Doug Thompson
@drdougthompson.bsky.social
Husband, dad x 3, profess for a living
Reposted by Doug Thompson
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.” https://cnn.it/4b6g3rd
Oklahoma instructor removed from teaching for failing a Bible-based gender essay | CNN
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
cnn.it
December 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
Reposted by Doug Thompson
Story involves a project (MLK & Vietnam) working on now but begins in King Center archive in 1992. Told I could use any material in the collection but if that gentleman (points to another table) asks for something you are looking at, we will give it to him (Taylor Branch).
I think we need a mega thread of everyone's craziest archive stories.
December 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Story involves a project (MLK & Vietnam) working on now but begins in King Center archive in 1992. Told I could use any material in the collection but if that gentleman (points to another table) asks for something you are looking at, we will give it to him (Taylor Branch).
Reposted by Doug Thompson
Tried to find something about Jesse Owens' time at Ford at the Benson -- no luck. Asked the archivist if they had anything sports-related, and he said "we have some box with correspondence about Joe Louis, don't know if it's interesting."
It was, um, interesting.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
It was, um, interesting.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
December 22, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Tried to find something about Jesse Owens' time at Ford at the Benson -- no luck. Asked the archivist if they had anything sports-related, and he said "we have some box with correspondence about Joe Louis, don't know if it's interesting."
It was, um, interesting.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
It was, um, interesting.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Story involves a project (MLK & Vietnam) working on now but begins in King Center archive in 1992. Told I could use any material in the collection but if that gentleman (points to another table) asks for something you are looking at, we will give it to him (Taylor Branch).
I think we need a mega thread of everyone's craziest archive stories.
December 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Story involves a project (MLK & Vietnam) working on now but begins in King Center archive in 1992. Told I could use any material in the collection but if that gentleman (points to another table) asks for something you are looking at, we will give it to him (Taylor Branch).
Or in a barn. There's a true story about the archives in Vicenza and a now retired historian, Jim Grubb. The archive got a call from a farmer asking whether they would be interested in a pile of old paper in his barn. So they sent someone out to look.
Or still in someone’s attic or basement. Some of these idiots don’t understand how much we do just to find sources.
And often those finds change how the questions we ask.
And often those finds change how the questions we ask.
December 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Reposted by Doug Thompson
Or in a barn. There's a true story about the archives in Vicenza and a now retired historian, Jim Grubb. The archive got a call from a farmer asking whether they would be interested in a pile of old paper in his barn. So they sent someone out to look.
Or still in someone’s attic or basement. Some of these idiots don’t understand how much we do just to find sources.
And often those finds change how the questions we ask.
And often those finds change how the questions we ask.
No, absolutely not.
Most archival materials have not been digitized, many would be illegible to AI (handwriting etc) even if they were. But the question came out of the research. There’s no way AI can do that.
Most archival materials have not been digitized, many would be illegible to AI (handwriting etc) even if they were. But the question came out of the research. There’s no way AI can do that.
December 22, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Or in a barn. There's a true story about the archives in Vicenza and a now retired historian, Jim Grubb. The archive got a call from a farmer asking whether they would be interested in a pile of old paper in his barn. So they sent someone out to look.
Reposted by Doug Thompson
"We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera."
Indeed: That's not how it works! You can't make a political figure comment! And an office *not* commenting can send a message unto itself.
Also, you don't just ignore a *major*, ongoing story because others have covered it.
Indeed: That's not how it works! You can't make a political figure comment! And an office *not* commenting can send a message unto itself.
Also, you don't just ignore a *major*, ongoing story because others have covered it.
Bari Weiss this morning on the 60 Minutes segment: "We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera."
Of course, most journalists know that oftentimes people who are the subject of negative reporting don't want to speak on camera or on the record.
Of course, most journalists know that oftentimes people who are the subject of negative reporting don't want to speak on camera or on the record.
December 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera."
Indeed: That's not how it works! You can't make a political figure comment! And an office *not* commenting can send a message unto itself.
Also, you don't just ignore a *major*, ongoing story because others have covered it.
Indeed: That's not how it works! You can't make a political figure comment! And an office *not* commenting can send a message unto itself.
Also, you don't just ignore a *major*, ongoing story because others have covered it.
Advent: As the longest night breaks into dawn, we are reminded that Christmas marks the birth of a child who will suffer much and die. The shadows were longest yesterday and shortening today. Advent is a reminder that life is never always about the long darkness but about the return of light.
December 22, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Advent: As the longest night breaks into dawn, we are reminded that Christmas marks the birth of a child who will suffer much and die. The shadows were longest yesterday and shortening today. Advent is a reminder that life is never always about the long darkness but about the return of light.
Reposted by Doug Thompson
All of the people in this photo descend from America's 2nd Vice President and 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson. Would JD consider these people white? If not, why not? They're all "heritage Americans" in that they descend from a founder, yes?
December 22, 2025 at 2:04 AM
All of the people in this photo descend from America's 2nd Vice President and 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson. Would JD consider these people white? If not, why not? They're all "heritage Americans" in that they descend from a founder, yes?
Or still in someone’s attic or basement. Some of these idiots don’t understand how much we do just to find sources.
And often those finds change how the questions we ask.
And often those finds change how the questions we ask.
No, absolutely not.
Most archival materials have not been digitized, many would be illegible to AI (handwriting etc) even if they were. But the question came out of the research. There’s no way AI can do that.
Most archival materials have not been digitized, many would be illegible to AI (handwriting etc) even if they were. But the question came out of the research. There’s no way AI can do that.
December 22, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Or still in someone’s attic or basement. Some of these idiots don’t understand how much we do just to find sources.
And often those finds change how the questions we ask.
And often those finds change how the questions we ask.
Reposted by Doug Thompson
oh the CBS bosses went to dylan byers? then they are definitely lying.
December 22, 2025 at 12:06 AM
oh the CBS bosses went to dylan byers? then they are definitely lying.
Didn’t take long to gut CBS News. Knew it was coming but still sad to see.
December 22, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Didn’t take long to gut CBS News. Knew it was coming but still sad to see.
Reposted by Doug Thompson
In the summer of 1950 most US newspapers ran an AP story about how race had become the main issue in the upcoming Georgia governor's race. Segregationist Herman Tallmadge, governor from '47 to '55 and then a Senator until 1981 made a name for himself by refusing to "apologize for being a white man."
December 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM
In the summer of 1950 most US newspapers ran an AP story about how race had become the main issue in the upcoming Georgia governor's race. Segregationist Herman Tallmadge, governor from '47 to '55 and then a Senator until 1981 made a name for himself by refusing to "apologize for being a white man."
Someone should play Josh Ritter’s “The Gospel of Mary” on repeat at the scene.
It appears baby Jesus was stolen from the Chicago-area Nativity scene that's critical of ICE.
The church has added a new sign that reads: "Where are Mary, Joseph, and Jesus? We don't know: They are being detained in a labyrinthian hellscape where their loves ones are unable to locate them."
The church has added a new sign that reads: "Where are Mary, Joseph, and Jesus? We don't know: They are being detained in a labyrinthian hellscape where their loves ones are unable to locate them."
Sad news: someone stole baby Jesus from our anti-ICE nativity. But vandalism cannot stop us. We just adapt and keep on critiquing this administration’s cruelty on immigration. Where’s baby Jesus? We don’t know. He is being detained in a labyrinthian hellscape where his loved ones cannot find him.
December 21, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Someone should play Josh Ritter’s “The Gospel of Mary” on repeat at the scene.
Advent reflection:
God redeems creation through love. We too can participate in that redemption.
God redeems creation through love. We too can participate in that redemption.
December 21, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Advent reflection:
God redeems creation through love. We too can participate in that redemption.
God redeems creation through love. We too can participate in that redemption.
I love my job. Students create an object in my intro to southern studies as a final project based on research. Student discovered face jugs and did an outstanding creating and contextualizing the object. Gifted the piece to me. #teachinglife #learning #southernstudies
December 19, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I love my job. Students create an object in my intro to southern studies as a final project based on research. Student discovered face jugs and did an outstanding creating and contextualizing the object. Gifted the piece to me. #teachinglife #learning #southernstudies
Advent reflection:
Love is caring for a child not of your own making. The miracle in Matthew’s account is that Joseph does not turn Mary out and helps raise Jesus as his own.
My mom and dad were like Joseph, loving one they did not create as if they had.
Love is caring for a child not of your own making. The miracle in Matthew’s account is that Joseph does not turn Mary out and helps raise Jesus as his own.
My mom and dad were like Joseph, loving one they did not create as if they had.
December 17, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Advent reflection:
Love is caring for a child not of your own making. The miracle in Matthew’s account is that Joseph does not turn Mary out and helps raise Jesus as his own.
My mom and dad were like Joseph, loving one they did not create as if they had.
Love is caring for a child not of your own making. The miracle in Matthew’s account is that Joseph does not turn Mary out and helps raise Jesus as his own.
My mom and dad were like Joseph, loving one they did not create as if they had.
Reposted by Doug Thompson
I'm very tired of repeating myself about this, but, as someone who works professionally on housing affordability, this is a disgusting lie.
Vance: "Why have rents gone down for 4 consecutive months? Because we're starting to get those illegal aliens out of the USA. Those criminals, those gang members, those people that are taking homes that ought by right go the people in this room. It's simple economics."
December 16, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I'm very tired of repeating myself about this, but, as someone who works professionally on housing affordability, this is a disgusting lie.
Advent reflection:
Joy built on hope finds peace not in the end of suffering in the present but as the light shining in the darkness that creates suffering.
Joy built on hope finds peace not in the end of suffering in the present but as the light shining in the darkness that creates suffering.
December 15, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Advent reflection:
Joy built on hope finds peace not in the end of suffering in the present but as the light shining in the darkness that creates suffering.
Joy built on hope finds peace not in the end of suffering in the present but as the light shining in the darkness that creates suffering.
Reposted by Doug Thompson
Congratulations @hcrichardson.bsky.social this is an incredible award!
December 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Congratulations @hcrichardson.bsky.social this is an incredible award!
Reposted by Doug Thompson
Reposting this thread in response to a mass shooting at my Alma mater, a shooting that took place in a building where I used to write papers in the computer lab back in the 80s.
Duke has an amazing repository of the nation's historical gun laws...hundreds of laws which, if today's 2nd Amendment fundamentalists are to be believed, were 100% unconstitutional...and yet, no one seemed to notice that until the last 50 years or so. firearmslaw.duke.edu/repository-o...
Repository of Historical Gun Laws | Duke Center for Firearms Law
firearmslaw.duke.edu
December 14, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Reposting this thread in response to a mass shooting at my Alma mater, a shooting that took place in a building where I used to write papers in the computer lab back in the 80s.
Reposted by Doug Thompson
Once again, Republicans do not understand what Obamacare does because if they did, they'd know that THIS IS WHAT OBAMACARE DOES. I'm going to lose my mind.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
www.politico.com/live-updates...
December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Once again, Republicans do not understand what Obamacare does because if they did, they'd know that THIS IS WHAT OBAMACARE DOES. I'm going to lose my mind.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Reposted by Doug Thompson
the people of this great republic yearn for locomotive transport
Amtrak reports Mardi Gras service among most successful ever https://mynbc15.com/news/local/amtrak-provides-boost-to-mobile-businesses
Amtrak's Mardi Gras service boosts Mobile tourism with higher than expected ridership
Amtrak says the new Mardi Gras service that connects Mobile to New Orleans is one of the most successful services ever launched and it's on track to double the
mynbc15.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
the people of this great republic yearn for locomotive transport
Reposted by Doug Thompson
I'm grateful for this thoughtful and generous review of *Black Religion in the Madhouse* in *Science News.*
I read Black Religion in the Madhouse: Race and Psychiatry in Slavery’s Wake by @judithweisenfeld.com. After the Civil War, white psychiatrists claimed Black religious expression was proof of insanity and that Black people couldn't handle freedom. A richly-sourced, compelling and haunting book.
'Black Religion in the Madhouse' examines psychiatry and race post-Civil War
In the aftermath of slavery, white psychiatrists diagnosed Black people with “religious excitement” and claimed they were unfit for freedom.
www.sciencenews.org
December 12, 2025 at 5:57 PM
I'm grateful for this thoughtful and generous review of *Black Religion in the Madhouse* in *Science News.*
Populist resentment at the grassroots has always been manipulated by those in power.
A year after touting the “historic realignment” of minority voters that powered him to a second term in the White House, the multiracial coalition President Trump has boasted about is slipping away.
The minority voters who powered Trump to a second term are drifting away
Extended conversations with Black, Latino and Asian American voters who cast ballots for Trump in 2024 showed mixed feelings about the president and their votes.
wapo.st
December 12, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Populist resentment at the grassroots has always been manipulated by those in power.