In the wise words of Thomas Paine, “I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake,” Paine wrote. “Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, whe…
In the wise words of Thomas Paine, “I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake,” Paine wrote. “Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it.”
“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered,” Paine wrote, “yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
Let us remember and act upon these words as we enter into the darkness of 2024. Please remember that a rabid animal is always the most dangerous when it is cornered and that only by working together will we rid our lives of the danger.
Thank you so much Dr. Richardson! I hope your holiday was filled with love, family and friends which I feel we are all part of.
Yes, and what Paine's call was answered by the sheer courage and integrity of the Continental Army and what they risked their lives for that takes your breath away. What a contrast to the apathy, cowardice, anti-patriotism of today's far right....
Colette, you’re right—we need to remember Paine’s words and never again take our democracy too lightly. We have found that norms are not enough of a deterrent to those willing to ignore them to enrich themselves.
Not that the blessings of liberty have even been widely enough distributed in this country and not that the pre-Reagan past did not have ugly aspects to overcome, but I think that a lot of us were bamboozled into letting go of a number of societal boons (such as worker's rights and antitrust) because to many were persuaded that they could let go of supporting these achievements, yet keep on receiving their benefits. In many cases the answer has been "no, we can't" and we have work to do if we want to recover and expand them.
Vast numbers of Americans have been bamboozled to vote against their own best social and economic interests by the use of wedge issues: abortion, immigration, women's rights, etc. Thomas Frank covers this in his 2004 book, "What's the Matter with Kansas?" The KKK strain also festered just below the surface and has burst forth in full bloom with the appearance of MAGA Republicans. The enemy of democracy is not only inside the nation, but even has its hands on some of the government powers, such as Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who claims to speak with God and who wants the Bible to be our law. The only way to defeat this enemy right now is to vote them out of office while votes still count. If Trump regains power, voting will be of no account. I often quote Tom Paine, born in England, blossomed in America, and died in poverty in 1809 in New Rochelle, NY, ostracized back then because of his views on religion.
I haven't read "What's the matter with Kansas?", but the Koch brothers empire is headquartered in Topeka. Some of the most far-right conservatives are in Kansas and the surrounding states. That is no accident. They are bought and paid for by the Koch's.
True, the Koch Brothers ran and are running a very effective propaganda campaign, aligned with the far right Heritage Foundation and others. These oligarchical ideologues have come close to destroying American democracy. The fight against them is now joined. Koch Brothers and their fellow travelers are close to "closing the deal" in striking a blow to our system, turning it into an oligarchy where the vast numbers of Americans work at marginal survival wages. Footnote: the tension between capitalism and social welfare has been going on for several centuries. The only countries that seem to have found a solution are the Scandinavian countries.
They (Charles) hates chump but has still used him for their agenda. Their crappy products should be thrown in the harbor, never to bring in a dime. But their refinery operations. probably get government suppport. Never has so much damage been done by so few for so long. Well, maybe Rupert and his spawn. Chump and his degenerate offspring are trying to top both. We had better ditch them before they destroy us. Sadly, our electoral process has been compromised in more than a few states. Now or Never, it seems...
Jeri, you write: "Now or Never, it seems . . ." I agree, the "line has been drawn in the sand." This is our "Come to Jesus moment." It should be crystal clear to all of us. Let's exercise our imaginations and think about "What if?"
Jeri, you did the right thing and are doing that now - doing what you can do. It reminds me of the quote from Edward Everett Hale: "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
It’s in Wichita, where they have a square mile high walled and monitored. My nephew by mashing my niece was so excited he might get to “work” for them.
Jeri, I agree, a revised version entitled "What the Hell is the Matter with America?" would be a good topic and title. Since 2004 when "What's the Matter with Kansas?" was published we have the proliferation of social media. And now we have Artificial Intelligence where we can't know for certain what is real and what isn't. Still, the fundamental battle, IMO, is racism over democracy, white Protestant supremacy over a multi-cultural, multi-racial society. When tens of millions have no better than a 6th grade reading comprehension level, is it any wonder that they can be so easily duped?
I know a family of very smart republicans. Advanced degrees, MS, BS., Ph.D., M.D. my generation, my daughter’s generation, grand kids. Smart, hard working, believers in republican bull Schitt. Daddy was a Repub before Reagan, would allow no other thought. They married like thinkers. It’s a whole smart crew of chump lovers. Wonderful people. They have boggled my mind for many years. It’s emotional, not academic or intellectual.
Jeri, it is a conundrum wrapped up in a mystery, exposing the amazing complexity of the human brain - how can a really intelligent person be a racist, or a misanthrope, or a misogynist? I don't know. For myself, I credit my mother with instilling in me certain values and points of view. While along the way I became a confirmed atheist, I still find Matthew 25: 34-46 to be on point, as do vast numbers of other atheists. I just can't accept the notion of there being a personal transcendental God as having any validity.
The eternal question. In absence of proof, men push the creative envelope to find ways to control the seekers and assure them that justice will prevail and so will their souls in an afterlife. Better late than never. Since no one can prove it, who can deny it.
People believe some really strange things without solid facts and reasoning. Case in point: at Christmas dinner the 52-year old son of a friend of mine believes that aliens visited Egypt about 3,000 B.C. because there are some images that look like airplanes and therefore the only reasonable inference is visitors from outer space.
There are more than 8 million species of animal life on earth, but only one with the brain of a human. As to plants, they have no brains yet they share our DNA. What are the chances that there is life out there, perhaps 100,000 light years away, that has a very intelligent brain and that they somehow located planet earth, traveled here and then left, without Egyptians writing anything about them? It's fantastic to imagine all those things, but he is certain of his conclusion. And that isn't even touching on the topic of the existence of a soul, something peculiar to humans only. Next, millions believe that Trump is an honorable person.
Not to divert the discussion, but when I read Heather's column and now your excellent response, I immediately think of Ukraine and how they have come together to fight the 'orc' invasion of their country.
I think of it as Ukraine’s Pearl Harbor, after which so many of the America First awoke to the real dangers of letting others fall.
Who would come help us if not inspired by our determination to fight for self-governance and the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was first read to the public simultaneously at three exclusively designated locations at noon on July 8th, 1776: Easton Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and most fittingly at Trenton, New Jersey (a nod, I think, to those who served us at a most critical time (247 years ago on this date) and inspired so many others after).
I find myself too often just referring to the Declaration and not so much to things that have inspired me most, as I imagined those that fought at Trenton believed in.
Abraham Lincoln made it the centerpiece of his policies and his rhetoric, as in the Gettysburg Address of 1863.
Per Wikipedia:
"...Since then, it has become a well-known statement on human rights, particularly its second sentence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Stephen Lucas called it "one of the best-known sentences in the English language", with historian Joseph Ellis writing that the document contains "the most potent and consequential words in American history". The passage came to represent a moral standard to which the United States should strive. This view was notably promoted by Lincoln, who considered the Declaration to be the foundation of his political philosophy and argued that it is a statement of principles through which the United States Constitution should be interpreted..."
In the wise words of Thomas Paine, “I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake,” Paine wrote. “Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it.”
“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered,” Paine wrote, “yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
Let us remember and act upon these words as we enter into the darkness of 2024. Please remember that a rabid animal is always the most dangerous when it is cornered and that only by working together will we rid our lives of the danger.
Thank you so much Dr. Richardson! I hope your holiday was filled with love, family and friends which I feel we are all part of.
Yes, and what Paine's call was answered by the sheer courage and integrity of the Continental Army and what they risked their lives for that takes your breath away. What a contrast to the apathy, cowardice, anti-patriotism of today's far right....
And apathy of so many.
Colette, you’re right—we need to remember Paine’s words and never again take our democracy too lightly. We have found that norms are not enough of a deterrent to those willing to ignore them to enrich themselves.
Not that the blessings of liberty have even been widely enough distributed in this country and not that the pre-Reagan past did not have ugly aspects to overcome, but I think that a lot of us were bamboozled into letting go of a number of societal boons (such as worker's rights and antitrust) because to many were persuaded that they could let go of supporting these achievements, yet keep on receiving their benefits. In many cases the answer has been "no, we can't" and we have work to do if we want to recover and expand them.
Bamboozled worked, and they never let up. Nor can we
Vast numbers of Americans have been bamboozled to vote against their own best social and economic interests by the use of wedge issues: abortion, immigration, women's rights, etc. Thomas Frank covers this in his 2004 book, "What's the Matter with Kansas?" The KKK strain also festered just below the surface and has burst forth in full bloom with the appearance of MAGA Republicans. The enemy of democracy is not only inside the nation, but even has its hands on some of the government powers, such as Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who claims to speak with God and who wants the Bible to be our law. The only way to defeat this enemy right now is to vote them out of office while votes still count. If Trump regains power, voting will be of no account. I often quote Tom Paine, born in England, blossomed in America, and died in poverty in 1809 in New Rochelle, NY, ostracized back then because of his views on religion.
I haven't read "What's the matter with Kansas?", but the Koch brothers empire is headquartered in Topeka. Some of the most far-right conservatives are in Kansas and the surrounding states. That is no accident. They are bought and paid for by the Koch's.
True, the Koch Brothers ran and are running a very effective propaganda campaign, aligned with the far right Heritage Foundation and others. These oligarchical ideologues have come close to destroying American democracy. The fight against them is now joined. Koch Brothers and their fellow travelers are close to "closing the deal" in striking a blow to our system, turning it into an oligarchy where the vast numbers of Americans work at marginal survival wages. Footnote: the tension between capitalism and social welfare has been going on for several centuries. The only countries that seem to have found a solution are the Scandinavian countries.
They (Charles) hates chump but has still used him for their agenda. Their crappy products should be thrown in the harbor, never to bring in a dime. But their refinery operations. probably get government suppport. Never has so much damage been done by so few for so long. Well, maybe Rupert and his spawn. Chump and his degenerate offspring are trying to top both. We had better ditch them before they destroy us. Sadly, our electoral process has been compromised in more than a few states. Now or Never, it seems...
Jeri, you write: "Now or Never, it seems . . ." I agree, the "line has been drawn in the sand." This is our "Come to Jesus moment." It should be crystal clear to all of us. Let's exercise our imaginations and think about "What if?"
I thought 2020 was now or never. Donated til the buffalo squealed. Now my resources have diminished but i’ll do what I can.
Jeri, you did the right thing and are doing that now - doing what you can do. It reminds me of the quote from Edward Everett Hale: "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
...and Richard, they have repeatedly topped international surveys of happiness to show for it!
It’s in Wichita, where they have a square mile high walled and monitored. My nephew by mashing my niece was so excited he might get to “work” for them.
We need an update and reissue "What the Hell is the Matter With America." Sadly the same thing...
Jeri, I agree, a revised version entitled "What the Hell is the Matter with America?" would be a good topic and title. Since 2004 when "What's the Matter with Kansas?" was published we have the proliferation of social media. And now we have Artificial Intelligence where we can't know for certain what is real and what isn't. Still, the fundamental battle, IMO, is racism over democracy, white Protestant supremacy over a multi-cultural, multi-racial society. When tens of millions have no better than a 6th grade reading comprehension level, is it any wonder that they can be so easily duped?
I know a family of very smart republicans. Advanced degrees, MS, BS., Ph.D., M.D. my generation, my daughter’s generation, grand kids. Smart, hard working, believers in republican bull Schitt. Daddy was a Repub before Reagan, would allow no other thought. They married like thinkers. It’s a whole smart crew of chump lovers. Wonderful people. They have boggled my mind for many years. It’s emotional, not academic or intellectual.
Jeri, it is a conundrum wrapped up in a mystery, exposing the amazing complexity of the human brain - how can a really intelligent person be a racist, or a misanthrope, or a misogynist? I don't know. For myself, I credit my mother with instilling in me certain values and points of view. While along the way I became a confirmed atheist, I still find Matthew 25: 34-46 to be on point, as do vast numbers of other atheists. I just can't accept the notion of there being a personal transcendental God as having any validity.
The eternal question. In absence of proof, men push the creative envelope to find ways to control the seekers and assure them that justice will prevail and so will their souls in an afterlife. Better late than never. Since no one can prove it, who can deny it.
People believe some really strange things without solid facts and reasoning. Case in point: at Christmas dinner the 52-year old son of a friend of mine believes that aliens visited Egypt about 3,000 B.C. because there are some images that look like airplanes and therefore the only reasonable inference is visitors from outer space.
There are more than 8 million species of animal life on earth, but only one with the brain of a human. As to plants, they have no brains yet they share our DNA. What are the chances that there is life out there, perhaps 100,000 light years away, that has a very intelligent brain and that they somehow located planet earth, traveled here and then left, without Egyptians writing anything about them? It's fantastic to imagine all those things, but he is certain of his conclusion. And that isn't even touching on the topic of the existence of a soul, something peculiar to humans only. Next, millions believe that Trump is an honorable person.
We have also questioned why people vote against their self interests! Bamboozled is a good word.
We have been spoiled in the safety of our country.
Not to divert the discussion, but when I read Heather's column and now your excellent response, I immediately think of Ukraine and how they have come together to fight the 'orc' invasion of their country.
I think of it as Ukraine’s Pearl Harbor, after which so many of the America First awoke to the real dangers of letting others fall.
Who would come help us if not inspired by our determination to fight for self-governance and the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was first read to the public simultaneously at three exclusively designated locations at noon on July 8th, 1776: Easton Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and most fittingly at Trenton, New Jersey (a nod, I think, to those who served us at a most critical time (247 years ago on this date) and inspired so many others after).
I find myself too often just referring to the Declaration and not so much to things that have inspired me most, as I imagined those that fought at Trenton believed in.
Abraham Lincoln made it the centerpiece of his policies and his rhetoric, as in the Gettysburg Address of 1863.
Per Wikipedia:
"...Since then, it has become a well-known statement on human rights, particularly its second sentence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Stephen Lucas called it "one of the best-known sentences in the English language", with historian Joseph Ellis writing that the document contains "the most potent and consequential words in American history". The passage came to represent a moral standard to which the United States should strive. This view was notably promoted by Lincoln, who considered the Declaration to be the foundation of his political philosophy and argued that it is a statement of principles through which the United States Constitution should be interpreted..."