Oct27Tue
Guest appearance
The 2026 Midterms: A Preview of What's at Stake for America. Part I.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm MTThe Osher Institute, Boise
Hosted by Osher Institute
The Alturas Institute
Defending democracy by advancing the Constitution, civic education, equal protection of the law and women's rights.
New this January
“Toward a More Perfect Union” — Civics 101 with Dr. David Adler
Seven live evenings on Zoom with constitutional scholar Dr. David Adler. Each session is a 45-minute talk followed by 45 minutes of open Q&A, from the Declaration of Independence to the 14th Amendment. Seats are limited.
- 7 weekly live sessions on Zoom
- 45 minutes of Q&A every week
- Free with a Learning Library membership
Live talks
Dave's Dates
October 2026
Oct27Tue
Alturas Presents
Constitutional Conversations
Taking Stock of Americans' Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on the Eve of the Midterms
4 pm – 5:30 pm MTThe Osher Institute, Boise
Oct28Wed
Guest appearance
The 2026 Midterms: A Preview of What's at Stake for America. Part II.
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm MTThe Osher Institute, Boise
Hosted by Osher Institute
November 2026
Nov10Tue
Alturas Presents
Constitutional Conversations
Reviewing the 2026 Midterms: Implications for American Politics and our Democracy
7 pm – 8:30 pm MTTrinity United Methodist Church, Idaho Falls
$10 at the door · Students and teachers free
Nov12Thu
Guest appearance
Let's Talk About It: A Discussion of Thomas Paine's Common Sense
6 pm – 8 pm MTThe Armoral Tuttle Public Library, New Plymouth
Hosted by The Armoral Tuttle Public Library
Nov16Mon
Alturas Presents
Constitutional Conversations
Reviewing the 2026 Midterms—Implications for American Politics and Our Constitutional Democracy
10 am – 12 pm MTThe Osher Institute, Boise
Not near any of these?
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Read & watch
The Alturas Learning Library
ArticlePresidential Power
From Suicide Pact to Faustian Bargain to the Art of the Deal: Bowing to Presidential Power
The evolution in America of rationales for the cascading growth of presidential power, which began in earnest in the post-war world and followed a trajectory through the expression of the Imperial Presidency before reaching new heights in President Donald Trump's authoritarian pretensions, has long found foundation in the misappropriation and misuse of Justice Robert H. Jackson's famous aphorism, "the Constitution is not a suicide pact."
June 15, 2026 Members
ArticlePresidential Power
Trump's Slush Fund Reflects Concentration of Power in the Executive, Collapse of Constitutional Guardrails
One of the grave consequences for American Constitutionalism of the untrammeled concentration of power in the hands of President Donald Trump--the putative goal of Project 2025--is his total control over the Department of Justice.
June 15, 2026 Members
ArticleCivil Liberties & the Press
The State of War in Iran Demonstrates Need for Freedom of the Press
Since the beginning of the Iran War, the Trump Administration has been clear in its view that news organizations have an obligation to report developments as they are characterized by governmental officials.
June 15, 2026 Members
Featured collection
Conversations with Exceptional Women, Sun Valley 2026
Aug 27–28, 2026 · 12 sessions
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