Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 3h

Another gem open during the government shutdown. They have a great tour that gives a good amount of attention to the enslaved people as well as to Mr. Jefferson.
They’re not federally funded, so are not affected by the current administration’s war with historical accuracy.

www.monticello.org

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, Charlottesville, VA - Official Website

Home of Thomas Jefferson - 3rd US President and author of the Declaration of Independence - a historic house, a local and national tourist attraction, and a World Heritage Site near Charlottesville, V...

www.monticello.org

2

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 15h

2/2
Though John “has been a witness to the pomp and splendor of [royal] courts, he is I hope republican enough to leave these ideas in their native soil and to exhibit an example of prudence and frugality which he knows to be very necessary.”

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 15h

1/2 From The book I’m reading, "John Quincy Adams: A Man for the Whole People."

Like her husband John, Abigal Adams was no fan of monarchy. By age 17, John Q. had resided in or visted Spain, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Prussia, and Russia. Abigal wrote of him to her cousin Cotton Tuffs:

1

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 17h

From the “Cosmos” TV series.

"History is full of people who out of fear, or ignorance, or lust for power have destroyed knowledge of immeasurable value which truly belongs to us all. We must not let that happen again."
~ Carl Sagan

2

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 1d

Did they also call for having him committed ?

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 1d

My county board is considering banning gas-powered leaf blowers. I’ll be celebrating if that happens.

2

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 1d

Another step in the right direction- toward equality. Britain has already had female prime ministers. Maybe someday the USA will be enlightened enough to elect a woman president.

NPR @npr.org · 6d

Sarah Mullally has been named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to be chosen to lead the world's 85 million Anglicans.

Sarah Mullally named first woman Archbishop of Canterbury

Sarah Mullally has been named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to be chosen to lead the world's 85 million Anglicans.

n.pr

1 2

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 3d

For those who have been lying awake at night wondering which plays to read.

youtube.com/watch?v=7Zn7...

Ranking the Complete Works of Shakespeare — from Worst to Best

YouTube video by Benjamin McEvoy

youtube.com

1 1

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 3d

That was before the government was putting mind-controlling nanobots into vaccines [sarcasm]

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 3d

A new term: Enshitification

youtube.com/watch?v=YcW9...

The internet keeps getting worse. Let's talk about why.

YouTube video by Jared Henderson

youtube.com

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 3d

It’s Banned Books Week, Oct. 5-11.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A TIME WHEN THE PEOPLE WHO'VE
BANNED BOOKS WERE THE GOOD GUYS

2 4

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 3d

But I understand the need for the marketing power of the big stores

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 3d

I order books from a local independent bookstore. They’re able to obtain just about anything I want.

1

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 4d

What are they afraid of?

“The most commonly banned books in U.S. schools include LGBTQ titles, international bestsellers, teen romantasy novels and a 1962 classic…More than 6,800 book bans were enacted during the 2024-25 school year in 87 public school districts.”

www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-...

The 15 most banned books in U.S. schools

In the 2024-25 school year, book bans affected more than 3,700 unique titles in 87 school districts across 23 states, according to PEN America.

www.nbcnews.com

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 5d

Writing a book…

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 5d

'Whether it’s dancing the tango or playing the guitar, engaging in a creative pastime can slow brain ageing, according to a study of dancers, musicians, artists and video game players from multiple countries.'

Good thing we're killing off the Arts in universities, then.

Creative hobbies could slow brain ageing at the molecular level

To keep the mind young, dance the tango.

www.nature.com

1

Reposted by Gary Cunningham

Washington Area Secular Humanists @wash1989.bsky.social · 6d

1

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 5d

youtube.com/shorts/q6-do...

The Bypassing Technique

YouTube video by Jonny Thomson

youtube.com

1

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 7d

At least the UK managed to have a female PM. We’re still not able to have that here in the US. Too much misogyny.

Reposted by Gary Cunningham

Felicity Hannah @felicityhannah.bsky.social · 7d

This article manages to name her husband before it names… her.

Article reads:
Woman named as Archbishop of Canterbury in historic first

The 63-year-old archbishop-designate is married to Eamonn Mullally, with whom she has two children. Originally from Woking in Surrey, she was the UK's chief nursing officer from 1999 to 2004.

600 3.4K 13K

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 7d

This is a great little gem in DC, unaffected by the shutdown…

Dumbarton Oaks @dumbartonoaks.bsky.social · 8d

The Museum and Gardens at Dumbarton Oaks will remain open through the federal government shutdown. We look forward to welcoming visitors during our usual public hours.

1

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 8d

No, thanks. I cancelled my WaPo subscription and don’t read anything produced by them. That won’t change as long as Jeff Bezos is the owner.

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 9d

“Wounded Knee is not just a story about the past. It is a mirror that reflects how this nation continues to treat Native peoples and how easily it excuses violence when it is convenient to its own myths.”

2

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 9d

“Hegseth’s words … reaffirmed an administration-wide posture that chooses conquest over justice and erasure over truth, one that treats Native peoples not as sovereign nations but as obstacles to a narrative of American greatness built on violence.”

Dave Morningstar @davemorningstar.bsky.social · 9d

truthout.org/articles/wit...
To insist that the soldiers of the 7th Cavalry “deserve those medals” is to frame the massacre at Wounded Knee as a moment of valor rather than atrocity. ...

With Wounded Knee Medals, Trump Admin Suggests There’s Valor in Genocide

The call to rescind those medals is not about erasing history, but about refusing to let lies and conquest define it.

truthout.org

1 2 2

Gary Cunningham @garyrc1453.bsky.social · 9d

Would Thomas like to revisit the Loving v. Virginia decision?

Reposted by Gary Cunningham

Laura Ansley @lmansley.bsky.social · 13d

A visa limited to just 4 years means that no international students could enroll in a history PhD program at a US university. Not to mention the postdocs and faculty who contribute so much to US higher education. Please let the federal government know what you think about this proposal! 🧵🗃️

American Historical Association @historians.org · 13d

The AHA has submitted a public comment to the Federal Register in response to a proposed regulation that would limit visas for foreign students & scholars. The rule “poses undue hardship on foreign students & scholars, threatens American scholarly leadership, & would damage the American economy.” 🗃️

Action Alert: Submit Comments to Oppose Visa Restrictions for Scholars - AHA

The AHA has submitted a public comment to the Federal Register in response to a proposed regulation that would limit visas for foreign students and scholars to a length of four years. Written by AHA s...

www.historians.org

27 58