Coming From Left Field (Audio)
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Welcome to Coming From Left Field, a conversation about politics, books, and current events.
Available episodes
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2 days ago
“Moms for Liberty” with Walker Bragman
Walker Bragman is a journalist, JD, occasional cartoonist, and co-founder of OptOut Media Foundation. He writes for Salon, The Hill, Truth Out, Huffington Post and other publications. His recent reporting involves “Moms for Liberty,” an astroturf organization influenced by right-wing dark money that has been accused of using "parental rights" as a cover for strategically harassing public schools.
Links to Walker Bragman’s journalism:
Important Context News: https://www.importantcontext.news/
OptOut News: https://www.optout.news/
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
Walkerbragman#momsforliberty#M4L#MFL#parentrights#astroturf#maskmandates#rondesantis#twitter#matttaibbi#schoolboardharrassmen#concerntparents#InformedParentsofWashington#PeninsulaSchoolDistrict#antivax#sexeducastion#bookbanning#CRT#bookbans#SEL#antiunion#teacherunions#zzblog#PatCummings#GregGodels#ComingFromLeftField#Podcast
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May 19, 2023
“The Land Is Not Empty” with Sarah Augustine
Sarah Augustine, a Pueblo (Tewa) descendant, is the founder and co-chair of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, a legal principal that originated in the 15th and 16th centuries to justify colonial expansion and domination of indigenous land rights and tribal sovereignty. We discuss impact of this doctrine, native boarding schools, combating the “extractive logic” of exploiting nature for profit rather than social value and rights for indigenous people.
Book: The Land Is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery
Website: The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery
Greg's ZZs Blog:
SarahAugustine#DoctrineofDiscovery#DoctrineDiscovery#CoaltiontoDismantleDocturineDiscovery#TheLandIsNotEmpty#Tewa#Pueblo#Yakima#BoardingSchools#indigenious#PopeFrancis#zzblog#PatCummings#GregGodels#SIHF#WHO#ComingFromLeftField#Podcast# AnabaptistWitness #NativeAmerican
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May 3, 2023
Undercover Labor Organizing & the William Z. Foster Playbook with Chris Townsend
William Z. Foster was one the most recognized and respected labor leaders in U.S. history. Chris Townsend is his prodigy. A long-time union organizer and, with the support of others, is instrumental in the unionization of Starbucks stores across the country.
Book: Working Class Giant by Arthur Zipser https://www.intpubnyc.com/browse/working-class-giant/
Links:
The Undercover Organizers Behind America’s Union Wins-Portside https://portside.org/2023-04-04/undercover-organizers-behind-americas-union-wins
Secret Union Tactic Fuels Unprecedented Labor Wins- Bloomberg News Original- YouTube: https://youtu.be/6xDlvGn0F6A
Greg's ZZs Blog:
http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
ChrisTownsendt#WorkingClassGiant#WillamFoster#WillaimZFoster#Salting#Union#Strabucks#Amazon#zzblog#PatCummings#GregGodels#JazBrisack#HowardSchultz#LaborOrganizing3ComingFromLeftField#WorkingClass #ClassStruggle#LaborHistory
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Apr 29, 2023
”Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream” with Alissa Quart
The promise that you can “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” is central to the story of the American Dream. Not so fast…. Acclaimed journalist Alissa Quart argues that at the heart of our suffering is a do-it-yourself ethos, the misplaced belief in our independence, and the conviction that we must rely on ourselves alone.
Alissa Quart website:
http://www.alissaquart.com/
Book:
Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream by Alissa Quart
https://www.kingsbookstore.com/book/9780063028005
Economic Hardship Project
https://economichardship.org/
Podcast:
Going For Broke
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-for-broke/id1585501973
Greg's ZZs Blog:
http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
AlissaQuart#EconomicHarship#NickelandDimet#GoingForBroker#Bootstrapping#littlehouseontheprairie#BarbaraEhrenreich#GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeftField
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Apr 27, 2023
”The Purity Fetish and the Crisis of Western Marxism” with Carlos Garrido
Carlos Garrido provides a comprehensive development of his concept of the purity fetish, tracing the outlook to the Eleatic school of Ancient Greek philosophy and showing how it has appeared in 20th and 21st century Western Marxism and contemporary U.S. socialism.
Book: "The Purity Fetish and the Crisis of Western Marxism" by Carlos Garrido https://www.midwesternmarx.com/books.html
Please subscribe to the Midwestern Marx YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MidwesternMarx
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
CarlosGarrido#MidwesternMarxism#PurityFetisht#FreddieDeboer#Socialism#SovietUnion#Cubanrevolution#China#CrisisWesternMarxism#Socialism#Socialist#GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeftField
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Mar 30, 2023
“Responding to the Right: Brief Replies to 25 Conservative Arguments” with Nathan Robinson
Nathan Robinson is the editor of Current Affairs magazine and is a leading voice of millennial left politics. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Republic, The Nation, Salon, The Guardian, and elsewhere.
We discuss his new book where he gives a detailed explanation of how conservative arguments work and why we need to resist them, then goes through twenty-five separate talking points, showing precisely why each one fails.
Book: Responding to the Right: Brief Replies to 25 Conservative Arguments by Nathan J. Robinson https://www.kingsbookstore.com/book/9781250777744
Magazine: Current Affairs: A Magazine of Politics and Culture https://www.currentaffairs.org/
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
NathanRobinson#NathanJRobinson#Respondingtotheright#CurrentAffairs#Magazine#Brief Repliesto25ConservativeArguments#NoamChomsky#FreddieDeBoer#Woke#Wokism#Right-Wing#ConservativeArguments#Socialism#Socialist#GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeftField
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Mar 7, 2023
Smedley D. Butler “War Is A Racket” with Bill Ehrhart
Our “friend of the show,” Bill Ehrhart returns to our podcast to discuss General Smedley D. Butler, one of the most colorful officers in the Marine Corps' long history; he was one of the two Marines who received two Medals of Honor for separate acts of outstanding heroism.
Butler and Ehrhart are both cut from the same cloth, Marines, opinionated, and on the correct side of politics.
Supplemental pictures and videos:
https://ComingFromLeftField.com/sb
Books:
War Is A Racket by Smedley D. Butler
Gangsters of Capitalism: Smedley Butler, the Marines, and the Making and Breaking of America's Empire by Jonathan M. Katz
Devil Dog: The Amazing True Story of the Man Who Saved America (Pulp History) by David Talbot (Author), Spain Rodriguez (Illustrator)
Greg's ZZs Blog:
http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#BillEhrart#WDEhart#WarIsARacket#SmedleyButler#MarineCorps#MetalHonor#Ultra#RachelMaddow#GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeftField#Podcast#BuisnessPlot#BonusArmy#OverthroughRoosevelt#Facisim
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Feb 10, 2023
“Strongmen: From Mussolini to Present ” with Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University. She is an MSNBC Opinion Columnist and commentator on CNN, MSNBC, and other media outlets about authoritarianism, Fascism, and threats to democracy around the world.. Her latest book, Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, looks at how illiberal leaders use propaganda, corruption, violence, and machismo - and how they can be defeated.
The book:
Strongmen- Mussolini To The Present
https://www.kingsbookstore.com/book/9780393868418
Substack:
Ruth Ben-Ghiat Lucid Substack
https://lucid.substack.com/
Greg's ZZs Blog:
http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#RuthBenGhiat#RuthBen-Ghiat#Strongmen#MussolinitoPresent# authoritarianism #Factism#Facist#propaganda#machismo#Trump#illiberal#Putin#Lucid#GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeftField#Podcast
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Jan 27, 2023
“The Footpaths of Justice William O. Douglas” with Tom R. Hulst
Tom Hulst was a policy advisor to Washington Governor Daniel J. Evans, an administrator in the State Office of Public Instruction, superintendent of Peninsula School District, and college political science teacher. His book “The Footpaths of Justice William O. Douglas” is a remarkable tribute to Douglas, hiking, place, and family.
Tom’s book:
The Footpaths of Justice William O. Douglas: A Legacy of Place
https://www.kingsbookstore.com/book/9780595330409
Greg's ZZs Blog:
http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#TomHulst#TomRHulstl# TheFootpathsofJustice#WilliamODouglas#ALegacyofPlace#Originalist#Yakima#Hiking#PacificNW#FreeSpeech#FreeSpeech#Environmentalism#GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeftField#Podcast
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Jan 13, 2023
Jan 6, Big Lie, and American Myths with Anthony Conwright
Anthony Conwright is a writer and educator based in New York City. He contributes to Mother Jones, The Nation, Huffington Post, New Republic, and others. He is a remarkable journalist, always with a refreshingly unique perspective on our modern political economy. Follow his works on:
Mother Jones:
https://www.motherjones.com/author/anthony-conwright/
The Nation:
https://www.thenation.com/authors/anthony-conwright/
Huffington Post:
https://www.huffpost.com/author/aconwright-628
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
ERRATA 20:13 Michael Brown was the young man killed in Ferguson, MO (2014), not Freddie Gray
#AnthonyConwright#MotherJonesl#TheNation#HuffingtonPost#Jan6#BigLie#Facism#Journalsit#Commitee10#RobertPape#LostCause#AdamHochshild#Fergeson#GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeftField#Podcast
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Dec 27, 2022
“Winston Churchill: His Times, His Crimes” with Tariq Ali
Tariq Ali is a writer, activist, and longtime public intellectual. He has authored many books and is a member of the editorial committee of the New Left Review. He contributes to The Guardian, CounterPunch, and the London Review of Books.
His most recent book is a critical review that exposes Churchill’s leadership in the context of forgotten Imperial crimes.
Book:
“Winston Churchill: His Times, His Crimes” with Tariq Ali
https://www.versobooks.com/books/3971-winston-churchill
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#TariqAlil#WinstonChurchill#Empireft#Colonialism#WWII#WarCrimes#ChurchillWarCriminal#TimesHis Crimes#BritishEmpire#BengalFamine#CarolineElkins
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Dec 20, 2022
“Behind the Decline of the U.S. Left” with Stansfield Smith
Stansfield Smith is a member of Chicago ALBA Solidarity, formerly the Chicago Committee to Free the Cuban 5. Stansfield is a long-time anti-war activist and opposed U.S. interference over the years in Latin America. He is a prolific writer, and his works have appeared in publications such as CounterPunch, Dissident Voice, MLToday, Black Agenda, CovertAction Magazine, and MultiPolarisia.
Links: Part 1: National Security State Censoring of Anti-Imperialist Voices the Latest Phase of their Long-Term Strategy to Divide and Control the Left (Jun 23, 2022)
https://tinyurl.com/yjpschj3
Part 2: Behind the Decline of the US Left (Nov 28, 2022):
https://tinyurl.com/9f63ta9n
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#StanSmithl#StansfieldSmith#Behindthedeclineoftheusleft#Leftpolitics#ChicagoALBASolidarity#ChicagoCommiteetoFreeCuban5#Cuban5#LatinAmerica#PinkTide#mediacensorship#Anti-imperialism#DivideLeft#compatibleleft#twitterfiles#matttiabbi#GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeft…
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Nov 30, 2022
“We Are Proud Boys” with Andy Campbell
Andy Campbell, the Senior Editor of Huffington Post, joined us today to discuss his book, “We Are Proud Boys: How a Right-Wing Street Gang Ushered in a New Era of American Extremism .” Andy is considered an expert on American extremism, having covered the modern rise of the far-right at the ground level, including the neo-Nazi rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017.
Links: “We Are Proud Boys: How a Right-Wing Street Gang Ushered in a New Era of American Extremism” by Andy Campbell:
https://www.amazon.com/Are-Proud-Boys-Right-Wing-Extremism/dp/0306827468
Andy Campbell articles in Huff Post:
https://www.huffpost.com/author/andy-campbell
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#AndyCampbell#WeAreProudBoys#ProudBoys#GavinMcInness#Extemist#Jan6#EnruqyeTarrio#VICE#HuffingtontPost#HuffPost#JoeRogan#GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeftField#Podcast
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Nov 23, 2022
Thank You For Your Service” with Bill Ehrhart
Today’s guest is an American poet, writer, scholar, and Vietnam veteran. Bill (W.D.) Ehrhart has been called "the dean of Vietnam war poetry." His activism in the form of his prolific literary work has been featured in numerous articles, books, periodicals, and even Ken Burns’ documentary, The Vietnam War.
Links: W.D. Ehrhart’s books from McFarland Publishing:
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/?s=W.+D.+Ehrhart&search_id=product&post_type=product
W.D. Ehrhart Articles in the LA Progressive |Jun 2014 to Nov 2022: https://www.laprogressive.com/author/w-d-ehrhart
Webpage: https://wdehrhart.com/index.html
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#BillEhrhart#WDEhahart#Poet#ThankYouForYourService#KenBurns#Vietnam#Veteran##GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeftField#Podcast
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Nov 15, 2022
“American Midnight” with Adam Hochschild
Our guest today is an award-winning New York Times best-selling historian Adam Hochschild to discuss his book, “American Midnight: The Great War, a Violent Peace, and Democracy’s Forgotten Crisis.” Adam Hochschild is a prominent historian, author of eleven books, and a co-founder, editor, and writer at Mother Jones magazine.
Links: “American Midnight: The Great War, a Violent Peace, and Democracy’s Forgotten Crisis.”
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/american-midnight-adam-hochschild?variant=40001056014370
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
AdamHochschild#AmericanMidnight #WoodrowWilson#JEdgarHoover#Debs#Facism#WW1#GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeftField#Podcast
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Oct 28, 2022
“Socialism Betrayed” with Joe Jamison and Roger Keeran
Our guests today are Joe Jamison (pen name: Thomas Kenny) and Roger Keeran, authors of “Socialism Betrayed: Behind the Collapse of the Soviet Union.” Although written two decades ago, it remains the definitive expose of what led to the overthrow of the Soviet Union. With the recent death of Mikhail Gorbachev, their book is especially relevant, providing a clear and insightful analysis of this historic event.
Links:
“Socialism Betrayed: Behind the Collapse of the Soviet Union”:
https://bookshop.org/p/books/socialism-betrayed-behind-the-collapse-of-the-soviet-union-roger-keeran/7617565
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
JoeJamsion#ThomasKenny#RogerKeeran#SocialismBetrayed#CollapseSovietUnion# Mikhail Gorbachev#Ukraine#SecondEconomy#CarlosMartinez#MidwesternMarxist#JeffreySommers#CollapseUSSR#RiseChina#NATOExpansion#Marx#Communism# GregGodels#zzblog#PatCummings#ComingFromLeft Field#Podcast
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Sep 16, 2022
Salon Investigates “The War on Public Schools” with Kathryn Joyce
Our guest today is Kathryn Joyce, an investigative reporter at Salon. She recently authored a three-part series: ‘The war on public schools is being fought from Hillsdale College,” which focuses on a private Christian school playing an outsized role in nearly all our current fights about education.
Hillsdale is a “feeder school” for the Trump administration, its leadership directed Trump’s “patriotic education” 1776 Commission. Their lecture series and related magazine are the place where right-wing politicians and thinkers go to pilot their most ambitious ideas.
Links:
“The war on public schools is being fought from Hillsdale College”: https://www.salon.com/2022/03/16/salon-investigates-the-on-public-schools-is-being-fought-from-hillsdale-college/
Kathryn Joyce website (articles and books): http://kathrynjoyce.com/
Political Research Associates Articles – Ben Lorber Research Analyst: https://politicalresearch.org/bio/ben-lorber
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg…
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Sep 13, 2022
“Pleading Out: How Plea Bargaining Creates a Permanent Criminal Class” with Dan Canon
Our guest today is Dan Canon, a civil rights lawyer, teacher, and author of "Pleading Out: How Plea Bargaining Creates a Permanent Criminal Class." His book is a searing analysis of America’s assembly-line approach to criminal justice and the shameful practice at its core: the plea bargain.
Canon is also known as counsel for Kentucky and Indiana plaintiffs in the landmark cases successfully supporting changes in marriage equality laws.
Links:
Dan’s book: “Pleading Out: How Plea Bargaining Creates a Permanent Criminal Class”: https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/dan-canon/pleading-out/9781541674684/
Greg's ZZs Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#DanConan #PleadingOut# civilrights#lawyer#criminaljustice #marriageequality #Plea Bargaing#Attorney# #polticalanalysis #greggodels #zzblog #zzsblog #patcummings #ComingFromLeftField #podcast #laborhistory #unionbusting
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Aug 26, 2022
The “Pink Tide” discussion of Latin America’s political turn left with Dan Kovalik
Our guest today is Dan Kovalik, a prolific author of many books on Latin America. He sheds light on the “pink tide,” the trend of numerous self-proclaimed socialist democracies moving away from neoliberal authoritarian regimes.
Links: Dan Kovalik Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Kovalik Preorder Dan’s book: Nicaragua: A History of US Intervention & Resistance– January 1, 2023: https://www.amazon.com/Nicaragua-History-US-Intervention-Resistance/dp/1949762602
Greg's ZZ's Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#DanKovalik#pinktide#Columbia#Venezuela#Nicaragua#GustavPetro#NicolasMaduro#Marxist#polticalanalysis#greggodels#patcummings#zzsblog#comingfromleftfield#podcast#operationcondor#politicaleconomy#capitalism#latinamerica
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Aug 18, 2022
”Blackshirts & Reds” book discussion with Eddie Smith (Midwestern Marx Podcast)
Our guest today, Eddie Smith, is a political scientist with expertise in anti-imperialism and socialist projects. He is co-host of the popular podcast, Midwestern Marx, which has over 24,000 subscribers. Today we discuss Michael Parenti’s classic, Blackshirts & Reds, and other topics regarding class, capitalism, and contemporary Marxism.
Links:
* Midwestern Marx YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/MidwesternMarx/ )
* Midwestern Marx Tik Tok (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/midwestern-marx )
* Eddie’s July 3, 2021 article: American Slavery and Global Capitalism (https://www.midwesternmarx.com/articles/american-slavery-and-global-capitalism-by-edward-liger-smith/ )
* Website WTF Happened in 1971 (https://wtfhappenedin1971.com/ )
* Link to Greg's blog: ZZs Blog (http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/)
#EddieSmith #EdwardLigerSmith #midwesternmarx #marxism #parenti #michaelparenti #blackshirtsandreds #polticalanalysis #greggodels #zzblog #zzsblog #patcummings #ComingFromLeftField #po…
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Aug 3, 2022
The Political Economy of Mental Health Systems with Joanna Moncrieff
Our guest today, psychiatrist Dr. Joanna Moncrieff, has created quite a buzz with her recent journal article that capsized the brain chemistry imbalance hypothesis of depression. The article is scientifically sound and well respected by her peers; however, it is a threat to the big pharma industry and other narratives regarding the individual defect theory of mental health.
* Marx, Spinoza, and the Political Implications of Contemporary Psychiatry | CounterPunch by Bruce Levine | June 7, 2022
* The Political Economy of the Mental Health System: A Marxist Analysis | Frontiers in Sociology by Joanna Moncrieff | Jan 17, 2022
* The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence | Molecular Psychiatry by Joanna Moncrieff | June 21, 2022
#JoannaMoncrieff #UniversityCollegeLondon #seritonin #depressioin #mentalhealth #molecularpsychiatry #politicaleconomy #Frontierssociology #brainchemisrty #bigpharma #counterpunch #greggodels #zzblog #zzsblog #patcumming…
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Jul 8, 2022
“Jazz and Justice: Racism and the Political Economy of the Music” with Gerald Horne
One of our favorite guests, Dr. Gerald Horne, joins us today to discuss his book, “Jazz and Justice: Racism and the Political Economy of the Music.” A remarkable scholar discusses the history of jazz, “the story of a beautiful lotus, growing from the filth of the crassest form of human immiseration.”
Order the book: https://www.kingsbookstore.com/book/9781583677858
Link to Greg's blog (ZZs Blog): http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/ Spotify Playlists Jazz Musicians by Location
New Orleans: https://spoti.fi/3Is9AXs
Kansas City: https://spoti.fi/3uA7jn4
St. Louis: https://spoti.fi/3yOAaqu
New Jersey: https://spoti.fi/3OS8xm0
Chicago: https://spoti.fi/3yqGcvX
Pittsburgh: https://spoti.fi/3OUHSoA
Cuba: https://spoti.fi/3ynYm1r
New York: https://spoti.fi/3NW6N9Q
Memphis: https://spoti.fi/3Rde87Q
#geraldhorne #marvinhorne #jazzhistory #jazz activism #anti-fascism #charlesmingus #archieshepp #jazzjustice #greggodels #zzblog #zzsblog #patcummings #ComingFromLeftField #podcast #raci…
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Jul 6, 2022
“The Killer’s Henchman: Capitalism and the Covid-19 Disaster” with Stephen Gowans
Today we talk with Stephen Gowans, a political analyst, and writer who shows how capitalism, its incentives, and its power dominate the political process and impeded the protection of public health.
Order the book, “The Killer's Henchman: Capitalism and the Covid-19 Disaster”
Link to Stephen’s blog (What's Left): https://gowans.blog/
Link to Greg's blog (ZZs Blog): http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#StephenGowans
#Gowans
#KillersHenchman
#The Killer'sHenchman
#COVID
#CovidDisaster
#WhatsLeft
#CapitalismCovid
#GregGodels
#ZZblog
#ZZsblog
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
#podcast
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Jun 21, 2022
Starbucks Workers United with Angel Krempa
Today we talk with Angel Krempa, a former Starbucks shift supervisor in Buffalo, New York, who was fired in retaliation for organizing one of the first successful unionization efforts against the coffee giant. In 2020, not a single one of the company's 9,000 stores had a union. In the past few months, more than 150 Starbucks voted to unionize, and the corporate overlords are not happy.
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/
#AngelKrempa
#Starbucks
#Worker Unitied
#HowardSchultz
#RossannWilliams
#Union
#GregGodels
#WorldFederationTradeUnion
#WFTU
#ZZblog
#ZZsblog
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
#podcast
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Jun 14, 2022
”The Last Negroes at Harvard” with Kent Garrett and Jeanne Ellsworth
Today, we welcomed Kent Garrett and Jeanne Ellsworth to discuss their book, " The Last Negroes at Harvard," a story of 18 remarkable Black men admitted to Harvard’s class of 1963. The book is equal parts memoir, group biography, and history of a turbulent civil rights era.
Book: The Last Negroes at Harvard (2020)
https://thelastnegroesatharvard.com/
Podcast: available on Spotify and Apple Podcast
Link to Greg's blog :
ZZs Blog
#KentGarrett
#JeanneEllsworth
#LastNegroesatHarvard
#Classof1963
#Harvard
#CivilRights
#Memoir
#GregGodels
#ZZblog
#ZZsblog
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
#Podcast
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May 31, 2022
”The Heart of Caring: Reflections from a life lived in medicine” with Mark Vonnegut
Today, we welcomed Dr. Mark Vonnegut to discuss his book, "The Heart of Caring: Reflections from a life lived in medicine." Dr. Vonnegut, son of writer Kurt Vonnegut, has practiced pediatrics for the last forty years. We discuss the crisis in the health care system and how for-profit influences are harming the mission of helping patients.
Books:
The Heart of Caring: Reflections from a life lived in medicine (2022)
Just Like Someone Without Mental Illness Only More So: A Memoir (2011)
The Eden Express: A Memoir of Insanity (1975)
Link to Greg's blog :
ZZs Blog
#MarkVonnegut
#TheHeartofCaring
#Pediatrics
#MentalIllness
#Memoir
#KurtVonnegut
#BiPolar
#Godels
#ZZblog
#ZZsblog
#Cummings
#ComingFromLeftField
#Podcast
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May 18, 2022
”The Least of Us: True Tales of America & Hope in the Time of Fentanyl & Meth” with Sam Quinones
Today, we welcomed Sam Quinones to discuss his book, "The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth." The book follows his 2015 release, Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic. Both books are critically acclaimed.
In January 2022, The Least of Us was nominated for a National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) award for Best Nonfiction Book of 2021.
Book:
The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth (2021)
Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate (2015)
Link to Greg's blog :
ZZs Blog
#SamQuinones
#TheLeastofUs
# Dreamland
#Podcast
#Meth
#Fentanyl
#Homeless
#Drugaddiction
#GregGodels
#ZZblog
#ZZsblog
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
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Apr 21, 2022
”The Last Years of Karl Marx” book discussion with Carlos Garrido
Today, we welcomed Carlos L. Garrido to discuss Marcello Musto's book, "The Last Years of Karl Marx: An Intellectual History," and his research focus, including Marxism, Hegel, and early 19th Century American socialism.
Book:
Marcello Musto's book, "The Last Years of Karl Marx: An Intellectual History"
The Midwestern Marxist YouTube channel: (https://www.youtube.com/c/MidwesternMarx/) and website: (https://www.midwesternmarx.com/ )
The article mentioned: A Critique of Western Marxism's Purity Fetish
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#Carlos L Garrido
#MidwesternMarxist
# Marcelo Musto
#The Last Years of Marx
#GregGodels
#ZZblog
#ZZsblog
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
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Apr 8, 2022
”American Trade Unionism” with Chris Townsend
We welcomed today Chris Townsend to discuss his four decades as a union organizer and the relevance of William Z. Foster’s book, “American Trade Unionism” on today’s labor struggles.
Book:
American Trade Unionism by William Z. Foster https://www.intpubnyc.com/product/american-trade-unionism/
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#ChrisTownsend
# American Trade Unionism
#WilliamFoster
#UE
#ATU
#podcast
#Amazon
#ChrisSmalls
#GregGodels
#ZZblog
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
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Mar 29, 2022
”Dividing Paradise: Rural Inequality and the Diminishing American Dream” with Jennifer Sherman
Greg and Pat welcome Dr. Jennifer Sherman to discuss her book "Dividing Paradise: Rural Inequality and the Diminishing American Dream.” Dr. Sherman is a Professor of Sociology at Washington State University and her work focuses on rural America, poverty, and inequality.
Book: Dividing Paradise: Rural Inequality and the Diminishing American Dream
https://www.kingsbookstore.com/book/9780520305144
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#JenniferSherman
#DividingParadise
#WSU
#Sociology
#podcast
#GregGodels
#ZZblog
#ZZsblog
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
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Mar 10, 2022
From “Imperialism in the 21st Century” to Ukraine with Brian Becker
Greg and Pat welcomed Brian Becker to discuss the Ukraine situation and his book "Imperialism in the 21st Century.” Brian Becker is the National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition and an insightful journalist on the “The Socialist Program” which is part of the BreakThrough News podcast. His observations on the Ukraine conflict deserve a wide audience.
Book: Imperialism in the 21st Century.
https://www.liberationschool.org/imperialism-in-the-21st-century/
BreakThrough News podcast
https://www.youtube.com/c/BreakThroughNews/featured
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#BrianBecker
#Imperialism21stCentury
#BreakThrough
#TheSocialstProgram
#podcast
#GregGodels
#ZZblog
#ZZsblog
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
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Mar 5, 2022
”Wounds of War” with Suzanne Gordon and guest Bob Bonner
Greg and Pat welcome Suzanne Gordon to discuss her book " Wounds of War: How the VA Delivers Health, Healing, and Hope to the Nation's Veterans.” Suzanne Gordon is an award-winning journalist and author of numerous books regarding healthcare systems, teamwork, patient safety, and nursing.
We are also joined today with guest Bob Bonner, a retired VHA nurse and long-time fighter for better care as a local union president representing hospital workers.
Website: https://www.suzannecgordon.com/
Book: Wounds of War: How the VA Delivers Health, Healing, and Hope to the Nation's Veterans
Advocacy: https://www.veteranspolicy.org/
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
# SuzanneGordon
#WoundsofWar
#VHA
#VA
# BobBonner
#GregGodels
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
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Jan 25, 2022
”The St Louis Commune of 1877” with Mark Kruger
Greg and Pat welcome Dr. Mark Kruger to discuss his book "The St. Louis Commune of 1877: Communism in the Heartland ." Dr. Kruger is a retired professor that also had a career practicing law and serving as a municipal judge. Dr. Kruger's book tells a captivating story about a little-known chapter of labor history, the first general strike in America that resulted in a major US city being ruled by communists.
Book: https://www.powells.com/book/st-louis-commune-of-1877-communism-in-the-heartland-9781496228130
Articles on" The Veiled Profit" parade in St Louis:
* The Atlantic
* The Nation
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
# MarkKruger
#StLouis
#Commune1877
#Communist
#VeiledProphet
#GregGodels
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
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Jan 11, 2022
“The Cult of Smart” with Fredrik deBoer
Greg and Pat welcome Dr. Freddie deBoer, to discuss his book “The Cult of Smart: How Our Broken Education System Perpetuates Social Injustice.” Dr. deBoer is a creative essayist and academic whose writings have appeared in such places as The New York Times, Harper’s, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Politico, and Jacobin. He is one of the most original and prolific voices in essays today, and his anti-tribal style has earned him admiration from political thinkers of all quadrants.
Book: https://www.powells.com/searchresults?keyword=Fredrik+deBoer
Substack: https://freddiedeboer.substack.com/
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
# FredrikDeBoer
#FreddieDeBoer
#TheCultofSmart
#EducationalReform
#Meritocracy
#GregGodels
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
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Jan 7, 2022
One Hundred Years of the CPUSA with Tony Pecinovsky
Greg and Pat welcome Tony Pecinovsky, author and nationally known historian on the Communist Party, USA. Today we discuss two of his books, "Let Them Tremble: Biographical Interventions Marking 100 Years of the Communist Party, USA" and "The Cancer of Colonialism: W. Alphaeus Hunton, Black Liberation, and the Daily Worker, 1944-1946." Pecinovsky has appeared on C-SPAN's "Book T.V." and regularly speaks on college and university campuses across the country.
Books and articles about Tony:
http://www.workerseducationsociety.org/officers/
https://www.peoplesworld.org/authors/tony-pecinovsky/
https://www.powells.com/searchresults?keyword=Tony+Pecinovsky
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
# TonyPecinovsky
#CPUSA
#LetThemTremble
#CancerofColonialism
#GregGodels
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
#PeoplesWorld
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Dec 11, 2021
Neoliberalism: From Reagan to Trump with Jack Rasmus
Greg and Pat welcome Dr. Jack Rasmus, professor in the Economics and Politics departments at Saint Mary's College of California. Dr. Rasmus is the author of numerous books and articles about the economy. Today we discuss his latest book, "The Scourge of Neoliberalism: US Economic Policy from Reagan to Trump," and other topics related to our present economic and political situation.
Web: https://jackrasmus.com/ Twitter: (@drjackrasmus) Alternative Visions on the Progressive Radio Network: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/alternative-visions-progressive-radio-network-RBcaS7f9PWX/ Books: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/447807.Jack_Rasmus
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#JackRasmus #Neoliberalism #Economics #GregGodels #PatCummings #ComingFromLeftField
https://youtu.be/-iQxgGse0ZY
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Dec 1, 2021
The Lost Legacy of Henry Winston with Tony Monteiro
Greg and Pat welcome Dr. Tony Monterio, scholar/activist and one of the most cited DuBois scholars in the world to discuss the legacy of Henry Winston. Winston, committed to equal rights and communism, was an advocate of civil rights for African Americans decades before the idea of racial equality emerged as a mainstream current of American political thought.
Anthony Monterio (Key Wiki) : http://keywiki.org/Anthony_Monteiro
Link to Saturday Free School (Website): http://www.saturdayfreeschool.org/
(FaceBook): https://www.facebook.com/TheSaturdayFreeSchool
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#TonyMonteiro
#AntonyMonteiro
#WEBDuBois
#HenryWinston
#SaturdayFreeSchool
#GregGodels
#PatCummings
#ComingFromLeftField
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Nov 5, 2021
”The Broken Heart of America” with Walter Johnson
Greg and Pat welcome Dr. Walter Johnson, who is the Winthrop Professor of History and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. Dr. Johnson's work focuses on the history of slavery, capitalism, white supremacy, Black resistance, and US imperialism.
Today we discuss " The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States (2020). The book analyzes the pervasive exploitation and radical resistance in America told through the turbulent history of St. Louis.
Link to Dr. Johnson's vitae: https://scholar.harvard.edu/wjohnson/biocv Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#WalterJohnson #BrokenHeartofAmerica #StLouis #Slavery #GregGodels #PatCummings
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Sep 23, 2021
”Black Liberation/Red Scare” with Gerald Horne
Greg and Pat welcome Dr. Gerald Horne, who holds the Moores Professorship of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston. Dr. Horne is the author of more than thirty books and one hundred scholarly articles and reviews. He addresses pivotal points of racism across the gamut, ranging from labor, politics, and civil rights to international relations and war.
Today we discuss "Black Liberation/Red Scare: Ben Davis and the Communist Party," which is a study centered on the life of the remarkable African American leader Ben Davis, Jr. (1904-64). The book analyzes Davis's activism and political progression as the civil rights movement took flight.
Link to Dr. Horne's vitae and books:
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#GeraldHorne
#BenDavis
#BlackLiberation
#RedScare
#SmithAct
#GregGodels
#PatCummings
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Sep 8, 2021
Poets – Round #2” with guests Janice O‘Mahony, Kevin Miller and Derek Sheffield
Greg and Pat welcome back Janice O'Mahony and Kevin Miller for a second round pf poetry reading. Also included is special guest, Derek Sheffield, nationally recognized poet, teacher and editor of Terrain.org. In this podcast we put pandemics, politics, and an over-heated planet on the back burner, and engage with some lighter verse.
Poem Index:
(0:16:31_Derek) Transcendentalism by Lucia Perillo
(0:22:57_Kevin) Racehogs by David Lee
(0:27:27_Janice) Patriarch’s Birthday Party Nine Days Away Blues by Janice O’Mahony
(0:31:55_Derek) For Those Who Would See 3 by Derek Sheffield
(0:37:00_Kevin) After Hearing Birdnote on the Song - Sparrow’s Double Scratch by Kevin Miller
(0:42:51_Janice) Year of the Monkey by Janice O’Mahony
(0:54:51_Derek) Sans Teeth by Dennis Held
(1:00:32_Kevin) A Retired Farmer Working as A Greeter at Wal-Mart by Leo Dangel
(1:04:48_Janice) Denim by Janice O’Mahony
(1:09:38_Derek) Ornithology Lesson by Jan Wallace
(1:13:25_Kevin) Sunset Knoll by Ge…
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Jul 28, 2021
President Biden's 6 Month Report Card
Greg and Pat have a one-on-one discussion about Biden's first six months as president. How is he doing at the end of his first semester? We discuss his executive orders, COVID, border crisis, economics, bipartisan cooperation, foreign policy, defense, media coverage, and a grade.
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#Biden6months
#GregGodels
#PatCummings
https://youtu.be/akWHs5xuqdo
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Jul 21, 2021
"Rabble!" book discussion about the Paris Commune 1871 with Geoffrey Fox
Greg and Pat welcome noted author, Geoffrey Fox, to discuss his soon-to-be-released book, "Rabble!" about the Paris Commune. The demise of the commune was both tragic and predictable. The events of 150 years ago lit a fire of reform and hope that still burns.
Some pictures of the Paris Commune 1871 from the Library of Congress:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KZNWxJHEP5eB3wkE6
Geoffrey's new book, "Rabble!":
https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/historical/rabble/
Background on the Paris Commune:
https://geoffreyfox.com/2021/05/the-paris-commune-and-the-crisis-of-imperialism/
Other books by Geoffrey Fox:
https://go.authorsguild.org/members/854
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#GeoffreyFox
#Rabble!
#ParisCommune
#GregGodels
#PatCummings
#1871
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Jul 14, 2021
“Exterminate All the Brutes” book review with guest Richard Hollwedel
Greg and Pat welcome friend of the show, Richard Hollwedel, to discuss the Sven Lindquvist 1992 book, “Exterminate All the Brutes” which was recently made into a HBO four-part documentary series directed by Raoul Peck. The book and documentary delves deeply into the legacy of European colonialism from the Americas to Africa.
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#RaoulPeck #SvenLindquvist #KingLeopold #ExterminateAlltheBrutes
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Jun 26, 2021
“Single-Payer Health Care Activism” with guest Kay Tillow
Greg and Pat welcome Kay Tillow, a veteran union activist from Louisville, is executive director of the Nurses Professional Organization. She and the NPO have spent 21 years battling to organize nurses who work for Louisville-based Norton Healthcare, Kentucky's most extensive health care system. Most recently, Kay has turned her attention to supporting a single-payer health care system.
Link to Kentuckians for Single-Payer Health Care: http://kyhealthcare.org/author/kay
Information on July 24, 22021 March for Medicare for All: http://kyhealthcare.org/posts/louisville-and-20-other-cities-plan-march-for-medicare-for-all-july-24-2021
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
Errata: (25:00) Pat said "63% of doctors support a public option". The correct percent is 73%. #KayTillow #Single-Payer #Medicare for all # kyhealthcare
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May 20, 2021
"Israel, A Beachhead in the Middle East" with guest Stephen Gowans
Greg and Pat welcome Stephen Gowans, an independent political analyst from Ottawa and author of several acclaimed books: Washington's Long War on Syria (2017), Patriots, Traitors and Empires: The Story of Korea's Struggle for Freedom (2018) and Israel, A Beachhead in the Middle East: From European Colony to US Power Projection Platform (2019)
Link to Stephen’s blog: https://gowans.blog/
Stephen’s books: https://www.barakabooks.com/?post_type=dd-product&s=Stephen+Gowans
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
Errata: (17:32) Pat sai: "We must stand AGAINST Israel against terrorists." It should have been: "We must stand WITH Israel against terrorism."
# A Beachhead in the Middle East #StephenGowans #StevenGowans #What’sLeft
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May 19, 2021
"A Couple of Poets" with guests Janice O’Mahony and Kevin Miller
Greg and Pat welcome the poets Janice O’Mahony and Kevin Miller for conversation and reading of selective poems that cover current events, politics, and other matters.
Books by Janice O’Mahony
Whidbey Island: Reflections on People & the Land (2014) by Elizabeth Guss, Janice O'Mahony, Mary Richardson (available at https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/ )
Books by Kevin Miller
Light That Whispers Morning (1994), Everywhere Was Far (1998), Home & Away (2008) and Vanish (2020) (available at https://www.kingsbookstore.com/ )
Poem Index:
(05:24_Kevin) Alive So Who Is Complaining
(09:08_Janice) Just Wondering
(15:58_Kevin) After Pogroms Ending In River
(19:10_Janice) Intake At The Veterans Center
(26:00_Kevin) The United State Of Dog Fish
(30:56_Janice) Selma 1986
(36:08_Janice) I Got Nothing
(40:10_Kevin) Consider Religion
(42:11_Janice) The Poem That Led To My Arrest
(52:07_Kevin) Vanish
(53:52_Janice) Our Place
Poem Greg mentioned: Bertholt Brecht: Concerning the Infantici…
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Apr 28, 2021
"The Long Deep Grudge " with guest Toni Gilpin
Greg and Pat welcome Dr. Toni Gilpin, author of "The Long Deep Grudge: A Story of Big Capital, Radical Labor, and Class War in the American Heartland." Dr. Gilpin is a labor historian, writer, and activist who holds a Ph.D in American History from Yale University. Her writing has been published in progressive media outlets and labor-connected journals like Jacobin and In These Times, and she was the recipient of the 2018 Debra Bernhardt Award for Labor Journalism.
Order the book: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1383-the-long-deep-grudge
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
# TheLongDeepGrudge #ToniGilpin #UnitedFarmEquipmentWorkers #FEUnion
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Apr 24, 2021
"A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door" with guest Jennifer Berkshire
Greg and Pat welcome Dr. Jennifer Berkshire, co-author with Dr. Jack Schneider of "A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door: The Dismantling of Public Education and the Future of School." Dr. Berkshire writes about education and politics for the Nation, the New Republic, the Baffler, and other publications. She and Dr. Schneider are co-hosts of the educational policy podcast "Have You Heard."
A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door: The Dismantling of Public Education and the Future of School: https://thenewpress.com/books/wolf-sc...
Have You Heard Podcast: https://haveyouheardblog.com/have-you...
Link to Greg's blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com
#AWolfSchoolhouseDoor
#JenniferBerkshire
#JackSchneider
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Apr 7, 2021
Labor History and the US Communist Party with guest Roger Keeran
Greg and Pat welcome an American historian Dr. Roger Keeran. Dr. Keeran is now Professor Emeritus of the Empire State College at SUNY after retiring in 2013. He has taught successively at Cornell, Princeton, Rutgers, and the New York State University. A specialist of Labor and Policy studies published, in 1980, The Communist Party and the Auto Workers Unions. Dr. Keeran demonstrates the extent to which the very formation of a solid and permanent industrial union in the automobile industry depended upon the dedication of a cadre of individuals whose own social vision far transcended the union movement itself.
* Dr. Keeran's book, The Communist Party and the Auto Workers' Union, is available from International Publishers
* 1976 BBC documentary regarding the Great Sit Down against General Motors in February 1937. Included: women's roles in settling the strikes.
* Link to Greg's blog: ZZ's Blog
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Mar 23, 2021
Alabama, Amazon, and Unions discussion with guest Richard Hollwedel
Greg and Pat welcome good friend Richard (a.k.a “Hoss”) Hollwedel. We discuss Bessemer Alabama Amazon warehouse workers making a final push toward unionizing, Jeff Bezo’s business blueprint that is sorting our country into “winner-take-all” and “left-behind” places, some thoughts of unions, capitalism, and a little Karl Marx for good measure too. Hoss brings to the conversation a few decades of competing with the Amazon model in book sales and distribution and a rich family history of working in union shops.
Link to Greg's blog: ZZ's Blog
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Mar 17, 2021
“The Media” discussion with guest Jim Painter
Greg and Pat welcome retired newspaper editor and journalist Jim Painter to discuss "The Media," including broadcasting, publishing, and the internet. Jim made a career in newsrooms as a reporter, photographer, opinion column writer, and newspaper editor. Jim is also the author of The Black March, a novel of World War II, based on his father's experience, as a crewman in the Eighth Air Force, flying B-17s.
Link to Jim's book, The Black March
Link to Jim's photography: Fine Art America
Link to of Jim's photography from his college and reporter days in Arizona: photography
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Mar 11, 2021
Karl Marx discussion interviewing Greg Godels
Greg (co-host of the podcast) is a prominent scholar of the communist-socialist labor union movements of the post-New Deal communist movement from a Marxist-Leninist perspective. His writings have appeared in numerous publications in the US and internationally. In this episode, Pat (co-host) interviews Greg on Karl Marx, his influence on philosophy, economics, political change, and current relevance.
Link to Greg's blog: ZZ's Blog
Link to :Marxism-Leninism Today
ML Today is an electronic journal containing articles and commentaries on the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism contemporary dialectical and historical materialism. https://mltoday.com/
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Mar 5, 2021
“How Democracies Die” book review
Greg and Pat discuss the 2018 book “How Democracies Die” by political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt.
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Feb 26, 2021
Cancel Culture discussion with guest Dan Kovalik
Greg and Pat welcome author and human rights lawyer Dan Kovalik to discuss “cancel culture”, a modern form of ostracism. The timing is right because, on April 27, 2021, Dan will be releasing his latest book, “Cancel This Book; The Progressive Case Against Cancel Culture.”
Link to more on Dan’s book, Cancel This Book Link to Greg’s blog: ZZ’s Blog
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Feb 23, 2021
“The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism” book review
Greg and Pat discuss the 2020 book “The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism” by historian Thomas Frank.
Link to Greg’s blog: ZZ’s Blog
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Feb 23, 2021
“How Democracies Die” book review
Greg and Pat discuss the 2018 book “How Democracies Die” by political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt.
Link to Greg’s blog: ZZ’s Blog
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