Michael Bellesiles in the News Again

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Is it possible that Michael Bellesiles has invented yet another story? Bizarrely enough, yes: it does seem at least possible, as Jim Lindgren documents here. (And I’d add that in addition to Lindgren’s factual issues, Bellesiles’ piece also strikes me as implausibly pat just purely as a story.) In the grand scheme of things this doesn’t matter much, but it’s sort of the blog equivalent of wondering whether Jennifer Aniston is really over Brad. If you’ve been following it, you can’t help but be fascinated. Hopefully, in fairness to Bellesiles (if he’s done nothing wrong) and to everyone else (if he has), the Chronicle of Higher Education will sort this all out shortly.

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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