Dear HCR -- My wife and I were both born and raised in Maine, both of us spending lots of time hiking and canoeing around the state. I knew some of what you wrote about tonight, but love the more complete history you always provide to me and ALL your readers. -- I would tease my dad (born in MA) that my growing teen independence mirrore…
Dear HCR -- My wife and I were both born and raised in Maine, both of us spending lots of time hiking and canoeing around the state. I knew some of what you wrote about tonight, but love the more complete history you always provide to me and ALL your readers. -- I would tease my dad (born in MA) that my growing teen independence mirrored our interlocking state histories. -- Maine has had an outsized influence on national politics in my lifetime (Margaret Chase Smith, Ed Muskie, William Cohen, George Mitchell, and (sorry to say) Susan Collins). There are too many famous writers to name them all, but among the favorite children's books I read to my daughters were the stories of EB White and Robert McClosky. Very proud of my Maine heritage (we can overlook Benedict Arnold... OK?). For those wanting a more complete list, check out https://www.maine.gov/msl/maine/notables.shtml. -- And I can't end without an appreciation for your Shakespearean malapropism. Maine humor is often understated and underappreciated (especially by my now-groan daughters).
It's possible to respect Benedict Arnold's northern service: leading an army through the Maine wilds to assault Quebec; stopping the British in 1776; and winning at Saratoga in 1777. On balance, his contributions to independence outweighed his failed treachery, though his less-known ravages in CT and VA made him doubly execrable. Tragically, we now have a whole new perspective on him. The dishonor of America's Worst Traitor Ever now goes to the Worst President Ever, responsible for far more death and destruction than even Benedict Arnold.
Absolutely true that Trump is "America's Worst Traitor Ever" (and he is actively trying to secure that place in the record books with his continuing efforts to undermine Democracy in our country).
Unfortunately he gives a voice to quite a few Americans who have racist and fearful ideologies and aspire to the oligarchal model. People like Barr and Hawley and Cruz are using him to the best of their abilities to consolidate power. They purposely feed the lies and fears among the constituents that keep them in power, repeating over and over narratives of the 'Godlessness' and 'communism' of our democratic principles.
Many people have layers in the way their story turns out, don’t they? It’s up to us, often with help from Heather and others (some right here), to sort out what is true and what we want to support into the future. Those our age cannot “fix” everything but with the help of heroes like Stacey Abrams and every neighborhood door knocker or foster child home provider, we CAN keep the doors of democracy open for the next generation to lead through. The common sense open mindedness of my grandchildren and their friends inspires hope in my heart.
Be careful trusting in "common sense". Intuition would be more reliable because it involves the heart. Common sense depends upon rational thought. We can too easily rationalize all ugly and base choices leading to unintended consequences.
I don't, sorry! "Former guy" dismissively relegates him to his rightful place, as deserved. "WPE" strikes me as too fancy an acronym- could be easily assigned a different meaning.
I have wondered if “Donald Trump” will replace “Benedict Arnold” as a phrase indicating the basest of treachery. I hope it does. Even if I truly dislike even reading his name.
Kathy, I hope that Trump becomes like J. Edgar H. A name to bring shivers but not acknowledgement in the future. Even Benedict Arnold had some redeeming qualities.
Dear HCR -- My wife and I were both born and raised in Maine, both of us spending lots of time hiking and canoeing around the state. I knew some of what you wrote about tonight, but love the more complete history you always provide to me and ALL your readers. -- I would tease my dad (born in MA) that my growing teen independence mirrored our interlocking state histories. -- Maine has had an outsized influence on national politics in my lifetime (Margaret Chase Smith, Ed Muskie, William Cohen, George Mitchell, and (sorry to say) Susan Collins). There are too many famous writers to name them all, but among the favorite children's books I read to my daughters were the stories of EB White and Robert McClosky. Very proud of my Maine heritage (we can overlook Benedict Arnold... OK?). For those wanting a more complete list, check out https://www.maine.gov/msl/maine/notables.shtml. -- And I can't end without an appreciation for your Shakespearean malapropism. Maine humor is often understated and underappreciated (especially by my now-groan daughters).
It's possible to respect Benedict Arnold's northern service: leading an army through the Maine wilds to assault Quebec; stopping the British in 1776; and winning at Saratoga in 1777. On balance, his contributions to independence outweighed his failed treachery, though his less-known ravages in CT and VA made him doubly execrable. Tragically, we now have a whole new perspective on him. The dishonor of America's Worst Traitor Ever now goes to the Worst President Ever, responsible for far more death and destruction than even Benedict Arnold.
Absolutely true that Trump is "America's Worst Traitor Ever" (and he is actively trying to secure that place in the record books with his continuing efforts to undermine Democracy in our country).
Unfortunately he gives a voice to quite a few Americans who have racist and fearful ideologies and aspire to the oligarchal model. People like Barr and Hawley and Cruz are using him to the best of their abilities to consolidate power. They purposely feed the lies and fears among the constituents that keep them in power, repeating over and over narratives of the 'Godlessness' and 'communism' of our democratic principles.
Many people have layers in the way their story turns out, don’t they? It’s up to us, often with help from Heather and others (some right here), to sort out what is true and what we want to support into the future. Those our age cannot “fix” everything but with the help of heroes like Stacey Abrams and every neighborhood door knocker or foster child home provider, we CAN keep the doors of democracy open for the next generation to lead through. The common sense open mindedness of my grandchildren and their friends inspires hope in my heart.
Oh gosh - that is so right! The younger generation in my family give me much hope.
Be careful trusting in "common sense". Intuition would be more reliable because it involves the heart. Common sense depends upon rational thought. We can too easily rationalize all ugly and base choices leading to unintended consequences.
WPE—I like that better than former guy.
I don't, sorry! "Former guy" dismissively relegates him to his rightful place, as deserved. "WPE" strikes me as too fancy an acronym- could be easily assigned a different meaning.
I have wondered if “Donald Trump” will replace “Benedict Arnold” as a phrase indicating the basest of treachery. I hope it does. Even if I truly dislike even reading his name.
Kathy, I hope that Trump becomes like J. Edgar H. A name to bring shivers but not acknowledgement in the future. Even Benedict Arnold had some redeeming qualities.
Great pun! Your now “groan” daughters!