Sandy and Nora talk politics

Episode 62 is a live show! Recorded live in Ottawa on May 8, Sandy and Nora talk about organizing across difference and the lessons that we can still learn from the Winnipeg General Strike.Episode 63 will be the audience Q&A and will come out next week.Thanks to the Mayworks festival for organizing this event and to everyone who came out!The post Episode 62 – It's time for radical worker action appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The biggest story from the 2019 budget barely made the news — the Liberals are tightening border security and making it much more difficult for people to seek asylum, including making it illegal to claim asylum from the United States. Sandy and Nora examine these new anti-refugee policies (including Doug Ford's cuts to legal aid) and ask progressives to do what they can to make noise to oppose these new policy measures. The post Episode 61 – Are the Liberals bowing to white nationalists? appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When should we engage with an idea, and when is engaging with an idea admitting that the idea isn't racist trash? There's no consensus on where the lines are, and so Sandy and Nora explore this debate, test the boundaries and discuss why debate for debate's sake is boring.The post Episode 60 – debating debates appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sandy and Nora talk Alberta — finally! There are many lessons to be learned from how the Alberta NDP governed, how Jason Kenney governs himself, and what they've said is in store for Alberta under a UCP government. We dive into the details and project what this all means for the upcoming Canadian election.In the show we mention this fundraiser: Climate Justice Edmonton's “War Room” fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/war-room-to-beat-kenneys-war-roomAnd we mention this podcast: Welcome to Hellberta! from the Alberta Advantage podcast: https://albertaadvantagepod.com/2019/04/19/predictably-welcome-to-hellberta/The post Episode 59 – Can we learn from what just happened in Alberta? appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Doug Ford released his new budget. In it, his government committed to changing how universities and colleges are funded, by referring to “performance outcome” … two words that when placed beside one another, become so meaningless that it's almost funny to read in a budget.Sandy and Nora are sounding the alarm — this is literally the end of higher education as we know it, and they explain why.The post Episode 58 – the end of public higher education in Ontario appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Nora explains what the CAQ's religious symbol ban is, where it comes from and how organizing is going to stop it.Since we recorded this, nothing has changed from the legislative side. A rally was held in Montreal this past weekend to oppose the religious symbols ban. More voices have come out to oppose the ban.The post Episode 57 – Fighting Québec's religious symbol ban appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talking about systemic racism in Canadian media is a bottomless well of content. This week, Sandy and Nora discuss Pam Seattle's apology, CityNews' apology and why apologies aren't going to fix the racism that is embedded in Canada's media landscape.This week's photo is from a 2002 cover of Maclean's Magazine. Same as it ever was.The post Episode 56 – the unbearable whiteness of Canadian media appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite their best efforts, the Liberals are still stuck in the SNC-Lavalin scandal. And they've trotted out some old timers to help push their narrative into the mainstream press. Sandy and Nora talk about the strategy of hiding behind women to burn other women, hiding behind racialized women to burn other racialized women, and why the Liberal Party they want you to know is very different than the Liberal Party they really are.The post Episode 55 — Liberals tokenize to make SNC affair go away appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This has been a difficult week, especially if you have been watching the rise of organized white supremacists for years. In this episode, Sandy and Nora dissect how the media and politicians have failed so badly at grasping this threat, and conclude with things that are giving them hope.The post Episode 54 – global terrorism's white face appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Attacks on free speech abound! But where are the Free Speech CrusadersTM? Sandy and Nora talk about the ways in which speech is limited, and how the left needs to build support around individuals who have their free speech attacked.Here is the GoFundMe that we reference in the episode: https://www.gofundme.com/legal-fees-for-free-speechThe post Episode 53 – fReE sPeEcH appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Liberals melting down and the Conservatives more brazen in their support for racist organizing, the NDP is at a critical juncture. There is a path toward victory — will the NDP take it?The post Episode 52 – the NDP at a crossroads appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From SNC-Lavalin to the Yellow Vest Movement, Canada's Two Natural Governing Parties (TM) are in a deep dive into those things that are more Canadian than Tim's and hockey: racism and corruption. Sandy and Nora walk you through it all.The post Episode 51 – Corruption and racism, as Canadian as Maple Pie appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk paywalls. On their always-free, listener-funded platform, they talk about what's wrong with a society that makes access to news based on ability to pay, and why we need free news now more than ever.Nora's note — at one point, Nora says IP and not ISP. She knows.The post Episode 50 – free the news appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode covers white male rage, from the unspeakable horror inflicted by killers like Bruce MacArthur and Alexandre Bissonnette, to the structural violence inflicted by mainstream politicians — and how Maxime Bernier sits in the middle of this continuum. Bernier's political success hinges on his ability to capture the far right — Sandy and Nora explore what this means, and what we must resist.The post Episode 49 – the political party of white male rage appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bell Let's Talk happened again this year. Sandy and Nora deconstruct the campaign and examine how it gives cover for Bell, for politicians and for police to say they support mental health service while actively maintaining the system that makes life harder for so many.The trial for the murder of Abdirahman Abdi is underway in Ottawa.DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 48 – Let's Talk Bell Let's Talk appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, journalists were played by an invented viral controversy. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the racist and women-hating Covington Catholic School teensand why we need journalists to be better at understanding what goes viral, and why.Here is the link that Sandy references in the episode: http://sandyandnora.com/episode-47-covington-maga-teens-buy-their-redemption/DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 47 – Covington MAGA teens buy their redemption appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part 2 of 2 episodes on the Ford government's higher education announcement, Nora and Sandy break down “voluntary student unionism” and how making democratically-decided mandatory student fees optional will send a decisive blow to everything from your campus press to the services of the student union.Check out part 1 here: http://sandyandnora.com/episode-45-doug-ford-reduces-tuition-fees-smashes-osap-screws-student/DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 46 – Doug vs. student democracy appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just in time for Sandy and Nora's first show of 2019, Doug Ford wages war on higher education. Sandy and Nora break down this announcement and offer arguments for how to push back against a Liberal frame that is just as much to blame.This is part one of two — tuition fees and grants. In part two, they breakdown voluntary student unionism and how to mount an effective fightback.DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 45 – Doug Ford reduces tuition fees, smashes OSAP, screws student appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2018 was the kind of year that you can only salute by paying homage to anger. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about anger and how it can be used to ignite and inspire social change.DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 44 – we get angry appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clothes make the man, so the saying goes. That's the underlying philosophy to who should wear what in our halls of power. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about women who are bucking the political status quo, and why in Quebec, a t-shirt has been enough to start a political earthquake among the province's gatekeepers.The post Episode 43 – The Emperor's Clothes appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Nora and Sandy debunk the racist rhetoric that surround so-called “anchor babies” and eviscerate the Toronto Star for publishing a report full of technical issues, on its front page.The post Episode 42 – Far right rhetoric on the front page of the Toronto Star appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government legislated striking postal workers back to work this week. Despite the fact that 1. mail has continued to be delivered and 2. that the right to strike is protected by the Charter, everyone's favourite fauxminist has put the boots to CUPW members' necks and forced an end to their rotating strikes.Sandy and Nora decode what all this means, and why our right to strike is a right that needs to be vigourously defended.Photo courtesy of the Canadian Association of Labour MediaThe post Episode 41 – You gotta fight for your right (to strike) appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's scary times in Ontario and Doug Ford has his foot on the gas. In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about his party's attack on government watchdogs and Trans and gender non-conforming Ontarians, and ways in which we can fight back.DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 40 – Doug Ford dougs forward appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part 3 of 3 of Sandy and Nora's Nov. 2 live show in Toronto, the audience exchange continues. It starts with a critical question: how can activists navigate spaces like a university, when the university claims to want to fight oppression while at the same time, reinforcing it? There is also a discussion about the necessity of using moments of success to fight for more and mobilize others, and how that even when a campaign seems like an impossible victory, the long-game tells us that nothing is impossible.Listen to the first half of the Q&A here: http://sandyandnora.com/episode-38-toronto-live-show-qa/The post Episode 39 – Sandy and Nora live in Toronto Q&A part 2 appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should progressives engage with the mainstream media? How do we make space for families in our movements? How do we gauge success? In Part 2 of 3 of our live event in Toronto, Sandy and Nora cover a wide range of topics that are mostly unrelated to the Munk Debates. You don't need to listen to Episode 37 to enjoy this, but we recommend you do anyway!Stay tuned for Episode 39 – the second half of the Q&A. DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 38 – Toronto live show Q&A appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from Toronto on Nov. 2, Sandy and Nora take on The Munk Debate. From Frum and Bannon to Bay Street's continued colonial exploitation of locations across the globe for mining, they tie together extremely obvious links that everyone in the mainstream media somehow forgot the week prior to this debate.Special thanks to the Black Liberation Collective at Ryerson, volunteers at CJRU and Noah for capturing this sound, staff at the Ryerson Student Centre and the folks who arrived early enough to help us set up and take down the chairs. It was greatly appreciated.This is part one of two parts. The second part, the Q&A, is Episode 38.  The post Episode 37 – Sandy and Nora vs. The Munk “Debate” appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many listeners have asked: what is civil disobedience? Sandy and Nora talk about what it is, what it isn't, how to do it and how to be effective. Get in touch if you have your own favourite story of civil disobedience!The post Episode 36 – What is civil disobedience? appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the fallout from the Toronto election, and how progressives need to think about fighting the rising visibility of hatred in the GTA.And: MARK YOUR CALENDARSYou're invited to a live show in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 2. Please RSVP here so we can order enough food: https://www.facebook.com/events/1874457432673162/The post Episode 35 – How to fight hate in Toronto appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the feminist movement, and how distorted our lens on Kavanaugh is due the absence of an effective feminist presence in social movement organizing. They also touch on Quebec politics and CBC's decision to not air a debate because John Tory wont agree to debate Jen Keesmaat one on one.Note from Nora: much to my embarrassment, I misstate Tori Stafford's name in this episode, and I couldn't edit it out. The overall intervention was important enough to leave with the error, which I regret.DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 34 – Kavanaugh (and wtf CBC?) appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Oct. 1, Quebecers go to the polls. They're likely to boot out the Liberals and replace them with — something. Probably the CAQ. But the surge in support for the left-wing Québec solidaire is important. Sandy and Nora talk about the election, the politics and why Canadians need to pay close attention to QS.This episode was recorded despite a record-number of technical issues. Thanks for understanding that the sound changes a little throughout. And that's it's Nora-heavy.DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 33 – Changing of the guard in Quebec appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the end of August, the Ford government issued a directive to Ontario colleges and universities that threatened sanctions if institutions didn't pass free speech policies that were favourable to his government. Sandy and Nora break down the policy and ask: how and who are resisting this attack on institutional autonomy?  The post Episode 32 – Doug Ford attacks free speech on campus appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sandy and Nora are back! They took some time off so that things could get really, really bad so that their debut episode for the 2018-19 season could be full of gasping, laughter and doom.In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the electoral crisis that Doug Ford's PC government has plunged Toronto into, Section 33 of the constitution and how the broad left should be fighting back.DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 31 – Constitutional crisising in Toronto appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2 of Sandy and Nora's live show, hosted by the YWCA in Hamilton. The Q&A covered many topics and Sandy and Nora share their thoughts about resisting Doug Ford, fighting the new/old sex education curriculum in Ontario, mental health, how to effectively mess with trolls, pop culture and how the current war to uphold the gender binary is the most important right-wing attack we need to engage in, right now.You don't need to have heard Part 1 to thoroughly enjoy Part 2!Interested in hosting a live episode? Contact [email protected] EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 30 – Doug Ford, sex ed resistance, gender and effective trolling appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Sandy and Nora's first live taping. Sponsored by the YWCA-Hamilton Feminist Popular Education, Sandy and Nora talk about what it's like to be a woman with an opinion, online. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience. This is part one of two parts, and the second, the Q&A delves into many different issues that go beyond Part 1.Listen to Part 1 to hear about how Sandy and Nora have navigated threats, attacks, stalkers and trolls over more than a decade of life online.The post Episode 29 – Online violence and grace under fire appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sandy and Nora talk about the recent wave of cyclist deaths in cities and rural areas across Canada and how cars are making everything very, very, very angry.Update to something that Sandy mentions in the show: the foolish scramble crosswalk is not longer at Bay and Bloor Sts. in Toronto. Tant mieux!IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTWe are recording a live show in Hamilton! Come join us on Thursday, July 26. You wont want to miss it! Event information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/245123882945036/Reserve your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/voice-words-action-feminist-popular-education-tickets-48065416956The post Episode 28 – The War of the Car appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Ford's campaign of shock and awe is well underway. Sandy and Nora talk about some of the changes, and how Ford's “For the People” rhetoric leaves behind anyone who isn't white and male and healthy and rich.Since we recorded, Ford cancelled all Ministry work on Truth and Reconciliation curriculum and a $100 million fund to fix schools. Students, teachers : not “people” under Ford's regime.The post Episode 27 – Dutty Doug Ford appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the Canada Day episode! Nora and Sandy talk about all the things that they're thinking about for Canada Day. Are you thinking about the same things we're thinking about? Tune in to find out. Also, please consider donating to:https://www.gofundme.com/justice-for-olando-brownWe will add the GoFundMe for Jon Styres when we have the link.This is a duplicate page trying to fix a bad link.The post Episode 26 – HAPPY CANADA DAY TO … appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sandy and Nora look at the right way and the wrong way to respond to the news that Rogers Media has laid off one-third of their digital media workers (first third of the episode). Then, they offer a master class in organizing: what do we mean when we say we must organize, and how can we collectively be as effective as possible?The post Episode 25 – job losses at Rogers Media and a master class in organizing appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Ford is about to become Ontario's Premier. How did we get here and how must we resist? Sandy and Nora have your answers. Image: National PostThe post Episode 24 – Resistance in Fordtario appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where do young activists learn their skills? In this episode Sandy and Nora talk about the student movement and how the left needs to renew itself through targeting training (education, campaigns, jobs) for young people.The post Episode 23 – is the left failing to train new activists? appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just over one week to go, the Ontario election is spinning out to be the most exciting one to watch in a generation — if by exciting we mean hilarious, which we do!Sandy and Nora take time with each party and examine all the reasons for why they cannot be taken seriously, and give many kudos to the grassroots activists running for the ONDP. They are making this shitshow very worth it.The post Episode 22: it's time to shittalk #ONELXN appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sandy and Nora talk about Canada's borders: from refugee claimants from the United States to CBSA, where innocent people are housed in maximum security facilities, Canadians need to start asking questions about what their government is doing to families who are seeking Canada for a better life.The post Episode 21: Canada's racist border policies appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After many requests from friends, Sandy and Nora have finally decided to talk about pipelines.The post Episode 20: Profits, pipelines and progressive confusion appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sandy and Nora dive into the Toronto attack and what we know of the world that Alek Minassian is thought to have been a part of. From MRAs to real-life violence, why don't men believe women, and where are men in responding to other men?DOWNLOAD EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe post Episode 19: To be not a man online. appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The shooter of the Quebec City mosque, Alexandre Bissonnette's sentencing hearing is underway. What have we learned about his extremist views? Now that Islamophobia and racism have been clearly identified as his motivation, is the rest of Canada paying attention and learning from what we now know?The post Episode 18: Right-wing extremism on trial: is Canada paying attention? appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nora and Sandy conclude their discussion about what it looks like when the [extreme] right chooses a target and organizes its minions to swarm.Make sure you listen to Part One first!The post Episode 17, part two: the eye of the alt-right online hurricane appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nora and Sandy talk about the news that has bombarded them both this week: that it's never the right time and it's never the right place to talk about systemic injustice.The post Episode 17, part one: the eye of the alt-right online hurricane appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do Ontario students get free tuition? The short answer is no. In this episode, Nora and Sandy go through the long answer, which is also no, but much more passionate and funny than the short answer.The post Episode 16: Ontario's free tuition lie appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gentrification is one of the most pressing problems that currently faces the left — and yet, the left often struggles to identify, explain and effectively fight the forced displacement of poor, racialized and minority communities. Sandy and Nora explore gentrification in Toronto's Regent Park, Weston and Eglinton West neighbourhoods to identify and argue for how activists should engage and struggle for change.Photo c/o OCAP: http://ocap.ca/tchboardinguphomes/The post Episode 15: fighting gentrification appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ontario Liberals have announced that Grade 10 students will have new financial literacy education. Sandy and Nora ask: why? What's missing in the curriculum that makes this a necessary promise? Or, is this a vacant and crass political promise that's primarily meant to garner votes?The post Episode 14: The Financial Literacy Hoax appeared first on Sandy & Nora Talk Politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.