This was the wrong place to write, but I could find no other. I wanted to thank you for the excellent discussion b/w Taibbi & Stephens. So informative and I'd love to hear one re: Israel and Palestine. Thank you for your good work!.
Hi Bari, got your email, went to reply only to see I'm #250! Anyway, you are my favorite Substack author BUT for next year, instead of furthering your nest, please try to engage with the "other side" (whatever they might be, for whatever issue) for dialogue. Not that you are in a bubble but some of us are and could use wider perspective. Gratis.
So glad you’re planning to report stories “that the legacy media cannot tell.” For 2022, please consider doing a story on the enormous influence of the nonprofit sectors in San Francisco and Seattle on those cities’ approaches to homelessness. Although smaller scale than the problem in SF, City of Seattle spending on homelessness programs more than tripled in the past 7 years, from $50 Million in 2015 to $156 Million budgeted for 2022. This is a serious subject that brings out a lot of distracting emotions … like despair, guilt, frustration, and sometimes self-righteousness. We need journalists with not only compassion but also great wit and skepticism to dig into what has been going on in these cities and report in a nonpartisan way.
Happy Birthday Substack! I believe I have found objective news for the first time in at least a decade !
Thanks for giving all of us hope ! We ( my wife and I) still watch cable occasionally and subscribe to the NYT, WSJ and Wapo but their propaganda/ bias has NEVER been more obvious ……..
I have read the WSJ and NYT's every day since I was 16 and still do; even though it elevates my BP! I had a high school civics teacher tell me that is what an educated person did. I read your NYT resignation; so I knew of you when my son brought your name up. My 30 year old naval officer son turned me on to Common Sense and Substack. I'm a subscriber. You and your teams' content makes me think. Thank you. Keep doing what you are doing!
@Bari and Common Sense Team, thanks for striking out on your own and helping elevate our father-son dialogue. My dad taught me to how to consume and examine the news growing up so it's be enjoyable to show him the ropes for once and bring him into the Common Sense fold. Thanks for the insightful opinions and writing from you and your team.
Bari, you are a bright, brave light. I don’t have a daughter but I hope some day my sons will find someone exactly like you. Keep it up girl - I’ve been with you from Day 1! Much love from a fellow SF lady xx
Please continue your work. Maybe at one of our monthly family dinners, I won't have to listen to my Mother-in-law say "don't go there" when there is a difference of opinion. Ten years ago, we had spirited conversations at the table, then we'd all do a shot. Now, she's afraid someone WILL get shot!
Congrats, Bari and team! Thank you for taking a leap into the unknown. Thank you for choosing to write with courage, curiosity, rationality, resilience and HUMOR (girl, you know how to add the wit to the Honestly ads -- and my ears are here for it). If COVID has taught us anything, it's that we were created to be in conversation and community with one another (IRL!). I am excited to be a reader, listener, fangirl of this community you and your team are building.
(P.S. -- You had better have Seattle at the top of your tour list. I bet we can even drag Katie H. out for the shindig!) :-)
If you think one party is responsible for America going totally off the rails — you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
Contrary to convenient opinion: Your record is who you are, not what you believe.
Fact: “truth verifiable from experience or observation”
Which means most of America is delusional by definition:
• A delusion is a mistaken belief that is held with strong conviction even when presented with superior evidence to the contrary
• Characterized by or holding idiosyncratic beliefs or impressions that are contradicted by reality or rational argument
• Something a person believes and wants to be true, when it is actually not true
And the only way you can pull off the above is with the prejudice below: As the mere mention of “prejudice” is almost invariably associated with race, it’s critical to define what we’re talking about.
• An attitude that always favors one way of feeling or acting especially without considering any other possibilities
• An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts
• The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions
• An unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason
• A partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
Thomas Sowell is a Liar and a Hypocrite — and His Acolytes Couldn’t Care Less.
The first two are demonstrably provable — and the last part is all I’ve seen out of Sowell’s army of apologists. For that reason and many more, I politely challenged Bari’s claim below:
====================================
"But we’re all here because we share some important things in common: a commitment to reason, curiosity, independence, decency, and a hunger for honest conversation. In our upside-down world, holding fast to these ideals can sometimes feel lonely.
More than ever, we crave the company of people who share our core values."
====================================
Believing that you hold these values does not constitute commitment to them.
Commitment takes courage, curiosity, time, effort, discernment, discipline, and so much more. Commitment doesn't speak in simple-minded narratives. Commitment is taking responsibility -- and recognizing how it comes in multiple forms (not simply the ones you want to conveniently criticize).
Commitment is holding your own accountable with the same fervor as you hold the opposition. Commitment is being fair-minded. Commitment is following the facts and taking the trail wherever it leads -- whether it's in your interests or not.
And as for this: "More than ever, we crave the company of people who share our core values." No, you crave the company of people who agree with you and make it easy for you to scrutinize others but never yourselves.
In Bari's mind, I'm sure her overture was just a nice gesture in an effort to bond with her audience. In my mind, it's pampering you to reinforce a belief that’s demonstrably false for probably 99% of America.
I posted the following yesterday (in response to someone bitching about censorship and narratives as if these ploys are limited to the Left):
====================================
And I've been treated like sh*t by every single disciple of Thomas Sowell for simply telling the truth about him (including being banned from a couple of Reddit groups).
See for yourself in my 5-part series on Sowell. Or you can just go on believing the fantasy that it's only the Left that's gone totally off the rails:
And right on cue: “You deserved to be treated that way! You’re a moron and pathetic character assassin.”
First off, if you think you can find one word I’ve written that’s not true, I invite you to try. But you better bring something in the realm of argument, not assertion:
“An assertion is just a point of view, an opinion. An argument goes further. An argument is a point of view supported by reasons that demonstrate the view is a good one.”
Anybody can call you a “moron” and “pathetic character assassin.” That is an assertion. To qualify as argument, you would have to establish the basis behind your beliefs. On what basis am I assassinating Sowell’s character? What is moronic about what I’m saying?
Since the topic on Thomas Sowell revolves around the rotor speed required to separate uranium isotopes, I’d love to see you make an argument to counter mathematical certainties in centrifuge physics.
What part of that statement (or anything I’ve written) — sounds moronic to you?
Speaking of moronic: Someone skipped to Part V and instantly offered his pearls of wisdom about “oversimplifying World War I” — never mind that I’m making an ANALOGY.
The post opens with: “The following excerpt from Blueprint for Armageddon — parallels today’s trench warfare between armies of unreachables.”
The operative word is “parallels — but who cares when you’re in a rush to advertise your “expertise”:
====================================
I had a look at Part V, which featured an excerpt from "Blueprint for Armageddon." The best one can say of it is that it grossly oversimplifies the First World War. As it happens I have an amateur historian's interest on the Great War and have written quite a bit on the subject: https://tmg110.tripod.com/ww1_mp.htm There was a good deal more to that war than trench warfare...
====================================
That guy skipped over the entire series and is criticizing me for oversimplifying something?!? On that alone, it’s absurd. He said that he wasn’t criticizing me, but rather the source of “Blueprint for Armageddon.” My analogy is based on text from a 6-part series totaling 23 hours of podcasts — and you’re gonna make a judgment about the quality that work on the basis of few minutes?
That guy wasn’t jerk, but just being “polite” doesn’t equate to courtesy. It’s bad enough I gotta deal with jackasses like the “character assassin” guy. But then I get this “amateur historian” corrupting the conversation with something that has no bearing on the case.
All of this is to say: What the hell are you people doing here? Because it damn sure isn’t this: “a commitment to reason, curiosity, independence, decency, and a hunger for honest conversation.”
It's complicated — but only because human nature makes it that way. It takes time, effort, discernment, and sincerity to digest anything of depth (especially when it challenges calcified beliefs in our crap-is-king culture).
But if you wanna persist in believing Bari's overture about your "commitment" — these problems are only gonna get worse, and you'll be griping about them until you go to your grave.
Hi Bari, thanks for doing a great job and allowing your followers to keep a glimmer of hope for the future by exposing the truth. Would love for you to interview people like senator Joe Manchin and Paul Rand regarding their views on BBB and The Voting Bill on your Honestly podcast.
Would be great to hear any sane voices of those Who are speaking out in the BIPOC community on the need for education , hard work, skin color not being enough to base decisions on hiring workers and denouncing what is going on today including, blatant crime , robbery, murder, illegal guns , and brazen criminals terrorizing society.. Police not able to do their job, drug addicts roaming the streets, colleges accepting applicants just due to the color of their skin. I can go on and on. Very scary times in America , where is it going?
I seem to see far fewer of your articles than have been published. Are they always sent directly to your subscribers?
When, if you’d ever do so, would you confront the NYTimes on what characteristics journalism should exhibit and a review if any of them exhibit said characteristics.
Like I said, Bari -- you've got some real winners on here: "Michael Golde replied to your comment: You deserved to be treated that way! You’re a moron and pathetic character assassin."
"But we’re all here because we share some important things in common: a commitment to reason, curiosity, independence, decency, and a hunger for honest conversation. In our upside-down world, holding fast to these ideals can sometimes feel lonely.
More than ever, we crave the company of people who share our core values."
Thank you, Bari Weiss. Although we differ quite a bit politically, I am so tremendously encouraged by your commitment to the truth and bringing us together.
There is a saying that everyone has 1 book in them. I think a lot of people have at least one story, or essay or just an interesting view to discuss. How about a channel to contact you or your team with something like this? You will decide if it worth time or space to publish or investigate. Just a thought.
This was the wrong place to write, but I could find no other. I wanted to thank you for the excellent discussion b/w Taibbi & Stephens. So informative and I'd love to hear one re: Israel and Palestine. Thank you for your good work!.
Hi Bari, got your email, went to reply only to see I'm #250! Anyway, you are my favorite Substack author BUT for next year, instead of furthering your nest, please try to engage with the "other side" (whatever they might be, for whatever issue) for dialogue. Not that you are in a bubble but some of us are and could use wider perspective. Gratis.
So glad you’re planning to report stories “that the legacy media cannot tell.” For 2022, please consider doing a story on the enormous influence of the nonprofit sectors in San Francisco and Seattle on those cities’ approaches to homelessness. Although smaller scale than the problem in SF, City of Seattle spending on homelessness programs more than tripled in the past 7 years, from $50 Million in 2015 to $156 Million budgeted for 2022. This is a serious subject that brings out a lot of distracting emotions … like despair, guilt, frustration, and sometimes self-righteousness. We need journalists with not only compassion but also great wit and skepticism to dig into what has been going on in these cities and report in a nonpartisan way.
Happy Birthday Substack! I believe I have found objective news for the first time in at least a decade !
Thanks for giving all of us hope ! We ( my wife and I) still watch cable occasionally and subscribe to the NYT, WSJ and Wapo but their propaganda/ bias has NEVER been more obvious ……..
God bless us all ! 🙏
I have read the WSJ and NYT's every day since I was 16 and still do; even though it elevates my BP! I had a high school civics teacher tell me that is what an educated person did. I read your NYT resignation; so I knew of you when my son brought your name up. My 30 year old naval officer son turned me on to Common Sense and Substack. I'm a subscriber. You and your teams' content makes me think. Thank you. Keep doing what you are doing!
Hi Dad! 👋
@Bari and Common Sense Team, thanks for striking out on your own and helping elevate our father-son dialogue. My dad taught me to how to consume and examine the news growing up so it's be enjoyable to show him the ropes for once and bring him into the Common Sense fold. Thanks for the insightful opinions and writing from you and your team.
Bari, you are a bright, brave light. I don’t have a daughter but I hope some day my sons will find someone exactly like you. Keep it up girl - I’ve been with you from Day 1! Much love from a fellow SF lady xx
Please continue your work. Maybe at one of our monthly family dinners, I won't have to listen to my Mother-in-law say "don't go there" when there is a difference of opinion. Ten years ago, we had spirited conversations at the table, then we'd all do a shot. Now, she's afraid someone WILL get shot!
Congrats, Bari and team! Thank you for taking a leap into the unknown. Thank you for choosing to write with courage, curiosity, rationality, resilience and HUMOR (girl, you know how to add the wit to the Honestly ads -- and my ears are here for it). If COVID has taught us anything, it's that we were created to be in conversation and community with one another (IRL!). I am excited to be a reader, listener, fangirl of this community you and your team are building.
(P.S. -- You had better have Seattle at the top of your tour list. I bet we can even drag Katie H. out for the shindig!) :-)
Well done!
If you think one party is responsible for America going totally off the rails — you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
Contrary to convenient opinion: Your record is who you are, not what you believe.
Fact: “truth verifiable from experience or observation”
Which means most of America is delusional by definition:
• A delusion is a mistaken belief that is held with strong conviction even when presented with superior evidence to the contrary
• Characterized by or holding idiosyncratic beliefs or impressions that are contradicted by reality or rational argument
• Something a person believes and wants to be true, when it is actually not true
And the only way you can pull off the above is with the prejudice below: As the mere mention of “prejudice” is almost invariably associated with race, it’s critical to define what we’re talking about.
• An attitude that always favors one way of feeling or acting especially without considering any other possibilities
• An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts
• The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions
• An unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason
• A partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
Thomas Sowell is a Liar and a Hypocrite — and His Acolytes Couldn’t Care Less.
The first two are demonstrably provable — and the last part is all I’ve seen out of Sowell’s army of apologists. For that reason and many more, I politely challenged Bari’s claim below:
====================================
"But we’re all here because we share some important things in common: a commitment to reason, curiosity, independence, decency, and a hunger for honest conversation. In our upside-down world, holding fast to these ideals can sometimes feel lonely.
More than ever, we crave the company of people who share our core values."
====================================
Believing that you hold these values does not constitute commitment to them.
Commitment takes courage, curiosity, time, effort, discernment, discipline, and so much more. Commitment doesn't speak in simple-minded narratives. Commitment is taking responsibility -- and recognizing how it comes in multiple forms (not simply the ones you want to conveniently criticize).
Commitment is holding your own accountable with the same fervor as you hold the opposition. Commitment is being fair-minded. Commitment is following the facts and taking the trail wherever it leads -- whether it's in your interests or not.
And as for this: "More than ever, we crave the company of people who share our core values." No, you crave the company of people who agree with you and make it easy for you to scrutinize others but never yourselves.
In Bari's mind, I'm sure her overture was just a nice gesture in an effort to bond with her audience. In my mind, it's pampering you to reinforce a belief that’s demonstrably false for probably 99% of America.
I posted the following yesterday (in response to someone bitching about censorship and narratives as if these ploys are limited to the Left):
====================================
And I've been treated like sh*t by every single disciple of Thomas Sowell for simply telling the truth about him (including being banned from a couple of Reddit groups).
See for yourself in my 5-part series on Sowell. Or you can just go on believing the fantasy that it's only the Left that's gone totally off the rails:
https://onevoicebecametwo.life/2021/12/07/behold-the-legacy-of-your-beloved-sowell-part-i/
====================================
And right on cue: “You deserved to be treated that way! You’re a moron and pathetic character assassin.”
First off, if you think you can find one word I’ve written that’s not true, I invite you to try. But you better bring something in the realm of argument, not assertion:
“An assertion is just a point of view, an opinion. An argument goes further. An argument is a point of view supported by reasons that demonstrate the view is a good one.”
Anybody can call you a “moron” and “pathetic character assassin.” That is an assertion. To qualify as argument, you would have to establish the basis behind your beliefs. On what basis am I assassinating Sowell’s character? What is moronic about what I’m saying?
Since the topic on Thomas Sowell revolves around the rotor speed required to separate uranium isotopes, I’d love to see you make an argument to counter mathematical certainties in centrifuge physics.
What part of that statement (or anything I’ve written) — sounds moronic to you?
Speaking of moronic: Someone skipped to Part V and instantly offered his pearls of wisdom about “oversimplifying World War I” — never mind that I’m making an ANALOGY.
The post opens with: “The following excerpt from Blueprint for Armageddon — parallels today’s trench warfare between armies of unreachables.”
The operative word is “parallels — but who cares when you’re in a rush to advertise your “expertise”:
====================================
I had a look at Part V, which featured an excerpt from "Blueprint for Armageddon." The best one can say of it is that it grossly oversimplifies the First World War. As it happens I have an amateur historian's interest on the Great War and have written quite a bit on the subject: https://tmg110.tripod.com/ww1_mp.htm There was a good deal more to that war than trench warfare...
====================================
That guy skipped over the entire series and is criticizing me for oversimplifying something?!? On that alone, it’s absurd. He said that he wasn’t criticizing me, but rather the source of “Blueprint for Armageddon.” My analogy is based on text from a 6-part series totaling 23 hours of podcasts — and you’re gonna make a judgment about the quality that work on the basis of few minutes?
That guy wasn’t jerk, but just being “polite” doesn’t equate to courtesy. It’s bad enough I gotta deal with jackasses like the “character assassin” guy. But then I get this “amateur historian” corrupting the conversation with something that has no bearing on the case.
All of this is to say: What the hell are you people doing here? Because it damn sure isn’t this: “a commitment to reason, curiosity, independence, decency, and a hunger for honest conversation.”
You wanna solve problems or endlessly complain about ‘em? Here's your chance to do the former: https://onevoicebecametwo.life/2021/12/07/behold-the-legacy-of-your-beloved-sowell-part-i/
It's complicated — but only because human nature makes it that way. It takes time, effort, discernment, and sincerity to digest anything of depth (especially when it challenges calcified beliefs in our crap-is-king culture).
But if you wanna persist in believing Bari's overture about your "commitment" — these problems are only gonna get worse, and you'll be griping about them until you go to your grave.
Hi Bari, thanks for doing a great job and allowing your followers to keep a glimmer of hope for the future by exposing the truth. Would love for you to interview people like senator Joe Manchin and Paul Rand regarding their views on BBB and The Voting Bill on your Honestly podcast.
Would be great to hear any sane voices of those Who are speaking out in the BIPOC community on the need for education , hard work, skin color not being enough to base decisions on hiring workers and denouncing what is going on today including, blatant crime , robbery, murder, illegal guns , and brazen criminals terrorizing society.. Police not able to do their job, drug addicts roaming the streets, colleges accepting applicants just due to the color of their skin. I can go on and on. Very scary times in America , where is it going?
Thank you for your bravery in journalism. It has been a glimmer of hope in what seems to be an unrecognizable world. Sincere gratitude.
I seem to see far fewer of your articles than have been published. Are they always sent directly to your subscribers?
When, if you’d ever do so, would you confront the NYTimes on what characteristics journalism should exhibit and a review if any of them exhibit said characteristics.
Like I said, Bari -- you've got some real winners on here: "Michael Golde replied to your comment: You deserved to be treated that way! You’re a moron and pathetic character assassin."
"But we’re all here because we share some important things in common: a commitment to reason, curiosity, independence, decency, and a hunger for honest conversation. In our upside-down world, holding fast to these ideals can sometimes feel lonely.
More than ever, we crave the company of people who share our core values."
Hmm . . .
Thank you, Bari Weiss. Although we differ quite a bit politically, I am so tremendously encouraged by your commitment to the truth and bringing us together.
Thank you for Common Sense, Bari!
There is a saying that everyone has 1 book in them. I think a lot of people have at least one story, or essay or just an interesting view to discuss. How about a channel to contact you or your team with something like this? You will decide if it worth time or space to publish or investigate. Just a thought.