Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

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Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy Podcast
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Expertly-curated progressive politics, news, and culture produced by leftist humans, not algorithms or AI. This is an award-winning podcast that dives deeply into a wide range of national and international issues facing society and governments. We draw from hundreds of sources of progressive news and commentary. Est. 2006. Save time by listening to a range of perspectives on a focused topic in each episode and be introduced to new sources you will not have come across on your own!

  1. Money-N-Politics: SuperPACS, Crypto, Billionaires, and Public Funding of Elections

    1 DAY AGO

    Money-N-Politics: SuperPACS, Crypto, Billionaires, and Public Funding of Elections

    Air Date 9/6/2024 We're living in the world that dark money in politics and Citizen's United built. But since that Supreme Court ruling in 2010, we've invented cryptocurrency that promises to be a brand new source of opacity and financial power built on smoke and mirrors. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Steve Macek on Dark Money - CounterSpin - Air Date 8-23-24 KP 2: Why Big Money Supports Trump - Robert Reich - Air Date 8-27-24 KP 3: Trump shifts stance on cryptocurrency to win over new bloc of voters and mega-donors - PBS Newshour - Air Date 7-29-24 KP 4: Silicon Valley's Impact on the 2024 Elections - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 7-31-24 KP 5: Dem Donors Want Harris To Bail On Biden's Best Decision - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-29-24 KP 6: Andy Levin, Pushed Out of Congress by AIPAC, Calls for Change in U.S.-Israel Policy - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-21-24 KP 7: Steven Rosenfeld on Election Transparency, Ian Vandewalker on Small Donors - CounterSpin - Air Date 5-17-24 KP 8: We need to move to the public funding of elections - Bernie Sanders - Air Date 8-29-24 (49:16) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the changing sense of urgency to address money in politics DEEPER DIVES (52:47) SECTION A: THE SYSTEM A1: Trump and the Billionaires Part 2 - The Socialist Program with Brian Becker - Air Date 7-16-24 A2: Steve Macek on Dark Money Part 2 - CounterSpin - Air Date 8-23-24 (1:10:02) SECTION B: FUNDING REPUBLICANS (1:26:54) SECTION C: FUNDING DEMOCRATS (1:34:05) SECTION D: SOLUTIONS SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: A composite image showing a Bitcoin in front of a pile of US cash, and a dark American flag in the background. Credit: Composite Design: A. Hoffman. Photo 1: “Cash on table” via Pexels | License | Photo 2: American flag via Pixabay | License   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

    1h 42m
  2. How the GOP became the most destructive force in the world (Throwback)

    4 DAYS AGO

    How the GOP became the most destructive force in the world (Throwback)

    Original Air Date: 10/16/2018 Today we take a look at the distant and recent history of conservatism in America and beyond and follow the steps that have led to their rejection of science at a moment in history when it has never been more critical to heed the warnings of scientists Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Corey Robin on the right from Burke to Trump - Jacobin Radio (@jacobinmag) - Air Date 12-3-17 Corey Robin on the Right from Burke to Trump. While most people on the Left fear and demonize the Right, they aren't interested in its ideas. Robin, however, takes them very seriously and analyzes their ideas for us. Ch. 2: Jonah Goldberg on Trump, Republicans and the conservative movement - Diane Rehm: On My Mind - Air Date 3-2-18 The state of the conservative movement and where it goes from here. Ch. 3: Kurt Andersen: How religion turned American politics against science - Big Think - Air Date 1-18-28 In the last 30 years, religion has radicalized American politics and seriously harmed the perception of science, says journalist and author Kurt Andersen. This can be directly tied to the rise of the Christian Right in the 20th century. Ch. 4: The fall of family values - Past/Present - Air Date 6-25-18 Explaining how we came to the end of “family values” conservatism Ch. 5: THE MIDTERMS MINUTE: FL, IN, MO, MT, ND - Help Democrats Retain These Toss-Up Battleground Senate Seats! Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. Ch. 6: Jennifer Rubin on the breakdown of the GOP from a center-right perspective - The Good Fight - Air Date 2-13-18 Yascha Mounk discusses how to cover the Trump presidency; the complicity of the Republican party; and the future of the right with proud conservative and staunch Never Trumper Jennifer Rubin. Ch. 7: Chomsky on the GOP Has Any Organization Ever Been So Committed to Destruction of Life on Earth? - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 04-26-17 Amy Goodman began by asking Noam Chomsky about the catastrophically destructive tendencies of the Republican Party. Ch. 8: America: The Farewell Tour (with Guest Chris Hedges) - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 10-2-18 Chris Hedges on the erosion of democratic infrastructure, imperialist leanings, and the widening gap between the morbidly rich and the working class, a sign of America's farewell?   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com ​ ​

    58 min
  3. Bonus Sample: Staring Unblinkingly Into the Future

    6 DAYS AGO

    Bonus Sample: Staring Unblinkingly Into the Future

    Air Date: 9-1-24 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: - The ever-stranger headlines about RFK Jr. ...and dead animals - The political philosophies and missteps behind unipolar, bipolar or multipolar world views  - The dogmatic history of the American Communist Party - The deeper reasons having kids is on the decline - The impacts of our bizarre online world on kids and teens  REFERENCES: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Admits He Falls for Online Misinformation “All the Time” RFK Jr. Whale-Beheading Story Gives RFK Jr. Bear-Murder Story a Run for Its Money Environmental Group Wants Answers About RFK Jr. Chainsawing a Whale’s Head Off RFK Jr. in Hot Water With Environmental Group Over That Wild Whale Story As Eurasia Awakes Our World Will Shake The “Multipolar World”: A Euphemism to Support Multiple Imperialisms Red Weather Vanes The Real Reason People Aren’t Having Kids The Big Problem Faced by Teens Isn’t Caused by Phones. It’s Deeper. What Tweens Get from Sephora and What They Get from Us   Join our Discord Server Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft  Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com  Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

    16 min
  4. Denial, Delusion, and Devastation: Israeli genocide made possible by a nurtured ignorance and deft dehumanization

    30 AUG

    Denial, Delusion, and Devastation: Israeli genocide made possible by a nurtured ignorance and deft dehumanization

    Air Date 8/30/2024 Israel's assault on Gaza is fueled by pain, rage, trauma... a desire for safety, a desire for revenge, the hope for the safe return of hostages. It's a complicated mix of all of the above and more and it will be different for each person. However, there's also a deep well of denial and delusion about the decades-old status quo between Israel and Palestine that made the current conflict all but inevitable and the pursuit of genocide by some decision-makers in the Israeli government - as well as the support of the US government - possible. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Kamala Harris Mentioned Palestinian Suffering — in the Passive Voice - The Intercept - Air Date 8-26-24 KP 2: Substance vs Vibes in VP Kamala Harris' Gaza PR Reboot - Citations Needed - Air Date 8-2-24 KP 3: Former Israeli Spy Chief- If I Was A Palestinian, I Would Fight Against Israel's Occupation - Zeteo - Air Date 8-19-24 KP 4: Torture Is Systemic in Israel's Prisons / Shai Parnes - This Is Hell! - Air Date 8-21-22 KP 5: EXPOSED- Netanyahu's Plan to Set World on Fire - Double Down News - Air Date 8-23-24 KP 6: Rami Khouri on Latest Israel-Hezbollah Escalation & Stalled Ceasefire Talks - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-26-24 (50:37) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the deep denial at the heart of Zionism My Father and the Withering of Liberal Zionism - New York Mag DEEPER DIVES (1:02:24) SECTION A - UNCOMMITTED (1:28:38) SECTION B - TORTURE (1:56:35) SECTION C - ARMS EMBARGO (2:26:17) SECTION D - JOURNALISM SHOW IMAGE Description: A young woman in the middle of a protest in Washington, DC holds up a sign in front of her that says “End the Siege On Gaza Now” Credit: “March on Washington for Gaza” https://www.flickr.com/photos/perspective/53463705757/ by Elvert Barnes, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode.en | Changes: Cropped

    2h 46m
  5. The Politics of Migration in the Age of Insecurity: From the UK riots to GOP fear-mongering

    27 AUG

    The Politics of Migration in the Age of Insecurity: From the UK riots to GOP fear-mongering

    Air Date 8/27/2024 People feel lots of ways about immigration. Sometimes it's fear of the other, other times it's not about the people but just dismay over a broken system. The validity of these concerns and others certainly exist on a spectrum, some are utter bullshit and others aren't. Left-wing political parties tend to do a terrible job creating immigration policy - in that they just don't do it at all - while the right wing is all too happy to create and implement terrible policy. And given a choice between action and inaction, regardless of how misguided the proposed action is, people with concerns will choose action. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: The UK's Far Right Riots - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 8-8-24 KP 2: Riots in the UK - Today, Explained - Air Date 8-7-24 KP 3: Introducing 'Battle of 187' week! - The Times Essential news from the L.A. Times - Air Date 7-19-21 KP 4: The Battle of 187 ends — and the war begins - The Times Essential news from the L.A. Times - Air Date 7-20-21 KP 5: RNC & ”Migrant Crime”- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 7-25-24 KP 6: Election 2024 As 'neofascist' Trump targets immigrants, how will the left respond w Juan González - The Real News Network - Air Date 7-28-24 KP 7: Employment Visa Paths for Dreamers and a Harris vs. Trump Presidential Race - This Week in Immigration - Air Date 7-30-24 (50:32) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the electoral politics of immigration policy DEEPER DIVES (58:41) SECTION A - THE UK RIOTS (1:13:16) SECTION B - CA PROPOSITION 187 (1:26:59) SECTION C - TRUMP VS HARRIS (1:49:23) SECTION D - MIGRANTS SHOW IMAGE: Description: Two young women stand amidst a protest in London showing their signs to the camera that say "No human is illegal." Credit: "No Human is Illegal" by Alisdare Hickson, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

    2h 13m
  6. The Vibes Election Explained: Harris is up, Trump is down and Gaza will not be forgotten

    23 AUG

    The Vibes Election Explained: Harris is up, Trump is down and Gaza will not be forgotten

    Air Date 8/23/2024 The vibes of this election are nothing anyone could have predicted a month ago. And yet, some of the details have played out as though by a script. Democrats drink hope like ambrosia from the gods; Trump, when confronted with reality initiates a full blown meltdown; and everyone is doing their best to ignore the genocide in Gaza being carried out with our weapons. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Unlearning Zionism with Simone Zimmerman & Eliza Skinner - The Bitchuation Room (with Francesca Fiorentini) - Air Date 8-13-24 KP 2: Dems Walz All Over GOP Attacks; Harris's Israel Tightrope w/ Krystal Ball - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 8-9-24 KP 3: The Rise of Kamala Harris with Heather McGhee Part 1 - Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast - Air Date 8-13-24 KP 4: Jon Stewart on Why Trump Wants Biden Back So Badly He's Reusing His Old Attacks - The Daily Show - Air Date 8-12-24 KP 5: 'Stupidest' candidate Trump did not answer reporters' questions - The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell - Air Date 8-8-24 KP 6: Democrats, Republicans, and the Meaning of Life - Steve Shives - Air Date 8-19-24 (48:45) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR on the vibes and archetypes of the election Kamala Harris Is Providing a Very Specific Kind of Psychological Relief to America - Slate Tim Walz is the dad that we lost - TikTok DEEPER DIVES (1:03:02) SECTION A - HARRIS'S POSITIVE VIBES (1:33:14) SECTION B - GAZA WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN (1:54:55) SECTION C - REALITY OVER VIBES (2:25:41) SECTION D - TRUMP MELTDOWN SHOW IMAGE: Description: Composite triptych graphic showing Kamala Harris smiling with her hands in the air at a podium, the flag of Palestine in vertical, and Trump in profile stepping off the stage with his head down. Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Image 1: “Kamala Harris” by Marc Nozell, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped ; Image 3: “Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

    2h 44m
  7. Positive masculinity is a process that is underway (Throwback)

    21 AUG

    Positive masculinity is a process that is underway (Throwback)

    Original Air Date: 8/23/2023 For decades, we have rightly been focused on dialing back endemic misogyny and poking holes in the patriarchy in the hopes of a new normal of gender relations emerging that would be genuinely healthier for everyone, not just women. But, with so much of the focus on the type of masculinity men and boys shouldn't embrace, we may have fallen short on giving positive direction to boys about what they should be and do. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Andrew Tate & Re-examining Masculinity - Long Story Short The Daily Show - Air Date 4-21-23 Jordan Klepper looks at Andrew Tate and breaks down how a void of role models has harmful consequences for young boys. Ch. 2: The new crisis of masculinity - The Gray Area - Air Date 8-7-23 What does masculinity mean these days? Sean Illing speaks with Christine Emba, a columnist at The Washington Post who wrote the piece “Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness.” Ch. 3: The New Masculinity - ON BOYS podcast - Air Date 4-27-23 Boys and men, Manley says, are caught between traditional definitions and understandings of masculinity, and a future definition that hasn’t been fully defined. Ch. 4: Redefining Masculinity and Embracing Vulnerability - The Daily Show Beyond the Scenes - Air Date 3-7-23 Host Roy Wood Jr. sits down with the co-founder of “A Call to Men,” Ted Bunch, and developmental psychology professor at NYU, Niobe Way, to chat about boys' friendships and how therapy could be transformative for a lot of men. Ch. 5: What Does Positive Masculinity Look Like? - Paging Dr. NerdLove - Air Date 4-12-18 Toxic masculinity doesn’t mean that being a man is toxic, bad, or even undesirable. At the same time, non-toxic or positive masculinity doesn’t mean apologizing for being a man or trying to be as gender-neutral as possible. Ch. 6: What is Positive Masculinity: How Patriarchy Oppresses Men - Swolesome - Air Date 12-2-22 Looking at what patriarchy teaches boys to do Ch. 7: Redefining Masculinity and Embracing Vulnerability Part 2 - The Daily Show Beyond the Scenes - Air Date 3-7-23 Ch. 8: The New Masculinity Part 2 - ON BOYS podcast - Air Date 4-27-23 Ch. 9: Why Allan Energy Is The New “Big D_CK Energy” - Barbie Movie - Fashionistas - Air date 8-4-23 Examining positive masculinity through Allen from The Barbie Movie FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 10: Final comments on why emotionally stunted men are a social, not individual, problem

    1h 19m
  8. Bonus Sample: Don't Forget the Philosophers (AI in our politics, art, and humanity)

    19 AUG

    Bonus Sample: Don't Forget the Philosophers (AI in our politics, art, and humanity)

    Air Date: 8-19-24 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: - How we likely all have COVID and can't believe we did a Bonus Show - The bizarre ways AI is already part of our political systems - Strong feelings on AI-generated art in a hyper-capitalist world - The ups, downs and side effects of so-called AI friends - AI in our love lives (P.S. Audiophiles Beware: We had some technical difficulties, so this show may sound a little strange in spots.) REFERENCES: RFK Jr. Doubles Down on Dead Bear Cub With Bonkers Brag The A.I. Influencer Ads Are Coming Zoom founder Eric Yuan wants ‘digital twins’ to attend meetings for you so you can ‘go to the beach’ instead There’s an AI Candidate Running for Parliament in the UK An AI Bot Is (Sort of) Running for Mayor in Wyoming OpenAI Imprisons AI That Was Running for Mayor in Wyoming Harvard Scholars Suggest Pollsters Ask Questions to AI Simulations of Voters Because Real People Won't Answer The Phone Political Candidate Accused of Being AI Insists He Is a Living Human With a Very Smooth, AI-Looking Face ‘We have to adapt or die’: Daniel Bedingfield says AI is music’s future Wear This AI Friend Around Your Neck Can an AI friend make you less lonely? What If Your AI Girlfriend Hated You? Computer says yes: how AI is changing our romantic lives In the Age of A.I., What Makes People Unique? The Big AI Risk Not Enough People Are Seeing   Bonus: Opinion: The problem with calling Trump and Vance weird   Join our Discord Server Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft  Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com  Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

    18 min
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4.8
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Expertly-curated progressive politics, news, and culture produced by leftist humans, not algorithms or AI. This is an award-winning podcast that dives deeply into a wide range of national and international issues facing society and governments. We draw from hundreds of sources of progressive news and commentary. Est. 2006. Save time by listening to a range of perspectives on a focused topic in each episode and be introduced to new sources you will not have come across on your own!

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