Civil Discourse

The Brownlow Committee and report provide the next two episodes in the Commission series. Part 1 is a discussion of the goals of President Roosevelt in forming the Committee as well as their general recommendations. Part 2 is a discussion of the outcome of the Committee's report, including the many offices within the Executive Office of the President.

The Brownlow Committee and report provide the next two episodes in the Commission series. Part 1 is a discussion of the goals of President Roosevelt in forming the Committee as well as their general recommendations. Part 2 is a discussion of the outcome of the Committee's report, including the many offices within the Executive Office of the President.

Aughie and Nia tackle the 9/11 Commission report and outcomes in the next two episodes of this series. Part 1 concentrates on the precipitating event and the report. Part 2 concentrates on the USA PATRIOT Act and other outcomes following the report.

Aughie and Nia tackle the 9/11 Commission report and outcomes in the next two episodes of this series. Part 1 concentrates on the precipitating event and the report. Part 2 concentrates on the USA PATRIOT Act and other outcomes following the report.

Next in a series on Commissions and their reports, Aughie and Nia explore the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident, also known as the Rogers Commission. The Commission described the Challenger tragedy as "an accident rooted in history".  The nine recommendations of the Commission were rooted in improving safety in the shuttle program.

In this first of a series on government Commissions and their reports, Aughie and Nia discuss the Warren Commission, convened in the aftermath of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. They explore the members, findings, and conspiracy theories surrounding the work of the Commission.

Nia and Aughie welcome Judy Twigg, political scientist with a public health specialization, to discuss the worldwide vaccine response to COVID-19. The discussion ranges from joint efforts to vaccinate world populations to the concept of soft political power in terms of worldwide health care.

Nia and Aughie explore the Supreme Court ruling in Texas v. Pennsylvania, et al. Included in the discussion are the principles of standing, justiciability, arguments between the states, and the Special Master's position.

Aughie and Nia welcome Bill Newmann as they discuss the public service careers of Elliot Richardson and William Ruckelshaus. In addition to serving in multiple positions in government, Richardson and Ruckelshaus refused to fire Archibald Cox, the lead investigator of Watergate, at the behest of President Richard Nixon.

Nia and Aughie welcome Judy Twigg, VCU Political Science professor, to discuss the Russian dissident Alexei Navalny. Dr. Twigg also gives a bit of the background of the current opposition positions to Russian President Vladimir Putin.