The Professional Left Podcast with Driftglass and Blue Gal

We're back with a fresh episode exploring what we call the media's "favorite drug" - their addiction to centrism and both-siderism! We'll take you behind the scenes of Chuck Todd's bitter departure from NBC, examine the rehabilitation tour of certain political figures, and discuss why MSNBC is hemorrhaging viewers. Plus, we'll dive into some troubling development...

We're back with our latest episode, examining how the rope of crony corruption binds our politics asymmetrically - a pattern we've been observing for over twenty years in American politics and media. The heart of our conversation explores how right-wing media continues to dominate local airwaves while progressive voices face constant scrutiny and advertising challenges. I'll take yo...

In this episode of The Professional Left Podcast for March 6, 2025, driftglass and I dive into several breaking news stories that have us asking "Are you KIDDING?" Elon Musk's government email address Peter Navarro's outlandish claim about Canada President Diarrhea Mouth can’t help leaving a huge door open for those suing to stop DOGE Republican senators secured a special hotli...

In our latest episode, we dissect how prominent news outlets like the Associated Press are sanitizing Trump's increasingly unhinged behavior, literally editing out his most bizarre moments from official transcripts. From the shocking Oval Office encounter with Zelensky to the ongoing media capitulation, we show how journalism is failing in real time. We explore the deep shame many Americans f...

In this episode of The Professional Left Podcast, we dive into the Trump administration's continuing assault on American democracy and institutions. We start with our "News Roundup," covering the DOGE cuts, government firings, and acts of resistance within federal agencies. We also discuss Trump's controversial "Gold Card" citizenship program, the shocking U.S. vote a...

Sorry folks, DG is getting over a sniffle and is coughing too much to podcast today.  See you Thursday!  Support the show

Episode 878 of The Professional Left Podcast examines how the Republican party built a "democracy-destroying machine" over 50 years, and why attempts by Never Trumpers to reform it from within consistently fail. The hosts analyze a recent Bari Weiss column as a case study of how conservative critics must attack Democrats and marginalized groups to establish credibility with the MAGA base...

It's time to explore "Resistance Theater" through two powerful World War II-era films: "Passage to Marseilles" (1944) and "Pimpernel Smith" (1941). These classic propaganda films draw fascinating parallels to current events, and it's worth examining how MAGA forces are attempting to erase and rewrite history through modern tactics. From book banning at milit...

Content warning: Contains strong language and adult themes. Not safe for work or children. In this spicy episode, Blue Gal and Driftglass explore the history and strategic importance of profanity in political discourse. They particularly focus on how the mainstream media's obsession with "civility" has been weaponized against progressives. They trace this phenomenon from David Brode...

In this episode of The Professional Left Podcast, hosts Blue Gal and Driftglass discuss the impact of Trump's recent federal funding freeze on American farmers, particularly those who supported him in the 2024 election. They examine multiple news reports from across the country showing how farmers are facing financial hardship after Trump halted various USDA programs, including conservation p...

The Professional Left Podcast #874: Federal jobs and local economies are in chaos as Trump and Musk wreak havoc at USAID and beyond. Driftglass and Blue Gal break down how Republican propaganda keeps winning despite their awful job creation record, and why some Never Trumpers can't quit bashing Democrats.  The hosts dig into research showing Dems are way better at creating jobs (shocking, rig...

An exploration of how the “DEI madness” conspiracy is really just the GOP’s latest excuse to scapegoat diversity while distracting from their own failures. In this week's Professional Left Podcast , Driftglass and Blue Gal dive into the aftermath of a tragic midair collision over Washington, D.C., and the farcical responses from Trump’s administration. From blaming DEI hires to pointing finge...

In this episode, Driftglass and Blue Gal tackle claims that "the resistance is over" by drawing powerful parallels between current "resistance fatigue" narratives and similar premature declarations during the Bush era. They discuss Paul Krugman's revelatory piece about his departure from The New York Times, explore the real-world evidence of continued grassroots resistance...

Three badass women—Jasmine Crockett, AOC, and Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde—speak truth to power. Then we're on to Trump's unconscionable January 6th pardons, dissecting the psychology of "I'm, an independent!" voters and marveling at the mind-bending mental gymnastics of the MAGA world. From there, to media cowardice and Project 2025 nightmares. Big love to our ride-or-die l...

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 t...

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 n...

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/...

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 Jan...

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 Geo...

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...

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 eve...

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...

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, 'S...

We issue a correction to episode 859... Support the show