August 23, 2025 • 17 mins
In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen shines a light on inspiring stories that remind us of the positive changes happening across America. We kick things off with Vermont Governor Phil Scott's courageous decision to decline a federal request for deploying the National Guard to D.C., prioritizing local authority and civil-military boundaries, and earning praise from retired military leaders for his principled stance.
Next, we explore California Democrats' proactive steps to ensure fair representation by passing a redistricting bill aimed at countering partisan gerrymandering, which will be presented to voters as Proposition 50 this November. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasizes the importance of protecting democracy and ensuring every Californian's voice is heard in the electoral process.
We also discuss Pope Leo XIV's upcoming meeting with We Are Church International, a coalition advocating for equality within the Roman Catholic Church. This dialogue marks a hopeful shift towards inclusivity and reform, challenging long-standing traditions in pursuit of a more welcoming community.
Furthermore, a federal judge's ruling against Trump administration actions represents a significant victory for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in education, reaffirming the importance of fostering inclusive learning environments amidst political challenges.
Finally, we celebrate a listener's heartfelt message, reminding us of the uplifting impact that good news can have on our lives. Plus, we highlight a positive development from Louisville, Kentucky, where the local library system is set to receive a $1 million grant to expand access to books and resources for the community.
Join us for this invigorating episode, filled with stories of hope, resilience, and the belief that together, we can make a difference!
More about today's stories:
https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2025-08-15/phil-scott-rejects-request-deploy-vermont-national-guard-washington-d-c
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/california-democrats-pass-redistricting-bill-to-counter-trumps-texas-gerrymander/
https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/08/15/pope-to-meet-lgbtq-and-womens-equality-group/
https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-schools-lawsuit-ruling-education-department-4c1dbb5f7b3997ba78c17b25a935fb3f?taid=689e54267b8666000148d68a&utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/14/robert-kennedy-jr-vaccine-study-retraction?utm_source=www.readthesmile.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-smile-8-15
If you have thoughts, ideas, or more good news to share, we’d love to hear from you! Call or message us at 202-656-6271 or drop us a line at beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-and-america-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.
Next, we explore California Democrats' proactive steps to ensure fair representation by passing a redistricting bill aimed at countering partisan gerrymandering, which will be presented to voters as Proposition 50 this November. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasizes the importance of protecting democracy and ensuring every Californian's voice is heard in the electoral process.
We also discuss Pope Leo XIV's upcoming meeting with We Are Church International, a coalition advocating for equality within the Roman Catholic Church. This dialogue marks a hopeful shift towards inclusivity and reform, challenging long-standing traditions in pursuit of a more welcoming community.
Furthermore, a federal judge's ruling against Trump administration actions represents a significant victory for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in education, reaffirming the importance of fostering inclusive learning environments amidst political challenges.
Finally, we celebrate a listener's heartfelt message, reminding us of the uplifting impact that good news can have on our lives. Plus, we highlight a positive development from Louisville, Kentucky, where the local library system is set to receive a $1 million grant to expand access to books and resources for the community.
Join us for this invigorating episode, filled with stories of hope, resilience, and the belief that together, we can make a difference!
More about today's stories:
https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2025-08-15/phil-scott-rejects-request-deploy-vermont-national-guard-washington-d-c
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/california-democrats-pass-redistricting-bill-to-counter-trumps-texas-gerrymander/
https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/08/15/pope-to-meet-lgbtq-and-womens-equality-group/
https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-schools-lawsuit-ruling-education-department-4c1dbb5f7b3997ba78c17b25a935fb3f?taid=689e54267b8666000148d68a&utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/14/robert-kennedy-jr-vaccine-study-retraction?utm_source=www.readthesmile.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-smile-8-15
If you have thoughts, ideas, or more good news to share, we’d love to hear from you! Call or message us at 202-656-6271 or drop us a line at beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-and-america-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello, and thanks for
joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm Beowulf Rocklin,
your host, ready to help you swap out doom scrolling
for hope, scrolling with uplifting stories for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists,
(00:27):
and anyone who believes in making America a better place
for everyone. It's no secret that these are challenging times.
The disappearing of immigrants and citizens off the streets of America,
Trump trying to illegally fire members of the Federal Reserve
when they don't do what he wants, and the wholesale
destruction of critical government agencies. Today's headlines often overwhelm us
(00:50):
with troubling news, making it all too easy to lose
sight of hope. That's exactly why it's vital to highlight
the positive real world produce progress that's happening every day,
progress that too often gets drown out by the negativity.
Despite the setbacks, there's genuine movement toward a better America.
So let these stories serve as a reminder that change
(01:13):
isn't just possible, it's happening. Carry this up with you
and share it with others. Now, let's kick off with
some good news headlines designed to brighten your day. Vermont
Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, has taken a stand for
principled leadership by declining a federal request to deploy Vermont
(01:36):
National Guard troops to Washington, d C. In response to
President Trump's controversial federal takeover of the capital's police force,
citing an absence of an immediate emergency and the belief
that the National Guard should not be used for domestic
law enforcement. Scott's decision was rooted in respect for local
authority and proper civil military boundaries. Its Chief of Staff,
(02:01):
Jason Gibbs, emphasized that while public safety challenges exist, Vermont's
governor and citizens do not support militarizing law enforcement efforts
without clear emergency needs. The City of Washington itself has
filed a legal challenge against the takeover, underscoring the contentious context.
Scott's choice reflects a commitment to protecting constitutional principles and
(02:24):
preventing the politicization of military resources in domestic affairs. The
governor's stance received bipartisan praise from a group of retired
four star military leaders, including a former acting Homeland Security
advisor and a former CIA director. In a letter commending Scott,
they highlighted his role in maintaining the vital balance between
(02:45):
civilian governance and military power, honoring the vision of our
nation's founders. This acknowledgment underscores the broader importance of demilitarized
community policing and respect for democratic norms. Governor Scott's approach
demonstrates thoughtful leadership during turbulent times, carefully weighing federal requests
(03:06):
against Vermont's values and legal standards. His decisions so far
have been based on detailed review and principle rather than
political pressure, setting an example for measured, disciplined governance focused
on upholding rights and local control. California Democrats have taken
(03:26):
decisive action to protect fair representation by passing a redistricting
bill that puts a new congressional map before voters in
a special election this November. Prompted by Texas Republicans aggressive
mid decade gerrymander pushed forward under President Trump, the new
map aims to secure five additional Democratic leaning seats in Congress,
(03:48):
countering efforts to skew political power unfairly. Governor Gavin Newsom
swiftly signed the legislation into law, setting the stage for
a vote on the map, which will be put before
the voters as Proposition fifty. Unlike traditional redistricting that occurs
every ten years, this effort responds to the unprecedented political
(04:09):
maneuvering in Texas intended to influence the balance of power
ahead of the twenty twenty six midterms. Newsom framed the
move as a defense of democracy and emphasized the need
for fair opportunities in the electoral process. The bill, package,
passed with strong Democratic majorities, preserves California's independent Redistricting Commission,
(04:31):
with plans to return map making authority to the commission
after the next census in twenty thirty one. The proposed
map respects Voting Rights Act protections and aims to ensure
that Californian voices are not drowned out by partisan gamesmanship
in other states. This redistricting clash between California and Texas
(04:51):
signals a broader national battle over electoral fairness as states
grapple with how to protect democratic processes in the face
of partisan efforts to entrench power. California lawmakers have said
that safeguarding fair representation is essential to upholding the bedrock
principles of American democracy, providing voters with a chance to
(05:11):
choose their leaders fairly and freely. Pope Leo the fourteenth
is set to meet with representatives from We Are Church International,
a global coalition advocating for equality within the Roman Catholic Church,
including support for LGBTQ plus rights and women's ordination. The
(05:32):
meeting part of the Holy Year celebrations and the Jubilee
of Synodal Teams this October signals a hopeful step toward
dialogue and inclusion within the church's leadership. Founded in Rome
in nineteen ninety six, We Are Church International has spent
over thirty years pushing for reforms rooted in the Second
Vatican Council's spirit of Renewal. Their goals include full equality
(05:56):
for women, LGBTQ plus individuals, late people, and married persons,
a vision that challenges long standing traditions and calls for
a church that more fully embraces all its members. Chair
Colm Holmes highlights the group's commitment to ongoing transformation and community.
The opportunity to meet with the Pope and walk through
(06:17):
the Holy Door is seen by We Are Church International
co founder Christian Weisner as a powerful symbol of hope
and renewal for the church as a whole. It represents
an invitation to leave past mistakes behind and move forward
with Christian hope and inclusivity. Though Popelio the fourteenth has
maintained traditional views on marriage, his willingness to engage with
(06:40):
groups like we Are Church International offers an opening for
conversation and progress. The meeting reflects wider currents within Catholicism,
striving for a more just and welcoming church, one that
listens to the voices of marginalized communities and journeys toward
greater equality. A federal judge has delivered a victory for diversity,
(07:03):
equity and inclusion programs in American education by striking down
two Trump administration actions aimed at dismantling these efforts in
schools and universities nationwide. U S District Judge Stephanie Gallagher
of Maryland ruled that the Education Department unlawfully threatened to
cut federal funding from institutions that continued DEI initiatives, rejecting
(07:26):
the administration's expansive campaign against what they call race based
decision making. The ruling emphasized that the Department's actions instilled
fear among educators that their lawful and beneficial efforts to
foster inclusive learning environments could lead to punishment or loss
of funding. While Judge Gallagher did not pass judgment on
(07:47):
the substance of the policies themselves, she ruled the administration
failed to adhere to necessary legal procedures go figure, thereby
invalidating the anti DEI guidance and related certificationation demands placed
on state education agencies. This decision follows a lawsuit brought
by the American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association,
(08:11):
which challenged the administration's broad interpretation of a twenty twenty
three Supreme Court ruling on race conscious admissions to extend
bans on considering race to all aspects of education. The
government had argued that these policies unfairly discriminated against white
and Asian American students, but opponents saw the measures as
(08:31):
a thinly veiled attack on efforts to address systemic inequities.
Advocates celebrated the ruling as a clear win for educators, students,
and communities committed to equity. Sky Perryman, the president and
CEO of Democracy Forward, called it an important victory over
the administration's war on education and highlighted the resistance of
(08:53):
those who have fought to keep classroom safe, welcoming, and
reflective of America's diverse society. This legal success underscores the
vital role of DEI programs in fostering opportunity and combating
discrimination in education. Up next, a listener comment back in
a minute, and now a listener comment from Alyssa in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
(09:20):
She writes, Hello, just writing to say thank you for
what you do. So many days I feel depressed and
no hope. I listen to you and I feel so
much better. I appreciate you so much. Please keep it up.
Love you all so much. We live outside of Washington, DC.
I'm a second generation Washingtonian. My son is third one
(09:43):
is living in Washington, d C right now under occupation.
I so appreciate what you do. Some days are hard,
ps cool name. Thank you so much for the compliments
and they are abundant. Alyssa, We really appreciate you writing in.
If you have thought, ideas and more good news to share,
like Alyssa or you know If you're critical, that's okay too.
(10:05):
We would love to hear from you. Call or message
us at two zero two six five six six two
seven one, drop us a line at Beowulf at two
squared Media Productions, or send it to us at good
News for Lefties on Facebook, Instagram or blue Sky. A
leading US medical journal has firmly rejected a call by
(10:25):
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior to
retract a large Danish study affirming the safety of aluminum
ingredients in vaccines for children, published in July in the
Annals of Internal Medicine. The study examined data from more
than one point two million Danish children over two decades
and found no increased risk of autoimmune, allergic, or neurodevelopmental
(10:50):
disorders linked to aluminum containing vaccines. Despite Kennedy's claim that
the study was a deceitful propaganda stunt designed to mask
vaccine harms, the journal's editor in chief, doctor Christine Lane,
stated there is no basis for retraction. She said that
while the study has some limitations, these do not invalidate
(11:11):
its findings, nor is there evidence of scientific misconduct. The
journal plans to address the criticism on its website, but
will not engage directly with Kennedy's commentary. Lead author Anders
Peter Havid defended the study, explaining that critiques about study
design were either unfounded or based on reasonable methodological decisions,
(11:33):
such as the lack of an unvaccinated control group due
to Denmark's high vaccination rate. He expressed confidence that the
study stands as the most comprehensive and reliable evidence regarding
aluminums safety in vaccines. This dismissal of politically motivated challenges
reinforces the scientific consensus supporting vaccine safety. Experts note the
(11:57):
study's massive scale, robust deb at equality and transparency as
critical in maintaining public trust in immunization programs, an essential
pillar of global health and child protection. And that's a
wrap for today's edition of Good News for Lefties. If
these stories brighten your outlook, please help us spread the word.
(12:18):
Share this episode on social media wherever you post. A
big thanks to our production team, Rosabel Hine and Aaron
Watson for making all of this possible behind the scenes.
I'm Beowulf Rocklin. Weird name, but good news for Lefties
and America. Stay tuned after this commercial break for more
(12:51):
of me, your humble and obedient servant, as I speak
with Jen and Dan of the band Camp podcast.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
The John People Sayingodcast is now available six times a
week with me John Fugelsang, I've been murdered on CSI
ticketed by Westboro Baptist Church and host tell me Everything.
On serious Xmprogress one twenty seven. You will hear authors, politicians, actors, filmmakers, rappers, rockstars, journalists, activists,
unhinged callers, and way too many comedians. They all have
a place of the John Fiagalsaning Podcast, and so do you.
(13:20):
The John Figlesing Podcast, Fair and Biased. Find it on
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher for wherever you listen to Bobs.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
And Now an excerpt from a recent episode of the
band Camp Podcast where I speak with hosts Jen and Dan.
Then go listen to the full show the band Camp
podcast that's banned with two ends bandcamp podcast dot com
and just a quick trigger warning here there may be
some clips of Donald Trump played in this next segment.
(13:52):
It's time for band Camp newspeaker, news Speaker. They will fucking.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
It's a weird name, but he's got good news.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Because you can't down the truth.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
He's broadcasting live from the good News for LEFTI Studios,
buried deep inside his social safehouse, hidden somewhere deep in
the Oregon Woods. He is by well Rockland because you can't.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Do Greetings Jen, Greetings Dan, thank you so much for
having me on. There is good news from yet another
Red state. It's not just the Blue states where good
stuff is going on. There are good, wonderful people in
Red states as well. And in Louisville, Kentucky, reader's veracity
(14:37):
for digital books is creating a waiting game for popular
titles that would test anyone's patience. There are are seven
hundred digital titles available through the Louisville Free Public Library
that I have wait lists for five months in links.
I'm that look. I check books digitally out of my library.
(14:57):
Usually they're audio books. My wife and my daughter, they
both have devices that they download and read books on,
many of them checked out from their local libraries. Well,
they're having a tough time in Louisville, but it's about
to get better because the Louisville Metro Council approved a
matching grant for up to one million dollars in the
(15:18):
city's current budget for the library system. To buy more
books and other materials, and they're going to invest in
print books, They're going to invest in digital books and
make those more accessible for people, so they you know,
if you can't afford to go to the local bookstore,
you have an opportunity to get something online and still
(15:40):
you know, get vital important information and expand your cultural horizons,
no matter what your budget happens to be. So I
think this is a wonderful thing. Louisville, Kentucky. It voted
for Trump, but I will tell you it's it's a
place where people are still interested in reading books and
they are still dedicated to funding their libraries. And that's
(16:02):
a very very positive thing. That's awesome. I'd love to
hear that even in the bluegrass state, you know. I
mean they have a lot of bluegrass and banjos and things,
but they still like to read their books when they
set their banjos down for a couple of minutes. And
that's that's awesome.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
But when you really think about what that means, they voted,
the people there voted to spend one million dollars. That
is truly, that is really inspiring. Yeah, yeah, I mean
a million sounds like a lot of money, especially to
a smaller sure you know community, and it's like, no,
we have the money to invest in this because it's important.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Yeah, yeah, that's right.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
So if a red community like that can do that,
every community should be able to do that.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Exactly. Some communities are banning books, and some communities are
buying books. And this is going to mean that fifty
thousand print books, ten thousand e books, and five thousand
audio books. That's that's my favorite kind of right there,
on top of its regular purchases are going to come
into this community. So I mean that's I mean, think
of what that means if you're a busy person you
(17:12):
can't get to the library, or you don't have a
whole lot of money, or you're you're a kid and
you want to download something on your phone, read a book,
you know, read you know, read Brave New World if
you never read it before, or if you're smart, you
will download band camp and listen through to all of
season nine.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
It takes a big man to admit when Babel's right
about that, everyone don't listen to good news for left.
He's a Babel Brockland.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
He's a good boy.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Thank you, thank you so the truth Baby, and listen
to Jen and Dan on the band Camp Podcast at
band camp podcast dot com.
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello, and thanks for
joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm Beowulf Rocklin,
your host, ready to help you swap out doom scrolling
for hope, scrolling with uplifting stories for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists,
(00:27):
and anyone who believes in making America a better place
for everyone. It's no secret that these are challenging times.
The disappearing of immigrants and citizens off the streets of America,
Trump trying to illegally fire members of the Federal Reserve
when they don't do what he wants, and the wholesale
destruction of critical government agencies. Today's headlines often overwhelm us
(00:50):
with troubling news, making it all too easy to lose
sight of hope. That's exactly why it's vital to highlight
the positive real world produce progress that's happening every day,
progress that too often gets drown out by the negativity.
Despite the setbacks, there's genuine movement toward a better America.
So let these stories serve as a reminder that change
(01:13):
isn't just possible, it's happening. Carry this up with you
and share it with others. Now, let's kick off with
some good news headlines designed to brighten your day. Vermont
Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, has taken a stand for
principled leadership by declining a federal request to deploy Vermont
(01:36):
National Guard troops to Washington, d C. In response to
President Trump's controversial federal takeover of the capital's police force,
citing an absence of an immediate emergency and the belief
that the National Guard should not be used for domestic
law enforcement. Scott's decision was rooted in respect for local
authority and proper civil military boundaries. Its Chief of Staff,
(02:01):
Jason Gibbs, emphasized that while public safety challenges exist, Vermont's
governor and citizens do not support militarizing law enforcement efforts
without clear emergency needs. The City of Washington itself has
filed a legal challenge against the takeover, underscoring the contentious context.
Scott's choice reflects a commitment to protecting constitutional principles and
(02:24):
preventing the politicization of military resources in domestic affairs. The
governor's stance received bipartisan praise from a group of retired
four star military leaders, including a former acting Homeland Security
advisor and a former CIA director. In a letter commending Scott,
they highlighted his role in maintaining the vital balance between
(02:45):
civilian governance and military power, honoring the vision of our
nation's founders. This acknowledgment underscores the broader importance of demilitarized
community policing and respect for democratic norms. Governor Scott's approach
demonstrates thoughtful leadership during turbulent times, carefully weighing federal requests
(03:06):
against Vermont's values and legal standards. His decisions so far
have been based on detailed review and principle rather than
political pressure, setting an example for measured, disciplined governance focused
on upholding rights and local control. California Democrats have taken
(03:26):
decisive action to protect fair representation by passing a redistricting
bill that puts a new congressional map before voters in
a special election this November. Prompted by Texas Republicans aggressive
mid decade gerrymander pushed forward under President Trump, the new
map aims to secure five additional Democratic leaning seats in Congress,
(03:48):
countering efforts to skew political power unfairly. Governor Gavin Newsom
swiftly signed the legislation into law, setting the stage for
a vote on the map, which will be put before
the voters as Proposition fifty. Unlike traditional redistricting that occurs
every ten years, this effort responds to the unprecedented political
(04:09):
maneuvering in Texas intended to influence the balance of power
ahead of the twenty twenty six midterms. Newsom framed the
move as a defense of democracy and emphasized the need
for fair opportunities in the electoral process. The bill, package,
passed with strong Democratic majorities, preserves California's independent Redistricting Commission,
(04:31):
with plans to return map making authority to the commission
after the next census in twenty thirty one. The proposed
map respects Voting Rights Act protections and aims to ensure
that Californian voices are not drowned out by partisan gamesmanship
in other states. This redistricting clash between California and Texas
(04:51):
signals a broader national battle over electoral fairness as states
grapple with how to protect democratic processes in the face
of partisan efforts to entrench power. California lawmakers have said
that safeguarding fair representation is essential to upholding the bedrock
principles of American democracy, providing voters with a chance to
(05:11):
choose their leaders fairly and freely. Pope Leo the fourteenth
is set to meet with representatives from We Are Church International,
a global coalition advocating for equality within the Roman Catholic Church,
including support for LGBTQ plus rights and women's ordination. The
(05:32):
meeting part of the Holy Year celebrations and the Jubilee
of Synodal Teams this October signals a hopeful step toward
dialogue and inclusion within the church's leadership. Founded in Rome
in nineteen ninety six, We Are Church International has spent
over thirty years pushing for reforms rooted in the Second
Vatican Council's spirit of Renewal. Their goals include full equality
(05:56):
for women, LGBTQ plus individuals, late people, and married persons,
a vision that challenges long standing traditions and calls for
a church that more fully embraces all its members. Chair
Colm Holmes highlights the group's commitment to ongoing transformation and community.
The opportunity to meet with the Pope and walk through
(06:17):
the Holy Door is seen by We Are Church International
co founder Christian Weisner as a powerful symbol of hope
and renewal for the church as a whole. It represents
an invitation to leave past mistakes behind and move forward
with Christian hope and inclusivity. Though Popelio the fourteenth has
maintained traditional views on marriage, his willingness to engage with
(06:40):
groups like we Are Church International offers an opening for
conversation and progress. The meeting reflects wider currents within Catholicism,
striving for a more just and welcoming church, one that
listens to the voices of marginalized communities and journeys toward
greater equality. A federal judge has delivered a victory for diversity,
(07:03):
equity and inclusion programs in American education by striking down
two Trump administration actions aimed at dismantling these efforts in
schools and universities nationwide. U S District Judge Stephanie Gallagher
of Maryland ruled that the Education Department unlawfully threatened to
cut federal funding from institutions that continued DEI initiatives, rejecting
(07:26):
the administration's expansive campaign against what they call race based
decision making. The ruling emphasized that the Department's actions instilled
fear among educators that their lawful and beneficial efforts to
foster inclusive learning environments could lead to punishment or loss
of funding. While Judge Gallagher did not pass judgment on
(07:47):
the substance of the policies themselves, she ruled the administration
failed to adhere to necessary legal procedures go figure, thereby
invalidating the anti DEI guidance and related certificationation demands placed
on state education agencies. This decision follows a lawsuit brought
by the American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association,
(08:11):
which challenged the administration's broad interpretation of a twenty twenty
three Supreme Court ruling on race conscious admissions to extend
bans on considering race to all aspects of education. The
government had argued that these policies unfairly discriminated against white
and Asian American students, but opponents saw the measures as
(08:31):
a thinly veiled attack on efforts to address systemic inequities.
Advocates celebrated the ruling as a clear win for educators, students,
and communities committed to equity. Sky Perryman, the president and
CEO of Democracy Forward, called it an important victory over
the administration's war on education and highlighted the resistance of
(08:53):
those who have fought to keep classroom safe, welcoming, and
reflective of America's diverse society. This legal success underscores the
vital role of DEI programs in fostering opportunity and combating
discrimination in education. Up next, a listener comment back in
a minute, and now a listener comment from Alyssa in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
(09:20):
She writes, Hello, just writing to say thank you for
what you do. So many days I feel depressed and
no hope. I listen to you and I feel so
much better. I appreciate you so much. Please keep it up.
Love you all so much. We live outside of Washington, DC.
I'm a second generation Washingtonian. My son is third one
(09:43):
is living in Washington, d C right now under occupation.
I so appreciate what you do. Some days are hard,
ps cool name. Thank you so much for the compliments
and they are abundant. Alyssa, We really appreciate you writing in.
If you have thought, ideas and more good news to share,
like Alyssa or you know If you're critical, that's okay too.
(10:05):
We would love to hear from you. Call or message
us at two zero two six five six six two
seven one, drop us a line at Beowulf at two
squared Media Productions, or send it to us at good
News for Lefties on Facebook, Instagram or blue Sky. A
leading US medical journal has firmly rejected a call by
(10:25):
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior to
retract a large Danish study affirming the safety of aluminum
ingredients in vaccines for children, published in July in the
Annals of Internal Medicine. The study examined data from more
than one point two million Danish children over two decades
and found no increased risk of autoimmune, allergic, or neurodevelopmental
(10:50):
disorders linked to aluminum containing vaccines. Despite Kennedy's claim that
the study was a deceitful propaganda stunt designed to mask
vaccine harms, the journal's editor in chief, doctor Christine Lane,
stated there is no basis for retraction. She said that
while the study has some limitations, these do not invalidate
(11:11):
its findings, nor is there evidence of scientific misconduct. The
journal plans to address the criticism on its website, but
will not engage directly with Kennedy's commentary. Lead author Anders
Peter Havid defended the study, explaining that critiques about study
design were either unfounded or based on reasonable methodological decisions,
(11:33):
such as the lack of an unvaccinated control group due
to Denmark's high vaccination rate. He expressed confidence that the
study stands as the most comprehensive and reliable evidence regarding
aluminums safety in vaccines. This dismissal of politically motivated challenges
reinforces the scientific consensus supporting vaccine safety. Experts note the
(11:57):
study's massive scale, robust deb at equality and transparency as
critical in maintaining public trust in immunization programs, an essential
pillar of global health and child protection. And that's a
wrap for today's edition of Good News for Lefties. If
these stories brighten your outlook, please help us spread the word.
(12:18):
Share this episode on social media wherever you post. A
big thanks to our production team, Rosabel Hine and Aaron
Watson for making all of this possible behind the scenes.
I'm Beowulf Rocklin. Weird name, but good news for Lefties
and America. Stay tuned after this commercial break for more
(12:51):
of me, your humble and obedient servant, as I speak
with Jen and Dan of the band Camp podcast.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
The John People Sayingodcast is now available six times a
week with me John Fugelsang, I've been murdered on CSI
ticketed by Westboro Baptist Church and host tell me Everything.
On serious Xmprogress one twenty seven. You will hear authors, politicians, actors, filmmakers, rappers, rockstars, journalists, activists,
unhinged callers, and way too many comedians. They all have
a place of the John Fiagalsaning Podcast, and so do you.
(13:20):
The John Figlesing Podcast, Fair and Biased. Find it on
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher for wherever you listen to Bobs.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
And Now an excerpt from a recent episode of the
band Camp Podcast where I speak with hosts Jen and Dan.
Then go listen to the full show the band Camp
podcast that's banned with two ends bandcamp podcast dot com
and just a quick trigger warning here there may be
some clips of Donald Trump played in this next segment.
(13:52):
It's time for band Camp newspeaker, news Speaker. They will fucking.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
It's a weird name, but he's got good news.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Because you can't down the truth.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
He's broadcasting live from the good News for LEFTI Studios,
buried deep inside his social safehouse, hidden somewhere deep in
the Oregon Woods. He is by well Rockland because you can't.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Do Greetings Jen, Greetings Dan, thank you so much for
having me on. There is good news from yet another
Red state. It's not just the Blue states where good
stuff is going on. There are good, wonderful people in
Red states as well. And in Louisville, Kentucky, reader's veracity
(14:37):
for digital books is creating a waiting game for popular
titles that would test anyone's patience. There are are seven
hundred digital titles available through the Louisville Free Public Library
that I have wait lists for five months in links.
I'm that look. I check books digitally out of my library.
(14:57):
Usually they're audio books. My wife and my daughter, they
both have devices that they download and read books on,
many of them checked out from their local libraries. Well,
they're having a tough time in Louisville, but it's about
to get better because the Louisville Metro Council approved a
matching grant for up to one million dollars in the
(15:18):
city's current budget for the library system. To buy more
books and other materials, and they're going to invest in
print books, They're going to invest in digital books and
make those more accessible for people, so they you know,
if you can't afford to go to the local bookstore,
you have an opportunity to get something online and still
(15:40):
you know, get vital important information and expand your cultural horizons,
no matter what your budget happens to be. So I
think this is a wonderful thing. Louisville, Kentucky. It voted
for Trump, but I will tell you it's it's a
place where people are still interested in reading books and
they are still dedicated to funding their libraries. And that's
(16:02):
a very very positive thing. That's awesome. I'd love to
hear that even in the bluegrass state, you know. I
mean they have a lot of bluegrass and banjos and things,
but they still like to read their books when they
set their banjos down for a couple of minutes. And
that's that's awesome.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
But when you really think about what that means, they voted,
the people there voted to spend one million dollars. That
is truly, that is really inspiring. Yeah, yeah, I mean
a million sounds like a lot of money, especially to
a smaller sure you know community, and it's like, no,
we have the money to invest in this because it's important.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Yeah, yeah, that's right.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
So if a red community like that can do that,
every community should be able to do that.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Exactly. Some communities are banning books, and some communities are
buying books. And this is going to mean that fifty
thousand print books, ten thousand e books, and five thousand
audio books. That's that's my favorite kind of right there,
on top of its regular purchases are going to come
into this community. So I mean that's I mean, think
of what that means if you're a busy person you
(17:12):
can't get to the library, or you don't have a
whole lot of money, or you're you're a kid and
you want to download something on your phone, read a book,
you know, read you know, read Brave New World if
you never read it before, or if you're smart, you
will download band camp and listen through to all of
season nine.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
It takes a big man to admit when Babel's right
about that, everyone don't listen to good news for left.
He's a Babel Brockland.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
He's a good boy.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Thank you, thank you so the truth Baby, and listen
to Jen and Dan on the band Camp Podcast at
band camp podcast dot com.
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