The past week has brought seven mass shootings in the United States. Twenty-two people have been killed and 44 wounded. I’ll have more to say later about our epidemic of gun violence, but tonight, on the night before Thanksgiving, when I traditionally post the story of the holiday’s history, I simply want to acknowledge the terrible sorrow behind tomorrow’s newly empty chairs.
On this day before, my heart yearns for the day when Ukraine too will be able to celebrate a Thanksgiving for a triumphant rejection of - and deliverance from - the evil that resides in the Kremlin today. May we as a nation and civilization dedicated to the principles of equality and justice never flag in our support of their struggle to secure these fundamental values for themselves.
If Americans would only take a moment to imagine what if this was happening in our country. I think the world has grown numb to the daily horrors inflicted upon the Ukrainians, who need more military and other aid. Putin must be stopped once and for all — for the Ukrainians and the rest of the world.
As a great man, Schweitzer said “think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.” …if it doesn’t send you into a spiral of despair
Jeri....agree with your comment. We must not turn from the suffering and despair of others who are missing a loved one from their table today especially due to gun violence.
There are also many who are once again alone due to work-based responsibilies, service in the military, doctors, nurses, pilots, etc, etc......or those simply without family.
With the rise in the price of heating oil, I've been keeping my house at 57-59 degrees, using an electric heater next to my desk and another in the bathroom, and wearing a thick sweater.
But I think of the Ukrainians, so many of them without heat or electricity, in a country that's probably colder in winter than Massachusetts, many of their fellows badly injured or dead, and I realize how fortunate I am.
Not to compare to the genocide that Putin has perpetrated on Ukrainians, as my heart breaks over and over for their suffering, but we have our own slaughtering of innocents going on right here on our own soil. The GOP is attacking and killing innocents whether people want to see it or admit it or not. The GOP is at war with the US of A.
I am finally watching "The US and the Holocaust", not at all surprised at the similarities. It has happened here, and all we need to do is be willing to acknowledge our own history. We did this to the people of this continent as we took it from them for our use, and used the same reasoning, as the PBS program makes clear. Hitler used the American example as a template for the Holocaust. We did it first.
True, although genocide runs deep in course of history. It seems to me that most of our most enduring and pernicious problems are in one way or another a consequence for the all too human capacity for predatory or indifferent sociopathy, and we are fools as a species not to look it in the eye, including in the mirror. Our "Mr. Hyde" may become the proximate cause of our own extinction, along with so many other creatures of the world.
I don't think it is humankind. I think it is our culture, brought with us from Europe, so we could create a culture just like the one we claimed to be escaping, only with us at the top.
On this day we give thankful words as spoken by Dr. Seuss .
From our family to yours.
“It’s a troublesome world. Many of the people who are in it are troubled with troubles almost every minute. You ought to be thankful, a whole heaping lot, for the places and people you’re lucky you’re not.”
Ukrainians hold a mirror up to the rest of us. “How badly do you want democracy to survive?” Neither there nor here are we fighting a conventional war. Their are no rules. We are all needing to change to meet our moment. Many do believe enduringly that some should own and rule oppressively, dismissive-fully over others. They alone should not be ever uncomfortable, inconvenienced, disadvantaged, or vulnerable. But others should be, and not question it. This Thanksgiving finds us still in this fight; bloodied, yes, exhausted, yes. But hopefully resolved to keep fighting against the outrage and perennial hate.
Very thankful that you and your family are moving toward safety. Hopefully we will be able to say the same soon for Ukraine and the people who are still there.
John, Yes!!! Freedom for Ukraine.....but we also know, freedom is a hard fought for ideal and it must continue to be fought for... even after it is attained! We must not be discouraged for Ukraine as we support this country. We must also continue to contribute to freedom for the USA!
A dear friend of mine, an English teacher, is gay. She lives in Colorado with her mate. The following is an excerpt from her email to me on Tuesday, November 22nd.
‘I’ve protested Focus on the Family a couple times, even with students. Colorado Springs sucks. Actually, outside of Denver metro and Boulder, the rest of the state is just like the springs—protect their guns and so-called religious freedom more than any issue. Ridiculous. They are just acting sad; they don’t see LBGTQ folks as anything but demons who are trying to groom kids.’
‘Yesterday my principal texted me to see if we were ok and to express how glad she is I work at our school.’
‘M. and I are heading down to Club Q on Thursday to pay our respects. Always been hard for me to celebrate a fake holiday like T-giving. Sure, let’s eat together before we decimate your cultures and slay your people.’
***
'Focus on the Family (FOTF or FotF) is a fundamentalist Protestant[3] organization founded in 1977 in Southern California by James Dobson, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[4] The group is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s. As of the 2017 tax filing year, Focus on the Family declared itself to be a church, "primarily to protect the confidentiality of our donors." Traditionally, entities considered churches have been ones that have regular worship services and congregants.'
'It most prominently lobbies against LGBT rights — including those related to marriage, adoption, and parenting — labeling it a "particularly evil lie of Satan".[6][7] Focus on the Family has been criticized by psychiatrists, psychologists, and social scientists for misrepresenting their research in order to bolster its religious ideology and political agenda, as well as for their anti-LGBT views.[8] The organization also seeks to change public policy in the areas of sex education, creationism, abortion, state-sponsored school prayer, gambling, drugs, and enforcement of their interpretation of proper gender roles.'(Wikipedia)
I will email today’s Letter to my friend after I post this comment. That Thanksgiving was born in a time of violence: the Civil War, is one of several key events that my friend and her friends will think about after reading this letter. Another will be Lincoln’s sense of how the meaning of Thanksgiving would connect Americans and cement their commitment to American Democracy.
It is one of HCR’s gifts that she can relate the Southern leaders’ efforts ‘…to destroy the United States of America and create their own country…,” based on the conviction ‘… that some men were better than others and had the right to enslave their neighbors’ while threading Lincoln rallying of the American people with the National Day of Thanksgiving each year during war.
‘After two years of disasters, the Union army was finally winning. Bloody, yes; battered, yes; but winning.’. President Lincoln declared a second National Day of Thanksgiving. ‘In the past year, he declared, the nation had been blessed. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, he wrote, Americans had maintained their laws and their institutions and had kept foreign countries from meddling with their nation.’ (Letter)
'The following year, Lincoln proclaimed another day of Thanksgiving, this time congratulating Americans that God had favored them not only with immigration but also with the emancipation of formerly enslaved people. “Moreover,” Lincoln wrote, “He has been pleased to animate and inspire our minds and hearts with fortitude, courage, and resolution sufficient for the great trial of civil war into which we have been brought by our adherence as a nation to the cause of freedom and humanity, and to afford to us reasonable hopes of an ultimate and happy deliverance from all our dangers and afflictions.” (Letter)
We accompanied Lincoln and the American people through the blood and sacrifice of the Civil War leading to victory: the emancipation of former slaves. In many ways we are back to the past reliving the efforts on the part of the Republican Party and Dark Money to destroy our government in the interest of a very few Whites. Today’s letter was a call to our resolve and fortitude, while providing, at least for me, a much deeper sense of Thanksgiving as holiday for connecting with our compatriots.
Thankfulness - gratitude - is a value. Values unite us, and hopefully animate our thoughts and actions to express the highest truths ("Better Angels", Lincoln called them) we can conceive of about ourselves and each other. Gratitude for all I have - family, friends (in this forum, too), home, community - all that connect me to the better angels of this world, that is what I value today. Celebrate with love.
Lived in COS in the late 90's - Saw the building up of that group Focus on the Family (Should of been called Focus on stealing your money and freedoms). seeing the same now in north texas - fool born every minute........
The Springs is such a center for military installations that I can imagine how difficult it must be for you to reside there. It is endlessly contrary to the very idea of military service is to protect liberty and justice for all, and the irony of the political views there is not lost on me. Yet I recognize how doubly hard it must be for you. In this moment of sadness, there is hope for change. Out here in in the huge expanse of CD3 (I’m in Durango, a blue county), we almost unseated bobo the Barbie psycho, and Frisch conceded with grace. He’ll be back and in two years. In the meantime, know that you are not alone and that others here in Colorado are beside you.
I have a really difficult time understanding why our military leaders allowed the propaganda of Fox News to be spewed in any public space on military bases for decades. What did they think would happen? Surely we can have free speech without allowing malevolent forces to influence precious minds? I cannot stomach bobo, who poses her precious sons with deadly weapons for Christmas cheer. If I were a good Christian I would believe there would be a second coming to teach these bturds a real lesson about their worship of alternative Gods. Thank you for all efforts to remove her from our Congress. ❤️☮️
I have a friend of over 50 years who lives in the Springs. I have watched her change, and she rejected me in 2015 when I didn’t embrace tfg. I was shocked to find myself blocked on FB after years of remaining in close touch. We haven’t communicated since. Another friend has known her since before they started school and got the same treatment. When I visited her in CO years ago, she was resistant to FoF (she is not Christian) but her embrace of tfg and all he stood for shocked me. Except that her husband was a public official in El Paso County and, apparently, from what I’ve gleaned from the news, there is a serious right wing contingent there (refuse to enforce red flag law) and maybe that’s what took hold off her. I would have never predicted it of her.
One of my ex-students, a pastor, lived there for a long time. To his credit, he wrote a post against death star although I am sure he shares all the bigotry against those who suffered such violence in that nightclub. I hope not, but he is a fundamentalist. He isn't there now, but has worked around the world, often in places, not as a missionary, but for those in need of help in dire situations and he deserves credit for that too. Right now he works with men especially here and I have no idea about that.
Thanks for sharing this. What strikes me is when you say,
"... she was resistant to FoF (she is not Christian) but her embrace of tfg and all he stood for shocked me."
It might seem that TFG, as a phenomenon of our times and the surfacing of his kind of politics, is sort of a version of "FoF but for Atheists and Agnostics." TFG conveys the package of political values and moral outrage , *without* requiring a subscription to the morals and codes of religious believers in FoF. The implied "hatred for the other" of FoF is carried, conveyed, and incited intact by TFG.
"A guidepost to both memory and hope." That, right there, is what I celebrate at Thanksgiving. Memory of what has been done, what I have done, and the hope that right will prevail.
In 1861, Americans went to war to keep a cabal from taking control of the government and turning it into an oligarchy. The fight against that rebellion seemed at first to be too much for the nation to survive. But Americans rallied and threw their hearts into the cause on the battlefields even as they continued to work on the home front to create a government that defended democracy and equality before the law.
Heather, all the best to you and yours this Thanksgiving and a wish for peace for all of this group and their loved ones.
Abraham Lincoln believed that the citizens would come together to do what is right—to acknowledge that all persons are created equal. We may periodically need a kick in the rear to get our attention, but I believe that the last three elections have shown that we will take steps to preserve our democracy when we feel that it is in danger.
Thank you so much for not only opening our eyes to the sources of the peril, but also for creating a space where we can meet and exchange ideas on how to participate.
American democracy has good bones but a lot of sickness. We desperately need to push hard against the increasing influence of huge sums of money on our political outcomes. No, money is not the whole story here, but its intrusive anti-democratic bias is both blatant and profound. I think it is one of those "climate emergency" level priorities in need of far more committed focus, and frankly the two are intertwined.
I view death star and his ilk as a festering cancer spreading through the body politic. I can only hope that the results of the midterms are the start of much needed surgery except the buffoons will be in charge of the House. I can only hope that their slim majority makes it more difficult for them. But enough of this.... with gratitude and wishes of a joyous and serene celebration to Heather and all of you here.
"Abraham Lincoln believed that the citizens would come together to do what is right—to acknowledge that all persons are created equal. "
Abraham Lincoln, IN NO WAY, AT ALL, considered Black Americans as equal.
Prior to the setbacks of the Union army during the war, Abraham Lincoln was in many conversations about the popular concept of re-settling all Black Americans to the area of Haiti to solve the race problem in the US.
Frederick Douglass, offput by Lincoln's support for ridding the United States of all Black people by through forced resettlement, repeateadly appealed to Lincoln to emancipate the Black population in the south and allow them to fight in the war. Douglas hoped black courage would help his people show white people black men's courage and value.
Finally, as the Union army ran low own new recruits, L:incoln heeded Douglas' repeated call for emancipation and simultaneously allowed (segregated) black men into the Union Army. Immigration in no way saved the northern army.
One of those Black armies was then sent to attack Fort Wagner, a fort thought to be impenetrable.
Almost all of the Black soldiers during that attack were killed.
The movie Glory represents the attack on Fort Wagner by an early black regiment.
One could conclude that the Union Army desired to exterminate Black soldiers through their participation in the war from this one incident. However, that may be a too harsh conclusion.
I think Abe Lincoln was born in America in Kentucky, then, when he was 7 he moved to Indiana.
Abe would have been raised completely separated from the black bopulation as a youth. His parents did not have a slave that I can find out about. Lincoln later stated and felt that slavery should NOT move to the western states because it would impinge on the ability of poor whites to rise (take work from them).
Lincoln identified with the poor whites who would have been hurt by slavery in the west having been a poor white.
So, Lincoln may not have been as racist as a son growing up on a plantation. However, he does appear to have absorbed the normal bias against black people that existed at the time. Even his desire to stop slavery from spreading to the west was practical: It would dampen the chances of poor whites to improve their lot in life as he had done.
Lincoln, did, however, learn to read using the Bible, his only book he had as a child and young adult apparently. Presumably, he would have read the New Testament repeatedly at least.
In that text, I suspect, Lincoln found a foundation that tempered his approach to all people, including Black people.
Mike very much agree with your comments regarding Lincoln. I believe each of us struggles with prejudice in one way or another. I also agree that Lincoln as well as many of our greatest leaders were/are men and women of faith. In my opinion, becoming a person who wants to grow in love and understanding of my fellow man/woman, takes constant attendance, on my part, concerning my beliefs and more importantly actions.
As you stated, following Jesus' example of love and mercy and sacrifice is the goal, as well as the constant struggle.
Thanks, Mike. More often these days, I am finding it very enlightening, interesting, and calming to learn about the more subtle, lesser-known facts and circumstances surrounding Lincoln's proclamation, his ideas and motives regarding slavery in our country. And it's complicated; he had conflicting notions about slavery. But thankfully, for whatever reasons, Lincoln's higher angels won out -- maybe b/c he recognized that preserving the union and the higher principle of freedom for all was the intent and ideal of those words in the consitution "all men are created equal." In fact, he chose the much more difficult path, namely, to fight for those ideals, even though it might have been easier to round up the black folks and ship them to Haiti. And we are tasked once again to fight for that equality and freedom for all. Ben Franklin warned, you have a republic "if you can keep it."
Our present challenges are no less than they were in Lincoln's day: the rich and powerful still hold sway, maybe even more than they did in 1863. End Citizen's United.
I am not an expert on the life of Lincoln, but it seems to me that Lincoln was very phobic of black people, and also that his views on emancipation evolved over time. Four of the first five US presidents held slaves. Lincoln fought the fundamental pernicious corruption of US law that enabled that.
Is it not what we do with our imperfections, our prejudices or our attitudes of a time and people, that matters? I would be very surprised than anyone would think of Lincoln as some image of today's liberal or woke conservative. What he came to do and change in the America of the 1860s was borne in the amalgam of the man, that member of Illinois white society and political class. He became the man from the words he spoke and acts that drove the mythical with the end result. I get a good feeling from patriotic themes and am nourished by the history of how things and changes came about through the actions and achievements of the few who become beacon, memorable for the light they gave from the past and made the present shine.
Thank you for the history lesson on Thanksgiving, Heather. What struck me is that history is rhyming with the present where we again have a group set on destroying the United States as a country based on democracy and becoming a group of oligarchs who believe they have the right to rule over others and take away their freedoms. We must focus on getting money and its corruption out of our politics. It is imperative! We,the People, all of us this time.
One can only speculate, but I think there are multiple indications that Lincoln would be utterly repulsed by the "Republican Party" of today. It is hard to imagine how Lincoln as he was would react to many aspects of modern society, but he seemed, more than most, to be willing to learn. He seemed to me to be authentic, when for centuries, so much of politics has been manipulative theater.
I just had this silly vision. Sitting on a large front porch, a few white guys wearing the garb of a plantation owner, sipping mint juleps served by a few African Americans bearing scars from beatings. The faces of those guys look remarkably like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and wait...is that Peter Thiel and Leonard Leo? I expected to see Lindsay Graham and Ron DeSantis. Oh, look, Newt just pulled up in a carriage.
I'm going back to sleep and dream of Herschel Walker throwing in the towel and moving back to Texas - his "primary residence".
Yes! Down here, Herschel is already being labeled a "carpetbagger", another term from the Civil War era come back to haunt us. Folks are scurrying now to see if he violated laws in either GA, TX, or both. (Prepare for the GOP in both states to turn a blind eye to this!) Apt comparisons are being drawn to Dr. Oz in the PA race, who resided in NJ. Methinks maybe some reform of laws might be in order to guard against these sorts of practices--living in one state, voting in another.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has been working for a long time to expose the evils of dark money in this country. I'm grateful for his perseverance. Hopefully his campaign, to shed light on and foster control of, this existential problem is getting more traction and will bear fruit sooner rather than later. The 40 year detailed Federalist plan to control 330 million people by what is comparatively a handful of ridiculously rich, immoral fascists, smacks of another kind of slavery.
I greatly admire Shelton Whitehouse. I would vote for him if he ever ran for President. He has the right focus to shine light on the dark money. We all need to focus on this because this is key to solving a myriad of our problems.
Thank You. I have been pleased by what I have been hearing about Sen. Whitehouse and will look into him further.
It seems to me that US slavery was a recreation of feudalism on US soil with many of the same trappings of aristocracy, yet even more sociopathic predatory abuse of workers. Twelve US presidents are said to have held slaves at one time or another; eight while in office. Grant is more technically a slaveowner, as he was gifted a slave he did not keep, and fought for abolition, but others lived the life of an European lord on the back of slave labor. Bullying and genocide is an all too human trait around the word throughout history, but I wonder how far our society might have come had we, from the beginning found a way to establish a society without conquest and slavery?
It seems to me that the "Federalist" plan and Reagan's sales pitch was an Orwellian mental malware exploit to return to the stratified society the "Declaration" and Constitution were supposed to remedy; as were the lassez faire abuses and corruptions of the "Gilded Age"; the triumph of sociopathic stratification of society, and a government of privileged whim, not of laws, not of "liberty and justice for ALL" (my emphasis).
JL-for insight as to what Sen. Whitehouse been working on regarding the Federalist Society, he has put forth a 14 part program on You Tube called "The Scheme." (be sure to include his name as there are other videos with "The Scheme" in the title.) Well worth the time to watch it as it is very detailed about what the Federalist Society has been doing for years. This is the link for the first part. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAplGu1RxPg&t=140s
Hopefully Dem Governors will take a page out of the GOP DeSantis playbook. When a prosecutor says they will not enforce a law (abortion ban, seek death penalty, etc.) elected prosecutors are removed and replaced. Sheriffs who refuse to enforce gun laws should be removed.
I'd like to know why. As you know, I am a retired deputy sheriff. The county that covered (Lane. Yes, named for the racist Joseph Lane), first Governor of the Oregon Territory) is roughly the size of Connecticut, with an unincorporated urban population of about 50K and large percentage of federal forestland. The nature of law enforcement in urban communities is far different than that in rural areas, and requires a completely different skill set of both communications and investigations. I believe that these "Constitutional Sheriffs" should, to a man, have their police/corrections certificates revoked immediately.
Frankly, I'd love to see a complete overhaul of how we handle the business of policing (or Sheriffin', as we used to say).
As I understand, recent population data now has Lane County well over 300,000 folks. Very good music scene in Eugene as I recall along with a good university radio station, KLCC. Not that much need for Sherrifin' when I was visitin'.
As a law enforcement agency, the sheriff serves the county. Police only serve a narrow subdivision of a county.
There is a noisy bunch of malcontents that have subverted the contemporary office.
But, let me be so bold as to suggest the issue is that “progressives “ pay to little attention to local governance.
The “Sovereign Sheriff “ fantasies grow because they are ignored in hopes they will go away. I saw this grow over 30 years.
Because “progressives “ don’t have a theory of government, these lunatics festered and multiplied. “Progressives “ are too caught up in the romance of being a protest movement to take governing a democracy seriously!!
I am a Dem and probably would be called a “progressive” except that it is another word that right wing nuts have vilified, like liberal. But I am not the “elite” that the right likes to tar all Dems with. The right’s constant vilification has worked but I reject it. Most Dems are like me, just working stiffs who care about those without a voice. Don’t label me as being caught up in the “romance of protest.” Piss on your blather about progressives, but I acknowledge that Dems have depended on the honor of repub politicians when there was none, and need to call them what they are, vigilantes seeking legality, just like Nazis of old.
As someone who considers myself a progressive, I reserve the right to be critical of the foibles I see among my fellow progressives.
But, to my substantive point. Sheriffs are elected public servants. Their behavior and duties are prescribed by law. If they act as thugs and outlaws, we have both the power and duty to reign them in.
We will never “abolish “ law enforcement. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t actively seek to govern their behavior. And, we shouldn’t allow their misbehavior. Law enforcement is a function of government.
Another point in favor of my argument that we should be paying as much if not more attention to local elections than nationals - which is the way the right created the power they have now.
Ken , "progressive" or progressives by which I understand you are trying to say that Others are "festering lunatics." It easy to argue against a non-specific grievance construct rather than real human beings. I do not mind "bold" at all, in fact, I prefer it. But, we have real county Sheriffs in Oregon, Colorado & elsewhere with real names putting communities at serious risk of life. This issue should not be a topic of sophistry in my opinion. Trust we have a digital community created by HCR wherein we can discuss these issues as lives are at stake.
The “festering lunatics “ I am referring to are those Sheriffs who would place themselves above the Constitution. We have a few here in Montana.
I worked in state government for over 25 years and have been a student of politics for longer than that. Until recently, I saw and heard no discussion of this fringe theory of Constitutional Sheriffs.
Why has the claim that Sheriffs are the final authority on what is and isn’t Constitutional gone unchallenged until recently? I see that as a festering issue in the body politic. And, I don’t see being concerned about the consequences as “sophistry.”
The theory of “Constitutional Sheriffs “ is a political construct. Why has it gone unchallenged for so long?
Here in NH, we have had a Republican majority legislature, backed up by a far right Libertarian group called the Free State Project, for the past few elections. The latter actually went to far as to propose seceding from the Union last year. Fortunately, they were voted down 323 to 13. However they did put forth HB 1178, a bill that prevents state and local officials from enforcing federal firearms laws that are not replicated in state law. They've also passed more laws that expand gun rights.
We all of necessity pursue self interests, but predatory malignant narcissism is a fancy (yet more useful) word for "evil", and I think we would wise to pay far more attention to is symptomology.
"Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people." - John Adams
Imagine my surprise and thankfulness when I discovered an academic who had the genius to bring her findings to the general public. Moreover, this is on going and helps me cope with my fears for this amazing country. I especially like that you made a forum to invite questions from your listeners and to give us a place to share our take on issues. Professor Richardson you are a hero. Thanks.
Heather, in response to your opening paragraph, I would like to say this: I sincerely hope that our government recognizes the loosely-knit but intentional "conspiracy" of mass shootings. Not only are the shooters "mentally ill," they are almost always young white males who are isolated but inspired by dark media.
The repeated stereotype and the use of semi-automatic weapons must end. Prohibit such weapons and dismantle the information technology that encourages these loose cannons. No more excuses.
In a sense, it is our generation's civil war inasmuch as the fascist right wing encourages racism, misogyny, antisemitism, and homophobia. Then, the young perpetrators die by suicide after their fantasy of belonging is accomplished by murder.
I too am thankful for so much. But in recognition of the bleak holiday for survivors of this week's carnage, we have to make amends and strong legislation.
While I agree with your mentally ill categorization, I think that Prof. Kathleen Belew would see these killings as part of a plan that has occurred in the 1990s and earlier.
It would help if our society do not so often justify/glorify violence. When all else fails, I think one must sometimes meet violence with violence, as the nation of Ukraine is doing, but like chemotherapy it's a last chance at survival, and not something to look forward to.
Agreed. Elsewhere on this thread, Linda posted a couple of links to articles that demonstrate the intentional conspiracy of these killings. It certainly looks like an intentional and evil use of disaffection. I find that I have less learned and far less polite things to say about the shooters in these events.
No one needs to own or have access to an assault rifle or body armor or high capacity magazines. Thank you, Professor Richardson, for beginning this letter with your reference to the empty chairs at this year's holiday tables. If you haven't already, please take the time to watch Gabby Giffords' documentary "Won't Back Down." When she makes her plea to members of Congress for stronger gun control legislation in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook, you will understand the tragic blindness of our Congressional representatives. I say blindness, but it is more chilling that that. These legislators have sold their hearts and souls to the NRA. It is more Faustian than Faust.
Hope Lindsay --- I can concur where you write, "I sincerely hope that our government recognizes the loosely-knit but intentional "conspiracy" of mass shootings. Not only are the shooters "mentally ill," they are almost always young white males who are isolated but inspired by dark media. The repeated stereotype and the use of semi-automatic weapons must end."
Maybe conspiracy is a strong word, hmm. (I think HCR's word was that the rash of shootings is an "epidemic," rather than a conspiracy.) What triggers me in these rounds of stories is: media, and by extension, we, are taking the easy door out by assigning a convenient tag to every case now: "mental illness." It's an ever increasing cycle of trying to find simple answers to problems whose origins we fail to face and understand. "Mental illness" is now a policy and media shorthand that numbs the public. In effect, to say, "Well, he was crazy, you know." And, "We solve the mental illness problem, and these shootings will stop." Or, policy types say, "we must increase funding for mental health care." I've had life experience around people with "mental health issues," so I'll just say, horsefeathers to "solving the mental health problem" as an argument for ending mass shootings (at least, for a near majority of these incidents).
Look at the USA. Look at every other developed or first-world nation. Yeah, we are sick in some way all right, but hanging the cause on the peg of "mental illness" does not solve it for us in the USA.
I was kind of tickled that a vet took out a shooter with brut force. That “only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun,” rhetoric right out the window!
I’m so happy and grateful to be a part of Professor Richardson’s night classes!
Each year at Thanksgiving I’m reminded that this is when I ‘found’ Letters from an American! Such a joy to read and learn and feel included in the enlightenment that so many of us write about as we read Heather’s “Letters”.
Lincoln would CERTAINLY agree! He based his whole life on self-education, perhaps part of why & how he came around from initially considering "resettlement" of slaves to accepting Frederick Douglass' entreaties.
May you have a wonderful first Thanksgiving as a married couple.
To paraphrase “Desiderata”, for all the heartache, tragedy and frightening events, it is still a beautiful world. I’m grateful to be part of this world and this community.
Tanya and I and Lucky are in Regina. He traveled well and was happy and friendly to everyone on his trip.
He was overjoyed to see us of course but he was just as overjoyed after being shut in the kitchen of our bnb for 10 minutes while we hauled his crate and our bags to the street two days ago. Dogs!!!
He was 40 kg when we left home but likely about 32 kg now. He is 110 cm long nose to tail head and 80 cm high to top of his ears. He is German Shepherd but we don't know if he is purebred. He found us at about 6 weeks old, nearly dead from starvation. Took a few months for Tanya and veterinarian to bring him back to health
Allen, great to hear that you, Tanya and Lucky are finally at home in Regina. (Can’t imagine crating my big mountain cur mix for the trip across the Atlantic but kudos to you all for making it, mostly in one piece.) Sending all good wishes for some peace and happiness your way. Kiri sends big woofs.
Some days ago you detailed your perilous, long journey with diverticulitis and the ever-present devotion and care you received from beautiful Tanya, who had enough love to make sure Lucky made it to his new home too. Love is a verb! May you be happy and well.
So relieved you all made it and that Lucky did well. What a journey. We missed Canadian Thanksgiving but this year you all have a share in our day of gratitude. Thanks for the update, Allen. Bless you all.
We can always use a good reminder of what Lincoln held steadfast to and what others, like ourselves, did to hold the country together. Please 39,808 people in your thoughts when you gather with loved ones. That figure is the amount of people who have died by gun violence in our country this year. https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/
Many thanks, Heather, for your continuous caring to educate truth.
On this day before, my heart yearns for the day when Ukraine too will be able to celebrate a Thanksgiving for a triumphant rejection of - and deliverance from - the evil that resides in the Kremlin today. May we as a nation and civilization dedicated to the principles of equality and justice never flag in our support of their struggle to secure these fundamental values for themselves.
If Americans would only take a moment to imagine what if this was happening in our country. I think the world has grown numb to the daily horrors inflicted upon the Ukrainians, who need more military and other aid. Putin must be stopped once and for all — for the Ukrainians and the rest of the world.
I think that if we thought about many, many things, good and bad, that are happening to others as happening to us, a lot might change for the better.
As a great man, Schweitzer said “think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.” …if it doesn’t send you into a spiral of despair
Jeri....agree with your comment. We must not turn from the suffering and despair of others who are missing a loved one from their table today especially due to gun violence.
There are also many who are once again alone due to work-based responsibilies, service in the military, doctors, nurses, pilots, etc, etc......or those simply without family.
And "It's a troublesome world....." Dr. Seuss
With the rise in the price of heating oil, I've been keeping my house at 57-59 degrees, using an electric heater next to my desk and another in the bathroom, and wearing a thick sweater.
But I think of the Ukrainians, so many of them without heat or electricity, in a country that's probably colder in winter than Massachusetts, many of their fellows badly injured or dead, and I realize how fortunate I am.
Exactly. Few of our problems are as dire as what the Ukrainians are suffering through.
Likewise people in various parts of Africa, Pakistan, Afghanistan,... . A long list.
Sadly true.
How sad the Ukraine application for membership on NATO hasn't been competed.
Not to compare to the genocide that Putin has perpetrated on Ukrainians, as my heart breaks over and over for their suffering, but we have our own slaughtering of innocents going on right here on our own soil. The GOP is attacking and killing innocents whether people want to see it or admit it or not. The GOP is at war with the US of A.
I am finally watching "The US and the Holocaust", not at all surprised at the similarities. It has happened here, and all we need to do is be willing to acknowledge our own history. We did this to the people of this continent as we took it from them for our use, and used the same reasoning, as the PBS program makes clear. Hitler used the American example as a template for the Holocaust. We did it first.
True, although genocide runs deep in course of history. It seems to me that most of our most enduring and pernicious problems are in one way or another a consequence for the all too human capacity for predatory or indifferent sociopathy, and we are fools as a species not to look it in the eye, including in the mirror. Our "Mr. Hyde" may become the proximate cause of our own extinction, along with so many other creatures of the world.
I don't think it is humankind. I think it is our culture, brought with us from Europe, so we could create a culture just like the one we claimed to be escaping, only with us at the top.
On this day we give thankful words as spoken by Dr. Seuss .
From our family to yours.
“It’s a troublesome world. Many of the people who are in it are troubled with troubles almost every minute. You ought to be thankful, a whole heaping lot, for the places and people you’re lucky you’re not.”
I'm stealing this for Facebook
Ukrainians hold a mirror up to the rest of us. “How badly do you want democracy to survive?” Neither there nor here are we fighting a conventional war. Their are no rules. We are all needing to change to meet our moment. Many do believe enduringly that some should own and rule oppressively, dismissive-fully over others. They alone should not be ever uncomfortable, inconvenienced, disadvantaged, or vulnerable. But others should be, and not question it. This Thanksgiving finds us still in this fight; bloodied, yes, exhausted, yes. But hopefully resolved to keep fighting against the outrage and perennial hate.
Heather’s LFAA is context and sanity.
I am thankful for her and this forum.
Thank you for this.
Very thankful that you and your family are moving toward safety. Hopefully we will be able to say the same soon for Ukraine and the people who are still there.
Thankful that you are safe, Allen, and hopeful for you’d reunion with Lucky SOON❣️❣️❣️❣️
Rowshan, This is from Allen. He signed it 'Turnip' because that is what I call him sometimes. All the best to you.
'Fern. We got our boy. We are at a friend's place who has a dog and a yard. All is well in our world.'
'Turnip'
Thank you, Fern! So relieved to know this❣️
John, Yes!!! Freedom for Ukraine.....but we also know, freedom is a hard fought for ideal and it must continue to be fought for... even after it is attained! We must not be discouraged for Ukraine as we support this country. We must also continue to contribute to freedom for the USA!
Tyrants are always nipping at our heels!!!
Thank you, Professor.
I was looking for your Letter this morning, it has become something of a signal at this time of year, a reminder, a guidepost to both memory and hope.
With gratitude for all you do.
A dear friend of mine, an English teacher, is gay. She lives in Colorado with her mate. The following is an excerpt from her email to me on Tuesday, November 22nd.
‘I’ve protested Focus on the Family a couple times, even with students. Colorado Springs sucks. Actually, outside of Denver metro and Boulder, the rest of the state is just like the springs—protect their guns and so-called religious freedom more than any issue. Ridiculous. They are just acting sad; they don’t see LBGTQ folks as anything but demons who are trying to groom kids.’
‘Yesterday my principal texted me to see if we were ok and to express how glad she is I work at our school.’
‘M. and I are heading down to Club Q on Thursday to pay our respects. Always been hard for me to celebrate a fake holiday like T-giving. Sure, let’s eat together before we decimate your cultures and slay your people.’
***
'Focus on the Family (FOTF or FotF) is a fundamentalist Protestant[3] organization founded in 1977 in Southern California by James Dobson, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[4] The group is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s. As of the 2017 tax filing year, Focus on the Family declared itself to be a church, "primarily to protect the confidentiality of our donors." Traditionally, entities considered churches have been ones that have regular worship services and congregants.'
'It most prominently lobbies against LGBT rights — including those related to marriage, adoption, and parenting — labeling it a "particularly evil lie of Satan".[6][7] Focus on the Family has been criticized by psychiatrists, psychologists, and social scientists for misrepresenting their research in order to bolster its religious ideology and political agenda, as well as for their anti-LGBT views.[8] The organization also seeks to change public policy in the areas of sex education, creationism, abortion, state-sponsored school prayer, gambling, drugs, and enforcement of their interpretation of proper gender roles.'(Wikipedia)
I will email today’s Letter to my friend after I post this comment. That Thanksgiving was born in a time of violence: the Civil War, is one of several key events that my friend and her friends will think about after reading this letter. Another will be Lincoln’s sense of how the meaning of Thanksgiving would connect Americans and cement their commitment to American Democracy.
It is one of HCR’s gifts that she can relate the Southern leaders’ efforts ‘…to destroy the United States of America and create their own country…,” based on the conviction ‘… that some men were better than others and had the right to enslave their neighbors’ while threading Lincoln rallying of the American people with the National Day of Thanksgiving each year during war.
‘After two years of disasters, the Union army was finally winning. Bloody, yes; battered, yes; but winning.’. President Lincoln declared a second National Day of Thanksgiving. ‘In the past year, he declared, the nation had been blessed. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, he wrote, Americans had maintained their laws and their institutions and had kept foreign countries from meddling with their nation.’ (Letter)
'The following year, Lincoln proclaimed another day of Thanksgiving, this time congratulating Americans that God had favored them not only with immigration but also with the emancipation of formerly enslaved people. “Moreover,” Lincoln wrote, “He has been pleased to animate and inspire our minds and hearts with fortitude, courage, and resolution sufficient for the great trial of civil war into which we have been brought by our adherence as a nation to the cause of freedom and humanity, and to afford to us reasonable hopes of an ultimate and happy deliverance from all our dangers and afflictions.” (Letter)
We accompanied Lincoln and the American people through the blood and sacrifice of the Civil War leading to victory: the emancipation of former slaves. In many ways we are back to the past reliving the efforts on the part of the Republican Party and Dark Money to destroy our government in the interest of a very few Whites. Today’s letter was a call to our resolve and fortitude, while providing, at least for me, a much deeper sense of Thanksgiving as holiday for connecting with our compatriots.
Thankfulness - gratitude - is a value. Values unite us, and hopefully animate our thoughts and actions to express the highest truths ("Better Angels", Lincoln called them) we can conceive of about ourselves and each other. Gratitude for all I have - family, friends (in this forum, too), home, community - all that connect me to the better angels of this world, that is what I value today. Celebrate with love.
Lived in COS in the late 90's - Saw the building up of that group Focus on the Family (Should of been called Focus on stealing your money and freedoms). seeing the same now in north texas - fool born every minute........
I grieve with you.
The Springs is such a center for military installations that I can imagine how difficult it must be for you to reside there. It is endlessly contrary to the very idea of military service is to protect liberty and justice for all, and the irony of the political views there is not lost on me. Yet I recognize how doubly hard it must be for you. In this moment of sadness, there is hope for change. Out here in in the huge expanse of CD3 (I’m in Durango, a blue county), we almost unseated bobo the Barbie psycho, and Frisch conceded with grace. He’ll be back and in two years. In the meantime, know that you are not alone and that others here in Colorado are beside you.
I have a really difficult time understanding why our military leaders allowed the propaganda of Fox News to be spewed in any public space on military bases for decades. What did they think would happen? Surely we can have free speech without allowing malevolent forces to influence precious minds? I cannot stomach bobo, who poses her precious sons with deadly weapons for Christmas cheer. If I were a good Christian I would believe there would be a second coming to teach these bturds a real lesson about their worship of alternative Gods. Thank you for all efforts to remove her from our Congress. ❤️☮️
I have a friend of over 50 years who lives in the Springs. I have watched her change, and she rejected me in 2015 when I didn’t embrace tfg. I was shocked to find myself blocked on FB after years of remaining in close touch. We haven’t communicated since. Another friend has known her since before they started school and got the same treatment. When I visited her in CO years ago, she was resistant to FoF (she is not Christian) but her embrace of tfg and all he stood for shocked me. Except that her husband was a public official in El Paso County and, apparently, from what I’ve gleaned from the news, there is a serious right wing contingent there (refuse to enforce red flag law) and maybe that’s what took hold off her. I would have never predicted it of her.
So very sad 💔
One of my ex-students, a pastor, lived there for a long time. To his credit, he wrote a post against death star although I am sure he shares all the bigotry against those who suffered such violence in that nightclub. I hope not, but he is a fundamentalist. He isn't there now, but has worked around the world, often in places, not as a missionary, but for those in need of help in dire situations and he deserves credit for that too. Right now he works with men especially here and I have no idea about that.
Thanks for sharing this. What strikes me is when you say,
"... she was resistant to FoF (she is not Christian) but her embrace of tfg and all he stood for shocked me."
It might seem that TFG, as a phenomenon of our times and the surfacing of his kind of politics, is sort of a version of "FoF but for Atheists and Agnostics." TFG conveys the package of political values and moral outrage , *without* requiring a subscription to the morals and codes of religious believers in FoF. The implied "hatred for the other" of FoF is carried, conveyed, and incited intact by TFG.
"A guidepost to both memory and hope." That, right there, is what I celebrate at Thanksgiving. Memory of what has been done, what I have done, and the hope that right will prevail.
Happy Day of Gratitude, to you Heather and to the wonderful community that you have founded❣️❣️❣️❣️
In 1861, Americans went to war to keep a cabal from taking control of the government and turning it into an oligarchy. The fight against that rebellion seemed at first to be too much for the nation to survive. But Americans rallied and threw their hearts into the cause on the battlefields even as they continued to work on the home front to create a government that defended democracy and equality before the law.
And they won.
May it be so again.
Thank you for your writing.
And to all a happy and thankful holiday.
Amen, may it be so 🍂🍁
Well said, Sky 777 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you Heather for all you do to educate us…..you make learning easy and interesting. 🙏wishing everyone a day of peace……
🙏
Heather, all the best to you and yours this Thanksgiving and a wish for peace for all of this group and their loved ones.
Abraham Lincoln believed that the citizens would come together to do what is right—to acknowledge that all persons are created equal. We may periodically need a kick in the rear to get our attention, but I believe that the last three elections have shown that we will take steps to preserve our democracy when we feel that it is in danger.
Thank you so much for not only opening our eyes to the sources of the peril, but also for creating a space where we can meet and exchange ideas on how to participate.
American democracy has good bones but a lot of sickness. We desperately need to push hard against the increasing influence of huge sums of money on our political outcomes. No, money is not the whole story here, but its intrusive anti-democratic bias is both blatant and profound. I think it is one of those "climate emergency" level priorities in need of far more committed focus, and frankly the two are intertwined.
I view death star and his ilk as a festering cancer spreading through the body politic. I can only hope that the results of the midterms are the start of much needed surgery except the buffoons will be in charge of the House. I can only hope that their slim majority makes it more difficult for them. But enough of this.... with gratitude and wishes of a joyous and serene celebration to Heather and all of you here.
Per NBC about 15 hours ago, the margin just got offcially slim as the Alaska House "at-large" seat was officially confirmed as going to MARY PELTOLA.
"Abraham Lincoln believed that the citizens would come together to do what is right—to acknowledge that all persons are created equal. "
Abraham Lincoln, IN NO WAY, AT ALL, considered Black Americans as equal.
Prior to the setbacks of the Union army during the war, Abraham Lincoln was in many conversations about the popular concept of re-settling all Black Americans to the area of Haiti to solve the race problem in the US.
(reference: 1619 Book Project). also: https://www.history.com/news/abraham-lincoln-black-resettlement-haiti
Frederick Douglass, offput by Lincoln's support for ridding the United States of all Black people by through forced resettlement, repeateadly appealed to Lincoln to emancipate the Black population in the south and allow them to fight in the war. Douglas hoped black courage would help his people show white people black men's courage and value.
Finally, as the Union army ran low own new recruits, L:incoln heeded Douglas' repeated call for emancipation and simultaneously allowed (segregated) black men into the Union Army. Immigration in no way saved the northern army.
One of those Black armies was then sent to attack Fort Wagner, a fort thought to be impenetrable.
Almost all of the Black soldiers during that attack were killed.
The movie Glory represents the attack on Fort Wagner by an early black regiment.
One could conclude that the Union Army desired to exterminate Black soldiers through their participation in the war from this one incident. However, that may be a too harsh conclusion.
Interesting thoughts, Mike. I do believe there is more intent than coincidence, but I don't think it rises to the level of conscious action.
Ally,
I think Abe Lincoln was born in America in Kentucky, then, when he was 7 he moved to Indiana.
Abe would have been raised completely separated from the black bopulation as a youth. His parents did not have a slave that I can find out about. Lincoln later stated and felt that slavery should NOT move to the western states because it would impinge on the ability of poor whites to rise (take work from them).
Lincoln identified with the poor whites who would have been hurt by slavery in the west having been a poor white.
So, Lincoln may not have been as racist as a son growing up on a plantation. However, he does appear to have absorbed the normal bias against black people that existed at the time. Even his desire to stop slavery from spreading to the west was practical: It would dampen the chances of poor whites to improve their lot in life as he had done.
Lincoln, did, however, learn to read using the Bible, his only book he had as a child and young adult apparently. Presumably, he would have read the New Testament repeatedly at least.
In that text, I suspect, Lincoln found a foundation that tempered his approach to all people, including Black people.
Mike very much agree with your comments regarding Lincoln. I believe each of us struggles with prejudice in one way or another. I also agree that Lincoln as well as many of our greatest leaders were/are men and women of faith. In my opinion, becoming a person who wants to grow in love and understanding of my fellow man/woman, takes constant attendance, on my part, concerning my beliefs and more importantly actions.
As you stated, following Jesus' example of love and mercy and sacrifice is the goal, as well as the constant struggle.
Emily. Yes. Thank you.
Thanks, Mike. More often these days, I am finding it very enlightening, interesting, and calming to learn about the more subtle, lesser-known facts and circumstances surrounding Lincoln's proclamation, his ideas and motives regarding slavery in our country. And it's complicated; he had conflicting notions about slavery. But thankfully, for whatever reasons, Lincoln's higher angels won out -- maybe b/c he recognized that preserving the union and the higher principle of freedom for all was the intent and ideal of those words in the consitution "all men are created equal." In fact, he chose the much more difficult path, namely, to fight for those ideals, even though it might have been easier to round up the black folks and ship them to Haiti. And we are tasked once again to fight for that equality and freedom for all. Ben Franklin warned, you have a republic "if you can keep it."
Our present challenges are no less than they were in Lincoln's day: the rich and powerful still hold sway, maybe even more than they did in 1863. End Citizen's United.
I am not an expert on the life of Lincoln, but it seems to me that Lincoln was very phobic of black people, and also that his views on emancipation evolved over time. Four of the first five US presidents held slaves. Lincoln fought the fundamental pernicious corruption of US law that enabled that.
Y res s he did.
Mary. Extremely well written summary of Lincoln. Accurate I think. I have saved it to read later.
In the long arc of history, Lincoln is one of the good guys. Yes.
Is it not what we do with our imperfections, our prejudices or our attitudes of a time and people, that matters? I would be very surprised than anyone would think of Lincoln as some image of today's liberal or woke conservative. What he came to do and change in the America of the 1860s was borne in the amalgam of the man, that member of Illinois white society and political class. He became the man from the words he spoke and acts that drove the mythical with the end result. I get a good feeling from patriotic themes and am nourished by the history of how things and changes came about through the actions and achievements of the few who become beacon, memorable for the light they gave from the past and made the present shine.
Thank you for the history lesson on Thanksgiving, Heather. What struck me is that history is rhyming with the present where we again have a group set on destroying the United States as a country based on democracy and becoming a group of oligarchs who believe they have the right to rule over others and take away their freedoms. We must focus on getting money and its corruption out of our politics. It is imperative! We,the People, all of us this time.
Ironic that it is now the Republican Party carrying Confederate flags.
Abe spinning in his grave. How history folds in on itself…
One can only speculate, but I think there are multiple indications that Lincoln would be utterly repulsed by the "Republican Party" of today. It is hard to imagine how Lincoln as he was would react to many aspects of modern society, but he seemed, more than most, to be willing to learn. He seemed to me to be authentic, when for centuries, so much of politics has been manipulative theater.
I just had this silly vision. Sitting on a large front porch, a few white guys wearing the garb of a plantation owner, sipping mint juleps served by a few African Americans bearing scars from beatings. The faces of those guys look remarkably like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and wait...is that Peter Thiel and Leonard Leo? I expected to see Lindsay Graham and Ron DeSantis. Oh, look, Newt just pulled up in a carriage.
I'm going back to sleep and dream of Herschel Walker throwing in the towel and moving back to Texas - his "primary residence".
Yes! Down here, Herschel is already being labeled a "carpetbagger", another term from the Civil War era come back to haunt us. Folks are scurrying now to see if he violated laws in either GA, TX, or both. (Prepare for the GOP in both states to turn a blind eye to this!) Apt comparisons are being drawn to Dr. Oz in the PA race, who resided in NJ. Methinks maybe some reform of laws might be in order to guard against these sorts of practices--living in one state, voting in another.
Not just voting but running for any office, let alone senator, in a state where s/he is not registered as living in.
And, the Death Star is in a Putin Orbit.
And having erections.
Sounds like Herschel is an authority on that...
Here here!
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has been working for a long time to expose the evils of dark money in this country. I'm grateful for his perseverance. Hopefully his campaign, to shed light on and foster control of, this existential problem is getting more traction and will bear fruit sooner rather than later. The 40 year detailed Federalist plan to control 330 million people by what is comparatively a handful of ridiculously rich, immoral fascists, smacks of another kind of slavery.
I greatly admire Shelton Whitehouse. I would vote for him if he ever ran for President. He has the right focus to shine light on the dark money. We all need to focus on this because this is key to solving a myriad of our problems.
Thank You. I have been pleased by what I have been hearing about Sen. Whitehouse and will look into him further.
It seems to me that US slavery was a recreation of feudalism on US soil with many of the same trappings of aristocracy, yet even more sociopathic predatory abuse of workers. Twelve US presidents are said to have held slaves at one time or another; eight while in office. Grant is more technically a slaveowner, as he was gifted a slave he did not keep, and fought for abolition, but others lived the life of an European lord on the back of slave labor. Bullying and genocide is an all too human trait around the word throughout history, but I wonder how far our society might have come had we, from the beginning found a way to establish a society without conquest and slavery?
It seems to me that the "Federalist" plan and Reagan's sales pitch was an Orwellian mental malware exploit to return to the stratified society the "Declaration" and Constitution were supposed to remedy; as were the lassez faire abuses and corruptions of the "Gilded Age"; the triumph of sociopathic stratification of society, and a government of privileged whim, not of laws, not of "liberty and justice for ALL" (my emphasis).
JL-for insight as to what Sen. Whitehouse been working on regarding the Federalist Society, he has put forth a 14 part program on You Tube called "The Scheme." (be sure to include his name as there are other videos with "The Scheme" in the title.) Well worth the time to watch it as it is very detailed about what the Federalist Society has been doing for years. This is the link for the first part. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAplGu1RxPg&t=140s
Thank you Barbara, This should be a must listen for all of us. Income disparity as well as this authoritarian scheme must be fixed and stopped!
Cathy, I was struck by the rhyme with the present too.
Well said, Cathy.
The Union Army won the war but the nation is still fighting the battle for equality and the rule of law.
Yes, we must always remember this. Case in point: Oregon voters just passed a reasonable gun-control measure. Several country sheriffs are vowing not to enforce it. https://www.opb.org/article/2022/11/21/oregon-sheriff-gun-restrictions-measure-114-gun-reform-law-control-high-capacity-magazine/
Hopefully Dem Governors will take a page out of the GOP DeSantis playbook. When a prosecutor says they will not enforce a law (abortion ban, seek death penalty, etc.) elected prosecutors are removed and replaced. Sheriffs who refuse to enforce gun laws should be removed.
The office of Sheriff should be abolished. Period.
I'd like to know why. As you know, I am a retired deputy sheriff. The county that covered (Lane. Yes, named for the racist Joseph Lane), first Governor of the Oregon Territory) is roughly the size of Connecticut, with an unincorporated urban population of about 50K and large percentage of federal forestland. The nature of law enforcement in urban communities is far different than that in rural areas, and requires a completely different skill set of both communications and investigations. I believe that these "Constitutional Sheriffs" should, to a man, have their police/corrections certificates revoked immediately.
Frankly, I'd love to see a complete overhaul of how we handle the business of policing (or Sheriffin', as we used to say).
Ally, thank you for your "policing" comment.
As I understand, recent population data now has Lane County well over 300,000 folks. Very good music scene in Eugene as I recall along with a good university radio station, KLCC. Not that much need for Sherrifin' when I was visitin'.
Oh, I kept busy enough…
Amen
Ally, Thank you for your service to all of us.
As a law enforcement agency, the sheriff serves the county. Police only serve a narrow subdivision of a county.
There is a noisy bunch of malcontents that have subverted the contemporary office.
But, let me be so bold as to suggest the issue is that “progressives “ pay to little attention to local governance.
The “Sovereign Sheriff “ fantasies grow because they are ignored in hopes they will go away. I saw this grow over 30 years.
Because “progressives “ don’t have a theory of government, these lunatics festered and multiplied. “Progressives “ are too caught up in the romance of being a protest movement to take governing a democracy seriously!!
I am a Dem and probably would be called a “progressive” except that it is another word that right wing nuts have vilified, like liberal. But I am not the “elite” that the right likes to tar all Dems with. The right’s constant vilification has worked but I reject it. Most Dems are like me, just working stiffs who care about those without a voice. Don’t label me as being caught up in the “romance of protest.” Piss on your blather about progressives, but I acknowledge that Dems have depended on the honor of repub politicians when there was none, and need to call them what they are, vigilantes seeking legality, just like Nazis of old.
As someone who considers myself a progressive, I reserve the right to be critical of the foibles I see among my fellow progressives.
But, to my substantive point. Sheriffs are elected public servants. Their behavior and duties are prescribed by law. If they act as thugs and outlaws, we have both the power and duty to reign them in.
We will never “abolish “ law enforcement. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t actively seek to govern their behavior. And, we shouldn’t allow their misbehavior. Law enforcement is a function of government.
Another point in favor of my argument that we should be paying as much if not more attention to local elections than nationals - which is the way the right created the power they have now.
Thanks for the pointer.
Same way prohibition was passed if memory serves
Ken , "progressive" or progressives by which I understand you are trying to say that Others are "festering lunatics." It easy to argue against a non-specific grievance construct rather than real human beings. I do not mind "bold" at all, in fact, I prefer it. But, we have real county Sheriffs in Oregon, Colorado & elsewhere with real names putting communities at serious risk of life. This issue should not be a topic of sophistry in my opinion. Trust we have a digital community created by HCR wherein we can discuss these issues as lives are at stake.
The “festering lunatics “ I am referring to are those Sheriffs who would place themselves above the Constitution. We have a few here in Montana.
I worked in state government for over 25 years and have been a student of politics for longer than that. Until recently, I saw and heard no discussion of this fringe theory of Constitutional Sheriffs.
Why has the claim that Sheriffs are the final authority on what is and isn’t Constitutional gone unchallenged until recently? I see that as a festering issue in the body politic. And, I don’t see being concerned about the consequences as “sophistry.”
The theory of “Constitutional Sheriffs “ is a political construct. Why has it gone unchallenged for so long?
Agree, they are often vigilantes with a badge.
They are elected public servants. They do what we let them.
And, we know how that went in Colorado Springs, PUMA County, CO.
Only one of example public officials ignoring the will of the voters.
Here in NH, we have had a Republican majority legislature, backed up by a far right Libertarian group called the Free State Project, for the past few elections. The latter actually went to far as to propose seceding from the Union last year. Fortunately, they were voted down 323 to 13. However they did put forth HB 1178, a bill that prevents state and local officials from enforcing federal firearms laws that are not replicated in state law. They've also passed more laws that expand gun rights.
I am guessing these are the owners of the many “Assault Weapons Training Facilities that have sprung up in NH.
Hence. It is now about money. Not guns.
"The struggle of today, is not altogether for today -- it is for a vast future also. " - Lincoln
A never-ending battle, in the US and around the world. Human nature changes slowly, when it changes at all.
We all of necessity pursue self interests, but predatory malignant narcissism is a fancy (yet more useful) word for "evil", and I think we would wise to pay far more attention to is symptomology.
"Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people." - John Adams
Imagine my surprise and thankfulness when I discovered an academic who had the genius to bring her findings to the general public. Moreover, this is on going and helps me cope with my fears for this amazing country. I especially like that you made a forum to invite questions from your listeners and to give us a place to share our take on issues. Professor Richardson you are a hero. Thanks.
Heather, in response to your opening paragraph, I would like to say this: I sincerely hope that our government recognizes the loosely-knit but intentional "conspiracy" of mass shootings. Not only are the shooters "mentally ill," they are almost always young white males who are isolated but inspired by dark media.
The repeated stereotype and the use of semi-automatic weapons must end. Prohibit such weapons and dismantle the information technology that encourages these loose cannons. No more excuses.
In a sense, it is our generation's civil war inasmuch as the fascist right wing encourages racism, misogyny, antisemitism, and homophobia. Then, the young perpetrators die by suicide after their fantasy of belonging is accomplished by murder.
I too am thankful for so much. But in recognition of the bleak holiday for survivors of this week's carnage, we have to make amends and strong legislation.
While I agree with your mentally ill categorization, I think that Prof. Kathleen Belew would see these killings as part of a plan that has occurred in the 1990s and earlier.
https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/white-supremacists-arent-lone-wolves/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/19/opinion/us-white-supremacy-violence.html
It would help if our society do not so often justify/glorify violence. When all else fails, I think one must sometimes meet violence with violence, as the nation of Ukraine is doing, but like chemotherapy it's a last chance at survival, and not something to look forward to.
Thank you for the links, especially the Boston Review. Chilling.
Linda, I remember reading the article in the Boston Review this summer and it left me beyond frightened.
That was a terrific article. Thank you, Linda.
Agreed. Elsewhere on this thread, Linda posted a couple of links to articles that demonstrate the intentional conspiracy of these killings. It certainly looks like an intentional and evil use of disaffection. I find that I have less learned and far less polite things to say about the shooters in these events.
No one needs to own or have access to an assault rifle or body armor or high capacity magazines. Thank you, Professor Richardson, for beginning this letter with your reference to the empty chairs at this year's holiday tables. If you haven't already, please take the time to watch Gabby Giffords' documentary "Won't Back Down." When she makes her plea to members of Congress for stronger gun control legislation in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook, you will understand the tragic blindness of our Congressional representatives. I say blindness, but it is more chilling that that. These legislators have sold their hearts and souls to the NRA. It is more Faustian than Faust.
Hope Lindsay --- I can concur where you write, "I sincerely hope that our government recognizes the loosely-knit but intentional "conspiracy" of mass shootings. Not only are the shooters "mentally ill," they are almost always young white males who are isolated but inspired by dark media. The repeated stereotype and the use of semi-automatic weapons must end."
Maybe conspiracy is a strong word, hmm. (I think HCR's word was that the rash of shootings is an "epidemic," rather than a conspiracy.) What triggers me in these rounds of stories is: media, and by extension, we, are taking the easy door out by assigning a convenient tag to every case now: "mental illness." It's an ever increasing cycle of trying to find simple answers to problems whose origins we fail to face and understand. "Mental illness" is now a policy and media shorthand that numbs the public. In effect, to say, "Well, he was crazy, you know." And, "We solve the mental illness problem, and these shootings will stop." Or, policy types say, "we must increase funding for mental health care." I've had life experience around people with "mental health issues," so I'll just say, horsefeathers to "solving the mental health problem" as an argument for ending mass shootings (at least, for a near majority of these incidents).
Look at the USA. Look at every other developed or first-world nation. Yeah, we are sick in some way all right, but hanging the cause on the peg of "mental illness" does not solve it for us in the USA.
I was kind of tickled that a vet took out a shooter with brut force. That “only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun,” rhetoric right out the window!
I also loved that a drag queen came to his aid and "stomped him with her high heels".
That was VERY gratifying.
what the first thing I thought.
I’m so happy and grateful to be a part of Professor Richardson’s night classes!
Each year at Thanksgiving I’m reminded that this is when I ‘found’ Letters from an American! Such a joy to read and learn and feel included in the enlightenment that so many of us write about as we read Heather’s “Letters”.
Be well dear friends.
I have spent many hours in “night classes.” Still hear my mama say, get an education so you can do better. This serves in profound ways…
Lincoln would CERTAINLY agree! He based his whole life on self-education, perhaps part of why & how he came around from initially considering "resettlement" of slaves to accepting Frederick Douglass' entreaties.
I like to think of this as LFAA University. I'm auditing some amazing history classes here.
Be well, Dear Carol. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Classmate!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
May you have a wonderful first Thanksgiving as a married couple.
To paraphrase “Desiderata”, for all the heartache, tragedy and frightening events, it is still a beautiful world. I’m grateful to be part of this world and this community.
Happy Thanksgiving 🍁
Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends.
Tanya and I and Lucky are in Regina. He traveled well and was happy and friendly to everyone on his trip.
He was overjoyed to see us of course but he was just as overjoyed after being shut in the kitchen of our bnb for 10 minutes while we hauled his crate and our bags to the street two days ago. Dogs!!!
Stay safe please.
You too. It's always incredibly good to hear from you. (Um...how big is Lucky?)
He was 40 kg when we left home but likely about 32 kg now. He is 110 cm long nose to tail head and 80 cm high to top of his ears. He is German Shepherd but we don't know if he is purebred. He found us at about 6 weeks old, nearly dead from starvation. Took a few months for Tanya and veterinarian to bring him back to health
Good sized. He looks like a GSD of some variety.
Allen, great to hear that you, Tanya and Lucky are finally at home in Regina. (Can’t imagine crating my big mountain cur mix for the trip across the Atlantic but kudos to you all for making it, mostly in one piece.) Sending all good wishes for some peace and happiness your way. Kiri sends big woofs.
Some days ago you detailed your perilous, long journey with diverticulitis and the ever-present devotion and care you received from beautiful Tanya, who had enough love to make sure Lucky made it to his new home too. Love is a verb! May you be happy and well.
So relieved you all made it and that Lucky did well. What a journey. We missed Canadian Thanksgiving but this year you all have a share in our day of gratitude. Thanks for the update, Allen. Bless you all.
Such happy news, Allen! All the best to you, Tanya and Lucky (who seems to have earned his name).
Wonderful news! Please rest and take care ☮️💟
Heather, our family is very thankful for you in our lives.
Our Dr Richardson is one of the finest.
Keep safe and well, everybody. Hold your dear ones close. I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving.
We can always use a good reminder of what Lincoln held steadfast to and what others, like ourselves, did to hold the country together. Please 39,808 people in your thoughts when you gather with loved ones. That figure is the amount of people who have died by gun violence in our country this year. https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/
Many thanks, Heather, for your continuous caring to educate truth.
Left out “keep” in front of the number.
I "saw" it there anyway...
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