Big Tech's Backlash, Jane Fonda's Free Speech Revival, and Pritchard's Historic Mayor!

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, we explore a series of uplifting stories that highlight community resilience and progressive action across the nation. We begin with a powerful grassroots movement emerging against the environmental toll of sprawling AI data centers. From Virginia to California, residents are demanding accountability from tech giants whose operations drain local resources, igniting a nationwide conversation about sustainable technology that serves the public good.

Next, we celebrate Jane Fonda's revival of the Committee for the First Amendment, uniting over 550 artists and creatives in a bold stand for free speech. This renewed commitment to artistic expression comes at a critical time, as Fonda emphasizes the importance of solidarity against censorship and political intimidation, reminding us that the fight for democracy's rights is far from over.

In a significant cultural shift, we report on the bankruptcy of the Parents Television Council, marking the decline of a once-powerful moral policing organization. This development signals a victory for free expression and creative independence, as younger generations reject the notion of censorship in favor of diverse storytelling.

We also highlight a transformative moment within the Democratic Party, as leaders distance themselves from AIPAC in favor of a more principled foreign policy that prioritizes human rights and accountability. This shift reflects a growing alignment with voters who seek justice for Palestinians and a new era of progressive politics.

Additionally, we share an inspiring story from Boston, where community-led food forests are transforming neglected lots into vibrant public spaces that promote climate resilience and local leadership. This initiative not only enhances biodiversity but also empowers marginalized communities, demonstrating the power of grassroots activism in addressing environmental challenges.

Finally, we wrap up with a whimsical wedding that took place during a protest outside the ICE facility in Portland, showcasing how joy and creativity can coexist with activism. This unique ceremony serves as a reminder that love and laughter are vital components of the resistance against oppressive policies.

Join us as we celebrate these positive developments and the ongoing fight for justice and equity. If you enjoy what you hear, please rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform! We’d love to hear from you, so reach out at 202-656-6271 or drop us a line at [e-mail].

https://www.commondreams.org/news/ai-data-center-backlash


https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/01/entertainment/jane-fonda-relaunches-committee-first-amendment


https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/parents-television-council-went-bankrupt-21091238.php


https://gvwire.com/2025/10/02/democrats-pull-away-from-aipac-reflecting-a-broader-shift/


https://insideclimatenews.org/news/03102025/boston-edible-food-forests/


https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/10/unicorn-bride-marries-kenny-from-south-park-at-portland-ice-protest.html



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello and thanks for
joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm Beowolf Rockland,
your host, ready to help you swap out doom and
gloom for some genuine hope with uplifting stories for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists,

(00:27):
and anyone who believes in making America a better place
for everyone. Today's troubling headlines often overwhelm us, and I'm
sure if you follow the news, you'll read or hear
about some of them today. All the bad news makes
it easy to lose sight of hope, and that's exactly
why it's vital to highlight the positive progressive wins happening

(00:49):
every day in the United States of America to help
us spread the positivity. If you enjoy the show, please
rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your
podcast platform choice. It helps more lefties like you hear
more good news stories and stay positive and motivated for
the days ahead. Now, let's get to some good news

(01:09):
headlines designed to brighten your day. Across the country, communities
are rising up against big tech's latest environmental burden, sprawling
artificial intelligence data centers that gulp down energy and water
while corporate profits soar. The backlash from Virginia to California

(01:29):
reveals a growing people's movement demanding that technology serve the
public good, not drain its resources. What began as local
skirmishes over power lines and wells has now ignited a
broader reckoning with Silicon Valley's unchecked expansion and unsustainable footprint.
In Virginia, both major party candidates in a regional house

(01:51):
race are scrambling to respond to voters furious over data
centers that devour enough electricity to power cities and leave
neighbors footing the bill. Residents like Mansfield, Georgia's Beverly Morris
have spent years buying bottled water after Meta's facility clouded
their wells, with research now showing families are subsidizing billions

(02:13):
in energy costs while tech giants evade responsibility. We're dealing
with the biggest companies on the planet, said Democratic candidate
John mccauliffe. We need to make sure Virginians are benefiting,
not just paying for it. Scientists and advocates warn these
AI facilities could become some of the most climate destructive
infrastructures of the decade. A single data center can use

(02:36):
as much electricity as one hundred thousand homes and millions
of gallons of water each day, graining local aquifers and
straining fragile power grids. The Union of Concerned Scientists found
that corporate data centers quietly added nearly two billion dollars
to Virginian's utility bills last year alone. Experts say this

(02:56):
corporate freeloading could total billions more nationally if left unchecked,
a hidden tax on working families. Progressives see a powerful
turning point in this revolt. Fayez Shakir, longtime adviser to
Senator Bernie Sanders, predicted that any Democrat ready to challenge
big tech's resource grab could find massive grassroots support. The

(03:19):
people are way ahead of the politicians, he said, a
sentiment echoed in small towns now demanding accountability and green alternatives.
This is more than a backlash, It's an awakening across
the country. Americans are insisting that technology evolves sustainably, equitably,
and in service to the communities that make innovation possible.

(03:41):
Jane Fonda, legendary actor and tireless activist, is leading a
sweeping revival of Hollywood's conscience for free speech by relaunching
the Committee for the First Amendment, eight decades after her father,
Henry Fonda, and other icons stood against McCarthy era repression.
Fonda's called comes amidst what she describes as the most

(04:02):
fraught moment of her lifetime. Her clear eyed appeal resonates deeply.
Solidarity and collective courage are the antidote to fear mongering
and political intimidation, and now more than ever, artists must
bind together in defensive democracies most essential right. With more
than five hundred and fifty creedive voices joining Fonda's effort,

(04:24):
the committee now counts support from visionaries spanning multiple generations.
Aaron Sorkin, Barbara streisand Glenn Close, John Legend, Julia, Louise Dreyfuss,
Kerrie Washington, Natalie Portman, Pedro Pascal Spike, Lee Viola Davis,
Wanda Sykes, and many many more. Their shared conviction reaffirms

(04:46):
that the arts community is united, refusing to bow to
censorship or silence, and standing tall against the chilling effect
of government pressure that has recently pulled programs off the
air and sparked national debate Fonda's revival is rooted in history,
yet fully focused on the struggles of today, as Trump
administration officials escalate attacks on dissent and push broadcasters to

(05:11):
capitulate two political interests. Her letter, Defiant and Optimistic, insists
that when industry leaders and artists band together, their course
for freedom becomes impossible to ignore. The Committee's unified front
signals hope, reminding everyone that the ability to question authority
and demand accountability is integral to America's promise. The Committee's

(05:35):
new statement shines a light on an unwavering principle free
speech is non negotiable for all, regardless of ideology or background.
With artists across Hollywood rallying, this rejuminated movement sends an
unmistakable message to the nation. Standing up to intimidation is
how democracy endures. In a perilous time for creative expression,

(06:00):
Fonda's action is a rallying cry for Americans everywhere to
defend their right to speak, protest, and create without fear.
Before we get back to the news, I want to
tell you about an important podcast called This Week Again,
hosted by Suzanne Posel. It takes a humorous look at
politics and current events one week at a time. It's

(06:23):
a funny, angry, progressive, sarcastic, hilarious podcast that drops every
Sunday and, in my opinion, is the largest single repository
of creatively insulting names for Donald Trump. Mango Mussolini and
Orange Julius Caesar are just the beginning. So if you
want to recap of the week and you want a
laugh into the bargain, listen to This Week Again with

(06:45):
Suzanne Posel on this platform or wherever you listen to podcasts.
That's This Week Again with Suzanne Posel s U s
A N N E PO s E L This Week Again, Listen, laugh, repeat.
A one time moral crusader of the conservative movement has

(07:07):
quietly collapsed. The Parents Television Council, once famous for rallying
against so called indecency in America's living rooms, has declared bankruptcy,
ending three turbulent decades of trying to police pop culture
from the sidelines. The Burbank based Nonprofits Chapter seven filing
lists far more debt than assets, marking the final act

(07:31):
of a group that once wielded political power over what
Americans could see and say on screen. The organization rose
to prominence in the late nineteen nineties and early two
thousands by whipping up outrage over television's portrayals of sex, violence,
and humor, even leading federal regulators to impose record setting
fines on broadcasters. Its founder, Brent Bozell the Third, spun

(07:54):
the Council out of his far right media research center,
creating what became a cornerstone of the modern culture wars.
But as US culture diversified and audiences turned toward streaming
and the Internet, the PTC's mission to protect families from
modern media began to look more like censorship than advocacy.
By the time of its bankruptcy this month, it had

(08:17):
just ninety two thousand dollars left to its name. The
group's implosion mirrors the waning grip of America's old moral gatekeepers.
Younger generations, creators, and voters have rejected the idea that
art or entertainment should be sanitized for political comfort. Programs.
The Council, once condemned like Family Guy, the Shield and

(08:38):
that seventies Show, thrived despite its attempts to shame advertisers
and frightened networks. Even the courts pushed back a costly
two thousand and two lawsuit by World Wrestling Entertainment forced
Bozell to apologize and pay millions after the council falsely
accused wrestling shows of harming children. The fall of the

(08:59):
Parents Television Council signifies more than the death of a
single organization. It marks a broader cultural victory for free
expression and creative independence. What was once a powerful pipeline
for right wing outrage has become an artifact of a
bygone era, replaced by a more inclusive vision of storytelling.

(09:20):
In a media landscape now shaped by diversity, humor, and authenticity,
Americans seem to have rendered the final verdict on moral policing.
No more gatekeepers pretending to guard the nation's soul. A
quiet but unmistakable shift is reshaping Washington. Democrats are distancing

(09:40):
themselves from APAK, the powerful pro Israel lobbying group long
allied with unconditional military aid and the net Yahoo government.
The political realignment, years in the making but accelerated by
the devastation in Gaza, is giving rise to a new
era of principled foreign poloy within the Democratic Party, one

(10:02):
rooted in human rights, restraint and accountability rather than blank
checks and political pressure House Democratic leader Hakim Jeffreys. Accepting
j Street's endorsement marked a symbolic breaking point. For nearly
two decades, Jeffreys maintained polite distance from the progressive pro
two State organization while relying on APAX support. His decision

(10:26):
to embrace j Street's backing signals a generational shift, aligning
the Democratic leadership more closely with voters who demand a
just resolution for Palestinians and an end to unconditional US
support for Israel's military actions. Momentum has been building beneath
the surface. More Democrats are rejecting a PAC money, skipping

(10:47):
its influence shaping trips to Israel, and voting for legislation
that conditions arms transfers on human rights protections. Representative Maxine Dexter,
once buoyed by APAC donation, now co sponsors the Block
the Bombs Act, which restricts offensive weapon sales until Israel
meets humanitarian standards. This is not mere political repositioning. It's

(11:12):
a reflection of a profound shift in American public consciousness.
Poles now show a majority of Democrats disapprove of Israel's
government and sympathized with Palestinian civilians ravaged by the ongoing war,
as j Street's president Jeremy Benami put it Apak has
run into a wall a nation tired of seeing justice

(11:33):
deferred and tragedy rationalized. The democratic coalition emerging from this
reckoning is more diverse, more outspoken, and more aligned with
global human rights communities than ever before. A movement for
peace that refuses to be silenced by fear or influence.
Up next, a listener suggested story Back in a minute,

(12:00):
listener suggested story from Belinda in Conquered New Hampshire. Boston
is rewriting the playbook on urban climate resilience, turning neglected
lots into vibrant public food forests, green spaces overflowing with
fruit trees and berry bushes open for anyone to enjoy.
The Boston Food Forest Coalition, driven by community vision and solidarity,

(12:25):
has transformed more than a dozen sites in low and
middle income neighborhoods, with a goal to reach thirty edible
parks citywide by twenty thirty. These food forests now are
a centerpiece of the city's official climate action strategy, underscoring
the idea that real climate solutions come from grassroots organizing
and public stewardship. Unlike traditional gardens that rely on individual

(12:48):
plots and annual planting, food forests use indigenous and perennial
plants to mimic natural ecosystems. This approach not only increases
local biodiversity and filters out urban pollution, but also breaks
cycles of exclusion by permanently placing public land in community
hands via land trusts. Most stewardship teams are led by

(13:10):
women and people of color, ensuring that these projects reflect
neighborhood priorities and promote local leadership. Residents collectively govern each forest,
strengthening trust and providing a living model of democratic land ownership.
The impact goes far beyond fresh produce. Food forests cool

(13:30):
their surroundings, fight the urban heat island effect and can
lower neighbourhood temperatures by as much as four degrees fahrenheit.
Black communities in Boston, historically denied green space and tree coverage,
often endure heat waves more intensely than other areas, up
to seven point five degrees warmer on average. By planting fruit,

(13:51):
trees and shrubs, the BFFC and its allies are reversing
these disparities, making healthy shaded spaces accessible to everyone. Building
and maintaining these forests is a collective process that balances
urgency with consensus. Neighborhoods decide to gather whether to tackle
pests or drought, and every decision strengthens local connections. And

(14:15):
despite setbacks like the EPA revoking major funding the spring,
the movement continues to gain steam, breaking ground on new
sites and welcoming more stewarts every season. Boston's Edible Forest
strategy reveals how hope, ingenuity and justice can flourish literally
at the grassroots, transforming climate action into community transformation. Thanks

(14:40):
so much for that story, Belinda. 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 five six six two seven to one, drop us
a line at beowulf at two squared Media Productions dot com,
or send it to us at good News for Lefties
on Facebook, instaut or blue Sky. At a spirited protest

(15:05):
outside the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Building in Portland,
a whimsical wedding unfolded, bringing a moment of joy and
creativity to a tense scene of activism. On Friday, a
bride dazzling in a unicorn costume and a groom dressed
as Kenny from South Park exchanged vows on a red
carpet laid out on the sidewalk, witnessed by about thirty onlookers,

(15:28):
who were also dressed in playful outfits like care bear
and pickle costumes. The couple, who have known each other
for two decades and recently started dating, said their decision
to marry at the protest was a way to bring
light and love to a difficult time. The ceremony brought
a temporary hush to the usually vocal crowd, with a
boombox silenced and bubbles floating through the air. The groom,

(15:52):
accompanied by his son dressed as Eric Cartman from South Park,
and the bride, with a mate of honour costumed as
the State puffed marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters, made their way
down the red carpet, framed by photos of their faces
covered by stickers to maintain privacy. The Efficient, wearing a
giant rabbit head, presided over the event, which was attended

(16:16):
by only a handful of people, including the bride's half
aunt dressed as Garfield. Despite the heavy rain, something the
couple shrugged off with a nod to this is Portland.
The mood stayed upbeat and festive. Attendees combined whimsical costumes
and helium balloons, spending roughly five hundred to six hundred

(16:36):
dollars to set the scene. The gathering was abruptly punctuated
by a federal loudspeaker warning protesters not to block the driveway,
but this interruption did little the dampened spirits. This creative wedding,
set against months of protests at the Ice facility, captured
the spirit of Portland's resistance, a blend of serious political

(16:57):
defiance and a refusal to surrender joel or humanity. It
reflected a broader grassroots movement, showing how compassion, humor, and
personal expression continue to punctuate the fight against oppressive policies
and militarized enforcement in the city. That's a wrap for
today's edition of Good News for Lefties. Remember if these

(17:19):
stories brighten your outlook, please help us spread the word
by rating and reviewing us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or
your podcast platform of choice. A big thanks to our
production team, Rosabel Hein, Aaron Watson, and Gillian Cunningham. For
making all this possible behind the scenes. I'm Baio Wolf Rockland,
weird name, good news for lefties and America.

Speaker 2 (18:02):
Here's what you've been missing on the Stephanie Miller Happy
Hour podcast. He wasn't he shot people? Look at his ear,
some debris or something hit him. But it's like, I can't,
I just can't. Okay, All right, where was I? He said?
Paro coaching? Right, twenty nine hundred pages of lead texts,
So that's not like one or two random whatever, right, Yes,

(18:26):
the chats included, Oh there's some more fun facts I
had not read yet. Yeah, references to black people as
monkeys and watermelon people. Wow, that's so fresh a reference
and current praise for Adolf Hitler, and oh, discussions of
rape and guest chambers as fella knows a lot of
misogyny in mixed in with the anti semitism and racism

(18:46):
in general. I was waiting for that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,
lots of how super fun rapeist. Okay, By the way,
can I just say here's an example. So JD. Van's saying,
all that's fine, right? Did you see this when Elizabeth
Warren two days ago posted for two excruciating years I've
called for the return of the hostages, brutally kid left,

(19:08):
kidnapped on October seventh and held in gaza. Today is
a good day. Jd Vance, was you know post that?
And says the president to him, he did this on
Indigenous People Day and honterview. What are you surprised that
all these young Republicans are douchebag Just look at he's
the vice president I did.

Speaker 1 (19:27):
Okay, they're taking troll online, trolling.

Speaker 2 (19:30):
In real life. Well, this is what's Bella's point. They're
just trolls. They're not people that are interested in helping
them in any way they actually care about politics. They
only care about owning the Libs. I have been saying
that for years and years and years and years.

Speaker 1 (19:43):
That's the only thing they care about.

Speaker 2 (19:45):
Congratulations, little douchebags. I am this liberal is fully on
this morning. Subscribe to the Stephanie Miller Happy Hour podcast
on Apple Podcasts, Stephanie Miller dot com or wherever you
get your favorite podcasts.

Speaker 1 (20:02):
And in case you missed it, here's this good news headline. Pritchard,
Alabama made history last week by electing Carletta Davis as
its first black woman mayor, ushering in new leadership for
a majority black coastal community that has faced years of water,
sewer and governance challenges. Davis, a community organizer and leader

(20:28):
of the grassroots group We Matter eight Mile, decisively defeated
incumbent Jimmy Gardner in a runoff, earning more than three
times his total vote. Her win caps a season of
local political challenge in Prichard, where four of the five
city council seats are now held by women. Davis's activism

(20:50):
on infrastructure issues, particularly the town's chronic sewage spills and
massive losses in its water system, has resonated with residents
looking for solutions to law neglected problems. She has pledged
to unite the city and bring accountable leadership to a
community where service failures have often collided with election controversies.

(21:12):
The campaign unfolded against a backdrop of legal disputes and
scrutiny over ballot access. Last month's general election saw accusations
of mishandled provisional ballots, and the ACLU of Alabama sharply
criticized the city's voting process, citing poor access for eligible
voters and missteps by election officials. Despite these obstacles, Davis's

(21:36):
grassroots outreach and focus on essential services helped her carry
neighborhoods still contending with decades of disenfranchisement. For Prichard, Davis's
victory represents both a symbolic milestone and a pragmatic shift
in a town that is nearly eighty nine percent black
and grappling with high utility debt, crumbling infrastructure, and consumer

(22:00):
turns over public safety. Her leadership signals a commitment to
inclusive problem solving and community resilience. As she takes office
alongside the newly elected council, residents are hopeful that the
city's spirit of champions, as outgoing Mayor Gardner described it,
will power a renewed push for progress.