18 Comments
User's avatar
Madeleine Mysko's avatar

Thank you, Dan. Especially for the hope in the last paragraph, which lifted me up on this dark Sunday morning, delivering so many reasons to despair. I give thanks today that you are still there, that we can still find you (we who continued to console ourselves with your column in The Baltimore Sun, while the rest of our beloved morning paper degraded before our eyes).

Expand full comment
Dr J's Sanity Space's avatar

Grateful to you, Dan, for putting into words so eloquently, what I, as a naturalized citizen, think and feel. I chose to make this country my home over some 50 years ago, exactly for all the values you mention. That we would be experiencing the current administration of delusions, lies, cruelty, and total disregard for patriotism is beyond belief. But like you, I do maintain hope and faith that we will prevail.

Expand full comment
Willy Lynch's avatar

Thanks Dan…looks like your “retirement “ might be modelled on Jimmy Carter’s. We all wish you similar success.

Expand full comment
Pam Adkins's avatar

Thank you for putting my feelings into words! I hope you are correct, that democracy will prevail.

And thanks for introducing me to Substack. I subscribed after hearing your interview with Tom Hall on 88.1. It sure beats The Baltimore Sun!

Expand full comment
pj's avatar

loved reading your columns in the Sun and when you did your "Guilty but mostly stupid" commentatries on the radio.

The US ship is listing and in dire straits. Vance comes pretty close to being pure evil. His comments in Munich made it clear the US is going to move closer to Russia and abandon allies in Europe.

Expand full comment
niki lee's avatar

Thank you for apologizing to our friends and allies.

Expand full comment
Merry Rogers's avatar

This is so well said, as usual. I hope as more and more people are negatively impacted by the slash and burn tactics of The Felon and his chief collaborator, opinions will shift and those people will raise their voices in alarm for others to hear.

Expand full comment
Bill Redman's avatar

Dan, while not new to Substack, I am new to yours. I'm also a baby boomer and could not have expressed my feelings as well as you. Thank you. As a result of what's happening now in our country, it's probably the first time I'm glad my father, a World War II veteran, is no longer here. I hope our friends in Europe (assuming we still have friends) see your letter.

Expand full comment
Kim Hamblin's avatar

I may not be allowed to comment since I’m not subscribed, but I read this on The Bulwark, to which I am subscribed. I hope this finds its way to Europe. I found Vance’s speech repugnant; I certainly don’t agree with his insults and unwarranted criticism/lecture of Europe. I have suggested elsewhere that his speech approaches treason. Of course, he won’t be held accountable unless something extraordinary happens. I am a veteran who served a tour in England at Lakenheath. I am eligible for VA services and probably could make a case for a service connected disability. It would be fraudulent, but both diagnoses are noted in my military health records, and I retained a copy. There is a huge difference among VA hospitals in terms of quality of care, but the Trump administration seems ready to take away VA funding. My local VA is on the bottom. I resent Vance’s characterization of Europe and the current administration’s disregard of and distancing of NATO. Trump’s embracing of Putin angers and embarrasses me.

Expand full comment
Dan Rodricks's avatar

Thanks for your comments, and I hope you will subscribe for free.

Expand full comment
Nancy Cross's avatar

Thank you for this letter which so many of us want our allies to know. Will we be able to send them a copy of this ? Our allies deserve our support now more than ever 🙏🕊️ 💙

Expand full comment
Dan Rodricks's avatar

Please do.

Expand full comment
Donna triptow's avatar

Dan: terrific column. Just excellent. Creative format.Donna Triptow

Expand full comment
Roger Millnitz's avatar

My Gawd, did you ever nail it with this column! Everything I’ve been thinking. I will send this to a distant relative in Denmark!

Expand full comment
Suzanne Liddle's avatar

Thank. you. I heartily agree with every point you made, because it's all true!!!

Expand full comment
Debra Rubino's avatar

Thanks so much for writing this, Dan. It is 100% true and I hope it will be read by millions of Americans on the left and on the right. I cannot believe that all Republicans believe in what Trump and Musk are doing. I cannot believe what they are getting away with at the moment. My fervent prayer and hope is that this madness will stop although I don't know how that will happen. We have to make it happen, however...

Expand full comment
Roger Millnitz's avatar

My Gawd, did you ever nail it with this column! Everything I’ve been thinking. I will send this to a distant relative in Denmark!

Expand full comment
Kris Lenderking's avatar

Eloquent and spot on as always, Dan!

Expand full comment