Commonwealth Speakers:Contemporary Debates
One of many confrontations between animal rights protestors (left) and pigeon shoot supporters at Hegins, PA, on Labor Day, 1992. This pigeon shoot was shut down in 1999, although private shoots continue at rod and gun clubs throughout the state.
Pennsylvania's Hunting Heritage and the Fight for Animal Rights
Protests of the Hegins Pigeon Shoot from 1989 to 1999 drew
national media attention due to the confrontation between
community "rites" and animal "rights." In this slide-illustrated
presentation, Simon Bronner discusses the history of the Hegins
protests and the community's response, and explores the ethical
and cultural issues, including the role of tradition, in
Pennsylvania's hunting heritage.
Slide projector, screen, TV, and VCR required.
Simon J. Bronner, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of American Studies and
Folklore, PSU - Harrisburg
The administration of George W. Bush has pursued a new foreign policy based on the idea that, as the world's only superpower, the United States can pursue its objectives without the constraints of international treaties or cooperation. Craig Eisendrath discusses the Bush administration's Nuclear Posture Review, the Declaration of September 20, 2002, the war in Iraq, and the U.S. withdrawal from many international treaties and agreements, including those concerning ballistic missiles, a nuclear test ban, biological and chemical weapons, land mines, an international criminal court, and international climate control.
Craig Eisendrath, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Center of International Policy, Washington, D.C., (resides in Philadelphia)
FDR and the Paradox of LeadershipFranklin Delano Roosevelt is now considered one of the greatest presidents in U.S.history—the only one elected four times, a leader who helped pull us through our greatest depression and our biggest war. Roger Lane explores his early biography and experiences, which gave few hints to what his leadership would be like and, in fact, raises the question of just what qualities most fit a leader.
Roger Lane, Ph.D., Professor of History, Haverford College
Are Our Civil Liberties Currently Being Eroded?Robert Langran examines the actions taken by the federal government in its current "war on terrorism," including passage of the USA Patriot Act, and focuses on such practices as incarcerating U.S. citizens without formal charges or access to counsel, rounding up and indefinitely detaining immigrants without formal charges, and allowing access by the government to individuals' personal information.
Robert Langran, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, Villanova University
50th Anniversary of the Brown DecisionThe year 2004 marks the 50th anniversary of the monumental Civil Rights decision, Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas, which legally ended racial segregation in schools around the United States. Though a significant step, the Brown decision was hardly the end of Jim Crow discrimination. Stephen Katz discusses the background of the case, the decision itself, and some of the key events in the Civil Rights movement after 1954.
Stephen S. Katz, Ed.D., Adjunct Professor of History, Community College of Philadelphia
The Real President: Successful DysfunctionalityRepeated studies have indicated that successful presidents are not like the typical American. They are more assertive and more relentless in their pursuit of power. They are neither modest nor compliant and tend to have few, if any, personal attachments. Tim Blessing explores the paradox that though Americans believe we want our presidents to be a mixture of Santa Claus, St. Francis, and Sir Galahad, the really successful presidents are actually ruthless, cold, manipulative, power-seeking, goal-oriented idealists.
Overhead projector required.
Tim H. Blessing, Associate Professor of History, Alvernia College, Reading
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