The Leftscape Podcast: ‘9/11, Guns, and Money (Episodes 54 and 55)’

Mary McGinley, Wendy Sheridan, and Robin Renée of The Leftscape are back from their end-of-summer vacation. Since Episode 56 posted on September 11, they wasted no time in getting to the most serious of topics. Each share their memories of the shock of September 11, 2001, how they dealt with it spiritually and emotionally, and how they experienced the world around them in response to the terrorist attacks on the United States that day. Eventually, the conversation segues to the originally intended topic, gun control. Some of the questions addressed are “What are the gun laws where you live?” Which norms regarding U.S. gun culture are changing?” and “Could a shift in the American cultural story make a difference?”

In the News, Wendy describes coming out of her blanket fort only to be bombarded with the general madness of current events. She tries to decipher the latest on Brexit and the mechanisms by which UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson finds himself in his government’s minority (He may be out in a “Scaramucci” or two.) In other news, the American president has called himself “the Chosen One,” parodied expertly by Randy Rainbow, and poor Moscow Mitch doesn’t like his hashtag. Later, Wendy lets listeners in on one of her vacation pastimes and gives her impressions of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Mary preferred watching the more peaceful, less eventful Travels by Narrowboat.

When you listen to the 9/11 episode, take some time out to bounce back to Episode 54, “Green Paper Ballots.” It’s all about finding the best ways we can vote with our dollars. How much effort do you put into avoiding corporations that cause harm and supporting those you think are a net positive in the world? Visit the Leftscape website and scroll down to explore links that can help you make choices about your buying power.

Some of the things to observe in September are National Suicide Prevention Month, International Update Your Resume Month, Courtesy Month, Piano Month, Save Your Photos Month, Self-Care Month, and Self-Improvement Month. Days to celebrate include Patriot Day and Make Your Bed Day (September 11), Video Games Day (September 12), National Blame Someone Else Day (September 13), Eat a Hoagie Day, National Sober Day (September 14), and Play-Doh Day (September 16). Birthday shout outs this week go to Ludacris, Harry Connick Jr, Moby, Farrah Moan, Stanislaw Lem, Jennifer Hudson, Neil Peart, Roald Dahl, Amy Poehler, and others.

The Leftscape – the shape of progressive conversation:

“Green Paper Ballots (Episode 54)”

“9/11: Looking Back, Moving Forward (Episode 55)”