I echo Jennifer's comment, below. I am grateful I found you, Heather. We have a book group called the Woolf Pack that discusses one of your lectures each week. I so wish our school children could be taught "real" history. It would change our world in one generation.
A good friend shared your site with me, and in doing so, may well have saved my sanity this last year. Thank you for working so hard to bring a thoughtful perspective to what’s going on with this country and for basing your insights on sourced material. Without fail, your thoughts are my first news of each day. So often, what comes after is tempered by your calm, factual approach. I am in your debt. Thank you so much.
Similarly a friend on FB put me on to you Heather. Keep up the calm, reasoned explanations. I am sure many others are helped to understand these times and forces with the perspective of history. I was a history major among my many majors, but I really recognize the lack of depth I was exposed to. Or.. maybe I had forgotten over time! Thanks.
Did anyone else see the Warnock-Loeffler “debate” last night? She was emotionless, robotic and rehearsed to death. She used “radical liberal” 10 times, even when it was off the topic: “what is your position on expanding the Supreme Court? Radical liberal Warnock ...” trump himself must have coached her.
Oh yes, I saw it, and was not encouraged in the slightest. I know from personal experience that a senior on a high school debating team could have lopped off both of their heads with little effort.
Loeffler's approach was simply to glue the right corner of her mouth to an upper molar, producing that permanent sneer, and repeat stock phrases as often as possible. You can almost see the computer script: "Whenever proper noun 'Warnock' occurs, insert 'radical liberal Reverend' in front." Or, "Whenever opponent mentions faith or the Bible, preface all statements with, 'I refuse to be lectured to...'" She never answered a question, and she never intended to. She was merely a hypertext document repeating Breitbart article headings.
But Warnock did no better. Like Loeffler, he rarely answered a question directly. Even softballs, like "How do you stand on the separation of church and state?" Instead of saying, "My faith is the root of my commitment to service and compassion, but I am also implacably committed to a secular State." Boom. Asked and answered, let's move on.
He stumbled and rambled about extraneous stuff: while it's nice that his father liked his mother, the fact that he's the eleventh of twelve children is pleasant to hear once, but is irrelevant thereafter. He made as many unspecific and uncredited allegations just like Loeffler, yet he no doubt had access to the woman's whole voting record to choose from. For instance, instead of asserting, without foundation, that Loeffler profited from her secret COVID briefings, he could have easily said, "After her secret Senate briefing on (X) date, she dumped $(Y) amount of stock holdings, saving herself from $(Z) amount of loss, and instead invested in teleconferencing and internet provider stock, which she knew would rise following a shutdown."
Even if he, and his handlers, didn't feel that he had enough time to give full answers, he could have begun the debate by saying, "Within 12 hours of this debate, I will post on my website citations to credible sources for every allegation I've made regarding Senator Loeffler, and will give an expanded answer to every question posed to me tonight." Such an easy move would have opened the room and turned him into an authority, not just a likable preacher from Atlanta.
I know that everyone in that room is under intense pressure right now, and pressure rarely improves performance. But watching them last night made me feel like the smartest guy in the room, and I hate feeling like that. Why? Because if I'm the smartest guy in the room, there ain't none of us getting out of this burning house alive.
(Note: while I get notification by email when someone responds to a post, for some reason the link in the email doesn't take me back to the poster's comment. To continue the conversation, I have to hunt through the entire list of comments, often thousands of items, to find my original post. So, I'm sorry if I don't respond often to comments directed at me, but it's very difficult to find them again.)
In the email, you will see “Jane Doe liked your comment”. The word comment is a hyperlink and if you click that it takes you back to your comment with all the others underneath.
Thanks for the instruction, it's just that sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't (it did, this time). (It's like that Murphy's Law phenomenon, where the only time your car doesn't make that offensive noise is when you've taken it into the mechanic.)
If you tap “reply” you’ll be taken to your thread. Excellent analysis btw and,I agree with everything you said. Listened to a Lincoln Project pod yesterday, and there was an organizer from GA on. He said out of about 1.5M black voters, 900,000 were registered but didn’t vote. I couldn’t believe that statistic. I’m pretty sure I heard him right.
I totally agree about Warnock. He wasn't deceptively evasive, but evasive he was an did not answer the questions he was asked. I think he was overcoached not to be confrontational lest he appear to be "an uppity you-know-what." But he certainly should have called her out or, as you suggest, referred viewers to his website for sources. In fact, I don't know why he doesn't always refer people to his website, as Ossoff does to his on every interview he does on TV, so they can read his platform and donate to him. Warnock should do the same.
Did Warnock not realize how critical it was for him to come across as senatorial, not simply "pastorial," for the sake of the incoming administration's ability to get anything done? Perhaps enough people will see The Lincoln Project's ads (e.g., the one that says we will be voting against McConnell) that they will do just that.
I've heard that all of the campaigns are awash with cash; I wish Warnock had spent some of that money on preparing himself with facts, scenarios, and rhetorical flourishes, instead of just on internet video ads.
Yes...over $300 million at this point. We have TWENTY-SEVEN different spots running on our televisions for 4 candidates. THIRTY-FIVE different entities, including the campaigns of the 4 candidates, are funding the advertising. What we're wondering here is: "WHO are these entities and where is all this money REALLY coming from?" Actually, Karl Rove is behind some of the right-wing spots--supposedly GW Bush called him "turn-blossom". How apt...
Exactly... it was an excruciating display of nothingness. She is a robot. If he had one ounce of charisma he could have destroyed her. And I can’t believe that he/they didn’t push her about her stocks! The Lincoln Project ad should have been run on a loop after every time she spoke. Period
I did watch, and was hoping for a more polished performance from Warnock. However, Loeffler was so terrible that I agree that Trump must have given her lessons Her perpetual sneer and mechanical answers were nothing short of infuriating/moronic. Yeah, I can see her toiling in the fields!
While Warnock's answers were often lacking, and he should have anticipated the Supreme Court packing question and formulated a better, non-incriminating response, I do think that he has the savvy to be a good advocate for the Democrats. I can't see Kelly doing a good job at any political position. All I could think of was a Stepford Wife.
The good news is that Loeffler proved that she is the worst of the worst, and while we already knew that the Republican base would like her regardless, anyone on the fence (are there any?) would not be impressed. Warnock is not a good debater, but his campaign ads are very good. I am hopeful that he will inspire Black and White voters to turn out in great numbers, which is usually a problem in runoffs. I think there is much more to him than was demonstrated last night.
Frankly, what we need is two more Senate seats. At this stage of the game, we have a debater who needs coaching, but appears to have good instincts, and we have Jon Ossoff. After seeing Ossoff eviscerate Perdue to the point that Perdue refused to participate in a debate with him, I'm sure he can do it on the Senate floor. Together, they can prevent Biden's administration from being hamstrung, and that's what we need. All the Republicans ask of their Senators is that they stonewall any attempt by the Democrats to govern, and not to stray from the "socialist," "communist," "defund the police," "ruin the economy" mantra. With such a low bar, I think our candidates can do well. Yes, I'm a pragmatist.
oh yes, i found myself saying outloud "say something, tell her she is lying, speak up" automaton, whose husband owns Wall Street. As HRC says, "follow the money" just sickening.
If you are writing the clearest, truest words you can find and doing the best you can to understand and communicate, this will shine on paper like its own little lighthouse. Lighthouses dont go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.
Thank you, Heather. One word seems to float through so many comments and replies to you, and that is SANITY. You do what you do so well and we need it so much that it helps us keep our sanity. Beautiful photo. The glimmer of light and our flag comfortably looking over a beautiful Winter scene. Good night.
Relieved you are seeing us tomorrow. I just know you aren't resting though! To fellow intrepid HCR commenters, yesterday I discovered our next door neighbor is flying the American flag upside down and has added a "trump 2020" flag under that with a military service flag under that. We have lots of space in between houses here and I sure do appreciate that! We live near Valley Forge. Will keep you posted should mayhem ensue.
Interesting, especially since the US Flag Code states, "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."
Exactly. The flag code was my first thought. I don't wish to be paranoid, but who knows what trump supporters are up to since he pours gasoline on his pile of lies on a daily basis?
I am surrounded by a high percentage of Trumper virus deniers in rural Eastern Snohomish County, WA state. Keep you counsel and be watchful not paranoid is my theory.
That is a perfect description, Suzanne. This Saturday, my DAR Chapter places wreaths on the graves of Rev War soldiers at the Paoli battlefield. A friend and I will also place wreaths on graves at another cemetery where there is a mass grave of Rev War soldiers who perished due to disease at Valley Forge. :-(
My DAR chapter is in Japan, so no graves. Since 2015, I’ve been logging in 20-30 hours/week indexing Rev War Records for digitization. I’ve learned a lot about the Revolution.
spectacular picture...didn't see the flag peeking through at first. we should always feel the way I am viewing this special glimpse of mother nature. Rest easy.
HCR: Keeping America sane, one post at a time.
I echo Jennifer's comment, below. I am grateful I found you, Heather. We have a book group called the Woolf Pack that discusses one of your lectures each week. I so wish our school children could be taught "real" history. It would change our world in one generation.
A good friend shared your site with me, and in doing so, may well have saved my sanity this last year. Thank you for working so hard to bring a thoughtful perspective to what’s going on with this country and for basing your insights on sourced material. Without fail, your thoughts are my first news of each day. So often, what comes after is tempered by your calm, factual approach. I am in your debt. Thank you so much.
Similarly a friend on FB put me on to you Heather. Keep up the calm, reasoned explanations. I am sure many others are helped to understand these times and forces with the perspective of history. I was a history major among my many majors, but I really recognize the lack of depth I was exposed to. Or.. maybe I had forgotten over time! Thanks.
Same here❣️
Beautiful picture. Thank you for all you do. You have change my perspective in so many ways and have helped me thru this awful time.
Did anyone else see the Warnock-Loeffler “debate” last night? She was emotionless, robotic and rehearsed to death. She used “radical liberal” 10 times, even when it was off the topic: “what is your position on expanding the Supreme Court? Radical liberal Warnock ...” trump himself must have coached her.
Oh yes, I saw it, and was not encouraged in the slightest. I know from personal experience that a senior on a high school debating team could have lopped off both of their heads with little effort.
Loeffler's approach was simply to glue the right corner of her mouth to an upper molar, producing that permanent sneer, and repeat stock phrases as often as possible. You can almost see the computer script: "Whenever proper noun 'Warnock' occurs, insert 'radical liberal Reverend' in front." Or, "Whenever opponent mentions faith or the Bible, preface all statements with, 'I refuse to be lectured to...'" She never answered a question, and she never intended to. She was merely a hypertext document repeating Breitbart article headings.
But Warnock did no better. Like Loeffler, he rarely answered a question directly. Even softballs, like "How do you stand on the separation of church and state?" Instead of saying, "My faith is the root of my commitment to service and compassion, but I am also implacably committed to a secular State." Boom. Asked and answered, let's move on.
He stumbled and rambled about extraneous stuff: while it's nice that his father liked his mother, the fact that he's the eleventh of twelve children is pleasant to hear once, but is irrelevant thereafter. He made as many unspecific and uncredited allegations just like Loeffler, yet he no doubt had access to the woman's whole voting record to choose from. For instance, instead of asserting, without foundation, that Loeffler profited from her secret COVID briefings, he could have easily said, "After her secret Senate briefing on (X) date, she dumped $(Y) amount of stock holdings, saving herself from $(Z) amount of loss, and instead invested in teleconferencing and internet provider stock, which she knew would rise following a shutdown."
Even if he, and his handlers, didn't feel that he had enough time to give full answers, he could have begun the debate by saying, "Within 12 hours of this debate, I will post on my website citations to credible sources for every allegation I've made regarding Senator Loeffler, and will give an expanded answer to every question posed to me tonight." Such an easy move would have opened the room and turned him into an authority, not just a likable preacher from Atlanta.
I know that everyone in that room is under intense pressure right now, and pressure rarely improves performance. But watching them last night made me feel like the smartest guy in the room, and I hate feeling like that. Why? Because if I'm the smartest guy in the room, there ain't none of us getting out of this burning house alive.
(Note: while I get notification by email when someone responds to a post, for some reason the link in the email doesn't take me back to the poster's comment. To continue the conversation, I have to hunt through the entire list of comments, often thousands of items, to find my original post. So, I'm sorry if I don't respond often to comments directed at me, but it's very difficult to find them again.)
No wonder everyone (who has a brain cell) is sick to death of politics.
In the email, you will see “Jane Doe liked your comment”. The word comment is a hyperlink and if you click that it takes you back to your comment with all the others underneath.
Thanks for the instruction, it's just that sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't (it did, this time). (It's like that Murphy's Law phenomenon, where the only time your car doesn't make that offensive noise is when you've taken it into the mechanic.)
Thanks!
If you tap “reply” you’ll be taken to your thread. Excellent analysis btw and,I agree with everything you said. Listened to a Lincoln Project pod yesterday, and there was an organizer from GA on. He said out of about 1.5M black voters, 900,000 were registered but didn’t vote. I couldn’t believe that statistic. I’m pretty sure I heard him right.
OMG! what is that all about?!?
I know! That’s so frustrating!
I totally agree about Warnock. He wasn't deceptively evasive, but evasive he was an did not answer the questions he was asked. I think he was overcoached not to be confrontational lest he appear to be "an uppity you-know-what." But he certainly should have called her out or, as you suggest, referred viewers to his website for sources. In fact, I don't know why he doesn't always refer people to his website, as Ossoff does to his on every interview he does on TV, so they can read his platform and donate to him. Warnock should do the same.
Did Warnock not realize how critical it was for him to come across as senatorial, not simply "pastorial," for the sake of the incoming administration's ability to get anything done? Perhaps enough people will see The Lincoln Project's ads (e.g., the one that says we will be voting against McConnell) that they will do just that.
I've heard that all of the campaigns are awash with cash; I wish Warnock had spent some of that money on preparing himself with facts, scenarios, and rhetorical flourishes, instead of just on internet video ads.
Yes...over $300 million at this point. We have TWENTY-SEVEN different spots running on our televisions for 4 candidates. THIRTY-FIVE different entities, including the campaigns of the 4 candidates, are funding the advertising. What we're wondering here is: "WHO are these entities and where is all this money REALLY coming from?" Actually, Karl Rove is behind some of the right-wing spots--supposedly GW Bush called him "turn-blossom". How apt...
Meant to say, "turd-blossom"...
Ah, Mr. Rove. Didn't Colbert describe him as a man who started out life as a honey-baked ham?
Exactly... it was an excruciating display of nothingness. She is a robot. If he had one ounce of charisma he could have destroyed her. And I can’t believe that he/they didn’t push her about her stocks! The Lincoln Project ad should have been run on a loop after every time she spoke. Period
an did = and did
I did watch, and was hoping for a more polished performance from Warnock. However, Loeffler was so terrible that I agree that Trump must have given her lessons Her perpetual sneer and mechanical answers were nothing short of infuriating/moronic. Yeah, I can see her toiling in the fields!
While Warnock's answers were often lacking, and he should have anticipated the Supreme Court packing question and formulated a better, non-incriminating response, I do think that he has the savvy to be a good advocate for the Democrats. I can't see Kelly doing a good job at any political position. All I could think of was a Stepford Wife.
The good news is that Loeffler proved that she is the worst of the worst, and while we already knew that the Republican base would like her regardless, anyone on the fence (are there any?) would not be impressed. Warnock is not a good debater, but his campaign ads are very good. I am hopeful that he will inspire Black and White voters to turn out in great numbers, which is usually a problem in runoffs. I think there is much more to him than was demonstrated last night.
Frankly, what we need is two more Senate seats. At this stage of the game, we have a debater who needs coaching, but appears to have good instincts, and we have Jon Ossoff. After seeing Ossoff eviscerate Perdue to the point that Perdue refused to participate in a debate with him, I'm sure he can do it on the Senate floor. Together, they can prevent Biden's administration from being hamstrung, and that's what we need. All the Republicans ask of their Senators is that they stonewall any attempt by the Democrats to govern, and not to stray from the "socialist," "communist," "defund the police," "ruin the economy" mantra. With such a low bar, I think our candidates can do well. Yes, I'm a pragmatist.
All the same false talking points
oh yes, i found myself saying outloud "say something, tell her she is lying, speak up" automaton, whose husband owns Wall Street. As HRC says, "follow the money" just sickening.
If you are writing the clearest, truest words you can find and doing the best you can to understand and communicate, this will shine on paper like its own little lighthouse. Lighthouses dont go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.
-Anne Lamott
Thank you for your shining light 🌟
Such a perfect quote, Kari!
I love her and this comment is perfect for Heather both in her riding and her geographic location.🌊
Thank you, Heather. One word seems to float through so many comments and replies to you, and that is SANITY. You do what you do so well and we need it so much that it helps us keep our sanity. Beautiful photo. The glimmer of light and our flag comfortably looking over a beautiful Winter scene. Good night.
I too echo Ransom’s sentiment. Thank you for the last year of your posts.
Relieved you are seeing us tomorrow. I just know you aren't resting though! To fellow intrepid HCR commenters, yesterday I discovered our next door neighbor is flying the American flag upside down and has added a "trump 2020" flag under that with a military service flag under that. We have lots of space in between houses here and I sure do appreciate that! We live near Valley Forge. Will keep you posted should mayhem ensue.
Interesting, especially since the US Flag Code states, "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."
Exactly. The flag code was my first thought. I don't wish to be paranoid, but who knows what trump supporters are up to since he pours gasoline on his pile of lies on a daily basis?
I am surrounded by a high percentage of Trumper virus deniers in rural Eastern Snohomish County, WA state. Keep you counsel and be watchful not paranoid is my theory.
Sad to hear that. Good luck.
What a desecration 😞🙅🏼♀️🤷♀️
That is a perfect description, Suzanne. This Saturday, my DAR Chapter places wreaths on the graves of Rev War soldiers at the Paoli battlefield. A friend and I will also place wreaths on graves at another cemetery where there is a mass grave of Rev War soldiers who perished due to disease at Valley Forge. :-(
That’s great.
My DAR chapter is in Japan, so no graves. Since 2015, I’ve been logging in 20-30 hours/week indexing Rev War Records for digitization. I’ve learned a lot about the Revolution.
Hi Nancy, I've been indexing too. It sure is a source of inspiration. It's nice to hear about your work there.
OMG!
Please convey our appreciation to Peter for such a striking photograph. And a big thank you for all you are doing to help us through this crisis.
Sleep, perchance to dream. Thank you, Heather, for helping us all to sleep better and dream big.
spectacular picture...didn't see the flag peeking through at first. we should always feel the way I am viewing this special glimpse of mother nature. Rest easy.
Beautiful! Have a peaceful night, Heather.
That picture is wonderful. Thought at first it was B&W...Really, really nice.
Rest well, friend. "Rest and laughter are the most spiritual and subversive acts of all. Laugh, rest slow down." (Anne Lamott).
The photo is a beautiful accompaniment to your brief statement. The glimpse of hope in the partial lighthouse. Needed that this morning. Thank you.
What a beautiful photo. And it would make a very difficult jigsaw puzzle.