

My History Can Beat Up Your Politics
Bruce Carlson
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 21, 2022 • 44min
Congressional Stock Trading and The Pan-Electric Scandal
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?We are part of Airwave Media Podcast NetworkAdvertise on this podcast: sales@advertisecast.comSupport us on Patrion - patreon.com/mhcbuypMake a one=time donation - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KCK98X972XWWU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 30, 2022 • 59min
Judge Lincoln, Orval Faubus and Bill Clinton, Millard Fillmore
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 17, 2022 • 12min
The History Behind a Holiday: Martin Luther King Day
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 10, 2022 • 43min
Drug Legalization Before it Was Cool: The Story of Kurt Schmoke
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 11, 2021 • 40min
Harris and the Vice Presidency in a Historical Context
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, or anywhere.. A few did not speak to the President while in office. One VP was described as a "smiling mediocrity" (and that was supposed to be a good thing). So can you judge an occupant?The media certainly thinks so, and 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. Can history add anything to such a partisan divide question?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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 6, 2021 • 1h 56min
The 1890's Part IV: Imperialism Just Happened
A look at not only the Spanish-American War but the events leading up to it, including those events in Spanish politics that made tough talk as desirable in The Cortez as it was in the Congress. A look at the drift of American projection of power in the Harrison and Cleveland administrations. How McKinley wins an election on curing depression and the money supply, but his Presidency quickly is defined by foreign policy as the U.S. begins a war with Spain. Also the aftermath of that war, and the lack of results in the decade for African Americans. Finally, and of course, Roosevelt. And reflections on the role and proper historical position of Roosevelt.Music by Lee Rosevere from his Music for Podcasts - (why does his 'Music for True Crime Podcasts work for a podcast on imperalism? Hmmm.) check him out on Bandcamp.com. Lee Rosevere.This concludes our series on the 1890's. If you liked it PLEASE TELL OTHERS!!We are part of Airwave Media NetworkWant to advertise on the podcast? - contact sales@advertisecast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 29, 2021 • 1h 1min
The 1890's Part III: No, Not That Winston Churchill
The nation goes to Mars. In a book, at least. 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.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 NetworkWe have a patreon if you'd like to support us; www.patreon.com/mhcbuypWant to advertise on this podcast? Contact sales@advertisecast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 22, 2021 • 1h 4min
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 NetworkWe have a patreon if you'd like to support us; www.patreon.com/mhcbuypWant to advertise on this podcast? Contact sales@advertisecast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 15, 2021 • 1h 5min
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/mhcbuypMusic by the excellent Lee Rosevere -https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-podcasts-6We are part of Airwave Media Network.Interested in advertising on the podcast? Contact sales@advertisecast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 1, 2021 • 1h 8min
News Stories From 1921 That Matter Today - with Jon Blackwell
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.Follow Jon on Twitter at - @100YearsAgoNewsSupport the Podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/mhcbuypMusic by Lee RosevereEmail sales@advertisecast.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices