Paula Polglase

Be the Change You Want to See in the World.

[Bob Elder @southernphd]

I never met Gordon Wood, but I have a story about him.

In one of my grad school seminars, we read Wood’s Creation of the American Republic. The sheer erudition and evidentiary depth of the book bowled me over.

Back then, before kids and before life accelerated to warp speed, I used to call my mother every Sunday to catch up. Lots of times, we ended up talking about what I was reading that week in my grad seminars or for leisure. Mom had an omnivorous mind, and she was always looking for something else to read. She was a true intellectual—curious about almost everything, always eager to integrate new arguments or ideas into her existing schemas of how the world worked or to have those schemas challenged and changed.

When we talked that particular Sunday, I think I tried to describe to her part of Wood’s argument about the relationship between the state constitutions during the Articles of Confederation era and the federal Constitution. Maybe I was tired, maybe I didn’t completely understand her questions, but the end result of the conversation was that Mom had questions about Wood’s argument that I didn’t answer satisfactorily. I told her that she should probably just read the book, and we said goodbye.

She did eventually read the book, but the next Sunday, Mom started our conversation by saying, “Well, I had a lovely conversation with Gordon Wood this week.” For a split second, I thought she was joking, but then I remembered who I was dealing with. I started to sweat. “How?” I asked. A whole variety of unlikely scenarios in which the foremost historian of the American Revolution and my mother, who lived in Wichita, Kansas, might have met ran through my mind. “Oh, I just looked up his office phone number on Brown’s website and called, and he picked up!” Mom said. I decided I would have to find another profession.

As it ended up, Gordon Wood spent about an hour on the phone with my mother answering her questions about the Constitution. Ever since, I’ve had a soft spot for the man when I imagine him picking up the phone in Providence and finding Becky Elder from Wichita on the other end of the line. His generosity in that moment spoke very well of him.

Rest in peace, professor.

[Paula Polglase @ppjmu]

@DanielMerriman_ @JMUPresidentJim @JMU Welcome to the @JMUAlumni Family! 💜💛

[Daniel Merriman @DanielMerriman_]

After a great handshake with @JMUPresidentJim, I am thrilled to announce I have committed to being a @JMU Alumni for life!
#GoDukes 💜💛

[JMU Alumni Assoc. @JMUAlumni]

Hey Philly Dukes! Back by popular demand is our night out at the Phillies! Join us on Saturday, June 6th as they match up against the White Sox at 4:05 PM. Be sure to sign up soon as tickets are sure to go quickly!

Register here: https://t.co/NqGObqpFyZ

[Paula Polglase @ppjmu]

@JMUsportsblog @Michael_2Clutch

[PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 @patriottakes]

This is a 6-minute Republican video outlining Ken Paxton’s corruption.

This now “unlisted” YouTube video was repeatedly sent out by the NRSC. It’s devastating.

[Michael Warburton @For_Film_Fans]

A wonderful short film by JUDD APATOW on the lifelong friendship between BOB NEWHART & DON RICKLES — born 100yrs ago today — who were not an obvious match but who nevertheless were joined at the hip.

BOB AND DON: A LOVE STORY (2023)

It’s free on YouTube

[Paula Polglase @ppjmu]

@JMUAlumni My

[Rolling Stone @RollingStone]

COMMENTARY: Let’s say it plainly: There has never been a president as corrupt as Donald Trump.

There is no close second in our history.
https://t.co/RRV6gbiZi1

[Turnbull @cturnbull1968]

It’s week 6 of the Reflecting Pool being fixed in two weeks.

It’s week 12 of our 3 week war with Iran.

And it’s week 68 of Trump’s promise to lower prices on week one.

[Jamie Bonkiewicz @JamieBonkiewicz]

God isn’t using Trump.

Trump is using God.

And there’s a huge fucking difference.

[Jo @JoJoFromJerz]

For as long as I live, I will never understand how January 6th wasn’t the end of Donald Trump.

I will never, ever understand it.

[Gavin Newsom @GavinNewsom]

No vote in Tennessee (+1 GOP)
No vote in Florida (+4 GOP)
No vote in Missouri (+1 GOP)
No vote in North Carolina (+2 GOP)
No vote in Texas (+5 GOP)

Virginia’s voter-approved maps thrown out.

MAGA has rigged the system.

[Aaron Rupar @atrupar]

30 percent of Americans are against [squints at notes] the Pope urging peace

[Jamie Bonkiewicz @JamieBonkiewicz]

If both the Pope and the King of England are telling you to get your shit together, you need to get your shit together.

[Bill Kristol @BillKristol]

Those of us in the pro-democracy movement can and should hold both of these positions.

1. We unequivocally reject violence.

2. We will unequivocally oppose efforts by this administration to use last night as an excuse to try to suppress criticism and criminalize dissent.

[Rev. Benjamin Cremer @Brcremer]

It is a broken Christianity that says “God protected him!” when a president survives and “thoughts and prayers” when school kids die.

A god who only protects the powerful and not the vulnerable is an idol.

[Matt Royer @royermattw]

Ashley St. Clair confirmed the WH runs group chats telling these accounts what to post. Within minutes of shots fired tonight, before there was any news of casualties and before the President said this exact talking point, this was the chat in real time.

[Paula Polglase @ppjmu]

@JMUsportsblog So good - right?!