Paul Manna
@pfmanna.bsky.social
Government & Public Policy prof at William & Mary. Prior K-12 teacher. Baseball fan. Host of Democracy in Five Minutes podcast: https://di5m.podbean.com/. My opinions, not W&M's.
Pinned
Paul Manna
@pfmanna.bsky.social
· Aug 21
Hello listeners of my podcast Democracy in Five Minutes. I've posted a teaching resource to help folks use it in class. Link in next post. 1/3
@debbiejsr.bsky.social @brendannyhan.bsky.social @miketierneyir.bsky.social @patriciastrach.bsky.social @kellyzvobgo.bsky.social @protectdemocracy.org
@debbiejsr.bsky.social @brendannyhan.bsky.social @miketierneyir.bsky.social @patriciastrach.bsky.social @kellyzvobgo.bsky.social @protectdemocracy.org
Reposted by Paul Manna
Where the separate divisions of ANTIFA landed on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944:
September 18, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Where the separate divisions of ANTIFA landed on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944:
Reposted by Paul Manna
In the wake of "Terroristic threats" against HBCUs across the country, CBED's CEO, Sharif El-Mekki, issued a statement in support of the schools: https://thecenterblacked.org/the-center-for-black-educator-development-stands-firm-with-hbcus-in-the-wake-of-terroristic-threats/
September 12, 2025 at 11:21 PM
In the wake of "Terroristic threats" against HBCUs across the country, CBED's CEO, Sharif El-Mekki, issued a statement in support of the schools: https://thecenterblacked.org/the-center-for-black-educator-development-stands-firm-with-hbcus-in-the-wake-of-terroristic-threats/
The killing of Charlie Kirk today by a shooter in the crowd was horrific. There should be no place for violence in our nation's politics.
September 10, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The killing of Charlie Kirk today by a shooter in the crowd was horrific. There should be no place for violence in our nation's politics.
Reposted by Paul Manna
Modern day Stasi asking people to turn in their neighbors
September 6, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Modern day Stasi asking people to turn in their neighbors
Folks, a new Democracy in Five Minutes episode is up. I discuss Texas Republicans’ recent re-drawing of congressional boundaries and the Democratic response. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts. A link to teaching resources appear in the next post. 1/2
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-18...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-18...
Episode 18. Gerrymandering | Democracy in Five Minutes
Why has Texas's decision last month to redraw its congressional district lines prompted controversy?
di5m.podbean.com
September 5, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Folks, a new Democracy in Five Minutes episode is up. I discuss Texas Republicans’ recent re-drawing of congressional boundaries and the Democratic response. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts. A link to teaching resources appear in the next post. 1/2
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-18...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-18...
Reposted by Paul Manna
The US Administration is now deleting its internal communications, in brazen violation of the Federal Records Act, in order to conceal its other illegal acts.
Those entrusted to enforce our Congress’s laws sit, simply watching this happen, flaccid and impotent.
Those entrusted to enforce our Congress’s laws sit, simply watching this happen, flaccid and impotent.
Homeland Security Dept. Says It Hasn’t Kept Text Message Data Since April
www.nytimes.com
August 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The US Administration is now deleting its internal communications, in brazen violation of the Federal Records Act, in order to conceal its other illegal acts.
Those entrusted to enforce our Congress’s laws sit, simply watching this happen, flaccid and impotent.
Those entrusted to enforce our Congress’s laws sit, simply watching this happen, flaccid and impotent.
Hello listeners of my podcast Democracy in Five Minutes. I've posted a teaching resource to help folks use it in class. Link in next post. 1/3
@debbiejsr.bsky.social @brendannyhan.bsky.social @miketierneyir.bsky.social @patriciastrach.bsky.social @kellyzvobgo.bsky.social @protectdemocracy.org
@debbiejsr.bsky.social @brendannyhan.bsky.social @miketierneyir.bsky.social @patriciastrach.bsky.social @kellyzvobgo.bsky.social @protectdemocracy.org
August 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Hello listeners of my podcast Democracy in Five Minutes. I've posted a teaching resource to help folks use it in class. Link in next post. 1/3
@debbiejsr.bsky.social @brendannyhan.bsky.social @miketierneyir.bsky.social @patriciastrach.bsky.social @kellyzvobgo.bsky.social @protectdemocracy.org
@debbiejsr.bsky.social @brendannyhan.bsky.social @miketierneyir.bsky.social @patriciastrach.bsky.social @kellyzvobgo.bsky.social @protectdemocracy.org
Looking forward to this. During the 2025-26 academic year I'll be a W&M Strategic Partnership Faculty Fellow, doing a project w/ the Cape Charles Rosenwald School Restoration Initiative on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I'll post updates as the work unfolds. Details here.
news.wm.edu/2025/08/18/s...
news.wm.edu/2025/08/18/s...
Strategic Cultural Partnerships Faculty Fellows reshape America’s founding story as 2026 approaches
Eight W&M faculty awarded SCP fellowships to enrich historical narratives and strengthen civic leadership ahead of nation’s 250th anniversary.
news.wm.edu
August 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Looking forward to this. During the 2025-26 academic year I'll be a W&M Strategic Partnership Faculty Fellow, doing a project w/ the Cape Charles Rosenwald School Restoration Initiative on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I'll post updates as the work unfolds. Details here.
news.wm.edu/2025/08/18/s...
news.wm.edu/2025/08/18/s...
Hi folks! A new episode of Democracy in Five Minutes just went live. This week, I consider President Trump’s use of the military in domestic law enforcement activities, and how those actions bear on American democracy. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-17...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-17...
Episode 17. Soldiers on the streets | Democracy in Five Minutes
How does President Trump's use of the military in domestic law enforcement activities affect American democracy?
di5m.podbean.com
August 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Hi folks! A new episode of Democracy in Five Minutes just went live. This week, I consider President Trump’s use of the military in domestic law enforcement activities, and how those actions bear on American democracy. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-17...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-17...
Hi everyone. The next episode of Democracy in Five Minutes is up. This week, I reflect on the meaning of Independence Day, deriving some lessons from what I saw at Colonial Williamsburg during the day's celebrations. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-16...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-16...
Episode 16. Independence Day reflections | Democracy in Five Minutes
What lessons can we learn from contemporary celebrations of the Fourth of July?
di5m.podbean.com
July 9, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Hi everyone. The next episode of Democracy in Five Minutes is up. This week, I reflect on the meaning of Independence Day, deriving some lessons from what I saw at Colonial Williamsburg during the day's celebrations. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-16...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-16...
Hi folks. I just posted the next Democracy in Five Minutes episode. It's the first in a series of episodes (more to come in future weeks) that explores the military’s role in American democracy. Here's a link to listen, or find it wherever you get your podcasts.
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-15...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-15...
Episode 15. Whose military? | Democracy in Five Minutes
This episode explores the role the US military plays in supporting American democracy.
di5m.podbean.com
June 26, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Hi folks. I just posted the next Democracy in Five Minutes episode. It's the first in a series of episodes (more to come in future weeks) that explores the military’s role in American democracy. Here's a link to listen, or find it wherever you get your podcasts.
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-15...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-15...
Folks, the next Democracy in Five Minutes episode is available. In it, I examine how new US Office of Personnel Management hiring policies are in tension with the loyalty that federal bureaucrats pledge to the US Constitution in their oaths. See what you think!
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-14...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-14...
Episode 14. Bureaucratic loyalty | Democracy in Five Minutes
In the US, to what do federal bureaucrats pledge their loyalty and how does their pledge support American democracy?
di5m.podbean.com
June 16, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Folks, the next Democracy in Five Minutes episode is available. In it, I examine how new US Office of Personnel Management hiring policies are in tension with the loyalty that federal bureaucrats pledge to the US Constitution in their oaths. See what you think!
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-14...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-14...
Reposted by Paul Manna
Where are the libertarians? Where is civil society? Do you want to live in a country where people are deported without due process into foreign gulags? Where US senators are arrested? Where the government ignores court orders and deploys the military on the streets of our cities?
June 12, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Where are the libertarians? Where is civil society? Do you want to live in a country where people are deported without due process into foreign gulags? Where US senators are arrested? Where the government ignores court orders and deploys the military on the streets of our cities?
Reposted by Paul Manna
The rule of law is under attack. Every day it withers.
June 9, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The rule of law is under attack. Every day it withers.
Folks, the next episode of Democracy in Five Minutes just went live. What's the connection between bureaucratic inefficiency and democratic values? Give a listen at the link here or wherever you get your podcasts to find out. As ever, thanks for your support!
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-13...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-13...
Episode 13. Bureaucrats and democratic values | Democracy in Five Minutes
Why might upholding democratic principles sometimes make it difficult for bureaucracies to satisfy the people?
di5m.podbean.com
June 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Folks, the next episode of Democracy in Five Minutes just went live. What's the connection between bureaucratic inefficiency and democratic values? Give a listen at the link here or wherever you get your podcasts to find out. As ever, thanks for your support!
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-13...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-13...
Hey #psychology folks. Can you point me to your favorite research on perception, especially, anything that explores why some people have a better attention to detail than others? And how we might improve attention to detail? Thx! @brendannyhan.bsky.social @dtwuva.bsky.social @galesinatra.bsky.social
June 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Hey #psychology folks. Can you point me to your favorite research on perception, especially, anything that explores why some people have a better attention to detail than others? And how we might improve attention to detail? Thx! @brendannyhan.bsky.social @dtwuva.bsky.social @galesinatra.bsky.social
Heads up to all baseball fans: My colleagues Marcus Holmes, Hiroshi Kitamura, and I have just released our US-Japan baseball diplomacy trivia game. You can play in English or Japanese. Batter up!! 1/2
baseball-diplomacy-game.web.app
baseball-diplomacy-game.web.app
June 3, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Heads up to all baseball fans: My colleagues Marcus Holmes, Hiroshi Kitamura, and I have just released our US-Japan baseball diplomacy trivia game. You can play in English or Japanese. Batter up!! 1/2
baseball-diplomacy-game.web.app
baseball-diplomacy-game.web.app
With Elon Musk leaving his government post today, I thought it'd be useful for this week's episode of Democracy in Five Minutes to explore efficiency and democracy. Today I introduce some tensions between those ideas, which I'll develop more in future weeks. Enjoy!
www.podbean.com/ew/pb-n35jx-...
www.podbean.com/ew/pb-n35jx-...
Episode 12. Efficiency and democracy
Why might it be difficult for the government to be efficient while simultaneously embracing democratic values?
www.podbean.com
May 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
With Elon Musk leaving his government post today, I thought it'd be useful for this week's episode of Democracy in Five Minutes to explore efficiency and democracy. Today I introduce some tensions between those ideas, which I'll develop more in future weeks. Enjoy!
www.podbean.com/ew/pb-n35jx-...
www.podbean.com/ew/pb-n35jx-...
Hello listeners (and aspiring listeners) of Democracy in Five Minutes. I just posted Episode 11 of the podcast. It focuses on "habeas corpus" and why that idea is a core building block for democracies. Listen at this link or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks!
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-11...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-11...
Episode 11. Habeas corpus | Democracy in Five Minutes
Why is "habeas corpus" such a fundamental building block for democracies?
di5m.podbean.com
May 23, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Hello listeners (and aspiring listeners) of Democracy in Five Minutes. I just posted Episode 11 of the podcast. It focuses on "habeas corpus" and why that idea is a core building block for democracies. Listen at this link or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks!
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-11...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-11...
Folks, I've hit a mini-milestone by publishing my 10th episode of Democracy in Five Minutes. HUZZAH!
This week I explore the question. Who is entitled to due process in the American democratic system? You can listen at this link or wherever you get your podcasts.
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-10...
This week I explore the question. Who is entitled to due process in the American democratic system? You can listen at this link or wherever you get your podcasts.
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-10...
Episode 10. Who is entitled to due process? | Democracy in Five Minutes
Last week we explored due process. We continue that discussion today by addressing who receives due process in the American democratic system.
di5m.podbean.com
May 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Folks, I've hit a mini-milestone by publishing my 10th episode of Democracy in Five Minutes. HUZZAH!
This week I explore the question. Who is entitled to due process in the American democratic system? You can listen at this link or wherever you get your podcasts.
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-10...
This week I explore the question. Who is entitled to due process in the American democratic system? You can listen at this link or wherever you get your podcasts.
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-10...
Friends, I just posted a new episode of Democracy in Five Minutes. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts and also at the link in this post. Endless thanks to folks out there who are listening and sharing their reactions with me about the show!
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-9-...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-9-...
Episode 9. What is due process? | Democracy in Five Minutes
We hear a lot lately about the right to "due process." Where does this right come from and why is it important?
di5m.podbean.com
May 9, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Friends, I just posted a new episode of Democracy in Five Minutes. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts and also at the link in this post. Endless thanks to folks out there who are listening and sharing their reactions with me about the show!
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-9-...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-9-...
Reposted by Paul Manna
Hauled off to a detention center WEARING CHAINS AROUND HER WRISTS AND ANKLES and she'll be held there FOR A MONTH before she gets to see a judge, all because she made an illegal right turn on red. Jesus.
And remember -- that ugliness is the due process that the Trump folks whine is too much.
And remember -- that ugliness is the due process that the Trump folks whine is too much.
A college student in Georgia who has lived in the US since age four faces a month in prison and then possible deportation after a traffic stop for turning right on a red light.
newschannel9.com/news/local/f...
newschannel9.com/news/local/f...
May 8, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Hauled off to a detention center WEARING CHAINS AROUND HER WRISTS AND ANKLES and she'll be held there FOR A MONTH before she gets to see a judge, all because she made an illegal right turn on red. Jesus.
And remember -- that ugliness is the due process that the Trump folks whine is too much.
And remember -- that ugliness is the due process that the Trump folks whine is too much.
Weekend delivery here. A new episode of my podcast Democracy in Five Minutes just went live. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts and also at this link. Shout out to my listeners: Thanks for your support!
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-8-...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-8-...
Episode 8. When presidents defy the courts | Democracy in Five Minutes
What if federal judges rule against the president and the president simply ignores them? Is there anything the courts can do?
di5m.podbean.com
May 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Weekend delivery here. A new episode of my podcast Democracy in Five Minutes just went live. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts and also at this link. Shout out to my listeners: Thanks for your support!
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-8-...
di5m.podbean.com/e/episode-8-...
Hey @christenrexing.bsky.social, here's one to add to your memes collection.
May 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Hey @christenrexing.bsky.social, here's one to add to your memes collection.
Reposted by Paul Manna
A giant fascist-style military parade on Trump's birthday. More cartoonish authoritarianism.
(AP) — Detailed Army plans for a potential military parade on President Donald Trump’s birthday in June call for more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and possibly a couple thousand civilians, The Associated Press has learned.
apnews.com/article/army...
apnews.com/article/army...
May 2, 2025 at 1:58 PM
A giant fascist-style military parade on Trump's birthday. More cartoonish authoritarianism.