Some American People - XLIV - Washington, D.C., MLK Memorial

Some American People - XLIV - Washington, D.C., MLK Memorial

Tommy is from Wisconsin. There is a stop and start about 8 minutes into my conversation with Tommy so I could fix a mic problem.

Some American People - XLIII - Washington, D.C., National Mall

Washington, D.C., National Mall June 19, 2026 Will and Julianne I met Will and Julianne in the sculpture garden on the National Mall. They are both originally from the D.C. area, a first, I believe, for any guests I spoke with in D.C. They had thoughts on education, technology, and the gap in wealth.

Some American People - XLII - Washington, D.C., National Mall

Washington, D.C., National Mall June 18, 2026 Seth Seth is originally from Tennessee, is attending Yale, and was in D.C. for an internship. He spoke about economic equality, corruption, and foreign policy. Apologies for some mic problems.

Some American People - XLI - Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota

Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota April 7, 2026 John I spoke with John at Mt Rushmore.  It was the last of four episodes recorded there.  I greatly enjoyed visiting this monument that I have wanted to see for many years.   In admiring the artistic and engineering feat of this tribute to some of our most accomplished and successful presidents, there are other things to keep in mind:  They are, like all of us, flawed human beings, and did not always completely live up to the ideals and values of our nation.  And the main creative force of the project, Gutzon Borglum, is known to have had significant association with the KKK. Also, as one fellow citizen with whom I chatted but who did not have time to sit down for a recorded conversation put it, "This is beautiful, but come on, this is Indian land." A short drive away is the in-progress work on a tribute to Crazy Horse, an Oglala Lakota war leader, also carved into a mountain.  This was first conceived of by Henry Standing Bear, an Oglala Lakota chief, and initial work was perfomed by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, who also worked under Borglum on Mt. Rushmore.  Since his death his family has continued the work.  It is meant as a tribute not only to the spirit of Crazy Horse, but to all Native Americans.  There are differing opionions regarding the appropriateness of the memorial and whether it honors the spirit of Crazy Horse.

Some American People - XL - Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota

Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota April 6, 2026 Cliff I spoke with Cliff at Mt Rushmore.  It was the third of four episodes recorded there, and he was one of two that I spoke with who served in the Navy.  I greatly enjoyed visiting this monument that I have wanted to see for many years.   In admiring the artistic and engineering feat of this tribute to some of our most accomplished and successful presidents, there are other things to keep in mind:  They are, like all of us, flawed human beings, and did not always completely live up to the ideals and values of our nation.  And the main creative force of the project, Gutzon Borglum, is known to have had significant association with the KKK. Also, as one fellow citizen with whom I chatted but who did not have time to sit down for a recorded conversation put it, "This is beautiful, but come on, this is Indian land." A short drive away is the in-progress work on a tribute to Crazy Horse, an Oglala Lakota war leader, also carved into a mountain.  This was first conceived of by Henry Standing Bear, an Oglala Lakota chief, and initial work was perfomed by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, who also worked under Borglum on Mt. Rushmore.  Since his death his family has continued the work.  It is meant as a tribute not only to the spirit of Crazy Horse, but to all Native Americans.  There are differing opionions regarding the appropriateness of the memorial and whether it honors the spirit of Crazy Horse.