Civil Discourse - podcast cover

Civil Discourse

Nia Rodgers and Dr. John Aughenbaughguides.library.vcu.edu
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.
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Episodes

Midterm Elections Preview

Nia and Aughie discuss why people vote the way they do in non-presidential elections. Aughie explores the three most common political theories that explain voter behavior in the midterm elections.

Oct 26, 20211 hr 12 minSeason 8Ep. 9

R Kelly and the RICO and Mann Acts

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.

Oct 19, 20211 hr 7 minSeason 8Ep. 8

Who Responds to Elections Polling?

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.

Oct 12, 20211 hr 5 minSeason 8Ep. 7

Government Public Relations

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.

Oct 05, 20211 hr 2 minSeason 8Ep. 6

Shadow Docket Follow Up, Fall 2021

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.

Sep 28, 20211 hr 6 minSeason 8Ep. 5

Shadow Docket

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.

Sep 21, 20211 hr 5 minSeason 8Ep. 4

Preliminary 2020 Census Report

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.

Sep 14, 20211 hr 20 minSeason 8Ep. 3

SCOTUS Wrap Up, Part 2

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.

Sep 07, 20211 hrSeason 8Ep. 2

SCOTUS Wrap Up, Part 1

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).

Sep 07, 202151 minSeason 8Ep. 1

Smithsonian Institution, Part 2

Aughie and Nia welcome back Eric Johnson to discuss 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. The second episode covers the personalities involved in the early years, and the basics for planning a visit to the Smithsonian Institution.

Jul 06, 202158 minSeason 7Ep. 6

Smithsonian Institution, Part 1

Aughie and Nia welcome back Eric Johnson to discuss 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. The second episode covers the personalities involved in the early years, and the basics for planning a visit to the Smithsonian Institution.

Jul 06, 202150 minSeason 7Ep. 5

National Gallery of Art

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.

Jul 06, 20211 hr 8 minSeason 7Ep. 4

National Zoo

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.

Jul 06, 20211 hr 12 minSeason 7Ep. 3

National Parks, Part 2

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

Jul 06, 202150 minSeason 7Ep. 2

National Parks, Part 1

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

Jul 06, 20211 hr 1 minSeason 7Ep. 1

The Moynihan Commission

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.

Jun 01, 20211 hr 1 minSeason 6Ep. 20

Banking Commissions, Part 2

The second of two episodes that find Nia and Aughie exploring the four major Banking Commissions from 1907 to 2010. In part 1, they discussed the National Monetary Commission and the Pecora Investigation. In part 2, they look into the Commission on Money and Credit and the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.

May 25, 20211 hr 2 minSeason 6Ep. 19

Banking Commissions, Part 1

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. In part 2, they look into the Commission on Money and Credit and the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.

May 18, 202159 minSeason 6Ep. 18

The Kerner Commission, Part 2

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 the first part, 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.

May 11, 202155 minSeason 6Ep. 17

The Kerner Commission, Part 1

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 the first part, 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.

May 04, 202153 minSeason 6Ep. 16

Tower Commission

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.

Apr 27, 202157 minSeason 6Ep. 15

The Shafer Commission

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.

Apr 20, 202157 minSeason 6Ep. 14

The Brownlow Committee, Part 2

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.

Apr 13, 202152 minSeason 6Ep. 13

The Brownlow Committee, Part 1

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.

Apr 06, 202148 minSeason 6Ep. 12

The 9/11 Commission, Part 2

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.

Mar 30, 202149 minSeason 6Ep. 11

The 9/11 Commission, Part 1

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.

Mar 23, 202158 minSeason 6Ep. 10

Rogers Commission

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.

Mar 16, 202158 minSeason 6Ep. 9

Warren Commission

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.

Mar 09, 202152 minSeason 6Ep. 8

Vaccines Around the World

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.

Mar 02, 202155 minSeason 6Ep. 7

Texas v Pennsylvania in Depth

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.

Feb 23, 202157 minSeason 6Ep. 6
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