I rural Virginia for college, I proved to be a Yankee still fighting the war, Yet there is humorous humanity about Southerners, Black or White, that still brings a smile to my face. 💛
Ned, a couple decades of my youth were misspent in Charlottesville and Lynchburg, VA. My sometime girlfriend, Gail, was the granddaughter of an author who dispatched romance novels from her "farm" (Virginia-ese for a 100-plus-acre estate anchored by a red brick mansion with two-story, white columns across the front).
Gail told of the time she was staying with her grandmother when she was 9 or 10, and entered her grandmother's bedroom where she was seated at her dressing table "putting on her face." On seeing Gail in her mirror, she swirled up from her boudoir bench, swept Gail up and sat her down on the high, tester bed. Grandmother looked piercingly into Gail's eyes and intoned, "Dahlin', YOU are a Virginian, and don't you evah forget it!"
Other favorite Virginia-isms I heard, uttered with absolute conviction:
"The Commonwealth of Virginia was founded to provide the country with presidents."
"The James River flows through Virginia to the coast, where it forms the Atlantic Ocean."
Amen. Take a well deserved day off to celebrate freedom and the right to know our own history, as well as the present. It is always a clear prospective IMO. Happy 4th to all!
I just wish I felt more like celebrating. I do, however, want to give a shout out to that lovely woman waving a "F*k Trump" flag on the corner of 71st and Memorial here in Tulsa on Thursday. The flag was almost bigger than she was!
I've always been a BIG celebrater on the 4th of July, but THIS YEAR, I was doubtful how I felt about celebrating...do we really still have FREEDOM in this country? For some, yes, but unless ALL are FREE then none of us are truly free. WE are ONE people here, and we somehow have got to find our way back to being ONE people, INDIVISIBLE by Trump or any other wannabe DICKtator!
Same here, Michele. In the past couple years or so, it seemed so artificial, lip-synced, desperate to be relevant and tainted by perversion down the street, I didn't really enjoy it. Yesterday, I felt neither the joy nor awe of patriotic celebration. Only foreboding. I stayed inside, taking refuge in the unconditional love and companionship of my dog.
We did likewise. Did some gardening during the day. Drank an excellent peanut butter stout, ate popcorn, and streamed a series. Dog had his thunder vest on and did very well.
Michele, I totally get it. I wasn’t sure I could watch this year, but I did.
Now, I may be imagining it, but I truly thought I saw and heard some subtle undertones of defiance.
There were a couple of people in front of the crowd, in full view of the cameras, holding a large upside-down American flag. It was in many shots.
Many, many shots of people of color, veterans, disabled people, gay couples.
Many references to throwing off tyranny.
And of course the military color guards—beautiful young men and women in crisp, sharp dress uniforms. At one point, after a shot of these proud soldiers, a photo of the pathetic “birthday parade” flashed on the screen, with troops walking out of step and in fatigues serving as a sharp contrast to the perfectly choreographed, pristinely dressed color guards.
I don’t know; maybe I was just seeing it through a jaded lens, but it just seemed…different this year.
These days I consider a "thumbs up" a sign of fascism due entirely to his usage. And always when he has others in the photo, some are copying his sick cloying grin and gesture. I never use the emoji either. Isn't that a sad commentary on life under this regime?
I used to be so proud of my United States, now due to the MAGA Morons , the Orange Disgrace, the tsunami of BUNK, BS & LIES, the replacement of the Justice Department with an Injustice Department, the adoption of Project 2025, the removal of fully qualified public servants with spectacularly unqualified MAGAts given critical jobs only because they are willing to betray the Constitution, the American People, the Rule of Law and glorification of one of the most immoral, corrupt, lying POS to ever live.
The very last time we heard The Orange Disgrace speak the truth was in the Planet Hollywood interview in 2015 where he brags Abour how much he loves to grab women by their private parts and they don't, or can't do anything about it because of his power and wealth.
I wonder if they had legal permission to play it? Trump I recall regularly uses music at his rallies for which he does not have permission to use. In other words he steals the use of those copyrighted material.
Ed, although the National Park Service and the U.S. Army participate, the event is produced by Capitol Concerts, Inc. a non-profit, independent producer of live, patriotic events in association with the Public Broadcasting Service. No presidential administration has any control over the productions.
This production company is scrupulous about acquiring clearances for all non-public-domain material presented.
Thanks, and be that as it may, my original observation that Trump has regularly used music without permission is still true.…
“ Musicians who oppose Donald Trump's use of their music
A major aspect of Donald Trump's presidential election campaigns, in his 2016, 2020, and 2024 campaigns, was unauthorized use of music at his prominent and frequent political rallies. Below are musicians who have voiced opposition to their music being used by Trump at his rallies, or for other political purposes, and the actions they took in response to their music's use.[1][2][3][4]”
This isn’t Trump. This is PBS and the Parks service. And it was a live performance, not a recording, with Mike Love himself. They had permission to play it because it’s their music.
It was a live performance. Mike Love and Bruce Johnston are two of the original members who are in the reconstituted group. I’m sure they had permission to play their music.
Trump and Reagan played recorded music for which they did not obtain permission.
Good Evening to All, Happy Independence Day/Night, etc.
Thank you, JustRaven, for that lovely video.
It is no small tragedy, mixed with the larger tragedies swirling through the very bloodstream of our Republic, that both Brian Wilson and Sylvester Stewart, aka Sly Stone, left us to deal with the beautiful, beautifully fucked up, and beautiful potential of the Great Experiment known as the United States of America, aka to those held in Kafka-esque custody by the most un-American institution of ICE, Los Estados Unidos de America
Thank you for a powerful reminder of what we all should hold dear about the country and the determination of enough of us, hopefully, for the experiment to endure this current ordeal and once again to grow apace.
We have to be organizing for the elections coming2026. They will have learned more ways to inform, mislead, mistakenly lost documents… decided they no longer need elections.. that’s where t gets the idea he’ll be a third term president …the men&boys of Proj25 will have broken all election machines, ballot making apparatus, etc…
Now, everything is too late. He’s got a wheel house full of brains who have been working together for at least 30 years. He just came along, or one of them noted his focus on ‘the deal’ and his ruthless application of that process in every setting. Offered him what he functions well doing/being … pretty simple … find someone who takes instruction well, make the recipes very basic and throw it in the oven.
Yes, I am very frightened. I am reading a novelized history of Trujillo's dictatorshiT from 1930-61. 'The Feast of the Goat' dives into the psyche of a dictator; sounds a lot like Trump. A new S.S. is being developped. We may see a massacre of "invaders"; very frightening. The worst of it is that Vance is likely worse, at least when it comes to dictatorship; I wonder if Reinhard Heydrich had the same personality as Vance.
Dr Richardson, I second J. R.'s commotion; please relax and take more than a day off. The Hellscape will still be around as will we. EDITING P.S., please excuse my rudeness in not expressing appreciation for your choice of music, J. R.
Times are challenging for the United States. We have been through similar, likely graver challenges in the past, starting with the revolution. The risk taken with the Declaration of Independence, though imperfect, still inspires millions around the world. But we can chuckle with that history, too.
Joseph Campbell wrote of the hero's journey. In America, that quest has been less the stuff of myth than of modest virtue. That virtue gives way to sacrifice, often the last full measure of devotion and often unrecorded. Yet just enough citizens of republican virtue do just enough for America to go on.
Old enough to remember the late 1960s, a time of crisis and turmoil and ending in the resignation of a President, I recall Everett Dirksen saying in December 1968, during a show about Valley Forge, that what those men did there simply had to endure -- that we all had to make it endure.
Again, a modest man, ringing with decency stepped into the breach in the middle of a very difficult decade, reminding us that we had a lot to lose separately and a lot more to live for, together, in seeking virtue in ourselves and demanding it of our leaders. Happy Independence Day to us all.
I agree with most everything Abraham Lincoln did and said, but in the 1862 address to Congress when he referred to America as “the last best hope of the Earth,” I think he hit the railroad spike on the head. Translation: no matter what, have faith in your humanity, and don’t back down.
To paraphrase Jimmy Duggan, the Tom Hanks character in “A League of Their Own” (1992 movie), it’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, every species would do it. The ‘hard’ is what makes it great.
But do so many have to suffer so much for so long just for basic human rights. When a few do so little for so much by means of a wrecking ball…so many lessons learned, and forgotten, or tossed aside. Humanities fatal flaw, so much climbing the mountain of progress, then taking that tumble over and over.
Much like Sisyphus, ¿isn't it? Yet Camus -- at least as I understand Camus (highly uncertain) -- taught us that the effort ennobles one with such seemingly impossible tasks. In the end, however, we do progress, at a terrible and unnecessary cost. Trump and his stenchmen proved two axioms.
1st, some are sicker than others.
2nd, some are thicker than others.
For us -- for the good in us -- to prevail, we can not do it alone. We need our friends now more than ever, not to side with our government but to side with us.
None of us were "promised a rose garden," right? We just didn't realize that it falls to every generation to take care of our republic so that we can "keep it," as B Franklin said. This is our day to keep it going!
Is it humanity’s fatal flaw, or is it something else? I don’t think our nature is flawed. I think our “nurture” (the bad things we’ve learned despite our good nature) is flawed. Inherently flawed species quickly go extinct.
I think the potentially fatal flaw is too many people prioritizing unimportant things, and the way to avoid that potential is to place our humanity as the highest priority.
People who understand “being human” treat others the way they would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot even when it is inconvenient. People who prioritize less important things treat others the way they would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot when it is convenient.
In other words, don’t blame the symptom and instead blame the disease.
Wow, James. Of course, I love Canada. Now I know we need Canada. Thank you for your gracious comment, Sir. See you at Dr Lee's soon. EDITING P.S. spliced in.
Friends have stood by us before: "We joyfully honour you as the President, and the Congress with you, for many decisive steps towards practically exemplifying your belief in the words of your great founders, 'all men are created free and equal.'" This letter is worth the read for Americans who fear that Trump and his dash toward dictatorship leave good people alone and isolated. Yet, for us, it is imperative that good Americans -- and the includes our brethren to the North and to the South of us -- act now.
Speaking of my country's greatest leader, I take pleasure in quoting from a letter written by President Lincoln in response to the Manchester missive written by people of common origin and uncommon grace. May its spirit ring forth like a bell of safety in the blackest of darkness. Thank you again, James.
"Under the circumstances, I cannot but regard your decisive utterances upon the question as an instance of sublime Christian heroism which has not been surpassed in any age or in any country. It is indeed an energetic and re-inspiring assurance of the inherent power of truth, and of the ultimate and universal triumph of justice, humanity, and freedom. I do not doubt that the sentiments you have expressed will be sustained by your great nation; and, on the other hand, I have no hesitation in assuring you that they will excite admiration, esteem, and the most reciprocal feelings of friendship among the American people."
Thanks Ned, but why would I go where I'm being ignored by someone complaining about being ignored? I hold absolutely no hard feelings toward her, and I truly admire her phenomenal knowledge and work ethic, but let me know when she's willing to look in the mirror and I'll be there.
Oh, I am sorry, James. I thought you were still in the loop. Well, you and I may disagree about Dr Lee, but I am glad to be acquainted with your high-mindedness.
You observed “ We have been through similar, likely graver challenges in the past,…”
I’m not so sure. We’ve never had a seditionist for president before. And I’m referring to both terms. The difference now is all the preplanning as exemplified by Project25 is making Trump’s second attempted coup much more dangerous.
Good point. Though some might argue that Presidents Pierce and, particularly, Buchanan as well as Vice President Calhoun were close. 🤔 One other point about this situation possibly being as grave as the Civil War: Vance is worse than Trump, who, at least, is obvious and uncouth. 😱 The craven quislings in the Cabinet and Congress make me ill. 🤢
President Jackson was not a traitor. No way. Yes the Trail of Tears was not good, and the President defied the Supreme Court in Worcester versus Georgia, his actions, albeit regionally divisive, were supported by the Congress.
Dang. It’s 6:00 am and tears are rolling down my face. Music often does that to me. And I’m thankful for Brian Wilson having been on this ride with us—his voice, his vision, his sadness, his gifts to us. We all have gifts and sharing them with everyone in this fraught time is our course of action. Heather’s voice and calm presence lead us through the mire. We can’t let go of this fragile democracy we inherited, added to, and now witness being destroyed from within. Let’s continue the work, using the gifts we each have.
Exactly, you need to find peace, knowing we have history on our side. I recognize the pain and frustration on your face and in your voice because I carry the same angst, anger, offense, indignation. How dare these MAGA Morons work to DESTROY our most excellent government under the guise of making America great?
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! "
She spoke four languages, was part of the high parlor company of late 19th Century Gotham City's arts and cultural elite, a friend of Alexander Hamilton's granddaughter, an early Gibson Girl era beauty, and a Poet Extraordinaire.
Yet she died at 38 years old, mostly unknown to the greater American public, to whom she bestowed the poem that is inextricably intertwined with America's most important and most essential public monument.
Emma Lazarus was nothing short of a blazing meteor across our skies, briefly seen, yet forever remembered
I've been wrigting about Jose Marti, the Cuban national hero, in my Spnish lit class. He lived in NY for 15 years but did not become a citizen. Martí attended Walt Whitman's speech on Lincoln in 1887 and wrote "The Walt Whitman Poet." Published in Argentina's La Nación and spread throughout the Spanish-speaking world, he initiated a "cult of Whitman" in Hispanic literature. Whitman was a trancendentalist, open to all cultures. So was Marti.
It's ironic that 3 Cuban Americans vorted with Trump on Friday
Thank you. This might sound odd, but I want to thank you for not wearing elaborate makeup when you deliver intelligent, insightful interviews. It is so refreshingly real.
She's very real. I cherish the image of her sitting comfortably in ordinary winter clothes, opposite President Biden, one each side of a crackling REAL fire, as they quietly ask each other real questions and reply with real answers.
It’s the way it should be. No kings, no royalty, no fawning sycophants, no ghastly, preening, fake-gold, fake-Louis XIV embroidery, fake-President, fake-“businessman” endlessly bragging about himself, recalling fake conversations where men go “sir, sir, big strong men with tears in their eyes…”
I best stop before I make everybody vomit, including me…
That is my first in-person look at HCR, and it blew me away. Smart, strong, composed, and thoughtful. I loved her interview with Biden. And now it seems so long ago—two decent human beings in conversation.
That beautiful flag is marking the spot, the point from which the TRAITORS will swing when they will be held to account for their crimes. A night off was earned many times over, dear Professor. Our love wil prevail.
Barbara, I agree with you to the extent I am against the death penalty.
That said, according to the US Code (18 USC Ch. 115) treason is punishable by death. According to Wikipedia, "[d]eath sentences for treason under the Constitution have been carried out 16 times. The United States executed 15 Taos Revolt insurgents led by Pablo Montoya and Tomás Romero in 1847. The United States executed William Bruce Mumford in 1862 during the Civil War."
It's worth noting that each of the above were so punished as a result of conviction in either a civil trial (Taos Revolt) or military tribunal (Mumford).
Their Constitutional right to due process was preserved.
I am not talking about the death penalty (of which I am adamantly and forever opposed) I am talking about random threats of hanging people. We must, must be the anchor for rationality and the law in this coup. We have to make sure that in opposing them we do not become like them in the methods we use.
The time for trials whether here or in the Hague is in the cards at some point.
Some were hung. I forget how many. The precedent was carefully considered.
It is generally a good idea to take good care of Prisoners of War. It makes it more likely for them to surrender rather than fight to the death. Love, Doc
Of course. My point was more about Veganism. Difficult to get through to conceptually. At some point you realize that there is really nothing more to say and just waste your time. I have nothing against being a vegan, but there is a difficult mind set that keeps discussion of some concepts pointless.
I am adamantly opposed to taking a human life. I am also opposed to the taking the life of any living creature if it can be helped. I understand the need to eat, preserve our safety and other situations we face as humans living in the animal kingdom. There is a wonderful title for a Mary Oliver poem. It is this:
Am going to speak out of both sides of my mouth. Doc and Maggie Baines were my patients for many years and both the sweetest people I have ever known. As a 19 year old Doc killed a man who was carrying on with Maggie. I don't know what the man was doing, but Doc was sentenced to 20 years, not executed, served his time before I knew him.
I did a 3 year study of every Greensboro News and Record looking for false capital convictions. For every one I found, there were 80 people killed/murdered by people who were convicted of a capital crime and not executed, left jail and murdered again. They variously left jail on sentence served, parole, or escaped to kill again. Sad, but true. Love, Doc www.dykers.com
I'm not sure it is strident. The treason we are facing is the greatest this nation has faced since the Civil War (actually, it is an extension of it. Read Heather's book) and had Andrew Johnson not been from a slave state, the leaders of the rebellion would have been excecuted instead of being pardoned. The mainsail yardarm of the USS Constitution has long been referred to as such an appropriate place.
In the small island town I grew up in, the Elks club threw a party every July 4th for anyone who wanted to come. There were boat races on the bay behind the club and a huge barbecue spread with all the fixings. After dark there was a fireworks display. It was where everyone spent their day and evening and it was all free.
It hit me after watching Heather’s Politics Chat from yesterday that since this coup has been in the works for 40 or 80 years (depending on whether you count from Reagan or FDR) I probably won’t live to see the full reversal. I sure hope I live to see some of the current architects go down in 🔥
I have lived long enough to have witnessed so much of it, and have waited for the time when others felt the same trepidation. It is true what some say about things happening slowly, then all at once.
Continue to - Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly.
Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, as well as those in others. Use your voice and make some “good trouble” ❤️🩹🤍💙
Heather - thank you for everything you do. I have learned so much since I began following/reading you. Your wisdom is what we need to cure this ailing country of ours .signed, a Batsie from California.
Perfect! Please enjoy your night off; I wish you gave yourself more nights off despite the never-ending firehose of outrageous news.
You are a national treasure, and greatly respected and beloved by We the People. Take care of yourself... it's a long road ahead.
In fact, editing to add this - "God only knows what I’d be without you." BBC Music presenting Brian Wilson's song, shared by Dan Rather recently:
https://youtu.be/XqLTe8h0-jo
And a perfect comment JustRaven Thank you.
¡Hear, here!
You know, JustRaven, I've been reading your posts for years, and just now got the pun. Thanks :)
Oh crumb, me too, just now! Thank you, Steve Abbott!
Same with me. Finally got through my thick Celtic cranium.
Cary, now I have as well.
Don't feel badly -- it took me thirty years to get the double entendre of the name of Bond bomb-shell, Pussy Galore. Yikes!
As we say in the South, "Oh Ned, bless your heart!" 🤭
I rural Virginia for college, I proved to be a Yankee still fighting the war, Yet there is humorous humanity about Southerners, Black or White, that still brings a smile to my face. 💛
Ned, a couple decades of my youth were misspent in Charlottesville and Lynchburg, VA. My sometime girlfriend, Gail, was the granddaughter of an author who dispatched romance novels from her "farm" (Virginia-ese for a 100-plus-acre estate anchored by a red brick mansion with two-story, white columns across the front).
Gail told of the time she was staying with her grandmother when she was 9 or 10, and entered her grandmother's bedroom where she was seated at her dressing table "putting on her face." On seeing Gail in her mirror, she swirled up from her boudoir bench, swept Gail up and sat her down on the high, tester bed. Grandmother looked piercingly into Gail's eyes and intoned, "Dahlin', YOU are a Virginian, and don't you evah forget it!"
Other favorite Virginia-isms I heard, uttered with absolute conviction:
"The Commonwealth of Virginia was founded to provide the country with presidents."
"The James River flows through Virginia to the coast, where it forms the Atlantic Ocean."
Ned, even I figured that out at age 10 or so... 😊
As I stated elsewhere, some (e.g., me) are thicker than others.😉
Or maybe more honest than others... and probably several other virtues as well. Heck, just seeing your surname puts a smile on my face!
Ditto!!
Amen. Take a well deserved day off to celebrate freedom and the right to know our own history, as well as the present. It is always a clear prospective IMO. Happy 4th to all!
I just wish I felt more like celebrating. I do, however, want to give a shout out to that lovely woman waving a "F*k Trump" flag on the corner of 71st and Memorial here in Tulsa on Thursday. The flag was almost bigger than she was!
I've always been a BIG celebrater on the 4th of July, but THIS YEAR, I was doubtful how I felt about celebrating...do we really still have FREEDOM in this country? For some, yes, but unless ALL are FREE then none of us are truly free. WE are ONE people here, and we somehow have got to find our way back to being ONE people, INDIVISIBLE by Trump or any other wannabe DICKtator!
I couldn't agree more!
The Beach Boys played that song tonight at the Capitol fireworks show. 😊
Aslo, I used to watch the Capitol Fourth, but no longer.
Same here, Michele. In the past couple years or so, it seemed so artificial, lip-synced, desperate to be relevant and tainted by perversion down the street, I didn't really enjoy it. Yesterday, I felt neither the joy nor awe of patriotic celebration. Only foreboding. I stayed inside, taking refuge in the unconditional love and companionship of my dog.
We did likewise. Did some gardening during the day. Drank an excellent peanut butter stout, ate popcorn, and streamed a series. Dog had his thunder vest on and did very well.
Sinner. I watched Wimbledon. love, Doc usually it's fireworks and music on the Charles River in Boston.
Michele, I totally get it. I wasn’t sure I could watch this year, but I did.
Now, I may be imagining it, but I truly thought I saw and heard some subtle undertones of defiance.
There were a couple of people in front of the crowd, in full view of the cameras, holding a large upside-down American flag. It was in many shots.
Many, many shots of people of color, veterans, disabled people, gay couples.
Many references to throwing off tyranny.
And of course the military color guards—beautiful young men and women in crisp, sharp dress uniforms. At one point, after a shot of these proud soldiers, a photo of the pathetic “birthday parade” flashed on the screen, with troops walking out of step and in fatigues serving as a sharp contrast to the perfectly choreographed, pristinely dressed color guards.
I don’t know; maybe I was just seeing it through a jaded lens, but it just seemed…different this year.
Nice there was some defiance. The thumbs up and clapping at the signing was nauseous.
These days I consider a "thumbs up" a sign of fascism due entirely to his usage. And always when he has others in the photo, some are copying his sick cloying grin and gesture. I never use the emoji either. Isn't that a sad commentary on life under this regime?
Michelle, cloying says it all. Sickening. Everything under this regime is sad and awful.
Absolutely it was.
We watched Youtube. Jimmy Cagney, Kate Smith. I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Stan Freberg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOOQfGWt8Hc
Oh my, Kate Smith....brings me back to my childhood.
and tears just remembering her "God Bless America". Love, Doc
I used to be so proud of my United States, now due to the MAGA Morons , the Orange Disgrace, the tsunami of BUNK, BS & LIES, the replacement of the Justice Department with an Injustice Department, the adoption of Project 2025, the removal of fully qualified public servants with spectacularly unqualified MAGAts given critical jobs only because they are willing to betray the Constitution, the American People, the Rule of Law and glorification of one of the most immoral, corrupt, lying POS to ever live.
The very last time we heard The Orange Disgrace speak the truth was in the Planet Hollywood interview in 2015 where he brags Abour how much he loves to grab women by their private parts and they don't, or can't do anything about it because of his power and wealth.
Same.
We always watch Macy's NYC extravaganza...it's ALWAYS spectacular and NO TRUMP viewing!
I wonder if they had legal permission to play it? Trump I recall regularly uses music at his rallies for which he does not have permission to use. In other words he steals the use of those copyrighted material.
Ed, although the National Park Service and the U.S. Army participate, the event is produced by Capitol Concerts, Inc. a non-profit, independent producer of live, patriotic events in association with the Public Broadcasting Service. No presidential administration has any control over the productions.
This production company is scrupulous about acquiring clearances for all non-public-domain material presented.
https://www.capitalconcerts.org
Thanks, and be that as it may, my original observation that Trump has regularly used music without permission is still true.…
“ Musicians who oppose Donald Trump's use of their music
A major aspect of Donald Trump's presidential election campaigns, in his 2016, 2020, and 2024 campaigns, was unauthorized use of music at his prominent and frequent political rallies. Below are musicians who have voiced opposition to their music being used by Trump at his rallies, or for other political purposes, and the actions they took in response to their music's use.[1][2][3][4]”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musicians_who_oppose_Donald_Trump%27s_use_of_their_music
Ed, I just addressed your question. There's no disputing that Trump has used music without permission at every turn.
Good to know!
Trump has NO MORALS, so why not steal an artist's music. He is despicable in EVERY WAY!
This isn’t Trump. This is PBS and the Parks service. And it was a live performance, not a recording, with Mike Love himself. They had permission to play it because it’s their music.
It may not be so simple.
“Iconic Artists Group's Acquisition:
In a deal finalized in 2021, Iconic acquired a controlling stake in the Beach Boys' intellectual property.
What's Included:
The acquisition encompasses sound recordings, the Beach Boys brand, select musical compositions, and memorabilia.” AI generated
It was a live performance. Mike Love and Bruce Johnston are two of the original members who are in the reconstituted group. I’m sure they had permission to play their music.
Trump and Reagan played recorded music for which they did not obtain permission.
Good Evening to All, Happy Independence Day/Night, etc.
Thank you, JustRaven, for that lovely video.
It is no small tragedy, mixed with the larger tragedies swirling through the very bloodstream of our Republic, that both Brian Wilson and Sylvester Stewart, aka Sly Stone, left us to deal with the beautiful, beautifully fucked up, and beautiful potential of the Great Experiment known as the United States of America, aka to those held in Kafka-esque custody by the most un-American institution of ICE, Los Estados Unidos de America
Thank you for a powerful reminder of what we all should hold dear about the country and the determination of enough of us, hopefully, for the experiment to endure this current ordeal and once again to grow apace.
We have to be organizing for the elections coming2026. They will have learned more ways to inform, mislead, mistakenly lost documents… decided they no longer need elections.. that’s where t gets the idea he’ll be a third term president …the men&boys of Proj25 will have broken all election machines, ballot making apparatus, etc…
We’ve gotta stay awake & responsible to our bro & sisters.
No argument there, Carol. In fact, I worry that 2026 may too late.
Now, everything is too late. He’s got a wheel house full of brains who have been working together for at least 30 years. He just came along, or one of them noted his focus on ‘the deal’ and his ruthless application of that process in every setting. Offered him what he functions well doing/being … pretty simple … find someone who takes instruction well, make the recipes very basic and throw it in the oven.
I just saw this video, in which the speaker observes that the I.C.E. budget is larger than Russia's defense budget. https://www.lincolnsquare.media/p/were-not-giving-up-at-lincoln-square
We have become a nation of spend thrifts
I could have guessed this ..as could you, they don’t want their own being slaughtered. They know about Revolution.
Yes, I am very frightened. I am reading a novelized history of Trujillo's dictatorshiT from 1930-61. 'The Feast of the Goat' dives into the psyche of a dictator; sounds a lot like Trump. A new S.S. is being developped. We may see a massacre of "invaders"; very frightening. The worst of it is that Vance is likely worse, at least when it comes to dictatorship; I wonder if Reinhard Heydrich had the same personality as Vance.
Dr Richardson, I second J. R.'s commotion; please relax and take more than a day off. The Hellscape will still be around as will we. EDITING P.S., please excuse my rudeness in not expressing appreciation for your choice of music, J. R.
==== My 4th via a social medium ====
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7347098243979243521/
For y'all not on Linked-ln, the text is below in the reply.
BACK to the BEGINNING; why America is still worth it 04jul25
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Times are challenging for the United States. We have been through similar, likely graver challenges in the past, starting with the revolution. The risk taken with the Declaration of Independence, though imperfect, still inspires millions around the world. But we can chuckle with that history, too.
https://www.tcm.com/video/247463/1776-1972-movie-clip-lees-of-old-virginia (4½ minute video)
Joseph Campbell wrote of the hero's journey. In America, that quest has been less the stuff of myth than of modest virtue. That virtue gives way to sacrifice, often the last full measure of devotion and often unrecorded. Yet just enough citizens of republican virtue do just enough for America to go on.
https://youtu.be/22AVWP9e6tM (2½ minute video)
Old enough to remember the late 1960s, a time of crisis and turmoil and ending in the resignation of a President, I recall Everett Dirksen saying in December 1968, during a show about Valley Forge, that what those men did there simply had to endure -- that we all had to make it endure.
https://www.c-span.org/clip/joint-session-of-congress/user-clip-gerald-ford-on-the-united-states-2minvid/4679797 (2½ minute video)
Again, a modest man, ringing with decency stepped into the breach in the middle of a very difficult decade, reminding us that we had a lot to lose separately and a lot more to live for, together, in seeking virtue in ourselves and demanding it of our leaders. Happy Independence Day to us all.
#Duty #Decency #Celebration #Laughter #Honor #Dissent #Protest #Patriotism
I agree with most everything Abraham Lincoln did and said, but in the 1862 address to Congress when he referred to America as “the last best hope of the Earth,” I think he hit the railroad spike on the head. Translation: no matter what, have faith in your humanity, and don’t back down.
To paraphrase Jimmy Duggan, the Tom Hanks character in “A League of Their Own” (1992 movie), it’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, every species would do it. The ‘hard’ is what makes it great.
But do so many have to suffer so much for so long just for basic human rights. When a few do so little for so much by means of a wrecking ball…so many lessons learned, and forgotten, or tossed aside. Humanities fatal flaw, so much climbing the mountain of progress, then taking that tumble over and over.
Much like Sisyphus, ¿isn't it? Yet Camus -- at least as I understand Camus (highly uncertain) -- taught us that the effort ennobles one with such seemingly impossible tasks. In the end, however, we do progress, at a terrible and unnecessary cost. Trump and his stenchmen proved two axioms.
1st, some are sicker than others.
2nd, some are thicker than others.
For us -- for the good in us -- to prevail, we can not do it alone. We need our friends now more than ever, not to side with our government but to side with us.
Thank you, exactly
The government has not been my stated enemy before. Now it’s government policy
None of us were "promised a rose garden," right? We just didn't realize that it falls to every generation to take care of our republic so that we can "keep it," as B Franklin said. This is our day to keep it going!
Nicely said, strongly said, Mary; thank you. Ma'am.
Is it humanity’s fatal flaw, or is it something else? I don’t think our nature is flawed. I think our “nurture” (the bad things we’ve learned despite our good nature) is flawed. Inherently flawed species quickly go extinct.
I think the potentially fatal flaw is too many people prioritizing unimportant things, and the way to avoid that potential is to place our humanity as the highest priority.
People who understand “being human” treat others the way they would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot even when it is inconvenient. People who prioritize less important things treat others the way they would want to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot when it is convenient.
In other words, don’t blame the symptom and instead blame the disease.
George Washington https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzI_DMDgMd4
Washingto. at Valley Forge,
Fresszing cold and up stood George
Well, that thought is new to me. One worth considering. As always, thank you, James.
Always thought the golden rule was a universal truth. Silly me
Wow, James. Of course, I love Canada. Now I know we need Canada. Thank you for your gracious comment, Sir. See you at Dr Lee's soon. EDITING P.S. spliced in.
https://claylane.uk/copybook/?title=a-letter-to-the-president (Letter from the Trade of Hall of labourers of Manchester, U.K.)
Friends have stood by us before: "We joyfully honour you as the President, and the Congress with you, for many decisive steps towards practically exemplifying your belief in the words of your great founders, 'all men are created free and equal.'" This letter is worth the read for Americans who fear that Trump and his dash toward dictatorship leave good people alone and isolated. Yet, for us, it is imperative that good Americans -- and the includes our brethren to the North and to the South of us -- act now.
https://acws.co.uk/archives-misc-lincoln_letter (President Lincoln's letter to the workers of Manchester, U.K., in response to their letter of three weeks prior.)
Speaking of my country's greatest leader, I take pleasure in quoting from a letter written by President Lincoln in response to the Manchester missive written by people of common origin and uncommon grace. May its spirit ring forth like a bell of safety in the blackest of darkness. Thank you again, James.
"Under the circumstances, I cannot but regard your decisive utterances upon the question as an instance of sublime Christian heroism which has not been surpassed in any age or in any country. It is indeed an energetic and re-inspiring assurance of the inherent power of truth, and of the ultimate and universal triumph of justice, humanity, and freedom. I do not doubt that the sentiments you have expressed will be sustained by your great nation; and, on the other hand, I have no hesitation in assuring you that they will excite admiration, esteem, and the most reciprocal feelings of friendship among the American people."
Thanks Ned, but why would I go where I'm being ignored by someone complaining about being ignored? I hold absolutely no hard feelings toward her, and I truly admire her phenomenal knowledge and work ethic, but let me know when she's willing to look in the mirror and I'll be there.
Oh, I am sorry, James. I thought you were still in the loop. Well, you and I may disagree about Dr Lee, but I am glad to be acquainted with your high-mindedness.
I’m of the same generation. It’s blowing my mind that this is happening. We thought we’d seen the worst. Not even close.
You observed “ We have been through similar, likely graver challenges in the past,…”
I’m not so sure. We’ve never had a seditionist for president before. And I’m referring to both terms. The difference now is all the preplanning as exemplified by Project25 is making Trump’s second attempted coup much more dangerous.
Good point. Though some might argue that Presidents Pierce and, particularly, Buchanan as well as Vice President Calhoun were close. 🤔 One other point about this situation possibly being as grave as the Civil War: Vance is worse than Trump, who, at least, is obvious and uncouth. 😱 The craven quislings in the Cabinet and Congress make me ill. 🤢
Don’t forget Andrew Jackson, of Trail of Tears infamy.
President Jackson was not a traitor. No way. Yes the Trail of Tears was not good, and the President defied the Supreme Court in Worcester versus Georgia, his actions, albeit regionally divisive, were supported by the Congress.
Dang. It’s 6:00 am and tears are rolling down my face. Music often does that to me. And I’m thankful for Brian Wilson having been on this ride with us—his voice, his vision, his sadness, his gifts to us. We all have gifts and sharing them with everyone in this fraught time is our course of action. Heather’s voice and calm presence lead us through the mire. We can’t let go of this fragile democracy we inherited, added to, and now witness being destroyed from within. Let’s continue the work, using the gifts we each have.
Exactly, you need to find peace, knowing we have history on our side. I recognize the pain and frustration on your face and in your voice because I carry the same angst, anger, offense, indignation. How dare these MAGA Morons work to DESTROY our most excellent government under the guise of making America great?
HOW DARE THEY?
We let our flaws give them an opening, including laughing at Trump as such a ridiculous bully.
Thank you JustRaven! I say your comment and link are just perfect! And yes, Heather Cox Richardson is a national treasure.
Thank You!
Yes, perfect! Dr. Richardson is a national treasure.
I hadn’t seen this video. I am moved.
JustRaven. I agree totally. Nice catch with the song. It was also the theme music for the TV series Big Love.
Not what I expected...this was sensational!!! Thanks so much for sharing?
Are you our Rockland Raven?
Ko
May the 4th be with you all!
Nice gentle humor and history all in one 🫶🏼🌾♥️
And purely & surely our one-&-only American culture.
My only Independence Day message today:
My only Independence Day message!
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! "
~ Emma Lazarus
She spoke four languages, was part of the high parlor company of late 19th Century Gotham City's arts and cultural elite, a friend of Alexander Hamilton's granddaughter, an early Gibson Girl era beauty, and a Poet Extraordinaire.
Yet she died at 38 years old, mostly unknown to the greater American public, to whom she bestowed the poem that is inextricably intertwined with America's most important and most essential public monument.
Emma Lazarus was nothing short of a blazing meteor across our skies, briefly seen, yet forever remembered
And our powers that be piss on her words that have given hope to so many, my ancestors and maybe yours,
Keep your lamp burning, Lady Liberty.
Daniel, thanks for this info. Didn't know a thing about Emma Lazarus.
I've been wrigting about Jose Marti, the Cuban national hero, in my Spnish lit class. He lived in NY for 15 years but did not become a citizen. Martí attended Walt Whitman's speech on Lincoln in 1887 and wrote "The Walt Whitman Poet." Published in Argentina's La Nación and spread throughout the Spanish-speaking world, he initiated a "cult of Whitman" in Hispanic literature. Whitman was a trancendentalist, open to all cultures. So was Marti.
It's ironic that 3 Cuban Americans vorted with Trump on Friday
Maybe this, also—
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17ARsZMCB5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
That's a good one.
Thank you, MaryAnn. I needed that.
Thank you. This might sound odd, but I want to thank you for not wearing elaborate makeup when you deliver intelligent, insightful interviews. It is so refreshingly real.
She's very real. I cherish the image of her sitting comfortably in ordinary winter clothes, opposite President Biden, one each side of a crackling REAL fire, as they quietly ask each other real questions and reply with real answers.
It’s the way it should be. No kings, no royalty, no fawning sycophants, no ghastly, preening, fake-gold, fake-Louis XIV embroidery, fake-President, fake-“businessman” endlessly bragging about himself, recalling fake conversations where men go “sir, sir, big strong men with tears in their eyes…”
I best stop before I make everybody vomit, including me…
Well said
It's....you have it....all a veneer, all fake.
No. This is worth saying. We're all sick of it, and you reinforced visuals of why. It is as sickening, unnecessary, and cruel.
When did that happen? Is there a video of it that we can see?
Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Ks3BnFymQ
That is my first in-person look at HCR, and it blew me away. Smart, strong, composed, and thoughtful. I loved her interview with Biden. And now it seems so long ago—two decent human beings in conversation.
I have noticed that too and was glad. In contrast. It is striking the amount of face changing that goes on in the GOP.
That beautiful flag is marking the spot, the point from which the TRAITORS will swing when they will be held to account for their crimes. A night off was earned many times over, dear Professor. Our love wil prevail.
Nope. Nope. Please. If we are to preserve our Democracy we cannot and must not resort to threats of murder. That is the stuff of dictatorships.
Barbara, I agree with you to the extent I am against the death penalty.
That said, according to the US Code (18 USC Ch. 115) treason is punishable by death. According to Wikipedia, "[d]eath sentences for treason under the Constitution have been carried out 16 times. The United States executed 15 Taos Revolt insurgents led by Pablo Montoya and Tomás Romero in 1847. The United States executed William Bruce Mumford in 1862 during the Civil War."
It's worth noting that each of the above were so punished as a result of conviction in either a civil trial (Taos Revolt) or military tribunal (Mumford).
Their Constitutional right to due process was preserved.
I am not talking about the death penalty (of which I am adamantly and forever opposed) I am talking about random threats of hanging people. We must, must be the anchor for rationality and the law in this coup. We have to make sure that in opposing them we do not become like them in the methods we use.
The time for trials whether here or in the Hague is in the cards at some point.
Excuse me. That is not a random threat. It is not a threat at all. Read your history. Pehaps Heather can fill you in on the reference.
Was anyone excecuted after the Nuremberg trials? Would you have a problem with that?
Some were hung. I forget how many. The precedent was carefully considered.
It is generally a good idea to take good care of Prisoners of War. It makes it more likely for them to surrender rather than fight to the death. Love, Doc
Of course. My point was more about Veganism. Difficult to get through to conceptually. At some point you realize that there is really nothing more to say and just waste your time. I have nothing against being a vegan, but there is a difficult mind set that keeps discussion of some concepts pointless.
I am adamantly opposed to taking a human life. I am also opposed to the taking the life of any living creature if it can be helped. I understand the need to eat, preserve our safety and other situations we face as humans living in the animal kingdom. There is a wonderful title for a Mary Oliver poem. It is this:
"How Everything Adores Being Alive"
Am going to speak out of both sides of my mouth. Doc and Maggie Baines were my patients for many years and both the sweetest people I have ever known. As a 19 year old Doc killed a man who was carrying on with Maggie. I don't know what the man was doing, but Doc was sentenced to 20 years, not executed, served his time before I knew him.
I did a 3 year study of every Greensboro News and Record looking for false capital convictions. For every one I found, there were 80 people killed/murdered by people who were convicted of a capital crime and not executed, left jail and murdered again. They variously left jail on sentence served, parole, or escaped to kill again. Sad, but true. Love, Doc www.dykers.com
See "Every WAr Is An UnCivil War" 4th edition Amazon Kindle or Paperback. Love Doc
Thanks for clarifying. I didn't read Ransom Rideout's comment as a threat, but I can see that in its stridency it could be perceived that way.
In the meantime keep up your opposition and stay in "good trouble"
https://goodtroubleliveson.org/?SQF_SOURCE=50501
We are living through a coup. None of us has ever been through anything like this horror. Emotions are high. Thanks for the link!
I'm not sure it is strident. The treason we are facing is the greatest this nation has faced since the Civil War (actually, it is an extension of it. Read Heather's book) and had Andrew Johnson not been from a slave state, the leaders of the rebellion would have been excecuted instead of being pardoned. The mainsail yardarm of the USS Constitution has long been referred to as such an appropriate place.
History is clear. That is why we rely on Heather. Hanging from the mainsail yardarm is reserved for the most agregious treason.
I understand the history. Translating history into modern times has its perils.
Thank you Heather. Such a symbolic picture. Enjoy a restful evening.
You deserve a night off! Thx for all you do in these very difficult times.
In the small island town I grew up in, the Elks club threw a party every July 4th for anyone who wanted to come. There were boat races on the bay behind the club and a huge barbecue spread with all the fixings. After dark there was a fireworks display. It was where everyone spent their day and evening and it was all free.
It hit me after watching Heather’s Politics Chat from yesterday that since this coup has been in the works for 40 or 80 years (depending on whether you count from Reagan or FDR) I probably won’t live to see the full reversal. I sure hope I live to see some of the current architects go down in 🔥
I have lived long enough to have witnessed so much of it, and have waited for the time when others felt the same trepidation. It is true what some say about things happening slowly, then all at once.
Yes! First thing tomorrow -
Continue to - Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly.
Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, as well as those in others. Use your voice and make some “good trouble” ❤️🩹🤍💙
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk
Megan, good to see this again :)
I hope your Fourth had its way of being a reassuring reminder that this Great Experiment in Democracy continues.
And speaking of Rep. John Lewis and "good trouble..."
https://goodtroubleliveson.org/?SQF_SOURCE=50501
Good night and sweet dreams of a brighter day
A brighter day to all of us. Working together, we will make a better world.
❤️🙏
Sleep well, Heather! Happy 4th of July!
I didn’t watch the news…. I watched the show “HAMILTON” instead…
Watched 1776, the musical.
“Sit down, John! Sit down!”
“Someone ought to open up a window!”
“I’m obnoxious and disliked, you know that’s so”
“Rhode Island is in the necessary”
It should be hanging upside down!
Thank you for your gifts, rest easy, Girl.
Spent the day catching up on the gift that is your content. You bring sanity and calm to so many of us! Thank you, Heather.
What we need is to get rid of the present chain of command. The nation is in shackles.
Heather - thank you for everything you do. I have learned so much since I began following/reading you. Your wisdom is what we need to cure this ailing country of ours .signed, a Batsie from California.
That flag should be upside down.