SPS

On this episode of SPS, Pamela N. and Platypus member Adrienne F. interview Nadine Strossen, an American legal scholar and civil liberties activist. Strossen served as the president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from 1991 to 2008; she is currently a senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Education Expression (FIRE); and is the author of Free Speech: What Everyone Needs to Know (2023). We discuss her history on the Left, her relationship to the antiwar movement, the Students for a Democratic Society, and radical & progressive positions today. We also take up the recent illiberal turn in society, and what if any effect it has had on the ACLU, as well as her proposed solutions. Finally, we take a critical look at demands by the Left to reform the Supreme Court.

If you live in the East Coast, Platypus is hosting its annual East Coast Conference in Boston on Oct 11-13. There will be a variety of panels, teach-ins and social gatherings. Panels include, "The American Revolution and Communism" held at Boston College on 10.12 and "The Role of Theory in Defeat," at Harvard University on 10.13. More information will be available at:

https://www.facebook.com/platypusbc | https://x.com/BcPlatypus | https://www.instagram.com/platypusbc/

The French chapter of Platypus is holding a virtual panel, on "Popular Front Politics Today," held in French on Sat Sept 28 via Zoom. The panel will feature, Gilles Candar, Aymeric Monville, and a member of the Spartacist League. More information will be available at: https://www.instagram.com/platypusfrance

LINKS

- Strossen, Free Speech: What Everyone Needs to Know (2023)

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/free-speech-9780197699652

- Strossen, Hate: Why We Should Resist It With Free Speech, Not Censorship (2018)

https://www.amazon.com/-/en/Nadine-Strossen/dp/0190859121

- Strossen, Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women's Rights (1995, new ed. 2024)

https://nyupress.org/9781479830763/defending-pornography/

- Nogales, “The Cancel Wars: The Legacy of the Cultural Turn in the Age of Trump” in Platypus Review 131 (November 2020)

https://platypus1917.org/2020/11/01/the-cancel-wars-the-legacy-of-the-cultural-turn-in-the-age-of-trump/

- ACLU Case Selection Guidelines (2017)

https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_document/aclu_case_selection_guidelines.pdf

- Strossen, “The First Amendment Doesn’t Protect White Supremacists Behind Violent Charlottesville Rallies,” LA Progressive Newsletter, Dec. 7, 2021

- Strossen, “Charlottesville Three Years Later: The First Amendment Confronts Hate and Violence,” Los Angeles Review of Books, Aug. 10, 2020

- Strossen, “The Interdependence of Racial Justice and Free Speech for Racists,” 1 Journal of Free Speech Law 51-70 (2021)

- Moyn, “Socialists Have Long Fought to Disempower the Supreme Court. That’s More Urgent Than Ever Now,” Jacobin (2020)

https://jacobin.com/2020/09/supreme-court-socialists-ruth-bader-ginsburg-death

- Cotlin, “Mayor Eric Adams, DSA agree: expand the court” City & State New York (2023)

https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2023/02/mayor-eric-adams-dsa-agree-expand-court/383006/

- Lazare, “A central driver” in the Weekly Worker (2021)

https://weeklyworker.co.uk/worker/1337/a-central-driver/

- Strossen on SCOTUS term limits, in “Forum: What’s the Matter With the Supreme Court? And what can be done to fix it?” in The Nation (2018)

https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/forum-whats-the-matter-with-the-supreme-court/

- Sublation Media with Doug Lain, “Nadine Strossen Talks to Marxists” (2023)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gd5-KoOosA

- “The Politics of Free Speech,” (04/06/24) Platypus International Convention 2024 panel, Chicago, IL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anorBcUZ-uE

- "Free Speech and the Left," Platypus virtual panel (05/02/24),

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9xc0IIKUz8

On this episode of SPS, Sophia and Pam hammer out whether or not Kamala Harris IS brat. They discuss the Republican National Convention and the consolidation of the new Republican Party under Trump. In the main segment, Andreas W and Pam N. sit down with Platypus members Ali (Australian National University), Hayes (University of Chicago) and Eli (University of Leipzig) to reflect on the recent pro-Palestinian protests on campus. The episode features recorded interviews with protestors led by Platypus members from around the globe including, Australia, Germany, and the United States. However, these are but a small sample of the on-site conversations led by our members. If you’d like to hear the rest of the interviews, you can find them here: https://t.ly/Fqg53

Episode Links:

Platypus Israel-Palestine panels after October 7, 2023

- 11/29/24 Corvallis: https://youtu.be/lDnRfYh5tLs?si=Iu5wQ8p30LqT91cq

- 11/29/23 UChicago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw0Rc_3Hn88&t=6487s

- 12/3/23 German online panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGkf83h52MY&t=289s

- 12/06/23 Santa Cruz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IuYSQqasSg&list=PLNc4xGUuaRwn1wDxSIXSSX-S1MKyhNKPu&index=21

- 12/14/23 London: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbkjXoH-jdo

- 3/7/24 Northwestern: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaTBLI-ACl0

- 3/11/24 NYU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r3Ye10EyOE&list=PLNc4xGUuaRwn1wDxSIXSSX-S1MKyhNKPu&index=18

- 7/20/24 online panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3brvk76nV4&list=PLNc4xGUuaRwn1wDxSIXSSX-S1MKyhNKPu&index=22

- “Jews and the Socialist Movement” (5/21/24), a Platypus teach-in at the University of Chicago, led by Tony Michels (Professor of American Jewish History, University of Wisconsin). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uigzH4eMA5s

- Erin Hagood, “Have we unlearned how to learn? 1968 and today,” originally given as a teach-in at Columbia University and at the New School occupation in April 2024, published in Platypus Review 168 (July - August 2024). https://platypus1917.org/2024/07/01/have-we-unlearned-how-to-learn-1968-and-today/

Original soundtracks by Tamas Vilaghy

Editing work by Michael Woodson

To learn more about Platypus, go to platypus1917.org

Episode 66 comes in two parts.

In our first segment, Lisa sits down with German members Jan and Henry to discuss post-neoliberal transformations in German politics, understood through the AfD and Sahra Wagenknecht's split from Die Linke.

In the second segment, Andony talks with fellow West Coast members Octavio, Colin, Ishmael, and Hoang about anarchism on the West Coast, reflecting on the Heart of the Valley Anti-Capitalist Bookfair held in Corvallis, Oregon, and the inaugural Platypus West Coast Conference held in San Diego this February. They discuss the resurgence of anarchism under the Biden presidency in the context of long-standing anarchist traditions on the West Coast.

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Further discussions of German politics (in German):

- Was ist DIE LINKE? (13.6.21 Frankfurt)

transcript: https://platypus1917.org/2022/08/31/podium_2021_linkspartei/

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZZb7BZp_bY

- Redefreiheit und die Linke (4.11.23 Leipzig)

audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rf7K5h3h64

Further materials on anarchism:

- Heart of the Valley Anti-Capitalist Bookfair (19-21 January 2024): https://hotvbookfair.noblogs.org

- Dual Power: A Strategy To Build Socialism In Our Time (DSA Libertarian Socialist Caucus, 2018): https://dsa-lsc.org/2018/12/31/dual-power-a-strategy-to-build-socialism-in-our-time/

- Reimagining Revolutionary Organizing: A Vision for Dual Power (Institute for Anarchist Studies, 2019): https://anarchiststudies.org/reimagining-revolutionary-organizing-a-vision-for-dual-power/

- Against dogmatic abstraction: A critique of Cindy Milstein on anarchism and Marxism (Platypus Review, 2010): https://platypus1917.org/2010/07/01/against-dogmatic-abstraction/

- Social anarchism or lifestyle anarchism: an unbridgeable chasm (Murray Bookchin, 1995): https://libcom.org/article/social-anarchism-or-lifestyle-anarchism-unbridgeable-chasm-murray-bookchin

- Whither anarchism? An interview with Kristian Williams (Platypus Review, 2021): https://platypus1917.org/2021/03/01/whither-anarchism-an-interview-with-kristian-williams/

- Reform, Revolution, and “Resistance:” The problematic forms of “anticapitalism” today (2/18/24 San Diego)

audio: https://archive.org/details/reform-resistance-revolution-san-diego

Episode 65 comes in two parts: In the first segment, Andreas talks with Platypus members Clay (Chicago) and Ethan (Philadelphia) about the upcoming Platypus International Convention, taking place in Chicago April 4-7 under the title "What is Left after Trump?". They discuss the various panel topics of this year's 16th Platypus Convention as well as why we keep hosting them. More information can be found at https://sites.google.com/view/whatisleft2024

In our second segment we welcome a triumphant return of the Shit Platypus Does segment - Lisa and Rebekah sit down with members Thuy Linh (Berlin), Noah (Cologne) and Liv (New School) to reflect on the European Conference, held in Berlin at the end of January this year: What did we learn about "The Legacy of Lenin" ?

Panels from the 2024 European Conference:

Legacy of Lenin panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoX0unyoPX4

Building a Marxist Mass Party Anew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ban_NkqrEVE

Krise im sozialistischen Lager (in German): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiYby-ScT8U

Further videos of events can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@PlatypusAffiliatedSociety

Visit our website at http://platypus1917.org

In this episode of Shit Platypus Says, we introduce the first segment of Reds, a series examining the growth of new communist organizations around the world.

Hosts Tamas, Lisa, and Rebekah discuss the impetus for such a series: the sudden growth of self-styled communist organizations after a decade of social democratic activity on the Left and a dissatisfaction with liberal politics; a related revision occurring within Trotskyist organizations; and the historical echoes and discontinuities raised by the transition from the Millennial to the Zoomer generation.

For the bulk of the segment, our inaugural segment of Reds, Melbourne Platypus members Ryan and Tom sit down with Jamie and Anthony of the Revolutionary Communist Organisation and its Collective of Leninist Youth, based in Australia, for a discussion about its current outlook, challenges, and tasks.

The RCO appeared on a panel discussion held by Platypus Melbourne:

“Imperialism: What is it, and why should we be against it?” (Dec 2 2023 panel): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLSj2IZOgpg

More info about the Revolutionary Communist Organisation (RCO):

Program: https://www.revcomorg.info/general-clean

Publication “Direct Action”: https://directactionnewcastle.wordpress.com/direct-action-rco/

Queer liberation paper: https://www.revcomorg.info/projecto-1

Collective of Leninist Youth (CLY):

Publication “Red Youth Spectre”: www.tinyurl.com/redyouthspectre

Andreas sits down with Berlin-based members Jakob and Tamas to discuss the upcoming sixth annual Platypus European Conference, set to take place January 25th through the 27th.

Further info can be found at:

https://100yearsafterlenin.com

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A century after Lenin’s death, the Platypus Affiliated Society aims to critically examine the legacy of the failure of world revolution. Our sixth annual European Conference provides the time to reflect on the nightmare of the twentieth century through teach-ins, panel discussions, and presentations by international Leftist organizations. We hope thus to contribute to overcoming the present obstacles to any future emancipatory Left.

The Left is dead! Long live the Left!

Ein Jahrhundert nach dem Tod Lenins sucht die Platypus Affiliated Society nach einer kritischen Auseinandersetzung mit dem Erbe der gescheiterten Weltrevolution. Unsere sechste europäische Konferenz bietet Raum zur Reflexion über den Albtraum des Zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts – mit Teach-ins, Podiumsdiskussionen und Präsentationen internationaler linker Organisationen. Wir hoffen, damit einen Beitrag zur Überwindung der Hindernisse zu leisten, die heute der Formation einer emanzipatorischen Linken entgegenstehen.

Die Linke ist tot! Lang lebe die Linke!

This special holiday episode of SPS comes in three parts: (1) In order to make sense of the present, Platypus is hosting an international series of panels "Left Perspectives on the Israel-Palestine Conflict". In the first segment, member Gabe G. and Pamela N. reflect on the first panel of the series, which took place at the University of Chicago. They take up disagreements as well as the assumed agreement and the response from the audience. (2) In the second segment you'll hear soundbites and brief interviews from pro-Palestine rallies recorded by our members in Philadelphia and Auckland, New Zealand. (3) The third part is a deep dive into the Platypus archives. The current conflict has prompted Rebekkah and Lisa to speak with our member Ian M. about past engagements from our archives. They talked about the founding moment of Platypus as well as past panel initiatives on the politics of solidarity and decolonization.

References from the Segment Reflecting on the Israel-Palestine Panel

- Teach-in Pamela N.: History and Helplessness (UChicago, 09 November 2023)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9BX4HGK1m8&t=148s&ab_channel=PlatypusAffiliatedSociety

- Left Perspectives On The Israel Palestine Conflict (Platypus UChicago, 29 November 29 2023)

https://youtu.be/Nw0Rc_3Hn88?si=OX1c-WYyfWvSIb7S


- Left Perspectives On The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Platypus Oregon State University, November 29, 2023)

https://youtu.be/lDnRfYh5tLs?si=qtf2XnPfjLs5jsG

- Imperialism! What is it, and why should we be against it? (Platypus Melbourne, 02 December 2023)

https://www.youtube.com/live/rLSj2IZOgpg?si=S4QMnYg_NpH5mgeF

- Linke Perspektiven auf den Nahostkonflikt (Platypus Germany, 03 December 2023)

https://youtu.be/OGkf83h52MY?si=BHi0Dz_WKWl2_lGX

- Left Perspectives On The Israel Palestine Conflict (Platypus London, 14 December 2023)

https://archive.org/details/left-perspectives-on-the-israel-palestine-conflict-platypus-london

- The Politics of War and Peace (Platypus Northwestern University, 17 November 2023)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACIzgf-mEi8&ab_channel=PlatypusAffiliatedSociety

References from the Archive Segment:

- 2006: Moishe Postone, “History and helplessness: Mass mobilization and contemporary forms of anticapitalism”

https://platypus1917.org/wp-content/uploads/readings/postonemoishe_historyhelplessness.pdf

- 2008: Ian Morrison, “Ba’athism and the history of the Left in Iraq: Violence and politics”

https://platypus1917.org/2008/03/01/baathism-and-the-history-of-the-left-in-iraq-violence-and-politics/

- 2010: Against the status quo: An Interview with Iranian trade unionist Homayoun Pourzad

https://platypus1917.org/2010/01/08/against-the-status-quo-an-interview-with-iranian-trade-unionist-homayoun-pourzad/

- 2021: Panel "The Politics of Solidarity: Israel, Palestine, and the Left" w/ Yoav Gal Tamir (Da'am Workers' Party), Arash Azizi (Left Party of Iran {People's Fedaian), Marco (Angry Workers of the World), Moshé Machover (founder - Israeli Socialist Organisation and its publication Matzpen) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORoCuGAPheQ&t=12s

- 2010: Which Way Forward for Palestinian Liberation? (w/ Richard Rubin, Joel Kovel, Hussein Ibish)

https://platypus1917.org/2010/04/08/which-way-forward-for-palestinian-liberation-platypus-review/

- 2023: Panel "Decolonisation and the Left" w/ Ralph Leonard, James Heartfield, Andrew Sanchez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfScpu06K_o

- ​​2010: Initiative Sozialistisches Forum, “Communism and Israel”

https://platypus1917.org/2010/10/08/communism-and-israel/

- 2023: Teach-in Pamela N.: History and Helplessness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9BX4HGK1m8&t=148s&ab_channel=PlatypusAffiliatedSociety

- 2023: Teach-in Lucy P.: The Anti War Movement, Platypus And The Death Of The Millennial Left

https://archive.org/details/antiwarmovementteach-in

Platypus European Conference, 25 - 27 Jan. 2024 in Berlin

https://100yearsafterlenin.com/

We discuss this year's protests in France around police brutality, pension reform, and cost of living with our members Lucas from Bretagne and Paul from Vienna, as well as check in with Parisian protestors with Kristian.

To stay up to date with Platypus France, get in touch at:

platypusfrance [at] gmail [dot] com

or visit:

https://www.platypusfrance.org

On this special back-to-school episode of SPS, Pamela & Laurie discuss the recent Russell Brand controversy. Brand has been in the news lately, under some heat, as a result of public allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. We take this up in the context of the ongoing sex panic and the ongoing transformation of feminism after #metoo, which leads us to discuss the Barbie movie. On the second part of the episode, our members Evan and the current president of Platypus, Erin, sit down with Benjamin Studebaker, the author of the recently published book, The Chronic Crisis of American Democracy: The Way is Shut (2023). Studebaker explains that the crisis of American democracy is deeply embedded in the America economic system, and develops a theory of “legitimacy crisis”. They take this up in their interview and ask some questions about the current state of American politics as well as his formulations of the ends of a Left political movement. We hope you enjoy this expanded edition of SPS, if you like it, leave us a comment and maybe you’ll find more of these longer episodes in the future. If you like the podcast share it and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, it helps us get the word out about the pod.

Links:

- System Update w/ Glenn Greenwald: “New Russell Brand Accusations Deserve Scrutiny & Due Process; Yoel Roth Wails Over Censorship-Regime Backlash; & 4 Republicans Demand Insane Ukraine Escalation” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-russell-brand-accusations-deserve-scrutiny-due/id1669610956?i=1000628426173

-Benjamin Studebaker, The Chronic Crisis of American Democracy: The Way is Shut (2023) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-28210-2

- “What is Marxism for?” A Panel with Benjamin Studebaker, Donald Parkinson, James Heartfield, and Chris Cutrone, PR# 153 (February 2023)

https://platypus1917.org/2023/02/01/what-is-marxism-for/

- “Marxism and liberalism” A Panel with James Heartfield, Spencer Leonard, Anthony Monteiro, and Benjamin Studebaker, PR #150 (October 2022)

https://platypus1917.org/2022/10/01/marxism-and-liberalism-2/

Original soundtracks by Tamas Vilaghy

Editing work by Michael Woodson

In this episode of SPS, Tamas sits down with Aram Shakkour (@ShaqArama) of the Szikra Movement (@SzikraMozgalom), an oppositional movement based around Budapest, Hungary. They discuss the state of leftist politics in Hungary after the oppositional coalition which Szikra supported, United for Hungary, failed to stop Viktor Orbán’s FIDESZ from winning a two-thirds parliamentary majority. With over 54% of the vote, FIDESZ received the highest vote share of any party since the fall of communism. They reflect on the three decades since the “system change,” as the events of 1989 are known in Hungary, and the deeper history of the Left in Hungary in the 20th century

- Szikra's : www.szikramozgalom.hu/about_us

- SPS #44: After the Freedom Convoy & the Hungarian Left Today - https://soundcloud.com/platypus-affiliated-society/ep44