Holly Brewer
@earlymodjustice.bsky.social
Pinned
Holly Brewer
@earlymodjustice.bsky.social
· Mar 20
In The New Republic, historian Holly Brewer compares the Court's decision to Godden v. Hales, a 1686 case affirming that James II was above the law – which was only repudiated when James II was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution. newrepublic.com/article/1833...
The issue at stake in 1686 was whether the king was bound by the law.
How are we back here again?
How are we back here again?
Reposted by Holly Brewer
For Presidents’ Day, I thought I’d put together a thread of *other* Presidents talking about George Washington and slavery. Away we go! 🧵/1
February 16, 2026 at 3:10 PM
For Presidents’ Day, I thought I’d put together a thread of *other* Presidents talking about George Washington and slavery. Away we go! 🧵/1
Reposted by Holly Brewer
“We’re the only country in the world that has mail in ballots”. - Senile Satan
February 12, 2026 at 11:28 PM
“We’re the only country in the world that has mail in ballots”. - Senile Satan
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Great piece from @dsquareddigest.bsky.social, which touches on one of the big theories for why English-speaking countries do especially badly at housebuilding:
Adversarial and litigious common law systems (Anglo) vs judge-led civil law systems elsewhere.
samf.substack.com/p/build-the-...
Adversarial and litigious common law systems (Anglo) vs judge-led civil law systems elsewhere.
samf.substack.com/p/build-the-...
February 16, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Great piece from @dsquareddigest.bsky.social, which touches on one of the big theories for why English-speaking countries do especially badly at housebuilding:
Adversarial and litigious common law systems (Anglo) vs judge-led civil law systems elsewhere.
samf.substack.com/p/build-the-...
Adversarial and litigious common law systems (Anglo) vs judge-led civil law systems elsewhere.
samf.substack.com/p/build-the-...
Reposted by Holly Brewer
The newspaper is named the
PLAIN DEALER
for cryin’ out loud!
PLAIN DEALER
for cryin’ out loud!
“We plan to hire an AI rewrite specialist to ingest the reporting by Hannah and others and use AI to convert it into stories.”
The editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer said it will use AI to ‘write’ its articles.
www.cleveland.com/news/2025/10...
The editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer said it will use AI to ‘write’ its articles.
www.cleveland.com/news/2025/10...
February 16, 2026 at 12:43 PM
The newspaper is named the
PLAIN DEALER
for cryin’ out loud!
PLAIN DEALER
for cryin’ out loud!
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Hogan's Heroes and Postwar America video/podcast Kickstarter campaign is officially launched!! Please consider backing us. If you haven't done a Kickstarter before, if we don't meet the campaign goal, no money moves. Pledges above the goal will continue to flow.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
Hogan's Heroes and Post War America
An 8-episode documentary video pod about the making of the show, the actors' lives, American history, and learning to laugh at Nazis
www.kickstarter.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Hogan's Heroes and Postwar America video/podcast Kickstarter campaign is officially launched!! Please consider backing us. If you haven't done a Kickstarter before, if we don't meet the campaign goal, no money moves. Pledges above the goal will continue to flow.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Fascinating history of strongmen: The dopamine hit from power and impunity is intoxicating, but, craving a bigger hit, you go nuts -- and you lose the public. That's "autocratic backfire." With @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social @sbg1.bsky.social @janemayer.bsky.social www.newyorker.com/podcast/poli...
What Happens When a Megalomaniac Begins to Fail
The historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Donald Trump and “autocratic backfire.”
www.newyorker.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Fascinating history of strongmen: The dopamine hit from power and impunity is intoxicating, but, craving a bigger hit, you go nuts -- and you lose the public. That's "autocratic backfire." With @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social @sbg1.bsky.social @janemayer.bsky.social www.newyorker.com/podcast/poli...
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Interesting that the NYT story linked to my @smithsonianmag.bsky.social essay on Washington and the twinned legalities of genealogy -- land and wealth for GW and enslavement for people he "inherited." Shows the complexity of the project-- of this history. www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what...
February 16, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Interesting that the NYT story linked to my @smithsonianmag.bsky.social essay on Washington and the twinned legalities of genealogy -- land and wealth for GW and enslavement for people he "inherited." Shows the complexity of the project-- of this history. www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what...
Reposted by Holly Brewer
16 Feb 1604: Faint Not - daughter of Dudley Fenner, minister & theologian, makes her will #otd
In 1584 Fenner was charged, inter alia, with baptising with unusual names: Joy Again, More Fruit, From Above and Dust. (Beinecke)
In 1584 Fenner was charged, inter alia, with baptising with unusual names: Joy Again, More Fruit, From Above and Dust. (Beinecke)
February 16, 2026 at 11:44 AM
16 Feb 1604: Faint Not - daughter of Dudley Fenner, minister & theologian, makes her will #otd
In 1584 Fenner was charged, inter alia, with baptising with unusual names: Joy Again, More Fruit, From Above and Dust. (Beinecke)
In 1584 Fenner was charged, inter alia, with baptising with unusual names: Joy Again, More Fruit, From Above and Dust. (Beinecke)
Reposted by Holly Brewer
A new project launched this morning -- on the history of presidents and the presidency. And First Ladies. With a pointed essay on George W(ashington) by George W (Bush) --about presidential humility. Oh, and me about Martha Washington! www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/a...
From One President to Another, a Love Letter With an Edge
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 11:19 AM
A new project launched this morning -- on the history of presidents and the presidency. And First Ladies. With a pointed essay on George W(ashington) by George W (Bush) --about presidential humility. Oh, and me about Martha Washington! www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/a...
Reposted by Holly Brewer
During her 11 months as the de facto leader of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Kari Lake has wasted millions of dollars and done profound damage to America’s foreign broadcasters, and to America’s ability to communicate with the world
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
What Is Kari Lake Trying to Achieve?
The Arizona politician has wasted millions of dollars while blocking U.S. efforts to bring reliable news to repressive countries.
www.theatlantic.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:54 PM
During her 11 months as the de facto leader of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Kari Lake has wasted millions of dollars and done profound damage to America’s foreign broadcasters, and to America’s ability to communicate with the world
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Holly Brewer
As we dig into this scandal, can we revisit the question about why the president's son-in-law, who has no formal role in this administration, keeps showing up at high-level negotiations with actual world leaders?
Breaking WSJ:
The highly classified whistleblower complaint against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is related to a conversation intercepted last spring in which two foreign nationals discussed Jared Kushner, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
The highly classified whistleblower complaint against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is related to a conversation intercepted last spring in which two foreign nationals discussed Jared Kushner, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
Gabbard Whistleblower Complaint Based on Intercepted Conversation About Jared Kushner
The substance of the conversation, which covered in part issues related to Iran, isn’t known.
www.wsj.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:23 PM
As we dig into this scandal, can we revisit the question about why the president's son-in-law, who has no formal role in this administration, keeps showing up at high-level negotiations with actual world leaders?
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Yeah, this went quickly from happening to me seeing it to “I should write about this” to me being unable to do anything else until I got this out.
Here it is: www.lawdork.com/p/tom-homan-...
Here it is: www.lawdork.com/p/tom-homan-...
The Trump admin argument that masks "are for officer safety reasons" is actually an admission
Tom Homan highlights how secrecy aims to block accountability, the immoral lawlessness at the core of the Trump administration. And, for paid subscribers: Closing my tabs.
www.lawdork.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Yeah, this went quickly from happening to me seeing it to “I should write about this” to me being unable to do anything else until I got this out.
Here it is: www.lawdork.com/p/tom-homan-...
Here it is: www.lawdork.com/p/tom-homan-...
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Leon Botstein, president of @bardcollege.bsky.social, has repeatedly made public statements about his relationship with the pedophile sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein that have turned out to be misleading, incomplete, or untrue. I'm going to make a thread to compile them all here.
February 15, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Leon Botstein, president of @bardcollege.bsky.social, has repeatedly made public statements about his relationship with the pedophile sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein that have turned out to be misleading, incomplete, or untrue. I'm going to make a thread to compile them all here.
Reposted by Holly Brewer
I note that the White House originally said it was the White House Historical Association that preserved items from the East Wing. Now it says the General Service Administration and the National Park Service did. Did they? Did anyone?
February 16, 2026 at 4:23 AM
I note that the White House originally said it was the White House Historical Association that preserved items from the East Wing. Now it says the General Service Administration and the National Park Service did. Did they? Did anyone?
Reposted by Holly Brewer
There’s also a progressive candidate running who HASN’T taken money from Palantir partners @mikesacks.bsky.social :
www.mikesacksforcongress.com
www.mikesacksforcongress.com
February 16, 2026 at 1:25 AM
There’s also a progressive candidate running who HASN’T taken money from Palantir partners @mikesacks.bsky.social :
www.mikesacksforcongress.com
www.mikesacksforcongress.com
Reposted by Holly Brewer
France has confirmed that a special prosecutorial team will review the Epstein files.
More countries should be doing the same. 👏
More countries should be doing the same. 👏
February 15, 2026 at 10:14 PM
France has confirmed that a special prosecutorial team will review the Epstein files.
More countries should be doing the same. 👏
More countries should be doing the same. 👏
Reposted by Holly Brewer
This Valentine's Day, we are loving this little 15th c. collection of scientific, alchemical, and medical works from Germany, mostly unattributed. It includes many marginal notes, symbols, corrections and comments in various later hands (UPenn Ms. Codex 69) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/40s1U2a
🔗: https://bit.ly/40s1U2a
February 14, 2026 at 8:10 PM
This Valentine's Day, we are loving this little 15th c. collection of scientific, alchemical, and medical works from Germany, mostly unattributed. It includes many marginal notes, symbols, corrections and comments in various later hands (UPenn Ms. Codex 69) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/40s1U2a
🔗: https://bit.ly/40s1U2a
Reposted by Holly Brewer
I didn’t think I’d have another one these stories again for you so soon: a 21-year-old in Ohio has been arrested for her pregnancy loss.
February 15, 2026 at 11:23 PM
I didn’t think I’d have another one these stories again for you so soon: a 21-year-old in Ohio has been arrested for her pregnancy loss.
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Losing our words is a writer’s worst nightmare. Don’t forget to backup your work.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #5amWritersClub
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #5amWritersClub
February 15, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Losing our words is a writer’s worst nightmare. Don’t forget to backup your work.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #5amWritersClub
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #5amWritersClub
Reposted by Holly Brewer
A story about an AI-generated article contained fabricated, AI-generated quotes.
Ars Technica Pulls Article With AI Fabricated Quotes About AI Generated Article
A story about an AI-generated article contained fabricated, AI-generated quotes.
www.404media.co
February 15, 2026 at 8:30 PM
A story about an AI-generated article contained fabricated, AI-generated quotes.
Reposted by Holly Brewer
It is absolute and utter neglect to let this come this close to the wire just as the US has let most of its overseas broadcasting shutter.
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:32 PM
It is absolute and utter neglect to let this come this close to the wire just as the US has let most of its overseas broadcasting shutter.
Reposted by Holly Brewer
The Ladybird Adventures in History books by Lawrence Du Garde Peach. For many of us they sparked a love of history
February 15, 2026 at 8:31 PM
The Ladybird Adventures in History books by Lawrence Du Garde Peach. For many of us they sparked a love of history
Reposted by Holly Brewer
Excited to see Maurits den Hollander’s Court, Credit, and Capital in print with Studies in Legal History at CUP. Court, Credit, and Capital uncovers how Amsterdam’s 17th-century insolvency court transformed insolvency law—from punishment to rehabilitation 1/3
October 16, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Excited to see Maurits den Hollander’s Court, Credit, and Capital in print with Studies in Legal History at CUP. Court, Credit, and Capital uncovers how Amsterdam’s 17th-century insolvency court transformed insolvency law—from punishment to rehabilitation 1/3
Reposted by Holly Brewer
The pace at which US wealth concentration is rising is simply staggering
The concentration of AI wealth into the hands of a few tech barons + plutocratic capture ==> unchartered territory
The concentration of AI wealth into the hands of a few tech barons + plutocratic capture ==> unchartered territory
February 15, 2026 at 2:47 PM
The pace at which US wealth concentration is rising is simply staggering
The concentration of AI wealth into the hands of a few tech barons + plutocratic capture ==> unchartered territory
The concentration of AI wealth into the hands of a few tech barons + plutocratic capture ==> unchartered territory