Kings of Democracy
115 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 45 ratingsThe official podcast of the United States of America and everybody who lives in it or ever has or ever will. Two semi-decent historians and occasional comedians tackle American history, one person, place or thing at a time.
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Episodes
US Customary Units: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Metric System
December 03, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBThe United States is one of three countries that doesn't use the Metric system. And you might think it's because of some stupid reason, but you'd be wrong. It's actually a really really stupid reason, mostly involving pirates and not wanting to do a bunch of paperwork. Support the show
The Grand Canyon: America's Favorite Big Hole In the Ground.
November 26, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 43.9 MBThe Grand Canyon is America's most famous geological feature, but most of us know nothing about it beyond the fact that a lot of people die by falling in. It's a rather long and complicated story full of mysterious Native civilizations, one armed college professors, unimpressed guys named Christmas and Mormon war criminals. So get on your hiking boots because its time to wander down! Support the show
American Bison: All Better Now, Thanks For Asking
November 19, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 51.9 MBIt's time we venture outside the realm of human beings and in to the kingdom of flora and fauna, as we cover the rise and fall and rise and fall of the American Bison. It's a story that covers all of the flat parts of America and is basically an endless bag of limitless bummers. But their hearts are tasty with onion powder. Support the show
Washington DC: Banned On Chinese Facebook
November 12, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBWashington DC is one of America's largest cities and home to some of the finest architecture, swankiest clubs and most fascinating museums in the hemisphere. Oh yeah and the Federal Government is there too. But despite the fact the United States is a Democracy, the residents of DC can't vote for Congress and didn't have an elected mayor until the late 60's. So how did we end up with a Democracy where nobody can vote? Well stay tuned cause here comes another episode of Kings of Democracy. ...
Secret Service: Get Down Mister President!
November 05, 2019 13:00 - 1 hour - 43.9 MBAmerican Presidents are controversial folks, but there's one problem they all can agree on: Too many of them keep getting shot and they don't like that. And that's why we've got the Secret Service, an elite squad of total long rods that have managed to keep most of the Presidents safe. So today we're gonna take a walk down the long history of the Secret Service, from Lincoln's ironic-ish death and drunk bodyguards to Obama's tendency to get rushed by reality show stars and mental patients....
Bigfoot: You're A Cryptozoologist Now, Little Boy!
October 22, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 51 MBBigfoot and/or Sasquatch is one of our most famous monsters, but for the most part we just know that there's that one movie of him and our weird uncles are all about it. But how did we end up believing that there's an Ape Man in North California? Is there any proof? How do unemployed Rodeo Riders factor in? Gerry and Andrew and Claire Webber take a look in to the GREATEST of ALL North American CRYPTIDS! Support the show
AMERICAN LIVES: Arijana Ramic, First Generation Bosnia-American
October 22, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBWere taking a break from our normally scheduled programing for a new feature: AMERICAN LIVES, where I interview people I've met with interesting or at least entertaining life experiences. Our first guest is Arijana Ramic, whose parents fled war torn Bosnia in the 90's. We'll talk about the horrors of growing up in Bellvue, her mom's "can I speak to the manager" moment, and going home to a place you never really knew. Also this episode was recorded before the name change so I say WTF is an...
Walmart: Eight Cents of Every Dollar
October 15, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 47.8 MBWalmart is an American behemoth. They control eight cents of every dollar spent in America. They employ more people than the Indian Military. Their stores are larger than Manhattan. And it all traces back to Sam Walton, a good old boy from Oklahoma who grew up foreclosing on farms in the Dust Bowl and loved flying airplanes over restricted airspace! But there's more to Walmart than colorful, woman stealing billionaires. So stay tuned to KINGS OF DEMOCRACY, where there's Always Low Pric...
Jehovah's Witnesses: Knocking on Heaven's Door
October 08, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 52.6 MBEver wondered where those door knocking, blood hating, flag not standing for Jehovah's Witnesses came from? Well it's a long story that involves the Pyramids, a five bed room mansion in San Diego, the Supreme Court and a shocking amount of ripped off dicks. And while for most Americans Jehovah's Witnesses are just annoying weirdos they've been amazingly influential, shaping our laws around religion, free speech and health care. So stay tuned because unless the world ends in the next hour,...
Delaware Corporations: OR Why the American Ecconomy is Based Out of PO Boxes in Wilmington
September 24, 2019 11:00 - 10 minutes - 7.44 MBAmerica is the richest country in the world with some of the world's most powerful corporations. But what most of us don't know is that nearly the entire American economy and a good chunk of the rest of the world is legally registered in Delaware. Why you may ask? It's a long a complicated story that involves upstaging New York, fancy Business courts and government office hours. So tune in to learn more about the secret shame and/or pride of Delaware! Support the show
The Third Amendment: The Male Nippes of the Constitution
September 24, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 8.03 MBAmericans are very found of the Bill of Rights and we like to think that it's part of what makes America the freest place on earth. But what most of us don't know is that we have a Civil Liberty so specific, so outdated and so unnecessary that it's never been taken to the Supreme Court. So gather round the campfire children, cause it's time to learn about the long, kind of pointless, very paranoid history of the Third Amendment. Support the show
ICP and Juggalos: The Midwest Kings of Clown Oriented Murder Rap
September 06, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 63.3 MBAmerican's look down on Insane Clown Posse and their cult following, known across the land as Juggalos. And while most of us think of them as brain dead, vulgar, and dumb denizens of flyover hick towns. And while that's all 100% true, ICP and Juggalos have a fascinating history that can tell us about how class, race, commerce, authenticity and geography all intersect in American culture. So come along with special guest Arijana Ramic as we dive in to the long and surprisingly heartfelt hi...
Blue Jeans: How An Crypto-Literate Prospector Destoryed the Soviet Union Over 100 Years After His Death
September 06, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBAmericans love blue jeans. You're probably wearing some right now. Go ahead, take a look in the mirror and admire how cool you are. Blue Jeans have a fascinating history from the California Gold Rush to dude ranches in Central California to the hippie movement of San Francisco. Oh yeah also the Soviet Union. Together with Chaz Scovil (The Older KIds Podcast) we'll dig in to the fascinating history of Blue Jeans. Also: Illiterate Jewish Prospectors, Marlon Brando's butt, and Andrew's lo...
Blue Jeans: Gold Miners, Pretend Cowboys, Communists and High Quality Butts
September 06, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBAmericans love blue jeans. You're probably wearing some right now. Go ahead, take a look in the mirror and admire how cool you are. Blue Jeans have a fascinating history from the California Gold Rush to dude ranches in Central California to the hippie movement of San Francisco. Oh yeah also the Soviet Union. Together with Chaz Scovil (The Older KIds Podcast) we'll dig in to the fascinating history of Blue Jeans. Also: Illiterate Jewish Prospectors, Marlon Brando's butt, and Andrew's lo...
Cuban Embargo: America's Favorite Least Favorite Place
September 04, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBAmericans are a pretty forgiving people. Except when it comes to that island nation just off our shores, Cuba. Together with special guest and Penn State Alumni Matt Valdespino (The Older Kids Podcast) we'll explore the in's and outs, but mostly outs of the Cuban Embargo. Also: Terrible Cuban Punk Rock, Mad Men Crossover Ideas and How to Fake The Internet. GET IN TOUCH WITH US Instagram: wtfisanamerica email: [email protected] facebook: WTF is an America Support the show