Civil Discourse

This podcast uses government documents to illuminate the workings of the American government, and offer context around the effects of government agencies in your everyday life.

Government Plagiarizers

Aughie and Nia talk about famous government officials who have plagiarized writing and speeches. 

10-31
52:47

Federalist 39

Aughie and Nia discuss Federalist 39, Madison's defense of the Republic as a form of national government.

10-24
31:22

Notable Thefts of Government Documents

Aughie and Nia explore the known modern thefts of government documents and the punishments imposed on the thieves.

10-17
55:43

SCOTUS Under Siege

Aughie and Nia discuss the latest woes of the U.S. Supreme Court, including leaks, scandals, and public opinion.

10-10
01:05:38

Secession, part 1: What is Political Secession?

Aughie and Nia discuss the ramifications of political secession.

09-26
52:08

AMBER and Other Alerts

Aughie and Nia talk about the various local and national alert systems designed to reach Americans by television, telephone, and internet.

09-19
59:29

SCOTUS Term Limit Debate

Nia and Aughie consider the debate concerning imposing term limits on Supreme Court Justices. Can Congress enact a law, or does there need to be a Constitutional Amendment?

09-12
59:22

The Global Engagement Center

Aughie scares Nia with the mission of the Global Engagement Center, located in the State Department. 

09-04
51:37

What is the Overton Window?

Aughie and Nia explore Joseph Overton's concept to explain when politicians will act to create public policy. This theory is named the Overton Window.

08-30
55:27

What is the Superfund?

Nia and Aughie explain the The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as Superfund Act, of 1980. They consider its goals as well as the pros and cons of the program.

08-21
01:03:36

In The News: Who the Heck is Tim Walz?

Aughie and Nia discuss a person in civics news - Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, the Democratic vice president pick. Aughie analyzes his pros and cons as a nominee. 

08-12
39:11

SoS 2024: Wrap Up and What's Next

Aughie and Nia wrap up the statstics for the 23-24 SCOTUS session and look forward to coming cases in the 24-25 SCOTUS session.

07-26
01:12:10

SoS 2024: Case review, part 1

Aughie and Nia review the following rulings: Alexander v. NAACP; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) v. Consumer Financial Services Association of America; Muldrow v. City of St. Louis; O'Connor Ratcliff v. Garnier and Lindke v. Freed; Donal Trump v. Norma Anderson; FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine.

07-26
59:07

SoS 2024: Justice Oddities

From eating habits to medical issues to marital involvements, Nia and Aughie discuss some of the Justices' interesting oddities.

07-26
01:09:30

SoS 2024: Case review, part 5

Aughie and Nia review the following cases: Fischer v. United States; Trump v. United States

07-26
49:18

SoS 2024: Case review, part 4

Nia and Aughie review the following cases: Murthy v. Missouri; NetChoice, LLC v. Paxton and Moody v. NetChoice, LLC; City of Grants Pass v. Johnson; Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v Department of Commerce

07-26
01:01:30

SoS 2024: Case review, part 3

Aughie and Nia review the following cases: Snyder v. U.S.; Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jarkesy; Idaho v. U.S.; Harrington v. Purdue Pharma

07-26
59:05

SoS 2024: Case review, part 2

Nia and Aughie review the following rulings: Moore V. U.S.; Garland v. Cargill; U.S. v. Rahimi

07-26
50:07

SoS 2024: Better at Other Stuff

Aughie and Nia discuss the Supreme Court Justices that were overrated as Justices. Many of them were quite strong in other positions but were seen as less influential on the Court than their reputation might suggest.

07-26
01:02:50

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