Programmed to Chill Jimmy Falun Gong

[originally published on Patreon Dec 10, 2022]


Today's the second episode examining the life of Leon Trotsky, and I'm joined by Comrade Chad. We discuss Trotsky's post-revolution and post-civil war activities, the curious case of Soviet gold reserves and Trotsky's much-disputed Opposition Bloc. We also talk about the Trust, aka the honeypot to end all honeypots, and Trotsky's jockeying for power. 



Songs:

All Gold Everything by Trinidad James (remixed by Ryan Celsius)

Snakes in the Grass by Waka Flocka Flame

Slidin' by 21 Savage

(the Catch-22 ska album about Trotsky was too cringe to use, sorry)

[originally published on Patreon Dec 4, 2022]


Today's the first of a new series examining the legacy of Trotskyism through a parapolitical lens, and to kick it off, we examine the life of Leon Trotsky. I'm joined by Comrade Chad to discuss Trotsky's early life and career through the Bolshevik revolution. Particularly of note are the activities of Trotsky's uncles, his revolutionary activities in France, and his interesting residency in New York City. 



Songs:

Lev Bronstein by the Redskins

If I Were a Rich Man - Fiddler on the Roof

Bring It Down by the Redskins

Reds Strike the Blues by the Redskins

[originally published on Patreon Nov 21, 2022]


Today's an interesting one as I'm joined by the artist Roger Peet to discuss family history and the murky world of mercenary work in the African continent. Peet walks us through the story of his father which touches on a dozen interesting topics ranging from faking your own death, mercenaries, factions of Cubans fighting in Africa, spying, colonialism and so-called post-colonialism, uranium mining, and the nuclear arms race. 



Links:

https://toosphexy.carrd.co/

https://justseeds.org/artist/rogerpeet/



Songs:

Zombie by Fela Kuti

Sorrow Tears and Blood by Fela Kuti

Beasts Of No Nation by Fela Kuti

V.I.P (Vagabonds In Power) by Fela Kuti

[originally published on Patreon


Today I'm joined by Trash (@bidenbigboi) to discuss the French novel, the Kindly Ones by Jonathan Littell. The novel follows an SS officer through WWII which provides various opportunities to discuss various aspects of the Eastern Front and the Holocaust. Then, later, we discuss Littell's background which points to this being an entry in the Novels as Spycraft series. 



*note, I accidentally refer to Friedrich Flick as “Frick”, what are you gonna do



Songs:

Into Warmer Air by Hildur Guðnadóttir

Ascent by ‘’

Erupting Light by ‘’

Overcast by ‘’

De tes yeux bleus perlés by Celeste

[originally published on Patreon Nov 7, 2022]


Today's the second of two episodes on the hardboiled novelist Dashiell Hammett. Today I discuss several Hammett's wartime experiences, his tuberculosis, the tail end of his private detective career, and his writing career. Hammett went to Hollywood and became a committed communist, and was targeted by McCarthy and HUAC. Fundamentally, though, we can learn much from Hammett.



Songs:

I'm No Communist by Lulu Belle & Scotty

When I'm Gone by Phil Ochs

[originally published on Patreon Nov 1, 2022]


Today's the first of two episodes on the hardboiled novelist Dashiell Hammett. Today I go through the first half of Hammett's life, including his early life and family history, his time as a Pinkerton operative, and what being a Pinkerton op entailed. I discuss the Mining Wars and tell the story of Frank Little, an IWW organizer. I finish the episode with a discussion of the novel, Red Harvest. 



Note: the Hammett episodes are, I believe, the last episodes with annoying sound quality issues, for which I apologize.



Songs:

There is Power in a Union by Utah Phillips

The Ballad of Frank Little by Dusty the Kid