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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

47:56

Summer of SCOTUS: Religious Employment

Civil Discourse ·

2020/07/24

In 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.

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84:30

Summer of SCOTUS: Seila Law, June Medical, and Espinoza

Civil Discourse ·

2020/07/18

In 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.

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63:17

Summer of SCOTUS: Pipelines, Sanctuary Cities, and...

Civil Discourse ·

2020/07/10

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.

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55:22

Summer of SCOTUS: Bostock

Civil Discourse ·

2020/07/03

Nia 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.

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65:55

Summer of SCOTUS: Guns of New York

Civil Discourse ·

2020/07/03

Aughie 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.

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48:51

Summer of SCOTUS: Georgia Annotations

Civil Discourse ·

2020/06/26

In 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).

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63:31

Summer of SCOTUS: Writ of Certiorari

Civil Discourse ·

2020/06/19

In 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.

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34:05

Summer of SCOTUS: SCOTUS on Zoom

Civil Discourse ·

2020/06/12

Nia 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).

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67:47

Summer of SCOTUS: Marbury Starts Us Off

Civil Discourse ·

2020/06/05

Nia 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.

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58:35

President Adjourns Congress

Civil Discourse ·

2020/04/24

Nia 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.

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80:05

Russian Politics

Civil Discourse ·

2020/04/17

Nia 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.

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65:41

The Gold Standard

Civil Discourse ·

2020/04/10

Nia 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.

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57:23

The Census

Civil Discourse ·

2020/04/03

Nia 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.

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48:54

501 (c) 3 - Taxes for Non-Profits

Civil Discourse ·

2020/03/27

Nia 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.

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40:39

Price to Be Paid

Civil Discourse ·

2020/03/20

Nia 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".

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41:23

McGahn Subpeona

Civil Discourse ·

2020/03/13

Nia 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.

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72:38

Creating a Federal Holiday

Civil Discourse ·

2020/03/06

Nia and Aughie talk about how federal holidays are created. They also explore the idea of new federal holidays, and the consequences of such celebrations.

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68:15

Impeachment

Civil Discourse ·

2020/02/28

Nia 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.

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70:19

Space Force

Civil Discourse ·

2020/02/21

Nia and Aughie discuss the creation of a Space Force, as well as how agencies are created and changed in general.

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63:01

Iowa Caucus

Civil Discourse ·

2020/02/14

Nia 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.

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302 results

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