Randall Stephens
@randalljstephens.bsky.social
American historian, religion, environment, pop culture, the South. Author: The Devil's Music (Harvard, 2018). Prof of Am & Brit Studies, Univ of Oslo. Fulbright alumnus.
“Well, we certainly botched this job. What’ll we stamp it—‘Secret' or ‘Top Secret’?” Herblock, Washington Post, 3/13/1957.
January 17, 2026 at 10:05 PM
“Well, we certainly botched this job. What’ll we stamp it—‘Secret' or ‘Top Secret’?” Herblock, Washington Post, 3/13/1957.
Republican congressman Don Bacon: “If he went through with the threats [to Greenland], I think it would be the end of his presidency. And he needs to know: the off-ramp is realizing Republicans aren’t going to tolerate this and he’s going to have to back off. He hates being told no…”
Republican dissent as key figures warn Trump against Greenland pursuit
Congressional Republicans criticize ‘absurd’ idea as polls show most Americans oppose taking control of territory
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Republican congressman Don Bacon: “If he went through with the threats [to Greenland], I think it would be the end of his presidency. And he needs to know: the off-ramp is realizing Republicans aren’t going to tolerate this and he’s going to have to back off. He hates being told no…”
From the drive to Bø i Telemark
January 17, 2026 at 12:56 PM
From the drive to Bø i Telemark
Q: Are you a sports fan?
A: Yeah, but the game I like is not that well known.
A: Yeah, but the game I like is not that well known.
January 16, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Q: Are you a sports fan?
A: Yeah, but the game I like is not that well known.
A: Yeah, but the game I like is not that well known.
New Uni Boys song sounds like 1978-79. Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, the Shoes, the Records… youtu.be/s5mT6JCxBhw?...
Uni Boys - I Don't Wanna Dream Anymore [Official Video]
YouTube video by Curation Records
youtu.be
January 16, 2026 at 8:52 PM
New Uni Boys song sounds like 1978-79. Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, the Shoes, the Records… youtu.be/s5mT6JCxBhw?...
So glad he finally received this great honor. People are saying that no one deserved it more than him.
January 16, 2026 at 6:49 PM
So glad he finally received this great honor. People are saying that no one deserved it more than him.
“Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on countries that do not ‘go along’ with his plan to annex Greenland, increasing pressure on European allies who have opposed his effort to take over the Arctic territory.” www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Trump threatens tariffs against those who oppose him taking Greenland
President raises pressure on European allies as US envoy says deal to take island ‘should and will be made’
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:19 PM
“Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on countries that do not ‘go along’ with his plan to annex Greenland, increasing pressure on European allies who have opposed his effort to take over the Arctic territory.” www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Herblock on the justice system under Nixon, 10/23/1973.
January 16, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Herblock on the justice system under Nixon, 10/23/1973.
"Which comes first...?" Paul Conrad, October 1973.
January 16, 2026 at 3:19 PM
"Which comes first...?" Paul Conrad, October 1973.
Sometimes, I still think this would make more sense of the chaos and violent stupidity. #FunWithPhotoshop
January 16, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Sometimes, I still think this would make more sense of the chaos and violent stupidity. #FunWithPhotoshop
Superman goes after Hitler and Stalin, Look magazine, 2/27/1940. "I'd like to land a strictly non-Aryan in sock on your jaw..."
January 16, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Superman goes after Hitler and Stalin, Look magazine, 2/27/1940. "I'd like to land a strictly non-Aryan in sock on your jaw..."
"Look what we did for Spain." Herblock, September 1941.
January 16, 2026 at 1:09 PM
"Look what we did for Spain." Herblock, September 1941.
"In 1943, Knut Hamsun gave his Nobel Prize in Literature to Nazi Germany's Reich Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels...[Hamsun] was a great supporter of Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister of Propaganda in Germany. Goebbels had also been a great admirer of Hamsun's books for many years."
Jaktar på Knut Hamsun sin forsvunne nobelpris-medalje som vart gjeven til nazisten Joseph Goebbels
I 1943 gav Knut Hamsun sin Nobelpris i litteratur til reichminister for propaganda i Nazi-Tyskland Joseph Goebbels. Ingen har sett medaljen sidan. No startar jakta.
www.nrk.no
January 16, 2026 at 12:13 PM
"In 1943, Knut Hamsun gave his Nobel Prize in Literature to Nazi Germany's Reich Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels...[Hamsun] was a great supporter of Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister of Propaganda in Germany. Goebbels had also been a great admirer of Hamsun's books for many years."
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll on American opinions about Trump's Greenland lunacy. "Is it a good idea for the U.S. to take Greenland using military force?" 4% of adults say "yes." 8% of Republicans say "yes."
January 15, 2026 at 8:45 PM
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll on American opinions about Trump's Greenland lunacy. "Is it a good idea for the U.S. to take Greenland using military force?" 4% of adults say "yes." 8% of Republicans say "yes."
Herblock taking on McCarthy’s many lies about the number of communists in the State Department, May 1950.
January 15, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Herblock taking on McCarthy’s many lies about the number of communists in the State Department, May 1950.
"Having decided to move to California..." A Dust Bowl story, 1935.
January 15, 2026 at 1:53 PM
"Having decided to move to California..." A Dust Bowl story, 1935.
"...our President, whose bold leadership is already beginning to bring us out of the Nixon recession..." Herblock, August 1972.
January 15, 2026 at 1:45 PM
"...our President, whose bold leadership is already beginning to bring us out of the Nixon recession..." Herblock, August 1972.
Senator Margaret Chase Smith, 1950: "Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who...ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism: The right to criticize. The right to hold unpopular beliefs. The right to protest."
January 15, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Senator Margaret Chase Smith, 1950: "Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who...ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism: The right to criticize. The right to hold unpopular beliefs. The right to protest."
From Larry Tye’s 2020 biography of Joe McCarthy: “Republicans were torn. Most recognized early on that McCarthy was an irresponsible bomb slinger, but they were heartened that he was aiming mainly at Democrats….So they held their noses and publicly encouraged him to keep hurling.”
January 15, 2026 at 1:19 PM
From Larry Tye’s 2020 biography of Joe McCarthy: “Republicans were torn. Most recognized early on that McCarthy was an irresponsible bomb slinger, but they were heartened that he was aiming mainly at Democrats….So they held their noses and publicly encouraged him to keep hurling.”
Republican Senator Robert A. Taft (OH) speaking to with the Baltimore Sun in 1950 about McCarthy's anti-communist charges: McCarthy should "keep talking and if one doesn't work out, he should proceed with another."
January 15, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Republican Senator Robert A. Taft (OH) speaking to with the Baltimore Sun in 1950 about McCarthy's anti-communist charges: McCarthy should "keep talking and if one doesn't work out, he should proceed with another."
The 75 countries affected by the Trump administration’s visa processing pause
January 15, 2026 at 9:53 AM
The 75 countries affected by the Trump administration’s visa processing pause
Reposted by Randall Stephens
Upcoming book launch 📖 "Sylvia Plath and the Supernatural"
Join the online launch of the book with the author Dr Dorka Tamás, in conversation with Dr Amanda Golden, on 7th February at 7pm GMT.
Learn more:
Join the online launch of the book with the author Dr Dorka Tamás, in conversation with Dr Amanda Golden, on 7th February at 7pm GMT.
Learn more:
Book Launch: Sylvia Plath and the Supernatural by Dorka Tamás - British Association for American Studies
Join the online launch of Sylvia Plath and the Supernatural, with the author Dr Dorka Tamás (Royal Holloway) in conversation with Dr Amanda Golden (NYIT). You After a short presentation and…
buff.ly
January 15, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Upcoming book launch 📖 "Sylvia Plath and the Supernatural"
Join the online launch of the book with the author Dr Dorka Tamás, in conversation with Dr Amanda Golden, on 7th February at 7pm GMT.
Learn more:
Join the online launch of the book with the author Dr Dorka Tamás, in conversation with Dr Amanda Golden, on 7th February at 7pm GMT.
Learn more:
“U.S. to stop issuing immigrant visas for 75 countries. The suspension specifically applies to U.S. immigrant visas for foreigners seeking to live in the United States but not to short-term visa applicants such as tourists or students.” www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
U.S. to stop issuing immigrant visas for 75 countries
The suspension specifically applies to U.S. immigrant visas for foreigners seeking to live in the United States but not to short-term visa applicants such as tourists or students.
www.nbcnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:20 PM
“U.S. to stop issuing immigrant visas for 75 countries. The suspension specifically applies to U.S. immigrant visas for foreigners seeking to live in the United States but not to short-term visa applicants such as tourists or students.” www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Release the files, throwback edition
"How dare you ask to see my files?" Herblock, April 1950.
January 14, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Release the files, throwback edition