In episode 23, The Leftscape is proud to feature an interview with Biff Bam Pop!’s own Andy Burns. Just on the heels of the Halloween season, his brand new book, This Dark Chest of Wonders: 40 Years of Stephen King’s ‘The Stand’ is on its way from Cemetery Dance Publications. Andy shares about how he came to write the book and gives a bit of a Horror/Stephen King 101 crash course for the uninitiated. At the end of his interview, he offers his perspective on the spectacle of U.S. politics from north of the border.
Well, November has gotten off to an intense start. Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée welcome listeners to the new month by wishing everyone a Happy Diwali, Happy NaNoWriMo, Happy National STEM/STEAM Day (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), and a Happy (or Hairy) No Shave Month. They introduce some info on other celebrations and awareness days, but the main topic on everyone’s mind is the U.S. midterm election. After what seemed like endless campaigning and ratcheted-up anxiety about the importance of outcomes, voters had their say on Tuesday, November 6th. Political activists and progressive organizers may not be able to afford a break for long, though taking time for a few breaths and a smile over some substantial successes is very much in order.
Robin and Wendy discuss election results, beginning with kudos to the winners of several Congressional districts in their home state of New Jersey and to the activists who helped make the victories a reality. They talk about the good news of the House of Representatives being back under Democratic control. Tuesday night also turned out to be a good night for diversity, with victories for notable LGBTQ+, Native American, African-American, Latina, and Muslim candidates. There were some not entirely unexpected, but disappointing losses – Beto O’Rourke in Texas chief among them, as there may be a recount in Florida and Stacey Abrams is still fighting the good fight and has not yet conceded in Georgia. While far from creating ideal circumstances, the election results give many people reasons to be hopeful.
Birthday nods this week go out to Bram Stoker, Margaret Mitchell, Minnie Riperton, Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones, Gordon Ramsay, Tom Anderson (MySpace Tom!), and Laura Jane Grace.
The Leftscape – the shape of progressive conversation: “Light at the End of the Election (Episode 23).”
