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.
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.
OK, I bought the candy. As I was paying for it, the gentleman who took my money has darker skin color than I have. He wished me safe driving. I told him I’m having a good day, and I said, “do you know why?“ And he said yes, because it’s negative 45° today.
YOU GO, DUDE! I have a cheeky sauvignon blanc awaiting me to open tonight...yeah, a white wine which us "libtards" are always accused of savouring. Well, I'm "savouring" watching sanity return to our government today. Your happiness is our happiness. YOU ROCK!! Stay safe!
Best. Pun. Ever. Love it. Thanks, Roland. Me: chocolate splurge. And this weekend, my family and I are having Thai delivered. And somehow, in spite of the fact that it is heading toward zero degrees tonight, I feel ensconced in a special kind of warmth. Relieved of a stress I didn't know was that bad until it fell away.
Thank you Stuart. Driving safely is my life. I wouldn’t dream of cracking that Jager Meister until 9 o’clock, when I plan to be wide awake and celebrating with my wife. YAY DEMOCRACY IN THE USA 🇺🇸 🎉🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🎉🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Oh my goodness you should’ve seen Canoga Park on my way out of LA, not to mention the mountains between LA and Bakersfield (hi Ted! Hi Kevin McCarthy!). Gusts up to 30+ mph, fortunately I had a load in the trailer, that glues you to the road even in a wind. Tumbleweeds, garbage, leaves, dust storms . . .
As it happens, we're having a turkey for dinner tonight, which is not common for us to have except for Thanksgiving. I realized the timing and significance and declared that tonight's turkey dinner was a THANKSGIVING to be sure!
Just reading this Friday. Great post and thread. Yes. Celebrate. A different world now. Same crises but real leadership. Negative 45 is a winner. Lets keep on moving down the road to restore/transform America. Hope you had a good celebration.
I am so impressed that you are able to stay so in tune with everything while you are driving on the road, Roland! Thanks for being part of the circle whilst on the road and keeping America going!
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.
I love your comment “I no longer have a verifier, one who can validate or refute my memories.” I lost my best friend, my sister, 3 years ago and this really describes perfectly part of my heartbreak! I am so sorry!
My deep condolences. I've had a similar loss of family memory and even though several members, now gone, left written stories, those accounts are only paper leaves covered in dead ink. Nothing can compensate for loved ones lost.
May your understandable grief be lifted at not also having to read about the destructive actions of DJT. Peace be with you. It has been a sorrow-filled time. 💙
I, too, send condolences, Rowshan. I am so very sorry for the loss of your brother, your verifier. May you be blessed with comfort in this time of grief.
I send you my heartfelt condolences, Rowshan. I lost both my "little" brothers much too soon, and you just said eloquently something that I remember feeling but had no words for, that "I no longer have a verifier, one who can validate or refute my memories." Peace to you. You're not alone.
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.
Although the pseudo populism disappeared quickly, Tя☭mp's character was out in the clear for all to see from his first speech slandering all Mexicans as criminals and rapists. His history as a bigot and crook had been public in NY for decades. There was a lot of willful blindness from the start.
You know, I cannot help but think of that "carnage speech" and think about 400,000 people who died on his watch because of his intentionally incompetence. Now is seems as if that speech was one of his tasteless but prophetic projections.
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.
Thank you for the reminder. I need to listen to those old shows. I remember Alistair Cooke as the host of Masterpiece Theater. He might be why I chose to marry a Brit. Well, him and the Beatles.
"Cookie-baby" was much loved on PBS. Fabulous "quasi-fireside" style and marvellous voice...over and above the lucidity, perspicacity and ambiant empathy...he cared about the world understanding the real America.
Thank you, Jonathon, Cooke’s perspective must have been fascinating. Quite a long run he had! I’m all for a similar long run with Heather’s Letters and chats if it were possible. 😉
I was once on a plane in the late 70’s and Cooke and his wife were passengers. I couldn’t stop staring at him. I was enamored (still am) with Masterpiece Theater.
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!
Celebration plans: Hubs and I will be out in the yard banging wooden spoons on saucepans. We are in the midst of a 3-day snowstorm, so we'll be wearing tall boots. But I think we'll leave the hats, jackets, and mittens inside. Just us, the deep silence of the snowy woods, and our clamor!
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.
Yes, the craven corruption and dealing-with-the-devil to an extent I never imagined... and I suspect we will learn more about the Russia connection as well. The Deep State does exist, only it’s the one pointing the finger.
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 don't want them to have "agita"--I want them to revel in the expansive quality of care they too will now experience. I consider it "grace-led-coincidence" that this very day my young Black, Transgendered daughter is working with new interns at OU Medical School on physician empathy and awareness in communicating with LGBTQ patients. All for good.
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.
OK, I bought the candy. As I was paying for it, the gentleman who took my money has darker skin color than I have. He wished me safe driving. I told him I’m having a good day, and I said, “do you know why?“ And he said yes, because it’s negative 45° today.
YEAH BABY ‼️ IT’S NEGATIVE 45 TODAY🎉🇺🇸
Your joy brings me joy, Roland 😊
I agree, I have a huge grin on my face! Thanks Roland!
😊🥰
“And he said yes, because it’s negative 45° today.” This is great! Thank you for sharing and enjoy the Jager Meister!!
YOU GO, DUDE! I have a cheeky sauvignon blanc awaiting me to open tonight...yeah, a white wine which us "libtards" are always accused of savouring. Well, I'm "savouring" watching sanity return to our government today. Your happiness is our happiness. YOU ROCK!! Stay safe!
I will have my usual Carlo Rossi Red Wine to celebrate.
Love it! I have my tiny bottle of champagne in the refrigerator ready for my celebration!
Have a safe and joyous day!!!
Perfect plan!
This is a fantastic party post. WooHoo!
Best. Pun. Ever. Love it. Thanks, Roland. Me: chocolate splurge. And this weekend, my family and I are having Thai delivered. And somehow, in spite of the fact that it is heading toward zero degrees tonight, I feel ensconced in a special kind of warmth. Relieved of a stress I didn't know was that bad until it fell away.
OMG Negative 45 today, got to pass that on. Amazing.
🤣🤣🤣
Drive safetly and try to avoid flailing Trumporcs on the road.
Thank you Stuart. Driving safely is my life. I wouldn’t dream of cracking that Jager Meister until 9 o’clock, when I plan to be wide awake and celebrating with my wife. YAY DEMOCRACY IN THE USA 🇺🇸 🎉🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🎉🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
That’s 9 AM Pacific Time, the witching hour of noon at the inauguration.
Take two aspirin before you go to bed. Jager is tough stuff.
I agree Roland and as posted a couple of day ago,"We the People, 2021 All the People!
Avoid them only if they prove a hazard to your vehicle. Otherwise . . . .
Watch out for the wind today! CA seems to be having quite the weather.
35-40 mph winds for D.C. today. Whoosh! Out with the old...In with the new!
Yes, the winds of change, that’s what I’ve been thinking for the last 12 hours
Sending a hug to you, Roland. I am so happy today, I could hug the world!
🥰❤️❤️
Oh my goodness you should’ve seen Canoga Park on my way out of LA, not to mention the mountains between LA and Bakersfield (hi Ted! Hi Kevin McCarthy!). Gusts up to 30+ mph, fortunately I had a load in the trailer, that glues you to the road even in a wind. Tumbleweeds, garbage, leaves, dust storms . . .
Just a physical symbol of all the garbage being swept away ...
But with luck, no more significant fires - and maybe a little rain soon!
From your lips…
And hi Leona‼️ I almost forgot Leona. Leona and Ted are asleep right now
Have one piece for us and a sip or two of Jager!
Done
Way too much Prosecco here but I am SO happy!
I love your infectious joy. And a celebration of Reese's sounds like a good start.
As it happens, we're having a turkey for dinner tonight, which is not common for us to have except for Thanksgiving. I realized the timing and significance and declared that tonight's turkey dinner was a THANKSGIVING to be sure!
I rarely drink but I bought a bottle of organic wine!
GO ELAINE‼️👏👏
Buy two bags of Reese’s Pieces and enjoy that drink!
That’s a tempting thought
I’ll drink to that. ❤️
Go for it, Roland. Sounds like a good plan to me.
Just reading this Friday. Great post and thread. Yes. Celebrate. A different world now. Same crises but real leadership. Negative 45 is a winner. Lets keep on moving down the road to restore/transform America. Hope you had a good celebration.
I am so impressed that you are able to stay so in tune with everything while you are driving on the road, Roland! Thanks for being part of the circle whilst on the road and keeping America going!
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.
I love your comment “I no longer have a verifier, one who can validate or refute my memories.” I lost my best friend, my sister, 3 years ago and this really describes perfectly part of my heartbreak! I am so sorry!
My deepest sympathies to you, too, Deborah -- and my thanks.
My deepest condolences to you and Deborah.
Thank you, Marlene.
I am sorry for your loss, Rowshan. May your brother’s memory be a blessing.
Ditto...
Thank you, Deb!
Thank you, Suzette!
My deep condolences. I've had a similar loss of family memory and even though several members, now gone, left written stories, those accounts are only paper leaves covered in dead ink. Nothing can compensate for loved ones lost.
For sure, Dan! My heartfelt sympathies to you, too!
Rowshan, no need to apologize. We are all grieving with you. And we are glad you're back.
That's very sweet, Linda. My thanks to you!
So very sorry to know that you are mourning your dear brother, Rowshan. I join my voice with all the others here... you are not alone. Take care.
Many, many thanks, Judith!
Blessings, Rowshan.
Thank you, Lynelle! I feel those blessings ❣️
Rowshan, sincere condolences for your loss.
Many, many thanks, Daria❣️
Rowshan, I feel very strongly for you. Such a sibling is a treasure.
Thanks so much, Lindsay❣️
There's nothing to thank, Rowshan. All my best to you!! Lindsay
Rowshan, we send you our deepest sympathy. Hoping your warm memories will carry you through.
How kind, Carla! Thank you!
May your understandable grief be lifted at not also having to read about the destructive actions of DJT. Peace be with you. It has been a sorrow-filled time. 💙
It has, indeed, Marcy! Thank you.
Rowshan, I’m so sorry for your loss of your brother. My condolences to you and your family. Marian
Thanks so very much, Marian!
Rowshan, you're welcome. Take care. Best, Marian
Sincere condolences for your loss.
Thank you, Lynn.
I, too, send condolences, Rowshan. I am so very sorry for the loss of your brother, your verifier. May you be blessed with comfort in this time of grief.
Oh Rowshan, I am so sorry, and I am aching for you and your family. We care and we’re glad you are here. I wish I could give you a hug....
I send you my heartfelt condolences, Rowshan. I lost both my "little" brothers much too soon, and you just said eloquently something that I remember feeling but had no words for, that "I no longer have a verifier, one who can validate or refute my memories." Peace to you. You're not alone.
My deepest sympathies to you, Rowshan.
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!
Heck--the last WEEK has felt like 6 years. Urf.
I think many of us will sleep like babies tonight.
Speaking of American carnage, this story explains the clues from the very beginning. https://apple.news/A4B8_o20lS_WWgAUXdFv5IA
Although the pseudo populism disappeared quickly, Tя☭mp's character was out in the clear for all to see from his first speech slandering all Mexicans as criminals and rapists. His history as a bigot and crook had been public in NY for decades. There was a lot of willful blindness from the start.
You know, I cannot help but think of that "carnage speech" and think about 400,000 people who died on his watch because of his intentionally incompetence. Now is seems as if that speech was one of his tasteless but prophetic projections.
He brought the pain he imagined. His vision was realized, sadly...
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
Hello Jonathan! I believe that HCR has committed to writing these letters for 100 days into President my Biden's term. Fingers crossed!!
I don't know how the "my" slipped in there!!!
He’s my president, my Biden, as well. The last guy was not my president, I would never vote for a Hitler imitator.
Adolf had bigger hands.
Actually if my only choice was DT or Hitler, I think I would have voted for Hitler. A neat thought exercise.
It was one of those joyful "happen-stances". I'm tripping over myself with happy today, too!😉❤
Finger drag... happens all too often!
(Re finger slips: we don't notice those things any more. At least I don't.)
😁 funny!
Thank you for the reminder. I need to listen to those old shows. I remember Alistair Cooke as the host of Masterpiece Theater. He might be why I chose to marry a Brit. Well, him and the Beatles.
Me, too! I waited a long time for Paul McCartney and then gave up for the enchanting Capt. John Adams.
😅
"Cookie-baby" was much loved on PBS. Fabulous "quasi-fireside" style and marvellous voice...over and above the lucidity, perspicacity and ambiant empathy...he cared about the world understanding the real America.
We LOVE Alistair Cooke
Oh yes. Wasn’t he wonderful!?
Thank you, Jonathon, Cooke’s perspective must have been fascinating. Quite a long run he had! I’m all for a similar long run with Heather’s Letters and chats if it were possible. 😉
I love your post, thank you Jonathan
I was once on a plane in the late 70’s and Cooke and his wife were passengers. I couldn’t stop staring at him. I was enamored (still am) with Masterpiece Theater.
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!
Celebration plans: Hubs and I will be out in the yard banging wooden spoons on saucepans. We are in the midst of a 3-day snowstorm, so we'll be wearing tall boots. But I think we'll leave the hats, jackets, and mittens inside. Just us, the deep silence of the snowy woods, and our clamor!
A nice image. Doesn't the bible say something somewhere about making a joyful noise?
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
Amen!
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.
Yes, the sychofancy ( probably not a word) has been breathtaking.
It is now!
Yep—sycophancy, though.
psycho-fantics! New word to use here.
Yes, the craven corruption and dealing-with-the-devil to an extent I never imagined... and I suspect we will learn more about the Russia connection as well. The Deep State does exist, only it’s the one pointing the finger.
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.
Don’t forget a gay man in the cabinet as well. Ought to keep white supremacists up at night for good.
And a trans woman Jewish doctor at a high position in the Dept of Health. That should give some bigots indigestion for months.
I don't want them to have "agita"--I want them to revel in the expansive quality of care they too will now experience. I consider it "grace-led-coincidence" that this very day my young Black, Transgendered daughter is working with new interns at OU Medical School on physician empathy and awareness in communicating with LGBTQ patients. All for good.
That is absolutely wonderful Tommye!!!
My thoughts exactly! I am so thrilled--and I hope they choke on their bile.
Isn’t that something??👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼