Last Rants: Musings from an Empire on the Edge

Alyson is back for Season 2 and this time she’s bringing friends! Starting this episode Alyson will be joined by a variety of progressive folks to talk about what’s going on in the world, ways we can contribute to making it better.We kick off joined by Kennedy Allen, of Women at Warp, Your Away Team, & The Black Tribbles. Among other things we talk about our mixed feelings about the incoming administration, the disaster that calls itself the GOP, class driven racism, vaccines,and we end with a conversation about Star Trek Discovery in the Raves segment! #IDIC Our Trek conversation was SO long in fact, that I was only able to fit a few short pieces of it into this episode! BUT Patrons will get to hear us gab more about Discovery and a bit of other Trek because I will be releasing a longer cut of our conversation as a Bonus Episode by this weekend through Patreon! www.LastRants.comIn this Episode: Hello- Hello from Alyson, Welcome Kennedy Allen!State of the Empire: What to expect when you're expecting the Biden AdministrationWho Are We: Welp, the GOP is a MESSAction of the Week: Support Mill Creek Urban FarmLet’s Talk About Words: VaccinesRaves: Star Trek Discovery S3 (SPOILER ALERT)Final Thoughts: Thank you and so long from Alyson & KennedyLinks to $#!t we mentioned: Join Our Patron Community Mill Creek Urban FarmCovid Readi Sign Up Women At WarpYour Away TeamKennedy's Twitter (Don't Fuck Around or Your Will Find Out ;) Songs Parodies in this Episode:The Wellerman - Whaling Song having a WHOLE moment on TikTok, &Jolene - Dolly Parton

Last Rants Season 2: Rant HarderMore RantsMore RavesMore SillinessNow with Guests!Smash that Subscribe Button & we'll be in your ears soon! Until then, keep your eyes peeled, your mind open, and your heart on.

Somehow it's Election Day 2020 and we are about to watch the ass try to kick the elephant... or something . Today Alyson talks about why our episodes have not been coming out as scheduled for the last few weeks, and shares a few last minute thoughts as we brace ourselves for... Whatever The Fuck Is About To Happen. Good Luck, America! www.LastRants.comIn this Episode: 00:00:00 - Hello: An Apology - I know I've been MIA with content, and I'm sorry. Here's what's been going on.00:06:45 - Election Expectations- Put on your patience pants with me.00:14:39 - Final Thoughts- Be kind to each other right now. Shit's rough all around.Links to $#!t we mentioned: State by State Election Result Certification DeadlinesIf you still need info on how/where to voteMy Music Video about what a jerk the Angry Orange is.

Hello everyone, Alyson here. I’m taking a cue from Heather Cox Richardson, and listening to Self Care Saru and taking this Sunday off cuz I’m honestly… just burnt the fuck out. I’ll be back next Sunday with another full episodeUntil then, keep your eyes peeled, you mind open, and your heart on...

In this BONUS Wednesday pod, Alyson goes over the Philly races and Ballot Questions that she gets to weigh in on, in hopes that it'll help the rest of you out there to be comfortable with your ballots/the info you'll see when you head to the polls on November 3rd! www.LastRants.comIn this Episode: 00:00:00 - Hello: Ballot instructions00:07:10 - Presidential Race - Biden/Harris and why Jo Jorgenson SUUUUUCKS00:11:00 - US Congress District 3 - Dwight Evans00:12:08 - PA Auditor General - Nancy Ahmad 00:13:40 - PA Attorney General - Josh Shapiro00:15:15 - PA State Treasurer- Joseph Torsella00:16:02 - PA House District 186 - Jordan Harris00:17:17 - Ballot Questions- Why They're So Important00:20:05 - Ballot Question 1- Stop & Frisk00:21:22 - Ballot Question 2- Philly Office of the Victim Advocate00:25:07 - Ballot Question 3- Citizen's Police Oversight Commission00:29:50 - Ballot Question 4- Borrowing forMunicipal Funding 00:29:50 - Action of the Week Reminder- Count the Mail In Ballots Early!00:31:17 - Final Thoughts- Ready to Drop Off! How did the election get here so fast??? Yeesh!Links to $#!t we mentioned: Join Our Patron CommunityLook up YOUR ballot before you go vote on BallotOPedia!Questions or Concerns about Philly BallotsUnion of Concerned Scientists Premade Letter to Sign & send to PA LawmakersPA Lawmakers Contact Info to send your own letterPA Mail In Ballot Drop Off Locations

This week was full of all sorts of useless political content on the teevee. Alyson talks about the dueling town halls and Amy Coney Barret’s Supreme Court Nomination hearings in case you didn't have the time to watch, cuz who the fuck does? Plus we talk about the hypocrisy of the GOP breaking voting laws by setting up their own ballot collection boxes, why people whining about freedom of speech infringement is bullshit, and celebrate how fucking gay the 2020 election is! Gnyaaaaaaassssss!www.LastRants.comIn this Episode: 00:00:00 - Hello: An announcement & a Census update00:04:30 - State of the Empire: Useless ACB omination hearings00:20:33 - Tote Bag Winner Announcement! 00:22:15 - Who Are We: Dueling Town Halls00:31:53 - Be Heard: GOP refuses to take down unofficial ballot boxes00:36:01 - Action of the Week: Tell PA Lawmakers to start counting Mail In Ballots NOW!00:40:57 - Let’s Talk About Words: Freedom of Speech00:46:06 - Raves: Gnyasssss! 500+ LGBTQ+ candidates are running for office!00:51:10 - Final Thoughts: Reminder about This Coming Wednesday’s Bonus Pod where I’ll go through my PA Mail In Ballot process. Links to $#!t we mentioned: Join Our Patron CommunityUnion of Concerned Scientists Premade Letter to Sign & send to PA LawmakersPA Lawmakers Contact Info to send your own letterBrian Simms' Rants About Dangerous GOP Covid RecklessnessCheck out the 500+ Queer Candidates on VictoryFund.org

This week feels like a hangover! We talk about Kamala & Mike’s Wednesdsay night showdown at the VP debate, Connect some dots of the Evil Cheeto’s reckless behavior, and celebrate National Coming Out day, even in the pandemic. Plus Alyson parodies more 80’s shit cuz let’s be real, she would have loved to be 20 in 1984 instead of being born that year. Win a stylish Last Rants Tote Bag just by Subscribing, Rating & Reviewing our podcast! Winner announced on our show on October 18th 2020! (that's next week!) www.LastRants.comIn this Episode: Who Are We: A look at The Vice Presidential DebateState of the Empire: Patterns of irresponsibility from the White House Action of the Week: The Union of Concerned Scientists Be Heard: It’s National Coming Out Day!Let’s Talk About Words: Bisexuality & MeRaves: N.K. Jemisin awarded MacArthur Genius Grant!Links to $#!t we mentioned: Join Our Patron CommunityThe Union of Concerned Scientists WebsiteThe Union Of Concerned Scientists Calls To ActionPhilly Outfest Youtube ChannelMacarthur Fellowship/ Genius Grant Recipients See You Next Sunday, cuz if it's Sunday, the last day of the week, it's time for Last Rants.

The Evil Cheeto caught Corona in the wake of a sh!tshow debate. We talk about that, the latest in voter suppression, and census news and Alyson gifts you with possibly the best (worst) Disturbed "ooo-wah ah ah ah" you ever did hear! Win a Last Rants Tote Bag just by subscribing, rating, & reviewing! Winner announced on our October 18th show! www.LastRants.comState of the Empire: The Coronavirus In ChiefWho Are We: The First Presidential DebateBe Heard: This week in Voter SuppressionLet’s Talk About Words: Systemic Racism - Your Mom StyleAction of the Week: Fill out your damn Census!Raves: "The Disposessed by Ursula K LeGuinLinks to $#!t we mentioned: Join Our Patron Community"Bad Things Happen In Philly" T Shirts by Johnny Destructo2020Census.gov"The Disposessed" by Ursula K LeGuinVideo About Naked Ballots in Pennsylvania

Disappointment abounds as we learn about the indictments the Grand Jury handed down in Kentucky, and Breonna's killers seem t be escaping justice. Plus the Big Ol' Baby in Chief continues to say he might not step down, and wrongly insists the election is already rigged against him, and that results must be announced on election night, even if ballots are left uncounted, cuz he knows the dems are voting by mail. Win a Last Rants Tote Bag just by subscribing, rating, & reviewing! Winner announced on our October 18th show! www.LastRants.comIn this Episode: 00:00:00 - Hello: a lil bit on RBG and the next nominee, Amy Coney Barrett00:06:30 - Who Are We: Injustice for Breonna Taylor00:21:15 - Be Heard: Protests against police brutality are flaring up again00:27:15 - Let’s Talk About Words: Law & Order00:29:50 - Tote Bag Giveaway: You could be a winner!00:30:55 - State of the Empire: Angry Orange threatens not to leave00:42:01 - Action of the Week: Naked Ballots, join protests, manage expectations00:46:06 - Raves: Crochet? Home Made Laundry Soap, & New Patrons!!00:50:15 - Final Thoughts: Hope you're wellLinks to $#!t we mentioned: Join Our Patron CommunityWhen does my state allow mail in ballots to start being counted?Video About Naked Ballots in PennsylvaniaStill trying to find link to protest organization that I referenced in the show, It was something her lawyers talked about the other day but I'm having trouble nailing down specifics, in the mean time: Know Your Rights: A Guide to Protestor's Rights from the ACLU

It's Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, Ruth Bader Ginsberg has passed and women in the US are STILL receiving forced sterilizations. It's been a rough news week. We'll also talk a bit about how we can fight voter suppression, and Alyson sings more parodies of showtunes than she usually does, sorry & you're welcome! Win a Last Rants Tote Bag just by subscribing, rating, & reviewing! Winner announced on our October 18th show! www.LastRants.comIn this Episode: 00:00:00 - Hello: Oy00:01:14 - Who Are We: The Notorious R.B.G.00:06:19 - Let’s Talk About Words: Eugenics00:11:06 - State of the Empire: Forced Sterilization in the US00:23:30 - Be Heard: Stacey Abrams & Fair Fight00:26:17 - Action of the Week: Call Your Senators: No SCOTUS vote until AFTER the election & Support Fair Fight00:30:06 - Tote Bag Giveaway: You could be a winner!00:32:00 - Raves: Talk Like a Pirate Day, Rosh Hashanah00:38:48 - Oops I Did It Again: Sorry, Mike!00:41:52 - Final Thoughts: Here's to a better week NEXT weekLinks to $#!t we mentioned: Join Our Patron CommunityAll In: The Fight for Democracy (Documentary)FairFight.com Look Up Your Senator's Contact Information so you can tell them to refuse a new Supreme Court Nominee until AFTER the election!

The West Coast is ablaze so we take a lil looksee at climate policy from both presidential candidates. Meanwhile the nation celebrates Labor Day, Patriot Day, & Grandparents Day, and Alyson offers up some seasonally appropriate holiday carols!Win a Last Rants Tote Bag just by subscribing, rating, & reviewing! Winner announced on our October 18th show! www.LastRants.comIn this Episode: 00:00:00 - Hello: Just a quick hello00:01:27 - Who Are We: Literally on fire, Biden and the Orange Menace's climate platforms00:14:59 - Tote Bag Giveaway: You could be a winner!00:16:04- Be Heard: Labor Day00:20:43 - State of the Empire: Patriot Day & the numbers behind 9/1100:26:59 - Let’s Talk About Words: Patriotism Vs Nationalism00:31:06 - Action of the Week: Post your plan!00:34:13 - Raves: Grandparents Day & My Amazing Patrons!00:37:50 - Final Thoughts: Holy $#!+- I'm a podcaster now!Links to $#!t we mentioned: Join Our Patron Community

As the 2020 Presidential Election draws near, Alyson talks about who she's voting for, why she's voting for them, and why she thinks you should too. We'll talk about voter abstention and third party voting, and accepting reality even when we're not thrilled about it. We recognize that our democracy's issues are bigger than just one election, but that doesn't mean it's not important, so let's get into it.Win a Last Rants Tote Bag just by subscribing, rating, & reviewing! Winner announced on our October 18th show! www.LastRants.comIn this Episode: 0:00:00 - Hello: The Horse Race, Gotta oust the Evil Cheeto0:06:57 - Let’s Talk About Words: Abstention 0:14:50 - State of the Empire: 3rd Party Voting0:23:00 - Tote Bag Giveaway: You could be a winner!0:24:49 - Who Are We: Ugh, Fine. 5 Reasons I'm (SPOILER) Endorsing Biden/Harris0:43:26 - Be Heard: Ditch Mitch0:47:30 - Action of the Week: Get To Know Your Ballot0:53:38 - Raves: Representation!0:55:51 - Final Thoughts: Buses & Boxing Links to $#!t we mentioned: Join Our Patron CommunityBallotOPedia.org Sample Ballot LookupUntil next time, keep your eyes peeled, your mind open, and your heart on.

Is American Democracy F#@&$d? Our first EVER episode will introduce you to the show, and get us all on the same page as to why we're worried. Climate change, disease, voter disenfranchisement, violence in the streets... are we repeating the mistakes of fallen empires of the past? Laugh, cry, scream & sing along with Alyson as we talk it over!Win a Last Rants Tote Bag just by subscribing, rating, & reviewing! Winner announced on our October 18th show! www.LastRants.comIn this Episode: 0:00:00 - Hello: Disclaimers, What to Expect on Last Rants0:08:54 - State of the Empire: How do we know we're on the edge?0:32:28 - Who Are We: Sane leadership matters!0:41:38 - Tote Bag Giveaway: You could be a winner!0:43:30 - Be Heard: The Importance of Activism0:52:44 - Action of the Week: Step 1 of MANY- Register to Vote!0:58:44 - Let’s Talk About Words: Carpe Diem 1:04:07 - Raves: We have a dream1:08:26 - Final Thoughts: An apology and a whole buncha gratitude

Coming September 13th, 2020! Last Rants: Musings from an Empire on the Edge! Subscribe today to be notified when we launch!Politics, and Activism, and Parody, Oh My! Join progressive performer and activist Alyson Rodriguez Orenstein as she uses her passion for politics, performance, and pastiche to discuss the state of our nation's democracy, who we are as a people, and what we can do in the face of potential disaster.Last Rants is a weekly news & opinion podcast unafraid to talk about America’s need for true systemic change while recognizing the need to laugh in the face of such a ridiculous world. Will our democracy fall off a cliff? Let’s talk about it! Every Sunday, the last day of the week, brings another episode of Last Rants: Musings From an Empire on the Edge. www.LastRants.com