Does America want an autocrat? Plus some history of the Iranian situation, the epistemology of news consumption, and a book recommendation.

Today’s show will feature some news and discussion about Executive power and Trump’s brand of leadership, delve into United States foreign policy involving Iran, and we’ll discuss the role of epistemology in how most people frame news stories involving culture and politics. We’ll close out today’s episode with an interesting book recommendation.

Show Notes:

Trump Calls on Netflix to Oust Susan Rice From Its Board:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/business/media/trump-netflix-susan-rice.html?unlocked_article_code=1.OVA.eYKz.Kx5EaAnMYa_Z&smid=url-share

Iran and the Second World War:

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/iran-during-world-war-ii

US-Iran Timeline Since 1953:

https://www.cfr.org/timelines/us-relations-iran

Main Street by Sinclair Lewis:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/main-street/id6745909826

For questions or listener feedback, please email erikmcguire85@gmail.com

On this episode, the show tackles Prince Andrew, tariffs and the dramatic Learning Resources Supreme Court decision in the justices’ own words, and birthright citizenship. The show closes with a classic TV show recommendation. All in under 17 minutes.

Show Notes:

Statement from King Charles:

https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2026-02-19/a-statement-from-his-majesty-the-king

Supreme Court Decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v Trump:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf

Akhil Amar on Birthright Citizenship and Original Meaning of the 14th Amendment:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/opinion/birthright-citizenship.html?unlocked_article_code=1.NlA.V6c-.XUR7G33t7FZv&smid=nytcore-ios-share

Midsomer Murders on IMDB:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118401/

New and improved audio for this episode, Wilkes v Wood and the rule of law as opposed to law and order, Operation Metro Surge, Jesse Jackson’s legacy, and an album recommendation.

Show Notes:

Rule of Law Primer from UVA Law School:

https://karshinstitute.virginia.edu/news/what-rule-law-and-why-does-it-matter

Law and Order:

https://brownpoliticalreview.org/from-nixon-to-trump-how-crime-became-a-political-weapon/

Wilkes v Wood:

https://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/amendIVs4.html

John Ganz on Jesse Jackson:

https://open.substack.com/pub/johnganz/p/the-age-of-jackson?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

New York Times Piece on Operation Metro Surge:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/us/minnesota-trump-crackdown-immigration-takeaways.html?smid=url-share

The Ghost of Tom Joad:

https://brucespringsteen.net/albums/the-ghost-of-tom-joad/

Today’s episode features FDR’s background and some of his own words, some comment about race and the Presidency, and a classic post-World War 2 movie recommendation.

Show Notes:

Fireside Chat 12/9/1941

https://youtu.be/cAGnPSJP5YQ?si=tQ4ziNGhl7fZX03Q

FDR Biography - FDR Presidential Library & Museum

https://www.fdrlibrary.org/

Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) - IMDb

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0055031/

Contact erikmcgure85@gmail.com for any questions, show ideas, or feedback.

This episode packs a punch in a short time with a nod to Ike’s Farewell Address, an episode from the Korean Conflict, some reflections on the Department of Defense, some baseball talk, and closes with some Hannah Arendt.

Show Notes:

Home | Eisenhower Presidential Library

https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/

https://www.nytimes.com/article/trump-drug-boat-strikes-timeline.html?unlocked_article_code=1.MFA.y6cy.1s20hEjp08x7&smid=nytcore-ios-share

Excerpt From

The Origins Of Totalitarianism

Hannah Arendt

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-origins-of-totalitarianism/id1602697110

Please email erikmcguire85@gmail.com for questions, suggestions, or ideas.

This is the second of several tributes to great American Presidents in honor of President’s Day.

This episode features the Farewell Address of President Washington as well as some updates and commentary on current events, including the SAVE Act, emoluments and the World Liberty Financial dealings with the UAE, and some interesting developments coming out of our federal judicial system involving immigration enforcement.

Show Notes:

Farewell Address (1796) | Constitution Center

https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/historic-document-library/detail/george-washington-farewell-address-1796

Trump v. Illinois

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25a443_new_kkg1.pdf

Summary of S. 128: SAVE Act - GovTrack.us

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/119/s128/summary

https://www.cato.org/blog/shedding-light-incidence-illegal-noncitizen-voting

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/11/us/election-ballots-fulton-county-fbi-affadavit.html?unlocked_article_code=1.LlA.eUtt.z5-Noi6iMho0&smid=url-share

‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company - WSJ

https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/spy-sheikh-secret-stake-trump-crypto-tahnoon-ea4d97e8

Court rebukes Trump administration for denying immigration detainees access to lawyers - POLITICO

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/12/court-trump-administration-denying-immigration-lawyers-00779762

Onward and Upward- Jay Nordlinger’s Substack newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/jaynordlinger/p/winners-and-losers-and-c?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Lincoln’s birthday and second inaugural, the DOJ attempts to indict 6 members of congress, and immigration enforcement. With a shout out to William Blackstone. Are we citizens, or subjects?

Show notes:

Today in History - February 12 | Library of Congress

https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/february-12/

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address - Lincoln Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)

https://www.nps.gov/linc/learn/historyculture/lincoln-second-inaugural.htm

Grand jury refuses to indict lawmakers over military orders video | AP News

https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-orders-democrats-video-e1435655587ad9715c4d1cc776edd545?__vfz=medium%3Dstandalone_top_pages

Grand jury declines criminal charges against 6 Democrats who urged military to reject illegal orders - CBS News

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grand-jury-declines-charges-against-6-democrats/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Sedition? How a 90-second video put Mark Kelly on hot seat

https://ktar.com/arizona-news/sedition-mark-kelly-video-trump/5782645/

Children Describe Life Inside Dilley ICE Detention Center — ProPublica

https://www.propublica.org/article/life-inside-ice-dilley-children