When Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump last November, one of the first thoughts that went through my mind was that the battle against the environment that Trump waged for four years would be over.

That the U.S. would once again join the fight against climate change, that Biden would pull back Trump’s most egregious executive orders that tried to wipe out efforts by the Obama administration to protect our air and our water.

So, it was heartening to see some of the first public comments made by Biden’s new EPA administrator, Michael Regan, who said the agency will do exactly that.
Here’s my take on that as published on Not Fake News.biz.

Here’s “Protecting the Environment is Back at EPA”. Take a listen.

-Protecting the Environment is Back at EPA

Hey guys, thanks for dropping by the NFN Radio News podcast, where we talk a little politics with a little lean to the left, and where we interview interesting guests who can add to our dialogue.

Today we have with us Kim Curry, author of The Death of Fairness, a book that explores the aftermath of the 1986 decision by the Federal Communications Commission to rescind the Fairness Doctrine. 

With that action, broadcasters no longer are required to present “contrasting points of view” on their airwaves, and Curry believes that’s one reason why our nation is so politically and socially divided today.

So welcome, Kim. Thanks for joining us today. Tell us a little about yourself, Kim, and about The Death of Fairness.

NFN Radio News-The Death of Fairness, The Birth of Division

R&B and Blues piano player Daryl Davis, in an incredible interview with the Tempo and the Times podcast, tells the story of his career, which has included gigs with Chuck Berry and other famed jazz and blues musicians, while confronting blatant racism and even "infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan.

During his long career as a musician since graduating from Howard University with a degree in jazz, Davis went from tires being slashed outside a venue in Maryland because of his race to influencing a top leader in the KKK to leave the organization -- and give him his robe.

That's the part of the story that we present in today's episode of Tempo and the Times. It's a fascinating tale of courage and determination to do what's right.

Piano Man Daryl Davis and the KKK -- Part 2

This episode is narration of Chris Waldron's commentary on NotFakeNews.biz, "Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot."

The term Whiskey Tango Foxtrot derives from a military term describing circumstances gone completely awry (what the f*ck). This would certainly apply to the state of our country at this present time. 

With half the population believing lies over facts, a pandemic that has a means of prevention that almost 50 percent of the country won’t accept, rampant wildfires, a stifling heat wave, catastrophic flooding and powerful hurricanes spurred on by climate change, and a whacko wannabe despot stirring the pot at every turn, this is definitely a WTF moment in our history.

The thing is, if this continues, we are going to destroy ourselves as a nation, Chris says. Check it out.

Lean to the Left-Episode 369-Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - 9:4:21, 6.39 PM

Are you a veteran? Have interesting stories that you could share for posterity? Know a veteran who you’d like to honor? Take a listen and find out how.

We’re delighted to present Monica Mohindra, acting director of the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

We’re a little late for Veterans Day, but then we need to be celebrating and honoring our veterans every day of the year.

Monica is the wife of a Navy veteran who comes from a long line of veterans and is dedicated to sharing – and preserving for future generations – the stories of those who have served in our military – including women.

Women have served in uniform in all branches of the U.S. military since World War II. From nurses, to code breakers, to pilots, to surgeons, to mechanics, to frontline warriors and everything in between, women veterans have done it all.

In this episode, Monica explains:

* What the Veterans History Project is all about
* What's included there now
* How you can contribute
* Why it's important to share these stories
* How to view and learn from the Veterans History Project
* How it helps families and those suffering from PTSD

Take a listen...

War Stories

Our guest is Martin Henson, executive director of the BMEN Foundation whose mission is to mobilize and support all Black men and address issues many confront every day.

BMen is based in Boston and was established as a response to the “Me Too” movement as increasing numbers of women came forward to reveal instances of sexual abuse against them.
But it’s grown far beyond that, with counseling sessions to help Black men who face stigma and other life challenges.

Our interview with Henson explores all of that and also his views about Republican efforts to restrict voting that are aimed at minority voters and the failure of Congress to enact voting reforms.

However, Henson is quick to caution listeners not to judge President Biden too harshly, pointing out the disastrous presidency of Donald Trump.

Here are some of the questions we explore in the episode with Martin Henson:
1.Some of the key areas identified on your website include addressing stigma, education and advocacy, collaboration, problem solving, respect and community. Tell us about what you’re doing in these areas – and why they’re important.
2.The website says BMEN is an “inclusive group” – what does that mean?
3.What services and activities do you provide?
4.Is the foundation politically active?
5.Foundation implies funding – where does your funding come from?
6.What are your overall goals and objectives?
7.What are your thoughts about the voting restrictions being enacted in response to Trump’s “Big Lie” about the election?
8.What is your reaction to the failure of Congress – and specifically Biden and the Democrats – to get voting reform legislation passed and signed into law?

Lean to the Left-Episode 437-Helping Black Men Navigate Life's Challenges - 2:13:22, 2.53 PM

DW Duke is a California attorney and an author of six published books with three more books currently in production. His work has focused on human rights and empathy as a tool to overcome confrontation and conflict in the world.

DW currently is creating a series of biographical novels and screenplays about social justice issues. One of his books, Racism Awareness, scheduled to be released in March of 2023, addresses root causes of racism and presents effective ways to identify and eradicate it.

Another, ”Not Without a Fight,” is a biographical novel based on the true story of a Jewish boy who becomes a Resistance Fighter in World War II in Poland. The book’s message is we shouldn’t be erasing history, we should be learning from it. That’s timely.

It’s a pleasure for me and Mark Bello, co-host of the Justice Counts podcast, to welcome you, DW, to our podcast.

Mark– Welcome to the podcast. “Not Without A Fight” is your first book based upon a true story set during the Holocaust era. As most of our listeners know, I’m a Jewish Boy and I’ve also written a Holocaust novella, based on a true story. But, talk to us about your  book, why you wrote it, and what message you would like readers to walk away with.

Bob – Your next book, The Duke Legacy, also is based on a true story, takes place during the civil war era, and tells the story of a young man growing up in the south, and is deeply troubled by slavery. It isn’t lost on me that the kid’s last name is Duke—Is this book about your own family and why did you write it?

Bob – Our country is struggling with the problems of discrimination and racism. Is that why you wrote “Racism Awareness?” Talk to us about that.

Mark: There is a rise in anti-Semitic activities and attitudes in America today. Jew hatred is on the rise. Do you see many parallels between what’s going on in America today and the rise of Nazism in Germany in the 1930s?

Bob – You have said that empathy is a tool in overcoming stereotypes and discrimination. I would agree with that, but it sounds rather simplistic. Can you elaborate for us? What can the average citizen do to improve our interreligious or interracial discourse?

Mark – I want to go back to “Not Without a Fight” for a moment. The boy who is the focus of the book survives the war. Did he continue his activism? What was his life like after the war?

Bob – Aside from our racial and religious differences, we have a serious political divide in America today. What can be we do to resolve, or at least ease, political polarization in the U.S.?

Mark – Bob tells me that there may be a movie in the works based on “Not Without a Fight.” That’s exciting. What is the status of this project and when might we be able to see the movie in theatres or on television?

Bob -- You have another biographical novel currently in production called “Because I’m Black.” What is that book about?

Mark: Your books are based on rather terrible periods in history. In the first two books, your two protagonists, Thomas Biebers and Washington Duke, hate what’s going on in their respective countries during their lifetimes. What would they think of modern day Germany and America? Would they be pleased or disappointed with our progress?

Bob – Your work on discrimination and religious hatred is note-worthy and your books take a fascinating look at troubling times. Where can people find these important books?

Mark: In the introduction, Bob mentioned that “Not Without a Fight” core message is that we shouldn’t be erasing history, we should be learning from it. What do you think of the current discussion in America about sugar-coating history books and book-banning? 

Mark: Wow. DW? You are a man after my own heart. We are better than this. We do not need to be an “us” vs. “them” society. As Rodney King said all those years ago: “Can’t we all get along?” Continued success with your career and lots of luck with “Because I’m Black.”

DW Duke-Overcoming Confrontation & Conflict

On a Monday morning in late March three nine year-olds and three adults were gunned down by a shooter who opened fire at the Covenant Presbyterian church school in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The children were students; the adults were staff members. One little girl, Hallie, was the daughter of the lead pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, which is connected to the school.  

The shooter, Audrey Elizabeth Hale, used two AR-15 type weapons and a handgun. Hale had been receiving treatment for “an emotional disorder” and had legally purchased seven weapons from five local gun stores. Hale’s motive was not immediately clear.

The massacre was just the latest in a chain of shootings that just over the last year have left dozens dead and injured in attacks in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California; Chesapeake, Virginia, Colorado Springs, Highland Park, Illinois, Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York among other places.

As in Nashville, researchers found that shooters tended to alarm people around them, often signaling their plan in advance. Generally, they purchased their weapons legally.  

After the Nashville tragedy, the chaplain of the U.S. Senate urged lawmakers to “move beyond thoughts and prayers.” President Biden said he had exhausted his executive powers to deal with guns and said Congress should pass an assault weapons ban, saying “there’s a moral price to pay for inaction.”

But Capitol Hill lawmakers indicated there was little support for that legislation. Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, reiterated their opposition to actions that would restrict access to guns, saying that mental health issues are the root cause of the gun violence problem in America.

That’s why Mark Bello and I present clinical psychologist Emily Bashah and political expert Paul Johnson, former mayor of Phoenix, Arizona. They are co-authors of https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9lQ-2B9CmiBvK7qTT99SZz99-2Flznd3KRel4dYesuEUPzRYjLpMggjZYVzgCk3XK-2Fk75DUbCqlfU4sNI3ieT2DKtjHtPWe-2BbHA81bf4Q3isSVHIsZQn_gjUN5q0oY-2Fa9pVSh-2F3ttET-2BCaLPAITVXgjqhiAWbaLgQB4xu-2BHjCM6yv1uOBFvGVVEgD5lrldM3qft7dzix3wn68q1ZKa4aygIJC1PbjznQKRDDpN7OVk20-2FsBDAoUIp16XDEmTt71AoGwTkCdTlrrAlEssry1P7cWB5CTLwHSnjE0mKWqk0tpdHeDhGTjHhmpTUNGOJHomZl2bPzTEWLUvzG-2BvkHI17GoJwkVdEesEEPRHDm-2BSW3oNwkkrs4zOUKElSdylXz1tfUs-2B3M0peW3xziAuW7O1KTapu3mx6Strlq4VWkNRbtoaseeeLawPIRQISTvgfPDusXkxHNteFM3aPqyyNgPLN7aDdIDztUCo-3D.  

Dr. Bashah frequently serves as an expert witness in court and has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses. Johnsonhttps://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9lQ-2B9CmiBvK7qTT99SZz99-2Flznd3KRel4dYesuEUPzRYjLpMggjZYVzgCk3XK-2Fk75DUbCqlfU4sNI3ieT2DKtjHtPWe-2BbHA81bf4Q3isSVHIKxzm_gjUN5q0oY-2Fa9pVSh-2F3ttET-2BCaLPAITVXgjqhiAWbaLgQB4xu-2BHjCM6yv1uOBFvGVVEgD5lrldM3qft7dzix3wn68q1ZKa4aygIJC1PbjznQKRDDpN7OVk20-2FsBDAoUIp16XDEmTt71AoGwTkCdTlrrAlEssry1P7cWB5CTLwHSnjE0mKWqk0tpdHeDhGTjHhmpTUNGOJHomZl2bPzTEWLWXs6riBxKX-2FfrwxL4r2oZ138ahhmgRyTeJJ1C877kBFsbbgd1qvFfRrvCbPsSePqCZhYatxDLVGn8OiioLBvozGaPt1nnFf4rCgyuNl7FfWYZG3ITcdMCpS0REl7dkT-2BMgKMnPg0rT1aBd1GZCJdeA-3Dwas the youngest mayor of Phoenix when he was elected at age 30. He was sued by the NRA for implementing common sense gun laws, and in this episode, Johnson lays out a three-part approach that he believes is politically feasible and could dramatically reduce mass shootings and enhance school safety for children.

Here are questioons we asked Dr. Bashah and Johnson: 

Q.  What will it take for this country to take meaningful action to protect the lives of innocent people from mass shootings such as this tragic event in Nashville?

Q.  Military-style weapons like the AR-15 often are used in these shootings and about one in 10 Americans own such a gun. What is the attraction to these weapons? Should they be banned? Note: A Washington Post survey found that AR-15 owners come from red, blue and purple states, are significantly more likely to be White, male and between the ages 40 and 65. They’re also more likely to have higher incomes, to have served in the military and to be Republican. AR-15 owners are more likely to live in states former president Donald Trump won in 2020 than adults overall. 

Q.  What are red flag gun laws and why are they important in curbing gun violence? Tennessee two years ago failed to pass such a law that could have stopped the Nashville shooter who was known to be suicidal. Shouldn’t there be a national red flag law?

Q.  What are risk assessments and how can they be implemented?

Q.  What can communities do to help people who are at risk of committing such violent acts? Bob – Dr. Bashah, why is treating ideological extremism as an addiction important in stopping mass murders?

Q. Paul, when you were mayor of Phoenix, you ran into political trouble because of your efforts regarding guns. What happened? Why is it that so many politicians are afraid to act even in the face of these tragic events, which never seem to stop? 

Q.  What are some ways people can deal with friends or loved ones who have fallen into to the trap of addictive ideologies?

Q.  How can Americans be optimistic when surrounded by all of the negative bias that exists today, and why is this optimism important?

Q.  How about the role of social media and the news media with respect to political divisions that exist today? What needs to be done? Are further restrictions on social media needed?

Q.  As a former mayor and politician, Paul, what is your advice to those lawmakers who are beholden to the NRA and seemingly are afraid to act?

Dr. Emily Bashah, Paul Johnson: Solutions to Mass Shootings

We’re back with another episode of Dixie Dems, the podcast from Lean to the Left that takes an irreverent look at politics in the south, as well as nationwide. We’ll talk about candidates, Trump’s legal troubles, Trump pardon talk, the big Supreme Court gerrymandering decision, and much more. 

--- Hey guys, welcome to the Lean to the Left podcast and the June 2023 episode of the Dixie Dems with my partners, Arthur Hill, from North Carolina, and Robert Thompson, from Georgia.

Arthur is first vice chair of the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Democratic party. Robert Thompson is based in Atlanta and founded Peach News Now and its opinion podcast, Got Damn Liberals. Me…I’m based in South Carolina, the state where two Republican candidates are taking on Donald Trump in the Republican presidential sweepstakes.

They, of course, are former SC governor Nikki Haley, former UN ambassador for Trump, and Sen. Tim Scott, the only African American GOP US Senator. Oh, it’s also the state where Sen. Lindsey Graham, still sucking up to Trump despite his indictment for violating the espionage act in that classified records case, said of Trump: At least he isn’t a spy. Good grief.

So, welcome guys… Arthur…tell us about what’s going on in North Carolina? Big state supreme court decision on gerrymandering, right?

How about you, Robert. Looks like Trump’s next legal challenge could come from Georgia, right?

What’s happening in South Carolina?

With two GOP presidential candidates running against Trump, a big question is what would they do if elected about pardoning Donald Trump for his crimes? Well, Nikki Haley says she’d be “inclined” to pardon him even though his actions inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol put first responders in danger. She dragged in the plea deal between the Justice Department and Hunter Biden, saying there’s a double standard…one for Republicans like Trump and another for Democrats like Biden.

Also, on Twitter, Haley accused Barack Obama of dividing America “by race and gender” because he took issue with her claim that America is not racist. Excuse me…but it was her old boss, Trump, who set out to divide America that way and was spectacularly successful. Haley should just shut up.

By the way, while some support Haley for taking down the Confederate flag at the State House when she was governor, the Washington Post reported that she did so only after the massacre at a church in Charleston, where worshipers were murdered by a gunman, forced her hand. She previously had said the flag was “about heritage.”

Meanwhile, when asked what he would do about a Trump pardon, Sen. Tim Scott avoided the question, but said he would “clean out” the Department of Justice. Where was he when Trump was using DOJ as his own personal police force? Please. What do you guys think about how the GOP candidates are twisting themselves into knots over a potential Trump pardon?

Scott visited Myrtle Beach the other day trying to drum up support. He had a pretty good crowd, according to reports, but the problem was that while attendees said they liked him well enough, they still support Trump but would like to see Scott as his vice president. That’s probably not what Scott wanted to hear, unless that’s his angle, anyway. Could be Haley’s angle, too, for that matter.

As for Trump, he’s scheduled to make his first visit to South Carolina since being indicted twice – on Saturday, July 1, at the city of Pickens, ahead of their Independence Day celebration. Can’t wait for that one.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court, which earlier this month unexpectedly upheld a prohibition against racial gerrymandering in an Alabama case, has agreed to consider a lower court decision that struck down a congressional district as an illegal racial gerrymander. The lower court held that the congressional district – which includes Charleston – “constituted an unconstitutional racial gerrymander in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment because race was the predominant factor in the adoption of the” plan. South Carolina Republicans asked the Supreme Court to take up the case and arguing that the Republican-led legislature took politics into consideration when drawing the map, not race.

Given the Alabama decision, it will be especially interesting to see what the conservative-dominated Supreme Court will do. The results likely will have broad ramifications nationally. 

There was another development here in South Carolina…the city of Conway, not far from Myrtle Beach, passed a resolution declaring June to be Pride Month only to be met with a bunch of protesters, including pastors and evangelical Christians. But to their credit, Conway’s mayor and city council stuck by their resolution, which said LGBTQ residents “deserve to feel safe and respected in their homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.” Please tell me why that would be objectionable?

Dixie Dems -- Oh, Those Crazy Republicans

Joshua Shea is a former pornography addict now on a mission to get the world talking about pornography addiction, and the potential ramifications of being addicted to porn.

He's written four books on the subject. Joshua’s most recent book, I'm Reading This Book About Porn Addiction For a Friend, introduces readers who are struggling in early recovery, or looking for more information about a suspected addiction. It includes symptoms, stories of addicts with whom Shea has worked, and a series of activities to personalize the process. 

His third book, Porn and the Pandemic: How Three Months in 2020 Changed Everything was released in July 2020. It looks at how the world of online pornography changed overnight during the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, with analysis and interviews from current and former pornography addicts, "cam models" who use sites like Chaturbate and OnlyFans, and a bevy of mental health and addiction professionals.

Online pornography exploded during the pandemic. Joshua also is the author of The Addiction Nobody Will Talk About: How I Let My Pornography Addiction Hurt People and Destroy Relationships (2018), a memoir about his descent during the final days of his addiction.

He also wrote He’s a Porn Addict…Now What? (2019) written for female partners of male porn addicts who are grappling with the revelation their loved one is an addict. It was co-written with Tony Overbay. 

Since 2018, Shea has appeared on over 350 podcasts, television and radio shows using his personal story to promote the ideas that porn addiction spans all demographics and those with a problem should seek help before it’s too late.

Prior to admitting his addiction, Joshua was a prominent magazine publisher, award-winning journalist, film festival founder and politician in central Maine.  Sober since early 2014, Joshua comes to us from Central Maine, where he lives with his wife and two children, 4 dogs and 8 cats.

Here are questions we discussed with Joshua:

Q. Can you give us the cliff notes version of your journey? How did your addiction begin and what happened that made you realize you had a serious problem?

Q. In 2017, you launched pAddictRecovery.com. Tell us about that. You’re doing some coaching, right?

Q. Your notes that you provided me indicate that your favorite presentations are to college-age students. Why is that?

Q. Online porn exploded during the pandemic. What is the state of online pornography and pornography addiction today.  

Q. What are some of the signs of pornography addiction

Q. Is this a solitary act with few consequences or does it affect others, like partners, for example? Q. What can partners do when they learn that this is going on?

Q. How do we prevent the next generation of kids from also becoming addicted to porn?

Q. So what's wrong with looking at pornography? 

Q. Why should any of us non-addicts really care about porn addiction?

Q. Is Porn Addiction ever the partner's fault?

Q. What do you say to partners who discover their loved one is a porn addict?

Q. How is porn addiction like other addictions?

Q. Where can viewers get more resources about pornography addiction?  Q. Where can people find your books?

Joshua Shea-Overcoming Pornography Addiction

A couple years ago, a long-time labor activist, Dan McCrory, wrote a book called “Capitalism Killed the Middle Class: 25 Ways the System is Rigged Against You.” He firmly believes that a strong labor movement is the key to saving the middle class.

McCrory has been a labor activist for 30+ years and a writer even longer. “Capitalism Killed the Middle Class” was a finalist in the UK’s Page Turner Awards.

is novel, “You Will Forever Be My Always,” was a winner in the 2022 Los Angeles Book Festival. His poetry appeared in the 2020 anthology of California’s Best Emerging Poets, and two of his screenplays have reached quarter finalist status in the NYC International Screenplay Awards.

Dan chairs the book division of the National Writers Union. His next book will be Leonard Peltier and the Family He Left Behind, a look at Leonard Peltier, the family man rather than the cold-blooded killer of two FBI agents for which he was wrongly convicted. He lives in southern California with his wife, Terri and two fussy dogs.

"The rich and powerful have managed to, over the years, shift a lot of the costs for infrastructure, for healthcare, all sorts of things onto the backs of the middle class," McCrory says on the podcast. "And we just can't take it anymore. It's ridiculous to the point that it's actually hurting and killing the middle class."

While McCrory talks about the need to strengthen labor unions as a solution to the economic problems facing the average wage earner, he uses efforts to organize Starbucks baristas and even entertainers at strip joints as examples of efforts currently underway.

Here are some questions we discussed with McCrory:

Q. You say the middle class needs saved, and that a strong labor movement is what’s needed. From what does the middle- class need saved, and how can labor unions address that?

Q. You had a long career with a huge corporation, AT&amp;T, and you acknowledge that you were well paid and that AT&amp;T retirement benefits are helping you today. So, what’s the problem?

Q. In a video promoting your book, you say the current situation is rigged so the rich get richer and the powerful gain more power. Please explain how the system is rigged against the average wage-earner?

Q. You also say that there is a “well-concerted effort to wipe out the middle class,” and you see it as your job to blow the whistle. Why would there be an effort to wipe out the middle class? Who gains from that?

Q. Have developments over the past few years, such as the Trump presidency, the Republican tax cuts, the pandemic and the growth of the gig economy, worsened this situation?

Q. With your book, you offer a study guide and a copy of a sort of manifesto that you prepared called “Labor 360: Saving the Middle Class.” What’s that all about?

Q. You wrote that in response to something called the Powell Memo. What was that?

Q. You’re now trying to gain traction for your Labor 360 plan? What does that involve? Q. Tell us about your latest book, “You Will Forever Be My Always.”

Q. Where can people find your books and how can they reach out to you?

Dan McCrory-How Capitalism Has Killed the Middle Class

Uncover the truth behind 'The Kecksburg UFO: The Story of the Century' with UFO investigator Stan Gordon. Explore the mysterious events of 1965 and beyond.

It was in the early evening of Thursday, December 9, 1965 that the night editor of the Greensburg, PA, Tribune-Review sent me to the little rural community of Kecksburg, PA, to cover the reported landing of an unidentified flying object in the woods near a farmer’s field.

When I arrived, armed soldiers blocked access to what was the reported landing site and I was told that if I ventured into that field, I would be arrested. Yet, the soldier in charge told me that “nothing” had happened.

Fast forward to today. We have with us on the Lean to the Left podcast UFO investigator Stan Gordon, a Pennsylvanian who for these past 59 years has been searching for the truth about what really happened that night.

Stan has been researching UFO sightings, Bigfoot encounters, and other mysterious events in Pennsylvania since 1959, so when the Kecksburg incident occurred, it was right in his wheelhouse.

 He is a former Pennsylvania state director for the Mutual UFO Network and produced the UFO video documentary, “Kecksburg the Untold Story.” He’s written four books, including his latest, “Creepy Cryptids and Strange UFO Encounters of Pennsylvania.”

Back in 2017, Stan invited me to speak at the annual Kecksburg Volunteer Fire Department’s UFO Festival, to recount my experience as a reporter that night. Now, it’s my turn to have him on my show. Here are questions we discussed with Stan: 

Q. So, Stan, tell us what your investigation into the Kecksburg UFO incident has revealed.

Q. What do you believe happened that night?

Q. Eye witnesses said the object appeared to be steered – it just didn’t shoot down from the sky. Do you believe those reports? If it was guided somehow, what does that tell you?

Q. There have been suggestions that this was some sort of military device that might even have been radioactive. Do you believe that?

Q. There’s a replica of the object, which looks like a giant acorn, on display at the Kecksburg Volunteer Fire Department’s grounds. It’s complete with strange markings that some eyewitnesses said they saw. What do you make of that?

Q. Since then, you’ve expanded your research to include other UFO sightings, Bigfoot encounters, and then, of course, you wrote this latest book about “creepy cryptids.” First of all, what is a cryptid?

Q. What’s this research produced in terms of solid information?

Q. You make a lot of public appearances to discuss Kecksburg and these other unexplained happenings. What’s that experience been like? Have people come forward with more info for you?

Q. In fact, you established a UFO hot-line for the public to report UFO sightings so you could investigate them. Is that hotline still in use? What is it? What’s it produced?

Q. How did the Kecksburg UFO incident lead you to expand your work from UFOs to Bigfoot and cryptids?

Q. How can people find your books? How can they reach out to you to discuss or provide information?

UFOs & Big Foot - Explaining The Unexplainable

Tune in to the latest episode of the Lean to the Left podcast where Bob Gatty delves into insightful conversations with Dick Batchelor on navigating toxic times and building bridges in our communities. 🌐 Visit leantoleft.net to listen now! #CommunityBuilding #PublicService

Building Bridges In Toxic Times

🚂 Dive into the fascinating world of campaign trains and their impact on politics! 🇺🇸 Join Edward Segal, the expert on whistle stop tours, as he discusses Biden's potential route to resurgence. Listen to the podcast for insights! #WhistleStopPolitics #CampaignTrains #PoliticalHistory". https://www.leantotheleft.net/post/mr-president-why-not-catch-a-train-to-victory

Biden: On Track for Victory?

Author Matthew Stevenson says the Lean to the Left Podcast provides a forum for intellectual discussion about important political and social issues.
Stevenson's comments came in an interview regarding the choice between Biden and Trump, now streaming.  https://youtu.be/ePfiu3QxLiQ

The Lean to the Left Podcast: A Forum to Consider & Then Decide

Join the Dixie Dams—Arthur Hill, Robert Thompson, and the host from South Carolina—as they dive into current political issues on the Lean to the Left podcast.

The episode covers a range of hot topics including Trump's New York hush money trial, a new initiative to energize young voters called TOGETHER!, Supreme Court decisions on gerrymandering and other impactful rulings, and heated debates over DEI funding.

Discussions also address the controversies surrounding political figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and analyze the changing political landscapes in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Whether it's local legislation on masks and development or national electoral implications, this episode provides an in-depth look at America's political atmosphere.

00:00 Welcome to the Lean to the Left Podcast

01:29 Diving into the Trump Hush Money Trial

04:09 Political Climate and Voter Sentiments

09:00 Nationwide Initiative to Unite and Mobilize Young Voters

10:47 The Curious Case of RFK Jr.'s Brain Worm

12:54 Supreme Court's Controversial Decision on Gerrymandering

16:46 State Politics: Mask Laws and DEI Funding

32:35 Election Integrity and the Fulton County Court Clerk Race

Dixie Dems May 24

Explore the insightful analysis of veteran diplomat Stuart E. Eizenstat on ending Wars in Gaza & Ukraine as he shares the keys to peace and diplomacy from his long experience as an international negotiator. 

In this episode, we speak with Ambassador Eisenstadt about his latest book, which includes interviews with dozens of U.S. and global leaders such as Presidents Clinton, Carter, and others. 

Eisenstat offers reflections on key diplomatic skills, current geopolitical issues like the Ukraine War and Gaza conflict, and provides advice for U.S. military strategy. He also shares personal anecdotes and insights from his extensive negotiations experience, including his work on Holocaust issues and economic peace processes. 

Eizenstat said the eventual resolution of the Ukraine conflict will hinge on a strategic stalemate on the battlefield. 

"This war in Ukraine will ultimately end when both sides believe they can't get anything further on the battlefield in terms of their political goals," he said. 

Eizenstat advocated for the U.S. to continue providing critical military aid to Ukraine, comparing the potential outcomes to the armistice that concluded the Korean War, rather than a direct peace agreement. 

The long time diplomat said the US. must "give Israel the means to defeat and disable Hamas as a governing and military structure, But, we have to also, as the administration is trying to do, combine diplomacy with military force." 

Eizenstat cautioned that Hamas will not be defeated alone by military force. and that the US. must "look at Gaza as part of a broader conflict. And that broader regional conflict involves Iran on the one hand, which has been the military supplier for Hamas, with its so called, and they call it this, their axis of resistance with Hamas, with Hezbollah, with the Houthis, with Syria." 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 

00:32 Purpose of the Book 

01:40 Key Skills for Successful Diplomacy 

03:01 Stamina in Diplomacy 

04:36 Lessons from Past Negotiations 

04:58 Ukraine Conflict and U.S. Military Role 

10:26 Gaza Conflict and Diplomatic Strategies 

15:51 Holocaust Negotiations and Personal Reflections 

16:42 Trump's Foreign Policy and Biden's Age 

21:28 Importance of U.S. International Engagement 

22:27 Personal Anecdotes and Conclusion

Diplomat Stuart E. Eizenstat Says US Must Continue Supporting Efforts to End Wars in Ukraine & Gaza

Donald Trump is more than a month away from returning to the White House and he’s already cooking up plans selling out the American people, satisfying his big money donors to the detriment of public safety, the environment, and more.

Meanwhile, If you enjoy this commentary, please like and subscribe! We have many more thought-provoking discussions and guest interviews lined up that you won't want to miss.

Last May, candidate Trump reportedly told oil industry executives that if they donated $1 billion to his campaign, he would get rid of troublesome federal regulations designed to support clean energy and conserve the environment.

What happened? Well, he didn’t get $1 billion, but oil industry interests contributed $75 million to his election effort. Now, over 100 manufacturing and business groups have sent him a letter urging an end to Biden administration regulations on pollution, worker safety, consumer protection and more, claiming the rules are “strangling” the nation’s economy. They want what they paid for.

Trump has promised to rollback climate funding contained in the Infrastructure Reduction Act,  once again pull out of the Paris Climate Accord, and boost American oil and natural gas production. He’ wants to ditch federal support for offshore wind projects, claiming that windmills kill birds and spoil the view.

But it’s not just the battle against climate change that will suffer from the grifter-in-chief’s money grubbing actions. Not by a long shot. 

Tune in to understand the implications of Trump's financial ventures on his presidency and national interests.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Trump's Pre-Inauguration Plans to Sell Out America
00:22 Oil Industry Influence and Environmental Rollbacks
01:48 Elon Musk and Car Safety Regulations
02:50 Conflicts of Interest in Trump's Administration
03:26 Trump's Business Ventures and Foreign Influence
06:11 Consumer Products and Personal Enrichment
07:17 Conclusion and Call to Action

About Bob Gatty 
A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. 

Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.

Bob is considering making changes to Lean to the Left in 2025, and is asking for your input. Please take a moment to complete two quick 4-question polls here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft/community

DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Selling Out the American People-1

Meeting the Pre-Teen Challenge
Today, with the Holidays upon us, I'm veering away from political discussions to focus on kids, specifically pre-teen kids, and I invite you to check out this interview with life coach Marcus Aurelius Higgs as we discuss meeting the pre-teen challenge. And, if you like it, please consider subscribing and leaving a comment. Hitting the like button would be great, too!

Our guest is Marcus Higgs, a life coach specializing in communication strategies for parents of preteens. The discussion covers the importance of open communication, family relationships, and critical thinking for preteens. 

Marcus shares his journey from being a missionary in South Korea to founding Certain Future Press, a company dedicated to character development and supporting holistic growth in families. 

He introduces the 'Show Up' framework designed to help parents foster strong identities and communication skills in their children facing the challenges of modern societal pressures, especially those stemming from social media. 

Additionally, Marcus emphasizes the value of collective growth, interpersonal development, and the significance of virtues and values in family culture.

Marcus is the author of "Inspire Life Through Words of Well-Being," personal meditations in poetry. Here's a link: https://amzn.to/3P8093q

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome to Lean to the Left Podcast
00:22 Introducing Marcus Higgs: Life Coach for Preteen Parents
01:35 Marcus Higgs' Background and Missionary Work
02:37 The Birth of Certain Future Press
03:31 Communication Strategies for Preteen Parents
05:00 The Show Up Framework: Helping Parents Show Up
06:43 Challenges and Strategies in Parenting Preteens
12:02 Public vs. Private Education Debate
14:48 Understanding the Show Up Framework
15:05 Melting the Wall of Ice: Building a Strong Identity
15:12 Understanding Virtues and Values
15:55 Challenges of Identity in the Digital Age
16:27 The SHOW Framework: Strategies for Parents
18:19 Counseling and Support for Parents
21:37 The Role of Technology and Social Media
27:34 Characteristics of the Ideal Parent
29:29 Inspiring Life Through Words of Wellbeing
30:37 Generational Impact and Legacy
31:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About Bob Gatty 
A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. 

Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.

Bob is considering making changes to Lean to the Left in 2025, and is asking for your input. Please take a moment to complete two quick 4-question polls here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft/community

Our mission is to challenge the status quo and provide a platform for underrepresented voices. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Meeting the Pre-Teen Challenge

HIJACKED NATION - Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness.  GET YOUR COPY TODAY! https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ 

Crime, Time, and Redemption

In this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast, host Bob Gatty interviews Jack Straw, a former law enforcement officer, businessman, federal prison inmate, and now a novelist. 

Jack shares his journey from rising quickly in the police force to committing white-collar crimes, leading to his time in federal prison. While in prison, Jack began writing books and found new purpose. 

He talks about his experiences in various institutions, the challenges faced, and the stories he developed along the way. Now remarried and living a fulfilling life, Jack continues to write and aims to shed light on the realities of the prison system through his new works.

One of the fascinating points of discussion involves how polygraph tests are abused and innocent suspects are bullied and tricked into confessing to crimes they did not commit. 

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Jack Straw
00:27 Jack's Law Enforcement Career and Downfall
01:56 Life in Federal Prison
05:23 Writing Books in Prison
08:32 The Corruption of Polygraphs
10:24 Children's Book and Future Projects
13:02 Life in a Minimum Security Camp
13:34 A Medical Misdiagnosis
14:56 Scary Incidents in Prison
15:41 The Structure of Florence Prison
17:02 Life After Prison
18:30 Coping with Loneliness and Hopelessness
20:38 Navigating Prison Rules and Respect
24:35 The First Step Act and Early Release
25:17 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Amazon link to Straw's books: https://amzn.to/3WdCUZT.

About Bob Gatty 
A former journalist and communications consultant, Bob Gatty is the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast, which focuses on progressive politics and the important social issues of our time. 

Please check out Bob's new book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness, now available on Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble and other outlets. Paperback: $11; Hardcover: $24. Digital version: $3.99. Here's a direct link: https://amzn.to/4eK8ghZ.

As we continue to explore pressing social issues, I encourage everyone to share their stories and experiences. Your voice matters!

DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, you won’t pay any extra – in fact, you may even save with a discount! Using these links helps support this channel, allowing us to keep providing free content to help you on your journey. Thank you for your support.

Jack Straw -- Cop to Inmate

Above the Law https://youtube.com/shorts/eBZGhaT1pCo Trump is already acting like a wannabe dictator having skated through all of his criminal court cases with virtually zero consequences. I'll be 82 tomorrow and just hope I'll live to see the end of this tyrant's political life.

Above the Law

America is reeling…deaths rising from the coronavirus…and now rising protests and riots in the aftermath of the police killing in Minneapolis of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, who died after an arresting officer kneeled on his neck as he pleaded, “I can’t breathe.”

In today’s podcast, Not Fake News writer Stacy Fitzgerald talks about the aftermath of that killing and answers the question of why Minneapolis is burning. It’s a powerful piece.

Take a listen to Minneapolis Burning: Cry of the Unheard.

NFN Radio News - Episode 105 - Minneapolis Burning - Cry Of The Unheard - 5:30:20, 2.47 PM

Why is it that so many people refuse to wear face coverings when they are out in public? What’s up with that? Don’t they understand that covid 19 is deadly and that it spreads easily from one person to another? And that you don’t have to be sick to infect other people if they get too close to you? Or that they could infect you?

Anymore, when I go to the store, wearing my mask, and I look at the people who aren’t wearing one, the first thing that goes through my mind is: “They’re Trumpers.”
 
Susan Hutchinson has some comments about that in today’s podcast, based on her blog on Not Fake News.biz.

Take a listen to Susan and ”To Mask or Not to Mask Should Not be a Question.”

NFN Radio News - Episode 135 - To Mask Or Not To Mask Should Not Be A Question - 7:10:20, 2.00 PM

Should the American people have to put up with this nonsense being pursued by Donald Trump and his nutty lawyer, Rudy Giuliani? What will come of all of this?

Take a listen to “Aftermath of a Coup Attempt” from Not Fake News.biz.

NFN Radio News - Episode 210 - Aftermath Of A Coup Attempt - 11:20:20, 7.20 PM

With Donald Trump now hiding away as a private citizen at his swanky resort in South Florida, and the new Biden administration now underway, Not Fake News writer Chris Waldron offers a brief “autopsy” of this failed presidency. 

As we all know, the picture isn’t pretty.

So take a listen to “End of Trump Administration: An Autopsy” from Not Fake News.biz. I’ll narrate.

End of Trump Administration-An Autopsy

Journalist, blogger at https://notfakenews.biz. Author: Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Political writer. Just a little lean to the left.

The Lean to the Left Podcast

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