J. Mulkey
@jackieblue76.bsky.social
College journalism support staff, ex-pro news copy desk chief and way-back Pepperdine U. Graphic editor. John Jay and William Wilberforce fan. Armchair American founding history buff, with a bit of Civil war interest on the side.
Reposted by J. Mulkey
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...
Painful to hear reports of self-worship at the National Prayer Breakfast. Signed, An Evangelical. (This post will self-destruct in …)
February 5, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Painful to hear reports of self-worship at the National Prayer Breakfast. Signed, An Evangelical. (This post will self-destruct in …)
Reposted by J. Mulkey
One of the key factors driving the decline in American media is the business realization, by its owners, that entertaining opinion is far cheaper and easier to deliver than investigative news, and has a bigger audience to boot.
February 4, 2026 at 3:34 PM
One of the key factors driving the decline in American media is the business realization, by its owners, that entertaining opinion is far cheaper and easier to deliver than investigative news, and has a bigger audience to boot.
There just MIGHT be a reason to study history.
January 25, 2026 at 12:22 AM
There just MIGHT be a reason to study history.
Keep penguins out of politics!
January 24, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Keep penguins out of politics!
Reposted by J. Mulkey
This week marks the 250th anniversary of Common Sense. I wrote about it and why Paine’s words still matter today.
open.substack.com/pub/imperfec...
open.substack.com/pub/imperfec...
To Make the World Again
Common Sense at 250
open.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:05 AM
This week marks the 250th anniversary of Common Sense. I wrote about it and why Paine’s words still matter today.
open.substack.com/pub/imperfec...
open.substack.com/pub/imperfec...
Reposted by J. Mulkey
January 9, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by J. Mulkey
Jan. 9, 1776: A 47-page pamphlet is published in Philadelphia that will alter the course of history. “Common Sense” by an anonymous writer calling himself “An Englishman”—Thomas Paine—takes up the once-unthinkable idea of American independence and concludes: “ 'TIS TIME TO PART.” 1/10
January 9, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Jan. 9, 1776: A 47-page pamphlet is published in Philadelphia that will alter the course of history. “Common Sense” by an anonymous writer calling himself “An Englishman”—Thomas Paine—takes up the once-unthinkable idea of American independence and concludes: “ 'TIS TIME TO PART.” 1/10
Reposted by J. Mulkey
"By which the world may know, that so far as we approve of monarchy, that in America the law is king."
@lmchervinsky.bsky.social and I dive into the origins and meanings of Thomas Paine's Common Sense at 250 for @inpursuitusa.bsky.social
Watch Now: youtu.be/6cB7BljBWJw?...
@lmchervinsky.bsky.social and I dive into the origins and meanings of Thomas Paine's Common Sense at 250 for @inpursuitusa.bsky.social
Watch Now: youtu.be/6cB7BljBWJw?...
January 7, 2026 at 12:44 AM
"By which the world may know, that so far as we approve of monarchy, that in America the law is king."
@lmchervinsky.bsky.social and I dive into the origins and meanings of Thomas Paine's Common Sense at 250 for @inpursuitusa.bsky.social
Watch Now: youtu.be/6cB7BljBWJw?...
@lmchervinsky.bsky.social and I dive into the origins and meanings of Thomas Paine's Common Sense at 250 for @inpursuitusa.bsky.social
Watch Now: youtu.be/6cB7BljBWJw?...
Reposted by J. Mulkey
There it is. The final print edition, after more than 150 years, of the Atlanta Journal Constitution
elink75f.mail.breakermedia.com/ss/c/u001.o7...
elink75f.mail.breakermedia.com/ss/c/u001.o7...
December 31, 2025 at 12:44 AM
There it is. The final print edition, after more than 150 years, of the Atlanta Journal Constitution
elink75f.mail.breakermedia.com/ss/c/u001.o7...
elink75f.mail.breakermedia.com/ss/c/u001.o7...
Reposted by J. Mulkey
2025 Headline of the Year nominee (February)
December 22, 2025 at 11:51 PM
2025 Headline of the Year nominee (February)
A favorite nontraditional wreath at Colonial Williamsburg today for this armchair history nerd. (Good thing I layered up for the snow shower and 16 degree temps). Rats collect things for their nests that years later can be a treasure trove of information for archaeologists.
December 15, 2025 at 12:34 AM
A favorite nontraditional wreath at Colonial Williamsburg today for this armchair history nerd. (Good thing I layered up for the snow shower and 16 degree temps). Rats collect things for their nests that years later can be a treasure trove of information for archaeologists.
13-year-old aspiring journalist from the other side of the county covers El Camino College football games and finds a welcome.
eccunion.com/sports/2025/...
eccunion.com/sports/2025/...
13-year-old aspiring sports journalist from Lancaster covers El Camino College football games - El Camino College The Union
Crouching on one knee in the back of the end zone on Featherstone Field, gripping his black GoPro, Wesley Turner is determined to capture all the action of the El Camino Warriors football team — no ma...
eccunion.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:25 PM
13-year-old aspiring journalist from the other side of the county covers El Camino College football games and finds a welcome.
eccunion.com/sports/2025/...
eccunion.com/sports/2025/...
apnews.com/article/news... lost generation of news consumers? Survey shows how teenagers dislike the news media
A lost generation of news consumers? Survey shows how teenagers dislike the news media
You don't have to tell Cat Murphy or Lily Ogburn about the attitudes of young people toward journalists.
apnews.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:53 PM
apnews.com/article/news... lost generation of news consumers? Survey shows how teenagers dislike the news media
Proof of life post in a too-quiet year for me: Latest and upcoming nonfiction and fiction reading in a quick snapshot.
November 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Proof of life post in a too-quiet year for me: Latest and upcoming nonfiction and fiction reading in a quick snapshot.
Reposted by J. Mulkey
Nov. 26, 1775: Alexander Hamilton is distressed by a raid in which a patriot mob wrecked and looted the print shop of loyalist publisher James Rivington in New York. “I am fully sensible how dangerous and pernicious Rivington’s press has been, and how detestable the character of the man is… 1/3
November 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Nov. 26, 1775: Alexander Hamilton is distressed by a raid in which a patriot mob wrecked and looted the print shop of loyalist publisher James Rivington in New York. “I am fully sensible how dangerous and pernicious Rivington’s press has been, and how detestable the character of the man is… 1/3
Reposted by J. Mulkey
Nov. 23, 1775: Isaac Sears and his band of 20 Connecticut horsemen enter New York City to go after the printer and publisher James Rivington. Cheered on by a patriotic crowd, the Sons of Liberty storm the office of Rivington's Gazetteer on Hanover Square and wreck the place. 1/5
November 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Nov. 23, 1775: Isaac Sears and his band of 20 Connecticut horsemen enter New York City to go after the printer and publisher James Rivington. Cheered on by a patriotic crowd, the Sons of Liberty storm the office of Rivington's Gazetteer on Hanover Square and wreck the place. 1/5
I have a ghost of an idea in which the ghosts of George Washington, John Adams and maybe James Garfield visit the president when the bells toll one o’clock in the early hours of Christmas.
November 20, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I have a ghost of an idea in which the ghosts of George Washington, John Adams and maybe James Garfield visit the president when the bells toll one o’clock in the early hours of Christmas.
Would John Adams care to comment?
NEW: Just the President calling for the execution of his political opponents.
Watch absolutely zero front pages cover this tomorrow.
Watch absolutely zero front pages cover this tomorrow.
November 20, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Would John Adams care to comment?
I think we can guess what the title will be when that reporter writes an autobiography someday! Journalists should monetize that insult with fund-raising T-shirts or the like. Sigh.
November 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I think we can guess what the title will be when that reporter writes an autobiography someday! Journalists should monetize that insult with fund-raising T-shirts or the like. Sigh.
Reposted by J. Mulkey
Who stands there and hears a female colleague called "Piggy" to her face and doesn't say anything?
November 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Who stands there and hears a female colleague called "Piggy" to her face and doesn't say anything?
Proof of life post in a quick snapshot of my latest reading: I’ve heard 3 of these authors speak at one time or another (can you guess which one I haven’t heard?!).“Spymistress” is a novel for young readers based on the story of a courageous woman whose grave I’ve visited (photo below).
October 30, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Proof of life post in a quick snapshot of my latest reading: I’ve heard 3 of these authors speak at one time or another (can you guess which one I haven’t heard?!).“Spymistress” is a novel for young readers based on the story of a courageous woman whose grave I’ve visited (photo below).
Reposted by J. Mulkey
I am so looking forward to watching this new Ken Burns series on the American Revolution!
(This New York Times article is unlocked)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/a...
(This New York Times article is unlocked)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/a...
Can Ken Burns Win the American Revolution?
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I am so looking forward to watching this new Ken Burns series on the American Revolution!
(This New York Times article is unlocked)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/a...
(This New York Times article is unlocked)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/a...
Reposted by J. Mulkey
Thinking a lot about how little we focus on public virtue when we teach the Revolution and Constitution. Or maybe it's just me. But like, public virtue was one of theeeee founding principles
October 23, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Thinking a lot about how little we focus on public virtue when we teach the Revolution and Constitution. Or maybe it's just me. But like, public virtue was one of theeeee founding principles
