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About Rachel

Your friendly neighborhood microbiologist in Boise, Idaho.

[Preview] Apr 6, 2021 – General Averell’s Asphalt Empire – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 363

Full episode on Patreon: Bill and Rachel learn what asphalt is and how failed Civil War General William Woods Averell became an asphalt paving magnate by the end of the 19th century.

Apr 4, 2021 – Project Cybersyn in Allende’s Chile – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 362

Description: Bill and Rachel discuss the book “Cybernetic Revolutionaries: Technology and Politics in Allende’s Chile” by Eden Medina (MIT Press, 2011) on the unfinished democratic socialist computer system “Project Cybersyn.”

Links and notes for Ep. 362 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/AFD-Ep-362-Project-Cybersyn-in-Allendes-Chile.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

[Preview] Mar 23, 2021 – The 1923 San Pedro Maritime Strike – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 361

Full episode on Patreon: Bill and Rachel discuss the failed IWW strike at the Port of Los Angeles in 1923, including Upton Sinclair getting arrested and the Klan menacing strikers.

Mar 21, 2021 – Frank Church and the Church Committee – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 360

Description: Rachel discusses Idaho’s native son Senator Frank Church and his committee’s investigations of violent misconduct by US intelligence agencies and their corporate partners at home and abroad.

Notes for Ep. 360 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/AFD-Ep-360-Links-and-Notes-Frank-Church-and-the-Church-Committee.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

[Preview] Mar 15, 2021 – Samuel Milton Golden Rule Jones – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 359

Full episode on Patreon: Bill and Rachel discuss turn-of-the-century Toledo mayor and progressive industrialist Samuel Milton “Golden Rule” Jones and reflect on the limitations of his popular but unusual brand of Christian socialism made possible by his oil money.

[Preview] Mar 9, 2021 – Early Air Conditioning – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 357

Full episode on Patreon: Air conditioning began as a process for controlling humidity in industrial factory processes before it became about cooler human comforts. But it was also a key part of the military-industrial complex. Bill and Rachel discuss.