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Left Reckoning

Left Reckoningwww.patreon.com
Fmr. The Michael Brooks Show crew Matt Lech & David Griscom work to cover & build a strong, popular, working-class rooted, no BS Socialist Left. With a special focus on the international struggle and Texas, the South, & the West. The weekly show is live on Youtube @ 7 Central with Griscom streams on Tuesday afternoon.
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Episodes

138 - Russia's Invasion & Ukraine's Collaboration Law w/ Alice Speri

Matt & David talk about how the right became obsessed with a subdivision in Texas. #Ukraine Then Alice Speri (@alicesperi) a journalist with The Intercept joins us to talk about her piece in the Intercept "Enemies Within" a look at the violence faced by Ukrainians from the Russian invasion and how the collaboration in Ukraine is adding to the pain of those who faced the brunt of Russian occupation. Read the story here:https://theintercept.com/2023/09/27/ukraine-russia-war-crimes-sexual-viole...

Oct 04, 20231 hr 17 min

137 - Responding To UAW Critics w/ Jacob Morrison

Support the show and get our Sunday conversation and postgame show at patreon.com/leftreckoning Biden is walking the UAW picket line and Donald Trump is holding a rally, we take a minute to update folks on the historic UAW Strike. Then we have Jacob Morrison (@JacobM_AL) of the Valley Labor Report to talk about the strike, respond to some of the 'left' criticism of Shan Fain and the UAW, and more.

Sep 27, 20231 hr 18 min

136 - Unaccountability In Texas & The Right Vs Equality w/ Matt McManus

Hey friends! We are back this week with another episode of Left Reckoning. First up we are going to be talking Ken Paxton's acquittal and how Texas is where accountability goes die. Next up we have Matt McManus @MattPolProf on to talk about his new book The Political Right and Equality out from Routledge, we talk about the philosophical base of the rightwing in the US and the world. Pick up Matt's book here: https://www.routledge.com/The-Political-Right-and-Equality-Turning-Back-the-Tide-of-Egal...

Sep 20, 20231 hr 32 min

135 - The Rich Are Wreckers & Can The Left Keep Mexico? w/ Kurt Hackbarth

Welcome back to LR. This week Matt & David are talking how the rich make life worse for the rest of us. Then we have Kurt Hackbart (@kurthackbarth) journalist based in Mexico to talk about AMLO, his potential successor, and revamp his regular segment, lies the NYT is telling about Mexico. Read Kurt's latest in Jacobin here: https://jacobin.com/2023/08/amlo-poverty-mexico-wealth-inequality-politics-fourth-transformation

Sep 13, 20231 hr 26 min

134 - Paxton Watch & Who's Spying On You? ft. Robert Skvarla

Robert Skvarla (@Robertskvarla) joins us once again to talk about his new piece on private spy firms. But first: Shawn Fain goes at billionaire's right to exist and David gives us a texas-sized update on the Paxton impeachment proceedings Read Robert's piece here https://unicornriot.ninja/2023/aimed-at-protests-surveillance-contractors-new-owners-expand-spy-tech-portfolio/...

Sep 06, 20231 hr 26 min

133 - The YIMBY Technocrat Problem & Mining The Future w/ Nick Bowlin

Listen to our Communist Manifesto reading featuring RM Brown by becoming a patron at patreon.com/leftreckoning Hello friends, we are joined this week by Nick Bowlin (@npbowlin) writer and correspondent at High Country News to talk about mining. Nick recently attended a major mining conference where attendees were salivating over the opportunities that green energy transitions mean for the mining industry. Read Nick's piece here: https://www.thedriftmag.com/a-good-prospect/ Also, Jacob Frey and a...

Aug 30, 20231 hr 28 min

132 - Evaluating The Squad w/ Branko Marcetic + Minion Death Cult on the UPS Vote

Check out friend podcast Best of the Left at BestoftheLeft.com We are joined by Jacobin writer Branko Marcetic (@BMarchetich) to talk about AOC and the squad and his recent Jacobin piece "AOC and the Squad’s List of Left-Wing Accomplishments Is Quite Long" https://jacobin.com/2023/08/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-aoc-the-squad-left-criticism-policy-accomplishmentsAlso, a clip from our Sunday Show for featuring Minion Death Cult:Alexander (@flieldy) and Tony (@Wordisbond) from the excellent podcast Mi...

Aug 23, 20231 hr 18 min

131 - Tyranny Inc & Right Wing Populism? w/ Sohrab Ahmari

This week we are joined by Sohrab Ahmari (@SohrabAhmari) founder and editor of Compact Magazine and author of Tyranny Inc. Sohrab is a conservative but worries that modern capitalism & private power poses a major threat to freedom, he joins David to discuss his book and right-wing populism. Sohrab's book Tyranny Inc. is out now: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/708057/tyranny-inc-by-sohrab-ahmari/

Aug 16, 20231 hr 16 min

130 - Degrowth Isn't Just Bad Politics, It's Bad Economics w/ Cale Brooks

Matt & David are joined by Cale Brooks (@calebroooks) fmrly. of the Jacobin Show and a contributor to Damage Magazine to talk about Degrowth, why it isn't just bad politics but bad economics as well. Read Cale's full piece here: https://damagemag.com/2023/06/07/the-left-did-a-no-growth/

Aug 09, 20231 hr 21 min

129 - Why The RIGHT Loves Oil w/ Dharna Noor

Matt & David are joined by Dharna Noor (@dharnanoor) journalist at the Guardian to talk about climate change, the Right's war on the IRA, & why the right loves oil. Also, Shawn Fain on the 32 hour work week and Trump indicted a third time.Keep up with Dharna's excellent reporting here: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/dharna-noor

Aug 03, 20231 hr 9 min

128 - Teamsters Win Big? & Desantis Sweating With Russell Brand

We are joined by Maximillian Alvarez (@maximillian_alv) Editor in Chief of The Real News Network and host of Working Pod, joins us to talk about the Teamster's tentative deal with UPS. Also, Ron DeSantis talks with new pal Russell Brand

Jul 26, 20231 hr 28 min

127 - Israel Is Bulldozing Palestinian Schools & Texas' Brutal Border w/ Basel Adra

Greg Abbott's cruelty at the border knows no end. Matt & David talk about the brutal revelations that Texas security forces have been instructed to push children into the Rio Grande. Then journalist & Palestinian Basel Adra joins David to talk about what could be the worst mass expulsion in Palestine since 1967 in Masafer Yatta: https://www.thenation.com/article/world/masafer-yatta-destruction-palestine-israel/

Jul 19, 20231 hr 19 min

126 - Minnesota's Farmer-Labor Movement ft. Anders J Lee

With David still in London, Matt is joined by Anders Lee (@andersleehere) to discuss the rise and fall of Minnesota's Farmer-Labor movement. Check out Anders' piece here: https://racketmn.com/how-hubert-h-humphrey-purged-the-dfl-of-socialists And this documentary by the Farmer-Labor Education Committee on the movement here: https://youtu.be/9Nibei9ZCHM More on the Farmer-Labor Education Committee https://farmerlaboreducation.com/

Jul 12, 202358 min

125 - Quick Fixes: Drugs in America ft. Benjamin Fong

Happy Fourth y'all. Back with a full live show next week! Benjamin Fong joins David and Matt to discuss his new book: Quick Fixes: Drugs in America from Prohibition to the 21st Century Binge https://www.versobooks.com/products/2981-quick-fixes

Jul 05, 202350 min

123 - Reclaiming Utopia & Texas' Death Star Bill ft. Alex Birnel

support us and get the weekly postgame and Sunday Show at patreon.com/leftreckoning Welcome Left Reckoners. This week Matt & David talk about how it is critical that the Left never lose its utopian spirit. Then DSA member & organizer from San Antonio Alex Birnel (@alexbirnel) joins David to talk about the Death Star Bill HB2127 in Texas that will roll back labor law and harm local politics, and what we can do to fight back.

Jun 21, 20231 hr 20 min

Building Solidarity With Cuba & The Left - Griscom Stream

Hey friends this audio from today's Griscom Stream, to support the show and get access to all bonus episodes sign up at patreon.com/leftreckoning David is joined by union organizer Aminah Sheikh (@AminahSheikh) & Prof Emeritus Charles Omowale Simmons to talk about the recent Labor Delegation to Cuba, the result of US sanctions, and building solidarity with our neighbors to the south.

Jun 15, 20231 hr 13 min

122 - Marxism and "Woke" Corportations ft. Nick French

Support the show and get the sunday members show at patreon.com/leftreckoning We are joined this week by Nick French (@NickFrenchNYC) assistant editor at Jacobin Magazine, to talk about the right's claim that 'wokeism' is just secret Marxism, and why if you are worried about oppression you should be a Marxist. Read Nick's piece here: https://jacobin.com/2023/04/cultural-marxism-woke-capitalism-conservatives-oppression

Jun 14, 20231 hr 14 min

121 - The End Of Left Populism? & Erdogan Holds On w/ Alex Hochuli & Djene Bajalan

Support the show and get our recent Sunday conversations with Jeremy Appel on Alberta and Emma Vigeland at patreon.com/majority We are joined by Alex Hochuli (@Alex__1789) to talk about the populist moment. Check out Bungacast: https://bungacast.com/ Alex's book "The End Of The End Of History" - https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/end-end-history Then Djene Bajalan (@djenebajalan) joins us to talk about the recent elections in Turkey.

Jun 07, 20231 hr 28 min

120 - Rich People In Space & Diving Deep In Minnesota w/ Corey Pein & Isi Baehr-Breen

support the show and hear our Sunday Shows, most recently with Emma Vigeland on crime and public saftey at patreon.com/leftreckoning Biden is bringing massive cuts to appease the GOP. Corey Pein (@coreypein) joins us to talk about the rich in space, and Isi Baehr-Breen (@isaiah_bb) fmr. Communications Director for Ilhan Omar joins us to talk about Minnesota politics, and how the state has been able to push for progressive legislation. We also talk the debt-ceiling deal and Paxton's impeachment i...

May 31, 20231 hr 36 min

Special Report - Henry Kissinger 100 Years: New Warcrimes Exposed By The Intercept w/ Nick Turse

Journalist Nick Turse (@nickturse) joins David to talk about Henry Kissinger turning 100, and his breaking reporting on new revelations about the scope of Henry Kissinger's involvement in brutal war crimes in Cambodia. KISSINGER'S KILLING FIELDS: Survivors of Kissinger’s Secret War in Cambodia Reveal Unreported Mass Killings https://theintercept.com/2023/05/23/henry-kissinger-cambodia-bombing-survivors/ MERCH 4 SALE - https://leftreckoning.com/store ------- Get our booklist here: https://booksho...

May 27, 202330 min

119 - The Weird Return Of The LaRouche Cult & Ron Desantis To Announce ft. Donald Parkinson

Support the show and hear this Sunday's talk with Emma Vigeland at patreon.com/leftreckoning We are joined by Donald Parkinson, editor & writer at Cosmonaut Magazine, to talk about their recent piece in the print issue of Jacobin on Lyndon LaRouche. https://jacobin.com/2023/05/how-lyndon-larouche-said-goodbye-to-marxism-and-hello-to-crazy Check out Cosmonaut Magazine: https://cosmonautmag.com/

May 24, 20231 hr 48 min

Special Report: How Brandon Johnson & The Working-Class Won In Chicago

This is audio from this week's Griscom Stream - catch them live Thursday afternoons on Youtube! Reporter Miles Kampf-Lassin (@MilesKLassin) and labor organizer & Executive director of In These Times Alex Han (alex__han) David Griscom to talk about Brandon Johnson's campaign for mayor of Chicago. WHY CHICAGO’S MAYORAL ELECTION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RACES OF 2023 https://perfectunion.us/why-chicagos-mayoral-election-is-one-of-the-most-important-races-of-2023/ Brandon Johnson Took on Rep...

May 18, 202345 min

118 - The Post-Bernie Left & Understanding Imperialism w/ Vivek Chibber

Support the show and get the postgame (this week with Matt Huber) and Sunday Show at patreon.com/leftreckoning We are joined by Vivek Chibber, professor of sociology at New York University. He is the editor of Catalyst: A Journal of Theory and Strategy, to talk about his book The Class Matrix, the post-bernie left, and what the left gets wrong about imperialism. https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674245136

May 17, 20231 hr 7 min

117 - Did Tesla Cover Up A Worker's Death? + FDR Scholar Assesses Biden & Marianne Williamson

Get the Sunday show and postgame, as well as support the show, at patreon.com/leftreckoning David & Matt break down Texas Governor Greg Abbott's border militarization. Gus Bova (@gusbova) of the Texas Observer joins us to talk about how a Texas worker died at Tesla's Gigafactory: HE DIED HELPING BUILD TESLA’S GIGAFACTORY. TESLA DIDN’T TELL LOCAL OFFICIALS https://www.texasobserver.org/tesla-t... And our friend FDR Scholar and advisor to Marianne Williamson Harvey Kaye (@harveyjkaye) joins us...

May 10, 20231 hr 21 min

116 - Climate Change & Class War + Clowning On The Right w/ Chris James

Support the show and get the postgame and sunday bonus shows at patreon.com/leftreckoning We talk about how climate change has a clear class war angle. Chris James (@theCJS) the mind behind Not Even A Show joins us to talk about clowning on the Right. https://t.co/SjhCDIUpMb Check out the Rank & File Project: https://rankandfileproject.com/ MERCH 4 SALE - https://leftreckoning.com/store

May 03, 20231 hr 16 minEp. 116

114 - Work From Cradle To Grave w/ Cole Stangler

Get the postgame and Sunday shows by supporting us at Patreon.com/leftreckoning Matt & Dave respond to the recent push from the right to roll back child labor law. Journalist Cole Stangler (@ColeStangler) joins us to talk about the protests in France, why Macron is targeting workers' retirements, and how successful the resistance has been. https://colestangler.com/ Bernie is right, the Democratic Party has turned their backs on workers.

Apr 19, 20231 hr 21 min

113 - Squad Comes Through With Assange Letter & Union Power In the Suburbs ft. Chip Gibbons & Paul Prescod

We are joined by Paul Prescod (@paul_prescod) Jacobin contributor, Teamsters For A Democratic Union organizer, and fmr. candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate joins us to talk about the legendary labor leader Tony Mazzocchi. Chip Gibbons (@ChipGibbons89) policy director of Defending Rights & Dissent joins us to talk about this historic letter calling for the Biden admin to drop charges against Julian Assange. Support Defending Rights & Dissent https://www.rightsanddissent.org/ Other cov...

Apr 12, 20231 hr 32 min

112 - Reforming The Labor Movement & TN In Crisis ft. Keith Brower Brown

To get access to all the bonus episodes, including more Hitchens conversations & deep dives into radical US history, Lenin, James Connolly & more support the show at patreon.com/leftreckoning - for just $5 you help make the public show possible and get double the bonus content. David and Matt talk about the real threat to democracy in Tennessee. Then we are joined by Keith Brower Brown to talk about recent changes in the United Auto Workers and the fight to reform the labor movement. MER...

Apr 05, 20231 hr 13 min
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