The America we live in today was profoundly shaped by two 19th century assassinations that stole great American leaders, altered the trajectory of history, and weighed down civil rights progress for more than 100 years. The first man was Abraham Lincoln, who was succeeded by Andrew Johnson. He was the second worst president in US history before Trump shuffled the lower decks, promoting him to third.
After such an endorsement this old "Head" will have to listen to the music of Taylor Swift to see (hear) what's the rumpus?
Prior to retirement I taught History at Community College, and in that role I emphasized the importance of ideas to move events - to make things happen. The Ideological Origins of The American Revolution by Bernard Bailyn was my foundation; after reading this monograph I determined the course of my life - to learn the ideas that supported the American Revolution and the writing of the US Constitution and then teach History and emphasize the importance of these ideas.
It is good to see that these ideas are continuing to be promulgated and emphasized outside of the classroom. Very nicely done.
Thanks for the lesson on Garfield. Until today the only thing I knew about him was that he was a president in the late 1800s and was assassinated shortly after his election. Never heard or read the Boys in blue speech. Quite a moving speech and certainly one for today well over 100 years from when it was first spoken. I loved this piece Steve.
Steve, only you could tie Taylor Swift and Garfield together When we hold up the measure of what we expect of our leaders, and of ourselves, we see some standing tall and other who shrink in size and stature Great leaders bring vision, integrity, ethics, and the ability to bring out the same in those around them.
In turn, and you named them, who bring out the opposite response. They will be held up as the measure of evil. For that is what they produce
We can select our leaders let us select good ones.
For those interested, there a new biography of Garfield by CW Goodyear. Just hear the author’s presentation. During the presentation he mentioned Robert Lincoln served in Garfield’s cabinet. Brought back vivid memories of his father’s death.
I love Garfield and Taylor Swift spoken of together. Surely Garfield would be an encouraging fan of Swifts, or perhaps he is. Isn’t this just all a metaphor for the eternal fight in this country? One side pro-freedom and light, the other not? One side applauding peace and love and joy, the other squelching it? Is our mismatched pairing this simple? Can we even garner to change it?
When one side reverts to assassination and death, how is progress made?
I can only imagine one answer that may work. More joy, peace, and love.
Ideas outlive individuals and history is forgotten if we don't honor it by telling the truth and subscribe to historical facts. This is why the Republican party is dead. There is nothing left but to bury it under the weight of its mendacity. Standing firm behind lies like the Republican party has done is a weak strategy and shows no vision for the future. Without a future, there is only past and you can not live in the past. History will remember their weakness not their strength. In order to be remembered honorably you have to live and die with honor. Furthermore, you must honor your past by upholding the values of the men and women who fought for them. You do not honor the brave dead by abandonment of the very values they fought and died for. This is why the lies told by the Republican party will weigh them down and suffocate them with their mendacity stuck in their throats.
I've been thinking about the deep, dark cynicism that is killing us all. Science tells us that cynicism leads to dementia, and right now it feels like most of society is demented. And no wonder. We the People been pummeled and pummeled, over and over, for generations.
I watched a documentary last night about Vietnam war resisters "("The Boys Who Said No") and how their heroic stands against the draft and the war ended that horrible episode. (Did you know Nixon wanted to drown 200,000 people by bombing their dams, and when Kissenger said 'no,' he wanted to nuke Hanoi?)
The draft resisters (including my husband) overcame cynicism with their bodies. Like the freedom fighters....
But then I thought about all the stuff that has killed all our faith in institutions, backwards and forwards: the endless efforts by the oligarchs to kill FDR's New Deal; the assassinations of JFK, his brother, and King; the killing in the Vietnam war, the killing of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, based on fantasy and folly after 9/11; the killing of the economy in 2008; the killing of George Floyd and so many other innocents; the killing of Covid; the killiing of decency (social media, Trump); the killing of reason; and the killing of the rule of law with the corrupt Supreme Court. That's a lot of institution-killing.
No wonder we all want to crawl into our tribal holes.
I think too of the French Revolution, and how a cry for bread led to a Reign of Terror (as DeSantis calls for "slitting throats") and of course, the killing of the Earth.
No wonder we are a mess. But as "The Boys Who Said No" showed, it <is> possible to shift things, if only we will say no to our cynicism.
Very insightful piece. I appreciate how you pulled the threads of history together - Hamilton to Garfield - to remind us that great minds, and great ideas, truly matter. This is the kind of writing that makes me an avid SubStack reader.
Steve thank you for bringing light to the life, death, and value of President Garfield. As a longtime Northeast Ohio resident I just became aware of him in the last few years. I highly recommend reading Destiny of the Republic - the story of how he became president, his assassination, and the abject failure of his medical care. The conclusion: it was his medical care, not the bullet that killed him. His story is kind of a metaphor for our times. For those interested, his monument at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland is beautiful (yes - worth visiting a cemetery) and the Garfield National Historical site has a great twitter feed. Despite his short tenure as president, there’s a lot we can learn from him.
That period of our history, post Civil War to the Civil Rights Act, is taught in blurred fashion. I grew up in the North and even so know little of the domestic social struggles of that period from high school history. WWI, the depression, WWII, Viet Nam; these overshadowed the plight of domestic freedom. As if Dr. King appeared out of nowhere and changed the country. Obviously not how it happened.
Thanks for shining light on those in leadership who kept the fight for equality going when it was not the popular public stance to have, nor one put in front of the country by the media of the times.
Coincidentally, I recently was in Mentor, Ohio and drove past the Garfield museum and home. It’s humble and unassuming appearance didn’t grab me so we didn’t stop. Now I wish I had.
Steve, I believe that you used the following quote from John Adams several months ago and I was reminded of it by your descriptions of Trump, Cruz, and DeSantis attempting to stir up another Civil War while contrasting that to Taylor Swift's music which certainly embodies the subsequent generations to which John Adams speaks:
"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."
This brings to mind The Power and the Glory, a song written by the late Phil Ochs. It is a call to action that we unfortunately need again today. Part of the song reads: “ Here is a land full of power and glory/ Beauty that words cannot recall/ Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom/ Her glory shall rest on us all. On us all”
I came to the US on the Swiss airplane over Europe with the refugee loan from a major church organization. Going over the ALPS on a largely empty plane on a very long ride, the only thing I remember was the little cup of Pepsi. All thing America has enormous appeal. At the same time, my most memorable moment inside Burma living in the remote area was listening to Nixon’s speech on the radio when he decided to leave his office. I was very impressed by the American system. But then I also saw how heartbroken people like me were while watching January 6th.
Thank you Steve for sharing this speech with us today. I was not aware of it previously. I look forward to your thoughts on a daily basis. I fear for this country.
Garfield’s words were profound and stirring. He was woke.
After such an endorsement this old "Head" will have to listen to the music of Taylor Swift to see (hear) what's the rumpus?
Prior to retirement I taught History at Community College, and in that role I emphasized the importance of ideas to move events - to make things happen. The Ideological Origins of The American Revolution by Bernard Bailyn was my foundation; after reading this monograph I determined the course of my life - to learn the ideas that supported the American Revolution and the writing of the US Constitution and then teach History and emphasize the importance of these ideas.
It is good to see that these ideas are continuing to be promulgated and emphasized outside of the classroom. Very nicely done.
Thanks for the lesson on Garfield. Until today the only thing I knew about him was that he was a president in the late 1800s and was assassinated shortly after his election. Never heard or read the Boys in blue speech. Quite a moving speech and certainly one for today well over 100 years from when it was first spoken. I loved this piece Steve.
Steve, only you could tie Taylor Swift and Garfield together When we hold up the measure of what we expect of our leaders, and of ourselves, we see some standing tall and other who shrink in size and stature Great leaders bring vision, integrity, ethics, and the ability to bring out the same in those around them.
In turn, and you named them, who bring out the opposite response. They will be held up as the measure of evil. For that is what they produce
We can select our leaders let us select good ones.
For those interested, there a new biography of Garfield by CW Goodyear. Just hear the author’s presentation. During the presentation he mentioned Robert Lincoln served in Garfield’s cabinet. Brought back vivid memories of his father’s death.
I love Garfield and Taylor Swift spoken of together. Surely Garfield would be an encouraging fan of Swifts, or perhaps he is. Isn’t this just all a metaphor for the eternal fight in this country? One side pro-freedom and light, the other not? One side applauding peace and love and joy, the other squelching it? Is our mismatched pairing this simple? Can we even garner to change it?
When one side reverts to assassination and death, how is progress made?
I can only imagine one answer that may work. More joy, peace, and love.
Great post Steve. I suggest a companion piece for people to read is Walt Whitman’s “Thanks In Old Age” https://whitmanarchive.org/published/LG/1891/poems/352
Ideas outlive individuals and history is forgotten if we don't honor it by telling the truth and subscribe to historical facts. This is why the Republican party is dead. There is nothing left but to bury it under the weight of its mendacity. Standing firm behind lies like the Republican party has done is a weak strategy and shows no vision for the future. Without a future, there is only past and you can not live in the past. History will remember their weakness not their strength. In order to be remembered honorably you have to live and die with honor. Furthermore, you must honor your past by upholding the values of the men and women who fought for them. You do not honor the brave dead by abandonment of the very values they fought and died for. This is why the lies told by the Republican party will weigh them down and suffocate them with their mendacity stuck in their throats.
Beautiful, Steve. thank you.
I've been thinking about the deep, dark cynicism that is killing us all. Science tells us that cynicism leads to dementia, and right now it feels like most of society is demented. And no wonder. We the People been pummeled and pummeled, over and over, for generations.
I watched a documentary last night about Vietnam war resisters "("The Boys Who Said No") and how their heroic stands against the draft and the war ended that horrible episode. (Did you know Nixon wanted to drown 200,000 people by bombing their dams, and when Kissenger said 'no,' he wanted to nuke Hanoi?)
The draft resisters (including my husband) overcame cynicism with their bodies. Like the freedom fighters....
But then I thought about all the stuff that has killed all our faith in institutions, backwards and forwards: the endless efforts by the oligarchs to kill FDR's New Deal; the assassinations of JFK, his brother, and King; the killing in the Vietnam war, the killing of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, based on fantasy and folly after 9/11; the killing of the economy in 2008; the killing of George Floyd and so many other innocents; the killing of Covid; the killiing of decency (social media, Trump); the killing of reason; and the killing of the rule of law with the corrupt Supreme Court. That's a lot of institution-killing.
No wonder we all want to crawl into our tribal holes.
I think too of the French Revolution, and how a cry for bread led to a Reign of Terror (as DeSantis calls for "slitting throats") and of course, the killing of the Earth.
No wonder we are a mess. But as "The Boys Who Said No" showed, it <is> possible to shift things, if only we will say no to our cynicism.
Very insightful piece. I appreciate how you pulled the threads of history together - Hamilton to Garfield - to remind us that great minds, and great ideas, truly matter. This is the kind of writing that makes me an avid SubStack reader.
Steve thank you for bringing light to the life, death, and value of President Garfield. As a longtime Northeast Ohio resident I just became aware of him in the last few years. I highly recommend reading Destiny of the Republic - the story of how he became president, his assassination, and the abject failure of his medical care. The conclusion: it was his medical care, not the bullet that killed him. His story is kind of a metaphor for our times. For those interested, his monument at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland is beautiful (yes - worth visiting a cemetery) and the Garfield National Historical site has a great twitter feed. Despite his short tenure as president, there’s a lot we can learn from him.
That period of our history, post Civil War to the Civil Rights Act, is taught in blurred fashion. I grew up in the North and even so know little of the domestic social struggles of that period from high school history. WWI, the depression, WWII, Viet Nam; these overshadowed the plight of domestic freedom. As if Dr. King appeared out of nowhere and changed the country. Obviously not how it happened.
Thanks for shining light on those in leadership who kept the fight for equality going when it was not the popular public stance to have, nor one put in front of the country by the media of the times.
Coincidentally, I recently was in Mentor, Ohio and drove past the Garfield museum and home. It’s humble and unassuming appearance didn’t grab me so we didn’t stop. Now I wish I had.
Steve, I believe that you used the following quote from John Adams several months ago and I was reminded of it by your descriptions of Trump, Cruz, and DeSantis attempting to stir up another Civil War while contrasting that to Taylor Swift's music which certainly embodies the subsequent generations to which John Adams speaks:
"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."
This brings to mind The Power and the Glory, a song written by the late Phil Ochs. It is a call to action that we unfortunately need again today. Part of the song reads: “ Here is a land full of power and glory/ Beauty that words cannot recall/ Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom/ Her glory shall rest on us all. On us all”
I came to the US on the Swiss airplane over Europe with the refugee loan from a major church organization. Going over the ALPS on a largely empty plane on a very long ride, the only thing I remember was the little cup of Pepsi. All thing America has enormous appeal. At the same time, my most memorable moment inside Burma living in the remote area was listening to Nixon’s speech on the radio when he decided to leave his office. I was very impressed by the American system. But then I also saw how heartbroken people like me were while watching January 6th.
So many beautiful comments written today inspired by your piece today Steve!! Thank you and thanks to all of you here!
Thank you Steve for sharing this speech with us today. I was not aware of it previously. I look forward to your thoughts on a daily basis. I fear for this country.