Talking Strategy, Making History

Harold Meyerson is editor at large of Americn Prospect,  Formerly a columnist forrthe Washington Post and the LA Times, a much respected reporter on the labor movement, the Demoratic Partty and California politics.

He was one of the founders of DSA  (Democratic Socialists of America) and we talk to him abut the Demoratic conventions of 2024, 1968 and 1980 (all of which he atttended) --and much else.

Music: Keb Mo, PUT A WOMAN IN CHARGE

Historian Maurice Isserman’s new book: Reds: The Tragedy of American Communism helps us think about how the organized left ought to be organized. We talk about the past’s relevance to the present; Maurice, like us, is an  activist, vitally concerned with building a Left that’s democratic and effective. The episode ends with the voice of Swedish singer-songwriter Molly Nilssen. It’s a track on her just released CD, Unamerican Activiities.  The track is called “American Communist Party” 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

[email protected]

Phyllis Bennis is a unique left journalist, having dedicated her life's work to reporting from the UN and helping the antiwar movements understand international law and diplomacy. She's a long time activist for Palestinian justice, a fellow at the Institute for Policy 'studies, and international advisor for Jewish 'voice for Peace. And an alumna of UC Santa Barbara.

Muisc: David Rovics "This is Genocide"

Daraka & Dick engage with Vladidas Khaykin, anti-semitism specialist with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), abd Matthew Finkelstein, co-founder, Progressive Zionists of California. They spell out their experience of leftwing anti-semitism and we all try to define a common ground for a just peace.
closing music: David Broza "Yiyeh Tov (It will be better)"

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

[email protected]

#35 Talking with Sherene Seikaly, Palestine Scholar
Daraka and Dick converse with one of the leading Palestinian intellectuals in academia. It was an enlightening and heart-wrenching encounter for us--and perhaps you'll feel that as well.
Music: Jerusalem Youth Choir: 'A Different Way"

A conversation with Rosie, a media spokesperson for the Palestinian solidarity encampment at UC Santa Barbara. We talk about why and how she's engaged, the impact of the protest on campus, how participants respond to concerns about anti-semitism, and how she defines the movement's goals. We learned a lot.

Music: Phil Ochs: "I;m gonna say itn now" Declan Griffin is our producer.

Daraka and Dick use the current Columbia student protests as a springboard for examining the way efforts to control the student movement are threatening the framework of campus democracy and free expression--and how and why 'anti-semitism' labelling is being weaponized. Are there ways out of this mess?
closing song: 'it Isn't Nice" by Malvina Reynolds, sung by Barbara Dane & the Chambers Brothers 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

[email protected]

A conversation with Murad  "Moe" Samara, Palestinian American Democratic Party leader, Moe is an envirnmental scientist, ather of five, and a signifiant voice in Sacramento politics.  He describes the gap between the  Biden adminIstration and Arab American and youth Democratic Party activists, expressing hope for a war ending poicy, and fear if there isn't.

Closing music: David Rovics "if a Song Could Raise an Army

Jewish Currents is the magazine of the Jewish Left in the US. Arielle Angel is the remarkably thoughtful and engaged editor-in-chief. We talk about Israel's war on Gaza, the possibilities for the future, anti-semitism and its weaponization--and what is to be done.

Music credit: 'Sholom, Salaam" sung by Ziggy Marley and the Jerusalem Youth Choir