Civics Over Politics

Not the cable news version, but a take on the dominant identity politics of our era. Plus a travel recommendation.

Today’s episode delves into the threats and instances of political violence in our country. The show also gives a bit of background on me and how I approach the issues. We close with a tribute to the modern miracle of vaccines. Vaccines save lives:https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/04/1167377

Today’s episode delves into the recent dust up between the Pope and the President, the war with Iran, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and an awesome movie recommendation. Show Notes:Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Yale Law School Lecture on the Emergency Docket:https://youtu.be/kOIzg3X5M2Y?si=7wO5lz3WjLoMfekFNashville: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/nashville/umc.cmc.2xui7s36zlo4q4yqxgil6g3e2

This episode recaps the April 7 St. Joseph local elections and their low but change-oriented turnout, tackles the latest in the Iran war situation , takes in the perspective of John Milton on Charles I, and closes with a reflection on the joys of baseball.

This episode goes deep on the local election and the issues that matter, the war in Iran, and our citizenship. Show Notes:The Birthright Con by Jamelle Bouie:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/opinion/birthright-citizenship-supreme-court-14th-amendment.html?unlocked_article_code=1.YFA.3bBh.UT8euszIPckF&smid=nytcore-ios-shareOral Arguments Trump v Barbara:https://www.youtube.com/live/RYecNCgwSfE?si=JTzUh9c9cSfbm1SU

On this episode, the show dives into the history of the Soviet Union, National Socialism, Chinese Communism, and contemporary American politics to show the devastating effects of dehumanizing rhetoric and policies. Show Notes:Thomas Hobbes Leviathan:https://courses.washington.edu/hsteu302/Hobbes%20selections%20(edited).htmSoviet Enemies of the People:https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/enemies-peopleKruschev's Speech to the 20th Congress of the C.P.S.U.:https://www.marxists.org/archive/khrushchev/1956/02/24.htmCarl Schmitt Article from Claremont Review of Books:https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/the-nazi-jurist/Hitler Speech from January 1939:https://www.yadvashem.org/docs/extract-from-hitler-speech.htmlWorld War 2 Deaths by Country:https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/research-starters-worldwide-deaths-world-warMao Zedong Speech Excerpts:http://large.stanford.edu/history/kaist/references/marx/mao/c2/

For this episode, we feature a wide ranging interview with my stepson Jackson about all things politics, sports, and a bit more. This one is an interesting and fresh one.

Today’s episode, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, will focus on Ireland. We will delve into the political and social history of Ireland by exploring a few notable periods of Irish history. These include the Norman conquest and subsequent Lordship of Ireland in 1177, the Cromwell era and its aftermath, the Rebellion of 1798 and subsequent Acts of Union, the period including the 1912 Home Rule act through the 1919 War of Independence and partition, and close with some interesting features about the Troubles, the Good Friday agreement, and the present day.Show Notes:Adrian IV and Henry II Letter:https://avalon.law.yale.edu/medieval/bullad.aspNorman Conquest of Ireland:https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/marking-the-norman-invasion-of-ireland-850-years-and-counting-1.3877350Lordship of Ireland and Castle Building:https://www.theirishstory.com/2011/09/13/the-castle-in-the-lordship-of-ireland-1177-1310/Cromwell and Ireland:https://www.olivercromwell.org/wordpress/ireland/Acts of Union:https://parliamentnews.co.uk/what-was-the-act-of-union-1800-meaning-purpose-and-historical-significancePartition of Ireland:https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/irish-partition/October 5, 1968 March:https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-45625222Bloody Sunday:https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/bsunday/chron.htmBloody Friday:https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/bfriday/sum.htmGood Friday Agreement:https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/role-policies/northern-ireland/about-the-good-friday-agreement/

Today’s episode, which is the show’s 10th, will focus on women. We will bring you an interview with my step-daughter Maggie, who is 16, almost 17, focusing on her civic perspectives. The episode will close with some historical perspectives on women’s rights and feminism.Show Notes:About Mary Wollstonecraft:https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/wollstonecraft/Vindication of the Rights of Woman:https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/wollstonecraft-a-vindication-of-the-rights-of-womanAbigail Adams:https://abigailadamsbirthplace.org/

Show Notes:Air Combat Command Article on Operation Epic Fury:https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4420221/hegseth-says-epic-fury-goals-in-iran-are-laser-focused/Just War Theory:https://iep.utm.edu/justwar/Abraham Lincoln’s Letter:https://papersofabrahamlincoln.org/documents/D200458Senator Rand Paul’s Fox Opinion Piece:https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/sen-rand-paul-america-war-but-americans-didnt-voteJudge Rules Tariff Refund Must Be Issued:https://www.reuters.com/world/us/judge-orders-trump-administration-finalize-goods-entering-us-without-assessing-2026-03-04/States Sue About Trump’s New Tariffs:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/us/politics/states-lawsuit-trump-tariffs.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Q1A.JZah.0kGbsgjBZvWR&smid=url-share

Today’s show will feature some discussion about what the meaning of left and right are in terms of political alignment and ideology. We’ll also dive into the RFK Jr. phenomenon and the MAHA movement and how this is impacting America in 2026. Today’s episode will close with some updates and thoughts regarding the recent Scouting America Memorandum of Understanding that was signed with the Department of Defense.If anyone has feedback for the show, please shoot me an email at [email protected] or answer the listener poll on Spotify. Shares and likes on social media, as well as 5 star reviews, all help to spread the word to more people about the show.Show Notes:America Needs a Math Lesson- Unlocked from New York Times:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/opinion/trump-math-state-of-the-union.html?unlocked_article_code=1.PVA.2fXu.wSlGq8od2rqI&smid=nytcore-ios-shareLeft and Right Essay from Professor William Domhoff:http://whorulesamerica.net/change/left_and_right.htmlChildren’s Health Defense Measles Article from 2019: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/news/the-measles-vaccine-narrative-is-collapsing/Measles Update 2/27/26:https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.htmlDepartment of Defense Update from Secretary Hegseth on Scouting America:https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4417012/hegseth-says-scouting-america-support-to-continue-upon-orgs-commitment-to-drop/Executive Order 14173https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/31/2025-02097/ending-illegal-discrimination-and-restoring-merit-based-opportunityScouting America Newsroom Update on Agreement:https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/scouting-america-statement-concerning-department-of-war-announcement/Scouting America Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Discontinuance:https://www.scouting.org/program-updates/citizenship-in-society-merit-badge-discontinuance/

Does America want an autocrat? Plus some history of the Iranian situation, the epistemology of news consumption, and a book recommendation. Today’s show will feature some news and discussion about Executive power and Trump’s brand of leadership, delve into United States foreign policy involving Iran, and we’ll discuss the role of epistemology in how most people frame news stories involving culture and politics. We’ll close out today’s episode with an interesting book recommendation. Show Notes:Trump Calls on Netflix to Oust Susan Rice From Its Board:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/business/media/trump-netflix-susan-rice.html?unlocked_article_code=1.OVA.eYKz.Kx5EaAnMYa_Z&smid=url-shareIran and the Second World War:https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/iran-during-world-war-iiUS-Iran Timeline Since 1953:https://www.cfr.org/timelines/us-relations-iranMain Street by Sinclair Lewis:https://books.apple.com/us/book/main-street/id6745909826For questions or listener feedback, please email [email protected]

On this episode, the show tackles Prince Andrew, tariffs and the dramatic Learning Resources Supreme Court decision in the justices’ own words, and birthright citizenship. The show closes with a classic TV show recommendation. All in under 17 minutes. Show Notes:Statement from King Charles:https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2026-02-19/a-statement-from-his-majesty-the-kingSupreme Court Decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v Trump:https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdfAkhil Amar on Birthright Citizenship and Original Meaning of the 14th Amendment:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/opinion/birthright-citizenship.html?unlocked_article_code=1.NlA.V6c-.XUR7G33t7FZv&smid=nytcore-ios-shareMidsomer Murders on IMDB:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118401/

New and improved audio for this episode, Wilkes v Wood and the rule of law as opposed to law and order, Operation Metro Surge, Jesse Jackson’s legacy, and an album recommendation.Show Notes:Rule of Law Primer from UVA Law School: https://karshinstitute.virginia.edu/news/what-rule-law-and-why-does-it-matterLaw and Order:https://brownpoliticalreview.org/from-nixon-to-trump-how-crime-became-a-political-weapon/Wilkes v Wood:https://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/amendIVs4.htmlJohn Ganz on Jesse Jackson:https://open.substack.com/pub/johnganz/p/the-age-of-jackson?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=emailNew York Times Piece on Operation Metro Surge:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/us/minnesota-trump-crackdown-immigration-takeaways.html?smid=url-shareThe Ghost of Tom Joad:https://brucespringsteen.net/albums/the-ghost-of-tom-joad/

Today’s episode features FDR’s background and some of his own words, some comment about race and the Presidency, and a classic post-World War 2 movie recommendation. Show Notes:Fireside Chat 12/9/1941 https://youtu.be/cAGnPSJP5YQ?si=tQ4ziNGhl7fZX03QFDR Biography - FDR Presidential Library & Museumhttps://www.fdrlibrary.org/Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) - IMDbhttps://m.imdb.com/title/tt0055031/Contact [email protected] for any questions, show ideas, or feedback.

This episode packs a punch in a short time with a nod to Ike’s Farewell Address, an episode from the Korean Conflict, some reflections on the Department of Defense, some baseball talk, and closes with some Hannah Arendt. Show Notes:Home | Eisenhower Presidential Libraryhttps://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/https://www.nytimes.com/article/trump-drug-boat-strikes-timeline.html?unlocked_article_code=1.MFA.y6cy.1s20hEjp08x7&smid=nytcore-ios-shareExcerpt FromThe Origins Of TotalitarianismHannah Arendthttps://books.apple.com/us/book/the-origins-of-totalitarianism/id1602697110Please email [email protected] for questions, suggestions, or ideas.

This is the second of several tributes to great American Presidents in honor of President’s Day. This episode features the Farewell Address of President Washington as well as some updates and commentary on current events, including the SAVE Act, emoluments and the World Liberty Financial dealings with the UAE, and some interesting developments coming out of our federal judicial system involving immigration enforcement. Show Notes:Farewell Address (1796) | Constitution Centerhttps://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/historic-document-library/detail/george-washington-farewell-address-1796Trump v. Illinoishttps://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25a443_new_kkg1.pdfSummary of S. 128: SAVE Act - GovTrack.ushttps://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/119/s128/summaryhttps://www.cato.org/blog/shedding-light-incidence-illegal-noncitizen-votinghttps://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/11/us/election-ballots-fulton-county-fbi-affadavit.html?unlocked_article_code=1.LlA.eUtt.z5-Noi6iMho0&smid=url-share‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company - WSJhttps://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/spy-sheikh-secret-stake-trump-crypto-tahnoon-ea4d97e8Court rebukes Trump administration for denying immigration detainees access to lawyers - POLITICOhttps://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/12/court-trump-administration-denying-immigration-lawyers-00779762Onward and Upward- Jay Nordlinger’s Substack newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/jaynordlinger/p/winners-and-losers-and-c?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Lincoln’s birthday and second inaugural, the DOJ attempts to indict 6 members of congress, and immigration enforcement. With a shout out to William Blackstone. Are we citizens, or subjects?Show notes:Today in History - February 12 | Library of Congresshttps://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/february-12/Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address - Lincoln Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)https://www.nps.gov/linc/learn/historyculture/lincoln-second-inaugural.htmGrand jury refuses to indict lawmakers over military orders video | AP Newshttps://apnews.com/article/trump-military-orders-democrats-video-e1435655587ad9715c4d1cc776edd545?__vfz=medium%3Dstandalone_top_pagesGrand jury declines criminal charges against 6 Democrats who urged military to reject illegal orders - CBS Newshttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/grand-jury-declines-charges-against-6-democrats/?utm_source=chatgpt.comSedition? How a 90-second video put Mark Kelly on hot seathttps://ktar.com/arizona-news/sedition-mark-kelly-video-trump/5782645/Children Describe Life Inside Dilley ICE Detention Center — ProPublicahttps://www.propublica.org/article/life-inside-ice-dilley-children