Letters from an American – September 10, 2025

Host: Heather Cox Richardson (narrated by Michael Moss)
Episode Date: September 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, narrated by Michael Moss due to Heather Cox Richardson's travels, covers the escalating tensions between Russia and NATO after a significant drone attack, increased threats to European and global security, and two tragic instances of gun violence in the United States. Richardson places these current events in historical context, reflecting on the original aims of NATO and contrasting democratic principles with authoritarian methods. The episode also explores the political response to violence and the ongoing impact of gun violence on American society.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Russian Drone Attack and NATO's Response

• Incident Recap: Polish forces shot down 19 Russian drones violating Polish airspace during a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine, signaling a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict. (00:15)
• NATO Activation: Poland, responding to this breach, invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which calls for emergency consultations among members when a nation’s security is threatened. (00:32)
• International Reaction:
  • German Chancellor Frederick Mayors condemned the action as "reckless and aggressive," situating it within Russia’s pattern of provocation along NATO’s eastern border. (00:44)
  • The episode recalls the U.S.'s instrumental role in the 1949 founding of NATO and the alliance's foundational commitment to collective security.

2. Remembering the Original Purpose of NATO

• Historical Reflection: The narrative highlights President Harry Truman’s language upon signing the North Atlantic Treaty, setting a contrast between democratic and authoritarian models.
• Key Quote (Truman, 01:14):

  "This method of organizing diverse peoples and cultures is in direct contrast to the method of the police state, which attempts to achieve unity by imposing the same beliefs and the same rule of force on everyone."

• Truman’s Vision: Emphasizes that war is not inevitable if courageous leaders choose peace and that "the will of the people of the world [is] for freedom and for peace." (01:54)

3. Rising Global Tensions and Perceived Risks

• Polish Perspective: Prime Minister Donald Tusk, following Russia’s actions and the recent Trump-Putin meeting, warned that "a line has been crossed," calling this the closest Europe has been to open conflict since WWII—while clarifying he does not believe war is imminent. (02:13)
• U.S. Reaction: President Trump publicly questioned the Russian incursion via social media:
  Quote (Trump, 02:32):

  "What's with Russia violating Poland's airspace with drones? Here we go."

4. Political Violence in the United States

• Shooting of Charlie Kirk:

  • At Utah Valley University, right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in what police believe was a targeted attack. A nationwide manhunt is in progress. (02:44)
  • President Trump’s response from the Oval Office was to blame "the radical left" for the killing and promised to pursue not just the perpetrator, but those he alleged "fund, support, or contribute" to political violence. (03:00)
  • Quote (Trump, 03:13):

    “[The administration will find] each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement officials and everyone else who brings order to our country."

  • Coverage notes that Trump’s address omitted recent violence committed against Democrats, referencing the June murder of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband.

• Evergreen High School Shooting:

  • Less than an hour after the Kirk shooting, a gunman opened fire at a Colorado high school, wounding two students before dying by suicide. (03:35)
  • One student’s grandfather, Mike Webb, whose ex-wife was killed in the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings, told CNN this was his “greatest fear realized.” (03:51)
  • Quote (Webb, 03:58):

    "I told him none of us should have to go through this. I said, this is the world we live in and thank God you guys are okay."

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Harry Truman (1949, quoted at 01:14):

  "This method of organizing diverse peoples and cultures is in direct contrast to the method of the police state..."

• Polish PM Donald Tusk (02:13):

  "I have no reason to claim we’re on the brink of war, but a line has been crossed; this situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War II."

• President Trump on Social Media (02:32):

  "What's with Russia violating Poland's airspace with drones? Here we go."

• President Trump (03:13):

  "[We will find] each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence..."

• Mike Webb, on the Evergreen High School shooting (03:58):

  "I told him none of us should have to go through this. I said, this is the world we live in and thank God you guys are okay."

Important Timestamps

• 00:15: Polish forces shoot down Russian drones; NATO Article 4 triggered
• 01:14: Quotation from President Harry Truman on NATO’s democratic vision
• 02:13: Polish PM Tusk comments on the crisis
• 02:32: President Trump’s initial social media response
• 02:44: Shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk
• 03:13: President Trump’s Oval Office address
• 03:35: Evergreen High School shooting in Colorado
• 03:58: Mike Webb’s response to the school shooting

Episode Tone and Language

Michael Moss maintains Heather Cox Richardson’s measured, analytical tone, focusing on context and facts, and providing history as a lens for understanding current events. The narration is calm and factual, allowing the starkness of the developments to speak for themselves while centering voices and quotes from political figures and citizens directly involved.