John A. Farrell
@biographer.bsky.social
Historian. BA, UVA. PhD, Groningen. Biographer of Clarence Darrow, Tip O'Neill, Ted Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Next book: The American Revolution.
Reposted by John A. Farrell
Folks:
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
Please circulate and share this important resource: thepanorama.shear.org/2025/04/09/t...
The Early Republic Tracker
The Early Republic Tracker documents instances where the federal government is removing facts and stories essential to the public’s understanding American history from public historical sites, muse…
thepanorama.shear.org
February 2, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Folks:
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
This is important.
SHEAR—the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (a GREAT organization)—is tracking examples of the regime erasing history.
More at the link below.
Reposted by John A. Farrell
Democrats gonna flip 100 House seats.
Dr Oz on rural healthcare: "There's no question about it, whether you want it or not -- the best way to help some of these communities is gonna be AI-based avatars"
February 3, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Democrats gonna flip 100 House seats.
Nixon had Trump tendencies but on a far smaller scale: eg his silly Secret Service uniforms vs. destroying the East Wing, Rose Garden and Kennedy Center. The guardrails and norms were stronger. (Ailes but no Murdoch) But RN did shake down donors, stir hatred and use his power against political foes.
February 2, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Nixon had Trump tendencies but on a far smaller scale: eg his silly Secret Service uniforms vs. destroying the East Wing, Rose Garden and Kennedy Center. The guardrails and norms were stronger. (Ailes but no Murdoch) But RN did shake down donors, stir hatred and use his power against political foes.
The Supreme Court, with rare windows of change, is an institution dedicated to the protection of property. A few unicorn cases grab our attention for good or bad while the work of sheltering commerce and corruption goes on masked, or in the dark. Clarence Darrow’s biographer says: Good move NYT.
Why The Times Is Expanding Its Supreme Court Coverage
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:03 PM
The Supreme Court, with rare windows of change, is an institution dedicated to the protection of property. A few unicorn cases grab our attention for good or bad while the work of sheltering commerce and corruption goes on masked, or in the dark. Clarence Darrow’s biographer says: Good move NYT.
I have been interviewed by Isaac Chotiner. Twice. He’s tough. But nobody is a craftier inquisitor than Brian Lamb.
February 2, 2026 at 12:47 AM
I have been interviewed by Isaac Chotiner. Twice. He’s tough. But nobody is a craftier inquisitor than Brian Lamb.
Reposted by John A. Farrell
Taylor Rehmet is only 33 by the way
February 1, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Taylor Rehmet is only 33 by the way
Reposted by John A. Farrell
“If the person is a U.S. citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, that individual will be free to go after the brief encounter.”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
4 federal agents pull over an elderly US citizen for the suspected crime of being brown, break her car window, throw her to the ground, then drive off after they find her US Passport in her purse. The Salem Police, when called, say there’s nothing they can do. www.salemreporter.com/2026/01/31/u...
U.S. citizen injured by federal agents in Salem who demanded to see “papers,” union says - Salem Reporter
A home care worker and union worker was pulled from her car and injured by federal agents Thursday according to a statement by SEIU 503. To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the repor...
www.salemreporter.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:25 PM
“If the person is a U.S. citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, that individual will be free to go after the brief encounter.”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
After Saratoga the Hessian POWs were marched to Charlottesville where they were stunned by the destructive effects of white supremacy on the slave owning class. The wealthy whites spent their days in a vapid alcoholic haze; only dancing gave them brief respites of joy.
February 1, 2026 at 5:03 PM
After Saratoga the Hessian POWs were marched to Charlottesville where they were stunned by the destructive effects of white supremacy on the slave owning class. The wealthy whites spent their days in a vapid alcoholic haze; only dancing gave them brief respites of joy.
Harris lost because she didn't convincingly talk about prices and wages to folks struggling to afford a house, their kids' education, milk, eggs, hamburger and coffee.
Celebrating incremental moves by feckless Senators while the reality of what's happening is worse than anyone can imagine is like Amy Klobuchar talking about coffee prices to the people of Minnesota from the comfort of her overstuffed leather chair in DC
I don't like to talk about stories before they are fully reported, but I am writing on ICE in a Minnesota town that isn't Minneapolis. However bad you think it is, it is worse. It is a campaign of pure terror whose only strategic goal is more terror. There is no strategy other than to break people.
February 1, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Harris lost because she didn't convincingly talk about prices and wages to folks struggling to afford a house, their kids' education, milk, eggs, hamburger and coffee.
Reposted by John A. Farrell
JD Vance in 2021:
January 31, 2026 at 9:05 PM
JD Vance in 2021:
Reposted by John A. Farrell
of racist demagoguery, the establishment of mass internment camps, the inhuman treatment of immigrants and the use violent tactics on the streets against protesters. Bishop Taylor lost some 30 relatives in the Holocaust.
January 31, 2026 at 3:15 AM
of racist demagoguery, the establishment of mass internment camps, the inhuman treatment of immigrants and the use violent tactics on the streets against protesters. Bishop Taylor lost some 30 relatives in the Holocaust.
Reposted by John A. Farrell
The Catholic Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, has published a striking column in which he compares developments under Trump in America, to things that happened in Germany after the Nazis came to power in 1932—he particularly notes the proliferation
Catholic bishop of Arkansas draws comparisons between current times, 1930s Germany | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Catholic Bishop Anthony Taylor of Arkansas said in a social media post this week he sees "many obvious parallels" between recent developments in the U.S. and those that occurred nearly a century ago, ...
www.nwaonline.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:15 AM
The Catholic Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, has published a striking column in which he compares developments under Trump in America, to things that happened in Germany after the Nazis came to power in 1932—he particularly notes the proliferation
Richard Nixon and Ted Kennedy - a secret meeting in a Washington church basement - we almost had national health insurance in 1974 - and then Wilbur Mills went swimming with a stripper. True story. www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
A Personal Remembrance Of Stuart Altman | Health Affairs Forefront
Perhaps no other individual has contributed so much for so long to American health care as Stuart Altman. And Stuart did it with grace and humor in ways that endeared him to people across the politica...
www.healthaffairs.org
January 31, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Richard Nixon and Ted Kennedy - a secret meeting in a Washington church basement - we almost had national health insurance in 1974 - and then Wilbur Mills went swimming with a stripper. True story. www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
The 1st amend does not cover just big news ops like Fox or NY Times. It protects the Tucker Carlsons and Joe Rogans and Don Lemons - your school newspaper and your yard signs, tshirts, books and movies too. Always has. Lemon's arrest is a malicious violation. S/ Clarence Darrow's biographer.
January 30, 2026 at 11:58 PM
The 1st amend does not cover just big news ops like Fox or NY Times. It protects the Tucker Carlsons and Joe Rogans and Don Lemons - your school newspaper and your yard signs, tshirts, books and movies too. Always has. Lemon's arrest is a malicious violation. S/ Clarence Darrow's biographer.
Reposted by John A. Farrell
This style of post is literally every second thing I see on here and it’s utterly absurd. Van Hollen in particular could not be a worse target.
January 27, 2026 at 8:06 PM
This style of post is literally every second thing I see on here and it’s utterly absurd. Van Hollen in particular could not be a worse target.
History says that this is far from over, and there are hard days ahead. But it is affirming - and a thrill - to see the power of a non-violent movement once more in our lives. India. Birmingham. The Moratorium. Manila. Kiev. Minneapolis. Keep the faith, baby.
January 27, 2026 at 2:37 AM
History says that this is far from over, and there are hard days ahead. But it is affirming - and a thrill - to see the power of a non-violent movement once more in our lives. India. Birmingham. The Moratorium. Manila. Kiev. Minneapolis. Keep the faith, baby.
Reposted by John A. Farrell
Reminder that, as of the latest reports, Liam Ramos is still in prison in Texas - now for 5 days.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
January 27, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Reminder that, as of the latest reports, Liam Ramos is still in prison in Texas - now for 5 days.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
The Founders designed the Senate to have lawmakers from big diverse electorates and extra long terms to insulate them from haste and unruly passions, and encourage leadership. They should be out front on this. Are you okay, Dakotans, with what Trump goons are doing to Americans? If not, call Thune.
January 27, 2026 at 2:20 AM
The Founders designed the Senate to have lawmakers from big diverse electorates and extra long terms to insulate them from haste and unruly passions, and encourage leadership. They should be out front on this. Are you okay, Dakotans, with what Trump goons are doing to Americans? If not, call Thune.
Reposted by John A. Farrell
The killing of Alex Pretti and the grotesque lying was an overreach by the administration. They've paid a price and had to pull back a bit. But it's when there's some disarray that the democratic opposition needs to intensify the offensive, and turn a marginal tactical success into a major victory.
January 26, 2026 at 10:56 PM
The killing of Alex Pretti and the grotesque lying was an overreach by the administration. They've paid a price and had to pull back a bit. But it's when there's some disarray that the democratic opposition needs to intensify the offensive, and turn a marginal tactical success into a major victory.
In the W years, an immigration reform bill backed by Bush, McCain, Lindsay Graham, Obama and Ted Kennedy died under right wing media attack. Kennedy said: "What are they going to do with the 12 million who are undocumented? Develop a type of Gestapo here to seek out people in the shadows?"
January 26, 2026 at 3:53 PM
In the W years, an immigration reform bill backed by Bush, McCain, Lindsay Graham, Obama and Ted Kennedy died under right wing media attack. Kennedy said: "What are they going to do with the 12 million who are undocumented? Develop a type of Gestapo here to seek out people in the shadows?"
Reposted by John A. Farrell
Minnesota GOP leader Chris Madel: "I can’t look my daughters in the eye and say I’m running as a Republican, when they’re pulling over Hispanics and Asians because of the color of the skin and what they look like. I did not sign up for that.” www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
The Lawyer for the Agent Who Shot Renee Good Thinks ICE Has Gone Too Far
GOP candidate Chris Madel is dropping out of the Minnesota’s governor’s race, saying national Republicans “have made it nearly impossible.”
www.wsj.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Minnesota GOP leader Chris Madel: "I can’t look my daughters in the eye and say I’m running as a Republican, when they’re pulling over Hispanics and Asians because of the color of the skin and what they look like. I did not sign up for that.” www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by John A. Farrell
Rest in Peace Alex Jeffrey Pretti🙏🏾 The VA ICU Nurses send him off right 💔
January 26, 2026 at 5:04 AM
Rest in Peace Alex Jeffrey Pretti🙏🏾 The VA ICU Nurses send him off right 💔
Americans are divided and killing each other in no small degree because Roger Ailes and the Murdochs decided to monetize hate.
January 25, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Americans are divided and killing each other in no small degree because Roger Ailes and the Murdochs decided to monetize hate.
There is an opportunity for young Republicans to make names and advance careers by splitting with Trump, Vance and Noem, rallying the "silent majority" and taking the party back toward the calmer port of Nixon/Bush/Reaganism. They will wind up doing it eventually so why not be a credited leader?
January 25, 2026 at 7:56 PM
There is an opportunity for young Republicans to make names and advance careers by splitting with Trump, Vance and Noem, rallying the "silent majority" and taking the party back toward the calmer port of Nixon/Bush/Reaganism. They will wind up doing it eventually so why not be a credited leader?
Reposted by John A. Farrell
photographer is Jeff Wheeler at the Star Tribune. guy with the flag is Curtis Evans, a Marine veteran.
January 25, 2026 at 12:18 AM
photographer is Jeff Wheeler at the Star Tribune. guy with the flag is Curtis Evans, a Marine veteran.