Excellent, Bari. As a "becoming a somwhat skeptic of woke politics" this Substack has been refreshing. On the other hand, I think it leans a little to broadly in that direction to where you have captured a subscription and commentor base that leans heavy Republican/conservative. I'd love to see more Democratic/left-center/left commentors…
Excellent, Bari. As a "becoming a somwhat skeptic of woke politics" this Substack has been refreshing. On the other hand, I think it leans a little to broadly in that direction to where you have captured a subscription and commentor base that leans heavy Republican/conservative. I'd love to see more Democratic/left-center/left commentors and subscribers joining in the debates, because these voices are sorely needed here to counter the caricatures I've often seen described. My concern is you are portraying a narrative that is heavily believed "a priori" by your subscriber base, but is not drawing in perhaps the readers that really need to read this content and help "reform" the left and Democratic Party, rather than just providing a fun punching bag for those who are already pre-disposed to believe these things.
Might I suggest - when publishing essays on "woke excess" in "x" arena, get the opposing viewpoints as well. Subjective first person essays about their experiences leave out a lot of context. It would be very useful to get full circle actual *reporting* about these issues (when they agree to it), which would include the "villain's" viewpoint, not just gleaned from the subjective collection of, but from actual attempts to report and interview on for the story. As it stands, we're often getting very subjective one sided stories coupled with Tweets from the opposing sides. What can you lose by actually trying to engage the opposition in these stories to provide input into? And if they refuse to participate, well that can speak volumes too. But at least attempt?
Second - don't lose focus over what's happening on the Right. The election integrity subversion efforts despite not a single proven "theory" (and pretty much all disproven) about 2020 is a Big Issue. Also, stop carrying water for Trumpist right wing propaganda - Russian Collusion IS NOT A HOAX. Mueller's investigation, as well as the Republican Senate Intelligence Committe along with subsequent court cases have demonstrated there was a persistent pattern of Trump's campaign team *colluding* with Russian operatives, in highly unethical (if not provably illegal - a high bar to prove) occurred in 2016. "Left skeptical" doesn't mean that because Rachel Maddow may have overreached on some conclusions disproves the entire set of facts about the 2016 election, and Trump's clear and obvious ties to Russian oligarch financing for his businesses, let alone those of his top campaign aides.
Currently - the Republican primaries are pushing a set of candidates who are pushing the Big Lie, and promising to use their power (if elected) to subvert future elections. Yes, this may be a bigger deal, in the long run, than the travesty of gender affirmation practices in the medical community (which is still a big issue, IMO, and thank you for spotlighting it). Both need spotlights. Don't sacrifice one to elevate the other in the service of feeding the wishes of the subscriber base to have one set of narrative over the other.
A truly "Common Sense" blog would have irons in all the fires, not just one side. Let's have a true medium in which every reader is upset, at some points, by some of the facts revealed about "their sides" rather than a heavily tilted "roast" that serves as little more than red meat.
But so far - thanks for all the fishes.. and best of wishes for the new lil' one : )
Excellent, Bari. As a "becoming a somwhat skeptic of woke politics" this Substack has been refreshing. On the other hand, I think it leans a little to broadly in that direction to where you have captured a subscription and commentor base that leans heavy Republican/conservative. I'd love to see more Democratic/left-center/left commentors and subscribers joining in the debates, because these voices are sorely needed here to counter the caricatures I've often seen described. My concern is you are portraying a narrative that is heavily believed "a priori" by your subscriber base, but is not drawing in perhaps the readers that really need to read this content and help "reform" the left and Democratic Party, rather than just providing a fun punching bag for those who are already pre-disposed to believe these things.
Might I suggest - when publishing essays on "woke excess" in "x" arena, get the opposing viewpoints as well. Subjective first person essays about their experiences leave out a lot of context. It would be very useful to get full circle actual *reporting* about these issues (when they agree to it), which would include the "villain's" viewpoint, not just gleaned from the subjective collection of, but from actual attempts to report and interview on for the story. As it stands, we're often getting very subjective one sided stories coupled with Tweets from the opposing sides. What can you lose by actually trying to engage the opposition in these stories to provide input into? And if they refuse to participate, well that can speak volumes too. But at least attempt?
Second - don't lose focus over what's happening on the Right. The election integrity subversion efforts despite not a single proven "theory" (and pretty much all disproven) about 2020 is a Big Issue. Also, stop carrying water for Trumpist right wing propaganda - Russian Collusion IS NOT A HOAX. Mueller's investigation, as well as the Republican Senate Intelligence Committe along with subsequent court cases have demonstrated there was a persistent pattern of Trump's campaign team *colluding* with Russian operatives, in highly unethical (if not provably illegal - a high bar to prove) occurred in 2016. "Left skeptical" doesn't mean that because Rachel Maddow may have overreached on some conclusions disproves the entire set of facts about the 2016 election, and Trump's clear and obvious ties to Russian oligarch financing for his businesses, let alone those of his top campaign aides.
Currently - the Republican primaries are pushing a set of candidates who are pushing the Big Lie, and promising to use their power (if elected) to subvert future elections. Yes, this may be a bigger deal, in the long run, than the travesty of gender affirmation practices in the medical community (which is still a big issue, IMO, and thank you for spotlighting it). Both need spotlights. Don't sacrifice one to elevate the other in the service of feeding the wishes of the subscriber base to have one set of narrative over the other.
A truly "Common Sense" blog would have irons in all the fires, not just one side. Let's have a true medium in which every reader is upset, at some points, by some of the facts revealed about "their sides" rather than a heavily tilted "roast" that serves as little more than red meat.
But so far - thanks for all the fishes.. and best of wishes for the new lil' one : )