Jefferson Ben Amar
As “The Words That Made Us” approaches its May release, we continue to explore new perspectives on the early Presidents. Akhil’s disillusionment with Jefferson is explained, and the rise of the third...
17 Maalis 20211h 27min
Sedition and Perdition
We continue “Presidential Month” with the second set of readings - this time on Jahn Adams - from the forthcoming (in May) “The Words That Made Us.” Adams’ unique combination of bombast, verbosity, g...
10 Maalis 20211h 43min
The Unanimous Man
Akhil’s new book, “The Words That Made Us,” will be available in May. This widely anticipated tome has already garnered a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. In this episode Akhil provides a preview...
3 Maalis 20211h 18min
Succession Inquisition
How does Akhil dislike the Presidential Succession Act? Andy tries to count the ways. This Constitutional disaster-in-waiting is definitively dissected. We could have had President Pelosi being sue...
24 Helmi 20211h 20min
Snap - You're in Lisbon
The many dangers of the lame duck that gave rise to our "Bullets Dodged" series raise the question - do we really need a lame duck period at all? Akhil and Andy recall the "secession winters" of the ...
17 Helmi 20211h 1min
Menus without Eating - Special Guest Prof. Philip Bobbitt
Philip Bobbitt is a top academic expert on Impeachment. He has led the lonely chorus of those who have maintained that Trump’s second impeachment trial is unconstitutional, since it takes place when ...
12 Helmi 20211h 3min
Ex-Pres Ex-perts
The impeachment trial has begun. We depart from our leisurely time-independent pace to go nearly live and address the most important issues. Can you try an ex-president? Is this really about "insur...
11 Helmi 20211h 8min
Bullets (Not) Dodged, Part 3: Shocked, Shocked!
The quadrennial choice Americans make was particularly fateful in 2016, and Akhil asserts that itself this was a bullet not dodged. The unique nature of the American Presidency places enormous burden...
2 Helmi 202148min
