Robert Houle
@rjhoule.bsky.social
History professor, disc golfer and board-gamer who believes the echoes of the past weave through the present. It’s our job to understand them, in all their brilliance and awfulness.
As someone who has argued for the uniqueness of every historic moment in my classroom while acknowledging the truth of historical patterns and continues - I loooove the poetry/truth of “History may not repeat itself, but it rhymes!”
I’m thinking
No.
My dtr calls herself an historian—starting 3rd yr of college now w/major in public history
Every day since last November:
“This is fascism
This is how Nazi Germany happened
History may not repeat itself BUT IT RHYMES”
She’s not wrong
No.
My dtr calls herself an historian—starting 3rd yr of college now w/major in public history
Every day since last November:
“This is fascism
This is how Nazi Germany happened
History may not repeat itself BUT IT RHYMES”
She’s not wrong
July 4, 2025 at 6:51 PM
As someone who has argued for the uniqueness of every historic moment in my classroom while acknowledging the truth of historical patterns and continues - I loooove the poetry/truth of “History may not repeat itself, but it rhymes!”
Now more than ever, we need journalists to do their job - they need to loudly and aggressively pursue the misuse and abuse of power - even if it might cost them their “insider” access. Maybe especially so. Thanks to Drew for making that evident.
Jeffrey Goldberg ate one bite of his steak and left the rest on the bone. www.sfgate.com/politics/art...
The Atlantic group chat article is journalistic malpractice
Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg's decision to leave the group chat deprived Americans of crucial information, writes SFGATE columnist Drew Magary.
www.sfgate.com
March 26, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Now more than ever, we need journalists to do their job - they need to loudly and aggressively pursue the misuse and abuse of power - even if it might cost them their “insider” access. Maybe especially so. Thanks to Drew for making that evident.
Hahaha. After some 15 years of AAA membership(with some gaps) and never using it for anything, I let it lapse last month, and this morning, during NJ freeway rush hour, the alternator died and I needed a tow. Chef’s kiss, 10/10, no notes to the gods of irony!
March 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Hahaha. After some 15 years of AAA membership(with some gaps) and never using it for anything, I let it lapse last month, and this morning, during NJ freeway rush hour, the alternator died and I needed a tow. Chef’s kiss, 10/10, no notes to the gods of irony!
Reposted by Robert Houle
Access journalism is truly a big part of corruption in politics
February 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Access journalism is truly a big part of corruption in politics
First they came for the air traffic controllers and I said nothing, then they came for the Park Rangers, epidemiologists, teachers and librarians and I realized we were now just as in dumb as they wanted us to be.
www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/....
www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/....
JFK Library in Boston abruptly closes due to Trump executive order
The JFK Library in Boston abruptly closed on Tuesday due to an executive order by President Trump, a library spokesman said.
www.cbsnews.com
February 19, 2025 at 5:16 PM
First they came for the air traffic controllers and I said nothing, then they came for the Park Rangers, epidemiologists, teachers and librarians and I realized we were now just as in dumb as they wanted us to be.
www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/....
www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/....
@lv4allorg.bsky.social Residents of Lehigh Valley who want to reach out to Ryan Mackenzie and express concern about Musk tearing down the Dept of Education can try the website below.I tried the office number and got nowhere, but the #s below are more active.
mackenzie.house.gov/media/press-...
mackenzie.house.gov/media/press-...
Congressman Ryan Mackenzie Announces Opening of Central Office
U.S. Congressman Ryan Mackenzie is pleased to announce the opening of his legislative district headquarters, which will officially begin serving constituents on Monday, January 13th at 9:00 AM.
mackenzie.house.gov
February 11, 2025 at 8:30 PM
@lv4allorg.bsky.social Residents of Lehigh Valley who want to reach out to Ryan Mackenzie and express concern about Musk tearing down the Dept of Education can try the website below.I tried the office number and got nowhere, but the #s below are more active.
mackenzie.house.gov/media/press-...
mackenzie.house.gov/media/press-...
I almost feel bad for my students who are about to read Hett’s excellent “Death of Democracy.” It’s just too on point these days to stomach…
February 11, 2025 at 12:08 AM
I almost feel bad for my students who are about to read Hett’s excellent “Death of Democracy.” It’s just too on point these days to stomach…
Played Nations Dice game this morning solo. Regular Nations is, admittedly, one of my favorite of all time and this version is just a great little take off on it that lasts about an hour.
December 22, 2024 at 9:44 PM
Played Nations Dice game this morning solo. Regular Nations is, admittedly, one of my favorite of all time and this version is just a great little take off on it that lasts about an hour.
Ok boardgamers, I need assistance! Next semester I’m teaching world geography for the first time and want to match concepts with boardgames. So monopolies with Pan Am, farming with Atiwa, political geography with Votes for Women, and Pandemic, of course. Other suggestions?!?
December 14, 2024 at 10:43 PM
Ok boardgamers, I need assistance! Next semester I’m teaching world geography for the first time and want to match concepts with boardgames. So monopolies with Pan Am, farming with Atiwa, political geography with Votes for Women, and Pandemic, of course. Other suggestions?!?
I need help folks, it’s my turn to recommend a movie for family movie night and I’m thinking about “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” - but I’ve got a teen son who doesn’t like “mean” humor - is it too mean for the soulful payoff I remember?
November 30, 2024 at 11:40 PM
I need help folks, it’s my turn to recommend a movie for family movie night and I’m thinking about “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” - but I’ve got a teen son who doesn’t like “mean” humor - is it too mean for the soulful payoff I remember?
Much to my foodie family’s horror, I shall once again be making green bean casserole not from scratch, but with the 5 ingredients Campbell Soup recommends!
November 28, 2024 at 3:04 PM
Much to my foodie family’s horror, I shall once again be making green bean casserole not from scratch, but with the 5 ingredients Campbell Soup recommends!
Currently rereading Jonny Steinberg’s “Midlands” for class and am reminded of what a brilliant writer he is. The story remains deeply relevant even a quarter-century on!
November 20, 2024 at 1:16 AM
Currently rereading Jonny Steinberg’s “Midlands” for class and am reminded of what a brilliant writer he is. The story remains deeply relevant even a quarter-century on!
Currently grading papers connected to ANC resistance efforts and *gasps in historian* I am trying hard not to veer into anachronism as parallels with the current moment keep messing with my focus.
November 13, 2024 at 2:42 AM
Currently grading papers connected to ANC resistance efforts and *gasps in historian* I am trying hard not to veer into anachronism as parallels with the current moment keep messing with my focus.
Saint Firmin is feeling on point today.
November 9, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Saint Firmin is feeling on point today.
Got knocked down, but I’ll get up again!
November 8, 2024 at 11:38 PM
Got knocked down, but I’ll get up again!
Yes, this is how democracies die. Citizens, animated by a relentless propaganda machine telling them to be afraid of people who are not them and the terror of slightly higher milk prices, voted for the autocrat. Somewhere, Hannah Arendt is wagging her finger at us…
November 6, 2024 at 2:42 PM
Yes, this is how democracies die. Citizens, animated by a relentless propaganda machine telling them to be afraid of people who are not them and the terror of slightly higher milk prices, voted for the autocrat. Somewhere, Hannah Arendt is wagging her finger at us…
Im speaking it into existence - Harris takes 5 of 7 swing states and one surprise defection, be it Iowa or, please sweet baby Jesus, Texas.
November 5, 2024 at 1:40 PM
Im speaking it into existence - Harris takes 5 of 7 swing states and one surprise defection, be it Iowa or, please sweet baby Jesus, Texas.
Currently waiting in line with my 18 year old son to vote early in PA. It’s an hour wait and I had to listen to an old guy go on an anti-immigrant tirade, but happy to do my part in saving our democracy! #KamalaHarris
October 29, 2024 at 6:37 PM
Currently waiting in line with my 18 year old son to vote early in PA. It’s an hour wait and I had to listen to an old guy go on an anti-immigrant tirade, but happy to do my part in saving our democracy! #KamalaHarris
Watching democracy in action with my youngest - Bethlehem Walz rally.
September 21, 2024 at 4:42 PM
Watching democracy in action with my youngest - Bethlehem Walz rally.
Forget best and worst, I want to know who the most mid President was. The medianist of the medians.
February 19, 2024 at 3:01 AM
Forget best and worst, I want to know who the most mid President was. The medianist of the medians.
Calling for suggestions! I’m teaching a class on the most significant moments in sports history(think Owens in Berlin) and am looking for suggestions on best media - readings, podcasts or video. Thanks in advance!
January 15, 2024 at 10:00 PM
Calling for suggestions! I’m teaching a class on the most significant moments in sports history(think Owens in Berlin) and am looking for suggestions on best media - readings, podcasts or video. Thanks in advance!