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.

Sept 25, 2022 – History of the CDC – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 441

Rachel returns from a microbiology trip to the CDC in Atlanta and presents an episode on its history.

Links and notes for ep. 441 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AFD-Ep-441-Links-and-Notes-History-of-the-CDC.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

July 25, 2022 – The 1930s Syphilis Campaign – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 436

On the 50th anniversary of the 1972 revelation of the unethical Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments begun in 1932, Bill and Rachel look back at the huge national push against syphilis in the 1930s United States (before penicillin) and the many strange effects of that campaign.

Links and notes for ep. 436 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AFD-Ep-436-Links-and-Notes-The-1930s-Syphilis-Campaign-and-Tuskegee.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird

Jan 30, 2022 – Late 19th Century Opiates in the US – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 410

Bill and Rachel discuss syringes, morphine, laudanum, the American Civil War, “women’s problems,” and the ongoing debate among historians today about how to understand opiate use and addiction in the late 19th century United States.

Links and notes for ep. 410 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AFD-Ep-410-Links-and-Notes-Late-19th-Century-Opiates-in-the-US.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

November 1921: Sheppard-Towner Act – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 400

Description: 100 years ago this week, on November 23, 1921, the first US government attempt at a modest social welfare program (focused on maternal and infant health) became law. Reactionary forces unraveled it by 1929, but it was influential regardless. Bill and Rachel discuss.

Links and notes for Ep. 400 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AFD-Ep-400-The-Sheppard-Towner-Act-of-1921.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Sept 5, 2021 – Fast Food and Automats – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 395

In September 1921, the first fast food restaurant (White Castle) was launched, taking inspiration from the Hygiene Movement. Guest John Leavitt (@LeavittAlone) joins Bill, Kelley, and Rachel to talk about this and Automats and to imagine a different future for restaurants.

Links and notes for Ep. 395 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AFD-Ep-395-Links-and-Notes-September-1921_-Fast-Food-White-Castle-with-guest-John-Leavitt.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Apr 19, 2020 – Interstate Compacts, Revisited – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 304

Description: Bill and Rachel discuss why coronavirus pandemic coordination between governors is not technically an “interstate compact” and what the 19th century Supreme Court said about interstate disease control.

AFD Ep. 304 Links and Notes (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/AFD-304-Links-and-Notes-Interstate-Compacts-Revisited.pdf

Return to episode 92 from July 2014: http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/2014/07/16/july-16-2014-arsenal-for-democracy-92/

Original theme music by Stunt Bird.