Professor Ted Widmer is a prominent American historian, award-winning historical author, and the former foreign policy speechwriter and senior Advisor to President Bill Clinton.
Some of my fondest memories are when, as a young child, my parents and I travelled Route 66 in the late 50s and early 60s to see America. All the sights were spectacular! Hooray for all of the "old-timers" still greeting travelers along the way. May these fun spots be around forever.
Me, too! My Dad had 7 brothers and sisters spread all over (Santa Monica, CA to Cooperstown, NY). That same Era, my Dad took 2 wks off every summer. We saw the statue of liberty, Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon... drove, of course. Route 66 was notable! After my sister and I got out of college, then my parents went to Europe, Australia, etc. Did yours do that, too?
Hi, Bobbi! I think we could have lots of great conversations about what it was like to see the sights of America. I truly believe that anyone who doesn't travel across the United States is missing something very important about how varied our country is and its different residents are. I love America because I have seen its splendor, both natural and human-made, and I bet you do too. My mother was an undocumented alien, which was not her fault. She was smuggled into America in 1922 as an infant and could never get a US passport. Therefore, my father and I travelled to Europe together when I was 15 in 1965. Seeing most of the European countries in those days also gave me a much greater appreciation for my own country. I appreciate the opportunity to have seen Europe, and I plan to go back soon with a good friend. America can be unified again if we all pull together to make it so. What do you think? Do we dare hope for unity again?
In Europe, I have been to Denmark, Sweden, Russia and Amsterdam. Since I only speak English and some Spanish, I was able to get by, since at that time, many people in those countries would speak English. I LOVED the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, and was amazed that the cigar box images I was familiar with (since my Grandpa smoked cigars), were actually life size in their portraits. This was after college.
In the US, my favorite park was Yellowstone, especially Old Faithful. Joshua Tree in California and the saguaro cactus in Az were also memorable. And I loved seeing Niagara falls. I hate zoos ... they made me cry to see the animals caged ... so we never visited them, and I still don't.
I am envious of your getting to see the Hermitage. I hope that is a historic sight that is always preserved. When I was in Europe, almost everyone spoke enough English that I did not have any trouble, except in Paris. I had studied French for years, but no one could understand my French or pretended not to anyway. No one spoke English either, except at the hotel. I’m glad I had the experience anyway. Travel gives us a broader understanding of our fellow humans, and it would be nice if more Americans could or would do it.
I had 6 yr of Spanish in school and still could not pass a test on Spanish or Mexican history. It gives me a LOT of appreciation for all our new immigrants, especially those who had no English, and who pass our tests.
I think it was an era when spending all day driving was not a waste of time. It seems like I’m more likely to sit in airports for hours now, which I hate, rather than drive. With a family (total # of hrs) of four or more, though, it’s a great idea and lots of shared time you don’t get at home. Hard to commit your entire yearly vacation to one trip, tho’. We were lucky.
Yes, we were lucky in travelling with our families. I also agree with you about having empathy for our immigrants who have to learn our language and pass our tests. I certainly could not do it in any foreign country, including France, despite all my years of trying to learn passible French. Of course, my deepest empathy goes for ALL immigrants who are living in fear of being swept up in an ICE raid. As we both know, many of those immigrants are here legally or are US citizens. We only have one solution to our current completely unfair situation — ABOLISH ICE!!! I hope you agree.
How can we have unity when Trump has power? I will have hope IF the midterms successfully give the Dems a majority in either the house or senate. If not, I expect Trump to change the Constitution so there are no term limits ... hence the Trump 2028 MAGA hat he's been wearing.
In my gut, I fear the same thing. But I am going to do all I can to help ensure that we win both houses of Congress. That is probably the only way to get the Orange Ogre under any sort of control. More importantly, Congress needs to bring up the clowns in the Cabinet by charging them with malfeasance and by impeaching them. Then they can confirm people who have at least a small clue what they are doing.
I agree with you. He only ever thinks about himself, and that includes not thinking about his children, except where his decisions help them make more money for HIM! If he were to encourage one of his children to run in 2028, would likely be his sex object, Ivanka. Have you heard him talk about how sexy she is?!!! It is truly DISGUSTING!!!
Some of my fondest memories are when, as a young child, my parents and I travelled Route 66 in the late 50s and early 60s to see America. All the sights were spectacular! Hooray for all of the "old-timers" still greeting travelers along the way. May these fun spots be around forever.
Me, too! My Dad had 7 brothers and sisters spread all over (Santa Monica, CA to Cooperstown, NY). That same Era, my Dad took 2 wks off every summer. We saw the statue of liberty, Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon... drove, of course. Route 66 was notable! After my sister and I got out of college, then my parents went to Europe, Australia, etc. Did yours do that, too?
Hi, Bobbi! I think we could have lots of great conversations about what it was like to see the sights of America. I truly believe that anyone who doesn't travel across the United States is missing something very important about how varied our country is and its different residents are. I love America because I have seen its splendor, both natural and human-made, and I bet you do too. My mother was an undocumented alien, which was not her fault. She was smuggled into America in 1922 as an infant and could never get a US passport. Therefore, my father and I travelled to Europe together when I was 15 in 1965. Seeing most of the European countries in those days also gave me a much greater appreciation for my own country. I appreciate the opportunity to have seen Europe, and I plan to go back soon with a good friend. America can be unified again if we all pull together to make it so. What do you think? Do we dare hope for unity again?
In Europe, I have been to Denmark, Sweden, Russia and Amsterdam. Since I only speak English and some Spanish, I was able to get by, since at that time, many people in those countries would speak English. I LOVED the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, and was amazed that the cigar box images I was familiar with (since my Grandpa smoked cigars), were actually life size in their portraits. This was after college.
In the US, my favorite park was Yellowstone, especially Old Faithful. Joshua Tree in California and the saguaro cactus in Az were also memorable. And I loved seeing Niagara falls. I hate zoos ... they made me cry to see the animals caged ... so we never visited them, and I still don't.
I am envious of your getting to see the Hermitage. I hope that is a historic sight that is always preserved. When I was in Europe, almost everyone spoke enough English that I did not have any trouble, except in Paris. I had studied French for years, but no one could understand my French or pretended not to anyway. No one spoke English either, except at the hotel. I’m glad I had the experience anyway. Travel gives us a broader understanding of our fellow humans, and it would be nice if more Americans could or would do it.
I had 6 yr of Spanish in school and still could not pass a test on Spanish or Mexican history. It gives me a LOT of appreciation for all our new immigrants, especially those who had no English, and who pass our tests.
I think it was an era when spending all day driving was not a waste of time. It seems like I’m more likely to sit in airports for hours now, which I hate, rather than drive. With a family (total # of hrs) of four or more, though, it’s a great idea and lots of shared time you don’t get at home. Hard to commit your entire yearly vacation to one trip, tho’. We were lucky.
Yes, we were lucky in travelling with our families. I also agree with you about having empathy for our immigrants who have to learn our language and pass our tests. I certainly could not do it in any foreign country, including France, despite all my years of trying to learn passible French. Of course, my deepest empathy goes for ALL immigrants who are living in fear of being swept up in an ICE raid. As we both know, many of those immigrants are here legally or are US citizens. We only have one solution to our current completely unfair situation — ABOLISH ICE!!! I hope you agree.
How can we have unity when Trump has power? I will have hope IF the midterms successfully give the Dems a majority in either the house or senate. If not, I expect Trump to change the Constitution so there are no term limits ... hence the Trump 2028 MAGA hat he's been wearing.
In my gut, I fear the same thing. But I am going to do all I can to help ensure that we win both houses of Congress. That is probably the only way to get the Orange Ogre under any sort of control. More importantly, Congress needs to bring up the clowns in the Cabinet by charging them with malfeasance and by impeaching them. Then they can confirm people who have at least a small clue what they are doing.
HCR said the Trump 2028 probably means one of his sons, but that doesn't sound like the Donald to me.
I agree with you. He only ever thinks about himself, and that includes not thinking about his children, except where his decisions help them make more money for HIM! If he were to encourage one of his children to run in 2028, would likely be his sex object, Ivanka. Have you heard him talk about how sexy she is?!!! It is truly DISGUSTING!!!
As soon as this popped up in my Substack feed, these words immediately came to mind.
"If you ever plan to motor west,
travel my way, take the highway that is best.
Get your kicks on Route sixty-six.
It winds from Chicago to LA,..."
Does anybody know if that show is still on television somewhere?