Weeks When Podcasts Happen

Ian is joined by returning guest Yexenia and a new comrade Gavin- both teachers in the Detroit Public schools and members of MI CORE radical teacher's caucus. In a followup to our discussion of Critical Race Theory, we discuss the way history is taught in public schools in the US. We look at some of the common myths and themes (some may even say lies) that pervade the way US history is traditionally covered, and why these misconceptions are damaging more broadly. Reality has a well known communist bias, we just want to teach the facts.

Happy July 26th! Greg and Ian are joined by a new guest Carlos to discuss the dynamics and context of the #SOSCuba movement. We discuss the historical context of US intervention, terrorism, and strangulation of the revolution, and what the Cuban revolution has meant for the Island and the world. We also come up with our new favorite analogy: Detroit is the Cuba of the midwest- targeted for destruction for daring to stand up to the US and the Rich. It's a complex subject but remember, if you find yourself on the same side as the CIA, you might be doing it wrong. 0:00 Intro 4:50 #SOS Cuba and opening thoughts 14:30 Dynamics of US/Cuba Relationship: Colonialism 16:30 Dynamics of US/Cuba Relationship: Communism 23:40 Dynamics of US/Cuba Relationship: US Terrorism and Blockade 40:00 Dynamics of US/Cuba Relationship: Victories of the Revolution 44:33 Dynamics of US/Cuba Relationship: Cuban Internationalism 49:20 Deeper Dive on #SOS Cuba 1:09:00 Why Now? 1:20:00 Detroit is the Cuba of the Midwest 1:34:40 What is at Stake here? 1:47:15 Final thoughts and wrap up

Ian is joined by Sariah and a new guest Yexenia to talk about the ongoing public struggle around Critical Race Theory. Should we teach it, should we not, does any public figure actually know what it means? It turns out both parties lie continuously about history, and being a marxist is good actually. Also s/o to Sariah's smoke detectors for cameoing this episode. learn more about the Michigan Caucus of Rank and File Educators (MiCORE) here

Greg and Ian talk through the hottest new trend: NFT's, or Non Fungible Tokens. Learn what they are, and how owning them really doesn't do much besides empty your bank account. Plus as always- the real problem is capitalism! On the fun side we get a chance to explore the marxist ideas of use value and exchange value, and Greg puts forward a series of bold new business ideas looking for investors.

Ian gets a few minutes to talk with Monica Isaac, one of four members of the Yemeni Liberation Movement currently on hunger strike against the ongoing US support for the war against the Yemeni People. Starvation, covid, and shortages of medicine and fuel are all compounding an ongoing Saudi led war against Yemen, threatening the lives of millions of people. Currently the US has declared it won't sell "offensive weapons" into the conflict, but it has recently actually tightened its blockade of fuel and resources entering the country. Monica and her comrades have begun their strike to demand that the US withdraw its support from the war, end the blockade, and cease selling weapons to support the conflict. Support the movement by: Checking out the YLM link tree Signing their petition Contacting your representative following on instagram following on twitter

We're back! Greg and Ian discuss the swirling rumors around whether Joe Biden will forgive student debts, even as Joe Biden repeatedly says he will not do it. We talk about the need for student debt relief, free higher ed, and why targeted social programs are a myth intended to deny people support. Also Greg invents a drinking game for the podcast.

Greg and Ian are joined by a new guest Vidhya to discuss this week's Gamestop stock extravaganza. We break down what happened and where things are headed. Spoilers: we really like watching rich people cry on tv, and think it's funny that they lost billions of dollars. We discuss the implications of this week, what it should mean for our strategy going forward, and how this relate to the broader struggle against capitalism.

Like any good marxist project, after suffering an electoral/strategic defeat, we embark upon a cultural turn- beginning with a discussion of the star wars prequels. Ian and Greg are joined by past guest Sariah, and new folks Jazz and Sharif. everyone but Ian thinks these are decent movies, Ian thinks that the Republic is an illegitimate oligarchic institution built on human supremacy and an exploitative economic system that operates as little more than a "soft" version of the empire. We only mention Joe Biden 2 times.

Part two of our response to the attack on the capitol, focused more on the implications, aftermath and next steps. Bipartisanship means both parties pass new anti-terror legislation right? Hooray democracy.

In our first two parter- Greg, Marshele, and Ian breakdown the June 6th Capitol protests and some of the aftermath. We talk through what happened, how we felt, how stupid it was, and why we're frustrated. Maybe a mass of pseudo fascists shouldn't be given better treatment than people asking for their basic rights? Stay tuned for part two later this week!

Everything was going according to plan, no one was going to get what they wanted (other than rich people) and the Democrats and Republicans could each go back to their constituencies blaming the other for not helping them. But no one counted on Trump being angry enough to blow up the process and point out that $600 is actually a pretty insulting amount of money to offer people after 9 months of a pandemic. Will the democrats call his bluff and actually help working people? The tension is literally killing us. It's the usual group talking talking about the usual idiots. We break down the most recent stimulus bill and what Trumps break from norms means for the us now. It turns out do-nothing centrism was a bad idea.

It's the Obama administration 2.0 with 1/3 of the charisma and twice the neoliberalism. All your favorite defense contractors, drone advocates, fracking aficionados and general third way gargoyles are streaming back into the executive branch. Join Greg, Marshele, Ian, and a new guest Kasey Coleman as we break down the picks and what they tell us about the strategy and priorities of the Biden Administration.

It happened, the most important election of our lifetimes yet again has come and sort of gone? Marshele, Greg, and Ian discuss/process the election results- so far it seems like Biden won in the most democrat way possible, and by that we mean narrowly, while losing the seats in congress and blaming leftists for the party's horrible decisions.

Marshele, Greg, and Ian attempt to do a debate recap for the final presidential debate, but spiral off into more interesting conversations about black voter motivations, the historic failure that is the democratic party, and the end of empire. It's entertaining, and we're more interesting than the democratic party's platform.

Marshele, Ian and Greg dig into the recent attempt to kidnap Michigan's governor- looking at the roots of the militia movement in armed white supremacist organizing, and some of the ways we should be responding to the rise of the armed right in 2020. it turns out armed white violence is a massive problem that is imprinted on the very founding of this country and not just something Donald trump conjured up via twitter in 2015. It's a heavy episode, so take breaks and make sure you're drinking water. research drawn in part from: Bring the War Home by Kathleen Belew

Marshele, Greg, and Ian brave the waters of the Harris/Pence VP debate. They certainly yelled less than the last debate- but at the end of the day we were left wondering how a nation can heal when it's leaders are so divided, and why we're asking empty rhetorical questions from 8th graders at the end of nationally televised debates?

Marshele and Ian are joined by Greg Hunter from the Brick and Mortar Collective to discuss the September 29th presidential debate between Trump and Biden. Spoiler alert, Biden didn't look great, Trump looked cruel, and no one gives a shit about us.

Marshele and Ian are joined by Sariah from the Women of Color Organizing Podcast (WoCO pod) to talk about the different ways Leftists are approaching the last 6 weeks until the election/voting- primarily looking at three options: resignedly voting for Biden, voting but not for Biden, and not voting! Check out WoCO Pod Here: https://www.facebook.com/Wocopodcast https://open.spotify.com/show/18EdKsTyWMldOyZZmSUnTo?si=4HH5aJuGRo6AWBi2boUiiA

I'm joined by my comrade Erin as we share anarchist and communist perspectives on liberalism. We look at it's limits as an ideology, and as a governing power capable of making change, and dig into how our local liberal-in Chief: Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

A breakdown from our upcoming third episode, breaking down the way that modern Liberal politicians function, using Whitmer as a model.

Ian, Marshele, and Ibby break down the arguments why Donald Trump may not be leaving office as soon or as cleanly as most liberals seem to think. We talk through arguments for why he might win the election, why he may not leave even if he loses, and why even if he does leave, simply putting Biden in power won't undo the things Trump has done, or the forces that brought him to power. Yes, it's a cheery episode.

Reflecting on the successes and failures of the Bernie campaign, and the ineptitude of the Biden campaign- with Marshele Bryant formerly a college/youth national organizer with the Bernie Sanders Campaign, Hoai An Pham Michigan community organizer, and Ian Matchett another Michigan organizer. Recorded 3 weeks ago, amidst the Corona Virus but before the death of George Floyd. Please consider donating to support the ongoing uprising against white supremacy, (links below) and connect with Black led and controlled organizing efforts near you. MN bail fund : https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate MN Community support: Reclaim the Block: https://secure.everyaction.com/zae4prEeKESHBy0MKXTIcQ2 Black visions Collective: https://secure.everyaction.com/4omQDAR0oUiUagTu0EG-Ig2 Michigan Bail fund : https://michigansolidaritybailfund.com/ Detroit Specific bail and legal support :https://www.detroitjustice.org/donate