Syria Pullout & Government Shutdown

We discuss the furor around Trump's announcement of troop pullouts from Syria and Afghanistan. Also, our take on what's behind the government shutdown over building a border wall. What’s Left? Website: Podcasts: iTunes: Googleplaymusic: stitcher:

Naomi Klein, AOC and Greenwashing Capitalism

We discuss the hype around the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal Committee proposal. For background on this check out these two links. Naomi Klein article on Green New Deal: Green New Deal: What’s Left? Website: Podcasts: iTunes: Googleplaymusic: stitcher: Additional Links: Fallacies of “Green Growth” Greenwashing South Korean Greenwashing The Scary Truth on the 2008 Bailout Some Background on the New Deal The Sunrise Movement

Yellow Vests!

“People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people.” -V for Vendetta What’s Left? Website: Podcasts: iTunes: Googleplaymusic: stitcher: Additional Links: 47 Demands of the Yellow Jackets Who are the gilets jaunes and what do they want? This Woman Pays Drug Users Not To Have Kids (HBO)

Tear Gas or Open Borders? Nationalism or Internationalism?

In light of workers and their children being tear-gassed at the border while struggle takes place in parts of Europe (and even some in SF), and movements in Europe around Brexit, in this episode, we take up the question of nationalism. What’s Left? Website: Podcasts: iTunes: Googleplaymusic: stitcher: Additional Links: https://socialistworker.org/2018/11/27/the-case-against-the-case-against-open-borders Previous What’s Left Episodes worth checking out: Honduran Episode White Privilege episode

Rotten Turkey: The Thanksgiving Myth

We discuss some of the issues that come up for both of us when we think more deeply about the Thanksgiving holiday. What does it say about the real legacy of the United States? What is the holiday really about? What was the fate of both pilgrims and Native Americans and where are they at today? What are the lessons can we take away from this most famous of US holidays? What’s Left? Website: Podcasts: iTunes: Googleplaymusic: stitcher:

California Burning!

California is on fire! Why is this happening? How did these fires start? Why do the fires seem to be getting worse each year? Can we do anything about it? We both learned a lot in preparing for this episode so make sure to check out the links provided with it. Also, this episode has more images included in it to compliment the audio, so you might want to check out the video version as well. What’s Left? Website: Podcasts: iTunes: Googleplaymusic: stitcher: Additional Links: Air Quality Index Indicator How fighting wildfires makes them worse Power lines are burning the West Management vs Suppression MIT study on Forest Management

2018 Midterms: Blue Wave Autopsy

A week after the U.S. midterm elections, we discuss what happened to the projected ‘blue wave’ that was supposed to sweep the political landscape in Washington. Well, there was no blue wave? Why not? What was significant about these elections? What did it accomplish? What comes next? 2020 elections?!?! Really!?!?! What’s Left? Website: Podcasts: iTunes: Googleplaymusic: stitcher: Additional Links: We watched hackers break into voting machines Def Con hackers made quick work of electronic voting machines

Does Voting Matter?

It’s only one more day before the U.S. mid-term election, and we thought it would be a good opportunity to discuss our differing opinions on the merits of voting in bourgeois elections. Things get a little heated, but in the end we come out buddies even if we have to agree to disagree on some issues. What’s Left? Website: Podcasts: iTunes: Googleplaymusic: stitcher:

"Migrants are Not Criminals! We are International Workers!"

Eduardo and Andy discuss the migrant caravan that is making its way from Honduras to the US border. What are the reasons for the caravan? How the immigrant plight is being used by US politicians and why open borders and a giant “Bienvenidos!” Is the only sensible attitude to have to their treacherous but heroic journey. What’s Left? Website: Podcasts: iTunes: Googleplaymusic: stitcher: Additional Links: Their courageous caravan needs our solidarity US Threatens Military Response on Border How US Policy in Honduras Set Stage for Migration US Role in Honduran Coup Immigrants and Violent Crime MS-13: Born in the USA Stats on Immigration Do Immigrants Steal Jobs? Why US is Losing Manufacturing Jobs Gentrification is Internal Immigration

Jamal Khashoggi: One More Murder for Empire

Eduardo and Andy discuss the brutal assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. Who was he? and what happened to him? Who is responsible? And what are the machinations behind all the changing stories coming from Donald Trump and the Saudi regime in Riyadh?

 What’s Left? Website:

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 Additional Links: 
Jamal Khashoggi's Career Profile

Who Was Jamal Khashoggi? A Saudi Insider Who Became an Exiled Critic

 Jamal Khashoggi was a journalist, not a jihadist 

Reformist impulse in Saudi Arabia suffers setbackA journalist who questioned the power of the Saudi religious establishment is fired 

Crocodile Tears from the US establishment 

A 60's Radical who Refuses to Make Peace with the System

Apologies for the audio trouble.  We are still working out the kinks of our sound for interviews.

This week, we interview Bruce Neuberger.  A 60's radical, who unlike many of his generation, has stayed radical all his life.  He is a Maoist who still exposes and fights Capitalism and all the inequality that comes with it. He has also written a book on his time organizing in the fields of Salinas CA in an excellent book, entitled "Lettuce Wars". Here Bruce shares his thoughts about struggle of the 60s and today as well as his conception of Socialism.

 What's Left? Website:

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Readings/links recommended by Bruce.

There's a new video just out by Avakian called Why We Need An Actual Revolution and How We Can Make Revolution I'd like to draw attention to.

The one title I can think of would be in the beginning with my name, Author of Lettuce Wars, Ten Years of Work and Struggle in the Fields of California.

 The New Communism by Bob Avakian
 
 Science and Revolution An interview with Ardea Skybreak 

 The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism. By Edward E. Baptist. New York: Basic Books, 2014. Pp. xxvii, 498

 A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

BIRDS CANNOT GIVE BIRTH TO CROCODILES, BUT HUMANITY CAN SOAR BEYOND THE HORIZON PART 1: REVOLUTION AND THE STATE 

 BIRDS CANNOT GIVE BIRTH TO CROCODILES, BUT HUMANITY CAN SOAR BEYOND THE HORIZON Part 2: BUILDING THE MOVEMENT FOR REVOLUTION 

 The Unknown Cultural Revolution by Dong Ping Han Monthly Review Press 2009

 The Battle for China’s Past by Mobo Gao Pluto Press, 2008

Is the (Workers') Party Over in Brazil?

Eduardo and Andy discuss the recent elections in Brazil.  Once again we see the rise of a right-wing, populist candidate spouting nationalism, sexism and anti-immigrant racism.  Why is this happening in Brazil?  Why is it happening around the globe?  What does it mean for the Left?

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Brazil Under Lula

Disgusted by Kavanaugh Hearing? Me Too!

This week, Eduardo and Andy discuss all the nonsense and drama behind the Brett Kavanaugh nomination for the Supreme Court and our thoughts and responses to the hearing on allegations of sexual abuse leveled against him.

We are getting this episode out a little early because some people who are important to us (and we love very much) insisted that we get it out early!

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The Hidden Epidemic of Men who are Raped by Women

Fighting the Supreme Court in the Streets and in the Workplace

Meet Tarana Burke, Activist Who Started “Me Too” Campaign to Ignite Conversation on Sexual Assault
Activist Tarana Burke began "Me Too" as a grassroots movement to aid sexual assault survivors in underprivileged communities, where rape crisis centers and sexual assault workers weren’t going. Tarana Burke is now a program director at Girls for Gender Equity.

In Janus Case, Court Issues Major Anti-Labor Ruling, Eviscerating Power of Public-Sector Unions

Sotomayor, a Trailblazer and a Dreamer

Sotomayor: 'Always Looking Over My Shoulder'

Cricket, Ivy League classmates startled student Sonia Sotomayor

Sotomayor’s Focus on Race Issues May Be Hurdle

Sotomayor Has Said Gender and Ethnicity 'Make a Difference' in Judging

Princeton key to knowing Sotomayor

Catholic Church Cover-up: 300 Priests Sexually Abused 1,000 Children in Pennsylvania

“This Church Is a Criminal Enterprise”: Former Priest & Survivor Speak Out on PA Catholic Sex Abuse

Red Pills, Blue Pills and Personal Awakenings

Eduardo and Andy talk about how their ideas changed from accepting what they were taught, to challenging it and then breaking from it.  Now, having arrived at a new place, what happens when your ideas need to change again?  How do you know which way to go?  We touch on some of these questions.


What's Left? Website:

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Rodney King Beatings

OJ Simpson Trial

Kosovo War (Who are the War Criminals?)

The Rambouillet Accord

Writings of Georg Lukacs

Writings of Isaac Deutscher

The Opinion of Children on Politicians in Mexico

Madeline Albright Quote

Climate Changes, Capitalism Doesn't

Eduardo and Andy discuss the politics around the climate change summit in California. 

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Jerry Brown takes Heat over Carbon-swapping

About Jim Steele

Debate on source of climate change

Judith Curry

Interview of a Pro-capitalist Anarchist

Never Alone Trailer

Geo-Engineering in Viet Nam

"Sacrificing Everything" for Nike.

Eduardo and Andy discuss the recent shoe/apparel deal struck between Nike and Colin Kaepernick.  The ad campaign seems to lend support to Kaepernick's cause of fighting/highlighting racism and police brutality in the US with him featured prominently and a slogan saying "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything." Who and what benefits most from this controversial association? Kaepernick or Nike? The Cause or Capitalism?

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Article on Nike stocks

History of "American Football"

Prison Strike 2018!

Eduardo and Andy discuss the recent prison strike called by Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee and Jailhouse Lawyers Speak.  We cover in detail each of the 10 demands of the strike, and talk about why they are important, and what they expose about the U.S prison system.

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Interview of IWOC member on prison strike

Mass Incarceration: 2018

IWOC

Prisoner Wages

Punishment Fails. Rehabilitation Works.

Brazil Museum Fires

Interview with a Pro-Capitalist Anarchist

Eduardo and Andy interview Jake Schmidt.  We do these interviews do give people another perspective on politics than the one they hear from us.  We also hope to highlight that the important views are the ones that regular people have, not politicians, not 'experts'. Its regular people who will change the world, so its those opinions and beliefs we'll be focusing on.

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https://bitcarbon.co/
Link referred to by Jake at the end of the video.  Check it out!

What's Left of Abortion Rights?

Sorry!  First upload was only 12min.  This one should work (41min)

Eduardo and Andy discuss recent decisions across the globe either restricting or expanding women's access to abortion rights.  We explain our differing reasons for supporting a woman's right to choose.

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Is the U.S. Turning to Fascism?

Eduardo and Andy talk about the anniversary of the Charlottesville demonstrations and discuss whether fascism in on the rise in the U.S..  We also talk about the tactics and politics of Antifa.

What's Left? Website:

Additional Links:

Bobo doll experiment
https://www.britannica.com/event/Bobo-doll-experiment
https://www.simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.html

Dr. Cornel West interview, "We would've been crushed like cockroaches"

Banning InfoWars: About Censorship or About Time?

Eduardo and Andy discuss the recent ban by Facebook, YouTube, Apple and Spotify on InfoWars (and others). Should these actions be supported or opposed?

What's Left? Website:

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What’s Left?: On Independent Media

Obama’s use of Espionage Act

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Another point of view on Brest-Litovsk

The Smith Act (1940)

What’s Left? Socialism 101

Alexandra Kollantai

Her writings

Robert Mueller released his indictment alleging that 13 Russian nationals colluded to disrupt the 2016 elections. Who are these Russian nationals sowing discord? And who are these Americans that were manipulated??

•The Curious Case of the Russian Flash Mob at the West Palm Beach Cheesecake Factory

•Karl Popper: ”Less well known is the paradox of tolerance: Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them. — In this formulation, I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies; as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion, suppression would certainly be unwise. But we should claim the right to suppress them if necessary even by force; for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant.”

Popper, Karl, The Open Society and Its Enemies, volume 1, The Spell of Plato, 1945 (Routledge, United Kingdom)

•Correction: I stated Radio Lab had reported on the Alaskan immigration town debate. It was actually This American Life that had reported on it.

Episode 621/21 July 2017

Fear and Loathing in Homer and Rockville

Two towns where people got really upset about undocumented immigrants, even though in both places, that did not seem to be the most important thing happening at all. One of the towns, a small town in Alaska, has no undocumented immigrants at all, but the possibility of them arriving put the whole town at each other’s throats.
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/621/fear-and-loathing-in-homer-and-rockville

Racism, Capitalism and Privilege

Eduardo and Andy discuss racism. What is it? Where does it come from? Who benefits from it? What's Left? Website:

Additional links:
The New Jim Crow The Roots of Racism On Primitive Communism https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/may/14/early-men-women-equal-scientists
https://libcom.org/history/primitive-communism-barbarism-origins-class-society-lionel-sims US Civil War: the 2nd American Revolution http://www.counterfire.org/a-marxist-history-of-the-world/15405-the-american-civil-war-the-second-us-revolution https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/08/second-american-revolution-civil-war-charleston-emancipation-lincoln-union Reconstruction and the African-American Odyssey

Trump, Russia and the New Cold War

Eduardo and Andy discuss the furor over President Trump's meeting with Russian President, Vladimir Putin. We also ask what's really behind the Mueller investigation and claims of Russian meddling in the US elections?

 Links to information in video:

2013 Statement by the Press Secretary on the President’s Travel to Russia 

Evidence that DNC e-mails were a leak not a hack

Corbett Report on Russia Hacking 

Homeland Security takes over US election 

On US role in Ukraine Coup 

Evidence that Bernie WON the Dem. Party primary in 2016 

What’s Left? On independent Media 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on the President’s Travel to Russia 

Lawmakers Push Anti-Protest Laws as Mass Resistance to Trump Sweeps U.S. 

Prosecutors Drop All Charges Against Remaining #J20 Defendants
 
Dems refuse to “Abolish ICE”

Dems refuse to “Impeach Trump”

AMLO and Change Through the Ballot Box

Eduardo and Andy continue their discussion from last week about AMLO and ask what should be the attitude to AMLO's victory/presidency? Is it a step forward for the working class? Is it a development that must be welcomed or fought against (or both)? What kind of change is possible through elections and the ballot box?

For background on AMLO see our last episode:

What's Left? Website:

Links:

The Bolsheviks in the Tsarist Duma

Facing Foreclosure? Don’t Leave. Squat.

One Mexican town revolts against violence and corruption. Six years in, its experiment is working

The Mexican Town That Kicked Out Politicians And Started Over
Cherán is a town of some 20,000 inhabitants in the highlands of Michoacán, one of the Mexican states that’s suffered most in the drug wars of the last decade.

Mexican Vigilantes: Citizens become armed to take on narco rule

Mexico's Vigilante State - Fault Lines

Cherán, el pueblo purépecha en rebeldía

AKA Lonely: From California gangs to Mexican vigilante | Guardian Docs

The Vigilantes
With an estimated 70,000 people dead in Mexico's drug war, armed vigilantes are now taking the law into their own hands.

Vigilante ranchers, fruit growers kick out brutal drug cartel in western Mexican state

Mexico: Self-Defense Movement takes over policing Michoacan

Fighting Mexico's Knights Templar Cartel

Marichuy: Mexico’s First Indigenous Woman Presidential Candidate

Marichuy, Mexico’s indigenous candidate: “My goal goes beyond being president”

The Feminist Indigenous Candidate Running for President of Mexico

Zapatistas declare for independent Marichuy

Mexico has its first indigenous woman candidate for president

Documentary into who she is in Spanish with English subtitles:
Historias debidas VIII: María de Jesús Patricio Martínez (capítulo completo) - Canal Encuentro

AMLO and the Mexican Elections

Andy asks Eduardo about his trip to Mexico and what it means to him, then the discussion turns to politics in Mexico, the recent election and who is AMLO, Andrés Manuel López Obrador?

What's Left? website:

Links:

AMLO Documentary “Estoy Soy”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

What are the implications of the recent NY primary victory of Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez? Is her candidacy a challenge to Democratic Party or a trap laid for U.S. workers and the Left?

What's Left? Website

Obama’s Attack on the Media 1

Obama's attack on leakers

Sane Progressive “Hillary Clinton Nomination a Coup”

Independent Media: From Left-Wing to Right-Wing Then Back into the Democratic Party

Continuing their discussion from last week, we debate the merits of independent media outlets like Democracy Now and what it means to be 'pragmatic' about making social change.

What's Left? website

Reform or Revolution:

“Facts” on immigration from the Right

Breaking-Up Families or Breaking-Up Borders?

What's behind the recent attack on immigrants by the Trump administration, the role of the Democratic Party and the possibility of open borders?

What's Left? website

Additional links:

Statistic on immigration under Clinton, Bush and Obama

The Deportation Machine Built for President Trump

As Detention Centres Hit Capacity, Trump Eyes Tent Cities on Military Bases to Jail Migrant Children

Exclusive: Trump looking to erect tent cities to house unaccompanied children

“Hidden Horrors”: Reporter Debbie Nathan on Mass Trials & Kids Separated from Parents at the Border

Hidden Horrors of “Zero Tolerance” — Mass Trials and Children Taken From Their Parents

Border Patrol Continues to Exaggerate Danger to Agents to Justify Violence Against Immigrants

Lobbyists given draft document outlining House leaders' contentious immigration proposal

Hearings on DOJ bias in “Russia probe”

Stats on E-Verify

Do undocumented workers pay taxes?

Do undocumented workers ‘steal’ benefits?

Interview with a Socialist

Eduardo interviews Andy on what he means by "Socialism" and poses his own questions/doubts about it.

What's Left? website

LOTS of links on terms referred to in the video:

Where does profit come from?

Lenin on “Dictatorship of the Bourgeoisie”

Dictatorship of the Proletariat

More on Dictatorship of the Proletariat 

Profit of Capitol

State and Revolution

The Paris Commune of 1871

Role of workers councils

Introduction to State Capitalism

Democracy and the soviets

Workers Councils in Germany

The Russian Revolution and Russian Colonies

The Seattle General Strike of 1919

Separation of mental and manual labor

Role of the Vyborg Workers in Russian Rev

Rosa Luxembourg (Reform or Revolution)

Marx and definitions of Class

Enclosure Acts and the Industrial Revolution

Solidarity in Disaster

Fredrick Douglas (reply of the colored delegation to the President)

Value of Women’s unpaid labor

Why we still want to strike!

Communist Manifesto

Rosanne Barr, Racism and the Media Frenzy

The media frenzy surrounding Rosanne Barr's tweets about Valerie Jarrett.

What's Left? website

Additional links to info in video:

Evidence of Institutional racism

Wealth inequality in the US

Racial discrimination in US criminal justice system

Race and deliberations in US juries

Gun Control and Violence in America

Gun control, the State, racism and violence in America.

What's Left? website

Additional links to podcast:

Andy wrote an article about the gun control debate several years ago.


Eduardo provides some links for many of the things he said in the discussion below.

Rate of Mass Shootings Has Tripled Since 2011, Harvard Research Shows:


Everytown for Gun Safety report of domestic/family violence link to mass shootings (2009-2016):
https://everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis/
https://everytownresearch.org/reports/guns-and-violence-against-women/

Democracy Now!'s domestic violence and mass shooting connection and related discussions:
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/11/7/how_domestic_violence_and_militarism_open
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/11/9/mass_shootings_and_domestic_violence
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/11/6/suspect_in_texas_church_massacre_was
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/11/6/after_texas_massacre_drexel_prof_asks
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/11/6/why_did_media_overlook_sept_shooting

San Bernardino elementary teacher and students shot by estranged husband:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-california-shooting/california-gunman-kills-wife-self-as-she-teaches-class-student-also-dead-idUSKBN17C24T
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/4/11/headlines/california_husband_murders_his_wife_an_8_year_old_boy_at_elementary_school

In April of 1996, a gunman opened fire on tourists in Port Arthur, Tasmania, killing 35 and wounding 23 others. Within 12 days of the attack, Australia’s conservative government announced a bipartisan deal to enact gun control measures:
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/10/4/after_las_vegas_massacre_advocates_look

Armed violence and gun laws, country by country
In a sea of web sites offering unverified, polarised opinions on gun violence, GunPolicy.org provides evidence-based, country-by-country intelligence from a broad range of official and academic sources. This university site is for researchers, officials, journalists and advocates who need accurate citations and rapid access to credible sources.

The Iran Deal, Israel and the Right to Resist

The Iran Deal and its implication for the Middle East, the United States and the Anti-war movement.

What's Left? website

Who We are and Why We are Doing This

Eduardo and Andy's introductory podcast on what "What's Left?" is about.

What's Left? website