The Lean to the Left Podcast

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 Podcast01:29 Diving into the Trump Hush Money Trial04:09 Political Climate and Voter Sentiments09:00 Nationwide Initiative to Unite and Mobilize Young Voters10:47 The Curious Case of RFK Jr.'s Brain Worm12:54 Supreme Court's Controversial Decision on Gerrymandering16:46 State Politics: Mask Laws and DEI Funding32:35 Election Integrity and the Fulton County Court Clerk RaceBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 Rates00:31 Dr. Kolbaba's Journey and Insights on Teenage Depression02:53 The Power of Purpose: Dr. Kolbaba's Approach to Battling Depression07:49 Personal Stories and the Impact of Finding Purpose14:39 Adoption Stories and Addressing Bullying19:12 Advice for Parents on Recognizing and Addressing Depression22:14 The Role of Schools and Society in Supporting Mental Health25:55 Exploring Miraculous Experiences: Physicians Untold Stories28:48 Closing Thoughts and the Importance of Purpo Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Bringing Civility and Innovation to Politics: Together's Vision for the FutureLean 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 Journey01:05 Launching 'Together': A New Organization for Political Change01:47 Meet the Co-Founders: Their Roles and Visions for 'Together'07:29 Jason Palmer's Reflections on His Presidential Run and Future Plans08:57 'Together's' Strategy: Endorsing Candidates and Mobilizing Young Voters14:11 Addressing Political Divisions and Fostering Civility20:45 'Together's' Approach to Political Issues and Candidate EndorsementsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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

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 Stevenson02:00 Matthew Stevenson's Background and Political Insights04:53 Deep Dive into Trump's and Biden's Political Campaigns08:18 Reflections on Trump's Impeachment Trials and Political Consequences12:44 Trump's Legal Battles and Supreme Court Dynamics22:29 The Future of American Politics and the Republican Party32:12 Where to Find Matthew Stevenson's Work33:48 Closing Thoughts and AppreciationBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 Bailouts01:48 Unveiling the Bankers Club: Allies and Operations04:56 The Dual Faces of Finance: Necessity and Destructiveness11:03 The Federal Reserve's Role and Influence20:25 Addressing Inequality and the Power of Public Banks24:17 Racial Inequality and Financial Systems27:16 The Fight for Financial Reform and Public Banks33:06 The Political Landscape and Economic Implications39:30 Concluding Thoughts and Where to Find the Book Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 Action00:42 Remembering Alyssa: A Life Full of Light01:21 From Grief to Action: Founding Make Our Schools Safe03:08 The Mission of Make Our Schools Safe and Alyssa's Law04:39 Lori's Journey: School Board Member and Advocate05:50 Alyssa's Law: A Nationwide Push for Safer Schools09:26 Engaging the Community: MOSS Clubs and Fundraising Efforts15:05 The Challenge of Legislative Action and Continuing the Fight18:08 A Call to Action: Making Schools Safer for EveryoneBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 Campaign00:40 Introducing Edward Siegel: A Political Strategist with a Unique Perspective01:36 Edward's New Book: A Deep Dive into Whistle Stop Politics02:35 The Strategic Advantage of a Biden Whistle Stop Tour04:56 Historical Success Stories of Whistle Stop Campaigning06:51 The Power of Social Media in Modern Campaigning07:19 Biden's Missteps with TikTok and Opportunities for Improvement08:43 Edward's Personal Experience and Insights on Campaign Trains11:49 The Impact of Campaign Trains in American Political History16:06 Final Thoughts and the Future of Whistle Stop Campaigning Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 America00:28 Introducing Dick Batchelor: A Life of Public Service01:54 Exploring the Depths of Political Divisiveness04:09 Finding Common Ground in a Polarized Society08:33 Strategies for Bridging Divides: Dick Batchelor's Insights21:17 The Power of Communication and Creativity in Conflict Resolution29:26 Concluding Thoughts and Where to Find the Book Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 Chaos02:15 Diving into the Hush Money Trial: A Comedic Take04:25 Serious Politics: Upcoming Primaries and Candidate Spotlights05:25 The Border Wall Debate and Immigration Insights07:14 Electric Cars and Environmental Moves19:16 Abortion and Immigration: Election Game Changers?30:09 Wrapping Up: Orioles' Victory and Final ThoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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

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

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

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

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

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 about the House of Representatives? Do the Democrats have a realistic shot at taking control?Q. How about the Senate? Can the Democrats hold on there? What races should we be watching?Q. What’s your overall prediction as to where we’ll stand politically after election day?Q. Tell us about Betonline.ag. Can people bet on politics there?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 businesses. How does that relate to writing a novel about the Constitution expiring?Where can people find your book? An audio version was recently released, right?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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."Has MAGA infiltrated federal law enforcement?There is no doubt, warns Jack, who says this is a danger to our society andcalls on all Americans who care about our country and its freedoms to vote. "The best way to counteract them is voting," says Jack. "I want you to know how important that vote is and what it represents."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 that the Confederates never stopped fighting the Civil War, that conservatives are taking full advantage of this reality, and that those in denial imperil our democracy. Is this election more about defending and preserving than anything else?Q. What is the way forward? How can those who want to make America a multiracial democracy prevail over those who cling to the idea that we are a fundamentally white nation?Q. How did Trump manage to become so powerful within the Republican Party, despite his many flaws that often run counter to traditional Republican beliefs?Q. Why would ANY person of color support Trump? We have a Black U.S. Senator – Tim Scott of South Carolina – who is one of his chief sycophants and apparently hopes to be Trump’s vice presidential running-mate.Q. Trump is continuing his tirade against immigrants and even sabotaged what turned out to be a bipartisan immigration reform bill that would have helped end the crisis at the southern border. That’s part of his Make America White Again agenda, right?Q. Do you believe that most Americans want to see a multiracial democracy, or do you believe that’s a pipedream?Q. How is it that Stacy Abrams lost her bid for governor of Georgia, but Rev. Raphael Warnock won his Senate seat there?Q. In your book, you write that modern day conservatives, and many liberals, promote the idea that Black people are poor because they lack the necessary skills, training, or character to get good jobs or run businesses that can generate wealth. Your response to that?Q. Do you believe Democrats have been strong enough in refuting the Republican effort to overthrow the U.S. government? Why? What should they do?Q. What would be the consequenc

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

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

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

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 LineMoskowitz 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 consequences to our country had Trump succeeded in preventing the peaceful transfer of power after he lost the election?In your book, you describe three heroes from the Jan. 6 insurrection. Who were they and why?Can we walk through the four cases involving Trump and what you think lies ahead? First, the federal election interference case led by special counsel Jack Smith. What are the key charges and what do you believe will happen here?Let’s move to the Georgia election interference case. Give us your analysis of that and what you think the outcome might be.How about the classified documents case. Do you believe this is as serious as the others? Is Trump at risk of being sent to prison over this?What about the hush money case in which Trump is accused of falsifying business records relating to a $130,000 payoff to buy Stormy Daniels’ silence. There are 34 felony counts in this case.Trump is appealing a $454 million judgement against him, which includes being barred from serving as a leadership role in any New York business for three years. What’s the likely outcome here?And then there’s the $83.3 million Trump was ordered to pay to writer E. Jean Carroll for ruining her credibility as an advice columnist when he called he

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

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

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?Q. What is your core message to voters? Why should they support you? Q. How long do you plan to stay in this race if results don’t improve?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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

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

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.

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 understand, Trump's current fixer Is the one that drummed all this BS up and it's enough BS to where they got it in front of the right judge and apparently they're going to go back and pull some stuff out of a divorce decree or whatever, but literally it's the same old MO," says Robert Thompson, founder of Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals," on the episode. "You've got Trump just trying to find a fixer just to shed any sort of doubt on anything that's going on. Good luck."Joining Thompson and South Carolina's Bob Gatty as part of the Dixie Dems is Arthur Hill, vice chair of the Brunswick County, NC, Democratic Party."They might have turned a few heads and they might have swayed some public opinion and so on, but justice still marches on here, doesn't it? It doesn't stop the case," Hill says on the show.Other highlights in the Trump, Sex and Politics edition of the Dixie Dems:Trump runs roughshod over GOP candidates, leaving former SC Gov. Nikki Haley as the only remaining challenger.What are Haley's chances?Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), a previous Trump challenger gets engaged, and tells Trump now that he "loves" him. (Guess that could have gone in the sex discussion above).South Carolina cross burning prompts calls for a hate crime law.SC Democratic primary coming Feb. 3. GOTV drive underway.SC GOP primary is Feb. 24; Trump's big lead over Haley.Trump says electric vehicles "don't go far." Evidence shows EVs help reduce ailments caused by pollution.Biden's achievements, despite criticisms."The stock market hit another all time high. Unemployment is low. Inflation has slowed down. We're getting 5 percent interest on our savings account to combat inflation to encourage people to save money," says Thompson. "So when Biden got elected, what were they wanting to happen beyond what has happened?"Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 deaths2 million fewer asthma attacks10.7 million fewer lost work days$978 billion in public health savingsMoveEV 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?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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

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 without behavioral change is half stepping? What behavioral change is needed and what does appropriate self-education look like?Are White people generally racist against Blacks? If so, why?What about Black people? Are they generally racist against Whites?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 BonusMeanwhile, 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 [email protected] 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 www.bigmoondig.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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

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

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 black man by a white police officer. We have seen all too many similar shootings occur in recent years prompting calls for police reform, including the controversial call to “defund the police”. What are your thoughts about this?Q. How can people reach out to you and where can they find your book?Q. What’s next for you?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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

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

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

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

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 American Bride in Kabul, and the groundbreaking Women & Madness. She has lectured and organized political, legal, religious, and human rights campaigns in the United States, Canada, Europe, Israel, Central Asia, and the Far East.Since 9/11, Dr. Chesler has focused on the rights of women, dissidents, and gays in the Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim communities; the rights of women in prison; the rise of anti-Semitism/anti-Zionism, the demonization of Israel, the nature of terrorism, forced veiling, forced marriage, polygamy, and tribal psychology. Dr. Chesler has conducted four studies about honor killing that have appeared in Middle East Quarterly. She has submitted affidavits for Muslim and ex-Muslim women who are seeking asylum or citizenship based on their credible belief that their families will honor kill them. In 2021-2022, Dr. Chesler co-led a team which rescued 400 women from Afghanistan. That work continues. During the podcast interview, she says Iran is funding terrorism around the world and wants to destroy Israel. And then, she asks, "who's next?""It's us," she says. "It's the West and our ideals and our way of life" that are in the crosshairs."Calling out women's organizations for demonstrating in favor of Hamas, Dr. Chesler says that if those women were in Gaza, the West Bank or Saudi Arabia, "they would be forcibly veiled. they would be forced, possibly by their families, to marry into polygamous families, even as children. They may not be allowed to have an education, and they could be honor killed for minor infractions." In fact, she contends, "they have joined a faxcist death cult with joy. This is what we're looking at."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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 HookerProfessor 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 sentences for their actions. But you write that “armed white antimask protesters at various state capitals and white insurrectionists at the Capitol received kid-glove treatment compared to the heavy-handed, violent, repressive tactics unleashed on racial justice protesters.” Do you believe justice is being served in these January 6 cases?Q. Do you believe Donald Trump will face justice for his actions regarding the election and January 6? Why or why not?Q. What about police shootings of unarmed Black people? What needs to happen to end such actions?Q. You write that “Despite recurring anxiety that Black rage at ongoing loss will fray the bonds of the body politic, it is in fact white refusal to accept legitimate political loss that is the most profoundly antidemocratic force in US politics.” Please elaborate.Q. How can these continuing racial tensions be eased in the U.S.?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

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

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

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

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

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

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 represents the suburbs west of Minneapolis. The millionaire Phillips was heir to his family's distilling company, and he also led the gelato manufacturer Talenti. He's Jewish, and he's argued in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict that the U.S. needs to support Israel, although he backs a two-state solution long-term. In Congress, Phillips has been a fairly moderate member of the House Democratic caucus. He falls to the right of about 80 percent of his party colleagues in VoteView.com's ideological data, and he belongs to the center-left, business-oriented New Democrat Coalition and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.) Stalking horse for somebody else who might have a better chance? Damage to party?Trump’s Size: Hilariously, the U.S. Supreme Court actually is hearing a case involving issues of Donald Trump’s size – and I’m not talking about his obesity. Some guy in California wants to trademark the phrase “Trump Too small” for use on T-shirts and elsewhere. Georgia Redistricting – Positive developments as the result of a new Supreme Court decision that could mean additional Democratic representation in Congress.NC Redistricting – Negative developments following changes in the political makeup of the state legislature that are expected to cost Democrats at least a couple of seats in Congress.Tuberville Military Holds – The case of Sen. Tommy Tuberville of ala

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 business community continues to move in the opposite direction. How are companies and individuals making concrete commitments towards full LGBTQ+ inclusion?Q. Where is the nation right now when it comes to diversity and inclusion? Q. Your organization just released a new global talent survey showing a record-number of LGBTQ+ employees feel comfortable being out at work – while finding today’s workplace overwhelmingly supportive of LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Do those in the vocal minority promoting so-called “anti-woke” policies put this trend in potential jeopardy? Q. Are you concerned that Johnson will try to enact some of these ant-LBGTQ+ laws nationally? Q. What do you and Out Leadership find when it comes to corporations and businesses when it comes to diversity and inclusion? Q. What work is Out Leadership doing outside the U.S. and what are you seeing globally? Are there any comparisons between businesses in other countries to those in the United States when it comes to diversity and inclusion? Q. What is the economic impact of anti-LGBTQ+ laws and initiatives on American life, and business?Q. In terms of wrapping this all up with Speaker Johnon’s election, what other t