Tom Nelson

@jimmowrer Run Jim! Run!!!

As an Iowan and Iraq combat veteran, I cannot believe these Iowa politicians were smiling for a photo during the transfer of fallen American service members at Dover. That ceremony is sacred. It’s meant for silence and respect. Our fallen heroes deserve better.

Forty-six years later, it has happened …

Join me TONIGHT (2/26) for another WRECKED book talk at @AppletonPubLib. Find out why the Edmund Fitzgerald really sank and how it explains the economic collapse in 1970s.

What is your favorite Olympic event? Mine is the 4-hour sofa-sectional rest.

Some BIG news on the book front. Here's a clue... more to come...

@cpgrabow Exactly. Why did it sink? It wasn't seaworthy... "seaworthy **enough**"

And note these excerpts about the vessel's maintenance:

Last November marked the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Great Lakes ore carrier Edmund Fitzgerald. Here are excerpts from @NelsonforWI's new book on the subject that raise questions about the quality of the vessel's construction and design:

@cpgrabow Thank you for the time and interest. There is always the second printing to augment deficiencies from the first...

Oddly, the book never mentions that the use of more efficiently-built vessels from international shipyards is prohibited by the Jones Act. There's also no talk of the 50% tariff on vessel repairs in foreign shipyards (which I believe would have applied to 🇨🇦 yards at the time).

@cpgrabow @NRO If we do not have a commercial shipbuilding industry -- just military -- are there not subsidies built into those govt contracts to help underwrite fixed investments for those shipyards like capital and workforce training ?

@NelsonforWI @NRO My suspicion is that expanded commercial shipbuilding is entirely contingent on big new subsidies from DC. Otherwise, new investment will be all about the naval/military market (Hanwha has been explicit about this being a key factor in their investment).

Check out my article in @NRO. How can Dems and GOP honor the memory of the Edmund Fitzgerald? Revitalize American shipbuilding! nationalreview.com/2025/12/50-yea…

@cpgrabow @NRO If a company propose $B's in investment, Id think they'd spend some money on due diligence first.

Also, regarding this: "By expanding operations into North America, they can meet customer demand while giving U.S. shipyards a lift in this $214.2 billion global industry." Why would such companies opt to build in the US given inflated steel costs, lack of labor (and the government cracking down on immigrant workers), lack of a domestic supply chain, and outdated shipyard tech? ?

@cpgrabow @NRO Thanks for the interest/good point. Rarely are investments a one-way street. There must be commitment from both sides. It's a remarkable opportunity. I hope both continue to see this and make a good faith effort to realize it.

@NelsonforWI @NRO Ordered your book, which looks really interesting. Re: Hanwha's $5 billion investment, note that the shipyard told the GAO that this is contingent on having multiple shipbuilding contracts (which so far is not happening): gao.gov/assets/gao-25-…

In "Wrecked: The Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy," author Thomas Nelson explores how the Edmund Fitzgerald is more than just the subject of a popular song. News Editor Lisa John Rogers spoke with Nelson about his book and more: youtu.be/qjblVccD2oo

Thanks for having me on Matt--just like ol' times! #FitzAt50

@WisPolitics @bucees @jefflenard @jrrosswrites Great to be back on WISN -- just like ol' times!

Full 🗞 recap on Monday, fea. @bucees to #Wisconsin: @jefflenard, @NelsonforWI and @jrrosswrites

Mark talks with author @NelsonforWI about the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking + his book "Wrecked", which argues corporate greed played a role in the tragedy. Mark shares an unexpected talk w/ former Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis. ⬇ civicmedia.us/podcast/2025/1…

@jasonjwilde @fox6news @Johnubacon Such kind comments. Thank you. It was a fun project to be part of.

Can’t recommend strongly enough the Edmund Fitzgerald documentary that the creative team at @fox6news made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its sinking. Knew the story and the Gordon Lightfoot song, but this is thorough and incredibly well done: youtu.be/aofg88mEGvY?si…

I learned something today in Detroit…. cc: @Lions v. @DetroitRedWings

Heading to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. In the McDonald’s drive-thru. Mary’s got a bright idea… #FitzAt50 @msupress l

Big weekend in Detroit, Toledo, Huron and Cleveland. Join me to learn more about my book WRECKED and why the Edmund Fitzgerald really sank and what it means for American history. #FitzAt50 tinyurl.com/turs4kj6