The American Civil War Podcast
@uscivilwar.bsky.social
Social page for the American Civil War podcast, located at: https://uscivilwar.substack.com/
Get in, loser. We're damning torpedoes!
Get in, loser. We're damning torpedoes!
As prosimed in a quick response, I am going to lay out why removing Maduro was a truly terrible idea, by way of explaining exactly why Maduro being in power was an excellent situation for the the United States.
In brief: Maduro was so bad we looked fantastic in comparison
In brief: Maduro was so bad we looked fantastic in comparison
Cracks me up a dude with no experience or background in foreign policy or national security gets to spout nonsense in like the biggest paper in the city lol
Paul Vallas: Nicolás Maduro is not just a corrupt leader. He’s also a direct threat to US security.
The Venezuelan leader had been under U.S. indictment since 2020 when the U.S. accused him of using the country as a criminal enterprise.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:41 AM
As prosimed in a quick response, I am going to lay out why removing Maduro was a truly terrible idea, by way of explaining exactly why Maduro being in power was an excellent situation for the the United States.
In brief: Maduro was so bad we looked fantastic in comparison
In brief: Maduro was so bad we looked fantastic in comparison
New Podcast!
Episode 96: In the Valley, Part 5
Jackson's Escape, Cross Keys and Port Republic
uscivilwar.substack.com
Episode 96: In the Valley, Part 5
Jackson's Escape, Cross Keys and Port Republic
uscivilwar.substack.com
The American Civil War Podcast | Patrick Bryant | Substack
A podcast recounting the epic saga of the American Civil War, the personalities and lives of Americans North and South, African or European, and the climactic clash of arms. Click to read The American...
uscivilwar.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:43 AM
New Podcast!
Episode 96: In the Valley, Part 5
Jackson's Escape, Cross Keys and Port Republic
uscivilwar.substack.com
Episode 96: In the Valley, Part 5
Jackson's Escape, Cross Keys and Port Republic
uscivilwar.substack.com
Of all the Roman Emperors, the single worst was probably Commodus. His signature move was trying to rename everythign himself.
Commodus, in the words of @mikeduncan.bsky.social, took a strong state and drove it straight onto the rocks, purely for his ego and despite a complete lack of achievements.
Commodus, in the words of @mikeduncan.bsky.social, took a strong state and drove it straight onto the rocks, purely for his ego and despite a complete lack of achievements.
No American president has ever named ships or institutions after himself—until now. Trump’s gold-plated presidency isn’t about strength. It’s about fear, ego, and unmistakable ignorance.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
The President Who Can’t Stop Naming Things After Himself
The Narcissist-in-Chief is Worried We'll Forget Him. I hope we do.
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Of all the Roman Emperors, the single worst was probably Commodus. His signature move was trying to rename everythign himself.
Commodus, in the words of @mikeduncan.bsky.social, took a strong state and drove it straight onto the rocks, purely for his ego and despite a complete lack of achievements.
Commodus, in the words of @mikeduncan.bsky.social, took a strong state and drove it straight onto the rocks, purely for his ego and despite a complete lack of achievements.
I remembered today that Clamavi de Profundis has albums' worth of great Christmas music.
Also, enough Lord of the Rings tunes to satisfy even a dragon's greed.
www.youtube.com/@ClamaviDePr...
Also, enough Lord of the Rings tunes to satisfy even a dragon's greed.
www.youtube.com/@ClamaviDePr...
Clamavi De Profundis
We are a family that loves to sing together and record inspiring and uplifting music. Our music is influenced by classical and fantasy literature as well as cinematic, traditional, religious, and clas...
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:08 AM
I remembered today that Clamavi de Profundis has albums' worth of great Christmas music.
Also, enough Lord of the Rings tunes to satisfy even a dragon's greed.
www.youtube.com/@ClamaviDePr...
Also, enough Lord of the Rings tunes to satisfy even a dragon's greed.
www.youtube.com/@ClamaviDePr...
I respect Mr. Chovanec's work, and commented on the aspect regarding the coup (the US didn't create, lead or even contribute; we observed).
However, there is another crucial point where this is mistaken in detail, if not in spirit: the oil nationalization happened fifty years ago in Carter's term.
However, there is another crucial point where this is mistaken in detail, if not in spirit: the oil nationalization happened fifty years ago in Carter's term.
If he’s talking about Chavez nationalizing oil fields, that happened in 2006, when a Republican - GWB - was President. And for the record, Bush tried to stage a coup to get Chavez ousted from power. Trump’s imaginary narrative that someone was asleep at the switch is just that - imaginary.
Trump on Venezuela: "Getting land, oil rights, whatever we had -- they took it away because we had a president that maybe wasn't watching. But they're not gonna do that. We want it back. They took our oil rights. We had a lot of oil there. They threw our companies out. And we want it back."
December 17, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I respect Mr. Chovanec's work, and commented on the aspect regarding the coup (the US didn't create, lead or even contribute; we observed).
However, there is another crucial point where this is mistaken in detail, if not in spirit: the oil nationalization happened fifty years ago in Carter's term.
However, there is another crucial point where this is mistaken in detail, if not in spirit: the oil nationalization happened fifty years ago in Carter's term.
Hat tip to @catholickungfu.bsky.social for reposting this first.
Evil always contains its own destruction. That does not mean it cannot do terrible damage on the way, and it is far better to stop it early. It will collapse eventually, but you & I might not live to see it.
Evil always contains its own destruction. That does not mean it cannot do terrible damage on the way, and it is far better to stop it early. It will collapse eventually, but you & I might not live to see it.
‘Before writing off the totalitarian world as a nightmare that can’t come true, just remember that in 1925 the world of today would have seemed a nightmare that couldn’t come true.’ George Orwell, 1942.
December 16, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Hat tip to @catholickungfu.bsky.social for reposting this first.
Evil always contains its own destruction. That does not mean it cannot do terrible damage on the way, and it is far better to stop it early. It will collapse eventually, but you & I might not live to see it.
Evil always contains its own destruction. That does not mean it cannot do terrible damage on the way, and it is far better to stop it early. It will collapse eventually, but you & I might not live to see it.
Nixon is such a fascinating figure because he was, in the Greek sense, a Tragic Hero.
I should explain.
A Tragic Hero does not mean "good guy who dies at the end of the story". It means "genuinely noble figure capable of great deeds, brought down by a key character flaw".
I should explain.
A Tragic Hero does not mean "good guy who dies at the end of the story". It means "genuinely noble figure capable of great deeds, brought down by a key character flaw".
update this for 2025 and it is a pretty legit pitch to voters. nixon may have tormented himself to ruin over his belief that he couldn't connect with voters, but his electoral record belies his self-doubt. he was very good at politics!
December 14, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Nixon is such a fascinating figure because he was, in the Greek sense, a Tragic Hero.
I should explain.
A Tragic Hero does not mean "good guy who dies at the end of the story". It means "genuinely noble figure capable of great deeds, brought down by a key character flaw".
I should explain.
A Tragic Hero does not mean "good guy who dies at the end of the story". It means "genuinely noble figure capable of great deeds, brought down by a key character flaw".
While that is "a" problem, I am not sure it's even in the Top 10 List (number 8 will shock you!) of problems to solve. Much like Musk's Hyperloop nonsense, this is worse than impossible - it's just hilariously impractical on every level.
You can't cool things in space. Not without a massive heat sink like a mile wide
“.. Skeptics believe the technical risks are being underestimated and say space-based data centers won’t be competitive on cost, especially if power and other constraints ease on the ground.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
December 11, 2025 at 5:20 AM
While that is "a" problem, I am not sure it's even in the Top 10 List (number 8 will shock you!) of problems to solve. Much like Musk's Hyperloop nonsense, this is worse than impossible - it's just hilariously impractical on every level.
Upon reflection, I must politely disagree with Mr. Palmer in principle if not in the specific.
The point of American colleges is education; to pursue specific skills is also worthwhile, but it are different things. Both are worth doing.
The point of American colleges is education; to pursue specific skills is also worthwhile, but it are different things. Both are worth doing.
I'm gonna be honest, I always think this kind of "literature actually teaches you essential skills to be a diving instructor" stuff is a real stretch. Poetic composition is a thing in itself; I do not think it is a particularly good way to learn empathy or communication.
Except, this person lacks to understand the value of poetry and how it might relate to the their desired vocation of being a victim advocate. Poetry teaches empathy, communication, inference, and deciphering the abstract. All of which are integral soft skills necessary for being a victim advocate
December 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Upon reflection, I must politely disagree with Mr. Palmer in principle if not in the specific.
The point of American colleges is education; to pursue specific skills is also worthwhile, but it are different things. Both are worth doing.
The point of American colleges is education; to pursue specific skills is also worthwhile, but it are different things. Both are worth doing.
One of the core problems with the, errr, "complicated" official government narrative is that there's no good answer here.
Some of the people trying to spin this are pretending there are only two possible actions: doing nothing at all, and killing people mercilessly.
Also, the Civil War.
Some of the people trying to spin this are pretending there are only two possible actions: doing nothing at all, and killing people mercilessly.
Also, the Civil War.
Release the video.
December 5, 2025 at 1:28 AM
One of the core problems with the, errr, "complicated" official government narrative is that there's no good answer here.
Some of the people trying to spin this are pretending there are only two possible actions: doing nothing at all, and killing people mercilessly.
Also, the Civil War.
Some of the people trying to spin this are pretending there are only two possible actions: doing nothing at all, and killing people mercilessly.
Also, the Civil War.
Y'know, the other day I watched a Marvel film about Superheroes to get away from all this ugly news. I decided to turn on an old favorite, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
GEORGE WILL: “.. The killing of the survivors by this moral slum of an administration should nauseate Americans. A nation incapable of shame is dangerous, not least to itself.”
@postopinions.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
@postopinions.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
December 3, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Y'know, the other day I watched a Marvel film about Superheroes to get away from all this ugly news. I decided to turn on an old favorite, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
New podcast!
By the end of May, 1862, Confederate Gen. Joe Johnson knew he must attack. A crucial Union strategic choice gave him room to pick his preferred point. But a key failure sent the entire battle spinning out of control.
uscivilwar.substack.com
By the end of May, 1862, Confederate Gen. Joe Johnson knew he must attack. A crucial Union strategic choice gave him room to pick his preferred point. But a key failure sent the entire battle spinning out of control.
uscivilwar.substack.com
The American Civil War Podcast | Patrick Bryant | Substack
A podcast recounting the epic saga of the American Civil War, the personalities and lives of Americans North and South, African or European, and the climactic clash of arms. Click to read The American...
uscivilwar.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:17 AM
New podcast!
By the end of May, 1862, Confederate Gen. Joe Johnson knew he must attack. A crucial Union strategic choice gave him room to pick his preferred point. But a key failure sent the entire battle spinning out of control.
uscivilwar.substack.com
By the end of May, 1862, Confederate Gen. Joe Johnson knew he must attack. A crucial Union strategic choice gave him room to pick his preferred point. But a key failure sent the entire battle spinning out of control.
uscivilwar.substack.com
I liked Rogue One.
As an ensemble film, it's kinda rough as the characters ultimately don't really know one another very well and several barely interact. This story feels stretched to cover six protagonists, three antagonists, and couple side characters.
As an ensemble film, it's kinda rough as the characters ultimately don't really know one another very well and several barely interact. This story feels stretched to cover six protagonists, three antagonists, and couple side characters.
I disagree on the grounds that Rogue One makes me, the viewer, feel feelings effectively. Is it a messy chop-job rescued in the edit that is often disjointed?
Yeah, but it works - for me, but also clearly for a lot of audiences. And that's all that matters.
Yeah, but it works - for me, but also clearly for a lot of audiences. And that's all that matters.
rogue one is bad folks. i have believed this since i saw it in theaters and no subsequent rewatch has changed my mind. basically a chop job until the final sequence, which is good (for star wars)
November 26, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I liked Rogue One.
As an ensemble film, it's kinda rough as the characters ultimately don't really know one another very well and several barely interact. This story feels stretched to cover six protagonists, three antagonists, and couple side characters.
As an ensemble film, it's kinda rough as the characters ultimately don't really know one another very well and several barely interact. This story feels stretched to cover six protagonists, three antagonists, and couple side characters.
I don't play CoD, but I scrolled on Metacritic, and, uh...
November 18, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I don't play CoD, but I scrolled on Metacritic, and, uh...
This is a hyper-specific desire, but I want a Zorro RPG along the lines of Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
You would have a 'de la Vega' and 'Zorro' identity (using both to uncover villains' plots). There'd be swordfighting, riding, exploring California, finding treasure, perhaps estate management, etc.
You would have a 'de la Vega' and 'Zorro' identity (using both to uncover villains' plots). There'd be swordfighting, riding, exploring California, finding treasure, perhaps estate management, etc.
November 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
This is a hyper-specific desire, but I want a Zorro RPG along the lines of Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
You would have a 'de la Vega' and 'Zorro' identity (using both to uncover villains' plots). There'd be swordfighting, riding, exploring California, finding treasure, perhaps estate management, etc.
You would have a 'de la Vega' and 'Zorro' identity (using both to uncover villains' plots). There'd be swordfighting, riding, exploring California, finding treasure, perhaps estate management, etc.
I've been planning to start a discussion of this. Because I criticized @mcmegan.bsky.social recently, and absolutely intend to do so again, I feel it's important to agree with her on this:
Many of Trump's policies were also bad under previous Presidents, but this was rarely acknowledged.
Many of Trump's policies were also bad under previous Presidents, but this was rarely acknowledged.
Embrace the healing power of 'and' - GWOT-era targeting, especially for drone strikes, was often excessively permissive AND it is the case that current Venezuelan boat strikes would, so far as I can tell, not have been permitted under that framework (not the least because there's no valid AUMF).
November 2, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I've been planning to start a discussion of this. Because I criticized @mcmegan.bsky.social recently, and absolutely intend to do so again, I feel it's important to agree with her on this:
Many of Trump's policies were also bad under previous Presidents, but this was rarely acknowledged.
Many of Trump's policies were also bad under previous Presidents, but this was rarely acknowledged.
I feel like a Great Gatsby party while trying to kill basic food assistance for the poor is a little too on-the-nose for historians. Who is going to believe that such a creature really existed?
"They were careless people ... they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness."
Per Danny Kemp via press pool
Trump is at the Halloween party at MAL
“Official theme is Gatsby and ‘a little party never killed nobody’, we’re told.”
Trump is at the Halloween party at MAL
“Official theme is Gatsby and ‘a little party never killed nobody’, we’re told.”
November 1, 2025 at 3:26 AM
I feel like a Great Gatsby party while trying to kill basic food assistance for the poor is a little too on-the-nose for historians. Who is going to believe that such a creature really existed?
[comedy post]
I wanna know who, just WHO!, is responsible for the absolutely state of Gaelic spelling.
There is no rational world - NONE! - in which "Samhain" is pronounced "Soween".
dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciatio...
I wanna know who, just WHO!, is responsible for the absolutely state of Gaelic spelling.
There is no rational world - NONE! - in which "Samhain" is pronounced "Soween".
dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciatio...
Samhain | Pronunciation in English
Samhain pronunciation. How to say Samhain. Listen to the audio pronunciation in English. Learn more.
dictionary.cambridge.org
October 31, 2025 at 12:28 AM
[comedy post]
I wanna know who, just WHO!, is responsible for the absolutely state of Gaelic spelling.
There is no rational world - NONE! - in which "Samhain" is pronounced "Soween".
dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciatio...
I wanna know who, just WHO!, is responsible for the absolutely state of Gaelic spelling.
There is no rational world - NONE! - in which "Samhain" is pronounced "Soween".
dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciatio...
To expand upon my comments here, Douthat's statement is indicative of complete vacancy of the heart. It's a non-argument that applies to anything you want, and hence has no value. It applies to every thuggish fool ever born, and every scum in power imagines themselves as the same Very Special Boy.
I don't object to the Times printing this; sometimes the best way to expose cockroaches is to shine a nice, bright light on them. Douthat, however, deserves the public's contempt.
October 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
To expand upon my comments here, Douthat's statement is indicative of complete vacancy of the heart. It's a non-argument that applies to anything you want, and hence has no value. It applies to every thuggish fool ever born, and every scum in power imagines themselves as the same Very Special Boy.
Lead: "Americans should pepper-spray themselves: It's unfair to put all this work on ICE."
By Ross Douthat.
By Ross Douthat.
October 25, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Lead: "Americans should pepper-spray themselves: It's unfair to put all this work on ICE."
By Ross Douthat.
By Ross Douthat.
“It’s just, if we build this robot army, do I have at least a strong influence over that robot army, not current control, but a strong influence? [...] I don’t feel comfortable wielding that robot army if I don’t have at least a strong influence.”
finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-mu...
finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-mu...
Elon Musk defends $1 trillion pay package: ‘I just don’t feel comfortable building a robot army here and then being ousted’
Tesla CEO Elon Musk warns “corporate terrorists” are trying to take away his $1 trillion pay package—and control over building out the company’s AI and robotic future.
finance.yahoo.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:38 AM
“It’s just, if we build this robot army, do I have at least a strong influence over that robot army, not current control, but a strong influence? [...] I don’t feel comfortable wielding that robot army if I don’t have at least a strong influence.”
finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-mu...
finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-mu...
Mike Johnson is something of the Lord North of our time, except more pathetic in every sense.
Let me explain.
1/9
Let me explain.
1/9
Not sure "if Trump could have silenced dissent by shutting down rallies, trampling on your freedoms, he would have" is quite the argument that the speaker thinks it is.
Mike Johnson: "The irony was that they called it the No Kings Rally, but if President Trump was a king, the government would be open. If President Trump was a king, he would've closed the nationals parks and the National Mall so they couldn't of had the rally out here."
October 20, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Mike Johnson is something of the Lord North of our time, except more pathetic in every sense.
Let me explain.
1/9
Let me explain.
1/9
I went out to protest today myself. I will upload footage later. The key is that I went to what I assume would be a very small, low-key protest: Suburbs, well distant from even a smaller town center, Red county.
Sidewalk was packed a block in every direction, shoulder to shoulder or even more.
Sidewalk was packed a block in every direction, shoulder to shoulder or even more.
October 19, 2025 at 5:12 AM
I went out to protest today myself. I will upload footage later. The key is that I went to what I assume would be a very small, low-key protest: Suburbs, well distant from even a smaller town center, Red county.
Sidewalk was packed a block in every direction, shoulder to shoulder or even more.
Sidewalk was packed a block in every direction, shoulder to shoulder or even more.