Author Archives: bruce

An incident at the US Embassy in Pakistan in 1979, that almost turned into another hostage crisis, and related events.

What if Carter’s rescue mission had worked?

A look at Grant’s second vice president, one of 7 to die in office.

A bunch of leftovers from the Carter cast mixed with books I’ve read over the summer and early fall here.  Hope they are enjoyed.

As a young assemblyman, Theodore Roosevelt was ready to vote against a ban on cigar making in homes in New York.  It was he thought ‘socialistic’  Then Samuel Gompers took him on a tour.

From some trips to the library a few isolated history-political stories.

A look at Chief Black Hawk’s crossing of the Mississippi, leading to the conflict known as Black Hawk’s War.  Two Presidents would serve in that war as would many budding politicians.  Why was it fought?  Did Black Hawk want to … Continued

In a tight race, Bush-Cheney tried a novel, and now forgotten strategy.  They looked to multi-level marketing groups and emulated some tactics.  It may have worked, or not.

A recent library trip and some unused tidbits generated an episode of various items of interest about politics and history.

More demonstration of WEB DuBois uncanny ability to use words to describe his experience.  Also a bit more about Claude Kirk and why, despite 3 episodes, I wish I hit some points more.  About his lost hat, run for governor … Continued

In Part 3 Kirk goes from Vice Presidential contender to Florida gadfly with a few long-term political blunders.

Part 2 of the series. In this episode, the ‘Go-Go Governor’ Claude Kirk tries out directly confronting people as a strategy. Results are mixed.

A rough edit of a soon-to be episode on Claude Kirk, a flamboyant Florida governor in the 1960’s, the first GOP governor to be elected since Reconstruction.

a bit about vice President Humphrey

Advanced release of our special Part 7 Episode – Bloknot – notebook episode with all the things we left behind and didn’t get a chance to talk about.

The end of the Soviet Union happens with a mysterious silence, a plane chase, unwanted visitors and a fresh new pen. In the six and final episode we look at the end of a country, and the beginnings of a … Continued

Day 2 of the takeover of the Soviet Union by high-ranking officials.  August 20th finds new fears but also increasing resistance not just in Moscow but in the republics.  Soviet citizens resist, in a way they may be able to … Continued

As the day of August 19th, 1991 turns to night, both sides seek large power sources.  Yeltzin reaches out to soldiers.  The Gang of Eight try their luck with the press.  The first crowds gather to defend Yeltzin.

You hear it hear first – the first version rough edit of THE FALL OF USSR series.  EP1 Wake Up Cassandra Soviet citizens wake up to tanks out the window, and strange announcements mixed with music.  Citizens react.  One leader … Continued

After the midterms of 1930 it looked like Hoover’s Party, the GOP,  was able to hold on to the House, though narrowly. Then 14 Congressmen-elect died.