Your Weekly Constitutional

Produced in partnership with James Madison's Montpelier, Your Weekly Constitutional is a public radio show featuring lively discussion of controversial constitutional topics, from Gay Rights to Gun Rights. Find us on Facebook and iTunes!

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Episodes

Should Women Vote?

Few people would argue the point today, but many people argued about it prior to 1920. We'll speak with Knoxville attorney Wanda Sobieski about the fight for women's suffrage, including the dramatic story of the final ratification of the 19th Amendment in Tennessee.

Jul 13, 2011•59 min

We the People National Finals

The Olympics! The Olympics of constitutional competitions, that is: the We the People National Finals in Washington, DC, where the best teams from all 50 states recently competed for glory. Our most exciting episode to date!

Jun 29, 2011•59 min

Evolution v. Intelligent Design

Does Intelligent Design belong in public school biology classes? What is "Intelligent Design" anyway? And how does it relate to evolution? And what does the Constitution have to say about it? We'll talk to one of the lawyers who argued the famous Dover v. Kitzmiller case, in which this very issue was put to the test. It was the second great "Monkey Trial," and this time, a federal court decided that . . . . well, you'll just have to listen to find out.

Jun 15, 2011•54 min

Strict Constructionism

You've probably heard variations on the term "strict constructionism," typically when a politician calls himself a "strict constructionist." But what, precisely, do these terms mean? Do they provide a roadmap to interpreting the Constitution? Or are they just labels that - strictly speaking - don't mean much? It turns out that the answer is not so simple. Indeed, over the past couple of centuries, "strict constructionism" has meant different things at different times and to different people. Goo...

Jun 10, 2011•54 min

Who Wrote the Constitution?

Somebody had to. We talk to Richard Beeman, author of the best-selling book "Plain Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution."

Jun 10, 2011•54 min

Judicial Activism

A bunch of people in black robes. Who are those guys? We'll discuss judicial activism.

Jun 10, 2011•59 min

Nullification

When an irresistible state collides with an immovable federal government, somethin's gotta give.

Jun 10, 2011•59 min

The Kelo Eminent Domain Case

Is your home your castle or some corporation's next office park?

Jun 10, 2011•59 min

Virginia We the People State Finals

Grab your lunchboxes -- we're goin' on a field trip! This episode is devoted to the recent Virginia We the People State Finals, the climactic culmination of a constitutional competition run by our own Quiz Lady, Kelly Carmichael.

Jun 10, 2011•59 min

The New York City Mosque Controversy

Does the Constitution have anything to say about whether Muslims can build an Islamic community center within a few blocks of Ground Zero?

Jun 10, 2011•59 min

George Washington

First in war, first in peace, first in . . . writing the Constitution? Professor Jeffry Morrison will discuss the one "indispensable man" of the Constitutional Convention: George Washington. Also joining us: ASL student Joannie Burroughs.

Jun 10, 2011•59 min

Constitutionality of Secession

Is secession constitutional? Wait -- wasn't that question settled in 1865? Perhaps not: Recent statements by some states' rights advocates make it strangely timely today. We'll hear from two attorneys: Kent Masterson Brown and Robert Black. Also joining us will be ASL students LaTri-c-ea McClendon and Chris Menerick.

Jun 10, 2011•59 min

The Lost State of Franklin

We'll talk to Kevin Barksdale, who wrote a great book about the mostly-forgotten attempt to create a 14th state in the 1780's, before we had a real Constitution. We'll also visit the Tipton-Haynes Historic Site, where the fight over the State of Franklin erupted into battle.

Jun 01, 2011•59 min

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