Civics Symphony: Recent Episodes
Wynn Harris
This podcast is an examination of the basic ideals of citizenship, government and politics in the United States. It will also look at the history of the events and people that lead to the development of the country. Finally, the podcast will examine the ways in which the American democracy is being shaped by modern politics. civicssymphony@gmail.com website:civicssymphony.com
In this episode, we look at the Second Amendment and examine its' origin, historical development, and the process of erosion that it has gone through since the early 20th Century. There is an examination of the way in which prohibition, political assassinations, and modern court cases have affected the "right to bear arms". Also in this episode, Joe Biden's approval dropped, the Democrats lose a representative seat in Texas, and how the Presidency of Joe Biden could affect the 2022 midterms. Finally, how one student's dismissal from the Amherst Academy may have changed the history of the "Old West".
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Some political scientists think that the United States might be better off with a king than a President. We look at both the pros and cons of having a monarchy. Also, we get into the reversal of Row v Wade and Joe Biden's poll numbers. Finally, a great upset in the Kentucky Derby.
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In this episode, we examine the pros and cons of term limits on Senators, Representatives, and Supreme Court justices. Would term limits help with corruption, professional politicians, and the influence of PACS? Also, we examine the move by some Republican states to "gerrymander" new districts for the 2022 November elections. Finally, we look at Joe Biden's dropping poll numbers and the real fact that Russia could invade Ukraine.
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This episode concludes a two-part podcast over Capital punishment. It examines the Pew Research poll about the sentence, including what segments of society favor and what segments oppose the death sentence. There is an examination of the Supreme Court case of Furman v Georgia which momentarily halted Capital Punishment. We also look at the efforts of the ACLU to end the sentencing once and for all. Finally, the episode focuses on how other countries in the world handle the situation. Also, for weird laws we identify the states that still have the use of a firing squad on the books.
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This is part 1 of a 2 part podcast which examines the use of the death penalty in the United States. In this first part we look at the history of the death penalty around the world and in the United States, compare the different beliefs of the Democratic and Reoublican Parties concerning the death penalty and see how the California Innocence Project has tried to influence that state's stance on the subject. The episode also covers Joe Manchin's decision to oppose the Build Back Better Act. Finally, beware if you are a racoon living in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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This episode is an examination of the movement by some states to legalize recreational marijuana. It will look at the history of marijuana legislation in the United States and the pros and cons of such legislation. Also, should the United States copy Canada if it does create a law making the production, distribution and use of marijuana legal? Make sure you have a doctor for getting a tatoo in Hawaii.
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In this episode we examine the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. When and why was NATO formed? What was the orginal purpose of NATO and how has that changed. The United States would not be accepted as a member of NATO today. We also look at the addition of new members and how that has effected Europe. In politics, Connecticut makes marijuana legal, the For the People legislation is in trouble and a $3,888 fine for an overdue library book. Finally, potatoes grown in Idaho are Idaho potatoes.
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Nevada changes its election date and process. Alexandria Oscasio Cortez wants justice Stephen Breyer to retire. Why is Joe Manchin the new "Mitch McConnell". We examine more unique state flags. What is the only flag with two sides? What is the most recognizable flag? The state flag of South Carolina can be traced back to the Revolutionary War. When can you not fish in Florida?
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In this episode we examine the creation of the Supreme Court under Article III of the Constitution. What powers was the Supreme Court given by the founding fathers and what is the idea of judicial review. The episode also looks at Senator Joe Manchin's stance of the For the People legislation and he explains why he doesn't want the filibuster removed. In edition, the episode tries to explain why Democrats want people to stay masked up and indoors, while Republicans want a return to the pre-Covid days.
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This is part one of a two part examination of many of the state flags of the United States. We look at some of the common characteristics of the state flags. What do the stars on many of the flags represent? What is the most recognizable flag in the United States? What do some of the territorial flags look like. We also discuss the state flag of Maryland and its creation. Finally, what is the definition of a pickle?
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An analysis of the recent rankings of the top presidents in US history by CBS news. Who did and didn't make the list? Great speeches by Kennedy and Lincoln. Who was the worst and best president of all time? Why you need to be careful with an ice cream cone in Kentucky.
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House Resolution #51 attempts to make Washington, D.C. a state. How was the state of West Virginia created during the Civil War? The United States almost had a Native American state. What was the Conch Republic? Which states allow you to get married, even if you are not there?
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Civics Symphony examines the process states have gone through to become states and the power that is granted to Congress. We also look at the history behind some of the states and how they were formed. This is the first part of a two part podcast.
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An examination of religious freedom and the Constitution. Cases that established both the "free exercise" and "establishment" precedents. What are the qualifications to serve on the Supreme Court.
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This episode examinations the flags of the United States including the Liberty Tree flag, the Gadsden Flag and Betsy Ross's contribution to America. We will also examine the code associated with the national flag.
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In this episode we examine the mass media and the role it plays in shaping both events and political campaigns. What is the difference between a journalist and a commentator? Media helped to shape Ronald Reagan's campaign. What was the first televised debate like?
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In this episode, Civic Symphony goes across the United States looking at some important monuments. The show will examine the building of the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial as well as others. What is the tallest monument in the United States? How long did it take to build Mount Rushmore? Finally, we ask the question "why can't the president ride the tram to the top of the St. Louis Arch?".
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In this episode, we look at the three distinct regions of the 13 colonies, New England, the Middle Colonies and the South. How did religious freedom and then intolerance affect the North? William Penn established Pennsylvania. Why was Southern culture so distinctive from the rest of the country? Finally, do not catch a fish with your mouth in Pennsylvania.
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An examination of Article two of the Constitution, the executive branch. How much power does the president have? Who is the best president of all time? Why you don't eat frogs that died from frog jumping in California.
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An examination of Article 5 Section 2. It is constitutional for the states to call a convention to amend the constitution without the consent of Congress. What would a constitutional convention look like? What type of amendments could a states convention pass?
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An examination of Article 1, sections 6-10 of the Constitution. How much do Representatives and Senators get paid? The power of Congress to tax and what they spend the money on. What section of the Constitution prohibits earls, dukes and squires? What does it take to make cheese in Wisconsin?
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Part 1 of an examination of Article 1 of the Constitution. Why are the two houses set up in the manner they exist. The two house system is designed to slow down government. What is the process of impeachment? There is no wrestling of bears in Alabama.
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An examination of the history of the presidential inauguration. What does the Constitution say about the inauguration? Which president was sworn in at his house? An examination of a law of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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An examination of third parties in the United States. What are the beliefs of the Libertarian and Green parties. The Prohibition Party is the third oldest party in the United States. Why can't you wear a hat in a movie theatre in West Virginia?
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An explanation of the development of political parties in the United States. Why do the Democrats and Republicans dominate the political structure? What is the Libertarian, Green and Constitutional party? Be careful where you hang a clothesline in New York.
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The Constitution and the Inauguration. What three presidents didn't show up for the incoming president. What is the effect of packing the US Supreme Court and making Washington D.C. a state? Cats have to wear bells in Cresskill New Jersey.
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The destruction of the Articles of Confederation and creation of the Constitution. Comparing the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. Who was Roger Sherman and why was he so important. A weird law of Missouri.
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Foundational documents of the United States. Why was the signing of the Magna Carta so important? What did the forefathers take from the English Bill of Rights? The parts of the New Hampshire and Massachusetts Constitutions. Why were the Articles of Confederation so weak? There are no mules allowed in bath tubs in Arizona.
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What is a United States Citizen? What is the difference between a "natural-born" and "naturalized" citizen? Why did the forefathers want a "natural born" citizen as president? Weird law of Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky.
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An introduction to the podcast Civic Symphony. How and why was the country founded? What was the vision of the founding fathers for American democracy and what is the role of the citizen? Also, weird laws of the United States.
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