D. S. Harvey has narrated 3 audiobooks on Listento.it by 3 authors, with an average listener rating of 5★ across 2 ratings. The most-rated is The Comey Memos.
Federalist No. 74
Summary
The Federalist Papers is a series of 85 articles arguing in favor of ratification of the United States Constitution by the 13 original colonies. Federalist No. 74 discusses the powers of the president as commander-in-chief and to grant pardons and reprieves. Hamilton asserts that the role of commander-in-chief is inherent in the office itself and requires the speed and resolve of a single decision-maker. He argues that vesting such powers among multiple executives could prove disastrous in the real world of military conflict. A similar argument is made regarding the power to pardon and issue reprieves, sensing correctly that group psychology might suppress the compassion to grant mercy or the courage to uphold justice when the case seems to demand it. Interestingly, he cites the need to act swiftly to grant pardons in certain situations in order to capitalize on a fleeting possibility to resolve a difficult situation, particularly in the event of rebellion. The power to grant pardons has been controversial at times, with concerns that pardons are granted for political purposes rather than to serve justice or mercy.
Public Domain (P)2020 Doug Harvey & Associates, Inc.
The Comey Memos
Summary
On May 9, 2017, James Comey was in Los Angeles on official business when he learned from a television broadcast that US President Donald J. Trump had sent a terse letter informing him of his termination in a manila envelope by courier to the FBI headquarters in Washington. That action was closely followed by the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the Russian meddling in the 2016 elections and “any other actions” that may be uncovered. These matters and their many offspring have dominated the public conversation ever since. While Mr. Comey was no doubt shocked, it is doubtful that he was very surprised, given the testy nature of his relationship with Mr. Trump during their brief working relationship. On May 16, a week after the firing, we learned that Comey had documented every meeting and telephone call he had with the president in a series of detailed memos. In his testimony to the Congress in June, he said he had done so to create a “paper trail” to record “what he saw as the president’s improper effort to influence a continuing investigation” and because he “was honestly concerned he [Trump] might lie” about them. There are seven memos in all, written over a period of about three and a half months and released to the public on April 19, 2018. They are read here in their entirety. While many of us are familiar with some statements and events reported by the news media, it is enlightening and instructive to hear them in full.
Public Domain (P)2018 MP3 Audiobook Classics
The First Inaugural Address of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Summary
When Franklin Roosevelt was elected in 1932, the country was still reeling in the aftermath of the 1929 Stock Market Crash and ensuing Great Depression. The American people were looking for help and direction. In his inaugural address delivered on March 4, 1933, Roosevelt spelled out a clear plan that called for swift, decisive action that would mobilize the power of the federal government to put people back to work and reminded the public that America had a proud history of exceptional accomplishments and an inherent collective strength that could (and would) prevail. The speech is most famous for its declaration that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”, but is also notable for his bold statement that "I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis - broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe." The address continues to stand as a model of decisive, bold action fused with stirring, patriotic fervor. This is leadership at its best. This audiobook contains a new reading of the text of Roosevelt’s address as well as a recording of the original.
Public Domain (P)2020 MP3 Audiobook Classics