Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello, and thank you
for joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm
Beowolf Rocklin, your host, ready to help you swap out
doom scrolling for hope scrolling. Yes, there is such a thing.
I'm here with uplifting stories for democracy defenders, progressive socialists, liberals, leftists,
(00:29):
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
the United States of America, the takeover of our nation's
capital by federal troops, and the wholesale destruction of critical
government agencies. Today's headlines often overwhelm us with troubling news,
(00:52):
making it all too easy to lose sight of hope.
That's why it's vital to highlight the positive, real world
progress that's had every day progress the too often gets
drowned 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 isn't just possible, it's happening.
(01:14):
And carry this hope with you throughout the day and
share it with others now let's kick off with some
good news headlines designed to brighten your day. The National
Weather Service is set to rehire hundreds of workers following
sweeping personnel cuts earlier this year. Under the Department of
Government Efficiency or DOGE, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
(01:40):
or NOAH has received approval to fill four hundred and
fifty critical positions, including meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar technicians. This
move comes amid heightened scrutiny after a deadly summer marked
by severe weather events, including deadly Texas floods, where understaffing
raised questions about four D casting capabilities. Congressional representatives Eric
(02:03):
Sorenson and Mike Flood celebrated the decision as overdue news.
After months of pushing to exempt National Weather Service staff
from layoffs and hiring phrases, the CO sponsored the bipartisan
Weather Workforce Improvement Act to reclassify National Weather Service employees
as essential public safety personnel and protect future staffing levels.
(02:26):
The cuts earlier in twenty twenty five had caused vacancies
in many weather offices, forcing cancellations of critical weather, balloon launches,
and overnight shifts while remaining staff faced unsustainable workloads. Though
the rehiring effort is a significant step forward, experts caution
it may take months to recruit and train new employees,
(02:47):
meaning the agency's staffing challenges could persist into the peak
of hurricane and wildfire seasons. Still, the granting of direct
hiring authority to NOAH could help speed up recruitment by
reducing bureaucratic delays. The extensive loss of technical and forecasting
expertise has spurred concern across the weather community, which depends
(03:08):
on timely and accurate forecasts to save lives and protect property.
This rehiring initiative reflects a broader recognition among lawmakers and
officials that adequate staffing at the National Weather Service is
critical to public safety and disaster preparedness. It comes as
NOAH and NWS work to rebuild a resilient workforce after
(03:30):
budget driven reductions weakened the nation's frontline weather forecasting capabilities,
illustrating the vital role federal support plays in safeguarding Americans
from increasingly severe weather threats. The federal judge has ruled
that the abrupt cancelation of Humanity's grants by the National
(03:50):
Endowment for the Humanities was unlawful, allowing a lawsuit brought
by humanities organizations to proceed. In April, the Department of
Government in Efficiency, or DOGE, terminated thousands of grants previously
approved by Congress, affecting a wide range of groups, including
state humanities councils, museums, libraries, educators, and public media outlets.
(04:15):
U S District Judge Michael H. Simon wrote that the
plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their claim that the
withholding of these funds is unconstitutional. He emphasized that the
power of the purse belongs solely to Congress, not the President,
highlighting that the unexpected grant cancellations violated this fundamental principle.
For decades, ANYH funding has enjoyed bipartisan support, providing critical
(04:40):
resources to public humanities programs across the country. The lawsuit
was initiated by groups such as Oregon Humanities and the
Federation of State Humanities Councils, who said the sudden cuts
amounted to an attempted destruction of the long standing federal
state partnership that supports humanity's initiatives. These programs help veterans heal,
(05:02):
promote literacy and critical thinking in children, and fund local
projects that in rich communities. The grand terminations have already
forced some councils to lay off staff cancel vital programs.
While the ruling is being hailed as a major victory
by advocates, many humanities councils continue to operate without their
appropriated funds as the legal battle proceeds. The decision underscores
(05:27):
the crucial role that federal funding plays in sustaining America's
cultural and educational infrastructure and sets the stage for the
restoration of these essential grants. The Department of Justice is
facing a severe shortage of lawyers, with reports indicating the
more than sixty percent of the Civil Rights Division's workforce
has left since January twenty twenty five. This exodus has
(05:51):
been driven by widespread dissatisfaction among attorneys regarding the Trump
administration's use of the DOJ to push controversial, ideologically driven
priorities rather than focusing on protecting civil rights. The Department
is now scrambling to fill these vacancies, with leaders urging
current staff to take reassignments to critical areas such as education, employment,
(06:13):
and voting rights litigation. Now you may ask why is
this good news? Well, I'll tell you why. The attorney
shortage has created a critical gap in the DOJ's ability
to carry out its mission effectively. And whose mission is it.
It's Donald Trump's mission, so he doesn't have enough help
left to carry out his authoritarian agenda. The Trump administration's
(06:37):
redefinition of priorities has included investigating organizations promoting diversity, equity
and inclusion, restricting voting access under the guise of fraud prevention,
and pulling back on prosecuting race based employment discrimination. These
shifts have alienated many experienced civil rights lawyers, who either
resigned or were pushed out, leaving the DOJ to rely
(06:59):
on a diminis and often unwilling workforce to advance its agenda.
And given what that agenda is, that is very good
news for lefties and America. The administration continues to pursue
aggressive ideological litigation, and significant attrition of skilled attorneys may
mean the DOJ could lack the necessary capacity to fully
(07:23):
implement these efforts. That again, is very good news for lefties.
The Department of Homeland Security's recent attempt to use South Park,
a show known for its sharp political satire to promote
recruitment for ICE was met with a sharp rebuke from
the show's creators. DHS posted a screenshot from the series
(07:47):
depicting ICE agents touting signing bonuses and benefits for potential
recruits that was recently revoked by the Way, just weeks
after the White House had dismissed South Park as irrelevant
following episodes that unapologetically criticize the Trump administration and its
harmful immigration policies, and by the Way, pictured Trump in
(08:08):
bed with Satan in the true South Park fashion. The
show responded by reposting the DHS message with a biting wait,
so we are relevant hashtag eat a bag of dicks,
highlighting the administration's attempt to co opt a show that
has long held a mirror to the damaging rhetoric and
actions of those in power. The ongoing season has relentlessly
(08:31):
satirized Trump's administration, including its anti immigrant stances, exposing the
harsh realities faced by communities targeted by ICE enforcement. The
use of South Park imagery as a tool for recruitment
for an agency widely criticized for human rights abuses and
family separations underscores the troubling normalization of aggressive immigration enforcement.
(08:53):
While DHS touts perks like signing bonuses and student loan forgiveness,
it masks the very real harm ICE is inflicted on
immigrant communities. South Park's pointed response reflects a broader cultural
resistance to an administration willing to exploit popular media not
to inform, but to bolster a punitive and inhumane agenda.
(09:15):
This episode exposes the complex relationship between political power and
cultural influence, revealing how satire and critique remain vital tools
to hold authorities accountable. As ICE continues its enforcement campaigns,
works like south Park serve as crucial voices advocating for humanity, justice,
(09:35):
and dignity in the face of oppressive policies. Up next,
a listener suggested story back in a minute, and now,
a listener suggested story from Brent in Stanford, California. Stanford
University's student run newspaper, The Stanford Daily, has taken a
bold stand against the Trump administration by filing a federal
(09:56):
lawsuit challenging the administration's use of immigration laws to target
pro Palestinian activists and journalists. The suit alleges that the
administration's policies specifically invoking sections of the Immigration and Nationality
Act have been weaponized to cancel visas and threatened deportation
against non citizen writers based on their political speech, creating
(10:18):
a chilling effect on free expression on campus. The lawsuit
highlights the severe consequences of these actions, noting that student
journalists on visas have self censored, declined to cover or
comment on Middle East conflict related issues, and even requested
removal of previously published articles out of fear for their
(10:39):
immigration status. According to attorneys from the Foundation for Individual
Rights and Expression, which is representing the newspaper, these measures
violate the First Amendment by effectively punishing protected speech simply
because it conflicts with US foreign policy interests as defined
by Secretary of State Mark or Rubio. The plaintiffs argue
(10:59):
that the administration's approach forces non citizen students into silence,
undermining fundamental American values of free expression and the press.
The lawsuit calls on the federal court to block the
government from applying immigration provisions in a manner that punishes
students for their viewpoints, reinforcing that constitutional rights should not
(11:21):
be contingent on citizenship status. This legal challenge underscores the
broader attacks on academic freedom and free speech, rising amid
the administration's efforts to suppress dissent on divisive issues. While
the Department of Homeland Security has dismissed the lawsuit as
politically motivated and of course they would, critics assert that
(11:41):
this case is crucial to defending the rights of vulnerable
communities who have long played an essential role in shaping
debate and dialogue in American universities. The Stanford Dailyes lawsuit
pushes back against the dangerous precedent of using immigration enforcement
to intimidate voice's critical of government policies, marking a significant
(12:02):
moment for civil liberties and campus journalism in the Trump era.
Thanks for that story, Brent. If you have thoughts, ideas,
or more good news to share, we'd love to hear
from you. Call or message us at two zero two
six fix six six two seven one, drop us a
line at beowulf at two squared Media Productions dot com,
(12:23):
or send it to us at good News for Lefties
on Facebook, Instagram or blue Sky. Former Georgia Lieutenant Governor
Jeff Duncan, who served from twenty nineteen to twenty twenty three,
has officially switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party,
citing deep ideological differences that had been building for years.
(12:45):
In an op ed entitled from Republican Lieutenant Governor to Democrat,
Loving my neighbor is easier Now, Duncan explained that his
journey began well before President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn
the twenty twenty election in Georgia. His decision was rooted
in a daily struggle to love my neighbor within a
party whose policies, he said, increasingly conflicted with his Christian
(13:07):
faith and moral values. Duncan specifically criticized the GOP's stances
on health care, gun safety, immigration, and social programs. He
denounced recent Republican led cuts to snap food assistance and
medicaid funding as contrary to caring for vulnerable families, and
condemned the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement as a lesson
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on how not to love your neighbor. His public break
with the party opened last year as he guarded backlash
for endorsing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris,
and led to his expulsion from the Georgia GOP. Earlier
in twenty twenty five, while Duncan has yet to announce
any concrete political plans. He has received encouragement from Democrats, independents,
(13:51):
and even some Republicans frustrated with the current direction of
their party. He indicated that he is considering running for
office again and expressed a desire to make a difference,
build consensus, and turn chaos into conversations in Georgia's political landscape.
Is Switch underscores the growing rift within the GOP and
the changing dynamics of American politics in states pivotal for
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future elections. 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. 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 be a Wolf Rocklin weird
(14:38):
name Good News for Lefties and America. Stay tuned after
this commercial break for more of me, your humble and
(15:00):
and servant, as I speak with Jen and Dan of
the band camp podcast.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
The John Peegle Sang Podcast is now available six times
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Speaker 1 (15:35):
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.
(15:59):
It's time bandcab News, True Speaker, News Speaker. They will Rocklin.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
It's a weird name, but he's got good news because
he can't be the truth fan.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
He's broadcasting live from the Good News for Leftis Studio
is buried deep inside his social safehouse, hidden somewhere deep
in the Oregon woods.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
He is Babe Well Rockland because he can't do.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
The greetings Dan, greetings, Jen, Greetings, scary book people. So
I have an interesting headline out of the state of Florida.
It's a it's a positive news story from Florida. WHOA,
I know, I know, we have to like keep them
up because they don't almost come through. Sometimes they're a
little weird, but this one is okay. More than one
(16:46):
hundred volunteers pulled four thousand pounds of trash and one
hundred and twenty eight ghost traps from Tampa Bay's waters.
Now I was confused by this headline at first. When
I heard ghost traps, I thought to myself, Okay, that
must be the little thing that they put underneath like
the ghost in Ghostbusters. Yeah, when they should.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
That's not it at all.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
So Slimer has nothing to do with this.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
Slimer has has nothing to do with this story. Every
two years since two thousand and nine, Florida Wildlife officials
implement a ten day halt to blue crab season in
an effort to come bat it's growing ghost trap problem.
Any crab trap found in open water over those ten
days is fair game for cleanup. So a ghost trap
(17:35):
is actually something that's been left there a crab trap.
You know, it can cause problems, it can hurt other animals,
and it hasn't been collected. So that's what a ghost
trap is. This year, on the final day of the pause,
a local nonprofit hosted a four hour cleanup competition that
involved one hundred and nine volunteers in boats, kayaks, wave runners,
(17:57):
and on the beach looking for traps and other tracks.
They're more than just floridam in in Florida. They're they're
good folks. They're there, they're doing good things. They're cleaning up,
they're cleaning up the beach, and I think that's an
awesome thing.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
So let me ask so ghost traps, But I thought
maybe they were were like, you know, you have to
have a license to go put the traps out in
the first place. I thought maybe people were just putting
traps out illegally and then they were going to you know,
just get pa yeah, poach, poach them. But these are
literal traps that may have been legal in the first place,
(18:30):
they just forgot to pick them up.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
It's I think it's a combination of both of those things. So, yeah,
like they should one one way or another. They shouldn't
be there they're they're left out there, they're unattended and
they're causing yuck. And I'm so glad that they are
doing it. There are positive actions taking place, they're the
environment is actually progress is being made.
Speaker 4 (18:55):
There at Rond de Santis is one of the most
progressive governments we have. He always he never disappoints Bibel.
He's always doing the right thing.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
Yeah, and as you can tell, it's not coming from
the governmental level. It's coming from individuals who will want
to clean up. I was just about to ask, is
this a government thing or a nonprofit situation? Yeah, this
is this is a local nonprofit hosted this and so
it doesn't have anything the government. You know, the guys
in Tallahassee Ron de Santis and his cronies, they're there.
(19:28):
They're actually helping corporations put more gunk into the water,
and good local nonprofits are helping take it out of
the water.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
So last time Jen and I were both in Tampa,
remember we volunteered at Dead Beach clean up for all
the discarded pudding cups.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
That's right putting fingers.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
If you like good news like that, go listen to
good News for Lefties wherever you find your podcast. That
is good news.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Thank you so much. I find my podcast right here
on my phone, and that's also where I find the
wonderful band camp podcast. Thank you so much, Gus.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Yeah, we thank you. We need to get on a
bigger network because right now people have to get us
on bea Wolf's phone and the guy is busy.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Jeh Center band the Truth, Baban and listen to Jen
and Dan on the band Camp podcast at bandcamppodcast dot com.