Dr. Heather Cox Richardson and herd, enriching solace and call to action here, every day. Rest well, all.
PS: I am an LFAA long-time reader and lurker, a bit intimated by this sagacious and beautifully-knit tapestry of “my people.” Finally subscribed, to more actively wade the waters. Thank you for all you give!
Have to share because it’s been bothering me all day - I marched with my town’s Democratic Committee for our Independence Day parade, and it was great until it wasn’t. We wore our blue Democrat t-shirts and had banners celebrating hometown heroes (that was the theme of the parade) and handed out candy and small flags to little kids. Towards the end of the parade I approached a little girl who was waving at the marchers when her dad (uncle, grandfather, whatever) looks at me unpleasantly and says, “No! We’re not Democrats!” I’m not going to lie - it took me by surprise and I paused. But then I walked up and said, “They’re American flags,” handed the flag to the girl who was unaware of anything else, and continued marching. And I thought as I finished the parade route that the America I loved and was celebrating was not that gentleman’s America. I don’t think he even considered me an American, but as his enemy. And I don’t know how this country heals from that level of hatred and distrust.
Happy birthday, America - and here’s to many more.
From Canada, our best wishes for years ahead in which you see the results of your labours bear fruit. Democracy is exhausting, imperfect, chaotic and uneven; it is even more fatiguing to fight for, as you have so long and ardently, but it remains our best hope for a better world. Thank you and Happy Fourth! Kristin
Thank you HCR! It seems you have even inspired Justice Kagan to steep herself (and by extension, us) in history to make sense of the moment!! I just finished reading her dissent this evening and it feels as though she had both history in mind as well as a writing a rallying cry to those of us across the country who are continuing to fight for voting rights. Sleep well. There is much more yet to do!! 🇺🇸💤🎇
Last night on July 4th, 2021, my wife & I drove home to Friendship from Lincoln after a family reunion weekend. Our route and map took us through central Maine with names fitting our nation's history.
Lincoln, Adams and Jefferson were among President's names that Mainers honored when establishing their communities.
Union, Liberty, Freedom were also names that meant something to early Mainers. Harmony, Industry, Friendship, Unity and Hope were qualities they apparently valued. No one thought to make fun of Hope like "Hopey dopey" which occurred in a 21st century Presidential campaign. These community names had been aspirational.
Many more names were chosen from foreign places like Rome, China, Vienna, Belgrade, Norway, Poland, Naples, Sweden, Denmark and Belfast. Immigrants and immigration, the settlers of these communities, I am sure were being honored.
We also saw the splendor of fireworks rising above some of the communities we passed through. I use the term "communities" because though these villages and towns were eventually incorporated under Maine state laws, they all began and ultimately remain communities with long traditions of coming together to work, play and help each other. "Communism" and "socialism" both rooted in the word and intent of community have and are constantly used by politicians to turn family, friends, neighbors, communities, states and nation against themselves and each other for personal gain. And this probably happened even when theses communities were named. However, on July 4th each year, it would be best for all of us to reflect on these names given long ago, our history, ancestors and original purpose of our communities, to carry ourselves and our nation forward, and for others in the future to keep doing this as well.
May God bless Lincoln, Friendship, Rome and Belfast and every place, people, city, state and country with the sense and purpose of community.
On this 4th of July, I can’t help but wonder if the Champlain Towers are a metaphor for the United States. We know there are deep fissures in the society. The question is whether we will invest in the necessary repairs or…
I am so happy to finally be back in Maine for the summer that I don’t even care that it has been so cold and wet the last few days that we have had to keep the wood stove burning to stay warm. All is good on the coast of Maine.
Thank you, Dr Heather, rest well. Lovely yard! Enjoy all the little things in life, because tomorrow is not guaranteed. Thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously with all of us. You are much loved. ❤
Happy 4th to you! The sun came out here late and we were able to hVe dinner on our deck, with hummingbirds, cardinals, robins, goldfinches, blue jays and the little predator bunnies. Thank you. Dr. R for ALL of your letters time, and care. A better way to see where our history was, and where we are now.
This day in history, 4th of July in 2018, the art of the "wink wink..."
"A group of GOP lawmakers spent July 4 in Moscow after several days of meetings with Russian officials, according to NPR.
The group, which included seven Republican senators and one House member, was the first congressional delegation to visit Russia since the country’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The GOP lawmakers, Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.), Steve Daines (Mont.), John Thune (S.D.), John Kennedy (La.), Jerry Moran (Kan.) and John Hoeven (N.D.), and Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), spent July 4 in Moscow’s U.S. Embassy, NPR reported.
The trip comes amid bilateral planning between the U.S. and Russia for next month’s sit-down between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump has said he will address Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election at the summit, in addition to Russia's military involvement in Syria and Ukraine.
The lawmakers reportedly discussed Russian influence in U.S. elections during their meetings over the past week, but Moran told The Associated Press that every Russian official they spoke to denied the Kremlin's involvement.
The group’s visit coincided with the release of a Senate Intelligence Committee report, which found that Russia backed Trump during the election."
today at the 4th of July Boat Parade in Newport Beach, CA i was chatting with a neighbor who was related to General William Whipple, signatories of the Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire. I looked up his background, and learned he and his brother earned their foru
tune by participating in the Triangle Trade of the West Indies and Africa, with cargo that included enslaved humans. Unlike some of the other Founding Fathers, he abided by the words about All Men Are Created Equal-- wikipedia says " Whipple freed his African servant Prince Whipple when Prince expressed his desire not to fight the British without inducement, but that if he had his liberty, he would 'fight in defense of the country to the last drop of my blood." Believing that no man could fight for freedom and hold another in bondage, General Whipple freed Prince in order that Prince Whipple would join the military. He wrote:
"A recommendation is gone thither for raising some regiments of Blacks. This, I suppose will lay a foundation for the emancipation of those wretches in that country. I hope it will be the means of dispensing the blessings of Freedom to all the human race in America"
Dr. Heather Cox Richardson and herd, enriching solace and call to action here, every day. Rest well, all.
PS: I am an LFAA long-time reader and lurker, a bit intimated by this sagacious and beautifully-knit tapestry of “my people.” Finally subscribed, to more actively wade the waters. Thank you for all you give!
Have to share because it’s been bothering me all day - I marched with my town’s Democratic Committee for our Independence Day parade, and it was great until it wasn’t. We wore our blue Democrat t-shirts and had banners celebrating hometown heroes (that was the theme of the parade) and handed out candy and small flags to little kids. Towards the end of the parade I approached a little girl who was waving at the marchers when her dad (uncle, grandfather, whatever) looks at me unpleasantly and says, “No! We’re not Democrats!” I’m not going to lie - it took me by surprise and I paused. But then I walked up and said, “They’re American flags,” handed the flag to the girl who was unaware of anything else, and continued marching. And I thought as I finished the parade route that the America I loved and was celebrating was not that gentleman’s America. I don’t think he even considered me an American, but as his enemy. And I don’t know how this country heals from that level of hatred and distrust.
Happy birthday, America - and here’s to many more.
From Canada, our best wishes for years ahead in which you see the results of your labours bear fruit. Democracy is exhausting, imperfect, chaotic and uneven; it is even more fatiguing to fight for, as you have so long and ardently, but it remains our best hope for a better world. Thank you and Happy Fourth! Kristin
Running through my mind all day: the last verse of Paul Simon’s American Tune—
“Oh, and it’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright
You can’t be forever blessed,
Still, tomorrow’s going to be another working day and I’m trying to get some rest
That’s all, I’m trying to get some rest.”
Happy 4th, Heather and friends, and rest up! We have good work to do.
Thank you HCR! It seems you have even inspired Justice Kagan to steep herself (and by extension, us) in history to make sense of the moment!! I just finished reading her dissent this evening and it feels as though she had both history in mind as well as a writing a rallying cry to those of us across the country who are continuing to fight for voting rights. Sleep well. There is much more yet to do!! 🇺🇸💤🎇
Last night on July 4th, 2021, my wife & I drove home to Friendship from Lincoln after a family reunion weekend. Our route and map took us through central Maine with names fitting our nation's history.
Lincoln, Adams and Jefferson were among President's names that Mainers honored when establishing their communities.
Union, Liberty, Freedom were also names that meant something to early Mainers. Harmony, Industry, Friendship, Unity and Hope were qualities they apparently valued. No one thought to make fun of Hope like "Hopey dopey" which occurred in a 21st century Presidential campaign. These community names had been aspirational.
Many more names were chosen from foreign places like Rome, China, Vienna, Belgrade, Norway, Poland, Naples, Sweden, Denmark and Belfast. Immigrants and immigration, the settlers of these communities, I am sure were being honored.
We also saw the splendor of fireworks rising above some of the communities we passed through. I use the term "communities" because though these villages and towns were eventually incorporated under Maine state laws, they all began and ultimately remain communities with long traditions of coming together to work, play and help each other. "Communism" and "socialism" both rooted in the word and intent of community have and are constantly used by politicians to turn family, friends, neighbors, communities, states and nation against themselves and each other for personal gain. And this probably happened even when theses communities were named. However, on July 4th each year, it would be best for all of us to reflect on these names given long ago, our history, ancestors and original purpose of our communities, to carry ourselves and our nation forward, and for others in the future to keep doing this as well.
May God bless Lincoln, Friendship, Rome and Belfast and every place, people, city, state and country with the sense and purpose of community.
On this 4th of July, I can’t help but wonder if the Champlain Towers are a metaphor for the United States. We know there are deep fissures in the society. The question is whether we will invest in the necessary repairs or…
I am so happy to finally be back in Maine for the summer that I don’t even care that it has been so cold and wet the last few days that we have had to keep the wood stove burning to stay warm. All is good on the coast of Maine.
Oh to have cold and rainy weather! Good night from the parched Inland Northwest.
Reading the notes to you makes my throat ache and tears well in my eyes. You are a gift to us all, HCR. Rest well.
Thank you, Dr Heather, rest well. Lovely yard! Enjoy all the little things in life, because tomorrow is not guaranteed. Thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously with all of us. You are much loved. ❤
Happy 4th to you! The sun came out here late and we were able to hVe dinner on our deck, with hummingbirds, cardinals, robins, goldfinches, blue jays and the little predator bunnies. Thank you. Dr. R for ALL of your letters time, and care. A better way to see where our history was, and where we are now.
Support companies that "stood up for democracy:"
https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1411332267461558279?s=20
This day in history, 4th of July in 2018, the art of the "wink wink..."
"A group of GOP lawmakers spent July 4 in Moscow after several days of meetings with Russian officials, according to NPR.
The group, which included seven Republican senators and one House member, was the first congressional delegation to visit Russia since the country’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The GOP lawmakers, Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.), Steve Daines (Mont.), John Thune (S.D.), John Kennedy (La.), Jerry Moran (Kan.) and John Hoeven (N.D.), and Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), spent July 4 in Moscow’s U.S. Embassy, NPR reported.
The trip comes amid bilateral planning between the U.S. and Russia for next month’s sit-down between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump has said he will address Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election at the summit, in addition to Russia's military involvement in Syria and Ukraine.
The lawmakers reportedly discussed Russian influence in U.S. elections during their meetings over the past week, but Moran told The Associated Press that every Russian official they spoke to denied the Kremlin's involvement.
The group’s visit coincided with the release of a Senate Intelligence Committee report, which found that Russia backed Trump during the election."
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/395719-gop-senators-visited-moscow-on-july-4
today at the 4th of July Boat Parade in Newport Beach, CA i was chatting with a neighbor who was related to General William Whipple, signatories of the Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire. I looked up his background, and learned he and his brother earned their foru
tune by participating in the Triangle Trade of the West Indies and Africa, with cargo that included enslaved humans. Unlike some of the other Founding Fathers, he abided by the words about All Men Are Created Equal-- wikipedia says " Whipple freed his African servant Prince Whipple when Prince expressed his desire not to fight the British without inducement, but that if he had his liberty, he would 'fight in defense of the country to the last drop of my blood." Believing that no man could fight for freedom and hold another in bondage, General Whipple freed Prince in order that Prince Whipple would join the military. He wrote:
"A recommendation is gone thither for raising some regiments of Blacks. This, I suppose will lay a foundation for the emancipation of those wretches in that country. I hope it will be the means of dispensing the blessings of Freedom to all the human race in America"
Cold and rainy would be nice. Hot and miserably humid here.