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Democracy Politics United States

The Case for a Bigger House

The United States House of Representatives is a cornerstone of the American Democratic system, a piece of living history, and a real shitshow.

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The Grapevine

Florida Man

You’ve probably heard of Florida Man. He’s yesterday’s big-time meme. In this episode, we set the man (and his could-be cinematic universe) aside to talk about the state that created a legendary figure. Is Florida really that weird?

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Politics

A Brief History of “In God We Trust”

E Pluribus Unum is rolling in its grave.

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Geography History

Minnesota’s Flag is Bad. Let’s Change it.

Minnesota’s state flag is bad. It’s simultaneously unremarkable and cluttered, ridiculously complex and altogether unrecognizable. Can we get rid of it?

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Geography Politics

A Tale of Two States

On November 2nd, 1889, Benjamin Harrison, ranked #30 in C-SPAN’s ranking of US Presidents, probably sneered as he drove a knife into the heart of Dakota Territory, dividing it forever along an East-West meridian. Look how they massacred my boy.

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The Grapevine

Brawlball

The Guardian calls it “the most brutal sport on Earth”. The New York Times labeled it “a most dangerous game”, and Vice describes it as “equal parts ball game and bare-knuckle MMA”. For the people of Florence, it’s a yearly tradition.

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The Grapevine

Christmas with the Colonel

For some, Christmas is time to eat cookies, candy canes, and gingerbread. For 3.6 million families in Japan, ’tis the season for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

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The Grapevine

Sweden’s Burning Christmas Goat

For the people of Gavle, a town in northern Sweden, it’s a Christmas tradition to build a 42 foot tall goat out of straw. For some of the people of Gavle, it’s tradition to try to burn it down.

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The Grapevine

The Grapevine – Matanuska

Sarah Palin’s accent and character inspired a well-known Saturday Night Live portrayal by Tina Fey. But why does she talk like that?

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The Grapevine

The Grapevine – Confederados

At the end of the American Civil War, most southerners eventually gave up their cause and adapted to life in the reconstituted United States. Most, but not all.