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

Air Date 4/14/2025 Everything, it turns out, is a double-edged sword. Democracy and freedom are great but it also contains the keys to its own destruction. Love is pretty good but it turns out that only love can break your heart. And technology, which has freed people from countless hours of menial labor also has the power to subsume our economy, our politics, and much of our everyday lives. It may even be said to have supplanted capitalism itself. 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! ACTIVISM ROUNDUP KEY POINTS KP 1: The Broligarchy Pt 2: Is this Techno-Fascism? Part 1 - Close All Tabs - Air Date 4-2-25 KP 2: Capitalism Has Mutated Into Something Worse with Yanis Varoufakis - Factually! with Adam Conover - Air Date 2-7-24 KP 3: How Technofacism is Rooted in Silicon Valley / Becca Lewis Part 1 - This Is Hell! - Air Date 2-11-25 KP 4: We Went To Georgia Facebooks Data Center Took This Town Hostage - More Perfect Union - Air Date 3-27-25 KP 5: The Rise of Techno-Authoritarianism - Radio Atlantic - Air Date 2-26-24 KP 6: What does Palantir actually do? - Good Work - Air Date 3-28-25 (00:52:52) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the faustian bargain of the internet's walled gardens DEEPER DIVES (01:02:20) SECTION A: FALLOUT (01:45:41) SECTION B: ORIGINS (02:10:50) SECTION C: TECH BROS (02:37:42) SECTION D: APARTHEID Technofeudalism Description: A composite image of Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Jeff Bezos wearing tiny golden crowns with dollar signs on them. An illustration of tiny replication of workers at desks in cubicles is in the background.   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

Original Air Date: 3/5/2019 From 2019: Today we take a look at how the illiberalism of the Israeli government has alienated the vast majority of democratic nations and individuals who support human rights, leaving the country with some of the most far-right, fascist, white-supremacist, anti-Semitic people in the world as their only remaining allies. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes 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! Show Notes Ch. 1: Peter Beinart on anti-Semitism in America and illiberalism in Israel - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 11-28-18 Ch. 2: Inequality and the Fight Against Anti-Semitism Q&A with Paul Jay (2/5) - @TheRealNews - Air Date 11-1-18 Ch. 3: Advocates: Israel’s Jewish Nation-State Law Constitutionally Enshrines Racism Against Palestinians - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 7-23-18 Ch. 4: Canada's Trudeau Attacks BDS, Joins Trump & Israel Blaming 'Both Sides' for Anti-Semitism - @TheRealNews - Air Date 11-12-18 Ch. 5: Noam Chomsky Condemns Israel’s Shift to Far Right & New “Jewish Nation-State” Law - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 7-30-18 Ch. 6: The Last Temptation of Evangelicals - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 5-21-18 Ch. 7: Saudi Crown Prince Tells Palestinians to 'Shut up' as He Cozies up to Israel - @TheRealNews - Air Date 5-3-18   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 4/5/2025 Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past. And with Trump in place, the Christian Nationalists are looking to rewrite history to their liking in order to create the dystopian future they desire. 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!) 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: Donald Trump is Rewriting the Past. Plus, the Christian Groups Vying for Political Power - On The Media - Air Date 2-17-25 KP 2: Trumps Vision for America I Am God - The Intercept Briefing - Air Date 3-7-25 KP 3: How to Stand Up to Project 2025 and Save Public Education - Assembly Required - Air Date 12-12-24 KP 4: How School Integration Failed Black Students w Noliwe Rooks - This Is Hell! - Air Date 3-19-25 KP 5: Trump Can't Destroy The Dept. Of Education But He Will - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 3-7-25 KP 6: Trump orders 'restoring' American history through Smithsonian overhaul - Trump's Terms - Air Date 3-28-25 KP 7: Make America Great Again means segregation - Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie - Air Date 3-25-25 KP 8: Does Trump Have A Mandate - Stop Christian Nationalism - Air Date 11-20-24 (00:54:50) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the power of repetition DEEPER DIVES (01:00:41) SECTION A: PUBLIC EDUCATION (01:45:37.350) SECTION B: CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM (02:35:29) SECTION C: RELATED TOPICS SHOW IMAGE CREDITS for #1702 - White nationalism Description: A composite image of an illustration of Trump holding up a white cross against a dark background of a brick wall painted with the American flag. Credit: Custom composite design. | Components License: Pixabay   Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Air Date 4/2/2025 Love them or loathe them, the Democratic Party is the political institution available to the left to structurally take on Trumpism but we need a whole lot of new energy and new commitments to the fight to turn them into an opposition worthy of the moment we face. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript New Format Notes Code 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: 'Now is the time to break glass’: Chris Hayes reacts to Schumer interview 'Now is the time to break glass’: Chris Hayes reacts to Schumer interview - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 3-19-25 KP 2: Why Are Some Democrats Trying To Be Republicans？- Kat Abughazaleh - Air Date 3-3-25 KP 3: WATCH: Crowd ROARS As AOC Lays Out Fighting Strategy For Democratic Party - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 3-23-25 KP 4: Why Democrats Are Failing Us - Bean Thinking - Air Date 3-19-25 KP 5: Why Im Running For Congress - Kat Abughazaleh - Air Date 3-24-25 KP 6: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D-IL) Speaks at the 2025 HRC Los Angeles Dinner - Human Rights Campaign - Air Date 3-24-25 (00:48:03) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR With a VM on trans kids and a sneek peek at SOLVED! DEEPER DIVES (00:58:17) SECTION A:  (01:37:40) SECTION B:  (02:19:15) SECTION C:  (02:35:50) SECTION D:  (02:55:46) SECTION E:  Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

Air Date 3/28/2025 You might not be trans yourself but that's just like how coal miners aren't canaries because when they saw that the canaries were under threat, they knew the danger was all around them. Fascists always start with those who are the easiest to dehumanize but they never stop there. ANNOUNCEMENT: Watch, like, subscribe & comment on our newly-launched YouTube show, SOLVED! 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! Activism Roundup KEY POINTS KP 1: The Threat of Project 2025 on LGBTQ+ Rights - The Blueprint with Jen Psaki - Air Date 9-16-24 KP 2: The fight to protect LGBTQ+ rights from Trump - Politics Weekly America - Air Date 1-31-25 KP 3: Ezra Young on Trans Rights Law, Anne Sosin on RFK Jr. and Rural Health - CounterSpin - Air Date 2-7-25 KP 4: The Rights About-Turn on Parental Rights - Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick - Air Date 11-30-24 KP 5: Humanizing Trans People Laverne Cox - The Majority Report - Air Date 3-23-25 KP 6: Imperialism and Totalitarianism Go Hand in Hand M. Gessen on Trumps Policies at Home & Abroad - Democracy Now! - Air Date 3-14-25 KP 7: The Fight for Trans Futures - In The Thick - Air Date 12-12-24 KP 8: Know Your LGBTQIA+ Rights with Chase Strangio - At Liberty - Air Date 2-13-25 (01:02:12) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the launch of SOLVED! DEEPER DIVES (01:10:48) SECTION A: POLICY ROLLSBACKS (01:47:25) SECTION B: DEHUMANIZATION (02:25:13) SECTION C: HISTORICAL ATTACKS (02:59:41) SECTION D: STORIES  (03:29:55) SECTION E: TRANS JOY AND RESISTANCE  Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

The podcast dissects the current wave of anti-trans legislation, exposing its roots in political manipulation rather than genuine protection. Conversations address the haunting legacy of the Bostock v. Clayton County ruling and the real-world effects of Florida's infamous Don't Say Gay bill. It also critically examines the debate surrounding transgender women's roles in sports while advocating for youth empowerment over restrictive measures. Overall, it highlights the need for intersectional approaches to support marginalized LGBTQ communities.

Dive into the tangled web of 'common sense' as an ideological weapon in modern politics. The hosts play a thrilling game of Satire Showdown while dissecting how this concept is weaponized by populists to distort facts. Explore shifting perspectives on DEI initiatives and the surprising backlash against Amy Coney Barrett from the right. Plus, a fascinating discussion on the rise of a multiracial Right and strategies for Democrats to respond effectively. It's a thought-provoking take on the complexities of contemporary governance and communication!

Air Date 3/21/2025 If you've been paying attention, the weaponization of the government against Trump's political and ideological enemies is exactly what you would have seen coming and now it's here. 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!) 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: Special - The Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil w/ Spencer Ackerman - American Prestige - Air Date 3-12-25 KP 2: Trump Invokes Wartime Alien Enemies Act, Then Ignores Judicial Order to Turn Around Deportation Flights - Democracy Now! - Air Date 3-17-25 KP 3: Are Non-Violent Protestors Now Labeled "Terrorists?" - Thom Hartmann - Air Date 6-20-13 KP 4: John Harwood on Trump's attack on free speech: ‘Everyone in civil society needs to stand up' - Velshi - Air Date 3-6-24 KP 5: Trump Hates Science - Factually! with Adam Conover - Air Date 3-14-25 KP 6: Fascism is Officially Here | Hasanabi reacts - Hasanabi Productions - Air Date 3-17-25 (48:46) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the need for us to protect each other DEEPER DIVES (53:17) SECTION A: FREE SPEECH CAN BE TERRORISM (1:25:56) SECTION B: OPPOSING TRUMP CAN BE TERRORISM (1:43:42) SECTION C: DOJ, FBI, & THE JUDICIARY (2:20:30) SECTION D: GOVERNMENT FUNCTION SHOW IMAGE Description: Protestors in New York City hold signs that say “Release Mahmoud Khalil - Hands off our students” and “Release Mahmoud Khalil” with the activist’s photo. Credit: “Mahmoud Khalil NYC detention protest 013” by SWinxy, Wikimedia | License: CC BY 4.0   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

Air Date: 3–19-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: - A special little ditty Jay put together - The legitimate problems that helped birth the damaging MAHA movement - Sherrod Brown’s OpEd on how the Democrats lost their way - What Jay learned from India’s railway engineers - An interview with Ro Khanna that sparked some hope   FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e   REFERENCES: “Like a Flame in the Night” - Based on SOLVED! Ep. #340: Prophetic Voices from the Past and Hope for the Future (March 9th) Health Paranoia and the Politics of MAHA Democrats Must Become the Workers’ Party Again Ro Khanna Is Doing More Than Voting 'No'   Find your Indivisible group - or start one Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Use the 5 Calls app for scripts and to reach all your elected officials   Join our Discord Server Reach us via Signal: Bestoftheleft.01   Leave a message at 202-999-3991   Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Air Date 3/18/2025 In this special Podcasthon episode, we're joining thousands of podcasts around the world in taking the opportunity this week to support a cause or organization that we believe in. In this time of fighting fascism, Best of the Left has chosen to support Indivisible, the grassroots organizing team that's working to resist Trumpism and pressure Democrats to do the same. Follow the link in the description of this episode to make a donation but also take a moment to find and join your local Indivisible chapter to stay engaged. SUPPORT INDIVISIBLE WITH A DONATION AND SIGN UP WITH YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER! 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! Activism Roundup KEY POINTS KP 1: Bernie Response Does Huge Numbers｜One Democrat Defies Trump - The Rational National - Air Date 3-5-25 KP 2: How to Rebuild the Left as the Far Right Floods the Zone - UNFTR Media - Air Date 2-5-25 KP 3: How to Really Resist - The Intercept Briefing - Air Date 2-28-25 KP 4: Republicans finally go NUCLEAR over town hall disasters - Brian Tyler Cohen - Air Date 3-5-25 KP 5: How Leftists Can Win in 2025 - Harper O'Conner - Air Date 1-3-25 KP 6: Gov. Pritzker SLAMS Trump and Musk in closing remarks of State of the State address - NBC Chicago - Air Date 2-19-25 (50:04) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Giving the call to join the fight at Indivisible.org DEEPER DIVES (52:46) SECTION A: STRATEGY & GOALS (1:16:30) SECTION B: HUMOR AS A TACTIC (1:35:34) SECTION C: PROTEST (1:54:57) SECTION D: BOYCOTT (2:13:48) SECTION E: RESOURCES (2:37:09) SECTION F: POWER STRUCTURES SHOW IMAGE Description: A protestor holds a Trans Pride flag with the word RESIST (with an equals sign in the E) in front of a state capitol building. Credit: Private permission photo