President James A. Garfield survived the bullet--but not the system that failed him. In this episode of Bahr's History Hits, we unravel the astonishing and often overlooked story of America's 20th president, his assassin Charles Guiteau, and the corrupt spoils system that enabled it all. Featuring insight from Candice Millard's gripping book Destiny of the Republic, we explore how political patronage, medical arrogance, and misplaced ambition led to a death that could--and should-have been prevented. We also connect Garfield's era of backroom deals and broken institutions to today's broken budget process in Congress, showing how some political dysfunctions are more persistent then we think..

Nearly 60 years after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the U.S. government is still releasing classified files. But what do they really tell us—and why does it matter?

In this episode of Bahr’s History Hits, we explore the JFK Records Act of 1992, the new documents released in 2022 and 2023, and the enduring questions around Lee Harvey Oswald, especially his mysterious trip to Mexico City. Did the new files change the story—or just confirm what we already suspected?

Topics Covered:
– What the JFK files actually are—and why they were kept secret
– The political and historical context of the JFK Records Act
– Oswald in Mexico: confusion, Cold War chaos, and embassy intrigue
– Why people still don’t trust the official story
– Should you read the files yourself?

Suggested reading:
– A Cruel and Shocking Act by Philip Shenon
– The Ghost by Jefferson Morley
– History Will Prove Us Right by Howard Willens

Official archive: https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk

Marry Farrell Foundation: https://www.maryferrell.org/pages/JFK_Assassination_Documents.html

Welcome to the debut episode of Bahr’s History Hits! In this kickoff chapter, we tackle one of the most polarizing events in American history: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy—and the official account that insists Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.

We’ll look at Howard P. Willens’ book, History Will Prove Us Right, an insider’s defense of the Warren Commission—the controversial investigation Willens helped write. Was it a rushed cover-up or a sincere search for truth under global pressure? Did they get it right?

Before diving into JFK, we take a quick look at current headlines:
– Is the GOP really the new party of the working class?
– And a tribute to wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, who passed away this week—and made a surprising political appearance before his death.

This episode examines:

• Why the Warren Commission was created

• Whether Oswald truly acted alone

• How media leaks, CIA secrecy, and Cold War panic fueled public distrust

• And what this moment still teaches us about truth, power, and perception

Whether you’re a JFK buff, a skeptic, or just a curious mind, this episode is your invitation to look again—at the facts, not just the feelings.

Let’s open the book. Today’s chapter starts now.