The Brion McClanahan Show

http://learntruehistory.com One of the common arguments against my "think locally, act locally" theme is corruption. "Gee, that sounds good, but state and local government is so corrupt. It can't be fixed." Not so fast. This week provided two great examples of why we should all be thinking locally and acting locally. You have the power to clean up corruption and the power to change your backyard.

http://learntruehistory.com Donald Trump acted against Syria. Some "conservatives" would have you believe this was constitutional. Was it? I discuss what the founding generation said about this and more. This isn't going to make me a popular podcaster with a large percentage of the modern right.

http://learntruehistory.com Larry King called Donald Trump one of the most "ridiculous" presidents in American history. Why? Because he appointed people to cabinet positions that don't agree with the charge of that department. The horror! But King's stupid statement led to this podcast. We have had worse cabinet members than those appointed by Trump. I talk about a couple of those individuals and...

http://learntruehistory.com Music is a think locally, act locally idea. People like music for many reasons. I like music that speaks to a people, a place, a time. One woman described music as "the soul of the world embedded in sound." To me, it is more than that, and I discuss why in this episode.

http://learntruehistory.com Are humans naturally inclined to violence? Lawrence Keeley thinks so. In fact, he argues that before the blessings of Western Civilization, man was more violent and brutal than today. I discuss what this means for modern society and why we should pay attention to his findings in this episode of The Brion McClanahan Show.

http://learntruehistory.com Most people don't know anything about the Bayards of Delaware, but they should. They are one of America's greatest political families, and they had much to say about statecraft, war, empire, and government. Libertarians and conservatives would do well to get to know their history.

http://learntruehistory.com Modern education stinks. Everyone knows it. But why? The mastermind behind all that ails us is the progressive philosopher John Dewey, but even so, the problems run deeper. We have abandoned many of the practices that helped develop young men and women into solid, moral, and well-rounded republican men and women. This is a think locally, act locally moment.

http://learntruehistory.com Why in the heck do Americans care about Korea? Kim Jong Un has recently rattled Americans by promising to nuke the United States, and the Trump administration has suggested that all options are on the table. I provide the background for this "crisis" and how it has impacted the powers of the presidency and American foreign policy. Korea was in many ways the start of eve...

http://learntruehistory.com Donald Trump has outlined "his" legislative agenda. The public goes wild. All is right in the world. The legislator in chief has spoken. Of course, this was never supposed to happen, and there have been several presidents opposed to this type of pseudo-monarchy, Grover Cleveland foremost among them. I discuss Trump, Obama, Cleveland, the Gilded Age and a host of other g...

http://learntruehistory.com Why are the Anti-Federalists important? William Watkins has written a marvelous book on the subject, "Crossroads for Liberty," that explores what the Anti-Federalists had to say about the Constitution and why they matter today. I discuss his book, the antis, the Constitution, and the issues in Episode 63 of The Brion McClanahan Show.

http://learntruehistory.com Fake news is the catchphrase of the day. Everyone is talking about it, but the issue is bigger than bogus news stories. It gets to the heart of the media. What kind of press do we need or want? A fair and objective press? No. We need a free and independent press, and modern media has gone the way of the 18th and 19th centuries. That is a good thing.

http://learntruehistory.com Secession is constantly in the news. Many Californians want out of the Union and mainstream voices are chiming in on the issue. But what constitutes the ideal republic or commonwealth? David Hume had an answer. For now, this is an academic exercise, but as decentralization will be the issue of the 21st century, it might be wise to start thinking about reform measures th...

http://learntruehistory.com Americans have the gall to insist that they have the right to govern themselves. This is unique in Western Civilization. The Greeks and Romans had local self government, but after the Germanic and Viking invasions, much of that was lost outside of the Northern Italian republics. Not so in England. I discuss the English political tradition of local self government and ho...

Most Americans believe that the federal judiciary is out of control, but they feel powerless to stop it. Even some of our most trusted elected officials have this unnatural awe and respect for the judicial branch, like the men and women in black robes have some supernatural authority and need to be revered. The dirty little secret: Congress can...and should...do something about it. I discuss this...

http://learntruehistory.com Necessary and Proper does not mean "you can do anything you want to do." Listeners have asked for this type of show, so here you go. I cover the original intent of the "Necessary and Proper Clause," and some general language about the Constitution. Your "living Constitution" friends will hate the episode because I destroy their arguments.

We have barbarians at the gate. The Left has shown their true colors with constant riots and protests aimed at some imaginary bogeyman. My colleague Jack Kerwick has analyzed the problem at Townhall.com. You should read his essay, but I also get into a bit more history and explain that this has always been the MO of the Left on Episode 57 of The Brion McClanahan Show. http://townhall.com/columnist...

http://learntruehistory.com Trump is going to send in the troops, at least that is what he told the current Mexican president. What is it about Mexico and the United States? Why is our relationship with our southern neighbor so strained? I discuss the history of the political, economic, and diplomatic interaction between Mexico and the United States in Episode 56 of The Brion McClanahan Show.

http://learntruehistory.com Is the United States a "nation of immigrants?" No. This is an ingenious narrative crafted in the last fifty years to undermine traditional American political institutions. I discuss Trump's actions on immigration, debunk the "American nation" thesis, and the founding perspective on immigration on Episode 55 of The Brion McClanahan Show.

http://learntruehistory.com State's rights! Just saying it will send some Americans into apoplectic shock. But it isn't a dirty word. In fact, State's rights is the key to restoring liberty in America. I discuss federalism and the book "A Less Perfect Union: The Case for State's Rights" by Adam Freedman on Episode 54 of The Brion McClanahan Show.

http://learntruehistory.com A listener asked me to respond to several questions posted at the Jason Stapleton program referencing the incorporation of the Bill of Rights. My answer: Incorporation? What incorporation? I explain myself in Episode 53 of The Brion McClanahan Show. Every American needs to hear this podcast.

Donald Trump has been called the next Andrew Jackson and many people, including yours truly, have compared his run at the presidency with previous election cycles. But I dare say no one has compared 2016 with 1976. I do, and I give you my thoughts on a future Trump presidency and other nuggets in this episode. I'm back!

Who should you vote for on November 8? Trump? Clinton? Johnson? Castle? Stein? Does it matter? I discuss all of this and how I would vote in different parts of the country. Listen to this before you cast your ballot.

http://learntruehistory.com Is America exceptional? If you listen to Barack Obama, no. If you listen to Rush Limbaugh, yes. This is an important concept that needs attention, particularly in an age when American imperialism dominates our foreign policy. My short answer: yes. I explain why in Episode 50.

http://learntruehistory.com Larry Reed at FEE asked a couple of years ago, are we Rome? He pointed to a number of troubling similarities between the Roman Empire and the modern United States. I answer yes for several reasons, not the least of which is political corruption. Americans should study not only U.S. and British history, but also classical civilizations like Greece and Rome. This provides...

http://learntruehistory.com Who won the October 9, 2016 debate? A better question would be what questions were appropriate for a presidential debate? Not many, but that was to be expected. And does a "town hall" style format work for the executive branch? I discuss the winner, the loser, the topics, and more importantly political discourse. Don't miss it.