Tune in Wednesday 1/22-- we're on the Bob Cesca Show and Driftglass will be on the BradCast!  And we'll have more politics on Thursday, not that this show isn't political!

A dive into propaganda in science fiction, particularly those instances where aliens take over the world to the advantage of the privileged.  What?

Links for this episode:

Ray Nelson, "Eight O'Clock In the Morning" available via the Internet Archive (free registration required) https://archive.org/details/sciencefictioncl0000unse_z5i2

Images of Arthur C. Clarke's "I Remember Babylon" https://imgur.com/gallery/i-remember-babylon-by-arthur-c-clark-2BX7I6R

Recorded live from the Cornfield Resistance.  Podcast artwork by Frances Langum via BingAI.  

Support the podcast at proleftpod.com or become a patron at patreon.com/proleftpod. 

Write us via the USPS! 

The Professional Left Podcast 
PO Box 9133 
Springfield IL 62791  

Support the show

We all know something has died. It's time for a wake, and then... onward toward life. 

More at proleftpod.com 

Recorded live from the Cornfield Resistance.  Podcast artwork by Driftglass. 

Support the podcast at proleftpod.com or become a patron at patreon.com/proleftpod. 

Write us via the USPS! 

The Professional Left Podcast 
PO Box 9133 
Springfield IL 62791

Support the show

Have you noticed that truly independent liberal blogs have maintained their integrity while other "upstart" media ventures often drift toward centrism and "both-sides" reporting?  We have! 

In this week's episode, Driftglass and Blue Gal examine the current media landscape and the rise of self-proclaimed "contrarian" outlets. They also examine The Contrarian, a new media venture launched by Jennifer Rubin and Norm Eisen. 

Also: President Biden's historic job creation record, Pete Hegseth's absurd confirmation hearing, and Special Counsel Jack Smith's final report. 

Recorded live from the Cornfield Resistance.  Podcast artwork by Bluegal via Bing AI. 

Support the podcast at proleftpod.com or become a patron at patreon.com/proleftpod. 

Support the show

It's been fifteen YEARS of podcasting at The Professional Left!

Our hearts go out to the victims of the Palisades fire.

Why can't we talk to conservatives not to inform or persuade or even get them to accept reality?  Sad!   A history.  Ahem.

More at proleftpod.com.

Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangum

Our podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod

Do you want to send us a Happy New Year card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!

The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133 
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

Recorded January 7, 2025

We discuss how mainstream media continues to normalize extremism while Vice President Harris certifies her own election loss. How the media landscape is shifting in concerning ways, from the Washington Post's 'troubles' to Meta's new MAGA-friendly policies.

• The contrast between VP Harris's honorable certification of results versus the events of January 6th, 2021
• Historical parallels: Rush Limbaugh's "rooting for failure" approach during Obama's presidency
• Major changes at Meta/Facebook, dropping fact-checkers and relaxing content restrictions = we're OUT. 
• Media coverage of the January 6th anniversary uses the passive voice, as well as the Webster's Dictionary word of the year for 2024, "polarization."  UGH.

Programming Note

Thursday marks the podcast's FIFTEENTH-anniversary show!

Stay in Touch! 

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: proleftpod.com
• Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod
• Mail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791

Not safe for work.  

Support the show

It's our final episode of 2024 and the 100th episode of the year!!!

January 2025 marks our 15th anniversary of podcasting!  

(We're off on Thursday and will return to regular podcasting on Tuesday, January 7.)

This episode pays tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter. It includes a deep dive into Hunter S. Thompson's 1974 account of Carter's influential Law Day speech in Georgia.

And we heap some love on JB Pritzker, as our governor stands up for the healthcare rights of pregnant women. 

More at proleftpod.com.

Link for this episode:  “GONZO: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson” by Magnolia Pictures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNUzYEDxBEw

Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangum

Our podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod

Do you want to send us a Happy New Year card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!

The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133 
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

Elon Musk is running the country now, so we've got THAT going for us.  Driftglass suggests, only a little tongue in cheek, that farmers (who voted for Trump in the 75-80% range) should bear the brunt of whatever the Musk/Trump administration will do.  Blue Gal can't wait for the Matt Gaetz Ethics Committee Report, and DG reads a time travel story from Mike Royko. 

More at proleftpod.com.

YouTube and Avatar artwork by Fran/Bluegal

Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangum

Our podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod

Do you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!

The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133 
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

Aww, nobody wants the "head up the Washington Post" job?  

In other news: 

• Trump's potential betrayal of rural supporters through proposed policies on tariffs, immigration, and healthcare
• Trump's past false claims about COVID-19 and inflation
• ABC News settling a $15 million defamation lawsuit with Trump
• Media's capitulation to Trump and conservative narratives, same as ever
• Trump allies suggesting radical ideas like a potential third-term
• The collapse of "The Biden Crime Family" lie 
• AOC loses the House Oversight Committee ranking member race

More at proleftpod.com.

YouTube and Avatar artwork by Fran/Bluegal via Bing.AI.

Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangum

Our podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod

Do you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!

The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133 
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

Our "hot take"? The CEO shooting reminds us of... Sandy Hook and Uvalde. 

Driftglass reads his classic tale "Little Red State Fundy" and we have given up MSNBC, all of it, for one big reason. 

More at proleftpod.com.

YouTube and Avatar artwork via Bing.AI.

Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangum

Our podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod

Do you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!

The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133 
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

Surprise! They're Trump voters! 

It's amazing how many "low information" (they're not) voters "do their own research." 

LINKS for this episode:

No More Mister Nice Blog:  "Members of the latest times focus group voted for a parallel-universe Trump". https://nomoremister.blogspot.com/2024/12/members-of-latest-times-focus-group.html

George Carlin, 'Soft Language':  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h67k9eEw9AY

YouTube and Avatar artwork via Bing.AI.

Blue Gal's knitting podcast!  https://www.youtube.com/@flangum

Our podcast YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessionalLeft

Support the show:
PayPal |  https://paypal.me/proleftpodcast
Patreon | https://patreon.com/proleftpod

Do you want to send us a holiday card and/or contribution by mail?  We love getting mail!

The Professional Left Podcast
PO Box 9133 
Springfield, IL 62791

Support the show

We issue a correction to episode 859...

Support the show