Author Archives: bernardporter2013

What can I add, as a historian, to all that is being said and written about POTUS 47 just now? He is entirely sui generis. There are no close precedents for him in the past, at least among US presidents, … Continue reading →

I wonder whether there are any serious historians out there who support Donald Trump? If it rests on his relationship with the subject itself, there can’t be many. His historical gaffes are becoming legendary: talking of the Revolutionary army capturing … Continue reading →

When I used to research and write about historical anti-terrorism (The Origins of the Vigilant State, Plots and Paranoia), the term ‘terrorism’ had a specific and quite limited meaning. It didn’t cover all violent political activities, even assassinations, if they … Continue reading →

I may write an Autobiography. I’ve sketched out three chapters; and a Preface – here. A number of my friends and acquaintances – well, two or three – have suggested that I write a memoir or autobiography. I’ve always resisted … Continue reading →

I’ve always had it in for golf, even before Trump, for reasons I explained here last year: https://bernardjporter.com/2024/09/22/golf/. Trump’s obsession with the game is probably quite low down among my reasons for disliking both it and him, but it does … Continue reading →

One little ray of light at a time when universities, especially in America, are being traduced and threatened with huge financial penalties on purely political and ideological grounds, by far Right governments like that of Donald Trump. (I see that … Continue reading →

Returning to my own vomit this morning – checking the 6th edn of The Lion’s Share in order to respond to a request for permission to quote passages from it in an exam paper – I was struck by how … Continue reading →

Here’s the blessed Naomi Klein on what she calls ‘End-Times Fascism’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtYSyb6fCxo. The connexion between MAGA and the religious notion of the ‘Rapture’ hadn’t occurred to me before. It makes sense; in particular of the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu, … Continue reading →

Well, here it comes, perhaps: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jul/03/jeremy-corbyn-hints-at-launch-of-new-party-as-leftwing-alternative-to-labour? The idea of a new and avowedly socialist party (in the UK) is obviously attractive to an old Leftie like me. I’d even welcome Jeremy Corbyn back, in a leading (if not necessarily the … Continue reading →

I heartily dislike the sort of music that ‘Bob Vylan’ produces: a combination of ‘punk, hip hop, grime, and hardcore’ according to Wikipedia; and I don’t approve of anyone wishing ‘death’ on anyone else. So I too am pretty appalled … Continue reading →