Letters from an American $5 / month

'Letters from an American' is a newsletter by Heather Cox Richardson that delves into the historical context behind current political events and societal changes. It emphasizes the importance of community, democracy, and personal reflections on nature, peace, and heroism, while also documenting the author's personal experiences and thoughts amidst the political landscape.

Political History Democracy and Society Personal Reflections Community Engagement Historical Perspectives on Current Events

The hottest Substack posts of Letters from an American

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February 4, 2024

13 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Reconstruction Federal Government Voting Rights
  1. The Reconstruction Amendments were pivotal in ensuring civil rights and government control post-Civil War.
  2. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery and expanded federal powers, marking a shift towards protecting the interests of ordinary Americans.
  3. The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments further solidified federal control, emphasizing equality before the law and protecting the right to vote without discrimination.

February 12, 2024

11 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics NATO National Security Foreign Aid Supreme Court Republican party
  1. Trump's statements regarding NATO and Russia have been met with strong opposition from both Democrats and Republicans, with concerns about potential consequences for national security.
  2. NATO is an alliance designed for collective defense where each member agrees to aid one another if attacked, based on the principle that an attack on one is an attack on all.
  3. There is ongoing bipartisan support in Congress for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, despite opposition from Trump-aligned Republicans.

February 7, 2024

12 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election National Security Legislation Party Politics Capitol Riot
  1. Republican senators killed a national security funding bill under pressure from Trump, showcasing a disturbing pattern of party influence from the former president.
  2. Trump's efforts to take over the Republican Party are evident through his manipulation of key decisions and his attempts to replace party officials with loyalists.
  3. Republican fear of Trump's retaliation is preventing them from standing up to him, leading to a shift within the party towards Trump's style of politics.

January 31, 2024

13 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Ukraine Russia NATO China Democracy
  1. The Republican Party is facing increasing extremism, as evidenced by the attacks on the bipartisan border measure and Senator Lankford's unexpected alignment with Trump.
  2. There is a risk that U.S. aid to Ukraine could be jeopardized due to the political maneuvering around the border security deal, which could have significant repercussions in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
  3. Senator King emphasizes the crucial importance of supporting Ukraine in its resistance against authoritarian threats from Putin and China, highlighting the broader implications for global democracy and alliances.
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February 13, 2024

10 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Foreign Policy Impeachment Elections Security
  1. President Biden is emphasizing the importance of supporting Ukraine and passing a national security supplemental bill.
  2. There is bipartisan support in the Senate for funding Ukraine, but there are challenges in the House, particularly related to far-right opposition.
  3. Former President Trump's influence is causing divisions within the Republican Party and impacting crucial legislative decisions.

January 7, 2024

19 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🏝 Travel Personal
  1. Heather Cox Richardson is taking a night off to catch up on sleep after a vacation
  2. Her partner takes photos of places while she rests, bringing back coffee and pastries
  3. She appreciates the alternative experience of seeing places through his photos

Audio version of Letters from an American

10 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎙 Podcasts Audio Information Election
  1. Audio versions of 'Letters from an American' by Heather Cox Richardson are now available after years of requests.
  2. The audio versions will be free and accessible on Substack, Apple Podcast Channel, and other platforms.
  3. This initiative will be tested for three weeks, aiming to provide solid information leading up to the election.

February 6, 2024

11 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Impeachment Foreign Relations Media
  1. MAGA Republicans attempted to block a national security bill by demanding border security measures, hoping to avoid support for Ukraine and blame Democrats for the border crisis.
  2. Democrats prioritized aid to Ukraine over other measures and compromised on the border security issue to secure the bill.
  3. Former President Trump influenced Republican lawmakers to reject the national security bill, leading to its likely failure, while facing legal challenges regarding immunity from criminal prosecution.

February 5, 2024

11 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Parties Foreign affairs Election Security
  1. The national security supplemental bill included funding for military, security, and humanitarian aid but faced opposition from MAGA Republicans who focused on the border issue.
  2. The bill was primarily aimed at funding Ukraine's war against Russia's invasion, highlighting the importance of supporting Ukraine for US national security.
  3. The Republican party's actions in blocking the bill, despite demanding specific policies within it, were criticized as irresponsible and could have detrimental consequences.

February 1, 2024

11 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Legislation Policies Republicans Media
  1. The U.S. economy experienced significant growth compared to other G7 nations, showcasing the effectiveness of demand-side economic policies embraced by Democrats.
  2. Democrats passed popular economic measures like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act without much Republican support, leading to a shift in Republican attitudes towards these policies.
  3. Republicans are facing challenges due to their focus on obstructionism, loyalty to extreme views, and a disconnect between right-wing media influencers and governing efforts.

February 2, 2024

10 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Iran Sanctions Middle East Conflict
  1. The U.S. military conducted strikes on multiple targets in Syria and Iraq connected to attacks on U.S. personnel, aiming to degrade capabilities and send a message to stop the attacks.
  2. Targets were selected carefully to avoid civilian casualties, showing a strategic approach to the military action.
  3. The U.S. administration seeks to prevent conflicts with Iran by responding to attacks on U.S. troops, imposing sanctions, and cutting off funding for paramilitary groups.

February 3, 2024

9 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East International relations
  1. US and British forces launched strikes against 13 military targets in areas of Yemen controlled by Iran-backed Houthis, to defend international shipping and vessels
  2. National Security Council spokesperson confirmed additional responses to attacks on U.S. troops, signaling a strong stance against threats to national security
  3. The coalition targeted deeply buried weapons, missile systems, air defense systems, and radars in Yemen, emphasizing the commitment to safeguard lives and maintain smooth commerce in vital waterways

October 14, 2023

30 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art
  1. Heather Cox Richardson expresses gratitude for the community's support in writing a book
  2. She values the connection with the community to make sense of chaotic times
  3. The process of sharing a picture and caption was meaningful to Heather Cox Richardson

How to opt in to (or out of) the audio version

2 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎙 Podcasts Instructions Platforms
  1. Use the browser version of Substack to adjust settings for receiving the audio version of the newsletter.
  2. For existing subscribers who want the audio, change settings in the Subscriber Settings to receive audio emails.
  3. New subscribers after February 22, 2024, will automatically get the audio version but can opt out following specific directions.

October 28, 2023

19 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🏝 Travel Leisure
  1. The author spent the entire day kayaking on a warm day.
  2. The author is too tired to write more today but promises to share more tomorrow.
  3. The post includes a serene sunset image from the water.

October 8, 2023

17 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Reflection
  1. The author took a day off to celebrate her birthday with family and friends.
  2. She enjoyed spending time on the water on her birthday.
  3. The author plans to get back to work the day after her birthday.

August 20, 2023

19 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography
  1. The author shared a sunrise photo taken by Buddy after a long wait.
  2. The image was considered worth the wait by the author.
  3. The author mentioned looking forward to waking up early the next day.

June 10, 2023

25 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
📚 Literature Author Book release Writing process
  1. The writer finished a book called 'Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America'.
  2. Writing the book was a challenging experience due to juggling other commitments.
  3. The book reworked its thesis during the writing process.

April 22, 2023

20 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Painting Inspiration
  1. Taking a break and disconnecting from news can lead to relaxation and calmness.
  2. Visiting familiar places can evoke sentimental memories and connections to the past.
  3. Appreciating art and nature can create bridges between generations and time periods.