

3559 - Celebrating Michael Brooks on His Birthday w/ Milton Allimadi, Harvey J Kaye, Lisha Brooks & David Griscom
Aug 13, 2025
Milton Allimadi, an expert on African politics, dives into France's neocolonial impact in West Africa, while Harvey J Kaye, a historian, critiques the current rise of authoritarianism in the U.S. on this special occasion—Michael Brooks' birthday. The guests reflect on Brooks' legacy and explore how historical figures like FDR provide lessons for today's political landscape. Together, they discuss foreign influence, economic sovereignty, and the urgency of a unified progressive vision to combat contemporary challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Politicizing Economic Data Harms Markets
- The Trump administration nominated an evidently unqualified economist to head the BLS, provoking bipartisan alarm about politicizing core statistics.
- Undermined trust in jobs and inflation data risks destabilizing massive markets like long-term U.S. bonds and investor confidence.
Bizarre Zoom Background For BLS Nominee
- EJ Antoni appeared on Fox Business with a Nazi battleship canvas visible as his Zoom background, which drew ridicule and concern.
- The host noted the image was a German Bismarck wall art, highlighting the bizarre optics for a BLS nominee.
France's Deep Neocolonial Grip
- French neocolonial control in West Africa combined currency bonds to France with military garrisons, limiting real sovereignty.
- Modern anti-French movements evoke Sankara's self-sufficiency and challenge that entrenched financial control.