Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
@vaughncrossca.bsky.social
Social Historian, Pre-21c Tech History, American Religious History, History of SexRaceReligion in the US Bible Belt; 6th-Generation Alabamian; Anti-Trump 1989+ “All I have is a voice to undo the folded lie” - WA Auden, “Sept 1, 1939”
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
I’m mindful today of those for whom this is their first Thanksgiving without a loved one. I’m praying for a measure of peace and the comfort of beautiful memories.
November 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I’m mindful today of those for whom this is their first Thanksgiving without a loved one. I’m praying for a measure of peace and the comfort of beautiful memories.
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Trump refuses to directly admit his administration granted the DC shooter asylum and then wraps up the press availability
November 28, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Trump refuses to directly admit his administration granted the DC shooter asylum and then wraps up the press availability
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
The controversy over the Heritage Foundation illustrates the collapse of intellectual standards on the right—a profound problem that Donald Trump has exploited and exacerbated, @jonathanbchait.bsky.social argues.
The Conservative Movement’s Intellectual Collapse
Trump is both a product and a cause of the decline in intellectual standards on the right.
bit.ly
November 28, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The controversy over the Heritage Foundation illustrates the collapse of intellectual standards on the right—a profound problem that Donald Trump has exploited and exacerbated, @jonathanbchait.bsky.social argues.
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Groups that work with refugees say they worry about a backlash and xenophobia after officials say an Afghan national shot two National Guard soldiers in Washington D.C. apnews.com/article/nati...
Refugee groups worry about backlash after shooting of National Guard soldiers in DC
People who work with refugees are worried about backlash after authorities say an Afghan national shot National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., this week.
apnews.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Groups that work with refugees say they worry about a backlash and xenophobia after officials say an Afghan national shot two National Guard soldiers in Washington D.C. apnews.com/article/nati...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
This is why a con man shouldn’t have been allowed to become President!
This 👇
This 👇
November 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
This is why a con man shouldn’t have been allowed to become President!
This 👇
This 👇
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Officials criticize Biden vetting, but Afghan shooting suspect was granted asylum under Trump - www.reuters.com/world/us/off...
Officials criticize Biden vetting, but Afghan shooting suspect was granted asylum under Trump
The Trump administration on Thursday blamed Biden-era vetting failures for the admission of an Afghan immigrant suspected of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., but the alleged gu...
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Officials criticize Biden vetting, but Afghan shooting suspect was granted asylum under Trump - www.reuters.com/world/us/off...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
“This is what corruption looks like,” Rep. Jasmine Crockett said about a firm with ties to Kristi Noem secretly working on a DHS ad campaign. “They’re stealing money from the American people’s pockets and depositing it into their bank accounts.”
Lawmakers Call for Probe of How Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
The demands for an investigation come after a ProPublica story revealed that the Noem-connected Strategy Group was secretly a subcontractor on the ad campaign.
www.propublica.org
November 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM
“This is what corruption looks like,” Rep. Jasmine Crockett said about a firm with ties to Kristi Noem secretly working on a DHS ad campaign. “They’re stealing money from the American people’s pockets and depositing it into their bank accounts.”
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
My Best Books of 2025 List, and my thanks to all these stellar authors that enriched my soul this year. May you have many good conversations about your work around the Thanksgiving table this week.
www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...
www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...
Best Books Of 2025
In keeping with past tradition since joining the illustrious team of historian at the Anxious Bench, I am once again sharing my best books...
www.patheos.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
My Best Books of 2025 List, and my thanks to all these stellar authors that enriched my soul this year. May you have many good conversations about your work around the Thanksgiving table this week.
www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...
www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
"The contention 'Me Too went too far' is not exactly bearing up under scrutiny. Rather, a year after Donald Trump’s reelection, we are beset by daily reminders of why Me Too, and feminism more broadly, came to exist in the first place."
Wrote about the backlash to the backlash to the backlash to the backlash there are no waves we are swimming through circular currents and why we’re not on the Faludi style backlash of the right (& center and left’s) dreams: www.thecut.com/article/why-...
Me Too Forever
Why the backlash was so short-lived.
www.thecut.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:40 PM
"The contention 'Me Too went too far' is not exactly bearing up under scrutiny. Rather, a year after Donald Trump’s reelection, we are beset by daily reminders of why Me Too, and feminism more broadly, came to exist in the first place."
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Murky Plan That Ensures a Future War
Who will benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 PM
For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Kushner is not merely on the take from the Saudis, but also from Qatar, the UAE and Serbia (a country which routinely launders money for its key ally, the Kremlin).
November 23, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Kushner is not merely on the take from the Saudis, but also from Qatar, the UAE and Serbia (a country which routinely launders money for its key ally, the Kremlin).
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Imagine knowing your platform was a playground for predators, fueling teen depression, eating disorders, and suicide and deciding the best course of action was… absolutely nothing. Meta didn’t just “miss” anything.
November 23, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Imagine knowing your platform was a playground for predators, fueling teen depression, eating disorders, and suicide and deciding the best course of action was… absolutely nothing. Meta didn’t just “miss” anything.
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Two things at work here: People have become desensitized to Trump's corruption (since GOP Congress refuses to act), and the absolute depth of conflicts of interest in the Trump administration is so broad it's hard to know which one to focus on.
November 23, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Two things at work here: People have become desensitized to Trump's corruption (since GOP Congress refuses to act), and the absolute depth of conflicts of interest in the Trump administration is so broad it's hard to know which one to focus on.
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Calling all “Death by Lightning” fans…Here’s Part I of a two-parter about President James A. Garfield’s assassination.
I wrote this in early 2016 to coincide with release of the excellent @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Death of a President” (in which I also appeared as a “talking head”).
I wrote this in early 2016 to coincide with release of the excellent @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Death of a President” (in which I also appeared as a “talking head”).
The Assassination of President Garfield, Part I
Partisanship, Insanity, and Murder
werehistory.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Calling all “Death by Lightning” fans…Here’s Part I of a two-parter about President James A. Garfield’s assassination.
I wrote this in early 2016 to coincide with release of the excellent @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Death of a President” (in which I also appeared as a “talking head”).
I wrote this in early 2016 to coincide with release of the excellent @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Death of a President” (in which I also appeared as a “talking head”).
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Okay, for all you “Death by Lightning” fans… Here’s Part II of a two-parter I wrote years ago on President Garfield’s assassination. I posted Part I earlier today.
These were done in conjunction with the 2016 airing of the @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Murder of a President.”
These were done in conjunction with the 2016 airing of the @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Murder of a President.”
The Assassination of President Garfield, Part II
Partisanship, Insanity, and Murder
werehistory.org
November 21, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Okay, for all you “Death by Lightning” fans… Here’s Part II of a two-parter I wrote years ago on President Garfield’s assassination. I posted Part I earlier today.
These were done in conjunction with the 2016 airing of the @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Murder of a President.”
These were done in conjunction with the 2016 airing of the @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Murder of a President.”
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Death by Lightning conclusions: Episode 4!
It wrapped up nicely. I've got no beef with changing facts to suit the storytelling needs of an adaptation. I am not criticizing the show—more historically based dramas of this quality, please!
In terms of history—hoo boy. Did it diverge. Yow.
1/14
It wrapped up nicely. I've got no beef with changing facts to suit the storytelling needs of an adaptation. I am not criticizing the show—more historically based dramas of this quality, please!
In terms of history—hoo boy. Did it diverge. Yow.
1/14
November 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Death by Lightning conclusions: Episode 4!
It wrapped up nicely. I've got no beef with changing facts to suit the storytelling needs of an adaptation. I am not criticizing the show—more historically based dramas of this quality, please!
In terms of history—hoo boy. Did it diverge. Yow.
1/14
It wrapped up nicely. I've got no beef with changing facts to suit the storytelling needs of an adaptation. I am not criticizing the show—more historically based dramas of this quality, please!
In terms of history—hoo boy. Did it diverge. Yow.
1/14
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
But Arthur didn't just retire. He wanted to be president again, fighting down to the 1884 convention. Blaine, the nominee, lost narrowly—because Republicans at the national level gave up trying to protect Black voters in the South, as they once did. The "solid South" was never inevitable.
14/14
14/14
November 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
But Arthur didn't just retire. He wanted to be president again, fighting down to the 1884 convention. Blaine, the nominee, lost narrowly—because Republicans at the national level gave up trying to protect Black voters in the South, as they once did. The "solid South" was never inevitable.
14/14
14/14
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
James A. Garfield, 20th POTUS, was born in Ohio on this day 194 years ago: Nov. 19, 1831.
He’s enjoying a well-deserved resurgence right now with the @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” based on @candicemillard.bsky.social’s bestseller “Destiny of the Republic.”
Image: Library of Congress.
He’s enjoying a well-deserved resurgence right now with the @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” based on @candicemillard.bsky.social’s bestseller “Destiny of the Republic.”
Image: Library of Congress.
November 19, 2025 at 12:08 PM
James A. Garfield, 20th POTUS, was born in Ohio on this day 194 years ago: Nov. 19, 1831.
He’s enjoying a well-deserved resurgence right now with the @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” based on @candicemillard.bsky.social’s bestseller “Destiny of the Republic.”
Image: Library of Congress.
He’s enjoying a well-deserved resurgence right now with the @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” based on @candicemillard.bsky.social’s bestseller “Destiny of the Republic.”
Image: Library of Congress.
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
It wasn't enough that Trump, on his first day in office, pardoned violent insurrectionists who stormed the US Capitol on January 6. He's now at it again—pardoning one of those same insurrectionists for TWO federal gun offenses.
Trump re-pardons a Jan. 6 defendant to erase unrelated gun conviction
The new pardon ends a legal clash over the limits of Trump’s sweeping Day One clemency for those who stormed the Capitol.
www.politico.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
It wasn't enough that Trump, on his first day in office, pardoned violent insurrectionists who stormed the US Capitol on January 6. He's now at it again—pardoning one of those same insurrectionists for TWO federal gun offenses.
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Randall Balmer: The course of instruction, called Campaign University, is part of the megachurch’s foray into partisan politics. One of the pastors, Nate Schatzline, is a member of Donald Trump’s National Faith Advisory Board.
Read more: goodfaithmedia.org/by-the-way-a...
Read more: goodfaithmedia.org/by-the-way-a...
By the Way | A Curriculum for Political Engagement
The graduates of Campaign University should be defending the separation of church and state, not undermining it.
goodfaithmedia.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Randall Balmer: The course of instruction, called Campaign University, is part of the megachurch’s foray into partisan politics. One of the pastors, Nate Schatzline, is a member of Donald Trump’s National Faith Advisory Board.
Read more: goodfaithmedia.org/by-the-way-a...
Read more: goodfaithmedia.org/by-the-way-a...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
The most dangerous form of government is theocracy.
Because the only thing worse than a tyrant is a tyrant who thinks they're on a mission from God.
Because the only thing worse than a tyrant is a tyrant who thinks they're on a mission from God.
October 12, 2025 at 7:27 PM
The most dangerous form of government is theocracy.
Because the only thing worse than a tyrant is a tyrant who thinks they're on a mission from God.
Because the only thing worse than a tyrant is a tyrant who thinks they're on a mission from God.
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
The Thiel-linked Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) hosted a panel featuring Stephen Wolfe (author of the Case for Christian Nationalism) who wrote that “Non-Christians living among us are…not entitled to political equality.” ISI supports over 70 student-run publications across the country. 1/
America's Exceptional Nationalism
YouTube video by Intercollegiate Studies Institute
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The Thiel-linked Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) hosted a panel featuring Stephen Wolfe (author of the Case for Christian Nationalism) who wrote that “Non-Christians living among us are…not entitled to political equality.” ISI supports over 70 student-run publications across the country. 1/
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Some background on Smith (who built a giant cross in Arkansas) and started an antisemitic Passion Play--here
religionnews.com/2023/03/07/f...
religionnews.com/2023/03/07/f...
Old-school Christian nationalism's avatar of racism, antisemitism and conspiracies
(RNS) —The early version of Christian nationalism turned the fear of communism into an excuse to embrace prejudice and forfeit American democracy.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Some background on Smith (who built a giant cross in Arkansas) and started an antisemitic Passion Play--here
religionnews.com/2023/03/07/f...
religionnews.com/2023/03/07/f...
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
We've documented internet use in the United States for more than 20 years. Explore the patterns of internet and home broadband adoption:
Internet, Broadband Fact Sheet
The internet represents a fundamental shift in how Americans connect with one another, gather information and conduct their day-to-day lives. Explore the patterns, trends and statistics of internet and home broadband adoption in the United States.
www.pewresearch.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM
We've documented internet use in the United States for more than 20 years. Explore the patterns of internet and home broadband adoption:
Reposted by Carol Ann VaughnCross, Ph.D.
Mike Johnson's official bio says he has "two decades of previous experience in Constitutional law." Yet, when Trump threatens to execute Democratic members of Congress, he suddenly has no opinion.
This is what shameful cowardice does to someone like Johnson and it is how he will be remembered.
This is what shameful cowardice does to someone like Johnson and it is how he will be remembered.
Mike Johnson on Trump calling for Democrats to be executed: "Attorneys have to parse the language and determine all that."
November 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Mike Johnson's official bio says he has "two decades of previous experience in Constitutional law." Yet, when Trump threatens to execute Democratic members of Congress, he suddenly has no opinion.
This is what shameful cowardice does to someone like Johnson and it is how he will be remembered.
This is what shameful cowardice does to someone like Johnson and it is how he will be remembered.