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PODCAST

Civil Discourse

Nia Rodgers and Dr. John Aughenbaugh

This podcast uses government documents to illuminate the workings of the American government, and offer context around the effects of government agencies in your everyday life.

government

All Episodes

57:21

Tower Commission

Civil Discourse ·

2021/04/27

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.

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56:46

The Shafer Commission

Civil Discourse ·

2021/04/20

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.

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52:22

The Brownlow Committee, Part 2

Civil Discourse ·

2021/04/13

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.

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47:59

The Brownlow Committee, Part 1

Civil Discourse ·

2021/04/06

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.

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49:24

The 9/11 Commission, Part 2

Civil Discourse ·

2021/03/30

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.

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58:24

The 9/11 Commission, Part 1

Civil Discourse ·

2021/03/23

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.

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57:54

Rogers Commission

Civil Discourse ·

2021/03/16

Next 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.

en

51:33

Warren Commission

Civil Discourse ·

2021/03/09

In 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.

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54:58

Vaccines Around the World

Civil Discourse ·

2021/03/02

Nia 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.

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56:55

Texas v Pennsylvania in Depth

Civil Discourse ·

2021/02/23

Nia 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.

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56:45

Exemplars of Public Service

Civil Discourse ·

2021/02/16

Aughie 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.

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56:56

Alexei Navalny

Civil Discourse ·

2021/02/09

Nia 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.

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54:27

Characters in Public Service

Civil Discourse ·

2021/02/02

Aughie 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.

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57:47

Weird Investigations

Civil Discourse ·

2021/01/26

Aughie and Nia discuss government investigations into unusual phenomena. Included in this podcast are investigations into UFOs, Bigfoot, and the Bermuda Triangle.

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53:14

Inaugurations Gone Wrong

Civil Discourse ·

2021/01/19

Nia 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.

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47:53

NORAD Tracks Santa Claus

Civil Discourse ·

2020/12/18

** 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.

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64:00

Qualified Immunity

Civil Discourse ·

2020/12/11

Nia 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.

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62:09

Court Packing

Civil Discourse ·

2020/12/04

Aughie 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.

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63:56

Presidential Homes and Retreats

Civil Discourse ·

2020/11/27

Nia 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.

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68:03

Presidential Transitions

Civil Discourse ·

2020/11/20

Aughie 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.

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302 results

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