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

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

In this engaging discussion, Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, shares insights on his controversial foreign and economic policies. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, dives into the dynamics of the Ukraine conflict, while Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's leader, highlights the resilience of his country amid war. The trio delves into the chaotic shifts in U.S. foreign policy, the implications of tariffs, and the urgent need for international solidarity in combating authoritarianism. They explore the delicate balance of power on the global chessboard, marked by evolving alliances and historical narratives.

Air Date 3/12/2025 The (Approximately) Monthly Mix is here to get you caught up on recent news without being overwhelming! This month we look at the future for Gaza, Trump's plans for mass deportations, the decline of the US on the international stage, the wrecking crew dismantling the federal government, RFK Jr. and the threat to public health, and Trump's endemic corruption. 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! PART 1: ETHNIC CLEANSING AT HOME AND ABROAD #1687 Respite: Ceasefire in Gaza and the Legacy of Imperial Folly in the Middle East 1: Gaza Ceasefire Explained Reading Between The Lines Part 2 - The Socialist Program - Air Date 1-16-25 2: On the Situation in Syria and its Implications for the Region - Revolutionary Left Radio - Air Date 1-6-25 3: Egypt, Jordan Reject Trump Plan to Clean Out Gaza; Palestinians Return to N. Gaza in Historic Day - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-27-25 (25:13) #1693 Empowering Ethnostates: Ethnically cleansing Gaza and Trump's South Africa fixation 4: Trump's Insane Plan To Own Gaza - Pod Save the World - Air Date 2-12-25 5: West Bank Annexation Inevitable - The Majority Report - Air Date 2-6-25 6: Trump's South Africa Fixation - What Next - Air Date 2-12-25 (49:33) #1692 Ethnically Cleansing America (1:16:02) #1688 International Decline: The Old Is Dying and the New Cannot Be Born PART 2: TRUMP AND THE WRECKING CREW (1:41:55) #1689 The Media and the Moguls (2:02:34) #1691 Breaking the Government (2:25:26) #1690 Oligarchy Unmasked- Why Billionaires Hate Democracy and How They're Dismantling It (2:45:15) #1694 Unhealthy Discourse - RFK Jr. and the Anti-Science Movement Endangering Global Health (3:02:31) #1695 Trump's Corruption As A Matter Of Course

Air Date: 3–9-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: - The Founding Fathers’ prophetic concerns that we don’t ever talk about - FDR VP Harry Wallace’s op-ed on American fascism from 1944 - Philosopher Richard Rorty’s chilling predictions from 1998 - A few reasons - with caveats - why U.S. Democracy might make it through Trump 2.0 - Some hope and advice from a country that recently defeated their authoritarian regime   BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Hear the Full Show, Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)   FOLLOW US ON: Bluesky Mastadon Instagram Facebook YouTube Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e   REFERENCES: Benjamin Franklin to the Federal Convention The Other Fear of the Founders - The Atlantic Vice President Henry A. Wallace on ‘The Danger of American Fascism’ in 1944 - Brewminate An eerie prophecy of Trump’s second term - Vox Three reasons why American democracy will likely withstand Trump - Vox Poland just showed the world how democracy wins   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!