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DSR's Words Matter

DSR's Words Matter

458 episodes — Page 4 of 10

Bail outs for thee but not for me?

Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in spectacular fashion last week but the Biden administration stepped in to save its depositors. Was that the right thing to do and what can prevent things like this happening in the future? Norm and Kavita discuss during this thoughtful conversation. Members get a bonus conversation about Ron DeSantis and his views about the war in Ukraine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 17, 202331 min

Our Two Speed Country

From the media and books to drag shows and voting, states is in the South have been trying to turn back the clock. Kavita and Norm talk about these updates, what they mean for the country as a whole, and what we can do about it. Members get a bonus conversation about Walgreens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 10, 202333 min

Lab Leaks and Committees Speak

Congress is back in session and there is lots of news. First Kavita and Norm talk about the Department of Energy's report around the "Lab Leak" theory and then they discuss Attorney General Merrick Garland's testimony in front of the House Judiciary Committee. Members of The DSR Network get a bonus conversation about the recent hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 3, 202343 min

East Palestine's toxic plume and America's toxic politics

Kavita is back from her trip but the problems in the country haven't moved much. The train derailment in East Palestine has caused concerns about environmental and health impacts while the right-wing media pushes it as race issue. Members of The DSR Network get access to a bonus segment about Mark Brnovich. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 24, 202331 min

Nikki Haley Jumps In

On this week's episode, Kavita is still out of town. So Norm and producer Grant Haver talk Nikki Haley getting into the Presidential race, her potential candidacy, and what this means for the future of our democracy. Members of The DSR Network get access to a bonus segment about the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 17, 202332 min

The State of Our Union Is....

On this week's episode, Kavita is still out of town. So Norm and producer Grant Haver talk about the State of the Union, what it says about the future prospects for Joe Biden, and if it matters. Members of The DSR Network get access to a bonus segment about the House "oversight" hearings on Twitter and the weaponization of government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 10, 202338 min

Modernizing Congress with Rep. Derek Kilmer

On this week's episode, Norm talks with Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-6) about his work as the Chair of the Modernizing Congress Committee, what they were able to accomplish, and what work is left to do. Members of The DSR Network get access to a bonus segment where Norm and producer Grant Haver talk reflect on the interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 4, 202344 min

What to do when the government does nothing about guns

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about the never ending cycle of gun violence in the United States and what communities should do since the government is incapable of making progress on this issue. Members get a bonus conversation about the continuing kerfuffle about classified documents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 27, 202330 min

America at the (debt) limit

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about the debt limit, what the U.S. can do at this point to pay its bills, and where we expect this to end. Members get a bonus conversation about the West Wing reboot and China. Read more about the debt limit here: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN12045 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 20, 202333 min

A House Divided Against Itself

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about the start of a divided and performative Congress. Members of The DSR Network get a bonus conversation about Biden's classified documents and the Republicans investigations efforts across the government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 13, 202328 min

Seeking a Speaker

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about Kevin McCarthy's quixotic quest to become speaker of the House and what it means for average Americans. What does this clown show mean for the most pressing issues facing the United States? Members of The DSR Network get a bonus conversation about the COVID crisis in China and how anti-vax terrorists are seizing on high profile deaths and injuries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 6, 202336 min

Best Of: Walker, Oz, and What Happens if They Win?

Originally Aired: October 8, 2022 On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about the Senate races in Georgia and Pennsylvania. In the bonus segment, Words Matter Producer Grant Haver talks with Norm about what's on Democrats agenda if they win the midterms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 30, 202226 min

Best Of: New York, Florida, and Dark Money Matters

Originally Aired: August 26, 2022 On this week's episode, we talk about the primaries in New York and Florida as well as the news the Leonard Leo now has over one billion dollars to spend on conservative political causes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 29, 202229 min

Best Of: Midterm Madness

Originally Aired: August 12, 2022 On this week's episode, we talk about all the races we are following for the midterms, and our campaign experiences. You won't want to miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 28, 202232 min

Best Of: The IRA Under the Microscope

Originally Aired: September 2, 2022 On this week's episode, we do a deep dive on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. In the bonus segment, Norm talks about the latest Trump crime news and Biden's most recent speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 27, 202235 min

Best Of: Views from the Road: Liz Cheney, John Fetterman, and Chautauqua

Originally Aired: August 19, 2022 On this week's episode, we talk about Liz Cheney's defeat, the senate race in pennsylvania, and we get the view from Chautauqua. You won't want to miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 26, 202231 min

Holiday Mailbag

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita answer your questions about everything from how to fix the Republican party, what policies are dividing the Democratic party, and much more. Members of the DSR Network get access to a bonus conversation featuring non-political questions around books that have impacted Kavita and Norm and how to turn off from the news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 23, 202241 min

The Final Days of the 117th Congress

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita discuss what Congress needs to do before the holidays. Members of the DSR Network get access to a bonus conversation about the recently released texts from Republicans around January 6th. If you want to submit questions for next week's mailbag episode email [email protected] or tag us on your favorite social media app! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 16, 202225 min

Senator Warnock (D-GA) and Senator Sinema (I-AZ)

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita discuss Senator Warnock winning his run off race and what that means for his political ambitions and the Senate. They also discuss how the changing order of the Democratic primaries will impact 2024. Members of the DSR Network get access to a bonus conversation about the Senator Sinema leaving the Democratic party to become an independent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 9, 202229 min

The Lame Duck Congress

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita discuss what remains on the agenda for the lame duck Congress including issues like the debt limit and the looming threat of a railroad strike. Members of the DSR Network get access to a bonus conversation about the respect for marriage act and World AIDS day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 2, 202233 min

Best Of: The January 6th Hearings and the Ongoing Coup

Originally Aired: June 17, 2022 On this week's episode, we talk about the January 6th committee hearings, the Republican candidates for office that believe in the big lie, and how the media is talking about all of this. We ground all of our analysis in the words of Representative Liz Cheney, Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Candidate Doug Mastriano, and Tucker Carlson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 18, 202234 min

Midterm Reflections

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita provide their analysis of the midterms, discuss what they got right (and wrong) heading in, and where this goes from here. Members of the DSR Network get a bonus segment on how the parties should react to the results headed into 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 11, 202230 min

The Last One Before The Midterms

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita are joined by EJ Dionne to discuss his latest column "In the midterms, GOP extremism is the ghoul in the room" and then they give their predictions about the midterms. Members of the DSR Network get a bonus segment on Biden's speech on the value of Democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 4, 202239 min

A Woman, Her Doctor, and the Debate Between Oz and Fetterman

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about the debate between Oz and Fetterman and between Gretchen Whitmer and Tudor Dixon. In the bonus segment Producer Grant Haver and Norm talk about the crossover between foreign policy and domestic politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 28, 202232 min

Debating Debates

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about the recent debates in races across the country including Marco Rubio v. Val Demings, Tim Ryan v. JD Vance, and Raphael Warnock v. Herschel Walker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 21, 202228 min

The Elections Up And Down The Ballot

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about the Senate races in North Carolina and Nevada as well as state and local races vital to defending democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 14, 202225 min

Walker, Oz, and What Happens if They Win?

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about the Senate races in Georgia and Pennsylvania. In the bonus segment, Words Matter Producer Grant Haver talks with Norm about what's on Democrats agenda if they win the midterms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 8, 202226 min

The polls and polling with Anna Greenberg

On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk with Anna Greenberg of GQR about the polls headed into the midterms and the broader conversation around the value of public polling in our extremely partisan environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 30, 202236 min

Political Stunts and Immigration Policy

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about immigration policy and the political stunts performed by Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott around the issue. For members, Kavita and Norm talk about the latest Trump legal news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 23, 202226 min

Freight and Foreign Policy

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about Biden's successful handling of the potential train workers strike and the intersection for foreign and domestic policy. For members, Kavita and Norm talk about the Fetterman-Oz race and a Washington Post Editorial about Fetterman's health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 16, 202227 min

The State of Labor on Labor Day

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk with Michael Strain, the director of Economic Policy Studies, and the Arthur F. Burns Scholar in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute, about where the labor market is and what the recent reports tell us about the economy overall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 9, 202225 min

The IRA Under the Microscope

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we do a deep dive on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. In the bonus segment, Norm talks about the latest Trump crime news and Biden's most recent speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 2, 202235 min

New York, Florida, and Dark Money Matters

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk about the primaries in New York and Florida as well as the news the Leonard Leo now has over one billion dollars to spend on conservative political causes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 26, 202229 min

Views from the Road: Liz Cheney, John Fetterman, and Chautauqua

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, we will talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk about Liz Cheney's defeat, the senate race in pennsylvania, and we get the view from Chautauqua. You won't want to miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 19, 202231 min

Midterm Madness

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, we will talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk about all the races we are following for the midterms, and our campaign experiences. You won't want to miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 12, 202232 min

Political Potpourri: Biden's Messaging Problem, Abortion in Idaho and Kansas, and January 6th

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, we will talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk about why Biden's political successes are translating into better polling, abortion rights in Idaho and Kansas, and the latest news on January 6th. We ground all of our analysis in the words of Karine Jean-Pierre and Merrick Garland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 5, 202233 min

It's the Economy, Stupid!

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, we will talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk about the economy and why inflation is up but unemployment is down as well as the deal around the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. We ground all of our analysis in the words of Jerome Powell and Joe Manchin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 29, 202229 min

On the Fringe No Longer: Republicans Mainstream the Extreme

Each week, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel, we will talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk about how the Republican Party is embracing ideologies that used to be fringe, how the media is missing the mark, and what the future of the GOP could look like. We ground all of our analysis in the words of Matt Birk, David Brooks, and Joe O'Dea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 22, 202225 min

It's All Healthcare: COVID, MonkeyPox, and Abortion

On this week's episode, we talk the continued COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of Monkeypox, and, for members, the current state of reproductive rights. We ground all of our analysis in the words Antony Fauci, Ashwin Vasan, Ashish Jha, and Andrea Miller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 15, 202230 min

The Bill of Rights and the Continued Fight for Freedom

We're relaunching the show with new hosts Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel. Each week we will talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback as we continue to shape it moving forward. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk about the first, second, ninth, and tenth amendments and for members we talk about disinformation and Twitter. We ground all of our analysis in the words of the Bill of Rights. Links for your consideration: https://www.heritage.org/firearms/commentary/these-10-examples-defensive-gun-use-underscore-second-amendments-true-purpose Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 9, 202240 min

Supreme Injustices

We're relaunching the show with new hosts Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel. Each week we will talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback as we continue to shape it moving forward. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk about the end of a monumental Supreme Court term and the explosive testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson before the January 6th committee. We ground all of our analysis in the words of Justice Barrett, Cassidy Hutchinson, and Kelly Shackelford. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 1, 202233 min

The January 6th Hearings and the Ongoing Coup

We're relaunching the show with new hosts Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel. Each week we will talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback as we continue to shape it moving forward. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk about the January 6th committee hearings, the Republican candidates for office that believe in the big lie, and how the media is talking about all of this. We ground all of our analysis in the words of Representative Liz Cheney, Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Candidate Doug Mastriano, and Tucker Carlson. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 17, 202232 min

Guns: What Are They Good For?

We're relaunching the show with new hosts Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel. Each week we will talk about the issues facing our country as we head into the midterms and what our leaders are saying and doing about them. We hope you like the show and we'd love to hear your feedback as we continue to shape it moving forward. If you have any comments feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. On this week's episode, we talk about the epidemic of mass shootings in the country, the mental health red herring, and how this will impact the midterm elections in the fall. We ground all of our analysis in the words of America's political leaders like President Biden, Senators Mitch McConnell and Chris Murphy, and former Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 6, 202229 min

Votes Matter: Counting to Nine on Abortion Rights

The Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade — or at least change the abortion-rights landscape dramatically. Katie sits down with Sarah Isgur and David French of The Dispatch to answer the question: Why is this happening? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 9, 202137 min

S4 Ep 24American's Mission Statement read by Senator John F. Kennedy

On July 4th we celebrate the birth of the American Experiment. The Declaration of Independence -- written in the Spring of 1776 by a 33 year old Thomas Jefferson -- is America’s mission statement. And like all mission statements, the words represented not what we were, but what we aspired to be. In fact, the author himself was a gifted writer, but a deeply flawed person who – like his country -- did not embody the ideas and ideal of that document. For more than two hundred and forty years, the story of America has been the struggle between those who want to move us close to the words of our mission statement – and those who want to stop them. It is often forgotten that the Declaration itself was meant to be spoken. In 2004 the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library released a previously unknown 1957 recording of then-Senator Kennedy reading the Declaration of Independence in New York on July 4th. So this week to honor Independence Day -- And to remind ourselves that as a country must continue the struggle to turn America’s founding words into reality – we give John F. Kennedy’s reading of the Declaration of Independence the final word. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 5, 202114 min

S4 Ep 23Barack Obama's Eulogy for the Honorable Reverend Clementa Pinckney

On June 26th 2015 President Barack Obama delivered the eulogy at the funeral of the Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney, the senior pastor of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston and a South Carolina State Senator. Reverend Pinckney and 8 other Black church members had been murdered a week earlier during Bible Study in a racially motivated mass shooting perpetrated by a white supremacist. The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the oldest Black churches in the United States, and it has long been a center for organizing events related to civil rights. Founded in 1816, the church played an important role in the history of South Carolina, during slavery and Reconstruction, during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s and in the Black Lives Matter movement. It is the oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church in the South, often referred to as "Mother Emanuel". Rev. Pinckney, was a well known activist who had held rallies after the shooting of Walter Scott by a white police officer two months earlier, in nearby North Charleston. As a state senator, Reverend Pinckney had pushed for legislation requiring police to wear body cameras. The Reverend and his church were targeted because of their history and role in civil rights activism. With a rousing eulogy and a chorus of “Amazing Grace,” President Barack Obama called on the country to honor the nine victims of the South Carolina church massacre by working toward racial healing. He said that included removing the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina State House grounds. “It’s true, the flag did not cause these murders,” The President said, but “we all have to acknowledge the flag has always represented more than just ancestral pride. For many, black and white, that flag was a reminder of systemic oppression and racial subjugation. We see that now.” “By taking down that flag,” he said, “we express God’s grace.” But I don't think God wants us to stop there.“ On July 6, 2015, the South Carolina Senate voted to remove the Confederate flag from display outside the South Carolina State House. Make no mistake - the protests we have seen in the last month are a continuation of that struggle. And none of us can stop - none of us should rest until we dismantle and remove every symbol and every fact of the systemic oppression and racial subjugation that President Obama described in his eulogy of Reverend Pinckney. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 21, 202142 min

S4 Ep 22American History Tellers -- Lindsay Graham Interview

Not THAT Lindsay Graham. This week we profile one of our favorite podcasts American History Tellers. The Cold War, Prohibition, the Gold Rush, the Space Race. Every part of your life -the words you speak, the ideas you share- can be traced to our history, but how well do you really know the stories that made America? American History Tellers will take you to the events, the times and the people that shaped our nation. And they'll show you how our history affected them, their families and affects you today. Hosted by Lindsay Graham (not the Senator). From Wondery, the network behind Tides Of History, History Unplugged, Fall Of Rome and Dirty John. And check out Lindsay's latest podcast -- American Elections: Wicked Game Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you got your podcasts. American Elections: Wicked Game http://wondery.fm/AmericanElectionsWM Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 14, 202138 min

S4 Ep 21President John F. Kennedy on Civil Rights

This week we highlight presidential leadership and one of the most important civil rights speeches ever delivered by a sitting American president. By June of 1963, John F. Kennedy has been president for nearly two and a half years. While Kennedy had long privately expressed his deep moral objections to the treatment of black people in American society and indicated support for New federal legislation. His public comments ranged from cautious moderate criticism to a 1950s version of “both sides-ism” but were mostly nonexistent. In June of 1963, however the man and the moment met. Alabama Governor George Wallace’s staged photo op defiance of federal law by standing in the school house doorway had lasted less than 90 minutes. On June 11th 1963 two black students were peaceful enrolled at the University of Alabama under the protection of a federalized Alabama National Guard commanded by US Marshals under the direction of the Department of Justice and the Attorney General of the United States. Kennedy’s advisors recommended and Fully expected that the president would NOT address the American people that evening. With a little less than 18 months until to the 1964 elections, the President’s legislative agenda and his political future depended upon the votes Southern Democrats in Congress and those of their politically unforgiving constituents. The President had other ideas. Kennedy saw a way to exercise moral leader on an issue where he had to that point failed. He would request Network Television airtime to address the nation on the issue of civil rights. The facts and statistics on racial inequality in the United States described by President Kennedy to the American people that evening had even never been acknowledged by a President before - much less spoken in such a detailed and direct language. In a telegram to the White House after watching the President’s remarks in Atlanta with other civil rights leaders, the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr. described the address as ONE OF THE MOST ELOQUENT, PROFOUND,AND UNEQUIVOCAL PLEAS FOR JUSTICE AND FREEDOM OF ALL MEN, EVER MADE BY ANY PRESIDENT. Dr King knew that Kennedy was moved by his now famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail” - written just weeks before. To President Kennedy and many Americans Dr. King’s letter was more than than a spirited defense of civil disobedience. It was an indictment of white indifference. As you listen to the speech, you will hear Kennedy echoing King’s “Letter” The President rejects the idea that Black Americans should have to wait for equality. "Who among us," Kennedy asks the American people, "would then be content with counsels of patience and delay?" Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 7, 202119 min

S4 Ep 20ENCORE: Hill Women - with Cassie Chambers

Our guest this week is a writer, lawyer, speaker and an advocate. Cassie Chambers grew up in Eastern Kentucky, graduated from Yale College, the Yale School of Public Health, the London School of Economics, and Harvard Law School, where she was president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, a student-run law firm that represents low-income clients. Cassie received a Skadden Fellowship to return to Kentucky to do legal work with domestic violence survivors in rural communities. In 2018, Cassie helped pass Jeanette’s Law, which eliminated the requirement that domestic violence survivors pay an incarcerated spouse’s legal fees in order to get a divorce. Her new book, Hill Women: Finding Family and a Way Forward in the Appalachian Mountains, celebrates the amazingly resilient women in her family and the beloved mountain culture that helped shape her. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 17, 202127 min

S4 Ep 19ENCORE: FDR on Democracy with Professor Harvey Kaye - Part 2

This week we welcome back historian and sociologist Harvey J. Kaye for Part 2 of our discussion of his important book FDR on Democracy: The Greatest Speeches and Writings of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Harvey J. Kaye is Professor Emeritus of Democracy and Justice Studies and Director of the Center for History and Social Change at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. An award-winning author and writer, he has written 9 books – including: Take Hold of Our History: Make America Radical Again (2019) Thomas Paine and the Promise of America (2005) The Fight for the Four Freedoms: What Made FDR and the Greatest Generation Truly Great (2015) “Why Do Ruling Classes Fear History?” and Other Questions (1996) Follow Professor Kaye on Twitter @harveyjkaye Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10, 20211h 12m