You probably know from reading this blog that I am searching out ways to spend a little time on myself. One of the ways I do that is by listening to podcasts after the boy kids are in bed each night. I’ve been listening to knitting podcasts off and on for a long time, but not too long ago, I decided to search the iTunes store for “history”. In truth, I wasn’t expecting very much, but I got a pleasant surprise. I’ve added several historical podcasts to my listening line-up, including Hardcore History, Journeys into American History, and the subject of this post, My History Can Beat Up Your Politics Podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed the previous episode comparing Vietnam and Iraq, which I listened to while ripping stitches out of my quilt. ‘ve often said that you can’t truly understand current events without first getting a grip on the past, and this podcast can certainly help with that. I see that a new one came out on the 23rd. It’s about … oh, never mind, I’ll let him tell it:

There is very little celebration of the passing of a date Sept. 17, 2007: the belated Birthday of the Signing of the Constitution. And the Federal Convention that ended its business on Sept. 17, 1787.

It seems unfortunate, since we should be celebrating the people who gave us right to speech, right to assemble, right to bear arms, etc.

Except they didn’t. When the constitution was signed, these fellows voted down a Bill of Rights. It was only later, when the plan had to be sold to the state of Virginia, that a Bill of Rights was promised.

Yet, these fellows did create the Constitution, so they are Founding Fathers, correct?

That leads to a question. Who is a Founding Father? Common wisdom would say the Founding Fathers would be anyone who helped craft the Constitution. Yet famous names such as Tom Jefferson and John Adams were not there for the convention that met in 1787 in secret to craft a new government. George Washington was there, but as the chair he was silent while debate went on. Ben Franklin was there but as an aging celebrity he took a symbolic role and his ideas of having multiple Presidents or unpaid Federal officers would not be taken seriously.

Indeed the Constitution was created by little-known names like James Wilson, Charles Pickeney, Rufus King, and William Paterson.

We address the question of who is a founding father and how the Constitution was written, and where the Bill of Rights came from.

My History Can Beat Up Your Politics is a podcast that looks into the history behind the politics of today. The podcast can be found on iTunes or at (www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com)

Bruce has a soothing voice, and a quirky outlook. He brings a passion to a subject that many mistreat. Of course, it is a passion that I share. *grin* I guess this mean that you know what I’ll be doing tonight. Bruce Carlson and Brenda Dayne, I’ll be here around 9pm. We’ll have coffee and crocheting, ok?

One last thing–is it blasphemous if I crochet while listening to Cast-On?