Michael Pettinger
@mfpettinger.bsky.social
Writer, Editor, Educator
Distracted by many things, but always end up returning to the forbidden topics: God, Sex, Death, and Italy.
Distracted by many things, but always end up returning to the forbidden topics: God, Sex, Death, and Italy.
Tiara Tuesday: A brief meditation on mediation and the death of our beloved Pope Francis
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Tiara Tuesday: A brief meditation on mediation and the death of our beloved Pope Francis
The modern papacy is a media event...and that's alright by me.
open.substack.com
April 29, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Tiara Tuesday: A brief meditation on mediation and the death of our beloved Pope Francis
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Dexter the Angel and I discover what a relief it is to be freed from the burden of Pride in Purgatorio XII at A Place for Us. Join us and find out how you too can feel lighter!
Purgatorio: Canto 12 open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Purgatorio: Canto 12 open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Purgatorio: Canto 12
The Pilgrim is changed by art and an angel's absolution
open.substack.com
April 15, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Dexter the Angel and I discover what a relief it is to be freed from the burden of Pride in Purgatorio XII at A Place for Us. Join us and find out how you too can feel lighter!
Purgatorio: Canto 12 open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Purgatorio: Canto 12 open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
In the last installment of Medieval Monday, I ask the question: What do people want from history? And can I give it to them?
Who Am I to Judge? open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Who Am I to Judge? open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Medieval Monday: Who Am I to Judge?
In which the author, trained in literature and impersonating a scholar of religious studies, pretends to do history, and asks the question: Should I be doing this?
open.substack.com
April 14, 2025 at 10:07 PM
In the last installment of Medieval Monday, I ask the question: What do people want from history? And can I give it to them?
Who Am I to Judge? open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Who Am I to Judge? open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Is this for real?
Some personal news: the Department of Homeland Security has given me, an immigration lawyer born in Newton, Massachusetts, seven days to leave the U.S. Does anyone know if you can get Italian citizenship through great-grandparents?
April 13, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Is this for real?
It's Fiction Friday!
Like a lot of professors, Mr. H wonders what his students make of his lectures. On Monday, he delivered a doozy on Ovid's tale of Echo and Narcissus. On Wednesday, he finds out, much to his discomfort, that his words have had an impact....
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Like a lot of professors, Mr. H wonders what his students make of his lectures. On Monday, he delivered a doozy on Ovid's tale of Echo and Narcissus. On Wednesday, he finds out, much to his discomfort, that his words have had an impact....
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Fiction Friday: Taste and See
In which Mr. H's students are troubled by the imperatives of literature
open.substack.com
April 11, 2025 at 2:14 PM
It's Fiction Friday!
Like a lot of professors, Mr. H wonders what his students make of his lectures. On Monday, he delivered a doozy on Ovid's tale of Echo and Narcissus. On Wednesday, he finds out, much to his discomfort, that his words have had an impact....
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Like a lot of professors, Mr. H wonders what his students make of his lectures. On Monday, he delivered a doozy on Ovid's tale of Echo and Narcissus. On Wednesday, he finds out, much to his discomfort, that his words have had an impact....
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Hey, not everyone can carry the weight of the world on their back--but you don't have to walk around with the burden of pride! Join Dexter the Angel and me as we read Purgatorio XI at A Place for Us!
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Purgatorio: Canto 11
Bearing the weight of prideful boulders
open.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Hey, not everyone can carry the weight of the world on their back--but you don't have to walk around with the burden of pride! Join Dexter the Angel and me as we read Purgatorio XI at A Place for Us!
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Genius...
I have tariffed
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
April 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Genius...
This Fiction Friday, I return to the story of Mr. H, who is dealing with distraction, deception, and…
I struggle to find a word to finish the alliteration. The only one that comes to mind is the ultimate and inevitable one that begins with the letter D…
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
I struggle to find a word to finish the alliteration. The only one that comes to mind is the ultimate and inevitable one that begins with the letter D…
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Fiction Friday: Word Games
No one enjoys word games more than Mr. H. This is about to become a problem.
open.substack.com
April 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
This Fiction Friday, I return to the story of Mr. H, who is dealing with distraction, deception, and…
I struggle to find a word to finish the alliteration. The only one that comes to mind is the ultimate and inevitable one that begins with the letter D…
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
I struggle to find a word to finish the alliteration. The only one that comes to mind is the ultimate and inevitable one that begins with the letter D…
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
"All Language is an attempt..."
Join Dexter the Angel and me as we trod the joyful (yes, I said joyful!) Terrace of the Prideful, Purgatorio X, at A Place for Us!
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Join Dexter the Angel and me as we trod the joyful (yes, I said joyful!) Terrace of the Prideful, Purgatorio X, at A Place for Us!
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Purgatorio: Canto 10
Lessons in humility via the art at Purgatory's Gates
open.substack.com
April 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
"All Language is an attempt..."
Join Dexter the Angel and me as we trod the joyful (yes, I said joyful!) Terrace of the Prideful, Purgatorio X, at A Place for Us!
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Join Dexter the Angel and me as we trod the joyful (yes, I said joyful!) Terrace of the Prideful, Purgatorio X, at A Place for Us!
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
This Medieval Monday, I ask a few basic questions about political values and the papacy. I also suggest a thought experiment. Fee free to weigh in!
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Medieval Monday: Pope Francis for President
A little digression on the ways we judge popes
open.substack.com
March 31, 2025 at 8:48 PM
This Medieval Monday, I ask a few basic questions about political values and the papacy. I also suggest a thought experiment. Fee free to weigh in!
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
"Sometimes you got to do hard things if you're going to have good things."
My latest for Fiction Friday.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
My latest for Fiction Friday.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Fiction Friday: Peter Rabbit Hunter
The story of a father's compassion
open.substack.com
March 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
"Sometimes you got to do hard things if you're going to have good things."
My latest for Fiction Friday.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
My latest for Fiction Friday.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Sometimes you feel like Ganymede, snatched up in the lecherous talons of Jove. And sometimes it's just St. Lucy, carrying you in her arms to the gates of Purgatory.
Join Dexter the Angel and me as we discuss Purgatorio 9 and the Pilgrim's first dream.
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Join Dexter the Angel and me as we discuss Purgatorio 9 and the Pilgrim's first dream.
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Purgatorio: Canto 9
Dreams and the helping hand of Saint Lucy
open.substack.com
March 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Sometimes you feel like Ganymede, snatched up in the lecherous talons of Jove. And sometimes it's just St. Lucy, carrying you in her arms to the gates of Purgatory.
Join Dexter the Angel and me as we discuss Purgatorio 9 and the Pilgrim's first dream.
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
Join Dexter the Angel and me as we discuss Purgatorio 9 and the Pilgrim's first dream.
open.substack.com/pub/aplacefo...
It's another Medieval Monday! Today, I'm looking at Urban VI and asking: How does becoming pope change a person for the better...or worse.
How a Pope Goes Bad open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
How a Pope Goes Bad open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Medieval Monday: How a Pope Goes Bad
In the case of Urban VI, it's hard to distinguish zealous piety, personal ambition, and absolute terror before the violence of the world.
open.substack.com
March 24, 2025 at 9:22 PM
It's another Medieval Monday! Today, I'm looking at Urban VI and asking: How does becoming pope change a person for the better...or worse.
How a Pope Goes Bad open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
How a Pope Goes Bad open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
It's Fiction Friday! Today, Mr. H retells the story of Bacchus and Pentheus in the only way his husband understands. So grab a beer, relax in your lounger, and enjoy!
Fiction Friday: Blood on the Field open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Fiction Friday: Blood on the Field open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Fiction Friday: Blood on the Field
The lecture Mr H does NOT give to his students about Bacchus, Pentheus, and Sportsball
open.substack.com
March 21, 2025 at 1:23 PM
It's Fiction Friday! Today, Mr. H retells the story of Bacchus and Pentheus in the only way his husband understands. So grab a beer, relax in your lounger, and enjoy!
Fiction Friday: Blood on the Field open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Fiction Friday: Blood on the Field open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
A living pope once famously dug up his long-dead predecessor and put him on trial. Less famous is the time the roles were supposedly reversed.
My last Medieval Monday on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
My last Medieval Monday on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Medieval Monday: A Papal Ghost Story
Living popes might not like their predecessors. Dead popes might feel the same way.
open.substack.com
March 17, 2025 at 6:43 PM
A living pope once famously dug up his long-dead predecessor and put him on trial. Less famous is the time the roles were supposedly reversed.
My last Medieval Monday on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
My last Medieval Monday on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Reposted by Michael Pettinger
I think some in the Senate have convinced themselves that the backlash to folding will be limited to “the left” and therefore ignorable.
Those people are deeply and profoundly misreading the moment and the stakes.
Virtually every swing district House Dem walked the plank to vote NO for a reason.
Those people are deeply and profoundly misreading the moment and the stakes.
Virtually every swing district House Dem walked the plank to vote NO for a reason.
March 14, 2025 at 2:46 AM
I think some in the Senate have convinced themselves that the backlash to folding will be limited to “the left” and therefore ignorable.
Those people are deeply and profoundly misreading the moment and the stakes.
Virtually every swing district House Dem walked the plank to vote NO for a reason.
Those people are deeply and profoundly misreading the moment and the stakes.
Virtually every swing district House Dem walked the plank to vote NO for a reason.
Fiction Friday: Pumpkins for Sale
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Fiction Friday: Pumpkins for Sale
In which our hero, Mr. H, is introduced to the future...
open.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Fiction Friday: Pumpkins for Sale
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Mr. H has a husband, a teen-aged daughter, and a pair of pumpkins in his front lawn—pumpkins with human faces. His daughter has a charming boyfriend who seems to know a lot about the pumpkins, selfies, and manipulation.
Mr. H has problems.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Mr. H has problems.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Fiction Friday: Mr. H Lectures on Echo and Narcissus
Are you a student in Group One, Two, or Three?
open.substack.com
March 7, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Mr. H has a husband, a teen-aged daughter, and a pair of pumpkins in his front lawn—pumpkins with human faces. His daughter has a charming boyfriend who seems to know a lot about the pumpkins, selfies, and manipulation.
Mr. H has problems.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Mr. H has problems.
open.substack.com/pub/michaelp...
Reposted by Michael Pettinger
Conservative budget wonks (Manhattan Instiutte, Tax Foundation) confirming that this is a consittutional crisis. Not liberal hysteria. Happening right now.
February 3, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Conservative budget wonks (Manhattan Instiutte, Tax Foundation) confirming that this is a consittutional crisis. Not liberal hysteria. Happening right now.
Reposted by Michael Pettinger
Senator Andy Kim just went to the USAID building, talked to the security guard there to confirm employees are being barred entry, and then did a press gaggle right there in front to call it out.
This is doing something. This is making an effort on messaging. Other Democratic lawmakers: take notes.
This is doing something. This is making an effort on messaging. Other Democratic lawmakers: take notes.
February 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Senator Andy Kim just went to the USAID building, talked to the security guard there to confirm employees are being barred entry, and then did a press gaggle right there in front to call it out.
This is doing something. This is making an effort on messaging. Other Democratic lawmakers: take notes.
This is doing something. This is making an effort on messaging. Other Democratic lawmakers: take notes.
I have a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature—even worse, medieval and early Christian literature….I understand that some people might wonder why I should get paid to do what I do. And my stint in the hospital has left me asking the same question.
michaelpettinger756916.substack.com/p/not-the-ki...
michaelpettinger756916.substack.com/p/not-the-ki...
February 3, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I have a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature—even worse, medieval and early Christian literature….I understand that some people might wonder why I should get paid to do what I do. And my stint in the hospital has left me asking the same question.
michaelpettinger756916.substack.com/p/not-the-ki...
michaelpettinger756916.substack.com/p/not-the-ki...
Reposted by Michael Pettinger
Yes, this administration is dangerous and cruel, but they are also shockingly dim and incompetent.
Opportunities are everywhere.
Make everything as hard as possible. Resist every demand. Refuse entry without a warrant. Don’t take the buyout. Their problem solving skills are 📉
Opportunities are everywhere.
Make everything as hard as possible. Resist every demand. Refuse entry without a warrant. Don’t take the buyout. Their problem solving skills are 📉
January 30, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Yes, this administration is dangerous and cruel, but they are also shockingly dim and incompetent.
Opportunities are everywhere.
Make everything as hard as possible. Resist every demand. Refuse entry without a warrant. Don’t take the buyout. Their problem solving skills are 📉
Opportunities are everywhere.
Make everything as hard as possible. Resist every demand. Refuse entry without a warrant. Don’t take the buyout. Their problem solving skills are 📉
Just joined and I've got Willie Nelson singing in my head...
November 15, 2024 at 3:16 PM
Just joined and I've got Willie Nelson singing in my head...