The Professional Left Podcast with Driftglass and Blue Gal

Recorded January 7, 2025We discuss how mainstream media continues to normalize extremism while Vice President Harris certifies her own election loss. How the media landscape is shifting in concerning ways, from the Washington Post's 'troubles' to Meta's new MAGA-friendly policies.The contrast between VP Harris's honorable certification of results versus the events of January 6th, 2021Historical parallels: Rush Limbaugh's "rooting for failure" approach during Obama's presidencyMajor changes at Meta/Facebook, dropping fact-checkers and relaxing content restrictions = we're OUT. Media coverage of the January 6th anniversary uses the passive voice, as well as the Webster's Dictionary word of the year for 2024, "polarization."  UGH.Programming NoteThursday marks the podcast's FIFTEENTH-anniversary show!Stay in Touch! Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: proleftpod.comSupport via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpodMail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791Not safe for work.  Support the show

It's our final episode of 2024 and the 100th episode of the year!!!January 2025 marks our 15th anniversary of podcasting!  (We're off on Thursday and will return to regular podcasting on Tuesday, January 7.)This episode pays tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter. It includes a deep dive into Hunter S. Thompson's 1974 account of Carter's influential Law Day speech in Georgia. And we heap some love on JB Pritzker, as our governor stands up for the healthcare rights of pregnant women.  More at proleftpod.com. Link for this episode:  “GONZO: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson” by Magnolia Pictures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNUzYEDxBEwBlue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangumOur podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeftSupport the show:PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcastPatreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpodDo you want to send us a Happy New Year card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133 Springfield, IL 62791Support the show

Elon Musk is running the country now, so we've got THAT going for us.  Driftglass suggests, only a little tongue in cheek, that farmers (who voted for Trump in the 75-80% range) should bear the brunt of whatever the Musk/Trump administration will do.  Blue Gal can't wait for the Matt Gaetz Ethics Committee Report, and DG reads a time travel story from Mike Royko.  More at proleftpod.com. YouTube and Avatar artwork by Fran/Bluegal Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangumOur podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeftSupport the show:PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcastPatreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpodDo you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133 Springfield, IL 62791Support the show

Aww, nobody wants the "head up the Washington Post" job?  In other news: Trump's potential betrayal of rural supporters through proposed policies on tariffs, immigration, and healthcareTrump's past false claims about COVID-19 and inflationABC News settling a $15 million defamation lawsuit with TrumpMedia's capitulation to Trump and conservative narratives, same as everTrump allies suggesting radical ideas like a potential third-termThe collapse of "The Biden Crime Family" lie AOC loses the House Oversight Committee ranking member raceMore at proleftpod.com.YouTube and Avatar artwork by Fran/Bluegal via Bing.AI.Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangumOur podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeftSupport the show:PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcastPatreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpodDo you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133 Springfield, IL 62791Support the show

The podcast dives into the chilling resemblance between recent violence and past tragedies, urging a reflection on societal outrage. A satirical retelling of 'Little Red Hen' critiques the rise of dominionism in politics and the influence of conservative media. The hypocrisy of GOP rhetoric on gun violence is laid bare, alongside discussions of corruption influenced by wealthy elites. Humorous anecdotes about high school shenanigans and a lovable tuxedo cat break the tension, while the hosts stress the crucial role of financial support in sustaining liberal media.

Surprise! They're Trump voters!  It's amazing how many "low information" (they're not) voters "do their own research."  LINKS for this episode: No More Mister Nice Blog:  "Members of the latest times focus group voted for a parallel-universe Trump". https://nomoremister.blogspot.com/2024/12/members-of-latest-times-focus-group.htmlGeorge Carlin, 'Soft Language':  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h67k9eEw9AYYouTube and Avatar artwork via Bing.AI.Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangumOur podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeftSupport the show:PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcastPatreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpodDo you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133 Springfield, IL 62791Support the show

We issue a correction to episode 859...Support the show

Correction to Tuesday's episode on pardons:  Contrary to the false information we repeated in episode 858, George HW Bush did NOT pardon his son, Neil.  We regret the error.We got a letter we had to share.  The latest Morning Joe quarrel wasn't about Trump after all.  And Driftglass reads Royko. We were also on The Bob Cesca Show this week.  Tune in here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/driftglass-and-blue-gal/id380996798?i=1000679262247 More at proleftpod.com. Trigger warning: During the news round up, we mention the word su*cide.David Frum in the Atlantic (gift link via George Conway) https://bsky.app/profile/gtconway.bsky.social/post/3lcjmpvoyyc26Popular.Info:  Donald’s Crypto Bribe Out in the Open https://popular.info/p/a-chinese-national-charged-with-fraudAnthem BC/BS Caves to Public Outrage over Anesthesia Policy https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/anthem-blue-cross-blue-shield-time-limits-anesthesia-surgery-rcna183035 YouTube and Avatar artwork via Bing.AI.Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangumOur podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeftSupport the show:PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcastPatreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpodDo you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133 Springfield, IL 62791Support the show

CORRECTION:  Contrary to the false information we repeated in this episode, George HW Bush did NOT pardon his son, Neil.  We regret the error. The Hunter Biden Pardon in the historical context of presidents pardoning family members and nobody remembering that they did that.  And Driftglass reads "To The Chicago Abyss" by Ray Bradbury (1963). More at proleftpod.com. Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangumOur podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeftSupport the show:PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcastPatreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpodDo you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133 Springfield, IL 62791Support the show

Happy Thanksgiving to our listeners!  We are so grateful to you for support of our show. We are off on Thursday.  Next week we hope to do a Science Fiction University episode! Links for this episode: Mama Nous:  "Worrying Has Never Changed a Thing" is used by permission. https://www.instagram.com/p/DCPONzGqtHV/ and wherever you get your music.Parkrose Permaculture (excerpt) “Why are Tr*mpers mad that folks are setting boundaries?”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmMHtQyZsZITrumpers effing around and finding out.  FAFO!  MAGA The Bitter Sweet Awakening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDp_tb5bs-0MAGA When Family Members Abandon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3xzRQWrzioChickens coming home to roost:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3OdC_dRp20Genius parody from The Beaverton:  "Opinion: Bluesky is a dangerous echo chamber because no one wants to hear from me, specifically" https://www.thebeaverton.com/2024/11/opinion-bluesky-is-a-dangerous-echo-chamber-because-no-one-wants-to-hear-from-me-specifically/More at proleftpod.com.More at proleftpod.com.You can help us pay for DG's eye doctor expenses athttps://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ease-dgs-medical-financial-burdenBlue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangumOur podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeftSupport the show:PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcastPatreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpodWant to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!The Professional Left PodcastPO Box 9133 Springfield, IL 62791Support the show