Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy #1751 Monthly-ish Mix: Institutions Fall, Reality Breaks, Empire Rises
Nov 11, 2025
Sherilyn Eiffel, former president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, dives deep into the Supreme Court's impact on democracy, especially regarding institutional capture. Civil rights expert Janai emphasizes the critical stakes surrounding the Voting Rights Act and its implications on minority representation. Historian Mark Bray discusses the dangers of labeling anti-fascist activism as domestic terrorism and shares his harrowing experience of leaving the U.S. due to threats. Together, they shed light on the machinery of control and the ongoing fight for truth and democracy.
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Historian Forced Into Exile After Harassment
- Mark Bray fled the U.S. for Spain after far-right harassment and death threats following attacks on his 2017 book Antifa.
- He describes last-minute flight cancellations, extended searches, and fear for his family's safety.
Influence Peddling Marries Money And Algorithms
- Influence campaigns and paid/comped influencer trips blur lines between propaganda and earned persuasion.
- Hosts show how foreign-state PR and algorithmic boosts can manufacture consent without transparent disclosure.
Private Chat Culture Mirrors Public Extremism
- Young Republican chats reveal normalized racist and violent rhetoric, reflecting deeper party shifts toward extremism.
- Guests argue such private culture informs public policy and grooms an extremist MAGA vanguard.
