Outrageous Politics

Penny Reynolds Boyce has always been fascinated by politics, but not in a “I want to be one when I grow up” way. More like a train wreck— “I know this is going to be ugly but I can’t help myself from looking.” In this podcast, Penny will cover the seamy, dark side of politics (isn’t it all that way?) from current events back to the founding of our country. Think sex, lying, and thievery are all so twenty-first century? Listen every week to discover that these behaviors are as old as the U.S. Some comedy, some drama, lots of history, and always interesting! New episodes every other Monday.

Episode 34: Buddy...There's No Video!

Let's go north of the border to Canada!  And when you say there's no video, make sure there REALLY IS NO VIDEO!For more reading:Twohey, John. Rob Ford: Uncontrollable. Doolittle, Robyn. Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story.

04-12
34:24

Episode 33: This Is Dumb and Insane!

The Wisconsin GOP continues to search for a reason, ANY reason, to overturn the 2020 Presidential election results.  Problem is, they can't find a good one, or a way to accomplish it!If you have an idea for a story, or a comment about an episode, please email me at outrageouspolitics@gmail.com

03-28
35:11

Episode 32: If You Can't Be Best, Be Worst!

This week we look at President James Buchanan, whose actions and policies facilitated the divisions that led to the U.S. Civil War.For more information:Baker, Jean H. James Buchanan: The American Presidents Series. Time Books, 2004.Fehrenbacher, Don.  The Dred Scott Case: Its Significance in American Law and Politics. Oxford University Press. 2001

03-15
29:02

Episode 31: Merchants of Hatred

The more I researched this story, the more disgusted I became.  What White politicians did back in the day, and do today with gerrymandering to stop or limit the minority vote, is outrageous.  This is why it's important to vote, and to vote for the people who uphold values of equality, and who support fair and free elections.For more information:Google "Mississippi Subversion of the Right To Vote."  Be prepared to be shocked. 

02-28
25:31

Episode 30: Your Rule-making Sucks!

When the state of Texas has to choose between protecting its citizens or protecting the oil and gas industry, who do you think wins?Beginning this week, new episodes will be available every two weeks.  Next episode: February 28.For more information:The Texas Electric Grid Failure Was a Warm-up. Available at https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-electric-grid-failure-warm-up/

02-14
29:45

Episode 29: Who is Gerry, And Why Is He Screwing With Our Democracy!?

I apologize that this episode is a day late.  This episode involved more than the usual amount of research.  There will be a part 2  so I can provide you with more information.Additional Resources:For information about the The Freedom to Vote Act:  www.brennancenterforjustice.org/our-work/research-reports/freedom-vote-actKury, Franklin L. (2018). Gerrymandering: A Guide to Congressional Redistricting, Dark Money, and the US Supreme Court. Hamilton Books.

02-01
22:09

Episode 28: Not A Tempest In A Teapot!

What is a Teapot Dome? Why is it called that?  Join me in discovering why this story is the biggest scandal in U.S. history, and some historians say still is because of the money that changed hands. For more reading: McCartney, Laton (2008). The Teapot Dome Scandal: How Big Oil Bought the Harding White House and Tried to Steal the Country. New York: Random House. Cherny, Robert W. "Graft and Oil: How Teapot Dome Became the Greatest Political Scandal of its Time". History Now. Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

01-24
26:15

Episode 27: Contra-versy!

Ronald Reagan was often referred to as the "Teflon President,"  because despite the indictment, conviction, or investigation of 138 administration officials during his two administrations, nothing ever stuck to him.  Except this incident, the biggest presidential scandal since Watergate.Suggested reading if you want to learn more:Kornbluh, Peter; Byrne, Malcolm (1993). The Iran–Contra Scandal: The Declassified History. New York: New Press. Walsh, Lawrence E. (1997). Firewall: The Iran–Contra Conspiracy and Cover-up. New York: Norton & Company. 

12-06
30:56

Episode 26: En Garde! (With Pistols!)

Let's go back to a time when differences were settled on a field at dawn!If you have a comment about an episode, or an idea for a story, please email me at outrageouspolitics@gmail.comThanks for listening!  Enjoy!

11-22
25:09

Episode 25: Hit Men! Part 2

Meet a journalist who made it his life's mission to get the dirt on politicians, and one in particular.  And how low would that politician go to get what he wanted, and get rid of the journalist?If you're listening on an iPhone, please subscribe, and rate and review every episode. (5 stars would be REALLY helpful!)  If you're listening on another platform please subscribe and rate if possible.If you have a comment about an episode, or an idea for a story, please email me at outrageouspolitics@gmail.com.To get the whole story, read "Poisoning The Press:  Richard Nixon, Jack Anderson, and the Rise of Washington's Scandal Culture" Feldstein, Mark. 2010.Thanks for listening!Enjoy!PennyEpisode is LivePublished: Oct. 25, 2021 @ 9PM EditUnpublishAdd a TranscriptGet episode better indexed by search engines.Add Chapter MarkersListeners can tap through & see what’s coming up.Create a Visual SoundbiteBest way to share to social media for engagement.Share Episode On FacebookTwitterLinkedInMore OptionsEmail Link to EpisodeDirect Link to MP3Embed this ONE EpisodeView Episode Stats

11-02
30:01

Episode 24: Hit Men! (Part 1)

Meet a journalist who made it his life's mission to get the dirt on politicians, and one in particular.  And how low would this politician go to get what he wanted, and get rid of the journalist?If you're listening on an iPhone, please subscribe, and rate and review every episode. (5 stars would be REALLY helpful!)  If you're listening on another platform please subscribe and rate if possible.If you have a comment about an episode, or an idea for a story, please email me at outrageouspolitics@gmail.com.To get the whole story, read "Poisoning The Press:  Richard Nixon, Jack Anderson, and the Rise of Washington's Scandal Culture" Feldstein, Mark. 2010.Thanks for listening!Enjoy!Penny

10-26
30:58

Episode 23: Men Behaving Badly

In  episodes 21 and 22, "She Didn't Fall, She Was Pushed," I covered the story of Maria Halpin, and how her life was destroyed by Grover Cleveland.  This week I cover the story of Kathy Hochul (also from Buffalo), and how men behaving badly cleared the way for her rise to become the first woman governor of New York.  Here's a link for finding the NY Attorney General's "Report Of Investigation Into Allegations Of Sexual Harassment By Governor Andrew M. Cuomo: https// ag.ny.govIf you're listening on an iPhone, please rate and review every episode.  This helps generate interest by other listeners.If you have a comment about an episode, or an idea for a story, please email me at outrageouspolitics@gmail.com.Thanks for listening...enjoy!

10-10
27:50

Update

I need to take a few weeks off while I take care of my health.  Hope to see you in a week or two!If you have an idea for a story, or a comment about an episode, please email me at outrageouspolitics@gmail.comIf you're listening on an iphone or iPad, please rate and review every episode.  Thanks!

08-17
00:53

Episode 22: She Didn't Fall, She Was Pushed! Part 2

The rest of the story about Maria Halpin and the abuse she suffered at the hands of Grover Cleveland, his supporters, and the newspapers that endorsed his presidency.

08-11
33:51

Episode 21: She Didn't Fall, She Was Pushed!

What's your first reaction when you hear "President Grover Cleveland?"  Yawn?  Me too, until I discovered his secret life!Enjoy, and thanks for listening!If you have a comment about an episode, or an idea for a story, please email me at outrageouspolitics@gmail.com.Please subscribe or follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts!  It really helps!One of the resources I used for this story was A Secret Life: The Sex, Lies, and Scandals of President Grover Cleveland.  Lachman, Charles. 2011.

08-03
28:21

Episode 20: Shadow People

This week's story is one of the weirdest I've covered.  Listen as I tell the story  of Larry McDonald, an anti-communist congressman who started his own spy ring.  This episode could have been called "A Commie Around Every Corner, part 2!"

07-20
30:08

Episode 19: We Shoulda Seen This One Coming!

This week in Lansing, Michigan, a politician tries to destroy himself with a fake email, but what happens is much worse!

07-13
25:02

Episode 18: Follow That Bouncing Check!

This week, a scandal that wasn't, and probably cost us, the U.S. taxpayers, millions to investigate. But hey, anything to take back Congress!If you have a comment about an episode, or an idea for a story, please email me at outrageouspolitics@gmail.com.Please subscribe at Apple podcasts, or follow me on other platforms.  If you're listening on an iOS device, please rate and review every episode!  It really helps us move up in the ratings.  Thanks for listening!

07-06
23:40

Episode 17: The Hypocrites on the Hill

It's getting crowded on Hypocrites, uh I mean Capitol, Hill! Come meet the gang who slammed Bill Clinton for his misbehavior with Monica Lewinsky, who had their own misbehavior to hide.If you have a comment about an episode, or an idea for a story, please send it to me at outrageouspolitics@gmail.com.  And if you're listening on an iPhone, please subscribe, and  rate and review every episode.  Thanks for listening!

06-29
29:20

Episode 16: Potterized and Poisoned!

Politics can be deadly, whether you're an enemy of a politician, or a politician. No one is safe!If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, please rate and review every episode.  If you have an idea for a story, or a comment about an episode, please contact me at outrageouspolitics@gmail.com.Please subscribe to the show at Apple Podcasts, or follow on Stitcher or Spotify.Thanks for listening. Enjoy!

06-21
19:24

Recommend Channels