Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to the Best Newsletter Subscribers Around
Plus a word about Substack's response to "Substackers Against Nazis" and the Confederate monument in Arlington National Cemetery.
First, I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you and your families Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year.
We are coming up on the second anniversary of my move to Substack in March 2022 and I couldn’t be more pleased with the way this community has grown. I so appreciate you taking the time to fit this newsletter into your busy lives.
A very special thank you to those of you who have upgraded to a paid subscription. I simply would be unable to deliver much of this content without your support. If you do enjoy my writing and especially the interviews, which I plan to bump up in 2024, I hope you will consider doing so.
A few of you have asked if Substack has responded to last week’s “Substackers Against Nazis” post. Over 200 content creators asked Substack’s founders to clarify their policy on content written by neo-Nazis. Here is their response.
A few of my historian friends have announced that they are planning to migrate their sites next year. As for me, I am going to take the time to weigh my options. While I find such sites abhorrent, I honestly don’t know how you can avoid this situation on other platforms. I fear we are chasing a ghost.
The other issue is migration itself. I’ve created a good deal of content here, including podcasts and videos. Having migrated sites before, I know how difficult and messy it can be. Let me know if you have experience with other newsletter platforms. Thank you.
For now, I hope you will give me some time to explore this issue with the attention that it deserves.
All of you have been following the developments in Arlington National Cemetery last week. After a temporary injunction was issued that halted removal of the Confederate monument, it has finally been removed in its entirety. As you can see, all that remains is the granite plinth.
As of today, there are no official announcements as to the future of the monument, but I have no doubt that it will enjoy a second life at some point. My hope is that at least part of it can be relocated to a museum, where it can be properly interpreted.
If you haven’t done so already, check out my interview with historian Karen Cox about the monument and the UDC.
Finally, he was a bit late this year, but Otis finally found a Christmas tree that he can decorate himself…if you know what I mean. LOL
Excellent interview with Dr. Karen Cox. What you said about “forgive and forget” got me thinking - the lost cause insists that the rebels be forgiven for trying to destroy the country, and to forget that it was about the right to keep fellow human beings enslaved.
I was looking for a picture of what’s left at Arlington - thank you so much for including one. Very satisfying.
I read what another Kevin said about moving on, and I agree with you, that it’s chasing a ghost to find a place where hate will be excluded. You’re doing good work here, and I hope you’ll stay and continue to grow your influence.
So Happiest of Holidays, Best New Year ever, and hugs to your Best Beloved and Otis!
Happy holidays and many thanks for much enjoyment and education this year!
Good riddance to the Confed monument at Arlington.