Best of the Left Podcast

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Air Date 11/8/2024

The Best of the Left team holds a special post-election discussion available to all listeners to present the initial takes on the election as well as our own reactions and suggestions for how to move forward.

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

To hear all of our team discussion episodes, become a member!

 

A few worthwhile reads that gave inspiration for some of our discussion:

Democrats Blow Their Chance to Block Trump’s Resurgence - The Intercept (Discussing the Genocide in Gaza)

Harris and the Democrats Committed to a Rightward Lurch — and Lost Big Time - Truthout (Courting moderate Republicans)

Donald Trump’s Second Term Is Joe Biden’s Real Legacy - The New Yorker

I’m a Gen Z man. Here’s why so many of my peers supported Donald Trump - Fast Company (Revenge of the Bros)

This Time We Have to Hold the Democratic Party Elite Responsible for This Catastrophe - The Nation

10 Ways We Can Prepare for Another Trump Presidency - Truthout

Direct download: 1668_Post-Election_Analysis_-_11824_08.28.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:32am EST

Air Date 11/5/2024

There's big money in politics, and then there's 2024. The role and influence of billionaires have taken on new shapes and patterns as the threat of fascism has made itself undeniably known. From the candidate and campaigners to those acquiescing to the mere threat of power, billionaires are everywhere you look at this election season.

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Full Show Notes | Transcript

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Why Elon Musk Went Full MAGA - Reveal - Air Date 10-30-24

KP 2: Elon Musks War on Workers - 5-4 - Air Date 10-29-24

KP 3: Elon Musk Is SO Bad At This - The Majority Report - Air Date 11-3-24

KP 4: The Trump White Supremacy Festival and Hootenanny - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 10-29-24

KP 5: Ballots Burn in WA, OR; Billionaire WaPo, LATimes owners 'Obey in Advance - The BradCast - Air Date 10-28-24

KP 6: The Trump White Supremacy Festival and Hootenanny Part 2 - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 10-29-24

KP 7: How Trump could steal the election - Today, Explained - Air Date 10-29-24


(00:54:26.000) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On how to feel about the road ahead


DEEPER DIVES

(00:59:57.000) SECTION A - DEMOCRACY DYING IN DAYLIGHT

A1: Ballots Burn in WA, OR; Billionaire WaPo, LATimes owners 'Obey in Advance Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 10-28-24

A2: TYT Explodes Over Calling Trump 'Fascist' - The Majority Report - Air Date 11-1-24


(01:17:32.000) SECTION B - ACTUAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE


(01:39:40.000) SECTION C - ELON MUSK THE BILLIONAIRE


(02:04:16.000) SECTION D - TRUMP THE FASCIST


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1667_Billionaire_Sponsored_Fascism_General_-_11524_10.46.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:12am EST

Air Date 11/2/2024

The cult of Trump isn't just about Trump, it's religion and patriarchy reacting to a moment of global economic and climactic instability. But those organizing the religious right aren't just reacting to their environment, they've also been planning for a very long time.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Extremist White Christian Nationalists Prepping For War w Brad Onishi - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-16-24

KP 2: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation - Ideas - Air Date 10-18-24

KP 3: MAGA's 'Young Male Voter' Plan Hits Bottom Of The Barrel - The Majority Report - Air Date 10-22-24

KP 4: JD Vance Joins Lance Wallnau in Spiritual Warfare - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 10-14-24

KP 5: Ziklag Exposed Secretive Christian Nationalist Network Tries to Purge Voters in Battleground States - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-30-24

KP 6: Spirit & Power Episode 4 Take Back that Which Was Stolen from Us The Charismatic Rituals of the Religious Right - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 10-17-24

KP 7: Unfcking Flashback The American Propaganda Machine. - UNFTR - Air Date 10-12-24


(54:31) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On susceptibility to manipulation


DEEPER DIVES

(59:43) SECTION A - THE MOVEMENT


(1:18:09) SECTION B - TRUMP AND ELECTION


(1:36:04) SECTION C - PATRIARCHY AND RACE


(1:55:36) SECTION D - AMERICAN CHRISTIAN


SHOW IMAGE

Description: A woman with blonde hair wears a Trump campaign flag as a cape while praying on her knees with both arms in the air.

Credit: “Fascism Worship”, 2016, by Johnny Silvercloud, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Increased brightness and contrast

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1666_-_Christion_Power.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 10-31-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- How neoliberalism is fucking up renewable energy transitions
- Marketing and why the viral Stanley Cup never should have gone viral
- How big tech is heavily surveilling school kids without any oversight
- How the fossil fuel industry has infiltrated higher education 

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REFERENCES:
Germany’s Green Transition Is Faltering

This $23 Stanley Cup Accessory Fixes Your Biggest Complaint About the Tumbler

How the ex-marketing whiz behind Crocs helped turn Stanley into the "it" cup

How the Stanley Cup Went Viral

School Surveillance Earns Tech Companies Billions. Students Pay the Price.

Here’s How the Fossil Fuel Industry Infiltrates and Influences Higher Education

 

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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 
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Air Date 10/29/2024

Trump has only come close to perfecting the grift of the American conservative, he certainly didn't invent the strategy. Today we look at some current and past grifts and explore why they work.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: GRIFT-GOBLIN Donald Trump is Selling HILARIOUSLY CRAPPY Gold Watches Now!!! - Jesse Dollemore - Air Date 9-27-24

KP 2: The "Dirtbag of the Internet" and Trump's Crypto Project - Bloomberg Technology - Air Date 9-13-24

KP 3: Controlling the Weather and Eating Pets: Expert Breaks Down Disinformation - Amanpour and Company - Air Date 10-18-24

KP 4: Down the Rabbit Hole w/ Naomi Klein - The Dig - Air Date 10-8-24

KP 5: Media Literacy Can't Save Us Part 1 - Dummy - Air Date 10-7-24

KP 6: How did grifters like Trump take over the GOP? - The Bunker - Air Date 9-25-24


(48:03) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the scam of political fundraising


DEEPER DIVES

(56:06) SECTION A - GRIFT

A1: Russell Brand Has A New Grift - Novara Media - Air Date 10-16-24

A2: GRIFTER-CON Morons Did Not Disappoint - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 10-1-24

A3: Russell Brand And The Conspiracy Grift - Media Matters - Air Date 1-2-24

A4: Some Grifters Who Finally Faced Consequences – SOME MORE NEWS -Air Date 9-25-24


(1:28:27) SECTION B - SCAMS


(1:50:18) SECTION C - CONSPIRACY


(2:19:48) SECTION D - MISINFORMATION


SHOW IMAGE

Description: Graphic showing a large pile of triangular warning signs with the word “SCAM” inside.

Credit: “traffic-signs-attention-notice” by Gerald, Pixabay | License: Pixabay

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1665_The_Big_Grift_-_102824_09.26.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Original Air Date: 2/14/20223

Today, we take a look at some origins, alternatives and misunderstandings of capitalism from the Dutch East India Company, to Adam Smith and up through the planned obsolescence and marketing that have tricked us all into working far harder than necessary while failing to make us happy.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Indigenous Economics with Tyson Yunkaporta (In Conversation) - Upstream - Air Date 11-10-21

Ch. 2: Transcending Capitalism Insights from Buddhism and Marxism - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 1-3-23

Ch. 3: We don't understand Capitalism. Part One - UNFTR - Air Date 1-27-23

Ch. 4: Your Work Is Not Your Worth - OFF-KILTER with Rebecca Vallas - Air Date 10-21-22

Ch. 5: We don't understand Capitalism. Part Two. - UNFTR - Air Date 1-27-23

Ch. 6: Economics for a New Year - Economic Update with Richard Wolff - Air Date 1-19-23

Ch. 7: Indigenous Economics with Tyson Yunkaporta (In Conversation) Part 2 - Upstream - Air Date 11-10-21

Ch. 8: Transcending Capitalism Insights from Buddhism and Marxism Part 2 - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 1-3-23


 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1543_Capitalism_doesnt_live_up_to_the_hype_-_102424_23.34.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 10/22/2024

This is your one-stop reference guide to every issue that is being wrongly blamed on immigrants as the Trump campaign rhetoric turns evermore fascist and xenophobic.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Deportation First Trump and Harris Compete for Latinx Votes While Pushing Anti-Immigrant Policies - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-16-24

KP 2: Escaping Otherism Why Dr. Seuss Could Never Find a Rhyme for Genocide - Crazy Town - Air Date 6-12-24

KP 3: The Real Reason Trump Is Demonizing Immigrants - The Lever - Air Date 10-11-24

KP 4: 'Villains nor victims' Why immigration is good for our economy - Velshi - Air Date 6-2-24

KP 5: Escaping Otherism Why Dr. Seuss Could Never Find a Rhyme for Genocide Part 2 - Crazy Town - Air Date 6-12-24

KP 6: Prof Richard Wolff A FUTURE WITHOUT FEAR OF IMMIGRANTS - The Zero Hour - Air Date 10-12-24


(38:04) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Giving a quick list of immigration lies


DEEPER DIVES

(42:07) SECTION A - MIS/DISINFORMATION

A1: How is Trump winning the US immigration debate - Anywhere but Washington - Air Date 10-10-24

A2: FEMA is running low on disaster money, but not because funds went to housing undocumented migrants - Verify - Air Date 10-7-24


(50:26) SECTION B - REALITY CHECK


(1:08:30) SECTION C - OTHERING


(1:26:35) SECTION D - SOLUTIONS


SHOW IMAGE CREDIT

Description: Trump, with a serious expression, stands at a lectern and points out into the crowd.

Credit: “Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1664_Immigration_General_-_102224_14.56.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:27am EST

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Air Date: 10-20-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- Yet another GOP animal abuse horror
- Why weather machine conspiracy theories took off so easily
- The questionable UAE organization trying to control rain with cloud seeding
- Why more extreme weather isn't swaying certain voters on climate change
- Talking about climate change through a patriotic lens
- Bonus Segment: The surprising origins of Don't Mess with Texas

REFERENCES:
New NRA Chief Once Tortured a Cat to Death

MTG Implies Dems Created Hurricane Helene: ‘They Can Control the Weather’

Marjorie Taylor Greene - U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene cited patents as proof of weather control. That's Pants on Fire!

The New Gods of Weather Can Make Rain on Demand—or So They Want You to Believe

Extreme Weather Has Had a Surprising Impact on Voters’ Attitudes About Climate Change

Kamala Harris Framed Climate Action as a Patriotic Duty. New Research Shows Why That’s Effective.

 

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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_Sample_-_325_-_A_little_bit_of_knowledge....mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:29am EST

Original Air Date: 5/27/2022

Today we take a look at the disruptions to society that can unfold in times of economic distress such as high inflation, price gouging, wage stagnation and income inequality as well as some policy ideas for turning things around.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Will America's Capitalists Pull Us Into War & Fascism? Featuring Richard Wolff - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 5-18-22

Ch. 2: You Are Being Lied to About Inflation - Robert Reich - Air Date 2-28-22

Ch. 3: Prices Soar as Corporate Profiteers & Speculators Drive Inflation; It Hurts the Developing World - Democracy Now! - Air Date 4-13-22

Ch. 4: Prof. Richard Wolff Do Workers Have It Too Good Nowadays - The Zero Hour w RJ Eskow - Air Date 5-14-22

Ch. 5: Omar Ocampo of Inequality.org on corporate billionaire greed Part 1 - The BradCast - Air Date 5-11-22

Ch. 6: David Dayen on the Baby Formula Shortage & Monopolies in the Age of Corporate Power - Democracy Now! - Air Date 5-17-22

Ch. 7: Omar Ocampo of Inequality.org on corporate billionaire greed Part 2 - The BradCast - Air Date 5-11-22

Ch. 8: How Biden’s budget proposal takes on corporate power (with Niko Lusiani) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 5-10-22

Ch. 9: Elon Musk’s Billionaire Games - The Daily Show with Trevor Noah - Air Date 5-7-22

Ch. 10: Prof. Richard Wolff Do Workers Have It Too Good Nowadays Part 2 - The Zero Hour w RJ Eskow - Air Date 5-14-22


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Air Date 10/15/2024

Just as COVID tended to expose the preexisting fractures and inequalities in our society causing undue harm, supercharged by disinformation, so do natural disasters. And the impact of disinformation and conspiracy has only grown in recent years.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Election Denials, Asheville, Israel & Inequality. - Unf*cking The Republic - Air Date 10-25-24

KP 2: Meteorologist Guy Walton on Hurricane Milton's threat to Florida - The Bradcast - Air Date 10-8-24

KP 3: Six Factory Workers Feared Dead In Tenn. After Being Swept Away During Hurricane Helene - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-3-24

KP 4: Derek Seidman on Insurance and Climate, Insha Rahman on Immigration Conversation - CounterSpin - Air Date 10-4-24

KP 5: Trump's politicized lies about Helene recovery calls to mind his abysmal record handling disasters - Alex Wagner Tonight - Air Date 10-4-24

KP 6: 'Enraging' Republicans ‘suddenly’ see disinformation problem amid hurricane crisis - All In w/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 10-9-24

KP 7: Hurricane Milton Menaces Florida; Fact Report after Helene with NC blogger Tom Sullivan - The BradCast - Air Date 10-7-24


(54:00) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On how to work with distrust in government


DEEPER DIVES

(58:58) SECTION A - NATURAL DISASTERS

A1: Meteorologist Guy Walton on Hurricane Milton's threat to Florida Part 2 - The Bradcast - Air Date 10-8-24

A2: Complete Neglect Thousands Not Evacuated from Florida Jails & Prisons Ahead of Hurricane Milton - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-10-24


(1:09:28) SECTION B - INTERSECTIONAL ISSUES


(1:31:26) SECTION C - POLITICS


(1:45:45) SECTION D: TRUMP AND DISINFORMATION


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Watercolor-style illustration of people of all abilities on a Main St. with houses and trees, and smaller groups of people sitting together.

Credit: “ai generated inclusion community” by Franz26, Pixabay | License: Pixabay

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1663_Community_Recovery_-_101424_20.18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

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Air Date: 10-14-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- A member voicemail about autopilot cars 
- Some call backs, including JD Vance being unsurprisingly weird with his dog
- The frustrating shift in the Kamala Harris campaign
- Biden's continuous blundering of Israel's war on Gaza
- The historical precedent for Harris to depart from Biden on Israel war policy ASAP

REFERENCES:
Finally, The New York Times Is Getting Real About Trump's Mental...Status

An Entirely Necessary Investigation Into JD Vance's Relationship With His Dog, Atlas

Professional Dog Walkers Aren’t Sure JD Vance Has Ever Walked—or Even Met—His Dog Before

Kamala’s Comedown

Kamala Harris Is Taking a Big Risk by Playing It Safe

Joe Biden Chose This Catastrophic Path Every Step of the Way

Netanyahu Doesn't Care About His Friendship With Biden

Biden Gives Shocking Answer on Potential Israeli Election Interference

Biden May Be the President Who Kills the Two-State Solution

Biden’s Gaza policy is a liability for Kamala Harris. She must break with Biden now


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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: Sample_Bonus_324_-_The_Mess_Joe_Made.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:54am EST

Air Date 10/11/2024

Humans insatiable need for increasing amounts of energy and our tendency to want to at least have the option to wipe entire populations off the map has led to a renewed age of risks related to nuclear power, nuclear weapons, nuclear waste, and nuclear fallout.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Can clean energy handle the AI boom? - Vox - Air Date 10-1-24

KP 2: Why Nuclear Energy Is On The Verge Of A Renaissance - CNBC - Air Date 6-7-22

KP 3: Is Nuclear Energy the solution? - Our Changing Climate - Air Date 5-10-19

KP 4: Three Mile Island Is Reopening. Some Climate Scientists are Thrilled. - CNN One Thing - Air Date 9-25-24

KP 5: Warnings of Nuclear Catastrophe as Power Plants in Russia and Ukraine at Risk Amid Escalating War - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-29-24

KP 6: Are we facing a new nuclear arms race? - This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler - Air Date 9-17-24


(47:23) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the nature of humans and energy use


DEEPER DIVES

(54:59) SECTION A - ENERGY


(1:31:22) SECTION B - CLIMATE


(1:56:40) SECTION C - RISK


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: A photo of two, active nuclear power plant towers on the bank of a river at sunset.

Credit: “nuclear power plant, Rhine, flow” by distelAPPArath, Pixabay | License: Pixabay

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1662_Nuclear_General_-_101024_17.07.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EST

Presenting an episode of 'To See Each Other,' a show that complicates the narrative about small town Americans in our most misunderstood, and often abandoned, communities. This season, host George Goehl travels to Lincoln County, Wisconsin to follow a small town battle for the last remaining public nursing home in the community. It’s a heart-pounding roller coaster of a fight - in a swing state that could determine the election. Over the course of the show, a universal truth emerges: That in every complicated set of politics, when we refuse to give up on each other, we can build a better future.

You can listen to more episodes of To See Each Other at https://link.chtbl.com/toseeeachother?sid=bestoftheleft

Direct download: To_See_Each_Other_Feed_Drop.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:14pm EST

Air Date 10/8/2024

Immigration dominates our politics in the worst way because one side benefits from lying about it and the other can't get their messaging together to create an effective rebuttal. Opposing immigration and stoking blatantly racist arguments doesn't just make the right bad or unsavory, it also makes them wrong on literally all of the facts.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Trump & Vance are Reviving Dangerous Racist Myths To Win 2024 Election - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 9-16-24

KP 2: Fascism Expert Jason Stanley on Project 2025, Great Replacement Theory, Attacks on Immigrants & Gaza - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-15-24

KP 3: The Daily Blast Trumps Angry, Unhinged New Rant About Fox News Offers Hidden Warning Part 1 - Deep State Radio - Air Date 9-30-24

KP 4: Did Donald TRUMP Make Germany RACIST Again - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 9-27-24

KP 5: The Daily Blast Trumps Angry, Unhinged New Rant About Fox News Offers Hidden Warning Part 2 - Deep State Radio - Air Date 9-30-24

KP 6: Trump's rhetoric on immigrants gets even darker - The ReidOut - Air Date 9-27-24

KP 7: Paola Ramos Explains the Rise of the Latino Far Right and Growing Anti-Immigrant Sentiments - LeBatardShow - Air Date 9-26-24


(55:21) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On what Democrats need to do on immigration messaging

Articles:

The Democrats’ Shameful, Foolish Surrender on Immigration

Kamala Harris Needs to Meet the Moment and Reframe Our Poisonous Immigration Debate


DEEPER DIVES

(1:01:12) SECTION A - DISINFORMATION


(1:14:11) SECTION B - WHITE SUPREMACY


(1:37:38) SECTION C - LATINO ANTI-IMMIGRATION VIEWS


SHOW IMAGE CREDIT

Description: A stenciled image on a metal trailer structure shows the words “I stand with immigrants” in the shape of a rectangle.

Credit: “Stand with immigrants” by Quinn Dombrowski, Flickr  | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Added lower metal space and increased contrast.

Direct download: 1661_Ethnic_Cleansing_General_-_10824_10.46.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:11am EST

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Air Date: 10-7-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- The Today Show's take on viral phenom Moo Deng
- The GOP's obsession with killing animals
- How the media made a mess of Rashida Tlaib's comments and missed the key point
- How some Nazi language is infiltrating left wing spaces & what to do about it
- How to solve antisemitism

REFERENCES:
Meet Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo taking the internet by storm

How the GOP Became the Party of Pet Slaughter

Anatomy of a Smear Campaign Against Rashida Tlaib

Fact-check: Tlaib did not say Nessel charged pro-Palestinian protesters because she’s Jewish

Normalizing Nazi Rhetoric Won’t Further the Goal of Palestinian Liberation

A Leftist Analysis of Antisemitism


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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: SAMPLE_BONUS_323_-_Solving_Antisemitism.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:33am EST

Air Date 10/4/2024

When women's value is seen only in relation to their ability to bear and raise children, you get policies that strip them of the right to choose whether that is something they actually want for themselves - the lived consequences are devastating.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: ‘Authoritarian’: Vance’s weird war on women echoes history's biggest fascists - The ReidOut - Air Date 8-15-24

KP 2: Where Did MAGA's 'Post-Birth' Abortion Claim Come From? - NowThis Impact - Air Date 9-12-24

KP 3: Woman Shares 'Trauma' of Abortion Bans During Senate Hearing - NowThis Impact - Air Date 9-24-24

KP 4: Donald wants to CONTROL WOMEN not PROTECT them. The truth behind his FALSE PROMISE. - Danielle Moodie - Air Date 9-25-24

KP 5: Georgia's Deadly Abortion Ban: The Tragic Deaths of Two Black Women, Candi Miller & Amber Thurman - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-18-24

KP 6: Texas Republicans ARE KILLING WOMEN!!! - Brittany Page - Air Date 9-26-24

KP 7: Everyone Loves Someone Who's Had an Abortion - The Defenders - Air Date 12-30-23


(48:52) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the further demands for reproductive justice

Articles: 

We Need Better Than a Return to the Roe Status Quo

National Abortion Rights Groups Have the Wrong Priorities for Our Movement

Abortion Access Right Now Fund


DEEPER DIVES

(56:49) SECTION A: THE CASUALTIES


(1:32:58) SECTION B: RELIGION


(2:00:00) SECTION C: THE PUNISHMENT IS THE POINT


(2:26:03) SECTION D: BLACK WOMEN


(2:42:41) SECTION E: THE PUSHBACK


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: A protestor holds a hand-painted sign that says “Justices Lie. Women Die!” with a drawing of a coat hanger.

Credit: “220503_RoeVWade_Rally_Pittsburgh-100103” by Mark Dixon, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0

Direct download: 1660_Abortion_-_10324_17.32.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 10/1/2024

There's still no end in sight to Israel's war on its neighbors and the US continues its toothless efforts to de-escalate while maintaining seemingly unconditional support in spite of standing laws that should prevent our sale of weapons to any country committing war crimes - which Israel certainly it.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Israel Terrorizes Hezbollah With Exploding Pagers - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 9-20-24

KP 2: Hell Is Breaking Loose in Lebanon Israel Rejects Ceasefire Proposal as U.N. Chief Calls for Peace Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-26-24

KP 3: U.S. Gov't Agencies Found Israel Was Blocking Gaza Aid. Blinken Ignored Them to Keep Weapons Flowing - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-26-24

KP 4: 'Whitewashing genocide' How Democrats & the media kept Gaza out of the DNC - The Real News Network - Air Date 8-31-24

KP 5: Palestine In Israeli School Books w Author Nurit Peled-Elhanan - Book Cafe Podcast - Air Date 2-22-24

KP 6: How U.S. College Administrators Are Dreaming Up Ways to Squash Gaza Protests - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-5-24

KP 7: Arrest Netanyahu: NYC activists call for mass march during Netanyahu's UN address - The Real News Network


(55:08) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the ease of misunderstanding when discussing Israel

Article: A Leftist Analysis of Antisemitism - Jacobin


DEEPER DIVES

(1:01:15) SECTION A: STATE TERRORISM


(1:27:44) SECTION B: GLOBAL COMPLICITY


(2:00:10) SECTION C: PROTESTS AND INDOCTRINATION


(2:14:13) SECTION D: RESISTANCE


SHOW IMAGE CREDIT

Description: A black and white photo of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu making a speech with the flags of Israel and the United States behind him.

Credit: “Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III participates in a joint press briefing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, April 12, 2021” by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders / U.S. Secretary of Defense, Wikimedia Commons  | License: Public Domain

Direct download: 1659_Israel_Conflagration_-_10124_14.52.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:27am EST

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Air Date: 9-29-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- Why Cards Against Humanity is fighting Elon Musk
- How car-related deaths have soared in the US
- How partial automation tech in cars is making driving more dangerous
- Why truck bloat(or C.O.U.S.s, if you prefer)is deadly
- Surveillance CARpitalism that will blow your mind
- The electric school bus fleets sweeping the nation
- The fratzonic sound of the electric Dodge Charger

REFERENCES:
"Cards Against Humanity Sues Elon Musk’s SpaceX “With Great Vengeance and Furious Anger” For Trespassing"

"Cards Against Humanity Sues Elon Musk for 15 million dollars" 

The Stubborn Problem of Cars Killing People

Tesla and Volvo drivers using partial automation tech were studied. Here are the results

The US finally takes aim at truck bloat

It’s Official: Cars Are the Worst Product Category We Have Ever Reviewed for Privacy

Electric school buses are the future we deserve

Here’s what the new Dodge Charger Daytona’s fake engine sounds like

 

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Jay! Tomlinson
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Direct download: Sample_Bonus_322_-_Things_That_Go_Vroom_Audio.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am EST

Air Date 9/27/2024

Let's just say that it's not a coincidence that right-wing authoritarians are on the rise at the same time as people around the world are having a harder time than ever figuring out what's true. That said, society is beginning to fight back.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-project-2025-will-lay-groundwork-for-second-term

KP 2: NBC's Jacob Ward: How Technology Shapes Our Thinking and Decisions Part 1 - Commonwealth Club World Affairs (CCWA) - Air Date 1-31-22

KP 3: Streaming is Changing Politics...Is That A Good Thing? - Wisecrack - Air Date 9-20-24

KP 4: YouTube and the Death of Media Literacy - Zoe Bee - Air Date 9-2-24

KP 5: A Citizen's Guide to Disinformation - TechTank - Air Date 9-3-24

KP 6: Enshittification Part 3: Saving The Internet - On the Media - Air Date 5-19-23


(45:53) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On bad media diets and brain worms

Article: Welcome to the Era of ‘Deep Doubt’


DEEPER DIVES

(54:23) SECTION A: SOCIAL MISINFORMATION


(1:23:18) SECTION B: LIVE BY THE ALGORITHM


(1:55:54) SECTION C: SOLUTIONS


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Graphic of two profiles back to back, one red, one blue. A white question mark is in the middle.

Credit: “face-question mark-disoriented” by geralt| License: Pixabay

 

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Direct download: 1658_-_Disinformation_-_92724_11.07.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:22am EST

Air Date 9/24/2024

The positive dad vibes of Tim Walz came onto the national scene in the middle of an ongoing crisis of masculinity that stretches from the youngest generations to the oldest. Both positive and negative aspects of masculinity tie in with the general election, basically divided right down the partisan line, and the next generation of voters (not to mention humans) are often feeling stuck between the two with insufficient guidance from the men in their lives.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Tim Walz is The Perfect Model of Masculinity Which Contrasts Weird, Blowhard JD Vance - Hysteria - Air Date 8-15-24

KP 2: Are Men Okay – SOME MORE NEWS - Air Date 5-22-24

KP 3: Dating Amid Gender Differences in Politics - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-30-24

KP 4: “BoyMom” Author Looks at Raising Sons in an Age of “Impossible Masculinity” - Amanpour and Company - Air Date 7-9-24

KP 5: We Love Some BDE Part 2 - Big Dad Energy - Dear Old Dads - Air Date 8-23-24

KP 6: Rethinking Boyhood What Moms Should Know (with Guest Ruth Whippman) - What Fresh Hell Podcast - Air Date 6-17-24

KP 7: That's My Gus Walz - Dear Old Dads - Air Date 8-30-24

KP 8: “BoyMom” Author Looks at Raising Sons in an Age of “Impossible Masculinity” Part 2 - Amanpour and Company - Air Date 7-9-24


(54:39) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the 3 top takeaways on and for boys and men

Article: CONSIDER THE BOOR


DEEPER DIVES

(1:00:56) SECTION A: TIM WALZ


(1:17:49) SECTION B: JD VANCE BRANDED MASCULINITY


(1:41:18) SECTION C: THE FALL OUT OF STOICISM


(1:46:43) SECTION D: DATING LIFE


(2:07:48) SECTION E: SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT


SHOW IMAGE CREDIT

Description: Image of a man in a flannel shirt in free fall against a gray cloud background.

Credit: “man-fall” by Pexels | License: Pixabay

 

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Direct download: 1657_Masculinity_-_92424_11.59.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:03am EST

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Air Date: 9-23-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- Musk's latest
- J.D. Vance's war on truth and brown people
- The super villains who spread lies
- Sane Washing Trump
- Correcting the Left
- Right-wing lies as a matter of course

REFERENCES:
Musk Claims ‘Joke’ About Assassinating Harris Was Funnier in Person

J.D. Vance’s War on American Life Starts in Springfield

JD Vance Thinks He Can Sell His Nationalism With Cat Memes

J.D. Vance’s Admission Shouldn’t Shock You—They’ve Done This for Years

How the Media Sanitizes Trump’s Insanity

Trump Has Not Been ‘Sane-Washed’

The Sound of One MAGA Attacking (Retracted)

“He’s one of us”: Trump defends political violence against the press, while the press remains silent

Man arrested at Trump rally in Pa. wanted to hang a protest banner, police say

How Right-Wingers Manufacture Scandal

 

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Direct download: Sample_Bonus_321_General.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:04am EST

Original Air Date: 3/21/2023

Today, we take a look at how GOP-controlled states are subverting democracy with a form of "competitive autocracy" and some of the horrifying legislation these states then pass after they are no longer subject to the opinions of the general public.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Autocratic Nightmare of State Republicans (David Pepper Interview) - The David Pakman Show - Air Date 2-5-22

Ch. 2: Republicans Are Staging A Legislative Coup - More Perfect Union - Air Date 1-5-22

Ch. 3: Laboratories of Autocracy – David Pepper – It’s the States, Stupid! - The Al Franken Podcast - Air Date 10-29-22 

Ch. 4: The Fight for Fair Maps - The Takeaway - Air Date 7-18-22

Ch. 5: Failing (Red)States - Ralph Nader Radio Hour - Air Date 3-4-23

Ch. 6: Ending my sm sabbatical since Houston is once again under attack by the party of "small government" - princewilliamhtx - Air Date 3-15-23

Ch. 7: Wherever you live in America, here’s why you should care about Governor Abbott’s removal of school board members in Houston. - isiahrmartin - Air Date 3-16-23

Ch. 8: “Plantation Politics”: How White Mississippi Lawmakers Want to Seize Power in Majority-Black Jackson - Democracy Now! - Air Date 3-9-23

Ch. 9: These Republicans are Trying to LITERALLY Send Your Kids Back To The Mines - The Young Turks - Air Date 2-11-23

Ch. 10: How Moore v. Harper Could Reshape Democracy - The Takeaway - Air Date 12-8-22

Ch. 11: Sarah Huckabee Sanders Rolls Back Child Labor Protections in Arkansas - The Young Turks - Air Date 3-10-23

Ch. 12: Missouri law barring police from enforcing federal gun laws creates confusion - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 2-26-23

Ch. 13: Tennessee legislator shocks with lynching suggestion - Alex Wagner Tonight - Air Date 3-3-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 15: Final comments on how to fix the states


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Direct download: 1550_Throwback.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:58am EST

Air Date: 9-19-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- the fallout from the debate, Trump's lies, and how his incoherence is being sanitized
- The inadequacy of workplace protections, even in unionized shops
- how worker stress and consumer misery are actually features, not bugs
- the hope of Philosopher Obama and Trump's Power of Positivity® 
- people's need to feel like they're getting their money's worth at the expense of all else

REFERENCES:
UPS Drivers Won “Historic Heat Protections.” They Say the Company Hasn’t Lived Up to That Promise

In Fast Food, Worker Stress Is the Business Model

Why Airlines Want to Make You Suffer

Barack Obama Is the Last American Transcendentalist

The True Source of Trump’s Delusions: The Gospel of Positive Thinking

 

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Direct download: Bonus_320_General_Sample.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 9/17/2024

It's not just the threat of the electoral college handing the presidency to the loser of the popular vote, nor the specter of a repeat of a January 6th-like event hanging over the election - there's also copious lies and disinformation including a new and improved nazi-to-Republican-talking-point-pipeline, and fresh new intimidation and voter suppression tactic experiments underway in the laboratories of democracy.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Ignore your lying eyes: Republicans attempt to overwrite living memory to rewrite history - Alex Wagner Tonight - Air Date 8-14-24

KP 2: Trump Admits He Lost 2020 Election?!? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 9-5-24

KP 3: How Pro-Trump Election Officials Could Refuse To Certify The 2024 Election - Democracy Docket - Air Date 8-15-24

KP 4: What Does “Election Interference” Even Mean Anymore? - The Political Scene Podcast - Air Date 9-4-24

KP 5: Subvert the Election, But Make It Legal - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts - Air Dat 9-7-24

KP 6: ‘Intimidation’: MAGA Texas AG orders raids on homes of Latino Democrats - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 8-29-24

KP 7: Republicans caught in BOMBSHELL lie - Brian Tyler Cohen - Air Date 9-9-24

KP 8: This is also ominous foreboding for what these people will do in office - Jamelle Bouie - Air Date 9-13-24


(49:26) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On what puts democracies at risk


DEEPER DIVES

(1:01:09) SECTION A: INTIMIDATION


(1:15:27) SECTION B: INTERFERENCE


(1:54:14) SECTION C: LIES


(2:08:49) SECTION D: ELECTION INTEGRITY


SHOW IMAGE

Description: Photo of a woman holding a sign above her head that says “Voting Rights are Human Rights”. She is wearing a bucket hat that says “Good Trouble.”

Credit: “210828 - voting rights-6” by Johnny Silvercloud | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

 

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Direct download: 1656_Threat_to_Democracy_Air_Date_9-17-24_General_-_91624_18.08.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 9/13/2024

We've been living through the modern equivalent of the oil boom, back when poking a hole in the ground would make one of the world's most valuable substances, upon which entire economies would be built. But in our case, it's not oil, it's data. Now we are at a pivotal moment as the old unchallenged master of data, Google, has been found guilty of illegal anti-competitive behavior at the same time as generative AI companies are in a new desperate rush to stake claims on every last piece of data they can find.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: The New Colonialism of Big Tech - Andrewism - Air Date 9-3-24

KP 2: Tech's Big Money Campaign is Getting Pushback with Margaret O'Mara and Brody Mullins - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 8-26-24

KP 3: Nathan Calvin on California AI bill SB 1047 and it's potential to shape US AI policy - 80,000 Hours Podcast - Air Date 8-29-24

KP 4: This Moment in AI How We Got Here and Where Were Going - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 8-12-24

KP 5: Newsoms AI dilemma To sign or not to sign - POLITICO Tech - Air Date 9-6-24

KP 6: At Last Big Tech's Free Ride May Be Over - The Hartmann Report - Air Date 9-4-24

KP 7: Where AI Isn't a Four Letter Word China Builds Robots to Aid Workers - The Socialist Program - Air Date 9-4-24

KP 8: Tech's Big Money Campaign is Getting Pushback with Margaret O'Mara and Brody Mullins Part 2 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 8-26-24


(1:00:18) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On a possible future for humanity


DEEPER DIVES

(1:07:35) SECTION A: THE THREAT


(1:20:31) SECTION B: BIG TECH LOBBYING


(1:39:26) SECTION C: REGULATION


(1:56:17) SECTION D: THINKING THROUGH SOLUTIONS


SHOW IMAGE

Description: Photo of a giant wall-sized screen displaying data numbers and a hand touching a finger to it.

Credit: “ai analyzing data” via mimpori01, Pixabay | Pixabay License

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1655_A_Pivotal_Moment_for_Big_Tech_Both_Old_and_New.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:20am EST

Air Date 9/10/2024

It's said that we live in a melting pot here in the United States. Perhaps it's more of a salad bar, who knows? In any case, there are a lot of people coming from a lot of different backgrounds, cultures, histories, and geographies all about to vote in a few weeks. Today, we try to understand, at least roughly, how people’s backgrounds influence their vote.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: A conversation about how demographic changes could impact the 2024 election - The NPR Politics Podcast - Air Date 9-3-24

KP 2: The Gender Gap Is Widening In The 2024 Election - What A Day - Air Date 9-4-24

KP 3: Why So Many Young Men Are Leaving Democrats for Republicans in 2024 - WSJ State of the Stat - Air Date 8-19-24

KP 4: What Will Black Male Voters Do In 2024? - AJ+ - Air Date 7-7-24

KP 5: Ian Haney López, "Dog Whistle Politics: Coded Racism and Inequality for All" - Brown University - Air Date 8-23-17

KP 6: How Michigan explains American politics - Vox - Air Date 1-11-24


(50:47) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the nature of demographic cohorts and the movement of the Democratic Party


DEEPER DIVES

(57:01) SECTION A: THE MIXED BAG


(1:28:15) SECTION B: LATINO AND BLACK VOTERS


(2:03:35) SECTION C: WHITE AND RURAL VOTERS


SHOW IMAGE

Description: A composite image showing red and blue silhouettes of men and women yelling at each other, two with megaphones. A faded diptych of V.P. Harris and D. Trump are in the background.

Credit: Composite Design: A. Hoffman.

Photo 1: “Kamala Harris” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped, faded

Photo 2: “Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped, faded

 

 

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Direct download: 1654_Political_cohorts.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:22am EST

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Air Date: 9-8-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- labor unions fighting for time off when it's too hot
- cooling tech
- electric trains
- and the corporations running our national parks into the ground 

REFERENCES:
Greek Unions Want Paid Time Off When It’s Too Hot to Work

To keep workers going in the heat, companies try fledgling cooling tech

Please Do Not Make Fun of My Neck Fan

Is the US finally getting all-aboard with electric trains?

Yosemite National Park Is a Mess

Aramark Stock Hits All-Time High Amid Triple-Digit Profit Growth

OpenAI won’t watermark ChatGPT text because its users could get caught

The Case for Public Rail Ownership

 

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Direct download: Sample_Bonus_319.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:12am EST

Air Date 9/6/2024

We're living in the world that dark money in politics and Citizen's United built. But since that Supreme Court ruling in 2010, we've invented cryptocurrency that promises to be a brand new source of opacity and financial power built on smoke and mirrors.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Steve Macek on Dark Money - CounterSpin - Air Date 8-23-24

KP 2: Why Big Money Supports Trump - Robert Reich - Air Date 8-27-24

KP 3: Trump shifts stance on cryptocurrency to win over new bloc of voters and mega-donors - PBS Newshour - Air Date 7-29-24

KP 4: Silicon Valley's Impact on the 2024 Elections - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-31-24

KP 5: Dem Donors Want Harris To Bail On Biden's Best Decision - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-29-24

KP 6: Andy Levin, Pushed Out of Congress by AIPAC, Calls for Change in U.S.-Israel Policy - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-21-24

KP 7: Steven Rosenfeld on Election Transparency, Ian Vandewalker on Small Donors - CounterSpin - Air Date 5-17-24

KP 8: We need to move to the public funding of elections - Bernie Sanders - Air Date 8-29-24


(49:16) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the changing sense of urgency to address money in politics


DEEPER DIVES

(52:47) SECTION A: THE SYSTEM

A1: Trump and the Billionaires Part 2 - The Socialist Program with Brian Becker - Air Date 7-16-24

A2: Steve Macek on Dark Money Part 2 - CounterSpin - Air Date 8-23-24


(1:10:02) SECTION B: FUNDING REPUBLICANS


(1:26:54) SECTION C: FUNDING DEMOCRATS


(1:34:05) SECTION D: SOLUTIONS


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: A composite image showing a Bitcoin in front of a pile of US cash, and a dark American flag in the background.

Credit: Composite Design: A. Hoffman. Photo 1: “Cash on table” via Pexels | License | Photo 2: American flag via Pixabay | License

 

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Direct download: 1653_Money_N_Politics_-_9-6-24.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:50am EST

Original Air Date: 10/16/2018

Today we take a look at the distant and recent history of conservatism in America and beyond and follow the steps that have led to their rejection of science at a moment in history when it has never been more critical to heed the warnings of scientists

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Corey Robin on the right from Burke to Trump - Jacobin Radio (@jacobinmag) - Air Date 12-3-17

Corey Robin on the Right from Burke to Trump. While most people on the Left fear and demonize the Right, they aren't interested in its ideas. Robin, however, takes them very seriously and analyzes their ideas for us.

Ch. 2: Jonah Goldberg on Trump, Republicans and the conservative movement - Diane Rehm: On My Mind - Air Date 3-2-18

The state of the conservative movement and where it goes from here.

Ch. 3: Kurt Andersen: How religion turned American politics against science - Big Think - Air Date 1-18-28

In the last 30 years, religion has radicalized American politics and seriously harmed the perception of science, says journalist and author Kurt Andersen. This can be directly tied to the rise of the Christian Right in the 20th century.

Ch. 4: The fall of family values - Past/Present - Air Date 6-25-18

Explaining how we came to the end of “family values” conservatism

Ch. 5: THE MIDTERMS MINUTE: FL, IN, MO, MT, ND - Help Democrats Retain These Toss-Up Battleground Senate Seats!

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment.

Ch. 6: Jennifer Rubin on the breakdown of the GOP from a center-right perspective - The Good Fight - Air Date 2-13-18

Yascha Mounk discusses how to cover the Trump presidency; the complicity of the Republican party; and the future of the right with proud conservative and staunch Never Trumper Jennifer Rubin.

Ch. 7: Chomsky on the GOP Has Any Organization Ever Been So Committed to Destruction of Life on Earth? - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 04-26-17

Amy Goodman began by asking Noam Chomsky about the catastrophically destructive tendencies of the Republican Party.

Ch. 8: America: The Farewell Tour (with Guest Chris Hedges) - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 10-2-18

Chris Hedges on the erosion of democratic infrastructure, imperialist leanings, and the widening gap between the morbidly rich and the working class, a sign of America's farewell?

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1219_Throwback_-_9124_17.14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 9-1-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- The ever-stranger headlines about RFK Jr. ...and dead animals
- The political philosophies and missteps behind unipolar, bipolar or multipolar world views 
- The dogmatic history of the American Communist Party
- The deeper reasons having kids is on the decline
- The impacts of our bizarre online world on kids and teens 

REFERENCES:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Admits He Falls for Online Misinformation “All the Time”

RFK Jr. Whale-Beheading Story Gives RFK Jr. Bear-Murder Story a Run for Its Money

Environmental Group Wants Answers About RFK Jr. Chainsawing a Whale’s Head Off

RFK Jr. in Hot Water With Environmental Group Over That Wild Whale Story

As Eurasia Awakes Our World Will Shake

The “Multipolar World”: A Euphemism to Support Multiple Imperialisms

Red Weather Vanes

The Real Reason People Aren’t Having Kids

The Big Problem Faced by Teens Isn’t Caused by Phones. It’s Deeper.

What Tweens Get from Sephora and What They Get from Us

 

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Air Date 8/30/2024

Israel's assault on Gaza is fueled by pain, rage, trauma... a desire for safety, a desire for revenge, the hope for the safe return of hostages. It's a complicated mix of all of the above and more and it will be different for each person. However, there's also a deep well of denial and delusion about the decades-old status quo between Israel and Palestine that made the current conflict all but inevitable and the pursuit of genocide by some decision-makers in the Israeli government - as well as the support of the US government - possible.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Kamala Harris Mentioned Palestinian Suffering — in the Passive Voice - The Intercept - Air Date 8-26-24

KP 2: Substance vs Vibes in VP Kamala Harris' Gaza PR Reboot - Citations Needed - Air Date 8-2-24

KP 3: Former Israeli Spy Chief- If I Was A Palestinian, I Would Fight Against Israel's Occupation - Zeteo - Air Date 8-19-24

KP 4: Torture Is Systemic in Israel's Prisons / Shai Parnes - This Is Hell! - Air Date 8-21-22

KP 5: EXPOSED- Netanyahu's Plan to Set World on Fire - Double Down News - Air Date 8-23-24

KP 6: Rami Khouri on Latest Israel-Hezbollah Escalation & Stalled Ceasefire Talks - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-26-24


(50:37) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the deep denial at the heart of Zionism

My Father and the Withering of Liberal Zionism - New York Mag


DEEPER DIVES

(1:02:24) SECTION A - UNCOMMITTED


(1:28:38) SECTION B - TORTURE


(1:56:35) SECTION C - ARMS EMBARGO


(2:26:17) SECTION D - JOURNALISM


SHOW IMAGE

Description: A young woman in the middle of a protest in Washington, DC holds up a sign in front of her that says “End the Siege On Gaza Now”

Credit: “March on Washington for Gaza” https://www.flickr.com/photos/perspective/53463705757/ by Elvert Barnes, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode.en | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1652_Israel_Gaza_-_82924_23.39.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 8/27/2024

People feel lots of ways about immigration. Sometimes it's fear of the other, other times it's not about the people but just dismay over a broken system. The validity of these concerns and others certainly exist on a spectrum, some are utter bullshit and others aren't. Left-wing political parties tend to do a terrible job creating immigration policy - in that they just don't do it at all - while the right wing is all too happy to create and implement terrible policy. And given a choice between action and inaction, regardless of how misguided the proposed action is, people with concerns will choose action.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: The UK's Far Right Riots - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 8-8-24

KP 2: Riots in the UK - Today, Explained - Air Date 8-7-24

KP 3: Introducing 'Battle of 187' week! - The Times Essential news from the L.A. Times - Air Date 7-19-21

KP 4: The Battle of 187 ends — and the war begins - The Times Essential news from the L.A. Times - Air Date 7-20-21

KP 5: RNC & ”Migrant Crime”- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 7-25-24

KP 6: Election 2024 As 'neofascist' Trump targets immigrants, how will the left respond w Juan González - The Real News Network - Air Date 7-28-24

KP 7: Employment Visa Paths for Dreamers and a Harris vs. Trump Presidential Race - This Week in Immigration - Air Date 7-30-24


(50:32) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the electoral politics of immigration policy


DEEPER DIVES

(58:41) SECTION A - THE UK RIOTS


(1:13:16) SECTION B - CA PROPOSITION 187


(1:26:59) SECTION C - TRUMP VS HARRIS


(1:49:23) SECTION D - MIGRANTS


SHOW IMAGE:
Description: Two young women stand amidst a protest in London showing their signs to the camera that say "No human is illegal."

Credit: "No Human is Illegal" by Alisdare Hickson, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1651_The_Politics_of_Migration_in_the_Age_of_Insecurity.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 8/23/2024

The vibes of this election are nothing anyone could have predicted a month ago. And yet, some of the details have played out as though by a script. Democrats drink hope like ambrosia from the gods; Trump, when confronted with reality initiates a full blown meltdown; and everyone is doing their best to ignore the genocide in Gaza being carried out with our weapons.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Unlearning Zionism with Simone Zimmerman & Eliza Skinner - The Bitchuation Room (with Francesca Fiorentini) - Air Date 8-13-24

KP 2: Dems Walz All Over GOP Attacks; Harris's Israel Tightrope w/ Krystal Ball - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 8-9-24

KP 3: The Rise of Kamala Harris with Heather McGhee Part 1 - Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast - Air Date 8-13-24

KP 4: Jon Stewart on Why Trump Wants Biden Back So Badly He's Reusing His Old Attacks - The Daily Show - Air Date 8-12-24

KP 5: 'Stupidest' candidate Trump did not answer reporters' questions - The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell - Air Date 8-8-24

KP 6: Democrats, Republicans, and the Meaning of Life - Steve Shives - Air Date 8-19-24


(48:45) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

on the vibes and archetypes of the election

Kamala Harris Is Providing a Very Specific Kind of Psychological Relief to America - Slate

Tim Walz is the dad that we lost - TikTok


DEEPER DIVES

(1:03:02) SECTION A - HARRIS'S POSITIVE VIBES


(1:33:14) SECTION B - GAZA WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN


(1:54:55) SECTION C - REALITY OVER VIBES


(2:25:41) SECTION D - TRUMP MELTDOWN


SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Composite triptych graphic showing Kamala Harris smiling with her hands in the air at a podium, the flag of Palestine in vertical, and Trump in profile stepping off the stage with his head down.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Image 1: “Kamala Harris” by Marc Nozell, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped ; Image 3: “Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1650_Vibes_Election_Air_Date_8-23-24_-_82324_13.09.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:42pm EST

Original Air Date: 8/23/2023

For decades, we have rightly been focused on dialing back endemic misogyny and poking holes in the patriarchy in the hopes of a new normal of gender relations emerging that would be genuinely healthier for everyone, not just women. But, with so much of the focus on the type of masculinity men and boys shouldn't embrace, we may have fallen short on giving positive direction to boys about what they should be and do.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Andrew Tate & Re-examining Masculinity - Long Story Short The Daily Show - Air Date 4-21-23

Jordan Klepper looks at Andrew Tate and breaks down how a void of role models has harmful consequences for young boys.

Ch. 2: The new crisis of masculinity - The Gray Area - Air Date 8-7-23

What does masculinity mean these days? Sean Illing speaks with Christine Emba, a columnist at The Washington Post who wrote the piece “Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness.”

Ch. 3: The New Masculinity - ON BOYS podcast - Air Date 4-27-23

Boys and men, Manley says, are caught between traditional definitions and understandings of masculinity, and a future definition that hasn’t been fully defined.

Ch. 4: Redefining Masculinity and Embracing Vulnerability - The Daily Show Beyond the Scenes - Air Date 3-7-23

Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with the co-founder of “A Call to Men,” Ted Bunch, and developmental psychology professor at NYU, Niobe Way, to chat about boys' friendships and how therapy could be transformative for a lot of men.

Ch. 5: What Does Positive Masculinity Look Like? - Paging Dr. NerdLove - Air Date 4-12-18

Toxic masculinity doesn’t mean that being a man is toxic, bad, or even undesirable. At the same time, non-toxic or positive masculinity doesn’t mean apologizing for being a man or trying to be as gender-neutral as possible.

Ch. 6: What is Positive Masculinity: How Patriarchy Oppresses Men - Swolesome - Air Date 12-2-22

Looking at what patriarchy teaches boys to do

Ch. 7: Redefining Masculinity and Embracing Vulnerability Part 2 - The Daily Show Beyond the Scenes - Air Date 3-7-23

Ch. 8: The New Masculinity Part 2 - ON BOYS podcast - Air Date 4-27-23

Ch. 9: Why Allan Energy Is The New “Big D_CK Energy” - Barbie Movie - Fashionistas - Air date 8-4-23

Examining positive masculinity through Allen from The Barbie Movie


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on why emotionally stunted men are a social, not individual, problem

Direct download: 1579_Positive_Masculinity_Air_Date_8-23-23_Throwback__-_82024_18.35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 8-19-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- How we likely all have COVID and can't believe we did a Bonus Show
- The bizarre ways AI is already part of our political systems
- Strong feelings on AI-generated art in a hyper-capitalist world
- The ups, downs and side effects of so-called AI friends
- AI in our love lives
(P.S. Audiophiles Beware: We had some technical difficulties, so this show may sound a little strange in spots.)

REFERENCES:

RFK Jr. Doubles Down on Dead Bear Cub With Bonkers Brag

The A.I. Influencer Ads Are Coming

Zoom founder Eric Yuan wants ‘digital twins’ to attend meetings for you so you can ‘go to the beach’ instead

There’s an AI Candidate Running for Parliament in the UK

An AI Bot Is (Sort of) Running for Mayor in Wyoming

OpenAI Imprisons AI That Was Running for Mayor in Wyoming

Harvard Scholars Suggest Pollsters Ask Questions to AI Simulations of Voters Because Real People Won't Answer The Phone

Political Candidate Accused of Being AI Insists He Is a Living Human With a Very Smooth, AI-Looking Face

‘We have to adapt or die’: Daniel Bedingfield says AI is music’s future

Wear This AI Friend Around Your Neck

Can an AI friend make you less lonely?

What If Your AI Girlfriend Hated You?

Computer says yes: how AI is changing our romantic lives

In the Age of A.I., What Makes People Unique?

The Big AI Risk Not Enough People Are Seeing

 

Bonus:
Opinion: The problem with calling Trump and Vance weird

 

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Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
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Direct download: 317_-_Dont_Forget_the_Philosophers__Bonus_Sample_-_81824_12.25_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:38pm EST

Air Date 8/17/2024

James Baldwin's 100th birthday passed by recently and we're using the occasion to draw on his moral clarity and eloquence while we assess the state of race in America

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Celebrating James Baldwin's 100th Birthday - 1A - Air Date 7-30-24

KP 2: James Baldwin's Fire - Throughline - Air Date 9-17-20

KP 3: “Justice for My Brother”: Sister of Samuel Sharpe Speaks Out After Police Killing During RNC - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-19-24

KP 4: Why JD Vance and the MAGA GOP Do Not Represent the True Idea of America & Our Core Values - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-2-24

KP 5: Truth, Privilege, and James Baldwin - Woke AF Daily - Air Date 10-3-23

KP 6: Celebrating James Baldwin's 100th Birthday Part 2 - 1A - Air Date 7-30-24

KP 7: US' Unconditional Support For Israel Making The World More Dangerous - The Majority Report - Air Date 8-2-24

KP 8: Raw video- Rep. Cori Bush concedes 1st Congressional District primary race to Wesley Bell - KSDK News - Air Date 8-7-24


(49:08) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the need for national self-reflection


DEEPER DIVES

(56:50) SECTION A - BALDWIN THE WRITER

A1: 100 Years of James Baldwin; Election Integrity and National Security; New York City Etiquette - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 8-3-24

A2: Celebrating James Baldwin's 100th Birthday Part 3 - 1A - Air Date 7-30-24


(1:08:50) SECTION B - RACE IN AMERICA


(1:35:59) SECTION C - THE WHITE LIE


(2:00:40) SECTION D - GLOBAL CONNECTIONS


SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Portrait of author and civil rights activist James Baldwin, an African American man, leaning against a tree with arms folded in a park and smiling, looking away from the camera.

Credit: “James Baldwin taken in Hyde Park London” by Allan Warren, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1649_Baldwin_8-17-24.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:52am EST

Air Date 8/13/2024

Spirits among Kamala Harris supporters, Democrats, and anyone opposing Trumpism are at an all-time high right now. That's both fortuitous and crucial to the upcoming election. By the very nature of Trumpism, this election will be the most flagrantly contested in history with far more Trump loyalists in place ready to throw wrenches in the works wherever they can. Nothing short of overwhelming victory for the Harris/Waltz ticket is necessary to stave off constitutional crisis.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Maddow points out frightening truth about Trump's lack of concern about votes - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 7-29-24

KP 2: How Trump (Allegedly) Tried to Steal the Election - LegalEagle - Air Date 8-12-23

KP 3: As Tension over Venezuelan Election Escalates, the Left Debates Who Won the Contested Vote - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-5-24

KP 4: Why Millions Won't Be Able To Vote In 2024? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-8-24

KP 5: In The Hands Of The Voters with Marc Elias - Justice by Design - Air Date 8-2-24

KP 6: Resisting Minority Rule - Brennan Center for Justice - Air Date 5-30-24


(52:11) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the importance of happy warriors


DEEPER DIVES

(54:53) SECTION A - THE MECHANICS OF MINORITY RULE


(1:22:28) SECTION B - THE PROPONENTS OF MINORITY RULE


(1:44:21) SECTION C - THE HISTORY OF MINORITY RULE


(2:01:34) SECTION D - A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE


(2:38:53) SECTION E - ACTIVISM


SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A cardboard sign taped to a street poll shows an American flag image and a short arrow pointing toward it. Underneath is the word "VOTE".

Credit: "Vote!" by Kristin Ausk, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Slightly cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1648_Democracy_Air_Date_8-13-24_-_81224_18.48.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

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Air Date: 8-11-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss:
- Understanding the New Right
- JD Vance's mangled metaphor
- The best headline about RFK Jr.
- Where the anti-trans movement has taken us
- What Star War controversies through the years can teach us

REFERENCES:
Watch: J.D. Vance Makes an Unfortunate Couch Joke at Nevada Rally

This Is Why J.D. Vance Hates “Childless Cat Ladies”

How JD Vance Thinks About Power

JD Vance Just Blurbed a Book Arguing That Progressives Are Subhuman

Read J.D. Vance’s Violent Foreword to Project 2025 Leader’s New Book

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Says He Staged an Elaborate Bear-Cub Murder Scene in Central Park, but Only Because He’d Planned to Eat It Later

RFK Jr is an always sunny in Philadelphia character

The Insidious Scrutiny of Female Athletes’ Bodies

The misleading controversy over an Olympic women’s boxing match, briefly explained

The Right-Wing Campaign to Purge Women From Women’s Sports

This Olympics Moment Shows Where Anti-Trans Calls to “Protect Women” Have Brought Us

Every Star Wars Backlash I've Ever Seen Has Really Been About The Same Thing

Once the most hated man in Star Wars, the actor behind Jar Jar Binks reflects on his reputation in that galaxy far, far away.


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Direct download: Bonus_Sample_316.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:58pm EST

Original Air Date: 2/8/2019

Amid the ongoing fallout of a contested presidential election, we take a look back, briefly, at the last 100 years of Venezuelan history to understand how they went from oil riches and inequality to revolution and social progress only to run afoul of American imperialism

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Attempted Coup in Venezuela with Abby Martin, Greg Wilpert, Paul Jay - @TheRealNews - Air Date 1-26-19

Ch. 2: How Did Venezuela Go From So Rich To So Poor - The Inquiry - Air Date 5-10-17

Ch. 3: Venezuela in Crisis- Defending the Bolivarian Revolution - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 7-29-17

Ch. 4: Is Donald Trump waging a coup in Venezuela? - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date 1-25-19

Ch. 5: Maduro’s Corruption Pushed Venezuela Further Into Economic DISASTER - @RingOfFireRadio - Air Date 2-2-19

Ch. 6: Jorge Martin on what’s next for Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution? - @ThisIsHellRadio - Air Date 5-25-18

Ch. 7: The Yankee Plot to Overthrow Nicolás Maduro and Steal Venezuela’s Oil - The Intercept - Air Date 2-2-19

Ch. 8: As U.S. Moves to Oust Maduro, Is Invading Venezuela Next? Allan Nairn on Trump’s Attempted Coup - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 1-30-19

Ch. 9: Many Countries at UN Oppose Trump Interference in Venezuela - @TheRealNews - Air Date 1-29-19


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com


Air Date 8/6/2024

After the recent Supreme Court ruling that allowed governments to constitutionally purge unhoused people from public spaces, we are getting an immediate lesson in the difference between addressing systemic problems with solutions and using the police to clean up after governments that failed to act.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Criminalizing homelessness - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-2-24

KP 2: Sotomayor TORCHES Oregon Town Trying To Ban Homeless People - The Majority Report - Air Date 4-23-24

KP 3: Biden Proposes Major SCOTUS Reforms, Including Ending Lifetime Appointments & Enforcing Ethics Code - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-30-24

KP 4: Billionaires' Attacks on Homeless People May Pay Off Big at Supreme Court - Citations Needed - Air Date 3-6-24

KP 5: Myths about Homeless People with Dr. Margot Kushel - Factually! - Air Date 5-8-24

KP 6: White House takes new action to lower housing costs - Morning Joe - Air Date 7-16-24

KP 7: Can Homelessness Be Eliminated- One Oregon County Found a Surprising Solution - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 4-1-24


(45:37) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the layers of problems and solutions for addressing homelessness

Article: 

With Sacramento’s robust water infrastructure, why are homeless residents still dying of thirst?


DEEPER DIVES

(51:59) SECTION A - THE SUPREME COURT


(1:02:06) SECTION B - DEMONIZATION


(1:19:15) SECTION C - DIGITALIZATION OF RENTING


(1:33:27) SECTION D - SOLUTIONS


SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A photograph of a group of multicolored camping tents on a plaza outside City Hall in Los Angeles.

Credit: "Unhoused in Los Angeles" by Ron Reiring, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1647_Homelessness_Air_Date_8-6-24_-_8524_19.51.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

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Air Date: 8-4-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- The use of strategic ambiguity as a way to ensure everyone hears what they want to hear
- How weird Republicans are now
- How the joke about JD Vance having sex with a couch is viewed as plausible because his inability to deal with generational trauma has made him a bizarre person
- How the right's bigotry runs so deep, they can't escape it even when they try their hardest
- Seriously, the Trump era of the Republican Party is really weird!

REFERENCES:
Those magic half-hours at Lozano Car Wash, where my dad was all mine

The Real Origin of Trump’s Hannibal Lecter Obsession The deeper you go, the less sense it makes.

Trump campaign finally reveals why ex president continues to profess love for Hannibal Lecter in speeches

J.D. Vance didn’t have sex with a couch. But he’s still extremely weird.

Critics Question JD Vance's 'Weird' Defense Of Wife Usha After White Supremacist Attacks

JD Vance's Response to White Supremacist Attacks on His Wife Seen as Lacking Strength and Conviction

J. D. Vance’s Sad, Strange Politics of Family

Trump: People who like family will support JD Vance

Trump faces backlash for ‘in four years, you don’t have to vote again’ remark

Trump asked to clarify his remarks about how Christians won't need to vote again

Dems Go All-In on Blasting Trump and MAGA as ‘Sick Freaks Who Everyone Hates’

How Trump and Vance went from a ‘threat to democracy’ to ‘weird’

Inside the “Big Weirdo” Political Strategy That Democrats Are Using to Taunt Republicans

 

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Direct download: 315_-_You_Do_You_You_Weirdos_General_Sample.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:45am EST

Air Date 8/2/2024

The Kamala Harris presidential campaign has been on a wild ride since it unexpectedly began less than two weeks ago. Record fund raising, organic enthusiasm not seen since Obama, and the ugly pushback to match.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: This Is What DEI Means (And Why Conservatives Get Super Racist With It) - Kate Abu - Air Date 7-29-24

KP 2: Political Plot Twists - Bad Queers - Air Date 7-29-24

KP 3: Israel Furious With Harris Over This Speech - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 7-28-24

KP 4: Share & Rizz & Tell with Mina Kimes and Dan Le Batard - PABLO TORRE FINDS OUT - Air Date 7-26-24

KP 5: Black Women Lead - Woke AF Daily - Air Date 7-24-24

KP 6: "It is a train that is never late"- Trump, GOP escalate racist and predictable attacks on VP Harris - Deadline White House - Air Date 7-24-24


(48:51) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the power of excitement


DEEPER DIVES

(56:51) SECTION A: MISOGYNOIR DEFINED

A1: Misogynoir by Dr. Moya Bailey #Jubilee21 - Black Feminist Future - Air Date 12-11-21

A2: Digital Misogynoir - The Anti-Dystopians - Air Date 9-8-23


(1:10:32) SECTION B: MISOGYNOIR IN ACTION


(1:41:14) SECTION C: TALK OF THE TOWN


SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Vice President Kamala Harris stands on stage holding a microphone with one hand on her hip in front of the stars of the U.S. flag. 

Credit: “Kamala Harris” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Slight crop

Direct download: 1646_Kamalanomenon_Air_Date_8-2-24_-_8124_15.25.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 7/30/2024

The Republican Party is making it sound like they're trying to transform themselves into the party of working people. There's a mountain of evidence suggesting that you shouldn't believe them but there's also plenty of reason to sit up and take notice of the situation.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: “He’s a Fake” Robert Kuttner on How J.D. Vance Disguises His Anti-Worker Views as Economic Populism - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-16-24

KP 2: Trump, Vance, and the New Right at the RNC - Deconstructed - Air Date 7-19-24

KP 3: JD Vance, Phony Populism on the Right, the Republican National Convention, and Democratic Party Messaging w Ben Burgis - Parallax Views - Air Date 7-22-24

KP 4: Teamster President’s RNC Both-Sides Pandering Fails Miserably - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-17-24

KP 5: Why Hiking Tariffs Actually Protects Americans - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 5-14-24

KP 6: Sean O'Brien faces criticism from Teamsters Vice President for RNC appearance - The Real News Network - Air Date 7-19-24


(43:44) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the shifting political epoch toward pro-worker policies we're witnessing

Clip: Let's adopt the GOP's national platform - Jim Hightower - Air Date- 3-6-13

Article: Biden’s labor report card: Historian gives ‘Union Joe’ a higher grade than any president since FDR


DEEPER DIVES

(54:05) SECTION A: TEAMSTER SPEECH AND FALSE POPULISM


(1:17:09) SECTION B: PRO-WORKER LEGISLATION


(1:28:24) SECTION C: JD VANCE AND THE "CENTER" RIGHT


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: J.D. Vance scowls with his face in partial shadow while standing at a podium.

Credit: "J.D. Vance" by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1645_Vance_Populism_Air_Date_7-30-24_-_72924_21.22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

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Air Date: 7-29-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- All of our hope-y, fearful feelings about this political moment
- The sexist, racist insults already being hurled at Harris
- The perceived threat of a woman's laugh
- Men's deep-seeded struggle with masculinity


REFERENCES:
Trump campaign finally reveals why ex president continues to profess love for Hannibal Lecter in speeches

What people mean when they call Kamala Harris a ‘DEI candidate’

Kamala Harris and the Threat of a Woman’s Laugh

‘It is a train that is never late’: Trump, GOP escalate racist and predictable attacks on VP Harris

Are We Not Men?


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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 
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Direct download: 214_-_Bonus_Sample_-_The_Lesson_of_The_Grinch_-_72824_6.05_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 7/26/2024

It's clear where the vast majority of violent rhetoric is coming from in the country and it's clear which party is a cult of personality and which puts country before personal power. This is the state of play in our politics.

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Transcript | Full Show Notes

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Jeff Sharlet on Trump Assassination Attempt, Authoritarian Violence & Project 2025 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-15-24

KP 2: Who Really is Stoking Violence in America? - The Hartmann Report - Air Date 7-15-24

KP 3: The Long Simmer of Political Violence in America - The Atlantic - Air Date 7-15-24

KP 4: In "Unity" Speech, Trump Demonizes Migrants, Spreads Lies & Embraces Authoritarianism - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-19-24

KP 5: Jon Stewart on Biden 2024: It Is What It Is? - The Weekly Show With Jon Stewart - Air Date 7-11-24

KP 6: You did it, Joe - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-22-24


(51:48) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On why it's OK to have a bit of hope even if it's uncomfortable


DEEPER DIVES

(57:02) SECTION A: BIDEN STEPS DOWN

A1: "Beating Donald Trump Is Vital": Mehdi Hasan on Joe Biden Dropping Out, Kamala Harris, Gaza & More - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-22-24

A2: Fox News MELTS DOWN Over Kamala Harris - The Rational National - Air Date 7-22-24


(1:12:23) SECTION B: VIOLENCE AND VIOLENT RHETORIC


(1:21:33) SECTION C: THE RNC


(1:57:29) SECTION D: CONSPIRACY


SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Composite image: In background, a photo from the RNC with image of Trump making a fist after the assassination attempt on every screen. In the foreground, Biden's letter telling America he is not running for reelection. Beside it, a photo of a smiling Vice President Kamala Harris.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Photo: "Kamala Harris" by Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped around subject

Direct download: 1644_RNC_Dems_Air_Date_7-26-24_-_72424_18.35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Original Air Date: 11/15/2022

Today, we take a look at our extremely steady history of political violence from the Revolution, through the Civil War, Reconstruction and Jim Crow, into the Civil Rights era, the Militia Movement and domestic terrorism, and now to our current once-again-radicalized, right-wing movement willing to use and tacitly condone violence as a political tactic.

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Capitol Attack Wasn't the 1st Violent Incident in Congress - Inside Edition - Air Date 1-20-22

Ch. 2: A history of US political violence Part 1 - Americast - Air Date 11-2-22

Ch. 3: Storm of White Right Wing Violence Isn't Coming... It's Here Featuring Luke Mogelson Part 1 - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 9-15-22

Ch. 4: Political Violence Is No Anomaly in American History - System Check - Air Date 1-8-21

Ch. 5: Today's Republicans were made in the 1990s - The Gray Area with Sean Illing - Air Date 11-7-22

Ch. 6: Storm of White Right Wing Violence Isn't Coming... It's Here Featuring Luke Mogelson Part 2 - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 9-15-22

Ch. 7: Some Democrats call on McCarthy to resign after comment 'hard not to hit' Pelosi with speaker's gavel - ABC News - Air Date 8-2-21

Ch. 8: Paul Pelosi attacked with hammer in his home - ABC News - Air Date 10-29-22

Ch. 9: A history of US political violence Part 2 - Americast - Air Date 11-2-22

Ch. 10: Political Violence - In the Thick - Air Date 11-4-22


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 11: Today's Republicans were made in the 1990s Part 2 - The Gray Area with Sean Illing - Air Date 11-7-22


Show Image:

Description: A newspaper cartoon/drawing of Senator Sumner being beaten on the floor of the Senate with a cane by Sen. Preston Brooks in 1856.

Credit: “Southern Chivalry - Argument vs. Clubs” by J.L. Magee, 1856 | Public Domain

Direct download: 1526_A_History_of_Political_Violence_in_the_US_-_72224_15.11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date: 7-21-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon (Erin couldn't join us) discuss:
- Deon's hatred of old people
- How the media industry's failing state led to ineffective coverage of the Biden age story 
- Amanda's excellent sports analogy
- The factors that have lead to America's worsening gerontocracy

 

REFERENCES:
Did the media botch the Biden age story?

Jon Stewart Examines Biden’s Future Amidst Calls For Him to Drop Out | The Daily Show

Inside the Complicated Reality of Being America’s Oldest President

Biden, turning 80, faces renewed age questions as he weighs reelection

Our U.S. Gerontocracy Needs to Go (and Biden Isn’t Even the Worst)

Why American politicians are so old


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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: 313_-_Consistency_When_it_Matters_General_Sample.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:28pm EST

Air Date 7/20/2024

Extremism comes in many forms and we live in an era in which way too many of them are on display simultaneously, but it's not coincidence. The far right has been working toward an extremist Supreme Court for decades. Christian Nationalists have similarly been trying to impose their rigid view of far-right Christianity on the rest of us for a very long time. The far-right Heritage Foundation now deems this to be the time to attempt to radicalize the federal bureaucracy, and far-right calls for political violence and lax gun laws resulted in an environment where no one was really all that surprised about the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Opinionpalooza The Supreme Court End-of-Term Breakfast Table - Amicus - Air Date 7-6-24

KP 2: Opinionpalooza This SCOTUS Decision Is Actually Even More Devastating Than We First Thought - Amicus - Air Date 7-13-24

KP 3: Just Decide the EMTALA Case Already, You Cowards - Boom! Lawyered - Air Date 6-27-24

KP 4: What is Project 2025 - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-11-24

KP 5: Project 2025 would allow Trump to target his enemies through the judicial system - The ReidOut - Air Date 7-10-24

KP 6: Republicans issue vile reaction to Trump shooting - No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen - Air Date 7-15-24

KP 7: Project 2025 would allow Trump to target his enemies through the judicial system Part 2 - The ReidOut - Air Date 7-10-24

KP 8: What is Christian nationalism and why it raises concerns about threats to democracy - PBS Newshour - Air Date 2-1-24


(57:30) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On what should come next for the Democrats


DEEPER DIVES

(1:05:02) SECTION A: SUPREME COURT


(1:51:47) SECTION B: PROJECT 2025


(2:07:10) SECTION C: POLITICAL VIOLENCE


(2:16:21) SECTION D: CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM


SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Composite. Photo of Trump giving a speech at a podium with the overlaid words "The Plot Against America" next to him against the black background.

Credit: Composite by A. Hoffman. Photo: "Donald Trump" by Matt Johnson, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped, overlaid text added

Direct download: 1643_Extremism_Air_Date_7-20-24_-_71924_15.32.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 7/17/2024

Recent elections in the UK, France and Mexico spanned the spectrum from confirming inevitabilities to completely upending expectations but they each have lessons for politics in the US

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: The UK Election Results Explained - TLDR News - Air Date 7-5-24

KP 2: Shocking French election results- What you need to know - Zeteo - Air Date 7-8-24

KP 3: The biggest problems Mexico's first female president Claudia Sheinbaum is facing - DW News - Air Date 6-3-24

KP 4: Labour Wins Massive Majority On Low Vote Share, Gaza Costs Starmer - Novara Media - Air Date 7-5-24

KP 5: France’s leftwing alliance beat the far right, but what now? - Today in Focus - Air Date 7-8-24

KP 6: "The North Needs to Learn from the South": Mexico Poised to Elect First Woman President - Democracy Now! - Air Date 5-29-24

KP 7: Who Broke Britain- Part 4- The Tories Are Out - If You_re Listening - ABC News In-depth - Air Date 7-5-24

KP 8: First Woman President- Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum Faces Border And Drug Cartel Challenges - The Hill - Air Date 6-16-24


(1:00:32) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On how to react to the current political moment and all of the many moments to come

Article: The Democratic Party’s Strange Attraction to Defeatism


DEEPER DIVES

(1:10:16) SECTION A: FRANCE


(1:44:54) SECTION B: GREAT BRITAIN


(1:59:28) SECTION C: MEXICO


SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Graphic of a partially transparent ballot box with the UK flag, the French flag and the Mexican flag visible in composite in the background.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Images from Pixabay.

Direct download: 1642_UK_FR_MX_Elections_Air_Date_7-16-24_-_71624_16.26_copy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

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Air Date: 7-14-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon (Erin couldn't join us) discuss:
- How we're feeling
- The philosophy of liberal patriotism
- The positive policies Democrats should be running on to inspire voters
- The reckoning the current Democratic Party desperately needs

REFERENCES:
Liberal Patriotism Is About More Than Flag-Waving

How to Beat Trump in a World of Unreason

Democrats don’t just need a new candidate. They need a reckoning.


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Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
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Direct download: 312_-_In_a_Dinghy_of_Hope_Bonus_Sample_-_71324_6.52_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 7/12/2024

From solar scams to controversial congestion pricing and the smart grid that's needed to connect it all, we look at the messy and difficult path to a low-carbon future.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: When solar power leaves you feeling burned - Today, Explained - Air Date 1-2-24

KP 2: How can we develop new energy technologies and get them deployed at scale - The Energy Gang - Air Date 3-5-24

KP 3: This is what's REALLY holding back wind and solar - DW Planet A - Air Date 6-2-23

KP 4: How to fix clean energy’s storage problem - VOX - Air Date 4-27-23

KP 5: How can we develop new energy technologies and get them deployed at scale Part 2 - The Energy Gang - Air Date 3-5-24

KP 6: The Lost Subways of North America - 99% Invisible - Air Date 5-21-24

KP 7: NYC Congestion Pricing Advocates Slam Hochul for Halting Plan to Reduce Emissions, Fund Transit - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-25-24

KP 8: Comptroller on Congestion Pricing's Indefinite Pause - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 6-17-24


(54:25) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On how to make the case to Biden to step aside


DEEPER DIVES

(1:01:35) SECTION A: ENERGY POLICIES


(1:20:31) SECTION B: THE INTENTIONAL SOLAR SCAM


(1:36:14) SECTION C: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Photo of a smoggy traffic jam on a highway, taken from the middle of the lane behind the cars. Cars' brake lights are visible.

Credit: “World Class Traffic Jam: Jersey Turnpike Version” by b k, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Slight crop

Direct download: 1641_Green_Energy_and_Transport_Air_Date_7-12-24_-_71024_19.30.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:23am EST

Original Air Date: 2/5/2019

Today we take a look at the history of FDR's "Four Freedoms" and "Economic Bill of Rights" that laid the groundwork for the fight for economic freedom for all that continues to this day.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Harvey Kaye, "The Fight for the Four Freedoms" - Book TV - Air Date 5-11-14

Harvey Kaye examines the progressivism of the Roosevelt-era and argues that a reminder of the "four freedoms" could address today's political and social issues.

Ch. 2: What Ted Cruz Doesn't Get About 'Freedom' - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 7-21-16

Thom talks about Ted Cruz's speech at the Republican Convention and compares his definition of 'freedom' with the way it was described by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Ch. 3: An Overdue Second Bill of Rights Part 1 - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 10-7-18

F.D.R. recognized that the original bill of rights would not be enough to make all American’s truly free and proposed an economic bill of rights. Of the eight amendments he proposed in 1944, seven are still waiting to be implemented.

Ch. 4: Fighting for the Four Freedoms - @BillMoyersHQ And Company - Air Date 4-15-14

Historian Harvey J. Kaye talks about how FDR was able to mobilize Americans to create "the strongest and most prosperous country in human history."

Ch. 5: Libertarian Definition of "Freedom" is Freedom in Name Only - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date 8-1-13

Explaining that libertarian thinking doesn't incorporate the existence of economic coercion

Ch. 6: An Overdue Second Bill of Rights Part 2 - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 10-7-18

Ch. 7: Bernie Sanders & FDR's Second Bill of Rights - Berniementum - Air Date 8-12-15

President FDR's Second Bill of Rights speech - January 11, 1944 Sen. Bernie Sanders speech at the National Press Club - Mar. 9, 2015 Music - "There is Romance" by Imcompetech

Ch. 8: Fight for the Four Freedoms What Made FDR & the Greatest Generation Truly Great (w: Harvey J Kaye) - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date 9-9-15

University of Wisconsin Professor Harvey J Kaye author of Fight for the Four Freedoms: What Made FDR and the Greatest Generation Truly Great, explains Ronald Reagan and the great pushback against a progressive America

Ch. 9: An Overdue Second Bill of Rights Part 3 - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 10-7-18


Air Date: 7-7-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- Some stuff that we planned and A LOT more that we did not.

REFERENCES:
The Cause That Turned Idealists Into Authoritarian Zealots

'Extreme wealth as power must be regulated’: 31-year-old heiress is letting 50 strangers give her $27 million fortune away

The Baffling Disaster Unfolding at the Washington Post

The Democratic Governor Whose Message Can’t Be Beat

Best of the Left #1247 The Fight for the Four Freedoms (FDR vs. Libertarianism)

The Fight for the Four Freedoms


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Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
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Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: 311_-_Primal_Scream_of_Catharsis_-_Bonus_Sample_-_7724_3.35_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:29pm EST

Air Date 7/5/2024

China is an undeniable force in the world relating to several major political issues and to address their influence without a deep understanding of the history, context, and current dynamics would be to invite 100 years of humiliation.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Joe Biden's Radical Worldview - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-27-24

KP 2: Why China Doesn't Identify with the West, Explained - Siming Lan - Air Date 9-23-22

KP 3: Has China's Belt and Road Initiative been a success? - Financial Times - Air Date 10-30-23

KP 4: Why China Isn't the Problem - Our Changing Climate - Air Date 5-5-23

KP 5: The Escalating Sino-Philippine South China Sea Dispute Explained - TLDR News Global - Air Date 6-26-24

KP 6: Why China's Economy is Finally Slowing Down - Wendover - Air Date 3-21-24

KP 7: Our New Global Economy - Johnny Harris - Air Date 12-20-23


(1:04:13) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On how Joe Biden can become a hero in the wake of his debate with Trump


DEEPER DIVES

(1:12:51) SECTION A: CHINA'S ECONOMIC FOREIGN POLICY

A1: Kidnappings and ghost towns on China’s Belt and Road: 10 years of Xi Jinping’s masterplan | Dispatch - The Telegraph - Air Date 9-7-23

A2: Has Africa gained from China's infrastructure plans? - Focus on Africa - Air Date 10-20-23

A3: China-Africa Relations in the Era of Great Power Competition - The China in Africa Podcast - Air Date 5-9-24

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


(1:37:10) SECTION B: THE EV WARS


(1:59:44) SECTION C: TECH AND SPACE RACE


(2:14:44) SECTION D: ESCALATING TENSIONS


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: An illustration of a darkened, draped Chinese flag, with its 5-star pattern, close up. 

Credit: "China flag" by The Digital Artist, Pixabay | Pixabay License |Changes: Added dark overlay

Direct download: 1640_China_Air_Date_7-5-24_-_7-4-24_14.31.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 7/2/2024

Border security around the world continues to take turns for the dark and dystopian as right-wing sentiment against migrants and refugees continues to escalate to the extreme.

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Air Date 7/2/2024

Border security around the world continues to take turns for the dark and dystopian as right-wing sentiment against migrants and refugees continues to escalate to the extreme.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: First Illinois Latina Rep. Praises Biden's New Immigration Executive Order But Slams Border Shutdown - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-20-24

KP 2: EU Border Enforcement, Part 1 - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 6-4-24

KP 3: Migrants & Refugees, the Pope & Volkswagen - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 5-26-24

KP 4: Tunisia, EU scrutinized for harsh treatment of migrants along route from Africa to Europe - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 8-7-23

KP 5: Why Are Migrants Becoming AI Test Subjects? With Petra Molnar - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-20-24

KP 6: EU Border Enforcement, Part 2 - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 6-5-24

KP 7: Why Are Migrants Becoming AI Test Subjects? With Petra Molnar Part 2 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-20-24


(52:45) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On our summer membership drive


DEEPER DIVES

(57:32) SECTION A: POLITICIZATION OF THE BORDER


(1:19:47) SECTION B: BRUTAL BORDER ENFORCEMENT


(1:36:40) SECTION C: BORDER INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX


(1:48:14) SECTION D: MIGRANT STORIES


SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Composite graphic showing a deep blue ocean with the gold stars of the EU flag. On the horizon, a faded US flag is behind concertina wire fencing. In the center, a long boat full of refugees floats on the water.

Credit: Composite Design by A. Hoffman. | Composite imagery via Pixabay | Photo: “P52 Migrants 19 July 2015 03” by Oglaigh na hEireann, Flickr. License: CC BY 2.0 Changes: Cropped and reduced opacity

Direct download: 1639_Fortress_Earth_Migration_Air_Date_7-2-24_-_6-29-24_18.17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date: 6-30-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- the baffling trend of tech companies using cautionary tales from dystopian fiction as a blueprint for what to create next
- how the people who build or champion tools of oppression never think those same tools will inevitably be turned on them
- the use of drones as first responders, and the long term effects this has had on the residents
- a different perspective on how to think about the end 
- humanity's seeming inability to think about longterm repercussions of technology before we put something into use

REFERENCES:
What Is 'Torment Nexus?' The 'Man-Made Horrors' Trope Explained

Author of cautionary tale about Torment Nexus creates tech company to build Torment Nexus

‘Snow Crash’ Author Neal Stephenson Is Building a ‘Free Metaverse’ Called Lamina1

The Age of the Drone Police Is Here

Watch a swarm of cyborg cockroaches controlled by computers

Are We Doomed? Here’s How to Think About It

 

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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_310_-_The_Torment_Nexus_General_Sample.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 6/28/2024

AI, like all new technologies, won't be all good or all bad. In fact, my favorite understanding of emerging technologies is that they often bring simultaneous utopia and dystopia, though many tend to focus on the benefits while only discovering the drawbacks later.

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KEY POINTS

1: We’re already using AI more than we realize - Vox - Air Date 2-28-24

2: AI is a Lie. - Linus Tech Tips - Air Date 6-13-24

3: What Is an AI Anyway? | Mustafa Suleyman - TED - Air Date 4-22-24

4: How to Limit the Threat of "Killer Robots" and Autonomous Weapons That Are Changing Warfare - Global Dispatches - Air Date 3-13-24

5: How Much AI Regulation Is The Right Amount? - FiveThirtyEight Politics Podcast - Air Date 6-13-24

6: How AI causes serious environmental problems (but might also provide solutions) | DW Business - DW News - Air Date 4-29-24

7: Why Are Migrants Becoming AI Test Subjects? With Petra Molnar - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-20-24

8: Big Tech AI Is A Lie - Tina Huang - Air Date 4-30-24


(1:07:12) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the nature of misalignment between AI and human wellbeing

Article: This article is OpenAI training data


DEEPER DIVES

(1:16:18) SECTION A: MORE CURRENT USES OF AI


(1:44:54) SECTION B: POTENTIAL USES OF AI AND THE ETHICS WE NEED TO CONSIDER


(2:08:00) SECTION C: REGULATING AI


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: Graphic showing a human hand and a digital pixilated hand reaching out toward each other with arching digital lines coming from the center of each hand.

Credit: “Digitization Particles Hand” via geralt, Pixabay | Pixabay License | Changes: Expanded

Direct download: 1638_AI_Utopia_and_Dystopia_Air_Date_6-28-24_-_6-26-24_14.11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Original Air Date: 10/23/2023

The people who want to pull the country in directions that are only supported by a small minority of the population have to develop very intricate plans to have any hope of succeeding. This is the story of the latest plan to establish unchecked rule to implement unpopular policies supported only by the far right.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: ‘The endgame of election denial is that we shouldn't have elections’: Authoritarianism expert - The ReidOut - Air Date 10-6-23

Donald Trump has ramped up his violent rhetoric in recent weeks. Meanwhile, a Fox host has urged the U.S. towards civil war and claimed that voting does not work.

Ch. 2: Violent Authoritarianism: How Did This Become the GOP? - Keeping Democracy Alive with Burt Cohen - Air Date 11-23-21

Pat Buchanan was ahead of his time. He used the KKK’s David Duke to breed a new nativist religious nationalism, based on fear of liberalization. On this show, political science professor Joseph Lowndes sheds light on how the Republican Party got here

Ch. 3: Analyzing The Dark Roots Of Modern Conservatism - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 10-15-23

Emma hosts John S. Huntington, professor of history at Houston Community College, to discuss his recent book Far-Right Vanguard: The Radical Roots of Modern Conservatism.

Ch. 4: How Often Do YOU Think About the Roman Empire? - Wisecrack - Air Date 10-16-23

The real reason TikTok is crazy for ancient Rome If you’re even a little bit online, you know that the men love ancient Rome. This isn’t new: The civilization has loomed large in the Western imagination ever since its catastrophic collapse.

Ch. 5: The Conservative Plan to Take Over the Country Part 1 - Leeja Miller - Air Date 9-26-23

Project 2025 is the terrifying plan set out by conservatives to take over the government. But it's radical, and it doesn't align with what most Americans want. Which is why we have to make sure this plan never happens.

Ch. 6: The GOP’s "Red Caesar" New Political Order Plan Marches Forward - The Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 10-3-23

A Trump supporter just displayed exactly how stochastic terrorism works.

Ch. 7: The Conservative Plan to Take Over the Country Part 2 - Leeja Miller - Air Date 9-26-23

Ch. 8: Think Tanks: How Fake Experts Shape the News - Tom Nicholas - Air Date 5-13-23

A video about how billionaire-funded right-wing “think tanks” such as the Heritage Foundation, Adam Smith Institute, Manhattan Institute, and Institute of Economic Affairs manipulate the news to spread their propaganda

Direct download: 1590_Red_Caesar_and_Project_2025.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date: 6-23-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- The Kidult trend in depth (since we had to cut it short last time)
- A right-wing attempt at a puppet-based kids show to draw in young viewers early
- How Nanalan' - a kids puppet show from the 90s - is helping some Millennials with reparenting

REFERENCES:
Adults Are Spending Big on Toys and Stuffed Animals—for Themselves

Kidults - do you have one in your life?

PLAYBACK The UK’s adults-only soft play, ball pits, Lego nights, museum sleepovers & holiday camps where grown-ups play like kids

'Gus Plus Us' Offers a Glimpse of Texas Filmmaking’s Conservative Future 

What is Bentkey?

'She Is the Icon of All That Is Joyful in the World

Nanalan' on YouTube


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Produced by:
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Direct download: 309_-_Of_Kidults_and_Puppets_-_Bonus_Sample_-_6-23-24_12.34_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 6/21/2024

The European elections could have been worse but they weren't great. Shifting politics among mainstream parties is legitimizing far-right policies at the same time as people's concerns over immigration is being reflected in a willingness to vote for far-right parties.

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Transcript

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Clear Shift Toward the Far Right Anti-Immigrant Nationalists Gain Ground Across Europe - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-11-24

KP 2: Europe Slides to the Right Unpacking the EU Parliamentary elections. - UNFTR - Air Date 6-15-24

KP 3: How the EU Parliament Voted This Year - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 6-12-24

KP 4: Does the economy matter to the far right? - Business Beyond - Air Date 5-31-24

KP 5: How Deep Does Right Wing Extremism Go In The Republican Party With Teddy Wilson - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 6-11-24

KP 6: What is behind the rise of the far-right in Europe - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 6-11-24

KP 7: Far Right Surges in European Elections - Pod Save The World - Air Date 6-12-24

KP 8: Europe Slides to the Right Unpacking the EU Parliamentary elections Part 2 - UNFTR - Air Date 6-15-24


(49:23) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the snowball effect of factors leading to a rightward shift in politics


DEEPER DIVES

(56:56) SECTION A: THE EU STRUCTURE AND ELECTION RESULTS


(1:05:58) SECTION B: IMMIGRATION AND THE CULTURE WAR


(1:24:12) SECTION C: THE PLAYBOOK AND MESSAGING OF THE FAR RIGHT


SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Photo of European Parliament off-center, shifted right.

Credit: “European Parliament Strasbourg Hemicycle” by Diliff, Wikimedia | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 | Cropped

Direct download: 1637_EU_elections_Air_Date_6-21-24_-_6-20-24_16.36.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Original Air Date: 12/11/2021

Today we take a look at the many structures of American government that tilt to favor minority rule and conservatism which, in our case, is one and the same. Some structures like the Senate and the filibuster were intentionally designed to give extra weight to the minority while others like gerrymandering and the influence of large-dollar political donors were, well, I suppose they were designed for about the same reason but just in a different way.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Lawrence Lessig on Unrepresentative Democracy - Network for Responsible Public Policy - Air Date 10-1-21

Ch. 2: Why Wyoming Has More Power Than California in the Senate - AJ+ - Air Date 10-14-20

Ch. 3: Perpetual Minority Rule with David Faris - Battleground with Amanda Litman and Faiz Shakir - Air Date 6-10-21

Ch. 4: Biden's DOJ is SUING Texas For Their Brazenly Discriminatory Gerrymandering - The Humanist Report - Air Date 12-7-21

Ch. 5: Andrew Perez on the Filibuster - CounterSpin - Air Date 6-18-21

Ch. 6: A To-Do List for Senate Democrats - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 7-17-21


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Chauncey DeVega On Why Democracy Might Not Survive - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 12-7-21


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 8: Final comments on public policy, human nature and Cold War talking points


Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1460_The_Growing_Threat_of_Minority_Rule_Throwback.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date: 6-16-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- The importance of unsupervised playtime for children and why it's disappearing
- The roots and consequences of over-scheduling kids and why it's so hard to cut back
- The rise of the "Kidult"

REFERENCES:
Parents: Keep Out! - Hidden Brain

The Fine Art of Underscheduling

Adults Are Spending Big on Toys and Stuffed Animals— For Themselves 

Let Grow Play Club

Chasing Childhood documentary


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Direct download: 308_-_Bonus_Sample_-_Let_the_Kids_and_Adults_Play_-_6-12-24_11.28_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 6/14/2024

We're in the middle of Supreme Court opinion season, which is not going well for non-extreme conservatives in the country, at the same time as scandal, corruption, and justices Thomas and Alito's refusal to recuse in the face of clear bias is reaching a modern peak.

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KEY POINTS

1: Opinionpalooza A Bad June Rising At SCOTUS Part 1 - Amicus

2: How The Mifepristone Case Reached SCOTUS - Amicus

3: Way Too Close Insane SCOTUS Case Could've Sunk The Country w Mark Joseph Stern - The Majority Report

4: Fact-Checking the Supreme Court - 99% Invisible

5: The IVF Decision We Should Have Seen Coming - Amicus

6: SCOTUS Flag Neighbor Exposes Alito’s BS Story- The Majority Report

7: Delegitimize The Court - Contempt of Court


(1:03:35) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On some of Alito's finer absurdity

Articles:

Alito says the Supreme Court’s fake ethics code allows him to be unethical

The Republican Party's man inside the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court's new voting rights decision is a love letter to gerrymandering


DEEPER DIVES

(1:14:19) SECTION A: DO FACTS MATTER?


(1:45:47) SECTION B: POLICING MEDICAL CARE


(2:15:48) SECTION C: THE REPUBLICAN COURT WE’VE ALL WAITED FOR


(2:42:24) SECTION D: SCOTUS IS A FLAWED SYSTEM


Description: Photo of the U.S. Supreme Court building with an ominous red filter. An image of golden, uneven scales of justice sits on top.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. / Photo: “The Supreme Court” by Glenn Beltz, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Overlaid with red and imagery as part of composite. / Illustration: “Uneven scales of justice” via TheDigitalArtist, Pixabay.

Direct download: 1636_SCOTUS_is_Bad_Air_Date_6-14-24_-_6-12-24_11.51.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 6/11/2024

Democracies don't break all of a sudden in a moment of crisis, they fail slowly over time and only by knowing the warning signs and responding effectively to the threat before it's too late can the worst be averted.

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KEY POINTS

1: Why and Where is Democracy in Decline? - TLDR News

2: Is Democracy Under Threat? - Tufts University

3: The decline of American democracy won't be televised - Vox

4: How Republicans are fueling Russia and China_s global effort to undermine democracy - Velshi

5: How Republican Attorneys General are Undermining Voting Rights - Democracy Docket

6: Democracy vs. Autocracy: An Unproductive Dichotomy - Marxist Project

7: When Democracy Breaks: Final Thoughts with Archon Fung, David Moss and Arne Westad - Democracy Paradox

8: Protecting Voting Rights with Eric Holder - Why Is This Happening?

9: Rich Logis Escaped the Trump - MAGA Cult -- Heed His Warnings About Its Power and Extreme Danger to America - Chauncey DeVega Show

10: "The President of Forgetting" - Dastardly Cleverness in the Service of Good


(1:03:29) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Those who defend authoritarians against criticism during D-Day commemoration

Conservatives Angry at Biden’s Anti-Nazi D-Day Speech

Fighting Trump on the Beaches


DEEPER DIVES

(1:09:52) SECTION A: DISSECTION OF DEMOCRACY


(1:31:56) SECTION B: INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY


(2:09:54) SECTION C: THE CULT OF TRUMP


(2:36:47) SECTION D: DEMOCRACY IN ACTION


IMAGE:

Description: Black and white photo of a person holding a homemade sign that says “Fighting for Democracy”

Credit: “For Democracy” by Alisdare Hickson, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Change: Cropped

Direct download: 1635_Declining_Democracy_Air_Date_6-11-24_-_6-10-24_18.18.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date: 06-09-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- how focusing on the "politics" of an event trivializes the impact that event has on real people
- the detrimental effects combining the daily news grind and the prioritization of profits forces has on news coverage
- how keeping news coverage light and ignoring the effects of neoliberalism leaves desperate people vulnerable to fascism
- the way history is repeating itself when it comes to news media not treating a demagogue's rhetoric as the emergency it is
- the difference between symbolic beliefs vs factual beliefs

REFERENCES:
Why Americans Hate the Media

The Media Still Doesn’t Grasp the Danger of Trump

Don’t Believe What They’re Telling You About Misinformation

 

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Produced by:
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Direct download: Bonus_307_-_Uncertain_and_Powerless_-_General_Sample_-_6-8-24_23.32.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:49pm EST

Air Date 6/7/2024

Banning abortion is wildly unpopular and also one of the primary motivators for the group most strongly supporting the Republican Party and Donald Trump, the Christian Right, which has transformed both the party and politicians into extremists made in their own image, threatening the lives and health of millions and sacrificing democracy in the process.

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KEY POINTS

1: Abortion and Reproductive Rights - Lectures in History

2: Abortion and the erosion of privacy - The Weeds

3: Digital surveillance and reproductive rights - Technically Optimistic

4: Anti-abortion hardliners want restrictions to go farther. It could cost Republicans - Consider This

5: Abortion and Reproductive Rights Part 2 - Lectures in History

6: Rakeen Mabud on Greedflation, Rachel K. Jones on Mifepristone - CounterSpin

7: Abortion and the erosion of privacy Part 2 - The Weeds

8: Digital surveillance and reproductive rights Part 2 - Technically Optimistic


(57:00) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the abuse produced by abortion restrictions


DEEPER DIVES

(1:02:40) SECTION A: CRIMINALIZING ABORTION


(1:21:07) SECTION B: ABORTION EXTREMISM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY


(1:36:40) SECTION C: ABORTION IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM


(1:53:45) SECTION D: WHAT IS THERE TO DO?


SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A person dressed in a red cape and white conical bonnet with a red sash over their nose and mouth (referencing the Handmaid's Tale) stands outside the U.S. Supreme Court at dusk holding a cardboard sign with the words "This is NOT fiction."

Credit: Photo by Tyler Merbler, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1634_Abortion_Air_Date_6-7-24_-_6-6-24_14.10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 6/4/2024

The problems that arise within the systems of sports are the same problems we all face everywhere which makes them a good lens through which to understand the mechanisms of broader society. Fair pay, both journalism and addictive games functioning under capitalism, and benefits for billionaires all resonate far beyond the bounds of the players, owners and fans of sports clubs.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Pay for Play Part 1 - University of Iowa

KP 2: What the historic $2.8 billion settlement to pay NCAA players means for college sports - PBS NewsHour

KP 3: Pay for Play Part 2 - University of Iowa

KP 4: Sports Media has changed forever. - Brett Kollmann

KP 5: Dan Le Batard Tells Stephen A. Smith He Hates What He and Skip Bayless Did to Sports Media - LeBatardShow

KP 6: Report Finds That Sports Owners Use Their Teams To Avoid Millions In Taxes - MSNBC Reports

KP 7: The Sports Stadium Scam - Robert Reich

KP 8: The gambling problem in sports - The Current


(1:01:43) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the value of sports to building community


DEEPER DIVES

(1:06:18) SECTION A: PAY FOR PLAY

A1: Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger: What NCAA Suit Settlement Means for Paying Players - The Rich Eisen Show

A2: "Amateurism Is Dead" - The Rich Eisen Show

A3: Pay for Play Part 3 - University of Iowa


(1:23:57) SECTION B: STADIUMS, OUR GREAT FOLLY


(1:40:18) SECTION C: SPORTS JOURNALISM


(1:59:15) SECTION D: SPORTS GAMBLING


SEE FULL SHOW NOTES

 

SHOW IMAGE

Description: A grocery store display of Coca-Cola soft drinks stacked in the shape of a basketball and “NCAA!”.

Credit: “Coca Cola NCAA Cases Display” by Mike Mozart, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1633_Sports_Microcosm_Air_Date_6-4-24_-_6-1-24_21.48.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date: 6-2-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- How one MIT study used AI to reduce belief in conspiracy theories
- How a new AI tool is attempting to make comments sections less awful
- Some advice from Korea's litigious political environment on how to deal with Trump

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REFERENCES:
America’s Worst Time Zone

Chatbots can persuade conspiracy theorists their view might be wrong

The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet

South Korea Has a Warning About Donald Trump’s Trial

 

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Direct download: 305_-_Solved_It_Bonus_Sample_-_6-1-24_4.20_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Original Air Date: 9/19/2017

Today we look not so much at hurricanes and the climate science behind them (though we touch on that as well) but focus more on what we can see more clearly when it’s illuminated by so-called “natural” disasters, the structural inequality and legacies of decision-making that make these disasters worse than they need to be

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Show Notes

Act 1: Mark Hertsgaard: It's not politics, it's science - Start Making Sense from @TheNation - Air Date 9-13-17

Act 2: What is environmental racism and environmental justice? - #PoliticallyReactive with @wkamaubell and @harikondabolu - Air Date 9-7-17

Act 3: Breaking News Consumer's Handbook: U.S. Storm Edition - On The Media - Air Date 9-1-17

Act 4: Disasters call attention to inequalities if we care to notice - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 9-1-17

Act 5: Preventing future floods with data and regulation - @DecodeDC - Air Date: 09-14-2017

Act 6: The Human Causes of Natural Disasters - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date 12-8-16

Act 8: Dr. Michael E. Mann on attribution science and the tactics of inaction and delay - Bradcast from @TheBradBlog - Air Date 9-13-17


(Music from Blue Dot Sessions

EDUCATE YOURSELF:

We will not be silenced. Stand up for a strong NEPA! (Earth Justice)

Trump CEQ rolls out plans for swift NEPA reviews (Governors' Wind & Solar Energy Coalition)

US people of color still more likely to be exposed to pollution than white people (The Guardian)

Christine Todd Whitman: How Not to Run the E.P.A. (New York Times)

Boston Communities Unite to Democratize Their Economy (Next City)

Written by BOTL Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Direct download: 1134_Unnatural_Disasters_Hurricanes_and_Humans_General.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 5/28/2024

Today we look at the most disappointing yet most idolized false heroes of our day, the titans of tech and the zany hijinks they've been getting up to recently.

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KEY POINTS

1: When a tech company like OpenAI doesn't get the dark message at the heart of science fiction

2: How Peter Thiel Got Rich | The Class Room ft. Second Thought

3: Google's Sundar Pichai on AI-powered search and the future of the web

4: Elon's Reputation is Hurting Tesla

5: Crypto’s crown prince in court

6: The Entire OpenAI Chaos Explained

7: Scarlett Johansson's Open AI voice fight shows the need for consent in tech

8: Fascism and the Failure of Imagination

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


1:03:38 NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the misplaced excitement in private corporations pushing big technological advancements


1:09:33 DEEPER DIVE A: THAT WORD YOU KEEP USING…


1:36:58 B: SiliCON VALLEY, emphasis on the CON


1:53:05 C: MICROSOFT THE DESTROYER


2:10:35 D: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE


SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: Composite image where the faces of Sam Altman, Peter Thiel, Sam Bankman-Fried, and Elon Musk are seen through an overlay of stock prices and a growth chart arrow.

Credits: Composite by A. Hoffman. Photos: 1) "Open AI co-founder & CEO Sam Altman" by TechCrunch, Flickr | CC BY 2.0 ; 2) "Peter Thiel" by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | CC BY 2.0 ; 3) "Sam Bankman-Fried" by Cointelegraph, Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 ; 4) "Elon Musk Presenting Tesla's Fully Autonomous Future" by Steve Jurvetson, Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 2.0

Direct download: 1632_Tits_of_Tech_Air_Date_5-28-24_-_5-26-24_17.19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date: 5-26-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- the con of supply and demand economics being about distributing goods with the greatest efficiency, and is instead nothing more than predatory greed
- what we value as humans goes far beyond the price of commodities
- even more examples of the enshitification of life via hostile experiences from things we've already paid for
- how companies restrict functionality to create artificial price points as a way to extract even more from us


REFERENCES:
WELCOME TO PRICING HELL

The Gap Between the Price You See and What You Pay Is Getting Worse

Welcome to the Golden Age of User Hostility

My Printer Is Extorting Me

Bought a Model Y? Tesla may charge you to use the battery’s full range

Corporate America Knows We’re Miserable. Is a Toilet Bomb the Answer?

Billy Bragg - Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted


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Direct download: General_Sample_-_304_-_Not_everything_that_counts_can_be_counted.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:56pm EST

Air Date 5/24/2024

Assessing the impacts of new diet drugs on physical and mental health in the context of our unhealthy food system and societal fat phobia

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: The world after Ozempic - The Gray Area - Air Date 5-13-24

KP 2: The Ozempic economy - Today, Explained - Air Date 2-23-24

KP 3: Have the new weight-loss drugs changed what it means to be body positive - Consider This - Air Date 5-13-24

KP 5: Body Neutrality - What The Actual Fork Podcast - Air Date 8-11-23

KP 6: Examining America's Unhealthy Obsession With Fitness w. Natalia Mehlman Petrzela - The Majority Report - Air Date 6-24-23

KP 7: What Ozempic can't fix - Today, Explained - Air Date 2-26-34

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


(56:10) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the metaphor of the new show format


(1:01:22) DEEPER DIVE A: BUSINESS OF DESIRE

A1: Examining America's Unhealthy Obsession... Part 2

A2: The Ozempic economy Part 2

A3: The world after... Part 4


(1:20:48) DEEPER DIVE B: BIAS AND RISK

B1: What Ozempic can't fix Part 2

B2: The world after... Part 5

B3: What Ozempic can't fix Part 3


(1:31:00) DEEPER DIVE C: BODY NEUTRALITY


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Overhead photo of a bunch of Ozempic pens in a plastic pharmacy basket. 

Credit: "Bundle of Ozempic Pens" by Chemist4U, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1631_Body_Neutrality_Air_Date_5-24-24_General_-_5-22-24_18.32.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 5/21/2024

Whether by the US government playing matchmaker for the domestic weapons industry or through the illegal trade of the 'iron river,' the US is the leading seller of weapons around the world, fueling violence and conflict, oppression and rights abuses.

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FRONTPAGE

FP 1: US Leads Global Arms Sales - American Prestige - Air Date 3-15-24

FP 2: How Washington Plays Matchmaker For The US Gun Industry Part 1 - Big Take - Air Date 10-30-23

FP 3: Can a lawsuit stop Mexico’s ‘iron river’ of guns? - The Take - Air Date 8-13-21

FP 4: How America’s Guns Fuel Violence across the Border: With Guest Ieva Jusionyte - Facepalm America - Air Date 2-27-24 

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


(1:02:19) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the problems with looking for good or bad intentions


(1:08:24) SECTION A: 

A1: Inside Biden's Secret Arms Deal - Deconstructed - Air Date 9-22-23

A2: Josh Paul Reveals The Truth Behind US Arms Supply to Israel - Laura Flanders and Friends - Air Date 11-7-23


(1:30:10) SECTION B: 

B1: Can Mexico win... Part 2 - The Inquiry - Air Date 3-7-24

B2: Ieva Jusionyte, "Exit Wounds: How America's Guns Fuel Violence Across the Border" (U California Press, 2024) - New Books Network - Air Date 4-15-24 


(1:42:43) SECTION C: 

C1: Why America's police look like soldiers - Vox - Air Date 6-25-20

C2: Why US gun laws get looser after mass shootings - Vox - Air Date 7-28-22


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A square version of the American flag with silhouettes of guns and bombs in place of white stars. Three bombs are falling from the pattern across the red and white stripes.

Credit: Pixabay image modified by A.Hoffman

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1630_Arms_Sales_Air_Date_5-21-24_General_-_5-19-24_10.35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Original Air Date: 5/9/2015

Today we take a look at the continuing failure that is the War on Drugs™ as well as some of the signs of hope that we may be making progress toward shutting it down

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Is Marijuana Harmful to Health? - Healthcare Triage (@HCTriage) - Air Date: 04-19-14

Ch. 2: Man Gets 13 Years in Prison for 2 Joints Worth of Pot - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 03-13-15

Ch. 3: Legalized Marijuana = Millions For Public Schools In Colorado - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 03-16-15

Ch. 4: Johann Hari on Everything We Know About the Drug War & Addiction is Wrong - @democracynow - Air Date: 2-6-15

Ch. 5: Legalizing marijuana doesn't lead to doomsday scenarios - Le Show (@theharryshearer) - Air Date: 10-26-14

Ch. 6: Rand Paul & Others Introduce National Medical Marijuana Bill - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 03-11-15

Ch. 7: Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders Talk Drugs - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 06-01-15

Ch. 8: Marijuana Shows Medical Value, Feds Don't Give A Sh*t - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 04-12-15


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Air Date: 5-16-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- How mega drive-throughs are ruining American towns and cities
- Why giant car washes are popping up across the country and what we could have instead
- How Tokyo's beautiful public toilets are an inspiration
- The impact boring and ugly buildings are having on our mental health

REFERENCES:
RFK Jr. revealed he had a parasitic brain worm. Here’s what to know. 

Social Media is Not What Killed the Web 

Mega drive-throughs explain everything wrong with American cities 

Car Washes are proliferating across the U.S. Here’s why

Why are they building so many car washes? And storage facilities?

Tokyo’s Public Toilets Will Leave New Yorkers Sobbing 

The Global Danger of Boring Buildings 

 

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Direct download: 303_-_Bonus_Sample_-_5-16-24_8.06_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Air Date 5/15/2024

In an age of cultish in-group/out-group politics and media, we seek to find messaging for progressive partisans to achieve electoral success

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FRONTPAGE

FP 1: Everything's a cult now - The Gray Area

FP 2: Examining how U.S. politics became intertwined with personal identity - PBS NewsHour

FP 3: Jason Stanley on the Politics of Language - Amanpour and Company

FP 4: A Conversation About How Dems Can Win in November with Rachel Bitecofer - Deep State Radio

FP 5: Employ Negative Partisanship w. Rachel Bitecofer - Future Hindsight

FP 6: Everything's ... Part 2

FP 7: Hit 'Em Where It Hurts ... Part 2

FP 8: Employ Negative ... Part 2


(59:24) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the importance of finding common-but-adaptable messaging


(1:02:14) SECTION A: IDENTITY

A1: Everything's ... Part 3

A2: Examining how U.S. ... Part 2


(1:10:14) SECTION B: POLITICAL RHETORIC

B1: 'Hit 'Em Where It Hurts' urges Dems to go on attack - Morning Joe

B2: 'Our message resonated with voters' - Morning Joe

B3: Watch VP Harris slams Trump over abortion access - MSNBC


(1:26:17) SECTION C: MESSAGING

C1: Employ Negative ...Part 4

C2: Republican Policies VERY Unpopular With Voters - The Majority Report

C3: Everything's ... Part 4

C4: Employ Negative ... Part 3


(1:50:33) SECTION D: INDEPENDENTS

D1: Hit 'Em ... Part 3

D2: Why Voters Are Down On The Economy - 538 Politics


Air Date 5/11/2024

The effort to turn theory into practice that will open up new ways of thinking about antitrust lawsuits attempting to rein in big tech and other mega-corporations, which are operating in a new phase of capitalism.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: FTC Chair Lina Khan on Antitrust in the age of Amazon - Planet Money - Air Date 11-3-23

On today's show, a conversation with FTC Chair Lina Khan on what it's like to try to turn audacious theory into bureaucratic practice, the FTC's new lawsuit against Amazon, and what it all means for business as usual.

Ch. 2: Apple's Antitrust Problem - Professor Talha Syed - The BTLJ Podcast - Air Date 3-10-24

Professor Syed reveals his thoughts and assessment of the new Brandeis movement, headed by Lina Khan and Jonathan Kanter of the FTC and DOJ.

Ch. 3: FTC Chair Lina Khan on Antitrust in the age of Amazon Part 2 - Planet Money - Air Date 11-3-23

Ch. 4: How to Fight Monopoly Power with FTC Chair Lina Khan - Factually! - Air Date 11-8-23

Lina Khan, appointed chair of the Federal Trade Commission by President Biden, has become the foremost voice of this movement and has engaged in high-profile battles to reshape how America deals with monopolies.

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Real Estate Fees Crushed By Anti-Trust w David Dayen - The Majority Report - Air Date 3-26-24


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the new show format tried out in the campus protesters episode as well as a retraction


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A court document with “Antitrust” at the top sits on a desk with a gavel and block on top.

Credit: “Antitrust” by Nick Youngson via Pix4free | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 | Changes: Added solid background

 

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Direct download: 1628_Antitrust_movement_Air_Date_5-11-24_General_-_5-11-24_18.01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:14pm EST

Air Date 5/7/2024

Civil resistance on campuses across the country against Israeli genocide in Gaza calling for cease fire and divestment, university administrations up to the Biden administration respond, often with overwhelming violence and claims of antisemitism.

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FRONTPAGE

FP 1: The US college protests... - Today in Focus - Air Date 4-25-24

FP 2: Behind Columbia... - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 4-24-24


(47:13) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


(50:54) SECTION A: POLICE RESPONSES

A1: Atlanta Police Violently Arrest Emory... - Democracy Now! - Air Date 4-26-24

A2: Juan González, Veteran of '68 Columbia Strike... - Democracy Now! - Air Date 5-1-24


(1:06:59) SECTION B: INSIDE THE PROTESTS 

B1: Pro-Israel THUGS Attack... - Owen Jones - Air Date 5-1-24

B2: Live from the Encampments - CODEPINK Radio - Air Date 5-1-24


(1:34:52) SECTION C: BIDEN'S POLITICS AND ACCUSATIONS OF ANTISEMITISM

C1: Nicholas Kristof ... Part 2 - Brian Lehrer - Air Date 4-26-24

C2: Manufactured Panic Over Peaceful... - The Majority Report - Air Date 4-23-24


(1:57:05) SECTION D: UNIVERSITY ADMINS AND ENDOWMENTS

D1: Why Colleges Have No Idea... - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 4-23-24

D2: Columbia University President ... - The Bitchuation Room - Air Date 4-27-24


(2:37:42) SECTION E: MEDIA CRITICISM

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


IMAGE

Description: A photo of a lawn in front of a university building at Vassar College showing students standing near tents, a sign that reads "Liberation," and a Palestinian flag along a walkway. 

Credit: "Liberation Lawn at Vassar College (cropped)" by Found5dollar, Wikimedia | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 | Changes: Cropped

Direct download: 1627_Campus_Protests_Air_Date_5-7-24_General_-_5-10-24_15.09.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:23pm EST

Air Date: 5-5-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- Jerry Seinfeld blaming the "extreme left" and "PC culture" for the death of sitcoms
- how Poe's Law (and the Amanda Principle) makes creating and identifying satire difficult
- how TV shows trying to satirize the left for the left struggle to land the jokes

REFERENCES:
Jerry Seinfeld Says TV Comedy Is Being Killed By the ‘Extreme Left and P.C. Crap and People Worrying So Much About Offending Other People’ 

Jerry Seinfeld Is a Lazy Hack Out of Touch with the Real World—And Who Can Blame Him? 

Poe’s Law and Internet Satire 

In the Know (Peacock) 

‘In the Know’ Showrunners Unpack Its Loving Evisceration of Public Radio, Progressive Politics

Zach Woods, NPR Fan, Reads NPR Fans for Filth 

Exclusive: In the Know's Zach Woods and Brandon Gardner on Satirizing Liberals with Mike Judge

The Cleaner - S2 E5 The Statue (Acorn)

Malthusian Conception 


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Direct download: 302_-_Satirizing_the_Left_-_Sample_Bonus_Show_-_5-5-24_4.12_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:26pm EST

Air Date 5/3/2024

A look back at previous coverage of criminalizing protests, weaponizing civility, and violent responses to peaceful dissent.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Problem with Civility - On the Media - Air Date 6-30-18

Ch. 2: Criminalizing Protest - @USNewsBeat - Air Date 6-14-18

Ch. 3: Civility as a cudgel - Trumpcast - Air Date 6-30-18

Ch. 4: Protests Sweep Across America and Beyond Part 2 - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-9-20

Ch. 5: The coming anti-protest laws w/ Alleen Brown and Akela Lacy Part 1 - This is Hell! - Air Date 2-12-21

Ch. 6: Anti-Protest Bills Popping Up Everywhere - David Pakman Show - Air Date 8-19-20

Ch. 7: Elly Page on Anti-Protest Bills - CounterSpin - Air Date 4-23-21

Ch. 8: Not Ready For That Conversation - On The Media - Air Date 4-23-21

Ch. 9: GOP States Are Pushing for Stricter Penalties for Protesters - The Takeaway - Air Date 4-27-21

Ch. 10: How Corporate Media Protects Violent Cops - Carlos Maza - Air Date 6-4-20


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

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Direct download: Punishing_Protests_-_General_Jays_Edit_-_5-3-24_12.16.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:41pm EST

Air Date 5/1/2024

The past, present, and future of tackling the uselessness of extreme wealth by exposing and closing tax avoidance loopholes and pushing for a culture change to embrace the need for a more equal society.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: What Happens When You Tax Billionaires at 90 Percent? - The Hartmann Report - Air Date 6-3-23

We did it before, and the result was the creation of the world’s first and largest middle class and a level of peace and prosperity that held its own until Ronald Reagan took a meat-axe to it…

Ch. 2: #TaxBillionaires w/ Robert Reich, Sen. Ron Wyden, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, and more - Americans for Tax Fairness - Air Date 4 -18-22

If you think school teachers shouldn't pay a higher tax rate than billionaires, join us to learn how you can join in on the fight to #TaxBillionaires!

Ch. 3: Wealth Tax Part 1 - Pullback - Air Date 4-11-23

Should we be taxing Scrooge-McDuck wealth? Can we? We talk with friend of the pod Fariya Mohiuddin, a Senior Program Officer with the International Budget Partnership's Tax Equity Program, and our favourite tax justice researcher and activist.

Ch. 4: No One Should Have More Than 10 Million Pounds | Ash Sarkar meets Ingrid Robeyns - Novara Media - Air Date 2-4-24

If you're serious about alleviating poverty, as most liberals claim to be, should there be a cap on how wealthy one person can be?

 

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FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on anger and irrationality in war and politics


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A protester holds a sign that says “Tax the Rich”

Credit: “We have a right to the city. Tax the rich.” by dignidadrebelde, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

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Direct download: 1625_Extreme_Wealth_Air_Date_4-26-24_General_-_4-30-24_17.57.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST

Get full, weekly bonus shows!

Air Date: 4-29-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: 
- how the film 'Civil War' intentionally avoids any specifics about the "why", and in doing so becomes a perfect encapsulation of the Amanda Principle™

- how "the view from nowhere" journalism is supposed to be straight down the middle and fact-based, but is actually rife with bias and ends up representing the dominant culture
- that America and its culture has been steeped in war and violence since it's inception
- the similarities between modern America and Germany in 1933

REFERENCES:
Americans Have Enjoyed Imagining Civil War for a Long, Long Time

How to Both-Sides a “Civil War”

Alex Garland's Civil War Plays Both Sides

Opinion: Is the US on the brink of another civil war?

‘Civil War’ and the Dangerous Myth of ‘Unbiased’ Journalism

America Isn’t Nazi Germany, but It Looks a Little Like 1933

Modern Mathematics Confronts Its White, Patriarchal Past


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Original Air Date 9/14/2022

Today, we take a look at the history and hysteria behind debt and debt forgiveness while Biden is canceling student debt and opponents of the idea are reacting in the most predictable way possible because they misunderstand the relationship between debt and morality.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Cancel It All: Debt Collective's Astra Taylor on Biden Plan & Need for Full Student Debt Relief - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-25-22

We speak to Astra Taylor, writer, filmmaker, and co-director of the Debt Collective, a union for debtors and one of the original advocates for a debt jubilee that would cancel all student debt.

Ch. 2: Freedom Dreams: Black Women and the Student Debt Crisis - The Intercept - Air Date 8-22-22

The Intercept’s new documentary, “Freedom Dreams: Black Women and the Student Debt Crisis,” profiles Black women educators and activists struggling under the weight of tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, in student loan debt.

Ch. 3: Hidden History of Student Debt - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-25-22

Many woke up to find news that $10k of their student debt would be forgiven, Thom Hartmann and Jefferson Smith break down what this means and what happens next.

Ch. 4: Bidens Big Student Debt Announcement: PITOTWIU for the Indebted Masses - Unf*cking The Republic - Air Date 8-28-22

Max breaks down the politics, the details, and biggest misses of the Biden student debt relief plan and why it’s in danger of being PITOTWIU

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on morality and money


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: A dark gray, 3D image of the word "DEBT" sits in a white void, a connected chain and open shackle with an open padlock lie in front of it.

Credit: "3D Shackled Debt" by Chris Potter, Flickr | License: CC by 2.0 | Changes: Enlarged with more white background

 

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Direct download: 1513_The_Morality_of_Debt_and_Forgiveness_-_General.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 4/24/2024

Only by understanding the past can we understand the present and the histories of Cuba and Haiti have very stark lessons to impart about the cruelty of the Cuba embargo, the repercussions of imperial exploitation, and the dangers that arise amid dysfunctional democracy.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: On Cuba and Haiti The Fight for Liberation & Self-Determination in the Caribbean - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 4-4-24

Musa Springer, Erica Caines, & Onyesonwu Chatoyer from Hood Communist discuss their participation in The Second International Meeting of Theoretical Publications of Left Parties and Movements and discuss history and present events playing out in Haiti.

Ch. 2: Havana Syndrome How the Biden Administration Is Driving Cubans Into Misery - Deconstructed - Air Date 3-22-24

Ryan Grim delves into the complexities of Cuba’s current economic crisis with Andrés Pertierra, a historian of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ch. 3: Havana Syndrome How the Biden Administration Is Driving Cubans Into Misery Part 2 - Deconstructed - Air Date 3-22-24

Ch. 4: Empire's Laboratory— How 2004 U.S.-Backed Coup Destabilized Haiti & Led to Current Crisis - Democracy Now! - Air Date 3-11-24

"The root of this crisis is not last week, it's not this week, it's not even Ariel Henry. But we have to go back to 2004 with the coup-d'état," says Pierre.

 

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FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the dangers of unrepresentative, unresponsive government


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: Photo of a protester in 2007 holding a large cloth sign that says “Solidarity…Haiti YES! Occupation NO. Canada-US-U.N. OUT of Haiti”

Credit: “Solidarity - Haiti Yes - Occupation No” by Robert Thivierge, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

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Direct download: 1624_Cuba_and_Haiti_Air_Date_4-24-24_General_-_4-23-24_11.05.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:55pm EST

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Air Date: 4-22-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- How Israeli citizens and government officials use of the US's settler-colonialist past, westward expansion, and religious fundamentalism to justify their own settler expansion  
- How the members of the extreme right are put in positions of power within the Israeli government, which is then used to validate the settler's actions
- The role racist propaganda and intergenerational trauma play in convincing Israelis of the righteousness of their settler-colonialist actions
- The societal dangers of living in an ethnostate combined with feeling of specialness that comes from generations of victimhood

REFERENCES:
The Israeli Settlers Attacking Their Palestinian Neighbors

The grandmother who wants to lead Israelis back to a Gaza without Palestinians

A debate over Israel-Palestine curriculum flares at Berkeley schools

 

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Direct download: 300_-_Bonus_Show_General_Sample_-_My_People_Are_Humans.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:02am EST

Air Date 4/20/2024

Old habits die hard and the American establishment's unquestioning support for Israel is a very old habit indeed. Israel's government drifts farther and farther to the right, culminating in a genocidal push into Gaza. Meanwhile, President Biden, standard-bearer of the old establishment, seems destined to be the very last Democrat to see the need for a change.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Jon Stewart Interrogates America's Support of Israel - The Daily Show - Air Date 4-8-24

Jon Stewart checks in on the war in Gaza and interrogates how America's purported values stack up against its support of Israel. Plus, Ronny Chieng and Grace Kuhlenschmidt report from the eclipse's path of totality with startling different reports.

Ch. 2: Biden’s 'double talk' on Gaza: Cynical election politics? | The Bottom Line - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 3-31-24

Roth tells host Steve Clemons that US President Joe Biden is engaging in “cynical” election politics by refusing to enforce the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire, or the World Court ruling ordering Israel to allow more food into Gaza

Ch. 3: Jon Stewart & Bassem Youssef Call Out “Performative” Outrage Over Israel’s War Crimes - The Humanist Report - Air Date 4-12-24

In this video, we’ll look at comments from both Youssef and Stewart, examples of “performative” outrage from politicians, and demands from voters that the Democratic Party and Joe Biden are refusing to meet.

 

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the words we've heard and the actions we've seen from Israel's government


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: Photo of a protest outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC in honor of Airman Aaron Bushnell’s self-sacrifice. Protestors kneel behind a banner that says “Stop U.S. Support of Genocide.”

Credit: “50.Gather.AaronBushnellVigil.WDC.26February2024” by Elvert Barnes, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

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Direct download: 1623_Israel_Air_Date_4-20-24_General_-_4-19-24_12.11.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 4-18-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- how a tech start-up is trying to sell a shortcut to bliss
- the world of drug-free psychedelic experiences
- the capitalists trying to solve the loneliness epidemic

REFERENCES:
The Meditation Start-Up That’s Selling Bliss on Demand 

What’s it like to take a $249 drug-free psychedelic trip? We found out 

Origin of the Dreamachine 

Can You Solve Loneliness? These Startups Are Betting On It. 


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Direct download: 299_-_Sample_Bonus_-_Selling_Bliss_-_4-15-24_12.42_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Original Air Date 2/12/2019

Today we take a look at both the BDS movement and the backlash response to it resulting in firings and legislation in many states (and pending federally) to restrict employment and business opportunities from those who fail to pledge in writing to not support of the boycott of Israel

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Explaining BDS - The Katie Halper Show - Air Date 10-11-17

We speak to art critic and writer Kareem Estefan, co-editor of “Assuming Boycott: Resistance, Agency, and Cultural Production,” about Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS)

Ch. 2: Exclusive: Angela Davis Speaks Out on Palestine, BDS & More After Civil Rights Award Is Revoked - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-11-19

Legendary activist and scholar Angela Davis speaks out after the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute rescinded a human rights award for her, reportedly due to her activism for Palestinian rights.

Ch. 3: Pro-Israel Lobby Groups Secretly Admits Cultural Boycott Is Effective, Leaked Report Shows - @TheRealNews - Air Date 12-10-18

Ali Abunimah discusses a leaked report from Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), a front for Israel government-backed lobby group StandWithUs, which admits the cultural boycott is "constantly growing" and "innovative."

Ch. 4: Josh Ruebner on BDS Bans - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 1-31-19

We’ll hear about so-called “anti-BDS” laws, and their context, from Josh Ruebner, policy director at the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights.

Ch. 5: Senators Sneak Amendment to Make Israel Boycott Illegal - @TheRealNews - Air Date 12-19-18

While Senators Cardin and Portman are trying to sneak a last-minute amendment into the budget bill to make BDS illegal - violating free speech - 26 states are also moving to make boycotts of Israel illegal. We speak to IPS’s Phyllis Bennis.

Ch. 6: Palestine/Israel, the Firing of Marc Lamont Hill & the Limits of Open Inquiry Part 1 - Speak out with Tim Wise - Air Date 12-3-18

Tim discusses CNN’s firing of contributor Marc Lamont Hill (a former guest on the show), for comments he made in favor of full equality and justice for the Palestinian people.

 

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Direct download: 1249_-_Understanding_Boycott_Divest_Sanctions_BDS_Throwback_-_General.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:45pm EST

Air Date 4/12/2024

The forces of capitalism and deregulation loom large as industrial transport disasters continue to pile up with new focus brought to the issue by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and the series of dangerous and deadly failures from Boeing.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Horror in Baltimore: Awful New Info Emerges About Six Missing Workers - THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent - Air Date 3-28-24

Two full days after the disastrous collapse of a bridge in Baltimore, little is known about six construction workers who went missing—and are now presumed dead.

Ch. 2: Everything we know about the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse - The Real News Podcast - Air Date 4-4-24

The Real News convened a panel of journalists working all sides of this story to get a sense of what we know about the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, what key questions still need to be answered, and what happens next.

Ch. 3: Cars, Bridges, Ships and Planes - The Zero Hour - Air Date 04-06-24

Discussing the Baltimore disaster in the context of infrastructure investment more broadly

Ch. 4: Everything we know about the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse Part 2 - The Real News Podcast - Air Date 4-4-24

 

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FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the threat to society of runaway corporate executive pay

References:

The failure of Bill Clinton's CEO pay reform - Politico

The Executive Pay Cap That Backfired - ProPublica


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Photo taken from inside the Alaska Airlines flight 1282 Boeing plane that lost its door mid-flight. A rectangular hole in the side of the plane reveals a wall of white clouds. The nearby seats are empty and oxygen masks hang from the ceiling.

Credit: Photo taken by unidentified passenger and provided to the public by the National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB) as part of their investigation. | License: Public Domain

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Direct download: 1622_Boeing_Rail_Key_Bridge_Air_Date_4-12-24_General_-_4-12-24_17.10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:34pm EST

Air Date 4/9/2024

The neoliberal legacy of the New Democrats continues to loom large but it really does seem like the progressive wing of the party and the broader demand for populist economic policies has had an impact. Now people just need to know that it's happening.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: American Socialism - Prospect: Generations - Air Date 4-6-23

In this episode of the Prospect’s Generations podcast, editor at large Harold Meyerson, who joined the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee in 1975, and writing fellow Luke Goldstein, who was attracted to socialism by Bernie Sanders

Ch. 2: The Legacy of the New Democrats - KPFA - Against the Grain - Air Date 8-17-22

Historian Lily Geismer looks at how the the Democratic Leadership Council and Clinton-era Democratic Party increased inequality, through development zones, charter schools, welfare “reform”, and microfinance.

Ch. 3: Clinton’s ‘Fabulous Failure’ Part 1 - Start Making Sense - Air Date 10-4-23

Our politics today is haunted by the failures of Bill Clinton—the “centrist” who “triangulated” with Republicans, lost on healthcare, and proclaimed that “the era of big government is over.” Nelson Lichtenstein explains Clinton’s turn to the right

 

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MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Price Controls: An Inflation Solution That Doesn't Screw Workers - Deconstructed - Air Date 7-7-23

CENTRIST AND RIGHT-WING economists continue to advocate for laying off workers and engineering a recession to address inflation. But why not set price controls instead?

Ch. 8: Clinton’s ‘Fabulous Failure’ Part 2 - Start Making Sense - Air Date 10-4-23


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the way we think about political criticism


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Photo of President Joe Biden shaking hands with a hard-hat-and-safety-vest clad union worker during a campaign event in Pennsylvania.

Credit: “President Biden greeting union workers” by Governor Tom Wolf Flickr account | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

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Direct download: 1621_Democrats_Labor_Air_Date_4-9-24_General_-_4-8-24_18.20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 4-7-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- Many facets of our society are clearly broken by capitalism, and bizarrely for some, chaos is the only thing that beings agency to their life  
- The delusion of RFK Jr. voters, the understandable desire to vote third party, and the age-old cry of the 'uniparty'
- The trend of conservative voters among communities of color and where they find themselves in Trump's Republican Party
- And that one of the Democrats main stumbling blocks is they're only interested in keeping things exactly as they are

REFERENCES:
The Americans Who Need Chaos

Andrew Tate on why he doesn’t read books

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Targets a Generation of Politically Disaffected, Extremely Online Men

Forget Kennedy Democrats. Here Comes the 2024 Kennedy Voter.

The Strange History of the ‘Uniparty’

The unexpected dynamic that could decide the Trump-Biden rematch

Duty Calls

 

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Direct download: 298_-_Bonus_Show_Sample_-_Someone_Is_Wrong_on_the_Internet.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:10pm EST

Original Air Date: 11/10/2020

Today we take a look at the long and shifting history of the myth of democracy in America. We've never had it since the beginning but the reasons have shifted, ebbed and flowed over time. Now, in the midst of an attempted slow-motion coup, we look back at this most central American myth.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: "Let the People Pick the President" The Case for Abolishing the Electoral College - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-30-20

Two of the last three presidents — George W. Bush and Donald Trump — came to office after losing the popular vote. "The Framers who met at the Constitutional Convention really had no idea what they were doing when they established how to pick a president"

Ch. 2: The Second Revolution - Scene On Radio - Air Date 2-19-20

After the Civil War, a surprising coalition tried to remake the United States into a real multiracial democracy for the first time. Reconstruction, as the effort was called, brought dramatic change to America. For a while.

Ch. 3: Democracy: Past, Present... and Future? - The Laura Flanders Show - Air Date 6-26-19

Don't remember the past? Does that mean you're condemned to repeat it? What does our country's past tell us about our present— and how can it help us imagine a better future? This week, two leading thinkers on the tricky challenges of democracy.

Ch. 4: More Democracy - Scene on Radio - Air Date 6-10-20

What will it take to make the United States a more fully functioning democracy, and how can we, as citizens, bring about that change?
By host and producer John Biewen, with series collaborator Chenjerai Kumanyika.

 

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TAKE ACTION

GASenate.com

NewGeorgiaProject.org

BlackVotersMatterFund.org

VoteRiders.org

ACLUGA.org

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

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Direct download: 1379_Tell_Stories_Not_MythsDemocracy_in_America_Throwback_General.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date 4/3/2024

As the country gears up for the election in November, we look at a variety of ways the GOP and their election-denialist supporters are preparing to subvert the democratic process to get the result they want.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Election Dissection 'How can the election system be improved' - The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast - Air Date 3-27-24

A question remains among most American, and specifically Arizonan, voters: how can we make elections better? David Becker is a co-founder of the Center for Election Innovation and Research to improve elections through technology and reliance on data.

Ch. 2: Giuliani ordered to pay $148 million for defamation of election workers - PBS Newshour - Air Date 12-15-23

A federal jury in Washington ordered Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s former campaign attorney, to pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers for distress caused by lies he spread following the 2020 election.

Ch. 3: Charlie Kirk Lackey Gets Humiliated By Election Official - The Majority Report - Air Date 3-3-24

Ch. 4: Far Right Plan Chaos Ahead of 2024 Election - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 3-22-24

Donald Trump and the far right want the 2024 election to be so chaotic they can make the case that Trump won, even if he goes down in flames losing by spectacular numbers.

 

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MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Election Dissection 'How can the election system be improved' Part 3 - The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast - Air Date 3-27-24

Ch. 10: Exposing Secret Fascist Plan To ‘Win’ 2024 Election - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 2-26-24


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the backfire effect of lies about mail-in voting


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: A photo of a protestor, wearing a mask, and holding a sign up that says “When we count, democracy wins.”

Credit: “40a.BLM.Plaza.WDC.7November2020” by Elvert Barnes, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

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Direct download: 1620_Threatened_Election_Air_Date_4-3-24_General_-_4-2-24_19.00.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30am EST

Air Date: 4-1-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- how Trump uses humor to normalize his behavior and engage his supporters
- how humor is not always a great weapon against fascism and autocracy

REFERENCES:
Can Parents Prevent Their Sons From Sliding to the Right?

In on the Joke: The Comedic Trick Trump Uses to Normalize His Behavior 

Laugh Riot 

Laughing All the Way to Autocracy 


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Direct download: 297_-_Bonus_Sample_-_No_Laughing_Matter_-_3-31-24_11.31_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:01pm EST

Air Date 3/30/2024

We are living through an age of protest from the opposition to the Iraq war, the Arab Spring uprisings, Occupy Wall Street, through to marches against Trump, and now the war in Gaza. So, we thought we should take a look at the art and science of protest itself.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Missing Revolutions of The 2010s | Ash Sarkar Meets Vincent Bevins Part 1 - Novara Media - Air Date 10-29-23

The 2010s saw a new era of mass protest, from Arab Spring uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and Syria, to Occupy Wall Street, EuroMaidan and Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement. Many of these movements shared a “horizontalist” or leaderless approach

Ch. 2: The Uncommitted Movement feat. Layla Elabed & Waleed Shahid - Chapo Trap House - Air Date 3-8-24

Organizers Layla Elabed and Waleed Shahid join us to discuss their recent successes with the movement to vote uncommitted against Joe Biden in the ongoing democratic primaries. They lay out their goals

Ch. 3: Why Peaceful Protest Won't Solve Anything - Second Thought - Air Date 8-12-22

Ch. 4: Gaza Protesters SHUT DOWN Schiff's Victory Speech - The Majority Report - Air Date 3-6-24

Ch. 5: The Missing Revolutions of The 2010s | Ash Sarkar Meets Vincent Bevins Part 2 - Novara Media - Air Date 10-29-23

 

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FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the importance of building momentum over time with protest


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: A photo of a handmade protest sign taped to a chainlink fence that says "This is a movement not a moment." Taped to the bottom of the sign is a smaller sign that says "Jacob Blake" with hearts around it.

Credit: "18a.StreetArtFence.BLM.Plaza.WDC.27August2020" by Elvert Barnes, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped, slightly increased brightness, contrast and saturation.

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1619_Protest_Air_Date_3-29-24_General_-_3-29-24_17.43.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:20am EST

Air Date: 3-28-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- how the wealthy use psilocybin to deal with stress and break the rules of time  
- the working class get bath time and training on how to self-care their stress away
- the 

REFERENCES:
It’s Time to Give Up on Email

The Working Woman’s Newest Life Hack: Magic Mushrooms

Stress Less

Had a bath. still stressed.

How America Became Addicted to Therapy

Life Under the Algorithm

 

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Direct download: 296_-_Bonus_Sample_General.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EST

Original Air Date: 12/23/2021

Today we take a look at some of the history of labor struggles in America and the current wave of strikes that is giving renewed energy to the labor union movement and the struggle for better working conditions for all.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Lessons from the Luddites - On the Media - Air Date 12-10-21

Gavin Mueller [@gavinmuellerphd], assistant professor of New Media and Digital Culture at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, on what modern lessons can be learned from the Luddite workers of 19th century England.

Ch. 2: Victory at Starbucks, Struggle at Kellogg's Part 1 - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 12-13-21

Suzi talks with John Logan about the unionization victory at Starbucks in Buffalo, and the continuing Kellogg Co. strike.

Ch. 3: Strike Wave Workers Flex Their Muscle in Tight Labor Market Part 1 - Intercepted - Air Date 11-10-21

We hear from Kaiser Permanente workers, and then Labor Notes’ Jonah Furman joins The Intercept’s Washington Editor Nausicaa Renner to discuss this year’s strike wave.

Ch. 4: Labor Unions From Pullman to Kelloggs. Labors long, hard road. - Unf*cking The Republic (UNFTR) - Air Date 12-18-21

The episode includes a blow-by-blow analysis of a recent interview with the CEO of Kellogg's to translate Wall Street speak for “how to fuck workers and influence inflation.”

Ch. 5: Victory at Starbucks, Struggle at Kellogg's Part 2 - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 12-13-21

Suzi talks with John Logan about the unionization victory at Starbucks in Buffalo, and the continuing Kellogg Co. strike.

Ch. 6: Class Struggles in the US Today - Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff - Air Date 12-2-21

The "labor shortage" isn't, "Build Back Better" does not begin to approach what Europe already has.

 

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MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Lessons from the Luddites Part 2 - On the Media - Air Date 12-10-21

Gavin Mueller [@gavinmuellerphd], assistant professor of New Media and Digital Culture at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, on what modern lessons can be learned from the Luddite workers of 19th century England.

Ch. 10: Labor Unions From Pullman to Kelloggs. Labors long, hard road. Part 2 - Unf*cking The Republic (UNFTR) - Air Date 12-18-21


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

 

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Air Date 3/23/2024

Equality has been at the heart of civil rights movements for decades but what we have failed to see is that in striving for equality we cannot help but reinforce the unquestioned preexisting structures of society which, themselves, may be at fundamental odds with true freedom for all.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Marcie Bianco — Breaking Free - with Charlotte Clymer - Politics and Prose - Air Date 9-23-23

Watch author Marcie Bianco's book talk and reading at Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington, D.C.

Ch. 2: Angela Saini The Patriarchs 'How Men Came to Rule' - The Overpopulation Podcast - Air Date 2-6-24

By detailing the diversity of human arrangements, including the prevalence of egalitarian and matrilineal societies around the world – past and present – Angela reveals that male-supremacy is neither natural nor immutable.

Ch. 3: The Fraud Of 'White Feminism' w/ Kyla Schuller - The Majority Report - Air Date 1-20-22

Emma hosts Kyla Schuller, Assistant Professor of Women's and Gender Studies at Rutgers University, to discuss her recent book The Trouble With White Women: A Counterhistory of Feminism.

 

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MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: The Fraud Of 'White Feminism' w Kyla Schuller Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 1-20-22

Ch. 9: Angela Saini The Patriarchs 'How Men Came to Rule' Part 3 - The Overpopulation Podcast - Air Date 2-6-24


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on what the path beyond equality and toward freedom looks like


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A photo of a protest in a city street. A person holds up a neon pink sign that says “Smash Patriarchy. Smash Capitalism.” Part of a Starbucks logo can be seen behind the sign.

Credit: “Smash patriarchy smash capitalism” by Peter, Flickr | License: CC By 2.0 | Changes: Cropped, slight increase in brightness, contrast and saturation.

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Direct download: 1618_Freedom_Not_Equality_Air_Date_3-23-24_General_-_3-23-24_18.13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm EST

Air Date: 3-21-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- how AI became a tool in the gender culture war
- the real reasons "soft girls" and "tradwives" are a thing

REFERENCES:
You Will Not Believe the Dumb Reason My Son Gave Me for Refusing to Wipe His Butt

AI has come to the gender culture war, yielding some truly dumb content

The False Escapism of Soft Girls and Tradwives


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Direct download: 295_-_Bonus_Sample_-_Cause_its_all_about_control_-_3-16-24_7.52_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:18pm EST

Air Date 3/19/2024

We break down some of the pseudoscience the trans panic is built on, look at the political drive to erase trans people, understand how language of panic shifts over time, and present and alternate view of societal healing for a healthier humanity.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Anatomy of a Moral Panic Ft. Dr. Julia Serano - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 2-21-24

Mia and Gare are once again joined by Dr, Julia Serano to discuss how the concept of contagious stigma drives moral panics against cis and trans people alike

Ch. 2: Are Red States 100 Committed to Erasing Trans People - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 1-8-24

Just a week into 2024 and Red State Republicans have already introduced over 150 bills targeting the transgender community. Journalist Erin Reed, host of 'Erin in the Morning,' updates us on the sorry parade.

Ch. 3: Jamie Lee Curtis Interviews ALOK on the World Beyond the Gender Binary - Upfront Ventures - Air Date 3-9-23

ALOK sits down with Jamie Lee Curtis to explore themes of gender, race, trauma, belonging and the human condition.

Ch. 4: How the Media Gets Trans Coverage Wrong - Medium - Air Date 8-19-23

A panel discussion centered on the representation of trans issues in the media. Moderated by Katherine Cross. 

Ch. 5: The Anatomy of a Moral Panic Ft. Dr. Julia Serano Part 2 - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 2-21-24

 

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MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: How the Media Gets Trans Coverage Wrong Part 2 - Medium - Air Date 8-19-23

Ch. 10: The Anatomy of a Moral Panic Ft. Dr. Julia Serano Part 3 - It Could Happen Here - Air Date 2-21-24


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on a new reframing of the right to the freedom of sex


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE

Description: A colorful, hand-drawn protest sign says “Protect Trans Youth” with the trans pride flag.

Credit: “Protect Trans Youth” by Taymaz Valley, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

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Direct download: 1617_Trans_Panic_Air_Date_3-19-24_General_-_3-19-24_18.20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:26pm EST