Podcast Summary: Behind the Bastards - "It Could Happen Here" (Weekly Episode 188)

Release Date: June 28, 2025

Hosts:

• Robert Evans
• James Stout

Guests:

• Leticia James (Street Medic, Collective: Strangers in a Tangled Wilderness)
• Dr. Richard Ferro (Family Practice Physician, Los Angeles Area)

1. Protests and Street Medic Response

Overview:
The episode delves into the dynamics of modern protests, emphasizing the role of street medics in addressing injuries primarily caused by police actions. The discussion explores the types of violence encountered, common injuries, and effective treatment methods.

Key Points:

• Violence Predominantly from Police:
  Leticia James notes that over 90% of the violence encountered during protests stems from police interactions, with occasional aggression from non-state actors like the Proud Boys. [02:55]

  "It is mostly violence from police. Sometimes it is violence from non-state affiliated or at least not on duty fascists." — Leticia James (02:55)

• Types of Injuries:
  Common injuries include those from tear gas, pepper spray, nightsticks, and impact munitions like rubber bullets. Environmental factors such as heat stroke and dehydration also pose significant health risks. [09:58]

• Effective Treatment for Tear Gas Exposure:
  The panel emphasizes water and saline as the most effective treatments for tear gas exposure, debunking myths about remedies like milk or onion juice. Continuous eye flushing is recommended to mitigate the harmful effects of chemical irritants. [20:24]

  "What you actually do is flush out the eyes with water. I mean, that's it. That's water." — Leticia James (21:33)

• Misconceptions About Tear Gas Treatment:
  Leticia James highlights the ineffectiveness of alternative remedies and stresses the importance of proper medical protocols during protests. [23:12]

2. Less-Lethal Munitions: Rubber Bullets and Impact Weapons

Overview:
The conversation shifts to the use of "less-lethal" munitions by law enforcement, examining their actual lethality and the misconceptions surrounding their safety.

Key Points:

• Mislabeling of Munitions:
  Despite being termed "less lethal," rubber bullets and similar impact weapons have been responsible for numerous fatalities and severe injuries globally. [32:59]

  "They're often called non-lethal and or 'less lethals,' but they can and have killed." — Jordan Melgar (33:00)

• Statistics on Injuries and Deaths:
  Studies, including those by Amnesty International and the British Medical Journal, indicate that these munitions have a significant mortality rate and cause long-term injuries. [33:44]

• Policy and Usage:
  The panel discusses how these weapons are often used indiscriminately, leading to preventable harm, and the need for stricter regulations and accountability. [36:10]

3. Preparation and Safety Measures for Protesters

Overview:
Practical advice is provided on how protesters can prepare for potential confrontations, minimize risks, and respond effectively to injuries.

Key Points:

• Essential Equipment:
  Bringing water, masks, eye protection, and first aid supplies is crucial. Multi-language outreach and situational awareness are also emphasized. [44:53]

• Medical Support:
  Leticia James discusses setting up clinic spaces and the logistical challenges of providing continuous medical care during protests. [30:31]

  "Your priority in the immediate moments after somebody's been sprayed is to help them so that they can get out of there if they need to." — Leticia James (30:31)

• Training and Skills:
  The importance of basic first aid training, such as "stop the bleed," is highlighted to empower individuals to assist effectively during emergencies. [53:10]

4. World Classification and Externalization in Capitalism

Overview:
The hosts explore various frameworks used to categorize nations and regions, critiquing their oversimplifications and inherent biases. They delve into the concept of externalization in capitalist systems, where the costs of economic activities are shifted onto marginalized communities and the environment.

Key Points:

• Classification Frameworks:
  Discussion covers binaries like civilized vs. primitive, East vs. West, Clash of Civilizations, Global North vs. South, and World Systems Theory. The limitations and racial undertones of these frameworks are critically examined. [65:26]

  "It's a value statement. I think, like, James C. Scott talks about... the inherent message is that the state is the final and superior form of human organizing, and people who have chosen to exist outside it, it are not because they chose to, but because they haven't made it there yet." — James Stout (65:54)

• Externalization in Capitalism:
  The episode critiques how capitalist systems externalize environmental, social, and economic costs to the Global South and marginalized communities, perpetuating inequality and exploitation. Examples include pollution, labor exploitation, and resource extraction. [72:05]

  "Capitalism relies on these flows, these very smooth flows of labor, energy and resources from periphery to core." — Donald Trump (84:56)

• Impact of Externalization:
  The panel discusses real-world implications, such as how pollution in developing countries is a direct result of Western consumption patterns, and how migration is influenced by climate change and economic disparities caused by externalization. [95:07]

5. Closing and Additional Insights

Overview:
The hosts wrap up the episode by emphasizing the importance of collective action, awareness, and support for marginalized communities affected by systemic externalization.

Key Points:

• Solidarity and Support:
  Encouragement to support jail-based initiatives, participate in mutual aid, and engage in community training programs to build resilience against systemic harms. [49:12]

  "Help not just people who are arrested, but anybody coming out of jail..." — Leticia James (46:45)

• Building a Better Future:
  The discussion concludes with a call to action to challenge and change the existing capitalist frameworks that perpetuate externalization and inequality, advocating for cooperative and community-driven solutions. [140:02]

6. Satirical Interlude and Fictional Dialogue

Overview:
In the latter part of the episode, the conversation shifts to a more satirical and fictional exchange involving characters impersonating political figures like Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo. This segment serves as a humorous departure from the serious topics previously discussed, highlighting the absurdities in political rhetoric and actions.

Notable Exchanges:

• Character Play:
  Impersonated voices of Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo engage in exaggerated and humorous dialogues about global classifications, nationalism, and political maneuvers, blending real-world issues with fictional banter.

  "The world is quite the puzzle... we are carved up and divided in so many different ways." — Donald Trump (64:25)

• Humorous Commentary:
  The fictional dialogue critiques historical and contemporary geopolitical frameworks, mocking the oversimplifications and persistent biases in global classifications.

Timestamp Highlights:

• "Would you consider yourself civilized or primitive?" — Donald Trump (66:18)
• "They are less lethal only in that it is less likely to kill you than being shot with live ammunition." — Leticia James (36:50)

Conclusion:
The episode "It Could Happen Here" provides a comprehensive examination of the complexities surrounding modern protests, the misuse of non-lethal weapons by law enforcement, and the broader systemic issues of externalization in capitalist societies. Through expert insights from street medics and physicians, the hosts emphasize the importance of preparedness, solidarity, and proactive measures to mitigate harm. The satirical interlude serves to underscore the often absurd nature of political rhetoric, adding a layer of humor to the serious discourse.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with their communities, support medical initiatives, and critically assess the frameworks that shape global and local power dynamics.