The Professional Left Podcast with Driftglass and Blue Gal

Latest Episodes:

Ep 887 | Signal and the Noise Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Tulsi Gabbard's memory seems as selective as Alberto Gonzales's infamous "I don't recall" testimony from 2007. Imagine a Director of National Intelligence who can't remember being part of a classified Signal chat from just yesterday. She's also not good at lying, which is a requirement included in her job description as Trump's DNI.

From the Bush-era playbook of political corruption to Trump's current circus of catastrophic mismanagement, we trace the alarming pattern of Republican administrations treating national security like a reality show plot. Listen as we unravel how these supposed patriots leaked classified information with the recklessness of teenagers sharing summer vacation plans.

It's a blistering look at the Trump team's stunning incompetence, media manipulation, and the right-wing propaganda machine working overtime to spin this epic security failure.

Not safe for work. Not safe for Republicans. And it's definitely not safe for incompetent Trump officials.

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Ep 886: The Idiot Plot Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, we dive deep into the world of narrative storytelling and spectacular political incompetence. What happens when an entire administration accidentally texts its top-secret military plans to a reporter? Welcome to the "Idiot Plot," a storytelling concept in which the entire plot is driven by everyone involved being profoundly stupid.

We'll break down the Trump administration's Signal app security disaster, take a deep dive into Glenn Greenwald's media metamorphosis, and serve up our usual sharp political commentary that will make you laugh, cry, and wonder how we're all still functioning. From leaked military operations to the strange world of tech billionaires buying media influence, this episode is not to be missed.

Warning: Not safe for work, definitely not safe for sensitive ears, and absolutely packed with our unfiltered political analysis.

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Ep 885: The Real 'Cancel Culture' Mar 20, 2025

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In this fiery episode, we turn the tables on the right-wing outrage machine by exploring what actual cancel culture looks like under the current administration. We dive into the Pentagon's removal of webpages about minorities who served in the military, including Ira Hayes, the Native American Marine who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima.

We play a game of "Do You Remember?" highlighting the hypocrisy of those who decried "cancel culture" just a few years ago but are now actively erasing history that doesn't fit their narrative. We examine the shocking DEI purges happening across government agencies, particularly in the National Archives and Department of Defense.

From historical monuments to classic films and music, we explore what American culture would look like if we truly followed through on current efforts to erase "DEI" from our collective memory - everything from Johnny Cash's music to "To Kill a Mockingbird" would be on the chopping block.

We connect contemporary deportation policies to Bush-era "black sites" and examine how the current administration learned its playbook from previous Republican administrations.

Recorded March 20, 2025. Contains explicit language.

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Ep 884: Our New Fake Sponsor $BOSCO and The Week's News Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Happy 20th Blogiversary to Driftglass! We celebrate by bringing on board a new fake sponsor. Cryptocurrency that is modeled on our chatty, slightly annoying cat, Bosco. $Bosco will make all your dreams come true!

Glitter paws and crypto minds
$Bosco’s here leaving doubts behind
Cash your dreams in feline flair
$Bosco Coin taking you everywhere!!!
[Chorus]
$Bosco Coin boogie, let’s ignite
Dancing through the blockchain night
Purrs of fortune in the air
$Bosco’s groove is beyond compare!!!

We also cover Chuck Schumer, Glenn Greenwald (did you know he's a conservative pundit now?), and a very much alive man declared dead by Social Security under Trump.

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or mail contributions to

The Professional Left Podcast

PO Box 9133

Springfield, Illinois, 62791

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Ep 883: The Media's Favorite Drug Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

We're back with a fresh episode exploring what we call the media's "favorite drug" - their addiction to centrism and both-siderism! We'll take you behind the scenes of Chuck Todd's bitter departure from NBC, examine the rehabilitation tour of certain political figures, and discuss why MSNBC is hemorrhaging viewers.

Plus, we'll dive into some troubling developments in the early months of Trump's second administration and share our thoughts on politicians desperately courting that mythical "middle voter" ahead of 2028.

Not safe for work - explicit language.

More at proleftpod.com, where you can also contribute to this podcast via PayPal or at patreon.com/proleftpod

or mail contributions to

The Professional Left Podcast

PO Box 9133

Springfield, Illinois, 62791.

Thanks for supporting our podcast work!

Support the show

Ep 882 Twenty Plus Years of Asymmetry Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

We're back with our latest episode, examining how the rope of crony corruption binds our politics asymmetrically - a pattern we've been observing for over twenty years in American politics and media.

The heart of our conversation explores how right-wing media continues to dominate local airwaves while progressive voices face constant scrutiny and advertising challenges. I'll take you back to 2005 to show how little has changed - or how much worse it's gotten.

In other news, FAFO hits federal workers as their own MAGA families fail to sympathize. And some surprising resistance (and huge audiences) are forming in expected quarters. (Hi, Bernie!)

Join us for this not-safe-for-work discussion as we continue broadcasting from the Cornfield Resistance on March 11, 2025.

More at proleftpod.com, where you can also contribute to this podcast via PayPal or at patreon.com/proleftpod

or mail contributions to

The Professional Left Podcast

PO Box 9133

Springfield, Illinois, 62791.

Not safe for work!

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Ep 881: Peter Navarro's Canadian Fantasy Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Professional Left Podcast for March 6, 2025, driftglass and I dive into several breaking news stories that have us asking "Are you KIDDING?"

Elon Musk's government email address
Peter Navarro's outlandish claim about Canada
President Diarrhea Mouth can’t help leaving a huge door open for those suing to stop DOGE
Republican senators secured a special hotline from Musk.
Missouri Republicans propose 100% tax credits for you’ll never guess

And Driftglass makes an insightful comparison between L. Ron Hubbard's approach to writing for specific pulp fiction markets and how Democrats keep trying to sell "Democracy is in Danger" to an audience that simply isn't buying.

More at proleftpod.com, where you can also contribute to this podcast via PayPal or at patreon.com/proleftpod

or mail contributions to

The Professional Left Podcast

PO Box 9133

Springfield, Illinois, 62791.

Not safe for work!

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Ep 880 Shame To America Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

In our latest episode, we dissect how prominent news outlets like the Associated Press are sanitizing Trump's increasingly unhinged behavior, literally editing out his most bizarre moments from official transcripts. From the shocking Oval Office encounter with Zelensky to the ongoing media capitulation, we show how journalism is failing in real time.

We explore the deep shame many Americans feel as our country becomes increasingly aligned with authoritarian regimes, sharing insights from unexpected sources like David Brooks (yes, THAT David Brooks), who describes a profound moral injury to the nation. We discuss the continued spinelessness of Republican lawmakers and the systemic failures that have brought us to this moment.

Our news roundup covers the devastating cuts to scientific research, the purge of federal workers, and the ongoing assault on democratic institutions. We examine how Trump's administration is dismantling everything from social services to international aid, with a particular focus on the impact on research, USAID programs, and endangered TREES. (As if we could hate him more than we do.)

As always, we bring our trademark blend of righteous anger, dark humor, and unflinching analysis, asking the hard questions about how we got here and what we can do to resist.

Content Warning: Contains explicit language and, you know, "direct" political commentary.

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Ep 879 The Oligarchy Comes For The Press Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Professional Left Podcast, we dive into the Trump administration's continuing assault on American democracy and institutions.

We start with our "News Roundup," covering the DOGE cuts, government firings, and acts of resistance within federal agencies. We also discuss Trump's controversial "Gold Card" citizenship program, the shocking U.S. vote against a U.N. resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the purge of top military leadership, and the numerous legal challenges to the administration's actions.

We then turn our attention to media capitulation, examining MSNBC's firing of on-air personalities of color and The Washington Post's transformation under Jeff Bezos into what we describe as "the Amazon corporation house organ."

We also critique "Independent Centrists" and their failed attempts to create movements based on the fallacy of "extremes on both sides." We argue that these efforts are marketing solutions to ideological problems that can never succeed.

We conclude with a thoughtful discussion of effective messaging strategies for Democrats. We weigh approaches that focus on democracy versus kitchen table issues and emphasize the importance of being proud Democrats with a clear vision.

Content Warning: Contains explicit language and direct, ahem, political commentary.

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Driftglass needs a sick day 2/25/25 Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Sorry folks, DG is getting over a sniffle and is coughing too much to podcast today. See you Thursday!

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