Shows
Civil DiscourseThe Department of HEW/HHSAughie and Nia move on to the next department in the series, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, later the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). From Head Start to Medicare, HHS touches American lives from cradle to grave. Aughie covers the sprawling nature of the department, and then Nia and Aughie spend a fair bit of the episode discussing controversies and politics surrounding HHS.2022-11-151h 16Civil DiscourseThat is Not in the U.S. ConstitutionNia and Aughie continue their discussion of the text of the U.S. Constitution. This episode focuses on rights that are (and are not) enumerated in the text. The original text has no enumerated right to vote, privacy, or a fair trial, among others.2022-03-221h 04Civil DiscourseIn the News - Judge Ketanji Brown JacksonAughie and Nia briefly discuss President Joe Biden's nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.2022-03-1522 minCivil DiscourseDissed AmendmentsAughie and Nia discuss the amendments that were tardy to be included or not included in the text of the U.S. Constitution. Of James Madison's 20 proposed amendments, only 12 went forward, and only 10 made it into the Bill of Rights. Aughie speaks in detail on 5 of the original 20 that were rejected by Congress initially. Aughie also discusses amendments that were rejected by the states.2022-03-1555 minCivil DiscourseColorado River CompactNia and Aughie discuss the factors that brought about the creation of the Colorado River Compact. They also discuss the current issues and challenges facing the Law of the River.2022-03-0855 minCivil DiscourseWOTUS - Waters of the United StatesAughie and Nia explore the history of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and the Clean Water Act. They also discuss the complicated caselaw from SCOTUS regarding "navigable waters" and the changing presidential definitions of WOTUS.2022-03-011h 07Civil DiscourseWhat is the Serial Set?Nia and Aughie extol the virtues of the United States Congressional Serial Set, especially its historical and political importance. They discuss the content of the set, and encourage listeners to explore these important American documents.2022-02-2248 minCivil DiscourseIn the News - Russia and Ukraine, February 18, 2022Dr. Judy Twigg joins Aughie and Nia to discuss the latest developments on the Russian/Ukrainian border. Dr. Twigg also gives us a primer on recent Russian history and the reasons for conflict between these nations.2022-02-1833 minCivil DiscourseRobert J. (Bob) Dole MemorialAughie and Nia commemorate the career of Robert J. (Bob) Dole, (July 22, 1923 - December 5, 2021). They discuss his personal physical battles and inner strength as well as his storied political career.2022-02-1541 minCivil DiscourseVice Presidents, Part 2Aughie and Nia discuss the office of Vice President of the United States. The second of two episodes explores interesting tidbits about various vice presidents, and ends with some quotes from office holders on the importance of the position.2022-02-081h 09Civil DiscourseIn the News - SCOTUS and Vaccine MandatesNia and Aughie give a quick take on two recent vaccine mandate rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court. 2022-02-0119 minCivil DiscourseVice Presidents, Part 1Nia and Aughie discuss the office of Vice President of the United States. The first of two episodes discusses the evolution of the position.2022-02-0159 minCivil DiscoursePresidential Libraries Part 2: Boxes and Boxes*Recorded in 2020* Professor Bill Newmann joins Aughie and Nia in the first two episodes of season 9 to discuss visiting presidential libraries. In this second episode, Dr. Newmann explains in detail how get the most out of a visit to the Presidential libraries2022-01-2553 minCivil DiscoursePresidential Libraries Part 1: Two Folders*Recorded in 2020* Professor Bill Newmann joins Aughie and Nia in the first two episodes of season 9 to discuss visiting presidential libraries. The first episode covers general research visits and what types of materials a researcher can find in the Presidential libraries.2022-01-1849 minCivil DiscourseD.C. StatehoodAughie and Nia discuss the potential difficulties of adding the District of Columbia as a state to the United States. Complexities include representation, balancing federal and state needs, and the Constitutional issues.*Correction: Nia mistakenly says LaFayette planned the city of Washington twice; rather, L'Enfant planned the city. Apologies for the error.2021-12-141h 04Civil DiscourseAdding a State to the United StatesNia and Aughie discuss how territories and protectorates come to join the United States. The discussion includes the barriers to statehood and the requirements that Congress sets out for proto-states to meet. The latter part of the discussion covers the Equal Footing Doctrine.2021-12-0752 minCivil DiscourseFun with Patents and TrademarksAughie and Nia welcome back copyright librarian Hillary Miller. Hillary walks listeners through the process of applying for a patent. The discussion then moves into some of the more interesting patent and trademark cases.2021-11-301h 05Civil DiscourseDo You Want to Know a Secret?Nia and Aughie discuss the State Secrets Privilege in court, and the potential problems that arise from invoking that privilege. They weigh the pros and cons of protecting information versus transparency.2021-11-2358 minCivil DiscourseControlled Substances ActAughie and Nia discuss the Controlled Substances Act and the latest changes to Virginia marijuana laws. They also discuss the positives and negatives of enforcement of state drug laws versus national drug laws.2021-11-161h 07Civil Discourse2020 U.S. Census UpdateNia and Aughie explore more 2020 U.S. Census data. This episode focuses on the racial demographics of the U.S. currently, and projections for future demographics in 20-40 years.2021-11-091h 00Civil DiscourseRats' First Amendment RightsAughie and Nia discuss the case of Scabby the Rat and the rights of unions to protest in certain conditions. Aughie explains the early history of the National Labor Review Board and its current powers and problems when dealing with labor disputes.2021-11-031h 01Civil DiscourseMidterm Elections PreviewNia and Aughie discuss why people vote the way they do in non-presidential elections. Aughie explores the three most common political theories that explain voter behavior in the midterm elections.2021-10-261h 12Civil DiscourseR Kelly and the RICO and Mann ActsAughie and Nia discuss the conviction of R&B singer R Kelly in instances of racketeering and Mann Act violations. Aughie explains the history behind, and crimes that may be charged, under the RICO and Mann Acts.2021-10-191h 07Civil DiscourseWho Responds to Elections Polling?Nia and Aughie discuss polling and the media prior to the November elections of 2021. They cover common mistakes in polling that can lead to confusion and unreliable results.2021-10-121h 04Civil DiscourseShadow Docket Follow Up, Fall 2021In this follow up episode, Nia and Aughie discuss two recent controversial SCOTUS shadow docket decisions. The Evictions Moratorium case and the Texas Abortion case decisions may have far reaching consequences in American law and may affect future SCOTUS decisions.2021-09-281h 05Civil DiscourseShadow DocketAughie and Nia discuss the nature of the shadow docket, and how it is used by the Supreme Court. Aughie also explains the common scholarly critiques associated with the use of the shadow docket.2021-09-211h 05Civil DiscoursePreliminary 2020 Census ReportNia and Aughie give their take on the initial data released by the Census Bureau for the 2020 Decennial Census. Results of the new census count are affecting Congressional and in some cases State Assemblies' districts.2021-09-141h 19Civil DiscourseSCOTUS Wrap Up, Part 2Season 8 begins with Aughie and Nia discussing the 2020-21 U.S. Supreme Court Term. Part 2 deals with current and possible future trends in rulings.2021-09-0759 minCivil DiscourseSCOTUS Wrap Up, Part 1Season 8 begins with Aughie and Nia discussing the 2020-21 U.S. Supreme Court Term. In part 1, topics include general statistics of the Court (number of cases, percentages of agreements and dissents, and number of opinions written).2021-09-0751 minCivil DiscourseSmithsonian Institution, Part 2Aughie and Nia welcome back Eric Johnson to discuss James' Smithson's gift to the United States, the funding for "an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge among men." The first episode covers the early funding of the Nation's Attic. The second episode covers the personalities involved in the early years, and the basics for planning a visit to the Smithsonian Institution.2021-07-0658 minCivil DiscourseSmithsonian Institution, Part 1Aughie and Nia welcome back Eric Johnson to discuss James' Smithson's gift to the United States, the funding for "an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge among men." The first episode covers the early funding of the Nation's Attic. The second episode covers the personalities involved in the early years, and the basics for planning a visit to the Smithsonian Institution.2021-07-0650 minCivil DiscourseNational Gallery of ArtDr. Kristine Artello joins Nia and Aughie for an episode about the National Gallery of Art. The discussion covers the basics of visiting the galleries as well as Jazz in the Garden, the chequered history of Andrew Mellon's involvement, and a note about visiting art where you live. 2021-07-061h 07Civil DiscourseNational ZooAughie and Nia welcome Dr. Pattie Sobczak to discuss the National Zoo. Topics range from the history of the Zoo, to the basics of planning a visit, and Panda Diplomacy.2021-07-061h 12Civil DiscourseNational Parks, Part 2In a two-part set of episodes, Nia and Aughie talk with Eric Johnson about the opportunities to see national parks in every state in the union. The first episode focuses on the legislation that brought the National Park system into being. In the second episode, Eric explains the details of visiting the parks.2021-07-0650 minCivil DiscourseNational Parks, Part 1In a two-part set of episodes, Nia and Aughie talk with Eric Johnson about the opportunities to see national parks in every state in the union. The first episode focuses on the legislation that brought the National Park system into being. In the second episode, Eric explains the details of visiting the parks.2021-07-061h 01Civil DiscourseThe Moynihan CommissionIn the final episode of the Commissions series, Aughie and Nia look at the Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government Secrecy, also known as the Moynihan Commission. Coming at the end of the Cold War Era, this report discusses the need for careful review of secrecy decisions to limit the potential harms from too many documents being declared secret.2021-06-011h 01Civil DiscourseBanking Commissions, Part 2The second of two episodes that find Nia and Aughie exploring the four major Banking Commissions from 1907 to 2010. In part 1, they discussed the National Monetary Commission and the Pecora Investigation. In part 2, they look into the Commission on Money and Credit and the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.2021-05-251h 01Civil DiscourseBanking Commissions, Part 1The next two episodes find Nia and Aughie exploring the four major Banking Commissions from 1907 to 2010. In part 1, they discuss the National Monetary Commission and the Pecora Investigation. In part 2, they look into the Commission on Money and Credit and the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.2021-05-1858 minCivil DiscourseThe Kerner Commission, Part 2In these two episodes of the Commission series, Nia and Aughie explore the report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, also known as the Kerner Commission. In the first part, Aughie and Nia discuss membership, precipitating events, and list the recommendations. In part 2, they discuss the public reaction to the recommendations, and the ongoing political fallout from the Commission's work.2021-05-1154 minCivil DiscourseThe Kerner Commission, Part 1In these two episodes of the Commission series, Nia and Aughie explore the report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, also known as the Kerner Commission. In the first part, Aughie and Nia discuss membership, precipitating events, and list the recommendations. In part 2, they discuss the public reaction to the recommendations, and the ongoing political fallout from the Commission's work.2021-05-0452 minCivil DiscourseTower CommissionThe Tower Commission, established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, was to investigate and review the proper role of the National Security Staff in the sale of arms to Iran. Aughie and Nia discuss the scope of the investigation, from the Congressional mandates regarding arms sales to the lack of cooperation of some of the intelligence agencies. They also touch on the concurrent Congressional investigations.2021-04-2757 minCivil DiscourseThe Shafer CommissionNia and Aughie discuss the work of the The Shafer Commission. The discussion touches on Reefer Madness and moves to the 1974 report and the recommendations regarding decriminalization of recreational marijuana use. The Commission's report on marijuana use was largely ignored by the Nixon Administration.2021-04-2056 minCivil DiscourseThe 9/11 Commission, Part 2Aughie and Nia tackle the 9/11 Commission report and outcomes in the next two episodes of this series. Part 1 concentrates on the precipitating event and the report. Part 2 concentrates on the USA PATRIOT Act and other outcomes following the report.2021-03-3049 minCivil DiscourseThe 9/11 Commission, Part 1Aughie and Nia tackle the 9/11 Commission report and outcomes in the next two episodes of this series. Part 1 concentrates on the precipitating event and the report. Part 2 concentrates on the USA PATRIOT Act and other outcomes following the report.2021-03-2358 minCivil DiscourseRogers CommissionNext in a series on Commissions and their reports, Aughie and Nia explore the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident, also known as the Rogers Commission. The Commission described the Challenger tragedy as "an accident rooted in history". The nine recommendations of the Commission were rooted in improving safety in the shuttle program.2021-03-1657 minCivil DiscourseWarren CommissionIn this first of a series on government Commissions and their reports, Aughie and Nia discuss the Warren Commission, convened in the aftermath of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. They explore the members, findings, and conspiracy theories surrounding the work of the Commission.2021-03-0951 minCivil DiscourseVaccines Around the WorldNia and Aughie welcome Judy Twigg, political scientist with a public health specialization, to discuss the worldwide vaccine response to COVID-19. The discussion ranges from joint efforts to vaccinate world populations to the concept of soft political power in terms of worldwide health care.2021-03-0254 minCivil DiscourseTexas v Pennsylvania in DepthNia and Aughie explore the Supreme Court ruling in Texas v. Pennsylvania, et al. Included in the discussion are the principles of standing, justiciability, arguments between the states, and the Special Master's position.2021-02-2356 minCivil DiscourseExemplars of Public ServiceAughie and Nia welcome Bill Newmann as they discuss the public service careers of Elliot Richardson and William Ruckelshaus. In addition to serving in multiple positions in government, Richardson and Ruckelshaus refused to fire Archibald Cox, the lead investigator of Watergate, at the behest of President Richard Nixon.2021-02-1656 minCivil DiscourseAlexei NavalnyNia and Aughie welcome Judy Twigg, VCU Political Science professor, to discuss the Russian dissident Alexei Navalny. Dr. Twigg also gives a bit of the background of the current opposition positions to Russian President Vladimir Putin.2021-02-0956 minCivil DiscourseCharacters in Public ServiceAughie and Nia welcome back Bill Newmann, professor of political science at VCU, to discuss larger than life characters in American public service. They touch upon Presidents Johnson and Truman, as well as Governors Huey Long and Ann Richards, and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.2021-02-0254 minCivil DiscourseWeird InvestigationsAughie and Nia discuss government investigations into unusual phenomena. Included in this podcast are investigations into UFOs, Bigfoot, and the Bermuda Triangle. 2021-01-2657 minCivil DiscourseInaugurations Gone WrongNia and Aughie discuss "unusual" historical Presidential Inaugurations. From snubs to brawls to illness to drunk vice-presidents, inaugurations of the past have not always run smoothly. 2021-01-1953 minCivil DiscourseNORAD Tracks Santa Claus** Disclaimer at the beginning of the episode - please DO NOT listen with young children present. Aughie and Nia talk about the origin of NORAD tracking Santa. They also discuss the funding, staffing, and marketing of the program. 2020-12-1847 minCivil DiscourseQualified ImmunityNia and Aughie delve into the topic of qualified immunity. This discussion revolves around the complexity of the issue, from fairness to protection to reasonable conduct.2020-12-111h 04Civil DiscourseCourt PackingAughie and Nia discuss the ways that a president could "pack" the court system, focused mostly on the Supreme Court. There is also a discussion of the qualities and levels of experience needed to serve in government in general, and the courts in specific.2020-12-041h 02Civil DiscoursePresidential Homes and RetreatsNia and Aughie discuss the various vacation spots used by presidents to get a little R&R. From Buchanan to Trump, Presidents taking a break have often sought to leave the White House and find a "getaway spot", often camps, resorts, or beach locations. 2020-11-271h 03Civil DiscoursePresidential TransitionsAughie and Nia discuss the importance of presidential transitions to the smooth running of government, especially in areas of security. They also touch on other presidential transitions, some smooth and some rocky. 2020-11-201h 08Civil DiscoursePresidential Skill Set, Part 2Nia and Aughie explore the skill set required to be President of the United States. In this second part, they explore presidential political skills, public communications, and emotional intelligence.2020-11-131h 03Civil Discourse2020 Election ObservationsAughie and Nia discuss their observations regarding the 2020 elections. Episode recorded Friday, November 6, 2020. 2020-11-101h 21Civil DiscoursePresidential Skill Set, Part 1Nia and Aughie explore the skill set required to be President of the United States. In this first part, they explore presidential organizational skills, the means by which a president processes information, and presidential vision.2020-11-0655 minCivil DiscoursePresidential PersonalitiesAughie and Nia explore the personality types of the Presidents of the United States as defined by James David Barber's typologies. These Presidential typologies include active versus passive and positive versus negative approaches to the position.2020-10-301h 05Civil DiscourseVoting and LeadershipNia welcomes Dr. Patricia Sobczak back to the podcast to discuss the way voters assess leaders. They also discuss voting as hiring as well as outside influencers on public opinions of leadership.2020-10-231h 01Civil DiscourseReferenda, Initiatives, and RecallsNia and Aughie explore those densely worded referenda, initiatives, and recalls on the bottom of state ballots. Aughie explains the differences between them, and the purposes and pitfalls of direct democracy. 2020-10-161h 06Civil DiscourseReplacing Members of CongressAughie and Nia discuss the five reasons a member of Congress might need to be replaced, and the mechanisms for doing so. They also touch upon the power of special elections to steer politics in a variety of directions.2020-10-091h 03Civil DiscourseTrump's COVID DiagnosisNia and Aughie discuss the line of succession as stated in the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. They also debunk some internet rumors surrounding the President's health and its affect on the 2020 Presidential election. 2020-10-0539 minCivil DiscourseElection CertificationAughie and Nia discuss the election certification process. They also discuss possible problems with the process at each stage, and potential solutions.2020-10-021h 09Civil DiscourseWagging the DogNia and Aughie discuss the concept of wagging the dog, a reference to creating a distraction in order to draw attention away from a candidate's behavior. They discuss several examples from events that could be legitimate to events designed deliberately to distract, and the potential these events have to backfire.2020-09-251h 00Civil DiscourseRuth Bader Ginsburg's PassingAughie and Nia celebrate the life and legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg upon her passing on September 18, 2020. The discussion includes her early work with the ACLU, her jurisprudence, and her friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia. 2020-09-251h 24Civil DiscourseMudslingingNia and Aughie begin to explore the election season with an episode on campaign rhetoric. This discussion of lines crossed and regretted utterances circles back to the concept of civilized political speech and the potential negatives of mudslinging.2020-09-181h 02Civil DiscourseBookingAughie and Nia welcome back Hillary Miller for the last in the three part series dealing with the Supreme Court's decisions on trademark and copyright law of the recent term. In this episode, they discuss the use of "regular" words in trademark law in light of the Booking.com decision. 2020-09-181h 07Civil DiscourseTrademarks in the USNia and Aughie welcome Hillary Miller to discuss trademark protections in the United States. The discussion ranges from logos to regular words used in business marks.2020-09-111h 16Civil DiscourseCopyright and the CourtsAughie and Nia welcome Hillary Miller in the first of three episodes exploring the legal aspects of copyright and trademark law. In this episode, the three focus on copyright law as applied by the courts.2020-09-0457 minCivil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: Wrap UpNia and Aughie explore themes from the summer of SCOTUS, from the effects of COVID-19 to who wrote the most opinions. Themes include up and downsides to oral arguments, John Roberts' voting record, rulings all over the ideological spectrum, voting and opinion writing, and the future docket of the Court.2020-08-141h 12Civil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: DACAAughie and Nia discuss the SCOTUS ruling in the case involving the Trump Administration's attempt to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The SCOTUS ruling focused on the Administrative Procedures Act, and whether the Trump Administration properly applied the necessary procedures to rescind DACA.2020-08-071h 04Civil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: TaxesAughie and Nia discuss the SCOTUS rulings concerning access to President Donald Trump's tax records, and whether U.S. Presidents can claim absolute immunity from the state criminal process. In the instance of Vance, the SCOTUS ruled that the President does not have immunity from a state criminal subpoena. In the instance of Mazars, the SCOTUS ruled that the Congress must present a compelling case to a judge (and outlined questions that should be asked) to justify their subpoenas.2020-07-311h 00Civil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: McGirtNia and Aughie grapple with SCOTUS rulings and questions of racism and Congressional neglect as they pertain to treaties with Native American tribes. In this case, the SCOTUS ruled that the Creek Nation's 1833 and 1856 treaties with the federal government are still in place, bringing into question who has authority over the eastern portion of the state of Oklahoma.2020-07-3154 minCivil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: Faithless ElectorsAughie and Nia follow up an earlier podcast (Electoral College) with the rulings that were pending at that time. In a unanimous decision, the SCOTUS held that electors must follow the rules their states have set out for voting in the electoral college. The SCOTUS also held that states could punish electors that "go rogue". Discussion ensued on the long term effect this may have on the functioning of the Electoral College. 2020-07-2445 minCivil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: Religious EmploymentIn the rulings for these two cases, Aughie and Nia wrestle with the competing interests of the 1st Amendment's causes regarding religion, civil rights, and moral exceptions for employers. In the first case, the SCOTUS ruling upholds the moral or religious exemption from being required to cover their employees' contraception. In the second case, the question of the ministerial exception is explored.2020-07-2447 minCivil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: Seila Law, June Medical, and EspinozaIn this long episode, Nia and Aughie talk about three Supreme Court rulings: Seila Law, June Medical, and Espinoza. The Seila ruling considers whether a government official can fine companies, when that official's position may or may not be constitutionally guided. The June Medical ruling concerned the question of undue burden for women seeking abortions. Nia and Aughie disagree on the third ruling, Espinoza (regarding charitable donations and religious schools), but do so civilly. 2020-07-181h 24Civil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: Pipelines, Sanctuary Cities, and Guns, oh My!In this episode, Nia and Aughie discuss three SCOTUS rulings: the pipeline ruling under the Appalachian Trail, the sanctuary city ruling, and the declination to take a Second Amendment case from the 10 proposed. Each of these rulings have long-term implications for federal and state powers. 2020-07-101h 03Civil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: BostockNia and Aughie discuss the meaning of "sex" as written into Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, considering how it may pertain to being fired for being homosexual or transgender. They also talk at length about the concepts of Constitutional textualism, as interpreted by several justices.2020-07-0355 minCivil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: Guns of New YorkAughie and Nia discuss this Second Amendment case, originally opposing the travel ban on guns outside of going to firing ranges, as set by New York City. The case eventually is eventually declared moot (as the city rescinded the law), but there is a lingering question of lower court's application of SCOTUS Second Amendment precedent.2020-07-031h 05Civil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: Georgia AnnotationsIn this episode, Aughie and Nia discuss the Georgia v Public Resource case decided before the Supreme Court, October term, 2019. The holding: Under the government edicts doctrine, the annotations beneath the statutory provisions in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated are ineligible for copyright protection (SCOTUSblog). 2020-06-2648 minCivil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: Writ of CertiorariIn this episode, Nia and Aughie discuss the application for a hearing before the Supreme Court, called a writ of certiorari. Aughie details the division of labor, brief building process, and clerk work of the Supreme Court, leading to the Justices' decisions about taking a case. 2020-06-191h 03Civil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: SCOTUS on ZoomNia and Aughie discuss the new rules for oral arguments as the Court adjusts to meeting under social distancing guidelines. Mention is made of the problems created by using a zoom-like software to hold arguments (and the flush heard around the legal world).2020-06-1234 minCivil DiscourseSummer of SCOTUS: Marbury Starts Us OffNia and Aughie are spending the next several weeks focusing on the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). This episode explains the case Marbury v Madison, which led to judicial review, and set the tone for the importance of the SCOTUS going forward. Learn about the maneuvering of Madison, Marshall, Adams and Jefferson as the third branch of government finds its feet.2020-06-051h 07Civil DiscoursePresident Adjourns CongressNia and Aughie discuss the Constitutional powers granted to the President to adjourn Congress or call a session of Congress. There are very narrow circumstances under which a President may adjourn Congress. Only once has a President called Congress into session.2020-04-2458 minCivil DiscourseRussian PoliticsNia and Aughie are joined by Dr. Judyth Twigg of the VCU Political Science department. Dr. Twigg specializes in global public health issues and all things Russia, and gives Nia and Aughie a primer on current Russian politics. Later in the episode, Dr. Twigg connects politics to the coronavirus in Russia, and makes some predictions about Russia's political future.2020-04-171h 20Civil DiscourseThe Gold StandardNia and Aughie discuss the gold standard, what backs American currency, and the beginnings of the national economy. They also explore the philosophical questions around debt and currency as social interaction.2020-04-101h 05Civil DiscourseThe CensusNia and Dr. Nina Exner discuss the Census and how the data is used. Nia and Nina discuss the difficulties of counting every American, as well as the ways in which other types of sampling data is taken and how the statistics are adjusted to give an overall picture of the American population. 2020-04-0357 minCivil Discourse501 (c) 3 - Taxes for Non-ProfitsNia is joined by guest Dr. Patricia Sobczak to discuss the rules surrounding non-profit organizations and their tax status. Dr. Sobczak also gives advice about giving money to charity.2020-03-2748 minCivil DiscoursePrice to Be PaidNia and Aughie discuss civility in political discourse, as it relates to Senator Schumer's remarks regarding the Supreme Court. A plea for more civility follows the discussion of a "price to pay".2020-03-2040 minCivil DiscourseMcGahn SubpeonaNia and Aughie discuss the House of Representatives' appeal to have a subpoena for former White House Counsel Don McGahn enforced. They ruminate on the future of this situation and the potential affects on House subpoenas in the future.2020-03-1341 minCivil DiscourseCreating a Federal HolidayNia and Aughie talk about how federal holidays are created. They also explore the idea of new federal holidays, and the consequences of such celebrations.2020-03-061h 12Civil DiscourseImpeachmentNia and Aughie explore the impeachment process regarding President Trump, and the possible outcomes of the acquittal. A discussion of the peaceful transition of powers ensues.2020-02-281h 08Civil DiscourseSpace ForceNia and Aughie discuss the creation of a Space Force, as well as how agencies are created and changed in general.2020-02-211h 10Civil DiscourseIowa CaucusNia and Aughie discuss the messiness of the Iowa Democratic caucus at some length. Aughie offered a historical look at the caucus process, and the primary process in general.2020-02-141h 03Civil DiscourseElectoral CollegeNia and Aughie discuss strategies likely to be employed in the 2020 presidential election. They also explore two cases before the US Supreme Court involving faithless electors, and the potential punishments they might face.2020-02-071h 11Civil DiscourseWar PowersIn this episode, Nia wants to invade Canada when she is President, and Aughie explains why she might want to get Congressional buy-in for an invasion. We talk about the War Powers Act and the responsibilities and limits of the executive and legislative branches when it comes to military action.2020-01-3158 min