The American canon is comprised of immortal words from ordinary people rising in defence of freedom, liberty and equality. What binds the words across our history is their incandescent moral clarity at great moments of testing. They endure and ring across the ages because, within them, is the epic story of the birth, rise and expansion of liberty in the United States.
Second, I'm with a lot of us who subscribe to your Substack and are still believing in the US democracy. While we literally won't be engaging in physical combat in 2024, we will have to fight against a frightening movement towards authoritarianism. Our "victory or death" equivalent will be voting to save us all, or, standing idly by (i.e., giving up and not voting) as we lose everything. Please vote and encourage other to vote too!
[Lafayette] would never have understood a generation of privileged Americans who are willing to surrender a birthright paid for in blood to a Queens hustler and a company of paw-licking ne'r-to-do-wells who want to set up a tyranny for their personal benefit. I have paraphrased, but those words you wrote about a Queens hustler and pawl-licking ne'r-to-do-wells just crystallized our current reality for me, not that I did not recognize it before. Are we going to sacrifice this country built on the idea that everyone is equal before the law paid for in blood, sweat, and tears to a mentally unstable dunce and his hangers on?!!! Seriously, people.!!!!!!! I will keep this quote foremost in my mind during the next 11 months as we fight like hell for the TRUTH!
Thank you for your time, perspectives, and the ability to inspire your reader to hear your message and in turn, know what to do, to act.
In response, I've become politically and socially active this past year. My belief is that, I can make a positive difference just by demonstrating through my own actions, my belief in this Country.
This is really good, Steve. Thank you. I once was at the place that was designated as Washington’s crossing. If I remember correctly, I believe we were lost. Haha. Regardless it was inspiring. In Newark, NJ, I was walking from my hotel to attend training and noticed a plaque on a building. It read about Washington traveling along this route. I remember how awesome it was that I was traveling this same route.
My hope is that the majority of Americans do stand, again. That we remember why we are here in this country and those that are buried in France, what that means. We shall see.
I’ve been listening to a podcast called, “The Political History of the United States.” It’s taken around. 80 1/2 hour episodes to introduce the Stamp Act. No ads, just history and I am learning a lot and thoroughly enjoying it.
Thank you Steve, for the community you’ve created and to all of you who make it a wonderful place to inspire, inform and commiserate. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a peaceful holiday season!
The most inspiring Christmas story I have read this year. Thank you, Steve, for being our modern-day Thomas Paine in our current time of need. A heartfelt Christmas to you and yours.
First, to Steve and those who may read this: May the rich Blessings of this Season be your constant companion throughout the New Year, 2024!
Steve, as I read your column this Christmas Day, I reflected on my Turner ancestry. Scot/Scots-Irish, we came to the then-new-land in the 1600s in the region now known as the Chesapeake. I share this, because my distant paternal grandfather, Smith Turner, fought with the Virginia 9th Regiment during the American Revolutionary War at Brandywine and Germantown. He was a Private, discharged out of Valley Forge.
My dad's older and younger brothers served with the U.S. Army during WW2. I served with our U.S. Air Force Security Services in classified Intel overseas, '62 - '66. Ours is a long line of Patriots. Witnessing today's America offers a cruel realization about just how crude and horrible a segment of our society and culture has become. They are the dregs of society; degenerates. There is no measure for my outrage and anger. Donald John Trump and his minions represent the worst of us. He is using to his advantage the very system of laws and rule that he seeks to destroy. Oh, the irony!
Today, the Spirit of Christmas reigns supreme. At the new twilight, all will be forgotten. We will fall back into our patterns and habits, both good and bad. Yet, the collective human Spirit of America must gather together and fight tooth and nail to defeat the domestic enemy: Trump and Trumpians. We are witnessing firsthand the spawn of evil; total and complete evil. That evil must be defeated and only we the people can bring an end to this horrid tyranny.
If every American could just read this! I spent 7 years after my official retirement as a guide for the Jamestown foundation, and the Yorktown victory center. I learned an awful lot of history that I hadn’t been taught in school, and I embraced it fully. Thank you Steve for writing this, you brought tears to my eyes and a pain to my heart thinking of the possibility of Americans giving up on what was so precious and hard won by 1781. I fear for our future. The last two generations seem to be mostly into themselves. It’s all about acquiring things and having fun. I dread to see what kind of fun they will have if Trump is victorious with his MAGA Traitors!
Thank you for this wonderful, inspiring and deeply touching Christmas gift of an essay. I like to think there were myriad mini-Joan of Arcs rallying men behind the scenes -- Martha visited George at Valley Forge and undoubtedly gave him strong encouragement to not return to Mt Vernon without a win :) and to keep placing faith in his higher, noble cause. May you have a happy peaceful day laying the sword of the pen aside and celebrate with your family and friends the hope of goodwill toward all men and that justice will prevail--in our lifetimes!! Merry Christmas!!
Love the history , thank you Steve. Your message is spot on of what American citizens are faced with in 2024. Happiest of holidays to you and your family.
It brought me to tears. As beautifully it was written, to think that a scoundrel like trump & his maga minions would destroy it, is beyond comprehension. Thank
You Steve for all you do & write, you are at this moment our Thomas Paine!
First, another great piece Steve!
Second, I'm with a lot of us who subscribe to your Substack and are still believing in the US democracy. While we literally won't be engaging in physical combat in 2024, we will have to fight against a frightening movement towards authoritarianism. Our "victory or death" equivalent will be voting to save us all, or, standing idly by (i.e., giving up and not voting) as we lose everything. Please vote and encourage other to vote too!
We must take sides,
Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.
Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.
Elie Wiesel
Steve, thank you for "The Warning", your prospective, incite, beautiful prose and history lessons. This post made me cry.
[Lafayette] would never have understood a generation of privileged Americans who are willing to surrender a birthright paid for in blood to a Queens hustler and a company of paw-licking ne'r-to-do-wells who want to set up a tyranny for their personal benefit. I have paraphrased, but those words you wrote about a Queens hustler and pawl-licking ne'r-to-do-wells just crystallized our current reality for me, not that I did not recognize it before. Are we going to sacrifice this country built on the idea that everyone is equal before the law paid for in blood, sweat, and tears to a mentally unstable dunce and his hangers on?!!! Seriously, people.!!!!!!! I will keep this quote foremost in my mind during the next 11 months as we fight like hell for the TRUTH!
Thank you for your time, perspectives, and the ability to inspire your reader to hear your message and in turn, know what to do, to act.
In response, I've become politically and socially active this past year. My belief is that, I can make a positive difference just by demonstrating through my own actions, my belief in this Country.
Happy holidays to you and all .
Barbara
Thank you for reminding us of Thomas Paine. His words ring as true today as they did in 1776. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
This is really good, Steve. Thank you. I once was at the place that was designated as Washington’s crossing. If I remember correctly, I believe we were lost. Haha. Regardless it was inspiring. In Newark, NJ, I was walking from my hotel to attend training and noticed a plaque on a building. It read about Washington traveling along this route. I remember how awesome it was that I was traveling this same route.
My hope is that the majority of Americans do stand, again. That we remember why we are here in this country and those that are buried in France, what that means. We shall see.
Enjoy the day.
This is one of hours best essays, Steve.
I’ve been listening to a podcast called, “The Political History of the United States.” It’s taken around. 80 1/2 hour episodes to introduce the Stamp Act. No ads, just history and I am learning a lot and thoroughly enjoying it.
Thank you Steve, for the community you’ve created and to all of you who make it a wonderful place to inspire, inform and commiserate. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a peaceful holiday season!
The most inspiring Christmas story I have read this year. Thank you, Steve, for being our modern-day Thomas Paine in our current time of need. A heartfelt Christmas to you and yours.
First, to Steve and those who may read this: May the rich Blessings of this Season be your constant companion throughout the New Year, 2024!
Steve, as I read your column this Christmas Day, I reflected on my Turner ancestry. Scot/Scots-Irish, we came to the then-new-land in the 1600s in the region now known as the Chesapeake. I share this, because my distant paternal grandfather, Smith Turner, fought with the Virginia 9th Regiment during the American Revolutionary War at Brandywine and Germantown. He was a Private, discharged out of Valley Forge.
My dad's older and younger brothers served with the U.S. Army during WW2. I served with our U.S. Air Force Security Services in classified Intel overseas, '62 - '66. Ours is a long line of Patriots. Witnessing today's America offers a cruel realization about just how crude and horrible a segment of our society and culture has become. They are the dregs of society; degenerates. There is no measure for my outrage and anger. Donald John Trump and his minions represent the worst of us. He is using to his advantage the very system of laws and rule that he seeks to destroy. Oh, the irony!
Today, the Spirit of Christmas reigns supreme. At the new twilight, all will be forgotten. We will fall back into our patterns and habits, both good and bad. Yet, the collective human Spirit of America must gather together and fight tooth and nail to defeat the domestic enemy: Trump and Trumpians. We are witnessing firsthand the spawn of evil; total and complete evil. That evil must be defeated and only we the people can bring an end to this horrid tyranny.
Super good piece.
If every American could just read this! I spent 7 years after my official retirement as a guide for the Jamestown foundation, and the Yorktown victory center. I learned an awful lot of history that I hadn’t been taught in school, and I embraced it fully. Thank you Steve for writing this, you brought tears to my eyes and a pain to my heart thinking of the possibility of Americans giving up on what was so precious and hard won by 1781. I fear for our future. The last two generations seem to be mostly into themselves. It’s all about acquiring things and having fun. I dread to see what kind of fun they will have if Trump is victorious with his MAGA Traitors!
Thank you for this wonderful, inspiring and deeply touching Christmas gift of an essay. I like to think there were myriad mini-Joan of Arcs rallying men behind the scenes -- Martha visited George at Valley Forge and undoubtedly gave him strong encouragement to not return to Mt Vernon without a win :) and to keep placing faith in his higher, noble cause. May you have a happy peaceful day laying the sword of the pen aside and celebrate with your family and friends the hope of goodwill toward all men and that justice will prevail--in our lifetimes!! Merry Christmas!!
Love the history , thank you Steve. Your message is spot on of what American citizens are faced with in 2024. Happiest of holidays to you and your family.
It brought me to tears. As beautifully it was written, to think that a scoundrel like trump & his maga minions would destroy it, is beyond comprehension. Thank
You Steve for all you do & write, you are at this moment our Thomas Paine!
Yes, Thomas Paine’s words still ring true! Our vigilance and our votes are the key to victory!