Left Reckoning

Get this full episode and all the Sunday Shows by becoming a member at Patreon.com/leftreckoningDavid and Matt discuss the ethical implications of comedians performing in Saudi Arabia, the political landscape in Texas with Andrew White's gubernatorial campaign, and Megyn Kelly stares into the TPUSA abyss and doesn't like the way it talks about "billionaire jews."

Devin Thomas O'Shea, a writer and political commentator known for his insights into literature, joins to discuss Thomas Pynchon's 'Vineland.' They unravel Pynchon's unique narrative style, exploring how it reflects Reagan-era paranoia and the impact of surveillance on society. O'Shea highlights the relevance of Pynchon's themes in today's political landscape, revealing the book's prescient connections to modern issues. The conversation also touches on the recent fallout within the UK left, addressing challenges in organizing and leadership.

In this episode, Tom Alter, a former history professor dismissed for advocating free speech, shares his experiences and discusses the implications for academic freedom. Brian Mier dives into the legal fallout from Bolsonaro's recent imprisonment linked to a coup attempt in Brazil, highlighting threats to democracy. Tamanisha J. John tackles the Trump's administration's aggressive policies in Venezuela, exploring the challenges of neocolonialism in Latin America. Together, they shed light on the critical intersection of free speech and global politics.

Nilo Tabrizy, co-author of 'For the Sun, After Long Nights,' joins to discuss the Women Life Freedom movement in Iran, emphasizing the historical context of women's fight against oppression. He highlights the role of women activists in challenging mandatory hijab laws and the tragic impact of events like Mahsa Amini’s death. The conversation connects these struggles to broader themes of political change and activism. Tabrizy also touches on the moral complexities of journalism within oppressive regimes, providing a powerful narrative on courage and resistance.

Tackling the U.S. military's recent strike on a Venezuelan drug boat, the hosts explore the murky waters of government propaganda. They question the official narrative and its role in distracting from domestic issues. Additionally, a deep dive into the complexities of government secrecy reveals the emotional struggles of victims seeking justice in the Epstein case. This segment critiques the contradictions in transparency under the Trump administration, showing how often military actions serve to shift public focus from pressing political challenges.

In this engaging discussion, comedian Brian Vokey shares insights into the comedy industry and critiques Joe Rogan's influence on political discourse. Joining him is Kevin Levangie, a Canadian postal worker and union advocate, who highlights the role of grassroots organizing in supporting Palestinian rights. They explore the power of labor movements in fostering international solidarity and the challenges facing comedians as they navigate comedy's intersection with politics. Together, they reflect on the evolving landscape of activism and the importance of collective action.

get this full Sunday Show and all previous and future ones by becoming a supporting member at patreon.com/leftreckoningDavid and Matt react to the fallout from Taylor Lorenz's Wired article about the dark money subsidization of DNC democrat media.https://www.wired.com/story/dark-money-group-secret-funding-democrat-influencers/

Apologies for the mix-up with the previous upload! LEFT RECKONING 235!!David speaks with Pelle Dragsted (@pelledragsted), a democratic socialist member of the Danish Parliament and leader of the Enhedslisten—the Red-Green Alliance—about his recently translated book, Nordic Socialism. They talk about what the Nordic countries have accomplished, the pitfalls of social democracy, and what is needed to fight for a better future. Find Nordic Socialism here: https://uwpress.wisc.edu/Books/N/Nordic-SocialismThen David speaks with Alexander Lemons, co-author of "Warbodies: A Marine Sniper and the Hidden Violence of Modern Warfare," to talk about the US military makes 'warbodies.'Pick Up Warbody here: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324066330Read Alexander's piece in High Country News:https://www.hcn.org/issues/57-2/a-veteran-transforms-a-legacy-of-violence-into-a-campaign-for-restoration/------------------------------------------Show notes: 00:00 Start 1:40 Intro 9:01 Nordic Socialism w/ Pelle Dragsted42:00 Warbody w/ Alexander Lemons

Hope that you enjoy this public version of the LR postgame. Catch it every week at patreon.com/leftreckoning

👉 Join us on Patreon for full access to bonus episodes and behind-the-scenes debriefs: https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoningMatt & Dave are back with a big one. We are joined by Kelsea Bond, who is running for city council in Atlanta. Kelsea explains how socialism can win in the South and the importance of being well-versed in a tradition. Then we are joined by two recently elected members of DSA National Political Committee, Ella Teevan (@EllaTeevan) and Cerena Ermitanio (@kasamangcerena) to talk about what is next for the largest socialist organization in the US.Learn more about Kelsea's campaign in Atlanta: https://kelseabond.com/David and Matt also talk about the return of the Texas democrats and the redistricting fight, and lessons from Bolivia's historic loss for the left, with MAS for the first time being out of government.