Lieutenant-Mayor-Secretary Pete has been imbued with a vision for the future ever since he got into politics. He was the first of the field to stop his own campaign and endorse Joe Biden, even before the critical South Carolina primary. I still have a photo of Pete in an open shirt back then, with Biden standing behind him, his hands resting on Pete’s shoulders, his head bowed. Something about Pete reminded him of Beau, he had said. He told people ‘pay attention, because you’re gonna be hearing a lot more from this man in the future than you will from me.’
Today, Pete and Heather struggled to link today’s bizarre tapestry of know-nothingism, cruelty, incompetence and unbridled abuse of power and wealth with moments from our own past. Heather favored the Progressive movement at the turn of the 1900s; Pete looking to the 1960s.
Either way, we have to turn to our own past, as well as that of other peoples, for guidance on dealing with the present. Somehow we must create something positive from this moment, something worth striving for, worth passing down to our children.
Every time I hear either of you talk, I’m blown away. To have BOTH of you on Substack was a real treat, inspiration, and hope for OUR future. Thank you!
This was exceptional. Thank you both so much. Heather, your questions were excellent, and I loved your recap. A lot to unpack here, but the idea of seeing our world through the eyes of our children and their children … changing our scope and scale … brought tears to my eyes. What would the world be like if we lived to be 300? How would our choices change?
And freedom to, freedom for, rather than freedom from. So powerful.
This gave me hope for our future. From the previous interview detailing the sick dreams of techno-crypto billionaire bros wanting to squeeze every ounce from the majority to today's infinitely better worldview of using AI to provide a steady stream of more egalitarian benefits, especially in light of the fact that it was trained on the writing, art, and ideas of all of us without our permission. What will all this look like in the future? I am not certain but simply knowing Pete and Heather and other brilliant minds and communicators are framing the questions that will help us get there is a phenomenal relief. See you all on Saturday!!
“The Democracy is rickety” per Buttigieg, could not be clearer. Have we really ever had democracy? Have Black or Brown people ever been freed? Have girls or women? LGBTQ? We have to strongly define the word “democracy” from this day forth. We must strengthen our Constitution and write it in a language that not only lawyers understand, but for the common folk to apprehend. I want to thank you both for this energizing conversation. You both are extremely needed to help right many wrongs.
Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
But I did the work for everyone and put their direct contact me link and address in their state/district on my spreadsheet :) I use one of their own office addresses so I’m not throwing some random person under the bus just in case (hopefully no chance) there’s repercussions one day for disagreeing with he who shall not be named 🤪
Wow. I love hearing two brilliant, thoughtful, concerned, well-spoken, morally correct people having a conversation like this. Hope to see much more of both of you!
It is so refreshing to listen to two such intelligent and articulate people. Oh, that this was the norm instead of the exception
Love to see Heather interviewing brilliant leaders like Pete! Can't wait for more. I wrote a poem about how she inspires all of us: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/heather-cox-richardson-letters-history-democracy
Wow! Love both of you. What a service you are providing to our country.
I hope the DNC was listening to this. When people ask what does the Democratic Party stand for this is it. The future we envision for our country.
Wow! Just wow! Two brilliant minds coming together to talk about a more optimistic future for our country…so inspiring. Thank you both. ❤️
Lieutenant-Mayor-Secretary Pete has been imbued with a vision for the future ever since he got into politics. He was the first of the field to stop his own campaign and endorse Joe Biden, even before the critical South Carolina primary. I still have a photo of Pete in an open shirt back then, with Biden standing behind him, his hands resting on Pete’s shoulders, his head bowed. Something about Pete reminded him of Beau, he had said. He told people ‘pay attention, because you’re gonna be hearing a lot more from this man in the future than you will from me.’
Today, Pete and Heather struggled to link today’s bizarre tapestry of know-nothingism, cruelty, incompetence and unbridled abuse of power and wealth with moments from our own past. Heather favored the Progressive movement at the turn of the 1900s; Pete looking to the 1960s.
Either way, we have to turn to our own past, as well as that of other peoples, for guidance on dealing with the present. Somehow we must create something positive from this moment, something worth striving for, worth passing down to our children.
Amen.
Well said and so true!
Every time I hear either of you talk, I’m blown away. To have BOTH of you on Substack was a real treat, inspiration, and hope for OUR future. Thank you!
Thank you both!
Please do this again!
And again and again . . .
This was exceptional. Thank you both so much. Heather, your questions were excellent, and I loved your recap. A lot to unpack here, but the idea of seeing our world through the eyes of our children and their children … changing our scope and scale … brought tears to my eyes. What would the world be like if we lived to be 300? How would our choices change?
And freedom to, freedom for, rather than freedom from. So powerful.
These conversations save my sanity
Brilliant. Well done. Freedom TO…. Yes.
This gave me hope for our future. From the previous interview detailing the sick dreams of techno-crypto billionaire bros wanting to squeeze every ounce from the majority to today's infinitely better worldview of using AI to provide a steady stream of more egalitarian benefits, especially in light of the fact that it was trained on the writing, art, and ideas of all of us without our permission. What will all this look like in the future? I am not certain but simply knowing Pete and Heather and other brilliant minds and communicators are framing the questions that will help us get there is a phenomenal relief. See you all on Saturday!!
“The Democracy is rickety” per Buttigieg, could not be clearer. Have we really ever had democracy? Have Black or Brown people ever been freed? Have girls or women? LGBTQ? We have to strongly define the word “democracy” from this day forth. We must strengthen our Constitution and write it in a language that not only lawyers understand, but for the common folk to apprehend. I want to thank you both for this energizing conversation. You both are extremely needed to help right many wrongs.
Freedom TO… I love this.
Wonderful, thank you Heather and Pete!
Thank you both, and yes please, I would like email notifications before your live talks with great people like Pete!
Loved listening!
Call. Write. Email. Protest peacefully. Unrelentingly.
Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk
You can write to every congressperson and senator. Their sites ask for an " address" in their district. It needn't be yours. Google maps helps
But I did the work for everyone and put their direct contact me link and address in their state/district on my spreadsheet :) I use one of their own office addresses so I’m not throwing some random person under the bus just in case (hopefully no chance) there’s repercussions one day for disagreeing with he who shall not be named 🤪
Meg; You are ceaseless dynamo ! Thank you..
☺️ thank you! I saw you reacted to some posts yesterday too and smiled recognizing your name! Reacting helps boost comments so I appreciate it!
Thanks for what you do.
That's a FABULOUS and by that I mean EASY to USE and EXTREMELY USEFUL spreadsheet! Kudos to the creator and thank you for sharing!
Thank you! I made it 💙 I’ve been adding to it whenever I can and sharing it the past 3 months!
Wow. I love hearing two brilliant, thoughtful, concerned, well-spoken, morally correct people having a conversation like this. Hope to see much more of both of you!