My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

Since 2006, this podcast has been using history to elevate today's political debates.  "The perfect antidote to bloviating talking heads, My History is thoughtful, nuanced, and highly engaging." -Columbia Journalism Review

History
News
Politics
101
SOMETHING HAPPENED: Eugene McCarthy's 1968 Prim...
The race for the Democratic Nomination in 1968 a complicated one, as one candidate would drop out and another die tragically. But for a while, with other candidates choosing not to enter primaries, the '68 Democratic primary became a fight between two concepts of being left in politics and two individuals that couldn't be more different. Robert Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy.
37 min
102
1970's EPHEMERA: Dylan Gets a Troll, Ford Gets ...
SIDE A: Ford's Bad Day - Dylan's Troll - High School Riot - Howard Cosell's Politics SIDE B: One Hit Wonder - Skylab Falls - Austin Gets Weird - Global Cooling and Warming
75 min
103
SAVINGS AND LOAN Crisis
One reaction to the inflation stagnation and interest rates of the 1970's was to loosen up on a particular 'harmless' form of banking. It didn't work out so well.
45 min
104
Midterms: They Don't Always Work Out Badly for ...
In the past 100 years, over 80% of the first term midterms went badly for Presidents, and their party lost seats. But in a few cases they did not. And a few times when they did, the result was very little real change or even a kind of win. A look at first term midterms during the Presidencies of Chester Arthur, Harding, FDR, GW Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. A combo of new and previously recorded MHCBUYP episodes reveals that while many first term midterms have devastated the President's plans, Presidents don't always do badly, there are 'stave' elections where Presidents have lost so little it's almost a win. And sometimes, a defeat has positive effects. Music by Josh Woodward and Lee Rosevere in this episode. Find them on the Free Music Archive website
79 min
105
And to the Republic: Thoughts about Everything ...
A trip to DC inspires me. I try to talk about just about everything going on in this episode from midterms to J6 to Mara Lago to the Republic as it stands, to third parties in US politics, to former Presidents running to a town name in New York that I butchered. And in case we think things are crazy today, we look a bit at how a poet and a writer viewed Washington in 1963 and 1964.
71 min
106
Wills On Duty: The Story of Watergate Security ...
We are a month beyond of the 50th anniversary of the Watergate break-in, but it does seem appropriate to note an obscure player in the story. Frank Wills discovered a door had been deliberately held unlocked in the basement of The Watergate Office Complex. The rest became history. But for Wills it was bittersweet. His intersection with history also became a story of race and the choppy waters of a "proto-reality TV" 1970's America. We also tell the story of an intern in the wrong place at the wrong time, though it was perhaps the right time who played a completely accidental role in thwarting a burglary. We are part of Airwave Media Network www.airwavemedia.com Interesting in advertising? sales@airwavemedia.com Music by Lee Rosevere - he's on bandcamp - https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/
28 min
107
George B. McClellan Junior Would Like a Word
George B. McClellan Junior, son of the Union general and Mayor of New York City for two turn-of-the century terms is not history's usual voice, his takes are different. He saw Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson at their most base and political. He became mayor of the nation's largest city and talked about for its highest office, only to earn the displeasure of his sponsors for acting independently (and probably, prudently). He thinks at least one story about Lincoln was overplayed, he was against the United State's entry into World War I. Let's speak to McClellan Jr [ by reviewing his memoirs! ]. About turn of the century politics, political machines, being New York City major and son of famous Civil War General and Democratic candidate for President. . He also speaks to race relations in Congress in the 1890's, being a Northern Congressman in a Southern-dominated party, what it's like to fight the 'tiger' of Tammany Hall and other things.
45 min
108
Free Speech is Easy, and Hard w/ Lynn Greenky o...
Freedom of speech is boundless and yet has boundaries, according to our guest, Lynn Greenky of Syracuse University School of Law. She is the author of 'When Freedom Speaks' There are areas where the First Amendment of The U.S. Constitution protects, and areas where it does not. And this is no normal time. Social media, hate speech, violence in speech, lawsuits against media have all seemed to become more prominent in news. We discuss. Lynn Greenky's book WHEN FREEDOM SPEAKS can be found at:https://lynngreenky.com/books/when-freedom-speaks/ We are part of Airwave Media Network To advertise on the program, sales@advertisecast.com Our sponsor for this program is Athletic Greens. Got to www.athleticgreens.com/myhist for a special offer on their "nutritional insurance" AG1, a powder you drink every day to cover 75 vitamins, minerals, adaptagens and probiotics.
47 min
109
Nine Kings, One Room: Introducing the Everythin...
Something happened in May 29th 1910. It had never happened before. And it has never (so far) happened again. To explain, we turn things over to Airwave Media network podcast Everything Everywhere Daily. Highly recommend subscribing to this podcast if you want to learn interesting facts about a new topic every day. Check out Everything Everywhere Daily's casts on solar power, the history of Friday the 13th (it will surprise you) and other topics.
12 min
110
In The Arena - Adlai Stevenson and Other Losing...
We talk about Adlai Stevenson, a candidate with a critical flaw and operating in a tough political environment, and the other people who have sought the Presidency but lost. Our guest is Peter Shea, author of In The Arena, His book looks not only at candidates, but at the memorials that have been made to honor them. Presidents get most of the statues, but there are some for the Presidential also-rans, such as the Stevenson statue in an Illinois airport. Trope Publishing [at www.trope.com] is the publisher of Shea's book they publish large print books with beautiful photographs. We are part of Airwave Media Network www.airwavemedia.com Interesting in advertising? sales@advertisecast.com
39 min
111
Ukraine and History w/ Ben Sawyer of Middle Ten...
Where did Ukraine begin? With the Rus, the Cossacks, the Soviets? What is Putin's motive and what his seriously questionable historical justification? Why should we not say 'The Ukraine?' in discussions. To help answer these questions, Bruce is joined by Ben Sawyer of Middle Tennessee State University and of "The Road to Now" Podcast and an expert in Russian studies.to talk about the history behind the War in Ukraine.
64 min
112
Millions Fall: The Destruction of Trees During ...
An army moves on its stomach, the saying goes. But a 19th century army also moved on its wood. A look at the environmental impact of the Civil War, particularly on forests. This and a bit about William Howard Taft on Television. He didn't live to see it, but he and his family had an indirect impact on its history. We are part of Airwave Media Network www.airwavemedia.com Interesting in advertising? sales@advertisecast.com
38 min
113
The War in the Former Yugoslavia (Bosnian War) ...
In the early 1990's, few outside the Balkans could foresee the brewing conflict as parts of a former communist country sought independence. The result was destructive war with multiple actors, civilian deaths and war crimes in a civilized area. In no area was this felt more than the city of Sarajevo, where the world had watched the Winter Olympics just 8 years before. We will relay a timely podcast from Ohio v. the World podcast from 2018 on the War in the former Yugoslavia, known as the Bosnian War. Bruce will jump in with some points about politics and national security in the 1990. Alex joins us to talk about current events. We also cover the world reaction and the Dayton Accords. We are pleased to have Alex Hastie on and his informative guest. We also get into a surprising connection to the creation of Ukraine and the question of intervention in Bosnia that came up at the time. Subscribe to Alex's podcast Ohio v..The World Podcast. The history of Ohio is so connected to the history of America that we've found no particular local interest about Alex's podcasts, they are about all the events in American history and they are well-done. We are part of Airwave Media Network Interested in advertising? sales@advertisecast.com
68 min
114
The Anguish of Calvin Coolidge ( w/ David Priess )
The President Calvin Coolidge most know in history is the man who put American's business squarely with business and said very little Less known is that Coolidge suffered a great tragedy while in the White House, and it may have affected what kind of President he was. or not. We talk to David Priess. Chief Operating Officer of Lawfare Institute and co-host of The Chatter Podcast also the author of "How to Get Rid of a President," which deals with issues of inability to serve. We discuss how people should view Coolidge's time in office after the death of his son. Was it active, or deeply reduced by the tragedy? Interested in advertising? sales@advertisecast.com We are part of Airwave Media Network.
54 min
115
Abyssinia: The Italian-Ethiopian War and its Co...
A bit about the brief Italian-Ethiopian War. The brief conflict between an aggressor and an outmatch defender presaged the Second World War. It also split the European countries, tested the boundaries of international collective security and created a heroic figure.
50 min
116
Congressional Stock Trading and The Pan-Electri...
A scandal of the 1880's involving Congress, an Attorney General and telephone company stock was big enough to nearly derail an inventor's legacy, and brought unwanted attention to the House and the Cleveland Administration. What does it say about congressional stock trading today?
41 min
117
Judge Lincoln, Orval Faubus and Bill Clinton, M...
Four stories of politics and history, starting with, the relationship between Bill Clinton and Orval Faubus. Clinton would see the segregation proponent Faubus on the television as young man and swell with rage, later he'd run against him. But the relationship, like anything with Clinton I guess, gets more complicated than that.
57 min
118
The History Behind a Holiday: Martin Luther Kin...
This was a holiday that was not obtained without struggle including strikes, shaming and strange political bedfellows. In one of the first casts on MHCBUYP from 2007, We took a look at this history and some well-known and lesser known actors in its occurrence.
8 min
119
Drug Legalization Before it Was Cool: The Story...
timore Mayor Kurt Schmoke was called a madman, a "brilliant spokesman for a bad idea," and e even the most dangerous man in America when he called for drug legalization in the late 80s and early 90s. Those were forbidden ideas then. Yet Schmoke's statements seem prophetic now, and his radical plans are the basis of drug policy in many cities.
40 min
120
Harris and the Vice Presidency in a Historical ...
Office or incumbent? The office has been described as a nullity and a spare tire. The historic incumbents include many 'also-rans' and some did very little to speak of in office. Some didn't even get to talk to the President. So can you judge an occupant? The media certainly has made Kamala Harris a topic of attention. Is this fair? On one hand, there's an overall critical tinge to coverage that seems to have started January 21st. On the other there are some historic facts behind it, as Harris has the best predictable chance of becoming President of any modern VP, and comes from less years experience in Washington than recent incumbents? Spurred on by an article from Bill Scher in Washington Monthly - check it out [https://washingtonmonthly.com/2021/11/26/vice-presidents-get-no-respect-kamala-harris-is-no-exception/] we look at this question. Is it, as Scher suggests, the office and we need to cut its newest incumbent slack? Or does the incumbent drive? Is there any way to judge a Vice President? Short answer - We think there can be VP success and failure, but in the end, it's a political job with political goals, and that's what watchers of politics should be focused on.
37 min
121
The 1890's Part IV: Imperialism Just Happened
112 min
122
The 1890's Part III: No, Not That Winston Churc...
A look at the cultural 1890's decade. Science fiction, A new form of voiced patriotism, Exploding growth in cities. And an American Winston Churchill.
58 min
123
The 1890's Part II: Tin Man
In this second look at the decade of the 1890's. Economic disaster and marching citizens. Pitchfork and tin making rebellion. Competing metals and ideas. An election only makes clearer the divisions in society - it does not create them. An author struggle to captures these modern conflicts and develop a new fairy tale. Music by the excellent Kevin MacLeod (find him on free music archive.org) and Lee Rosevere (find him on Bandcamp). We are part of Airwave Media Podcast Network We have a patreon if you'd like to support us; www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp Want to advertise on this podcast? Contact sales@advertisecast.com
61 min
124
The 1890's: Part I : Mauve Decade
How did things get modern in America? The popularity of a color derived from coal tar is just one of the ways. A look at the 1890's, a decade where America developed in many ways. A look at the 1890's, a decade where America developed in many ways. This is part of a FOUR PART series of podcasts on My History Can Beat Up Your Politics. X-rays, flying machines, oyster pirates and basketball. Also strikes, war, populism and long-forgotten literature. How did things get modern in America? The popularity of a color derived from coal tar is just one of the ways. Of course Modern doesn't mean all upside, necessarily, and we get into the conflicts during the time. This is part of a FOUR PART series of podcasts on My History Can Beat Up Your Politics. Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp Music by the excellent Lee Rosevere -https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-podcasts-6 We are part of Airwave Media Network. Interested in advertising on the podcast? Contact sales@advertisecast.com
62 min
125
News Stories From 1921 That Matter Today - with...
Auctioning people for paid jobs, Resisting smoking and liquor bans, Actors in trouble, Fistfight in Congress, Prosperity around the corner and News articles spreading fear and encouraging violence. With Jon Blackwell, Wall Street Journal Editor and creator of the Twitter handle This Day in 1921, we discuss significant news stories of 1921 that have meaning for today involving racism, poor economic times, censorship, government mandates and attacks on science, among others. Jon's twitter publishes every day with a news story from 1921. He's also the author of Notorious New Jersey. We did a 1921 episode earlier in the year, with Jon we cover new ground.
65 min