Stay connected with us at americangroundradio.com, on Facebook, and Instagram. You're listening to American Ground Radio with Stephen Parr and Louis R. Avallone. This is the full show for February 20, 2026. 0:30 Today, we reflect on the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson — civil rights leader, founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, two-time presidential candidate, and a man who undeniably shaped America’s political and cultural conversation for decades. But the debate today isn’t about whether he mattered.
Stay connected with us at americangroundradio.com, on Facebook, and Instagram.
You're listening to American Ground Radio with Stephen Parr and Louis R. Avallone. This is the full show for February 20, 2026.
0:30 Today, we reflect on the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson — civil rights leader, founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, two-time presidential candidate, and a man who undeniably shaped America’s political and cultural conversation for decades.
But the debate today isn’t about whether he mattered.
It’s about whether he meets the historic threshold for one of the nation’s highest ceremonial honors: lying in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
After Mike Johnson declined a request to grant that distinction, critics cried partisanship. We slow the conversation down and ask a deeper question: What is the standard? The Rotunda is reserved for figures deemed central to the constitutional story of the United States — a rare honor previously extended to individuals such as Rosa Parks, Billy Graham, and even Pierre Charles L'Enfant.
So where is the line between influence and national consensus? Between impact and constitutional significance?
We discuss Jackson’s contributions, his controversies, and the broader principle at stake: preserving the Rotunda as sacred civic space — not a stage for popularity or partisanship.
9:30 Plus, we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know.
- The US Supreme Court struck down President Trump's use of Tariffs without congressional authorization.
- The United States and Indonesia finalized a bilateral trade agreement today that will lower tariffs between the two countries to 19%.
- Jesse Jackson's body will not lie in state under the Capital Rotunda.Jackson's family had requested that his body be allowed to lie in state, but that request was denied by Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson.
12:30 Get Prodovite Plus from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20.
13:00 The Supreme Court of the United States handed down a 6–3 decision striking down President Donald Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Court made clear: that particular statute can’t be used as the vehicle for those tariffs.
But that didn’t end the story.
Within hours, the administration pivoted — announcing a new 10% tariff under the Trade Act of 1974, a separate law that explicitly grants the president temporary tariff authority. In fact, even members of the Court noted there are other statutory paths available.
So what are we witnessing — constitutional chaos or constitutional chess?
16:00 We got a question for the American Mamas: “I’m so glad I grew up in the ’80s. How can you keep up with all the trends today?”
It sparks a lively (and hilarious) walk down memory lane as Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson join us to compare the universal “just knew it” culture of the 1980s with today’s lightning-fast, social-media-driven world. From slang that changes overnight to the pressure of documenting everything online, we explore how growing up before smartphones may have been a hidden blessing.
The conversation turns to modern milestones — over-the-top weddings, pricey bachelorette trips, elaborate gender reveals — and how platforms like TikTok and Twitter have transformed private celebrations into public productions. What used to be punch, mints, and a phone call has become curated content and camera-ready moments.
It’s a funny, relatable look at generational shifts, cultural pressure, and why some of us are grateful our most embarrassing moments weren’t captured in 4K.
Got a question for the American Mamas? Visit americangroundradio.com/mamas and click “Ask the Mamas.”
23:00 President Donald Trump has directed the Secretary of Defense and other agencies to begin identifying and releasing government files related to UFOs, unidentified aerial phenomena, and any potential information connected to extraterrestrial life.
Laugh if you want — but for years, trained Navy and Air Force pilots have reported aerial objects performing maneuvers that appear to defy conventional aerodynamics. These aren’t backyard videos or internet hoaxes. They’re encounters documented by military aviators asking a serious question: what exactly are we seeing?
We explore the long shadow of Area 51, Cold War-era secrecy, and how government disinformation about experimental aircraft may have fueled decades of alien speculation. We also separate fact from fiction when it comes to so-called “chemtrails” versus ordinary condensation trails — and why conspiracy theories persist.
26:00 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis traveled to Kentucky this week with a bold message: Congress won’t fix itself — and it’s time for the states to step in.
Testifying before Kentucky lawmakers, DeSantis urged them to support an Article V constitutional convention aimed at passing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. With the national debt approaching $40 trillion, he argued that without permanent structural changes, Washington’s “muscle memory” of spending and compromise will continue — no matter which party is in power.
We Dig Deep into break down how an Article V convention works, why 34 states are required to trigger it, and where the effort currently stands. Twenty states have already signed on — mostly Republican-led — but even if every remaining red state joined, supporters would still need buy-in from purple or Democrat-led legislatures.
32:00 Get Performlyte from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20.
32:30 A social media post from Congressman Randy Fine has gone viral — and sparked a firestorm.
Fine responded to comments tied to New York political circles suggesting restrictions on dogs in public housing, referencing concerns rooted in Islamic views that consider dogs unclean. Fine pushed back bluntly, arguing that if Americans were ever forced to choose between their pets and accommodating religious restrictions, it wouldn’t be a difficult decision.
Critics immediately labeled the remarks Islamophobic. Supporters say the point wasn’t about religion — it was about culture, assimilation, and whether American traditions should bend to accommodate beliefs that conflict with everyday life in the U.S.
In this segment, we unpack the controversy, the statistics behind America’s deep attachment to pets — including service and therapy dogs — and the broader debate over cultural expectations in a free society. We also discuss Fine’s proposed “Protecting Puppies from Sharia Act” and what it symbolizes in the larger conversation about immigration, religious freedom, and preserving American norms.
35:30 Plus, it's Fake News Friday! We're putting you to the test with our weekly game of headlines—are they real news, fake news, or really fake news? From cowboys and Gavin Newsom's dyslexia, to the airport being named after President Trump can you spot the fake news? Play along, keep score, and share your results with us on Facebook page: facebook.com/AmericanGroundRadio.
39:30 We talk about Supreme Court’s 6–3 ruling on presidential tariff authority and what it means for the balance of power in Washington. When former Vice President Mike Pence praised the decision as a win for the Constitution, was it a straightforward defense of separation of powers—or a subtle jab at Donald Trump?
And we end today's show with the powerful Olympic story of Alysa Liu—an American gold medal victory with international intrigue and a reminder of the opportunities and freedoms that define the American dream.
May your pursuit of happiness bring you joy.
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