KPFA - Letters and Politics

Fund Drive Special – Ancient Rome: From Republic to Empire Series (Part 1)

Today we offer our series Ancient Rome: From Republic to Empire, in which we explore the nature of the Roman Republic compared and contrasted to our own. We also look at how the Roman Republic evolved into an empire. Guest: Edward J. Watts holds the Alkiviadis Vassiliadis Endowed Chair and is a professor of history at the University of California, San Diego. The author and editor of several prize-winning books, including The Final Pagan Generation.  His latest is Mortal Republic: How Rome Fel...

Fund Drive Special – Ancient Rome: From Republic to Empire Series (Part 1)

Today we offer our series Ancient Rome: From Republic to Empire, in which we explore the nature of the Roman Republic compared and contrasted to our own. We also look at how the Roman Republic evolved into an empire. Guest: Edward J. Watts holds the Alkiviadis Vassiliadis Endowed Chair and is a professor of history at the University of California, San Diego. The author and editor of several prize-winning books, including The Final Pagan Generation.  His latest is Mortal Republic: How Rome Fel...

Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire

With Kyle Harper, author of The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire.  Kyle Harper is a historian of the classical world and the Senior Vice President and Provost at his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma. The post Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire appeared first on KPFA.

History of Legislative Reforms After Nixon & The Iowa Caucus

Guests: Rick Perlstein is a historian, journalist, and author of several books such as Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America;  The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan. And his newest to be yet published in August this year Reaganland: America’s Right Turn 1976-1980.   David Redlawsk is James R. Soles Professor of Political SciencePolitical Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware. He is author of several books includin...

A History of Democratic Socialism in Europe and the US

Today we are in conversation with professor Gary Dorrien about the history of social democracy both in Europe and the United States. Gary Dorrien is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and professor of religion at Columbia University.  He is the author of several books on social ethics and theology including Economy, Difference, Empire: Social Ethics for Social Justice, The New Abolition, Breaking White Supremacy and his latest, Social Democracy in th...

Guantanamo Bay and the Presidential War Power

Today, Mitch Jeserich talks about Guantanamo Bay with Peter Jan Honigsberg, a professor at the university of San Francisco School of Law, founder and director of Witness to Guantanamo. His latest book is called A Place Outside the Law: Forgotten Voices from Guantanamo.   KPFA Event with PETER JAN HONIGSBERG A Place Outside the Law: Forgotten Voices From Guantanamo with Steve Wasserman Tuesday, February 4, 7:30 PM Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar Street, Berkeley Advance tickets: $12: brownpaperticke...

Jack Kerouac: The man, The Myth, And The Controversy Over His Estate

Guest: Gerald Nicosia, journalist, and author of several books including Memory Babe and his latest Kerouac: The Last Quarter Century. The post Jack Kerouac: The man, The Myth, And The Controversy Over His Estate appeared first on KPFA.

The French Revolution

Today, Mitch Jeserich talks to Historian Jeremy D. Popkin about the dynamics around the French Revolution, such as the role that women played in it and its connection to the Haitian Revolution. Jeremy D. Popkin holds the William T. Bryan Chair of History at the University of Kentucky, he is the author of a number of books, his latest is called A New World Begins: The History of the French Revolution. The post The French Revolution appeared first on KPFA.

Presidents and War

Today, Mitch Jeserich talks to Andrew J. Bacevich about presidential power and war. Andrew Bacevich is a retired army colonel, and now a professor emeritus of history and international relations at Boston University and chairman of the Quincy Institute for Intelligent Statecraft. He is the author of a number of books, his latest is called The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Cold War Victory.                                                                                        ...

House Considers Vote War Powers Act

The House of Representatives is considering limiting president Trump’s presidential powers in the Iran conflict. For analysis, we talk to professors Marjorie Cohn and Karen Greenberg. Guest: Marjorie Cohn is Professor Emerita at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, California. A former president of the National Lawyers Guild. Author of Drones and Targeted Killing: Legal, Moral and Geopolitical Issues. Her articles can be found at marjoriecohn.com Karen Greenberg is the Director of the C...

Deescalating War?

Guests: Gerald Horne is an historian, and author of a numbers of books, he holds the John J. and Rebecca Moores Chair of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston. Conn Hallinan is a military analyst and a columnist for Foreign Policy In Focus. Raed Jarrar is an Iraqi political analyst and human rights activist based in Washington, D.C. The post Deescalating War? appeared first on KPFA.

The War Powers Act and The Making Money on War

Today, a conversation with Louis Fisher on the 1973 War Powers Act, designed to limit the U.S. president’s ability to initiate or escalate military actions abroad. Louis Fisher is a scholar at The Constitution Project. Then, Mitch Jeserich talks to arms specialist William Hartung about the economics and who makes money during a war. He is the director of the Arms and Security Project at Center for International Policy and author Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military-...

Letters and Politics – January 6, 2020

The Very Latest on the Senate Impeachment Trial, then Qasem Soleimani’s Assassination.

Today, Host Mitch Jeserich talks to Middle East expert Juan Cole, about how the assassination of Soleimani will affect the US dynamic in the region. Juan Cole is the founder and chief editor of Informed Comment. He is Richard P. Mitchell Professor of History at the University of Michigan and an adjunct professor, Gulf Studies Center, Qatar University. He is author of, among many other books, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires. The post The Very Latest on the Senate Impeachme...

The Homewreckers Who Demolished the American Dream

Guest: Aaron Glantz, a journalist and two-time Peabody Award winner, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, multiple Emmy Award nominee and author of the book Homewreckers: How a Gang of Wall Street Kingpins, Hedge Fund Magnates, Crooked Banks, and Vulture Capitalists Suckered Millions Out of Their Homes and Demolished the American Dream. The post The Homewreckers Who Demolished the American Dream appeared first on KPFA.

The Chinese Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad and the Strike of 1867

Guest: Gordon H. Chang is the Olive H. Palmer Professor in Humanities and Professor of History at Stanford University, where he also serves as Director of the Center for East Asian Studies and co director of the Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project. He is the author of Ghosts of Gold Mountain: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad. The post The Chinese Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad and the Strike of 1867 appeared first on KPFA.

We’ve got People: From Jesse Jackson to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A conversation with political analyst Ryan Grim on how big money took over the Democratic party and the struggle against it. The last thirty years has seen the building  of a movement, which first exploded into public view with the largely forgotten presidential run of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a campaign that came dangerously close to winning.  This movement is th e one that propelled Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez into office. Guest: Ryan Grim is The Intercept’s D.C. Bureau Chief. He is a contribut...

Fascism and the Catholic Church: Mussolini’s Rise to Power

Today, host Mitch Jeserich speaks with historian David Kertzer, a prominent intellectual voice on the political, demographic, and religious history of Italy. He is Paul Dupee, Jr. University Professor of Social Science, Professor of Anthropology, and Professor of Italian Studies at Brown University. His latest book is, The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe. The post Fascism and the Catholic Church: Mussolini’s Rise to Power appeared first on K...

How Disability Rights Activists Created a More Inclusive Society in America

Accessibility laws in the second half of the twenty century are transforming society like no other laws before them by creating inclusive architecture and city design that enables fuller civic participation not just for disabled people, but for everyone. Today we are in conversation with historian Bess Williamson to talk about the history of disability and design Guest: Bess Williamson is Associate Professor of Art History, Theory and Criticism at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. S...

The First Impeachment of a President

Host Mitch Jeserich talks with Brenda Wineapple about the first impeachment of a sitting president, Andrew Johnson in 1868. Brenda Wineapple is the author of the book The impeachers: The Trial of Andrew Johnson and the Dream of a Just Nation. The post The First Impeachment of a President appeared first on KPFA.

House Rules Committee Debates Impeachment

Guest: John Nichols is the Washington Correspondent for the Nation Magazine. Nichols also hosts The Nation’s podcast Next Left. Support your Radio station. Click here to pledge online  The post House Rules Committee Debates Impeachment appeared first on KPFA.

Letters & Politics Fund-drive edition – 2020 Dec 13

A weekly public affairs show that delivers news and views about the most important issues in California and globally. The post Letters & Politics Fund-drive edition – 2020 Dec 13 appeared first on KPFA.

House Judiciary Committee Debates and Prepares to Vote on Impeachment Articles

Support your Radio station. Click here to pledge online  A Night to Remember – Dinner and a tour of KPFA (Pair of Tix).Thursday, January 16th, at 5:30pm $500 The post House Judiciary Committee Debates and Prepares to Vote on Impeachment Articles appeared first on KPFA.

Map of Knowledge

We have a special conversation with Violet Moller on the ancient world. Today, together we take a look at the Caliphates of the eighth, ninth, and tenth centuries in Baghdad and Cordoba. Guest: Violet Moller  is a historian and writer who specializes in intellectual history. She is the author of the book The Map of Knowledge: A Thousand-Year History of How Classical Ideas Were Lost and Found. Support your Radio station. Click here to pledge online BOOK: The Map of Knowledge: A Thousand-Year ...

Laying out the Articles of Impeachment

The post Laying out the Articles of Impeachment appeared first on KPFA.

The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic.

A conversation with Mike Duncan about his book The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic. He explains how the accumulation of inequalities, social prejudice and corruption led the Roman Republic to its fall. Mike Duncan is one of the foremost history podcasters in the world. His award winning series The History of Rome chronologically narrated the entire history of the Roman Empire over 189 weekly episodes. Running from 2007-2012, it generated more than 56 mil...

Pacifica Radio Archives Special

The post Pacifica Radio Archives Special appeared first on KPFA.

Learning From the Nixon Impeachment

Today we talk to lawyer and political leader Elizabeth Holtzman. She served on the House Judiciary Committee charged with investigating the Watergate scandal and prepared articles of impeachment that precipitated the resignation of President Nixon. Her latest book is The Case For Impeaching Trump.     The post Learning From the Nixon Impeachment appeared first on KPFA.

The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law

With James Q. Whitman, Professor of Comparative and Foreign Law at Yale Law School. His books include Harsh Justice, The Origins of Reasonable Doubt, The Verdict of Battle, and his latest, Hitler’s American Model: The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law.   The post The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law appeared first on KPFA.

Bleeding Kansas and the Movement to Establish Kansas as a Free State.

Today Mitch Jeserich talks to Robert K. Sutton about Bleeding Kansas, when anti-slavery and pro slavery militias fought out a war in the territory that would became Kansas in the decades before the Civil War. Robert K. Sutton is the author of the book Stark Mad Abolitionists: Lawrence, Kansas, and the Battle over Slavery in the Civil War Era. The post Bleeding Kansas and the Movement to Establish Kansas as a Free State. appeared first on KPFA.

How Slavery Laid the Foundation of American Capitalism.

A conversation on the history of management and accounting, and their connection to slavery with Caitlin C. Rosenthal. She is assistant professor of History at UC Berkeley and author of the book Accounting for Slavery: Masters and Management. The post How Slavery Laid the Foundation of American Capitalism. appeared first on KPFA.

The Battle of Mosul and the Fall of the Caliphate.

The Battle of Mosul and the Fall of the Caliphate

A conversation with War Correspondent James Verini. He arrived in Iraq in the summer of 2016 to write about life in the Islamic State, and stayed to cover the battle of Mosul and the fall of the last physical stronghold for ISIS. He is a contributing writer to NY times Magazine as well as National Geographic and author of the book They Will Have to Die Now: Mosul and the Fall of the Caliphate. The post The Battle of Mosul and the Fall of the Caliphate appeared first on KPFA.

Understanding Ukraine, Russia and U.S. Interests in the Region. Then, a Chat with Randy Credico.

Today, Mitch Jeserich talks with Historian Anthony D’Agostino. He is a Professor at San Francisco State University, an expert on the history of Russia, and the author of many books including the Russian revolution and “The Rise of Global Powers: International Politics in the Era of World Wars”.   Then, Randy Credico joins us to talk about Roger Stone.  Randy Credico is long time leftist activist. He is a perennial political candidate, comedian, radio host, and activist, and the former directo...

Previewing the Public Impeachment Inquiry Hearings.

Host Mitch Jeserich explains what’s at stake in the upcoming impeachment inquiry open hearings. The post Previewing the Public Impeachment Inquiry Hearings. appeared first on KPFA.

A Perspective on the Impeachment Proceedings with David Cay Johnston. Then, Bolivian President Evo Morales’s Resignation

In light of the impeachment proceedings, we talk to David Cay Johnston about his perspective on the impeachment of Donald Trump. Guest: David Cay Johnston is an investigative journalist and author, a specialist in economics and tax issues, and winner of the 2001 Pulitzer Prize. He is the author of The Making of Donald Trump and It’s Even Worse than you Think. He is also the founder of the DC Reports. Then, we talk to Alex Main about the current political situation in Bolivia and President Evo...

The Republican Party and the Potential Impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Today, Mitch Jeserich talks with historian Geoffrey Kabaservice about the Republican Party, during a time in which its president Donald Trump is facing a potential Impeachment by the House of Representatives. His guest is the Director of Political Studies at the Niskanen Center and the author of number of books, including Rule and Ruin: The Downfall of Moderation and the Destruction of the Republican Party, from Eisenhower to the Tea Party. The post The Republican Party and the Potential Impe...

Live Update from Capitol Hill: Public Hearings to Begin Next Week. Then, a Conversation with US Senate Historian Betty Koed about the Preparation Going On in the Senate for the Potential Impeachment Trial.

Today, the chair of the house intelligence committee Adam Schiff announced the first opening hearings next week. Mitch Jeserich brings us an update on everything that is happening today on impeachment in Capitol Hill. Then, official historian of the Senate Betty Koed talks with Mitch Jeserich about how her and her office are doing right now, getting ready for a potential senate impeachment trial of president Donald Trump and learning everything they can from the previous two impeachments tria...

The Legacy of Henrietta Wood, a Slave Who Sued her Kidnappers and Won a Case of Reparation for Slavery.

A conversation with historian W. Caleb McDaniel about the life of Henrietta Wood, a black woman who was born into slavery, was freed and then re-enslaved, and then sued her captors and won, using that money to buy a home and put her son through law school. Caleb McDaniel is professor of history at Rice University in Houston and the author of Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America.  The post The Legacy of Henrietta Wood, a Slave Who Sued her Kidnappers and W...

Live Update from Capitol Hill: Latest Happenings and Today’s Depositions. Then, Matt Taibbi on Impeachment.

Mitch Jeseich brings us the latest news from Capitol Hill. Then, a conversation about U.S. Foreign Policy and The Trump Impeachment Inquiry with Rolling Stone journalist Matt Taibbi. He is the author of the book Hate Inc.: Why Today’s Media Makes Us Despise One Another.     The post Live Update from Capitol Hill: Latest Happenings and Today’s Depositions. Then, Matt Taibbi on Impeachment. appeared first on KPFA.

Live Update from Capitol Hill: Feedback on the Resolution the House of Representatives just voted.  

Live Update from Capitol Hill: The House of Representatives Voted to Formalize Impeachment

The House of Representatives just voted a resolution formalizing the Trump Impeachment Inquiry. Today guest host Max Pringle talks to Mitch Jeserich about the latest news on the impeachment inquiry: the key points of the resolution and what this means for the next few weeks. The post Live Update from Capitol Hill: The House of Representatives Voted to Formalize Impeachment appeared first on KPFA.

Understanding Trump Impeachment Inquiry through the History of Impeachment.

A conversation with Frank O. Bowman on the History of Impeachment from the fourteen century on and how this history informs our understanding of the impeachment process with President Donald Trump. Frank O. Bowman teaches a seminar on impeachment at Georgetown law school and also teaches law at the University of Missouri, he is the author of the book High Crimes and Misdemeanors, a History of Impeachment for the Age of Trump. The post Understanding Trump Impeachment Inquiry through the Histor...

Live Update from Capitol Hill: Ukraine Expert Testifying to the House. Then, Ralph Nader on the Impeachment Inquiry

Today Mitch Jeserich talks to Letters and Politics’ host guest Max Pringle about the latest news on the impeachment inquiry including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s decision to hold a vote by the full house to formalize the impeachment. Then, a conversation with consumer advocate, lawyer, and author Ralph Nader about how the Democrats should proceed with the impeachment of Donald Trump.   The post Live Update from Capitol Hill: Ukraine Expert Testifying to the House. Then, Ralph Nader o...

Live Update from Capitol Hill: Who Didn’t Show Up to Testify to the House Today? Plus, Congressman Eric Swalwell on the Impeachment Process

Today, former deputy national security adviser Charles Kupperman failed to appear for a close-door deposition before the House impeachment investigators. Mitch Jeserich joins us from Washington D.C for an update on this issue and on the latest happenings in Capitol Hill. Then, a conversation with Congressman Eric Swalwell (CA-15) explaining the impeachment inquiry process and why the need to have close door depositions. Congressman Swalwell is a member of the House Judiciary and Intelligence ...

Live Update from Capitol Hill: How Republicans are Trying to Stop the Impeachment Inquiries

Mitch Jeserich talks to Max Pringle about the latest happenings in Capitol Hill about the impeachment inquiries. Then, Mitch Jeserich talks to Lisa Gilbert about the process of the impeachment inquiry. She is Public Citizen’s vice president of legislative affairs. The post Live Update from Capitol Hill: How Republicans are Trying to Stop the Impeachment Inquiries appeared first on KPFA.

The Homewreckers who Demolished the American Dream

Guest: Aaron Glantz, a journalist and two-time Peabody Award winner, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, multiple Emmy Award nominee and author of the book Homewreckers: How a Gang of Wall Street Kingpins, Hedge Fund Magnates, Crooked Banks, and Vulture Capitalists Suckered Millions Out of Their Homes and Demolished the American Dream. The post The Homewreckers who Demolished the American Dream appeared first on KPFA.

Live Update from Capitol Hill: The Process of the Current Impeachment Inquiry Against Donald Trump

From Capitol Hill, KPFA’s special correspondent Mitch Jeserich talks to Max Pringle about the current process of the impeachment inquiry against president Donald Trump. Then, a conversation about the gig economy with technology ethnographer Alex Rosenblat. She is the author of the book Uberland: How Algorithms Are Rewriting the Rules of Work. The post Live Update from Capitol Hill: The Process of the Current Impeachment Inquiry Against Donald Trump appeared first on KPFA.

The CIA, Sidney Gottlieb, the Search for Mind Control, and the Spread of LSD in the 1960’s

Guest: Stephen Kinzer, former New York Times foreign correspondent, now Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University and author of the book Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control. The post The CIA, Sidney Gottlieb, the Search for Mind Control, and the Spread of LSD in the 1960’s appeared first on KPFA.

Mitch Jeserich – FundDrive edition – Oct 18, 2019

The richly diverse and fascinating world of letters and politics of the United States. The post Mitch Jeserich – FundDrive edition – Oct 18, 2019 appeared first on KPFA.