The Professional Left Podcast with Driftglass and Blue Gal

Latest Episodes:

Ep 808: We interrupt this podcast for a medical emergency May 30, 2024

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Driftglass was in the ER last night for HOURS (and he's fine) but we're not up for podcasting regularly today. TWO political podcasts next week, Tuesday and Thursday.
If you can help with what we know are going to be medical bills meeting DG's $5900.00 deductible for 2024, we've got a Go Fund Me posted here.
More at proleftpod.com.

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Ep 807: Science Fiction University | Andy Weir's Hopeful, Hard SF May 28, 2024

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On this episode of Science Fiction University, we dive into the works of Andy Weir, the author behind the hit novels The Martian and Project Hail Mary.

Project Hail Mary, Weir's latest novel takes readers on an epic journey across the cosmos. Like his earlier work, The Martian, PHM showcases Weir's talent for fusing cutting-edge science with an extremely human story of perseverance and hope. We'll analyze how Project Hail Mary embraces the conventions of "hard" science fiction while also delivering an optimistic, even spiritual message about humanity's ability to overcome challenges through cooperation and grace.

So join us as we explore the intricate worlds and big ideas contained within Andy Weir's captivating science fiction adventures.
More at sciencefictionuniversity.com.

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Ep 806: 'There Is No News Cycle, Only Zuul' May 23, 2024

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Rake-stepping with the worst witness in the legal "defense" of Donald Trump...
The not-at-all-shocking reports that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito raised multiple (red? of course!) flags (ahem) supporting the events of January 6th's Capitol attack...

...and Nikki Haley's not-at-all surprising endorsement of Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination because of course she did.

Keep the faith and deep breath!
More at proleftpod.com.
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Ep 805 No Fair Remembering Stuff: The Friedman Unit May 21, 2024

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We were going to do this podcast six months from now buuuuut....
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Opening and Closing Music:
Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix | http://audionautix.com/|

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/jumpin-boogie-woogie
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Ep 804 Trump's Dress-Alike Ventriloquist Dummies May 16, 2024

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There are ventriloquist dummies, and then there are dummies like Senator Tommy Tuberville. What did Blue Gal think was the most revealing moment of the Michael Cohen testimony? Driftglass says he is willing to try to be "more polarizing" than David French. All this and a news round-up with our home state winning a special designation! More at proleftpod.com.
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

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Ep 803: God's Will Or Somebody Else's Fault May 14, 2024

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We kick things off with a whimsical tangent about "sacred chickens" - those unquestioned assumptions and mythologies that societies cling to, even in the face of contradictory evidence. This leads to a deeper discussion about the concept of "phenomenology" and how subjective experience of reality can be manipulated (see Fox News).

From there, we dive deep into one of America's most pernicious "sacred chickens" - the racist "birther" conspiracy theory that falsely claimed former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. And we examine how it gained traction, in large part due to the relentless promotion by Donald Trump and, more importantly, by the relentless desire of CNN and other mainstream outlets to let Trump on their airwaves to promote his racist (and lie-filled) "investigations."

While Trump's championing of this fantasy was an early glimpse into his comfort level with trafficking in racism and misinformation for perceived political gain, it was also a glimpse into just how willfully blind the media is to right-wing manipulation, especially if it means they can "both-sides" a presidency for both balance AND ratings.

The Republican party establishment's refusal to reject birtherism set the stage for the party's further embrace of conspiracy theories and "alternative facts" in subsequent years under Trump. The episode is a timely examination of how racism, xenophobia, and phenomenological distortions can be weaponized for political purposes with damaging consequences.
More at proleftpod.com.
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Our YouTube Channel
Opening and Closing Music:
Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix | http://audionautix.com/|

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/jumpin-boogie-woogie
Music promoted by Audio Library | https://youtu.be/S2wYQlC0Us

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Ep 802 'Twelve Angry Men' and Other Lies May 09, 2024

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A black and white movie from decades ago taught us something that just isn't true about the "power of persuasion." This and the week's news -- more at proleftpod.com.
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

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Ep 801: No Fair Remembering Trump's Covid Eff-Ups May 07, 2024

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No, really, Trump was the so-called president for the entire year 2020, and he never took any responsibility for managing the US Government's response to the pandemic.
And normal people blot out the memories of this because of a little thing called TRAUMA. We must remind ourselves and others that we will NEVER AGAIN elect that incompetent egomaniac.
Link for this episode: "There’s a name for Trump playing down the threat and failing to take action against the virus: Institutional betrayal"
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Support the show:
PayPal | https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod
Our YouTube Channel
Opening and Closing Music:
Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix | http://audionautix.com/|

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/jumpin-boogie-woogie
Music promoted by Audio Library | https://youtu.be/S2wYQlC0Us

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Ep 800 Wait, 800 Episodes?!? May 02, 2024

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We celebrate our 800th podcast episode. Wow! Thanks for supporting our podcast work.
And for our 800th episode we have to start off with Kristi Noem's dog murder and Marjorie Taylor Greene's unconscious (and NOT Christian) anti-Semitism? Where's the cake?
Also thinking back to 1968, which 2024 is NOT.
There are 799 more episodes, and information on how to support the show, at proleftpod.com.
Link for this episode: "Clean for Gene"
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

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Ep 799 Science Fiction University: 1940 Vs 1951 Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

We look at a 1940's short story and the 1951 movie that was kinda sorta based on that story.
And yes, "The Day The Earth Stood Still" has definitely stood the test of time.
More at https://www.sciencefictionuniversity.com/
Our podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal | https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod

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