Yes—there has been a steady drumbeat through American history of bad leaders squandering opportunities, resisting the tide of democratic change.
But against that beat there has been a song of freedom sung loudly by the forces of freedom, justice, and equality that those bad presidents could never snuff out. We are those forces and we are that song.
I do appreciate Stephanie putting our history in context. And there is so much more. But there are people who throughout have stood up against our darkest urges and made a difference at the right time. One has always come to mind:
Joseph Welch, the chief counsel for the United States Army, confronted Senator Joseph McCarthy with the memorable line:
“Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”
This moment is often cited as a turning point in the public’s perception of McCarthy and his anti-communist crusade.
I think many of you are equally as brave as Welch, a few are Scott, Sam, Grant, Stephanie. Kamala will owe a debt of gratitude to you setting the table for her reuniting and healing our country.
Comparing the current situation to past experiences has a sobering,bracing and inspiring effect. Thank you for the overview, and the lesson. Very helpful and appreciated
Seeing the microcosm within the macrocosm is historically essential. Thank you Stephanie for your wisdom and insight in these times. It was a calming reminder.
Eloquently put, Dr. Stephanie! A special course in U.S. history in secondary school ought to deal with the untoward behavior of some of our presidents. There have been Trump predecessors in ignominy, but he takes the devil's food cake. Noted is that Lincoln is not present on your list. To me, a person able and inspired to pen 'The Gettysburg Address' during a few hours on the train from Washington in time of war, ought to hold a special place in history. Some people that I know from the South view Lincoln as a war criminal and a traitor, and it may be that this view is shared by millions. Thus, it is not surprising that a 'trump' should arise in an attempt to institute a modern Confederacy. Kamala Harris is the only choice to bring about a more equitable and vibrant future for all Americans!
History is way more nuanced than our country has acknowledged in its history books. The more we know where we come from, the better we know who we are. Thank you so much for reading and sharing!
Wow, thank you for this perspective about our presidents. I
Had the same thought about our momentum, that what is right and good will prevail. The light of who we are, in our humanity, and what we have created thru democracy together, could not go out.
Wonderful piece. History teaches us where we've been and where we've succeeded and failed. We should learn from those lessons to move forward and not backward. To correct mistakes, if possible, and not repeat them. I'm optimistic that Kamala and Tim will put us on a path forward.
Yes—there has been a steady drumbeat through American history of bad leaders squandering opportunities, resisting the tide of democratic change.
But against that beat there has been a song of freedom sung loudly by the forces of freedom, justice, and equality that those bad presidents could never snuff out. We are those forces and we are that song.
Keep singing it!
Beautifully said, Sam! Thank you for reading.
I do appreciate Stephanie putting our history in context. And there is so much more. But there are people who throughout have stood up against our darkest urges and made a difference at the right time. One has always come to mind:
Joseph Welch, the chief counsel for the United States Army, confronted Senator Joseph McCarthy with the memorable line:
“Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”
This moment is often cited as a turning point in the public’s perception of McCarthy and his anti-communist crusade.
I think many of you are equally as brave as Welch, a few are Scott, Sam, Grant, Stephanie. Kamala will owe a debt of gratitude to you setting the table for her reuniting and healing our country.
Thank you all.
What a great addition! Thank you for reading :)
You forgot that Harry Truman integrated the armed forces of the United States!
There is so much more I could’ve added! Thank you for reading!
Excellent work!
Thank you,Scott! Thanks for all your hard work too!
Comparing the current situation to past experiences has a sobering,bracing and inspiring effect. Thank you for the overview, and the lesson. Very helpful and appreciated
Thank you for reading, Pierre!
Great piece, Doctor.
Thank You…on this eve before Election Day…your words calmed my heart and soul…
Thank you for reading, Lyn! We’ve got this :)
Seeing the microcosm within the macrocosm is historically essential. Thank you Stephanie for your wisdom and insight in these times. It was a calming reminder.
Thanks for reading, Susan!
Madam President
Can’t wait to say that! 🤞🏻
Eloquently put, Dr. Stephanie! A special course in U.S. history in secondary school ought to deal with the untoward behavior of some of our presidents. There have been Trump predecessors in ignominy, but he takes the devil's food cake. Noted is that Lincoln is not present on your list. To me, a person able and inspired to pen 'The Gettysburg Address' during a few hours on the train from Washington in time of war, ought to hold a special place in history. Some people that I know from the South view Lincoln as a war criminal and a traitor, and it may be that this view is shared by millions. Thus, it is not surprising that a 'trump' should arise in an attempt to institute a modern Confederacy. Kamala Harris is the only choice to bring about a more equitable and vibrant future for all Americans!
History is way more nuanced than our country has acknowledged in its history books. The more we know where we come from, the better we know who we are. Thank you so much for reading and sharing!
Wow, thank you for this perspective about our presidents. I
Had the same thought about our momentum, that what is right and good will prevail. The light of who we are, in our humanity, and what we have created thru democracy together, could not go out.
Absolutely. You can’t hold that back!
Thank you for reading.
Thanks for the perspective!
Thanks for reading, Kristin!
Beautifully written, powerful and lasting words. Thank you for all you do ❤️
Thank you for reading, Kevin!
Wonderful piece. History teaches us where we've been and where we've succeeded and failed. We should learn from those lessons to move forward and not backward. To correct mistakes, if possible, and not repeat them. I'm optimistic that Kamala and Tim will put us on a path forward.
Me too, Frederick. Thank you for reading!
Love it Mike! Yes! Thank you for reading.
Thanks for reading. We got this!!!