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Air Date: 7/31/2025

Who would have thought that a political movement built almost exclusively on conspiracy theories and a cult of personality would end up being threatened by the cult leader being implicated in the biggest and worst conspiracy coverup… even though it’s been well documented for decades?

Content warning for detailed accusations leveled against Trump and Epstein by their alleged victims.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Epstein Files Firestorm Shows the Power of Online Conspiracy - There Are No Girls on the Internet - Air Date 7-8-25

KP 2: Trump Launches Wild Conspiracy Theory Smokescreen After Being Named in Epstein Files - What a Day - Air Date 7-24-25

KP 3: Epstein Conspiracy, or Epstein Conspiracy Theory? - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 7-7-25

KP 4: Lame Duck Trump Can't Deny Epstein Shockers: Wolff - The Daily Beast Podcast - Air Date 7-18-25

KP 5: Why They're Protecting Jeffrey Epstein's Secrets (w/ Julie K. Brown) - Lever Time - Air Date 7-6-25

KP 6: Epstein Exposed: Trump, Mossad & the Elites Dark Secrets - Double Down News - Air Date 7-21-25


(00:51:26) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the role of human psychology in conspiracies and authoritarianism


DEEPER DIVES

(00:58:55) SECTION A: THE VICTIMS SHOULD BE THE FOCUS

A1: Epstein Survivor Calls for Accountability: Release the Files, End Impunity for Rich & Powerful Abusers - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-18-25

A2: As State Department Office Combating Human Trafficking Faces Cuts, Former Leader Weighs in - Pbs Newshour - Air Date 7-8-25

A3: How Miami Herald's Investigation & Jeffrey Epstein Survivors Helped Blow up a Sweetheart Deal - Miami Herald - Air Date 12-19-19

A4: Documentary: Who Is Jeffrey Epstein, Accused of Sexually Abusing Teen Girls? - Miami Herald - Air Date 11-29-18


(01:34:23) SECTION B: BROKEN NEWS: WE'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE

B1: William Barr Pretends to Care About Jeffrey Epstein's Demise - The Majority Report W/ Sam Seder - Air Date 8-2-25

B2: The 'completely Unprecedented' Plea Deal Jeffrey Epstein Made with Alex Acosta - Pbs Newshour - Air Date 7-18-19


(01:49:11) SECTION C: IS THERE A DEEPSTATE?

C1: Chris Hedges: Trump, Epstein and the Deep State - The Chris Hedges Youtube Channel - Air Date 7-2-25

C2: ‘Big Revelation’: Fbi Was Ordered to Flag Epstein Records Mentioning Trump, Says Senator - All in with Chris Hayes - Air Date 7-18-25

C3: What's Really Going on Between Ghislaine Maxwell and Trump's Justice Department #1680 - David Feldman Show - Air Date 7-22-25


(02:14:19) SECTION D: ENIGMAS NEVER DIE

D1: Who Is Leslie Wexner? Narrated by Margaret Cho - Nowthis - Air Date - 12-13-21

D2: Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and Sexual Blackmail Networks (w/ Nick Bryant) - The Chris Hedges Report - Air Date 7-16-25

D3: We Tracked Every Visitor to Epstein Island - Wired - Air Date 11-22-24


(02:39:05) SECTION E: THE MEDIA IS BAD THIS

E1: Desperate Distractions Have Trump Caught in a Time Warp?! - Internet Today - 7-22-25

E2: BREAKING: Trump Is Confirmed in the Epstein Files | Hasanabi Reacts - Hasanabi Productions - Air Date 7-23-25

E3: The Trumpepstein Story Is Not a Conspiracy Theory - Rebecca Watson (skepchick) - Air Date 7-16-25


(03:02:29) SECTION F: TRUMP & HIS BASE

F1: The Epstein Files Are Not Going Away | Explainer - Heather Cox Richardson - Air Date 7-22-25

F2: Mehdi Hasan: Why the Dems Are 'failing' on Trump's Epstein Scandal - Lbc - Air Date 7-23-25

F3: Flirting with Civil War: Trumps Dangerous New Rhetoric - Mallen Baker - Air Date 7-24-25


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Photo of a bus stop in the UK with a large photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump. An unidentifiable person in a hoodie and yellow vest is closing the bus stop frame.

Credit: “Put this photo everywhere for Trump's UK visit” via Crowdfunder by user Everyone Hates Elon | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1726_Epstein_Forever.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 7-27-2025

Back when I worked in the climate movement, just after the turn of the century, we knew that the extreme weather we were warning about would become ever-more clear to see in people's lived experiences and assumed that any doubts people had about the science of climate change would be wiped away with the evidence they could see with their own eyes as weather became more intense and less predictable. Of course, we didn't foreseen that we were headed straight into the eye of a storm of partisan conspiracism that would fully take over a third of the political spectrum. But here we are, head for high ground.

The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue by Mike Tidwell

Ebook

Audiobook

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Full Show Notes


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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Flooding Is Common in Texas Hill Country. This Was Different - Consider This - Air Date 7-7-25

KP 2: Trump Press Secs Fury at Media Over Texas Flood Exposes Worst of Maga - The Daily Blast - Air Date 7-9-25

KP 3: Why Kristi Noems Incompetence Matters Part 1- Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-10-25

KP 4: Republicans Get Exposed on Fox Live - The Adam Mockler Show - Air Date 7-10-25

KP 5: Weekly Roundup: Texas Floods and the Vengeful Theology of Kristi Noem + Why the Concentration Camp Had to Be in Florida - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-11-25

KP 6: The Real Conspiracy Behind the Texas Floods - More to the Story - Air Date 7-16-25

KP 7: Disasters, Natural and Man-made Part 1 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 7-8-25


(00:51:08) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On why we need to fight ignorance with research

The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue by Mike Tidwell

Ebook

Audiobook


DEEPER DIVES

(00:57:45) SECTION A: FLOOD DETAILS

A1: Texas Flooding Tragedy Was Both Predictable and Predicted Part 1 - The Bradcast - Air Date 7-7-25

A2: Flooding Is Common in Texas Hill Country. This Was Different Part 2- Consider This - Air Date 7-7-25

A3: Texas Flooding Tragedy Was Both Predictable and Predicted Part 2 - The Bradcast - Air Date 7-7-25

A4: This Is Not a Good Time to Cut Funding for Weather Forecasting - Even More News - Air Date 7-8-25


(01:33:24) SECTION B: FASCIST REGIME

B1: Texas Floods and the Vengeful Theology of Kristi Noem + Why the Concentration Camp Had to Be in Florida Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-11-25

B2: Why Kristi Noems Incompetence Matters Part 2 - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-10-25

B3: Devastating Texas Floods Highlight Stakes of Vital Weather Services Amid Reckless Trump Cuts - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 7-8-25

B4: Trump Press Secs Fury at Media Over Texas Flood Exposes Worst of Maga Part 2 - The Daily Blast - Air Date 7-9-25

B5: Disasters, Natural and Man-made Part 2 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 7-8-25

B6: GOP's Conspiracy Theorist Problem Worsens as Flood Disasters Trigger Misinformation Frenzy - The Briefing - Air Date 7-11-25


(02:13:59) SECTION C: CLIMATE POLICY CAPTURE

C1: A Brighter Climate Future Really Part 1 - The Insurgents - Air Date 7-12-25

C2: The War on Climate Change Policy W/ Lauren Windsor Part 1- The Majority Report - Air Date 7-18-25

C3: Idea: Let Big Oil Dump Its Fracking Into Our Lakes, Rivers, Etc. - Jim Hightower's Radio Lowdown - Air Date 7-10-25

C4: The War on Climate Change Policy W/ Lauren Windsor Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-18-25

C5: How the 'big Beautiful Bill' Is Bad for the Climate Part 1 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-8-25

C6: A Brighter Climate Future Really Part 2 - The Insurgents - Air Date 7-12-25

C7: How the 'big Beautiful Bill' Is Bad for the Climate Part 2 - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-8-25


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Photograph of a damaged bridge in Kerr County, TX over the high river running under it in the wake of the deadly July flood.

Credit: “Texas Floods Devastate Local Communities” by World Central Kitchen, Flickr | License: CC BY 4.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1725_Texas_Flood.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:44pm EST

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Old Democrats Must Go or Trump NEVER Will - UNFTR Media - Air Date 7-15-25

KP 2: 'The Economy Is Rigged": Robert Reich on Zohran Mamdani, The Democratic Party, Inequality, and Trump - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-26-25

KP 3: Why We Don't Revolt - Confronting Capitalism with Vivek Chibber - Air Date 6-18-25

KP 4: Socialism for Absolute Beginners - Second Thought - Air Date 5-6-22

KP 5: Why We Should Fight For Paid Family Leave ft Natasha Hakimi Zapata - THIS IS REVOLUTION podcast - Air Date 2-20-25

KP 6: What If We Ran The Economy? - Andrewism - Air Date 2-3-25


(00:47:58) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the US being inwardly focused to our own detriment


DEEPER DIVES

(00:57:10) SECTION A: HISTORICAL CONTEXT

A1: Socialism Is Better Than Capitalism...Right? - Hakim - Air Date 1-31-21

A2: SOCIALISM: An In-Depth Explanation Part 1 - Ryan Chapman - Air Date 8-27-22

A3: Einstein's Socialism - Against the Grain - Air Date 11-25-24

A4: Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism - Balkan Odyssey - Air Date 11-22-24

A5: SOCIALISM: An In-Depth Explanation Part 2 - Ryan Chapman - Air Date 8-27-22


(01:45:23) SECTION B: FAILURE TO LAUNCH

B1: Envisioning Socialist Futures: Planning the Economy Part 1 – 1Dime Radio Podcast - Air Date 8-30-24

B2: Why Are People Scared of Socialism? - Make Your Damn Bed - Air Date 6-27-25

B3: "Socialism Always Fails": A Dishonest Claim (3 Times It Worked) - overzealots - Air Date 9-4-24

B4: Zohran Mamdani on NPR: Democratic Socialism, Bernie Sanders, MLK, Making NYC Better for Billionaires - Socialism For All ☭ Intensify Class Struggle - Air Date 7-4-25


(02:16:09) SECTION C: CAPITALISM SUCKS

C1: American Healthcare is a Nightmare - Second Thought - Air Date 3-17-25

C2: "Socialism Leads to Dictatorship": Debunked (3 Times Capitalism Did) - overzealots - Air Date 3-1-25

C3: Historic Medicaid & SNAP Cuts Could Tank Already Faltering U.S. Economy, w/ Prof. Richard Wolff - The Socialist Program with Brian Becker - Air Date 6-4-25


(02:42:05) SECTION D: MAMDANI

D1: Mamdani’s Spectacular Victory w/ Alan Minsk - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 7-2-25

D2: Zohran Mamdani on Affordability, Billionaires, and Fighting Hate | Morning Edition | NPR - NPR - Air Date 7-1-25


(02:55:29) SECTION E: VISION OF THE FUTURE

E1: Envisioning Socialist Futures: Planning the Economy Part 2 – 1Dime Radio Podcast - Air Date 8-30-24

E2: Could Socialism Fix American Healthcare? - The Real News Network - Air Date 12-19-24

E3: It's Time To Abolish Debt - Andrewism - Air Date 7-1-25

E4: Another World is Possible (w/ Natasha Hakimi Zapata) | Scheer Intelligence - ScheerPost - Air Date 3-31-25

E5: How To Prevent Collapse - Our Changing Climate - Air Date 3-14-25

E6: What Can We Do When The System Fails Us? - Andrewism - Air Date 4-23-25


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Image of a fist bursting out of the desolate, rocky ground.

Credit: “Fist-struggle-revolution” by olenchic, Pixabay | Pixabay License

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Direct download: 1724_Socialismo_-_72225_20.46.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 7–22-25

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

  • The need for universal childcare and the pressure release valve of fighting your employer over working from home
  • The need for universal benefits and the pressure release valve of gig workers fighting for a patchwork of crumbs from giant corporations
  • The need to get rid of the business model of tipped jobs and the pressure release valve of fighting over tipping culture and taxing
  • The need for expanded social welfare programs and better wages and the pressure release valve of expanding food banks
  • The need for effective federal disaster support and universal healthcare and the press release valve of GoFundMe culture

 

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Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e

 

REFERENCES:

 

Exploring portable benefits for gig workers - Brookings Institute

Ride-Hailing Apps Make Traffic Worse - And Now They’re Admitting It - Futurism

Tipping Is Racist and Harms Us All — It’s Past Time to Eliminate It - Inequality.org

Expanding food banks is no substitute for tackling poverty, charities warn - The Guardian

GoFundMe Is The New FEMA - Wessiler via Substack

GoFundMe Is a Boon for Disaster Survivors. Especially the Wealthy Ones. - The New York Times

How GoFundMe Perpetuates Myths of Merit and Deservingness - MIT’s The Reader

GoFundMe CEO - Dropout.tv

For Trump’s ‘no taxes on tips,’ the devil is in the details - The Conversation

 

EXTRAS:

Snopes: Investigating claims Kerr County rejected Biden admin's $10M offer to improve flood warning systems - Snopes via Yahoo News

Study Erin mentions at 00:28:38 showing those in lower economic class think they are higher than they are. - Marketplace

Did politics delay approval of Kerr County life-saving infrastructure? - Chrom.com (Former Houston Chronicle digital))

 

TAKE ACTION:

One Million Rising Trainings

In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach

Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Find your Indivisible group - or start one

Write to the DNC

 

 

Join our Discord Server

Reach us via Signal:

Bestoftheleft.01

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

 

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: SAMPLE_from_MEMBERS_AUDIO_SOLVED_16.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:41am EST

Original Air Date: 10–16-2020

Transcript

Today we take a look at the history and origins of the American militia movement right up to the recent plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan, the likelihood of more violence and the high probability that they will show up at polling places on Election Day.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!

Join our Discord community!


Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

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!

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: FBI Foils Right-Wing Plot to Kidnap Michigan Gov. Months After Trump Urged "Liberation" of State - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-9-20

Just months after President Trump tweeted for his supporters to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!" the FBI has foiled an alleged plot to kidnap and take hostage Democratic Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer.

Ch. 2: Ohio has long history with militias; 2020 saw a surge in activity - WBNS 10TV - Air Date 10-9-20

A group of men plotting to kidnap the governor of Michigan met in Dublin.

Ch. 3: Rise of Violent Militias Prompts National Fears After Foiled Kidnapping Plot - The Takeaway - Air Date 10-12-20

Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, and Daryl Johnson, owner of DT Analytics and former senior analyst at the Department of Homeland Security, discuss the implications for the upcoming election.

Ch. 4: Mary McCord on Unlawful Militias - CounterSpin - Air Date 10-9-20

Mary McCord, a law professor at Georgetown University & legal director at the school's Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection and an expert on unlawful militias that manage to be part of the political landscape while somehow escaping media.

Ch. 5: Great Replacement Theory - RE-EDUCATION - Air Date 8-16-19

This theory has become mainstream.

Ch. 6: Protests Put Spotlight on the Relationship Between Armed White Vigilantes, Militia Groups, and Law Enforcement - The Takeaway - Air Date 8-31-20

Armed vigilantes and militia groups are showing up to Black Lives Matter protests across the country.

Ch. 7: Robert Evans Are We In a Second Civil War? - The Zero Hour with RJ Eskow - Air Date 10-13-20

Robert Evans explains what we need to do to avoid a second Civil War

Ch. 8: Kathleen Belew Explains the Long History of the White Power Movement and its Global Plans for "Race War" - The Truth Report w. Chauncey DeVega - Air Date 5-26-19

Belew explains white supremacy is a cultural, social and political problem not just the pathology of a small number of people, what "white power" means, and how white supremacist and other right-wing foot soldiers preparing for various forms of "race war"

Ch. 9: Did Trump's "Liberate Michigan" Result in Kidnapped Governor? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 10-8-20

Donald Trump told his followers to "liberate Michigan". They answered by attempting to kidnap Governor Whitmer.


SHOW IMAGE:

"aIMG_0841" & "cIMG_1169b" & "01IMG_7336" by Becker1999 (Paul and Cathy), Flickr | License | Changes: Composite of 3 different images, cropped, added black background and red design 

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1375_The_Militia_Movement_is_Having_a_Moment_Throwback.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 7/16/2025

It increasingly feels like we are completely past the era of legitimate differences in political philosophy and policy preferences. Now that the Republican governing style has been completely consumed by Trumpism, we've entered the era of scam politics which fits nicely with Trump's traditional retail scams, capitalism's continual reinvention of financial scams, and the new age of crypto scams.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

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!

Join our Discord community!


KEY POINTS

KP 1: Weekly Roundup Mamdani and the Rebirth of Birtherism + Christofascism in the Big Bill - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-4-25

KP 2: Make America Uninsured Again Part 1- Today, Explained - Air Date 7-2-25

KP 3: Michael Galant on Sanctions & Immigration, LaToya Parker on Budgets Racial Impacts - CounterSpin - Air Date 6-20-25

KP 4: Why Gutting SNAP Makes the Economy Worse for Everyone (with Lily Roberts) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-3-25

KP 5: The Big Beautiful Bill, Explained Part 1- Leeja Miller - Air Date 7-2-25

KP 6: Why Private Equity Is Buying Hospitals & Shutting Them Down - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-26-25

KP 7: Mind-Boggling Trump Voters Suddenly Learn Hes Screwing Them Badly - THE DAILY BLAST - Air Date 6-30-25

KP 8: Trump Supporters SEETHE After Getting SCAMMED by His Meme Coin He Fed Us Part 1 - The Humanist Report - Air Date 1-20-25


(00:56:27) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On how desperation drives scams and how progressive populism can turn the tide

A Pale Blue Dot of Anxiety: Why humans commit despicable acts (SOLVED #9 — 5-23-25)


DEEPER DIVES

(01:03:55) SECTION A: BIG BEAUTIFUL SCAM

A1: Make America Uninsured Again Part 2 - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-2-25

A2: The Big Beautiful Bill, Explained Part 2 - Leeja Miller - Air Date 7-2-25

A3: Most Massive Transfer of Wealth Upward in American History John Nichols on Trump's Budget Law - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-7-25

A4: Why Gutting SNAP Makes the Economy Worse for Everyone (with Lily Roberts) Part 2 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-3-25

A5: Trump Accounts A Drop in the Leaky Bucket Part 1 - UNFTR - Air Date 6-19-25

A6: GOP Budget Bill Would Make ICE Largest Federal Law Enforcement Agency in the History of the Nation - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-2-25

A7: Mind-Boggling Trump Voters Suddenly Learn Hes Screwing Them Badly Part 2 - THE DAILY BLAST - Air Date 6-30-25

A8: Why Gutting SNAP Makes the Economy Worse for Everyone (with Lily Roberts) Part 3 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-3-25

A9: Trump Accounts A Drop in the Leaky Bucket Part 2 - UNFTR - Air Date 6-19-25

A10: GOP Budget Bill Would Make ICE Largest Federal Law Enforcement Agency in the History of the Nation Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-2-25

A11: Weekly Roundup Mamdani and the Rebirth of Birtherism + Christofascism in the Big Bill Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 7-4-25


(02:39:46) SECTION B: TRUMPS PERSONAL SCAMS

B1: STUNNING NEW DETAIL about Trumps Corruption $100K Watches, MAGA Bibles, Billion Dollar Crypto Scam Part 2 - Pod Save America - Air Date 7-5-25

B2: Vietnam Sidesteps Their Own Laws To Give Trump A MAJOR Bribe - Ring of Fire - Air Date 5-27-25

B3: Trump LOSES IT as ABC host Calls OUT MAJOR Scam - MeidasTouch - Air Date 6-2-25

B4: STUNNING NEW DETAIL about Trumps Corruption $100K Watches, MAGA Bibles, Billion Dollar Crypto Scam - Pod Save America - Air Date 7-5-25

B5: Trump Supporters SEETHE After Getting SCAMMED by His Meme Coin He Fed Us Part 2 - The Humanist Report - Air Date 1-20-25


(03:19:19) SECTION C: OTHER SCAMS

C1: Economist's Scary Warning Trump's Tariff Are a SCAM to Make Billionaires Richer w/ Greg Palast - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 6-5-25

C2: EXPOSED 90 Deals In 90 Days Trump Scam IMPLODES Spectacularly - Secular Talk - Air Date 7-7-25

C3: Why the United States Is Really Losing to China (w/ Kishore Mahbubani) - Current Affairs - Air Date 7-2-25

C4: Hudson's Bay How Private Equity Destroyed North America's Oldest Brand - Spoke Media - Air Date 6-27-25

C5: Rule by Private Equity w Megan Greenwell Part 1 - Behind the News - Air Date 7-7-25

C6: Private Equitys Ruthless Takeover Of The Last Affordable Housing In America Part 1 - More Perfect Union - Air Date 9-18-25

C7: Rule by Private Equity w Megan Greenwell Part 2 - Behind the News - Air Date 7-7-25

C8: Private Equitys Ruthless Takeover Of The Last Affordable Housing In America Part 2 - More Perfect Union - Air Date 9-18-25

C9: Who Wins in Trumps Deregulation Spree - Robert Reich - Air Date 7-8-25

C10: Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) Man Goes to the U.S. South and Tells the Brutal Truth - Kanie Laing - Air Date 7-8-25


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Composite of a high contrast image of Trump smirking and giving a thumbs up, over the outline of the US filled in with the flag, and the word SCAM over his chest.

Credit: Composite design A. Hoffman. Elements from Pixabay. Trump, Scam, US | License

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1723_Scammers_and_Schemers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 7–13-25

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

⁃ The calculated, propaganda motives behind “Mar-a-Lago face”

and bizarre MAGA hyper-femininity

⁃ How MAGA uses Kristi Noem’s “Border Barbie” vibes to attempt to

soften its vicious immigration policy, and project victimization

⁃ How bad AI imagery is now the look of modern fascism

⁃ The cruelty of the White House X account - a propaganda

machine of memes (run by Groypers)

⁃ The Right’s psychopathic treatment of immigrants, and bracing

ourselves for what’s coming next

⁃ …and more in BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (MEMBERS

ONLY!)

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REFERENCES:

MAGA glam isn’t about beauty — it’s about politics - Vox

The “Delicate, Beautiful, Tiny” Fascism of Kristi Noem - Mother Jones

AI: The New Aesthetics of Fascism - New Socialist

The Gleeful Cruelty of the White House X Account - The Atlantic

The Right’s Cruelty to Immigrants Is Psychopathic - Current Affairs

EXTRAS:

@Novaramedia and @blindboyboatclub (The video on Trump and

wrestling that Erin couldn’t recall during the show!)

MEMBERS ONLY

Systems are crumbling – but daily life continues. The dissonance is real

- The Guardian

TAKE ACTION:

July 17th - National Day of Action - Good Trouble Lives On

One Million Rising Trainings

In a blue state? Help stop ICE overreach

Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Find your Indivisible group - or start one

Write to the DNC

Join our Discord Server

Reach us via Signal:

Bestoftheleft.01

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

 

Direct download: SAMPLE_from_SOLVED_15.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 7/12/2025

The idea of the founders was to separate and balance the powers of the federal government and that, as Madison wrote, that ambition would counteract ambition. The problem we face now is that the ambition of the Supreme Court is to give as much power as possible to the executive branch because, ironically, they seem to be nostalgic for a king.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Trump, the Imperial Presidency, and How the Bush & Biden Administrations Got Us Here w/ James Bovard - Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael - Air Date 7-2-25 

KP 2: The Shadow Docket and How the Supreme Court Uses It - Bloomberg Law - Air Date 11-3-21 

KP 3: SCOTUS Clears the Way for Trump's Lawlessness - Strict Scrutiny - Air Date 6-30-25 

KP 4: Hot Shadow Docket Summer with Leah Litman Part 1 - Justice By Design - Air Date 6-20-25

KP 5: The Many Compromises of Elena Kagan - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts - Air Date 6-21-25

KP 6: Trump-GOP’s Supreme Court Rubber Stamp w/ Elie Mystal - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder Part 1 - Air Date 6-30-25

KP 7: Why Supreme Court Approved Trump's Mass Deportation to Foreign Concentration Camp Scheme - Thom Hartmann Progam - Air Date 6-25-25


(00:50:22) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the One Million Rising activist trainings from Indivisible.org


DEEPER DIVES

(00:56:04) SECTION A: SHADOWY & FUTURE RULINGS

(01:25:26) SECTION B: THE IMPLICATIONS

(01:50:55) SECTION C: THE GOP'S JUDGES

(02:25:22) SECTION D: DICTATOR TRUMP

(02:46:07) SECTION E: SORT OF POSITIVE I GUESS


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Composite image of the conservative justices on the Supreme Court in front of a giant, elaborate gold frame with a painting of an angry-looking Trump in king/general regalia and tie.

Credit: Composite design A. Hoffman. Elements: Portrait of Supreme Court Justices, Public Domain | Other elements from Pixabay. License

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

 

Direct download: 1722_SCOTUS_FUXUS.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 7/9/2025

It's an old joke that "military intelligence" is a good example of an oxymoron so I just asked an AI chatbot to finish a joke about what a military becomes when they implement artificial intelligence. It said, "an oxymoron squared - or as the generals call it, "strategically enhanced stupidity with a confidence interval of 95%" which is not funny but still managed to be pretty on point regarding the dangers of overconfidence that inevitably follows from the implementation of new technology.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Empire of AI w/ Karen Hao - Why Is This Happening - Air Date 6-3-25

KP 2: The REAL Reason Investors Are Going All In on Palantir - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-24-25

KP 3: The New Military Industry Complex w Sam Biddle Part 1- Tech Won't Save Us - Air Date 6-5-25

KP 4: Jeff Hauser on DOGE After Musk, Katya Schwenk on Boeing Deal - CounterSpin - Air Date 6-6-25

KP 5: Resisting "Cop City" in America's Most Surveilled, Unequal City w/ Micah Herskind Part 1 - This Is Hell! - Air Date 6-25-25

KP 6: Empire of AI: Karen Hao & Roger McNamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk & Big Tech - The Nerd Reich - Air Date 6-16-25

KP 7: Is AI Productivity Worth Our Humanity w/ Prof. Michael Sandel - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-26-25


(00:55:20) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the coming merger between big tech and the military


DEEPER DIVES

(01:00:39) SECTION A: SURVEILLANCE

A1: Ray Brescia, The Private Is Political: Identity and Democracy in the Age of Surveillance Capitalism Part 1 - New Books in Political Science - Air Date 2-17-25

A2: The Shady World of Surveillance Pricing (Ft. Lina Khan) - Robert Reich - Air Date 6-10-25

A3: The Trump Administration Is Building a National Citizenship System - Trump's Terms - Air Date 6-30-25

A4: Empire of AI w/ Karen Hao Part 2 - Why Is This Happening - Air Date 6-3-25

A5: Cool Science Radio - Air Date 1-16-25


(01:32:18) SECTION B: MILITARIZED CAPITALISM

B1: The New Military Industry Complex w/ Sam Biddle Part 2 - Tech Won't Save Us - Air Date 6-5-25

B2: Spotify Changed Everything but Here's the Truth About Daniel Ek - Gibsunday - Air Date 6-30-25

B3: Trump About To Reward Elon Musk With ANOTHER Multibillion Dollar Contract - The Ring of Fire - Air Date 4-18-25

B4: Resisting "Cop City" in America's Most Surveilled, Unequal City w/ Micah Herskind Part 2 - This Is Hell! - Air Date 6-25-25


(02:01:38) SECTION C: COMPANIES VS REGULATION

C1: Brazil's Battle to Rein In Big Tech w/ Laís Martins Part 1 - Tech Won't Save Us - Air Date 6-19-25

C2: Ray Brescia, The Private Is Political: Identity and Democracy in the Age of Surveillance Capitalism Part 2 - New Books in Political Science - Air Date 2-17-25

C3: Brazil's Battle to Rein In Big Tech w/ Laís Martins Part 2 - Tech Won't Save Us - Air Date 6-19-25


(02:29:40) SECTION D: HUMAN DRAIN

D1: If AI Can Do Your Classwork, Why Go to College Part 1- The Gray Area - Air Date 6-30-25

D2: Empire of AI: Karen Hao & Roger McNamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk & Big Tech Part 2 - The Nerd Reich - Air Date 6-16-25

D3: The Growing Environmental Impact of AI Data Centers Energy Demands - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 5-25-25

D4: If AI Can Do Your Classwork, Why Go to College Part 2 - The Gray Area - Air Date 6-30-25

D5: Is AI Productivity Worth Our Humanity w/ Prof. Michael Sandel Part 2 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-26-25


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

 

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1721_Tech_Profiteering.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 7–7-25

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

  • Some advice on understanding how to identify imperfect allies vs. true opponents
  • Good-faith critiques of (and agreements with) socialist NYU Professor Vivek Chibber’s views on identity politics on the Left
  • Working Families Party head Maurice Mitchell’s ideas on “neoliberal identity” politics for those in the Left movement
  • How Gov. Wes Moore rejected our political “charade” and what we should do instead
  • …and more in BACKSTAGE: Beyond the Algorithm (MEMBERS ONLY!)

 

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REFERENCES:

The Left Needs to Learn the Difference Between Imperfect Allies and Our True Opponents - Films for Action

“America Has No Left Wing” with Vivek Chibber - Factually with Adam Conover

(Only between time codes 27:36-52:20)

Building Resilient Organizations: Toward Joy and Durable Power in a Time of Crisis - Convergence Magazine

The Left is Eating Itself - First Person from The New York Times

American Politics Only Pretends to Work - The New Republic

 

MEMBERS ONLY:

It’s Nice to Be right - New York Magazine

MAMDANI” via @astorwalk on Instagram

 

 

TAKE ACTION:

July 17th - National Day of Action - Good Trouble Lives On

Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Find your Indivisible group - or start one

Write to the DNC

 

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Direct download: SAMPLE_from_SOLVED_14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Original Air Date: 10-21-20

Today we take a look at some of the many zany foreign misadventures the United States has had over the past 100 years. And by "zany misadventures" I mean the naked pursuit of capitalism at any cost, the support of military coups and other undemocratic overthrows of foreign governments and wars for oil and resources in an unabashed attempt to keep America wealthy and the rest of the world less so - all while maintaining an anti-imperial, pro-democracy, pro-freedom, live-and-let-live poker face

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

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The bipartisan empire machine that runs the United States - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 9-26-18

Ch. 2: Empire Unhinged with Aslı Bâli & Aziz Rana - The Dig - Air Date 6-11-20

Ch. 3: American Empire Part 1 - Scene on Radio - Air Date 4-29-20

Ch. 4: Ghosts of Mossadegh: The Iran Cables, U.S. Empire, and the Arc of History - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 11-20-19

Ch. 5: 2020 Hindsight on Iraq - Open Source with Christopher Lydon - Air Date 1-9-20

Ch. 6: American Empire Part 2 - Scene on Radio - Air Date 4-29-20

Ch. 7: American Empire Part 3 - Scene on Radio - Air Date 4-29-20

Ch. 7: The Always Stumbling US Empire - Citations Needed - Air Date 10-25-17

Ch. 9: The Other 9/11: Part One - Making Contact - Air Date 9-3-13

Ch. 10: Empire Unhinged with Aslı Bâli & Aziz Rana Part 2 - The Dig - Air Date 6-11-20

 


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com


Air Date 7/2/2025

The militarization of Trump's deportation regime and response to protesters is the clearest example of his desire to implement a fully authoritarian government. Pure and simple.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Full Show Notes

Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube!

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

Join our Discord community!

KEY POINTS

KP 1: America Hates The Left & We Need A Plan - Olurinatti - Air Date 12-8-24

KP 2: America Has No Left Wing with Vivek Chibber - Factually! with Adam Conover - Air Date 6-18-25

KP 3: What's 'Left' in America?: The Moral Apathy of Liberal Optimism - Cheyenne Lin - Air Date 9-2-24

KP 4: Ralph Nader’s Message to Doomers: "Stop Making Excuses!" - Current Affairs - Air Date 6-22-25 

KP 5: The Worst People in Politics Are LOSING IT Over Zohran Mamdani - Current Affairs - Air Date 6-25-25

KP 6: “We Fight for Working People with No Apology”: Zohran Mamdani Beats Cuomo in NYC Mayoral Primary - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-25-25

(00:45:01) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On how to fund the politics we need

DEEPER DIVES

(00:56:26) SECTION A: PROTESTS

(01:25:24) SECTION B: HISTORY & INFIGHTING

(02:01:22) SECTION C: SUBVERSION & THE RIGHT

(02:38:02) SECTION D: ORGANIZING

(03:24:46) SECTION E: THEORY

SHOW IMAGE CREDITS 

Description: Photo of a grid of multi-colored Zohran Mamdani political posters that say “Zohran For Mayor” and a photo of Zohran.

Credit: “Zohran for Mayor” by Eden, Janine and Jim, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 Changes: Cropped and expanded background

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1720_Building_an_Organized_Left_the_Eternal_Oxymoron.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 6–30-25

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

  • Shifting the way we think and talk about the benefits of peaceful nonviolence at anti-fascist protests 
  • The unlimited patience for capitalism vs. the knee-jerk “Impossible!” for left-wing ideas
  • The centrists Democrats (and their consultants) missing the forest for the trees
  • An antidote to decades of neoliberal approaches to policy (and we reject Ezra Klein’s “Abundance”)

 

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REFERENCES:

Trump's Manufactured Crisis and the Urgency of Strategic Nonviolence - In These Times

A Song of “Full Self-Driving”: Elon Isn’t Tony Stark. He’s Michael Scott. - The Bulwark

They Always Call You Unrealistic - Current Affairs

The Gobs of Money and Lack of Vision at the Heart of Centrism - In These Times

Red Tape Isn’t the Only Reason America Can’t Build - The Atlantic

SOLVED! SONG! Concepts: Human Intelligence * Song: Artificial Intelligence: “Make Some Enemies” inspired directly by SOLVED! #13: “How to Make Enemies and Influence People” (June 30, 2025)

 

 

TAKE ACTION:

Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials about stopping the Big Stupid Cruel Bill

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

July 17th - National Day of Action - Good Trouble Lives On

Find your Indivisible group - or start one

Write to the DNC

 

Join our Discord Server

Reach us via Signal:

Bestoftheleft.01

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

 

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

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Direct download: SAMPLE_from_SOLVED_13_Full_Edit.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:46pm EST