THE IRANIAN SIDE OF IRAN CONTRA And other stories

This episode of 'My History Can Beat Up Your Politics' explores the overlooked Iranian perspective behind the Iran-Contra scandal, centering on Mehdi Hashemi, a powerful Shia cleric and revolutionary figure who leaked U.S.-Iran arms deal details to a Lebanese newspaper. Contrary to the Reagan administration's claim that they were dealing with 'factions' in Iran, the truth was that Hashemi—a fervent opponent of Western influence—exposed the government's secret negotiations to undermine its legitimacy. His subsequent arrest, coerced confession, and execution highlight the internal power struggles within revolutionary Iran, revealing that even a theocratic state like Iran is not monolithic. The episode then shifts to a series of obscure historical anecdotes about U.S. presidents, including bizarre claims of presidential candidates, left-handed presidents, and personal quirks like Woodrow Wilson's political betrayal of Grover Cleveland. It concludes with a deep dive into the constitutional authority of federal agencies, tracing the FDA's origins to the Progressive Era and muckraking journalism, and the TSA's evolution post-9/11, while exploring the legal basis for federal regulatory power and the controversial interpretation of the Ninth Amendment as a potential source for unenumerated rights like healthcare and same-sex marriage.