It Could Happen Here Weekly 256
Oct 31, 2026 · 3h 22m
Summary
This compilation episode features a detailed analysis of the upcoming Israeli elections, highlighting how the contest between right-wing factions impacts Palestinian citizens, West Bank residents, and Gaza. The segment also covers the IWW’s internal union elections, with guests discussing the organization’s industrial union model, workplace democracy, and recent organizing successes in cities like Portland and Washington D.C.
Topics discussed
Introduction to the compilation episode
Palestinian crisis and Israeli right-wing politics
Profiles of Eisenkot and Bennett in coalition talks
Legal disqualification of Abu Shadr and Palestinian voting
Debate on legitimacy of participating in Israeli system
Coalition math and scenarios for government formation
Settler violence and the symbiotic state-settler dynamic
Closing remarks on Jewish and democratic state
IWW structure: industrial unionism explained
IWW democracy: shop floor autonomy and elections
Worker representation and contract negotiation issues
Union officer roles and the importance of volunteerism
Building worker power beyond immediate demands
Historical origins of IWW structure and anarchist theory
Goals for membership growth and participation
Regional needs: material support vs. publicity
Confidential campaigns and the secrecy of organizing
Tensions between local branches and National HQ
Personal motivation for running in Portland branch
Restoring respect for dues-paying members
Brief segment on danger and safety
GEB role in supporting campaigns and branch formation
Critique of GEB legalism and overreach
Regional administration failing to carry out member will
Personal goals for cultural change on the GEB
Modeling change at the national level
Budget cuts and fiscal security vs. committee needs
Austerity, member downturn, and funding issues
Highlighting write-in candidates for the GEB
Promo for 'Out of Character' podcast
Chupacabra: fake creature and colonial boogeyman
Physical descriptions and early sightings in Puerto Rico
Link to coyotes and the Tolentino encounter
Media coverage and the El Nuevo Dia front page
Mass hysteria and the role of bad journalism
Vampiro de Moca and separate creature narratives
Government inaction and the Dracula Plan
Agent Orange testing in Puerto Rico
Historical medical experiments and Cornelius Rhodes
Operation Bootstrap and rural-to-urban fragmentation
Drought, livelihoods, and government off-the-hook
Chupacabra as protector in modern folklore
Promo for 'It Could Happen Here' podcast
Introduction to grave diggers and labor history
Physical toll and romanticization of grave digging
1930s strike and Dorothy Day's involvement
West Coast strikes in the 80s and 90s
Philadelphia municipal worker strike context
Cook County morgue scandal and work environment
1960s embalmers and undertakers strike
Coffin workers' leverage and strike impact
Tribune coverage and the cost of living
Executive Disorder: Week of Oct 21-28 intro
Iraqi court sentences French ISIS members
Ukraine conscripts and Epstein report
Brazil election: Lula vs. Flavio dynamics
Loser goes to prison: Lula and Flavio cases
Yanone's political background and strategy
Reverse SEO strategy and mass online action
Viral search terms and campaign tactics
Flavio's flight and Marco Rubio's role
Chamberlain message and Monroe Doctrine
US intervention risks and CIA recruitment
DOJ voter list filing and state review failure
DOJ intimidation letters to CA counties
Federal crime of processing non-citizen ballots
James O'Keefe's illegal voting stunt in Hennepin
O'Keefe clip: vouching for Muslims at polling booth
Reactions to O'Keefe's racist costume and stunt
Poll workers realizing the scam in real-time
Doppelganger phenomenon and AI deepfakes
AI ads in low-budget political campaigns
Analysis of a chaotic AI-generated political ad
Fake quotes in King James Bible ads
AI Lego animations and adult sitcom riffs
Confused layers of AI political criticism
Manipulated media: pride flag added to Agar footage
Types of AI political ads: demonstrative vs. descriptive
Throuple ad: Massey, AOC, and Ilhan Omar
Negative effects of AI ads on candidate support
Albania: cost of living and public anger
Sali Berisha's legacy and pyramid schemes
Privatization, corruption, and mass emigration
Flamingo protests: spark and fuel of the movement
Government crackdown and police violence
Current status of the Albanian protests
Outro and Cool Zone Media credits
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