Kenneth Owen
kennethowen.bsky.social
Kenneth Owen
@kennethowen.bsky.social
Dad. Teacher. Historian. In that order.

Political historian, studying secession movements. Also studying early America. Probably running or watching sports.
So, after watching a lot of MLS this year, I’m now firmly of the opinion EPL fans have no idea how lucky they are on the refereeing front.

@michaelhattem.bsky.social @gauthamrao.bsky.social @kevinvrevich.bsky.social
April 20, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Tomorrow it renames itself the Washington Pravda
February 26, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Your sadly too regular reminder that if you live in America, the only reason your community hasn’t experienced a mass public or school shooting is sheer, dumb-ass luck.
January 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Ah, America, where they will cancel school for cold temperatures but will manage to put on almost all the sporting events
January 21, 2025 at 7:28 PM
One thing I notice from British politics - over the last 30 years party members have had more say than ever in picking leaders, yet trust in leaders has declined.

Is there some study of trust in leadership in democracies and how those leaders are chosen?
January 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I could tell we had to be wary of this politician when he claimed avocados were nice
Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) says Trump's tariffs may not go far enough — and he's not worried if the price of avocados soars. "“Avocados are nice, right? They have some omegas in them? But do we need to eat avocados? Do we need to eat them year-round?" www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
The House Democrat who wants Trump to go big on tariffs
As most Democrats slam Trump’s tariffs, Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) is defending the president-elect in Congress.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 16, 2025 at 10:17 PM
How come Trump got to ring the Stock Exchange bell today after being named Time Person of the Year, but I never got my invite in 2006?

#nerdjokes #dadjokes
December 12, 2024 at 10:09 PM
I hope we are all trying to be a bit more like Mackenzie today - a 15yo Everton fan who had travelled from Australia to watch the Merseyside derby that got postponed.

‘I’m a bit sad but I’m in my nan’s warm house and there’s people outside in that’

www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Everton v Liverpool: Merseyside derby off because of Storm Darragh - list of other cancelled sporting events
The Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool is postponed on safety grounds because of severe weather caused by Storm Darragh.
www.bbc.com
December 7, 2024 at 3:29 PM
Any advice on how to be a political historian in 2024 without becoming incredibly despondent about the general state of, well, anything associated with any government at all?
December 5, 2024 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Owen
Could you all share? We're advertising a 2 yr postdoc position for someone who works in #VastEarlyAmerica #VastEarlyAmericas to help coordinate the @jcblibrary.bsky.social projects and programs around 2026. Fuller info here: apply.interfolio.com/159279 and v happy to answer questions!
December 5, 2024 at 10:49 AM
To all the HVAC contractors in Massachusetts who are sending me estimates - I’m sorry that Kathy doesn’t know her own email address
December 5, 2024 at 12:00 AM
South Korea should be a reminder that democracy is a choice, and we need to consistently choose it.

And that we don’t know when we might be called upon to do so.
December 4, 2024 at 4:38 PM
Excellent news to find out @raecomm.bsky.social has come to Bluesky!

A must follow for all soccer fans. The best commentator, hands down - beautiful broadcasting voice, deep respect for foreign cultures, and evident delight at making a living sharing his love of German football with the world
December 2, 2024 at 2:00 AM
Seems hard to believe it’s not that long ago Arne Slot almost ended up Leeds manager
December 2, 2024 at 1:31 AM
The mythology of the history of Thanksgiving is bad.

The holiday, however, doesn’t need the mythology. It is a wonderful holiday that can be however you want it. I’ve celebrated it 14 times in the US, in 14 different ways.

It is the best of holidays, and something I look forward to every year.
November 29, 2024 at 6:17 AM
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
November 28, 2024 at 7:33 PM
There’s a big debate in the UK about a Bill to allow assisted dying for the terminally ill.

This is one of the issues I had the sharpest change in my views - when I had an elderly relative suffer a stroke that led to her death.
November 28, 2024 at 3:44 AM
TIL the Harlem Globetrotters are still going, and clearly have multiple teams.

I am *fascinated* by how frequently they’ve visited Springfield since I’ve moved here
November 25, 2024 at 5:21 AM
This really wasn’t the week I would have chosen for having to renew my university password.
November 22, 2024 at 7:11 PM
In the spirit of trying to keep things here communal and optimistic, I hereby promise not to share my opinions on turkey and pumpkin pie this year.

Turkey as food, that is. I never know when I might need to load up some Izmir hot takes.
November 21, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Welcome, new followers! Please stop in and say hi.

I’m a historian of political institutions and mobilization, a lover of learning and education inside and outside the classroom, and a keen traveller and sports fan.

Currently trying to keep sources of optimism in my life when so much is uncertain
November 21, 2024 at 10:09 PM
Seth is, as ever, always worth reading on these topics. A very deep understanding of political networks and mobilization
June 17, 2015, the day after Trump's escalator moment, Dylann Roof murdered 9 people in a Charleston, SC Black church. Roof was avid reader of the Council for Conservative Citizens' white nationalist website. 18 months later that group's leader, Jared Taylor, had VIP tix for Trump's inauguration.
November 21, 2024 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Owen
November 18, 2024 at 5:33 AM
Bluesky academics, lets get to know each other! Quote this & tell me: 1) a project you are working on 2) an odd idea/theory you aren’t working on but keep thinking about

1) Long history of US secession movements

2a) Applying the idea of ‘government parties’ to 1790s Federalists
b) Soccer history
Bluesky academics, lets get to know each other! Quote this & tell me: 1) a project you are working on & 2) an odd idea/theory you aren’t working on but keep thinking about

1- Co-development of labor discipline and economic thought from 16th c to now
2- Stochastic nature of early mod empires
November 17, 2024 at 4:37 PM