My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

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.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Networkwww.airwavemedia.comInteresting in advertising? sales@airwavemedia.comMusic by Lee Rosevere - he's on bandcamp - https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 NetworkTo advertise on the program, sales@advertisecast.comOur sponsor for this program is Athletic Greens. Got to www.athleticgreens.com/myhistfor a special offer on their "nutritional insurance" AG1, a powder you drink every day to cover 75 vitamins, minerals, adaptagens and probiotics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.comInteresting in advertising? sales@advertisecast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where and when did Ukraine begin? What role did the Rus, the Cossacks, the post Tsarists and the Soviets play? What is Putin’s motive and what his seriously questionable historical justification? Why should we not say ‘The Ukraine?’ in discussions. How does nationalism play into world politics, and what place does it have in the future? These are all questions that Ben Sawyer, Professor at Middle Tennessee State University, podcaster and comedian is qualified to answer.Road to Now Podcast is at:https://www.theroadtonow.com/We are part of Airwave Media NetworkInterested in Advertising? sales@advertisecast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Millions of trees were needed for the conflict, to provide very temporary housing, roads, bridges, and fuel. They could stop cavalry charges, pretend to be cannons or provide a place to hide for a blue or grey soldier. No surprise one newspaper compared the armies to tree-eating monsters.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.comInteresting in advertising? sales@advertisecast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices