The Lean to the Left Podcast

Alzheimer's Research in the Crosshairs of Trump's Shutdown

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 18:53:55 -0000

Bob Gatty from Lean To The Left discusses the true consequences of the Donald Trump government shutdown that derails the fight against cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Despite Trump's claims about preventing undocumented immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded healthcare, federal law already prohibits their eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or Affordable Care Act coverage.
Gatty reveals the actual human repercussions of the shutdown, including halted Alzheimer's and cancer research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The shutdown jeopardizes clinical trials, lab funding, and young scientists' careers. Gatty urges viewers to stand against the shutdown and highlights its detrimental effects on essential medical research. For more details, visit his article at LeanToTheLeft.net.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Trump's Shutdown Claim00:12 The Reality of Immigrant Healthcare00:24 Impact on Alzheimer's and Cancer Research01:10 The Human Cost of the Shutdown01:34 Call to Action and Conclusion

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If the Resolute Desk Could Talk, What Trump Secrets Does it Hold? | Lean to the Left Podcast

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 17:35:22 -0000

What happens when inanimate objects, like the Resolute Desk, and mythological monsters tell the story of Trump’s America? 🤯In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty interviews author Barry Robbins, whose satirical books NO!, HELL NO!, and American Monsters offer a creative, humorous, yet deeply critical take on Donald Trump and the state of American politics.📚 Robbins shares how his inspiration came from wanting to spark emotional reactions rather than intellectual debates—using satire to highlight the outrages of the Trump administration. From lamps and chairs to mythological beasts, his storytelling offers a unique lens on the chaos of recent years.🌍 Having lived in Finland, Robbins also explains how experiencing social democracy firsthand shifted his perspective from corporate Republican to progressive, shaping his critique of America’s political divisions and the growing threat of authoritarianism.🎙️ In this conversation, we explore:• The origins of Robbins’ satirical books NO! and HELL NO!• His mythological take in American Monsters• How fear and manipulation drive politics in Trump’s America• The impact of living abroad on his view of U.S. democracy• Why America’s deepening divisions pose a dangerous futureIf you’re interested in political satire, progressive perspectives, or simply want to understand today’s turbulent political climate in a new way, this episode is for you.👉 Listen to the full conversation now and explore Barry Robbins’ books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. Direct Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/4gNhHyL🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to Lean to the Left for more interviews, commentary, and progressive voices challenging today’s politics.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Lean to the Left Podcast00:50 Introducing Barry Robbins and His Books01:29 The Concept Behind Barry's Books04:11 Political Violence and Barry's Perspective04:35 Barry's Experience in Finland05:38 The State of American Democracy07:40 Trump's Influence and Responsibility19:12 Barry's Latest Book: American Monsters20:41 Where to Find Barry's Books21:21 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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Embracing America’s Independent Spirit | Adam Brandon on the Rise of Independents

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Nearly 40% of Americans now identify as independents, reflecting deep frustration with partisan politics. In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, Bob Gatty speaks with Adam Brandon, senior advisor at the Independent Center and co-author of The Exhausted Majority.
Brandon shares his journey from leading FreedomWorks to shaping a new independent movement that seeks to disrupt the two-party duopoly. Topics include:• Why independents are the “exhausted majority” of American politics• The Independent Center’s strategy to influence Congress by 2026• Opportunities for independents on state and national ballots• The role of AI in transforming campaigns and civic engagement• How millennials and Gen Z are driving a more policy-focused approach
👉 Don’t miss this conversation about independence, reform, and the future of American democracy.
🔗 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at LeanToTheLeft.net.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest02:01 Challenges and Strategies for Independent Voters05:40 Gerrymandering and Independent Candidates11:38 The Role of AI in Politics13:24 Funding and Supporting Independent Candidates17:30 Lessons from the Tea Party Movement23:21 The Exhausted Majority: Upcoming Book26:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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When the President Shakes Down the Media

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0000

What are the implications for our divided country when a bullying president shakes down the news media to get his way?In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, John DeDakis, veteran journalist, former CNN editor, White House correspondent, novelist, and writing coach, explores the challenges of journalism in today’s fractured media landscape and the implications of Donald Trump's attempts to bully the media to his own ends.👉 Topics include:• The crisis of trust in mainstream media• How Trump and bullying politicians have influenced journalism• The rise of digital media and the internet’s double-edged sword• Artificial Intelligence and its limits in creative storytelling• DeDakis’ novel Enemies Domestic, inspired by today’s political climate• Writing as a tool for healing grief and trauma• Helping aspiring authors find their voiceDeDakis shares candid reflections on truth in reporting, holding power accountable, and why integrity and human touch still matter in an age of information overload. 📚 Learn more about John DeDakis and his books. If you care about media integrity, politics, or the power of storytelling, this episode is a must-listen.👍 Don’t forget to subscribe, hit the like button, and share your thoughts in the comments!#Media #Politics #JohnDeDakis #LeanToTheLeft #Journalism #truthmattersCHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Lean To The Left Podcast00:31 Introducing John DeDakis: Journalist and Author 01:47 Trump's Impact on America03:33 The Role of Journalism Today04:26 Challenges in Modern Media07:38 Personal Experiences in Journalism10:37 The Evolution of Journalism15:23 The Influence of Social Media16:15 The Impact of AI on Writing16:54 Experimenting with AI in Creative Writing18:26 The Ethical and Environmental Concerns of AI20:03 Discussing 'Enemies Domestic'22:18 Writing About Personal Grief25:50 Helping Authors as a Manuscript Editor and Writing Coach27:02 Current and Future Writing Projects28:24 Where to Find John's Books30:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Defending Transgender Identity | Amethysta Herrick, PhD | Lean to the Left Podcast

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0000

In Defending Transgender Identity on the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty sits down with Amethysta Herrick, PhD, a transgender woman, scientist, and advocate, to discuss the growing wave of discriminatory legislation targeting transgender individuals.
Ami shares her remarkable story—from childhood struggles and suicide attempts to building a successful career as a scientist and executive, and ultimately transitioning to live authentically. She dives deep into the importance of identity, resilience, and the human experience, and discusses how Trump-era policies devastated the transgender community.
Ami also shares her mission with Purple Paw Clan, an organization dedicated to defending transgender rights and supporting those on their journey toward self-discovery and acceptance.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation to explore:The personal and societal challenges of gender identityThe impact of anti-transgender legislationThe importance of advocacy and educationThe story behind Purple Paw Clan and Team Water
💜 Support the cause: https://purplepawclan.comDon’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to help amplify voices that need to be heard.#TransRights #LeanToTheLeftPodcast #PurplePawClan
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome00:10 Discriminatory Legislation Against Transgender People00:56 Introducing Amethysta Herrick, PhD01:56 Amethysta's Early Life and Academic Journey03:46 Transitioning and Professional Life05:03 Family Life and Personal Struggles05:54 Exploring Gender Identity and Transition07:28 Writing and Advocacy13:51 Impact of Trump's Policies on Transgender Community18:22 Conservative Upbringing and Personal Struggles19:06 Trump's Executive Orders and Gender Affirming Care19:43 Corporate Responses to Anti-DEI Policies20:07 First Amendment and Hate Speech22:10 The Story Behind Purple Paw Clan27:30 Team Water Initiative28:47 Conclusion and Contact Information

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A Black Fed's Conflict: Deric Gilliard on Promoting Trump Administration Policies

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0000

What was it like to serve as a Black federal employee during the most divisive presidency in modern American history? In this powerful episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, host Bob Gatty sits down with Deric Gilliard, activist, author, and retired federal public affairs advisor, to discuss his experiences promoting Trump administration policies.
Gilliard—whose career spanned five administrations from Clinton to Biden—shares stories from his new book, The Longest Four Years of My Life: A View from the Field by a Black Fed. He provides a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the dismantling of programs that supported Black communities, attacks on the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, and efforts to erase history at the Smithsonian.
📌 Key Topics Covered:• The Trump administration’s elimination of thousands of federal jobs.• Canceling Department of Education support programs.• Weakening of Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.• Stripping diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.• Attempts to rewrite history around slavery.• Stark contrasts between Trump’s policies and Biden’s efforts to restore equity.
Deric also reflects on his earlier career, particularly during the Obama years, and shares how his work connected to Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of equality. His story is both a warning and a call to action for all Americans who care about democracy, justice, and truth.
👉 Don’t miss this insider perspective on the Trump years, race, and policy.📖 Order The Longest Four Years of My Life on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4nfa7yP.
🎧 Subscribe to the Lean to the Left podcast for more conversations on politics, justice, and social change.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Trump's Promises to Black Americans01:39 Deric Gillard's Background and Career04:07 Experiences Under Different Administrations06:06 Impact of Trump's Policies11:25 COVID-19 and Trump's Leadership15:10 Federal Workforce and Safety Nets19:47 Trolling Trump on Social Media20:10 Impact of Cutting Education Programs21:11 Trump's Obsession with the Affordable Care Act22:14 Obama's Legacy and Racial Backlash25:15 Reflections on Working for Different Presidents33:27 The Importance of Telehealth During COVID34:24 Promoting Justice and Equality35:31 Discussing the New Book36:44 Upcoming Book Club Announcement

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Voices of Resistance: A Southern Dem's Clash with MAGA

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0000

In this powerful episode of the Dixie Dems Podcast, part of the Lean to the Left network, Carole Bellacera — Air Force veteran, author, and unapologetic Southern Democrat — shares her story of resilience, activism, and the fight for fair representation in a deep-red state.
Carole recounts the shocking moment she was escorted out of a Nancy Mace town hall, simply for being a Democrat, and the broader challenges progressives face in conservative regions. From her service during the Vietnam era to her lifelong dedication to social justice and writing, Carole embodies the indomitable spirit of grassroots activism.
🎙 What you’ll hear in this episode:The reality of being a Democrat in a Republican strongholdHow Carole turned political exclusion into fuel for activismThe ongoing battle for democracy and representation in the SouthHer insights as an Air Force veteran and author of Incense and PeppermintsIf you believe in democracy, equal representation, and the power of one voice to make a difference, this episode is for you.
#DixieDems #LeanToTheLeft #SouthernDemocrat #MAGA #GrassrootsActivism #CaroleBellacera
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:14 Meet the Hosts and Guest Introduction01:26 Carole's Background and Achievements01:54 Carole's Music Endeavors03:11 Discussion on Nancy Mace05:15 Trump and Epstein Controversy06:20 Impact of Trump on Personal Relationships08:35 Nancy Mace Town Hall Incident14:53 Carolel's Activism and Political Views21:13 Confrontation with a Doctor21:50 Trump's COVID Treatment and Inequities22:52 Veterans and Trump's Policies24:14 Military and Public Opinion26:41 Corporate America's Response to DEI28:22 Desserts and Small Talk32:40 Trump's Health Speculations35:59 Vietnam War and Combat Nurses38:04 Conclusion and Farewell

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Politics Over Science: The Deadly Cost of Vaccine Denial

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0000

In a shocking move, Trump’s Health Secretary RFK Jr. has restricted COVID vaccine access for kids, seniors, and the vulnerable — ignoring scientific evidence and risking countless lives.
Hear Lean to the Left's Bob Gatty explain why this dangerous politics over science agenda could cost more lives than the pandemic’s first wave. It's the deadly cost of vaccine denial.

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Wealth Creation Strategies in Today's Economy with Bronson Hill | Lean to the Left Podcast

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0000

What are some wealth creation strategies in today's economy? Welcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast with our guest, Bronson Hill, managing member of Bronson Equity and and author of the bestselling book 'Fire Yourself: Replace Your Working Income in Three Years or Less.'
Hill is general partner in 2,500 multifamily units worth over $250 million and the host of the Mailbox Money show.
During the show, Hill explores the impact of Trump's tariffs and inflation, and possible investment strategies for those seeking to capitalize on opportunities and avoid the pitfalls resulting from today's economic environment. Hill discusses the importance of passive income, the effects of inflation on everyday expenses, and ways to capitalize on current economic conditions.
The conversation also touches on the growing influence of artificial intelligence and its implications on employment in the future. Bronson shares about the Wealth Forum, a platform for high net worth individuals to discuss investment opportunities and financial growth. Additionally, he provides practical advice for those looking to embark on their investment journeys.
Hill also is the author of a new investment guide, "How to Use Inflation to Your Advantage," which he is generously offering for free to Lean to the Left listeners and viewers. To receive your copy, text the word "Inflation" to 33777. To purchase his book, 'Fire Yourself: Replace Your Working Income in Three Years or Less.' visit https://amzn.to/4fGwquX.
Don't miss this insightful conversation aimed at helping you achieve financial freedom and build a prosperous future.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Lean to Left Podcast00:20 Meet Bronson Hill: Wealth Generation Expert01:01 The Importance of Passive Income02:02 Impact of Tariffs and Inflation03:45 Opportunities Amidst Economic Challenges09:43 The Wealth Forum: A Network for High Net Worth Investors12:42 Bronson Hill's Journey to Financial Freedom17:50 Investment Strategies and Tax Benefits20:11 The Future of AI in Investments25:20 Final Thoughts and Free Resources

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Transgender Troops Banned: Could Gays be Next?

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Thousands of trans troops are being banned and facing removal from the U.S. military under a Trump administration ban. The Pentagon’s message: self-identify and leave voluntarily with extended benefits — or face involuntary separation.
Could this be just the beginning? Could gay service members be next?
In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, retired Army officer and author Darrell Berry shares his personal experiences with anti-gay attitudes in the military and his insights on the potential impact of these policies on the LGBTQ+ community.
Berry also discusses his gripping novel Early This Morning, a powerful blend of military life, espionage, and the fight for equality — including the creation of an all-gay Army unit sent on a near-suicidal mission. Is it fiction… or could something like this really happen?
WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast00:53 – Meet Darrell Berry01:55 – Life in the Military & Anti-Gay Attitudes03:51 – The Plot of Early This Morning07:15 – Comparing Stories with Author Steve Berry09:14 – Trump’s Impact on LGBTQ+ Rights11:07 – Darrell’s Writing Journey & Future Projects12:55 – Publishing and Book Availability14:51 – Final Thoughts
🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation about fairness, equality, and resilience in America’s armed forces.
📚 Early This Morning by Darrell Berry – [Insert Amazon link]
#TransgenderTroops #MilitaryEquality #LGBTQRights #DarrellBerry #LeanToTheLeftPodcast #TrumpMilitaryBan #GaySoldiers #MilitaryLife #LGBTQMilitary #EarlyThisMorning

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Inspiring Young Democratic Candidates with Amanda Litman of Run for Something

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, Amanda Lipman, founder and president of Run for Something discusses the future of the Democratic Party, the importance of inspiring young Democratic candidates, and Run for Something's mission to encourage and support young, diverse progressives running for local office.
Amanda discusses the rise of millennial and Gen Z candidates and their impact on local politics, as well as her new book, 'When We Are in Charge.'
They also touch on the challenges facing the Democratic Party and the need for embracing genuine values, the role of new communication tools in modern politics, and the importance of grassroots leadership.
It is clear that the Democratic Party stands at a crucial juncture. At a time when young individuals increasingly turn toward Republican ideals, despite Donald Trump, there's a pressing need to reinvigorate the Democrats.
Millennials and Gen Zs are tired of bullshit and inauthenticity, and the Democratic Party must recognize that to succeed, Litman says.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Topic00:29 Meet Amanda Lipman: Founder of Run for Something01:21 The Mission and Impact of Run for Something03:05 Challenges and Strategies for Young Democratic Leaders05:19 The Rise of Zohran Mamdani and Its Impact08:25 The Future of the Democratic Party and Young Leaders17:30 Amanda Lipman's Book and Final Thoughts

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Dixie Dems: Catherine Fleming Bruce vs. Sen. Lindsey Graham?

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to Dixie Dems, part of the Lean to the Left Podcast, the premier progressive voice in the South. In this episode, we feature Catherine Fleming Bruce, a committed Democratic activist running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Senator Lindsey Graham. Hosted by Arthur Hill, Robert Thompson, and Bob Gatty, the discussion covers Catherine’s motivations, grassroots activism, and her plans to address critical issues such as healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality. Join us as we explore why Catherine believes she can effectively challenge Graham and bring a progressive change to South Carolina.00:00 Introduction to Dixie Dems00:44 Meet Catherine Fleming Bruce01:57 Catherine's Political Journey and Vision05:26 Grassroots Activism and Campaign Strategy07:02 Challenges and Opportunities in the South08:09 Economic and Social Issues23:34 Healthcare and Community Impact35:37 Climate Change and Federal Responsibility41:24 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

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Trump: Kill the Messenger

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0000

The political atmosphere in this country with Donald Trump is hateful and getting worse. He is entrenching himself as a dictator and it's amazing that his MAGA supporters don't see this. Does he really think firing the person who reports his bad job numbers will change things? Come on, people. By the way, somebody, via email, threatened to throw acid in my face unless I paid him $4k. Was that because of my long effort to call out Trump, or was it just a stupid scam attempt?

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Steve Berry Reveals the List

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, are you looking for the Epstein list of bigshot pedo clients to be revealed? Well, that's not The List this episode is about. Sorry.
Nope, it's an interview with international bestselling author Steve Berry about his latest suspense thriller, 'The List.' You'll discover the chilling tale of a company in Georgia that eliminates their most expensive employees to control costs.
They simply knock them off. Why pay them? Just get rid of them, permanently.
Berry also discusses his dedication to historical preservation through his nonprofit, History Matters, and shares insights into his writing process and influences. Don't miss this episode filled with intriguing stories and writing wisdom!00:00 Introduction to the Lean to Left Podcast00:29 Meet Steve Berry: Bestselling Author02:19 The List: A Deadly New Thriller02:34 The Inspiration Behind The List03:29 Rewriting The List During COVID04:11 Autobiographical Elements in The List04:41 The Dark Premise of The List07:56 Comparisons to John Grisham's The Firm12:14 Steve Berry's Writing Process16:58 Upcoming Projects and Nonprofit Work18:51 Where to Find Steve Berry's Books19:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Lean to the Left Website Redesigned

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Lean to the Left Website RedesignedWe’ve refreshed the Lean to the Left website with a brand-new look and improved features, thanks to the team at Podetize. The site is now faster, better organized, and packed with enhancements designed to make your experience even better.📰 What's New?• A real-time Latest News ticker for updates and upcoming episodes• A redesigned Podcast hub with hundreds of interviews and commentaries• A growing Book Club featuring authors from our show (Still being built)• Fun episodes from The Bob & Jackie Show for a quick laughExplore the new layout, leave your feedback, and don’t forget to subscribe for free to never miss a blog or podcast episode.👉 Visit: https://leantotheleft.net🎙️ Podcast: https://podcast.leantotheleft.netLean to the Left: Stay Informed. Speak Up. Join the Conversation. Subscribe today. It's free.

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Beyond Left & Right: The Digital Politics Revolution

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Beyond Left and Right: The Digital Politics RevolutionIn this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, we explore the pressing issues with America's current political landscape, such as big money's influence and lack of genuine representation.
Our guest, Travis Misurell, founder of the Future is Now Coalition (FINC), discusses his groundbreaking initiative to build a citizen-owned political ecosystem that challenges establishment control and promotes democracy, going beyond left and right in a new digital politics revolution.
Travis shares insights on digital politics, the movement's progress, how people can get involved, and the importance of focusing on up vs. down politics rather than left vs. right.
Tune in to learn how this innovative framework aims to modernize activism and give every citizen a louder voice in the democratic process, countering the big money influence that today controls much of today's political decision-making.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Lean to the Left Podcast00:37 Meet Travis Misurell and FINC01:39 Understanding Digital Politics04:11 Building the Future is Now Coalition05:13 How to Get Involved11:19 Challenges and Solutions in Democracy Reform14:52 The Role of Independent Media25:19 Travis Misurell's Background and Vision28:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast. He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump and his billionnaire pals who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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The Dixie Dems: Bold Progressive Voices from the South

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to The Dixie Dems, a monthly feature of the Lean to the Left Podcast — hosted by Bob Gatty (SC), Robert Thompson (GA), and Arthur Hill (NC). Together, these unapologetically Southern progressives tackle the most pressing political issues facing the South and the nation.
In this video, get a taste of the passion, insight, and no-BS commentary that makes Dixie Dems the leading progressive podcast covering politics in the Carolinas, Georgia, and beyond.
🧠 Expect sharp analysis, humor, and hard-hitting conversations with political leaders, activists, and journalists who are shaping the future of the South.
📌 New episodes every month. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss a beat.
👉 Subscribe to the Lean to the Left Podcast: https://podcast.leantotheleft.net👉 Visit our blog: https://leantotheleft.net👉 Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram & Threads @LeantotheLeft1📧 Contact us: bob@leantotheleft.net.
#DixieDems #ProgressivePolitics #SouthernPolitics #LeanToTheLeft #PoliticalPodcast #BlueSouth #ResistTrump #GeorgiaPolitics #NorthCarolina #SouthCarolina #VoteBlue #Democrats #ProgressiveVoices

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Colbert Canceled, NPR Defunded—Is Freedom of Speech Under Attack?

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0000

CBS canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert just days after he torched their $16 million Trump payoff—and the timing couldn't be more suspicious. Meanwhile, Congress slashed $1.1 billion from NPR and PBS at Trump’s urging, gutting emergency broadcast systems and trusted local journalism in rural communities.
In this blistering commentary, Lean to the Left’s Bob Gatty connects the dots—from Colbert's cancellation and Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, to the GOP's war on public broadcasting.
Is this about saving money—or silencing dissent?
We’re witnessing a full-frontal attack on independent media and the First Amendment. From rural towns that depend on public alerts to late-night satire that speaks truth to power, the danger is real—and it’s coming for your freedom of thought.
🧠 Mind control isn’t just science fiction. It’s the MAGA playbook. Wake up.
👉 Subscribe for more truth-telling political commentary from Lean to the Left.🎙️ Listen to the podcast at LeanToTheLeft.net
#Colbert #NPR #PBS #TrumpCensorship #MediaFreedom #CBS #LeanToTheLeft #FirstAmendment #DemocracyUnderAttack #BobGatty #TrumpVsMedia

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Navigating Alzheimer's Care with Emma Soy of Gentle Shepherd Care

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Join us for a compelling episode with Emma Soy, founder and CEO of Gentle Shepherd Care, as we explore her innovative approach to navigating Alzheimer's care and other forms of elder care.
With over 35 years of nursing experience, Emma shares her journey from healthcare professional to entrepreneur, founding her company in 2019 to help older adults age gracefully in place.
In this discussion, Emma addresses common mistakes families make in elder care, the importance of creating a comprehensive care plan, and her unique Rejuvenate program aimed at improving the quality of life for those with chronic diseases.
Additionally, Emma offers insights on holistic approaches to care, necessary policy changes, and practical advice for caregivers. Don't miss this valuable conversation that could make a significant impact on how we care for our aging loved ones.
SPECIAL REQUEST:Please share this episode with anyone you know who is challenged with caring for a loved one who is suffering from dementia, Parkinson's, or other age-related diseases. There's a great deal of valuable info here.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Alzheimer's and Dementia00:12 Meet Emma Soy: Founder of Gentle Shepherd Care00:23 Emma's Journey and Vision for Elder Care02:17 Challenges in Traditional Home Care03:14 Introducing the Rejuvenate Program04:33 Seven Devastating Mistakes in Elder Care06:29 Importance of Planning for Aging17:04 Hidden Interventions for Memory Care20:09 Eliminating Harmful Foods for Memory Care20:46 Recommended Diets for Older Adults21:27 Challenges in Changing Dietary Habits22:36 Creating Healthy Meal Plans24:00 The Role of Professional Help in Dietary Changes26:03 Fragmentation in Healthcare Systems28:01 Responsibility for Personal Health28:53 Policy Changes Needed in Elder Care30:42 Impact of Healthcare Policy on Providers35:23 Contact Information and Services Offered
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Gnarly Girls Attack (G)rape Culture in America

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Join us on the Lean to the Left Podcast as we engage in a compelling conversation with two dynamic guests, Tony Nagy and Sarah Buckner, also known as Sarafina Supernova, known as the Gnarly Girls.
These talented stand-up comedians, podcasters, dancers, and artists discuss their extensive creative endeavors, including their Gnarly Girls Podcast and touring show, Grape Culture.
In this episode, Tony and Sarah explore themes like intergenerational conversations, the importance of cross-cultural references, and the current state of American politics, which they believe is abysmal.
They also discuss controversial topics like (g)rape culture, systemic issues in the U.S., and conspiracy theories surrounding child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The conversation takes a turn towards the intersection of comedy and tragic realities, where the duo sheds light on how their personal experiences inform their work. Both describe the extent to which they have been sexually assaulted.
If you're interested in feminism, political satire, and the power dynamics that shape our societies, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear these remarkable women share their viewpoints, stories, and humor, all while challenging the status quo. Don't forget to check out their upcoming shows and follow them on their respective platforms for more thought-provoking content.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Lean to the Left Podcast00:14 Meet the Gnarly Girls: Tony Nagy and Sarah Buckner00:51 Tony Nagy's Unique Approach to Comedy and Dance01:34 Sarah Buckner's Artistic Journey and Feminist Themes02:56 Intergenerational Conversations and Political Views05:25 Critique of the Democratic Party and Current Politics11:55 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education18:54 Jeffrey Epstein Case and Conspiracy Theories28:23 Fighting for Peace and the Concept of Grape Culture30:55 Upcoming Shows and Final ThoughtsAbout Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Behind trump's Immigration Policy 2025: A Personal Story

Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 -0000

A new Gallup poll shows that the wave of anti-immigration sentiment in the U.S. is cooling, even among Republicans, as Donald Trump's 2025 immigration policy continues his hateful purge of migrants in America. Behind deportation, there are personal stories to be shared.
According to the poll, 79% of Americans say immigration is "a good thing" for the country, up from 64% a year ago, while only about 20% of adults say immigration is a bad thing, down from 32% last year.
In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, we explore the heart-wrenching consequences of Trump's harsh deportation policies with guest Robert Thompson. Robert shares the personal story of Miss Doris, a long-term Honduran immigrant and household cleaning lady, who is being forced to leave the country after 26 years.
They discuss the broader implications of these policies on hundreds of thousands of immigrants, the cruelty of the current administration, and the necessity for collective action to hold elected officials accountable.
Tune in for a powerful conversation on immigration, justice, and human compassion.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:21 Personal Impact of Deportation Policies00:38 Miss Doris' Story01:18 Historical Context and TPS02:16 Current Administration's Tactics04:10 Community Reactions and Broader Implications06:48 Critique of Trump's Policies10:26 Call to Action10:51 Conclusion
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Impact of AI on Jobs and Society with Phil Woodford-Lean to the Left Podcast

Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Impact of AI on Jobs and SocietyWelcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast! In this episode, guest Phil Woodford talks about the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its profound impacts on various industries, jobs and society at large.
Host Bob Gatty shares his personal experiences using AI to enhance his podcast, and discusses the broader ramifications for jobs in fields like writing, graphic design, and social media.
His guest, Phil Woodford, is author of 'AI and the Redundant Human,' and tackles critical questions about the future of work in an AI-dominated world, including the impact of AI on jobs and society.
They discuss viewpoints from tech giants like Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and Bill Gates, and explore the potential for large-scale job redundancy, economic inequality, and the psychological impact on the workforce.
The conversation extends into discussions on AI regulation, potential government reliance on AI, and the global political implications, including reflections on Trump's policies and their consequences and AI in politics and AI regulation.
Tune in to explore the unsettling yet pressing issues around AI, job redundancy, and societal change with expert insights from Phil Woodford.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to AI and Its Impact00:57 Guest Introduction: Phil Woodford01:39 AI's Threat to Employment04:15 Creative and Professional Industries at Risk07:02 AI's Broader Societal Implications15:22 Government and AI Regulation20:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🎧 Subscribe to Lean to the Left for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Understanding the Climate Crisis: Global Warming is Real

Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Understanding the Climate Crisis: Global Warming Is RealWelcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast, where we discuss pressing social issues. In this episode, we tackle the critical issue of Donald Trump's environmental policies that threaten our planet's future.
Our guest is Tom Schumann, founder of Global Warming is Real and the Planet Watch Group, who shares his deep insights on the environmental rollbacks under Trump's administration.
Discover how Trump's 'drill, baby, drill' agenda is impacting clean energy initiatives and how public lands are being jeopardized. Tom also speaks about his passion project, the Global Warming is Real website, and his podcast aimed at raising awareness on climate change.
We also delve into the challenges and opportunities of electric vehicles (EVs) and discuss personal actions to combat climate change. Don't miss this enlightening conversation on the importance of safeguarding our environment.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:05 Trump's Environmental Policies01:04 Introducing Tom Schumann01:29 Tom's Journey and Projects03:08 Trump's Impact on Climate Change06:32 Challenges with Electric Vehicles16:58 The Triple Bottom Line18:05 Public Lands and Fossil Fuels22:03 Supporting Environmental Efforts22:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🎧 Subscribe to Lean to the Left for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Veterans vs Trump: How Vote Vets is Fighting Back

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Veterans vs. Trump: How Vote Vets is Fighting Back
In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, special guest Janessa Goldbeck, CEO of the Vet Voice Foundation discusses howTrump administration policies are harming veterans and how her organization, Vote Vets, is fighting back.
Joined by Arthur Hill of North Carolina and Robert Thompson of Georgia, the conversation explores recent harmful decisions affecting the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as canceling vital contracts and the ability of VA doctors to discriminate based on political and marital status.
They also touch on the broader societal impacts these issues have and the influential power of veteran voices in driving change.
Janessa shares insights into her organization’s mission, advocacy efforts, and the importance of elevating veterans' voices in democracy.
The episode also offers a glimpse into the Vote Vet’s role in recent elections and its support for candidates who will fight for veterans rights and benefits, including the ongoing fight against policies that harm veterans and their families.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement00:35 Veterans Under the Trump Administration02:41 Meet Vanessa Goldbeck: Advocate for Veterans03:24 Vote Vets and Vet Voice Foundation04:25 Success Stories and Election Impact07:23 Challenges and Advocacy Efforts09:31 Veterans' Voting Rights and Legal Battles17:51 Diversity and Inclusion in the Military34:12 Public Lands and Environmental Advocacy39:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🎧 Subscribe to Lean to the Left for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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How For-Profit Hospitals Harm Patients | Lean to the Left Podcast

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0000

How For-Profit Hospitals Harm Patients
In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast,we address the crucial challenges nurses face in today's for-profit healthcare environment, including staffing shortages, burnout, and the impact of private equity in the healthcare sector -- including how for-profit hospitals harm patients.
Special guest Kathy Allen, founder of GutsyNurses.com and author of the upcoming book, 'Gutsy Nurses Save Lives,' shares her insights on the current state of nursing, the exploitation of nurses and patients for profit, and innovative holistic approaches to maintaining health.
Kathy also discusses her work in traumatic stress, her program Gutsy Nurses, and her experiences in stand-up comedy.
Tune in to hear a profound discussion on the state of nursing and healthcare today and the importance of creating a supportive environment for healthcare workers. After all, patients' lives are at stake.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Lean to the Left Podcast00:15 Challenges Facing Nurses Today00:45 Interview with Kathy Allen: Gutsy Nurses01:17 Current State of Nursing and Healthcare04:42 Impact of For-Profit Healthcare09:29 Innovative Approaches in Nursing09:50 Kathy Allen's Background and Mission10:47 Gutsy Nurses Program and Classes15:59 Alternative Healing Methods23:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🎧 Subscribe to Lean to the Left for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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No Kings Day: Challenging MAGA in the South

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0000

No Kings Day: Challenging MAGA in the SouthJoin us as the Lean to the Left Podcast explores the recent nationwide No Kings Day rallies opposing Donald Trump's actions, including significant protests in Myrtle Beach, SC.
The discussion features John Vincent, a Democrat and retired US Navy Command Master Chief, who aims to unseat MAGA representative Russell Fry as he, in effect, is challenging MAGA in the South.
Vincent shares his experiences at the rally, emphasizing the unified opposition to tyranny and Trump's radical agenda. He highlights the growing public awareness and urgency around these issues.
The conversation shifts to Vincent's campaign platform, stressing support for veterans, reducing national debt, and genuinely representing the people of his district. Vincent confidently outlines his strategy to challenge and defeat Fry, calling for focused protests and strong voter turnout in the 2026 midterm elections.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Context00:54 Interview with John Vincent01:00 Rally Experience and Observations03:20 Core Message to the People07:27 Military Involvement Concerns12:00 Political Strategy and Messaging17:03 Campaign Against Russell Fry21:02 Analyzing Trump's Approval Ratings21:41 Understanding Voter Shifts22:37 Campaign Encouragement and District Analysis24:44 Campaign Strategy and Social Media27:49 Veterans' Issues and Political Stance34:23 Campaign Conclusion and Call to Action
🎧 Subscribe to Lean to the Left for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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The Battle for Press Freedom: Trump's Media Attacks | Lean to the Left Podcast

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0000

The Battle for Press FreedomJoin us in this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast as we discuss President Trump's contentious relationship with the media and the battle for press freedom.
From banning reporters and cutting funding for public broadcasters to restricting access and filing lawsuits, his actions against the press are unprecedented and have helped lead to an increased lack of media trust by many Americans.
Our guest, Christine Rogers, a seasoned media professional, shares her insights on the impact of these moves on press freedom, media trust, and democracy with journalism under attack by the most powerful political figure in the world.
We also delve into the decline of local journalism, the rise of podcasts, and the challenges journalists face in today's fragmented and economically-driven media landscape. It's sad to say, but threats to journalists are on the rise.
Tune in to understand the critical role of the press and the ongoing threats it faces.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Trump's Assault on Press Freedom00:54 Interview with Christine Rogers01:20 Impact of Trump's Media Attacks04:34 The Decline of Trust in Media06:14 Challenges in Local Journalism08:47 Economic Pressures on Media Outlets12:38 The Role of Podcasts and New Media14:32 Blurred Lines Between News and Editorial25:22 Solutions for Journalism's Future
🎧 Subscribe to Lean to the Left for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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The Dixie Dems: Opportunities for Democrats in Red States

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Opportunities for Democrats in Red StatesIn this episode of Lean to the Left's Dixie Dems, host Bob Gatty of South Carolina is joined by Arthur Hill of North Carolina, Robert Thompson of Georgia, and special guest Dan Schaefer.
Schaefer, who previously ran for Missouri State House and plans a 2026 run, discusses his motivations, key issues like women's rights and labor unions, and the influence of political corruption. What are opportunities for Democrats in red states? This no-holds-barred conversation provides some answers.
The conversation touches on the challenges of running as a Democrat in a predominantly Republican state, the importance of grassroots organization, and key issues like women's rights, labor, political corruption, and political communication. The hosts also discuss the state of the Democratic Party and strategies to counteract Republican messaging and the corruption that is prevalent within the GOP and Trump White House.
The conversation turns to Democratic strategies and the importance of local activism. Don't miss insights from this monthly feature of the Lean to the Left podcast.
CHANNELS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement01:04 Meet Dan Schaefer: Background and Political Journey03:09 Missouri's Political Landscape and Challenges07:31 The Role of Communication in Politics15:13 Democratic Party Strategies and Challenges24:29 Blame Game and Federal Judges25:24 Tariffs and Technology28:52 Women's Rights and Personal Stories32:02 Labor Unions and Workers' Rights38:07 Political Bribery and Corruption41:26 State Politics and Upcoming Elections
🎧 Subscribe to Lean to the Left for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Americas Political Divide: Can't We All Get Along?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Americas Political DivideIn this episode of the Lean to Live Podcast, Bob Gatty engages with Dr. Craig Wiener, a seasoned psychologist from Worcester, Massachusetts, to explore Americas political and social divide in the United States as political polarization seems to be worsening nearly every day.
With over 40 years in private practice and a wealth of experience in teaching and clinical direction, Dr. Wiener breaks down the roots of these divisions, drawing parallels between family dynamics and societal conflicts as he explores the psychological roots of politics and the conservative vs. liberal debate.
The discussion delves into themes from Dr. Wiener's book 'Backyard Politics,' examining capitalism, racism, sexism, and child rearing through the lens of political perspectives labeled as 'protectors' and 'promoters' and explores the issue of family dynamics in politics. His book is available here: https://amzn.to/4dKTN5y.
The conversation also tackles the controversial impact of former President Trump on political discourse and the ramifications of his policy decisions on family budgets and social cohesion. He answers, in detail, the question "Can't we all get along?"
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: Political Divisions in America00:39 Guest Introduction: Dr. Craig B. Wiener01:26 Understanding the Political and Social Divide03:37 Key Areas of Heated Political Debate05:11 Political Perspectives: Protectors vs. Promoters14:01 The Role of Identity and Group Focus in Politics15:43 Alternative Facts and Their Impact23:51 Trump's Policies and Public Perception30:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🎧 Subscribe for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Boosting Youth Voter Turnout: Connor Treacy on Lean to the Left Podcast

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Boosting Youth Voter Turnout: Connor Treacy on Lean to the Left PodcastIn this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty interviews Connor Treacy, a California political organizer and former nightlife executive, about the low voter turnout among young people in the 2024 presidential election.
Connor suggests that young voters shifted to Trump because of the participation of Elon Musk in his campaign, the use of conservative podcasts, and the popularity of UFC, which Trump strongly supports.
Connor believes Democrats can learn from this and mix cultural events with political influencers to engage young voters and build a sense of community. He aims to merge music, culture, and politics in fun and informative events to mobilize and empower the next generation.
Connor also shares his thoughts about potential Democratic candidates, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and offers insights into how the Democratic Party can recapture the youth vote by thinking outside the box.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: The Youth Vote in the 2024 Election00:35 Guest Introduction: Connor Treacy's Mission01:23 Challenges for Young Voter Turnout02:14 Factors Influencing Young Voters04:17 Cultural Events and Political Engagement05:20 Building Community Through Events09:13 Expanding Political Events Beyond California13:19 Connor Treacy's Political Beliefs18:24 Future of Democratic Strategies20:21 Conclusion and Contact Information
🎧 Subscribe for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Corruption Unmasked: Giuliani, Trump, and Global Influence Peddling

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Host Bob Gatty interviews Chad Lewis, author of 'The Persuasion Game,' to explore the influence-peddling schemes of Rudy Giuliani, Lev Parnas, and Igor Fruman during the Trump administration.
The discussion covers the impact of these schemes on American democracy, the spread of Russian disinformation, and comparisons to authoritarian regimes like Turkey. Global influence peddling was the name of the game.
Chad shares insights from his four-and-a-half-year investigation, revealing connections between Giuliani's clandestine activities and Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election. There's a ton of new info that Chad Lewis uncovered and shares with us as he unmasked the corruption that took place.
Tune in to understand the serious implications of these findings on current and future U.S. democratic processes.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest00:09 Trump's Impeachment and Corruption00:36 Giuliani and Parnas' Influence Schemes00:57 Impact on American Democracy01:12 Interview with Chad Lewis Begins01:27 Global Implications of Trump's Actions03:33 Putin's Disinformation Campaign06:42 Media's Role in Disinformation09:42 Comparisons to Historical Autocracies10:38 Turkey's Shift to Authoritarianism14:56 The Persuasion Game Book Insights25:09 Personal Risks and Repercussions33:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Beacon4Hope: Veterans and Youth Suicide Prevention

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Beacon4Hope: Veterans and Youth Suicide PreventionWelcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast as we explore the pressing issue of suicide among veterans and young people.
Our guest, Douglas Brinker, founder of Beacon4Hope, Suicide Prevention, and author of 'My Shadow From a Suicidal Self to a Purpose with Hope,' shares his incredible story of overcoming his own suicide attempts and turning his life around to become a beacon of hope for others.
Doug discusses the vital work his organization does in suicide prevention through speaking engagements, one-on-one coaching, and group coaching sessions. He emphasizes the importance of having open conversations about mental health and the critical need for better support systems.
Tune in to hear Doug's inspiring journey and learn how you can help combat suicide in your community.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Topic00:27 Meet Douglas Brinker: A Beacon of Hope01:09 Douglas Brinker's Personal Journey02:31 The Mission of Beacon for Hope03:52 Strategies for Suicide Prevention07:10 Douglas Brinker's Military Service and Struggles14:38 The Impact of Bullying and Teenage Suicide16:13 Toastmasters and Public Speaking22:26 Challenges Facing Veterans and the VA28:38 Douglas Brinker's Memoir and Future Plans33:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🎧 Subscribe for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast.
He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Dictatorship Dream: Trump Third Term Fantasy

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Dictatorship Dream: Trump Third Term FantasyOn the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty welcomes bestselling author Paul Greenberg to discuss his political satire, which imagines George Washington returning to run against a tyrant reminiscent of Donald Trump, who is seeking a third term in office.
Greenberg shares his motivations for writing the novella, the importance of democracy to environmentalism, and his experiences in countries with dictatorships.
The conversation explores slavery, leadership, and the potential threats to U.S. democracy. Greenberg also talks about his unique distribution strategy through independent bookstores, his plans for audio and dramatic adaptations, and the critical importance of elections integrity in combatting authoritarianism.
CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:21 Meet Paul Greenberg 01:37 The Inspiration Behind the Book 03:05 The Tyrant's Third Term 05:24 Washington vs. The Tyrant 08:38 Challenges and Controversies 15:35 Engaging the Younger Generation 18:29 Distribution Strategy and Future Plans 24:46 Conclusion and Call to Action
🎧 Subscribe for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 📖 A Third Term by Paul Greenberg → https://amzn.to/44xNAHH 📚 Hijacked Nation by Bob Gatty → https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7 🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net 🔔 Don’t forget...

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Aly Vredenburgh: Gen Z Mental Health in Crisis

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Aly Vredenburgh: Gen Z Mental Health in Crisis | Lean to the Left Podcast
In this episode, mental health activist Aly Vredenburgh, author of "Out Of Focus dives deep into the mental health crisis gripping Generation Z.
From soaring rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness to the crushing effects of capitalism, climate anxiety, student debt, and housing instability, we explore the systemic forces that have left millions of young Americans in despair.
But Aly doesn’t stop at diagnosis—she offers fresh solutions beyond medication and therapy, including universal mental healthcare, city infrastructure reform, and social entrepreneurship.
🎧 Subscribe for fearless commentary that cuts through the noise.📖 Out Of Focus by Aly Vredenburgh → https://amzn.to/3F4KDUx📚 Hijacked Nation by Bob Gatty → https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7🌐 Visit our blog → https://leantotheleft.net🎙️ Listen to more episodes → https://podcast.leantotheleft.net
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support independent progressive media.
#GenZMentalHealth #YouthMentalHealthCrisis #AlyVredenburgh #LeanToTheLeft #MentalHealthAwareness #ProgressivePodcast #SocialJustice #OutOfFocus #ClimateAnxiety #UniversalMentalHealthcare #BobGatty
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Gen Z's Mental Health Crisis00:31 Meet Ali Vredenburgh: Mental Health Activist01:37 Understanding the Depth of the Crisis02:57 Beyond Therapy and Medication03:39 The Loneliness Epidemic06:56 Cultural Shifts and Individualism08:46 Capitalism and Mental Health10:01 Systemic Failures in Mental Health Care12:16 Rising Suicide Rates Among Youth14:16 Economic and Environmental Pressures15:41 Impact of Policy Changes19:18 Ali's Advocacy and Future Plans25:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast. He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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John Vincent: Running Against MAGA in Red America

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Republicans in South Carolina's 7th Congressional District believe they are in the catbird seat, that they are virtually unbeatable in what they call "Trump Country." It's the same old story in South Carolina politics.
But Democrat John Gregory Vincent, a small business owner and retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief, believes he can knock off the MAGA GOP incumbent, Russell Fry in this slice of red America, and has launched a vigorous MAGA challenge campaign to prove it.
We welcome John Vincent as our guest In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast's special monthly feature, The Dixie Dems in which he talks about challenging Fry and why he believes he can win. It's a race with national implications, because if he can defeat this committed Trumper in a ruby red district in the South, Democrats will have a great chance of winning control of Congress in 2026.
Hosted by Arthur Hill, Robert Thompson, and Bob Gatty, the discussion covers John's motivations for running, his campaign pillars focusing on the middle class, veterans, national debt, and actually representing his constituents.
They also discuss the challenges of addressing misinformation, the importance of voter engagement, and strategies for effectively messaging to constituents.
Tune in for a compelling conversation about bringing much-needed change to a traditionally Republican district. John Vincent for Congress.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:15 John Gregory Vincent's Motivation to Run02:07 Challenges in the District02:57 Campaign Strategy and Town Halls05:30 Campaign Pillars: Middle Class, Veterans, National Debt, Representation11:22 Constituent Services and Representation13:32 Fundraising and Special Interests14:50 Electoral Strategy and Voter Engagement19:22 Social Security and Government Efficiency23:04 Combating Market Delays23:46 The Importance of Social Security25:30 Messaging and Communication Strategies26:46 Veterans and Social Issues28:42 Campaign Strategies and Challenges33:46 Military Service and Leadership37:44 Concluding Remarks and Final Thoughts
Subscribe for smart, fearless commentary that cuts through the noise.📖 Learn more about John Vincent at https://vincent4congress.org📚 Get Hijacked Nation by Bob Gatty: [https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7]🌐 Visit our blog: [https://leantotheleft.net]🎧 Listen to more episodes: [https://podcast.leantotheleft.net]👇 Join the conversation in the comments.
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast. He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Trump Tariff News, Medicare Cuts & GOP Chaos

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0000

What happens when a Republican author slams Trump’s tariffs, calls out Medicare cuts, and pushes back on RFK Jr.'s health claims—all on a progressive podcast?
In this episode of Lean to the Left, host Bob Gatty speaks with Michael Goodwin, Florida Republican and author of the political satire Vice Versa. With Wall Street experience and a sharp pen, Goodwin offers a rare, candid take on Trump’s economic missteps, the Supreme Court’s troubling direction, and the damage being done to Medicaid, Medicare, and biomedical research.
🧠 Expect a sharp, no-BS bipartisan discussion that spans:
* Trump’s “boneheaded” tariffs and market fallout* RFK Jr.’s controversial health stances* The Supreme Court’s role in fueling extremism* The future of Social Security, veterans’ care, and public health* Why real political dialogue is dying on social media
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:55 RFK Jr.'s Controversial Health Comments02:24 Trump's Picks and Dictatorial Tendencies02:59 Faith in the System and Supreme Court Concerns06:18 Stock Market and Tariffs Discussion06:46 Trump's Trade Policies and Manufacturing Ideology12:34 Elon Musk and Federal Government Critique17:43 Democratic Party's Challenges and Underlying Issues23:55 Cuts in Biomedical Research and Public Health25:41 Medicare and Medicaid: The Real Impact27:51 Social Security and Veterans' Issues31:38 The Struggle of Serious Content on Social Media33:42 Potential Political Candidates and Future Elections37:31 Trump's Foreign Policy and Economic Concerns40:54 Concluding Thoughts and Reflection
🔔 Subscribe for smart, fearless commentary that cuts through the noise.🎧 Full podcast: [https://podcast.leantotheleft.net]📖 Read more from Michael Goodwin: [https://amzn.to/4lRblAu]📚 Get Hijacked Nation by Bob Gatty: [https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7]🌐 Visit our blog: [https://leantotheleft.net]🎧 Listen to more episodes: [https://podcast.leantotheleft.net]📚 Learn more about Michael Goodwin https://amzn.to/4lRblAu👇 Join the conversation in the comments. Your voice matters.
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast. He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Tesla Crashes in Backlash as Musk Tanks the Government – No Sympathy Here

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0000

In Elon Musk's Tesla backlash, his EV car company's profits have plunged 72%—and it's no mystery why. As Musk plays co-president with Trump, slashing federal programs and putting thousands out of work, the backlash is hitting his wallet hard.
In this fiery commentary, Bob Gatty breaks down why Americans are fed up with Musk’s ego-driven wrecking ball approach to governance—and why Tesla’s fall from grace is well-deserved. From falling sales and plummeting resale values to grassroots protests and nationwide anger, the electric vehicle icon is getting jolted by reality. It's true Tesla backlash.
Political activist Jennifer Cousins calls Musk a bigger threat to democracy than Trump. And in this episode, we explore what that means, and why so many Americans—even in Trump country—are cheering Tesla’s tumble.
🔥 Protest power is rising. ⚡ The EV movement is shifting. 💥 And we’ve got something to say about it.
Subscribe to Lean to the Left for more unfiltered truth.
CHAPTERS;00:00 Elon Musk's Controversial Actions Impact Tesla00:34 Tesla's Financial Decline01:09 Public Backlash and Protests01:34 Personal Anecdote and Public Sentiment02:17 Conclusion and Personal Opinion

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Trump's Immigration Policies and Their Impact

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Trump's Immigration Policies and Their Impact | Tahmina Watson on Lean to the Left Podcast
In this powerful episode of The Lean to the Left Podcast, hosts Bob Gatty and Mark M. Bello explore with immigration attorney and author Tahmina Watson the devastating effects of Donald Trump’s immigration policies on immigrants, businesses, and American democracy.
Watson, founder of Watson Immigration Law in Seattle and author of Legal Heroes in the Trump Era and The Startup Visa, shares her frontline insights into the legal, economic, and social consequences of Trump’s immigration crackdown. She discusses critical issues including:
✅ The broad legal challenges facing immigrants✅ The economic impact on startups, businesses, and workers✅ The travel bans and restrictions on student visas✅ The constitutional concerns raised by executive orders✅ The importance of legal and community action to resist harmful policies
If you care about human rights, immigration reform, and preserving democracy, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.
🔔 Subscribe for more expert interviews and progressive political commentary.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:51 Overview of Trump's Immigration Policies06:37 Legal Challenges and Implications12:26 Impact on Businesses and Workers19:30 Travel Bans and Student Visa Issues23:41 Executive Orders and Constitutional Concerns27:21 Protests in South Carolina29:27 The Power of Buzzwords31:34 Trump's Executive Orders and Immigration
🔗 Connect with Us:🌐 Visit our blog: [Insert blog link if you want to cross-link]🎧 Listen to more episodes: [Insert podcast link]📚 Learn more about Tahmina Watson: https://amzn.to/4hOjyCk
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast. He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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America's Donut Dilemma: A Glazed Affair

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we delve into America's love for donuts, with over 10 billion consumed annually and the donut market valued at $11.22 billion in 2024.
We highlight the caloric intake from donuts and discuss the controversial statement by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., suggesting that frequent donut eaters should cover their own healthcare costs.
Is it fair to single out donut enthusiasts and smokers for healthcare expenses?
Tune in as we explore these questions and the intersection of diet, health, and policy.
00:00 The Love for Donuts00:17 Donut Consumption Statistics00:47 Calories and Health Implications01:10 Controversial Health Policies01:35 Political and Social Commentary01:43 Final Thoughts

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Jacqueline Friedland on Women's Rights and Legal Thrills & Social Justice

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Jacqueline Friedland on Women's Rights and Legal Thrills & Social Justice
Passionate about women's rights? This powerful episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast features author Jacqueline Friedland , who joins host Bob Gatty to discuss her gripping new legal thriller, Counting Backwards.
Inspired by real-life events, the novel tackles urgent issues like reproductive rights, female incarceration, immigration law, and the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy.
Friedland shares the true story behind the book, offering a thought-provoking look at how the legal system often fails women—especially those caught at the intersection of poverty, race, and gender. The conversation dives into the historical roots of these injustices and their continuing impact in today's politically charged environment.
Whether you're passionate about women's rights, love legal thrillers, or care about social justice, this episode offers both insight and inspiration.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more progressive voices and stories that matter.
🎧 Listen now and learn how fiction can challenge the status quo and spark real-world change.
CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction01:32 Meet Jacqueline Friedland04:50 Inspiration behind Counting Backwards09:10 Women, incarceration & reproductive rights16:20 Immigration law and legal injustices23:45 Women in the legal profession30:00 The role of fiction in activism35:20 Final thoughts & what’s next for Friedland
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast. He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Fired? Don't Quit - Start a New Chapter

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0000

Fired? Don't Quit -- Start a New ChapterIn between jobs? Are you a federal employee fired by Trump/Musk or someone who's lost their job outside of government because of Trump's latest actions?
Don't quit, take this opportunity to start a new chapter in your life.
That's the advice of John David Graham, who's started over many times and now has written a highly successful book drawn from his experiences.
At about 8 minutes into this interview, Graham addresses the tragic mass firings by Trump/Musk of federal employees, and says many could learn from his example.
"So I would say grab a beer, grab a friend and cry on one other shoulder, then get up off your ass and put your application in somewhere. Do something, but don't quit," he says. "Call me. I know what it's like."
Graham, the author of "Running as Fast As I Can," now available on Amazon, several years ago created the non-profit Good Samaritan Home, which operates numerous refurbished homes in Ohio that house convicts once they are released from prison. His book is available here: https://amzn.to/3XgnxjC.
"Our program ...the idea is that if you can put somebody in the community and help them with housing, help them with getting a job, then they become tax payers instead of tax burdens," he explains.
To learn more about Graham and his work, please take a listen.
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast. He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Exposing the Anti-Woke Movement

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Exposing the Anti-Woke Movement with Author Mark S. Bacon – Lean to the Left Podcast
Tired of hearing the Trump/MAGA people constantly attacking "woke" as being harmful to the USA? Check out this interview withj Mark S. Bacon, author of 'The Woke and the Dead.'
The novel, inspired by right-wing and hate group philosophies, examines themes of anti-racism, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change activism, and the broader concept of 'wokeism.'
Bacon discusses his motivations for writing the book, the creation of characters like the bigoted Arizona Governor Rod Gudgel, and the importance of addressing hate groups and prejudices through fiction.
The conversation touches upon the book's plot, including murder, corruption, hate crimes, and corporate espionage, while also reflecting on the current political climate in the United States.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: The Woke Debate00:22 Meet Mark S. Bacon: Author of 'The Woke and the Dead'01:37 Understanding 'Woke' and Its Implications03:13 Creating Characters: The Inspiration Behind Governor Gudgel04:52 Themes of the Novel: Murder, Hate Groups, and More06:44 The Power of Fiction: Why Write About These Issues?09:09 The Writing Process and Political Commentary12:26 Final Thoughts and Where to Buy the Book17:20 Conclusion: Wrapping Up the Discussion
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast. He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Navigating Dementia: Lisa Skinner on Alzheimer's Challenges

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Navigating Dementia: Lisa Skinner on Alzheimer's Challenges
If you have received an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis or you care for someone who has, tune into this episode for valuable insights and practical tips on steps you can take.
As the Trump administration devastates federal research programs aimed at finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease, the Lean to the Left podcast explores its complexities and implications for caregivers and patients alike.
Host Bob Gatty interviews Lisa Skinner, co-author of 'Truth, Lies & Alzheimer's: Its Secret Faces,' a guide for families navigating the complexities of Alzheimer's and dementia.
Lisa shares her personal journey, which began with her grandmother's early signs of Alzheimer's, leading to her career as a certified dementia practitioner and behavioral specialist.
They discuss the heavy toll on caregivers, the human consequences of dementia, and the importance of understanding and responding to the symptoms in an effective way. Lisa also offers advice on early diagnosis, dealing with challenging behaviors, and taking care of caregivers.
Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tips on managing Alzheimer's and dementia.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Alzheimer's Crisis01:07 Meet the Author: Lisa Skinner01:44 Lisa's Personal Journey with Alzheimer's05:29 Understanding Dementia Behaviors08:06 Career Path and Inspiration for the Book14:02 Differentiating Dementia from Normal Aging16:04 Mild Cognitive Impairment Explained21:08 Unconventional Path to Peace of Mind25:46 The Ineffectiveness of Reality Orientation Therapy26:30 Joining Their Reality: A New Approach27:47 Understanding Alzheimer's Risk Factors30:21 Modifiable Risk Factors and Lifestyle Choices35:11 Early Signs and Diagnosis of Alzheimer's37:50 Preparing for an Alzheimer's Diagnosis42:06 Person-Centered Approach to Dementia Care46:21 Support for Caregivers and Family Members54:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Birmingham Promise: A Progressive Southern Mayor is Changing the Game for Youth|Dixie Dems Podcast

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0000

The Birmingham PromiseHow can a progressive young mayor from the deep South help thousands of students attend college, combat gun violence, and drive economic growth?
Listen to this powerful episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast as hosts Arthur Hill, Robert Thompson, and Bob Gatty sit down with Mayor Randall Woodfin, the youngest mayor in Birmingham, Alabama’s history.
Mayor Woodfin discusses his transformative Birmingham Promise initiative, which provides college scholarships and job training for high school graduates, with strong support from the business community. We also explore critical issues like:
🔹 Gun violence and youth impact🔹 Economic development and job creation🔹 Trump-era policies and their local effects🔹 Bipartisan efforts for real change🔹 Mayor Woodfin's personal journey and leadership values
💬 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about bold leadership, education reform, and the future of urban America.
📘 Also, check out Bob Gatty’s new book: Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness – Get it on Amazon. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Dixie Dems Podcast00:35 Meet Mayor Randall Woodfin02:09 Concerns About Trump's Policies07:28 Creating Jobs in Birmingham10:13 Empowering Young People14:05 Mayor Woodfin's Journey20:40 Birmingham Promise Initiative25:24 Impact of Crime on Youth26:35 Gun Violence in Birmingham27:44 Gun Safety and Legislation29:07 Bipartisan Efforts to Combat Gun Violence30:40 Political Endorsements and Policy Views32:56 Fatherhood and Personal Life33:54 Challenges as Mayor36:51 Impact of National Policies on Birmingham38:48 Closing Remarks and Book Promotion40:38 South Carolina's Missing Funds
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Blueprint for a Nonviolent Revolution

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Blueprint for a Nonviolent RevolutionTune into this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast as host Bob Gatty welcomes guest Michael Goldstein, a retired criminal appeals lawyer and author of 'Return of the Light' and 'Blessed Disillusionment.'
Goldstein offers a blueprint for a massive nonviolent revolution to address issues like social justice, economic and health security, and sustainability, which he says is urgently needed.
He critiques the two-party system and emphasizes the ineffectiveness of traditional advocacy methods in enacting real change. Goldstein proposes a step-by-step process for building a grassroots movement and confronts the challenges posed by Donald Trump.
The discussion delves into the role of the Democratic Party and the systemic issues that fuel discontent and fascism.
It is Goldstein's view that Democrats’ retaking of the Senate and White House in 2020 moderated the excesses of the Trump Administration. However, that simultaneously restoked the fires that led to Trump’s 2016 electoral victory and the too-close-for-comfort 2020 results by failing to serve the interests of the vast majority of us. We reap what we sew.
Tune in for an insightful conversation on the path forward for progressive politics.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest00:44 Michael Goldstein's Background and Books01:39 The Message of 'Blessed Disillusionment'03:37 Critique of the Two-Party System06:00 Building a Nonviolent Revolutionary Movement10:08 Challenges and Strategies for Nonviolent Movements19:03 The Role of Democrats and the Need for Revolution30:19 Michael Goldstein's Career and Activism34:41 Conclusion and Contact Information
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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The Failure of the Death Penalty

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0000

The Failure of the Death PenaltyJoin investigative journalist Gianna Toboni as she discusses her new book, 'The Volunteer, the Failure of the Death Penalty in America, and One Inmate's Quest to Die with Dignity.'
Through her extensive research and interviews with death row inmates, Toboni exposes the systemic flaws of the death penalty in the United States.
She shares her experiences interviewing inmates like Scott Dozier, who was sentenced to death and then urged the state to get it done, and examines the broader implications of a broken justice system.
The episode also touches upon the racial biases, the ethical concerns surrounding execution methods, and the personal journey of Toboni as she navigates her role as a journalist and a human being.
Don't miss this compelling conversation exploring the complexities and moral dilemmas of capital punishment in America, hosted by Bob Gatty, who shares his experience when he was strapped into the electric chair in the Trenton, NJ State Prison.
CHAPTERS:00:00 A Journalist's Encounter with the Electric Chair01:27 Introducing Gianna Toboni: Investigative Journalist02:27 The Story of Scott Dozier03:30 The Broken Death Penalty System04:14 Unique Aspects of Dozier's Case05:17 Toboni's Investigative Journey05:45 Mental Health and the Death Penalty12:52 Cultural and Political Perspectives on the Death Penalty15:12 The Execution Drug Dilemma19:11 Reflections on a Career in Investigative Journalism22:35 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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Constitutional Crisis: Trump's Path to Power

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Constitutional Crisis: Trump's Path to PowerIf you are concerned that America is facing a constitutional crisis and heading towards a Donald Trump dictatorship, please check out this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast.
Attorney and legal thriller author Mark M. Bello says our country, indeed, is in a constitutional crisis spurred by Donald Trump's actions, all aimed at solidifying his path to unrestrained power.
In this episode, Bello and host Bob Gatty discuss Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport nearly 200 immigrants he claims are vicious gang members, his defiance of judicial orders, and the implications for U.S. democracy and the judicial system.
Bello says the recent Supreme Court's decision protecting the president from prosecution for official presidential actions, combined with the Republican-controlled Congress' failure to restrain him, means that America's system of checks and balances through three equal branches of government is in serious jeopardy.
The discussion also touches on public resistance, impeachment challenges, and the role of Elon Musk, whom Trump has put in charge of his plan to essentially dismantle the federal government.
Bello draws upon his wealth of experience to provide legal insights and hints at the parallels in his legal thriller series, with a special mention of his book 'Betrayal of Justice.' Here's a convenient link to his books on Amazon. https://amzn.to/4bSIxTU
CHAPTERS:00:00 Trump's Constitutional Crisis01:10 Introducing Mark M. Bellow02:31 Trump's Actions and Legal Implications06:59 Supreme Court's Role and Congressional Inaction21:11 Public Response and Future Outlook29:19 Mark Bellow's Literary Insights33:56 Final Thoughts and Farewell
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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The Fairness Project: Fighting Back in the States

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0000

The Fairness Project: Fighting Back in the States
If you care about issues like abortion rights, minimum wage increases, and paid family leave, check out this episode of the 'Lean to the Left' podcast, which explores a proven strategy to overcome political odds to enact meaningful change.
Our guest is Kelly Hall, Executive Director of The Fairness Project, a national ballot measure organization that has triumphed in 39 campaigns across 20 states.
The Fairness Project uses citizen-initiated ballot measures to enact vital changes often overlooked or opposed by politicians on issues like abortion rights, minimum wage increases, and paid family leave. It's a highly effective tool for fighting back in the states, despite political opposition by those who have been elected to office.
Hall explains how ballot initiatives empower voters and shares insights into current and upcoming projects, including efforts to expand abortion access even in states with draconian anti-abortion laws and to tackle housing discrimination.
The episode demonstrates how grassroots movements can drive substantial political and social change despite difficult political odds, even in these challenging times.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Lean to the Left Podcast00:11 Meet Kelly Hall and the Fairness Project00:44 The Power of Ballot Measures02:29 Why the Fairness Project's Work is Crucial Today04:07 Success Stories and Campaigns08:07 New Initiatives and Leadership Development09:54 Fighting Housing Discrimination in Nebraska11:46 Future Plans and Fundraising13:41 The Team Behind the Fairness Project15:58 Challenges and Opportunities Ahead23:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!

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The Fight Against Modern Slavery

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0000

The Fight Against Modern SlaveryIn this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, we dive deep into the alarming issue of human trafficking with modern slavery expert Matthew Friedman, CEO of Mekong Club.
With over 29 years of experience, Matthew shares his harrowing journey, shedding light on the exploitation of an estimated 50 million people worldwide.
From forced labor in fields and factories to commercial sex trafficking, Matthew reveals the grim realities faced by victims and the economic machinery behind these heinous modern slavery crimes.
Listen as he recounts stories from his tenure at USAID and the United Nations, describes the growing threat both globally and in the United States, and presents actionable steps individuals and businesses can take to help combat this vast modern slavery epidemic.
What will be the impact of Trump' closure of USAID? "People will die," says Friedman.
A real eye-opener into the dark world of human trafficking and modern slavery and the pitiful response to bring it to an end.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Human Trafficking00:29 Meet Matthew Friedman: Modern Slavery Expert01:23 Matthew's Journey: From Nepal to Activism01:47 The Horrors of Human Trafficking05:06 Global Statistics and the Fight Against Modern Slavery06:55 Corporate Responsibility in Combating Trafficking08:03 Human Trafficking in the United States09:42 Forced Labor and Child Exploitation13:56 The Role of USAID in Combating Trafficking17:36 How Businesses Can Help19:56 The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime20:50 New Forms of Human Trafficking: Scam Centers26:02 Volunteerism and Individual Action30:32 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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Navigating Uncertain Political Waters: Insights from The Dixie Dems with Michael Moore

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Dixie Dems: The Trump Catastrophe with Michael Moore
Join us for a compelling conversation about the future of American politics and the need for active participation in democracy.
In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty of South Carolina welcomes special guest Michael Moore, a Democratic businessman from Charleston, South Carolina, who previously challenged MAGA Rep. Nancy Mace.
Joined by co-hosts Arthur Hill of North Carolina and Robert Thompson of Georgia, they delve into Donald Trump's presidency and its implications, the state of American democracy, and strategies for the Democratic Party.
Moore shares his candid thoughts on Trump's impact, the challenges of running for office, and the importance of broad civic engagement. The discussion covers a variety of pressing issues, from economic anxiety and healthcare reform to the role of billionaires like Elon Musk in politics.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Dixie Dems Podcast00:44 Introducing Michael Moore01:52 Michael Moore's Political Background02:35 Discussion on Trump's Presidency05:03 Impact on Government Officials09:11 Economic Anxiety and Political Exploitation13:43 Call to Action for Democrats18:57 Financial Cuts and Government Chaos22:45 Social Security and Government Policies23:35 Medicaid and Healthcare Issues25:15 Climate Change and Environmental Concerns27:03 Political Protests and Public Sentiment28:16 Democratic Party and Election Strategies34:34 Republican Scandals and Controversies
About Bob GattyThis video is presented by Bob Gatty, a former journalist and communications consultant, who is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in going after Trump and his pals who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Trump Puts Home Construction in Crisis

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Trump Puts Home Construction in CrisisJoin us for a compelling conversation about the impact of the Musk/Trump administration's immigration, tariff, and federal workforce policies on the construction industry, especially housing.
.In a discussion with Brian Turmail, Vice President of Public Affairs at the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the Lean to the Left podcast explores those issues, which he says have put home construction in crisis..
Turmail highlights a severe labor shortage exacerbated by restrictions on programs like the H2B visa and cancellations under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and DACA. This labor scarcity could lead to higher costs, longer construction times, and stalled community development projects.
The discussion touches on the broader economic consequences, such as increased housing prices, reduced funding for public education due to stagnant real estate growth, and the potential economic harm from tariffs on construction materials.
The AGC advocates for more investment in career technical education and a streamlined, lawful immigration pathway to address these workforce needs. The session concludes with a call to action for listeners to support these initiatives via the website WorkforceDoneRight.org.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Trump's Immigration Policies and the Construction Industry00:58 Introduction to the Labor Shortage Crisis01:35 Historical Context and Education Policies02:56 Visa Programs and Their Limitations06:50 Impact of Workforce Shortages on Communities08:17 Potential Solutions and Policy Recommendations20:37 Economic Consequences of Tariffs26:49 Call to Action and Conclusion
About Bob GattyBob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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America Has No Kings: President's Day Protest to Preserve Democracy

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0000

America Has No Kings: President's Day Protest to Preserve Democracy
Across the country, Americans took to the streets this Presidents’ Day to make one thing clear: America has no kings.
Here in Myrtle Beach, SC, hundreds joined the call, standing in solidarity against the dangerous alliance between Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Their message? Democracy, not dictatorship. Protesters rallied against Project 2025, a radical plan to strip away rights and reshape our government to serve the powerful.
For many, the stakes are personal. A local protester fears what another Trump presidency means for marginalized communities.
Protesters also voiced outrage at Elon Musk, whose growing influence over politics, social media, and even space technology has raised alarms about unchecked power and disinformation.
As chants echoed across the nation, the message was clear: Americans are ready to resist authoritarianism and fight for the future of democracy. The fight isn’t over—it’s just beginning.
f you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!
About Bob Gatty This video is presented by Bob Gatty, a former journalist and communications consultant, who is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in going after Trump and his pals who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Confronting Injustice with Dr. Gail C. Christopher | Lean to the Left Podcast

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Confronting Injustice with Dr. Gail C. Christopher | Lean to the Left PodcastJoin us on the Lean to the Left podcast as Dr. Gail C. Christopher discusses the fight for justice, the impact of Trump's policies, and the irresistible force of our shared humanity. A must-listen for those passionate about change! #Justice #podcast
In this important episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, host Bob Gatty discusses key social issues, including Donald Trump's policies on healthcare, DEI, and government cuts.
Featuring Dr. Gail C. Christopher, Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, the conversation spans topics from the National Day of Racial Healing to the profound influence of Jimmy Carter's values as they discuss the challenge of confronting injustice in health.
Dr. Christopher delves into the legacy of racial hierarchy and the ongoing struggles and strategies for health equity. The episode underscores the importance of unity and collective action to navigate current political challenges.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview00:38 Guest Introduction: Dr. Gail C. Christopher01:28 National Day of Racial Healing and Jimmy Carter's Legacy05:26 Trump's Impact on Healthcare and DEI06:03 Mobilization for Justice and Democracy07:55 Economic and Social Impacts of Policy Changes10:29 Strategies for Coping and Resistance11:13 National Collaborative for Health Equity27:14 Racial Healing and Dr. Christopher's Book33:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob GattyThis video is presented by Bob Gatty, a former journalist and communications consultant, who is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in going after Trump and his pals who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and...

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liberalism's Path Forward

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Spencer Critchley: What's a Liberal?Our guest is Spencer Critchley, a writer, political analyst, and author known for his insightful takes on American politics, who explores the question, "What's a Liberal?" If you enjoy this episode, please share it on social media, comment, and subscribe to our channel.
In the episode, Critchley and host Bob Gatty discuss the alienation of Democrats and liberals, who Critchley argues have become overly rationalistic and out of touch with the emotional aspects that drive politics.
Critchley shares his views on the failures of the Democratic Party, their disconnect with everyday voters, and how emotional rhetoric often trumps rational policy debate. They delve into root causes of American political polarization, drawing from Critchley's books 'Patriots of Two Nations' and his upcoming work 'The Liberal Backbone.'
Critchley explains his unique approach to the new book, inviting public commentary on each chapter online and Substack.
This episode explores why Trump’s appeal persists, how Democrats can reconnect with voters, and the broader implications for American democracy.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Election Aftermath00:31 Guest Introduction: Spencer Critchley01:19 Democratic Party's Alienation Problem04:17 Emotional vs Rational Politics06:22 Marketing and Emotional Appeal in Politics08:53 Trump's Charismatic Leadership34:42 Counter-Enlightenment and American History38:52 The Liberal Backbone: Interactive Writing Process43:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob GattyThis video is presented by Bob Gatty, a former journalist and communications consultant, who is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in going after Trump and his pals who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Cesar Cardona on Bridging Political Divides

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Join us as we talk to Cesar Cardona, a musician, podcaster, and writer. Cesar shares his transformative journey from arriving in Los Angeles in 2014 to becoming a public speaker and educator focused on growth mindset, mindfulness, and social unification.
We also dive into his work as a boxing trainer and his new podcast 'Beauty in the Break,' which explores resilience and transformation through personal stories and launches March 3.
Discussing issues like Donald Trump’s presidency and its impact on America, Cesar offers insights on bridging political divides, navigating political challenges, the power of community, and the importance of voting with dollars.
Tune in for an enlightening dialogue about embracing clarity, connection, and purpose.
CHAPTERS;00:00 Introduction to Cesar Cardona00:28 Cesar's Journey to Los Angeles01:29 Professional Endeavors and Mindset03:13 Boxing Trainer Background04:38 Political Climate and Trump's Impact11:08 Voting with Our Dollars23:05 Cesar's Personal Identity and Philosophy26:09 Beauty in the Break Podcast31:08 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts about Bridging Political Divides

About Bob GattyThis video is presented by Bob Gatty, a former journalist and communications consultant, who is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast.
Lean to the Left pulls no punches in going after Trump and his pals who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Courts Block Trump's Controversial Proposals

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Courts Block Trump's Controversial Proposals
Just as was the case when Donald Trump claimed he won the 2020 election against Joe Biden, federal court judges are rejecting some of his most controversial and potentially dangerous proposals.
In this episode of Lean to the Left, host Bob Gatty discusses the critical role of the courts as they block Trump's harmful policies, including the unfreezing of federal funds, the attempted end of birthright citizenship, and efforts to shut down websites that provide vital health information to the American people.
The episode also covers Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency and the judicial opposition it faced. The courts' actions underscore the importance of an independent judiciary in upholding the rule of law and protecting constitutional rights.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Overview00:20 Trump's Executive Order on Gender Issues01:09 Federal Worker Buyout Controversy01:50 Courtroom Showdown Over Federal Spending02:22 Battle Over Birthright Citizenship02:50 Elon Musk's DOGE and Treasury Access04:13 Judicial Resistance and Broader Implications04:28 Conclusion and Call to Action
About Bob GattyAbout Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Segura: Comics & Crime

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we take a bit of a break from politics to discuss 'Alter Ego,' an incredible novel by Alex Segura, set in the fascinating world of comic books.
The conversation covers the novel's connection to its predecessor 'Secret Identity,' featuring Cuban American heroines like Annie Bustamante, dealing with industry challenges and personal growth.
Segura talks about his passion for comics, the inspiration behind his characters, and the role of underrepresented storytellers. The discussion also touches on how comic books have influenced Segura's life and broader issues of racism and sexism in creative industries.
Additionally, Segura shares his upcoming projects, including a Daredevil crime novel and various comics for major publishers.
Book links:Secret Identity link: https://amzn.to/416dYWMAlter Ego link: https://amzn.to/40TrP1x
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Alter Ego by Alex Segura01:12 Meet the Author: Alex Segura01:21 The Connection Between Secret Identity and Alter Ego02:45 Diving into the Comic Book Universe03:47 Incorporating Comic Book Pages into Novels04:47 Highlighting Cuban American Heroines05:58 Racism and Sexism in the Creative World09:07 Personal Inspirations and Comic Book Influence11:38 The Golden Age of Comics12:31 Current Projects and Future Plans16:14 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alzheimers and Deception: How Faulty Science Misleads Millions

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Alzheimers and DeceptionJoin investigative journalist Charles Piller as he discusses his explosive book 'Doctored,' which uncovers widespread deceit in Alzheimer's research, including falsified images and manipulated data affecting hundreds of studies.
He highlights the role of scientific misconduct and FDA oversight failures, discussing the ramifications for Alzheimer's drug trials and the future of scientific research.
All of this means that Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers who are desperate for help are deceived as they hope beyond hope for a cure, or at least, relief.
Piller explores alternative hypotheses and potential research directions for more effective treatments. This eye-opening discussion on the 'Lean to the Left' podcast is a must-watch for anyone concerned about Alzheimer’s disease and scientific integrity.
CHAPTERS:00:00 The Alzheimers Crisis: A Growing Tragedy00:11 Investigative Journalist Charles Piller Exposes Deceit03:27 The Amyloid Hypothesis and Its Failures05:14 FDA's Role and Failures in Drug Approval06:20 Case Study: The Semufilum Scandal08:54 The Impact of Misconduct on Patients and Research19:02 Hopeful Signs and Alternative Research Paths23:52 Necessary Reforms for Federal Agencies and Journals29:07 Concerns Under the New Administration31:26 Charles Piller's Investigative Journey and Final Thoughts
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollis Peirce's Battle for Disability Rights

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0000

The Battle for Disability Rights Hollis Peirce, 36, has courageously fought Congenital Muscular Dystrophy for his entire life and even launched a power hockey league for the disabled in Canada.
On the Lean to the Left podcast, Hollis discusses his long battle for disability rights and the threat that Donald Trump poses for disabled individuals who rely on Medicaid and other government assistance programs that would be shut down under Trump's order to freeze federal spending for grants, loans and other aid programs.
Hollis shares his perspectives on Trump's actions, emphasizing the adverse effects on vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities of any Medicaid freeze, and the importance of standing up for disabled Americans.He also discusses his advocacy work, his achievements despite his condition, and his podcast, '21st Century Disability,' which explores modern perspectives on living with disabilities.
Additionally, Hollis highlights ongoing challenges for people with disabilities in both the U.S. and Canada and stresses the importance of understanding and supporting disability rights. Disabled voices matter, and Peirce's is one of the most effective voices dedicated to empowering the disabled community.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Lean to the Left Podcast00:06 Trump's Shock and Awe Campaign01:56 Interview with Hollis Peirce Begins02:03 Trump's Policies and Their Impact04:19 Healthcare and Disability Advocacy13:26 Hollis Peirce's Personal Journey15:56 Challenges and Achievements24:22 Power Wheelchair Hockey League28:24 Final Thoughts and Message
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99.As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats: It's Time To Fight Back! The Gloves Must Come Off

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Join the latest episode of the Lean to the Left podcast's special monthly feature, Dixie Dems, with Arthur Hill, Vice Chair of the Brunswick County North Carolina Democratic Party, and Robert Thompson, an outspoken political podcaster from Georgia.
The discussion revolves around Donald Trump's controversial early actions as president, including executive orders, pardons, and policy changes. The hosts also touch on the implications of these actions, as well as the reactions and strategies of the Democratic Party.
"The gloves must come off," says Hill during the episode. "It's time to fight dirt with dirt."
Additionally, there are updates on political happenings in North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. Tune in for an engaging and fiery conversation about current political dynamics, and please take a minute to subscribe, comment, share this episode with your friends.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast00:45 Trump's Early Actions as President01:31 Executive Orders and Controversial Moves02:20 Implications of Trump's Policies06:15 Economic Concerns and Tariffs11:17 Pardoning the Insurrectionists14:06 State vs. Federal Government20:22 Government Efficiency and Tax Cuts22:46 Kemp's Health Insurance Controversy23:40 Democrats' Strategy in the Minority26:00 Salem Media's Conservative Influence26:53 Trump's Cabinet Picks Under Scrutiny28:05 Barry Loudermilk's Controversial Actions32:55 North Carolina's Supreme Court Race36:16 Georgia's Legislative Session Highlights39:49 South Carolina's Financial Mismanagement43:09 Podcast Conclusion and Announcements
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Can Democrats Fight Trump?

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0000

HIJACKED NATION - Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. GET YOUR COPY TODAY!
How Can Democrats Fight Donald Trump? That's the key question addressed by former Democratic presidential candidate Jason Palmer in this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast.
Palmer, a 53-year-old venture capitalist, shares his insights on Trump's return to the White House and his aggressive policy moves, including pulling out of the WHO, the Paris Climate Accord, his mass deportation plans, and his intention to impose heavy tariffs on imported goods.
We also delve into why Kamala Harris lost the election, Democratic strategies for future wins, and Jason's new organization, TOGETHER, aimed at mobilizing young voters.
Additionally, Jason talks about the role of AI in political campaigns, his advice for future presidential candidates, and his ventures in education technology. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the current political landscape and what lies ahead.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:09 Discussing Trump's Return to Power00:21 Interview with Jason Palmer01:38 Trump's Early Actions and Their Impact02:58 Analyzing the Election Results04:31 Strategies for the Democratic Party16:51 The Role of AI in Campaigns23:39 Future Plans and Advice for Aspiring Politicians29:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link.
As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Honoring Dr. King: Tackling Poverty with Devon Gray

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0000

HIJACKED NATION - Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. GET YOUR COPY TODAY! https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ
Help LA Fireman’s Relief: https://www.lafra.org
Honoring Dr. King: Tackling Poverty with Devon GrayWe pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King and his vision of a 'Beloved Community' anchored in justice, equality, and compassion.
We are joined by Devin Gray, president of End Poverty in California (EPIC), who shares insights on how Dr. King's work influences current efforts to combat poverty.
Devin discusses the challenges of poverty, outdated societal beliefs, and the impact of rising costs and natural disasters in California. The conversation also delves into political dynamics under President Trump and the importance of building a multiracial coalition for economic justice, echoing Dr. King's vision.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.00:43 Introducing Devin Gray and EPIC01:33 Dr. King's Influence on Poverty Solutions03:27 Challenges Under the Trump Administration06:07 Addressing Misconceptions About Poverty10:52 California's Rising Poverty Rates14:10 Impact of Wildfires on Low-Income Communities20:06 Economic Policies and Their Effects26:31 Future Directions and Leadership30:46 Closing Remarks and Reflections
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hegseth: Unfit to Serve

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Hegseth: Unfit to Serve
The stupidity of Donald Trump’s cabinet nominations was on full display when Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth was grilled during a Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday. Here’s a guy who says he will be a “change agent” and “warrior” if confirmed, but in the meantime dodged easy questions about his lack of experience, excessive drinking and sexual misconduct, which clearly make him unfit to serve.
HIJACKED NATION - Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. GET YOUR COPY TODAY! https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ
Help LA Fireman’s Relief: https://www.lafra.org
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breaking Barriers Faced by Women

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000

HIJACKED NATION - Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. GET YOUR COPY TODAY! https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ
Help LA Fireman’s Relief: https://www.lafra.org
Breaking Barriers Faced by WomenDon't miss this riveting conversation with Ashley Jordan, author of 'Unhappy Achiever', which delves deep into the multifaceted challenges that Vice President Kamala Harris faced during her presidential campaign, including sexism, race, and societal expectations.
Ashley shares her insights on the inherent biases women encounter in the workplace and politics while discussing her journey as a feminist, attorney, and mother dedicated to breaking barriers faced by women in society today.
The conversation transitions into Ashley's personal narrative of overcoming the 'unhappy achiever' syndrome, advocating for authentic leadership that integrates both masculine and feminine qualities.
Tune in to explore these compelling themes and hear about Ashley's book that aims to inspire women to seek inner fulfillment and break free from societal prescriptions. Book link: https://amzn.to/4gO0Fjq
CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Context00:29 Exploring the Reasons Behind Harris's Loss00:49 Introducing Ashley Jordan01:37 Challenges Faced by Women in Leadership05:02 Personal Anecdotes and Experiences12:44 The Concept of the Unhappy Achiever25:05 Advice for Women and Girls27:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Above the Law

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000

So now with Judge Juan Merchan letting Donald Trump off the hook for his felony conviction in the New York Stormy Daniels hush money case, he’s effectively been placed above the law. Yes, many pundits claim victory of sorts because Merchan upheld Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, making Trump officially a convicted felon. We’re supposed to be satisfied with that? Not long ago Trump faced four criminal trials and perhaps years behind bars. Besides the hush money case, there was the federal election interference case. The Georgia election interference case. The Florida classified documents case. But miraculously Teflon Don’s legal maneuverings and election victory mean none of those cases will stick, and the two federal prosecutions already have been dismissed. Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, says Trump’s election was a “mandate” from voters who demanded an end to the “witch hunts” against him. Really? The American people want a convicted felon as their president? I don’t think so. Gullible supporters believed Trump when he promised to slash inflation and make their lives better. That’s why they voted for him, along with his macho man image. But now that Trump is acting like a dictator-in-waiting, wanting to take over Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal, many realize that was a bunch of campaign crap. Sounds to me like Trump’s been hanging out with Putin far too long and is taking a page out of his playbook. Don’t know about you, but I’m dreading what’s ahead over the next four years. I’m 82 tomorrow, and I hope I make it to see the end of Donald J. Trump’s political career.

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Crime, Time, and Redemption: The Jack Straw Story

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000

HIJACKED NATION - Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. GET YOUR COPY TODAY!https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7
Life After Prison Release: John Graham's Mission to Change Lives
Should ex-cons be given a second chance at life after prison release? See how John David Graham has dedicated his life to helping convicts once they are released from prison. It's a positive, uplifting story you won't want to miss.
In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, Dr. Graham shares his inspiring journey from homelessness to becoming a business owner, published author, and founder of Good Samaritan Home, a network of refurbished homes that provide safe living space for just released convicts.
At 53, Graham began helping people rebuild their lives after prison, and by 75, he had published his debut novel, "Running as Fast as I Can." Link: https://amzn.to/3DKjpl5
He discusses his nonprofit's impact on the community, the challenges faced, and the success stories of those who've benefited from his efforts.
Tune in to hear about his philosophy of giving second chances and his take on political and social issues over the decades. Graham's story is one of resilience, dedication, and unwavering belief in a moral universe.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to John David Graham00:51 Inspiration Behind Good Samaritan Home02:35 Building Good Samaritan Home10:50 Challenges and Community Resistance16:39 Success Stories and Impact17:53 Writing and Publishing Journey23:21 Reflections on the 60s and Political Climate31:37 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Trump Election is Certified; America is at Risk

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0000

January 6 four years ago was a dark day in America.
That was the day that Donald Trump zealots attacked the U.S. Capitol, storming through broken windows and doors, and assaulting brave law enforcement officers.
It was a violent attack spawned by Trump, one that even featured a makeshift gallows on the Capitol grounds that MAGATs said was waiting for Vice President Mike Pence who refused Trump’s request to hand the presidency over to him.
Yesterday, exactly four years later, Trump’s election victory was peacefully certified by Vice President Kamala Harris, who Trump defeated on November 5.
So, yesterday, too, was a dark day for America – not because of a violent attempt at insurrection, because she did her job as required by the Constitution – the very document Trump is determined to overturn.
Even now, Trump and his cronies continue to downplay the seriousness of that assault on the Capitol four years ago.They’re trying to rewrite history and pretend that what happened then was simply a bunch of tourists taking a walk through the Capitol. Never mind the deaths and injuries that resulted from that violent day when law enforcement officers were beaten, dragged, knocked unconscious with some eventually perishing because of what happened.But to hear them tell it, Jan. 6, 2021 was simply a peaceful demonstration and exercise of free speech that got out of hand. Don’t believe what you saw with your own eyes, we are told.
That cannot stand. Our children and grandchildren who did not witness those awful events must know the truth, because to deny it is to invite such chaos once again.
In just a few days – in fact on Martin Luther King Day – the racist, Donald J. Trump, will be inaugurated as president.Unless Trump intervenes, the nation’s flags will remain at half-mast in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, who just passed away.
For many Americans, that will be entirely appropriate because of the continued threat that Trump and his backers pose to our country.
Because of this threat we launched our Lean to the Left blog in 2017 and then our podcast, and it’s why we published our book, Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump’s attack on America’s greatness.These efforts will continue as long as Donald Trump remains a threat to our democracy. Here's how you can help. Buy the book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It’s only $11. Sign up for our podcast at leantotheleft.net/podcast, and become a paid subscriber to our Substack channel. Help us continue this fight.
As President Biden wrote yesterday, “We should never forget it is our democracy that makes everything possible — our freedoms, our rights, our liberties, our dreams. And that it falls to every generation of Americans to defend and protect it.”Thank you for tuning in! I'm passionate about bringing progressive voices to the forefront, and I hope our discussions inspire you to think critically about the issues we face today.

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Life After Prison Release: John Graham's Mission to Change Lives

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0000

John David Graham's story is one of resilience, transformation, and unwavering dedication to helping others. A journey that saw him move from homelessness to becoming a business owner and published author, Graham's life took a pivotal turn when he found his true calling at the age of 53. Recognizing a need to support individuals fresh out of prison, he founded the Good Samaritan Home—a nonprofit agency offering a second chance to those seeking a fresh start.
Faced with the struggles of homelessness and a never-ending search for where he fit in the world, he eventually met a remarkable woman who saw potential in him that even the finance company that repossessed his truck couldn't see.
With his wife by his side, Graham decided to focus on a deeper purpose—to help those who had experienced similar struggles. By purchasing and remodeling old homes, John transformed them into welcoming shelters for the homeless, laying the groundwork for the Good Samaritan Home.
Partnering with the Ohio Department of Corrections, the Good Samaritan Home expanded into transitional housing for individuals reentering society after prison. This innovative approach, tailored to provide independent housing rather than mere halfway housing, has been both cost-effective for the state and life-changing for residents. Today, the organization operates 19 houses with the capacity to host up to 100 individuals at any given time.
Building Bridges, Transforming PerceptionsBuilding the Good Samaritan Home was fraught with challenges. Initial backlash from the local community was fierce, culminating in ordinances, petitions, and even police protection for John and his family. However, through patient perseverance and community engagement, such as clearing neighbors' sidewalks during winter, perceptions began to change. Over time, Good Samaritan Home was recognized as a revitalizing force within neighborhoods, rather than a threat, proving that compassion and understanding can break down barriers.
The true measure of John's mission lies in the stories of those who've benefited from his work. John shares success stories of former residents who found stability, employment, and even love. These stories are testament to the life-changing potential of the Good Samaritan Home, which embraces individuals regardless of their background, offering them a chance to rewrite their life story.
A Legacy of Second ChancesIn his novel, "Running as Fast as I Can," Dr. Graham weaves a fictional narrative that echoes the themes of second chances present in his own life. Despite facing over 200 publisher rejections, Graham was determined to share a story that resonates with everyone—a tale that highlights the importance of multiple opportunities for redemption.
As he reflects on societal challenges reminiscent of the 1960s, John remains committed to running his race—supporting one person at a time and advocating for systemic change. His belief in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a moral universe bending toward justice keeps him grounded and hopeful for the future.
Dr. Graham's extraordinary journey from trial to triumph serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on countless lives. Through the Good Samaritan Home, he provides shelter and opportunity while fostering hope and resilience in communities. His story encourages each of us to pursue our passions diligently, believe in the power of second chances, and strive to be part of a moral universe that prioritizes justice and compassion.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to John David Graham00:51 Inspiration Behind Good Samaritan Home02:35 Building Good Samaritan Home10:50 Challenges and Community Resistance16:39 Success Stories and Impact17:53 Writing and Publishing Journey23:21 Reflections on the 60s and Political Climate31:37 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

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Carter's Peaceful Path vs. Trump's Self-serving Agenda

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0000

The passing of former President Jimmy Carter, recognized by many as one of the most virtuous leaders in American history, brings into stark relief the contrasting legacy of the convicted felon Donald J. Trump, who is set to resume office on January 20. As we reflect on the lives and careers of these two leaders, the differences between them raise questions of values, integrity, and legacy.
Jimmy Carter: A Lifetime of Service and Peace
Jimmy Carter, despite criticisms from his single term as President, spent the better part of five decades after his time in office dedicating himself to humanitarian efforts and advocacy for world peace. His charitable work, including building homes for the underprivileged through Habitat for Humanity and his vigorous peacemaking efforts, earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Unlike many before and after him, Carter shunned lucrative opportunities that other former presidents embraced, choosing instead to live simply and serve selflessly.
In a 2018 interview, Carter revealed, “I don’t see anything wrong with that. I don’t blame other people for doing it. It just never had been my ambition, it just never had been my ambition to be rich.” It’s a statement that encapsulates his humble approach, markedly different from that of Donald Trump.
Carter’s presidency saw significant achievements like the passage of the Panama Canal Treaties and the establishment of the U.S. Departments of Energy and Education, the latter of which now face eradication under Trump’s administration. Trump says he wants to take over the Panama Canal.[caption id="attachment_8805" align="alignleft" width="182"] Available at https://amzn.to/3BUiaiH[/caption]
It was Jimmy Carter who famously promised never to lie to the American people. Contrast that with Trump, whose lies and misrepresentations have reached into the thousands and continue to this day.
Donald Trump: Wealth and Power
For Donald Trump, the presidency has often seemed a bid to amplify his wealth and influence, with his time in office marred by controversies and legal battles. A federal appeals court recently upheld a sex abuse verdict against him, a striking coincidence in timing with Carter’s noble passing. Trump’s presidency has been characterized by policies that favor big business and corporate interests, contrary to Carter’s dedication to equitable service.
His commercial endeavors extend even into the spiritual, with the sale of expensive religious memorabilia and exclusive access to prayer sessions for the affluent, illustrating a stark contrast to Carter’s modest sense of duty.
The Legacy of Carter versus Trump
The life stories and presidencies of Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump illustrate two divergent paths of American leadership. Carter's simple refusal of “Hail to the Chief” and his grassroots community service highlight a humility often absent in modern politics. Trump’s anticipated return to the presidency, however, brings back into focus a personality that has been accused of exploiting power for personal gain.
As Jimmy Carter is laid to rest beside his lifelong companion, Rosalind, the country mourns the loss of a true public servant and a hero to many. In stark contrast, Donald Trump’s impending second term brings renewed concerns about ethics, governance, and the direction of American values. This juxtaposition poses a profound reflection on what it means to lead with dignity and purpose.
00:00 Carter's Legacy vs. Trump's Verdict00:19 Carter's Post-Presidency Contributions00:42 Trump's Return and Carter's Final Rest01:06 Carter's Humility vs. Trump's Wealth01:54 Carter's Humanitarian Efforts02:10 Carter's Achievements and Trump's...

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Solar Solutions for the Home: Saving Money and the Planet

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0000

We're in the dead of winter, but the sun still shines and soon the days will grow longer as spring draws near. Will you be tempted to invest in solar energy for your home? I invite you to check out this interview with solar expert Randy French, founder of Independent Solar in Arizona, as we discuss the potential benefits and challenges involved with solar. And, if you like it, please consider subscribing and leaving a comment. Hitting the like button would be great, too!
So, join us on the Lean to the Left podcast as we delve into the benefits and complexities of solar solutions for the home, and how you can benefit by saving both money and the planet.
Host Bob Gatty discusses his own solar panel experience with Randy French and learn how solar energy can lead to substantial financial savings, increase your home value, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
This episode covers factors like cost efficiency, export rates, and incentives, while also addressing such potential challenges as HOA regulations and resale of solar-equipped homes.
Whether you're considering solar for financial reasons, environmental concerns, or both, this podcast offers valuable insights to help you make informed decisions.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Lean to the Left Podcast00:09 Why Invest in Solar Energy?01:04 Meet Randy French: Solar Energy Expert01:21 The Rising Cost of Electricity03:40 Benefits of Going Solar05:40 Understanding Solar Savings16:29 Federal and State Incentives for Solar21:38 Can Solar Panels Be Installed on Any Roof?23:06 Solar System Durability in Extreme Weather23:37 Navigating HOA Regulations for Solar Installations25:19 Selling a Home with a Financed Solar System29:58 Understanding Net Energy Metering30:35 The Future of Solar: Federal Mandates and Utility Companies35:56 The Importance of Backup Power for Solar Systems39:08 Solar Efficiency in Low-Sunlight Regions40:21 Final Thoughts on Going Solar
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!"
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Christmas with Donald Trump

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0000

With the holiday season upon us, the conversation surrounding politics and its impact on everyday Americans becomes even more poignant.
An article by The Washington Post sheds light on a group of low-income Trump voters who are now faced with the unexpected consequences of their voting decisions. Among them is a woman who, due to financial constraints, relies on a bicycle to grocery shop because affording car repairs is beyond her reach. Her monthly income is comprised of $1,200 in food stamps and Social Security, supporting both herself and her teenage son.
A Misguided VoteThis Trump voter, a former Democrat, believed that his presidency would bring about positive changes—cheaper groceries and gas, a more favorable economy. However, his focus on cutting federal spending tells a different story. Programs at risk include Medicaid, food stamps, veterans health care, the Affordable Care Act, federal housing assistance, opioid treatment and drug development initiatives, domestic violence programs, Head Start, among others.
The promises of prosperity and improved financial circumstances ring hollow as Trump’s administration prepares to cut critical benefit programs. For those voters who supported him in hopes of change, there’s an unsettling realization: their vote may not have been in their best interest. The stark contrast between the lavish million-dollar fundraisers for Trump’s affluent supporters and his average voter’s struggle to afford basic necessities emphasizes the chasm between promise and reality.
The Harsh Truth of Economic PoliciesAs Trump celebrates with his wealthy supporters, perhaps enjoying champagne at opulent Mar-a-Lago, many of his voters face harsher choices—like deciding between food or toilet paper on trips to Walmart. The disconnect between expectations and actions raises an important question: Is this outcome truly what they envisioned when they voted?
Election decisions carry profound impacts, with voter expectations sometimes clashing sharply with political realities. For Trump voters now facing the potential loss of vital benefits, it should be a sobering lesson in understanding the true implications of political promises. As the holiday season fades into Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration and the first days of his presidency, the challenge for many will be contending with the impact of policies that contradict their own needs and interests.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: Low Income Trump Voters’ Dilemma00:34 Trump’s Spending Cuts: What’s on the Chopping Block?00:56 The Impact of Trump’s Policies on His Voters01:04 Conclusion: The Reality of Voting Against Self-Interest
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of its podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. There are now more than 700 episodes available on YouTube and the major audio podcast channels.Please check out our new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump’s Attack on America’s Greatness, co-written with Lean to the Left star writer CJ Waldron. The book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24, Digital version $3.99. Here’s a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZThanks for your support.

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Trump's Conflicts of Interest & Plans for Personal Gain

Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Trump's Conflicts of Interest & Plans for Personal GainDonald Trump is more than a month away from returning to the White House and he’s already cooking up plans selling out the American people, satisfying his big money donors to the detriment of public safety, the environment, and more.
Meanwhile, If you enjoy this commentary, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions and guest interviews lined up that you won't want to miss.
Last May, candidate Trump reportedly told oil industry executives that if they donated $1 billion to his campaign, he would get rid of troublesome federal regulations designed to support clean energy and conserve the environment.
What happened? Well, he didn’t get $1 billion, but oil industry interests contributed $75 million to his election effort. Now, over 100 manufacturing and business groups have sent him a letter urging an end to Biden administration regulations on pollution, worker safety, consumer protection and more, claiming the rules are “strangling” the nation’s economy. They want what they paid for.
Trump has promised to rollback climate funding contained in the Infrastructure Reduction Act, once again pull out of the Paris Climate Accord, and boost American oil and natural gas production. He’ wants to ditch federal support for offshore wind projects, claiming that windmills kill birds and spoil the view.
But it’s not just the battle against climate change that will suffer from the grifter-in-chief’s money grubbing actions. Not by a long shot.
Tune in to understand the implications of Trump's financial ventures on his presidency and national interests.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Trump's Pre-Inauguration Plans to Sell Out America00:22 Oil Industry Influence and Environmental Rollbacks01:48 Elon Musk and Car Safety Regulations02:50 Conflicts of Interest in Trump's Administration03:26 Trump's Business Ventures and Foreign Influence06:11 Consumer Products and Personal Enrichment07:17 Conclusion and Call to Action
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
Bob is considering making changes to Lean to the Left in 2025, and is asking for your input. Please take a moment to complete two quick 4-question polls here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft/community
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Meeting the Pre-Teen Challenge

Wed, 22 May 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Meeting the Pre-Teen ChallengeToday, with the Holidays upon us, I'm veering away from political discussions to focus on kids, specifically pre-teen kids, and I invite you to check out this interview with life coach Marcus Aurelius Higgs as we discuss meeting the pre-teen challenge. And, if you like it, please consider subscribing and leaving a comment. Hitting the like button would be great, too!
Our guest is Marcus Higgs, a life coach specializing in communication strategies for parents of preteens. The discussion covers the importance of open communication, family relationships, and critical thinking for preteens.
Marcus shares his journey from being a missionary in South Korea to founding Certain Future Press, a company dedicated to character development and supporting holistic growth in families.
He introduces the 'Show Up' framework designed to help parents foster strong identities and communication skills in their children facing the challenges of modern societal pressures, especially those stemming from social media.
Additionally, Marcus emphasizes the value of collective growth, interpersonal development, and the significance of virtues and values in family culture.
Marcus is the author of "Inspire Life Through Words of Well-Being," personal meditations in poetry. Here's a link: https://amzn.to/3P8093q
CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome to Lean to the Left Podcast00:22 Introducing Marcus Higgs: Life Coach for Preteen Parents01:35 Marcus Higgs' Background and Missionary Work02:37 The Birth of Certain Future Press03:31 Communication Strategies for Preteen Parents05:00 The Show Up Framework: Helping Parents Show Up06:43 Challenges and Strategies in Parenting Preteens12:02 Public vs. Private Education Debate14:48 Understanding the Show Up Framework15:05 Melting the Wall of Ice: Building a Strong Identity15:12 Understanding Virtues and Values15:55 Challenges of Identity in the Digital Age16:27 The SHOW Framework: Strategies for Parents18:19 Counseling and Support for Parents21:37 The Role of Technology and Social Media27:34 Characteristics of the Ideal Parent29:29 Inspiring Life Through Words of Wellbeing30:37 Generational Impact and Legacy31:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
Bob is considering making changes to Lean to the Left in 2025, and is asking for your input. Please take a moment to complete two quick 4-question polls here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft/community
Our mission is to challenge the status quo and provide a platform for underrepresented voices. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Unveiling Immigration Surveillance: AI, Technology, and Migrant Abuse

Wed, 15 May 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link.
Join us in this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast as we dive into the critical issues surrounding immigration, AI technology, and human rights and migrant abuse with author and attorney Petra Molnar.
We discuss her book, 'The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,' which chronicles her six-year journey examining the impact of AI on migration globally, which she says is fraught with abuse.
Petra sheds light on Trump's mass deportation plan, the broader implications of AI and surveillance at borders, and the role of the profit-driven private sector in the border security industry. She also highlights her work with the Migration and Technology Monitor Project.
This episode is a must-watch for those concerned about human rights, technology, and the future of immigration policies.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Immigration Issues00:17 Meet Petra Monar: Migration Expert01:11 The Role of Technology in Migration02:24 Surveillance and Deportation Concerns04:14 Global Impact of Surveillance on Migrants09:55 Tech Companies Profiting from Borders16:47 Migration and Technology Monitor Project20:39 Personal Migration Journey and Conclusion
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob is considering making changes to Lean to the Left in 2025, and is asking for your input. Please take a moment to complete two quick 4-question polls here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft/community
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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TikTok Trump

Wed, 08 May 2024 00:00:00 -0000

TikTok TrumpJoin us for an engaging conversation covering a breadth of topics shaping the future political landscape.
In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, we dive into a discussion on young voters and the 2024 election with Sam Raus, a young, nationally published political analyst and public relations professional.
Sam shares his insights on why the youth vote has shifted more towards Trump compared to 2020, the potential influences of social media platforms like TikTok and X, and the concerns about misinformation and foreign influence.
Sam sheds light on the activities of Young Voices, an organization focused on supporting young talent, and discusses the intricacies of student debt, economic policies, and the role of AI in modern politics.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:41 Young Voices and Sam's Role02:12 AI and Technology in Politics09:19 TikTok and National Security Concerns13:23 Election Influence and Youth Vote19:12 Student Debt and Economic Challenges30:10 Race, Sexism, and Political Influence33:09 Encouraging Youth Political Participation34:42 Conclusion and Future Plans
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.
Bob is considering making changes to Lean to the Left in 2025, and is asking for your input. Please take a moment to complete two quick 4-question polls here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft/community
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reagan vs. Trump: the Myth, the Cult, the Reality

Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Reagan vs. Trump: the Myth, the Cult, the RealityCheck out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version also available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ
In this episode, Reagan vs. Trump, we explore the anticipated policies of the Trump administration and their parallels to Ronald Reagan's era.
Our guest, Ed Oswald, a legal and tax expert and author, discusses his book 'From Ronald to Donald: How the Myth of Reagan Became the Cult of Trump.' We delve into Reaganomics, the trickle-down theory, GOP strategies, and the potential economic impacts and the reality of Trump's tax cuts and tariffs.
We also touch on the 2021 Capitol attack and its aftermath.
Join us for an insightful discussion on the evolution of U.S. economic and political policies and the influence of Ronald Reagan on Donald Trump's campaign and key policy positions. Oswald says Trump really is the second MAGA president.
Meanwhile, here is a direct link for Oswald's book: https://amzn.to/49B7OAQ
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: Comparing Trump to Reagan00:29 Guest Introduction: Ed Oswald01:08 Initial Thoughts on Trump's Presidency02:29 The Myth of Reagan and the Cult of Trump06:42 Reagan's Economic Policies and Their Impact16:13 Trump's Economic Policies and Their Consequences21:18 The Role of Tariffs in the Economy26:22 Stock Market Reactions and Future Speculations29:07 Conclusion: Reflecting on Reagan and Trump
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob is considering significant changes for Lean to the Left in 2025, and is asking for your input. Please take a moment to complete two quick 4-question polls here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft/community
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.
Thanks!

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Racism, Sexism & Targeted Marketing Key Trump's Win

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0000

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Ranking the Presidents: What About Trump?

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Ranking the Presidents
In this episode, the host discusses the concerns and expectations surrounding the new Donald Trump administration.
The guest, Talmadge Boston, a renowned presidential leadership historian and author of 'How the Best Did It,' delves into the timeless lessons of leadership from America's top eight presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Reagan.
Boston shares his rationale behind his selection of these presidents, influenced by the C-SPAN presidential ranking poll and historical precedents. He also provides insights into how Presidents Obama, Biden, and Trump are being assessed in terms of their historical significance and leadership qualities.
The conversation wraps up with Boston’s experiences with his book tour and additional resources available on his website. You can obtain Boston's book here: https://amzn.to/3Z2WdFM
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the New Trump Administration00:38 Guest Introduction: Talmadge Boston01:28 Overview of 'How the Best Did It'02:19 Discussion on Presidential Rankings04:49 Evaluating Obama and Biden07:39 Trump's First Term and Future Prospects10:10 Cabinet Choices and Controversies17:15 Deep Dive into Top Presidents28:10 Where to Find the Book30:00 Closing Remarks
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version also available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Courage in Tragedy: Confronting Alex Jones

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Courage in Tragedy: Confronting Alex JonesOn December 14, 2012, Robbie Parker's six-year-old daughter, Emilie, was tragically killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
In this episode of Lean to the Left podcast, Courage in Tragedy, Robbie shares his deeply emotional journey of coping with the immense grief of losing his daughter, the harassment his family faced from Alex Jones and his InfoWars followers, their subsequent decision to relocate, and the legal battle they waged confronting Alex Jones.
Robbie also discusses his book, 'A Father's Fight: Taking on Alex Jones and Reclaiming the Truth About Sandy Hook,' and his process of healing and preserving his daughter's memory.
The episode ends on a high note with news about The Onion winning the InfoWars platform in a bankruptcy auction, marking a milestone in Robbie's fight for justice.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Sandy Hook Tragedy00:33 Robbie Parker's Heartbreaking Story04:16 The Immediate Aftermath and Alex Jones' Conspiracy Theories04:59 Relocating and Facing Harassment07:55 Standing Up to Alex Jones10:08 Writing a Book and Healing16:06 Reflections on Grief and Family Impact19:24 The Verdict and Its Implications23:32 The Onion Wins InfoWars Auction29:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital versionalso available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Maximizing Your Veterans Benefits

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0000

In honor of Veterans Day and all of those who have served our country, we are presenting today Paul R. Lawrence, who’s written a new book, Veterans Benefits for You. It’s a terrific resource to help veterans who want help maximizing the veterans benefits that they deserve.In his book, Paul R. Lawrence, former Under Secretary for Benefits in the Department of Veterans Affairs, provides an up-to-date, comprehensive and accessible guide to all the benefits and services available to veterans of the US armed services and how to make the most of them. We’re proud to present Dr. Lawrence today and hope the information he provides will help veterans take advantage of the benefits and services to which they are entitled.Please note that this episode was recorded last year for Veterans Day and we are presenting it once again here.Meanwhile, as we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences with us by commenting. Your voice matters!"About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, co-authored with CJ Waldron, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version is also available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction 00:56 Veterans guide explained01:10 Paul Lawrence background01:55 Host's personal experience04:03 Jumping out of airplanes07:26 Calling your Congressman08:43 Helping veterans at work as a civilian09:28 Insider advice for vets10:13 Key components of book11:44 Modernizing the VA12:04 Need to improve mental health services12:24 Step by step advice14:24 Can Congressional intervention really help?17:00 VA Improvements Needed 18:02 Needed Congressional action19:48 Family benefits20:19 Conclusion

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Sabotaged!

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Sabotaged!
Donald Trump is wasting no time sabotaging the U.S. government that he’s supposed to lead.
With the nominations of Robert F. Kenney Jr. as secretary of Health, and Matt Gaetz as attorney general, he’s shown absolute disdain for the American people byunqualified loyalists in the most sensitive and important positions.
Kennedy, who once had a brain worm and battled drug addiction, has spent years fighting against vaccines.
He backs a national abortion ban and has never seen a conspiracy theory he didn’t like. He has zero health expertise, and was picked because of his last name and his endorsement of Trump.
Gaetz is just plain slimy. He was investigated by the bipartisan House Ethics Committee for allegedly engaging in sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl and violating sex trafficking laws, while accepting improper gifts.
He resigned from Congress immediately after being picked by Trump to be his attorney general. One crook hired to protect another. That’s all that is.
Trump wants to consolidate power and that’s what he’s doing with these low-life Cabinet selections. All designed to help consolidate his position as dictator.
We’re in for a rough ride, folks.Connecting You to Issues that Matter About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version coming soon. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ . DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Unveiling the Mind of a Master Storyteller: An Interview with David Baldacci

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Unveiling the Mind of a Master Storyteller: An Interview with David Baldacci
Join us on the Lean to the Left podcast as we welcome David Baldacci, renowned author of over 40 bestselling suspense novels.
In this episode, we delve into Baldacci's latest book 'To Die For' featuring the character Travis Devine. Baldacci discusses his process of character development, the rigorous research that goes into his thrillers, and his commitment to literacy through the Wish You Well Foundation.
What's it like creating those characters that are so important, especially the bad guys (Baldacci's favorites)? Do they stay with the author over time? Where do his story ideas come from? What's in his mind? How does he work? What's the process followed by this master storyteller to create all those novels?
From his journey as a trial lawyer to becoming a celebrated novelist, Baldacci shares insights into the craft of storytelling and what keeps him motivated to continue writing captivating stories. A must-watch for fans and aspiring writers!
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to David Baldacci01:26 Discussing 'Absolute Power'02:01 Exploring 'To Die For'04:28 The Writing Process07:42 Research and Realism17:09 Character Development18:59 The Wish You Well Foundation23:55 Advice for Aspiring Authors26:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Links for Baldacci books discussed in the interview:
To Die For: https://amzn.to/4etVOlv
Absolute Power: https://amzn.to/3Z9z7P3
Memory Man: https://amzn.to/4exd9Kk
The Edge: https://amzn.to/48S4Ebm
The 6:20 Man: https://amzn.to/4hOK1B3_____________________________________________________________________About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital versionalso available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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A GOP Insider's Election Analysis 2024

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0000

A GOP Insider's Election Analysis 2024In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, host Bob Gatty interviews Jamie Miller, former Executive Director of the Florida Republican Party and veteran of the 2000 George Bush campaign, for an analysis of Donald Trump's 2024 defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
They discuss a variety of topics including demographic voting patterns, Miller's perceived overreach of the Democratic Party on key issues, the impact of immigration policies, and questions surrounding electric vehicles and the economy. For his part in this election analysis 2024, Host Bob Gatty points out the overreach of the Republican Party, including Donald Trump's threat to go after his perceived enemies, including many in the Democratic Party.
They also touch on controversial subjects such as the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol attack, immigration policies including Trump's mass deportation plans and the situation of the Dreamers, and the debate over whether the 2020 election was legitimately won by Biden.
Miller provides insights from his right-of-center perspective, while Bob offers counterpoints from the left, aiming to foster a balanced and reasonable discussion in this fascinating election analysis.
Miller's bottom line was that Democrats lost the support of many voters by focusing on such issues as abortion, protecting LGBTQ+ rights, and allowing transgender individuals to compete in school sports, when their primary concern was the economy and inflation.
Remember, I believe in the power of dialogue to drive change. What topics would you like us to address? Your input is invaluable!
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:32 Election Analysis: Why Trump Beat Kamala Harris02:26 Democrats' Strategy and Media's Role05:34 Impact of Abortion Issue on Election07:30 Young Voters and Economic Concerns13:43 Immigration and Latino Voters16:27 Dreamers and Immigration Policy26:13 Election Integrity and 2020 Election32:50 January 6th Attack and Pardons35:39 Economic Policies and Tariffs39:32 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital versionalso available. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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The Price of Bacon

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0000

The Price of BaconTrump's supporters, who unfairly blamed Joe Biden for the increase in grocery prices and other products following the pandemic, put the price of bacon and other foods ahead of potentially losing many important freedoms under the presidency of Donald Trump.
Aside from the trepidation that many feel because of Trump's election, perhaps the saddest aspect is that more than 71 million Americans fell for his message of hate, his lies, his exaggerations, and his pie in the sky promises.
They forget that Trump thoroughly mismanaged the pandemic, resulting in millions of deaths. And apparently they don't care that he harbors hopes of installing himself as some sort of dictator.
Harris did her best, but her messaging fell flat with many women, particularly whom she counted on to lead her to victory.
Trump stacked the Supreme court to get rid of abortions, but the price of bacon apparently trumped concerns about losing reproductive freedom. If Trump follows through on his pledge to impose massive tariffs on imported goods, do they not realize that the price of goods will skyrocket?
Perhaps they like Trump's plan to give another huge tax cut to millionaires and big business at their own expense.
Trump promised to deport millions living in the country illegally, and from his continued rhetoric, it sounds like he's entirely serious, regardless of the cost as his braintrust is already making implementation plans. What would be the impact on the economy if he did that? Who will pick the produce or build our houses, do our landscaping, yes, even pick our hardshell crabs?
Trump said he would protect American women whether they like it or not,. That's from the man convicted of sex crimes. He's threatened his political opponents as "the enemy within," and said he military should take care of them.
Apparently 71. 5 million voters who chose Trump paid no attention to that. Or they actually liked the message, such as his deportation plans.
Enough. We must continue to resist this fanatic who, indeed, has hijacked our nation simply to satisfy his on insatiable greed. I intend to continue to do that through this podcast, my LeantotheLeft.net blog, and my books. A new one has just been released, Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. You can find it here: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7, and another one, a political thriller, is now in the works.
"The government you elect is the government you deserve," wrote Thomas Jefferson. Those 71. 5 million Trump voters will discover over these next years that those words are absolutely true.
After all, what's more important, the price of bacon or your own freedom?

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The Dixie Dems: Trump Election Response

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0000

The Dixie Dems Trump Election ResponseIn this special post-election episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, the Dixie Dems offer a response to Donald Trump's election nationally and in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Host Bob Gatty discusses the disappointing results and the continuing battle for democracy with Arthur Hill, vice chair of the Brunswick County North Carolina Democratic Party, and Robert Thompson, a passionate podcaster and political commentator from Georgia.
They explore key pressing issues, such as the public's response to Trump, the challenges faced by Democratic candidates, especially black female candidates, the potential impacts of Project 2025, and the looming threat of an autocratic government.
The trio dives deep into Trump's plans for weaponizing the Department of Justice, the role of immigrants in the workforce, and the uncertain future of American democracy.
The episode concludes with a reflection on the broader societal implications and and information about the host's updated book, 'Hijacked Nation,' co-authored with CJ Waldron.
Remember, as we continue to explore pressing social issues, please share your stories, views and experiences. Your voice matters! We can all get through this together.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Post-Election Reflections00:57 Emotional Reactions and Personal Stories01:29 Election Analysis and Voter Behavior02:55 Concerns About Trump's Return07:10 Supreme Court and Legislative Implications07:56 Political Strategy and Opposition13:04 North Carolina Election Results22:41 Immigration and Labor Issues27:34 Closing Thoughts and Book Promotion
About Bob Gatty A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version coming soon. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

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Election Countdown: Insights from the Dixie Dems

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Election Countdown: Insights from the Dixie DemsJoin Bob Gatty and guests Arthur Hill and Robert Thompson in this special election countdown episode of the Dixie Dems on the Lean to the Left Podcast. If you enjoy this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.
The discussion in this episode provides insights into key battleground states like North Carolina and Georgia, touching on local electoral dynamics, early voting experiences, and the potential impacts of increased voter turnout.
The episode also delves into issues like sign-stealing, the influence of young voters, and the broader implications of local electoral mechanisms.
Additionally, Bob shares thoughts on his newly released book, 'Hijacked Nation,' covering the political landscape from the January 6 insurrection to the current day. The book is available at Amazon at https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7 and Barnes & Noble at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hija....
Don't miss this insightful conversation as the Dixie Dems break down the upcoming election and its possible outcomes, with optimism about Harris' chances in Georgia and North Carolina, two key battleground states that could be the key to victory.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Halloween Special00:59 Election Focus: North Carolina and Georgia03:30 Early Voting Experiences11:27 Georgia's Election Shenanigans14:04 Final Thoughts and Predictions30:25 Local Elections and Issues33:49 Promoting the New Book36:27 Closing Remarks and Call to Vote
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version coming soon. Here's a direct link:

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Hijacked Nation Meets Project 2025

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0000

I want to let you know that our new book, Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump’s attack on America’s greatness, reveals details of the harm posed by the Republicans’ Project 2025, a manifesto for a potential Trump administration.
You can learn more at leantotheleft.net/books, so check it out.
Meanwhile, here’s a great little video about Project 2025 that I thought I’d pass along.

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Navigating Racial Myths: A Conversation with Steve Brigham

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Navigating Racial Myths: A Conversation with Steve BrighamJoin us on this episode of 'Lean to the Left' as we address the pressing issue of racism in America with white author and racial equity consultant, Steve Brigham.
Drawing from his book, 'It's Never Been a Level Playing Field: Overcoming Eight Racial Myths to Even the Field,' Steve shares his 35-year journey dedicated to dismantling racial myths that hinder equality.
We explore systemic racism in housing, criminal justice disparities, and over 36 proposed reforms across education, housing, economic justice, and more.
Steve also reflects on raising biracial children in an African American community and how it has influenced his perspective on racism and social justice.
Tune in for eye-opening facts, actionable recommendations, and insights to build a more equitable society. If you enjoy this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss."
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: Racism in America00:27 Meet Steve Brigham: Author and Advocate01:00 Steve's Consulting Work on Racial Equity02:41 Personal Experiences with Racism05:20 The Myth of a Level Playing Field07:02 Exploring Racial Myths and Realities09:45 Criminal Justice Disparities10:35 Recommendations for Change12:58 Discussing White Poverty and Moral Fusion Movement13:46 Potential Programs to Address Poverty15:16 Impact of Upcoming Election on Policies17:12 Local Innovations and Affordable Housing18:05 Environmental Justice and Criminal Justice Reform19:33 Personal Reflections on Racism and Parenting21:59 Inspiration Behind the Book22:50 Where to Find the Book and Newsletter24:56 Encouragement to Learn and Take Action25:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version coming soon. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ______________________

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The Black Vote and Kamala

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Join us as we explore the pivotal 2024 presidential race between Donald J. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, and discuss the question of who Black males will support when the go to the polls.
Our guest, Jamarr Jabari, a supporter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, sheds light on the complexities of the election, the role of swing states, and the critical importance of community organization.
We discuss the political engagement of Black voters, especially men, and their lean towards third-party candidates in light of pressing issues like housing crises, rent inflation, and police brutality. During the discussion, Jabari criticizes former President Barack Obama for calling out Black men who decline to support Harris and instead plan to back a third-party candidate -- despite understanding that such actions will actually benefit Trump, whom Jabari says he despises.
Dive deep into the U.S. foreign policy’s impact on domestic elections, including U.S, support for Israel, and critique the stances of prominent figures on immigration. The episode also covers infrastructure challenges, such as hurricane management and systemic inequality, emphasizing a need for political reassessment and genuine community support.
Additionally, we introduce the expansion of Jabari Vox Media, featuring new shows on politics, sports, and culture, and preview an upcoming book from Lean to the Left, Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness.
Tune in for a comprehensive and thought-provoking discussion on the current political landscape, the necessity of infrastructure improvements, and the role of independent media in shaping narratives.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome to Lean to the Left Podcast00:20 Introducing Jamarr Jabari01:39 Analyzing the Presidential Race06:03 Obama's Influence and Critique09:18 The Black Vote and Third Party Support12:44 Housing Crisis and Policy Discussion14:52 US Foreign Policy and Israel16:49 Immigration and Republican Rhetoric18:40 Political Hypocrisy and Genocide20:59 Hurricanes and Conspiracy Theories22:48 Infrastructure Failures and Social Inequality29:08 Media Ventures and New Projects30:57 Upcoming Book and Final Thoughts
If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version coming soon. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ______________________

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Examining Evil: Episcopal Priest Calls Trump the Anti-Christ

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Examining Evil: Episcopal Priest Calls Trump the Anti-Christ
In this thought-provoking episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, host Bob Gatty speaks with Dr. Matthew Fox, an Episcopal priest and author of 42 books, about his latest work, 'Trump and the MAGA Movement as Antichrist.' Here's a direct link to that book: https://amzn.to/3Ue7DVB.
They explore the controversial connections between Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and the archetype of the Antichrist, inspired by a fresco in Italy's Orvieto Cathedral.
Dr. Fox addresses the importance of truth in the face of lies perpetuated by Trump and other political figures and shares personal insights, including his forced departure from the Dominicans to the Episcopalians due to his progressive beliefs.
They discuss reinventing worship to resonate with younger generations and the launch of Fox's children's book, 'The Return of Father Sky.' Here's a direct link for that book: https://amzn.to/3Yz4gey.
The episode also delves into Hildegard of Bingen’s art and its symbolism against modern societal issues like patriarchy and fascism, urging listeners to channel moral outrage into constructive action inspired by historical figures. Thoughtful reflections on spirituality, culture, and political dynamics make this an essential listen ahead of the 2024 election The episode delves into Dr. Fox' work, focused on examining evil using Trump the Anti-Christ as his example.
Meanwhile, if you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Dr. Matthew Fox and His New Book01:35 The Inspiration Behind the Book02:47 The Antichrist Archetype and Its Relevance05:09 The MAGA Movement and Its Implications10:50 Dr. Fox's Expulsion from the Dominican Order13:48 The Importance of Creation and Environmental Stewardship16:42 The Reptilian Brain vs. The Mammal Brain17:07 A New Way of Worship: From Dominicans to Episcopalians19:29 Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox21:12 The Antichrist and the Cosmic Mass24:54 Hildegard of Bingen's Vision29:37 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is due out Oct 25 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ______________________

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American Democracy at Risk

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0000

American Democracy at RiskJoin us for an engaging discussion with best-selling author Jeffrey Archer as he returns to the Lean to the Left podcast.
Archer dives into his latest novel, 'An Eye for an Eye,' which features a gripping plot about a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence. He also shares his admiration for Thomas Jefferson and how U.S. politics have influenced his storytelling.
Reflecting on his 60-year friendship with former Senator Bill Bradley, Archer discusses the current American political climate and Donald Trump's impact, saying that American democracy is at risk if Trump wins the election.
"We in England find it very hard to understand how he (Trump) ever became the candidate. It's beyond us," Archer says. "If you love America as much as I do, you can grow to understand it because you realize that he appeals to a certain section of the American public"
However, Archer predicts that Trump will defeat Kamala Harris, but worries that if she wins in a close race, violence could ensue. "What I dread most is a result, say 268 to 272 win by Kamala Harris, because if that happened, heaven knows what will happen next," he says.
During the conversation, he offers insights into his creative process, his experiences in the House of Lords, international affairs, and his two years spent in prison.
Don't miss this episode filled with Archer's personal insights, reflections, and his vast contributions to literature and politics. If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Jeffrey Archer00:32 The Latest Novel: An Eye for an Eye01:24 Jeffrey Archer's Writing Process02:38 Discussion on Thomas Jefferson05:04 Friendship with Bill Bradley07:56 Current U.S. Political Climate12:24 Jeffrey Archer's Literary Works13:21 Jeffrey Archer's Role and Family13:47 The Origin of Prison Diaries14:18 Life in Prison and Story Inspirations15:04 Art Collection Passion16:16 Political Career and House of Lords16:51 Views on American Politics18:55 Reflections on Life and Global Issues20:30 Closing Remarks and Gratitude
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is due out Oct 25 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ______________________Prefer to listen instead of watching our Podcast? Go to https://podcast.leantotheleft.net

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Are You the Enemy from Within?

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0000

Are You the Enemy from Within?In perhaps his most direct threat yet, Donald Trump said on Fox News last week that the U.S. military should be used on Election Day to handle what he called “the enemy from within,” whom he identified as “radical left lunatics.”
Trump said America is filled with "some very bad people...radical left lunatics," and his threat to use the military against American citizens who oppose him is dangerous and should not be ignored.
Don't simply dismiss those threats as "oh, that's just Trump talking," because he generally follows through and does what he says. And then, there is his former National Security advisor, Michael Flynn, who is a QAnon kook and says "the gates of hell will be unleashed" against Trump enemies if he wins the election.
The only way to prevent all of this is to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on Election Day (or before, if you have early voting in your state).
Do it!
Meanwhile, let's keep the conversation going. What are your thoughts on the issues discussed in this commentary? I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments.
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Watch for Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, due out Oct 25 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets..

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Uniting a Divided Nation: A Conversation with Author Lyle Greenfield

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0000

If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.
In this episode, we dive into the pressing issues of political divisiveness and hostility in the United States.
Amid increased threats against political figures and talks of civil unrest, author Lyle Greenfield joins the discussion to explore potential solutions offered in his new book, 'Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation.'
Greenfield shares his experiences and insights on how deep-seated polarization can be addressed. Through an exploration of recent attempted assaults, the influence of media, and historical perspectives, Greenfield highlights a '10-point plan' to promote unity.
The podcast also touches on the potential role of civic education and initiatives like a student exchange program to foster greater understanding among young Americans.
Tune in for strategies on how we can work towards a united future, showcasing the ideas that can lead to change.
Says Greenfield, "In a democracy, we're in charge. So we have to show up and do at a very minimum our civic responsibility and that is vote."
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: A Nation Divided00:47 Guest Introduction: Lyle Greenfield02:04 Lyle's Journey to Authorship03:20 The Rise of Political Divisiveness06:21 Personal Anecdotes and Reflections12:34 Proposed Solutions for Unity14:45 The Role of Voting and Civic Responsibility16:13 Understanding Tribalism in America23:54 Generational Perspectives: Family Stories27:50 A Call to Action: Fixing the Nation36:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Watch for Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, due out Oct 25 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets..______________________Prefer to listen instead of watching our Podcast? Go to https://podcast.leantotheleft.net______________________
Our thanks to our guest, author Lyle Greenfield for sharing his insight with us about the divisions we face in America and steps we all can take to help bring our country together.. Check out his book, 'Uniting the States of America: A Self Care Plan for a Wounded Nation here: https://amzn.to/3Y0dJKe

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Is Another Fake Elector Scam Ahead?

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Is Another Fake Election Scam Ahead?If you enjoy this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss."
In this episode, we explore the potential political and legal ramifications of the 2024 election with guest David Moskowitz, a veteran trial lawyer and author of 'Fake Elector Playbook, Lessons for the 2024 Election.'
The discussion centers around Donald Trump's controversial stance on the January 6th insurrection, the alleged fake elector scheme in the 2020 election, and the involvement of key legal figures like Kenneth Chesebro and Stephanie Lambert.
We examine the unfolding criminal cases in various swing states, the possible recurrence of such schemes, and discuss broader implications for democracy.
The conversation also touches on the ethical concerns for lawyers involved in these legal battles, and the potential outcomes for Trump in his numerous legal challenges. Join us for an in-depth analysis of the legal and electoral landscape as the nation approaches a pivotal election year.
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Watch for Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, coming soon.______________________Prefer to listen instead of watching our Podcast? Go to https://podcast.leantotheleft.net______________________
Our thanks to our guest, author David Moskowitz for sharing his insight with us about the fake election scam run by Trump and the GOP in 2020 and his warning that a similar strategy may be on tap for this year's election. Check out his book, 'Fake Elector Playbook, Lessons for the 2024 Election,' here: https://amzn.to/3ZTOCLN
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: The 2024 Election and Trump's Stance00:37 Unpacking the Fake Elector Scheme00:48 Interview with David Moskowitz: Insights on the Fake Elector Playbook01:41 Details of the Fake Elector Scheme02:48 Legal Ramifications and Key Figures05:07 Historical Context and Comparisons07:11 The Role of Chesebro and Lambert10:05 Legal Consequences and Plea Deals15:23 Potential Future Implications22:50 Conclusion: Reflections and Predictions
⛾ If you enjoy our videos, please be kind enough to let us know, by buying us a cup of coffee. You can do this by clicking on the THANKS button below. This will help keep this channel providing great political news and commentary. Thank you for your support.Bob Gatty😊

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Laughing Through Politics with Congressman Curly

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Laughing Through Politics: The Rise of Congressman CurlyIf you enjoy this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.
Now, join us on 'Lean to the Left' as we welcome guest Tony Zorc, a former independent presidential candidate turned comedian, who is now performing as 'Congressman Curly.'
Through a comedy tour combining stand-up, music, and storytelling, Curly humorously roasts both political parties in an effort to promote political unity and address the divisive climate in America.
Tony shares his personal journey, sparked by a family tragedy, and explains how it led him from a successful career in business to performing on stage. With zero prior experience in comedy or music, Tony is redefining political discourse, advocating for change by creating two new political parties committed to term limits and citizen-only funding.
Tune in as we learn about Congressman Curley's unique approach and his mission to bridge the political divide.
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Watch for Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, coming soon.______________________Prefer to listen instead of watching our Podcast? Go to https://podcast.leantotheleft.net______________________

CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:25 Tony Zorc's Journey to Political Unity04:09 The Birth of Congressman Curley04:59 Challenges and Strategies in Political Comedy07:23 Congressman Curley's Political Satire12:10 Curley's Take on Modern Political Issues17:48 Conspiracy Theories and Political Drama20:15 Critique of the Secret Service22:07 Political Theater and Acting23:35 Setting Up Shop in Florida25:40 Unexpected Audience Demographics26:15 Transition to Music and Comedy28:40 Greed is Good: The Story Behind the Song

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Michelle Green: Championing Change in Education

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Championing Change in EducationIf you enjoy this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.
In this episode, we discuss the upcoming November 5th elections in the United States, focusing on the critical role of school board elections with candidate Michelle Green from Horry County, South Carolina, who is championing change in education locally and across the nation.
Green, a seasoned educator with over 30 years of experience, shares her vision for Horry County Schools and her motivations for running, emphasizing the need for educational expertise on school boards.
The conversation delves into national educational challenges, the significance of qualified decision-makers, and the controversial topics of arming teachers and resource allocation.
Michelle Green advocates for keeping children's education at the forefront, regardless of school board members' political affiliations.
About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Watch for Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, coming soon.______________________Prefer to listen instead of watching our Podcast? Go to https://podcast.leantotheleft.net______________________
Our thanks to our guest, Michelle Green, for sharing her insight with us about the state of public education in the U.S. and steps she believes need to be taken. She believes that school boards should include members who actually have experience in education. What a novel idea!
CHAPTERS:00:00 Election Day Overview00:28 Importance of School Board Elections01:04 Introducing Michelle Green01:52 Michelle's Motivation for Running04:05 Challenges in Education06:33 Project 2025 and Its Implications07:46 Public Money for Private Schools09:11 Book Banning Controversy12:51 School Safety Concerns18:57 Political Landscape and Election Chances22:42 Teacher Recruitment and Retention25:54 Michelle's Vision for Education28:33 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
⛾ If you enjoy our videos, please be kind enough to let us know, by buying us a cup of coffee. You can do this by clicking on the THANKS button below. This will help keep this channel providing great political news and commentary. Thank you for your support.Bob Gatty😊

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A Prescription to Fix Mental Health in America

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0000

A Prescription to Fix Mental Health in the U.S.If you enjoy this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.
In this episode our guest is clinical psychiatrist Dr. Alice Feller, author of 'American Madness: Fighting for Patients in a Broken Mental Health System'.
Dr. Feller shares her insights from decades of experience in psychiatric hospitals and private practice, discussing the effects of mental illness on patients and society, and offering a 10-point prescription to fix mental health in the US.
She also addresses the history and impact of legislation on mental health treatment, the rise of substance abuse, and the urgent need for systemic reform. Through her personal journey and professional expertise, Dr. Feller offers practical solutions to improve mental health care in America.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Understanding the Prevalence of Mental Illness in the US00:31 Introducing Dr. Alice Feller: A Life Shaped by Mental Illness01:40 Personal Stories: The Impact of Mental Illness on Families03:14 The Shift from Psychiatric Hospitals to Prisons03:39 Historical and Political Factors Affecting Mental Health Care07:00 Challenges and Solutions for Mental Health Treatment08:41 The Experience of Living with Serious Mental Illness10:25 The Burden on Families and Caregivers12:01 Addiction and Mental Illness: A Complex Relationship13:29 The Importance of Early Intervention17:37 Proposed Solutions for Improving Mental Health Care21:57 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Empowering Women in Politics

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Empowering Women in Politics👍 If you enjoy this video, please Like and Subscribe!! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss. ________________________ABOUT THIS VIDEO:Erin Vilardi, founder and CEO of Vote Run Lead and Vote Run Lead Action, discusses women's representation in politics and challenges that they face as candidates.
Vilardi explains how her organization, now 10 years old, trains and supports female candidates, particularly those in underrepresented communities. The goal is to gain a majority of seats for women in state legislatures across the country.
Vilardi, as she explains Vote Run Lead Action's dedication to empowering women in politics, also comments about the impact of Donald Trump's record involving women and his claim that women like him, despite polling that shows Democrat Kamala Harris with a commanding lead among female voters.
The conversation covers the impact of Trump's recent comments, the dynamics at political conventions, and the strategies implemented by Vote Run Lead to improve women's representation. Vilardi sheds light on the barriers women face in entering politics and how the organization is paving the way for a more inclusive democratic process.
Tune in to gain insight into the importance of female leadership and the initiatives driving change ahead of the upcoming elections.___________________About Bob GattyA former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Our thanks to our guest, Erin Vilardi, for sharing her insight with us. We strongly support her efforts at Vote Run Lead and Vote Run Lead Action. For more information, please visit https://vrlhq.org.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Trump's Struggle with Women Voters00:27 Introducing Erin Vilardi and Vote Run Lead01:34 Trump's Comments on Women and Feminism04:48 The Democratic National Convention Experience07:33 Vote Run Lead's Mission and Achievements10:10 Challenges and Strategies for Women in Politics12:37 Supporting Women Candidates and Overcoming Barriers19:24 Voter Suppression and Election Integrity25:40 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
_______________________⛾ If you enjoy our videos, please be kind enough to let us know, by buying us a cup of coffee. You can do this by clicking on the THANKS button below. This will help keep this channel providing great political news and commentary. Thank you for your support.Bob Gatty😊

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Trump on the Defense: Harris Gains Momentum

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Trump on the Defense: Harris Gains MomentumIf you enjoy this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss."
If the election were today, Vice President Kamala Harris would defeat former President Donald Trump by about five points, according to Doug Kaplan, president of the national polling and political consulting firm, Kaplan Strategies.
On the Lean to the Left podcast, Kaplan said Trump is on the defense as Harris gains momentum coming out of the September 10 debate.
"If the election were today, Harris would win," said Kaplan, on the Lean to the Left podcast, recorded following the September 10 presidential debate, "However, two months is a long time in politics."
When asked about the enduring impact of the debate performances, Doug Kaplan said that without more debates, this singular encounter may dominate the narrative and that Harris’s significant fundraising and the Republicans’ chaotic strategy underscore a potential advantage for the vice-president.
Kaplan cautioned that Harris needs to win nationally by four to five points and win the swing states by at least two points if she is to secure the election.
""Each day the election focuses on Trump is a win for Harris," said Kaplan. "Trump needs to make it about her, but he has struggled." Trump's on the defense, he added.
Kaplan pointed out Trump's vulnerability on the issue of reproductive rights, saying, "if reproductive rights inspire a high voter turnout among women, it could be a decisive factor."
Young voters could also help turn the tide for Harris, noted Kaplan, who pointed out that Barack Obama was able to capture strong support from those voters, and the question now is whether Harris can do the same.
Both immigration and the economy also will continue to be major factors, added Kaplan, as they continue to evolve.___________________A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.
Prefer to listen instead of watching our Podcast? Please visit https://podcast.leantotheleft.net______________________
Our thanks to our guest, Doug Kaplan, president of Kaplan Strategies. We appreciate his insight and expertise.
For info about Kaplan and his work, please visit https://kaplanstrategies.com.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump: Debate Recap00:20 Polls and Public Perception01:01 Defining Kamala Harris01:08 Interview with Doug Kaplan01:17 Debate Performances Analyzed01:46 Impact on Polling and Election02:02 Public Reactions and Personal Anecdotes02:55 Historical Debate Comparisons03:48 Campaign Strategies and Challenges04:08 Swing States and Key Issues05:51 Economic Concerns and Inflation08:08 Immigration and Border Policies09:12 Reproductive Rights Debate10:19 Running Mate Choices13:07 Youth Voters and Social Media Influence14:08 Endorsements and Their Impact14:58 Election Predictions and Polling Insights16:04 Kaplan Strategies: Behind the Scenes_______________________⛾ If you enjoy our videos, please be kind enough to let us know, by buying us a cup of coffee by clicking on the THANKS button. This will help keep this channel providing great political news and commentary. Thank you for your support.Bob Gatty
😊 Please note that this video may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue providing free and affordable information

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Dixie Dems: The Harris-Trump Debate

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0000

The Harris-Trump DebateIf you enjoy this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.
Join the Dixie Dems as they analyze the fiery Harris-Trump debate on the Lean to the Left podcast. Bob Gatty of South Carolina, Robert Thompson of Georgia, and Arthur Hill of North Carolina, discuss key moments from the debate, including Trump's controversial comments on immigration and Harris's sharp responses.
They also reflect on Harris's effective debate tactics, Trump's recurring themes, and the broader political implications.
The conversation touches on key issues in the election, including Trump's history and criminal convictions, the economy, immigration, the environment, and the contrasting approaches of both candidates.
Don't miss this in-depth discussion on the latest political showdown.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Debate Overview00:40 Arthur's Analysis and Expert Opinions02:15 Republican Reactions and Missed Opportunities03:34 Robert's Reaction and Gerrymandering Calls06:12 Trump's Fear Mongering and Harris's Composure09:10 Fracking Debate and Pennsylvania's Importance11:40 Abortion Claims and Taylor Swift's Endorsement15:51 Trump's Immigration Rhetoric and Polling Concerns19:12 Trump's Legal Troubles and Justice Department Accusations20:45 January 6th and Peaceful Transfer of Power23:52 Trump's Views on Ukraine and Putin27:25 Economic and Immigration Issues29:32 Climate Change and Global Perception31:33 Debate Performance and Polls35:52 Reflections on September 11th37:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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How Was Gen Z Affected by 9/11

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Understanding the 9/11 GenerationCommemorating the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, we discuss its impact on Gen Z with Matt Warshauer, author of 'Creating and Failing the 9/11 Generation, available at https://amzn.to/3XnBDPH.
Warshauer, a history professor at Central Connecticut State University, delves into how 9/11 influenced America's youth, U.S. policies, and international relations.
We explore the notion of the '9/11 Generation,' the consequences of the Iraq War, and the evolving mindset of today's young people. Additionally, we discuss the differences between patriotism and nationalism, the role of youth activism, and the future implications for America's global standing.
Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of 9/11's continuing impact on our world.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss."
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction: The Lasting Impact of 9/1100:59 Defining the 9/11 Generation01:51 The Cultural Shift Post-9/1104:37 Teaching the 9/11 Generation06:27 The Iraq War and Its Global Impact08:03 Understanding the Real Story of 9/1113:35 Youth Activism and Civic Engagement18:33 Patriotism and Nationalism Post-9/1126:16 Personal Reflections and Global Reactions33:44 Conclusion: Lessons and Reflections

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Dixie Dems Discuss Georgia Tragedy, Gun Control, and Kamala Harris' Surge

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Dixie Dems discuss the Georgia school shooting tragedy, gun control, and Kamala Harris' surge. If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.
In this powerful episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, hosts Arthur Hill, Robert Thompson, and Bob Gatty delve into the tragic Appalachee High School shooting in Georgia.
They discuss the broader implications of gun control in the U.S., examine political responses, and propose potential solutions to curb gun violence.
The Dixie Dems also touch on Kamala Harris' rising popularity in the presidential race, her campaign's substantial fundraising efforts, and critique Donald Trump's ongoing rhetoric.
Tune in for a deep dive into pressing political issues, personal stories from those affected by gun violence, and an innovative proposal for change -- one that both Republicans and Democrats should be able to support.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast00:48 Tragic Georgia School Shooting04:32 Gun Control Debate and Proposals09:07 Political Landscape and Campaigns18:04 North Carolina Politics and Controversies21:55 Introduction of New Billboards23:26 Mad Dog's Billboard Campaign24:20 Trump's Donations to Kamala Harris25:34 Federal Investigation into Robinson27:20 Russian Propaganda and Media Influence28:18 Trump's One-Minute Videos30:38 Kamala Harris's Fundraising Success33:40 Tim Scott's Marriage and Political Implications35:31 Call to Action on Gun Control36:41 Conclusion and Upcoming Debate

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Understanding Project 2025, a Threat to American Democracy

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Understanding Project 2025, A Threat to American DemocracyLet's keep the conversation going! What are your thoughts on the issues discussed in this episode? I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments. And, if you enjoy our content, please subscribe to the Lean to the Left podcast.
In this episode, our goal is to increase understanding of 'Project 2025,' a threat to American democracy and a controversial roadmap for a potential new Trump administration.
Designed by the Heritage Foundation and backed by Trump and his allies, Project 2025 would give Trump, if elected, massive new powers that would benefit the wealthy and provide unimaginable harm to most Americans.
Featuring insights from Lean to the Left contributors C. J. Waldron and Susan V. Hutchinson, we explore the potential impacts on American society, from healthcare and education to federal governance and women's rights.
Learn about the implications for democracy, national policies, and the possible future that Project 2025 could shape. Don't miss this comprehensive analysis and discussion.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Project 202500:57 Meet the Contributors: C.J. Waldron and Susan V. Hutchinson01:14 The Dangerous Blueprint of Project 202501:40 Impact on Government and Education04:14 The Threat to Rule of Law05:19 Beneficiaries and Victims of Project 202508:05 Republican Manipulation and Corporate Greed11:25 The Attack on Women's Rights14:45 Healthcare Under Project 202519:03 Abortion and the Life at Conception Act23:24 White Christian Nationalism and Education27:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Confronting Outrage: A Conversation on Media and Polarization

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Confronting Outrage: A Conversation on Media and PolarizationThank you for tuning in! I'm passionate about bringing progressive voices to the forefront, and I hope our discussions inspire you to think critically about the issues we face today.
Join us on the Lean to the Left podcast with David Beckemeyer, a tech veteran and host of the Outrage Overload podcast.
Together we discuss the pervasive impact of outrage in media and politics, the role of both conservative and liberal media in fueling toxic polarization, and strategies for counteracting this divisive trend.
Beckemeyer offers insights from his 25+ years in the tech industry, his role in democratizing the internet, and his work in science communication.
Learn how progressives can effectively cope with outrage media and the importance of pragmatic empathy in today's polarized climate.
CHAPTERS;00:00 Introduction: Media Outrage and Polarization00:50 Meet the Guest: David Beckmeyer01:38 Understanding Outrage Porn03:27 The Concept of Outrage Overload04:23 Coping with Outrage Media07:01 The Role of Conversations and Bridge Building12:49 Impact of Media Manipulation18:54 David Beckmeyer's Podcast: Outrage Overload21:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Trump, Kennedy & Roadkill

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0000

One Nutcase Joins Another

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the man who had a parasitic worm in his brain, tried to get Kamala Harris to give him a job in her new administration, has dropped out of the presidential sweepstakes and is backing another nutcase, Donald J. Trump.

They deserve each other and make a great match considering that Trump, while his brain apparently is worm-free, is about as wacko as you can get considering that during the Covid pandemic he tossed out the idea of injecting people with bleach to prevent the onset of the virus that's claimed more than 1.2 million people, mostly on his watch.

And remember what he said in 2020: "I don't take responsibility at all."

OK, so now worm-brain RFK Jr. has hooked up with Trump in his effort to derail the Harris-Walz march to the White House. It's a great fit, too, because Kennedy once sent a friend a pic of himself with what he claimed to be a barbecued dog cooked on a spit. So, he should get along great with Trump's VP runningmate JD Vance, who apparently has something against cats.

A lot of women are pissed off at Vance for saying the U.S. is being run by Democrats, corporate oligarchs and "a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices they've made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too."

Wow! That is really weird! How does that dovetail with all the joy the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz team is bringing to the presidential campaign -- and, really, the nation? It's especially weird, too, because it's the Republicans who are being run by corporate oligarchs who Trump is trying to hit up for campaign cash, not the Democrats who are laser focused on helping the middle class.

Anyway, the Democratic National Committee"s War Room has emailed a press release with reactions to the RFK Jr's support of Trump, as he apparently has given up hopes of working in the Harris administration because Kamala refused to take his call. So, he's now switching to Trump where he must think he could find a job. Hopefully, however, it would not be as dog catcher.

Here are some of the comments published by the War Room following Kennedy's endorsement of Trump:

The Hill: GOP strategist cautions Trump on joining forces with RFK Jr: ‘He’s kind of a looney tune’

“Republican strategist Scott Jennings advised former President Trump to be careful now that he has seemingly joined forces with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., arguing the independent presidential candidate is ‘kind of a looney tune.’ [...] ‘There could be some cost on the other side of the algebra…he’s a conspiracy theorist, and a lot of people think he’s kind of a looney tune.’”

Stuart Stevens on MSNBC with Ali Velshi

“Well, you know, Donald Trump objects to being called weird. So what does he do…he goes and takes this endorsement from, you know, one of the sadder figures in...

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The Sin of Racial Capitalism and For-Profit Prisons

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Racial Capitalism and America's For-Profit Prisons with Dr. Robin Bernstein
Thank you for tuning in! I'm passionate about bringing progressive voices to the forefront, and I hope our discussions inspire you to think critically about the issues we face today.

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, we discuss America's ongoing struggle with racism and racial capitalism in America's for-profit prisons with Dr. Robin Bernstein, the Dillon Professor of American History at Harvard University.

Dr. Bernstein explores the shocking history of convict leasing in the north well before the Civil War through her book 'Freeman's Challenge: The Murder That Shook America's Original Prison for Profit'. The conversation delves into the story of William Freeman, a Black and Native American teenage convict who refused to work for free, and the broader implications of anti-Black racism in the context of the for-profit prison system.

This enlightening discussion reveals the often overlooked roots of racial capitalism in America, especially in the North, historical misconceptions, and the modern-day parallels in the prison system.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Racial Capitalism
00:23 Meet Dr. Robin Bernstein
00:39 The Story of William Freeman
02:28 Convict Leasing in the North
02:50 The 13th Amendment and Northern Slavery
04:28 Modern Prisons for Profit
06:08 Freeman's Resistance and Its Impact
09:48 Historical Context and Racial Innocence
11:53 Freeman's True Story
14:55 The Myth of Black Criminality
18:25 Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman
22:38 Contemporary Relevance of Freeman's Story
23:49 Challenging the Prison System
26:21 Conclusion and Contact Information

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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Kamala Harris, Trump and Woke Politics: An Interview with Richard Pellegrino

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Kamala Harris, Trump and Woke Politics

Thank you for tuning in! I'm passionate about bringing progressive voices to the forefront, and I hope our discussions inspire you to think critically about the issues we face today.

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, host Bob Gatty engages with Richard Pellegrino, author of 'I'm Not White, One Man's Journey from Whiteness to Oneness,' and founder of the Global Woke Institute. They discuss the challenges and significance of Kamala Harris's Democratic nomination for president, the persistent issues of racism and sexism in America, and the misuse of the word "woke" by Republicans when criticizing Democrats.

Pellegrino shares his personal journey from privilege and addiction to becoming a voice for racial and social justice, highlighting the profound impact of his family's multiracial background, his involvement in civil rights and anti-war movements, and his subsequent spiritual and global awakening.

The conversation focuses on race, identity, and woke politics, the realities of U.S. foreign policy, and the interconnectedness of all people as the presidential election contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump unfolds.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction: Kamala Harris and the Question of Readiness
00:55 Guest Introduction: Richard Pellegrino
01:43 Richard's Book: From Whiteness to Oneness
03:03 Family Background and Multiracial Identity
04:45 The 70s Awakening and Personal Struggles
10:31 Political Views and Kamala Harris
18:06 Global Woke Institute and Redefining 'Woke'
21:53 Global Citizenship and Oneness
27:40 Call to Action and Conclusion

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Could Civil War Make a Comeback in a Divided Nation?

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Could Civil War Make a Comeback in a Divided Nation?
In this episode, our guest is a conservative author who envisions a second civil war that takes place nearly 40 years in the future. I believe in the power of dialogue to drive change, so If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.

In this episode of Lean to the Left, our guest is William R. Douglas, author of 'The Sum of All Our Anger' (https://amzn.to/3SOeeoW), a futuristic novel imagining how civil war makes a comeback in our divided nation.

We discuss the political and social conditions that lead to the war, the motivations behind Douglas's writing, and the potential real-world implications of ongoing political divisiveness. Douglas believes the political temperature in the U.S. makes it possible for civil war to return unless steps are taken to cool things down.

The conversation also touches on Douglas's previous work, 'The Death and Resurrection of Baseball,' (https://amzn.to/4fK5slI) and explores how both novels connect.

They delve into the role of extreme ideologies, the importance of dialogue across political divides, and the hope for preventing such a dire future scenario.

CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction: The Possibility of a Second Civil War
00:33 Guest Introduction: William R. Douglas
01:25 The Inspiration Behind 'The Sum of All Our Anger'
02:58 Plot Overview: A Future Civil War
07:13 Texas Secession and the New President
10:44 The War Unfolds: Key Events and Characters
18:32 The Aftermath and Lessons from the Novel
22:05 Modern Political Climate and Reflections
30:23 Concluding Thoughts and Final Message

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I am Woman: A Call to Action for Womens Rights

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0000

I am Woman: A Call to Action for Womens Rights We present a new version of "I Am Woman," the 1970s-era Helen Reddy masterpiece that's been adapted for the 2024 presidential campaign. If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions lined up that you won't want to miss.

In this powerful episode, Connie DeJuliis and Donna Lent discuss the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the importance of women's reproductive rights, and the work of the National Women's Political Caucus.

Highlighting a passionate remake of Helen Reddy's 'I Am Woman,' that they helped create, the conversation underscores women's resilience and determination to fight for women's rights, including reproductive rights.

DeJuliis and Lent call for active participation in upcoming elections to protect women's freedom to choose, and share personal insights into their advocacy and organizing efforts.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Women Under Attack: Roe v. Wade Overturned
00:27 Empowerment Anthem: 'I Am Woman'
03:26 Meet the Creators: Connie and Donna
06:04 Historical Context: Women's Fight for Rights
14:04 The Current Political Landscape
24:54 Call to Action: Mobilizing for Change
31:52 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

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The Hidden Influences on Journalism: From CIA to Corporate Bias

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0000

The Hidden Influences on Journalism: From CIA to Corporate Bias

In this episode, we explore the unseen forces shaping modern journalism. Dan Luzadder, a seasoned journalist known for infiltrating controversial and secretive organizations, reveals a network of CIA influence on media and the push to protect powerful interests in both business and government.

We delve into the perplexing realms of misinformation, disinformation, and media bias, discussing the role of elite establishments and government agencies.

The episode touches on historical conspiracies, such as the JFK assassination, as Luzadder believes that powerful interests, perhaps including the CIA, were behind that terrible act.

Luzadder highlights the changing landscape of investigative reporting amidst dwindling journalistic jobs as corporate interests continue to control news media outlets, including local newspapers -- where they still exist.

This thought-provoking discussion aims to uncover whether unbiased, independent journalism is still achievable today.

CHAPTERS: 00:00 The Influence of Special Interests on Journalism
00:33 CIA's Domestic Propaganda and Cultural Cold War
01:39 Controversial Historical Events and Figures
02:20 Exploring Media Bias and Investigative Journalism
03:46 Challenges Facing Modern Journalism

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Kristen Monroe Why Don't Republicans Stand Up to Trump

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Why Hasn't the GOP Stood Up to Trump?
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and drop us a comment or two. Remember to check back with us as we focus on important political developments and the key social issues that face us all.

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, we welcome author and University of California professor, Kristen Monroe, to discuss her latest book, 'Politics, Principle, and Standing Up to Donald Trump, Moral Courage in the Republican Party.'

Monroe explores why many Republican leaders continue to support Donald Trump despite his legal and moral abuses, and analyzes the GOP mindset that prioritizes Trump loyalty over traditional conservative values.

Lean why the GOP hasn't stood up to Trump. Monroe shares info from interviews with notable figures like Anthony Scaramucci and Rick Wilson, as well as her findings on the role of moral courage within the party. Join us for this in-depth discussion on politics, leadership, and the future of American democracy.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction: The GOP's Trump Loyalty Dilemma
00:23 Author Kristen Monroe's Insightful Analysis
01:27 The Research Process and Key Interviews
04:03 Republican Leaders' Shift in Loyalty
07:04 The Enigma of Mitch McConnell
08:55 Core Values and Moral Dilemmas
10:12 Trump's Appeal to MAGA Followers
11:45 Populism and Authoritarianism in Trump's Strategy
15:55 The Transformation of the Republican Party
20:11 Impactful Political Ads
20:46 Biden's Decency and Presidency
21:37 Kamala Harris and Women's Rights
24:13 Republican Views on Trump
28:50 Moral Courage and Ethical Leadership
33:59 The Importance of Voting

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Defeat Project 2025

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Defeat Project 2025

This quick video invites you to check out a new series of articles on our Lean to the Left blogsite that analyze the key components of the GOP's Project 2025 and what they would mean to our country.

The articles take apart this maniifesto by the Heritage Foundation, which has been embraced by the RNC and which was essentially copied and pasted into the Republican platform. While Trump claims to know nothing about Project 2025, it's basically his party's platform.

You can find the articles at https://leantotheleft.net.

Please check them out and let us know what you think.

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Healing Racism from Within: An Interview with J.D. Mass

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the 'Lean to the Left' podcast, host Bob Gatty interviews J.D. Mass, author of "Race for What? A White Man's Guide to Healing Racism from Within."

They discuss J.D.'s journey growing up in a diverse neighborhood, his experiences with racism, and his involvement in anti-racist groups. The conversation delves into J.D.'s transformative book, which outlines seven steps to heal racial injustice.

They also touch on political dimensions of racism, J.D.'s podcast 'Same Difference,' and the necessity of addressing systemic and cultural shifts for genuine racial healing.

Please note: The interview took place just before President Biden announced he was stepping aside and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him. There is discussion at about 21 minutes regarding Biden's age and health issues and whether Kamala Harris will make it to the Oval Office.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:23 Meet J.D. Mass: Author and Activist
02:00 J.D.'s Early Life and Influences
04:49 Experiences of Racism and Discrimination
09:13 Impact of Martin Luther King Jr.
12:01 Lessons from J.D.'s Journey
15:38 Seven Steps to Healin
g Racism 21:24 Political Landscape and Racism
32:20 J.D.'s Podcast and Final Thoughts

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Watch Out Trump: Kamala is Coming for You

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Big news with President Biden withdrawing as the Democratic presidential candidate and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Donald Trump. It was obviously a difficult decision for Joe Biden to make, but under the circumstances, it was the right one. There is no way this country can weather another four years of Trump, and there are too many questions about the ravages of age and health surrounding Biden.

Now we can move forward and work as hard as possible to elect Harris and defeat Trump. He simply cannot be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office – not even out on the sidewalk!

Female voters will be excited – especially those who are concerned about Republican plans to wipe out abortions nationally and interfere with the private acts that take place in the bedroom. Who would think that in 2024 there would be serious discussions about restricting contraception!

Joe Biden has worked his tail off as President and has made remarkable progress in the face of vicious opposition from Republicans and Donald Trump. His legacy will be one of achievement and success, of selfless determination to make America better for everyone, not just the top one percent, as is the case with Trump. With Trump, it’s all about himself. With Biden, it’s about America.

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Michael B, Moore Fights MAGA in SC/Project 2025

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this interview on the Lean to the Left podcast, Michael B. Moore, the Democratic candidate running against Republican Representative Nancy Mace in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, discusses his campaign, background, and key priorities.

Moore stresses that while Biden has done an extraordinary job, the focus needs to shift to key issues, such as health care, reproductive rights, and the environment, rather than the 81-year-old Biden's potential health concerns. He suggests that the Democratic party would benefit from new leadership while still leveraging Biden's coalition, knowledge, and experience.

Moore delves into his business-oriented approach, healthcare reform, economic inclusivity, women's reproductive rights, environmental concerns, and critical views on Mace's inconsistent stance on various issues.

He also addresses the broader implications of the upcoming election, the urgent need for Democratic mobilization, and his perspective on President Biden's potential re-election.

The interview was recorded just a few days before the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, PA.

00:00 Introduction to the 2024 Congressional Race
01:14 Meet Michael B. Moore
01:34 Michael's Background and Motivation
03:46 Key Campaign Issues: Healthcare, Economy, and Environment
05:39 Abortion and Reproductive Rights
06:50 Nancy Mace's Inconsistencies and Trump Support
10:26 Project 2025 and Its Implications
13:04 Biden's Candidacy and Democratic Strategy
20:18 Healthcare and Social Security Reforms
26:13 Immigration and Trump's Policies
28:04 The Importance of the 2024 Election
29:43 Michael's Elevator Pitch to Voters Michael B. Moore Discusses His Congressional Candidacy and Key Issues | Lean to the Left Podcast

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How Racism & Politics Affect Education in the U.S.

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty discusses critical social issues such as education, racism, and politics with Eugene Williams Jr., an educator, author, speaker, and former high school principal.

Williams shares insights from his extensive career, talks about the challenges and successes in public education, and explores the impacts of defunding public education, the achievement gap, and the socio-political dynamics affecting African American communities.

Williams also addresses the controversial political climate surrounding figures like Trump and Biden and the importance of historical awareness and education reform. Additionally, they delve into Eugene's published works and his ongoing mission to uplift and educate minority students.

00:00 Welcome to Lean to the Left Podcast
00:12 Introducing Eugene Williams Jr.
00:21 Eugene's Career and Achievements
01:19 Retirement and Transition
02:05 State of Public Education
03:46 Supporting Public Education 04:49 Republican Efforts and Private Schools
06:04 Critical Race Theory and History
08:49 Achievement Gap in Education
17:15 Importance of Advanced Courses for Students of Color
18:51 Black Americans: Fiscal Liberalism and Social Conservatism
23:08 Current Political Landscape: Trump and Biden
28:17 Exploring Poverty in Rural South Carolina
29:27 Contradictions in Political Support
30:50 Historical Context and Racial Dynamics
34:21 Trump's Legal Troubles and Public Perception
37:06 The Role of the President and Power Dynamics
39:27 Biden's Challenges and Strategies
45:16 The Importance of Reading and Education
45:22 Author's Books and Personal Insights
50:18 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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Environmental Justice: Make Polluters Pay

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, we discuss the growing movement to hold big oil companies accountable for their environmental impacts.

Jamie Henn, founder and executive director of Fossil Free Media, discusses legislative efforts like Senator Chris Van Hollen’s climate fund bill, state campaigns in Vermont and New York, and the broader implications of climate action.

Henn shares insights into Fossil Free Media's mission, the public's support for holding polluters accountable, and the political landscape influencing these efforts. Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on climate policy, public opinion, and the urgent need for environmental justice.

00:00 Introduction to the Climate Change Battle
00:24 Meet Jamie Henn of Fossil Free Media
02:09 The Van Hollen Bill and Its Challenges
04:42 Republican Support for Climate Accountability
06:24 Trump's Environmental Policies and Their Impact
08:30 Project 2025: A Threat to Environmental Protections
18:13 State-Level Efforts to Make Polluters Pay
22:38 The Future of Electric Vehicles and Clean Energy
25:22 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Should Biden be Replaced? A Conversation About Attracting Young Voters

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast featuring the Dixie Dems! In this episode, hosts Bob Gatty, Arthur Hill from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson from Georgia discuss politics with special guest, former presidential candidate Jason Palmer.

A successful venture capitalist, Palmer says President Biden should be replaced by a younger candidate and shares insights on his new initiative, Together!, developed to reduce political polarization and empower young voters.

The discussion delves into the goals of registering a million young voters, endorsing 20 bipartisan candidates, and tackling legislative issues across key battleground states. The conversation also covers the political landscape in North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Tune in for an engaging dialogue on the future of American politics and how young voters can shape it.

00:00 Welcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast 00:40 Introducing Special Guest Jason Palmer

01:28 The Mission of Together!

05:43 Challenges and Strategies for Youth Engagement

07:52 Fundraising and Support for Together!

16:02 Debate Reactions and Political Commentary

20:50 A Call for New Democratic Leadership

21:23 The Case for Alternative Candidates

21:56 The Time for Change is Now

23:03 The Role of Party Apparatus

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Combatting Ageism: A Conversation with Dr. Gail C. Christopher

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, we delve into ageism and its impacts on society, especially in the context of the criticism faced by President Joe Biden due to his age.

Host Bob interviews Dr. Gail C. Christopher, Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, who highlights the prevalence and dangers of ageism. Dr. Christopher discusses her work against various forms of discrimination, including ageism, and emphasizes the need for a cultural shift to respect and value the elderly.

She also touches on how media, politics, and societal norms contribute to youth idolatry and disrespect for older individuals. The conversation further explores the economic and social challenges faced by the aging population, with insights into Dr. Christopher’s book, 'Rx Racial Healing,' and her advocacy for a national strategy to address these crucial issues.

00:00 Introduction to Lean to the Left Podcast
00:08 Ageism in Politics: Biden vs. Trump
01:01 Introducing Dr. Gail C. Christopher01:58 The Impact of Ageism
04:36 Cultural Perspectives on Aging
06:46 Strategies to Combat Ageism
08:22 Personal Experiences with Discrimination
09:14 Media's Role in Perpetuating Ageism
10:34 The Importance of Respect and Empathy
17:50 Economic and Policy Issues for the Elderly
31:00 Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation
34:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Protecting America's Most Endangered Rivers: Critical Insights and Actions

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Join us as we discuss critical threats facing America's rivers, from the recent Supreme Court decision impacting the Clean Water Act to ongoing pressures like climate change and development.

Representatives from American Rivers Organization, Winyah Rivers Alliance, Idle No More South Carolina, and South Carolina Coastal Conservation League delve into the 10 most endangered rivers of 2023 and emphasize the importance of protecting the Little Pee Dee River.

Learn about the significance of these rivers, the impacts of highway development, and what individuals can do to help. Also, discover ways to advocate for stronger environmental protections and get involved in conservation efforts.

00:00 Supreme Court Ruling and Its Impact on Wetlands

00:51 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests02:06 National Perspective on Water Protection

03:24 Overview of the Most Endangered Rivers Program

06:38 The Importance of the Little Pee Dee River

11:46 Threats from Development and Interstate 73

15:52 How Individuals Can Protect Our Rivers

22:32 The Role of Elections in Environmental Protection

34:38 Waccamaw Indian People's Connection to the River

39:49 How to Support River Conservation Efforts

44:46 Closing Remarks and Resources

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Peter Sacks on Libertyland: Is America's Democracy Under Attack?

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the 'Lean to the Left' podcast! In this episode, host Bob Gatty interviews Peter Sacks, author of 'Libertyland', a gripping thriller that explores themes of individualism and political conspiracy reminiscent of January 6th.

Sacks discusses his inspiration, his background in economics and journalism, and his transition from nonfiction to fiction writing. They delve into current political issues, the influence of Ayn Rand's ideology, and the potential future of American democracy.

Peter also talks about his previous award-winning works and his views on the intersection of politics, economics, and education in the United States. An engaging conversation about literature, politics, and society.

Bonus: In this episode, at about 8:00 minutes in, an uninvited guest appears. Can you tell me who/what makes his appearance?

00:00 Welcome to Lean to the Left Podcast00:08 Introducing Peter Sacks and Libertyland

01:58 Peter Sacks' Background and Career

03:48 The Inspiration Behind Libertyland08:05 Themes and Philosophical Insights in Libertyland

11:38 From Nonfiction to Fiction: Peter's Journey

15:20 Political Reflections and Current Events

18:05 The State of American Politics

20:02 The Threat of Trump and MAGA Movemen

t30:07 Concluding Thoughts and Where to Find Libertyland

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Life After Diagnosis: Sarah Cart's Guide for Caregivers

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this powerful and touching episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, Sarah Cart, a journalist, wife, and mother of four, shares her heartfelt journey of becoming her husband's caregiver when he needed a heart transplant.

Sarah reflects on the emotional and physical challenges, the support from her community, and the importance of faith, grit, and grace.

She provides valuable advice for other caregivers and emphasizes the significance of organ donation. Through her story, listeners are offered a glimpse of love, resilience, and the miracles that arise from the darkest times.

00:00 Introduction to Caregiving

00:20 Sarah's Story: Becoming a Caregiver

00::39 The Memoir: On My Way Back to You

02:16 The First Signs of Illness

05:16 The Impact of COVID-19

07:36 Ben's Career and Forced Retirement

08:54 Coping Mechanisms and Meditation

10:25 The Heart Transplant Journey

14:36 Post-Transplant Challenges

19:20 Advice for Caregivers

20:10 Community Support and Gratitude

28:43 Final Thoughts and Organ Donation

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Mal Hyman's Congressional Bid: Beacon of Hope for South Carolina

Wed, 31 May 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, Democratic candidate Mel Hyman outlines his campaign for South Carolina's solidly Republican 7th congressional district.

With a focus on Common Sense for the Common Good, Hyman aims to unseat one-term incumbent Russell Frye. The discussion spans a wide range of topics, including jobs, healthcare, education, reproductive rights, and the environment.

Hyman shares his history as a public school and university teacher, his blue-collar work experience, and his critical views on Donald Trump, especially in light of recent criminal charges.

The conversation also delves into immigration reform, gun control, campaign finance reform, social security, Medicare, and climate change. Hyman emphasizes the need for significant legislative efforts to protect democracy and improve the lives of working families.

He ends the interview by advocating for a children's bill of rights and making education more affordable while highlighting the importance of returning to civility in political discourse.

00:00 Introduction to Mel Hyman's Campaign 00:38 Mel Hyman's Background and Values

01:27 Thoughts on Donald Trump and His Legal Issues

04:31 The Threat of Another Trump Administration

06:05 Economic Improvements Under Biden 09:06 Abortion and Reproductive Rights

11:53 Gun Control and School Safety

14:45 Immigration Policy and Challenges

18:47 Campaign Finance Reform

21:11 Social Security and Medicare

26:32 Environmental Protection and Climate Change

29:56 Children's Bill of Rights and Education

33:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Veteran Diplomat Stuart E. Eizenstat Says US Must Continue Supporting Efforts to End Wars in Ukraine & Gaza

Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Explore the insightful analysis of veteran diplomat Stuart E. Eizenstat on ending Wars in Gaza & Ukraine as he shares the keys to peace and diplomacy from his long experience as an international negotiator.

In this episode, we speak with Ambassador Eisenstadt about his latest book, which includes interviews with dozens of U.S. and global leaders such as Presidents Clinton, Carter, and others.

Eisenstat offers reflections on key diplomatic skills, current geopolitical issues like the Ukraine War and Gaza conflict, and provides advice for U.S. military strategy. He also shares personal anecdotes and insights from his extensive negotiations experience, including his work on Holocaust issues and economic peace processes.

Eizenstat said the eventual resolution of the Ukraine conflict will hinge on a strategic stalemate on the battlefield.

"This war in Ukraine will ultimately end when both sides believe they can't get anything further on the battlefield in terms of their political goals," he said.

Eizenstat advocated for the U.S. to continue providing critical military aid to Ukraine, comparing the potential outcomes to the armistice that concluded the Korean War, rather than a direct peace agreement.

The long time diplomat said the US. must "give Israel the means to defeat and disable Hamas as a governing and military structure, But, we have to also, as the administration is trying to do, combine diplomacy with military force."

Eizenstat cautioned that Hamas will not be defeated alone by military force. and that the US. must "look at Gaza as part of a broader conflict. And that broader regional conflict involves Iran on the one hand, which has been the military supplier for Hamas, with its so called, and they call it this, their axis of resistance with Hamas, with Hezbollah, with the Houthis, with Syria."

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:32 Purpose of the Book

01:40 Key Skills for Successful Diplomacy

03:01 Stamina in Diplomacy

04:36 Lessons from Past Negotiations

04:58 Ukraine Conflict and U.S. Military Role

10:26 Gaza Conflict and Diplomatic Strategies

15:51 Holocaust Negotiations and Personal Reflections

16:42 Trump's Foreign Policy and Biden's Age

21:28 Importance of U.S. International Engagement

22:27 Personal Anecdotes and Conclusion

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Dixie Dems: Political Controversies & Upcoming Elections

Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Join the Dixie Dams—Arthur Hill, Robert Thompson, and the host from South Carolina—as they dive into current political issues on the Lean to the Left podcast.

The episode covers a range of hot topics including Trump's New York hush money trial, a new initiative to energize young voters called TOGETHER!, Supreme Court decisions on gerrymandering and other impactful rulings, and heated debates over DEI funding.

Discussions also address the controversies surrounding political figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and analyze the changing political landscapes in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Whether it's local legislation on masks and development or national electoral implications, this episode provides an in-depth look at America's political atmosphere.

00:00 Welcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast

01:29 Diving into the Trump Hush Money Trial

04:09 Political Climate and Voter Sentiments

09:00 Nationwide Initiative to Unite and Mobilize Young Voters

10:47 The Curious Case of RFK Jr.'s Brain Worm

12:54 Supreme Court's Controversial Decision on Gerrymandering

16:46 State Politics: Mask Laws and DEI Funding

32:35 Election Integrity and the Fulton County Court Clerk Race

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Fighting Teen Depression with Purpose

Wed, 10 May 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, we delve into the critical issue of teenage depression and the alarming rates of youth suicide.

Host Bob Gatty welcomes Dr. Scott Kolbaba, an Internal Medicine Physician from Chicago, who shares his poignant experiences and insights. Dr. Kolbaba, an Amazon bestselling author, highlights his children's book 'Clara's Magic Garden,' which addresses themes of depression and self-worth.

Through powerful anecdotes and a deep understanding of mental health, Dr. Kolbaba explores the importance of finding purpose as a potential solution to combating teenage depression.

He also discusses the role of parents and significant others in identifying and nurturing the passions of young people to help them overcome depression.

Don't miss this compelling conversation that offers hope and actionable advice for parents and caregivers.

00:00 Introduction to Teenage Depression and Suicide Rates

00:31 Dr. Kolbaba's Journey and Insights on Teenage Depression

02:53 The Power of Purpose: Dr. Kolbaba's Approach to Battling Depression

07:49 Personal Stories and the Impact of Finding Purpose

14:39 Adoption Stories and Addressing Bullying

19:12 Advice for Parents on Recognizing and Addressing Depression

22:14 The Role of Schools and Society in Supporting Mental Health

25:55 Exploring Miraculous Experiences: Physicians Untold Stories

28:48 Closing Thoughts and the Importance of Purpo

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The Birth of TOGETHER!, Movement for Political Change

Wed, 03 May 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Bringing Civility and Innovation to Politics: Together's Vision for the Future

Lean to the Left podcast hosts an insightful discussion with Jason Palmer, Debra Perry Piscione, and Kwame Jackson, co-founders of Together, a new organization aimed at reducing political polarization by mobilizing young voters and endorsing a new generation of leaders.

Aiming for inclusivity, civility, and entrepreneurship, Together seeks to transform American politics by endorsing candidates who represent common sense and bipartisan values.

The podcast delves into the founders' backgrounds, the mission and structure of Together, and their plans to engage and rally young Americans for a profound political impact.

The Timeline: 00:00 Introduction to Lean to the Left Podcast and Jason Palmer's Political Journey

01:05 Launching 'Together': A New Organization for Political Change

01:47 Meet the Co-Founders: Their Roles and Visions for 'Together'

07:29 Jason Palmer's Reflections on His Presidential Run and Future Plans

08:57 'Together's' Strategy: Endorsing Candidates and Mobilizing Young Voters

14:11 Addressing Political Divisions and Fostering Civility

20:45 'Together's' Approach to Political Issues and Candidate Endorsements

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The Lean to the Left Podcast: A Forum to Consider, Then Decide

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0000

On the Lean to the Left podcast, author Matthew Stevenson credits our show with providing a forum for meaningful intellectual discussion about the key political and social issues of our time. Stevenson made his comments at the close of an interview for our show during which he discussed the conundrum faced by many voters who must choose between President Biden and Donald Trump in November. That episode is now streaming.

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The Trump-Biden Conundrum: A Deep Dive With Matthew Stevenson

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, host Bob Gatty is joined by author Matthew Stevenson, who discusses his book 'Donald Trump's Circus Maximus and Joe Biden's Excellent Adventure,' detailing his firsthand experiences following the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections.

Stevenson shares insights into the personalities of key political figures like Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton, and the political carnival atmosphere of campaigns.

The discussion explores the broader implications of these elections on American democracy, Trump's impact on the Republican Party, and the potential future of political parties in the U.S. Stevenson also delves into the impeachment trials following the January 6th insurrection, Trump's legal troubles, and offers a critique of the current state and direction of both the Republican and Democratic parties.

Finally, Stevenson provides his personal perspective on the future of American politics and the significance of political engagement and advocacy. Trump, he says, is virtually ruining the Republican Party.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest Matthew Stevenson

02:00 Matthew Stevenson's Background and Political Insights

04:53 Deep Dive into Trump's and Biden's Political Campaigns

08:18 Reflections on Trump's Impeachment Trials and Political Consequences

12:44 Trump's Legal Battles and Supreme Court Dynamics

22:29 The Future of American Politics and the Republican Party

32:12 Where to Find Matthew Stevenson's Work

33:48 Closing Thoughts and Appreciation

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Challenging the Bankers Blub: The Fight for an Equitable Financial System

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty interviews Gerald Epstein, author of 'Busting the Bankers Club,' and a professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Epstein discusses how powerful interests within the 'Bankers Club,' including big banks like JP Morgan and Bank of America, federal institutions like the Federal Reserve, financial regulators, and others, have maintained a financial system that benefits the wealthy at the expense of the majority.

He explores the dualities of the financial system, its manipulation by powerful interests, the adverse impact of current banking practices on the average person, and the potential for reform.

Epstein argues for the break-up of the Bankers Club to create a more equitable and functional financial system that serves broader societal needs, including those of marginalized communities and the push for a greener economy.

He also addresses the challenges of making such transformations and highlights the efforts of activists, public officials, and reform-minded groups working towards these goals.

The conversation delves into specifics such as the destructive influence of credit card interest rates, the legacy of economic policies that have exacerbated racial inequalities, and the potential for public banks to fulfill social missions.

Epstein emphasizes the importance of democratizing financial institutions, like the Federal Reserve, and the need for wide-ranging reforms to address issues of inequality and to harness finance as a force for good in society.

He calls for passage of federal legislation to create public banks that serve marginalized communities, communities of color, small businesses, and funds "green" environmental initiatives.

00:00 Introduction: The Cycle of Bank Bailouts

01:48 Unveiling the Bankers Club: Allies and Operations

04:56 The Dual Faces of Finance: Necessity and Destructiveness

11:03 The Federal Reserve's Role and Influence

20:25 Addressing Inequality and the Power of Public Banks

24:17 Racial Inequality and Financial Systems

27:16 The Fight for Financial Reform and Public Banks

33:06 The Political Landscape and Economic Implications

39:30 Concluding Thoughts and Where to Find the Book

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Lori Alhadeff: A Mother Fights for Safer Schools

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, Lori Alhadeff shares the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter Alyssa in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on Valentine's Day, 2018.

Lori discusses the founding of the Make Our Schools Safe organization, dedicated to preventing such tragedies through initiatives like Alyssa's Law, which mandates panic buttons in schools. Lori, also a school board member, highlights the importance of community involvement in school safety, detailing her organization's efforts in passing Alyssa's Law in several states and advocating for its national adoption.

The podcast dives into the establishment of Make Our Schools Safe clubs (MOSS Clubs) and various fundraising and awareness events aimed at enhancing school security and involving students and parents in the safety dialogue.

00:00 Welcome to Lean to the Left: A Story of Tragedy and Action

00:42 Remembering Alyssa: A Life Full of Light

01:21 From Grief to Action: Founding Make Our Schools Safe

03:08 The Mission of Make Our Schools Safe and Alyssa's Law

04:39 Lori's Journey: School Board Member and Advocate

05:50 Alyssa's Law: A Nationwide Push for Safer Schools

09:26 Engaging the Community: MOSS Clubs and Fundraising Efforts

15:05 The Challenge of Legislative Action and Continuing the Fight

18:08 A Call to Action: Making Schools Safer for Everyone

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Biden Should Conduct a Whistlestop Campaign

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0000

The script discusses the challenges President Biden faces in his reelection campaign, including concerns over his age and a desire among some Democrats for an alternative candidate.

The conversation includes insights from Edward Segal, a political strategist and historian, who suggests that Biden could benefit from conducting a whistle stop campaign tour, a strategy that has historical significance in American politics.

Segal, who has recently published a book titled 'Whistle Stop Politics, Campaign Trains and Reporters Who Covered Them', shares his expertise on the impact of whistle stop tours. He draws parallels between Biden and President Harry Truman, who successfully used such tours to connect with voters.

The discussion also touches on modern campaign strategies, the potential role of social media in revitalizing whistle stop tours, and Siegel's own experiences in political campaigning. The conversation concludes with details about Segal's book and his plans to propose the idea of a whistle stop tour to the Biden campaign.

00:00 Biden's Reelection Challenges and the Potential of a Whistle Stop Campaign

00:40 Introducing Edward Siegel: A Political Strategist with a Unique Perspective01:36 Edward's New Book: A Deep Dive into Whistle Stop Politics

02:35 The Strategic Advantage of a Biden Whistle Stop Tour

04:56 Historical Success Stories of Whistle Stop Campaigning

06:51 The Power of Social Media in Modern Campaigning

07:19 Biden's Missteps with TikTok and Opportunities for Improvement

08:43 Edward's Personal Experience and Insights on Campaign Trains

11:49 The Impact of Campaign Trains in American Political History

16:06 Final Thoughts and the Future of Whistle Stop Campaigning

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Dick Batchelor: Building Bridges in Toxic Times

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, host Bob Gatty welcomes Dick Batchelor, a former Florida House Representative and influential business consultant with a 50-year career in public service.

The discussion delves into the current divisiveness in American society, touching on political polarization, the impact of Donald Trump's presidency, and the challenges of achieving consensus in such a climate. Batchelor shares his experiences and insights from his long career, including his shift from supporting the Vietnam War to becoming an anti-war activist and his efforts in various civil and human rights commissions.

The podcast covers strategies from Batchelor's book 'Building Bridges in Toxic Political Times, a Roadmap for Community Leaders,' aimed at finding common ground and fostering dialogue. Key strategies include prioritizing human aspects over politics, leveraging influence, effective communication, and creativity in addressing complex social issues.

Batchelor also comments on contemporary political figures and the effects of pivotal Supreme Court decisions, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan cooperation and the role individuals play in bridging divides.

00:00 Welcome to Lean to the Left: Tackling Divisiveness in America

00:28 Introducing Dick Batchelor: A Life of Public Service

01:54 Exploring the Depths of Political Divisiveness

04:09 Finding Common Ground in a Polarized Society

08:33 Strategies for Bridging Divides: Dick Batchelor's Insights

21:17 The Power of Communication and Creativity in Conflict Resolution

29:26 Concluding Thoughts and Where to Find the Book

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Dixie Dems-Sleepy Don, Hush Money & More

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the 'Lean to the Left' podcast, the Dixie Dems, composed of Arthur Hill, Robert Thompson, and the host, engage in a lively discussion on current political happenings amid Donald Trump's hush money trial and its implications.

Topics include the Republicans' challenges, Marjorie Taylor Greene's push against House Speaker Mike Johnson, and the Democrats' prospects in upcoming elections. They explore serious issues like abortion, immigration, and the influence of social media on political narratives.

The episode also covers local politics, including controversial statements by political candidates and significant investments in North Carolina. Additionally, there's talk about the effectiveness of campaigning tactics, like stamping money with political messages.

The conversation concludes with personal anecdotes and reflections on how these complex political matters impact their lives and communities.

00:00 Welcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast!

00:40 Turbulent Times in Politics: Trump's Trial and GOP Chaos

02:15 Diving into the Hush Money Trial: A Comedic Take

04:25 Serious Politics: Upcoming Primaries and Candidate Spotlights

05:25 The Border Wall Debate and Immigration Insights

07:14 Electric Cars and Environmental Moves

19:16 Abortion and Immigration: Election Game Changers?

30:09 Wrapping Up: Orioles' Victory and Final Thoughts

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UFOs & Big Foot-Explaining the Unexplainable

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Uncover the truth behind 'The Kecksburg UFO: The Story of the Century' with UFO investigator Stan Gordon. Explore the mysterious events of 1965 and beyond.

It was in the early evening of Thursday, December 9, 1965 that the night editor of the Greensburg, PA, Tribune-Review sent me to the little rural community of Kecksburg, PA, to cover the reported landing of an unidentified flying object in the woods near a farmer’s field.

When I arrived, armed soldiers blocked access to what was the reported landing site and I was told that if I ventured into that field, I would be arrested. Yet, the soldier in charge told me that “nothing” had happened.

Fast forward to today. We have with us on the Lean to the Left podcast UFO investigator Stan Gordon, a Pennsylvanian who for these past 59 years has been searching for the truth about what really happened that night.

Stan has been researching UFO sightings, Bigfoot encounters, and other mysterious events in Pennsylvania since 1959, so when the Kecksburg incident occurred, it was right in his wheelhouse.

He is a former Pennsylvania state director for the Mutual UFO Network and produced the UFO video documentary, “Kecksburg the Untold Story.” He’s written four books, including his latest, “Creepy Cryptids and Strange UFO Encounters of Pennsylvania.”

Back in 2017, Stan invited me to speak at the annual Kecksburg Volunteer Fire Department’s UFO Festival, to recount my experience as a reporter that night. Now, it’s my turn to have him on my show. Here are questions we discussed with Stan:

Q. So, Stan, tell us what your investigation into the Kecksburg UFO incident has revealed.

Q. What do you believe happened that night?

Q. Eye witnesses said the object appeared to be steered – it just didn’t shoot down from the sky. Do you believe those reports? If it was guided somehow, what does that tell you?

Q. There have been suggestions that this was some sort of military device that might even have been radioactive. Do you believe that?

Q. There’s a replica of the object, which looks like a giant acorn, on display at the Kecksburg Volunteer Fire Department’s grounds. It’s complete with strange markings that some eyewitnesses said they saw. What do you make of that?

Q. Since then, you’ve expanded your research to include other UFO sightings, Bigfoot encounters, and then, of course, you wrote this latest book about “creepy cryptids.” First of all, what is a cryptid?

Q. What’s this research produced in terms of solid information?

Q. You make a lot of public appearances to discuss Kecksburg and these other unexplained happenings. What’s that experience been like? Have people come forward with more info for you?

Q. In fact, you established a UFO hot-line for the public to report UFO sightings so you could investigate them. Is that hotline still in use? What is it? What’s it produced?

Q. How did the Kecksburg UFO incident lead you to expand your work from UFOs to Bigfoot and cryptids?

Q. How can people find your books? How can they reach out to you to discuss or provide information?

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Michael B. Moore: Carrying the Family Legacy in SC

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Businessman Michael B. Moore is seeking the Democratic nomination to oppose MAGA Republican Nancy Mace in the 1st CD in South Carolina.

Discover how Moore is carrying the family legacy in South Carolina, seeking to follow in the footsteps of his pioneering great-great-grandfather in Congress 150 years ago.

In 2020, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina’s First Congressional District, edged out Democratic incumbent Rep. Joe Cunningham…who had been the first Democrat to flip a House seat in South Carolina in 30 years. Mace won by just 5,400 votes, or one percent.

Then, two years ago, following redistricting, Mace won reelection by 14 percent.

Since then, Mace was critical of Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021 MAGA attack on the U.S. Capitol, but she’s endorsed Trump – despite the many criminal charges against him and his conviction for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s.

Now, Moore, a forward-thinking business executive, is one of two Democrats running in the June 11 SC primary for the chance to oppose Mace in November. As he focuses on carrying the family legacy, his opponent in the primary is attorney Mac Deford, whose interview on this podcast is now streaming.

We’re pleased to have Moore with us on the Lean to the Left podcast, but before we get to that, please visit podcast.leantotheleft.net, where you'll find thumbnails and links to all of our episodes. You can subscribe there too. And don't forget to give us a rating wherever you listen. Five stars would be super cool.

Here are some questions we addressed with Moore, who is carrying the family legacy in SC:

Q. Michael, you come from a long line of pioneering public servants, including your great-great-grandfather, Civil War hero and Reconstruction Era Congressman Robert Smalls. In 1862, Smalls commandeered a Confederate ship in Charleston harbor, carrying his family and 15 other enslaved people to freedom. He went on to become one of the first African Americans to serve in Congress, and now you’re seeking the same House seat held by your great-great-grandfather almost 150 years ago. That’s quite a legacy, Michael. But can you give us a quick summary of your background and why it qualifies you to serve in Congress?

Q. Late last month a federal court ruled that the South Carolina elections will be held under a map already deemed unconstitutional and discriminatory against Black voters by the same three-judge panel that found that the state used race as a proxy for partisan affiliation, a violation of the 14th amendment to the Constitution. Your thoughts about that.

Q. What are your thoughts about Congresswoman Mace supporting Trump after criticizing him for the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Q. What are your top priorities for Congressional action in the next two years?

Q. Your district, District 1, is dependent on tourism, sensitive to climate issues, in need of affordable housing. It’s comprised of varied communities with different needs. If elected, how will you deal with those issues and meet those needs?

Q. How will you address the challenges of healthcare accessibility and affordability?

Q. How do you plan to engage with and represent underrepresented or marginalized groups in our district? Q. Trump and the Republicans are talking about Social Security and Medicare cuts. Your thoughts? Q. Where do you stand on the issue of reproductive rights? Q. What about immigration?

Q. Many voters are frustrated by the inability of Congress to pass legislation in recent years. Some members, including numerous Republicans, are leaving Congress because of their frustration. Why do you believe it will be any different for you?

Q. Why did you decide to take on this challenge? South Carolina isn’t exactly Democrat friendly! And why are you the best candidate to take on Congresswoman Mace?

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Calling Female Candidates

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Women are 51 percent of the U.S. population, but only 33 percent of state legislators across the country are women, and the way things are, it could take more than 200 years to reach parity.

That’s where the organization Vote Run Lead comes in. Its goal is to close that gap, and so has launched an initiative called “Charting a Path to Women’s Majority,” to help achieve that.

Vote Run Lead offers training and even financial help for female candidates for local and state offices, and even U.S. Congress, who support progressive initiatives like fighting restrictions on abortion and contraception and other liberal causes.

The organization's chief political officer, is our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast.

"It's the fact that when you line up the actual population of this country and pretend that the elected representatives we have are actually fully representing those folks. It feels like a joke, right? How can you say that in a state like ... South Carolina, less than 20 percent women [are] speaking on behalf of policies that impact a population that is 51 percent women, is somehow reflective and representative. It just means that, the policymaking and the decision making in government is not actually taking into account the lived experiences and the needs and the values of the full population adequately," Shulman says.

She points out that in Southeastern states that have the fewest women in political, policymaking positions "it is a pocket of some of the most restrictive laws related to women's health care, abortion access, contraceptive access. There's an absolute correlation there of who's making the laws and who those policies are actually serving or not serving."

Vote Run Lead provides both on-line and in-person training for female candidates and campaign management personnel, helping them with every aspect of campaigning for public office, according to Shulman.

"We are a training institute," she explains. "We recruit, we support women once they're running. We are really focusing in on one of our key initiatives is called Run/51. And that has become our largest focus. It is the initiative that is aimed at women's majorities in state legislatures specifically. We're still the political home for any values-aligned woman who is interested in running, but Run/51 is really where we are putting most of our resources to recruit women to run specifically for state legislatures, giving them the training and the confidence and the tools to run a successful campaign and to be with them throughout their political journey."

For more info about Vote Run Lead, Run/51, and the many services provided by the organization, please check out this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, "Calling Female Candidates."

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Mac Deford-Bucking the Odds in SC

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0000

In 2020, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina’s First Congressional District, edged out Democratic incumbent Rep. Joe Cunningham. He was the first Democrat to flip a House seat in South Carolina in 30 years.

Mace won by just 5,400 votes, or one percent. Then, two years ago, following redistricting, Mace won reelection by 14 percent. Since then, Mace was critical of Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021 MAGA-inspired attack on the U.S. Capitol, but she’s endorsed Trump – despite the many criminal charges against him and despite his conviction for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s.

Now, attorney Mac Deford is one of two Democrats running in the June 11 SC primary for the chance to oppose Mace in November. His opponent in the primary is business executive Michael Moore.

We’re pleased to have Deford with us on the Lean to the Left podcast. Here are questions we discussed with Mac:

Q. Late last month a federal court ruled that the South Carolina elections will be held under a map already deemed unconstitutional and discriminatory against Black voters by the same three-judge panel that found that the state used race as a proxy for partisan affiliation, a violation of the 14th amendment to the Constitution. Your thoughts about that.

Q. You’re an attorney, a former Coast Guard Police Officer, and you’ve worked for a software company. You’ve also served as an attorney for Mount Pleasant and Hilton Head Island. If you should win the election, how would this experience inform your service in the House of Representatives?

Q. What are your thoughts about Congresswoman Mace supporting Trump after criticizing him for the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Q. What are your top priorities for Congressional action in the next two years?

Q. Your district, District 1, is dependent on tourism, sensitive to climate issues, in need of affordable housing. It’s comprised of varied communities with different needs. If elected, how will you deal with those issues and meet those needs?

Q. How will you address the challenges of healthcare accessibility and affordability?

Q. How do you plan to engage with and represent underrepresented or marginalized groups in our district?

Q. Trump and the Republicans are talking about Social Security and Medicare cuts. Your thoughts?

Q. Where do you stand on the issue of reproductive rights?

Q. What about immigration?

Q. Many voters are frustrated by the inability of Congress to pass legislation in recent years. Some members, including numerous Republicans, are leaving Congress because of their frustration. Why do you believe it will be any different for you?

Q. Why did you decide to take on this challenge? South Carolina isn’t exactly Democrat friendly!

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John Pabon-The Great Greenwashing

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Uncover the truth behind 'Greenwashing Lies' and how they mislead consumers. Join the fight against climate change with John Pabon's eye-opening insights. "Greenwashing" lies by governments, businesses, international organizations, and even celebrities mislead consumers and weakens efforts to take meaningful, effective action in the fight against climate change.

That's the message from John Pabon, a Melbourne, Australia climate author and business advisor, who has just published a new book, “The Great Greenwashing: How Corporations, Governments, and Influencers Are Lying to You,” in an interview for The Lean to the Left Podcast.

In fact, says Pabon, "greenspeak", misdirection, and "green scamming" are now more prevalent than ever as even businesses, organizations, and celebrities, who claim to support efforts to protect our environment actually are taking actions that contribute to the climate crisis that we all face.

"Those are the three tried and true ways that greenwashing happens," Pabon says. "So the first is all this marketing speak around being eco friendly, being green. So you'll see green packaging. They love to do that as if that means anything or saying, we, we care about the earth, but not backing it up with any real meaningful statistics." That's "greenspeak."

"Misdirection is another," he says. "So look over here, not over here. Look at this cute picture of kids on the front of our sustainability report, but not the child labor we have going on in Bangladesh, right? Don't look at that part. So then that's another way they love to do that."

"And the final way is green scamming. And this is the most insidious and probably the scariest part of greenwashing that I didn't even know was going on, but big cashed up organizations, usually the big dinosaurs like oil and gas, they'll actually fund front groups that on the surface look like they're doing something good for the planet, but really they're lobbying groups to throw people off the scent."

Such groups, he says, discredit climate change, "posing as if they are scientists and expecting nobody to actually do the research and realize these aren't scientists. These are marketing teams pushing out BS statistics," he says.

Here are some surprising conclusions shared by Pabon during the interview:

The climate crisis is too serious for "kumbaya", "feel-good" claims about progress being made. "Converting people to actual action is the missing piece." He's disappointed in climate efforts of the Biden administration, saying "they've not had a strong a performance as one would assume those from the left hand side of the political spectrum would actually have had."

To uncover greenwashing lies, consumers should research "green" claims before purchasing related products or supporting candidates.

Consumers can make a big difference in the choices they make. "We're not talking about having to do everything all at once. You don't have to be a perfect environmentalist, just making these actions that move the needle in the right direction. That's good enough. There's plenty, there's billions of other people doing the right thing. You don't have to do it all."

Some major car companies, which he declined to identify, are looking to the future and considering how they can diversify so they are not exclusively reliant on selling motor vehicles. Responsible businesses will do more than government to effectively combat global warming.

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Trump vs Biden, McConnell Successor: What Are the Odds?

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Get the inside scoop on the race to replace Mitch McConnell and the odds of Trump vs Biden in this intriguing political post.

What are the odds?

Long-time Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who has represented Kentucky in the Senate since 1985, has announced that he’ll step down from his leadership post in November. And so, the race is on to replace him, making for one of the most intriguing political stories of the year – aside from the presidential election and the battle for control of Congress itself.

What’s going to happen? Who better to ask than a veteran professional political gambler, oddsmaker and analyst? Check out our interview with Paul Krishnamurty, political oddsmaker and analyst for www.BetOnline.ag.

Paul began betting on politics in the UK in 2001 and in the U.S. in 2008. He’s been an analyst for Betfair, the world’s largest betting exchange, and since 2020 has been the political oddsmaker for BetOnline.ag.

On the show, Krishnamurty says the odds favor Sen. John Thune (SD) and John Cornyn (TX) each have about a 46 percent chance of succeeding McConnell, depending on what happens between now and the election.

On the presidential front, this veteran oddsmaker puts Biden ahead of Trump as of now, saying that the Democrat's chances are improving, although third party candidates could cost him votes. He predicts that the criminal cases against Trump will result in at least one conviction, but that the twice-impeached former President will not serve prison time.

What does he have to say about Trump selling $400 sneakers and $60 Bibles to raise money?

Who will he pick as his vice presidential running mate?

What about Congress? What are the odds that the Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives and maintain their edge in the Senate? Check out the episode to find out.

By the way, here are some questions we discussed with Paul:

Q. Since we opened with the tease about Mitch McConnell, let’s talk about that. Looks like we have three Johns – all white guys in their 60s – leading the race to succeed him. What are the odds of that?

Q. Now I know you don’t actually lay down bets on such races, but if you WERE to bet on this one, who would you pick – and why?

Q. Let’s go to Trump. He lucked out the other day when that judge in New York cut the fraud bond that he must pay from $464 million to $175 million, and gave him an extra 10 days to come up with the cash. Until that happened, there was talk Trump might be forced to declare bankruptcy. Have those odds changed?

Q. What about the Georgia case, which has been tainted by the scandal involving Fulton County prosecutor Fani T. Willis hiring her lover to help lead the Georgia election meddling case against Trump. What are the odds that Trump will be convicted there?

Q. How about the federal case involving the Jan. 6 insurrection that’s being led by special prosecutor Jack Smith? Will Trump be convicted there? Will he go to prison?

Q. OK, let’s turn to the presidential election. How do you see that shaking out? What are the odds that either Trump or Biden – or both – will be replaced as their party’s nominee?

Q. If Trump is convicted in any of these cases, will that doom his chances for election?

Q. Is Nikki Haley still viable as a candidate to replace Trump? Maybe at the GOP convention?

Q. What about Trump VP picks? Who’s really in play?

Q. The Supreme Court is considering whether to ban an abortion drug in the latest challenge to women’s rights. Will abortion be a deciding factor in the election?

Q. How about age and overall health of the candidates? It’s a problem for Biden, but he’s trying to turn that against Trump as well? Could it be a deciding factor in the election? Who has the edge on this one?

Q. What...

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John Boykin: What if the Constitution Expired?

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0000

It’s a fact that Thomas Jefferson said the U.S. Constitution should expire when the last Founder died, and it’s also true that George Washington expected the Constitution to last no more than 20 years.

What if they were right? What if our Constitution expired? What would happen today with the political upheaval that’s taking place in America, with both sides relying on the Constitution to justify their positions?

A new political thriller imagines what might happen if the United States had to hammer out a whole new Constitution today. Who would we entrust to that monumental task? Who is today’s George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, or Thomas Jefferson? What would happen to our country if, indeed, our treasured Constitution was no longer in force?

Novelist John Boykin has imagined this in his new political thriller, The Constitution Has Expired, and he's our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast.

In fact, something had been troubling Boykin for decades. If the American form of government was the best in the world, why didn’t other countries emulate it? And while the U.S. Constitution was proving nearly impossible to amend, emerging countries were writing their own constitutions from scratch. What if the U.S. had to do that all over again?

This became the premise of The Constitution Has Expired. Though the book is fiction, Boykin researched it as carefully as his award-winning nonfiction, down to the smell of the ink used by the calligrapher who prepared the original version on parchment.

Boykin's nonfiction book, “One Brief Miracle,” told the inside story of American diplomat Philip Habib’s mission to stop the 1982 Israeli siege of Beirut. Former Secretary of State George Shultz wrote the foreword, and the book won the American Academy of Diplomacy book award under its hardcover title, “Cursed is the Peacemaker.” You can learn more about both books at ApplegateLLC.com/John.

So, what if our Constitution expired?What would happen?

Here are some key questions we discussed with Boykin:

The Constitution Has Expired starts out with a young woman studying the original of the Constitution at the National Archives and discovering, unbelievably, that Article 5 contained a sentence stating that the Constitution would expire 100 years after its establishment, something that no one had ever noticed before. That would mean that the Constitution, as we know it, is no longer in force, having expired in the mid-1800s. What would be the implications of that?
You say there are three key failings of the Constitution. What are they?
How has the Constitution been eviscerated by partisanship?
Section 3 of the 14th Amendment states that no person can serve in political office if they had engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the U.S. Do you believe that should prevent Donald Trump from seeking the presidency?
The novel is critical of both political parties. Do you believe in the two-party system? What’s your solution?
Some say we are a republic, not a democracy—even that the Founders hated democracy. Is that true?
Why is "Let the voters decide" heartwarming humbug that ignores the Electoral College? Doesn’t the majority rule?
The other day Trump encouraged people to vote and said every vote counts. That’s one Trump statement with which Democrats agree. But you don’t believe that, right?
How has your research into the Constitution affected your view of government disfunction?
Your subtitle is "A novel. Really. Probably." What is that about?
Your day job is designing websites for...

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America Attacked from Within

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Former federal air marshal Russell Jack says Donald Trump's MAGA movement has infiltrated federal law enforcement agencies, with many officers embracing right-wing dogma and openly endorsing such entities as QAnon and Punisher."

The MAGA culture has co-opted and taken over the federal government as far as law enforcement (is concerned)," says Jack on the Lean to the Left podcast. "And some of the things I've seen on that is like symbolism, like the QAnon or Punisher. QAnon is like an extreme version of MAGA, and the Punisher symbol is interesting."

"It's a Punisher skull," Jack explains. "It's based off the comic book. A lot of people in the military, like special forces would wear that. When law enforcement started wearing it, I questioned my fellow law enforcement officers. I'm like, why are you wearing a Punisher skull? And they're like, it's MAGA. And I'm like you do realize that is saying that it's okay to act outside the law. As a law enforcement officer."

Jack is the author of a new. book, "Is MAGA a Terrorist Movement," and he says that from 2016 to 2022 he saw MAGA operating freely inside the U.S. government, both as agents and management.

Jack worked for more than two decades as a federal air marshal, and before that as a federal police officer for five years with two different agencies. He began his career in the Army National Guard as a military policeman deployed for Operation Desert Storm.Has MAGA Infiltrated Federal Law Enforcement?"

When I was working as an air marshal, they (fellow officers) went from being quiet to saying the quiet part out loud. It went from quietly thinking these things to being empowered and emboldened to talk about them more," he says, and that was due to the election of Trump in 2016.

"So what I noticed is there started to become incidents like intimidation of LGBTQ community. And also just following a lot of the things were happening with, for lack of a better word, the takeover of the government. So it's very concerning that many people in law enforcement, especially my agency, were openly okay with MAGA, which...does a lot of illegal activity, which as a police officer, you would think, hey, a guy who has over 90 criminal indictments against him allegedly could be a criminal. And why would law enforcement support something like that? Anyone else if it was, a Democrat with 90 plus charges, I'm pretty sure they'd say something negative."

Why does Jack describe MAGA as a terrorist movement?

"Terrorism is basically, and I'm going to paraphrase it is using coercion, intimidation, violence force to illegally, using those methods, to achieve political goals, especially if it's done against a civilian population," he says.

"So, when you look at the parameters of terrorism it becomes pretty clear that a lot of the activities that have happened--January 6th, where they violated the 12th Amendment. Ratification of our votes. And by them stopping that, because the vote was stopped, they violated the 12th Amendment. January 6th was violent. They injured over 100 police officers. They killed police officers. And then there's many other examples also, to Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi's husband being attacked with a hammer, the man fractured his skull, the surrounding of the Biden bus. Here's an example of civilian intimidation. So they surrounded that to intimidate them and that's terrorism."

The "Let's Go Brandon" comment," he says is "a euphemism for F Joe Biden. So that is also intimidation. The purpose to that is to cow liberals or non MAGA people into silence."And then you have the death threats...to election officials. They've happened to Democratic members of Congress. They've happened to people who are involved in prosecution of Donald Trump. So those are all examples of how they are a terrorist movement."

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How We Win the Civil War

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0000

The 2024 presidential race is set as a rematch of 2020, and even though Donald Trump faces 91 federal and state felony charges, his grip on the Republican Party has never been stronger.

Nevertheless, author and political thought leader Steve Phillips believes the new American majority, consisting of people of color plus progressive whites, will prevail.

In fact, on the Lean to the Left podcast, Phillips contends that this coalition of people who want to see America become a multiracial democracy should result in Democrats keeping the White House, flipping the House, and holding the Senate, and thus defend the multiracial democracy from attacks by modern-day Confederates.

"That's the majority of people in the country, and that majority is growing every day," says Phillips on the Lean to the Left podcast, "and that's the other aspect of what is driving Republican politics, is stoking fears around this changing composition. People can see it and they feel it in their bones that the nature of the country is going to change in terms of its racial composition.

"Phillips says the presidential elections are the closest thing America has to a national referendum, and "except for the 2004 election of Kerry versus Bush, the Democrats have won the popular vote in every single presidential election since 1992. So that further shows that the raw numbers are on the progressive side, which is why the Republicans on the right are so ferociously determined to try to suppress the vote."

So, says Phillips, the author of the new edition of his book, "How We Win the Civil War," Republicans are doing everything they can -- just as they did in the years after the original Civil War -- to prevent people of color coming out to vote because that is the only way for the white power structure to remain intact.

America already is in a second civil war, he says, adding that the January 6, 2021 MAGA attack on the U.S. Capitol was part of that.

In “How We Win the Civil War,” Phillips analyzes the 2022 midterm elections – including why there was no Red Wave and why Stacey Abrams lost but Rev. Raphael Warnock won in Georgia, a topic he also addresses on the podcast. Democrats, he contends, must recognize that we’re in a contest between democracy and white supremacy left unresolved after the Civil War, and, he says that Trump’s entire agenda is focused on making America white again.

His work serves as a roadmap towards securing a multiracial democracy and provides a stepping stone towards ending white supremacy for good, contends Phillips. He is a New York Times bestselling author, columnist, and the author of the New York Times and Washington Post bestselling “Brown Is the New White: How the Demographic Revolution Has Created a New American Majority.”

Phillips also is the founder of Democracy in Color, a political media organization dedicated to race, politics, and the multicultural progressive New American Majority. He hosts “Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips,” a color-conscious podcast on politics, and is a regular columnist for The Nation and The Guardian.

The updated paperback edition of "How We Win the Civil War," published on March 12, is available at Amazon and other major booksellers.

Here are some questions we addressed with Phillips:

Q. In your new book, you warn...

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Racism in the Doctor's Office

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0000

Uncover the truth about Racism in the Doctor's Office as Dr. Sanlare Gordon sheds light on systemic discrimination and its impact on healthcare for people of color.

A recent national survey indicates that many Black, Hispanic and other minority individuals experience some form of discrimination or racism when they seek health care.

Since 63.9% of active physicians identify as white, while only 20.6% are Asian, 6.9% Hispanic, and only 5.7% as Black or African American, could this be a reason they experience racism in the doctor’s office?

Dr. Sanlare Gordon, board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, discusses this form of discrimination and racism on the Lean to the Left podcast. She is a staff physician at Pandia Health, the only women-founded and women-led birth control delivery service, and serves as a traveling OBGYN physician, filling in where there is a need -- especially in small and rural communities where doctors are in short supply.

Why is it that women of color feel that they are the victims of racism in so many health care settings?

"The true answer is systemic racism, and we're still dealing with systemic racism, because there was absolutely a time to where blacks and Hispanics and indigenous people just weren't even allowed into medical schools," she says.

"And then finally there were medical schools that would allow us to be there, but it wasn't the majority. There will be like, okay, one or two per class. We do now have historically black colleges and universities that do have medical schools."

Then, she says, of the medical schools that are out there, "we don't have that many. In my class, we had 160 people. In my class of 160, it was eight black people. And I know that I can name all of them. They're all in my phone. So it's just really and truly not that many of us being actually admitted into the schools."

To change that, Dr. Gordon says more emphasis needs to be placed on teaching minority students how to take standardized tests and that more people of color should be hired for administrative positions, including in the medical school admissions process.

Dr. Gordon's interview is filled with humor and anecdotes about her experience as she discusses the impact of racism on people of color, particularly women, in the doctor's office or other medical facility. She talks about how Black or Hispanic women often are uncomfortable sharing their private medical concerns with white male doctors, and how often their conditions are misdiagnosed because of racial bias -- and how that can lead to worsening conditions or even death.

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Can Social Security Be Saved?

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Unless our political leaders demonstrate both wisdom and political courage, Social Security will run out of money in nine years and beneficiaries will see their checks slashed automatically by 25 percent.

And that will mean an average annual reduction of $17,000 or $18,000 per year, according to James B. Lockhart III, former Principal Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of the Social Security Administration during the administration of President George W. Bush.

“Either Congress can reform the program or at that point, it would take half a trillion dollars a year to make up for the difference of promised benefits,” says Lockhart on the Lean to the Left podcast. “What happens is, there's a trust fund and the trust fund was built up over the years. In the ‘83 reforms, the Greenspan reforms, they changed the retirement age and did some other things very slowly.

“And that trust fund is starting to be eaten into today because effectively the government borrowed the money from Social Security. And so now the government's paying back all of those bonds and in nine years, the bonds will disappear. The trust fund will disappear and there'll be a hole of a half a trillion dollars a year and growing every year thereafter.

So, how can Social Security be saved?

“The only way to cover that hole is reform," says Lockhart. "Our Congress has to pass a law that says, oh yeah, we're gonna spend another half a trillion dollars a year. Where they're gonna get that half a trillion given the deficits and the debt outstanding is a very big question.”

Because it takes courage for politicians, including the president and members of Congress, to take the tough action needed to preserve Social Security for generations to come, they keep delaying action to avoid losing support from seniors and those nearing retirement age.

A combination of both benefit and tax reform will be necessary to put Social Security on solid ground, says Lockhart, who calls for creation of a special commission to examine and reform federal entitlement programs, including Social Security and Medicare. Resulting recommendations would be put before Congress for an up-or-down vote.

But even that takes guts.

Currently, President Biden and Donald Trump both promise not to cut benefits or raise the retirement age, and Biden says his tax reform proposals – to increase corporate taxes and taxes on the wealthy -- would not affect anyone earning less than $400,000 per year.

Both are wrong in their approach, says Lockhart, explaining that less than 2 percent of Americans earn $400, 000 a year, so much more revenue would be needed.

About James B. Lockhart III

Author of the award-winning book, "America Underwater and Sinking”, Lockhart, who once served as an officer aboard a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine, is a senior fellow of the Bipartisan Policy Center. He served as the director of the federal housing finance agency, regulator of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the federal home loan banks and its predecessor agency, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, as well as the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation.

During the George W. Bush administration, Lockhart co-chaired the Bipartisan Policy Commission on Retirement Security, which developed recommendations that he says would have put Social Security on solid footing forever. However, most of those recommendations have not been enacted because of the political risks involved.

What are Lockhart’s recommendations? What steps should be taken to save Social Security and prevent that automatic 25 percent benefit cut once the Trust Fund dries up?

Watch this episode to find out.

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Con-Man Don and the Republicans

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0000

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Check out this episode of the Dixie Dems on the Lean to the Left podcast, recorded just prior to Super Tuesday when Con-man Donald Trump delivered a knockout blow to Nikki Haley in the GOP presidential sweepstakes.

Despite Haley's defeat and the fact that she's withdrawn from the race, there is talk on this episode of how she could still manage to win the GOP nod if Trump is convicted of at least one of the 91 felony charges against him. Should that happen, would worried Republicans turn to Haley instead?

"Let's say that Trump goes into the convention as a convicted felon (and) enough Republicans who they're at the convention say, I can't support a convicted felon, right?", suggests Dixie Dem Arthur Hill of North Carolina.

"So switching my vote to Nikki Haley and Haley comes out of the convention as the as the candidate. And I think that's bad news for Democrats because I think Nikki Haley has a much better shot at beating Biden than Trump does," he says.

And what about Fulton County, GA prosecutor Fani T. Willis? Will she be kicked off the Georgia case involving Con-man Don's attempts to overturn the 2020 election in her state? If so, what happens then?

"Not a damn thing," says Dixie Dem Robert Thompson, of Georgia.

There's much more.

The conversation turns to the fact that Georgia Republican Congressman Barry Loudermilk led a tour of the Capitol basement on Jan. 5, 2020, the day before the MAGA attack on the Capitol -- something that could have aided protestors' efforts to interfere with the official vote count. Meanwhile, Loudermilk voted to impeach Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over immigration issues.

Hill talks about the new North Carolina Democratic Party chair, Anderson Clayton, 26, who is determined to generate Democratic support among young and rural voters. And, says Hill, answering voters who say they can't vote for Biden, Clayton responds by saying, "We can push Joe Biden if he's not as progressive as we want him to be, but we cannot push Donald Trump. We can't push a Donald Trump who doesn't want young people to have a right to vote. We can't push a Donald Trump. Who doesn't want young people to have a right to abortion. We can push a president who cares about and believes in young people."

"She's full of those kinds of quotes," says Hill. "She's a tremendous orator and and she's she's creating a lot of excitement up here. And I think it's going to bode well for the Democrats in North Carolina in November."

Even pop star Taylor Swift finds herself in this episode, as Dixie Dem Bob Gatty, of South Carolina, points out that she's being accused by Republicans of being part of a covert government effort to defeat Con-man Trump.

It's another entertaining episode of the Dixie Dems. Check it out.

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David Moskowitz-Will Trump Go to Prison

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Since his election defeat to President Biden in November 2020, Donald Trump has put America through virtual hell, claiming Biden stole the election, inciting the attempt by his MAGA mob to prevent certification of that election, and despite 91 criminal charges against him, attempting to win the Republican nomination and return to the White House.

Those charges stem from his attempts to overturn the election, interfering with the election results in Georgia, falsifying business records in New York, including hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, and mishandling classified records after leaving the presidency.

He's been fined hundreds of millions of dollars so far, and his financial empire is jeopardized to the point that he’s hawking a garish line of gold sneakers for $399 a pair – that he says Black people should like because they love sneakers.

But what's ahead for Donald Trump?

When those court cases are all finished, will he serve even one day in prison? What if he's convicted of a felony? He would be unable to vote for himself, but could serve as President, says David H. Moskowitz, a retired Pennsylvania attorney who’s written a new book, “The Judge and the President: Stealing the 2020 Election.”

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, we get his take on all of these developments and what Moskowitz believes might lie ahead for Trump -- and our nation.

Moskowitz analyzes the four major cases against Trump which involved 91 charges stemming from his attempts to overturn the election, interfering with Georgia election results, fraudulently falsifying business records in New York, and mishandling classified records after leaving the presidency.

The Bottom Line

Moskowitz predicts Trump will be convicted in the federal election interference and estimates that there is a less than 50 percent chance that an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court would be successful. However, he believes that case will not be resolved until after the November election.

In the Georgia case, Moskowitz predicts that the trial will last six to nine months, and that if he is convicted, he will appeal. However, if that case goes to the U.S. Supreme Court, he says Trump's chances for success are less than 15 percent.

Regarding the classified documents case, Moskowitz predicts that Trump will escape conviction, and that the New York case involving hush money payments to adult porn star Stormy Daniels is likely to end up with a hung jury.

He also predicts that Trump will be forced to cough up the $454 million judgements against him in the New York business case involving alleged fraudulent estimates of the value of his properties.

Further, Moskowitz predicts that ultimately Trump will be allowed by the Supreme Court to remain on the 2024 presidential election ballot, despite efforts by some states to declare him ineligible.

Moreover, Moskowitz suggests that Trump may end up agreeing to a plea deal that would allow him to avoid jail time but include an agreement that he will no longer seek public office.

Moskowitz practiced law for 40-plus years, developed real estate, and was a pharmaceutical CEO. He received degrees from Penn State, Villanova Law School and Oxford University. He served as counsel to municipalities, municipal authorities, civic associations, and represented clients in numerous countries around the world.

He writes based on his legal experience and front row seat to the election – his wife was a Pennsylvania elector -- and efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the results.

What's Ahead for Donald Trump?

Here are some key questions we discussed with Moskowitz to answer that question:--

What are the key points that you make in your book regarding Trump, the election, and the aftermath?

What would be the...

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Patrick Watts-The End of the American Empire

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Uncover the truth about America's status as an empire in the insightful interview with British author Patrick Watts. Is America an empire? Find out now.

British author Patrick Watts has published a new book called “The End of the American Empire,” in which he warns that unless some of the issues that beset our country are resolved, the “American empire” will collapse.

What lies ahead for our country unless changes are made? Is America an empire?

Watts writes that “The wounds of the past cannot be healed through ignoring the fact they ever occurred, but neither through an endless cycle of guilt, apology and revenge.

“In an increasingly divisive, fraught political climate full of hyperbole, accusation, and online echo chambers, the American people need to remember who they are and why they have ruled the world for almost a century."

He says that with the possible return of Donald Trump to the presidency, "the lessons of this book must be learnt now.”

Patrick is based in London and joins us from there. With degrees in history and international relations, he is a non-partisan observer eager to help Americans navigate what he believes is a crucial and perilous moment in our nation’s history.

Patrick’s book addresses the current climate as the country gears up for the election. Arguing that the United States is best described as an empire, he lays out the historical, political, social and geopolitical reasons why the American empire might collapse sooner rather than later, with huge domestic and global consequences.

Some questions we discussed with Watts:

· You’re British. Why did focus on the US, and how are you qualified to do so?
· Why do you use the term American Empire?
· What do you believe is causing the decline of the American Empire?
· Why do you believe the American Empire should be prolonged?
· How can the fraught political climate in the US be improved?
· Do you think the American political model is destined to fail?
· Do you believe another American Civil War will occur in your lifetime?
· What parallels have you observed with the end of previous Empires with the current situation in the US?
· Who do you hope wins the upcoming American presidential election?
· Is China the biggest threat to the U.S.?
· Which charities will benefit from the sales of your book?
· What is the Access Project? How can people get involved?
· Where can people learn more about The End of the American Empire and how can they reach out to you?

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Water for All: Challenges of a Changing Climate

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0000

As we see in news headlines and in our own neighborhoods, water crises are more frequent and increasingly severe, and the world’s approach to providing the water that grows food, sustains cities, and supports healthy ecosystems fails to meet the demands of growing population and the water challenges of a changing climate.

But the grim news reports of empty reservoirs, withering crops, failing ecosystems need not be cause for despair, argues award-winning author and environmentalist David Sedlak, who is with us on the Lean to the Left podcast.

In Water for All: Global Solutions for a Changing Climate, just published by Yale University Press, Sedlak identifies the challenges society faces, including ineffective policies and outdated infrastructure, and the many tools at our disposal.

He offers an informed and hopeful approach for changing the way water is managed so we can create a future with clean, abundant, and affordable water for all.

Sedlak is the Plato Malozemoff Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and director of the Berkeley Water Center. He is author of the award-winning Water 4.0: The Past, Present, and Future of the World’s Most Vital Resource.

"Climate change combined with global development is going to result in (water) crises happening more frequently and being more severe," Sedlak says, "but at the same time, the knowledge that we've accumulated and the technologies that we've developed and are developing give us new answers.

"(It) depends a lot upon whether we can let go of some of our preconceived notions about how we manage water and take a different path forward in," he adds. "And I think that if we're capable of doing that; if we're capable about seeing this as a time when the status quo no longer works and we have to try something different, there's a chance to come out in a much better place."

Here are some key questions we discussed regarding water challenges of a changing climate:

Q. Your book starts off discussing the six separate water crises that exist today. How about discussing them?

Q. So what are the solutions to these crises?

Q. What can be learned from communities that have experienced water crises and the actions they have taken?

Q. You talk about the wealthy and their ability to cope with water shortages. But what about those less fortunate like the urban poor and those in rural communities?

Q. How can emerging technologies unlock untapped water resources without damaging the environment?

Q. You discuss some ideas to expand conventional and unconventional water sources. What are some of the most promising ideas there?

Q. Are there places in the world that are practicing good water usage? What can we learn from them?

Q. So where do we go next to ensure the best outcome? How do we tackle these areas in concrete, strategic ways?

Q. Your last book, Water 4.0, looked at the history of water systems. What did you learn in the decade between Water 4.0 and now that made you want to write this book?

Q. Where can people find your book?

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Looking for a Younger Alternative to Biden?

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0000

The Republicans are doing everything they can to attack President Biden because of his age, saying the 81-year-old Biden has lost his capacity to effectively serve as president.

Many Democrats share the concern about Biden’s age and not-so-secretly wish there was a younger, qualified option to the president.

Stay with us to meet 52-year-old Jason Palmer, a venture capitalist who is challenging Joe Biden for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. He’s a super longshot to unseat the 81-year-old president.

Previously a General Partner at New Markets Venture Partners and Deputy Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Jason firmly believes in what he calls “conscious capitalism” and modernizing our government so the United States can be a true leader in the 21st century.

Jason is a leader in the technology and innovation space, having served in executive positions at Microsoft, Kaplan Education, The Gates Foundation, and his impact investor firm, New Markets Venture Partners.

A Harvard Business School alumni, Jason believes his 30 years of business and technology leadership qualifies him to run President, saying it is time to “pass the torch to a younger generation.”

Here are key questions we discussed with Palmer:

Q. What is “conscious capitalism?”

Q. Tell us about your background and why you decided to run for president.

Q. You must admit this is an incredibly long shot to unseat Biden. How do you see this happening? What’s your path to winning the nomination?

Q. But you campaigned extensively in New Hampshire ahead of their primary, but you came in 10th and managed only 142 votes, or just 0.1 percent of those voting. That must have been discouraging. Marianne Williamson received over 5,000 votes, and she’s already dropped out of the race.

Q. So you believe you can catch fire with younger voters, especially?

Q. But besides the age factor, what do you bring to the table that makes you think you can and should be President?

Q. What’s your message to voters who like Biden, believe he’s done a remarkable job despite Republican intransigence, and push worries about his age aside?

Q. You’re not a household name, at least not as yet. So how do you plan to overcome this lack of name recognition?

Q. Artificial intelligence is rapidly growing in the U.S. with a potential serious impact on the economy, and on employment in many sectors. What are your thoughts about that and the overall importance of technology?

Q. Why are you better than Biden in handling these disruptions?

Q. What about unions and organized labor? As a business executive, what are your thoughts about companies like Starbucks facing efforts to organize their employees?

Q. What would you do about the student loan crisis in this country? Do you believe student loans should be forgiven?

Q. Yes, you have significant business and technology experience that could serve you well as president. But what about foreign policy and other key areas where you lack experience?

Q. Can you see yourself face-to-face against Putin?

Q. To what extent should the U.S. be involved in Ukraine’s battle against Russia?

Q. And what about the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip? What should the U.S. do?

Q. What are your thoughts about the immigration crisis and Trump’s ability to stop Congress from passing the reform legislation that Republicans had previously insisted upon?

Q. Say you win the nomination. What would be your strategy in going after Trump…he who is only four years younger than Biden and faces more than 90 criminal charges stemming from his effort to overturn the 2020 election, as well as his business dealings.

Q. Do you think Nikki Haley has a chance to unseat Trump for the GOP nod?

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Who's the Kinkiest? Republicans or Democrats?

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Seems like there’s always some sort of sex scandal involving politicians, and political persuasion doesn’t seem to have much to do with it.

For example about the same time we learned that the female prosecutor in the Georgia Trump election case, a Democrat, has been having an affair with an attorney she brought on to help out, the Florida Republican chair was fired because he and his wife engaged in a threesome and the other woman involved accused him of not-so-nice activities.

So, I thought it would be appropriate to have a look at what makes Republicans and Democrats tick when it comes to such bedroom activities. What do members of each party like to do in the bedroom (or shower, or anywhere else…)?

To answer that question we have with us Bella Cummins, who has for years owned and operated a legal brothel in the rural community of Wells, Nevada. She surveyed some of her “politically transparent” clients to find out.

Bella Cummins, who wants to be known as “America’s Madam,” is America’s longest-serving living legal brothel owner as the proprietor and operator of Bella’s Hacienda Ranch, a licensed brothel located in Wells, Nevada. She says her adult entertainment destination in Northeast Nevada provides a safe and lawful option for courtesans to prosperously practice their trade. Serving customers from across the globe, Bella’s offers a myriad of exclusive amenities, including VIP accommodations and a selection of erotic specialty rooms.

The 74-year-old Cummins also founded the Onesta Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to support Nevada sex workers and advocate for prostitution legalization throughout the United States. More on the Onesta Foundation can be found at https://onestafoundation.org.

Here are some questions we discussed with Bella:

Q. Tell us a little bit about Bella’s Hacienda Ranch – how you came to purchase it and why, and what you guys do there.

Q. Have you worked as a prostitute yourself? Has this been a rewarding experience?

Q. Over all these years, how many sex workers have you employed and how many customers have been served?

Q. What prompted you to survey “politically transparent” clients to determine who likes what when it comes to sex? BTW, what does “politically transparent” mean?

Q. OK, what are some of the key differences that your survey revealed? What do Republicans like more than Democrats, and vice versa, when it comes to sex?

Q. Any idea why that is? Q. Any ideas why so many politicians get into trouble over sex?

Q. Tell us about the Onesta Foundation and what you do there.

Q. Why should prostitution be legalized? Who would benefit from that?

Q. You say that regulations need to accompany decriminalization. In what form?

Q. Sex work is dangerous…how so?

Q. Wouldn’t legalization of prostitution promote human trafficking?

Q. Do you really see this country legalizing and regulating prostitution, especially with the outsized influence of the right-wing Christian conservatives on government policy these days?

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Ponderly: Telling Both Sides of the Story

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Whatever happened to the concept that before making a decision it's wise to listen to both sides of the story?

That's the idea behind Ponderly, a new social media platform that’s intended to be a safe and engaging space where users can get the facts, consider the other side, and decide what to think.

The point is to cut through the rhetoric, lies and misinformation that is spun out on major social media platforms and help bring people together, and we have as our Lean to the Left podcast guest Amir Shiekh, Ponderly's founder, whose goal is to cut through the rhetoric on sensitive and controversial issues and reduce the divisiveness that has become so prevalent in our society.

Unlike other social media platforms, Ponderly provides short, quick-read articles about key issues in the news with writers offering analysis, pro and con.

An example: Should razor wire along the southern border be removed? Read both sides of the story and then decide and comment.

In this episode, Amir explains Ponderly's goals and objectives, how it works, and even how writers can get involved. While the platform is brand new and still being tweaked, Shiekh says subscribers now number "in the thousands" and plans are for it to grow dramatically in the years ahead as it provides an alternative to Facebook and other social media platforms.

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TedGriffith-Impact of Lies & Misinformation

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0000

It was on January 22, 2017 that President Trump’s counsellor to the president, Kellyanne Conway, defended White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s false statement about the size of the crowd that showed up for Trump’s inauguration.

Alternative facts, she said, in explaining Spicer’s claim that Trump’s crowd was the largest to ever witness an inauguration. Not lies. Not falsehoods. Just alternative facts.

Our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast is Ted Griffith, author of the upcoming book, Theater of Lies: Misinformation divides us -- with purpose. How to protect ourselves, and why we must. It will be out later this month and will reveal the secrets that leaders in business, media, and government don’t want us to know about lies and misinformation -- the spin.

Griffith is a 40-year communications professional who has spent his career mastering and employing the tools of mass persuasion. A communications professional who has spent the last forty years learning and employing the tools of persuasion, Griffith has represented high profile leaders in sectors such as mining, energy, healthcare, water, tourism, waste management, municipal and provincial governments, and amateur and professional sports.

Griffith served as a vice president at Canada’s largest PR firm, NATIONAL Public Relations, and was its number one consultant for several years. He has expertise in crisis communications and worked behind the scenes on the 1988 Ben Johnson Olympic Steroid Scandal, Canada’s tainted blood scandal, power failures, and various product recalls.

Here are some questions we asked Griffith as we explored the impact of lies & misinformation on our society:

Q. From your long experience you say that lies and misinformation have infected most every part of our lives. How is that, and what can we do about it?

Q. Why are lies so often used to control people? We’ve certainly seen that in this era of Donald Trump.

Q. How can people discern if they are being fed lies or “alternative facts” by people in power?

Q. Do you believe people have been trained since their childhoods to believe lies by people in authority? Please explain.

Q. What role do you expect the Theater of Lies to play in the 2024 election?

Q. What is the illusion of binary thinking, how someone can believe something they know nothing about?

Q. How does your book, “Theater of Lies,” deal with all of this?

Q. One of the issues that is often the subject of misinformation is climate change. How has climate change been affected by lies and misinformation?

Q. Do you believe the use of the term climate change rather than global warming is part of misinformation strategies? By whom?

Q. What can we do to combat lies and misinformation in the climate change space?

Q. Tell us what your company, The Fixers Group, does for its clients.

Q. When, exactly, will your book be published and where can people find it? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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Trump, Sex & Politics: What Else is New?

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Not sure if it's ego or an insatiable sex drive, but many politicians are willing to risk their reputations and careers for a few moments of sexual gratification.

That's been proven in the case of Donald Trump, who now must pay a total of $88.3 million to former writer E Jean Carroll as a result of his alleged sexual attack on her at Bergdorf Goodman's Fifth Avenue Manhattan store in 1996.

On Friday, January 26, a jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million because of his continued social media attacks over her claims that he sexually assaulted her in the department store dressing room. Earlier, another jury awarded her $5 million for sexually abusing Carroll.

“Absolutely ridiculous!” Trump said after the verdict. “Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon.”

Well, Donald, if you kept your zipper zipped and didn't believe you could do whatever you want to whoever you want whenever you want, perhaps you wouldn't now be scrambling to figure out what assets you'll sell to pay off the now 80-year-old Carroll.

That $83.3 million verdict came down two days after we produced an episode of the Dixie Dems on the Lean to the Left podcast that includes discussion of two other separate political sexual escapades involving the now former Republican chair in Florida and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is leading the prosecution of Trump and others for interfering in Georgia's 2020 presidential election.

Early in January, the Florida GOP fired Chairman Christian Ziegler as police investigate a rape accusation against him, which Ziegler has denied. However, Ziegler and his wife, Bridget, admitted to police that they previously had a consensual three-way sexual relationship with Christian Ziegler's accuser.

Meanwhile, in Georgia, Willis has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor she hired to handle the elections case against Trump. She has defended her hiring of Wade and has not directly denied a romantic relationship. A Trump defense attorney is seeking to use that accusation to have Willis and Wade removed from the case and the indictment thrown out.

"From what I...

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How Electric Vehicles Can Improve Health

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0000

During the early years of life, the human brain undergoes significant development and the environment is vital in helping to shape a child’s future.

Today, our cars, as well as trucks and busses, are the largest contributor to harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S and children growing up in urban areas, especially, are vulnerable.

In fact, outdoor air pollution, much of it caused by transportation, has caused 4.5 million deaths as fully half of Americans live in areas that don't need federal air quality standards, and children in those areas are 3.7 times more likely to live in the most polluted areas, with 4.5 million kids suffering from childhood asthma.

So How Can EVs Improve Health?

Kate Harrison, an expert on electric vehicles and co-founder and Head of Marketing at MoveEV, says that increased use of electric vehicles would dramatically reduce those figures. In fact, she estimates that if all new cars, pick-up trucks, and SUVs sold by 2035 were electric vehicles using green energy there would be:

89,300 fewer premature deaths
2 million fewer asthma attacks
10.7 million fewer lost work days
$978 billion in public health savings

MoveEV is an AI-backed EV transition company that helps organizations convert fleet employee-owned gas vehicles to electric, and then reimburse for charging at home.

So, how can EVs improve health? Here are some key issues discussed with Kate on the Lean to the Left podcast:

How would the adoption of electric vehicles on a large scale both improve the environment, and people’s health?

How does early childhood toxic emission harm kids, especially those in non-White communities?

What is the evidence that replacing gas-powered vehicles with EVs really makes a difference?

What actions can cities take to improve the quality of air?

Are there enough charging stations?

Do you envision the time when we can go to the local c-store and charge-up instead of fill-up?

What about battery life?

Doesn’t the basic act of charging a car result in higher greenhouse gases for the production of that electricity?

How does your company help communities that want to power-up their EV capabilities?

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Paula Delgado-Kling- Story of a Lost Childhood

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Paula Delgado-Kling takes us inside the drug trade in Colombia, where her brother was kidnapped for ransom in this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast.

It’s difficult for most of us to comprehend the cruelty of those who control the drug trade in Colombia and the unspeakable suffering often endured by young people who become ensnared in their illegal activities.

In this episode, Delgado-Kling takes us to her homeland, where she examines the life of a young Colombian girl who became a child soldier in the guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, or the FARC.

It’s all in her new book, “Leonor, the Story of a Lost Childhood,” which she’ll share with us in the episode ahead.

Paula Delgado-Kling holds degrees in comparative literature/French civilizations, international affairs, and creative writing from Brown University, Columbia University, and The New School, respectively. Leonor, for which she received two grants from the Canadian Council for the Arts, is her first book.

Born in Bogota, Colombia and raised in Toronto, Canada, Delgado-Kling now resides in New York City.

For her book, Paula followed Leonor for 19 years, from just after she became an active FARC member forced into sexual slavery by a commander 34 years her senior, through her rehabilitation and struggle with booze and drugs, to her more recent days as the mother of two girls.

“Leonor” will be published Jan. 23 and is available for pre-order now from Amazon and on her website, www.PaulaDelgadoKling.com.

You can meet Paula and attend her readings both in New York City and Coral Gables, Florida. Her first appearance is Tuesday, Jan 23 - 6-7:30 pm at Shakespeare & Co - 2020 Broadway, Upper West Side, NYC. Then on Sunday, Jan. 28 Paula will be at Books & Books 265 Aragon Av, Coral Gables, Florida, starting at 4 p.m.

Here are some key questions we discussed with Paula:

You’re from Colombia, what was your childhood like there?
Why did you leave Colombia?
How did personal experiences in Colombia inform your book about Leonor?
How and when did you meet “Leonor?” She is a real person, right?
What can be done to prevent children from joining guerilla groups in Colombia?
How and why has Colombia failed children?
Why should we in America care?
What can be done to curtail the drug trade in Colombia and its influx into the U.S.?
I’ve had guests on this podcast who have called for legalization of all drugs, from pot, to cocaine, to heroin, essentially saying it’s virtually impossible to control and is resulting in unfair prison sentences and overcrowding of our prisons. How do you feel about that?
What do you hope to achieve with your book?
Tell people where they can find your book and how they can reach out to you as the author.

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Fatimah Gilliam-Voting Rights Ruling-Jim Crow 2.0

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Are all White people racist against Blacks? What about Blacks? Are they generally racist against Whites? How do we overcome racism in America?

Those questions and more are covered in this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast with author, attorney Fatimah Gilliam and Justice Counts podcast co-host Mark M. Bello.

After all, we’re living in a time when a former president refuses to acknowledge his re-election defeat, falsely claiming that thousands of votes were cast illegally. Many states – mostly led by Republicans – are making it harder for people of color to vote on the assumption that they would vote in favor of the Democrats. Even the courts are getting in on the act.

Fatimah Gilliam is an author, lawyer, consultant, public speaker, and entrepreneur whose career combines expertise in the law, diversity, human capital, leadership, stakeholder engagement and negotiations.

She holds a law degree from Columbia Law School, a master’s in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and an undergraduate degree from Wellesley College.

Gilliam is the founder and CEO of The Azara Group, which provides diversity and inclusion, leadership development, negotiation and strategy consulting services to Fortune 500 corporations, senior executives of billion-dollar businesses and industry thought leaders.

She is the author of a new book, “Race Rules: What Your Black Friend Won’t Tell You.”

Here are some key points we discussed in the interview:

So, there’s a case in the 8th Circuit in Missouri that might severely limit voter access. I understand it might be headed to the Supreme Court. What’s it all about? Should our listeners be concerned?
What’s the make-up of the 8th Circuit panel? In Missouri, it must lean Republican, right?
Why do Democrats seem to be for more freedom and access to voting, while Republicans want to restrict access?
Are these efforts racist? Are we talking about blatant bigotry here?
In general, we have a voting rights act, right? Why isn’t it enough to protect us?
You speak about what you call “Jim Crow 2.0.” You say that the strategy will strip freedoms and suppress votes of people of color and younger, urban, elderly, and disabled Americans. What’s the strategy and what can people do about it?
In the materials you provided us, you mention Supreme Court cases of Shelby County v. Holder (2013) and Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (2021). What do these holdings say and how did they skirt around the voting rights act?
Do we need a new voting rights act? Will that ever happen if we continue to have divided government?
There is a big election coming in 2024. Because of the Dobbs decision, abortion will be on the ballot. People will want to vote. It may be the most important election of our lifetime. Talk to us about the law of voting. Do you consider voting a right or a privilege? If it’s a right, what can people do to assure that they can vote in upcoming elections?
Even if state and local governments put barriers in front of lower and middle-income voters, what can they do to assure that they can vote in 2024? Where do they go to find out what they must do to qualify for a voter registration card?
Talk to us about “Race Rules: What Your Black Friend Won’t Tell You.” Does the book answer some of the questions we’ve been asking today? Is it a blueprint for citizen’s who want to assure that they have the right to vote in 2024?
You say that the book provides rare access to what many Black people won’t say to White people, what Black people secretly think and feel about White people’s behaviors and choices. What do Black folks say and feel about White folk’s behaviors and choices?
You also argue that self-education...

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Preparing Today's Generation for Climate Change

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0000

We're living in a time of revolution, a time when the forces of climate change and artificial intelligence (AI) are converging in a way that will undoubtedly, dramatically change the world.

Tom Riley, a retired NASA instrument engineer and prolific author who believes AI offers tremendous potential for the world, has written a new book called "Dark Heat," and it pulls all of that together.

When Tom retired from NASA in 2014, he started coaching young people in science, technology. engineering and mathematics (STEM), and he quickly realized he needed to develop a detailed discussion of what today's generation must do about our climate crisis and how it will affect their future.

"The thing that struck me so strongly was that we owe our young people an explanation and some guidance on what to do in this very difficult time," he says. "We simply are not providing them with the direction they need."

To help achieve that, Riley decided on a series of books aimed at today's generation, with the third one, "Dark Heat," now available. Written with the assistance of AI, it's a novel that pairs two "want-to-be detectives," Sarah and her AI companion, Janet N, who go into action when a friend who was involved in black market smuggling of food goes missing.

"They go through a long, complicated search to find out what happened to their friend and who the black marketers were," explains Riley, who has two engineering degrees and is a veteran of more than 40 years in high tech, mostly in space operations.

"It became very clear that the problems of climate change were just so overriding that it was unfair for me to teach young people about space if they're going to be hit upside the head by the climate crisis," Riley says on the podcast. "So we had to convert over, and I had to do a lot of research on what the problems were, what the long term problems were, what the short term problems were, (and) what the breaking points were."

Then last March, "the large word AIs became available with ChatGBT 4, and all of a sudden we were sprinting past one of the big landmarks that was either going to make or break us. Consequently, we started this project to write a mystery with AI as a partner," he explains.

Check out the complete interview for more about Riley's efforts in preparing today's generation for climate change and the burgeoning growth of artificial intelligence.

Special Bonus
Meanwhile, Riley is providing two signed copies of "Dark Heat" for the first two Lean to the Left listeners or viewers who request one. To win a copy, just send an email to bob@leantotheleft.net with Dark Heat in the subject line, and your name and mailing address in the body of the email. The first two requests will receive the book free of charge.

Here are some key topics we discuss in the interview:

Climate change: doom and gloom or unicorns and rainbows?
Individual action is needed -- now. What should young people do?
How will climate change affect the world's food supply and what impact will that have on us in the U.S.?
Can AI, including robots, be employed to cope with the climate crisis?
As a space expert, do you believe there is life beyond Planet Earth?
A look at the Kecksburg, PA UFO incident from 1965. What was it?
Employment will be the area of biggest impact as artificial intelligence gains a foothold in the economy.
For more info about Riley check out his website at

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Dr. Ravi Iyer: Inside the Covid 19 Pandemic

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0000

The Covid 19 pandemic was fraught with political and bureaucratic mismanagement that resulted in thousands of needless deaths, according to renowned Washington, DC-area physician and author Dr. Ravi Iyer.

Perhaps worse, however, was the warning issued by Dr. Iyer on the Lean to the Left podcast, saying that sloppy actions by scientists and the Wuhan laboratory in China allowed the virus to escape and unless preventive steps are taken, the same thing could happen again.

"The one thing that we need to understand right now is we don't have proper guardrails, because this kind of science is going to continue to get done," he says. "The Pandora box is open and all over the world people are going to do this. It's going to happen. They key is how can you do this safely? How do you regulate it? Virologists are fighting tooth and nail to prevent regulation. They want business as usual."

Dr, Iyer is the author of a compelling new book, The Reaper's Dance, which puts the reader in a ringside seat to the horror of the Covid pandemic, the calculations of men who were in positions to influence the fate of millions, the science that might have unleased the pandemic, and the science that saved the world.

He is the founding physician and president of the Iyer Clinic in Fairfax, VA. A physician-scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur with research publications in the mechanisms of gene controls and several lpatents on human and veterinary medicines and devices, he is also CEO of ActivPower, Inc., a nutrition and wellness company he founded.

America's response to the pandemic was "very bad...a clusterfuck,"Dr. Iyer said. "You would have a CDC official making a statement about a public health policy and (then) there will be somebody else from this side of the administration saying something to contradict this guy."

"Deeply flawed leaders," he contended, "played to the fears of a deeply disillusioned population and they, the flawed leaders' demagoguery, came to America at the right time to tap into the fear of loss ofd power." Half the population, he added, felt like they were "under siege, feeling that they, their way of life was going away for reasons that they could not understand."

Other key points discussed as Dr. Iyer offered his analysis and warning:

Many Americans distrust the pharmaceutical industry, which they believe is simply focused on generating profits, thus adding to skepticism regarding the vaccines.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, was partially responsible for Covid 19's spread because his agency provided funding for the Wuhan lab in China.
Dr. Iyer's clinic used such commonplace items as overalls and swimming pool chemicals to protect personnel there, even as other preventive items were in short supply, and not a single worker became ill.
He credits former President Donald Trump with his "warp speed" approach to bringing out the Covid vaccine, but then said Trump "dropped the ball" when he learned FDDA approval would not come before the November election and said it was then up to the states to individually implement it.

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Riding the Rails to Victory

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0000

In 1836, William Henry Harrison was the first presidential candidate to campaign aboard a train, launching a practice of whistle-stop campaigning that allowed candidates to greet and speak with voters in small towns along the way.

One of the most famous presidential railroaders was Harry S. Truman. During his 1948 whistle-stop tour, he traveled more than 28,000 miles and delivered more than 350 speeches. Is whistle-stop campaigning still happening?

We have as our guest today an expert who’s going to fill us in. Edward Segal is one of the few people to organize a modern-day whistle-stop campaign-train tour. He served as a campaign manager, press secretary, and aide to Democratic and Republican presidential and congressional candidates.

Segal is the bestselling author of Crisis Ahead and has written for Forbes.com, the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and other major publications. He has a new called Whistle-Stop Politics: Campaign Trains and the Reporters Who Covered Them.

Here are key points we discussed with Segal:

Tell us about how whistle-stop campaigning was used by political candidates and about your book.
In fact, why did you write it?
How many politicians have campaigned by train?
What lessons could today’s politicians learn from past whistle-stopping candidates?
Given today’s technology, the prevalence of social media, etc., is there any chance that this form of campaigning will regain its popularity?
Can you share some interesting stories from your research about those candidates in days gone by?
How did campaign trains change the outcome of campaigns, such as George McGovern and Bobby Kennedy?
Do you anticipate that whistle-stop campaigning will be used in the 2024 campaign?

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Has There Been Progress on Racism Since the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0000

It was 73 years ago in 1950 that a Black man named Hillard Brooks was shot and killed by a White police officer after he tried to board a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama.

Thomas Gray, who had played football with Brooks as a kid, was outraged by the tragic, unjustifiable shooting. He protested and eventually staged a downtown march to register voters and protest police brutality.

Five years later Gray led another protest against the city’s segregated buses. On the front lines of the Montgomery bus boycott, Gray withstood threats and bombings alongside his brother, Fred D. Gray, a young lawyer who represented Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Claudette Colvin, a plaintiff in the case that forced Alabama to desegregate its buses.

I’m thrilled today that we have with us Thomas Gray’s daughter, Karen Gray Houston, an award winning broadcast journalist, who has written a captivating memoir, “Daughter of the Boycott, Carrying on a Montgomery Family’s Civil Rights Legacy.” It’s an incredible story that recounts how her father’s and uncle’s actions changed the nation’s racial climate and opened doors for her and other African Americans.

Karen Gray Houston was born in Montgomery, Alabama, raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She spent 41 years as a news reporter and anchor at radio and television stations and networks in Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC. Since retiring, she wrote Daughter of the Boycott, which was featured in an edition of Oprah's O magazine as "One of 10 Titles to Pick Up Now" and in Smithsonian Magazine's Book of the Week series.

Here are some key points we discussed with her:

Q. To start with, please tell us why you wrote the book and what’s happened since then. I understand that both your uncle and father have been honored and there was some good news for Claudette Colvin, as well.

Q. We’re in mid-December now. That’s a month that’s had a lot of significance in this overall story, right?

Q. Can you walk us through some of the key components of your book?

Q. The role of Claudette Colvin isn ‘t as well-known as Rosa Parks, for example, but this teenage girl was very brave and played a very important role in the battle for racial equality. Tell us about that.

Q. In your book you recount the days of the boycott, not only what happened, but how it affected your family. Can you tell us about that?Q. In the chapter about Dr. King’s house being bombed, you write that your parents wrapped you in “a protective cocoon,” sheltering you from “unpleasantness associated with the bus boycott.” What was that like for you as a young child?

Q. You write about carpools that were created to provide Blacks boycotting the buses with transportation. Your dad was part of that, right? Tell us about that.Q. You weren’t the only member of your family on the radio, as your dad had a show called “Songs of the Southland.” Tell us about that and how it may have affected you and your career choice.

Q. Tell us about your own broadcast career…You were on WTOP Radio in Washington, DC, to which I was addicted when I worked on Capitol Hill. And you were with United Press International for a time. I worked at UPI early in my career, as well.

Q. During your career, did you have to cope with discrimination and anti-Black prejudice? How did that affect you? How did you cope with it?

Q. What are your thoughts about racism in the U.S. today and efforts by some on the political right to rewrite history, even to the point of claiming that somehow slavery was a positive experience for some Negroes?

Q. As we look towards the coming 2024 presidential election, what are your thoughts about race relations in America, President Biden, Donald Trump and the rest of the Republican presidential wannabes?

Q. Your father’s initial bus protest was prompted by the unjustified shooting of a...

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Dixie Dems: The Wacky GOP & Their Dictator

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Despite the fact that Donald Trump is facing multiple court cases, including criminal charges resulting from the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, he still dominates his remaining GOP rivals and his support is showing no signs of weakening.

On this episode of the Dixie Dems, Robert Thompson of Georgia, Arthur Hill of North Carolina, and I have a lot to say about the wacky GOP & their dictator, including Trump's stated plans to use the U.S. Justice Department to attack his enemies should he win the 2024 election, presumably against President Joe Biden.

"It looks like a growing number of Americans are willing to place their personal beliefs above the Constitution of the United States and American democracy," says Hill, vice chair of the Brunswick County, NC, Democratic Party. "I think it's appalling and it makes me want to work even harder for Biden's election in November, as well as any other Democrat we can get our hands on."

"Just to put my red MAGA hat on for a second, just to put myself in the shoes of the Trumpster people...they did not think it was normal that we had a Black president for eight years. They think it's not normal that we have a black woman vice president. They think we're persecuting Trump and everything. It's not normal, and I don't know how we come together somewhere in the middle of the ball field. It's scary as hell to try to live in the heads of these Republican supporters."

Additional highlights as we look at the wacky GOP and their dictator:

The decline of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP sweepstakes.
What about Liz Cheney? What's up her sleeve?
Does Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) have a chance against Biden?
Biden's accomplishments and health compared to Trump's.
The influence of big money donors and their efforts to buy the election.
Will young voters sit out the election?
The Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) military confirmation fiasco.
Redistricting challenges in Georgia and North Carolina.
Trump's promise to end Biden's "war on American energy."
Trump's attack on Obamacare.
The demise of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)
The George Santos ouster from the House.
Robert Thompson's "Dad's Against Deplorables" 2024 Calendar.

It's another hilarious episode with lot's of info, too. So check it out.

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Amanda Kessler-A Progressive's Take on Ethics & Equality

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast, where we explore progressive politics and the important social issues of our time.

We’re living in a time today when we might say that ethical behavior, particularly in politics, seems to be sorely lacking. We’re looking at that as well as cultural processes of inequality that too often go undiscussed.

Our guest is Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler, a sociologist, antiracism trainer, writer, lay preacher, songwriter, and progressive sacred music composer. Her book Abundant Lives: A Progressive Christian Ethic of Flourishing will be published by Pilgrim Press in May 2024, and her book Cultural Processes of Inequality: A Sociological Perspective, will be published by Anthem Press in 2025.

Her writing website is https://amandaudiskessler.com and her free-use sacred music website is https://queersacredmusic.com.

Whether writing books, music, progressive liturgical materials, or antiracism training exercises, Amanda’s goal is the same: to contribute to making a world in which there is a lot more joy and a lot less pain. She is Director of Assessment and Program Review and chair of the Institutional Review Board at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Here are questions we discussed with Amanda:

Tell me about your approach to ethics and how it is connected to a left-leaning political perspective.
How did you come to develop this approach to ethics and why do you think it's helpful?
Tell me about how you see cultural processes of inequality working in the US.
What are some of the important cultural processes of inequality? How are they similar or different across different forms of inequality?
How does your way of thinking about inequality help progressives and left-leaning people work against inequality?
Talk a little about the antiracism training you do. Why did you start doing it and what do you hope to accomplish with it?
You wrote in a blog, “We all struggle to do what is good, especially when doing so is difficult and even more so when we live in a society that rewards hatred, cruelty, greed and power-mongering over love, kindness, generosity and service.” Has that society worsened in recent years when it comes to hatred, cruelty, greed and power-mongering?
Do you believe that the ethics of politics has changed in recent years, and if so, why?
You identify as a queer feminist. How do those identities inform your creative and intellectual projects?
You consider yourself a composer of left-leaning worship music. What do you mean by that?
How do your different identities and projects hang together? What's the relationship between developing a progressive ethic of flourishing, writing social justice worship music, offering antiracism trainings, and writing on the sociology of inequality?
How can we make good choices regularly?

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Dick Simpson-The Crisis in America's Democracy

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Our nation is deeply divided along so many lines, racially, politically, economically. Unbelievably, it’s even possible that a twice-impeached former president who’s been indicted multiple times, including for trying to overturn his election defeat, actually could reach the presidency again.

Hate against various groups has grown dramatically and is one of the many factors contributing to the mass shootings we are experiencing today. We are living in troubled times for our democracy, and that’s our topic today.

Our guest, Dr. Dick Simpson, has spent more than five decades as a legislator, campaign strategist, and government advisor, including serving as an alderman in Chicago, a city known for hard-ball politics. We’ll get his views on all of this.

Dr. Simpson is the author of “Democracy’s Rebirth: The View from Chicago. With meticulous analysis and pragmatic recommendations, Dr. Simpson navigates the intricate web of political, racial, economic, and social disparities that are shaping our nation's destiny. The relevance of his work extends beyond a local context, making it a pivotal resource for anyone invested in the revitalization of democracy.

Here are some questions we explored with Dr. Simpson:

Could you provide a brief overview of "Democracy's Rebirth: The View from Chicago" and the inspiration behind it?
What aspects of Chicago's history and political landscape make it a pertinent case study for understanding the challenges of building a multiracial, multiethnic democracy?
Your book delves into the complexities of money in politics. How has this issue contributed to the current democratic crisis?
Low voter participation is a concern across the nation. What are the underlying reasons for this trend, and how can we encourage greater engagement? After all, we are at a time when the safety and accuracy of our electoral process is being challenged by those who refuse to accept defeat?
"Democracy's Rebirth" addresses the politics of resentment. How has that played out in recent years, including among Donald Trump’s MAGA supporters?
Political corruption is a recurring issue in the public eye. How can we tackle this challenge to estore trust in our democratic institutions?
You’ve said that structural problems are at the heart of our democracy's struggles. What are some of these key structural issues, and what practical steps can we take to address them?
You’re all about inspiring individuals to contribute to the strengthening of democratic institutions. What role does education play in this process?
With your experience as a former alderman in a city with a long history of political corruption, and as a political scientist, how can we create lasting, positive change in our communities?
In her Foreward to your book, Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot's writes, “democracy is an argument that says that our society’s greatest success comes by all its members having an equal opportunity to unlock their shared talent and potential. Can you comment about that?
Where can people find your books and how can they reach out to you?

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What's Behind Tribalism in America?

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Tribalism in America must end because it threatens our existence as a society. That’s the view of author and historian Michael C. Anderson, who says social media and a biased news media must share the blame.

Anderson, an IT consultant by trade with a PhD in Information Science, has just published his fourth book on the subject, titled Twilight of the American Experiment, Without Moral Balance our Republic will Fail. He's our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast.

What's behind tribalism in America? Why is it such a problem?

"The main problem is that because the country's gone tribal, and almost everyone to the right, left of center has entered their tribe, the tribes don't communicate," Anderson says. "And because they don't communicate, the society, American society is fractured, and government can't make any progress because there's no consensus on how it should move forward."

Lack of Political Morality
Anderson believes the major issue is the lack of political morality, which he defines as the application of personal morality to politics.

"There is the risk to the future of the United States unless we get back to moral balance," he says, because the morality in our country is not balanced now; it's controlled by the left, basically."

What about the political right?

"They're just as bad," Anderson acknowledges. "There's no question that the radical right is like the radical left and behavior, I just don't think they get as much press, maybe. So it, you don't read as much about them and you hear from the progressives a lot more...it causes reaction against the progressives because they're in your face."

Anderson says tribalism in America is "not all on one side."

"It takes consensus to move forward," he says, "and the Republicans have a very different personality, and I'll separate conservatives from Republicans because you can be a conservative and not be a Republican, which I, is the bucket I fall into. But the left is more open and interested in change and desires equality and they're attracted to government programs that help the needy.

"The right is... It has other moral priorities. The right prefers loyalty and authority. They believe that the hierarchy is the right way for humans to organize. They like tradition and the status quo, so they don't like things that in their mind ruin their traditions. They're each right and they're each wrong for their own reasons. They're just different. And as I meant to say, neither is right and neither is wrong, but that means that they have to work together to move us forward."

About the Media
Anderson believes that social media has had a greater impact on human communications than any other type of dialogue in history.

"The problem is that social media being an open platform allows anyone to get their 15 minutes of fame by posting comments or stories or opinions. The media itself attracts outliers who have dangerous points of view and are inflammatory when they express themselves.

"What makes that even worse," Anderson contends, "is the fact that the media companies look at the number of eyeballs that are reading the content that they present. And the crazier the presentation, the more eyeballs it gets. So it actually is beneficial to the media companies to have controversial information posted."

Anderson says the mainstream media, which Donald Trump infamously called "the enemy of the people," "is slightly biased to the left," except for Fox News.

"I don't see that's a huge problem," he adds, although when you're looking at the news or. listening to the news, you can detect some bias. That's just, I think, an artifact of the fact that most journalists these days lean toward the left because they're trained in universities who lean toward the left."

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Phyllis Chesler-Could the War in Israel Lead to WWIII?

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Legendary feminist and author Dr. Phyllis Chesler warns that the Hamas attacks in Israel could eventually lead to World War III unless democratic powers "stand up to the world bully," the "axis of evil" of China, Russia, Iran, and select Arab countries.

Her comments came in an interview for the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcasts, during which she strongly criticized women's organizations for failing to call out the antisemitism she contends is at the heart of the conflict.

"Iran's program is to get rid of the Western way of life; put women in body bags, execute homosexual men, have one religion under God--their God," she says. "If we don't stand up to the world bully, and I see World War III fast approaching, becoming more dreadfully visible. The Axis of Evil is China, Russia, Iran, selected Arab countries, Turkey. If we don't stop them in the Middle East," attacks on our shores could come.

Dr. Chesler warns that Islamic terrorists "have their eye on the West and the Western way of life. This is so clear. What's also clear is the desire to appease in order to be bombed less, so that if we give Iran and Hamas, Israel, give it up, sacrifice the Jews, people love dead Jews, that's when we get pity, when we're dead, not when we're living and fighting back. Then maybe Iran will come for us later, maybe the battle on our shores will happen later. Students of World War II have taught us that the more you appease the bully, the higher the price is, the longer the war is."

Dr. Chesler is a psychotherapist and Professor Emerita of Psychology at City University of New York. She has authored 20 books including A Politically Incorrect Feminist, The New Antisemitism, An...

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Juliet Hooker-Black Grief, White Grievance

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0000

In the United States, the racial divisions among us seem to be deepening, fueled at least in part by political opportunists who prey upon fear and emotion.

Our Lean to the Left podcast guest is Juliet Hooker, a leading thinker on democracy and race and author of a new book, Black Grief, White Grievance. Her book examines racial politics and argues that both White and Black communities must learn to accept loss – for different reasons and to different ends.

"Political loss has been unequally distributed in the history of the United States," she says during the interview. "Because of White supremacy, Black people, in general, have had to shoulder a disproportionate number of losses and Whites as a group have been able to avoid loss more because of their position as the dominant group, politically, economically, socially.

"This uneven distribution of loss has consequences for democracy," she asserts, "because it means that some citizens are making more sacrifices on behalf of the stability of the country than others. And in democracy, everyone is supposed to lose, right? That's the definition of democracy. There's change, there's rotation, no one wins all the time. And so that's one of the overall arguments."

The Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by Donald Trump's MAGA supporters is a perfect example of the "White grievance", says Professor Hooker.

"I think it is," she says. "Of course, there are a number of different things that were going on that fueled January 6th, but I think We one way to think about or one of the factors is definitely this mobilization of the sense that that certain people aren't supposed to lose right in the US that they are the true Americans, right?"

About Professor Hooker

Professor Hooker is the Royce Family Professor of Teaching Excellence in Political Science at Brown University, where she teaches courses on racial justice, Black political thought, Latin American political thought, democratic theory, and contemporary political theory. Before coming to Brown, she was a faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin.

She also is the author of Race and the Politics of Solidarity, Theorizing Race in the Americas, and editor of Black and Indigenous Resistance in the Americas: From Multiculturalism to Racist Backlash.

Here are some questions we explored with Professor Hooker as she discussed Black Grief, White Grievance:

Q. First, tell us about your book, its premise, and what prompted you to write it.

Q. In the promos for your book, it says that in democracies, citizens must accept loss; we can’t always be on the winning side. But in the United States, the fundamental civic capacity of being able to lose is not distributed equally among the races. Please explain.

Q. In your book’s introduction, you write that “Black grief and white grievance are linked because white grievance obscures and supplants Black grief and is often mobilized in response to it. Please explain. Q. How did the Trump administration exacerbate this?

Q. Trump, of course, refuses to accept the loss of the 2020 election and the January 6 attack on the Capitol was the result. Is that an example of White grievance?

Q. What about Trump’s attacks on immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S?

Q. You also write that “while Black grief has historically been mobilized by Black activists in service of Black freedom, we must reckon with the loss this entails.” What do you mean?

Q. You write that Black citizens are “expected to protest only in the most civil, nondisruptive ways in order for their losses to be legible. Refusals to contain Black rage are said to be counterproductive because they alienate potential white allies.” Are you saying that violent, disruptive protests are justified?

Q. Many of the January 6 protestors have received lengthy prison...

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Bill Robertson-Learning Life Lessons from Our Pets

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Have you ever wondered why your dog or cat seems to know when you’re having a bad day? Why is it that my pup is so comforting when things are going sideways? Is it part of their DNA?

Our guest today, Bill Robertson, is the author of a new book, "Uncle Bill's Animal Tales - Life Lessons for Adults". Bill’s book is about his experiences with animals and how he feels they are our greatest teachers & healers.

Bill heard from a psychic in Ghana, years back, who believed that the pecking order of consciousness on the planet is 1. Trees, 2. Animals, and 3. Human Beings. Why is Number 3 constantly trying to overtake 1 & 2?

In 1997 Bill got clean & sober, and on the show, he tells about how his cat helped him to wake-up and put down the drugs & booze, and that his two dogs since then have helped keep him sober.

Bill is from Boston originally where he worked in corporate America for many years, and ran a sketch comedy show out of Boston & NY called “Heavily Medicated Fairy Tales.” He has written for a kids’ show on PBS, sold two scripts to Lifetime, and wrote and produced a feature film, “Paradise, a Town of Sinners & Saints” based on a musical comedy that he produced in LA and Austin, TX to rave reviews and sold-out houses.

Also on the show, Bill reveals what it was like to come out as gay to his family, friends, and co-workers, and offers advice to those facing similar challenges.

Here are some questions we discussed with Bill:

Q. The subject of your book is fascinating. What was going on in your life before your cat and dogs intervened?

Q. You write in the promo copy for your book on Amazon that animals can be our best healers and teachers. Exactly what did they do to help you get clean and sober?

Q. How can our listeners recognize their connection with animals in the home, and in nature as well?

Q. Do you have any advice for people who do not have pets in their home, but are dealing with stress and anxiety, or challenges to overcome, as you did with alcohol and drugs?

Q. Where did the “Uncle Bill” come from in the book’s title?

Q. You had a career in corporate America before aging out when you turned 60. Exactly what did you do?

Q. After you retired from your job, you quickly shifted to focusing on the arts – film, theatre, writing…how did you do that?

Q. On your Facebook page, you posted this quote: “Living life to the fullest is taking chances, allowing yourself to be vulnerable, and knowing that it’s all part of the journey for the greater good.” Please explain that.

Q. There’s also a great pic of you and Tucker. Who is Tucker? What’s he mean to you?

Q. Who was Sophie? On Facebook, you say she was one of the reasons you wrote your book.

Q. You recently appeared on a podcast that was billed as “How to Never Stop Being Yourself, Unapologetic Coming Out Expert.” Can you talk about your “coming out” experience?

Q. Advice for others facing the same situation?

Q. Are the challenges facing the queer community worsening these days, and if so, why?

Q. You have a new book in the works. Can you tell us about that?

Q. Where can people find your books and how can they connect with you?

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Sabrina Osso-Solutions to Ending Violence

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Sexual harassment, workplace violence, school violence, bullying, public violence, campus rape, and sexual assault are all connected to whether there is violence in the home, according to our Lean to the Left podcast guest, Sabrina Osso.

One out of three women will be beaten or raped in a lifetime. One out of five adolescent girls is abused by her boyfriend. One out of three young people will be in an abusive relationship. Fifteen million children witness violence in their own homes each and every year, according to Osso.

"That's just in the U. S. Just the ones that we know about that are documented, if you will," says Osso, founder and CEO of OSSO SAFE…Feel safe where you live, work, and play. She is a TEDx Speaker, Author, and real estate agent who promotes safety and preventing violence in the workplace, schools, and homes.

About 324, 000 pregnant women go into the emergency room not for pregnant related issues before abuse related injuries, she says. One out of seven men is abused.

"By the end of today, four women will be killed by their abusive partners and most of them will be killed after they leave their abusers. So then leaving is not the answer," she contends. "And I would say another statistic, five children in this country are murdered every day at the hands of an abusive parent. And most of the time it's under the watch of a Child Protective Service Agency. So those are statistics that are just off the top of my head. 80 percent of all runaways come from violent homes. And all of this is rooted in the lack of respect in homes, the lack of safety in homes."

Osso says she grew up in a violent household where she suffered physical and mental abuse, as did her mother. Her first-hand experience has helped her develop OssoSafe, her solution to ending violence at home, school, and at work.

Here are some questions we discussed with her:

Q. Just how prevalent is home violence and how does that relate to schools, businesses, and properties?

Q. What are some examples of abuse?

Q. What are some of the symptoms of a would-be abuser in the home?

Q. What are some of the symptoms of a potential victim?

Q. What are some examples of being in a good relationship?

Q. What is the connection between home violence and pornography?

Q. On your Facebook page you say that people who practice BDSM are sex abusers and that children living under those circumstances are victims. You also say that BDSM should be made illegal. First, what is BDSM? And how does that practice affect children?

Q. What do you mean by “we have to practice not being abusive, especially when it comes to children”?

Q. You say that the “legal system” makes horrible matters even worse for the abused child. How is that?

Q. You say “Children need to have agency over their lives way before 18 years of age.” What does this mean?

Q. What is the Osso Safe Certification and the Osso Safe Home Sweet Home Package that your company is introducing into the real estate market?

Q. Explain your YouTube channel: Osso Safe Kids, the Osso Safe Kids’ Cheer/Anthem, and what this has to do with your Osso Safe Certification program.

Q. Tell us about your children’s book, “Home Safe Home, For You and Me”.

Q. What is Osso Safe's vision for the prevention of home violence and the real estate industry?

Q. What are some key takeaways/action steps to promote safety and prevent home violence?

Q. How can people learn more about what you’re doing?

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Dr. Emily Bashah-Anti-Semitism, Addictive Ideologies, and the War in Israel

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Violent extremism is increasing in the United States and around the world, the latest example being the horrible attacks against Israel by Hamas and the subsequent criticism in the U.S. of Israel for defending itself.

Appearing on the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcast with thriller author Mark M. Bello and myself, author and clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Bashah discusses the factors that lead to anti-semitism and addictive ideologies, including those that have led to the tragic war in the Gaza Strip.

An Arab Jew whose family was persecuted by Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party, Dr. Bashah says the lack of understanding around what causes extremism simply adds fuel to the fire.

"The thought of understanding extremists feels very icky to many of us," she says. "But the truth is, more and more seemingly reasonable individuals are falling into the trap of violent extremism, and are lured in by compelling conspiracy theories and a feeling of control they have when they engage with extremist ideologies. By not working to understand extremists, we are actually encouraging extremism to continue."

During the interview she was asked for her opinion of recent college campus demonstrations where students have shown support for Hamas and criticizing Israel for its attacks defending itself from those attacks.

"I'm saying it is okay to have sympathy and empathy for the innocent Palestinian child who has nothing to do with this conflict," she says. "And yet Hamas is exploiting them as a military terrorist organization, pseudo political.

"But they've got their own agenda in this and they're just exploiting Palestinians for their own political. agitation. And that is what is driving these massacres and the attacks that occurred in Israel on October 7th. They are political agitators. That is the motive of a terrorist. And it is happening on a broad scale."

Anti-Semitism and Addictive IdeologiesDr. Bashah was asked for her thoughts about Israel being portrayed as the aggressor rather than the defender in this conflict."People have been asking me this, why is there so always been so much anti Semitism historically? What is it about the Jews that they become the scapegoat in so many historical contexts?

"If you look even at my family story, so I am an Arab Jew, my parents escaped from persecution out of Baghdad during the time of the Ba'ath party, when Saddam Hussein was rising to power in 1941, we suffered the farhood, which was the violent dispossession.It's a pogrom. And we saw these horrific. type of atrocities, the same kind of sadistic massacres that we saw on October 7th where women who were pregnant, their bellies were cut open, fetuses were pulled out and Jewish people were mutilated and dismembered. Same thing that we saw on October 7th.

"I don't know if your audience has heard. Babies were beheaded, even Hamas was putting babies in ovens and killing them, burning them alive. There are horrific stories that I'm hearing on a day to day basis from family members directly who are talking about what has happened to their family in Israel."

Jews, she says, have "never had something to defend aside from our own ethnic, religious, spiritual, racial identity. And so we learned to uproot ourselves in order to survive. Because it wasn't worth staying to defend until the state of Israel was created and Israel will stop at nothing. Israel will not, Israelis will not give up Israel. It's just full stop."

Dr. Bashah frequently serves as an expert witness in civil and criminal court sand has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses. She and Paul E. Johnson Jr., former mayor of Phoenix, AZ, are the authors of the new book, Addictive Ideologies -- Finding Meaning and Agency when Politics Fail You."

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Dr. Gerald Schoenewolf-Solutions to Stop Mass Shootings

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0000

The mass shootings that continue to plague our country call for drastic measures, contends author and psychoanalyst Gerald Schoenewolf, but they don't involve confiscating guns or preventing law-abiding citizens from owning guns.

As of Oct. 26, the U.S. has had at least 565 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive – or about two mass shootings a day.

Those numbers came out a day after a deranged U.S. Army reservist killed at least 18 people at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine. According to officials, the suspect, Robert Card, 40, believed that people, even members of his own family, were out to get him and were calling him a pedophile.

Mental illness is at the heart of many of these killing events, Dr. Schoenewolf and other experts contend, and so they say steps aimed at dealing with those issues are what's needed.

On the Lean to the Left podcast, Dr. Schoenewolf, the author of "The Mass Killer: Six Case Histories that Tell Us Why," contends that troubled family issues often are what results in such shootings and he advocates some controversial steps to deal with them, including:

Requiring all couples who want to have children to first obtain a license from the federal government.
Requiring all couples to undergo training to help them raise their children.
Requiring all interest groups that are advocating for specific political actions to register and obtain permission from the government.

The problem in the U.S., he says, is not the proliferation and availability of guns, but rather the fact that many of the perpetrators of such shootings come from troubled families in which they were mistreated during their childhood.

"Most of these mass killers had early traumas, in the first few years of life," he says, adding that the "divided culture" that exists today serves to compound those problems,

"When you have a divided culture in which the liberals and conservatives are always fighting, everyone suffers too, because there's constant restlessness," Dr. Schoenewolf says on the podcast. "In the country and all kinds of other things that are happening and more violence is happening all the time. People get angry because they're driving on the highway and they lose it, and they start killing each other because they're following too close behind the other car. Somebody goes up to a door and knocks at the wrong door, and they get shot through the door. People are restless today and quick to violence."

Dr. Schoenewolf points out that a barber needs a license to cut hair and if you want to go fishing, you need a fishing license. But there are no such requirements for one of the most complicated acts that an individual can undergo -- raising children.

"iI parents had to be licensed, you'd have, you'd be able to weed out, say, schizophrenic parents or borderlines, or bipolars, psychopaths. You'd be able to weed out parents who are not going to be able to have healthy children. And you'd, and you also could have parent training," he says.

So the government would decide who could and could not have children?

"I think the state would have to have special centers for child rearing where children who were taken away from their parents would be raised by experts who would be trained in how to raise children," he explains.

"These are radical solutions, but we have a radical situation in our country. Desperate times call for desperate measures," says Dr. Schoenewolf, who is the author of 30 books, including 14 on psychology and philosophy and nine novels.

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How to Maximize Your Veterans Benefits

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0000

All veterans and their families deserve to receive every single benefit from both state and federal governments that they earned by bravely serving our country,

In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, our Lean to the Left podcast guest is Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D, former Under Secretary for Benefits at the Veterans Administration. An Army veteran, Dr. Lawrence is the author of a new book, "Veterans Benefits for You," which provides updated information, including some insider tips, explaining how to maximize your veterans benefits.

A public sector vice president with Kaiser Associates, Dr. Lawrence helps business and government leaders make informed strategic and operational decisions by developing and implementing unique solutions. He has a long and distinguished career writing extensively about management and government, testifying before Congress and state legislatures, and was twice selected by Federal Computer Week as one of the top 100 public service business leaders.

We’re proud to present Dr. Lawrence and hope the information he provides will help veterans take advantage of the benefits and services to which they are entitled.

Some questions we discussed with Dr. Lawrence, who explains how to maximize your veterans benefits:

Q. You served in the Army and attained the rank of Captain after graduating from the Army’s Airborne School, and you received the Meritorious Service Medal. Tell us a little bit about your time in the Army.

Q. What prompted you to write this book?

Q. After the Army, you became a management consultant becoming a partner at Ernst & Young, a vice president with Accenture, executive director at the MITRE Corporation, vice president with IBM Business Consulting Services, and a partner at Pricewaterhouse Coopers. What did you do during your business career to help fellow employees who were veterans?

Q. You served as undersecretary for benefits in the VA for three years during the Trump administration. I’m sure that experience helped prepare you for this book about veterans benefits, right?

Q. Can you walk us through the key components of your book and how veterans can benefit from it?

Q. In your book’s introduction, you write that more than 3 million Americans have served in the military since 9/11. How did that event affect veterans and the services they need?

Q. What is your advice to veterans who are having difficulty obtaining the benefits they seek?

Q. You also are the author of “Transforming Service to Veterans,” which details your journey from a business executive to political appointee charged with providing benefits to veterans and implementing veteran-focused legislation. Tell us about that and why you wrote it.

Q. What’s your take on the VA and its service to veterans? Are changes needed, especially when it comes to medical care?

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Dixie Dems-The Trump GOP Drama

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0000

The Republicans are in a real mess in Congress and Donald Trump's continued dominance in the GOP presidential sweepstakes is only complicating matters, so in this episode of the Dixie Dems, we take a look at the drama in the GOP Trump world and how it's unfolding.

There’s a lot to talk about, from the debacle of the Republicans’ drama of picking a new speaker of the House of Representatives and controversies surrounding him, to continued drama in Trump world with former allies flipping on him in court, jockeying among Trump challengers, to a Supreme Court case based on Trump’s “size” or lack thereof, a new Democratic challenger for Biden, redistricting in both Georgia and North Carolina that could change the power structure in those states, and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville blocking a bunch of military types being confirmed by the Senate because of abortion objections.

Who are the Dixie Dems, you ask?

If you've followed this blog and our podcast, you know that the Dixie Dems include myself, a Marylander transplanted into South Carolina and Lean to the Left podcast host, Arthur Hill, vice chair of the Brunswick County, NC Democratic Party, and Robert Thompson, founder of Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals.

Here are the highlights of this episode as we review the drama in the GOP Trump world that continues, seemingly, to worsen by the day:

Trump court cases: Ellis pleading guilty in Georgia…Others include former Trump lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, plus the guy who put up bail money for Trump, Atlanta bail bondsman Scott Hall. What’s this mean for Trump?

Mark Meadows: Trump is pissed at his former chief of staff Mark Meadows over reports that he might flip on him in the 2020 election case against him. On Truth Social, Trump called people who cut deals against him with the prosecutors “weaklings and cowards.”

Trump Challengers – Trump continues to dominate the GOP sweepstakes, but things are starting to thin out with Pence dropping out and reports indicating that SC’s Sen. Tim Scott could be next, as SC’s Nikki Haley appears to be overcoming DeSantis as number two.

Jennifer Rubin writes in the Washington Post, “Her “path” — so slim, it’s more akin to a thread — to victory would go like this: Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), short on money, follows former vice president Mike Pence in exiting the race. In a signal to the “normal” GOP crowd, both endorse her. Haley finishes second in Iowa and/or New Hampshire, chasing out former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and making it impossible (if he is still in the race) for DeSantis to continue. She then gets to be the single alternative to Trump. (There is no sign that Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin or Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp are going to wage a campaign.)

And then? Well, Rubin writes, “that’s where things get murky, to say the least. Simply being better than all the clumsy, weak, unprepared and obnoxious alternatives still leaves Haley facing the overwhelming favorite of the GOP base. This is not 2016, when Trump could get by with winning 35 percent or so of the early primary electorate to beat back a crowded field. This time, he’s got roughly a 30 percent lead in Iowa in the Des Moines Register poll and about the same in CNN’s South Carolina poll.”

New Biden Dem Challenger: Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips has announced that he’s challenging Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination, saying that the party needs to look to the future, and, of course, Phillips, 54, would like to be that future. Who is this guy, anyway?

(He's a 54-year-old, third-term congressman from Minnesota, where he

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Todd Sears-Dangers of Speaker Johnson

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0000

The election of Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana to be the new speaker of the House places him in an enormously influential position in Congress and second in line for the Presidency. How will he affect social policy in the U.S.?

As the architect of last year’s national “Don’t Say Gay” bill, leaders in the LGBTQ+ community are concerned about what could lie ahead.

Todd Sears, the CEO and Founder of Out Leadership, an organization that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community in business at all levels, says the policies espoused by Speaker Johnson would wreak havoc on our country’s economic and business climate.

"The man who literally thought that my existence would dismantle democracy is now the leader of part of our democratic process," Sears says on the Lean to the Left podcast. "So that as an American, as an LGBT American...this is not an LGBTQ issue. This goes to the heart of who we are as a country.

Sears says the vast majority of Americans support LGBT people and marriage equality, which "was decided years ago," he says. "And by the way, almost 95 percent of corporate America supports LGBTQ people and has for two decades. So this man is out of step with not just the LGBTQ community, but the vast majority of Americans."

Pointing out that right-wing state lawmakers have introduced or passed nearly 900 anti-LGBTQ+ bills or proposals, Sears fears that Johnson will attempt to enact similar measures nationally.

"If he's leading the Republican caucus, of course, he's going to push his agenda, which is right wing extremist, radical, anti business, anti LGBTQ, the man's history speaks for itself," Sears says as he discussed Speaker Johnson & LGBTQ+ fears of increased anti-gay and anti-trans policies.

Sears has spent more than two decades working at the intersection of finance and equality.He began his career as an investment banker before joining Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor. There, he created the first team of financial advisors in Wall Street focused on the LGBTQ+ community and brought nearly $2 billion of new assets to the firm from LGBTQ+ couples and non profit organizations.

Sears joined us on the podcast from Sydney, Australia, where he was addressing a business conference sponsored by Out Leadership.

Here are some questions we discussed regarding Speaker Johnson & LGBTQ+ fears:Q. Can you tell us a little more about yourself? I read somewhere that when you were five you asked your mom what being gay was about. What happened after that?

Q. What does Out Leadership do? What is your charge as an organization?Q. What was it in Speaker Johnson’s background that causes concern for you as an American — and as an LGBTQ American?Q. You mention in your statement for the press about Johnson that he is one of the most anti-LGBTQ+ lawmakers — why do you say that?Q. Johnson was the author of the National Don’t Say Gay bill, like what Governor DeSantis championed in Florida, right? Are you seeing growth in anti-gay political actions around the country?Q. What are the threats to LGBTQ+ equality and access in America right now? With Speaker Johnson second in line for the presidency are you concerned?

Q. Speaker Johnson has represented Louisiana in Congress since 2017, and before that in the state legislature — what is the LGBTQ+ climate like in LA?

Q. Louisiana is ranked at the bottom of your LGBTQ+ Climate Index – 48 to be exact – tell me more about the Index, what it measures, and how LA landed among the worst states when it comes to LGBTQ+ equality and access?

Q. How did the United States do overall this year in your Climate Index? Q. There have been over 600 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced around the country just this year. How would you describe these attacks by politicians like Gov. DeSantis and the record of the new Speaker?Q. you’ve contended that the global...

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Secrets of Famed Crime Novelist Jeffrey Archer

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Jeffrey Archer has topped the bestseller lists around the world, with sales of over 275 million copies in 115 countries and 49 languages. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (19 times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction.

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, we learn some of the secrets of this best selling author as he takes us inside the process that turns an idea into a book that eventually will be purchased by many of his more than 750,000 loyal readers worldwide.

Jeffrey Archer’s latest novel, Traitor's Gate, is the sixth of his William Warwick series and was published in September. It's a story about a dastardly plot to steal Britain's cherished Crown Jewels, something that has happened only once since the 1600s. Can you believe 14 drafts and a year of writing and research on average?

Archer is an art collector and amateur auctioneer, conducting around 10 charity auctions a year, and he’s raised over £51m in the last 30 years for good causes.

He has been married to Dame Mary Archer DBE, Chair of the Science Museum Group, for 55 years, and they have two sons, two granddaughters and three grandsons. Here are some questions we posed to discover the secrets of best-selling author Jeffrey Archer:

Q. Tell us about Traitors Gate and how you came to write it.

Q. The story is rich in intrigue and presents a wonderful inside look at Great Britain’s traditions involving the monarch and the king’s – or in the case of the book – the queen’s crown…which in the theft of the century, gets stolen. Where did the idea for this plot originate?

Q. Your website, with summaries and links to all of your books, also includes your original manuscripts – all hand written. Is that how you actually write your books – in longhand?

Q. Your work includes 28 fiction books, seven short story collections that comprise 95 stories, three prison diaries, three plays, and three childrens’ books, all managed by the Jeffrey Archer Company, which deals with all TV and film interests related to your books. Tell us about that.

Q. Tell us about the prison diaries. What’s their origin and what do they cover?

Q. What are some of the themes of your short stories? Q. You are an art collector and Traitors Gate trades on that experience. Tell us about that. Is that something that finds its way into your other novels?

Q. You also were a member of the House of Lords. How does that experience provide fodder for your books?

Q. You are so prolific – how many drafts do you customarily go through, and how long does it take you to research and write your novels?

Q. I understand you’re working on two more William Warwick novels. Tell us about them, and when do you expect them to be published?

Q. Do you prefer writing novels or short stories? Q. Are your adaptations available on video or DVD?

Q. I understand you have a new TV series about to come out.

Q. Of the books you have written, who is your favourite character and why?

Q. Is it true that you often don’t know how a book will end?

Q. Do you write with a specific reader in mind or do you write for yourself?

Q. How long does it take you to write a book?

Q. What is your writing day like? Q.

Do you ever plan to quit?

Q. Who are your favorite authors?

Q. What advice do you have for aspiring young novelists who want to become the next Jeffrey Archer?

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An Ex-Con's Plan for Fighting Violence & Crime

Wed, 25 May 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Would you buy into a plan to reduce violence & crime and make our streets, schools, workplaces, and homes safe again from an ex-con who spent nearly five years in prison for defrauding investors?

Well, that’s our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast. Herbert Kay spent nearly five years in prison for defrauding investors, convincing them that risks were fall smaller and rewards far greater than they really were. Today, freed, he continues to pay restitution to his victims.

In between, Kay has been a retailer, insurance salesman, stock broker, registered principal, public speaker, bestselling author, venture capitalist, business turn-around expert, TV talk show host, network talking head, consultant, direct marketer and real estate developer.

And, now he’s the front man for a 501c3 non-profit that promotes what he calls the 1964 Plan, which he says would make America the safest country in the world if implemented.

During the interview, Kay explains how his experience in prison provided the insight that has resulted in his plan, which includes making all drugs legal, restoring the nuclear family and ending no-fault divorce, moving welfare programs from the federal government to the states, providing humanitarian care for the homeless, and advocating for a return to celibacy until marriage.

Kay tells a story from prison where he, a Jew, deliberately tried to pick a fight with a White supremacist so the guards would stop it and he would be placed in protective custody. The ploy backfired and the Nazi-loving con became Kay's prison tutor, helping him safely survive his time behind bars.

Here are some questions we covered with Kay as he discussed his plan to reduce violence & crime:

Q. First, tell us what happened that landed you in prison?

Q. You’ve told me that prison was the best experience of your life, why was that?

Q. What did you learn in prison that resulted in your 1964 Plan? And where did the name come from?

Q. Your website says the 1964 Plan would irradicate mass murder, homelessness, human trafficking, violent crime, and addiction. How would it do that?

Q. OK, let’s talk about the restoration of the nuclear family. Are you saying that you want women to stay home, cook and clean and tend to the kids while hubby is the bread winner?

Q. Really, you want to ban birth control pills, end no-fault divorce as well as government welfare payments?

Q. Ok, you want to legalize drugs – all drugs. What good would that do? Aren’t drugs the reason why there is so much violent crime today?

Q. Prison reform is a core component of your plan. What needs to happen?

Q. Your plan establishes a national compulsory service requirement for every teenager. How would that work and what would it accomplish?

Q. Your plan addresses homelessness. Tell us about that.

Q. Back to drugs. What are your thoughts about Trump’s wall as a way to keep illegal drugs out of this country?

Q. In the white paper introducing your plan, You say “Our politics have descended into a pit of obsequious gladhanding weasels without a single vertebrae, and they have spent us to the brink of destruction.” What makes you think these “gladhanding weasels” would embrace your plan, parts of which would be hated by those on the right and the left?

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Mary Beth O'Connor-From Junkie to Judge

Wed, 18 May 2022 00:00:00 -0000

According to the National Institutes of Health, 20 million Americans suffer from substance abuse at some point in their lives. Mary Beth O’Conno was one of those, but since 1994 has been sober from methamphetamine use disorder.

She wrote about her journey in an award-winning memoir, “From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.” Mary Beth shares her story with us in this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast and answers the question: how does a junkie get clean & become a judge?

Within a week of being born, Mary Beth was dropped off at a convent. Eventually, she moved in with her mom, but she -- her mom -- was more focused on her own needs and desires than her young child. At age nine, her stepfather kicked her in the stomach for spilling milk, beat her when she displeased him, and molested her at age twelve.

A few months later, she took a sip of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill wine, which made her feel euphoric and relaxed. So, she drank as much as possible, added pot, then pills, then acid. At sixteen, she found methamphetamine and experienced joy, but when this high was no longer sufficient, she turned to the needle and shot up.

That began 16 years of severe addiction, resulting in destroyed relationships, problems at work, and damage to her physical and emotional health.

But, today, Mary Beth O’Connor is a retired federal administrative law judge. She is director, secretary, and founding investor for the She Recovers Foundation, a director for Life-Ring Secular Recovery, and a member of the advisory council for the Hyer Calling Foundation. Her opinion pieces have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Recovery Today, and other publications.

Six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm, then litigated class actions for the federal government leading to her appointment as a federal administrative law judge in 2014, a position from which she retired in 2020.

Here are some questions we discussed with Mary Beth as she answers the question: How does a junkie get clean & become a judge?

Q. Tell us more about your background and what made you to turn to meth.

Q. What happened that prompted you to seek help?

Q. The Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program didn’t work for you. Why not? What did you do?

Q. What peer support options are available to those seeking recovery, and why is that important for the recovering addict?

Q. How can your book, “From Junkie to Judge,” help those individuals win their battle against addiction?

Q. Tell us about the She Recovers Foundation. Why was it started and what does it do?

Q. How about LifeRing Secular Recovery?

Q. Back when you were struggling as a drug addict, did you ever think you would be in this position today – a published author, counselor, and retired federal judge?

Q. How can your story inspire others?

Q. I just interviewed a guest who spent five years in prison for a white collar crime. After his experience in prison where most inmates were incarcerated because of illegal drugs, he now believes all such drugs should be legalized; that this would drastically reduce crime and save billions by ending an unwinnable war against illegal drugs. How do you feel about that?

Q. Where can people learn more about your work and obtain your book?\

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Can Baseball Help Bridge the Political Divide?

Wed, 11 May 2022 00:00:00 -0000

For baseball fans, October is a great month. It’s the month when the best teams – after a grueling 162-game schedule – are fighting to get into the World Series, which begins October 27.

So, today we’re talking baseball with author William R. Douglas, who’s written a captivating book, “The Death and Resurrection of Baseball.” So, stay with us, because this episode will answer the question, can basebal help bridge the political divide in America?

"I think that as we move along in time and we've entered this very perilous time, it's really important for the people that are not on either end of the extreme to be the reasonable ones and to engage in reasonable dialogue," Douglas says in the interview, "To listen and to offer up constructive dialogue that tries to bring both extremes, back towards the center, which historically is where the country has always been anyway.

"Anytime in American history when the pendulum has gone way too far in one direction politically, the voters have showed up and brought the pendulum back towards the center. And I think we're at that moment again, where we need to figure out, as a people Now, where do we want to go in the future with all these things that are been so divisive what needs to be compromised, what, what needs to be scuttled altogether and how do we relearn the art of compromise and the art of agreeing to disagree and getting along with those that we don't agree with or may not agree with us.

"And we have to find our way back to that point. I think we can as personally as a person of faith. I think that's going to play a huge part in any such movement like that. But time will tell. Time will tell."

But baseball, he says, can provide hope, which is the underlying theme of his book.

"If you recall times when you or myself have been in a ballpark or even with a group of people watching a ball game and just enjoying the sport, just watching the magic of the game with someone that you know, or love, or even with a stranger," Douglas says. "On a political spectrum, you can be on total opposites, but you come together. peacefully and enjoy the game, share a beverage or a hot dog or a bowl of chili or whatever. And y'all get along for a time. And that's a powerful metaphor of how things used to be in this country, where we did know how to get along with one another.

"We voted and then if our person didn't win, we let bygones be bygones and you supported whoever was put in office. You went along and and you went about your business."

William R. Douglas is a first-time novelist. After obtaining a Journalism Degree in 1980, his career took a turn down the road of Information technology, working for numerous well-known companies, including The Boeing Company, where he still works.However, throughout his career, Douglas enjoyed writing, no matter if it was technical documentation, websites, newsletters, or other material. He lives an hour northwest of Chicago in McHenry, Illinois, with his wife Laurie and cat Peaches.

Here are some questions we discussed to see how baseball can help bridge the political divide:Q. You are a debut author who’s written a unique futuristic novel with a heavy dose of sports fiction and a sprinkling of Dystopian relevant to our current time. Tell us about your book.

Q. So, your book takes place in 2166 and baseball is a distant memory, lost to history following a devastating second American Civil War a century before. That would be 2066, 43 years from now. What prompted you to include that in the book?

Q. In some of the promo material I read about your book, it says “The Death and Resurrection of Baseball will take you back to the happy days of your youth and your coming of age. The story will thrill you, move you, and make you think long and hard about where The United States of America is currently, and where we could be headed.” Please...

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Climate Change Progress-Western States

Wed, 04 May 2022 00:00:00 -0000

"The risk of climate change is substantial, and it puts people's lives at risk. We need to stop talking about it, and we need to take real positive action."

Those are the words of energy scientist and renewable energy advocate Jack Kerfoot on the Lean to the Left podcast as he wrapped up a five-part series of episodes analyzing regional progress as states establish and implement policies in varying degrees to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global warming.

In this episode, Kerfoot examines actions in five western states, Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to determine which states are making real progress at addressing climate change and which ones are indeed paper tigers.

"The type and power potential of renewable energy resources (wind, solar, hydropower, etc.)vary significantly across our nation," Kerfoot explains, noting that states in the West have a diverse range of climates, ranging from semiarid in Arizona to temperate in Washington. As a result, the dominant type of renewable energy resources in western states range solar to hydropower.

"Environmental philosophies and policies also vary from state to state," the renewable energy guru says. "Identifying which states are making real and timely progress at reducing greenhouse gas emissions is best done by comparing states in the same region of the country, which have similar renewable resource potential."

His conclusion in this episode is that of those five states, only Washington and Idaho are making real progress in fighting climate change, while he says California, Oregon and Arizona are paper tigers -- talk, but little real action.

Climate Change Puts People's Lives at Risk"The clock," warns Kerfoot, "is ticking," and the wildfires in the western states are evidence of that.

"The intensity of the forest fires in California have increased, particularly over the last 20 years," says Kerfoot. "And they've marched steadily north, and they've gotten into Oregon, and they've also gotten into other parts of the U. S. as well. So climate change, the risk of climate change is substantial, and it puts people's lives at risk."

Editor's note: This is the conclusion of a five-part series, "Climate Change: Progress or Paper Tigers," in which energy scientist Jack L. Kerfoot analyzes regional progress as states take varying degrees of action to increase the use of renewable energy resources and reduce reliance on coal and natural gas, both fossil fuels.

Here are links to each of those episodes:

You can learn more about Jack Kerfoot and his work here.

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Ben Hamilton: Witnessing the Insurrection

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0000

We are all living in the aftermath of January 6, 2021, the day that an angry mob of thousands of Trump supporters violently attacked the U.S. Capitol, the symbolic seat of democracy, and tried to stop the certification of Joe Biden as president of the United States.

Our guest today was there – not as a protestor, but as a historian, and the result is his fascinating book, “Sorry Guys, We Stormed the Capitol.”

Ben Hamilton created the Chasing History Project to try and throw himself into dangerous situations to create historical records for future history students to study. While chasing history, he was a first-hand witness to the events of January 6, and he interviewed people as they left the Capitol building to create an accurate record of what happened in those chaotic hours.

Hamilton’s interviews and photographs piece together a fascinating first-person account of what happened that day, from Trump’s speech where he urged supporters to go to the Capitol, to the often crazy comments by those who did so, the actions – and inactions – of the police, and of the politicians who the mob forced into hiding until the uprising was quelled.

All of it was done by this former high school history teacher so future generations will understand what happened that day. It was the culmination of Hamilton’s research for his Chasing History Project, which involved attending many rallies, both by Trump’s MAGA supporters as well as Black Lives Matter.

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Oksana Kukurudza: Comparing WWII & the Russo-Ukraine War

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0000

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s deal to prevent shutting down the government omitted a $6 billion request for aid to support Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Today on the Lean to the Left podcast we have a guest who will describe her parents’ experience in Nazi slave camps and who is writing a book drawing parallels between WWII and the Russo-Ukraine war today.

Oksana Kukurudza’s parents were in Nazi slave camps during WWII, then liberated by the U.S. Army, placed in refugee camps, and then finally settled in America where they raised their 12 children.

We’ll talk about the parallels between little known events of WWII to post-WWII Germany, including the 12 million Eastern European Nazi slaves, and the last million refugees --and how these events are eerily familiar to events in Ukraine.

Oksana Kukurudza, the American born daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, is an author and management consultant living in New York City. Since the events of February, 2022, she is writing a narrative non-fiction to shine a light on her parents' experience as slaves of the Third Reich and how today's Ukraine differs from the Ukraine she worked in for 18 months in 1996-97.

in this episode, Kukurudza discusses both the similarities between Hitler's actions in World War II as he enslaved Slavs and Vladimir Putin's actions today, including taking children from their Ukranian families and settling them with Russian families where they are indoctrinated to become Russian, as well as the atrocities that stem from Russia's bombing of civilian targets resulting in the death of innocent non-combatants, including women and children.

It's a piece of history that is little known and is related first-hand by this daughter of Ukranian parents who had been enslaved by the Nazis.

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Dixie Dems-Trump and the MAGA GOP Nutcases

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re talking politics, and with me are Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia. I’m a Maryander transplanted into South Carolina, and together we’re the Dixie Dems.

There is a ton to talk about today, from the debacle of the second Republican presidential debate, to Trump, his indictments and all that, Joe Manchin and the No Labels party, lewd public activities by to female politicians, book bans, the ridiculous GOP effort to impeach Biden, the right wing nutcase Republicans efforts to shut the government down, and much more.

In fact, here are just some of the highlights we cover in this episode:

The fiasco of the 2nd GOP debate.
The Republicans seeking the presidential nomination.
A new civil war?
The Trump New York City case and the threats to his businesses.
A possible government shutdown.
Citizens United.
Uneducated Republicans voting against their own interests.
Stacy Abrams and identity politics.
Jim Jordan Speaker of the House?
Matt Goetz Speaker of the House?
The toothless Speaker McCarthy
Republicans attempt to impeach Joe Biden.
Rep. Lynne Boebert kicked out of the Beatlejuice musical.
Dem legislative candidate's sex videos to raise money.
Sen. Tim Scott's Christian girlfriend.
Cassidy Hutchinson dating Matt Goetz?
Alabama Congressional map struck down.
North Carolina redistricting.
Joe Manchin a No Labels presidential candidate?
Ralph Nader supports Biden.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s candidacy.
Book bans in South Carolina and elsewhere.
Freedom of speech.
How to combat the book banning effort.
We Stormed the Capitol by Ben Hamilton
The Trump bail bondsman.

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Helping Women Master Power & Achieve Success

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0000

In today's podcast, we delve into the vital aspects of a Women and Power and explore Helping women master power and achieve success. Our guest is Nicole Devlin, life coach and host of the From the Nth Power podcast, and we talk about power and how it relates to us in our careers and personal lives.
Nicole Devlin's passion comes from 30 years' experience guiding and coaching intelligent people. Her purpose is to help people grow in alignment with their vision and goals, motivating people into better realities. She believes we will change dysfunctional government and business systems by strengthening personal power through spiritual connection and growing self-awareness.

Helping women master power and achieve success? Explore its impact on productivity and well-being.

Key Highlights:

- Nicole Devlin life coach
- Helping people get unstuck in their personal lives and careers
- Key issues women face today
Stay connected with us on social media for more insights and discussions on Helping women master power and achieve success: Facebook at The Lean to the Left Podcast. Twitter at Leantotheleft1. Instagram at BobGatty_LeantotheLeft. TikTok at @leantotheleft.

Join us on this enlightening journey as we explore the profound synergy between a Women and Power and overall success. Embrace positivity and observe its impact on workplaces with Nicole Devlin life coach ,Helping people get unstuck in their personal lives and careers and discussing key issues women face today.

Regarding Helping women master power and achieve success and Women and Power themselves, have I addressed your curiosity?

Don't miss out on the transformative insights shared in this video addressing the Nicole Devlin life coach, helping people get unstuck in their personal lives and careers, key issues women face today and helping women master power and achieve success.

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Lessons from 'Coming Out'- Strategies to Get Unstuck

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0000

John Neral was 10 years old when his mom told him not to go to bed with a woman until he was married. 18 years later, he came out to his parents as gay. Today, he stresses that how we "show up matters.

So Neral coaches clients on strategies to “get unstuck” and achieve their potential. He's our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast. A certified professional coach, Neral helps mid-career professionals find a job they love or love the job they have.

For 25 years, his career was in education and as a corporate consultant for Casio America. He’s the host of “The Mid Career GPS Podcast” and author of “SHOW UP – Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career” and “Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next.”

On the show, Neral describes what it was like coming out as gay to his parents, something that took him 18 years to accomplish after the day when his mom cautioned him, at age 10, not to ever have sex with a woman without being married. He also expresses deep concern about the political situation today with conservative politicians across the nation targeting the LGBTQ+ community with restrictive laws and proposals.

"As a gay man who has been very comfortable in his male identity, I have no context of what it must be like for somebody who is transgendered to realize that they're born in the wrong body," he says. "I know people who are transgendered. I respect them. What I'm saying is that I don't understand their walk, but I do believe that their rights must be protected."

Their rights, he says, "are being weaponized or politicized", but he believes in fighting for their rights. With the election coming at a time when the presumed GOP candidate, Donald Trump, could be facing jail time because of issues related to the Jan. 6, 2021 efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

"You almost think we're headed for another civil war," he says. "The next year and two months. Is going to be pivotal. It's going to be very pivotal in terms of where we're headed and what rights are going to be protected and what rights are going to be in jeopardy, and it is more important than ever in my opinion that we make sure we honor our right to go out and vote and to do so and get informed."

What Does it Mean to 'Show Up'?

"The way I think about showing up is to not be silent. I'm not saying it's about being militant, but in some ways, I think there are ways we can be very emphatic. about what's important. Showing up means going out to vote.

"Showing up means standing up for basic civil rights that have been taken away or compromised in some way. The divisiveness that we're seeing right now, more so than ever, I feel, sets us back 50, 60 years, decades of progress. And showing up is to ensure that those basic civil rights are honored and they're protected.

"And so when I think about what it means to show up, absolutely, I will always vote. I will have conversations with people not who are as necessarily far on the left, but to maybe try to understand a little more where they're coming from, and see if there is an avenue to have an intentional conversation to move that relationship forward."

Strategies to Get Unstuck in Life and Career

Q. Tell us what you mean when you say “How you show up matters.”

Q. How did you learn what that meant?

Q. During your career, you were a local union leader. Tell us about that and what that taught you about yourself.

Q. What are the six strategies that you write about in your book and where did they come from?

Q. How can people benefit from them?

Q. What does “showing up” mean for people who tend to lean left politically, especially with all of the divisiveness that is prevalent today?

Q. You waited until you were 28 years old to come out to your parents? Why did it take so long and what did...

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Dr. Pamela Gurley-Respect Her Choice

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0000

It's a common experience for a woman to look a man in the eye, and tell him "no." Regardless of her reason, "no" should be a simple word that carries little weight beyond the moment. Unfortunately, for too many women simply saying "no" can put them at risk of verbal abuse, online harassment, or even physical violence. Our guest today, Dr. Pamela Gurley, says that's toxic behavior that needs to stop. Why do some men react negatively to rejection, and why is it important to call out this toxic behavior? Dr. Gurley is with us today to explain.

We’re thrilled to have Dr. Gurley as a contributing writer to our Lean to the Left blog site, something that evolved after she appeared as a guest on this podcast last year.

She’s a retired U.S. Army veteran, holds a BA in Psychology, a Master’s in Health Service Administration, and a Doctorate in Management.

In November 2019, Dr. Gurley released her first book, “I Am Not A Stereotype: I Am H.E.R.,” and in March 2021, she released her second book, “Black Girl Activist”, instantly becoming an Amazon Best Seller.

Dr. Gurley also is the author of the popular multilingual Brown Girl and Brown Boy children’s books series.

Here are some questions we dicuss with Dr. Gurley in this episode:

Q. Dr. Pam, talk to me about this issue of rejection and the reasons why some men take it so badlly.

Q. Is this an issue of ego and entitlement, or what? Or a threat to their masculinity?

Q. Why do some men turn into stalkers and how should a woman handle them?

Q. What needs to happen to ease this situation and reduce the risk for women? How can men be held accountable for their behavior?

Q. Do you believe these behaviors vary according to race?

Q. What new projects do you have underway?Q. Where can people find your books? How’s the children’s series doing?

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Rebecca Bratspies-Working for Environmental Justice

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re focusing on the environmental challenges facing our world today with Rebecca Bratspies, founding director of the Center for Urban Environmental Reform.

She’s the author of an award-winning environmental justice comic book series, The Environmental Justice Chronicles. The three books, Mayah’s Lot, Bina’s Plant, and Troop’s Run, are designed to bring environmental literacy to a new generation of environmental leaders.

Justice Counts podcast host Mark Bello and I are delighted to welcome Rebecca Bratspies to the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcasts. Rebecca is an award-winning author, scholar, and speaker, and as I said, executive director of the Center for Urban Environmental Reform. That’s a social justice Initiative of the City University of New York School of Law, where Bratspies is a professor of law.

Her most recent book, Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues and Heroes Behind New York Place Names, uses the names New York gives its roads and bridges to tell bigger stories about racial and class politics, and to highlight who has the power to name things and who gets to define what counts as history.

Rebecca Bratspies, thanks for joining us for our podcast today.

Bob: Please tell us about the Center for Urban Environmental Reform. You’re the founding director of the Center. Why was it established?

Mark: What’s its goal?

Bob: As a law professor, why are you making environmental justice comic books? Tell us about them.

Mark: How are you using the books to build a next generation of environmental leaders?

Bob: A Montana court recently ruled that the state’s constitution guarantees the right of all citizens to live in a clean, safe, and healthy environment. Efforts are underway to convince other states to enact such guarantees in their constitutions. What are your thoughts about this?

Mark: How would you characterize the state of our climate today and the importance of moving our energy sources from fossil fuels like coal to renewable sources like wind and solar?

Bob: Nearly 150 million Americans were under heat alerts just yesterday, after July marked the planet’s hottest month on record. Devastating downpours dumped two months of rain on Vermont in two days. Smoke from Canadian wildfires choked East Coast skies, causing the worst air quality on record for some locations. And Hawaii is reeling from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century.Yet, a new Washington Post-University of Maryland poll, only 35 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents think climate change is a major factor, compared to 85 percent of Democrats.What will it take to convince the doubters that the extreme weather patterns that we are now experiencing are caused, at least in large measure, by man and our reliance on fossil fuels?

Mark: Why did you write a book about New York City history and what did it teach you about racial justice?

Bob: What are some of your favorite stories from the book?

Mark: How did writing Naming Gotham lead you to get involved with the Renewable Rikers project, which I understand is a restorative environmental justice plan to close the jail at Rikers and convert the island to renewable energy to remove the polluting infrastructure from overburdened communities?

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Climate Change Progress, Progress or Paper Tigers--Five Southeastern States

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0000

What are individual states doing to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by turning to renewable resources like the wind and the sun?

As we see in this episode with energy scientist Jack Kerfoot, that North Carolina and Virginia are making remarkable progress, while Florida and West Virginia continue to pretend that climate change is a hoax, while Kentucky is making some progress but has a long, long way to go.

The type and power potential of renewable energy resources (wind, solar, hydropower, etc.) vary significantly across our nation. States in the Great Plains have very strong and consistent winds, while states in the Southwest have an abundance of sunny days. Environmental philosophies and policies also vary from state to state, and these episodes explore where progress is being made and where much more action is needed. Often, the political leadership in individual states determine the extent to which climate change is being taken seriously and effective policies being implemented -- or not.
This is the fourth of five podcasts that explore these questions in various regions of the country. Episode one, focusing on four Northeastern states, and the second episode, analyzing five Midwestern states, and the third show, examining five Southwestern states, are now streaming, and the fifth episode, focusing on several western states, will stream soon.

"The clock is ticking," warns Kerfoot, a scientist, energy expert and author of the book Fueling America an Insider's Journey. Kerfoot began his career in the energy industry in 1976 when America was paralyzed by an oil embargo and is now a strong advocate for renewable energy as the solution for combating climate change. He's the principal of JL Kerfoot Energy Services and blogs on his website, Our Energy Conundrum at JackKerfoot.com.

One conclusion that has become clear in all of these episodes, including this one, is that efforts to preserve coal mining for the production of energy in order to save jobs are misguided. In fact, over and over again it is shown that renewable energy -- principally solar and wind -- provide far more jobs than does coal.

So, says Kerfoot, the idea that coal must be preserved to protect jobs is simply "fake news."

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Dr. Regina Lark-The Injustice of Women's Work

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Do you believe equity has finally come to the workplace; that women are now being treated equally with men in business today?

This episode of the Lean to the Left podcast features Dr. Regina Lark, author of the new book, Emotional Labor: Why a Woman’s Work Is Never Done and What to Do About It.

In the interview, conducted by Lean to the Left host Bob Gatty and Mark M. Bello, host of the Justice Counts podcast, Dr. Lark traces developments over the years that were intended to close the male-female work equity gap, and explains why inequality still exists and what can be done about it.

She also blasts efforts by Republicans to interfere with women's reproductive health, ban books, and attack the LGBTQ+ community. Their stacking of the U.S. Supreme Court with three conservative justices during the Trump administration while refusing to even consider President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland was "despicable," she contends.

In 2008, before founding her 7-figure company, Dr. Regina Lark excelled in a career in higher education. When budget cuts eliminated her position at UCLA at age 50, Regina started over and created A Clear Path from scratch. Today, Lark and her ninja organizers provide professional physical, emotional, and psychological support to people who wish to clear clutter and chaos from their lives.

Dr. Lark holds a Ph. D. in Women’s History from the University of Southern California. She helps women rid their lives of emotional labor by offering concrete ways to identify and mitigate the costs of women’s unseen, unnoticed and unwaged work at home, and to unleash women into the full potential in the paid workplace.

She delivers keynote addresses, retreats and corporate speaking engagements on women’s leadership, emotional labor, time management, productivity, hoarding and ADHD.

Dr. Lark also is the author of Psychic Debris, Crowded Closets: The Relationship Between the Stuff in Your Head, and What’s Under Your Bed.

Here some questions we discussed with Dr. Lark:

Mark: Quite the resume. Bob and I are proud to have you on our show. This is 2023 and this is a show about justice and injustice. Historically, women have not been treated equally in the workplace. However, here we are, almost a quarter into the 21st Century. Women have finally achieved equality in the workplace, right?

Bob: You’ve often used the term “household management.” What is it and why is it considered “women’s work?” And, if you can, please give our audience some historical context.

Mark: You also use the term “emotional labor,” especially in your Ted Talk. Please define the term in the context of the inherent inequities women still face in the workplace.

Bob: How is emotional labor performed at home? What does it look like?

Mark: The saying goes “a woman’s work is never done.” Is that still true? And, if so, what can society do about it?

Bob: What are some reasons for the unequal distribution of work in the home? Are men inherently better at certain things and women better at others?

Mark: If you could wave a magic wand, how would you create equity in your own household and in society’s unequal, unjust workplace?

Bob: If couples and their children thought of their home as a business, would the structure and delegation of the work inside the home change? If so, how?

Mark: A person out there is what society still calls a “stay at home Mom.” She’s frustrated by the burdens of Emotional Labor. What can she do to stop the never-ending cycle?

Bob: Why is delegating and outsourcing so integral to lifting the burden of emotional labor? Mark: How do we become better delegators?

Mark: I believe that men have had since the beginning of time their chance to rule the world and they’ve screwed it up. It is high time for woman to ascend to the throne—I...

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Andy Frye, Rock N Roll, Time Travel & Baseball

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Here we are in the middle of a ton of political news with a bunch of GOP wannabes challenging Trump for the nomination, Trump’s four indictments and upcoming trials, the Republicans going after Hunter Biden…and what are we going to talk about today on the Lean to the Left podcast? Rock ‘n Roll, time travel, and baseball.

Great to have Andy Frye with us today. Andy’s the author of the novel "Ninety Days In The 90s: A Rock N Roll Time Travel Story." Andy’s written for Rolling Stone, ESPN and other publications, and currently writes about sports business for Forbes.

Over his career, Andy has interviewed hundreds of rock stars, celebrities and athletes, including Billie Jean King, Megan Rapinoe, Tom Brady, Tony Hawk, and more. You can check out Andy’s sports writing for Forbes by going to SportyFrye.com

Some Rock N Roll, Time Travel & Baseball HighlightsDuring the episode, Andy looks back at some of the music of the '90s and the movement away from "showy, big Los Angeles record company labels" and from "airbrushed, polished corporate rock stars" to singers and songwriters doing their own thing, "writing songs in their terms, playing their own instruments, writing their own songs, and if they feel like wearing a T-shirt on stage, that's the way it's going to be, and that's the real them."

The music, he says, "was all about authenticity and variety and, really, diversity."

Andy talks about interviewing sports stars and reveals how they often wanted to talk about anything but sports -- like cooking, for example.

He's a huge Chicago Cubs baseball fan and the conversation turns to this year's pennant races, the imbalance between large and small market teams, and the new baseball rules designed to speed up the game, like the pitch clock which has helped slash average game times significantly. Johnny Bench was one baseball star who Andy interviewed and talks about on the show.

We also moved into politics, the Trump indictments, and much more.

"It seems like it's been going too slow for too long," Frye says. "I'm not a super fan of (Attorney General) Merrick Garland. Put a beer in me. I might call him Milktoast Merrick Garland. I think we're all at a place where we fear that democracy's at risk and justice doesn't mean the same thing that it used to.'

Some questions we discussed with Frye:

Tell us about your book, 90 Days in the 90s. What’s it all about?
What prompted you to write this story? Your first novel.
The 90s brought us the Gulf War, a recession, Bill Clinton, the reunification of East and west Germany, the launching of the Hubble Space Telescope from the Space Shuttle, and the birth of the Internet. But what about music?
Compare the popular music of the ‘90s to the music of today.
You’re from Chicago and you love the Cubs. You work that into your book, right?
The Cubs are having a good year…as of today, 65 and 60 for 2ndplace in the NL Central. Will they make the playoffs?
You write about money in sports, right? What are your thoughts about the disparity between large market and small market teams and their ability to compete?
The Baltimore Orioles are having a breakthrough year after years in the doldrums. It’s happening largely because of young stars bringing athleticism, talent and excitement. But the other day, team owner John Angelos threw cold water on the future by saying the team can’t afford to offer these young stars long-term contracts. Is that a mistake?
What do you think of the changes made by MLB, including the pitch clock, ghost runner in extra inning games, etc.?
The 90s brought some important developments for the O’s, with the opening of Camden Yards and Cal Ripken breaking Lou Gehrig’s consequitive games record...

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Mark Barnes-Beating Father Time

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Do you want to live to 100? That's the goal of Mark Barnes, co-author of Hacking Life After 50: 10 Ways to Beat Father Time and Live a Long, Healthy, Joy-Filled Life. He’s a longtime educator, entrepreneur, and not only does he hope to live past 100, he wants to bring anyone interested along for the ride.
Mark is our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast, and his episode will stream on YouTube and podcast audio channels on Thursday, September 7, so mark your calendar and check it out. On the show, he talks about basic steps that can be followed to improve health and joyfulness as we age, including fending off dementia, including Alzheimer's.
Here are some additional questions we cover in the show:

So you’re trying to beat father time and live to or past 100. So, what exactly is Hacking Life After 50 and why would anyone want to do it?
Your parents both lived into their 90s, right? What were they like? Is that where you got the idea for this book?
You state clearly in the book that you and your co-author, James Sturtevant, are not doctors or a nutritionists; you're educators. Why should anyone take your advice?
So how can people live to 100 and outperform people half their age?
What is Momentum Mindset and what role does it play in living a long, healthy, joy-filled life?
Apart from strength training, you share some pretty simple strategies around movement. Talk about how these basic movements impact longevity.
Speaking of strength training, you say anyone--even people in their 80s and 90s--can do it. How is this possible?
You advise After 50s to Master Meal Planning. Isn't this just a fancy name for another fad diet?
Nurturing the mind and soul seems abstract; how does this work?
In the book, you claim to have cured your own insomnia. How did you do it?
One of your hacks for health and longevity is just called "Dabble." What’s that?.
Every chapter has a What-You-Can-Do-Tomorrow feature. If you have to choose just one of these, which one can listeners do right now to improve physical or mental well-being?
Where can people find your book and how can they reach out to you?

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Joel A. Davis Brown, LGBTQ+ Leadership

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast, where we talk about progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. Today we’re looking at leadership and what some might think is an unlikely resource – the LGBTQ+ community.

Our guest is Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown is the Chief Visionary Officer of Pneumos LLC, a management consulting and coaching firm based in San Francisco, USA, and Nairobi, Kenya, specializing in organizational strategy and culture, transformational leadership, global inclusion, executive coaching, conflict resolution, and strategic storytelling. Joel is the author of a new book, “The Soul of Queer Folk, How Understanding the LGBTQ+ Culture Can Transform Your Leadership Practice.”

He is also the co-founder of metaPrincipleTM, a global institute designed to train practitioners on how to facilitate equity work anywhere around the world. Joel is an adjunct professor at the IESEG School of Management in Paris & Lille, France, where he teaches Storytelling for Leaders and Story Listening.

As a change agent, Joel works strategically to cultivate innovative, creative, and adaptive environments where the cultural genius of everyone can be harnessed and leveraged successfully.

On the podcast, Dr. Davis Brown says prejudice and violence against the queer community is on the rise in this country and elsewhere, and he blames right wing politicians and religious zealots for making that situation work.

“Anytime there is quote unquote advances in equity and advances in progressive politics, if you will, there's always a backlash, and I think it's become sport, unfortunately, for a number of factions in our country to denigrate queer people because it helps to raise money, helps generate clicks. It helps to get people riled up,” he says.

“They know that they don't have anything substantive to talk about. And so, it's a way for them to stay relevant, to stay in power and queer people have always been, for whatever reason, easy scapegoats because we still are a relatively marginalized community.”

However, Dr. Davis Brown stresses that there is much that can be learned about leadership from the LGBTQ+ culture, which is the topic of his book, ““The Soul of Queer Folk,” including the ability to “interrogating itself to figure out who we are.”In addition, he says, “recognizing that there's a connection between all of us and that what I do for myself and what I do for others also impacts the world around us, but also recognizing that supporting justice in the world and such, creating a more just society is something that can't just be born out on social media and it just can't be talked about in private circles is something that you actively have to take action to achieve. And so those are some of the key lessons that I think we could learn from the LGBTQ+ community.”

Here are some questions we addressed with Dr. Davis Brown:
● Why did you name the book “The Souls of Queer Folk”?
● Why should a person who is not LGBTQ+-identified read this book?
● What key themes should readers take away from this book?
● Who could benefit from this book? Is this only for corporate professionals? Who’s the ideal audience?
● What does the LGBTQ+ community possess that makes it an ideal case study for leadership?
● What is Cultural Genius™? And how does it apply to leadership and the theme of your book?
● What does it mean to be a transformational leader, and how does the LGBTQ+ community exhibit transformational leadership?
● Why is this book timely right now?
● Don’t other ethnic or social communities exhibit leadership? Why should we focus on the LGBTQ+ community?
● How do you define transformational leadership?
● How is this book different from traditional books on leadership?
● What does it mean to be Queer-minded?
● How is the LGBTQ+ community able to survive despite...

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Climate Change Progress-The Southwest

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0000

The renewable energy industry -- wind, solar, and geothermal energy -- generates far more jobs than coal, and those jobs pay well and won't end when the coal mines are depleted and shut down.

That's the conclusion of energy scientist Jack L. Kerfoot in this, the third in a series of podcasts exploring climate change progress in five states in the southwest.

Episode one, focusing on four Northeastern states, and the second episode, analyzing five Midwestern states, are now streaming on YouTube and major podcast channels. This episode moves to Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.

Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert and author of the book Fueling America an Insider's Journey. He's the principal of JL Kerfoot Energy Services and blogs on his website, Our Energy Conundrum at JackKerfoot.com.

Highlights:

Q. How do we differentiate between states that are making real progress at reducing greenhouse gas emissions versus states that are “paper tigers” at addressing climate change?

Kerfoot:We should look at these factors:1. Renewable Energy Potential.2. Environmental Standards.3. Eliminating Barriers.4. Eliminating Coal.5. Pollution.6. Economics.7. Climate Change.8. Resilient Power Grid.

State Analysis:ARKANSAS – Natural StateArkansas has a diverse range of renewable energy resources including hydropower, solar, biomass, and wind. However, only a small portion of Arkansas’ renewable energy resources have been developed by state utilities. Verdict – Paper Tiger

COLORADO – Centennial StateColorado has significant wind energy resources on the eastern plains and mountain crests of the state. Colorado also has substantial solar, hydropower, and biomass renewable energy resources. However, only a small portion of Colorado’s vast renewable energy resources have been developed by state utilities. Verdict – Some progress, more action needed.

NEW MEXICO – Land Of EnchantmentIn 2002, New Mexico enacted a Renewables Portfolio Standard, mandating all utilities sell 40% of their electricity from renewables by 2025 and 80% by 2040. legislators overwhelmingly approved the Energy Transition Act, requiring utilities to sell 100% of their electricity from zero-carbon sources (renewables or nuclear) by 2045.Verdict – Progress

OKLAHOMA – Sooner StateIn 2010, Oklahoma enacted a Renewable Energy Goal for all utilities to sell 15% of the electricity from renewable sources by 2015. In 2010, Oklahoma used coal to generate 48% of the state’s electricity. In April 2023, only 2% of Oklahoma’s electricity was generated from coal. In 2021, 3,521 people were employed in renewable energy power plants, compared to 1,331 in the lone coal mine and coal-fueled power plants. Verdict – Progress

SOUTH DAKOTA – Mount Rushmore StateIn 2008, South Dakota asked investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative utilities to sell 10% of their electricity from renewable energy by 2015.In 2010, South Dakota used coal-fueled power plants to generate 35% of the state’s electricity, but that dropped to 5% in April 2023. In 2021, 2,536 people were employed in renewable energy power plants, compared to 168 in natural gas power plants, and 88 in the state's lone coal power plant. Verdict – Progress

Q. What can we learn from the energy policies of these five states in the Southwest?

Two states, Colorado and New Mexico have mandated renewable energy standards. Two states, Oklahoma and South Dakota only had nonbinding, renewable energy goals or objectives. Arkansas, has neither a renewable energy standard nor a goal. The states that have made the most progress at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are South Dakota, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Question:How would you summarize the progress of Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota at reducing GHG emissions and addressing climate change?

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Participatory Photography, Reforming Probation

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0000

To counter negative stereotypes afflicting probation clients across the country, award-winning filmmakers/editors, Jonathan Fisher and George Carrano handed cameras to people in the probation system including its officers.

What transpired was an exercise in "participatory photography*" now represented in a book and PBS documentary called, In A Whole New Way: Undoing Mass Incarceration By A Path Untraveled.

Introduced in the book are tools and possible ways to transform a system that comprised 4 million people in 2020. The focus of “In a Whole New Way” is keeping people out of jail and informing readers and viewers about probation, a sorely misunderstood and effective alternative to incarceration.

It’s both a film and book by the nonprofit Seeing for Ourselves, charting a whole new way to criminal justice reform. In this visually powerful medium, Fisher and Carrano share the intriguing history of probation which dates to the 19th century.

Prior to producing In a Whole New Way, the duo applied participatory photography inside of NY's project housing. Seeing For Ourselves is the non-profit umbrella. and the former book and documentary were called Project Lives.

Jonathan joined Mark Bello and myself for this episode on both the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcasts. Here are some questions we asked Fisher:

Q. You guys wrote “In a whole New Way” to shine a light on problems involved in our probation system today, right? Tell us about that.

Q. The book talks about probation reform, but isn’t much more needed when it comes to our system of criminal justice?

Q. Can you explain for us generally how the probation system works and why it needs reformed?

Q. In the book’s preface, you write that “By reforming probation and re-establishing it as a viable option for many ordinarily bound for jail or prison, we Americans will have embarked on one of the most promising paths toward this end.” So, are you advocating an expansion of probation to replace incarceration, at least in some cases?

Q. What piqued your interest in working on this project? What's your background; how did you get into this practice of participatory photography?

Q. What exactly is participatory photography and how is it used in this project?

Q. You were working in the NYC housing projects. What was that initiative like?

Q. How did you wind up serving New Yorkers on probation? What did you do?

Q. What surprised you most about probation as a criminal justice sanction?

Q. How are you leveraging the film and book for criminal justice reform?

Q. Who were the photographers and where are they now?

Q. You have a new initiative planned. Tell us about that.

Q. Many of those caught up in the New York City justice system are people of color. You and Carrano obviously are not. So, are you seen by some as sort of “white saviors?” Is that a bad thing?

Q. Tell us about the film, where it can be seen, and where your book can be purchased.

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Dixie Dems-The Trump Indictments

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast.

Today we’re talking politics, and with me are Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia. I’m a Maryander transplanted into South Carolina, and together we’re the Dixie Dems.

Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals. Me, I do communications work for the Horry County, SC Democratic Party in addition to hosting this podcast and producing the Lean to the Left blog site.

Today, it’s all – or at least mostly – about Georgia and the latest indictment of Donald Trump. Many experts say this could be the most serious of the four separate cases in which Trump has been indicted.

Robert…you’re living the dream in Georgia. Fill us in on what’s happening there. Why is this case, with 13 charges against Trump, perhaps the most serious threat to his freedom compared to the others in which he has been charged. What’s your take on the Fulton County prosecutor, Fani T. Willis?

Because these are state charges, Trump couldn’t pardon himself if elected president. But could he be pardoned by the Georgia governor, the Republican, Brian Kemp?

Former Trump lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said the Georgia charges had “the purpose of framing President Donald Trump and anyone willing to take on the ruling regime.” Another Trump lawyer, Jenna Ellis said “The Democrats and the Fulton County DA are criminalizing the practice of law.”

Then, she added, “I am resolved to trust the Lord and I will simply continue to honor, praise, and serve Him.” That was on X (or Twitter). “The lord will protect you as well as he protects us from gun violence,” responded another Xer. What do you guys think about that?

How are Georgia Republicans responding to all of this? Incredible that polls still have Trump dominating in the race for the GOP presidential nomination. Also incredible that some of Trump’s rivals are echoing his attacks on Prosecutor Willis. DeSantis called the indictment against Trump “an example of this criminalization of politics.”

These characters who supposedly are seeking the GOP presidential nomination, but really are angling to win Trump’s nod for the vice-presidential nomination…don’t they see what happens to people who line up with Trump? For some, it’s been the death knell for their careers; for others, it’s federal prison. You’d think they’d run as far away from this guy as possible.

Seems to me that former Georgia lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan showed some integrity, though, saying that GOP voters should “hit the reset button,” adding, “To think that we are going to stand behind somebody that’s in that level of trouble—times four—is ridiculous,” he said. He was one of the state officials Trump contacted urging them to reverse his Georgia loss.

Did you guys hear about Trump’s new campaign ad attacking the three prosecutors who have charged him with felonies, as well as NY AG Letitia James who sued the Trump family and organization on charges that they engaged in widespread fraud?

More than half the 60-second ad focuses on Willis, and according to Washington Post fact checkers three of the four claims made in the ad are false. Trump has until August 25 to surrender at the Fulton County Jail for booking, and apparently will have his mug shot taken and be fingerprinted. Think about this…it was about a year ago, last June, that Trump was trying to get his image on Mount Rushmore with Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Jefferson. Now, probably the most famous of all Trump photos will be his mug shot, taken as a common criminal.

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Dan McCrory-How Capitalism Has Killed the Middle Class

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0000

A couple years ago, a long-time labor activist, Dan McCrory, wrote a book called “Capitalism Killed the Middle Class: 25 Ways the System is Rigged Against You.” He firmly believes that a strong labor movement is the key to saving the middle class.

McCrory has been a labor activist for 30+ years and a writer even longer. “Capitalism Killed the Middle Class” was a finalist in the UK’s Page Turner Awards.

is novel, “You Will Forever Be My Always,” was a winner in the 2022 Los Angeles Book Festival. His poetry appeared in the 2020 anthology of California’s Best Emerging Poets, and two of his screenplays have reached quarter finalist status in the NYC International Screenplay Awards.

Dan chairs the book division of the National Writers Union. His next book will be Leonard Peltier and the Family He Left Behind, a look at Leonard Peltier, the family man rather than the cold-blooded killer of two FBI agents for which he was wrongly convicted. He lives in southern California with his wife, Terri and two fussy dogs.

"The rich and powerful have managed to, over the years, shift a lot of the costs for infrastructure, for healthcare, all sorts of things onto the backs of the middle class," McCrory says on the podcast. "And we just can't take it anymore. It's ridiculous to the point that it's actually hurting and killing the middle class."

While McCrory talks about the need to strengthen labor unions as a solution to the economic problems facing the average wage earner, he uses efforts to organize Starbucks baristas and even entertainers at strip joints as examples of efforts currently underway.

Here are some questions we discussed with McCrory:

Q. You say the middle class needs saved, and that a strong labor movement is what’s needed. From what does the middle- class need saved, and how can labor unions address that?

Q. You had a long career with a huge corporation, AT&T, and you acknowledge that you were well paid and that AT&T retirement benefits are helping you today. So, what’s the problem?

Q. In a video promoting your book, you say the current situation is rigged so the rich get richer and the powerful gain more power. Please explain how the system is rigged against the average wage-earner?

Q. You also say that there is a “well-concerted effort to wipe out the middle class,” and you see it as your job to blow the whistle. Why would there be an effort to wipe out the middle class? Who gains from that?

Q. Have developments over the past few years, such as the Trump presidency, the Republican tax cuts, the pandemic and the growth of the gig economy, worsened this situation?

Q. With your book, you offer a study guide and a copy of a sort of manifesto that you prepared called “Labor 360: Saving the Middle Class.” What’s that all about?

Q. You wrote that in response to something called the Powell Memo. What was that?

Q. You’re now trying to gain traction for your Labor 360 plan? What does that involve? Q. Tell us about your latest book, “You Will Forever Be My Always.”

Q. Where can people find your books and how can they reach out to you?

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Raped as Child, Bringing Joy Today

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0000

When Shana Francesca, our guest today, was just three years old, she was raped by her babysitter's boyfriend. When she was older, she was the victim of attempted sex abuse by her father, an evangelical minister. Today, Shana has turned those experiences into a mission of helping others cope with life's challenges and achieve joy in their lives.

You’re rolling along with your life, busy with work, the family, your special interests, but before you know it, you’re reaching your “golden years,” so you begin to reflect. What has my life meant? But before you reach that stage, what can you do to make sure you are happy with the answer?

That's where Shana Francesca comes in. She is a much-in-demand speaker, writer, and entrepreneur whose goal is to help people live more joyful and connected lives through the principles of life design.

Shana says our present and future are transformed when we “infuse our lives with intention and accept ourselves as the author of our own story.” She’s the founder and lead designer at Concinnate, a multi-discipline interior design and life design firm that helps people achieve what is possible in their own lives so when they approach those golden years that I mentioned they can be satisfied with what they’ve accomplished.

Shana does this through speaking engagements, podcast appearances, and workshops, and we’re happy to have her with us today.

Here are some questions we discussed with Shana:

Your story is a powerful one of healing from abuse, trauma and PTSD. Tell us about that.
You grew up in and around the performing arts, tell us what you did and how it prepared you for the work you do today.
What did you do professionally before launching Concinnate?
Tell us about Life Design. What is that?
You talk about the power of “intention.” What is that? Why is that so powerful?
On your website, you talk about the importance of curiosity. How has that led you to where you are today?
Our world seems so divided today, with people on the right and the left at each other’s throats, it seems, especially on social media. Tolerance and empathy seem to have been lost. What’s needed to overcome this? What can we as individuals do to make it better?
Is your message meant for young people who are just embarking on their life journey? Or, is your target audience adults who are struggling with work, family, the responsibilities of daily life?
What about the rest of us…seniors who may not have that many years left…is it too late?
How can people connect with you and learn more about your work?

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A Son's Suicide: A Mom Tells Her Story

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0000

As a single mom to her only child, Barbara Legere journeyed alongside her son through his mental health issues and addiction. She wrote a memoir about her son’s suicide, called “Keven’s Choice: A Mother’s Journey Through Her Son’s Mental Illness, Addiction and Suicide.” And, she’s just written a second book, "Talk to Me I'm Grieving - Supportive Ways to Help Someone Through Grief.”

We have Barbara with us today to hear her story.

Keven Legere had spent half his life struggling with substance use disorder while Barbara, his single mom, battled courts, healthcare companies, rehab facilities and mental health professionals trying to protect him.

As their relationship strained Keven’s drug use progressed, and Legere was forced to accept and love Keven as he was … until he took his own life.

In Keven’s Choice, Legere tells the story of trying to navigate her son’s dark world while also addressing her own complicated guilt and regret over how she handled it. She shines a light on the hidden anguish of countless parents who are taking care of children that society tells them to abandon.

For parents who have borne witness to overdoses, arrests, treatment, incarceration and even death, Keven’s Choice is a raw and intimate memoir that shows it’s possible and necessary to go on, even amidst the unimaginable.

"We have a saying. It says, as long as they're breathing, there is hope," Barbara says during the interview. "So never give up on your child. Let them know that you're there for them, that you're willing to support them in getting treatment, in, getting mental health care, whatever it is that they need. And you make sure that they know how much you love them. Keven understood how much I loved him. He didn't love himself."

Today, Barbara is an advocate for harm reduction for addicts and an active member of groups for parents of addicts and parents surviving the loss of their child through suicide. She hopes to keep her son’s memory alive through her writing as a way of helping others who suffer from similar afflictions.

Barbara, thanks for sharing your story with us today.

Q. Can you begin by sharing with us what happened to Keven and why?

Q. I’ve read that you suffered from guilt. Why, and how did that manifest itself?

Q. What led you to write your first book, "Keven's Choice"?

Q. Let’s talk about your latest book, “Talk to Me, I’m Grieving.” Why did you do that one, and what’s its focus.

Q. Why is it important for parents to teach their kids about drugs and watch for warning signs.

Q. What advice would you offer to parents who face a similar situation with a child who’s in trouble?

Q. How about parents who are suffering, grieving a loss? Q. What can others do to support grieving parents?

Q. You wrote a blog called “Tapping Into Grief.” Tell us about that.

Q. Looks like from your Facebook page you’re big into hockey. Was that part of Keven’s life?

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Climate Change: The Sword of Damocles

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Warning that the environmental consequences of climate change are already upon us, energy scientist Jack Kerfoot and Maya van Rossum, originator of the Green Amendment, are calling upon voters to elect state and federal legislators who recognize that challenge and are determined to take concrete action.

Speaking on the Lean to the Left podcast with host journalist Bob Gatty, Kerfoot and van Rossum agreed that replacing reliance on fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas, with solar and wind energy sources is the key to reducing the environmental dangers that already are affecting many regions of the world.

“The sword of Damocles over all of us is the environment, and if we don't take action collectively together, then we will severely face devastation of biblical proportion,” warns Kerfoot, who noted that in June temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, commonly in the 60s and 70s, reached 120F.

“People, are experiencing the climate crisis and the science really is bearing out whether you're talking about heat waves, floods, drought, wildfires,” says van Rossum. “All of these different manifestations of the climate crisis can be tracked back to greenhouse gas emissions, and the transformation of what is happening within the Earth's atmosphere as the result of methane emissions carbon dioxide and more.”

During the interview, van Rossum and Kerfoot discuss actions that are taking place in specific states in the U.S. aimed at increasing the use of renewable sources for the generation of electricity, and stress additional actions that are needed.

Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey, and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States.

Kerfoot began his career in the energy industry in 1976, when America was paralyzed by an oil embargo. He spent over 45 years traveling the world, working with scientists, bureaucrats, ministers, tycoons, sheiks, and heads of state on a diverse range of energy issues. He is the principal of JL Kerfoot Energy Services and blogs on his website, Our Energy Conundrum, at www.jackkerfoot.com.

Lean to the Left is now in the midst of presenting analysis by Jack Kerfoot of how various regions around the country are doing in terms of moving away from reliance on fossil fuels for energy production. Two of those episodes covering four Northeastern and five Midwestern states are now streaming.

With the new episode focused on the Southwest scheduled for August 28th and then the Northwest on September 18.

Maya K. van Rossum is the Delaware Riverkeeper and leader for the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, which works throughout the four states of the Delaware River watershed (NY, NJ, PA & DE) and at the national level using advocacy, science and litigation.

During van Rossum's 30 years leading the Network, she and her organization were the lead plaintiffs in a successful case that had the PA Supreme Court breathe legal life into PA's long ignored environmental rights amendment.

Now, van Rossum is advancing The Green Amendment movement, seeking to inspire and secure constitutional protection for environmental rights across the nation.

van Rossum is author of a book titled “The Green Amendment, The People's Fight For a Clean, Safe & Healthy Environment”.

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William C. Judge-The Wonder of it All

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Our guest today is author William C. Judge, whose new book “The Wonder of it All” shares the inspirations of his life experiences and profound reflections that shape his view of the world.

As the Foreword by Linda Gardner Crandall states, “Judge writes poignantly about his hopes and past disappointments, his travels and the people in his life who have influenced him in unique ways.”

Bill is a veteran of the fire service. He’s an award winning videographer and 3D modeler for a DoD contractor. As Bill puts it, he’s a writer, traveler, photographer on a quest for spiritual truth and understanding.

Here are some questions we discussed with Bill:

Q. First, please tell us about your book and what you’re looking to achieve with it.

Q. Tell us about some of your favorite stories in your book.

Q. You helped produce an award-winning documentary about Native Americans in South Carolina. Tell us about that video, what it covers, and what you learned from it.

Q. Early in the book, you have a chapter, “Our Stories Lost with the Stars.” Tell us about that.

Q. You’ve traveled a lot and many of your stories are based on that. What has all of this taught you about our world?

Q. You write, ”To travel to far-off lands can be transformative if you are willing to embrace the differences between us and recognize the fundamentals that make us all a part of this human family. Explain.

Q. What is your view of the state of our world today from an environmental perspective? Are you concerned? Climate change, for example.

Q. Many of us face forks in the road in our life…choices to make that will, perhaps, shape the rest of our lives. Talk to me about some of the choices you’ve faced and how they’ve worked out.

Q. In a chapter entitled “Human Being,” you write about how the population is changing and that it won’t be long before living to age 100 and beyond will not be all that unusual. What challenges does all this bring?

Q. Not long ago it was the one-year anniversary of the horrific mass killing of children and teachers in Uvalde, Texas. What are your thoughts about these shootings and what lawmakers should do to answer victims’ plea to “do something?”

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Marty Irby-Fighting Big Ag, USDA Corruption

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Can you be a big-time Trump supporter and still lobby to protect animals and family farmers at a right wing organization? In the case of our guest today, the answer is no, and it’s cost him the leadership of FreedomWorks, the conservative group that came to symbolize the tea party movement. But he’s not fading quietly into the sunset.

Marty Irby, former COO of the right-wing lobbying group, FreedomWorks, has left that post following attacks by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and other influential conservative critics. They claimed he was embracing Democrats’ “woke” agenda by advocating for animal rights and supporting such organizations as Animal Wellness Action.

Irby has launched a new lobbying organization called “Capitol South,” and was quickly retained by Farm Action Fund to lobby for the inclusion of the bipartisan Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (Off) Act in the 2023 Farm Bill. That legislation is backed by some 200,000 farmers in 58 farm groups that seek to reform the government’s checkoff program, which Irby and the bill’s supporters contend is corrupt.

In November 2019, Irby was recognized by President Trump at the signing of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act that he helped get passed. He has been an unabashed Trump supporter, but also is committed to the humane treatment of animals.

Marty grew up on a South Alabama farm with horses, cattle, and other animals and eventually became president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association. It was then that he shifted his attention to animal protection and joined efforts to eliminate cruel training practices in the equine world.

Marty…this is quite the story. Thanks for joining us on the Lean to the Left podcast. Conservative lobbyists usually shy away from us.

Q. Tell us the story. What happened and why did you leave FreedomWorks and Animal Wellness Action? What happened?

Q. Why is the OFF Act needed? What’s going on? Exactly what is the checkoff program and how does it work?

Q. Is this a battle between corporate interests and independent farmers and ranchers? Q. This legislation has been kicking around for a while. Why has it been held up? What are the chances of it being included in the Farm Bill this year?

Q. Why should people care? Q. Talking politics…what’s your take on the GOP presidential sweepstakes and those who would challenge Trump. DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott, Pence, Nikki Haley and others like Chris Christie or Liz Cheney?

Q. What about Trump’s legal issues. How will they come into play?

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Climate Change: The Midwest-Renewable Jobs Outpace Coal

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, far outpace coal when it comes to generating jobs even in states where fossil fuels are the primary source of energy, according to scientist and energy expert Jack Kerfoot.

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, Kerfoot says politicians bought and paid for by the fossil fuel industry continue to claim they support coal, primarily, because they want to protect jobs and not put industry employees out of work. However, he says the facts prove that's a false claim. Indeed, renewable jobs outpace coal -- dramatically.

For example, in Indiana, which had 13 operating coal mines in 2021, there were only 1,808 employees compared to the10,500 people employed by wind farms, solar, and hydro electric energy operations.

"So the reality is that closing coal in the state of Indiana does not put jobs at risk," Kerfoot says on the podcast. "In fact, the more they can do to accelerate the development of renewable energy, they can increase job activity and improve the economy."

In March 2023, fossil fuels generated 82 percent of Indiana's electricity, according to Kerfoot, while only 18 percent was from renewables.

Meanwhile, in Missouri, where 50 percent of the state's electricity was from coal, down from 80 percent in 2010, there were only eight coal miners, while renewable energy operations provided 4,500 jobs. "(If) they put up another wind farm or another solar park, those eight coal miners are going to be knocking on the door saying 'We'd like to go over there,'" says Kerfoot.

In Ohio, where 26 percent of the state's energy comes from coal, down from 83 percent in 2010, there are nine operating coal mines with 354 workers in 2021 -- compared to over 9,000 in the renewable energy industry, according to the longtime energy scientist and renewable energy advocate.

"So, when you see legislators talking about 'I'm supporting the coal industry for the jobs,' usually what that means is that there are lobbyists on the side providing the candidates substantial funding to support their industry because (they) don't want to one pushed to cut coal and go out of business," says Kerfoot.

He challenges voters in states where fossil fuel sources are being protected to support candidates who are knowledgeable about renewable energy and recognize that this brings jobs and cheaper electricity, while improving the environment and helping to combat climate change.

Meanwhile, Kerfoot credits Iowa and Illinois for making substantial progress by embracing renewables. Today, 68 percent of Iowa's electricity is powered by wind and solar at some of the cheapest electricity costs in the US. Only 14 percent of Illinois' electricity comes from coal, down from 50 percent in 2010. In 2021, there were 2017 coal jobs, compared to 15,000 people who worked on wind turbines and solar parks.

"When a coal mine is mined out, they close it. As long as the wind blows and the sun shines, they don't close the wind turbines," he says.

This is the second in a series of episodes examining various regions around the country. The first episode addressed four Northeastern states and is now streaming. The next episode will focus on the Southwest and stream on August 28.

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Dixie Dems-Cutting Through the Republican BS

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0000

On this Dixie Dems episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, you'll hear Georgia Republican wacko Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene laud President Biden for all of the great work he's done since his election. Yes, that's true. In fact, so true that the Biden campaign has turned those comments by Greene into a killer TV ad.

Also on this episode, you'll hear a Republican Congressman inside a couple's bedroom while they are preparing to have sex telling them they're not allowed to use contraception. Yep, that's right. It's an ad Democrats are running in Ohio, and while funny, it's a warning of how the GOP is trying to interfere with our personal lives on many fronts.

All of that, plus discussions about the No Label party and efforts by some moderates to establish a bipartisan ticket to challenge Biden and the eventual Republican nominee, as well as key political issues percolating in southern states and nationwide.

Remember, the Dixie Dems is the monthly podcast from Lean to the Left, which takes an irreverent look at politics in our region and nationwide. Joining me on the episode, as always, are Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia.

Arthur is first vice chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals.

Me, I’m based in South Carolina, the state where two Republican candidates are taking on Donald Trump in the Republican presidential sweepstakes. They, of course, are former SC governor Nikki Haley, former UN ambassador for Trump, and Sen. Tim Scott, the only African American GOP US Senator.

On July 1, Trump took over Main Street of the tiny town of Pickens located in the hills of our state, where he drew a big crowd of supporters…some estimates as high as 50k, although that was in dispute by some attendees. However, it was hot and thousands stood for hours to hear this man. Some even got sick from the heat. Incredible.

At any rate, it was on the home-state turf of Haley and Scott, two long-shot candidates who are trying to wrest the GOP nomination from him.

“2024 is our final battle,” declared Trump. “Under our leadership, the forgotten men and women will be forgotten no longer.” Same old message, reprised from his previous campaigns. Same old song. And the people lap it up.

In North Carolina, Arthur Hill discusses a groundbreaking decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on gerrymandering, which he said Democrats were applauding as crucial to fair elections, both in the Tar Heel State and nationwide.

In Georgia, Thompson discusses upcoming potential indictment of Donald Trump in the case involving the former president's ill-fated effort to convince state officials to simply "find" him the 11,000 votes he would have needed to carry the state in the 2020 election. There is much, much more in this episode as the Dixie Dems cut through typical and ongoing GOP BS.

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Addressing the Student Loan Catastrophe

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0000

With the Supreme Court’s rejection of President Biden’s debt relief program, millions of borrowers will have to resume their payments in October.

For about 804,000 others, recent executive action by the president mean that their student debt will be wiped away. Since Biden has been president, he’s been looking for ways to ease this burden, an effort that’s been thwarted by Congressional Republicans and now the Supreme Court. What’s all this meant for borrowers who counted on this promised relief?

For many, it's no less than a financial catastrophe. They owe thousands that they thought would be forgiven by the government, and so they used their student loan money for other things -- like paying bills, covering credit card debt, or paying their rent. For some, it was a vacation or a new car.

On the Lean to the left podcast, Diane Gayeski, Ph,D. a recognized thought leader in trends impacting higher education, business, and the connection between both worlds, looks at those issues and offers some ideas about how the federal government could help students manage their debt -- without spending a ton of money.

Gayeski has some 50 years experience in education and knows what she's talking about. She is Professor of Strategic Communication at Ithaca College's Roy H. Park School of Communications where she served as Dean for 11 years.

Diane is an active consultant and speaker through Gayeski Analytics and works with clients in business, education and the government. She is the author of more than 100 articles and fourteen books, some of which are the principal texts used in undergraduate, graduate, and corporate curricula in corporate communication, human resources, and instructional systems design.

So, are student borrowers to blame for their own financial difficulties? Here are some questions we discussed with Prof. Gayeski:

Q. An Intelligent.com survey of 977 borrowers who qualified under Biden’s original plan for up to $20K in student loan relief shows that many borrowers were perhaps mistakenly confident about their loans being forgiven. Can you talk about some of the key results of that survey?

Q. Why do college students take out loans they know they can’t repay in the first place?

Q. Is it fair to be critical of those who used their loan money for things like rent, buying a house or a car, or paying off other debt?

Q. Why is it that more than half of those surveyed – 58 percent – say they are unprepared for payments to resume?

Q. What steps should borrowers who do not qualify for Biden’s latest relief plan take so they don’t get in trouble over their loans?

Q. You’re an adviser to leaders in business, education and the government. What reforms should be made in the student loan system so that it’s more fair for borrowers?

Q. Of course, the underlying problem is the high cost of education to begin with, right? Any thoughts about that?

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The Green Amendment and Climate Change

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0000

President Biden had to cut a deal with the Republicans to get the debt limit extension passed and avoid an economic catastrophe. But in doing so, he had to water down his climate change initiative…and that’s causing a lot of concern among environmentalists. We’re going to talk about that today with someone who’s in the trenches.

Maya K. van Rossum is the Delaware Riverkeeper and leader for the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network works throughout the four states of the Delaware River watershed (NY, NJ, PA & DE) and at the national level using advocacy, science and litigation.

During van Rossum's 30 years leadin the Network, she and her organization were the lead plaintiffs in a successful case that had the PA Supreme Court breathe legal life into PA's long ignored environmental rights amendment.

Now, van Rossum is advancing The Green Amendment movement, seeking to inspire and secure constitutional protection for environmental rights across the nation. On the podcast, she cautions that the budget deal Biden cut with Congressional Republicans will weaken current federal environmental initiatives and jeopardize other critical environmental laws, like the Clean Water Act.

van Rossum is author of a book titled “The Green Amendment, The People's Fight For a Clean, Safe & Healthy Environment”.

Meanwhile, she’s just returned from Montana for a groundbreaking climate trial in which the young plaintiffs argued that Montana officials and agencies must be held accountable for exacerbating the climate crisis and thereby violating their constitutional rights. It marked the first constitutional climate trial in U.S. history.

Here are some questions we discussed with Maya:

Q. First off, let’s talk about that trial in Montana. What’s happening and what are the implications?

Q. Why were you there?

Q. What is a Green Amendment and how does it bring transformational change to environmental protection?

Q. Let’s talk about the debt ceiling deal and the fallout from that. You’ve said that it will undermine environmental protection and people’s safety. How is that?

Q. The deal overhauls the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), rewriting this iconic environmental protection law. What’s the problem with that?

Q.The debt deal mandates approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. How is that a problem?

Q. Tell us about your work with the Riverkeepers and what you do?

Q. Let’s talk about your book, The Green Amendment: The People's Fight to Secure a Clean, Safe & Healthy Environment, now in it's 2nd edition.

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Tom Riley-Climate Change & Artificial Intelligence

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Artificial Intelligence is gaining tremendous momentum, a development that has caused some experts like Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak to warn that AI development should at least be paused. We’re going to explore that today with Tom Riley, a retired NASA instrument engineer and prolific author who believes AI offers tremendous potential for the world.

In an open letter released in April, more than 1,000 tech experts called for AI-labs to “immediately pause for at least six months.” The signatories include Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Elon Musk, among a who’s who of brainiacs who worry that the world is “in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one — not even their creators — can understand, predict or reliably control.”

The letter came from the Future of life Institute, a non-profit determined to steer us away from “extreme large-scale risks.” One researcher, Eliezer Yudkowsky, who has been warning about AI for two decades, says we should “shut it all down.”

Stephen Hawking, the English theoretical physicist and author who died in 2018, put it even more directly, saying: “The development of artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.” That sounds pretty serious. Sounds like there is more to worry about that whether students are cheating on their term papers by using an AI-app to write those papers for them.

Our guest today, Tom Riley, who has worked on instruments for the Space Shuttle and NASA satellites, puts all this into perspective. Here are some questions we discussed with Tom:

In a note to me, you said AI was like “dancing on a landslide.” Do these warnings that I just mentioned concern you? Should the rest of us regular people be concerned about the implications of AI?
Does AI mean that people will be losing their jobs to AI?
What about privacy violations…and deepfakes…like the fake pics of Donald Trump being arrested that received thousands of hits on social media?
But what about the good it can do? Like addressing the climate crisis, for example? You wrote a great book, “A Climate of Revenge.”
Tell us about your Climate Crisis Stories? There are two books, right? Plus, you have versions on YouTube, right?
Is there a movie in the works? Or a Climate Crisis TV series?
There still are a lot of climate change deniers out there. What do you think the response to this project would be?
Can you give us a taste of the plot? Is the AI character a robot?
There are a lot of Misconceptions about our climate crisis. For example, “Greenhouse.” Is that a good explanation?
If the major problems are coming on slowly, is this then a real crisis?
What other big problems are now clear, and where does AI come into play?
How can people find out more about you and your work, including your books?

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Dr. Omekongo Dibinga-Lies About Black People & Affirmative Action

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0000

The U.S. Supreme Court has effectively ended affirmative action at universities, an action that ends a decades-old policy aimed at increasing diversity and addressing the underrepresentation of minority students.

We’ll look at that far-reaching action today with our guest, Dr. Omékongo Dibinga, author of a new book, "Lies About Black People: How to Combat Racist Stereotypes and Why It Matters."

Dr. Dibinga is the founding director of UPstander International, a professor at American University, motivational speaker, TV talk show host, and rapper. He has studied at Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Georgetown, Morehouse, and The Fletcher School, where he earned his M.A. in Law & Diplomacy. He earned his Ph.D. in Education from The University of Maryland where his dissertation focused on JAY Z and global hip-hop.

Dibinga’s book, “From the Limbs of My Poetree”, was described by Essence Magazine as “a remarkable and insightful collection of exquisite poetry that touches sacred places within your spirit.” His latest book, "Lies About Black People," is the focus of this discussion. You can find more info at upstanderinternational.com.

Here are some questions we addressed with Dr. Dibinga:

Q. First, let’s talk about the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision and your thoughts about its implications.

Q. Now that affirmative action is no longer a requirement, what can colleges and universities do to uphold diversity and inclusiveness?

Q. Are Black people the only, or at least the primary, beneficiaries of affirmative action?

Q. The Washington Post published an opinion piece by senior political reporter Aaron Blake that cites an Economist/YouGov poll that shows Americans approving the decision more than 2 to 1 and other polls showing similar support. Why do you think that is?

Q. The Economist/YouGov poll showed that more than 4 in 10 Black Americans approved of the decision and that 31 percent “strongly” approved. In addition, just 11 percent of Black Americans felt that affirmative action had impacted them “positively.” Does that surprise you?

Q. What is the case for continuing affirmative action policies?

Q. Do you feel the Supreme Court’s decision will have broader implications than simply college and university admissions? Q. Talk about your new book and what it covers. Who is your target audience?

Q. What are some of the lies and racist stereotypes that you discuss?

Q. In your book, you say “The world we live in today is based on lies.” Please explain.

Q. Do you believe racism in the U.S. has worsened in recent years? Why?

Q. You write that “Being Black in America is like being constantly connected to a lie detector.” Why?

Q. Has the Black Lives Matter movement helped or hindered the fight for racial equality? Why?

Q. Talk about the preschool-to-prison pipeline. Why is it that Blacks are disproportionately incarcerated in our prisons today?

Q. Do you believe Black people in America deserve reparations and other forms of remuneration for the suffering they’ve endured because of racism, including slavery?

Q. Dr. King expressed the hope that someday in our world people will be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Are we anywhere near achieving that goal?

Q. What do you think of Ron DeSantis and the other GOP presidential candidates?

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Michael Pickard-Concerns About Artificial Intelligence

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming embedded in American society, and many experts say it will be as life-changing as the internet, revolutionizing our economy and everyday lives. But there are huge concerns, and our guest today will address some of them. Stay with us.

Coming to us today from Highland Park, IL is Michael Pickard, a prolific author who’s had a successful career in information technology and we’re going to lean on that expertise for today’s discussion.

Michael is inspired by ideas. What is, what isn’t, and what could be. Back in 1993, he started writing fiction when his daughter Samantha asked him to write daily letters to her at overnight camp. So, he mailed her chapters of a story she could relate to: an alien who came to Earth and attended overnight camp. Specifically, her camp.

Those letters continued every summer at her request. After 5 years’, he’d accumulated enough material for his first novel. And then, he couldn’t stop writing.You can visit his catalog at http://www.gerfnit.com. You’ll find nine novels (paperback and ebook), a collection of short stories, and a children’s book. We’ll get him to fill us in on all of that later, but first our focus is AI, which Michael calls “Machine Learning Systems.”

A new Stanford University report makes this observation:“As the technical barrier to entry for creating and deploying generative A.I. systems has lowered dramatically, the ethical issues around A.I. have become more apparent ….”And, noted Goldman Sachs last month, if generative A.I. lives up to its potential, up to 300 million jobs could be at risk in the U.S. and Europe, with legal and administrative professions the most exposed.

So, clearly, there are many concerns – as there should be.Michael, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast.

Q. Before we get to your books, let’s dive right into your concerns about AI. But first, what expertise do you have in this field?

Q. Why do you refuse to use the term “artificial intelligence?”

Q. What are your concerns about how it might be used, and what dangers do you forsee?

Q. In a note to me, you said “People who build language models for these systems ignore aspects of ethics. Garbage in, hatred out.” You said there is a “fatal flaw in the current techniques underlying machine learning and no one in the industry is stepping up to solve it…or even talk about.” Please explain.

Q. What should be done to guard against these types of abuses?

Q. Many companies already are racing to use “machine learning” and the Stanford survey said this:

“At its current developmental speed, research is moving on from generative A.I. to creating artificial general intelligence, according to 57% of researchers surveyed by Stanford. Artificial general intelligence, or AGI, is an A.I. system that can accurately mimic or even outperform the capabilities of a human brain.”

That is no small statement, which begs this question:

Should there be government regulations developed to protect against abusive, perhaps even criminal, behavior with this technology?

Q. Please tell us about your books, maybe focusing on your latest since you have so many!

Q. Planning on a book focused on the use of “Machine Learning?”

Q. How can people find your books and how can they reach out to you?

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Joshua Shea-Overcoming Pornography Addiction

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Joshua Shea is a former pornography addict now on a mission to get the world talking about pornography addiction, and the potential ramifications of being addicted to porn.

He's written four books on the subject. Joshua’s most recent book, I'm Reading This Book About Porn Addiction For a Friend, introduces readers who are struggling in early recovery, or looking for more information about a suspected addiction. It includes symptoms, stories of addicts with whom Shea has worked, and a series of activities to personalize the process.

His third book, Porn and the Pandemic: How Three Months in 2020 Changed Everything was released in July 2020. It looks at how the world of online pornography changed overnight during the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, with analysis and interviews from current and former pornography addicts, "cam models" who use sites like Chaturbate and OnlyFans, and a bevy of mental health and addiction professionals.

Online pornography exploded during the pandemic. Joshua also is the author of The Addiction Nobody Will Talk About: How I Let My Pornography Addiction Hurt People and Destroy Relationships (2018), a memoir about his descent during the final days of his addiction.

He also wrote He’s a Porn Addict…Now What? (2019) written for female partners of male porn addicts who are grappling with the revelation their loved one is an addict. It was co-written with Tony Overbay.

Since 2018, Shea has appeared on over 350 podcasts, television and radio shows using his personal story to promote the ideas that porn addiction spans all demographics and those with a problem should seek help before it’s too late.

Prior to admitting his addiction, Joshua was a prominent magazine publisher, award-winning journalist, film festival founder and politician in central Maine. Sober since early 2014, Joshua comes to us from Central Maine, where he lives with his wife and two children, 4 dogs and 8 cats.

Here are questions we discussed with Joshua:

Q. Can you give us the cliff notes version of your journey? How did your addiction begin and what happened that made you realize you had a serious problem?

Q. In 2017, you launched pAddictRecovery.com. Tell us about that. You’re doing some coaching, right?

Q. Your notes that you provided me indicate that your favorite presentations are to college-age students. Why is that?

Q. Online porn exploded during the pandemic. What is the state of online pornography and pornography addiction today.

Q. What are some of the signs of pornography addiction

Q. Is this a solitary act with few consequences or does it affect others, like partners, for example? Q. What can partners do when they learn that this is going on?

Q. How do we prevent the next generation of kids from also becoming addicted to porn?

Q. So what's wrong with looking at pornography?

Q. Why should any of us non-addicts really care about porn addiction?

Q. Is Porn Addiction ever the partner's fault?

Q. What do you say to partners who discover their loved one is a porn addict?

Q. How is porn addiction like other addictions?

Q. Where can viewers get more resources about pornography addiction? Q. Where can people find your books?

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Jack Kerfoot-Climate Change-Northeast-Which States are Paper Tigers?

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0000

This is the first in a series of episodes analyzing climate change progress in various regions around the country with energy consultant Jack Kerfoot.

Which states are making real and timely progress at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and what are the factors that are contributing to their success? Which states are really just paper tigers…all talk and little action?

That’s what we explore in a new series of episodes with scientist and energy expert Jack Kerfoot that begins today as we analyze climate change progress in four states in the Northeast: Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey. Kerfoot began his career in the energy industry in 1976, when America was paralyzed by an oil embargo. He spent over 45 years traveling the world, working with scientists, bureaucrats, ministers, tycoons, sheiks, and heads of state on a diverse range of energy issues. He is the principal of JL Kerfoot Energy Services and blogs on his website, Our Energy Conundrum, at www.jackkerfoot.com.

During the episode, Kerfoot explains the basics of climate change, including the necessity of reducing greenhouse gases generated by fossil fuels. He details why New Jersey and New York states deserve A+ marks for their efforts, while Massachusetts and Rhode Island are "paper tigers", having enacted written goals and objectives but not doing the detailed work needed to make them a reality.

The clock is ticking on climate change. Legislation without active and committed support from our elected officials ismeaningless.

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Dwayne Bryant-Police Reform

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Just over three years ago George Perry Floyd Jr. was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis during an arrest after a store clerk suspected that Floyd had used a counterfeit $20 bill.

Derek Chauvin, one of four police officers who arrived on the scene, knelt on Floyd’s neck and back for more than nine minutes. “I can’t breathe,” Floyd wheezed to no avail.

The incident renewed calls for police reform. However, with Republicans in charge of the House of Representatives, nothing has happened. We’ll talk about police reform with our guest, conflict resolution expert Dwayne Bryant. So stay with us.

Best-selling author, Dwayne Bryant founded Inner Vision International, Inc. (IVI) which provides results-oriented social emotional curricula and professional development workshops for students, parents, teachers, law enforcement, academic institutions, and corporate America.

Dwayne provides leadership, life management, and social emotional training. As a result of Dwayne’s work improving police and community relations and educating parents about the potential dangers of social media, he was awarded The FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.In the wake of the public outcry against police brutality, Dwayne created THE STOP™ series which includes an online 17-part series, The NEW Conversation – Improving Police and Community Relations™, explaining the tensions between police and Black and Brown communities.

Dwayne…welcome to our podcast. Please tell us what your work is all about.

Q. I read today that a new Justice Department report says the Minneapolis Police Department engaged in the systemic use of excessive force and discriminated against minorities for years before the Floyd killing in 2020. What needs to be done to resolve conflicts between the police and residents, particularly those in Black and Brown communities?

Q. You made the comment that electing Brandon Johnson as Chicago’s mayor “shows a turn for the better” when it comes to improving the relationships between cops and the community. Is that because he supports having more mental health workers employed within law enforcement?

Q. Last year Congress passed the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act of 2022, requiring the Department of Justice to develop training curriculums on topics including alternatives to the use of force, de-escalation, and responding to a person in crisis. Was that a positive step and what else is needed?

Q. What is your view of the political situation in the US these days? Did actions by the Trump administration affect relationships between the community and the police?

Q. In 2021, the then Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on a mostly party-line vote passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021, but it died in the evenly divided, but Democratic controlled, Senate amid opposition from Republicans. Negotiations between Republican and Democratic senators collapsed, and the bill died. The intent of the bill was to hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct, improve transparency, and reform police training and policies. It was opposed by the police unions. What are your thoughts about that?

Q. One of the provisions would restrict the application of the qualified immunity doctrine for local and state officers. Can you explain what that’s all about? Should that doctrine be scrubbed?

Q. Another provision would require state and local law enforcement agencies that receive federal funding to adopt anti-discrimination policies and training programs, including those targeted at fighting racial profiling. Does that need to happen?Q. What about the bill’s mandate that federal law enforcement officers use deadly force only as a last resort and that de-escalation be attempted. Federal funding...

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Dixie Dems -- Oh, Those Crazy Republicans

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0000

We’re back with another episode of Dixie Dems, the podcast from Lean to the Left that takes an irreverent look at politics in the south, as well as nationwide. We’ll talk about candidates, Trump’s legal troubles, Trump pardon talk, the big Supreme Court gerrymandering decision, and much more.

--- Hey guys, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast and the June 2023 episode of the Dixie Dems with my partners, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia.

Arthur is first vice chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals. Me…I’m based in South Carolina, the state where two Republican candidates are taking on Donald Trump in the Republican presidential sweepstakes.

They, of course, are former SC governor Nikki Haley, former UN ambassador for Trump, and Sen. Tim Scott, the only African American GOP US Senator. Oh, it’s also the state where Sen. Lindsey Graham, still sucking up to Trump despite his indictment for violating the espionage act in that classified records case, said of Trump: At least he isn’t a spy. Good grief.

So, welcome guys… Arthur…tell us about what’s going on in North Carolina? Big state supreme court decision on gerrymandering, right?

How about you, Robert. Looks like Trump’s next legal challenge could come from Georgia, right?

What’s happening in South Carolina?

With two GOP presidential candidates running against Trump, a big question is what would they do if elected about pardoning Donald Trump for his crimes? Well, Nikki Haley says she’d be “inclined” to pardon him even though his actions inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol put first responders in danger. She dragged in the plea deal between the Justice Department and Hunter Biden, saying there’s a double standard…one for Republicans like Trump and another for Democrats like Biden.

Also, on Twitter, Haley accused Barack Obama of dividing America “by race and gender” because he took issue with her claim that America is not racist. Excuse me…but it was her old boss, Trump, who set out to divide America that way and was spectacularly successful. Haley should just shut up.

By the way, while some support Haley for taking down the Confederate flag at the State House when she was governor, the Washington Post reported that she did so only after the massacre at a church in Charleston, where worshipers were murdered by a gunman, forced her hand. She previously had said the flag was “about heritage.”

Meanwhile, when asked what he would do about a Trump pardon, Sen. Tim Scott avoided the question, but said he would “clean out” the Department of Justice. Where was he when Trump was using DOJ as his own personal police force? Please. What do you guys think about how the GOP candidates are twisting themselves into knots over a potential Trump pardon?

Scott visited Myrtle Beach the other day trying to drum up support. He had a pretty good crowd, according to reports, but the problem was that while attendees said they liked him well enough, they still support Trump but would like to see Scott as his vice president. That’s probably not what Scott wanted to hear, unless that’s his angle, anyway. Could be Haley’s angle, too, for that matter.

As for Trump, he’s scheduled to make his first visit to South Carolina since being indicted twice – on Saturday, July 1, at the city of Pickens, ahead of their Independence Day celebration. Can’t wait for that one.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court, which earlier this month unexpectedly upheld a prohibition against racial gerrymandering in an Alabama case, has agreed to consider a lower court decision that struck down a congressional district as an illegal racial gerrymander. The lower court held that the congressional district – which...

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Rich Cowboy Victimized by Elder Abuse

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0000

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), one in ten older adults in the US suffers from elder abuse, so since June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, we’re speaking with bestselling investigative journalist and true-crime biographer Stephen G. Michaud, who has written a riveting book about a tragic case involving a wealthy Texas rancher who was victimized by those who were charged with caring for him.

Stephen Michaud is the author of “Robert’s Story: A Texas Cowboy’s Troubled Life and Horrifying Death.” It’s the story of rancher Robert East, which until now was buried deep in old legal records that were discovered by Michaud.

The elderly owner of a vast Texas cattle ranch, Robert East was no match for the greedy lawyers, doctors, and household staff who took over his life and isolated him on his remote ranch – all to gain access to his wealth and the natural gas on his family’s land. In the end, he was an old, rich cowboy who was victimized by elder abuse.

On the podcast, Michaud reveals East's sad story and discusses some of the abuses he suffered before his death -- abuses that are often typical in cases involving elderly people.

According to the CDC, there are a number of factors that may increase or decrease the risk of perpetrating and/or experiencing elder abuse. To prevent elder abuse, the agency says, we must understand and address the factors that put people at risk for or protect them from violence. Here are recommendations provided by the agency:

Listen to older adults and their caregivers to understand their challenges and provide support.

Report abuse or suspected abuse to local adult protective services, long-term care ombudsman, or the police.

Use the National Center on Elder Abuse Listing of State Elder Abuse Hotlines external icon to find your state’s reporting numbers, government agencies, state laws, and other resources.

Educate oneself and others about how to recognize and report elder abuse.

Learn how the signs of elder abuse differ from the normal aging process.

Check-in on older adults who may have few friends and family members.

Provide over-burdened caregivers with support such as help from friends, family, or local relief care groups; adult day care programs; counseling; outlets intended to promote emotional well-being.

Encourage and assist persons (either caregivers or older adults) having problems with drug or alcohol abuse in getting help.

The older adult population is growing faster in the U.S. than are younger populations. Many older adults require care and are vulnerable to violence perpetrated by a caregiver or someone they trust. More research is needed to uncover the causes for, and solutions to, violence against older adults, CDC says.

On the Podcast Michaud is an internationally recognized author, co-author, investigative reporter, and editor whose decades-long career includes 20 books and multiple contributions to periodicals including Newsweek, Businessweek, The New York Times, Maxim, Reader’s Digest, Salon, Boys’ Life, and Playboy.

His published works―in an impressive variety of genres ranging from World War II, the Cuban revolution, true crime, and mountain-climbing to Texas history and serial murder―have sold over 2 million copies, translated into 15 languages.

The New York Daily News named The Only Living Witness (a biography of serial killer Ted Bundy co-authored with Hugh Aynesworth) one of the 10 best true-crime books ever written. Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer, a compilation of Michaud and Aynesworth’s death-row interviews with Bundy, was a New York Times bestseller, and a Netflix four-part series.

Here are questions we discussed with Michaud:

Q. Before we get into your book, I’d like to discuss the issue of elder abuse overall. To what extent is...

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Trump's a Joke_ Satire Saved the Day

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0000

In a new poll, nearly 40% of respondents said the thought of a Biden-Trump match-up in 2024 made them feel exhausted, and according to politics and satire expert Dr. Sophia A. McClennen, the only way to cure this overwhelming political fatigue is through comedy, specifically satire.

We have a former president who’s under indictment for obstruction and mishandling classified documents after his defeat, a violation of the Espionage Act.

That certainly isn’t funny.

That same former president also is under indictment for hush money paid to former adult film star Stormy Daniels, and is the subject of investigations relating to the Jan. 6, 2020 attack on the Capitol and efforts to rig the Georgia election results.

None of that is funny either.

But Dr. McClennen believes that comedy, especially satire, can provide the antidote for the depression, anxiety, and frustration that we feel in having to pay attention to the politicians and issues that exhaust us.

A Harvard and Duke University alum and founding director of Penn State's Center for Global Studies, she is the author of a new book, “Trump Was a Joke: How Satire Made Sense of a President Who Didn’t”.

Here are some questions we discussed with her:

For many Americans, the Trump presidency and its aftermath have been exhausting and for many, emotionally draining. How does political fatigue like that endanger our democracy?
What are some ways satire helps to improve civic engagement and political knowledge, and creates better, more informed citizens?
Examples?
Why are people more likely to remember and share information that is delivered to them with humor?
How are social movements that use satire in their tactics more likely to succeed?
Common misconceptions about satire: that it’s bad for democracy, that it undermines important institutions, that it’s only aim is to distract and entertain?
Tell us about your book. Can it help keep us sane?

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Elizabeth Mikotowicz-Prison Reform-Inside Looking Out

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Artist Elizabeth Mikotowicz was nearly beaten to death while being pregnant. She became addicted to pain killer drugs and eventually was sent to prison where she was regularly humiliated and treated as a slave.

Elizabeth served more than four years in Maine jails and then the federal prison in Danbury on a variety of drug charges. On the podcast, Elizabeth reveals how she was mistreated by guards, both male and female, forced to stand naked for the guard's cameras, and how female inmates were unable to obtain even basic sanitary products, resulting in many experiencing infections from the tampons they tried to make themselves.

She says that after Donald Trump became president many women, both immigrants and American citizens, underwent forced sterilizations and other inhumane treatment.

Now, she's working to expose corruption and cruelty that she experienced in America’s prison system, even as she’s launched an environmentlly friendly clothing brand using art that she created while being incarcerated. In fact, Elizabeth went from painting murals as a federal inmate to having her own environmentally friendly clothing brand based onthat art.

More importantly, Elizabeth is working with state representatives to get better laws to protect people in vulnerable positions. She describes two laws sthat she initiated and helped get passed in Maine and that she hopes can be enacted nationwide.

Towards the end of the episode, Elizabeth offers advice to women who are experience domestic violence, experiences that contributed to her drug abuse and the criminal acts that landed her in prison.

Here are some questions we discussed with Elizabeth:

Q. What landed you in prison?

Q. You ended up having two kids with this man…why?

Q. What was it like having to go to prison when you were a mom?

Q. What was it like in prison? Why did you turn to art?

Q. Were there restrictions on your art in prison?

Q. When you got out, what did you do? Were you afraid?

Q. How did your clothing line begin? Where did you get the confidence to do that?

Q. What’s it called? Your brand?

Q. Who makes your products? What makes them environmentally friendly?

Q. Where can people find your stuff?

Q. You’re working with state lawmakers in Maine, right? What laws are you working to change?

Q. What needs to change nationally?

Q. What would you like to tell women who are in abusive domestic situations or are otherwise struggling?

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Phyllis Leavitt: Confronting Violence & Divisiveness in America

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0000

America continues to deal with a tide of unprecedented violence and divisiveness that is tearing at the soul of our country.

It is an epidemic of abuse and neglect, according g to psychotherapist and author Phyllis Leavitt, who believes America needs a good therapy session or two.

Leavitt is the author of a new book, “America in Therapy,” and believes some of the basic principles of good therapy can help heal the divisiveness that is besetting our country today.

She graduated from Antioch University with a Masters’ Degree in Psychology and Counseling in 1989. Initially, she co-directed a sexual abuse treatment program and then she launched a full-time private practice, treating children, families, couples, and individual adults.

After 30 years, Phyllis has mostly retired, if you can call writing books retiring! In addition to "America in Therapy," her most recent are "A Light in the Darkness," and "Into the Fire". You can learn more by checking her website, www.phyllisleavitt.com.

Some questions we discussed with Phyllis:

Q. You say this is “a national and global mental health crisis that is not being addressed,” that “we are on a collision course with our own extinction.” Please explain.

Q. Do you believe there is a direct correlation between destructive family dynamics and many of the actions of some of our most powerful institutions and leaders. Anybody in particular come to mind?

Q. We continue to experience mass shootings—instances where aggrieved individuals wade into a school, a shopping center, a high school prom, and begin shooting leaving blood and tears and tragic loss in their wake. Why? What needs to be done about this? What should our political leaders do?

Q. What is the solution, in your view?

Q.How can we interrupt the cycle of violence and restore peace and safety in our country?

Q. When will your book be ready and where can people find it?

Q. Tell us briefly about your other two books.

Q. What can we, as individuals, do about all this?

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Fire Your Financial Advisor?

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Are you planning for retirement? Already there? Are you working with a financial adviser but wonder if you could be doing better? That's an important question to consider.

Greg Aler, founder and CEO of the financial planning firm Golden Reserve, is our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast. Greg believes that many people planning for retirement are being hoodwinked by financial advisors to whom they have given too much power over their investments and who are ripping off customers with percent-based fees.

Greg was born and raised in small-town Ohio, and after attending law school, he worked at one of the largest law firms in the world. Greg went on to build three multimillion-dollar companies before the age of forty: an elder care law firm, a financial services firm, and a real estate company. He re-thinks and re-builds industries to help service the other 99 percent of America. Greg has his own TV, radio, and podcast show: Expedition Retirement.

The only thing Greg loves more than cooking, scuba, boating, and laughing with friends on his back porch is being with his wife, Fernanda, and three kiddos (Lilly, Lola, and Louie).

We’re happy to welcome Greg to Lean to the Left today to talk about financial planning for retirement…a really important topic. Time to fire your financial advisor?

Questions we discussed with Greg:

Q. On your website in which you promote your book, “Fire Your Financial Advisor: 40 years of greed and exploitation of the American Retiree,” you say this: “there are wolves everywhere. Shockingly, most retirees have no idea what is going on with their money - or worse, what they’re being charged.” Can you please explain?

Q. Your book makes the case that financial advisors have massively failed retirees. How is that?

Q. Many retirees have seen their IRAs and other retirement plans grow significantly. So, why should they care about the fees their financial advisor charges them to manage their retirement accounts?

Q. Does working with a fiduciary advisor guarantee that a retiree can avoid these problems?

Q. Not feeling confident in my ability to manage my own portfolio, some people default to their financial advisor, telling them to do what’s best. Is it a mistake for people to do that?

Q. How can retirees increase their own financial literacy?

Q. What is a fixed index annuity, and how can it help retirees?

Q. What is a “Retirement Planner” and why should retirees work with them instead of financial advisors?

Q. What advice do you have for someone who wants to fire their financial advisor, but isn’t sure how to do that?

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A Climate Change 'Coverup'

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Extreme weather events across the country and around the world make it clear that we are facing a climate crisis, and that we all are in it together. But what can we as individuals do to combat this? That’s our topic today with an expert who will share with us existing solutions and technologies that can have a significant impact on climate change, and what the average person can do to help reduce our carbon footprint. So stay with us.

Beth McDaniel is co-founder and President of the paint and coatings company, Reactive Surfaces, where she also serves as legal counsel. Beth also is a partner in McDaniel and Associates, a law firm specializing in patent and trade secret law.

As a serial entrepreneur, she has guided this bleeding-edge innovation company, operating in the paint and coatings and specialty chemicals industries, for the past 15 years. She has served in leadership roles for numerous organizations, including as a Pathways to Peace Fellow, a premier social justice organization.

Beth is also the co-founder of the leading XPRIZE team for carbon reduction. Their technology can remove massive amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and convert it into hydrogen, biochar, and other environmentally friendly solutions that have already begun to transform the carbon reduction and energy security space.

Here are some questions we cover with Beth:

Q. What’s your take on the climate crisis facing the world today? What happens if we continue on our current track?

Q. You’re involved with the Embassy Row Project, a philanthropic initiative that offers various services to organizations to promote environmental sustainability. Please tell us about that.

Q. As a female c-suite executive in the science and technology arena, a successful entrepreneur, an accomplished attorney, and an advisor on climate technology, what is your perspective on women’s leadership in the entrepreneurial, technology, and science space?

Q. What's being done right now in the international government space that's truly having an impact on climate change?

Q. You recently addressed UN, World Bank, and European embassy officials on new technology your firm has developed. Can you please share with us that experience and talk about the technology that’s involved?

Q. What's it like to brief senior diplomats and government officials who are seeking solutions in climate and environmental technology? Any special challenges simply because of your sex?

Q. What are carbon capture coatings and how is this scientific breakthrough transforming the environmental science space?

Q. How can the average person have a real impact on climate change and carbon reduction?

Q. As a female entrepreneur, what prompted you to get into the paint and coatings industry and start your own company?

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James Brosnahan: Justice at Trial

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0000

For a fascinating, inside look at the criminal justice system and the work of one of America's most prominent trial attorneys, check out this interview with ames J. Brosnahan, a veteran of more than 50 years of experience in both civil and criminal trial work.

During his notable career, Brosnahan regularly undertook complex cases that were about to go to trial. He has tried, to conclusion, 150 cases that have ranged from anti-trust to wire fraud and from patent litigation to white collar crime and murder. Some of those cases made national headlines, including those that helped provide important First Amendment free speech protections.

Brosnahan is named among the top 30 trial lawyers in the United States, according to the Legal 500 US. A lion of the trial bar, Brosnahan is one of the most respected and recognized trial lawyers in the United States. Recently, he completed a book on notable trials from his career, "Justice at Trial: Courtroom Battles and Groundbreaking Cases," now available at Amazon and other booksellers.

The interview was conducted by Bob Gatty, host of Lean to the Left and co-host of the Justice Counts podcast, and Justice Counts host, legal thriller author Mark M. Bello. The episode also will stream on Justice Counts June 5.

Here are some questions we discussed with Brosnahan:

MARK: Welcome Jim—it’s an honor to have you on the podcast. Before we talk about your writing, I’d like to talk about Professor Chemerinsky’s forward. High praise for your memoir from the famous law professor. There is a lot packed into those two pages, but I was struck by two comments he makes. I’d like your reaction to them:
1. Practicing law requires hard work and attention to detail-many lawyers work hard. But it also requires creativity-Chemerinsky considers you and your team very “clever,” the term he uses. How much of your success is related to hard work and how much to creativity? For young lawyers out there, after learning what they need to know to pass the bar, how do they develop these creative skills the professor talks about?
2. Professor Chemerinsky talks about a topic near and dear to my heart. At that is, essentially, the bad rap lawyers get. He points to you as an example of how an ethical lawyer and decent guy, (you) can also be highly successful. That being a successful lawyer requires “bad behavior” which is patently false. We can chew gum and walk—can you please talk about being successful and ethical at the same time?

BOB: The book reveals that you were diagnosed with rheumatic fever and a possible heart problem at age 3, confined to bed until you were six. Your connection to the outside world was a radio with Jack Benny and a window that looked out onto a driveway where you could see kids playing. Do you remember those days, and do you think they played a role in shaping the adult you became?

MARK: Like Chemerinsky, my favorite legal quote is “Justice, Justice, Shalt Thou Pursue.” Having read your book, alongside might be: “Sometimes, doing your best is your only reward.” I love that lesson for young lawyers.

BOB: Tell our listeners about the Secody Murder Trial-you had only been a lawyer for 18 months and you have this major murder trial involving the native American community. Tough case for a young guy.

MARK: As a side note, I was struck by your voir dire in that case and want to hear more. How does a trial lawyer get a potential juror to admit bias on voir dire?BOB: In the book, you indicate that you were influenced by Cecil Poole, Melvin Beli, and other prominent trial lawyers. You worked under Poole, who was the first African American US Attorney in the United States. Obviously, mentoring was important in your career. Is it still?

BOB: In 1966, you switch sides after how long as a prosecutor? Tell us about the transition from...

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Richard Friesen-A Private Conversation with Money

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Having trouble with money and building wealth? Is there something more going on than simply not having enough cash to start with? Could it be something psychological? Really? Take a listen to this interview.

Richard Friesen is the founder of the Mind Muscles Academy, and creator and developer of the innovative and exclusive “Mind Muscles™” training process that turns the psychology of money and wealth on its head.

Richard works with financial professionals, independent traders, business leaders and entrepreneurs of all types who want to expand their mental game to make more consistent profits. With experience as a broker, floor trader, financial software developer and entrepreneur, he brings concrete real-world experience to his clients.

Richard is offering a free course exclusively for our listeners that will help improve financial results. You can check it out at https://conversations.money/left.

During the years dedicated to building Mind Muscles™, Rich was an independent consultant to the financial industry specializing in intellectual property development and management. He also founded and built ePIT Systems, a software company which produced internet exchange software solutions. And, before that, Rich founded, built and sold Trade Management LLC, one of the most consistently profitable options and equity trading firms on the floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange.

Friesen is a popular speaker on the psychology of money management, politics and personal transformation. His latest book entitled: “A Private Conversation with Money” is available on Amazon.

Here are some questions we discussed:

Q. So are you saying that one reason why a lot of us haven’t been able to build as much wealth as we’d like has its roots psychologically? In other words, money makes us crazy?

Q. You say that your training as a therapist opens the door to money behaviors that no longer serve us, yet we repeat them constantly. Please explain.

Q. Tell us about the Mind Muscles Academy and the training process that you’ve developed. Q. What is the SET Awareness Workout?

Q. Tell us about your book, A Private Conversation with Money. What’s that about?

Q. You say that “Everyone can build new “Mind Muscles” designed to expand their personal awareness.” Please explain.

Q. You wrote a blog, “Uncover Your Creative Victim in 15 minutes.” What’s that about?

Q. You wrote another blog, “The Value of Information and Belonging.” It talks about filling our emotional need for “belonging” and our critical thinking need for surprises, reframes and challenges. Can you elaborate?

Q. After all of this, what would you say are the keys to financial freedom?

Q. What is the difference between financial success and failure?

Q. You have an online course in which you present 10 money-liberating exercises. What are they? Q. You have an offer for my listeners. How can we take advantage of that.

Q. How can people connect with you and find your book?

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Terry Bartley- Living Liberal in Red West Virginia

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0000

What’s it like to be a liberal in a conservative state or a fantasy writer who’s also an English teacher at a time when books are being banned in some states?

Terry Bartley is a journalism, literature, and English teacher at Scott High School in Madison, West Virginia, and writer of the upcoming collection of short stories, Tyranny of the Fey.

Terry is the host of the podcast “Most Writers are Fans,” about the intersection between writing and fandom. He has professionally written for the Coal Valley News and Screenrant. He’s won awards for writing and broadcasting from the West Virginia Associated Press, the National Broadcasting Society, and MarCom. Terry has a B.A. in English from the University of Phoenix and an M.A. in English Education from Western Governor’s University.

Living in West Virginia, Terry is an unabashed liberal who worked for the Obama Campaign in 2012. He’s done a lot of community and economic development work in Southern West Virginia, as well.

Here are some questions we discussed with Terry:

Q. Well, Terry, what’s it like being a liberal in conservative, Trump loving West Virginia?

Q. What did you do for the Obama campaign? What was that like?

Q. You’re a fantasy writer. Is it a fantasy to think that Joe Manchin will ever vote like a Democrat? Is he vulnerable in WVA?

Q. Tell us about your community and economic development work in Southern WVA.

Q. Let’s talk about your podcast. What’s it all about?

Q. Now let’s talk about Tyranny of the Fey. Tell us about it.

Q. What is there about colonization and institutional oppression that prompted you to write this book?

Q. When will it come out and where will people be able to find it?

Q. What are your thoughts about the effort by Ron DeSantis and others to restrict what books can be carried in school libraries and courses that can be taught in school?

Q. Is it Trump or DeSantis in West Virginia? Or somebody else?

Q. If Trump is convicted and sent to prison, would he still carry West Virginia?

Q. West Virginia is a pretty religious state, right? How do those fundamentalists justify in supporting this man?

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Dixie Dems-Repubs At it Again

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Check out the latest episode of The Dixie Dems, the Lean to the Left podcast episode that takes an irreverent look at politics in the South, as well as across the U.S, featuring Arthur Hill of North Carolina, Robert Thompson of Georgia, and myself in South Carolina.

In this episode we take a look at the horrible abortion laws that are being passed in many red states, a right-wing effort in SC to restrict drag shows, developments in NC and GA involving the entertainment industry, and offer our thoughts regarding the GOP presidential sweepstakes.

Will Trump succeed in garnering the Republican nomination despite his legal challenges or will someone else emerge as the GOP standard bearer. What if something happens to Biden? Who would the Democrats turn to?

There was a CBS News/YouGov poll just published that showed Trump with a 30- point margin over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with some additional revealing findings:

Even though election deniers cost the GOP dearly in the 2022 election, this poll shows that a large majority of Republican-leaning voters continue to believe the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump and they want candidates who agree.
While DeSantis is trying to claim Trump has electability problems, this poll shows that 75 percent of Republican-leaners say Trump’s supposed 2020 victory is sufficient reason to vote for him again, and 84 percent said Trump would beat Joe Biden. Only 38 percent said Trump could lose to Biden and that’s a reason to vote against him.
Sixty percent said they prefer a candidate who does not comment about the January 6 insurrection, but 24 percent they support a candidate who supports those who entered the Capitol.
Trump’s message of retribution against his enemies is supported by 32 percent of Republican-leaners, even if it’s at the expense of getting things done.
Only 7 percent of Republican-leaners want a candidate who criticizes Trump.
All of this and more is on tap in this episode. Check it out:

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Corey Nathan, Talkin' Politics Without Killing Each Other

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0000

The way things are today with so many divisions among us, sometimes it seems like we can’t even have a discussion about what’s going on in the world without being at each others’ throat. Today, we’re going to talk about that on the Lean to the Left podcast.

Our guest is Corey Nathan, host of the popular podcast ""Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other," who's work is focused on collaborating with people across religious, political and social divides to help understand and repair some of our culture’s rancor.

Corey started out as a stockbroker by day while studying at a theatre conservatory at night. Since then, he’s been an entrepreneur with one foot in creative pursuits having built such endeavors as a niche executive search firm; a theatre and film ensemble; a residential and commercial service company; a 501c3 to help folks during the pandemic; and most recently a new media/content company.

Corey’s growing audience has been enjoying the engaging, provocative and fun conversations about these subjects on his podcast.

During our interview, we talk some politics with Corey saying he thinks Ron DeSantis will flame out in his quest for the GOP presidential nomination, that Donald Trump will emerge as the nominee, but that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former Rep. Liz Chaney are interesting alternatives.

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Kirk Smalley-Preventing Suicides from Bullying

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0000

What would you do if your child was bullied to the point where they decided life wasn't worth living…and so they committed suicide? In an instant, all of your hopes and dreams for your child would be gone. Could you have done something? What would you do now?

That's what happened to Kirk and Laura Smalley, who lost their son, Richard Ty Field-Smalley, in 2010 following a bullying episode. After that, Kirk and Laura worked tirelessly to prevent other families from suffering the same pain and loss.

They traveled all across the United States and visited several other countries spreading the message of love and support to children who need it, even meeting with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to talk about what can be done to ensure our children grow up safe and whole.

In 2020,after suffering a brain aneurysm, Laura was reunited with her beloved son. Kirk knows they are still with him, giving him the strength he needs to continue his mission: to give our children a safe future where each one can grow into the amazing individuals they are meant to be.

Kirk is our guest on both the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcasts, co-hosted by Bob Gatty and legal thriller author Mark M. Bello, who has just published a new children's book, "Happy Jack, Sad Jack--a Bullying Story."

Smalley explains that while most reported bullying happens in the school building, a significant percentage also happens in places like on the playground or the bus. It can also happen travelling to or from school, in the youth’s neighborhood, or on the Internet.

Bullying prevention in schools is a full-time exercise, he says, adding that for true change to take place, the culture of a school must be transformed. With a year-round bullying prevention program, clear expectations of faculty and staff and established guidelines for how to treat incidents, students and adults can be a part of a culture of caring.

Ten strategies to prevent bullying in schools:

Establish school-wide policies and classroom procedures pertaining to bullying that are distributed to students, parents, and teachers.
Depict on bulletin boards and in hallways that school and classrooms are bully-free zones, and that students treat each other with respect.
Develop strategies to recognize and reward positive social behavior.
Speak with ALL involved in a bullying situation separately and in private.
Develop separate intervention plans for children who are bullied, children who participate as bystanders, and children who bully others.
Be mindful of class seating arrangements to promote positive role models and limit access.
Hold periodic class meetings and assemblies to remind children of bullying prevention.
Contact parents of all students involved in a bullying incident; meet separately with parents of each student to provide information about bullying; explain school’s bullying protocol; and address the specifics of the situation. Do not identify names of other students.
Establish procedures for documenting episodes of bullying and intervention.
Assign all students classroom allies/buddies and periodically re-arrange the assignments.

Keeping kids safe online It’s important for parents to be informed about their kids’ digital lives, especially when it comes to issues that involve their safety. These simple tips can help make sure their online experience is a positive one.

Use your router or internet service provider’s security app to configure child-safe internet filtering. This works just like the filtering system on library and public school computers and lets you control which websites your child can access.
Blocking websites and keywords is the easiest way to ensure your child only has access to trusted internet content. You can block websites and keywords through your...

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Lynn Bowman-Cooking Up Healthy Food & Politics

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Mother’s Day is coming up soon and today we’re delighted to have as our guest Lynne Bowman, a mom, grandmother, and author of a healthy eating cookbook, “Brownies for Breakfast.”

It’s Lynne’s second appearance on the Lean to the Left podcast. In the first episode, we talked a lot about how people with issues like diabetes can improve their health by improving their diet, cutting out sugar and bad fat. Lynne has been dealing with type 2 diabetes more than 30 years ago.

Her mom died when she was in her mid-40s, so when she became a single mom and the sole support of three young kids, she knew she had to take aggressive steps so she would be around to take care of them. So, by modifying her diet, she’s been able to get by with a minimal daily dose of just one prescription.

In her wonderful new cookbook, she shares tons of recipes that she’s created to help those with diabetes, and those who care for them, live a healthy life. It’s truly a beautiful book.

Here are some of the questions we discuss in the show:

Q. Mother’s Day is such an important occasion when we honor our moms and all they’ve done to care for their families. How did your diabetes affect you as a mom and what you knew you had to do for your kids?

Q. What challenges are out there because of changes in the food industry that affect our diets today?

Q. You say there is a “culture of crappy food,” where it becomes politically incorrect to eat the “wrong” things. What are you talking about?

Q. Why is our life span now shortening, and what can we do about it? Do we really want longer lives?

Q. On page 7 of your book, you say this: “You can improve your health, lift your spirits, help stop plastic pollution, save the earth, give your kids a better start in life…and save a boatload of money…all by fixing your food yourself. That’s a lot! What’s the secret to making all that happen?

Q. But what about if you’re not a diabetic. Do you need to be concerned about all this stuff?

Q. How can you still make tasty foods while losing the sugar? Q. What’s the big deal about plant-based foods? Seems boring and tedious.

Q. I drink a glass of orange juice every day for breakfast. Is that a bad idea?

Q. What should moms do when their schedule is crazy, they’ve got kids to manage, and yet they want to prepare healthy meals for their family? And dads…they need to pitch in, too, right?

Q. What about family meals? Are they still important?

Q. When I was growing up, my mom tried to have dinner ready for us at 5 pm. Is that still a good idea?

Q. Tell us more about your book, “Brownies for Breakfast,” and where people can get hold of it.

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Lynn Forney-Gender Bias in Healthcare

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Would you think women are treated differently than men by doctors and other workers in the healthcare system? If that’s true, how would that affect patients? Our Lean to the Left podcast guest today, Lynn Forney, has first-hand experience with that, and it almost cost her life.

On the podcast, Lynn says such bias is more common than you might think. In her case, after being stabbed in bed seven times by a stranger and losing 21 pints of blood, she says she suffered even more trauma after going to the hospital in critical condition.

There, some of the people who were supposed to help her recover, both mentally and physically, betrayed her – including a male nurse who we’ll talk about in a minute. "They didn't believe me because I'm a woman," she says in our interview.

Lynn is the author of a new book, “Choosing Survival,” which describes her attack, the PTSD she suffered, and the mistreatment she endured in the hospital. Unfortunately, we find that the gender bias she experienced – simply because she is a woman – is all too common.

The book is candid and emotional as Lynn reveals how the City of Boca Raton, Florida’s, police covered up violent crimes like what occurred to her… just to protect the city’s glitzy reputation.

But, even worse was how Lynn was treated by those who were supposed to protect and serve vulnerable victims like her. Unfortunately, this story is all too relatable for women who have experienced sexual assault and rape.

Some questions we asked Lynn:

Q. Start at the beginning. You were what, 19? What happened?

Q. You’re from Texas. Why were you in Boca Raton?

Q. So you were stabbed in bed by a stranger in your mother’s house?

Q. How were you treated by the police?

Q. How did healthcare workers and other systems fail you before and after your attack?

Q. What happened in the hospital? The male nurse who wanted to show you about sex?

Q. Why do you think they blamed you, or did not trust you?

Q. How do you confront victim blaming and shaming?

Q. How common is gender bias and shaming in healthcare? Studies have shown that doctors view men and women with chronic pain differently, right?

Q. What can be the end result of healthcare gender bias when it comes to diagnosing and treating patients? Can appropriate treatment be delayed…or even denied…for example?

Q. You graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor of fine arts degree. You’ve been a dancer and actor, right?

Q. How did the attack and your subsequent treatment affect your life and your career?

Q. What are your plans going forward?

Q. Where can people buy your book?

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Should Have Listened to My Mother

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0000

We have something a little different for you today…no politics for a change…instead a conversation about the influence our mom on our lives in honor of Mother’s Day.

Our guest is Jackie Tantillo, host of the “Should have Listened To My Mother Podcast,” which examines who we are because of – or in spite of – our mother.

Jackie has worked in broadcasting as on-air talent (radio), on camera talent (commercials and industrials), a national and international voice over talent, voice over acting instructor and producer and production coordinator for over four decades. She worked as a stringer for the ABC Rock Network and interviewed many charismatic music icons.

Currently Jackie is enjoying her conversations with her guests from around the world on her podcast.
Everyone has stories to tell of their mother and it's important to reflect on that personal relationship whether good or bad.

The youngest of seven children, six girls and one boy, Italian American family, Jackie was born overseas in Rota, Spain as her father, a Civil Engineer, managed a large project for the US Navy.Jackie studied at McGill University, Montreal, Canada and State University of New York at Plattsburgh where she graduated with a Mass Media degree.

Jackie Tantillo, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast.

How did you get started in radio?
Your career has been a virtual highlight reel with your voice over work, talk show host, spokesperson, production coordinator, and more. Now you’re doing this “Mothers’” podcast. Why?
Tell us about your background, some of the highlights, including what you’re doing now at WABC Radio in New York.
How did your mom influence your priorities and what you’ve done in your own life? Should you have listened to her even more than you did?
You’re a mom, right?
What did you learn from your mom that translates into how you treat your own kids? After all, you were one of seven kids, right? She certainly had her hands full.
You like to give back, and you’ve mentored high school students who want to become voice over talents. You enjoy working with young people, right?
There are a lot of divisions in this country, which seemly have worsened over the past few years. As you work with these kids, do you have a sense of hope for the future?
Tell us about your podcast. Who are some of the most interesting guests that you’ve interviewed?
What can people learn from your podcast?
What’s your message for all the mom’s out there and for those who plan to honor their moms?

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Jack Kerfoot-Bye Bye Coal

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0000

It is a remarkable story, and despite obvious political ramifications for lawmakers representing coal states, the U.S. has cut the use of coal for electricity generation from 50% in 2005 to 19.8% in 2021, and it's still falling.

In fact, according to our podcast guest, scientist and energy expert Jack Kerfoot, renewables like solar and wind power are expected to overtake coal as the world's top energy source by 2025, just two years from now.

In this extremely informative episode, Kerfoot walks us through those developments and explains what they mean for the future, including impact on the world's environment as we deal with climate change.

Kerfoot begins the episode with an explanation of the various types of coal, how they are used, and their cost. He says that as we move away from coal to renewables, energy prices will dramatically decrease even as we reduce the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

Here are the costs associated with various types of energy generation, according to Kerfoot: 1) Onshore Wind – 2.6¢ to 5.0¢ per kWh 2) Onshore Solar PV – 2.8¢ to 4.1¢ per kWh 3) Natural Gas ($3.45 MMBTU) – 4.5¢ to 7.4¢ per kWh 4) Geothermal – 5.6¢ to 9.3¢ per kWh 5) Coal – 6.5¢ to 15.2¢ per kWh 6) Natural Gas Peaker Plants – 15.1¢ to 19.6¢ per kWh 7) Nuclear – 13.1¢ to 20.4¢ per kWh.

"Clearly, onshore wind and solar are significantly cheaper sources of electricity on a levelized cost basis than coal-fueled power plants. I anticipate that new technologies will allow the cost of electricity from wind and solar to continue to decrease over the next decade," Kerfoot says. Here's the breakdown of energy sources in the U.S.

in 2021 compared to 2005: In 2005, utilities used Coal (49.6%), Nuclear (19.3%), Petroleum Gas (19.1%), Hydropower (6.7%), Oil (3.0%), and Renewable Energy (2.3%) (geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass) to generate electricity in America. In 2021, utilities used Petroleum Gas (38.8%), Coal (21.9%), Nuclear (18.9 %), Renewables (13.7%), Hydropower (6.2%), and Oil (0.5%).
In 2021, all forms of renewable energy (hydropower, wind, solar, etc.) generated 19.9% of the nation’s electricity.

What caused this big shift to renewables?

In 2005, there was growing concern across our nation over the impact of global warming, which results in climate change, Kerfoot says, adding that there was also concern over our nation’s energy security. Moreover, the price of crude oil (WTI) was over US $56/Barrel and was forecast to go over $100/Barrel by 2008, which is what happened, he explains.

Because of these developments, Congress passed the bipartisan “Energy Policy Act of 2005,” providing tax incentives to encourage domestic energy production including renewable energy like wind and solar, nuclear power, “clean coal”, and oil/gas technology.

"The legislation did Not have any significant impact on rejuvenating nuclear power development or the coal industry. The legislation Did have significant impact on the development of wind and solar technology and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) technology in the oil/gas industry," Kerfoot says.

"The tax incentives encouraged entrepreneurs, like the late T. Boone Pickens to develop wind farms in Texas. In 2006, a wind farm boom commenced in many of the Great Plains states, which have strong consistent winds, an abundance of entrepreneurs, innovative power companies, and low population densities," he explains.

"Current data indicates that renewable energy (including hydropower) will greater than 50% of the nation’s electricity before 2050. The times they are a changing."

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Florida-An Emerging Police State?

Wed, 26 May 2021 00:00:00 -0000

We are living in a time when many of our fellow citizens are facing injustices, even threats to their lives, that nobody should have to deal with.

If you’re a Black kid and you knock on the wrong door to meet a friend, you could be shot. That’s just a fact. It just happened, and our guest today, Dr. Pamela Gurley, has something to say about that.

Dr. Gurley is a Content Strategy Expert, International Speaker, World-Renowned Best-Selling Author, and Journalist who understands the power of words (both verbal and written). As the Founder/CEO of Clark and Hill Enterprise and IAMDRPGURLEY and Founder/President of the Brown Girl and Brown Boy Literacy Foundation, she is on a mission to empower, grow, transform, and motivate others, as well as lead and challenge social norms and false narratives.

In 2021, she was awarded the RadioOne EmpowerHER “Empowering Motivation” award for her commitment to uplifting others.

We are delighted to have Dr. Gurley as a contributing writer to our Lean to the Left blog site, something that evolved after she appeared as a guest on this podcast last year. Her most recent blog explains new legislation being considered in Florida that would make it a crime, with possible five years in prison, for filming police action, such as a traffic stop or suspect arrest.

That legislation, she says, threatens individual freedom of speech and the public's right to hold law enforcement accountable. In effect, it continues Florida's march to becoming a police state under Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Dr. Gurley is a retired U.S. Army veteran, holds a BA in Psychology, a Master’s in Health Service Administration, and a Doctorate in Management.

In November 2019, she released her first book, “I Am Not A Stereotype: I Am H.E.R.,” and in March 2021, she released her second book, Black Girl Activist, instantly becoming an Amazon Best Seller. On June 3, 2021, she released the first books in her multilingual Brown Girl and Brown Boy children’s books series. She has since published five additional titles totaling 21 books with 3 more on the way this spring. She has also been a part of three anthologies – one with Dr. Gurley as a Visionary Author.

Some questions we ask Dr. Gurley during the interview:

Q. I understand there is new legislation in Florida and some other states that is particularly troubling. Can you tell us about it?

Q. That sounds like a blatant violation of the First Amendment. Do you agree?

Q. What about witness intimidation? Doesn’t that legislation cross the line?

Q. Does such legislation, in effect, sanction police brutality by hiding their actions from the public and other authorities?

Q. When a bystander films a police stop and subsequent arrest, does that not actually serve to protect the police officers assuming they have done nothing wrong?

Q. Do you feel that such proposals are prompted simply by racism and the racist attitudes of certain lawmakers?

Q. These bills come at a time when Democrats in Congress are pushing for police reform. They fly in the face of that effort. Your thoughts?

Q. We’ve had incidents recently where individuals, including people of color, have been victims of the so-called “Stand Your Ground” attitudes prompted by the gun lobby. Your thoughts about that?

Q. Tell us about your work and your books, especially your new children’s book series.

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Lance Hillsinger-Protecting Our Children in Foster Care

Wed, 19 May 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Lance Hillsinger worked in social services for 34 years and has written two books based on those experiences. He has a master's degree in psychology from Vanderbilt University and a bachelor's degree in psychology and political science from UCLA.

Hilsinger’s first, “In Place of the Parent: Inside Child Protective Services,’ examines the child welfare/juvenile court system. His second book, “Build a Better Bridge: Social Policy for the 21st Century,” the author goes beyond child welfare and examines social welfare programs (cash aid, food stamps, etc.) in general.

However, he points out that social welfare programs do not generate welfare. Intergenerational wealth is created, for most families, by homeownership. Thus, in “Build A Better Bridge”, He offers various low-cost/no-cost ideas to increase homeownership as well as reduce truancy, crime, and other social ills that so often accompany poverty.

While both books are written in an easy-to-read style. They seek to inform and persuade for common-sense change.

Listen to the episode...

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The Dixie Dems_ A Witch's Brew

Wed, 12 May 2021 00:00:00 -0000

A "witch's brew" of GOP-sponsored political activity in Texas, Florida, Tennessee and other states across the nation tops the discussion in the April edition of the Dixie Dems on the Lean to the Left podcast, now streaming.

Arthur Hill, first vice chair of the Brunswick County, NC Democratic Party and Robert Thompson, host of the Got Damn Liberal podcast based in Atlanta, GA, join Lean to the Left host Bob Gatty to discuss these key developments and more.

In their crosshairs are efforts by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to restrict abortions, what books can be read and topics that can be taught in the state's school, new legislation infringing on the rights of LGBTQ+ and transgender individuals, Donald Trump's legal problems, and the defection of a Democratic state lawmaker to the Republican Party in North Carolina, among others.

In one section, Thompson points out that because of GOP efforts to restrict abortions that vasectomies are on dramatically increasing as many men are concerned about the consequences of impregnating someone and then having to live with the consequences.

The conversation also turns to unbridled development in Florida, North Carolina and other states that's in response to large numbers of people, especially retirees, who are seeking low taxes and warmer weather. However, in Florida, Thompson notes, property and casualty insurance rates are skyrocketing even as the state has enacted tort reform that makes it more difficult for plaintiffs to win settlements in court

Trump's legal challenges and his pledge to run for the presidency even if convicted of a crime are also covered, along with his challenge by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and former SC Gov. and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Thompson observes that country icon Dolly Parton "wants to see more boobs in the White House."

Gatty pointed out that Dr. Pamela Gurley, in a new blog for Lean to the Left, discusses DeSantis-initiated legislation that would make it a crime to record videos of police officers as they arrest individuals. If passed, that legislation would impose a five year prison sentence on those who record such videos, a clear First Amendment free speech violation. That blog and a podcast interview with Dr. Gurley will post and stream on April 26.

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Fighting--and Winning--Against a Rare, Deadly Cancer

Wed, 05 May 2021 00:00:00 -0000

There’s a horrible, deadly cancer that not many people know about. It’s called Cholangiocarcinoma. We’ll learn a lot about that today from Jan Meyer, who lost her mother to this disease, and has been fighting Cholangio herself.

Jan is a retired registered nurse and was diagnosed with Stage 2B intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in February 2018. She underwent a liver resection and then received chemotherapy for six months. She is doing well now, and is spending her life helping to raise money and awareness for cholangiocarcinoma research -- despite being confined to a wheelchair as a result of a bad automobile accident.

On May 20, Jan and her husband, Dean, will hold their 4th annual 5k, called the Quack Out Cholangio 5k Run/Walk to Crush Bile Duct Cancer, with all proceeds earmarked for research.

Here are some questions we asked Janice:

Q. First, let’s talk about Cholangio…what are the symptoms of this disease?

Q. What are some of the risk factors? Is it genetic?

Q. I know that Cholangiocarcinoma is a relatively rare disease. Just how rare? Do you know how many people have it?

Q. If someone is diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma, what’s your advice? Q. To what do you attribute your apparent success in dealing with this disease?

Q. Let’s talk about the 5K. How can people get involved?

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David E. Feldman-Overcoming Life's Challenges

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to Lean to the Left. I’m your host, Bob Gatty.

David E. Feldman has confronted so many serious health problems in his life that it’s a wonder he’s still standing. He’s faced drug addiction, depression, spinal problems that nearly led to paralysis, two hip replacements, intestinal resection with colostomy and cancer.

But instead letting all of that beat him, what’s Feldman done? He’s written a bunch of books in which his characters overcome life’s greatest hurdles. In fact, Feldman is the author of eight books, including his 6-book Dora Ellison Mystery Series and a standalone “literary” novel, The Neighborhood, which focuses on racism.

And oh, by the way, Feldman is an accomplished working musician and artist. He’s an award-winning filmmaker, too, and His play, Love Lives On, was a winner of the Artists in Partnership Inaugural Playwriting Contest. He’s been the owner of e-Face Media – eface.com – since 1989, which provides web design, videography, brand development, and digital services, among others.

This is an episode that is uplifting and encouraging, demonstrating the power of determination and the human spirit, and how writing, music and the arts can be cathartic for people who have had difficult obstacles to overcome.

Here are some questions we asked David:

Tell us about your story. How is it that you’ve faced all of these serious health concerns and yet have been able to produce all of this creative work and even run a company?

How is it that these experiences found their way into your novels? Tell us about them.

Your books touch on issues of the day, much like this podcast, focusing on issues such as bigotry, to gender issues, to the lives of people with special needs. What do you see in society today that makes these topics important and relevant?

One of your books deals with bullying. Tell us about that and why you wrote it.

You recently completed a ghostwriting project about the history of people of a particular heritage in U.S. military. You also ghosted a romance novel and a how-to book about fishing. Is there anything you don’t write about?

What’s your view of society today, the divisions, the increase in hateful rhetoric on social media and even in interpersonal relationships?

What’s your view of the political situation today, with Republicans in control of the House of Representatives and targeting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as they complain about a budget deficit that they, themselves, made much worse during the Trump presidency?

Thoughts about the 2024 Presidential election?

What is the goal of your writing?

You have a new book in the works. Tell us about it and where can people find your books?

What’s ahead for you?

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Lesley Abravanel, Robert Kesten: Pushing Back Against Fascism

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Many states are now restricting, even banning, books that discuss important social issues that can be used in our schools. It’s a misguided attempt to somehow protect children.Our guests today will explore those developments and their implications.

Robert Kesten has worked globally promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and furthering democracy. His work has taken many forms, including writing and producing an award winning documentary on the Holocaust and Concentration Camps in Poland. He worked on the Ghanaian Constitution, produced events leading to Ukrainian independence, and events for AIDS day and decriminalization of homosexuality in Ukraine, which was the first Soviet Republic to do so.

He is currently the Executive Director of Stonewall National Museum and Archives and is actively engaged in the LGBTQ+ community, committed to using history as a tool to make sense of the present and form a community response for today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Born and raised in New York, Lesley Abravanel covered the amusingly vapid celeb scene in South Florida for the Miami Herald and several supermarket mags. She also wrote about restaurants, nightlife and travel for such outlets as the Miami.com and the Daily Mail.

After 2016, she took a major left turn and started using her platform to speak up about politics, especially after being blocked on Twitter by a certain one-term, twice-impeached former "president" who has recently been indicted. She parlayed that into her current position as Managing Editor for Occupy Democrats and Washington Press, two of the internet's most followed left-leaning websites.
She sometimes covers antisemitism in Palm Beach County for The Forward.

When she's not fighting fascism, she collects hot sauces, raises twins, and attempts to learn Swedish from her Stockholm-born husband. I strongly recommend that you follow her twitter page. @lesleyabravanel

For the first time in its history- only one teacher from the state of Florida is registered to attend the 10th annual Stonewall National Education Project (SNEP) Educators' Symposium next week (April 13-16) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. One teacher. No administrators, no government employees. I’m joined on this program by co-host Mark M. Bello, who also hosts the Justice Counts podcast, which also is streaming this episode.

Mark: Robert, only one Florida teacher registered for the Educators’ Symposium. But this event is in Florida and SNEP was started ten years ago in partnership with Florida's Broward County Public Schools. Please tell our audience what SNEP is and why only one teacher is registered to attend the event?

Bob: That’s outrageous. Worse, I understand that Florida-type attacks on literature, arts, and music are spreading to other states. Tell us about that.

Mark: If the goal is to protect kids, why do the same groups who seek to ban books, also seek to permit assault rifles? Why is the 2nd Amendment sacrosanct, but the 1st not so much?

Bob: Lesley, I’d like to turn to you for a second. Hearing Mark read your bio, I think it’s a badge of honor to be banned from Twitter by a certain former president, but I also heard that you were the Managing Editor for Occupy Democrats and Washington Press, two of the internet's most followed left-leaning websites. What caused your twitter ban, and please tell us about your websites and left-leaning advocacy?

There is much, much more...take a listen...

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Dr. Emily Bashah, Paul Johnson: Solutions to Mass Shootings

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0000

On a Monday morning in late March three nine year-olds and three adults were gunned down by a shooter who opened fire at the Covenant Presbyterian church school in Nashville, Tennessee.

The children were students; the adults were staff members. One little girl, Hallie, was the daughter of the lead pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, which is connected to the school.

The shooter, Audrey Elizabeth Hale, used two AR-15 type weapons and a handgun. Hale had been receiving treatment for “an emotional disorder” and had legally purchased seven weapons from five local gun stores. Hale’s motive was not immediately clear.

The massacre was just the latest in a chain of shootings that just over the last year have left dozens dead and injured in attacks in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California; Chesapeake, Virginia, Colorado Springs, Highland Park, Illinois, Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York among other places.

As in Nashville, researchers found that shooters tended to alarm people around them, often signaling their plan in advance. Generally, they purchased their weapons legally.

After the Nashville tragedy, the chaplain of the U.S. Senate urged lawmakers to “move beyond thoughts and prayers.” President Biden said he had exhausted his executive powers to deal with guns and said Congress should pass an assault weapons ban, saying “there’s a moral price to pay for inaction.”

But Capitol Hill lawmakers indicated there was little support for that legislation. Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, reiterated their opposition to actions that would restrict access to guns, saying that mental health issues are the root cause of the gun violence problem in America.

That’s why Mark Bello and I present clinical psychologist Emily Bashah and political expert Paul Johnson, former mayor of Phoenix, Arizona. They are co-authors of Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You.

Dr. Bashah frequently serves as an expert witness in court and has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses. Johnson was the youngest mayor of Phoenix when he was elected at age 30. He was sued by the NRA for implementing common sense gun laws, and in this episode, Johnson lays out a three-part approach that he believes is politically feasible and could dramatically reduce mass shootings and enhance school safety for children.

Here are questioons we asked Dr. Bashah and Johnson:

Q. What will it take for this country to take meaningful action to protect the lives of innocent people from mass shootings such as this tragic event...

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Deborah Burris-Kitchen-Calling Out Racism & Greed

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Ever wonder what it would be like to be really, really short? Do you think you’d feel discriminated against, or at a competitive disadvantage in life? If you’re a woman, do you believe you face unfair situations because of inequities that favor men?

Today we welcome Dr. Deborah J. Burris-Kitchen, a professor of criminology and department chair at Tennessee State University in Nashville, who has just published “Exposed,” a critique of American society, of love and social injustice, through the eyes of a sociologist.It’s a memoir of short stories and poetry that takes the reader on an expedition highlighting her struggle to find love and earn respect as she crashes against wave after wave of toxic masculinity.

Dr. Burris-Kitchen lays bare women’s victimization as they continue to fight for empowerment and equality and exposes what she says are the inequities of the American Caste system with a desire to provoke social change. Her previous publications include a book titled Short Rage: an autobiographical look at heightism in America.

She also has written extensively about racism and prisons, including “From Slavery to Prisons: A Historical Delineation of the Criminalization of African Americans”.

Q. Tell us a bit about your background and what you’ve been up to.Q. What are some of the topics covered in Exposed?Q. How can we transcend stereotypes based on height, race, poverty, transgender, etc.?

Q. How can women reclaim their life after being victims of sexual assault?

Q. What do you hope the reader will take away from reading Exposed?

Q. Your bio says you’re an activist who fights against violence, racism, exploitation, greed, and capitalism. Explain.

Q. What are your thoughts about the direction the Republicans are trying to take this country?

Q. What goes through your head when you see female politicians, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, suck up to Donald Trump and support the GOP’s right-wing social initiatives that are harmful to women and minorities?

Q. Where can people find your book?

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DW Duke-Overcoming Confrontation & Conflict

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0000

DW Duke is a California attorney and an author of six published books with three more books currently in production. His work has focused on human rights and empathy as a tool to overcome confrontation and conflict in the world.

DW currently is creating a series of biographical novels and screenplays about social justice issues. One of his books, Racism Awareness, scheduled to be released in March of 2023, addresses root causes of racism and presents effective ways to identify and eradicate it.

Another, ”Not Without a Fight,” is a biographical novel based on the true story of a Jewish boy who becomes a Resistance Fighter in World War II in Poland. The book’s message is we shouldn’t be erasing history, we should be learning from it. That’s timely.

It’s a pleasure for me and Mark Bello, co-host of the Justice Counts podcast, to welcome you, DW, to our podcast.

Mark– Welcome to the podcast. “Not Without A Fight” is your first book based upon a true story set during the Holocaust era. As most of our listeners know, I’m a Jewish Boy and I’ve also written a Holocaust novella, based on a true story. But, talk to us about your book, why you wrote it, and what message you would like readers to walk away with.

Bob – Your next book, The Duke Legacy, also is based on a true story, takes place during the civil war era, and tells the story of a young man growing up in the south, and is deeply troubled by slavery. It isn’t lost on me that the kid’s last name is Duke—Is this book about your own family and why did you write it?

Bob – Our country is struggling with the problems of discrimination and racism. Is that why you wrote “Racism Awareness?” Talk to us about that.

Mark: There is a rise in anti-Semitic activities and attitudes in America today. Jew hatred is on the rise. Do you see many parallels between what’s going on in America today and the rise of Nazism in Germany in the 1930s?

Bob – You have said that empathy is a tool in overcoming stereotypes and discrimination. I would agree with that, but it sounds rather simplistic. Can you elaborate for us? What can the average citizen do to improve our interreligious or interracial discourse?

Mark – I want to go back to “Not Without a Fight” for a moment. The boy who is the focus of the book survives the war. Did he continue his activism? What was his life like after the war?

Bob – Aside from our racial and religious differences, we have a serious political divide in America today. What can be we do to resolve, or at least ease, political polarization in the U.S.?

Mark – Bob tells me that there may be a movie in the works based on “Not Without a Fight.” That’s exciting. What is the status of this project and when might we be able to see the movie in theatres or on television?

Bob -- You have another biographical novel currently in production called “Because I’m Black.” What is that book about?

Mark: Your books are based on rather terrible periods in history. In the first two books, your two protagonists, Thomas Biebers and Washington Duke, hate what’s going on in their respective countries during their lifetimes. What would they think of modern day Germany and America? Would they be pleased or disappointed with our progress?

Bob – Your work on discrimination and religious hatred is note-worthy and your books take a fascinating look at troubling times. Where can people find these important books?

Mark: In the introduction, Bob mentioned that “Not Without a Fight” core message is that we shouldn’t be erasing history, we should be learning from it. What do you think of the current discussion in America about sugar-coating history books and book-banning?

Mark: Wow. DW? You are a man after my own heart. We are better than this. We do not need to be an “us” vs. “them” society. As Rodney King said all those years...

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Cathy Perez-Advocating for Womens' Rights

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0000

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v Wade, many states are now acting to virtually eliminate the ability of a woman to obtain an abortion, and some states would even prosecute healthcare providers who perform the procedure.

We’ll talk about all of that with our guest today, a women’s health coach, Cath Perez.

Cathy always had a passion for health and fitness, being organized and sharing her curiosity for life to anyone who would listen. After many years in the corporate arena, supporting others with administrative and HR tasks, Cathy became a “Health” Coach. She’s a Certified Healthy Eating and Weight Loss Coach, a Certified Yoga Instructor (200YTT) and the 159th Worldwide Certified Konmari Organizing Consultant.

Cathy now helps women create a healthy relationship with anxiety and stress with healthy habits that she took over 20 years to learn and hone to cope with her own anxiety disorder. Cathy is a strong advocate for women’s rights, and today we’re going to focus on reproductive justice.

Welcome, Cathy, to Lean to the Left.--

Q. What do women (others who don't identify as binary) require right now & why should the country care?

Q. What is Reproductive Justice all about?

Q. Why does Reproductive Justice matter?

Q. What can be done to support reproductive justice?

Q. As a health coach, I presume that you help your clients deal with anxiety and stress, right?

Q. Don’t questions around having an abortion cause a good deal of anxiety and stress? What’s your advice to your clients.

Q. What advice do you give women who need an abortion but live in states that prohibit the procedure.

Q, What’s your view of states that even try to ban the so-called “abortion pill?”

Q. Tell us more about your work as a health coach for women. Reproductive Justice or the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), I"m happy to be connected. Or, the people can learn more at the following websites: keepabortionsafe.org or https://www.eracoalition.org/

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Dixie Dems: Reading the Tea Leaves

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast and the March 2023 episode of the Dixie Dems with my partners, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia.

Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals, which is worth a listen.

Me…I’m based in South Carolina, home of GOP Trump acolytes, Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, one of whom got wiped out in his bid for the 2016 GOP Presidential nomination and the other for whom a similar fate awaits in 2024.

Today, we take a look at what’s happening politically in our three states as well as nationwide…

One of the highlights of this episode is a discussion about the presidential candidacy of Nikki Haley, former SC governor and UN ambassador in the Trump administration. Arthur Hill says Haley "scares" him and predicts she will rise in the polls to become a serious contender for the Republican nomination, even though she's currently in the low single digits in the national polls.

"I think she's only four or 5% in the polls, but that's because most people don't know who she is," Hill says, "but I think she, has the ability to rise in the polls. I don't know. And, I think Trump's in free fall. I don't see him being as big a factor in the primaries as he has been in the past."

About Haley, Hill adds, "To be perfectly honest, she scares me. She's, intelligent. She's she's attractive. She represents a clear alternative to Trump and DeSantis. And I think Pence isn't going anywhere. So I, think that if Republicans who are looking for somebody to ally with that are repelled by Trump and DeSantis, you've got Nikki Haley standing out there waiting in the wings to to increase her popularity.

"And, it's really early that not too many people outside of South Carolina know about Nikki Haley and even though she's got a track record. She's a governor, she's a former ambassador to the UN. So she's got chief executive chops and she's got international relations chops.

"I think once the word starts getting out around her I, let me be clear. I'm not supporting Nikki Haley for President , but but I am saying that I think she could be a formidable candidate in a general election." There's much more in this episode, with discussions about "anti-woke" initiatives in numerous states, prospects for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and much more.

Take a listen.

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Ed Hajim-From Orphanage to Boardroom -

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0000

At the age of 3, Ed Hajim was kidnapped by his father, driven cross-country, and was told his mother was dead. And then, not too much later, he was virtually abandoned by his dad.

Many years later, business entrepreneur Ed Hajim received the Horatio Alger award for exemplifying the values of initiative, leadership, and commitment to excellence -- despite personal adversity.

Hajim is the author of “On the Road Less Traveled, An Unlikely Journey from the Orphanage to the Boardroom.” It’s a memoir that describes the improbable story of how he bounced from foster homes to orphanages.

It was a daily struggle to survive, but Hajim flourished, ultimately becoming an accomplished Wall Street executive and model family man. And now, he is giving back to a world that seemed intent on rejecting him.

“On the Road Less Traveled” is packed with stories of how Hajim used his ingenuity to achieve his goals – like wangling a free plane trip to the west coast purportedly for an interview for a job he didn’t want – just so he could be the best man at a friend’s wedding.

Hajim is the son of a Syrian immigrant and now has more than 50 years’ experience in the financial industry. His bio reads like a who’s who of major investment companies in which he’s held senior management or ownership positions.

Ed Hajim, thanks for being with us today on Lean to the Left. It’s a pleasure speaking with you.

Q. Your life story is filled with many twists and turns. How were you kidnapped by your dad? What led to that?

Q. Did you ever find your mom? Tell us about that. What was it like to first meet her after 57 years?

Q. What was your relationship like with your dad? How did it evolve over the years? How did this affect your life choices?

Q. What did you learn from this adversity, and how did that influence your business career?

Q. In your book, you describe in many places the sadness and loneliness that you felt because of the lack of immediate family. Did that affect your decisions later in life, especially when it came to business and leading people?

Q. You fought poverty, but your memoir describes your ingenuity in finding ways to cover costs – money for college tuition, for example, including for tuition to Harvard Business School when you were, pretty much, flat broke. Talk to me about your determination to be financially independent and what ultimately happened.

Q. You write that “Sometimes you need to know when a partnership has run its course. And sometimes, it’s better to sever ties and leave on your own, even if the next step I unknown. That’s often the road less traveled, but it’s so worth the journey.” What were you referring to and why do you say it was “worth the journey?”

Q. You write in your memoir about the importance of obtaining a solid educational foundation, which you credit with making your life success possible. Can you elaborate on that? What advice do you give young people who want a higher education but for financial or other reasons are stuck and feel that’s an impossible dream?

Q. What have you done personally to support higher education?

Q. At the University of Rochester, you started a new magazine, from scratch. You wrote: “I loved putting projects and people together to solve a problem.” That’s pretty much your ultimate business story, right?

Q. You received a Navy scholarship, which meant you had to serve three years in the Navy. What did that do for you?

Q. You write: “The only constant in life is change. People change and businesses change. If you don’t adapt, you will not survive.” Can you please elaborate?

Q. We haven’t talked about the various companies that you worked for or owned. Can you take us on a quickie tour? I know, it’s a lifetime…

Q. What would you say were your most significant achievements...

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Mark M. Bello-Thriller Writer Strikes Again

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome. I’m Bob Gatty with Mark M. Bello, social justice lawyer and author of riveting ripped-from-the-headline novels covering some of the major issues of our times.

Look up “justice” in the dictionary and you’ll find something like: “Just or fair behavior or treatment.”

In addition to hosting the Lean to the Left podcast, I co-host Mark’s “Justice Counts” podcast, where the conversation goes beyond the law to issues that are important – like equal access and fair treatment for everyone.

But today we’re going to talk about Mark’s latest books. He’s been busy over the last few months, has won some new awards, including the Mom's Choice Gold Award from an organization of mothers in recognition of his new children's book about bullying, Happy Jack Sad Jack.

During the episode Mark talks about this project as well as other new novels that he has in the works, including a new murder mystery and a "legal romance" novel.

Take a listen.

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The Blue Voter Guide

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Would you like a way to help everyone in your personal and professional networks vote faster, easier, and smarter – and help Democrats win – even in traditionally Republican areas?
Today we’re with Wayne Liebman, director of operations and “hairball detangler” at BlueVoterGuide.org, a new, unique get-out-the-vote tool built by grassroots organizers for everyone.
It’s progressive, simple, and shareable—bringing along all voters, including hesitant first-timers, to make voting easier and fun.

Prior to the 2022 election, Wayne oversaw the creation of Blue Voter Guide. It’s a volunteer-led platform that makes voting easier by showing the endorsements of a wide range of progressive organizations. Blue Voter Guide had over 50,000 users in nine states in 2022, and will expand to all 50 states in 2024.

A physician, playwright, and political organizer, Wayne worked to unite Southern California’s grass roots activists and Democratic party infrastructure into a winning alliance in 2018. He helped build SoCal Blue (initially Swing SoCal Left) to co-ordinate efforts to flip SoCal’s five Republican-held swing districts. SoCal Blue fueled the growth of local coalitions (Action Councils) and served as public event hub for thousands of district flipping activities.

Following the November, 2018 sweep, Wayne took on the role of Director of Operations for Field Team 6, (Register Democrats, Save the World) partnering as a volunteer with Jason Berlin and C.O.O. Dale Roy Robinson to grow the organization into a national voter registration powerhouse, helping to register nearly 2 million Democrats and contributing to winning a Democratic trifecta in 2020.

Wayne continued his work with SoCal Blue and Field Team 6 in 2022.

So Wayne, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast. We’re anxious to hear about the Blue Voter Guide.

Q. Can you fill us in on the Guide got started and how it works?Q. Is this only for the battleground target states?

Q. You’re going to expand to other states, right? It would certainly be valuable in states, like South Carolina, where Republicans dominate but there is a huge influx of new voters from the northeast who need to be encouraged to vote.

Q. Does the Guide include all Dem candidates, including local? How about Independent candidates?

Q. How about ballot initiatives? Are they included?Q. Can you get a completed ballot to take with you when you vote?Q. What’s been the response?Q. Where can people learn more about the Blue Voter Guide?

Q. Are you looking for volunteers to help spread the word? In what areas do you need help?

Q. Are there events planned, like phone banking, etc.?Q. How can people sign up to volunteer?

Q. I see on your website something called Current Storm. What’s that all about?

Q. Are you working directly with Democratic organizations to expand use of the Blue Voter Guide?

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Robert Nordlander-Sharing Secrets of the IRS

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Using a gun and handcuffs, Robert Nordlander chased tax evaders and money launderers around the world for the Internal Revenue Service. So considering that it’s tax time now, he’s our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast, where we talk about taxes, audits, avoiding trouble with the IRS, and a lot more.

As an IRS-Criminal Investigation special agent, Nordlander was a highly trained federal agent who spent over 20 years chasing tax evaders and money launderers across the globe. His investigations ranged from simple embezzlement to cryptocurrency to using foreign trusts to hide income. He has traveled to various countries on behalf of the United States training other countries' federal investigators.

Nordlander’s specialty is following the money, whether in a divorce, partnership dispute, stealing inheritances, or in criminal court. He also helps defense attorneys in criminal tax investigations, and is an expert in how to deal with the IRS with unpaid taxes.

He is an Amazon best-selling author, having written two books, "Criminal Tax Secrets: What Every Defense Attorney Should Know" and "Unpaid Payroll Taxes: A Time Bomb You Can Defuse."

Nordlander is a licensed CPA and a Certified Fraud Examiner. He also hosts two podcasts -- Fraud Fighter Podcast (which is about the forensic accounting and anti-fraud/anti-money laundering industry) and Criminal Tax Files (which is about criminal tax investigations).

"We have a system where individuals or corporations self-assess their tax liability and then, report that information to the IRS," he points out. "The best way to get outta stay out of civil trouble is just by filing whatever's truth and honest and file it on time and accurately."

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Dixie Dems -- Antics & Shenanigans

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0000

We’re back with another episode of Dixie Dems, the podcast from Lean to the Left that takes an irreverent look at politics in the south, as well as nationwide.

As always, I'm joined by my partners, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia. Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals, which is worth a listen. Me…I’m based in South Carolina, home of Sens. Lindsey Graham and Uncle Tom Republican Tim Scott.

In this episode, we take a look at political developments in our states and we fire a few shots at the Republicans, especially Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene who catcalled President Biden during the State of the Union address, pain in the behind Rep. Jim Jordan, the newly minted GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, and many others.

The episode includes our observations about the U.S. taking down those unidentified flying objects in February, including the so-called Chinese spy balloon, that was knocked out of the sky by a U.S. fighter jet on Biden's orders, as well as a double murder trial in South Carolina in which a longtime big shot lawyer is charged with killing his wife and son, and another trial featuring so-called Tiger King "Doc" Antle.

So, there's lots to take in on this episode. Here's a bit of what we covered:

Arthur, what’s happening in North Carolina?

How about you, Robert. You’ve got a lot of action there in Georgia, what with wacko Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene continuing to grab attention.

What’s happening in South Carolina?

Take a listen...

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Robin Bartlett-Vietnam Combat: 50 Years Later

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Robin Bartlett takes us back 50 years to a "boots on the ground" account of his extraordinary combat experiences as a 22-year-old 1st Lieutenant with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam.

As a combat infantry platoon leader, he deployed a 32-man platoon on search and destroy missions and helicopter assaults into hot landing zones at the height of the Vietnam War.

Today we’ll hear about the horror, fear, anguish, and sometimes illogical humor of that war. Robin talks about the long-term impact, both positive and negative, on his home life and business career...with insights about leadership, courage, PTSD, and life lessons learned.

Promoted to 1st Lieutenant after only one year, Bartlett at 22 assumed the leadership of the 1st Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Over the next seven months, he led a platoon on more than 60 helicopter combat assaults and search and destroy missions.

Bartlett grew up in a military family. His grandfather, father and brother all attended West Point, and in college, as the Vietnam War escalated and eighteen-year-olds were drafted daily, Bartlett joined his college’s ROTC program. As a Distinguished Military Graduate, he volunteered for Infantry, Airborne, and Ranger training, and assignment to the 82d Airborne Division. He got everything he asked for…and more.

Bartlett holds a BA degree in Comparative Literature from Claremont McKenna College in California and a master’s degree in Media from Pace University in NYC. He has written numerous business publications and a professional book published by Dun & Bradstreet.

He is the President of the NY/NJ Chapter of the 1st Cavalry Division Association, and a proud member of the 82d Airborne Division Association. He and his wife live in Norwood, New Jersey, and have three sons, none of whom have pursued military careers.

Some questions we asked Robin:

Q. We’re now celebrating the 50th anniversary of the treaty ending the Vietnam War. Tell us about your experience as a young lieutenant who was given life-and-death responsibility over young men, some barely old enough to buy a beer.

Q. Give us your perspective of the war from a “boots on the ground” point of view.Q. How did you manage having misgivings about the mission while being required to follow orders and meet your responsibilities as a platoon leader?

Q. What did you learn about leadership, decision making, courage and fear?Q. How did your experience in Vietnam as a 22-year-old platoon leader affect your post-war professional life? What have you been doing since then?

Q. Describe what it was like to participate in a helicopter combat assault.Q. When did you come face-to-face with the enemy?

Q. You just completed a new video, “Firefights and Courage,” in which you describe an assault and its aftermath. Fill us in on that.

Q. Why are the words “Welcome Home” such an important greeting for Vietnam vets?

Q. Tell us about your book, “Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History.” What did you learn from writing it?

Q. Where can people find it?

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Bob Buzzanco-Vietnam: 50 Years Later

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0000

It was 50 years ago that the U.S. signed a peace treaty to end its long war in Indochina, after losing over 58,000 troops and spending billions of dollars in a failed effort to prevent the nationalist-communist forces of North Vietnam from unifying the country.

The U.S. killed 2-3 million Vietnamese, dropped 4.6 million tons of bombs, and created 15 million refugees--but still failed.

Award-winning historian of the Vietnam War Robert Buzzanco has written and lectured widely about the war, including its final stages, the peace treaty, and the legacy of Vietnam.

Buzzanco is a history professor at the University of Houston and co-host of the Green & Red Podcast and is the author of Vietnam and the Transformation of American Life, Masters of War: Military Dissent and Politics in the Vietnam Era and many other publications about the Vietnam War.

Last March Bob appeared on the Lean to the Left podcast to discuss the war in Ukraine. We’re delighted to have him back to talk about Vietnam and its aftermath 50 years later.

Here are questions we discuss in the episode:
Q. Can you put into context what led to the 1973 peace treaty and its aftermath?

Q. Let’s talk about the Christmas Bombings launched by President Nixon in December 1972. What led to this offensive and what was the eventual result?

Q. Today, Vietnam, our former enemy is a trading partner with the US and last year Americans invested nearly $3 billion there. Was it worth it?

Q. What lessons did we lesrn from the Vietnam War?

Q. How does that relate to American foreign policy today when it comes to Russia, Ukraine, China and North Korea?

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Gabrielle Zwi-Guns to a Playground Fight

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0000

The mass shootings keep coming and innocent people keep getting gunned down. In fact, every day 110 people are killed by guns. On Feb. 14 it will be the five-year anniversary of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, when 17 people were murdered and 17 others injured.

Yet, the politicians do nothing. Today’s Lean to the Left podcast episode looks at that through the eyes of Gabrielle Zwi, a young woman who wrote a song she created from her own experiences. It's called "Guns to a Playground Fight."

Late last year Gabrielle, a 22-year-old singer-songwriter, educator, and community organizer based in Rockville, MD, graduated from Columbia University, having safely made it through elementary and secondary school without being gunned down in her classroom.

The day after the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 21 people, including 19 third and fourth grade children and two teachers were killed and another 17 wounded, Zwi was moved to write her folk-pop protest tune which examines what it means to grow up as a member of the “school shooting generation.”

Gabrielle's song was released December 9, just before the 10th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting – you know, the one that Infowars founder Alex Jones claimed never really happened and since has been ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion to the families of victims there.

Her song was released in partnership with Lives Robbed, an organization founded by the parents and grandparents of children whose lives were lost to the shooting at Robb Elementary. All of the profits from streaming/downloads and associated performances are being donated to them.

The shootings never seem to stop. Less than a week into 2023, a six-year-old student allegedly shot his teacher with a handgun at a Virginia elementary in what police described as an “intentional” shooting. He reportedly used his mother’s legally purchased handgun to shoot his 25-year-old teacher, who led her students out of the classroom after being shot.

Take a listen...

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Lynne Bowman-The Gift of Diabetes

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with Lynne Parmiter Bowman, author of the Amazon best selling cookbook, Brownies for Breakfast.

You probably won’t believe it, but Lynne is 76. You would most certainly never know it and we’re going to spend some time finding out how she maintains her youth.

But there’s a lot more to Lynne Bowman than a pretty face. Lynne has been featured at women's expos throughout the country, speaking on kitchen table culture, community planning and the gift of diabetes.

She teamed up with actress Deidre Hall to write and publish Deidre Hall's Kitchen Closeup (2010) and Deidre Hall's How Does She Do It? (2012).

In a previous life, she worked with Silicon Valley companies as a creative director, winning national awards. She was Creative Director at E&J Gallo Winery, Advertising Manager at RedKen Laboratories, and held various other positions with agencies and clients in San Jose, Los Angeles, and on the East Coast.

Lynne has also worked as an actress, makeup artist, screenwriter, illustrator, legal journalist and television Weather Person. She is the mother of three grown children, and has two grandchildren. So we have a lot to talk about today.

What does she mean about “the GIFT” of diabetes? We need to find out about that. We’ll talk about her cookbook, Brownies for Breakfast, and see what that’s all about. And, we’ll talk about healthy eating, things we can do to stay healthy, and a lot more.

So, Lynne, thanks for joining us today on Lean to the Left.

Q. First off, when we first chatted about you coming on my show, you said you wanted to do it because you “lean to the left, with good reason.” How about explaining that?

Q. You’re 76 and still going! You could be doing anything you want, or nothing! Why this?

Q. How is Brownies for Breakfast different from other cookbooks for diabetics?

Q. The title includes the line “A Cookbook for Diabetics and The People Who Love them.” Why did you include “...and the people who love them” in your title?Q. Does this book have any meat or dairy in it?

Q. You’ve done a lot of things in your career, but what makes you an authority on healthy eating and diabetes?

Q. What surprised you most during your research and writing?

Q. What’s the one new habit that would make a big difference in someone’s health?

Q. Do you think there should be more cooperation and coordination between the food and healthcare industries?

Q. How do you get kids to eat healthy?

Q. Climate change is affecting all of us, and you guys are really experiencing the impact there in California. How does our food culture affect the environment?

Q. What are your thoughts about what needs to be done to combat climate change?

Q. What are your thoughts about fast food and the constant battle between fast food companies for market share?

Q. You and your husband have a small farm on the coast there in Northern California. What do you do there?

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Radio Jock Kid Curry Takes on MS

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0000

This is a story of absolute determination; the story of a rock jock who had the world by the tail -- until he didn't -- and then what he did to live life at its fullest despite having been dealt a bad hand regarding his health.

Kim Curry was a radio broadcaster for 33 years in some of America’s finest cities, a DJ in different time slots, and the Program Director of two of America’s legendary stations; KTSA-AM San Antonio and Power 96, Miami.

Curry was a broadcaster in the days when ownership was limited to seven AM and seven FM radio stations, before radio's corporate takeover.

Creative freedom and owner trust led to huge ratings as a DJ, consistently scoring the highest ratings in his timeslot. As Program Director, “Kid” Curry led Power 96 to ratings never before seen in the station’s history and achieved the most significant cumulative audience in the Southeast United States.

In 2005, Kim Curry was forced into retirement from the radio business after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Now, he’s the author of the book, "Come Get Me Mother, I'm Through!"

You can follow the story of Curry’s career and battle with a chronic disease at KRCurry.com.

Take a listen...

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Dixie Dems Commentary & Predictions for '23

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0000

We’re back with another episode of Dixie Dems, the podcast from Lean to the Left that takes an irreverent look at politics in the south, as well as nationwide. T

Today, we’ll offer up some prognostications for 2023 as well as take a look at some of the key political developments in our three states, and if our comments turn nationally, don’t be surprised. With me are my partners, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia. Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals, which is worth a listen. Me…I’m based in South Carolina, home of Sens. Lindsey Graham and Uncle Tom Republican Tim Scott.

So, welcome guys… First, let’s get to the news. Arthur, what’s happening in the Tar Heel State? (Where did that name come from, anyway?)

How about you, Robert. You’ve got a lot of action there in Georgia, what with rabble rouser Marjorie Taylor Greene, the crazy one, apparently gaining influence and all.

She had a “meeting in the ladies room” with Boebert to tell her she needed to join the swamp monsters – ironic That guy in Florida calling congress to get mccarthy elected Notice how nothing is being said about Nancy Pelosi? Because Republicans have to come up with a whole new narrative on hakeem jeffries GA embracing electric vehicles.

And, hey, how about those reports that “John Doe,” a former staffer for the Hershel Walker campaign, has sued conservative leader Matt Schlapp for allegedly sexually assaulting him last October. The unnamed aide is seeking almost $9.4 million in damages. Schlapp is chairman of the Conservative Political Action Coalition and denies “any improper behavior.” See what happens when you get in bed with monsters?

And who's heard from Herschel lately anyway?

Exactly. What’s happening in South Carolina? Well, the Democrats have had a defection – Sen. Mia McLeod, who unsuccessfully sought the party’s nomination to run against Gov. Henry McMaster – has left the Democrats and is now identifying as an Independent. McLeod claimed her decision is because the state’s Democratic party “no longer espouses the values my constituents and I hold dear.”

“By not engaging, enlightening or expanding the electorate…refusing to publicize the June Primary and getting a historical top of the ticket ‘shellacking’ on November 8, the party ensured a Republican super-majority and the losses of eight Black legislators in the S.C. House, five of whom were black women,” McLeod said.

Her announcement sent shock waves through the party’s establishment, many of whom derided McLeod for being a lackluster candidate and simply driven by political ambition. Tough for Democrats to win statewide in SC…really tough.

The other big news in SC is in the state legislature, which now has a Republican super majority. And they show no signs of moderation. Already, more than a dozen bills have been introduced to attack LGBTQ+ people, and they’re trying to get around the state Supreme Court’s ruling that the state’s extremely restrictive abortion law is unconstitutional. That law banned abortion after six weeks. The court said the law violates a state constitutional right to privacy. Gonna be interesting to see what happens, but my money’s on McMaster and the Republicans to come up with some other draconian approach to deny women the right to control their own bodies.

OK, Now for predictions: Robert…how about you first?

The House will be even worse of a shit show Benghazi was nothing – if I hear one more thing about Hunter Biden and his laptop! The swamp will get choppy on a qwest to get to the craziest first – 23% national sales tax will fail I thought we were battling inflation? Extreme Mentally ill conservatives will continue to have access to too many...

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Hank Laskey-Inside the Cost of Rx Drugs

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0000

The high cost of prescription drugs affects us all. But what’s behind them? Is it just pharmaceutical company greed?

Welcome to Lean to the Left, the podcast that explores important developments that shape our society and our world. Our guest today is Hank Laskey, PhD, a longtime adviser and consultant in the pharmaceutical industry.

Hank brings a ton of knowledge and perspective about this industry and the companies that provide the life-saving drugs so important to us all. We’ll tackle some of the factors that affect the prices we all pay for our prescriptions and hear his thoughts about what can, and should, be done about that.

Dr. Laskey also will share with us insight that will help those who want to enter that industry, or advance within in it. That’s part of the reason why he authored a book called “The Global Pharmaceutical Industry: Economic Structure, Government Regulation, and History.”

The book combines the study of business and economics with medicine, science, and technology-all within a regulatory framework-and helps the reader understand the multifaceted global pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Laskey, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast.

Q. One of the major concerns that most of us have today is the high cost of prescription drugs. With insulin, for example, it got to the point where Congress capped the price at $35 per month—but only for Medicare patients. Can you walk us through what’s involved here?

Q. What did you think of Martin Shkreli, the Turing Pharmaceuticals owner who jacked up the price of insulin to crazy levels and who raised the cost of a decades-old drug used to treat infections in babies and people with AIDS by more than 5,000 percent?

Q. Every time we turn on the TV we’re bombarded with ads for pharmaceutical products for everything from HIV to cancer to skin rashes. These products are targeted to narrow segments of the population who suffer from these various diseases. Yet, those ads are within programming that is geared to a general audience. Does this make sense?

Q. How does the marketing side of the industry interact with the medical side? Are these marketing costs reflected in the ultimate price consumers must pay for these drugs?

Q. PhRMA, the lobbying organization representing the industry, has published a piece on the web that claims that “due to negotiations in the market,” prices health plans paid for brand medicines increased by just 1 percent on average in 2021. They blame insurers and other middlemen for forcing many of the sickest patients to pay high out-of-pocket costs. Really? Your comment?

Q. Sometimes at the end of a commercial, after all of the possible side effects are revealed, the voice/over will say that “X company may be able to help” with the cost. What are these patient assistance programs offered by biopharmaceutical companies and how do they work?

Q. What are the differences between generic drugs and brand medicines? Are the generics just as good and as effective?

Q. The industry always claims that the cost for prescription drugs must reflect the high cost of research and development. To many, this seems like a cop-out. Your thoughts?

Q. What’s your view of federal regulation of the industry? Does there need to be more? In what areas?

Q. Let’s talk about those individuals who would like a career in this industry. You’ve worked as a consultant, published research articles, taught courses for several leading industry companies. What’s your advice to those who want a career in the pharmaceutical industry or move up within it? Does your book address this?

Q. Where can people find your book?

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Dr. Firouz Daneshgari-Fixing America's Sick Care System

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0000

If you’ve been to the doctor recently, you probably know that America’s health care system, as good as it is, could really stand some improvements. That’s our topic on the Lean to the Left podcast with a top expert in healthcare, Firouz Daneshgari, M.D.

Dr. Daneshgari is a surgeon-scientist, educator and entrepreneur who has worked at the University of Colorado, Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University. He has published more than 200 scientific articles, led numerous scientific and clinical panels, and trained hundreds of students, residents, fellows and junior faculty.

Dr. Daneshgari, known as "FD", is author of “Health Guardianship, the Remedy to the Sick Care System,” a must read if you want to understand what’s gone wrong with American healthcare and would like to see a solution.

Following implementation of the Affordable Care Act and approval of its mandates by the Supreme Court, Dr. Daneshgari founded Bow Tie Medical to create systematic innovations for bringing efficiency and value into the healthcare delivery system.

"We are the most expensive healthcare system in the world," he says on the show. "We are spending twice, three to 500% more than our European or Japanese counterpart.. The reason we are the most expensive is because the healthcare is delivered through 5,000 hospitals that they have become financial institutions, that they use delivery of the clinical services as a revenue generating activities and with that they generate about 50% of waste."

That waste, he says, includes clinical services and activities that do not lead to beneficial health outcomes, although they generate revenue for the hospitals, explaining that "There are systematic misalignments between the roles of hospitals as the main providers, consumers, you and I and the third party payer."

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The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Artificial intelligence (AI), is increasing across our economy and in our world. Exactly what is it? What are some of the implications? Why would Elon Musk say “With artificial intelligence, we are summoning the devil?”

That’s our topic on the Lean to the Left podcast with our guest is Guy Morris, a proven thought leader in adapting advanced technologies, implementing complex IT applications, and advocate for internet and cyber-security.

"AI has become one of the most dangerous vehicles for misinformation that we've got," Morris says on the podcast, during which he discusses efforts to create a worldwide digital currency to replace the dollar and other currencies, that various forms of AI threaten individual privacy and financial security, and are being used in weapons systems, including "swarms" of drones that can be dispatched to attack an enemy.

He tells how he was contacted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation because of some of his work in artificial intelligence, and the threat of both Russia and China in the development and deployment of AI.

With multiple degrees, and 36 years of Fortune 100 leadership within companies like IBM, Oracle and Microsoft, Guy has a lot of success stories. They range from designing a macro-economic model that out-performed the Federal Reserve and all major banks, building high-performance global teams, driving merger & acquisition deals in energy, innovating early AI Expert Systems technology, and pioneering internet tech and award-winning webisodes.

Guy is also a Disney published composer, musician with multiple CDs, inventor, a licensed Coast Guard charter captain, entrepreneur, researcher of history and prophecy, and author of AI, espionage, religious, political and history thrillers, including his latest, "Swarm" and "The Last Ark."

We’re delighted to have Guy Morris with us on the Lean to the Left podcast, where we love to explore important developments that shape our society and our world.

Listen to the episode.

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Doreen Padilla-A Dreamer's Journey

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0000

When Doreen Padilla was 14 years old, she met Saul Falcon at a new school just west of Denver, and this young woman, half white and half Hispanic, eventually fell in love with this handsome boy with shiny black hair, and one day, years later, they were married.

Like many young couples, they struggled to make ends meet. But they had an extra burden – how to gain permanent residency status for Saul, who had been brought to America from Mexico by his parents at age 2.

Saul was a dreamer, an immigrant given protection by President Obama’s 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allowed him to live and work in the U.S. But then, Donald Trump attempted to kill that program, and the pressure for Saul to obtain documentation and his green card intensified.

That journey has been revealed in a new book, “Outsiders, a Journey to Belonging,” by Doreen, our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast today.

Doreen grew up in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, where she lives today with her husband, Saul, and two children. She was the first in her family to graduate from college and go on to earn a graduate degree.

In her current role in local government, she wears many hats to support employees in her organization. As a public servant she is dedicated to the communities around her and is consistently advocating for positive change.

"Outsiders: A Journey to Belonging" , which tells the true story of a dreamer growing up in America, is an important part of that effort. Doreen, welcome to Lean to the Left.Q. Tell us about your book and why you wrote it.

Some questions we asked Doreen:

Q. What was it like battling to keep Saul from being deported to Mexico, especially after Trump tried to kill DACA?

Q. Where do things stand now with Saul and his quest to become a citizen?

Q. What advice do you give others who face this same situation?

Q. Congress continues to be unable to reform our dysfunctional immigration system. What are your thoughts about that?

Q. Immigrants, especially those from across our southern border, continue to be targeted by many politicians, mostly Republicans, and used as political pawns to whip up support from their right-wing base. What are your thoughts about that?

Q. How did you and your husband feel when Trump was in office pushing his wall along the southern border to keep immigrants from entering the U.S.?

Q. What about now, with the current crisis as thousands try to enter the U.S. seeking asylum from violence in their home countries? What should happen?

Q. Your husband was a DACA “dreamer.” What contributions has he made to the U.S. and American society?

Q. There are about 2 million “dreamers” in the U.S. today, with about 600,000 being beneficiaries of DACA. What should happen to them?

Q. Tell us about Barking Beagle Books. Why did you launch your own publishing company, and what’s the plan going forward?

Q. Where can people find your book?

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John Yearwood-Improving Education, Caring for Others

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0000

"In America you're free to do anything, you want to do, but you can't choose the consequences of your behavior."

So says John Yearwood, author of Jar of Pennies, a novel about a murderer who was failed by America's educational system that focuses on teaching to the test, not on critical thinking. Yearwood is our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast.

"Consequences are going to be determined by what you do," Yearwood says. "And a lot of, kids don't get that idea coming through school and, or for that matter, a lot of other necessary life skills. All of them all of them going along with the, with the principle of critical thinking.

"So part of what what I'm doing in Jar of Pennies is telling the story of a guy who just didn't have the the, education and to acquire the skill to think through what happens when you do certain sorts of things.

"And the result of that is he, can only live a, life of reaction. He can't plan for anything in the future, he can't plan his actions so that he ends up in a place where he wants to end up. And the ultimate result of living a life of reaction is he lives just long enough for the state to execute him."

A former stringer for the New York Times, Yearwood taught in high schools and universities for 30 years and was an award-winning journalist for 15 years. He has published hundreds of editorials and columns and thousands of news stories, as well as academic works on the First Amendment and the extra-Constitutional powers of the Presidency during times of crisis.

John now volunteers helping elementary students improve their reading skills and assisting refugee immigrants when he is not writing.

Some of our questions for Yearwood:

Q. Tell us about Jar of Pennies and how it relates to our topic today.

Q. Is corruption more or less widespread in small town America?

Q. Do differences in diversity within the population of small town America vs. larger American cities play a role here?

Q. We still are seeing manifestations of racial unrest and bigotry, especially in former slave states in America, but really elsewhere, too. Right?

Q. How is “fear” a rural pastime in East Texas, practiced by locals on one another, sometimes in jest, and on most strangers as a way of preventing social change? You like to use a rattlesnake as an example, right?

Q. Does the increased use of artificial intelligence, which allows people to use special software to automatically write documents pose a threat to students learning how to write effectively?

Q. I noticed a Facebook post in which you say that over the last five years you’ve mentored local elementary and middle school kids as a volunteer reading teacher, and that this year you had two pregnant 12-year-olds in school, both victims of incest. You write that “if you support overturning Roe, then you murdered those girls.” Comment further?

Q. What are your thoughts about the supreme court? Should it be expanded?

Q. How can people reach out to you and buy your book?

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David Wann-Common Sense Approach to Fighting Climate Change

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0000

At a basic level, are humans chasing wants but neglecting essential needs like health, a sense of belonging, a feeling that we are respected, trust, purpose, meaning? As our current era comes to a close, will we return instinctively to what really matters?

Those are some core issues tackled on the Lean to the Left podcast by David Wann, an author, filmmaker, and speaker who is passionate about sustainable lifestyles and designs.

He was a founder of the cooperative ("Cohousing") neighborhood where he's lived and gardened for 26 years. He's a proud husband and father who has recently adopted the title of "apocaloptimist." He knows how deep we're in but thinks we might make another evolutionary leap.

In his first novel, "Tickling the Bear: How to Stay Safe in the Universe," David draws upon his experience as an organic gardener, founder of a co-housing community, and amateur musician to create credible characters who navigate a threatened world and find acceptance and clarity on how to live with gratitude.

Altogether, David has written 10 books, including “Affluenza,” now in nine languages, which was followed by “Simple Prosperity”. A third book in the trilogy about creating a more sensible way of life is “The New Normal,” which presents 33 high-leverage actions that can shift our culture in a more sustainable direction.”

David also has produced 20 videos and TV programs, including the award-winning TV documentary “Designing a Great Neighborhood,” about the Holiday neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado. He worked for more than a decade as a policy analyst for the U.S. EPA and co-designed the cohousing neighborhood where he lives, in Golden, CO.

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Jack Kerfoot-Good News on Global Warming

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0000

The International Energy Agency has reported that the world will add as much renewable energy over the next five years as it did in the past two decades, with renewables such as wind and solar overtaking coal as the largest source of energy generation worldwide by early 2025.

That’s a significant development, so to bring it into context we have with us on the Lean to the Left podcast Jack Kerfoot, a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States.

Jack has been interviewed on over 100 radio and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on numerous energy related topics. This is his fourth appearance on the Lean to the Left podcast.

Discussion questions:

Why is the demand for coal, declining around the world?
2. Which countries are the primary consumers of coal around the world?
3. Is the United States reducing its consumption of coal? I
4. Is the reduction in coal consumption impacting the United States greenhouse gas emission?
5. Where and why are renewable energy projects, like solar and wind being developed?
6. Are the volatile fossil fuel prices, the reason for inflation in the United States?
7. What exactly are greenhouse gases and what generates greenhouse gas emissions?
8. How do greenhouse gases cause global warming?
9. What is the impact of climate change?
10. What is the future of electric vehicles in the U.S.?

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Josh Malkin-Battling Book Bans

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0000

In dozens of states across the nation efforts are underway to influence, even intimidate, school board members to restrict what can be taught, and what library books can be available, to public school students.

In South Carolina, for example, school boards are considering proposals to ban a long list of books from school libraries because of parental objections to their content, whether it involves the discussion of sexual identity, racial disparities, or other "controversial" topics. In Horry County, home to the resort community of Myrtle Beach, the county school board meets January 23 to consider such requests involving some 77 books.

Behind the drive to restrict library books and subjects that can be taught are activist conservatives, including Moms for Liberty, which says it "is dedicated to fighting for the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government."

"This is a very small, radical faction," says Josh Malkin, legislative advocate with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in South Carolina. "Polling shows that folks on both sides of the aisle see book bans for what they are: a very dangerous attack on one of the core values of American democracy. This is not Democratic, it's not Republican, it's not conservative, it's not progressive. This is radical. This is authoritarian, and this is dangerous."

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Fighting Times, Organizing on the Front Lines

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0000

It’s hard to believe that in this day and age unions representing freight rail workers are having to threaten a strike because they cannot get paid sick days. It took an act of Congress to avert the strike, and still, they were unable to get the sick leave that is only a human right.

That’s the kind of fight that is in the blood of our Lean to the Left podcast guest today, Jon Melrod, author of “Fighting Times, Organizing on the Front Lines of the Class War.”

Melrod’s story is one of a young man who came to unionism through social activism beginning in his teens. His world view was formed in the 1960s when he saw a chain gang of Black prisoners working along-side the road, and couldn’t understand why the local amusement park near Washington DC refused to allow Black kids to enjoy the pool and the rides.

His is a story of student Vietnam War protests, of fighting racism, and then of working as a laborer at various companies where he helped organize workers and protest injustice. Those jobs, which often involved working with toxic chemicals, resulted in his 2004 diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and given only six months to a year to live. Determined to overcome the illness, he marshalled both western and alternative treatments and, despite the odds, survived the deadly disease.

Now in his 70s, Melrod has written a memoir that he hopes will help his sons understand what motivated his choices over the years as a union activist after his cancer diagnosis. It’s a fascinating book, filled with personal accounts of his fight to support workers and overcome racism. And it takes us back to the experiences of the 60s and 70s, to violent campus protests against the War and racism.

Here are some questions Jon discusses on the show:

1. Tell us about “Fighting Times,” it’s origin and what you hope to achieve.

2. What were some of the transformative events that resulted in your determination to help working people?

3. You went to a boarding school in Vermont as a teen. What happened there that influenced your world view?

4. Tell us about your experiences at the University of Wisconsin, the battle for justice for Hispanic farmworkers, and the fight against racial disparities.

5. What prompted you to sort of infiltrate companies like American Motors and lead efforts against racism and unfair labor practices?

6. You eventually went to law school. To do what?

7. What are your thoughts about the revival of union activism that we are seeing at companies like Amazon, Starbucks, Kellogg’s, Nabisco, John Deer, and American Airlines?

8. Do you see a resurgence of young people working to organize at companies that some might believe are immune from union activity, like Starbucks or Amazon, for example?

9. What is your view of the future of organized labor in the U.S. today?

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The Dixie Dems-The 2022 Story of the Year

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Today on the December edition of the Dixie Dems on the Lean to the Left podcast we’re taking a look at the mid-term election, Sen. Ralphael Warnock’s win in Georgia over Herschel Walker, and what’s still ahead. With me are Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia.

Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals, which is worth a listen.

Me…I’m based in South Carolina, home of Sens. Lindsey Graham and Uncle Tom Republican Tim Scott.

The big news, of course, is Warnock’s victory in Georgia. Robert, what are your thoughts about how that turned out and what that means for Democrats there going forward.

What do you guys think about Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona switching to Independent? Do you think this will have any lasting impact on what Dems can get done?

Arthur, North Carolina is at the center of a redistricting case now before the U.S. supreme Court, Moore v. Harper. Can you tell us what’s going on?

The case stems from North Carolina Republican efforts to stack Congressional districts in their favor, so much so that a state court threw out the GOP map and enlisted a nonpartisan panel to come up with districts that are much fairer. Now that’s been challenged by the NC Speaker of the House and other Republican lawmakers.

Looking back at this past year, what do you guys think were the most significant political events…The Jan 6 hearings…the Midterm elections…The FBI Mara-lago raid?

The Dixie Dems consensus: President Biden's ability to maneuver key legislation through Congress, despite intransigent opposition from Republicans, and his ability to hold the Senate for Democrats and avoid the "red wave" predicted in the House is the political story of the year.

Take a listen:

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John Pabon: No Bullshit Plan for Saving the Planet

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0000

The battle against climate change and the need to move sustainability from theory to practice becomes increasingly important and apparent every day.

John Pabon has spent two decades in the business of saving our Earth and is our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast. He joins us from his home in Melbourne, Australia.

After leaving a post at the United Nations, John traveled the world studying the impacts of sustainability first-hand in factories, on fields, and in Fortune 500s. His mission is to move sustainability from theory to practical strategies that help people and businesses confidentially make real impact.

Over his 20-year career, Pabon has worked with the United Nations, McKinsey, A.C. Nielsen, and as a consultant with BSR, the world’s largest sustainability-focused business network. He is the founder of Fulcrum Strategic Advisors, Programme Director for The Conference Board’s Asia Sustainability Leaders Council, and serves on the board of advisors to the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce.

Pabon is also the author of “Sustainability for the Rest of Us: Your No-Bullshit, Five-Point Plan for Saving the Planet.” His upcoming book, “The Great Greenwashing,” will be out soon.

On the program, Pabon points out that more and more business owners and managers are finding that cost savings and increased profits are to be found in eco-friendly initiatives, including simple measures for using fewer resources like water and paper, to long-term resilience measures such as installing renewable energy systems.

As the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce points out, "consumers are expecting more from companies. In fact, 87% of American’s have “high expectations for companies to do more than make a profit.” Investment portfolios with social responsibility criteria have seen “double digit growth” In recent years.

"A study completed by the Harvard Business School found that “High Sustainability companies outperform Low Sustainability companies both in stock market as well as accounting performance.”

Pabon contends that businesses must be in the forefront in the battle against climate change, and that those that recognize this are satisfying the desires of their customers while also benefiting financially.

Here are some questions discussed in the interview:

Q. What do you mean when you use the term “sustainability?”
Q. What is the state of global sustainability today?
Q. Why isn’t “people power” working?
Q. What are the biggest myths when it comes to building a more sustainable future?
Q. You say we should learn from China about sustainability? Really? Why? What can we learn from them?
Q. What role should the private sector have in this effort?
Q. You say that the greenies and eco-warriors have actually made the world a worse place. Why is that?
Q. We see a lot of talk about climate change and environmentalism. How is your perspective different?
Q. You call yourself a pragmatic altruist. What does that mean?
Q. What can readers hope to gain by reading your book?
Q. What are your five BS-free points? Which do you see as the most important and why?
Q. Tell us about your new book, “The Great Greenwashing.” What is “greenwashing’? How can we recognize and avoid it?

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Should the Feds Regulate CBD?

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0000

We seem to be bombarded these days with claims that CBD and related products can cure everything from backaches to depression, sleeplessness and more.

Neighbors are selling them as a stay-at-home business. You can buy the stuff online, at little specialty shops, even tanning salons, and it seems no matter who you talk to, you'll be told about the miraculous results that can be obtained by a few drops of CBD oil on your tongue.

It's like the old snake oil salesman from the old western movies. Just try it. You won't believe the results. But there are no controls, no regulations, no federal review. Really, we're on our own out there.

Well, Inesa Ponomarlovalte, founder of Nesas Hemp, is an expert on these products -- cannabinoids -- so I invited her on my Lean to the Left podcast to get some facts.
In the interview, we discuss the rapidly growing CBD industry in the U.S. and Inesa walks us through the differences in the various types of CBD products now available – what’s legal, and what works and why.

In 2020 global sales of $2.8 billion are expected to rise by more than 21 percent through 2028. U.S. sales are projected to reach $1.8 billion by 2022. So a lot of people are buying these products, which are NOT cheap.

Inesa is a holistic health practitioner and an expert on hemp and CBD.. She says she’s on a mission to change the world by teaching people to harness the power of nature, and that’s why she founded Nesa’s Hemp.

Interestingly, Inesa is calling on the federal government to regulate CBD and related products. Right now, she says, "it's like the wild, wild West out there."

When we interviewed Inesa, Brittney Griner, the all-star center with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercery, had been sentenced to nine-years in a Russian prison for drug possession -- canisters containing cannabis oil prescribed by a doctor to treat pain. Today, President Biden announced that she was on her way home after a prisoner exchange swap for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout. During the interview, Inesa says sports stars like Griner are helping others realize the health benefits of cannabis products.

Here are some questions we asked Inesa:

First, let’s start with the basics. Exactly what is CBD and how is CBDa different?

To many people, all of these health benefit claims might seem almost too good to be true. What’s your response?

So why would an executive of a company that makes and sells such products want government regulations? Usually that’s exactly the opposite of what most industries want….the government telling them what they can and cannot do.

What kind of regulations should be established and why?

What are your thoughts about the Griner case and its impact on your industry?

What’s the impact on the industry of professional athletes like Griner choosing cannabis to treat pain?

I’m wondering if CBD products have been shown to be effective in helping people with Covid.
How do you feel about legalizing recreational pot. Here in South Carolina, Joe Cunningham, the Democratic candidate for governor, is calling for it to be legalized and his good ole boy Republican opponent has an ad out ridiculing him.

Your website says that deep down in your heart, you truly believe you can create a positive revolutionary change in the world. That’s a lot. Please explain.

What would you like people to take from this discussion?

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Using Literature & the Arts to Promote Social Justice

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Today we have something a little different for you. I’m with Ciahnan (Keenan) Darrell, author of the new book, Blood at the Root, and we’re going to talk about the role literature and the arts can play in promoting social justice.

According to Justin Gifford, associate professor of English at the University of Nevada, Blood at the Root “is a sharp-witted social satire that takes unflinching aim at race and class privilege in contemporary America.”

An award-winning author, and scholar, Ciahnan’s first book was the award-winning “A Lifetime of Men.” His short stories and essays have appeared in several journals, most recently in The Columbia Review, Gone Lawn, and The Legendary. His story 'What Remains' was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Rum Punch Press.

Ciahnan holds Masters degrees from the University of Chicago and Stony Brook University, and a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University at Buffalo.

Both his creative work and his scholarly research explore systemic inequality and the ways in which discourse on race and gender shape the horizons of individual and social life.

These are important topics, so I’m pleased to welcome Ciahnan Darrell to our podcast. Thanks for joining us, Ciahnan…
--
Bob: To get started, Ciahnan, tell us about Blood at the Root. What’s it about and what’s its message? And where did that title come from?

Bob: As a white male, what gives you the right – the authority – to write about issues of race and gender? And why do you feel it is important to do so?

Bob In the atmosphere in which live today, with so much division, and yes, ethnic and racial hatred, what role can we, as authors, play in helping to ease these tensions and improve understanding among those with differing views regarding these subjects.

Bob: To me, one of the most important issues that we face today is the growing diversity of our country, which I believe is at the root of much of the division we face. Your thoughts about that…

Bob: The nation is becoming increasingly diverse, in terms of ethnicity, as we speak. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the White non-Hispanic population stood at 57.8 percent, a decline of six percent since 2010. That, we know, continues and projections are that soon the White non-Hispanic population will be in the minority. Is this one reason why we see so much hatred and defensiveness from the MAGA crowd and the likes of the Proud Boys?

Bob: An important finding in the census is the increased diversity in the younger population. In 2019, for the first time, more than half of the those under 16 identified as a racial or ethnic minority. What are some of the political and cultural implications of that?

Bob: As an author and scholar who’s work centers around fairness and equality, what’s your view of the way Donald Trump and his followers have attempted to weaponize fear to pave the road to power?

Bob: Your first book, A Lifetime of Men…tell us about that book.

Bob: And your short stories…let’s hear about them.

Bob: Thanks, Ciahnan, for being with us on our podcasts.

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David Tabatsky-Surviving the Nazis

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcasts, Mark Bello and I are speaking with David Tabatsky, the author of a riveting book about the Holocaust, “The Boy Behind the Door, How Salomon Kool Escaped the Nazis.”

David has authored, co-authored and edited many novels, including Friends Like These, The Marijuana Project, The Battle of Zig Zag Pass and Drunk Log.
He was our guest on a previous podcast with author Brian Felgoise, to discuss their book “Filthy Rich Lawyers, the Education of Ryan Coleman.”

But “The Boy Behind the Door” is totally different. It’s the true story of a young Jewish boy, who with luck, wit, and help from others manages to escape the Nazis as they murdered friends and family in his hometown in Amsterdam during World War II.

It's a riveting interview as Tabatsky tells us how that young boy overcame the terror of Nazi soldiers nearly capturing him to hide out in a nursery, then with others who were willing to help, even as some neighbors were turning in Jews to the Nazis to gain their favor.

Many years later, in his twilight years, that boy, Salomon Kool, told his story to Tabatsky so the award-winning author could share it with the world. The result: "The Boy Behind the Door: How Salomon Kool Escaped the Nazis."

Here are questions we asked Tabatsky:

Mark: We talked to you about Filthy Rich Lawyers, which is a completely different kind of book than “The Boy Behind The Door.” This one, it seems, was far more personal. It is based on a true story, the protagonist is an actual Holocaust survivor. Tell us the backstory. You actually traveled to Amsterdam and interviewed Salomon Kool. How were chosen for this project?

Bob: The story is a powerful document about a time in world history that we must never forget. Is this book targeted at young readers with that purpose in mind?

Mark: I don’t think I’m ruining anything by asking you this, but I will issue a spoiler alert. Salomon had parents, two brothers, and a sister, all of whom perished in concentration camps. He spent several years on the run, not knowing whether they were alive or dead. Did he share with you what that was like for a boy 13-16 years of age?

Bob: Many of his oppressors were Dutch, not German. Some were his own neighbors. Did he talk about what it was like to suddenly be treated like dirt by people who were once his friends?

Mark: I want to ask about the title. I read the book; I understand the reference, but I would like our listeners to hear it. There are so many stories from those times where fate, luck, or quick thinking, changed the course of history for this survivor or that one. Tell us about the title?

Robert: Mark asked about evil neighbors. On the opposite end of the spectrum, many righteous Dutch gentiles, at great risk to themselves, helped Salomon and hid him. Did he have fond memories of these people?

Mark: The book doesn’t delve too deeply into the relationship, but Salomon actually falls in love with the daughter of one of the couples who are hiding him. Tell us about that relationship? He ended up marrying another woman, after the war ended, but did he ever see or hear from Marta Rose again?

Bob: I’m wondering, Salomon hid from the Nazis and, with luck, was never actually captured. Obviously, many people, Jews and Gentiles, helped him achieve this rather miraculous outcome. I remember reading about Anne Frank and how several people hid out in an attic for years. We know some people survived or escaped from the camps We know that 6,000,000 Jews died, but do we know how many told similar survival stories like Salomon’s?

Mark: I want to go back to the issue of righteous gentiles. There has been an untick in anti-Semitism in America. Jews have always been targets for bad behavior, but here is an example of heroic behavior by a population that...

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Dixie Dems-Will We Ever Get to Blue?

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Today on the Lean to the Left podcast we’re talking politics with a focus on the past election and what’s still ahead, and with me are my pals, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia.

Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. He and I both worked in PR and as freelance writers in Washington, DC. And, on Capitol Hill before that.

Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals. You gotta take a listen.

Nationally, Democrats did surprisingly well, holding onto the Senate – even though the Georgia race is headed to a runoff – and minimizing losses in the House, where the Republicans will take over in January with a much thinner margin than they expected.

Trump says he’s running in 2024, a development that has been met with underwhelming approval of top Republican leaders who blame him for what they feel is pretty much an election debacle.

Whether his announcement matters much will depend on the outcome of the many investigations into his activities and whether he faces criminal charges. After all, election day 2024 is still two years away.

In South Carolina
Here in my neck of the woods in South Carolina, election night was a clean sweep -- for Republicans, who overwhelmingly reelected Gov. Henry McMaster and Sen. Tim Scott, sent a MAGA Republican to Congress, elected someone who didn’t actually meet educational requirements to be Secretary of Education, and swept three local state legislative races.

The only positive news is that the winners of the 2022 Rescue Brew “Spokesdog” and “Spokescat” contest have been chosen, with almost $82,000 raised for the Charleston Animal Society’s No Kill South Carolina initiative.

Beaux, a 10-month-old Maine Coon from Kiawah Island was picked as the “Spokescat” and Wally, a seven-year-old West Highland terrier-mix rescued during Hurricane Matthew was elected as “Spokesdog.”

So that just shows that progressives really can get things done in South Carolina, despite the odds. We just can’t elect humans to office.

In Georgia
Now in Georgia, we have that runoff going on between Sen. Warnock and Herschel Walker. So, Robert, let’s get right to it...

Listen to the podcast...

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Dr. Shuvendu Sen- Holistic Methods to Prevent Dementia

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0000

An estimated 6.5 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's today. Seventy-three percent are age 75 or older, and altogether, about 1 in 9 age 65 and older, or 10.7% of that group, has Alzheimer's.

As the population of Americans with this disease continues to increase, so does the burden of caring for them. This year alone, the cost for healthcare, long-term care and hospice services for those age 65 and older with dementia are estimated to be around $305 billion.

It's a huge, tragic problem that touches millions of people, their families and friends.
That’s why we have as our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast Dr. Shuvendu Sen, a globally recognized physician, author, speaker and humanitarian. He talks to us about effective, alternative methods of preventing and coping with Alzheimer’s.

In fact, Dr. Sen says during the interview that individuals who are just beginning to experience memory issues can substantially benefit from meditation, including listening to spiritual or other types of relaxing music, and by taking up Yoga.

Dr. Sen received the 2018 Nautilus Silver Award, bestowed previously to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, Deepak Chopra, Mariel Hemingway and others.

A diplomat from the American Board of Internal Medicine, he holds double Master of Science research degrees in Microbiology and Pharmacology from Long Island University, and has received postgraduate training in Internal Medicine from Raritan Bay Medical Center, New Jersey, and in Nuclear Medicine from Cornell Weill Medical Center, New York.
Dr. Sen has been extensively published in many scientific journals and is the Chief Editor of the medical textbook, Principles of Clinical Medicine.

So, I think it’s safe to say that Dr. Sen knows what he’s talking about. He’s the author of the book “Why Buddha Never Had Alzheimer’s -- a Holistic Treatment Approach through Meditation, Yoga and the Arts,” and shares with us today the answer to that question about Buddha.

Some questions we asked Dr. Sen:
Q. So to begin, answer the question: Why didn’t Buddha ever have Alzheimer’s?

Q. For Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers, it is so frustrating, the lack of effective medication to prevent or reduce cognitive decline. Are there holistic methods that can prevent dementia?

Q. What about those patients who already are coping with dementia? Can these methods help them as well?

Q. So you are saying that meditation and yoga have been scientifically proven to prevent disease – including Alzheimer’s?

Q. Then why is not this more well-known? Why don’t neurologists and other health care professionals who treat dementia patients recommend this approach?

Q. What about music? Does listening to music help your patients?

Q. How did you connect Yoga and meditation to dementia, to treating Alzheimer’s?

Q. Your book discusses two types of meditation; mindfulness (an open-type) and transcendental (focused form). Do you recommend a particular type for each person depending on their condition? How does a person know which one to do? In fact, for those not familiar with meditation, how do they go about it?

Q. Can meditation heal other mental illnesses, such as depression and bipolar disorder?

Q. What do you say to those people who are skeptical that meditation and yoga can help with dementia?

Q. Are there any other points you would like to make?

Q. Where can people find your book?

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Allen B. Clark-Soldiers Blood, Bloodied Money

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0000

As we honor those who have served our nation, our Lean to the Left podcast guest is Allen B. Clark, a heroic Army officer who shed his blood for our country during the Vietnam War, and who continues to this day to work to help our veterans.

In 1967, as a young captain in Special Forces, Clark was part of clandestine intelligence operations in Vietnam when an enemy mortar attacked his camp, critically wounding him and resulting in the loss of both legs.

But Captain Clark returned to life as a dedicated patriot and veteran who continued to serve our nation, working in a variety of political, public service, and financial endeavors. While encouraging soldiers and veterans to embrace their faith and heal from their own war wounds over more than five decades, he acquired a keen interest in the real causes of wars.

In Soldiers’ Blood and Bloodied Money, a hard-hitting work that pulls no punches, Clark’s extensive research exposes the real causes of war.

Throughout the course of his research, Clark discovered a myriad of motivations of individuals and groups who perpetrated the true “behind-the-curtains” stories of our military history. A large focus of the book is on the acquisition of money and power. Clark names the “usual suspects” who have profited from warfare and derived their “bloodied money”. They include Arms merchants; religious entities and their leaders; politicians; international bankers; media titans; lawyers and “secret societies.”

As he says in the clip above, "Overall through history, there are example stacked upon example of opportunities for power and lust and greed for money to motivate those who can make money to be prepared to do so once the wars start. It is pinstriped bankers... industrialists and merchants of death and politicians...in richly paneled, carpeted offices who could (not) possibly comprehend or imagine or I dare say, care necessarily about ... those of us patriots who go off to the wars, some still missing in action, dying in far away jungles, deep seas or isolated mountains, or those who return as I have now after 55 years with no legs, with our bodies and souls mangled and tormented."

Clark’s first book is entitled Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior and tells his personal story. His second book, Valor in Vietnam, is a collection of compelling and untold stories by soldiers and civilians.

In recognition of Clark’s service, former President Ronald Reagan once said, “There are a host of heroes to whom this country owes a debt it can never repay. Allen Clark lost both his legs while serving his country in Vietnam. When he came home, his body was broken, but his spirit never faltered. He went back to school. He earned his master’s degree in business administration. He served his state in a high government post and is now a successful businessman. He’s an inspiration to all who know him.”

Allen, thank you so much for being with us today on our podcast and helping us honor those who serve, and have served, our nation. And we thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

Interview Questions
Q. Your book is called Soldiers’ Blood and Bloodied Money – Wars and the Ruling Elites.” Can you please explain the title?

Q. You quote Major General Smedley Butler as saying that the principal cause of wars is competition for world trade. So essentially, we’re talking about greed being responsible for wars and for the loss of life and limb, correct?

Q. You also quote Gen. Butler on the subject of disarmament conferences. You write, “these conferences were conducted so that the opposing sides could utilize the negotiations to better arm themselves against their opponents.” Is that your view? Do you have any experience with such disarmament conferences?

Q. In another passage you quote Gen. Butler as saying “Out of war, a few people make huge fortunes.” Can you elaborate?

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Rich Jacobs-From Inside the Walls-Prison Reform

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Rich Jacobs works inside one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the United States. He began his career 20 years ago as a corrections officer and has been a teacher to the inmates for the past 15 years.

For thousands of hours, Jacobs has listened to the stories of hundreds of incarcerated men. Despite the darkness behind the walls of concrete, steel, and paint, Jacobs has witnessed many stories of hope and transformation and is the visionary behind www.GetFreeAndStayFree.com, which publishes stories of hope and transformation told by those impacted by the criminal justice system.

Get Free and Stay Free’s first book, available since July, was produced with Yoke fellowship Prison Ministry and is titled "Get Free and Stay Free: Inmates Who Found Freedom Inside and Out".

Jacobs is an advocate of increasing vocational training for inmates, especially those who are nearing the point of release. But, he cautions, the inmate must want to be trained in order for the program to succeed.

“I would say that we can do a better job with providing services, but then the other very important piece to that puzzle is just because you have the services it doesn't mean that it's going to help a man change the way that he thinks.

“Government in general has put billions, a trillion of dollars into all kinds of social ills of society the last 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years. And it almost feels like they throw money at the problems and things just keep getting worse. You’ve got to have the man step up to the plate himself if he's ready to be transformed. You’ve got to have society or corrections or whoever's involved there to help him along the way. But you’ve got to have that one, two punch to, to make it effective.”

In fact, Jacobs says, unless the inmate changes his own outlook on life, “Just because you make an inmate smarter doesn’t help if they don’t change – they just become smarter criminals.”

Take a listen to the episode. It’s a fascinating look behind the bars of a maximum security prison by a man who’s worked there with inmates for the past two decades.

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Bob Wilber-Baseball to Hot Rod Racing and More

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0000

The World Series is now over and for baseball fans, we’re in that never-never land where all we can hope for is a bit of news from our favorite team while we’re sitting out the long offseason until spring training begins in February.

But I’ve got an idea about something that can help you pass the time. Pick up a new book by today’s guest, Bob Wilber. It’s called “How Far,” and it explores the incredible friendship between a baseball player from Southern California and a hockey play from Minnesota.

It's an inspiring story for sports fans, yes, but really for anyone who wants to be motivated to achieve their goals despite the curve balls and sinkers that inevitably are thrown in their path.

As the son of a major league baseball player and a former pro baseball player himself, Bob

Wilber has lived the athlete’s life. How Far? weaves the compelling story of two disparate athletes who meet and form an unlikely bond.

His creative use of first-person writing, having his fictional protagonists appear to write the book themselves in their distinct voices, immerses readers in every thought and word of the two characters.

Brooks Bennett is a gifted baseball player (and the son of artist hippies) from Southern California, and Eric Olson is an undersized hockey player from Roseau, Minnesota — where hockey is king. The two men come from vastly different worlds and couldn’t be more dissimilar. And in one spontaneous moment, their paths cross, and their lives change forever.

It's a fun and interesting story, especially if you enjoy sports and an inside look at what it's like trying to pursue a Major League Baseball career, and then adapting to life after baseball.

Here are some questions we asked Wilber:

Q. You’re the son of a Major Leaguer, your mom was a radio personality and then a PR person. You played college and professional baseball and then went into high level sports marketing while also running three different professional indoor soccer franchises as an executive.

Then, you launched a 22-year career as a manager and PR rep for a couple of highly successful and popular Nitro Funny Car teams on the National Hot Rod Association tour.

After all that, you walked away to become an author! You’ve just published your second book and it sounds like it’s getting rave reviews. Tell us about how you adapted so much throughout your career…

Q. I get that you had baseball in your DNA thanks to your dad, and after your professional playing days were over you even were a regional scouting supervisor for the Toronto Blue Jays. But how in the world did you make the shift to NHRA drag racing?

Q. After all of that, why walk away to write books? What in your mind told you to go for it and start writing books? That’s a bold leap!

Q. So your autobiography, “Bats, Balls & Burnouts" was a hit, and you decided to write another book. Tell us how you settled on the premise and style for “How Far?”

Q. How much of "How Far?" is totally real and how much is fiction?

Q. And that begs the question: If your two main characters in “How Far?" are fictional, who are they based on?

Q. How did you even pick those guys, those sports, and their personalities?

Q. Is it a sports book? Would it appeal anyone other than sports fans?

Q. Let’s talk some baseball. Are you still connected to the game in any way?

Q. What did you think of the World Series, the upstart Phillies against the incredible Houston Astros and Dusty Baker?

Q. What are your thoughts about the influence of money on the game today? For example, the LA Angels’ ownership say they won’t trade Shohei Ohtani, the incredible two-way player who’s contract expires at the end of the 2023 season, for which he will earn $30 million guaranteed. But what will he command going...

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Andrew Seidel-The Supreme Court Takeover

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Christian conservatives, led by a cabal of wealthy, influential Republicans, have executed a long, drawn out coup that now gives them virtually ironclad control of the U.S. Supreme Court, which is supposed to be the final legal arbiter in our country that protects freedom for us all.

Instead, according to Andrew L. Seidel, an author and attorney who's defended the First Amendment for more than a decade, conservative Christians, through the appointment of the six right-wing justices who now hold a super majority, have turned religious liberty on its head.

In his new book, "American Crusade," Seidel details how conservative Christians have achieved that takeover, how it has affected numerous major decisions, and what can be expected in the future if left unchecked.

Seidel exposes the “Crusaders,” powerful right-wing Christian conservatives who are systematically working to, as he writes, “elevate Christian beliefs above the law and exempt Christians from the law, while disfavoring non-religious and non-Christian citizens who are required to follow the law.”

He issues a stark warning: “The First Amendment is being destroyed. In its place, Crusaders are forging a weapon to ensure their supremacy.”

All of this is discussed in this interview for the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcasts, co-hosted by myself and author/attorney Mark M. Bello.

Questions:

MARK: I want to ask you a two part question that is top of mind in America right now. Part 1: Was Roe v Wade correctly decided? Part 2: Almost 50 years later, should it have been sustained on stare decisis grounds?

MARK: Considering the outcome of Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health, do you think other social justice decisions are at risk? Gay rights, public schools, contraception, for instance? And why doesn’t equal protection or due process apply to these situations?

Bob: In your book, you leave no doubt about the danger of the current Conservative Supreme Court, citing case after case where decisions have been based on religious grounds rather than the law. Can you share just a few of those examples?

Mark: I’m dubious that Ketanji Brown Jackson will have any impact at all. What’s your take and is there anything in the short term that can curb this unchecked supermajority?

Bob: Reports indicate that conservative justices appear ready to end race-conscious admission decisions at colleges and universities. Chief Justice Roberts also has temporarily halted release of Donald Trump’s tax records to a congressional committee. Are these further examples of the influence of right-wing politics on the court?

Bob: Part of the mandate of the 1st Amendment is the separation of church and state. Under the current court, is that in peril?

Mark: I believe that Christian nationalism is alive and well in this country, and it is seeping into the court’s decision-making. Andrew: Don’t you see the court trending toward the religious right’s agenda on a number of issues, especially LGBTQ issues, private school funding, and 1st Amendment Separation of Church and State cases like American Legion v. American Humanist Association?

As to American Legion, as a Jewish guy and a constitutionalist, I find the argument that the cross has taken on “secular meaning” laughable. I agree with Justice Ginsburg, may she rest in peace, who said in her dissenting opinion: The cross is the foremost symbol of the Christian faith.” Using it as a war memorial doesn’t change that fact. This was PUBLIC land. What’s your view?

Mark: And how about Lemon v Kurtzman? In an 8-1 decision, the high court decided that statutes that provide state funding for non-public, non-secular schools violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. How do you think the case would be decided today?

Bob: Let’s talk about Masterpiece Cake Shop where the shop...

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Roger Smith: Homeless Drug Addict to Corporate CEO

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0000

One day Roger Smith was on his hands and knees looking for hours for a sliver of crack cocaine in the carpet. Then, in desperation, he walked into the Pacific Ocean fully intending to take his own life.

But something stopped him, and the next day he searched out a rehabilitation clinic. And then, through sheer guts and determination, he straightened himself out, applied himself at work, and eventually became chief executive officer of three different life insurance companies.

It was a struggle, Smith says today on the Lean to the Left podcast.

"I ended up going into Northern California, found this rehab, and and when I got out of rehab, I did the opposite of of everything that I had been doing," he recalls. "If I put my left shoe on first before, I put my right shoe on first; if I brushed my teeth with my right hand, I was gonna brush my teeth with my left hand. I had many years of addictive habits that I really felt that I had to completely start from scratch.

"And if that meant doing the opposite of everything I had been doing, because everything I had been doing kept leading me into addiction, then I was gonna do the opposite and I started creating those habits."

Smith is the author of the new book, “The Most Unlikely Leader, an Unbelievable Journey from GED to CEO." Once homeless and on the ropes, he rose to become CEO of American Income Life Insurance, National Income Life Insurance and Liberty National Life Insurance companies.

His life journey is one that truly proves that no matter how low you are you can always turn things around and achieve your goals.

Smith was the recipient of the Yitzhak Rabin Legacy Award, Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award, Healthcare For All Champion Award, Sol Stein Award, as well as numerous other awards and publications.

As CEO, he helped transform the way the life insurance industries operate and do business, and in our interview offers advice to up-and-coming would-be executives to help them succeed.

First, he said, find multiple mentors while will share their wisdom. Second, remember that "nothing's as good as it seems, and nothing's as bad as it seems."

"They should focus on being a visionary," he adds. "They have to see further than the people they're leading, and they have to have influence on the people they're leading." Moreover, says Smith, leaders must earn the trust of those who work with them, which means they must get results.

Here are questions we asked Roger Smith:

Q. I’ve read that by the time you were a teenager, you had dropped out of school, was living on the streets of Santa Monica, and was addicted to drugs. What happened?

Q. You had a friend shot right next to you while running away from a failed robbery attempt?

Q. You tried to commit suicide by walking into the Pacific? Why?
Was that some sort of a turning point for you?

Q. How did you get clean and end up running huge companies? Did you go to school, college, get business degrees? How did that happen?

Q. What was inside you that allowed you to do this? How did you discover it?

Q. What advice would you give young business execs who want to make it into the executive suites? What’s the most important thing they should focus on?

Q. Are mentors important? How should someone select and obtain a mentor?

Q. I saw this quote from your book: “Trust isn’t just about keeping your word. Trust is about your team believing that the vision you presented was going to be better for them and better for the company.” Please explain.

Q. What are the key characteristics of an effective leader?

Q. I saw another quote from you on LinkedIn: “sometimes you have to burn your bridges to not give yourself the option of turning back. Only then can you truly succeed.” Did you have to burn bridges to...

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Sandy Modell: A Father Seeks Justice for His Son

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Today the Lean to the Left Podcast takes a look at a 2016 murder in Florida, one that ripped away the life of a young man who’s mistake was to celebrate a possible new job and then mistake somebody else’s apartment for his own. Since then, this young man’s father has been seeking justice, but in Ron DeSantis’ Florida, that is not to be found.

With us today is Sandy Modell, and he’s here to tell the story about what happened to his son, Ryan. How he came to be shot and killed and his fight for justice in an area of Florida famous for political corruption.

It’s a tragic story, and we’re pleased to have Sandy with us today to tell us about it.

Welcome Sandy, to the Lean to the Left podcast.

--
Q. Start at the beginning…what happened? Why did Ryan try to enter an apartment that was not his own?

Q. How is it that the man who shot Ryan, James Steven Taylor, did so and hasn’t been charged with murder?

Q. Is this a case of Florida’s Stand Your Ground law?

Q. In your book about this case, “Murder & Corruption in Florida,” you recount the history of political corruption there and apparently believe that this is the primary reason why Taylor has not been charged, right?

Q. You’ve targeted the state’s attorney, Amira Fox, as being a major villain in this story. You’ve even put up billboards calling her out. Why?

Q. Rick Scott, now a senator who famously wants to put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block, was governor when this happened. What did he do, if anything, about the case?

Q. What about Gov. Ron DeSantis? Where does he fit into the picture? You write that when you spoke to him at a fundraiser he was sympathetic, even gave you his cellphone number. What’s he done?

Q. In the book, you recount how Taylor is now targeting you. What’s happening?

Q. What do you want to see happen? Why should Taylor be charged with murder?

Q. What’s your next step?

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Daniel Drache-Have Trump & the MAGA GOP Already Won?

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0000

The penchant for many Americans to virtually worship a would-be strong-man leader, Donald J. Trump, and for much of the Republican Party to defer to him, has taken our nation to the precipice of a constitutional crisis that could mean an end to liberal democracy. And the upcoming mid-term elections could send us over the cliff.

"We are big two centimeters from the precipice," warns political scientist Daniel Drache on the Lean to the Left podcast.

Here's why:

Many Republican candidates are election deniers and "maybe half...believe that Biden is not the legitimate president.

Hate speech has increased enormously since 2016 when it played a major role in Trump's election, and studies show that five times more Republicans are using hate speech than Democrats.

Large numbers of Independents have moved into the Republican column.

The Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade abortion ruling will fail to turn the tide for Democrats.

"I think the Republicans have an edge and that we're going to see a fundamental change in both the House and the Senate," he says. "That's why I think it's on the precipice. And then, of course, what is the Republican agenda?

"Impeachment. Change fundamentally the civil service, loyalty oaths; there's a whole variety of things that the Republicans, vengeful seeking, could believe that it is their term to swing the wrecking ball on the Democratis. So I don't think this is a panic or an overstatement. We're just entering into a very different world Where the hard right really will be in charge of both houses and the conservatives own the judiciary."

Drache and fellow political scientist Marc D. Froese have written a riveting book, “Has Populism Won? The War on Liberal Democracy”. It’s a brilliant account of the global upsurge of right-wing populism, what’s behind it, how Donald Trump tapped into the latent anger of voters, and what might lie ahead.

Their book examines exactly how populist leaders like Trump reach into peoples’ fear of being left behind, using it as a lever to power by promising to look out for the little person and to return to national greatness. Has Populism Won? is written as a warning about the toxic impact of hate speech and the big lie on liberal democracy.

Drache has documented and mapped hyper-globalization and its consequential impacts on communities and peoples for more than two decades. He has published over 20 books on the global political economy, Canada-US relations, NAFTA, social movements, defiant publics, trade governance, and social media.

A professor emeritus and Department of Politics and Research fellow at the Robert Centre for Canadian Studies at Toronto’s York University, Drache has also taught in France, India, Argentina, South Korea, Australia, Brazil and China.

Here are questions we asked Drache:

First, let’s define what we mean by populism, and how that differs from authoritarianism, nationalism, and even nativism.

How is it that people like Trump are able to tap into the anger and fears of so many people?

Does Trump pattern himself after other authoritarian leaders, like Putin, for example?
In your book, you point out that Trump loves to use “dog whistles” to rally his troops. What were some examples? Does that continue to this day?

You also write that Trump was willing to endanger the national rule of law if the system did not deliver an electoral victory. Do you believe he will pay the price for these actions?

You also note the rise of conspiracy theories that continue to this day, even to the point of the Q-Anon craziness. How does this play into populism and its growth?

Donald Trump loves to call the media “the enemy of the people.” He attacks immigrants warning of rapes and murders, in fact, virtually anyone who is outside the mainstream of white, male...

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Dixie Dems-Insight into the Upcoming Election

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re talking politics, and with me are my political pals, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia, plus a special guest, Michael McDonald, from Florida.

Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. He and I both worked in PR and as freelance writers in Washington, DC. And, we both worked on Capitol Hill, back in the day.

Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals. It’s an awesome podcast, and he takes no prisoners.

Michael McDonald is a nationally recognized expert on elections and national politics, and author of the new book, “From Pandemic to Insurrection: Voting in the 2020 US Presidential Election.”

Michael is professor of political science at the University of Florida and a leading resource on American elections. His website, www.electproject.org, disseminates election statistics and is widely used as an authoritative source by media, scholars, and others. Michael was a guest on the Lean to the Left podcast a couple months ago, which why I conned him into joining us today.

We each take a look at specific races in our respective states of South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, and then we ask McDonald, who analyzes races nationwide, for his predictions about whether the Democrats can hold onto the Senate and the House.

Essentially, he predicts that they will, most likely, retain control of the Senate, but are in real danger of losing the House. But, he hastens to add, things could change significantly between now and the election.

Take a listen...

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A Sister's "Daily Sorry': Aftermath of Domestic Violence

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Ebony Parson, 28, died September 14, 2013 in a Conway, S.C Bingo parlor, shot to death by an estranged lover who then killed himself with his own shotgun.

Ebony was one of nearly 20 people per minute who are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. Unfortunately, her abuser, a jealous former boyfriend, took her life.

In Ebony’s case, there were warning signs that she was in trouble. In fact, she called 911 so many times reporting abuse that they told her to stop calling or she’d be arrested.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so today we have with us on the Lean to the Left podcast Ebony’s sister, Gwendolyn Reed, founder of Ebony’s Hope, which she started a year after her sister’s tragic death.

The organization’s goal is to inspire, educate and help citizens and to reduce the number of domestic violence murders and other crimes.

“Had we known about several different things maybe we could have done something different,” Gwen says on the podcast. “And I, that's just how I feel. I, and Ebony Hope is my, ‘sorry’ to her. I don't know what else I could have done different to save my mom a baby.”

So, Ebony’s Hope, a 501c3 charitable organization that accepts contributions, works as a liaison between domestic violence victims and available community and governmental resources.

“Ebony Hope is just basically me wanting the community to know and citizens and victims to know that they're not alone. That there's resources here for family members to know that there's help out here in the community. So, they, they won't end up another Ebony. Because I don't want that for anybody.

“I cry for my sister sometime one or two times a week. I cry for my mom. Ebony Hope is my ‘daily sorry’. If I save one person, then I did okay with this tragedy.”

To help others, Gwen sponsors an annual community event to provide information and help, bringing together other organizations that support domestic violence victims. This year's event takes place on the lawn of the Old Courthouse on Main Street in Conway, SC, Saturday, October 29. More info here.

In Washington, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell let the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) expire rather than pass a measure to close the deadly "boyfriend loophole", which allows convicted domestic abusers to purchase guns. The bill had been approved by the House of Representatives, 263-158, with 33 Republicans joining all but one Democrat in passing it -- despite threats from the National Rifle Association.

Here are some of the questions we asked Gwen.

Q. First, can you recount for us what happened to Ebony and why?

Q. Had she been in an abusive relationship with this guy before that?

Q. Do you think her death could have been prevented?

Q. How did this affect your own life, and that of your brothers and sisters?

Q. You said that Ebony didn’t know what resources were available to help her, and that you didn’t either. So you’re trying to fix that with Ebony’s Hope, right?

Q. You mentioned that children are the uncounted victims and that a child who has witnessed domestic violence is more likely to become a victim or even an abuser. Explain that, please.

Q. What needs to be done to make things better?

Q. How is Ebony’s Hope helping?

Q. What can the community do to get involved?

Q. What are some of the resources available here in South Carolina and elsewhere to help victims of domestic violence?

Q. What should someone who is a victim of domestic violence do?

Q. You’re the co-author of Fortitude of an Overcomer. What is that?

Click here for the complete unedited transcript.

Deeper reading:

“I’ll Pray for You, A Christian Woman’s Guide to Surviving Domestic Violence.” -- Donna...

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Douglas Giles-Power & the Bigger Lie

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0000

On October 13, the January 6th House Committee made it crystal clear that Donald Trump knew he had lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden, but still deliberately pushed the lie that he had really won because the election was rigged.

And so, he spawned the riotous insurrection that resulted in the U.S. Capitol being ransacked, several deaths, and delays in the eventual certification of the election results that made Biden's election official.

It was all an attempt by Trump to grab power that he had lost by using supporters whom he had duped to force his way back into the presidency. It was no different than the vicious tactics such dictators as Putin employ to maintain ironclad control over their countries.

While that hearing was underway, political philosopher and author Douglas Giles, on the Lean to the Left podcast, discussed in some detail the driving force behind the Republican Party and its right-wing supporters today: the concentration of power in the hands of the few.

In fact, Giles acknowledged that perhaps the biggest lie of all is the contention by Republicans that they are the party of individual liberty and small government. Because, he argued, their ultimate goal is to expand governmental control over our daily lives. He used the GOP's effort to restrict abortion as an example of such governmental overreach.

"It's about power, and if you look at what the right wing is trying to do, it is trying to say that all of the power over the decision as to whether or not to have an abortion or to have a child rests in the power of the state, whereas the pro-choice position says no, the power should be broadly circulated to every single woman who is actually facing the question."

Trump, he said, "is just coming from the social political dualism that is inherent in conservatism, that there should be a small set of people that are the 'haves', and everyone else is a 'have-not', and that's the good and proper way to run a society."

Giles agreed that Trump is "very similar in a lot of respects" to Putin because of his determination to gain and expand his power. "Totalitarian governments are all about, by definition, concentrating power within the hands of a very small (group) or even just one person, and I would say that Trump and Putin are identical in that desire," he said.

Giles, is the author of the new book, “What Left and Right Mean: Clarifying the Political Spectrum.” As a philosophy professor at Elmhurst University, he researches and writes on political philosophy and social justice issues. Giles was born and raised in the U.S., but has lived in Europe for the past 10 years, which he says has provided important insights into the natures of political ideologies and the causes of injustice. You can find his book here: https://amzn.to/3yFOTUg

Take a listen to the podcast:

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Kim Sorrelle-Defining Love After Tragedy

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Kim Sorrelle and her husband Richard were happily married, successful in business, and parents of terrific kids. Then one day it all fell apart.

First, Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer, but four months later the doctors told Richard that he had pancreatic cancer, and within six weeks, he was gone.

Kim is our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast, where she tells her story with great sensitivity and wonderful humor.

"Losing my husband made me question love," she says, "So, I dedicated a whole year to search for the true meaning of love and how to live it. I spent most of the year in Haiti, where I made life-changing discoveries that rocked my world.

"I was chased by a motorcycle gang, slept on the ground where snakes and tarantulas roam, got lost on a mile-high mountain, and so much more." The "much more" includes how she was sleeping on an air mattress outside when she was awakened by something crawling on her. It was a chicken. It happened twice. Then, Kim and her colleagues had chicken for dinner.

All of that led to Kim writing "Love Is," an award-winning best-seller that tells the sometimes scary, sometimes funny, always enlightening stories leading to revelations about love.

"The things I learned about love, living, breathing, walking, and talking love, can change the world," says Kim.

Here are key questions we asked Kim:

1.You were hit with a sledge hammer twice. First, your breast cancer diagnosis, then the loss of Steve. How did you navigate all of that? Weren’t you angry?

2.What about your cancer. Are you OK now?

3.“Love Is” is your second book. The first was Cry Until You Laugh, about your journey with Steve after his cancer diagnosis. What did that do for you, writing that book?

4.How old were your children when this all happened?

5.I understand that your youngest son, Noah, is a cancer researcher with a focus on breast cancer. I presume it was those back to back diagnosis that led him to do that?

6.Your bio says you spent a year after Steve died searching for the true meaning of love. Why? Didn’t you already know that? Where did that search take you and what did you discover?

7.Why Haiti? Your book description says that while you were there, you met people who both tested and displayed love to its limits, from irritating employees to sexist short-term missionaries to curse-wielding women, to kind nuns…tell us more.

8.Did you do all of that as research for Love Is? Or did the decision to write that book come out of that experience?

9.With the great political divide that is in our country, you told me that people from both parties can actually have dinner together without breaking into a fistfight? How would that happen? Do you just simply ignore the elephant in the room – say Trump – and talk about anything else?

10.So that raises this question: You say real love changes everything. How? MAGA Republicans absolutely despise liberals and Democrats. And people who despite Trump feel the same way about his supporters. They each call each other evil. Where is there room for even tolerance, let alone love?

11.You’ve done a lot more in your life than write a couple books and search out the true meaning of love, right? Business entrepreneur, basketball and volleyball coach, tell us more.

12.What is your bottom line message to our listeners about love and its power?

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Harry Glorikian: Better Health Via Technology

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Healthcare seems to be getting more and more complicated. In fact, sometimes it’s as though we, as patients, must do our own research to make sure what our doctor is recommending is the right approach. Should that be? Do we have the tools to do that?
We’re going to talk about that with Harry Glorikian, a global business expert, healthcare entrepreneur, podcaster and author. Glorikian is a General Partner at Scientia Ventures, which invests in tech companies involved in healthcare. The company works with entrepreneurs with big ideas to build companies with the potential of transforming healthcare.
Besides that Glorikian is on the boards of StageZero Life Sciences, a publicly traded healthcare technology business dedicated to the early detection of cancer and multiple disease states through whole blood, and Drumroll Health, which develops AI technologies to foster closer partnerships between patients, healthcare professionals and healthcare companies.
On his podcast, The Harry Glorikian Show, he speaks with leaders in the healthcare and life sciences industry about the ongoing data-driven transformation of their industry.
“From new ways to diagnose & treat patients, bring down costs & creating new value, all the way to AI algorithms that increase efficiency & accuracy, better data is revolutionizing healthcare,” Glorikian says.
He holds an MBA from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University.
He is the author of a new book "The Future You: How Artificial Intelligence Can Help You Get Healthier, Stress Less, and Live Longer." We are going to talk about that today.
Welcome, Harry, to the Lean to the Left podcast.
Q. Let’s start with a big question: How is technology changing everything we know about healthcare today? Do you have an elevator speech type response for that one?
Q. Most people like to think they can rely on their doctor to guide them through whatever their ailment might be, serious or not. Is that true? Can they really do that?
Q. You did an episode about E-Patient Dave, a patient who had a brush with cancer and ended up doing his own research to find the medication that ultimately saved his life. It was in the late 2000s and the healthcare system was unprepared to help patients like him who wanted to access and understand their own information. Has that changed?
Q. So that means that for many people, it’s on us to find the best solution to our medical problems?
Q. You say that new technologies and standards have the potential to open up a new era of participatory medicine – if patients are willing to do a little more work to understand their health data, if innovators can get better access to that data, and if doctors are willing to create a partnership with the patients over the process of diagnosis and treatment. That sounds like a lot.
Q. Shouldn’t we as patients be able to count on our healthcare providers to find the right answer? Why should we have to do our own research and wade into data?
Q. Is all of this addressed in your book?
Q. Also, I see you and a co-author previously did a book called Moneyball Medicine.” Great title. What’s that about?
Q. In Moneyball, you map out many of the changes taking place, their impact, and outline some predictions in healthcare for the future. What are some of those predictions?
Q. I have a smart watch and it can measure my heart rate, do an ECG, track my cycle if I was a woman, and even tell me when to pause to breath. Is this stuff really useful?
Q. New drugs, of course, are a critical component of our healthcare system, and there was a big fight on Capitol Hill that culminated in legislation allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices with the pharmaceutical companies. They complained, of course, that this would impede research – their constant argument. What’s your take on this?

Website(s): glorikian.com

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Kim Hamer- 100 Acts of Love

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0000

On April 16, 2009, Kim Hamer watched her 44-yr-old husband take his last breath. During his illness and after his death, she was amazed by the helpful ways their coworkers, bosses, friends, and family supported them. Kim started calling their kind actions "acts of love".

After the death of her husband, Kim, an HR leader, noticed how little guidance leaders received when navigating cancer, health crisis, or death on their team. She knew their lack of knowledge negatively affected morale, employee engagement, and productivity. She set out to change that. Combining her personal experience with her professional knowledge and leadership skills, Kim launched her business to support leaders and coworkers when cancer (or any health crisis) affects a team member.

Kim Hamer is the author of 100 Acts of Love: A Girlfriend's Guide to Loving Your Friend through Cancer or Loss, an easy-to-read book filled with 100 practical, quick, and effective ways to support a friend or coworker. She’s also an HR leader and speaker who lives in Los Angeles where she tries not to bother her relatively well-behaved college-aged children.

"I'm here because of the hundreds of acts of love that people did for us," Hamer says. "I'm here because every single time, because all these people showed up in our doorstep with lasagna to the point where my kids were like, Mom, no more lasagna."

"I'm here Because people picked up my kids after school and said, We're not bringing him home till nine o'clock. We're gonna take him to dinner in a movie. I'm here because my husband's college basketball. Teammates came, and the coach drove, flew cross country to spend 24 hours with him in a hotel room. He was so sick at this point. He died like three weeks afterwards. That's why I'm here, and I'm here because I want people to know everything that they do really matters. And it doesn't have to be the big stuff, right? It's the card I got with $10 in it from an anonymous person who've been reading my blog and who said, I don't know what to do for you."

That's just a sample of what you'll hear from Kim Hamer as she shares with us what she believes are some perfect ways to help Your friend with cancer and ways that they can get the support they need.

Joining me in this episode is legal thriller author & attorney Mark M. Bello, host of the Justice Counts podcast. This episode will also stream on that show.

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Ernest Carson for SC House 68

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Ernest Carson, the Democratic candidate for the South Carolina House of Representatives, District 68, is a man of long experience who brings fresh approaches to solving the problems that affect our communities.

"Wake up, Everybody" is his campaign slogan, and he means it. He says it's the duty of all citizens to serve their communities, and that's why he's stepping up to seek election to the SC House.

On this special South Carolina edition of the Lean to the Left podcast, Carson talks about the need for a fully-funded public education system, affordable healthcare, political accountability, and more.

In fact, Carson advocates taking advantage of the energy, determination, and imagination of our young people.

"Get it to the kids and let them figure it out," he says. "Coastal Carolina has some great students there. They're smart, energetic, and they got a brain that's wide open. Let's use those people. Let's use those smart people to get the rest of us outta trouble."

Carson says children in early grades should automatically be taught a foreign language. "Why is it that we're the only nation in the world that only speaks one language?" he asks. "Let's try something different."

Blasting Republicans for constantly criticizing, Carson asks "What is their plan?" He challenges his opponent to show up and debate. "I give you my ideas on education and on infrastructure and on the environment," he says. "What is yours?"

Carson is a Vietnam War-era US Army veteran, education, youth corrections officer, and a former union leader. He's lived a life full of service to his community, and he's not done yet.

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The Captain Polo Climate Academy

Wed, 27 May 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Alan Hesse is a climate biologist living in Ecuador, and he's now focusing much of his work on educating young people about climate change. A writer and illustrator. Alan's creation, Captain Polo is working to preserve the future of our earth for our youth, The generations who will be increasingly impacted by climate change for years to come.

Captain Polo is a polar bear that was introduced in novels, written and illustrated by Allen and aimed at middle school kids. Now he's developed a school projects approach under his Captain Polo Climate Academy brand. The Captain Polo's Climate Academy creates resources and projects to help children and adults learn about the climate crisis and what needs to be done about it.

Captain Polo was not just any old polar bear. He can speak most human languages for one thing, but mostly he's worried about the Arctic, his native habitat, which is melting twice as fast as anywhere else because of global warming caused by humans. So Captain Polo was on a mission .

He wants to keep on learning more about climate change and possible solutions, and he means to pass everything he learns onto as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.

Take a listen…

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Filthy Rich Lawyers

Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 -0000

In February 2020, attorney Joseph Fawbush wrote a piece for Findlaw.com entitled “Good News! People Think Lawyers Have an Average Amount of Integrity Now.”

Just average?

It's an old cliche. We often deride lawyers, often calling them "ambulance chasers," and it's no wonder given the seemingly never ending plethora of ads for law firms promising big payoffs if you're in an accident or are mistreated in a nursing home.

But what's the inside story? Do lawyers really abuse the system when there's a lawsuit that results in a big judgement for the plaintiffs? Do they walk away with most of the money instead of the victims? Remember the famous Blockbuster case in which millions of customers who unfairly had been charged late fees received coupons instead of cash, while the lawyers who presented the case received millions?

Filthy rich lawyers, indeed!

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, which also appeared on the Justice Counts podcast, legal thriller author/attorney Mark M. Bello and I take a look at this issue. It comes in an interview with attorney Brian Felgoise and co-author David Tabatsky who collaborated to write a new book, "Filthy Rich Lawyers, the Education of Ryan Coleman."

It’s a sometimes hilarious novel, and the opening scene sets the stage when a young, ambitious lawyer, Coleman, decked out in his best suit and fancy shoes, is dressed down by the judge for falsely claiming that his $250,000 share of a settlement would not come out of the plaintiff’s piece of the pie. That scene draws you in, and as a reader, you’re hooked.

The attorney author, Brian Felgoise, is a graduate of Temple University Law School and has been practicing class-action law for more than 25 years, including cases where billions of dollars have been recovered for class members who lost a significant amount of money.

David Tabatsky has authored, co-authored and edited many novels, including The Boy Behind the Door, Friends Like These, The Marijuana Project, The Battle of Zig Zag Pass and Drunk Log.

His memoir, American Misfit, was published in 2017. Tabatsky was consulting editor for Marlo Thomas and her New York Times bestseller, The Right Words at the Right Time, Volume 2.

Here's a sample of some of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

Mark: There are a lot of great one-liners in the book. Here’s one that sums the whole thing up: “It’s a dirty job, and someone’s got to do it.” Does this book play into every terrible stereotype of lawyers, or does it have something complimentary to say?

Bob: In the book, there are multiple examples of lawyers receiving fees way out of proportion to the plaintiffs’ recoveries. I remember the Blockbuster litigation where the litigants each got a 5 buck coupon and the lawyer’s made millions. Are lawyers paid fairly in these cases or does the system need a fix?

Mark: On the other side of the equation, as the book points out, you have multiple evil companies, Enron, Halliburton, Charel, Perdue Pharma, FenPhen, Big tobacco, and others, that kill, make sick, or screw people or the government out of billions. With lives and billions of dollars at stake in these cases, fees should be large for all that hard work and the recovery of all that money? A class action is really the most expedient way to resolve cases like this, true?

Mark: I loved the Haliburton no-bid contract whistle-blower story in the book. That is a true story, right? Lawyers did a good job on that one, didn’t they? Then you’ve got Enron, where lawyers received $688 million, 5 times their billable hours. Shouldn’t a judge check that, as the book points out? In the book, you use the example where a painter quotes $400 to paint the house. The homeowner offers him $2,000. Should he refuse the money? Who would refuse? Should lawyers police themselves?

Bob: Here’s...

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Special SC Election Edition-Ryan Thompson for SC House District 106

Wed, 13 May 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Ryan Thompson, Democratic candidate for State House of Representatives, District 106, kicked off his election campaign celebrating his 22nd birthday, on July 6, 2022 in Myrtle Beach, SC.

He's our guest on this special South Carolina Elections Edition of the Lean to the Left podcast, and during our conversation is candid about the challenges and the uphill battle he's facing, demonstrating a "never quit" spirit that is sure to take him a long way in his career.

Ryan grew up as a gay kid subjected to the bullying and disrespect that came with that. When he was just 11, his father passed away and despite his grief, he pitched in to support his family, creating handmade pet toys and selling them online and at a local flea market. Ironically, when he was old enough, he landed a job at a Chick Filet, not exactly a bastion of sexual tolerance, but one that eventually got him a scholarship for college.

Ryan was born and raised in Murrells Inlet, S.C., and has called Horry County his home for his entire life. He graduated from St. James High School in 2018 and recently graduated from the College of Charleston Honors College with a degree in Political Science.

Now, Ryan faces another big challenge -- seeking public office as a gay Democrat in a deep red South Carolina Republican stronghold. But, he is passionate about his hometown and is convinced he has a real shot. And, if he succeeds, he plans to make a real difference as a state legislator with zero ties to special interests. Every bit of his modest campaign war chest comes from individual donors, not developers or others with a financial stake in legislative decisions.

In fact, Ryan has been involved with local politics since he was 17, working on campaigns across the state, meeting with voters and listening to their needs.

In high school he was involved in theater, swim team, student government, and future business leaders of America, and then, in his senior year in college, this budding young politician was elected Student Body President.

Ryan also was a student representative on the Council for Higher Education and is passionate about ensuring all South Carolinians have access to a quality education. He will be an unyielding advocate for educators in the state and is currently pursuing teaching opportunities in the community.

I am sharing this story with Lean to the Left readers, listeners and viewers because Ryan Thompson represents the type of individual we so badly need in public service today. We need his youth, his enthusiasm, his determination, his caring, and his practical common sense that was developed during those tough times on Medicaid and food stamps.

Here are some of the questions we posed to Ryan on the podcast:

Q. Tell us why you are running for the state legislature at such a young age and in an area where the odds so heavily favor the Republicans.

Q. You’ve fought the odds all your life, right?

Q. What is it about politics and the opportunity to serve that attracts you?

Q. Do you feel that your youth is an advantage or disadvantage – and why?

Q. Same question about being gay. Running for office here in SC, is that an obstacle for you, or doesn’t it matter?

Q. If you’re elected, what do you want to achieve?

Q. What do you see for your future? Even higher office?

Q. Are you enjoying your experience as a candidate?

Q. It costs money to run for office. You clearly do not come from a wealthy family. Where is the money coming from?

Q. Are you being taken seriously by your opponent?

Q. What’s your elevator speech to the voters of your district? Why should they elect you?

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Dan Balmer-Racist in Recovery

Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Meet Dan Balmer. He’s a self-proclaimed “racist in recovery,” who once hid behind the comfortable claim that he was “not racist.”

Then, one day he had an epiphany and posted this on TikTok:

"Hi, my name is Dan and I'm a racist. I have been in recovery for 30-plus years. Would anyone else like to share?"

Now Dan is doing what he can to help others understand what racism really is and how they can overcome those feelings. He’s developing online workshops focused on “racial bias deconstruction”, has launched a blog, and is doing what he can to help ease the scourge of racism. And, he's our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast.

Who is this middle aged White guy who claims he's a "racist in recovery?"

Dan Balmer is a teacher with a master’s degree in education. His master’s thesis was a simplified model of learning theory focused on addressing barriers to learning. Understanding these concepts has helped him create non-traditional approaches to his instruction.

Throughout his career, Dan has needed to adapt his teaching style to meet the needs of doctors, nurses, billing, registration, and transport staff. These skills were utilized in other industries, including as a financial advisor and traveling trainer of retirement benefits for a variety of clients.

Dan, welcome to The Lean to the Left Podcast. Tell us what brought you to this mission. And why is it so important?

Q. Why did you question yourself about racism? Did you have occasion to overtly claim that you were not racist?

Q. How do you know if you are really racist? What qualifies a person as not racist?

Q. Have you ever heard an obviously racist person describe themselves at not racist?

Q. For many people, they don’t even think about whether they are racist or not, perhaps not until they are confronted with a situation that tests them. Do you agree?

Q. What should people do if they come to realize that, gee, maybe they are a little bit racist. Is there such a thing as “a little bit racist?”

Q. Let’s talk about your workshop. It covers concepts that you say prevent growth and change. Take a minute to tell us about them.

Q. You wrote a blog entitled “The Luxurious Illusion of being Not Racist.” Tell us about that.

To learn more about Dan Balmer, please visit https://danielbalmer.org/. Check out his workshop for racial bias deconstruction at https://racistsinrecovery.thinkific.com/courses/first-steps-toward-racial-bias-deconstruction.

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The Dixie Dems-Dems Surging Amid GOP Nuttiness?

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Political pundits Bob Gatty, South Carolina; Robert Thompson, Georgia; and Arthur Hill, North Carolina talk about gains Democrats are making as Republican candidates sputter, including those hand-picked by Trump. Will some red seats turn blue in those states, shocking as that may seem?

Arthur is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. He and I both worked in PR and as freelance writers in Washington, DC. And, we both worked on Capitol Hill, back in the day.

Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals. It’s an awesome podcast, and he takes no prisoners. In our last episode, we revealed how he has a fettish with some blonde wacko from Georgia named Marjorie.

So, welcome guys. There’s a lot going on here in South Carolina, and a lot of it has to do with Republicans making news, like only the Horry County Republican Party can. For those of you who don’t know, Horry County is home to the resort area of Myrtle Beach, but to the west there’s a lot of rural area. And, for years, it's been dominated by Republicans.

But today, those guys are in disarray, squabbling with the state GOP over its effort to prevent the MAGA crowd from taking over. This week, the entire county GOP leadership team resigned, including QAnon influencer Tracy “Beanz” Diaz, who was one of the five top-ranking members of the local party. Diaz’s time with the HCGOP was plagued by drama, including infighting and a lawsuit against it by a local man who said he was assaulted at a QAnon event.

The county GOP leadership complained that the state GOP was trying to silence “the true America First patriots,” and they promised to continue to fight to “expose the truth.”

Meanwhile, the county Democratic party is working in unison on behalf of some great candidates for the state legislature, especially, Ashlyn Preaux, Ryan Thompson, and Ernest Carson. Against some strong odds, I think they have a real shot, and that would really shake things up.

The county party is holding its biggest fundraiser, called the SHORE Dinner, later this month, and the proceeds will be used to help support Democratic candidates.

And, then, of course, there is Sen. Lindsey Graham with his new bill to impose a nationwide abortion ban after 15 weeks – a proposal that the pundits say is doing nothing but divide the Republicans. We can talk about that later. Unfortunately, Graham is not up for reelection this time around.

So, What’s happening in North Carolina and Georgia? How about in other areas of the country where the Republicans have "crummy" candidates?

Take a listen.

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Switch to a Green Job & Save Our Earth

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Ever wonder what it would be like to work at a job where you would actually be helping the environment and fighting climate change? That’s our topic on the Lean to the Left podcast.

Our guest is Joseph Gelfer, founder of Ecotopian Careers, a company that helps people become part of the solution to climate change, instead of part of the problem – while at work. Ecotopian Careers helps people who want to make climate change the focus of their working week overcome obstacles that often prevent them from transitioning to more desirable green jobs.

Gelfer is a member of the Climate Coaching Alliance where he works with the Work and Careers group, and he’s also an En-ROADS Climate Ambassador.

On the podcast, Gelfer predicts that climate and environmental protection will offer major career opportunities, that already are opening up. He explains how individuals who want to take advantage can switch from their current jobs to one that will have long-term environmental benefits.

“The green transformation is coming whether we like it or not” says Gelfer. If you care…it has to be part of your working week. Then you’re making a huge impact.”

Gelfer discusses some of the factors that are harmful to our climate, and lists agriculture at the top of the list. In fact, he predicts we all will be consuming artificially produced meat because naturally produced meat will simply become too expensive. A “meat tax” will likely be imposed, he says.

Ecotopian Careers offers online courses, and Gelfer is offering a discount to Lean to the Left listeners who sign up for his course “How to Make a Mid-Career Transition to a Green Job.” Just use the discount code lttl15.

Here are some of the questions covered on the podcast:
Q. Tell us about you – what led you to starting Ectopian Careers? What were you doing before?

Q. What are some of the obstacles that people face when trying to switch to a green job?

Q. Really, what are green jobs, anyway?

Q. What is the future for green jobs?

Q. Will the new Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a big investment in energy security and climate change, result in more of these jobs becoming available?

Q. Any idea how many clean energy jobs will be created over the next decade or so?

Q. What kind of jobs will they be? Are they all high tech jobs?

Q. Generally, what do they pay?

Q. What kind of education is needed to get a green job?

Q. Where can you find these jobs? Will some people have to move if they want to do this? Is it worth it?

Q. What are some resources for people who are interested in getting a green job?

Q. Tell us about the work of Ecotopian Careers. Exactly what do you guys do?

Q. By the way, why do you call it “Ecotopian?”

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Alex Wait-Called to Serve Others

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, welcome.

Our guest today is another podcaster…Alex Wait…he’s a lot younger than me (of course most people are)…but he’s dedicated his show to giving people who are different from him a platform to be heard.

Alex describes himself as a straight white guy with a lot to learn. And that’s the reason he launched Epics Podcast and is helping people tell their stories.

I love this idea. In fact, in many ways it’s a lot like how this Lean to the Left podcast has evolved – from being a forum for progressive political discussion to a place where the major social issues of our times can be explored – sometimes by highly credentialed experts, but other times simply by everyday people with interesting stories to tell.

As I like to say, you never know who’ll show up at Lean to the Left.

On this episode, we spend a lot of time talking about homelessness and other social concerns. Alex spent some time working for a homeless shelter, where he experienced first-hand the difficulties that so many people face when, for whatever reason, they lose their home and have virtually nowhere to turn.

Alex says he feels called to serve others, and working in the shelter was one way he could do that. Now, it's his podcast, which gives voice to people who are different, who have "epic" stories to tell about their lives and their activities.

So today, we welcome we welcome Alex Wait…let’s hear what he’s all about.

Here are some of the questions we covered in the show...

Q. Besides being a straight white guy with a lot to learn, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Q. Why did you launch Epics Podcast?

Q. You told me before that After spending a career in non profits you saw the amazing work that an organization can do providing help and hope to so many. But you also witnessed and experienced burnout when your efforts on the frontlines of a cause were being misunderstood, undervalued or at the worst, unseen. Can you talk about that? I bet a lot of people feel that way at work.

Q. Did the hate and division that seems to be so prevalent in our nation have anything to do with this?

Q. What have you learned so far?

Q. How many episodes have you done? How frequent do you stream?

Q. Why did you want to be on Lean to the Left?

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New Social Media Platform to Challenge Facebook

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Hate speech. Divisive rhetoric. Insurrection. Today Americans are divided, perhaps more than ever...at least since the civil war.

But how did the country get this way?

In The Second Civil War: A citizens’ guide to healing our fractured nation, bestselling author Peter Montoya dissects how fear-based messaging and highly accessible technology have resulted in what he says is the early stages of a second civil war.

Now, Montoya, the founder of the multi-million dollar company, Marketing Pro, is building a new tech startup, called Urth, designed to address all of that. It’s a community-driven social media platform that has a big mission: “To empower humanity with the technology to perpetuate the survival of our species.” Not a modest goal!

In the interview, Montoya is not shy about saying that Urth will go after Facebook by providing a platform that is much more secure and free of bots and fake accounts that foster division and hate.

That’s what we talk about today as we have Peter Montoya with us on the Lean to the Left podcast. Let’s get right to it.

1.Are saying that social media is at the root of the divisions within our country today?
2.Why are people so addicted to social media?
3.What’s wrong with traditional social media? Sometimes it makes me crazy.
4.What is this conflict about and why do you think we’re in a second civil war?
5.Why do we hear so much about Cancel Culture: What’s that about?
6.Does shaming and shunning those with whom we disagree change their behavior? Have you seen that backfire?
7.Tell us about Urth, where does the name come from and what’s Urth’s mission?
8.How it will Urth be different from what we’re using today, and why it will be better?
9.The website’s home page…at www.urth.cc, says “We are a mission disguised as a technology. Then it adds: Urth is a civil media network empowering real-world action to solve global problems.” How so? Please explain.
10.Does Urth lean one way or the other politically? Why? Why not?
11.I understand listeners can get involved in the early stages of Urth. How can they become Beta Testers? And what does that mean, what would they do?
12.What’s your ultimate vision for Urth?

Take a listen.

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Spencer Bishins-Social Security Disability Scandal Revealed

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Spencer Bishins, a former Social Security Administration attorney, says administrative law judges often are "incentivized" to decline disability claims in order to keep the agency's "pay rate" low resulting in only about 50 percent of disability requests being approved.

On the Lean to the Left podcast, Bishins reveals the common practices used by the agency to discourage approval of disability claims, and says that intervention by members of Congress on behalf of constituents requesting help is generally meaningless.

"The administrative law judges are federal employees, so they have supervisors," Bishins points out. Those supervisors are under pressure to keep costs down, so they encourage the judges to deny claims, often by requiring them to take additional training or denying their ability to telework. Or, they may be "encouraged" to retire or accept a transfer.

"They are training them or incentivizing them to get their pay rates down. It is happening
and the statistics show that it's happening," Bishins says.

What Bishins describes seems like a near scandal. Think about who is filing claims for Social Security disability: it is people who, for one reason or another, cannot work. Perhaps they have a serious illness, were injured. Whatever, if they can't work they cannot earn a living. And if they can't do that, how are they supposed to care for their families? That's why we have the Social Security disability program in the first place, and why it is paid for by the SSA taxes that we all fork over with every paycheck.

Bishins has a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, and a law degree from Florida State University. After law school, he worked in the private sector for two years prior to joining the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2010.

He worked at the Appeals Council for almost four years, reviewing thousands of disability decisions for compliance with SSA’s complex rules and procedures. He then worked at the hearing level for seven years, where he drafted almost 2,000 decisions for SSA Administrative Law Judges.

After working for SSA for more than 10 years, he wanted to help demystify the complicated disability system. His first book, Social Security Disability Revealed: Why it’s so hard to access benefits and what you can do about it, explores the obstacles that disability claimants face as they try to access benefits.

Written in 2022, Bishins reveals the inner workings of the disability system, explains how the system works – and doesn’t. He breaks down the complicated disability rules, timelines, jargon, and processes, so his book is for claimants, representatives, family, friends, counselors, caregivers, social workers, case workers, advocates, and anyone who interacts with disability applicants. More info at www.bishinspublishing.com.

Listen to the episode.

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Dr. John DeGarmo-Protecting At-Risk Kids

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0000

With us today is Dr. John DeGarmo, leading expert in foster care and parenting, and director of The Foster Care Institute.

Dr. DeGarmo conducts seminars across the world on foster care, child sex trafficking, adoption, and child welfare related issues.

He also is author of several books, including The Foster Care Survival Guide, Keeping Foster Children Safe Online, and Fostering Love: One Foster Parent's Journey.

As a parent -- eirther biological, adoptive, foster he has had over 60 children come live with him and his family, and currently has 10 kids in his house.

Good Lord!

This is an interesting guy, too. He’s worked in professional wrestling, traveled the world performing in the international super group Up With People, married an Australian, lived on a tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef for a year, was awarded the Good Morning America Ultimate Hero Award, and even appeared on Wife Swap. What was that all about!

Here are some questions we posed to Dr. DeGarmo:

Q. Why do you do what you do? And where do you find the time?

Q. Tell us about The Foster Care Institute and what you do there.

Q. I’m certain that dealing with children who have been abused is one of the major aspects of your work there. How serious of a problem is domestic violence and child abuse today?

Q. Let’s talk about that what are some ways that we can all help stop domestic violence against children?

Q. What about foster care? Is there a shortage of foster parents for kids in crisis?

Q. What are some things that people interested in becoming a foster parent should consider?

Q. You wrote a blog earlier this year listing 15 ways to fix foster care. What are they?

Q. You are someone who walks the talk, if ever I’ve seen an example of that. You work on behalf of children who need foster care, and you’ve parented more than 60 yourself? And you and your wife are caring for 10 kids now? Why? How?

Q. How can you possibly provide the individual attention that these children deserve?

Q. The Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell saga was shocking and disgusting. What were your thoughts with how that case played out? Epstein being found dead in his jail cell and Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking in support of Epstein’s sex enterprise.

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Kyle Roedler-Fighting to Keep Kids Safe at School

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with Kyle Roedler. He’s a father of two baby girls, a husband and a dog owner living in Atlanta, GA.

And he’s determined to push the government to create a safe learning environment for children. It is unacceptable, he says, that children should be endangered when they go to school, supposedly a haven of safety and learning.

So, Kyle is taking action. He’s launched a new organization called the Parents Safety Alliance, and is looking to establish chapters in every town across America, which is holding a meeting for concerned parents tomorrow evening, 6-8 pm, at the historic courthouse in downtown Decatur, GA. Everyone is invited and you can join online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85199580507?pwd=aVRodFFNTjlJeXc4TG9YbzJ6UHhPZz09

You can also learn more at https://www.facebook.com/ParentsSafetyAlliance.

During the interview, Roedler discusses some innovative ideas on how to keep schools, churches, and other public venues safe from would-be shooters, including the development of a new ap that would help bring off-duty police officers to help with security.

Roedler's movement is not about gun control, he stresses, it's about keeping our children safe when they go to school.

Here are some questions we asked during the show:

So welcome to the podcast, Kyle. Tell us about what you’re up to – and why.

Q. What prompted you to step out and take action?

Q. Your kids go to a private, religious school, not a public school. Does that make any difference when it comes to risks and safety?

Q. What would you like to see happen in terms of actions to keep kids safe at school?

Q. What were your thoughts about the law enforcement response to the Uvalde, TX massacre of 19 children and two teachers? I see that law suits have been filed seeking $27 billion from government agencies and the school district to compensate families of the victims.

Q. How is the Alliance doing? You’re in DeKalb County, Atlanta, GA now. How many parents are involved?

Q. What are your plans for growth?

Q. What are your thoughts about the availability of such weapons as AR-15s to the average person…weapons like this have been used in school shootings.

Q. Should schools be required to have armed guards on site at all times?

Q. What are your thoughts about arming teachers and expecting them to defend their students against shooters?

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Top Gun Frank Wiegers on Magical Sex

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Something different today on the Lean to the Left podcast. No politics. No Trump or Republican bashing. Instead, we're going to learn how to make love, not war, and goodness knows, this country needs a lot more love.

We're going to learn how to have "magical sex" and our instructor is a former Vietnam War fighter pilot who now coaches people on how to have a fulfilling sex life.

In fact, Frank Wiegers and his wife have written a book about the topic, and operate a website called www.TopGunLove.com. Frank was a "top gun" fighter pilot, get it?

This is a guy who not only flew fighters, but also raced sports cars and formula 2 cars in Europe, skippered a winning yacht racing crew, taught stunt flying and won the Arizona State aerobatics championship.

But his life was missing something: a fulfilling, loving relationship. So, he attacked that with a vengeance, learning everything he could about love, sex, and relationships.

With degrees in business, aero-engineering, and law, Frank knew how to study, so he sought out teachers from around the world, worked with a native American shaman for over 15 years, and read everything he could find on love, sex and relationships.

Wiegers began working with men in the early nineties and in 2004 met his wife, Judith, a successful personal, career and relationship counselor for over 40 years. Together they have written two books. Their latest, is The Magical Sex Book.

So, on the episode, Wiegers tells us how we can put magic into our relationships. One of the points he makes is that surveys show that most guys -- like 85 percent of us -- think we are great lovers. However, only 15 percent of their mates agree. Damn!

Here's a sample of our questions for Wiegers:
I have to say, You are the true-life example of the old adage, “Make Love, not War.”
What is magical sex?
You say men believe they’re good at love making, which means they don’t now what they don’t know. Explain, please.
Are you saying sex is spiritual?
What’s intimacy got to do with magical sex?
How do you go about making that connection deeper?
What do you mean by rituals?
What are the four steps?
What do you mean by Pre-Play? Is that different from Fore-Play?
What’s different about The-Play?
So what is After-Play?
What is sex magick?
Why does a woman have to coach their man?
How does a woman start a conversation about her sex life?
What if you’re not feeling any desire for sex?
What about Sex for those over 50? How about 60? 70? Even 80? Are you kidding me?
Do men really need orgasm training?
Final Thoughts
Do you do coaching, and how do people get in touch with you?
Listen to the episode:

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Frank Sorrentino on Trump & the FBI Mar-a-Lago Raid

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Political Analyst Dr. Frank Sorrentino is with us today to discuss the FBI raid of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, from a historical perspective, and its potential political impact going forward.

On the podcast, Dr. Sorrentino questions the seriousness of the FBI's investigation of classified documents taken to Mar-a-Lago by former President Donald Trump, saying that the Justice Department appeared to be in no hurry to recover the documents.

However, he agrees that the important question is what those documents contain and what Trump planned to do with them.

However, he agrees that the important question is what those documents contain and what Trump planned to do with them -- and that an investigation into the episode is needed.

During the episode, Sorrentino criticizes the Justice Department for becoming embroiled in a political dispute, even though Attorney General Merrick Garland has pledged that will not happen during the Biden Administration. The FBI, he says, has a long history of being used for political purposes.

In his latest book, “Presidential Power and The American Political System,” Dr. Sorrentino analyzes the history of the FBI, from the Palmer Raids in the Woodrow Wilson administration up to Watergate and the Richard Nixon Administration.

He’s a nationally recognized constitutional scholar, widely quoted and relied upon for his insight regarding the major political developments of our time. He received both his PhD and Master's Degree in Politics from New York University and has spent time on the faculty of NYU, Long Island University and Kean College, and has been honored several times by The National Political Science Honor Society.

Once again, his book is "Presidential Power and The American Political System," published by the Archway, Division of Simon & Schuster.

Dr. Sorrentino, thanks for joining us on the Lean to the Left podcast.

Q. How serious is it that Trump apparently took highly classified and sensitive documents home to Mar a Lago after he left the White House?

Q. According to the warrant for the raid, the search was related to potential violations of the Espionage Act, which has been used to prosecute both foreign spies and domestic leakers, including Daniel Ellsberg. This is pretty serious, right?

Q. You’ve been quoted as saying that "The FBI has been political since its inception.” Why is that? I thought the FBI was supposed to be above reproach.

Q. You also said that "This incident may be a most significant event." That seems to be somewhat of an understatement, but why do you say that?

Q. News reports indicate that classified documents Trump took to Mar a Lago involved nuclear weapons among other highly sensitive and top secret documents. Of course, Trump says the “nuclear weapons issue is a hoax.” But, if that is true, what should happen to Trump?

Q. How are potential violations of classified materials normally handled?

Q. What is the political impact of this event?

Q. One thing we know is Trump is raking in big money in contributions, over $1 million a day last week, according to published reports. Is this right?

Q. What do you think of Trump’s many false and misleading claims about the raid, such as that Biden played a role and that the FBI may have planted evidence during the raid?

Q. What do you make of so many top Republicans making excuses for Trump and accusing the FBI of “gastapo” tactics, etc. Do you think this might come back to bite them?

Q. Have raids like this happened to other former Presidents?

Q. Tell us about your book and where people can find it.

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Michael P. McDonald-Analysis, Trump & the Coming Election

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Many political pundits today predict that Democrats face a serious blood bath in the November Congressional elections, and that the party will be on the ropes for the foreseeable future. But nationally recognized political analyst Michael P. McDonald doesn't see it that way.

Interviewed on the Lean to the Left podcast, McDonald suggests that because of several "crummy" Trump-endorsed candidates, Democrats could actually add at least two seats to their existing razor thin majority and be in a position to overturn the filibuster on specific legislation, such as voting rights reform.

In fact, McDonald points to a recent poll showing that Democrat Rep. Val Demings currently leads Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida as an example of one senate seat that could be flipped. As for retired football star Hershel Walker's bid in Georgia to unseat Sen. Raphael Warnock (D), McDonald describes Walker as "a really bad candidate who obviously has been knocked in the head quite a few times."

McDonald says former President Donald Trump is "so wedded to the Big Lie" and GOP candidates "giving him fealty" to gain his support, that it is damaging the Republican Party to the point that its opportunity to win control of the Senate is in serious danger and that taking over the House of Representatives is less certain than it was just a few months ago.

If Republicans do take over the House, however, opportunities for Democrats to enact meaningful legislation will be gone and the nation will be treated to more politically-inspired investigations, which will do nothing but worsen the political polarization that exists in America today.

However, McDonald says there is an obvious way for that to be cured: for Trump to acknowledge that he lost the election and for Republicans, who have been spreading lies about voter fraud for years, to admit that elections in the U.S. today are secure and well run.

Professor of political science at the University of Florida and a leading resource on American elections, McDonald is author of the new book, “From Pandemic to Insurrection: Voting in the 2020 US Presidential Election.”

In his book, Michael tells the story of voting in the 2020 election in context with the Covid 19 pandemic, the Big Lie, the January 6 hearings, and more. It takes a look at new voting laws that have emerged since the election, several designed to benefit Republicans while making it harder for many people to vote. It is a thorough, well-researched analysis that includes over 800 footnoted references that are clickable in the digital version. The book is due to be published September 5.

McDonald's website, www.electproject.org, disseminates election statistics and is widely used as an authoritative source by media, scholars, and others. He also participates on the decision desk that calls elections after the polls close.

Listen to the interview.

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Corey Noyes-Investing to Save the Planet

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0000

What if you could help the environment, help fight climate change, and make money on your investments at the same time? Our guest on the Lean to the Left podcast has launched a new investment company, Balanced Capital Investments, that lets you do just that, and it sounds like a real winner.

Corey Noyes loves to run and hike in his home state of Utah, and while he’s doing that, he’s often thinking up ways to build Balanced Capital and help his clients succeed.

Corey used to work for one of the large wealth management companies in the financial services industry, but he decided that, not only didn’t he want to wear a suit to work anymore, he also wanted to do better, both for his customers and the world in which we all live.

So Balanced Capital Investments was born and one of its main objectives is to offer clients the greenest, most environmentally friendly portfolios available. That’s an interesting concept: invest for future success while supporting companies that are working to make our world better.

Here are some questions addressed on the podcast:

Q. Can you tell us a little more about yourself and Balanced Capital?

Q. What’s the criteria for equities and funds to be included in your Green Series portfolios?

Q. How is that balanced with those companies’ performance to make sure they are a good investment for your clients?

Q. Are companies involved in the production and distribution of fossil fuels included in the Green Series portfolios?

Q. If not, why not?

Q. Can a client sign up for your green investment program, but also invest in a fossil fuel company if they feel it would be a good financial opportunity?

Q. Your website says investments in Green Series portfolios place a high emphasis on companies that make efforts to use renewable energy. What does that mean?

Q. You have a chart on your website Us vs Them, showing Carbon Emissions, number of fossil fuel companies, and a 2049 carbon neutral target year. Can you please explain what this means?

Q. By bringing green investing to more people, how will that actually improve the environment? Do you think it will change the way companies behave?

Q. When did you launch Balanced Capital? How is it going? Looks like you had a little over $13 million in discretionary assets under management as of January.

Q. How much of that is in the Green Series?

Q. You also have a tax prep company and an insurance company. Where do you find time to do all of that? What kind of team do you have at Balanced Capital?

Q. What’s the plan for the future?

Note: Learn more about Balanced Capital Investing at https://balanced-capital.com

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Tom Hogan-The Empty Confessional (Catholic Church Sex Abuse)

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Host Bob Gatty and author/attorney Mark M. Bello once again explore issues involving child sex abuse in the Catholic Church. While that's been in the headlines for decades, author Tom Hogan's "The Empty Confessional" explores the issue in a unique way—the author goes inside the head of a young priest who has decided to become an avenger.

From archaeological digs in Israel, to life in both Protestant and Catholic seminaries, to launching tech startups in Silicon Valley, Tom Hogan has led a fascinating life.
He’s worked with a team at the Harvard Semitic Museum to decipher the Dead Sea Scrolls, developed one of the first programs for introducing the Holocaust into high school and university curricula, and has lectured, extensively in Holocaust studies.

He also found time to be a venture capitalist, founding Crowded Ocean, which has launched 51 startups, with 17 either going public or being acquired. And he brings this diverse and rich experience to his writing, both fiction and non-fiction.

His new book, The Empty Confessional, answers the question:
What If an Avenger Priest Came After Catholic Predator-Priests?

Take a listen.

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Roger Canaff-Author, City Dark: Child Abuse & Violence Against Women

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Today we welcome Roger Canaff, an award winning legal thriller author whose writing is influenced by his experiences as a child protection and anti-violence against women advocate, legal expert, and speaker.

He has devoted his legal career to the eradication of violence against women and children, first as a prosecutor in Alexandria, Virginia, then as a Special Victims ADA in the Bronx.

Roger also was president of the Board of Directors of End Violence Against Women International, an organization that provides training, technical assistance, research and advocacy. He now teaches undergraduate and law school classes, and trains and consults privately, both nationally and internationally.

Canaff is a charter member of CounterQuo, an organization of allied professionals challenging the way our culture responds to sexual violence.

Most recently he became a consultant with Justice3D.com, a leading educator in issues related to investigating and prosecuting sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence cases.

Roger Canaff is the author of four novels, the latest of which is "City Dark," a police thriller set in New York City, which will be published October 1. Canaff lives and works in New York City.

Some of the questions we asked Canaff:

Q. What prompted you to focus your work on violence against women and children?

Q. What were some of the experiences in your life, in your work, that informed the four novels that you’ve written?

Q. Tell us about your books, especially City Dark, which is due out on October 1.

Q. I did a podcast interview with an author, Sandy Phillips Kirkham, whose book, “Let Me Prey Upon You,” describes how as a teenager she was seduced and eventually raped by the youth pastor of her church, a fundamental protestant denomination. She said she had been “groomed” by this pastor.

I noticed in my research that you’ve given a presentation with Justice3D.com entitled “Introducing evidence of grooming and dynamics of victimization in child sex abuse cases.” Can you explain what that’s all about?

Q. Another talk you’ve given focuses on holding offenders accountable. What are some of the challenges and opportunities that arise with respect to that? Kirkham said her abuser was protected by his church, while she was virtually kicked out.

Q. All of this also can be related to sex abuse within the Catholic Church.. You’ve done some work in this area?

Q. What did you think of the sex abuse accusations against Judge Kavanaugh when he was being considered for the Supreme Court and how they were handled by the Senate Committee? You said on CNN that you had never seen a witness more compelling than Christine Blasey Ford, who testified that as a teenager in the early 1980s Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her during a party, which, of course, Kavanaugh denied. Should Kavanaugh be on the Supreme Court today?

Q. What’s next for you? Another book?

Q. Just curious, where do you get the names and descriptions of the characters in your books?

Q. Where can listeners find your books or reach out to you?

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Jason Merchey-Politics, Wisdom & the Lack Thereof

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, thanks for joining us on Lean to the Left. Today we welcome Jason Merchey, author of a new book, “Wisdom: A very Valuable Virtue that Cannot be Bought.”

If there is one thing we need today in this very divided country, it is leaders with the wisdom to find solutions for the good of our people, not leaders who stoke division and discord for their own political gains.

But it goes beyond political leadership. Today, so many of us find ourselves stymied by the struggles of daily life that perhaps we don’t take enough time to reflect about what we need to do to reduce stress and simply be happy.

Jason is author of The Values of the Wise Book Series. In this new book, his fourth, he provides a compass to help readers navigate toward more personal growth, happiness, and fulfillment in life.

Welcome, Jason, and thanks for joining us on Lean to the Left.

1.What’s the key theme of your book and how can it help people achieve personal growth, happiness and fulfillment in their lives?

2. You say that anyone aiming to build a life of value, one that yields purpose and happiness, should consider wisdom to be their blueprint for success. Please explain what you mean and how people can do that.

3.Your promo material says that you’ve had mental illness most of your life, but that you’ve earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology and practiced as a psychotherapist. How have you overcome that illness to achieve all of that?

4.What are some ways that we could all be wiser in our choices, and how would that benefit our communities and even our nation?

5.You founded something called Values of the Wise in 2004. What is that all about?

6.Today our country is beset by division among our people. It was reflected perhaps most vividly in the January 6th attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters, and continues to this day. What needs to be done to ease these tensions and find solutions to the many important problems that face our nation?

7.Abortion is one of those divisive issues, and the Trump supreme court has made it even more so, with some states now trying to criminalize the act of transporting a woman to another state to have her abortion. What are your thoughts about all of this?

8.What are your thoughts about the determination of conservatives to protect the lives of the unborn, but then to abandon them once they have taken their first breath outside the womb?

9.You wrote in a blog that the modern Republican Party is a clear and present danger to the fabric of American society, and that we must not take this lightly or be cowed into silence. Explain.

10.With that point of view, how do the principles espoused in your book relate to the political realities of today?

11.Where can people find your book and get in touch with you?

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Terry Livingston on LGBTQ Issues & Respect for Marriage Act

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Today our guest is Terry Livingston, the founder of Grand Strand Pride, an LGBTQ+ rights organization located in the coastal area of South Carolina, an ultra conservative state.

Terry and his team are fighting to protect the rights of those in the LGBT+ community, and they constantly face challenges from the Republican-controlled state legislature, having to beat back harmful proposals that threaten basic freedoms that we all have a right to enjoy.

Terry’s a Myrtle Beach CPA and he’s the husband of another local CPA, Steve.

Terry, thanks for joining us on the Lean to the Left podcast. Tell us a little bit more about yourself and what you do.

1.What’s it like advocating for the LGBTQ+ community in a conservative area like South Carolina?

2.What are some of the challenges you’ve been facing with state and local governments? Wasn’t there a county resolution declaring June Pride Month that was rescinded after some people complained?

3.What are your thoughts about the Respect for Marriage Act, which would protect interracial marriage and repeal previous law defining marriage as between one man and one woman?

4.While more than 40 Republicans in the House joined Democrats to vote for that bill, Republicans in the Senate seem to be ducking and dodging, some claiming they haven’t read it yet – even though it’s only 4 pages long. Will there be enough GOP votes to avoid a filibuster? Your thoughts about that?

5.With the Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe v. Wade, and subsequent comments by Justice Clarence Thomas that seem to threaten same sex marriage, are you concerned about what might come next?

6.A lot of Democrats are saying that freedom is on the ballot in the November election. Do you agree?

7.How concerned are you about Monkeypox? Is a vaccine available in South Carolina? If so, who should get that vaccine?

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Dixie Dems-'Marjorie' Crashes the Show

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Check out this episode of the Dixie Dems on The Lean to the Left Podcast, which is crashed by 'Marjorie," an impersonation of wacko Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene by Robert Thompson, who also hosts the Got Damn Liberals podcast.

If you are confused by Thompson, who parrots MTG during the episode but also comments as the Democratic liberal that he is, you'll have an opportunity to get it all straight once the video version of this episode is finished and streamed on YouTube. That must be a comforting thought.

As usual the Dixie Dems episode also features Arthur Hill, communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party, who also contributes articles to this blog site. Arthur's blogs generally focus on various scams that he wants readers to be aware of, but he writes about politics as well. Arthur is the most serious of the Dixie Dems cast, as you can tell by his glasses.

This episode of the Dixie Dems "covers" key aspects of the January 6 insurrection investigation, such as when a Trump staffer had to clean catsup off the wall because an angry 45 tossed his lunch; political developments in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida; and the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on abortion rights and related issues.

So despite the craziness that seems to always infect the Dixie Dems when they get together, the episode actually has some content worth listening to -- if you can manage to avoid confusion caused by Thompson's be-wigged "Marjorie".

Take a listen:

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Tom Davis: Could Fanaticism Propel Authoritarianism in the US?

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0000

Could political fanaticism propel the U.S. into an authoritarian form of government as has occurred in other countries, including Nazi Germany?

That's a possibility that should concern all Americans, regardless of political party, says novelist Tom Davis, a retired Operation Desert Storm commander who served as a key advisor to a Secretary of the Army and several Army Chiefs of Staff.

"The common theme of extreme ends of the political spectrum is violence and authoritarianism," says Davis, author of "Empty Quiver," on The Lean to the Left Podcast. "I think at this point we all need to be concerned about political fanaticism, at the moment on the right as opposed to the left."

“Empty Quiver” is a novel about the threat of nuclear weapons in the 1980s that is all too real as we live through the challenges of today with Russia attacking Ukraine.

While Davis says that the Russian invasion of Ukraine "has shown the Red Army to be inept," he worries that Vladimir Putin might resort to using some form of nuclear weapons as a last resort.

"This is a large army that was unable to take two cities that were a four hour drive away," he says on the podcast, worrying that the vaunted Red Army's failures could push a frustrated Putin into more dangerous actions, including the use of nuclear weapons.

Listen to the interview:

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Bill Kuhn-Time to Reclaim Our Democracy

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0000

"If Republicans gain control of the House and the Senate, God help us."

Those are the words of Democratic activist and political author Bill Kuhn on The Lean to the Left Podcast, where he warns that today's Republican Party is a clear and present danger to America.

Kuhn is author of a new book, "Facts & Fury…An Unapologetic Primer on How the GOP has Destroyed American Democracy," and co-founder of Fight for a Better America, an organization that invests in key battleground districts and states throughout the US, with the goal of either flipping them blue or maintaining Democratic incumbents.

Through his travels with the organization, Bill has made hundreds of contacts with folks in local civic and Democratic clubs throughout the country―primarily in California, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, and New Jersey―and organized hundreds of volunteers on the ground. He’s had thousands of conversations with voters and prospective volunteers about the issues that affect them most.

Although conflicts over the role of government have always existed, the level of partisanship and division that we know today is staggering, Kuhn says, adding that for the nation to heal voters must understand the Republican Party’s role in the country’s growing division.

Here are some of Kuhn's comments in the episode:

Right-wing Republicans "think like fascists...they have the same mentality and left up to their own devices they would take away more and more rights and leave people to fend for themselves while enriching them and their radical rich financial sponsors."

Republicans are not "pro-life." They are "pro-birth" and about "controlling women's bodies." "Whoever coined the term "pro-life" should get a marketing award."

The religious right infiltrated the Republican Party years ago. "The nut jobs got a hold of the party and (Supreme Court Justice) Clarence Thomas is part of that. The Republican Party has been completely coopted by these people."

Republicans deliberately wanted to "make politics so toxic that incompetent people will run for office and, therefore, Washington stays incompetent and locked in gridlock. This benefits the party that wants to see Washington handicapped, and that's the Republicans."

Most voters will base their decision at the polls on the economy and inflation, not abortion, the Supreme Court, or even the revelations of the January 6 investigating committee. Biden gets the blame, even though it is private enterprise that controls prices.

Will Trump go to jail? "I have very little confidence that he'll go to jail."

If Trump is not the nominee, it will likely be Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Vice President Pence is "too tied to Trump" and he's "not exciting."

Listen to the episode.

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Robert S. McElvaine-Democracy on the Line

Wed, 25 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0000

“People need to realize that…with democracy, if we leave it now we may never get it back and then nothing can be done.”

Those are the words of historian and author Robert S. McElvaine on The Lean to the Left Podcast, where he discusses many of the key events of the 1960s, particularly 1964 and 1965, and how they are influencing events today, especially the radicalization of the Republican Party and the growth of authoritarianism.

Looking forward to the November elections, he says voters should "instead of looking at the gas pump and the grocery store and inflation, realize that democracy is on the line.” Make a comparison of the direction of both political parties and candidates, he said. “Look at the choice, what these people are. The most important thing is that in 2022 democracy is on the line.”

While McElvaine believes Democrats will maintain control of the Senate and perhaps make some gains, “it doesn’t look good in the House, and if they lose control in the House, those people are not going to certify a Democratic winner in 2024.”

McElvaine is Elizabeth Chisholm Distinguished Professor of Arts & Letters and Professor of History at Millsaps College. He is the author of eight books and the editor of three others. His latest is "The Times They Were a-Changin' - 1964: The Year 'the Sixties' Arrived and the Battle Lines of Today Were Drawn."

The book argues that the current crisis in America centers on the right wing trying to reverse the revolutionary changes that began in 1964 and return our nation to a point where White men are in control.

McElvaine's first two books on the Depression era have become standards in the field, acclaimed by historians and general readers alike. Two of his books have been named among the “Notable Books of the Year” by the New York Times Book Review. Both have remained in print and continue to sell nearly four decades after their initial publication.

Here are some questions covered in our interview:

1. Your book is about 1964, which was 58 years ago. What can the past – particularly that year – teach us today?

2. I see that Bennie Thompson, chair of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Insurrection, has praised your book, saying, that it “presents vivid details and unapologetic truths that can help to thwart rightwing radicals’ plans to annihilate the progress we have made toward equality.” How does what you wrote about relate to the insurrection and attempted coup?

3. In your book, you reference how the fundamental ideals of the Republican and Democratic parties have changed over the course of American history. What are some examples?

4. You say in the book that the United States moved closer to the ideals of 1776 and became a full democracy for the first time in the “Long 1964.” How so?

5. You indicate in the book that the battle lines of today are about the revolutionary changes that began in 1964–whether to build upon them or reverse them. Please explain.

6. You say that what the right-wingers who have taken control of the Republican Party mean when they say, “Take America Back” is to repeal the 1960s and take America back to the way it was before 1964. How would America be different if Republicans succeeded in turning back the calendar to pre-1964?

7. How is all of this reflected in today’s Supreme Court with its 6-3 conservative majority engineered by Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump?

8. The recent primary elections showed substantial gains by far-right candidates who bow at the altar of Donald Trump. What are the implications of this should this trend continue in November?

9. You say in the book that the fundamental question across the span of American history has been whether it is to be a White man’s country or an inclusive, diverse democracy. How was that question central in 1964...

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Dr. George Fareed: Bucking the Covid Bureaucracy

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Remember when some medical experts were advocating the use of ivermectin, a drug approved by the FDA to treat head lice or parasitic worms in humans or parasites in animals, for treating Covid 19?

Some also pushed the use of hydroxychloroquine, even though the FDA withdrew emergency use authorization of that drug, a version of which is used to clean fish tanks, for treatment of Covid 19. Well, our Lean to the Left podcast guest today is a doctor who claims he’s saved thousands of lives by using a cocktail of those drugs, and others, and now his medical license is being threatened.

Dr. George Fareed, medical director at Pioneers Health Clinic, Brawley, CA, says his Covid treatment results “are nothing short of a miracle,” despite the resistance that he experienced from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

In fact, in the interview, he calls Dr. Anthony Fauci, now chief medical advisor to the president and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a "villain" as the federal government sought to stem the spread of Covid 19 from its inception. Dr. Fareed contends that "big Pharma" played a role in downplaying readily available, inexpensive, and effective drugs in favor of vaccinations, which he strongly advises against.

Dr. Fareed and Dr. Brian Tyson are the authors of “Overcoming the Covid Darkness…how two doctors successfully treated 7,000 patients,” in which they describe the obstacles they faced and the successes they experienced in treating Covid 19 in its early stages. Fareed has worked clinically in primary medical care in the Imperial Valley of California since 19901, and has been on the frontline for early COVID-19 treatment in that region since March 2020.

He’s practiced across the whole spectrum of COVID-19 care, treating outpatients as well as hospital inpatients. He testified on November 19, 2020, in a U.S. Senate hearing on early COVID-19 treatment.

Here are some of the questions we put to Dr. Fareed on the podcast:

Please tell us about your mission and your book. Why did you write it?
What is the Fareed-Tyson protocol?
In an article published by NIH, you and your co-authors wrote this: “This early therapeutic option deserves serious and urgent consideration by the medical establishment and respective decision-makers. Doctors must be allowed their clinical discretion in how they optimally treat their patients. Doctors must be brave and trust their skilled judgements and do all to save the lives of their patients.” Did you find that doctors were not allowed their clinical discretion in treating patients?
Does this include the use of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectine? They were highly criticized as potential treatments, were they not?
Did you find resistance to your approach? Why? With the success of your approach, why wasn’t it more widely used?
Were lives lost because President Trump and his administration was so slow in even acknowledging the seriousness of the pandemic?
What is your view of the vaccinations that are now available?
What about the boosters?
If I test positive for Covid now, what should I do?
What about the Covid pill?
What about Monkeypox? Is this something we should be concerned about?

Listen to an interesting and somewhat disturbing interview.

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This Doc is Mad as Hell!

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Our guest today on the Lean to the Left podcast is Dr. Joe Eusterman, now nearly 93 years old, spent 50 years practicing internal, occupational and environmental medicine in Oregon and elsewhere, and is mad as hell.

In fact, Dr. Joe is so upset that he launched Mad As Hell Doctors.com 14 years ago, and traveled around the country in a decked out RV trying to do something about America’s health care system.

Dr. Joe is not on the road anymore, but is still mad as hell and promises to remain so until we have universal health care for all Americans. Dr. Joe is part of Physicians for a National Health Program, which promotes public advocacy and continues to see enactment of a single payer healthcare system, such as Medicare for All.

We know that Bernie Sanders made Medicare for All a cornerstone of his presidential campaign, but in this divided Congress – even with Democrats in theoretical control – there doesn’t seem to be much hope, at least in the immediate future.

According to Dr. Joe, the healthcare system in the U.S. is far too costly and at the same time inefficient. A focus on money and profit is at the heart of the problem, he contends, and the major reason why Congress has refused to enact Medicare for All.

But he is optimistic and has no intention of quitting, and he hopes you’ll pitch in and help, too.

Here are some resources recommended by Dr. Joe:

On YouTube:
Health, Money and Fear; The Healthcare Movie; Prairie Giant: The Story of Tommy Douglas; The Story of Mouseland.

Organizations & Background info:
mvhca.org/dvds
pnhp.org/what-is-single-payer/
pnhp.org/about/pnhp-mission-statement/
https://madashelldoctors.com

Single Payer bills:
Pramila Jayapal-HR1976-"Medicare For All Act of 2021"
Bernie Sanders- SB4204-"Medicare For All Act of 2022"
Ro Khanna-HR3775-"State-based Universal Health Care Act of 2021"

Here are some questions answered by Dr. Joe in this episode:

1. Are you still mad as hell?
2. Why?
3. What are you doing to effect change?
4. What’s chances for a single payor system in today’s political atmosphere?
5. Why would it be beneficial?
6. Critics say it would put healthcare in the hands of bureaucrats and create long lines and wait times for appointments. Are they wrong? If so, why?
7. Do you have some experiences from your practice of medicine that you can share that relate to this topic?
8. How many bus trips did you take? When was the last one? What did you do?
9. You’re almost 93. What are you going to do when you really retire?

Take a listen.

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Race, Corruption & the Courts - 7:6:22, 3.07 PM

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0000

On this episode of the Len to the Left podcast, California businessman and entrepreneur Clinton E. Galloway reveals how Black on Black racism and political corruption have long-term harmful consequences within communities.

When cable television was first launched, Galloway and his brother sought a franchise to serve minorities in Los Angeles, but he says they were blocked by demands for bribes. An eventual victory in the U.S. Supreme Court was to no avail.

Galloway also discusses the importance of improving our schools, especially those in minority communities, where he says young people who are constantly exposed to violence experience a form of PTSD that ultimately affects their success in school and, often, in life.

Galloway is a CPA with a practice in Marina del Rey, California and a securities dealer. He’s the author of his second book, “What Did you Think was Going to Happen?” which deals with the refusal by the City of Los Angeles to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against the city.

The ruling identified LA’s attempts to limit new technology -- cable TV -- in the poorest areas of the city as a civil rights violation and explored complicity of major Black politicians in the process.

Here are some questions that we posed to Galloway:

This is your second book, the first one, “Anatomy of a Hustle: Cable Comes to South Central Los Angeles,” talks about how you and your brother set out to establish the first black-owned cable TV franchise in the nation. Can you give us the short version of what happened and how that relates to what we’re talking about today?

That case involved the Supreme Court case of City of Los Angeles vs Preferred Communications, right?

On your website, you say that story illustrates the corruption of government and how our poorest citizens bear the brunt of that burden. Please explain.

You told us that your experience in dealing with government and federal courts is an example of how many people do not understand how our system of government can be abused and the abuse hidden. Please explain.

So, you’re telling us that Black on Black racism exists and is prevalent in our society today?
As a Black entrepreneur do you continue to experience systemic racism and, in fact, Black on Black racism, in your work and your daily life?

Why do you believe this exists?

What are your thoughts about the current popular effort by politicians on the right to limit the teaching of America’s racial history in our schools?

What is your advice to young minority entrepreneurs who wish to get ahead in this country?
Any thoughts about the importance of Black involvement in the electoral and political process?

Listen to the interview.

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Abortion-The War is Over; Time to Fight

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0000

The abortion war is over," says Lean to the Left podcast act guest Kelley Keller, an attorney who is expert in Constitutional law. "It has been lost in the courts." Now, she says, those who are concerned about having control over their own bodies need to focus on a battle with broader support -- the right to a therapeutic abortion.

During this episode, which also features co-host Mark M. Bello, Keller says people who oppose the "crazy" laws being proposed in some states to block people from traveling to abortion-friendly states for their healthcare must turn to the ballot box.

"If the will of the people is ‘this is insane,’ they need to go to the ballot box and by plebiscite make decisions about whether or not that type of crazy talk will actually (be accepted)," she declared.

“The silver lining in Dobbs? Let’s codify privacy and bodily autonomy once and for all and get it out of the hands of nine justices,” Keller declared.

In this episode, Keller traces the background that resulted in the Supreme Court's action overturning Roe v Wade, pointing out that according to law, women were never guaranteed a "right" to an abortion, but that they were guaranteed "the right to choose" whether to terminate a pregnancy.

In fact, she says, Roe actually "died" in 1989 when Justice Sandra Day O'Connor began challenging the level of review used in many cases, making it far easier for states to challenge abortions.

"Roe was not about women’s bodily autonomy or their equal protection under the law. Women have just been the sideshow in all of this. Arguments have been around babies and doctors, not about her," Keller says.

"Deciding to terminate a pregnancy because it’s going to ruin your career and you were sloppy on a Friday night is never going to fly because what the right is going to say is you do bear some personal responsibility in this because that pregnancy was 100 percent preventable. Most therapeutic or medically necessary abortions are for babies that were desperately wanted."

An attorney for 14 years, Keller specializes in intellectual property at her firm,
Big Bang Legal. She is an adjunct professor of Copyright and Trademark Law at Widener University Commonwealth School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she has taught since 2020.

Note: This episode also streams on the Justice Counts podcast, co-hosted with attorney/author Mark M. Bello.

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Fighting Against Animal Cruelty

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Congress appears ready to pass legislation ending a federal government requirement that potential new drugs must be tested on animals before they can be approved for use on humans, and our Lean to the Left podcast guest has been working to win approval of that bill.

Marty Irby is executive director at Animal Wellness Action and Senior Vice President at the Center for a Humane Economy and helped shepherd the FDA Modernization Act, which contains a provision removing that requirement, through the U.S. House of Representatives last month. Companion legislation is expected to win approval in the Senate.

According to Irby, the regulation requiring animal testing for new drugs was established in 1937, and that since then developments in science and technology now provide alternatives that are less costly and more effective.

Irby points out in our interview that there is an island off the coast of South Carolina where monkeys are bred by the federal government for use in animal testing. He questions why the government is in the business of providing monkeys to the pharmaceutical industry, a process that is funded with tax dollars. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) represents that area of SC and was a leading sponsor of the legislation in the House to end the animal testing requirement.

During our interview, Irby also talks about legislation he's pushing that would ban the breeding and use of tiger cubs for money-making photo ops at zoos and other tourist attractions, noting that once those tigers are little more than six weeks old they often are simply killed.

Another bill he's advocating would end mink farming in the U.S., as he says those animals have been found to spread strains of the Covid 19 virus. Currently, according to Irby, there are about 60 mink farmers remaining and the large majority of pelts they produce are sold in China. So essentially, he contends, Americans risk contracting Covid 19 so wealthy people in China can wear mink coats.

Irby has worked on Capitol Hill, is a top lobbyist, and even has been recognized by Queen Elizabeth II for working to reduce violence in the training of horses. In November 2019, he was recognized by President Trump at the signing of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act that he helped get passed.

Marty grew up on a South Alabama farm with horses, cattle, and other animals and eventually became president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association. It was then that he shifted his attention to animal protection and joined efforts to eliminate cruel training practices in the equine world.

If the humane treatment of animals concerns you, take a listen to this episode, which was recorded just before the House approved its version of the FDA Modernization Act.

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Storm Cunningham on Community Revitalization

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Today we welcome Storm Cunningham, whose work involves helping to rebuild, restore, and revitalize communities that need a little bit of help.

Storm is executive director of Reconomics Institute, the Society of Revitalization & Resilience Professionals, which is dedicated to improving the process of improving places.

He’s an author of three books: The Restoration Economy, reWealth! And Reconomics, the Path to Resilient Prosperity. Storm also is editor of Revitalization: The Journal of Urban, Rural & Environmental Resilience.

Storm advises mayors, governors, members of U.S. Congress, and executives of foundations, non-profits and corporations. In these confidential roles, he stays in the background so his clients can take full credit when they launch leading-edge policies and initiatives.

The bottom line is that Storm’s work helps to improve communities, and that’s a benefit to residents and businesses alike, providing a much brighter future than previously might have been possible.

Storm, welcome to Lean to the Left.

1.You have a lot going on. Can you give us a thumbnail about the work you’re doing and how communities are benefiting?

2.I know you have a new service coming soon. Rising Places. Can you tell us about that?

3.In our pre-show call, you said that your objective is to revitalize, improve quality of life, boost economy, and jobs in a way that’s inclusive, rather than top down focusing on big redevelopments…Please explain.

4.You made the comment that a lot of places have a shared vision as to what they want to achieve, but don’t seem to get anywhere. Is that where you guys come in?

5.Do you help communities obtain funding and other resources for revitalization projects? Arrange partnerships with resources in the private sector?

6.What are some examples of communities that you’ve worked with and assisted?

7.We know that our economy is changing, and that’s affecting peoples’ livelihoods…energy for example. The drive to reduce reliance on fossil fuel directly affects coal miners and others who work in that industry. What can be done to help them?

8.I know you’re a public speaker and that you run workshops, etc. Tell us about that.

9.What’s next for you?

10.How can people get in touch?

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The Man With a New Face

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0000

It was a Monday evening when Robert Chelsea was driving to his Los Angeles home when his car overheated. He pulled to the side of the freeway to wait for help when a drunk driver slammed into his car, which exploded on impact.

Robert was in a coma for six months and hospitalized for 18 months with severe burns covering the majority of his face and body. Facial tissue, including his lips were burned off. He has endured more than 30 surgeries.

In July 2019, after years of tests and physical and psychological evaluations, and a longer than usual wait for a donor, Robert underwent a 16-hour full face transplant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. At 64, he became the first Black patient, and the oldest in the world, to receive a full-face transplant.

Today, as he seeks to raise money to help pay for that surgery, Robert also operates the Robert Chelsea Foundation which is dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of the donation of organs, limbs, bone marrow and certain stem cells.

We will talk about all of that today.

Here are some questions we asked Robert:

1.You’ve had one of the toughest experiences imaginable. Please tell us what happened.
2.I can’t imagine the pain you must have endured…
3.Before your accident, what was your life like? What did you do? How did that change?
4.What was it like after your surgery, when you looked in the mirror at your new face?
5.Did you have family support?
6.How did you cover the cost?
7.Tell us about the Robert Chelsea Foundation and what you do there.
8.How can people help?
9.You say that you’re looking for additional platforms to discuss the importance of becoming organ donors, to speak and share your story. What do you have in mind?
10.You also said you hope to become a “gateway” of support and comfort to potential donor families. What’s the plan for this?
11.You close your email with this quote: "God places flowers upon each of our door steps, sometimes we must be that flower." Explain.
Take a listen.

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Public Schools' Influence on Shootings, Crime

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Education expert Erika Twani says the role of public schools is an important factor in the battle to reduce school shootings and crime in America as she advocates an increase in "relational learning", including teaching life skills, to help improve outcomes for many students.

Author of Becoming Einstein’s Teacher: Awakening the Genius in Your Students, and co-founder and CEO of Learning One to One, Twani explores ways to foster human achievement through education. Before co-founding Learning One to One, Erika was Microsoft’s education industry director for Multi-Country Americas. She is today's guest on the Lean to the Left podcast.

"We must respect the benefits that every child has," says Twani, who points out that in most schools today students spend thousands of hours learning how to follow instructions. "But when they are adults, there are no instructions to follow so they get lost. What's next is crime because they have no other option. That's why it is so important for us to be teaching life skills."

That, in a nutshell, is what "relational learning" is all about. Her philosophy is to simplify complex concepts and make them useful for everyone, starting with children. To do so, she uses insights and skills from her 20+ years of experience working with corporate technology companies shaping products and services for worldwide scalability.

Twani has advised government officials and education leaders around the world on the use of technology in education, and has worked with public and private schools to guide the practical use of relational learning. She led Learning One to One into five countries in the first year alone, touching the lives of more than 100,000 students.

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, Twani notes that many school shootings are caused by individuals who are lashing out after being bullied in school, and so, she contends, such shootings could be avoided if schools would do more to control bullying and increase self esteem of vulnerable students who often turn into shooters.

She says that rather than banning books about such topics as race and sexuality, educators should work on developing critical thinking skills so that students, who already have instant access to information, can think for themselves and be prepared for life.

Moreover, Twani suggests that instead of banning abortion, which often involves teenage girls with unplanned pregnancies, a better step would be to reduce pregnancies in the first place -- such as providing condoms in school. In Colorado, she says, this has reduced teen pregnancies by 40 percent and abortions by 42 percent.

Take a listen to the interview.

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A Clear and Present Danger

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’ll focus on the dangerous state of our nation, spawned by Donald Trump and embraced by way too many Republicans. First, I’ll narrate a Lean to the Left.net blog written by CJ Waldron entitled “A Clear and Present Danger.” Then, will come my blog, “The Trump-Spawned Darkness is Spreading.”

But first, some housekeeping. Don’t forget to follow Lean to the Left at podcast.leantotheleft.net, and, you can reach me at bob@leantotheleft.net. You can also follow us on social media…Facebook at The Lean to the Left Podcast. Twitter at LeantotheLeft1. YouTube at Not Fake News.

If you would take a minute to give us a review, that would be great. There are lots of podcast links on our webpage, podcast.leantotheleft.net, where you’ll also find our upcoming interview schedule and links to all of our podcasts.

Meanwhile, special thanks to The Ramminger Group for sponsoring this episode and for providing the music track. The Ramminger Group provides content and marketing consulting services to responsible businesses and nonprofits. Let them help tell your story. Visit rammingergroup.com

Now, for “A Clear and Present Danger, written by CJ Waldron on Lean to the left.net.

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Ukraine-Winning Urban Warfare

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0000

John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare with the Madison Policy Forum, has just returned from Ukraine where strategies and tactics that he developed as a combat soldier in the U.S. Army, are being used by the Ukrainian military against Russian invaders.

On the Lean to the Left podcast, Spencer says those tactics helped defeat Russia's attempt to capture Kiev and topple the Ukrainian government, and he discusses the lack of motivation of Russian soldiers who are reluctant to fight, even shooting themselves in the foot and slicing their vehicle tires to avoid combat.

The author of the new book, “Connected Soldiers: Life, Leadership, and Social Connections in Modern War,” Spencer has provided the Ukrainian military with a step-by-step guide for succeeding in urban combat. The first step, he says, is "don't get killed." His book is available July 1, and his second book, “Understanding Urban Warfare,” will be available in September.

Spencer is an internationally recognized expert and advisor on urban warfare and other military related topics. He served over 25 years in the active Army, including two combat deployments to Iraq as both an Infantry Platoon Leader and Company commander.

In this episode, Spencer discusses how internet connectivity is affecting soldiers who are away from home facing combat. It's an insider's view of how the ability to use FaceTime and other digital resources to stay connected with family back home can interfere with unit cohesion and morale.

Here are questions Spencer discusses in this episode:
1. You’re a recognized expert in urban warfare. Is that why you were in Ukraine? Are you working as an advisor there?

2. You’ve published a “mini-manual for the urban defender.” It’s published in the Ukrainian language…I presume it’s come in handy there?

3. On CNN, you said that the use of many layers of barriers being used by the Ukranian forces in their cities “can hold off the best army in the world, and Russia’s not the best.” Explain what you were talking about.

4. You also told Ali Velshi that “the will to fight is everything.” How is that coming into play in Ukraine?

5. You said that even a generally unprofessional force like the Ukrainian fighters “can turn every street into a meat grinder” for Russian troops who are less motivated, just by following a few simple steps. What are those steps?

6. You told Velshi in March, “It’s going to be really bad for Russia. It’s going to be a bloodbath.” Do you still believe that?

7. Let’s talk about “Connected Soldiers,” your new book. Gen. David Petraeus, former commander of the surge in Iraq, U.S. Central Command, and coalition forces in Afghanistan, said this about it:

"Connected Soldiers provides a wonderfully stimulating, thoughtful, and thought-provoking examination of how the increase in connectivity between those on the frontlines and those on the home front affects the all-important bonds between our soldiers carrying out tough missions overseas.”

Please explain.

8. On your website, you said that in 2003 when as a second lieutenant you parachuted into Iraq leading a platoon of infantry soldiers into battle, that you learned how important unit cohesion was to survival, both physically and mentally. You said cohesion developed between soldiers when they spent downtime together and shared experiences.

But when you returned to Iraq five years later, you found that rather than bonding and discussing trauma as a group, soldiers spent downtime separately, on computers, communicating with family back home. You began to believe that the internet was a threat to unit cohesion. But what happened when you returned home, and your wife was deployed?

How does your book address all of this?

9. Do the same issues apply to non-military families in their daily lives?...

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Raising Research $ to Fight Your Own Cancer

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, is a vicious, lethal cancer that affects about 10,00 Americans every year. But the federal government's funding for research into this disease is insufficient, so patients themselves and a small foundation are raising money to help find a cure.

Last month, Janice Meyer and her husband, Dean, with the help of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, sponsored a 5K fundraising event that attracted more than 500 participants and raised more than $75,000 for this effort. It was the third such event sponsored by Meyer, who was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in 2018.

Altogether, she and her husband have raised and personally contributed nearly $400,000 for this research, and they are determined to reach the $500,000 mark. In fact, the Meyers personally provided over 400 barbecue sandwiches for participants in the 5K Quack Out.

Later this summer, Jonathan Whiting, 60, who's wife, Laurie, died from the disease, plans to swim the 21-mile English Channel. The swim, called "21 Miles of Hope," has a goal of raising more than $100,000 by year's end.

There are many other such initiatives. Last year, we traveled virtually with Dave Fleischer, whose daughter, Sarah, was taken by the disease, as he traveled across the nation on a "Journey of Hope" to raise awareness and funding for cholangiocarcinoma research. He raised more than $105,000 for that effort.

In this episode of The Lean to the Left Podcast, we hear from Janice Meyer about her journey with the disease, how she's working to help find a cure while battling the cancer herself, and from Meredith Shirrell, who leads the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation's fundraising efforts.

"The National Cancer Institute estimates that cholangiocarcinoma will be the third deadliest cancer in the U.S.," says Shirrell on the podcast. "The Foundation's mission is to find a cure and improve patients' quality of life."

This year, the Foundation has funded 11 research fellowship awards for cholangiocarcinoma research, Shirrell says, trying to fill the gap left because of insufficient federal funding. In 2020, the National Institutes of Health financed 291 liver cancer research projects with about $130 million, but only 12 were specific to cholangiocarcinoma with just 3.4 percent of those dollars, or about $3.9 million.

So, volunteer fundraisers -- often patients themselves -- join with the Foundation to fill the gap -- to help provide the money needed to find a cure for the disease that is all but certain to claim their own lives.

Coming up July 24-30 is another Foundation-sponsored event called "Moving for the Cure," which allows participants in any area, of any age, and of any athletic ability to raise money through an athletic event of their choosing. Participants can choose to run, bike, walk, play a game of volleyball, host a dance party, or rollerblade. Move with friends and family or move on your own! It's a great way to help find a cure and have fun at the same time.

All of this, says Meyer, provides hope for the patients.

"When you first get that diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma your hope is sucked out of you the second you go online and start researching," she says. "The statistics are staggering and terrifying. I knew early on I was in for the fight of my life."

Take a listen...

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The Dixie Dems-Those Wacky Republicans

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0000

The Dixie Dems are back…we began this series last month and because of the great response, we decided to keep it going. So my pals, Robert Thompson from Georgia and Arthur Hill from North Carolina, are with me to talk about politics in the land of Dixie.

This episode includes updates on politics in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina, and a lengthy discussion about whether Democratic voters in South Carolina should vote in the Republican primary in an effort to skew the election in favor of Rep. Tom Rice (R), who voted to impeach Donald Trump, and is being challenged by Trump-backing candidates, including Russell Fry, whom Trump endorsed.

Then, there's talk about such lowlifes as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who says Bill Gates wants people to eat hamburgers made in a "peach tree dish," with video of Greene making this highly intelligent remark. We cover other GOP controversies, too, such as the report in Iowa that some elementary schools are putting kitty litter pans in bathrooms for children are confused about their identity.

Because of the recent mass shootings, we discuss gun issues and what types of legislation might be needed, and the influence of the gun lobby on the likelihood that anything of significance will ultimately pass.

There's plenty of silliness along the way, so if you like politics and you enjoy silly banter, then this episode is for you.

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Action on Guns--'Profile in Courage' is Needed

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0000

For Congress to enact meaningful gun legislation in response to the mass shootings that are plaguing America, "some level of profile in courage" will be needed by lawmakers who traditionally have been beholden to the gun lobby.

"Sometimes principle is more important than your political career, but I'm not sure how many people think of it like that who are current members of Congress, unfortunately," said Mike Lawlor, author of Connecticut's 23-year-old red flag law that he estimates has saved thousands of lives since its enactment. "It's just the reality."

Lawlor made his comments on The Lean to the Left Podcast co-hosted with legal thriller author Mark M. Bello. He is associate professor of Criminal Justice at the University of New Haven, is a nationally recognized expert on criminal justice reform.

"The problem in the Republican Party," Lawlor said, is "fear of retaliation from what they call the base," which is "just getting in the way, and sooner or later they will have to deal with that bigger problem, and guns are just the symptom of it."

Lawlor's comments comes as a new poll by CBS News and YouGov showed that 44 percent of Republicans believe mass shootings are inevitable in a "free society", while 85 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of Independents said mass shootings are preventable "if we really tried."

All of this, of course, follows a string of mass shootings that have prompted Congress to consider various gun control related proposals, including incentives to states to enact red flag laws similar to Connecticut's. However, the CBS/YouGov poll indicates that respondents from both parties believe it is unlikely that Congress will "pass any laws in the next few months that will make significant changes to gun policy."

A total of 66 percent of Democrats, 72 percent of Independents, and 71 percent of Republicans indicated they feel that way and they have good reason. Unfortunately, money talks in Washington, apparently much louder than the anguished cries of children who are being terrorized by a gunman in school or the loved ones of victims shot in a racist attack in a supermarket.

According to the Brady Campaign, the National Rifle Association spent $3.22 million to benefit the political campaigns of senators who oppose gun safety legislation. In 2020, they spent $2.20 million. These senators refuse to support common-sense gun reform, like expanding Brady Background Checks and banning assault weapons. You can find the list of leading recipients of NRA money here.

Meanwhile, Lawlor points out that the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling soon in a New York gun rights case that could expand the scope of protections the Second Amendment affords individual gun owners who want to carry a gun outside of their residents.

According to the Brennan Center, The biggest question in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen may not be whether a majority of justices strike down the state’s century-old handgun licensing requirement but how far that majority goes in signaling that other licensing measures created by government officials are now constitutionally suspect.

"The proliferation of guns in this country could become more extreme depending on what happens, and all we know for sure is that will lead to more and more firearm deaths, suicides, accidents, homicides, and you know at some point, the pain will be unsustainable."

On the podcast, Lawlor details the Connecticut red flag law, how it works, how it has prevented shootings and death, as well as other steps that state has taken to restrict the proliferation of firearms.

Take a listen.

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Baptist Sex Abuse-Speaking from Experience

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0000

On May 15, the Southern Baptist Convention finally acknowledged what our guest today has already experienced – that pastors and other church employees have sexually abused parishioners and that the church covered up those claims for years.
Now our guest, Sandy Phillips Kirkham, was not a member of the Southern Baptists when she was sexually abused by her youth pastor. She was a member of another protestant denomination, which shows that such practices go beyond religious boundaries.
She recounts her story in Let Me Prey Upon You, a memoir that reveals how a charismatic youth minister preyed upon her, betrayed her in the most vile way, and shattered her faith, leaving her broken and separated from the church she once loved.
Sandy is here with author/attorney Mark M. Bello and me today to discuss this tragic situation.
Sandy previously told her own story on both the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcasts, but Mark and I wanted to invite her back to get her thoughts about these latest revelations regarding the Southern Baptists. A list of hundreds of pastors and other church-affiliated personnel accused of sexual abuse has just been released by church officials. The list had previously been kept secret by the church.

Take a listen.

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Married with Kids: Gay & Looking for the Joy

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0000

June is Gay Pride Month and so I thought it would be great to bring back one of my favorite previous guests, Jeff Batton, author of Grinnin’ Like a Jackass Eatin’ Briars.

Jeff first was our guest on Lean to the Left in January. His memoir details his lifelong struggle with homosexuality, a struggle that prompted him to become a missionary serving the poor and even to get married and have kids. But he eventually recognized and accepted his truth, and he shares that with us today in "Looking for the Joy."

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Author Amy Bernstein: Writing, Guns, Abortion & More

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0000

The inability of Congress to take meaningful action to control guns is a tragedy that continues to result in the deaths of innocent people, including little children.

That's the view of Baltimore novelist Amy Bernstein as expressed on The Lean to the Left Podcast.

"So many of us are so upset, so saddened. Our politicians have failed us completely," she says, blaming "the do-nothing party" (Republicans) as well as the Democrats for lacking the courage to tackle the issue head-on.

Pointing out that so many Americans buy into the argument that their right to own a gun is more important than the lives of innocent children, she says, "The empathy deficit in this country is horrifying I don't know how people can sleep at night."

Referring to the current rush by states to enact restrictive abortion laws, and to the expected overturn by the Supreme Court of Roe v. Wade, Bernstein comments:

"How do you explain that you want to protect a non-viable fetal embryo and call that life and you cannot protect a seven year-old who's gunned down in her class seat?"

"If men biologically carried fetuses, this is not where we would be," she adds.

A prolific writer, Bernstein's novels include The Potrero Complex, The Nighthawkers, Dreams of Song Times, and Fran, The Second Time Around. She is an award-winning journalist, speechwriter, playwright, and certified nonfiction book coach.

The interview begins with revealing discussions about her work, the details of creating and producing novels, with valuable advice for beginning writers of both fiction and non-fiction books. She reveals where her plot ideas come from and some of the challenges she experience along the way.

Then, at about 17 minutes into the 35-minute interview, the topic turns to those current issues that we all are dealing with today.

"This is a country that's heading in the wrong direction," she says.

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The Earth's Sustainability: 'We're in Bad Shape'

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Preserving a sustainable planet is in jeopardy and religious and political dogma stand in the way of progress for all of mankind, says long-time business executive and author Kit Webster.

"We're heading headlong into a future in which reality is going to impose itself on us as opposed to our controlling our approach into a new reality," says Webster, author of "Capitalism is Past its Sell-by Date."

Burgeoning population growth and continuous unbridled consumption mean that the earth's natural resources of water, fish, top soil are rapidly being diminished, and that political leaders must recognize that fact and take responsible action.

Webster says the best way to reduce the expansion of the world's population "is to educate women...to control their fertility." But, he adds, "politics and religion are going to get in the way all over the world" because of opposition by conservatives and some religions to abortion and even contraception.

"But these are huge problems," says Webster.

The battle against climate change, which has increased on popularity and strength with the Biden administration, is an important contribution to sustainability of the world's natural resources, but it is not enough, Webster contends.

Are political leaders being responsible or irresponsible in dealing with issues of sustainability?

"Irresponsible with a capital I," he replied.

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Steve Braker-African Adventures

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Think you have it tough living in a country with $4 gas and a baby formula shortage? How would you like living someplace where when the power goes out, the electric company asks you for money for gas so they can send their repair truck…and then to help pay for the parts to fix the transformer?

I kid you not. That’s what happens in Kenya, where adventure novelist Steve Braker lives, and trust me, his is a fascinating story.

Braker is author of five novels that focus on various aspects of life in Kenya that Steve believes should be more exposed to the world, issues like slavery and sexual exploitation of young girls, illegal poaching of tusks for ivory, treasure hunting, and much more.

Steve, born in Cornwall, England, is an adventurer and has lived in East Africa since 2000. He’s spent weeks on boats sailing the coastlines and it’s there that the idea of writing thrillers began to build…and now that his kids have all left to work and study in the UK, he’s jumped into writing with a vengeance.

During the episode, Steve discusses his concern for the environment, specifically the ocean environment, and the need to stop its pollution with plastics. His adopted home, Kenya, is significantly affected by climate change, but does little to contribute to this worldwide problem because as a developing country, it has no manufacturing facilities and relies largely on sources of renewable energy, such as geothermal and solar.

Would you expect such a country to be in the forefront of such issues as gun control? In Kenya, he says, no guns are allowed except for police and those in the military.

The interview is a fascinating look into life in Kenya through the eyes of an author who sails the handmade boats he builds, explores the underwater glories of the sea, and spends virtually every waking moment appreciating his experiences -- even if the power does run out in the middle of a podcast interview and he has to help pay to get it fixed.

Take a listen

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Corporate Abuse: Example, Baby Formula Crisis

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0000

The federal government's lack of action that has allowed Abbott Laboratories to gain a stranglehold on the baby formula business is a key reason behind the current shortages that are driving parents mad and jeopardizing the health of little kids.

That's the contention of Paul Cienfuegos, who has spent most of his adult life working to take away the power he believes has been ceded by government to America's corporations, much to the detriment of "we the people."

The author of "How Dare We? Courageous Practices to Reclaim Our Power as Citizens," Cienfuegos says on The Lean to the Left Podcast, that current policies that allow virtual self regulation of such companies constitute a scandal that needs to be addressed.

“Why did we the people, through our government agencies, allow the monopolization of baby formula production in the United States?" he asks open the podcast. "We have four corporations controlling the entire baby formula industry, and one of them violated all sorts of cleanliness laws in their factory and the federal government shut them down a while ago because they actually caused the death of two children and the harm of a number of other children. So they were shut down until they could clean up the factory and get the bacteria out of the assembly line. “

But it took months for that action to be taken, which Cienfuegos attributes to his contention that the “corporate leaders in the food and drug industry” actually run the Food and Drug Administration. “All of the regulatory agencies we have,” he says, “are designed to shield corporations from the public.” Corporate leaders, he says, “are at the table writing the regulations. The whole thing is a scandal.”

Noting that only nine people at the FDA are in charge of regulating the baby formula industry, he says “every single federal agency is underfunded and understaffed,” and it’s by design.

On May 16, the FDA reached an agreement with /Abbott on steps needed to reopen its plant, and said it expected production to restart in about two weeks. The plant has been closed since February after several babies who had consumed its formula became ill and two died.

On the podcast, Cienfuegos outlines strategies employed by Community Rights US, an organization he founded, that since 1999 have helped more than 200 communities in a dozen states pass local laws reigning in corporate power. Those steps are also described in his book.

“The state and the federal government have the authority to overrule what local governments want to do to protect peoples’ health, safety and welfare," he says. "So we pass laws that strip state and local governments of that authority, which is illegal currently, but we do it anyway to force into the public conversation an understanding that what you think is going on is not what’s going on."

Cienfuegos ticks off a litany of corporate rights, including "personhood" and property rights, that allow companies to force harmful actions on a community, which his organization seeks to limit or eliminate. “You gain an understanding that corporations do not have a right to cause harm,” he says. “So what are you going to do about it?”

Listen to the podcast:

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Tara Faustenbach on Prepaid Legal Services

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Think it's possible to always have a lawyer available to help with legal issues at a cost less than a cappuccino a week at Starbucks?

Check out this interview as novelist/attorney Mark Bello and I speak with Tara Paustenbach, who with a background in sales/marketing, has partnered with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. since 1998. She recruits, trains and develops Associates across the U.S. and Canada to market the company’s products -- LegalShield and ID Shield for home and business.

For Pre-Paid Legal, she has served as Regional Manager and Regional Vice President in Southern California, and most recently as Regional Vice President in Texas, helping to develop people for leadership positions.

Tara is passionate about Pre-paid legal services and we will soon find out why. By the way, during the Covid crisis, Tara has worked from home and managed to raise and homeschool her 14 year-old son. So, she’s been wearing a lot of hats!

We interviewed Tara for the Justice Counts podcast, which I co-host with Bello, and I share
with you now.

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Republicans, Communists & Obstruction

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Today, we’re talking about Republican politics with two blog narrations from LeantotheLeft.net. The first, which I wrote, is headlined: “GOP: Beware of Radical Socialists & Communists,” and the second, by columnist CJ Waldron, asks the question, “Will the GOP Obstruct Justice?”

But first, here’s a reminder that you can follow us at podcast.leantotheleft.net, and, you can reach me at bob@leantotheleft.net. And you can follow us on social media…Facebook at The Lean to the Left Podcast. Twitter at LeantotheLeft1. Instagram at Not Fake News.

Also, if you enjoy this episode, please give a review on any of the podcast links you’ll find on our webpage, podcast.leantotheleft.net.

Our thanks to The Ramminger Group for sponsoring this episode. The Ramminger Group provides content and marketing consulting services to responsible businesses and nonprofits. Let them help your story. Visit rammingergroup.com.

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Nicole Porter: Sentencing & Prison Reform

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Today I’m sharing with you an episode that focuses on prison and sentencing reform that I co-hosted for the Justice Counts podcast with thriller author/attorney Mark M. Bello.

Nicole D. Porter manages The Sentencing Project’s state and local advocacy efforts on sentencing reform, voting rights, and confronting racial disparities in the criminal legal system.

Named a “New Civil Rights Leader” by Essence Magazine for her work challenging mass incarceration, Porter joined the Sentencing Project in 2009 and her advocacy and findings have supported criminal legal reforms in such states as Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, California, Texas, and the District of Columbia.

Porter’s areas of expertise include research and grassroots support around challenging racial disparities, felony disenfranchisement, in addition to prison closures and prison reuse. She’s authored articles on the collateral impacts of justice involvement on communities of color and how current social movements are challenging mass incarceration.

The former director of the Texas ACLU’s Prison & Jail Accountability Project, Porter graduated from Johns Hopkins University and holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin.

Some episode highlights:

Porter calls for elimination of mandatory sentences for many crimes, including those involving drug offenses.

She calls for reallocation of resources, including the closing of many prisons, with a focus on rehabilitation.

She contends that many older inmates are no longer dangerous, and thus, should be released.

She believes that because thousands of inmates that were subjected to mandatory sentences received unfairly harsh sentences, and because deplorable conditions in many prisons violate inmates' rights, that "reparations" are justified. Those payments would be used for community programs to prevent crime from occurring.

Take a listen.

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The Dixie Dems on Politics

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Today on the Lean to the Left podcast we’re talking politics, and with me are two long-time political analysts and activists from North Carolina and Georgia.

As most of you know, I’m now based in South Carolina, moving here from Maryland a few years ago, and have since been involved in local Democratic politics – an uphill battle, if ever there was one.

But joining me on in this episode are Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia. I guess you could call us the "Dixie Dems", except that two of the three of us are NOT native southerners.

Arthur Hill is communications chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party, who recently wrote a book on the history of St. James, his hometown since 2014. Before he moved to the Tarheel State, he was a public relations professional and freelance writer in Washington, DC. As I did, back in the day, Arthur also worked on Capitol Hill.

Robert Thompson works in technology based in Atlanta, holding various IT positions dating back to 1998. He founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, "Got Damn Liberals", because he was tired of telling news stories to other reporters who kept telling him "that's not news." A native of South Georgia, he’s actually a “true” Dixie Dem.

So, while it’s crazy in South Carolina with a Republican Congressman having to defend his vote to impeach Donald Trump against several rightwing candidates, one of whom was endorsed by Trump, I think it’s even wackier in Georgia and North Carolina. At least SC doesn't have a Madison Cawthorn or a Marjorie Taylor Green! Now, with this apparent Roe v Wade decision that’s been reported, it’s probably going to get even worse.

The discussion unwraps the draft abortion ruling and the political implications, ranges into the argument over what can and cannot be taught in schools, Republican candidate misadventures, Trump's influence, and much more. There's lots of insight, but plenty of laughs along the way, as well.

In fact, the three of us enjoyed the conversation so much we're planning on making this a regular monthly feature on the podcast.

Take a listen:

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Abortion Ruling- Dems' Gift & More

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Today, we’re talking about the leaked Supreme Court ruling that apparently will wipe out Roe v. Wade, the long-standing decision protecting a woman’s right to an abortion.

I’ll be narrating three blogs on the subject from our Lean to the Left.net blog site, the first outlining why Trump, through his Supreme Court justices, is giving Democrats a winning issue going into the November election; the second, by Mark M. Bello, entitled RIP Reproductive Rights?, and the third by CJ Waldron, “Abortion & Other Things Not Mentioned in the Constitution.”

But first, here’s a reminder that you can follow us at podcast.leantotheleft.net, and, you can reach me at bob@leantotheleft.net. And you can follow us on social media…Facebook at The Lean to the Left Podcast. Twitter at LeantotheLeft1. Instagram at Not Fake News.

Also, if you enjoyed this episode, please give a review on any of the podcast links you’ll find on our webpage, podcast.leantotheleft.net.

And here’s a shout out to Nashville blues musician and songwriter Scott Ramminger for providing our music bed for the Lean to the Left podcast. You can catch up with Scott at ScottRamminger.com.

Now, for the first of three commentaries: Trump’s Justices: Disdain for Women, Gift for Dems,” by Bob Gatty…

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Sheri Few-Critical Race Theory 'From the Pit of Hell'

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Sheri Few, firebrand leader against teaching the implications of racial history and comprehensive sex education in school, says teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT) "is from the pit of Hell and is meant to destroy lives."

Founder and president of US Parents Involved in Education, Few ran unsuccessfully for office three times in South Carolina, and now is doing a media blitz claiming that discussions of CRT-related issues is rooted in Marxism and part of a Communist plot, supported by liberals, to "collapse our form of government and change it into a Marxist air even Communist form of government."

Co-hosting the episode is children’s author and Lean to the Left contributing writer Dr. Pamela Gurley, who challenges Few on her goal to "Make America America Again", a slogan she used in her unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for Congress.

“The last president brought out what America really looked like.” “You are trying to go back to a time that benefited you, a White woman, that did not benefit someone like me, a Black woman,” says Dr. Gurley.

SHOW NOTES

2:06 Critical Race Theory, distortion of history and what it means when it comes to education.
FEW -- “I oppose critical race theory that, in its roots, is Marxist. So critical theory came out of the Marxist Frankfurt School in Germany many decades ago. There’s several critical theories, not just critical race theory. There’s Critical Queer Theory, Critical, Critical Gender Theory, Critical Feminist Theory…the intent was to criticize the society and culture by identifying all these different groups.”

3:08 Cultural Marxism
FEW -- “They identified different groups of people, put them against one another in order to cause division. The end goal would be to collapse our form of government and change it into a Marxist or even Communist form of government.”

5:18 – Plot to turn American government into Communist government?
FEW -- “Absolutely. We’ve seen an entire generation steeped in socialism.” “If we don’t wake up and stop the indoctrination of children and get back to teaching core academics…children are failing academically and it gets worse and worse every year, and in the meantime, what do they want to do? They want to teach social emotional learning, critical race theory. All of these are things that really have no business in the classroom.”

6:26 – Get rid of Medicare, Medicaid and Obamacare?
FEW -- “Yes, I’m sorry, I believe that. I believe that it started with the War on Poverty and LBJ and we’ve just progressed more and more until we get to the point where it’s all universal medicine.” Says Social Security falls into the same category.

8:40 –Race in Florida Math Books
FEW --“We should not be indoctrinating children with math problems because people disagree on that topic…if it’s a controversial issue, it shouldn’t be in a math problem.”

11:11 – Teaching patriotism
FEW -- “Children are not even taught to love their country any more. We’re the only country in the world that doesn’t teach their children to be patriotic. Instead our children are taught that we are oppressors, and that we have stolen from the Indians and all of this nonsense.”

11:47 – New Documentary Film
FEW -- “It’s called “Truth and Lies in American Education.” Website: https://Truthandliesfilm.US . This is an important expose.”

13:35 – Oppressing American Indians
FEW -- “There were some bad situations like the Trail of Tears, but it wasn’t all bad. We came and our goal was to evangelize when we came to this country... So, we were able to help Indians in a lot of ways.”

14:48 – The Sexualization of Children
FEW -- “It has been in the classroom for...

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Baby, I'm the Boss of Me

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0000

What's the image that comes to mind when you think of a woman in her 70s? And if you're approaching that age, or living in that life decade, what's your mindset?

For Ruth Yunker, a twice-divorced Californian, it's all about "aging vivaciously."

On this episode of The Lean to the Left Podcast, Yunker, a yoga-fit mother of two talks about her struggle with alcoholism, subsequent sobriety, and her lifestyle today that, she says, is bringing much happiness.

What's her secret for aging vivaciously?

"It's an inside job," she says. "Find your little magical miracle every single day," whether it's the first cup of coffee of the day or even simply catching all the green lights on the way to work. Pay attention to making your own goddamned joy."

Is she lonely living alone?

"I got divorced the second time and never looked back," she says. "I walk in the house and I don't have to look down at my feet to see if there's a cat, a baby, or my husband's shoes. I just walk in and I don't trip."

Ruth talks about her love for nice clothes and fancy hats...and cats. Keys to her happiness, she said, are her 21 years of sobriety, yoga, "a good plastic surgeon," and "fun with fashion."

"Don't cry in the corner of your couch," she says. "It ruins your face."

Yunker has written three books -- two about her travels to Paris, and her latest, "Baby I'm the Boss of Me, My Journey to Ageless." It's about aging with courage, humor, and personal power."

This podcast episode is truly funny, and for those of us in our sunset years, certainly uplifting. It's worth a listen.

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A 2025 National Nightmare?

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0000

I had a bad dream last night. It's 2025 and an obsessed right-wing Republican from Florida by the name of Rick Scott is now president of the United States. All hell has broken loose.

Take a listen...

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Fixing the Electoral College: The National Popular Vote Initiative

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Our guest today is Christopher Pearson and the topic is passing the National Popular Vote bill that would guarantee the presidency to the candidate with the most popular votes. Pearson is a Vermont State Senator and worked on his 1998 campaign, then his Congressional office. He’s been with National Popular Vote where is secretary on the Board of Directors.

We’ve all seen the problems with the current Electoral College system, made even worse with the Donald Trump’s shenanigans to use it to retain power, despite his election defeat. And, in 2020, while Joe Biden won by more than 7 million votes, because of the Electoral College, a switch of only 23,000 votes in three states could have given the election to Trump.

“That’s dangerous. That’s a real threat to our whole system,” says Pearson on the podcast.

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, if passed by enough states, would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Compact ensures that every vote, in every state, will matter in every presidential election. It is a state-based approach that preserves the Electoral College, state control of elections, and the power of the states to control how the President is elected.
The National Popular Vote bill has been enacted by 16 jurisdictions possessing 195 electoral votes, including four small states (DE, HI, RI, VT), eight medium-sized states (CO, CT, MD, MA, NJ, NM, OR, WA), three big states (CA, IL, NY), and the District of Columbia. The bill, which will take effect when enacted by states with 75 more electoral votes, has passed at least one chamber in nine additional states with 88 more electoral votes (AR, AZ, ME, MI, MN, NC, NV, OK, VA). A total of 3,522 state legislators from all 50 states have endorsed it.

The shortcomings of the current system of electing the President stem from “winner-take-all” laws that have been enacted by state legislatures in 48 states. These laws award all of a state’s electoral votes to the candidate receiving the most popular votes in each state.

Because of these state winner-take-all statutes, presidential candidates have no reason to pay attention to the issues of concern to voters in states where the statewide outcome is a foregone conclusion. In 2012, all of the 253 general-election campaign events were in just 12 states, and two-thirds were in just four (Ohio, Florida, Virginia, and Iowa). Thirty-eight states were ignored.

“In politics, what matters is influence,” says Pearson. “Where you get influence in the current system of electing a president is not be being a small state, not by being a big state, it’s by being a battleground state. If you look at where they spend money in a campaign, in a general election, they spend over two-thirds of their resources, money and time, in usually eight states. In fact, in 2012, it was four states.” The rest of the country is “completely taken for granted,” Pearson contends, while the issues that are important to voters in those toss-up battleground states “take on huge influence in the country.”

The National Popular Vote interstate compact will go into effect when enacted by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes—that is, enough to elect a President (270 of 538). At that time, every voter in the country will acquire a direct vote for a group of at least 270 presidential electors supporting their choice for President. All of this group of 270+ presidential electors will be supporters of the candidate who received the most popular votes in all 50 states and DC—thus making that candidate President.

In contrast, under the current system, a voter has a direct voice in electing only the small number of presidential electors to which their state is entitled. Under NPV, every voter directly elects 270+ electors, Pearson explains on the podcast.

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Getting Close to Book Burning

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Too many outside influencers are trying to tell colleges and universities what they should and should not teach. At least 16 states are considering or have already signed into law bills that punish teachers for discussing critical race theory or similar topics.

Bob Atkins, a higher education strategy consultant, is with us today to discuss how limiting students’ academic options are detrimental to their future, and how schools should hold their ground against external voices and agendas.

"It’s the stuff of demagogues, it’s the stuff of the populace, it’s the stuff of the guys who run Russia," he says. "The idea is I can make stuff up as long as it appeals to my constituency that’s consistent with my ideology. It’s very dangerous stuff, and it really does undermine the foundations of our society in ways that are difficult to quantify. It’s part of what drives these spikes between Americans that needn’t be there. We agree on a lot of the substantive issues, but these fantasy issues really can divide us up."

Atkins says that the impact of these external political pressures on institutions of higher education primarily affects budgets, which are being cut.

"That’s the first line of defense," he says. "There’s a belief that higher education is too expensive and that by cutting funding that will lower the cost of education,” but, he explains, that’s the opposite of what happens.

“When the state cuts funding, the institutions raise tuitions. So all they’re really doing is shifting the burden of paying for college from the citizenry at large to specifically students and their parents.”

As states try to restrict budgets based on what is being taught on campus, Atkins warns, “Now we’re getting very close to book burning. Everybody has a favorite book they want to burn.”

In this episode, Atkins discusses ways that colleges and universities can resist those outside political pressures and strategies that can be used to develop academic curriculum that meets the needs of students while holding down costs.

Atkins is the author of “Start, Stop, or Grow?: A Data-Informed Approach To Academic Program Evaluation And Management.” He is the CEO and founder of Gray Associates Inc., a strategy consulting firm focused on higher education. The firm helps education clients develop fact-based institutional and marketing strategies that maximize outcomes for students, the school, and its constituencies.

In leading Gray’s education industry software and services development, Atkins consults with college presidents, CAOs, CFOs and CMOs on program assessment, institutional strategy, pricing and location selection. He received an MBA, with honors, from Harvard Business School, and a BA, magna cum laude, from Harvard College.

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Prosecute the Trumps for Treason?

Wed, 29 May 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump's followers are being carted off to jail for participating in the January 6, 2021 violent attack intended to block the electoral college vote finalizing Joe Biden's election and relegating the orange blowhard to the trash heap of history.

But what about those who sent those loyal followers on this fools' errand -- Trump and his son, Don Jr.? Should they not suffer the same fate? Should they be charged with conspiracy or even treason?

That’s where we’re headed on today’s podcast…

But first, here’s a reminder that you can follow us at podcast.leantotheleft.net, and, you can reach me at bob@leantotheleft.net. And you can follow us on social media…Facebook at The Lean to the Left Podcast. Twitter at LeantotheLeft1. Instagram at Not Fake News.

Also, if you enjoyed this episode, please give a review on any of the podcast links you’ll find on our webpage, podcast.leantotheleft.net.

And here’s a shout out to Nashville blues musician and songwriter Scott Ramminger for providing our music bed for the Lean to the Left podcast. You can catch up with Scott at ScottRamminger.com.

Now, for the rest of the story…

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In the Eye of the CRT Storm: Educators Speak Out

Wed, 22 May 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Last month former President Donald Trump urged his supporters to “lay down their lives” to fight against critical race theory, as he worked to whip up support for what probably will be an attempt to regain the White House.

Using CRT, the study of institutional racism in the legal system, as a whipping boy is a favorite ploy of right-wing Republicans trying to control what can be taught in public schools across the nation…attempting to prohibit teachers from telling the truth about the role racism has played in our country’s history.

Today we have two college professors from South Carolina with us to discuss this controversy and its role in public discourse today. In South Carolina, they are in the eye of the storm.

Jeremy Holland is a sociology professor at Horry-Georgetown Technical College. His research interests include social movements, economics, discourse analysis, and political ideology.

Chris Waldron is an adjunct English professor at Horry-Georgetown Tech, and for almost 30 years he was an English and Special Education teacher in Schenectady, NY.

On the podcast, these educators warn of the dangers of censoring academic discussion of controversial contemporary social issues, and the implications of political interference on teachers' ability to do their jobs. Both Jeremy and Chris are frequent contributors to the Lean to the Left.net blog.

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Teddy Roosevelt: Today's GOPers Would Flip Out

Wed, 15 May 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with James A. Ross, author of the book, "Hunting Teddy Roosevelt", a historical novel that veers into TR’s African adventures and an assassination attempt. There is this line from the book: “Roosevelt is not only hunting in Africa, he’s being hunted.” And then…

On the podcast, Ross talks about Roosevelt, a true progressive who was responsible for the 40-hour work week, backed the establishment of labor unions, and led trustbusting efforts against corporate conglomerates.

Did all of that lead to the assassination attempt described in "Hunting Teddy Roosevelt"? Ross has some thoughts on that.

Ross has been a Peace Corps volunteer in the Congo, a Congressional staffer and a Wall Street lawyer. "Hunting Teddy Roosevelt" won the Independent Press Distinguished Favorite Award for historical fiction and the American Fiction Award in the Adventure/Historical category. It was a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award and the American Book Festival Award for historical fiction.

Ross’s debut mystery novel, COLDWATER REVENGE also won numerous prestigious awards, and his short fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals and his short story, Aux Secours, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He is a frequent story teller and gives live performances, and his on-line stories, newsletter sign-up and more can be found on his website: https://jamesrossauthor.com.

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Frank Dalene-One Man's Drive to Decarbonize the World

Wed, 08 May 2019 00:00:00 -0000

With the war in Ukraine continuing to rage and President Biden just challenging the energy companies to stop sitting on profits and produce oil to ease pricing pressure to consumers, you have to wonder what the impact will be on the battle to curtail greenhouse gases in the fight against climate change.

Frank Dalene, author of Decarbonize the World, A Market-Based Solution to the Climate Crisis, in this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, expresses concern that animosity caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine will prevent worldwide cooperation that is needed to effectively reduce worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.

"We only have one atmosphere," he says, noting that every industrialized nation must take effective action if the worldwide dangers of climate change are to be mitigated.

Dalene is president/CEO of luxury home builder Telemark Inc., an early adopter of green technologies, and reveals on the show that he's building a new "proof of concept" addition to his home on Long Island that will be 100 percent free of fossil fuels. The structure floats on a slab of six-inch dense foam, uses groundwater for cooling, and hot air from the roof to generate hot water. He describes the structure in some detail and says it is a "living laboratory" for engineering houses in the future. Dalene is the founder of the Hamptons Green Alliance, where more information about this initiative can be found.

While Dalene advocates the use of electric vehicles (EV) and the Biden administration's plan to build the necessary infrastructure to support their use, such as charging stations, he points out that the use of solar to power homes should accompany the growth in EVs.

In addition, Dalene describes on the podcast a new system that he has developed to determine the greenhouse gas impact of specific products and services. He is working with federal officials and lawmakers to gain the necessary governmental support to make this system a reality.

For a fascinating discussion about energy, the environment, and the fight against climate change, take a listen.

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The Supreme Court & the Misuse of Power

Wed, 01 May 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Many of the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee were disgusting in their disrespectful treatment of President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. At the same time, Justice Clarence Thomas is now under the January 6th Committee microscope because of his wife, Ginny’s, overt effort supporting Donald Trump’s try to overturn the 2020 election.

In this episode, I narrate two Lean to the Let.net blogs on those topics, one by CJ Waldron on the Thomas fiasco and the other by Mark M. Bello, focusing on Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s treatment of Judge Brown.

But first, here’s a reminder that you can follow us at podcast.leantotheleft.net, and, you can reach me at bob@leantotheleft.net. And you can follow us on social media…Facebook at The Lean to the Left Podcast. Twitter at LeantotheLeft1. Instagram at Not Fake News.

Also, if you enjoyed this episode, please give a review on any of the podcast links you’ll find on our webpage, podcast.leantotheleft.net.

And here’s a shout out to Nashville blues musician and songwriter Scott Ramminger for providing our music bed for the Lean to the Left podcast. You can catch up with Scott at ScottRamminger.com.

Now, first, here’s “What a Hypocrite!” by Mark M. Bello.

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War in Ukraine-Deep Background from Bob Buzzanco

Wed, 24 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with University of Houston history professor Bob Buzzanco to discuss some of the historical context with respect to the vicious attack by Russia on Ukraine, and what he thinks is required to reach an agreement to stop the bloodshed.

Professor Buzzanco, who also co-hosts the Green and Red Podcast, describes himself, among other things, as a historian, writer, agitator, professor, and Sicilian. He has an extensive record of publications and speaking out on U.S. foreign policy, the arms race, NATO, U.S. armed conflict and wars, and U.S. relations with the Soviet Union and Russia.

He is also an award winning author of numerous books and essays on the Cold War, the Vietnam War, U.S. military intervention, the military-industrial complex, and the military budget. A review of his social media pages reveals that he’s no fan of the military industrial complex.

Regarding the Russian attack on Ukraine, Buzzanco contends that it’s important to understand the history of U.S.-supported NATO expansion since the fall of the Soviet Union and Putin’s determination to restore his country to its place as a world leader.

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Leading Dems Against GOP Odds

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Alester Linton-Pryor is an African-American woman from New York City who is now spending every waking moment of what is supposed to be retirement trying to overtake the rightwing Republicans who dominate her region in South Carolina.

As chair of the Horry County (SC) Democratic Party (HCDP), Linton-Pryor leads a determined band of volunteers who share her concerns about the major social issues of today and are working to elect Democrats in an area where using that very word can get you snubbed, or worse.

On this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, Linton-Pryor talks about the challenges she and other Democrats face in her ruby red area, but says she is confident that gains can be made if voters simply will be effectively informed about the benefits President Biden and Democrats in Congress have provided.

She points to the $1.9 trillion relief package the president pushed through Congress to help Americans through the economic disaster caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, and stresses the new jobs it is creating and the financial assistance it has provided. Likewise, the massive infrastructure law that Biden shepherded through Congress will also provide major benefits, including good paying jobs.

At the same time, she recognizes the difficulties that the President and Democratic leaders have encountered in the 50-50 Senate, where voting rights bills and the broad Build Back Better program have stalled, largely because of Republican opposition.

Linton-Pryor takes no prisoners in this interview, stressing that it is the Democratic Party that is fighting for voting rights, equal rights for all, child care, health care, education, and is opposing efforts to restrict what can be taught in schools and to interfere with a woman's right to choose what should happen to her own body.

For those who are involved with HCDP, the interview will provide a glimpse into what drives this leader and what she hopes to achieve. For those who do not, it offers insight into the challenges faced by determined progressive leaders who are bucking the odds in GOP-controlled areas.

Take a listen.

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Novelist Juliet Rose: Writing for Social Change

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re speaking with an author, a mom, a fighter. She’s dealt with a lot, but with great courage she’s used her novels to try to achieve a better world. Her name is Juliet Rose and she’s the fifth in a series of guests to recognize Women’s History Month.

Juliet lives in the mountains of Georgia and says she first knew she wanted to be a writer when she was 11 years old. She’s had some tough times…losing her mom at that young age…and then her own four-year-old daughter from cancer.

She is the epitome of courage, of someone who grabbed adversity, looked it in the eye, and succeeded.

"You've got to put your feet out of the bed and moment by moment you just keep pitching forward and eventually you find that movement without struggle," she says.

Juliet is now the author of three books with a fourth coming out in May. Her novels all deal with social issues that are important to her and her characters are built around issues like the over-incarceration of people, challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals, equality and fairness, animal rights, and more.

During the episode, Juliet talks about the process of writing a novel, character development, research, translating life experiences to her works, but she also delves into some of the political and social issues facing our country today.

Action by Republicans across the nation to restrict voting and make it harder for some people to exercise their right to vote angers Juliet Rose.

"It's all about money," she says. "To control the money, you have to control the people. They are looking at the money trail as a pot of gold."

There is a lot more where that came from. Take a listen...

You can learn more about Juliet at authorjulietrose.com.

Also, our thanks to Nashville blues musician and saxman Scott Ramminger for the music bed for Lean to the Left. Learn more about Scott at https://ScottRamminger.com.

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Robert Thompson on the Got Damn Liberals

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Now it's time for some straight talk about politics, in fact, mostly South Carolina and Georgia politics where things are always interesting with such players as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Stacy Abrams, Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Tom Rice, the right-winger who voted to impeach Trump.

Our guest is Robert Thompson, host of the Got Damn Liberals podcast, which largely covers Georgia politics but strays across state lines more often than not. Robert is an astute observer of politics in the South, especially his home state of Georgia.

Our discussion hits on everything from President Biden's nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court to MTG, Stacy Abrams, Rice and Trump's vendetta against him, critical race theory and much, much more.

Take a listen.

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A Republican Manifesto to Screw Americans

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0000

A draconian GOP manifesto that would raise taxes and potentially end key social programs is a roadmap for what Republicans may be planning if they win control of Congress and the Presidency.

One of the most powerful Republican senators in the nation, Rick Scott of Florida, is pushing a sweeping plan that, if passed, would raise taxes on working Americans by $1 trillion and potentially wipe out Social Security, Medicare and even veterans' benefits.

Scott is chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which raises money and provides campaign support for GOP senatorial candidates and thus has great influence within the GOP, including strong support by twice impeached former president Donald Trump.

While Scott's plan was immediately denounced by Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Democrats in Congress and the White House, it should not be ignored as it can be expected to emerge in some form if Republicans return to power. His 11-point Plan to Rescue America is a roadmap for embedding Christianity and conservative ideology into official government policy for decades to come.

Listen for more...

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Kelsey Walker- The Silent Scream

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0000

As we celebrate Women’s History Month in March, we’re presenting the fourth in a series of guests to mark that occasion -- women who may be unheralded and not all that famous, but who are making significant contributions to society.

Today’s guest is Kelsey Walker and our topic is abortion. Since she was a teenager, Kelsey’s been a warrior for reproductive rights and then had her own experience with abortion. She and her husband learned that their unborn child, whom they named Hope, had the fatal version of osteogenesis imperfecta, or "brittle bone disease." In other words, virtually every bone in Kelsey's baby was broken -- inside her womb.

There was no choice but to have an abortion, and onerous state laws not only made this difficult, but resulted in psychological trauma that affects Kelsey to this day.

From the trauma of that experience, she wrote a memoir, “Face Everything and Rise,” and now she’s founded a nonprofit, “From the Green Desk” to coach and provide group therapy for women who’ve had abortions, lost pregnancies, or children.

By doing this, she says she hopes to eliminate the painful “silent scream” that results from these losses. And along the way, she actively protests against the raft of onerous anti-abortion laws that are being enacted.

Kelsey's story is one of courage, and yes, "Hope." Take a listen.

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A Progressive Activist Mom...in a Red State

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0000

As we celebrate Women’s History Month in March, we’re presenting the third of several guests to mark that occasion -- women who may be unheralded and not all that famous, but who are making significant contributions to society.

Today’s guest is Ashlyn Brierre, co-founder of Grand Strand Action Together, or GSAT, a nonprofit community organization devoted to providing education, outreach, and advocacy opportunities to South Carolina’s coast.

Ashlyn’s instagram bio says she’s a yinzer, twin mom, cat mom, plant mom, bad feminist, bad socialist, and organizer. On Twitter, she adds that she’s a “commie hillbilly.”

She’s an incredibly busy mom with a hell of a lot to say and do. And she pulls no punches. For example, she posted this on Instagram about the CDC.

“My 1.5 year-old twins really are thrilled that the @CDCgov has basically said “fuck it” – they’re so thankful that such an organization has their best interests (and all children under 5!) at heart.”

Ashlyn, welcome to Lean to the Left…
---

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Republican Looney Tunes

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, welcome to another episode of Lean to the Left, presenting no-holds-barred progressive commentary and newsmaker interviews. I’m your host, Bob Gatty.

At Lean to the Left you’ll find insight into today’s news, plus analysis…with focus on social issues that affect all of us. You’ll never know who’ll show up at Lean to the Left.

Today we’re talking about Donald Trump, Sen. Lindsey Graham and more of the Republican motley crew who are making wacked out suggestions about what to do about Putin and his attacks on Ukraine.

But before we get started, here’s a reminder that you can follow us at podcast.leantotheleft.net, and, you can reach me at bob@leantotheleft.net. And you can follow us on social media…Facebook at The Lean to the Left Podcast. Twitter at The Real Not Fake News. Instagram at Not Fake News.

Also, if you enjoyed this episode, please give a review on Apple Podcasts or any of the podcast links you’ll find on our website, podcast.leantotheleft.net.

And here’s a shout out to Nashville blues musician and songwriter Scott Ramminger for providing our music bed for the Lean to the Left podcast. You can catch up with Scott at ScottRamminger.com.

Now, for today’s show…a narration of our latest blog on Lean to the left.net. It’s called Republican Looney Tunes.

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A Millennial Looks to the Future

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Our guest today is a young Millennial, Leesa Danzek, who was an extremely active Republican but now is trying to turn a ruby red area of South Carolina blue.

Leesa explains what factors influenced her transformation and what she hopes to accomplish, and along the way has some pointed comments about the Republican Party, its positions on such issues as abortion and racial equality.

She talks about the future and the role she hopes to play in creating a better, more welcoming place for all Americans, regardless of race, age, political persuasion, or sexual orientation.

Leesa is another in a series of guests commemorating Women’s History Month.

But first, here’s a reminder that you can follow us on our website, https://podcast.leantotheleft.net and, you can reach me at bob@leantotheleft.net.

Also, if you enjoyed this episode, please give a review on Apple Podcasts or any of the podcast links you’ll find on our website, podcast.leantotheleft.net.

And here’s a shout out to Nashville blues musician and songwriter Scott Ramminger for providing our music bed for the Lean to the Left podcast. You can catch up with Scott at ScottRamminger.com.

And don’t forget to connect with us on social media. Facebook at The Lean to the Left Podcast. Twitter at The Real Not Fake News. Instagram at Not Fake News.

You can also support our show and help us keep going by clicking on the Donate tab at the top of the page, where you’ll find links to “Buy Me a Cup of Coffee” and also PayPal.

Now, for today’s show…

Take a listen…

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Donna Wayles-Domestic Abuse-In the Shadows

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0000

As we look ahead to Women’s History Month in March, we’re presenting the first of several guests to mark that occasion -- women who may be unheralded and not all that famous, but who are making significant contributions to society.

Today’s guest is Donna Wayles, a teacher, author, speaker, and domestic violence survivor who’s written a new book, “I’ll Pray for You, A Christian Woman’s Guide to Surviving Domestic Violence.”

Donna teaches technology and pre-engineering at a Title 1 middle school. She coached an award-winning cybersecurity team until Covid lockdowns and immigration issues put the team on hold.

She’ll share with us why her ultra-conservative views have moderated a good deal because of her experiences in the education system.

Here are some questions Donna covers in the episode:

1.Tell us about your book and where the name came from.
2.Why did you write it?
3.Were you afraid your husband would retaliate?
4.You indicated that you’ve become more moderate…less conservative…in your political views. Why?
5.What problems did you encounter as an educator?
6.You indicated that you’d also like to discuss immigration. From what standpoint?
7.Did the presidency of Donald Trump affect your political views?
8.What message would you like to express to women who are in abusive domestic situations?
9.What resources are available to those who might be in trouble?
10.How can people get your book…

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Michael Goodwin on "Vice Versa"-An Election Upside Down

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Ever think what it would be like if things were reversed and it was Joe Biden who was colluding with foreign powers and Donald Trump who was the good guy, victimized by Biden and his gang of crooks? Take a listen…

Everything is upside down in Michael Goodwin’s new book, Vice Versa. In this retelling of the 2020 election, China supposedly backs Joe Biden, as does Fox News.

In Vice Versa, all the other mainstream media hates Biden and is doing everything they can to help Donald Trump and that nasty word, “collusion,” rears its ugly head. But this time it’s Biden who’s accused of colluding with China, not Trump with Russia.

And as if that was not topsy turvy enough, in Michael Goodwin’s world, the police are killing unarmed white people, resulting in riots of white protesters.
Brightly written and immensely entertaining, Vice Versa is Goodwin’s fourth novel. He spends his weekdays in a finance job and weekends writing. He conceived of Vice Versa as he watched the Russian collusion story gradually unravel. He wondered what the reaction would have been if the Biden campaign had been falsely accused of something similar.

On the show, Goodwin and host Bob Gatty get into a political discussion about President Biden, the factors that caused his election, and some of the key issues at play today. Talk turns to the divisions that currently affect our nation and some of the hopes this author has for healing them.

Take a listen...

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Fighting the Racist War on Truth at School

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0000

In many states across the nation there are right-wing sponsored efforts to stop public school teachers from discussing the racist history of our country with their students, an effort that has caught fire in many districts with some parents protesting the teaching of "critical race theory" to their kids.

That is happening in South Carolina, where at least six bills are under consideration, all aiming to ban teaching an accurate account of the role that racism has played in the history of the United States. The obvious objective is to deny the racist reality of present-day U.S. society by distorting the history that students learn in the state’s public schools and banning curriculum that seeks to explain how racism has shaped U.S. society since its inception.

The South Carolina bills are part of a wider campaign currently being waged by far-right politicians across the country — a sweeping racist attack against public education, academic freedom, and freedom of speech.

That is the focus of a new episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, featuring Josh Malkin, a Public Interest and Government Fellow with the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina. Josh is deeply committed to advocating for racial and educational equity and protecting the rights of children.

In that context, he is helping to lead the fight against those Republican-sponsored anti-truth and censorship bills now before the South Carolina state legislature – all of them prompted by the red-flag issue of critical race theory.

If you live in South Carolina and would like to share your views about these bills with your state legislators, here's what you can do:

Call your representatives and inform them you stand against House Bills 4325, 4343, 4392, 4605, and 4799.

If you would like to testify in Columbia, email gingerlee@schouse.gov to let her know you would like to testify at the next possible meeting on the bills mentioned above. The Chairwoman has said multiple times that everyone who wants to testify will be heard, so folks who receive a rejection should let Josh know at jmalkin@aclusc.org.

If you wish to testify via Zoom, a sign on letter requesting Zoom testimony is available here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWYcp3Q_rzv-4vK1wnz-Tmjp6aUEqELsjNg0C8x-fyNCgd-g/viewform

For businesses/non profits, a sign on letter to oppose bills H. 4605 and H. 4799, which involve imposition on creation of corporate culture is available here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGvQ1eNYw-G8EgXhScY064Gkb0Pw1SpDLGaIX1UrQYjPjXqA/viewform.

More information about the "anti-truth" bills and our coalition, Truth in Ed SC, can be found: https://www.protruthsc.org/. Josh is available to answer additional questions at jmalkin@aclusc.org.

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Hate Joe? Here's Why You Shouldn't

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Joe Biden can't seen to catch a break. Even many Democrats and Independents are now expressing disappointment because he hasn't accomplished everything he promised, even though he's only been in office a little more than one year -- and despite stubborn opposition from the Trump dominated Republican Party.

Chris Waldron of Not Fake News has some thoughts about that -- and a warning. Take a listen.

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Carrie Kohan on Fighting Against Pedophilia

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Today, Mark Bello and I are with Carrie Kohan. Carrie is a national child advocate and spokesperson who has forced the change of several laws in Canada relating to child abuse, and has written a book called the Five Lessons of Life.

In addition to forcing the government to change an entire body of Canadian law, Carrie founded Project Guardian and Mad Mothers Against Pedophiles (MMAP) in 1998. What MADD did for drinking and driving, Carrie wanted to do for pedophilia and the protection of children, by educating the public and change the laws.

When Carrie began her journey as a child advocate, pedophilia was a taboo subject. No one wanted to acknowledge or talk about it. As a lobbyist and advocate, she was instrumental in changing 14 laws in Canada that now protect children from harm.

Her legacies include Amber Alert, the Provincial and National Sex Offender Registries, the Child Protection Act (which regulates online sexual exploitation), amendments to the divorce act and immigration laws. She is the namesake of the "Carrie's Guardian Angel Law" which requires a 20-year minimum sentence for serial predators and pedophiles.

On the show, Carrie reveals how all of these achievements have taken place, even though into adulthood she was virtually illiterate. And, she talks about what set her on the path to combat pedophilia -- how she fended off with a kitchen knife a man who was trying to abduct her baby daughter.

Take a listen.

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Dr. Tracy Pearson-Voting Rights & White Privilege

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Dr. Tracy Pearson, a regular Court TV guest, in this episode blasts politicians in red states for skewing election laws to disadvantage minorities and others unlikely to support them, as well as Sen. Ted Cruz for complaining that President Biden's plan to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court amounts to racism against White men.

Dr. Pearson says she likes to make sense out of the noise.” Her passion is helping others understand what they didn’t understand before, and then change their perspective.

With two doctorates, one in education and the other in law, she’s an expert in a lot of things, including investigations and assessment of investigations – including workplaces. In fact, she recently conducted a study on implicit/unconscious bias in workplace investigations. On the podcast, she discusses that study and some remarkable findings that demonstrate pro-company bias by those charged with investigating workplace complaints.

On the show, we discuss a wide range of issues that all fall under the heading of justice, whether it’s social justice or legal justice.

We talk about California Gov. Gavin Newsome’s refusal to grant parole to former Manson family member Leslie Van Houten, about the murder verdicts in the racially charged Rittenhouse and Ahmaud Arbery cases, as well as Republican efforts to stymie voting, the promised nomination by President Biden of a Black woman to the U.S. Supreme Court, and much more.

Take a listen.

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Is Trump Above the Law? & DOJ is MIA

Wed, 09 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0000

With Donald Trump continuing to claim that he literally is above the law because he was President and has used that assertion to avoid punishment for his many transgressions, we have a Justice Department that seems to be MIA – missing in action when it comes to prosecuting the twice impeached Trump.

Writer Chris Waldron discusses those developments in twin blogs on Not Fake News.biz, which I’ll now narrate.

Take a listen.

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Helping Black Men Navigate Life's Challenges

Wed, 02 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Our guest is Martin Henson, executive director of the BMEN Foundation whose mission is to mobilize and support all Black men and address issues many confront every day.

BMen is based in Boston and was established as a response to the “Me Too” movement as increasing numbers of women came forward to reveal instances of sexual abuse against them.
But it’s grown far beyond that, with counseling sessions to help Black men who face stigma and other life challenges.

Our interview with Henson explores all of that and also his views about Republican efforts to restrict voting that are aimed at minority voters and the failure of Congress to enact voting reforms.

However, Henson is quick to caution listeners not to judge President Biden too harshly, pointing out the disastrous presidency of Donald Trump.

Here are some of the questions we explore in the episode with Martin Henson:
1.Some of the key areas identified on your website include addressing stigma, education and advocacy, collaboration, problem solving, respect and community. Tell us about what you’re doing in these areas – and why they’re important.
2.The website says BMEN is an “inclusive group” – what does that mean?
3.What services and activities do you provide?
4.Is the foundation politically active?
5.Foundation implies funding – where does your funding come from?
6.What are your overall goals and objectives?
7.What are your thoughts about the voting restrictions being enacted in response to Trump’s “Big Lie” about the election?
8.What is your reaction to the failure of Congress – and specifically Biden and the Democrats – to get voting reform legislation passed and signed into law?

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A Rare Cancer Crusade

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0000

There’s a horrible, deadly cancer that not many people know about. It’s called Cholangiocarcinoma. We learn a lot about that today from a father who lost his daughter to this disease, and from a patient who continues in a fight for her life.

Last summer Dave Fleischer crisscrossed America to draw attention to the battle against the rare and deadly cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma, which claimed the life of his daughter, Sarah, at age 35.

On his trip, supported by the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, Fleischer visited hospitals and healthcare institutions that specialize in research and treatment of the disease, and met with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers who were important in Sarah's life.

One of those patients, known as Warriors, with whom Dave met was Janice Meyer, who has been battling the deadly bile duct cancer since her diagnosis in 2018. Janice also is with us today and shares the story of her battle against the disease and her efforts to raise awareness about the need for research to find medications to help patients and, eventually, a cure.

One of her initiatives is the 3rd Annual Quack Out Cholangio 5k to Crush Bile Duct Cancer, to be held May 14, 2022 at Midnight Oil Brewery, 674 Pencader Dr., Newark, DE 19702. Participation fee is $25 for those who register by April 14. The fee until May 12 is $30, and $35 the day of the race. More info: https://raceroster.com/events/2022/55023/3rd-annual-quack-out-cholangio-5k-to-crush-bile-duct-cancer

February is Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month and Feb. 12 is World Cholangiocarcinoma Day, and so I invited Dave and Janice to join us and discuss the ongoing battle to find a cure for what is now considered a terminal disease.

Take a listen.

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The Week of the Fun House

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0000

It's like we're in an amusement park fun house where everything is distorted and weird, and where up is down and down is up. That apparently is Republican politics today. Consider this past week.

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Using Data to Fight Racism With Maya Ford

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Did you ever think about how data – statistical information – could be used to foster racism and discrimination? I have to tell you, that really never crossed my mind. Until I interviewed Maya Ford, founder of Houston-based FordMomentum!

Check this out from the Houston Business Journal:

"For the better part of her communications career, Maya Ford was usually the only person of color in the office, which means she was typically the only person to ask for data regarding minority communities.

"That needed to change, and Ford was willing to do whatever it took to make it happen. So, in 2016, she cashed out all $42,000 of her retirement at 38 years old to launch FordMomentum, a Houston-based communications firm focused on data-driven outcomes that represent communities of color.

"Now, FordMomentum! is transforming the way data is collected and used, ultimately reshaping communities."

During the episode, we discuss how science and data aren't always objective and can be used to push harmful agendas. Maya says her company is dismantling many ways racism and hatred can leak into science and data, and that's important to both businesses that are serious about marketing to minority communities, and to the equitable distribution of resources by government.

In the episode, Maya also has some choice words for Republican politicians in states that are enacting new laws aimed at making it more difficult for members of minority communities to vote, and for Congress for failing to enact new voter protection laws. "It's despicable," she says.

It's an informative and engaging episode. Take a listen.

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Dr. Pamela Gurley-Empowering Black Women & Kids

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0000

It is not every day you get to live your dreams and do what you love; this philosophy guides the professional life of Dr. Pamela Gurley, our guest on the Lean to the Left Podcast today.
Dr. Pam says she’s a “busy and empowered boss lady working every day to change how Black women are perceived.” We’ll find out more about that.

She says she’s “a fierce entrepreneur” as an author, professional speaker, CEO, podcaster, professor, and businesswoman.

In 2021, she was awarded the RadioOne EmpowerHER “Empowering Motivation” award for her commitment to uplifting others.

She’s a retired U.S. Army veteran, holds a BA in Psychology, a Master’s in Health Service Administration, and a Doctorate in Management.

Dr. Pam has written several books focused on empowering Black women and in May will kick off a new book tour promoting a new children’s books series written for Black kids.

In the episode, Dr. Pam expresses concern about efforts by Republicans in some states to restrict voting rights and about the failure of Congress to pass legislation to counteract those restrictions.

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Typical GOP- Vote No and Take the Dough

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0000

In typical Republican fashion, many GOP lawmakers who voted against the new infrastructure law are claiming credit for bringing home millions in funding for projects in their districts.

"It's a tale as old as time -- Republican lawmakers fight against popular legislation that helps the American people, and then try to take credit for it," the Democratic National Committee (DNC) pointed out.

However, this time that "Vote Not and Take the Dough" scam isn't working as those hypocritical Congress people are being called out and held accountable by both national and local media outlets.

As revealed by the DNC, here are some examples:

Take a listen.

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Can the 14th Amendment Save Democracy?

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0000

The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution was written in the aftermath of the Civil War. This landmark addition defined what made a person a citizen, equal protection under the law and even addressed Civil War debt.

But, it is section three of this amendment that could be used as a tool to punish those who took part in the January 6th insurrection by having them removed from office and preventing them from ever holding public office in the future.

The Fourteenth Amendment allows for anyone who takes part in an attempt to overthrow the government to be removed from office and to be barred from ever holding office again.

This could certainly explain why so many Republicans are refusing to provide testimony to the January 6th committee. To do so might result in their removal and possibly even criminal action being brought against them.

So, who exactly would be at risk if the provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment were enforced? Take a listen to this commentary from NotFakeNews.biz written by CJ Waldron and narrated by Bob Gatty.

Note: In the photo, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), chair of the House January 6th Committee

Intro Music by Scott Ramminger.

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Scott Ramminger & The Temporary Condition-Interview re New Album

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, something a little different for you today.

We’re with an old buddy of mine, Scott Ramminger, a brilliant songwriter and blues musician based in Nashville, who’s coming out Feb. 4 with a new album, “Live from Third & Lindsley Nashville.”

It’s his sixth record since 2011, and the third since he relocated from the Washington DC area to Nashville in 2017. And therein lies a part of the story.

For years, Scott worked for trade associations – business lobbying organizations – in Washington, DC, and that’s where we met. He once willed me a cushy job when he took an even cushier one.

But Scott got sick of the DC rat race and headed for Nashville…and now he’s a happy man, focused on writing music and performing. He wrote all of the songs on his album, does the vocals, and is a hell of a sax player. You’ll hear a couple samples during the show.

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Brad Smith: Combatting the Great Resignation

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0000

As a country, we’re in the middle of what’s been dubbed “The Great Resignation,” as millions of workers have either quit their jobs or switched to some other way to earn a livelihood.

What’s behind all of this? What can companies do to counter this trend?

To explore this important question, our guest today is Brad Smith, founder of Stellar Insights. Brad has spent over 20 years helping companies pursue growth and excellence through coaching, consulting, facilitation, and strategic planning.

Now, it seems that with the Great Resignation, those services are perhaps needed more than ever. But it seems like much of the advice Smith offers seems like basic common sense -- such as "be appreciative" and don't screw your workers if you don't want them to leave. Who would ever have thought of that!

Brad also offers advice to workers who want to improve their work situation and advance their careers.

During the episode, Brad also offers insight into the current round of inflation and suggests steps that could be taken to make things easier for the average American.

You'll learn a lot from this interview, whether you're an employer or an employee looking to improve your lifestyle.

Take a listen.

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Pushing Biden on Code Red

Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with Karen Igou, who helped lead a week-long event over the Christmas holiday called OccupyBiden, a 24/7 outdoors Climate Justice Occupation within a mile of President Biden’s house in Wilmington, DE.

I found this interesting…that such a demonstration would be held targeting Biden, especially considering the harm done by his predecessor, Donald Trump, with his actions that were rooted in the denial of climate change. After all, Biden has been working to reverse many of those actions.

However, some 200 demonstrators from 10 states participated in the OccupyBiden event, concerned that the Biden administration is more talk than action when it comes to taking action to counteract the forces of climate change, and they contend that some of Biden's actions actually have been harmful.

"We are not OK with politics as usual running things," Igou says. "It's not working. We are going in the wrong direction. At least we’re trying to address our crisis. We’re trying to wake people up. We’re trying to get the voices of the people unified to take care of our one and only planet. Our own president has said that we are in a Code Red existential crisis."

She adds, "It’s madness. It’s lunacy to destroy the very part of the ecosystem that make it work. No other species has ever done what we’re doing, which is destroying our own home. We’re literally committing ecocide and it’s madness."

Igou dedicates her life, and her business, a farm-to-table grocery, to fighting the climate crisis. She suggests many ways during our interview that you can also get involved to save Mother Earth.
Photo by Ray Bailey.

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Jeff Batton-Recovering Evangelical, Out of the Closet

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with Jeff Batton, a recovering Evangelical -- in fact, an ex-pastor -- who's now out of the closet and is counseling folks about life, religion, marriages, relationships -- you name it.

Batton has lived all around the world…Hong Kong, London, New York City…now Detroit…but grew up on a big farm in South Georgia and claims to be the ambassador of the South.

He’s started his own business, been shot, tried to save the world’s poor, and now coaches people on what not to do. He’s worked on the streets, lived in the projects, became a minister, and then quit organized religion. In fact, he says that he had to quit Christianity to find Jesus.

Batton wanted it all -- marriage, kids, a happy life. But he struggled, trying to deny his homosexuality. So, he went through a divorce…a big no-no for ministers…and now says he’s a ‘recovering evangelical’. On the show, he says that “religion is politics in drag.”

Batton also has written a book, “Grinnin’ Like a Jackass Eatin’ Briars,” and, of course, we talk about that.

It's an interesting conversation, to say the least...

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Is Trump on a Sinking Ship?

Wed, 17 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0000

There are signs that Donald Trump is losing the backing of some of his strongest supporters, including disillusioned Capitol rioters and former key staff members who finally realize the damage he's done.

At the same time, Attorney General Merrick Garland has hinted that Trump could be in his crosshairs, which suggests that prosecution is a possibility. In addition, several determined Democrats are quietly exploring how Trump could be disqualified constitutionally from holding office again. Stay tuned…

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Angie Ringler: An Eco Terrorist Doing Good

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Today our guest is Angie Ringler…she’s a fellow podcaster…has a show called The Grateful Redhead…and is committed to saving our planet from pollution and waste.

But Angie does a lot more than just talk and interview people. A paralegal turned hippie soap maker, she founded an eco-conscious business called Waste Free Products. It’s dedicated to reducing single-use plastic from the planet by making 100% plastic-free, zero-waste household & body care products without harsh chemicals.

Her company makes a line of products called “Tangie” and she claims that her laundry bars so far have washed hundreds of thousands laundry loads with “waste free detergent”, keeping thousands of plastic laundry bottles out of landfills.

And that’s just the laundry stuff. She also has developed all natural body care products, and you'll hear her describe her "tinkle towels." Enough said.

Angie calls herself a “redheaded Grateful Dead loving fan,” and on her podcast features people who she says live an impactful life, inspire people, and cause a ripple effect on the planet. She’s big on kindness…in every way. In human relations, certainly, and being kind to our planet.

In this episode, we talk with Angie about her determination to do everything she can to save our earth for generations to come, as well as her concerns that we're not moving fast enough to cope with climate change and the impact it will have. Tinkle towels are just a little part of that!

Take a listen...

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Commentary: The Insurrection One Year Later

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Today is January 6, 2022 and just one year ago, an angry, violent mob inspired by Donald Trump attacked the seat of our democracy, the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. There’s a lot to talk about, so stay tuned.”

---

Waving Trump and Confederate flags, the mob called for Vice President Pence to be hung from the makeshift gallows they had constructed on the Capitol grounds. They broke into the Capitol, smashing windows, and in the end, one protestor and several police officers had lost their lives.

Members of the House and Senate scurried to find shelter as members of the mob streamed into the House and Senate chambers, rifling through lawmakers’ desks, and searching for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Their goal was to stop the certification of President Biden’s election, to overturn the election of the leader who had been chosen by the majority of voters in a free and fair election.

Today, President Biden called out Trump for standing by and doing nothing to stop the riot and the destruction. But there is much more to the story.

Three blogs today by Chris Waldron and Mark M. Bello of Not Fake News.biz take a look at these events and offer their thoughts about what should happen in the coming months as the January 6th Committee, launched by House Democrats, completes its work and as the Justice Department considers its action.

First, I’ll present Waldron’s piece today after Biden’s speech, entitled “Sleepy Joe is Pissed!”, then will come his recounting of what prompted the insurrection and its aftermath in “The Insurrection, One Year Later,” and finally, will come Bello’s commentary, “Time to Hold Trump Accountable.”

Take a listen...

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In Focus: Cameraman on 9.11 and Jan. 6 Insurrection

Wed, 26 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0000

As we mark January 6th, the day just a year ago that Donald Trump’s crazies tried to overturn the election of Joe Biden, our guest is a photojournalist, Chris Carlson, who was with President Bush during another history changing event – the 9-11 attack on the Twin Towers in New York City. Take a listen.

As a photojournalist, Chris covered the White House for 38 years for ABC News, so he’s had a close up view of the Reagan, Clinton, the two Bush administrations, Obama and Trump.

And, he wrote a book, "9/11 With POTUS" that chronicled covering the first 5 days of 9/11 with President George W. Bush, in the White House Press Pool.

Our conversation with Chris covers his experiences on that fateful day as he was on the crew charged with covering Bush as he first learned about the 9/11 attack. Then, it moves to his eyewitness experiences covering other presidents -- Bush 1, Reagan, Clinton, Obama and Trump, with some hilarious insider tales.

And then, we move to today's politics and thoughts about the impact of the Obama presidency on the phenomenon of Donald Trump and subsequent events, such as the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol and its aftermath.

Take a listen.

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Corruption, Climate Change Air Mail Protest

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0000

In April 2015, a mailman concerned about climate change and political corruption decided he needed a dramatic way to bring attention to those issues, which he believes threaten our country, indeed the world.

So, he decided that air mail delivery was the only way -- not by just dropping letters to Congress in a mailbox and forgetting about it, but by personally flying those letters to the U.S. Capitol himself.

So, he trailered a 250-pound flying contraption called a gyrocopter from Florida to Pennsylvania to stage his one-man protest. He flew 70 miles south from Gettysburg across Maryland, turned left at the Potomac, and two miles up the Capitol Mall, past the White House and past the Washington Monument to land on the lawn of the US Capitol Building.

The man’s name is Doug Hughes and he’s here with Lean to The Left today to recount his story, which he has detailed in a memoir, FLIGHT PLAN: A Mailman’s Aerial Excursion and Special Delivery.

Hughes succeeded in gaining attention, of course. His exercise of free speech eventually cost him four months in jail, but he doesn't regret that and during our interview offers concrete ideas about how the political system should be changed to eliminate corruption of those we elect to represent us.

Listen to our interview.

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Gut Check Time on Voting Rights

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Today's commentary from NotFakeNews.biz:

If Democrats hope to stave off a massive Republican takeover of Congress in the 2022 Congressional elections, they must do whatever it takes to enact key voting rights legislation that so far has been blocked by...wait for it...the GOP.

The Donald Trump Republican Party in state after state is changing rules around voting in a deliberate effort to reduce turnout of voters they deem likely to support Democratic candidates. It is a cynical, nasty attack on our democracy and one that could have long lasting impact on America's future.

Listen to the complete commentary...

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Fighting the Imposter Syndrome

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Ever feel like an imposter at work? Like a fake? Like why are you in this position when you know others around you are equally – or better – qualified? I bet that’s a common thought for many of us.

Today's guest is Arnie Witkin and we’re going to talk about a topic that many of us have probably dealt with in our careers – the feeling that, somehow, we’re really an imposter – even a fraud. That other people we’re charged with leading probably are better qualified and know more about what we’re supposed to be doing.

It's a crazy feeling. I can tell you that, which is why I was intrigued with having Arnie on my show.

Arnie’s a speechwriter, public speaking coach mentor, and executive coach, and he says this feeling is fairly common in the workplace -- that it happens to just about everybody, from beginners to big shots in the executive suite.

So how do you cope with it? How do you get past it? Is there some sort of stragegy to employ? We’re going to talk about that with Arnie, who is the author of It’s Not A Big Thing In Life: Strategies for Coping, Considerations for My Adult Grandchildren.

For the past few years, Arnie has been helping people create coping strategies to deal with career and life struggles. He knows a lot about that, as he’s dealt with cancer multiple times and even lost his voice at one point. That’s got to be tough for somebody who makes his living talking!

Take a listen.

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Riding the Inflation Wave for Profit

Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Everybody is feeling the pinch of inflation, and, of course, the Republicans are blaming President Biden, front and center. But a new study shows that many retail businesses are actually using inflation as an excuse to drive up prices and make more money.

Once again, it's all about greed and consumers are forced to pay the price.

Today we’re with Digital.com’s small business expert, Dennis Consorte. Dennis discusses with us the results of a survey of retail owners and executives Digital.com conducted to discover how inflation is impacting profitability, pricing, and discount offers this shopping season.

Shockingly, the survey showed that 56% of retail businesses say inflation has given them the ability to raise prices beyond what’s required to offset higher costs.

In other words, they figure consumers know inflation is with us, so they can jack up their prices more than necessary just to boost their bottom lines. Consorte says on the show that some businesses, especially big businesses, are playing on people's fears simply to make shareholders happy.

Here are some questions we posed to Consorte:

1.Tell us about the study and how it was conducted.
2.What were some of the other major conclusions?
3.Of those that increased profits beyond inflation to increase profitability, what companies were most likely to do that.
4.We know that the prices of cars and technology have been increasing significantly. Are those companies capitalizing on inflation?
5.What about retailers?
6.Do you see a reduction in discounts and sales this holiday season? Why?
7.What industries are most likely to be shrinking discounts? Are they increasing the prices of complimentary products?
8.Can you give us an example?
9.What tactics are companies using to increase prices besides just jacking up the sticker price?
10.What do you think is contributing to all of this?

Take a listen.

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The Business Connect with Josh Sullivan

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with Josh Sullivan, a Myrtle Beach, SC financial advisor who is working to enhance business owners and professionals by helping them connect. His initiative and his podcast is called The Business Connect.

He’s a former college golfer with aspirations to go pro, but now is focusing on his business career and his family.

We talk with Josh about these life changes and a new venture that he’s undertaken to help business owners and professionals make the connections they need to flourish. But Josh is more than that. He's dedicated to his community, doing what he can to help others, being a great dad, and no longer focused on becoming a pro golfer chasing fame and fortune.

It's an interesting and heart-warming interview, one that is perfect for this Christmas season. Take a listen.

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Penis Politics--Clinton, Cuomo and More with Karen Hinton

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Karen Hinton, author of the new book, "Penis Politics," reveals her experiences as a Washington, DC insider and how she fended off advances from Bill Clinton, Andrew Cuomo, and others.

Hinton is a journalist and former press secretary to Andrew Cuomo and later to New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio. She offers an insider’s view of what it’s like to be a woman in the newsroom, the halls of Congress and the highest reaches of American political power.

Hinton describes how powerful men assert control over women in a vulnerable or subordinate position as she discusses Andrew Cuomo’s sexual politics and more. She talks about her relationship with famed Democratic political advisor James Carville and how she confronted him following the Monica Lewinsky accusations against Clinton.

She talks about the small, everyday abuses that some men use to magnify their power at home, in school, and in the office and how penis politics negatively impacts girls and women’s view of themselves and their options in life.

Women, she says, are “damned if you speak up and damned if you shut up.”

Hinton was at the peak of her career in 2018 when a catastrophic brain injury propelled her into the battle of her life. Emerging from a coma, learning to walk, talk and write again, she was determined to “speak up, not shut up” on issues involving women, men and power.

In Penis Politics, Hinton writes of the toxic brew of ego, entitlement, and “bro-culture” that is especially difficult for women to navigate in politics. In the book and on our show, she reveals how certain well-known men create a public image as champions of women’s rights and equality, but behind closed doors, they use gender domination to assert their authority.

In the beginning of the episode, she reveals how the rape of her friend by a trusted former coach and school official affected her own life choices.

We thank Karen for sharing her story with us.

Take a listen.

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Brandolon Barnett: Homeless to Philanthropist

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Would you ever think that someone you see sleeping on the streets would one day end up being an angel investor, a philanthropist? Stay tuned, you’re about to meet that person, Brandolon Barnett, author of "Dreams Deferred: Recession, Struggle, and the Quest for a Better World."

He is a facilitator of partnerships for community good.

Barnett is head of corporate social responsibility industry solutions in Salesforce.org’s philanthropy cloud and leader of the Democratize Ventures investing and advisory institute.

He has promoted development and volunteerism on three continents, led the Bill and Melinda Gates-funded Growfund donor-advised fund effort, and participated in research and consulting engagements at the Council on Foundations and Global Impact.

His LinkedIn profile says he’s an Angel Investor through Democratize Ventures, Agent of Change Creating a World where Philanthropy Belongs to Everyone. Showing Social Impact can Happen Anywhere.

From 2008 through 2013 Barnett was hit hard by the great recession, struggling to find work, even searching the streets of San Francisco looking for a place to sleep.

In the episode, Barnett talks about that and how he came to be involved with corporate philanthropy. Here are some other questions we discussed:

1.What is it that you’re doing?
2.Are you helping Black entrepreneurs raise money? Training? How?
3.Exactly what is Sales Force.org? You are director of Corporate Social Responsibility Industry Solutions there.
4.What’s your view regarding progress being made for minority business entrepreneurs?
5.What advice to you give these individuals as they embark on their journey?
6.How have the experiences of those tough times informed your own work today?
7.Has racism in this country worsened or improved in the past few years?
8.What factors have contributed to this?
9.Tell us more about your book.

Take a listen.

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Jack Kammer-Confessions of a 'Counter-Feminist

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going to take on a topic that some might consider a little bit daring. We’re going to have a talk with a guy named Jack Kammer, who calls himself “The Counter-Feminist Social Worker.”

Jack’s an author and podcaster, among other things, and from the looks of it, he’s all about defending the rights of men and boys against various forms of discrimination.

What? You might be saying about now – men being discriminated against in favor of women? It’s really the other way around, buddy.

Nevertheless, Jack has made a career of defending men and men’s rights, so I thought it would be interesting to hear what he has to say and figure out where he’s coming from.

During the show, Jack answers questions like this:

1.What is a counter-feminist, anyway?

2.In this era of the #MeToo movement, isn’t this idea that men are the victims a little bit wacky?

3.And what about the disparity in income levels, with women earning just 82 percent of what men typically earn for doing the same job?

4.You say there is a “double-whammy of racism and sexism operating against Black men.” What’s that all about?

5.Isn’t your view just a touch misogynistic?

6.Are you saying women are sexist?

7.You talk about female supremacy and its power structure…what’s that about?

8.Isn’t this a lot like talking about “White people’s race issues”?

9.What’s the Lace Curtain? How did it impact your book Good Will Toward Men?”

10.What got you started on this crusade, anyway?

11.What kind of a relationship do you have personally with women? Are you married?

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Poison Water

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Traces of dangerous “forever chemicals” have been found in many water systems across the country, chemicals that come from many common sources but that could be extremely dangerous to our health. Both state officials and the feds are looking into the situation, but activists feel not enough is being done.

So, today we’re taking a look at efforts to eliminate these "forever" chemicals from our drinking water. They come from substances that have been used in manufacturing many products – Teflon coating, and carpet, for example -- for years, and that are used in foam to fight fires.

The chemicals at issue are per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or P-FAS, and they have been linked to various cancers, endocrine disruption and other serious and life-threatening health conditions.

Our guest in this episode, Cheryl Cail, is one of the leaders of a national coalition that is pushing the federal government, and her home state of South Carolina, to take immediate steps to set mandatory limits of P-FAS and to clean up our drinking water supplies.

"You just have to know one thing," she says. "This is not something that should be in the water. We should not be consuming it. It needs to be addressed. It needs to not be coming through our tap water. It should not be in the environment so things like using sludge that has high levels of PFAS to put on farm crops, that's going to go into the ground. It's going to go into the food that's grown and by virtue of eating that food, we're going to be ingesting it."

To learn more about this serious issue and what you can do, take a listen.

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Two Fearless Women in Politics

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0000

There are increasing numbers of women now running for public office, and that’s a good thing. But what about the consultants who work to get them elected? We’re about to talk with a couple of young progressives who are cracking that glass ceiling.

They are Zee Cohen-Sanchez and Amani Wells-Onyioha of the new campaign advisory company, Sole Strategies. We’ll talk about why more women need to be represented in politics –as candidates and as strategists who help them get elected.

A woman-owned and run business, Sole Strategies was created to help flip seats across the country and has quickly made an impact on the political landscape, grossing over a million in revenue in its first year.

Zee, the company’s founder, and Amani, operations director, have been the engine behind this breakthrough startup and continue to disrupt the status quo of campaigning.

Zee is executive director of the firm and has worked on several people-powered campaigns in the last decade, helping flip seats across the county. After Bernie Sanders' 2016 campaign, she committed to helping truly progressive candidates …. who don't accept corporate money … win seats across the nation.

Amani is operations director. Her job is to keep the Sole Strategies boat afloat. Working behind the scenes with Zee, she makes sure operations run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Discovering her passion for politics during her time in undergrad, it’s been Amani’s dream to see progressives get elected throughout the country and see real change in America.

They have plenty to say about politics today and the increasing role of women. Check it out.

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Why is the GOP Glass Half Empty?

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0000

It’s the classic conundrum; is the glass half full or half empty? If it’s half full, you are said to be an optimist. If it’s half empty, you’re a pessimist. When it comes to describing the Biden administration, Republicans are always seeing a half empty glass.

Check out this commentary by CJ Waldron on https://notfakenews.biz

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School Shootings-Enough is Enough

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Social justice attorney Mark M. Bello, author of the legal thriller Betrayal High, the story of a fictional school shooting, offers ideas on steps that should be taken to eliminate such tragedies as the shooting in Michigan that claimed four lives and now has a 15-year-old boy awaiting trial for murder, and his parents charged with contributing to those murders. Narrations from Bello's commentary at NotFakeNews.biz.

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Holiday Special! Getting Paid to Lose Weight

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0000

It’s the holiday season and temptations abound, for many of us playing havoc with our efforts to lose weight and get more healthy. What if you could do that and get paid at the same time? No kidding!

Today we welcome David Roddenberry, who will tell us how to actually make money by losing weight. David’s co-founder of HealthyWage, and while they have a year-around program, right now they’re running a holiday-stay strong challenge that sounds pretty cool.

HealthyWage is a wellness gamification company … I never knew there was such a thing…that’s already paid pound losers over $6 million in 2021 alone, and $55 million since its inception.

How does it work? What’s involved?

David answers these questions and more:

1.Is this a contest, or do people get money for every pound they lose?
2.Does offering a healthy jackpot actually get people to shirk temptation and lose or maintain their weight?
3.How do people weigh-in online?
4.How does this work with New Year’s resolutions?
5.Isn’t there some kind of connection with health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels? How does that work?
6.Is this for individuals, only, or are their programs at work, etc.?
7.If HealthyWage pays out all of this money to pound losers, how do you guys make money?

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Harmful Household Products

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Ever wonder about whether some of the stuff that’s in the common household products that you use every day might be harmful to your health? Well…some of them are. Stay tuned.

Today, we’re with Samuel Goodman, an author, speaker and scientist who uses his education and experience to bring the confluence of science and engineering to important issues of public policy.

But today we’re going to talk about common household products and what harmful chemicals and additives consumers need to know about. We thought that would be a good topic to discuss as we’re heading into the holidays and people are considering buying gifts for their families and friends.

Some of these things that we’re buying every day contain some fairly harmful additives and Dr. Goodman knows about all of that.

So, listen up!

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A GOP Race War?

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0000

There’s a war brewing. It’s a battle of ideologies and the trenches are social media. Through various sites, those on the far right are pushing race hatred as they spew outlandish, and often unsubstantiated claims. The aim is to start a race war, writes Chris Waldron of NotFakeNews.biz.

Take a listen...

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Racism & What You Can Do

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Dr. Kimya Nuru Dennis, founder of 365 Diversity, is an activist, sociologist and criminologist, educator, and researcher who helps businesses, non-profits, schools, and other organizations overcome disparities and improve diversity.

In this episode, she discusses such topics as Black male suicide and its causes, racism in the workplace, education, healthcare and other settings, and offers her thoughts regarding what individuals and entities can do to overcome this and improve societal relations.

Dr. Dennis pulls no punches in her comments and is worth a listen.

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An Inhumane Travesty

Wed, 30 May 2018 00:00:00 -0000

November 26 was Native American Heritage Day, a time for America to honor and celebrate Native American and Alaska Natives’ countless contributions to our nation, to recognize the wrongs of the past, and make certain that the rights and dignity of our country’s first people are upheld.

Thus, there is no better time than now for the Waccamaw Indian People of South Carolina to be officially recognized as a federal Indian tribe, making them eligible for all of the benefits accorded the 574 Tribal Nations in America.

It is time for these "invisible" people to take their rightful place among those Tribal Nations and be positioned to benefit from many of the provisions contained in President Biden’s newly signed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invests over $3 billion in Native health services among other benefits.

Listen to the complete story...

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Should Your Doc Have a Side Hustle?

Wed, 23 May 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hey what would you think if you knew your doc had a side hustle? Think that would be a good idea?

Dr. John Shufeldt is an emergency physician who advises fellow physicians how to do exactly that -- how to become an entrepreneur and develop a new business while also practicing medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Shufeldt explains how, in a time when physician burnout is a big problem, having a side gig can be a good thing for doctors.

Dr. Shufeldt is author of Entrepreneur Rx: The Physician’s Guide To Starting A Business. So, he’s encouraging his fellow docs to start a side gig.

I want to know from Dr. Shufeldt how having a side gig would, in any way, benefit a doctor’s patients. After all, docs are supposed to be dedicated to helping people heal. How can they do that if they’re worried about their side gig’s bottom line, or some deadline, while they’re doing brain surgery, for example?

Dr. Shufeldt answers that question and also discusses these, among others:

•Why do you say that being an entrepreneur has made you a better physician?
•What leads to physician burnout and how does it affect our healthcare system?
•How has COVID added to the burnout problem?
•Patients might say they prefer that their doctors focus on caring for them rather than worrying about some side gig. Why are they wrong?
•What are some traits that physicians and entrepreneurs have in common, and how do those traits improve patient care?

In the episode, Dr. Shufeldt also discusses how discouraging it is for physicians to be faced with treating deathly ill unvaccinated Covid patients, knowing that the "easy fix" of the vaccine could have saved their lives.

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Justice for Some?

Wed, 16 May 2018 00:00:00 -0000

The justice system in America must be fixed. And it won't be until systematic racism is eliminated from law enforcement and the courts. Listen to this commentary written by CJ Waldron at https://NotFakeNews.biz about the Kyle Rittenhouse and Ahmaud Arbery trials as narrated by Bob Gatty.

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War Stories

Wed, 09 May 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Are you a veteran? Have interesting stories that you could share for posterity? Know a veteran who you’d like to honor? Take a listen and find out how.

We’re delighted to present Monica Mohindra, acting director of the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

We’re a little late for Veterans Day, but then we need to be celebrating and honoring our veterans every day of the year.

Monica is the wife of a Navy veteran who comes from a long line of veterans and is dedicated to sharing – and preserving for future generations – the stories of those who have served in our military – including women.

Women have served in uniform in all branches of the U.S. military since World War II. From nurses, to code breakers, to pilots, to surgeons, to mechanics, to frontline warriors and everything in between, women veterans have done it all.

In this episode, Monica explains:

* What the Veterans History Project is all about
* What's included there now
* How you can contribute
* Why it's important to share these stories
* How to view and learn from the Veterans History Project
* How it helps families and those suffering from PTSD

Take a listen...

In the photo: Four soldiers and flags during a ceremony honoring a fallen soldier. August 25, 2004. Lee Lane Collection, Veterans History Project, Library of Congress, AFC2001/001/47372.
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The GOP Inflation "Goldmine"

Wed, 02 May 2018 00:00:00 -0000

In typical Republican fashion, the current run-up in inflation is being met with glee as some of their most cynical and irresponsible politicians are gloating that Americans' concerns about higher prices for food and gas are "a gold mine for us."

Listen to the podcast:

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Our Energy Future

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Gas prices…you think they’re high now? Just wait. Energy expert Jack Kerfoot predicts a national average price of $5 per gallon before too long. But then, he says, things will get better and action by President Biden and largely the Democrats will help.

Congress has finally passed major infrastructure legislation and with its significant provisions to attack climate change, it’s been signed into law.

The White House says the plan will “strengthen our nation’s resilience to extreme weather and climate change while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding access to clean drinking water, building up a clean power grid, and more.”

Meanwhile, a second bill, the so-called social spending and climate reconciliation bill, still faces a challenge in the Senate, with stubborn opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat, who’s opposed virtually every proposed provision that would impact the coal industry.

Today, we’re with Jack Kerfoot, an energy expert who’s been our guest a couple of times on the topic of renewable energy and climate change. He’s a scientist, energy expert and author of "FUELING AMERICA: An Insider's Journey." He is the principal at JL Energy Services and blogs on his website, Our Energy Conundrum, at www.jackkerfoot.com, most recently tracking states and what they are doing to attack climate change.

Kerfoot predicts $5 per gallon gasoline within a year, but predicts those prices will decline as electric vehicles become mainstream reducing the demand for oil. The future for the U.S., he says, is bright as renewable energy sources replace fossil fuel and reduce harmful greenhouse gases.

If you care about climate change, our environment, and the future, take a listen.

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An RX to Fix Healthcare

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0000

If you're waiting for Washington to fix healthcare in this country, healthcare entrepreneur and innovator Jeff Margolis has this advice: Don't bother.

Appearing on the latest episode of The Lean to the Left Podcast, Margolis discusses how information technology, innovation, and personal responsibility can all come together and result in a better, more equitable, and less costly healthcare system for America.

Over his 30-year career, Margolis is known for successfully applying technologies to address the complex problems facing the healthcare industry. He was involved in developing language about health improvement for individuals that eventually was included in the Affordable Care Act.

He’s also the Forbes Books author of “Not Just in Sickness … But Also in Health: Moving Beyond Sickcare to Health Optimization for All.”

During the podcast, Margolis answers these questions:

How would you sum up the way healthcare is handled in the U.S.?

Does it matter that the current political divide may keep the Biden administration from passing any significant healthcare legislation? Why or why not?

In what ways has COVID-19 revealed the problems with our system?

You say that it’s possible to improve our healthcare system and at the same time reduce costs. What steps need to be taken to accomplish that?

It's Medicare Open Enrollment period. Which is better for most people -- traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage? Why?

What are some of the inequities in healthcare and how can they be addressed?

What can individuals do to help improve the healthcare system?

Take a listen:

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Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0000

The Medicare open enrollment period ends on December 7, so if you’re a senior and on Medicare, you should listen up:

Thanks for joining us today on the Lean to the Left podcast.

If you’re a senior wondering what to do about supplemental Medicare coverage, that’s the topic of today’s program. It can be a confusing decision with so many different offerings and options, so its important to have the facts.

So, for help, we’re turning to Chris Orestis, president of Retirement Genius, an expert on financial health, long term care, and retirement issues.

He’s author of two books, “Help on the Way” and “A Survival Guide to Aging” and has a third book, “Retire Like a Genius” on the way. He’s been speaking for two-decades across the country about senior finance and the secrets to aging with financial and physical health and dignity.

Take a listen, either for yourself, or to pass on to your loved ones who might need help.

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A 2024 Nightmare Scenario

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron imagines a nightmare 2024 scenario, with Donald Trump's election defeat leading to a Constitutional crisis for America. It's downright scary. Narrated by Bob Gatty.

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A Communist Talks Social Revolution

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Finally, the House of Representatives has passed the sweeping infrastructure bill promised by President Biden, and nutcase GOP Rep. Marjory Taylor Greene (MTG) of Georgia says it's all part of "Biden's Communist takeover of America."

Greene needs to be sent to the looney bin, but in the meantime she might want to listen to this episode of The Lean to the Left Podcast, which features a young American Communist who talks about what Communism is all about and what it would involve for the U.S. She might actually learn something, if that is possible.

Our guest is Jamarr Jabari, a 29-year-old member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, or the Communist party in the United States, and he talks about his hopes for social revolution in the U.S.

Jabari, who subscribes to the idea that capitalism should be replaced with full-fledged socialism in the United States and that private home and land ownership should be eliminated, is a passionate community organizer and committed to pushing for sweeping governmental policies that will benefit the average working person, rather than the well-to-do.

In our interview, Jabari pulls no punches. He says both the Democratic and Republican parties simply sell out to powerful corporate interests, although he agrees that Democratic policies and actions generally are preferred over the Republicans'

He hosts a podcast called the Jabari VOC Podcast and his Facebook page says he’s a Marxist, Leninist, and PanAfricanist. He calls people Comrade on his podcast. So, I guess that proves he's a Communist.

If you are curious about the ideas, goals, and plans of those who would eliminate the capitalistic system in the U.S., take a listen to this interview. It will be more informative than listening to the wacko comments from MTG.

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Will Dems be Shocked into Action?

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Will national Democrats, shocked by their repudiation in Virginia and even New Jersey, stop bickering, show some spine, and get President Biden's Build Back Better social safety net spending program through Congress?

Based on the first analyses from the June 2 elections for governor in those states, which went to Biden in 2020, they damn well better give the people what they voted for when they elected Biden.

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Democrats: What in Hell Are You Doing?

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0000

National Democrats are frittering away a huge opportunity to provide the American people with the social improvements for which they voted when they elected Joe Biden, and worse, they are opening the door to a return of Donald Trump and his GOP.

Take a listen.

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The Journey from Fostering to Adoption

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Karen Martinez is not rich or famous. She’s not a political expert, nor is she a best-selling author, or TV star.

But Karen Martinez is a truly special human being, and that is why she is our guest on this episode of The Lean to the Left Podcast.

For many years, Karen has been a foster mom, taking care of other peoples’ kids she’s worked with the biological parents of those kids, too, so they could finally care for their children themselves. And she did this while holding down a fulltime job and being a mom and a wife in her own life.

But one day things changed for Karen and her husband. They adopted one of their foster children as their own, and now they are fulltime parents once again.

Fostering, however, apparently is in Karen’s DNA because she’s at it again. Only this time, it’s for dogs.

Here’s the story. Take a listen.

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Halloween Child Safety Episode

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0000

It’s Halloween time, and it’s important to make certain our kids are safe when they go out trick or treating. But certainly, every day is that time, because as parents we must protect our kids from those who would do them harm -- like sexual predators and bullies.

Today, we’re with Bob Kahn, a retired deputy sheriff in Nevada and former elementary school teacher who has authored eight children’s books about safety in an increasingly dangerous world.
The “Stranger Danger” program he created for schools and community service organizations has been credited in foiling over 40 attempted abductions by strangers. We’re going explore issues of “good touch, bad touch” and what that’s all about, and we’re going to take a look at the ever serious problem of bullying.

Robert has given over 20,000 presentations covering 15 topics on children’s safety issues. He also was an instructor for D.A.R.E., a program that gives children the life skills they need to avoid involvement with drugs, gangs, and violence.

He holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. in education from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Take a listen.

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Protect the Vote. End the Filibuster

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0000

If President Biden and Democrats in Congress have any hope of enacting comprehensive, meaningful voting rights legislation, they have no choice but to end the filibuster. It's time for Democrats to stop pussyfooting around and play some hardball.

Last week Republicans blocked action for the third time this year on voting rights legislation, making it clear that unless the filibuster is killed, there will be zero chance of passing the Freedom to Vote Act, intended to counter imposition of new voting restrictions in GOP states in response to Donald Trump's "Big Lie" that the 2020 election was "stolen" from him.

Take a listen.

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Foul Ball Safety

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0000

It’s almost World Series time and the playoffs are still going on, so we’re going to talk a little ball today. Yep…that’s right…baseball.

Our guest is Jordan Skopp, who among other things is leading a fight to get rid of a longtime baseball rule that prevents fans who are injured by batted balls to receive compensation in court, no matter how badly they are hurt.

Well, you might say, that fans are accepting the risk when they buy those tickets so they can have the best view or have a great chance of getting a ball for a souvenir. I do!

But Jordan thinks it’s wrong that fans can’t sue for damages if they are hurt, and he’s leading a drive called Foul Ball Safety Now and is writing a book on the topic.

Take a listen...

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Will Coal Scuttle US Climate Change Weapon?

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0000

As President Biden seeks to reverse actions by the Trump administration that jeopardized America's fight against the consequences of climate change, one powerful member of his own party is throwing up roadblocks that could be equally devastating.

The principal opponent of a major piece of Biden's climate agenda is Sen Joe Manchin III, the West Virginia Democrat who is determined to protect coal miners and the coal industry, regardless of its impact on the environment and the industry's contributions to greenhouse gases, a major factor in climate change.

Take a listen...

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Trauma of a Pastor's Betrayal

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with Sandy Phillips Kirkham, who when she was 17 years old, was raped by her pastor, a young, married man who callously took advantage of her admiration of him, and desire for his attention. His name was Jeff Coulier.

The first time took place in the pastor’s house, in his bed, and that is how she lost her virginity.
She had given this “man of God” her trust and he violated that trust, just as he violated her. And he was worried about washing the bloody sheets before his wife came home. That was just the beginning of Sandy’s trauma of betrayal.

After many years, Sandy decided it was time to confront that past if she was to heal. She writes, “With the healing came my need and passion to speak out about clergy abuse.” She works with The Hope of Survivors ministry and is on the board of the Council on Child Abuse. She’s spoken to many groups and churches on the topic of prevention and has met several courageous survivors.

And so, she wrote a wonderful, riveting book in which she tells her story. It’s a story of lies, manipulation, coercion, and abuse, but it’s also a story of courage, resilience, and bravery. The name of her book is “Let Me Prey Upon You.”

Sandy, thanks for joining us today on Lean to the Left.

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War Crimes

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0000

When you spread misinformation that results in the deaths of hundreds of thousands, why isn’t that a crime?

When you attempt to overthrow a legitimately elected president, why aren’t you held accountable?

In any other country, writes Not Fake News' CJ Waldron, you would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, yet in these United States you are more likely to face much harsher punishment for selling loose cigarettes or trying to pass off a phony twenty dollar bill.

Instead of a slap on the wrist, or in some cases, a pat on the back, these individuals need to face the harsh penalties that befit their actions. They need to be charged with war crimes.

Take a listen.

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Despicable Republicans Strike Yet Again

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Despite the clear evidence that Donald John Trump tried to engineer a coup to overturn President Biden's election, Republicans continue their obeisance to the disgraced former president -- even those who just wish he would go away.

The Hill reported today that most Senate Republicans do not want Trump to run again for the presidency. But not surprisingly, their reasons are purely political and have little or nothing to do with Trump's inciting the January 6th insurrection, or his effort to bully his own Justice Department into aiding and abetting his attempted coup.

None of that, apparently, matters. Their only concern is Trump's potential impact on their own political futures.

Listen to the whole story...

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Preparing for Disaster Insurance War

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0000

You have homeowner’s insurance and a hurricane hits. The winds and rains come. There is damage to your home. But you know the storm will blow over and you have coverage, so no worries, right?

You could be very wrong.

Today Mark Bello and I are with William F. “Chip” Merlin, Jr., founder and president of the Merlin Law Group.

Chip has dedicated his practice to representing insurance policyholders in disputes with insurance companies nationwide.

Chip was noted as the “Babe Ruth of Hurricane lawyers” in the Asbury Park Press for his work on behalf of 23 municipalities and hundreds of policyholders following Superstorm Sandy. The Tampa Bay Times dubbed him “the Master of Disaster” for his nationwide catastrophe work and helping policy holders following Hurricane Katrina.

Chip also is the author of the book entitled “Pay UP! – Preventing a Disaster with Your Own Insurance Company.” His motto is “Justice for Policyholders,” as he and his firm work to help people get the recovery they deserve from bad faith insurance companies.

So, today Mark Bello and I will talk with Chip about being prepared to fight with your insurance company after a disaster.

Chip, I hope it never comes to that, but can you set the stage for us a little bit?

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Making Money on Your Private Data

Wed, 03 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0000

How do you feel about all of those online ads that pop up whenever you’re online or on social media? Are they helpful? Are they intrusive? Are they generally just a nuisance? Do they make you want to toss your phone against the wall?

Do you feel like they’re invading your privacy? One minute you’re searching for info on a new blender and a half hour later ads for blenders pop up when you’re reading the news online. How does that happen?

Dr. Don Vaughn, who is with us today, is head of product at a digital information company called Invisibly, and he’s got the answers. They’ve just done a survey about consumer attitudes about these issues, so I figured he’d be the go-to source to help us understand all of this…and how we unwittingly contribute to this advertising trend.

Plus, he says that Invisibly has come up with a way for regular people like you and me to make money from these ads. Really?

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The First Monday in October- Consequences to Come

Wed, 27 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0000

The U.S. Supreme Court has just launched its new term and thanks to the defeated and twice impeached former president Donald Trump, our country could be in big trouble.

Trump stacked the court with three right-wing justices, giving conservatives a 6-3 majority, and now they are in a position to set a very difficult, and in my view, harmful course for the future.

Mark M. Bello, host of the Justice Counts podcast and author of a gripping series of legal thrillers ripped from the headlines, outlines all of this in a new blog on Not Fake News.biz.

Here’s Mark with his commentary. Take a listen.

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Protecting the Dreamers

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0000

There are some 600,000 so-called “dreamers” in this country and many more waiting to obtain that special status currently afforded the children of illegal immigrants, brought to the U.S., often as infants, and who Donald Trump tried to send back to the country of their birth.

The Biden administration has just announced a new rule to protect those recipients of protection under the 2012 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, or DACA.

Reacting to a decision by federal district judge Andrew Hanen in Texas in July, which ruled that the (DACA) policy violated federal law, the Department of Homeland Security said its new rule will "preserve and fortify" the DACA program by addressing objections to how it was implemented.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urged Congress to include immigration reform in the reconciliation bill currently being debated and "provide the Dreamers the legal status they need and deserve."

The Texas federal district court ruling left the program's benefits intact for DACA recipients who have been unable to obtain legal status after being brought to the U.S. as children, but it blocked future applications by some 50,000 young immigrants who need the protection. The Biden administration has appealed that decision as it seeks a pathway to citizen for Dreamers in Congress.

Today we’re speaking with Tahmina Watson, a Seattle-based immigration attorney whose law firm focuses exclusively on U.S. immigration and naturalization law.

Tahmina is an experienced and passionate attorney who focuses on employment-based, family-based and investor immigration law. She hosts a radio show turned podcast, “Tahmina Talks Immigration”, on which she discusses immigration news updates and interviews immigrants and people who are making an impact.

She’s also the author of the book, “The Startup Visa: Key to Job Growth & Economy Prosperity in America, which advocates for a new visa category for entrepreneurs and startup founders. Joining me on the podcast is legal thriller author Mark M. Bello, who has just published a new book, Betrayal at the Border.

So with that, Tahmina Watson, have these DACA folks not made a huge contribution to this country in the years that they’ve been here?

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Mark M. Bello "Betrayal at the Border"

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with Mark M. Bello, host of the Justice Counts podcast and author of a gripping series of legal thrillers ripped from the headlines.

A retired social justice attorney, Mark has just finished his seventh book in his “Betrayal” series. It’s called Betrayal at the Border in which he tackles two cases that strike at the heart of our nation’s contentious immigration debate.

Mark has an uncanny knack for homing in on an issue in the news and turning it into a page-turning novel, always providing insight while entertaining the reader at the same time. Betrayal at the Border is no different.

I might add that Mark also is an occasional host of this podcast, always providing great depth to our interviews.

So, Mark, welcome to Lean to the Left. Today, you’re the featured guest, so let’s get started.

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Fighting the Rx Ripoff

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0000

If you’re a senior paying exorbitant prices for prescription drugs, the news out of Washington is not very good.

That’s because legislation that would help lower those drug prices appears to be stuck, apparently the victim of intense lobbying by the pharmaceutical industry, which reportedly has lured a number of Democratic legislators into its camp. And there is very little, if any Republican support.

So, the forecast for this proposal, a priority of President Biden, is mostly cloudy at best.

Today, we’re with Chris Orestis, president of Retirement Genius, an expert on financial health, long term care, and retirement issues. Considered a political insider and senior issues advocate, Chris is a former Washington, D.C. lobbyist who has worked at the White House and for the Senate Majority Leader on Capitol Hill.

He’s author of two books, “Help on the Way” and “A Survival Guide to Aging” and has a third book, “Retire Like a Genius” on the way. He’s been speaking for two-decades across the country about senior finance and the secrets to aging with financial and physical health and dignity.

Chris lays out for us how a small group of lawmakers are doing the bidding of Big Pharma and blocking legislation that would provide prescription drug price relief, and steps seniors can take to help reduce their own Rx expenditures.

Take a listen.

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Killer Drugs Part 2

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Following up on our most recent episode, Killer Drugs during which we spoke with a South Carolina man who has seen three family members die from overdoses of drugs apparently spiked with carfentanil, today we’re with Dr. Bill O’Connor, who treats such patients.

Dr. O’Connor is a family physician and works at the Little River Medical Center in South Carolina, a community health facility, that serves everyone – including the homeless, migrant farm workers, and others with little or no financial resources.

He tells me that currently there are 140 people currently on Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorder in his medical center. We’re going to learn more about that problem and how it’s affecting peoples’ lives. And, we’ll also learn about community health facilities and their need for financial support.

“Opioid use disorder is pretty evil,” Dr. O’Connor says. “It gets to the point where it isn’t a personal choice. You are driven.”

Welcome, Dr. O’Connor, to Lean to the Left.

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Killer Drugs; A Human Story

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Buster Hatcher is a 73-year-old man who lives in South Carolina. Within the last three months, three members of his family have died from drug overdoses that Hatcher blames on Carfentanil, a powerful derivative of fentanyl, a synthetic narcotic analgesic produced from morphine. It’s 10,000- times more potent than morphine and it’s not approved for use in humans in any capacity. It’s typically used in veterinary medicine to sedate large animals – like elephants.

For the past few years carfentanil has been used to cut heroin, and in some cases it’s killing its unsuspecting victims almost instantly.

Listen to a human side to this story.

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Deadly Docs

Wed, 15 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Medical workers protesting vaccination and mask requirements is mind boggling. Doctors advising patients against masks is unthinkable.

Whatever happened to the Hippocratic oath?

Take a listen.

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What Does MAGA Mean?

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0000

What does MAGA really mean? Where did it come from? Check out this commentary by CJ Waldron from https://notfakenews.biz.

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How We Fix the Climate Crisis Now with Dr. Samuel Goodman

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with Samuel Goodman, an author, speaker, and scientist who uses his education and experience to bring the confluence of science and engineering to important issues of public policy, like climate change.

Who is this guy? Is he just another climate change nerd? Or does he have something important to say? We’re about to find out.

Dr. Goodman has a phD in chemical engineering and has just written a new book, “Beyond Carbon Neutral – How We Fix the Climate Crisis Now.” Climate change, he says, “is the defining challenge of our age”. At best, he says, “It threatens to disrupt everything about our society, while at worst it could destroy everything we’ve worked to build.”

“Beyond Carbon Neutral” lays out a complete strategy for reversing climate change by presenting three key areas of activity that are essential to averting catastrophe.

Is that hyperbole, or fact? Let’s find out.

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Playing on People's Fears, to the Death

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Smelling blood, the Republican Party is readying a midterm election salvo blasting President Biden for mandating vaccinations, and the Republican National Committee is now trying to fundraise with emotional appeals on that issue.

But not all Republicans are playing that cynical game.

Take a listen...

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The Battle to Eliminate Student Debt

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Holland, a sociology professor at Horry Georgetown Technical College in Conway, SC, discusses an effort by The Debt Collective and others to eliminate the onerous burden of student debt that millions of Americans are struggling with each day.

Dr. Holland contends that such an action could be taken without increasing the tax burden on most Americans, proposing that the cost should be covered with higher taxes on the top one percent in our society.

Agree or disagree, it's a fascinating discussion, so check it out.

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Commentary, September 11-Twenty Years Later

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Will our nation ever come together again as it did following the attacks of September 11, 2001? And who are the final casualties of that tragic day? Take a listen to two pieces of commentary from Bob Gatty and CJ Waldron of Not Fake News.biz.

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No More Mr. Nice Guy

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0000

President Biden has stopped pussyfooting around with Covid 19 and took tough action to stop the spread of the deadly virus. It's about time.

He said said Americans who refuse to get Covid-19 shots are causing "a lot of damage," are "keeping us from turning the corner," and cannot be permitted to "stand in the way." It's about time. Take a listen.

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Fighting the Spread of the Texas Taliban

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Women’s right to control their own bodies is under attack like never before now that the Trump-stacked U.S. Supreme Court has sanctioned a draconian Texas law that creates a system of vigilante injustice for women seeking an abortion.

The law posts a $10,000 bounty on women, clinicians, doctors, even cab drivers who in any way help a woman in Texas terminate her pregnancy, no matter the cause And the Supreme Court, now dominated by conservatives and three justices appointed by Donald Trump said, hey, that’s just fine, folks.

Now, it looks like several other Republican-controlled states are planning to copy that Texas law, including Arkansas, Florida, South Dakota, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Ohio, and South Carolina. In fact, the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports access to reproductive health, predicts that about a quarter of states will introduce legislation mirroring Texas’ abortion ban.

At the same time, the Supreme Court is preparing to hear a case in Which Mississippi has asked it to overrule Roe v. Wade, the decision that established a woman’s right to an abortion. Countering that, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to call for a vote on legislation to cement the right to an abortion into federal law.

But remember this. Republicans in the Senate will likely block any such legislation with their favorite tool, the filibuster.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, meanwhile, says the Justice Department will “continue to protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services.” Whatever that means. Democrats in Congress aren’t so sure, so those serving on the House Judiciary Committee have urged Garland to criminally prosecute those who try to enforce the Texas law.

All of this is background to introduce our guest, Vicki Ringer, public affairs director for Planned parenthood Votes South Atlantic, who is preparing to help fight any effort in South Carolina to pass a Texas copycat abortion law.

There, state Sen. Larry Grooms is readying such legislation. He sponsored a “fetal heartbeat” bill that just recently was affirmed as unconstitutional by a U.S. Court of Appeals.

Take a listen to our interview, during which Vicki Ringer warns that the attack on abortion could be just the opening salvo by many of its opponents. Listen, learn...and take action.

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The Texas Taliban

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Imagine living in a place where religious fanatics make the rules. Imagine a place where women’s rights are suppressed and they are told what they can do with their bodies. Add to that a government that says it represents the people, but suppresses the votes of those who disagree with them, while a fanatical former leader threatens anyone who disagrees with him.

Any idea where that is? Take a listen to find out. (Or just look at the image with this episode!)

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Patriotic Millionaires

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re with Morris Pearl. He’s a rich guy. A millionaire, probably many times over. But get this, he thinks rich people like him should pay higher taxes.

Why, pray tell does he think that? Why, in fact, has he even co-authored a book that calls for “lessening inequality by taxing rich people?” The book is called “Tax the Rich! How Lies, Loopholes, and Lobbyists Make the Rich Even Richer.”

Who is this guy?

In his book, he writes, “I plan to do everything I can to ensure we tax people like me as substantially and effectively as possible. Because I don’t want to be a rich man in a poor country. It’s just that simple.”

Morris Pearl chairs a group called Patriotic Millionaires, a group of hundreds of high-net-worth Americans who are committed to making all Americans, including themselves, better off by building a more prosperous, stable, and inclusive nation. The group’s president and founder, Erica Payne, is co-author of the book.

Mr. Pearl is former managing director at BlackRock, one of the largest investment firms in the world, and he’s worth a lot of money.

So, take a listen.

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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0000

This episode is narration of Chris Waldron's commentary on NotFakeNews.biz, "Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot."

The term Whiskey Tango Foxtrot derives from a military term describing circumstances gone completely awry (what the f*ck). This would certainly apply to the state of our country at this present time.

With half the population believing lies over facts, a pandemic that has a means of prevention that almost 50 percent of the country won’t accept, rampant wildfires, a stifling heat wave, catastrophic flooding and powerful hurricanes spurred on by climate change, and a whacko wannabe despot stirring the pot at every turn, this is definitely a WTF moment in our history.

The thing is, if this continues, we are going to destroy ourselves as a nation, Chris says. Check it out.

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Climate Scientist: You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Our nation has been experiencing the impact of extreme weather conditions…fires in California…extreme heat and drought in the West…and now Hurricane Ida ripping through Louisiana and other southern states…and who knows what else is in store for us.

After all, the Earth just experienced its hottest month on record.

The other day, climate scientists released a new report on the roasting of the planet. It was a dramatic reminder of the need to slash the use of fossil fuels just as soon as humanly possible. We really can’t wait another 30 years or so to get this done, they say.

So today we’re speaking with our go-to energy expert, Jack Kerfoot, about all of this. About what is needed, the consequences of inaction, and how President Biden’s infrastructure plan will play into it all.

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Biden Afghanistan-An Act of Courage

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Lean to the Left rips Biden's critics, especially the Republicans, a new one for jumping all over the president for the evacuation of Afghanistan.

Bottom line: He got us out of that ugly war as promised, and he deserves credit, not incoming flak.

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The Racist Rhetoric of the Right

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0000

“America is not a racist country”. It is a sentiment expressed by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and echoed by Vice President Kamala Harris. Pretty much everyone agrees that, despite many having racist beliefs, our country, by and large, does not support racism. So, why is right wing media ramping up the racist rhetoric?

In a word: Fear.

That's the view of Not Fake News.biz writer Chris Waldron in commentary narrated by Bob Gatty. Take a listen.

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Impeach Joe Biden?

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0000

The Republican slimebalms in Congress are crawling all over Joe Biden, calling for him to resign or be impeached over the Afghanistan tragedy. The hypocrisy is incredible, says Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron, in this episode. Take a listen.

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Special Envoy Donald Drumpf

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0000

A right wing South Carolina politician says President Biden should name Donald Trump as his special envoy to manage the Afghanistan pullout.

The guy's name is Russell Fry. He's a SC state representative who is challenging Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC-7) in the Republican primary. He's going after the pretty much do-nothing Congressman because he had pangs of conscience and voted to impeach Trump for inciting the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol.

Actually, sending Trump to Afghanistan isn't a bad idea. They'd deal with him there when he tries to import hookers and Playboy Bunnies or tries to take over as Supreme Leader. He could take his whole crime family with him. That would be good.

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An Irreverent Look at Today's News with Matt Nisenoff

Wed, 26 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0000

We’re speaking with Matt Nisenoff, founder of Politipod, a cool, funny and informative podcast that focuses on politics. And so, in this episode, Matt and Lean to the Left's Bob Gatty take a somewhat irreverent look at key developments in today's news.

The discussion ranges from the tragedy of Afghanistan, to Covid and the anti-vaxers, Trump, the Jan. 6th insurrection, pandering senators, nutcase members of Congress, and much more.

Matt is a former political staffer and non-profit organization v.p, who decided a few years ago that it was time to have some fun with politics.

Since January 2016, he's been running the Politipod podcast, which provides valuable information – and a laugh – every two weeks. Now, Politipod has dozens of contributors across the country, so it’s not just Matt.

It's a fun and interesting conversation, and informative too. So take a listen.

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What do We Do Now?

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0000

What if you're a registered sex offender for acts you did many years ago and now, you're elderly and infirm. You've been in the hospital for more than two months with Covid, and your hospitalization has run out. The doctors want to discharge you, but you have no place to go.

That's where Timothy Poore and his company, ATP HealthCare in Florida, come in. And he's our guest on this show.

Timothy’s firm works with hospitals to find placement options for hard-to-place patients. It’s a firm that works with patients and their families to answer the question, “What do I do now?”

I thought it would be interesting to talk with Timothy about that, about some of the problems faced by many seniors, especially those suffering from dementia. But I also want to speak with him about the challenges faced by elderly patients as the Delta variant spreads in an atmosphere of mixed signals (at best) regarding mitigation.

Timothy lives and works in a state where the governor practically turns school administrators into criminals for mandating masks for teachers and students, even as Covid cases – and deaths – skyrocket.

And he also works in an industry that cares for the elderly, and that means nursing homes. The Biden administration is ordering those facilities to require staff to be vaccinated, but there is resistance, and the industry says that will only make current staff shortages worse and end up harming patients.

We cover all that, and more, in this conversation with Timothy Poore.

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Covid Freedom of Choice- Clorox or Horse Dewormer

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0000

The other day in a Not Fake News blog and subsequent podcast, I blasted Trump for suggesting that Biden is pushing for booster shots because that would help the pharm companies make a lot of money.

I said then that his message is exactly what the anti-vaxers want to hear and you can bet that it’ll be added to their excuses for not getting their shots and for putting everybody else’s health at risk.

Since then, there has been an ongoing discussion on that article on Not Fake News.biz, largely prompted by an anti-vaxer who says it’s his personal right to decide whether to get a “jab” or not.

Well, yesterday the FDA had to tell Trumpers (mostly) not to use a horse dewormer to deal with Covid instead of getting the shot.

“You are not a horse,” it said. “You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.”

So, I decided to help those anti-vaxers with their choices, since they are so much into making their own decisions for themselves, the hell with everybody else.

Here goes. Take a listen to Freedom of Choice: Clorox or Horse Dewormer from Not Fake News.biz.

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Climate Change-a Warning

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0000

New Jersey climate expert Dr. Marjorie Kaplan, in this episode co-hosted by former NJ Gov. and U.S. Rep. Jim Florio, stresses the urgency of action to combat climate change, responding to the recent UN Report that warns that time is running out.

Dr. Kaplan manages the portfolio of the Rutgers Climate Institute, developing and managing research, outreach and education on understanding the climate system and the impacts of a changing climate across the natural, social and policy sciences.

During the podcast, Dr. Kaplan discusses the New Jersey Climate Change Alliance, a statewide network of organizations that work to advance science-informed climate change strategies at the state and local levels in the Garden State. She says the Alliance provides a great example that can be duplicated in other regions of the country.

She also discusses the New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center, established by the state to "create and support the use of impartial and actionable science to advance government, public, private, and nongovernamental sector efforts to adapt to, and mitigate, a changing climate."

There is little time to waste, Dr. Kaplan says, stressing that an "all hands on deck" approach is needed to ease the negative consequences of climate change, involving the federal, state and local governments, as well as aligned private and nongovernmental organizations.

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A Special Kind of Evil

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0000

I read today that Donald Trump said he is very proud of the Covid-19 vaccinations, of course taking credit for them, and that he would “love it” if more people got vaccinated.

But then, typical Trump, he went on to suggest that the reason President Biden is calling for booster shots eight months after people received their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations is just so the pharmaceutical companies can make more money.

Of course, that message is exactly what the anti-vaxers want to hear and you can bet that it’ll be added to their excuses for not getting their shots and for putting everybody else’s health at risk.

I covered that in this commentary from Not Fake News.biz.

Take a listen…

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Angry About Afghanistan

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re addressing the horrific situation in Afghanistan with two pieces of commentary from two different writers at Not Fake News.biz.

In the first, author Mark M. Bello points out that the origin of the American troop pullout that is taking place was with defeated President Donald Trump, but now the Republican politicians are jumping all over President Biden for following through.

Then, we’ll switch to commentator Seth Mendelson, who writes about the tragic consequences of a war that never should have happened and expresses outrage at the horrific cost in human life, including our American service personnel who fought there, many not to return home.

I’ll be narrating both pieces for these two fine writers.

First, here’s “A tragedy 20 years in the making” by Mark Bello. Then, I’ll follow with “Angry about Afghanistan” by Seth Mendelson.

Take a listen…

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Daring to Teach the Racism Truth

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0000

The topic today is “Critical Race Theory,” or CRT, and the controversy surrounding the teaching of the true history of our country and its racist past.

White parents are rebelling, some red states and school districts are banning the teaching of CRT, and on social media the comments are vitriolic.

Several facebook groups have been established to protest CRT teaching, with total membership of those showing up with a CRT search at close to 10,000 people.

On one of those pages, called “Stop Critical Race Theory,” Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas posted this:

“Why are you so threatened by CRT? It’s just an academic exercise in thinking outside the mainstream!”

“Yea, well we don’t teach kids the earth is flat either. Why? Because it isn’t true. The earth isn’t flat, and our institutions aren’t secretly racist. Stop teaching CRT.”

Many of the comments and back and forth on this page were much more pointed and obviously racist than that. There were comments that expressed concern about the White race losing its majority status, perhaps revealing the true fears harbored by CRT opponents.

For example, on the site, “No Critical Race Theory in School,” John LaChance shared a post headlined:

“Blue-eyed Whites will be Extinct by 2087.”

Here’s part of that post:

“If you continue to abide race politics, you're the problem. If you allow yourself to be shamed for being white, you're the problem. Stop being an apologist for our glorious stand in history, which raised the living standards and prospects for all people in the world.

“Beginning with those who are blue-eyed, the White race is on the way to becoming extinct. We've been shamed into it. Soon, all White children will be fully indoctrinated in a school curriculum wrapped around "Critical Race Theory," whose bottom line reads: "Good riddance to White rubbish."

Good God! These people actually walk among us.

All of this is simply to introduce Stacy Fitzgerald, who just published a post on Not Fake News.biz entitled “Daring to Teach the Racism Truth.”

Here’s Stacy…

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Trump's White House Return & Red Storm Rising

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, I’ve got a double header, a twin killing, for you today, both from blogs on Not Fake News.biz written by my pal, Chris Waldron.

The first is “Donald Trump Returns to the White House—Not,” which points out that today, August 13, is the day that the conspiracy theorists said Biden would be removed from the White House in handcuffs and Trump would be “reinstated” as president.

Well, My Pillow Guy Mike Lindell, last time we checked Biden was still running the show and Trump was still whining and feeling sorry for himself.

Then, we’ll turn to Waldron’s piece, “Code Red for Planet Earth,” in which he stresses the importance of taking prompt action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if the earth is to survive. Sounds like a bit of an exaggeration, right? Well, those folks suffering record heat waves, devastating fires, and increasingly severe weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes, don’t think so.

So take a listen…

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Catholic Church Sex Abuse with Attorney Mike Bryant

Wed, 31 May 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome. I’m Bob Gatty with Mark M. Bello, renowned social justice lawyer and author of riveting ripped-from-the-headline novels covering some of the major issues of our times.

we’re speaking with Minnesota trial lawyer Mike Bryant, and a major focus of the episode involved sexual abuse cases involving the Catholic Church in which he’s been involved as an attorney.

One of Mark’s novels, Betrayal of Faith, deals with this subject and during our interview Mike Bryant compares the plot in that book to real life cases in which he’s represented clients against the church.

Bryant reveals the extent to which the Catholic Church is going to minimize the scandal involving its clergy and sex abuse, how it moves priests from parish to parish to protect them, and its use of bankruptcy to avoid or minimize payments to victims.

Most of the questioning is by Bello, who, as an attorney, has represented similar clients and as an author has written extensively about this tragic topic.

Take a listen.

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The GOPs Deadly Covid Crusade

Wed, 24 May 2017 00:00:00 -0000

With Republican leaders in Covid-19 hotspots crusading against vaccination and mask mandates and cheering low vax rates, what may have been dismissed as simple political opportunism has become much worse than that.

It's become deadly.

Here are four examples of Republican leaders who can be held responsible. They represent many others who continue to play politics with this deadly virus.

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The GOP's BS About Gas Prices

Wed, 17 May 2017 00:00:00 -0000

This is the kickoff episode of Lean to the Left, the new name for our previous podcast, NFN Radio News. Thanks for checking us out.

You know, the Republicans have been trying to blame President Biden for the recent surge in gasoline prices, so I figured we needed to see if that was really true. Could the president and his policies be to blame?

So, who better to turn to than Jack Kerfoot, a scientist, energy expert and author of FUELING AMERICA: An Insider’s Journey. We previously talked with Jack about alternative energy and wind power, and that episode is now available for listening.

I’m all about getting the facts and finding out what’s true and what’s not. Once again, it's important to trust the science and ignore the political rhetoric.

So what about it Jack, should be blame President Byden for the fact that we’re paying more at the pump?

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Trump's Dirty Secret

Wed, 10 May 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today's episode, Trump's Dirty Secret, comes to us from a blog written by Chris Waldron on NotFakeNews.biz.

Secrets are no stranger to Trumpworld. There are his tax returns, his payoffs to mistresses, his non-disclosure agreements, and even his buy-offs of negative stories. The one secret he has been keeping under wraps is that he may not even believe the Big Lie.

Yes, this is Trump’s dirty secret.

Take a listen...

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Announcing "Lean to the Left"

Wed, 03 May 2017 00:00:00 -0000

With more than 350 episodes now streaming online, the NFN Radio News podcast is getting a new name to help better identify exactly what we're about. The new name: "Lean to the Left".

When I launched NFN Radio News several months ago, my plan was to simply provide narrations of Not Fake News articles for the convenience of those who prefer to listen rather than read while they are relaxing or multitasking, which so many of us do in our busy lives.

Then, after suggestions by listeners, I decided to expand the podcast's content to include interviews with newsmakers, experts, and people with interesting stories to tell. Those interviews have proven to be popular, and they have allowed me to return to my communications roots as a reporter, which I love. I thoroughly enjoy talking with interesting, smart people who have something meaningful to say and who can help us understand the important issues of our times.

As I narrated these podcasts, I often used the phrase, "...with a little lean to the left" in closing remarks to describe our approach to politics and social issues. Again, upon the advice of listeners, I decided to rebrand the entire show. And so, "Lean to the Left" was born.

Listen for more...

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Jesus "Eddie" Campa-A Police Chief Speaks Out

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today attorney/author Mark Bello and I are speaking with Jesus “Eddie” Campa, author of a new book, “Unmasking Leadership: What They Don’t Tell You.” He’s a former police chief who lectures frequently on “Leading Through Diversity.”

We’ll talk about those leadership topics, and we’ll also tap into Eddie’s background in law enforcement to get his view about the current debate over the need for police reform.

Eddie Campa was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. After 27 years of law enforcement experience, he retired from the public service, and transitioned his experience and expertise into the private sector as a mentor, consultant, and sounding board.

Eddie served as a Chief Deputy and Chief of Police on two different occasions throughout his career. As a result of his last tour in a city impacted by racial divisions, Eddie created and implemented the innovative No Colors No Labels Initiative.

It was designed to remove the preconceived notion that the police were racially motivated. In 2017 Eddie was named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian of the Year by the NAACP. He’s a leader who believes in diversity and that a workforce should mirror the community they serve.

Eddie holds a Master’s in Criminal Justice and Security Administration and is currently working on a PH.D. in Public Service Leadership. He is a strong supporter of leadership development, strategic planning, customer service, crisis communication, 21st Century Policing, and Procedural Justice.

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Talking Politics with Gov. Jim Florio

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0000

I’m with Jim Florio today, and we’re talking politics. The episode actually was recorded on Tuesday, July 27, following the riveting testimony of four police officers who were seriously injured during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Florio, a former Congressman and governor of New Jersey, talks about what he believes will be the consequences for those Republican lawmakers who have minimized the attack and continue to support Donald Trump’s Big Lie about the election.

Some of the highlights:

•Trump supporters in Congress who are backing Trump and his election fraud lies will not be treated kindly by history.
•Vladimir Putin undoubtedly wanted Trump elected because he knew he was unstable and could be easily manipulated.
•Trump’s opposition to wind energy because turbines “cause cancer” was ridiculous.
•Water “is the new oil” and we need to husband those resources in the battle against climate change.

Here’s our conversation.

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Republican Patriots Stand Their Ground

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0000

On July 27, two Republican members of the House of Representatives stood up to their own party and defended our Constitution and the rule of law.

And just before Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) did that during the opening of the first House select committee hearing into the January 6 attack on the Capitol, House GOP leaders tried to shift the blame for the insurrection to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), ignoring the fact that the attacking mob had been urged on by Donald Trump.

That effort was despicable, but not surprising. And it undoubtedly will continue.

Take a listen.

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A Quest to End Hate with Yvener Duroseau

Wed, 05 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today Author/lawyer and podcaster Mark Bello and I are with Yvener Duroseau, author of “Alike Regardless: This is Where it Began.” His mission is to encourage us to challenge the status quo, fight for social justice, and seek to challenge the norm of division that’s present in humankind.

Yvener was born in Haiti before moving to the United States. He grew up learning Haiti’s profound history as the first nation in which a group of enslaved Africans came together to fight and win their independence.

Yvener is a creative writer, Diversity and inclusion consultant, author, and motivational speaker on diversity and inclusion. His debut book, Alike Regardless, challenges the norm of division present in humankind. It is a call to action for people to recognize the beauty and uniqueness throughout the human race and cease wearing the blinders of bigotry and hate.

In his book, to be published in August, Yvener pours out his soul, reveals the dreams he has for a more diverse and socially just world, and prompts readers to think more deeply about these issues.

On the podcast, Yvener challenges us to look inward, assess the reasons for racist or discriminatory thoughts, and commit to putting those aside. His is a message of positivity, of optimism, of hope. It is a view of what the world could be if we all would just try.

Take a listen. It's worth your time.

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The Corruption of the Quest for Power

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0000

that takes a look at Donald Trump’s insatiable quest for power and the tragic, corruptive consequences of that quest.

So, here’s “The Corruption of the Quest for Power” by Chris Waldron on Not Fake News.biz.

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'Wonderful Person' Throws a Trumpertantrum

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0000

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Overcoming Divisions in our Society with Kevin Hofmann

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today I’m with Kevin Hofmann, author of Growing Up Black in White, the story of a young man who by the time he turned 2 years had survived an abortion, been given away by his mother, adopted by a family of another race and woke up to a burning cross in his front yard.

Kevin was born in Detroit in August 1967 two weeks after the riots that changed that city forever. It was out of these amazing circumstances his life and purpose began, and it is out of these experiences he tells his story.

It’s a story of struggle and joy, pain and passion, and most of all hope. And now, because of his own life experiences, Kevin works tirelessly to unite the races that share equal parts of his DNA.

Kevin presently works with k-12 school districts, universities, and organizations in the area of diversity and inclusion. From such a unique world view, Kevin works to create a place where ALL can thrive.

So, we’re thrilled to have Kevin with us today.

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Money Talks, but What's the Message?

Wed, 08 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Two stories in the news today involve money in politics, one surprisingly positive and hopeful, the other, not so much. What do we learn from each?

The good news?

The Hill reports that all but one of the Republicans in Congress who voted to impeach President Donald Trump in January are outpacing their primary election challengers in the money-raising sweepstakes. Some by a long shot.

But the not-so-good news?

The bad news story showed up in The Washington Post, revealing that many of the companies who had pledged to pause or rethink political contributions after the Jan. 6 insurrection to those who voted against certifying President Biden's victory are now contributing to those lawmakers once again.

Take a listen.

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Ignoring History- To the GOP's Peril"

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today, I’m going to present a blog written by Chris Waldron of Not Fake News.biz that takes a look at history – at the Republican Party’s repeated efforts to rewrite history – and its implications for the future.

So, here’s “Ignoring History: To the GOP’s Peril” by Chris Waldron on Not Fake News.biz.

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Energy & the Future with Jack Kerfoot & Jim Florio

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Get ready for $4 per gallon gasoline prices and a spike in inflation warns long-time energy expert Jack Kerfoot in this exclusive interview with the NFN Radio News podcast.

Noting that oil is now at $70 per barrel, Kerfoot cited industry sources as predicting a rise to $90-$95 BBL by next year and $100/BBL by 2030, unless action to replace America's reliance on fossil fuels is successfully replaced by renewable energy, including solar and wind.

“What that will mean is that if you have a gasoline vehicle, you will be seeing your fuel cost possibly double if we’re talking about transportation," Kerfoot says. "That will mean that we will see a surge in inflation. As it is, there is a concern right now, but I think that would absolutely guarantee inflation. And, having gone through the 1980s, I remember when inflation was 15-16 and 17-18 percent. The economy is not stable. It’s a very volatile economy. It’s not healthy for the worker, it’s not healthy for businesses, and it will be an even more chaotic time than we have today.”

But America won't just feel the impact at the gas pump, Kerfoot cautions.

"The real pain from high oil prices will be for diesel for trucks transporting goods across the county, which will mean a potential spike in inflation," he says. "Although the move to electric vehicles is in the foreseeable future, the move to large trucks will take more time. Hydrogen might be a solution to fueling large trucks and machinery."

On the podcast, co-hosted by former New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio, Kerfoot is optimistic that action by the Biden administration and continued progress by the renewable energy industry, as well as impending improvements in electric vehicles, will help to ease those prices in the future and strengthen the economy.

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King of the Tax Code? Or Tax Dumbo?

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump is claiming ignorance about fringe benefit tax law requirements. He's the same guy who's repeatedly claimed to be a tax genius. Those who believe his election lies probably will fall for his line, but what about the courts?

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Do Right, Be Right, and Pay it Forward with Brad Borkhuis

Wed, 08 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0000

We hear a lot about ethics in business these days, but we also see a lot of greed -- a fact that seems driven home nearly every day if we simply watch the news or even just go about our everyday lives.

Fortunately, though, there are companies, large and small, that do care more about doing what's right than about ringing out every penny of profit, and a friend of mine, Brad Borkhuis, is dedicated to helping them do exactly that.

I first met Brad when he ran a convenience industry food distribution company in North Dakota and one of my communications clients was a Washington, DC-based trade association that served that industry. I admired Brad for his smarts, his openness, and was grateful for his willingness to share information with me that helped me do my job.

Today, Brad is a business management coach and operates a company called Epitome Coaching and Consulting. He’s the author of a book on Amazon, “Eye of the Storm: Leading from Peace When All Hell is Breaking Loose,” and writes a blog called "The Greatness Garage." The philosophy that guides him in his life and his work is this: Do Right, Be Right, and Pay it Forward.

I like that a lot.

In this episode of NFN Radio News, Brad talks with me about what it takes to achieve business success while also doing right, being right, and paying forward. Take a listen:

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Journey of Hope-Finale: From the Cloud, Riding with Sarah - 7:3:21, 3.06 PM

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today, we check in with Dave Fleischer who’s just completed his Journey of Hope in memory of his daughter, Sarah, who passed away in 2018 from a horrible cancer, cholangiocarcinoma.

In this episode, Dave reports in from Maine after driving more than 15,000 miles as he crisscrossed the country and visited 19 communities called Hope, numerous cholangiocarcinoma caregivers, patients and families.

A major goal of the trip, which took Dave to all 48 contiguous states, was to raise money to support research into Cholangiocarcinoma and to spread awareness and bring hope to patients, caregivers, and others along the way. At more than $50,000, exceeded the goal of $45,000 – and more donations are still being accepted.

The road trip, in a car with a specially designed wrap promoting cholangiocarcinoma awareness, included stops at hospitals and healthcare institutions that specialize in research and treatment of the disease, plus the get-togethers with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers who were important in Sarah's life. In today’s episode, Dave reports on more of these meetings, some that proved to be especially meaningful to him. One such meetup was with Tom Lietzke, a 14-year survivor of Cholangiocarcinoma, and who prepared the image used for this episode.

Cholangiocarcinoma starts in the bile duct and is an incredibly deadly cancer, which afflicts about 8,000 people in the United States each year. Most of its victims are 65 or older, but Sarah was only 31 when she was diagnosed. She passed away at age 35.

The trip was supported by the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, which made the specially designed Honda SUV available for the journey. Sponsors were Incyte, Ken Garff Honda, QED Therapeutics, Servier, Taiho Oncology, Welch’s Fruit Snacks and Zymeworks. Tee shirts commemorating the trip are available by clicking on the store at https:cholangiocarcinoma.org.

And now, let’s talk with Dave Fleischer as he reports in after his sixth and final week on the Journey of Hope.

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The GOP's Top Three Deplorables

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today, we’re going to talk about the GOP’s Larry, Moe and Curly, the big shots who’s weakness and lack of conscience have enabled Donald Trump’s Big Lie about the election.

Here’s “The GOP Top Three Deplorables” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Journey of Hope-Episode 6

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Today, we check in with Dave Fleischer who’s just completed his fifth week of the Journey of Hope in memory of his daughter, Sarah, who passed away in 2018 from a horrible cancer, cholangiocarcinoma.

In this episode, Dave reports in from Colorado Springs, Colorado after driving 13,000 miles as he’s crossed the country and visited several towns called Hope, numerous cholangiocarcinoma caregivers, patients and families. Altogether, plans call for the trip to include stops in 19 towns named Hope all across the country.

A major goal of the trip, which is taking Dave to all 48 contiguous states, is to raise money to support research into Cholangiocarcinoma and to spread awareness and bring hope to patients, caregivers, and others along the way. He’s nearly reached the goal of $45,000 – and with one week to go, is secretly hoping to raise even more. The journey is scheduled to end June 30.

The road trip, in a car with a specially designed wrap promoting cholangiocarcinoma awareness, includes stops at hospitals and healthcare institutions that specialize in research and treatment of the disease, plus the get-togethers with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers who were important in Sarah's life. He reports on more of these in this episode.

Cholangiocarcinoma starts in the bile duct and is an incredibly deadly cancer, which afflicts about 8,000 people in the United States each year. Most of its victims are 65 or older, but Sarah was only 31 when she was diagnosed. She passed away at age 35.

The trip is being supported by the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, which has made the specially designed Honda SUV available for the journey. Sponsors are Incyte, Ken Garff Honda, QED Therapeutics, Servier, Taiho Oncology, Welch’s Fruit Snacks and Zymeworks. Tee shirts commemorating the trip are available by clicking on the store at https:cholangiocarcinoma.org.

And now, let’s talk with Dave Fleischer as he reports in after his fifth week on the Journey of Hope.

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Water-the New Oil-An Interview

Wed, 11 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Water is the "new oil," according to former New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio and attorney Lester Taylor, both of whom caution that our nation must act now to effectively husband its water resources to avoid serious consequences in the future.

On a new episode of the NFN Radio News podcast, Florio declared, "Water is emerging as a major concern of this country and the world. The fact is, I’ve heard it said that water is the new oil, and what oil was to the last century water is going to be to this century – a major factor in terms of the economy, in terms of survival, and there are lots of problems that we haven’t really paid attention to. Water, of course, we don’t think about until we turn on the faucet and nothing comes out. Then we think about it."

Taylor, who works with numerous organizations regarding infrastructure and natural resources, is the former mayor of East Orange, NJ, which manages and operates its own water utility. When he became mayor, he was challenged with managing that resource, and because of the lack of previous infrastructure investment, was forced to raise local water rates by about 75 percent.

"People tend to be reactive," said Taylor. "When you couple the business interests of the private sector with water with the political and public policy issues of elected officials and/or appointed officials, it’s really hard to make the decision to invest in infrastructure because nobody sees infrastructure. People turn on the tap, they expect water to magically appear; they don’t understand or fully appreciate the tens of millions of dollars that go into making that happen."

Taylor is co-chair of New Jersey Water Works Education & Outreach Committee, which he said is "reaching out to municipalities and educational institutions K through 12 to raise awareness about sustainability of our infrastructure." He also serves on the board of Sustainable New Jersey and is a member of executive committee and chair of development committee. Taylor speaks nationally regarding environmental and infrastructure issues.

Taylor pointed out that the nation faces numerous challenges. "The pandemic has shown that one ripple in the supply chain can affect every facet of our life," he said. "Who would have thought that a virus would result in there being no water or toilet paper in Costco because people were too sick and couldn’t go to work to produce the product? So it highlights how we are interdependent, and water is a source of life, and we have to protect it.”

Florio pointed out that the lack of early action worsened the consequences of the pandemic. "We've paid a high price because we didn't do things early on," he said. "If we don't pay attention to things now, we'll pay a price later on."

Both Florio and Taylor emphasized the importance of Washington reaching agreement on infrastructure legislation.

"Through investment in the infrastructure, it also will produce jobs, and so we talk about environmental justice, economic justice; those are key components to help build the infrastructure of our communities, providing clean and safe drinking water and/or electric and gas resources, but also, quite frankly, creating new fields of employment and careers for people in various communities."

But the bottom line, said Taylor, is that investment -- and reinvestment -- in infrastructure is critically important.

"Ultimately, our resources, water, electricity, you have to invest in them and reinvest in them to make the delivery stronger," he said. "There’s no one-time fix for a pipe, an aquifer. There are so many different systems for water delivery in our state, in our country, that it requires continuous investment.

"It’s no different than your car. You’re got to change the oil; you’ve got to rotate the tires, and if you don’t, you’re going to run it into the ground. Our natural resources and delivery system for...

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The Simple Voting Suppression Solution

Wed, 04 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0000

With Senate Republicans blocking the voting rights bill, the people must vote no matter what, and when they do, they must remember who tried tried to stop them. There is only one solution to voter suppression: Voting -- no matter the roadblocks the Republicans try to impose.

Take a listen...

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The Un-American Republican Party

Wed, 28 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Today, I’m going to narrate commentary by Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron as he discusses why today's Republican Party, the GOP, the Party of Lincoln, can no longer be called "American". Chris offers five reasons why this is the case.

So take a listen to "The Un-American Republican Party" by Chris Waldron of Not Fake News.biz.

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Juneteenth- The Easy Way Out

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0000

The politicians in Congress, many of them facing reelection in 2022, wasted no time in declaring Juneteenth, the day enslaved people in Galveston, TX, learned that they were free, a national holiday. For many, particularly most Republicans, it was the easy way out-- as well as an act of hypocrisy. Take a listen to the comments at a Juneteenth commemoration in South Carolina.

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Speaker Trump?

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0000

What if Donald Trump, the disgraced, twice impeached former president, decided to run for Congress in 2022 with the intention of taking over as Speaker of the House and launching impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden?

Is that crazy? Would Trump really put aside his ego and run for the lowly House of Representatives? Is he that vindictive?

What do you think?

Take a listen...to Speaker Trump.

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Journey of Hope-Part 5

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, thanks for stopping by the NFN Radio News podcast. Today, we check in with Dave Fleischer who’s just completed his fourth week of the Journey of Hope in memory of his daughter, Sarah, who passed away in 2018 from a horrible cancer, cholangiocarcinoma.

In this episode, Dave reports in from Hershey, PA after driving 10,000 miles as he’s crossed the country and visited several towns called Hope, numerous cholangiocarcinoma caregivers, patients and families. Altogether, plans call for the trip to include stops in 17, maybe 18 towns named Hope all across the country.

A major goal of the trip, which will take Dave to all 48 contiguous states, is to help raise money to support research into this disease and during which they hope to spread awareness and bring hope to patients, caregivers, and others along the way. He’s closing in on the goal of $45,000 – and the trip has two weeks to go. The journey is scheduled to end June 29 or July 1, depending on circumstances.

The road trip, in a car with a specially designed wrap promoting cholangiocarcinoma awareness, includes stops at various hospitals and healthcare institutions that specialize in research and treatment of the disease, in addition to the get-togethers with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers who were important in Sarah's life. He says those visits are remarkable.

Cholangiocarcinoma starts in the bile duct and is an incredibly deadly cancer, which afflicts about 8,000 people in the United States each year. Most of its victims are 65 or older, but Sarah was only 31 when she was diagnosed. She passed away at age 35.

The trip is being supported by the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, which has made the specially designed Honda SUV available for the journey. Sponsors are Incyte, Ken Garff Honda, QED Therapeutics, Servier, Taiho Oncology, Welch’s Fruit Snacks and Zymeworks. Tee shirts commemorating the trip are available by clicking on the store at https:cholangiocarcinoma.org.

And now, let’s talk with Dave Fleischer as he reports in after his fourth week on the Journey of Hope, during which he’ll share with us what he’s been thinking about while driving all those miles by himself. Some of it’s funny. Some pretty meaningful.

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A New Kind of Evil-An Expose

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, welcome to the podcast. Today we’ll be hearing about an atrocity in China, where innocent people are reportedly being murdered for profit – so their organs can be sold and used for transplant.

It’s an unbelievably brutal practice that has been described as a New kind of evil that has not existed on this planet before.”

It’s hard to believe that this kind of evil is going on, so today we’ll hear from Mitchell
Gerber, who has dedicated nearly two decades exposing these practices.

First, here are some resources to check for yourself.

https://faluninfo.net/
http://faluninfo.net/why-persecution/ http://www.stoporganharvesting.org/ https://endtransplantabuse.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIiVlIkJcJU&t=1228s

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Journey of Hope Part 4--The Battle Continues

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, thanks for stopping by the NFN Radio News podcast. Today, we check in with Dave Fleisher who’s just completed his third week of the Journey of Hope in memory of his daughter, Sarah, who passed away in 2018 from a horrible cancer, cholangiocarcinoma.

In this episode, Dave reports in from South Carolina, after crossing the country and visiting several towns called Hope, several cholangiocarcinoma caregivers, patients and families. Altogether, plans call for the trip to include stops in 17, maybe 18 towns named Hope all across the country.

A major goal of the trip, which will take Dave to all 48 contiguous states, is to help raise money to support research into this disease and during which they hope to spread awareness and bring hope to patients, caregivers, and others along the way. He reports that after three weeks of the Journey, he’s closing in on the goal of $45,000 – and the trip is only about half-way completed. The journey is scheduled to end June 29 or July 1, depending on circumstances.

“That’s pretty cool,” Dave says.

The road trip, in a car with a specially designed wrap promoting cholangiocarcinoma awareness, includes stops at various hospitals and healthcare institutions that specialize in research and treatment of the disease, in addition to the get-togethers with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers who were important in Sarah's life. He says those visits are remarkable.

Cholangiocarcinoma starts in the bile duct and is an incredibly deadly cancer, which afflicts about 8,000 people in the United States each year. Most of its victims are 65 or older, but Sarah was only 31 when she was diagnosed. She passed away at age 35.

The trip is being supported by the Foundation, which has made the specially designed Honda SUV available for the journey. Sponsors are Incyte, Ken Garff Honda, QED Therapeutics, Servier, Taiho Oncology, Welch’s Fruit Snacks and Zymeworks.

And now, let’s talk with Dave Fleisher as he reports in after his third week on the Journey of Hope, during which he’ll tell us about conversations with the “unknowings.”

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Needed- Education Innovation

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Today’s topic is higher education and former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio and I are speaking with attorney Steven Weinstein who has extensive experience in both education and government relations.

He joined the New Jersey law firm of Connell Foley in April 2021 after serving as general counsel and executive vice president for government relations at Rowan University.

Steve built an outstanding team that helped New Jersey’s Rowan University become a unique major research university. His advocacy and government relations efforts helped make Rowan the 4th fastest growing public research university in the country.

Today, Governor Florio and I will talk with Steve about the higher education challenges that are facing students, as well as colleges and universities across the nation.

We’ll talk about the skyrocketing costs, how changing demographics are affecting colleges and universities, the potential entry of big tech into the higher education arena, funding, and much more.

So welcome Steve. We’re looking forward to this discussion.

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The Democrats' Semi-Republican

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WVA), who is driving Democrats crazy by blocking their major voter reform bill because he wants it to be more "bipartisan", is exactly the tool Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell need to execute their strategy to regain control of the U.S. Senate.

Whether what he is doing is a deliberate attempt to satisfy Trump supporters in his home state and act like a "semi-Republican," or because he is truly committed to the ideal of bipartisanship, is now being debated. Regardless, his refusal to support the For the People Act, the Democrats' critically important election reform bill, is unconscionable.

Manchin is playing directly into the hands of Donald Trump and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) who already hold the filibuster card, and Manchin opposes any effort to take that card away. With a 50-50 tie in the Senate and only Vice President Harris as the deciding vote, Democrats have no margin for lost party-line votes.

Listen for more...

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Escaping the Pit of Despair

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Justin Long never felt comfortable in his own skin. After years of physical and psychological abuse from his parents, he was a self-loathing stranger to love. But at thirty-two, he faced up to the fact that his existence had become a downward spiral of alcoholism and despair.

Knowing something had to change, Justin sought help and got sober. But defeating addiction was just the start of his journey of endurance and revelation.

Committed to becoming whole, he fought through his cynicism about men and counseling in order to resolve his underlying pain and rise above his past.

Now, he’s written a book about those experiences. It’s called The Righteous Rage of a Ten-Year-Old Boy…a Journey of Self-Discovery. It’s a raw narrative of Justin’s battle, unflinchingly honest, offering encouragement to those who face similar challenges every day.

Justin is our guest in this episode of the NFN Radio News podcast.

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America's Racist History

Wed, 26 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Today, I’m going to present for you commentary by Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron as he traces the history of racism in America, the influence of Donald Trump, and a word of caution for all of us.

Here’s America’s Racist History by Chris Waldron of Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen.

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Journey of Hope Part 3 - Fighting a Deadly Cancer

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Dave Fleischer has now traveled almost 6,000 miles on the Journey of Hope in memory of his daughter, Sarah, who passed away in 2018 from a horrible cancer, cholangiocarcinoma.

In this episode, Dave reports in from New England, after crossing the country and visiting several towns called Hope, several cholangiocarcinoma caregivers, patients and families. Altogether, plans call for the trip to include stops in 17 towns named Hope all across the country.

A major goal of the trip, which will take Dave to all 48 contiguous states, is to help raise money to support research into this disease and during which they hope to spread awareness and bring hope to patients, caregivers, and others along the way. He reports that two weeks of the Journey, more than $30,000 has been raised – an astonishing amount, as the original goal for the entire trip was $15,000. There is now a new goal of $45,000.

“That’s pretty cool,” Dave says.

The road trip, in a car with a specially designed wrap promoting cholangiocarcinoma awareness, includes stops at various hospitals and healthcare institutions that specialize in research and treatment of the disease, and get-togethers with other patients, caregivers and healthcare providers who were important in Sarah's life. Last week, Dave and his wife, Linda, visited the Mayo Clinic.

Cholangiocarcinoma starts in the bile duct and is an incredibly deadly cancer, which afflicts about 8,000 people in the United States each year. Most of its victims are 65 or older, but Sarah was only 31 when she was diagnosed. She passed away at age 35.

Linda flew home last Sunday after 10 days on the road with Dave, so he’s now on his own – except for the many well-wishers and supporters he is meeting along the way. The journey is scheduled to end June 29 or July 1, depending on circumstances.

The trip is being supported by the Foundation, which has made the specially designed Honda SUV available for the journey. Sponsors are Incyte, Ken Garff Honda, QED Therapeutics, Servier, Taiho Oncology, Welch’s Fruit Snacks and Zymeworks.

And now, let’s talk with Dave Fleisher as he reports in after his second week on the Journey of Hope.

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Donald Trump: Failed Dictator Wannabe

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump, a failed president who was twice impeached and could face criminal charges for some of his misdeeds, failed at something else: turning America into a totalitarian society.

That's the view of Simon Chadwick, born in South Africa the son of an exiled anti-apartheid activist, who grew up in a totalitarian society that suppressed opposition, oppressed large segments of the population, and where politicians engineered society to their own advantage.

In a new episode of the NFN Radio News podcast, Chadwick says the similarities to what Trump tried to achieve in the U.S. and apartheid South African were many, and began even before he won the 2016 election.

Chadwick says Trump's rise to power and subsequent actions prompted him to write the book, "For the People: A Citizen's Manifesto to Shaping Our Nation's Future."

For more, take a listen.

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Miko Pickett. Making a Difference. Big Time

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0000

For more than 20 years, Miko Pickett made her mark in corporate IT, and today, this native of New Jersey is making a big time difference in her mostly African American community in South Carolina, where nearly 25 percent live in poverty.

This whirlwind of a woman, who ran for the South Carolina state House of Representatives in 2020 just four years after moving to the Palmetto State, is determined to change her community for the better and help those who are struggling. But she's doesn't just talk a good game; she's in the trenches, doing the work, and making it happen.

On this week's episode of the NFN Radio News Podcast, co-hosted by former Gov. Jim Florio, Miko emphasizes the importance of voting and how her organization is informing individuals in her community about the importance of voting and then helping them exercise that precious right.

She talks about her battle to increase the minimum wage, noting that at $7.25 -- the rate in South Carolina that hasn't changed in 13 years -- people are left in poverty and can't possibly make ends meet. She says she has no sympathy for corporations with high stock prices that refuse to pay a living wage.

During our interview with Miko, in which she tells Florio that her father worked in one of his campaigns and that she considers him "New Jersey royalty," she says another run for office could be in her future, adding that she's "just waiting for the call."

Take a listen to the complete interview.

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Jan.6 Insurrection- The GOP's Benghazi

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0000

I could be wrong, been wrong before, but I’m pretty sure Trump and the Republicans who opposed creating the bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection have shot themselves in the foot.

That commission was being established as bipartisan, with equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, and it was designed to be politically independent as well.

But Trump didn ‘t want to expose himself to what he must know would be devastating conclusions and Mitch McConnell wanted to protect Senate Republicans from political nastiness that he feared would result.

Well, Senator…just wait. Because if Nancy Pelosi creates a Select Committee to conduct such an investigation, it will be stacked with Democrats and it’ll be used to raise hell with Trump and the Republicans well into the 2022 election season. Just like the Republicans did with Benghazi and Hilary Clinton.

That’s our topic for today from Not Fake News. Take a listen.

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Journey of Hope-Part 2

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Dave and Linda Fleischer are well underway on their Journey of Hope in memory of their daughter, Sarah, who passed away in 2018 from a horrible cancer, cholangiocarcinoma.

In this episode, Dave reports in from South Dakota, after visiting several western states, three towns called Hope, and several colangiocarcinoma patients and families. All together, plans call for the trip to include stops in 18 towns named Hope all across the country.

A major goal of the trip, which will take Dave to all 48 contiguous states, is to help raise money to support research into this disease and during which they hope to spread awareness and bring hope to patients, caregivers, and others along the way. He reports that in the first week of the Journey, $20,000 has been raised – an astonishing amount, as the original goal for the entire trip was $15,000.

“That’s pretty cool,” Dave says.

The road trip, in a car with a specially designed wrap promoting cholangiocarcinoma awareness, will include stops at various hospitals and healthcare institutions that specialize in research and treatment of the disease, and get-togethers with other patients, caregivers and healthcare providers who were important in Sarah's life. This coming week, Dave and Linda will visit the Mayo Clinic.

Cholangiocarcinoma starts in the bile duct and is an incredibly deadly cancer, which afflicts about 8,000 people in the United States each year. Most of its victims are 65 or older, but Sarah was only 31 when she was diagnosed. She passed away at age 35.

Linda will be flying home next Sunday after 10 days on the road with Dave, and then he will be on his own – except for the many well-wishers and supporters he is meeting along the way. The journey is scheduled to end June 29 or July 1, depending on circumstances.

The trip is being supported by the Foundation, which has made the specially designed Honda SUV available for the journey. Sponsors are Incyte, Ken Garff Honda, QED Therapeutics, Servier, Taiho Oncology, Welch’s Fruit Snacks and Zymeworks.

And now, let’s talk with Dave Fleisher as he reports in after his first week on the Journey of Hope.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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Traumatic Brain Injuries and the Law with Michael Kaplen

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0000

For many parents, watching their child head out to their school's football field, proudly wearing their uniforms with their names emblazoned on their back, is a proud moment. But for many, it also is filled with trepidation. What happens if he gets hurt? What happens if he suffers a concussion? How do I handle this?

Traumatic brain injuries, unfortunately, are a part of life -- whether they're suffered playing sports, from a fall, an automobile accident, or whatever. They happen, and they can have serious consequences.

In this episode, attorney/author Mark M. Bello and I interview Michael V. Kaplen, senior partner in the New York personal injury law firm, De Caro & Kaplen. His practice focuses on personal injury and medical malpractice with an emphasis on representing individuals who have sustained a traumatic or acquired brain injury and other catastrophic injuries.

The conversation covers the many ways brain injuries can occur, what parents might consider when confronted with allowing a child to play sports, what some of the legal ramifications are when an injury occurs, and efforts by some special interest groups to limit an individual's right to achieve proper redress through litigation.

Take a listen to "Traumatic Brain Injuries and the Law" from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Party of Cowards

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Not Fake News contributing writer Chris Waldron has some pointed comments to make about today’s Republican Party.

In this blog from Not Fake News.biz, which I narrate, Waldron puts the GOP’s current decline into the darkness of Trumpism into perspective, noting that cowardice is nothing new for many Republican politicians.

He brings back the memories of Richard Nixon and Watergate and Sen. Joe McCarthy and his Red Scare crusade against Communism as examples, and brings it all into focus with the January 6th insurrection and the Republicans’ current effort to rewrite that ever-so-recent history.

Take a listen to “The Party of Cowards” by Chris Waldron from Not Fake News.biz.

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Covid and Mental Health

Wed, 31 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0000

We’re all living with the Covid 19 pandemic in one way or another, and whether we realize it or not, it’s having an impact on our lives, in addition to just our physical health.

Studies show that one in every three survivors of the virus experience mental health conditions, the majority being anxiety and mood disorders. And it’s not just those who actually have experienced the virus directly who experience mental health issues because of it.

Clinical psychologist Avantika Dixit, who founded an organization called Woke Hero, says that with anxiety and depression on the increase, it’s critically important to inspire people to take action to protect their own mental health.

To explore this further, NFN Radio News spoke with Avantika from India, where she lives and works. So please excuse occasional audio glitches which were the result of a sometimes iffy internet connection. Take a listen to ‘Mental Health in the Age of Covid” with Avantika Dixit from Not Fake News.biz.

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Journey of Hope Part 1

Wed, 24 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Dave and Linda Fleischer are ready to hit the road for a Journey of Hope in memory of their daughter, Sarah, who passed away in 2018 from a horrible cancer, cholangiocarcinoma.

Today, they embark on what, for Dave, will be a 15,000 mile road trip across the nation and back to help raise money to support research into this disease and during which they hope to spread awareness and bring hope to patients, caregivers, and others along the way.

The road trip, in a car with a specially designed wrap promoting cholangiocarcinoma awareness, will feature visits to 15 towns named Hope, stops at various hospitals and healthcare institutions that specialize in research and treatment of the disease, and get-togethers with other patients, caregivers and healthcare providers who were important in Sarah's life.

Cholangiocarcinoma starts in the bile duct and is an incredibly deadly cancer, which afflicts about 8,000 people in the United States each year. Most of its victims are 65 or older, but Sarah was only 30 when she was diagnosed. She passed away at age 35.

And so, as they also commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, Fleischer is embarking on a 15,000 mile journey up and down and across the 48 contiguous United States.

Linda will be with Dave for the first 10 days of the trip, and then he will be on his own – except for the thousands of well-wishers and supporters he is bound to meet along the way.

“I intend to honor the memory of my daughter, Sarah,” says Dave. “Sarah would have loved to do this trip with me.” The journey is scheduled to end June 29 or July 1, depending on circumstances.

The trip is being supported by the Foundation, which has made the specially designed Honda SUV available for the journey. Sponsors are Incyte, Ken Garff Honda, QED Therapeutics, Servier, Taiho Oncology, Welch’s Fruit Snacks and Zymeworks.

And now, let’s talk with Dave Fleisher as he gets set for the Journey of Hope.

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The Ongoing Insurrection

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0000

There’s an insurrection taking place in America. It was not just limited to a single day when, on January 6th supporters of the losing candidate, Donald Trump, egged on by social media and roused into a frenzy by a series of speeches, launched an assault against the Capitol, and against Democracy.

It began years before and continues to this very day as Republicans continue to attempt to re-write history and push the Big Lie about a stolen election.

Not Fake News.biz contributing writer Chris Waldron takes a look at all of this in this commentary. Take a listen to “The Ongoing Insurrection” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Republicans Call Chaos-They Should Know

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0000

It’s amazing to me how unoriginal Republicans typically are. I guess there’s a reason why most creative people are Democrats – or at least it seems that way.

Anyway, what brought that insightful thought to mind is the recent blitz by Trumpsters claiming that President Biden’s administration is simply filled with chaos – that they don’t know what they’re doing and that’s why the gas stations were closed and why immigrants are still trying to get into the U.S. along the border with Mexico.

Holy cow! As the famous baseball broadcaster Harry Caray used to say. That’s incredible.

First off, it was the Trump administration that was riven with chaos. He went through government appointees like it was nothing, firing many via Twitter. He was impeached twice because of election chaos the first time around and because of insurrection chaos the second time around.

His denial of the pandemic led to healthcare chaos. And it took the election of Joe Biden to get that straightened out and shots in peoples arms.

And now, the Republican Party itself is filled with chaos – who’s on first? Nobody knows.

We take a look at all of this in this commentary from Not Fake News.biz. So take a listen to “Republicans Call Chaos: They Should Know.”

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Helping the Public Raise its Voice

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode of NFN Radio News, former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio and host Bob Gatty speak with Kiki Jamieson, president of The Fund for New Jersey, which supports good public policy decision-making on the issues most important to the people of the state and the region.

Increasingly, non-profit organizations across the nation play ever more important roles with respect to the development of public policy, and Dr. Jamieson’s organization is no exception. We discuss with her why that is and why organizations like The Fund for New Jersey play such a valuable role.

Then, we hone in on several key issues like immigration and school funding, with which Dr. Jamieson has considerable expertise. The Fund for New Jersey's mission is to help educate voters about such important issues so they can make informed decisions.

Take a listen to "Helping the Public Raise its Voice."

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The GOP- Confronting the Big Lie

Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Looks to me like the Republican right-wing nutcases that targeted Rep. Liz Cheney, a true Conservative, because she refused to shut up about Trump’s Big Lie are going to have some competition going forward.

Cheney has Trump in her proverbial gunsights and has no intention of letting up, and now there’s a fledgling movement by some Republicans with some sense that actually could end up in a third political party.

That’s the topic of today’s podcast, so take a listen to “The GOP: Confronting the Big Lie” from Not Fake News.biz.

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The GOP's Own Cancel Culture

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0000

The Republicans, led by Donald Trump, keep complaining about cancel culture this and cancel culture that.

When pressure is on to remove statues honoring racists from the confederacy, Republican white supremicists cry cancel culture.

When QAnon Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene was stripped of her House committee assignments, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan said it was all about “cancel culture.” I’m not sure what culture Jordan was saying was being cancelled, though, unless it was the QAnon and conspiracy theory culture, and if so, I say it should be cancelled!

As NPR wrote recently, “The phrase is so pervasive that it's arguably background noise in American politics now — just part of the wallpaper, a pair of words you might easily (or, depending on your feelings, happily) breeze past every day without paying it any attention.”

But now, it is the Republicans who are guilty of cancel culture, as Not Fake News writer CJ Waldron contends in this commentary, which I’ll narrate. Take a listen to “The GOP’s Own ‘Cancel Culture’ from Not Fake News.biz.

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The GOP- The Batshit Crazy Political Party

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0000

It seems to me that the Republican Party is determined to send itself into oblivion as it is allowing the defeated and discredited former president, Donald Trump, to call the shots.

The latest example is the determination of right wing House Republicans to remove Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) as chair of the House Republican Conference, the party’s third most powerful leadership position, and replace here with Trump acolyte Rep. Elise Stefanik, of New York.

Even though this is a matter for Republicans in the House of Representatives to decide, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has expressed his opposition to Cheney and says the GOP simply can’t live without Trump.

So, take a listen to “GOP: The ‘Batshit Crazy’ Political Party”, today’s commentary from Not Fake News.biz.

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Snacking Through the Pandemic

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0000

As we’ve been stuck at home during this long pandemic, a lot of us have experienced changes in our mental outlook, in our moods – if for no other reason than simply being frustrated and bored.’

There’s a research company called the NPD group that actually has looked at all of this and found that a whole bunch of us have turned to snacking as a way to fill the voids created by sadness, boredom, stress, and other moods.

In fact, NPD reports that the average U.S. consumer ate more than 37 percent more snack foods and treats while feeling sad or depressed during the pandemidc than they did in 2019.

That’s incredible, and it can’t be good for us from a nutritional health standpoint.

So for this episode of the NFN Radio News podcast, I’m talking with Darren Seifer, NPD food and beverage industry analyst, a guy who makes it his business to track trends like this so the food companies know how to respond.

Take a listen to “Snacking Through the Pandemic” from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Big Lie of the Three-Fifths Compromise

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Why is it that some Republicans insist on denying the reality of racism? Why is it that there are still those who apparently believe slavery wasn’t all that bad? How can that be?

Now, there are at least two GOP state legislators who are saying that the “Three-Fifths Compromise,” which counted slaves as three-fifths of a person back in 1787, really was a good thing for Blacks.

Really?

Sounds like another big GOP lie to me.

So, that’s the topic of today’s podcast written by Not Fake News writer Stacy Fitzgerald. Take a listen to “The Big Lie of the Three-Fifths Compromise” from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Big Lie and the Sad Truth

Wed, 22 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Am I crazy, or do you agree with me?

It’s my opinion, that the Republican Party’s continued buy-in to Donald Trump’s claims that he was cheated out of the presidency can only end in their undoing.

Yes, his hold on most members of the GOP is unquestioned, despite his defeat, and he is continuing his quest to remain the titular head of the party.

But we all know what happens when something is built on a lie. It generally falls apart.

That’s the topic of today’s podcast. Take a listen to “The Big Lie and the Sad Truth” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Interview with Legal Thriller Author Mark Bello

Wed, 15 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Mark M. Bello is a trial lawyer and prolific author of headline inspired legal thrillers, the most recent of which is Supreme Betrayal, a gripping novel about a Supreme Court nominee who is a sexual predator.

He's the latest guest on today's podcast.

In our conversation, Bello discusses his books, of course, but also the conflicts of police violence and he need for reform, some of the consequences of the Trump presidency, continued efforts to take away Constitutionally guaranteed rights, and much, much more.

I’m also pleased to report that Mark will be a frequent contributor to our Not Fake News.biz blog site, and his first contribution, "Another Young Black Man," which is focused on police killings such as that of George Floyd and Daunte Wright, is now on line.

So take a listen to our interview with attorney and author Mark M. Bello.

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American Racism-Republican Denial Continues

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Some of us thought, at least I did, that when America elected its first Black president with Barack Obama that racism in our country was at least beginning to wane.

But then came the election of 2016 and Donald J. Trump, who made it seem OK for the millions of Americans who harbored racist attitudes that had actually hardened during the Obama years to come out of the closet, so to speak.

Trump, a world class racist in his own right, made it OK to be racist again.

Now, the Republican Party is dealing with that, and many have chosen either to ignore the reality of racism within their own ranks, or to pretend it doesn’t even exist.

Apparently, Sen. Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the U.S. Senate, is in that last group. At least that what he said on TV the other night.

Take a listen to Steve Hamelman’s piece from Not Fake News.biz. It’s called “American Racism: Republican Denial Continues.”

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Biden Goes Big; Republicans Act Like Toddlers

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0000

It’s becoming increasingly apparent that Republicans have little or nothing to offer, other than obstructionism and self preservation.

Their determination to block the House-passed voting rights bill that seeks to ensure that every American is able to cast a ballot, even as Republican-controlled states pass restrictive laws, is an example of that focus on self preservation.

They appear to becoming desperate. The more success President Biden has, and the better he is received by the American people, the more they resort to all manner of lies and deflection.

The run up to Biden’s address to Congress April 28 is a great example, and then the aftermath, even more so.

And then, today, it was reported by CBS News that 89 percent of speech watchers thought he was presidential and the same number said he was caring. 84 percent said he was inspiring and 80 percent said he was bold. And, overall, 85 percent of Americans who watched approved of his speech, while only 15 percent disapproved.

Meanwhile, Americans have more money in their pockets because of Biden and they are beginning to emerge from the scourge of the pandemic. And much more has been promised.

With that in mind, it’s no wonder Republicans are running scared.

Take a listen to “Biden Goes Big: Republicans Act Like Toddlers” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Putin's Man in America

Wed, 25 May 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Remember the song from the ‘60s, “Secret Agent Man” with Johnny Rivers? The opening chorus went like this…I can’t sing, so I’ll just read the lyrics…you’re welcome…
There's a man who leads a life of danger
To everyone he meets he stays a stranger
Oh, with every move he makes another chance he takes
The odds are he won't live to see tomorrow
Secret Agent Man
Secret Agent Man

Well, looks like Russia has its own secret agent right here in the United States, and for four years he occupied the highest, most powerful seat in the land.

His name was Donald J. Trump, and he had a lot of help from certain segments of the media in accomplishing his mission on behalf of Vladimir Putin.

Take a listen to “Putin’s Man in America” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Behavior Expert Lisa Skinner Discusses Alzheimer's, Dementia

Wed, 18 May 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re speaking with Lisa Skinner, a behavior expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementia. Lisa has been a community counselor, a regional director of senior care facilities, a trainer, speaker and private adviser helping thousands of families and caregivers understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. She holds a degree in Human Behavior.

In our conversation, Lisa offers counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease, using some real-life examples to help increase understanding.

Lisa is the author of the two-times best selling book, “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” available on Amazon, and she regularly writes a blog under the same title on Facebook.

So, take a listen…

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Accountability. Are We Safer Now?

Wed, 11 May 2016 00:00:00 -0000

I have two commentaries for you today from Not Fake News focused on the aftermath of the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd.

First, writer Stacy Fitzgerald points out that Chauvin’s conviction amounted to “accountability”, but not really “justice.” Had justice been served, she writes, Floyd would still be alive. However, she points out that much was different in this case from others involving police killings of Black people suspected of minor offenses. And, she says, there were several heroes who helped hold Chauvin accountable for his actions.

Then, we’ll turn to C.J. Walderon’s piece in which he asks if America safer now in the aftermath of that verdict, in which he says justice was served.

So take a listen, first to “At Last…Accountability” by Stacy Fitzgerald and then “Is America Safer Now?” by C.J. Waldron. Both from Not Fake News.biz.

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Face Mask Russian Roulette

Wed, 04 May 2016 00:00:00 -0000

It was just reported that the feds have stopped a shipment of over 170,000 counterfeit N95 masks from China, masks that actually are putting the health of many American healthcare workers and other frontline personnel at risk.

According to the report, Customs and Border Protection officers on April 7 intercepted the shipment of 171,460 masks at Houston Seaport. They carried the logo of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, but a check with the agency found that the shipment was not licensed.

They were fake, and they were headed to White Plains, NY.

Paul Hickey is co-founder and president of Utah-based PuraVita Medical, a manufacturer of medical grade face masks for the healthcare industry and the general public. He’s been leading a mission to inform the American public that their lives are at risk by using these fake masks from China, 60 percent of which fail to meet the specs on the box, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The feds’ action to confiscate those 170,000 counterfeit N95 masks are just the tip of the iceberg, says Hickey, adding that some 20 U.S.-based mask manufacturers have banded together to convince the Biden administration and Congress to take strong action against Chinese companies that are dumping those masks in the U.S.

Hickey explains all of this in this episode of NFN Radio News. Take a listen to our interview with Paul…and if you stay to the end, he has a special offer just for you.

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Are We Headed for Another 9.11?

Wed, 27 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Thanks to the Trump administration, the intelligence community is in disarray.

The cooperation that we once shared with other agencies throughout the world has been shattered. This lack of a reliable intelligence network has left America open to another 9/11 style attack, cautions Not Fake News contributing writer C.J. Waldron.

Take a listen to “Are We Headed for Another 9/11” from Not Fake News.biz.

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How to Change a Law

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Ever want to get a law passed or even just changed, but you have no idea how to go about it? Best selling author John Thibault has developed an "app" for that, well sort of.

Thibault, who is our guest on this episode, explains how his I Lobby platform makes it possible for the everyday person to generate support for an idea for a new law or a law change and to actually have a chance for success.

Thibault's book, "How to Change a Law," walks the reader through that process and makes a real contribution to our participatory democracy.

Take a listen...

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What's Happening in the News Media Today?

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0000

I want to tell you about our latest episode of Tempo and the Times, our sister podcast, in which we take a look at the news media today and some of the issues surrounding it.

Our guest on the podcast is Guy Reel, a veteran journalist and now college journalism professor, who talks about the good old days when grizzled, hard-drinking reporters sat around the newsroom comparing notes about their stories and then headed out to the nearest bar to continue after work.

The goal of many was to ferret out the facts and the truth and if that meant exposing wrong doing, so be it.

But today, Reel says, times have changed. Newsrooms have thinned out, the rattle of typewriters and teletype machines have been replaced with the quiet tapping on computer keyboards, and a big focus is on gaining social media followers and recognition.

Reel talks about the impact of fake news and about the new crop of reporters that he’s teaching, and has some interesting observations.

Here’s more from my commentary today at Not Fake News.biz.

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The Angry Mob

Wed, 06 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, thanks for checking in on the NFN Radio News podcast, brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m Bob Gatty, editor and publisher of Not Fake News.

What is an "angry mob?" It depends upon whose version of the truth you accept:
Donald Trump's and his enablers', or those who understand the facts.

In just the past year, let alone the totality of the Trump administration, we’ve had all too many examples of angry mobs acting and reacting to events, not the least of which was the January 6th attack on the Capitol as Trump supporters protested Joe Biden’s election.

Perhaps these actions by angry mobs are simply a symptom of our broken nation. Consider that we had a brutal murder play out on camera in front of millions of viewers, but the perp could go free. And, we had an election where losers are now trying to fix future elections.

In this podcast, I’ll present two blogs by C.J. Waldron on Not Fake News.biz. First, will be “The Angry Mob,” followed by “Our Broken America”.

So take a listen … from Not Fake News.biz.

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NFN Radio News-The Death of Fairness, The Birth of Division

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Hey guys, thanks for dropping by the NFN Radio News podcast, where we talk a little politics with a little lean to the left, and where we interview interesting guests who can add to our dialogue.

Today we have with us Kim Curry, author of The Death of Fairness, a book that explores the aftermath of the 1986 decision by the Federal Communications Commission to rescind the Fairness Doctrine.

With that action, broadcasters no longer are required to present “contrasting points of view” on their airwaves, and Curry believes that’s one reason why our nation is so politically and socially divided today.

So welcome, Kim. Thanks for joining us today. Tell us a little about yourself, Kim, and about The Death of Fairness.

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Harnessing the Ocean's Wind, Power for America

Wed, 23 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Earth Day 2021 is two weeks from today, April 22, so I thought it would be a great idea to look at some of the major developments that are taking place that will help to conserve our environment and protect our planet.

One such development is the utilization of wind energy, something that Donald Trump belittled, saying windmills kill birds and can cause cancer.

But President Biden, unlike Trump, recognizes the importance of our society moving away from reliance on fossil fuels and is willing to embrace technologies that can provide clean, renewable energy, and that includes wind power.

And so, late last month he announced a major push to expand offshore wind, something that Europe has done for three decades now. We explored the potential and implications of this in our companion Tempo and the Times podcast, which streams starting tomorrow.

That podcast is the debut episode of former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio as guest host with Scott Ramminger and me, and we interview a top expert in wind energy who is leading a special initiative designed to help the U.S. achieve its offshore wind potential.

So take a listen to this preview from Not Fake News.biz. You can listen to the entire podcast starting tomorrow on all major podcast channels. Just go to Tempo and the Times and you’ll find it. So take a listen to Harnessing the Ocean’s Wind, Power for America from Not Fake News.biz.

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NFN Radio News-Episode 291-Repubs Angry at Corporations- What a Twist!

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Can’t tell you when I’ve laughed harder than this morning when I read that Mitch McConnell is threatening big business because some companies have had the nerve to stand up against election fraud and fakery.

Who’s he kidding? Republicans are actually going to cross corporations who they’ve been serving for centuries and upon whom they depend for financial largesse for their campaigns?

It really was pretty funny.

Oh yea, also what was funny is how McConnell and Trump are using the term “woke” to describe how nasty Democrats are. They simply sound stupid.

So take a listen to my take on all of this in today’s commentary from Not Fake News.biz. Check out “Repubs Angry at Corporations: What a Twist!

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NFN Radio News-Episode 290-The Trump Big Lie Fallout Continues

Wed, 09 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0000

The decision by Major League Baseball to take the July All-Star Game away from the city of Atlanta is causing reverberations, both on Capitol Hill and in Trumpland where the defeated former president was true to form, making veiled threats against those who cross him.

But MLB’s decision was the right one. They did it because the state’s governor, Brian Kemp, signed a new law designed specifically to make it harder for people to vote. The law targets people who are likely to vote for Democrats. I.E., African Americans.

The thing is that Georgia’s new voter suppression law is just part of what’s going on around the nation today as GOP politicians react to losing the Presidency and control of the U.S. Senate, and to Donald Trump’s unconstitutional challenge to the 2020 election that he lost in a landslide to Joe Biden.

If Georgia voters don’t like it, they need to know who to blame. Trump. And the Republican butt kissers who helped him spread his Big Lie about the election being stolen.

That’s our topic for today so listen to “The Trump Big Lie Fallout Continues” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Voting Restrictions- What Are They Afraid Of?

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0000

You know the old saying, Money Talks and Bullshit walks.

Well, today Major League Baseball hit the state of Georgia where it hurts. In the freaking pocket book. They did it because the state’s governor just signed a new law designed specifically to make it harder for people to vote. The law targets people who are likely to vote for Democrats. I.E., African Americans.

What did MLB do? They yanked the July Allstar Game from the city of Atlanta, that’s what they did. Now, those Republican politicians and Gov. Kemp can just suck it up, because what they have done is not only racist and despicable, but it cost the state millions of dollars and a ton of publicity and prestige that comes along with hosting the annual classic.

But that law is just part of what’s going on around the nation today as GOP politicians react to losing the Presidency and control of the U.S. Senate, and to Donald Trump’s unconstitutional challenge to the 2020 election that he lost in a landslide to Joe Biden.

That’s our topic for today so listen to “Voting Restrictions: What are They Afraid of?” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Ex Gov. Jim Florio Joins Tempo and the Times Podcast

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Former New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio will co-host on Tempo and the Times, a podcast that explores the collision of popular culture with news, politics, and business.

Tempo and the Times was launched in February by Bob Gatty, Myrtle Beach, SC, editor and publisher of Not Fake News, who was Florio’s Congressional office chief of staff from 1976-78, and musician/writer Scott Ramminger, Nashville, TN. It is hosted on Spreaker and available on most major podcast streaming services.

It's a "sister" podcast to NFN Radio News.

Take a listen.

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Fighting Against-Documenary Genocide with Indian Chief Harold Hatcher

Wed, 17 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Today, you’re going to hear from Chief Harold Hatcher of the Waccamaw Indian People, a small tribe of Native Americans that is indigenous to South Carolina.

Better known as Buster, Chief Hatcher is fighting against what he calls “document genocide,” actions by people in power that he believes have served to deny his people many of their rights.

He’s been waging a battle to convince the federal government to recognize the Waccamaws as an official Indian tribe, something the state of South Carolina did several years ago. But documentation requirements make this virtually impossible.

The result is that the Waccamaws are unable to benefit from many of the same rights accorded to federal recognized tribes, including such basic things as religious practices and even the ability to profit from the sale of jewelry that they make.

Take a listen to this conversation with Chief Hatcher. He talks about what it was like growing up in the South as an Indian, neither White nor Black, and about his tribe’s traditions and ongoing fight for recognition.

Take a listen to “Fighting Against Documentry Genocide” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Standing Against Asian Hate

Wed, 10 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0000

It was a beautiful spring evening March 24 when some 50 students, educators, and others
gathered on the lawn at Coastal Carolina University to express solidarity with their Asian brothers and sisters who have been so tragically targeted since the Covid 19 pandemic struck America just about one year ago.

Prompted by the murders of eight people at three Asian spas in Atlanta, including six Asian women, the vigil was led by two professors from the school’s Social Justice Research Initiative and Women's and Gender Studies, and supported by Grand Strand Action Together (GSAT).

Leading the event were Deborah Perkins, associate professor of sociology and founder and director of the Social Justice Research Initiative, and Jaime McCauley, assistant professor of sociology at CCU and program director of the Social Justice Research Initiative.

Here are their comments:

Take a listen.

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Stop the Attacks, Says Ex-Reagan Cabinet Member

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Ex-Reagan cabinet member John R. Block talks about his experiences serving under Ronald Reagan, how he got there from the one-room school house where it all began, and what he thinks about politics and the Republican Party post-Donald Trump. Check it out.

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Shootings- Will Light Ever Shine Through the Darkness?

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Today, I want to talk about guns and needless, tragic deaths. Why is it that we as a nation must continually suffer through more gun violence?

Why is it that when mass shootings occur, regardless of whether it’s little school children, people praying in church, going to a concert, or even just to the spa or the grocery store that nothing ever happens?

The anti-gun people clamor for action and raise money for their campaigns. The pro-gun people say don’t talk about it now, emotions are too high, and restrictions are unconstitutional.

The politicians offer condolences, claim their hearts are broken with sadness, say their thoughts and prayers are with the victims.

But nothing happens.

The House of Representatives has passed legislation that would help, strengthening background checks to keep guns away from dangerous people, and closing loopholes. But the Senate, where Republicans still have enormous power even though they no longer have the majority, is still the roadblock.

Meanwhile, nothing happens, and it won’t until the next tragedy occurs. And then, we’ll go through all of this all over again.

In this commentary from Not Fake News.biz, we take a look at all of this. So,
here’s “Shootings: Will Light Ever Shine Through the Darkness?”. Take a listen. From Not Fake News.biz.

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Protect Gun Rights, Bash Gays- GOP Priorities

Wed, 20 Jan 2016 00:00:00 -0000

March is Women’s History Month, a month when the achievements and contributions of women are recognized and honored.

It would be a great time to do something, too, about the violence that many women face in their own personal relationships, at home, or even when a date goes bad.

The same can be said for males, too, when a personal relationship with a partner evolves into violence.

That’s why Congress is working on the Violence Against Women Act, and why it needs to be signed into law. But the Republicans are up to their old tricks and It doesn’t look like they have any plans to respond in any way.

In this commentary from Not Fake News.biz, we take a look at all of this. So,
here’s “Protect Gun Rights, Bash Gays: GOP Priorities”. Take a listen. From Not Fake News.biz.

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The Tragic Consequences of Race-Baiting Violence

Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Constantly over the past year, Donald Trump blamed China for sending the Covid 19 pandemic to the United States as he tried to deflect from his own responsibility for the tragic consequences of the pandemic.

And on top of that, sensing that he’d struck a nerve with his already xenophobic followers, Trump began blaming China for everything he could, every chance he had – even his own defeat.

We all know that words have consequences, and the consequences of Trump’s hateful rhetoric are now being felt in the Asian American community in our country. The vicious shootings that occurred this week in Atlanta are probably just the latest example.

In this commentary from Not Fake News.biz, we take a look at all of this. So,
here’s “The Tragic Consequences of Race-Baiting Violence”. Take a listen.

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-Protecting the Environment is Back at EPA

Wed, 06 Jan 2016 00:00:00 -0000

When Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump last November, one of the first thoughts that went through my mind was that the battle against the environment that Trump waged for four years would be over.

That the U.S. would once again join the fight against climate change, that Biden would pull back Trump’s most egregious executive orders that tried to wipe out efforts by the Obama administration to protect our air and our water.

So, it was heartening to see some of the first public comments made by Biden’s new EPA administrator, Michael Regan, who said the agency will do exactly that.
Here’s my take on that as published on Not Fake News.biz.

Here’s “Protecting the Environment is Back at EPA”. Take a listen.

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-Sexual Harassment- Trump vs. Cuomo

Wed, 30 Dec 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Today’s podcast will present two commentaries written by Chris Waldron of Not Fake News.biz.

In the first, “Gerrymandering, Voter Suppression and the Big Lie,” Chris points out that those are the three key elements of the Republican Party’s current game plan as they seek to regain the presidency, and retake control of the House and the Senate.

These three tactics, he maintains, threaten the very democracy that we all hold so dear.

In Part 2, “Sexual harassment: Trump vs. Cuomo,” Waldron takes a look at differences between our two political parties in dealing with big shots who get themselves in hot water for one form of sexual misconduct or another.

For a party that pretends to be God-fearing and all of that, Republicans simply turn a blind eye when their fearful leader brags about his sexual escapades, while Democrats face the facts and don’t cut and run when asked about what should happen to Cuomo.

So take a listen, first to “Gerrymandering, Voter Suppression and the Big Lie,’ and then “Sexual Harassment: Trump vs. Cuomo,” from Not Fake News.biz.

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The GOP and its Cancel Culture

Wed, 23 Dec 2015 00:00:00 -0000

So the Republicans have been whining about cancel culture, saying that’s why a publisher decided to stop producing some Dr. Seuss books because of racist imagery.

They spent their time doing that even as Democrats were pushing through Covid-19 relief that will go a long way towards helping our nation dig recover from the devastation of the pandemic.

It was just another irresponsible effort to direct attention away from their failure to respond to the needs of Americans by focusing on another Trumped-up excuse that actually means nothing.

I say the Republicans are guilty of their own version of “cancel culture,” although this one actually has consequences – negative consequences for the American people.

So take a listen to “The GOP and its ‘Cancel Culture’ from Not Fake News.biz.

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Governors Under Fire

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going to talk about how various governors across the country have gotten themselves into trouble in one form or another, the latest and most controversial, perhaps, being Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York.

Not Fake News.biz writer Chris Waldron takes a close look at the various factors involving Cuomo and three other governors in today’s episode, which I’ll narrate.

So take a listen to “Governors Under Fire” by C.J. Waldron of Not Fake News.biz.

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Education and the Insurrection

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going to talk about how education – or the lack thereof – may have played a role in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as insurrectionists tried to stop the election certification of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Not Fake News.biz writer Chris Waldron, who is a college English professor, takes a close look at the various factors that influenced the insurrectionists in this fascinating commentary, which I’ll narrate.

So take a listen to “Education and the Insurrection” by C.J. Waldron of Not Fake News.biz.

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NFN Radio News Promo Ad

Wed, 02 Dec 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Here's our new :30 spot promoting our NFN Radio News podcast. Take a listen, and share if you like!

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You've Been Q'ed

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going to talk about how the QAnon prediction that their messiah, Donald Trump, would miraculously be sworn in as president yesterday, March 4, just didn’t come to pass.

It was so sad, seeing all those poor, misguided people being so disappointed. But alas, I’m sure they’ll have another fake day to look forward to.

All that’s from a piece called “You’ve Been Q’ed” on Not Fake News.biz by professor Chris Waldron, one of our most prolific and insightful commentators.

Then, after that, I’ll launch into some commentary by Susan Hutchinson, also from Not Fake News.biz, “GOP Transgender Ignorance on Full Display.”

It’s all about how Republican disdain for the LGBTQ+ community was so evident as the House passed the Equality Act this past week banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.

It’s a terrific piece, and that will be Part 2 of our podcast today. But first, let’s check out “You’ve Been Q’ed” by Chris Waldron from Not Fake News.biz.

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Technology and the Future with Dr. Don Vaughn

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going to talk about technology – all the “smart” stuff that most of us use, like our phones and our fancy watches that can tell us our heart beat, count our steps, and can even rat on our spouses or partners if they are someplace other than where they say.

Our guest is Dr. Don Vaughn, a neuroscientist who works for a new company called Invisibly, which is looking to turn the internet and big social media companies upside down. Get this: they say they’ve developed a way that regular people like you and me can actually get paid for the use of our own data, instead of companies like Google and Facebook.

Invisibly has done some polling, too, and they’re turning that industry upside down, too, and their results have been remarkable – just by ditching the old way of doing things and getting with the way things are today.

So if you use a personal computer, have a smartphone or smart TV, or any similar device and if you want to know what’s coming, take a listen to this interview with Dr. Don Vaughn…presented by Not Fake News.biz.

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The Geniuses of the Insurrection

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0000

It was just reported this evening, March 3, that the U.S. House of Representatives will not be in session tomorrow March 4. Why is that big news? Why should you care?

Because tomorrow is the day that the QAnon crazies believe Donald Trump will return and be inaugurated as the true president of the United States, and federal law enforcement agencies are bracing for another possible riot at the Capitol.

These people are just nuts, but they’ve been whipped up by Trump and continue to believe his lies. That’s just part of today’s commentary from Not Fake News.biz. We’ll also tell you about the 13 stupidest people who were among the 300 arrested so far for storming the capitol January 6.

You won’t want to miss that. It’s pretty funny stuff, and it comes straight from the Washington Post.

So take a listen to “The Geniuses of the Insurrection” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Trump's Lies and a Dangerous Truth

Wed, 04 Nov 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump made it clear at the Conservative Political Action Conference Sunday that he has no intention of going away, and that he intends to be fully engaged in the Republican Party.

While decrying his defeat do to a “rigged” election, he repeated his demands for election changes – changes that go to the heart of challenging our democratic process.

I took a look at that in commentary on Not Fake News.biz titled “Trump’s Lies and a Dangerous Truth.”

This podcast will also present “Trump by the Numbers,” commentary by Chris Waldron of Not Fake News that discusses how the defeated president has always boasted about his numbers, but now with prosecutors looking into his taxes and financial shenanigans, numbers may end up being his roadmap to the clink.

It’s a pretty perceptive piece.

So take a listen, first to “Trump’s Lies and a Dangerous Truth,” and then Chris Waldron’s piece, “Trump by the Numbers.” It’s all from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Battle for the Soul of the Republican Party

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0000

I’ve been away on a brief vacation for the last few days, so it’s been a little quiet here at NFN Radio News. But now, I’m back, so here goes with double-header commentary from Not Fake News.

First up will be “The Battle for the Soul of the GOP,” with commentary on Donald Trump’s determination to hang on to the Republican Party and growing opposition from reformers who want to see him gone.

Then, I’ll bring you “Hanging onto Donald Trump,” my thoughts about those who just can’t let go of the disgraced former president and actually expect him to return to power.

So here goes. It’s all from Not Fake News.biz.

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No Drilling in the Atlantic!

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0000

I have a special guest today and I think you’ll enjoy listening to her. When Peg Howell was 25 years old, she was the first woman to be the “company man” on an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

Yep, that’s what they called her. She was the person in charge, so she was the “company man.”

She reveals what it was like to be one of the last two people left on the rig’s platform after all of the workers had been evacuated during a hurricane. It’s a pretty harrowing story that comes up in the latter part of the episode.

Today, Peg is the spokesperson for a group called SODA, which stands for Stop Offshore Drilling in the Atlantic. She’s helped lead the battle to prevent offshore drilling, something she once did for a living, because of the environmental devastation it can cause.

In the episode, Peg reveals how her views were changed and how the battle has been going, a battle she’s now waging under her third president.

So, take a listen to “No Drilling in the Atlantic!” from Not Fake News.biz.

Also, check out our companion podcast, “Tempo and the Times”, created with my old buddy Scott Ramminger to explore the intersection of music, art, and popular culture with news and politics.

We launched Friday, February 19 with an introductory episode that explains what you can expect from this new offering, which will include some cool and interesting guests and will stream every Friday starting March 12.

Our first guest will be Susan Anders, a talented Nashville musician who’ll talk about her musical adventures, including her new album, 13 Women, which looks to the past to explore the engaging stories of 13 women, some well-known, some not, who have made extraordinary contributions to history and our modern world.

March is Women’s History Month, so this is a perfect way to recognize that – and to kick off our new show.

So, take a listen to our introductory episode, featuring Scott and me as we talk about what’s to come on Tempo and the Times. By the way, you can find that show on just about any podcast streaming service, including Spreaker, or by visiting www.tempoandthetimes.com.

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Introducing Tempo and the Times

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0000

I’ve been telling you guys all week about a new podcast that I’ve been cooking up with my old buddy Scott Ramminger, which explores the intersection of music, art, and popular culture with news and politics.

Well, here it is. It’s called Tempo and the Times, and we launch today with an introductory episode that explains what you can expect from this new effort to get into trouble.

We've lined up some very cool and interesting guests, for our show, which is planned to stream weekly as a companion to this podcast, which was launched a few months ago.

Our first guest on March 12 will be Susan Anders, a talented Nashville musician who’ll talk about her musical adventures, including her new album, 13 Women, which looks to the past to explore the engaging stories of 13 women, some well-known, some not, who have made extraordinary contributions to history and our modern world.

March is Women’s History Month, so this is a perfect way to recognize that – and to kick off our new show.

So, Take a listen to our introductory episode, featuring Scott and me as we talk about what’s to come on Tempo and the Times. By the way, you can find that show on just about any podcast streaming service, including Spreaker, or by visiting www.tempoandthetimes.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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The Blustering Hero of Hypocrisy Bites the Dust

Wed, 07 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0000

I know it’s not nice to speak ill of the dead, but I have to say that I shed no tears yesterday when I learned that Rush Limbaugh had died.

Yes, I feel sorry for his family and friends, but that’s the extent of it because Limbaugh was one of the most disgusting, despicable influencers of public opinion ever to be given airtime.

And the fact that Donald Trump listened to him and paid homage to him made it even worse. I couldn’t stand him and certainly am shedding no tears that he’s gone.

Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron takes a look at this in “The Blustering Hero of Hypocrisy Bites the Dust”, and in a minute I’ll narrate his commentary published today on Not Fake News.

But first, here’s a reminder about something I announced the other day.

My old buddy Scott Ramminger and I are cooking up a new podcast that explores the intersection of music, art, and popular culture with news and politics.

Scott and I are finalizing contract negotiations with the "Not Fake News Network" and so we are prohibited by an ironclad non-disclosure agreement that not even Rudy Giuliani could break from providing further details.

However, I can say that it is going to be both interesting and entertaining.

I can also reveal that we've lined up some very cool and interesting guests, for our show, which is planned to stream weekly as a companion to this podcast, which was launched a few months ago.

Our new effort to get into trouble will launch march 12. We’ll reveal more information tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 19. So, stay tuned...

Meanwhile, Take a listen to “The Blustering Hero of Hypocrisy Bites the Dust”, by Chris Waldron on Not Fake News.biz.

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The Soul of the Republican Party

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0000

It’s a shame what’s happening to the Republican Party, which is apparently in a quandary as to who they are and what they stand for.

There’s been plenty of coverage and analysis of all of this, but it’s clear that many believe the GOP has lost its way and the recent impeachment trial of Donald Trump, charged with inciting a mob to attack our Congress, just brought new attention to all of this.

Right wing nutcases, conspiracy theorists, QAnon adherants and those who believe Donald Trump is the Messiah appear to have taken over what once was a proud political party that believed in the rule of law, the constitution, minimal government intervention, low taxes, and the like.

Now, it seems like their mantra is to stand for whatever Trump tells them to stand for.

Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron has looked at all of this, and I’ll narrate his commentary published today in just a minute.

But first, here’s a reminder about something I announced the other day.

My old buddy Scott Ramminger and I are cooking up a new podcast that explores the intersection of music, art, and popular culture with news and politics.

Scott and I are finalizing contract negotiations with the "Not Fake News Network" and so we are prohibited by an ironclad non-disclosure agreement that not even Rudy Giuliani could break from providing further details.

However, I can say that it is going to be both interesting and entertaining.

I can also reveal that we've lined up some very cool and interesting guests, for our show, which is planned to stream weekly as a companion to this podcast, which was launched a few months ago.

Our new effort to get into trouble will launch early in March. We’ll reveal more information on Friday, Feb. 19. So, stay tuned...

Meanwhile, Take a listen to “The Soul of the Republican Party”, by Chris Waldron on Not Fake News.biz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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McConnell Blew It

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Yesterday, the Senate declined to convict former president Donald Trump on charges of inciting the deadly insurrection that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

They acquitted him, however, with seven of the 50 Republican senators joining all Democrats in voting to convict Trump, but falling 10 short of the 2/3 majority needed for conviction.

After the trial was over, Republican leader Mitch McConnell castigated Trump for encouraging the mob attack and suggested he should pay the price in court. He sounded like a Democrat making the case for conviction, but that was right after he had voted to let Trump off the hook, which means he still has political life.

What about that? I’ll talk about that in just a minute.

But before we get to that, here’s a reminder about something I announced the other day.

My old buddy Scott Ramminger and I are cooking up a new podcast that explores the intersection of music, art, and popular culture with news and politics.

Scott and I are finalizing contract negotiations with the "Not Fake News Network" and so we are prohibited by an ironclad non-disclosure agreement from providing further details.

However, I can say that it is going to be both interesting and entertaining.

I can also reveal that we've lined up some very cool and interesting guests, for our show, which is planned to stream weekly as a companion to this podcast, which was launched a few months ago.

Our new effort to get into trouble will launch early in March. So, stay tuned...

Meanwhile, here’s my commentary. Take a listen to “McConnell Blew It”, from Not Fake News.biz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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The Parallel Universe Version of the 2016 Election

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Today, Not Fake News writer Susan Hutchinson imagines what might have happened if in 2016 Hilary Clinton had defeated Donald Trump, instead of the other way around.

What would have been Trump’s reaction back then? How would events have been changed? It’s fascinating commentary, but remember, as you listen to my narration, that it’s all conjecture, based on Susan’s imagination. But it’s worth considering.

But before we get to that, I have a special announcement to make.

My old buddy Scott Ramminger and I are cooking up a new podcast that explores the intersection of music, art, and popular culture with news and politics.

Scott and I are finalizing contract negotiations with the "Not Fake News Network" and so we are prohibited by an ironclad non-disclosure agreement from providing further details.

However, I can say that it is going to be both interesting and entertaining.

I can also reveal that we've lined up some very cool and interesting guests, for our show, which is planned to stream weekly as a companion to this podcast, which was launched a few months ago.

Our new effort to get into trouble will launch early in March. So, stay tuned...

Meanwhile, here’s Susan’s commentary. Take a listen to “The Parallel Universe Version of the 2016 Election”, from Not Fake News.biz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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The Tainted Senate Jury

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Wondering if you guys watch the TV show, “Bull,” based on a jury analyst who figures out which potential jury members would be more favorable to his firm’s clients, and which would be most unfavorable.

They figure this out with a series of questions to potential members of the jury panel, and if it looks like they would not be friendly, or if they have some sort of conflict of interest, the attorney uses a preemptory challenge and those members are dismissed.

Well, the Senate is holding a trial on the impeachment of former President Donald Trump on charges of inciting an insurrection that resulted in a mob attack on Congress. No, there are no standards for jury selection in this case. Anybody who’s a senator gets to sit in judgement.

But what if a senator actually participated in the insurrection, or at least helped make it possible? Should that senator be on that jury?

Take a listen to “The Tainted Senate Jury”, from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Faulty Trump Defense

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial opened today and it’s clear what we’re in for.

The Trump attorneys spent their time obfuscating and misdirecting, and the first guy, lead counsel Bruce Castor Jr. simply wandered all over the place, seemed to talk to hear himself talk, although he did take time to pander to members of the
Senate.

Meanwhile, the House impeachment managers, anticipating the Trump defense, ripped it to shreds even before it began.

But will any of that matter when the dust settles and they vote when the trial is over? Probably not.

Take a listen to “The Faulty Trump Defense”, from Not Fake News.biz.

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The GOP- The Party of Q & No

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0000

The news media is filled with pundits asking the weighty question of exactly what has the Republican party become these days.

Is it still the party of Donald Trump, even after his disastrous presidency and becoming the first president in history to be impeached TWICE, the second time coming after he incited a violent attack on Congress, trying to disrupt certification Joe Biden’s election.

Is it the party of right-wing crazies who embrace conspiracy theories and the wacko QAnon cult? People like Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?

Or is it still the party of conservative values that seeks to adhere to the Constitution?

Is it a party that has any ideas of its own to advance as our nation confronts the devastating coronavirus pandemic? Or is it simply the “party of No”?

That’s the question that we address in today’s podcast.

Take a listen to “The GOP: The Party of Q&No”, from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Real RINOs

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0000

With Donald Trump silenced by social media and apparently hiding out at Mar-a-Lago, we no longer are subjected to his childish name-calling. At least for now.

To me, and I’m sure a lot of people, that was one of the most irritating tactics Trump used to demean those who opposed him. He used so many, in fact, that Wikipedia now has a comprehensive list organized in various categories.

“Crooked Hillary” was one of his favorites for Hillary Clinton. He loved to call Joe Biden “Sleepy Joe.” Mike Bloomburg was “Mini Mike.” And that was just for starters.

But Trump hated Republicans who had the courage to stand up to him, who opposed him on anything. For them, he had a special name: “RINO.”

Take a listen to “The Real RINOs”, written by Chris Waldron from Not Fake News.biz.

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Sex & the Coronavirus

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Early on when the coronavirus pandemic first struck, men were reported to be adversely affected more than women, and a variety of reasons was given.

But now, things have changed and, at least in the Americas, it’s women who are now feeling the impact more than their male counterparts.

Take a listen to “Sex & the Coronavirus” , with comments by Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, director of the Pan American World Health Organization, from Not Fake News.biz.

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Covid, Not Fraud, Defeated Trump

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0000

The U.S. Senate will put former president Donald Trump on trial following his impeachment by the House of Representatives on charges of insurrection, stemming from his inciting the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

Trump has been pushing his lawyers, who keep bailing on him, by the way, to use as his defense his claims that the election was stolen from him, that it was filled with fraud.

If the lawyers cave into those demands by Trump, his own campaign has just issued a report flatly stating that those claims are false. It was his mishandling of Covid that cost Trump, not chicanery by Democratic voters.

Take a listen to “Covid, Not Fraud, Defeated Trump” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Come on, Man! Can't We Just Move On?

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0000

It amazes me that Republicans are now saying the rest of the nation should simply forgive and forget the fact that Donald Trump practically ended our democracy as we know it.

They say we should just move on.

Well, I don’t think so.

Take a listen to “Come on, Man! Can’t We Just Move On?” from Not Fake News.biz.

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What is an American Patriot?

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0000

When the mob was attacking the Capitol building in Washington DC on January 6, we kept hearing their supporters call them “patriots.” We heard them call themselves “patriots.” And, we heard Donald Trump, as he exhorted the crowd to go to the Capitol, call them “patriots.”

That made my skin crawl. Those people were not American patriots, they were criminals. And, it turns out, at least one or more of them was a murder, because a Capitol Hill police officer was killed in the melee.

Patriots! It made me want to vomit.

My colleague from Not Fake News, Susan Hutchinson, wrote about that today. She actually beat me to the punch! But I’ll narrate her commentary here for you now.

Take a listen to “What is an American Patriot” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Climate Change Deniers-Denied

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0000

We finally have a president who is taking action to combat the climate change crisis that threatens our world.

Having been in office only days, President Biden has already taken concrete action and the naysayers and industry dirtballs are already acting like the world is coming to an end.

That’s funny, really, because just yesterday the people who set the “Doomsday Clock” issued another warning.

Take a listen to “Climate Change Deniers-Denied” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Warning- Possible Terrorist Attacks--by Americans

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Today I read a story that former Vice President Pence is afraid for his life, all because rabid Trump supporters are still angry that he would not do the impossible and overturn the election results to keep their hero in office.

It’s no wonder, as they were yelling “Hang Mike Pence” on January 6 when they broke into the U.S. Capitol, having erected an actual gallows complete with a noose outside.

There is no sign that this hate and division that caused all of this is going to go away any time soon, and now we have a warning from the federal government that we could be in for renewed terrorist attacks – from our own citizens.

And, I shudder to think what they will do if the Senate, unlikely as it seems, convicts Trump for inciting the insurrection and bans him from ever holding public office again.

Take a listen to “Warning: Possible Terrorist Attacks—by Americans” from Not Fake News.biz.

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An Attack on America from Within

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Last night when the House of Representatives formally delivered the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate, I began to wonder what young school children must be thinking. Here we have a president of the United States who actually tried to attack our own government, really, our own country.

Obviously, that’s not what children of die-hard Trump supporters will be told, unlike those kids whose parents really understand what Trump was trying to do, and who explain that to their children.

That brought me to considering what children of future generations will be taught, and what they will think. So I wrote about that.

Take a listen to “An Attack on America from Within” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Will Republicans Abandon Trump?

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Today I’ve got two pieces of commentary for you, both related to the Trump impeachment and issues surrounding it.

First, we’ll talk about the upcoming impeachment trial and how Senate Republicans are faced with deciding whether to get rid of Trump by convicting him of inciting insurrection or let him off and then be stuck with him as the supposed leader of a splintered party.

There’s a lot at stake. In fact, some might say it’s a watershed moment for the GOP.

Then, after a quick break, I’ll narrate commentary by Chris Waldron of Not Fake News.biz, who cautions against the temptation that we all feel to get things back to normal.

He covers a lot of ground in this one, including Trump’s supposed plan to start his own political party, the Patriot Party, to compete with the Republican Party. That would likely spell doom for the GOP, at least until Trump fades from the scene.

So let’s get at it. First, “Will Republicans Abandon Trump?” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Interview: Scott Ramminger, Blues & Root Musician

Wed, 17 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Today our guest is Scott Ramminger, who for many years was the CEO of a Washington, DC industry lobbying organization and is a Nashville-based songwriter and musician. When Scott was in DC, he performed at clubs maybe three nights a week, but now is a fulltime writer and musician.

Scott’s published five blues and roots albums and is working on his sixth. He performs solo and with a band..and on top of all that is a hell of an interesting guy.

Scott’s music is down-to-earth, reaches into your soul.

Scott…thanks for joining us today. It must be tough doing what you do in the middle of this Covid situation…

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End of Trump Administration-An Autopsy

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0000

With Donald Trump now hiding away as a private citizen at his swanky resort in South Florida, and the new Biden administration now underway, Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron offers a brief “autopsy” of this failed presidency.

As we all know, the picture isn’t pretty.

So take a listen to “End of Trump Administration: An Autopsy” from Not Fake News.biz. I’ll narrate.

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A New Day, but Twin Pandemics Await

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Thanks for connecting with NFN Radio News brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m Bob Gatty, founder and editor of Not Fake News.

A new day filled with hope has arrived, but America's new president, Joseph R. Biden, now must confront twin pandemics that threaten our nation, and the extent to which he succeeds will largely determine the well-being of every single one of us.

That’s our topic for today as we take a look at the historic inauguration and what may lie ahead.

Take a listen to “A New Day, but Twin Pandemics Await” From Not Fake News.biz.

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An Ignomious but Fitting End

Wed, 27 May 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Finally, the end of the Trump presidency is at hand.
Take a listen to “An Ignominious but Fitting End” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Defunding the Insurrectionists

Wed, 20 May 2015 00:00:00 -0000

There’s a lot of blame to go around when it comes to Trump and his misguided and illegal effort to overturn his defeat by Joe Biden.

Yea, the guy probably would have done all of this on his own because he simply can’t abide the fact that 7 million fewer people voted for him than Biden. Remember when he said he might have to leave country if Biden beat him, it would be that embarrassing?

But the fact that so many political lowlifes and hangers on encouraged him certainly didn’t help any. And the end result of all of this was a violent coup attempt at the Capitol that has cost the lives of at least five people.

In my opinion, those politicians who encouraged Trump need to share the blame – and the punishment.

One way they are being punished is in the pocketbook as a bunch of major donors have said they’re not going to ante up to those Congress people who refused to certify Biden’s election. That’s great news, and that’s what we talk about in today’s podcast.

So take a listen to “Defunding the Insurrectionists” From Not Fake News.biz.

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A Trump Double-Cross?

Wed, 13 May 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump is known for a lot of things. Being loyal to people who support him, people who willingly do his bidding, is not one of those things.

In fact, he has a history of screwing over people who have done everything on his behalf, people who have sacrificed their careers, their reputations, and have even gone to jail in his name.

Now, a number of those lunatics who attacked the Capitol and Congress January 6 feel like they’re on that list of people Trump screwed. In fact, they’re so angry with Trump that some have even said he should be executed, or that he should just rot in jail.

Wow! And those are his supporters! Those people, many of whom have or will be arrested and charged with criminal actions, who have lived the Trump dream, were sucked in with his lies and false promises, and who did exactly what he told them to do – go to the Capitol and “fight like hell.”

So that’s Part 1 of our podcast tonight.

Part 2 is from Chris Waldron of Not Fake News.biz, who wrote a blog today about the oath of office. For president, the oath promises to uphold the constitution, but says nothing about protecting the nation against “all enemies, foreign or domestic,” like the oath does for Senators.

Guess there is a reason the founding fathers included that in the Congressional oath.

So Chris talks about that in his piece.

So take a listen, first to “A Trump Double-cross?” and then, “Enemies, Foreign and Domestic” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Was the U.S. Capitol Attack an Inside Job?

Wed, 06 May 2015 00:00:00 -0000

There are all sorts of rumblings now that some members of law enforcement as well as some Republican members of Congress could have helped that mob attack the U.S. Capitol January 6 when the vote to make Joe Biden’s election official was being taken.

That’s an incredible thing. Imagine what it must have been like with these mobsters smashing windows and breaking down doors to get in as you’re hiding under a desk.

How would you feel if you knew you were an actual target, like Vice President Mike Pence who refused Trump’s illegal request to simply declare him the winner? There were people out there calling for you to be hung, and they actually had built a gallows for that purpose!

But the idea that some of your colleagues might have been involved in this? And some of the police who are supposed to protect you?

Apparently that’s part of the story, though, and I guess we’ll know more soon enough.

So take a listen to “Was the U.S. Capitol Attack an Inside Job?” From Not Fake News.biz.

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One Nation Under Siege

Wed, 29 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Finally, we are getting rid of Donald J. Trump

But as Chris Waldron of Not Fake News points out in a blog published today, our nation is still “under siege” and that’s not going to dissipate any time soon as even as they were leaving Washington last week, rioters and insurrectionists were planning a return.

What could lie ahead is chilling to think of, especially with the Biden-Harris inauguration coming in just a few days and then the impeachment trial set to begin.

On that score, I’ve got some thoughts about how the walls are closing in on Trump. Impeached by the House of Representatives, even with 10 Republicans voting with all of the Democrats, Trump’s life seems to be falling apart.

The man who told us four years ago that we’d get tired of so much winning seems about to lose everything.

Take a listen, first “One Nation Under Siege,” and then, “For Trump, the Walls are Closing In”. It’s all from Not Fake News.biz.

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Confessions of an Obsession

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0000

I just read that Cumulus Media has ordered its right-leaning talk-show hosts to stop suggesting that the election was stolen from Donald Trump, or face termination if they fail to comply.

That was great news, shutting down an important source of vitriol that helped fuel last Wednesday’s mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Trump and the Republicans are also getting hit where it hurts. Corporate donors are pulling their support and the PGA has pulled the U.S. Open golf tournament from his Bedminster, NJ golf course.

All of that is good news, but, of course, it’s the old story about shutting the barn door after the horse escaped.

Today is my 78th birthday, a day that brings great sadness as I consider all that has happened during my 77th year, but it also brings great hope, as I consider what can be in the year ahead.

That’s the topic of today’s podcast. Take a listen to “Confessions of an Obsession” from Not Fake News.biz.

(In the photo, I am shown with Sen. Kamala Harris during a 2019 campaign tour in South Carolina.)

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NFN Radio News-Episode 241-Republican Hypocrisy on Steroids - 1:10:21, 7.47 PM

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Right wing extremists – read that domestic terrorists – are planning even more violence, more attacks on the Capitol during the January 20 inauguration and at every state capital across the country.

The Washington Post detailed much of this today, and those warnings had better be heeded.

In the meantime, there is much hand wringing in Washington about what to do about Trump. Democrats want him out, and so do a few Republicans like Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who said she’s thinking of dumping the GOP altogether.

But all of this BS by Republicans, including the two cabinet members who so far have resigned, is simply hypocrisy. They’ve enabled this man for the past four years and now our entire country is paying the price.

And, it’s not over. Not by a long shot.

That’s the topic of today’s podcast written by Susan Hutchinson of Not Fake News. Take a listen to “Republican Hypocrisy on Steroids” from Not Fake News.biz. I’ll be narrating.

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The Crisis is Far from Over. Be Prepared

Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0000

The flames of hate and distrust that Donald Trump has stoked among his true believers are still burning and America had best be braced for more violence when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are inaugurated January 20.

I just hope that all of the law enforcement agencies involved, from the Secret Service to the FBI and everything in between will be ready to deal with everything from snipers and would-be assassins to bombs and whatever.

The foolish and gullible people who Trump has convinced that he is their God and the savior of our nation can be expected to return to Washington, probably in even larger numbers than on January 6 when they ransacked the capitol causing the death of five people, including one of their own rioters and a police officer.

Democrats and some Republicans are working now to get rid of Trump even before inauguration day, fearful that he might do something dangerous as his mood worsens and as he grows ever more bitter at his loss.

But as that happens, many of his supporters are blatantly warning on social media that they’ve only begun. The lunatic fringe is planning a civil war, and we’d better take it seriously.

Yes, they are wacko. And yes, they are dangerous.

Take a listen to “The Crisis is Far from Over. Be Prepared”, my commentary from Not Fake News.biz.

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From Trump Chaos to the Rule of Law

Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0000

And so today there were two significant developments that coincidentally occurred at the same time, one in the halls of Congress in Washington, DC, and the other in Delaware, where President-elect Joe Biden has his headquarters.

In Washington, momentum began to get rid of Donald Trump – either by invoking the 25th amendment or rushing through impeachment. It was all because of yesterdays’ riots, which he incited, that resulted in an attack on our Capitol, and in effect, on democracy itself.

In Wilmington, Biden announced his new attorney general and others who will play critical roles at the Justice Department, as Biden seeks to restore that department to its rightful place as an independent entity whose loyalty is to the rule of law and the Constitution, not to any one person or political party.

Taken together, it was a significant occurrence, so that’s the topic of today’s podcast. Take a listen to “From Trump Chaos to the Rule of Law” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Insurrection, Sedition but Reason for Hope

Wed, 25 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Today has been a dark day in the history of our nation as the effort by Donald Trump to hang on to the presidency turned into violence, at least one death, and disruption of a constitutionally required joint session of Congress.

Many people must share the blame for this tragedy – Trump, for inciting an insurrection and Congresspeople and Senators for aiding and abetting him by going on with his effort to overturn the election.

It was a tragedy of historic proportions, but there is the hope that the new administration brings, bolstered now with a fully Democratic Congress.

That’s the topic of today’s podcast. Take a listen to “Insurrection, Sedition but Reason for Hope” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Pence to Declare Trump a Loser

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump’s desperation to hang on to power is almost embarrassing – almost. I don’t know about you, but I kind of enjoy seeing him grovel and beg…such a loser.

Remember when he said America would get tired of winning? That was a crock then and it’s a bigger crock now.

The phone call the other day that he made to the Georgia secretary of state was classic Trump. He just can’t help himself. Just find those 12,000 votes. Come on. Gimme a break. You can recalculate, it’s OK. Pretty please? And if you don’t do it, you’re committing a crime, and I’m the president and you’ll be in big trouble.

Reminded me when my 10 year-old son begged me not to make him play Little League.

Only problem is, this crap from Trump is dangerous and harmful and could have a lasting impact on our country.

That’s the topic of today’s podcast. Take a listen to “Pence to Declare Trump a Loser” from Not Fake News.biz.

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GOP Arsonists Prepare to Strike

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0000

I’m wondering today how it has come about that so many of the people whom we’ve elected have become so self-focused, so blind to anything except their own ambition, that they’ll do just about anything to succeed.

Yea, Trump’s that way – probably the champion of that attitude. But he’s got a lot of company in the United States Congress when it comes to “blind ambition,” and we’re going to see a nasty example of that January 6 when Congress officially counts the electoral college votes and makes Joe Biden’s election official.

That’s the topic of today’s podcast. Take a listen to “GOP Arsonists Prepare to Strike” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Bucking the Odds - Inside South Carolina Democratic Politics with Don Kohn

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0000

What’s it like being the chair of the Democratic Party in a South Carolina county that’s been dominated by Republicans for years?

Why would a soft-spoken retired corporate executive from New Jersey want to use retirement time to buck those odds.

Our guest today is Don Kohn, who heads the Horry County, South Carolina Democratic Party and he’s going to provide us with some answers. This is a guy who doesn’t get paid and is working his tail off to elect Democrats in an area where even finding candidates to run is a huge challenge.

Take a listen.

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The GOP & Budget Deficit Religion

Wed, 25 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Isn’t it amazing that all of a sudden Republicans in Congress are suddenly getting religion when it comes to deficit spending?

That didn’t happen, of course, when it was time to pass that gazillion dollar tax boondoggle for the rich, but now that millions of Americans are in desperate financial straits from the coronavirus pandemic, worries about deficit spending are rearing their ugly head.

Typical. What else would we expect from the likes of Mitch McConnell and company?

Take a listen to “The GOP & Budget Deficit Religion” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Traitor Trump's Coup d'etat Con

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0000

There’s just one more hurdle before the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris can be written in stone, and that’s the January 6 session of Congress when lawmakers officially tabulate the electoral college results by state.

While that usually is just a routine exercise that attracts little attention, this year that session is expected to be yet another chapter in Donald Trump’s sordid effort to overturn the election so he can remain as president – even though he lost the election.

Take a listen to “Traitor Trump’s Coup d’etat Con” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Madman Trump

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0000

President Trump’s behavior is getting increasingly unhinged and now it’s jeopardizing the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans.

That’s the subject of today’s podcast. Take a listen to Madman Trump from Not Fake News.biz.

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NFN Radio News-Episode 231-Interview with former NJ Gov. James J. Florio - 12:23:20, 9.57 AM

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Audio Corrections: Our guest today is former New Jersey Congressman and Governor James J. Florio, for whom I worked for two years as chief of staff during his years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jim Florio was a high school dropout who joined the Navy as a teenager, went on to become an attorney, a state assemblyman, a congressman, and finally a governor, serving his state in that post from 1990 to 1994.

A passionate defender of the environment, Florio played a crucial role in the enactment of 1980s-era Superfund laws, which helped to clean up toxic waste sites in his home state and around the country.

As governor, he fought for the groundbreaking Clean Water Enforcement Act, but his reforms came at a cost – a big political cost. He was forced to raise state taxes to balance the state budget. He did what he had to do, and the Republicans pounced making him a one term governor.

Jim Florio is the author of the book “Standing on Principle,” a memoir that reflects upon the challenges that he faced throughout his political career. I can tell you from personal experience, that this man did, indeed, “stand on principle.” He was tough, hard working, hard charging, and demanding. But he did not ask more from his staff than what he was willing to deliver, himself.

Now retired from politics, the governor maintains a law practice, writes, and teaches. Today, we will talk with him about the political climate today, get his take on Donald Trump, his actions since the election, and his thoughts about what lies ahead.

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NFN Radio News-Episode 231-Interview with former NJ Gov. James J. Florio - 12:22:20, 4.52 PM

Wed, 28 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Our guest today is former New Jersey Congressman and Governor James J. Florio, for whom I worked for two years as chief of staff during his years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jim Florio was a high school dropout who joined the Navy as a teenager, went on to become an attorney, a state assemblyman, a congressman, and finally a governor, serving his state in that post from 1990 to 1994.

A passionate defender of the environment, Florio played a crucial role in the enactment of 1980s-era Superfund laws, which helped to clean up toxic waste sites in his home state and around the country.

As governor, he fought for the groundbreaking Clean Water Enforcement Act, but his reforms came at a cost – a big political cost. He was forced to raise state taxes to balance the state budget. He did what he had to do, and the Republicans pounced making him a one term governor.

Jim Florio is the author of the book “Standing on Principle,” a memoir that reflects upon the challenges that he faced throughout his political career. I can tell you from personal experience, that this man did, indeed, “stand on principle.” He was tough, hard working, hard charging, and demanding. But he did not ask more from his staff than what he was willing to deliver, himself.

Now retired from politics, the governor maintains a law practice, writes, and teaches. Today, we will talk with him about the political climate today, get his take on Donald Trump, his actions since the election, and his thoughts about what lies ahead.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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The Mad King

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump keeps acting crazier and crazier, coming up with hairbrained schemes to try to hang on the presidency, which seems like a job he really doesn’t like – except for the TV exposure and the adoration of his die-hard fans.

But the way he’s been acting recently have made me wonder if maybe some of those mental health experts who have warned about his mental state might be right. Is the president of the United States really off his rocker?

Increasingly, he reminds me of King George III – Mad King George – who ranted and raved and was treated for mental illness. Of course back then, in the 18th century, those treatments weren’t exactly what we’d consider “scientific” today.

That’s the topic of today’s podcast. Take a listen to “The Mad King” From Not Fake News.biz.

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NFN Radio News-Episode 229-Putting in the Fix - 12:19:20, 6.37 PM

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0000

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Episode 228-NFN Radio News-Will Trump be a Shadow President? - 12:18:20, 8.23 PM

Wed, 07 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Will Donald Trump become a “shadow president” and use that perch as a way to maintain power?

Sen. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican, thinks so, and he should know. He’s become one of Trump’s closest friends – if Trump actually has such a thing as a friend.

But what if that happens? What if Trump sets himself up as a fake president in Mar-a-Lago, holds court, invites supplicants in to kiss his ring, and continues to stir up opposition to Joe Biden’s every move?

Take a listen to “Will Trump be a Shadow President?” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Wily Old Mitch & the Sore Loser

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0000

It took more than 40 days for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to acknowledge the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the presidency and vice-presidency, respectively, compared to only one day when Donald Trump won in 2016.Why did it take so long?Well, McConnell, not wanting to get in Trump’s crosshairs, waited until the Electoral College officially declared Biden and Harris the winners on December 14.Now, he has to deal with the possibility of a revolt among Republicans in Congress, some of whom want to drag this out even further. That could be a challenge for McConnell, who still has to tread softly as long as Trump has power.We’ll cover that in today’s podcast, “Wily, Old Mitch & the Sore Loser” From Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen.

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A Good Day for America

Wed, 24 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Historians will mark December 14, 2020, as one of the most consequential days in the history of our country. On that day, the election of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States became official, and even reluctant Republican senators said it's time to accept that fact.On that day, the first inoculations of the Covid 19 vaccine were administered.Indeed, it was a day that will long be remembered.So, take a listen to “A Good Day for America” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Republican Sedition?

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0000

In my last podcast, I asked this question:Did the 106 Republican representatives who are asking the Supreme Court to invalidate the election run for Congress simply to demolish our democracy?Now I have a followup. Did that action amount to the crime of sedition? Should they be kicked out of Congress? And oh, by the way, that 106 number rose to 126 before that brief was finally submitted to the Supreme Court.So, take a listen to “Republican Sedition?” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Trump Coup: Demolishing Our Democracy

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0000

There’s a hashtag trending today on Twitter that perfectly summarizes today’s podcast. It’s #SeditiousGOP. In my blog on today’s Not Fake News.biz, I ask this question: Did the 106 Republican representatives who are asking the Supreme Court to invalidate the election run for Congress simply to demolish our democracy?That is the crux of it.So, take a listen to “Trump’s Coup: Demolishing our Democracy.” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Reforming the Cops: Guest, Civil Rights Attorney Howard Friedman

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Our guest today is Howard Friedman, a Boston civil rights attorney, who talks about police misconduct and racism, what needs to be done about it, the impact of Trump’s stacking of the Supreme Court, and much more.It’s a fascinating conversation with a top attorney who has dedicated his career to combatting police misconduct and representing defendants who have suffered at the hands of the police. So, take a listen to “Reforming the Cops.” From Not Fake News.biz.

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On His Way Out, Trump Plays Dirty

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Here’s a heads up for tomorrow when I’ll be doing an exclusive interview with Howard Friedman, a Boston civil rights attorney, who will be talking about police misconduct and racism, what needs to be done about it, the impact of Trump’s stacking of the Supreme Court, and much more.Watch for it on this podcast channel. It will be a fascinating and enlightening discussion.Meanwhile, take a listen to “On His Way Out, Trump Plays Dirty.” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Get Over It, Trump. You Lost.

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0000

It obviously is impossible for Donald Trump to reconcile the fact that he lost the election to Joe Biden, but somebody needs to set him straight and tell him, flat out, "Get over it, pal. You lost."Take a listen.

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The GOP: Now the GRP--The Grim Reaper Party

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0000

The Republican party needs to retire its elephant and get a new mascot. The Grim Reaper Party (GRP) would be a better choice as its current platform appears to now include massive death and destruction.That’s the view of writer Susan Hutchinson, as she wrote today on Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen to “GOP Now the GRP – The Grim Reaper Party” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Trump's Con of All Cons

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0000

A fool and his money are soon parted. It says so in the Bible, so it must be true. You would think Trump's supporters, many of them Evangelical Christians, would understand that and not be taken in by his latest election fraud scam. But no…they’ve sent him upwards of $175 million and counting.Take a listen to “Trump’s Con of All Cons” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Lunacy Reigns in Trumpland

Wed, 29 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Calls for martial law and for a fired election official to be shot for affirming election accuracy, and a possible GOP coup. Lunacy reigns, but shows no signs of going away any time soon.But, you say, the Electoral College vote comes December 14, and everything will be settled. Not exactly, if some Repubicans have their way. Take a listen to “Lunacy Reigns in Trumpland” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Donald Trump's Continuing Hissy Fit

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump is having a hissy fit at the few Republican officials who have the courage to stand up to him and refuse to violate the law to help him overturn the presidential election.Take a listen to “Donald Trump’s Continuing Hissy Fit” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Integrity Trumping Trump

Wed, 15 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0000

It’s been remarkable to see how the many judges, some who are Republicans and even appointed by Trump, and other state officials are following the rule of law and rejecting Donald Trump’s phony charges of election fraud and funny business.That will be our discussion on today’s podcast.But first, I want to tell you that just in time for the holidays, we've slashed the price of our book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, which is now available at Amazon.com, where it has received 5-star reviews.Digital Edition -- Now just $4.99 (was $9.99) Paperback Vol. 1 -- Now $10.99 (was $14.99) Paperback Vol. 2 -- Now $10.99 (was $14.99) "Hijacked Nation" is a virtual play-by-play of the tragedy of the Donald Trump presidency, with daily blogs since September 2017 offering a running account of important developments shaping our nation with the perspective of "just a little lean to the left." The digital edition as well as the two-volume paperback set is based on Not Fake News blogs running through June 2020. The final volume, in what will become a trilogy that tracks much of the Trump presidency, is now underway and is expected to be published soon after President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris take office on January 20.So, take advantage of these new, reduced prices on the current digital edition and both paperback editions -- more than 600 pages of insight by a team of Not Fake News writers, "from the outside, looking in."We're honored at all of the 5-star reviews that our book has garnered, both on Amazon.com and on Goodreads.com.So now, on with the podcast. Take a listen to “Integrity Trumping Trump” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Thanking Our Healthcare Heroes

Wed, 08 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0000

This morning I saw a piece on MSNBC about some nurses who were caring for Covid-19 patients who took the time to present a patient, who had been hospitalized for more than a month, with a Happy Birthday song and a special cupcake.It was an act of kindness on an incredibly busy day for these nurses, all of whom along with all other healthcare workers, cannot be appreciated enough.Today’s podcast focuses on that and includes the story of one nurse, an Air Force veteran, who simply has had enough of the stress, the heartache, the bone weariness that she’s been dealing with since the pandemic began.So, take a listen to “Thanking Our Healthcare Heroes” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Biden & Trump: Thanksgiving in Contrast

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0000

We’ve all gotten used to Donald Trump’s obsession with himself, his refusal to acknowledge failure or defeat, his penchant for blaming others – to the point that it’s just become routine, no matter how disgusting and irritating.But today, when Trump phoned in to a sham “hearing” about the Pennsylvania election results to whine and complain, our new president, Joe Biden, was the one who was presidential. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and he presented a heartfelt address to the nation.That’s being a president.So, take a listen to “Biden & Trump: Thanksgiving in Contrast`” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Trump Defeated. Trumpism Not

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0000

I don’t know about you, but I felt a sense of relief when the announcement came that Donald Trump finally would allow the official transition to the Biden administration to go forward, even though he intends to continue his useless and harmful quest to overturn the election.But even though Trump has been defeated, his impact on our nation will be lasting. So, take a listen to “Trump Defeated. Trumpism Not” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Death to America! with Ian Gurvitz

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0000

In his latest book, DEATH TO AMERICA!: HOW WE THE PEOPLE SCREWED OURSELVES, author Ian Gurvitz makes the case that President Trump is not the cause of what’s broken in this country. He’s the result of it. He’s the malignant virus that grew out of our social/political/intellectual wet market, and attacked the body politic with no remorse and no goal other than to take over the host and kill it. Gurvitz is no stranger to the world of politics, his previous books include FREAK-OUT: The 2016 Election and the Dawn of the American Democalypse and WELCOME TO DUMBFUCKISTAN: The Dumbed-Down, Disinformed, Dysfunctional, Disunited States of America. It is Gurvitz’s thought provoking insights and take on the idiocy in American political life and our dumbed down culture that makes him an interesting read and fascinating conversationalist.Ian joins us today to talk about Death to America!, discuss his take on the travesty of Donald Trump, and what might lie ahead.Take a listen to “Death to America! With Ian Gurvitz” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Now Comes the Judge

Wed, 10 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0000

The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann rejecting Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the election results in Pennsylvania illustrates the importance of that third branch of our government, the Judiciary.Because it is the Executive Branch that is trying to take away our right to vote, and it is the irresponsible Trump scaredy-cats in the Republican Senate who are standing by, willing to let it happen. Take a listen to “Now Comes the Judge” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Aftermath of a Coup Attempt

Wed, 03 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Should the American people have to put up with this nonsense being pursued by Donald Trump and his nutty lawyer, Rudy Giuliani? What will come of all of this?Take a listen to “Aftermath of a Coup Attempt” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Trump Plots as the Pandemic Rages

Wed, 27 Aug 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump and his lunatic lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, continue their campaign to wage what amounts to an attempted coup that would overturn the election of President-Elect Joe Biden.Giuliani and other Trump lawyers continue to claim without evidence that massive voter fraud resulted in Trump’s landslide loss. Do they really believe they can overrun the will of the American people and re-install Donald Trump in the presidency? Or are they simply putting up a fight to please his rabidly supportive base in preparation for a Trump election run in 2024?Take a listen to “Trump Plots as the Pandemic Rages” from Not Fake News.biz.

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No More Mr. Nice Guy

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Once all the Trump craziness over the election has come to its inevitable conclusion and Joe Biden is sworn in as president, one of the big questions to be dealt with will be whether Donald Trump should be held accountable for the crimes committed during his presidency.Much has been said about the need to heal the nation and that Democrats shouldn’t be vindictive; that Biden should not use the Justice Department to exact political vengeance.Not Fake News columnist Joe Picatello has another view. He would like to see Trump in handcuffs and perp walked into the hoosegow. Take a listen to his commentary from Not Fake News.biz. I’ll narrate.

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The Future of Our Nation is at Stake

Wed, 13 Aug 2014 00:00:00 -0000

If the Republicans win those two special elections in Georgia, they will maintain control of the Senate and Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham will be in a position to team up and make life miserable for President Joe Biden and his administration.They did it to President Obama, regardless of the impact on the nation, and there is no reason it’ll be any different this time around.Today, Graham, asked why he was trying to interfere in the Georgia Presidential election recount since he represents South Carolina, not Georgia, replied: “Because the future of the country is at stake.”It sure is. Take a listen to this from Not Fake News.biz.

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Trump: Diminished & Finished

Wed, 06 Aug 2014 00:00:00 -0000

I’ve got another double-header for you today. First, will be commentary from Not Fake News.biz, “Trump: Diminished & Finished.” A lot of commentators and pundits are predicting that Donald Trump, once he leaves the White House, will be the powerful leader of the Republican Party and the odds-on favorite to be the GOP’s next presidential nominee.Mark me down as saying, I don’t think so…” Listen and you’ll learn why.Then, I’ll narrate Chris Waldron’s blog from Not Fake News, “The Seven Deadly Sins of Trumpism,” in which he details the seven deadly sins of Donald J. Trump and questions how it is that his right-wing Christian supporters can still abide this man.So Take a listen …

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Bucking the Odds

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re interviewing Tony Cahill, a Democrat who bucked the odds big time to run for office in South Carolina, where “liberal” is such a dirty word that when a Republican brands their opponent with it, it’s a sure recipe for victory – for the Republican, that is.Tony’s an interesting guy. He’s been a public school teacher for years, but his main worry is Covid 19, and he’s got some interesting ideas on what he thinks should be done – and what could happen if it’s notTake a listen to Bucking the Odds, an interview with Tony Cahill from Not Fake News.biz.

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Black Women Got it Done for Byden

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0000

The election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would not have happened without the determined support of Black women in the United States. Fed up with the racism, hate, chaos, ineptitude and vitriol of the Trump presidency, Black women rose up like never before and can justifiably take credit for his resounding defeat.Stacy Fitzgerald, an outstanding voice on Not Fake News.biz, has some thoughts about all of that in today’s podcast. Take a listen to Black Women Got it Done for Biden from Not Fake News.biz.

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We Fight Because it's Our Country

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0000

On this Veterans Day, we honor all of those who have served – and continue to serve – to keep our country safe and free. This commentary is about Harold (Buster) Hatcher, a decorated Army Vietnam veteran who served his country for two decades.Take a listen to “We Fight Because it is Our Country” from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Trump Coup?

Wed, 09 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Yesterday, we suggested that Donald Trump will end up being The President of Fantasy Island after all of this nonsense over his court cases alleging voter fraud are dealt with, and that perhaps his ultimate goal was simply to find an easy way out without admitting defeat, which we all know he can never do.Well, today’s podcast focuses on a much more serious scenario painted by an attorney who wrote a piece on Dan Rather’s News & Guts digital platform. It focuses on a strategy that could be developing that could – I repeat – could – make it possible for Trump to hijack the presidency once again.So take a listen to “The Trump Coup?” from Not Fake News.biz.

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The President of Fantasy Island

Wed, 02 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump apparently is living on Fantasy Island, refusing to accept that he's been repudiated by a majority of American voters, and now reportedly is looking for a way out without admitting that he's a loser.Which is what those court cases are all about. So take a listen to “The President of Fantasy Island” from Not Fake News.biz.

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America Wins; Now There is Hope

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0000

When Gerald Ford took the oath of office as president after the resignation of President Nixon, he famously said, “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.”The same could be said today with the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Some 75 million American voters sent Donald Trump and his crime family to the trash bin of history.With the election of Biden and Harris, love replaces hate, kindness replaces selfishness and meanness, hope replaces fear.My colleague Chris Waldron and I offer our takes on this historic event in tonight’s podcast, recorded just prior to Biden’s victory declaration remarks in Wilmington, Delaware.First, here’s Waldron’s piece, “America Wins!”, which I will narrate, and then I’ll present my comments, “And Now There is Hope.”

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Taking a Mulligan in His Big Boy Pants

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0000

While the vote count dragged on today, two stories cracked me up. The first was when Sean Hannity of Fox News said there should be a “do-over” in the Pennsylvania election. Since when can you just do it again when you lose?And the second was when the mayor of Philadelphia scolded Trump and said he should grow up, concede and get gone.Couldn’t resist this one.Take a listen to “Taking a Mulligan in His Big Boy Pants” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Will Trump Stop Playing Politics with Covid 19?

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Any chance that now that he has nothing to lose Donald Trump will actually act like a president and take strong action against the coronavirus pandemic?What are you smoking? You might ask.Well, there are thousands of lives in the balance between now and February, according to a report I uncovered today.Take a listen to “Will Trump Stop Playing Politics with Covid-19?” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Time to Put the Pieces Together

Wed, 04 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Yesterday, filled with hope, I wrote commentary ahead of the election that I hoped to be able to publish on my blog site, Not Fake News.biz, and share with you on NFN Radio News.The first paragraph read:Tonight, the American tragedy of the Trump presidency was soundly repudiated by the American people who decided to return to stability, sanity and hope and elected Joe Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice president of the United States.Unfortunately, that did not happen, and the draft of that piece has now been consigned to my trash bin. However, as today has dawned and moved into the afternoon, it looks increasingly likely that Joe Biden will be elected and Trump, after his lawsuit shenanigans, will be consigned to the trash bin of history.But the election demonstrated that America is divided like never before, thanks to Trump’s exploitation of fear, latent racism, and tendency of many people to simply believe what they want to believe. It’s an unhealthy divisiveness that desperately needs to be resolved.So, take a listen to “Time to Put the Pieces Together” from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Election of Fear is Upon Us

Wed, 28 May 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump and his Republican supporters are using every scare tactic possible to intimidate voters who are unlikely to vote for him, while at the same time turning to the courts to challenge individual votes and election results across the nation.They are turning what should be a celebratory exercise of democracy into an election of fear, one that if successful could result in totalitarian Trump rule for the next four years.So, take a listen to “The Election of Fear is Upon Us” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Countdown to Sanity

Wed, 21 May 2014 00:00:00 -0000

I’ve got another twin killing for you today with two commentaries as the election draws ever closer.Up first is “Countdown to Sanity,” written yesterday, Halloween, when there were three days left before election day. Wondering whether sanity will return or if we’ll face more scary times over the next four years.Then, I’ll narrate Chris Waldron’s Not Fake News piece, “Trump Rallies and Herd Immunity,” in which he suggests that Donald Trump may be holding his huge rallies to deliberately spread COVID to achieve herd immunity. Seems like he has no other strategy to deal with the pandemic.So, take a listen to these two pieces from Not Fake News.biz.

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Trump's October Surprise

Wed, 14 May 2014 00:00:00 -0000

I’ve got a two-fer for you today because with the election just a few days away, there’s a lot to talk about.Up first is “Trump’s October Surprise,” which is now showing up, and it’s not something Trump cooked up to steal the election from Joe Biden. Rather, it’s probably going to cost Trump, not Biden, the election.Then, I’ll narrate Chris Waldron’s Not Fake News piece, “Why Russia Wants Trump to Lose.” That may surprise some, since the general assumption is that they’re trying to sabotage our election to benefit Trump. But Waldron has another theory.So, take a listen to “Trump’s October Surprise” and then “Why Russia Wants Trump to Lose.” From Not Fake News.biz.

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The Coronavirus Song -- An Interview With Ben Spoden

Wed, 07 May 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Ben Spoden, a lyricist and musician from Wisconsin, has produced a cool song that's right on target, aptly named The Coronavirus Song, and he joins us on this podcast to discuss what inspired him to do this and what it's been like dealing with the pandemic for himself and his family. He's an interesting guy, and I think you'll enjoy the discussion.The podcast also features two plays of the song. Here are the lyrics:What is all of this?The world is getting sickWithout any clue of how things will turn outThe president is shitThe jobs fell off a cliffand I worry if my granny’s gonna dieNo ones in controlWe all want to knowWill the corona virus bury me?Is this political conspiracy?If I get sick will you take care of me?The stimulus has passedBut I can’t wipe my assCause the doomsday morons bought up all the rollsSo now we sit and sit And wait a little bitBut I don’t believe we can wait for very longWe will be too boredWe will be too poorWe can’t sit around forever---Meanwhile, I want to tell you about Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump’s Attack on America’s Greatness, our new book from Not Fake News. You can find it for under 10 bucks on Kindle and in paperback on Amazon.com, where it’s published in two volumes.It’s a terrific book, with commentary on key developments over the past three years and demonstrating how this president has, indeed, hijacked our nation. Check it out by searching for Hijacked Nation at Amazon.com.But, if you act fast, you can get the two-volume paperback set, signed by the authors, and save almost 10 bucks in the process. Just visit Not Fake News.biz/shop for more details and to order, and we’ll send it right out. But don’t delay, because the sale ends at midnight on Election Day.Now, have a listen to our interview with Ben Spoden and his Coronavirus Song. All brought to you by NotFakeNews.biz.

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A Slumlord's Take on Success

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Not a day goes by of late when there isn’t some Trump administration official and member of the one percent on public airways pedaling the tired, false narrative of Black apathy, ignorance and laziness.Yesterday was no different, with Trump Son-in-Law and Senior Advisor Jared Kushner showing his true colors, and clearly that of daddy. If only, he said, those Black people actually WANTED to be successful.It won’t be long, now people, and we’ll be rid of this scum.Take a listen to “A Slumlord’s Take on Success” by Stacy Fitzgerald of Not Fake News.biz. I’ll narrate.

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Waving the White Flag on the Pandemic

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Denying reality, Donald Trump continues to claim America is "rounding the corner" on the coronavirus pandemic and he constantly brags that the stock market is rebounding to near pre-pandemic levels.Well, today's developments demonstrate that those claims are nothing but fake news.Take a listen to “Waving the White Flag on the Pandemic” from Not Fake News.biz.

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It Came from China (And Other Fake News)

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Are you guys as tired as I am at Trump blaming China for the fact that 225,000 people have died in the U.S. from the coronavirus pandemic.The China plague. The China virus. It came from China. Every time he or one of his henchmen in the White House or Republican Party talk about it, China is always to blame.Not the fact that they have minimized the seriousness of the pandemic from its inception and still have no national plan to contain it, and not the fact that Trump, himself, draws people together like flies, risking their lives to feed his own ego. None of that has anything to do with the fact that cases in the U.S. continue to rise, with more than 8.6 million as of today, and people keep dying.Now, today, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows repeated the “It came from China” mantra when he was interviewed on CNN. And then, he added, “We’re not going to control the pandemic.”

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Can You Believe it? Oreos are Attacking Our Kids

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 00:00:00 -0000

It is hard to believe just how wacky, hateful and homophobic some people can be, but as the father of a gay son, I certainly should not be surprised.Today, I read about how a right-wing, nutcase organization has launched a boycott of Oreo cookies because they’re encouraging parents to accept their LGBTQ kids when they come out.And so, I wrote about it on Not Fake News.biz, and that’s the subject of today’s podcast. Take a listen to “Can You Believe it? Oreos are Attacking Our Kids!” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Tilting at Windmills

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Did you guys think Trump was on some kind of tranquilizer, maybe a hypnotic, during the first part of last night's debate? Seemed to come to life when spewing hot air about wind energy and solar, though. That’s the subject of today’s podcast. Take a listen to Tilting at Windmills from Not Fake News.biz.

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Election 2020: There Must be no Doubt

Wed, 26 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0000

President Obama says the election results must be clear because Trump refuses to say he will accept the results, and so much is at stake. Just little things. Like health care coverage. Like our democracy. That’s the subject of today’s podcast. Take a listen to Election 2020: There Must be no Doubt from Not Fake News.biz.

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Adventures of a Maritime Chef

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Listen to this conversation with Brandon Cristiano, a maritime chef who has just returned from eight months in Alaska where he worked as a chef on a chartered hunting & fishing vessel, cooking for bear hunters and fishermen and women.Want to know what it's like preparing fancy French pastries in a small galley while the boat is rocking and rolling in rough weather? Brandon explains as he talks about what life is like preparing and serving high-end cuisine on such a vessel as well as exploits that have taken him to Japan, China and Vietnam over the past two decades, working both as a chef and a sailing instructor.It's a fascinating story about a guy who’s using his skills to live a life that makes him happy. Brandon is one guy who will never say, when his day is done, “I wish I had done that.” Because whatever it is, Brandon will have done it.

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Why are Seniors Dumping Trump?

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0000

While voters age 65 and older helped propel Donald Trump to the presidency in 2016, they now are abandoning him in droves. Could the reason be that his pandemic is killing them?That’s the subject of today’s podcast. Take a listen to Why are Seniors Dumping Trump from Not Fake News.biz.

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Payback on Election Day

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0000

In states across the nation where early voting is taking place, voters are lining up…sometimes waiting for hours…for a chance to cast their ballots.The experts say Joe Biden and the Democrats have a huge lead among these early voters, many of whom are Black and are ready to provide Trump with a big time payback.That’s the subject of tonight’s podcast. Take a listen to Payback on Election Day from Not Fake News.biz.

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Fool Me Once

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Well, they just won’t stop with the dirty tricks, Trump and his buddy, Rudy Giuliani. They keep trying to tarnish Joe Biden in a desperate attempt to rescue the Orange One from defeat.But here’s the question. Was Rudy suckered by the Russians.This one was written by Chris Waldron on Not Fake News.biz. I’ll narrate. Take a listen.

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Hey Trump: Go Ahead. Pack Your Bags

Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:00:00 -0000

So the other night at a rally in Georgia, packed with red MAGA hatted supporters, President Trump joked that if he loses to Joe Biden he might have to leave the country. Here’s what I say: OK, Mr. Trump: Go ahead. Pack your bags.

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Trump's Version of Ordeal by Water

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 00:00:00 -0000

We know that a Blue Tsunami is coming, and Susan Hutchinson of Not Fake News says it will be Donald Trump’s Ordeal by Water.Take a listen to Susie. It’s a real witch’s brew – from Not Fake News.biz.

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Who's Packing the Supreme Court?

Wed, 05 Feb 2014 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we’re going to talk about who is really trying to pack the Supreme Court. It’s a raging debate that has serious political and societal consequences.The Republicans say it’s the Democrats. Democrats say it’s the Republicans.Why does it matter, anyway?Take a listen.

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Mr. Fly Moderates the Debate

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Everybody knows that a fly landed on Vice President Mike Pence’s head at the VP presidential debate and pretty much became the star of the show.But what if that fly had actually taken over the moderator’s microphone and asked the questions of Pence and Democratic Senator Kamala Harris?Well, we imagined that on Not Fake News. Jackie plays the part of the fly. I’m Pence and Harris.Take a listen.

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The Case for a Double X President

Wed, 22 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Stacy Fitzgerald, of Not Fake News, believes it’s high time that America elects a female president, and that electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is a great beginning.Many countries have had great female leaders, and yet the U.S. continues the sexist concept that it takes a man to be president.Really? Check out Stacy’s commentary from Not Fake News. Take a listen.

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Covid 19 or Another Trump Con?

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Tonight, Donald Trump stepped off the presidential helicopter, Marine 1, after having been flown from Walter Reed Medical Center back to the White House, walked up a set of stairs and into the Blue Room of the White House, the open doors flanked with American flags.The first thing he did was remove his mask. He was seen posing before a video camera, as loyal aides apparently shot a video, presumably to be used to demonstrate what a super human is this president who conquered the coronavirus.On one day he was stricken, on the third day he returned home to sit on his throne at White House. The video will tell the story.Meanwhile, how many people inside the helicopter and inside the Blue Room did he infect? That is, of course, if he REALLY has Covid-19.That’s my commentary from Not Fake News for this evening. Take a listen.

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Trump's Favor to the American People

Wed, 08 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Tragically, Donald Trump and the first lady have contracted Covid-19, and the president has been taken to Walter Reed National Medical Center for treatment. He’ll be in quarantine for 10 days.A lot of commentators from the left are secretly – or not so secretly – rejoicing. Not so, here. I’m hoping he gets better because we certainly don’t need any more upheaval before the election.However, he may have done us all a favor by contracting Covid – because now maybe his nut case followers will suddenly realize that maybe that mask thing isn’t such a bad idea.That’s my commentary from Not Fake News for this evening. Take a listen.

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The Trump Horror Show

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Anybody who watched that horrendous performance by Donald Trump in the presidential debate last night must have been horrified at the brazen bullying that he displayed, targeting both Joe Biden and the moderator, Chris Wallace.Frankly, I was so saddened by it all that I was unable to write, but thankfully, Susan Hutchinson came through with her blog on Not Fake News.biz. So take a listen to Susan’s commentary about the Trump Horror Show. From Not Fake News.biz.

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Trump Tax Cheat

Wed, 25 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0000

So we learned today from the New York Times, which published a brilliant investigative report about Donald Trump’s taxes, that the president paid $750 in personal federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017, and zero taxes in the decade before.I just read a tweet from a student who said she paid more than that working 39 hours a week at Starbucks.Come on, man…is that right?Take a listen to my commentary, “Trump Tax Cheat,” published on Not Fake News.biz.

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Democracy or Dictatorship? You Decide.

Wed, 18 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0000

I’ve got another twin-bill, double header, two-for…whatever you want to call it…today.First will be my commentary from Not Fake News.biz talking about how Trump is trying to stack the Supreme Court as backup insurance in case Joe Biden kicks him to the curb…and the implications of that.Then, I’ll bring you commentary written by Chris Waldron in Not Fake News in which Chris suggests that Trump’s tactic could well backfire and cost him the election. Two interesting implications of the rush to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett before the Nov. 3 election. So take a listen to Democracy or Dictatorship? You Decide. And then, Chris’ Trump’s Supreme Court Gamble.Take a listen.

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Trump Pandemic Response: The Work of a Useless Idiot

Wed, 11 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0000

A Trump official says a report by the Government Accountability Office about the administration’s Covid 19 response was the work of a “useful idiot.” Well, we think that the administration’s response actually was the work of a “useless idiot.”And while we’re talking about idiots, Donald Trump gives himself an A+ on how he’s handled the pandemic. Really? With 200,000 deaths and counting, he did a great job?That’s our commentary today, with my blog on Not Fake News, “Pandemic Response: The Work of a “Useless Idiot” and a companion piece by Chris Waldron, “Trump: Making the Grade,” which I’ll narrate.Take a listen.

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Trump's ElectionKill Shot?

Wed, 04 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0000

It's becoming increasingly clear that Donald Trump is doing everything possible to rig the presidential election, and the opportunity to pack the Supreme Court with a new conservative justice could be his kill shot.

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The Death of Democracy

Wed, 27 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0000

The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg threatens to turn the presidential election upside down and Donald Trump and his Republican henchmen appear determined to make certain that happens.That’s the topic of double-barreled action on NFN Radio News today, with my blog on Not Fake News, “Republicans: Heed Your Own Words,” and a companion piece by Chris Waldron, “The Death of Democracy,” which I’ll narrate.Take a listen.

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Yea, I'm With Stupid

Wed, 20 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump apparently advocates a "herd immunity" strategy that would result in the coronavirus pandemic virtually disappearing, falsely predicting that an approved vaccine will be available sometime in October while blaming Democratic states for the rising death count.Take a listen to "Yea, I'm With Stupid" from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Deadly Consequence of Growing Income Inequality

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Increasing income inequality is costing most Americans thousands of dollars every year in their paychecks and has made the coronavirus more deadly and its economic consequences more severe than in any other advanced nation in the world.That is the conclusion of Nick Hanauer and David M. Rolf who reported in TIME about new analysis from the RAND Corporation, which estimates that "upward redistribution" of income benefiting the top 1 percent of Americans has cost the bottom 90 percent some $50 trillion over the past four decades.We’ll take a look at all of this in tonight’s podcast from Not Fake News. Take a listen.

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Who Would Jesus Vote For?

Wed, 06 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Hey, thanks for connecting with NFN Radio News brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m Bob Gatty, founder and editor of Not Fake News. It is Sunday, so it is only appropriate to ask this question: Who would Jesus vote for, Donald Trump or Joe Biden?Fear not, my beloved followers, I can actually tell you because a recent survey gives us the answer, and I'm certain it's gospel.

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Stay Calm

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump says he told us to "stay calm" about the coronavirus to avoid panic. But he tries to scare us every day into voting for him. He does it over and over again, trying to use his “Law and Order” theme to prove he’ll keep us nice and safe from all those horrible acts by those who actually want to be treated fairly under the law in order for them to be safe.That’s the topic of today’s podcast from Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen to “Stay Calm.”

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The Blue Dawg & Bob

Wed, 23 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Tonight we have a special program for you…as I was interviewed by Ron Roberts of The Blue Dog, a great talk show by this former radio guy. We talk a lot of politics and about my new book, Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump’s Attack on America’s Greatness.It’s informative and fun…so take a listen. Here’s Ron…

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Trump: Sorting People Like Baskets of Laundry-By Color

Wed, 16 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Stacy Fitzgerald, an African American writer for Not Fake News, demands justice for those who have fallen victim to racial hatred in America. Of Donald Trump, she writes, "Dividing. Always dividing. Sorting people like baskets of laundry by color. Whites/Delicates. Blacks/Expendable."So take a listen… as Stacy narrates her blog, “Trump: Sorting People Like Baskets of Laundry - By Color" from Not Fake News.biz.

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Willing to Give November Vaccine a Shot?

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron is wondering how you feel about Donald Trump treating you like a human guinea pig with an untested Covid 19 vaccination just so it might boost his chances for re-election.That’s the topic of tonight’s podcast, based on Chris’ blog on Not Fake News.biz. I’ll narrate.So take a listen… to “Willing to Give November Vaccine a Shot?" from Not Fake News.biz.

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What Was in it for Him?

Wed, 02 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Well, today The Atlantic came out with an article detailing comments Donald Trump has made denigrating our military, including those who have been injured and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.Obviously, that made a lot of news as it should have. But what struck me the most was a comment he made to former Chief of Staff Gen. John F. Kelly as they stood at the graveside of Kelly’s son, who was killed in Afghanistan.Trump reportedly asked him, “I don’t get it. What was in it for him?”That was typical Trump. Everything is all about him, and he can’t understand why anyone would have any motive for anything, including military service, if it was not all about them.So take a listen… to “What Was In It for Him?" from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Vote Twice Election Strategy

Wed, 25 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0000

What's behind Trump's suggestion that people vote twice, once by mail and then in person? Could it be part of his strategy to challenge the ultimate election result? Take a listen… to “The Vote Twice Election Sabotage Strategy" from Not Fake News.biz.

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On the Road to Fascism?

Wed, 18 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0000

With his continuing divisive rhetoric and appeals to the far right, Donald Trump is causing a modern day civil war, one that some fear could see our nation descend into fascism.The war isn't with opposing armies in grey and blue squaring off with muskets and bayonets and fighting over slavery, but rather with red hatted Trump supporters who still cling to those beliefs of White superiority and racial hatred. They are views spawned by Trump, their hero president. They take his every word, lies and all, as gospel clashing with, and even killing, fellow Americans who believe differently -- including those who support the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and believe systemic racial injustice must be ended.So take a listen… to “On the Road to Facism?” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Dear Trump Supporters

Wed, 11 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0000

For many of us, it’s difficult to understand how so many people can be so gullible as to not only support, but nearly worship, Donald J. Trump.So Not Fake News.biz has published an open letter to Trump supporters by our own Susan Hutchinson, who narrates it for you.So take a listen… to “Dear Trump Supporters-2020 Edition.”

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Justifying Murder

Wed, 04 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Why is it that so many people – White people – look for ways to justify the shooting of Black suspects by White police officers? What does that say about our society? It only solidifies the reality of systemic racism in America.That’s the topic of tonight’s podcast, my narration of a blog by Susan Hutchinson of Not Fake News.biz.So take a listen… to “Justifying Murder.”

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They All Knew, ButThen...

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 00:00:00 -0000

While the Republican National Convention is underway, in which speaker after speaker pay fealty to Donald Trump, two videos just released graphically illustrate how he hijacked the Republican Party and warn of what's ahead if he is reelected.That’s the topic of tonight’s blog.So take a listen… to “They All Knew, but Then…” from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Dead Letter Office

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 00:00:00 -0000

The Trump administration’s mail slowdown, which coincides with Trump’s warning that mail-in ballots won’t be delivered on time to be counted, has had a lot of other consequences that have nothing to do with politics. Like costing the lives of thousands of baby chicks.You’ll hear all about that in today’s podcast, along with some thoughts from fellow blogger Dennis Hill, who wonders what parents would do if they discover their kids are closet Trump supporters.So take a listen…first, to “The New Dead Letter Office,” and then to “What would you do if your child supports Trump?” From Not Fake News.biz.

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Is Trump Saving the World?

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 00:00:00 -0000

We’re going to start off today with a quick commercial – it’s for our new book, Hijacked Nation…Donald Trump’s attack on America’s greatness.We’re having a really cool countdown sale starting Monday, August 24, when the price of the digital edition will drop from $9.99 to $5.99 – a 41 percent savings. But you gotta act fast, because on Tuesday it’ll go up a buck, then another buck on Wednesday and again on Thursday, with the regular price returning on Friday.It’s a terrific book, with commentary on key developments over the past three years and demonstrating how this president has, indeed, hijacked our nation. Check it out by searching for Hijacked Nation at Amazon.comNow to today’s commentary.The other day Trump said he is “saving the world.” It came when he was asked about his support for those nutcase supporters of QAnon. You know, mostly all politicians suffer from outsized egos, but “saving the world?” Even for Trump, that’s a stretch.Then, we’ll switch to commentary written by Chris Waldron for Not Fake News.biz in which he speculates who the “Anon” is in QAnon. I’ll narrate that.So take a listen. First “Is Trump Saving the World?, and then, “Who’s the ‘Anon’ in QAnon?’ from Not Fake News.biz.

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Abusing the Power of the Presidency-Again

Wed, 07 Aug 2013 00:00:00 -0000

With more than 173 thousand dead from the coronavirus – another one just was recorded as I write this – Donald Trump spent much of yesterday acting like a child…whining that the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company won’t allow employees to wear MAGA hats on the job.He was so obsessed by that fact that he told reporters he just might have Goodyear tires removed from the presidential limo and replaced with another brand.That, of course, was before he went on his tweetstorm last night during the Democratic National Convention, where he continued his ALL CAPS whining about President Obama.Yikes!So here’s our take on the Goodyear fiasco. Take a listen to “Abusing the Power of the Presidency—Again,” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Eight More Years for Trump?

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:00:00 -0000

The other day, Donald Trump predicted that he’ll win reelection and then claimed he’ll get another four years on top of that. Never mind that the Constitution doesn’t exactly allow that, or that he’s currently in the dumpster when compared to Joe Biden.And then, Michelle Obama played him like a Stradivarius when she threw back in his face his comment “It is what it is” when referring to the thousands who have died from the coronavirus pandemic.So here’s our take on all of that. First, “Eight More Years for Trump?” and then, “It is What it Is Until it Isn’t.” From Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen.

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Trump Stakes Re-election on People Dying

Wed, 24 Jul 2013 00:00:00 -0000

If the coronavirus has taught us one thing, it’s that Donald Trump would rather people die than he lose the election. With each passing day, he finds a new way to let people know how meaningless their lives are compared to his maintaining power. He's trying to attain this in several ways, as Chris Waldron writes in this blog from Not Fake News.biz. I’ll narrate. Take a listen to “Trump Stakes Re-election on People Dying.”

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Trump's Version of a Fixed Election

Wed, 17 Jul 2013 00:00:00 -0000

So Trump admits he’s trying to make it hard, if not impossible, for people to vote by mail. And today, the Postal Service has warned states that mail delays may result in ballots not arriving in time to be counted. If that isn’t trying to fix the election in advance, I don’t know what is. That’s the first part of tonight’s podcast from NFN Radio News. Part Two is from a blog by Chris Waldron on Not Fake News.biz in which he comments about Fox News Judge Jenine’s mysterious suggestion that Joe Biden won’t even be on the ballot come November. What does she think is going to happen? Chris speculates about that in his commentary, that I’ll narrate. So take a listen to “Trump’s Version of Fixed Election,” and then “Trump’s October Surprise: Revealed.” From Not Fake News.biz.

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I Don't Like Her. She's a Meanie

Wed, 10 Jul 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Former Vice President Joe Biden has made history by selecting Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice presidential running mate. Everybody knows that. But Trump has wasted no time in attacking her. Everybody expected that.So tonight, our podcast presents immediate thoughts following Biden’s announcement and then commentary about Trump’s name calling afterwards.So take a listen to Vice President Kamala Harris, followed by Trump: I Don’t Like Her. She’s a Meanie. From Not Fake News.biz.

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Pre-Existing Peaceful Protest

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Yesterday and today were banner days for Donald Trump’s duplicity, fakery and lies. It started at his posh resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he said he’d issue an executive order to protect pre-existing conditions.Uh, Obamacare already does that.Then, today, he issued some more executive orders, supposedly to provide $400 in emergency unemployment benefits for the coronavirus unemployed, provide a holiday from paying Social Security taxes, and more.Trouble is all of that is full of holes.So, that’s the topic of today’s podcast from Not Fake News. Take a listen to “A Pre-existing Peaceful Protest.”

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Warning: Prepare for 2020 Election Chaos

Wed, 26 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0000

We’ve all speculated that Donald Trump would be perp walked out of the White House if he is defeated by Joe Biden, that he’d do anything possible to stay in power – despite the election results.Now, a bipartisan group of experts, playing an election year version of “War Games,” has issued a detailed report warning that is very much the case – that Trump will do everything possible – legal and illegal – including inciting violence – to hold on to power.Take a listen to Warning: Prepare for 2020 Election Chaos from Not Fake News.

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Political Pandemic as People Suffer

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Millions of Americans are stuck. They’ve got rent to pay. Mortgages to pay. And they have no money coming in because the coronavirus pandemic has cost them their jobs. They were getting a little help from the federal government, with a $600 per week check for extra unemployment benefits. But now that’s gone because the Republicans said it’s too much and Democrats are refusing to agree to lessBottom line is this. America is facing another pandemic. And it’s a nasty one.Take a listen to “Political Pandemic as People Suffer” from Not Fake News.

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Is Trump Undermining the Post Office to Sabotage the Election?

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0000

We all know that Donald Trump will stop at nothing to preserve his presidency. How many times has he floated that idea that he should be given a third term or even made president for life?There is no end to his ego, his greed, or his thirst for power.Now, he’s suggesting that the November 3rd election should be delayed because of the unreliability of postal delivery of mail-in ballots, which he says will be fraught with fraud.And while he’s doing that, he’s sabotaging the Postal Service, imposing cutbacks that are resulting in the very delays he’s supposedly worried about.What a crock!That’s the topic of today’s podcast from Not Fake News. Take a listen.

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Demon Sperm Result: Donald J. Trump

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0000

I promised you guys some satire. Check this one out. It was like a hanging slider in the middle of the plate just waiting to be whacked.It comes from that crazy doctor, Stella Immanuel, who was part of that group of Trump supporting doctors who demonstrated against masking the other day outside the Supreme Court in Washington.Take a listen to “Demon Sperm Result: Donald J. Trump”. From Not Fake News.

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Waa...Waa...Waa...Nobody Likes Me

Wed, 29 May 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Today the egomaniac who is masquerading as president of the United States whined that an elderly epidemiologist who is the nation’s top infectious disease doctors has a higher approval rating than he does. That speaks volumes as to what is important to Donald Trump, and that’s the topic of today’s podcast. Take a listen to Waa…waa…waa…People Don’t Like Me.”

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Trump's Strategy of Intimidation and Fear

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 -0000

In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss President Trump’s apparent strategy of attempting to scare the American people into voting for him November 3.That’s apparent with his rhetoric in blaming Democratic city officials, and, indeed, Joe Biden, for crime and violence in urban centers, most of which are run by Democratic mayors.It’s further apparent with his deployment of federal law enforcement agents to Portland and other cities where demonstrations against police brutality against African Americans and other minorities are continuing.That topic was covered in two blogs on Not Fake News.biz, here’s the first, “Inciting Violence: Trump Re-election Strategy,” written by Susan Hutchinson. That will be followed by my piece, “Trump’s Strategy of Intimidation and Fear.”Here goes…take a listen.

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Have Republicans Had Enough?

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0000

We’re going to cover a couple of topics in this episode…first my thoughts about the fact that finally some Republicans appear to be abandoning Donald Trump on some key issues…as they start to look out for themselves as Trump dives in the polls.Then I’ll bring you commentary by Chris Waldron expressing concern about Operation Warp Speed and the Trump administration’s headlong rush to find a coronavirus vaccine before the November election.Here goes…take a listen.

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Fighting for the Invisible People

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Chief Harold “Buster” Hatcher of the Waccamaw Indian People in South Carolina is waging a persistent war to gain recognition for his people, saying that they, like Native Americans across the nation, are virtually “invisible.”“I don’t think anybody should have to be ‘recognized’ to have the rights guaranteed in the Constitution,” he says. “It doesn’t say in the Constitution ‘unless you’re an Indian.’”Those rights include freedom of religion, a right to equal pay for equal work, and even the right to provide a proper burial for Indian ancestors.Take a listen to this interview with Chief Hatcher, which also is featured on Not Fake News.biz, and on the Not Fake News YouTube channel.

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A Fitting Tribute

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 -0000

America lost a true fighter for civil rights when Rep. John L. Lewis, the Georgia Democrat, succumbed to his long battle with cancer.Lewis spent his life battling for voting rights for all people, including people of color. He shed blood in this cause when he was just a young man, and he never stopped literally until the day he died.He fought hard so people of color could have the right to vote, something that Donald Trump and the Republicans try to deny, to this day. Wouldn’t it be something if Trump loses in November and the African American vote is the reason?That’s the topic of today’s podcast from Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen.

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Coronavirus Coverup & More

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0000

I’ve got another two-fer for you tonight…right. A real BOGO from NFN radio news!First up is commentary written by Chris Waldron for Not Fake News.biz that talks about how a lot of people supported Trump in the 2016 election because the figured he’d run the country like a businessman.Well…Chris suggests that maybe they got more than they bargained for.Then will come my commentary about a coronavirus coverup that’s underway…at least in my view…by Trump and his administration.No, they’re not trying to coverup the pandemic – that would be a little tough. But they are trying to coverup the reality of the situation…the seriousness of the situation. And their actions have simply been irresponsible.So first, I’ll narrate Chris’ comments, called The United States of Trump. Then will come the Coronavirus Coverup. Both from Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen.

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Reopen Schools-Politics vs. Reality

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0000

It doesn’t matter that nearly 135,000 Americans have died from covid 19 and that the caseload and death count continues to rise, Donald Trump and his idiot education secretary, Betsy DeVos, insist that schools need to reopen and that teachers and kids must be in the classroom.Trump doesn’t give a rats’ ass about kids being in school. What he cares about is creating the impression that everything is OK and to make it possible for parents to go to work.Why does he care about that?So maybe, just maybe, the economy will do a magic rebound just in time for him to pull out a victory on November 3 and win re-election. That’s his motive, and you can’t tell me it’s not.My colleague, Chris Waldron, is a college professor in South Carolina and he’s got some thoughts about all of this in today’s podcast. He offers some thoughts about the politics of this fiasco, plus his own views as a teacher who’s expected to conduct classes in a classroom. To hell with whether it’s safe or not.Take a listen to Chris. It’s from his blog at not fake news.biz.

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Hijacked Nation Dedicated to #TheResistance

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Tonight I want to tell you about Hijacked Nation.What’s that? Sounds like something Trump’s done since he’s been in office.Well, that’s what we thought at Not Fake News.biz, so we pulled together hundreds of blogs that tell the story of what this man has done to America. We put them together in a book called Hijacked Nation that’s now available on Kindle for $9.95. A two-set paperback version will be available soon on Amazon. So, take a listen.

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Could Trump Lose, but Remain in Office?

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0000

There’s been a lot of speculation from time to time that if Donald Trump is defeated on November 3, he’ll refuse to leave the White House and will have to be perp-walked out to his limo by a bunch of armed Capitol police officers.What a vision! Would that it happens!But apparently there is a way that Trump could hang on to the presidency even if he’s defeated. It sounds far-fetched, but take a listen to “Could Trump Lose, but Remain in Office?” from Not Fake News.biz.

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To Mask or Not to Mask Should Not be a Question

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Why is it that so many people refuse to wear face coverings when they are out in public? What’s up with that? Don’t they understand that covid 19 is deadly and that it spreads easily from one person to another? And that you don’t have to be sick to infect other people if they get too close to you? Or that they could infect you?Anymore, when I go to the store, wearing my mask, and I look at the people who aren’t wearing one, the first thing that goes through my mind is: “They’re Trumpers.” Susan Hutchinson has some comments about that in today’s podcast, based on her blog on Not Fake News.biz.Take a listen to Susan and ”To Mask or Not to Mask Should Not be a Question.”

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Not a Slow News Day

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0000

One thing’s for sure, it hasn’t been a slow news day today. The coronavirus task force held a briefing, Trump’s on a rampage to open schools, an important figure in the Ukrainian fiasco retired, tired of Trump’s bullying, Tucker Carlson called war hero and Senator Tammy Duckworth a coward, while Trump called Confederate traitors “heroes.”Something is really screwed up and backwards in this country when that kind of crap happens.Take a listen to “Not a Slow News Day” by Chris Waldron of Not Fake News.biz.

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Dangerous Action in the Midst of Pandemic

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Today it was announced that Donald Trump’s administration has formally notified the World Health Organization that the U.S. will withdraw from that important international body effective next July.He’s doing that, I guess, because his gut tells him to and he thinks his America First faithful might think it’s a good idea and show what a tough guy he is.Well, the action is irresponsible – would be any time – but especially now.Take a listen to “Dangerous Action in the Midst of Pandemic” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Kanye Says He's Running for President

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0000

In today’s podcast, Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron comments about the announcement from billionaire rapper Kanye West that he’s running for president, a cynical move to syphon off votes from African Americans that otherwise would go to Joe Byden.It’s a desperate attempt to help Trump, who’s in deep doo doo with most of the African American community.What Chris doesn’t mention in his piece is the news that broke this afternoon that West’s company has received a multimillion-dollar loan as part of the federal government’s coronavirus stimulus package.That’s according to records released by the Small Business Administration. The money comes from the Paycheck Protection Program, provided by the $2 trillion CARES Act designed to provide economic relief to small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.According to published reports, Yeezy LLC, a California company, received a loan of between $2 and $5 million. The company, identified as a black or African-American business, said the loan saved 160 jobs.California business records list Kanye West as the manager of Yeezy LLC, whose sneaker empire reportedly made $1.5 billion last year.Just another reason why West continues to go out of his way to help Trump, the racist president whose current election strategy is to stoke the racial divide. Here’s Chris’ blog from Not Fake News.biz.

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History Rewrite in a Time of Crisis

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0000

In our last podcast, Traitor Trump, we talked about how Donald Trump keeps lambasting China, blaming the mounting covid-19 deaths in the U.S. on China, calling the coronavirus the “Kung Flu.” We said he’s trying to divert attention from his own inept response to the pandemic that’s devestating our country.We said he’s doing it to divert attention to China when his ties to Russia and Vladimir Putin are gaining increased scrutiny because of the scandal over bounties.Well, today Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron points out that in addition to trying to divert attention away from his failings, Trump is doing yet another version of shifting blame, claiming that those who are protesting are trying to destroy our nation.Trump needs to look in the mirror if he wants to get a look at somebody who’s destroying America. It’s Donald John Trump.Here are Chris’ comments from his Not Fake News blog, “History Rewrite at a Time of Crisis.”

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Traitor Trump

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Hey, thanks for connecting with today's podcast from NFN Radio News brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m your host, Bob Gatty, founder and editor of Not Fake News. You know, Donald Trump keeps lambasting China, blaming the mounting deaths in the U.S. on China, calling the coronavirus the “Kung Flu,” much to the joy of his racist faithful, turning China into a whipping boy so he can divert attention from his own inept response to the pandemic that’s sweeping our country.But he’s also trying to divert attention to China another way, trying to tie Joe Biden to that country. And he’s doing it at a time when his ties to Russia and Vladimir Putin are gaining increased scrutiny because of the scandal over bounties.I take a look at all of this in today’s podcast called “Traitor Trump.” Take a listen.

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Donny Can't Read

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0000

I’ve got another two-for for you…two more great blogs by Chris Waldron of Not Fake News.biz.First, in “Donny Can’t Read,” Chris talks about the dangers of Donald Trump ignoring the intelligence reports regularly prepared for him by the heads of our intelligence agencies.I gotta ask you…how intelligent is that? What kind of president would ignore those reports – especially when they reveal that an enemy country has offered bounties to terrorists who kill America’s service men and women?Then, in “The Most Racist Man in America,” Chris lambastes Trump for his constant racist remarks that he apparently cannot resist making – regardless of how hurtful or divisive they are. The man is desperate. He sees he’s going down the tubes and must figure the only way to hang on is to whip up racism in America – at a time when our country is seriously trying to come to terms with that, finally. So here goes…

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Mutiny Over the Bounty

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Hey, I’ve got a two-for for you…First, it’s about Trump’s denials that he knew that Russia had put a hit on American troops in Afghanistan and was paying a bounty to Taliban-linked militants for killing our soldiers.Reliable reports say it was in Trump’s daily briefing months ago, but we all know what Trump does with those briefings. He ignores them.So Chris Waldron…in a blog on Not Fake News.biz…suggests that Republicans might be ready to mutiny against their fearful leader over this bounty scandal. So that’s the first part of this podcast.In Part two, Chris discusses the conflict between Trump, Pence and company and their science advisors…like Dr. Fauci…over the coronavirus pandemic. He points out that Pence keeps saying everything is fine, while Dr. Fauci warns that the pandemic is far from over and precautions must still be taken. I’ll narrate this for Chris. Take a listen.

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Monuments & Covid 19: Listen to a Teenager

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Should statues of Confederate leaders and advocates of slavery and racism be removed in America?Amidst the push for societal reform sparked by the murder of George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, and countless other victims of police brutality and systemic racism, protesters as well as local governments have called for the removal of various monuments.Many of these monuments depict Confederate leaders and advocates of Jim Crow laws, segregation, social Darwinism, and glorify the historical implications of prejudice. President Donald Trump issued an executive order Friday that protects these monuments from protesters – just a little over a week after the Republicans in the Senate unveiled their Justice in Policing Act. In stark comparison to that bill, which would pull funding from local police departments that refuse to eliminate brutal tactics, the Executive Order threatens to withdraw funding from local governments that fail to protect these monuments. In this episode, Bob Gatty interviews a recent high school graduate who's give this a lot of thought. Young Andrew Pauly has a few comments regarding Covid 19, as well.Take a listen to the interview, which also will appear on the Not Fake News YouTube channel.

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Mask or Ventilator? You Choose.

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0000

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting sick and tired of going out to the store and having to deal with idiots not wearing face masks. What? They think they are immune from catching the coronavirus? They don’t think they could possibly be infected because they don’t feel sick, so no worries, it’s all good?Well, it’s NOT all good. Today, five states set daily highs for new cases and the U.S. passed 40,000 in a day for the first time.Florida’s single-day total for new cases jumped 60 percent from Wednesday’s previous high, and their governor, Trump’s buddy, has poopooed this whole thing ever since the beginning. So now, the chickens are coming home to roost in the Sunshine State, and it’s not going to be pretty.Likewise, setting their highest totals to date were Georgia, my state of South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah. I can tell you about South Carolina. People are flocking to the beaches, restaurants, golf courses and entertainment venues without masks, without social distancing, and acting like nothing’s going on.They are idiots and they piss me off.So that’s what today’s podcast is about. Take a listen to “Mask or Ventilator. You Choose.” From Not Fake News.biz.

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No Laughing Matter

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0000

What a jokester Donald Trump is! He’s a real stand up comic, isn’t he!Every time this man opens his trap and says something stupid and gets ridiculed and criticized, either he or his ass-kissing staff claim it was just a joke.Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron calls him out on this in today’s podcast.Take a listen to “No Laughing Matter” from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Dreamers Are Safe (for Now)

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0000

For now, the "dreamers" are safe thanks to the June 18 U.S. Supreme Court's rejection of the Trump administrations effort to scuttle the Obama administration program designed to protect from deportation the children of illegal immigrants who were brought to America when they were kids.In its ruling, which affects nearly 650,000 young immigrants across the nation, the court said Trump’s order ending the “dreamers” program was “arbitrary and capricious” and failed to take into consideration many key elements required by the Administrative Procedure Act.For more on what all of this means to the “dreamers” and their families, NFN Radio News spoke with prominent immigration attorney Donesia Lipinski. Here’s that interview.Take a listen.

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Tulsa Rally Port Mortem

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to today's podcast from NFN Radio News brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m your host, Bob Gatty, founder and editor of Not Fake News. It becomes more evident every day that President Trump’s strategy for reelection is to once again divide Americans, to play on the latent fears and prejudices that he apparently believes will return him to the White House.It seems that not a day goes by that Trump does not attack some of his bogeymen, whether it’s immigrants, political enemies, the media, people of color, protesters…you name it, he’ll target. Just as long as he thinks it will stir up his base, essentially the white male blue collar voters who seem to hang onto his every word.All of that was evident big time at his June 20 rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma…you know, the one that his campaign said had requests for 1 million tickets, but only 6,000 people showed up?Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron and I took a look at all of this in two blogs on Not Fake News yesterday and today. First, take a listen to “Trump’s Re-election Strategy: Hate and Fear” and then, Chris’ Tulsa Rally Post Mortem blog from yesterday.

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Exploiting the Fear of Black Men

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0000

With the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the subsequent outrage that has resulted, President Trump is now promoting himself as the Law and Order president even as he claims to have done more than any president in history for black Americans.As Stacy Fitzgerald says in today’s podcast, Trump is betting on black fear. It is a cynical, deliberate effort to stoke the emotions of his loyal base of supporters – a base that seems to be dwindling by the day.Stacy analyzes all of this in “Exploiting the Fear of Black Men.” From Not Fake News.biz.Take a listen.

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A Wipeout Week for Trump

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0000

It was a rough week for the crazy man who lives in the White House and pretends to be a dictator instead of the president. Not sure he even knows the difference.But he had a tough time with the Supreme Court and a U.S. District Court where he lost on all counts. Bad stuff is coming out of the Bolton book, and who knows where that will lead, and even the FDA shot down his favorite coronavirus drug…you know the one he’s been peddling like a snake oil salesman?So, in today’s podcast, we take a look at all of this in “A Wipeout Week for Trump.” From Not Fake News.biz.Take a listen.

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A Dreamer Now Has Hope

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0000

In a surprise decision that was welcomed by nearly 650,000 young immigrants across the country, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 18 rejected the Trump administration’s effort to toss out the program that protects undocumented immigrants brought to America as children…today, known as “dreamers.”The 5-4 decision, written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., was a blow to Trump who, since September 2017, has sought to end the program, which had been launched by his predecessor, President Barack Obama via executive order. This is the story of a young dreamer, Carlos Loredo, who was brought by family to the U.S. when he was nine. For some 20 years, he has made a life here and now manages a thriving restaurant in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.Asked what the ruling means to him, Loredo used just one word. Freedom. "This decision means freedom for us," he said.Listen to this interview with Carlos, conducted at the restaurant he helps to manage in Myrtle Beach, SC.

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America: Are You Listening?

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump, impeached for seeking election help from Ukraine, also asked China for help, says former White House Security Advisor John Bolton in his new book…you know, the one Trump is trying to keep from being distributed.According to Bolton, Trump told Chinese President Xi that if China would purchase more U.S. agricultural products it would boost his chances for re-election.So it wasn’t just Ukraine that Trump pressured for help. It was America’s adversary, China, as well.Months after being impeached, Trump said, in an ABC News interview, that he would listen if a foreign government offered to provide dirt on a political opponent. So, in today’s podcast, Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron asks this question: America, are you listening?So take a listen. I’ll narrate.

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The Two Big Lies

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Yesterday the New York Times reported that Vice President Mike Pence told governors in a phone call that really, the coronavirus is under control, and that increased numbers of cases is just because more testing is being done.And then, he said the economy is booming back and everything is fine. He fed them the party line because Trump is desperate to at least make people think that it’s all good, even though it’s not.What came to mind was Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman and his old line, “What Me Worry?”That would be funny if it wasn’t so serious…in fact, deadly serious. That’s the topic of today’s podcast, so take a listen to “The Two Big Lies” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Playing the Numbers

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0000

If there’s one thing Donald Trump both loves, and loves to hate, it’s numbers. Poll numbers, economic numbers, stock market numbers and, of course, crowd size numbers. When it comes to numbers, Trump is quick to embrace the positive while assigning blame to the negative. Trump is absolutely obsessed with numbers.Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron takes a look at that in today’s podcast, Playing the Numbers. Take Listen. I’ll narrate.

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The People's House, Not Now

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0000

No longer, when you visit Washington, DC and take a look at the White House, do you see an open expanse of lawn leading up to this historic building, named The People’s House by President Obama.Today, it is surrounded by an ugly fence erected to keep protesters of the George Floyd police murder as far away as possible. It turns the White House into a fortified bunker, which, no doubt, suits Donald Trump just fine.In today’s Not Fake News blog, Chris Waldron takes a look at that…at some of the history of this storied destination…and how it is now being disrespected.Take a listen to The People’s House, Not Now” from Not Fake News.biz. I’ll narrate.

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Disrespecting the Dignity of Every Human Being

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Since his election, President Trump has had an obsession of trying to wipe out as many initiatives of President Barack Obama as he can. It’s an effort that just seems never to stop.His latest…and once again, harmful, step to do this came last week when his administration announced that it would overturn an Obama-era rule that provides nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people in health care and health insurance.Why would he do that? First, it is obvious that Trump – and the people he has appointed to run things in his administration – hold on to the narrow-minded view of sexuality espoused by the religious right. No room for anyone who is not straight, who wants to marry someone of the same sex, who, heaven forbid, is transgender.So, they’ve used the power of the federal government, once again, to impose their own views, their own morality, on their fellow citizens. We take a look at all of this in today’s podcast. Take a listen to “Disrespecting ‘the Dignity of Every Human Being’” from Not Fake News.biz.

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US Senate: Historic Upsets in the Making?

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0000

President Trump met the other day with his pal, Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, to discuss strategies for holding on to the Senate in the November 3 general election.Seems they’re worried that with Trump plummeting in the polls these days that Republicans could well be in danger of losing Senate control. After all, Democrats only need a net gain of three seats to take over if Trump loses and four if he is reelected.A bunch of Senators are considered to be vulnerable, but Graham has not yet to appear on any such list even though he’s got a stiff challenge in South Carolina. And even old Moscow Mitch McConnell could be in deep doo doo in Kentucky, if polls there are to be believed.We take a look at all of this in today’s podcast. Take a listen to “The U.S. Senate: Historic Upsets in the Making?” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Hear No Evil, See No Evil

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0000

President Trump appears to be driving at least some of his supposed supporters in the United States Senate crazy as he makes comments and sends out tweets that are irresponsible and obviously racist.That’s what happened when Trump tweeted the other day that the 75 year-old man who was knocked to the pavement with a bleeding head wound by Buffalo police must have been a “set up.” In other words, a hoax.That, of course, came in the aftermath of the George Floyd police murder in Minneapolis, which resulted in worldwide protests against police racism and calls for reform. And today, Floyd’s brother testified tearfully before the House Judiciary Committee, pleading that lawmakers not let his brother die in vain.We cover all of that in this podcast. Take a listen to “Hear No Evil, See No Evil” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Crossing the Thin Blue Line

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Police departments across the nation are being subjected to intense scrutiny in the wake of the George Floyd police murder in Minneapolis, and, indeed, it was reported today that Minneapolis plans to totally restructure its law enforcement efforts.And the news continues to bring us reports of instances where police officers themselves have crossed the proverbial “thin blue line” as they deal with suspects, particularly those of color. Now, Democrats in the House of Representatives have responded with new legislation. We’ll see what happens with that.Meanwhile, Donald Trump proclaims himself to be the “law and order” president, a specious claim considering the many laws that he, himself, has broken. In today’s podcast, Chris Waldron puts all of this into perspective in this entry at www.NotFakeNews.biz.

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Why is Lynching NOT a Federal Crime?

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0000

After slavery was abolished, lynching emerged as a vicious tool of racial control to reestablish white supremacy and suppress black civil rights. More than 4,000 African Americans were lynched across 20 states between 1877 and 1950, according to “Lynching in America” from the Equal Justice Initiative.These lynchings were public acts of racial terrorism, intended to instill fear in entire black communities, and government officials often turned a blind eye or condoned the mob violence.The effects of racial terror lynchings are still being felt today, the Equal Justice Institute points out. And yet, there are those who would turn a blind eye to this vicious and despicable act of murder.One of those, apparently, is the Republican Senator from Kentucky, Rand Paul, who is attempting to scuttle legislation passed by the House of Representatives that would make lynching a federal crime.In today’s podcast, Stacy Fitzgerald puts this into stark perspective in this blog fromwww.NotFakeNews.biz.

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Trump: Despicable You

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0000

When I saw Donald Trump brag about the fact that the unemployment rate had declined to 13.3 percent and say that George Floyd would, thus, be having a good day even though he is dead and his little six-year-old girl is fatherless, I was appalled.No, I was disgusted. That is despicable, I thought.How can this man say such a thing? How can he twist the tragedy of Floyd’s death and the racism and police brutality that caused it to somehow pat himself on the back?There are no words, you could say.Well, I found some.Take a listen to “Trump: Despicable You,” today’s blog from www.NotFakeNews.biz.

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Struggling for Words?

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump’s Bible-toting photo-op and his use of force against peaceful demonstrators is causing some Republicans to question their support.Oh, it must be difficult to find the courage to speak out against a president who is openly willing to use the U.S. military against his own people. Who is willing to tear gas and shoot with rubber bullets those who are crying out for fairness and equality and the ability to live in peace without fearing for their lives.One Republican senator has found the courage to almost say something. She says she is “struggling.” Apparently she got a dose of fortitude from the retired Marine general, Jim Mattis, known as “Chaos.”Will other Republicans finally step up and speak out? Or will this moment pass like so many others, with nothing of real consequence happening despite the brutal police murder of the black man in Minneapolis, George Floyd?Take a listen to “Struggling for Words?” Today’s blog from www.NotFakeNews.biz.

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Covid 19: Fighting the Fog

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Besides all of its devastating and deadly consequences, Covid 19 can also affect brain function – make you feel like you’re in a fog, confused, even worse. We’re exploring that in this video with Dr. Henry Mahncke, a neuroscientist and CEO of Posit Science. In the interview, Dr. Mahncke says it is possible that people of color may be especially vulnerable to suffering from brain disorders as a result of the stress caused by the outsized impact of the virus on them, combined with the stress with which many must cope in their daily lives.Dr. Mahncke's company has developed a brain training app, Brain HQ, that he says shows dramatic improvement in brain function, especially for people who are dealing with pre-dementia and other cognitive issues.

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The #BunkerBoyBully & the Bible

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump’s cruelty and cynical hate for anyone who gets in his way has been increasingly evident as the tragic events in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis have unfolded.His name calling, his belligerence, his hate mongering have only fanned the flames of pent-up emotion as protestors have cried out for justice for the black man who was literally smothered by a white cop’s knee to his neck.Then yesterday, Trump, seeking to prove his bravery after being hustled into a basement bunker on Sunday, decided to use a historic Washington, DC church for a photo op. To do that, peaceful demonstrators were teargassed so the president could have a nice leisurely stroll to the church.Here’s my take on that from my Not Fake News.biz blog today…called The Bunker Boy Bully & the Bible. Take a listen.

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Listen as the Bell Tolls

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Last week when America recorded its 100,000th death from covid 19, it was big news, and was yet another reminder of the inept response to this pandemic by Donald Trump and his administration.And then, Minneapolis happened. A black man was brutally murdered by a white police officer, and now violence has spread to countless communities across the nation.In today’s podcast, Not Fake News columnist Steve Hamelman puts all of that in perspective in a beautifully written blog that you can find on notfakenews.biz. But I’ll narrate it here for you.Take a listen…

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Numb, but Ready to Fight, and Anarchists and the Mob

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0000

America has gone through what really must be described as a horrible, tragic week. The coronavirus continues to claim victims, with the death toll exceeding 100,000 with no signs of slowing down. A black man in Minneapolis, George Floyd, was brutally murdered by a police officer, despite his pleas as the cop continued to press his knee against the unarmed suspect’s neck. And, predictably, riots erupted in that city and spread to many others across the nation.And Donald Trump got into a pissing match with Twitter because that social media platform finally called him out for his distortions and falsehoods. Then Trump set the entire forces of the government against social media companies, threatening free speech in America.Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron puts this all in perspective in “Numb, but Ready to Fight,” and then follows that’s up with “Anarchists and the Mob”, commentary about the violence caused by the Floyd murder.Take a listen…

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Minneapolis Burning: Cry of the Unheard

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0000

America is reeling…deaths rising from the coronavirus…and now rising protests and riots in the aftermath of the police killing in Minneapolis of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, who died after an arresting officer kneeled on his neck as he pleaded, “I can’t breathe.”In today’s podcast, Not Fake News writer Stacy Fitzgerald talks about the aftermath of that killing and answers the question of why Minneapolis is burning. It’s a powerful piece.Take a listen to Minneapolis Burning: Cry of the Unheard.

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Trump's Attack on Free, Truthful Speech

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump has misused Twitter for his entire presidency, spreading lies, misinformation, exaggerations, attacks on his adversaries, name calling, and on and on.Finally, the people at Twitter grew some cahunas and called him out – first, attaching a fact-check memo to his tweets claiming mail-in voting causes fraud, and then, flagging a tweet about the Minneapolis rioting for “glorifying violence.”It’s about time.That’s the topic of today’s entry on Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen to “Trump’s Latest Attack on Free, Truthful Speech.”That will be followed by a related entry from Not Fake News writer Susan Hutchinson, “Spotting a Fake Executive Order.” Take a listen.

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Is Your Covid 19 Test Really Free?

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0000

The question of testing for covid-19, the availability of test kits, Trump’s promises that everyone can be tested, and promises that those tests will be free to everyone…is at the heart of the nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.And when Congress passed two laws that said patients would not have to pay for coronavirus tests, that question, at least, seemed to be put at rest.But apparently that isn’t quite true – apparently not all tests are – or will be – free. And there is a good chance that some patients will end up with a surprise bill in their mailbox sometime soon.That’s the topic of today’s entry on Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen to “Is Your Covid-19 Test Really Free?”

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Pact Buster-in-Chief

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Ever since he became president, Donald Trump has made it a priority to withdraw America from the rest of the world, apparently a foundation of his so-called “America First” philosophy.But that action is dangerous and irresponsible and has far-reaching implications. Pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord, for example, sets back the worldwide effort to combat climate change, which, of course, Trump denies.And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.In this podcast, Not Fake News contributing writer Steve Hamelman focuses on this folly, with the decision to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty as the latest example.Take a listen “Pact Buster-in-Chief,” Steve’s latest blog on Not Fake News.biz. I’ll narrate.

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Addressing Inequality Must be a Priority

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0000

The fact that the coronavirus is causing more deaths among blacks than whites is just another example of the disparities that exist in today’s America. Stacy Fitzgerald follows up her podcast from last week in which she discussed the key reasons why this is true, and in today’s podcast, she discusses what needs to be done to eliminate the fundamental inequities that are at the root of this situation.Take a listen to Stacie in “Addressing Inequality Must be a Priority,” her blog on Not Fake News.biz.

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Lowering the Flag: Is That Empathy Enough?

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0000

For more than three years now, America’s president has had one focus, and only one, despite his rhetoric to the contrary – and that focus has been Donald J. Trump.No matter the problem, the issue, the crisis, the pandemic – for those three-plus years, it has been all about Trump.That’s been seen in his every action, including those relating to the coronavirus. A demonstrable lack of caring and empathy for those who have lost loved ones, and who have suffered.Last night, the contrast between Trump and his presumed Democratic challenger Joe Biden could not have been more clear. Biden was on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and his heart was on his sleave.Take a listen to “Lowering the Flag: Is that Empathy Enough?” My blog on Not Fake News.biz.

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Voter Fraud Trump Style

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0000

President Trump hates the idea that several states are allowing people to vote by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic, claiming that it will lead to massive voter fraud. That's interesting from a politician who was fraudulently elected in 2016 because of Russian-induced voter fraud. Trump's argument is a fraud. He is simply afraid that by making it as easy as possible for people to vote, even in a life-threatening pandemic, he and the Republicans who support him will be toast.

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Dr. Donald's Foolproof Cure-alls

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Well, folks, we have a president who is such a brilliant man that he knows more than all the scientists in the world and is willing to put his own life on the line just to prove a point. Not only that, but he’s so brilliant – must be his genes, I guess – that he’s found a way to practically eliminate the number of coronavirus cases in this country. Take a listen to “Dr. Donald’s Foolproof Cure-alls,” my blog on Not Fake News.biz.

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Sundance: Don't Look in the Mirror

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0000

With the coronavirus pandemic grinding things to a halt, it’s been tough to just do ordinary, everyday things – like get a haircut, for example. In fact, I’m probably going to need to use my wife’s curling iron if I don’t soon get to the barbershop!Well, the same thing goes for dogs. It’s been impossible to get an appointment with a dog groomer, and I have a red husky named Sundance with long, thick fur with a thick undercoat that sheds in clumps this time of year.So, yesterday I decided enough was enough. Poor Sundance.Take a listen to “Sundance, Don’t Look in the Mirror” my blog on Not Fake News.biz.

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Running in Your Shoes

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0000

I have no idea, really, what it must be like to live one’s life as a black man, not a white man. We all hear stories, and we see reports on the news about how young black men, especially, are subjected to unfair treatment simply because people are afraid of them.Why is that? Young whites commit just as many crimes of violence against people as do African Americans. According to the FBI, in fact, 67.5 percent of rapes in 2017 were committed by whites, compared to 28.7 percent by blacks. Aggravated assault, it was 62.1 to 33.5 percent. Nevertheless, that fear is ingrained in many white people and it’s translated into how they view people of color. What must it be like to live with that? To be afraid to jog in your neighborhood for fear of being shot? To be afraid to get a simple traffic ticket? To face prejudice and discrimination in every turn of the road?In South Carolina, there is a young black man, Jaime Harrison, who brings those experiences to his uphill campaign against entrenched Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Take a listen to “Running in Your Shoes,” my blog today on Not Fake News.biz.

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Black Deaths & COVID 19: Why Essential Workers are Dying More

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Why is it that African Americans are dying at a much higher rate than other races, especially whites, from the coronavirus?Oh, you don’t believe that?Well, you can’t argue with the numbers and the facts, and there is a whole host of reasons why that sad fact is true.Stacy Fitzgerald examined that in her blog on Not Fake News.biz, and brings it to our podcast.Take a listen to “Black Deaths and COVID-19: Why ‘Essential’ Workers are Dying More,” by Stacy Fitzgerald.

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The Plague from Trump: Listen to the Aztecs

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0000

This morning I woke up to a tweet from President Trump calling the coronavirus “the plague from China.” It was another step in his determined campaign to brand China as the perpetrator of the pandemic that has so far cost upwards of 85,000 lives in the U.S. alone.That got me to thinking. In my view, America has been beset by "the Plague of Trump," a plague that is evident in the divisiveness among our people that he has wrought and encouraged.So, I did a little research about plagues. What I found was interesting historical information about how the Aztecs dealt with their kings when they were beset by plagues. In short, Trump should heed advice given to kings by the Aztecs.Take a listen to “The Plague of Trump; Listen to the Aztecs” from Not Fake News.biz.

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Coronavirus: Trump's Failed Diversionary Attacks

Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 -0000

In an effort to distract from his inept coronavirus response, Donald Trump launches a racist attack on a female reporter of Chinese heritage, and presents a new conspiracy theory he called “Obamagate”, claiming the former president was guilty of a crime that he could not identify.As the pressure mounts with his prized economy plummeting and people suffering and dying unnecessarily, Trump continues to go off the rails, spending his time tweeting and making crazy accusations instead of focusing on the disaster that we are all experiencing.Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci warns of more deaths to come.Chris Waldron puts it in perspective in this blog on Not Fake News.biz. I’ll narrate. Take a listen…

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Deadly Exercise: Jogging While Black

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 -0000

It took 74 days from the time Ahmaud Arbery, a young African American jogger was murdered by two white supremacists in Atlanta until authorities finally charged them with a crime.Why did it take so long? There was no doubt about what happened or who pulled the trigger. Was it simply because of Mr. Arbery’s race and the racial distrust and hatred that continues, seemingly unabated, in our country?Stacy Fitzgerald, of Springfield, VA, an African American contributor to Not Fake News.biz, discusses all of this in this podcast…Deadly Exercise: Jogging While Black.Take a listen…

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The Coronavirus Ventilator Screwup

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Remember…just a little over a month ago when there was near panic because we didn’t have enough life-saving ventilators for the ever-increasing numbers of coronavirus patients?One of the reasons, of course, was that the Trump administration poo pooed the seriousness of the virus, with the president saying it would magically go away, and so no new ventilators were ordered until late March.Then, all of a sudden, Trump went into a tizzy and ordered U,S. automakers to start building ventilators – not exactly within their wheelhouse, so to speak. The photo shows a GM technician testing one of their new ventilators.Now, it looks like there’s a glut of the machines – with some reports saying the U.S. will be sending them to other countries who need them. What’s behind all of this?Take a listen…

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Not Fake News.biz Breaks 1,000

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 -0000

President Trump ordered a flyover to celebrate Not Fake News' 1000th blog. It was incredible! What an experience! As of yesterday, May 8, Not Fake News has published 1,007 blogs since its inception in September 2017, and we are still on a roll. This podcast is the story about how that blog came about, and how it is now reaching readers around the world.Check it out!

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Will America Ever be Great Again?

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0000

With all that’s going on these days as our nation struggles with the coronavirus pandemic, and Donald Trump’s despicable and inept presidency, it’s easy to wonder if America will ever return to its place in the world.In a new blog on Not Fake News, writer Chris Waldron wonders about that, as he says that America has lost its way, as this president has pandered to the white supremacists and religious bigots.Despite all of that, Waldron asks, what will it take for Trump to be reelected. He offers some sage advice, tongue firmly planted in cheek, to the president. Here’s today’s podcast from Not Fake News.biz. Will America Ever be Great Again? Written by Chris Waldron. I’ll narrate….Take a listen…

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Coronavirus: Hiding Facts & Killing Obamacare

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Ironically, I was preparing this podcast as it was announced that the valet who serves President Trump his food has tested positive to the coronavirus.Not that I wish Trump any ill will, but it would seem only fair if he should be forced to deal with the consequences of covid 19, even as he is pushing for the economy to open as quickly as possible – even as the death toll continues to rise.As of today, it was almost to 75,000, and yet the race is on to open things up. It seems almost like all the effort for the past almost two months to stay at home and all the pain that has caused will have been wasted.Here’s today’s podcast from Not Fake News.biz. Coronavirus: Hiding Facts & Killing Obamacare.Take a listen…

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Coronavirus: Fuzzy, Fatal Math

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0000

So, in Florida college kids headed to the beach for spring break, no matter the coronavirus. No matter people were getting sick and dying. But it’s no wonder they did that, given the irresponsible attitude of the governor there, Trump’s pal, who pretty much poo pooed the seriousness of this pandemic.And now, increasing numbers of states – largely led by Republican governors – are blatantly ignoring federal shutdown and social distancing requirements because why? Because Trump is encouraging them to do so.No matter the cost in human lives.That’s the subject of today’s podcast, based on a blog on Not Fake News by Chris Waldron, titled “Coronavirus: Fuzzy, Fatal Math”.Take a listen…

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The Bob Gatty & Chris Waldron Show: Another Craazy Week

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Bob Gatty and Chris Waldron, of Not Fake News.biz, recap a crazy week in the world of Donald Trump and the coronavirus in this podcast, which offers insightful, humorous commentary into the developments that continue to shake our nation.Chris had chronicled the past week's news highlights -- and lowlights -- in a blog published on www.NotFakeNews.biz, which serves as the basis for the discussion.The conversation also includes a discussion of some of the positive developments that are taking place and kindnesses that are being offered as we all cope with this tough situation.Take a listen...

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Amid the Coronavirus, Doing Good, Quietly

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0000

There are so many frontline workers who are making it possible for the rest of us to live our lives, to be safe, and who are there to care for us if we get sick. Every other ad on TV these days is a thankyou from some company or other, recognizing these indispensable people.And that’s as it should be.But then, there are some in our midst who are doing more than simply saying thankyou.That’s the subject of today’s podcast, based on my blog on Not Fake News, titled “Amid the Coronavirus: Doing Good, Quietly”.Take a listen…

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The Most Dangerous of Viruses

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0000

We are living in crazy, unsettling times and it’s tough dealing with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic…fear of illness…loss of family members and friends…loss of income…such uncertainty…When will this ever end? Can I get my job back? Will I be able to take care of my family? Will he…she…I…get better? Or will we be one of those grim statistics that keep rising every day…more than 60,000 dead and counting as of today, the last day of April, 2020?All of that is bad enough without the crazy conspiracy theories that seem to abound in times like these. And then, you have the politicians who use these uncertain times to gain attention, to demagogue, to hide from their own responsibilities by blaming others for their failings.Not Fake News writer Susan Hutchinson, in this podcast, tells a personal story about a family member who’s been sucked in by all of this, and she describes how fear is going viral. Here’s Susan in “The Most Dangerous of Viruses.” Take a listen.

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We Need a Leader, Not a Cheerleader

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0000

The other day, Donald Trump, defending himself for his inept and misleading response to the coronavirus pandemic, said his job was to be the cheerleader for America, or some such nonsense.Today, Not Fake New contributor Chris Waldron took a look at leaders in the past who have responded to major crises facing them…some succeeded, others were abject failures.What about today? What kind of leader does America have in the face of the coronavirus crisis, one of the worst in our history?Here’s Chris’ blog…I’ll narrate it for you. Take a listen to “We need a leader, not a cheerleader.”

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The Bob Gatty & Chris Waldron Show: Ditching Twitter in the Age of #Clorox Don

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0000

In this, the premier episode of the Bob Gatty & Chris Waldron Show, Chris says anybody with a brain should get off of Twitter so as to deprive Donald Trump of his audience. He also says the media should stop reporting on his tweets. Bob thoroughly disagrees, explaining that taking such action would leave a huge informational void. From Twitter to Trump's witch doctor ideas that maybe people should ingest disinfectants to his wish that "Noble" Prize winning journalists would return their awards, the conversation explores the news of the past week with humor and sarcasm. Take a listen...

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Will Social Security, Medicare Cuts Follow Coronavirus?

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0000

I know, right now we are all consumed with the impact the coronavirus is having on our lives. As of noon today, April 27, the U.S. has lost at least 55,551 lives to this pandemic. Thousands of lives lost, families disrupted by grief and uncertainty. Millions out of work. Jobs lost, some to return, but many, perhaps not as some businesses won’t survive. Schools shut down. Hospitals overrun in some areas. People frustrated with stay-at-home orders, and some states reopening, perhaps too soon. Let’s hope not.So there hasn’t been much talk about what comes next. But we should be thinking about that, because I firmly believe Republicans will suddenly decide that the more than $3 trillion that’s been spent so far must be recouped. And what’s been their favorite target in the past?Entitlements. That means Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will be in their gunsights. That’s the topic in this piece from Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen to Will Social Security, Medicare Cuts Follow Coronavirus?

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Incubator for Infection: Cruise Anyone?

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000

It was amazing to me that when the coronavirus outbreak became big time news in the United States, that the cruise ship industry kept on cruising. It just seemed logical that with so many people jammed in a relatively small confined space that the virus would spread and then those people would bring it on home.According to an excellent report in the Washington Post April 25, that’s exactly what happened. And it’s one reason why the entire planet has been devastated by this pandemic.That’s the topic in this piece from Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen to Incubator for Infection: Cruise Anyone?

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#CloroxDon is Risking People's Lives

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000

President Donald Trump continues to astound me. Either he is stupid beyond belief, or he is sly as a fox and is simply using his seemingly numbskull comments to keep the twitter world on fire and remain at the front of the coronavirus pandemic story.The latest, as just about everybody on the planet knows by now, was his comment yesterday that it’s worth exploring to see if injecting people with disinfectant could cure the coronavirus. That sure kept him on fire on Twitter, but not exactly how he wanted, most likely.Because first thing today, he said, oh, no folks, I was just kidding.But his lunacy didn’t stop with his disinfectant remark. Nope. He also suggested it might be useful to somehow get heat or UV light inside of people’s body to kill the virus.It just keeps getting amazinger and amazinger as the days go on.So here’s #CloroxDon is Risking People’s Lives from Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen.

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Cruel, Idiotic Leaders as Death Toll Nears 50,000

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000

I could hardly believe it when I read that Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump’s pal who runs the United States Senate, said that instead of the federal government providing assistance to states struggling financially from the coronavirus, they should just declare bankruptcy.To me, that was just an incredible statement. And then, he intimated that because most of those states are led by Democratic governors, somehow that is the problem. I was happy to see New York Governor Andrew Cuomo rip him a new one for that statement, but then was once again astounded when Trump, in his daily briefing, seemed to indicate that maybe McConnell’s idea wasn’t so bad after all.So that’s the topic of this blog on Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen to Cruel, Idiotic Leaders as Death Toll Nears 50,000, published April 23 on Not Fake News.biz.

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Will Trump Use Coronavirus to Steal the Election?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Democrats in Congress are pushing for people to be able to vote by mail this coming November because of the coronavirus, a move that could be especially important if there is a second wave of this pandemic as many scientists have predicted.Donald Trump and his Republican pals are opposing such a move, because they realize allowing just about everybody to easily vote would be bad news for them. So they are warning of rampant voter fraud, and are doing everything they can to block the vote-by-mail movement.Chris Waldron tackled that on Not Fake News.biz today, so that’s the subject of today’s podcast. Take a listen to Will Trump Use Coronavirus to Steal the Election ?

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Are Nursing Homes Coronavirus Death Traps?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Do you have a friend or relative living in a nursing home? Are you worried about their safety…about their risk of contracting the coronavirus? If you’re not, maybe you should be. That’s the topic of today’s podcast from Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen to Are Nursing Homes Coronavirus Death Traps?

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Trump: What's in a Name? & Oil, Oil Everywhere

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0000

In a terrific entry on Not Fake News.biz, writer Chris Waldron talks about the many names by which Donald Trump has been…and still is…known. Some are factual and positive and others much less so.But in his piece, Waldron examines how Trump has come to earn some of these names and what all of that means to the rest of us who live in the country governed by this former reality TV star. Then, in a second blog, Chris discusses the current oil glut, the impact of the coronavirus, and what that could portend for the future. Will it mean increased efforts to use renewable energy resources?I know, the topics aren’t really related – but I’m combining them in this podcast anyway. First, take a listen to Donald Trump: Liar, Con-Man, (Impeached) President. Then, Oil Oil Everywhere.

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Trump: Stoking Unrest to Save His Own Skin

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Last week, the Trump administration announced a new plan to gradually open up the nation, reacting to pressure on the economy with a phased approach to opening parts of the country where the coronavirus is being brought under control. Trump told the governors it was up to them to decide what to do and when, a step that would let him off the hook if the virus resurfaces and more people die as a result. On the day he announced the plan, 5.2 million more Americans applied for unemployment benefits, bringing the four-week total to 22 million – the worst stretch of job losses in U.S. history. Meanwhile, numerous governors and business leaders have warned that more testing and protective gear are needed before they can start lifting lockdowns and other restrictions. And the number of cases and deaths keep mounting. As of Noon today, Sunday, April 19, there were 742,637 cases in the U.S. with 39,201 deaths. President Trump, of course, found a way to continue shifting the blame…saying that China’s death toll is vastly underreported and that he guaranteed more people have died there than in the U.S. – they just aren’t telling the truth. And, while his own administration has been warning that caution is still required or people will die, Trump has been pandering to those who are rebelling against stay-at-home restrictions and demonstrating to open things up. When I saw a photo of one such demonstrator carrying a sign with a huge swastika and the names “Trump” and “Pence”, I had to write about that on my Not Fake News blog. Here’s what I said….

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Coronavirus: The Wizardry of Drs. Oz and Phil

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0000

With President Trump pressing to open up the nation’s economy and begin lifting stay-at-home orders so people can go back to work and to school, many Americans are protesting against their state governments’ rules that have shut things down. That, of course, is despite warnings from the experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci that it’s too soon to open up the economy, that doing so will risk even more deaths. Nevertheless, two TV doctors – Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil…both Trump supporters…are stirring things up and their fans are listening. So that’s what the first part of this Podcast is about. Part 2 comes from a blog written today on Not Fake News.biz by Chris Waldron that talks about the stimulus checks that are going out and how Trump’s signature turns them into a taxpayer-funded political direct mail campaign. Chris says we’ll be paying the price for decades to come.

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Coronavirus: Murder on a Global Scale

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0000

Susan Hutchinson, a terrific writer on Not Fake News.biz, says President Trump’s decision to withhold U.S. funds from the World Health Organization amounts to Murder on a Global Scale. Here’s how she put it in today’s blog, which I’ll narrate. Take a listen to Coronavirus: Murder on a Global Scale. From Not Fake News.biz.

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Coronavirus: Chinese 4-Year-Old Experiences Today's America

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0000

President Trump has decided to withhold U.S. financial support to the World Health Organization even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to claim lives around the globe. And that’s money appropriated by Congress, so his action is most likely illegal.But why does he want to do that? Because he wants everybody to blame China for the disaster that has struck America and claimed some 26,000 lives so far. He wanted W.H.O. officials to call it the Luhan Virus and they wouldn’t do it.He’s been calling it the Chinese Virus since day one, and that’s resulted in all sorts of retaliation in the U.S. against Chinese Americans.This podcast is the story of a little four-year-old Chinese American girl who wants to be a great violinist. But her professor stopped teaching her. Because she’s Chinese.Take a listen to Coronavirus: Chinese 4-Year-Old Experiences Today’s America. From Not Fake News.biz.

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Thank You Coronavirus Frontline Workers

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0000

A heartfelt thank you to all of those frontline workers who are helping to keep us safe as we cope with the impact of the coronavirus. From healthcare workers to grocery clerks and EMTs, our fellow Americans are risking their own lives, literally, to keep us well, and to keep us safe. This podcast also includes a personal story regarding a coronavirus scare and test.Take a listen...

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Coronavirus: Trump's Big Bang Theory

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0000

So President Trump is announcing a new Opening Our Country Council, presumably to plan for his Big Bang grand opening that he wants by May 1, most likely with lots of fanfare.Typical showman Trump. Wouldn’t it be nice if we actually had a President instead of a infomercial host living in the White House?Doesn’t matter, apparently, how many people will die…Trump needs the economy booming again in time for the November election…and times a wasting. So who cares about the risks?That’s the subject of today’s podcast. Take a listen to Coronavirus: Trump’s Big Bang Theory from Not Fake News.biz.

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Coronavirus: The Carnival Barker & Those Who Save Lives

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the NFN Radio News Podcast, brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m your host, Bob Gatty, founder and editor of Not Fake News.It’s been a bit of a scary week. A few days ago, I came down with a nasty chest cold and persistent cough that keeps me up at night. So finally, yesterday, I went to the doc and she said I most likely have bronchitis. So, she prescribed some meds.But she also sent me for a coronavirus test, and that’s what this podcast is about – that and the irony of Donald Trump bragging about what a great job he’s doing while frontline healthcare workers are out there risking their lives – like the young nurse who did my test.So Take a listen to The Carnival Barker and Those Who Save Lives from Not Fake News.biz.

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The Coronavirus Snake Oil Salesman

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the NFN Radio News Podcast, brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m your host, Bob Gatty, founder and editor of Not Fake News.President Trump keeps pitching a drug commonly used for malaria and other purposes as a miracle cure for the coronavirus. It’s called hydroxychloroquine, and it’s manufactured by a company in which Trump and his family trusts reportedly own stock, and in which some of his contributors have substantial financial interests.Trump keeps saying that he’s no doctor, but people should try this drug. What do they have to lose? He asks.Aside from the fact that people could die from its side effects under certain circumstances, all these financial connections seems to raise substantial conflict of interest questions, at least in my view.Take a listen to The Coronavirus Snake Oil Salesman from Not Fake News.biz.

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Coronavirus Genocide & When Did Trump Know?

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the NFN Radio News Podcast, brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m your host, Bob Gatty, founder and editor of Not Fake News.Writer Chris Waldron has raised a couple of important questions in blogs for Not Fake News.biz and I’m going to present them in this podcast. The first is a disturbing trend of African Americans dying from the coronavirus far out of proportion to their share of the overall population. So Chris asks if this is some new form of genocide.The second is Trump’s confusing assertions as to when he really knew that the coronavirus was going to turn into a pandemic that could kill thousands of Americans. So, Chris poses a simple question: When did he know.So here goes. First, Coronavirus: A New Form of Genocide?Take a listen.

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Coronavirus & Trump: Catastrophe Realized

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the NFN Radio News Podcast, brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m your host, Bob Gatty, founder and editor of Not Fake News.Three-plus years ago when Donald Trump was elected president of the United States, one of my first thoughts was, “Man, I hope we don’t get into a situation where he decides to push the nuclear hot button.”That, of course, would have been a catastrophe of massive proportions.But is it anything unlike what is happening today with the Coronavirus?That’s what I wrote about today on Not Fake News. Take a listen to Coronavirus & Trump: Catastrophe Realized.

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Coronavirus: Death Panels & the Blame Game

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the NFN Radio News Podcast, brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m your host, Bob Gatty, founder and editor of Not Fake News.The lack of leadership from Donald Trump as the coronavirus was first apparent in January through today has been appalling. Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron takes a look at that, including how the administration’s inaction and lack of foresight may put doctors in the position of actually forming what Chris calls “death squads.”I’m narrating Chris’ blog from today’s Not Fake News. Take a listen to Coronavirus: Death Squads & the Blame Game.

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Coronavirus: Trump's Ultimate Excuse

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0000

It’s amazing…but it’s not surprising…how President Trump and right-wing governors are using the coronavirus pandemic to shove their pet projects and policies down our throats. In today’s podcast, Coronavirus: Trump’s Ultimate Excuse, we discuss three such examples, which became evident in just the last few days.Take a listen...

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Trump, the Pillow-Man & the Scientists

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0000

In today’s podcast, we take a look at two guys that Donald Trump apparently listens to, one of whom is probably the one person who can pull us through this coronavirus pandemic with as little pain as possible…and the other, a self promoter who’s gotten rich off of pillows and says Trump was sent by God to save us all.And, for good measure, there’s some science based info from MIT that basically says the pain of social distancing and quarantines is needed, but in the end the economy will survive.So take a listen to…”Trump, the Pillow-man & the Scientists.” Here goes…

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Coronavirus: Trump Would Make a Serial Killer Jealous

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0000

The coronavirus news keeps getting scarier and now, Dr. Anthony Fauci…the one person I believe more than any other on this…says we could see between 100,000 and 200,000 people die. Already, today, we passed the 3,000 who were killed in the 9/11 attack, and the deaths mount every day. So our esteemed president, Donald trump, cited a report that upwards of 2.2 million could die if we did nothing. So, he said, losing 100,000 would prove he’d done a good job. Disgusting. Meanwhile, states led by Democrats are having a tough time getting their emergency supplies from the feds, while republican states like florida, just skate through. So check out today’s podcast…”Coronavirus: Trump Would Make a “Serial Killer Jealous.” Here goes…

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Attacking Healthcare in the Midst of a Pandemic

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Last week, I was appalled to read that South Carolina’s senior Senator, Lindsey Graham, tried to hold up the $2 trillion coronavirus economic relief bill because he thought people – including nurses – might make more money from the expanded unemployment benefits than if they went to work.Hope he doesn’t get sick and need a nurse…just saying.Then, yesterday, his buddy, Donald Trump, practically accused hospitals of requesting far more face masks and ventilators than they could possibly use, suggesting they must be up to no good.Holy crap!So, I put it together in “Attacking Healthcare in the Midst of a Pandemic”. Here goes…

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Donald Trump's Holocaust

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Trump’s words and inactions about the coronavirus are literally killing people. You could say we are experiencing the Donald Trump Holocaust.As of today, there were 120,763 coronavirus cases in the U.S. and 2,016 deaths. Trump was warned back in December that this was coming. He did nothing.In this episode, Not Fake News.biz writer Susan Hutchinson excoriates Trump for his slow, sluggish, inept and ego-driven response to the catastrophe that has befallen our country. Take a listen...

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Trump Bullies TV Stations Over Coronavirus Ad

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0000

A Joe Biden SuperPac called Priorities USA has been running a terrific ad that pairs President Trump’s comments about the coronavirus to an image of an ever growing timeline that shows increasing numbers of cases in the U.S.The ad has the Trump campaign so ticked off that their lawyers have sent a letter out to the stations threatening that the FCC could remove their operating licenses if they don’t stop airing the commercial.What happened to the First Amendment in this country? What happened to free speech? Looks like we are getting ever closer to a dictatorship and his supporters could seem to care less.Take a listen to Trump bullies TV Stations Over Coronavirus Ad

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Coronavirus: When the Docs Get Sick

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Yesterday’s podcast was satire. This is not. It’s deadly serious. The question is really simple. What will we do if our hospitals and medical facilities can’t take care of us – not because of a lack of beds or not enough ventilators – but because the doctors and nurses are sick with the coronavirus? That is a scary thought, but it could happen largely because there aren’t enough face masks, gloves and protective gowns to keep them safe. And shockingly, some hospitals reportedly aren’t even allowing doctors and nurses to use the personal protective equipment on hand. Take a listen to Coronavirus: When the Docs Get Sick. Thursday, March 26, 2020…

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Trump's Coronavirus Easter Parade

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0000

With the coronavirus news getting worse by the hour, it seems, Donald Trump is saying he wants to get everything back to normal by Easter, just a couple weeks away.He says we can’t let the cure – shutting down the economy – be worse than the illness – hundreds of people dying from the coronavirus. And so, he hopes we can have the churches packed on Easter Sunday and everything raring to go.So that inspired this bit of satire that I wrote for Not Fake News. Take a listen to Trump’s Coronavirus Easter Parade.

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Coronavirus: Who Lives, Who Dies?

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0000

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the United States with the number of confirmed cases and deaths continuing to accelerate, it’s become clear that basic medical supplies – including lifesaving ventilators – is in desperate short supply.Ventilators are needed in severe coronavirus cases to help people in respiratory distress to breath, and without it, many will not survive. But the shortage has become so dire that doctors may soon be forced to decide who will get one and who will not.Take a listen to Cornavirus: Who Lives? Who Dies

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Madam President?

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we explore why … in the 223 years since George Washington left the presidency in 1797, no woman has been elected to lead our nation.We brought together a panel of knowledgeable, politically astute women, to discuss this question in commemoration of International Women’s Day March 8.They are:Susan Hutchinson, a retired medical technologist active in the Democratic Party in South Carolina;Stacie Pearman, a social worker and South Carolina Democratic party activist;and Stacy Fitzgerald, of Virginia, a communications expert and political activist.The questions for them were simple: Why can’t the U.S. seem to elect a woman as president of the United States? What factors seem to conspire against this? And what needs to change in American society to make it possible for a woman to be elected to the presidency?The discussion is insightful and lively, and veers into the crisis America faces as a result of the presidency of Donald Trump and the desperate need to defeat him. Take a listen…

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Republican Lies & the Promise of America

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0000

I was struck by two opinion columns today that I believe, combined, put the situation our country faces today with the Coronavirus epidemic into perspective.One discusses how a major political party’s lies to the American people have made it “dangerous” to the nation. The other recalls the promise of America, and the extent to which that is now gone.That, too, is a danger to America.Take a listen to Republican Lies & the Promise of America, Sunday, March 22, 2020…

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Cashing in on the Coronavirus

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Every day millions of Americans, whose life savings is in the stock market in one form or another, watch those savings disappear as the catastrophic impact of the coronavirus becomes increasingly apparent. Big time Wall Street investors are worried sick, and so are the rest of us – especially those of us whose retirement savings have been invested there. Had we known about the terrible toll this would take on our investments, many of us would have moved our savings to cash or other safer havens. Some members of Congress, who did have such information, apparently have done exactly that. Was that right? Was that ethical? Not Fake News writer Steve Hamelman tackles this in a new blog for Not Fake News. I’m narrating for Steve. Take a listen…

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Trump's Coronavirus Response: Attack the Messenger

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0000

In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, at a time when virtually every American is worried sick, if not actually sick, President Donald Trump continues to attack, and the media is his favorite target. During his lengthy press briefings this week, he’s at least twice attacked news reporters and outlets he doesn’t like, even when thrown a softball question that would have given him a chance to provide assurance to the American people. And, he continues to brag about his brilliant actions, despite the fact that he ignored ominous warnings that should have spurred action. Now, we are all paying the consequences. Writer Chris Waldron tackles this in his latest blog for Not Fake News. I’m narrating for Chris. Take a listen…

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Racism & Politics in the Coronavirus

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Today, Friday, March 20, we published two blogs by Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron that focus on two important aspects of the coronavirus pandemic – Donald Trump’s penchant for calling it the “China virus” and his proposal to send voters a check for up to $2,000 as part of his emergency economic recovery plan.Waldron believes Trump’s “China virus” label is a racist effort to cast blame and is irresponsible. He believes Trump’s “buy off” plan is an attempt to buy voters’ support in the face of his administration’s poor performance in handling the crisis.So, we’re combining those blogs today in a single podcast, which I’m narrating for Chris. Take a listen…

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Hope? Or False Hope?

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Today President Trump and other administration officials held a news conference that apparently was intended to calm coronavirus fears as well as Wall Street jitters, as nearly all of the stock market gains since his election have been lost. That, of course, is the big deal for Trump. That and the fact that a probable recession could doom his chances for re-election. So today he claimed that FDA had approved one drug and almost approved another that can help make those who contract COVID-19 to, in his words, get better. Only problem is, his own FDA chief cautioned against “false hope.” The picture isn’t quite as rosy as Trump would have us believe. So we tackled that today in our blog on Not Fake News.biz. Take a listen…

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What Makes a Leader?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron talks about leadership – our nation’s desperate need today for strong, wise and decisive leadership by someone the American people can trust. In this blog written for Not Fake News, Chris discusses some of the key qualities that good leaders possess and the need for someone who can unite us in this time of crisis. I’ll narrate this blog for Chris. Take a listen…

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The Bob & Jackie Show: Dinner with Trump

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Today we present the Bob & Jackie Show, the famous YouTube presentation that features silly and useless commentary with me and my wacky wife, Jackie. What prompted this episode was an email Jackie received from Team Trump inviting her to a special dinner with VIP access with Donald Trump. Take a listen for Jackie’s reaction in this episode of The Bob & Jackie Show, “Dinner with Trump.”

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But That's Not What I Asked!

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Have you ever noticed how members of the Trump administration dodge questions from reporters, shucking and jiving, avoiding…doing almost anything to not answer what might be a difficult or embarrassing question.Politicians always do this and all too often the media lets them get away with it. But sometimes not, and that seems to really tick off the Trump people, including Mr. Big Shot himself.Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron took a look at this in a blog today, March 16, on not fake news.biz. I’m narrating the blog for Chris here on NFN Radio News. Take a listen to “But That’s Not What I Asked!”

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Crowdsourcing a Coronavirus Solution in the Face of Catastrophe

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0000

With all of the health, economic and technical experts at the disposal of the president of the United States, how comforting would it be if you knew that one of the sources used to create a response to the coronavirus was ideas crowdsourced from Facebook?Come to think of it, probably not that surprising at all, considering the fact that Trump doesn’t like science and prefers spinnable BS.But according to a Washington Post report, that is exactly what happened after Trump son-in-law commandeered the White House coronavirus response effort last week. He jumped in to save the day, helping to write Trump’s disastrous speech – the one where he sounded like a zombie on Percocet – and calling up his friends to get ideas from their Facebook friends.Then, Senator Sherrod Brown produced a letter proving that Trump did, in fact, know about the closing of that global health security office, despite the president’s claim to the contrary.Meanwhile, the situation continues to worsen and medical professionals warn of a catastrophe if cases skyrocket, like they did in Italy because of insufficient hospital and emergency room capacity. And, there are worries about danger to healthcare professionals, themselves.I took a look at all of that today, March 15, on Not Fake News.biz. Crowdsourcing a Coronavirus Solution in the Face of Catastrophe.Take a listen.

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The Coronavirus: Washington Responds

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0000

I have to say, I was surprised when House Democrats and President Trump quickly reached agreement on a bill to help the American people weather the coronavirus pandemic. Just a few days ago, I predicted it would take weeks, or longer. That, of course, was based on the record of discord and disagreement that has permeated Washington ever since Trump’s election.But surprise, surprise. They actually were able to negotiate a reasonably effective solution to at least help with the economic difficulties caused by the pandemic, and now we’ll see if Mitch McConnell’s Republican-ruled Senate will take similar action in the face of this crisis that has shaken our nation.Here’s my blog from today, March 14, on Not Fake News.biz. The Coronavirus: Washington RespondsTake a listen.

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Are You Listening Now?

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0000

As each day passes, the news about the coronavirus continues to get worse. Today, President Trump declared a state of emergency, which will free up additional federal assistance and some form of action is expected to come from Congress. Meanwhile, thoughSelf-interest, social media, and a President who dismisses science could worsen the impact of the coronavirus on all of us. In a Not Fake News.biz blog today, March 13, Susan Hutchinson, a retired medical technologist, takes a look at some of these issues – including the impact of social media on the American public in these times of confusion and concern. Her blog is titled “Are You Listening Now? Here’s Susan:

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Reassurance from Trump? Not

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0000

We are all reeling from the coronavirus, afraid to go to the grocery store and when we get there, discover that they’re out of sanitary wipes and toilet paper. We’re worried about our jobs, our incomes, or livelihoods – to say nothing about our health and that of our friends and family. Yet the Trump administration’s response so far has been pitiful. In the March 12 blog on Not Fake News.biz, Chris Waldron takes a look at all of this, including Trump’s bungling of the crisis and the impact that that is having. Take a listen…

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Better Economic News, but Beware

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the NFN Radio News Podcast, brought to you by Not Fake News.biz. I’m your host, Bob Gatty, founder and editor of Not Fake News. So, the stock market had a nice bounce back yesterday, gaining back more than half of Monday’s 2,000-plus point loss caused by concerns about the coronavirus and other oil-related jitters. Why did it rebound? Because investors liked hearing that Washington is working on a plan of economic assistance to help individuals and companies affected by the virus. Incredible to me that Trump’s biggest concern seems to be the ECONOMIC impact, not the fact that people are getting really sick and some are dying…but that’s just me. But I don’t think the optimism is very well founded. This is an election year and the politicians in charge of Washington these days haven’t exactly proven that they can act responsibly in the interests of the American people, not just in their own political interests. And, apparently, Wall Street investors, having had some time to digest all of this over night, decided they don’t trust Trump or Congress and the market hit the skids again today, giving back all of yesterday’s gains by lunchtime. Here’s the report from Not Fake News.biz written yesterday, March 10, 2020. Who knows what will happen next. Better Economic News, but Beware

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Market Craters & Trump Fumes 'Fake News"

Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Today we are experiencing some of the shock waves caused by the corona virus and the Trump administration’s late – and weak – response, which has been made worse by Trump’s effort to minimize the seriousness of this pandemic and his irrational determination to place blame. When the stock market plunged by 2,000 points yesterday, it was partly the news media’s fault, Trump said. And, once again, he tried to make President Obama the bad guy when its his own administration that has bungled this so far. Here’s our report, written first yesterday, but updated today.

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Pass the Violence Against Women Act

Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Today is International Women’s Day and we’re calling on Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to stop playing footsie with the National Rifle Association.His action in holding up the extension of this important law because of a new provision aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers is simply unconscionable.Listen to our report.

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New Call-in Show: Ask Dr. Donald

Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re going to talk about Donald Trump’s new call-in show on Faux News, “Ask Dr. Donald.” The president says he may have a natural ability to absorb detailed scientific information, like about the coronavirus, so we should all feel better to know we’re in such capable hands. This is an exclusive scoop from Not Fake News. You won’t read or hear about it anywhere else, so listen up!

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No Toady to Trump

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re talking about a guy in South Carolina…a Democrat…who is taking on Donald Trump’s favorite lapdog, Sen. Lindsey Graham, and has a great shot of unseating the 25-year veteran of Capitol Hill.So this is the cliff note version of Jaime Harrison…son of a 16-year-old unwed mother…who graduated from Yale University…held a powerful job in the U.S. House of Representatives…and is now…according to the most recent poll…only two points behind Lindsey Graham.Can you imagine how sweet it would be to see Trump’s reaction of the deep red South Carolina turns out Lindsey Graham?

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Idiot in the White House; Coronavirus Tips from Experts (Not Trump)

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Today we’re talking about the Coronavirus, how President Trump is downplaying the seriousness of it, even suggesting on Fox News that people who have it can go to work, or just sit around and wait for it to go away. Meanwhile, the experts in his own administration are issuing prevention advice to people, including staying home and NOT going to work. And, a major health technology conference, that usually attacks some 50,000 people, has been cancelled as the impact of the pandemic spreads across the economy.We also have some tips on how to prevent contamination from the coronavirus from a pathologist. Some interesting advice.Check it out.

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Satire: Fox News to Buy Sexy Vixen Vinyl Website

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Apparently based on recommendations from right wing commentator Brit Hume, Fox News reportedly is in negotiation to purchase the porn website, #SexyVixenVinyl. "Brit is all over that site and we highly value his judgement," said a #FoxNews insider who asked not to be named so she could speak candidly about internal corporate discussions. "I also like that site. It's where I get a lot of ideas for my own after hours activities, so I think this is great." #ooohlalaWant to know more? Listen...

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Trump and the Judges

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron says Donald Trump…having tamed the legislative branch of the government to his liking…is now turning to the judiciary…even trying to intimidate justices of the United States Supreme Court.Republicans in Congress have already given him a free pass though their sham impeachment trial., Waldron points out, so why shouldn’t he expect the same treatment from the judicial branch?For more, listen...

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Sick of Lindsey Graham?

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Today, I’m wondering if you’re as sick of Senator Lindsey Graham as I am. The way he kowtows to President Trump, how he defends him no matter what…and that’s after he said…not so long ago…that Trump wasn’t fit to be president. Now, Graham is facing a touch challenge in South Carolina from a well-financed young African American Yale grad who’s really taking him on. That’s what this commentary is about. So let’s get to it.

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Pandemic Politics

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0000

As we all know, the corona virus is now spreading the U.S. and is causing untold havoc…not only by sickening … even killing people…but having a severe impact upon our economy…and perhaps even…our way of life. Early on President Trump predicted it would be gone by April as the weather warms…and now he’s claiming Democrats and the media are in cahoots, trying to scare people and using this spreading pandemic for political purposes. Not Fake News writer Susan Hutchinson takes all of this on in today’s podcast.For more...listen to the podcast...

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Warren for the Win

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0000

With Super Tuesday just a couple days away, Not Fake News writer Stacy Fitzgerald, an outstanding communications pro based in northern Virginia, discusses why she supports Senator Elizabeth Warren for the Democratic presidential nomination. It's the seventh in a series of podcasts by NFN writers who have presented their assessments of the race for the nomination.In her piece, Stacy explains that she decided to back Warren because the senator supports the core issues of concern to her -- income inequality, the economy, education, social justice, climate change and securing our Democracy.For more, listen...

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After All, It's Joe

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0000

Sixth in a series. My journey to decision has been wild and circuitous as my thinking has changed several times after seeing nearly all of the major candidates in person and considering every factor in play. I started out backing former Vice President Joe Biden, and after all is said and done, I've come back. It's Joe.Early on, when the debate stage was so crowded you needed a scorecard to tell who was who, I began thinking that in the end the nominee would -- and should -- be Biden.But over time, and after seeing Sens. Kamala Harris and Cory Booker at appearances in South Carolina, I began to waiver.For more, listen...

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Why I'm with Joe

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0000

NFN writer Stacie Pearman backs former Vice President Joe Biden for President saying he's the best shot to defeat Donald Trump. Fifth of a series by NFN writers about their choices.As a Democrat, replacing Donald Trump with another Democrat is my number one priority.A huge number of my fellow Democrats agree with me. Most also agree that the African American voter is the most important Democratic voter in sending Trump packing. Without our African American friends, neighbors, coworkers and family, all of the policy hopes and dreams that we all have remain just hopes and dreams.That is why I’m with Joe Biden. Listen...for more.

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Bernie. But Vote Blue

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0000

NFN writer Joe Picatello backs Sen. Bernie Sanders for President and explains that it's because of his kids. Fourth of a series by NFN writers about their choices.When my 20-year old daughter and my 18- year old son recognize a candidate’s name, (feel the Bern), I remember the sayings “Out of the mouth of babes” and “Our kids are our future”.The only other name they know and cannot tolerate, is our current President.Being engaged and interested at this age is a good thing. Explaining caucus’ and primaries to them is fun; policies are another thing. Everyone, whether a candidate or a member of our household, shares the same cause, beat the President.Listen...for more.

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Still Feeling the Bern

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0000

NFN writer Susan Hutchinson backs Sen. Bernie Sanders for President and explains why. Third of a series by NFN writers about their choices.I first became aware of Sen. Bernie Sanders when he ran for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2016. Unfortunately, that nomination went to Hillary Clinton, for whom I, begrudgingly, voted because I realized that anything else would be a vote for Donald Trump.What struck me about Sanders was his no bones approach to campaigning. I always felt I was getting the real Bernie, someone who had, and would continue to work for the average American and not the CEO’s. In 2020 he continues to project, even more vehemently now, that man for the people image.For more...listen...

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Pete Buttigieg: Fighting for America's Future

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0000

NFN writer Chris Waldron backs Pete Buttigieg for President and explains why. Second of a series by NFN writers about their choices.With the average age of the top tier candidates being 75, Pete Buttigieg, at the tender age of 37, represents a fresh face on the political frontier. While some may argue that having a leader with little or no political experience is exactly like our current president, Pete has political savvy that the current administration lacks. However, he is also young enough not to be infected by the Washington establishment, nor to be beholden to those whose past has made them pawns of special interests.Listen for more...

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Elizabeth Warren for President - by Lauren Kligman

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0000

NFN writer Lauren Kligman backs Elizabeth Warren for President and explains why. First of a series by NFN writers about their choices.My vote is Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Well, let me backup, I will vote blue no matter what person is chosen to be the Democrat nomination. But my number one choice is Elizabeth Warren.Why did I land on Elizabeth Warren?Listen for more...

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Three Nightmare Scenarios

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0000

As the presidential election looms large, several scenarios could play out as the results roll in. None would be good for democracy.Already we are seeing Russian interference on both sides. While Bernie Sanders (DS-VT) is calling for Russia to stay out of American elections, Trump is denying the evidence of his own intelligence community that Russia is interfering on his behalf.What is the motivation behind Russia meddling, once again, in our elections? There are several possible scenarios that could play out in the upcoming race.Listen for more...

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Is Sanders the Next McGovern? Or Goldwater?

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0000

As Sen. Bernie Sanders surges in the Democratic presidential sweepstakes, many centrist Democrats are worried that the nomination of the avowed socialist-democrat will all but guarantee the re-election of President Donald Trump and doom down-ballot candidates across the nation. For some the specter of past election wipeouts of perceived extremist candidates -- Barry Goldwater at the hands of LBJ and George McGovern by Tricky Dick -- is a growing worry as Trump and his Republican supporters jump on Sanders' socialist label with plans to use it against all Democratic candidates on the November 3 ballot. Listen for more...

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Pretzel Logic & the Trump Economy

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0000

The economy is humming along nicely. Unemployment is down and the stock market is up. All indicators see no end in sight to this 11-year joy ride. So, of course, Trump and his supporters constantly tout his economic accomplishments, while belittling the tremendous strides President Obama made to right the sinking ship he inherited from George W. Bush during the Great Recession.Listen for more...

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Ban Assault Weapons: Join the Campaign

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0000

On February 16, 2018, Robert Schentrup lost his sister, Carmen, when she was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL -- shot four times by a gunman in her classroom who was armed with a weapon of war.Today, Robert and his mom, April Schentrup, are working with the Brady Campaign in its effort to convince lawmakers across the country and in Washington, DC to support common-sense gun-safety legislation, including reinstating the federal ban on assault weapons. Listen for the complete story....

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Want Mercury in Your Water?

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0000

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to roll back an Obama-era regulation that among its benefits protects kids from brain damage even before they are born.The regulation involved is designed to limit harmful pollutants, like mercury, from power plants. The Trump administration wants it watered down to help the coal industry, even though that could put our health at risk.Ironically, the electric power industry, which originally opposed the regulation when the Obama administration first launched it in 2011, now opposes the EPA's rollback, saying they've already complied and the result has been far few pollutants being emitted by power plants.For the rest of the story...listen...

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Sinking into Autocracy

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0000

Some 1,100 former officials of the U.S. Justice Department have sent an open letter urging Attorney General William P. Barr to resign and warning that President Trump's use of that department as his own personal hit squad, enabled by Barr, threatens to lead the U.S. into autocracy."Governments that use the enormous power of law enforcement to punish their enemies and reward their allies are not constitutional republics; they are autocracies," the former DOJ officials wrote.For more, listen...

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Giving Up on Climate Change

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0000

A 74-year-old Canadian recently wrote in a Huffington Post article that he and his 64-year-old wife have decided that climate change is unstoppable, so the best they can do is to move someplace where they will be least affected so they can live out their remaining days in peace.But what about those who are younger and the generations to follow? Is it any wonder today's young voters aggressively embrace candidates who pledge to effectively combat climate change and preserve the planet?

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The Measure of a Man

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0000

Who is the "manly man?" Donald Trump, the big mean spirited blowhard name caller, or the shorter (in stature) but potentially dangerous Democratic candidate, Michael Bloomberg, or the gay Pete Buttigieg, who has surged to become a serious contender for his party's presidential nomination? For more...Listen...

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The Bob & Jackie Show: Pittsburghese, Itchy Nose, Paul Newman & More Nonsense

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0000

Check out the latest edition of The Bob & Jackie Show, recorded on Valentine's Day, that explores the somewhat wacky version of the English language spoken by many native residents of Pittsburgh, PA.The city is home to some of the most wonderful people in the world -- kind, caring, friendly, warm, generous -- but they also have their own special way of talking. What's "yunz?" Or "slippy", or "aarn"? What's a "jag off?"And, what, pray tell, does it mean if somebody looks at you and says, "Hey dude, Kennywood's open"? Trust me, they're not suggesting you buy tickets to the famed amusement park. It's something else, entirely.For more of this nonsense, listen...

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Aircraft to Protect America? Or a Vanity Wall?

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0000

Thwarted by Congress for the funds he demanded to build his vanity wall along the southern border, President Trump is ripping off some $7.2 billion from the Pentagon's budget this year to build 900 miles of wall before the November presidential election.Listen for more...

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Wielding a Would-be Iron Fist

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0000

Perhaps its a stretch to suggest that President Trump is wielding an iron fist, like dictators Vladimir Putin or Kim Jong-Un, but his retribution against perceived impeachment enemies and his tweet "suggesting" the Justice Department's sentencing request for convicted felon Roger Stone was 'horrible and very unfair" certainly makes it look that way. Listen for more...

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Health System Income skyrockets, Medicaid Cuts Ahead

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0000

On the same day Kaiser Permanente reported it had nearly tripled its income in 2019, governors of both parties warned that a proposed Trump administration regulation could lead to huge Medicaid cuts, reducing healthcare access for vulnerable, low-income Americans.While neither of those facts are directly connected, combined they're a microcosm of what is wrong with healthcare in America today and the mindset that currently prevails among Trump and his Republican Congressional supporters.Listen for more...

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Trump's Victory Lap & Republican Excuses

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump, preening a usual, celebrated his impeachment trial acquittal with nastiness, name calling, and vindictiveness, claiming false credit and threatening to cast out his enemies. Republicans, meanwhile, offered their excuses as they fell in lock step wit their adopted hero. By Chris Waldron

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Fighting Back: A Story of Courage and Determination

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0000

This is the personal story of a young woman, Lauren Kligman, of Myrtle Beach, SC, who has been battling depression and a serious eating disorder for a long time. In and out of rehab centers, her weight having dropped to 70 pounds, she now is doing fine. Lauren, in her own words, tells her story and encourages others with similar issues to seek help.

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Democrats: Don't, Just Don't

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0000

It is time for the Democratic presidential candidates to stop taking swipes at each other and focus on the real enemy -- Donald John Trump, the just impeached president who has co-opted the Republican Party and turned it into his own personal cheering section. This stuff with Mayor Pete Buttigieg taking shots at former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders needs to stop. All of these candidates should have a singular objective: take down Trump. Yes, Mayor Pete, you are an impressive, young, dynamic candidate with a lot to offer our country. And, yes, you just might pull the biggest upset in political history and become the first mayor of a city of just 100,000 people to win a major party's nomination for president. But please, have some respect. Stop with the sly little daggers about Sanders' and Biden's age, and for heaven's sake, stop declaring victory before the results are in as you did in Iowa. It's just unseemly and you should know better. The American people are searching for a leader, someone who will take this country out of the morass in which Donald Trump has created. Someone ... for more...listen...

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We're Not In Kansas Anymore

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0000

The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champs for the first time in 50 years! Congratulations are certainly in order and to the people of their home state. Problem is, Donald Trump apparently doesn't know where that is. Never at a loss for words for “important issues” Trump tweeted his congratulations to the team and “the Great State of Kansas”. Whoolps! The Chiefs are based in Kansas City, Missouri, not Kansas City, Kansas. While this faux pas would be acceptable from many others, much like those who mistakenly identify New York City as the capital of New York, rather than Albany, where I grew up, it is troubling coming from the supposed leader of the country. It would appear that geography isn't exactly a strength for this “stable genius”. Perhaps he’d do better pointing out Ukraine on a blank map. Probably not. With the impeachment trial and State of the Union probably weighing heavily on his mind, Trump might be forgiven for this slip of the tongue if he didn’t so readily pounce on so many others who have made verbal gaffes, like his perceived chief rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. Maybe Trump was confused by the similarities between the characters of The Wizard of Oz in not knowing that the Chiefs are from Kansas City, Missouri? After all, one could argue that his mistake resulted from his resemblance to the Scarecrow (no brain), Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s resemblance to the Tin Man (no heart), or even the Cowardly Lion (President Bone Spurs) as they lead Dorothy (Ivanka) and her little dog (Jared Kushner) through the treacherous land of impeachment haunted by the Wicked Witch (Nancy Pelosi D-CA) and her “flying monkeys” (House Managers). It’s a stretch, but the similarities are there, and Dorothy WAS from Kansas, after all. Of course, Trump was tweeting from the friendly confines of his Mar a Lago where he hosted a multitude-million dollar Super Bowl party for club members, at taxpayer expense. Remember how he repeatedly pledged that, if elected, he would have no time for golf? Right. Perhaps if we collectively click our heels and utter in unison “We want a real leader”, the country will magically return to sanity. Let’s hope it happens on November 3rd.

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The Truth Will Out

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0000

Regardless of the Trumplican-controlled Senate which is refusing to hear witnesses or subpoena key documents in the Trump sham impeachment "gathering" (it's hardly a trial), the truth about this president's illegal acts ultimately will be revealed. While it will be too late for the see-no evil, hear-no evil Senate to consider those revelations, it will be in plenty of time for the American people to render their verdict on Election Day, November 3, 2020. After all, that's what the Republicans have constantly demanded, saying Donald John Trump's impeachment by the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives was an act of blatant partisanship when the general election is only months away. Well, they will get their wish. The duplicitous actions of Senate Republicans and the Trump administration are, however, nearly too incredible to behold. Consider this: Trump's Justice Department, in a midnight filing after the Senate's vote against hearing witnesses, revealed that two dozen emails shielded from Congress detail Trump's decision to withhold military aid from Ukraine. Democrats unsuccessfully sought to subpoena those documents. The filing contains the most detailed description yet of those documents, which reveal why he justified withholding nearly $400 million in security assistance to Ukraine. But they will not be available to the Senate to consider. And, consider the statements of two swing-vote GOP senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, whose twisted logic led them to vote against hearing such witnesses as John Bolton. Trump's former national security advisor, Bolton stood ready to testify that Trump told him he was withholding aid to Ukraine until they investigated the Bidens -- a quid pro quo that Bolton has labeled "a drug deal." Murkowski, in a statement released to the media, said, in part, "“Given the partisan nature of this impeachment from the very beginning and throughout, I have come to the conclusion that there will be no fair trial in the Senate. I don’t believe the continuation of this process will change anything. It is sad for me to admit that, as an institution, the Congress has failed." To make the "trial" fair, it doesn't take a legal scholar to understand that witnesses must be heard -- especially witnesses with direct incriminating evidence against the defendant like Bolton. So, Murkowski voted against hearing those witnesses, ending the possibility of the "fair" trial that she apparently sought. Alexander, who is retiring from the Senate at the end of the year, also opposed hearing witnesses and said he will vote to acquit. Combined, their votes sealed the deal for Trump and his supporters. "If you have eight witnesses who say someone left the scene of an accident, why do you need nine?" he reasoned. "I mean, the question for me was: Do I need more evidence to conclude that the president did what he did? And I concluded no." Alexander said the House had proved that what Trump did with regard to Ukraine was wrong, that it was "inappropriate." But he bought the White House claim that, even so, it was not an impeachable offense. When asked who should render the ultimate verdict on Trump, Alexander replied: "The people. The people is my conclusion." Well, that's exactly what will happen. The people will decide. Count the days.

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The Pig President Strikes Again

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0000

The other day Secretary of State Mike Pompeo excoriated a female reporter who asked him a question about Ukraine he didn't like, then President Donald Trump, male chauvinist pig-in-chief, commended him for it. "That was very impressive, Mike," Trump said at a White House event after Pompeo was introduced to applause. "That reporter couldn't have done too good a job on you yesterday, huh? I think you did a good job on her, actually." The incident Trump was referring to occurred last week when Mary Louise Kelly, host of All Things Considered on NPR, asked Pompeo about whether he should apologize to former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, for her sudden ouster at the behest of Trump and his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani. Angered because the interview was supposed to be about Iran, Pompeo told Kelly, "I have defended every State Department official. We've built a great team. The team that works here is doing amazing work around the world... I've defended every single person on this team. I've done what's right for every single person on this team." But he didn't let it go at that.Listen for more...

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The Bob & Jackie Show: Assassin or a Nun

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Jackie and I explore the hearafter and how Jackie, after she dies, would like to come back in her second life either as an assassin or a nun. What? Where did that come from? I thought maybe it's because some nuns were mean to her in school when she was a kid, making her want to be an assassin. But no, she says, that's not the reason. But I think she has some first-hand experience with a Mafia hit-man, maybe. Then, I ask if there is somebody she wants to kill. She just looks at me. So if I turn up dead soon, you'll know what happened. She got sick of doing "The Bob & Jackie Show." When I come back from being murdered by her, I want to be a tall, handsome dude with a cool accent like Antonio Bandaras -- or even that guy (Mandy Patinkin) in the 1987 fantasy movie, "The Princess Bride," who famously says, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die." A Spanish fencing master, that guy was cool, and in my second life, if I can't be like Bandaras, I want to be like him. I'll even rescue a beautiful princess like he did -- if necessary. In this silly episode, we also cover Did Ya Ever Wonder as Jackie asks why two words like "Finger" and "Ginger" are spelled similarly, but pronounced totally differently. I tell her I have no idea and ask why she asked me. "You're the word man," she replies. When we asked NFN writer Chris Waldron, a college English professor, what he thought, his answer was "English is a strange language." Thanks, Chris, that was helpful. Our third topic in the episode asks why women are expected to take the husband's last name when they marry. "Ownership," says Jackie. Then she told me it was a "dumb question" when I asked if she thought that was unfair. I guess it was. So if you have 15 minutes or so for a laugh or two, check it out. Also, while you're there, please consider subscribing to our new YouTube channel. Just hit the Subscribe button.

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Nutritious Food: Another Trump Obama Target

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0000

The Trump administration yesterday took action to dilute school lunch nutritional standards pushed by former First Lady Michelle Obama, allowing schools to offer less healthy foods to students, despite staggering rates of childhood obesity in the U.S. The proposal to lay waste to one of the former first lady's cornerstone achievements just happened to come on her birthday. Anybody believe that was just a coincidence? In yet another effort by President Trump to undo key achievements of the Obama administration, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the new rules were needed because school kids are throwing away the healthier foods they are being served and there is just too much waste. Listen for more...

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Will Your Vote Count?

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0000

Depending upon how the U.S. Supreme Court decides, it is entirely possible that in some states voters in the electoral college will be able to ignore the results of their state's popular vote and vote for whoever they want. Should that occur, those who say "Why bother to vote, it won't even count anyway," could end up being right. The Washington Post reports today that the high court will consider whether states can punish or replace "faithless" presidential electors who refuse to support their state's popular vote winner, or whether the U.S. Constitution forbids such a restriction. No wonder there is such a clamor to do away with the Electoral College. Let's hope the Supreme Court brings some sense and reason to this mess in time for the 2020 election. Listen for more...

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Trump & His Healthcare Lies

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0000

President Trump is now on a tweet-a-thon claiming that he has saved healthcare coverage for pre-existing conditions, when one of his obsessive priorities since his election has been to wipe out the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which guarantees that protection.The truth is that Trump has been obsessed with undoing every achievement of President Obama and he will stop at nothing until he has accomplished that. Witness his attack on the environment and climate change, for example. The Enemy of the ACABut this claim is one of his most outrageous. He is the single biggest enemy of the ACA and that is where protections for pre-existing condition coverage reside. Just last week the Justice Department filed a brief in a lawsuit filed by a group of Republican governors and state attorneys general challenging the healthcare law. The Trump administration backs that lawsuit, which if successful, will result in the entire ACA law being declared unconstitutional. And yes, Trump supported and signed legislation eliminating the requirement that individuals must purchase health insurance coverage or face penalties at tax time. Indeed, that was unpopular. But it was one of the foundations of the ACA and now the White House argues that by doing that Congress has made the entire law invalid. Listen for more...

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Trump & American Imperialism

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0000

Imperialism has its definite appeal to Donald Trump. Since his inauguration, he has sought to use his powerful position to disrupt the governments of Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, Syria and the Ukraine, among others. The assassination of a top Iranian government official is the latest example of Trump’s desire to return America to an imperial power. America is no stranger to imperial rule. Indeed, 4 million people, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa currently live under the auspices of the United States government with no representation. But it is the attempt to exercise its influence over foreign governments that is so troubling. it would appear that a return to an imperial power is exactly what Donald Trump seeks as he courts strongmen like the rulers of Russia, Turkey and North Korea. And it is these types of actions that will likely draw the attention of democracies around the world, as they await his next move. The world waits…and it worries.

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Oh, for God's Sake!

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0000

So now the prosperity gospel maven Paula White says God visited upon her and asked her to introduce Donald Trump to her. "Show him who I am," White said He told her. Really? Oh, for God's sake! Ah yes, so now White is Trump's "spiritual advisor." If that's the case, she certainly is doing a crappy job given his many well-known transgressions against the teachings of Christianity and the Bible, which Trump claims is his favorite book. If you want to know more about this woman, White, who bilks millions of believers with her BS messages, check out www.paulawhite.org, and if you want to see more about her Trump-related activities, check out https://paulawhite.org/global.html. The story about White saying God told her to bring Trump to Him is just the latest development in the ongoing drama involving Evangelicals and their political supporters who claim God sent Trump to the White House to save humanity. Listen to learn more...

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Welcome to NFN Radio News

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0000

Welcome to NFN Radio News…brought to you by the progressive news blog site…not fake news.biz, filled with cool commentary on the key stories of the day…plus stories about people in all walks of life…interviews…and some funny stuff, too.Welcome to NFN Radio News…brought to you by the progressive news blog site…not fake news.biz.I’m your host, Bob Gatty, founder and publisher of Not Fake News.biz. Nearly every day we narrate our top blogs that I write with a team of other outstanding writers.A former national wire service reporter and bureau chief, I served as chief of staff for two U.S. Congressmen – one a Republican, the other a Democrat – and then launched an editorial services company based in Washington, DC. and ran a couple of magazines, did some political stuff, and even worked for some lobbying organizations.Then in 2016, I retired to Myrtle Beach, SC and soon launched Not Fake News. It was in response to Donald Trump’s constant harping about the fake news media…which he labeled the enemy of the people.Today, Not Fake News.biz has thousands of readers from across the U.S. and around the world. Our blogs cover politics with a progressive perspective, setting the record straight about Trump and his Republican cronies in Congress.But in addition, Not Fake News – or NFN for short – also includes blogs about happenings of everyday life – often funny, always touching on events common to many of us. We write and post every day, and that’s with the help of a great team of contributing writers. Now, the NFN Radio News podcast will provide the best of our blogs to you in narrative form, often narrated by the authors themselves. We’ll also offer the soundtrack from the un-famous but very funny Bob & Jackie Show, available on the Not Fake News You Tube Channel. Any time you need a laugh, that’s a good place to go.NFN Radio News is our effort to provide more convenience to people on the go.I hope you enjoy our offerings and will become a regular listener and subscriber to NFN Radio News.Now, check out our episodes! There’s a new one almost every day.

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