Civil Discourse

Nia Rodgers and Dr. John Aughenbaugh

About

This podcast uses government documents to illuminate the workings of the American government, and offer context around the effects of government agencies in your everyday life.

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220 episodes

United Kingdom Parliament, part 2

Aughie and Nia welcome Political Science professor Chris Burdett to continue their discussion regarding the way the United Kingdom's Parliament works, and whether the methods of lawmaking in the Parliament have anything in common with the United States Congress.

49m
Mar 29, 2024
United Kingdom Parliament, part 1

Aughie and Nia welcome Political Science professor Chris Burdett to discuss the way the United Kingdom's Parliament works, and whether the methods of lawmaking in the Parliament have anything in common with the United States Congress.

47m
Mar 22, 2024
U.S. Declaration of Independence

Aughie and Nia discuss the basis and history of the United States' Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.

43m
Mar 15, 2024
In the News: SCOTUS Takes the Case: Donald Trump and Presidential Immunity

Aughie explains the reasoning by the Supreme Court in taking United States v Donald Trump, a case regarding Presidential immunity. Aughie also explores the potential fallout of the timing of this case.

50m
Mar 08, 2024
In the News: SCOTUS, Trump, and the Colorado Ballot

Aughie explains the recent SCOTUS ruling in the case of Trump v. Anderson. In this 9-0 decision, the SCOTUS decided that Donald Trump could not be struck from the Colorado ballot based on the Insurrection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

29m
Mar 08, 2024
Common Sense

Nia and Aughie discuss Thomas Paine's best selling pamphlet , and the effect it had on galvanizing American resistance to British rule.

47m
Mar 01, 2024
The Basis of American Law

Aughie and Nia discuss the basics of the differences between European civil and British common law, and how those traditions apply in American law.

43m
Feb 23, 2024
Is Book Banning Constitutional?

Aughie and Nia discuss how books arrive on school shelves, and whether there is a Constitutional right to ban books by School Boards. Spoiler: The U.S. Supreme Court controlling case had a 4-1-4 ruling, hardly settled law.

1h 6m
Feb 09, 2024
Trump's Insurrection Cases: Like Burning Down a House in the Name of Fire Safety

Aughie and Nia discuss the court cases that question whether former President Donald Trump can be on the 2024 Presidential ballot due to allegations of insurrection. They also discuss the question of whether the courts should be ruling on this topic.

1h 4m
Jan 31, 2024
In the News: Missing Secretary Austin

 Nia and Aughie discuss the "disappearance" of General Lloyd Austin, Secretary of the Department of Defense, and the importance of a plan of succession within the Cabinet positions. 

29m
Jan 24, 2024
In the News: Santos Expulsion

Aughie and Nia talk about the 6th expulsion of a member of the House of Representatives, George Santos, and the potential ramifications of this resolution.

23m
Dec 12, 2023
Sandra Day OConnor

Nia and Aughie celebrate the life and career of Sandra Day O'Connor, first female Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Justice O'Connor died on December 1, 2023.

1h 0m
Dec 12, 2023
SCOTUS and the Code of Conduct

 Augie and Nia discuss the first-in-history written Code of Conduct of the U.S. Supreme Court. 

1h 8m
Dec 05, 2023
In the News: Montana Tik Tok Ruling

Nia and Augie touch briefly on what the U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy's ban ruling means in the short and long term for Tik Tok users in Montana.

8m
Dec 05, 2023
Asset Seizure, part 2

In the second of two parts, Nia and Aughie talk about the negative consequences of asset seizure and forfeiture.

49m
Nov 21, 2023
Asset Seizure, part 1

In this two part series, Aughie and Nia explore the concept of asset seizure and forfeiture.

46m
Nov 14, 2023
Politicians' Ages

Nia and Aughie follow up a previous episode about the rising mean age of Americans with a discussion of aging politicians and how they represent the average American. "Prevent a coup, retire now".

1h 0m
Nov 07, 2023
Aging Population of the United States

In a two part series, Aughie and Nia explore the aging American population and what that demographic span means for elections and policy decisions going forward.

48m
Oct 31, 2023
Landlines and Demographics

Nia and Aughie discover and discuss the connections between landline usage and government statistics gathering. They also explore the demographics of owners of landlines.

1h 0m
Oct 24, 2023
Congress and the Mountain Valley Pipeline

Aughie and Nia delve into the Mountain Valley Pipeline deal during the debt ceiling debates, and the problems that Congress has made for the Courts in adjudicating any problems with the pipeline. Does the Congress have the power to direct which Court will hear a case?

50m
Oct 17, 2023
Architect of the Capitol

Nia and Aughie talk about an open position in the federal government, the Architect of the Capitol. They discuss the responsibilities of the job and how to potentially change the job to attract candidates.

48m
Oct 10, 2023
National Film Registry

Aughie and Nia explore the purpose of the National Film Preservation Board, created by the National Film Preservation Act of 1988. They discuss the criterion used to consider films as well as some of the films that are part of the National Film Registry.

57m
Oct 03, 2023
In the News: Government Shutdowns

Aughie and Nia discuss the outcomes of government shutdowns.

40m
Oct 01, 2023
Getting to Know You: Favorite Political Fiction Books

In the 5th and final part of a short series titled Getting to Know You, Aughie and Nia discuss their favorite political fiction books. Other favorites in the series include West Wing episodes, political movies, political or protest songs, and political scandals.

1h 5m
Sep 26, 2023
Getting to Know You: Favorite Political Scandals

In part 4 of a short series titled Getting to Know You, Aughie and Nia discuss their favorite protest or political songs. Other favorites in the series include West Wing episodes, protest movies, political or protest songs, and political books.

1h 7m
Sep 19, 2023
Getting to Know You: Favorite Protest or Political Songs

In part 3 of a short series titled Getting to Know You, Nia and Aughie discuss their favorite political or protest songs. Other favorites in the series include West Wing episodes, protest movies, political scandals, and political books.

1h 2m
Sep 12, 2023
Getting to Know You: Favorite Political Movies

In part 2 of a short series titled Getting to Know You, Nia and Aughie discuss their favorite political movies. Other favorites in the series include West Wing episodes, protest songs, political scandals, and political books.

1h 7m
Aug 29, 2023
Getting to Know You: Favorite West Wing Episodes

 In a short series titled Getting to Know You, Aughie and Nia discuss their favorite West Wing Episodes. Other favorites upcoming will include movies, protest songs, political scandals, and books.  

1h 10m
Aug 22, 2023
SCOTUS 2 Wrap Up of the 22-23 Term

In the second of three episodes, Aughie and Nia discuss the major decisions released in June by the U.S. Supreme Court; in this episode, the cases covered are: Haaland v. Brackeen, U.S. v Texas, Groff v. DeJoy, Counterman v. Colorado and Moore v. Harper.

1h 11m
Jul 07, 2023
SCOTUS 3 Wrap Up of the 22-23 Term

In the third of three episodes, Aughie and Nia discuss the major decisions released in June by the U.S. Supreme Court; in this episode, the cases covered are: Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, Biden v. Nebraska, and Department of Education v. Brown.

1h 11m
Jul 07, 2023