I came away with a greater understanding of what incredible resolve and bold courage it took for the leadership and common patriots of the American revolution to fight a great imperial power for their freedom from tyranny-
I encourage everyone who feels like giving up to watch that with the hope that it will inspire “we the people” to fight until we win against the current attempt by fascists to destroy our democracy and freedoms
J, it's an outstanding documentary...you're right. I'm a big fan of Ken's work. I agree; for anyone who has not watched it...I would also highly recommend!
I guess the right words to start saying are 'don't look away from…' We must bear witness over and over again and continuously spread the word to be bold and not look away using precise language not euphemisms. Makes it harder for people to ignore the actual, real truth, to talk themselves out of it.
Of course Renee Nicole Good is top of mind as I write this - so I feel I should add ' never let it go'. Our brains are big enough to hold many events close, and keep them in the public discourse.
Bearing witness, repeatedly and precisely...is how truth stays visible instead of being softened into something people can ignore.
Euphemisms are a kind of "permission" slip. Naming things clearly...takes that away!
And...you’re right...we don’t have to choose WHICH truths to hold. We can keep many close...KEEP saying their names...and refuse to let them fade from the public record.
Hi Jack, please keep a copy of this readily available for when 48 assumes office; it may need to circulated a few times to new viewing audiences in the near future. Great post, thank you.
Jack - What a beautiful story you selected to give us all hope that our democracy is not inevitably permanently damaged. Looking back can give us the courage to look forward with optimism. There are so many good people who deeply care about wanting a better life for all : especially for those who don’t look like us, who are disadvantaged. But to have restraint now in the face of this daily criminal behavior is so tough.
Tom, thank you for this. Hope doesn’t come from pretending damage hasn’t been done...it comes from REMEMBERING that repair...has always required people who care through the damage. People like YOU, Tom.
You’re right...restraint is incredibly hard when the behavior feels relentless. And...as you know well...restraint doesn’t mean passivity. It means staying clear-eyed...morally anchored...and unwilling to surrender our values...even when anger would be easier.
That tension is real...and it’s where courage usually lives!
Great article Jack! Lincoln was my niece Melanie’s favorite President. We lost her to breast cancer in 2009 at 32 years young. Thanks for honoring her through Lincoln. We are never taught about how fraught times were when he was President. He didn’t have many of the luxuries we take for granted in modern war, yet he was able to make great decisions and wonderful, inspiring speeches. We owe him a debt of gratitude, and can repay his legacy by saving our democracy. ❤️🥰. #HOLDFAST
Elizabeth Gooden, thank you for sharing this...and for telling me about Melanie!
I’m honored the piece connected to her memory. That's powerful.
You are right...we’re rarely taught how fraught and uncertain those years truly were...or how much was asked of him...without the tools we take for granted today.
Remembering that complexity can deepen our gratitude...I know it did mine...and strengthen our resolve to protect what he helped preserve!
One other thing that made Melanie special: she was a huge supporter and activist for Barack Obama in his early state senator days. She would go to breast cancer treatment then go out and protest the health care companies denying her necessary treatments. When she died she was buried in her favorite Obama tee shirt. Obama recognized her volunteer work and her passing at a dinner for volunteers. Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh tore her to pieces in their radio shows. She was very brave and extremely conscientious about what she was doing. She sacrificed so others might not have to. She was immortalized on the website We Are The Ones Project which chronicled the young people who propelled Obama into the White House during his first term. I always told her she was the moral conscience of our family. She wore that as a badge of honor. Thank you from me to you. 🥰❤️
Thank you for the added reinforcement of the democracy worth saving through the times when we don’t feel it. It is worth fighting for and standing against the regime. Thanks for that reminder and conviction to keep moving forward however we can. We can’t be complacent.
Democracies are often hardest to believe in...at the VERY moments they most need defending.
You’re spot on...complacency is the real danger. Continuing to show up...to stand against erosion...and to move forward...HOWEVER we can...is how the work actually gets done!
Awesome post Jack. "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it". Also, Lincoln was a Republican. What the Hell has happened to the republican party? Oh yea, money. I forgot.
Lynn, thank you. Lincoln being a Republican is an important historical fact...and also a reminder that parties change...sometimes DRAMATICALLY.
The throughline isn’t the label...it’s whether a party is anchored to principles...or incentives.
When power and money replace moral restraint...history doesn’t repeat exactly...but it does rhyme in unsettling ways.
Important note: I’m anything BUT a political expert. The only reason I’m able to write about politics with clarity...is that nearly everything that happens in politics...plays out through human psychology and behavior.
Power...fear...loyalty...identity...those patterns repeat. That’s why I’m such a strong advocate for people learning more about how humans...actually think and act.
This should be spread and shared to every American. I often think about how difficult life for ordinary citizens, not to mention the slaves, must have been during that time. Before reading your edifying article, I never thought about how difficult Lincoln’s life and decisions must have been for him. #HOLDFAST
It’s easy to flatten history into symbols...and forget the human weight...especially for ordinary people...and for those whose suffering was systematic...and BRUTAL.
Lincoln’s burden doesn’t erase that reality...but...it does remind us how HEAVY leadership can be when everything is breaking at once.
Holding fast, even imperfectly...is often what keeps repair possible!
Thank you Jack. I am not sure he was the perfect man the "history" shows him to be, but he perhaps was the only man capable of holding the fragments of our nation together. I hope 48 comes close.
I found what you very informative as what was taught in high school in the late 60's did not cover these sorts of things. I barely remember m history classes. I do remember it was mandatory at the time to take Americanism vs communism. This helps to be able to look more optimistic for our future even though it will not be easy to get to the other side.Thank you Jack #HOLDFAST
Thank you Jack, Some days I really need to borrow your conviction to just keep going.
Nancy...YOU are welcome. You can borrow it any time you find the need!
-Jack
One of your best at the right time
Great to hear, Robbie. Thank you!
-Jack
Jack -
I watched “The American Revolution” by Ken Burns
After watching this incredible documentary
I came away with a greater understanding of what incredible resolve and bold courage it took for the leadership and common patriots of the American revolution to fight a great imperial power for their freedom from tyranny-
I encourage everyone who feels like giving up to watch that with the hope that it will inspire “we the people” to fight until we win against the current attempt by fascists to destroy our democracy and freedoms
J, it's an outstanding documentary...you're right. I'm a big fan of Ken's work. I agree; for anyone who has not watched it...I would also highly recommend!
-Jack
I guess the right words to start saying are 'don't look away from…' We must bear witness over and over again and continuously spread the word to be bold and not look away using precise language not euphemisms. Makes it harder for people to ignore the actual, real truth, to talk themselves out of it.
Of course Renee Nicole Good is top of mind as I write this - so I feel I should add ' never let it go'. Our brains are big enough to hold many events close, and keep them in the public discourse.
Toni, yes..."don’t look away" is exactly right.
Bearing witness, repeatedly and precisely...is how truth stays visible instead of being softened into something people can ignore.
Euphemisms are a kind of "permission" slip. Naming things clearly...takes that away!
And...you’re right...we don’t have to choose WHICH truths to hold. We can keep many close...KEEP saying their names...and refuse to let them fade from the public record.
-Jack
Hi Jack, please keep a copy of this readily available for when 48 assumes office; it may need to circulated a few times to new viewing audiences in the near future. Great post, thank you.
Mary E, I WILL. I suspect you're right.
You're welcome...and...thank you.
-Jack
Jack - What a beautiful story you selected to give us all hope that our democracy is not inevitably permanently damaged. Looking back can give us the courage to look forward with optimism. There are so many good people who deeply care about wanting a better life for all : especially for those who don’t look like us, who are disadvantaged. But to have restraint now in the face of this daily criminal behavior is so tough.
Tom, thank you for this. Hope doesn’t come from pretending damage hasn’t been done...it comes from REMEMBERING that repair...has always required people who care through the damage. People like YOU, Tom.
You’re right...restraint is incredibly hard when the behavior feels relentless. And...as you know well...restraint doesn’t mean passivity. It means staying clear-eyed...morally anchored...and unwilling to surrender our values...even when anger would be easier.
That tension is real...and it’s where courage usually lives!
-Jack
You, me and at least 150 million proud citizens feel the same. We’re gonna fucking win.
Thanks Jack.. courage and determination and swearing.. a lot.. keeps my compass in working order.
Morgan, a compass in working order...backed by courage, determination...and swearing...is a POWERFUL combination.
-Jack
Thank you. Beautifully written. It gives us strength to keep pushing back the tentacles of evil that are trying to destroy our great country.
Much appreciated, Lynn. Anything that keeps us doing that...is something worthy of me continuing!
-Jack
Hopeful and very inspiring! So timely and I needed this. Thanks, Jack!! 💕👍
You're welcome, Deb. Thank YOU.
-Jack
Thank you Jack. ❤️❤️❤️💯
Carol Moore, you're most welcome.
-Jack
Great article Jack! Lincoln was my niece Melanie’s favorite President. We lost her to breast cancer in 2009 at 32 years young. Thanks for honoring her through Lincoln. We are never taught about how fraught times were when he was President. He didn’t have many of the luxuries we take for granted in modern war, yet he was able to make great decisions and wonderful, inspiring speeches. We owe him a debt of gratitude, and can repay his legacy by saving our democracy. ❤️🥰. #HOLDFAST
Elizabeth Gooden, thank you for sharing this...and for telling me about Melanie!
I’m honored the piece connected to her memory. That's powerful.
You are right...we’re rarely taught how fraught and uncertain those years truly were...or how much was asked of him...without the tools we take for granted today.
Remembering that complexity can deepen our gratitude...I know it did mine...and strengthen our resolve to protect what he helped preserve!
#HOLDFAST
-Jack
One other thing that made Melanie special: she was a huge supporter and activist for Barack Obama in his early state senator days. She would go to breast cancer treatment then go out and protest the health care companies denying her necessary treatments. When she died she was buried in her favorite Obama tee shirt. Obama recognized her volunteer work and her passing at a dinner for volunteers. Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh tore her to pieces in their radio shows. She was very brave and extremely conscientious about what she was doing. She sacrificed so others might not have to. She was immortalized on the website We Are The Ones Project which chronicled the young people who propelled Obama into the White House during his first term. I always told her she was the moral conscience of our family. She wore that as a badge of honor. Thank you from me to you. 🥰❤️
Thank you for the added reinforcement of the democracy worth saving through the times when we don’t feel it. It is worth fighting for and standing against the regime. Thanks for that reminder and conviction to keep moving forward however we can. We can’t be complacent.
#HoldFast
Jo, thank you for this.
Democracies are often hardest to believe in...at the VERY moments they most need defending.
You’re spot on...complacency is the real danger. Continuing to show up...to stand against erosion...and to move forward...HOWEVER we can...is how the work actually gets done!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Awesome post Jack. "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it". Also, Lincoln was a Republican. What the Hell has happened to the republican party? Oh yea, money. I forgot.
Lynn, thank you. Lincoln being a Republican is an important historical fact...and also a reminder that parties change...sometimes DRAMATICALLY.
The throughline isn’t the label...it’s whether a party is anchored to principles...or incentives.
When power and money replace moral restraint...history doesn’t repeat exactly...but it does rhyme in unsettling ways.
Important note: I’m anything BUT a political expert. The only reason I’m able to write about politics with clarity...is that nearly everything that happens in politics...plays out through human psychology and behavior.
Power...fear...loyalty...identity...those patterns repeat. That’s why I’m such a strong advocate for people learning more about how humans...actually think and act.
-Jack
This should be spread and shared to every American. I often think about how difficult life for ordinary citizens, not to mention the slaves, must have been during that time. Before reading your edifying article, I never thought about how difficult Lincoln’s life and decisions must have been for him. #HOLDFAST
Sara, thank you for sitting with that complexity.
It’s easy to flatten history into symbols...and forget the human weight...especially for ordinary people...and for those whose suffering was systematic...and BRUTAL.
Lincoln’s burden doesn’t erase that reality...but...it does remind us how HEAVY leadership can be when everything is breaking at once.
Holding fast, even imperfectly...is often what keeps repair possible!
-Jack
Thank you Jack. I am not sure he was the perfect man the "history" shows him to be, but he perhaps was the only man capable of holding the fragments of our nation together. I hope 48 comes close.
Sue
Sue, I agree...perfection was never the point.
What mattered...was that he was capable of holding something fractured together...long enough...for repair to remain POSSIBLE.
History rarely gives us ideal figures...only moments that require a particular kind of steadiness.
I share your hope...that the next chapter rises to meet that test!
-Jack
I found what you very informative as what was taught in high school in the late 60's did not cover these sorts of things. I barely remember m history classes. I do remember it was mandatory at the time to take Americanism vs communism. This helps to be able to look more optimistic for our future even though it will not be easy to get to the other side.Thank you Jack #HOLDFAST
Teri
Thank you, Teri.
A LOT of history education in that era was framed more around ideology than lived complexity...so your reaction makes sense.
Looking back with clearer context can help us move forward with steadiness...not false optimism...but the kind that understands the work ahead.
I’m glad this helped in that way. And yes...#HOLDFAST
-Jack