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How does China use its considerable influence to try to stifle criticism in American universities? Sarah McLaughlin of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression joins the podcast to talk about her new book, Authoritarians in the Academy. We discuss how the Chinese government monitors their own citizens abroad, how they pressure universities into cancelling speakers from Tibet or Xinjiang, and how universities are too often happy to crack down on campus free speech in order to secure Chinese funding. To get bonus episodes, support us at patreon.com/newliberalpodcast or https://cnliberalism.org/become-a-member Got questions? Send us a note at mailbag@cnliberalism.org. Follow us at: https://twitter.com/CNLiberalism https://cnliberalism.org/ Join a local chapter at https://cnliberalism.org/become-a-member/
Authoritarians versus criminals and more news that is interesting~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Politics, Youth TikTok News Source, Amelia Earhart Files, Kamala Harris, Assaulted ICE Agents Numbers, James Comey J6 Statement, Hunting J6 Republicans, Catherine Herridge, Comey Holding Charge, Open Society Donations, Indictment Psychological Fears, Fani Willis Travel Records, Kneeling FBI Agents Fired, Pocket Rescissions, ODNI Warning, Muslim Country Christians, Bill Barr, US Top Commanders Meeting, Sweden Drones Mystery, Portland ICE, Lisa Monaco, State Voter Rolls DOJ Lawsuit, Birthright Citizenship, Tylenol Autism Risk, Grok AI Federal Usage, Grok AI 42 Cents, Ukraine War, Turkey's Russian Oil, Scott Adams
PLUS: The Neighbours Downstairs; what Meta's smart glasses mean for privacy; how to do data literacy better; Gah-Ning Tang reflects on her life-long correspondence with Robert Munsch; and Riffed from The Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.
Sarah McLaughlin joins Chelsea Follett to discuss the rising influence of foreign authoritarian governments on college campuses.Check out her book, Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech.Please note that we recorded this interview before Kirk's murder, so he is not mentioned, though we believe that event makes conversations like this one even more relevant.
We were thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Sarah McLaughlin about her new book, Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech. As a Senior Scholar at The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Sarah is one of the leading experts on how global censorship intersects with free expression issues in the United States. In this episode of Banished, Sarah discusses her book's key findings and offers her reflections on the nerve-wracking, topsy-turvy free speech climate in the United States today. Show Notes* Follow Sarah on twitter here, bluesky here* Here is the official Johns Hopkins Press link to Sarah's book* On international student enrollment, see “International Students by the Numbers,” Inside Higher Ed * On Confucius Institutes, see Ethan Epstein, “How China Infiltrated U.S. Classrooms,” Politico Magazine, January 17, 2018* On the Olympics poster controversy at George Washington University, see:* Amna's interview with Badiucao, the poster's artist* Jeff's article on the dust-up in the Chronicle of Higher Education* this extraordinary open letter from the George Washington University Chinese Students and Scholars Association. On the subject of “sensitivity exploitation,” GW's CSSA drew quite shamelessly from social justice discourse: * On the challenges facing China scholars, see:* Perry Link, “China: The Anaconda in the Chandelier,” New York Review of Books, April 11, 2002* Sheena Chestnut Greitens and Rory Truex, “Repressive Experiences among China Scholars: New Evidence from Survey Data,” The China Quarterly, May 2019* On U.S. satellite campuses abroad, see Patrick Jack, “U.S. Universities Eye Branch Campuses as Way to ‘Survive Trump,'” Inside Higher Ed, May 16, 2025* Sarah describes Northwestern's cancellation of an event featuring an openly gay musician on its Qatar campus in 2020 here* On calls to have students, faculty, and staff fired because of disparaging comments about Charlie Kirk after he was murdered, see:* Ellie Davis, Gavin Escott, and Claire Murphy, “Employees and Students at These Colleges Have Been Punished for Comments on Charlie Kirk's Death,” Chronicle of Higher Education, September 17, 2025* Stephanie Saul, “The Firing of Educators Over Kirk Comments Follows a Familiar Playbook,” New York Times, September 22, 2025 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit banished.substack.com/subscribe
The latest episode of my podcast is out on SoundCloud. I spoke with Sarah McLaughlin about her new book, Authoritarians in the Academy, attacks on free speech, and how to defend it. Follow me: @dangerousspeach Follow Sarah: @sarahemclaugh You can buy Sarah's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Authoritarians-Academy-Internationalization-Borderless-Censorship/dp/1421452804/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PC3HOA1E6FP3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.J2TiYND3_E9J2QYFs_H68tFRlpsRslcpw0rywmHob0trWH2iq7jvwEfMyjD01hnr.RdjjoeOcczIZ78aksBCaEgGM1eofx3b2EBs2rDpOiAc&dib_tag=se&keywords=authoritarians+in+the+academy&qid=1758324790&sprefix=authoritarians+%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1
Filmmaker Connie Field of Clarity Films explains the new movie about confronting the policies and corruption of Hungary's autocratic Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Trump is following the Dictator's Plan to take over democracy. As Viktor Orbán dismantles Hungary's democratic institutions, three women—a journalist, a politician, and a nurse—work tirelessly to fight for their country's soul. Plus National Progressive Town-hall Meeting with phone questions answered by U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, James Kierstead talks with Sarah McLaughlin, Senior Scholar, Global Expression at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), about her forthcoming book Authoritarians in the Academy. They explore how authoritarian governments, particularly China, pressure universities abroad through funding ties, partnerships, and intimidation of students and scholars. The conversation covers cases from New Zealand and Australia, including cancelled Tiananmen Square events and harassment of pro-democracy students, as well as the investigation of China scholar Anne-Marie Brady. Sarah and James also discuss the role of Confucius Institutes and student groups, the influence of regimes such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and broader threats to free expression including religious censorship laws and new restrictions on campus speech in the United States and parts of Europe.
Get full ad-free episodes, full show notes, bonus material, and more at wickedproblems.earthIn this episode of 'Wicked Problems,' host Richard Delevan speaks with Dr. Hannah E. Morris, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and author of 'Apocalyptic Authoritarianism.' They discuss the use of apocalyptic language in politics, the resurgence of Cold War-era narratives, and how these tropes are being weaponized to block climate action and shore up existing power structures. The conversation delves into the intersections of media, politics, and climate crisis, featuring insights on the impact of journalism on these global issues. 00:00 Trump's Apocalyptic Obsession01:19 Introduction to Wicked Problems01:32 Guest Introduction: Dr. Hannah E. Morris01:57 Weaponizing Apocalyptic Language02:45 Defining Apocalyptic Authoritarianism03:06 Trump's Influence and Climate Movement05:13 Nostalgia and Climate Journalism06:30 The Green New Deal and Media Narratives11:47 Challenges in Climate Journalism24:28 Covering Climate Now Initiative30:02 Senator Eric Schmidt's Speech Analysis32:59 Nationalism and American Identity34:27 Fascist Ideologies and Historical Context37:26 Media's Role in Shaping Nationalism39:30 Climate Change and Political Narratives47:26 Global Perspectives on Climate Journalism51:37 Apocalyptic Imagery in Modern Politics54:09 Influences and Future Directions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The new Axis has formed. But, what are the contrasts in values represented by both sides — China/Russia/North Korea and the US/Europe. Authoritarians take the first position. On the other side we find divisive woke, sexual perversion, feminism, individualist ethical autonomy, and birth implosions. Are these values worth fighting for? Europe has lost the will to carry on a civilization by the birth canal. What does this imply for the battlefield? These are critical geopolitical questions. Ultimately, the West is confronting a Deuteronomy 28:25 challenge right now. We take up Scotland as a prime example of the decline of the West on this edition of the program.
In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes infiltrating American academia. In Authoritarians in the Academy, Sarah McLaughlin exposes how higher education institutions, long considered bastions of free thought, are compromising their values for financial gain and global partnerships. This groundbreaking investigation reveals the subtle yet sweeping influence of authoritarian governments. University leaders are allowing censorship to flourish on campus, putting pressure on faculty, and silencing international student voices, all in the name of appeasing foreign powers. McLaughlin exposes the troubling reality where university leaders prioritize expansion and profit over the principles of free expression. The book describes incidents in classrooms where professors hesitate to discuss controversial topics and in boardrooms where administrators weigh the costs of offending oppressive regimes. McLaughlin offers a sobering look at how the compromises made in American academia reflect broader societal patterns seen in industries like tech, sports, and entertainment. Meticulously researched and unapologetically candid, Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025) is an essential read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education and the necessity of safeguarding it from the creeping tide of authoritarianism. Sarah McLaughlin is a senior scholar of global expression at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes infiltrating American academia. In Authoritarians in the Academy, Sarah McLaughlin exposes how higher education institutions, long considered bastions of free thought, are compromising their values for financial gain and global partnerships. This groundbreaking investigation reveals the subtle yet sweeping influence of authoritarian governments. University leaders are allowing censorship to flourish on campus, putting pressure on faculty, and silencing international student voices, all in the name of appeasing foreign powers. McLaughlin exposes the troubling reality where university leaders prioritize expansion and profit over the principles of free expression. The book describes incidents in classrooms where professors hesitate to discuss controversial topics and in boardrooms where administrators weigh the costs of offending oppressive regimes. McLaughlin offers a sobering look at how the compromises made in American academia reflect broader societal patterns seen in industries like tech, sports, and entertainment. Meticulously researched and unapologetically candid, Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025) is an essential read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education and the necessity of safeguarding it from the creeping tide of authoritarianism. Sarah McLaughlin is a senior scholar of global expression at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science
In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes infiltrating American academia. In Authoritarians in the Academy, Sarah McLaughlin exposes how higher education institutions, long considered bastions of free thought, are compromising their values for financial gain and global partnerships. This groundbreaking investigation reveals the subtle yet sweeping influence of authoritarian governments. University leaders are allowing censorship to flourish on campus, putting pressure on faculty, and silencing international student voices, all in the name of appeasing foreign powers. McLaughlin exposes the troubling reality where university leaders prioritize expansion and profit over the principles of free expression. The book describes incidents in classrooms where professors hesitate to discuss controversial topics and in boardrooms where administrators weigh the costs of offending oppressive regimes. McLaughlin offers a sobering look at how the compromises made in American academia reflect broader societal patterns seen in industries like tech, sports, and entertainment. Meticulously researched and unapologetically candid, Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025) is an essential read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education and the necessity of safeguarding it from the creeping tide of authoritarianism. Sarah McLaughlin is a senior scholar of global expression at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/chinese-studies
In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes infiltrating American academia. In Authoritarians in the Academy, Sarah McLaughlin exposes how higher education institutions, long considered bastions of free thought, are compromising their values for financial gain and global partnerships. This groundbreaking investigation reveals the subtle yet sweeping influence of authoritarian governments. University leaders are allowing censorship to flourish on campus, putting pressure on faculty, and silencing international student voices, all in the name of appeasing foreign powers. McLaughlin exposes the troubling reality where university leaders prioritize expansion and profit over the principles of free expression. The book describes incidents in classrooms where professors hesitate to discuss controversial topics and in boardrooms where administrators weigh the costs of offending oppressive regimes. McLaughlin offers a sobering look at how the compromises made in American academia reflect broader societal patterns seen in industries like tech, sports, and entertainment. Meticulously researched and unapologetically candid, Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025) is an essential read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education and the necessity of safeguarding it from the creeping tide of authoritarianism. Sarah McLaughlin is a senior scholar of global expression at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/education
In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes infiltrating American academia. In Authoritarians in the Academy, Sarah McLaughlin exposes how higher education institutions, long considered bastions of free thought, are compromising their values for financial gain and global partnerships. This groundbreaking investigation reveals the subtle yet sweeping influence of authoritarian governments. University leaders are allowing censorship to flourish on campus, putting pressure on faculty, and silencing international student voices, all in the name of appeasing foreign powers. McLaughlin exposes the troubling reality where university leaders prioritize expansion and profit over the principles of free expression. The book describes incidents in classrooms where professors hesitate to discuss controversial topics and in boardrooms where administrators weigh the costs of offending oppressive regimes. McLaughlin offers a sobering look at how the compromises made in American academia reflect broader societal patterns seen in industries like tech, sports, and entertainment. Meticulously researched and unapologetically candid, Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025) is an essential read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education and the necessity of safeguarding it from the creeping tide of authoritarianism. Sarah McLaughlin is a senior scholar of global expression at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics
In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes infiltrating American academia. In Authoritarians in the Academy, Sarah McLaughlin exposes how higher education institutions, long considered bastions of free thought, are compromising their values for financial gain and global partnerships. This groundbreaking investigation reveals the subtle yet sweeping influence of authoritarian governments. University leaders are allowing censorship to flourish on campus, putting pressure on faculty, and silencing international student voices, all in the name of appeasing foreign powers. McLaughlin exposes the troubling reality where university leaders prioritize expansion and profit over the principles of free expression. The book describes incidents in classrooms where professors hesitate to discuss controversial topics and in boardrooms where administrators weigh the costs of offending oppressive regimes. McLaughlin offers a sobering look at how the compromises made in American academia reflect broader societal patterns seen in industries like tech, sports, and entertainment. Meticulously researched and unapologetically candid, Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025) is an essential read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education and the necessity of safeguarding it from the creeping tide of authoritarianism. Sarah McLaughlin is a senior scholar of global expression at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes infiltrating American academia. In Authoritarians in the Academy, Sarah McLaughlin exposes how higher education institutions, long considered bastions of free thought, are compromising their values for financial gain and global partnerships. This groundbreaking investigation reveals the subtle yet sweeping influence of authoritarian governments. University leaders are allowing censorship to flourish on campus, putting pressure on faculty, and silencing international student voices, all in the name of appeasing foreign powers. McLaughlin exposes the troubling reality where university leaders prioritize expansion and profit over the principles of free expression. The book describes incidents in classrooms where professors hesitate to discuss controversial topics and in boardrooms where administrators weigh the costs of offending oppressive regimes. McLaughlin offers a sobering look at how the compromises made in American academia reflect broader societal patterns seen in industries like tech, sports, and entertainment. Meticulously researched and unapologetically candid, Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025) is an essential read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education and the necessity of safeguarding it from the creeping tide of authoritarianism. Sarah McLaughlin is a senior scholar of global expression at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Battleground: Ukraine, hosts Patrick Bishop and Saul David dissect the recent military parade in Beijing, where the leaders of China, Russia, and North Korea appeared together. They discuss the strategic significance of this meeting, which took place in a historical venue and was a clear display of strength against the West. They also ask what the reality of China's "peaceful development" rhetoric is and also examine President Donald Trump's shifting and seemingly contradictory comments on the emerging alliance and his administration's recent approval of an arms package for Ukraine. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Edition No239 | 02-09-2025 - Autocrats assemble. These are not nice people. Not kind people, nor generous or moral. They have reached the top of the pile in their respective countries, many of which are authoritarian or quasi authoritarian regimes. What does it take to achieve that, an to stay top of the pile for years, sometimes decades. For a start you must be the biggest bully in the playground, the most vicious fish in the pond. You may have had to dispose of rivals, - both authoritarian or democratic. Probably silence many journalists and critics. Subvert their legal systems and institutions of government. In a word, these people are the biggest C.U.N.T.S in their respective societies, most have no accountability to their populations, and some have thieved and raped their populations of resources and opportunities. Now, they have gathered in China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit (SVO meets SCO).At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, we witnessed what can only be described as a global warm embrace of authoritarian regimes — even as the world burns from war, repression, and in Ukraine stolen children. At the heart of this embrace, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Narendra Modi posed as a new triumvirate of international order, with cheering applause for Russia's war machine. But it is an alliance of disorder and death. ----------SOURCES: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/01/china/china-putin-xi-meeting-sco-summit-intl-hnkhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/2/chinas-victory-day-military-parade-whos-attending-and-why-it-mattershttps://abcnews.go.com/International/north-koreas-kim-crosses-china-meet-xi-putin/story?id=125172027https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/east-asia/kim-jong-un-arrive-china-victory-parade-vladimir-putin-b2818199.htmlhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/2/china-russia-pledge-new-global-order-at-shanghai-cooperation-summithttps://news.sky.com/story/chinese-russian-and-indian-leaders-seek-to-show-unity-and-push-for-new-world-order-in-beijing-meeting-13423244https://www.reuters.com/world/china/putin-thanks-xi-his-dear-friend-warm-welcome-china-2025-09-02/https://www.politico.eu/article/chinas-xi-welcomes-putin-modi-trump-roils-global-relations/----------Partner on this video: KYIV OF MINE 'Kyiv of Mine' is a documentary series about Ukraine's beautiful capital, Kyiv. The film production began in 2018, and much has changed since then. It is now 2025, and this story is far from over.https://www.youtube.com/@UCz6UbVKfqutH-N7WXnC5Ykg https://www.kyivofmine.com/#theprojectKyiv of Mine is fast paced, beautifully filmed, humorous, fun, insightful, heartbreaking, moving, hopeful. The very antithesis in fact of a doom-laden and worthy wartime documentary. This is a work that is extraordinarily uplifting. My friend Operator Starsky says the film is “Made with so much love. The film series will make you laugh and cry.” ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------
This week Jennifer Richmond and Brandy Shufutinsky speak with Sarah Mchlaughlin on her recently released book – Authoritarians in the Academy. As universities are run more and more like corporations with increasing numbers of administrators, priorities have shifted. As part of this shift, we often see universities making financial decisions that can be at odds with their values, namely freedom of speech. This includes not only US university campuses that operate overseas in places like China and Qatar, but also on our home turf. In order to appease financial partnerships Sarah has found that American universities have become increasingly censorious. In some cases, this censorship is to protect overseas students who face harsh recrimination for speaking out on American campuses in their home country, but in many more cases the calculation is monetary. So, what can we do to roll back these trends? Sarah shares several suggestions, including whistleblower protections, transparent speech codes, and programs that educate vulnerable students on how to exercise their freedom anonymously, when necessary.Podcast Notes:Authoritarians in the Academy: https://www.thefire.org/research-learn/authoritarians-academy
In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes influencing American academia. In her new book Authoritarians in the Academy, Sarah McLaughlin reveals how higher education institutions—long considered bastions of free thought—are compromising their values for financial gain and international partnerships. Her investigation uncovers the subtle yet sweeping influence of authoritarian governments, exposing university leaders who prioritize expansion and profit over the principles of free expression. She also describes incidents in which professors and administrators weighed the costs of offending repressive regimes that provide their funding. McLaughlin's work offers a sobering look at how these compromises in academia mirror broader patterns across industries such as technology, sports, and entertainment. Sarah McLaughlin is a senior scholar of global expression at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). Her writing about free speech issues, including protest and blasphemy laws, has been featured in publications including Foreign Policy and The Huffington Post. Her new book is Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech.
Send us a textHow do we reach people still in evangelicalism about toxic teachings? I read an amazing book called On Authoritarians by Bob Altemeyer which talks about how people get to be authoritarian, and the nature of authoritarians. And then shows (horrifyingly) how evangelicalism overlaps with authoritarianism! These insights can actually help us learn how to reach people still wading in toxic teachings!TO SUPPORT US: Join our Patreon for as little as $5 a month to support our workAnd check out our Merch, or any of our courses!Join our email list!BOOKS MENTIONED:The free book The Authoritarians (includes the quizzes you can take to see where you score!) She Deserves Better The Good Girl's/Good Guy's Guide to Great Sex (great for bridal showers!)OTHER LINKS MENTIONED:Podcast with Terran Williams Podcast with Marg Mowczko Our toolkit to use to talk to friends/pastors about our findingsSupport the showJoin Sheila at Bare Marriage.com!Check out her books: The Great Sex Rescue She Deserves Better The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex and The Good Guy's Guide to Great Sex And she has an Orgasm Course and a Libido course too!Check out all her courses, FREE resources, social media, books, and so much more at Sheila's LinkTree.
The world over, democracy seems to be in trouble. It is seen to be failing people and trust in it is plummeting. Authoritarians are riding a wave of support, arguing that the old ways of governance don't work, sideline too many and only they can provide the firm, central control that's needed. It may mean the loss of freedoms and the erosion of institutions but so be it, they say. All Indians Matter launches a three-part series that examines how we got here and what we can do now to preserve our democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Acclaimed novelist Gary Shteyngart joins co-hosts Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan to discuss his new novel, Vera, or Faith, which explores American identity, politics, and immigrant experiences in the near future through the eyes of the eponymous 10-year-old protagonist. Shteyngart talks about the novel's speculative “Five-Three” amendment, a proposal to give those who can trace their ancestry back to the American Revolution five-thirds of a vote, as long as their ancestors “were exceptional enough not to arrive in chains.” He reflects on how this echoes current rhetoric surrounding nationalism and exclusion. Shteyngart unpacks a scene in his novel featuring a “March of the Hated,” in which the Five-Three amendment, like the Trump administration, attracts both the privileged and those who will suffer under the policy. Shteyngart and the hosts examine the role of elite education, AI, and childhood in shaping Vera's understanding of the world. He reads from Vera, or Faith. To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below. Check out video versions of our interviews on the Fiction/Non/Fiction Instagram account, the Fiction/Non/Fiction YouTube Channel, and our show website: https://www.fnfpodcast.net/ This podcast is produced by V.V. Ganeshananthan, Whitney Terrell, Hunter Murray, Janet Reed, and Moss Terrell. Gary Shteyngart Vera, or Faith Our Country Friends Lake Success Little Failure: A Memoir Super Sad True Love Story Absurdistan The Russian Debutante's Handbook Others: “Tech billionaire Trump adviser Marc Andreessen says universities will ‘pay the price' for DEI” | The Washington Post Choice by Neel Mukherjee “The Little Man At Chehaw Station” by Ralph Ellison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anarchist Audit of Trump's Troop Deployment, another stupid question that deserves to be called out for what it is and authoritarian measures used against authoritarians. Another I told you so moment, but I promise not to say I told you so. You know, but, I did - Toward Anarchy
This episode was originally published in March.The word "unprecedented" is often used to describe Donald Trump's presidency. He's broken with convention repeatedly: from announcing tariffs on allies, to the suggestion that he wants to buy Greenland. But are these moves really without precedent? Or do Trump's politics echo that of 19th century US presidents, but with a more alarming twist?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Nick BryantHost: Manveen Rana.Producer: Emily Webb.Clips: ABC News, CNBC, Niki Ashton Youtube, CBS News, New York Times, FOX, MSNBC, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, NBC, Washington Post, BBC.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Success often doesn't feel like success because of the backlash paradox: Authoritarians escalate violence when they lose control, not when they're strong. We're slowly shifting the overton window and creating mass support for the movement of the people. We're closer to success than we'd think. THE SOURCE: Bill Moyer's (MAP): https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/moyermap.htmlAND "Doing Democracy In the 21st CenturyAND The Moyer ModelAND https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/9/freedom-flotillas-a-history-of-attempts-to-break-israels-siege-of-gazaDONATE:www.pcrf.netGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the wake of ongoing protests taking place in Los Angeles, we urge our listeners to be discerning in where you get your information from and what you share. Misinformation/Disinformation is out there and we want to make sure that is not the news being spread. Also, we touch on the parade for Dear Leader this Saturday and it's estimated costs. If you are interested in taking part in the No Kings March this Saturday, you can also get trained in peaceful protesting, as it's more than just marching. For our Audio Sorbet, we celebrate the life and legacy of Sly Stone, who passed away at the age of 82 and want to know what is your kick back song? And as we always do, it's time for This Shouldn't Be A Thing - Baaaaaad Boy Edition. Matenaer On Air is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 9 -11 am across the state. Subscribe to the show as a podcast so you don't miss an episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Jane and the show!
David Waldman and Greg Dworkin are back, watch out Singapore! (Those two things are probably unrelated, but I still don't understand how Transnistrians always get off.) And to think, Donald thought Elon was his friend! Elon has privately expressed frustration on a range of recent moves by Trump administration… on X.com... which could be considered pretty private by now. Oh, those two will make up soon, they're like brothers, really. Trump would never consider hurting Musk, not out of friendship of course, but because Trump always chickens out. However, if Musk ever weakens, Trump's instinct will kick in, as the Federalist Society will attest. The DOJ is reviewing Biden's pardons. Not to ever diminish pardon power, but to hurt Joe Biden just a little more while they have a chance. No inconsistency there, deplorability is their lodestar, and the only dissonance they feel is when some gets on them. The guy who used various incendiary devices against pro-Israel demonstrators undoubtedly wished for the efficiency and efficacy of an AR. Now, his wife and 5 kids will be deported… unless the kids are citizens, then I guess that they are “exiled”... Authoritarians' greatest enemy are other people with authority granted to them through education or experience. That is why Donald K. Trump makes certain that the people close to him have neither. Who needs education or experience anyhow? Oh, yes… China. Gops are proud idiots and will fight anyone who says otherwise. You wouldn't believe what dopes and screwballs they are, which indeed has become their superpower. Trump has an iPhone to dial up anyone, or butt-dial anyone, and sometimes the people he calls can tell the difference. If you want to see how a democracy should be run, look no further than South Korea… You might not want to look any nearer, though.
Fascism, authoritarianism, and the far-right insurgency here in the United States and in Europe are on the rise and undoubtedly devastating for all of us. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “Donald Trump and the Far-Right Insurgency in Europe” by Gary Younge in Hammer & Hope, which outlines and analyzes the history, rise, leaders, and manifestations of fascism and the far-right insurgency that has taken place in the United States and Europe, and what we learn and take away from this great article in our continued learning and unlearning work and fight for collective liberation.Follow us on social media and visit our website! Patreon, Website, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, YouTube, Leave us a voice message, Merch store
AI is a Surveillance Machine for Authoritarians by Nick Espinosa, Chief Security Fanatic
No one imagined that Romanian elections would become a big spectator sport, but they've really proved us wrong. Remember the TikTok Secret Police Election? Well now Romania is back with a sequel: Ethno-Nationalist Hooligan for President.The question smart observers are asking is: why can the powers that be live with one, not the other? The smartest are keeping the answer to themselves. Meanwhile, if you're passing through Ben Gurion International Airport, hang onto your drink. You wouldn't want a slice of Houthi rocket in your arak. But bad news for the duty free counter is even worse news for the next twenty years in the global air defence industry. Finally, the AfD has been officially designated as 'right-wing extremist' by Germany's spy agency. It's eyes down for a full ban. Who knows, one day, Germany could even aspire to the democratic standards of Romania? You can get special paywalled premium episodes of Multipolarity every month on Patreon:https://patreon.com/multipolarity
In 2017, Tom Nichols wrote, "The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters". The book has been translated into 14 languages and has proved to be, unfortunately, quite prescient. Nichols has recently come out with a second edition of the book. He joins to discuss the on-going attack on expertise, why Elon Musk is cutting thousands of government jobs, and why authoritarians always go after the experts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As support for populist movements grows, judicial independence and the rule of law are increasingly under attack. Lawyers around the world are becoming front-line defenders of democracy - and paying the price. Double Jeopardy hosts Ken Macdonald KC and Tim Owen KC explain the situation with expert legal commentary and legal system insights. Renowned international lawyer Robert Amsterdam joins the conversation to explore the vital - and increasingly precarious -role of legal professionals in democratic societies. Amsterdam reflects on his own extraordinary journey through high-profile legal cases, from political prosecutions to international corporate disputes. This episode focuses on current events in Ukraine, where a controversial draft law is raising alarms about human rights, religious freedom, client confidentiality, and the erosion of the rule of law. Together, they unpack the legal, political, and historical forces at play, while also connecting the dots to UK law, UK politics, prisons and sentencing, crime and punishment, and the broader criminal justice crisis. From British politics explained to global struggles over human rights law, current political events, and the collision between politics and law, this episode reveals the hidden battles shaping justice today - and why they matter to us all. -----Covering the critical intersections of law and politics in the UK with expert commentary on high-profile legal cases, political controversies, prisons and sentencing, human rights law, current political events and the shifting landscape of justice and democracy. With in-depth discussions and influential guests, Double Jeopardy is the podcast that uncovers the forces shaping Britain's legal and political future. What happens when law and politics collide? How do politics shape the law - and when does the law push back? What happens when judicial independence is tested, human rights come under attack, or freedom of expression is challenged? And who really holds power in Britain's legal and political system? Get answers to questions like these weekly on Wednesdays at 6am GMT. Double Jeopardy is presented by Ken Macdonald KC, former Director of Public Prosecutions, and Tim Owen KC, as they break down the legal and political issues in Britain. From high-profile legal cases to the evolving state of British democracy, Double Jeopardy offers expert legal commentary on the most pressing topics in UK law, politics, and human rights. Ken Macdonald KC served as Director of Public Prosecutions from 2003-2008, shaping modern prosecutorial policy and advocating for the rule of law. He is a former Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, a crossbench member of the House of Lords, and a leading writer, commentator and broadcaster on politics and the rule of law. Tim Owen KC has been involved in many of the most significant public, criminal and human rights law cases over the past four decades. Both bring unparalleled experience from the frontline of Britain's legal and political landscape.If you like The Rest Is Politics, Talking Politics, Law Pod UK and Today in Focus, you'll love Double Jeopardy.
Across the globe, many people see democracy retreating and authoritarianism on the rise. In places as diverse as India, Hungry, Niger, El Salvador, and even right here in the United States, people of all political background are concerned about the state of their democracy, even if their reasons for worry differ. From attacks on courts, to the accumulation of executive power, and the takeover of institutions, many countries have see their democracies weaken, while many others have seen their democracies completely overthrown (at least 32 coup d'état's since 2010, and many more attempts, around the world). Freedom House has marked overall democratic decline for the past 19 years based on their global metrics, while countless articles have been written about democratic backsliding around the world.In this month's episode, we discuss the state of democracy around the world with Dr. Henry Thomson of Arizona State University. Throughout this conversation, we cover the pathways to democratic decline and dive into the trends that the world is currently experiencing, while putting this discussion in historical context. In addition, we talk about what lessons pro-democracy forces can learn from the transitions that other countries have made away from authoritarian styles of government. It is important to remember that at one point in time, all countries were under authoritarian forms of government. Dr. Henry Thomson is an Associate Professor in the School of Politics and Global Studies at Arizona State University. He is a political economist with a research focus on economic development, authoritarian rule, and transitions to democracy.He is the author of two books, Watching the Watchers: Communist Elites, the Secret Police and Social Order in Cold War Europe (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2024) and Food and Power: Regime Type, Agricultural Policy and Political Stability (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2019).Before joining ASU, Thomson was a Postdoctoral Prize Research Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford. He completed his PhD in Political Science at the University of Minnesota. His doctoral dissertation won the 2015 Juan Linz Prize for the Best Dissertation in the Comparative Study of Democratization from the American Political Science Association. He has been a visiting scholar at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, at Australian National University, and at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies in Berlin.Professor Thomson teaches classes on Democratization, Political Economy, International Political Economy, and social science research design.
We travel from America to Europe, Russia, China, and more places to answer the question: Is there a global free speech recession? Guests: - Sarah McLaughlin: FIRE senior scholar, global expression - James Kirchick: FIRE senior fellow - Jacob Mchangama: FIRE senior fellow Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:52 Free speech global surveys 07:49 Freedom of expression deteriorating 11:43 Misinformation and disinformation 18:05 Russian state-sponsored media 24:55 Europe's Digital Services Act 29:26 Chinese censorship 34:33 Radio Free Europe 54:57 Mohammad cartoons 01:04:14 Outro Read the transcript here. Enjoy listening to the podcast? Donate to FIRE today and get exclusive content like member webinars, special episodes, and more. If you became a FIRE Member through a donation to FIRE at thefire.org and would like access to Substack's paid subscriber podcast feed, please email sotospeak@thefire.org. Show notes: - Authoritarians in the academy: How the internationalization of higher education and borderless censorship threaten free speech Sarah McLaughlin (2025) - “The First Amendment created gay America” So to Speak (2022) - “Secret city: The hidden history of gay Washington” James Kirchick (2022) - “Who in the world supports free speech?” The Future of Free Speech (2025) - “V-DEM democracy report 2025: 25 years of autocratization — democracy trumped?” V-Dem Institute (2025) - Global risks report 2024 World Economic Forum (2025) - “Gay reporter kicked off Kremlin network after protesting anti-gay law” Washington Free Beacon (2013) - Free speech: A history from Socrates to social media (paperback) Jacob Mchangama (2025) - Europe's Digital Services Act (DSA) (2022) - Careless people: A cautionary tale of power, greed, and lost idealism Sarah Wynn-Williams (2025) - “The Voice of America falls silent” The New York Times (2025) - Text of Havel's speech to Congress The Washington Post (1990) - Voice of America wins in court, for now, as judge blocks Trump administration from firing staff AP News (2025)
The record of physicians standing up for their values as healers under authoritarian regimes is not good, whether it's Nazi Germany, the former Soviet Union, or Iraq, with behaviors ranging from assisting in torture, to psychiatric hospitalization for political reasons. And sadly, it's often without any coercion. More subtly, physicians may go along with authoritarian regimes' demands, thinking they can just "stay above the fray." But is that possible? Already, other professional institutions, including academia and law, have struck deals in the hope they they can move on, rather than defend academic freedom or long-standing legal principles. What's in store for medicine? Some might say “not much” -- physicians must simply continue to take good care of their patients. But some are already acceding to orders to abandon care to certain populations, including trans people and refugees; or to compromise privacy. And professional organizations are saying little about looming cuts that would curtail access to care for millions of Americans. One scholar of authoritarianism, Timothy Snyder has written, “When political leaders set a negative example, professional commitments to just practice become more important. Authoritarians need obedient servants.” In this episode, two physicians wrestle with what those commitments are, and how we hold on to them.
#podcast #politics #Michigan #news #Democrats #progressives #union #labor #workingclass #socialsecurity #Veterans #Medicaid #Rural #Education #PublicEducation #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #Tariffs #ElonMusk #TechBros #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Oligarchy #Democracy #LeftOfLansing Here's Episode 127 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-23:52: Trump Low Econ Polling; Musk Attacks Soc.Sec & V.A.; Dems Must Counter Pat shares the latest AP Poll showing poor numbers for Trump re: handling of economy, Social Security, and the federal government. Elon continues gutting Social Security, Medicaid, and the V.A., and the detriment to millions of Michiganders! And Pat highlights a national "Hands-Off" rally with many events happening all across Michigan on April 5th, from 1-3pm. Visit https://handsoff2025.com/ to find-out where you can attend a local rally, and how to sign-up. 23:53-32:27: Last Call--Trump Cuts School Spending in MI In this week's "Last Call," we concentrate on how the Trump-Musk regime is pulling back on $42 million on pre-approved projects for public schools across Michigan. It's all part of an overall effort to dry-up public education funding, forcing kids to go to for-profit charter schools. It's been part of the overall right-wing playbook for years, and now it might be coming to fruition. 32:28-34:36: Ending Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES: Point of Disorder Podcast Hands-Off! Rally on April 5, 2025! "Trump administration pulls $42M from Michigan schools for pre-approved projects, state says." By Jack Nissen of Fox 2 Detroit "Michigan school buildings will need $23 billion in repairs and upgrades." By Lori Higgins of Chalkbeat Detroit (via Bridge Michigan) "Veterans Affairs Secretary defends plans for downsizing during visit to Howell." By Kyle Davidson on Michigan Advance
I've been reflecting a lot over the past week on how challenging it is to be a human being right now, given the state of the world, given the state of the political climate, given the emotional angst and grief and pain and fear that is so pervasive. It is challenging to be ourselves, to be embodied, to embrace our own emotional interiors, and for us empaths – who over index on feeling – that much more difficult. However, I do believe that one of the most radical acts we can take right now is to embrace our own humanity, to embrace being a human being, rather than a human doing.Throughout this episode I'll be sharing 12 truths that will help you protect your heart from calcifying and commit to thrive rather than survive as an empath. Topics: How emotional exhaustion, burnout, and fear can calcify our hearts, making it difficult to stay open, compassionate, and engaged in activism and daily life Learning to set boundaries, say no, and protect our emotional energy for sustained activism and personal well-being How embracing joy, love, and presence is a radical and necessary act of resistance in overcoming fear How to be intentional about where we invest our time, emotions, and compassion, understanding that we cannot be everything to everyone The different ways that lovelessness fuels consumerism and fear and choosing love and care instead to protect our health and our humanity Episode Resources: Daniel Hunter and Choose Democracy Adam Grant Wintering by Katherine May All About Love by Bell Hooks Connect with Catherine: Apply to join the free Unbounded community, a vibrant group of empathpreneurs who are passionate about supporting each other on our entrepreneurial journeys. Website LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Sign up to receive my biweekly digest on empathic entrepreneurship and hear from voices committed to spreading this message, sent straight to your inbox since 2016, here. Work with Catherine: Interested in working 1:1 with a certified coach on Catherine's team, or joining her in one of her premium mastermind programs? Schedule a low-pressure call to begin the conversation here. Visit this episode's full show notes page here. ---------------- The Prosperous Empath® Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.
The word "unprecedented" is often used to describe Donald Trump's presidency. He's broken with convention repeatedly: from announcing tariffs on allies, to the suggestion that he wants to buy Greenland. But are these moves really without precedent? Or do Trump's politics echo that of 19th century US presidents, but with a more alarming twist?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Nick BryantHost: Manveen Rana.Producer: Emily Webb.Clips: ABC News, CNBC, Niki Ashton Youtube, CBS News, New York Times, FOX, MSNBC, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, NBC, Washington Post, BBC.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Former government behavioural warning - social media is now a tool of the authoritarians Nick Cohen @NickCohen4 chats with behavioural scientist and author Justin Hempson-Jones @JonesHempson about the growing threat posed to our freedom by the sinister merger of government and social media oligarchy, as we're witnessing now in the US with the sinister and toxic partnership of Donald Trump & Elon Musk.Political thugs are poisoning our mindsJustin warns that we have lost control of our information system. An unhealthy alliance of authoritarian politicians and techno-oligarchs now controls our social media ,and the influence pathways to our minds. Justin likens it to bad food, saying, " We know that the food that we constructs, the body that we inhabit for better or worse."And it's roughly the same with our information diets. The information that we ingest from the information environment is going to construct the thoughts and feelings and beliefs that we have, including what it is we think we're supposed to want and achieve out there in the world."Political scammers control the toxin of propaganda Justin describes the many the online propaganda techniques used by politician-authoritarians are like the scams used by digital criminals, adding, "they can more easily understand niche audiences and therefore tell them. what they want to hear...They will deliberately set up a fake infrastructure. So fake personas for example, and, tailor them fake personas...And this is too the type of mechanism that online politicians are using, for example, when they want to influence audiences."Justin makes the clarion call for people to take back control of our information-influence system from the authoritarians and their corrupt techno-oligarchs who currently control it.Read all about itJustin's book warning of this pernicious threat faced by all of us is Influence, Understand it, use it, resist it . It's out in paperback next month but available in hardback now.Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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#podcast #politics #culturewars #Michigan #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #HigherEducation #Education #Race #Progressives #Authoritarians #Musk #Trump #LeftOfLansing Here's the Left Of Lansing "Friday Short" for March 7, 2025! Dear Leader Donald Trump issued an executive order this week threatening colleges and universities how they'd lose federal funding if they allowed "illegal" student protests. Combine that order with the Musk-Trump Regime's attacks on DEI programs in higher education, and more, it's clear to everyone how this regime is trying to emulate other past authoritarians' attacks on higher education. This affects all Americans, but only the few at the top of the financial and political elite will benefit while the rest of us lose our financial and political power. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com
Edition No102 | 25-02-2025 - In a move that was not at all shocking, the UN yesterday adopted Ukraine's resolution condemning Russia's invasion by a large majority. What was shocking was that the US joined other renegade states to vote against the resolution, together with Russia, North Korea and Belarus. It must be noted that Israel sided with the world's pariah states and authoritarians to vote against the resolution as well, voting against a country that has a Jewish president. ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------LINKS:https://kyivindependent.com/un-adopts-ukraines-resolution-condemning-russias-invasion-us-votes-against/ https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/02/trump-ukraine-postwar-world/681745/?gift=hVZeG3M9DnxL4CekrWGK39Nx7sDr5V5-tlDRm0xktkw&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN 10 Events in 10 months - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur first live events this year in Lviv and Kyiv were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run 10 events in 10 months (at a minimum). We may add more venues to the program, depending on the success of the fundraising campaign. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------
On this episode, we're staying in the late sixties as we watch Luchino Visconti's The Damned (1969). Following our exploration rising authoritarianism in Costa-Gavras' Z (1969) and reactionary Brazilian politics in Glauber Rocha's Entranced Earth (1967), we're heading right into the Nazi den that is the von Essenbeck family in late 1930's Germany. A scathing critique of the German industrial elite's seduction by (and complicity in) the rise of Nazism, Visconti shows how a wealthy family's greed and moral corruption lead them to embrace fascism in order to maintain their social and economic status. Watching the family's willful, strategic cruelty, we see how the wealthy can easily transition from aristocratic privilege to supporting authoritarian rule. It's quite an illustration of how capitalism and fascism intertwine. If it's been a while since you've seen it, The Damned will resonate deeply with a revisit. On a lighter note, by watching some Visconti, Aaron finally understands how Isaac feels about Godard. Follow us at: Patreon / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Yes, I know what's happening today. Frankly, the less said about the inauguration, the better. So today, we'll hear President Biden's farewell address which I never got to last week. Maybe. We may hear some words of wisdom and warnings from Timothy Snyder ("On Tyranny"). Then we'll check in with Jonathan Larsen of thefuckingnews.substack.com. His Saturday post detailed the accomplishments of the Biden/Harris administration -- a good reference to hold on to as we move forward and try to navigate the next four years. I promised you I'd post this here. Timothy Snyder gave us a gift that I'll now share with you. You may want to refer back to this a lot over the next four years: Twenty Lessons On Tyranny Timothy Snyder Do not obey in advance. Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do. Defend institutions. It is institutions that help us to preserve decency. They need our help as well. Do not speak of "our institutions" unless you make them yours by acting on their behalf. Institutions do not protect themselves. They fall one after the other unless each is defended from the beginning. So choose an institution you care about -- a court, a newspaper, a law, a labor union -- and take its side. Beware the one-party state. The parties that remade states and suppressed rivals were not omnipotent from the start. They exploited a historic moment to make political life impossible for their opponents. So support the multiple-party system and defend the rules of democratic elections. Vote in local and state elections while you can. Consider running for office. Take responsibility for the face of the world. The symbols of today enable the reality of tomorrow. Notice the swastikas and the other signs of hate. Do not look away, and do not get used to them. Remove them yourself and set an example for others to do so. Remember professional ethics. When political leaders set a negative example, professional commitments to just practice become more important. It is hard to subvert a rule-of-law state without lawyers, or to hold show trials without judges. Authoritarians need obedient civil servants, and concentration camp directors seek businessmen interested in cheap labor. Be wary of paramilitaries. When the men with guns who have always claimed to be against the system start wearing uniforms and marching with torches and pictures of a leader, the end is nigh. When the pro-leader paramilitary and the official police and military intermingle, the end has come. Be reflective if you must be armed. If you carry a weapon in public service, may God bless you and keep you. But know that evils of the past involved policemen and soldiers finding themselves, one day, doing irregular things. Be ready to say no. Stand out. Someone has to. It is easy to follow along. It can feel strange to do or say something different. But without that unease, there is no freedom. Remember Rosa Parks. The moment you set an example, the spell of the status quo is broken, and others will follow. Be kind to our language. Avoid pronouncing the phrases everyone else does. Think up your own way of speaking, even if only to convey that thing you think everyone is saying. Make an effort to separate yourself from the internet. Read books. Believe in truth. To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights. Investigate. Figure things out for yourself. Spend more time with long articles. Subsidize investigative journalism by subscribing to print media. Realize that some of what is on the internet is there to harm you. Learn about sites that investigate propaganda campaigns (some of which come from abroad). Take responsibility for what you communicate with others. Make eye contact and small talk. This is not just polite. It is part of being a citizen and a responsible member of society. It is also a way to stay in touch with your surroundings, break down social barriers, and understand whom you should and should not trust. If we enter a culture of denunciation, you will want to know the psychological landscape of your daily life. Practice corporeal politics. Power wants your body softening in your chair and your emotions dissipating on the screen. Get outside. Put your body in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people. Make new friends and march with them. Establish a private life. Nastier rulers will use what they know about you to push you around. Scrub your computer of malware on a regular basis. Remember that email is skywriting. Consider using alternative forms of the internet, or simply using it less. Have personal exchanges in person. For the same reason, resolve any legal trouble. Tyrants seek the hook on which to hang you. Try not to have hooks. Contribute to good causes. Be active in organizations, political or not, that express your own view of life. Pick a charity or two and set up autopay. Then you will have made a free choice that supports civil society and helps others to do good. Learn from peers in other countries. Keep up your friendships abroad, or make new friends in other countries. The present difficulties in the United States are an element of a larger trend. And no country is going to find a solution by itself. Make sure you and your family have passports. Listen for dangerous words. Be alert to use of the words "extremism" and "terrorism." Be alive to the fatal notions of "emergency" and "exception." Be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic vocabulary. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives. Modern tyranny is terror management. When the terrorist attack comes, remember that authoritarians exploit such events in order to consolidate power. The sudden disaster that requires the end of checks and balances, the dissolution of opposition parties, the suspension of freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, and so on, is the oldest trick in the Hitlerian book. Do not fall for it. Be a patriot. Set a good example of what America means for the generations to come. They will need it. Be as courageous as you can. If none of us is prepared to die for freedom, then all of us will die under tyranny. These lessons are the openings of the twenty chapters of my little 2017 book On Tyranny, which has just been lightly edited since in successive printings to account for the Big Lie, the coup attempt, the war in Ukraine, and the risks we face in 2024. The lessons remain the same. On Tyranny has also been published in a beautiful graphic edition, illustrated by Nora Krug. For my positive ideas about liberty, see my new book, On Freedom.
Air Date 12/13/2024 The most important thing to understand about authoritarian and dictatorial governance is that it is neither efficient nor competent, contrary to the myth. The problem lies with the need to hire people based on their unquestioning loyalty rather than any kind of demonstrated ability to do the jobs they're tasked with. The results are, unsurprisingly, chaos. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript Send the Gift of Membership! (Or on Patreon) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Fight Trump With Everything You Have! Shocking Warning From Hungarian Democracy Movement - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 11-25-24 KP 2: MAGA 2.0 w Quinn Slobodian & Wendy Brown - The Dig - Air Date 11-29-24 KP 3: A Slew Of A$$hole Nominations...- The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 11-15-24 KP 4: What Pete Hegseth Has Said About Civil War and Whiteness - Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast - Air Date 11-27-24 KP 5: Trump goes off the deep end with Cabinet pick - No Lie w Brian Tyler Cohen - Air Date 12-1-24 KP 6: The Trump Trials... Cases Closed - Americast - Air Date 11-29-24 KP 7: MAGA 2.0 w Quinn Slobodian & Wendy Brown - The Dig - Air Date 11-29-24 (54:37) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On why it's important to stay engaged Don't Let Donald Trump Drive You Into Internal Exile - NYTimes DEEPER DIVES (58:44) SECTION A: THE LINEUP (1:27:56) SECTION B: THE PLAYBOOK (1:52:28) SECTION C: GLOBAL REFERENCE (2:12:50) SECTION D: CRACKS IN AUTHORITY SHOW IMAGE Description: Composite graphic of Trump giving the double thumbs up over black silhouettes of people in suits with the clown face emoji on their heads and “MAGA” on their chests. Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman. Various images via Pixabay. Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastadon | Threads | X
This week hosts Tiffany Cross, Angela Rye, and Andrew Gillum check in on the state of the presidential race. Is there anything more Kamala can do to reach undecided voters? Do undecided voters even exist at this point?? The terms “fascist” and “fascism” are being thrown around a lot lately. Considering that we may soon have a wannabe fascist as President, let's define those words, and identify what exactly is “fascist” about Trump. Rudy Giuliani finally had his day in court. He's been ordered to pay more than a hundred million dollars to compensate Georgia election workers who he falsely accused of election fraud after the 2020 election. We'll hear from some of those election workers. Finally, where do we see fear being used as a political strategy in the 2024 election, by both campaigns? The hosts have a practical and philosophical discussion about fear and the nature of power. And of course we'll hear from you, our #NLPFam listeners! If you'd like to submit a question, check out our tutorial video: www.instagram.com/reel/C5j_oBXLIg0/ We are 12 days away from the election. Welcome home y'all! —--------- We want to hear from you! Send us a video @nativelandpod and we may feature you on the podcast. Instagram X/Twitter Facebook NativeLandPod.com Watch full episodes of Native Land Pod here on YouTube. Native Land Pod is brought to you by Reasoned Choice Media. Thank you to the Native Land Pod team: Angela Rye as host, executive producer and cofounder of Reasoned Choice Media; Tiffany Cross as host and producer, Andrew Gillum as host and producer, and Lauren Hansen as executive producer; Loren Mychael is our research producer, and Nikolas Harter is our editor and producer. Special thanks to Chris Morrow and Lenard McKelvey, co-founders of Reasoned Choice Media. Theme music created by Daniel Laurent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Liberty Report Classic - Against The Left Authoritarians -- With Lew Rockwell by Ron Paul Liberty Report