her pay while GM workers haven't. I break down how ridiculous her response here is.

Ch. 2: Far-Right Anti-Science Conspiracies Are Literally Killing Us - The New Abnormal - Air Date 9-18-23

Dr. Peter Hotez joins The New Abnormal this week to discuss his new book, “The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science”—and why anti-vaccine conspiracies are so dangerous. Plus! An interview with labor reporter and author Kim Kelly about the UAW strike.

Ch. 3: Sociopath Businessman Tells The Truth About Capitalism - Novara Media - Air Date 9-14-23

A CEO says the quiet part out loud about the inhuman fundamentals of capitalism

Ch. 4: GOP, Corporate Media Attempt to Manufacture Conflict Between Autoworkers and Climate - Citations Needed - Air Date 9-20-23

In this public News Brief, we break down recent attempts by Politico, Axios, New York Times and faux populist Republicans to pit autoworkers against climate mandates.

Ch. 5: Labor historian Nelson Lichtenstein on the UAW strike and the U.S. labor movement rising - The BradCast w/ Brad Friedman - Air Date 9-18-23

UC Santa Barbara labor historian Dr. NELSON LICHTENSTEIN explains the specific concerns of autoworker unions, how 2023's summer of unionization compares to prior waves of union organizing in the US and the political implications of unionization

Ch. 6: Labor Decision Could Lead To A Union Revolution In America - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 9-23-23

Harold Meyerson, editor-at-large at The American Prospect, discusses the recent decisions made at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Ch. 7: Workers Fighting Back: The UAW Goes on Strike! - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 9-19-23

Teddy Ostrow and Maximillian Alvarez from The Real News Network join Breht to discuss the recent "stand up" strike launched by the United Auto Workers labor union. Teddy and Max discuss the strike and explain the causes


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: How These Strippers UNIONIZED Their Strip Club with Equity Strippers Noho - Factually! with Adam Conover - Air Date 9-13-23

Every worker deserves a union — including strippers! Recently, strippers at the Star Garden in North Hollywood became the first strippers in decades to unionize. On this week’s Factually, Charlie and Lilith from Equity Strippers Noho join Adam

Ch. 9: Marvel workers just won the first union in visual effects history - More Perfect Union - Air Date 9-13-23

The workers who power the biggest superhero movies on the planet voted unanimously to unionize with VFX-IATSE. This is a major first step for the industry, and Disney is next.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on Biden's visit to the picket line and the importance of how moral questions are framed


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: 1585_Labor_Strikes_Air_Date_9-26-23_General_-_9-26-23_18.22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:35pm EST

Air Date 9/24/2023

Israel's politics have been upended by the return of Netanyahu as Prime Minister, put in office with the help of extremely far-right factions who have now pushed through reforms to the Israeli Supreme Court that fundamentally undermine their democracy. All this while they were already a farce of a democracy due to the maintenance of an apartheid-like system of differing rules applying to different residents based on ethnicity.

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

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1447 Settler Colonialist Structures Around the World

#1542 Despair and violence in Israel's illiberal and exclusionary "democracy"


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The U.S. should not reward Israel’s bad behavior - Velshi - Air Date 9-3-23

Israel’s internal politics has been upended, with indicted Prime Minister Netanyahu returning to office and, in a situation echoing American politics, trying to use his power and influence to remain in power to avoid prosecution.

Ch. 2: Haggai Matar & Gideon Levy - Israel's Fight over Judicial Changes Ignores Occupation & Apartheid Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-25-23

We speak with two Israeli journalists in Tel Aviv after lawmakers in Israel passed a highly contested bill Monday weakening the power of the Supreme Court by preventing it from blocking government decisions it deems unreasonable.

Ch. 3: Protests in Israel: The Rights Further Consolidation of Power - Intercepted - Air Date 7-26-23

Jeremy Scahill and Murtaza Hussain are joined by Mairav Zonszein, an Israeli American journalist and a senior analyst on Israel-Palestine at the International Crisis Group.

Ch. 4: Congress Melts Down Over Israel Again - Deconstructed - Air Date 7-21-23

The House overwhelmingly passed a resolution on Tuesday pledging "the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel” and that Israel is “not a racist or apartheid state.” Guest Beth Miller

Ch. 5: Protests in Israel: The Rights Further Consolidation of Power Part 2 - Intercepted - Air Date 7-26-23

Ch. 6: Palestinian Attorney Noura Erakat: The U.S. Is Normalizing Apartheid by Hosting Israel's President - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-18-23

The visits from Israeli leadership are an attempt to "normalize apartheid," says Palestinian human rights attorney Noura Erakat, who compares today's U.S. support of Israel to the nation's support for South African apartheid.

Ch. 7: The Palestine Laboratory Antony Loewenstein on How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-23-23

We speak with journalist and author Antony Loewenstein about his new book, The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: The Palestine Laboratory Antony Loewenstein on How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-23-23

Ch. 9: Protests in Israel: The Rights Further Consolidation of Power Part 3 - Intercepted - Air Date 7-26-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the circular Supreme Court case sending Israel into a spiral of chaos


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Israeli flags fly around a crowd of people standing on a sidewalk holding signs that say "Saving Israeli Democracy" and "Democracy for All" with a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Netenyahu behind bars. 

Credit: "Democracy for All" by Alisdare Hickson, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0) | 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: 1584_Israel_Supreme_Court_Air_Date_9-24-23_General_-_9-24-23_17.04.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:14pm EST

Original Air Date: 8/8/2020

Today we take a look at the concept of defunding the police; what it means, what it doesn't and what the goals of the movement are. 

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

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Race, Police, & The Pandemic - FRONTLINE - Air Date 6-2-20

Jelani Cobb describes how the relationship between black Americans and the police has become a “barometer” for race relations in the country and that explosive tensions are “overwhelmingly” in response to an issue of police use of force.

Ch. 2: Panel Discussion on Radical Police Reform - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-10-20

Trevor hosts a panel on movements to radically reimagine policing in the U.S. with Patrisse Cullors, Josie Duffy Rice, Sam Sinyangwe, Mychal Denzel Smith and Alex S. Vitale.

Ch. 3: The Racial Justice Uprising in the U.S. is Taking Hold Overseas - The Takeaway - Air Date 6-8-20

Explaining that an overburdened police system that takes on way too much, including much that is outside the realm of their training, is something that no one should want.

Ch. 4: The End of Policing with Alex Vitale - The Bastani Factor, Novara Media - Air Date 6-3-20

Aaron Bastani interviews author of ‘The End of Policing’, Alex Vitale, to ask just how bad law enforcement is in the United States, and what can be done about it.

Ch. 5: Defunding the Police Is Only the Beginning - The Mother Jones Podcast - Air Date 6-17-20

Josie Duffy Rice joins Jamilah King for a discussion about the recent police killing of Rayshard Brookes in Atlanta, the deep racist and classist structural issues with policing in America, and why defunding the police is only step one.

Ch. 6: Defund Police What It Means & How It Would Really Work - News Beat - Air Date 6-16-20

In the wake of the police slaying of George Floyd in Minneapolis, protesters have not only flooded the streets, but they're actively pushing reforms that go well beyond traditional solutions.

Ch. 7: How to Defund the Police - Boom! Lawyered - Air Date 6-11-20

Racism is baked into the U.S. model of policing. More and more people are starting to believe that no amount of "reform" will help; a full tear-down is required. But what does "defunding the police" actually mean?

Ch. 8: Is It Time To Defund the Police? - Deconstructed with Mehdi Hasan - Air Date 6-11-20

Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors joins Mehdi Hasan to discuss the future of policing and community-oriented systems of public safety in the United States.

Ch. 9: The Politics of "Defund the Police" - Politics with Amy Walter, The Takeaway - Air Date 6-12-20

Congress is reckoning with how to respond to the protests and calls for police accountability. Two national reporters join to discuss the Justice in Policing Act of 2020.

Ch. 10: We Can't Let The Uprising Get Co-opted - The Michael Brooks Show - Air Date 6-10-20

Notes on the uprising and how we move forward without allowing the forces of neoliberalism to co-opt the movement.

Ch. 11: Angela Davis: Abolishing police is not just about dismantling. It’s also about building up. - Democracy Now - Air Date 6-12-2020

Amid a worldwide uprising against police brutality and racism, we discuss the historic moment with legendary scholar and activist Angela Davis.


EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

The Movement for Black Lives Introduces the BREATHE Act (Colorlines)

What Exactly Does It Mean to Defund the Police? (The Cut, NY Mag,)

What Does It Mean to Invest in Black Communities? (The Nation)

How to Defund the Police (The New Yorker)

How to Make Defunding the Police a Reality (The Nation)

Defunding the Police Will Actually Make Us Safer (ACLU)

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: TBT_1360_Redefine_Unburden_and_DefundThePolice_General_-_9-22-23_15.13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:31pm EST

Air Date 9/18/2023

Exploring the captivating world of conspiracy theories! We are all wired to believe misinformation to some degree, but not all to the same degree. With help from Naomi Klein, and other experts, discover why people are drawn to conspiracies, the psychology behind belief and ideas about the best way to prevent conspiratorial thinking.

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

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Why we are all attracted to conspiracy theories - The Guardian - Air Date 3-10-21

Belief in conspiracy theories is far more widespread than the stereotypes that dominate pop culture.

Ch. 2: How did conspiracy theories become mainstream? | Naomi Klein | Big Questions - Penguin Books UK - Air Date 9-12-23

When Naomi Klein discovered that a woman who shared her first name, but had radically different, harmful views, was getting chronically mistaken for her, it seemed too ridiculous to take seriously. Then suddenly it wasn't.

Ch. 3: Why Do Conservatives Fall For Fake News? - Leeja Miller - Air Date 6-28-23

Why do conservatives fall for fake news? Is it just them, or are we all culpable? How did Americans become so susceptible to falling for disinformation? And what can we do about it??

Ch. 4: Naomi Klein on Her New Book "Doppelganger" & How Conspiracy Culture Benefits Ruling Elite Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-14-23

Klein explains her initial motivation for the book was her own alter-ego, the author Naomi Wolf, for whom she has often been mistaken.

Ch. 5: How Conspiracy Theories Capture the Mind - UChicago Institute of Politics - Air Date 4-8-22

Journalisms role in solving the spread of misinformation

Ch. 6: Naomi Klein on Her New Book "Doppelganger" & How Conspiracy Culture Benefits Ruling Elite Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-14-23

Ch. 7: Why People Believe in Conspiracy Theories, with Karen Douglas, PhD - Speaking of Psychology - Air Date 1-13-21

This past year, COVID-19 and the U.S. elections have provided fertile ground for conspiracy theories—with sometimes disastrous consequences. Karen Douglas, PhD discusses psychological research on how conspiracy theories start & why they persist.

Ch. 8: Birds Aren’t Real? How a Conspiracy Takes Flight | Peter McIndoe - TEDTalks - Air Date 9-13-23

Peter McIndoe isn't a fan of birds. In fact, he has a theory about them that might shock you. Listen along to this eye-opening talk as it takes a turn and makes a larger point about conspiracies, truth and belonging in divisive times.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Conspiracies Around Trump, Military Leadership, and Militias - Jordan Klepper Fingers The Conspiracy - The Daily Show - Air Date 7-12-23

MAGA supporters not only believe that Donald Trump is still president, but that he's in charge of the military.

Ch. 10: Mother has Moment of Truth that leads to her rejecting conspiracy theories she believed - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 9-27-22

Like millions of Americans, Karen Robertson of Iuka, Mississippi believed in conspiracy theories. But one day she had an experience that convinced her to challenge her beliefs. She spoke about that moment with student reporter Makenna Mead


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the importance of making connections while avoiding conspiratorial thinking


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: 1583_Conspiratorial_Thinking_Air_Date_9-18-23_General_-_9-18-23_18.48.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:49pm EST

Original Air Date: 6/15/2018

The high toll Puerto Rico is paying, in both money and lives, for the triple disasters of colonialism, Hurricane Maria and disaster capitalism

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

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Deadlier than Katrina & 9/11 Hurricane Maria Killed 4,645 in Puerto Rico, 70 Times Official Toll - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 05-30-18

Ch. 2: Colonialism during hurricane season - On the Media - 6-6-18

Ch. 3: Elizabeth Yeampierre on Puerto Rican colonialism and disaster capitalism - Infinite Earth Radio - Air Date 2-22-18

Ch. 4: The Battle for Paradise: Naomi Klein on Disaster Capitalism & the Fight for Puerto Rico’s Future - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 03-21-18

Ch. 5: Naomi Klein on Puerto Rico and Disaster Capitalism - Touré Show - Air Date 4-25-18


Ch. 9: Final comments on the lessons of Mister Rogers that we could use right now

 

TAKE ACTION

Get involved with/support Mutual Aid Disaster Relief

MARD Skillshare Trainings (Links for request forms are at the bottom of the blog post)

Read more about MARD ongoing work in Puerto Rico

FOR FURTHER READING/SHARING

FEMA Blamed Delays In Puerto Rico On Maria; Agency Records Tell Another Story (NPR/Frontline)

About a quarter of Puerto Rico’s schools are shutting down. Here’s a look inside one. (Vox)

"Justice was served": Judge halts school closures in Puerto Rico (CBS)

New bill pushes for commission to investigate federal response to Puerto Rico hurricanes (NBC)

At Issue In Florida Senate Campaign: Who's Fighting For Puerto Rico? (NPR)

Hurricane Maria Casts Shadow Over Puerto Rican Parade (NY Times)

Puerto Rico's Push For Food Independence Intertwined With Statehood Debate (NPR)

The Shame in Puerto Rico (NY Times)

Fighting for Those Who Can No Longer Speak (SocialistWorker.org)

Resisting Disaster Capitalists and Building Solidarity in Puerto Rico (Grassroots International)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 

 

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on iTunes | StitcherSpotify | Alexa Devices | +more

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

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!


Air Date 9/13/2023

This eye-opening episode will explore the complex web of colonialism, disaster capitalism, and climate change is ravaging Native Hawaiian communities. We explore how corporations and privatization going back to annexation have exacerbated wildfires, water scarcity and housing issues in Hawaii. We also discuss the role of tourism and its impact on local culture and resources and learn how community-led mutual aid efforts are offering a glimmer of hope for the unhoused and those struggling to reclaim their ancestral lands.

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

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


Related Episodes:

#1401 That is a Texas-Sized Climate Disaster You Got There

#1546 Exist, Resist, Indigenize, Decolonize: A story of colonialism, cultural renaissance and modernity


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Plantation Disaster Capitalism: Native Hawaiians Organize to Stop Land & Water Grabs After Maui - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-18-23

We speak with Hawaiian law professor Kapuaʻala Sproat about the conditions that made the fires more destructive and what’s yet to come for residents looking to rebuild their lives.

Ch. 2: Why Maui burned - Today, Explained - Air Date 8-15-23

Hawaii’s landscape has been rapidly changing for the last 200 years thanks to plantations, tourism, and climate change. A reporter and climatologist explain how those factors fueled one of the worst wildfires in US history.

Ch. 3: We are concerned for you. - Read Choi - Air Date 8-4-23

A skit imagining a discussion between an elite property owner and a Native Hawaiian

Ch. 4: Disasters at every turn - Native America Calling - Air Date 8-28-23

Officials are still sorting out the human and financial toll of the unprecedented fire on Maui. Many Native Hawaiians remain missing, hundreds more sustained serious damage to their homes and businesses.

Ch. 5: “We’re Living the Climate Emergency”: Native Hawaiian Kaniela Ing on Fires, Colonialism & Banyan - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-11-23

We speak with Kaniela Ing, national director of the Green New Deal Network and seventh-generation Kanaka Maoli, Native Hawaiian, about the impact of this week’s devastating wildfires and their relationship to climate change.

Ch. 6: As Fires Destroy Native Hawaiian Archive in Maui, Mutual Aid Efforts Are Launched to Help Lahaina - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-11-23

In Lahaina, the area in west Maui that is of historical importance to Indigenous people, entire neighborhoods were wiped out by this week’s historic wildfires, including the Na 'Aikane o Maui Cultural Center

Ch. 7: Janine Jackson takes a quick look back at recent press coverage of the Maui fires and the climate crisis - CounterSpin - Air Date 8-25-23

Janine Jackson takes a quick look back at recent press coverage of the Maui fires and the climate crisis.

Ch. 8: Wildfires - This is Democracy - Air Date 9-5-23

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by guests Randy Denzer and Dr. Alison Alter to discuss the increasing incidence of wildfires in the United States and what efforts have been made to mitigate them.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Relationships, Money, and Maui Tourism - The Amanda Seales Show - Air Date 8-18-23

Is Tourism helpful to the Hawaiian Islands? Is the tourism industry a byproduct of the colonization of Hawaii?

Ch. 10: How Native Hawaiians have been pushed out of Hawai'i - Bianca Graulau - Air Date 2-7-23

Native Hawaiians are struggling to afford to live on the land that was once stolen from their ancestors.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the need for better systems to respond to predictable disasters


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1582_Maui_Fire_Colonialism_Air_Date_9-13-23_General_-_9-13-23_18.11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:29pm EST

Air Date: 9-8-23
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin and Deon discuss:
- The need for good structures of society, not scripture
- Jesus is too liberal for Christians
- Amateur anthropology
- Technology and humanity
- Drugs and alcohol

 

REFERENCES:
Report: Record Number Of People Following Their Hearts - Babylon Bee

The Misunderstood Reason Millions of Americans Stopped Going to Church - The Atlantic

Evangelicals Are Now Rejecting 'Liberal' Teachings of Jesus - Newsweek

Doug Rushkoff Is Ready to Renounce the Digital Revolution - Wired

A kind of magic - CEO Mag

A philosopher's psychedelic encounter with reality - The Gray Area with Sean Illing


Join our Discord Server


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_277_Sample_-_9-8-23_15.35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:06pm EST

Air Date 9/6/2023

The first GOP presidential debate happened without the frontrunner, Donald Trump, being present for the event but rather hanging over the proceedings like a specter. Meanwhile, Trump's legal troubles continue to mount and we examine what it is that is keeping Republican voters and presidential candidates alike, with minor exceptions, firmly defending the former president.

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

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Party of Authoritarianism - In The Thick - Air Date 8-23-23

As the GOP presidential debates make their premiere in Milwaukee, Jeanne Whalen reports on Donald Trump’s failure to make good on a promise of bringing a manufacturing boom to Wisconsin

Ch. 2: Trickle Down Trumpism - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-26-23

The GOP debate, where Trump was somehow both absent and present.

Ch. 3: An Argument at the Kids' Table John Nichols on First GOP Debate Held Without Trump Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-24-23

Highlights from the first Republican presidential debate of the 2023 race and analysis from John Nichols

Ch. 4: Why top Republicans want to bomb Mexico - Today, Explained - Air Date 8-29-23

Long-shot presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said he would send US forces into Mexico “on day one.” Longer-shot presidential candidate Will Hurd explains why that’s a bad idea.

Ch. 5: Trickle Down Trumpism Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-26-23

Ch. 6: The Party of Authoritarianism Part 2 - In The Thick - Air Date 8-23-23

Ch. 7: Is America Run By A Psychopathic Cult w Seth D. Norrholm - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-24-23

Will America’s Democracy be a memory before Trump’s cult wakes up?

Ch. 8: Trickle Down Trumpism Part 3 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 8-26-23

Ch. 9: Ticking Bomb Inside GOP’s Plan To Defund Trump Prosecution - Thom Hartmann - Air Date 8-31-23

Far-Right lawmakers want to defund Fani Willis without settling for legal means to stop the persecution of Donald Trump.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: An Argument at the Kids' Table John Nichols on First GOP Debate Held Without Trump Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-24-23

Discussing the 14th Amendment option

Ch. 11: An Argument at the Kids' Table John Nichols on First GOP Debate Held Without Trump Part 3 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-24-23

Discussing the GOP debate on support for Ukraine


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the need to ban Trump from office in the right way


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A four-quadrant layout of photos of GOP presidential candidates, including Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy. At the intersection of the images is a red circle around a photo of Donald Trump’s face, mid-speech, pointing a finger at the camera.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Individual image credits: Chris Christie by Michael Vadon, Flickr (License: CC BY-SA 2.0), Changes: Cropped; Photos of Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Donald Trump all by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | 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: 1581_GOP_Debate_Authoritarianism_Air_Date_9-6-23_General_-_9-6-23_18.17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:24pm EST

Air Date 9/3/2023

Sports gambling through smartphones has become widely available and wildly addictive but the effects are being felt beyond the individual gambler's bank account and anxiety levels. Partnerships between gambling companies and colleges, influencers, and even journalistic institutions like ESPN are changing the fundamentals of the sports themselves and how they're understood by fans - all for the worse.

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

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How the Sports Betting Industry Quietly Consumed America - Wendover Productions - Air Date 12-13-22

How the Sports Betting Industry Quietly Consumed America

Ch. 2: The Explosion of Online Sports Betting with Eric Lipton - Why Is This Happening? - Air Date 5-9-23

You’ve probably encountered an advertisement for sports betting in one form or another. In the past few years, there’s been a marked rise in the number of online sports betting ads from companies like DraftKings and FanDuel.

Ch. 3: Gambling controversy continues to hit the NFL, MORE Players suspended - The Domonique Foxworth Show - Air Date 6-29-23

On the Domonique Foxworth Show, Domonique dives into the latest news of NFL players suspended for gambling violations and how everything revolves around money.

Ch. 4: ESPN Will NEVER be the Same After This Major Decision - TYT Sports - Air Date 8-12-23

Now that legal sports betting has become normalized and adopted nationwide, ESPN is trying to wedge themselves into the market, which is something that should worry anyone who cares about sports. Rick Strom breaks it down.

Ch. 5: The Toxic Normalization of Online Gambling - Cara Nicole - Air Date 9-30-22

In this video, we're dissecting the rise of sports betting apps, gambling shows on Twitch and ESPN, casino streams by celebrities like Drake, and how we're creating widespread gambling addictions

Ch. 6: College partnerships are bringing sports betting to campus. Are students safe? - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 2-27-23

We are weeks away from college basketball’s March Madness and billions of dollars worth of wagers on the games. As more states legalize sports betting, Paul Solman reports on the increasing concern that some colleges are too involved in its promotion.

Ch. 7: What Happened to Black Activism in Professional Sports? - Edge of Sports - Air Date 7-26-23

Later in the show, we have Choice Words about the social cost of smartphone sports gambling becoming the economic lifeblood of sports.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: The Puppets of Online Gambling - Philion - Air Date 4-7-23

Stake.com is the world's largest crypto casino valued at over 1 billion dollars. It is licensed in Curacao and operates out of Australia. Stake.com is infiltrating pop culture via Twitch streamers celebrities & coporate sponsors

Ch. 9: How Australian sports make money from gambling - Full Story - Air Date 5-10-23

As the online gambling industry grows, at least one Australian football league is taking a greater share of its revenue. Reporter Henry Belot tells Jane Lee why this is a problem for fans, punters and even some players


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Buddhist teachings and A.I. - Craig from Ohio


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the outsized influence of impetuous billionaires


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: 1580_Sports_Gambling_Air_Date_9-3-23_General_-_9-3-23_15.23.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:39pm EST