Today we take a look at the history of bipartisanship and appeasement in the US dating back to before the Civil War and tracking it all the way up to the current negotiations over the infrastructure bill.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Unnatural Endurance of Bipartisanship Part 1 - The Politics of Everything - Air Date 3-4-21

Joe Biden ran for president promising to “revive” the spirit of bipartisanship, put an end to factional battles, and bring Americans together after an era of painful division.

Ch. 2: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Elizabeth Warren - The New Yorker: Politics and More - Air Date 10-19-20

Biden often speaks about bipartisanship as a cherished value that he would restore to Washington, but Ocasio-Cortez is dubious.

Ch. 3: The Unnatural Endurance of Bipartisanship Part 2 - The Politics of Everything - Air Date 3-4-21

Ch. 4: Exhaustion of Bipartisanship - In The Thick - Air Date 6-25-21

Maria and Julio discuss remarks from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the 38th annual NALEO Conference, and they get into the vice president’s visit to El Paso and the US-Mexico border.

Ch. 5: Behind the Infrastructure of the Infrastructure Bill & The Real American Oligarchy - The Majority Report with Sam Seder - Air Date 7-23-21

Sam and Emma host Ari Rabin-Havt, the former Legislative Director and Chief Policy Advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders, to discuss the prospects of the Senate bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Ch. 6: Manchin Capitol Riots Made Me MORE Bipartisan - The Young Turks - Air Date 4-9-21

In a recent interview, Senator Joe Manchin claimed that the Capitol Riots changed him, and made him double down on bipartisanship.

Ch. 7: Why Appeasement Won't Work This Time Around - On the Media - Air Date 1-8-21

White southerners called it “redemption.” To Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, founder and executive director of the African American Policy Forum, it was a catastrophe of appeasement and an object lesson in the politics of reconciliation.

Ch. 8: Keri Leigh Merritt on the New Lost Cause - CounterSpin - Air Date 1-15-21

Historians are shaking their heads as media talk about January 6 as "unprecedented"; while shocking and dispiriting, it has layers and layers of precedent that need to be learned and engaged, if we are ever to actually have a racial reckoning.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Frances Lee on why bipartisanship is irrational - Vox Conversations - Air Date 1-21-19

For most of American history, American politics has been under one-party rule. For decades, that party was the Republican Party. Then, for decades more, it was the Democratic Party.

Ch. 10: What a More Responsible Republican Party Would Look Like - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 3-2-21

This is the modern G.O.P.: a post-policy party obsessed with symbolic fights and curiously uninterested in the actual work of governing. But does it have to be that way?

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the merits of taking liars at face value

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The KKK: History and Myth - Professor Buzzkill History Podcast - Air Date 8-24-17

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

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

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

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

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

VOICEMAILS

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

FINAL COMMENTS

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

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

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

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

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Today we dig through the archives to give context to the news of the 2021 IPCC report ringing the alarm bells for the climate crisis

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The IPCC's new report - @greennewsreport - Air Date 4-3-14

Ch. 2: Green News Report w/ Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen - Air Date 8-10-21

New U.N. climate report described as 'code red for humanity'; California's Dixie Fire now the largest in the U.S. and in state history; PLUS: Apocalyptic scenes from wildfires around the world demonstrate climate change is already here...

Ch. 3: Global Water Shortages Pose Threat of Terror & War - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date 02-16-14

Ch. 4: The World's On Fire and There's Money in the Flames - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 8-10-21

Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman dive into a troubling UN climate report and discuss how capitalism prevents humanity from saving itself while undermining democracy.

Ch. 5: Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change - Vox - Air Date 4-19-17

The biggest problem for the climate change fight isn’t technology – it’s human psychology.

Ch. 6: Report confirms the effect of climate change happening today, spurs action - @greennewsreport - Air Date 5-6-14

Ch. 7: When Republicans believed in climate change - @allinwithchris Hayes - Air Date 04-22-14

Ch. 8: Geoff Mann: Transforming and Democratizing Institutions to Address Climate Change - Economics & Beyond with Rob Johnson - Air Date 8-9-21

Geoff Mann, professor of geography at Simon Fraser University and co-author of the book, Climate Leviathan, discusses the authoritarian dangers ahead, as the world tried to cope with climate change.

Ch. 9: Climate crisis and jobs with Naomi Klein - What Comes After What Comes Next - Air Date 6-11-20

Naomi has spent two decades documenting the transformations that take place under the cover of disaster. She has also written extensively about how tackling the climate crisis can both create jobs and make the economy much fairer and more equitable.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: Extreme Heat in the News, Naming Heat Waves, Thermal Equity and more with Dr. Ladd Keith - America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast - Air Date 7-5-21

Doug talks extreme heat with Dr. Ladd Keith, Assistant Professor in Planning and Chair of Sustainable Built Environments at the University of Arizona. Ladd and Doug discuss the media coverage of the recent pacific NW heat wave.

Ch. 11: Putting the Freeze on Global Warming - @BillMoyersHQ And Company - Air Date 4-25-14

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the benefits of taking pride in work and country

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Fire engulfs trees in a forest at night. Smoke billows in the dark sky above the flaming, skeletal black trees.

Credit: "The Rim Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest near in California began on Aug. 17, 2013 and is under investigation. The fire has consumed approximately 149, 780 acres and is 15% contained. U.S. Forest Service photo." by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped

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Today we take a look at the mechanisms by which the legacy of White Supremacy is harmful to the health and wellbeing of individuals and society as a whole.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Why Is Our Economy So … White (with Heather McGhee) - How To Citizen with Baratunde - Air Date 4-8-21

This week, author Heather McGhee breaks down the driving force of American economic exclusion via the swimming pool. Baratunde asks Heather about all she has learned traveling across the country to write her book, The Sum of Us.

Ch. 2: The Role 'Nice White Parents' Play in School Segregation - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 9-9-20

Chana Joffe-Walt, producer for This American Life and host of the new podcast Nice White Parents, and Dr. Rachel Lissy, senior Program Officer at Ramapo for Children, talk about investigating the relationship between white parents and segregation

Ch. 3: The NFL's Race-Norming Problem Is All Over Medicine - What Next - Air Date 6-7-21

The NFL recently announced it would stop using “race norming” when assessing who would receive a share of their recent $1 billing settlement for former players. The practice assumes Black players started with lower cognitive function.

Ch. 4: One Bad Algorithm Advocates Say Facial Recognition Reveals Systemic Racism in AI Technology - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-26-20

Researchers say facial recognition software is up to 100 times more likely to misidentify people of color than white people. This week, Boston voted to end its use in the city.

Ch. 5: People Like Us, Education - Hidden Brain - Air Date 6-3-19

Generations of Americans have struggled against segregation. Most of us believe in the ideal of a colorblind society. But what happens when that ideal come up against research that finds colorblindness sometimes leads to worse outcomes?

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 6: Can We Finally End School Segregation? - The New Yorker Radio Hour - Air Date 5-21-21

By many accounts, American schools are as segregated today as they were in the nineteen-sixties, in the years after Brown v. Board of Education. WNYC’s podcast “The United States of Anxiety” chronicled the efforts of one small school district.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 7: Patriotism and the culture wars - Dave from Olympia, WA

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 8: Final comments on the nature of airing dirty laundry

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Color photograph of a corner of an old public pool that has been filled in. Where there was once water is now green grass. The railing of a metal ladder is still intact, but a weed grows around its base. Blue square tiles still edge the concrete corner.

Photo Credit: "The Memorial Pool in Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, MD, by artist Joyce J. Scott" by Graham Coreil-Allen (Pool/Park History) | License | Changes: Slightly cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Today we take a look at the history and the process of the building of an American empire that currently spans the globe but allows as few people of color to vote as possible.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Daniel Immerwahr: Empire State of Mind Part 1 - On the Media - Air Date 8-22-19

The history of US imperialism — and why the familiar US map hides the true story of our country. With Northwestern University historian Daniel Immerwahr, author of How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States.

Ch. 2: Doctrine of Christian Discovery - Let’s Talk Native - Air Date 3-18-19

I learned that most educators know nothing about the Doctrine of Christian Discovery. How can you teach about colonization, slavery, the American genocide, Westward expansion or imperialism without teaching the origins of it all?

Ch. 3: Harvest of Empire Part 1 - Making Contact - Air Date 6-25-19

It's not just jobs and prosperity that draw immigrants to the United States. Many Latin American’s were brought here, or forced to come by dangerous or deadly conditions. And the US often had a role in creating those crises.

Ch. 4: Empire of Borders: The Expansion of the US Border Around the World w: Todd Miller - The Majority Report - Air Date 8-27-19

Journalist Todd Miller (@memomiller) joins Sam to discuss his new book, "Empire of Borders: The Expansion of the U.S. Border Around the World."

Ch. 5: Harvest of Empire Part 2 - Making Contact - Air Date 6-25-19

It's not just jobs and prosperity that draw immigrants to the United States. Many Latin American’s were brought here, or forced to come by dangerous or deadly conditions. And the US often had a role in creating those crises.

Ch. 6: Daniel Immerwahr: Empire State of Mind Part 2 - On the Media - Air Date 8-22-19

The history of US imperialism — and why the familiar US map hides the true story of our country. With Northwestern University historian Daniel Immerwahr, author of How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States.

Ch. 7: Blood, lies and the American empire - This is hell - Air Date 5-13-19

Black Agenda Report's Danny Haiphong traces a 300 year history of fake news in America. Danny is author of the book American Exceptionalism and American Innocence: A People's History of Fake News—From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 8: Gun responsibility vs naked evil - Dave from Olympia, WA

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on this weeks topics poll

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

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Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss:

- Deciphering the effects of context collapse during online discussions about white supremacy

- The social costs of changing ones mind

- The attempt to flatten and equate Marxism, fascism and anti-racism

References:

Democracies Don’t Try to Make Everyone Agree 

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Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

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Today we take a look at the origins and legacy of Manifest Destiny, the historical term most closely tied to our most toxic version of nostalgia: the one longing for America's golden age of genocide

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Transcript

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Intro contemplating conservative thinking applied to genocide

Ch. 2: Confederacy Inc. Donald Trump, Racist Police, and the Whitewashing of History Part 1 - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 7-1-20

Native American historian Nick Estes explains the crimes against Indigenous people committed by the four presidents whose faces are carved into Mount Rushmore.

Ch. 3: The Interest of the White Man demands their extinction - @BackStory - Air Date: 01-19-18

Ed talks with historian Benjamin Madley about the devastating impact of the Gold Rush on California’s native tribes – and how both government officials and everyday citizens justified enslaving and killing native peoples.

Ch. 4: Doctrine of Christian Discovery Part 1 - Let’s Talk Native - Air Date 3-18-19

I learned that most educators know nothing about the Doctrine of Christian Discovery. How can you teach about colonization, slavery, the American genocide, Westward expansion or imperialism without teaching the origins of it all?

Ch. 5: Confederacy Inc. Donald Trump, Racist Police, and the Whitewashing of History Part 2 - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 7-1-20

Native American historian Nick Estes explains the crimes against Indigenous people committed by the four presidents whose faces are carved into Mount Rushmore.

Ch. 6: Doctrine of Christian Discovery Part 2 - Let’s Talk Native - Air Date 3-18-19

I learned that most educators know nothing about the Doctrine of Christian Discovery. How can you teach about colonization, slavery, the American genocide, Westward expansion or imperialism without teaching the origins of it all?

Ch. 7: Paul Frymer on the building of an American empire - The Dig from @jacobinmag - Air Date 1-30-18

We are living on land from which indigenous people, over hundreds of years, have been violently removed. Almost everyone knows this — yet it’s rarely mentioned in stories that Americans tell themselves about who we are as a country and how we got here.

Ch. 8: Confederacy Inc. Donald Trump, Racist Police, and the Whitewashing of History Part 3 - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 7-1-20

Native American historian Nick Estes explains the crimes against Indigenous people committed by the four presidents whose faces are carved into Mount Rushmore.

Ch. 9: Understanding the origins of scalp hunting and "redskins" - Empire Files - Air Date 11-25-15

Abby Martin interviews Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, renowned indigenous scholar and activist, about her most recent book "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States."

Ch. 10: Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz on digging deeper to understand America's past - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date 6-16-16

We call up brilliant scholar Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz to dig into her work, An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the pain caused by the breaking of your shell of understanding

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Thannoid - Bodytonic
• Waltz for Zacaria - Cholate
• Quaver - Codebreaker
• Lahaina - Cloud Harbor
• One Little Triumph - Piano Mover
• Cloud Line - K4
• Dirtbike Lovers - Desert Orchard
• Astrisx - Bodytonic
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | +more

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

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Facebook!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we take a look at the anti-government protests in Cuba in the context of decades of anti-communist propaganda in the US and our punishing embargo intended to destabilize Cuba to the point of governmental collapse.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: We Just Want the Basics - Rare Protests in Cuba Amid Deep Economic Crisis, Ongoing U.S. Blockade - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-14-21

We go to Havana, Cuba, to look at what is behind protests that brought thousands of people into the streets of Havana and other cities in rare anti-government protests denouncing the island’s economic crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ch. 2: Cuba Isn't Suffering Under Communism, It's The USA's Economic Stranglehold - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-15-21

The restrictions put in place by Trump Admin rollback of Obama admin's policies toward Cuba have created significant restrictions that are in the way of providing aid. Emma's suggestion is simple: Circumvent those restrictions immediately.

Ch. 3: The Protests in Cuba Part 1 - Past Present - Air Date 7-20-21

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the mass protests in Cuba.

Ch. 4: What is McCarthyism And how did it happen - TED-ED - Air Date 3-14-17

In the 1950s, part of a campaign to expose suspected Communists, thousands of individuals were aggressively investigated and questioned by government panels. Named after its most notorious practitioner, the phenomenon known as McCarthyism destroyed lives.

Ch. 5: A New Red Scare Is Coming - Second Thought - Air Date 7-9-21

If you thought McCarthyism was gone...well, no such luck. In this episode, we'll discuss the US' newest wave of reactionary, anti-communist rhetoric and legislation.

Ch. 6: The Protests in Cuba Part 2 - Past Present - Air Date 7-20-21

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the mass protests in Cuba.

Ch. 7: Tired of Waiting Cuban Americans Say Biden Broke Promise to Lift Cuba Sanctions & Thaw Relations - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-27-21

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Investigating Democracy - Now & Then - Air Date 6-8-21

On the second episode of Now & Then, “Investigating Democracy,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the history of congressional commissions. We discuss the 1954 back-and-forth between Senator Joseph McCarthy and the Army.

Ch. 9: We Just Want the Basics - Rare Protests in Cuba Amid Deep Economic Crisis, Ongoing U.S. Blockade Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-14-21

We go to Havana, Cuba, to look at what is behind protests that brought thousands of people into the streets of Havana and other cities in rare anti-government protests denouncing the island’s economic crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Abortion terminology - William in Charlottesville, Virginia

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the terms we use to explain our support of abortion rights

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Today we take a look at the legacy of residential schools for native children in the US and Canada. We hear some of the voices of victims, from those looking to establish truth and reconciliation and some thoughts on what it would really take to get a full accounting of this genocide and its impact through generations.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Boarding School Healing - Native American Rights Fund - Air Date 1-25-17

The Native American Rights Fund is pursuing strategies to support the healing of boarding school survivors; Native American children, families, and communities; and tribal nations.

Ch. 2: Stealing Children to Steal the Land - Intercepted - Air Date 6-16-21

The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation uncovered a mass grave of 215 children on the grounds of a former residential school in British Columbia, Canada. Naomi Klein discusses the relationship between stolen children and stolen land.

Ch. 3: How the US stole thousands of Native American children - Vox - Air Date 10-14-19

The long and brutal history of the US trying to “kill the Indian and save the man”.

Ch. 4: What We Inherit - Code Switch - Air Date 6-5-18

On this episode, the story of one family's struggle to end a toxic cycle of inter-generational trauma from forced assimilation. Getting back to their Native Alaskan cultural traditions is key.

Ch. 5: Sec. Haaland on healing from the indoctrination, dehumanization at Indian boarding schools - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 7-16-21

Like Canada, America has a painful history of creating boarding schools to assimilate Native American children, leading to trauma, abuse and death. For more than 150 years Indigenous children were taken from their families and forced into boarding schools

Ch. 6: No Apologies, Land Back - The Red Nation Podcast - Air Date 7-5-21

Red Power Hour is back! The Red Nation podcast host Nick Estes (@nickwestes) joins RPH co-hosts Elena Ortiz (@spiritofpopay) and Melanie Yazzie to discuss justice for boarding and residential schools.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: The Legacy of Residential Schools (feat. Keith Burich) - Let's Talk Native with John Kane - Air Date 6-10-21

The recent discovery of 215 bodies at the Kamloops Residential School in British Columbia, Canada surprised everyone except Native people. For several decades survivors of these genocidal institutions have told stories of the abuse, neglect and violence

Ch. 8: Unapologetically Indigenous w/ Sarah Pierce and Amy Sazue - Future Hindsight - Air Date 2-25-21

Championing Indigenous students to be successful in school systems starts with school curriculums – telling the accurate history of the United States – and leadership that represents the Indigenous Americans they serve.

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and patriotism

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Today we take a look at the messaging wars over abortion and reproductive justice more broadly as well as the politics of supporting full abortion rights and the likely restrictions coming at the hands of the Supreme Court.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Changing the Way We Talk About Abortion Part 1 - Ordinary Equality - Air Date 4-7-21

How do we dismantle the anti-choice movement? We’re talking through what needs to change on our side, and how we can unify our message towards the anti-abortion crowd. Strap in, folks-- it’s the grand finale.

Ch. 2: Controlling Women With Roe v. Wade at Risk, Authors Say Move Past Court to Save Reproductive Rights - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-13-21

The Supreme Court is set to review a MS law banning abortion after 15 weeks that intends to challenge Roe v. Wade, raising concern for advocates about how reproductive rights can be preserved without the landmark ruling. Kathryn Kolbert and Julie Kay.

Ch. 3: Changing the Way We Talk About Abortion Part 2 - Ordinary Equality - Air Date 4-7-21

Ch. 4: Does Roe v. Wade Stand A Chance Part 1 - Whats Next - Air Date 5-26-21

The fight over abortion access is far from settled.

Ch. 5: Preston Mitchum on Roe and Reproductive Justice - CounterSpin - Air Date 5-21-21

We’ll talk about the Supreme Court’s potential overturning of Roe v. Wade with Preston Mitchum, director of policy at URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, and adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center.

Ch. 6: Changing the Way We Talk About Abortion Part 3 - Ordinary Equality - Air Date 4-7-21

Ch. 7: Does Roe v. Wade Stand A Chance Part 2 - Whats Next - Air Date 5-26-21

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: This City Wants Your Racist Uncle to Enforce Their Abortion Ban - Boom! Lawyered - Air Date 6-10-21

Lubbock, Texas, passed a “sanctuary city for the unborn” ordinance, a so-called heartbeat ban that would ban abortion at around six weeks. The ban would allow anyone to sue to enforce the ban—and not just anyone in Lubbock or Texas, anyone in the country.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Consequences of Everyday Racism - Alan from Connecticut

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on the Podcast Awards

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Activists of varying ages standing on the side of a road hold up a red canvas banner that says "Abortion on Demand and Without Apology" in bold black letters.

"Abortion on Demand and Without Apology" by Debra Sweet, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, enhanced saturation and contrast, extended the road for formatting purposes

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Today we take a look at the past, present and future of behavior modification from worms to pigeons to prisoners, and finally, internet users.

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

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: A History of Persuasion with Larry Stern - The Stakes with Kai Wright and Amanda Aronczyk - Air Date 8-8-19

Kai and Amanda talk with several experts about how humans are persuaded and the modern psychology of persuasion.

Ch. 2: Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff Part 1 - You Are Not So Smart - Air Date 1-13-19

Douglas Rushkoff explains why we should revolt against the algorithms so we can get back to our essential human messiness.

Ch. 3: Yuval Noah Harari and Tristan Harris - Wired Magazine - Air Date 12-3-18

Discussing the unsettling fact that humans have far less agency over their thoughts and actions as we desperately want to believe

Ch. 4: Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff Part 2 - You Are Not So Smart - Air Date 1-13-19

Douglas Rushkoff explains why we should revolt against the algorithms so we can get back to our essential human messiness.

Ch. 5: A History of Persuasion with Ian Leslie and Tristan Harris - The Stakes with Jai Wright and Amanda Aronczyk - Air Date 8-13-19

Kai and Amanda talk with several experts about how humans are persuaded and the modern psychology of persuasion.

Ch. 6: Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff Part 3 - You Are Not So Smart - Air Date 1-13-19

Douglas Rushkoff explains why we should revolt against the algorithms so we can get back to our essential human messiness.

Ch. 7: Buying Attention - Hidden Brain - Air Date 1-1-18

In the internet age, viral stories and fake news have grown more powerful - algorithms give us exactly what pushes our buttons, and gave Trump his power.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 8: Iowa caucus - Alan from Connecticut

Ch. 9: The positive uses of anger - Chris from San Diego

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on my neoliberal nightmare of a day

Limerick of the day from @Limerick_News

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Astrisx - Bodytonic
• Swapping Tubes - Studio J
• Wingspan - Bayou Birds
• Thannoid - Bodytonic
• Entrap - Darby
• PolyCoat - The Cabinetmaker
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

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Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss:

- Charitable giving

- the history of Haiti

- the history of exploitation

- the newest space race

- the leisure time we should all be afforded

References:

TEDTalk: The way we think about charity is dead wrong | Dan Pallotta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfAzi6D5FpM

A magnet for exploitation: Haiti over the centuries (NYTimes)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/07/world/americas/haiti-poverty-history.html

Notre-Dame: A short history of the meaning of cathedrals by Ken Follett

https://ken-follett.com/books/notre-dame/

How the World Works - Bo Burnham (From 'Inside')

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiiebNenB0k

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Today we take a look at the costs of the Olympic Games including financial, ethical, moral and social. Private profits come at the hands of public investment, disruption of communities, curtailing of rights and, this year, extensive health risks.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How The Olympics Became So Expensive For Host Cities - CNBC - Air Date 6-21-21

Cities incurring overrun costs when hosting the Olympics is not just unique to just Rio; according to the Council on Foreign Relations, since 1960, every Olympics saw high overrun costs. As overrun costs become a growing concern, several cities withdrew

Ch. 2: The 2020* Olympics - Today, Explained - Air Date 5-18-21

*Are being held this summer in Tokyo. And it’s a mess.

Ch. 3: Lotteryism, Part II - A Most Dangerous Game, How Sports Are Used to Fleece Public Trusts - Citations Needed - Air Date 12-20-17

It's a scam to extract resources from local governments in hopes they can "win" corporate cash, headquarters, facilities, and, of course, the promise of "jobs". Cities around the world debase themselves to compete for the "honor" of hosting the Olmpics.

Ch. 4: The 2021 Olympics is a Moral Hazard w/ Jules Boykoff - The Majority Report with Sam Seder - Air Date 6-28-21

Jules Boykoff, Pacific University professor of politics and government, former US Olympian and author of NOlympians: Inside the Fight Against Capitalist Mega-Sports in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Beyond, discusses the Olympics industrial complex.

Ch. 5: Sha'Carri Richardson's Suspension for Marijuana Defies Common Sense - Time's Top Stories - Air Date 7-2-21

In a development that shocked and saddened fans of track and field, and the Olympics, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced Friday morning that Richardson had accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for cannabis.

Ch. 6: Sha'Carri Richardson left off relay team, won't compete in Olympics - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 7-6-21

Runner Sha'Carri Richardson was not named to the U.S. relay team and will officially not compete in the Tokyo Olympics following her positive test result for marijuana.

Ch. 7: Olympic Athletes Not Allowed To Protest - TYT Sports - Air Date 4-30-21

Athletes are being warned about protesting at the 2021 Olympics. Rick Strom breaks it down.

Ch. 8: Anne Orchier of NOlympics LA on Tokyo 2020 Olympic Opposition - Burn It All Down - Air Date 7-8-21

Lindsay Gibbs interviews Anne Orchier of NOlympics LA about opposition to the Toyko 2020 Olympics from on-the-ground organizers in Japan, which is largely led by unhoused people and those who will be displaced by the games.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Olympic racism is being exposed - By Any Means Necessary - Air Date 7-6-21

The racist and transphobic history behind disqualification of Olympic women runners due to “naturally high testosterone” levels, as Nambian sprinters Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi are kept from competing in the Tokyo Olympics.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Names - Alyson from Boulder, CO

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on why we all, including Sha'Carri Richardson, are victims of White Supremacy

Bonus: The Racist Origins of Marijuana Prohibition - Business Insider - Air Date 3-1-18

How did marijuana become illegal in the first place? As it turns out, it has some roots in racist rhetoric pushed by politicians and the media in the 1930s, when it first became illegal.

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we take a look at Restorative Justice as an antidote to a wide range of injustices we face, from mass incarceration to having a toddler throw a cheerio at your forehead and much of what lies in between.

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

Transcript

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Abolishing Prisons with Mariame Kaba Part 1 - Why Is This Happening? with Chris Hayes - Air Date 4-9-19

Prison abolitionist Mariame Kaba wants us to explore some truly radical notions. Hear her dismantle what she calls the current "criminal punishment system" and instead employ the ideology of restorative justice.

Ch. 2: The transformative power of restorative justice Part 1 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 6-18-20

Studies show restorative justice programs leave survivors more satisfied, cut recidivism rates, and cost less. sujatha baliga is the director of the Restorative Justice Project at Impact Justice.

Ch. 3: Abolishing Prisons with Mariame Kaba Part 2 - Why Is This Happening? with Chris Hayes - Air Date 4-9-19

Prison abolitionist Mariame Kaba wants us to explore some truly radical notions. Hear her dismantle what she calls the current "criminal punishment system" and instead employ the ideology of restorative justice.

Ch. 4: Repairing Justice. An Alternative to Prison with Danielle Sered Part 1 - On the Media with Bob Garfield - Air Date 7-31-19

Bob discusses the problems with prisons and the alternatives to mass incarceration with Danielle Sered

Ch. 5: The transformative power of restorative justice Part 2 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 6-18-20

Ch. 6: Repairing Justice. An Alternative to Prison with Danielle Sered Part 2 - On the Media with Bob Garfield - Air Date 7-31-19

Ch. 7: Mass Incarceration, Violence & the Radical Possibilities of Restorative Justice with Danielle Sered - Democracy Now - Air Date 3-14-19

Danielle discusses the alternative options to a violent prison system with community interactions over punishment.

Ch. 8: Restorative Justice with Sonya Shah - Justice In America with Josie Duffy Rice and Clint Smith - Air Date 3-13-19

When people feel responsible and connected it really changes their lives. Restorative justice works in schools. Our system is a goliath, but we are a million sparks to break it down.

Ch. 9: The transformative power of restorative justice Part 3 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 6-18-20

Ch. 10: Repairing Justice. An Alternative to Prison with Danielle Sered Part 3 - On the Media with Bob Garfield - Air Date 7-31-19

Ch. 11: Restorative Justice with Danielle Sered - Justice In America with Josie Duffy Rice and Clint Smith - Air Date 3-13-19

What does restorative justice look like? Community-driven repair, making sure the victims and perpetrators work together, rather than punishing both parties.

Ch. 12: Repairing Justice. An Alternative to Prison with Danielle Sered Part 4 - On the Media with Bob Garfield - Air Date 7-31-19

Ch. 13: The transformative power of restorative justice Part 4 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 6-18-20

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 14: Even the clip out of context gave enough context - Dave from Olympia, WA

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 15: Final comments on the one thing I know about all of your friends

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we take a look at the talking points and policy pushes that have kept wages in America artificially low for decades. The circumstances today are almost entirely new with unprecedented, COVID-related upheaval shocking the economy and labor market but the tactics used the demean workers and undermine their rights are as old as the hills.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Michael Hiltzik on No One Wants to Work! Part 1 - CounterSpin - Air Date 5-14-21

Data doesn’t support a connection between unemployment benefits and difficulty in hiring is beside the point. That work “ethic” equals the willingness to work in whatever conditions at whatever wage is an unchallenged with Michael Hiltzik.

Ch. 2: The Labor Shortage Ruse How Capital Invents Staffing Crises to Bust Unions and Depress Wages - Citations Needed - Air Date 4-28-21

Industry lobbying groups constantly whine about "labor shortages," knowing the media will mindlessly repeat these claims without any skepticism as to why they're reporting the exact same "labor shortages" each year for 40 years. Guest CEPR's Kevin Cashman

Ch. 3: Why Do We Work So Damn Much - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 6-29-21

This is a conversation with James Suzman about the past, present and future of humanity’s relationship to work and to want.

Ch. 4: Michael Hiltzik on No One Wants to Work! Part 2 - CounterSpin - Air Date 5-14-21

Data doesn’t support a connection between unemployment benefits and difficulty in hiring is beside the point. That work “ethic” equals the willingness to work in whatever conditions at whatever wage is an unchallenged with Michael Hiltzik.

Ch. 5: How U.S. policy was designed to suppress wages (with Larry Mishel and Josh Bivens) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-1-21

Larry Mishel and Josh Bivens, explain how their work reveals that massive upward redistribution of income our nation has suffered these past four decades can largely be attributed to policies intentionally designed to suppress wages of American workers.

Ch. 6: Jaisal Noor on Worker Co-Ops, Duncan Meisel on Fossil Fuel Greenwashing - CounterSpin - Air Date 6-11-21

An important part of a counter-narrative is provided by worker co-operatives: the way they treat workers, and productivity, and the balance of worker health and company success, in a pandemic and every day. Today we speak with Jaisal Noor.

Ch. 7: Insurgent Working Class and Organization - Economic Updates with Richard D. Wolff - Air Date 6-17-21

Wolff is joined by Professor Manny Ness to discuss worker insurgencies and political organizations in the global South today.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: The Labor Shortage Ruse How Capital Invents Staffing Crises to Bust Unions and Depress Wages Part 2 - Citations Needed - Air Date 4-28-21

Ch. 9: How U.S. policy was designed to suppress wages (with Larry Mishel and Josh Bivens) Part 2 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 6-1-21

Ch. 10: Why Do We Work So Damn Much Part 2 - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 6-29-21

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: Blog renaissance - Dave from Olympia, WA

Ch. 12: On the etiquette of difficult names - Bud from Boise

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 13: Final comments on the etiquette of difficult names

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:
Description: Close up photograph of a tip jar on a counter. A handwritten sign taped to the jar says "Tips are how we make a living wage! xoxo".

Credit: "Tips are how we make a living wage" by Tony Webster, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped and enhanced brightness and contrast

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss:

- Feedback loops of deteriorating mental health

- Climate Anxiety

- Why the right wing, and many others, fetishize native tribes in the US

References:

VOA News: Going 'Native': Why Are Americans Hijacking Cherokee Identity?

https://www.voanews.com/usa/going-native-why-are-americans-hijacking-cherokee-identity

HuffPost: Why White Americans Love To Claim Native Ancestry

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/opinion-warren-cherokee-dna_n_5bc63a69e4b0a8f17ee6ba9a

Stormfront discussion: Why do so many Europeans have a fascination for Native Americans?

https://www.stormfront.org/forum/t1110890/

Alex Jones Rants as an Indie Folk Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGAAhzreGWw

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Today we take a look at racism on a more personal level than usual with a focus on individual lived experiences that still speak to the systemic nature racism more broadly.

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

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: What kind of Asian are you? - Helpmefindyourparents - Air Date 5-23-13

In this video, What Kind of Asian are you? Scott plays a friendly jogger who is very interested in guessing the heritage of Stella.

Ch. 2: USA Still Leaving Afghanistan, Still Shooting Unarmed People w/ Christopher Rivas - Even More News - Air Date 4-16-21

In today's episode, we're discussing forever wars, never-ending police violence, and vaccines. Wow, you guys, it's a lot.

Ch. 3: The Struggles Of Being An Asian American - Refinery29 - Air Date 5-31-18

In honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, we wanted to close out this time with a discussion on what it means to grow up Asian American. We speak with several women who share their experiences and wisdom gained from it.

Ch. 4: That Sad History That Led to Ma’Khia Bryant’s Death & Why We Blame Her - sonyareneetaylor (Instagram) - Air Date 4-22-21

Police murder is so constant and consuming forcing us to find ways to mitigate the trauma response in our own bodies. one unfortunate way we do that is to pretend there is something the person could have done that would have kept them from being killed.

Ch. 5: 'Where We Come From': By Any Other Name - Code Switch - Air Date 6-26-21

Anyone with a name that isn't super common in the United States will tell you that the simple act of introducing yourself can lead to a whole interrogation: Where are you from? What does your name mean? Help me pronounce it using words I understand!

Ch. 6: Is Racism Making People Sick - Glad You Asked - Air Date 4-3-21

After the events of 2020, we are no strangers to stress and anxiety. But for Black and brown Americans, that stress was nothing new. Racial health gaps have always existed within the medical system.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: People Like Us - Hidden Brain - Air Date 6-3-19

Generations of Americans have struggled against segregation. Most of us believe in the ideal of a colorblind society. But what happens when that ideal come up against research that finds colorblindness sometimes leads to worse outcomes?

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 8: Final comments on removing the hyphen from hyphenated Americans

Article: Drop the Hyphen in Asian American - Conscious Style Guide

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we take a look at the mainstreaming of Pride in recent decades and what that is doing to the liberatory origins of the Pride movement. Corporatization and "pink washing" highlight the wide-but-shallow support for LGBTQ liberation while debate over inclusion of LGBTQ police marching in uniform highlight the remaining oppressions that are still ignored by large swaths of the more mainstream-friendly LGBTQ community.

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

Full Notes and Transcript (https://www.bestoftheleft.com/1426)

Follow @WhoWroteBetter (https://twitter.com/WhoWroteBetter)

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Are Corporations Taking Advantage of Pride - Hysteria - Air Date 6-17-21

Tien Tran and Shaniqua McClendon stop by to discuss cause marketing and why pride is feeling more pink washed than year’s past. Finally, why Batman is actually the worst boyfriend...in Sanity Corner.

Ch. 2: Pride - PFLAG National What Makes Pride - Air Date 6-1-21

Viewers get to know two BIPOC Pride organizations and their organizers: Jay Walker, Co-Founder of Reclaim Pride Coalition, and Taylor Alxndr, Executive Director of Southern Fried Queer Pride.

Ch. 3: The History of LGBTQ+ Pride Part 1 - Past Present - Air Date 6-15-21

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of LGBTQ+ Pride.

Ch. 4: Kink, Cops And Corporations At Pride - It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders - Air Date 6-4-21

When Pride comes around every June, the same arguments start up again— should there be kink, cops and corporations at Pride? And who is Pride for? Sam talks to writer and author Roxane Gay.

Ch. 5: The History of LGBTQ+ Pride Part 2 - Past Present - Air Date 6-15-21

Ch. 6: The Status of Laws and Policies Targeting the Transgender Community - The Takeaway - Air Date 6-1-21

Across the country, state legislators have introduced bills that target members of the transgender community.

Ch. 7: Chasten Buttigieg Blasts Hypocrisy Of RNC Chair, Stresses The Equality Act - MSNBC - Air Date 6-9-21

Chasten Buttigieg blasts the RNC chairwoman for claiming her party is supportive of LGBTQ Americans

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Progress on voting rights, filibuster, SCOTUS upholds Obamacare - The BradCast - Air Date 6-17-21

The Republicans' stolen-and-packed Supreme Court approved discrimination against same-sex couples by a Philadelphia foster care group, but LGBTQ advocacy groups say the very narrow ruling could have been much worse.

Ch. 9: Pride 2021 has set a record in anti-trans bills in America - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 6-6-21

Ivette Feliciano spoke with Chase Strangio, Deputy Director for Transgender Justice for the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project, about this record setting year in state legislation aimed at the transgender community.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: American Rescue Plan, Equality Payment - Rich

Ch. 11: Curation - Amy

Ch. 12: Corporatocracy - Christian

Ch. 13: Pumping up Twitter - Alan from Connecticut

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 14: Final comments on @WhoWroteBetter on Twitter

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Today we take a look at the purposeful effort to erase the history of anti-Black terrorism in America and the renewed efforts expose our true history in order to learn from it and create the opportunity for healing.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The massacre of Tulsa's "Black Wall Street" - Vox - Air Date 2-27-19

100 years ago, a white mob destroyed an American neighborhood called “Black Wall Street,” murdering an estimated 300 people in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ch. 2: Joseph Torres on Media & Tulsa Massacre - CounterSpin - Air Date 6-4-21

Janine Jackson interviewed Free Press’s Joseph Torres about media and the Tulsa Massacre for the June 4, 2021, episode of CounterSpin.

Ch. 3: Blood on Black Wall Street - Excavating the Past - Into America - Air Date 6-3-21

100 years ago this week, a white mob burned down Tulsa's Greenwood District, a bustling business district. For decades, the government refused to acknowledge the Tulsa Race Massacre ever happened.

Ch. 4: The Tulsa massacre, 100 years later - Today, Explained - Air Date 6-1-21

It was one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history, but for a long time very few Americans learned what happened to the Black residents of the Greenwood district in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ch. 5: Clint Smith on Juneteenth Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-18-21

As President Biden signs legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday to mark the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation we speak to the writer Clint Smith

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 6: Michael Harriot, Senior Writer for TheRoot.com, the Nation's Largest Black Online Newspaper - The Al Franken Podcast - Air Date 6-20-21

Al talks to Michael Harriot, Senior writer at The Root online newspaper

Ch. 7: The Legacies of Slavery Hidden in Plain Sight w/ Clint Smith - The Majority Report - Air Date 6-14-21

Sam and Emma host author Clint Smith, staff writer at the Atlantic, to discuss his new book, How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America on how the legacy of slavery has been passed down and obscured through generations

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 8: University athletics - Alyson from Boulder, CO

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on Deadline for Democracy marches and Harriet Tubman's lifespan

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Historic, black and white photograph of the aftermath of the Greenwood Massacre (Tulsa, OK). A man in overalls and a hat walks through rubble, his face in silhouette. All around him is destruction, downed power lines, and the remnants of building facades.

Credit: "Greenwood Massacre", Flickr | License | Changes: cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Today we take a look at the politics of obstruction in service to big donors' interests while sacrificing the ability to run a functioning democracy in the process.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: West Virginia's Robyn Kincaid on the maddening Joe Manchin - The BradCast - Air Date 6-9-21

Robyn Kincaid explains the mysteries of Manchin, the history of his family's political dynasty in the state, and key factors that may be at work in Manchin's inexplicable obstruction of Biden and the Democrats' agenda.

Ch. 2: How Kyrsten Sinema Sold Out w/ Aída Chávez - Start Making Sense - Air Date 3-31-21

The political transformation of Kyrsten Sinema, the new senator from Arizona: She’s one of the two most conservative Democrats in the Senate—but Aida Chavez explains that she started out to the left of the Party.

Ch. 3: Filibuster Helps Manchin Hide In Plain Sight w/ David Sirota - The Majority Report - Air Date 6-12-21

Breaking down the conflict-averse nature of the Democratic Party.

Ch. 4: Breaking Down President Biden's $6 Trillion 2022 Budget - The Takeaway - Air Date 5-28-21

The president's budget attempts to incorporate plans on infrastructure, housing, and healthcare, and is likely to receive conservative backlash for raising the federal deficit.

Ch. 5: What Does Joe Manchin Want? John Nichols on Filibuster Reform - Start Making Sense - Air Date 6-9-21

Congressional action could block voter law changes—but that requires filibuster reform, and Joe Manchin says he won’t vote for filibuster reform. What does Joe Manchin want? John Nichols comments.

Ch. 6: Joe Manchin Gets Candid With Billionaire Donors in Leaked Audio - Deconstructed - Air Date 6-16-21

Sen. Joe Manchin reveals his thoughts on the filibuster in a leaked Zoom call with fundraisers.

Ch. 7: Does America Have a Chance At Democracy? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 6-12-21

When a political party is more obsessed with identity than issues - America is in trouble. Can America function as a multi-racial, ethnic, religious democracy?

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: How Kyrsten Sinema Sold Out w/ Aída Chávez Part 2 - Start Making Sense - Air Date 3-31-21

The political transformation of Kyrsten Sinema, the new senator from Arizona: She’s one of the two most conservative Democrats in the Senate—but Aida Chavez explains that she started out to the left of the Party.

Ch. 9: Filibuster Helps Manchin Hide In Plain Sight w/ David Sirota Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 6-12-21

Explaining Manchin's love of being the center of attention and those who love to use him as a shield against criticism

BONUS

Ch. 10: Curation Lesson #4

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on Bo Burnham's "Inside"

TAKE ACTION!

June 21st in D.C. & Virtual: Poor People's Campaign: March to Demand a 3rd Reconstruction | TW: @UniteThePoor

Pressure Manchin & Sinema via No Excuses PAC | TW: NoExcuses_PAC

Pressure Manchin via West Virginia Can’t Wait |TW: @WVCantWait

Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Abolish The Filibuster | Song A Day #4542 - Jonathan Mann
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Composite image. Photo of Sen. Kristen Sinema (D-AZ) on the left and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) on the right. More than half of their images are overlaid with red, the rest with blue. A vector image of the U.S. Capitol is in the foreground, a rope is coiled around the dome being pulled at each end out of view.

Credit: Composite image designed by Amanda Hoffman

Image 1: "Kyrsten Sinema" by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped with overlays

Image 2: "FAA REAUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION" by Senate Democrats, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped with overlays

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss:

- Depression and anxiety for the foreseeable future

- Exploitation of the poor carefully explained away

- Increasing wealth of the ungodly wealthy raucously celebrated

References:

Bo Burnham - Inside

https://www.netflix.com/title/81289483

Article quoting Adam Smith

https://www.adamsmithworks.org/speakings/why-do-we-admire-celebrities

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

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Today we take a look at the politics of sports including racism, sexism, capitalism, media and mental health. So, pretty much just like regular politics but with the one group of rich people who society broadly thinks don't have a right to be heard.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Uneven Playing Field with Howard Bryant - Why Is This Happening? with Chris Hayes - Air Date 1-21-20

Professional sports are never more than an inch away from the deepest core of what's happening in America. They are an amazing crucible of politics and culture that manage to reflect the issues we are working through as a country.

Ch. 2: The 'Ungrateful Athlete': Anti-Black, Anti-Labor Currents in Sports Media - Citations Needed - Air Date 5-19-21

On this episode, we parse the racist, anti-labor characterization of athletes in media, how they are both scary threatening men and tiny children who shouldn't be paid and breakdown how this topic has cultural implications to other labor struggles.

Ch. 3: Absurdly Racist NFL Scandal EXPOSED In New Pledge - The Damage Report - Air Date 6-3-21

The NFL pledged to halt the use of “race-norming”. John Iadarola and Dr. Rashad Richey break it down on The Damage Report.

Ch. 4: Jackie MacMullan Tells Kyrie Irving That NBA Players Are Team Property - TYT Sports - Air Date 1-15-21

Jackie MacMullan made an inexcusable comment to Kyrie Irving. Rick Strom breaks it down.

Ch. 5: Why College Athletes Don't Get Paid - Vice News - Air Date 12-29-19

College sports have become a multi-billion dollar industry, but the NCAA's regulations prohibit amateur athletes from profiting off their abilities to go pro. But a new lawsuit could completely uped the NCAA and the college athletic business model.

Ch. 6: Hope Solo Wants Soccer Justice - Edge of Sports - Air Date 5-24-21

This week we speak to legendary goalkeeper Hope Solo about her 20 year career in USA Soccer and what she would do if she was in charge of the Federation. We get into issues concerning equal pay and the pushback.

Ch. 7: Naomi Osaka, Athletes, and Mental Health - Past Present - Air Date 6-8-21

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the controversy over tennis champion Naomi Osaka’s decision not to participate in post-match press conferences.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Sole By The Pound: Sonny Vaccaro on NCAA Sham Amateurism - Edge of Sports - Air Date 11-30-16

Today we speak to the most influential person in basketball who never laced up sneakers or coached on a sideline: former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro – the guy who connected sneaker money to so-called amateur hoops.

Ch. 9: Megan Rapinoe - The Old Man and the Three with JJ Redick and Tommy Alter - Air Date 11-25-20

As a soccer superstar, Megan Rapinoe is beloved and admired worldwide. But as her millions of fans know, it's not just because of what she does on the pitch. A well known activist, she has been outspoken and a leading voice on several topics

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Critical Race Theory and objective facts - Christian from Arkansas

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the future continued breakdown of shared realities

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Cropped photo of four, African American, San Francisco 49ers football players kneeling on the side lines before a game during the national anthem, two with hands over their hearts. Other people of various races stand around them, one woman looks over at the kneeling players.

Credit: "San Francisco 49ers National Anthem Kneeling" by Keith Allison | Wikimedia Commons | License | Changes: Cropped

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Today we take a look at the motivations behind legislation being introduced in statehouses around the country to ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory, criminalize the right to protest and limit the right to vote. Now if only there were some theory we could look to to understand the complicated interconnectedness of these subtly racist ideas...

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The War Over Teaching America's Racist History in Schools - The Daily Show with Trevor Noah - Air Date 5-5-21

Most students in America are only taught about a handful of important Black Americans in history class. Here’s a look at why schools should teach students about race and why certain parents are opposed to that shift.

Ch. 2: Critical Race Theory - Past Present - Air Date 5-25-21

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the current controversy over critical race theory.

Ch. 3: Elly Page on Anti-Protest Bills - CounterSpin - Air Date 4-23-21

If the Chauvin verdict is testament to the power of protest, so too are the vigorous efforts to squelch that power. Plus: Right-wing legislators target trans kids at the state level.

Ch. 4: Not Ready For That Conversation - On The Media - Air Date 4-23-21

Tami Abdollah [@latams], national correspondent for USA Today, on how Republican-controlled legislatures across the country have been introducing bills to criminalize protests — or as they put it, to stop the rioting.

Ch. 5: GOP States Are Pushing for Stricter Penalties for Protesters - The Takeaway - Air Date 4-27-21

The Takeaway spoke with Nora Benavidez, the director of U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America, and Elly Page, senior legal advisor at the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, working with the U.S. Protest Law Tracker.

Ch. 6: Weaponizing Trump's Big Lie: Ari Berman on GOP's War on Democracy & Voting Rights - Democracy Now! - Air Date 5-10-21

Extreme voting restrictions have advanced in several Republican-led states across the U.S., including in Florida. Mother Jones reporter Ari Berman says these efforts are an extension of former President Trump’s “big lie” about voter fraud.

Ch. 7: Is the GOP Insanity Being Driven By Trump or 40 Years of Madness? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 6-4-21

This “Trump grip” narrative is nonsense and it needs to stop —the Republican Party has made it crystal clear with their voter suppression efforts that they no longer believe in democracy. They are doing this because they want to.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Walk Out: Texas Democrats Block Passage of Voter Suppression Bill by Leaving Capitol Ahead of Vote - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-1-21

Trey Martinez Fischer says the legislation would have “a tremendous impact” on ballot access in the state. “Just like every bad policy, Hispanics, Latinos and Asian Americans will be disproportionately impacted," "the time for a national response is now."

Ch. 9: How Corporate Media Protects Violent Cops - Carlos Maza - Air Date 6-4-20

Police departments across America have declared war on unarmed protesters. They get away with it thanks to a corporate media ecosystem that helps shield cops from criticism and discredit the people protesting police brutality.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Lesson #3 The Value Proposition

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Iconography of a person speaking into a bullhorn with an arm up and other people icons listening to represent "protesting" with a red circle with a line through it over the image.

Credit: "No protesting" by David Pursehouse | Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, enhanced contrast, saturation and brightness

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Today we take a look at the tensions building between the US and China with an emphasis on understanding the context in which China has grown from a Cold War afterthought into a force capable of challenging American hegemony.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Graham Allison: Is war between China and the US inevitable - TEDTalks - Air Date 11-20-18

Taking lessons from a historical pattern called "Thucydides's Trap," political scientist Graham Allison shows why a rising China and a dominant United States could be headed towards a violent collision no one wants.

Ch. 2: The world's great powers - Worldly - Air Date 2-18-21

Zack, Jenn, and Alex break down one of the DC foreign policy world’s hottest new catchphrases: “great power competition.” It’s the idea that international politics in the 21st century will be dominated by a struggle for influence between the US & China.

Ch. 3: The Century of Humiliation w/ Carl Zha - The East is a Podcast - Air Date 6-12-20

Carl Zha is the host of the Silk and Steel podcast.

Ch. 4: Why Is China Investing Billions in Africa - NowThis World - Air Date 12-16-18

China has invested billions of dollars into the continent of Africa to build massive infrastructure projects in African countries.

Ch. 5: China's trillion dollar plan to dominate global trade - Vox - Air Date 4-5-18

It's about more than just economics.

Ch. 6: Vijay Prashad Warns Biden Is Doubling Down on Trumps Anti-China Cold War Policy - Democracy Now! - Air Date 3-16-21

Beijing has accused the U.S. of perpetuating a Cold War mentality as President Joe Biden and senior administration officials shore up alliances in the Pacific region to counter China’s growing influence

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Industrial Policy: How the Green New Deal's Architects Would Do IP - ChinaTalk - Air Date 5-13-21

Saikat and Zack take us inside the creation of the Green New Deal, lay out how bold leadership can change a nation's economic trajectory, lament Democrats' lukewarm appetite for industrial policy, and offer up their vision for a American developmental

Ch. 8: What the West Can and Cannot Learn from China - Economics & Beyond with Rob Johnson - Air Date 2-8-21

Rodney Jones, a long-time Asia analyst, colleague of Rob Johnson's, and currently Principal of Wigram Capital Advisors in New Zealand, discusses how China and other Pacific Rim countries succeeded in containing the Covid-19 pandemic

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Don't forget all the work that goes into the show - Nick From California

Ch. 10: #1358 and explaining the systems of power - Quai from North Carolina

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the Center for Humane Technology as a response to Surveillance Capitalism

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A Chinese flag waves just above an American flag in front of a background of trees.

Image Credit: "American and Chinese flags" by futureatlas.com | Flickr

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss:

- The native residential schools

- Dave from Olympia's personality

- Disney's nefarious scheme to lure customers by being fully accessible

- Broken health insurance exchanges

- Health insurance company meddling

- Health insurance companies using surveillance capitalism

- Feeble efforts to resist commodification

References (Affiliate links):

How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy

https://bookshop.org/a/13356/9781612198552

The Lonely Century: How to Restore Human Connection in a World That's Pulling Apart

https://bookshop.org/a/13356/9780593135839

Hear summaries of these books on Blinkist

https://blinkist.o6eiov.net/Lz71M

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

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Today we take a look at the world of surveillance capitalism and the current age of techno-optimism that is just the newest iteration of the age-old effort to consolidate power and wealth by undermining individual freedom and democratic self governance.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Surveillance Capitalism: Shoshana Zuboff Part 1 - Future Hindsight - Air Date 7-16-20

Shoshana Zuboff discusses a world in which technology users are neither customers, employees, nor products. Instead, the raw material for new procedures of manufacturing and sales that define an entirely new economic order: a surveillance economy.

Ch. 2: Sharon Weinberger: Inside the massive (and unregulated) world of surveillance tech - TEDTalks - Air Date 12-1-20

From microscopic "smart dust" tracking devices to DNA-tracing tech and advanced facial recognition software, journalist Sharon Weinberger leads a hair-raising tour through the global, unregulated bazaar of privatized mass surveillance.

Ch. 3: Surveillance Capitalism: Shoshana Zuboff Part 2 - Future Hindsight - Air Date 7-16-20

Shoshana Zuboff discusses a world in which technology users are neither customers, employees, nor products. Instead, the raw material for new procedures of manufacturing and sales that define an entirely new economic order: a surveillance economy.

Ch. 4: Alexa, What's Amazon Doing Inside My Home? - Land of the Giants - Air Date 7-30-19

What’s the downside to letting Alexa run your entire home? And why is Amazon making a microwave oven powered by Alexa?

Ch. 5: Surveillance Capitalism: Shoshana Zuboff Part 3 - Future Hindsight - Air Date 7-16-20

Shoshana Zuboff discusses a world in which technology users are neither customers, employees, nor products. Instead, the raw material for new procedures of manufacturing and sales that define an entirely new economic order: a surveillance economy.

Ch. 6: That Time Disney Built a Creepy Government - Wisecrack - Air Date 1-15-21

Disney World is beloved all over the globe for the pure escapism it offers. But the story behind this fantasy world is a lot weirder, and a whole lot less magical than it might seem.

Ch. 7: Uh-Oh, Nevada Wants To Let Corporations Form Their Own Governments - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - Air Date 3-4-21

In Stephen's unfortunate new segment "Uh-Oh," he takes a look at the dangers posed by a Nevada bill that would allow big tech companies to build and govern their own cities without state oversight. What could go wrong?

Ch. 8: What data and digitalisation could mean for your democratic future with Shoshana Zuboff - OECD - Air Date 12-19-20

What does the digital acceleration in this pandemic mean for our future? Shoshana Zuboff spoke with Anthony Gooch.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Steve Durbin — Identity Is Weaponized - ISF Podcast - Air Date 3-29-21

ISF CEO Steve Durbin and producer Tavia Gilbert discuss the ISF’s latest report, Threat Horizon 2023: Security at a Tipping Point. Today, we dig deeper into the report’s second threat: Identity is weaponised.

Ch. 10: Rana Foroohar: The Surveillance Economy - New Economic Thinking - Air Date 8-22-20

Financial Times columnist Rana Foroohar talks to Rob Johnson about how the pandemic opens the door to more surveillance technology from Silicon Valley, but also to a growing consensus on reigning in Wall Street excess.

BONUS:

Ch. 11: Curation Lesson #2: Alternative option explained

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 12: Mere aggregation - Diana

Ch. 13: Use It or Lose It copyrights - Jonathan from Florida

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments to say thanks

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Close-up of a single human eye with the faded pattern impression of a microchip around the edges.

Credit: Spying eye | Pixabay

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Today we take a look at the ways in which Christians are being rallied to see themselves as the true victimized minority in America, a key component to stoking right-wing nationalism

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Rise of the Christian Taliban - The Intercept with Mehdi Hasan - Air Date 6-20-18

Mehdi Hasan is here to warn you about a growing threat to the laws and values of the United States from a group of religious extremists and fanatics.

Ch. 2: Reverse Discrimination Isn't A Thing - Boom! Lawyered - Air Date 4-11-19

The religious right claims reverse discrimination in that they are being unfairly required to exist in the same world as trans people

Ch. 3: Is Mike Pence Christian? - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 4-15-19

Mike Pence argues that to be a Christian one must discriminate against gay people, prevent women from getting abortions or birth control, support tearing refugee children from their parents and prevent the working poor from having access to healthcare.

Ch. 4: Mike Pence Whines Over How Hard It Is To Be Christian - The Majority Report with Sam Seder - Air Date 5-18-19

Mike Pence insists that it's the Christians who are being discriminated against.

Ch. 5: Educating and Engaging with Lyra McKee - This Way Out - Air Date 4-29-19

Lyra McKee (full TEDx talk) shares her experiences transforming lives with conversations in religious spaces

Ch. 6: Master Plan to Dismantle LGBTQ Rights - Boom! Lawyered - Air Date 4-25-19

What are the LGBTQ cases heading to the Supreme Court? It's 2019 and people can be fired for not adhering to heteronormative gender ideas. Corporate, Christian, Conservative resistance is damaging and disgusting.

Ch. 7: House Passes the Equality Act - This Way Out - Air Date 5-20-19

The House passes the Equality Act in an effort to stop LGBTQ discrimination and ensuring their freedoms. GOP is pushing back with the fallacious idea that white Christians are being discriminated against.

Ch. 8: Demand the Senate Pass the Equality Act & Protect Trans Health Rights - Best of the Left Activism

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

Ch. 9: Speaker Ryan Firing Chaplain is True Attack on Religious Liberty with Dr. Reverend Barber and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 5-1-18

Republicans are always claiming that everything progressives do is an attack on religious liberty, even sometimes just existing by some people is seen as an attack on "religious freedom'... in the meantime, Republican speaker Paul Ryan fires a religious leader fires a Chaplain over politics?

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: From depression to anxiety - Corey from New Jersey

Ch. 11: Prisoners dilemma and the presidential election - Heather

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the overthinking many do during primary elections

TAKE ACTION!

Tell the Senate to Pass the Equality Act

Protect Trans Health: Comment on Trump’s Discriminatory Rule

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

7 maps show the mess LGBT laws are in the USA (USA Today)

The Senate should stand up for all Americans and pass the Equality Act (Rep. Patrick Maloney in The Hill)

A History of Federal Non-Discrimination Legislation (93rd - 114th Congress) (Human Rights Campaign)

Why Trump Is Rolling Back LGBTQ Health-Care Protections (The Atlantic)

The Trump Administration Will Allow Health Workers To Refuse Abortion And Sex Reassignment Services (Buzzfeed)

Black Trans Women Are Being Murdered in the Streets. Now the Trump Administration Wants to Turn Us Away From Shelters and Health Care. (ACLU)

Researched & written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Entrap - Darby
• Quaver - Codebreaker
• Astrisx - Bodytonic
• Dirtbike Lovers - Desert Orchard
• Eventual Victory - Codebreaker
• Gusty Hollow - Migration
• Minutes - Pacha Faro
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we take a look through a wide-angle lens at the current flareup of the conflict in Israel and Palestine including a discussion of disparate power dynamics, lived experience in Palestine, the creation story of Hamas, understanding the definition of apartheid and recognizing how the reactions in American politics and media are shifting.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Michael Brooks takes a question on Israel - The Mill Series - Air Date 3-9-20

The Mill Series hosted Michael Brooks at Lafayette College on Thurs Feb 27, 2020.

Ch. 2: Life and Death in Occupied Palestine - Deconstructed - Air Date 5-21-21

On May 7, Israeli police raided the Al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem during the evening prayer. Hamas responded a few days later by launching rockets from Gaza into Israel. Israel retaliated with its own strikes, and the violence escalated.

Ch. 3: Blowback: How Israel Helped Create Hamas - The Intercept - Air Date 2-20-18

Did you also know that Hamas — which is an Arabic acronym for “Islamic Resistance Movement” — would probably not exist today were it not for the Jewish state?

Ch. 4: Is Israel Guilty Of Apartheid Against Palestinians - AJ+ - Air Date 5-14-21

Although it’s most famously associated with the white supremacist regime that used to rule South Africa, apartheid is actually a crime with specific conditions. In this explainer, we look at what those conditions are and whether they truly apply to Israel

Ch. 5: Focus on Palestine feat. Mohammad Alsaafin - Chapo Trap House - Air Date 5-20-21

Felix is joined by journalist for AJ+ Mohammad Alsaafin for a wide ranging discussion on Palestinian resistance and the future of Zionism and the Palestinian cause.

Ch. 6: Heather Digby Parton on why the reaction to Israel is different this time - Ring of Fire Radio - Air Date 5-21-21

Heather Digby Parton will be here to run down the biggest stories of the week.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Debunking Israel's Human Shield Defense in Gaza Massacre - Empire Files - Air Date 5-19-21

Abby Martin gives 5 points that evaporate Israel's assertion that the civilians it kills in Gaza were "human shields."

Ch. 8: The U.S. Media Has A Palestine Problem - AJ+ - Air Date 5-22-21

Israeli occupation of Palestine tends to be a touchy subject for news media, so much so that they break journalistic standards and writing etiquette just to avoid implicating one party another

BONUS

Ch. 9: Curation Lesson #1: Definitions

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments playing a logical deduction guessing game in celebration of Towel Day

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Today we take a look at the global struggle to acquire and distribute sufficient doses of vaccine in an effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not going as well as one might hope.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Pandemic Immunoprivilege - In The Thick - Air Date 4-27-21

Ranna Ayyub writes for Time Magazine about the COVID-19 crisis in India and the Prime Minister’s failure to lead during this second wave.

Ch. 2: We're Torn Apart: Inside India's Worsening COVID Nightmare - The Mother Jones Podcast - Air Date 5-12-21

Dean Baker, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, joined host Jamilah King on the podcast to talk about the impact this decision could have on bringing the pandemic to an end.

Ch. 3: Filipino Activist Walden Bello Global Vaccine Disparity Shows Irrationality of Global Capitalism - Democracy Now! - Air Date 5-5-21

The international disparity in vaccine access between rich and low-income countries highlights “the irrationality of global capitalism,” says acclaimed Filipino scholar and activist Walden Bello.

Ch. 4: Media Ramps Up Vaccine Patent Propaganda Production - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 5-8-21

Refuting the hollow arguments made by the likes of Bloomberg News against waiving the vaccine patents.

Ch. 5: #VaxLive is a PR Scam So Those Causing Vaccine Inequity Can Pose as Saviors of Global Poor - Citations Needed - Air Date 4-30-21

We breakdown the anti-TRIPS waiver corporate and ideological forces behind the seemingly good-hearted #VaxLive concert on May 8th.

Ch. 6: Covid Vaccines - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 5-3-21

John Oliver explains why some people don’t want to get the Covid-19 vaccine and how they might be reassured.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: James Love on Bill Gates & Vaccine Politics - CounterSpin - Air Date 5-7-21

How we navigate that has to do with media’s elevation of “experts” like Bill Gates raise serious questions about why we allow billionaires to set policy on something as important as public health. We talk about that with James Love.

Ch. 8: #VaxLive is a PR Scam So Those Causing Vaccine Inequity Can Pose as Saviors of Global Poor Part 2 - Citations Needed - Air Date 4-30-21

Ch. 9: Pandemic Immunoprivilege Part 2 - In The Thick - Air Date 4-27-21

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 10: Disney IP and copyright law - Nick From California

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on our recent bonus episode about surveillance capitalism

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss:

- The religious proclivities of engineers 

- Feedback to the live event we hosted

- The facts about what humans really are

- The way manipulative technology platforms create the sensation of control while actually taking it away

- The psychological pain of waking up to the fact that the world is too complicated to understand

- The humanity that is lost in the process of trying to protect our privacy

- And the only way forward

References:

Krisp: Speech-filtering software (Affiliate Link)

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff (Affiliate Link)

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Today we take a look at the potential of the end of American involvement in the war in Afghanistan as well as some of our recent actions related to Yemen and Syria as well as our relationship with Saudi Arabia.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Will Biden End the U.S. "Forever War" in Afghanistan? - Breaking the Sound Barrier by Amy Goodman - Air Date 4-15-21

President Biden announced a complete troop withdrawal from what he called the “forever war” in Afghanistan, by September 11th. “Only the Afghans have the right and responsibility to lead their country,” Biden said from the White House.

Ch. 2: America is finally leaving Afghanistan - Worldly - Air Date 4-15-21

Zack, Jenn, and Alex talk about President Joe Biden’s announcement that all remaining US troops will withdraw from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021 — the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that launched the war.

Ch. 3: Let's End the War in Yemen - Deconstructed - Air Date 2-12-21

In his first significant foreign policy announcement since taking office, President Biden broke with both former presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama and declared an end to U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

Ch. 4: A Crisis Made in America Yemen on Brink of Famine After U.S. Cuts Aid While Fueling War - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-17-20

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is deepening amid the pandemic and cuts to international aid from the United States and its allies, leaving millions of Yemenis facing famine after years of a brutal U.S.-backed, Saudi-led bombing campaign

Ch. 5: Biden Bombs Syria - Empire Has No Clothes - Air Date 3-17-21

This week on Empire Has No Clothes, Kelley, Dan, and Matt discussed Joe Biden's decision to bomb Syria and what it means for his foreign policy going forward. We also talked with David Sterman of New America about what it means to have an endless war.

Ch. 6: The Art of Fake-Ending Wars - Citations Needed - Air Date 4-14-21

In this episode, we discuss the United States' history of fake-ending wars, who these pronouncements are meant to please, why troops levels are often impossible to know, and why so many of our so-called "wars" are not really wars at all, but occupations

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 7: Joe Biden's War Powers - Intercepted - Air Date 4-28-21

If you went back and looked at every foreign policy decision Joe Biden made — every single one — would you be any closer to understanding him?

Ch. 8: Samantha Nutt: The real harm of the global arms trade - TEDTalks - Air Date 6-23-16

In some parts of the world, it's easier to get an automatic rifle than a glass of clean drinking water. Is this just the way it is? Samantha Nutt, doctor and founder of the international humanitarian organization War Child, explores the global arms trade

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Disney, racism and capitalism - Sasha

Ch. 10: Recommending "Somebody" podcast for example of DARVO - Pat from Chicago

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on DARVO from the police in the Somebody podcast

Bonus clip: Somebody

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Systems maintain themselves through the efforts of many moving parts that need not understand their roles in maintaining the system as a whole, only their specialized task. Today, I use a case study incident to show how the system of racism defends itself against attack. Many separate parts, none of which understand how their individual actions connect to the larger system, work in complicated yet predictable ways to carry out this defense of racism much like the many specialized antibodies of an immune system work together to isolate and eradicate threats to the host.

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Transcript

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Introduction to the story of a story

Ch. 2: Yascha Mounk on antiracism in America - The Good Fight - Air Date 7-10-20

Ch. 3: Jay explains the fraught nature of interracial relationships

Ch. 4: Introducing the Education Council Meeting incident - The Good Fight - Air Date 7-10-20

Ch. 5: Edward Irizarry speaks about the privilege and racial dynamics of the council

Ch. 6: Explaining DARVO: Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender

Ch. 7: Robin Brochi responds to Edward

Ch. 8: Tom demands to know what’s racist about holding a brown baby

Ch. 9: Additional input from other council members

Ch. 10: The story of the story

Ch. 11: Recap and wrap up

Original meeting video: CEC D2 Working Business Meeting June 29, 2020

16:55 - Edward Irizarry Speech

22:50 - Robin Brochi's Apology

26:25 - Tom Wrocklage asks what about his actions were racist

39:20 - Beginning of segment that is ultimately clipped out of context

Tom's I-have-a-black-friend video: My friend from my living room on the June 11th CECD2 meeting

Tucker Carlson on 'White Fragility'

Tucker Carlson segment mentioning CEC Meeting incident

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Theme - The Good Fight podcast
• Opener - American Moon Bicycle
• Waltz and Fury - Macrame
• Rafter - Speakeasy
• When We Set Out - Arc and Crecent
• Thannoid - Bodytonic
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Support the show via Patreon

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | +more

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Today, I am joined by Dr. Roger Ray to discuss:

- A diagnosis of why losing community is so detrimental to mental health

- How the political fractures exacerbate shrinking communities

- Plus listener questions

References:

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff (Affiliate Link)

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Today we take a look at the culture that Disney has helped create and how they did it, using cuteness as a weapon to push ideas from racist stereotypes and segregation to the masterful use of hollow nods toward progressivism while reinforcing the ethics of individualism in order to give systemic injustice a pass.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Racial Politics of Disney Animals Part 1 - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date 8-28-15

Scholar, writer, and activist Walidah Imarisha is someone who’s been thinking hard about what stories Disney tells and why. She teaches a class on race and Disney films at Portland State University.

Ch. 2: 40 Acres and a Movie - Still Processing - Air Date 4-8-21

Disney owns a piece of every living person’s childhood. Now it owns Marvel Studios, too. Jenna and Wesley look at depictions of racist tropes and stereotypes in Disney’s ever-expanding catalog. The company has made recent attempts to atone for its past.

Ch. 3: The Racial Politics of Disney Animals Part 2 - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date 8-28-15

Ch. 4: Woke Disney - Lindsay Ellis - Air Date 9-30-21

Nodding to progressive ideas while just proping up capitalism is just marketing.

Ch. 5: Disneyfication of American History - American Hysteria - Air Date 1-25-21

Disney has been presenting a fairytale reality within a reality since the 1920s, a far cuter reality that mimics our reality until reality is no longer reality at all. Make sense?

Ch. 6: How Disney Ruined Culture - Wisecrack - Air Date 11-9-20

It's no surprise that Disney has an absolute stranglehold on the culture we consume today. But the joys of the Magic Kingdom aside, what if it's actually kind of really bad for art? We'll explain in this Wisecrack Edition: How Disney Ruined Culture.

Ch. 7: The (Not So) Wonderful World of Disney - It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders - Air Date 2-16-18

Sam talks to filmmaker and activist Abigail Disney, daughter of Roy E. Disney, about her views on inequality in the U.S., corporate greed and why, despite her last name, she's become one of the more vocal and prominent critics of The Walt Disney empire.

Ch. 8: DED Talks: Why Walt Disney is Nothing Like You Think He Was - Cracked - Air Date 1-19-15

Disney tell's his story

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Disneyfication Of Cuteness - American Hysteria - Air Date 1-25-21

Disney has been presenting a fairytale reality within a reality since the 1920s, a far cuter reality that mimics our reality until reality is no longer reality at all. Make sense?

Ch. 10: Copyright: Why We Can't Have Nice Things - Wisecrack - Air Date 4-23-21

This video, like everything else in the world, is copyrighted. But what does that really mean? Copyright laws started out as a way to protect creators from having their hard work stolen, but it's turned into something else entirely.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: Ableism in the show - Alyson from Colorado

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on Woke Disney and Ableist language

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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Today we take a look briefly at the trial of Derek Chauvin itself before moving on to various responses, a wide-angle lens on some of the forces at play in policing and the work still to be done.

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Chauvin Found Guilty on All Counts - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 4-21-21

Introducing the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin

Ch. 2: Chauvin Guilty - Criminal (In)justice - Air Date 4-22-21

A Minneapolis jury has found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three counts in the murder of George Floyd. What does it mean for criminal justice reform?

Ch. 3: Black Visions Collective: We Need to Abolish the Police & End Militarized Occupations of Our Cites - Democracy Now! - Air Date 4-21-21

We go to Minneapolis to speak with Kandace Montgomery, co-executive director of Black Visions Collective, about their response to the guilty verdict for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd.

Ch. 4: Chauvin's Conviction Wasn't An End But A Beginning - The Majority Report w Sam Seder - Air Date 4-25-21

Staff writer for The New Republic, Osita Nwanevu, joins the show to share his thoughts on the conviction of Derek Chauvin. Sam Seder and the Majority Report crew discuss this.

Ch. 5: What have we learned - Dr. Roger Ray Part 1 - Progressive Faith Sermons - Air Date 4-25-21

While we want to show respect and support for public servants generally, such respect must also be met, especially now, with a willingness to question authority and to challenge the racism and classism that is so deeply embedded in policing.

Ch. 6: Live Event Announcement

Join Jay and Roger Ray in a live discussion on

Ch. 7: Why Cops Don't Change - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 4-19-21

A retired NYPD detective says the force’s stubborn, insular culture was built to last. And Elie Mystal explains a 1989 Supreme Court ruling that made killing “reasonable.”

Ch. 8: What have we learned - Dr. Roger Ray Part 2 - Progressive Faith Sermons - Air Date 4-25-21

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Why Cops Don't Change Part 2 - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 4-19-21

Ch. 10: The Work That Remains in the Wake of Guilty Verdict for Derek Chauvin - The Takeaway - Air Date 4-28-21

The guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin came as a relief to many nationwide, but the number of people killed by police since his trial began underscores the broader issues that remain.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: A rant for Patrons - Andy from New Orleans

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the business of progressive media

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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Get the full episode: bestoftheleft.com/support

Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss:

00:00:00 #NotAllEngineers
00:08:31 Hoping to remake the culture with the power of government is optimistic
00:23:53 Corporate virtue signaling while upholding the status quo injustice
00:43:56 Gender and fish are bullshit
01:03:04 Who put the T into LGBTQ?
01:27:04 Addendum: just don’t make me think, I have to get to work.

References:
On Tyranny - Timothy Snyder

Red Bull, Elon Musk, and Matt Gaetz - The Bulwark

Brooke speaks with Lulu Miller about her new book, "Why Fish Don't Exist"

Billy Bragg - Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted

Commentary: I love Disney World, but wokeness is ruining the experience

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!
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Today we take a look at the long history and motivations for voter suppression, explain why it tends to help one party over the other and why vote-by-mail is the best solution to the majority of our voting problems.

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

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Jay explains that voter suppression is like pointillism in that it can only be understood by taking a wide enough view

Ch. 2: Why Do We Still Wait in Line to Vote? Part 1 - The Other Washington from @civicskunkworks - Air Date 5-18-17

Ch. 3: The pointillism of voter suppression (continued)

Ch. 4: Victoria Bassetti of the Brennan Center on the myth of widespread voter fraud - @DecodeDC - Air Date 10-20-16

Ch. 5: @AriBerman: Kris Kobach Is Helping Trump Lay Groundwork for Nationwide Voter Suppression Effort - @DemocracyNow - Air Date: 07-05-17

Ch. 6: Voter ID Suppressed 200,000 Wisconsin Votes; Trump Won by 22,748 - @DavidPakmanShow - Air Date: 05-11-17

Ch. 7: Carol Anderson on the Realities of Voter Suppression - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 9-12-18

Ch. 8: Why Do We Still Wait in Line to Vote? Part 2 - The Other Washington from @civicskunkworks - Air Date 5-18-17

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments

TAKE ACTION!

Know Your Voting Rights & Make a Plan (ACLU)

Let People Vote - State-by-State Rules & Options (ACLU)

Volunteer for a 2020 Voter Protection Team (FairFight)

Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

"December 10 March for Voting Rights" by Michael Fleshman |Changes: cropped | License

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Today we take a look at the major infrastructure investment plan proposed by the Biden administration, progressive perspectives arguing to make it better and the need to democratize the institutions that constitute our infrastructure.

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

Transcript

**REGISTER FOR OUR LIVE EVENT! Join Jay! & Dr. Roger Ray on May 10th @ 8pm ET for a Progressive Colloquy!**

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The American Prospect's David Dayen on Biden's new American Jobs Plan - The Bradcast - Air Date 3-31-21

Financial journalist and Exec Editor of The American Prospect, DAVID DAYEN, on Biden's infrastructure and public investment bill, how it will be funded, how it addresses economic inequality and the US social welfare infrastructure, what to expect next.

Ch. 2: An Infrastructure Plan That Includes Unions, Climate and Economic Balance - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 4-1-21

Megan Cassella, Politico reporter covering Biden administration economic policy, talks about the big infrastructure proposal from President Biden.

Ch. 3: Is America big enough to Go Big again? - Jim Hightower's Radio Lowdown - Air Date 4-13-21

It’s time for America to go back to the future – a future of true greatness created by a people united to build a strong nation for the Common Good.

Ch. 4: Infrastructure, mobilization, survival w/ Laleh Khalili - This Is Hell! - Air Date 4-14-21

Political scientist Laleh Khalili on her article "Apocalyptic Infrastructures" for Noēma Magazine.

Ch. 5: Infrastructure, Jobs, and More - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 4-5-21

Catherine Rampell, syndicated opinion columnist at The Washington Post, political/economic commentator at CNN and special correspondent at PBS NewsHour, runs through the latest in national politics and news.

Ch. 6: Ernesto Falcon on Internet for All, Alexander Kaufman on Future-Proofed Housing Codes - CounterSpin - Air Date 3-19-21

We’ll hear about the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act (AAIA) from Ernesto Falcon, senior legislative counsel at Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Ch. 7: Live Event Announcement

Ch. 8: Workers Successfully Take Over their Workplaces - Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff - Air Date 4-15-21

On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses how the US home rental market is failing over 20% of all renters, and the basic flaws in Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure proposal.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: The American Prospect's David Dayen on Biden's new American Jobs Plan Part 2 - The Bradcast - Air Date 3-31-21

Financial journalist and Exec Editor of The American Prospect, DAVID DAYEN, on Biden's infrastructure and public investment bill, how it will be funded, how it addresses economic inequality and the US social welfare infrastructure, what to expect next.

Ch. 10: Infrastructure, mobilization, survival w/ Laleh Khalili Part 2 - This Is Hell! - Air Date 4-14-21

Political scientist Laleh Khalili on her article "Apocalyptic Infrastructures" for Noēma Magazine.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: Further thoughts on public welfare programs - Craig from Ohio

Ch. 12: More thoughts U.S. complicity - Jonathan from New York

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 13: Final comments on the new propaganda paradigm leading the charge at Fox News

Bonus clip: THE QUESTION MARK - THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART - Air Date 9-13-06

Bonus clip: Tucker Carlson Jeopardy - The Daily Social Distancing Show - Air Date 2-15-21

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE

Description: Worker in a hard hat installing fiber optiic internet cable lines from a giant spool into a concrete hole in the ground.

Credit: "SRNL Fiber Optic Cable Installation" by Savannah River Site, Flickr | License

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we take a look at the insurrection and police violence through the lens of White Supremacy and the rise of the likes of Tucker Carlson who has become the leading spokesman for laundering White Supremacist talking points through a marginally respectable facade.

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

Transcript

**REGISTER FOR OUR LIVE EVENT! Join Jay! & Dr. Roger Ray on May 10th @ 8pm ET for a Progressive Colloquy!**

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Ted Cruz and friends want to use government power to punish "woke" baseball - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 4-14-21

"It is very hard not to see some fundamental contradictions in how our country, the state, wields force against its citizens," says Chris Hayes, comparing police responses in Black Lives Matter protests and the Capitol riot.

Ch. 2: Black, White, and Blue - Progressive Faith Sermons - Air Date 4-18-21

While many are uncomfortable with calling for defunding the police, there is no way around the need for massive reform of our nation’s police force (and military) to root out the systemic racism that makes encounters between white police and black citizen

Ch. 3: Tucker Carlson - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 3-15-21

Tucker Carlson is admired by white nationalists, elected officials, and maybe some of your relatives or coworkers. Given that he has the ear of so many Americans, John Oliver explains where Tucker came from and what his rhetorical tactics are

Ch. 4: Where Are the Good Apples Among America's Police? - The Daily Show with Trevor Noah - Air Date 4-16-21

Trevor reflects on the ever-present occurrence of deadly police violence against Black people in the U.S. and the seeming lack of cops willing to rise up and take a stand against it.

Ch. 5: Did Tucker Carlson Order Insurrection - The Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 3-26-21

The last broadcaster to suggested something like this against the United States government, was Axis Sally. Worse it was all based on a lie that you might believe about the second amendment.

Ch. 6: Hard-Right Republicans Form Caucus To Protect Anglo-Saxon Political Traditions - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 4-16-21

According to reports, a group of House Republicans including Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Green and Arizona's Paul Gosar are forming an "America First Caucus" to protect "Anglo-Saxon political traditions."

Ch. 7: Tucker Carlson Doubles Down on White Supremacist 'Great Replacement' Theory - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 4-13-21

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

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Arrest The Police - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 4-16-21

Jared and Nick have a frank discussion on policing in America in the wake of the Adam Toledo shooting in Chicago. Plus, they dissect what it is the Republicans are embracing considering the usual tropes don't seem to hold as much weight anymore.

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments

TAKE ACTION!

If you pay for cable, you are supporting Fox News:

UnFoxMyCableBox via Media Matters

Tell Congress: I Won't Pay for Hate via Free Press

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

If you have cable, you are subsidizing Fox News. It might be time to cut the cord. Here's how (Daily Kos)

‘Fox News cheats’: Twitter explains how you pay Fox even if you don’t watch it—and how you can stop (Front Page Live)

Fox News Foes Face Uphill Fight to Get Cable Network Dropped (Bloomberg)

Tweet from Sleeping Giants on Carlson's lack of advertisers (Sleeping Giants)

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: An artist's rendering of Fox New's host Tucker Carlson, with knitted brows, wearing a Klu Klux Klan robe and hood and pointing straight ahead. The background is a Confederate flag.

Credit: "Tukkker" by Paul Lee, Flickr | Public Domain

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we take a look at the surge of anti-trans legislation coming from Republican-controlled state legislatures. Being concerned that suppressing voter turnout by targeting Black and Brown voters may not be enough to keep them in power, they are resorting to targeting another vulnerable population in the next of their infinite series of attempts to create a wedge issue by pitting people's lives and wellbeing against the prejudices of their constituents.

We also examine the harm being inflicted on trans people, the trans-exclusionary Radical Feminists who have partnered with conservative coalitions to limit trans rights and briefly explore the world of sex-segregated athletics.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Problem with the Focus on the Family - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 4-9-21

We talk Sophie Bjork-James' book, the Divine Institution, to demonstrate how Evangelicals use the nuclear family in order to both attack members of the LGBTQ+ community and detract away from systemic issues related to race and other Public Health issues.

Ch. 2: Debunking Myths About Trans People Part 1 - The Majority Report w Sam Seder - Air Date 4-10-21

Caller clarifies misinformation of data regarding trans identified youth vs youth referred to gender clinics.

Ch. 3: Trans Day of Visibility Activists Chase Strangio & Raquel Willis Demand Action on Anti-Trans Laws - Democracy Now! - Air Date 3-31-21

“We are truly witnessing an escalation of attacks on trans people unlike anything I’ve ever seen in government,” says Chase Strangio. We also speak with journalist and activist Raquel Willis, who says higher visibility for trans people is not enough.

Ch. 4: As Anti-Trans Bills Advance, Trans Journalists Weigh In On 'Privilege' Of Reporting - Consider This from NPR - Air Date 4-9-21

Dr. Joshua Safer, the executive director at Mount Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, explains why gender-affirming therapies — such as puberty blockers or hormone treatment — are safe and healthy for trans youth.

Ch. 5: Debunking Myths About Trans People Part 2 - The Majority Report w Sam Seder - Air Date 4-10-21

Ch. 6: A National Wave of Anti-Trans Bills Part 1 - What Next | Daily News and Analysis - Air Date 3-3-21

The coordinated flood of legislation isn’t new. But now, it’s targeting kids.

Ch. 7: Activism: Tell the Senate to Pass the #EqualityAct to Protect LGBTQ+ Rights, and More - Best of the Left - Air Date 4-17-21

Ch. 8: The "radical feminists" working against trans rights - Post Reports - Air Date 2-26-20

Samantha Schmidt on a strain of feminism that rejects the existence of transgender identity.

Ch. 9: A National Wave of Anti-Trans Bills Part 2 - What Next | Daily News and Analysis - Air Date 3-3-21

Ch. 10: Hudson Taylor: How Rethinking Sex-Segregation in Sports is the Key to Equality - TEDx Talks - Air Date 10-27-16

Hudson Taylor's talk offers the following thesis: If we are to end homophobia and trans-phobia in the world of sports (and in the world at large), we must end sexism and gender stereotyping in sports first.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 11: As Anti-Trans Bills Advance, Trans Journalists Weigh In On 'Privilege' Of Reporting Part 2 - Consider This from NPR - Air Date 4-9-21

Misconceptions about trans people can be shaped by who tells their stories. Three trans journalists weigh in on how that should be done: Imara Jones - creator of TransLash Media, Kate Sosin - reporter at The 19th, Orion Rummler reporter at Axios.

Ch. 12: The Problem with the Focus on the Family Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 4-9-21

We talk Sophie Bjork-James' book, the Divine Institution, to demonstrate how Evangelicals use the nuclear family in order to both attack members of the LGBTQ+ community and detract away from systemic issues related to race and other Public Health issues.

Ch. 13: Archie Crowley: Language around gender and identity evolves (and always has) - TED Talks Daily - Air Date 3-31-21

Sociolinguist Archie Crowley deconstructs three common myths around language, demonstrating how it's a fluid system that naturally evolves in the direction of inclusion.

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 14: Final comments on the messy nature of reality

TAKE ACTION

PasstheEqualityAct.com: *Lobby Day April 21st & #EqualityTime Phone Banking*

Learn about end-the-filibuster pressure campaigns in BOTL Episode #1411

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

What You Need To Know About the Equality Act (Center for American Progress)

Why the Equality Act Is So Important (Rolling Stone)

Beautiful, sacred and powerful: Inside the roller coaster fight for trans kids in Arkansas (Reckon South)

The Roots of Anti-Trans Violence - Report (Transgender Law Center)

This record-breaking year for anti-transgender legislation would affect minors the most (CNN)

New poll shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose anti-transgender laws (PBS)

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Protest sign that says "TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS" with two Trans Pride flags on either side of the word "ARE."

Credit: "Trans Rights are Human Rights" by Marc Nozell, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, blurred edges to wide image

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we take a look at the one element of our government that, above all others, has contributed to the absolute disfunction of our democracy. The filibuster was never intended by the founders, always anti-democratic, often used for racist ends and is now being abused at a rate never before seen.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Filibuster - Last Week Tonight - Air Date 9-9-19

John Oliver explains why filibusters exist, why they shouldn't, and why it's stupid to drink coffee like a cat.

Ch. 2: End the Filibuster: Calls Grow to Retire Relic of Slavery & Jim Crow to Make Senate More Democratic - Democracy Now! Air Date 1-25-21 New

President Joe Biden has promised swift action on the pandemic, the economic crisis and more, but much of his agenda hinges on whether he can get enough support in the Senate.

Ch. 3: Count How Many Lies Mitch McConnell Spews In This 1 Minute Clip - The Majority Report - Air Date 3-24-21

Mitch McConnell is on a warpath, and he's getting all his favorite lies lined up. Sam Seder and the Majority Report crew discuss this.

Ch. 4: Will Democrats Finally Kill the Filibuster Once and for All - The Mehdi Hasan Show - Air Date 1-21-21

Adam Jentleson, who served as a former senior aide to Sen. Harry Reid, joins Mehdi Hasan to explain the history of the filibuster and how, according to Jentleson, it helps conservatives override the nation's democratic system.

Ch. 5: Is Filibuster Reform Mitch McConnell's 'Kryptonite?' - Zerlina. - Air Date 3-16-21

Rep. John Yarmuth thinks so. He explains to Zerlina Maxwell why the rule is so important to the Senate Minority Leader, and why McConnell is “scared to death” about the possibility that Democrats will abolish it.

Ch. 6: What Is Manchin's Real Agenda w/ David Sirota - The Majority Report - Air Date 4-11-21

David Sirota explains the motivations and unseen pressures playing on Joe Manchin as he continuously pivots his position on the filibuster.

Ch. 7: Activism: Support No Excuses PAC and W.V. Cant Wait - Best of the Left - 4-14-21

Ch. 8: Now Is the Time to End the Filibuster - Breaking the Sound Barrier by Amy Goodman - Air Date 3-18-21

Amy Goodman gives a commentary explaining the need to end the filibuster.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: 'What Are We Waiting For?': Why Filibuster Reform Should Happen Sooner Than Later - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 3-19-21

Adam Jentleson, former deputy chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, talks with Rachel Maddow about why it's a good idea for Senate Democrats to reform the filibuster and pass popular legislation

Ch. 10: Reid Calls for Filibuster Reform to End Gridlock - Nevada Senator Harry Reid - Air Date 11-22-13

On the Senate floor, Senator Reid laid out why we need to reform the rules to ensure qualified presidential nominees get up-or-down votes.

Ch. 11: What Is Manchin's Real Agenda w/ David Sirota Part 2 - The Majority Report - Air Date 4-11-21

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 12: Wading into the discussion on the child tax credit - Dave from Olympia, WA

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 13: Final comments on racism and population

TAKE ACTION!

No Excuses PAC

WV Can't Wait

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

Parliamentarian Rules Democrats Can Officially Bypass the Filibuster (Truthout)

Inside the West Virginian Movement to Push Joe Manchin to the Left (The New Republic)

Progressive PAC kick-starts search for challengers to Manchin, Sinema (Politico)

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Cartoon version of Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell holding a chart that says "Republican Filibusters." The horizontal bar graph below the title shows an X axis starting with "88th term 1963-64" and ending with "110th term 2007-2008." The bar values range from 3 at the beginning of the time-line to "153 Projected for end of term" at the end.

Credits: "Mitch McConnell, Filibuster King" by DonkeyHotey, Flickr | License | Changes: Increased white background to make vertical image square, smudged existing shadow to extend farther, dark blue border added

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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Today we take a look at the need for a modern assessment of the corporate monopolies who dominate our online and offline experiences, including seeing the negative consequences of monopolies through a racial justice lens.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Big Tech and a Decade of Antitrust with Cory Doctorow Part 1 - Exponential View with Azeem Azhar - Air Date 1-6-21

Cory Doctorow, award-winning author, technologist, and founder, joins Azeem Azhar to explore the power of big tech monopolies and how a future wave of antitrust lawsuits could unleash innovation across the sector.

Ch. 2: Google and the use and abuse of economic modeling - Follow The Money - Air Date 2-16-21

In this week's episode we unpack what the code is, what it does, why it's necessary and what happens next with Director of the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology, Peter Lewis.

Ch. 3: Big Tech and a Decade of Antitrust with Cory Doctorow Part 2 - Exponential View with Azeem Azhar - Air Date 1-6-21

Ch. 4: The Facebook News Blackout and the News Media Bargaining Code - Follow The Money - Air Date 2-23-21

In this week's episode we unpack what the code is, what it does, why it's necessary and what happens next with Director of the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology, Peter Lewis.

Ch. 5: Reimagining Anti-Monopoly Activism Through Racial Justice -- feat. Liberation in a Generation's Jeremie Greer Part 1 - OFF-KILTER with Rebecca Vallas - Air Date 3-26-21

Rebecca talks to Jeremie Greer--one of Liberation in a Generation's co-founders and co-exec directors--about centering grassroots leaders of color in the anti-monopoly movement, and reimagining the antitrust movement’s work through a racial justice lens.

Ch. 6: Big Tech and a Decade of Antitrust with Cory Doctorow Part 3 - Exponential View with Azeem Azhar - Air Date 1-6-21

Ch. 7: Reimagining Anti-Monopoly Activism Through Racial Justice -- feat. Liberation in a Generation's Jeremie Greer Part 2 - OFF-KILTER with Rebecca Vallas - Air Date 3-26-21

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Google and the use and abuse of economic modeling Part 2 - Follow The Money - Air Date 2-16-21

Ch. 9: Anti-Monopoly Activism with Liberation in a Generation - Economic Security Project - Air Date 3-29-21

In Anti-Monopoly Activism: Reclaiming Power through Racial Justice, Jeremie Greer and Solana Rice (co-founders and co-executive directors of Liberation in a Generation) argue for organizers of color to be embedded—and centered—in the anti-monopoly fight.

Ch. 10: Reimagining Anti-Monopoly Activism Through Racial Justice -- feat. Liberation in a Generation's Jeremie Greer Part 3 - OFF-KILTER with Rebecca Vallas - Air Date 3-26-21

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: Child tax credits don't cause population booms - Erin from Philadelphia

Ch. 12: Biden and China - Jonathan from New York

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 13: Final comments on child welfare programs, birth rates and uncomfortably honest political talk

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I am joined by Amanda, Erin and Deon to discuss:

- The great shames of the nation

- A comparison between Korean-language and English-language coverage of the Atlanta shootings

- When it comes to catalyzing a will to change, seeing is believing (and motivating)

- The GOP culture wars are about to go scorched-earth because they have nothing else

References:

Rolling Stone: Atlanta Spa Shootings: What Korean-Language Media Told Us That the Mainstream Media Didn’t 

WaPo: 'Reclaiming the Public Narrative': A fundraising proposal from the American Culture Project 

Heather Cox Richardson 

hbomberguy: WOKE BRANDS 

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

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Today we take a look at the uprising sparked by the killing of George Floyd in the context of a world in which that event was just the last straw in an innumerable series of straws.

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

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: A Decade Of Watching Black People Die - Code Switch - Air Date 5-31-20

The last few weeks have been filled with devastating news — stories about the police killing black people. At this point, these calamities feel familiar — so familiar, in fact, that their details have begun to echo each other.

Ch. 2: Tamika Mallory Nationwide Uprising Against State Violence Shows People Have Reached Breaking Point - Democracy Now - Air Date 6-4-20

Tamika Mallory: “At this point, we’re looking at a nation and a world that has decided that what we saw happen on camera … is no longer acceptable... people have taken to the streets to demand change."

Ch. 3: Trevor Speaks Out About the Murder of George Floyd - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-1-20

Trevor discusses the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, the Minneapolis protests, and how racial injustice and police brutality continue to impact black Americans.

Ch. 4: Why The 2020 Anti-Racism Uprisings Feel Different - News Beat - Air Date 6-5-20

A veteran of the 1967 Newark Rebellion discusses George Floyd’s death, the culture of police brutality, and whether today's movement can produce change.

Ch. 5: Structural robbery, mass resistance with William C. Anderson - This Is Hell! - Air Date 6-4-20

Writer William C. Anderson on the real theft in capitalist society and the uprisings against it, and his article "Forget 'Looting.' Capitalism Is the Real Robbery" for Truthout.

Ch. 6: Uprisings Against Police Killings of Black People - Sojourner Truth Radio - Air Date 6-3-20

After a week of protests, the nationwide (and now worldwide) uprising against racism and police killings of Black people in response to the murder of George Floyd continues to grow.

Ch. 7: The thin blue line between looting and standard economics - The Bugle - Air Date 6-6-20

Andy, Hari and Tom react to the protests in the USA.

Ch. 8: "Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" At Memorial for George Floyd, Mourners Condemn 400 Years of Racism - Democracy now - Air Date 6-5-20

We hear the voices of Floyd’s brother Philonise and Reverend Al Sharpton, who urged those gathered “to stand up in George’s name and say, 'Get your knee off our necks!'”

Ch. 9: Protests Sweep Across the Globe - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-9-20

Americans take to the streets in historic numbers to protest police brutality, the demand for books about racism skyrockets, and meaningful police reform catches on.

Ch. 10: This Is Not a Game - In The Thick - Air Date 6-12-20

Maria and Julio get into how race and activism show up in sports - historically and in the current Black Lives Matter movement - with Howard Bryant, a senior writer for ESPN and correspondent for NPR’s Weekend Edition.

Ch. 11: NFL's Roger Goodell We Were Wrong, #BlackLivesMatter - The Young Turks - Air Date 6-5-20

NFL's commissioner has released a statement saying they were wrong to stop protests.

Ch. 12: Amanpour Knows an Uprising When She Sees One - Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 6-9-20

CNN International anchor Christiane Amanpour has seen a lot of unrest around the globe. She says we have to see the George Floyd protests for what they are. An uprising.

Ch. 13: The Racial Justice Uprising in the U.S. is Taking Hold Overseas - The Takeaway - Air Date 6-8-20

Many foreign leaders have condemned the killing of George Floyd, but demonstrators outside of the U.S. are also attempting to call attention to racial injustice within their own borders.

Ch. 14: Protest, Pain & Hope with Karen Attiah - Stay Tuned with Preet - Air Date 6-4-20

Washington Post Global Opinions editor Karen Attiah discusses the ongoing protests sparked by police brutality, legacies of racial violence in America, and the language we use to speak about inequality.

Ch. 15: Roundtable On Police Killings & Global Resistance - Sojourner Truth Radio - Air Date 6-5-20

We look at the international response to the police killing of George Floyd. Countries are now being forced to face their own racism and the inter-relationship between racism and imperialism.

Ch. 16: #DefendBlackLives: Join the #SixNineteen (#Juneteenth) Rallies 6/19-21 Virtually, Locally or in DC via @Mvmnt4BlkLives

Ch. 17: Voices of the uprising - Sojourner Truth Radio - Air Date 6-5-20

Highlighting the voices of protesters

TAKE ACTION

Join The Movement for Black Lives' SixNineteen mobilization: 6/19 (Juneteenth) through 6/21

Visit SixNineteen.com to find events near you, participate virtually, join the D.C. action, or register your own event

Text DEFEND to 90975 to get updates on #SixNineteen and future actions

Follow @Mvmnt4BlkLives and use #DefendBlackLives , #SixNineteen , #BlackLivesMatter ,& #DefundthePolice on Twitter

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

#SIXNINETEEN: Movement For Black Lives Calls For Juneteenth Actions (Essence)

An American Uprising (The New Yorker)

Black Lives Matter Chapters

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

America, This is Your Chance (NY Times Op-Ed, Michelle Alexander)

Police Erupt in Violence Nationwide (Slate)

Freedom to Thrive: Reimagining Safety & Security in Our Communities (Popular Democracy)

Resources for White People to Learn and Talk About Race and Racism (Fractured Atlas)

A Letter to White People Engaged in Conversations Around the Phrase “Defund The Police” (Medium)

Louisville police release the Breonna Taylor incident report. It's virtually blank (Louisville Courier Journal)

This Is How Hard It Is to Invest in Black Neighborhoods (Bloomberg CityLabs)

Researched and Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Today we take a look at the need for reform to our gun laws through the lens of the recent mass shootings. Support for various reform measures reaches as high as 90% approval in the US, making it one of the most stark examples of our broken, unresponsive, undemocratic government.

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

Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How The Covid Pandemic Changed Mass Shootings And Gun Violence In America - NBC News NOW - Air Date 3-26-21

NBC News' Jacob Ward takes a look at the impact the coronavirus pandemic had on mass shootings and gun violence to see how those trends might change now that states begin to lift Covid-19 restrictions.

Ch. 2: Now's Not The Time To Fix America's Gun Problem, Says GOP In Familiar Refrain - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - Air Date 3-23-21

As gun violence flares up once again in this country, Republicans are quick to change the subject while gun apologists roll out their standard response to calls for reform: now is not the time.

Ch. 3: The gun solution we're not talking about - Vox - Air Date 9-11-19

Universal background checks won't fix America's gun crisis. But there's something else that might.

Ch. 4: How Manchin & A Broken Senate Squandered U.S. Will Fair or Gun Reform After Sandy Hook - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 3-24-21

Rachel Maddow looks back on how Joe Manchin, with Pat Toomey, in the wake of the Sandy Hook gun massacre, supplanted President Obama's call for universal background checks

Ch. 5: Guttenberg After Another Mass Shooting: "This Is Not About The Second Amendment" - Deadline - Air Date 3-23-21

Gun safety advocate Fred Guttenberg, who lost his daughter Jamie in the Parkland school shooting, expresses his frustration with the lack of gun safety legislation, and calls to end the hold the NRA has on Republicans.

Ch. 6: Igor Volsky on Ending Gun Violence - CounterSpin - Air Date 3-26-21

This week on CounterSpin: If you look, you can find reminders that the Second Amendment was forged, distressingly, with the aim of preserving “slave patrol” militias in the South. And that courts consistently interpreted it as meaning a “collective” right

Ch. 7: Can You Look At The Carnage Of Gun Violence? - The Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 3-24-21

Could you look at the mangled bodies of Americans murdered by gun violence without demanding that guns stop being so available?

Ch. 8: Ban Assault Weapons Now - Breaking the Sound Barrier by Amy Goodman - Air Date 3-25-21

The massacres in Boulder, Colorado, with ten killed, and in metro Atlanta, with eight killed, are just two more instances of senseless gun violence enabled by the NRA.

MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: A Look Back at Colorado's History of Mass Shootings - The Takeaway - Air Date 3-26-21

A Look Back at Colorado's History of Mass Shootings
This week, a gunman in Boulder, Colorado killed ten people while they were shopping in a local grocery store.

Ch. 10: Why Do People Kill? Lt Joe Kenda Explains The "Killer Triggers" - The Chauncey DeVega Show - Air Date 3-23-21

Lt. Joe Kenda (ret.) was a detective with the Colorado Springs Police Department for twenty years. During that time, he solved 356 of the 387 murder cases he investigated.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: Maintaining beliefs and cognitive dissonance - Nick from California

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on the cognitive biases related to aquiring new information

TAKE ACTION!

March for Our Lives:

MFOL Aid and Alliance - A resource sharing program that will distribute nearly $500k to support anti-violence work led by BIPOC youth organizations and activists on the ground. Directly supporting communities most impacted by gun violence and decentering whiteness in the movement.

MFOL Policy Demands for Biden-Harris Administration

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

Violence Against Women Act Runs Into GOP Objections on Guns and Trans Rights (Mother Jones)

$5 Billion For Violence Prevention Is Tucked Into Biden Infrastructure Plan (NPR)

Can New Gun Violence Research Find a Path Around the Political Stalemate? (NY Times)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: Young woman holds a sign at a rally that has the crossed-out words "Thoughts and Prayers." Underneath, it says "REFORM."

Credit: "March for Our Lives, NYC" by mathiaswasik, Flickr | License | Changes: cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

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Today we take a look at the history of anti-Asian hate in America dating back to the very first racially discriminatory immigration law, the ramifications of our imperial exploits in the Philippines, the pattern of lynchings, the myth of the "model minority" and the role of White Supremacy to keep everyone in their roles and White people ignorant of it all.

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

Transcript

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