Plausibly Live: Recent Episodes
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In this episode of Dave Does History, the discussion centers on the connection between flawed historical figures like Achilles and Thomas Jefferson. The hosts explore how acknowledging imperfections in great leaders enriches understanding of their legacies. Real history revolves around nuanced stories, revealing that greatness emerges from human struggle and imperfection.
In a world where political campaigns stretch on for years and headlines shift by the hour, there’s one ancient process that still clings to ritual, secrecy, and a whiff of incense: the papal conclave. In this week’s episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, Dave Bowman walks us through the Church’s time-tested — […]
The post explores the life of Joshua Abraham Norton, who declared himself Emperor Norton I of the United States during the Gold Rush era in San Francisco. Despite financial ruin, he was embraced by the public, issuing progressive proclamations advocating for social justice and infrastructure. His legacy endures, with ongoing discussions to honor him further.
In this episode of Dave Does History, Dave Bowman explores birthright citizenship, focusing on the 14th Amendment's historical significance and its effects since the Reconstruction Era. He discusses key legal battles, including United States v. Wong Kim Ark, and connects past immigration policies to present debates, urging listeners to consider their long-term implications.
Dave Bowman and Bill Mick team up for a captivating exploration of presidential transitions in this week’s episode of Dave Does History. Tackling the theme of “Presidential Transitional Skullduggery,” the duo takes listeners on a journey through historical moments when outgoing presidents attempted to constrain or influence their successors. From John Adams’ “midnight judges” to […]
In this episode of Dave Does History, Dave Bowman and Bill Mick discuss the Malmedy Massacre, where Joachim Peiper's Waffen-SS troops executed over 80 unarmed American soldiers on December 17, 1944. The episode examines the brutal event, its historical significance, the subsequent political decisions, and the importance of remembering such atrocities.
On this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, titled “Pardon Moi?”, Dave Bowman takes us deep into the fascinating and often controversial history of presidential pardons. Starting with George Washington’s groundbreaking decision to pardon rebels from the Whiskey Rebellion, Dave examines how this unique executive power—granted by Article II of the Constitution—has […]
What happens when the music swells, the soldiers snap to attention, and history pivots on a single decision? In this episode, we march into a world where leadership, accountability, and sacrifice collide—through the lens of Ulysses S. Grant, the Cold War, and the scars of modern warfare. Dave Bowman pulls no punches as he connects […]
In this episode of Dave Does History, Dave Bowman explores the transformative Election of 1800, highlighting the first peaceful transfer of power between conflicting political parties. He examines the bitter campaign between Jefferson and Adams, the Electoral College tie, and the role of Aaron Burr, emphasizing its lasting impact on American democracy and the two-party system.
In this episode of Plausibly Live – The Dave Bowman Show, Dave dives into the controversial pardon of Hunter Biden. What does this decision mean in the context of presidential pardon power and political strategy? With his characteristic candor, Dave unpacks the historical use (and misuse) of pardons, media statements, and the political fallout of […]
In this special episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, Dave Bowman takes us on a journey to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, revisiting the battlefield, the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, and the timeless significance of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Through vivid storytelling, personal anecdotes, and deep historical insight, Dave brings to life the […]
In today’s riveting segment of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, Dave Bowman takes us on a journey exploring the chilling implications of Nazi ideology and why historical memory is vital. Using Adolf Hitler’s calculated policies in 1938 and his fascination with Napoleon’s mistakes as a starting point, Dave discusses why merely “knowing” history […]
In "The Buford Vision," an episode of Plausibly Live – The Dave Bowman Show, Dave Bowman examines the critical role of Union Brigadier General John Buford in the Battle of Gettysburg. He highlights Buford's determination to hold high ground on July 1, 1863, which was pivotal for Union victory. By analyzing a significant scene from the film Gettysburg, Dave illustrates Buford's strategic foresight and bravery as he delays Confederate forces to buy time for reinforcements. The episode draws parallels between Buford's leadership and today's political challenges, urging listeners to reflect on their own values and commitments in times of adversity.
The 1912 election was a pivotal moment in American political history, marked by intense competition among Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, and Debs, each presenting distinct ideological visions. Roosevelt’s Progressive Party advocated for active government intervention in social issues, while Wilson’s platform sought to dismantle monopolies for a competitive free market. Taft's conservative approach alienated progressives, and Debs highlighted labor rights. The election resulted in Wilson’s victory, demonstrating the impact of divided Republican votes and setting the stage for future political discourse. This election underscored the evolution of party identities and the broader role of government, shaping modern American politics significantly.
In today’s riveting episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, Dave Bowman takes us back to October 28/29, 1923, to recount the harrowing tale of the USS O-5 submarine disaster. In the murky waters of the Panama Canal, the O-5 collided with a freighter and quickly sank, trapping crew members beneath the waves. […]
In “Ain’t Baseball Great?” Dave Bowman hits a home run with a deeply personal and vivid journey through his lifelong love affair with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The episode is a heartfelt love letter to the game itself, but it’s also an exploration of how sports weave into the fabric of our lives, carrying us […]
Hawley Harvey Crippen, an American homeopathic doctor, became infamous for his role in one of the most sensational murder cases of the early 20th century. Born in Michigan in 1862, Crippen moved to London, where he lived with his wife, Cora, a music hall performer. Their relationship was troubled, and in 1910, after Cora mysteriously […]
In today’s episode of Dave Does History on the Bill Mick Live Show, titled “Seduction, Secrets, and Spies,” Dave Bowman dives into the alluring and mysterious life of Mata Hari. Bowman takes listeners on a journey through the life of this iconic figure, known as much for her exotic dancing as for her alleged espionage […]
In this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, Dave Bowman takes us back to 1918, exploring the life and remarkable transformation of Sgt. Alvin York. Born into the rugged hills of Tennessee, York was a devout Christian and pacifist who initially struggled with the moral dilemma of going to war. However, as […]
In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States. From his early life in Ohio and his distinguished service in the U.S. Civil War to his political rise and the controversial 1876 election, Hayes navigated a tumultuous period in American history. We explore how […]
The latest episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live delivers a masterful blend of naval history, personal storytelling, and cultural reflection. In his signature style, Dave Bowman takes us aboard one of the most iconic vessels in U.S. Navy history: the USS Enterprise. From its pivotal role in World War II to its […]
In this new episode of Plausibly Live – The Dave Bowman Show, Dave tackles his frustrations with college assignments and modern education, while seamlessly weaving in an exploration of Michael Crichton’s life and writing career. This episode is a delightful mix of personal anecdotes, historical analysis, and pop culture commentary, all delivered in Dave’s trademark […]
In this captivating episode of Dave Does History, Dave Bowman transports listeners back to one of the most pivotal moments in American history—September 17, 1787, when the U.S. Constitution was signed. Bowman, with his sharp wit and engaging storytelling, vividly brings the debates, compromises, and personalities of the Constitutional Convention to life. What stands out […]
The latest episode featuring author and historian Ryan C. Walker is a captivating dive into a lesser-known but extraordinary figure in naval history—Henry Breault, the first enlisted submariner to receive the Medal of Honor. Dave guides the conversation with his usual charm and curiosity, seamlessly blending historical context with Walker’s in-depth research on Breault’s heroic […]
In this latest episode of Dave Does History on the Bill Mick Live show, Dave Bowman takes listeners deep into the chaotic period that followed the American Revolutionary War, focusing on the often-overlooked Annapolis Convention of 1786. Bowman brilliantly unpacks the reality of life in post-war America, shattering the common myth that the end of […]
The September 3, 2024, episode of Bill Mick Live offers a riveting deep dive into a lesser-known but significant moment in American Revolutionary War history, as Historian Dave Bowman brings to life the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge. If you’re a history enthusiast or just someone who enjoys a good story, this episode is a must-listen. […]
In this thought-provoking episode of Plausibly Live, Dave Bowman takes listeners on a fascinating journey that begins with one of the most bizarre and audacious media stunts in history: the Great Moon Hoax of 1835. Dave’s storytelling is as engaging as ever, as he recounts how the New York Sun convinced an eager public that […]
In the latest episode of “Dave Does History” on Bill Mick Live, historian Dave Bowman sheds light on one of the more obscure figures in American presidential history: Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States. Often overlooked in the grand tapestry of U.S. history, Harrison’s legacy is much more significant than most realize. […]
In this week’s episode of “What the Frock?”, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod navigate through a maze of the absurd and the unexpected. From the lingering aftermath of wildfires and lightning storms to the bureaucratic madness surrounding an autism diagnosis, the hosts pull no punches in their signature style. But that’s just the warm-up. Dive […]
It almost seems like ancient history. But it was just seventeen days ago that the world watched as the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris either baffled or offended pretty much every one who isn’t…. well… French. Was it a parody of the Last supper painting – itself an inaccurate distortion of […]
On the bright morning of August 6, 1945 (Japan time), a solitary B-29 floated gently over the city of Hiroshima. It was not an unusual sight, nor was it unexpected. In many ways Hiroshima had been either lucky or protected during the devastating air raids that had recently set many Japanese cities on fire. There […]
On this weeks gripping episode of “Dave Does History” on the Bill Mick Live Show, historian Dave Bowman takes us back to the harrowing final voyage of the USS Indianapolis during World War II. We explore the top-secret mission that led to the ship’s fateful journey, the catastrophic torpedo attack by a Japanese submarine, […]
In this compelling episode of “Bill Mick Live,” Dave Bowman delves into the historical intricacies of political assassinations, focusing on the death of Tiberius Gracchus in 133 BCE. Dave explores the turbulent period of the Late Roman Republic, drawing striking parallels between ancient Rome and contemporary political climates. As he dissects the motives and consequences […]
The story of Charles Guiteau and his attack on President James A. Garfield is a gripping tale of ambition, delusion, and tragedy. Charles Guiteau, a troubled and erratic individual, became fixated on President Garfield and convinced himself that he was destined to play a significant role in American politics. His unrelenting quest for recognition and […]
On June 25, 1876, General George Armstrong Custer and his troops faced a formidable alliance of Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors led by legendary leaders Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. This clash, often referred to as “Custer’s Last Stand,” has been etched into the annals of history not only for its dramatic and tragic […]
In this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, historian Dave Bowman takes listeners on a deep dive into the War of 1812, examining the complex causes and significant consequences of the conflict. The discussion covers the war’s origins, including British impressment of American sailors, trade restrictions, and territorial disputes involving Native American […]
NOTE: This particular episode is focused mainly on the issue of Veterans and how they relate to the younger generation of Veterans and Active Duty personnel. If you are not a Veteran or Active Duty, you may find that it is not relevant to you. Or maybe you will. But it’s really aimed at the […]
On February 22, 1770, eleven year old Christopher Seider was killed in the streets of Boston. He is generally considered by historians to be the first person to die in the American Revolution. The British Taxes imposed in 1767 under the Townsend Acts led a firestorm of Colonial protests, particularly – and to no one’s […]
In this episode of Plausibly Live, host Dave Bowman sits down with acclaimed author and executive producer Charles Lachmann to discuss his riveting new book, “Codename Nemo.” Lachmann delves into the captivating true story behind the capture of the Nazi U-boat U-505 during World War II, revealing the intense research and dedication that went into […]
The enigma machine was supposed to be Nazi Germany’s unbreakable code machine. It’s network carried the bulk of the German secret communications from the 1920’s through the end of WWII in May of 1945. The machines carried by German Naval units, including U-Boats, were a complex gizmo of gears and wheels and keys, that required […]
In the latest episode of “What The Frock,” Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod dive into the absurdities and peculiarities of current events, blending humor with sharp commentary. From whimsical anecdotes to deep dives into geopolitical issues, this episode keeps listeners entertained while provoking thoughtful reflection on the state of the world. This episode kicks off […]
We have this… myth… in our heads. It’s born from a combination of Manifest Destiny and the desire to see ourselves in a certain light, but the truth is that the Constitution of the United States was highly radical, highly controversial and absolutely not universally proclaimed as the best way of governing ourselves in 1787. […]
Among the memories I have from my time in New London, CT, at US Navy Submarine School, is a few moments on a bright but very cold January afternoon, listening to an audio tape. The problem with such memories is that I remember the sounds more than I recall the technical details. We were told […]
Around three in the morning on May 13, 1862, the lookouts aboard a Union Naval vessel blockading Charleston Harbor was surprised to see a vessel bearing down upon his ship. Sounding the alarm, the gun ports were opened and all was brought to preparation to open fire. It was then that the lookout noticed that […]
Perhaps the most prescient act of the framers of the US Constitution was the establishment of an amendment process by which the document could be modified. Not in some instant, light and transient way, but with involvement of the peoples representatives, the States and the people themselves. It’s not easy to do, and, in fact, […]
Today, we embark on a journey back to the dawn of the American experiment. Our spotlight shines on the first presidential term of George Washington, a time when the nation’s destiny hung in the balance. On April 30, 1789, amidst the grandeur of Federal Hall in New York City, Washington stepped onto a second-floor balcony […]
On April 24, 1183bce (as determined by Eratosthenes the Beta), the City of Troy fell to the Greeks after nine years of devastating siege and bloody war. Few people today realize how many of our cultural values have been inculcated into us by the events of that day. The defeated Trojans would wander west and […]
The ocean is a dangerous place. I have always said to you that the ocean is always trying to kill you. And if you let your guard down, even for a second, it will. This week in 1900, the US Navy began its experience in challenging some of those dangers, as the USS Holland SS-1 […]
In the latest episode of “What The Frock,” listeners were treated to the unique banter and insightful discussions that have become the hallmark of this engaging podcast. Hosted by the dynamic duo of Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod, this episode once again proved why this podcast has captured the hearts and minds of its audience. […]
On the evening of April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson stood before an excited Congress and Gallery, and asked that the nation declare war on Imperial Germany. In a strange way, this was the penultimate Wilson moment. He would ask – already knowing the answer – the nation to follow his leadership into a war […]
What if… we had a President who disagreed with Congress on everything? And when I say, “everything,” I mean… “everything?” What if the Congress passed a law that was so important to the national development of our society that it was deemed in many places, and a “new birth of freedom,” and the President, vetoed […]
Many people say that they “hate” Daylight Savings Time. Is that actually the case? Or is what they actually hate the twice a year fiddling with digital clocks in their cars? So it was that on March 19, 1918, the United States enacted the Standard Time Act, much of which remains on our law books […]
One of the least discussed and acknowledged periods in US History got its start on March 11, 1880, with the birth of the man, Harry L. Laughlin, who would be among the driving figures in the eugenics movement in the United States. The ideas for which he would advocate included sterilization and would not actually […]
Intro audio courtesy of the Bill Mick Live Show On Monday, the Supreme Court released its much anticipated but anti-climatic per curiam ruling in Trump v Anderson, the Colorado attempt to remove him from the 2024 Primary ballot. While there was nothing truly surprising in the ruling – that it is Congress that […]
On the cold, snowy evening of March 5, 1770, the streets of Boston became the stage for a tragic confrontation that would forever alter the course of American history. Known as the Boston Massacre, this event saw British soldiers open fire on a crowd of American colonists, killing five and wounding six. Beyond its immediate horror, […]
On February 27, 1951, the United States ratified the 22nd Amendment, a pivotal moment in American constitutional history that imposed term limits on the presidency. This landmark amendment was the culmination of decades of debate over the concentration of power in the executive branch and reflected the nation’s evolving attitudes toward leadership and democracy. The […]
Welcome to “Dave Does History,” on Bill Mick Live, this week we have a journey through the annals of history to the heart of the American Civil War, focusing on one of its lesser-known yet pivotal figures, General Joseph Finegan, and the defining moment of his military career: the Battle of Olustee. We will delve […]
Yesterday was the birthday of Abraham Lincoln. Today on Bill Mick Live, Dave takes a very brief overview look at the life and legacy of one of the great Presidents of the United States. from his days in the Illinois Legislature to the US Congress, to the stump debating Stephen A. Douglas. His election as […]
Today, we turn back the pages to the era of revolutions and explore the life of a man whose pen ignited the flame of liberty across continents. Thomas Paine, a name synonymous with the struggle for freedom and democratic ideals, was more than just a writer; he was a visionary whose words laid the groundwork […]
In the recent past, we have seen a couple of more statues removed. First Thomas Jefferson was hauled out of the New York Capitol. Back in 2020, in Charleston (SC), a figure of John C. Calhoun, like Jefferson, a former Vice President of the United States was taken away. Then Jackie Robinson was stolen from […]
In 1916, the United States Supreme Court delivered a landmark decision in the Brushaber v. Union Pacific Railroad Co. case, a ruling that profoundly shaped the legal landscape of federal income taxation in America. This case, brought forth by Frank Brushaber, a shareholder in the Union Pacific Railroad Company, challenged the constitutionality of the recently […]
Yesterday the Kitsap Superior Court held a hearing regarding a petition to remove Donald J. Trump from the ballot fro both the Primary and General elections in the State of Washington. This is, of course, based in the now well understood 14th Amendment Section 3 argument, and apparently, a radio show interview that encouraged the […]
On January 17, 1920, the United States embarked on a bold and unprecedented social experiment with the enactment of Prohibition via the Volstead Act. This act, named after Congressman Andrew Volstead, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who managed the legislation, was designed to enforce the 18th Amendment, effectively outlawing the manufacture, sale, and transportation […]
I am literally five days into my “college” experience. It’s been… interesting. I always enjoy learning things. I enjoy seeing things from a different perspective. And at least one of my professors seems to agree with that idea. Others seems unsure of how to conduct a class in an online environment. An, of course, the […]
There is perhaps, no single American Founding Father who has as much influence on your life today as does Alexander Hamilton. Born in obscurity, risen to glory, and fallen tragically, Hamilton’s story is one of relentless ambition, immense intellect, and enduring legacy. From the Caribbean isles to the heights of American politics, his life was […]
I have a photo of myself that is… well.. let’s just say that it is something that I hate. I should have fed it to the shredder years ago, but I can’t. Why not? Because for as hideous as that photo is, it also tells the truth. As much as I would like to ignore […]
It’s been a a strange and stressful year already. In case you missed it, the embattled President of Harvard, Claudine Gay, resigned over allegation of plagiarism. we are told, by no less an authority than the Associated press, that this was caused by “conservative attacks.” Meanwhile, the Chair of a State GOP has refused to […]
Last night as I was dropping Cami off at work, the news broke that the State of Maine had joined Colorado is removing Trump from their ballot. The stated justification for this was, of course, the infamous 14.3. In so may ways, I feel as if I have been somehow transported back to April of […]
The great Colorado Conundrum has set talking head tongues to wagging all around the country. Is it Judicial activism? Is it a coup attempt? Is it a well considered judicial ruling, based on procedural due process and precedent? Or… is it all just a matter of interpretation of a few lines of text written […]
Born on December 18, 1913, David M. Jones’s journey from a young dreamer to a revered military figure is a tale of bravery, innovation, and unwavering dedication. Today, we delve into the multifaceted life of this remarkable individual, from his early years and pivotal role in the daring Doolittle Raid, through his harrowing experiences in […]
In September 1787, after months of deliberation, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia presented a new Constitution to the states for ratification. Pennsylvania, hosting the convention, was poised to play a critical role in the unfolding drama. The state was a microcosm of the broader national debate, encapsulating the tension between the desire for a strong […]
For the anniversary of the Peal Harbor attack, Dave made an appearance on the Florida Round Table show with Bill Mick to talk about the USS Utah, a Florida Class Battleship, lost in the attack… On the morning of December 7, 1941, lying at berth F-11 on the west side of Ford Island, the USS […]
Born on December 5, 1782, Martin Van Buren was the first American President who had been born a citizen of the United States. That said, his first language was NOT English! He would go on to start a major political party and was long noted for his spectacular ability to conduct politics, leading to one […]
In the ashes of World War II, it was becoming quite clear that Jews needed a homeland where they would be relatively safe. Even after the destruction of Nazi Germany, Vichy France and fascist Italy, hatred for Jews remained quite strong, certainly in Europe. The new United Nations decided to create a plan, known as […]
Sixty years ago this week, President Lyndon Johnson announced the formation of the Warren Commission to investigate the assassination of John Kennedy. The Nation was deep in shock and needed some reassurance. One year and eight hundred and eighty-eight pages later, the commission announced its findings. Those can be boiled down to this: Lee Harvey […]
Over the course of eight days, beginning on the 25th of Kislev (this year, the evening of December 7th), Jews around the world will light the Hanukkiah, or Hanukkah Menorah. Each night, a new candle is added, until the light from the Menorah is brilliant and fills the home with its life and luster. Almost […]
I had just started in radio and I was still working for another company that… well… lets just say that they had reservations about me being on the air and sharing my opinions. Because of their objections, they demanded (and got) me to use a radio nom de guerre. It was a name that was […]
In the annals of American history, few figures have stirred as much controversy and debate as Senator Joseph McCarthy. Known for his relentless pursuit of alleged communists within the United States government during the early 1950s, McCarthy’s actions and the era named after him, “McCarthyism,” have become synonymous with witch hunts and unfounded accusations. […]
In 1954, the United States re-designated the 11th of November as Veterans Day. Prior to then, the day had been known as Armistice day, and was intended to remind people of the absolute madness that had been The Great War. The intention, as express by then President Woodrow Wilson, was: To us in America the […]
On November 7, 1916, the nation did something it had not done since 1832: it reelected an incumbent Democrat Party President to a second term. Woodrow Wilson, who ran his campaign on the slogan, “He kept us out of the war,” pulled out one of the closest elections in US history, albeit without the controversy […]
Intro Audio courtesy of the Bill Mick Live show on WMMB-AM, Melbourne, FL I am absolutely fascinated with religious cults. What really draws me in is the question about motives, both leaders and followers. Even more, I am always interested in the way that the leaders of these various cults manage to not only convince […]
On October 31, 1864, Nevada became the 36th State to join the Union (I just got that BB-36 was USS Nevada!). While most States that joined the Union did so with certain conditions that varied with the era in which they were admitted, most of them had similar conditions, vis-à-vis republican governments and the banning […]
There’s an old saw that says: If you’re not a liberal when you’re young, you have no heart. And if you’re not a conservative when you’re old, you have no brain. As strange as it may seem, given the media coverage, in recent days, there are a lot – and I mean a lot – […]
On December 7, 1941, the bombs rained down on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Of the eight Battleships present that day, seven were put out of action. Two of those, Oklahoma, and Arizona, permanently. The other six Battleships were essentially obsolete. In fact, the very reason that the Battleships were in Pearl Harbor […]
I love ancient history, particularly that of the Roman Republic. You knew that. But what if one of my most cherished beliefs about the past is… well… incorrect? Yesterday, Jim Jordan cancelled a third vote on his campaign for Speaker of the House. It all seems surreal and at the same time, has generated arguments […]
On the night of October 14/15, 1781, a combined force of American and French forces stormed two British forts, known as redoubts, that held the right side of the British lines at Yorktown. Behind those forts waited seven thousand or so British troops and their German mercenaries. Leading the assault on Redoubt 10 was Colonel […]
The winter of 1775-76 was not a good one for the Americans. Defeat after defeat had followed the early success, and many were rethinking their own involvement in the revolution against the British. Congress was desperate, money was gone, troops were leaving as short enlistments expired. And everywhere, Washington’s tiny and shrinking army was on […]
“What is the vice presidency? The Constitution dictates only two duties: casting the deciding vote if the Senate is deadlocked and replacing the president if he dies or is impeached. Apart from waiting for those two things to happen, you made the rest up and were duly forgotten by history. The exception being Aaron Burr, […]
It’s been a very tough week. Between some health issues and the loss of a fellow SubVet, it’s been long and stressful. The Congress this week voted to remove the Speaker. It was an unusual event, one that hasn’t happened – at least in this manner – before. It has caused a great deal of […]
In the early days of the Pacific War, the Japanese empire seized Wake Island from the United States. It was an epic battle, despite the inevitable outcome. An outnumbered and unsupported Marine garrison held out far longer than anyone imagined that they would. Upon seizing the island, the Japanese removed the Marines, but kept ninety-eight […]
Before I could get to the show I had planned for today, we received the word that Senator Diane Feinstein has passed away at the age of ninety. Certainly the loss of a family member is painful, so my condolences are with the Feinstein family. I ended up getting distracted by a couple of errands […]
Over the past few days, the whole world watched as the Canadian Parliament gave a standing ovation to a known Nazi soldier. Or… at least they should have known that he was a Nazi. You know… and actual real-life Nazi. Not one of their political opponents that was labeled as a Nazi because they want […]
This week in 1789, the 1st US Congress approved the first twelve amendments to the Constitution. These twelve amendments were the response to Anti-Federalist position that the Constitution MUST have a Bill of rights. To that end, these twelve amendments listed the specific rights which were to be placed outside of government interference. Further, they […]
In the debates over the ratification of the US Constitution, the Anti-Federalists often resorted to predictions of the worst case of the future. The understood human nature better than the Federalists did, but they lacked the ability to hope that the American people would rise above that nature. George Washington had strongly supported ratification, but […]
Yesterday, the Mexican Government showed video that it says proves that aliens from UFO crashes are real. In Pennsylvania, elements of the US Government captured an escaped murdered and illegal immigrant. Mitt Romney announced that he was not ruining for re-election, and in an effort to ingratiate himself further, said that we need “younger leadership.” […]
There are two burrs under my saddle this morning. First.. I’ve had it with YouTube. I’m sorry if you get your version of this show there, but something is going to have to change – as soon as I have … Continue reading →
It’s one of those “myths” of history, that on September 12, 1962, then President John F. Kennedy stood in Rice Stadium in Houston and announced to a stunned and surprised nation and world that the United States was committing itself … Continue reading →
I had a bunch of dental work yesterday, so sorry I wasn’t here to comment on the whole Bremerton JV football Coach situation. On the other hand, for the first time in my adult life, I made it through the … Continue reading →
I am a Cold Warrior. I grew up in the heat of it, and for the final decade of it, I was directly involved. It was intense. It was personal, and it left me with a profound sense of accomplishment. … Continue reading →
In the summer of 1787, the idea of term limits for Congress wasn’t seen as a necessity. So what changed between 1787 and 2023? were politicians in the early part of the American Republic somehow more virtuous or “better” than … Continue reading →
It’s a well known “Dave Diamond Fact” that I love Humphrey Bogart movies. I own about 30 of them on DVD and/or streaming, and on days when things seem… meh… a Bogey flick is a good way to get my … Continue reading →
The 14th amendments Section 3 prohibition against permanently holding office has NEVER been invoked successfully. Even when it was tried the first time, it ended when Congress took action to change it. Then, in 1918, with World War I raging, … Continue reading →
No… I did not watch the “debate.” That doesn’t mean that I don’t have an opinion about the results of the debate. On the one hand, I came to a realization that these debates aren’t even meant to be substantive. … Continue reading →
A few days ago, Rod texted me and asked for my ‘assessment” of an article found in The Atlantic (paywall), “The Constitution Prohibits Trump From Ever Being President Again.” The idea is not new. The article is a rehash of … Continue reading →
It seems like both a lifetime ago and at the same time, it seems like just yesterday. As strange as it may seem, it was only four months ago that the final Mask Mandate in Washington State actually ended. … Continue reading →
Who’s ready for the Presidential Campaign Debate Season? Whoo-hoo!!!! Seriously, I long ago quit watching them because – and I say this with love – they are pointless. Nothing of any substance has been discussed at a debate since 1960, … Continue reading →
John Adams once said that “our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.” Like so many of the Framers and Founders, he had a deep level of understanding that seems to have been lost today. So what … Continue reading →
Now that a man from Florida has been indicted for everything except the Kennedy assassinations and the Lindbergh Baby kidnapping, we are able to get on with our lives and talk about that time in Washington, D.C., when some people … Continue reading →
In the days following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there was confusion and uncertainty in the upper echelons of the Imperial Japanese government. Most of the leadership had deferred the final decision to the Emperor, who told them … Continue reading →
Note: I’ll be back next week, we’re headed to the San Juan Islands and to Leavenworth to spend our Anniversary celebrating When I woke up on August 8, 2009, I had this weird feeling. I knew what was happening later … Continue reading →
A recent tweet by Rob Reiner… yes… “Meathead”… reminds me that somehow or another, the meaning of words, or at least the understanding of those words, has been surreptitiously modified. This was followed by a Tick Tock user explaining to … Continue reading →
By now you know that either Barbie or Oppenheimer, or possibly both, are the greatest movies ever created in the history film. Already people are talking about follow up films to tell what are known as “origin stories,” but frankly … Continue reading →
There is an old saying in the Civil Service: Never believe anything, until it has been officially denied. As the Biden Family crime story seems to be moving faster and faster every day, one of the things being postulated is … Continue reading →
Teenagers, man… Last night Ben and I took a walk. He has become quite the young man. He is smart, energetic and he has a lot, and I mean a lot, of opinions about the world and how things ought … Continue reading →
As a general rule, I oppose the impeachment of elected officials (appointed officials are a different matter). The recent conventional thinking is that – in general – it’s a waste of time as neither side has the actual votes to … Continue reading →
I am often bemused by so many wannabe tough people proclaiming on social media that they are here to “punch Nazi’s in the face!” More than once I have wondered if they would even recognize a actual Nazi if they … Continue reading →
Over the weekend, Cami was asking me if I was worried about the future of the country. I mean… yes, I am. I also tend to take the Mickey Rivers approach to life, which means that generally speaking, I try … Continue reading →
Everybody knows that guy. You know.. the one who has to keep asking weird questions or making absurd pronouncements when the meeting is wrapping up and everybody wants to leave. It’s almost like they are utterly oblivious and definitely not … Continue reading →
Remember when the joke was actually a joke and everybody knew that it was a joke and even if you didn’t like the joke you still understood that it was a joke and so you just let it go? Yeah…that’s … Continue reading →
I freely admit that I am a skeptic when it comes to the news. In fact, before I read any article, I check the “About” section of the articles host site. far more often than you would expect, it becomes … Continue reading →
Every now and then, I have one of those… moments when I think to myself, “Is that really what I mean when I say that thing? Many anthropologists and archeologists bemoan the fact that we have little understanding of the … Continue reading →
In the context of “the United States,” what exactly is a “State?” Today, it seems obvious to us, but remember that in 1776 there were “States” that shared their governor. At least one of the “States” technically wasn’t a State … Continue reading →
It is an unarguable FACT that no-one in the United States has owned a slave since 1868. As of today, that was one hundred and fifty-five years ago, or, in other terms, an average of nearly eight generations. In my … Continue reading →
My voice is completely and totally gone. Barely a whisper right now… But I am learning to use… AI!!!!!
A few weeks ago, I asked the question, exactly which Framers’ values and principles should we “be getting back to?” As the Convention lurched into the sixth week, and the heat in Philadelphia grew hotter, the delegates were – at … Continue reading →
As I feared yesterday (WTF), this cold is hitting me pretty hard. I usually get a “spring” cold, but this year it seems to be delayed. I guess, “climate change” is as good an reason as any other? I need … Continue reading →
I grew up with Star Trek as my inspiration for… well… pretty much everything. Yesterday I even got into a discussion about the ways that Star Trek has inspired much of my learning. in one of the climatic moments, Captain … Continue reading →
Not that long ago, I was driving across North Dakota on I-94. At Mile 314, there is an exit sign that caught my attention. I don’t really know why. It just seemed to me to be the embodiment of being… … Continue reading →
The founder of OceanGate is on record as having said that he did not want to hire a bunch of “fifty-year old white guys” because we are “not inspirational.” He was specifically referring to submarine qualified people who know more … Continue reading →
Perhaps the best known Framer/Founder these days is Alexander Hamilton. But, as the case may be, not for the reasons for which he would have liked to had remembered, or had sung about in a Broadway musical. Hamilton had been … Continue reading →
If there be those who would not save the Union, unless they could at the same time save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. My paramount object in this […]
There came a time when the political system was unable to deal with the pressures brought on it by the political differences which divided the nation. By April of an election year, there were men who had decided that the moderate course which had guided the nation for four score and four years was no […]
What is “blue?” Now… before you answer that question, think for a moment about it. Ask yourself, what if there was no “blue?” And if there was no “blue,” what would change for your understanding of how to describe things? Is it possible to destroy words in such a manner to change human thought and […]
As the summer begins to warm the streets of Philadelphia, the temperatures inside the State House begin to rise. While most believe that the convention delegates are “united,” the truth is much, much darker. The “small” States are horrified at the Virginia Plans implications. They see it as nothing less than their compete and utter […]
For me, history is highly tactile. I connect when my hands can feel and touch the things about which I have studied and learned. A few weeks ago, I was able to place my hands on a sixty-six million year old rock, in which was embedded a Tyrannosaur who had once walked the banks of […]
The Virginians introduce their plan for a new National Government, which officially shocks the Convention since they believed (officially) that they were there only to revise and amend the Articles of Confederation. The Convention adjourns to the Committee of the Whole – which is the same people, in the same room with the same purpose […]
While waiting for a week for more delegates to arrive, the Virginia delegates have been meeting and discussing the plan that James Madison plans to propose. when John Dickinson of Delaware gets a whiff of what is going on, he iDDs appalled. Not only is the Virginia delegation planning to NOT simply “fix” the Articles […]
Why is there a Page 6? Why is the high speed car chase of Harry and Megan through the streets of Manhattan a news story? Why do “social media influencers” even exist? Why is our society so obsessed with having our the fifteen minutes of fame? We all claim that we want privacy and we […]
Over the past few months, in increasing desperate sounding letters, eMails and phone calls, my mortgage company has been begging me to re-fi my house. Or… even if I want to sell my house and maybe even buy a new one? As it turns out, there is a reason for all this unseemly begging. I […]
Look, I get it. We should all be pissed off. Left, right, center. What we learned this week is that J Edgar Hoover was alive and well in the one institution that we were told that we could trust. Efrem Zimbalist Jr, and Tom Clancy novels not withstanding, we learned that abuse of power infects […]
One of the things that I have wanted to do for some time is a complete revision of the Convention Episodes of Constitution Thursday. This summer, except for the three weeks I will be gone, Dave Does History gives me the chance to do just that. For the next few months we will take a […]
A recent tweet about the ancient deity Moloch by a conservative Talk Show Host has lit up some folks (get it?). In essence he tweeted that the white liberal women (specifically) “will throw their own children (and yours) into the fires of Molech without the slightest bit of hesitation.” Now… that’s the kind of reference […]
At 0530 this morning I was reawakened by my Ben, who wanted to know how soon we could go to GameStop. At 0530. Sometimes things are pretty important, even if they don’t seem so to me. And sometimes the underlying motivations aren’t as clear as they seem in the media.
Yesterday on Bill Mick Live we talked about the Astor Place riots and the impact that the love of Shakespeare in America of the 19th Century had on the nation, and the events of May 10, 1849. After the show, I was thinking a bit more about things, and it occurred to me that there […]
Once upon a time, NYC was the leader in American dislike for the British. What you gotta understand is that Great Britain and the US were almost thinking about going to war against each other… again. The whole “Fifty-four Forty or Fight” thing, among other disputes. This time though, it wasn’t the national governments that […]
The US Navy announced this week that it had… appointed?… a “digital ambassador” to help with lagging recruiting. The controversy comes in the fact that this particular digital ambassador was apparently appointed as such because he is a drag queen. Furthermore, it seems to be actually aimed at recruiting other drag queens into the Navy. […]
For what seems to be basically an American drinking festival, Cinco de Mayo has become “a lightening rod for controversy*.” A few years ago in California, white students began wearing American Flag t-shirts to school on the day. Of course, this was met with outrage, because… that’s what high school students have learned is […]
The whole concept of forced, or compelled assimilation is one that is repetitive through history. Whether you’re talking about the Jews and the attempts to force them to convert, the Conquistadors forcing their beliefs onto the Mesoamericans, or even the attempts by the US Government to force “civilization” onto the Native American, it’s a constant […]
Admiral Irosuku Yamamoto, the leader of the Imperial Japanese Navy, was reputed to have once said that he personally would dictate the peace terms to the United States in the Oval Office. As the mastermind behind the the attack on Pearl Harbor, Yamamoto was seen as the evil genius behind the successes of the Japanese […]
I’m not sure if my BS detection Meter is working overtime or if things have just become so unbelievable that even the most cock-eyed optimist has trouble swallowing the news being fed to us. Let us consider just a couple of stories being reported this week…
It’s been a long few weeks. And we’re not even really close to being back to normal yet. That said, I’ve spent a lot of time listening to others and thinking about things. I have so often said that the Study of Constitutional Principles is very similar to the study of Torah. As we celebrate […]
Today, April 11, is the anniversary of the founding of the US Navy’s Submarine Fleet! for one hundred and twenty-three years, US Navy Submariners have carried on the traditions and training of the worlds finest underwater warriors. When the Battleships were stuck in the mud of Pearl Harbor, the Submarines carried the attack to the […]
As I am unable to be with you for Dave Does History this week, I would like to share with you one of my personal favorite episodes of history based Plausibly Live from last year. This is the story of why the Anti-Federalists chose the two pen names: Publius and Brutus…
There’s No video of this… my face is the size of a barrage balloon! I can talk, but it hurts. My good friend, the MILSURPWRITER, half jokingly suggested that I use a voice box, ala Stephen Hawking. All I could find on short notice was a female voice, but you get the idea… So here […]
Without getting into the details, there was one point in my media career (so far), that a person took it upon themselves to make an attempt to “find me” in the “real world.” That person believed that they could get me to do something for them and control my life and behaviors in a manner […]
In 44bce, the world was stunned on the Ides of March as a group of Roman Senators mercilessly attacked and murdered the sitting roman Dictator, Julius Cæsar. Over the next two thousand years, the story achieved legendary status in literature, theater and film. We watch as Elizabeth Taylor weeps over his death. Shakespeare brings us […]
I’ve never shied away from the fact that my mind works… differently. So last week three things happened concurrently. First, some politicians here in Washington State have decided that ONLY “credentialed journalists” will be admitted to their press conferences. At almost the same time, Bill Mick was talking about the fact that he does not […]
Back before Meta deleted my original account, I had a picture of Ben standing on the sink in the bathroom, holding his hair back and intently looking in the mirror at his forehead. He was searching for the Blue Dot, which I had informed him that only Dads could see, which shows up on his […]
Some Technical Notes from today’s episode: (1) Dave has had zero sleep. He was up all night for a family activity. (2) The WMMB computer failed, necessitating the show be done by telephone rather than the normal method via computer. (3) Bill and Dave decided to leave their off air discussions on the podcast version. This […]
In 1798, less than a full decade after the ratification of the Constitution and just eight years after the Bill of Rights, the President of the United States, signed into law the Sedition Act of 1798. It was, simply put, one of the most egregious and appalling laws ever passed by the Congress of the […]
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary) wants bloggers who write about Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and other members of the Florida executive cabinet or legislature to register with the state or face fines. Brodeur’s proposal, Senate Bill 1316: Information Dissemination, would require any blogger writing about government officials to […]
As I get closer to my surgery (Mar 18), my voce is continuing to degrade. It is very frustrating to me, but as long as you tolerate it, I can live with it. The good news is that the long dry spell is over. The Government announced yesterday another $400+ Million in military aid for […]
Look, it’s NOT that I don’t see some value in a college education. The problem I have with it is that you don’t actually need a college to get that education. But you DO need the college to give you the sheepskin that says that you have it. I’ve said it before, I would love […]
Last week President Joe Biden was asked about his read of China’s intention vis-à-vis Russian and Ukraine. He said that he did not see” China helping Russia with weapons and/or ammunition. This was, of course, after his Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken said that China was planning to do exactly that. And China, said that […]
I had some stuff on the war to talk about, but late last night, for the first time in my lifetime, something happened to my family that we always joked about and certainly knew about, but finally touched down in our world. Long ago, Scott Adams write one of the best management books I ever […]
NOTE: No video today. I screwed up the recording. Sorry. So… couple of things that I need to clear up. The name of the show is “Plausibly Live.” For those of you who might not get that, it means that the show is conducted and recorded live. But there is no giant red light and […]
On February 21, 1945, the newly upgraded aircraft carrier USS Saratoga was supporting the landings on Iwo Jima. The night before she was detached with a small escort to bomb Japanese forces on Chichi Jima. The next day is overcast with very low cloud cover. Out of the low clouds screamed six Japanese planes, who […]
Happy Washington’s Birthday! Yes… that is the “real” name of today’s holiday, but thanks to slick marketing and lack of civic virtue, we somehow or another have converted this into a day when the USPS, which is NOT a federal agency, gets the day off. We talk Presidents, good and bad…
It IS February 17th. I actually had a person yell at me today because he was certain that today is February 18th, and he is expecting me to do something for him on the 18th. But… for the record it is not the 18th. February 17th, 1600ce, was the day that the Government authorities took […]
I’m late to the party on the Superb Owl, that said, why does anybody take anybody talking about Superb Owl Commercials seriously? The days of the commercials being “the show” are long gone, thanks to parity, officiating and the inundation of advertising we now see everywhere. Look, people say weird and dare I say, controversial […]
Look, nothing happens in a vacuum. Whether it’s a Papal Bull that results in the eradication of cats that seems to lead to millions of human deaths, or a grain shortage in the middle of a violent revolution that leads to a Economist and Reverend watching what is going on and coming up with what […]
Last week I was wondering out loud about the whole fentanyl situation. Luckily, one of my compatriots from the US Navy Submarine Force is involved with a Florida non-profit that aims to educate people about the dangers of fentanyl. Today I am joined by Judd Spitzer, who is the Co-Chair and Technical Director for the […]
Seymour Hirsh is not a source that I take overly seriously. That said, his latest story about the Nordstream 2 Pipeline is rattling some cages, including mine. If, and that’s a super big “IF,” Hirsch is correct, then we got bamboozled and almost dragged into WWIII. In Washington State the Legislative Privilege debate rages on. […]
In practical terms, how many people does it actually take to approve and enact a law that is binding of the people of the United States? Now… you might think that the answer is obvious, but… is it? More importantly, when you finally get that number, does it make sense to you as “representative” of […]
It’s a fact that most people today form their opinions long before they actually have anything close to the full information about… well… anything. And, those opinions more often tell us more about the person who has them than it does about the actual subject at hand. Now we have reached the point where the […]
The first American Civil War was every bit as vicious and hate-filled as the second. And… like the second, it eventually resulted in amending the US Constitutional to try and make things better. It all started when the state of Georgia decided that it wasn’t going to pay the guy who sold their militia […]
Do you understand the difference between the Chinese Spy Balloon, er, meteorological airship, and the Grammy’s?
The fastest moving story in the world right now is the Chinese Spy Balloon over Montana. Of course, by now, it’s probably over North Dakota. Given that we are the only nation ever successfully attacked via balloons, shouldn’t we being doing a bit more than summoning ambassadors and twiddling our thumbs about it? For most […]
Brutus has made it clear that he has major issues with the proposed Constitution. There are parts of it he accepts as acceptable and even well considered. That said, he also feels that those sections are more or less unimportant and having “fallacious appearances.” After eviscerating the lack of a bill of rights, Brutus moves […]
The merchant vessel, Arc Integrity, is making its way to Europe, carrying a cargo of military supplies for Ukraine. Specifically, it is carrying Bradley Armored Fighting Vehicles. some are speculating that the Russians could legally attack this ship as it is known to be carrying military supplies. The situation is not unlike that which faced Imperial […]
In January of 1944, the Allies thought that they had found a way to crack the Gustav Line south of Rome. The bloody battles in Italy had the Allies stalled and desperate to move around the entrenched Nazi forces. From December of 1943 to June of 1944, almost 100,000 allied soldiers were casualties. Most of […]
It’s been a rough morning… lots of distractions and shiny objects that are pulling my attention elsewhere. For what it’s worth though, I don’t really care about the Pelosi tape. The truth is that you don’t either, but we all have to pretend that we do because we’ve been told that we have to. In […]
There’s a reason why there are traditions. They are, in point of fact, solutions to problems that have been long forgotten. And as the good book says, do not remove the boundary stone which your forefathers set…
Since 1947, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists have been telling us how much time we have as a species by annual showing us a clock face with the hands approaching midnight. This is used to symbolize the idea that we are almost about to doom ourselves for a variety of reasons ranging from hydrogen bombs […]
Some months back a caller asked me what I thought was the “worst” Constitutional Amendment. He postulated that it was the 17th, which moved the election of US Senators from the State Legislature to the popular vote of a given State. Look, from a purely strict constructionist viewpoint – which by the by – NOBODY […]
The good news is that Kshama Sawant will not be on the Seattle City Council anymore. The bad news is she has a plan to infect the nation with her CHAZ/CHOP Socialism. Free speech is free speech, folks. If you need or feel compelled to use the power of law and government to force other […]
On January 20, 1942, more than a dozen high ranking officials of the Nazi Party and German government met over lunch in a villa outside Berlin. What they did around that table, over rich expensive foods and fine wines as their Army starved and froze in Stalingrad, reverberates today. It is understood that mans inhumanity […]
When pressed as to why there wasn’t a Bill of rights contained in the proposed Constitution, James Madison had explained that if was believed that it would confuse the people into believing that the Bill was the limit of their rights, that no other rights existed. Over the years, I have come to question whether […]
For whatever it’s worth, I have friends who have been caught DUI. I don’t love or respect them any less for that. But for the life of me, the idea that in 2023 we are still not only having DUI’s but people are still being hurt by them is beyond my comprehension. Simply put, there […]
Before the middle of the 19th century, the most famous American in the world was Benjamin Franklin. He was – as most people know – a scientist, an inventor, a printer, a writer, a socialite, a diplomat, a fashion icon and a humorist. Today we celebrate his birthday, with some of the things that you […]
The subject of gas lighting has become the topic du jour among chat shows these days. Mostly because the so-called leaders of the nation decided to float a trial balloon. Of course, the real problem is our worship of celebrity and powerful characters who don’t just expect our worship, they absolutely demand it. In the […]
Back in 2014, Kevin Fox and I had an interview with a guy who was talking about the coming California ark storm. At the time it seemed surreal and hard to imagine such a thing ever happening. Today though… that storm is not just here, but it’s causing all the chaos that was predicted long […]
In many ways, the United States always resembled republican Rome. By the last half of the first century bce, the republic was teetering on the edge. Corrupt politics, mounting debt to fund foreign wars, societal breakdowns that left long held traditional values in disrespect and disregard left the every day Roman wondering if the world […]
VIDEO COMING SOON Dave is rather ill this morning. It goes back to yesterdays episode of WTF, but the bottom line is that he will only get through two of a planned three segments today. Still, it’s time for the WA State Legislative Democrats to FAFO!
Way back in 1972, Ricky Nelson, a superstar of 50’s and 60s music, played a gig at Madison Square Gardens in New York. A weird thing happened that night. Despite the attendance of other musical stars and celebrities, the crowd was… well… not impressed with the set list Ricky had prepared for the evening. The […]
CONSTITUTION THURSDAY In ancient Greek legend, Theseus was a brave man who travels to the island of Crete, where he defeats the Minotaur. In a legendary battle, Theseus saves the children of his King, destroys the evil beast, and returns to his father aboard a the same ship in which he had left for Crete. […]
It’s only the morning of the 4th day of the year and already chaos is reigning. From the Monday Night Football scare, to the Congressional Speaker of the House election that wasn’t, we see a lot of stuff happening in the nation. Including the return of the Praying Bremerton High School football coach. Or… not?
George Santos is the most infamous man in America today. In case you’ve been under a rock, he was just elected to Congress, but… it turns out that HE LIED ON HIS CV! In more than two centuries of congressional candidates running to serve the nation out of a sense of duty and honor, this […]
Happy New year? I mean, that’s what I am supposed to say, right? So I said it… but really is there all that much to be looking forward to in 2023? We’re going to endure the opening moves of the 2024 Presidential campaign, which, by the by, will include a lot of Trump vs […]
NOTE: The dental procedures have begun, and as George S Patton once said, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. In literally the first minute, the decision was made to change directions and try something else first. Already the planned procedures have changed. So literally I have no idea what will happen next or […]
It’s a cold snowy day up here in the Pacific Northwest. Grab a cup of coffee and let’s spend it talking history! Some months ago we had a caller to BML complaining that “only three or four guys actually did anything” with regard to the Revolution and the Constitution. It’s a common misconception, but why […]
On Monday, Deceber 19, 2022 at just around 2pm (CST), we will our baby sister, Deanna Rae Bowman, to her final rest. Our family continues to be grateful for the support in prayer and thoughts from so many this difficult year. Out of necessity – at first – and then from her amazing, resilient spirit […]
I was watching some Television over the weekend when I came to a realization that for some reason, had never completely struck me before. As you know, I love me some history, and the program I was watching dealt with one of the most evil figures in history, involved in one of the darkest moments […]
NOTE: iHeart had computer issues this morning, forcing the show to be done via telephone with the attendant reduced audio quality. One week after the assassination of President Kennedy, now President Lyndon Johnson issued an Executive Order which announced the formation of the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. It would carry the […]
November 22nd, 1963, was a seminal day in American history. Every American alive that day can tell you about their own experience of it, and even those born long after can – and do – discuss and debate it. For myself, November 22nd represented a trajectory change in my own future and passions. The day […]
By the middle of November, speeches were being made and response were being written. James Wilson’s speech in Pennsylvania had caused a great stir, and Cato’s letter was still starting debates in New York. But not everybody was in agreement with Cato’s concerns. As we have seen Cæsar was rather snarky in his idea that […]
Back in August when we left the story, the US Navy had just suffered its worst ever blue water defeat. More than a thousand Allied sailors were dead. Four Heavy Cruisers had been lost, with a fifth disabled. The Navy, along with the American public, had been stunned by the loss, less than a year […]
In our modern society, you will often hear the cry, “What happened? How did things come to this?” I never expected to find an answer to that question. A few weeks back I decided to delve into the Anti-Federalists and their arguments against the Constitution. What inspired their thinking and debates? Little did I know […]
Happy Election Day! Although it is a midterm election, which are every bit as important as the Presidential Elections, we’re going to take a look at the Top 5 Most Heated Presidential Elections in the history of our country…
Look, I said this the other day on Bill Mick’s Show, I am a free speech advocate. In point of fact, I am a free speech radical. I personally do not believe that there should be ANY limits on speech. The absolute answer to bad speech is more good speech. A bad argument should be […]
If you happen to have Netflix, there is an interesting documentary series called “How To Become a Tyrant,” which I give a pretty good rating to overall. The only drawback is that it relies entirely on a modern era understanding of who is a tyrant and how they obtained that position. There are some really […]
One November 1, 1765, the Stamp Act, passed by Parliament and given assent by King George III, took effect in Colonial America. For most Americans of that day, it was an intolerable action that violated the basic principle of “No taxation without representation.” Americans really weren’t as upset by the tax as they were about […]
From time immemorial, elections have been a mess. There has been “ritualized bribery” to outright rigging of them, elections have always been a fiasco. And, of course, they are still rigged today. Just not the way you are being told that they are rigged. Meanwhile, we need to figured out what to do about it, […]
At 2:30am on October 25, 1944, USS Tang, one of the highest scoring US Submarines in the war, launched the final torpedo of her patrol. After attacking a convoy all through the previous evening, she was hoping to finish off one last ship before turning for home with a broom lashed to her periscopes. […]
Producers Note: The air quality in the Puget Sound Region today is the worst in the world. Dave’s voice is raw, he has a massive headache and his eyes are burning. So please excuse the smokers voice sound of things today… In mid-October of 1787, James Wilson, the man who invented the Presidency, gave a […]
If you ask one hundred Americans, who is the best American citizen of ALL time? I’ve never done that, but my guess is the overwhelming answer would be George Washington. There is an almost worshipful quality that we take towards him, perhaps with some justification, as we have painted his deification onto the ceiling of […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Rabbi Dave is morose this morning. Why? Because now that Autumn is upon us, he is realizing that life no longer has any meaning because Evil never rests and will always conquer good. It is relentless and no amount of comfort from Friar Rod will restore his faith in…
There is a line in the film “The Da Vinci Code” which I have always liked: “Can you know a thing and never say it again?” The biggest problem with knowing something is that it automatically means that one cannot be blissfully ignorant of what it means and how it effects ones thinking and actions. […]
My son likes to ask me the question about what I would have thought about today’s technology back when I was his age. when I was in the 4th grade, we actually had to do a written assignment where we would try to explain football to a person from a hundred years before. When Ben […]
The weirdest thing about the current hatred of Columbus Day is that there shouldn’t even be a “Columbus Day.” What do I mean? He was an absolute boss when it came to being the Admiral of the Sea. He did something that hadn’t been done and he did it over and again. He brought glory […]
You have often heard Bill Mick complain about GOP Republicans who give fire and brimstone conservatism speeches while running for office, and then turn into “do-nothings” once in office. He is, of course, not alone, nor is he wrong to express such sentiments. But is it anything actually new when it comes to specifically the […]
Eric and Dave are back to talk about the recent (repeated) threat by Russia to engage in the use of “tactical” nuclear weapons. With the destruction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, are we closer than ever to nuclear combat toe-to-toe with the Ruskies?
Among the founders of the nation stand many from Boston. For all the firebrands, the one who seemed more determined than any other to win American liberty was Sam Adams. No… he was not a brewer. Yes, he did make malt – one of the main ingredients in beer, but he left the brewing to […]
A television ad among a sea of television ads has Dave asking questions about why it is that the GOP seems utterly incapable of responding in any cogent way to the one issue that they had to know was coming…
As we’ve seen, Brutus is deeply concerned that the proposed Constitution will result in a government that extends its reach into every aspect of Americans lives. And not in a good way. We turn next to Brutus’ concerns about the judiciary. He will explain that it’s too complicated for a simple everyday man such as […]
So… what exactly IS history? It’s an important question, perhaps even more so than “Why study history?” Like so many thing, if we do not understand WHAT we are studying, how can we have any realistic idea of HOW to interpret it? Let’s take a look at two recent events, a Supreme Court case, the […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
The whole Martha’s Vineyard fiasco finally went there. The entire argument became “Who are the “true” Christians? Meanwhile, Meta, which used to be Facebook, is performing a silver platter service for the FBI. If you’re going to cheat at chess, make it stimulating. And if you happen to be…
A long time ago, my Dad sat at the kitchen table with me and a book. For me, books are the wellspring of inspiration and my sanctuary. And when I get stuck on trying to get a podcast ready, and I find myself stuck for an idea or a direction to go, it is to […]
The issue is now out in the open for debate. For Brutus and the other Anti-Federalists, there are many examples, but only one real issue – how will the proposed Constitution do a better job of preserving and protecting liberty than the Articles of Confederation? On first glance, there really doesn’t seem to be any […]
We have – today – an almost scriptural reverence for the founding document of the United States government, the Constitution. To listen to most conservatives speak of the Framers is almost like going to church. They were, it seems, infallible. In fact, at least one painting in our own Capitol building portrays one Framer as […]
It has been long established that the President has plenary powers when it comes to the foreign affairs of the nation. Wide latitude and power has been generally understood to be within the purview of the executive, as the Constitution is less than precise as to who exactly does what – other than advising and […]
I wanted to take a moment to say “Thank You” for all of the messages, texts, comments and eMails over the past week. And for allowing me the time to sit shiva for my Father. Dad was not Jewish, but the rules are pretty clear for me, and the loss of a parent requires proper […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
This past week, the Podcast Movement, which isn’t the entirety of podcasting by any means, decided to have it’s annual conference at which they sold space to The daily wire, based upon their (Daily Wires) “heavy involvement in podcasting.” Then the PM decided to apologize to the world for…
Back in June of 2013, John and I managed to get both of our Fathers to visit the show, live in studio. We had a blast with them as they quickly showed that they were every bit as adept at radio chatter as we were. After yesterdays loss of my father, this is what I […]
There are any number of people who are annoying. But in all of history, we learn that the all-time champion of being annoying was none other than the greatest philosophical mind ever known. That’s right… Socrates is hands down the winner of being the most annoying person to ever live. Why? In Socratic Debate, he […]
In the summer of 1922, the Republican Party was in deep trouble. Tradition holds that all Presidents see their party lose seats in Congress during the mid-terms, but the Administration was facing the loss of seats to it’s OWN party! While the Republicans had trended to become more conservative, there was a significant segment of […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
The Rabbi and the soon-not-to-be-a Friar are back to complain about teenagers and alarm clocks, Tik Tok and pre-season NFL football. Plus they get into the latest developments in the Ukraine War, the Yellowstone National Park body count, why medieval Friars were some of the most disgusting people to…
I have long held that he Anti-Federalist of 1788 is the ideological grandfather of today’s libertarian*. Many of the same issues of today find a distant echo in the complaints of the Anti-Federalists. In those distant echo’s of the past are many ideas and knowledge points which both the Federalist and Anti-Federalist not only […]
The Rabbis tell us that some of the most important parts of the scriptures are the stories that we do not like. The tales of failures and embarrassing happenings that don’t seem to fit the overall narrative of a loving G-d reaching out to his people. The stories of death and murder and assault and […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Rabbi Dave is an a mood today. “Why?” the Good Friar Rod will ask? Because Dave had dreams that were smashed by his twelve year old son. Meanwhile there is a bigger question. Is it actually possible that some of our political “leaders” really are as stupid as they…
In 1967, Nichelle Nichols was not happy. She was holding the television role as Lt. Uhura on the sci-fi show, Star Trek, but her role was limited and didn’t seem to have much chance of growing into anything that would mean stardom and fame. She had decided to quit and return to the stage. What […]
Over the past couple of days we have watched both sides use exactly the same language to describe their outrage/joy over the events at the former President’s home. As usual, your opinion about it all it says more about you than it does about the actual issue at hand, but that said, it leads […]
By the time the sun rose over Guadalcanal on August 9, 1942, the US Navy was just beginning to come to terms with the tragedy that had occurred in the dark night before. Many Naval Historians consider the action of the night of August 8-9, 1942 to be the worst defeat ever suffered by the […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Rabbi Dave goes to a casino and actually wins! So why is he having an issue with it? Meanwhile the Good Friar pushes Dave’s buttons when it comes to callers to Talk Radio shows, which was supposed to be a rant about “being crazy for money” on the air.…
Originally posted on DAVEBOOK:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rUolYmyPO67O4IK0pPGsb?si=71fb7b5f521e4a9e
The last half of July and the first days of August have been a whirlwind. Thank you to everyone who texted and eMailed or commented about the situation. I appreciate it very much. I wish that I could tell you that everything is alright, and back to normal at last. It’s not. And it will […]
On August 2, 1776, the members of the Second Continental Congress gathered to finish what they had begun back in July. Now, each of the men was called forward, one at a time, to affix his name to the final version of the document which had already electrified the world. On what should have been […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
At long last the summer voyages are over and the Rabbi and Friar have returned. After four thousand miles across the country at 80mph because nowadays that is “safe,” and a couple of gas stops in Oregon, Dave has a serious message for America. Listen up, because you need…
My least favorite phrase is: “Everybody knows…” I have been known to hang up on callers who sprinkle their diatribe with that idiotic phrase. First off, NOT “everybody knows.” If “everybody knew,” then there would no conflicts, no happiness, no conversation, no science, no exploration and no need to learn anything… well… new. Or, in […]
Somewhere around 13.5 Billion years ago, something happened that began the path to where we are today. I know that, like abortion, that debate is something that I will not change your mind about, nor will you change mine. The “Big Bang” is certain in my mind, because it is the BEST scientific theory* fitting […]
It’s a common idea today that “we don’t trust the media.” There’s almost a mantra that this is a relatively new thing, and that no matter what side of the political fence you happen to be ion, the “media” is automatically presumed to be fully serving as a water carrying propaganda arm of the other […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
For the moment, at least, the Rabbi and the Friar are back. Rod’s voice is now fully recovered and there is much to catch up on. Dave is convinced that he has the world’s dumbest cat, while he also has some travel advice if you’re coming to the Pacific…
On a summer Saturday night, Eric and Dave get together to talk about the longest submarine in the world, the relief of the CO of USS Scranton – or evaluations and ranks – that big Russian super torpedo, underwater robot detection, US Subs in Faslane, Crossing the Line, and what’s going on a summer Saturday […]
E=MC2 What does that well known equation mean? Not in the mathematical sense. Not in the physical sense… what does it… you know… mean? For much of my life, I saw it as the key that unlocked certain forms of energy, for both good and for bad. But there came a moment, reading a book […]
There is a scene in a movie I like (it’s a terrible film and I do not recommend it, but I do like it) in which one of the characters is asked what he wants to do. “I just want to sit and think about things,” he replies. There are times when I feel the […]
In the early weeks of 1776, Independence fever was fanned by the publication of the most influential and best selling book ever published in America. Thomas Paine had arrived in the Colonies about a year earlier with a letter of introduction from Ben Franklin and immediately and set out to continue his legacy of failure […]
https://anchor.fm/s/770828a8/podcast/play/54294711/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2022-6-2%2F122a1572-17e4-f36c-3f45-0e4fefcb0070.mp3 The Sub Vets are joined by Ryan Ramsey, former Commanding Officer of HMS Turbulent to talk about merry old England, politics, submarines and leadership…
“The harsh reality of life is that sooner or later, your beliefs will find themselves tested. It’s easy to say, “I believe this…” and maybe even mean it. Because until whatever belief it is has actually been tested it is just a belief.” I wrote those words about ten or so days ago, after receiving […]
A few months ago we and a caller who was of the opinion that “only a few” guys actually “did anything” at the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The idea is one that many people might have, simply because they just don’t know anything about anybody except the few names that bubble to the top of the […]
I got up one morning last week and I knew who Jesse Kelly is, but I had absolutely no idea who Haley Carter is. I didn’t even know that there was a professional women’s soccer team in Houston. I didn’t know Haley Carter is from a town called “Friendswood, TX.” Nor did I care that […]
I guess the real lesson here is to never say never, right? A few years ago I couldn’t see any possible way that Roe would be “overturned,” but today we saw it happen. There will be a great deal of shrieking and gnashing of teeth and celebrations and finger pointing. Also, there will be violence, […]
Dave Anderson is a former EM1(SS) who served aboard USS Parche SSN-683. Later he was picked up in the Enlisted Commissioning Program, graduating from North Carolina State University and serving aboard USS Wyoming SSBN-742(B) and and USS Greenville SSN-772. He has written books and today runs a very successful business, but his passion is for […]
It’s the first full day of summer, and I am still not 100%. My voice continues to fail me when I need it most. That said, there are some things about which I have been thinking…
Five days after his TKR, Eric is antsy and want to talk about UK Submariners sending unsecure eMails to each other, the AUKUS Submarine plan and whether of not asymmetric warfare is already here. Eric and Dave are joined by Judd Spitzer from Florida to talk about all these things… and more! TheSubVet TheSubVet.com FaceBook […]
In the summer of 1966, the Supreme Court ruled that as a part of your 5th amendment protections, Law Enforcement is required to advise you and to insure that you clearly state that you understand that you have certain rights, among which are the right to remain silent. Most of us rarely consider how important that […]
Yesterday was Flag day, and I carried out my standard activities for the day, which includes watching the film, “The Sand Pebbles.” I first saw the film as a senior in high school. I remain convinced that it was shown to our English class specifically because I was known to be joining the Navy and […]
On June 14, 1937, the state of Pennsylvania did something that to date, no other state has decided to do. In declaring June 14th a state holiday, Pennsylvania was making a statement that – in our times – has proved to be controversial and perhaps even quaint. But the whole thing stated long before there […]
Dave goes “off script” after an assassination attempt on a sitting US Supreme Court Justice.. So I am still trying to get my voice back to full strength. I’m getting there and it shouldn’t be much longer… I hope…. Every time I think that I am getting there, it feels like the COVID monster reaches […]
In the late 1930’s, the Iowa Hawkeyes had endured years of being a perennial doormat of a football team. But in 1937, a new student-athlete enrolled at the school, and quickly became the heart and soul of a rapidly improving team. By 1939, the Iowa Hawkeyes were the #3 team in the country, finishing 6-1-1, […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
It’s been a few weeks, but the Rabbi and the Friar are back after several adventures which includes Dave catching the Covid. Nancy Pelosi says that the Archbishop who denied her communion is being hypocritical, while Kim Kardashian is trying to convince you to eat something that she herself…
I have down with full on COVOD-19 for just about a week now. Looking back at it, I was having issues on Monday (the 23rd) and by Tuesday evening I had a fever, chills, massive body aches and, of course, this absurd cough. i actually do not remember much of Wednesday-Friday, although I know that […]
Over the weekend, a fellow podcaster interviewed one of our local Congresswomen. That interview went full BSC as she (the Congresswoman) informed us that because of the draft ruling on Roe, it logically follows that the Supreme Court, led by associate Justice Clarence Thomas, means to outlaw interracial marriage in the United States. Look, I […]
The Sub Vets, Eric and Dave, take a a look at the release of the report on the USS Connecticut grounding last year. The report leaves a lot of questions for the entire sub force and the Navy to reflect upon…
In all of the mysteries surrounding the loss of USS Scorpion on this day in 1968, there is one thing that we do know: that we don’t know what happened. NOTE: This show was recorded in May of 2019…
“At this time, we have been beset by additional difficulties, everyone feels [financial] pressure, the wisdom of our Sages has become lost, and the comprehension of our men of understanding has become hidden. Therefore, those explanations, laws, and responsa which the Geonim composed and considered to be fully explained material have become difficult to grasp […]
The biggest problem with the whole Roe v Wade is that nobody – on either side – is really considering the underlying and ancillary issues that we are headed both from and into. I know… that sounds non-sensual and irrational. There are always unintended(?) consequences of every ruling. Things that should have been obvious, but […]
To be frank, I don’t believe that Elon Musk ever intended to actually buy Twitter. Eccentric rich people do strange things, and there is usually no real rhyme or reason to it. It’s almost like he rolled out of bed one morning and decided to… well… just mess with the entire woke Social Media world. […]
In November of 2013, the nation was “more divided than we have ever been before!” The issue at hand was healthcare, and specifically the lawsuit that was headed to the District Court over Obamacare. Odd as it seems today, at the time it was NOT at all clear what any Court would rule on the […]
Here’s my question…. is there anything we are missing in the whole “overturn Roe discussion?” Of course there is, but do we really care? Let’s start here – in the internal working of the SCOTUS, there is a certain level of required trust. People were often amazed that Scalia and Ginsberg were such good friends. […]
Some years ago, on an episode of the “Somewhere in Time” Show with Art Bell, the episode featured guest who claimed that he was a former “submarine communications officer.” And he had a fantastical tale that (he said) helped to explain why he left the submarine service. The story involves nuclear weapons, loss of communications […]
In the Book of Judges, we read a very tragic – albeit strange to our ears – tale of a mess of a situation involving a man, his concubine, some really bad people and an entire civil war which killed thousands in a meaningless cause. In the Midrash, the Rabbi’s debate just who was a […]
Originally posted on Dave Does History:
On this episode of Dave Does History, Bill Mick and Dave talk about the strange case of Fred Korematsu, a man who was arrested, charged and convicted of being in the wrong place because he was of Japanese ancestry. Now… you might think that sounds really… well… stupid. And…
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Rabbi Dave is feeling really old today. Why? First of all, it seems like Twitter has decided that old white guys are all Taliban types who want all women covered in public. Wait… that’s the actual Taliban types who have unwavering support from Talabanisti’s who support the idea of…
https://anchor.fm/s/1cec3b34/podcast/play/51617586/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2022-4-6%2F5e02eac1-8421-9639-4611-a58d3464b211.mp3 My vaunted technology failed me this morning, and the video portion of this was lost to the bit bucket… – Dave On Fridays I like to drive Ben to school. It’s just an other chance for us to spend some time together and have breakfast as we drive in a less than typical high […]
Back in 2007/08, I was pretty much alone in a theory that I had regarding California’s Prop 8 – the ban on gay marriage in California. I said on the air then, and I still believe now, that the left wanted Prop 8 to pass, that is to say that they wanted the voters to […]
Originally posted on Dave Does History*:
In April of 1917 the US Government had a problem. It had just declared war on Imperial Germany, less than six months after re-electing President Wilson who’s entire campaign theme was “He Kept Us Out of the War…” The problem wasn’t the political flip-flop, but rather the fact that…
The Sub Vets, Eric and Dave, are joined by Jamie Ferguson, who was a Sonar Tech aboard USS Darter, USS Louisville and USS La Jolla. Then, he became a specialist in human torture and pain… a… please don’t make us say this… a… DENTIST!!!!
Originally posted on What The Frock:
As the world prepares to celebrate “Victory Day,” it will seemingly have an extra emphasis in places where people hate Nazis. And just who are these Nazi’s? You might think it would be rabidly anti-Semitic totalitarians, but it turns out it pet lovers. Elon Musk might have purchased Twitter…
My son (11) and his my grandson (12) attend the same school and have the same PE teacher. On the walk to the bus stop today, they were chatting about the class and how today is “Exercises Day,” which they do not seem to enjoy as much as “Game Day.” My grandson said, “They’re going […]
After Eric almost dies when a root canal goes rogue, he and Dave sit down to talk about their adventures with Navy Dentists (and doctors) and how they are scarred for life by the experience… Eric did not die. Therefore it was an adventure…
Dave Bowman joins Bill Mick to close out our Tuesday with our weekly trip through the Wayback Machine as we get his unique perspectives on history. Today…just what makes history and who are the players?
So… there is no What the Frock today, because… well… reasons… This past week has been a very stressful time in the House of David. Cami is changing her job, neighbors are leaving, pollen counts are up, Norwich city is going down, and several other things that have changed the course of life have happened…
April 19, 1775 was the day that the American Revolution ended. I know that sounds odd, since it was the day that he British tried to seize the Colonial military stores at Concord, and the shot heard ’round the world was fired. But the reality is that was the moment when the American Revolution ended […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
After getting a late start on a Passover Sunday morning, the Rabbi is deeply concerned about the rise of AI machines, which are now even being used to make… coffee??? The Good Friar is here to calm things down. Or not… Elon Musk wants to buy twitter, which is…
It’s Passover and Easter weekend and the Sub Vets are here to talk about, what else.. submarines!
Now that Russia has confirmed the loss of the Moskva, some of the questions that we had can begin to be answered. Or not. Rumors are flying today about what, if anything, may have been aboard the ship, including atomic weapons and Christian relics…
In 1986, I opened the pages of the newest Tom Clancy novel, “Red Storm Rising,” and immersed myself in a story that should have been a forewarning. In my days, we had certain assumptions about the Soviets and their Navy capabilities and tactics. Looking back it is easy to see that we assumed – and […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
As the world turns, things are getting really, and we mean really, weird! The word which we no longer say is making a comeback, complete with robot dogs threatening grandma. Russia finally has an explanation for the reasons behind its invasion of Ukraine, and it’s definitely not what we…
Eric and Dave are back to talk about long patrols, Crazy Ivan’s, 16mm Movies, the USSVI, The USS Thresher and remind you that there is always at least one idiot walking around. If you don’t know who the idiot is, then it’s you. They will dance the Neutron Dance while recalling the anniversary of the […]
I said this some weeks ago, but stop telling me how “slam dunk” the polls say that the midterms are going to be. I have long had a political mantra that I find myself repeating a lot. It’s simply this: “Never underestimate the ability of the GOP to screw things up.” I get it, Joe […]
This is what being a American living in the 21st Century has done to me. Since 2014 I have been saying loudly and to anybody who will listen that I do not see any “National Interest” for this nation in Ukraine that would justify the blood of even one American Solider, Sailor, Airman or Marine. […]
Bill Mick and Dave get together for Dave does History on WMMB to talk about what makes a good President. How did we even decide to have a President in the first place, and what were some of the difficulties to overcome in the process? *Live Tuesdays 8am (EDT) on WMMB Melbourne, FL
Originally posted on What The Frock:
The good Friar is highly distracted today as his beloved Newcastle is losing badly to Tottenham. Rabbi Dave’s team, Norwich City, is in dead last place, so he doesn’t care anymore. So where did Disney go wrong? Some think it was when they hired activists, other think it was…
Eric Ryle and Dave Bowman a take a look at Slashfilms list of what it thinks are the “Best 15 submarine films ever.” They are, of course, completely wrong, although some of these films are pretty good. A couple of them should never have been on the list in the first place, and more […]
On March 31, 1492, the world changed. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella issued a decree that expelled the Jews from Spain. One of the most famous paintings in the world depicts the moment from the perspective of the Catholic Church, as the local cleric accuses the Jews of trying to bribe the King into revoking […]
Dave takes a look at a recent comment – or more precisely a lack of comment – by the President when he was directly asked if the United States would pledge to not use nuclear weapons in a first strike…
Dave joins BILL MICK to talk about Project Candor, which seems like a great idea… until you scratch the surface of it and discover that what it really did was justify a vast expansion of the not just the military-industrial complex, but another complex that we see almost every day in our news. If Ike […]
Time is a little pressed today, so I took a cue from the MILSURPWRITER and just took a little drive. The problem with Judge Brown Jacksons answer about “not being a biologist” isn’t that she isn’t a biologist. That wasn’t even really the question. The problem is that one is left to wonder exactly how […]
One of the things that I most enjoyed about the radio show and working with John Considine was that in the middle of an hour long discussion about the Supreme Court and Prop 8 we could be distracted by a promo for an upcoming show… From March 25, 2013, Dave and John talk about the […]
I have always said that this show, the podcast in specific, is abut making sure that Ben has a record of me. who I am, what I thought and believed. I have always wished for some record of my ancestors, and I wanted to make certain that some day, my children and grandchildren would have […]
Bill Mick and Dave continue their discussion of the Presidency of Dwight D Eisenhower… If there had been no war in Korea, would there have been a President Eisenhower? Are there lessons for today from that sequence of events?
A listener to the show wanted to know what I thought our submarines are up to as the international tension continues to increase. In the world of submarines, the tension level really isn’t the issue, as the game of “Hide & Seek” keeps on being played… THIS DISCUSSION CONTAINS NO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Like the famed Salmon of Capistrano, the Rabbi and the Friar have survived the “Winter of Death!” The problem is that now that the germ we shall not mention ever again is erased from the politics of the day, there is another to take its place. Rabbi Dave has…
Things are seldom what they seem. In a way, that’s one of the lessons of the story of Esther and Purim. Like Esther “hiding” her true identity or Ahasuerus leaving out the fact it was Mordechai, not Haman he wanted to honor, everything we see today seems to have a waiting surprise and plot twist. […]
Today is Purim. At sundown tonight, the holiday begins, as we celebrate the defeat of the wicked Haman (insert grogger sound here). For many years my favorite line in scripture comes from the Book of Esther, when Mordecai is telling her that she doesn’t really know if this moment isn’t the very reason that […]
As the last day of July, 1914 came to its close over dinner on a Paris Street, there was a gathering of men who came to discuss the issue of the day. It seemed as if a sprit of “kriegsgefahrsustand” had taken firm control over everything and everyone. Seemingly, there was no stopping the […]
It’s “Dave Does History” on Bill Mick Live. This week, at the request of a listener, we take a look at Dwight D. Eisenhower. We’ll start our journey with how Ike even ended up being on the ballot in the first place, which will surprise you since he never actually told anybody he was running, […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod celebrate the final end… maybe… of one of the most ridiculous public policies to ever be inflicted on Americans since prohibition. The Mask Mandates have at long last (not you, Hawaii) clunked to their end. Mind you, literally nothing has changed except for a…
Now and again, I get distracted by another topic that pulls at my interests. Yesterday, the MILSURPWRITER and I got into yet another discussion about Veterans. Specifically whether or not Veterans who make certain claims about their service while running for public office are… well… being totally honest or just playing to the publics […]
There are things that I know, but that I do not have a “need to know.” Experience is a great value to a person, but it can, and indeed must, be combined with careful thought and considerations. I shared with you my thoughts on the war last week, now I give you my concerns about […]
Eric and Dave are back to talk about the war, Halfway nights, the USS Scorpion, and the news of the Submarine World…
Originally posted on What The Frock:
To be absolutely 100% crystal clear, the Rabbi and the Friar hate each other. Deeply. In the meanwhile, World War III is getting scarier by the moment, although its not without it’s entertaining moments, such as the Chechnyan Special Attack Squad that managed to get itself trapped in an…
A friend and long time listener texted me this morning to ask a question: what did I think was going to happen with regards to the Ukraine War? I have to be honest here, I am not very optimistic about it. History and human nature tell me that we both misunderstand and misapply the […]
My son, Ben, who has a tendency to express himself through sadness, came home yesterday deeply concerned about the war. The matter had been discussed in one of his classes and I am of the opinion that is fine. That said, I spent more than three hours last evening (I missed my class) to […]
What does bird guano have to do with Anonymous bringing down the Russian Internet? That’s what Dave joins Bill Mick to talk about!
On the early morning of August 2, 1990, I was headed to Williamsburg, VA. Riding north on I-64, crossing the Hampton Roads Bridge/Tunnel, just past Newport News, came the newsflash on the radio – Iraq has invaded Kuwait. That moment would go on to have a large impact on my own life. For our […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Rabbi Dave has been banned from Facebook because of the Ukraine situation? Well… not exactly, but maybe? The Russians have gone full Putin, and now the world is sitting on the edge of a nuclear madman’s stability. Dave lives just a few miles from a major target, but in…
TRIGGER WARNING – The Crazy Haired One is gonna tell you some things that you don’t want to hear this morning. If you don’t like it, fine. But trust me, you DO NOT want to hear this… – Producer Henri Look, I hope that I am 100% wrong. I’m not, but it wouldn’t bother me […]
And so the war that everybody said that they did not want has come. The parallels to 1914 and 1939 should be obvious to anyone with even a general knowledge of those conflicts. Right down to the assigning of blame on the world stage. Like the evening of July 28, 1914, we went to […]
Yesterday on my personal page, I posted an article about the anniversary of the 1943 execution of Sophie Scholl. The story is inspiring for the simple reason that we tend to assume that everybody in Germany just went along with the crimes of the Nazis. But that was not the case. She had been […]
Dave joins Bill Mick on WMMB to talk about the way borders throughout history have effected the national psychology and have led to expectations and disappointments, and even the occasional conflict…
Originally posted on What The Frock:
The Canadian government has gone full Putin, but don’t worry yourself, because Friar Rod and Rabbi Dave have the absolute highest ESG score ever achieved by any podcast! ?
In late 1985, the Cold War was simultaneously the hottest it had ever been AND it was at the same time obviously thawing. One of the most popular pop music acts of the era released an album that to this day still has a special place to me and has one of my Top […]
I don’t have a lot to say about the so-called “Durham Report.” Mainly because I do not think that anybody – even you – really cares about it. Before you send me your flame eMail or text or leave me a rambling voicemail about how tragic it is and how outraged you are about it, […]
Eric Ryle of The Sub Vet and Dave Bowman get together to question whether or not the Soviets, er, Russians actually managed to “detect” a US Virginia class Submarine” or if the whole thing isn’t just some TASS propaganda like something from the 1980s? It’s time to TURN TO, COMMENCE FIELD DAY!
Bill Mick and Dave Does History as they discuss some of the lesser known participants at the 1787 constitutional convention, including a delegate from Pennsylvania. It is his special skill on which the Convention will call to leave a lasting legacy…
It’s a weird thing. The most celebrated holiday in the entire world is Independence day. Since 1014, sixty-two countries have declared their independence from England. We – the United States – get the biggest bang for the buck for it. For the some twenty percent of the world, it’s a shared experience to throw […]
In my mind there is an empty place where a memory should be. I know that it happened because all of my family tells me that it did. In fact, in many ways it was the defining moment of my destiny; a moment to which I attribute my deepest passion. But of the actual moment, […]
A rather remarkable thing happened last week at a local book store. That remarkable thing led Dave down a path that leads to Joe Rogan, Mark Lye, and to O’Brien’s simple question: “How many fingers do you see?
Bill Mick and Dave Bowman get together to do some history on WMMB. Last week there was a WOW caller who brought up the idea of calling for an Article V Convention. Would that work? what would it look like? Has it ever been done before? This week we take a look at the myth […]
One of the foundational ideas of Judaism – and to a lesser expressed extent, other faiths – is the concept of charity. The Rebbe used to hand people dollar bills with instructions to give charity. The minimum amount is the the famed “10%,” While the sages made sure that common sense prevailed and limited the […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod are back to talk about some really exciting news – the Good Friar is a Grandfather! Dave has been waiting several weeks for the calendar to turn to February so as to be able to celebrate one of the greatest Goliard festivals ever conceived.…
Eric Ryle of The Sub Vet and Dave Bowman are joined by former Navy Submarine Officer Jon S Rennie to talk about his experience aboard USS Tennessee and later as a businessman, all leading to his books on leadership and how the lessons of becoming a qualified Officer of the Deck apply in the […]
The news this morning informed me – multiple times – that Whoopi Goldberg will be on vacation for the next two weeks. Two hours into the local morning news program there has not been a single mention of the Russian rejection of the US diplomatic note sent yesterday in replay to Russia’s security demands. The […]
Dave is on The Bill Mick Live Show to talk about the history of radio as portrayed in Television. Howard Hessman (Dr Johnny Fever) passed away on Sunday and it reminds us of a time when every wondered if a radio station was really that whacky and bizarre? The answer is: Yes, it was and […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
After a very confusing week, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod are back to tell you what they are confused about, including some people nobody has any idea who are trying to censor other people that everybody knows who is. Video games are dangerous and the US Navy has… well……
Eric Ryle of The Sub Vet and Dave Bowman are here to talk things submarine – and in this case, passionate love of country. There’s a few things that need to be addressed regarding last weeks show about Project Azorian. There are always stories in the Submarine Service about some strange things. Eric and Dave […]
TRIGGER WARNING: Dave is borderline unhinged this morning. If you are one of “those people” who pretend to be “offended” by adult language and tautology you’ll probably want to skip this episode. If you would like to help him calm down, buy him a cup of coffee on ko-fi… – Producer Henri Some days I […]
In October of 1973, the world was still reeling from the Yom Kippur war. Egypt, defeated and embarrassed, had requested that the United States send troops as “peacekeepers” while the Soviet Union was threatening to do the same. Cooler heads would ultimately prevail. At the same time, the nation was still broiling over the Kent […]
The University of Northampton in England, has informed the world that it has decided that the George Orwell book, 1984, a dystopian novel of tyrannical dictatorship, censorship and thought control, needs a “Trigger Warning” because, as the school says, “students may find some ‘explicit material’ offensive and upsetting.” The irony of that move seems to […]
The countdown to a potential world wide conflagration is still continuing. Meanwhile, Eric Ryle of The Sub Vet and Dave Bowman talk about submarine news and history. A texter to the show wanted to know more about the mysterious story from 1968 of the disappearance of a Soviet Golf II class SSB in the middle […]
The whole world seems a bit… well.. crazy right now. from Ukraine, to Iran, to China to North Korea, to the white House, things seems to be falling apart faster than the Dallas Cowboys in the Playoffs. But what if there is a better way to look at things? NOTES & LINKS Russian Missiles and […]
Dave joins Bill Mick on WMMB-AM to talk about the Supreme Court ruling that ended the OSHA Vaccine Mandate. Or maybe it didn’t end it? At least they had the decency to follow in the traditional steps of the branches of the US Government and blame somebody else for what they did (or didn’t) do… […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
The Rabbi and the Friar are here to talk about Cyberwar and the idea that we are already in the opening phases of World War III. In July of 1914, most of Europe showed almost no concern over the exploding crises in Serbia, at least until the our de…
Eric Ryle of The Sub Vet.com and Dave Bowman get together to talk submarine and just some the numerous dangers faced by the men and women who man the boats. It was in 2005 that USS San Francisco ran into an underwater seamount, causing massive damage and a great deal of heroic work to save […]
In 49bce, Julius Cæsar stood on the bank of a river in northern Italy and contemplated – at least for a moment – the decision he was about to make. His next act would change the world, pretty much forever. And while there is a great deal of opinion regarding Cæsar, the simple fact […]
Bill Mick and Dave get together to talk History! If you believe that 2020 was “unprecedented” or even unusual, then you know literally nothing of US History. In fact, in terms of post election violence (or even pre-election violence) 2020 isn’t even in the Top 5. Now, Congressman James Clyburn (the man who saved Biden’s […]
Part 1 – Hamburg, SC There are those who will tell you that “We have never been more divided.” As I have long said, they know nothing of American History. In the summer of 1876, a mere six years since the 15th Amendment had been ratified, a political movement known as the Bourbon Democrats set its sights […]
WARNING: Dynamic Bass Response Lower Your Volume… In the aftermath of the “Memorial to Democracy” last week, one is left to wonder if the meaning of the word “irony” has any impact on those who demand that we remember “democracy” as if it were something that a couple of thousand yaboos managed to kill in […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
It’s 2022. Sorry, but we thought that we were supposed to be dead, so we didn’t plan much for this first show of the “Winter of Death!” Dave is feeling morose over the prospects of the new year. It’s been a rarity in his long life, but this seems…
Like many people, I more or less just hunkered down yesterday and tried to completely ignore the news. Look, I get it, but in my view, there is nothing left to be said about it all. What you believe about January 6th says more about you than it does about what happened that day. […]
This was supposed to be a “return to normal day.” But from COVID to Iraq to Iran to Washington, D.C., to Ukraine to Kazakhstan to Germany to North Kitsap, it has been anything but a normal day… it’s been a Samuel L. Bronkowitz production of “That’s Armageddon!”
Dave joins Bill Mick to talk about some history and the media and why we will always be distrustful of those who control information. Last week, a “Producer” (whatever that means) for MSNBC created a small firestorm when he derisively referred to the Diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics as being over the “alleged human […]
Welcome to 2022. Or as some have called it, the third year of “15 Days to Flatten the Curve!” The State of Washington has been in a “state of emergency” for (as of today) 674 days. Despite calls for the Governor to end the ongoing “emergency,” the appeal has fallen upon deaf ears. Why is […]
Dave and Rod hang out on new Years Eve. No agenda or schedule, just a roaming conversation about the end of the year and the passing of Betty White…
Bill Mick and Dave get together to remember 2021s big events and look forward (?) to 2022 getting even worse!
In the first days of August of that particular year, one of the largest and most powerful empires in the world – albeit one with an equally large inferiority complex – issued an ultimatum to one of its small, but not insignificant neighbors. “Do what we want, or we will ‘by force of arms’ do […]
The Sub Vet Podcast returns, featuring your submarine experts, Eric and Dave who share with you news from the world of submarines. The USS Connecticut made it all the way home this week, including a stop over at a little known facility in the northern part of the Puget Sound. The boys have their own […]
Bill Mick and Dave get together tot talk about vaccine mandates for Government contractors, and (please, don’t make us do this…) quidditch…
A long time ago, the very first time that I ever listened to “talk radio” was when an author (David Lifton) was being interviewed about his new book, “Best Evidence” which outlined his theory about the assassination of John F Kennedy. I recall the show being very interesting, very entertaining (most important) and most of […]
There was very big news in the submarine world today as USS Connecticut departed San Diego for the final leg of a 7000 nautical mile surface transit. The Sub Vets, Eric and Dave (your submarine experts!) recall their own adventures on surfaced submarines, including the more disgusting bits (Hint: NEVER Trust a guy in the […]
Dave was on WMMB-AM in Melbourne FL with Bill Mick (Bill Mick Live) to talk about the Salvation Army, John Stossell vs Facebook “Fact Checkers” and the USS Connecticut’s arrival in San Diego… ♫ BML T8a- Dave Bowman (iheart.com)
The book used to be one of my favorite works of fiction. These days, I am wondering if it is still considered “fiction” or procedural manual? What book, you ask? 1984. What has happened now? Well… you may have heard that inflation is really bad. You may have noticed that there are long lines at […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
It’s the 2021 finale for Friar Rod and Rabbi Dave. They talk trolls and birds (along with dinosaurs and Christians), and it’s that time of the year when they bring your their look at the latest Hallmark Holiday flicks! How much would you fork over to some “company’ to…
The Sub Vets, your submarine experts are back. Eighty years ago this week the Imperial Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, killing 2400 Americans and sinking numerous ships. Among the vessels in the harbor that day were four US Navy Submarines. In retrospect, the attackers should have paid more attention to the submarines… In Sub Vets News, […]
Back in the 1870s Otto von Bismarck coined a term that still resonates today, despite the fact that purists on both political sides hate it: realpolitik In December of 1941, a Congresswoman – the first ever – learned a lesson in realpolitik. In April of 1917 she had been among fifty US Representatives who felt […]
In late 2011, Admiral Jonathan Greenert became the Chief of Naval operations. Before that, he had commanded the US Navy’s 7th fleet, a fleet that just rings with Naval History related to world war II. But even before that, the Admiral had once upon a time been a LtCDR and was the executive Officer aboard […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Rabbi Dave has arisen from his muscle relaxer induced coma to share the hour with the Good Friar Rod as they ask questions about how the government is doing things and why Trevor Noah is in some “hot water” for finally at least appearing to see the obvious answer…
A long time ago, there was a king who decided that all of the people of his realm should behave as he had decided that they should behave. Failure to behave as dictated would result in the most dire of consequences. Rules were established, ancient traditions were dismantled and the people who objected were placed […]
You freeloading oxygen breathers are welcome to join The Sub Vets, The Submarine Experts, Eric and Dave as they set sail into the world of every and all things submarines! We start things off with a discussion of some Patrol Hackers, a bunch of questionable “submarine terms,” which drifts into a sea story or two. […]
Over the past few days, Communist China sent military aircraft into Taiwanese airspace. This resulted in Taiwan sending up large amounts of interceptor jets. The world wobbled ever closer to a war that has been on the back burner since 1949. I’m old enough to remember when all of our cheap Chinese products were stamped […]
Just to be absolutely clear, I was born as a fourth generation member of The Salvation Army. My grandparents were lay leaders at the Oklahoma City and later the Norman Corps in Oklahoma, while my parents are retired Officers (ordained ministers). As was my Uncle (of blessed memory) and My Aunt, my cousin and my […]
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Rabbi Dave is ready for Hanukkah, which begins tonight at sundown. Friar Rod is still convinced that Die Hard is a Christmas movie. The onset of the next COVID panic has already begun. Let the lockdowns and mandates begin anew, over a variant that (a) probably is less virulent…
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Both the Friar and the Rabbi are… experiencing the after effects of too much drink, song and social media. The Good Friar is in Twitter Jail, while the Rabbi is fascinated by an alien invasion of North Carolina. Bless their hearts… Some technical issues have the show time limited…
Eric Ryle is back to talk submarines and whether or not Tom Clancy is still dead… Updates on the latest idiotic USS Connecticut theory and how the Russians were so concerned about what appeared to be litter on the ocean floor that they cleaned up a bunch of it, just to make everybody smile. Smoking […]
Can somebody please, for the love of all that matters in this world, and explain this nonsense to me? Juries reportedly being intimidated, people calling for the removal of the VEEP, the FBI creating TAGS, and for the love of everything that matters to me… STARBUCKS?????
Bill Mick and Dave get together on WMMB to talk about Oklahoma, the National Guard, and the Kyle Rittenhouse trial wrapping up…
Originally posted on What The Frock:
Rabbi Dave and Friar Cook recall the tragic events of St. Brice’s Day, when the invading Danish Vikings finally paid a terrible prices for… bathing. Meanwhile, Gavin Newsome, who cackled and exploded into bats, finally showed up after two weeks, at a wedding officiated by Nancy Pelosi. You cannot…