Sun, 16 February 2025
Air Date: 2-16-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: - Why we may be forced to bring back bullying - The impact of algorithms and what we can do about it - Democrats and the meaning of 'the medium is the message' - The unbelievable stupidity of techbro dweebs and their followers - The sociopathic reasons why Musk is doing this
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REFERENCES: The Big Tech Takeover of American Politics Remedial Civics for Tech Bros (Middle article) Why Is Elon Musk So Hell-Bent on Bulldozing the Government?
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Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am EST |
Sat, 15 February 2025
Original Air Date: 8/4/2015 The dysfunctional state of the US immigration system and the political fight brewing over what to do about it 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 Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Show NotesAct 1: Coming Out As An Undocumented Immigrant - Latino Voices - AJ+ (@ajplus) - Air Date: 03-20-15 Act 2: Donald Trump WRONG About 'Immigrant Crime' - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 07-08-15 Act 3: Scott Walker Now Bashing Any and All Immigrants - @majorityfm - Air Date: 04-22-15 Act 5: 'OITNB' actress (@dianeguerrero__) speaks out about family's deportation - CNN - Air Date: 11-17-14 Act 7: Did You Know Jesus Was Against Immigration? - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 07-16-15 Act 8: Hold Border Patrol Responsible via @ACLU — Best of the Left Activism Act 9: Let Them All In? How Immigration Can Help the Economy - @LearnLiberty - Air Date: 01-13-15 Act 10: The Migrant Manifesto by Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) - @migrants_rights Network - Air Date: 11-26-12
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Direct download: 943_No_human_being_is_illegal_Immigration_-_21325_20.46.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00am EST |
Tue, 11 February 2025
Air Date 2/11/2025 The very rich, as has been noted before, are not on the side of regular people. And even if you think that the federal government needs a major reboot, no one but the ultra-wealthy are going to be happy with what they build in the aftermath of the administrative coup currently underway. 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 Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! ACTIVISM ROUNDUP KEY POINTS KP 1: How Oligarchs Took Over The World - Double Down News - Air Date 1-9-25 KP 3: The Oligarchy's Power is Waking America Up - Velshi - Air Date 1-27-25 KP 5: Why the Tech Bros Allied with Trump - Zeteo - Air Date 2-2-25 KP 6: President Trump and the Power of the Purse - Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie - Air Date 2-5-25 (51:21) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the dream of the accelerationists DEEPER DIVES (56:16) SECTION A: HISTORICAL CONTEXT (1:40:21) SECTION B: GOVERNMENT DESTRUCTION (2:25:04) SECTION C: THE BROS SHOW IMAGE Description: A composite image showing a wrecking ball - with Elon Musk’s face on it - smashes a white wall. Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Image sourced from Pixabay. | License: Pixabay
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Direct download: 1690_Oligarchy_Unmasked-_Why_Billionaires_Hate_Democracy_and_How_Theyre_Dismantling_It_-_2925_19.31.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:44pm EST |
Mon, 10 February 2025
Air Date: 2-10-25 FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: You should be using an RSS reader Q & A: Jared Yates Sexton on the ‘Weaponized Abuse’ of Authoritarianism Brian Schatz on How Democrats Can ‘Start Kicking Ass Again’ All the ways Elon Musk is breaking the law, explained by a law professor Five Things Dems Must Do to Fight Trump Now
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Direct download: SAMPLE_-_SOLVED_336_-_Demystifying_Our_Reality.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:55pm EST |
Fri, 7 February 2025
Air Date 2/7/2025 Trump came in with a plan to subdue the media and large swaths of the media came in with a plan to acquiesce. But it's important to understand why because it's not a conspiracy or people wanting to do harm, it's structural to the system. 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 Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! KEY POINTS KP 3: Trump SECRET Meeting with Media before Payoff EXPOSED - The MeidasTouch Podcast - Air Date 12-16-24 KP 4: Mickey Huff The Mainstream Media is [CENSORED] - The Zero Hour with RJ Eskow - Air Date 1-11-25 KP 5: Why Is Mainstream Media Still So Bad At This - The Majority Report - Air Date 2-2-25 KP 6: Public Broadcasting Is In Danger (Again) - On the Media - Air Date 1-10-25 KP 7: Attention pays (with Chris Hayes) - The Gray Area with Sean Illing - Air Date 1-27-25 (53:40) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the liberatory power of the humble RSS feed reader DEEPER DIVES (1:00:23) SECTION A: MONEY (1:20:46) SECTION B: ATTENTION (1:34:24) SECTION C: FREE PRESS SHOW IMAGE Description: Photo of a TV in a living room with a Breaking News graphic. A person can be partially seen sitting on the couch eating a bowl of popcorn in their lap. Credit: “Breaking news journalism press” by Tumisu, Pixabay | License: Pixabay
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Tue, 4 February 2025
Air Date 2/4/2025 The era of unquestioned US hegemony is undoubtedly on the decline but the future is much more complicated and uncertain than the straightforward idea of China rising to take our place that we've been told. Though Trump is not the cause of US decline, he may send us out in a tragic blaze of glory. 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 Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! KEY POINTS KP 1: Things Fall Apart - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 1-28-25 KP 2: The end of America's global dominance Part 1 - The New Statesman - Air Date 1-8-25 (46:57) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On soft landings vs crash landings DEEPER DIVES (52:56) SECTION A: AMERICAN DECLINE (1:26:09) SECTION B: CHINA (1:49:01) SECTION C: RUSSIA (2:15:18) SECTION D: FRANCE (2:35:47) SECTION E: CORPORATE CONTROL (2:59:56) SECTION F: WHAT COMES NEXT SHOW IMAGE Description: Composite image of a crystal ball with Earth floating in its center and a white question mark on top of it. Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Images from Pixabay. | License: Pixabay
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Sun, 2 February 2025
Air Date: 2-2-25 FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: Goodbye, ‘Resistance.’ The Era of Hyperpolitics Is Over. How to Take Heart From What Really Worked in the First Resistance The Authoritarian Regime Survival Guide, VerfBlog Here's What You Can Do to Keep Democracy Alive During Trump's Second Term Trump Will Overplay His Hand. Here’s How to Be Ready. A Message From the Future With Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
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Direct download: SAMPLE_of_SOLVED_335_-_Good_Advice_in_Bad_Times.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:02pm EST |
Fri, 31 January 2025
Air Date 1/31/2025 The genocide and subsequent ceasefire in Gaza is only the latest horrifying consequence of botched military misadventures in the Middle East and if the history of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay prisons can teach us anything it's that atrocities have long shadows. 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 Shows + No Ads!) KEY POINTS KP 1: Gaza Ceasefire Explained Reading Between The Lines - The Socialist Program - Air Date 1-16-25 KP 2: The Ceasefire in Gaza w Mohammad Alsaafin - American Prestige - Air Date 1-19-25 KP 3: Trump's Middle East Plans w Mouin Rabbani - Behind the News - Air Date 1-23-25 KP 5: Katherine Gallagher on Abu Ghraib Verdict - CounterSpin - Air Date 11-29-24 KP 6: Trump's Middle East Plans w Mouin Rabbani Part 2 - Behind the News - Air Date 1-23-25 KP 8: Gaza Ceasefire Explained Reading Between The Lines Part 2 - The Socialist Program - Air Date 1-16-25 (51:16) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the echos of atrocities DEEPER DIVES (1:02:15) SECTION A: THE DEAL (1:24:41) SECTION B: CEASEFIRE POLITICS (1:46:00) SECTION C: THE EMPIRE (2:28:35) SECTION D: NOW WHAT? SHOW IMAGE Description: Photo of Palestinians walking through a street of rubble and debris with collapsed buildings on either side. Credit: “Damage in Gaza Strip during the October 2023 - 27” by WAFA, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC-SA 3.0 | Changes: Cropped
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Direct download: 1687_Respite-_Ceasefire_in_Gaza_and_the_Legacy_of_Imperial_Folly_in_the_Middle_East_-_13125_00.10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:56am EST |
Tue, 28 January 2025
![]() Air Date 1/28/2025 The existence of out-of-control wildfires in Los Angeles amid the rising climate crisis is not confusing or strange. How to deal with such an emergency during our ongoing political and information crisis is a completely different story. 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 Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! KEY POINTS KP 2: Water Wars - Sustainable Minimalists - Air Date 12-14-23 KP 5: The Politics of Fire - The Keith Boykins Channel - Air Date 1-12-25 KP 6: Fires, Liars, and Oligarchy Rising; Garland nixes execution drug - The Bradcast - Air Date 1-16-25 (47:06) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why progressive visions are interconnected DEEPER DIVES (55:26) SECTION A: WATER (1:18:36) SECTION B: INSURANCE (1:38:09) SECTION C: POLITICAL FAILURE (2:21:29) SECTION D: CLIMATE SHOW IMAGE Description: Photo of downtown Los Angeles at night with the Pacific Palisades fire burning on the mountains in the background. Credit: “Palisades Fire from downtown” by Toastt21, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC-SA 4.0 | Changes: Cropped, time stamp in lower right corner removed
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Sun, 26 January 2025
Air Date: 1-26-25 FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: History Will Judge the Complicit The Desire to Turn Inward Is a Delusion How to Keep Your Moral Compass Reach us via Signal: Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by:
Direct download: SAMPLE_SOLVED_334_-_SOLVED_Collaborators_Internal_Exiles_and_Dissidents.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EST |
Fri, 24 January 2025
Original Air Date: 3/7/2017 Today we look at the dangerous myths of individualism and the American Dream™, some of their origins and some of their consequences Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Show NotesCh. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill Act 1: Cultural influences on our perspective of self w/Gish Jen - Think Again - Air Date 3-4-17 Act 2: You are not as free as you think you are w/Raoul Martinez - @thisishellradio - Air Date 2-24-17 Act 3: Individualism in the prosperity gospel brand of Christianity - Ideas from CBC - Air Date 1-8-17 Act 4: The Cold War propaganda of anti-collectivism w/Gish Jen - Think Again - Air Date 3-4-17 Act 6: Training is all that matters - A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain Act 8: The Dangerous Myth of the American Dream w/Raoul Martinez - @thisishellradio - Air Date 2-24-17 Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Direct download: 1085_A_case_against_the_myth_of_individualism_Culture.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:39pm EST |
Tue, 21 January 2025
Air Date 1/21/2025 Decades ago, the conscious decision was made to exacerbate inequality for the sake of economic growth that would supposedly lift all boats. What probably wasn't understood at the time is that the logical conclusion of that choice would be to break democracy and usher in oligarchy. Now working people are left with only bad choices and empty promises. 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 Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! KEY POINTS KP 1: Workers Without a Party - Confronting Capitalism - Air Date 12-11-24 KP 4: How Democrats Can Win Back The Working Class - Lever Time - Air Date 11-8-24 KP 5: Why Elites Love Identity Politics - Confronting Capitalism - Air Date 1-1-25 KP 7: Democratic Dealignment w Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor - The Dig - Air Date 11-9-24 KP 8: Why Elites Love Identity Politics Part 2 - Confronting Capitalism - Air Date 1-1-25 (54:01) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the path Democrats have charted DEEPER DIVES (1:02:38) SECTION A: PARTY RECKONING (1:23:40) SECTION B: NEOLIBERAL STRANGLEHOLD (1:39:24) SECTION C: CROSSED WIRES (2:08:27) SECTION D: SOLUTIONS SHOW IMAGE Description: Composite image of multi-colored people outlines crossing over each other with arrows in the background pointing two different directions. Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman, Images from Pixabay | License: Pixabay
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Direct download: 1685_Working_People_Can_Choose_Between_Two_Abusive_Relationships_With_Political_Parties.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:19pm EST |
Mon, 20 January 2025
Air Date: 1-20-25 FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: A New Year's resolution for an Uncertain Future (The New Republic) Teachers Turn to Study Groups for Anti-Racist Learning as History is Whitewashed (TruthOut) What Could Citizens’ Assemblies Do for American Politics? (The New Yorker)
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Direct download: SAMPLE_BONUS_333_-_This_is_what_democracy_actually_looks_like.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:29am EST |
Sat, 18 January 2025
Air Date 1/18/2025 We are looking back on Jimmy Carter's life and legacy as a lens through which to more clearly see and understand the current state of our politics, our incoming president, the Middle East, the climate, and more. 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 Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! KEY POINTS KP 1: Jimmy Carter Part 1 - Past Present - Air Date 2-28-23 KP 4: The Faith of Jimmy Carter - Facepalm America - Air Date 4-12-23 KP 6: When Carter called out America - Today, Explained - Air Date 12-30-24 (46:27) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the supposed desire for truth DEEPER DIVES (52:22) SECTION A: HISTORICAL CONTEXT (1:33:23) SECTION B: FOREIGN POLICY (2:07:22) SECTION C: CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM (2:25:30) SECTION D: REPUBLICAN RATFUCKING SHOW IMAGE Description: Black and white photo of President Jimmy Carter in front of the White House in 1977. Credit: “President Jimmy Carter and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat at the White House, Washington, D.C.“ by Marion S. Trikosko, Library of Congress | License: Public Domain
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Wed, 15 January 2025
Air Date 1/15/2025 Elon Musk is leading the way for his class of tech broligarchs anxious to take over the MAGA movement and shape it to their own ends of deregulation, tax cuts, and lucrative government contracts. The disappointment that is inevitable for the MAGA populists is coming even faster than expected. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Membership, Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! KEY POINTS KP 1: The long con of America's ultra-wealthy elites - The ReidOut - Air Date 1-2-25 KP 5: Elon & Vivek's H1-B Crash Out - Bad Faith - Air Date 1-2-25 KP 6: Our Moment is Approaching - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 12-31-24 KP 7: Weekly Roundup Jimmy Carter vs Elon Musk - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 1-3-25 KP 8: The Oligarch Class - Left Anchor - Air Date 1-3-25 (55:27) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the rehashing of the anti-democratic argument for extreme wealth for the benefit of humanity DEEPER DIVES (1:07:40) SECTION A: OLIGARCHS (1:35:23) SECTION B: THE MAGA FRACTURE (1:51:04) SECTION C: GLOBAL INFLUENCE (2:21:44) SECTION D: ORGANIZING |
Sat, 11 January 2025
Air Date: 1/11/2025 Today, we look back to the warnings we gave ourselves at the beginning of the first Trump administration. In 2017 there was concern about corruption and his business dealings, ethics around his nominees, and the inability of the media to cover him properly. 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 Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! KEY POINTS KP 1: What should Trump do to resolve his conflicts of interest? - @DecodeDC - Air Date 1-11-17 KP 3: Zephyr Teachout on Trump and the emoluments clause - Amicus from @Slate - Air Date 12-24-16 KP 4: Trump's team exhibits classic abuser behavior - Bradcast from @TheBradBlog - Air Date 1-23-17 KP 6: A Taxonomy of Trump Tweets - On the Media - Air Date 1-13-17 KP 7: Masha Gessen on the rules for surviving autocracy - Trumpcast from @Slate - Air Date 11-14-16 MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)
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Wed, 8 January 2025
Air Date 1/8/2025 Trump's first term was marked by all of the friendships he built with some of the world's worst, most oppressive leaders. His second term is getting an early start as he has begun making threats toward traditional allies and friends including Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and Panama. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Send the Gift of Membership! (Or on Patreon) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! KEY POINTS KP 2: Donald Trump’s New Manifest Destiny - WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch - Part 1 - Air Date 12-26-24 KP 3: Why Elon Musk interferes in politics around the world - DW News - Air Date 1-3-25 KP 4: Is Musk Flirting With Fascism? - Politics unpacked - Air Date 1-3-24 (49:09) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the baby-brained ideas of the far right DEEPER DIVES (54:40) SECTION A: PANAMA (1:16:10) SECTION B: MANIFEST DESTINY (1:35:47) SECTION C: MUSK (1:48:38) SECTION D: TRUMP 2.0 SHOW IMAGE Description: Composite image of a vector drawing of a confused-looking Trump leaning on a podium with a globe and dice being rolled. A risk dial is on the front of the podium showing an increasing threat level. Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman | Images from Pixabay | License: Pixabay
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Direct download: 1681_Trumps_American_Imperialism__Threatening_Friends_and_Annoying_Neighbors.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:54pm EST |
Mon, 6 January 2025
Air Date: 1-6-24 FOLLOW US ON: REFERENCES: Democracy Is Not a Customer Loyalty Program
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Direct download: SAMPLE_Bonus_332_-_Transgressive_Thoughts_in_a_Villain_Era.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:09am EST |
Sat, 4 January 2025
![]() Air Date 1/4/2025 The murder of a health insurance CEO being met with widespread approval and the risk of going backward on life-saving vaccines pretty much sums up the current state of our approach to health care in this country. 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 Shows + No Ads!) KEY POINTS KP 3: The Dark History Behind RFK Jr.'s Health Policies - The Majority Report - Air Date 12-11-24 KP 4: Vaccine skepticism Will the new Trump admin axe the polio vaccine - The ReidOut - Air Date 12-13-24 KP 6: The Health Care Crisis Is The Democracy Crisis - The Lever - Air Date 12-17-24 (48:31) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the racist history of opposing universal health care DEEPER DIVES (53:28) SECTION A - RFK Jr. (1:07:08) SECTION B - Luigi Mangione (1:22:43) SECTION C - United Health Care (1:41:01) SECTION D - Health Care History SHOW IMAGE Description: A cropped photo of two people holding a handmade sign that says “Healthcare for people NOT for profit!” Credit: “Demand SINGLE PAYER Expanded & Improved Medicare for All HR 676 Now Protest” by Elvert Barnes, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0
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