On January 20, 2017, Trump took the oath of office and gave his “American Carnage” speech describing America as a hellscape, and we were off to the races. Trump vowed he would smash norms and boundaries to “drain the swamp.” He filled positions in his administration with political operatives and appointed his son-in-law Jared Kushner to manage so many projects it would have been funny if it weren’t so deadly serious. The policies the administration advanced were usually hastily and poorly conceived; when the courts overturned them, Trump complained of “the Deep State.”
I am beginning my celebration early. I just gave a ❤️ to every post here. I will stop by a truckstop in about an hour, I’m on my way back home on my truck drive work schedule, and I’m going to buy a bag of Reese’s pieces and eat it. I am a health food person, this is not typical behavior. I’m also thinking about swinging by Food 4 Less in South Sacramento and grabbing a bottle of Jager Meister on my way home. We are also not alcohol drinkers. But this is a special occasion.
While I have continued to read HCR's letters over the past few days, I have been remiss about posting anything myself. My "little" brother died on Saturday, and there is a huge hole in my heart. We all have a family story and he was a significant part of mine. I no longer have a verifier, one who can validate or refute my memories.
All this to say, thank you, Heather, for your overview of the past four years, especially one that echoes my own. I wouldn't want them repeated, but I certainly needed to have them chronicled. May we never have to live through anything even vaguely similar. The damage inflicted upon us by 45 and his lackeys will be haunting us for decades to come.
The American Carnage speech seems like it took place yesterday, but his presidency feels as if it has gone on for an eternity.
The most intellectually, morally and dispositionally unfit person who has ever served as President is leaving Washington – hopefully for the last time in any official capacity. If the US Senate can do one thing right, it would be to vote in favor of the Article of Impeachment and ensure Donald Trump will never haunt the halls of government again.
As a Brit in the UK , this is a GREAT day for the USA! Congratulations Mr President Biden.
As Prof HCR will know, her wonderful and much read 'Letters from an American' has a direct genetic forebear in the late Alistair Cooke's 'Letter from America'. This was a weekly 15 minute radio series on life in the US, aired on the BBC in the UK, the Commonwealth and BBC World Service and which ran without interruption from 1946 to 2004. That is a unique record of 58 years, covering 12 US Presidents, from Harry Truman in 1945 to George W Bush , in office in 2004.
Cooke was an Englishman who emigrated to New York as a reporter for the BBC , in 1934. His radio series was universally popular. He died in New York City at the age of 95, a month after his last 'Letter'.
My question for the redoubtable Prof HCR therefore is how long can she keep going.with her 'Letter" ? A daily Letter is a massive task, but a coherent diary from Trump through to the end of Biden'e first term would be a great gift to all those who value that most old fashioned of concepts, the truth.
I'll add my voice to the many telling you how much you've helped us maintain our sanity through 45s nightmare administration. Your ability to calmly synopsize current events and offer us a birds eye view that only a deep knowledge of history can give, has brought order and understanding to these chaotic times. I am forever grateful, and hope you keep up your great work. (5 hours and 10 minutes to go!)
After Joe Biden says, “So help me God,” a little after noon today, I’m going out on my deck with a big steel bowl and a steel spoon and bring them together to make a raucous sound of celebration.
Tomorrow we can survey the wreckage and roll up our sleeves, but today is to celebrate.
Hooray for Joe Biden, hooray for Kamala Harris, and hooray for America!
At this moment I am sitting in bed drinking my first cup of coffee, contemplating what lies ahead. Tears of joy? relief? fill my eyes, and I am comforted in knowing that soon to be steering this grand, but imperfect ship(5 hours!) we call democracy will be the noble, principled Joseph Biden and beside him, his equally gifted partner Kamala Harris.
That said, my reason in writing is to thank you, Heather, for shining your light into my life every day since last spring (yes, I came late to your party). Even on the darkest of days I could count on your daily injection of truth, every morning, like sunshine.
I am so grateful for Letters from an American...and will continue to look forward to your daily insights
A thousand thank you's(well, at least 300+ since I first subscribed),
Trump has continually shown us all who he was, from before he ever entered the race for President. I remember people saying to give him a chance, but it was clear from the start that he would not be bound by the conventions and norms of what was usual, so while I've been shocked by what he has done, I have not been surprised. What has surprised me is the incredible level of sycophantic complicity of the Republican party, coupled with the level of ignorance in the general voting population that kept his support level so high amongst both of those groups.
And after the President and Vice-President are sworn, Kamala in her official capacity as Vice-President will swear in the two new Democratic Senators from Georgia. A black woman, a black man and a Jew are headliners at that ceremony. RBG and John Lewis will be in attendance also approving of the work these three along with a white man will be doing for ALL Americans and those who seek American citizenship. I cannot stop happy dancing.
I'm going to go against my normal, innate pessimism and say the following: In almost exactly 3 1/2 hours, I will be able to say for the first time the words "Madam Vice-President". That is incredibly exciting, and it is a great thing for the country!
until Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 12:00:00 noon (Washington DC, District of Columbia time)
My thoughts this evening/morning go to the new administration about to take office. The memorial ceremony in front of the Lincoln Memorial felt like we had come back to reality and empathy for each other and those we had lost, the 400,00, to COVID-19. We are now free to mourn together, and free to breath the fresh air around us that is announcing that spring was coming after the dead of a dark winter we experienced just two weeks ago with the insurgency at the Capitol. We looked at the 400 lights along the reflecting pool and the lights pointed vertically framing the Washington Monument and felt a twinge in our hearts for a country we love and which we almost lost. This is now Inauguration Day and I can't wait to see what has been planned if this evening is the preamble. Three past Presidents will be at the swearing in, the current Vice President will represent the current administration. The virtual parade, the concert with all the big name performers will be an Inaugural for the People not the few elite. I hoping President Biden's speech will have a signature sentence or two akin to JFK's "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." There is a confidence returning to me that our journey now will allow a better time to blossom and for there to be well-being for ALL the People. One where we value our differences and do the right thing by each other in our pursuits of happiness.
Grateful to be reminded of the PAST. Celebration will begin as the sun rises...a walk in the neighborhood to remind me that working for Biden during the election may be the smartest decision I ever made for my community. Next...school board meetings and City Hall. Democracy did not happen by accident. It must be tended. Oh, and a plate of M ‘n M cookies made with blue M ‘n Ms, a Biden T Shirtb( “Biden and the woman who made Brett Kavanaugh cry”), and I will touch up the blue streaks in my hair Friday.
Good morning everyone! I admit to feeling a wee bit giddy this morning. I heard on Marketplace Morning Report this morning that among the SEVENTEEN executive orders Biden is signing this afternoon is one that rescinds the EO that prevented all of us from teaching about racism, sexism, homophobia, and white supremacy. Hurrah!!! There was quite the discussion in yesterday's post and I am delighted that he put this on top of his To-Do list.
I have many friends and colleagues who are "sorors" in Kappa Alpha Kappa, the sorority that was so influential in Vice President (woo hoo!!!) Harris's time at Howard. This is probably the first time I have been happy about a Greek organization's influence. I hope all of us have peaceful, joyous times today. I will be celebrating with a glass of something tonight--lots of teaching to do today in between dancing in front of the TV.
I am so unsurprised that the Deranged Criminal leaving the WH refused military transport for Biden. It is just the last gasp of a petty disgusting, baby in the guise of a petty disgusting adult. Buh bye--I hope the indictments start raining down at 12:30 PM EST.
Dear Dr. Richardson, thank you, thank you for all the chronicling of Trump’s term and for placing it in context of history. The stain and stench of his time in office will stay with us for some time. The damage even longer. In less than six hours we will have a new administration and the first ever female Vice-President! I know the United States has much work ahead to repair the damage done by Trump and his henchmen and that we must stay vigilant to defend and protect our democracy. Watching and listening to Kamala Harris and Joe Biden at the memorial for the 400,000+ people who have died of COVID19 was beautiful and moving. Presidential speeches, empathy, caring for others. I raise a toast to you, Dr. Richardson, to this community, and to all of us who have a chance to work with our soon to be President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris. 🥂
I am perplexed that everyone skips over Bob Woodward's revelation that Trump knew how bad the coronavirus is in February, 2020 -- but wanted to 'play it down' for the public. I think that Trump's statement to Woodward is on the record, and everyone should know it. It changes how one should describe Trump's year ofnot doing anything about the coronavirus.
I am beginning my celebration early. I just gave a ❤️ to every post here. I will stop by a truckstop in about an hour, I’m on my way back home on my truck drive work schedule, and I’m going to buy a bag of Reese’s pieces and eat it. I am a health food person, this is not typical behavior. I’m also thinking about swinging by Food 4 Less in South Sacramento and grabbing a bottle of Jager Meister on my way home. We are also not alcohol drinkers. But this is a special occasion.
While I have continued to read HCR's letters over the past few days, I have been remiss about posting anything myself. My "little" brother died on Saturday, and there is a huge hole in my heart. We all have a family story and he was a significant part of mine. I no longer have a verifier, one who can validate or refute my memories.
All this to say, thank you, Heather, for your overview of the past four years, especially one that echoes my own. I wouldn't want them repeated, but I certainly needed to have them chronicled. May we never have to live through anything even vaguely similar. The damage inflicted upon us by 45 and his lackeys will be haunting us for decades to come.
The American Carnage speech seems like it took place yesterday, but his presidency feels as if it has gone on for an eternity.
The most intellectually, morally and dispositionally unfit person who has ever served as President is leaving Washington – hopefully for the last time in any official capacity. If the US Senate can do one thing right, it would be to vote in favor of the Article of Impeachment and ensure Donald Trump will never haunt the halls of government again.
Oh, happy days!
As a Brit in the UK , this is a GREAT day for the USA! Congratulations Mr President Biden.
As Prof HCR will know, her wonderful and much read 'Letters from an American' has a direct genetic forebear in the late Alistair Cooke's 'Letter from America'. This was a weekly 15 minute radio series on life in the US, aired on the BBC in the UK, the Commonwealth and BBC World Service and which ran without interruption from 1946 to 2004. That is a unique record of 58 years, covering 12 US Presidents, from Harry Truman in 1945 to George W Bush , in office in 2004.
Cooke was an Englishman who emigrated to New York as a reporter for the BBC , in 1934. His radio series was universally popular. He died in New York City at the age of 95, a month after his last 'Letter'.
My question for the redoubtable Prof HCR therefore is how long can she keep going.with her 'Letter" ? A daily Letter is a massive task, but a coherent diary from Trump through to the end of Biden'e first term would be a great gift to all those who value that most old fashioned of concepts, the truth.
I wish HCR and all her readers a great 2021.
Jonathan Vernon-Hunt
Eastbourne,
East Sussex, UK.
Joffvh@icloud.com
I'll add my voice to the many telling you how much you've helped us maintain our sanity through 45s nightmare administration. Your ability to calmly synopsize current events and offer us a birds eye view that only a deep knowledge of history can give, has brought order and understanding to these chaotic times. I am forever grateful, and hope you keep up your great work. (5 hours and 10 minutes to go!)
After Joe Biden says, “So help me God,” a little after noon today, I’m going out on my deck with a big steel bowl and a steel spoon and bring them together to make a raucous sound of celebration.
Tomorrow we can survey the wreckage and roll up our sleeves, but today is to celebrate.
Hooray for Joe Biden, hooray for Kamala Harris, and hooray for America!
At this moment I am sitting in bed drinking my first cup of coffee, contemplating what lies ahead. Tears of joy? relief? fill my eyes, and I am comforted in knowing that soon to be steering this grand, but imperfect ship(5 hours!) we call democracy will be the noble, principled Joseph Biden and beside him, his equally gifted partner Kamala Harris.
That said, my reason in writing is to thank you, Heather, for shining your light into my life every day since last spring (yes, I came late to your party). Even on the darkest of days I could count on your daily injection of truth, every morning, like sunshine.
I am so grateful for Letters from an American...and will continue to look forward to your daily insights
A thousand thank you's(well, at least 300+ since I first subscribed),
Fred
Trump has continually shown us all who he was, from before he ever entered the race for President. I remember people saying to give him a chance, but it was clear from the start that he would not be bound by the conventions and norms of what was usual, so while I've been shocked by what he has done, I have not been surprised. What has surprised me is the incredible level of sycophantic complicity of the Republican party, coupled with the level of ignorance in the general voting population that kept his support level so high amongst both of those groups.
And after the President and Vice-President are sworn, Kamala in her official capacity as Vice-President will swear in the two new Democratic Senators from Georgia. A black woman, a black man and a Jew are headliners at that ceremony. RBG and John Lewis will be in attendance also approving of the work these three along with a white man will be doing for ALL Americans and those who seek American citizenship. I cannot stop happy dancing.
I'm going to go against my normal, innate pessimism and say the following: In almost exactly 3 1/2 hours, I will be able to say for the first time the words "Madam Vice-President". That is incredibly exciting, and it is a great thing for the country!
0 days, 9 hours, 41 minutes, 1 second
until Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 12:00:00 noon (Washington DC, District of Columbia time)
My thoughts this evening/morning go to the new administration about to take office. The memorial ceremony in front of the Lincoln Memorial felt like we had come back to reality and empathy for each other and those we had lost, the 400,00, to COVID-19. We are now free to mourn together, and free to breath the fresh air around us that is announcing that spring was coming after the dead of a dark winter we experienced just two weeks ago with the insurgency at the Capitol. We looked at the 400 lights along the reflecting pool and the lights pointed vertically framing the Washington Monument and felt a twinge in our hearts for a country we love and which we almost lost. This is now Inauguration Day and I can't wait to see what has been planned if this evening is the preamble. Three past Presidents will be at the swearing in, the current Vice President will represent the current administration. The virtual parade, the concert with all the big name performers will be an Inaugural for the People not the few elite. I hoping President Biden's speech will have a signature sentence or two akin to JFK's "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." There is a confidence returning to me that our journey now will allow a better time to blossom and for there to be well-being for ALL the People. One where we value our differences and do the right thing by each other in our pursuits of happiness.
Grateful to be reminded of the PAST. Celebration will begin as the sun rises...a walk in the neighborhood to remind me that working for Biden during the election may be the smartest decision I ever made for my community. Next...school board meetings and City Hall. Democracy did not happen by accident. It must be tended. Oh, and a plate of M ‘n M cookies made with blue M ‘n Ms, a Biden T Shirtb( “Biden and the woman who made Brett Kavanaugh cry”), and I will touch up the blue streaks in my hair Friday.
Good morning everyone! I admit to feeling a wee bit giddy this morning. I heard on Marketplace Morning Report this morning that among the SEVENTEEN executive orders Biden is signing this afternoon is one that rescinds the EO that prevented all of us from teaching about racism, sexism, homophobia, and white supremacy. Hurrah!!! There was quite the discussion in yesterday's post and I am delighted that he put this on top of his To-Do list.
I have many friends and colleagues who are "sorors" in Kappa Alpha Kappa, the sorority that was so influential in Vice President (woo hoo!!!) Harris's time at Howard. This is probably the first time I have been happy about a Greek organization's influence. I hope all of us have peaceful, joyous times today. I will be celebrating with a glass of something tonight--lots of teaching to do today in between dancing in front of the TV.
I am so unsurprised that the Deranged Criminal leaving the WH refused military transport for Biden. It is just the last gasp of a petty disgusting, baby in the guise of a petty disgusting adult. Buh bye--I hope the indictments start raining down at 12:30 PM EST.
Dear Dr. Richardson, thank you, thank you for all the chronicling of Trump’s term and for placing it in context of history. The stain and stench of his time in office will stay with us for some time. The damage even longer. In less than six hours we will have a new administration and the first ever female Vice-President! I know the United States has much work ahead to repair the damage done by Trump and his henchmen and that we must stay vigilant to defend and protect our democracy. Watching and listening to Kamala Harris and Joe Biden at the memorial for the 400,000+ people who have died of COVID19 was beautiful and moving. Presidential speeches, empathy, caring for others. I raise a toast to you, Dr. Richardson, to this community, and to all of us who have a chance to work with our soon to be President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris. 🥂
I am perplexed that everyone skips over Bob Woodward's revelation that Trump knew how bad the coronavirus is in February, 2020 -- but wanted to 'play it down' for the public. I think that Trump's statement to Woodward is on the record, and everyone should know it. It changes how one should describe Trump's year ofnot doing anything about the coronavirus.
They should call it the Malign Activities Grievance Act, so that the MAGA hats will have a new, more appropriate meaning.
(They are red, which is already fitting.)