Early in the morning of April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln breathed his last. The night before, he and his wife had gone to see a play—a comedy. One of the last men to talk to him before he left for the theater said it seemed the cares of the previous four years were melting away. The Confederacy was all but defeated, and the nation seemed to be on its way to a prosperous, inclusive new future.
Sometimes it is very, very difficult to tap that “heart” emoji. I do not love to read what is so horrifying and real. But I love that you are writing it with such clarity and truth and intelligence. Thank you, with all my heart.
“Now, he belongs to the ages.... “ memorializes President Lincoln’s death. I’d add, he belongs to us and to our children.
Tonight’s Letter suggests our republic may soon belong to the ages. Putin and Trump would be thrilled. And all this started with - slavery and the Black wet nurse much loved.
To Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, may God bless her brave and honest heart.
What is breaking the hearts of those of us who still love democracy is the inability to bring together enough senators to protect voting rights on a bipartisan basis. It appears that the Senate, as a body, has become so corrupt or that senators fear more for their safety or value their careers over their patriotic duty or a combination of these. Where is the courage to prevent the subversion of the democratic process? Is keeping the Republican party intact more important than standing up for America? Does this responsibility have to be shouldered by Democrats only when two of our senators care more about their personal interests than their country? This cannot excuse Republicans who might vote otherwise to say it’s not their responsibility too. Most have already cast their lot and washed their hands when acquitting Trump in both impeachments. There is still no excuse although I fear there is no deal to be made before the midterms likely shift the majority of the House or Senate or both. As the child of immigrants who fled Hitler’s Austria, I never thought I would see fascism take over our country. But there it is.
Further proof that Harry Truman was right back in 1948: "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies." Some things never change (except for the worse).
The backbone of Lincoln's brilliance, humility, and vision is enshrined in the 14th Amendment. Section 1:
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Each of these 19 states are in violation of this amendment by enacted their new election laws under the well worn canard and explicit euphemism of state rights. Only Congress has the ability to uniformly enact legislation to ensure Section 1 as law, and this action is explicit within Section 5:
"The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."
If Congress, by default the Democrats, fail to move any named Voting Rights Legislation successfully into Law, then, as we well understand by now, any semblance of our democracy remains doomed. This should unequivocally be the focus. All other matters, granted there are many, can only be addressed if the Democrats retain Congress. The only way they can succeed, beyond the majority supporting their work in the polls, is for fair elections to substantiate it.
A former refugee from S. Sudan (now a naturalized U.S. citizen), who I have known for 20 years and I consider family, said to me yesterday (but not for the first time!), "I do not understand why people like trump have not been arrested and put in jail. It doesn't make sense. When I came to this country, I thought there were laws, democracy". He cannot help but fear the outcome when the "rule of law" disappears; when bad people are not held responsible but are allowed to continue their deeds unpunished.
This is not an educated man, and he has limited literacy yet understands and gets the issues. He saw and experienced first-hand the horrors of what happens when evil and incompetence infiltrates to become the government. A few control the masses and exert their power with weapons and brutality vs. laws and real leadership. The result for this kind, wonderful person is a level of anxiety of not being safe in the U.S. (being Black in America doesn't help). Yet, I am impressed that he moves forward to provide the best life he can for his family.
So much extraordinary progress in 157 years, thanks to the wisdom and will of President Lincoln and so many others who followed him. Do today's Republicans who are trying to tear the nation asunder ever wonder about their personal hypocrisy? Wrapping themselves in the flag, as they so lustily do, while trying to destroy the concept of the United States. Gleefully taking credit for Democrats bringing millions of dollars to their states for infrastructure work that they opposed. Embracing a sworn enemy of the country, Putin. I could go on and on, but we all know these so-called patriots don't care a whit about hypocrisy. Or lying.
And now they've shed their masks, showing us clearly that they want to take us back to pre-Civil War days. As the professor articulates so powerfully, they want all-powerful states. States where well-off white people rule and suppress basic human and civil rights, trash the environment, assure the existential threat of climate change, and so much more. But, at the same time, they want to enjoy the benefits of a strong, well-funded federal government — especially the flow of money.
Why the Democrats in power, from the president to Congress, aren't shouting from the mountaintop about what's happening is simply shocking. Yes, a few are trying to do so, and all credit to them. But the media, which apparently doesn't see it will lose its freedom too, is increasingly complicit in this escalating soft Civil War, with one side now winning and rigging the game like crooked dealers at blackjack tables.
Thank you, Professor, for the always enlightening history lesson. So much of History repeats. The names may change but corruption and greed and power grabs are the badges of the party that either steals the election or convinces enough voters and their leaders that it was stolen. Is that today’s story? Someday in a hundred years, if there is still a USA, our great-great-great grandchildren will marvel at how we all worked together to save the Democracy. Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Sometimes it is very, very difficult to tap that “heart” emoji. I do not love to read what is so horrifying and real. But I love that you are writing it with such clarity and truth and intelligence. Thank you, with all my heart.
“Now, he belongs to the ages.... “ memorializes President Lincoln’s death. I’d add, he belongs to us and to our children.
Tonight’s Letter suggests our republic may soon belong to the ages. Putin and Trump would be thrilled. And all this started with - slavery and the Black wet nurse much loved.
To Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, may God bless her brave and honest heart.
What is breaking the hearts of those of us who still love democracy is the inability to bring together enough senators to protect voting rights on a bipartisan basis. It appears that the Senate, as a body, has become so corrupt or that senators fear more for their safety or value their careers over their patriotic duty or a combination of these. Where is the courage to prevent the subversion of the democratic process? Is keeping the Republican party intact more important than standing up for America? Does this responsibility have to be shouldered by Democrats only when two of our senators care more about their personal interests than their country? This cannot excuse Republicans who might vote otherwise to say it’s not their responsibility too. Most have already cast their lot and washed their hands when acquitting Trump in both impeachments. There is still no excuse although I fear there is no deal to be made before the midterms likely shift the majority of the House or Senate or both. As the child of immigrants who fled Hitler’s Austria, I never thought I would see fascism take over our country. But there it is.
Today's Republicans would detest Abraham Lincoln.
Given US history, Biden is as brave as Zelensky every time he appears in public.
We are quite ill at present, our democracy.
We are short of breath, and short on
magic words referencing wondrous policy.
We are fractured, broken, unhealed, and plenty unheeding
We are lies and manipulation, naked greed
we are saints and sinners, all
We are stalwart, heroic, upstanding and righteous crusaders
We are talking to ourselves
We are taking on the filth of propaganda
We are silly, sad, little people
We will be surprised by the already changed climate
All of us.
In this human condition
that is, the bed we have made,
a lot of us are toast.
Blessings upon us
The other side of the coin is that the Democrats in Congress don't seem to be acting effectively to mobilize Americans to keep the pledge that:
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."
Abraham Lincoln
"I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat."
Will Rogers
Further proof that Harry Truman was right back in 1948: "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies." Some things never change (except for the worse).
The backbone of Lincoln's brilliance, humility, and vision is enshrined in the 14th Amendment. Section 1:
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Each of these 19 states are in violation of this amendment by enacted their new election laws under the well worn canard and explicit euphemism of state rights. Only Congress has the ability to uniformly enact legislation to ensure Section 1 as law, and this action is explicit within Section 5:
"The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."
If Congress, by default the Democrats, fail to move any named Voting Rights Legislation successfully into Law, then, as we well understand by now, any semblance of our democracy remains doomed. This should unequivocally be the focus. All other matters, granted there are many, can only be addressed if the Democrats retain Congress. The only way they can succeed, beyond the majority supporting their work in the polls, is for fair elections to substantiate it.
A former refugee from S. Sudan (now a naturalized U.S. citizen), who I have known for 20 years and I consider family, said to me yesterday (but not for the first time!), "I do not understand why people like trump have not been arrested and put in jail. It doesn't make sense. When I came to this country, I thought there were laws, democracy". He cannot help but fear the outcome when the "rule of law" disappears; when bad people are not held responsible but are allowed to continue their deeds unpunished.
This is not an educated man, and he has limited literacy yet understands and gets the issues. He saw and experienced first-hand the horrors of what happens when evil and incompetence infiltrates to become the government. A few control the masses and exert their power with weapons and brutality vs. laws and real leadership. The result for this kind, wonderful person is a level of anxiety of not being safe in the U.S. (being Black in America doesn't help). Yet, I am impressed that he moves forward to provide the best life he can for his family.
Thank you for this comparison. It is so scary to realize how many insurrectionists are part of the government.
Another one of your best letters. Thank you ❤️
Sadly...
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/
The anti-social media dialogue swamp, where deep thinking and considered reflection go to die.
So much extraordinary progress in 157 years, thanks to the wisdom and will of President Lincoln and so many others who followed him. Do today's Republicans who are trying to tear the nation asunder ever wonder about their personal hypocrisy? Wrapping themselves in the flag, as they so lustily do, while trying to destroy the concept of the United States. Gleefully taking credit for Democrats bringing millions of dollars to their states for infrastructure work that they opposed. Embracing a sworn enemy of the country, Putin. I could go on and on, but we all know these so-called patriots don't care a whit about hypocrisy. Or lying.
And now they've shed their masks, showing us clearly that they want to take us back to pre-Civil War days. As the professor articulates so powerfully, they want all-powerful states. States where well-off white people rule and suppress basic human and civil rights, trash the environment, assure the existential threat of climate change, and so much more. But, at the same time, they want to enjoy the benefits of a strong, well-funded federal government — especially the flow of money.
Why the Democrats in power, from the president to Congress, aren't shouting from the mountaintop about what's happening is simply shocking. Yes, a few are trying to do so, and all credit to them. But the media, which apparently doesn't see it will lose its freedom too, is increasingly complicit in this escalating soft Civil War, with one side now winning and rigging the game like crooked dealers at blackjack tables.
In other words, the fix is in. Unless we stop it.
Thank you, Professor, for the always enlightening history lesson. So much of History repeats. The names may change but corruption and greed and power grabs are the badges of the party that either steals the election or convinces enough voters and their leaders that it was stolen. Is that today’s story? Someday in a hundred years, if there is still a USA, our great-great-great grandchildren will marvel at how we all worked together to save the Democracy. Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Thank you, HCR. Please do get some rest.