Heather, this is a brilliant overview of world events. Thank you! And I do so appreciate you ending with Lula’s words:
“(Lula) called for protecting the natural world to combat climate change, and creating a world governance to enable us to work together against existential threats.
‘This is not a government program,’ Lula said. ‘This is a faith commitment of someone that believes in humanism, someone that believes in solidarity. I don’t want to live in a world where humans become algorithms. I want to live in a world where human beings are human beings. And for that, we have to take care very carefully what God gave us: that is the Planet Earth.’”
I'd sure like to see this letter and so many others of yours, Heather, front and center on all major media outlets. The mainstream news is a joke to me anymore.
In addition to Dr. Richardson's letter I read the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal every day. I certainly do think Dr. Richardson's writing is unique.
I don't, necessarily, think the above noted two news sources are jokes. However, those information sources are not able to maintain a constant theme like Dr. Richardson nor are they able to provide the deep historical background she provides. Even today, as Dr. Richardson reports on the poor response in Turkey, she maintains her steady theme of democracy vs autocracy or dictatorship (why, when, where and how).
However, those newspapers do provide in depth reporting on many aspects outside of Dr. Richardson's fairly focused purview. The NY Times recently had a visual investigation that provided an in depth look at how poorly and openly classified documents, hundreds of them, were stored at Mara Lago.
Also, the detailed reporting of the emergency response in Turkey is well done in NY Times.
Also, Jamelle Bouie's editorials in NY Times are pretty darn good honestly. His chapter in The 1619 Book Project is even better.
So, I would say that the NY Times and certainly the Wall Street Journal offer a different look at the world every day than Dr. Richardson.
All three of them taken together (NY Times, Wall Street Journal and HCR) can provide a daily dose of information that, if not mitigated with some good outdoor time, leave you wondering about "our country" for sure.
agreed -- but in place of the WSJ, I read the Washington Post. They have reporters and investigators right there in the thick of things. (And I lived in Maryland for 18 years.) Isn't the WSJ owned by Murdoch? I don't trust myself to be able to sift out the rightwing bias. If you can, more power to you.
This is also what I read. At the end of the day we get an email from The Atlantic which I also read. Sometimes the NYT and the WaPo irritate me, but they have lots of interest. Locally, our paper is owned by Gannett who have also destroyed the Register Guard in Eugene, so I usually read the Oregonian for news. All of this online. We do get the NYT in the print edition every day but Saturday because the local rag no longer prints a Saturday edition. Since we live in Salem, the state capital, there are a couple online alternatives that we see.
For me it's WaPo and the Guardian (both US and UK editions). I dropped the NYT after suffering through their abysmal coverage of the 2016 presidential election campaign. The NYT does have some good columnists, like Jamelle Bouie, but so does WaPO (Jennifer Rubin has really come into her own, and Eugene Robinson is also especially good). The best commentary I see, though, is in Slate, and Substacks like this one, and even the various MSNBC blogs (I'm in awe of Steve Benen of the Maddow Blog).
I think writing at the Times would open up a can of worms for HCR. I am just guessing, but I think she may like her life just as it is. A great teaching job with time to write brilliant books. And this gig which makes her a small fortune. All of that balanced out with a life in what I think is the most beautiful part of the country.
I think she could blow the doors off at the Times. But maybe she doesn't want the distraction from a well designed life with her new husband. Again, I am just guessing.
Bill, I think you are right, much as I long to see HCR's Letters more widely read. Also, Heather is a (brilliant) historian, not a journalist and I believe that journalists probably want to protect "their turf". Nevertheless, I wish more people could take advantage of the honesty and clarity of her work.
However, the other day I was listening to something, I forget what but it may have been CNN, and I heard the words "as Heather Cox Richardson said..." !
More people need to benefit from her writing. She doesn't need to be a journalist. This piece deserves to be widely circulated. "Turf" doesn't matter. The truth will serve us all.
I know that Heather is read by a wide range of journalists (and many politicians), though maybe not the extreme right wing. Not unexpected, so nothing to waste time moaning about. That she and other historians are now routinely being included in the analysis of current affairs is a welcome change, one that benefits our understanding all around. Hooray for historians, and for journalists whose grasp of the back story improves their coverage.
I sometimes catch Brian Tyler Cohn on YouTube and he recently quoted her. I find his takes, besides that of Beau of the Fifth Column" to be worth hunting down.
Bill, I would not suggest that she "change her life" and work for the Times. I do believe this article should be a widely distributed OP ED. Coastal Maine is wonderful. We were there in the fall.
If it were her desire to be more widely read, I think she would be a national force for understanding. Nobody can pull the news together with historical perspective the way Heather can. Plus lately, she has found a talent for terrific ironies and a "concluding comment" that is wicked powerful.
Wouldn't it be epic if she wanted to "teach" on a grander scale?
I just don't know if she would want the attention and the pressure of such a large platform. Whatever works best for her life. Guess I feel protective :)
My introduction to HRC came some years ago with a historical opinion piece on the Bloomberg site. My awareness of this blog was made possible by a HRC opinion piece in the Guardian, so there is that. I don't know how she does it all anyway, but I would like to see some of the historical (well past and contemporary) vignettes reprinted more widely.
At least in one sense history=learning=history. Not always social/political history, as even the ability to read is the culmination of retaining a great many successive lessons (I can still remember "Spot can run. Run, Spot run." or something very similar). Human history is sometimes described as a spiral rather than a cycle (here is a particularly meaningful spiral illustration visualized as "3-D" (a cycle + time) https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/300/video-climate-spiral/
Navigating reality relying on misinformation can be roughly like flying a plane though a fog, depending upon significantly inaccurate navigational aids. Lacking reasonably accurate foresight, realities, like a mountainside, could suddenly smack you in the face.
Two (Opps, three) things will always stick in my brain, somewhat akin to your Spot analogy. In the Democracy vs. Republic schtick, “…a Labrador is still a dog…”. In the understanding of the Reagan years, via Little House on the Prairie and the Phylis Schlaflys of the day, puffy dresses, “… Pa was an idiot who always had to be rescued by the women…”, and “Infrastructure, a social basic safety net, regulation of business.” I discovered HCR’s podcasts at the beginning of Covid. I was there every Tuesday and Thursday, plus the Letters. Kept me sane, to say nothing about what connection to community, in the midst of isolation, accomplished.
I don’t think Prof. Richardson should or would want that type of exposure. She is a well-respected author. Teaching American history is her passion. We follow her writings and learn so much. We have the ability to pass along to others what she so capably, thoughtfully, straight-forward and factually
I don’t think Prof. Richardson should or would want that type of exposure. She is a well-respected author. Teaching American history is her passion. We follow her writings and learn so much. We have the ability to pass along to others what she so capably, thoughtfully, straight-forward and factually
HCR posts her letters daily on Facebook—ostensibly the social media platform with the highest visibility. Some of her FB letters get up to 50k likes and thousands of comments, and are shared numerous times. Unfortunately, I believe most of the people this information should reach will not take the time to read a letter; they’re better predisposed to take in short visual news segments or memes.
From another Georgia girl, I believe Dr. Richardson’s ability to make her own points and draw her own conclusions is on a far stronger footing here than at a major daily with an editorial board, especially one with a brand to protect.
I do frequently post her letter on my own FB page, to the appreciation of 4 or 5 of my friends. Some of my friends have subscribed to LFAA. And now and then I forward mine to a couple of "die-hard" MSM friends, choosing carefully which letters I forward.
Mike, it’s not the in depth reporting that makes The NY Times so often complicit in the corruption of our democracy. It’s the failure to report facts of the Biden administration’s extraordinary achievements since he won the election. It’s publishing articles (with sensationalistic headlines) on crime statistics using only sources from the police, and burying the actual statistics deep into the story. I could go on (there are hundreds of instances) but you get the point.
I don't disagree that many written and televised news sources are excellent. They're a wealth of factual information for those who pursue them. My comments are focused on getting the larger mass of American voters--who may not read extensively or watch the best tv sources--better informed so they can vote for their own best interests. My concern is that a large part of the voting population only watches a mainstream 6:00 news program for the entirety of their consumed information, and that we end up with uninformed voters going to the polls. I see those sources doing the country a huge disservice by basically lying by omission, and keeping their focus more on people-pleasing stories. My question is how many voters really understand that this is a hair-on-fire moment.
Of course HCR would do a great job as a journalist, but she might consider aiming higher. In 2024, Maine Senator King's term will be over and he will be 80, with reelection to another six year term likely, if he chooses to run. But if he does not ....
We need articulate, charismatic politicians who champion "Liberty and Justice for All" (for real and really for all) but also journalists, academicians, poets, artists, song writers even comedians, of which there are a few who are currently well known. History lessons can be as dry as dust, but HRC draws out the threads of historical relevance to present circumstance, which is under-represented outside of some classrooms (in my experience, inside too).
It matters what the Boston Tea Party was really protesting. It matters whether the 2nd Amendment was specific to the needs of a state-controlled militia, or whether, as maintained by the learned-sounding audio lecture sent by a former school-mate of my wife, it was intended to arm the entire public in order that they may overthrow the government should it become too liberal. It matters whether 40 years of Reaganomic policy has noticeable improved "Main Street" prosperity and social justice or has it diminished it.
This requires following a chain of events, along with their ambient context, which seems in short supply in popular media and culture, yet is essential to forming, choosing and recognizing wise choices, which based on available evidence, are most likely to result in beneficial outcomes; and we need more readily accessible demonstrations of this particular science and art. It seems to me that this is the only way a wise and just democracy is likely to be secured.
Timing of the professor's comments couldn't be better. Trump has awakened our dark side. Regardless of his re-elected, his legacy will be a possible determinate of our future. I remain stunned at it's power over our country like we have forgotten our better angels and prefer corruption over democracy. There may be a few encouraging signs , but the battle is a long way from over.
John, even if there is no further damage to our democracy than has already been done, it will take generations to restore it.
If we have that long.
The first and primary task is to restore our education system. Equip all students with critical thinking, national pride, truthful history, and civic, social, and government studies. And continuing studies of the Constiution and other vital national documents, coupled with a national 'can do' optimism resulting from all of the above.
In order for this to happen, it will take all of us--starting now--to limit further damage and lay the groundwork by inspiring our educators, supporting them with adequate compensation, and running point to provide them with the means to design and accomplish what we are asking of them.
We still have our voices, our votes, and our volition to do this! People like our dear professor Heather Cox Richardson don't fall out of the sky, they are educated. With all my heart soul and mind I believe education is the way to long term stability of the precious ideas that form our national identity and strength.
Professor, your first three paragraphs are the best encapsulation that I've read about our intensifying struggle and what's at stake. I would also highlight how freedom of expression is increasingly suppressed in right-wing states. I'm not sure we fully grasp the extent, for example, of book bans sweeping the nation.
I read today that Duval County in Florida, where Jacksonville is located, has banned 176 books from public schools. Four jumped out at me for what would seem their tame content — books about famous athletes who happen to have been people of color: Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Jim Thorpe, and Roberto Clemente. I guess local school officials see them as subversive influences, and believe kids would be harmed learning of their success. Or worse, strive to emulate it.
“Scholars and activists who discuss CRT are not arguing that white people living now are to blame for what people did in the past. They are saying that white people living now have a moral responsibility to do something about how racism still impacts all of our lives today. Policies attempting to suffocate this much-needed national conversation are an obstacle to the pursuit of an equitable democracy.”https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2021/07/02/why-are-states-banning-critical-race-theory/ “ I’m rereading and listening to “The 1619 Project” by Nikole Hannah Jones, top of many banned book lists. Every student needs to read this book. And every one of us is a student. It’s available at “The Banned Book Club.”
Morning, Irenie! NYT published the 1619 Project in August 2019, the 400th year anniversary of the ship's landing on what became the USA's shores. I listened to the whole series a few months later. This is the first episode. I think you'll find the rest of the series here (gifted) as well.
It is the best book of my life, followed by Dr. Richardson's "To Make Men Free: A History of the Republican Party".
The book is THE most referenced history book I have ever seen, period. Absolutely recommended but be prepared. It was not written to make you feel good about America or American history.
It was just written to be accurate relative to the past.
Thank you for this tip, Mike. The 1619 Project opened my eyes and I'm now midway through "To Make Men Free...". Can't wait to devour The 1619 Book Project. My retired teacher persona is outraged at the book bans. Reading is essential to building strong minds, appreciating the perspectives of those who live lives different from ours, and connecting us all in the recognition of our shared humanity.
Pat Ebervein, so much appreciate your honesty. I am actively working out as much prejudice as I can. I too am reading the books mentioned. These books and the wonderful authors expose attitudes I do not like in myself and PRAY will be removed from my being. I even hate to say I have to work these things out of course there are a lot of negative feelings I have about mean, cruel, arrogant' white" people too. Just saying....the work continues!!!
Morning, Mike! I have heard Dr. Richardson mention the 1619 Project only once during a chat she gave where she neither endorsed nor rejected the Project outright. I will say, however, in other contexts she has acknowledged the difficulty to be able to learn much history when the people whose stories are trying to be told have had their identities all but ignored for generations. I'd like to think Nikole Hannah-Jones may have used stories orally told and handed down to their descendants as a way of keeping their history alive.
Thanks for the heads up about "To Make Men Free." I have yet to but will read it on your recommendation.
"Two weeks into Black History Month, when we celebrate Black American trailblazers, Post columnist Colbert I. King reflects on why such a marker is necessary almost 100 years after it began as Negro History Week.
It's not a pretty picture.
"'The observance served a necessary purpose for Black youngsters in my generation,' King writes. 'We needed to hear about the role of Black people in the making of America because we were being told by White people of our day that there was nothing about us, or our mommas and daddies, or other people who looked like us, that White people were bound to respect. And that disdain was expressed in tangible ways.'
"He remembers when his hometown, Washington, D.C., like much of America, was a place where Black people were not allowed to try on clothes at department stores or enter restaurants or apply for some jobs — mundane things for most of us today. Where Black people were not given the respect of the Mr. or Mrs. afforded to White folks. Where young Black students couldn't attend the same schools as White kids.
"'I lived that history — that long, darkened slice of life that affected my heart and mind in ways unlikely ever to be undone,' he explains. 'Those experiences will be with me until my dying day.'"
The comment I heard her make on the 1619 project is that power, not specifically race, was the driver. Look what “we” as a country did to Native Americans.
Thank you, Lynell. It’s a must read. I'm also listening to the author reading her book. Wouldn’t, shouldn’t this be on every high school and college reading list?
I haven't read the 1619 book, but I keep seeing references to 400 years. Weren't the Spanish enslaving Indians from day one? That puts us 500 years ago. Portions of our southeastern states were under Spanish control for quite a while.
And then there's the Secrets of Dead PBS series, one of whose episodes was about indentured servants in Florida whose "owner" tried to work them to death before their indenture was over.
Hey, Michael. The introduction to Nikole Hannah Jones' work published in the NYT magazine in August of 2019, posits that it was August of 1619 when a ship appeared off the shores of Colonial Virginia carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans to be sold to the Colonists. That's the meaning of the 400 years. The 1619 Project - written by Nikole Hannah Jones - is an account of how black people came to our shores, and their journey throughout the decades, years, and centuries since. If you listen to Heather Cox Richardson's chats on FB and/or read some of her books, she discusses the enslavement of Indigenous People as well. But this "Project" focuses on the lives of black people...IMO, an all-consuming endeavor.
Thanks,Lynell. I know Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal started receiving slaves from his ships exploring to find a way around Africa well before 1492. It’s possible then that the Spanish got into the same business before 1492 or after. Caneza de Vaca was black, but I don’t think he was a slave. I read his memoir as a kid a long time ago.
Thanks, Michael, for this history! To be sure, human bondage - the slave trade - was established well before 1619. Historians like Professor Richardson are better equipped than I to teach their stories.
Thank you for posting the Brookings article. I am aware of what is happening in Florida, but did not know how many other states are also banning CRT. Chilling! Excellent discussion about CRT. I have intended to read the 1619 project, but now am re-inspired to do so.
Book banning is unbelievable. Who are these people that decide what one can or cannot read? I have been reading since I learned how. Books do not "groom" kids. I read the Happy Hooker when I was 14. It didn't turn me into a prostitute. Book banning is fascist. I learn so much from reading. I didn't have an opportunity to go to college, but I read a lot. How dare these fools try to limit what people read. I'm having difficulty expressing my outrage in words. It makes me so mad! I feel sad for our youth if this becomes the norm.
...Nor did Lincoln, BC. It seems your reading a lot may have provided the best education one can have without someone else deciding what your curriculum ought to be or how it should be organized. That kind of education seems to have provided Lincoln with a deep and rich well of wisdom and compassion while tending the soil of continued learning. The really useful growth from self-education seemed to be never knowing when you're done!
At 76 I can say that we are never done learning, every day brings opportunities to learn something new, I may have slowed now compared to my youth, but the baggage I carry today, that is the accumulation of my life experience, has a wisdom that I didn’t possess in my early years. I may not be the brightest light in the room, but I’m a lot smarter today than I was 10 years ago. 🤷♂️🙏
I don't think we're ever done learning. At least, we shouldn't be. If you're not open to learning, you become a closed minded, ignorant person, IMHO. I find people who support MAGAs to be that way. I don't think they really understand what they're voting for. MAGAs are not for freedom. They want to dictate that (some) people live the way they say. No thank you. I'm good.
My older sister bootlegged a copy of the Happy Hooker to me at the same age!!😂 She was a 1948 born kid who brought enlightened, progressive positions into our New England family - painful for my quiet parents - but I love her for opening my eyes at a young age and making a reader out of me.
Mine were the opposite. I read a lot of stuff that kids "weren't supposed to read" growing up. Mom was an English teacher, and both my folks were avid readers.
It's so performative, done as a powerful dog whistle to the base not to "protect children". In 2023 kids have access to EVERYTHING via the internet. I hope their curiosity is piqued.
I'm always forgetting how proficient young people are with the internet. You have an excellent point. I also hope they have someone who can answer any questions they have.
Looks to be a lot of Islamophobia supporting the book bans as well as anything in American history that might make white people look like brutes and criminals and murderers and rapists.
Some of the books were just a mystery, like Missy Franklin's swimming story and her faith? Not sure how that could harm anyone? Maybe too motivational? Might get people out of their basements and off the shoot em up games and to the gym??
Not Sure. (to understand those two words better, go watch the movie "Idiocracy").
"Idiocracy" is a must see film. The core concept was prescient. Average and dull becomes the new brilliant. Of course, the POTUS in the film is priceless. The movie was funny back then. Hysterically funny. Now, I think I might cry if I saw it in today's context.
Hey! Maybe since the Colorado River is drying up, we will try to grow 25% of our fruits and vegetables with Gatorade! Note to California: it doesn't work really well.
Mike, I couldn’t agree more about Heather’s opening paragraphs- her pointing out the way that corrupt despotic governments fail the people in their hour of need. I also agree about the book banning being an insidious step toward state control of children’s minds. The only possible explanation for banning books about inspirational Black athletes is one steeped in White Supremacy.
Michael, what school officials across the state of Florida are feeling and experiencing is the threats by Gov. DeSantis to cut their funding, fire school board members and Superintendents and replace them with sycophants. This is not hyperbole. It is life in Florida under the DeSantis regime. This, too, is not hyperbole. The man is a menace and the thought of him becoming the next tyrannical darling of the Republican right-wing is horrifying. I am a Floridian and spent 31 of my 38 years in public education in Florida schools. I love my state, but I am deeply saddened by what the state's politics have become, which is saying a lot considering we survived 8 years of "JEB!" and 8 years of Rick Scott in the Governor's mansion. DeSantis is, by far, the worst of the lot!
"In the state of Missouri a 12 yr old is considered too young to read books about LGBTQ+ people & people of color, too young to read Twain or learn about slavery and yet somehow they’re not too young to be forced to give birth from a pregnancy as a result of rape or carry a gun." @JoJoFromJerz
Your response to Heather Cox Richardson this morning is exactly what I thought just now reading her column. So amazing, considering that she often states that she is an American historian, not an "expert" on world politics and history. And, Michael Bales, I like how you bring in "freedom of expression" specifically referencing book banning in public schools. What a great forum this is! Thank you for your contributions.
Michael, I think their issue is that the books mention the subjects having to overcome racism, and heaven forfend that we make students uncomfortable by mentioning that other people were being racist.
Your second guess, Michael, “strive to emulate it” is the correct reason and what extreme right wing ideology fears. They want to mass produce children in their image.
Thank you for this link. "The removed titles were part of the Essential Voices Classroom Libraries Collection, purchased by the district in 2021." and "...removed from classrooms in Duval County, Florida, in January 2022 for “review.”" Nobody bothered to "review" them before purchase?!?
I read through the 176 and am still spewing my coffee recognizing I had so many of these books in my classrooms for years. Berenstein Bears?!? Eve Bunting?!? Tomie dePaola?!? The Name Jar?!? Jackie Robinson?!? (He went to the school where I taught) The Who Was series?!? On and on. OMG. What's wrong with these people?
"We liberals are very focused right now on GOP book banning, and I agree that it's outrageous to ban so many good books. But the giant problem is that two-thirds of kids can't read those books even if they are in school libraries -- and we know how to fix the problem, imperfectly, but we're not doing it fast enough." -Nicholas Kristof.
Things like book banning and limiting human rights are, of course, fueled by fear--fear of anything usurping one's own world view. A wise person doesn't ban books; they encourage diversity as it arises organically. So many of our elected leaders are dangerous numbskulls who sucker white walkers. This and the next decade will be the time of autocracy. The cycle continues and I'm afraid nothing can stop it.
Isn't this wonderful? I had heard about this. Perhaps, as is often the case, banning these books will actually draw attention to them. With the Brooklyn project, the effort to suppress the truth and artistry of "others" completely backfires.
At least in countries where their governments don't control access to the internet. With younger generations probably being more interested in being online than holding an actual book in their hands, putting that material on line would make accessible to most kids. I worry that not only would an authoritarian leader control our behavior and choices, but he/she could also do what China does and block access to material on line they deem to be "subversive" to their dominance.
Sandra Silvestro. these programs should not exist, period!
Why should the state have the ability to limit access to our desire or interest to read a book or author of interest? Parents of course should know about books their children are reading for many reasons but the government is not in the business of banning books! This is not an American value!
We should NOT have to find a way around state programs to chose a book of interest to read!
I get so confused...WHICH party is it that screams about it's rights being taken away and too much government--- Did they not wail about big government taking their rights away--MTG and that other woman...oh, Boingbart? Do they wear AK-47's on their lapels? My brain hurts...and that is exactly what they want. Do not allow their chaos to rule.
Don't know how you are able to share so much news in this little Letter that whole networks and flagship newspapers seem unable to provide to our citizens. Thanks for doing what you do!
I read WaPo and NYTimes. And listen to NPR and CSpan. They all provide good reporting, thoughtful analysis, and historical perspective. And the opportunity to hear the racist right wing religious extremists and their enablers who want, or don't mind, the repurposing of a democratic republic as a clerical fascist state.
“[Conservatives] worry that equal rights for women and minorities—especially LGBTQ people—will undermine traditional religion and traditional power structures.”
Conservatives are correct in that fear. Traditional religion and power structures are indeed threatened as well they should be.
A civilized society is one that works for everyone.
I think everyone here is giving Conservative to much credit. They do not believe in family values, care not about that which they claim to care about. Proof: if LGBTQ and women seeking abortion were a larger voting block than the current GOP base, if Dems were against LGBTQ and abortion rights, then GOP would be for it! Republicans would have the 'Drag Queen Caucus' and the 'Right to Abortion Caucus'. Historical Proof: This is how the Party of Emancipation became the Party of Racism. Never any substance to the GOP, it's always about power.
It seemed the "GOP" still held scruples during Watergate, but perhaps the deal with the Devil in exchange for Dixiecrats, Nixon's due process destroying peremptory "pardon" and the corrupting influence of big money combined to turn the Republican project into power at any price. The Bible claims that "the love of money" is the "root of all evil" but I think it is an obsession with power, of which money is one of its several forms, including political power, including violence.
Yep; it grew into a cancerous obsession - end justifies 'any' means. I'm thinking all that is history if not being repeated and circular, it certainly 'rhymes'.
100P, JL & D4N, I'm thinking you're on target but... Yuval Harrari wrote eloquently about the dawn of the industrial age just 200 years ago with the development of the railroads in Britain as ushering in the era of the state progressively taking over functions historically provided by family for the previous several millenia. With that usurpation of family functions (healthcare, retirement, weddings, caring for the widowed and disabled, discipline {policing}) came the relentless alliance with business & industry which we continue to see played out today politically and especially in SCOTUS decisions. While we clearly benefit from the energy and creativity of business and entrepreneurism, we also need a strong government to harness that energy to protect the individual citizen, "of the people, by the people and FOR the people."
Ralph Averill, I continue to ask the same old question (of myself as well) why can't we just love one another. If we feel superior and righteous then we have MORE of a responsibility to love....to put ourselves in another person's skin or situation...Hating someone who may seem different is such a waste. We have no idea the struggles people live with.
Elon Musk is playing God with Starlink. I would think he has broken some kind of law domestically by withholding it selectively from Ukrainians, given the USA's official stance on the conflict there. This megalomaniac should be brought to heel.
Somehow US industrialists seemed to deal with Hitler in WWII and get away with it. It pulls the rug out from rule of law, let alone "decency".
Wealthy Republicans bloviate a lot about God, but in the tradition of the 'Divine Right of Kings", most seem to want to play one:
“Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak; and that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all his laws.”
My geometry teacher urged me to read a little book called "Flatland". And Flatland, though literally flat and only two- dimensional was inhabited by beings who experienced the intrusion of three-dimensional objects. It influenced how I thought about time. One can imagine seeing as though into the distance atoms and molecules flying apart and regathering together in a series of clusters. It's the same atoms more or less, but in changing relationships. The configuration of now threads back into the past. in one way or another, every bit of it.
I am not implying Newtonian determinism, in which, allegedly, with enough information in the present we could exactly predict every bit of the future. Nature does play at dice, but they are sufficiently loaded that we can project forward with educated guesses of better than random accuracy.
I've not yet read Flatland... but I am in the process of plowing my way through a wonderful book that contains extensive quotes from it.
And, together with those quoted passages, you are reminding me to order that book NOW.
It should be in every school, in every public library...
And... When will they ban it?
We can't risk kids learning to think...
*
As for what happened to the Congo... Leopold II of the Belgians went looking for an empire to plunder in the name of Civilization. Americans may be interested to know that he tried first to buy from Spain... The Philippines.
Some Filipinos know this. They know that it could have been even worse than the "liberators" they did get... Four years of war, liberating them after Dewey's victory in 1898... And then, those other liberators in the wake of Pearl Harbor...
Anyway, read Conrad's Heart of Darkness for a start... From Brussels... the "sepulchral city", the gates of hell, to the depths of hell.
I don't recommend reading the detail of how The Company treated the locals.
I am unaware of the particulars of that history, although I recall talk of "The Belgian Congo". The notion of well armed nations, including in our own history, of well armed nations (such as Russia) capturing other nations out of sheer greed is barbaric. How much of humanity's suffering across time and in the present is the price of tolerating or encouraging that urge?
Touche friend ~ deja vu ? *edit - By the way, I adore that quote JL. That will be a book on my list once we get past the continuing insurrections. Thank you ~
Elon Musk has been playing his games with SpaceX-provided internet connection in Ukraine for some time. He's rooting for Putin. It's time for the U.S. government to step in, including reducing its dependency for rocket launches via SpaceX. Musk is aiding and abetting a dictator who has harmed American in innumerable ways.
I watched stinky’s satellite reentry rain debris across the sky from horizon to horizon one wintry night this winter. Perhaps the most spectacular example of littering by man which has ever occurred. What sort of redress will Americans have when harmed by his irresponsible rocketry?
Perhaps a naive question-but what are the limits to freedom of speech/action? Can we expel from our country those who undermine democracy, subvert our foreign policy, and align themselves with our enemies like Trump, Musk, Desantis, and our GOP? Why hasn’t Bolsonaro been ejected yet??? Why should they be given the privilege to enjoy the benefits of our democracy if they are actively working to destroy it? Again, I do know how naive this sounds-but are there limits?
Is that it?? They literally mock our Constitution and we tolerate them? Or by expelling them, do we run the risk of becoming authoritarian like they are? Sorry-insomnia ponderings....
I'm not positive, Jen, but I think native born Americans cannot be stripped of their citizenship (or expelled) for any reason, though I suspect naturalized citizens can be if their original application for citizenship was in any way fraudulent. And "mocking" our Constitution, while irritating to many of us, is hardly illegal or something we might decide not to tolerate. So the answer to your question about whether we run the risk of becoming authoritarian like they are is "Yes", it's a risk.
Our real problem is excessive regard for wealthy "entrepreneurs" who think they can break the law because they are somehow above the law. And as long as folks like Donald Trump are allowed to run free, and our DOJ and courts are slow to apply the law, we will run the authoritarian risk.
Thank you, David. As a Floridian, I’m daily appalled anew at the authoritarianism exercised in this state by Desantis. His war on woke, his revenge-war on Disney, his book bannings that prevent classroom libraries and beloved book fairs because there are not enough book “bouncers”, his assault on education and higher education in this state, his bullying of people he thinks of as “other”, his war on women’s health issues, his lying and denying of Covid and vaccines that contributed to too many deaths here, and more….his vision for this state and our nation is one where people obey him or face his wrath. He’s trump 2.0-smarter and intentionally cruel. It’s exhausting. I hope people around the nation see this if he emerges as the presidential candidate for the GOP as he hopes.
Nice Jen. That question is on the mind of every American. My guess is that our democracy protects even the assholes.@#$#@& I covered that like a 3 legged cat in a sandbox.
Interesting questions, Jen! I always get in trouble when I go on a rant like the following:
Corporations are not democracies, right? The Trump Organization was headed by an autocrat, right? Autocrats boss people around, right? (That’s why we call them “Bosses.”) Trump visualized running the US as a business. He was in charge and people did what he told them to do. People voted for him because he was perceived as a successful businessman who FIRED people if they were inferior. As President, he “hired” people (with Our Money) and expected them to be LOYAL to Donald J. Trump (and not necessarily to the Constitution of the United States), right?
A real Problem Area for Corporations are Unions, which give “rights” to workers. (Yes, even some unions get run by Bosses who run many of the aspects of unionization like a corporation.)
My question: Is the best way to “Form a More Perfect Union” the Corporate Way: Get one really powerful person to push and pontificate and pressure people to procure profits? Just askin’
Love the questions. A democracy cannot, but it’s very name, be run like a corporation. While you always need people to lead and direct, it is inherent in its nature to care for all, just just the select few who feel entitled to be the “bosses”. Elected folks are called public servants for a reason. They are beholden to we, the people. The GOP have forgotten that, in my opinion.
Yes, Jen —-> Public SERVANTS. Many of them conveniently forget that servitude aspect of their jobs. It is OUR responsibility to remind them of their true position in the pecking order. We, the People often fail to take the responsibility to do some reminding of who is actually “in charge”. I’ve never been a big fan of term limits. I also have felt that the installation of term limits was, in effect, usurping the power of We, the People. We HAVE term limits. They’re called ELECTIONS. If, on the other hand (sadly), We, the People are just too friggin’ lazy to exercise our True Power, then….
My take is the government cannot enact any law preventing any speech. Penalty for the actions/results of such speech, however, is another issue entirely -- yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater, for instance.
A collective decision / opinion / policy endorsed by fiends of like minds including Koch Industries Oil and gas conglomerate 'plus' other big money directly assaulting our democracy with dollars - an apparent unending pile of dollars. With the hostile broadcast media takeovers of the somewhat recent past, common folks aren't hearing and seeing all the 'dots to connect' - aka "Citizens United" decision / cluster eff. Long range strategic planning, funding, and execution with political help - who's to stop them ?
This is so sickening but not unexpected. We really need to prioritize President Biden's promise to get internet access to all Americans to come to fruition, then we could help Ukraine and others in need as well. Depending on someone as unpredictable and selfish as Musk to do something philanthropic is a huge mistake. I believe it's part of the infrastructure bill, but haven't seen it covered in the news. We must push for this now.
I must admit I'm conflicted after reading many responses to my mini-rant.
I understand Musk is a schmuck in twittered costume, but recall that many of the satellite images used to gather intel on Russian activity in Ukraine were accurately lofted into space by Space-X (with large government contracts including supplying the space station). Tesla jump started the e-vehicle revolution (with government subsidies). Starlink provides communications for rescue operations in remote spots. His Boring company is revolutionizing one segement of the transportation infrastructure. So, another way to view him is by his accomplishments, which is improving the environment, improving U.S. security, and enhancing our lives.
For all that positiive stuff, I am frustrated. There needs to be a rule that specifies that if one benefits from public funds, one must not conduct business in a way that directly countervenes publicly stated US government policy. So, this is an example of how government policy supporting entrepeneurship helps capitalism work, but is lacking controls on the excesses of some capitalists' worst impulses. This is true for drug pricing, labor relations, auto safety, speed limits, food safety, welfare work requirements, and so on.
So bottom line, I am uncomfortable with everyone painting new horns on the Elon Devil. I have no intention of signing onto a wholesale kneejerk vilification of billionaires or corporations or conservatives, etc. I repeat that I am just frustrated with the imbalance between policy for public good on one side and profit seeking excesses on the other. Ad hominem attacks on those we perceive as "the enemy" are like taking a good shit. They feel great, but they are unhelpful and even counterproductive in public discussion.
So glad you have spelled out so simply what Erdogan and his cronies have done to Turkey. Of course it is a much longer and deeper story. We have stayed interested and attached to Turkey since the mid-1990s, and watched in dismay what Erdogan has destroyed and corrupted, in his quest for power and money. I cannot even begin to think about what has happened to beautiful Syria since we traveled through that country in 1997. Just heartbreaking that Assad’s son, Bashir, in his weakness, has been willing to utterly destroy such a long and rich culture.
So terribly sad to see human destruction rival the power of the earthquake.
Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan were once beautiful. With ancient cities. Beautiful mosques. Schools where girls went and became educated. Doctors. Coffee shops.
And then came America.
In 2001 we invaded Afghanistan even though not a single individual who sponsored the fly in at the World Trade Center was from that country.
In 2003 we invaded Iraq based on the open and well known lie that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
And, around 2011, Hillary Clinton convinced a skeptical Barack Obama to begin to sell large amounts of arms to the "opposition" (which, were bloodthirsty groups as we have seen).
All of the above US actions directly resulted in the complete destruction of those three countries.
It is not as simple as Bashir being a bad dude, which, he is. So was Saddam Hussein.
BUT, so was the Shah of Iran (a bloodthirsty dictator the US installed in Iran in 1953).
Had the United States not done any of the above actions ALL of those countries would still have beautiful cities, coffee shops, schools, hospitals and society.
We cannot hide from our own role in the destruction we caused. It is just not right.
For more on civilian deaths in our horrible wars in Iraq and Afghanistan go here:
We SHOULD not hid from our own role in the destruction we caused. Both to the countries we invaded and the soldiers we've destroyed in those invasions. (I had the privilege this past week of attending some peer support training; I shared a table with three guys from central Oregon who work with returning veterans. What has happened to our Vets from these wars and how most of them are treated upon return--especially reservists-- is unconscionable.) The war profiteering is (insert incoherent profanity here) is off the charts awful.
Once again you spell out the harsh truth. While I am in complete support of Ukraine and what should be a line in the sand for Putin, what we have done makes us the world's greatest hypocrites. Our invasions in 2001 and 2003 were complete boondoggles. The only entities that benefited from them have been the Military Industrial Complex (Halliburton, etc.) and extremist groups that we were supposed to be vanquishing. Instead we made them stronger. We created the vacuum for ISIS to thrive. And now we have gifted a country to the Taliban. All stupid moves. We lost young people who weren't even sure why they were dying. We killed and/or displaced millions of humans. We wrecked the lives of innocents. But a lot of Western rich guys got richer.
If we could pull those two big stunts in countries half a planet away, why wouldn't Putin think he could do the same in his backyard - right next door? I will make the case that in a perverted sense, we inspired Putin to invade Ukraine. And with Obama being weak on Crimea and Trump pretty much offering a green light, why wouldn't he just march in?
You are so right. We can't and shouldn't hide from these horrors and mistakes. The American people were conned into two multi-trillion dollar wars. They were both based on bullshit thinking and benefited the bullshitters. The fact that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are not in orange jump suits should infuriate Americans - especially those now complaining about deficits.
Yes, "boondoggles" suggests a mistake or big mess up. When in fact, Cheney and Co. were seeing the deaths, disruptions of life, displacements and dismemberments as just collateral damage in a mission to dominate a region for profit.
Perhaps: "a misguided, misdirected, murderous meddling in the affairs of sovereign nations with genocidal results."
Every military effort of those wars created newly passionate extremists. We called them terrorists. They saw themselves as patriots. We didn't learn a thing from Vietnam.
Mike, yours is an interesting comment, and I certainly agree with most of it, but we should remember that US Middle East policy has always been -- until very recently, perhaps -- a function of our desire to "contain" the USSR/Russia while keeping the price of gasoline low for American drivers.
In light of recent events, I believe our desire to contain Russia is rightly still a priority, and only when voting Americans are all driving electric (or hydrogen-powered) cars running on renewable solar-derived energy -- soon, I hope -- will we be able (as a practical matter) to adopt ethics-based ME policies. Thinking that middle eastern peoples could have avoided poverty and population growth and wars and chaos all these years if we had just minded our own business is mere speculation.
"Thinking that middle eastern peoples could have avoided poverty and population growth and wars and chaos all these years if we had just minded our own business is mere speculation."
What my note communicates is our impact on the people in the countries that we invaded for no reason or started a war in for no reason.
An impact that was extraordinarily negative, created the largest human diaspora since WW II, resulted in strains within Europe as a consequence of that human migration.
The list of negative outcomes for everyone but people who owned Haliburton stock and Defense Contractor stock is very, very long.
I completely agree that the US has done a lot of terribly wrong stuff in the Middle East, the outcomes have been the opposite of those promised by our leaders, most of whom have also lied to us about what was happening and why. Because of this many Americans think we should not be helping Ukraine defend itself from Russian aggression, but I disagree. The proof will be if we can get a peace deal without first having nuclear war.
When two nuclear powers are fighting each other, either directly or indirectly, the continuing existence of life on this planet is put at risk. I am definitely losing sleep these days.
Hi! I’m back! My initial note was sentimental, and in response to the horrible destruction of the earthquake. But as I said, “of course it is a much longer and deeper story”. I agree that unnecessary wars and our roles in Afghanistan and Iraq were horrendous and absolutely indefensible. I also can concur that our example emboldened Putin. However, I am not sure that the destruction of Syria or decline of Türkiye can be put at the hands of America specifically. I am not a historian, so unfortunately, I don’t have the depth of knowledge or skillz to analyze this (I’m actually a photographer), but i still think the poor response in Turkey is their own political responsibility. Syria descended into war due to many factors. US arms sales to the insurgents, no doubt exacerbated the severity of the war, but Russia’s support of Bashir and ruthless bombing campaign caused the real destruction there. Come to think of it, US arms to the Syrian insurgents doesn't seem so different from our support of Ukraine, which i think is critically important. In Syria’s case, admittedly, we were interfering with internal politics.
President Biden will soon be in Poland for meetings on the one (1) year anniversary of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. NATO members will be discussing defense & offense in the air & ground war from Spring into Winter 2023 and its impact on adjacent states such as Moldova which has suffered Russian occupation on a thin strip of land along a river system on Moldova's eastern border with Ukraine known as Putin controlled 'Transnistria". Biden's Team has demonstrated superior management & messaging across a wide array of executive branch decisions both tactical & strategic. Very difficult times are anead of us. Nothing less than the fate of the next several generations of Europeans is at stake. 🇺🇦 SATURDAY UPDATE: Ali Velshi will report LIVE from UKRAINE starting FEB 18 10 am Eastern. Given Velshi's world class reporting at the start of the War, I expect Velshi will make good use of substantial Tech support to proudce valuable content. I am "wondering where the lions are." 🇺🇦
Our Professor has succinctly stated the conflict between integrity and narcissism on the scale of the world's powers. IMO unless good people stop being shocked and horrified and step into the fight with the same level of commitment as the Putins, Trumps and Elons, what our Professor has delineated as goodness will expire under the violence of megalomania, psychopathy and sadism.
It seems so much to shoulder until we realize we have many many shoulders that want freedom, equity of opportunity, peace, in a society that works together for the common good so we can be Individually free to pursue our own hopes, dreams and aspirations. Apologize for the stream and run on sentence. It’s all I have tonight. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and context for a common understanding.
“Democracy stands on the principle of equality for all people, and those who are turning away from democracy, including the right wing in the United States, object to that equality.” Yes, Professor, you remind us of a Truth that is often drowned out by too much political noise. We must all, people from all political parties in the USA, pay close attention to how democracy can be weakened and possibly destroyed. This is a time to support Democratic principles around the world, not ignore how easy it could be to lose our own. Who was paying attention when Republicans welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to their conservative political conference, CPAC, in Dallas in 2022, as keynote speaker. Who attended? Ted Cruz, Sean Hannity, TFG, Tucker Carlson. Where is the outrage, as repubs actively work to shut down Voters’ voices, including their own party members who trust their representatives. . “Hungary's prime minister calls for culture war at right-wing conference in Dallas - https://www.npr.org/2022/08/04/1115758213/hungarys-prime-minister-addressed-prominent-republicans-at-right-wing-meet-in-da”
Lulu is as eloquent a poet of democracy as Amanda Gorman, celebrating “joy…to guarantee dreams for the youth.” A lovely thought with which to end the week.
Without peace, dreams become nightmares. Many many will not sleep easy tonight. Peace enables joy. Peace protects children and the world we will leave to them. So much suffering that's within our collective powers to avoid.
Benjamin Franklin's answer that we have a republic, if we can keep it proves chillingly accurate. Keeping a democratic republic, securing it against the forces of powerful self-interest that want to subvert it is the challenge of the moment. Is democracy destined to fail? Democracy doesn't have a great track record, historically.
I am still in Germany and have been watching these situations unfold from here. The news coverage has been focusing on the Turkish-Syrian earthquake crisis, the Ukrainian war, the visit by Zelenskiy to the EU and several European countries with some desiring a border wall to keep immigrants out. What I am seeing of Turkey reminds me of Surfside, Florida and the building collapsing without an earthquake, just corruption on some level for building standards. When we build that tall we need to have building standards. The obvious corruption tied to authoritarian regimes is not what I want. Nor its agenda to make everyone hetero-baby producing, no abortion, no birth control cogs in the nationalism machine. It doesn't work well. Let us hope that people can see through the Republicans and what they are offering.
Excuse me, but anybody who sees chump as a strong Leader, is either deaf, dumb, or stupid. He is a con man extraordinaire, who will (and has) stripped the country of values, assets and common sense. Propaganda says that he is a strong hero, I say he, and his ilk, are evil personified…
Biden and Lula seem to be in sync. Two honorable men with sound ethics. These are both inspiring and heart breaking times. Each day I'm amazed that the center of gravitas is still holding. Each day I feel my heart breaking seeing all the madness and the pain. And as the hours go by, I gradually find my balance. I did a climate report for the Italian govt. in the early 80s, Mama mia, it was scary and I believe that much of the madness that's all around us is due to deep seated atavistic fear. That said, I believe as the Buddhists do.. there is wisdom in the wounds and I also believe that we were made for these times. Wise enough to know when to rest, to reach out to others and, like Biden and Lula stay focused on finding creative empathic solutions. .
Fabulous how you illuminate so much we don’t see in the news and bring all the current situations together as the challenges to democracy Thanks
Agreed, Susan!
Heather, this is a brilliant overview of world events. Thank you! And I do so appreciate you ending with Lula’s words:
“(Lula) called for protecting the natural world to combat climate change, and creating a world governance to enable us to work together against existential threats.
‘This is not a government program,’ Lula said. ‘This is a faith commitment of someone that believes in humanism, someone that believes in solidarity. I don’t want to live in a world where humans become algorithms. I want to live in a world where human beings are human beings. And for that, we have to take care very carefully what God gave us: that is the Planet Earth.’”
I love this quote especially as I don't want to be an algorithm. And I nod to doing something about climate change.
Did you go to college in Vermont?
Yes.
I also went to college at Trinity. Thank you for your support on the Trinity thread.
My pleasure. I love supporting Trinity!
I'd sure like to see this letter and so many others of yours, Heather, front and center on all major media outlets. The mainstream news is a joke to me anymore.
Cindy,
In addition to Dr. Richardson's letter I read the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal every day. I certainly do think Dr. Richardson's writing is unique.
I don't, necessarily, think the above noted two news sources are jokes. However, those information sources are not able to maintain a constant theme like Dr. Richardson nor are they able to provide the deep historical background she provides. Even today, as Dr. Richardson reports on the poor response in Turkey, she maintains her steady theme of democracy vs autocracy or dictatorship (why, when, where and how).
However, those newspapers do provide in depth reporting on many aspects outside of Dr. Richardson's fairly focused purview. The NY Times recently had a visual investigation that provided an in depth look at how poorly and openly classified documents, hundreds of them, were stored at Mara Lago.
Also, the detailed reporting of the emergency response in Turkey is well done in NY Times.
Also, Jamelle Bouie's editorials in NY Times are pretty darn good honestly. His chapter in The 1619 Book Project is even better.
So, I would say that the NY Times and certainly the Wall Street Journal offer a different look at the world every day than Dr. Richardson.
All three of them taken together (NY Times, Wall Street Journal and HCR) can provide a daily dose of information that, if not mitigated with some good outdoor time, leave you wondering about "our country" for sure.
agreed -- but in place of the WSJ, I read the Washington Post. They have reporters and investigators right there in the thick of things. (And I lived in Maryland for 18 years.) Isn't the WSJ owned by Murdoch? I don't trust myself to be able to sift out the rightwing bias. If you can, more power to you.
This is also what I read. At the end of the day we get an email from The Atlantic which I also read. Sometimes the NYT and the WaPo irritate me, but they have lots of interest. Locally, our paper is owned by Gannett who have also destroyed the Register Guard in Eugene, so I usually read the Oregonian for news. All of this online. We do get the NYT in the print edition every day but Saturday because the local rag no longer prints a Saturday edition. Since we live in Salem, the state capital, there are a couple online alternatives that we see.
For me it's WaPo and the Guardian (both US and UK editions). I dropped the NYT after suffering through their abysmal coverage of the 2016 presidential election campaign. The NYT does have some good columnists, like Jamelle Bouie, but so does WaPO (Jennifer Rubin has really come into her own, and Eugene Robinson is also especially good). The best commentary I see, though, is in Slate, and Substacks like this one, and even the various MSNBC blogs (I'm in awe of Steve Benen of the Maddow Blog).
I also read Benen and love him. And Eugene Robinson.
Me too.😊
WSJ is owned by Murdoch. Their editorial page is very righ-biased, however the news itself is pretty straight.
Why doesn’t HCR post in the Times? The more that read her the Better.
I think writing at the Times would open up a can of worms for HCR. I am just guessing, but I think she may like her life just as it is. A great teaching job with time to write brilliant books. And this gig which makes her a small fortune. All of that balanced out with a life in what I think is the most beautiful part of the country.
I think she could blow the doors off at the Times. But maybe she doesn't want the distraction from a well designed life with her new husband. Again, I am just guessing.
Bill, I think you are right, much as I long to see HCR's Letters more widely read. Also, Heather is a (brilliant) historian, not a journalist and I believe that journalists probably want to protect "their turf". Nevertheless, I wish more people could take advantage of the honesty and clarity of her work.
However, the other day I was listening to something, I forget what but it may have been CNN, and I heard the words "as Heather Cox Richardson said..." !
More people need to benefit from her writing. She doesn't need to be a journalist. This piece deserves to be widely circulated. "Turf" doesn't matter. The truth will serve us all.
I know that Heather is read by a wide range of journalists (and many politicians), though maybe not the extreme right wing. Not unexpected, so nothing to waste time moaning about. That she and other historians are now routinely being included in the analysis of current affairs is a welcome change, one that benefits our understanding all around. Hooray for historians, and for journalists whose grasp of the back story improves their coverage.
I sometimes catch Brian Tyler Cohn on YouTube and he recently quoted her. I find his takes, besides that of Beau of the Fifth Column" to be worth hunting down.
Bill, I would not suggest that she "change her life" and work for the Times. I do believe this article should be a widely distributed OP ED. Coastal Maine is wonderful. We were there in the fall.
So true. As to Maine I would like to be one of the fortunate who can summer in Maine and winter in the low country or Florida.
Got it :)
Not knowing the newspaper business as more than a consumer I wonder if she couldn’t be syndicated.
If it were her desire to be more widely read, I think she would be a national force for understanding. Nobody can pull the news together with historical perspective the way Heather can. Plus lately, she has found a talent for terrific ironies and a "concluding comment" that is wicked powerful.
Wouldn't it be epic if she wanted to "teach" on a grander scale?
I just don't know if she would want the attention and the pressure of such a large platform. Whatever works best for her life. Guess I feel protective :)
Agree, but wouldn't it be nice to see her as a guest on MSNBC? I often see Joanne Freeman there.....Heather would be a nice addition too.
Monthly Fireside Chats with Biden would be fantastic for the country.
My introduction to HRC came some years ago with a historical opinion piece on the Bloomberg site. My awareness of this blog was made possible by a HRC opinion piece in the Guardian, so there is that. I don't know how she does it all anyway, but I would like to see some of the historical (well past and contemporary) vignettes reprinted more widely.
At least in one sense history=learning=history. Not always social/political history, as even the ability to read is the culmination of retaining a great many successive lessons (I can still remember "Spot can run. Run, Spot run." or something very similar). Human history is sometimes described as a spiral rather than a cycle (here is a particularly meaningful spiral illustration visualized as "3-D" (a cycle + time) https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/300/video-climate-spiral/
Navigating reality relying on misinformation can be roughly like flying a plane though a fog, depending upon significantly inaccurate navigational aids. Lacking reasonably accurate foresight, realities, like a mountainside, could suddenly smack you in the face.
Two (Opps, three) things will always stick in my brain, somewhat akin to your Spot analogy. In the Democracy vs. Republic schtick, “…a Labrador is still a dog…”. In the understanding of the Reagan years, via Little House on the Prairie and the Phylis Schlaflys of the day, puffy dresses, “… Pa was an idiot who always had to be rescued by the women…”, and “Infrastructure, a social basic safety net, regulation of business.” I discovered HCR’s podcasts at the beginning of Covid. I was there every Tuesday and Thursday, plus the Letters. Kept me sane, to say nothing about what connection to community, in the midst of isolation, accomplished.
I don’t think Prof. Richardson should or would want that type of exposure. She is a well-respected author. Teaching American history is her passion. We follow her writings and learn so much. We have the ability to pass along to others what she so capably, thoughtfully, straight-forward and factually
presents.
I don’t think Prof. Richardson should or would want that type of exposure. She is a well-respected author. Teaching American history is her passion. We follow her writings and learn so much. We have the ability to pass along to others what she so capably, thoughtfully, straight-forward and factually
presents.
HCR posts her letters daily on Facebook—ostensibly the social media platform with the highest visibility. Some of her FB letters get up to 50k likes and thousands of comments, and are shared numerous times. Unfortunately, I believe most of the people this information should reach will not take the time to read a letter; they’re better predisposed to take in short visual news segments or memes.
https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Yes, my elderly father can watch Fox for hours, but her newsletter was "too long".
Agree. This should be an Op Ed printed and distributed widely.
From another Georgia girl, I believe Dr. Richardson’s ability to make her own points and draw her own conclusions is on a far stronger footing here than at a major daily with an editorial board, especially one with a brand to protect.
Many have mentioned that her readers should post her letter on their social media and to newspapers.
I do frequently post her letter on my own FB page, to the appreciation of 4 or 5 of my friends. Some of my friends have subscribed to LFAA. And now and then I forward mine to a couple of "die-hard" MSM friends, choosing carefully which letters I forward.
I would add the Washington Post. I subscribe to NYT, WaPo and HCR. And some others, notably Lucid by Ruth Ben-Ghiat.
Mike, it’s not the in depth reporting that makes The NY Times so often complicit in the corruption of our democracy. It’s the failure to report facts of the Biden administration’s extraordinary achievements since he won the election. It’s publishing articles (with sensationalistic headlines) on crime statistics using only sources from the police, and burying the actual statistics deep into the story. I could go on (there are hundreds of instances) but you get the point.
I would like to see HCR's blog printed in these newspapers.
I don't disagree that many written and televised news sources are excellent. They're a wealth of factual information for those who pursue them. My comments are focused on getting the larger mass of American voters--who may not read extensively or watch the best tv sources--better informed so they can vote for their own best interests. My concern is that a large part of the voting population only watches a mainstream 6:00 news program for the entirety of their consumed information, and that we end up with uninformed voters going to the polls. I see those sources doing the country a huge disservice by basically lying by omission, and keeping their focus more on people-pleasing stories. My question is how many voters really understand that this is a hair-on-fire moment.
Of course HCR would do a great job as a journalist, but she might consider aiming higher. In 2024, Maine Senator King's term will be over and he will be 80, with reelection to another six year term likely, if he chooses to run. But if he does not ....
We need articulate, charismatic politicians who champion "Liberty and Justice for All" (for real and really for all) but also journalists, academicians, poets, artists, song writers even comedians, of which there are a few who are currently well known. History lessons can be as dry as dust, but HRC draws out the threads of historical relevance to present circumstance, which is under-represented outside of some classrooms (in my experience, inside too).
It matters what the Boston Tea Party was really protesting. It matters whether the 2nd Amendment was specific to the needs of a state-controlled militia, or whether, as maintained by the learned-sounding audio lecture sent by a former school-mate of my wife, it was intended to arm the entire public in order that they may overthrow the government should it become too liberal. It matters whether 40 years of Reaganomic policy has noticeable improved "Main Street" prosperity and social justice or has it diminished it.
This requires following a chain of events, along with their ambient context, which seems in short supply in popular media and culture, yet is essential to forming, choosing and recognizing wise choices, which based on available evidence, are most likely to result in beneficial outcomes; and we need more readily accessible demonstrations of this particular science and art. It seems to me that this is the only way a wise and just democracy is likely to be secured.
Share daily to help spread the word!😊
Yes!!! Me too!!
Times 10!!!
Timing of the professor's comments couldn't be better. Trump has awakened our dark side. Regardless of his re-elected, his legacy will be a possible determinate of our future. I remain stunned at it's power over our country like we have forgotten our better angels and prefer corruption over democracy. There may be a few encouraging signs , but the battle is a long way from over.
John, even if there is no further damage to our democracy than has already been done, it will take generations to restore it.
If we have that long.
The first and primary task is to restore our education system. Equip all students with critical thinking, national pride, truthful history, and civic, social, and government studies. And continuing studies of the Constiution and other vital national documents, coupled with a national 'can do' optimism resulting from all of the above.
In order for this to happen, it will take all of us--starting now--to limit further damage and lay the groundwork by inspiring our educators, supporting them with adequate compensation, and running point to provide them with the means to design and accomplish what we are asking of them.
We still have our voices, our votes, and our volition to do this! People like our dear professor Heather Cox Richardson don't fall out of the sky, they are educated. With all my heart soul and mind I believe education is the way to long term stability of the precious ideas that form our national identity and strength.
Always my take, as well, Susan and Rowshan!
Professor, your first three paragraphs are the best encapsulation that I've read about our intensifying struggle and what's at stake. I would also highlight how freedom of expression is increasingly suppressed in right-wing states. I'm not sure we fully grasp the extent, for example, of book bans sweeping the nation.
I read today that Duval County in Florida, where Jacksonville is located, has banned 176 books from public schools. Four jumped out at me for what would seem their tame content — books about famous athletes who happen to have been people of color: Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Jim Thorpe, and Roberto Clemente. I guess local school officials see them as subversive influences, and believe kids would be harmed learning of their success. Or worse, strive to emulate it.
https://pen.org/banned-books-florida/
“Scholars and activists who discuss CRT are not arguing that white people living now are to blame for what people did in the past. They are saying that white people living now have a moral responsibility to do something about how racism still impacts all of our lives today. Policies attempting to suffocate this much-needed national conversation are an obstacle to the pursuit of an equitable democracy.”https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2021/07/02/why-are-states-banning-critical-race-theory/ “ I’m rereading and listening to “The 1619 Project” by Nikole Hannah Jones, top of many banned book lists. Every student needs to read this book. And every one of us is a student. It’s available at “The Banned Book Club.”
Morning, Irenie! NYT published the 1619 Project in August 2019, the 400th year anniversary of the ship's landing on what became the USA's shores. I listened to the whole series a few months later. This is the first episode. I think you'll find the rest of the series here (gifted) as well.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/podcasts/1619-slavery-anniversary.html?
Lynell,
I am looking at the expanded version of the NY Times 1619 Project on my desk right now.
The 1619 Book Project. I bought it off of Amazon for a mere $16 dollars (up to $22 now but that is fantastically cheap).
https://www.amazon.com/1619-Project-New-Origin-Story/dp/0593230574/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=CjwKCAiAlp2fBhBPEiwA2Q10D27_hxZsUuzMuOuNJdSa_P-A8UVGG-JPG9rnhCxIh55C25VTjIM0DxoCxAwQAvD_BwE&hvadid=381147315779&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9005583&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2343538388580277182&hvtargid=kwd-815544496076&hydadcr=22536_9636733&keywords=1619+project+book&qid=1676110234&sr=8-1
It is the best book of my life, followed by Dr. Richardson's "To Make Men Free: A History of the Republican Party".
The book is THE most referenced history book I have ever seen, period. Absolutely recommended but be prepared. It was not written to make you feel good about America or American history.
It was just written to be accurate relative to the past.
Thank you for this tip, Mike. The 1619 Project opened my eyes and I'm now midway through "To Make Men Free...". Can't wait to devour The 1619 Book Project. My retired teacher persona is outraged at the book bans. Reading is essential to building strong minds, appreciating the perspectives of those who live lives different from ours, and connecting us all in the recognition of our shared humanity.
Pat Ebervein, so much appreciate your honesty. I am actively working out as much prejudice as I can. I too am reading the books mentioned. These books and the wonderful authors expose attitudes I do not like in myself and PRAY will be removed from my being. I even hate to say I have to work these things out of course there are a lot of negative feelings I have about mean, cruel, arrogant' white" people too. Just saying....the work continues!!!
Morning, Mike! I have heard Dr. Richardson mention the 1619 Project only once during a chat she gave where she neither endorsed nor rejected the Project outright. I will say, however, in other contexts she has acknowledged the difficulty to be able to learn much history when the people whose stories are trying to be told have had their identities all but ignored for generations. I'd like to think Nikole Hannah-Jones may have used stories orally told and handed down to their descendants as a way of keeping their history alive.
Thanks for the heads up about "To Make Men Free." I have yet to but will read it on your recommendation.
"Two weeks into Black History Month, when we celebrate Black American trailblazers, Post columnist Colbert I. King reflects on why such a marker is necessary almost 100 years after it began as Negro History Week.
It's not a pretty picture.
"'The observance served a necessary purpose for Black youngsters in my generation,' King writes. 'We needed to hear about the role of Black people in the making of America because we were being told by White people of our day that there was nothing about us, or our mommas and daddies, or other people who looked like us, that White people were bound to respect. And that disdain was expressed in tangible ways.'
"He remembers when his hometown, Washington, D.C., like much of America, was a place where Black people were not allowed to try on clothes at department stores or enter restaurants or apply for some jobs — mundane things for most of us today. Where Black people were not given the respect of the Mr. or Mrs. afforded to White folks. Where young Black students couldn't attend the same schools as White kids.
"'I lived that history — that long, darkened slice of life that affected my heart and mind in ways unlikely ever to be undone,' he explains. 'Those experiences will be with me until my dying day.'"
Gifted article: https://wapo.st/3K0xP1G
The comment I heard her make on the 1619 project is that power, not specifically race, was the driver. Look what “we” as a country did to Native Americans.
Thank you, Lynell. It’s a must read. I'm also listening to the author reading her book. Wouldn’t, shouldn’t this be on every high school and college reading list?
I haven't read the 1619 book, but I keep seeing references to 400 years. Weren't the Spanish enslaving Indians from day one? That puts us 500 years ago. Portions of our southeastern states were under Spanish control for quite a while.
And then there's the Secrets of Dead PBS series, one of whose episodes was about indentured servants in Florida whose "owner" tried to work them to death before their indenture was over.
Hey, Michael. The introduction to Nikole Hannah Jones' work published in the NYT magazine in August of 2019, posits that it was August of 1619 when a ship appeared off the shores of Colonial Virginia carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans to be sold to the Colonists. That's the meaning of the 400 years. The 1619 Project - written by Nikole Hannah Jones - is an account of how black people came to our shores, and their journey throughout the decades, years, and centuries since. If you listen to Heather Cox Richardson's chats on FB and/or read some of her books, she discusses the enslavement of Indigenous People as well. But this "Project" focuses on the lives of black people...IMO, an all-consuming endeavor.
Thanks,Lynell. I know Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal started receiving slaves from his ships exploring to find a way around Africa well before 1492. It’s possible then that the Spanish got into the same business before 1492 or after. Caneza de Vaca was black, but I don’t think he was a slave. I read his memoir as a kid a long time ago.
Thanks, Michael, for this history! To be sure, human bondage - the slave trade - was established well before 1619. Historians like Professor Richardson are better equipped than I to teach their stories.
Thank you for posting the Brookings article. I am aware of what is happening in Florida, but did not know how many other states are also banning CRT. Chilling! Excellent discussion about CRT. I have intended to read the 1619 project, but now am re-inspired to do so.
Irenie - I hope you don't mind that I've saved your words and intend to share them. This is the most succinct explanation I've ever come across/
Thank you Pat. I’m happy to share; our conversations are important ways to learn and raise awareness. Both ways.
Oy, I just realized that was a quote, Irenie. Early morning brain fog is a real thing apparently.
"[banned] books about famous athletes who happen to have been people of color: Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Jim Thorpe, and Roberto Clemente."
And men who helped desegregate sports and overcome white prejudice.
lin, of course we can’t mention that whites could possibly have been prejudiced.
Book banning is unbelievable. Who are these people that decide what one can or cannot read? I have been reading since I learned how. Books do not "groom" kids. I read the Happy Hooker when I was 14. It didn't turn me into a prostitute. Book banning is fascist. I learn so much from reading. I didn't have an opportunity to go to college, but I read a lot. How dare these fools try to limit what people read. I'm having difficulty expressing my outrage in words. It makes me so mad! I feel sad for our youth if this becomes the norm.
...Nor did Lincoln, BC. It seems your reading a lot may have provided the best education one can have without someone else deciding what your curriculum ought to be or how it should be organized. That kind of education seems to have provided Lincoln with a deep and rich well of wisdom and compassion while tending the soil of continued learning. The really useful growth from self-education seemed to be never knowing when you're done!
At 76 I can say that we are never done learning, every day brings opportunities to learn something new, I may have slowed now compared to my youth, but the baggage I carry today, that is the accumulation of my life experience, has a wisdom that I didn’t possess in my early years. I may not be the brightest light in the room, but I’m a lot smarter today than I was 10 years ago. 🤷♂️🙏
You give me hope as I approach 65 with the knowledge that I don't know how much I don't know... but I'm learning that.
I don't think we're ever done learning. At least, we shouldn't be. If you're not open to learning, you become a closed minded, ignorant person, IMHO. I find people who support MAGAs to be that way. I don't think they really understand what they're voting for. MAGAs are not for freedom. They want to dictate that (some) people live the way they say. No thank you. I'm good.
My older sister bootlegged a copy of the Happy Hooker to me at the same age!!😂 She was a 1948 born kid who brought enlightened, progressive positions into our New England family - painful for my quiet parents - but I love her for opening my eyes at a young age and making a reader out of me.
Lol I read it too, though at a little younger age. I can’t imagine my parents ever censoring my reading.
Mine were the opposite. I read a lot of stuff that kids "weren't supposed to read" growing up. Mom was an English teacher, and both my folks were avid readers.
“Book banning is fascist”...that’s all you need to say. ❤️
It's so performative, done as a powerful dog whistle to the base not to "protect children". In 2023 kids have access to EVERYTHING via the internet. I hope their curiosity is piqued.
I'm always forgetting how proficient young people are with the internet. You have an excellent point. I also hope they have someone who can answer any questions they have.
I looked at the list.
Looks to be a lot of Islamophobia supporting the book bans as well as anything in American history that might make white people look like brutes and criminals and murderers and rapists.
Some of the books were just a mystery, like Missy Franklin's swimming story and her faith? Not sure how that could harm anyone? Maybe too motivational? Might get people out of their basements and off the shoot em up games and to the gym??
Not Sure. (to understand those two words better, go watch the movie "Idiocracy").
"Idiocracy" is a must see film. The core concept was prescient. Average and dull becomes the new brilliant. Of course, the POTUS in the film is priceless. The movie was funny back then. Hysterically funny. Now, I think I might cry if I saw it in today's context.
Hey! Maybe since the Colorado River is drying up, we will try to grow 25% of our fruits and vegetables with Gatorade! Note to California: it doesn't work really well.
LOL
Unf**kingbelievable, this is as much an affront to humanity as Hitler ever was
The wheel turns.
Mike, I couldn’t agree more about Heather’s opening paragraphs- her pointing out the way that corrupt despotic governments fail the people in their hour of need. I also agree about the book banning being an insidious step toward state control of children’s minds. The only possible explanation for banning books about inspirational Black athletes is one steeped in White Supremacy.
Michael, what school officials across the state of Florida are feeling and experiencing is the threats by Gov. DeSantis to cut their funding, fire school board members and Superintendents and replace them with sycophants. This is not hyperbole. It is life in Florida under the DeSantis regime. This, too, is not hyperbole. The man is a menace and the thought of him becoming the next tyrannical darling of the Republican right-wing is horrifying. I am a Floridian and spent 31 of my 38 years in public education in Florida schools. I love my state, but I am deeply saddened by what the state's politics have become, which is saying a lot considering we survived 8 years of "JEB!" and 8 years of Rick Scott in the Governor's mansion. DeSantis is, by far, the worst of the lot!
Thank you for your perspective. I will not visit Florida for the reasons you mention here. I can spend my meager tourist dollars elsewhere.
I need to go back.
Complete and total truth, Mark. Thx for speaking my heart.
"In the state of Missouri a 12 yr old is considered too young to read books about LGBTQ+ people & people of color, too young to read Twain or learn about slavery and yet somehow they’re not too young to be forced to give birth from a pregnancy as a result of rape or carry a gun." @JoJoFromJerz
Your response to Heather Cox Richardson this morning is exactly what I thought just now reading her column. So amazing, considering that she often states that she is an American historian, not an "expert" on world politics and history. And, Michael Bales, I like how you bring in "freedom of expression" specifically referencing book banning in public schools. What a great forum this is! Thank you for your contributions.
Michael, I think their issue is that the books mention the subjects having to overcome racism, and heaven forfend that we make students uncomfortable by mentioning that other people were being racist.
Your second guess, Michael, “strive to emulate it” is the correct reason and what extreme right wing ideology fears. They want to mass produce children in their image.
MAGAt warship…..go f*ck yourself.
Salud, Michael.
🗽
Thank you for this link. "The removed titles were part of the Essential Voices Classroom Libraries Collection, purchased by the district in 2021." and "...removed from classrooms in Duval County, Florida, in January 2022 for “review.”" Nobody bothered to "review" them before purchase?!?
I read through the 176 and am still spewing my coffee recognizing I had so many of these books in my classrooms for years. Berenstein Bears?!? Eve Bunting?!? Tomie dePaola?!? The Name Jar?!? Jackie Robinson?!? (He went to the school where I taught) The Who Was series?!? On and on. OMG. What's wrong with these people?
"We liberals are very focused right now on GOP book banning, and I agree that it's outrageous to ban so many good books. But the giant problem is that two-thirds of kids can't read those books even if they are in school libraries -- and we know how to fix the problem, imperfectly, but we're not doing it fast enough." -Nicholas Kristof.
https://www.nytimes.com/.../opi.../reading-kids-phonics.html
Things like book banning and limiting human rights are, of course, fueled by fear--fear of anything usurping one's own world view. A wise person doesn't ban books; they encourage diversity as it arises organically. So many of our elected leaders are dangerous numbskulls who sucker white walkers. This and the next decade will be the time of autocracy. The cycle continues and I'm afraid nothing can stop it.
Isn't this wonderful? I had heard about this. Perhaps, as is often the case, banning these books will actually draw attention to them. With the Brooklyn project, the effort to suppress the truth and artistry of "others" completely backfires.
Thank you Janet.. I intend to spread your and the library's good will.
Thank you, Janet. I've posted that link on my FB page in addition to sharing today's Letter from Heather.
Thank you for highlighting this- great program!! Love the idea of kids being able to find “banned” books wherever they live!
At least in countries where their governments don't control access to the internet. With younger generations probably being more interested in being online than holding an actual book in their hands, putting that material on line would make accessible to most kids. I worry that not only would an authoritarian leader control our behavior and choices, but he/she could also do what China does and block access to material on line they deem to be "subversive" to their dominance.
Fabulous! Thank you. ❤️🤍💜
WOW! Thank you! I just went through the home page of this site. Outstanding! I will spread the word and share on my FB feed.
Thanks! I’ll add this to my comments in the Miami Herald whenever I write.
This is awesome...finding ways around state programs who may seek to limit our access to knowledge and broader viewpoints!!
Books have been a constant source of pleasure and wisdom for me...my whole life 📚!
Sandra Silvestro. these programs should not exist, period!
Why should the state have the ability to limit access to our desire or interest to read a book or author of interest? Parents of course should know about books their children are reading for many reasons but the government is not in the business of banning books! This is not an American value!
We should NOT have to find a way around state programs to chose a book of interest to read!
I get so confused...WHICH party is it that screams about it's rights being taken away and too much government--- Did they not wail about big government taking their rights away--MTG and that other woman...oh, Boingbart? Do they wear AK-47's on their lapels? My brain hurts...and that is exactly what they want. Do not allow their chaos to rule.
TRUE!!!
❤️❤️❤️
Don't know how you are able to share so much news in this little Letter that whole networks and flagship newspapers seem unable to provide to our citizens. Thanks for doing what you do!
I read WaPo and NYTimes. And listen to NPR and CSpan. They all provide good reporting, thoughtful analysis, and historical perspective. And the opportunity to hear the racist right wing religious extremists and their enablers who want, or don't mind, the repurposing of a democratic republic as a clerical fascist state.
I'm not so impressed with mainstream media. Here is why I go beyond or around the largest common sources.
https://www.cjr.org/special_report/trumped-up-press-versus-president-part-1.php
Compare Columbia Journalism Review's credibility with these other sources here.
https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/columbia-journalism-review/
THANK YOU, Ed!!
Now that i've read the entire special report, thanks to your link, re-listening/watching Glenn Greenwald's monologue on it makes even more sense. Fills in missing pieces... https://rumble.com/v27vze6-russiagate-a-worthwhile-deep-dive-into-the-medias-stunning-lies-and-corrupt.html
Thank you, Ed.
I agree, Ed!
“[Conservatives] worry that equal rights for women and minorities—especially LGBTQ people—will undermine traditional religion and traditional power structures.”
Conservatives are correct in that fear. Traditional religion and power structures are indeed threatened as well they should be.
A civilized society is one that works for everyone.
I think everyone here is giving Conservative to much credit. They do not believe in family values, care not about that which they claim to care about. Proof: if LGBTQ and women seeking abortion were a larger voting block than the current GOP base, if Dems were against LGBTQ and abortion rights, then GOP would be for it! Republicans would have the 'Drag Queen Caucus' and the 'Right to Abortion Caucus'. Historical Proof: This is how the Party of Emancipation became the Party of Racism. Never any substance to the GOP, it's always about power.
It seemed the "GOP" still held scruples during Watergate, but perhaps the deal with the Devil in exchange for Dixiecrats, Nixon's due process destroying peremptory "pardon" and the corrupting influence of big money combined to turn the Republican project into power at any price. The Bible claims that "the love of money" is the "root of all evil" but I think it is an obsession with power, of which money is one of its several forms, including political power, including violence.
Yep; it grew into a cancerous obsession - end justifies 'any' means. I'm thinking all that is history if not being repeated and circular, it certainly 'rhymes'.
100P, JL & D4N, I'm thinking you're on target but... Yuval Harrari wrote eloquently about the dawn of the industrial age just 200 years ago with the development of the railroads in Britain as ushering in the era of the state progressively taking over functions historically provided by family for the previous several millenia. With that usurpation of family functions (healthcare, retirement, weddings, caring for the widowed and disabled, discipline {policing}) came the relentless alliance with business & industry which we continue to see played out today politically and especially in SCOTUS decisions. While we clearly benefit from the energy and creativity of business and entrepreneurism, we also need a strong government to harness that energy to protect the individual citizen, "of the people, by the people and FOR the people."
Ralph Averill, I continue to ask the same old question (of myself as well) why can't we just love one another. If we feel superior and righteous then we have MORE of a responsibility to love....to put ourselves in another person's skin or situation...Hating someone who may seem different is such a waste. We have no idea the struggles people live with.
Thank you, Emily.
Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.
A little humility helps lift us all.
Wewll said !!
Elon Musk is playing God with Starlink. I would think he has broken some kind of law domestically by withholding it selectively from Ukrainians, given the USA's official stance on the conflict there. This megalomaniac should be brought to heel.
You misspelled jail
Good catch
Somehow US industrialists seemed to deal with Hitler in WWII and get away with it. It pulls the rug out from rule of law, let alone "decency".
Wealthy Republicans bloviate a lot about God, but in the tradition of the 'Divine Right of Kings", most seem to want to play one:
“Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak; and that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all his laws.”
"somehow US industrialists seemed to deal with Hitler in WWII and get away with it. "
Including Prescott Bush and Joseph Kennedy.
That last sentence -- "vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak" -- brings to mind what King Leopold II of the Belgians said of Belgium:
"Little country, little minds".
Like a peat fire that no one can extinguish, the horrors his private company visited on the vast Congo continue to this day.
The past continues to haunt….
The past has not passed, the past is present.
That is the great lesson we are learning from these Letters.
My geometry teacher urged me to read a little book called "Flatland". And Flatland, though literally flat and only two- dimensional was inhabited by beings who experienced the intrusion of three-dimensional objects. It influenced how I thought about time. One can imagine seeing as though into the distance atoms and molecules flying apart and regathering together in a series of clusters. It's the same atoms more or less, but in changing relationships. The configuration of now threads back into the past. in one way or another, every bit of it.
I am not implying Newtonian determinism, in which, allegedly, with enough information in the present we could exactly predict every bit of the future. Nature does play at dice, but they are sufficiently loaded that we can project forward with educated guesses of better than random accuracy.
I've not yet read Flatland... but I am in the process of plowing my way through a wonderful book that contains extensive quotes from it.
And, together with those quoted passages, you are reminding me to order that book NOW.
It should be in every school, in every public library...
And... When will they ban it?
We can't risk kids learning to think...
*
As for what happened to the Congo... Leopold II of the Belgians went looking for an empire to plunder in the name of Civilization. Americans may be interested to know that he tried first to buy from Spain... The Philippines.
Some Filipinos know this. They know that it could have been even worse than the "liberators" they did get... Four years of war, liberating them after Dewey's victory in 1898... And then, those other liberators in the wake of Pearl Harbor...
Anyway, read Conrad's Heart of Darkness for a start... From Brussels... the "sepulchral city", the gates of hell, to the depths of hell.
I don't recommend reading the detail of how The Company treated the locals.
It is too horrible.
I am unaware of the particulars of that history, although I recall talk of "The Belgian Congo". The notion of well armed nations, including in our own history, of well armed nations (such as Russia) capturing other nations out of sheer greed is barbaric. How much of humanity's suffering across time and in the present is the price of tolerating or encouraging that urge?
Touche friend ~ deja vu ? *edit - By the way, I adore that quote JL. That will be a book on my list once we get past the continuing insurrections. Thank you ~
Space-X is fucking with Ukraine? WTF?? Why??? I'd like to hear the reasoning behind this decision.
Elon Musk has been playing his games with SpaceX-provided internet connection in Ukraine for some time. He's rooting for Putin. It's time for the U.S. government to step in, including reducing its dependency for rocket launches via SpaceX. Musk is aiding and abetting a dictator who has harmed American in innumerable ways.
I watched stinky’s satellite reentry rain debris across the sky from horizon to horizon one wintry night this winter. Perhaps the most spectacular example of littering by man which has ever occurred. What sort of redress will Americans have when harmed by his irresponsible rocketry?
Way past time
Because Elon Musk is a fascist scumbag and loves Putin. He's an Unreconstructed Afrikaner.
Perhaps a naive question-but what are the limits to freedom of speech/action? Can we expel from our country those who undermine democracy, subvert our foreign policy, and align themselves with our enemies like Trump, Musk, Desantis, and our GOP? Why hasn’t Bolsonaro been ejected yet??? Why should they be given the privilege to enjoy the benefits of our democracy if they are actively working to destroy it? Again, I do know how naive this sounds-but are there limits?
Add Rupert, the first and best destroyer of his adopted country…
Committing felonies.
Is that it?? They literally mock our Constitution and we tolerate them? Or by expelling them, do we run the risk of becoming authoritarian like they are? Sorry-insomnia ponderings....
I'm not positive, Jen, but I think native born Americans cannot be stripped of their citizenship (or expelled) for any reason, though I suspect naturalized citizens can be if their original application for citizenship was in any way fraudulent. And "mocking" our Constitution, while irritating to many of us, is hardly illegal or something we might decide not to tolerate. So the answer to your question about whether we run the risk of becoming authoritarian like they are is "Yes", it's a risk.
Our real problem is excessive regard for wealthy "entrepreneurs" who think they can break the law because they are somehow above the law. And as long as folks like Donald Trump are allowed to run free, and our DOJ and courts are slow to apply the law, we will run the authoritarian risk.
Thank you, David. As a Floridian, I’m daily appalled anew at the authoritarianism exercised in this state by Desantis. His war on woke, his revenge-war on Disney, his book bannings that prevent classroom libraries and beloved book fairs because there are not enough book “bouncers”, his assault on education and higher education in this state, his bullying of people he thinks of as “other”, his war on women’s health issues, his lying and denying of Covid and vaccines that contributed to too many deaths here, and more….his vision for this state and our nation is one where people obey him or face his wrath. He’s trump 2.0-smarter and intentionally cruel. It’s exhausting. I hope people around the nation see this if he emerges as the presidential candidate for the GOP as he hopes.
Nice Jen. That question is on the mind of every American. My guess is that our democracy protects even the assholes.@#$#@& I covered that like a 3 legged cat in a sandbox.
Interesting questions, Jen! I always get in trouble when I go on a rant like the following:
Corporations are not democracies, right? The Trump Organization was headed by an autocrat, right? Autocrats boss people around, right? (That’s why we call them “Bosses.”) Trump visualized running the US as a business. He was in charge and people did what he told them to do. People voted for him because he was perceived as a successful businessman who FIRED people if they were inferior. As President, he “hired” people (with Our Money) and expected them to be LOYAL to Donald J. Trump (and not necessarily to the Constitution of the United States), right?
A real Problem Area for Corporations are Unions, which give “rights” to workers. (Yes, even some unions get run by Bosses who run many of the aspects of unionization like a corporation.)
My question: Is the best way to “Form a More Perfect Union” the Corporate Way: Get one really powerful person to push and pontificate and pressure people to procure profits? Just askin’
Love the questions. A democracy cannot, but it’s very name, be run like a corporation. While you always need people to lead and direct, it is inherent in its nature to care for all, just just the select few who feel entitled to be the “bosses”. Elected folks are called public servants for a reason. They are beholden to we, the people. The GOP have forgotten that, in my opinion.
They haven't forgotten. Doesn't serve their authoritarian agenda.
Yes, Jen —-> Public SERVANTS. Many of them conveniently forget that servitude aspect of their jobs. It is OUR responsibility to remind them of their true position in the pecking order. We, the People often fail to take the responsibility to do some reminding of who is actually “in charge”. I’ve never been a big fan of term limits. I also have felt that the installation of term limits was, in effect, usurping the power of We, the People. We HAVE term limits. They’re called ELECTIONS. If, on the other hand (sadly), We, the People are just too friggin’ lazy to exercise our True Power, then….
I DO love a good rant !!! Thanks for lifting my understanding of these shortcomings.
I asked this of all of you last week: who or which agency has the power to deport Bolsonaro? Now.
I’m sure the Governor of my state of Florida would offer him sanctuary and asylum-things he would never allow people who truly need them.
Jen Schaefer - "Perhaps a naive question-but what are the limits to freedom of speech/action?"
U.S. Constitution - Amendment 1: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘸 ... 𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩, 𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴
My take is the government cannot enact any law preventing any speech. Penalty for the actions/results of such speech, however, is another issue entirely -- yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater, for instance.
Thank you! It makes sense, Ron. Although my exhausted self wishes that there were limits to prevent rather penalties for bad actors.
Jen Schaefer, yes, it would be wonderful if there was some way to prevent certain people (well, anyone) from being a "Jerk."
Putin’s punk
Elon Musk is a dick. Everything else is frosting on that cake.
A collective decision / opinion / policy endorsed by fiends of like minds including Koch Industries Oil and gas conglomerate 'plus' other big money directly assaulting our democracy with dollars - an apparent unending pile of dollars. With the hostile broadcast media takeovers of the somewhat recent past, common folks aren't hearing and seeing all the 'dots to connect' - aka "Citizens United" decision / cluster eff. Long range strategic planning, funding, and execution with political help - who's to stop them ?
Elon Musk is a bad actor....
This is so sickening but not unexpected. We really need to prioritize President Biden's promise to get internet access to all Americans to come to fruition, then we could help Ukraine and others in need as well. Depending on someone as unpredictable and selfish as Musk to do something philanthropic is a huge mistake. I believe it's part of the infrastructure bill, but haven't seen it covered in the news. We must push for this now.
I must admit I'm conflicted after reading many responses to my mini-rant.
I understand Musk is a schmuck in twittered costume, but recall that many of the satellite images used to gather intel on Russian activity in Ukraine were accurately lofted into space by Space-X (with large government contracts including supplying the space station). Tesla jump started the e-vehicle revolution (with government subsidies). Starlink provides communications for rescue operations in remote spots. His Boring company is revolutionizing one segement of the transportation infrastructure. So, another way to view him is by his accomplishments, which is improving the environment, improving U.S. security, and enhancing our lives.
For all that positiive stuff, I am frustrated. There needs to be a rule that specifies that if one benefits from public funds, one must not conduct business in a way that directly countervenes publicly stated US government policy. So, this is an example of how government policy supporting entrepeneurship helps capitalism work, but is lacking controls on the excesses of some capitalists' worst impulses. This is true for drug pricing, labor relations, auto safety, speed limits, food safety, welfare work requirements, and so on.
So bottom line, I am uncomfortable with everyone painting new horns on the Elon Devil. I have no intention of signing onto a wholesale kneejerk vilification of billionaires or corporations or conservatives, etc. I repeat that I am just frustrated with the imbalance between policy for public good on one side and profit seeking excesses on the other. Ad hominem attacks on those we perceive as "the enemy" are like taking a good shit. They feel great, but they are unhelpful and even counterproductive in public discussion.
The article says it’s because Starlink is being used to operate drones and the use that way is antithetical to its purpose. Musk is a PAB.
Musk is pro Russia?
Link below is pre-Starlink evidence. Also, why would Ukraine negotiate absent a total Russian withdrawal and pledge to rebuild what it has destroyed,
https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/21/23415242/elon-musk-starlink-ukraine-dod-twitter-david-sacks-russia
So glad you have spelled out so simply what Erdogan and his cronies have done to Turkey. Of course it is a much longer and deeper story. We have stayed interested and attached to Turkey since the mid-1990s, and watched in dismay what Erdogan has destroyed and corrupted, in his quest for power and money. I cannot even begin to think about what has happened to beautiful Syria since we traveled through that country in 1997. Just heartbreaking that Assad’s son, Bashir, in his weakness, has been willing to utterly destroy such a long and rich culture.
So terribly sad to see human destruction rival the power of the earthquake.
Alidanui,
Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan were once beautiful. With ancient cities. Beautiful mosques. Schools where girls went and became educated. Doctors. Coffee shops.
And then came America.
In 2001 we invaded Afghanistan even though not a single individual who sponsored the fly in at the World Trade Center was from that country.
In 2003 we invaded Iraq based on the open and well known lie that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
And, around 2011, Hillary Clinton convinced a skeptical Barack Obama to begin to sell large amounts of arms to the "opposition" (which, were bloodthirsty groups as we have seen).
All of the above US actions directly resulted in the complete destruction of those three countries.
It is not as simple as Bashir being a bad dude, which, he is. So was Saddam Hussein.
BUT, so was the Shah of Iran (a bloodthirsty dictator the US installed in Iran in 1953).
Had the United States not done any of the above actions ALL of those countries would still have beautiful cities, coffee shops, schools, hospitals and society.
We cannot hide from our own role in the destruction we caused. It is just not right.
For more on civilian deaths in our horrible wars in Iraq and Afghanistan go here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=civilian+deaths+in+iraq&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1042US1042&oq=civilian+deaths+in+iraq&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i512j0i22i30j0i22i30i625l5j0i390l2.4192j1j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
We SHOULD not hid from our own role in the destruction we caused. Both to the countries we invaded and the soldiers we've destroyed in those invasions. (I had the privilege this past week of attending some peer support training; I shared a table with three guys from central Oregon who work with returning veterans. What has happened to our Vets from these wars and how most of them are treated upon return--especially reservists-- is unconscionable.) The war profiteering is (insert incoherent profanity here) is off the charts awful.
Mike,
Once again you spell out the harsh truth. While I am in complete support of Ukraine and what should be a line in the sand for Putin, what we have done makes us the world's greatest hypocrites. Our invasions in 2001 and 2003 were complete boondoggles. The only entities that benefited from them have been the Military Industrial Complex (Halliburton, etc.) and extremist groups that we were supposed to be vanquishing. Instead we made them stronger. We created the vacuum for ISIS to thrive. And now we have gifted a country to the Taliban. All stupid moves. We lost young people who weren't even sure why they were dying. We killed and/or displaced millions of humans. We wrecked the lives of innocents. But a lot of Western rich guys got richer.
If we could pull those two big stunts in countries half a planet away, why wouldn't Putin think he could do the same in his backyard - right next door? I will make the case that in a perverted sense, we inspired Putin to invade Ukraine. And with Obama being weak on Crimea and Trump pretty much offering a green light, why wouldn't he just march in?
You are so right. We can't and shouldn't hide from these horrors and mistakes. The American people were conned into two multi-trillion dollar wars. They were both based on bullshit thinking and benefited the bullshitters. The fact that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are not in orange jump suits should infuriate Americans - especially those now complaining about deficits.
"boondoggles".
Bill, maybe. That word sort of takes the heat off though.
Maybe: Genocide? Is better and more accurate?
Yes, "boondoggles" suggests a mistake or big mess up. When in fact, Cheney and Co. were seeing the deaths, disruptions of life, displacements and dismemberments as just collateral damage in a mission to dominate a region for profit.
Perhaps: "a misguided, misdirected, murderous meddling in the affairs of sovereign nations with genocidal results."
Every military effort of those wars created newly passionate extremists. We called them terrorists. They saw themselves as patriots. We didn't learn a thing from Vietnam.
Mike, yours is an interesting comment, and I certainly agree with most of it, but we should remember that US Middle East policy has always been -- until very recently, perhaps -- a function of our desire to "contain" the USSR/Russia while keeping the price of gasoline low for American drivers.
In light of recent events, I believe our desire to contain Russia is rightly still a priority, and only when voting Americans are all driving electric (or hydrogen-powered) cars running on renewable solar-derived energy -- soon, I hope -- will we be able (as a practical matter) to adopt ethics-based ME policies. Thinking that middle eastern peoples could have avoided poverty and population growth and wars and chaos all these years if we had just minded our own business is mere speculation.
David,
"Thinking that middle eastern peoples could have avoided poverty and population growth and wars and chaos all these years if we had just minded our own business is mere speculation."
What my note communicates is our impact on the people in the countries that we invaded for no reason or started a war in for no reason.
An impact that was extraordinarily negative, created the largest human diaspora since WW II, resulted in strains within Europe as a consequence of that human migration.
The list of negative outcomes for everyone but people who owned Haliburton stock and Defense Contractor stock is very, very long.
That was what I was thinking when I wrote.
:-)
I completely agree that the US has done a lot of terribly wrong stuff in the Middle East, the outcomes have been the opposite of those promised by our leaders, most of whom have also lied to us about what was happening and why. Because of this many Americans think we should not be helping Ukraine defend itself from Russian aggression, but I disagree. The proof will be if we can get a peace deal without first having nuclear war.
David,
Thank you and definitely we should be supporting Ukraine, although, it is looking pretty ugly over there.
When two nuclear powers are fighting each other, either directly or indirectly, the continuing existence of life on this planet is put at risk. I am definitely losing sleep these days.
Hi! I’m back! My initial note was sentimental, and in response to the horrible destruction of the earthquake. But as I said, “of course it is a much longer and deeper story”. I agree that unnecessary wars and our roles in Afghanistan and Iraq were horrendous and absolutely indefensible. I also can concur that our example emboldened Putin. However, I am not sure that the destruction of Syria or decline of Türkiye can be put at the hands of America specifically. I am not a historian, so unfortunately, I don’t have the depth of knowledge or skillz to analyze this (I’m actually a photographer), but i still think the poor response in Turkey is their own political responsibility. Syria descended into war due to many factors. US arms sales to the insurgents, no doubt exacerbated the severity of the war, but Russia’s support of Bashir and ruthless bombing campaign caused the real destruction there. Come to think of it, US arms to the Syrian insurgents doesn't seem so different from our support of Ukraine, which i think is critically important. In Syria’s case, admittedly, we were interfering with internal politics.
And so it goes. Same as it ever was.
I like your comment, Alidanui, and you have reminded me of a great Talking Heads song from the Stop Making Sense soundtrack. Thanks.
All good points. Thank you.
Evil has a long arm, and incredible staying power. Be ever vigilant…
President Biden will soon be in Poland for meetings on the one (1) year anniversary of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. NATO members will be discussing defense & offense in the air & ground war from Spring into Winter 2023 and its impact on adjacent states such as Moldova which has suffered Russian occupation on a thin strip of land along a river system on Moldova's eastern border with Ukraine known as Putin controlled 'Transnistria". Biden's Team has demonstrated superior management & messaging across a wide array of executive branch decisions both tactical & strategic. Very difficult times are anead of us. Nothing less than the fate of the next several generations of Europeans is at stake. 🇺🇦 SATURDAY UPDATE: Ali Velshi will report LIVE from UKRAINE starting FEB 18 10 am Eastern. Given Velshi's world class reporting at the start of the War, I expect Velshi will make good use of substantial Tech support to proudce valuable content. I am "wondering where the lions are." 🇺🇦
Not just Europeans. Everyone's. Ours, too.
... Another recent truth easily forgotten in world, but especially U.S. memories.
Our Professor has succinctly stated the conflict between integrity and narcissism on the scale of the world's powers. IMO unless good people stop being shocked and horrified and step into the fight with the same level of commitment as the Putins, Trumps and Elons, what our Professor has delineated as goodness will expire under the violence of megalomania, psychopathy and sadism.
You have nailed the crux of it all.
indeed
Exactly so.
It seems so much to shoulder until we realize we have many many shoulders that want freedom, equity of opportunity, peace, in a society that works together for the common good so we can be Individually free to pursue our own hopes, dreams and aspirations. Apologize for the stream and run on sentence. It’s all I have tonight. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and context for a common understanding.
IMHO it's a great run-on sentence, Karen, as is the rest of your post!
Shoulder to shoulder we shape our destiny.
“Democracy stands on the principle of equality for all people, and those who are turning away from democracy, including the right wing in the United States, object to that equality.” Yes, Professor, you remind us of a Truth that is often drowned out by too much political noise. We must all, people from all political parties in the USA, pay close attention to how democracy can be weakened and possibly destroyed. This is a time to support Democratic principles around the world, not ignore how easy it could be to lose our own. Who was paying attention when Republicans welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to their conservative political conference, CPAC, in Dallas in 2022, as keynote speaker. Who attended? Ted Cruz, Sean Hannity, TFG, Tucker Carlson. Where is the outrage, as repubs actively work to shut down Voters’ voices, including their own party members who trust their representatives. . “Hungary's prime minister calls for culture war at right-wing conference in Dallas - https://www.npr.org/2022/08/04/1115758213/hungarys-prime-minister-addressed-prominent-republicans-at-right-wing-meet-in-da”
I might have altered that to state “Democracy stands on the principle 'precipice' " - considering the present danger still. jmho
Lulu is as eloquent a poet of democracy as Amanda Gorman, celebrating “joy…to guarantee dreams for the youth.” A lovely thought with which to end the week.
His most urgent message is about PEACE first.
Without peace, dreams become nightmares. Many many will not sleep easy tonight. Peace enables joy. Peace protects children and the world we will leave to them. So much suffering that's within our collective powers to avoid.
Benjamin Franklin's answer that we have a republic, if we can keep it proves chillingly accurate. Keeping a democratic republic, securing it against the forces of powerful self-interest that want to subvert it is the challenge of the moment. Is democracy destined to fail? Democracy doesn't have a great track record, historically.
"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both” — Louis Brandeis
I am still in Germany and have been watching these situations unfold from here. The news coverage has been focusing on the Turkish-Syrian earthquake crisis, the Ukrainian war, the visit by Zelenskiy to the EU and several European countries with some desiring a border wall to keep immigrants out. What I am seeing of Turkey reminds me of Surfside, Florida and the building collapsing without an earthquake, just corruption on some level for building standards. When we build that tall we need to have building standards. The obvious corruption tied to authoritarian regimes is not what I want. Nor its agenda to make everyone hetero-baby producing, no abortion, no birth control cogs in the nationalism machine. It doesn't work well. Let us hope that people can see through the Republicans and what they are offering.
Sorry, but the MAGAts just love the authoritarianism that they are seeing. They crave it, since it puts down all of us that are are different.
Excuse me, but anybody who sees chump as a strong Leader, is either deaf, dumb, or stupid. He is a con man extraordinaire, who will (and has) stripped the country of values, assets and common sense. Propaganda says that he is a strong hero, I say he, and his ilk, are evil personified…
I do remember, Jeri.
Biden and Lula seem to be in sync. Two honorable men with sound ethics. These are both inspiring and heart breaking times. Each day I'm amazed that the center of gravitas is still holding. Each day I feel my heart breaking seeing all the madness and the pain. And as the hours go by, I gradually find my balance. I did a climate report for the Italian govt. in the early 80s, Mama mia, it was scary and I believe that much of the madness that's all around us is due to deep seated atavistic fear. That said, I believe as the Buddhists do.. there is wisdom in the wounds and I also believe that we were made for these times. Wise enough to know when to rest, to reach out to others and, like Biden and Lula stay focused on finding creative empathic solutions. .
"Biden and Lula seem to be in sync." <-- not until Biden wants peace first as Lula does