Civics on the Rocks

Because I’m sure you want to hear what to two, old, land-owning, white guys have to say about the subject. Seriously, though, tomorrow you get to help decide which way this question gets answered. Take advantage of your moment in history. Special note to our Spotify listeners: does it feel like it’s been a while since we posted? Sorry about that! Due to a technical issue, our magic “post everywhere” button was posting everywhere but Spotify. We’ve fixed the problem and you should see new episodes going forward. If you want to listen to what you missed between March and October of 2024, all our episodes are available on our website: https://civicsontherocks.podbean.com/ Again, we apologize for the glitch! References Fourteenth Amendment: Congress.gov. “Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection and Other Rights.” Constitution Annotated. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/ What’s a fundamental right: Legal Information Institute. “Fundamental Right.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/fundamental_right#:~:text=Fundamental Benjamin Cardozo, a famous Supreme Court justice: Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Benjamin Nathan Cardozo.” Reviewed July 5, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benjamin-Nathan-Cardozo Learn more about the Fourteenth Amendment, Incorporation, and Justice Cardozo’s influence on the matter: Bill of Rights Institute. “Essay: The Fourteenth Amendment and Incorporation.” https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/the-fourteenth-amendment-and-incorporation Palko v. Connecticut: Oyez. “Palko v. Connecticut.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1900-1940/302us319 The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment: Congress.gov. “Amdt14.S1.3 Due Process Generally.” Constitution Annotated. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt14-S1-3/ALDE_00013743/ Fifth Amendment: Congress.gov. “Fifth Amendment.” Constitution Annotated. https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-5/ Get fancy with the privileges or immunities clause: Congress.gov. “Amdt14.S1.2.2 Modern Doctrine on Privileges or Immunities Clause.” Constitution Annotated. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt14-S1-2-2/ALDE_00000815/ Full faith and credit clause: Congress.gov. “ArtlV.S1.1 Overview of Full Faith and Credit Clause.” Constitution Annotated. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artIV-S1-1/ALDE_00013015/ Not familiar with the opinions of “sovereign citizens”: Southern Poverty Law Center. “Sovereign Citizens Movement.” https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/sovereign-citizens-movement First Amendment: Congress.gov. “First Amendment Fundamental Freedoms.” Constitution Annotated. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-1/ Ninth Amendment: Congress.gov. “Ninth Amendment Unenumerated Rights.” Constitution Annotated. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-9/ What does it take to ratify: Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. “The Amendment Process.” https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/three-branches/amendment-process How senators were chosen then and how they are chosen now: United States Senate. “About Electing and Appointing Senators.” https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/electing-appointing-senators.htm See a timeline of who got to start voting when in the U.S.: Al Jazeera. “Who got the right to vote when?” August 18, 2020. https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2016/us-elections-2016-who-can-vote/index.html Steve is right, noncitizens are allowed to vote in some local elections: USA.gov. “Who Can and Cannot Vote.” Updated September 26, 2024. https://www.usa.gov/who-can-vote But Fox News remains wrong; there are not widespread instances of noncitizens voting in presidential elections: Joffe-Block, Jude. “6 Facts About False Noncitizen Voting Claims and the Election.” October 12, 2024. NPR....

Mack and Steve discuss why it always seems to the same two groups, how it really isn’t, and how that might inform your choices when voting. Wade on in, because sometimes it doesn’t feel like a party at all. References Take Britain as a counterpoint with a parliamentary system: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Parliament.” Updated: September 27, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Parliament/Decline-of-the-House-of-Lords The prime minister is a member of the legislature: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Prime minister.” Updated: September 25, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/prime-minister The history of the Republican societies that became the Democratic-Republican party: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Democratic-Republican Party.” Updated: September 13, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Democratic-Republican-Party A political scientist discussing whether it does indeed lend itself to two parties: Difford, Dylan. “Duvager’s Law: More guidelines than actual rules?” March 9, 2022. Electoral Reform Society. https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/duvagers-law-more-guidelines-than-actual-rules/ Independent members of senate: Congress.gov. “Senator Angus S. King Jr.” https://www.congress.gov/member/angus-king/K000383 Congress.gov. “Senator Bernard Sanders.” https://www.congress.gov/member/bernard-sanders/S000033 Congress.gov. “Senator Krysten Sinema.” https://www.congress.gov/member/kyrsten-sinema/S001191 People were discussing what the Tea Party actually was back in the day as well: Connolly, Katie. “What is the Tea Party?” September 16, 2010. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11317202 What constitutes an actual party: Federal Election Commission. “Qualifying as a political party committee.” https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/registering-political-party/qualifying-as-a-political-party-committee/ Despite Anne’s opinion, the political parties are technically nonprofits: IRS. “Tax Information for Political Organizations.” Updated September 9, 2024. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/political-organizations How to get on the ballot in Texas: Ballotpedia.org. “Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Texas.” https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_access_requirements_for_presidential_candidates_in_Texas All kinds of parties, or individuals, running for president you might see on the ballot in November: Ballotpedia.org. “List of registered 2024 presidential candidates.” https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_candidates,_2024#List_of_registered_2024_presidential_candidates No, you can’t list any party you want when you run for president in Texas. You must be a member of a recognized political party or run as an independent or write-in candidate: Texas Secretary of State. “Running for President in Texas (in 2024).” https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/guide/2024/president.shtml What’s an interest group: Thomas, Clive S. “Interest group.” Updated: September 16, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/interest-group Who’s Dick Armey: Congress.gov. “Representative Richard K. Armey” https://www.congress.gov/member/dick-armey/A000217 Steve said caucus: USA.gov. “Presidential primaries and caucuses.” Updated Augus 22, 2024. https://www.usa.gov/primaries-caucuses The Populist Party and the dynamic that happened there: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Populist Movement.” Updated June 3, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/event/Populist-Movement What were they getting over: Merriam-Webster. “Rook (verb).” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rooked Not the grain movement: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. “The Grange Movement, 1875.” https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/grange-movement-1875 Here’s why the Progressive Era was the Progressive Era: Library of Congress. “Progressive Era to New Era, 1900–1929.”...

Celebrate one year of Civics on the Rocks! We even have a gift for you!

Mack and Steve discuss if they find election poll results highly favorable, favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, unfavorable, or highly unfavorable. References A straw poll, or vote, according to Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straw%20vote Fox News may not have handled coverage of the 2012 election as well as they could have: Folkenflik, David. “Media Circus: Fox Struggles With Obama’s Win?” November 7, 2012. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2012/11/07/164576251/media-circus-fox-struggles-with-obamas-win How much did Obama win by? National Archives. “2021 Electoral College Results.” Last reviewed: June 26, 2024. https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/2012 Iowa likes its straw poll, even if Mack does not: Pate, Paul D. “Iowa Secretary of State Shares Final Results of Iowa State Fair Presidential Straw Poll.” August 21, 2023. Iowa.gov. https://sos.iowa.gov/news/2023_08_21.html How can you tell if a poll is scientific? Bloustein Center for Survey Research. “Assessing Poll Validity.” Rutgers.edu. https://bcsr.rutgers.edu/assessing-poll-validity/ Learn about a random sample: Hayes, Adam. “Simple Random Sampling: 6 Basic Steps With Examples.” Updated: August 14, 2024. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/simple-random-sample.asp The popular vote doesn’t decide the president because we have the electoral college: USA.gov. “Electoral College.” Updated: August 22, 2024. https://www.usa.gov/electoral-college Here are the polling groups Mack listed: Pew Research Center https://www.pewresearch.org/ Gallop https://news.gallup.com/home.aspx The Harris Poll https://theharrispoll.com/ Quinnipiac University https://poll.qu.edu/ Some context for the Defense Department paying $400 for a hammer in the 80s: Freedberg, Jr., Sydney J. “The myth of the $600 hammer.” December 7, 1998. Government Executive. https://www.govexec.com/federal-news/1998/12/the-myth-of-the-600-hammer/5271/ Learn about margin of error: Mercer, Andrew. “5 key things to know about the margin of error in election polls.” September 8, 2016. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2016/09/08/understanding-the-margin-of-error-in-election-polls/ Read about how polls incorrectly predicted that Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 election: Mercer, Andrew; Deane, Claudia; and McGeeney, Kyley. “Why 2016 election polls missed their mark.” November 9, 2016. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2016/11/09/why-2016-election-polls-missed-their-mark/ Why it’s not going to be Biden: Miller, Zeke; Long, Colleen; and Superville, Darlene. “Biden drops out of 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns. VP Harris gets his nod.” July 21, 2024. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6# The Bradley, or Wilder, effect describes a phenomenon where people voted differently than they said they were going to in a poll due to the race of the candidate: Ballotpedia. “Bradley Effect.” https://ballotpedia.org/Bradley_effect The Whitman effect describes a similar phenomenon with women candidates. There was a study that found that the Bradley/Wilder effect appears to no longer occur and there is no evidence the Whitman effect ever did. Here is the reference, but please note that the journal article is behind a paywall. Hopkins, D. J. (2009). No more Wilder effect, never a Whitman effect: When and why polls mislead about Black and female candidates. The Journal of Politics, 71(3), 769–781. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022381609090707 About internal polling: Askarinam, Leah. “In defense of internal polling.” February 7, 2024. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/538/defense-internal-polling/story?id=107003824 Some problems with polling, including the potential to suppress the vote: Ordway, Denise-Marie. “‘Horse race’ reporting of elections can harm voters, candidates, news outlets: What the research says.” October 23,...

It’s the highest court in the land, but is it all that great? Steve and Mack pass judgement on the latest decisions from the Supreme Court. References Where the words “supreme court” are used in the Constitution: Constitution Annotated. “Article III.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-3/ Where the words “commander in chief” are used in the Constitution: Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S2.C1.1.11 Presidential Power and Commander in Chief Clause.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C1-1-11/ALDE_00013473/ If you want to learn more about how Constitutional amendments are passed: Office of the Federal Register. “Constitutional Amendment Process.” National Archives. Reviewed August 15, 2016. https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/constitution In case you haven’t heard of the Heritage Foundation: Wiggins, Christopher. “What is the Heritage Foundation, the group behind the terrifying Republican Project 2025 agenda?” July 20, 2024. Advocate. https://www.advocate.com/politics/what-is-heritage-foundation If you want to know why the Heritage Foundation wants a constitutional convention: Malcolm, John. “Consideration of a Convention to Propose Amendments Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution.” February 19, 2016. The Heritage Foundation. https://www.heritage.org/the-constitution/report/consideration-convention-propose-amendments-under-article-v-the-us Read about how President Lincoln symbolically signed the 13th Amendment: National Museum of African American History & Culture. “13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.” https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/13th-amendment-constitution-united-states Learn about the Dred Scott case: Milestone Documents. “Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857).” National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/dred-scott-v-sandford How many cases does the Supreme Court listen to a year: United States Court. “About the Supreme Court.” https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/about The case that Steve used as an example of original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court: Schonfeld, Zack. “New York tells Supreme Court to toss Missouri’s longshot bid to block Trump’s sentence.” July 24, 2024. The Hill. https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4791625-ny-supreme-court-block-trump-sentence/ Want to know more about the Circuit Courts of Appeals? United States Courts. “About the U.S. Courts of Appeals.” https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/court-role-and-structure/about-us-courts-appeals Alas, a writ of certiorari is not a magical spell from a 1980’s fantasy movie: Lega Information Institute. “Writ of Certiorari.” Cornell Law Score. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/writ_of_certiorari Lawrence v. Texas (2003): Oyez. “Lawrence v. Texas.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/2002/02-102 Learn the long history of how Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) was eventually overturned by Brown v. Board of Education (1954): United States Courts. “History – Brown v. Board of Education Re-enactment.” https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/history-brown-v-board-education-re-enactment Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022): Oyez. “Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/19-1392 Once more, how impeachment works: United States Senate. “About Impeachment.” https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/impeachment.html Just in case you want to know the definition of treason in the Constitution: Constitution Annotated. “ArtIII.S3.C1.2 Levying War as Treason.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artIII-S3-C1-2/ALDE_00013525/ Poor marriage choices: Tucker, Eric. “Virginia Thomas, the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, agrees to interview with Jan. 6 panel.” September 21, 2022. PBS News....

You’ve heard the term before, but did you realize how bad the situation really is? Buckle up, kids, this is a bumpy one. References Well? Steve is archaically correct. According to Merriam-Webster gerrymandering was originally pronounced with a hard g, but it now most commonly pronounced with a soft one. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gerrymandering Who was Elbridge Gerry? Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. “Gov. Elbridge Gerry.” Original source: 1978. National Governors Association. https://www.nga.org/governor/elbridge-gerry/ Want to see the “Gerry-Mander” cartoon from 1813 that coined the term? Smithsonian. “Cartoon, ‘The Gerry-Mander’, 1813.” https://www.si.edu/object/cartoon-gerry-mander-1813%3Anmah_509530 Want to see what a salamander looks like in both medieval heraldry (or whatever) and real life? Marcec, Ruth. “Amphibian Conversation: Fired Up About Salamanders.” April 18, 2017. Detroit Zoo. https://detroitzooblog.org/2017/04/18/amphibian-conservation-fired-up-about-salamanders/ Learn about cracking, packing, and other terms involved with redistricting: Panjwani, Haya. “Cracking, Packing, Apportionment: Here’s A Glossary of Terms to Help You Understand Redistricting.” September 21, 2021. KERA News. https://www.keranews.org/politics/2021-09-21/cracking-packing-apportionment-heres-a-glossary-of-terms-to-help-you-understand-redistricting If you want to see the current map of the Texas senate district that Mack mentioned: The Texas Tribune. “Texas Senate District 25.” https://www.texastribune.org/directory/districts/tx-senate/25/ Yep, we’re pronouncing Bexar as Bear. Texas, y’all. Learn about constitutional amendments that involve voting: USA.gov. “Voting Rights Laws and Constitutional Amendments.” Updated: February 22, 2024. https://www.usa.gov/voting-rights Learn about women’s suffrage in the state of Wyoming: Wyoming Historical Society. “Women’s Suffrage and Women’s Rights.” https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/topics/womens-suffrage-and-womens-rights What’s going on with Nebraska? Nebraska.gov. “Nebraska Unicameral.” https://designegov.nebraska.gov/government/legislative/ Alexander v. South Carolina NAACP (May 2024): Oyez. “Alexander v. South Carolina Conference of the NAACP.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/2023/22-807 Shaw v. Reno (1993): Oyez. “Shaw v. Reno.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1992/92-357 Learn about the bunch of marches in the 60s that were about voting: United States Civil Rights Trail. “Marching for the Vote.” https://civilrightstrail.com/experience/marching-for-the-right-to-vote/ If you would like to read Justice Kagan’s dissent: Legal Information Institute. “Alexandar v. South Carolina State Conference of the NACCP.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/22-807 Learn about gerrymandering of incarcerated peoples: Fisher, Garret, King, Taylor, and Limón, Gariella. “Prison Gerrymandering Undermines Our Democracy.” October 22, 2021. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/prison-gerrymandering-undermines-our-democracy Learn about the implications of counting persons under the age of 18 during redistricting: Stephanopoulos, Nicholas, and Chen, Jowei. “Democracy’s Denominator.” February 4, 2021. California Law Review (1011). https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3779342 Learn about the implications of gerrymandering around universities and colleges: Carrasco, Maria. “Partisan Gerrymandering Targets Campuses.” October 21, 2021. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/10/22/partisan-gerrymandering-targets-college-campuses If you don’t remember the three-fifths compromise from history class: Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Three-fifths compromise.” April 19, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/three-fifths-compromise If you feel so inclined to read Kevin Williamson’s argument for “better” voters: Williamson, Kevin D. “Why Not Fewer...

Not to oversell it, but this type of episode is why we created this podcast. Do you really know how impeachment works? Are you sure of your dusty memories of high school civics class? Come, find out! References What is impeachment? USA.Gov. “How federal impeachment works.” Last updated February 2, 2024. https://www.usa.gov/impeachment Learn about the impeachment of King Charles I: Paradis, Michel. “Three Lessons From the First Time a Head of State Was Impeached.” October 3, 2019. Lawfare. https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/three-lessons-first-time-head-state-was-impeached How impeachment works between the House and Senate: United States Senate. “About Impeachment.” https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/impeachment.htm About the impeachment of Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: Mascaro, Lisa. “House votes to impeach Mayorkas in a historic rebuke of a sitting Cabinet member.” February 13, 2024. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/house-votes-to-impeach-mayorkas-in-a-historic-rebuke-of-a-sitting-cabinet-member What’s a writ of mandamus? Legal Information Institute. “Mandamus.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/mandamus The only other time a cabinet member was impeached: United States Senate. “Impeachment Trial of Secretary of War William Belknap, 1876.” https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/impeachment/impeachment-belknap.htm The bit on “60 Minutes” with the Clinton’s: 60 Minutes. “Hilary Clinton’s first 60 minutes interview.” 1992. https://youtu.be/-UqKNgrwK8E?si=FM8Fw4Yz6MQMvft6 Not familiar with Senator Gary Hart? Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Gary Hart.” May 1, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gary-Hart How did Gerald R. Ford define impeachment? Davis, Kenneth C., “The history of American impeachment.” The Smithsonian Magazine, June 12, 2017. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-you-need-know-about-impeachment-180963645/ Want to learn more about immigration issues in the U.S.? Kobucista, Claire, Cheatham, Amelia, and Roy, Diana. “The U.S. Immigration Debate.” Last updated June 6, 2023. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-immigration-debate-0 Senator Chuck Schumer’s formal response to the Mayorkas impeachment: Senate Democrats. “Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks on the Impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas.” April 17, 2024. https://www.democrats.senate.gov/news/press-releases/majority-leader-schumer-floor-remarks-on-the-impeachment-trial-of-secretary-mayorkas Read about how the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas was deemed unconstitutional: Pecorin, Allison and Hutzler, Alexandra. “Senate kills Mayorkas impeachment trial, votes both articles ‘unconstitutional’.” April 17, 2024. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senators-sworn-jurors-impeachment-trial-dhs-secretary-mayorkas/story?id=109349278 What’s malfeasance? Legal Information Institute. “Malfeasance.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/malfeasance The impeachment book that Steve referenced: Charles R. Black. Impeachment: A Handbook. (Yale University Press, 2018). Learn about President Nixon’s near impeachment: Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S4.4.7 President Richard Nixon and Impeachable Offenses.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S4-4-7/ALDE_00000695/ The Watergate trials that happened prior to that: United States Senate. “Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities.” https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/investigations/watergate.htm Which senators voted which way in Trump impeachment trial: Booker, Brakkton. “Trump Impeachment Trial Verdict: How Senators Voted.” February 13, 2021. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates/2021/02/13/967539051/trump-impeachment-trial-verdict-how-senators-voted When we recorded this podcast, the New York trial was still in process. In case you were unaware of the results: Scannell, Kara, Del Valle, Lauren, and...

Due to it being May, we decided to take our discussion to a galaxy far, far away. It went on a bit longer than intended. Also, somehow, we got to Oz. But stick with us, y’all. We eventually get back to this reality around the 18-minute mark. Enjoy, and may the force by with you. References Wookieepedia is a little vague on how the Jedi Council relates to the Galactic Senate, so the debate stands: Star Wars Fandom. “Jedi High Council.” https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Jedi_High_Council But during the trial of the Ahsoka Tano, it looks like the Senate did indeed have some influence on the Jedi Council: Star Wars Fandom. “Trial of Ahsoka Tano.” https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Jedi_High_Council#Trial_of_Ahsoka_Tano A little about the time limits on appropriations for the army: Constitution Annotated. “Artl.S8.C12.2 Time Limits on Appropriations for Army.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C12-2/ALDE_00001074/ In case you don’t get the reference to our current timeline: Davies, Dave. “How NYC is coping with 175,000 migrants from the Southern border.” February 15, 2024. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/02/15/1231712535/how-nyc-is-coping-with-175-000-migrants-from-the-southern-border If you would like to learn more about some of the political interpretations of the Wizard of Oz: History Collection. “16 Hidden Symbolic Messages in the Wizard of Oz You May Have Missed.” October 18, 2019. https://historycollection.com/16-hidden-symbolic-messages-in-the-wizard-of-oz-you-may-have-missed What’s a republic? Merriam-Webster Dictionary. “Republic.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/republic What’s a democracy? Merriam-Webster Dictionary. “Democracy.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/democracy What’s a representative democracy? Raikar, Sanat Pai. “Representative democracy.” February 29, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/representative-democracy What’s an aristocracy? Merriam-Webster Dictionary. “Aristocracy.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aristocracy Wait, what does res publica mean? Latdict. “Res.” https://latin-dictionary.net/search/latin/res Latdict. “Publica.” https://latin-dictionary.net/search/latin/publica Learn about the arrests of student protestors in Austin: Simpson, Stephen, Dey, Sneha, and Melhado, William. “79 arrested amid second crackdown on UT-Austin campus.” April 30, 2024. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/30/ut-austin-protest-arrests/ McGlinchy, Audrey and McGaughy, Lauren. “UT Austin changes message again, says arrested students will be allowed on campus for any reason.” Updated May 3, 2024. KUT News. https://www.kut.org/education/2024-04-26/ut-austin-protest-arrests-campus-ban Dey, Sneha. “Gov. Greg Abbott and UT-Austin shift from championing free speech to policing protesters’ intentions.” April 29, 2024. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/29/ut-austin-pro-palestinian-demonstrations-free-speech/ In case you didn’t get the tiki torch reference: Murphy, Paul P. “White nationalists use tiki torches to light up Charlottesville march.” August 12, 2017. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/12/us/white-nationalists-tiki-torch-march-trnd/index.html Here is one story of a protestor carrying an AR-15: Kim, Juliana. “A Maryland man has been carrying an AR-15-style rifle near a school bus stop.” May 20, 2023. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/05/20/1177315655/a-maryland-man-has-been-carrying-an-ar-15-style-rifle-near-a-school-bus-stop Free speech versus university policy: ACLU. “University Students’ Protest Rights.” https://www.aclutx.org/en/know-your-rights/university-students-protest-rights What are the implications of a third-party candidate? Kelly, Stephanie and Renshaw, Jarrett. “How could a third-party candidate put Trump in the White House?” March 21, 2024. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/how-third-party-candidate-could-put-trump-white-house-2024-03-20/ If you want to deep dive on the U.S. support...

Listen to resident foremen, Mack and Steve, make the call on our system of law. There’s also some references to pandemics and hurricanes in this show. Good times! References What’s the difference between a petit jury and a grand jury? United States Courts. “Types of Juries.” https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/jury-service/types-juries Steve was wrong. Louisiana does, in fact, have juries: Louisiana State Bar Association. “Jury Duty.” https://www.lsba.org/ChildrensLaw/COAJuryDuty.aspx Anne was wrong. Petit juries and petite clothes are not spelled the same. Though no one is sure, many people credit England with the creation of the jury system: Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Jury.” Updated March 12, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/jury Learn about the Magna Carta: UK Parliament. “Magna Carta.” https://www.parliament.uk/ Didn’t get the Brexit joke? BBC News. “Brexit: What you need to know about the UK leaving the EU.” December 30, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-32810887 Steve was correct. The “Dark Ages” is no longer the term du jour. Learn about the Migration Period: Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Migration period.” March 23, 2018. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Dark-Ages Learn about feudalism: Brown, Elizabeth A. R. “Feudalism.” Updated March 4, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/feudalism Learn about Common Law: Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Common law.” Updated March 3, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/common-law Learn about Justinian’s Code: Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Code of Justinian.” April 7, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Code-of-Justinian Learn about the Napoleonic Code: Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Napoleonic Code.” November 14, 2023. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Napoleonic-Code Despite Mack’s strong wording, the Napoleonic Code did have an influence on the law system of the state of Louisiana: Scalise, Ronald. “Napoleonic Code (French Civil Code).” Updated June 28, 2023. 64 Parishes. https://64parishes.org/entry/napoleonic-code-adaptation Learn about voir dire: Brenner, David. “Voir Dire.” August 2023. State Bar of Texas. https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=articles&ContentID=60713&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm Want to know the specifics about how a search warrant is issued in Texas: Texas Constitution and Statutes. “Chapter 18. Search Warrants.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.18.htm The person who said the thing about indicting a ham sandwich was Sol Wachtler: Levin, Josh. “The Judge Who Coined ‘Indict a Ham Sandwich’ Was Himself Indicted.” November 25, 2014. Slate. https://slate.com/human-interest/2014/11/sol-wachtler-the-judge-who-coined-indict-a-ham-sandwich-was-himself-indicted.html Mack was wrong. Florida does have grand juries: Florida Supreme Court. “The Statewide Grand Jury.” Last modified March 30, 2023. https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/News-Media/Statewide-Grand-Jury Wiretaps are different: Bureau of Justice Assistance. “Title III of The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Wiretap Act).” https://bja.ojp.gov/program/it/privacy-civil-liberties/authorities/statutes/1284 What’s a FISA court? Bureau of Justice Assistance. “The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA). https://bja.ojp.gov/program/it/privacy-civil-liberties/authorities/statutes/1286 The CIA chooses to characterize themselves slightly differently than Steve and Mack do: CIA. “Top 10 CIA Myths.” August 14, 2018. https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/top-10-cia-myths/ Steve was right. It’s called a no bill: Cornell Law School. “True Bill.” Legal Information Institute. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/true_bill Book that Steve referenced, but got the name of the author slightly mixed up: Akhil Reed Amar. The Bill of Rights: Creation and Reconstruction. (Yale University Press, 2000). That quote...

Come for the archaic units of measure, stay for the metric throwdown! The concept of an acre is so enigmatic that in a podcast titled “What’s an Acre?”, we still got it wrong. An acre is 4,840 square yards and not feet as we say repeatedly in this podcast: Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Acre: Unit of measurement.” Updated February 9, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/acre-unit-of-measurement Believe it or not, the measurement of a chain is still used in the world: National Wildfire Coordinating Group. “Chain, Pace, Walking a Chain.” https://www.nwcg.gov/course/ffm/vert-horiz-and-slope/46-chain-pace-walking-a-chain Mack did not make up the name Edmund Gunter: National Museum of American History. “Surveyor’s Chain.” https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_761634 Want to deep dive into the vara and other Spanish units of measure: Reyes-Martinez, Marcos A. “The Vara: A Standard of Length With a Not-So-Standard History.” October 11, 2019. National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/vara-standard-length-not-so-standard-history Anne misspoke, they are not the Daughters of the Alamo, they are in fact: The Daughters of the Republic of Texas. https://drtinfo.org/ If, like Steve and Mack, you can’t remember your Texas history: Barker, Eugene C. “Austin, Stephen Fuller (1793–1836).” Updated February 25, 2021. Texas State Historical Association. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/austin-stephen-fuller According to this very serious deep dive into the cubit, it’s still in use in some locations: Stone, Mark. H. “The Cubit: A History and Measurement Commentary.” January 30, 2014. Journal of Anthropology. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/janthro/2014/489757/ The Constitution, article 1, section 8, clause 5: “...To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures...” https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/articles/article-i#article-section-8 “One platinum bar in France” would be a great name for a novel: National Institute of Standards and Technology. “Meter.” Updated June 2, 2021. https://www.nist.gov/si-redefinition/meter Here’s a brief overview of the metric system that notes that the second is actually considered the metric unit of time: U.S. Metric Association. “Origin of the Metric System.” Updated October 22, 2019. https://usma.org/origin-of-the-metric-system A little about time and the sexagesimal system: Lombardi, Michael A. “Why is a minute divided into 60 seconds, an hour into 60 minutes, yet there are only 24 hours in a day?” March 5, 2007. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-time-division-days-hours-minutes/ Here’s someone talking more eloquently and authoritatively about the metric system than us: Benham, Elizabeth. “Busting Myths about the Metric System.” October 6, 2020. National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/busting-myths-about-metric-system Let’s talk about temperature: Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Temperature.” Updated February 13, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/temperature Steve’s favorite book: Daniel Immerwahr. How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States. (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2019). Seeking economic advantage is one reason people change the primary language they use: Tesch, Noah. “Why Do Languages Die?” February 19, 2016. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/story/why-do-languages-die Definition of commerce: Merriam-Webster. “Commerce.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commerce Not familiar with nautical miles and knots: National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration. “What is the difference between a nautical mile and a knot?” National Ocean Service. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/nautical-mile-knot How to make a Black Velvet: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/black-velvet/ How...

Mack and Steve dive into various types of immunity. Also, we go off on rockets for a while. References “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?” Juvenal. Satire VI, lines 347–348. Alan Moore wrote Watchmen. Alan Moore (Author) and Dave Gibbons (Illustrator). Watchmen. (DC Comics, 1995). That guy that cracked his head open because they just shoved him: The Guardian. “Buffalo police cleared over pushing 75-year-old George Floyd protester.” April 10, 2022. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/10/buffalo-police-cleared-over-pushing-75-year-old-george-floyd-protester The NYPD not arresting people to put pressure on the mayor and city government: Ford, Matt. “The Benefits of Fewer NYPD Arrests.” December 31, 2014. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/12/the-benefits-of-fewer-nypd-arrests/384126/ Learn about Frank Serpico and the movie Serpico in one go: Speicher, Jeffrey. “’Serpico’: How Does the Movie Compare to the True Story?” August 20, 2023. Collider. https://collider.com/serpico-true-story/ The park in Eagle Pass, Texas is Shelby Park: García, Uriel J. “In Eagle Pass, a tense border standoff between Texas and the federal government is reaching a crescendo.” January 22, 2024. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/22/texas-border-patrol-immigration-enforcement-eagle-pass-park/ What’s federalism? Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Federalism.” Updated January 2, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/federalism The Border Patrol union supporting Texas governor, Greg Abbott: Dobkin, Rachel. “Border Patrol Union Head Praises Greg Abbott After Military Blocks Agents.” January 15, 2024. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/border-patrol-union-praise-greg-abbott-migrants-texas-eagle-pass-1860837 The law passed by the Texas legislature that Mack referenced: García, Uriel J. “Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill making illegal immigration a state crime.” December 18, 2023. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/18/texas-governor-abbott-bills-border-wall-illegal-entry-crime-sb3-sb4/#:~:text=Gov.%20Greg%20Abbott%20signs%20bill,Grande%20between%20ports%20of%20entry. Unfamiliar with border checkpoints: ACLU. “Know Your Rights: 100 Mile Border Zone.” https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/border-zone Some info on internal affairs: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. “Revisiting ‘Who is Guarding the Guardians’?” https://www.usccr.gov/files/pubs/guard/ch4.htm Here’s a news story where a police officer caused harm to an innocent civilian: Duncan, Jericka. “Police shoot unarmed man with hands up” [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRMYVFmEmx Here’s a news story where a police officer caused harm to a civilian guilty of speeding: Mckay, Rich and Trotta, Daniel. “Police release video of fatal shooting of Black man in Georgia.” October 18, 2023. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/police-release-video-fatal-shooting-black-man-georgia-2023-10-19/ Here’s a news story where a police officer shot someone unarmed in the back: Burke, Minyvonne. “Police officers told Los Angeles man was unarmed moments before they shot him, video shows.” September 2, 2022. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/police-officers-told-los-angeles-man-was-unarmed-moments-shot-video-sh-rcna46035 Here’s a news story where a police officer shot someone unarmed in the front: Beausoleil, Sophia. “Bodycam Video Showing Shooting of Unarmed Man Released, Former Wolfe City Officer Acquitted of Murder Charge.” September 28, 2022. NBCDFW. https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/bodycam-video-showing-shooting-of-unarmed-man-released-former-wolfe-city-officer-acquitted-of-murder-charge/3084202/ Here’s a news story where the police did a search in the wrong house and someone reacted badly: Matza, Max. “Kenneth Walker: Bronna Taylor’s boyfriend wins $2m settlement.” December 12, 2022. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63953359 Here’s a news story where the police did a...

Not to overstate the case, but the primary elections are where we can stage our revolution and overthrow the government! Listen to Mack and Steven discuss why the primaries are where it’s at. If you need a refresher: USA.gov. “Presidential primaries and caucuses.” https://www.usa.gov/primaries-caucuses Because some people disagree with Mack’s opinion of the Iowa caucus: Oliphant, James. “Iowa Caucus 2024: How does it work and why is it important?” January 2, 2024. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/iowa-caucus-2024-how-does-it-work-why-is-it-important-2023-12-19/ Who shot what in the Federalist Party? American Experience. “The Federalist and the Republican Party.” PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/duel-federalist-and-republican-party/ Apparently, it was a bit of a misnomer but: U.S.History.org. “The Era of Good Feelings and the Two-Party System.” https://www.ushistory.org/us/23a.asp If you are a bit fuzzy on the 1824 election: Levy, Michael. “United States presidential election of 1824.” Last updated April 26, 2017. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1824/additional-info#history If you want to see John Quincy Adams’ really, really awesome facial hair: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/john-quincy-adams/ In case you don’t actually know them as Whigs: Bomboy, Scott. “On this day, the Whig Party becomes a national force.” December 4, 2022. National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/on-this-day-the-whig-party-becomes-a-national-force When the Republicans got created: U.S.History.org. “The Origins of the Republican Party.” https://www.ushistory.org/gop/origins.htm Some history of conventions and primaries: Library of Congress. “Political Primaries: How Are Candidates Nominated?” https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/elections/presidential-election-process/political-primaries-how-are-candidates-nominated/ If you want to know more about Hubert Humphrey and his campaign in 1968: Smith, Stephen and Ellis, Kate. “Campaign ’68.” APM Reports. https://features.apmreports.org/arw/campaign68/e1.html What happened to the Republicans in 1964: Perlstein, Rick. “How the 1964 Republican Convention Sparked a Revolution From the Right.” August 2008. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/1964-republican-convention-revolution-from-the-right-915921/ Some information about low voter turnout at primaries: Ferrer, Joshua and Throning, Michael. “2022 Primary Turnout: Trends and Lessons for Boosting Participation.” March 6, 2023. Bipartisan Policy Center. https://bipartisanpolicy.org/report/2022-primary-turnout/ Was Joe Biden elected as a senator to Delaware before you were born? Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. “Biden, Joseph Robinette (Joe), Jr.” https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B000444 Never spent much time thinking about Bill Clinton’s conservative policies? Stein, Judith and Lichtenstein, Nelson. “Bill Clinton Campaigned as a Progressive. Why Didn’t He Govern Like One?” September 8, 2023. Mother Jones. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/09/bill-clinton-a-fabulous-failure-nelson-lichtenstein-judith-stein/ Some info about voter turnout in Texas primaries, in particular: Cai, Mandi and Dey, Sneha. “Nearly 18% of registered Texas voters cast 2022 primary ballots.” Updated March 24, 2022. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/14/texas-primary-voting-turnout/ The last time a Democrat held a statewide office in Texas: Selby, W. Gardner. “Texas Democrats shut out of statewide office longer than Democrats in other states.” September 26, 2012. PolitiFact. https://www.politifact.com/article/2012/sep/26/texas-democrats-have-lost-statewide-elections-long/ New to ranked-choice voting, too? Ballotpedia. “Ranked-choice voting (RCV).” https://ballotpedia.org/Ranked-choice_voting_(RCV) Primaries, coming fast: National Conference...

Mack and Steve wade into the role the United States plays in the world’s conflicts. This includes talking about several examples like the current war between Israel and Palestine. Fair warning: this episode covers some heavier topics than our previous ones have. References Just because they both like to say it a lot: Merriam-Webster. “Hegemony.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hegemony Everything that’s going on in Ukraine: AP News. “Russia-Ukraine War.” https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine If you don’t live in Mauritania: Gerteiny, Alfred G., Stewart, Charles C., Toupet, Charles Henri, and Deschamps, Hubert Jules. “Mauritania.” November 7, 2023. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Mauritania New to NATO? NATO. “What is NATO?” https://www.nato.int/nato-welcome/ Foreign Affairs archive articles are behind a paywall, but if you would like some context about Mack’s reference to Germany and nuclear weapons, here’s a nice overview: Mendhelsohn, Jack. “NATO’s Nuclear Weapons: The Rationale for ‘No First Use’.” Arms Control Association. https://www.armscontrol.org/act/1999-07/features/natos-nuclear-weapons-rationale-first-use Don’t remember when Samuel Huntington was all the rage? Betts, Richard K. “Samuel P. Huntington: American political scientist.” Britannica. Last updated April 14, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-P-Huntington Brush up on your Warsaw Pact: NATO. “What Was The Warsaw Pact?” https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_138294.htm#:~:text=The%20Warsaw%20Pact%20was%20a,(Albania%20withdrew%20in%201968). We couldn’t find a solid academic source that concisely describes the political theory of a “Concert of Nations” that wasn’t behind a paywall, but it is derived from the Concert of Europe which you can read about here: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Concert of Europe.” Last updated February 22, 2016. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Concert-of-Europe Want to get to know the United Nations: United Nations. “Welcome to the United Nations.” https://www.un.org/ A detailed account about the U.S. role in Lebanon: Office of the Historian. “The Regan Administration and Lebanon, 1981–1984.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1981-1988/lebanon A brief overview of what happened in Bosnia: Holocaust Museum Houston. “Genocide in Bosnia.” https://hmh.org/library/research/genocide-in-bosnia-guide/ The town hall meeting featuring Secretary of State Madeline Albright where Ohio State students protested was actually about the Iraq war. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/fcLaKGNDtzo?si=ysZTDCE0Rcguh0Hw What we’re doing in Ukraine: U.S. Department of Defense. “Russian War in Ukraine Timeline.” https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Support-for-Ukraine/Timeline/#:~:text=In%20total%2C%20the%20United%20States,and%20brutal%20invasion%20on%20Feb. U.S. role that may not have been that helpful in Central and South America: Isacson, Adam. “The United States’ Influence on Latin America’s New Militarism.” November 22, 2021. WOLA. https://www.wola.org/analysis/the-united-states-influence-on-latin-americas-new-militarism/ Do Americans support Israel’s attack on Palestine? Santhanam, Laura. “Poll: Majority of Americans sympathize with Israel but growing number say military response in Gaza ‘too much’.” November 12, 2023. PBS News Hour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/poll-majority-of-americans-sympathize-with-israel-but-growing-number-say-military-response-in-gaza-too-much An article about Israeli claims of finding a Hamas headquarters in a hospital: Al-Mughrabi, Nidal. “Hamas command centre, weapons found at Gaza hospital, Israeli military says.” November 15, 2023. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-raids-gazas-al-shifa-hospital-2023-11-15/ An article about the recent escalation of hostilities in the West Bank: Goldenberg, Tia and Mohammed, Majdi. “Israeli forces kill at least 8 Palestinians in surging West Bank violence,...

Mack and Steve talk about taxes, highway budgets, and there are two (count ‘em two!) separate references to presidential speeches! Come join the fun! What one doctor has to say about health insurance: Shmerling, Robert H. “Is our healthcare system broken?” July 13, 2021. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-our-healthcare-system-broken-202107132542 Does Jeff Bezos pay any taxes: Eisinger, Jesse, Ernsthausen, Jeff, and Kiel, Paul. “The secret IRS files: Trove of never-before-seen records reveal how the wealthiest avoid income tax.” June 8, 2021. ProPublica. https://www.propublica.org/article/the-secret-irs-files-trove-of-never-before-seen-records-reveal-how-the-wealthiest-avoid-income-tax Curious about how long it would take you to earn as much money as Jeff Bezos: Merelli, Annalisa. “The average US worker would need 10 times the length of all human history to earn as much as Jeff Bezos.” October 10, 2019. Quartz. https://qz.com/1723454/this-is-how-long-an-average-us-worker-needs-to-become-a-billionaire What Warren Buffett had to say about his secretary’s taxes: Isidore, Chris. “Buffett says he’s still paying lower tax rate than his secretary.” March 4, 2013. CNN Business. https://money.cnn.com/2013/03/04/news/economy/buffett-secretary-taxes/index.html Want to learn more about education vouchers in Texas: Osteen, Olivia. “Texas’ governor is pushing major school choice bill: What it means – and will it pass?” October 24, 2023. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/texas-governor-pushing-major-school-choice-bill-means/story?id=104050942 Want more info about the “special” sessions: The Texas Politics Project. “Special sessions of the Texas legislature.” https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/archive/html/bur/features/0404_02/slide1.html Want to read the book that is the Texas Constitution: Texas Legislative Council. “General reference.” As amended through the May 7, 2022, election. https://tlc.texas.gov/docs/legref/TxConst.pdf What is the term for a Texas governor (asking for a friend): U.S. Term Limits. “Which states have term limits on governor?” https://www.termlimits.com/which-states-have-term-limits-on-governor/ Is the Texas attorney general a crook? You decide: The Texas Tribune. “Ken Paxton Impeachment.” https://www.texastribune.org/series/ken-paxton-impeachment-texas-attorney-general/ Yes, other states have offices that deal with railroads. But the Texas Railroad Commissioner is a fairly unique post because they no longer oversee the railroads. So, what do they do, according to their office: Railroad Commission of Texas. “About us.” https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/ In case you were wondering who now runs the Texas railroads: Federal Railroad Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. https://railroads.dot.gov/ Not familiar with West Texas Intermediate: Chen, James. “West Texas Intermediate (WTI): Definition and use as a benchmark.” June 13, 2022. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/wti.asp Why yes, the U.S. is a net oil exporter: U.S. Energy Information Administration. “How much petroleum does the United States import and export?” https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=727&t=6#:~:text=The%20resulting%20total%20net%20petroleum,million%20b%2Fd%20in%202022. Yep, Texas has earthquakes: Douglas, Erin. “Earthquakes in Texas doubled in 2021. Scientists cite years of oil companies injecting sludgy water underground.” February 8, 2022. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/08/west-texas-earthquakes-fracking/ Curious to learn a little history about the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) not maintaining roads due to budget cuts: Floyd, Ian. “Plans to convert paved roads to gravel begins despite local concerns.” August 19, 2013. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/19/conversion-of-roads-to-gravel-met-with-concern/ What about TxDOT’s current budget, you say: Texas Department of Transportation. “Funding...

Steve and Mack tackle the hard-hitting question of whether violence is ever the answer. Did Buzz Aldrin really punch a guy? History.com Editors. “72-year-old Buzz Aldrin punches a moon landing conspiracy theorist in the face.” History. August 23, 2023. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/buzz-aldrin-punches-moon-landing-conspiracy-theorist-bart-sibrel Wondering about Mack’s story about John D. Rockefeller? Consider this footnote from Michael Reksulak and William F. Shughart II’s, “Of Rebates and Drawbacks: The Standard Oil (N.J.) Company and the Railroads,” Review of Industrial Organization (2011) 38:267-283: Rockefeller was relentless in ferreting out ways to cut costs. During an inspection tour of a Standard Oil plant in New York City, for instance, he observed a machine that soldered the lids on five-gallon cans of kerosene destined for export. Upon learning that each lid was sealed with 40 drops of solder, he asked, “Have you ever tried 38?” It turned out that when 38 drops were applied, a small percentage of the cans leaked. None leaked with 39, though. “‘That one drop of solder’, said Rockefeller, …’saved $2,500 the first year; but the export business kept on increasing after that and doubled, quadrupled–became immensely greater than it was then; and the saving has gone steadily along, one drop on each can, and has amounted since to many hundreds of thousands of dollars”‘ (Chernow 1998, pp. 180-81). Over the course of his career at the helm of Standard Oil, “Rockefeller cut the unit costs of refined oil almost in half” (Ibid., p. 150). The quote in the footnote is from Ron Chernow’s Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. (Vantage, 1998). Want to learn about W. Edwards Deming? https://deming.org/ Want to sing “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister at some Nazis? Practice singing along: https://youtu.be/4xmckWVPRaI?si=NhFzHOagWRTEfJcy Supreme Court cases: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, No. 19-1392, 597 U.S. ___ (2022) Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003) Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1 (1967) Want to learn more about Tommy Tuberville? Weaver, Al. “Why Tuberville breakthrough isn’t ending military impasse.” The Hill, September 25, 2023. https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4219440-why-schumers-surprise-nomination-votes-wont-end-battle-with-tuberville/ Want to read an interesting story about poetry and the U.S. Navy? “Continuing a naval tradition one poem at a time.” Naval History and Heritage Command, April 29, 2022. https://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/news/2022/continuing-a-naval-tradition-one-poem-at-a-time.html Want to learn about Stonewall? https://www.nps.gov/places/stonewall.htm Do you know about Marsha P. Johnson? Rothberg, Emma. “Marsha P. Johnson.” WomenHistory.org. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/marsha-p-johnson Alexander Hamilton, there’s a million things he hasn’t done...but he did write Federalist 78 (1778) and you can access it here: https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/historic-document-library/detail/alexander-hamilton-federalist-no-78-1788 How did Gerald R. Ford define impeachment? Davis, Kenneth C., “The history of American impeachment.” The Smithsonian Magazine, June 12, 2017. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-you-need-know-about-impeachment-180963645/ How do you make a Boulevardier: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/boulevardier/ What is Mack reading? Does not recommend: R. Haldeman. The Haldeman Diaries: Inside the Nixon White House. (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1972). Does recommend: Ray Bradbury. The October Country. (Ballantine Books, 1955). What is Steve reading? Daniel Immerwahr. How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States. (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2019). Terry Austin and Chris Sprouse. Star Wars: Splinter of the Mind’s Eye (graphic novel). (Dark Horse Books, 1996). Just so we’re all on the same page on the episode numbers: Episode I: The Phantom Menace...

Mack and Steve discuss the concept of civics and why it's important. They also drop several refences along the way. Here they are, if you would like to learn a little bit more about what they are talking about and form your own opinion. If you want to learn about PragerU: Archie, Ayana. “A lot is happening in Florida education. These are some of the changes kids will see.” NPR, August 14, 2023. https://www.npr.org/2023/08/14/1193557432/florida-education-private-schools-prageru-desantis If you want to read up on the allegory of the cave: Plato. Plato’s The Republic. New York: Books, Inc., 1943. First Amendment stuff: Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395. U.S. 444 (1969). Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919). Communications Decency Act of 1995, 47 U.S.C. § 230(c)(1): “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.” QR codes: Lewis Carrol, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. (Macmillan, 1865). Titanic stuff: Baker, Roy Ward, director. A Night to Remember. 1958; The Rank Organisation. 123 minutes. Washington, D.C. stuff: U.S. Constitution. amend. XXIII, sec. 1: The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment. Civic duty: Sturges, John, director. Bad Day at Black Rock. 1955; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 81 minutes. This isn’t necessarily how the guys made them on the night we recorded, but here are some ways to make the cocktails we talked about: Elderflower Martini: https://momfoodie.com/elderflower-martini/ Sazerac: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/sazerac/ Negroni: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/negroni/ Radar: M*A*S*H. 1972–1983. CBS. Book Mack is reading: Jon Billman, The Cold Vanish: Seeking the Missing in North America’s Wildlands. (Grand Central Publishing, 2020). Podcast Steve is listening to: Lillian Cunningham for the Washington Post. Field Trip (Podcast). 2023. And Steve quoted Ghostbusters once. But you already knew that.

Our first episode drops on Labor Day 2023! Until then, enjoy this trailer!