A year ago today, Trump had a phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and promised to deliver the money Congress had appropriated for Ukraine's protection against Russian military incursions.
I can't adequately express how much I appreciate your work, how I depend on you to sort through and arrange the many pieces of information and put them into a context.
Thanks seem not enough. I've always been a lover of history but you make it so relevant that I have never appreciated its value as much as I do now. I echo the sentiments of so many of your other followers...your letters and talks are waited for in anticipation daily. They bring such clarity.
Thank you. Rest well...we need you for the long haul.
Thanks so much! I read your letter in the dark on my phone as soon as I wake up every morning. Your voice of sanity and clarity replaces the screaming headlines I used to wake up to: I appreciate the historical perspective you bring to what often seems like imminent disaster.
My morning alarm is set and the routine for this past year is to start with Letters...in the dark...on my phone. It pulls all the confusion into something I can handle with logic. Thank you Prof Richardson. You are a gift.
Same! Wow! It is like we are all waking up and looking for the letter that will start the day! In the same way! I feel so privileged to be wth you all! I only found this place a month ago, I wish I had been here all along!
I cannot imagine the amount of work you’ve dedicated to these letters but I can imagine the impact they’ve had. You’ve done a great service to your readers, to America, to history.
One letter from sometime last winter where you wrote about a conversation with a friend about the National Museum of African American History in D.C. inspired me to visit. My friend and I made the journey from CA at the end of February, right when news of the pandemic was starting to make headlines. We thought about cancelling but we didn’t.
We stayed for 5 days and devoured all that we could - the Supreme Court, Ford’s Theater, Congress, the Washington Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, MLK, the post office, the National Gallery of Art (where I happened upon SCJ Sotomayor entering with her entourage!), Lafayette Park and on the last day, the African American Museum. All free of charge- because it it ours, every monument, building, museum - every success, struggle and failure. America’s history and the history being made belongs to us, all of us.
Cass and I sat in Lafayette Park in the rain while 45 had a “chopper Talk” and we joked that our trip was either a farewell to democracy tour or an effort of fortification. It was the latter, of course.
You are like a best friend. I started reading your daily chronicle shortly after you started, have turned everyone I know onto you, and I look forward to reading your work every night. AND when you need a break or simply post a photo of a lake in Maine, I’m happy knowing you are getting some rest. You are my favorite American. Thank you.
I had followed you in Facebook for maybe two years. The Letters have saved my sanity and I've learned so much. In my little world I counter with the League of Women Voters because I believe if eligible citizen voted in every election we would have something much closer to a perfect union. Your work and the work of other teachers I follow offer me a solid foundation to try and teach civic engagement one person at a time.
And it's been a year of such diligent and amazing effort on your part, as you filter through the daily dross of facts and misinformation and make connections and provide context to your readers, who are SO grateful to you for all that you are doing. I really feel I am better prepared to make decisions and continue researching issues on my own, for having your daily guidance on the breaking news of today and the history that often informs it. Thank you, thank you.
A friend says Trump is the best thing that ever happened to us, because if he hadn't come along, we'd have stayed asleep, thinking everything is fine when it isen't. But he came along and taught us all that the things most important abut this country really are worth fighting and dying for.
I have though the silver lining is that the true nature of ostensibly respectable conservatism has been revealed. We now know and can clearly see the enemy within.
I have to agree. It has been a bad tasting dose of medicine to cure the Nation’s lethargy regarding being governed in a democracy. And all of us have certainly brushed up on our Civics knowledge. (Some lots more than others.)
I cant quite agree that Chimp was the best thing. I wish it hadn't been necessary to have to confront so much that is wrong with in orswr to get better.
You are the first thing I read each morning before I jump into the NYT. You help me get my head screwed on straight before I dive into the harrowing news of the day. Hope you are writing the book. We need to gain perspectives through historical lenses. It’s the only way we can (will?) learn. Thank you for my daily read. Don’t ever stop. Please.
Dear Heather - Between Sarah Cooper for the spot-on satire and you! for the careful analysis of this chaotic world we live in I can take each day knowing that there's a community of people who care. Reading your news summaries and careful opinions make me feel a little safer at night. MUCH respect is due you, and I'm very grateful for your time beyond your teaching responsibilities.
I am so grateful to you for your focus, insight, and for providing a coherent narrative for what otherwise would be a bewildering array of events. Your Letters are a life line! Thank you, Heather.
I, too, gratefulluy start each day with your letter; most of my friends do the same. Even though I live in a small rural community in Northern California, I was fortunate to learn about your letters shortly after you began writing them. Friends told friends who told friends. To say we are grateful for your work is an understatment! Please take good care of yourself; we need you!
It is a great service to your sister and brother Americans, your Country, that you have taken this accounting of events on. We are so grateful for your letter every day. Thank you so much.
I can't adequately express how much I appreciate your work, how I depend on you to sort through and arrange the many pieces of information and put them into a context.
Hear! Hear!
Thanks seem not enough. I've always been a lover of history but you make it so relevant that I have never appreciated its value as much as I do now. I echo the sentiments of so many of your other followers...your letters and talks are waited for in anticipation daily. They bring such clarity.
Thank you. Rest well...we need you for the long haul.
Susan
My deepest gratitude for your efforts and the sacrifices on your time, mental well-being, and sleep.
I would have drowned in anxiety and confusion if I didn’t have your letters.
Thanks so much! I read your letter in the dark on my phone as soon as I wake up every morning. Your voice of sanity and clarity replaces the screaming headlines I used to wake up to: I appreciate the historical perspective you bring to what often seems like imminent disaster.
My morning alarm is set and the routine for this past year is to start with Letters...in the dark...on my phone. It pulls all the confusion into something I can handle with logic. Thank you Prof Richardson. You are a gift.
Same! Wow! It is like we are all waking up and looking for the letter that will start the day! In the same way! I feel so privileged to be wth you all! I only found this place a month ago, I wish I had been here all along!
It is how I start my day too.
First thing I read every morning!
Me too! And when my husband awakens the first thing I say is 'wait until you read Heather!'
On our morning walk "Have you read Heather yet?" 😉
Exactly! Thank you.
Ditto!😁
Me too!
I cannot imagine the amount of work you’ve dedicated to these letters but I can imagine the impact they’ve had. You’ve done a great service to your readers, to America, to history.
One letter from sometime last winter where you wrote about a conversation with a friend about the National Museum of African American History in D.C. inspired me to visit. My friend and I made the journey from CA at the end of February, right when news of the pandemic was starting to make headlines. We thought about cancelling but we didn’t.
We stayed for 5 days and devoured all that we could - the Supreme Court, Ford’s Theater, Congress, the Washington Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, MLK, the post office, the National Gallery of Art (where I happened upon SCJ Sotomayor entering with her entourage!), Lafayette Park and on the last day, the African American Museum. All free of charge- because it it ours, every monument, building, museum - every success, struggle and failure. America’s history and the history being made belongs to us, all of us.
Cass and I sat in Lafayette Park in the rain while 45 had a “chopper Talk” and we joked that our trip was either a farewell to democracy tour or an effort of fortification. It was the latter, of course.
Thank you.
You are like a best friend. I started reading your daily chronicle shortly after you started, have turned everyone I know onto you, and I look forward to reading your work every night. AND when you need a break or simply post a photo of a lake in Maine, I’m happy knowing you are getting some rest. You are my favorite American. Thank you.
Dear Heather,
I had followed you in Facebook for maybe two years. The Letters have saved my sanity and I've learned so much. In my little world I counter with the League of Women Voters because I believe if eligible citizen voted in every election we would have something much closer to a perfect union. Your work and the work of other teachers I follow offer me a solid foundation to try and teach civic engagement one person at a time.
Thank you,
Katherine
Katherine, hooray for the League of Women Voters! Great organization!
I should learn more about them!
And it's been a year of such diligent and amazing effort on your part, as you filter through the daily dross of facts and misinformation and make connections and provide context to your readers, who are SO grateful to you for all that you are doing. I really feel I am better prepared to make decisions and continue researching issues on my own, for having your daily guidance on the breaking news of today and the history that often informs it. Thank you, thank you.
A friend says Trump is the best thing that ever happened to us, because if he hadn't come along, we'd have stayed asleep, thinking everything is fine when it isen't. But he came along and taught us all that the things most important abut this country really are worth fighting and dying for.
I have though the silver lining is that the true nature of ostensibly respectable conservatism has been revealed. We now know and can clearly see the enemy within.
I have to agree. It has been a bad tasting dose of medicine to cure the Nation’s lethargy regarding being governed in a democracy. And all of us have certainly brushed up on our Civics knowledge. (Some lots more than others.)
I cant quite agree that Chimp was the best thing. I wish it hadn't been necessary to have to confront so much that is wrong with in orswr to get better.
Interesting take on the mess we are in, but makes sense😉
You are the first thing I read each morning before I jump into the NYT. You help me get my head screwed on straight before I dive into the harrowing news of the day. Hope you are writing the book. We need to gain perspectives through historical lenses. It’s the only way we can (will?) learn. Thank you for my daily read. Don’t ever stop. Please.
Me, too! And usually your letter is enough -- I don't need the drama
Dear Heather - Between Sarah Cooper for the spot-on satire and you! for the careful analysis of this chaotic world we live in I can take each day knowing that there's a community of people who care. Reading your news summaries and careful opinions make me feel a little safer at night. MUCH respect is due you, and I'm very grateful for your time beyond your teaching responsibilities.
Yes! Heather and Sarah are truly National Treasures!
I am so grateful to you for your focus, insight, and for providing a coherent narrative for what otherwise would be a bewildering array of events. Your Letters are a life line! Thank you, Heather.
Heather is providing a fact based narrative in support of democracy to counter the incendiary othering narrative of the movement conservatives.
Thank you for being so generous with your Incredible knowledge, hard work, and deep wisdom. Rest well!
I thank goodness I found you. Happy 1 year anniversary. Let's see this through together.
Amen!
I, too, gratefulluy start each day with your letter; most of my friends do the same. Even though I live in a small rural community in Northern California, I was fortunate to learn about your letters shortly after you began writing them. Friends told friends who told friends. To say we are grateful for your work is an understatment! Please take good care of yourself; we need you!
It is a great service to your sister and brother Americans, your Country, that you have taken this accounting of events on. We are so grateful for your letter every day. Thank you so much.