Thank you, Heather for all you do! Can’t tell you how much I appreciate your wisdom. Hope you hade a wonderful Thanksgiving! We will get through this nightmare.
We SHALL survive Trump. It has taken a while for thinkers to figure it out and articulate the point, but I'm more optimistic now than I have been since election day. https://wapo.st/4g8CYkZ
Nice that WaPo believes in democracy when it is too late to keep the barbarians on the outside. The WaPo of the 70’s knew how to keep democracy. Now it’s a shell and a joke.
Tell that to Rupert, but you are right. It was a cabal with Rupert, Ronnie, and a host of like-minded ideologues intent on that permanent Repub majority that Mitch did a bang-up job on.
Steve ~ I Googled "are Eva Bellin and Kurt Weyland Trump supporters" and did not get any answer except the article you mention, which does not answer the question. Does anyone here know the answer? It still gets me that 50% of voters did not vote for Trump and I still love what Heather said on Nov. 18 "Claiming they have a mandate, Trump’s people have said they are launching “a hostile takeover” of the American government “on behalf of the American people.” But as voting numbers continue to come in, Trump’s majority has fallen below 50% of voters, meaning that more voters chose someone else than chose Trump on November 5. These results are far from being in “mandate” territory."
The KEY, in my mind, is that he is ALL bluster and prevarication. He has OFTEN, for example, threatened to sue people who have said things about him that he didn't like... i.e. David Cay Johnston. But how often has he followed through? IF he has sued such people (and to my knowledge, he has NOT sued Johnston, the "dean of Trumpologists") has he ever won a court case forcing anyone to take back any such criticism? Emphatically NO.
Don't be afraid. Be confident. Demand, in writing, in letters to editors, for example, that WaPo and every other "news" enterprise, tell the truth about his claims.
Being afraid is a mindset which looks to me a lot like "obeying in advance." Which Timothy Snyder encourages people NOT to do.
I certainly share Jim's sentiments. Your insights, but also your encouragement and clear thinking advice how to get through what lies ahead, are so appreciated. (I saw a quote recently that read: lying and stupidity are species ending characteristics- to be determined.) The photo you posted is gorgeous. Same to you and Buddy.
One thing for which I am thankful is having been introduced to your letters. They are a source of historical perspective, reason, and the assurance that I am on the right path in my beliefs about our country and its place in this world.
Steve Muratore, and clearly. I can be loud, but do I really have history and a grasp of law as well as facts to back me up? However, I think I know what you mean. The democrats have been far too polite thinking they’re dealing with rational people on the other side.
It’s like talking to the mafioso gangs.
Hopefully, they’ll literally ‘do away’ with each other. I don’t touch WaPo now. Too late. A feeble attempt to claw back from a lemming edge for my taste. I do pity some of their reporters, but not enough …..
Wish I could have liked this comment 1,000 times. Words to sustain me as I figure the best way to be a thorn in the side of the next president. Sorry, but I simply must call him Pvt. Bone Spurs, or nothing: He Who Shall Not Be Named. A Non-Person. Today I continue to be thankful for all the Letters and thoughtful comments. I may start by writing every Republican member of Congress, to tell them I will never vote Republican again unless they rein PBS in. i might include a wonderful old Doonesbury cartoon of a US senator bending forward, until…. oops!
What a beautiful serene picture! You have a talent for calming people with your writing and your choice of pictures. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and I am grateful for your steadfast optimism during the last several years. Here’s to looking through a half full glass💙
Christine, that stunning photo that Heather posted will help me through any malaise I feel. One of my first thoughts was of the painter Camille Corot, a 19th cen French painter.
Heather lifts me up with her grasp of historical perspective, and helps me realize how hungry as well as curious I am for facts. My art history major along time ago was based on the right side of whatever my brain. Then career as dancer choreographer now writing poetry pushed it more. Heather’s letters are helping that other side; even more, I feel like so many of us that she’s a national treasure. And, luckily me, I’m alive to read her letters and even more catch her occasionally on television. Meanwhile, I wonder whose eye and camera caught that serene and lacey pond, trees and sky?
Sámano, I agree with your assessment that HCR is a national treasure and, artist to artist, she is an artist in her own right; able to see what is needed in individuals and communicate that through her writing to others. Teaching and writing is a powerful art form. And what an eye for beauty. I remember the photo of a Ukrainian with an umbrella in the snow-so beautiful and poignant.
Thank you for bringing us together on so many different levels. Whatever our individual reasons for being grateful this year, we all profit from the wisdom and the perspectives you so generously share.
Writing you from Tricesimo, Italy, where I live. I am nearing the 85 year-old mark and have been sustained, informed, encouraged and delighted with American history since you began during covid. Our family celebrates Thanksgiving on Saturday since it is not a holiday here and people had to work on Thursday. The Italian uncles and friends love celebrating with us. I am giving thanks for you and your support during this challenging time.
Such a beautiful Thanksgiving photograph! Thankful for you and the community of people you have gathered together. It has kept me mindful that there are many people of intellect, knowledge and integrity in this country and, in the midst of political insanity, gives me hope.
Throwing an idea out to see if it sticks: Wouldn't it be wonderful if on inauguration day, we all tune T. out and instead honor Biden in some meaningful way? Publicly if possible? How would we organize a thing like that? Thanks Heather!!!! Watching from Wichita with profound appreciation!!!
I love this idea. What if on this day of infamy, at the moment the Orange Menace begins to speak, there are millions of us carrying signs in front of town halls across the country that simple say: "Thank you Joe and Kamala"
Yeah!!!!! Right on spot!!!!! How do we fund making signs? People use Go Fund Me for things like this. Perhaps Heather could attract people and donations to the cause. Just spit-balling here. Who has ideas???
I did this the first time he took office. I can tell you from experience that not hearing or watching him that day helped me a lot, and I plan to do the same again next January too. I'd love it if more of you join me this time around in doing anything but watch him get sworn in.
That's fantastic! Can we get enough people on board to make a public splash on that day???? Some kind of Biden Appreciation Day event is my dream. I really want to communicate to Biden a huge Thank You for all of his amazing work. And if we can snub T. at the same time...what a statement that would be!!!! Who's in???
I'm going to start by restacking your original comment suggestion out on Notes, and I encourage everyone reading this thread to do the same. Nothing makes something go viral more than spread and multiple carriers. This time, we spread a cure instead of the disease.
Hey!!! That's wonderful!!! THAT's what I'm TALKIN' about!!!!! How do you "restack out on Notes?" I just checked the box on Notes. Is that all there is to it? Thanks!!!!!
It may depend on device. I'm on an Android phone and did the following. Tapped on the 3 stacked dots next to your comment, selected share link to comment, then chose the Substack Notes option and boom. A new note with your comment suggestion to boycott the inauguration embedded.
If you repost yours, I'll look for it, like it, repost and hopefully elevate it. I already created a new Note with your comment but there can't be too many of them out there to spend the germ of a great idea.
A beautiful serene photo to remind us of all that we should see with gratitude including Heather and Buddy, the beautiful photos that grace our lives, the core of what we need to know and think about from Heather's posts and our follow posters.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, along with the LFAA community here.
I don’t have a photo, but yesterday as I drove into the Rogue Valley for our family visit, Orion was just rising in the east. My sister and I “share” Orion as we live in different locations yet see the same sky.
We all share the same sky, the same earth, and the same universe. If only that were important to all. We are near-sighted and can only see threats when there is as much beauty near as far away. But our gaze is directed by those who have the power to sway. Like a carnival barker…
Happy After Thanksgiving, Ally, to you and yours. Hope you saw the amazing Saxophonist Mike Phillips play his version of the Star Spangled Banner yesterday at the Bears/Lions game!
Thank you, Heather for all you do! Can’t tell you how much I appreciate your wisdom. Hope you hade a wonderful Thanksgiving! We will get through this nightmare.
We SHALL survive Trump. It has taken a while for thinkers to figure it out and articulate the point, but I'm more optimistic now than I have been since election day. https://wapo.st/4g8CYkZ
Nice that WaPo believes in democracy when it is too late to keep the barbarians on the outside. The WaPo of the 70’s knew how to keep democracy. Now it’s a shell and a joke.
Except for Jennifer Rubin, Catherine Rampell, Dana Milbank...
109% agree, our heroes are brave and I hope recognized by their employers as more than a crumb thrown to the losers.
And much of the staff!
Caution! "They" are never really a single minded beast.
Tell that to Rupert, but you are right. It was a cabal with Rupert, Ronnie, and a host of like-minded ideologues intent on that permanent Repub majority that Mitch did a bang-up job on.
Steve ~ I Googled "are Eva Bellin and Kurt Weyland Trump supporters" and did not get any answer except the article you mention, which does not answer the question. Does anyone here know the answer? It still gets me that 50% of voters did not vote for Trump and I still love what Heather said on Nov. 18 "Claiming they have a mandate, Trump’s people have said they are launching “a hostile takeover” of the American government “on behalf of the American people.” But as voting numbers continue to come in, Trump’s majority has fallen below 50% of voters, meaning that more voters chose someone else than chose Trump on November 5. These results are far from being in “mandate” territory."
"He sees what he wants to see and disregards the rest...lie, lie, lie, lie..."Simon and Garfunkle
Interesting to 'have a mandate' and need to launch 'a hostile takeover' of the American government at the same time -- not exactly rational....
The KEY, in my mind, is that he is ALL bluster and prevarication. He has OFTEN, for example, threatened to sue people who have said things about him that he didn't like... i.e. David Cay Johnston. But how often has he followed through? IF he has sued such people (and to my knowledge, he has NOT sued Johnston, the "dean of Trumpologists") has he ever won a court case forcing anyone to take back any such criticism? Emphatically NO.
It's an "alternative mandate"
Indeed, VERY far from a mandate. That won't keep him and his backers from claiming they have an overwhelming mandate. Here's another important piece of academic reporting. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-a-nation-embraces-a-false-reality/
WP failed to endorse Harris. I am afraid medias will be quiet。
Don't be afraid. Be confident. Demand, in writing, in letters to editors, for example, that WaPo and every other "news" enterprise, tell the truth about his claims.
Being afraid is a mindset which looks to me a lot like "obeying in advance." Which Timothy Snyder encourages people NOT to do.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hope-can-be-more-powerful-than-mindfulness/
I certainly share Jim's sentiments. Your insights, but also your encouragement and clear thinking advice how to get through what lies ahead, are so appreciated. (I saw a quote recently that read: lying and stupidity are species ending characteristics- to be determined.) The photo you posted is gorgeous. Same to you and Buddy.
One thing for which I am thankful is having been introduced to your letters. They are a source of historical perspective, reason, and the assurance that I am on the right path in my beliefs about our country and its place in this world.
I think you speak for all of us.
Yes.
But Heather can't be the only voice. WE MUST speak up loudly too.
Steve Muratore, and clearly. I can be loud, but do I really have history and a grasp of law as well as facts to back me up? However, I think I know what you mean. The democrats have been far too polite thinking they’re dealing with rational people on the other side.
It’s like talking to the mafioso gangs.
Hopefully, they’ll literally ‘do away’ with each other. I don’t touch WaPo now. Too late. A feeble attempt to claw back from a lemming edge for my taste. I do pity some of their reporters, but not enough …..
Yep...
Yep
I'm sure that 💯% of the readers agree with you. At least I do.😃
Yes!
Here is the current mindset: Something to think about:
"There is too much bad news to justify complacency. There is too much good news to justify despair."
Happy holidays to all!
Wish I could have liked this comment 1,000 times. Words to sustain me as I figure the best way to be a thorn in the side of the next president. Sorry, but I simply must call him Pvt. Bone Spurs, or nothing: He Who Shall Not Be Named. A Non-Person. Today I continue to be thankful for all the Letters and thoughtful comments. I may start by writing every Republican member of Congress, to tell them I will never vote Republican again unless they rein PBS in. i might include a wonderful old Doonesbury cartoon of a US senator bending forward, until…. oops!
We are dealing with his inauguration by leaving the country for a few weeks. The privilege afforded by retirement.
What a beautiful serene picture! You have a talent for calming people with your writing and your choice of pictures. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and I am grateful for your steadfast optimism during the last several years. Here’s to looking through a half full glass💙
Christine, that stunning photo that Heather posted will help me through any malaise I feel. One of my first thoughts was of the painter Camille Corot, a 19th cen French painter.
Heather lifts me up with her grasp of historical perspective, and helps me realize how hungry as well as curious I am for facts. My art history major along time ago was based on the right side of whatever my brain. Then career as dancer choreographer now writing poetry pushed it more. Heather’s letters are helping that other side; even more, I feel like so many of us that she’s a national treasure. And, luckily me, I’m alive to read her letters and even more catch her occasionally on television. Meanwhile, I wonder whose eye and camera caught that serene and lacey pond, trees and sky?
Sámano, I agree with your assessment that HCR is a national treasure and, artist to artist, she is an artist in her own right; able to see what is needed in individuals and communicate that through her writing to others. Teaching and writing is a powerful art form. And what an eye for beauty. I remember the photo of a Ukrainian with an umbrella in the snow-so beautiful and poignant.
Thankful for you.
Thank you for bringing us together on so many different levels. Whatever our individual reasons for being grateful this year, we all profit from the wisdom and the perspectives you so generously share.
Writing you from Tricesimo, Italy, where I live. I am nearing the 85 year-old mark and have been sustained, informed, encouraged and delighted with American history since you began during covid. Our family celebrates Thanksgiving on Saturday since it is not a holiday here and people had to work on Thursday. The Italian uncles and friends love celebrating with us. I am giving thanks for you and your support during this challenging time.
Such a beautiful Thanksgiving photograph! Thankful for you and the community of people you have gathered together. It has kept me mindful that there are many people of intellect, knowledge and integrity in this country and, in the midst of political insanity, gives me hope.
That picture puts a lump in my throat. Is it the bridge, perhaps? And all I can hear is the birds.
So beautiful and peaceful! ❤️
Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving, Heather.
Throwing an idea out to see if it sticks: Wouldn't it be wonderful if on inauguration day, we all tune T. out and instead honor Biden in some meaningful way? Publicly if possible? How would we organize a thing like that? Thanks Heather!!!! Watching from Wichita with profound appreciation!!!
I love this idea. What if on this day of infamy, at the moment the Orange Menace begins to speak, there are millions of us carrying signs in front of town halls across the country that simple say: "Thank you Joe and Kamala"
I’m in
Yeah!!!!! Right on spot!!!!! How do we fund making signs? People use Go Fund Me for things like this. Perhaps Heather could attract people and donations to the cause. Just spit-balling here. Who has ideas???
You mean with a bigger crowd than chump
Well, we've got the numbers. We just need to organize and show up.
I did this the first time he took office. I can tell you from experience that not hearing or watching him that day helped me a lot, and I plan to do the same again next January too. I'd love it if more of you join me this time around in doing anything but watch him get sworn in.
That's fantastic! Can we get enough people on board to make a public splash on that day???? Some kind of Biden Appreciation Day event is my dream. I really want to communicate to Biden a huge Thank You for all of his amazing work. And if we can snub T. at the same time...what a statement that would be!!!! Who's in???
I'm going to start by restacking your original comment suggestion out on Notes, and I encourage everyone reading this thread to do the same. Nothing makes something go viral more than spread and multiple carriers. This time, we spread a cure instead of the disease.
Hey!!! That's wonderful!!! THAT's what I'm TALKIN' about!!!!! How do you "restack out on Notes?" I just checked the box on Notes. Is that all there is to it? Thanks!!!!!
It may depend on device. I'm on an Android phone and did the following. Tapped on the 3 stacked dots next to your comment, selected share link to comment, then chose the Substack Notes option and boom. A new note with your comment suggestion to boycott the inauguration embedded.
If you repost yours, I'll look for it, like it, repost and hopefully elevate it. I already created a new Note with your comment but there can't be too many of them out there to spend the germ of a great idea.
Thanks! I reposted my original post just now.
Thankful, indeed, when much is difficult to see in such light.
Happy Thanksgiving, Heather. Hope it's restful, because you at full power helps keep democracy alive.
I’m glad to know such places exist. Thank you for the moment of calm. And thanks for you.
A beautiful serene photo to remind us of all that we should see with gratitude including Heather and Buddy, the beautiful photos that grace our lives, the core of what we need to know and think about from Heather's posts and our follow posters.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, along with the LFAA community here.
I don’t have a photo, but yesterday as I drove into the Rogue Valley for our family visit, Orion was just rising in the east. My sister and I “share” Orion as we live in different locations yet see the same sky.
We all share the same sky, the same earth, and the same universe. If only that were important to all. We are near-sighted and can only see threats when there is as much beauty near as far away. But our gaze is directed by those who have the power to sway. Like a carnival barker…
Happy After Thanksgiving, Ally, to you and yours. Hope you saw the amazing Saxophonist Mike Phillips play his version of the Star Spangled Banner yesterday at the Bears/Lions game!
https://x.com/NFL/status/1862188601489907830
Happy after to you and yours, Lynell!
Enjoy your evening! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Buddy!
Thank you for your letters and sharing of your knowledge and expertise!