Tag Archives: US History

Immediately upon the news that Paul Ryan had been selected, I quizzed folks here and on social media whether we’d ever had a major presidential ticket without a Protestant. There was a lot of pondering, particularly on whether Quakers (Richard Nixon) are considered Protestants. The National Journal apparently doesn’t think so. In 1928, New York Governor Al Smith, a Democrat, …

Upon the approval of the health care reform bill, Rep. Patrick Kennedy left the following note on his father’s grave: “Dad, the unfinished business is done.” Excuse me, I have something in my eyes….

UPDATE: The ceremony is concluded. We probably just saw the enactment of the most impactful legislation in our lifetime. If it sticks.

Revisionists charged with “protecting the legacy” of dead dead dead Jesse Helms are trying to recast the vile homophobe as a champion of people with AIDS. Unsurprisingly, activists are furious. Efforts to lift the [HIV travel] ban were blocked by a 1993 Congressional amendment introduced by Senator Jesse Helms, Republican of North Carolina. Those who fought the law say Mr. …

Mark Felt, aka “Deep Throat”, the secret tipster who helped bring down Richard Nixon, died yesterday at 95 years old. As the second-highest official in the FBI under longtime director J. Edgar Hoover and interim director L. Patrick Gray, Felt detested the Nixon administration’s attempt to subvert the bureau’s investigation into the complex of crimes and coverups known as the …