The Tinderbox Podcast
By Mercenary Pen
Brinkmanship is our bread and butter. Welcome to the Tinderbox, a long form audio broadcast focused on stories of civil and political conflict. Check out our latest series HIGH FINANCE, LOW EXPECTATIONS about the origins of big money in America. Check out more of Will's writing at mercenarypen.substack.com. Email us at tinderboxpodcast [at] gmail.com
The Tinderbox PodcastAug 09, 2021
00:00
01:21:46
Those Labors Dreamt: The American Demise of the First International
The World's Fair came to Philadelphia in 1876 to celebrate the rise of global capitalism. But during the heat of the festivities, a group of men gathered in mourning, foreclosing on the possibility of a globalized labor party. In this podcast, we'll examine the ignoble death of the First International Workingmen's Association in Philadelphia. You'll hear about the philosophical clash between anarchists and communists, the shift of the First International to the American continent, and meet some of the more interesting American rabble rousers running around during the 19th century.
Aug 09, 202101:21:46
Interview: Dr. Glen MacPherson
Dr. Glen MacPherson is the head of the World Hum Map and Database Project, a scientific investigation of the auditory phenomenon affecting thousands worldwide. Check out the project at www.thehum.info, where you can find information about the project, crowdsourced data, information for those hearing the noise, and guides for determining whether you are hearing the Hum or some other environmental noise.Further reading:“The Hum: An Anomalous Sound Heard Around the World”, by David Demig, Journal of Scientific Exploration Vol 18, No 4, pp 571-595, 2004“What is the Mysterious Global Hum - and is it simply noise pollution?” by Philip Jaekl, The Atlantic“It Took a Pandemic: Mystery of Windsor Hum is Solved,” Morning Edition, NPR“What is the Taos Hum?” by Benjamin Radford, Live Science“External or Internal?” and “Logic Map of the World Hum” by Henrik, The World Hum Map and Database Project
May 10, 202157:58
High Finance, Low Expectations: The First Thing Is Character
Where does the Federal Reserve come from? Who was there when it was created? Can a person be pestered to death? These are the important questions we'll answer in this podcast recounting how the banking system we've come to know today came to be. Join the Tinderbox podcast as we investigate the making and unmaking of a massive conspiracy of money in the 19-teens. Works cited:FRASER | Discover Economic History | St. Louis Fed. fraser.stlouisfed.org/files/docs/historical/house/money_trust/montru_report.pdf. “Full Text of Money Trust Investigation : Investigation of Financial and Monetary Conditions in the United States Under House Resolutions Nos. 429 and 504 Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Banking and Currency, House of Representatives, (1912-1913) : Part 5, Pages 343-411.” FRASER, fraser.stlouisfed.org/title/money-trust-investigation-80/part-5-23662/fulltext. J.P. Morgan, The Pujo Committee, and the "Money Trust", utpressnews.blogspot.com/2016/03/jp-morgan-pujo-committee-and-money-trust.html. Jr., Ivan Pongracic. “The Great Depression According to Milton Friedman: Ivan Pongracic Jr.” FEE Freeman Article, Foundation for Economic Education, 1 Sept. 2007, fee.org/articles/the-great-depression-according-to-milton-friedman/. “The Louis D. Brandeis Collection - Louis D. Brandeis School of Law Library.” Go to Louisville.edu, louisville.edu/law/library/special-collections/the-louis-d.-brandeis-collection. Mason, Jane B., and Jonathan Betuel. Theodore Rex. Scholastic, 1995. Pak, Susie. Gentlemen Bankers the World of J.P. Morgan. Harvard University Press, 2014. “Speech by Chair Yellen on Macroeconomic Research after the Crisis.” Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/yellen20161014a.htm.
Feb 09, 202101:22:59
High Finance, Low Expectations: No Taxation and No Representation
Ever wondered why your politicians don't seem to care what you think? Feel like a taxpayer whose voice isn't considered in the big scheme of things? Ever wonder where all the money goes? This post is a hot take on taxation and representation, and more importantly, how debt gets in between the two. Special thanks to Reason.com for not taking unsolicited submissions!
Nov 19, 202036:16
Counted as Cast: Interview With Chris DeRose
Chris DeRose is the New York Times Bestselling author of "The Fighting Bunch," "Star Spangled Scandal," "The Presidents' War," "Congressman Lincoln," and "Founding Rivals." Link to "The Fighting Bunch" https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Bunch-Successful-Rebellion-Revolution-ebook/dp/B084M1Y65B/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=fighting+bunch&qid=1590284365&sr=8-1Chris was formerly Senior Litigation Counsel to the Arizona Attorney General, a Professor of Constitutional Law, and Clerk of the Superior Court for Maricopa County, leading a team of over 700 professionals in serving America's fourth largest county. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Abraham Lincoln Association and Board of Scholarly Advisors for President Lincoln's Cottage, a historic site in Washington DC, and is a member of the Mystery Writers of America. A native of Chicago, Chris lives in Phoenix, with his wife, Hannah, a radiologist, their son, Ben, and French bulldog, Le Chien.
Sep 28, 202001:19:05
Angel Fire Supplemental: SOURCES AND METHODS
Works CitedAbelmann, Nancy, and John Lie. Blue Dreams Korean Americans and the Los Angeles Riots. Harvard University Press, 2009. Park, Carol. Memoir of a Cashier: Korean Americans, Racism, and Riots. Young Oak Kim Center for Korean American Studies at the University of California Riverside, 2017. Understanding the Riots: Los Angeles before and after the Rodney King Case. Los Angeles Times, 1992.
Sep 27, 202009:07
Angel Fire - Korean Americans in the LA Riots, Chapter 4: KOREAN AMERICA
In this final chapter of Angel Fire, we talk about the tensions following the riot and the fate of a few of our characters. And because this podcast was recorded in 2020, we talk about how race riots can be averted before they start by consulting Angela Oh directly, as well as a pair of activists working in the trenches. We discuss the importance of emotion and education in forestalling the worst and end on a high note, the birth of a new Korean American nation within the United States. As usual, reach out to tinderboxpodcast at gmail. Thanks for listening to this series!
Sep 14, 202001:03:22
Angel Fire - Korean Americans in the LA Riots, Chapter 3: K-TOWN
The riots have begun and in this third chapter of the Angel Fire podcast series, you'll hear about the incredible violence visited on the Korean American community in LA. This podcast will center on Koreatown, LA, and detail the many people who tried to defend their neighborhoods and make peace in the midst of conflict. We talk about the media treatment of Korean Americans and how, when the fires die down and the riots are cover, Korean Americans are battered and bruised, but also perhaps ready for a political awakening. Join us for Chapter 4: Korean America, in a few weeks, where we'll examine the long term consequences of the riots.
Sep 07, 202001:37:60
Angel Fire - Korean Americans in the LA Riots, Chapter 2: CHIEF CONCERNS
In this second chapter of Angel Fire, we take a view from the top, examining the Rodney King case and how it brought to light all of the problems in city government. We walk you through Korean American reactions to the Rodney King case, examining how the minority saw itself in the midst of it all. When the verdict arrives, we'll walk you through the opening of the riots, the first Korean Americans attacked by rioters, and preview the obscene bungling of the situation by city government.
Aug 24, 202001:03:34
Angel Fire - Korean Americans in the LA Riots, Chapter 1: THE OTHER TRIAL
Tinderbox will be investigating the Korean American experience of the 1992 LA Riots in this series, "Angel Fire". In this episode, we delve deep into the People vs. Soon Ja Du, a criminal case that had major implications for race relations in LA in 1991. It acts as an entry point to understanding a troubled city, its history, its people, and why the devastating events of 1992 went down the way they did.
Aug 17, 202001:22:01
Interview: Billy Taing And Tim Kornegay
Bill Taing works with API RISE, an organization that seeks to empower the Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander American communities and specifically those individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. (See more at https://www.api-rise.org)Tim Kornegay is a community advocate and educator with LA Voice, which is a multi-racial, multi-faith community organization that awakens people to their own power, training them to organize together to transform our County into one that reflects the dignity of all people. (See more at https://www.lavoice.org)We talked with Tim and Billy about their views on the justice system, Asian-Black relations and community organizing, fundraising, and the power of emotion in heated situations. Please consider getting involved with their organizations or making a donation! As usual, you can hit up our page at www.facebook.com/tinderboxpodcast for a place to discuss episodes and see updates. Feel free to drop us a line at tinderboxpodcast@gmail.com.
Jul 19, 202059:51
Interview: Angela Oh
Join us for a conversation with Angela E. Oh, activist, community organizer, mediator, and Zen Buddhist priest. During the 1992 LA Riots, Angela Oh took a central role as unofficial spokesperson for the Korean American community. She has a long career in the law, ranging from civil rights to criminal cases, as well as mediation. Currently, she is one of the principals of Gift of Compassion, an organization promoting, among other things, meditation and spiritual reflection for the underserved and underresourced, as well as at API RISE, an organization advocating for reentry from the criminal justice system. Please consider getting involved with these organizations today, such as viewing the weekend meditation sessions at Gift of Compassion (https://gocompassion.org) or helping those in contact with the justice system through API Rise (https://www.api-rise.org).We talked to her a little about her experience in the LA Riots, her thoughts on community organizations, and a lot about the current moment in race relations and justice.Feel free to drop us a line at tinderboxpodcast@gmail.com or visit our page, www.facebook.com/tinderboxpodcast.
Jul 19, 202056:35
Making a Greatest Generation
We review The Fourth Turning, a 1997 book that is said to have foretold the current crisis point in American history. Along the way, Will tells you what to expect out of this crisis and speculates on what the next phase might look like. Will we enter a new springtime of society after all?Credits:The Fourth Turning, by William Strauss and Neil Howe, 1997These Unprecedented Times, Phillip Fulmer, via youtubeStay Encouraged and Connected During These Unprecedented Times Ohahu Hawaii, Fawn Bertram, via youtubeUnprecedented Times, by Michael DonagheyThe Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Karaoke version, Gil Scott Heron2012, the movie trailerTitanic TrailerHowe, Has The Fourth Turning Arrived? Hedgeye TV
Jun 30, 202031:10
Out Flew Enza - Public Health in America: CDC's Sweet Beginnings
In this second edition of Out Flew Enza, Will talks about the early years of the CDC and its evolution from the DDT-dusted Malaria Control in War Areas project. Watch the mind behind the CDC, Joe Mountin, come together with Coca Cola through the philanthropic interest of its autocratic Board Chair, Robert Woodruff and his clout with a Georgia institution, Emory University. Will wraps up the podcast by saying that corruption has merit, that most institutions aren't what they used to be, and that there will never be another easy solution to our problems. Please compost all rotten tomatoes instead of throwing them at the Tinderbox Podcast.
May 11, 202053:32
State Of The Podcast - March 2020
A short podcast update on where Tinderbox is and where it's going.
Mar 13, 202005:58
Out Flew Enza - Public Health in America: Influenza and the 1920 Presidential Election
Stuck in a quarantine? We've been here before. The centennial of the dramatic, influenza-ridden 1920 presidential election approaches. Join the Tinderbox Podcast as we delve into the pandemic of 1918, the failing presidency of Woodrow Wilson, and the rise of a dark horse Republican candidate in 1920.Avalon Project - President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/wilson14.asp. Barry, John M. “How the Horrific 1918 Flu Spread Across America.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Nov. 2017, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/journal-plague-year-180965222/. Byerly, Carol R. “The U.S. Military and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919.” Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974), Association of Schools of Public Health, Apr. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2862337/. “Don't Know Much.” Dont Know Much FDR Had the Flu Comments, dontknowmuch.com/2019/01/fdr-had-the-flu/. English, VOA Learning. “Wilson Is Re-Elected in 1916 on a Promise: 'He Kept Us Out of War!'.” VOA, Wilson Is Re-Elected in 1916 on a Promise: 'He Kept Us Out of War!', 15 Mar. 2006, learningenglish.voanews.com/a/a-23-2006-03-15-voa2-83128202/125574.html. “GEORGE W. PERKINS ILL.; Resting In Catskills--May Not Go to Republican Convention.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 28 May 1920, www.nytimes.com/1920/05/28/archives/george-w-perkins-ill-resting-in-catskillsmay-not-go-to-republican.html. Green, Elon, et al. “How Do You Sing Blind Willie Johnson?” The New Yorker, www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/how-do-you-sing-blind-willie-johnson. “Historical Milestone: The 1918 Flu Pandemic.” Origins, origins.osu.edu/milestones/pandemic-flu-spanish-flu-1918-H1N1-WW1-vaccine. “How the 1918 Flu Pandemic Helped Advance Women's Rights.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 2 Mar. 2018, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-1918-flu-pandemic-helped-advance-womens-rights-180968311/. Markel, Dr. Howard. “When a Secret President Ran the Country.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 2 Oct. 2015, www.pbs.org/newshour/health/woodrow-wilson-stroke. Pettit, Dorothy Ann. A CRUEL WIND, AMERICA EXPERIENCES PANDEMIC INFLUENZA 1918 to 1920, A SOCIAL HISTORY. University of New Hampshire, 1976. “Philadelphia Threw a WWI Parade That Gave Thousands of Onlookers the Flu.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 21 Sept. 2018, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/philadelphia-threw-wwi-parade-gave-thousands-onlookers-flu-180970372/. “Spanish Influenza in the President's Neighborhood.” WHHA (En-US), www.whitehousehistory.org/spanish-influenza-in-the-presidents-neighborhood. Striner, Richard. “The Surprising Evidence That Woodrow Wilson Was Suffering from a Brain Malfunction Before the Stroke That Crippled Him.” History News Network, historynewsnetwork.org/article/155787. “What Was the Impact of 'Spanish Flu' on the Armistice?” OpenLearn, The Open University, 2 Oct. 2018, www.open.edu/openlearn/history-the-arts/history/what-was-the-impact-spanish-flu-on-the-armistice. “Worst Presidents: Warren Harding (1921-1923).” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, www.usnews.com/news/special-reports/the-worst-presidents/articles/2014/12/17/worst-presidents-warren-harding-1921-1923.
Mar 13, 202058:55
Counted as Cast Supplemental: Sources And Methods
Tried to fit it all, but limited to 4k characters, email me with questions:“Former Officials Disclaim Hiding.” The Atlanta Constitution, 10 Aug. 1946.“Arkansas GIs Threaten New Riots.” The Knoxville Journal, 10 Aug. 1946.Autumn, H. “TOHA Releases 'Battle of Athens' Map.” Daily Post Athenian, 11 June 2014.“Dies of Injuries.” The Tennessean, 15 Nov. 1936.DPA “Chapter Eight: Burkett's Political Experience.” Daily Post Athenian, 26 Feb. 2016.DPA “'Battle of Athens' Reference Leads to TBI Investigation.” Daily Post Athenian, 3 July 2009.Duncan, Shane. “Battle of Athens Exhibit Opens.” Daily Post Athenian, 16 Oct. 2018.E. H. Crump of Memphis - Historic "Boss" of the CityEditorial. “The Machines Win.” The Tennessean, 2 Aug. 1946.Edwards, Richard. “First-Person Accounts of the 'Battle'.” Daily Post Athenian, 3 May 2007.Fitzgerald, RH. “Last Vestiges of Opposition to Kefauver Wanes as Cantrell Forces Joins Supporters.” The Tennessean, 19 May 1946.Full Text of "Tennessee County History Series : McMinn County by C. Byrum, Frank B. Williams“GI's Oust McMinn Tyrant Rule.” The Tennessean, 3 Aug. 1946.“GOP Leader Is Arrested in McMinn.” The Leaf Chronicle, 1 Aug. 1940.Guy, Joe. “'Battle of Athens' 70th Anniversary.” Daily Post Athenian, 1 Aug. 2016.Guy, Joe. “Hidden History - Looking beyond Just the 'Battle'” Daily Post Athenian, 22 Sept. 2005.Guy, Joe. “Lessons to Learn from Athens' Most Famous 'Battle'.” Daily Post Athenian, 29 July 2016.Hatcher, Joe. “Politics.” The Tennessean, 11 Feb. 1945.Hatcher, Joe. “Politics.” The Tennessean, 20 July 1945.INS. “1 Injured in New Outbreak.” Long Beach Independent, 4 Aug. 1946.“J. Tom Taylor Says Politics Caused Arrest.” The Tennessean, 2 Aug. 1940.James, David. “Yesterday in Etowah: Recalling Summer & Fall of 1946.” Daily Post Athenian, 26 Nov. 2014.Kenyon, Nellie. “GOP Assails Bossism As Fall Vote Slogan.” The Tennessean, 22 Aug. 1946.“The Long Arm of Ed 'Boss' Crump.” The Daily Herald, The Daily Herald, 13 Nov. 2016,“Mansfield to Go Back to Old Job.” The Atlanta Constitution, 31 Aug. 1946.“McMinn County Will Name 28 Top Candidates.” Kingsport News, 6 May 1948.“McMinn Ouster.” The Tennessean, 24 Mar. 1943.Miller, Ryan W. “'Zombie Snakes' Are Going Viral. They Aren't Particularly Dangerous but They Are 'Kind of Adorable'.” USA Today, 11 June 2019.“M'Minn Vote War Rages.” The Tennessean, 2 Aug. 1946.“Much Pre-Election Interest Focused Upon Polk County.” The Jackson Sun, 25 Oct. 1946.“No Inquest Planned in Apparent Sucidie.” The Jackson Sun, 29 Dec. 1936.Nunley, Esther. “Author Chris DeRose and The Battle of Athens.” Daily Post Athenian, 5 June 2019.Nunley, Esther. “Museum Matters: Fee Grabbing.” Daily Post Athenian, 6 Dec. 2018.“Officers Seek 'Siren Bandits'.” The Jackson Sun, 6 Jan. 1938.Peck, John. “Lincoln Said It and It Applies Now as Then.” Daily Post Athenian, 21 Aug. 1946.Piehler, G. Kurt, and Brandi Wilson. “An Interview With Bill White for the Veteran's Oral History Project, Center for the Study of War and Society, Department of History.” University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 20 July 2000.“Repeat on Athens Narrowly Avoided.” The Chattanooga Daily Times, 8 Aug. 1946.Seiber, Lones. “The Battle of Athens.” American Heritage, 1985.“Sheriff Enjoined From Molesting Pinball Machines.” The Jackson Sun, 11 Apr. 1937.“Paul Cantrell, Former Leader of Tennessee Machine, Is Dead.” The New York Times, 11 July 1962.“Three Held for Election Day Shooting Fray.” The Jackson Sun, 10 Nov. 1938.“Trio in McMinn on Probation.” The Tennessean, 7 Feb. 1943.United Press. “Athens TN GI Regime Certified.” El Paso Herald Post, 5 Aug. 1946.Yarborough, Willard. “Cantrell Dynasty Rulers in McMinn.” The Tennessean, 15 July 1946.Yarborough, Willard. “GI Ticket Challenges Biggs-Cantrell Gang for McMinn Control.” The Tennessean, 14 July 1946.
Feb 16, 202017:06
Counted as Cast - The Battle of Athens, TN, Chapter 3: THE CAMPAIGN
In Chapter 3, we examine the heated political campaign of the summer of 1946, giving you all the juicy background bits on the political players. Sit alongside the GI's as they find out the extent to which the election is being thrown against them. Learn how the Democratic political machine crushed its opposition. And feel the heat rise as August 1st approaches.
Feb 11, 202001:00:24
Counted as Cast - The Battle of Athens, TN, Chapter 5: SIEGE
Bill White fires the first shot in the siege of the Democrat stronghold in the Athens jailhouse. The resulting battle shakes the spirits of everyone involved and results in horrific injuries. Just when you think it's over, the press's response puts the town under siege once again.
Feb 11, 202001:07:17
Counted as Cast - The Battle of Athens, TN, Chapter 4: WETWORK
Warning: strong language present in this podcast, including quoted racial epithets.In Chapter 4, we delve into the events kicking off the Battle of Athens on August 1st, 1946. Your favorite characters, Paul Cantrell and Bill White, are present, with the former rallying votes in the final hours of the election, and Bill White gathering his brute squad for the conflict to come. The showdown between the non-aligned GI party and the Democrat partisans has arrived. It is about to get ugly in Athens.
Feb 11, 202059:36
Counted as Cast - The Battle of Athens, TN, Chapter 1: THE SOLDIER
In this first Chapter, we introduce you to Bill White, child of the Great Depression and, later, United States Marine. Get ready to follow Bill through his life in Athens, Tennessee, and get a ground level view of the world from his eyes.
Feb 11, 202051:31
Counted as Cast - The Battle of Athens, TN, Chapter 2: THE POLTICIAN
In Chapter 2, we delve into the life of Paul Cantrell, a politician who came to power in the rocky days of the Great Depression. Cantrell's long administration, first as sheriff and then as state senator, came to be known for its corruption, thuggery, and electioneering. Follow Paul Cantrell's career with us as we examine the life of a man rising in his community.
Feb 11, 202050:11
Counted as Cast - The Battle of Athens, TN, Chapter 6: CONSEQUENCES
As the Battle of Athens draws to a close, the consequences of the conflict are felt throughout Tennessee and the nation. We analyze the outcomes of the conflict, the strengthening of the home rule of local governance, and why it took a group of political outsiders to change the world. Finally, we have our final words with Bill White and Paul Cantrell.Thanks for listening! We will continue to add Special Edition tracks expanding on the story. Also keep an eye out for the next Tinderbox production on this channel!
Feb 11, 202031:09