"Build it and they will come." ~ Kevin Costner, Field of Dreams.
I have rarely been anxious, but these days I wake up with the vague feeling that we are all riding on a slow-motion hellbound train with a thoroughly senile Beetlejuice at the controls. Can't shake it. Reading history only confirms the same fertile conditions that brought the wonders of totalitarianism to China, Vietnam, Canada, Russia, and all its satellites.
But there is reason for hope, and every day I see a new post on Common Sense/Free Press I realize that there is tremendous talent out there, Red-Pilled and aware - and unlike my feckless colleagues in the Medical Empire - are the proud owners of a big, hairy pair, and are standing athwart history, shouting "STOP."
Thank God for the First Amendment - and the Second - without which we would already be lost. Make no mistake; the issue is in question, but thanks to the Elon Musks and the Free Presses, some days I think we may - just may - make it.
Never underestimate the importance of what you do. From a lifelong atheist, a heartfelt God Bless You All.
Bari, you and your team have managed to restore my faith in journalism and debate, whether I agree with you or not on any given topic. Thank you for that.
It is a noble venture and one that I support, but we must consider this:
In some areas, you can just start a new venture. You can start a new media company. You don't need anyone's permission. You can even start a new university, which does require accreditation but that seems achievable.
There are some things that it's much more difficult to start over with. You can't just start a new licensed profession. Those of us in medicine and law and so on are embedded in a complex, highly regulated marketplace. There's only one medical board per state, only one specialty board in the country (Rand Paul tried starting his own ophthalmology board because he wasn't fond of the status quo, but that didn't go anywhere). Those of us that are credentialed by these organizations can't do our work without them.
Let alone the question of the government itself.
So yes, it's great to see media evolving, but we must be sober about the fact that there are many people who work alongside the Nikole Hannah Joneses of the world who can't just pack up, leave, and start over. We're stuck with them.
I am a conservative, Bible-believing Christian who voted for Trump twice. I have substantial personal disagreements with you and Nellie and other writers. However — and it is a giant however — as a former daily newspaper reporter and columnist, I grieve what has happened to my old industry. It's unrecognizable and damaging and leaves me tottering between tears and visceral anger.
A free, fair, reasonably honest media is imperative to the future of our republic. We simply won't survive in any recognizable form. This fledgling new media that you are a part of forming is essential. Which is why I support it financially.
It's not about agreeing in areas of opinion. It's about a flow of trustworthy information on which to base those opinions, and base our actions as citizens.
I encourage anyone who has read this far to support it too. None of this can happen with goodwill alone.
I appreciate your articles. I am a raving conservative and there are definitely throw away lines with which I do not agree. I feel like the articles are thoughtful and presented with a different perspective that I respect. I read EVERYTHING you put out there, which is not a normal behavior for me.
Thank you Bari, for having the courage to walk away from the corruption of the NY Times and the pluck and vision to start Common Sense and now The Free Press. And most of all thank for understanding that, in the end, it's not your truth or my truth, but simply the truth. Because if we're ever going to put our beloved country back together, a common fealty to truth is the only way we can do it. So a toast to you and best wishes for continued success and greater heights in 2023.
Very happy to have been here on the sidelines since you, Matt & Glen first set off on this wonderful, necessary journey, and you can count on me for my continued support!
At first I was skeptical ...Bari Weiss from THE New York Times? But here I find my old-enough-to remember-Walter-Cronkite conservative self looking forward to each post arriving in my in-box. Thank you for bringing back Truth, and many blessings for 2023 to you and yours.
Hi everyone! This is my first comment, a monumental occasion after enjoying Common Sense/The Free Press for about two years(?) now. Just hinted to the hubs it might be something we could actually read together... a 2023 miracle, but I'm always hopeful ;)
Your publication is having such an impact on our very politically diverse family. After sharing The Free Press with many of them, we’ve had the most pleasant Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings in years! Thanks Bari❤️
May 2023 be even better, and your subscription model continue to protect you from MSM’s harassment and attempts to cancel. I worry that as you continue to grow, MSM will attempt to silence you by cooping Big Tech to de-platform you and the entire Free Press operation. Protect yourself. “They” are inevitably going to come after you as your threat to “them” increases. Although the climate is somewhat different now, the threat of de-platforming is as real today as it was when it was used so well against Parler.
Thank you Bari et al. Thank you! You continue to give me hope I have been a subscriber for going on two years now and I will continue to be a subscriber as long as CS, now TFP stays true to its mission.
Bring on the MERCH. Will happily be a walking advert for the Free Press.
"Build it and they will come." ~ Kevin Costner, Field of Dreams.
I have rarely been anxious, but these days I wake up with the vague feeling that we are all riding on a slow-motion hellbound train with a thoroughly senile Beetlejuice at the controls. Can't shake it. Reading history only confirms the same fertile conditions that brought the wonders of totalitarianism to China, Vietnam, Canada, Russia, and all its satellites.
But there is reason for hope, and every day I see a new post on Common Sense/Free Press I realize that there is tremendous talent out there, Red-Pilled and aware - and unlike my feckless colleagues in the Medical Empire - are the proud owners of a big, hairy pair, and are standing athwart history, shouting "STOP."
Thank God for the First Amendment - and the Second - without which we would already be lost. Make no mistake; the issue is in question, but thanks to the Elon Musks and the Free Presses, some days I think we may - just may - make it.
Never underestimate the importance of what you do. From a lifelong atheist, a heartfelt God Bless You All.
Bari, you and your team have managed to restore my faith in journalism and debate, whether I agree with you or not on any given topic. Thank you for that.
It is a noble venture and one that I support, but we must consider this:
In some areas, you can just start a new venture. You can start a new media company. You don't need anyone's permission. You can even start a new university, which does require accreditation but that seems achievable.
There are some things that it's much more difficult to start over with. You can't just start a new licensed profession. Those of us in medicine and law and so on are embedded in a complex, highly regulated marketplace. There's only one medical board per state, only one specialty board in the country (Rand Paul tried starting his own ophthalmology board because he wasn't fond of the status quo, but that didn't go anywhere). Those of us that are credentialed by these organizations can't do our work without them.
Let alone the question of the government itself.
So yes, it's great to see media evolving, but we must be sober about the fact that there are many people who work alongside the Nikole Hannah Joneses of the world who can't just pack up, leave, and start over. We're stuck with them.
Thank you Bari. Alas, I liked the "Common Sense" name so much more.
Thank you for the Free Press and for making me think more deeply on various issues.
One of my great joys of the week is TGIF.
Another benefit to being a paid subscriber is being able to comment and to have comments back. It is a lovely community.
I am a conservative, Bible-believing Christian who voted for Trump twice. I have substantial personal disagreements with you and Nellie and other writers. However — and it is a giant however — as a former daily newspaper reporter and columnist, I grieve what has happened to my old industry. It's unrecognizable and damaging and leaves me tottering between tears and visceral anger.
A free, fair, reasonably honest media is imperative to the future of our republic. We simply won't survive in any recognizable form. This fledgling new media that you are a part of forming is essential. Which is why I support it financially.
It's not about agreeing in areas of opinion. It's about a flow of trustworthy information on which to base those opinions, and base our actions as citizens.
I encourage anyone who has read this far to support it too. None of this can happen with goodwill alone.
I appreciate your articles. I am a raving conservative and there are definitely throw away lines with which I do not agree. I feel like the articles are thoughtful and presented with a different perspective that I respect. I read EVERYTHING you put out there, which is not a normal behavior for me.
Thank you Bari, for having the courage to walk away from the corruption of the NY Times and the pluck and vision to start Common Sense and now The Free Press. And most of all thank for understanding that, in the end, it's not your truth or my truth, but simply the truth. Because if we're ever going to put our beloved country back together, a common fealty to truth is the only way we can do it. So a toast to you and best wishes for continued success and greater heights in 2023.
Very happy to have been here on the sidelines since you, Matt & Glen first set off on this wonderful, necessary journey, and you can count on me for my continued support!
As long as Nellie never goes on maternity leave again, all will be well in the universe. TGIF is the highlight of the week!!
At first I was skeptical ...Bari Weiss from THE New York Times? But here I find my old-enough-to remember-Walter-Cronkite conservative self looking forward to each post arriving in my in-box. Thank you for bringing back Truth, and many blessings for 2023 to you and yours.
Hi everyone! This is my first comment, a monumental occasion after enjoying Common Sense/The Free Press for about two years(?) now. Just hinted to the hubs it might be something we could actually read together... a 2023 miracle, but I'm always hopeful ;)
Your publication is having such an impact on our very politically diverse family. After sharing The Free Press with many of them, we’ve had the most pleasant Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings in years! Thanks Bari❤️
Well done Bari.
May 2023 be even better, and your subscription model continue to protect you from MSM’s harassment and attempts to cancel. I worry that as you continue to grow, MSM will attempt to silence you by cooping Big Tech to de-platform you and the entire Free Press operation. Protect yourself. “They” are inevitably going to come after you as your threat to “them” increases. Although the climate is somewhat different now, the threat of de-platforming is as real today as it was when it was used so well against Parler.
Maybe I’m paranoid, but I don’t think so.
Thank you Bari et al. Thank you! You continue to give me hope I have been a subscriber for going on two years now and I will continue to be a subscriber as long as CS, now TFP stays true to its mission.