About That War of 1812

An obscure battle that probably saved the nation, told from several points of view. A look at the destruction of an American political party, and an analysis of the reasons behind a relatively unknown war in this episode. We are just a few days shy of the 210th anniversary of the War of 1812, the…

Nixon Versus Plywood, Ike and Gas, LBJ and Copper and Other Presidential Inflation Stories

Stories of Presidential inflation fighting and fund-raising that seem to have a similar ring to today’s events, in this episode. Nixon’s plans to cut housing costs by reducing prices on the key element of housing inspires timber companies but riles environmentalist. Johnson uses his air fleet to shuttle the right people around to get the…

The Underrated Patrick Henry

“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” When Henry said it, he might have been committing treason. Yet the words also made him famous and indicated his superior bravery and patriotism to his country. The trouble is, this phrase is often all he’s remembered for. Those words were spoken before the Revolution, and tend to downplay Henry’s…

So, There Was No Smoke-Filled Room After All? And Other Presidential Election Stories

It’s the classic story of the 1920 election, but it’s probably not true, not in the way it’s told at least – that Warren Harding was chosen in a smoke-filled room. Sure, there was probably smoking in a Chicago hotel room in 1920, somewhere. Sure, there was some Presidential -picking chatter going on. But the…

Infringe: History of a Word and the Debate Over Guns

What’s in a word? Lots, maybe, when its a key word in the most contentious debate in America. The word “infringe” determines the threshold of how the Constitution should be enforced. But do we understand the word, and if we do, are we applying it correctly in our political debates over guns and politics? In…

What’s Going on Across the Pond w/ Steve Byrne of What Am Politics Podcast

Lockdown drinks, Partygates, Boris, Brexit, Ukraine, Keir Starmer’s wanting and Eurovision: An update on UK, Irish and Northern Ireland politics with Steve Byrne, formerly of What Am Politics Podcast (recently stopped but still with a huge archive –https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/what-am-politics/id1200345868?mt=2) We talk about where things stand in British politics and Bruce and Steve agree with what’s likely…

Free Speech is Easy, and Hard

Freedom of speech is boundless and yet has boundaries, according to our guest, Lynn Greenky of Syracuse University School of Law. She is the author of ‘When Freedom Speaks’ There are areas where the First Amendment of The U.S. Constitution protects, and areas where it does not. And this is no normal time. Social media,…

Stare Decisis and Spider Man, and Other Stories

We discuss the recent leaked SCOTUS interim decision, we discuss Casey, Roe cases, as well as abortion and anti-abortion politics of the 70s through the 90s. We also answer listener questions on – U.S. Grant and his image, favorite podcasts, which President to go on a bus ride with, why John Kerry lost and George…

A History of a History – Ken Burns “The Civil War”

In 1990, a significant TV event happened as PBS stole ratings from major networks. The event was a ground-breaking documentary of what is possibly the most important event in American history, one that cut through the Gone-with-the-Wind and glorified type images that had been in movies up to that date. Still the documentary used new…

Like the Visions of a Fever: America in Pre-War 1941

A look at pre-war America, 1941, the passage of Lend-Lease, and the sinking of four ships in the Atlantic. Robin Moor, Greer, Kearny and Ruben James, each inflicting a body blow but not yet producing war. As Americans waited for war in one ocean, war came in another. We are part of Airwave Media Network…

Politics and Margarine

When America’s politicians were scared of a edible spread. When James Blaine and Roscoe Conkling first squared off, setting in motion a political rivalry for the ages. And ranking the Secretaries of State. We are part of Airwave Media Podcast Network Advertise on this podcast: sales@advertisecast.com Support us on Patrion – patreon.com/mhcbuyp

In The Arena – Adlai Stevenson and Other Losing Candidates w/ Peter Shea

We talk about Adlai Stevenson, a candidate with a critical flaw and operating in a tough political environment, and the other people who have sought the Presidency but lost. Our guest is Peter Shea, author of In The Arena, His book looks not only at candidates, but at the memorials that have been made to…