The Gun Show [More Perfect]

This #podcast episode is a fascinating look at how the Second Amendment went from being a relatively sleepy amendment to rocking our politics today. I was surprised to learn that a pivotal point in the “gun rights storyline” occurred in the 1960’s when Black Panthers took up arms as an individual right, showing up armed at the California Legislature. The response to that was both surprising and not.

Then, the NRA did a pivot in the 1970’s, changing from an organization largely focused on teaching gun skills, to one focused on lobbying efforts, with individual gun ownership rights a core tenet.

The most recent kicker is the 2008 Supreme Court Heller decision stating ownership is an individual right (versus strictly a “militia” right).  The individual ownership right was decided, but it also said the right is not unlimited and gun ownership could be regulated.

More Perfect is a great show highlighting interesting and important Supreme Court cases. Created by Radio Lab’s Jad Abumrad, it’s a unique look at an important governmental body that makes decisions affecting our lives.

• Podcast Link: More Perfect
• Episode Link: The Gun Show
• Host: Jad Abumrad
• Date: 10/11/17
• Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

More Perfect is “a series about how the Supreme Court got so supreme.”

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Nukes (and the President) [RadioLab]

(Photo Credit: Official CTBTO Photostream)

My early exposure to the concept of nuclear war was oddly calm: duck under your school desk, cover your head, and all will be right with you and the world.  It was only later, when visuals on TV showed more horrific images, that the terror of it became clear; along with the inanity of “duck and cover,” that tender ode to nuclear annihilation.

I was a child during the Cuban Missile Crisis. As a child, I didn’t truly understand the horrors the world was facing. As an adult, it’s becoming all too clear, especially with the current saber-rattling of nations around the globe. Including ours.

Which got me to wondering: what are the “rules” around launching a nuclear bomb? Who gets to authorize it (the President) and can anyone stop him from doing so (no).  This RadioLab episode provides a unique look at the process, considering it from the perspective of a military officer who would receive a call to launch. Could he refuse to act?

Gerrymandering Video

Read about Gerrymandering in my April 18th post. Then watch this video to gain a better understanding of the concept. Cheers!

 

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What’s a salamander got to do with gerrymandering? [Civics 101]

History engages me more when there are nuggets of intrigue and interest buried in the history itself. Gerrymandering has its nugget. The name was first used in 1812 in the Boston Gazette, when the paper blended Massachusetts’ Governor Gerry’s name with salamander, the shape of one of the districts mapped out under Governor Gerry’s redistricting. Sometimes being memorialized into the future carries a certain ignominy.

What is gerrymandering and why does it matter?

Filibuster – Update! [On the Media]

My “What’s a Filibuster?” post provided a short filibuster lesson, taken from the Civics 101 podcast. Senate Republicans have since eliminated the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations, a decision referred to as the “nuclear option.”

After the “nuclear” decision, On The Media delivered helpful historic context about the filibuster, stuff I hadn’t gotten from the Civics 101 episode.  If you want a quick overview with some more “filibuster flesh,” listen to Brooke Gladstone’s interview of guest Sarah Binder. Binder, a professor of political science at George Washington University and author of Stalemate: Causes and Consequences of Legislative Gridlock, had thoughts about the “fabled filibuster.”

Spying On a City [RadioLab]

As a kid, getting spied on usually meant Mrs. Harper down the street had seen me doing something I shouldn’t be doing, and reporting it to my mom.  As long as I kept clear of Mrs. Harper, I could safely mess around and not get busted.

Now, my computer may be spying on me.  “Cover up the camera on your computer,” I’m warned, “hackers may be watching you.”

Then there’s my phone. If it’s always ready to respond to my “Hey Siri,” how can I know for sure it isn’t listening to other conversations?

And with the Internet of Things, I have to start worrying about whether my refrigerator, my TV, my washing machine, or my toaster are recording my words or movements.  Because “wiretapping” now appears to include the possibility that our microwaves are listening.

What’s a Filibuster? [Civics 101]

My head is about to explode; I’ve been following Washington’s attempts to govern this past week. The news headlines are breathily reporting the Democrats will filibuster Neil Gorsuch’s nomination for the Supreme Court. No! Not the filibuster!