Mr. Miller was from Waco, Texas, where I am sitting right now after a Baylor University volleyball playoff game. I live about 40 minutes away. Dr. Richardson, thank you for over and over telling the story of the America so many want us to be, and that we need to be. You are a blessing to me and to our country. As Longfellow said in his b…
Mr. Miller was from Waco, Texas, where I am sitting right now after a Baylor University volleyball playoff game. I live about 40 minutes away. Dr. Richardson, thank you for over and over telling the story of the America so many want us to be, and that we need to be. You are a blessing to me and to our country. As Longfellow said in his beautiful poem written in the midst of the civil war, that though “hate is strong and mocks the song,” ……”the wrong shall fail, the right prevail.” While it surely does not seem to be the case today that the right is prevailing, keep calling us all “to the better angels of our nature.” We need to hear what you have to say. Thank you.
"Among the many ethnic groups who fought, Native Americans served at a higher percentage than any other ethnic group—more than a third of able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 50 joined the service—and among those 25,000 soldiers were the men who developed the famous “Code Talk,” based in tribal languages, that codebreakers never cracked.".... This Warrior Tradition among the Indigenous persists in this 21stCentury... In the Elite Special Operations Command Units ( SOCOM ), and Joint Special Operations Command Units ( JSOC ), 1-In-4 of the People-That-Matter, 'The Trigger Pullers" are Indigenous... Thank You Heather For Remembering Our Defense Of This Great Land...
And thank you, Apache, for the additional information about Indigenous people who serve the furtherance of democracy and the Constitution and who, like Doris Miller, have not been given that same faith and respect in return.
I know plenty of people who love and are caring to the max for those who look like them. But change the least little thing and the “buts” start. Discrimination is learned. Applied appropriately, it is a great learning tool. But applying it to our fellow humans is a path to ruin. We love our dear ones with more than human kindness, but human kindness can ooze between us all like a uniting bond if we can see each other as fellow men, worthy of human consideration. Might include a cat or two…
Yes, it was about prejudice. So was “West Side Story “, and so many others. I once wrote a paper in undergrad school, about how art, music, literature, are an attempt to hold a mirror up to mankind. Basically saying this is what you have become. Just my belief not necessarily true.
My favorite play. Rogers and Hammerstein received mounting pressure to cut the song from the musical, but they resolutely refused and it stayed in. When it toured Georgia, lawmakers there introduced a bill to outlaw entertainment that condoned or spoke of interracial marriage. Many critics branded the play as communist.
Anita, of course groups in the South wanted the song removed from "South Pacific." It might just make someone think about the stupidity of practices and laws that forbad interracial marriage when so many people in that region and throughout the nation were descendants of interracial relationships, often not consensual. Hypocrisy is strong with some people and so is hatred.
Ally, I heard that song when I was 14 when my sister's high school presented "South Pacific." I was shocked that such a meaningful song was in the show. My family had discussions about it for weeks. That was happening when I was coming to understand the War in Vietnam and had kept a journal of events of the war for the previous month, Feb. 1968. I don't think when our teacher made the assignment to keep the daily journal that he guessed it would be one of the worst months of the war to that time. That month and the song changed me from supporting the war because our government said it was right, to being a strong opponent and I didn't look back. Well-written/composed songs can do that.
We should each send copies of this essay to each of our Senators as a reminder of what our recent ancestors fought for in WW2 (and other wars). It is now up to them to decide which side they will be on.
Actually, I believe your senators already get this letter, as well, I believe mine probably do also. We should send them so that they know we that we appreciate them for it.
My guess is that constituent mail and email is all read by aides, who count up the numbers supporting or opposing different issues. We can send them but they'll never know it was us. Heck, I once left a book at Senator Warren's HOUSE in Cambridge, in the mailbox. Never heard from her. And not surprised.
Yes, JD. Although the play and movie “South Pacific”, has a great deal of beautiful music, my favorite is “ You Have To Be Carefully Taught”. The song speaks volumes and never fails to bring tears to my eyes when i see the movie.
Wisdom. But don't forget dogs. We coevolved with dogs for thousands of years, and while I know people who certainly love cats more than dogs, I strongly suspect that the dog/human bond is more common and stronger, on average, although I do know some poeple who LOVE their cats just as much as I love my dog.
I have a theory about prejudice... It's fear. Thinking in black and white. No room for gray. I am/think this and you are/think that... one of us is wrong... it's NOT ME. I think people who want you to think they are superior are very insecure people.
For generations, justice challenged politicians have used racism and misogyny to control the votes of the working class as a substitute for better pay and professional advancement. It blows my mind that people are unable to catch on to this and recognize the truth!
Priscilla, the con artists of the world figured out that they could manipulate people through their hates and their need to feel superior. That is often more powerful than money or advancement. That was very active in this 2024 presidential campaign as well as in some of the state-wide elections. And, all the target has to be is favorable to some kind of equity for a disadvantaged group and that can be used by the "con artists" to promote a candidate who is appalling in his or her own right but at least doesn't favor THAT group. Racism, sexism, homo/transphobia, classism, and fear of immigrants are powerful motivators and unscrupulous "handlers" in this season's case, Republicans have used all to great effect. This time, an ignorant, rich, white, hateful, vengeful former president with dementia was voted for more than a competent, intelligent, caring, joyful woman. She just had too many strikes against her: female, non-white, middle-class, and a child of immigrants. The American people were told to claim economics for their reason to vote for that ignorant failure of a white man and his minions because they knew Americans want to pretend there is no racism, misogyny, and the rest. Didn't Johnny Roberts of the Supreme Court 6 tell us that back in the Shelby case in 2013. He knew he was lying, but heck, Republicans hold lying as a badge of honor these days.
Sherry, I believe you are right. And, people make excuses to permit themselves to think as they do. I have known people who are quite racist. When they speak kindly of co-workers of color and someone says, but your friend Jen is Black, their comment has been "Well, she's different, she isn't like the rest of them." I have heard this too often to discount it as a one-off. It seems some people compartmentalize, despise the group, then ignore those one sees as "extreme exceptions" from the rule. I have heard people say something similar related to women. I do believe all of that is learned, not innate.
Ruth, your comment made me think of a time in my early twenties (100 years ago lol). I had invited a friend of mine to the pool at my apartment building. He was a Native American and we had talked often about the prejudices he had faced in his life. A family of Black people came and jumped in the pool. My friend said "I'm never going in that pool again" I said "How can you say that after all the things you have told me" He said "This is different". I remember being amazed that instead of compassion, there was hate. I've experienced similar things in my life... but that was my introduction to absolute prejudice.
Sherry, wow! That's painful! I know it happens just as you describe. I have seen teachers negatively censor students who have dark skin, even teachers who are Black. That threw me for a loop because I didn't expect it. I did not notice while I was working with struggling students that most of them had very dark skin (that is when I still had vision). I am only now realizing this as I look back, not that I didn't notice their skin color before, but that they seemed to be "struggling" more than lighter-skinned kids. Interesting huh? Clearly racism is taught, but we must have some kind of brain segment that incorporates racism and other hates rather readily. Ugh!
Like any human endeavor, democracy is fraught with human failings. Hopefully, we regret them and learn from them and grow away from them. https://nedmcdletters.blogspot.com/2014/03/letter-96-is-american-exceptionalism.html Perhaps that is what Prime Minister Churchill meant when he said that democracy is the worst form of government . . . ¡except for all of the others!
My son is a Command Sgt Major in the Special Forces, and he assures me that these orders would not be followed, unless there were a verifiable foreign presence on U.S. soil. Of course, there is always the possibility of another Gen. Michael Flynn somewhere lurking in our military, but on the overall, it won't happen. Now, your state's governor, who controls the National Guard is another story.
Ally, I don't always get through all the comments, and perhaps at times it is because I'm on early, but I haven't seen comments from Keith Wheelock lately. I know you read a lot of comments, have you seen him? I hope nothing is wrong. He's so knowledgeable.
I only got about 45 minutes today. 2 hour Tuba Christmas rehearsal, 1 hour concert. Drive across town for a2 hour dress rehearsal for my symphonic band concert tomorrow
Enjoy yourself tomorrow, I'm sure it will be great.
(I am not a musician though I funded many, many years of piano and private clarinet, trumpet and french horn lessons, besides taking a second p/t job to pay for the student instruments and then "real" ones. Only one of the three kids still plays. Oh well.)
Ally, how wonderful! a musician. This was a big weekend for me too. My group, Colonial Revelers sang for 3 outdoor Christmas festivals including Elfreth's Alley in Philadelphia. It was really cold, but very festive. I hope you had a great time too and that the rest of the season will be special for you!
Apache, maybe that's the task for white Americans, to remember and honor the best of us rather than always the mostly white men who murdered people they didn't like or wanted to steal from. There are white Americans who were good models, but alas, we laud folks like Reagan, Andrew Jackson, and Confederate "heroes." Anthony Benezet was a Revolutionary War era abolitionist, Thomas Paine stood loud and proud for the rights of all people. The Quaker women of the underground railroad and women's and civil rights were remarkable too. We need to be more careful of the ways we throw around the term "patriotic" because right now, and for quite some time, the Republican Party, particularly under Donald Trump is not patriotic and neither are most of our corporations, mostly run by white people, of course are not patriots either.
I agree that the MAGAs have perverted the Meaning of "Patriot"... Trying to overthrow the results of the 2020 National Election on 6-Jan-2021 was not Patriotic... How will History Judge this Country when DJT takes the Presidency on 20-Jan-2025?
Indigenous people and other minorities gave their lives to defend democracy only to find a lack of civil rights back home. Only in a functioning democracy can all minorities' rights be adequately protected.
Exactly, I found it totally mind-blowing that some Indigenous were still without electricity in the 3rd decade of the 21st century. They don't live that far from the rest of us. Why is the government still persecuting them?
The Navajo 'Code Talkers' are definitely Deservedly Honored... My Father & Uncles who are Apache, Served with Honor as Well... All The Indigenous Nations Have Sent their Best to all this USA's Wars throughout History...
The beginning of this letter read like my Fourth Grade class Veterans Day Assembly, where my students would present research on different groups in the military, including the Code Talkers and Native Americans in general in the military. They would include demographics as well. We would learn about heroes like Doris Miller the Code Talkers, Tuskegee Airmen, and so many others. How women often disguised themselves as men to take part in wars like the Revolutionary War. I have been hoping that the US military will stand up to Trump and his cabal as need be. I am still hoping that the culture of service and loyalty to the constitution outweighs the culture of loyalty to the leader.
Lots of people say 'thank you for your service' to current and former members of the Armed Forces, but not enough say it to the men and women who teach our children every day. Thank you for your service, Linda. I suspect that you are an excellent teacher.
Thank you John. I am now retired. I loved teaching every single day though.
In addition to leading an assembly we would invite everyone in the school to interview people in their family who had served or was serving and they would all be invited to our assembly. I would have my room parents organize a reception for the vets after the assembly. We would put up these interviews around the school with the Vets picture. It was a deep dive into understanding the history of our military and why we honor them for serving and protecting us.
We also made cards and invited other classes to write get well cards for Vets at the VA hospital, and then we would go to the VA hospital on another day that week, usually could not go on Veterans Day, and sing to them and give them cards. The children loved the Medley which had the songs of 5 branches woven in. You could tell which branch the different vets were in because they would be singing along when we were singing the part that was for their branch. I believe in teaching civics.
You are my kind of teacher! I was a middle grades public school teacher, now retired. It was my passion! I loved teaching, I was inspired by the endless opportunities and challenges to come up with different ways of keeping the students motivated and involved in their learning. I loved their energy and I am fortunate to live in the small town where I taught, so I often run into my old kids who greet me with a big smile and arms open to wrap me in a warm hug.
Daphne, that sounds great! Seeing children grow up is wonderful and knowing you have the lifelong connection to them. When I am in the US I run into my former students because I taught in a neighborhood school. Some of my daughter's friends were my students, my friend's children were my students and my neighbors' children were my students. I love running into them and catching up. Also, I feel good that they all felt like they or their children learned a lot and were engaged in school.
John, I try to acknowledge every one I come across in a "service" setting. Given my coffee habit, that is most often at either the grocery store (where I buy the beans to make my own bean juice) or at the coffee drive throughs (not just Starbucks; we have two local chains, and several "sole proprietors" as well) I say "thanks for being here". Started that during the pandemic, and I continue to this day.
Mary Ellen, you are right, but only partially. Not all women who wore men's clothing were trans. A few wanted to serve and protect their husbands and brothers; others wanted to fight for the Union. So, my family legend goes, a young distant relative was a water-bearer for a company. BTW, I have not heard of Confederate women in the Civil War.
Linda, yes, there were women in the Civil War, but my comment referred to the Confederacy. As far as I know, the only women on battlefields or behind the lines were Union Army sympathizers.
"Both the Union and Confederate armies forbade the enlistment of women. Women soldiers of the Civil War therefore assumed masculine names, disguised themselves as men, and hid the fact they were female. Because they passed as men, it is impossible to know with any certainty how many women soldiers served in the Civil War. Estimates place as many as 250 women in the ranks of the Confederate army.(1) Writing in 1888, Mary Livermore of the U.S. Sanitary Commission remembered that:
Some one has stated the number of women soldiers known to the service as little less than four hundred. I cannot vouch for the correctness of this estimate, but I am convinced that a larger number of women disguised themselves and enlisted in the service, for one cause or other, than was dreamed of. Entrenched in secrecy, and regarded as men, they were sometimes revealed as women, by accident or casualty. Some startling histories of these military women were current in the gossip of army life...."
My knowledge comes mostly from teaching. As my students and I researched many different things, I always learned a lot. One of the reasons I appreciate HCR so much is because she adds so much to my knowledge of history and its relevance to today. My students also learned that a lot of the early Muslims in the US Military were Africans. What is interesting is that one can take any topic and learn about how it has been treated throughout history. I found my students were always interested in learning something, especially if they were going to present to an authentic audience, with a lot of rehearsal for success.
It must be a really good feeling to be promoted to the head of a government department that doesn't exist and then put out all these proposals to take 2 trillion dollars away from all those people who have less than you (in EloX case, that would be everybody but I'm excluding billionaires)
I call these nuisance appointments. Musk clearly gets on DTs nerves, at least some of the time, and what better way to make him feel important than to make up a department which can disappear when it is time to get rid of him. Elites supported Hitler too, until he took over their stuff. We shall see where this goes.
Ever see Windtalkers with Nicolas Cage, based on this. It's remarkable but the most difficult if not impossible "code" to break is an unfamiliar native language, highly structured, vs seemingly random codes. Then again, Enigma was only broken by "cheating" on the part of the British with the Turing crew, Turing, who committed suicide after his homosexuality was publicized and turned against him. Freedom is always relative, isn't it!
here's a bit.... Turing's work and legacy were not fully known until long after his death. In 2013, he was posthumously pardoned by Queen Elizabeth II. In 2016, the Government announced the "Turing law", which granted posthumous pardons to gay and bisexual men convicted of now-abolished sexual offenses in England and Wales.
The following quotes are from renown anthropologist Christopher Boehm’s book, Hierarchy in the Forest (2001).
Page 4: The Iroquois Confederation was a matrilineally based tribal nation in which women shared in the substantial degree of political and economic equality that prevailed among adults. It had a significant influence on the framers of the American Constitution and, later, on the women’s suffrage movement.
Page 5: Humans were egalitarian for thousands of generations before hierarchical societies began to appear.
To that, I would add that hierarchical societies did not appear until only about 400 generations ago at the dawn of the Neolithic period, which is when the first agricultural settlements appear in the anthropological record.
In their book, The Healing Organization (2019), Raj Sisodia and Michael Gelb tell the same story.
Seven warring tribes came together under the leadership of a peacemaker to form the Iroquois Confederacy with a joint leadership at the top that allowed each of the tribes to have their own identity. This was two centuries before the founding fathers began to write the constitution that would structure the US government.
Thus, whereas the essential elements of the American constitution existed nowhere else in the world, the founding fathers eventually found them in their own backyard. The confederacy’s ideas included the three branches that American's began to refer to as the legislative, executive, and judicial when they were incorporated in the US constitution.
Unfortunately, the founding “fathers” excluded one key branch of the confederacy’s government, the council of mothers and grandmothers. This fourth branch selected the confederacy’s leader and had the power to replace a leader who became too warlike, or who was not sufficiently inclusive, or who was not thinking enough about the long-term, which they defined as an action’s consequence in seven generations.
The moral of these stories? Egalitarian democracy is not “in” our nature, it is human nature. Authoritarian autocracy is not in our nature, it is in lieu of growing up. More specifically, it is an expression of the desire to act like the Lost Boys marching around the enchanted forest following a Peter Pan-like character singing the “I won’t grow up” song.
The Dawn of Everything by Graeber and Wengrow confirms your other sources and contributions. We should continue sharing this information with others. Thank you for your summary, James. I recently completed a historical fiction YA novel, Antonia of the Shell People, which makes similar points. Due out in early 2025, my aspiration is introducing young adult readers to all you have mentioned.
Hope, if you're interested, check out another reply to my comment. I learned something important from Sherry Wolf, and then you might also be interested in my reply to Sherry.
James R. Cary: This is amazing information, something that rattled around in my brain such that perhaps I had read this before, but forgot. I can only begin to imagine what our country might have been like, if our founding fathers had only “remembered” to include a council of mothers and grandmothers. It’s enough to make me weep. And hope, and work.
I just read the rest of the thread and see I have a bunch of studying to do (yay! What fun!) Still: it’s a great story and the ideas are sure worthy of contemplation. You betcha.
Here's a link to a YouTube video. "Is Every Civilization Doomed?" We found it very interesting. The reason I'm mentioning it here is it talks about an ancient Greek historian, Polybius. Towards the end of the video it talks about his information being incorporated into our (USA) constitution. I found all of it fascinating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqsBx58GxYY&ab_channel=AfterSkool. Let me know what you think.
Sherry, thank you so much for that video reference. Now I’m convinced that Christopher Boehm’s story—about the Iroquois Confederacy becoming the requisite predecessor to the American Constitution—is historically inaccurate, so that is a story I will no longer tell.
However, I see a fatal flaw in Polybius’ hypothesis in a statement soon after the six minute mark. Anacyclosis “posits that primitive humans had begun in a sort of anarchic original condition without political structures.” Based on that assumption, I can’t think of a way to challenge Polybius’ analysis. I never would have thought of it myself, but as I watched the video, it not only seems accurate with respect to the rise and fall of historic civilizations, but it’s obvious the same pattern is repeating in our current political condition.
So, based on the above-referenced “original condition” assumption, the answer to the “Is every civilization doomed to rise, but then fail?” question is yes.
Personally, and because I think the assumption is incorrect, my answer to the “Is there a way to avoid collapse?” question is yes.
The details are in my book, The Wisdom Theory (2024, see www.wisdomtheo.com), but I offer the following to make the long story short.
Although your video has convinced me that Boehm’s story about the American Constitution is wrong, he was right about egalitarian democracy being in our nature (genetically inherited knowledge) in lieu of being in our nurture (knowledge we invented).
The major structural components of society are institutions that include the world’s great religions, democracy, and science. For modern civilization, capitalism is an essential economic institution. If you know what to look for, it’s not hard to see that they all come from the same source. Specifically, they are like many branches from one vine. It’s true that they are all very different, but that’s simply because they emerged at different times, in different places, and in different contexts.
They do all have the same genetically inherited DNA. Noam Chomsky makes a compelling argument that certain segments of our human DNA are expressed in our brains as knowledge, and then we are born. I'm referring to a species-specific social instinct. In turn, we express this particular knowledge by translating it into words that are always different because the translations occur at different times in different contexts. But if you know what to look for, you’ll see that the underlying meaning is identical.
For example, the Christian principle involves treating each other the way we would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot. The same moral sentiment is the founding principle of all the world’s great religions. The first scientific principle involves subjecting our assumptions to rigorous skepticism to limit their ability to distort how we interpret what we observe. The first capitalist principle is named in the title of Adam Smith’s book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759), which prescribes a practice he referred to as sympathy, describing it as an attempt to temporarily stop using one’s assumptions to interpret a given observation and start using the other person’s assumptions to see if it’s possible to arrive at their interpretation.
Every member of our species follows the same social instinct that emerged at the origin of our species, and that we inherited from our Paleolithic ancestors. It allowed them to form the first multi-family and genetically heterogeneous social system, the hunter-gatherer band. That is why our Paleolithic ancestors thrived while every other Paleolithic hominin species on the planet failed to survive.
In other words, being a human is and always has been a positive-sum game. One does receive a small, short-term benefit by pretending it’s a zero-sum game, but then its not just the innocent victims who suffer in the long term. Everyone suffers.
Are you sure? I've read the debates of the framers drafting the Constitution and there is no mention of the Confederation. There is a lot said regarding other forms of government from ancient Greece and Rome to Montesquieu's theories of divided government. Yet, nothing said about the Confederation. Some have pointed to Franklin and Jefferson studying the system yet Franklin said little at the framing and Jefferson was absent. In addition to that although the Confederacy was one of peace, it was of peace for the members. It was also known to war with and drive out tribes in the region unaffiliated with it.
I respect your idea but wonder could this be another historical myth with one academic quoting another without evidence of a first source? Does it just sound nice?
Gary, you would appreciate "Indian Givers: How Native Americans Transformed the World", by Jack Weatherford. It is an outstanding compilation. We must remember given the racism at the time the framers of the constitution didn't want to weaken their case by referring to "heathens".
Agreed that there was a racist attitude amongst some of the Framers. Yet, we're still left with the debates and the compromises that are clearly based on Enlightenment thinkers and the Roman Republic. I believe we need to strive for historical accuracy. And we recognize that some of the thinking of the Framers was misguided, for instance the idea that there would be no political parties as we know them. I do not mean to diminish anyone or group. For reading I have a suggestion for you if you're interested in the treatment of America's native population. "The Cost of Free Land." by Rebecca Clarren. Clarren follows the history of her Jewish family as they flee oppression in Czarist Russia by coming to America. After arriving they take advantage of the Homestead Act, unwittingly taking advantage of the oppression of the Lakota Indians. It raises interesting ethical questions. Just finished it.
Gary, if you’re asking if I was sure of the historical accuracy of the quotes, I’d have to say no, and less so now. But if you’re asking if I am sure of the historical accuracy of the moral of the stories, I am.
All the historically accurate stories we tell ourselves about who we are tell us that being human is a positive-sum game where everyone wins in the long term. If we tell ourselves a story that being human is a zero-sum game—where “we” are winning because “they” are losing, or “we” are losing because “they” are losing—then the story is historically inaccurate.
Being human is not a zero-sum game. History repeatedly teaches us that convincing ourselves otherwise always turns it into a negative-sum game in which everyone loses in the long term.
On the one hand, my implying a historically inaccurate detail is accurate does more harm than good. On the other hand, your reference source is the Independence Institute, which I’ve discovered is an American libertarian think tank. Knowing that makes me very skeptical of your reference source. All the libertarians I’m aware of lack what should be an elementary school level understanding of capitalism.
That doesn’t mean the quotes I referenced are historically accurate. I’ll make sure they are before I reference them again. So, thanks for the heads up.
Am I sure? Well, Gary, I read the source you mentioned, and I did not particularly respect it. Its emphasis tells us not to teach this theory in schools. Why not? I'm an advocate for teaching our children critical thinking skills. They should be given many theories and opinions and taught to use deductive thinking.
However, supporting information comes from other sources that I respect. (Again, see The Dawn of Everything, et al.) There are ample indicators that, in the decades preceding the Constitutional Convention, the Haudenosaunee people and Europeans (the French, especially vis-a-vis Lahontan) exchanged ideas and possibly even visited each other's nations. A particularly brilliant thinker and orator, a Wendot named Kandiaronk, may have visited France and influenced Rousseau. At any rate, there was contact between the future founders and tribes by many accounts, and Kandiaronk's criticism and advice were noted.
I would not put all my conclusions on Adams's proclamations and absence of confirmations. He was rather curmudgeonly, after all. His wife, Abigail, who kept the farm while raising a family, had several visits from a neighboring tribe in his absence.
The point, after all, is to credit the Native populations for being complex individuals and societies that contributed wisdom and value to our nation both then and now.
Hope, the source is just one of many by historians. It was chosen due to it's simplicity. There is no argument that Natives and the Colonists interacted, that's a moot point. It's whether the American Constitution was modelled on the Iroquois Confederacy. There is no evidence of it, only speculation. I put no conclusions on Adam's proclamations, I'm curious as to why you thought I did, as I hadn't mentioned Adams. I can credit the Iroquois for being complex, yet speculation that because the French "possibly" even visited each other is evidence of anything, much less that the Constitution and American government is based on a confederacy is just that or wishful thinking. Again, our original confederacy was scuttled in favor of a democratic republic. It doesn't follow that our Constitution was modelled on a confederacy. The Convention minutes are not speculation but evidence. The debates on how to form our government are based on Western tradition and Enlightenment thinking. I agree with you it is important to teach critical thinking. we can ask students to critically analyze the question whether the American Constitution is modelled on a native confederacy or Montesquieu type of republic. Critical thinking is based on evidence not "may haves" and non-sequiturs. If thought about critically do you prefer they go with evidence or speculation? If we are to accurately assess how we got to the point of electing a populist president nominating a sycophant cabinet we need to know how we got here accurately.
Gary, Sherry, James et al. From PBS' series on Native Americans:
"In 1744, the Onondaga leader Canassatego gave a speech urging the contentious 13 colonies to unite, as the Iroquois had at the signing of the Treaty of Lancaster. This cultural exchange inspired the English colonist Benjamin Franklin to print Canassatego’s speech.
"We heartily recommend Union and a good Agreement between you our Brethren," Canassatego had said. "Never disagree, but preserve a strict Friendship for one another, and thereby you, as well as we, will become the stronger. Our wise Forefathers established Union and Amity between the Five Nations; this has made us formidable; this has given us great Weight and Authority with our neighboring Nations. We are a powerful Confederacy; and, by your observing the same Methods our wise Forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh Strength and Power; therefore whatever befalls you, never fall out one with another."
He used a metaphor that many arrows cannot be broken as easily as one. This inspired the bundle of 13 arrows held by an eagle in the Great Seal of the United States.
In addition: Before the Congressional Congress, leaders of the Confederacy attended the Albany Congress in 1754, where Benjamin Franklin was impressed by the Great Law of Peace and wrote what’s known as the Albany Plan of Union. It advocated for the colonies to improve security and better defend themselves from foreign powers. In 1776, during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia invited the Iroquois to make an address, where they were well received by the patriots.
In 1988, Congress passed a resolution formally acknowledging the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the U.S. Constitution. It reads, "The confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy, as were many of the democratic principles incorporated into the constitution itself.” In addition, the resolution stated, “the continuing government-to-government relationship between Indian tribes and the United States established in the Constitution,” which reaffirmed the legitimacy and sovereignty of Native nations and their governments.
Hope, as a member and volunteer at my local PBS I watched this series with great interest. However, evidence should always trump conjecture and wishful thinking. The quote you are using is from an opinion piece on a blog. The author, Terri Hansen, is an advocate for Native American causes, not an historian.
First, the bundle of Thirteen arrows is not a reference to Canassateogo, it is juxta positioned by an olive branch, a universal symbol of America wanting peace but being prepared for war. The number thirteen is common on the Great Seal. It's simply fantasy that the arrows, also known to be used on European Coats of Arms. Americanheritage.org/great-seal-united-states-america/
There is nothing in Udall's bill to suggest any evidence exists in support of the resolution as being factually correct. It was purely a political move by an Arizona politician to please some constituents during a bicentennial.
Third, because any party supported the unification of the Colonies in their rebellion is not evidence the following government was inspired by that party. Indeed, we scuttled the idea of a confederacy by replacing the articles of Confederation with a Roman based Republican constitution.
Here is an award winning paper on the source foundations of the American Constitution. It is relatively short, well researched, academic, and written and evaluated by historians with no dog in the fight, not by a journalist with an agenda.
Gary, you seem to be very knowledgeable. Are you saying that Benjamin Franklin never quoted Canassatego? Or that the Iroquois were not invited to or attended the Continental Congress? Or that a resolution of recognition is meaningless? A few comments ago, a post said there is no verification that the CC had ever entertained the inclusion of Haudenosaunee. The points I mention do indicate their influence. That is all.
I am not sure why you are so opposed to the possibility of Native American exchanges, but so sure of Polybius' influence. Or that the details in our National Symbols are also mistaken? I've found enough sources to support the popular belief, as you've found sources to help yours. It would be best at this point to call a truce. Do you think we should agree to disagree? Thank you for your efforts in this discussion.
Hope, I apologize if I seem terse, arrogant, or otherwise offensive. I would rather have such conversations in person as threads are so impersonal. I appreciate the conversation. That you and I are on this site indicates to me we have much in common. Best, Gary
Hope, it took a couple of days to ponder this. I think I know where the confusion lies. The Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention were two separate entities serving two separate purposes. Different people, different purposes. The Constitutional Convention was held in secret, no one was allowed in that wasn't a delegate or administrative staff The building was sealed and guarded so know one would know details of what was being debated. Some delegates were invited under false pretenses so the word would not get out to the Confederation Congress, sometimes referred to as the Second Continental Congress.
Therefore, all your points phrased as questions are moot. The instant question is was our Constitution, our form of government in any way based on the Iroquois Confederacy? The answer is no. Indeed, the Constitution scuttled a confederacy and answers the question on its face. The proposition that the Constitution was influenced by any confederacy makes no sense.
I never suggested that there were no interactions between the Confederacy and the Colonists, and later Americans. But its a moot point.
Not all "sources" are equal. Mine from academic peer reviewed sources, primary sources, and researched citations. Yours are not. And yes, a Congressional Resolution does not a fact make. It was political statement made during a bicentennial for political purposes without historical fact.
Why am I insistent on arguing the facts? Because facts matter. It's important we get it right and not succumb to myth and fantasy if we're to hold on to our democratic republic in these tumultuous times.
The harm done by wishful thinkers be they claiming that our Constitution is a result of the Iroquois Confederacy or that it was founded as a Christian Nation is the same. Alternative facts corrupt critical thinking.
Seriously, do yourself a favor and read these before you go on.
PS: there are literally volumes written on the three committees that were tasked with generating the Great Seal. This is a short history if you're truly interested in exploring the subject.
Gary, I changed my mind. Your source was correct about the historic inaccuracy of the "Iroquois Confederacy is the mother of the American Constitution" story. If you're interested, see my reply to Sherry Wolf. It includes what I think should be an elementary school level understanding of capitalism, which I still perceive as being to libertarianism what up is to down.
When the Marine Corps Museum was dedicated I had the honor to interview some of the Navaho Code Talkers at the event. They were amazing and very humble human beings.
"Doris "Dorie" Miller (October 12, 1919 – November 24, 1943) was a U.S. Navy sailor who was the first Black recipient of the Navy Cross and a nominee for the Medal of Honor." Wikipedia.
Rick, for some reason today I was singing the song you quote, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”, and that line “The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with Peace on Earth, Good will to men”, and it sparked a little spark of hope in my heart. May we work to see the right prevail again in our time!
I also like the one I learned in elementary school:
"Jesus bids us shine with pure clear light
Like a little candle shining in the night.
In this world of darkness, we must shine
You in your small corner, and I in mine.""
Whether you're a Christian or not, the concept that we ALL have a part to play in making the world bright is a good one to remember.
To carry on and emphasise this truth, we now have a tradition in our family, started when the children were very small.
After Christmas dinner, which nowadays can involve fifteen or twenty people, when the table is cleared, everybody is given a candle in a jar. (battery ones for the smallest!) the lights are turned out, and I light the first and largest candle (because I'm the oldest!) and put it on the table. One by one everybody follows suit - and pretty soon the whole room is filled with a warm and loving light. We take a minute to silently say "Thank you!" to whoever - than it's big hugs and "Happy Christmas!" all round.
Sometimes over the years the teens have said "Oh, MOM!" or "Oh, NAN!" but when they gain a couple of years - they're the ones that run to get the candles. . .
Fabulous tradition! We almost always have two celebrations; the "family Christmas(es)" with mostly blood family, and then "Solstice" with our friends. I think I'm going to do that candle thing at Solstice. Maybe around the firepit, if it's not pouring rain.
That is a lovely tradition. I no longer go to church. But I miss the ceremonies so much. Your candlelight service reminds me of the lighting of the new fire on Holy Saturday, the night before Easter, in the Catholic Church. We pass the flame candle to candle around the church. I agree we can all bring our light into our communities.
There's a weekly Meditation for Peace every Sunday at 1:00 pm Central Time for everyone on the planet to meditate or pray for peace for 15 minutes. I set my phone alarm for 12:45 so I can get ready to send out Love, Peace and Compassion to all on the Mother. Please join us!!!
As always, I am a step behind. How do I access the Meditation for Peace to which you refer? Googling it brings up all kinds of sites. I like the idea of an every Sunday event.
“I hear a lot these days about how American democracy is doomed and the reactionaries will win. Maybe. But the beauty of our system is that it gives us people like Doris Miller.
Even better, it makes us people like Doris Miller.”
My hope is that the next two years will be so ugly that Americans wake up and understand what we have to lose and break the cult fascination with fascism.
My takeaway from HCR's letter? She's running scared. We very well could be at a tipping point right now. The next few months could be extremely telling.
If she were running scared, she would not be writing this SubStack column and giving us the opportunity to learn and express our opinions. Thank you HCR .
That's an extraordinary take on what was basically a history lesson leading on to a warning and an exhortation. Maybe you phrased it awkwardly - but it appears to come from one of those trump supporters who need constant reassurance after every perceived criticism. Please accept my apology if I am wrong.
It was this question by HCR that prompted my remark: "Will we permit the destruction of American democracy on our watch?" I could have phrased it differently, but what came to my mind was that she's very much concerned, or in other words scared of losing democracy, not scare of retribution from Trump and the MAGATS.
Mr. Miller was from Waco, Texas, where I am sitting right now after a Baylor University volleyball playoff game. I live about 40 minutes away. Dr. Richardson, thank you for over and over telling the story of the America so many want us to be, and that we need to be. You are a blessing to me and to our country. As Longfellow said in his beautiful poem written in the midst of the civil war, that though “hate is strong and mocks the song,” ……”the wrong shall fail, the right prevail.” While it surely does not seem to be the case today that the right is prevailing, keep calling us all “to the better angels of our nature.” We need to hear what you have to say. Thank you.
"Among the many ethnic groups who fought, Native Americans served at a higher percentage than any other ethnic group—more than a third of able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 50 joined the service—and among those 25,000 soldiers were the men who developed the famous “Code Talk,” based in tribal languages, that codebreakers never cracked.".... This Warrior Tradition among the Indigenous persists in this 21stCentury... In the Elite Special Operations Command Units ( SOCOM ), and Joint Special Operations Command Units ( JSOC ), 1-In-4 of the People-That-Matter, 'The Trigger Pullers" are Indigenous... Thank You Heather For Remembering Our Defense Of This Great Land...
And thank you, Apache, for the additional information about Indigenous people who serve the furtherance of democracy and the Constitution and who, like Doris Miller, have not been given that same faith and respect in return.
Thanks R/W... WE ALL Honor Our Ancestors By Remembering, And Carrying On Their Best Traditions....
Yes. A lot of the traditions that our white ancestors left us are admirable - fortitude, determination, mutual aid.
Unfortunately, SOME of the traditions they left us weren't so admirable - and some of us still cling on to them.
Thanking whatever God you honor for providing food is a good tradition. Despising someone because they aren't "just like me" isn't.
I know plenty of people who love and are caring to the max for those who look like them. But change the least little thing and the “buts” start. Discrimination is learned. Applied appropriately, it is a great learning tool. But applying it to our fellow humans is a path to ruin. We love our dear ones with more than human kindness, but human kindness can ooze between us all like a uniting bond if we can see each other as fellow men, worthy of human consideration. Might include a cat or two…
JD, they are so "carefully taught".
I will NEVER forget hearing that in "South Pacific" for the first time. I remember where I was in the theater, and feeling like I'd been slapped.
Me too. It made me realise what the film was actually about - rather than "just another war film."
Yes, it was about prejudice. So was “West Side Story “, and so many others. I once wrote a paper in undergrad school, about how art, music, literature, are an attempt to hold a mirror up to mankind. Basically saying this is what you have become. Just my belief not necessarily true.
I so agree
Racism, front and center
My favorite play. Rogers and Hammerstein received mounting pressure to cut the song from the musical, but they resolutely refused and it stayed in. When it toured Georgia, lawmakers there introduced a bill to outlaw entertainment that condoned or spoke of interracial marriage. Many critics branded the play as communist.
Only in my beloved South, so embarrassing. I knew none of this
I’d never heard that!
Anita, of course groups in the South wanted the song removed from "South Pacific." It might just make someone think about the stupidity of practices and laws that forbad interracial marriage when so many people in that region and throughout the nation were descendants of interracial relationships, often not consensual. Hypocrisy is strong with some people and so is hatred.
Ally, I heard that song when I was 14 when my sister's high school presented "South Pacific." I was shocked that such a meaningful song was in the show. My family had discussions about it for weeks. That was happening when I was coming to understand the War in Vietnam and had kept a journal of events of the war for the previous month, Feb. 1968. I don't think when our teacher made the assignment to keep the daily journal that he guessed it would be one of the worst months of the war to that time. That month and the song changed me from supporting the war because our government said it was right, to being a strong opponent and I didn't look back. Well-written/composed songs can do that.
It does that to me every time
Discrimination is learned. ✅
We should each send copies of this essay to each of our Senators as a reminder of what our recent ancestors fought for in WW2 (and other wars). It is now up to them to decide which side they will be on.
I suspect my Senators--Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey--know well what we fought for and support it. But it won't hurt to send them all this essay.
I'm sure they do. But they might pass the essay on to others who need the reminder!
Actually, I believe your senators already get this letter, as well, I believe mine probably do also. We should send them so that they know we that we appreciate them for it.
My guess is that constituent mail and email is all read by aides, who count up the numbers supporting or opposing different issues. We can send them but they'll never know it was us. Heck, I once left a book at Senator Warren's HOUSE in Cambridge, in the mailbox. Never heard from her. And not surprised.
Yes, JD. Although the play and movie “South Pacific”, has a great deal of beautiful music, my favorite is “ You Have To Be Carefully Taught”. The song speaks volumes and never fails to bring tears to my eyes when i see the movie.
My sentiments exactly, Phyllis D.!
Yes. I have always believed that the word "but" negates anything that came before it. The statement must be true to fact and leave it at that.
“Buts” change everything. Just excuses to justify the evils of racism, misogyny and a slew of other “justifications”
Wisdom. But don't forget dogs. We coevolved with dogs for thousands of years, and while I know people who certainly love cats more than dogs, I strongly suspect that the dog/human bond is more common and stronger, on average, although I do know some poeple who LOVE their cats just as much as I love my dog.
That persistent need to look down on some and feel superior is a human ailment that seems incurable.
I have a theory about prejudice... It's fear. Thinking in black and white. No room for gray. I am/think this and you are/think that... one of us is wrong... it's NOT ME. I think people who want you to think they are superior are very insecure people.
For generations, justice challenged politicians have used racism and misogyny to control the votes of the working class as a substitute for better pay and professional advancement. It blows my mind that people are unable to catch on to this and recognize the truth!
Priscilla, the con artists of the world figured out that they could manipulate people through their hates and their need to feel superior. That is often more powerful than money or advancement. That was very active in this 2024 presidential campaign as well as in some of the state-wide elections. And, all the target has to be is favorable to some kind of equity for a disadvantaged group and that can be used by the "con artists" to promote a candidate who is appalling in his or her own right but at least doesn't favor THAT group. Racism, sexism, homo/transphobia, classism, and fear of immigrants are powerful motivators and unscrupulous "handlers" in this season's case, Republicans have used all to great effect. This time, an ignorant, rich, white, hateful, vengeful former president with dementia was voted for more than a competent, intelligent, caring, joyful woman. She just had too many strikes against her: female, non-white, middle-class, and a child of immigrants. The American people were told to claim economics for their reason to vote for that ignorant failure of a white man and his minions because they knew Americans want to pretend there is no racism, misogyny, and the rest. Didn't Johnny Roberts of the Supreme Court 6 tell us that back in the Shelby case in 2013. He knew he was lying, but heck, Republicans hold lying as a badge of honor these days.
Ignorance runs deep and goes thru to the core
The "I/we are right/better" dynamic crosses all of human history, Sherry, and i suspect people on both sides are by times saying something similar.
I agree. It's also lazy thinking. Difference is not threatening. It merely is.
Sherry, I believe you are right. And, people make excuses to permit themselves to think as they do. I have known people who are quite racist. When they speak kindly of co-workers of color and someone says, but your friend Jen is Black, their comment has been "Well, she's different, she isn't like the rest of them." I have heard this too often to discount it as a one-off. It seems some people compartmentalize, despise the group, then ignore those one sees as "extreme exceptions" from the rule. I have heard people say something similar related to women. I do believe all of that is learned, not innate.
Ruth, your comment made me think of a time in my early twenties (100 years ago lol). I had invited a friend of mine to the pool at my apartment building. He was a Native American and we had talked often about the prejudices he had faced in his life. A family of Black people came and jumped in the pool. My friend said "I'm never going in that pool again" I said "How can you say that after all the things you have told me" He said "This is different". I remember being amazed that instead of compassion, there was hate. I've experienced similar things in my life... but that was my introduction to absolute prejudice.
Sherry, wow! That's painful! I know it happens just as you describe. I have seen teachers negatively censor students who have dark skin, even teachers who are Black. That threw me for a loop because I didn't expect it. I did not notice while I was working with struggling students that most of them had very dark skin (that is when I still had vision). I am only now realizing this as I look back, not that I didn't notice their skin color before, but that they seemed to be "struggling" more than lighter-skinned kids. Interesting huh? Clearly racism is taught, but we must have some kind of brain segment that incorporates racism and other hates rather readily. Ugh!
Absolutely not incurable. It's learned. And it can be learned differently.
True. I'm sure it was "Well, Ugg - WE'RE better than the Neanderthals!"
Like any human endeavor, democracy is fraught with human failings. Hopefully, we regret them and learn from them and grow away from them. https://nedmcdletters.blogspot.com/2014/03/letter-96-is-american-exceptionalism.html Perhaps that is what Prime Minister Churchill meant when he said that democracy is the worst form of government . . . ¡except for all of the others!
My question is, will the military stand up against Trump IF he tries to use the military as a weapon against his "enemies"?
My son is a Command Sgt Major in the Special Forces, and he assures me that these orders would not be followed, unless there were a verifiable foreign presence on U.S. soil. Of course, there is always the possibility of another Gen. Michael Flynn somewhere lurking in our military, but on the overall, it won't happen. Now, your state's governor, who controls the National Guard is another story.
Daniel, I hope your son is right, and that there are untold thousands more like him.
My worry as well.
Ally, I don't always get through all the comments, and perhaps at times it is because I'm on early, but I haven't seen comments from Keith Wheelock lately. I know you read a lot of comments, have you seen him? I hope nothing is wrong. He's so knowledgeable.
Keith was on yesterday.
I only got about 45 minutes today. 2 hour Tuba Christmas rehearsal, 1 hour concert. Drive across town for a2 hour dress rehearsal for my symphonic band concert tomorrow
Good to hear! Thank you!
Enjoy yourself tomorrow, I'm sure it will be great.
(I am not a musician though I funded many, many years of piano and private clarinet, trumpet and french horn lessons, besides taking a second p/t job to pay for the student instruments and then "real" ones. Only one of the three kids still plays. Oh well.)
Good for you! I ended up returning as an adult on tuba because my nephew was playing my horn in high school!
Ally, how wonderful! a musician. This was a big weekend for me too. My group, Colonial Revelers sang for 3 outdoor Christmas festivals including Elfreth's Alley in Philadelphia. It was really cold, but very festive. I hope you had a great time too and that the rest of the season will be special for you!
I haven't seen him either, now that you mention him.
The answer to that is: No.
Apache, maybe that's the task for white Americans, to remember and honor the best of us rather than always the mostly white men who murdered people they didn't like or wanted to steal from. There are white Americans who were good models, but alas, we laud folks like Reagan, Andrew Jackson, and Confederate "heroes." Anthony Benezet was a Revolutionary War era abolitionist, Thomas Paine stood loud and proud for the rights of all people. The Quaker women of the underground railroad and women's and civil rights were remarkable too. We need to be more careful of the ways we throw around the term "patriotic" because right now, and for quite some time, the Republican Party, particularly under Donald Trump is not patriotic and neither are most of our corporations, mostly run by white people, of course are not patriots either.
I agree that the MAGAs have perverted the Meaning of "Patriot"... Trying to overthrow the results of the 2020 National Election on 6-Jan-2021 was not Patriotic... How will History Judge this Country when DJT takes the Presidency on 20-Jan-2025?
Indigenous people and other minorities gave their lives to defend democracy only to find a lack of civil rights back home. Only in a functioning democracy can all minorities' rights be adequately protected.
Exactly, I found it totally mind-blowing that some Indigenous were still without electricity in the 3rd decade of the 21st century. They don't live that far from the rest of us. Why is the government still persecuting them?
We couldn't have done it without our indigenous people.
We definitely had a superior advantage in the Pacific Theater in WW II, thanks to our indigenous fellow citizens, the Navajo Code Talkers.
The Navajo 'Code Talkers' are definitely Deservedly Honored... My Father & Uncles who are Apache, Served with Honor as Well... All The Indigenous Nations Have Sent their Best to all this USA's Wars throughout History...
The beginning of this letter read like my Fourth Grade class Veterans Day Assembly, where my students would present research on different groups in the military, including the Code Talkers and Native Americans in general in the military. They would include demographics as well. We would learn about heroes like Doris Miller the Code Talkers, Tuskegee Airmen, and so many others. How women often disguised themselves as men to take part in wars like the Revolutionary War. I have been hoping that the US military will stand up to Trump and his cabal as need be. I am still hoping that the culture of service and loyalty to the constitution outweighs the culture of loyalty to the leader.
Lots of people say 'thank you for your service' to current and former members of the Armed Forces, but not enough say it to the men and women who teach our children every day. Thank you for your service, Linda. I suspect that you are an excellent teacher.
Thank you John. I am now retired. I loved teaching every single day though.
In addition to leading an assembly we would invite everyone in the school to interview people in their family who had served or was serving and they would all be invited to our assembly. I would have my room parents organize a reception for the vets after the assembly. We would put up these interviews around the school with the Vets picture. It was a deep dive into understanding the history of our military and why we honor them for serving and protecting us.
We also made cards and invited other classes to write get well cards for Vets at the VA hospital, and then we would go to the VA hospital on another day that week, usually could not go on Veterans Day, and sing to them and give them cards. The children loved the Medley which had the songs of 5 branches woven in. You could tell which branch the different vets were in because they would be singing along when we were singing the part that was for their branch. I believe in teaching civics.
You are my kind of teacher! I was a middle grades public school teacher, now retired. It was my passion! I loved teaching, I was inspired by the endless opportunities and challenges to come up with different ways of keeping the students motivated and involved in their learning. I loved their energy and I am fortunate to live in the small town where I taught, so I often run into my old kids who greet me with a big smile and arms open to wrap me in a warm hug.
Daphne, that sounds great! Seeing children grow up is wonderful and knowing you have the lifelong connection to them. When I am in the US I run into my former students because I taught in a neighborhood school. Some of my daughter's friends were my students, my friend's children were my students and my neighbors' children were my students. I love running into them and catching up. Also, I feel good that they all felt like they or their children learned a lot and were engaged in school.
:>)
John, I try to acknowledge every one I come across in a "service" setting. Given my coffee habit, that is most often at either the grocery store (where I buy the beans to make my own bean juice) or at the coffee drive throughs (not just Starbucks; we have two local chains, and several "sole proprietors" as well) I say "thanks for being here". Started that during the pandemic, and I continue to this day.
As volunteer Park Hosts for Oregon State Parks we have been getting "thanks for your service" since people started saying that to Vets.
Nice!
When are we going to be ready to talk about "women who disguised themselves as men" as the trans people that have always been part of us?
Mary Ellen, you are right, but only partially. Not all women who wore men's clothing were trans. A few wanted to serve and protect their husbands and brothers; others wanted to fight for the Union. So, my family legend goes, a young distant relative was a water-bearer for a company. BTW, I have not heard of Confederate women in the Civil War.
Actually there were, women in the Civil war in disguise too.
https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1993/spring/women-in-the-civil-war-1.html#:~:text=In%20assuming%20the%20male%20disguise,and%20cut%20their%20hair%20short.
Linda, yes, there were women in the Civil War, but my comment referred to the Confederacy. As far as I know, the only women on battlefields or behind the lines were Union Army sympathizers.
Yes. The article linked above says,
"Both the Union and Confederate armies forbade the enlistment of women. Women soldiers of the Civil War therefore assumed masculine names, disguised themselves as men, and hid the fact they were female. Because they passed as men, it is impossible to know with any certainty how many women soldiers served in the Civil War. Estimates place as many as 250 women in the ranks of the Confederate army.(1) Writing in 1888, Mary Livermore of the U.S. Sanitary Commission remembered that:
Some one has stated the number of women soldiers known to the service as little less than four hundred. I cannot vouch for the correctness of this estimate, but I am convinced that a larger number of women disguised themselves and enlisted in the service, for one cause or other, than was dreamed of. Entrenched in secrecy, and regarded as men, they were sometimes revealed as women, by accident or casualty. Some startling histories of these military women were current in the gossip of army life...."
Yes, I read the article, and I did see mention of Confederate women. Thank you, as always, for your fantastic knowledge.
My knowledge comes mostly from teaching. As my students and I researched many different things, I always learned a lot. One of the reasons I appreciate HCR so much is because she adds so much to my knowledge of history and its relevance to today. My students also learned that a lot of the early Muslims in the US Military were Africans. What is interesting is that one can take any topic and learn about how it has been treated throughout history. I found my students were always interested in learning something, especially if they were going to present to an authentic audience, with a lot of rehearsal for success.
It must be a really good feeling to be promoted to the head of a government department that doesn't exist and then put out all these proposals to take 2 trillion dollars away from all those people who have less than you (in EloX case, that would be everybody but I'm excluding billionaires)
I call these nuisance appointments. Musk clearly gets on DTs nerves, at least some of the time, and what better way to make him feel important than to make up a department which can disappear when it is time to get rid of him. Elites supported Hitler too, until he took over their stuff. We shall see where this goes.
I hope you are right.
Let's "X" Elon and Donald!
Linda. We hope, pray and protest against the orange man and his other thieves!
Ever see Windtalkers with Nicolas Cage, based on this. It's remarkable but the most difficult if not impossible "code" to break is an unfamiliar native language, highly structured, vs seemingly random codes. Then again, Enigma was only broken by "cheating" on the part of the British with the Turing crew, Turing, who committed suicide after his homosexuality was publicized and turned against him. Freedom is always relative, isn't it!
Indeed it is.
I don’t think the British government has ever tendered a public apology or their egregious actions against Turing. It still matters.
here's a bit.... Turing's work and legacy were not fully known until long after his death. In 2013, he was posthumously pardoned by Queen Elizabeth II. In 2016, the Government announced the "Turing law", which granted posthumous pardons to gay and bisexual men convicted of now-abolished sexual offenses in England and Wales.
Nicely said, there, Frank.
Obituary of one of the last surviving code-talkers in this week's The Economist: https://www.economist.com/obituary/2024/12/05/john-kinsel-used-his-own-language-to-fool-the-japanese
The following quotes are from renown anthropologist Christopher Boehm’s book, Hierarchy in the Forest (2001).
Page 4: The Iroquois Confederation was a matrilineally based tribal nation in which women shared in the substantial degree of political and economic equality that prevailed among adults. It had a significant influence on the framers of the American Constitution and, later, on the women’s suffrage movement.
Page 5: Humans were egalitarian for thousands of generations before hierarchical societies began to appear.
To that, I would add that hierarchical societies did not appear until only about 400 generations ago at the dawn of the Neolithic period, which is when the first agricultural settlements appear in the anthropological record.
In their book, The Healing Organization (2019), Raj Sisodia and Michael Gelb tell the same story.
Seven warring tribes came together under the leadership of a peacemaker to form the Iroquois Confederacy with a joint leadership at the top that allowed each of the tribes to have their own identity. This was two centuries before the founding fathers began to write the constitution that would structure the US government.
Thus, whereas the essential elements of the American constitution existed nowhere else in the world, the founding fathers eventually found them in their own backyard. The confederacy’s ideas included the three branches that American's began to refer to as the legislative, executive, and judicial when they were incorporated in the US constitution.
Unfortunately, the founding “fathers” excluded one key branch of the confederacy’s government, the council of mothers and grandmothers. This fourth branch selected the confederacy’s leader and had the power to replace a leader who became too warlike, or who was not sufficiently inclusive, or who was not thinking enough about the long-term, which they defined as an action’s consequence in seven generations.
The moral of these stories? Egalitarian democracy is not “in” our nature, it is human nature. Authoritarian autocracy is not in our nature, it is in lieu of growing up. More specifically, it is an expression of the desire to act like the Lost Boys marching around the enchanted forest following a Peter Pan-like character singing the “I won’t grow up” song.
The Dawn of Everything by Graeber and Wengrow confirms your other sources and contributions. We should continue sharing this information with others. Thank you for your summary, James. I recently completed a historical fiction YA novel, Antonia of the Shell People, which makes similar points. Due out in early 2025, my aspiration is introducing young adult readers to all you have mentioned.
Hope, if you're interested, check out another reply to my comment. I learned something important from Sherry Wolf, and then you might also be interested in my reply to Sherry.
James R. Cary: This is amazing information, something that rattled around in my brain such that perhaps I had read this before, but forgot. I can only begin to imagine what our country might have been like, if our founding fathers had only “remembered” to include a council of mothers and grandmothers. It’s enough to make me weep. And hope, and work.
I just read the rest of the thread and see I have a bunch of studying to do (yay! What fun!) Still: it’s a great story and the ideas are sure worthy of contemplation. You betcha.
Here's a link to a YouTube video. "Is Every Civilization Doomed?" We found it very interesting. The reason I'm mentioning it here is it talks about an ancient Greek historian, Polybius. Towards the end of the video it talks about his information being incorporated into our (USA) constitution. I found all of it fascinating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqsBx58GxYY&ab_channel=AfterSkool. Let me know what you think.
Sherry, thank you so much for that video reference. Now I’m convinced that Christopher Boehm’s story—about the Iroquois Confederacy becoming the requisite predecessor to the American Constitution—is historically inaccurate, so that is a story I will no longer tell.
However, I see a fatal flaw in Polybius’ hypothesis in a statement soon after the six minute mark. Anacyclosis “posits that primitive humans had begun in a sort of anarchic original condition without political structures.” Based on that assumption, I can’t think of a way to challenge Polybius’ analysis. I never would have thought of it myself, but as I watched the video, it not only seems accurate with respect to the rise and fall of historic civilizations, but it’s obvious the same pattern is repeating in our current political condition.
So, based on the above-referenced “original condition” assumption, the answer to the “Is every civilization doomed to rise, but then fail?” question is yes.
Personally, and because I think the assumption is incorrect, my answer to the “Is there a way to avoid collapse?” question is yes.
The details are in my book, The Wisdom Theory (2024, see www.wisdomtheo.com), but I offer the following to make the long story short.
Although your video has convinced me that Boehm’s story about the American Constitution is wrong, he was right about egalitarian democracy being in our nature (genetically inherited knowledge) in lieu of being in our nurture (knowledge we invented).
The major structural components of society are institutions that include the world’s great religions, democracy, and science. For modern civilization, capitalism is an essential economic institution. If you know what to look for, it’s not hard to see that they all come from the same source. Specifically, they are like many branches from one vine. It’s true that they are all very different, but that’s simply because they emerged at different times, in different places, and in different contexts.
They do all have the same genetically inherited DNA. Noam Chomsky makes a compelling argument that certain segments of our human DNA are expressed in our brains as knowledge, and then we are born. I'm referring to a species-specific social instinct. In turn, we express this particular knowledge by translating it into words that are always different because the translations occur at different times in different contexts. But if you know what to look for, you’ll see that the underlying meaning is identical.
For example, the Christian principle involves treating each other the way we would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot. The same moral sentiment is the founding principle of all the world’s great religions. The first scientific principle involves subjecting our assumptions to rigorous skepticism to limit their ability to distort how we interpret what we observe. The first capitalist principle is named in the title of Adam Smith’s book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759), which prescribes a practice he referred to as sympathy, describing it as an attempt to temporarily stop using one’s assumptions to interpret a given observation and start using the other person’s assumptions to see if it’s possible to arrive at their interpretation.
Every member of our species follows the same social instinct that emerged at the origin of our species, and that we inherited from our Paleolithic ancestors. It allowed them to form the first multi-family and genetically heterogeneous social system, the hunter-gatherer band. That is why our Paleolithic ancestors thrived while every other Paleolithic hominin species on the planet failed to survive.
In other words, being a human is and always has been a positive-sum game. One does receive a small, short-term benefit by pretending it’s a zero-sum game, but then its not just the innocent victims who suffer in the long term. Everyone suffers.
Thank you, James. I will have to read your response multiple times for my comprehension to kick in. I find what you have written very interesting.
Are you sure? I've read the debates of the framers drafting the Constitution and there is no mention of the Confederation. There is a lot said regarding other forms of government from ancient Greece and Rome to Montesquieu's theories of divided government. Yet, nothing said about the Confederation. Some have pointed to Franklin and Jefferson studying the system yet Franklin said little at the framing and Jefferson was absent. In addition to that although the Confederacy was one of peace, it was of peace for the members. It was also known to war with and drive out tribes in the region unaffiliated with it.
I respect your idea but wonder could this be another historical myth with one academic quoting another without evidence of a first source? Does it just sound nice?
https://i2i.org/did-the-iroquois-confederation-influence-the-constitution-a-myth-they-may-be-teaching-your-children/
Interested in your thoughts.
I'm curious what HRC would say.
Gary, you would appreciate "Indian Givers: How Native Americans Transformed the World", by Jack Weatherford. It is an outstanding compilation. We must remember given the racism at the time the framers of the constitution didn't want to weaken their case by referring to "heathens".
Agreed that there was a racist attitude amongst some of the Framers. Yet, we're still left with the debates and the compromises that are clearly based on Enlightenment thinkers and the Roman Republic. I believe we need to strive for historical accuracy. And we recognize that some of the thinking of the Framers was misguided, for instance the idea that there would be no political parties as we know them. I do not mean to diminish anyone or group. For reading I have a suggestion for you if you're interested in the treatment of America's native population. "The Cost of Free Land." by Rebecca Clarren. Clarren follows the history of her Jewish family as they flee oppression in Czarist Russia by coming to America. After arriving they take advantage of the Homestead Act, unwittingly taking advantage of the oppression of the Lakota Indians. It raises interesting ethical questions. Just finished it.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cost-of-free-land-rebecca-clarren/1143211529?ean=9780593655078
Gary, if you’re asking if I was sure of the historical accuracy of the quotes, I’d have to say no, and less so now. But if you’re asking if I am sure of the historical accuracy of the moral of the stories, I am.
All the historically accurate stories we tell ourselves about who we are tell us that being human is a positive-sum game where everyone wins in the long term. If we tell ourselves a story that being human is a zero-sum game—where “we” are winning because “they” are losing, or “we” are losing because “they” are losing—then the story is historically inaccurate.
Being human is not a zero-sum game. History repeatedly teaches us that convincing ourselves otherwise always turns it into a negative-sum game in which everyone loses in the long term.
On the one hand, my implying a historically inaccurate detail is accurate does more harm than good. On the other hand, your reference source is the Independence Institute, which I’ve discovered is an American libertarian think tank. Knowing that makes me very skeptical of your reference source. All the libertarians I’m aware of lack what should be an elementary school level understanding of capitalism.
That doesn’t mean the quotes I referenced are historically accurate. I’ll make sure they are before I reference them again. So, thanks for the heads up.
Am I sure? Well, Gary, I read the source you mentioned, and I did not particularly respect it. Its emphasis tells us not to teach this theory in schools. Why not? I'm an advocate for teaching our children critical thinking skills. They should be given many theories and opinions and taught to use deductive thinking.
However, supporting information comes from other sources that I respect. (Again, see The Dawn of Everything, et al.) There are ample indicators that, in the decades preceding the Constitutional Convention, the Haudenosaunee people and Europeans (the French, especially vis-a-vis Lahontan) exchanged ideas and possibly even visited each other's nations. A particularly brilliant thinker and orator, a Wendot named Kandiaronk, may have visited France and influenced Rousseau. At any rate, there was contact between the future founders and tribes by many accounts, and Kandiaronk's criticism and advice were noted.
I would not put all my conclusions on Adams's proclamations and absence of confirmations. He was rather curmudgeonly, after all. His wife, Abigail, who kept the farm while raising a family, had several visits from a neighboring tribe in his absence.
The point, after all, is to credit the Native populations for being complex individuals and societies that contributed wisdom and value to our nation both then and now.
Hope, watch this suggested video submitted by Sherry Wolfe and think what is more likely.
Hope, the source is just one of many by historians. It was chosen due to it's simplicity. There is no argument that Natives and the Colonists interacted, that's a moot point. It's whether the American Constitution was modelled on the Iroquois Confederacy. There is no evidence of it, only speculation. I put no conclusions on Adam's proclamations, I'm curious as to why you thought I did, as I hadn't mentioned Adams. I can credit the Iroquois for being complex, yet speculation that because the French "possibly" even visited each other is evidence of anything, much less that the Constitution and American government is based on a confederacy is just that or wishful thinking. Again, our original confederacy was scuttled in favor of a democratic republic. It doesn't follow that our Constitution was modelled on a confederacy. The Convention minutes are not speculation but evidence. The debates on how to form our government are based on Western tradition and Enlightenment thinking. I agree with you it is important to teach critical thinking. we can ask students to critically analyze the question whether the American Constitution is modelled on a native confederacy or Montesquieu type of republic. Critical thinking is based on evidence not "may haves" and non-sequiturs. If thought about critically do you prefer they go with evidence or speculation? If we are to accurately assess how we got to the point of electing a populist president nominating a sycophant cabinet we need to know how we got here accurately.
Gary, Sherry, James et al. From PBS' series on Native Americans:
"In 1744, the Onondaga leader Canassatego gave a speech urging the contentious 13 colonies to unite, as the Iroquois had at the signing of the Treaty of Lancaster. This cultural exchange inspired the English colonist Benjamin Franklin to print Canassatego’s speech.
"We heartily recommend Union and a good Agreement between you our Brethren," Canassatego had said. "Never disagree, but preserve a strict Friendship for one another, and thereby you, as well as we, will become the stronger. Our wise Forefathers established Union and Amity between the Five Nations; this has made us formidable; this has given us great Weight and Authority with our neighboring Nations. We are a powerful Confederacy; and, by your observing the same Methods our wise Forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh Strength and Power; therefore whatever befalls you, never fall out one with another."
He used a metaphor that many arrows cannot be broken as easily as one. This inspired the bundle of 13 arrows held by an eagle in the Great Seal of the United States.
In addition: Before the Congressional Congress, leaders of the Confederacy attended the Albany Congress in 1754, where Benjamin Franklin was impressed by the Great Law of Peace and wrote what’s known as the Albany Plan of Union. It advocated for the colonies to improve security and better defend themselves from foreign powers. In 1776, during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia invited the Iroquois to make an address, where they were well received by the patriots.
In 1988, Congress passed a resolution formally acknowledging the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the U.S. Constitution. It reads, "The confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy, as were many of the democratic principles incorporated into the constitution itself.” In addition, the resolution stated, “the continuing government-to-government relationship between Indian tribes and the United States established in the Constitution,” which reaffirmed the legitimacy and sovereignty of Native nations and their governments.
Hope, as a member and volunteer at my local PBS I watched this series with great interest. However, evidence should always trump conjecture and wishful thinking. The quote you are using is from an opinion piece on a blog. The author, Terri Hansen, is an advocate for Native American causes, not an historian.
First, the bundle of Thirteen arrows is not a reference to Canassateogo, it is juxta positioned by an olive branch, a universal symbol of America wanting peace but being prepared for war. The number thirteen is common on the Great Seal. It's simply fantasy that the arrows, also known to be used on European Coats of Arms. Americanheritage.org/great-seal-united-states-america/
Second. a congressional resolution is not evidence of fact. Resolutions are simply politicians doing what they do best. Talk. Here, "A Resolution of Congress is a statement issued by the House of Representatives or the Senate individually to (express)...opinions on non-legislative matters." the resolution in question is an opinion, not historical fact. \https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/resolution_of_congress#:~:text=A%20Resolution%20of%20Congress%20is,opinions%20on%20non%2Dlegislative%20matters.
There is nothing in Udall's bill to suggest any evidence exists in support of the resolution as being factually correct. It was purely a political move by an Arizona politician to please some constituents during a bicentennial.
Third, because any party supported the unification of the Colonies in their rebellion is not evidence the following government was inspired by that party. Indeed, we scuttled the idea of a confederacy by replacing the articles of Confederation with a Roman based Republican constitution.
Here is an award winning paper on the source foundations of the American Constitution. It is relatively short, well researched, academic, and written and evaluated by historians with no dog in the fight, not by a journalist with an agenda.
https://www.mlloyd.org/mdl-indx/polybius/intro.htm
Please read the paper, it'll be helpful if you'd like to continue.
Gary, you seem to be very knowledgeable. Are you saying that Benjamin Franklin never quoted Canassatego? Or that the Iroquois were not invited to or attended the Continental Congress? Or that a resolution of recognition is meaningless? A few comments ago, a post said there is no verification that the CC had ever entertained the inclusion of Haudenosaunee. The points I mention do indicate their influence. That is all.
I am not sure why you are so opposed to the possibility of Native American exchanges, but so sure of Polybius' influence. Or that the details in our National Symbols are also mistaken? I've found enough sources to support the popular belief, as you've found sources to help yours. It would be best at this point to call a truce. Do you think we should agree to disagree? Thank you for your efforts in this discussion.
Hope, I apologize if I seem terse, arrogant, or otherwise offensive. I would rather have such conversations in person as threads are so impersonal. I appreciate the conversation. That you and I are on this site indicates to me we have much in common. Best, Gary
Hope, it took a couple of days to ponder this. I think I know where the confusion lies. The Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention were two separate entities serving two separate purposes. Different people, different purposes. The Constitutional Convention was held in secret, no one was allowed in that wasn't a delegate or administrative staff The building was sealed and guarded so know one would know details of what was being debated. Some delegates were invited under false pretenses so the word would not get out to the Confederation Congress, sometimes referred to as the Second Continental Congress.
Therefore, all your points phrased as questions are moot. The instant question is was our Constitution, our form of government in any way based on the Iroquois Confederacy? The answer is no. Indeed, the Constitution scuttled a confederacy and answers the question on its face. The proposition that the Constitution was influenced by any confederacy makes no sense.
I never suggested that there were no interactions between the Confederacy and the Colonists, and later Americans. But its a moot point.
Not all "sources" are equal. Mine from academic peer reviewed sources, primary sources, and researched citations. Yours are not. And yes, a Congressional Resolution does not a fact make. It was political statement made during a bicentennial for political purposes without historical fact.
Why am I insistent on arguing the facts? Because facts matter. It's important we get it right and not succumb to myth and fantasy if we're to hold on to our democratic republic in these tumultuous times.
The harm done by wishful thinkers be they claiming that our Constitution is a result of the Iroquois Confederacy or that it was founded as a Christian Nation is the same. Alternative facts corrupt critical thinking.
Seriously, do yourself a favor and read these before you go on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Convention_(United_States)#In_popular_culture
Pay attention to the sections on the dispute amongst the Iroquois regarding the Revolutionary War and the demise of the confederacy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iroquois
PS: there are literally volumes written on the three committees that were tasked with generating the Great Seal. This is a short history if you're truly interested in exploring the subject.
https://www.amazon.com/seal-United-States-developed-adopted/dp/B0030EHD12/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Best to you, Happy holidays.
Gary, I changed my mind. Your source was correct about the historic inaccuracy of the "Iroquois Confederacy is the mother of the American Constitution" story. If you're interested, see my reply to Sherry Wolf. It includes what I think should be an elementary school level understanding of capitalism, which I still perceive as being to libertarianism what up is to down.
i did read it. Also, I am going to order your book through Barnes and Noble. Are you familiar with Stephen Pinker's Enlightenment Now?
When the Marine Corps Museum was dedicated I had the honor to interview some of the Navaho Code Talkers at the event. They were amazing and very humble human beings.
How can we protect our great defense force from Trump destruction?
"Doris "Dorie" Miller (October 12, 1919 – November 24, 1943) was a U.S. Navy sailor who was the first Black recipient of the Navy Cross and a nominee for the Medal of Honor." Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doris_Miller
And thank you, Apache, and all indigenous people. May this country try to be worthy of all that is done for it. May we all be aware and grateful.
Being a racist who whittles it down day-by-day, I can say how grateful I am toward those unlike me who have shown me the way. https://nedmcdletters.blogspot.com/2021/02/letter-170-to-my-hero-for-black-history.html
Rick, for some reason today I was singing the song you quote, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”, and that line “The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with Peace on Earth, Good will to men”, and it sparked a little spark of hope in my heart. May we work to see the right prevail again in our time!
I also like the one I learned in elementary school:
"Jesus bids us shine with pure clear light
Like a little candle shining in the night.
In this world of darkness, we must shine
You in your small corner, and I in mine.""
Whether you're a Christian or not, the concept that we ALL have a part to play in making the world bright is a good one to remember.
To carry on and emphasise this truth, we now have a tradition in our family, started when the children were very small.
After Christmas dinner, which nowadays can involve fifteen or twenty people, when the table is cleared, everybody is given a candle in a jar. (battery ones for the smallest!) the lights are turned out, and I light the first and largest candle (because I'm the oldest!) and put it on the table. One by one everybody follows suit - and pretty soon the whole room is filled with a warm and loving light. We take a minute to silently say "Thank you!" to whoever - than it's big hugs and "Happy Christmas!" all round.
Sometimes over the years the teens have said "Oh, MOM!" or "Oh, NAN!" but when they gain a couple of years - they're the ones that run to get the candles. . .
Just lovely, and heartwarming! ❤️❤️❤️
Such a wonderful and meaningful tradition. Thank you for sharing.
Fabulous tradition! We almost always have two celebrations; the "family Christmas(es)" with mostly blood family, and then "Solstice" with our friends. I think I'm going to do that candle thing at Solstice. Maybe around the firepit, if it's not pouring rain.
Sweet tradition! Bringing the light!
That is a lovely tradition. I no longer go to church. But I miss the ceremonies so much. Your candlelight service reminds me of the lighting of the new fire on Holy Saturday, the night before Easter, in the Catholic Church. We pass the flame candle to candle around the church. I agree we can all bring our light into our communities.
There's a weekly Meditation for Peace every Sunday at 1:00 pm Central Time for everyone on the planet to meditate or pray for peace for 15 minutes. I set my phone alarm for 12:45 so I can get ready to send out Love, Peace and Compassion to all on the Mother. Please join us!!!
Thanks for mentioning. I really like this.
Thank you for sharing.
I will join you, Ted! Sunday at 1:00 pm Central Time for 15 minutes. Be there or be square.
As always, I am a step behind. How do I access the Meditation for Peace to which you refer? Googling it brings up all kinds of sites. I like the idea of an every Sunday event.
We surely need this more than ever, Ted, in my lifetime, of 80 years!
I'm about 40 minutes away too Rick. Every time I drive into Waco by the Doris Miller VA facility, I think of his bravery.
For many years, Mr. Miller was an unsung hero. We need to remember his story.
Rick A - beautiful ❤️🕊️
Amen.
HCR, your words touch me deeply.
“I hear a lot these days about how American democracy is doomed and the reactionaries will win. Maybe. But the beauty of our system is that it gives us people like Doris Miller.
Even better, it makes us people like Doris Miller.”
May it be so.
May those that do not remember WWII wake up.
Beautifully said, Rick A. One hundred percent agreement with your well-written words!
Rick, thank you for a wonder comment. Bless you.
We MUST prevail. Determination and truth are powerful forces.
This is a wonderful comment! You said EXACTLY what I am feeling this morning. From Heather’s lips to God’s ears!
My hope is that the next two years will be so ugly that Americans wake up and understand what we have to lose and break the cult fascination with fascism.
I worry that the right is indeed prevailing, but it's the wrong right—it's the most vicious of the right wing.
SO WELL SAID, Rick A. I also love the story of Doris Miller, a hero who inspires us. He is an inspiration, even 83 years on!
My takeaway from HCR's letter? She's running scared. We very well could be at a tipping point right now. The next few months could be extremely telling.
If she were running scared, she would not be writing this SubStack column and giving us the opportunity to learn and express our opinions. Thank you HCR .
Exactly. HCR is standing proud.
It’s one thing to “stand proud.” It’s another one to be apprehensive, which I think we all are.
That's an extraordinary take on what was basically a history lesson leading on to a warning and an exhortation. Maybe you phrased it awkwardly - but it appears to come from one of those trump supporters who need constant reassurance after every perceived criticism. Please accept my apology if I am wrong.
It was this question by HCR that prompted my remark: "Will we permit the destruction of American democracy on our watch?" I could have phrased it differently, but what came to my mind was that she's very much concerned, or in other words scared of losing democracy, not scare of retribution from Trump and the MAGATS.
Yes and yes and yes!!!!!!!!!!