The Dailies

Taibbi and Greenwald have been important voices for the freedom of speech in a moment where it looks to me like there is an effort to use populist discontent swelling on the right and left to crack down on new media, and all of independe ...read more

Taibbi and Greenwald have been important voices for the freedom of speech in a moment where it looks to me like there is an effort to use populist discontent swelling on the right and left to crack down on new media, and all of independent media as well.  In fact, from a cynical perspective, the primary target may be independent media.

The media-on-medial critiques can seem petty but there are stakes in the ongoing conflict between new media and old media.  Joe Rogan is just another battleground where this conflict plays out.  Saagar sums it up when he notes that Joe Rogan, ...read more

The media-on-medial critiques can seem petty but there are stakes in the ongoing conflict between new media and old media.  Joe Rogan is just another battleground where this conflict plays out.  Saagar sums it up when he notes that Joe Rogan, with his number one, platform-carrying podcast, just may be a rare instance where such influence is gained by an individual not tied to a larger media institution.  From NYT and print media attacking Substack and Glenn Greenwald.  To endless pieces that talk about the dangers of Social Media Propagandizing people.  The real goal seems to be to reign in independent media.  Or, at the very least, independent media will be sacrificed as collateral to gain control over new media.  

All media and free speech are dangerous.  It can, and will, and has, been used to propagandize people.  But put the crimes of propaganda on a scale and I don't think Mainstream media that Manufactures Consent for every war will come out ahead.  

Appreciate NYT doing such a story but note when there are politicians pushing for real change they seemingly forget these types of think pieces.

But, this is what needs to be done with the debate now.  I think people know th ...read more

Appreciate NYT doing such a story but note when there are politicians pushing for real change they seemingly forget these types of think pieces.

But, this is what needs to be done with the debate now.  I think people know the current system is bad.  That Single Payer is needed.  Next place to bring the rhetorical argument is vilifying the health insurance companies.  Which this piece doesn't do...but it sets the table for it.

A solid explainer from Jon Munitz of the Peoples Basics, formerly The Hill of Roses.  I'm a part of the Peoples Basics team as well.  In this Jon goes over the history and meaning of Neoliberalism.  Given how widely it is used as a pejor ...read more

A solid explainer from Jon Munitz of the Peoples Basics, formerly The Hill of Roses.  I'm a part of the Peoples Basics team as well.  In this Jon goes over the history and meaning of Neoliberalism.  Given how widely it is used as a pejorative for those of the left, this is a needed examination of its meaning.

I personally would like to read more on what exactly caused stagflation in the 70s. In the past, in an effort to understand this pivotal time in monetary policy I did read a book about Hayak versus Keynes.  Economic debates are complex and layered with both sides usually laying claim to various parts of history that support their respective models.  The overly simplified way I view the fall out, for whatever this is worth to people, is Keynes economicis made mitigating unemployment its top priority where as Hayak, and by extension Neoliberlism, makes keeping inflation in check its top priority.  

Unfortunately, in an effort to not overly interfere with currency and markets, Neoliberalism ends up leading to laissez faire economics which has its own sets of issues.  The battle against inflation arguably has been won, but in the meantime inequality is exacerbated, with wages flat lining, and it becoming harder and harder for the next generation to do as well as the one before.

Make no mistake about, given enough time, Old Media will make the platforms of New Media the same as Cable News is today.  Its been happening.  We need to be aware of it.  And need to look to prevent it as much as possible.  ...read more

Make no mistake about, given enough time, Old Media will make the platforms of New Media the same as Cable News is today.  Its been happening.  We need to be aware of it.  And need to look to prevent it as much as possible.  

Wrote about this awhile ago right here.

A couple of years ago I retweeted a similar story about Amazon listed by Yahoo and got pushback from a libertarian about how despite the story on Yahoo the company still pays a ton in taxes..payroll taxes.  Or local taxes.  Etc ...read more

A couple of years ago I retweeted a similar story about Amazon listed by Yahoo and got pushback from a libertarian about how despite the story on Yahoo the company still pays a ton in taxes..payroll taxes.  Or local taxes.  Etc.

He got mad at me for daring to retweet it.  It was posted by Yahoo but the problem is me retweeting it :).  And also if the like of Yahoo, and in this case the NYT, are making a big deal about how maybe corporations should pay a bit more...and you know they make billions, why the need to defend them?

Them?  They?  They are not people.  Made up of people.  Good for society when managed properly.  But people should come first.  

Charles Barkley is a guy that always has my ear.  He'll say anything and so occassionally will land on some interesting, unspoken truth.  And he has a sense of humor.  

In this case, it's not anything people who follow polit ...read more

Charles Barkley is a guy that always has my ear.  He'll say anything and so occassionally will land on some interesting, unspoken truth.  And he has a sense of humor.  

In this case, it's not anything people who follow politics don't already know but like Saagar and Krystal point out, it's not said out loud often, at least not on the mainstream media outlets.  As Saagar points out, this was a viral clip that didn't make much noise on cable news other than Fox.  And that is why people get their news from YouTube.  And why people are left picking up conspiracies along the way to trying to get somebody to tell them the truth.

I'm late posting this.  I'm also late updating SpringThePrimaries and my list of congress memebers supporting or not supporting Medicare for All.

Donald Norcross is actually my representive in the house.  ...read more

I'm late posting this.  I'm also late updating SpringThePrimaries and my list of congress memebers supporting or not supporting Medicare for All.

Donald Norcross is actually my representive in the house.  I called and emailed him.  He emailed back a non-answer answer for why he hasn't endorsed.  I guess I'm going to have to run in 2022.  j/k.  I don't like leaving the house. 

Nice to see MSNBC using Progressive Left framing.

That said I look at that sideways.  It's easy now that there are no elections in play to suddenly rediscover the Progressive voice.  But while it lasts it ...read more

Nice to see MSNBC using Progressive Left framing.

That said I look at that sideways.  It's easy now that there are no elections in play to suddenly rediscover the Progressive voice.  But while it lasts it's good to see.

This behind-the-scenes nonsense is just that, nonsense.  I'm sure Progressives are actively pushing the agenda but at the same time, they are conceding to doing this quietly as to not embarrass democratic leadership.  This interview got away from it but the question is there..why is all progressive 'pushing' behind closed doors?  When that part of the base is starving? 

Hate to be stuck on the $15 Min Wage but it is important to understand the dynamics at play. 

Here Kyle makes the point that perhaps the Progressive faction is simply inept.

I think he d ...read more

Hate to be stuck on the $15 Min Wage but it is important to understand the dynamics at play. 

Here Kyle makes the point that perhaps the Progressive faction is simply inept.

I think he dodges Dore's critique of 'selling out' but only addressing corruption via Donor influence.  Dore's critique is that in being concerned about their careers, and standing within the party, they are 'selling out' all the same.  Donor money, or inner-party status, if the end result is falling in line ...

There is a part of me OK with Progressives not setting the hard-line and taking the political hit of stopping a much-needed relief bill given the wage was supposed to be something Biden was going to take care of.  But that is presuming they would fight hard on more progressive initiatives such as forcing a vote on Medicare-for-All.

But turns out they aren't going got do anything other than Tweet like they aren't already in office.  Sinema Tweeted support for the $15 min-wage as well.  Turns out Tweets don't stop thumbs-down-curtsies.

First signs of maybe an end coming to the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.  

Related Article by Laurel Wamsley of ...read more

First signs of maybe an end coming to the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.  

Related Article by Laurel Wamsley of NPR:

Saudi Arabia has proposed a peace deal to end the nearly six-year war in Yemen, if the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels agree.

The Saudi proposal calls for a nationwide ceasefire and reopening the airport in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

I think it may work. Critical mass is key...but he'll have a head start. And people are getting fed up with Twitter. Parler was a th ...read more

I think it may work. Critical mass is key...but he'll have a head start. And people are getting fed up with Twitter. Parler was a thing that got undone by Apple and Amazon. Assuming they learn from that...he may luck into creating a viable platform.

Mitch McConnell pontificating of what would happen if Democrats ever dared to upset Republicans.  

It would lead to a 'scorched earth' Senate.

Emma and Sutton basically not very concerned given how bad the Senat ...read more

Mitch McConnell pontificating of what would happen if Democrats ever dared to upset Republicans.  

It would lead to a 'scorched earth' Senate.

Emma and Sutton basically not very concerned given how bad the Senate has been.

[my take]

I mean the Senate can't get much worse than how obstructionist it has been last time Republicans were in the minority.

Democrats might as well go full tilt here.  Played it nice under Obama and it didn't work out.  Didn't need Republicans for the Stimulus.  No reason to hold back here.  

Many flinch at the Progressives that say the Primaries are rigged.  Rigged, or just a slanted playing field, whatever you want to call it, there is clearly a hard line and limit to what Progressives can do within the Democratic Part ...read more

Many flinch at the Progressives that say the Primaries are rigged.  Rigged, or just a slanted playing field, whatever you want to call it, there is clearly a hard line and limit to what Progressives can do within the Democratic Party.

Either this needs to be exposed and overcome, or Progressives need to set up shop outside the two-party system....yeah...3rd Party.

Also, for me, more and more Jimmy Dore is proven right.

Lauren Gurley, who has been covering the push from Amazon workers to form a Union, gives some of the details of how i ...read more

Lauren Gurley, who has been covering the push from Amazon workers to form a Union, gives some of the details of how it is playing out.

[my take]

I'm rooting for the Amazon workers but I'm pessimistic as I'm not sure the US remembers how to do solidarity.  Even if we remember how companies like Amazon are daunting foes.  If I remember correctly Amazon didn't make money for 10 years as it concentrated on taking over markets.  They had investors who were willing to deal with losses for a decade.  Unless there is pressure both inside and out I don't see the Workers winning anytime soon.

Claire Fallon talks about the Dr. Seuss story regarding 6 books being discontinued due to racist imagery. 

[my take]

'Cancel Culture', like many trends, has had its definition lose any sense of precision.  It ca ...read more

Claire Fallon talks about the Dr. Seuss story regarding 6 books being discontinued due to racist imagery. 

[my take]

'Cancel Culture', like many trends, has had its definition lose any sense of precision.  It can mean people noting they take offense, to complete removal of an artist or content producer from the market, to impeachment, to censorship.  

The right cries Cancel Culture anytime there is push back against regressive materials or thoughts.  And sadly it works to some degree.

Cancel Culture has been weaponized and has lead to the resignation of Al Franken.  And yet can't stop politicians making successful presidential runs, or Judges being promoted to the highest court of the land.

I mostly agree with Fallon here, especially how she details with precision exactly what this 'canceling' has consisted of, a publisher making a decision to discontinue material that is no longer acceptable.

I disagree with the notion that Cancel Culture isn't real, that it doesn't do anything, and find it frustrating that people will call for what amounts to the end of a person's career, or severe damage to it via removal from whole sections of the society while at the same time saying it amounts to nothing.   Not sure I'm explaining that well but it reminds me of Ezra Klein telling Sam Harris that Charles Murray hasn't been 'canceled' at all because he still has a career, while Sam Harris himself notes he avoided Murray for years because of the stigma around him.  That stigma is real.  

Now should racism be stigmatized?  Sure. Banished? No.  Not if free speech is to remain protected.

Nice clip from Doel breaking down a nice clip from CNN.

A fisher named Ben Calvert summed up discontent with Biden with a snappy "Those bombs (Syrian strike) cost a lot for a man who owes me $2000"

 ...read more

Nice clip from Doel breaking down a nice clip from CNN.

A fisher named Ben Calvert summed up discontent with Biden with a snappy "Those bombs (Syrian strike) cost a lot for a man who owes me $2000"

It's tricky at this moment noting that it is good Stimulus is coming and acknowledging that, without giving in to justifying or excusing Democrats' failure to deliver on campaign promises.

Always had respect for Matt Stoller before but this bumped him up my list of analysts to pay attention to.  

Any content related to decisions made by Social Media Platforms catches my attention as I think it should the ...read more

Always had respect for Matt Stoller before but this bumped him up my list of analysts to pay attention to.  

Any content related to decisions made by Social Media Platforms catches my attention as I think it should the attention of all of us.

Progressives lament about what Cable News is today but it wasn't always this bad as it wasn't always this concentrated, and partisan.  Meanwhile Progressives have been winning in the new media space and I think that is why Bernie did so well with people younger than 50.  Which would make the path forward include getting older voters to tune into Progressive voices by streaming this content, or getting this content on a cable news station. 

But its not like the opposition isn't aware of what happens and so they are coming for new media in full force.  We need to be ready, be vigilant, and not let new media be turned into a new version of the triple headed monster that is MSNBC/CNN/Fox.

This clip talks about the unsettled space that is the Republican Party and how a current Republican just chose to become an Independent with a damning analysis about the GOP roughly:

"You can't win a primary without the support o ...read more

This clip talks about the unsettled space that is the Republican Party and how a current Republican just chose to become an Independent with a damning analysis about the GOP roughly:

"You can't win a primary without the support of Trump, and you can't win a general election with it".

[my take]

I love this channel but resepectively disagree on the assessment here.

As nice as it is to fantasize about a Republican party in disarray I think it will prove wrong.  Trump's radioactivity may not have a long half-life.  Many suspect he could have carried the eleciton if not for Covid.  Covid will pass. The insurrection probably tacked on some time until to the radioactivity, but not enough.  

Also the anti-Establishment aspect of Trump came before him in the form the Tea Party and so I don't think it is as chained to Trump as it feels at the moment.  (I grant it feels pretty attached at the moment).  

Look after Bush lost in 08 there was talk of Democrats holding sway but they didn't.  That pendulum keeps swinging.  The Democrats and Republicans both keep drifting right.

Dore basically reveling in the idea of other Progressives probably not on board for #forcethevote now pitching the same concept for the Minimum Wage.  

I'm very much for #forcethevote.  In fact built ...read more

Dore basically reveling in the idea of other Progressives probably not on board for #forcethevote now pitching the same concept for the Minimum Wage.  

I'm very much for #forcethevote.  In fact built a virtual voting prototype deal to try to gather consensus congressional district by congressional district.  But I can't get anybody to even tell me what's wrong with it so I'm bitter.  

This clip has been cathartic.  

David Doel lays out the case that the latest Syrian airstrike violates international law.  Then points out Moderate Left commentators that are flip-flopping their stance on such military actions seemingly based only on if the P ...read more

David Doel lays out the case that the latest Syrian airstrike violates international law.  Then points out Moderate Left commentators that are flip-flopping their stance on such military actions seemingly based only on if the President in office is a Republian or Democrat and not on the actions themselves.

Seder covers the dynamics at play with reconcipliation and the parliamentarian and the $15 minimum wage.

To be fair Bernie didn't actually laugh at the idea of Republican being decent human beings as much as the id ...read more

Seder covers the dynamics at play with reconcipliation and the parliamentarian and the $15 minimum wage.

To be fair Bernie didn't actually laugh at the idea of Republican being decent human beings as much as the idea that they could get any Republicans to vote for the minimum wage increase.  Though I get that for the left being against the minimum wage increase is the same as not being a decent human being.

Personally, beginning to realize that all division works against Progressive initiatives.  Even slamming the Republican label is actually counter productive...though its tough not to.  And that is probably what helps ratings.  It just that while it may get more clicks of lefty viewers it is also perpetuating this idea that Bernie and Progressive Policies are a galaxay apart from the right.  Which isn't true.  

There isn't much to add to this.  

Its great for Texas that M4A will be a thing for this storm but the obvious question becomes why hasn't this been issues for the Pandemic nation wide?  And we know why.  There is a connecte ...read more

There isn't much to add to this.  

Its great for Texas that M4A will be a thing for this storm but the obvious question becomes why hasn't this been issues for the Pandemic nation wide?  And we know why.  There is a connected billion dollar industry that didn't want it to happen.

I just wish Kyle would have twisted the knife and noted we can't even get a vote on Single-Payer.  

Dore covers how larger companies are being granted the legal authority to take on the functions of government.

This concept is disorienting as I've often imagined a rosy picture of a company like Go Fund Me, evolving into a democ ...read more

Dore covers how larger companies are being granted the legal authority to take on the functions of government.

This concept is disorienting as I've often imagined a rosy picture of a company like Go Fund Me, evolving into a democratic and benevelent version of healthcare that the US Government is failing to deliver.  But this feels like an evil doppelganger of the same concept but arrived at with sinister intentions.

I guess it depends on how much democracy enters into the law making processes of these Industries turned Authorities.  Or how benevelent they end up being or not being.

Fareed Zakaria of CNN breaks down Biden's early moves, or non-moves in Foreign Policy.

Looks like Biden may be hesitating to revert back to Obama's position on such issues as the Iran Deal or Cuba perhaps to posture as tough on F ...read more

Fareed Zakaria of CNN breaks down Biden's early moves, or non-moves in Foreign Policy.

Looks like Biden may be hesitating to revert back to Obama's position on such issues as the Iran Deal or Cuba perhaps to posture as tough on Foreign Policy which won't work as Republicans will accuse him of appeasement no matter what.

Kyle editorializes that this isn't just posturing.  Biden is more conservative on foriegn policy and its incomplete to talk foreign policy without looking at where the money is.  

Kyle is probably right.  As much as media will acknowledge issues with money in politics, or the military industrial complex they fail to include it in basic analysis as the narratives come in in real time.  

Dore hilariously goes over waffling on gun rights and brings me along at every turn in his opinion on it.  Lands on the real takeaway that Progressive Policies would gun-related violence and crime between UBI, M4A, and more educatio ...read more

Dore hilariously goes over waffling on gun rights and brings me along at every turn in his opinion on it.  Lands on the real takeaway that Progressive Policies would gun-related violence and crime between UBI, M4A, and more education.

Post insurrection fallout leading to many smaller YouTube channels being demonetized.  Assuming more right leaning channels than left leaning channels but that is irrelevant.  Deferring to YouTube is not a good idea.

&n ...read more

Post insurrection fallout leading to many smaller YouTube channels being demonetized.  Assuming more right leaning channels than left leaning channels but that is irrelevant.  Deferring to YouTube is not a good idea.

I've been following the FLCCC and Ivermectin and am disturbed that Dr. Pierre Kory's testimony in the Senate has been taken down. I'm a  Progressive but have no problem citing an Op-Ed from a Republican in the WSJ if it is the name of free speech.  

And I encourage people to look at FLCCC and their basic claims that there is some evidence for Ivermectin as a key treatment as part of the general plan to get the Pandemic under control.  If the FLCCC proves true not only do you have the heavies of medicine perhaps dragging their feet, but it'll go to show that we cannot defer to the whims of the Tech Giants.

Biden making moves on Yemen.  

I like the Kulinski strives to call balls and strikes and if good is happening then credit will be given.

In thise case he notes have to pay attention to the details as they unfold like with Bide ...read more

Biden making moves on Yemen.  

I like the Kulinski strives to call balls and strikes and if good is happening then credit will be given.

In thise case he notes have to pay attention to the details as they unfold like with Biden's Buy American deal.  Which is a good idea but if you leave loopholes...

Same thing here.  Does removing support mean really removing support?  Or just stop giving advanced tactical information?

Summary:

The title of the clip is a bit misleading.  Doel notes that the timing looks to be a coincidence as he doesn't think Bezos concerns himself over the potential public perception of the news of Amazon stealing tips. ...read more

Summary:

The title of the clip is a bit misleading.  Doel notes that the timing looks to be a coincidence as he doesn't think Bezos concerns himself over the potential public perception of the news of Amazon stealing tips.

And Amazon stole tips.  This is alarming to those of us, including me, that may presume larger corporations that have made it to a place where they are part of the fabric of the culture would still stoop so low.  At least not with their employees like this.

Summary:

Newsmax starts pushing right wing talking points against raising the minimum wage.

My Take:

I get overly caught up in the Progressive Left versus the Moderate Left confli ...read more

Summary:

Newsmax starts pushing right wing talking points against raising the minimum wage.

My Take:

I get overly caught up in the Progressive Left versus the Moderate Left conflicts I lose sight of the fight between the 

left and the right.  Always taken back by the positions coming out of the right.  Just am.  This guy from Newsmax 

sounds ridiculously callous while at the same time ignoring the point of Bernie's Stop Bezos act, that 

if government subsidies are stepping in where employers are failing we're talking corporate Welfare.

Summary:

Kyle lays out how Wokeness and Censorship are being used to defend Wall Street.

In Gamestop an online community on Reddit made a move to buy a stock large hedge funds were shorting.  As the& ...read more

Summary:

Kyle lays out how Wokeness and Censorship are being used to defend Wall Street.

In Gamestop an online community on Reddit made a move to buy a stock large hedge funds were shorting.  As the 

conflict has played out a narrative has come out mainstream outlets such as Newsweek and The Wallstreet Journal to 

point out racist content on the given online community sites.  

This is a standard tactic done by those that defend the status quo from any non mainstream element.  It puts those that 

would advocate for the online community as being socially backward.

My Take:

It works.  I mentioned the Gamestop story to family one day and the next morning got the Wallstreet Journal link sent to me. 

I noted even before reading it that I was skepitcal given how I've seen attempts to smear Bernie Sanders as mysogynist and 

Corbyn as anti-semetic.  That was before even realizing it was from the 'Wallstreet Journal'.  Started to raise this point 

and  the rejoinder was ...'well there are bad guys on both sides'.  

If flipping works.  And thats a problem that will rear its head again and again for anybody threatening the larger players at the table. 

SUMMARY

Briahna talks about the disconnect between BLM and the Presidential Campaign, that BLM did not lay any terms down for their support in the election.

Nader notes that Labor Unions have not been making any demands ...read more

SUMMARY

Briahna talks about the disconnect between BLM and the Presidential Campaign, that BLM did not lay any terms down for their support in the election.

Nader notes that Labor Unions have not been making any demands of the Democratic Party for some time now.  Failed to negotiate hard against Force the Vote type laws as an example.  

It isn't like the Democratic Party has been doing well.  

Briahna mentions the new Progressives and the concern that at the rate new Progressives are added versus the rate of comprimising of those in office now does 

not make for a hopeful trajectory.

Nader shares concerns about the current Progressive faction noting that he has reached out to them to offer support but they seemingly don't want it.

MY REACTION/THOUGHTS

Wonder if the cold shoudler Nader recieved is just a product of the Squad and Co already having succeeded on their own terms.

Overall the point about the left choosing not to use leverage is frustrating.  Its not in this clip but I'll bring it up.  The left fails to negotiate hard 

in every single transaction.  From Biden to Republicans on Covid relief, to AOC and the Squad not being tough on Pelosi, to Unions not being tougher, to 

even members of Progressive New Media, the party to the left capitulates and capituatlate and capitulates.

I'm a Progressive but I like Saagar.  I know he irks some on the left, but he makes a lot of sense, most of the time, to me.  Where we diverge his arguments for the given position are the best that there could be and so are worth considering. ...read more

I'm a Progressive but I like Saagar.  I know he irks some on the left, but he makes a lot of sense, most of the time, to me.  Where we diverge his arguments for the given position are the best that there could be and so are worth considering.  

Saagar recaps GameStop which is an awesome story unto itself...movie(s) on Netflix are already in production from what I've heard.   Saagar's summary:

• An online community decided to boost a stock all heavy players were shorting and had collective enough strength to collapse the short position. 
• TV Financial News channels are losing their minds. 
• Other stocks prices are just as inflated...this isn't a new phenomenon...just who is doing the inflating is new.
• Now there are calls for regulation on speculative trading from the people are have never been for it before now.  Hypocrisy amok, for whatever weight that charge still holds.

Sam talks about the project of pushing Biden left versus falling asleep as he can attest is what happened when Clinton beat Bush ending the Reagan era, and Obama beat Bush.

Nice to hear about people who were on the opposite side of me on #force ...read more

Sam talks about the project of pushing Biden left versus falling asleep as he can attest is what happened when Clinton beat Bush ending the Reagan era, and Obama beat Bush.

Nice to hear about people who were on the opposite side of me on #forcethevote talk about pushing Bidne left.  How do you pressure Biden and on what fronts is the question posed. 

Sam talks about the project of pushing Biden left versus falling asleep as he can attest is what happened when Clinton beat Bush ending the Reagan era, and Obama beat Bush.

Nice to hear about people who were on the opposite side of me on #forcethevote talk about pushing Bidne left.  How do you pressure Biden and on what fronts is the question posed. 

Additional Notes:

Waleed Shahid, writer for the Nation and Communications Director for Justice Democrats spokesperson,  gives his key points:

https://www.thenation.com/authors/waleed-shahid/

https://muckrack.com/waleed-shahid/articles

• Passive tone in Biden's speech was concerning
• Student Loan Cancellation is something we're looking for but different amounts are on the table
• Immigation Reform with a path for citizenship for undocument workers
• Climate Crisis needs to be addressed
• Progressive movements are paying much closer attention this go around versus 2009.  There is vigilance.

Seder makes the point that there is a flaw in Biden's passive assessment of what has happened to us Pandemic wise while 

not calling out mistakes made in public policy.

Shahid brings up this false sense in how Lincoln is remembered as a unifier but he was a very divisive figure in the moment. Obvious parrallels here.

Seder adds to this that the Unity history tells us Lincoln brought us never really came to pass. 

Clip ends on Shahid giving an account of the gains being made by the Progressive faction of the Democratic party, the Squad, etc.  (I'll admit I glaze over when talking about chairs and minor wins, but that is part of the process)

I've been hoping that as Biden's Presidency settled down that we'd get Bernie back to pushing a Progressive Agenda. 

Doel reviews op-eds by Bernie and clips that indicate he will indeed be continuing to push and push and push.

&nbs ...read more

I've been hoping that as Biden's Presidency settled down that we'd get Bernie back to pushing a Progressive Agenda. 

Doel reviews op-eds by Bernie and clips that indicate he will indeed be continuing to push and push and push.

Bernie is calling out that Democrats must move fast to make the most of this moment.  

Summary:

Workers at Hunts Point Terminal have launched first Worker Strike since 1986 per WSWS.org.  

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/21/hunt-j21.html

Asked for better healthcare and a $1 raise. ...read more

Summary:

Workers at Hunts Point Terminal have launched first Worker Strike since 1986 per WSWS.org.  

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/21/hunt-j21.html

Asked for better healthcare and a $1 raise.  Hunts countered with a 32 cent raise. Hunts is the largest 

wholesale produce market in the world. 

Base annual salary is $40K which in NYC is insufficient for living expenses.  Dore makes the point about 

how companies are counting on government to subsidize their employees.

Addional Notes:

There isn't enough coverage of strikes in general which makes these segments from YouTubers all that much more important. 

The reality is it takes coordinated actions such as this strike to force progressive change.

Michael Brooks was and stil is a key voice that influences the way I see the world and want to see the world.

In three minutes makes me realize I need to learn so much more about MLK while at the same time laying out some of the pitfalls of the ...read more

Michael Brooks was and stil is a key voice that influences the way I see the world and want to see the world.

In three minutes makes me realize I need to learn so much more about MLK while at the same time laying out some of the pitfalls of the left while clearly setting down the path on how we win.

Emma Vigeland, Seder and Nomiki Konst have some fun breaking down Alex Jones, great defender 

of heterosexual frogs, calling out the crazy Q folks.  

Emma notes some of this traces back to Jones.

&n ...read more

Emma Vigeland, Seder and Nomiki Konst have some fun breaking down Alex Jones, great defender 

of heterosexual frogs, calling out the crazy Q folks.  

Emma notes some of this traces back to Jones.

Seder nots the lunacy Jones started is now going beyond him.  

[My take]

I enjoy MR sounding off on the lunacy of the right.  But nagging my concsious about people dumping on fringe media voices 

is that as bad as Pizza Gate was...or of Alex Jones not respecting the tragedy of Sandy Hook....mainstream media is not 

an innocent institution.  And it may seem forgivable what mainstream news gets wrong but the scale of it is devastating when it comes

to manufacturing consent or not covering the real problems of people such as medical bankrupcies.  Etc.

Summary:

Pharma is cleaning up on Vaccine development.  (Of note, adjacent to this the wealthy 

in general have thrived in the time of Covid)  

Kyle talks about how in the sphere ...read more

Summary:

Pharma is cleaning up on Vaccine development.  (Of note, adjacent to this the wealthy 

in general have thrived in the time of Covid)  

Kyle talks about how in the sphere of health he has gotten more radical to the point where 

he would be glad to nationalize almost everything related to health.  But still not this way 

in other industries and consumer goods.

Research and development of course needs to happen but it already mostly does with Government subsidizing it.

(Does admit late the Government did botch the distribution of the Vaccine)

My Take:

I actually thought he was going to hit on insurance companies margins growing as people opted out of 

elective procedures while still paying their premiums...or as Kyle puts it, our 'proection money'.

The People's Party founder Nick Brana sounds off with Jimmy on what exactly is to be made of the Democratic party given 

the fallout of #forcethevote. 

These guys are left of me but I can't actually find much fa ...read more

The People's Party founder Nick Brana sounds off with Jimmy on what exactly is to be made of the Democratic party given 

the fallout of #forcethevote. 

These guys are left of me but I can't actually find much fault in what they are saying.  Forget the outrage for a moment 

and just consider the main take away as they see it.  We need a group like the Justice Democrats free of corporate dnor money 

but outside of the Democratic party.  Yes.  The Democratic party will not budge an inch to the left without their being the threat 

of a viable 3rd party forcing them to be.  

GND type legislation passed in Texas by dropping GND branding, disassociating with AOC, and letting Unions lead.

[I personally find this to be perhaps an issue of 'my-solution-is-the-only-solution' bias and find it completley unconvincing and b ...read more

GND type legislation passed in Texas by dropping GND branding, disassociating with AOC, and letting Unions lead.

[I personally find this to be perhaps an issue of 'my-solution-is-the-only-solution' bias and find it completley unconvincing and believe that Yang has addressed some of the points better than Burgess is making them]

Ben Burgess speaking about the limits of a UBI approach to the problems of the economy at hand.  Argues it is grotesquely inadequate especially what we'd actually get.  It be an excuse to cut out 

current programs.  The amount would be eaten up by rent increases.  The automation argument is overstated. 

Richard Wolf / Mark Blyth

Both going on how the problems can't be reduced to just technology as much as it is distribution of wealth and the class struggle between employers and employees.   

[This downplaying of automation as a problem seems counter productive to me.  I get not letting us sweep all issues into it but to downplay its impact is unconvincing and inevitably will be wrong.  And any note of the long history of concern give weigth to the same type of argument made by the Right about Climate Crisis]

To be clear, as Dore is a controversial figure even among the Progressive left, this show is left of me.  That said 

I absolutely keep an ear to what Jimmy Dore has to say about issues.  He's older than me, and so has seen the po ...read more

To be clear, as Dore is a controversial figure even among the Progressive left, this show is left of me.  That said 

I absolutely keep an ear to what Jimmy Dore has to say about issues.  He's older than me, and so has seen the politics 

of the left play out for much longer.  So while my anger doesn't match his I can imagine why it is there and view it 

as necessary given the state of affairs.  

I've avoided the storming of the Capitol because certain issues are simply too big and intense for me to process.  This 

basic rundown of what happened, and the confusion of the mixed response of the police as well as concerns about the President being 

censored approximates my own concerns and confusion.

Bernie moves into a position of power in the Senate.

The House Progressive Fanction just failed to throw their respective weight around in #forceTheVote.

There were two Bernies of 2016 vs 2020 insofar as willingness to confront the Demo ...read more

Bernie moves into a position of power in the Senate.

The House Progressive Fanction just failed to throw their respective weight around in #forceTheVote.

There were two Bernies of 2016 vs 2020 insofar as willingness to confront the Democratic party.

AOC did a sit in on day 1 of her first year that put GND on the map.

Warnock is more of a Progressive and may be the most Progressive Democrat in the Senate.

Virgil speculate Democrats may win Georgia due to people seeing Mitch McConnel as the 

villian in the way of the $2000 checks

Some confusion on Biden's success in gaining strenght the suburbs versus Re ...read more

Virgil speculate Democrats may win Georgia due to people seeing Mitch McConnel as the 

villian in the way of the $2000 checks

Some confusion on Biden's success in gaining strenght the suburbs versus Republican percentage 

support of Trump.