Just became a paid subscriber. I'm old enough to remember when the press being "the 5th branch of government" was a good thing and that played such a vital role in the strength of our nation. Now... I fear my government and I despise the (main stream) media. And since I believe in supporting what I .... support... with my mouth AND with my wallet, here I am.
I thank each of you for your efforts and your vision!
Congratulations Bari and team! The Free Press site looks AWESOME! Thanks for all you do, for your courage and for saving us time and our sanity by giving us a place to inform ourselves and ponder w/ out the group think and hysterics. Cheers!
Just renewed my subscription. Love the independent, honest, and nonpartisan reporting. Thank you for all of that, it's needed in this hyper-partisan, 24-hour media world.
I’m first and foremost a capitalist. This is because capitalism has made the US so wildly successful that to be poor in the US means you live a decidedly middle class lifestyle - even upper middle class - vs ~80% of the rest of the population of the planet. Given that, I imagine if the financial model isn’t working for substackers, they’d alter it. Pretty clearly not the case as it appears to be thriving. That said, journalism is a unique profession. If actual journalists are reporting the **truth** - a rarity these days but thankfully found in abundance on this site and other substacks like it - it would seem essential to make this available to as many people as possible. If I could offer one possible solution it’d be to offer a free article every week or two **if** the article is accessed through a link such as from realclearpolitics.com or similar outlets. I say this because, when trapped in a conversation about politics by a liberal, I try to simply refer them to a site like rcp to get viewpoints they’re clearly missing from they’re “news” outlets. It’s even worked a couple times. I can’t send them to CS dt the paywall. If rcp occasionally sends them to CS for a free article, so much the better. Maybe it’d even get some new subscribers. My two cents.
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 : )
Been reading the free stuff for about a month now due to my respect for Ms Bari whom I first saw on Bill Maher. Since then I've impress with the band of writers and thinkers appearing on sub stack? and Common Sense. So, you finally got me for a while in any event. At 80, I've listened and learned a lot in my life. But here on Common Sense, I am again being educated.
This was an excellent “why” to support your writing, research and publication. I’m becoming a subscriber today! Thank you for giving all of us who want to make a living from writing and research (or at least earn enough for the occasional coffee) a model of how to demonstrate the effectiveness, impact and importance of solid writing and reporting.
I am no where near center, politically; I’m far right. I know and recognize that Common Sense is well left of center. The articles range from pretty far left to center. BUT. I can trust that I won’t be reading the crazy here. I like knowing all sides of the issues in cogent, well-explored writing and I get that here. I’m a subscriber and will continue to subscribe. If there’s something I miss in not listening to the podcast (I’m a reader) I’d appreciate the opportunity to read a transcript.
Just became a paid subscriber. I'm old enough to remember when the press being "the 5th branch of government" was a good thing and that played such a vital role in the strength of our nation. Now... I fear my government and I despise the (main stream) media. And since I believe in supporting what I .... support... with my mouth AND with my wallet, here I am.
I thank each of you for your efforts and your vision!
Congratulations Bari and team! The Free Press site looks AWESOME! Thanks for all you do, for your courage and for saving us time and our sanity by giving us a place to inform ourselves and ponder w/ out the group think and hysterics. Cheers!
Just renewed my subscription. Love the independent, honest, and nonpartisan reporting. Thank you for all of that, it's needed in this hyper-partisan, 24-hour media world.
I'm very grateful to you for starting this!
Thank you, thank you, thank you….
I was in England 30 years ago and watched news on the BBC. Not a hint of bias, or a narrative, just news. Like we see and hear here.
Fantastic work, Bari - congratulations to you and Nellie and all your team. It’s just real journalism back at its institutional core.
Already a subscriber. Some of the best money I spend each month.
I’m first and foremost a capitalist. This is because capitalism has made the US so wildly successful that to be poor in the US means you live a decidedly middle class lifestyle - even upper middle class - vs ~80% of the rest of the population of the planet. Given that, I imagine if the financial model isn’t working for substackers, they’d alter it. Pretty clearly not the case as it appears to be thriving. That said, journalism is a unique profession. If actual journalists are reporting the **truth** - a rarity these days but thankfully found in abundance on this site and other substacks like it - it would seem essential to make this available to as many people as possible. If I could offer one possible solution it’d be to offer a free article every week or two **if** the article is accessed through a link such as from realclearpolitics.com or similar outlets. I say this because, when trapped in a conversation about politics by a liberal, I try to simply refer them to a site like rcp to get viewpoints they’re clearly missing from they’re “news” outlets. It’s even worked a couple times. I can’t send them to CS dt the paywall. If rcp occasionally sends them to CS for a free article, so much the better. Maybe it’d even get some new subscribers. My two cents.
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 : )
Here is a good item for TGIF:
https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/minister-was-warned-about-consultants-anti-semitic-tweets-before-news-broke
The government of canada hired a rabid racist to craft an anti-racism policy.
No shit.
Been reading the free stuff for about a month now due to my respect for Ms Bari whom I first saw on Bill Maher. Since then I've impress with the band of writers and thinkers appearing on sub stack? and Common Sense. So, you finally got me for a while in any event. At 80, I've listened and learned a lot in my life. But here on Common Sense, I am again being educated.
This was an excellent “why” to support your writing, research and publication. I’m becoming a subscriber today! Thank you for giving all of us who want to make a living from writing and research (or at least earn enough for the occasional coffee) a model of how to demonstrate the effectiveness, impact and importance of solid writing and reporting.
Happy subscriber, love y’all
I am no where near center, politically; I’m far right. I know and recognize that Common Sense is well left of center. The articles range from pretty far left to center. BUT. I can trust that I won’t be reading the crazy here. I like knowing all sides of the issues in cogent, well-explored writing and I get that here. I’m a subscriber and will continue to subscribe. If there’s something I miss in not listening to the podcast (I’m a reader) I’d appreciate the opportunity to read a transcript.
Best news source around!!! And I love the humor once in a while.