Never before has a story so fully touched my dual identity as a Canadian and Civil War historian.
Currently trapped in some sort of purgatory where food delivery services think my house is another house a block away and keep showing up on my back deck, for some reason, with food I never ordered.
I don’t know how many times people have to say this, but if you really are and feel like a writer, you *need* to write. It’s the best part of your job, it’s the part that you find satisfying, it’s why you chose to do what you do. Writers are not trying to escape the writing part!
nobody posted the clip anywhere so i went and dug the whole episode up
Yes, Bliss is the last of the 5 copies written in Lincoln's hand. All five are a little different but when people quote the speech, it's usually this one.
The speech is so well known, we often don't absorb its meaning. Lincoln speech opens stating clearly that the Revolution was to preserve equality and ends saying rule of, by, and for the people is what preserves it. See for yourself 2/2
constitutioncenter.org/the-constitu...
On Lincoln's birthday, it's useful to remember he believed the primary goal of the American experiment was to guarantee "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and the best way to achieve that goal was through free and fair elections. It's basically the thesis of the Gettysburg Address. 1/2
Join me tomorrow on Lincoln's birthday for a conversation with one of my favorite historians, Richard Carwardine. We'll be discussing his wonderful new book Righteous Strife: How Warring Religious Nationalists Forged Lincoln's Union.
Register free here:
bit.ly/RichardCarwa...
post a banger that isn't in English
youtu.be/KQRaj1vcnrs?...
Here is an obituary for Civil War historian Gabor Boritt, who passed away a few days ago. A remarkable life. gettysburgconnection.org/obituary-gab...
Very much looking forward to leading a virtual discussion tonight with the Grayslake Heritage Center about George Saunders's excellent Lincoln In the Bardo and how it interacts with Lincoln's ever-evolving popular image:
grayslake.librarycalendar.com/event/pages-...
If you've got the old SCTV DVDs, do yourself a favor and listen to the commentary she did with Andrea Martin on a few episodes. She didn't get nearly enough credit for what she did behind the scenes on that show.
This one hits my Canadian heart hard. I grew up with SCTV and she's popped up in things throughout my life. Always 100% committed and hilarious. Truly we've lost a great one
A good time to remind everyone of the Minnesota First. One of the earliest state militias to volunteer to fight in the Civil War—three years after joining the Union! Provided one of the essential turning points at Gettysburg. Took the flag of the Virginia regiment they captured AND STILL HAVE IT.
Being back in Canada (which has an adjacent accent) has taught me all they need to say is "Costco"
One of the most surreal experiences the modern world provides is looking upward in a Costco
Ok, Kathleen...
A full parking lot at my local movie theatre is a good omen for 2026.
And you know what? Shout out to Voltaren for being a godsend to my rapidly decomposing middle-aged body.
I'm more happy to turn the page on this crappy year, but I'll go out highlighting 5 great things I discovered during it:
- Manchester, Vermont
- Humble Pie Kitchen
- Disco Elysium
- Working freelance on my own schedule
- Syndicated SCTV eps on Internet Archive
Bring on 2026!
Somehow, I have only just become aware of the existence of a 1980 film called Honeysuckle Rose, in which Dyan Cannon and Amy Irving vie for this affections of Willie Nelson. Yes, you read that right: renowned lothario Willie Nelson. I must find this insane film!
Soundtrack slaps, tho.
Make a Bond movie academic
The Worldcat is Not Enough
To you and yours, from Thomas.
