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"The History Prof" (Richie)

@the-history-prof.bsky.social
13K followers 8K following 1.1K posts

#Resister. Progressive. An Educator since 1981 (Political Science and History). Husband & Dad. Creative & Talented (musician, singer, actor, and writer). Semi-retired, working as Adjunct Professor of History. 💙

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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
GIFT ARTICLES CAN BE SHARED: Had health problems all summer & stopped posting. When Trump pushed FBI director Comey to investigate his political enemies during his 1st term, Comey replied, "we investigate CRIMES not PEOPLE." Guess Patel never saw that memo! www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
theatlantic.com
Is There Anything Kash Patel Won’t Do for Trump Before the Midterms?
“The president wants indictments. He wants people in handcuffs.”
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
If ever there was an argument against capital punishment, Ms. Pike' s "botched execution" provides it (I hate that term--we botch a repair job or an installation--not a person). This disturbing gift article is by the anesthesiologist that Ms. Pike's team consulted. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/04/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Christa Pike Has Exposed the Truth About Lethal Injection (Gift Article)
Lethal injection failures are not glitches; they are features of the process.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
GIFT ARTICLE (may be copied & shared) www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump Has Finally Lost the Plot
It is now apparent that many Americans — probably enough Americans — are determined to live within the truth rather than the lie.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
GIFT ARTICLES MAY BE LEGALLY SHARED: I usually find myself in agreement with David Frum...I respect his wealth of knowledge. I'm not sure on this one. He argues that the recent SCOTUS ruling allowing parties unlimited donations is good for our broken system. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
A Win for American Democracy
The Supreme Court has restored power—financial and otherwise—to political parties in elections.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
GIFT ARTICLES CAN BE SHARED: This piece about a dog and a duck who adopted each other made me smile! The videos are impossibly cute and sweet.. Enjoy! A duck and a dog formed an unlikely friendship. Now they’re inseparable. www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/20...
washingtonpost.com
A duck and a dog formed an unlikely friendship. Now they’re inseparable.
Epilepsy medication helped the golden retriever, but it dulled her personality. The arrival of a 4-day-old duckling sparked new life in Barley.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Just in time for Pride Month...coming out of my gym in a run-down strip mall... What Noah saw... What we might see after the midterms...and especially in 2028...as Geral Ford said when Nixon resigned: "Our long national nightmare is over..." May the Trump years fade like a fevsr-dream...
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
GIFT ARTICLES CAN BE SHARED: What's wrong with the Iran deal? "Trump has agreed to delay negotiations on the key goals of removing Iran’s enriched uranium..." "we will pay for reopening the Strait by approving the release of 10's of billions of $." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
What Did You Expect?
Perhaps this was always how Trump’s ill-conceived war was destined to end.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
So let's total up the Liar-In-Chief's damages: *closing the Strait & harming Global South economies *leaving the Iranian regime in place, removing sanctions, letting Iran keep uranium and missiles *letting Gulf allies get hit with missiles The Failure of the War www.newyorker.com/news/global-...
newyorker.com
The Spectacular Failure and Ruinous Costs of the Iran War
Even though an agreement has been reached, nations around the world will be feeling the effects of the Iran war for some time.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The Constitution was written before we had political parties. It envisioned a Congress of independent actors who would guard their own powers...using impeachment if necessary, but the GOP Congress won't check Trump. That leaves the courts...a much slower check. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
The ‘Presumption of Regularity’ Is Evaporating
Judges have long defaulted to a posture of trust toward the federal government, but under Trump that is changing, and a new set of legal possibilities is emerging.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
GIFT ARTICLES CAN BE SHARED: Here we go again...I won't forget my shock when he debated Hillary & said he would not respect the results if she won. For short-term partisan gain, the GOP is willing to trash our elections, the bedrock of democracy. Some patriots! www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Pushes Limits of Election Investigations
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Reposted by "The History Prof" (Richie)
Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
From Hunter Biden on Twitter.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
GIFT ARTICLES CAN BE SHARED: Everything he touches turns to crap, not gold. Nowhere is this more true than our D.C., which he treats as his playground. Tore up the Rose Garden, tore down the East Wing, put his name on the Kennedy Center, gilded the Oval Office. www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
theatlantic.com
The Arch Is Atrocious
Trump’s colossal monument would mar Washington’s skyline and disrupt one of its most sacred spaces.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Some members of the GOP caucus have discovered that they are vertebrates, & not slugs or mollusks. Of course, Blanch refuses to end the slush fund in writing, claiming we should trust his word. Of course, Trump was way more concerned about protecting his clan. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/u...
nytimes.com
Blanche Says Justice Dept. Won’t Proceed With Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund
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Reposted by "The History Prof" (Richie)
"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
A hallmark of authoritarian systems is the politicization of the judicial system. There is infamous footage of Nazi judges haranguing defendants. In China under Mao, judges asked thieves "what kind of ideology were they demonstrating?" (capitalist). GIFT BELOW: www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
theatlantic.com
The Brazenness of DOJ’s Reported Investigation of E. Jean Carroll
The latest move shows that Trump has no issue with politicized justice—he just wants it on his side.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
A hallmark of authoritarian systems is the politicization of the judicial system. There is infamous footage of Nazi judges haranguing defendants. In China under Mao, judges asked thieves "what kind of ideology were they demonstrating?" (capitalist). GIFT BELOW: www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
theatlantic.com
The Brazenness of DOJ’s Reported Investigation of E. Jean Carroll
The latest move shows that Trump has no issue with politicized justice—he just wants it on his side.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
GIFT ARTICLES CAN BE SHARED: Think of all the reasons given for electing a "businessman" with no govt experience: *he'll drain the swamp & be incorruptible *he'll tell the truth, beholden to no one *He'll be tough with the world *economy will be great LOL www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
theatlantic.com
Trump’s Endgame Is Surrender
He seems to hope to slip away without Americans noticing the magnitude of this defeat.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Trump, on trading his meritless lawsuit for the slush fund: "Instead, I am helping others, who were so badly abused by an evil, corrupt, and weaponized Biden Administration, receive, at long last, JUSTICE!” After 10 yrs, I'm still not used to the brazen hypocrisy! www.nytimes.com/2026/05/23/u...
nytimes.com
Defiant After Bad Week, Trump Pushes Ahead on Politically Unpopular Ideas
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
I am sharing this gift article, which you can legally share, because we need to know about this misogyny on the Right in order to fight it, but as a man, I feel it's inappropriate for me to comment. My only comment: "masculinism" = SCARY! www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
theatlantic.com
The Men Who Want Women to Be Quiet
A virulent form of misogyny has become the single most important force holding together the American right.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
The NY Times created an "autocracy index" at the start of Trump's 2nd term, containing 12 indicators. The Times Editorial Board moved us up a notch due to the Iran War. "Mr. Trump has received no approval whatsoever from Congress." Only Congress can declare war! www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Iran War Worsens America's Democratic Erosion
Measuring America’s democratic erosion.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
The NY Times created an "autocracy index" at the start of Trump's 2nd term, containing 12 indicators. The Times Editorial Board moved us up a notch due to the Iran War. "Mr. Trump has received no approval whatsoever from Congress." Only Congress can declare war! www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Iran War Worsens America's Democratic Erosion
Measuring America’s democratic erosion.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
This essay argues that Dems have to get tough, get ugly, and be shameless like the GOP. After the SCOTUS decision last week gutting the Voting Rights Act, southern states couldn't move any faster to redraw districts & eliminate Black majority districts! A Gift: www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | This Is Getting Dangerous
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
In the re-districting frenzy, who's fighting for democracy? Trump violated a norm again by calling for mid-census redistricting, & Texas answered him. No one even pretends this is democratic. Most mature democracies have independent orgs. handle electoral maps. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/10/u...
nytimes.com
A Private Call Reveals Democrats’ Desperation Over Tossing of Map
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
No plan?? No problem! Illegal?? Who cares? Unconstitutional?? What Constitution! Harmful to our European allies?? Who needs allies! Harmful to our Gulf allies?? You mean we had Gulf allies? Lying to the American people?? Putinesque Propaganda?? Prove it! Gift: www.nytimes.com/video/world/...
nytimes.com
Video: Iranian Propaganda vs. U.S. Talking Points: How We Determined the Real Damage to U.S. Military Bases
Amid the barrage of messages and misinformation swirling online and on Capitol Hill, about what damage U.S. military sites incurred during the conflict with Iran, a Times analysis of satellite imagery...
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Another touchdown for the rule of law! The Constitution is clear: the tariff power belongs to Congress. The Idiot throws everything against the wall, hoping that something sticks...while the cases grind slowly through the courts, he does what he likes! Gift below: www.nytimes.com/live/2026/05...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Live Updates: Trade Court Rules President’s 10 Percent Tariff Is Illegal
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
If any article can give you nightmares, this one might. Everyone can share it, and should! (It's a gift article). It summarizes the ways in which Trump might try to cancel or nullify the midterms. We'll need a general strike to stop him. Stay alert & be ready! www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | ‘When You Think of It, We Shouldn’t Even Have an Election’
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
At last! It only took inflation, injurious tariffs, ruining 70 yrs of alliances, destroying the rules-based international system of law and economics which we pioneered & benefitted from, troops in our cities, and an illegal and unjust war. Slow learners?? www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
theatlantic.com
Trump Voters Are Over It
A shocking number of the president’s supporters have turned against him.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Anyone who has tried to score concert tix knows this frustrating game (torture session?) I used to think it was slow internet back in the dial-up server days. 25 yrs later, I know better. I don't mind the fees. It's the tix vanishing b4 my eyes that kills me!! www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
newyorker.com
What Comes After the Live Nation-Ticketmaster Antitrust Ruling
An antitrust ruling found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster had operated as a monopoly. What comes next is murkier.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
SCORE ANOTHER WIN FOR THE RULE OF LAW! And also for following international law. GIFT ARTICLES CAN BE LEGALLY SHARED: Appeals court clears way for U.S. to reopen border for asylum seekers www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
washingtonpost.com
Appeals court clears way for U.S. to reopen border for asylum seekers
The judges found Trump’s decision to declare an ‘invasion’ and deny entry to asylum seekers was illegal. The administration is vowing to challenge the ruling.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
"Despite everything that we have done for our NATO allies, they were not there for us. The War Department will ensure that POTUS has credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger and instead do their part.” CAN WE STOP THIS? 25th AMENDMENT? www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/w...
nytimes.com
Britain and Spain Reject Reported Plans by Trump to Punish Them
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
IS THIS WHO WE ARE NOW?? Trump on his social media: "Tues will be Power Plant Day, & Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the FUCKIN’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH" ALL WAR CRIMES!! www.nytimes.com/2026/04/05/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Revels in Threats to Commit War Crimes in Iran
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
"On 3/ 1, he...seemed to change his mind about whether he wanted regime change...On 3/6, he demanded unconditional surrender in all caps. On 3/13, he said Iran had been 'totally defeated.' On 3/21, he said the operation had 'achieved his objectives." But he threatened power plants. wapo.st/4v4UheW
wapo.st
Opinion | Trump’s hall-of-mirrors speech
The president perpetuated the dissonance that has characterized the Iran war from the start.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
How did our feckless Leader react to the largest one-day protest in American history (8mil people, 3k locations)? WH spokesperson Abigail Jackson called the protests "Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions." How long must we suffer through this nightmare Admin? Below are some of my NYC protest pics.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Some random photos from the NYC "No Kings Day" march/rally yesterday that I was thrilled to be a part of.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Reporting live from NYC "No Kings: The crowd is boisterous and having fun. No sign of MAGites anywhere I love my country, and right now I love freedoms and thatbour people are showing...2 avenues away from Trump Tower
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
I came into NYC to raise my voice & be counted. Staying tonite & tmrrw nite in a hotel near the rally, so that I don't have to brave the crowds on mass transit tomorrow. Come be a part of History! We're patriots, just like the civil rights marchers in the '60's. Our cause is just. Nokingsnyc.com
nokingsnyc.com
No Kings NYC - OFFICIAL Protest March - March 28, 2026
New York City is marching because America has NO KINGS. Join us on Saturday, 3/28 at 2:00 PM in Manhattan, Central Park West & 7th Ave
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
www.nokings.org
nokings.org
No Kings
As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power ...
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Here's the official website for our national protest on Saturday against autocracy and this lawless president. It has a map which will show you the nearest protest. There are thousands of them. SHOW UP! BE COUNTED! (Don't make me give my lecture about revolutions!) www.nokings.org
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
nokingsnyc.com My son & I are going...I booked a hotel on 7th Ave for Fri & Sat. Last NYC rally I went to was the Anti-Nukes March in 1982, for which at least 750K turned out. I brought my guitar & sang "Give Peace a Chance" as we marched. It took Trump to make this disabled senior march again.
nokingsnyc.com
No Kings NYC - OFFICIAL Protest March - March 28, 2026
New York City is marching because America has NO KINGS. Join us on Saturday, 3/28 at 2:00 PM in Manhattan, Central Park West & 7th Ave
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Reposted by "The History Prof" (Richie)
"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
THIS IS MY 1000th POST since joining in Oct of '24. IF EVERYONE WHO SEES THIS RE-POSTED IT, I might double my followers! I want to share what I've learned from 43 years of teaching Politics. I have 4 subscriptions & share "gift articles" with my comments (NY Times, WAPO, Atlantic, & NYorker).
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
THIS IS MY 1000th POST since joining in Oct of '24. IF EVERYONE WHO SEES THIS RE-POSTED IT, I might double my followers! I want to share what I've learned from 43 years of teaching Politics. I have 4 subscriptions & share "gift articles" with my comments (NY Times, WAPO, Atlantic, & NYorker).
101313
"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
GIFT ARTICLES CAN BE SHARED: I don't watch superhero franchises. I don't like horror movies. I hate films about dystopian or apocalyptic futures--they prep us to accept these ugly futures.. That leaves rom-coms & British crime dramas. And rom-coms are gone. www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
theatlantic.com
What We Lost When We Lost Rom-Coms
Culture has little interest in love anymore. The consequences could be dire.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
"War is God’s way of teaching Americans geography." A very painful lesson. You almost have to admire Trump's profound ignorance. This gift article discusses the history of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/b...
nytimes.com
The Strait of Hormuz Was Supposed to Be Too Big to Fail
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
GIFT: This article compares the disparate experiences of Alito ('68) & Sotomayor ('72) at Princeton. Alito went on to write the majority decisions which overturned Roe v. Wade; weakened the Voting Rights Act; & allowed corps. to refuse coverage for contraception. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Samuel Alito and Sonia Sotomayor Did Not Attend the Same Princeton
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Trump: "The U.S. is the largest Oil Producer in the World...so when oil prices go up, WE make a lot of money.” New Yorker: "Of course, the word 'we' was doing a lot of work there. Big Oil makes money, & so do the parasitic politicians that the industry supports www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
newyorker.com
The Iran War Is Another Reason to Quit Oil
What if the drone is to warfare as the solar panel is to energy?
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
GIFTS CAN BE SHARED: "The commander in chief was reportedly told that the mullahs might not agree to go gently into the night, but he seems to have waved away such concerns because he was so convinced that the Iranian regime would collapse almost immediately." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
Trump Had No Plan B for Iran
And it shows.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Score one for the First Amendment! Thanks to an independent judiciary, the Bill of Rights, and the rule of law! No Kings! (March 28th...look for your local rally) This lawless presidency needs to be stopped. We all have a voice. Use it! wapo.st/4t0fjcV
wapo.st
Pentagon press policy ruled unconstitutional in case brought by N.Y. Times
A federal judge struck down the Defense Department’s new press policy that triggered an exodus of reporters from the Pentagon, calling it unconstitutional.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
"Iran is ideologically and institutionally unlikely to declare its unconditional surrender...Trump may soon decide to cut his losses by saying that the U.S. has achieved its objectives & the war is done. But wars do not always end when one side says they do." www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
theatlantic.com
Trump May Not Be Able to End This War
The Islamic Republic is designed to endure crises and fight asymmetric conflicts.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
The GOP said Clinton wasn't "presidential" after he played sax on a late-night talk show. Then they said he had tarnished the office by his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Where's the outrage over POTUS bragging about about "what a great honor it is" to kill Iranians? How can Christians support him??
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
GIFT ARTICLES CAN BE SHARED: it will be a great day when our nation's schools get another $200 billion to spend, and the Pentagon has to hold bake sales and sell raffle tickets because That Man in the WH began an unconstitutional war, & broke intn'll law (Article 2, UN Charter). wapo.st/4bsvzfG
wapo.st
Pentagon seeks more than $200 billion in budget request for Iran war
That figure would far surpass the costs of the U.S. airstrike campaign to date and aims to boost production of critical weapons depleted in the conflict, people familiar with the matter said.
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"The History Prof" (Richie) @the-history-prof.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
When Iraq broke Article 2 of the UN Charter by invading Kuwait, the UK & France joined "Desert Storm." When "W." launched the illegal 2003 war against Iraq, Congress agreed & the UK & Australia joined us. Trump skipped consulting Congress & our European allies!! www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/w...
nytimes.com
Why Won’t Europe Help Trump in Iran? Let’s Count the Reasons.
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