The Professional Left Podcast with Driftglass and Blue Gal

Latest Episodes:

Ep 868: Wherefore 'The Contrarian'? Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Have you noticed that truly independent liberal blogs have maintained their integrity while other "upstart" media ventures often drift toward centrism and "both-sides" reporting? We have!
In this week's episode, Driftglass and Blue Gal examine the current media landscape and the rise of self-proclaimed "contrarian" outlets. They also examine The Contrarian, a new media venture launched by Jennifer Rubin and Norm Eisen.

Also: President Biden's historic job creation record, Pete Hegseth's absurd confirmation hearing, and Special Counsel Jack Smith's final report.

Recorded live from the Cornfield Resistance. Podcast artwork by Bluegal via Bing AI.

Support the podcast at proleftpod.com or become a patron at patreon.com/proleftpod.

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Ep 867 Our 15th Podcast Anniversary Jan 09, 2025

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It's been fifteen YEARS of podcasting at The Professional Left!
Our hearts go out to the victims of the Palisades fire.
Why can't we talk to conservatives not to inform or persuade or even get them to accept reality? Sad! A history. Ahem.
More at proleftpod.com.
Blue Gal's knitting podcast! https://www.youtube.com/@flangum
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal | https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod
Do you want to send us a Happy New Year card and/or contribution by mail? We love getting mail!
The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133
Springfield, IL 62791

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Ep 866: 'Polarization' Is The New 'Both Sides Do It' Jan 07, 2025

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Recorded January 7, 2025

We 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, 2021
Historical parallels: Rush Limbaugh's "rooting for failure" approach during Obama's presidency
Major 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 Note

Thursday marks the podcast's FIFTEENTH-anniversary show!

Stay in Touch!

Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com
Website: proleftpod.com
Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod
Mail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791

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Ep 865: Happy New Year + Remembering Gonzo and Jimmy Carter Dec 31, 2024

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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=uNUzYEDxBEw

Blue Gal's knitting podcast! https://www.youtube.com/@flangum
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal | https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod
Do you want to send us a Happy New Year card and/or contribution by mail? We love getting mail!
The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

Ep 864 President Musk ...and More Royko Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

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/@flangum
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal | https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod
Do you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail? We love getting mail!
The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

Ep 863: Yeah, We Don't Wanna Run WaPo Either Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

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 healthcare
Trump's past false claims about COVID-19 and inflation
ABC News settling a $15 million defamation lawsuit with Trump
Media's capitulation to Trump and conservative narratives, same as ever
Trump allies suggesting radical ideas like a potential third-term
The collapse of "The Biden Crime Family" lie
AOC loses the House Oversight Committee ranking member race

More at proleftpod.com.
YouTube and Avatar artwork by Fran/Bluegal via Bing.AI.
Blue Gal's knitting podcast! https://www.youtube.com/@flangum
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal | https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod
Do you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail? We love getting mail!
The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

Ep 862: Little Red State Fundy Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

Our "hot take"? The CEO shooting reminds us of... Sandy Hook and Uvalde.
Driftglass reads his classic tale "Little Red State Fundy" and we have given up MSNBC, all of it, for one big reason.
More at proleftpod.com.
YouTube and Avatar artwork via Bing.AI.
Blue Gal's knitting podcast! https://www.youtube.com/@flangum
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal | https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod
Do you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail? We love getting mail!
The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

Ep 861 Meet the Latest NYT Focus Group! Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

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.html
George Carlin, 'Soft Language': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h67k9eEw9AY
YouTube and Avatar artwork via Bing.AI.
Blue Gal's knitting podcast! https://www.youtube.com/@flangum
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal | https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod
Do you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail? We love getting mail!
The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

Episode 860: My Mistake Dec 08, 2024

Show notes

We issue a correction to episode 859...

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Ep 859: The Memory Hole That Is America Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

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/3lcjmpvoyyc26

Popular.Info: Donald’s Crypto Bribe Out in the Open https://popular.info/p/a-chinese-national-charged-with-fraud

Anthem 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/@flangum
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal | https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod
Do you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail? We love getting mail!
The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

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