#1376 Tell Stories, Not Myths: America is a Force But Not Always For Good

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

Air Date 10/21/2020

Today we take a look at some of the many zany foreign misadventures the United States has had over the past 100 years. And by "zany misadventures" I mean the naked pursuit of capitalism at any cost, the support of military coups and other undemocratic overthrows of foreign governments and wars for oil and resources in an unabashed attempt to keep America wealthy and the rest of the world less so - all while maintaining an anti-imperial, pro-democracy, pro-freedom, live-and-let-live poker face.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email [e-mail]

Transcript

BECOME A MEMBER! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

EPISODE SPONSORS: MACK WELDON | GROUND.NEWS/BEST

IF YOU’RE GOING TO SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USA | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The bipartisan empire machine that runs the United States - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 9-26-18

Trump lies all the time but he's also continuing one of the great lies of America

Ch. 2: Empire Unhinged with Aslı Bâli & Aziz Rana - The Dig - Air Date 6-11-20

Dan interviews returning guests Aslı Bâli and Aziz Rana on the long history behind the crisis of American imperial legitimation that has become so manifest amid the pandemic.

Ch. 3: American Empire Part 1 - Scene on Radio - Air Date 4-29-20

“America” and “empire.” Do those words go together? If so, what kind of imperialism does the U.S. practice, and how has American empire changed over time? By host and producer John Biewen, with series collaborator Chenjerai Kumanyika.

Ch. 4: Ghosts of Mossadegh: The Iran Cables, U.S. Empire, and the Arc of History - Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill - Air Date 11-20-19

The Intercept’s investigative series The Iran Cables offers historical insight into Iran’s operations in neighboring Iraq, which are informed by the bloody history of the Iran-Iraq War, the U.S. invasion, and subsequent occupation of Iraq

Ch. 5: 2020 Hindsight on Iraq - Open Source with Christopher Lydon - Air Date 1-9-20

America's "original sin" in the Middle East: the CIA's (and Britain's) coup d'etat in Iran in 1953.

Ch. 6: American Empire Part 2 - Scene on Radio - Air Date 4-29-20

“America” and “empire.” Do those words go together? If so, what kind of imperialism does the U.S. practice, and how has American empire changed over time? By host and producer John Biewen, with series collaborator Chenjerai Kumanyika.

Ch. 7: Voting Is Not Enough - 2 WEEKS LEFT, GET OUT THE VOTE - Best of the Left

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. For more, visit Bestoftheleft.com/2020Action.

Ch. 8: American Empire Part 3 - Scene on Radio - Air Date 4-29-20

“America” and “empire.” Do those words go together? If so, what kind of imperialism does the U.S. practice, and how has American empire changed over time? By host and producer John Biewen, with series collaborator Chenjerai Kumanyika.

Ch. 9: The Always Stumbling US Empire - Citations Needed - Air Date 10-25-17

"Stumbling", "sliding", "drawn into" war––the media frequently assumes the US is bumbling its way around the world. The idea that the United States operates in “good faith” is taken for granted for most of the American press.

Ch. 10: The Other 9/11: Part One - Making Contact - Air Date 9-3-13

Before 2001, there was another 9/11. In 1973, a military coup backed by the United States, overthrew the Chilean government and ushered in seventeen years of brutal dictatorship. In the first of a two part series; we hear stories of the Chilean 9/11.

Ch. 11: Empire Unhinged with Aslı Bâli & Aziz Rana Part 2 - The Dig - Air Date 6-11-20

Dan interviews returning guests Aslı Bâli and Aziz Rana on the long history behind the crisis of American imperial legitimation that has become so manifest amid the pandemic.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 12: Domestic focus is about setting a good example - Chris from San Diego

Ch. 13: Thoughts on right-wing vs left-wing anarchism - Alex

Ch. 14: Fighting for legitimacy - Dave from Olympia, WA

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 15: Final comments on the dangers and paranoia that come with illegitimate power

TAKE ACTION!

TheLastWeekends.org

SwingLeft.org/funds

FieldTeam6.org

VoteSaveAmerica.com

Voting problems? Call 866-OUR-VOTE or 866OurVote.org

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

The Billion-Dollar Disinformation Campaign to Reelect the President (The Atlantic)

Behind in the Polls, Republicans See a Silver Lining in Voter Registrations (The New York Times)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Listen Anywhere!

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at [e-mail]