Civil Discourse Podcast

Follow

• 

  S06, E10: The 9/11 Commission, Part 1 of 2

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  Aughie 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.

• 

  S06, E11: The 9/11 Commission, Part 2 of 2

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  Aughie 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.

• 

  S06, E12: The Brownlow Commission, Part 1 of 2

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  The Brownlow Committee and report provide the next two episodes in the Commission series. Part 1 is a discussion of the goals of President Roosevelt in forming the Committee as well as their general recommendations. Part 2 is a discussion of the outcome of the Committee's report, including the many offices within the Executive Office of the President.

• 

  S06, E13: The Brownlow Commission, Part 2 of 2

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  The Brownlow Committee and report provide the next two episodes in the Commission series. Part 1 is a discussion of the goals of President Roosevelt in forming the Committee as well as their general recommendations. Part 2 is a discussion of the outcome of the Committee's report, including the many offices within the Executive Office of the President.

• 

  S06, E14: The Shafer Commission

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  Nia 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.

• 

  S06, E15: The Tower Commission

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  The 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.

• 

  S06, E16: The Kerner Commission, Part 1

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  In 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 part 1, 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.

• 

  S06, E17: The Kerner Commission, Part 2

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  In 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 Part 1, 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.

• 

  S06, E18: Banking Commissions, Part 1

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  The 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.

• 

  S06, E19: Banking Commissions, Part 2

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  The next two episodes find Nia and Aughie exploring the four major Banking Commissions from 1907 to 2010. In part 2, they look into the Commission on Money and Credit and the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.

• 

  S06, E20: The Moynihan Commission

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  In 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.

• 

  S07, E01: National Parks, Part 1

  Nia Rodgers, John Aughenbaugh, and Eric Johnson

  In 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.

• 

  S07, E02: National Parks, Part 2

  Nia Rodgers, John Aughenbaugh, and Eric Johnson

  In 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. In the second episode, Eric explains the details of visiting the parks.

• 

  S07, E03: National Zoo

  Nia Rodgers, John Aughenbaugh, and Patricia Sobczak

  Aughie 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.

• 

  S07, E04: National Gallery of Art

  Nia Rodgers, John Aughenbaugh, and Kristine Artello

  Dr. 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.

• 

  S07, E05: Smithsonian, Part 1

  Nia Rodgers, John Aughenbaugh, and Eric Johnson

  Aughie and Nia welcome back Eric Johnson to discuss the Smithsonian, 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.

• 

  S07, E06: Smithsonian, Part 2

  Nia Rodgers, John Aughenbaugh, and Eric Johnson

  Aughie and Nia welcome back Eric Johnson to discuss the Smithsonian, James' Smithson's gift to the United States, the funding for "an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge among men." The second episode covers the personalities involved in the early years, and the basics for planning a visit to the Smithsonian institutions.

• 

  S08, E01: SCOTUS Wrap Up, Part 1

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  Season 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).

• 

  S08, E02: SCOTUS Wrap Up, Part 2

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  Season 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.

• 

  S08, E03: Preliminary 2020 Census Report

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  Nia 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.

• 

  S08, E04: What is the Shadow Docket of the SCOTUS?

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  Aughie 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.

• 

  S08, E05: Shadow Docket Follow Up

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  In 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.

• 

  S08, E06: Government Public Relations

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  Aughie and Nis discuss the Gillette Amendment, 5 United States Code Section 3107, and the use of public relations specialists by the United States Government. The discussion ranges from messy public relations around COVID messaging to the titles given government information employees to the use of propaganda by federal agencies.

• 

  S08, E07: Who Responds to Elections Polling?

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  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.

• 

  S08, E08: R Kelly and the RICO and Mann Acts

  Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

  Aughie 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.