With the end of the Republican National Convention on Thursday, the race to the November election is in high gear. Trump has made it clear he will run on the idea that he has defeated the coronavirus and rebooted the economy, while rioters from the “radical left” are destroying American cities, aided and abetted by Democrats. But the convention’s picture of the president and the nation were so wildly untrue that fact-checkers have stayed busy ever since.
It IS time for everyone to "open their imaginations and stare into the darkness that is coming." The next 65 days are each going to be the worst in the country's history, a steady procession of awfulness. All in the service of the greatest traitor in American history, a man who is not creating all this out of ignorance and lack of experience. He is doing it as purposefully and as ignorantly as he acted in his last six bankruptcies. This time, he's bankrupting us.
Hundreds of HCR readers on Facebook and Substack support your taking off more time from this production, for your self care and for our interests, your sustainability. Now that you are back to work with your teaching, maybe one video talk per week instead of two? Four or five Letters per week instead of your intended seven? Your self-drive in service of democracy will no doubt define the lower limit of your production!
New Englanders are a self-sufficiently proud folk reluctant to ask for help. What about solidifying a designation of a couple reliable proofreaders on Facebook?
On your “off” nights, what about inviting “open mic” for Substack readers (at a few thousand, more manageable than 560,000 on Facebook) to post topics for us to chew on?
What about inviting some trusted researchers to volunteer to help with your process of producing these Letters?
However you continue to produce these Letters and talks, we are clearly grateful! ❤️
I have asked before, rhetorically during this time of helplessly watching history repeat itself, “What will be our defining Kristallnacht?” It may not be a specific date, like November 9 (or even November 3), but this daily progression of chaos that we find ourselves in, where we see the forces of evil, of the hateful, murderous outbreaks of violence spurred on by a stochastic terrorist at the podium, rousing the low-life rabble in a populist movement of destruction. I fear the final outcome of this pandemonium that has taken this nation and continue watching helplessly as “what can’t happen here” is actually happening.
The days left before the election will be dark for sure. And it's possible that days following the election will be just as dark, regardless of who is elected. By Nov.3 all the Proud Boys and other right-wing groups will have made it clear their intentions to rile up the country, and then cause mayhem if Biden is elected. This is an ugly time in our history, one that makes me so sad. How we got here will be written about for decades. Wish it weren't so.
Don't be lulled into complacency by the polls or the belief that light always triumphs over dark. Trump's 42% is hard core and will vote for him no matter what. Biden's 50% is not based on a devotion towards or faith in the man, but largely on anti-Trump grounds. Michael Moore may be right. The bookies' odds are calling it in favor of Trump. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Trump and his cronies are putting the American People in a bell jar. He is pulling out all the stops to make sure people are ill informed or misinformed. I read The Guardian piece on right wing infiltration in law enforcement Friday morning. Sadly, I can't say I'm surprised.
Thanks for today's letter, HCR. This past week has been a really tough ride and you've stayed on top of it beautifully. Rest well.
When reading about these right-wing groups going into Portland and other areas, I am reminded of Hitler's early force of the Brown Shirts. This group was tolerated by the Nazi Party until they were not. Then they were violently disbanded and replace by the SS. I know the saying "History does not repeat itself but it does rhyme." And I know that any attempt to make parallels between this administration and the rise of Hitler may not be a true parallel. Yet I do see what these radical right groups do not seem to see. Those who seek total power will use groups like them at first and then violently betray them when that power is consolidated. Also, we who condemn their actions must be careful and not give them a Horst Wessel to rally around. As for the police forces infiltrated by radicals, we are all to blame for our complacency and willingness to trade better oversight for security.
On a personal note, I have two grandnieces who are biracial. Their great grandmother, my older sister, is a ardent 45 supporter. I use to say that she cannot see that these girls would be one of the first to be persecuted under a 45 with total power and that my fair skinned blond-haired grandchildren would be at an advantage. Yesterday, as my three grandsons were leaving my apartment, the thought occurred to me that they would not be safe under such an administration. (forgive any grammar and spelling errors.)
I have a question for this group. Why isn't more publicity given to the 2 protestors killed by that teen gunman (won't say his name)? Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, were killed in the shooting; Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, was injured. Anthony was killed trying to protect the protestors around him. Only slight mention has been given to these individuals. Why aren't we making a really big deal about their deaths at the hands of a white gunman? Where is the outrage directed about this? I am 1000% in favor of the BLM movement but we need to highlight these other individuals as well. Why can't we start to talk about them.....loudly?
Thank you HCR for doing the hard work of following the news cycle in Trumpistan. The forces of darkness are gathering and ramping up their attacks. It’s only a failure of imagination to believe it won’t get much much worse with a 2nd Trump term. Evil will be unleashed in our country. I’ve added phone calling voters to texting and writing and social media posts. After last week’s RNC spectacle, I’m specific: Vote Biden/Harris as if your life depends on it. Because it does. ❤️🤍💙
No rest for the weary! Thanks for this. I know you must be tired!
Dealing with quite literally the trauma of being back in school rooms, is definitely bringing traumatized teachers to quit. A close friend just texted me this morning, “I won’t be back, I resigned.” Two positive cases in another school led to a cohort group ( students are grouped in 3 and 4 students and remain together throughout the day) being quarantined. The district hasn’t released the information, parents leaked it. That kind of thing leads teachers to get mad and walk out. And they are!
Hearing the latest developing information in your voice gives it gravitas! Thank you so much! Hope you take Sunday off!
All the stops have been pulled by DJT and his henchmen. Our lives and the life of our country are at stake. With every letter you write, Professor Richardson, you illustrate this, with facts. We must get out the vote and defeat the GOP. Thank you for the facts and what they mean.
Mike Baker's video from Portland scares the hell out of me. This reminds me of scenes of ISIS arriving in towns in Syria and Iraq....except these people are using pepper spray and paintballs...for now.
The DI poll, which correctly predicted Trump's 2016 victory and Brexit, has Trump 3% ahead of Biden overall and 6% ahead in the swing states. The poll says that most voters have already made up their minds, with 3% of Trump supporters and 9% of Biden supporters saying they might have a change of heart before election day. The reason the other polls are inaccurate (according to Sean Spicer...the former press secretary who said that Trump's inauguration had the highest turnout ever)...is that many Trump supporters won't admit this to pollsters, but will vote for him when they fill out their ballots. Remember, Trump doesn't need a majority if he wins the right states to get the electoral college. If you truly fear another four years of demagoguery and destruction, get out and do your damndest to make sure that like-minded people vote early.
IMHO, we need to put out pieces and constantly reinforce the difference between "rule of law" and "law and order," as I believe many within the electorate believe those are the same thing.
Calling Democrats “deranged lowlifes” is unacceptable behavior that trump followers seem to think is manly. His wife defended his bizarre sexist comments on attacking women as locker room talk. The militia “boys” are strutting around with guns drawn while police ignore or even thank them. These warped ideas of masculinity, that they are better than someone else, have spread this culture of bullies. But how does one account for theIr adoring women?
It IS time for everyone to "open their imaginations and stare into the darkness that is coming." The next 65 days are each going to be the worst in the country's history, a steady procession of awfulness. All in the service of the greatest traitor in American history, a man who is not creating all this out of ignorance and lack of experience. He is doing it as purposefully and as ignorantly as he acted in his last six bankruptcies. This time, he's bankrupting us.
Dear Heather,
Hundreds of HCR readers on Facebook and Substack support your taking off more time from this production, for your self care and for our interests, your sustainability. Now that you are back to work with your teaching, maybe one video talk per week instead of two? Four or five Letters per week instead of your intended seven? Your self-drive in service of democracy will no doubt define the lower limit of your production!
New Englanders are a self-sufficiently proud folk reluctant to ask for help. What about solidifying a designation of a couple reliable proofreaders on Facebook?
On your “off” nights, what about inviting “open mic” for Substack readers (at a few thousand, more manageable than 560,000 on Facebook) to post topics for us to chew on?
What about inviting some trusted researchers to volunteer to help with your process of producing these Letters?
However you continue to produce these Letters and talks, we are clearly grateful! ❤️
I have asked before, rhetorically during this time of helplessly watching history repeat itself, “What will be our defining Kristallnacht?” It may not be a specific date, like November 9 (or even November 3), but this daily progression of chaos that we find ourselves in, where we see the forces of evil, of the hateful, murderous outbreaks of violence spurred on by a stochastic terrorist at the podium, rousing the low-life rabble in a populist movement of destruction. I fear the final outcome of this pandemonium that has taken this nation and continue watching helplessly as “what can’t happen here” is actually happening.
The days left before the election will be dark for sure. And it's possible that days following the election will be just as dark, regardless of who is elected. By Nov.3 all the Proud Boys and other right-wing groups will have made it clear their intentions to rile up the country, and then cause mayhem if Biden is elected. This is an ugly time in our history, one that makes me so sad. How we got here will be written about for decades. Wish it weren't so.
Don't be lulled into complacency by the polls or the belief that light always triumphs over dark. Trump's 42% is hard core and will vote for him no matter what. Biden's 50% is not based on a devotion towards or faith in the man, but largely on anti-Trump grounds. Michael Moore may be right. The bookies' odds are calling it in favor of Trump. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Trump and his cronies are putting the American People in a bell jar. He is pulling out all the stops to make sure people are ill informed or misinformed. I read The Guardian piece on right wing infiltration in law enforcement Friday morning. Sadly, I can't say I'm surprised.
Thanks for today's letter, HCR. This past week has been a really tough ride and you've stayed on top of it beautifully. Rest well.
When reading about these right-wing groups going into Portland and other areas, I am reminded of Hitler's early force of the Brown Shirts. This group was tolerated by the Nazi Party until they were not. Then they were violently disbanded and replace by the SS. I know the saying "History does not repeat itself but it does rhyme." And I know that any attempt to make parallels between this administration and the rise of Hitler may not be a true parallel. Yet I do see what these radical right groups do not seem to see. Those who seek total power will use groups like them at first and then violently betray them when that power is consolidated. Also, we who condemn their actions must be careful and not give them a Horst Wessel to rally around. As for the police forces infiltrated by radicals, we are all to blame for our complacency and willingness to trade better oversight for security.
On a personal note, I have two grandnieces who are biracial. Their great grandmother, my older sister, is a ardent 45 supporter. I use to say that she cannot see that these girls would be one of the first to be persecuted under a 45 with total power and that my fair skinned blond-haired grandchildren would be at an advantage. Yesterday, as my three grandsons were leaving my apartment, the thought occurred to me that they would not be safe under such an administration. (forgive any grammar and spelling errors.)
I have a question for this group. Why isn't more publicity given to the 2 protestors killed by that teen gunman (won't say his name)? Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, were killed in the shooting; Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, was injured. Anthony was killed trying to protect the protestors around him. Only slight mention has been given to these individuals. Why aren't we making a really big deal about their deaths at the hands of a white gunman? Where is the outrage directed about this? I am 1000% in favor of the BLM movement but we need to highlight these other individuals as well. Why can't we start to talk about them.....loudly?
Thank you HCR for doing the hard work of following the news cycle in Trumpistan. The forces of darkness are gathering and ramping up their attacks. It’s only a failure of imagination to believe it won’t get much much worse with a 2nd Trump term. Evil will be unleashed in our country. I’ve added phone calling voters to texting and writing and social media posts. After last week’s RNC spectacle, I’m specific: Vote Biden/Harris as if your life depends on it. Because it does. ❤️🤍💙
No rest for the weary! Thanks for this. I know you must be tired!
Dealing with quite literally the trauma of being back in school rooms, is definitely bringing traumatized teachers to quit. A close friend just texted me this morning, “I won’t be back, I resigned.” Two positive cases in another school led to a cohort group ( students are grouped in 3 and 4 students and remain together throughout the day) being quarantined. The district hasn’t released the information, parents leaked it. That kind of thing leads teachers to get mad and walk out. And they are!
Hearing the latest developing information in your voice gives it gravitas! Thank you so much! Hope you take Sunday off!
I feel like we're marking the beginning of a civil war. Am I wrong?
All the stops have been pulled by DJT and his henchmen. Our lives and the life of our country are at stake. With every letter you write, Professor Richardson, you illustrate this, with facts. We must get out the vote and defeat the GOP. Thank you for the facts and what they mean.
Mike Baker's video from Portland scares the hell out of me. This reminds me of scenes of ISIS arriving in towns in Syria and Iraq....except these people are using pepper spray and paintballs...for now.
The DI poll, which correctly predicted Trump's 2016 victory and Brexit, has Trump 3% ahead of Biden overall and 6% ahead in the swing states. The poll says that most voters have already made up their minds, with 3% of Trump supporters and 9% of Biden supporters saying they might have a change of heart before election day. The reason the other polls are inaccurate (according to Sean Spicer...the former press secretary who said that Trump's inauguration had the highest turnout ever)...is that many Trump supporters won't admit this to pollsters, but will vote for him when they fill out their ballots. Remember, Trump doesn't need a majority if he wins the right states to get the electoral college. If you truly fear another four years of demagoguery and destruction, get out and do your damndest to make sure that like-minded people vote early.
IMHO, we need to put out pieces and constantly reinforce the difference between "rule of law" and "law and order," as I believe many within the electorate believe those are the same thing.
Calling Democrats “deranged lowlifes” is unacceptable behavior that trump followers seem to think is manly. His wife defended his bizarre sexist comments on attacking women as locker room talk. The militia “boys” are strutting around with guns drawn while police ignore or even thank them. These warped ideas of masculinity, that they are better than someone else, have spread this culture of bullies. But how does one account for theIr adoring women?