We're back with our latest episode, examining how the rope of crony corruption binds our politics asymmetrically - a pattern we've been observing for over twenty years in American politics and media.

The heart of our conversation explores how right-wing media continues to dominate local airwaves while progressive voices face constant scrutiny and advertising challenges. I'll take you back to 2005 to show how little has changed - or how much worse it's gotten.

In other news, FAFO hits federal workers as their own MAGA families fail to sympathize.  And some surprising resistance (and huge audiences) are forming in expected quarters. (Hi, Bernie!)

Join us for this not-safe-for-work discussion as we continue broadcasting from the Cornfield Resistance on March 11, 2025.

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The Professional Left Podcast

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Springfield, Illinois, 62791.

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In this episode of The Professional Left Podcast for March 6, 2025, driftglass and I dive into several breaking news stories that have us asking "Are you KIDDING?"

• Elon Musk's government email address
• Peter Navarro's outlandish claim about Canada
• President Diarrhea Mouth can’t help leaving a huge door open for those suing to stop DOGE
• Republican senators secured a special hotline from Musk.
• Missouri Republicans propose 100% tax credits for you’ll never guess

And Driftglass makes an insightful comparison between L. Ron Hubbard's approach to writing for specific pulp fiction markets and how Democrats keep trying to sell "Democracy is in Danger" to an audience that simply isn't buying.

More at proleftpod.com, where you can also contribute to this podcast via PayPal or at patreon.com/proleftpod 

 or mail contributions to 

The Professional Left Podcast

PO Box 9133

Springfield, Illinois, 62791.

Not safe for work!

Support the show

In our latest episode, we dissect how prominent news outlets like the Associated Press are sanitizing Trump's increasingly unhinged behavior, literally editing out his most bizarre moments from official transcripts. From the shocking Oval Office encounter with Zelensky to the ongoing media capitulation, we show how journalism is failing in real time.

We explore the deep shame many Americans feel as our country becomes increasingly aligned with authoritarian regimes, sharing insights from unexpected sources like David Brooks (yes, THAT David Brooks), who describes a profound moral injury to the nation. We discuss the continued spinelessness of Republican lawmakers and the systemic failures that have brought us to this moment.

Our news roundup covers the devastating cuts to scientific research, the purge of federal workers, and the ongoing assault on democratic institutions. We examine how Trump's administration is dismantling everything from social services to international aid, with a particular focus on the impact on research, USAID programs, and endangered TREES. (As if we could hate him more than we do.) 

As always, we bring our trademark blend of righteous anger, dark humor, and unflinching analysis, asking the hard questions about how we got here and what we can do to resist.

Content Warning: Contains explicit language and, you know, "direct" political commentary.

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In this episode of The Professional Left Podcast, we dive into the Trump administration's continuing assault on American democracy and institutions.

We start with our "News Roundup," covering the DOGE cuts, government firings, and acts of resistance within federal agencies. We also discuss Trump's controversial "Gold Card" citizenship program, the shocking U.S. vote against a U.N. resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the purge of top military leadership, and the numerous legal challenges to the administration's actions.

We then turn our attention to media capitulation, examining MSNBC's firing of on-air personalities of color and The Washington Post's transformation under Jeff Bezos into what we describe as "the Amazon corporation house organ."

We also critique "Independent Centrists" and their failed attempts to create movements based on the fallacy of "extremes on both sides." We argue that these efforts are marketing solutions to ideological problems that can never succeed.

We conclude with a thoughtful discussion of effective messaging strategies for Democrats. We weigh approaches that focus on democracy versus kitchen table issues and emphasize the importance of being proud Democrats with a clear vision.

Content Warning: Contains explicit language and direct, ahem, political commentary.

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Sorry folks, DG is getting over a sniffle and is coughing too much to podcast today.  See you Thursday! 

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Episode 878 of The Professional Left Podcast examines how the Republican party built a "democracy-destroying machine" over 50 years, and why attempts by Never Trumpers to reform it from within consistently fail. The hosts analyze a recent Bari Weiss column as a case study of how conservative critics must attack Democrats and marginalized groups to establish credibility with the MAGA base. They discuss recent developments including Trump's attacks on Zelenskyy, Nikki Haley's "evolving" (revolving) stance on Trump, and Kash Patel as FBI director. The episode includes commentary on Senate #FAIL, astronauts pushing back against Elon Musk's claims, and concludes with a brand new "Thursdays with Royko". 

Note: This podcast contains explicit language and is not safe for work.

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It's time to explore "Resistance Theater" through two powerful World War II-era films: "Passage to Marseilles" (1944) and "Pimpernel Smith" (1941). These classic propaganda films draw fascinating parallels to current events, and it's worth examining how MAGA forces are attempting to erase and rewrite history through modern tactics. From book banning at military bases to corporate attempts to appease Trump, this episode analyzes how resistance to fascism remains relevant today. The episode includes discussions of historic films while tying them to contemporary threats to democracy, media manipulation, and the importance of preserving historical truth. This wide-ranging conversation also covers notable news, including Wisconsin voting rights, DeJoy's departure from USPS, Trump's Ukraine plans, and Musk's invasion of YOUR Social Security data. 

This podcast is not safe for work.

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Content warning: Contains strong language and adult themes. Not safe for work or children.

In this spicy episode, Blue Gal and Driftglass explore the history and strategic importance of profanity in political discourse. They particularly focus on how the mainstream media's obsession with "civility" has been weaponized against progressives. They trace this phenomenon from David Broder's pearl-clutching about "vituperative" liberal bloggers to today's both-sides coverage of Trump's attacks on the press.

The hosts examine how the media rushed to defend Fox News when Obama questioned their legitimacy while remaining largely silent as Trump systematically excluded mainstream outlets from coverage. They also cover significant developments, including Trump's lawsuit against CBS, mass firings of inspectors general, devastating proposed Medicaid cuts, and Elon Musk's expanding influence over federal agencies.

The Professional Left is recorded live from the Cornfield Resistance. You can  support the podcast at proleftpod.com.

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In this episode of The Professional Left Podcast, hosts Blue Gal and Driftglass discuss the impact of Trump's recent federal funding freeze on American farmers, particularly those who supported him in the 2024 election. They examine multiple news reports from across the country showing how farmers are facing financial hardship after Trump halted various USDA programs, including conservation projects and foreign food aid initiatives.

The hosts analyze the viral story of Skylar Holden, a young Trump-supporting cattle farmer whose TikTok video about potentially losing his farm garnered significant attention, along with the measured response from veteran farmer Will Westmoreland. They explore the broader themes of accountability, political narratives, and the persistent "both sides" rhetoric that enables voters to avoid confronting the consequences of their choices.

The episode concludes with an extensive news roundup covering recent actions by the Trump administration, including changes to military academy oversight, foreign policy decisions, and various executive orders. The hosts also discuss local politics in Illinois and share ways listeners can take action through initiatives like the 5 Calls app and postcard writing campaigns.

Episode artwork by Bluegal with an assist from StableDiffusionWeb.com

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Recorded February 11, 2025. It's not safe for work, but it is safe for democracy.

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Content warning: Not safe for work.

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The Professional Left Podcast #874: Federal jobs and local economies are in chaos as Trump and Musk wreak havoc at USAID and beyond. Driftglass and Blue Gal break down how Republican propaganda keeps winning despite their awful job creation record, and why some Never Trumpers can't quit bashing Democrats. 

The hosts dig into research showing Dems are way better at creating jobs (shocking, right?), while Republicans excel at... lying about it. From Trump's whiplash-inducing tariff decisions to his sketchy State Department picks, and from NASA scrubbing diversity mentions to protests at USAID - it's been quite a week at the Cornfield Resistance.

Links for this episode: 

Pew Research on jobs:  https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/07/what-the-data-says-about-federal-workers/

Driftglass and Digby on the Bradcast 2/5/2025  https://bradblog.com/?p=15297

Driftglass and Blue Gal on The Cliff Schecter Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tb0TkDaY3M 

Episode artwork by Bluegal

Subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts or check out proleftpod.com for more info and ways to contribute.

Recorded February 6, 2025. It's not safe for work, but it is safe for democracy.

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