Civil Discourse

Aughie scares Nia with the mission of the Global Engagement Center, located in the State Department. 

Nia and Aughie consider the debate concerning imposing term limits on Supreme Court Justices. Can Congress enact a law, or does there need to be a Constitutional Amendment?

Aughie and Nia talk about the various local and national alert systems designed to reach Americans by television, telephone, and internet.

Aughie and Nia discuss the ramifications of political secession.

Aughie and Nia discuss the latest woes of the U.S. Supreme Court, including leaks, scandals, and public opinion.

Aughie and Nia explore the known modern thefts of government documents and the punishments imposed on the thieves.

Aughie and Nia discuss Federalist 39, Madison's defense of the Republic as a form of national government.

Aughie and Nia talk about famous government officials who have plagiarized writing and speeches. 

 Aughie and Nia outline the steps a Presidential election goes through, from voting at the booth to election certification at the U.S. Capitol. 

Aughie and Nia discuss the immediate and potential long term ramifications of the 2024 election cycle.

Aughie and Nia discuss the first round of President Elect Trump's proposed appointments, and follow with a discussion of recess appointments.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Presidential pardon power - how it arises, how it has been used, and controversial pardons past and present.

Augie and Nia discuss the Constitutional and customary rules surrounding a Presidential Inauguration.

Nia and Aughie discuss the Constitutional grounds upon which the U.S. might acquire a territory. They go on to discuss the territory of Guam.

 Aughie and Nia explore some of the Executive Orders released by the Trump Administration in his first week in office. 

Nia and Aughie continue their U.S. Territories series while exploring the history and culture of Puerto Rico.

In the third of this series, Aughie and Nia discuss the Northern Mariana Islands

The fourth in this territorial series brings Aughie and Nia to American Samoa.

The US Virgin Islands are the topic of the fifth in this series, with Aughie and Nia discussing the rich history of the islands.

In the sixth and final episode in this series, Nia and Aughie talk about the unoccupied, but still interesting, US territories.

Aughie and Nia explore the history and responsibilities of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Nia and Aughie turn their attention to the breadth, reach, and soft power of the Voice of America.

 Aughie and Nia take a look at the lawsuits, firings, and impoundments during President Trump's first seven weeks in office. 

Aughie and Nia explore the formation, responsibilities, and struggles of the Transportation Security Administration.

Nia and Aughe explain the history and work of the Western Area Power Administration.

Aughie and Nia discuss the recent efforts of the Trump Administration to target the research efforts, curricula, and financial support of universities and colleges.

Nia and Aughie discuss the rich and long history of the Children's Bureau, from its founding in 1912 to the modern era.

Aughie and Nia learn about the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the many financial and banking boards that the Comptroller sits on or directs.

Nia and Aughie discuss the history and responsibilities of the Bureau of the Mint.

In the last episode of season 18, Aughie and Nia explore the long and storied history of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Aughie and Nia discuss the legal and Constitutional guidance around Presidents and their deployment of the National Guard to a state or city.

Aughie and Nia explore the rather difficult year Chief Justice John Roberts has had in the keeping the SCOTUS on track and productive.

Nia and Aughie discuss the following case rulings:  Oklahoma Statewide Charter Board v. Drummond, Smith & Wesson Brands v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Commission, Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, and Martin v. United States.

Aughie and Nia discuss the following case rulings: United States v. Skrmetti, Diamond Alternative Energy v. EPA, Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, and Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers' Research.

Nia and Aughie discuss the following case rulings: Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, Mahmoud v. Taylor, and Trump v CASA.

Aughie gives Nia a run-down on all the statistics of the most recent SCOTUS session; who talked the most and least, who wrote the most and least, who agreed the most and least, and other statistics and observations.

Aughie gives listeners a preview of some of the cases that have been accepted for adjudication in the next SCOTUS term, including: Louisiana v. Calais, Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety, Hamm v. Smith, Elingburg v. U.S., Chiles v. Salazar, National Republican Senatorial Committee v. FEC, Urias-Orellana v. Bondi, and a combination of two cases, Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.J.P.

Aughie and Nia discuss Federalist Paper 51, which lays out checks and balances in the proposed federal government. James Madison is the author of Federalist 51. Centinel 1, by Samuel Bryan, responds.

Nia and Aughie discuss Federalist Paper 68, the election of the President of the United States. Alexander Hamilton lays out the electoral college in Federalist 68. The response, Cato 4, was likely written by George Clinton. 

Aughie and Nia discuss the final Federalist Paper in this series, number 78. In this Federalist Paper, Alexander Hamilton tackles the appointment of judges and justices in the Judicial Branch of the proposed government. Brutus (likely Robert Yates) responds in Brutus papers 11, 12, and 15. 

Nia and Aughie discuss the legal and Constitutional answers to the question: Can President Trump rename the Department of Defense?

Aughie and Nia discuss the legal and Constitutional answers to the question: Can President Trump order the destruction of Venezuelan boats?

Aughie and Nia discuss the cases that support the SCOTUS decision to allow the firing of Lisa Slaughter to stand. Slaughter is a member of an independent regulatory agency.

Aughie and Nia discuss the issues at stake when President Trump called for the firing of Lisa Cook, a Federal Reserve Board Governor. SCOTUS will take up this issue in January of 2026.

In a new series, Aughie and Nia are exploring the United States Supreme Court Eras, usually defined by the name of the Chief Justice of the era. In this first episode the first eleven years of the Court (Chiefs Jay, Rutledge, and Ellsworth) are covered as a group, since there really wasn't a lot accomplished in this period.

Aughie and Nia explore the contributions and impact of the Marshall Court. In part one, they discuss Chief Justice John Marshall's personal history and the formalizing of the U.S. Supreme Court rules under his leadership.

In this episode, Aughie and Nia explore the question of whether Donald Trump can remove Rosie' O'Donnell's American citizenship. 

Aughie and Nia explore the contributions and impact of the Marshall Court. In part two, they discuss the pivotal cases of the SCOTUS in this era, as well as the influence of Marshall on the institution of the Court.

Aughie and Nia discuss the demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make way for a new ballroom.

 Nia and Aughie talk about the fifth U.S. Supreme Court's Chief Justice, Roger Brooke Taney.  Taney's Court lasted from 1836 - 1864, notably presiding over the Dred Scott case as well as cases that further defined the Commerce Clause and set into stone the idea that the Court should consider the Political Question Doctrine when taking a case. 

Aughie and Nia continue the SCOTUS Court eras discussion by talking about the Court of Chief Justice Salmon Portland Chase. The Chase Court era lasted from 1864 - 1873. Chase's Court tried to define the rights of formerly enslaved people as well as defining the immutability of the Union.

Aughie and Nia summarize the results of the 2025 Virginia elections.

Nia and Aughie discuss the Morrison Waite Court, years 1888 - 1910. The Waite Court had the opportunity several times to further civil rights, but did not; the Court found the Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional, and followed with similar judgments.

Nia and Aughie discuss the recent arguments before the US Supreme Court in the case Watson v The National Republican Party. This case questions whether states can allow counting of mail-in ballots after Election Day.

Aughie and Nia discuss the oral arguments before the US Supreme Court in consolidated cases Learning Resources, Inc v Trump and Trump v V.O.S. Selections. These cases argue that the Presidential imposition of tariffs is unconsitutional.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Fuller Court, years 1888 - 1910. Melville Fuller was widely regarded as an adequate administrator but not a great intellectual. His court followed in the conservative steps of the Waite Court.

Aughie and Nia explore some of the local and state government traditions of celebrating the holiday season.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Whie Court, ears 1910 - 1921. Edward Douglass White was the first Associate Justice to be elevated to the position of Chief Justice. The White Court was slightly less conservative than the previous Fuller Court, choosing to favor regulations under the Commerce Clause and upholding the federal income tax.

Nia and Aughie explain who Carrie Buck was, of the Supreme Court case Buck v Bell (1927). 

Aughie and Nia explore the Taft Court, years 1921 - 1930. William Howard Taft is the only Chief Justice to have served as President of the United States. His court was conservative, leaning in the pro business direction in terms of striking down regulations of the economy. 

Aughie and Nia discuss Sam Ervin, a man of many contradictory positions and Chairman of the Watergate Hearings in the U.S. Senate.

Aughie and Nia explore the Hughes Court, years 1930 - 1941. Charles Evans Hughes managed many personnel changes; he wrangled lots of strong personalities and widely divergent judicial philosophies in his time as Chief Justice. Hughes brought tremendous political skill to navigating this court in transition.

Nia and Aughie discuss Ernesto Miranda of Miranda v Arizona. Miranda's case brought about the Miranda Rights declarations that officers make when arresting an individual.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Stone Court, years 1941 - 1946.  Harlan Fiske Stone served first as an Associate Justice, and then as the Chief Justice, over a Court that issued several important war-time rulings.  Despite its ruling in the Korematsu case, Stone oversees a gradual warming to civil rights and liberties on the Court.

Aughie and Nia work through the ruling, concurrences, dissents, and implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions in the Trump Tariff cases.

Nia and Aughie discuss John Foster Dulles (February 25, 1888 - May 24, 1959). Dulles was an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat who served as United States Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 until his resignation in 1959.

Aughie and Nia explore the Vinson Court, years 1946 - 1953. Fred M. Vinson saw the Court through the post war years and into the Cold War. The Court's decisions reflected the continuing ideological battle between judicial restraint and civil rights activism.

Aughie and Nia explore the life and career of Learned Hand (January 27, 1872 - August 18, 1961). Billings Learned Hand was an American jurist, lawyer, and judicial philosopher. He served as a federal appellate judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1924 to 1961.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Warren Court, years 1953 to 1969. Earl Warren oversaw the Court during a time of great social change in the United States. In this first episode of the Warren Court, Aughie explains the background and leadership qualities of Earl Warren as a governor of California among other positions.

Nia and Aughie tell the story behind the Prohibition leader Caroline (Carrie) Amelia Moore Gloyd Nation. 

Aughie and Nia discuss the Warren Court, years 1953 to 1969. Earl Warren oversaw the Court during a time of great social change in the United States. In this second episode of the Warren Court, Aughie goes over the landmark cases that show the progressive judicial philosophy of the Warren Court.

In this episode of Can He Do That?, Aughie and Nia discuss the written Constitution versus the Constitution in practice when it comes to presidential declarations of war.

Aughie and Nia tell the story of Roy Olmstead, a bootlegger during the Prohibition  Era and eventual petitioner in the Olmstead v United States SCOTUS case. 

Nia and Aughie review the current gerrymandering efforts in Virginia and other states.

Aughie and Nia introduce listeners to the storied history of William Jennings Bryan, lawyer, orator, and perennial presidential candidate.

Aughie and Nia explore the Burger Court, years 1969 - 1986. Chief Justice Warren Burger led the court through the end of the Vietnam War and into the tech boom of the 1980s. This transitional period takes us from a much more liberal time of the court into a more conservative era.

Aughie and Nia explore the Rehnquist Court, years 1986 - 2005. William Rehnquist, an intelligent lawyer and solid administrator, presided over a court that was increasingly conservative and with almost 11 years of no turnover in justices.

Aughie and Nia recount the childhood and early legal career of famous lawyer and orator Clarence Darrow in part one of a two part series.

Nia and Aughie discuss the Roberts Court, years 2005 - present (2026). John Roberts has led the Supreme Court for 21 years, overseeing a move to the conservative right and many modern controversial opinions. Part 1 covers the youth and early career of John Roberts and the early years of the Roberts Court.

Aughie and Nia recount the fascinating cases and legal troubles of famous lawyer and orator Clarence Darrow in part two of a two part series.

Nia and Aughie explore the interesting life and service of Senator Elizabeth Dole.

Aughie and Nia report on the case facts and outcome of the Ohio case Cooley v Foreman (AKA Afroman). 

Aughie and Nia discuss the life and work of the leader of the Untouchables, Eliot Ness.

Aughie and Nia explore the arguments before the US Supreme Court regarding President Trump's Birthright Citizenship Executive Order.

 In the News, Nia and Aughie discuss the stay of a lower court's decision by the Supreme Court affecting the mail ordering of the drug Mifepristone. 

In the News, Aughie and Nia follow up on the post election results of the redistricting question in Virginia.

Aughie explains what happens to the personal papers of the Supreme Court Justices after they retire or pass away.

 Aughie and Nia explore the importance of Batson challenges in jury trials. 

While waiting for more opinions from the SCOTUS, Aughie and Nia talk about the Streisand Effect in politics.

Aughie and Nia discuss recent attacks, verbal and physical, on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Nia and Aughie discuss the decisions in Wolford v Lopez, U.S. v Hemani, and Abouammo v United States. The first case related to state gun bans, the second to the right of habitual drug users to own a gun, and the third applied to cases being filed outside the jurisdiction in which they occurred.

Aughie and Nia discuss the opinions in Noes v Al Otro Lado, Mullin v Doe, and Cisco Systems v Doe. The first case allows the federal government to stop immigrants before arriving on American soil to ask for asylum. The second case allows the government to cancel Temporary Protection Status visas. The third case does not allow Cisco to be sued because the Chinese government used its software to locate and torture Chinese dissidents.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Supreme Court opinions in Trump V Barbara, Trump v. Cook, and Trump V Slaughter. In Trump v Barbara, the justices were asked to decide whether Trump's Executive Order banning birthright citizenship was legal. In Trump v Cook, the Court decided whether Trump was allowed to fire a Federal Reserve Board Governor. In the final case of this episode, the Justices addressed whether Trump could fire a Federal Trade Commissioner.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Supreme Court decisions in Watson v RNC, National Republican Senatorial Committee v Federal Election Commission and West Virginia v BJP combined with Little v Hecox.  In the first case, the Justices were asked to define "elections" in terms of mail in voting ballot acceptance. In the second, they addressed the national political parties coordinating spending with candidates. In the final two cases, combined into one decision, the Justices wrestled with questions surrounding allowing transgender female athletes to compete on women's teams.

Aughie and Nia finish this year's big Supreme Court rulings with three cases: Chatrie v United States, Monsanto Company v Durnell, and Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety. Chatrie centered on the use of geofencing warrants under the 4th Amendment. Monsanto argued that only the EPA could label its products cancer-causing, which the EPA has declined to do. Landor centered on immunity of guards to be individually sued for violating a prisoner's religious rights.