On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed his name to the Emancipation Proclamation. “I never in my life felt more certain that I was doing right,” he said, “than I do in signing this paper. If my name goes into history, it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it.”
We would do well to remember: “But that such a foundational change in our history emerged from such messy give and take, necessary in order to preserve our democratic system, seems a useful thing to remember in 2024.”
We must remember that change comes through our democratic system in order to preserve our democracy! Thank you Professor for your ability to relate history to present situations! Happy New Year!
Alas. Are you listening to the 'never Democrat progressives' who are again intent on 'sitting this one out, sending Trump to the White House to teach America a lesson.' This time on the excuse of US support for Israel's Netanyahu regime. A wonder they have any noses left at all to cut to spite us all.
Are Movement Conservative cynics more vile than the Populist true believers? Effectively there is no significant difference when it comes to destroying democracy.
I am a retired trial attorney so I do listen & I listen carefully. We are 10 months & 1 week out from the Election. That's a long, long time in any politics. Hopefully, there will be no Pandemics & no devastating Earthquakes over that period of time.
Meanwhile, I will continue to engage face-to-face or on a real-time history channel such as HCR's LFAA & other engaging Platforms.
While my 22-year-old nephew thinks Biden is wrong and is opposed to our support for what is going on with Gazans, he still plans on voting for Biden as the lessor of evils.
First, I state I would never vote for tRUMP. I will vote for Joe Biden.
However, I will not castigate any of the young people who, like me, have watched as Joe Biden has fully supported Netanyahu's political effort to keep his job by first bombing Gaza completely so that there is nowhere for the Palestinians to live and now starving them. Those young people have watched Netanyahu drop leaflets saying to move to xyz location, and, the Gazan's have complied only to be immediately bombed in their new safe location.
Any young person who is a democrat can probably think for themselves and recognize that nasty approach by Netanyahu, supported by Biden apparently, is WRONG.
Recognizing reality and taking action (by not voting for Biden) is well within the realm of reasonable reaction.
It will not be the fault of young people protesting Biden's support for a dictator (Netanyahu) who is acting like Hitler if tRUMP wins.
It will be all of the people who voted for tRUMP that are at fault.
Blame the correct target. Americans who love tRUMP more than their own families, love hate, love division and thrive on the HATE that Rump sells.
Young people horrified by Biden's support for a Hitler in Israel (Netanyahu) are NOT the problem.
The problem lies in those many Americans who are driven by Hate and Love tRUMP's ugly arse.
On a cynical last note: Biden might be right. By supporting Israel in its genocidal actions Biden might get enough campaign donations from Jewish Americans to run enough advertising to win.
Right? Because, that is why Biden is so supportive. Correct? He needs campaign contributions to win.
". . . even emancipation evolves." True, "emancipation," as it applies to all of us, evolves. My daughter just sent me the book, "White Fragility; Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism." This book is a great complement to Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s book, "Stony the Road," about Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow. Implicit bias affects us all. It needs to be realized and worked out. True Emancipation is something that applies to the entire population. It is a work in progress, even though Trump and the MAGA/KKK have shown that the fight is far, far from being over and that the "Old South" mentality is still trying to tear apart the Union.
In 2010 I wrote a very long essay, "The White Side of Racism"
"These are the collected anecdotes of a white guy who grew up in racist America. While I never actually participated in any of the civil rights struggles of the1950s and '60s I was there, observing and living the day-to-day life in a racially divided nation."
It covered my life growing up in officially integrated, but still racist St. Louis and my visits to family in segregated Mississippi. My 4 years in the Air Force living with black men and after being chastised for having a black friend on the Harbor Police Dept. in New Orleans. All of us were affected by the rot of racism & segregation in this nation. And, like Emancipation of the 19th Century, Integration was still evolving in the 20th where I was part of the 15% of interracial marriages. It is still evolving in the 21st Century.
Rob-It's great to know that you've been conscious of racism. So many accept it as the way things are. Racism is a made up concept that is embraced and accepted by too many who benefit from the privilege inherent in white supremacy. People need to open their eyes. Being "woke" can help us to move beyond skin color as a dividing line.
For my part entirely, I far prefer being "woke", as opposed to belligerent, resentful, willful, blind sleep walking through life. I am more full, complete, and a better version of myself - which is what I aspire.
I was astounded in 2005, when I told my UDC member mom I was dating a Native American. Her reply: “you may find some don’t like that.” I was astounded at the time. It had never crossed my mind. Generational change may be slow, but it is happening.
A number of years ago I was at the eye doctor in a sub waiting room waiting room, waiting for my eyes to dilate. There were two women there too also waiting and ones was going on and on to no one in particular about the lazy Indians. They came and got her and after she was gone the other lady turned to me and said, you know I am half Cherokee. We live in western North Carolina, where the sadness of "The trail of tears" started. I live on land which was once Cherokee land. Two great sins of America, Slavery and theft of Native Americans lands.
In the early 1960's the U.S. Army sent me to school for two years to learn Chinese Mandarin, 6 hours in class and 6 hours out. I spent the rest of my military service in East Asia. One of my older sisters told me "not to bring home one of those girls." I was surprised by this and told her who I married was my business and no one else's. I grew up in Texas.
Rob, I'd love to read that essay in it's entirety; Doubtless, there are as many such reflections among others of us not recorded that would be relatable. Thanks ~
Richard-I'm amazed at how most people don't know that it's racism that has defined and shaped American society from our politics to education to health care to housing to employment-you name it.
In 1857 when the Supreme Court declared in the Dred Scott decision that "Black people had no rights that the White man was bound to respect", Frederick Douglas said, "The Supreme Court is not the only power in this world...this very attempt to blot out forever the hopes of an enslaved people may be one necessary link in the chain of events predatory to the complete overthrow of the whole slave system".
The other links were Harriet Beecher Stowe's book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, in 1852, John Brown's Raid in 1859 and the Lincoln's election in 1860. Before he was lynched, John Brown said, "you may dispose of me easily, but this question is still to be settled-the negro question-the end of that is not yet". And so here we are...
With the SCOTUS abortion decision, Putin and Netanyahu's wars and Trump's brazen attempts to install himself as a dictator we may see that these links are ones that will help us to strengthen our democracy (or it could be our demise)..Paying attention (and doing something about) racism across the globe brings light to darkness.
Black people talk about racism all the time...it's time for White people to see how much racism is hurting everyone-not just people of color. Our system has been shaped by racism. Unless and until we defeat white supremacy, we can't hope for peace, equality or "liberty and justice for all". The clock is ticking..
Gina, I concur 100%. Racism is the cancer that infects our society and our politics. Almost without exception, those who still support Trump are racists. That's why they can overlook his numerous liabilities.
Gina, I do so want to come back to your assertions and comment briefly. Should I forget as I go back through this LFAA of 1.1.24, looking for certain comments including those posted since I last re-read it again, please send me a note to remind me. You are such a good soul ...
I concur with the "Here's the Point" paragraphs. Since Ttump's arguments will fail at Court of Appeals, SCOTUS could simply "deny Cert" to make the case conclude FASTER ... much more quickly.
it did. he did however say some things that were right on target like the danger the religious right posed. he did, however, never see his contribution to their rise. Kind of like Liz Cheney not being willing to admit that the Reagan administration policies were bad.
A further critical ‘complication’ is that while Biden’s accomplishments have been stellar and history will so define…his ‘communication style’ is clearly NOT. AN AUDIOLOGY FRIEND OF MINE SAYS that Biden’s speech issues are the reason I find his speeches so unappealing and it’s not his fault….im sure she’s right. But the polling stats are mute testimony to the fact that I’m not the only person who is less than inspired….by his speech style and I’ve lobbied at the state and federal level and witnessed up close and very personally a presidential race…my suggestion is that using that 2o2 number ask the White House to ‘serve up’ the best public speakers they have..perhaps form a formal ‘organization’ to travel nationally on behalf of the Biden TRUTH….theres no question that the ‘good news’ does need to get out…but it desperately needs some articulate help!
Barack Obama was an amazing orator, but being a great orator does not automatically go hand in hand with being a great leader. During Obama's tenure, we lost many seats in the House and Senate to the Republican, racist backlash. All of those losses were not Obama's fault, but he did not work to build the political infrastructure that could take on the tea party groups backed by morbidly rich dark money. Pull in some of those people like Rick Wilson, who can help structure a communications strategy to reach people with a short compelling message. If tRump wins, he and his minions will do their damnedest to burn the country to the ground. No one can live in a smoldering ruin, and NO ONE WILL BE SAFE.
Well said. I, too, admire and respect Barack Obama, but I agree with your comments about his presidency and would add another criticism; he didn’t reject Conservative Republican Neoliberal economics like President Biden has. He used the same toxic, failed economic principles (to deal with the Great Recession) that every president has since Reagan, including President Clinton. I very much liked your phrase “morbidly rich.” Lastly, I think President Biden’s latest speech, given after a vacation and some rest, was delivered very effectively and well.
I encourage my friends concerned about "communication skills" to listen to the words, not the delivery. Observe the cumulative effect of action and, most important, the "teamwork" of the Biden administration led by a man of considerable wisdom and experience. Think of the rotten and poisonous rhetoric and behavior of the opposing candidate and party, the promise of a horrific administration of truly corrupt, power-hungry, anti-American, constitution-ignorant, and vengeful Do-Nothings.
We had regular helpings of someone who communicated—stupidly but he communicated. While I agree Biden leaves something to be desired in that way, I am grateful I don’t have to remain on high alert wondering what stupid sh!t tfg has done today.
MSNBC last week posted an interesting essay that Biden's 2024 should not be underestimated, and it didnt make a big deal of his modest oratorical skills. I posted here, actually twice, in different contexts, but it you want, google it. There's more to a president than superb oratory. Much of the time, I'm refreshed by his lack of rant, general clarity and optimistic, common man, commonsense tone. If i could vote for him it would not be because i had to hold my nose. On the side, he's lived a whole life overcoming a congenital? stutter. Despite all this he's had a long, mainly successful career. I'm amazed how much media parenthecize his speaking gaffes, esp considering tog.
Rosenberg’ s Hopium Chronicles will help you start 2024 with a data-driven, positive outlook . Also,opportunities for engagement where your efforts will make a difference !To note, long-term Dem strategist Rosenberg was the one who predicted the 2022 red wave would NOT happen.
I lived in Brooklyn when Obama was running. I saw Obama shirts everywhere.
I live in Florida now. I see boats and trucks and homes flying Trump flags. I see Trump shirts and bumper stickers.
I wore my Biden shirt to Walgreens and the pharmacist said, “I wouldn’t wear that shirt. I agree with it. But there are a lot of crazies around here.”
That fear-driven advice sent me the opposite direction.
I resolved to wear my Biden shirt on every grocery run in 2024.
Biden is not a great communicator. “Build Back Better” feels “written by committee” whereas “Yes We Can” felt inspiring, and uniting, and active all rolled into one.
I see the complaint on here quite often that Biden is accomplishing so much and getting so little credit. That is on us. What does credit look like? To me, Credit looks like Pride in Our Accomplishments. Are we going to wait for the NYT to christen Biden a success? Or Fox to complain Biden is inevitable?
I ask anyone who wants Biden’s message to be better to BE THE MESSAGE.
I may or may not be “surrounded by crazies” in Florida. But I believe I’m surrounded by fellow supporters frustrated by the lack of momentum. So, I’ll start the snowball in Florida...and I’m asking your help to turn it into an avalanche for Biden. And a landslide victory for Democracy on Nov. 5. That’s 308 grocery shopping days away.
I’ve got you in the 305. Need something better than my “Lordy I hope there are tapes” shirt. Thankfully my OMG GOP WTF bumper sticker gets lots of thumbs up! Looks like I’ll be shopping for replacement shirt today! Had to laugh at my next door neighbor sporting his Trump/ DeSantis shirt over the weekend. Not sure if he’s that tuned out or if it’s just a shirt.
My vote for Biden was for someone who could do the job. And I don't worry about trying to micromanage him. It annoys the hell out of me that the nation has taken to saying "y'all" instead of "all of you" but it doesn't make me dislike people.
I think it’s a bit more complicated. Biden is president and that doesn’t make him a very good communicator and just because someone is in the cabinet,…that doesn’t guarantee their ‘communication skills’…and the VP’s stats are very uncompelling. And DOBBS is really important in this campaign. Taylor Smith’s public endorsement is EVER SO MUCH BETTER….especially with a critically needed voting block. What the Biden people need to do and I’m sure they know it…is to put their top PR guys on it to seriously identify the key issues that need the most emphasis and the most articulate allies available to emphasize it….make the whole,’process’ a campaign PIECE…LIke the TRUTH EXPRESS DELIVERING CAMPAIGN ‘TRUTH’ ON THIS ISSUE…(or whatever ‘issue’)
Ronald Reagan was great at given speeches and was even called the “great Communicator”, while his policies were so destructive that damages remain to this day. Give American voters some credit. Most of us recognize the difference between our two choices.
Reagan's exceptional ability to communicate to Americans was entirely dependent on brainwashed Americans' exceptional inability to distinguish real from fake, soap actors' ham acting from straight speaking, adman's copy from simple truth telling.
The grave disability -- ingrained insincerity that takes itself for sincere -- is that of an apparent majority of the American people. And now, thanks to Internet and social media platforms, thanks to newspapers and media subject to the same incompetence, the situation is infinitely worse than in Reagan's day.
Read "The President's Speech" from Oliver Sacks' masterpiece, The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat. (Cfr. plantainclan.com)
Now... it's The People Who Mistook Their Country For A Hat.
Too many people can be fooled ALL OF THE TIME, and the others can be ignored or marginalized.
It's far worse than "know nothing and proud of it". It is can't perceive -- blind to truth, deaf to truth and, above all, radically unable to think freely for oneself.
(I recall how people couldn't distinguish between Obama speaking from the heart and Obama mouthing his lines when his intellection was coming between the politician and the man.)
Now the disease has spread worldwide.
We're schooled in stupidity, we mess around with poorly prefabricated ideological junkfood -- consuming TruthyTurds, never the food of truth -- and it's Ignorance Ingrained, it is Orwell's Ingsoc and IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
No basis for a democracy. And the bastards, our would-be Masters, our Simon Legree Congressmen, know that and play on it... like pickpockets at an Orangeface Rally.
WAKE UP! Or the wake up call won't be your phone, won't be a bucketful of cold water, it will be a boot coming down on your skull.
American voters have been flim-flamed by the Fox propaganda juggernaut, and they were flim-flamed by Reagan’s silver-tongued oratory. The words of an honest, hard-working man can’t compete. Sad but true
Brenda…..I deeply hope you are right…preserving our democracy most likely rests on it..I fear/think. BUT my confidence in the perspiacity of the body politic isint as high as yours appears to be….
Brenda, I couldn’t agree more: “...while his (Reagan’s) policies were so destructive that damages remain to this day.” To make things worse, every president since Reagan, including two Democrats, employed the same Neoliberal economic policies. Until President Biden. And we owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for that. We’re back to Liberal-Keynesian-FDR economics and it’s working very well.
I agree, Joan, the Democrats need to advertise the key issues, one being abortion. Do we really want the U.S. to be a glorified Texas, where performing a life-saving abortion could send a doctor to jail? This is madness and needs to be publicized over and over and over.
Taylor Swift has more influence on voters than MSNBC & CNN put together. I'm grateful to her for inspiring people to register and Vote for Joe Biden. Saving Grace right there!
after all, it is a team effort. Surround yourselves with smart people, and Biden has done exactly that. Sure, Obama's immense oratory initially swept the nation, but then with substantive policy initiative on medicare, look what happened, approvals went to hell, medicare had to be watered down. Nicely, Republicans are stymied in removing and replacing, since they're so divided amongst themselves - teaparty legacy i believe. You won't find this problem among Democrats.
Gigi-Thanks for sharing this article. America has an opportunity to "reconstruct" our way of thinking about race and politics. Kamala Harris is boxed in by her gender, skin color and cultural background. She's labeled and judged as "nonwhite" against a standard that embraces whiteness.
If we can just accept her as a "competent" human being who wants to serve the public (and no doubt advance her political fortunes as well), then we can genuinely take measure of her and decide whether she's a person who could truly and authentically help us to "perfect our union".
I agree Gina. She is certainly more experienced and competent than Nikki Haley who is also nonwhite. I have seen Vice President Harris give some powerful speeches, especially concerning voting rights.
I keep hoping that guy will show up more on national media and do what he does best. He is an intelligent, eloquent speaker who can back up his words with action. If he is not the president, he needs to be an active, vocal advocate for the president. I’ve watched him on many news outlets storytelling the good news of Biden’s presidency. He has what Biden lacks and should be put to work using it in all of 2024.
I do so wish he would let "Kamala" out of the corner more often. But, in his defense, he may also know that while she'd doubtless be more colorfully articulate, there is yet so much misogyny and bias firmly planted and rooting in our current state that it might be counter-productive. I'd still turn her loose with the right preparation. I'm on record at several of sites where she is posted as saying "I'd pay big money, even borrowed money, just to see her go at OiD on a debate stage, or even a dark alley" - lol !
Are you admitting that Sesame Street has shaped generations of people who expect to be entertained while learning? Do we have more respect for the puppets and the clowns than we have for the adults?
"The sausage making of the Emancipation Proclamation" is also a stark reminder that one party refuses to participate in the "messy give and take," much to the detriment of the nation at a time of enormous challenges. Examples abound.
And the absence of Republicans from the process, a mockery of their job, is motivated by a burning zeal to damage Democrats and gain power they can't win at the ballot box.
It's interesting how the parties flip flopped, the Republicans becoming Democrats and the (Southern-Midwestern) Democrats becoming MAGA Republicans. The Oligarchs (Koch Bros. et al.) along with the Fascist Heritage Society, Hoover Institute, CPAC, Federalist Society and more have manipulated the white Christians with their wedge issues propaganda. Brilliant, yet devastating to the Middle Class and democratic processes (gerrymandering, voter suppression, etc.)
Messy, for sure, and important to sift through the disarray for what happened, what the effects were then, what mattered {!}, and what the effects of such machinations are today.
What will people put up with, and what will they wait for? What do we strive for, and how long do we see ourselves waiting for it? And if we are not willing to strive and maybe to wait, what will happen then?
We don’t have control of history {certainly not what has already happened, although people say the “victors” get to WRITE history} — but we don’t have control of the future, either. All we can do is try our best to influence it. That’s what makes me nervous …
I hope people are up to the task and willing to try REALLY HARD…
'Report finds democracy for Black Americans is under attack'
'WASHINGTON (AP) — Extreme views adopted by some local, state and federal political leaders who try to limit what history can be taught in schools and seek to undermine how Black officials perform their jobs are among the top threats to democracy for Black Americans, the National Urban League says.'
'Marc Morial, the former New Orleans mayor who leads the civil rights and urban advocacy organization, cited the most recent example: the vote this month by the Republican-controlled Tennessee House to oust two Black representatives for violating a legislative rule. The pair had participated in a gun control protest inside the chamber after the shooting that killed three students and three staff members at a Nashville school.'
“We have censorship and Black history suppression, and now this,” Morial said in an interview. “It’s another piece of fruit of the same poisonous tree, the effort to suppress and contain.”
'Both Tennessee lawmakers were quickly reinstated by leaders in their districts and were back at work in the House after an uproar that spread well beyond the state.'
'The Urban League’s annual State of Black America report released Saturday draws on data and surveys from a number of organizations, including the UCLA Law School, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League. The collective findings reveal an increase in recent years in hate crimes and efforts to change classroom curriculums, attempts to make voting more difficult and extremist views being normalized in politics, the military and law enforcement.'
'One of the most prominent areas examined is so-called critical race theory. Scholars developed it as an academic framework during the 1970s and 1980s in response to what they viewed as a lack of racial progress following the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. The theory centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.'
'Director Taifha Alexander said the Forward Tracking Project, part of the UCLA Law School, began in response to the backlash that followed the protests of the George Floyd killing in 2020 and an executive order that year from then-President Donald Trump restricting diversity training.'
'The project’s website shows that 209 local, state and federal government entities have introduced more than 670 bills, resolutions, executive orders, opinion letters, statements and other measures against critical race theory since September 2020.'
'Anti-critical race theory is “a living organism in and of itself. It’s always evolving. There are always new targets of attack,” Alexander said.'
'She said the expanded scope of some of those laws, which are having a chilling effect on teaching certain aspects of the country’s racial conflicts, will lead to major gaps in understanding history and social justice.'
“This anti-CRT campaign is going to frustrate our ability to reach our full potential as a multiracial democracy” because future leaders will be missing information they could use to tackle problems, Alexander said.'
'She said one example is the rewriting of Florida elementary school material about civil rights figure Rosa Parks and her refusal to give up her seat to a white rider on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus in 1955 — an incident that sparked the bus boycott there. Mention of race was omitted entirely in one revision, a change first reported by The New York Times.'
'Florida has been the epicenter of many of the steps, including opposing AP African American studies, but it’s not alone.' (AP) See link below for the complete article.
Ally, thank you for reading it. I know that you support civil rights/equality/Democracy as
so many Americans do, but, BUt...it is fine to look to Lincoln, Fredrick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc., but without addressing the virulent attacks on minority groups, women, immigration, disinformation on social media TODAY...!!!
Here's one example among others about what's happening:
'Eyes on 2024: Black voters sour on Biden'
'NBC News polling has found Biden’s net-approval rating among Black voters has dropped nearly 20 points over the course of this year.' (NBC)
“I was concerned about President Biden. What has he done for Black people, who were a big reason for him winning? You hear that noise coming from the other side and you think, ‘It’s the same ol’, same old’: People begging for our votes, but not doing anything for us after they get it,” one Black voter from Ohio told NBC News’ Curtis Bunn.
'Still, some experts told Bunn, voters expressing discontent for Biden aren’t necessarily going to vote for former President Donald Trump if he’s the GOP nominee next year (the latest NBC News poll finds 69% of Black voters backing Biden and 20% backing Trump). Instead, some Black leaders are worried that voters in their communities won’t vote at all.'
“What Black people are saying through the poll is that they are frustrated with both sides and that they’re exploring their options, which could be not showing up at all. That’s my concern: How does that frustration translate into the level of engagement of the Black electorate in 2024?,” a political consultant told Bunn.'
In other campaign news …
'A “compelling” message on abortion: NBC’s Natasha Korecki and Sarah Dean explore former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s position on abortion and how her messaging on the issue could help her win crucial GOP primary voters and donors.'
'Falling behind: Despite saying that he plans to stick it out through the Iowa caucuses, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign is falling behind in support and ad spending, the Associated Press reports.'
'On the airwaves: A new super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primary — Fight Right — has emerged and plans to spend money attacking Haley in TV ads as soon as this week, the New York Times reports.'
'To debate or not to debate: That is the question facing Biden, as his campaign declined to comment on an announcement Monday from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates regarding the schedule of general election debates next year.' (NBC) See link below.
If Black voters stay home on election day, we will all live to regret it, African Americans more than anyone else, probably. Somehow we've got to get critical thinking courses into our school systems.
Thanks for sharing this article about Black people and democracy. Throughout history the attacks have been relentless. Black people have never really experienced the kind of "democracy" that White people in America have experienced. Simply voting has always been a life or death experience-physically, mentally and spiritually.
The descendants of enslaved Black people come from African slaves, European enslavers, immigrants and natives all mixed together. It's often said but seldom appreciated, "Black people love America even if America doesn't love them back". The faith of ancestors and dreams for children keep Black people moving forward with their eyes on the prize...
Fern, I think that it is a misnomer to call Critical Race Theory a theory. It is a simple fact. You quote: " The theory centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.' It's not an idea, it's a fact: when racists control the fulcrums of power, they will exercise that power to the detriment of Blacks, Hispanics and others who are at this time minorities, but they won't be for long and this scares the bejesus out of the white racists. The question is: when Blacks and Hispanics are in the majority, when they control the fulcrums of power, what will they do? Will racism still be systemic?
Make absolutely no doubt about it - WASPs are waging a war that they will ultimately lose, those democracy may fall in the process. CRT, in the proper context, could be called Critical Religion Theory. Take a look at the Middle East.
Hello Richard. As you may know CRT is an academic concept that is more than forty years old. Reporters generally follow the language used to explain it. I know of its background as well as the reality of race being a social construct. You have no argument with me or with the reporter. It is a fair number of governors, legislatures, school boards, parents, etc., that I think you may be addressing. I don't know if you care to open this link to see the states where Critical Race Theory is under attack. The map is from 2021, perhaps, a more recent one, if it exists, can be found.
That is precisely why the MAGAs will never truly get their way, they have lost the willingness/ability to engage in the "messy give-and-take" of enacting effective legislation.
HCR's writing that the changes in our history emerging from such 'messy give and take' merely just 'seems' to be a 'useful thing' to remember in 2024, undestates their importance. It is more than just 'useful.' Those changes, and the 'give and take' that made them possible sets the stage for defining what 'insurrection' as later specified in the 14th Amendment means in today's terms, something the Supreme Court will be considering shortly.
Abraham Lincoln held that the federal government did not have the power to change slavery in the states. And slavery persisted, in Kentucky and Delaware, for several months after the end of the Civil War, until the ratification of 13th Amendment. By the same token, barring a constitutional amendment, the federal government does not have the power to regulate abortion in the states. It is within the right of each state to decide what constitutes murder.
Breathtaking reveal of the Conservative mind set. Equating the squalid insistence by the 1%.’er Southern plantation aristocracy of the sub-human ranking of African Hostages to employ as free labor and pregnant women as State Objects puts an accurate measure of Schmeeekle’s philosophy.
Especially since the enticing inclusions of importation of humans of 3/5 value is written in the constitution it self but women absent.
The SCOTUS six would probably support that reading that launches women from the same Constitutional Rights that required Amendments to humanize black skinned people.
But steering the Federal Law into a MAGA Matrix will require great and ignorant dexterity.
Yes-the states rights argument is used to support their conservatives' abuses, but they run to SCOTUS to impose their ideas about human life on the entire country. Interpretations of the Constitution is like a roller coaster ride..we have to fasten your seat belts...Will we ever really be the "United" States??
Government is messy because human beings are messy. I note that the Israeli Supreme Court has just struck down Netanyahu's move to his version of illiberal democracy. And the world continues on its messy course but we do have little victories and somehow maintain an ability to do better in the longer run.
How uncanny you say that Stephen, that gov't is messy b/c humans are messy. You said a little differently than I did, but the most of the words and essential meaning are right there ↑. I belong to a handful of international fellowships; at meetings of some of those I made the case that government of a free, wholly enabled, independent people such as ours, could Never operate 'like a business." A business has but two essentials principles of operation and existence; profit and loss, foundationally. Government is a construct by humans who are fundamentally "messy." To exist hierarchically among, with, and about "messy humans" , it must also be messy, and nonprofit. The diatribe was longer, but that's the short version. Bravo to you making the same conclusion friend !
A minority is making it messier than they need to. Obstructionism is bad. Conspiring with our foreign enemies to win the election of 2016 was worse. Inciting political violence is evil. I think at this point, when a corrupt SCOTUS, is set to rule on if an admitted insurrectionist kingpin could be on any ballot is as corrupt as it could be. Messy is why we have laws. To see the rule of law forfeited by the GOP. Respectfully, “messy” is not the appropriate description.
I can see the corrupt SCOTUS “threading the needle “ here too, and allowing this treasonous fool to even take office again. Ironic it is championed by the grandson of slaves and his crazy wife.
Yup. Bribes are powerful insurance. But what did we expect? No accountabiliy, no oversight, no ethical code of conduct, no repercussions for ethics failures because no behavior is defined. This election is so important for the Supreme Court’s and our future.
Well said, Stephen Ranck! We do do better in the longer run. We can make life better for all Americans if we keep trying. The very same Europe we decided not to emulate has given US some good examples. If we can get over exceptionalism, there is hope!
A liberal democracy upholds the right to differ, and what could be more messy than that? It guarantees trouble when it's time to get anything done; though ideally it it combines perspectives for a more just conclusion, than even a well-intentioned elite could cover; and excessive power tends to corrupt. A fair share of power is essential to liberty.
Democracy is easy to ridicule as awkward, as Reagan did, and many people admire how autocrats can move without encumbrance. And even though it is clear that authoritarian regimes, extreme left, right, or theocratic, are nightmare states, it seems that too often the reptile brain responds compulsively to the opportunity to imagine one's self in full control, and dominant over others.
? Where in hades is that "double like" button... ! This > "A liberal democracy upholds the right to differ, and what could be more messy than that"? AND this > "Democracy is easy to ridicule as awkward, as Reagan did, and many people admire how autocrats can move without encumbrance." AND this > ".... seems that too often the reptile brain responds compulsively to the opportunity to imagine one's self in full control, and dominant over others." I just have to affirm yet again JL, I do so admire how your mind works !
I try to take in the "whole" (impossible) picture. I think about (and fail) to grasp the foundational concepts of physics every day. Comprehension means "to grasp" and so much of life eludes that; to literally wrap a one's mind around what cannot be directly experienced. But I'm pretty sure that some rings rule them all, such as the discovery of microorganisms, the discovery of DNA (thank you Rosalind Franklin), the discovery of quantum mechanics. Awareness of some things enables many, many more things. For all of their blinders and faults, the founders thought about things with a long view. They wondered about the future, and making responsible choices. Some of, some of their personal choices were revolting, and yet the Constitution was a masterpiece, even if imperfect, and they knew it was imperfect and said so. The document says so in it''s amendment process. We so need context; the long view, the extended view, to be wise and/or just.
" But I'm pretty sure that some rings rule them all..." We are kindred minds, and perhaps kindred souls JL. I think I've got some pretty good notions about you, and relate and agree more often than differ.
Part of the messiness of government involves the hypocrisy of "Corporate Joe" Biden, whose "loose border" policy ensures an ongoing supply of desperate union-busting sweat-shop wage slaves.
Yes and I have an original engraving of the emancipation proclamation on my wall that I’m proud of. Now this is what we can all do to save the republic.
Please call, write, email our president and ask him to begin a Fireside Chat as FDR did in the 1930s. Biden needs to project his accomplishments and no one believes he has done well in his 3 years. This message I will repeat ad infinitum. We need to save our democracy. Do this at least one a week or once a month but just do it.
Here’s a copy of the email I just submitted (using the above web address):
“Dear President Biden,
Please please please begin a series of brief fireside chats from the Oval Office to make sure that “the people” are aware of all of the accomplishments you’ve achieved and to point out all issues that should concern all Americans! And to encourage citizens to make sure that they, their families and their friends are registered to vote and that they vote.
Thank you for your awesome leadership!
Happy, Healthy New Year Wishes to you and your family.
I have read that the quickest route to those who need to see it is via email. I believe it states that in the official WH website. I say that as someone who STILL mails many cards and letters out and will continue to do so, even as postage rates increase.
I've dropped a handwritten note to him as well. I want to think that his staff might occasionally pull a few to give to him to read. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and I'm sure appreciative notes would mean a lot to him.
I'm 67 and I still love getting mail! I just looked at my calendar; I send out 56 birthday and anniversary cards each year. I also send plenty of cards for other holidays, postcards and even some letters. Even at 70 cents, I consider sending a message this way to be a bargain!
YeS, YeS, YeS — I write letters on that site — DIRECTING THEM TO THE PRESIDENT — often. Thank you for encouraging people to do that. I think it should be a common practice!
I sent an email asking he and his staff to improve on their messaging by using cleverness and for him to be more demonstrative in his delivery . Also asked for something similar to the fireside chat either weekly or bi-monthly.
Bill, you are so correct. The country needs to hear from Biden often and regularly. He needs to be visible and persuasive. He needs to be able to compete with the constant Trump drum beat.
And now we have republicans screaming for border policies but steadfastly refusing to participate in crafting them. This does not bode well for actual governance. The fact they are holding Ukraine aid hostage to this is even more troubling.
Ransom, a German friend said that he can’t understand having weddings at locations where people were mistreated and seen as nonhuman; he compared our antebellum plantations to Nazi camps. He also pointed out that the Nazis studied the Jim Crow laws for inspiration.
Rachel Maddow claims hitler had a picture of Henry Ford on his wall, and revered. Him. Nazis studied our laws to figure out how we managed to be so evil to black “men” yet hold ourselves out as righteous.
Ultra was as far as I have gotten, and when I finish Democracy Awakening, it is on my next read list. I am way behind because I follow too many Substacks. There's only 29 hours in a day.
Yes and it’s in my bookshelf. I had read a Canadian journalist’s “The Energy of Slaves” some years earlier, so was well prepared for “Blowout.” I cringe every time I see a car ad on TV. I keep asking why we can’t talk climate change, have food and gasoline rationing and price controls, which maybe we get with a Democratic sweep. It’s as bad as “Blowout,” and Republicans don’t even acknowledge climate change. The masses at the border represent that AND overpopulation. If you have children and grandchildren and can’t deal with neighbors, write and go national. THERE IS A PLACE FOR YOU IN THE FIGHT!
Well, I have been to Dachau and it did not look at all like a destination wedding joint. I am trying to respond, but why would you bring that up? Henry Ford was Hitler's idol. Mein Kampf is almost lifted from his Detroit newspaper. I think you totally missed my sarcasm.
Ransom, I got your sarcasm about Graham. I was responding to the sentence “He is not alone”. Throughout the southern states, antebellum mansions are often used for photo shoots and weddings because of, in large part, the romanticizing of slavery. I know of no such romantic view of other sites of human suffering. Haley’s comment and Ron Desantis’ support for downplaying slavery and segregation show that there is still a case being made for a coverup of a rightly shameful chapter in our history.
I read an article some years ago that at a famous plantation in Louisiana tourists were incensed that the slavery side of the plantation was taught. Challenging comfort zones, as we see with the removal of confederate statues, may come down to the death of some of a generation of boomers. It pains me to see some of the younger generations embracing “that old time religion”.
Yes Mary, such opulence has always been the draw for the slight of mind, and in using it that way, it might also be a DENIAL of the effects of slavery. The "learned valuable skills" school of thought. Jim and Tammy Faye are the perfect example and masters of the manipulation of them also.They became wealthy preaching and flaunting the pursuit of wealth to them. Those Southern mansions are replicated all across the country in wealthy suburbias. Those fat wooden Corinthian columns around the porches.
The "He is not alone"s are the fevent money interests behind the orange monster who use the "poor white trash" as their foot soldiers to remake the Confederacy by eliminating our Constitution and resore the Antebellum power structure. I'm sure you see that.
Unethical obstructionism is. R’s consistently put party over country. Puts political donors over regular working American families. It hurts American families. GOP is so lame.
Lincoln was a great leader and a great figure in part, because he could change and grow. And he could feel change when others could not. By the end of the Civil War, 300,000 Black men served in the Union Army, and shortly after its end Congress adopted the Thirteenth Amendment, outlawing slavery--which would have been unthinkable in 1861. That was quickly (in legal and constitutional terms) followed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. True, American turned its back on much of the progress for almost a century, but without what was done during and after the Civil War, the great progress of the Civil Rights movement would have been impossible. Now we can think of another kind of civil rights movement, for democracy and law.
Here's Paul Krugman's take on it from an economic perspective mostly -
It’s not a secret — just ask Ulysses S. Grant
Author Headshot
By Paul Krugman
Opinion Columnist
Of course the Civil War was about slavery, and everyone knew it at the time. No, Nikki Haley, it wasn’t about states’ rights, except to the extent that Southern states were trying to force Northern states to help maintain slavery — something that, as I’ll explain in a bit, has echoes in the current fight over abortion rights.
So Haley deserves all the condemnation she received for initially refusing to acknowledge the obvious in a campaign stop last week.
But it may be worth delving a bit deeper into the background here. Why did slavery exist in the first place? Why was it confined to only part of the United States? And why were slaveholders willing to start a war to defend the institution, even though abolitionism was still a fairly small movement and they faced no imminent risk of losing their chattels?
Let me start with an assertion that may be controversial: The American system of chattel slavery wasn’t motivated primarily by racism, but by greed. Slaveholders were racists, and they used racism both to justify their behavior and to make the enslavement of millions more sustainable, but it was the money and the inhumane greed that drove the racist system.
Back in 1970, the M.I.T. economist Evsey Domar published a classic paper titled “The Causes of Slavery or Serfdom: A Hypothesis,” which started with a historical observation that probably surprised most of his readers. Everybody knew that Czarist Russia was a nation where serfs were tied to the land; but Russian serfdom, it turned out, wasn’t an ancient institution dating back to the depths of medieval history. It was, instead, introduced in the 16th and 17th centuries — after gunpowder finally gave peasant infantry the military upper hand over nomadic horse-archers, allowing the Russian Empire to expand into vast, fertile new territories.
As Domar pointed out, there’s little reason to enserf or enslave a worker (not quite the same thing, but let’s leave that aside) if labor is abundant and land is scarce, so that the amount that worker could earn if he ran away barely exceeds the cost of subsistence. But if land becomes abundant and labor scarce, the ruling class will want to pin workers in place, so they can forcibly extract the difference between the value of what workers can produce — strictly speaking, their marginal product — and the cost of keeping them alive.
Hence the rise of serfdom as Russia expanded east, and the rise of slavery as Europe colonized the New World.
In fact, the real historical puzzle is why high wages didn’t always lead to widespread slavery or serfdom. As Domar himself pointed out, serfdom in the West had more or less withered away by around 1300, because Western Europe was overpopulated given the technologies of the time, which in turn meant that landowners didn’t need to worry that their tenants and workers would leave in search of lower rents or higher wages. But the Black Death caused populations to crash and wages to soar. In fact, for a while, real wages in Britain reached a level they wouldn’t regain until around 1870:
FRED
Yet serfdom wasn’t reimposed, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear. One thought, however, is that holding people captive in order to steal the fruits of their labor isn’t easy. (Escaped serfs were a significant issue in Russia, as were escaping and rebelling slaves in America — the Second Amendment was largely about making it easier to hold slaves down. A slave rebellion led in 1848 to emancipation on St. Croix, where President Biden spent his most recent vacation.) Which brings us to the story of the U.S. Civil War.
Labor was scarce in pre-Civil War America, so free workers earned high wages by European standards. Here are some estimates of real wages in several countries as a percentage of U.S. levels on the eve of the Civil War:
Williamson 1995
Notice that Australia — another land-abundant, labor-scarce nation — more or less matched America; elsewhere, workers earned much less.
Landowners, of course, didn’t want to pay high wages. In the early days of colonial settlement, many Europeans came as indentured servants — in effect, temporary serfs. But landowners quickly turned to African slaves, who offered two advantages to their exploiters: Because they looked different from white settlers, they found it hard to escape, and they received less sympathy from poor whites who might otherwise have realized that they had many interests in common. Of course, white southerners also saw slaves as property, not people, and so the value of slaves factored into the balance sheet of this greed-driven system.
So, again, the dynamic was one in which greedy slaveholders used and perpetuated racism to sustain their reign of exploitation and terror.
Because U.S. slavery was race-based, however, there was a limited supply of slaves, and it turned out that slaves made more for their masters in Southern agriculture than in other occupations or places. Black people in the North were sold down the river to Southern planters who were willing to pay more for them, so slavery became an institution peculiar to one part of the country.
As such, slaves became a hugely important financial asset to their owners. Estimates of the market value of slaves before the Civil War vary widely, but they were clearly worth much more than the land they cultivated, and may well have accounted for the majority of Southern wealth. Inevitably, slaveholders became staunch defenders of the system underlying their wealth — ferocious and often violent defenders (remember bleeding Kansas), because nothing makes a man angrier than his own, probably unacknowledged suspicion that he’s actually in the wrong.
Indeed, slaveholders and their defenders lashed out at anyone who even suggested that slavery was a bad thing. As Abraham Lincoln said in his Cooper Union address, the slave interest in effect demanded that Northerners “cease to call slavery wrong, and join them in calling it right.”
But Northerners wouldn’t do that. There were relatively few Americans pushing for national abolition, but Northern states, one by one, abolished slavery in their own territories. This wasn’t as noble an act as it might have been if they had been confiscating slaveholders’ property, rather than in effect waiting until the slaves had been sold. Still, it’s to voters’ credit that they did find slavery repugnant.
And this posed a problem for the South. Anyone who believes or pretends to believe that the Civil War was about states’ rights should read Ulysses S. Grant’s memoirs, which point out that the truth was almost the opposite. In his conclusion, Grant noted that maintaining slavery was difficult when much of the nation consisted of free states, so the slave states in effect demanded control over free-state policies. “Northern marshals became slave-catchers, and Northern courts had to contribute to the support and protection of the institution,” he wrote.
This should sound familiar. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, states that have banned abortion have grown increasingly frantic over the ability of women to travel to states where abortion rights remain; it’s obvious that the right will eventually impose a national abortion ban if it can.
For a long time, the South actually did manage to exercise that kind of national control. But industrialization gradually shifted the balance of power within the United States away from the South to the North:
Statista
So did immigration, with very few immigrants moving to slave states.
And the war happened because the increasingly empowered people of the North, as Grant wrote, “were not willing to play the role of police for the South” in protecting slavery.
So yes, the Civil War was about slavery — an institution that existed solely to enrich some men by depriving others of their freedom. And there’s no excuse for anyone who pretends that there was anything noble or even defensible about the South’s cause: The Civil War was fought to defend an utterly vile institution.
But Virginia, there would be one more thing than 'taking her class' she'd have to gain - she'd be required to "accept" what she could learn; acceptance is a bridge too far for many folks - too damn many folks.
I have a beautiful story from one New Year's Eve a couple of years ago. I had attended a wonderful Christmas Eve service at a tiny Black church in the middle of the slum area here in Charleston, SC. The minister invited me to attend their New Year's Eve service, as well. (A New Year's Eve church service? I thought that New Year's Eve was for partying, drinking, etc.) I said I would. I was told that the service is called "Watch Night". I was very curious. When I went, the minister kindly explained to me (everyone else was Black, and already knew), that Watch Night had taken place every New Year's Eve for over 150 years, at least in small Black churches here in the South. He said that when slaves found out that the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed on January 1, 1863, from then on New Year's Eve was a several hour service of celebration that "We were freed!" I was amazed! I remember at the end of the service, everyone turned to the person next to them and said, "We're FREE!!" Not sure what to say, I decided on, "I'm so glad that you're FREE!" It was a powerful and deeply moving celebration.
What an incredible experience to be invited to and experience - thanks for sharing it with us. I hadn’t heard of “Watch Night”.
When we moved from SF area to the south in 2019 my husband and I were disgusted by the Confederate statues we noticed as we explored parts of the coastal area. (Very naive as I look back now) I remarked to him that it would make me feel more hopeful if we could look up and visit sites of the Underground Railroad, as we had found up north in New Hope, PA. (In fact I painted one historical Underground Railroad site along a canal) But unfortunately all of those places had been destroyed (erased) and there were none left to see. I was shocked, but I shouldn’t have been. I didn’t know what I know now.
So important to keep history and the truth alive. Happy New Year to you kdsherpa!
Thank you so much, Lynn! I wish a happy and healthy 2024 to you, as well! I keep learning and learning more about the truth of the ante-bellum South the longer I live here. 42 years and counting. Still much more learning to do. I was here when the Mother Emmanuel massacre occurred in June, 2015. It was horrific. Thankfully some more forward movement was made in racial relations. The John C. Calhoun statue in Marion Square was torn down (it was huge), to the cheers of hundreds of us, and the Confederate flag was FINALLY taken down from the SC Statehouse (despite Nikki's endless waffling). I'll always remember the plan to make a line of people to cross the Ravenel Bridge from Charleston to Mt. Pleasant, 2.7 miles to commemorate the nine saints who were slaughtered during their Bible study. It turned out that there were another mile of people on either side of the bridge! Five miles of people, black and white, all holding hands, singing and talking to one another. It was a deeply moving experience.
A few months ago, a friend and I revisited an area of the South where I briefly lived as a child. (I live in Illinois now.) Next to an outdoor exhibit about a canal system used prior to the Civil War, we saw a sign about the Underground Railroad. Many of the canal workers were either free or enslaved black men. They would assist people fleeing slavery by concealing them within boat cargo, and by directing them to the next underground "station." It was apparent to both of us that this particular area has not reached real enlightenment (nor have many areas in the North), but we were pleasantly surprised to see this exhibit that included information about the underground railroad.
That is interesting and true Margaret. It is not discussed nor people haven’t been educated about it. And I agree there are certainly “un- enlightened “ folks in the north who are rascist.
I am particularly noticing the impact for here in NC of the power of state laws, especially having moved from CA to NC. The blatant, unapologetic gerrymandering and abortion laws in particular. I was clueless and extremely naive before moving here in 2019 about the fact that different states could create their own very different laws in unbelievably unfair and racist ways. I thought our government made important decisions (Roe v Wade or mask wearing during the Pandemic) and the Civil War was over. Not so.
Since tfg’s election I have been trying to educate myself on so many things from our country’s history that I never learned in school or forgot? And also all the current events and politics I failed to pay enough attention to in the news. I think there is an a lot to make sense of and enlightenment is a never ending journey. I am certainly not there! But I can say I am trying every day to learn more and make a difference where I can now.
Actually the exhibit I saw was in NC. I lived there as a child twice (infancy to 4; then ages 8 to 11), in 1960s. White people were extremely racist at that time, and I, also white, was very aware of these attitudes. It was a time of the Civil War Centennial and "the South will rise again" slogans which both my parents abhorred. My mother was born in NC, in a very small town where her family promoted treating all people kindly. They definitely were still racist since it unfortunately came with the territory at the time, but maybe they retained a more open view from the influence of her maternal grandfather who had moved from Connecticut soon after the Civil War. ("Carpetbagger"?) Since I did not live there as an adult, I am unaware of current politics. I think I witnessed the most overt, outrageous racist attitudes in a Midwestern town where my family moved when I started my junior year of high school. My NC mother was shocked by their attitudes and level of hatred. I was not trying to indicate that racism no longer exists in the South, but that it exists at various levels all over the country. (My "rebellious" reputation has reached the NC town in which I was born. I not treated cordially, and it is why I travelled there with a friend..) There are multiple shameful histories in our country. Look up how many signers of the Declaration of Independence participated in slavery. In order to truly heal, I think we need to review the complexities of history in many regions.
Our entire country is in trouble. I was originally a Jersey girl (for 33 years), then lived in MD, AZ, up and down the coast of CA and now NC. (no, I am not in the military or witness protection program :D) I have seen racism all over. I absolutely agree with you...there is an awful lot (of awful stuff) to learn. I love that you are rebellious Margaret and I think of myself as that way too. It feels hard to be rebellious and safe in this world right now.
Yes, to all! I was not in military either, but moved a lot due to my father's civil engineering profession. (We stayed through the building stage, then movedvon to his next assignment.) It was difficult to move so frequently, but later the experience provided useful perspectives. We lived in Washington State and Alaska, so had West Coast exposure, though not in California. (In Alaska during late 1960's, I so wished to be in California! ) In second half of 1963, we lived in MD, in western Appalachian area, for a six month project. I agree it seems dangerous now to be rebellious (as in thinking independently) but the alternative is not so great either. Hope you find a good comfort zone in NC. Deep thinking people might be understandably reticent to reveal themselves there at first. Good luck!
The Fifth Amendment barred the federal government from "taking" private property (slaves) without just compensation and even then only for a public purpose. So it basically engrained slavery in the national fabric. That was part of the "Slave Power." The President's only power to address slavery was under War Powers due to the insurrection. Once the insurrection ended, the fear was that the federal government would either have to cooperate in re-enslavement or pay compensation to the South, and that resulted in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, barring property in humans (with an unfortunate loophole). Slavery was a legal status, enforced by Rule of Law, and for a government fighting an insurrection, important to deal with under Rule of Law. The Constitution now contains some countermeasures to insurrection in the 14th Amendment, and the Nation would do well to apply them. Disregard of those countermeasures, as advocated by some of the MAGA party, amounts to doing away with Rule of Law and substituting a mob or insurrectionists for what was a constitutional democracy.
Well said-your analysis reveals the way that racism has shaped our nation. We do well to acknowledge that it's taken American to the edge of a cliff...
"The Emancipation Proclamation provided that as of January 1, “all persons held as slaves” anywhere that was still controlled by the Confederate government would be “then, thenceforward, and forever free.”
Historian Richard Hofstadter famously complained that the Emancipation Proclamation had “all the moral grandeur of a bill of lading,” but its legalistic tone reflected that Lincoln was committed to achieving change not by dictating it, which he recognized would destroy our democracy, but by working within the nation's democratic system."
We have a system, a rule of law within a democratic system -- it can be improved but it cannot be discarded. We must persevere with calm strength to preserve what we believe is right and good.
"We have a system, a rule of law within a democratic system"
And yet, Lincoln was a Republican within the democratic system. Pause for one moment and contrast the Republicans of his party then with those of Trump's today. Makes your head spin....
Heather so rightly points out that the political process which lead to the Emancipation Proclamation was hardly a question of black and white. The decades following the war demonstrated in spades that people don't switch and suddenly see the Light. The "North" and the law courts more or less left the unrepentant "South" to its own slavery by another name devices. This has remained pretty much true to this very day, though a mighty amount of change has flowed on under the bridge meantime.
"Historian Richard Hofstadter famously complained that the Emancipation Proclamation had “all the moral grandeur of a bill of lading."
Thing is, a bill of lading gets the cargo where it needs to go quickly, efficiently, and irrevocably. I'd rather have that than language flowers that smell lovely but do nothing. Fortunately for us, Lincoln felt the same.
Thank you, Professor. I feel like I learned a semester of history in your current letter. Exceptional work. Happy new year to you and continued teaching us fellow Americans the truth.
Thank you, Heather, for spelling out history that I never learned in school. However, I wonder if we have lost our ability as a nation to do the necessary "sausage making." Going back to the Trump dicta on immigration rather than finding a way to negotiate a workable compromise feels like a defeat of many of our proclaimed values, most notably the right to apply for asylum. The upcoming budget talks will require flexibility, but will the MAGA demands allow for the necessary give and take? We all know that McCarthy's attempt to keep the government open led to the end of his speakership. It is hard for me to be hopeful right now about the resiliency of our system.
When it’s “hard to Preserve” we have to get to work to preserve it. Each of us can find a way. At 89, I write GOTV postcards as I cannot march as I have since Vietnam and probably did my last demonstration the day after Dobbs. If nothing else you can let your congressperson know your thoughts.
Historian Bruce Catton has a series of books on the civil war which are in paperback and reasonably inexpensive. At 16, I was reading him.
His series, a trilogy he wrote on the Army of the Potomac: Mr. Lincoln's Army (1951), Glory Road (1952), and A Stillness at Appomattox (1953). That may be a good source on the Civil War.
At 16, I was interested in this. At 19 I had enlisted in 68 in the Corps. Maybe it was an influence on me and maybe it was not. The draft was always hanging over our heads.
Thank you for the recommendation. I'm trying to get rid of books rather than buy more, but I'm sure that my library has the whole series. Now all I need is the time...
TCinLA (Tom) takes issue with some of Catton's perspectives on the history and purpose of the Civil War. But, since Catton is a local favorite son, and his sources were local civil war soldiers, I give him the benefit of the doubt. Here's Catton's take on growing up in Northern Michigan:
As I expect you intended, the long view of history you provided today once again gives hope for the future and a reason to work through the current imperfect political system without losing heart. Thank you.
May MAGA Trump fascists study 📖 our history and reverse their prejudiced Nazi course: Mussolini pouting fascist Donald Trump from racist Queens admires dictators worldwide, fascist Republicans admire grifter tax cheat twice impeached former President Trump, over 70 million sick illiterate prejudiced fascist insecure Americans haven’t or cannot read our history and do not support their Constitution. Now, New Years Day 2024 we know that the election coming will decide if we are to be a constitutional republic with a Bill of Rights or a Trump dictatorship with elections ended. Heather seems to know all this.
Why can she not find the words to condemn white supremacy and Christian nationalism and Trump fascism?
It’s time, Heather. Say it. Yale History Professor Timothy Snyder is not tongue tied. South Carolina’s Indian presidential candidate is unable to say slavery was the topic in our Civil War.
Heather, put your $1 million a year at risk and call it with your white readership.
Courage. Silence is deadly. We are looking at WWII in Europe with Ukraine, in Gaza and Israel with Iran backed Jew hating racists, and in the United States with the Trump movement that threatens our democracy.
Say it, Heather. Let’s hope your readership will grow to EVERY school in America.
Happy New Year, Letters from an American to all Americans.
Every reader can read for free. Now, Heather.
Let’s roll. The Republicans will genuflect when your readership is 300,000,000 - and our history well written saves our democracy and our constitution.
Thanks, Heather.
PS. I want a copy of all this to give to out local library - and - and 100 more to give out to local public schools.
Post the 501(c)3 price, Heather and invite Tim Snyder and a few others to contribute their Substack writings.
My god SB; you have so much more in common with me than you'll likely ever know. I've braved such fights alone; it ain't pretty brother ! One needs high agency and means, lest they get rolled over, burned, and / or worse ! HCR may yet do those things, in her own time and method. For the time being what she achieves with estimable effort (understatement one of 2024). Putting myself in her shoes, she is first and foremost an educator, not a gladiator by profession; nor a politician. What she does is educate, and is affording us and the world Phd caliber history - as it is, with as little bias as humanly possible for one who's gone beyond mastering certain facts so absolutely, she's convinced of her own opinions, yet in her writing, is able to restrict herself to sharing the 'facts in evidence' in a difficult to assail way by partisans - who will anyway as we and she already knows with certainty. However, for the factual unassailable historical record, has already done her part. Will she do more ? My best educated guess is yes indeed; but after some rest, victory laps, etc., that's all up to her and I shall never call her out for a sliver more or a sliver less. jmho friend
Turns out the hating racists in the Gaza genocide are the American-backed Zionist Jews in the Israeli government and the IDF, and their lackey counterparts here in the U.S. Pathetic in both their hypocrisy and lack of humanity.
“This is a very, very old agenda, being presented as something brand new that is only just occurring to Israeli officials just now. They didn’t just come up with this. It’s been fantasized about for as long as Israel was a twinkle in its founding fathers’ eyes.
This is the real objective in Gaza. Not the “elimination of Hamas” (whatever the hell you want to pretend that would look like in practice), but the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas is not the target in Gaza. Hamas is just the excuse.”
Amazing how easy it is to convince oneself of a bald faced lie about Gaza, right, SB? You should be ashamed of yourself, but then, I don’t expect that of the Butcher Bibi, either.
“No matter how many times you bleat the phrase “Blame Hamas”, it will never magically erase Israel’s guilt in raining military explosives on a giant concentration camp full of children.
No matter how many times you accuse Israel’s critics of being anti-semitic, it will never magically erase Israel’s guilt in raining military explosives on a giant concentration camp full of children.
No matter how many times you mention October 7, it will never magically erase Israel’s guilt in raining military explosives on a giant concentration camp full of children.”
The only letter I need - “…. it will never magically erase Israel’s guilt in raining military explosives on a giant concentration camp full of children.“
Again, we find ourselves in the position of having to save our democracy. To accomplish that task, reasonable & dedicated citizens must rise to the challenge and vote to keep our treasured form of government and our constitution! There can be no second place trophy in 2024!
Yes. It will require, however, a monumental effort, and if we are lucky enough to win, an equal or greater effort to pass and enforce laws that reduce systemic advantages that white Americans presently have. Well over half of white Americans fiercely oppose any reduction in their systemic advantages. Forcing them to conduct themselves within the new framework will be the work of generations, and that’s only if we win in 2024 and beyond. If we don’t, we’ll have a white Christian fascist government for a very long time.
Not only will we have a “white fascist Christian government” but also we will have an autocracy (dictatorship Putin-style is Trump’s dreame). Do we have the energy to fight that? If not, this is our chance to vote for democracy and keep Democrats in place until we get decent medical care and return to five-day work weeks with vacations with pay. Work hard, everyone!
We would do well to remember: “But that such a foundational change in our history emerged from such messy give and take, necessary in order to preserve our democratic system, seems a useful thing to remember in 2024.”
We must remember that change comes through our democratic system in order to preserve our democracy! Thank you Professor for your ability to relate history to present situations! Happy New Year!
160 years after 1/1/1863 it's still "messy" but, come the 2024 national election our democratic system will be stronger ... even emancipation evolves.
Alas. Are you listening to the 'never Democrat progressives' who are again intent on 'sitting this one out, sending Trump to the White House to teach America a lesson.' This time on the excuse of US support for Israel's Netanyahu regime. A wonder they have any noses left at all to cut to spite us all.
More vile than MAGAts. How is that possible.?
Are Movement Conservative cynics more vile than the Populist true believers? Effectively there is no significant difference when it comes to destroying democracy.
I am a retired trial attorney so I do listen & I listen carefully. We are 10 months & 1 week out from the Election. That's a long, long time in any politics. Hopefully, there will be no Pandemics & no devastating Earthquakes over that period of time.
Meanwhile, I will continue to engage face-to-face or on a real-time history channel such as HCR's LFAA & other engaging Platforms.
Solidarity friends.
While my 22-year-old nephew thinks Biden is wrong and is opposed to our support for what is going on with Gazans, he still plans on voting for Biden as the lessor of evils.
A lot can happen in 9 months to change opinions.
Why *would* self styled progressives help elect Trump in 2024?
For the same reasons they *did* help elect Trump in 2016.
To teach the Democratic Party a lesson. (No matter the irreparable damage to our most vulnerable neighbors, fragile planet, and endangered democracy.)
They are quite explicit about it. I hear it on CSPAN all the time. And have even read it in comments here.
lin,
First, I state I would never vote for tRUMP. I will vote for Joe Biden.
However, I will not castigate any of the young people who, like me, have watched as Joe Biden has fully supported Netanyahu's political effort to keep his job by first bombing Gaza completely so that there is nowhere for the Palestinians to live and now starving them. Those young people have watched Netanyahu drop leaflets saying to move to xyz location, and, the Gazan's have complied only to be immediately bombed in their new safe location.
Any young person who is a democrat can probably think for themselves and recognize that nasty approach by Netanyahu, supported by Biden apparently, is WRONG.
Recognizing reality and taking action (by not voting for Biden) is well within the realm of reasonable reaction.
It will not be the fault of young people protesting Biden's support for a dictator (Netanyahu) who is acting like Hitler if tRUMP wins.
It will be all of the people who voted for tRUMP that are at fault.
Blame the correct target. Americans who love tRUMP more than their own families, love hate, love division and thrive on the HATE that Rump sells.
Young people horrified by Biden's support for a Hitler in Israel (Netanyahu) are NOT the problem.
The problem lies in those many Americans who are driven by Hate and Love tRUMP's ugly arse.
On a cynical last note: Biden might be right. By supporting Israel in its genocidal actions Biden might get enough campaign donations from Jewish Americans to run enough advertising to win.
Right? Because, that is why Biden is so supportive. Correct? He needs campaign contributions to win.
"I think of voting as a chess move, not a Valentine" Rebecca Solnit.
So, I’m a bit confused. Who exactly is taking this tack? Democrats?
Can’t be right.
Yep; sadly.
". . . even emancipation evolves." True, "emancipation," as it applies to all of us, evolves. My daughter just sent me the book, "White Fragility; Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism." This book is a great complement to Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s book, "Stony the Road," about Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow. Implicit bias affects us all. It needs to be realized and worked out. True Emancipation is something that applies to the entire population. It is a work in progress, even though Trump and the MAGA/KKK have shown that the fight is far, far from being over and that the "Old South" mentality is still trying to tear apart the Union.
In 2010 I wrote a very long essay, "The White Side of Racism"
"These are the collected anecdotes of a white guy who grew up in racist America. While I never actually participated in any of the civil rights struggles of the1950s and '60s I was there, observing and living the day-to-day life in a racially divided nation."
It covered my life growing up in officially integrated, but still racist St. Louis and my visits to family in segregated Mississippi. My 4 years in the Air Force living with black men and after being chastised for having a black friend on the Harbor Police Dept. in New Orleans. All of us were affected by the rot of racism & segregation in this nation. And, like Emancipation of the 19th Century, Integration was still evolving in the 20th where I was part of the 15% of interracial marriages. It is still evolving in the 21st Century.
Rob-It's great to know that you've been conscious of racism. So many accept it as the way things are. Racism is a made up concept that is embraced and accepted by too many who benefit from the privilege inherent in white supremacy. People need to open their eyes. Being "woke" can help us to move beyond skin color as a dividing line.
For my part entirely, I far prefer being "woke", as opposed to belligerent, resentful, willful, blind sleep walking through life. I am more full, complete, and a better version of myself - which is what I aspire.
I was astounded in 2005, when I told my UDC member mom I was dating a Native American. Her reply: “you may find some don’t like that.” I was astounded at the time. It had never crossed my mind. Generational change may be slow, but it is happening.
A number of years ago I was at the eye doctor in a sub waiting room waiting room, waiting for my eyes to dilate. There were two women there too also waiting and ones was going on and on to no one in particular about the lazy Indians. They came and got her and after she was gone the other lady turned to me and said, you know I am half Cherokee. We live in western North Carolina, where the sadness of "The trail of tears" started. I live on land which was once Cherokee land. Two great sins of America, Slavery and theft of Native Americans lands.
In the early 1960's the U.S. Army sent me to school for two years to learn Chinese Mandarin, 6 hours in class and 6 hours out. I spent the rest of my military service in East Asia. One of my older sisters told me "not to bring home one of those girls." I was surprised by this and told her who I married was my business and no one else's. I grew up in Texas.
Rob, I'd love to read that essay in it's entirety; Doubtless, there are as many such reflections among others of us not recorded that would be relatable. Thanks ~
Richard-I'm amazed at how most people don't know that it's racism that has defined and shaped American society from our politics to education to health care to housing to employment-you name it.
In 1857 when the Supreme Court declared in the Dred Scott decision that "Black people had no rights that the White man was bound to respect", Frederick Douglas said, "The Supreme Court is not the only power in this world...this very attempt to blot out forever the hopes of an enslaved people may be one necessary link in the chain of events predatory to the complete overthrow of the whole slave system".
The other links were Harriet Beecher Stowe's book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, in 1852, John Brown's Raid in 1859 and the Lincoln's election in 1860. Before he was lynched, John Brown said, "you may dispose of me easily, but this question is still to be settled-the negro question-the end of that is not yet". And so here we are...
With the SCOTUS abortion decision, Putin and Netanyahu's wars and Trump's brazen attempts to install himself as a dictator we may see that these links are ones that will help us to strengthen our democracy (or it could be our demise)..Paying attention (and doing something about) racism across the globe brings light to darkness.
Black people talk about racism all the time...it's time for White people to see how much racism is hurting everyone-not just people of color. Our system has been shaped by racism. Unless and until we defeat white supremacy, we can't hope for peace, equality or "liberty and justice for all". The clock is ticking..
Gina, I concur 100%. Racism is the cancer that infects our society and our politics. Almost without exception, those who still support Trump are racists. That's why they can overlook his numerous liabilities.
Gina, I do so want to come back to your assertions and comment briefly. Should I forget as I go back through this LFAA of 1.1.24, looking for certain comments including those posted since I last re-read it again, please send me a note to remind me. You are such a good soul ...
Profound comment Richard..
I concur with the "Here's the Point" paragraphs. Since Ttump's arguments will fail at Court of Appeals, SCOTUS could simply "deny Cert" to make the case conclude FASTER ... much more quickly.
One thing that Barry Goldwater said about governing "It takes compromise".
Good for BG! his nuclear rant i think helped cement his presidential campaign.
it did. he did however say some things that were right on target like the danger the religious right posed. he did, however, never see his contribution to their rise. Kind of like Liz Cheney not being willing to admit that the Reagan administration policies were bad.
Indeed, and on point Rickey.
A very very useful thing to remember in this very very messy political milieu!
A further critical ‘complication’ is that while Biden’s accomplishments have been stellar and history will so define…his ‘communication style’ is clearly NOT. AN AUDIOLOGY FRIEND OF MINE SAYS that Biden’s speech issues are the reason I find his speeches so unappealing and it’s not his fault….im sure she’s right. But the polling stats are mute testimony to the fact that I’m not the only person who is less than inspired….by his speech style and I’ve lobbied at the state and federal level and witnessed up close and very personally a presidential race…my suggestion is that using that 2o2 number ask the White House to ‘serve up’ the best public speakers they have..perhaps form a formal ‘organization’ to travel nationally on behalf of the Biden TRUTH….theres no question that the ‘good news’ does need to get out…but it desperately needs some articulate help!
Barack Obama was elected because of his stellar ability to communicate — and excite voters.
Barack Obama was an amazing orator, but being a great orator does not automatically go hand in hand with being a great leader. During Obama's tenure, we lost many seats in the House and Senate to the Republican, racist backlash. All of those losses were not Obama's fault, but he did not work to build the political infrastructure that could take on the tea party groups backed by morbidly rich dark money. Pull in some of those people like Rick Wilson, who can help structure a communications strategy to reach people with a short compelling message. If tRump wins, he and his minions will do their damnedest to burn the country to the ground. No one can live in a smoldering ruin, and NO ONE WILL BE SAFE.
Well said. I, too, admire and respect Barack Obama, but I agree with your comments about his presidency and would add another criticism; he didn’t reject Conservative Republican Neoliberal economics like President Biden has. He used the same toxic, failed economic principles (to deal with the Great Recession) that every president has since Reagan, including President Clinton. I very much liked your phrase “morbidly rich.” Lastly, I think President Biden’s latest speech, given after a vacation and some rest, was delivered very effectively and well.
"Morbid" to which I would add 'calcified' Alan.
I agree that Obama failed to work on building up the base, and he was formerly a community organizer.
"Morbid" to which I would add 'calcified' Alan.
Jenn, as you usually do, you've much of this very accurate. Keep at it sister.
EXACTLY
I encourage my friends concerned about "communication skills" to listen to the words, not the delivery. Observe the cumulative effect of action and, most important, the "teamwork" of the Biden administration led by a man of considerable wisdom and experience. Think of the rotten and poisonous rhetoric and behavior of the opposing candidate and party, the promise of a horrific administration of truly corrupt, power-hungry, anti-American, constitution-ignorant, and vengeful Do-Nothings.
We had regular helpings of someone who communicated—stupidly but he communicated. While I agree Biden leaves something to be desired in that way, I am grateful I don’t have to remain on high alert wondering what stupid sh!t tfg has done today.
MSNBC last week posted an interesting essay that Biden's 2024 should not be underestimated, and it didnt make a big deal of his modest oratorical skills. I posted here, actually twice, in different contexts, but it you want, google it. There's more to a president than superb oratory. Much of the time, I'm refreshed by his lack of rant, general clarity and optimistic, common man, commonsense tone. If i could vote for him it would not be because i had to hold my nose. On the side, he's lived a whole life overcoming a congenital? stutter. Despite all this he's had a long, mainly successful career. I'm amazed how much media parenthecize his speaking gaffes, esp considering tog.
Taking the liberty of re-posting for you, Frank ! Simon Rosenberg is gaining traction with the media.
⬇️
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/biden-2024-election-polls-strong-rcna130507
Rosenberg’ s Hopium Chronicles will help you start 2024 with a data-driven, positive outlook . Also,opportunities for engagement where your efforts will make a difference !To note, long-term Dem strategist Rosenberg was the one who predicted the 2022 red wave would NOT happen.
⬇️
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/its-2024-lets-get-to-work
Great, i keep forwarding the article in my In Bin for re energizing. I saw the link too to improved polling for Dems and Biden.
I lived in Brooklyn when Obama was running. I saw Obama shirts everywhere.
I live in Florida now. I see boats and trucks and homes flying Trump flags. I see Trump shirts and bumper stickers.
I wore my Biden shirt to Walgreens and the pharmacist said, “I wouldn’t wear that shirt. I agree with it. But there are a lot of crazies around here.”
That fear-driven advice sent me the opposite direction.
I resolved to wear my Biden shirt on every grocery run in 2024.
Biden is not a great communicator. “Build Back Better” feels “written by committee” whereas “Yes We Can” felt inspiring, and uniting, and active all rolled into one.
I see the complaint on here quite often that Biden is accomplishing so much and getting so little credit. That is on us. What does credit look like? To me, Credit looks like Pride in Our Accomplishments. Are we going to wait for the NYT to christen Biden a success? Or Fox to complain Biden is inevitable?
I ask anyone who wants Biden’s message to be better to BE THE MESSAGE.
I may or may not be “surrounded by crazies” in Florida. But I believe I’m surrounded by fellow supporters frustrated by the lack of momentum. So, I’ll start the snowball in Florida...and I’m asking your help to turn it into an avalanche for Biden. And a landslide victory for Democracy on Nov. 5. That’s 308 grocery shopping days away.
I’ve got you in the 305. Need something better than my “Lordy I hope there are tapes” shirt. Thankfully my OMG GOP WTF bumper sticker gets lots of thumbs up! Looks like I’ll be shopping for replacement shirt today! Had to laugh at my next door neighbor sporting his Trump/ DeSantis shirt over the weekend. Not sure if he’s that tuned out or if it’s just a shirt.
My vote for Biden was for someone who could do the job. And I don't worry about trying to micromanage him. It annoys the hell out of me that the nation has taken to saying "y'all" instead of "all of you" but it doesn't make me dislike people.
Biden has that help available, he just needs to get his VP and Cabinet on the job.
I think it’s a bit more complicated. Biden is president and that doesn’t make him a very good communicator and just because someone is in the cabinet,…that doesn’t guarantee their ‘communication skills’…and the VP’s stats are very uncompelling. And DOBBS is really important in this campaign. Taylor Smith’s public endorsement is EVER SO MUCH BETTER….especially with a critically needed voting block. What the Biden people need to do and I’m sure they know it…is to put their top PR guys on it to seriously identify the key issues that need the most emphasis and the most articulate allies available to emphasize it….make the whole,’process’ a campaign PIECE…LIke the TRUTH EXPRESS DELIVERING CAMPAIGN ‘TRUTH’ ON THIS ISSUE…(or whatever ‘issue’)
Ronald Reagan was great at given speeches and was even called the “great Communicator”, while his policies were so destructive that damages remain to this day. Give American voters some credit. Most of us recognize the difference between our two choices.
CAN'T SEE, CAN'T HEAR, CAN'T THINK
*
Reagan's exceptional ability to communicate to Americans was entirely dependent on brainwashed Americans' exceptional inability to distinguish real from fake, soap actors' ham acting from straight speaking, adman's copy from simple truth telling.
The grave disability -- ingrained insincerity that takes itself for sincere -- is that of an apparent majority of the American people. And now, thanks to Internet and social media platforms, thanks to newspapers and media subject to the same incompetence, the situation is infinitely worse than in Reagan's day.
Read "The President's Speech" from Oliver Sacks' masterpiece, The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat. (Cfr. plantainclan.com)
Now... it's The People Who Mistook Their Country For A Hat.
Too many people can be fooled ALL OF THE TIME, and the others can be ignored or marginalized.
It's far worse than "know nothing and proud of it". It is can't perceive -- blind to truth, deaf to truth and, above all, radically unable to think freely for oneself.
(I recall how people couldn't distinguish between Obama speaking from the heart and Obama mouthing his lines when his intellection was coming between the politician and the man.)
Now the disease has spread worldwide.
We're schooled in stupidity, we mess around with poorly prefabricated ideological junkfood -- consuming TruthyTurds, never the food of truth -- and it's Ignorance Ingrained, it is Orwell's Ingsoc and IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
No basis for a democracy. And the bastards, our would-be Masters, our Simon Legree Congressmen, know that and play on it... like pickpockets at an Orangeface Rally.
WAKE UP! Or the wake up call won't be your phone, won't be a bucketful of cold water, it will be a boot coming down on your skull.
American voters have been flim-flamed by the Fox propaganda juggernaut, and they were flim-flamed by Reagan’s silver-tongued oratory. The words of an honest, hard-working man can’t compete. Sad but true
Brenda…..I deeply hope you are right…preserving our democracy most likely rests on it..I fear/think. BUT my confidence in the perspiacity of the body politic isint as high as yours appears to be….
People didn't recognize what a disaster Ronald Reagan was.
An actor good @ reading his lines
Brenda, I couldn’t agree more: “...while his (Reagan’s) policies were so destructive that damages remain to this day.” To make things worse, every president since Reagan, including two Democrats, employed the same Neoliberal economic policies. Until President Biden. And we owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for that. We’re back to Liberal-Keynesian-FDR economics and it’s working very well.
I agree, Joan, the Democrats need to advertise the key issues, one being abortion. Do we really want the U.S. to be a glorified Texas, where performing a life-saving abortion could send a doctor to jail? This is madness and needs to be publicized over and over and over.
Taylor Swift has more influence on voters than MSNBC & CNN put together. I'm grateful to her for inspiring people to register and Vote for Joe Biden. Saving Grace right there!
after all, it is a team effort. Surround yourselves with smart people, and Biden has done exactly that. Sure, Obama's immense oratory initially swept the nation, but then with substantive policy initiative on medicare, look what happened, approvals went to hell, medicare had to be watered down. Nicely, Republicans are stymied in removing and replacing, since they're so divided amongst themselves - teaparty legacy i believe. You won't find this problem among Democrats.
They are on the job but it just does not seem to make the news. Here’s a good one; Check out this article from USA TODAY:
Is Dubai Harris the Kamala everyone has been waiting for? Will she convince doubters?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/12/27/kamala-harris-2024-profile/71972381007/
I look at USA Today only when sources are scarce but this message from Harris needs amplification. Great speech.
Gigi-Thanks for sharing this article. America has an opportunity to "reconstruct" our way of thinking about race and politics. Kamala Harris is boxed in by her gender, skin color and cultural background. She's labeled and judged as "nonwhite" against a standard that embraces whiteness.
If we can just accept her as a "competent" human being who wants to serve the public (and no doubt advance her political fortunes as well), then we can genuinely take measure of her and decide whether she's a person who could truly and authentically help us to "perfect our union".
We'll soon see where all of this is headed...
I agree Gina. She is certainly more experienced and competent than Nikki Haley who is also nonwhite. I have seen Vice President Harris give some powerful speeches, especially concerning voting rights.
Gigi ..I’d argue that ‘it doesn’t make news’ because they are highly ineffective communicators.
And Nikki Haley was both her states governor and our UN ambassador….Kamala was CAs AG….and US Senator….rather briefly.
Think Haley’s credits quite good….
I much prefer Kamala’s politics…but find her less than compelling as a VP.
I don’t see her as a strong ‘voice’ for this administration….
The problem IS that there IS no ‘strong’ voice!
Mayor Pete
I keep hoping that guy will show up more on national media and do what he does best. He is an intelligent, eloquent speaker who can back up his words with action. If he is not the president, he needs to be an active, vocal advocate for the president. I’ve watched him on many news outlets storytelling the good news of Biden’s presidency. He has what Biden lacks and should be put to work using it in all of 2024.
YES.
I do so wish he would let "Kamala" out of the corner more often. But, in his defense, he may also know that while she'd doubtless be more colorfully articulate, there is yet so much misogyny and bias firmly planted and rooting in our current state that it might be counter-productive. I'd still turn her loose with the right preparation. I'm on record at several of sites where she is posted as saying "I'd pay big money, even borrowed money, just to see her go at OiD on a debate stage, or even a dark alley" - lol !
Are you admitting that Sesame Street has shaped generations of people who expect to be entertained while learning? Do we have more respect for the puppets and the clowns than we have for the adults?
I read this and immediate thought of Moses as a historical figure noting he stuttered So he relied upon the document - 10 Commandments.
Interesting Idea: Kamala forward in public?
The Democratic Party leaders need to hire someone who knows how to communicate effectively. Now!
I couldn’t agree more!
💙💙💙
"The sausage making of the Emancipation Proclamation" is also a stark reminder that one party refuses to participate in the "messy give and take," much to the detriment of the nation at a time of enormous challenges. Examples abound.
And the absence of Republicans from the process, a mockery of their job, is motivated by a burning zeal to damage Democrats and gain power they can't win at the ballot box.
Shameful.
It's interesting how the parties flip flopped, the Republicans becoming Democrats and the (Southern-Midwestern) Democrats becoming MAGA Republicans. The Oligarchs (Koch Bros. et al.) along with the Fascist Heritage Society, Hoover Institute, CPAC, Federalist Society and more have manipulated the white Christians with their wedge issues propaganda. Brilliant, yet devastating to the Middle Class and democratic processes (gerrymandering, voter suppression, etc.)
Messy indeed.
Messy, for sure, and important to sift through the disarray for what happened, what the effects were then, what mattered {!}, and what the effects of such machinations are today.
What will people put up with, and what will they wait for? What do we strive for, and how long do we see ourselves waiting for it? And if we are not willing to strive and maybe to wait, what will happen then?
We don’t have control of history {certainly not what has already happened, although people say the “victors” get to WRITE history} — but we don’t have control of the future, either. All we can do is try our best to influence it. That’s what makes me nervous …
I hope people are up to the task and willing to try REALLY HARD…
'Report finds democracy for Black Americans is under attack'
'WASHINGTON (AP) — Extreme views adopted by some local, state and federal political leaders who try to limit what history can be taught in schools and seek to undermine how Black officials perform their jobs are among the top threats to democracy for Black Americans, the National Urban League says.'
'Marc Morial, the former New Orleans mayor who leads the civil rights and urban advocacy organization, cited the most recent example: the vote this month by the Republican-controlled Tennessee House to oust two Black representatives for violating a legislative rule. The pair had participated in a gun control protest inside the chamber after the shooting that killed three students and three staff members at a Nashville school.'
“We have censorship and Black history suppression, and now this,” Morial said in an interview. “It’s another piece of fruit of the same poisonous tree, the effort to suppress and contain.”
'Both Tennessee lawmakers were quickly reinstated by leaders in their districts and were back at work in the House after an uproar that spread well beyond the state.'
'The Urban League’s annual State of Black America report released Saturday draws on data and surveys from a number of organizations, including the UCLA Law School, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League. The collective findings reveal an increase in recent years in hate crimes and efforts to change classroom curriculums, attempts to make voting more difficult and extremist views being normalized in politics, the military and law enforcement.'
'One of the most prominent areas examined is so-called critical race theory. Scholars developed it as an academic framework during the 1970s and 1980s in response to what they viewed as a lack of racial progress following the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. The theory centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.'
'Director Taifha Alexander said the Forward Tracking Project, part of the UCLA Law School, began in response to the backlash that followed the protests of the George Floyd killing in 2020 and an executive order that year from then-President Donald Trump restricting diversity training.'
'The project’s website shows that 209 local, state and federal government entities have introduced more than 670 bills, resolutions, executive orders, opinion letters, statements and other measures against critical race theory since September 2020.'
'Anti-critical race theory is “a living organism in and of itself. It’s always evolving. There are always new targets of attack,” Alexander said.'
'She said the expanded scope of some of those laws, which are having a chilling effect on teaching certain aspects of the country’s racial conflicts, will lead to major gaps in understanding history and social justice.'
“This anti-CRT campaign is going to frustrate our ability to reach our full potential as a multiracial democracy” because future leaders will be missing information they could use to tackle problems, Alexander said.'
'She said one example is the rewriting of Florida elementary school material about civil rights figure Rosa Parks and her refusal to give up her seat to a white rider on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus in 1955 — an incident that sparked the bus boycott there. Mention of race was omitted entirely in one revision, a change first reported by The New York Times.'
'Florida has been the epicenter of many of the steps, including opposing AP African American studies, but it’s not alone.' (AP) See link below for the complete article.
https://apnews.com/article/race-democracy-threats-black-americans-racial-history-f00e17f89ef8c34409fa5c6a9ecaa838
Thank you, Fern. Lots of good nuggets in this article.
Ally, thank you for reading it. I know that you support civil rights/equality/Democracy as
so many Americans do, but, BUt...it is fine to look to Lincoln, Fredrick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc., but without addressing the virulent attacks on minority groups, women, immigration, disinformation on social media TODAY...!!!
Here's one example among others about what's happening:
'Eyes on 2024: Black voters sour on Biden'
'NBC News polling has found Biden’s net-approval rating among Black voters has dropped nearly 20 points over the course of this year.' (NBC)
“I was concerned about President Biden. What has he done for Black people, who were a big reason for him winning? You hear that noise coming from the other side and you think, ‘It’s the same ol’, same old’: People begging for our votes, but not doing anything for us after they get it,” one Black voter from Ohio told NBC News’ Curtis Bunn.
'Still, some experts told Bunn, voters expressing discontent for Biden aren’t necessarily going to vote for former President Donald Trump if he’s the GOP nominee next year (the latest NBC News poll finds 69% of Black voters backing Biden and 20% backing Trump). Instead, some Black leaders are worried that voters in their communities won’t vote at all.'
“What Black people are saying through the poll is that they are frustrated with both sides and that they’re exploring their options, which could be not showing up at all. That’s my concern: How does that frustration translate into the level of engagement of the Black electorate in 2024?,” a political consultant told Bunn.'
In other campaign news …
'A “compelling” message on abortion: NBC’s Natasha Korecki and Sarah Dean explore former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s position on abortion and how her messaging on the issue could help her win crucial GOP primary voters and donors.'
'Falling behind: Despite saying that he plans to stick it out through the Iowa caucuses, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign is falling behind in support and ad spending, the Associated Press reports.'
'On the airwaves: A new super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primary — Fight Right — has emerged and plans to spend money attacking Haley in TV ads as soon as this week, the New York Times reports.'
'To debate or not to debate: That is the question facing Biden, as his campaign declined to comment on an announcement Monday from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates regarding the schedule of general election debates next year.' (NBC) See link below.
https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meetthepressblog/eyes-2024-black-voters-sour-biden-rcna126124
If Black voters stay home on election day, we will all live to regret it, African Americans more than anyone else, probably. Somehow we've got to get critical thinking courses into our school systems.
Thanks for sharing this article about Black people and democracy. Throughout history the attacks have been relentless. Black people have never really experienced the kind of "democracy" that White people in America have experienced. Simply voting has always been a life or death experience-physically, mentally and spiritually.
The descendants of enslaved Black people come from African slaves, European enslavers, immigrants and natives all mixed together. It's often said but seldom appreciated, "Black people love America even if America doesn't love them back". The faith of ancestors and dreams for children keep Black people moving forward with their eyes on the prize...
Fern, I think that it is a misnomer to call Critical Race Theory a theory. It is a simple fact. You quote: " The theory centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.' It's not an idea, it's a fact: when racists control the fulcrums of power, they will exercise that power to the detriment of Blacks, Hispanics and others who are at this time minorities, but they won't be for long and this scares the bejesus out of the white racists. The question is: when Blacks and Hispanics are in the majority, when they control the fulcrums of power, what will they do? Will racism still be systemic?
'Tracking the Attack on Critical Race Theory in Education'
Efforts to ban critical race theory have been put forth in all but one state – and many threaten schools with a loss of funds.
.Apr 11, 2023
https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2023-04-11/tracking-the-attack-on-critical-race-theory-in-education
Make absolutely no doubt about it - WASPs are waging a war that they will ultimately lose, those democracy may fall in the process. CRT, in the proper context, could be called Critical Religion Theory. Take a look at the Middle East.
Hello Richard. As you may know CRT is an academic concept that is more than forty years old. Reporters generally follow the language used to explain it. I know of its background as well as the reality of race being a social construct. You have no argument with me or with the reporter. It is a fair number of governors, legislatures, school boards, parents, etc., that I think you may be addressing. I don't know if you care to open this link to see the states where Critical Race Theory is under attack. The map is from 2021, perhaps, a more recent one, if it exists, can be found.
https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/map-where-critical-race-theory-is-under-attack/2021/06
We should also keep in mind that the rapid pace of change is a double-edged sword, and that speed brings both opportunities and challenges...
That is precisely why the MAGAs will never truly get their way, they have lost the willingness/ability to engage in the "messy give-and-take" of enacting effective legislation.
HCR's writing that the changes in our history emerging from such 'messy give and take' merely just 'seems' to be a 'useful thing' to remember in 2024, undestates their importance. It is more than just 'useful.' Those changes, and the 'give and take' that made them possible sets the stage for defining what 'insurrection' as later specified in the 14th Amendment means in today's terms, something the Supreme Court will be considering shortly.
Yes. Lessons learned -hope springs eternal and ways to improve to strengthen the ties that bind...the world needs us . I’m rolling up my sleeves 👍
Abraham Lincoln held that the federal government did not have the power to change slavery in the states. And slavery persisted, in Kentucky and Delaware, for several months after the end of the Civil War, until the ratification of 13th Amendment. By the same token, barring a constitutional amendment, the federal government does not have the power to regulate abortion in the states. It is within the right of each state to decide what constitutes murder.
Breathtaking reveal of the Conservative mind set. Equating the squalid insistence by the 1%.’er Southern plantation aristocracy of the sub-human ranking of African Hostages to employ as free labor and pregnant women as State Objects puts an accurate measure of Schmeeekle’s philosophy.
Especially since the enticing inclusions of importation of humans of 3/5 value is written in the constitution it self but women absent.
The SCOTUS six would probably support that reading that launches women from the same Constitutional Rights that required Amendments to humanize black skinned people.
But steering the Federal Law into a MAGA Matrix will require great and ignorant dexterity.
Yes-the states rights argument is used to support their conservatives' abuses, but they run to SCOTUS to impose their ideas about human life on the entire country. Interpretations of the Constitution is like a roller coaster ride..we have to fasten your seat belts...Will we ever really be the "United" States??
Art Klein, I think you skipped a groove.
Should we also glean from this that democracy sometimes requires war to save it?
Government is messy because human beings are messy. I note that the Israeli Supreme Court has just struck down Netanyahu's move to his version of illiberal democracy. And the world continues on its messy course but we do have little victories and somehow maintain an ability to do better in the longer run.
How uncanny you say that Stephen, that gov't is messy b/c humans are messy. You said a little differently than I did, but the most of the words and essential meaning are right there ↑. I belong to a handful of international fellowships; at meetings of some of those I made the case that government of a free, wholly enabled, independent people such as ours, could Never operate 'like a business." A business has but two essentials principles of operation and existence; profit and loss, foundationally. Government is a construct by humans who are fundamentally "messy." To exist hierarchically among, with, and about "messy humans" , it must also be messy, and nonprofit. The diatribe was longer, but that's the short version. Bravo to you making the same conclusion friend !
A minority is making it messier than they need to. Obstructionism is bad. Conspiring with our foreign enemies to win the election of 2016 was worse. Inciting political violence is evil. I think at this point, when a corrupt SCOTUS, is set to rule on if an admitted insurrectionist kingpin could be on any ballot is as corrupt as it could be. Messy is why we have laws. To see the rule of law forfeited by the GOP. Respectfully, “messy” is not the appropriate description.
Call it what it is Ted; insurrection and treason; 'illegal insurrection and treason' and willful violation of long ago made blood oaths and promises.
I can see the corrupt SCOTUS “threading the needle “ here too, and allowing this treasonous fool to even take office again. Ironic it is championed by the grandson of slaves and his crazy wife.
Yup. Bribes are powerful insurance. But what did we expect? No accountabiliy, no oversight, no ethical code of conduct, no repercussions for ethics failures because no behavior is defined. This election is so important for the Supreme Court’s and our future.
The higher the stakes the more difficult it is to witness.
Well said, Stephen Ranck! We do do better in the longer run. We can make life better for all Americans if we keep trying. The very same Europe we decided not to emulate has given US some good examples. If we can get over exceptionalism, there is hope!
A liberal democracy upholds the right to differ, and what could be more messy than that? It guarantees trouble when it's time to get anything done; though ideally it it combines perspectives for a more just conclusion, than even a well-intentioned elite could cover; and excessive power tends to corrupt. A fair share of power is essential to liberty.
Democracy is easy to ridicule as awkward, as Reagan did, and many people admire how autocrats can move without encumbrance. And even though it is clear that authoritarian regimes, extreme left, right, or theocratic, are nightmare states, it seems that too often the reptile brain responds compulsively to the opportunity to imagine one's self in full control, and dominant over others.
? Where in hades is that "double like" button... ! This > "A liberal democracy upholds the right to differ, and what could be more messy than that"? AND this > "Democracy is easy to ridicule as awkward, as Reagan did, and many people admire how autocrats can move without encumbrance." AND this > ".... seems that too often the reptile brain responds compulsively to the opportunity to imagine one's self in full control, and dominant over others." I just have to affirm yet again JL, I do so admire how your mind works !
I try to take in the "whole" (impossible) picture. I think about (and fail) to grasp the foundational concepts of physics every day. Comprehension means "to grasp" and so much of life eludes that; to literally wrap a one's mind around what cannot be directly experienced. But I'm pretty sure that some rings rule them all, such as the discovery of microorganisms, the discovery of DNA (thank you Rosalind Franklin), the discovery of quantum mechanics. Awareness of some things enables many, many more things. For all of their blinders and faults, the founders thought about things with a long view. They wondered about the future, and making responsible choices. Some of, some of their personal choices were revolting, and yet the Constitution was a masterpiece, even if imperfect, and they knew it was imperfect and said so. The document says so in it''s amendment process. We so need context; the long view, the extended view, to be wise and/or just.
" But I'm pretty sure that some rings rule them all..." We are kindred minds, and perhaps kindred souls JL. I think I've got some pretty good notions about you, and relate and agree more often than differ.
Part of the messiness of government involves the hypocrisy of "Corporate Joe" Biden, whose "loose border" policy ensures an ongoing supply of desperate union-busting sweat-shop wage slaves.
Troll back
...grunted Thugly the Troll, who likes sweat-shop wage slaves
🙄
Yes and I have an original engraving of the emancipation proclamation on my wall that I’m proud of. Now this is what we can all do to save the republic.
Please call, write, email our president and ask him to begin a Fireside Chat as FDR did in the 1930s. Biden needs to project his accomplishments and no one believes he has done well in his 3 years. This message I will repeat ad infinitum. We need to save our democracy. Do this at least one a week or once a month but just do it.
Thank you.
You can submit an email to President Biden at this web address;
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Here’s a copy of the email I just submitted (using the above web address):
“Dear President Biden,
Please please please begin a series of brief fireside chats from the Oval Office to make sure that “the people” are aware of all of the accomplishments you’ve achieved and to point out all issues that should concern all Americans! And to encourage citizens to make sure that they, their families and their friends are registered to vote and that they vote.
Thank you for your awesome leadership!
Happy, Healthy New Year Wishes to you and your family.
More. Hand write a letter.
President Joseph R Biden, Jr
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
I have read that the quickest route to those who need to see it is via email. I believe it states that in the official WH website. I say that as someone who STILL mails many cards and letters out and will continue to do so, even as postage rates increase.
Thank you for expressing this. One person said that I’m being a bit over dramatic. But I would prefer being too much then too little.
I've dropped a handwritten note to him as well. I want to think that his staff might occasionally pull a few to give to him to read. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and I'm sure appreciative notes would mean a lot to him.
I'm 67 and I still love getting mail! I just looked at my calendar; I send out 56 birthday and anniversary cards each year. I also send plenty of cards for other holidays, postcards and even some letters. Even at 70 cents, I consider sending a message this way to be a bargain!
double liked
I just sent mine. Tomorrow I will type a letter because my cursive handwriting is chicken scratch.
YeS, YeS, YeS — I write letters on that site — DIRECTING THEM TO THE PRESIDENT — often. Thank you for encouraging people to do that. I think it should be a common practice!
sent. thanks for the reminder.
I sent an email asking he and his staff to improve on their messaging by using cleverness and for him to be more demonstrative in his delivery . Also asked for something similar to the fireside chat either weekly or bi-monthly.
Done!
Bill, you are so correct. The country needs to hear from Biden often and regularly. He needs to be visible and persuasive. He needs to be able to compete with the constant Trump drum beat.
Hi Bill, I just sent an email to President Biden not ten minutes ago before reading tonight’s LFAA. I plan to do this weekly.
As I and please tell everyone else. Let’s make this grow.
Yes! You’re right. I get constant emails to “rate” his presidency and always give him the high marks he deserves.
Will do.
Great idea, but on what form of media? radio? Tick Tock? Might be tougher to reach the target audience these days.
Excellent point. We could leave it to the administration but I think visual media and let anyone media group, TV, streaming or radio pick it up.
Thank you for the suggestion, Bill!
And now we have republicans screaming for border policies but steadfastly refusing to participate in crafting them. This does not bode well for actual governance. The fact they are holding Ukraine aid hostage to this is even more troubling.
Today's Republicans are the Copperhead Democrats of the Civil War era. And the Confederacy.
One can hear Lindsay Graham licking his chops for the rebirth of the Antebellum. He is not alone.
Will he make attire for that ball from the drapes of democracy? Oh I miss Carol Bernett sometimes.
Profound Fred.
He will probably make attire from drapes like Scarlett O'Hara.
Ransom, a German friend said that he can’t understand having weddings at locations where people were mistreated and seen as nonhuman; he compared our antebellum plantations to Nazi camps. He also pointed out that the Nazis studied the Jim Crow laws for inspiration.
https://www.history.com/news/how-the-nazis-were-inspired-by-jim-crow
Those are facts Mary; all truths. Nazi's intensely studied and borrowed from the Jim Crow laws.
Rachel Maddow claims hitler had a picture of Henry Ford on his wall, and revered. Him. Nazis studied our laws to figure out how we managed to be so evil to black “men” yet hold ourselves out as righteous.
And the maggots still do.
Excellent! Have you read Rachel Maddow’s latest book “Prequel” in which she documents the story from contemporary sources. It’s chilling.
Ultra was as far as I have gotten, and when I finish Democracy Awakening, it is on my next read list. I am way behind because I follow too many Substacks. There's only 29 hours in a day.
Reading "Prequel" now......book club selection for LWV here in AZ.
She nails it.
Virginia- Did you read Rachel Maddow's book-
Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rouge State Russia and the richest, most destructive industry on Earth?
It is truly a page turner. And scary as any horror movie.
Yes and it’s in my bookshelf. I had read a Canadian journalist’s “The Energy of Slaves” some years earlier, so was well prepared for “Blowout.” I cringe every time I see a car ad on TV. I keep asking why we can’t talk climate change, have food and gasoline rationing and price controls, which maybe we get with a Democratic sweep. It’s as bad as “Blowout,” and Republicans don’t even acknowledge climate change. The masses at the border represent that AND overpopulation. If you have children and grandchildren and can’t deal with neighbors, write and go national. THERE IS A PLACE FOR YOU IN THE FIGHT!
Well, I have been to Dachau and it did not look at all like a destination wedding joint. I am trying to respond, but why would you bring that up? Henry Ford was Hitler's idol. Mein Kampf is almost lifted from his Detroit newspaper. I think you totally missed my sarcasm.
Ransom, I got your sarcasm about Graham. I was responding to the sentence “He is not alone”. Throughout the southern states, antebellum mansions are often used for photo shoots and weddings because of, in large part, the romanticizing of slavery. I know of no such romantic view of other sites of human suffering. Haley’s comment and Ron Desantis’ support for downplaying slavery and segregation show that there is still a case being made for a coverup of a rightly shameful chapter in our history.
I read an article some years ago that at a famous plantation in Louisiana tourists were incensed that the slavery side of the plantation was taught. Challenging comfort zones, as we see with the removal of confederate statues, may come down to the death of some of a generation of boomers. It pains me to see some of the younger generations embracing “that old time religion”.
Yes Mary, such opulence has always been the draw for the slight of mind, and in using it that way, it might also be a DENIAL of the effects of slavery. The "learned valuable skills" school of thought. Jim and Tammy Faye are the perfect example and masters of the manipulation of them also.They became wealthy preaching and flaunting the pursuit of wealth to them. Those Southern mansions are replicated all across the country in wealthy suburbias. Those fat wooden Corinthian columns around the porches.
The "He is not alone"s are the fevent money interests behind the orange monster who use the "poor white trash" as their foot soldiers to remake the Confederacy by eliminating our Constitution and resore the Antebellum power structure. I'm sure you see that.
I agree, but I think it was the Dearborn newspaper.
Correct, too many details and buried notes books.
You are quite right.
100% TC!
They want Biden to look like a failure. I guess that’s playing “politics”. It can such a dirty game...
Unethical obstructionism is. R’s consistently put party over country. Puts political donors over regular working American families. It hurts American families. GOP is so lame.
Media needs to do a better job. I wish media was as consistent calling out obstructionism as the R’s are obstructing.
This from the Cato Institute, a conservative, Libertarian think tank.📣
“ New Data Show Migrants Were More Likely to Be Released by Trump Than Biden”
https://www.cato.org/blog/new-data-show-migrants-were-more-likely-be-released-trump-biden
I'd like to come back to your posting for comment Kat; Please remind me if I should forget as I peruse back through this LFAA. Thanks ~
And every night I see a national news segment which shows numbers and problems surrounding immigration, but does get beyond this.
Lincoln was a great leader and a great figure in part, because he could change and grow. And he could feel change when others could not. By the end of the Civil War, 300,000 Black men served in the Union Army, and shortly after its end Congress adopted the Thirteenth Amendment, outlawing slavery--which would have been unthinkable in 1861. That was quickly (in legal and constitutional terms) followed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. True, American turned its back on much of the progress for almost a century, but without what was done during and after the Civil War, the great progress of the Civil Rights movement would have been impossible. Now we can think of another kind of civil rights movement, for democracy and law.
Very astute comment. Thank you.
Jon, hi. I agree. We do have an opportunity, but it at risk of insurrection, again.
Here's Paul Krugman's take on it from an economic perspective mostly -
It’s not a secret — just ask Ulysses S. Grant
Author Headshot
By Paul Krugman
Opinion Columnist
Of course the Civil War was about slavery, and everyone knew it at the time. No, Nikki Haley, it wasn’t about states’ rights, except to the extent that Southern states were trying to force Northern states to help maintain slavery — something that, as I’ll explain in a bit, has echoes in the current fight over abortion rights.
So Haley deserves all the condemnation she received for initially refusing to acknowledge the obvious in a campaign stop last week.
But it may be worth delving a bit deeper into the background here. Why did slavery exist in the first place? Why was it confined to only part of the United States? And why were slaveholders willing to start a war to defend the institution, even though abolitionism was still a fairly small movement and they faced no imminent risk of losing their chattels?
Let me start with an assertion that may be controversial: The American system of chattel slavery wasn’t motivated primarily by racism, but by greed. Slaveholders were racists, and they used racism both to justify their behavior and to make the enslavement of millions more sustainable, but it was the money and the inhumane greed that drove the racist system.
Back in 1970, the M.I.T. economist Evsey Domar published a classic paper titled “The Causes of Slavery or Serfdom: A Hypothesis,” which started with a historical observation that probably surprised most of his readers. Everybody knew that Czarist Russia was a nation where serfs were tied to the land; but Russian serfdom, it turned out, wasn’t an ancient institution dating back to the depths of medieval history. It was, instead, introduced in the 16th and 17th centuries — after gunpowder finally gave peasant infantry the military upper hand over nomadic horse-archers, allowing the Russian Empire to expand into vast, fertile new territories.
As Domar pointed out, there’s little reason to enserf or enslave a worker (not quite the same thing, but let’s leave that aside) if labor is abundant and land is scarce, so that the amount that worker could earn if he ran away barely exceeds the cost of subsistence. But if land becomes abundant and labor scarce, the ruling class will want to pin workers in place, so they can forcibly extract the difference between the value of what workers can produce — strictly speaking, their marginal product — and the cost of keeping them alive.
Hence the rise of serfdom as Russia expanded east, and the rise of slavery as Europe colonized the New World.
In fact, the real historical puzzle is why high wages didn’t always lead to widespread slavery or serfdom. As Domar himself pointed out, serfdom in the West had more or less withered away by around 1300, because Western Europe was overpopulated given the technologies of the time, which in turn meant that landowners didn’t need to worry that their tenants and workers would leave in search of lower rents or higher wages. But the Black Death caused populations to crash and wages to soar. In fact, for a while, real wages in Britain reached a level they wouldn’t regain until around 1870:
FRED
Yet serfdom wasn’t reimposed, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear. One thought, however, is that holding people captive in order to steal the fruits of their labor isn’t easy. (Escaped serfs were a significant issue in Russia, as were escaping and rebelling slaves in America — the Second Amendment was largely about making it easier to hold slaves down. A slave rebellion led in 1848 to emancipation on St. Croix, where President Biden spent his most recent vacation.) Which brings us to the story of the U.S. Civil War.
Labor was scarce in pre-Civil War America, so free workers earned high wages by European standards. Here are some estimates of real wages in several countries as a percentage of U.S. levels on the eve of the Civil War:
Williamson 1995
Notice that Australia — another land-abundant, labor-scarce nation — more or less matched America; elsewhere, workers earned much less.
Landowners, of course, didn’t want to pay high wages. In the early days of colonial settlement, many Europeans came as indentured servants — in effect, temporary serfs. But landowners quickly turned to African slaves, who offered two advantages to their exploiters: Because they looked different from white settlers, they found it hard to escape, and they received less sympathy from poor whites who might otherwise have realized that they had many interests in common. Of course, white southerners also saw slaves as property, not people, and so the value of slaves factored into the balance sheet of this greed-driven system.
So, again, the dynamic was one in which greedy slaveholders used and perpetuated racism to sustain their reign of exploitation and terror.
Because U.S. slavery was race-based, however, there was a limited supply of slaves, and it turned out that slaves made more for their masters in Southern agriculture than in other occupations or places. Black people in the North were sold down the river to Southern planters who were willing to pay more for them, so slavery became an institution peculiar to one part of the country.
As such, slaves became a hugely important financial asset to their owners. Estimates of the market value of slaves before the Civil War vary widely, but they were clearly worth much more than the land they cultivated, and may well have accounted for the majority of Southern wealth. Inevitably, slaveholders became staunch defenders of the system underlying their wealth — ferocious and often violent defenders (remember bleeding Kansas), because nothing makes a man angrier than his own, probably unacknowledged suspicion that he’s actually in the wrong.
Indeed, slaveholders and their defenders lashed out at anyone who even suggested that slavery was a bad thing. As Abraham Lincoln said in his Cooper Union address, the slave interest in effect demanded that Northerners “cease to call slavery wrong, and join them in calling it right.”
But Northerners wouldn’t do that. There were relatively few Americans pushing for national abolition, but Northern states, one by one, abolished slavery in their own territories. This wasn’t as noble an act as it might have been if they had been confiscating slaveholders’ property, rather than in effect waiting until the slaves had been sold. Still, it’s to voters’ credit that they did find slavery repugnant.
And this posed a problem for the South. Anyone who believes or pretends to believe that the Civil War was about states’ rights should read Ulysses S. Grant’s memoirs, which point out that the truth was almost the opposite. In his conclusion, Grant noted that maintaining slavery was difficult when much of the nation consisted of free states, so the slave states in effect demanded control over free-state policies. “Northern marshals became slave-catchers, and Northern courts had to contribute to the support and protection of the institution,” he wrote.
This should sound familiar. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, states that have banned abortion have grown increasingly frantic over the ability of women to travel to states where abortion rights remain; it’s obvious that the right will eventually impose a national abortion ban if it can.
For a long time, the South actually did manage to exercise that kind of national control. But industrialization gradually shifted the balance of power within the United States away from the South to the North:
Statista
So did immigration, with very few immigrants moving to slave states.
And the war happened because the increasingly empowered people of the North, as Grant wrote, “were not willing to play the role of police for the South” in protecting slavery.
So yes, the Civil War was about slavery — an institution that existed solely to enrich some men by depriving others of their freedom. And there’s no excuse for anyone who pretends that there was anything noble or even defensible about the South’s cause: The Civil War was fought to defend an utterly vile institution.
Nicki Haley needs to take your class about the causes of the civil war!😉
But Virginia, there would be one more thing than 'taking her class' she'd have to gain - she'd be required to "accept" what she could learn; acceptance is a bridge too far for many folks - too damn many folks.
I have a beautiful story from one New Year's Eve a couple of years ago. I had attended a wonderful Christmas Eve service at a tiny Black church in the middle of the slum area here in Charleston, SC. The minister invited me to attend their New Year's Eve service, as well. (A New Year's Eve church service? I thought that New Year's Eve was for partying, drinking, etc.) I said I would. I was told that the service is called "Watch Night". I was very curious. When I went, the minister kindly explained to me (everyone else was Black, and already knew), that Watch Night had taken place every New Year's Eve for over 150 years, at least in small Black churches here in the South. He said that when slaves found out that the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed on January 1, 1863, from then on New Year's Eve was a several hour service of celebration that "We were freed!" I was amazed! I remember at the end of the service, everyone turned to the person next to them and said, "We're FREE!!" Not sure what to say, I decided on, "I'm so glad that you're FREE!" It was a powerful and deeply moving celebration.
What an incredible experience to be invited to and experience - thanks for sharing it with us. I hadn’t heard of “Watch Night”.
When we moved from SF area to the south in 2019 my husband and I were disgusted by the Confederate statues we noticed as we explored parts of the coastal area. (Very naive as I look back now) I remarked to him that it would make me feel more hopeful if we could look up and visit sites of the Underground Railroad, as we had found up north in New Hope, PA. (In fact I painted one historical Underground Railroad site along a canal) But unfortunately all of those places had been destroyed (erased) and there were none left to see. I was shocked, but I shouldn’t have been. I didn’t know what I know now.
So important to keep history and the truth alive. Happy New Year to you kdsherpa!
Thank you so much, Lynn! I wish a happy and healthy 2024 to you, as well! I keep learning and learning more about the truth of the ante-bellum South the longer I live here. 42 years and counting. Still much more learning to do. I was here when the Mother Emmanuel massacre occurred in June, 2015. It was horrific. Thankfully some more forward movement was made in racial relations. The John C. Calhoun statue in Marion Square was torn down (it was huge), to the cheers of hundreds of us, and the Confederate flag was FINALLY taken down from the SC Statehouse (despite Nikki's endless waffling). I'll always remember the plan to make a line of people to cross the Ravenel Bridge from Charleston to Mt. Pleasant, 2.7 miles to commemorate the nine saints who were slaughtered during their Bible study. It turned out that there were another mile of people on either side of the bridge! Five miles of people, black and white, all holding hands, singing and talking to one another. It was a deeply moving experience.
How amazing! Gives me hope.
A few months ago, a friend and I revisited an area of the South where I briefly lived as a child. (I live in Illinois now.) Next to an outdoor exhibit about a canal system used prior to the Civil War, we saw a sign about the Underground Railroad. Many of the canal workers were either free or enslaved black men. They would assist people fleeing slavery by concealing them within boat cargo, and by directing them to the next underground "station." It was apparent to both of us that this particular area has not reached real enlightenment (nor have many areas in the North), but we were pleasantly surprised to see this exhibit that included information about the underground railroad.
That is interesting and true Margaret. It is not discussed nor people haven’t been educated about it. And I agree there are certainly “un- enlightened “ folks in the north who are rascist.
I am particularly noticing the impact for here in NC of the power of state laws, especially having moved from CA to NC. The blatant, unapologetic gerrymandering and abortion laws in particular. I was clueless and extremely naive before moving here in 2019 about the fact that different states could create their own very different laws in unbelievably unfair and racist ways. I thought our government made important decisions (Roe v Wade or mask wearing during the Pandemic) and the Civil War was over. Not so.
Since tfg’s election I have been trying to educate myself on so many things from our country’s history that I never learned in school or forgot? And also all the current events and politics I failed to pay enough attention to in the news. I think there is an a lot to make sense of and enlightenment is a never ending journey. I am certainly not there! But I can say I am trying every day to learn more and make a difference where I can now.
Actually the exhibit I saw was in NC. I lived there as a child twice (infancy to 4; then ages 8 to 11), in 1960s. White people were extremely racist at that time, and I, also white, was very aware of these attitudes. It was a time of the Civil War Centennial and "the South will rise again" slogans which both my parents abhorred. My mother was born in NC, in a very small town where her family promoted treating all people kindly. They definitely were still racist since it unfortunately came with the territory at the time, but maybe they retained a more open view from the influence of her maternal grandfather who had moved from Connecticut soon after the Civil War. ("Carpetbagger"?) Since I did not live there as an adult, I am unaware of current politics. I think I witnessed the most overt, outrageous racist attitudes in a Midwestern town where my family moved when I started my junior year of high school. My NC mother was shocked by their attitudes and level of hatred. I was not trying to indicate that racism no longer exists in the South, but that it exists at various levels all over the country. (My "rebellious" reputation has reached the NC town in which I was born. I not treated cordially, and it is why I travelled there with a friend..) There are multiple shameful histories in our country. Look up how many signers of the Declaration of Independence participated in slavery. In order to truly heal, I think we need to review the complexities of history in many regions.
Our entire country is in trouble. I was originally a Jersey girl (for 33 years), then lived in MD, AZ, up and down the coast of CA and now NC. (no, I am not in the military or witness protection program :D) I have seen racism all over. I absolutely agree with you...there is an awful lot (of awful stuff) to learn. I love that you are rebellious Margaret and I think of myself as that way too. It feels hard to be rebellious and safe in this world right now.
Yes, to all! I was not in military either, but moved a lot due to my father's civil engineering profession. (We stayed through the building stage, then movedvon to his next assignment.) It was difficult to move so frequently, but later the experience provided useful perspectives. We lived in Washington State and Alaska, so had West Coast exposure, though not in California. (In Alaska during late 1960's, I so wished to be in California! ) In second half of 1963, we lived in MD, in western Appalachian area, for a six month project. I agree it seems dangerous now to be rebellious (as in thinking independently) but the alternative is not so great either. Hope you find a good comfort zone in NC. Deep thinking people might be understandably reticent to reveal themselves there at first. Good luck!
A beautiful and very moving story.
Thank you, kdsherpa, for the story.
Wow!
Outstanding report, kd. Thanks for posting it here.
The Fifth Amendment barred the federal government from "taking" private property (slaves) without just compensation and even then only for a public purpose. So it basically engrained slavery in the national fabric. That was part of the "Slave Power." The President's only power to address slavery was under War Powers due to the insurrection. Once the insurrection ended, the fear was that the federal government would either have to cooperate in re-enslavement or pay compensation to the South, and that resulted in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, barring property in humans (with an unfortunate loophole). Slavery was a legal status, enforced by Rule of Law, and for a government fighting an insurrection, important to deal with under Rule of Law. The Constitution now contains some countermeasures to insurrection in the 14th Amendment, and the Nation would do well to apply them. Disregard of those countermeasures, as advocated by some of the MAGA party, amounts to doing away with Rule of Law and substituting a mob or insurrectionists for what was a constitutional democracy.
I was reminiscing earlier today about Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee’s statements last year that if Trump doesn’t win in 2024, there’ll be hell to pay.
https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/25/sarah-palin-us-civil-war-donald-trump-prosecutions
https://www.mediaite.com/politics/mike-huckabee-if-trump-doesnt-win-2024-will-be-last-election-decided-by-ballots-rather-than-bullets/
You know, I’m sick of people like Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee threatening all of us with hell and violence if they don’t get their way.
Two shysters that know how to con.
The pro-life gun lobby. sheesh
Why are either one of these idiots relevant? Because his damn fool daughter is freaking governor? In what rational world does that happen?
Well said-your analysis reveals the way that racism has shaped our nation. We do well to acknowledge that it's taken American to the edge of a cliff...
"…a useful thing to remember in 2024."
"The Emancipation Proclamation provided that as of January 1, “all persons held as slaves” anywhere that was still controlled by the Confederate government would be “then, thenceforward, and forever free.”
Historian Richard Hofstadter famously complained that the Emancipation Proclamation had “all the moral grandeur of a bill of lading,” but its legalistic tone reflected that Lincoln was committed to achieving change not by dictating it, which he recognized would destroy our democracy, but by working within the nation's democratic system."
We have a system, a rule of law within a democratic system -- it can be improved but it cannot be discarded. We must persevere with calm strength to preserve what we believe is right and good.
"We have a system, a rule of law within a democratic system"
And yet, Lincoln was a Republican within the democratic system. Pause for one moment and contrast the Republicans of his party then with those of Trump's today. Makes your head spin....
Heather so rightly points out that the political process which lead to the Emancipation Proclamation was hardly a question of black and white. The decades following the war demonstrated in spades that people don't switch and suddenly see the Light. The "North" and the law courts more or less left the unrepentant "South" to its own slavery by another name devices. This has remained pretty much true to this very day, though a mighty amount of change has flowed on under the bridge meantime.
"Historian Richard Hofstadter famously complained that the Emancipation Proclamation had “all the moral grandeur of a bill of lading."
Thing is, a bill of lading gets the cargo where it needs to go quickly, efficiently, and irrevocably. I'd rather have that than language flowers that smell lovely but do nothing. Fortunately for us, Lincoln felt the same.
Thank you, Professor. I feel like I learned a semester of history in your current letter. Exceptional work. Happy new year to you and continued teaching us fellow Americans the truth.
Mike, I frequently have that experience here. Distilling that much into 1200 (give or take) words.
Thank you, Heather, for spelling out history that I never learned in school. However, I wonder if we have lost our ability as a nation to do the necessary "sausage making." Going back to the Trump dicta on immigration rather than finding a way to negotiate a workable compromise feels like a defeat of many of our proclaimed values, most notably the right to apply for asylum. The upcoming budget talks will require flexibility, but will the MAGA demands allow for the necessary give and take? We all know that McCarthy's attempt to keep the government open led to the end of his speakership. It is hard for me to be hopeful right now about the resiliency of our system.
When it’s “hard to Preserve” we have to get to work to preserve it. Each of us can find a way. At 89, I write GOTV postcards as I cannot march as I have since Vietnam and probably did my last demonstration the day after Dobbs. If nothing else you can let your congressperson know your thoughts.
Betsy:
Historian Bruce Catton has a series of books on the civil war which are in paperback and reasonably inexpensive. At 16, I was reading him.
His series, a trilogy he wrote on the Army of the Potomac: Mr. Lincoln's Army (1951), Glory Road (1952), and A Stillness at Appomattox (1953). That may be a good source on the Civil War.
At 16, I was interested in this. At 19 I had enlisted in 68 in the Corps. Maybe it was an influence on me and maybe it was not. The draft was always hanging over our heads.
Thank you for the recommendation. I'm trying to get rid of books rather than buy more, but I'm sure that my library has the whole series. Now all I need is the time...
Relatable; and we in a cracker box sized shamble *of a house. Oy vey
That series was one of my Dad's favorites. I wish I'd taken them when he died...
TCinLA (Tom) takes issue with some of Catton's perspectives on the history and purpose of the Civil War. But, since Catton is a local favorite son, and his sources were local civil war soldiers, I give him the benefit of the doubt. Here's Catton's take on growing up in Northern Michigan:
Waiting for the Morning Train | Wayne State University Press https://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/waiting-morning-train
As I expect you intended, the long view of history you provided today once again gives hope for the future and a reason to work through the current imperfect political system without losing heart. Thank you.
I have a plan.
May MAGA Trump fascists study 📖 our history and reverse their prejudiced Nazi course: Mussolini pouting fascist Donald Trump from racist Queens admires dictators worldwide, fascist Republicans admire grifter tax cheat twice impeached former President Trump, over 70 million sick illiterate prejudiced fascist insecure Americans haven’t or cannot read our history and do not support their Constitution. Now, New Years Day 2024 we know that the election coming will decide if we are to be a constitutional republic with a Bill of Rights or a Trump dictatorship with elections ended. Heather seems to know all this.
Why can she not find the words to condemn white supremacy and Christian nationalism and Trump fascism?
It’s time, Heather. Say it. Yale History Professor Timothy Snyder is not tongue tied. South Carolina’s Indian presidential candidate is unable to say slavery was the topic in our Civil War.
Heather, put your $1 million a year at risk and call it with your white readership.
Courage. Silence is deadly. We are looking at WWII in Europe with Ukraine, in Gaza and Israel with Iran backed Jew hating racists, and in the United States with the Trump movement that threatens our democracy.
Say it, Heather. Let’s hope your readership will grow to EVERY school in America.
Happy New Year, Letters from an American to all Americans.
Every reader can read for free. Now, Heather.
Let’s roll. The Republicans will genuflect when your readership is 300,000,000 - and our history well written saves our democracy and our constitution.
Thanks, Heather.
PS. I want a copy of all this to give to out local library - and - and 100 more to give out to local public schools.
Post the 501(c)3 price, Heather and invite Tim Snyder and a few others to contribute their Substack writings.
I have a plan.
My god SB; you have so much more in common with me than you'll likely ever know. I've braved such fights alone; it ain't pretty brother ! One needs high agency and means, lest they get rolled over, burned, and / or worse ! HCR may yet do those things, in her own time and method. For the time being what she achieves with estimable effort (understatement one of 2024). Putting myself in her shoes, she is first and foremost an educator, not a gladiator by profession; nor a politician. What she does is educate, and is affording us and the world Phd caliber history - as it is, with as little bias as humanly possible for one who's gone beyond mastering certain facts so absolutely, she's convinced of her own opinions, yet in her writing, is able to restrict herself to sharing the 'facts in evidence' in a difficult to assail way by partisans - who will anyway as we and she already knows with certainty. However, for the factual unassailable historical record, has already done her part. Will she do more ? My best educated guess is yes indeed; but after some rest, victory laps, etc., that's all up to her and I shall never call her out for a sliver more or a sliver less. jmho friend
Turns out the hating racists in the Gaza genocide are the American-backed Zionist Jews in the Israeli government and the IDF, and their lackey counterparts here in the U.S. Pathetic in both their hypocrisy and lack of humanity.
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/theyre-calling-ethnic-cleansing-voluntary?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=82124&post_id=140270206&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=eov1&utm_medium=email
“This is a very, very old agenda, being presented as something brand new that is only just occurring to Israeli officials just now. They didn’t just come up with this. It’s been fantasized about for as long as Israel was a twinkle in its founding fathers’ eyes.
This is the real objective in Gaza. Not the “elimination of Hamas” (whatever the hell you want to pretend that would look like in practice), but the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas is not the target in Gaza. Hamas is just the excuse.”
Professor Snyder and the Pitchfork dilemma.
https://open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p/the-pitchfork-ruling?r=5v4jv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Amazing how easy it is to convince oneself of a bald faced lie about Gaza, right, SB? You should be ashamed of yourself, but then, I don’t expect that of the Butcher Bibi, either.
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/i-dont-care-what-religion-the-genocidal?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=82124&post_id=140281463&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=eov1&utm_medium=email
“No matter how many times you bleat the phrase “Blame Hamas”, it will never magically erase Israel’s guilt in raining military explosives on a giant concentration camp full of children.
No matter how many times you accuse Israel’s critics of being anti-semitic, it will never magically erase Israel’s guilt in raining military explosives on a giant concentration camp full of children.
No matter how many times you mention October 7, it will never magically erase Israel’s guilt in raining military explosives on a giant concentration camp full of children.”
Strong letter to follow?
Antisemitism is a disease. Contagious.
There’s no vaccine. 💉
Dead where it matters. In your crowd.
Fascist. And good at it.
The only letter I need - “…. it will never magically erase Israel’s guilt in raining military explosives on a giant concentration camp full of children.“
Your crowd. Fascist. And good at it.
Again, we find ourselves in the position of having to save our democracy. To accomplish that task, reasonable & dedicated citizens must rise to the challenge and vote to keep our treasured form of government and our constitution! There can be no second place trophy in 2024!
Yes. It will require, however, a monumental effort, and if we are lucky enough to win, an equal or greater effort to pass and enforce laws that reduce systemic advantages that white Americans presently have. Well over half of white Americans fiercely oppose any reduction in their systemic advantages. Forcing them to conduct themselves within the new framework will be the work of generations, and that’s only if we win in 2024 and beyond. If we don’t, we’ll have a white Christian fascist government for a very long time.
Not only will we have a “white fascist Christian government” but also we will have an autocracy (dictatorship Putin-style is Trump’s dreame). Do we have the energy to fight that? If not, this is our chance to vote for democracy and keep Democrats in place until we get decent medical care and return to five-day work weeks with vacations with pay. Work hard, everyone!
That’s an odious thought, so let’s commit to doing the hard work necessary to not letting that happen 🙏
Spot on.
Though I'm not sure it would last a very long time. Fascism does not seem to inspire long-term loyalty.