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Dan Mandell

@dhistoryman.bsky.social

2K followers 2K following 1.5K posts

Author of THE LOST TRADITION OF ECONOMIC EQUALITY IN AMERICA, 1600-1870, and many works on Native peoples in New England 1600-1900. Emeritus prof of history, Truman State University, now happy to be in Worcester Mass., aka Nipmuc homelands. He/him/FDJT

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · Jul 2

"But, will some say is it a crime to be rich? Yes, certainly. AT THE PUBLICK EXPENCE, or to the Danger of the Publick." An important lesson in 1748; seems even more important today.

My piece in TIME, part of Historians for 2026, abridged version; full text to be posted online in a few days.

Short article (474 words ) on "The Founders saw the dangers of concentrated wealth."

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 13m

Another "Historic prayer"--the only non-Christian one--is the "Jewish Blessing" supposedly during GW's inauguration. This is really an excuse to repeat many myths about GW's inauguration, including that supposedly GW said "So help me God" -- which no one actually heard or reported at afterward.

Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 22m

The website also contains "Historic prayers." The first three supposedly mark important events before the Revolution, but only one was real: Robinson's letter to the "Pilgrims" as they left Leyden for America. The other two were likely "invented" in the 19th century.

Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 34m

And speaking of hypocrisy, below the "God Bless America" trope, the only President ever convicted of felonies and impeached twice for other offense has the gall to quote GW's "Farewell Address" stressing how "political prosperity" depend on the twin pillars of "religion and morality."

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 42m

There's that hypocritical call for unity, "rededication of the United States as one nation," just a few lines below the nasty lying slam at the political party representing around half of all voters in the country.

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Reposted by Dan Mandell

jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 1h

vought's view is that the president is an elected dictator and lo and behold he is seizing outright the power of the purse

Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 1h

Unconstitutionally taking money that the law says must be spent on one purpose & using it for something else—when it's to establish personalist control over the FUCKING MILITARY—is about as dangerous a constitutional crisis/failure as you can imagine

Via: www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...

The Office of Management and Budget sent a notification to Congress about their intent to use research and development funds to pay members of the military, two sources with direct knowledge tell NBC News.

A spokesperson for the OMB confirmed to NBC News that it plans to use the research and development funds and that there are two years' worth of funds available within the Department of Defense.

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 5h

Also there’s the list of participating organizations, including the openly anti-semitic (Jack Posobiec), notorious liars about history (WallBuilders), and a large smorgasbord of reactionary theocratic evangelical and Catholic groups.

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 5h

There are SO many things wrong this drech. Begin with the deliberate shattering of long-held church-state norms and the clear advocacy of particularly reactionary Christianity. Then the embrace of ahistorical crap, highlighted by that image of GW praying — probably never happened.

The U.S. govt website for the Trump regime’s “America Prays” effort.

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Reposted by Dan Mandell

Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 23h

An update from WGN on Debbie Brockman: "Earlier today, a WGN-TV creative services employee was detained by ICE. She has since been released, and no charges were filed against her. Out of respect for her privacy, we will have no further statements about this incident.”

Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 1d

This morning, masked Border Patrol agents violently pinned a longtime WGN-TV producer to the ground after detaining another unidentified male in Chicago, eventually arresting her and hauling her off in an unmarked silver van.

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

WGN-TV producer violently detained during Chicago ICE enforcement action

A DHS spokesperson said that Debbie Brockman was placed under arrest for ‘assault on a federal law enforcement officer,’ claiming the WGN employee threw objects at the agent.

www.independent.co.uk

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 4d

Whatdayaknow, the Trump regime has found another law to violate.

White House signals it may try to deny back pay to furloughed federal workers.

Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 4d

Indeed. I thought of the legal doctrine “fruit of the poisonous tree.”

Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 5d

Fed districts judge issues TRO barring CA national guard from being sent to Oregon.

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 5d

Immergut: I'm handling this on expedited basis, but defendants haven't provided new info.

SHE RULES FROM THE BENCH: I grant the plaintiffs motion for a second TRO based on reasons stated in previous order...

Reposted by Dan Mandell

Brandon Friedman @brandonfriedman.bsky.social · 8d

1. This is one of the most insane statements ever delivered by a presidential spokesperson in U.S. history. Totally disconnected from reality.

2. There is either going to be a civil war or abject Democratic surrender to autocracy. They are telling this you, to your face, in explicit terms.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 8d

Leavitt: "President Trump will end the radical left's reign of terror in Portland once and for all. The president has directed Secretary Hegseth to provide all necessary troops to protect war-ravaged Portland."

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 10d

The fascist jackasses just can’t stop doing stupid thuggish things to the better aspects of our country. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

White House fires much of the National Council on the Humanities

The White House appeared to fire all but four members of the National Council on the Humanities, an advisory board to the head of the government’s grantmaking agency.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 11d

Yep, this one www.battlefields.org/learn/articl....

The British Army in Boston

British soldiers had a difficult time in Revolutionary Boston.

www.battlefields.org

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 11d

Coincidentally, today in my classes we’re discussing how dispatching regular army troops to an American city would lead to revolution.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 11d

Trump: "The ones that are run by radical left Democrats -- what they've done to San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles. They're very unsafe places & we're gonna straighten them out one by one. This is gonna be a major part for some people in this room. That's a war too. It's war from within"

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 12d

Btw, while I keep my eye on Missouri politics, I moved to Massachusetts three years ago, and this is my current and future city council rep, huzzah. Also happy that now @repmcgovern.bsky.social is my congressman. www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...

Worcester city councilor seeks dismissal of charges against her stemming from ICE operation

Etel Haxhiaj allegedly interfered with local police and assaulted an officer during the federal immigration operation in May.

www.wgbh.org

Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 12d

A hopeful report from rural Iowa (and Missouri) from Jess Piper, for whom (alas) I never had the privilege of voting. Also thinking of the fellow in Chicago exercising his right to free speech (f*^#k Trump!) and then successfully escaping the chase by ICE CHUDs. open.substack.com/pub/jesspipe...

Reporting From the Ground

Over their skis

open.substack.com

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Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 14d

Go to Texas Tech for football (?), leave because you can’t learn biology or genetics. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...

Texas Tech Moves to Limit Academic Discussion to 2 Genders

www.nytimes.com

Dan Mandell @dhistoryman.bsky.social · 15d

My wife was editor at Truman State U Press and for years (until the U closed the Press) ran an editing internship program. Two undergrads every semester got intensive training in skills, workplace demands, etc. Some are now professionals as a result.

Reposted by Dan Mandell

Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 15d

Trump got his Comey indictment Thursday and issued a memo directing "domestic terrorism" investigations. And yet, both provided more evidence that Trump is losing.

On Thursday’s lashing out from Trump the tyrant, at Law Dork: