Flash Past

Henry Kissinger, the 56th Secretary of State of the United States, was an international man of mystery in every way.

Kissinger was born in Germany to a middle class Jewish family and fought his way over to the United States around 15 years of age. He served in the US Army and quickly moved into the discipline of military intelligence. From that point forward, it was nothing but magic for Kissinger. A man known today for his amazing ability to massage international conflict, his mark on international politics and policy is quoted often and early in discussion. He bridged the divides that many thought were impossible at the time. In close collaboration with Nixon, he created a détente policy that called for an end to the Cold War and for friendly relations with both the Soviet Union and China. A truly amazing feat for Kissinger. He was known as a “lone ranger” of world affairs, traveling the globe, conducting secret meetings and covert operations with little oversight. This created plenty of tension between the White House, Congressional Members, and international diplomats. Get an extensive look into the life and times of Henry Kissinger on this week’s episode of Flash Past. Join the conversation and history lesson!

Last weeks Question:
Q: Which state has the most Civil War memorials on the battlefield?
A: New York

This Week’s Question:
Q: The surname of Kissinger was adopted by Henry’s great-grandfather. In what what year was it adopted and what is it’s origin?

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This week, Steve and Dave take a walk down the path of memorials and tributes. A National Memorial is a designation in the United States for a protected area that memorializes a historic person or event. Surprisingly, there are only 28 national memorials that are owned and administered by the National Park Service. We start with a look into some of the newest memorials in the US, Flight 93 or MLK Jr. We finish with the breathtaking memorial dedicated to those who fought in the Vietnam War. Tributes are quite a bit different in respect to memorials. Tributes are personal deliveries from one person to another, out of life-long respect and honor. Which tributes stand out in your minds? We reflect on some of ours in the episode. We hope you enjoy the trip down memorial lane with us this week.

Memorials

• Flight 93 Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
• Wright Brothers Memorial
• List of National Memorials

Tributes

• The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
• 1979 Ronald Regan’s tribute to John Wayne
• Local news provides a tribute in someones passing away.
• What is the walk of Stars in Hollywood? A memorial or a tribute?
• A band on their farewell tour

Last weeks Question:
Q: In what year did the EPA first report the risks of second-hand smoke?
A: 1993

This Week’s Question:
Q: Which state has the most Civil War memorials on the battlefield?

Free Show Subscriptions:
iTunes | Zune | Stitcher Radio | iPhone App | Android App | Miro | Download MP3 | RSS Feed

iTunes | Zune | Stitcher Radio | iPhone App | Android App | Miro | Download MP3 | RSS Feed

Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring (‘62), is often credited with launching the environmental movement in the United States. In the late 1960s, citizens began to demand more attention to be given to air pollution and water quality. From these two factors, the EPA was born in 1970. Created under the Presidency of Richard M. Nixon in 1970 following the nation’s first Earth Day, the EPA’s objective has been to promote the enhancement of the environment. Over the past 40 years, the EPA has focused on a wide variety of environmental issues – air quality, food protection, water quality, hazardous waste disposal, energy conservation, toxic releases, water conservation, ozone standards, environmental justice, and fugitive individuals. Join Steve and Dave as they swim down the stream of EPA’s history and share with you the many steps it has taken to protect you, your family, your friends, your food, you air, your water, and your overall health. We hope this podcast provides you with a realistic approach to what the EPA has done to the nation’s well-being. Flash Past with us to….the History of the EPA!

1962: Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring released
1970: National Environmental Policy Act
1970: Earth Day, EPA Creation, Clean Air Act Amended
1972: Clean Water Act
1973: EPA bans use of DDT
1973: Leaded Gasoline Phase Out begins
1974: Safe Drinking Water Act
1976: Toxic Substances Control Act
1976: Resource Conservation & Recovery Act
1977: Standards for public water supplies
1978: CFCs Banned
1979: EPA bans PCB production
1980: EPA creates Superfund
1982: Environmental Justice movement begins
1983: EPA encourages home radon testing
1985: Ozone hole found over Antartica
1986: Emergency Planning & Community Right to Know Act
1987: Medical Waste washes ashore
1988: Ocean dumping banned
1990: Toxic Release Inventory, Pollution Prevention Act
1992: EPA launches Energy Star program
1994: Launches Brownfields Program
1996: Food Quality Protection Act
1996: Children’s Health Protection EO
1997: New Air Quality Standards, New Vehicle Emissions Standards
2000: Clean Diesel Regulation
2003: Clean School Bus nationwide retrofit
2004: National Ozone Standards
2005: Energy Policy Act
2006: WaterSense Initiative launched, National mercury switch recovery
2007: Energy Star benefits ($16 billion in energy bill savings)
2008: Environmental Fugitives list published
2009: New Smog standards set, Air pollutants reduced by 60%
2010: BP Oil Spill Response

Last weeks Question:
Q: How far away is our own Sun in miles?
A: 93 million miles

This Week’s Question:
Q: In what year did the EPA first report the risks of second-hand smoke?