I started these letters completely inadvertently on September 15, 2019, after I happened to see House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff's (D-CA) angry letter to then–acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire on September 13, noting that the committee knew a whistleblower had made a complaint and demanding that Maguire produce that complaint as required by law. As a political historian, I saw that for what it was: an accusation from a member of the legislative branch that someone in the executive branch had very clearly broken a specific law. That was huge, way different than the general complaints around at the time that, for example, then-president Trump must be violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution, an accusation that was vague enough that it was terribly hard to address.
My day starts with educating myself by reading your letter. I then go on to my middle school to educate the next generation of informed citizens. The future of our democracy depends on you and us building a community of caring individuals who are aware of our responsibility to uphold the principles passed on by previous enlightened thinkers. You are not just writing about history; you are making it. Rock on!
My gratitude runs deep for your willingness to share your gift!
When American politics is confusing, you bring understanding. When American politics is overwhelming, you bring centering. When American politics is disheartening, you bring inspiring words.
Sometimes I imagine you sitting with our founding fathers and they are reading your letters from an American and listening to your 21st century wise woman wisdom.
So many of us start our days by reading your letters to give us that same sense of community and the hope that if enough good people are paying attention, we might possibly make it through this with our democracy intact.
My friends and I repeatedly say that it's only your clear explanations and connections to the sense that "we've survived these things before" that keep us going through these impossibly infuriating times.
I have been frequently reposting your Letters on both twitter and Facebook. I lack adequate words to tell you how much I appreciate not only your broad knowledge of our history but also your analytical ability in assessing the day’s news. Most of all, though, it seems clear to me that you do all this and share your insight with no agenda except to inform, educate, and to do whatever is in your power to save our democracy which is in crisis. I am thankful for you, Dr. Richardson. Thank you for caring.
You totally rock, woman, and my world is infinitely better because of you and your work. May our co-created community support your work and our democracy.
Thank you, Professor Richardson, for starting and maintaining this forum of facts and stimulating ideas. Your work has enriched my understanding of our nation’s history and its present. And it continually makes me THINK.
I wanted to comment, but everyone already read my mind. All I have is a thank-you for truth, understanding,your love of democracy, and for sharing your thoughts EVERY DANG DAY. You're my hero.
I have been reading the NY Times since 1982 daily. It is my "go to" newspaper and I have greatly benefited from NY Times insights over these many years.
However, I am writing to suggest that the NY Times team up with Heather Cox Richardson who writes a daily named "Letters from an American".
Dr. Richardson's daily "letter" is filled with information from today in the context of American historical precedent and history.
The latter part of the above sentence is how Letters' from an American is different from anything offered at the NY Times.
I think the NY Times readership would GREATLY benefit from a partnership with Letters from an American and Dr. Richardson.
The only writer you have that comes even close to the riveting information provided by Dr. Richardson's "Letters" is Jamelle Bouie.
Please consider this a serious suggestion and a great opportunity for the NY Times.
Dr. R... You have educated many; you have given us hope; you have so often connected the dots; and you have brought us together on this worthy page. I am a reader, not a writer.....I have learned so much from your letters and they have inspired me to act more, read more, converse more. Your letters are high up on my list of gratitudes.... I sincerely thank you!
I think that yellow jacket sting was like the proverbial flap of butterfly wings that can cause such change in the world. I've learned so very much as a reader of LFAA, listener of the podcast, watcher of the video chats, and reader of books (yours and others that the Herd has recommended). I cannot adequately express my gratitude to you, Professor, and your support crew, family, and friends that make it all possible. As well, my soul is grateful to Buddy and others who share the beauty they've captured in the cycling of a camera's shutter. Some of those images have been the beauty that pulls me back to a place of light and hope. I will be an eternal fan of you and the unswerving dedication you've shown to this accidental calling that serves to educate and inform a global audience. Blessings of the holiday season to everyone, in whatever manner you observe it. Be well and stay safe as we step through the last days of this calendar year.
Never before has a yellow jacket sting wrought such a fine, expansive body of work or brought so many together. Thank you, Heather, for starting this journey and staying with us beyond Biden's first 100 days. I'm honored to be among the many who respect and appreciate your daily insights and diligence.
And one of our greatest gifts, since you started those letters, is the clarity snd perspective you bring to each one. You definitely are on my gratitude list! Thank you. 🍁
What a relief. As I started reading, I braced myself, thinking, "Uh-oh, this is starting to sound like a 'Dear John/Jane' letter." I am so thankful to be wrong. Shout out to Adam Schiff for inspiring Heather Cox Richardson to gather such a powerful community as we have here!
Here in Australia, the Letters arrive late afternoon. I look for the day's Letter as if waiting at the gate for the postman; so now does the friend who's been staying with me during the past few days. Your profoundly well-informed writings, balanced and clearsighted, are havens of calm in the chaos. Beacons of hope. The real thing. Happy Thanksgiving, in your beautiful Maine.
Your name was mentioned with great appreciation at our dinner table tonight, and we toasted in gratitude, to the gift of history you have shared. Thank you!
My day starts with educating myself by reading your letter. I then go on to my middle school to educate the next generation of informed citizens. The future of our democracy depends on you and us building a community of caring individuals who are aware of our responsibility to uphold the principles passed on by previous enlightened thinkers. You are not just writing about history; you are making it. Rock on!
My gratitude runs deep for your willingness to share your gift!
Thank you thank you on this day of gratitude.
When American politics is confusing, you bring understanding. When American politics is overwhelming, you bring centering. When American politics is disheartening, you bring inspiring words.
Sometimes I imagine you sitting with our founding fathers and they are reading your letters from an American and listening to your 21st century wise woman wisdom.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
So many of us start our days by reading your letters to give us that same sense of community and the hope that if enough good people are paying attention, we might possibly make it through this with our democracy intact.
My friends and I repeatedly say that it's only your clear explanations and connections to the sense that "we've survived these things before" that keep us going through these impossibly infuriating times.
I read your letter before I get out of bed every morning. The clarity keeps my head from exploding.
I have been frequently reposting your Letters on both twitter and Facebook. I lack adequate words to tell you how much I appreciate not only your broad knowledge of our history but also your analytical ability in assessing the day’s news. Most of all, though, it seems clear to me that you do all this and share your insight with no agenda except to inform, educate, and to do whatever is in your power to save our democracy which is in crisis. I am thankful for you, Dr. Richardson. Thank you for caring.
You totally rock, woman, and my world is infinitely better because of you and your work. May our co-created community support your work and our democracy.
Thank you, Professor Richardson, for starting and maintaining this forum of facts and stimulating ideas. Your work has enriched my understanding of our nation’s history and its present. And it continually makes me THINK.
I wanted to comment, but everyone already read my mind. All I have is a thank-you for truth, understanding,your love of democracy, and for sharing your thoughts EVERY DANG DAY. You're my hero.
Done. Sent to the editorial board just now.
A "letter to the NY Times"
To whom it may concern:
My name is Michael Sanchez.
I have been reading the NY Times since 1982 daily. It is my "go to" newspaper and I have greatly benefited from NY Times insights over these many years.
However, I am writing to suggest that the NY Times team up with Heather Cox Richardson who writes a daily named "Letters from an American".
Dr. Richardson's daily "letter" is filled with information from today in the context of American historical precedent and history.
The latter part of the above sentence is how Letters' from an American is different from anything offered at the NY Times.
I think the NY Times readership would GREATLY benefit from a partnership with Letters from an American and Dr. Richardson.
The only writer you have that comes even close to the riveting information provided by Dr. Richardson's "Letters" is Jamelle Bouie.
Please consider this a serious suggestion and a great opportunity for the NY Times.
Michael Sanchez, Ph.D
Dr. R... You have educated many; you have given us hope; you have so often connected the dots; and you have brought us together on this worthy page. I am a reader, not a writer.....I have learned so much from your letters and they have inspired me to act more, read more, converse more. Your letters are high up on my list of gratitudes.... I sincerely thank you!
I think that yellow jacket sting was like the proverbial flap of butterfly wings that can cause such change in the world. I've learned so very much as a reader of LFAA, listener of the podcast, watcher of the video chats, and reader of books (yours and others that the Herd has recommended). I cannot adequately express my gratitude to you, Professor, and your support crew, family, and friends that make it all possible. As well, my soul is grateful to Buddy and others who share the beauty they've captured in the cycling of a camera's shutter. Some of those images have been the beauty that pulls me back to a place of light and hope. I will be an eternal fan of you and the unswerving dedication you've shown to this accidental calling that serves to educate and inform a global audience. Blessings of the holiday season to everyone, in whatever manner you observe it. Be well and stay safe as we step through the last days of this calendar year.
Never before has a yellow jacket sting wrought such a fine, expansive body of work or brought so many together. Thank you, Heather, for starting this journey and staying with us beyond Biden's first 100 days. I'm honored to be among the many who respect and appreciate your daily insights and diligence.
And one of our greatest gifts, since you started those letters, is the clarity snd perspective you bring to each one. You definitely are on my gratitude list! Thank you. 🍁
What a relief. As I started reading, I braced myself, thinking, "Uh-oh, this is starting to sound like a 'Dear John/Jane' letter." I am so thankful to be wrong. Shout out to Adam Schiff for inspiring Heather Cox Richardson to gather such a powerful community as we have here!
Here in Australia, the Letters arrive late afternoon. I look for the day's Letter as if waiting at the gate for the postman; so now does the friend who's been staying with me during the past few days. Your profoundly well-informed writings, balanced and clearsighted, are havens of calm in the chaos. Beacons of hope. The real thing. Happy Thanksgiving, in your beautiful Maine.
Your name was mentioned with great appreciation at our dinner table tonight, and we toasted in gratitude, to the gift of history you have shared. Thank you!