Episode

5/13 Civilizing Torture: An American Tradition w/ Fitzhugh Brundage

May 13, 2019

W. Fitzhugh Brundage, William B. Umstead Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, joins us to discuss his new book Civilizing Torture: An American Tradition.

On today’s show: Biden doesn’t want Medicare-for-all because it would let employers “off the hook” for healthcare.

W. Fitzhugh Brundage, William B. Umstead Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, joins us to discuss his new book Civilizing Torture: An American Tradition. America’s early colonial settlers claimed to be creating a society free from the tyranny of the Old World, including the torture carried out by the Spanish Inquisition. But it quickly became apparent that wasn’t going to happen. From colonial times to the Civil War to the rise of modern policing to the War on Terror, Brundage parses the state’s numerous justifications for a practice that haunts our efforts at democracy to this day.

On the fun half: Booker compares Warren to Trump because she’s campaigning on anti-trust. Poll: Dem voters considering numerous candidates. Will voters abandon Biden once he gets into specifics? Listener Evan asks Dave Rubin “will you debate Sam Seder?” Dave claims Sam’s a “dishonest player” who spreads lies about him(!) Mike Pence tells Liberty U graduates to prepare to be “shunned,” “ridiculed” for being a Christian. Larry Kudlow admits that US consumers will take brunt of tariff costs. Tom Cotton invokes troops, says we need to sacrifice in trade war with China. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farrage gets cross with BBC for asking if he’s changed his stance on NHS, immigration, climate change, Putin. Michael Tracey’s doomsday clock. Chelsea Manning says executive branch, especially Trump, wants to attack journalists, will use judiciary as rubber stamp. Manning explains why she may return to jail after May 16th court hearing.

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