I am grateful for this article because *this* is why I subscribed to Common Sense.
But at some point, we need to ask how this happened, not simply identify it as a phenomenon. Because until the people who caused this (and one very specific group has) are drug out into the light and made to own the situation and explain to those they have …
I am grateful for this article because *this* is why I subscribed to Common Sense.
But at some point, we need to ask how this happened, not simply identify it as a phenomenon. Because until the people who caused this (and one very specific group has) are drug out into the light and made to own the situation and explain to those they have coddled and radicalized that they started this "words are violence" schtick because they wanted a way to shut up the other side and it's all gotten out of hand, we're not going to get anywhere.
It’s an excellent point you make here. I so long for the days when our politics was like the relationship Reagan had with Tip O’Neil. When the concept of loyal opposition meant both things because at the end of the day we are ALL Americans.
A free marketplace of ideas allowed us to collectively decide on direction by way of our elected representatives. The media while always skewing left didn’t engage in nearly so many of the worst deceptions they do today. They more or less took their jobs as journalists seriously (like Bari and Nellie do) and allowed the facts to come out even if not the outcome they would necessarily prefer at a personal level.
Now, the American public (especially those on the right) are seeing the underbelly of the MSM, the deep state whom they are mouthpieces for and a complete disregard for fundamental values we once collectively cherished like Free Speech. The biggest reason I came to Common Sense is because of Bari’s resignation letter from the NYT. It was a breath of fresh air that a true insider was FINALLY affirming the media bias we had long complained of that the MSM refuses to acknowledge. Here was a self described liberal woman who was willing to pull back the curtain and show us the reality. That took guts and I cannot thank her enough for it and for creating this outlet where the best aspects of journalism and civil discourse would rein supreme and not ideology.
It is past time that those who have been undermining the norms we cherished do need to be called out and we collectively need to say no more…Stop lying to us, stop trying to force us to think like you do and start listening to us. Our voices, our lives and futures matter and I’ll be damned if I will not speak up against this.
Ronald Reagan was happy to get most of what he wanted. He let the other side get some of what they wanted as long as it didn't harm the country or derail his agenda.
Exactly! I should have included this massive point in my OP. Compromise, ladies and gentlemen is something we as a society desperately need to relearn. I will also include that we need to turn down the temperature in how we speak about rational members of the other side which I believe includes many both right and left. Don’t let the extremists define who we are. Being called a fascist, racist etc for having center right beliefs as I do really pisses me off and makes compromise damn near impossible. Talk respectfully to me about why you feel your position is correct and I will always do the same!
By a factor of a gazillion I agree. Truly two honest, decent journalists who are creating something vitally important to society right now. A restoration of a marketplace of ideas that honors diversity of thought and gives a flying ‘duck’ about other characteristics that have no bearing. One that is filled by and large with a community of the sane who yearn for respectful dialogue among our own set of fellow travelers.
Started reading this book just this week after seeing this comment. Pretty fascinating so far. I am about half way through. One minor thought that seems to keep coming up while reading....I really enjoy the book but I have a nagging thought: Based on his descriptions.....isn't everyone falling into a mass movement of one form or another? I have no idea the answer to this question but is not this Substack itself a form of mass movement?
Glad you got the book. You may be confusing "like minded" with mass formation. True it is increasingly difficult to discern what is truth and fact from propaganda. That is why most of us have found Substack. We get a different perspective through the content and through the threads.
I have another suggestion for you. Bryan Dean Wright has a daily podcast that is excellent. It is short, which is a blessing, and full of interesting facts and details you may not hear anywhere else. He was a CIA officer and has away of getting information. The President's Daily Brief:
You really must read Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom." That one is essential. Eric Hoffer wrote "The True Believer." Hoffer was an interesting person. You should look him up. He was an astute observer of the human condition but he was a blue collar worker. Unusual to say the least. Viktor Frankl is another must read. His book, "Man's Search for Meaning," is a slim volume but it's profound and you will never forget it.
I am grateful for this article because *this* is why I subscribed to Common Sense.
But at some point, we need to ask how this happened, not simply identify it as a phenomenon. Because until the people who caused this (and one very specific group has) are drug out into the light and made to own the situation and explain to those they have coddled and radicalized that they started this "words are violence" schtick because they wanted a way to shut up the other side and it's all gotten out of hand, we're not going to get anywhere.
It’s an excellent point you make here. I so long for the days when our politics was like the relationship Reagan had with Tip O’Neil. When the concept of loyal opposition meant both things because at the end of the day we are ALL Americans.
A free marketplace of ideas allowed us to collectively decide on direction by way of our elected representatives. The media while always skewing left didn’t engage in nearly so many of the worst deceptions they do today. They more or less took their jobs as journalists seriously (like Bari and Nellie do) and allowed the facts to come out even if not the outcome they would necessarily prefer at a personal level.
Now, the American public (especially those on the right) are seeing the underbelly of the MSM, the deep state whom they are mouthpieces for and a complete disregard for fundamental values we once collectively cherished like Free Speech. The biggest reason I came to Common Sense is because of Bari’s resignation letter from the NYT. It was a breath of fresh air that a true insider was FINALLY affirming the media bias we had long complained of that the MSM refuses to acknowledge. Here was a self described liberal woman who was willing to pull back the curtain and show us the reality. That took guts and I cannot thank her enough for it and for creating this outlet where the best aspects of journalism and civil discourse would rein supreme and not ideology.
It is past time that those who have been undermining the norms we cherished do need to be called out and we collectively need to say no more…Stop lying to us, stop trying to force us to think like you do and start listening to us. Our voices, our lives and futures matter and I’ll be damned if I will not speak up against this.
Ronald Reagan was happy to get most of what he wanted. He let the other side get some of what they wanted as long as it didn't harm the country or derail his agenda.
Exactly! I should have included this massive point in my OP. Compromise, ladies and gentlemen is something we as a society desperately need to relearn. I will also include that we need to turn down the temperature in how we speak about rational members of the other side which I believe includes many both right and left. Don’t let the extremists define who we are. Being called a fascist, racist etc for having center right beliefs as I do really pisses me off and makes compromise damn near impossible. Talk respectfully to me about why you feel your position is correct and I will always do the same!
Agreed. The best posts here are the ones Bari and Nellie write themselves.
By a factor of a gazillion I agree. Truly two honest, decent journalists who are creating something vitally important to society right now. A restoration of a marketplace of ideas that honors diversity of thought and gives a flying ‘duck’ about other characteristics that have no bearing. One that is filled by and large with a community of the sane who yearn for respectful dialogue among our own set of fellow travelers.
"The Psychology of Totalitarianism."
Good place to begin to find answers.
Then move on to "The True Believer."
Which True Believer, the one by Eric Hoffer?
Yes, of course.
Started reading this book just this week after seeing this comment. Pretty fascinating so far. I am about half way through. One minor thought that seems to keep coming up while reading....I really enjoy the book but I have a nagging thought: Based on his descriptions.....isn't everyone falling into a mass movement of one form or another? I have no idea the answer to this question but is not this Substack itself a form of mass movement?
Glad you got the book. You may be confusing "like minded" with mass formation. True it is increasingly difficult to discern what is truth and fact from propaganda. That is why most of us have found Substack. We get a different perspective through the content and through the threads.
I have another suggestion for you. Bryan Dean Wright has a daily podcast that is excellent. It is short, which is a blessing, and full of interesting facts and details you may not hear anywhere else. He was a CIA officer and has away of getting information. The President's Daily Brief:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-presidents-daily-brief/id1617887885
Look interesting. Downloaded a few other episodes. What other book recommendations do you have in terms of society in general?
You really must read Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom." That one is essential. Eric Hoffer wrote "The True Believer." Hoffer was an interesting person. You should look him up. He was an astute observer of the human condition but he was a blue collar worker. Unusual to say the least. Viktor Frankl is another must read. His book, "Man's Search for Meaning," is a slim volume but it's profound and you will never forget it.
I have several bookshelves of interesting books.
Thank you! I will be sure to pick up the Road to Serfdom. Reading Hoffer right now, Cheers
I am very interested in your thoughts on these books.
I read The Road to Serfdom when Gingrich was Speaker. There was so much in it that was current. I made notes all through it.
You can buy these books are ridiculously low prices at abebooks.com
I will definitely let you know. I am about 3/4 of the way through the True Believer and earlier today ordered the Road to Serfdom.