The Democrats’ “Radical Agenda”
Like a lot of Americans, I’ve been watching the Democratic convention this week. On the first night, I was flipping between the three major cable networks just to take stock of how each was covering the proceedings. When I got to Fox News, I learned that the Democrats were in the midst of unveiling their “radical agenda” to “change America.” And my first reaction was, “holy cow, did I dose … Read More
Re-envisioning American Heroes with Candace Fleming
Air Dates: August 17-23, 2020 If you grew up in a household that prized reading, you probably recall a book from childhood that shaped your view of the world. Candace Fleming writes those books with an unflinching honesty about the subjects she presents. Candace Fleming is an educator, and speaker and author, who writes both fiction and non-fiction. She has written more than twenty books for children and young adults, … Read More
Stand Up and Be Counted
On Tuesday, as we learned that former Vice President Joe Biden had selected Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, I saw a Tweet from Ron Klain, Biden’s former chief of staff. It was a picture of the moment the vice president asked Senator Harris to join him on the ticket. The picture is pretty straight forward: the vice president is in profile, holding a smartphone to his computer while … Read More
From Theodore Roosevelt to Donald Trump: Exploring the Modern Presidency With Robert Dallek
Air Dates: August 10-16, 2020 The history of the American presidency is full of accomplishments and compromises, successes and failures. Robert Dallek argues that the giants from both parties in the last 120 years draw a sharp contrast with the characteristics of the Trump presidency. Robert Dallek is the author of several bestselling presidential histories, including “Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power; An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917–1963,” and … Read More
Narratives of Illegitimacy
American politics are awash with narratives of illegitimacy. We’re not just questioning the judgment of our rivals, we’re questioning their loyalty, their commitment to the rule of law and the Constitution, as well as their patriotism. In other words, we’re questioning whether our political opposites are, truly, American. It’s difficult to imagine a more serious threat to the American experiment. The playbook is familiar at this point. Republicans—including then-citizen Donald … Read More
The Reign of Beauty Pageants in America With Hillary Levey Friedman
Air Dates: August 3-9, 2020 Whether you love them or hate them, beauty pageants continue to play a significant role in American popular culture. Hillary Levey Friedman argues that their evolution is wrapped up in the history of feminism in the United States. Hilary Levey Friedman is a sociologist and expert on beauty pageants, childhood and parenting, competitive afterschool activities, and popular culture. She is Visiting Assistant Professor of Education … Read More
Why I Laugh
2020 has been the longest decade of my life. It’s not even close. The year that began with presidential impeachment, has, so far, brought us also a pandemic that continues to ravage the United States and the world, massive unemployment, the murder of George Floyd, protests for social justice, and violent confrontations in cities across the United States set against the backdrop of perhaps the most important U.S. election since … Read More
Pell Center to Debut Virtual Cybersecurity Training at IRS Nationwide Tax Forum
Newport, RI—For the third-consecutive year, the Pell Center will provide cybersecurity awareness training for tax preparation professionals at the annual IRS Nationwide Tax Forum–this year, in an advanced virtual session on the most pressing cyber threats to both individual tax preparers as well as small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the tax industry. The Pell Center’s presentations are made possible by a generous grant by the American Coalition for Taxpayer … Read More
Appreciating the Obituary with Mo Rocca
Air Dates: July 27-August 2, 2020 There are some really great dead people. Mo Rocca helps us remember them in part through his own appreciation of the obituary. Humorist, journalist and actor Mo Rocca is best known for his off-beat news reports and satirical commentary. He is a correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning, Rocca and the host of CBS’s series The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation. The show features stories about some of … Read More
Irresponsible or Tyrannical?
Every week, I try to share some insights from history, from my scholarship, or from my experience working in Washington. I am mindful that it would be easy to look at my resume and dismiss me as a partisan. And so I try to be careful about the language I use and the points I make. The truth is that I’m actually a passionate moderate—if that’s not an oxymoron—who is … Read More