Skyler Fusaro Interviews Donald Trump
On the Iranian War Recovered interview transcript, Atlanta Historical Archive — Annotated in the...
Read Moreby Jack Hassard | Mar 4, 2026 | Journalism, Skyler Fusaro Letters
On the Iranian War Recovered interview transcript, Atlanta Historical Archive — Annotated in the...
Read Moreby Jack Hassard | Mar 3, 2026 | War and Peace
This essay explores the implications of President Trump’s military actions against Iran, emphasizing the tension between national security and democratic principles. It critiques the broad interpretations of executive power and the erosion of constitutional accountability during crises, as analyzed by scholars like Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Joyce Vance. The author stresses the importance of congressional oversight and the risks of wartime rhetoric normalizing expanded authority. Ultimately, it argues for a necessary balance between security measures and the preservation of democracy, highlighting that informed public consent is crucial in times of conflict.
by Jack Hassard | Feb 28, 2026 | War and Peace
On February 28, 2026, the Middle East erupted into a new phase of conflict. It was shocking and...
Read Moreby Jack Hassard | Feb 25, 2026 | Civic Education, Skyler Fusaro Letters
Skyler Fusaro, a fictional historian and activist from the 2060s, reflects on Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address in her letter. She critiques its promotion of authority and fear, emphasizing how it redefined civic virtue through ceremony rather than policy. The unexpected highlight was Trump awarding a hockey goalie a medal, symbolizing the shift from achievement to loyalty. Fusaro warns that this speech served as a precursor to authoritarianism, marking a troubling trajectory in American governance, where dominance is mistaken for stability.
by Jack Hassard | Feb 20, 2026 | Immigration
Social Circle is facing an unexpected challenge from the Department of Homeland Security, which plans to convert a local warehouse into a detention center for up to 10,000 migrants. This proposal highlights the lack of local government notification and support for ICE’s expansion, which aims to increase detention facilities nationwide. Amidst rising anti-ICE sentiment, many American communities are unprepared for such developments, prompting protests and local resistance. Social Circle is determined to oppose this plan, emphasizing inadequate infrastructure to support such a significant increase in population.
by Jack Hassard | Feb 18, 2026 | Immigration
Social Circle, Georgia, is facing the potential conversion of a warehouse into an immigration detention center for up to 10,000 people, raising concerns over local infrastructure and environmental risks. Local officials oppose the plan due to zoning incompatibility and inadequate water treatment capacity. Their resistance highlights tensions between federal immigration policies and local governance.
by Jack Hassard | Feb 17, 2026 | Immigration
Social Circle, Georgia, a town with about 5,000 residents, faces a drastic change as ICE plans to convert a local warehouse into a detention facility for 10,000 immigrants, doubling its population. Local officials and residents were not consulted on this decision, highlighting concerns about infrastructure strain and a lack of democratic accountability. Critics argue that such large-scale detention centers deepen a prison-like atmosphere, emphasizing the impersonal nature of immigration enforcement. This situation reflects broader national issues regarding immigration policy and its impact on local communities, prompting important civic discussions.
by Jack Hassard | Feb 8, 2026 | Progressive World-View
President Obama is viewed as the most significant president by the author, who was born in 1940. Influenced by civil rights leaders, Obama’s impact is seen as profound. The author also shares a personal journey of starting online art courses and painting at 74, reflecting on their unique perspective of Obama.
by Jack Hassard | Feb 7, 2026 | Voting, Voting Rights
The FBI recently raided the Fulton County Elections Bureau, seizing over 400 boxes of ballots from the 2020 election, which reaffirmed Biden’s victory in Georgia. The revived SAVE Act, under Republican proposal, poses significant barriers to voting, disproportionately affecting 21 million Americans lacking necessary identification. Historical voter suppression tactics targeting minority groups are now being reinforced through new legislation that restricts voting access. Despite claims of election fraud by Trump and his supporters, investigations have shown no widespread fraud existed in the 2020 election, highlighting ongoing challenges to voting rights facing Americans today.
by Jack Hassard | Feb 1, 2026 | Democracy, Journalism
Authoritarian systems often begin by contesting reality rather than outright banning elections. They undermine the credibility of electoral processes, as seen in Trump’s tactics against the press and political opponents. The silencing of reporters serves to narrow the discourse, equating scrutiny with opposition and stifling accountability. Historical instances show that expansive reporting promotes democracy by illuminating marginalized voices. However, constrictive power seeks to diminish the public record through intimidation, arrests, and surveillance, ultimately eroding democratic principles.
