The Civic Flame

What was the Kerner Commission Report, and why is it one of the most fundamental Congressional Reports in US history? Walk back to 1968 with us in this audience-requested episode about the report that changed the course of one of the most influential elections in US history and told the American public that we were moving towards two societies: one White and one Black. Dr Fun Sponge Changes to Mother of Democracy 1968: One Damn Thing After AnotherWhat was the Kerner Commission?The Great Society Loses to Vietnam A Congressional Report becomes a Bestseller!Kerner Showed us how to avoid police violence and urban unrestThe Longer We Wait to Address Injustice, the More Costly  it will be

This week, we launch a new sub-series: Mother of Democracy that combines my work in women's health with my civics work. Trigger alert: we talk about rape, cults, and femicide, so this one is not family friendly. Major Content Warning The Epstein Class Just give me super powers or criminal immunity Gisele Pelicot and Rapist husbandsKeep Being Horrified, Stop being surprised The Rape Academy Femicide and Violent Misogyny: It’s not extremism, it’s super common Unless you’re actively fighting this, you’re not a good man Femicide Men hate women for existing. Women hate men for killing us. Misogyny and Democracy are not compatible Next week: Korea and the 4 B movement

In our season finale of the Civic Flame, we look at a truly load-bearing amendment. The Fourteenth Amendment includes birthright citizenship, due process, privileges and immunities, equal protection, and more!We go through the five sections of this game-changer and talk about how the Fourteenth Amendment fundamentally altered US citizenship and why todays' legal civil war is trying to attack it. Let's go!00:00:55 The Fourteenth Amendment is a big deal00:01:35 Section 1 of the 14th Amendment and Birthright Citizenship  00:04:00 Birthright Citizenship and US v Wong Kim Ark00:06:22 Privileges and Immunities were supposed to be a big deal00:09:22 Due Process and Equal Protection are for persons not just citizens00:12:00 The 14th Amendment and the Doctrine of Selective Incorporation00:14:00 Right to an attorney and civil Gideon 00:14:12 Section 2 of the 14th Amendment and representation00:16:40 Section 3 of the 14th Amendment and the Insurrection Clause00:19:33 We’re in a legal civil war00:21:00 Section 4 of the 14th Amendment and refusal to pay the confederate traitors00:24:50 Section 5 of the 14th Amendment and reaffirming Legislative Supremacy00:26:00 Season one finale!00:23:00 Thank you!

In this episode, we take a look at the 9th and 10th Amendment and talk about why most people are not reading the Constitution as radically as they should. We get all of the rights, that's just the purpose of federalism. Want to be a Constitutional radical, too? Let's go!00:00:30 I’m a Constitutional Radical00:00:52 The Bill of Rights was not a complete list00:02:00 The Anti-Federalists and Federalists both wanted a government of limited powers00:02:47 What does the Ninth Amendment say?00:03:41 The Ninth Amendment deserves its time to shine!00:05:04 What does the Tenth Amendment say?00:05:35 Texans and the US Flag Code and when Vermont was its own country 00:06:56 The Constitutional Revolution of 1937 alters federalism for the New Deal00:08:01 Next time, we’ll start the 14th Amendment!00:08:30 Thank you

This week, we talk about the vital role of lawyers in our criminal and civil justice systems through the Sixth and Seventh Amendments. We try not to make lawyer jokes (and fail). If you've ever wondered what is the difference between criminal and civil law: this one is for you. 00:00:30 The Bill of Rights and Lawyers: Amendment 6 and 700:01:05 I try not to make lawyer jokes 00:01: 39 Lawyers were “ambulance chasers” because they protected you from insurance companies00:02:26 Clarence Darrow and the Cook County Jail Speech00:03:00 What does the Sixth Amendment Say00:03:30 How are criminal and civil law different?00:04:30 The burden of proof is different, and that matters00:05:01 The government can’t keep secrets from you about the allegations against you00:05:42 Changes of venue tick people off see Enron and Rodney King Jury trials  are a part of social justice through the criminal justice system. Messing with them undermines the system.00:06:18 Most cases never go to trial00:07:42 Public Defenders and Gideon v Wainwright 00:09:25 Gideon says lawyers are not a luxury, they are mandatory 00:10:27 What does the Seventh Amendment say? 00:11:40 What is Civil Gideon?00:12:04 Next week the 9th and 10th Amendments!00:12:30 Thank you!

This week, we take a look at the Fifth and Eighth Amendments to the US Constitution and ask: what is due process? What does double jeopardy mean? And when do your Fifth Amendment rights apply? Come and nerd out about due process: your biggest protections from the federal government!00:00:30 What is the Bill of Rights00:01:17 Civil Liberties and what is Due Process00:01:41 The Fifth Amendment00:02:46 What does due process require00:03:00 What are grand juries?00:04:00 What is double jeopardy?00:05:30 What is the burden of proof?00:05:51 What does it mean to “plead the Fifth”?00:07:00 When does custodial interrogation start? 00:07:30 AI data centers and the future of eminent domain00:08:30 What does the Eighth Amendment say?00:09:41 To spot legal inequality look at how different groups are treated differently (see also: the Epstein Files)00:12:00 Thank you!

In this episode we look at the long and winding history of the Fourth Amendment, why the Federalists were against a Bill of Rights, and how the Fourth Amendment has been interpreted differently over time. Ever wonder what the Patriot Act did to civil liberties or whether the Fourth Amendment covers you in your car (sort of!), then let's go. 00:00:33 Intro to the Bill of Rights and Due Process00:01:24 What the Fourth Amendment Says00:02:54 Why the Federalists Opposed a Bill of Rights00:05:10 Check out UW Madison Center for the Study of  the American Constitution 00:06:21 The Supreme Court and limits on the Fourth Amendment and the Castle Doctrine00:06:59 Key Fourth Amendment Cases00:07:22 Olmstead v US, wire tapping, Nardone v US, and fruit of the poison tree00:0810 Katz v US and Carpenter: What/Who is Covered in Privacy? 00:10:07 What about warrants and public? Thornton v Caldor and land rights 00:11:37 Probably Cause, Warrants, Terry Stops (Terry v Ohio), and Mapp v Ohio 00:12:54 Details of Mapp v Ohio and Selective Incorporation 00:14:10 Terry Stops and the early “stop and frisk” questions00:14:54 The Patriot Act and erosion of civil liberties 00:18:43 Conclusion 00:19:19 Thanks!

Today we get into the Second and Third Amendments. The Third Amendment is our non-controversial fave that says the government can't quarter (though I accidentally say quarantine!) soldiers in your home. The Second Amendment says something about the right to bear arms and maybe more? We get into questions of legal interpretation, mental health, and why it's so difficult to make national laws about something that is a deeply regional issue. Grab your thinking caps and come learn why I enjoy firing a bolt action rifle (it's the analog generation in me). Let's go!00:01:00 The Bill of Rights says the government should stay out of our business00:02:00 The Firearms Industry and politicians use fear to distort the narrative  00:03:00 What the Second Amendment actually says00:03:08 The Second Amendment writers got a little crazy with the commas00:03:39 Selective Incorporation and the history of gun regulations, especially for Black men00:05:22 DC v Heller brings up some questions and changes with the 14th Amendment and incorporation00:06:00 Originalism and the “the constitution made me do it” doctrine 00:08:00 Operative Clauses, the gun lobby, and questions of interpretation and the purpose of militia00:08: 48 Guns as a mental health issues, for-profit mass radicalization, and the benefit to the gun lobby00:10:35 A Majority of Americans favor gun safety laws but we need to remember regional culture00:11:41 We have good gun safety laws on the books, but they’re not always enforced 00:13:15 Extremism, Misogynistic Violence, and public health complicate gun laws00:15:05 The Second Amendment is not a second-class right00:16:00 Guns won’t protect you from the government ask Philando Castile and Alex Pretti 00:17:43 The Third Amendment: the non-problematic fave of Amendments (where I say “quarantine” but should say “quarter” sorry! #CovidShellshock)00:19:01 Coming Soon: Due Process and Privacy!

This is another quintessential on for our AP GOV audience. What are the 5 RAPPS freedoms in the First Amendment (Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech). Check out what the First Amendment does and why it gets to be number one!00:00:21 What is a Constitutional Amendment00:01:21 Birthzillas and Madwives has been approved!00:02:05 The First Amendment to the Constitution Says a lot00:02:32 What is a Clause00:03:00 Barron v Baltimore said the Bill of Rights only applies to Federal Government00:03:24 The 14th Amendment and Selective Incorporation00:04:28 What does the Establishment Clause actually say?00:05:20 False Christianity uses the law to hide00:06:00 How Free Exercise Clause relies on the Establishment Clause (or why I’m a libertarian about religion)00:07:15 Bremerton v Kennedy case was decided wrongly and that’s bad for real Christians00:08:00 Radical Groups Hide Behind False Claims of Christianity to use the law (and society00:08:53 Freedom of Speech and Fighting Words00:09:24 Chalpinsky v New Hampshire00:10:00 Political Speech is highest protected and you can’t have content bans 00:10:37 Freedom of the Press00:13:09 The answer to hate speech is more speech00:13:40 The Pentagon Papers, Iran Contra, and the Press00:13:50 I still love Dan Rather00:14:30 The Right to Petition and Peaceably Assemble00:15:00 Resurrection City and why protest is a pillar of democracy00:16:37 Conclusion

How did we go from the Articles of Confederation to the US Constitution? Check out Article 7 and the ratification process. This week we finish out the Articles of the US Constitution and get ready to discuss the Bill of Rights! 00:01:11 Article 7 and the Ratification of the US Constitution00:01:32 What the different Articles of the Constitution do00:01:55 Article 7 of the Constitution00:02:40 The Republic of Vermont 00:03:16 Getting rid of the Articles of Confederation 00:03:59 James Madison in the Federalist Papers on the right to change the government 00:04:53 The US, Brexit, and the Legality of Secession00:06:01 Federalists, Anti-Federalists, and the Bill of Rights00:08:00 What is ordered liberty?00:08:28 Originalism violates ordered liberty when it strikes down the elected branches 00:09:34 Citizens United v FEC undercuts the elected branches00:11:22 Check out OpensSecrets.org00:12:48 Justice Stevens dissent in Citizens United and why it remains epic00:14:26 Thank you

What is Article 6 of the US Constitution? This week we explore the supremacy clause, nullification, and why the US Constitution forbids religious texts. Come learn about how the supremacy clause shaped education discrimination and the legal foundation for federal civil rights. 00:00:35 What is the Constitution00:01:41 Federal oath of office00:02:09 Supreme law of the land00:03:03 Article 6 Debts Clause00:03:37 Article 6 Supremacy Clause00:04:48  Supremacy Clause, Nullification, and School Desegregation Cases00:05:42 Cooper v Aaron, Ruby Bridges, and the Little Rock Nine  00:07:21  Cooper v Aaron and the children’s freedom from discrimination00:08:36 Segregation Academies and the history of Segregation for Wealthy People00:09:48 “The Supreme Law of the Land” and you “can’t make war against the Constitution”00:11:09 State governments versus the constitution: who decides?00:11:38 Article 6 and religious tests and corruption of religion by politics 00:13:46 John Adams and a government of laws not of men00:15:30 Conclusion 

In this week’s episode we look at how to amend the US Constitution. What is a constitutional convention? Do we have a 28th Amendment or not? And talk about why the constitutional founders built a system designed to change. Let’s go!00:00:17 Intro00:01:17 First four articles of the Constitution, review00:01:34 Founders did not think the Constitution would last00:02:24 McCulloch v Maryland and Constitutional Interpretation00:03:35 Why did the articles of confederation fail?00:04:10 Thomas Jefferson argued for Constitutional Change: he said the Constitution “Not and ill-fitting coat”00:05:14 Article 5 of the US Constitution00:06:20 How we Amend the Constitution00:008:23 What about the 28th Amendment? History of the ERA00:10:14 Did Biden support the ERA? Not really.00:11:26 There are a lot of non-constitutional people in the ERA debate00:12:25 The end of Article 5 and equal state suffrage in the Senate and slavery00:13:01 The Declaration of Independence says we can overthrow the government00:13:57 Government exists to secure rights, says the Declaration of Independence00:15:33 The Declaration of Independence warns us about complacency and settling 00:16:19 Change is the basis for the American political system00:17:19 Thank you!

In our second episode on Article 4 of the US Constitution, we take you to some new civics ed spots by getting into the technical parts of secession, the guarantee clause, and a profile in courage of JAG officer Charles D. Swift. Ever wonder what the US would look like if our states were shaped differently? Learn about how Article 4 means that with enough agreement, we could reshape the states in any way we want (and hear how Maine and Massachusetts had an amicable split during secession while Virginia and West Virginia had some irreconcilable differences. 

In this campfire edition of the Civic Flame we look at the economic reasons Trump and his billionaire allies are after Greenland, consider how the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 combined with Trump's greed might lead to catastrophe for the US dollar as reserve currency, and explain why the government siege in Minnesota is related to the potential acts of war against Greenland's sovereignty. Table of Contents 00:00:44 What’s going on with the US and Greenland?  00:01:54 Trump Claims Greenland00:02:13 How is Greenland connected to Minnesota 00:02:37 Political Economy means follow the money00:03:46 What wealth inequality and a billion dollars looks like00:04:30 Wealth Supremacy00:05:39 AI, your utility bills, and the tech bros who want Greenland00:06:24 Minnesota, Greenland, and Resources00:07:06 Minesota and Greenland are Natural resources grab00:07:37 US Policy ABCs: Always Be Colonizing00:08:07 The bro-ligarchs who bought the media 00:09:38 Rich People Don’t Manage their own money00:10:04 Cryptocurrency allows them to hide00:10:18 The threat to the reserve currency, the US dollar00:11:10 NATO and Greenland00:12:02 Billionaires make a lot of money on war and poverty00:12:39 Republicans Threatening Trump over the Money not the Morals00:13:44 Why this is George W Bush’s fault00:14:45 The US is following the decline of other empires00:15:14 Stand with Greenland and Minnesota00:15:41 Conclusion 

Why is marijuana legal in some states and not others? Come find out.  In our first full episode of 2026, we get into Article 4 of the Constitution and explore the full faith and credit and privileges and immunities clauses! This is an especially good one for those of you in AP gov who need a quick refresher on some technical stuff. Come learn what states owe each other, what they owe you, and where their power over you is limited. Grab a seat by the first and let's go. 

In this bonus episode as we come back from winter break, we look at the way the world is crazy right now and remind you that it is ok to not be ok. In fact, we hope you're not ok and that through not being ok, we can work together to make it to the US's 250th birthday party. 

In this special episode, Dr. Chris Bailey talks to us about how judges make decisions (judicial interpretation) and I talk about why they have the power to do it at all (judicial review). Ready to impress your relatives at the holiday table? Drop this civic knowledge on them! Let's go. 

This episode explores the Constitutional origins of the Supreme Court of the United States or SCOTUS. Come learn about the appeals courts, the Supreme Court, and what the heck a discretionary docket means. 

Everyone thinks the presidency is so cool because the president gets a house and a plane. But the Constitution doesn't actually give the president any of that. Instead, it gives the president a bunch of responsibilities. Listen up to find out what's supposed to be going on in the system.

This week's campfire is a quick look at what's behind the geo-location kerfuffle with Elon Musk's Twitter and how all the MAGA folks woke up to realize a lot of their online friends were actually bots from international psy-ops.  Plus, if you listen closely you can hear my earrings jingling in the background. Check in with us and find some talking points to make your Turkey Day table more spicy. 

Why is the presidency the most lawless branch of the US Constitution? Well, just look at what the Constitution says the president can do and what they've done. For the last 100 years, presidents have taken way more power in our political system than the Constitution intended. What does mean? Grab a seat by the fire and find out. 

This week marks our last week going through Article 1 and the powers of Congress. After all our talk about what Congress CAN do, now we look at some of the things they're not allowed to do and why states cant' secede...or can they? Grab a seat by the fire and let's figure this out. 

As a former poor kid, not much makes me as upset as poor kids being used as political pawns. So this campfire episode deals with SNAP and the looming government shutdown. Do you need some talking points on what SNAP is and why letting it expire is bad for families, health, and the economy? Gather round and let's go!

Congress is Article 1 of the Constitution because it's supposed to be the most powerful branch. One way to tell is to look at the enumerated powers that list all the cool stuff they can do. In this episode, we'll walk through some of those and ask ourselves what is going on with these folks? Grab. seat by the fire, and let's go.

This campfire episode rounds out our cyber security and mental health episodes on bot farms and rage farms. Follow allow and get some recommendations so you can learn how to keep yourself safe and healthy online.

Walking through Article 1, Sections 4-6 of the Constitution, this episode looks at Congress' role in elections, emoluments, and how the Founders anticipated political trickery by the House and Senate.

In part 2 of our cybersecurity series, we talk about how to keep yourself mentally health online by looking at rage farming. Last time we talked about bot farms, this time, we'll look at what's going on with all that data they harvest. Content warning: there will be an explicit discussion of the genocide in Myanmar.

Ever wonder what the difference is between the Senate and the House of Representatives? Why do those guys get six year terms and the House only 2? Are they really the "elder statesmen" according to the Constitution? Let's find out on this week's continuing coverage of Article 1 of the US Constitution.

This campfire edition of The Civic Flame was supposed to come out next week, but since Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a lot of recent comments on polarization, I wanted to help you understand where a lot of that polarization is coming from and why some of the people you're talking to online might not be people. So, if you have no idea what a bot farm is but you're on social media, take a look at this. Let's go!

Did you ever wonder why we have 435 members of Congress? Or why they have so many committees? Now that baseball season's over (for my team at least), we're back to the truest of American pastimes: hating on Congress. In this episode, you'll learn where the part of government comes from, some of how it is set up, and theories on how to make it better. Quit being part of the problem and come be the whole problem with me!

This week we look at Article 1, Section 1 which establishes two houses of Congress. What's the big fuss about that? Well, it turns out that Congress and the President have always had some fights about who gets what powers. Check it out!

Has anyone seen my Amendments? Apparently, the Bibles that showed up in Oklahoma schools have a Constitution in them. If that weren't weird and idolatrous enough, they also have the wrong Constitution in them. Everything after the 10th Amendment is suspiciously missing (voting rights for Black people, women, anyone over 18) and some concerning stuff is back (slavery!). Is this a quest to bring slavery back? Is it just to pretend there are not term limits on the president (22nd Amendment) is it to get rich people out of even more taxes (16th Amendment) who knows? Whether it's lazy or crazy, it's a problem.

What even is the Preamble? "We the people" sounds great, but what about all the other "secure the general welfare" stuff? In this episode we look at the Preamble and how it works as a bridge between the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the legal framework of the Constitution.

As political violence and angry rhetoric continue to dominate the American media landscape, we need to come together around the bonfire and have a real talk about why the Constitution (and the country) is for all of us, and how we know. Join me, and your fellow Americans, for a discussion about the complexities of civic discourse, why we don't always know the right answer, and how we can figure out what the heck it all even means.