Al Mackey

Al Mackey

@almackey.bsky.social

Teacher, Retired Air Force Officer, Former HR Manager, Longtime Civil War Student, Sci Fi fan, Hokie Forever.

321 followers74 following1.6K posts

Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

First Lady Julia Grant This is a pretty good presentation on Julia Grant. The video's description reads, "Historian Diana Carlin analyzed the life of Julia Grant using the first lady's memoirs. The writings take people back to 19th century America through the Civil War and Reconstruction. The…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comFirst Lady Julia GrantThis is a pretty good presentation on Julia Grant. The video's description reads, "Historian Diana Carlin analyzed the life of Julia Grant using the first lady's memoirs. The writings take people back to 19th century America through the Civil War and Reconstruction. The Ulysses S. Grant Historic Site in St. Louis hosted this event."
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

C-SPAN Tours Fort Knox’s Gen. George Patton Museum This is a tour of the General George Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The video's description reads, "C-SPAN toured the Gen. George Patton Museum. Museum Director Ty Reid was the guide through the military history and leadership lessons of…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comC-SPAN Tours Fort Knox’s Gen. George Patton MuseumThis is a tour of the General George Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The video's description reads, "C-SPAN toured the Gen. George Patton Museum. Museum Director Ty Reid was the guide through the military history and leadership lessons of Gen. Patton at this Army museum located within Fort Knox, Kentucky."
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

General George Patton During World War II Here's a discussion of General George S. Patton in World War II. The video's description reads, "Military historians Kevin Hymel and John Nelson Rickard discussed U.S. Army General George Patton and his key military campaigns during World War II. This…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comGeneral George Patton During World War IIHere's a discussion of General George S. Patton in World War II. The video's description reads, "Military historians Kevin Hymel and John Nelson Rickard discussed U.S. Army General George Patton and his key military campaigns during World War II. This event took place at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans." Report Video

Al Mackey reposted

Jamison Foser
@jamisonfoser.bsky.social

no matter how sure you are that these guys have broken a whole bunch of laws, you aren't nearly as certain as they are

Holly Brewer@earlymodjustice.bsky.social

“Several conservative organizations …— including the Heritage Foundation and American Moment — have pressed White House counsel to either prepare pardons or put in place funding for the legal fees necessary to defend junior staffers from criminal and congressional probes or potential lawsuits.”

washingtonsun.comWhite House Is Weighing Mass Pardons for Junior StaffConservative groups influential with the Trump administration have pressed for the preemptive acts of clemency.
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

Early Years of U.S. Army General George Patton This is a really great discussion about the pre-World War II career of General George S. Patton. The video's description reads, "Military historians Stephanie Hinnershitz and Jon Mikolashek discussed General George Patton's early years, his army…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comEarly Years of U.S. Army General George PattonThis is a really great discussion about the pre-World War II career of General George S. Patton. The video's description reads, "Military historians Stephanie Hinnershitz and Jon Mikolashek discussed General George Patton's early years, his army service in World War I, and his interwar assignments before the United States entered World War II. This event took place at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans."
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

Gettysburg Campaign 160th Anniversary Special- The Battle of 2nd Winchester This is a terrific discussion on the Addressing Gettysburg podcast featuring Professor Jonathan Noyalas. The episode's description reads, "Listener (and one of the sponsors of this episode) Casey Turben arranged for us to…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comGettysburg Campaign 160th Anniversary Special- The Battle of 2nd WinchesterThis is a terrific discussion on the Addressing Gettysburg podcast featuring Professor Jonathan Noyalas. The episode's description reads, "Listener (and one of the sponsors of this episode) Casey Turben arranged for us to go to Winchester, Virginia ( a great city surrounded by beautiful scenery) and reocrd a show with historian Jonathan Noyalas from inside of Star Fort on the outskirts of the city. There we talked about Robert Milroy's occupation and subsequent ousting from Winchester during the Battle of Second Winchester, June 13-15. "From the American Battlefield Trust: "'The Battle of Second Winchester was the second engagement of the Gettysburg Campaign.

Al Mackey reposted

T.J. Stiles
@tj-stiles.bsky.social

Murderbot RFK Jr strikes again.

Melody Schreiber@melodyschreiber.com

Two states asked the CDC to validate a measles test they could process quickly and at high volumes. The CDC waited two months before denying the request, citing "other competing priorities." My latest: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

theguardian.comCDC denies approval for high volume measles test, ‘prioritizing emerging technologies’A letter signed by health officials in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, asks the CDC to reconsider

Al Mackey reposted

Zinn Education Project
@zinnedproject.bsky.social

Replying to @zinnedproject.bsky.social

#tdih 1883 Frederick Douglass denounced the ruling in the Civil Rights Cases of 1883 where the Supreme Court held that the 13th & 14th Amendments didn’t empower Congress to outlaw racial discrimination by private individuals. Read speech ⬇️ #TeachReconstruction www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/fr...

zinnedproject.orgOct. 22, 1883: Frederick Douglass Denounces Supreme Court RulingIn this speech, Frederick Douglass denounced the Civil Rights Cases of 1883, in which the Supreme Court held that the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments did not empower Congress to outlaw racial…

Al Mackey reposted

Aaron Rupar
@atrupar.com

AOC: "As AI begins to encroach in our society, their goal is to take your cognition away from you. AI's goal is to take your thoughts away from you, your ability to think away from you, so that you become dependent on a machine ... reading books is active resistance"

Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

Critical Issues Lecture Series: Dr. Joanne B. Freeman (Anchorage) Here's Professor Joanne Freeman discussing the Early Republic. It's an outstanding presentation. The video's description reads, "In Anchorage (and virtually), Freeman discussed the notion that Americans tend to think about the…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comCritical Issues Lecture Series: Dr. Joanne B. Freeman (Anchorage)Here's Professor Joanne Freeman discussing the Early Republic. It's an outstanding presentation. The video's description reads, "In Anchorage (and virtually), Freeman discussed the notion that Americans tend to think about the nation’s founding as inevitable, a series of 'of courses.' But, she argued, in truth, it was a series of improvisations on a big scale; like the present day, no one knew what would come next. How did this shape their thinking?"
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

Brooks Simpson and Reconstruction This is a pretty good interview between host Dr. Nathan Prevost and his guest, Professor Brooks Simpson. The video's description reads, "Brooks Simpson Reveals Lincoln's Greatest Mistake."

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comBrooks Simpson and ReconstructionThis is a pretty good interview between host Dr. Nathan Prevost and his guest, Professor Brooks Simpson. The video's description reads, "Brooks Simpson Reveals Lincoln's Greatest Mistake."

Al Mackey reposted

Chris Murphy
@chrismurphyct.bsky.social

JD - I've got 15 free minutes before my son's hockey practice ends, so let me see how many of Trump's enrichment schemes you didn't see that I can remind you of. 1/ First one is easy: Trump has executed over 30,000 stock trades, many on inside information, netting him millions.

Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

Were there Black Confederate Soldiers? Here's Kevin Levin discussing the black confederate lie. It's a good video. The video's description reads, "For decades, there have been claims that enslaved African Americans fought willingly on the side of the Confederates during the Civil War. In his book,…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comWere there Black Confederate Soldiers?Here's Kevin Levin discussing the black confederate lie. It's a good video. The video's description reads, "For decades, there have been claims that enslaved African Americans fought willingly on the side of the Confederates during the Civil War. In his book, Search for Black Confederates, Kevin Levin explained the role African American played on both side during the war and where the myth of the black confederates came from."

Al Mackey reposted

The Bulwark
@thebulwark.com

Talarico: "We just found out that [Elon Musk] is almost single-handedly bankrolling this effort to install Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate and defeat this movement...Elon Musk wants our land. He wants our water. He wants his very own personal United States senator. He is trying to buy Texas."

Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

The Week in Confederate Heritage As this story tells us, the racist, treasonous Felon's administration continues its plan to return the monument to treason and racism to again pollute Arlington National Cemetery. "Plans are moving forward to bring a Confederate memorial back to Arlington National…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comThe Week in Confederate HeritageAs this story tells us, the racist, treasonous Felon's administration continues its plan to return the monument to treason and racism to again pollute Arlington National Cemetery. "Plans are moving forward to bring a Confederate memorial back to Arlington National Cemetery three years after it was removed. A representative from the Office of Army Cemeteries presented final design plans for the statue to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts during a meeting Thursday morning. The statue, unveiled in 1914, features a bronze woman, crowned with olive leaves, standing on a 32-foot pedestal, and was designed to represent the American South.

Al Mackey reposted

Marisa Kabas
@marisakabas.bsky.social

SCOOP: 'Tommy' from the now-viral exchange with Abdul El-Sayed is Thomas Teepell, a former staffer for Republican Senator Josh Hawley with close ties to Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht. He's the son of a former Bobby Jindal staffer whose consultant work was instrumental in getting Hawley elected.

thehandbasket.co'Tommy' from viral El-Sayed video is former Sen. Hawley staffer with Christian nationalist tiesThomas Teepell is the son of a former long-time Bobby Jindal staffer who's close to Sean Feucht.

Al Mackey reposted

e.w. niedermeyer
@niedermeyer.online

if this was decision was really made over the ability to import a little diesel fuel from Russia in a vain attempt to control inflation costs before the midterm, it will say a whole lot about the specific failure mode this country is exhibiting

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

Zelenskyy: "If the United States supports Putin, it's unbelievable, it's a tragedy. It's a historic mistake. If United States officially takes the side of Russia, of course we will not prevail and we will not be able to stand."

Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

Andrew Johnson by Annette Gordon-Reed Matthew Brady, Andrew Johnson. Glass plate negative, c. 1860. Brady-Handy Collection, Library of Congress Photographs and Prints Division. Professor Annette Gordon-Reed wrote this essay about Andrew Johnson, who, with the advent of the second Trump…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comAndrew Johnson by Annette Gordon-ReedMatthew Brady, Andrew Johnson. Glass plate negative, c. 1860. Brady-Handy Collection, Library of Congress Photographs and Prints Division. Professor Annette Gordon-Reed wrote this essay about Andrew Johnson, who, with the advent of the second Trump administration, has been upgraded to only the second worst president in US history. She writes, "Every year a group of political scientists and historians is asked to rank American presidents from the best to the worst. Most years, Abraham Lincoln comes first as the greatest president, sometimes vying for the top spot with George Washington.
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

The Man Behind the Cane Here's Professor Paul Quigley discussing Preston Brooks. The video's description reads, "Historian Paul Quigley took a personal look at South Carolina Congressman Preston Brooks, who viciously attacked Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner in the U.S. Capitol with a cane in…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comThe Man Behind the CaneHere's Professor Paul Quigley discussing Preston Brooks. The video's description reads, "Historian Paul Quigley took a personal look at South Carolina Congressman Preston Brooks, who viciously attacked Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner in the U.S. Capitol with a cane in 1856 over the issue of slavery. The Civil War Round Table Congress hosted this event."
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

Boss Lincoln Here's Professor Matt Pinsker giving his typical outstanding presentation, this one on Lincoln as a partisan politician. The video's description reads, "Matthew Pinsker ('Boss Lincoln') analyzed Abraham Lincoln's political career and how the 16th president rose from being a Whig Party…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comBoss LincolnHere's Professor Matt Pinsker giving his typical outstanding presentation, this one on Lincoln as a partisan politician. The video's description reads, "Matthew Pinsker ('Boss Lincoln') analyzed Abraham Lincoln's political career and how the 16th president rose from being a Whig Party member to the leader of the Republican Party. This event took place at the Seminary Ridge Museum in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania."

Al Mackey reposted

Dave in AK
@bikewritedave.bsky.social

I was reading a brief essay on fish skin parkas. Then I saw this. The racism is beyond forgiveness. But the saddest part is how the people embracing this ugliness fully cut themselves off from the vast tapestry of humanity from which so much is to be learned. What empty and pathetic lives they live.

nativenewsonline.netRepublican Congressman’s Bill Seeks to Penalize Governments That Recognize Indigenous Peoples DayOverview: Rep. Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) has introduced a second bill seeking to restrict federal funding for state and local governments that recognize Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day, af...

Al Mackey reposted

Joanne Freeman
@jbf1755.bsky.social

Yes. Precisely. It’s a threat.

Joyce White Vance@joycewhitevance.bsky.social

This is about Ilhan Omar. But it's also about control, intimidation, & authoritarianism. The message is: we can do this to a member of Congress; no foreign-born American is safe. The administration is using fear as a tactic to discourage people from voicing opposition.

Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

Role of the Rio Grande Valley Here's anthropologist Professor Roseann Bacha-Garza discussing the Civil War in the Rio Grande Valley. The video's description reads, "Historian Roseann Bacha-Garza discussed the Civil War in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, including the last land battle of the war at…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comRole of the Rio Grande ValleyHere's anthropologist Professor Roseann Bacha-Garza discussing the Civil War in the Rio Grande Valley. The video's description reads, "Historian Roseann Bacha-Garza discussed the Civil War in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, including the last land battle of the war at Palmito Ranch in 1865. The Scottsdale Civil War Roundtable in Arizona hosted this event."
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

Lincoln and Immigration Here's Harold Holzer discussing Abraham Lincoln and Immigration. The video's description reads, "Historian Harold Holzer talked about Abraham Lincoln's philosophy on immigration over the course of his life and career. The Virginia Museum of History & Culture, in Richmond,…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comLincoln and ImmigrationHere's Harold Holzer discussing Abraham Lincoln and Immigration. The video's description reads, "Historian Harold Holzer talked about Abraham Lincoln's philosophy on immigration over the course of his life and career. The Virginia Museum of History & Culture, in Richmond, hosted this event."
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

The American Revolution This is a pretty good lecture from Professor Stewart Davenport on the American Revolution. The video's description reads, "Pepperdine University professor Stewart Davenport looked at the entire Revolutionary War from the first shots at Lexington & Concord in 1775 to the…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comThe American RevolutionThis is a pretty good lecture from Professor Stewart Davenport on the American Revolution. The video's description reads, "Pepperdine University professor Stewart Davenport looked at the entire Revolutionary War from the first shots at Lexington & Concord in 1775 to the Treaty of Paris in 1783."

Al Mackey reposted

Christopher Martell
@chrismartell.bsky.social

While my city (Boston) celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day, my state (Massachusetts) regretfully still calls it Columbus Day. Here is something I wrote a decade ago on how we can use this to teach about Native activism and resistance. #edusky #sschat christophermartell.blogspot.com/2016/10/usin...

christophermartell.blogspot.comUsing “Columbus Day” to Teach About Native Activism and Resistance TodayAbove: Who is a hero? Columbus (from a painting in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda -notice the depiction on the right of the Native people) and...
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

The American Revolution Era and the Rest of the World This excellent lecture from Professor Kathleen DuVal discusses the international aspect of the American Revolution. The video's description reads, "Washington University hosted a series of lectures called '1776: Then and Now.' This lecture…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comThe American Revolution Era and the Rest of the WorldThis excellent lecture from Professor Kathleen DuVal discusses the international aspect of the American Revolution. The video's description reads, "Washington University hosted a series of lectures called '1776: Then and Now.' This lecture examined the international context of the American Revolution."
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

The Winchester Accord – 1862 In this video, Sarah Kay Bierle discusses the 1862 Winchester Accord, an agreement that both sides would treat medical personnel as noncombatants and would not retain them as prisoners of war. The video's description reads, "Historian Sarah Kay Bierle discussed the…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comThe Winchester Accord – 1862In this video, Sarah Kay Bierle discusses the 1862 Winchester Accord, an agreement that both sides would treat medical personnel as noncombatants and would not retain them as prisoners of war. The video's description reads, "Historian Sarah Kay Bierle discussed the signing of the Winchester Accord of 1862, which determined that medical personnel would be treated as non-combatants and not be held as prisoners of war. This event was part of the Virginia Tech Center for Civil War Studies 2026 Conference."
Al Mackey
@almackey.bsky.social

Native Americans Fighting in the Civil War In this video, Dr. Stuart Marshall discusses Native Americans in the American Civil War. The video's description reads, "Historian Stuart Marshall discussed Native Americans fighting in the Civil War. This event was part of the Virginia Tech Center for…

studycivilwar2.wordpress.comNative Americans Fighting in the Civil WarIn this video, Dr. Stuart Marshall discusses Native Americans in the American Civil War. The video's description reads, "Historian Stuart Marshall discussed Native Americans fighting in the Civil War. This event was part of the Virginia Tech Center for Civil War Studies 2026 Conference."