#1634 Abortion as the Tip of the Iceberg (Throwback)

#1634 Abortion as the Tip of the Iceberg (Throwback)

Author: Best of the Left: Perspectives on Politics, Culture, and Economics July 15, 2026 Duration: 2:21:13

Re-Air Date: 7-14-2026

Original Air Date: 6-7-2024

Banning abortion is wildly unpopular and also one of the primary motivators for the group most strongly supporting the Republican Party and Donald Trump, the Christian Right, which has transformed both the party and politicians into extremists made in their own image, threatening the lives and health of millions and sacrificing democracy in the process.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Abortion and Reproductive Rights - Lectures in History - Air Date 3-16-24

KP 2: Abortion and the erosion of privacy - The Weeds - Air Date 4-10-24

KP 3: Digital surveillance and reproductive rights - Technically Optimistic - Air Date 5-15-24

KP 4: Anti-abortion hardliners want restrictions to go farther. It could cost Republicans - Consider This - Air Date 5-23-24

KP 5: Abortion and Reproductive Rights Part 2 - Lectures in History - Air Date 3-16-24

KP 6: Rakeen Mabud on Greedflation, Rachel K. Jones on Mifepristone - CounterSpin - Air Date 4-5-24

KP 7: Abortion and the erosion of privacy Part 2 - The Weeds - Air Date 4-10-24

KP 8: Digital surveillance and reproductive rights Part 2 - Technically Optimistic - Air Date 5-15-24


(56:09) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the abuse produced by abortion restrictions


DEEPER DIVES

(01:01:35) SECTION A: CRIMINALIZING ABORTION

A1: Abortion and Reproductive Rights Part 3 - Lectures in History - Air Date 3-16-24

A2: Digital surveillance and reproductive rights Part 3 - Technically Optimistic - Air Date 5-15-24

A3: Abortion and the erosion of privacy Part 3 - The Weeds - Air Date 4-10-24


(01:20:04) SECTION B: ABORTION EXTREMISM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

B1: Texas Republicans Want To Execute Women Who Defy Them - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 5-30-24

B2: Why Trumps Abortion Video Needs Some Follow-Up Questions - Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast - Air Date 4-9-24


(01:35:45) SECTION C: ABORTION IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM

C1: Abortion and Reproductive Rights Part 4 - Lectures in History - Air Date 3-16-24

C2: Abortion and the erosion of privacy Part 4 - The Weeds - Air Date 4-10-24

C3: Why Trumps Abortion Video Needs Some Follow-Up Questions Part 2 - Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast - Air Date 4-9-24


(01:52:57) SECTION D: WHAT IS THERE TO DO?

D1: Digital surveillance and reproductive rights Part 4 - Technically Optimistic - Air Date 5-15-24

D2: NJ Rep. Mikie Sherrill On Abortion Nationwide, And Campus Protests In Her District - Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast - Air Date 5-1-24

D3: Rakeen Mabud on Greedflation, Rachel K. Jones on Mifepristone Part 2 - CounterSpin - Air Date 4-5-24

D4: Digital surveillance and reproductive rights Part 5 - Technically Optimistic - Air Date 5-15-24


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A person dressed in a red cape and white conical bonnet with a red sash over their nose and mouth (referencing the Handmaid's Tale) stands outside the U.S. Supreme Court at dusk holding a cardboard sign with the words "This is NOT fiction."

Credit: Photo by Tyler Merbler, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

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For over fifteen years, Best of the Left-Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy has served as a vital, human-curated digest of voices from across the progressive spectrum. Instead of presenting a single opinion, each episode is built around a specific theme-from economic inequality to climate policy to cultural shifts-and weaves together insightful commentary from a diverse array of journalists, activists, and thinkers. This approach allows you to efficiently grasp the nuances of complex issues by hearing multiple expert angles in one sitting, all while discovering new commentators and sources you might not have encountered otherwise. The result is a richly layered analysis that algorithms simply cannot replicate, offering depth and context often missing from the daily news cycle. Since 2006, this award-winning podcast has cut through the noise, drawing from hundreds of independent and established sources to provide a coherent, thoughtful examination of the forces shaping our society and governments. Tuning in means joining a long-running conversation dedicated to understanding and advancing democratic principles, social justice, and a more equitable economy, all through the focused lens of leftist thought.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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