Let's hope that what the musician is feeling in her travels is a ground swell of people who have had enough with the bullies, crooks and scoundrels of the last administration and not the other way around. I know I have had enough! Thank you very much Dr. Richardson. I wish I could take one of your classes. I learn so much every day from your letters!
Let's hope that what the musician is feeling in her travels is a ground swell of people who have had enough with the bullies, crooks and scoundrels of the last administration and not the other way around. I know I have had enough! Thank you very much Dr. Richardson. I wish I could take one of your classes. I learn so much every day from your letters!
Maybe, just maybe, the Republicans' outrageous actions have made more people wake up. Jacked up prices for everything while companies record sky-high prices, attacks on women's reproductive rights, rampant voter suppression, and so much more.
Yes, one thing I have not understood is how so many Republicans are blaming Biden for rising prices. Biden has not raised even one price.
Corporations, after having recieved more than two years of direct funding from the Fed in the form of corporate bond ETF purchases (directly from printed money fed to direct purchases NOT booked to the Federal budget but to the Fed "balance sheet"). A way to hide the massive corporate welfare from view.
Those same corporations have paid America back for their free money by jacking prices while raking in historically high profits. This a just a fact of reality.
I have to conclude, honestly, that the overall ability of Americans to discern reality has deteriorated so badly due to many factors that, although I love today's optimistic 1890 story, I do think in 1890 Americans were better informed, better critical thinkers and more likely to be able to tell that:
Corporations are giving them the shaft, not Biden and the "Dems". Slavish Americans today watching Fox News all day with a slack jaw and a beer in hand are seemingly easily fooled.
However, perhaps today's history lesson is also a warning of sorts. Don't be pessimistic.
Things might be able to turn again while the rich are sleeping at the wheel of their yachts.
Michael, I don't have the musician's perspective being that I've barely travelled more than 60 miles in the past nearly three years but I do know - and provide small monthly investments to - a relatively new and utterly inspiring collection of activists, journalists and "poor peoples'" organizations, each mirroring the 1890's effort. A great many of these efforts predate both the Womens March of 2017 and BLM - Jolt the Vote in Texas, for example or For the Many in New York's Hudson Valley - but the energy unleashed by both the March & BLM is considerable, and considerably under reported, Stacy Abrams notwithstanding.
On the journalism side Pro Publica is deservedly well known but there are scrappy, state-focused publications like The Texas Tribune and the Arizona Mirror that are doing amazing reporting, and from a non-profit model, which I suspect is being replicated in many states, and likely down to the neighborhood level. (Please provide examples, dear reader!). And then there is this extraordinary effort by an American hero, called "Letters from an American."
I've no idea what the coming election cycles hold but I do know that by giving $25 or $50 each month to these organizations I'm totally convinced that I am making the best investment I can in moving the country towards a better place.
And I hold dearly the musician's optimism. In 2020 we voted out authoritarianism, a unique moment in world history, and millions of both new & non-voters came out to make that happen....it is true that a couple million watch dead enders like Hannity & Tucker C but seventy-seven million voted for Biden.
My blood-red state is fortunate to have something of a counterpart to the Texas Tribune. I donтАЩt love absolutely everything they do, and there are some problems with the model. But they employ a great poverty reporter who has blown the lid off one of the biggest scandals in modern state history.
Thanks for this link; I'm hoping to create a list of at least 50 of these vital publications. The redder the state, the more important the potentiality for disruption. Imperfect as they might be MS Today will start receiving a few dollars from me each month.
For sure. My main criticism is that they do like to indulge in the horse-race style of political coverage. But I manage to get over that pretty easily given their other work.
Wonderful & thank you. Excited to know about Spotlight. Are you familar with penncapital-star.com? It is part of a https://statesnewsroom.com, which appears to be working to build - or link? - non-profit news platforms state by state. Curious to have your opinion.
The thing that bothers me is that President Biden, House and Senate Democrats and the media aren't talking enough about all the accomplishments since he has been in the WH. We need to be talking more about accomplishments and how people have already been helped, and talk less about the former administration. The GOP has been very effective at stoking fears and using the chaos that occurs to influence uninformed people. Dumpf wants to stay in the news, and the media is helping him...
In some fairness, when you are doing all the things expected of a congress person, it is hard to find time to do marketing. There are talkers and there are doers. I trust the doers, those who work together behind the cameras. But, of course that is not the new way of governing where grabbing headlines instead of working on policy that actually achieves something for us, including squabbling over the details, is considered failure.
I truly hope you are right, Michael, I've been thinking that too. The trouble is that so many have learned to accept the lies that are promoted by the likes of the FNC.
Thank you. In general, I prefer to read because the rate of information transfer is 10X that of video and audio. But, I will take a listen. Maybe audio has another demension.
Mike, my brother from another mother! My primary processing style is auditory, I find that watching videos is no way for me to learn things; I have found that if I have a task to hand (puttering while organizing a project, or painting are the main ones; I can also play mindless video games like solitaire or Tetris) I can listen to the Tue/Thur Facebook lectures while otherwise engaged. Podcasts while driving are NOT for meтАж
Ally Each of us learns (and remembers) in different ways. I gather that you are a reader. So am I, from an early age. I also find videos helpful, while stopped watching cable news since September 15, 2021.
IтАЩve just been re-watching the PBS American Experience Presidents SeriesтАФah ha Truman, FDR, ah Wilson, Teddy, oophs Nixon, and honest, well-intentioned Georgia peach Carter. Also, Watergate 30 years later, Gettysburg (a near thing), and Midway (aHail Mary worked).
Also, Joseph CampbellтАЩs The Power of Myth and Kenneth ClarkтАЩs Civilisation. With a readerтАЩs foundation, I find that these visuals capture spirit and the soul of those times. Within todayтАЩs context, I was captivated by the Watergate Senate hearings in 1973. Rewatching videos and re-reading favorite books provide me insights in assessing current-day shenanigans.
I am also heartened by the bright lights in our history.
Ally, I am much the same. But Heather's videos are simply talks, and you can listen as if it were radio, if you wish, without having to watch. I do like being able to see Heather's face as she talks- it's very expressive - but often get up and do things as I listen.
Heather's chats (both her answers to readers' questions and her history lessons) are often better watched/listened to after the fact, since there are often transmission interruptions when they're live.
But Colette, you ARE enrolled in one of Dr. RichardsonтАЩs classes, as are the rest of us (without the hefty Harvard tuition). There was so much embedded in that last letter that I don't even know where to begin, so I won't. I'll just say that her writing inspires me and makes me wish I'd put a lot more emphasis on the study of history when I was younger. I'll see you in class Monday ;-)
Colette, I already feel like we are taking one of her classes. I've learned more from these letters than any class I've ever taken. I am so happy my priest brought her to my attention. HCR is one of the best I've come across in a very long time!
My nun friends, yes, but the priests? no. I am truly envious. Although I am perhaps being a bit unfair to them. I do remember once, when I was on Parish Council, a letter came from the bishop, stating that parishes should prefer male altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers over females. The priest read it, and said "well, that belongs in the circular file" and just simply pitched it.
KR Kudos to Nunsense on all of this тАШfalse factтАЩ Nonsense. Jesus was spot on and Judas was an early Trumpista. Oi vey, Mother of Mary, Allah u Ahkbar
Reuters numbers from the 2020 election are important to remember. 239,000,000 citizens eligible to vote. 206,000,000 of those registered to vote. 159,000,000 actually voted. There is a lot of slack here that could be addressed with voter registration drives, and get-out-the-vote efforts. Less than 60,000,000 voters believe the Big Lie.
Let's hope that what the musician is feeling in her travels is a ground swell of people who have had enough with the bullies, crooks and scoundrels of the last administration and not the other way around. I know I have had enough! Thank you very much Dr. Richardson. I wish I could take one of your classes. I learn so much every day from your letters!
Maybe, just maybe, the Republicans' outrageous actions have made more people wake up. Jacked up prices for everything while companies record sky-high prices, attacks on women's reproductive rights, rampant voter suppression, and so much more.
Michael,
Yes, one thing I have not understood is how so many Republicans are blaming Biden for rising prices. Biden has not raised even one price.
Corporations, after having recieved more than two years of direct funding from the Fed in the form of corporate bond ETF purchases (directly from printed money fed to direct purchases NOT booked to the Federal budget but to the Fed "balance sheet"). A way to hide the massive corporate welfare from view.
Those same corporations have paid America back for their free money by jacking prices while raking in historically high profits. This a just a fact of reality.
I have to conclude, honestly, that the overall ability of Americans to discern reality has deteriorated so badly due to many factors that, although I love today's optimistic 1890 story, I do think in 1890 Americans were better informed, better critical thinkers and more likely to be able to tell that:
Corporations are giving them the shaft, not Biden and the "Dems". Slavish Americans today watching Fox News all day with a slack jaw and a beer in hand are seemingly easily fooled.
However, perhaps today's history lesson is also a warning of sorts. Don't be pessimistic.
Things might be able to turn again while the rich are sleeping at the wheel of their yachts.
Michael, I don't have the musician's perspective being that I've barely travelled more than 60 miles in the past nearly three years but I do know - and provide small monthly investments to - a relatively new and utterly inspiring collection of activists, journalists and "poor peoples'" organizations, each mirroring the 1890's effort. A great many of these efforts predate both the Womens March of 2017 and BLM - Jolt the Vote in Texas, for example or For the Many in New York's Hudson Valley - but the energy unleashed by both the March & BLM is considerable, and considerably under reported, Stacy Abrams notwithstanding.
On the journalism side Pro Publica is deservedly well known but there are scrappy, state-focused publications like The Texas Tribune and the Arizona Mirror that are doing amazing reporting, and from a non-profit model, which I suspect is being replicated in many states, and likely down to the neighborhood level. (Please provide examples, dear reader!). And then there is this extraordinary effort by an American hero, called "Letters from an American."
I've no idea what the coming election cycles hold but I do know that by giving $25 or $50 each month to these organizations I'm totally convinced that I am making the best investment I can in moving the country towards a better place.
And I hold dearly the musician's optimism. In 2020 we voted out authoritarianism, a unique moment in world history, and millions of both new & non-voters came out to make that happen....it is true that a couple million watch dead enders like Hannity & Tucker C but seventy-seven million voted for Biden.
https://www.joltinitiative.org/
https://forthemany.org/
https://wokevote.us/
https://campaignzero.org/#vision
https://www.texastribune.org/
https://www.azmirror.com/
My blood-red state is fortunate to have something of a counterpart to the Texas Tribune. I donтАЩt love absolutely everything they do, and there are some problems with the model. But they employ a great poverty reporter who has blown the lid off one of the biggest scandals in modern state history.
https://mississippitoday.org/the-backchannel/
Thanks for this link; I'm hoping to create a list of at least 50 of these vital publications. The redder the state, the more important the potentiality for disruption. Imperfect as they might be MS Today will start receiving a few dollars from me each month.
For sure. My main criticism is that they do like to indulge in the horse-race style of political coverage. But I manage to get over that pretty easily given their other work.
Thank you for sharing these links. An addition for your consideration is PA. Spotlight at https://www.spotlightpa.org. Thanks again.
Wonderful & thank you. Excited to know about Spotlight. Are you familar with penncapital-star.com? It is part of a https://statesnewsroom.com, which appears to be working to build - or link? - non-profit news platforms state by state. Curious to have your opinion.
Hello! No, I am not familiar with Pennsylvania Capital Star but plan to remedy that situation. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
"Jolt the Vote," what a great slogan! Thank you for posting these resources.
A group of HCR Substackers has formed to turn good talk here into effective action, including by sharing resources. For more info, email:
heathersherd@gmail.com
Thank you for these links, Abu.
The thing that bothers me is that President Biden, House and Senate Democrats and the media aren't talking enough about all the accomplishments since he has been in the WH. We need to be talking more about accomplishments and how people have already been helped, and talk less about the former administration. The GOP has been very effective at stoking fears and using the chaos that occurs to influence uninformed people. Dumpf wants to stay in the news, and the media is helping him...
In some fairness, when you are doing all the things expected of a congress person, it is hard to find time to do marketing. There are talkers and there are doers. I trust the doers, those who work together behind the cameras. But, of course that is not the new way of governing where grabbing headlines instead of working on policy that actually achieves something for us, including squabbling over the details, is considered failure.
We need bumper stickers directing people to a website of Biden's achievements, or signs to put in our windows or on our lawns.
тАЬThis is just a fact of realityтАЭ immortal! Clap, clap, clap, clap
Republicans have forgotten that trump started the supply-demand crisis by raising tariffs on goods imported from China.
You are so right, Michael!
I truly hope you are right, Michael, I've been thinking that too. The trouble is that so many have learned to accept the lies that are promoted by the likes of the FNC.
Heather's video chats are free classes: Facebook on Tuesdays and Thursdays, then posted on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=heather+cox+richardson
She and Prof. Joanne Freeman also do a great weekly podcast, Now & Then:
https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/now-then
Ellie,
Thank you. In general, I prefer to read because the rate of information transfer is 10X that of video and audio. But, I will take a listen. Maybe audio has another demension.
Mike, my brother from another mother! My primary processing style is auditory, I find that watching videos is no way for me to learn things; I have found that if I have a task to hand (puttering while organizing a project, or painting are the main ones; I can also play mindless video games like solitaire or Tetris) I can listen to the Tue/Thur Facebook lectures while otherwise engaged. Podcasts while driving are NOT for meтАж
Ally Each of us learns (and remembers) in different ways. I gather that you are a reader. So am I, from an early age. I also find videos helpful, while stopped watching cable news since September 15, 2021.
IтАЩve just been re-watching the PBS American Experience Presidents SeriesтАФah ha Truman, FDR, ah Wilson, Teddy, oophs Nixon, and honest, well-intentioned Georgia peach Carter. Also, Watergate 30 years later, Gettysburg (a near thing), and Midway (aHail Mary worked).
Also, Joseph CampbellтАЩs The Power of Myth and Kenneth ClarkтАЩs Civilisation. With a readerтАЩs foundation, I find that these visuals capture spirit and the soul of those times. Within todayтАЩs context, I was captivated by the Watergate Senate hearings in 1973. Rewatching videos and re-reading favorite books provide me insights in assessing current-day shenanigans.
I am also heartened by the bright lights in our history.
Ally, I am much the same. But Heather's videos are simply talks, and you can listen as if it were radio, if you wish, without having to watch. I do like being able to see Heather's face as she talks- it's very expressive - but often get up and do things as I listen.
Mike, I find it wonderful to look at Heather's expressive face and hear her voice, and I can also listen if I am doing chores.
Sally, I didn't see your post until after I posted mine- saying almost the exact same thing!
I find her chats so valuable and can watch them live, or later.
WOW! Thanks Ellie!
Cannot recommend these enough .... been watching and listening since the beginning
Thanks Ellie for that - will have to put it on a text file - or it will get lost in the chaos!
тЭдя╕П
Ellie and all,
Heather's chats (both her answers to readers' questions and her history lessons) are often better watched/listened to after the fact, since there are often transmission interruptions when they're live.
But Colette, you ARE enrolled in one of Dr. RichardsonтАЩs classes, as are the rest of us (without the hefty Harvard tuition). There was so much embedded in that last letter that I don't even know where to begin, so I won't. I'll just say that her writing inspires me and makes me wish I'd put a lot more emphasis on the study of history when I was younger. I'll see you in class Monday ;-)
Just to be clear she teaches at BC but attended Harvard herself.
Thank you.
Colette, yes. I hope so too.
But, in 1890, Fox News did not exist and Tucker Carlson was not being confused with Jesus Christ out west.
Colette, I already feel like we are taking one of her classes. I've learned more from these letters than any class I've ever taken. I am so happy my priest brought her to my attention. HCR is one of the best I've come across in a very long time!
Your priest?! I never had a priest like that. Jealous.
I have several friends who are priestsтАжall quite in tune with us here.
My nun friends, yes, but the priests? no. I am truly envious. Although I am perhaps being a bit unfair to them. I do remember once, when I was on Parish Council, a letter came from the bishop, stating that parishes should prefer male altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers over females. The priest read it, and said "well, that belongs in the circular file" and just simply pitched it.
KR Kudos to Nunsense on all of this тАШfalse factтАЩ Nonsense. Jesus was spot on and Judas was an early Trumpista. Oi vey, Mother of Mary, Allah u Ahkbar
Yeah there are a few retro bishops. There are also plenty of priests whose philosophy is what you describe.
+She is an Episcopal priest but now retired.
Reuters numbers from the 2020 election are important to remember. 239,000,000 citizens eligible to vote. 206,000,000 of those registered to vote. 159,000,000 actually voted. There is a lot of slack here that could be addressed with voter registration drives, and get-out-the-vote efforts. Less than 60,000,000 voters believe the Big Lie.
I totally agree with you!
I agree!!