I just want to say that because I am generally on top of things now (I was miserably uninformed and unaware, honestly, for most of the years before 2015) , I love that I can pick and choose from so many authors, commentators, and pundits now to help people who are now more interested than ever in learning what's going on. I can send them links and let them choose whose words and approaches resonate most with them ... while at the same time showing all this wonderful concurrence! Dr. Richardson is still the Gold Standard, but one must not jam any one person's work down the throat of a still critical newly blooming learner who might finally be aware they may have been late to the ball, right? So, thanks for another summary that concurs today as I listen to NPR, too. All great stuff!
Being a Christ follower and severely, disabled person, I find it imperative to speak out; loud and clear, of what is exactly at stake in this election. this is what I posted today:
I recently watched The Handmaid's Tale for the first time, and was struck by the similarities of what might happen if the former president were to be reelected and if project 2025 were implemented. I fear we would be in danger of the dystopian tail of the handmaid being brought to fruition, and that all Americans would be in danger of losing the freedoms laid out by our framers in The United States Constitution, and The Declaration of Independence. Our democracy is being threatened, and our rights as "we the people," are already being diminished by a corrupt Supreme Court that has been summarily overturning decades of decided law. I am a Christ follower that is in favor of the separation of Church and State because politicians should not be involved in how we choose to worship or if we choose to worship! Christian Nationalism is a concept that would allow politicians, who are elected officials, to act, with impunity, like power seeking, money-hungry demigods, and that is not what Jesus would want! He invites us, out of love and truth, to freely enter into a relationship with Him.
I urge each of you to educate yourself about the pillars laid out in Project 2025 and Article 47, which I will post links to when I'm finished. Please contemplate how your life would be affected if an authoritarian government were installed, and Christian Nationalism becomes the law of the land. Please vote to protect our democracy!!
This was such an important message, I wish everyone would/could listen to it. I would be embarrassed to admit that democracy doesn't work because it no longer preferences me. Democracy is still trying to open opportunity to all, without preference for color or gender or religion. Donald Trump is the perfect spokesperson for fascism, because fascism is self-interest writ large. The right wing has not learned the basic rule of business and opportunity, that success is not a zero sum game. Rather, the wider the field of opportunity, the more opportunity there is.
Heather I’m a big fan but in this piece I see a disturbing pattern in your presentations: labels.
You refer to opponents of your/our view of a pluralistic society as RIGHT WING Christians. Why add that? As a signifier? It only adds another rut in the well worn tracks (a left one and a right one I suppose…) on the road we are taking further and further away from any sort of constructive evolution of our current schisms. I challenge you to write without them.
Your reportorial style is a breath of oxygen in this national ‘room’ filled with noxious fumes. But the signifiers don’t help me breath any easier.
Perhaps Dr. Richardson is using the signifier “right-wing” to gesture toward the adherents of Christianity who support authoritarian policies such as the 2025 Project, approve the Christo-authoritarian government of V. Orban in Hungary, & view Putin as a stalwart champion of their faith.
This device is useful in order to distinguish this group of Christians from another group of Christians who reject the above. There are plenty in the latter category who are appalled by the Christian Nationalist takeover of the Republican Party. It would be a disservice to paint with “too broad a brush” & include them among the right-wing radicals.
The “rut” of division to which you refer is the difference between a path toward authoritarian oligarchic theocracy & and more democratic, open society.
Feeling very ignorant that I did not think to check if there was a paid option to get more of your content. A podcast! My sister introduced your Substack to me years ago and it has provided great insight and some great pictures!
Hi Beverly, take a look right under the video/audio box - you should see “transcript”. Click on it and you’ll be able to read her report instead. I prefer reading also, but i find the audio very useful when multitasking!
I just want to say that because I am generally on top of things now (I was miserably uninformed and unaware, honestly, for most of the years before 2015) , I love that I can pick and choose from so many authors, commentators, and pundits now to help people who are now more interested than ever in learning what's going on. I can send them links and let them choose whose words and approaches resonate most with them ... while at the same time showing all this wonderful concurrence! Dr. Richardson is still the Gold Standard, but one must not jam any one person's work down the throat of a still critical newly blooming learner who might finally be aware they may have been late to the ball, right? So, thanks for another summary that concurs today as I listen to NPR, too. All great stuff!
Being a Christ follower and severely, disabled person, I find it imperative to speak out; loud and clear, of what is exactly at stake in this election. this is what I posted today:
I recently watched The Handmaid's Tale for the first time, and was struck by the similarities of what might happen if the former president were to be reelected and if project 2025 were implemented. I fear we would be in danger of the dystopian tail of the handmaid being brought to fruition, and that all Americans would be in danger of losing the freedoms laid out by our framers in The United States Constitution, and The Declaration of Independence. Our democracy is being threatened, and our rights as "we the people," are already being diminished by a corrupt Supreme Court that has been summarily overturning decades of decided law. I am a Christ follower that is in favor of the separation of Church and State because politicians should not be involved in how we choose to worship or if we choose to worship! Christian Nationalism is a concept that would allow politicians, who are elected officials, to act, with impunity, like power seeking, money-hungry demigods, and that is not what Jesus would want! He invites us, out of love and truth, to freely enter into a relationship with Him.
I urge each of you to educate yourself about the pillars laid out in Project 2025 and Article 47, which I will post links to when I'm finished. Please contemplate how your life would be affected if an authoritarian government were installed, and Christian Nationalism becomes the law of the land. Please vote to protect our democracy!!
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=edbfdca1dc&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-a:r3553976676311086868&th=190bd37f73625d17&view=att&disp=inline&realattid=f_lynmao2i0
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=edbfdca1dc&attid=0.3&permmsgid=msg-f:1804689768677199108&th=190b8bc86fc94d04&view=att&disp=inline&realattid=f_lynmao2o1
This was such an important message, I wish everyone would/could listen to it. I would be embarrassed to admit that democracy doesn't work because it no longer preferences me. Democracy is still trying to open opportunity to all, without preference for color or gender or religion. Donald Trump is the perfect spokesperson for fascism, because fascism is self-interest writ large. The right wing has not learned the basic rule of business and opportunity, that success is not a zero sum game. Rather, the wider the field of opportunity, the more opportunity there is.
Heather I’m a big fan but in this piece I see a disturbing pattern in your presentations: labels.
You refer to opponents of your/our view of a pluralistic society as RIGHT WING Christians. Why add that? As a signifier? It only adds another rut in the well worn tracks (a left one and a right one I suppose…) on the road we are taking further and further away from any sort of constructive evolution of our current schisms. I challenge you to write without them.
Your reportorial style is a breath of oxygen in this national ‘room’ filled with noxious fumes. But the signifiers don’t help me breath any easier.
Perhaps Dr. Richardson is using the signifier “right-wing” to gesture toward the adherents of Christianity who support authoritarian policies such as the 2025 Project, approve the Christo-authoritarian government of V. Orban in Hungary, & view Putin as a stalwart champion of their faith.
This device is useful in order to distinguish this group of Christians from another group of Christians who reject the above. There are plenty in the latter category who are appalled by the Christian Nationalist takeover of the Republican Party. It would be a disservice to paint with “too broad a brush” & include them among the right-wing radicals.
The “rut” of division to which you refer is the difference between a path toward authoritarian oligarchic theocracy & and more democratic, open society.
I am trying to update my credit card please.
Anne Nichols apnichols88@gmail.com
Feeling very ignorant that I did not think to check if there was a paid option to get more of your content. A podcast! My sister introduced your Substack to me years ago and it has provided great insight and some great pictures!
Wish it were text not video.
All of these letters appear first as text. Look on the main Letters from an American page.
Sorry - you have to click on the box and get it to open in substack first, not just in your email. Then you’ll see the transcript option.
Hi Beverly, take a look right under the video/audio box - you should see “transcript”. Click on it and you’ll be able to read her report instead. I prefer reading also, but i find the audio very useful when multitasking!