Bill Humphrey

About Bill Humphrey

Bill Humphrey is the primary host of WVUD's Arsenal For Democracy talk radio show and a local elected official.

[Unlocked] June 8, 2021 – The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit of 1986 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 381

Unlocked from our Patreon: Have you ever wondered what the absolute peak example of neoliberal policy is? Bill and Rachel submit to you that it might be the tradable Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) in effect since 1986.

Links and notes for ep. 381 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bonus-AFD-Ep-381-Links-and-Notes-The-Low-Income-Housing-Tax-Credits-of-1986.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

[Unlocked] May 25, 2021 – The Red Ark – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 377

Unlocked from our Patreon: Bill and Rachel discuss the Red Ark (or Soviet Ark) deportations of Russian-born American anarchists in 1919. (Don’t miss our two part series from 2019 on American anarchist history!)

Links and notes for ep. 377 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bonus-AFD-Ep-377-Links-and-Notes-The-Red-Ark.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Mar 12, 2023 – Gillette – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 463

At the start of the 20th century, eccentric inventor and utopian theorist King C. Gillette developed the disposable blade for safety razors, launching one of the most influential, trend-setting American corporations of all time, for good or ill. (Bill and Rachel)

Links and notes for ep. 463 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AFD-Ep-463-Links-and-Notes-Gillette.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

March 1873: The Comstock Laws – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 462

150 years ago last week, on March 3rd, 1873, the Comstock Laws on obscenity, including birth control and abortion supplies or information, became part of the US Criminal Code. (Bill and Rachel.)

Links and notes for ep. 462 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AFD-Ep-462-Links-and-Notes-March-1873_-Comstock-Laws.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The “Employee-Owned” Chicago and North Western Railway: Hype vs Reality – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 461

In 1972, some employees made a leveraged buyout of the Chicago and North Western Railway and re-branded it as “Employee-Owned.” The reality was much more complicated and reveals a lot about railroading and American capitalism generally in the 1970s and 1980s. (Bill and Rachel)

Links and notes for ep. 461 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AFD-Ep-461-Links-and-Notes-The-Employee-Owned-Chicago-and-North-Western-Railway_-Hype-vs-Reality.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Feb 20, 2023 – Car Starters and Ignitions – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 460

A quick look at the evolution of car starter and ignition technology, from hand-crank disasters to viral video car theft trends. (Bill and Rachel.)

Links and notes for ep. 460 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AFD-Ep-460-Links-and-Notes-Car-Starters-and-Ignitions.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The New York City Flour Riot of February 1837 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 459

186 years ago, with the US economy starting to melt down, New Yorkers rioted against alleged grain and flour hoarding. But discontent was much more widespread, as Locofocos and armed “Patriot” paramilitaries soon made clear. Bill and Rachel.

Links and notes for ep. 459 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AFD-Ep-459-Links-and-Notes-NYC-Flour-Riot-of-1837.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.