The American Civil War Podcast
@uscivilwar.bsky.social
Social page for the American Civil War podcast, located at: https://uscivilwar.substack.com/
Get in, loser. We're damning torpedoes!
Get in, loser. We're damning torpedoes!
Oh, I almost forgot to mention this:
There was an explicitly Fascist uprising in Japan in 1936. I know some some scholars would argue this demonstrates Japan was, therefore, not Fascist. I don't agree.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Februar...
There was an explicitly Fascist uprising in Japan in 1936. I know some some scholars would argue this demonstrates Japan was, therefore, not Fascist. I don't agree.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Februar...
February 5, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Oh, I almost forgot to mention this:
There was an explicitly Fascist uprising in Japan in 1936. I know some some scholars would argue this demonstrates Japan was, therefore, not Fascist. I don't agree.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Februar...
There was an explicitly Fascist uprising in Japan in 1936. I know some some scholars would argue this demonstrates Japan was, therefore, not Fascist. I don't agree.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Februar...
OK, time to discuss the relationship between Fascism, Imperial Japan, and the philosophy of Henry James!
Warning: this gets nerdy and the political philosophers will disagree with everything I am going to say. But that's alright. Nobody cares what they think.*
*I kid
Warning: this gets nerdy and the political philosophers will disagree with everything I am going to say. But that's alright. Nobody cares what they think.*
*I kid
Noting that you never once answered any of my perfectly reasonable questions, like “what is your definition of fascism” and “why do you think Imperial Japan wasn’t fascist”.
February 5, 2026 at 12:44 AM
OK, time to discuss the relationship between Fascism, Imperial Japan, and the philosophy of Henry James!
Warning: this gets nerdy and the political philosophers will disagree with everything I am going to say. But that's alright. Nobody cares what they think.*
*I kid
Warning: this gets nerdy and the political philosophers will disagree with everything I am going to say. But that's alright. Nobody cares what they think.*
*I kid
Since the topic of Zeus (and his many, oft-unhappy children) arose, I wanted to make mention of something. We often think of Zeus as a "Greek" God.
He's way, *way* older than that.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/*Dy%C4%...
He's way, *way* older than that.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/*Dy%C4%...
February 3, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Since the topic of Zeus (and his many, oft-unhappy children) arose, I wanted to make mention of something. We often think of Zeus as a "Greek" God.
He's way, *way* older than that.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/*Dy%C4%...
He's way, *way* older than that.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/*Dy%C4%...
Today I am harshly reminded of another American moment.
In 1954, Joe McCarthy went on the rampage. Lawyer Joe Welch responded to McCarthy:
"If it were in my power to forgive you for your reckless cruelty, I would do so. [...] but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me."
In 1954, Joe McCarthy went on the rampage. Lawyer Joe Welch responded to McCarthy:
"If it were in my power to forgive you for your reckless cruelty, I would do so. [...] but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me."
i am sick and tired of this goddamn american manchild trying to ruin my country
January 25, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Today I am harshly reminded of another American moment.
In 1954, Joe McCarthy went on the rampage. Lawyer Joe Welch responded to McCarthy:
"If it were in my power to forgive you for your reckless cruelty, I would do so. [...] but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me."
In 1954, Joe McCarthy went on the rampage. Lawyer Joe Welch responded to McCarthy:
"If it were in my power to forgive you for your reckless cruelty, I would do so. [...] but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me."
Although county sheriffs did exist, most policing was controlled informally from the courts and was not quite what we would recognize as police. Law enforcement did not exist in the administrative sense until several decades after the Revolution.
Attorney General Pam Bondi: "Our country was founded on law enforcement"
Bondi: "It's extremely organized. The signs they have are all matching, they're well written. And look at what's happening today. How did these people go out & get gas masks? These protesters. Would you know how to walk out on the street and buy a gas mask? Think about that. We're not gonna have it"
January 25, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Although county sheriffs did exist, most policing was controlled informally from the courts and was not quite what we would recognize as police. Law enforcement did not exist in the administrative sense until several decades after the Revolution.
Albertan independence is probably not actually going anywhere or getting voted on. However, I want to take a look at the map to understand the strategic picture. Could Alberta go independent and stay that way?
No. The answer is just no.
No. The answer is just no.
me, an Albertan separatist: time to form an alliance with the very reliable people at the Trump administration, who definitely won't abandon me when the wind shifts a little!
January 23, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Albertan independence is probably not actually going anywhere or getting voted on. However, I want to take a look at the map to understand the strategic picture. Could Alberta go independent and stay that way?
No. The answer is just no.
No. The answer is just no.
I still have not had full time to listen to the last hour of so - I keep starting it over. However, @derparrot.bsky.social's video, "A Critique of Cultural Determinism" is one of the best ways to understand the Trumpian ideology - to the extent it is that.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE6k...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE6k...
A Critique of Cultural Determinism
YouTube video by Kraut
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:10 AM
I still have not had full time to listen to the last hour of so - I keep starting it over. However, @derparrot.bsky.social's video, "A Critique of Cultural Determinism" is one of the best ways to understand the Trumpian ideology - to the extent it is that.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE6k...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE6k...
So, the State department apparently just announced they are going to refuse all Visa applications from a huge swath of countries. I recognize a Fox News link isn't going to popular on BlueSky, but Reuters didn't bother to list the *75* countries for some reason.
www.foxnews.com/politics/us-...
www.foxnews.com/politics/us-...
US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iran
State Department halts visa processing for 75 countries including Somalia, Russia and Iran to crack down on applicants likely to become public charges.
www.foxnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:10 PM
So, the State department apparently just announced they are going to refuse all Visa applications from a huge swath of countries. I recognize a Fox News link isn't going to popular on BlueSky, but Reuters didn't bother to list the *75* countries for some reason.
www.foxnews.com/politics/us-...
www.foxnews.com/politics/us-...
As prosimed in a quick response, I am going to lay out why removing Maduro was a truly terrible idea, by way of explaining exactly why Maduro being in power was an excellent situation for the the United States.
In brief: Maduro was so bad we looked fantastic in comparison
In brief: Maduro was so bad we looked fantastic in comparison
Cracks me up a dude with no experience or background in foreign policy or national security gets to spout nonsense in like the biggest paper in the city lol
Paul Vallas: Nicolás Maduro is not just a corrupt leader. He’s also a direct threat to US security.
The Venezuelan leader had been under U.S. indictment since 2020 when the U.S. accused him of using the country as a criminal enterprise.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:41 AM
As prosimed in a quick response, I am going to lay out why removing Maduro was a truly terrible idea, by way of explaining exactly why Maduro being in power was an excellent situation for the the United States.
In brief: Maduro was so bad we looked fantastic in comparison
In brief: Maduro was so bad we looked fantastic in comparison
New Podcast!
Episode 96: In the Valley, Part 5
Jackson's Escape, Cross Keys and Port Republic
uscivilwar.substack.com
Episode 96: In the Valley, Part 5
Jackson's Escape, Cross Keys and Port Republic
uscivilwar.substack.com
The American Civil War Podcast | Patrick Bryant | Substack
A podcast recounting the epic saga of the American Civil War, the personalities and lives of Americans North and South, African or European, and the climactic clash of arms. Click to read The American...
uscivilwar.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:43 AM
New Podcast!
Episode 96: In the Valley, Part 5
Jackson's Escape, Cross Keys and Port Republic
uscivilwar.substack.com
Episode 96: In the Valley, Part 5
Jackson's Escape, Cross Keys and Port Republic
uscivilwar.substack.com
Of all the Roman Emperors, the single worst was probably Commodus. His signature move was trying to rename everythign himself.
Commodus, in the words of @mikeduncan.bsky.social, took a strong state and drove it straight onto the rocks, purely for his ego and despite a complete lack of achievements.
Commodus, in the words of @mikeduncan.bsky.social, took a strong state and drove it straight onto the rocks, purely for his ego and despite a complete lack of achievements.
No American president has ever named ships or institutions after himself—until now. Trump’s gold-plated presidency isn’t about strength. It’s about fear, ego, and unmistakable ignorance.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
The President Who Can’t Stop Naming Things After Himself
The Narcissist-in-Chief is Worried We'll Forget Him. I hope we do.
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Of all the Roman Emperors, the single worst was probably Commodus. His signature move was trying to rename everythign himself.
Commodus, in the words of @mikeduncan.bsky.social, took a strong state and drove it straight onto the rocks, purely for his ego and despite a complete lack of achievements.
Commodus, in the words of @mikeduncan.bsky.social, took a strong state and drove it straight onto the rocks, purely for his ego and despite a complete lack of achievements.
I remembered today that Clamavi de Profundis has albums' worth of great Christmas music.
Also, enough Lord of the Rings tunes to satisfy even a dragon's greed.
www.youtube.com/@ClamaviDePr...
Also, enough Lord of the Rings tunes to satisfy even a dragon's greed.
www.youtube.com/@ClamaviDePr...
Clamavi De Profundis
We are a family that loves to sing together and record inspiring and uplifting music. Our music is influenced by classical and fantasy literature as well as cinematic, traditional, religious, and clas...
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:08 AM
I remembered today that Clamavi de Profundis has albums' worth of great Christmas music.
Also, enough Lord of the Rings tunes to satisfy even a dragon's greed.
www.youtube.com/@ClamaviDePr...
Also, enough Lord of the Rings tunes to satisfy even a dragon's greed.
www.youtube.com/@ClamaviDePr...
I respect Mr. Chovanec's work, and commented on the aspect regarding the coup (the US didn't create, lead or even contribute; we observed).
However, there is another crucial point where this is mistaken in detail, if not in spirit: the oil nationalization happened fifty years ago in Carter's term.
However, there is another crucial point where this is mistaken in detail, if not in spirit: the oil nationalization happened fifty years ago in Carter's term.
If he’s talking about Chavez nationalizing oil fields, that happened in 2006, when a Republican - GWB - was President. And for the record, Bush tried to stage a coup to get Chavez ousted from power. Trump’s imaginary narrative that someone was asleep at the switch is just that - imaginary.
Trump on Venezuela: "Getting land, oil rights, whatever we had -- they took it away because we had a president that maybe wasn't watching. But they're not gonna do that. We want it back. They took our oil rights. We had a lot of oil there. They threw our companies out. And we want it back."
December 17, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I respect Mr. Chovanec's work, and commented on the aspect regarding the coup (the US didn't create, lead or even contribute; we observed).
However, there is another crucial point where this is mistaken in detail, if not in spirit: the oil nationalization happened fifty years ago in Carter's term.
However, there is another crucial point where this is mistaken in detail, if not in spirit: the oil nationalization happened fifty years ago in Carter's term.
Hat tip to @catholickungfu.bsky.social for reposting this first.
Evil always contains its own destruction. That does not mean it cannot do terrible damage on the way, and it is far better to stop it early. It will collapse eventually, but you & I might not live to see it.
Evil always contains its own destruction. That does not mean it cannot do terrible damage on the way, and it is far better to stop it early. It will collapse eventually, but you & I might not live to see it.
‘Before writing off the totalitarian world as a nightmare that can’t come true, just remember that in 1925 the world of today would have seemed a nightmare that couldn’t come true.’ George Orwell, 1942.
December 16, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Hat tip to @catholickungfu.bsky.social for reposting this first.
Evil always contains its own destruction. That does not mean it cannot do terrible damage on the way, and it is far better to stop it early. It will collapse eventually, but you & I might not live to see it.
Evil always contains its own destruction. That does not mean it cannot do terrible damage on the way, and it is far better to stop it early. It will collapse eventually, but you & I might not live to see it.
Nixon is such a fascinating figure because he was, in the Greek sense, a Tragic Hero.
I should explain.
A Tragic Hero does not mean "good guy who dies at the end of the story". It means "genuinely noble figure capable of great deeds, brought down by a key character flaw".
I should explain.
A Tragic Hero does not mean "good guy who dies at the end of the story". It means "genuinely noble figure capable of great deeds, brought down by a key character flaw".
update this for 2025 and it is a pretty legit pitch to voters. nixon may have tormented himself to ruin over his belief that he couldn't connect with voters, but his electoral record belies his self-doubt. he was very good at politics!
December 14, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Nixon is such a fascinating figure because he was, in the Greek sense, a Tragic Hero.
I should explain.
A Tragic Hero does not mean "good guy who dies at the end of the story". It means "genuinely noble figure capable of great deeds, brought down by a key character flaw".
I should explain.
A Tragic Hero does not mean "good guy who dies at the end of the story". It means "genuinely noble figure capable of great deeds, brought down by a key character flaw".
While that is "a" problem, I am not sure it's even in the Top 10 List (number 8 will shock you!) of problems to solve. Much like Musk's Hyperloop nonsense, this is worse than impossible - it's just hilariously impractical on every level.
You can't cool things in space. Not without a massive heat sink like a mile wide
“.. Skeptics believe the technical risks are being underestimated and say space-based data centers won’t be competitive on cost, especially if power and other constraints ease on the ground.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
December 11, 2025 at 5:20 AM
While that is "a" problem, I am not sure it's even in the Top 10 List (number 8 will shock you!) of problems to solve. Much like Musk's Hyperloop nonsense, this is worse than impossible - it's just hilariously impractical on every level.
Upon reflection, I must politely disagree with Mr. Palmer in principle if not in the specific.
The point of American colleges is education; to pursue specific skills is also worthwhile, but it are different things. Both are worth doing.
The point of American colleges is education; to pursue specific skills is also worthwhile, but it are different things. Both are worth doing.
I'm gonna be honest, I always think this kind of "literature actually teaches you essential skills to be a diving instructor" stuff is a real stretch. Poetic composition is a thing in itself; I do not think it is a particularly good way to learn empathy or communication.
Except, this person lacks to understand the value of poetry and how it might relate to the their desired vocation of being a victim advocate. Poetry teaches empathy, communication, inference, and deciphering the abstract. All of which are integral soft skills necessary for being a victim advocate
December 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Upon reflection, I must politely disagree with Mr. Palmer in principle if not in the specific.
The point of American colleges is education; to pursue specific skills is also worthwhile, but it are different things. Both are worth doing.
The point of American colleges is education; to pursue specific skills is also worthwhile, but it are different things. Both are worth doing.
One of the core problems with the, errr, "complicated" official government narrative is that there's no good answer here.
Some of the people trying to spin this are pretending there are only two possible actions: doing nothing at all, and killing people mercilessly.
Also, the Civil War.
Some of the people trying to spin this are pretending there are only two possible actions: doing nothing at all, and killing people mercilessly.
Also, the Civil War.
Release the video.
December 5, 2025 at 1:28 AM
One of the core problems with the, errr, "complicated" official government narrative is that there's no good answer here.
Some of the people trying to spin this are pretending there are only two possible actions: doing nothing at all, and killing people mercilessly.
Also, the Civil War.
Some of the people trying to spin this are pretending there are only two possible actions: doing nothing at all, and killing people mercilessly.
Also, the Civil War.
Y'know, the other day I watched a Marvel film about Superheroes to get away from all this ugly news. I decided to turn on an old favorite, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
GEORGE WILL: “.. The killing of the survivors by this moral slum of an administration should nauseate Americans. A nation incapable of shame is dangerous, not least to itself.”
@postopinions.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
@postopinions.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
December 3, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Y'know, the other day I watched a Marvel film about Superheroes to get away from all this ugly news. I decided to turn on an old favorite, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
New podcast!
By the end of May, 1862, Confederate Gen. Joe Johnson knew he must attack. A crucial Union strategic choice gave him room to pick his preferred point. But a key failure sent the entire battle spinning out of control.
uscivilwar.substack.com
By the end of May, 1862, Confederate Gen. Joe Johnson knew he must attack. A crucial Union strategic choice gave him room to pick his preferred point. But a key failure sent the entire battle spinning out of control.
uscivilwar.substack.com
The American Civil War Podcast | Patrick Bryant | Substack
A podcast recounting the epic saga of the American Civil War, the personalities and lives of Americans North and South, African or European, and the climactic clash of arms. Click to read The American...
uscivilwar.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:17 AM
New podcast!
By the end of May, 1862, Confederate Gen. Joe Johnson knew he must attack. A crucial Union strategic choice gave him room to pick his preferred point. But a key failure sent the entire battle spinning out of control.
uscivilwar.substack.com
By the end of May, 1862, Confederate Gen. Joe Johnson knew he must attack. A crucial Union strategic choice gave him room to pick his preferred point. But a key failure sent the entire battle spinning out of control.
uscivilwar.substack.com
I liked Rogue One.
As an ensemble film, it's kinda rough as the characters ultimately don't really know one another very well and several barely interact. This story feels stretched to cover six protagonists, three antagonists, and couple side characters.
As an ensemble film, it's kinda rough as the characters ultimately don't really know one another very well and several barely interact. This story feels stretched to cover six protagonists, three antagonists, and couple side characters.
I disagree on the grounds that Rogue One makes me, the viewer, feel feelings effectively. Is it a messy chop-job rescued in the edit that is often disjointed?
Yeah, but it works - for me, but also clearly for a lot of audiences. And that's all that matters.
Yeah, but it works - for me, but also clearly for a lot of audiences. And that's all that matters.
rogue one is bad folks. i have believed this since i saw it in theaters and no subsequent rewatch has changed my mind. basically a chop job until the final sequence, which is good (for star wars)
November 26, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I liked Rogue One.
As an ensemble film, it's kinda rough as the characters ultimately don't really know one another very well and several barely interact. This story feels stretched to cover six protagonists, three antagonists, and couple side characters.
As an ensemble film, it's kinda rough as the characters ultimately don't really know one another very well and several barely interact. This story feels stretched to cover six protagonists, three antagonists, and couple side characters.
I don't play CoD, but I scrolled on Metacritic, and, uh...
November 18, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I don't play CoD, but I scrolled on Metacritic, and, uh...
This is a hyper-specific desire, but I want a Zorro RPG along the lines of Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
You would have a 'de la Vega' and 'Zorro' identity (using both to uncover villains' plots). There'd be swordfighting, riding, exploring California, finding treasure, perhaps estate management, etc.
You would have a 'de la Vega' and 'Zorro' identity (using both to uncover villains' plots). There'd be swordfighting, riding, exploring California, finding treasure, perhaps estate management, etc.
November 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
This is a hyper-specific desire, but I want a Zorro RPG along the lines of Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
You would have a 'de la Vega' and 'Zorro' identity (using both to uncover villains' plots). There'd be swordfighting, riding, exploring California, finding treasure, perhaps estate management, etc.
You would have a 'de la Vega' and 'Zorro' identity (using both to uncover villains' plots). There'd be swordfighting, riding, exploring California, finding treasure, perhaps estate management, etc.
