betsy gaines quammen
@betsygainesquammen.bsky.social
Montana historian, writer, dog mom, dyslexic. Fighting the bad guys. I track extremists and also research ghost stories. Author of American Zion, True West, and Dead Reckoning, 2026.
Two years ago today, True West came out! It feels like a 100. If you want to understand how we got to where we are, give it a read. I look at the collision of militia, MAGA, MAHA, cowboy mythology, billionaires, & fractures in urban/rural communities. It’s about healing, & fighting the bad guys…
October 21, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Two years ago today, True West came out! It feels like a 100. If you want to understand how we got to where we are, give it a read. I look at the collision of militia, MAGA, MAHA, cowboy mythology, billionaires, & fractures in urban/rural communities. It’s about healing, & fighting the bad guys…
I'll miss you Dr. Jane Goodall. An inspiration from the time I was a girl until I passed the mid-century mark. The world is dimmer with you gone.
October 2, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I'll miss you Dr. Jane Goodall. An inspiration from the time I was a girl until I passed the mid-century mark. The world is dimmer with you gone.
Good. Cody Roberts deserves fines and jail time.
August 21, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Good. Cody Roberts deserves fines and jail time.
Do I think Gavin Newsom is a good presidential candidate? Nope. Do I think this is hilarious? Yes. H/t campcallout.bsky
August 20, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Do I think Gavin Newsom is a good presidential candidate? Nope. Do I think this is hilarious? Yes. H/t campcallout.bsky
This is stunning actually. I would not have expected this under Patel’s leadership. (H/t @terry_sayles—sorry the article is behind a paywall) Finicum was shot on his way to John Day during the 2016 occupation of the Malheur Refuge.
August 18, 2025 at 12:06 AM
This is stunning actually. I would not have expected this under Patel’s leadership. (H/t @terry_sayles—sorry the article is behind a paywall) Finicum was shot on his way to John Day during the 2016 occupation of the Malheur Refuge.
Greetings for Glacier. Love our #nationalparks
August 4, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Greetings for Glacier. Love our #nationalparks
July 24, 2025 at 4:11 AM
We are going through some real shit.
July 20, 2025 at 3:07 AM
We are going through some real shit.
DHS did not have permission to use this painting to perpetuate ugly myths of white homelands.
July 18, 2025 at 8:43 PM
DHS did not have permission to use this painting to perpetuate ugly myths of white homelands.
Spreading my Dad’s ashes on the Yellowstone River. Hard day, perfect setting. ❤️
July 12, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Spreading my Dad’s ashes on the Yellowstone River. Hard day, perfect setting. ❤️
Miss Bunny. Helping me watch a video, I reckon…
July 12, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Miss Bunny. Helping me watch a video, I reckon…
Wess Roley killed himself after opening fire on firefighters. Looks like he was raised by parents who glamorized guns more than respected them.
Seriously, I'm so tired of excuses. This is real and MAGA culture is dangerous. These are pics from his mom's page and his instagram account.
Seriously, I'm so tired of excuses. This is real and MAGA culture is dangerous. These are pics from his mom's page and his instagram account.
July 1, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Wess Roley killed himself after opening fire on firefighters. Looks like he was raised by parents who glamorized guns more than respected them.
Seriously, I'm so tired of excuses. This is real and MAGA culture is dangerous. These are pics from his mom's page and his instagram account.
Seriously, I'm so tired of excuses. This is real and MAGA culture is dangerous. These are pics from his mom's page and his instagram account.
They’ll be at it again in no time, but for tonight #publiclands are off the auction block.
June 29, 2025 at 3:31 AM
They’ll be at it again in no time, but for tonight #publiclands are off the auction block.
Started this today! 🍾
June 28, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Started this today! 🍾
Interested in why Mike Lee wants to sell off #publicland. There is an LDS history. I wrote about it in American Zion 🤠
June 27, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Interested in why Mike Lee wants to sell off #publicland. There is an LDS history. I wrote about it in American Zion 🤠
Don’t let them put public lands on the auction block in this budget bill. UT’s Senator Mike Lee said he’s reconsidering his position to sell of land, but he’s still trying to sell a million acres. Don’t let him—Keep public lands in public hands! Call 2022243122, the capitol switchboard. Not one acre
June 25, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Don’t let them put public lands on the auction block in this budget bill. UT’s Senator Mike Lee said he’s reconsidering his position to sell of land, but he’s still trying to sell a million acres. Don’t let him—Keep public lands in public hands! Call 2022243122, the capitol switchboard. Not one acre
Look what we got! @ejeancarroll.bsky.social #trump
June 21, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Look what we got! @ejeancarroll.bsky.social #trump
As he’s aged, he’s become more elegant. But his is also totally goofy. His smile is terrifying 😂
June 18, 2025 at 2:12 PM
As he’s aged, he’s become more elegant. But his is also totally goofy. His smile is terrifying 😂
There is so much heartbreak going on right now, I need to take a minute and focus on doggos. Me and Abby—my beloved childhood dog. And me and Manny, my oversized lapdog.
June 17, 2025 at 3:27 AM
There is so much heartbreak going on right now, I need to take a minute and focus on doggos. Me and Abby—my beloved childhood dog. And me and Manny, my oversized lapdog.
Today is Buddha Day, a sacred holiday that commemorates Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment (Nirvāṇa), and death (Parinirvāna).
Katie and I went to Garden of 1,000 Buddhas to say dedication prayers for Dad.
It was a lovely, lovely day. 🕉️🪷☸️❤️ (Thank you Konchog Norbu for the wonderful directions.)
Katie and I went to Garden of 1,000 Buddhas to say dedication prayers for Dad.
It was a lovely, lovely day. 🕉️🪷☸️❤️ (Thank you Konchog Norbu for the wonderful directions.)
June 12, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Today is Buddha Day, a sacred holiday that commemorates Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment (Nirvāṇa), and death (Parinirvāna).
Katie and I went to Garden of 1,000 Buddhas to say dedication prayers for Dad.
It was a lovely, lovely day. 🕉️🪷☸️❤️ (Thank you Konchog Norbu for the wonderful directions.)
Katie and I went to Garden of 1,000 Buddhas to say dedication prayers for Dad.
It was a lovely, lovely day. 🕉️🪷☸️❤️ (Thank you Konchog Norbu for the wonderful directions.)
Bunny is ready for bed.
June 11, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Bunny is ready for bed.