A More Perfect Union

Original Air Date:

January 24, 2016

So what about that phrase “a more perfect union”? What does that mean? And how do we reconcile all the different visons of what a more perfect union might be? Especially the ones you disagree with.

Are the Armed Men in Oregon Religious Fanatics?

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Scott Carrier is a Peabody award winning radio journalist who takes the time to really interview and listen to folks other journalist tend to not take seriously. Like those men in Oregon who are occupying federal land. Anne Strainchamps asked Scott what the men there were like.

A Former Neo- Nazi Skinhead, Now What?

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Constitution quoting religious fanatics with guns taking over government land might seem as extreme as you could take your beliefs in god and country. But you can take it further. Christian Picciolini is the former leader of the US’s first neo-Nazi skinhead organization. He too was acting out of patriotism. He was also acting out of hate and white supremacy. The title of his 2015 memoir, “Romantic Violence” says it all. But Christian quit being a neo-Nazi skinhead. And in 2010, he co-founded a nonprofit peace advocacy groups called Life After Hate that helps youth leave extremist groups. Charles Monroe-Kane sat down with Christian for a frank discussion on racism.

19th Century Utopias

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Though names like Mother Ann Lee and Charles Fourier are not names that ring a bell for most today, they founded two of the most influential utopian movements in US history. 19^th Century communes like the Shakers and Brook Farm are gone today their legacy – politically and culturally, are all around us. Chris Jennings is the author of “Paradise Now: The Story of American Utopianism.” Steve Paulson sat down with Jennings and asked him about what is now a dirty word, utopia.

The Soundtrack to a Literal "Cult" Sensation

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One of the many utopian groups that started during the late 19th century and early 20th century was the House of David—perhaps the first cult to become a pop culture sensation. Their compound in Benton Harbon, Michigan had an amusement park and a zoo; they had a baseball team that once played an exhibition game against Babe Ruth and the Yankees, and they had bands—highly regarded, touring bands. Here's Henry Sapoznik—the director of the Mayrent Institute for Yiddish Culture here at the University of Wisconsin—on the mythology and music of the House of David.

Do You Believe in Gnomes?

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Are you feeling a little cynical? Maybe a little down? Have no fear, we have a documentary to cure what ails you. It’s called “The Gnomist.” As in garden gnomes. And if you think this is some sort of post modern ironic bait and switch you could be no further from the truth. Our producer Charles Monroe-Kane caught up with the film’s director, Sharon Liese, to find out what happened with garden gnomes along the Tomahawk Creek Trail in Overland Park, Kansas. A place now dubbed The Firefly Forest.

Show Details 📻

Airdates

January 24, 2016

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Current Events

Last modified:

March 17, 2022

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A More Perfect Union