Nicole Hemmer

Nicole Hemmer is a contributing editor to US News & World Report and host of the Past Present podcast. She works as a research associate at the University of Virginia's Miller Center and the University of Sydney's US Studies Centre.

George W. Bush

Past Present Podcast: The LSAT, George W. Bush, and Corporal Punishment

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In this week’s episode of Past Present, Natalia, Niki, and Neil debate Harvard’s decision to drop the LSAT, George W. Bush’s newfound popularity, and corporal punishment. The LSAT Harvard Law School will no longer require the LSAT for admission. Natalia placed the LSAT in the history of standardized testing and recommended Harold Wechsler’s The Qualified […]

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Miami Wellness Real Estate

Past Present Podcast: Wiretapping, Wellness Real Estate, and Late-Night TV

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In this week’s episode of Past Present, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate Trump’s wiretapping allegations, “wellness real estate,” and late-night TV. Wiretapping Donald Trump has accused President Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower during the election. We discussed the history of wiretapping, including the story of Richard Nixon and Anna Chennault. Wellness Real Estate The Atlantic reported on the rise

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Robots

Past Present Podcast: The Women’s Strike, Anti-Semitism, and Robots

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In this week’s episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the complicated politics of the women’s strike, the rise of anti-Semitism in America, and humanity’s relationship to robots.   The Women’s Strike A Women’s Strike is being organized for March 8. We discussed the strike in the context of other women’s strikes and transnational feminism. Anti-Semitism We discussed the rise in

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Protest

Past Present Podcast: Paid Protestors, Secondhand Smoke, and Ivanka Trump

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On this week’s Past Present Podcast, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of “paid protestors,” the science of secondhand smoke, and the failing fortunes of Ivanka Trump’s clothing line. “Paid Protestors” Donald Trump and his supporters have argued “paid protestors” are rallying against him. Niki recommended a recent Jacobin article that noted the history of paid protestors in

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Dystopian

Past Present Podcast: Refugees, Uber, and Dystopian Novels

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In this week’s episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki debate American policy toward refugees, the politics of Uber, and the rising sales of dystopian novels. Refugees We discussed Donald Trump’s executive order that severely restricts immigration from seven Muslim countries. Uber The ride sharing app Uber fell into controversy when it dropped surge pricing from rides leaving JFK airport during

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school

Past Present Podcast: Betsy DeVos, Executive Orders, and Playgrounds

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In this week’s episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate Betsy DeVos and school privatization, the uses of executive orders, and the growing call for more dangerous playgrounds. Betsy DeVos Donald Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education has prompted strong opposition in large part because of her advocacy of privatizing public education. Natalia and

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Women's March on Washington

Past Present Podcast: The Women’s March, Russia, and Obama’s Farewell

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In this week’s episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate the women’s march on Washington, US-Russian relations, and Obama’s final speech to the nation. The Women’s March The Women’s March on Washington will take place the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration to protest the incoming administration. Natalia observed the march’s historical importance of mobilizing on a physical level

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