Rob Skelton
@redskelton1923.bsky.social
Aeronautical engineer | Historian | PhD candidate at UNCG | Retired USAF | WVU alum | Cranky about today's politics | Posts my own #Reconstruction.
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Rob Skelton
@redskelton1923.bsky.social
· Dec 22
For my followers new and old, I'm here to: keep up with the news of the world, follow and learn from my fellow historians, occasionally "yell at the TV," and hopefully share bits of what I'm learning in my deep dive into Reconstruction. That era so informs our world today. #Reconstruction.
Reposted by Rob Skelton
🎥In honor of the 82nd anniversary of Casablanca's US release, some of the great (and real-life) things about the classic film🧵
November 27, 2024 at 5:03 PM
🎥In honor of the 82nd anniversary of Casablanca's US release, some of the great (and real-life) things about the classic film🧵
Reposted by Rob Skelton
McGovern: Seriously, we were worried. We actually started handing out missing person posters. Nobody has seen you for eight weeks. But, hey, I'm glad that you are ok. I'm glad you survived your nice, two-month paid vacation
November 12, 2025 at 12:06 AM
McGovern: Seriously, we were worried. We actually started handing out missing person posters. Nobody has seen you for eight weeks. But, hey, I'm glad that you are ok. I'm glad you survived your nice, two-month paid vacation
Reposted by Rob Skelton
The C. Vann Woodward Award for the best dissertation written on Southern history in the preceding year is awarded to Jewel Parker #2025SHA
November 6, 2025 at 9:24 PM
The C. Vann Woodward Award for the best dissertation written on Southern history in the preceding year is awarded to Jewel Parker #2025SHA
Reposted by Rob Skelton
dissatisfied by the New York Times coverage of Zohran Mamdani?
great news! I talked to the guy Thursday about his campaign’s success at bringing community together beyond this election, and contextualized how it’s potentially shifted youth engagement with politics by simply listening @teenvogue.com
great news! I talked to the guy Thursday about his campaign’s success at bringing community together beyond this election, and contextualized how it’s potentially shifted youth engagement with politics by simply listening @teenvogue.com
Zohran Mamdani's Establishment-Fighting Campaign Built Community for Young People
“What Mamdani has done is not only inspire and mobilize young people, but he has exposed the establishment and some of their calcified views of participation and inclusion.”
www.teenvogue.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:22 PM
dissatisfied by the New York Times coverage of Zohran Mamdani?
great news! I talked to the guy Thursday about his campaign’s success at bringing community together beyond this election, and contextualized how it’s potentially shifted youth engagement with politics by simply listening @teenvogue.com
great news! I talked to the guy Thursday about his campaign’s success at bringing community together beyond this election, and contextualized how it’s potentially shifted youth engagement with politics by simply listening @teenvogue.com
Reposted by Rob Skelton
This is amazing!!
October 24, 2025 at 12:59 AM
This is amazing!!
Reposted by Rob Skelton
BREAKING: The GOP-controlled North Carolina legislature has passed a new Trump-inspired gerrymandered congressional map.
It has made one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, even more gerrymandered.
It has made one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, even more gerrymandered.
Republicans are making one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation even more rigged
North Carolina Republicans just passed a new Trump-inspired congressional map to oust a Black Democrat.
www.motherjones.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:58 PM
BREAKING: The GOP-controlled North Carolina legislature has passed a new Trump-inspired gerrymandered congressional map.
It has made one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, even more gerrymandered.
It has made one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, even more gerrymandered.
Reposted by Rob Skelton
"Let's call it what it is: a calculated effort to silence communities, which is voter suppression."
North Carolinians at the legislature spoke powerfully against the discriminatory gerrymandering scheme pushed by GOP politicians.
Add your voice! Tell politicians: NO gerrymanders - ccnc.me/cd1
North Carolinians at the legislature spoke powerfully against the discriminatory gerrymandering scheme pushed by GOP politicians.
Add your voice! Tell politicians: NO gerrymanders - ccnc.me/cd1
October 20, 2025 at 7:36 PM
"Let's call it what it is: a calculated effort to silence communities, which is voter suppression."
North Carolinians at the legislature spoke powerfully against the discriminatory gerrymandering scheme pushed by GOP politicians.
Add your voice! Tell politicians: NO gerrymanders - ccnc.me/cd1
North Carolinians at the legislature spoke powerfully against the discriminatory gerrymandering scheme pushed by GOP politicians.
Add your voice! Tell politicians: NO gerrymanders - ccnc.me/cd1
Reposted by Rob Skelton
"... the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion ..."
A treaty begun by Washington, signed by Adams and ratified by a Senate filled with many of the same people who drafted the Constitution.
A treaty begun by Washington, signed by Adams and ratified by a Senate filled with many of the same people who drafted the Constitution.
Thinking to Founders, Framers, so much against any established religion, representing numerous views & beliefs w/little unity. Thus, examples like Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli (1797): "As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion"🗃️
October 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
"... the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion ..."
A treaty begun by Washington, signed by Adams and ratified by a Senate filled with many of the same people who drafted the Constitution.
A treaty begun by Washington, signed by Adams and ratified by a Senate filled with many of the same people who drafted the Constitution.
Reposted by Rob Skelton
Here are the Top 5 Dogs of the week!
October 17, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Here are the Top 5 Dogs of the week!
Reposted by Rob Skelton
15 US states and territories have formed a new Public Health Alliance, which will counter the absence of federal leadership by tracking outbreaks, issuing guidance, buying vaccines and more.
Members of the new alliance include CA, CO, CT, DE, GU, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OR, RI, WA.
Members of the new alliance include CA, CO, CT, DE, GU, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OR, RI, WA.
October 16, 2025 at 4:43 AM
15 US states and territories have formed a new Public Health Alliance, which will counter the absence of federal leadership by tracking outbreaks, issuing guidance, buying vaccines and more.
Members of the new alliance include CA, CO, CT, DE, GU, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OR, RI, WA.
Members of the new alliance include CA, CO, CT, DE, GU, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OR, RI, WA.
Reposted by Rob Skelton
The Trump administration just told all U.S. military veterans on VA's email list that Democrats are to blame for the government shutdown, as well as for their loss of benefits.
We've previously seen this email go out to federal employees, but this went to *veterans* nationwide.
We've previously seen this email go out to federal employees, but this went to *veterans* nationwide.
October 1, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The Trump administration just told all U.S. military veterans on VA's email list that Democrats are to blame for the government shutdown, as well as for their loss of benefits.
We've previously seen this email go out to federal employees, but this went to *veterans* nationwide.
We've previously seen this email go out to federal employees, but this went to *veterans* nationwide.
Reposted by Rob Skelton
Second, it’s worth reading this excerpt from Frederick Douglass:
A Plea for Free Speech in Boston (1860)
National Constitution Center Historic Documents Library record for A Plea for Free Speech in Boston (1860)
constitutioncenter.org
September 19, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Second, it’s worth reading this excerpt from Frederick Douglass:
Reposted by Rob Skelton
The right sets the terms of our political discourse in so many ways, one of which is the idea that there isn't enough "debate" and "free speech" on campus.
We need to push back on this. The truth is (speaking for myself as a history prof), I don't really emphasize debate much in my classes/
We need to push back on this. The truth is (speaking for myself as a history prof), I don't really emphasize debate much in my classes/
September 13, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The right sets the terms of our political discourse in so many ways, one of which is the idea that there isn't enough "debate" and "free speech" on campus.
We need to push back on this. The truth is (speaking for myself as a history prof), I don't really emphasize debate much in my classes/
We need to push back on this. The truth is (speaking for myself as a history prof), I don't really emphasize debate much in my classes/
"We hope the difficulty of switching to another provider will keep you here while we slowly remove all the features that you came for and replace them with AI-generated slop."
Excellent article! How the Trump administration enshittified our nation.
Excellent article! How the Trump administration enshittified our nation.
"Valued users! We understand that over the past 250-odd years, you have come to rely on the services provided by the U.S. of A. ... Well, 250 years of free is enough." @petridishes.bsky.social on the end of America's free-trial period:
Apologies: You Have Reached the End of Your Free-Trial Period of America!
Want rule of law? That’s premium.
bit.ly
September 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
"We hope the difficulty of switching to another provider will keep you here while we slowly remove all the features that you came for and replace them with AI-generated slop."
Excellent article! How the Trump administration enshittified our nation.
Excellent article! How the Trump administration enshittified our nation.
Reposted by Rob Skelton
Tis the season to make plans to reclaim and cherish your book-life balance! See my 10-step handout “How to Read a Book” @commonplacejrnl.bsky.social
#skystorians #gradstudents
#howtoreadabook #bibliophiles #selfcare
commonplace.online/article/how-...
#skystorians #gradstudents
#howtoreadabook #bibliophiles #selfcare
commonplace.online/article/how-...
How to Read a Book: The X-Ray Method for Achieving a Sustainable “Book-Life Balance” - Commonplace
This is why you need a plan: to read attentively but efficiently, and sustainably, without surrendering your book-life balance.
commonplace.online
August 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Tis the season to make plans to reclaim and cherish your book-life balance! See my 10-step handout “How to Read a Book” @commonplacejrnl.bsky.social
#skystorians #gradstudents
#howtoreadabook #bibliophiles #selfcare
commonplace.online/article/how-...
#skystorians #gradstudents
#howtoreadabook #bibliophiles #selfcare
commonplace.online/article/how-...
Reposted by Rob Skelton
Letters are going out from the State Board of Elections to about 82,000 people who don’t have identification numbers associated with their voter registrations. ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-el... By @lbonner.bsky.social #ncpol #NC
NC elections board sending letters seeking voter registration identifiers • NC Newsline
The NC Board of Elections is collecting voter information from people whose registrations appear to lack identifiers.
ncnewsline.com
August 18, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Letters are going out from the State Board of Elections to about 82,000 people who don’t have identification numbers associated with their voter registrations. ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-el... By @lbonner.bsky.social #ncpol #NC
Reposted by Rob Skelton
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social: "Democrats have voted for national independent redistricting. Republicans have not. So spare me the crocodile tears on Fox and everyone else saying, 'Oh, everybody does this. Oh, these guys have been gerrymandering for years and years and years.' Not like these folks have."
August 15, 2025 at 3:03 AM
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social: "Democrats have voted for national independent redistricting. Republicans have not. So spare me the crocodile tears on Fox and everyone else saying, 'Oh, everybody does this. Oh, these guys have been gerrymandering for years and years and years.' Not like these folks have."
Reposted by Rob Skelton
A thread on fear of cities. I grew up in 70s & 80s in a mostly working class white town I didn’t know at the time was segregated from the small, Blacker city across the river. My mom was a rare lefty who loved cities, but I absorbed attitudes at school: “cities are scary.” 1/
August 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
A thread on fear of cities. I grew up in 70s & 80s in a mostly working class white town I didn’t know at the time was segregated from the small, Blacker city across the river. My mom was a rare lefty who loved cities, but I absorbed attitudes at school: “cities are scary.” 1/
Reposted by Rob Skelton
Instead of trying to resolve all of their differences, Democrats/people who are anti-Trump should embrace the idea of being a very big coalition, one where people inevitably differ on some policy details. newrepublic.com/article/1989...
How Democrats Can Stop Bickering and Focus on Stopping Trump
Democrats disagree on a lot of things. That’s fine. Instead of fixating on those differences, they should focus on the one big thing they agree on.
newrepublic.com
August 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Instead of trying to resolve all of their differences, Democrats/people who are anti-Trump should embrace the idea of being a very big coalition, one where people inevitably differ on some policy details. newrepublic.com/article/1989...
Reposted by Rob Skelton
When you strip away humanity
July 26, 2025 at 11:31 AM
When you strip away humanity
Reposted by Rob Skelton
The red state/blue state divide isn’t destiny—it’s by design.
Gerrymandering rigs the rules, silences voters, and locks in minority rule.
If you care about democracy, you need to read this.
📖 open.substack.com/pub/demcastu...
🔁 Restack. Share. Speak up.
@kindofnerdy.bsky.social
Gerrymandering rigs the rules, silences voters, and locks in minority rule.
If you care about democracy, you need to read this.
📖 open.substack.com/pub/demcastu...
🔁 Restack. Share. Speak up.
@kindofnerdy.bsky.social
The Red State-Blue State Divide: Gerrymandering Edition
“Just a simple redrawing, we pick up five seats!” Shazam!
open.substack.com
July 22, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The red state/blue state divide isn’t destiny—it’s by design.
Gerrymandering rigs the rules, silences voters, and locks in minority rule.
If you care about democracy, you need to read this.
📖 open.substack.com/pub/demcastu...
🔁 Restack. Share. Speak up.
@kindofnerdy.bsky.social
Gerrymandering rigs the rules, silences voters, and locks in minority rule.
If you care about democracy, you need to read this.
📖 open.substack.com/pub/demcastu...
🔁 Restack. Share. Speak up.
@kindofnerdy.bsky.social
wapo.st/3GmmauE
And you say this like it's a good thing!?
And you say this like it's a good thing!?
The Supreme Court and Congress cede powers to Trump and the presidency
The high court has given the president immunity and protected him from nationwide injunctions. Congress is giving ground on spending and tariffs. It adds up to a turbocharged executive.
wapo.st
July 5, 2025 at 4:07 PM
wapo.st/3GmmauE
And you say this like it's a good thing!?
And you say this like it's a good thing!?
Reposted by Rob Skelton
I miss having a human president.
June 28, 2025 at 12:47 AM
I miss having a human president.
Reposted by Rob Skelton
I've been thinking a lot about the difference between doing a "search" and doing "research" and how that works with conspiracy theory/lies to control our public sphere. Here's an old thread from 2023
June 20, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I've been thinking a lot about the difference between doing a "search" and doing "research" and how that works with conspiracy theory/lies to control our public sphere. Here's an old thread from 2023
Reposted by Rob Skelton
Please read and share this statement from Sophie and Colin Hortman, children of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.
(via WCCO reporter Caroline Cummings on X)
(via WCCO reporter Caroline Cummings on X)
June 17, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Please read and share this statement from Sophie and Colin Hortman, children of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.
(via WCCO reporter Caroline Cummings on X)
(via WCCO reporter Caroline Cummings on X)