Learn about the courageous story of Andrew Johnson, the 17th president, and the first president to be impeached. He is not a president we think of as successful but he was courageous.
How do you define courage? What are the principles and values for which you are willing to sacrifice? How does this apply to the Fairness Doctrine and Free Speech? Join us for this interesting and divisive issue.
Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton - What do these two men have in common? Okay, unfortunately, the mistakes they made that led to resignation and impeachment are the first things that come to mind. But, the goal of this episode is to highlight Executive Orders they signed that have lasting positive impacts that should be a part of their legacies. Join us and learn to appreciate their accomplishments. Learn about the influential orders that they have in common. Let's remember them for their courageous accomplishments.
In September of 1787, the members of the Philadelphia Convention sent the new United States Constitution to the Confederation Congress for their review. This new document outlined a new government and thus called for the transfer of governmental authority from the Confederation Congress to a new government. Instead of retaliating at the loss of their authority, the courageous existing Congress supported the new government and developed a plan that would facilitate that transfer of power.
June 21, 1788: Concord, New Hampshire. 114 men cast their votes on whether to ratify the new US Constitution. The vote was close. We dedicate this episode to the 57 men who voted to ratify the Constitution. But why New Hampshire? New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify, meeting the 2/3 majority vote. Join us and learn about this fateful day and the state which made the Constitution the law of the land.
Philanthropist Jane Addams opened Hull House in 1889 and dedicated her life to those less fortunate. In 1903, she gave a speech in Chicago dedicated to the spirit of Washington, Lincoln, and other great men. She challenged us all to look inward, then outward, and find ways to make our communities better. "What is a great man? He is a man who has looked through the confusion of the moment and has listened to his conscience."
Over the past 222 years, 36 people have had the distinction of lying-in-state in the Capitol Building Rotunda. In that time only 5 people have earned the distinction of lying-in-honor in the Rotunda. What is the difference between lying-in-state and lying-in-honor? Who are the 5 honored people? In this episode, we discuss the uncommon history of the United States Capitol Building and the people of integrity and distinction who have been given the honor.
Ida B. Wells spent 45 years battling racism, sexism, and violence. She fought an anti-lynching campaign after 3 friends were lynched by a group of southern whites in 1892. She was a journalist, activist, researcher, and early leader in the Civil Rights movement. Join us in remembering a wonderful and courageous woman.
The first man of the Jewish faith to hold elected office in the colonies. The first man of the Jewish faith to die in the Revolutionary War. In this episode, we tell his story because, simply put, he deserves to be remembered.
General Richard Oglesby stood in front of those who wanted him dead. "I smell blood! I smell the blood of Union soldiers, here foully murdered by traitors to their country!" We discuss courage in the face of the threat of harm and even death. It was said of General Oglesby, "threats only made him more determined.” He faced his armed accusers unafraid and gave his speech on the Union and the Civil War for two hours. They dared not stop him.
Thomas Jefferson taught us about the need for rebellion once in a while. But do the happenings of 1/6/2021 qualify? In this episode, we analyze Jefferson and his statement and the specifics of what he was discussing. We discuss the differences between rebellion, revolution, and insurrection and where the circumstances of last January fall. How does the insurrection of 2021 compare with the revolution of 1776 and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s?
In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first woman of African descent to be elected to the United States Congress. She served for many years and dedicated herself to bettering the lives of countless people of all ages and races. 1st black candidate to run for a major party's nomination for president 1st woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination 1st woman to appear in a US presidential debate
Democrats, Republicans, Whigs, and Federalists. Presidents, senators, representatives, soldiers, and Founders. What do all the people we have discussed have in common? Courage, grit, integrity, and determination. Let's review what we have learned and what we have to look forward to in 2022.
Was George Washington tolerant and accepting of the many religious sects, primarily the Jewish faith, which were represented in the new United States? We answer that question. We analyze his thoughts and feelings by using his own words and actions. Join us and get to know our first president a bit better.
We take a unique look at the Thanksgiving holiday. We look at the reason the Pilgrims left England and the Netherlands and came to the New World. We apply tolerance and gratitude. We also apply the words of Cardinal Manning who spoke out against anti-Semitism in 1882. Join us for this unique perspective.
This episode will provide an interesting take on President James Madison's request for a declaration of war on Great Britain and the start of the War of 1812. We present the history leading up to the war and ask you to make your determination regarding Madison's decision. Did he do the right thing? You decide.
Our guest in this episode is the intelligent and knowledgeable Ellie Cohanim. Ellie is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Security Policy and the host of the weekly newsmagazine, "Global Perspectives with Ellie Cohanim." Ellie has a unique perspective regarding the Middle East, specifically with the problems within Iran. We discuss Afghanistan, Iran, courageous leadership in politics, and her involvement with the Abraham Accords.
The Founding Fathers endured hardship, danger, risk, and sometimes death to form a new nation. This week we look at the risks the signers of the Declaration of Independence endured as they were branded traitors by the British government. In this episode, we try to understand them, their devotion, and their risks.
Author & Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins me to discuss authoritarian political leadership. She discusses her book, Strongmen, and helps us understand the motivations and the "playbook" of authoritarians. She discusses how we can spot them and get rid of them. Join us and learn!
Rina Shah, an advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative (rdi.org), discusses her time working on political campaigns and in political advocacy, the current threats to democracy, the Biden administration's promises of unity, and her role against the Trump campaigns of '16 and '20. We talk about election fairness, and the mission of the RDI, and the need for its mission.