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

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former Trump administration HHS Secretary and environmental activist, joins Dr. Fiona Havers, an infectious disease expert with ties to the CDC. They discuss the Make America Healthy Again movement, critically examining its failure to create genuine health reforms while aligning with pro-corporate agendas. The duo highlights the dangers of cutting mRNA vaccine funding and the rise of misinformation in public health. They also explore the complex intersections of health policy, corporate interests, and the urgent need for systemic changes amidst rising distrust in the medical community.

Air Date 8/24/2025 The nature of politics and public policy is that there's always a need to balance opposing interests. Almost nowhere is there a more intractable set of opposing interests than in the attempt to protect children from harmful content on the internet while maintaining free access to adults, particularly because people wildly disagree about what qualifies as harmful and what degree of privacy invasion is an acceptable tradeoff. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Age Verification Will Kill Free Speech Online - Taylor Lorenz - Air Date 6-6-25 KP 2: Can the UK Child-proof the Internet? - Front Burner - Air Date 7-31-25 KP 3: Social Media Is Making Us Self-Censor - The Bitchuation Room (with Francesca Fiorentini) - Air Date 8-14-25 KP 4: Republicans Want to Redefine 'Obscenity' - Here's Why That Should TERRIFY You - What A Day - Air Day 5-17-25 KP 5: Meet the Creepy Pro-Trump Billionaire Profiting Off of Internet Censorship - The Humanist Report - Air Date 8-7-25 KP 6: Freedom to Connect: Aaron Swartz (1986-2013) on Victory To Save Open Internet, Fight Online Censors - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-14-13 (00:46:37) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the need to demand serious arguments about serious issues DEEPER DIVES (00:52:04) SECTION A: AGE VERIFICATION (01:19:18) SECTION B: SAVE THE CHILDREN (01:45:50) SECTION C: CENSORSHIP (02:20:34) SECTION D: ANTI-PORN AGENDA   SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of a stack of protest signs that say “Fight for your digital rights!” Credit: “Netzpolitik Demonstration for press freedom in Berlin” by Sebaso, Wikimedia Commons | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 | Changes: Cropped   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Join Leah Litman, a law professor with a knack for Supreme Court insights, and Steve Maviglio, an astute Democratic strategist, as they delve into the concentrated power of the presidency and the judiciary's role in shaping democracy. They'll tackle the urgent issues of redistricting in Texas and the challenges of maintaining fair representation. The conversation highlights the history of voting rights protests and the implications of authoritarianism in modern politics, making a compelling case for grassroots activism in the fight for democracy.

The discussions uncover attempts by the Trump administration to access state-held citizen data, raising significant privacy concerns. A critical look at a new health tracking initiative reveals deeper issues of corporate influence over personal information. The podcast also reflects on historical data breaches faced by HIV patients, warning of potential future risks. Additionally, it critiques a UK law meant to protect children online, suggesting it may backfire. Finally, hosts share practical tips for safeguarding digital privacy in an era dominated by data collection.

Air Date 8/16/2025 There's the old Douglas Adams quote stating that, "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job" which is a good general rule to live by. But then there are the real baddies, those would-be leaders who possess one or more of the dark triad of traits that spells real doom for the societies that elevate them to power: narcissism, psychopathy, and machiavellianism. Today we compare and contrast Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Benjamin Netanyahu. Xi Jinping also fits nicely on this list as an honorable mention but happens to not be part of the focus today. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: The World War II Lessons Trump, Putin, & Netanyahu Actually Learned - Tad Stoermer - Air Date 8-8-25 KP 2: 'Not About Crime': Maddow CRACKS OPEN Trump's Real Motives in Deploying the National Guard to D.C. - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 8-11-25 KP 3: Totally Unexpected - HasanAbi - Air Date 8-7-25 KP 4: 'No International Community Is Capable of Stopping Netanyahu' - James O'Brien on LBC - Air Date 7-22-25 KP 5: Kyiv-based Analyst: 'Ukraine Is Being Sidelined From Talks' - LBC - Air Date 8-10-25 KP 6: How Putin's Lies Are Driving the War in Ukraine The Foreign Affairs Interview - The Foreign Affairs Interview - Air Date 1-12-23 KP 7: Donald Trump Wants to Seize Your Reality - Mother Jones - Air Date 8-8-25 (00:49:39) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why humanity is better than we seem and how we can save ourselves ‘Self-termination is most likely’: the history and future of societal collapse DEEPER DIVES (00:57:15) SECTION A: TRUMP THE LIAR A1: Trump Rejects Reality - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 8-5-25 A2: Trump Pushes Forward with Revenge Presidency - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 8-8-25 A3: Ed Elson Slams Trump Firing Labor Statistics Boss: 'This Is What Cartoon Dictators Do' - Katy Tur - Air Date 8-1-25 A4: Trump Vs. the Bureau of Labor Statistics - The Journal. - Air Date 8-4-25 A5: Trump Thinks You're Very Stupid - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 8-9-25 (01:32:17) SECTION B: NETANYAHU THE MANIPULATOR B1: Gaza Takeover: Israel Launches New Stage of 'Indefinite, Genocidal Military Campaign' -Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-8-25 B2: Why Bibi Netanyahu Is on Trial - ABC News In-depth - Air Date 4-26-24 B3: DEBUNKED: 14 Israeli LIES About Gaza Famine - Owen Jones - Air Date 8-8-25 B4: Mehdi Hasan Explains Why the War in Gaza Wont End Soon - LBC -Air Date 8-5-25 B5: Trump's Intervention in Netanyahu's Corruption Trial 'Unprecedented': Gideon Levy - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 6-30-25 (02:09:13) SECTION C: PUTIN THE STRATEGIST C1: Does Putin Have Dark Triad Traits? | Vladimir Putin Case Analysis - Dr. Todd Grande - Air Date 2-23-22 C2: What Happens When You Confront Putin in Public - Penguin History - Air Date 8-7-25 C3: Why Putin Is so Hard to Overthrow - Search Party - Air Date 8-18-23 (02:27:11) SECTION D: MYTHS COLLAPSE D1: Shocking Study Proves Trumps Biggest Supporters Are Psychopaths - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 8-11-25 D2: America's Authoritarian Turn - Harvard Radcliffe Institute - Air Date 3-3-25 D3: Huge Economic Problems Coming for Republicans and the U.S. - Heather Cox Richardson - Air Date 8-7-25 D4: How Gaza Exposes The Myths Of The System - Andrewism - Air Date 8-5-25 (03:07:29) SECTION E: THE MEN BEHIND THE THRONE E1: Who's the Man Who Has Putin's Ear? - NewsNation - Air Date 4-8-22 E2: From Terrorist Backer to Kingmaker: Itamar Ben-Gvir Israeli Far Right Help Netanyahu Regain Power - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-4-22 E3: Bezalel Smotrich: Far-right Israeli Minister Calls for Resettlement of Gaza After War - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 12-31-23 E4: Aleksandr Dugin: The Far-right Theorist Behind Putins Plan - 60 Minutes - Air Date 4-12-22 E5: Why Did Israel Restart the War? One Answer: Bezalel Smotrich. - Consider This From NPR - Air Date 3-28-25 E6: Project 2025 Co-Author Lays Out 'Radical Agenda' for Next Trump Term in Undercover Video - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-16-24 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: A composite image of a pleased-looking Trump holding up a triangle that says “The Dark Triad” in the center, and “Narcissism”, “Machiavellianism”, and “Psychopathy” along each side. Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Benjamin Netanyahu are pictured underneath. Credit: “The Dark Triad” by Manitee71, Wikimedia Commons, License: CC-By-SA 4.0 | “Putin-politics-kremlin-russia” by DimitroSevastopol, Pixabay, License: Pixabay | “Xi Jinping 2019” by Palácio do Planalto, Wikimedia Commons, License: CC-BY-SA 4.0 | “31/03/2019 Jantar na Residência do Primeiro-Ministro de Israel” by Palácio do Planalto, Flickr, License: CC-BY-2.0   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Air Date 8/12/2025 The Monthly-ish Mix™ is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month, we're covering the full spectrum of authoritarian threats—military in the streets, surveillance in our phones, conspiracies in our feeds, and corruption at the top—before turning to the grassroots organizers and Democratic Socialists who are building the resistance and winning. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! PART 1: DIRECT STATE VIOLENCE (00:01:34) #1719 - The Fascist Playbook: Immigrants, Brown Shirts, and the Backlash 1: Tanks on DC's Streets and a Us Senator in Handcuffs - Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 6-14-25 2: Papers, Please Hayes Flags New Police Tactic Trend in Trumps America - All in w/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 6-19-25 3: Palantir Peter Thiel's Data-mining Firm Helps Doge Build Master Database to Surveil Immigrants - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-3-25 (00:22:14) #1722 - Imbalance of Powers: The Supreme Court and Executive Branch Collude for Unchecked Power Grab 4: SCOTUS May End Birth Right Citizenship Soon - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 6-30-25 5: The Injunction Ban, Explained - Leeja Miller - Air Date 6-30-25 6: ‘Lawlessness Will Flourish’: Scotus Justice Issues Chilling Warning After Major Ruling - The Beat - Air Date 6-27-25 PART 2: SYSTEMIC DESTRUCTION (00:39:30) #1723 - Scam Nation: Trumpism is the Art of Screwing You Over in Every Way Possible 7:  Is AI Productivity Worth Our Humanity w/ Prof. Michael Sandel - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-26-25 8:  Empire of AI: Karen Hao & Roger Mcnamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk, & Big Tech - The Nerd Reich - Air Date 6-16-25 8: The Real Reason Investors Are Going All in on Palantir - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-24-25 (01:02:26) #1721 - The Evolution of the Military Industrial Complex: Now with AI! 10: Is AI Productivity Worth Our Humanity w/ Prof. Michael Sandel - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-26-25 11: Empire of AI: Karen Hao & Roger McNamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk & Big Tech - The Nerd Reich - Air Date 6-16-25 12: The REAL Reason Investors Are Going All In on Palantir - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-24-25 PART 3: REALITY MANIPULATION (01:23:14) #1725 - A Flood of Disinformation: A World of Climate Change and Conspiracies 13:  Flooding Is Common in Texas Hill Country. This Was Different - Consider This - Air Date 7-7-25 14: Why Kristi Noems Incompetence Matters - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-10-25 15: The Real Conspiracy Behind the Texas Floods - More to the Story - Air Date 7-16-25 (01:42:48) #1726 - Epstein Forever: Trump flails as criticism finally comes from inside the MAGA house 16: Epstein Files Firestorm Shows the Power of Online Conspiracy - There Are No Girls on the Internet - Air Date 7-8-25 17: Epstein Conspiracy, or Epstein Conspiracy Theory? - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 7-7-25 18: Epstein Survivor Calls for Accountability: Release the Files, End Impunity for Rich, & Powerful Abusers - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-18-25 19: We Tracked Every Visitor to Epstein Island - Wired - Air Date 11-22-24 Part 4: Global Chaos (02:12:24) #1718 - On the Path to Destruction: Israel Attacks Iran as Support for War on Gaza Drops 20: Jon Stewart on Israel’s "Urgent" Iran Strike, Minnesota Murders & Maga’s Blame Game - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-16-25 21:  “A Show of Human Solidarity”: Ex-U.S. Diplomat to Join Global March to Gaza to Break Israel’s Siege - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-10-25 (02:32:30) #1727 - Super-Powered Men For Good and Ill: Fascism, Media, and the Manoshpere 22: Tired of Putin's 'Bullshit': Trump Reverses, Says Us Should Send Weapons to Ukraine - Erin Burnett Outfront - Air Date 7-8-25 23: The Next Generation of Maga Influencers - Some More News - Air Date 5-28-25 24:  Brief Mehdi Hasan vs Jordan Peterson - Conspirituality - Air Date 7-26-25 PART 5: BUILDING RESISTANCE (02:54:25) #1720 - Building an Organized Left, the Eternal Oxymoron 25: Ralph Nader’s Message to Doomers: "Stop Making Excuses!" - Current Affairs - Air Date 6-22-25 26: “We Fight for Working People with No Apology”: Zohran Mamdani Beats Cuomo in Nyc Mayoral Primary - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-25-25 27: Is Protesting Ineffective? | Penny for Your Thoughts - Dasia Sade - Air Date 6-23-25 (03:21:46) #1724 - How to Socialism: Einstein liked socialism, you think you know better? 28:  Mamdani’s Spectacular Victory w/ Alan Minsk - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 7-2-25 29: 'The Economy Is Rigged": Robert Reich on Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party, Inequality, and Trump - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-26-25 30: Old Democrats Must Go or Trump Never Will - UNFTR Media - Air Date 7-15-25     Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Explore the subtle realities of living under fascism and the ritual conformity that can creep into daily life. Discover how despotism affects the psyche and the importance of resisting Orwellian language. The discussion dives into historical parallels, highlighting how America's political landscape mirrors past authoritarian trends. Emphasis is placed on community as a means of sanity and resistance during oppressive times, urging vigilance against the gradual erosion of democracy.

Air Date 8/10/2025 Trump has been condemning the media for all of his professional life and is pretty open about doing it so that people won't believe the negative press he so richly deserves. Now, with the power of the presidency, he's turned his battle with the press into a protection racket complete with payoffs and side deals in an attempt to turn the media into pro-Trump propaganda. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! PART 1: DIRECT STATE VIOLENCE (00:01:34) #1719 - The Fascist Playbook: Immigrants, Brown Shirts, and the Backlash 1: Tanks on Dc's Streets and a Us Senator in Handcuffs - Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 6-14-25 2: Papers, Please Hayes Flags New Police Tactic Trend in Trumps America - All in W/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 6-19-25 3: Palantir Peter Thiel's Data-mining Firm Helps Doge Build Master Database to Surveil Immigrants - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-3-25 (00:22:14) #1722 - Imbalance of Powers: The Supreme Court and Executive Branch Collude for Unchecked Power Grab 4: SCOTUS May End Birth Right Citizenship Soon - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 6-30-25 5: The Injunction Ban, Explained - Leeja Miller - Air Date 6-30-25 6: ‘Lawlessness Will Flourish’: Scotus Justice Issues Chilling Warning After Major Ruling - The Beat - Air Date 6-27-25 PART 2: SYSTEMIC DESTRUCTION (00:39:30) #1723 - Scam Nation: Trumpism is the Art of Screwing You Over in Every Way Possible 7: Is Ai Productivity Worth Our Humanity W/ Prof. Michael Sandel - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-26-25 8: Empire of Ai: Karen Hao & Roger Mcnamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk & Big Tech - The Nerd Reich - Air Date 6-16-25 8: The Real Reason Investors Are Going All in on Palantir - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-24-25 (01:02:26) #1721 - The Evolution of the Military Industrial Complex: Now with AI! 10: Is AI Productivity Worth Our Humanity w/ Prof. Michael Sandel - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-26-25 11: Empire of AI: Karen Hao & Roger McNamee Expose Sam Altman, Musk & Big Tech - The Nerd Reich - Air Date 6-16-25 12: The REAL Reason Investors Are Going All In on Palantir - More Perfect Union - Air Date 6-24-25 PART 3: REALITY MANIPULATION (01:23:14) #1725 - A Flood of Disinformation: A World of Climate Change and Conspiracies 13: Flooding Is Common in Texas Hill Country. This Was Different Part 2- Consider This - Air Date 7-7-25 14: Why Kristi Noems Incompetence Matters - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-10-25 15: The Real Conspiracy Behind the Texas Floods - More to the Story - Air Date 7-16-25 (01:42:48) #1726 - Epstein Forever: Trump flails as criticism finally comes from inside the MAGA house 16: Epstein Files Firestorm Shows the Power of Online Conspiracy - There Are No Girls on the Internet - Air Date 7-8-25 17: Epstein Conspiracy, or Epstein Conspiracy Theory? - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 7-7-25 18: Epstein Survivor Calls for Accountability: Release the Files, End Impunity for Rich & Powerful Abusers - Democracy Now! - Air Date 7-18-25 19: We Tracked Every Visitor to Epstein Island - Wired - Air Date 11-22-24 Part 4: Global Chaos (02:12:24) #1718 - On the Path to Destruction: Israel Attacks Iran as Support for War on Gaza Drops 20: Jon Stewart on Israel’s "urgent" Iran Strike, Minnesota Murders & Maga’s Blame Game - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-16-25 21: “A Show of Human Solidarity”: Ex-u.s. Diplomat to Join Global March to Gaza to Break Israel’s Siege - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-10-25 (02:32:30) #1727 - Super-Powered Men For Good and Ill: Fascism, Media, and the Manoshpere 22: Tired of Putin's 'bullshit': Trump Reverses, Says Us Should Send Weapons to Ukraine - Erin Burnett Outfront - Air Date 7-8-25 23: The Next Generation of Maga Influencers - Some More News - Air Date 5-28-25 24: Brief Mehdi Hasan Vs Jordan Peterson - Conspirituality - Air Date 7-26-25 PART 5: BUILDING RESISTANCE (02:54:25) #1720 - Building an Organized Left, the Eternal Oxymoron 25: Ralph Nader’s Message to Doomers: "stop Making Excuses!" - Current Affairs - Air Date 6-22-25 26: “We Fight for Working People with No Apology”: Zohran Mamdani Beats Cuomo in Nyc Mayoral Primary - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-25-25 27: Is Protesting Ineffective? | Penny for Your Thoughts - Dasia Sade - Air Date 6-23-25 (03:21:46) #1724 - How to Socialism: Einstein liked socialism, you think you know better? 28: Mamdani’s Spectacular Victory W/ Alan Minsk - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 7-2-25 29: 'The Economy Is Rigged": Robert Reich on Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party, Inequality, and Trump - Democracy Now! - Air Date 6-26-25 30: Old Democrats Must Go or Trump Never Will - Unftr Media - Air Date 7-15-25   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Air Date 8/6/2025 Today's slate of topics may feel disjointed at first until you realize that they're not. We set out to produce an episode in which we explored powerful men and those who look up to them from various angles and so that ended up including both real and fictional men from supervillains to superheroes. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on the infamous Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Tired of Putin's 'Bullshit': Trump Reverses, Says Us Should Send Weapons to Ukraine - Erin Burnett Outfront - Air Date 7-8-25 KP 2: What Does Trump See in Putin? Part 1 - The Foreign Affairs Interview - Air Date 3-14-25 KP 3: Russia's Indoctrination Machine Ft. Ian Garner Part 1 - The New Liberal Podcast - Air Date 5-31-25 KP 4: The Next Generation of Maga Influencers Part 1 - Some More News - Air Date 5-28-25 KP 5: Why the Right Hates James Gunn's Superman and Loves the Snyderverse Part 1 - Cinema Survivors - Air Date 7-16-25 KP 6: Super Mad About Superman Part 1 - Today, Explained - Air Date 7-18-25 KP 7: Brief Mehdi Hasan Vs Jordan Peterson Part 1 - Conspirituality - Air Date 7-26-25 KP 8: Mehdi Hasan Jubilee Debate Left Me Speechless Part 1 - Bulwark Takes - Air Date 7-22-25 (01:02:25) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why supporting the rich and powerful is pathetic DEEPER DIVES (01:10:31) SECTION A: RUSSIA (01:46:10) SECTION B: MANOSPHERE (02:21:33) SECTION C: DEBATE CULTURE (03:39:51) SECTION D: SUPERMAN/MEDIA

In this insightful discussion, climate and energy journalist Andrew Freedman, author and environmentalist Bill McKibben, and climate change policy expert Alice Hill delve into the urgent actions needed to confront climate chaos. They spotlight the alarming rise in extreme weather and its implications for public health. The trio emphasizes grassroots activism and the need for systemic changes in energy policies, advocating for a just transition towards renewable resources. They call for accountability in media coverage and highlight the importance of community-driven solutions in tackling climate issues.