Listening to America

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#1225 Liberty's First Crisis Mar 14, 2017

Show notes

Our conversation this week is with the scholar, Charles Slack. Slack is the author of Liberty's First Crisis: Adams, Jefferson, and the Misfits Who Saved Free Speech. His book chronicles the tumultuous early years of the United States when dissent was so feared that those who dared to criticize the government were put in prison or deported through the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Our discussion focuses on three individuals: Matthew Lyon, the congressman from Vermont; Benjamin Franklin Bache, the grandson of the famous Dr. Franklin; and James Thomson Callender, the notorious Scottish journalist who helped break the Sally Hemings story in 1802. Once again, we find out how little some things have changed over the years. Sometimes the less-than-wholly-respectable journalists wind up doing a very important service to democracy.

Find this episode, along with further recommended reading, on the blog.

Read Clay's essay, "Ranking American Presidents."

Learn more about Odyssey Tours and the summer 2017 Lewis & Clark adventure on odytours.net.

#1224 Friends of the Hour Mar 07, 2017

Show notes

Today, listeners call us and ask questions directly to President Jefferson. The inquiries cover a broad collection of topics: Jefferson's relationship with the press, postage costs during his time, President Andrew Jackson, patents, banking, and a request for advice on getting involved with local government.

Interested in appearing on a future call-in episode? Please submit your questions!

Find this episode, and further recommended reading, on the blog.

Learn more about Odyssey Tours and the summer 2017 Lewis & Clark adventure on odytours.net.

#1223 The Logan Act Feb 28, 2017

Show notes

President Thomas Jefferson explains the Logan Act's origin, its possible uses and its connection to Alexander Hamilton.

George Logan was a Quaker, doctor, farmer and state legislator from Pennsylvania who undertook, as a private citizen and at his own expense, a diplomatic mission to France in 1798 — and what was his reward? The Federalists and the Congress of the United States passed the Logan Act, prohibiting that from ever happening again. Despite Logan's good intentions, and his good results, his name is associated with an act that prohibits private citizens from meddling in the foreign policy of the United States.

Find this episode, Clay's Jefferson Watch essay, and further recommended reading, on the blog.

#1222 First Retirement (Part Two) Feb 21, 2017

Show notes

We return to our "Jefferson 101" series with a continued discussion about Jefferson's period of retirement after his term as Secretary of State ended in 1793 and he returned to Monticello. Subjects include Jefferson's reasons for leaving Washington, the Jay treaty, slavery and a revealing letter Jefferson wrote to his daughter Maria.

Find this episode, along with further recommended reading, on the blog.

#1221 The First 100 Days Feb 17, 2017

Show notes

Clay S. Jenkinson discusses Thomas Jefferson's election as President in 1801, his first 100 days in office, and notes the sometimes-uncanny parallels with our time.

Find this episode, along with further recommended reading, on the blog.

Learn more about "John Steinbeck's California", the Spring 2017 Tour & Retreat hosted by Odyssey Tours, a division of Bek, Inc.

For more information, visit Odyssey Tours online or contact Becky Cawley: (208) 791-8721 or bek@odytours.net

#1220 First Retirement (Part One) Feb 10, 2017

Show notes

In this 16th installment of the Jefferson 101 Series, we discuss the period from 1794 to 1797 and Jefferson's return to Monticello after his tenure as Secretary of State.

Find this episode, along with further recommended reading, on the blog.

Learn more about "John Steinbeck's California" Spring Book Retreat/Tour 2017, hosted by Odyssey Tours, a div. of Bek, Inc.

For more information, visit Odyssey Tours online or contact Becky Cawley: (208) 791-8721 or bek@odytours.net

#1219 Inauguration, Then & Now Feb 03, 2017

Show notes

President Thomas Jefferson is asked to provide context for presidential inaugurations. Clay & David discuss our third president's inaugural address — its content & its tone — while comparing it to the address of our forty-fifth president, Donald Trump.

Find this episode, along with further recommended reading, on the blog.

From "The People's Friend", which was written & composed for the inaugural celebration of March 4th, 1801:

What joyful prospects rise before Peace, Arts and Science hail our Shore And through the Country spread Long may these blessings be preserved And by a virtuous Land deserved With Jefferson our head

Read Clay's essay on Donald Trump inaugural address, The Jefferson Watch: The Inauguration.

Listen to this week's 1776 Club broadcast, Forward Motion. Clay: "It's going to be an interesting year, let's put it that way. My goal is the same always: I want the Jefferson Hour to proliferate because I believe that Jefferson is the answer."

"John Steinbeck's California", the spring book retreat & tour with Clay S. Jenkinson, will be held March 4-10, 2017. This retreat is hosted by Odyssey Tours, a div. of Bek, Inc. For more information, visit Odyssey Tours online or contact Becky Cawley: (208) 791-8721 or bek@odytours.net

#1218 Two Parties Jan 27, 2017

Show notes

We speak with President Thomas Jefferson this week about the unexpected emergence of the two-party political system during his time.

Find this episode, along with further recommended reading, on the blog.

Learn more about "John Steinbeck's California" Spring Book Retreat/Tour 2017, hosted by Odyssey Tours, a div. of Bek, Inc.

For more information, visit Odyssey Tours online or contact Becky Cawley: (208) 791-8721 or bek@odytours.net

The Jefferson Watch: The Inauguration Jan 26, 2017

Show notes

In the first of a new series of essays, Clay draws comparisons between the inaugurations of Presidents Donald Trump and Thomas Jefferson.

The full essay can also be found on the blog.

"By not acknowledging the fact of the opposition—and making some gesture of his desire to represent them too, to find a way to win their approval—Trump spoke about 'the People' in a way that is merely demagogic and symbolic but without any fundamental truth or reality. ... Had he been a Jeffersonian, Trump would have acknowledged the polarization of the country."

Learn more about the 1776 Club.

Thomas Jefferson's Inauguration Jan 20, 2017

Show notes

This bonus episode is an excerpt from #752 Inaugural, originally published in January of 2009. Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson, discusses his inaugural address of March 4th, 1801.

You can hear the original episode in full on the blog.

Yale provides the full text of Jefferson's First Inaugural Address.

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