89 Comments

My favorite song of all time. The words are on a monument at the top of Pikes Peak. I grew up with this song as my backdrop as raised in Colorado Springs and attended Katherine Lee Bates elementary school. This school was torn down a few years ago and I hope that they memorialize her with another school named in her honor. Thank you for being the steady voice in these times.

Expand full comment

After what happened at the Capitol on January 6th, there’s no going back for republicans, I think. The few that are speaking out will eventually be pushed out, I think. Until we face the horrors of our beginning, nothing will change. We also need a new Fairness Doctrine, with teeth, that covers all platforms the deliver news. We also need to expand education and critical thinking skills so people aren’t so easily conned. Who hasn’t known since the seventies that trump I was a conman? There is so much to fix, and democrats should waste NO time working on these issues.

Expand full comment

Nightmares.... still.

Just as the Addams Family children were locked away to watch endless movies I feel every Republican should be locked inside the Senate watching endless footage of Jan 6th. If that's what they want for America it's time we reboot the country. Isn't that our 200 year history clock? None of us would have our jobs or friends if we acted in any manner they have. BTW, I want a new box to check on forms:

✔ White, non-racist.

Mahalo.

Expand full comment

Almost a month after the attack on the capital, I find I am experiencing several ongoing reactions. One is to sincerely hope that the impeachment of Trump is completed, not nearly so much for revenge as to demonstrate that the system set up by the constitution works. Power can be held accountable for its actions. Presidents are not immune to the consequences of their actions. Having the party delay the trial process until after the president gets out of office will not help him evade responsibility while the people he used go to jail.

My second reaction is a desperate desire for the reinstatement of regulations for anyone presenting "news" to have to separate truth from opinion and label them clearly. Even using unidentified sources, it should be clear if facts or rumors, theories, or opinions are being presented. I am surrounded by die hard Republicans where I live. It is distressing to see them watching FOX news daily and then insisting, with absolute belief, that totally false information on multiple topics is the truth. They see themselves as victims of those trying to help them and loyal supporters of those who would fleece and abandon them. Very few are willing to discuss issues and those who are politely discount any evidence or rational argument that challenges their belief. They see me as the same, and I can't really argue that when both of our sources are national news channels. It is difficult to reach any kind of agreement when both sides regard their sources as the truth.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Dan R. For nothing. Nothing you said was authentic.

Expand full comment

Wow how fitting Katherine Bates was inspired by Chicago during their World's Fair. It brought my mind to the The Devil in the White City (nonfiction) book by Erik Larson in which this shiny, prospering city is holding an event bringing joy and inspiration to many as unspeakable carnage occurs around them simultaneously, often unknowingly.

Expand full comment

interesting that this original score is not the current melody that I know!

Expand full comment

honorable. honest. reflective.

thank you!

Expand full comment

I cried when 9/11 happened and was angry, but on 6 January 2021, I was more than angry, I was hurt to my core. Again, I cried for days. I could never describe to you the pain and sorrow I felt that day. Americans once again misguided by a racist, bigot, and egotistical maniac, turn against their fellow Americans, our U. S Constitution and the Rule of Law. They abused our liberty and freedoms and the most horrendous part, that racist, bigot, egotistical maniac was our President, albeit an illegitimate one. I, too am older, and have seen wonderful progress in these United States, but not enough, sometimes take one step forward and two back. Our Founders relied on the decency and honor of men when they put together our Democratic Constitutional Republic, but those words, conditions seem outdated in our society today; we need to recognize this and implement necessary reforms for a not so decent and honorable society. It is a sad thing to say, but those conditions gave us a once decent and honorable GOP and their decay has given us an indecent and dishonorable political party in its place. If people, organizations, business or governments refuse to act decently and honorably, we must legislate reforms that will demand it.

Expand full comment

Marilyn, even though I am a Canadian, I can assure you that many of us cried with you on both of those occasions. We feel your pain and sorrow. We also hope and pray your country can overcome the current and sad state of affairs' it now finds itself in. God Bless

Expand full comment

I really needed this. A trusted voice. Thank you, Mr Rather.

Expand full comment

Trump = emoluments, election-treason (2x), intentional mishandling of pandemic (murder), inciting a deadly riot on the Capitol, Obstruction of Justice (10x?), open racist executive orders, tax evasion, OPEN FRAUD, on and on...

GW Bush enabled 9-11, illegally invaded Iraq on information he ordered falsified, and mutilated US personal privacy protections for all citizens, just for starters.

Reagan = Iran-Contra.

Nixon = Watergate.

Clinton = Insisted that a blow job wasn't a "sexual relationship".

I think we know the difference between serious evil and fooling around, and Republicans = Serious Evil, consistently.

Expand full comment

It’s difficult answering the question when it was a difficult time. I think they are hoping it was good for you, especially during this unprecedented time. If I stop and take this into consideration, I might just say it was okay, as a kindness. The question has to come from a friend who knows me and cares about me for me to be honest.

Expand full comment

Mr. Rather, thank you for your intelligent and genuine words. You've said it all so eloquently. As my husband and I watched on January 20, we were both moved by different words, and people. Of course, we were BOTH moved unbelievably by the young poet, Ms. Gorman. Her words were strong and powerful, and also hopeful. At least they gave us hope. Perhaps seeing/hearing her made them more powerful for us. For me, when Lady Gaga was singing the national anthem, at one point she got to the line, "and the flag was still there" and as she sang that, she turned (as I'm typing this I am giving myself goosebumps!!) and pointed to the flag. That said it all to me. The flag was still there; we will go on; there is hope. Thank you again for your wisdom.

Expand full comment

Thank you for this. I do believe that we will be better for our challenges now. We are, if nothing else, resilient in the face of chaos. I am so proud of the fact that so much as come out into the Light and that together we can shed so much more Light on those Dark places and truly make this great Country a place where everyone is afforded the same opportunities, the same respect and the same acceptance.

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Expand full comment

Grateful for your words.

Expand full comment