It's a strange thing for me, a lifelong libertarian-leaning conservative, that three of my favorite writers are classic liberals writing for Substack (Greenwald, Taibbi, and you, Bari). I love your stuff and find you a breath of fresh air in a media world filled with narrative-pushers. Best of luck, and I'm happy to support you with my hard-earned $$$.
Hey Bari: I was just contemplating why / how this works for you; your success. I’m a two time Trump voter. I read every word you write. Glen too. I really have not disagreed with anything that really matters. I know you don’t like Trump. (That’s probably an understatement) but you engage me. Good for you Bari. I’m a combat veteran and no doubt a few years your senior. Good for you, for not tagging along with the rest of your generation and being willing to discuss complicated topics. Because you have thus far demonstrated that you possess ideas (ideas do not possess you) when I do find something that I disagree with you on - no doubt your credibility will make me pause and think very hard about my position
I’m not surprised you’re off to a good start. People are starving for reasonableness and grace, and you embody both. Thank you for starting this newsletter. I look forward to your new podcast as well.
Over the past several years I have been disgusted by both the media's bias and their continued usage of Twitter as a megaphone for the fraction of our population that was offended by any particular development. More recently, I have grown increasingly angry as cancel culture continues to surge on like a runaway freight train. My anger probably peaked when a woman as charitable and inspiring as JK Rowling was cancelled. I asked myself: How could so many actors that owed their entire careers to Rowling throw her to the wolves without a second thought for having a very well reasoned thought / opinion on a single topic? I presume most, if not all of them we're acting out of fear. After all, saying anything that could potentially be perceived as supporting or agreeing with a cancelled person like JK would inevitably result in sensationalistic messages or disgust and '-ism' labels being hurled at them by the Twitter minority. Worse, the actors knew these Tweets would percolate through the echo chamber that is modern media. This could possibly result in their own cancellation.
Most recently, I have been bombarded with politics at work. The majority of Americans have always believed that politics should not enter the workplace. Those days are long gone as I am now forced to include actions that I plan to take in support of equity, inclusion and anti-racism in the workplace as part of my annual goal setting. Just like those Harry Potter actors, I am reluctant to express my reasonable reservations. I now act out of fear every single day. If many people are honest with themselves, they'll admit they do the same.
Fortunately, reading your common sense articles make me feel sane. They give me hope that we will emerge from this regressive period in Western Civilization. Thank you for being so brave.
Bari, I'm a 64 year male of white privilege (which was just the happenstance of a genetic dice roll); a non-practicing Jew who hasn't entered a synagogue since my youngest sibling's Bar Mitzvah; a voracious reader of Holocaust literature; a fanboy of self-deprecating Jewish humor; a man who grew up in a household of formidable women, including my matriarchal mother who recently passed away; a person who's had face-to-face encounters with antisemitism in America, one starting in a crowded bar with the accusatory question, " You're a Jew, right? "; a fervent supporter of the Jewish State of Israel...a safe haven for a people who've historically never been safe in integrated societies; and of an antipodal mindset to the Progressives who see only good in the plight of the terrorist controlled Palestinian cause (i.e. Hamas, Hezbollah, and the PA), and only bad in the parliamentary democracy of Israel.
My father's side of the family found their way from Poland-Lithuania to the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh in the 1880's, which is perhaps why I feel so connected to you. My father's parents called the Weequahic section of Newark "home", when it was predominantly composed of working class Jews (circa 1920's-30's). My Dad grew up in a "poor Jewish" household, which contemporary gentiles might think to be oxymoronic, but it certainly wasn't the case during the Great Depression. My mother's side of the family fled the pogroms of Russia in the 1890's, finding a home Brooklyn. My mother's father, who preferred Yiddish to English, labored for peanuts as a cloth cutter, crafting the linings of coats that only the rich could afford to buy...another poor Jewish immigrant pursuing the American Dream.
Bari...You're courageous and brilliant. I'm proud to be a new subscriber to your Substack. I wish you the best of luck in your continued pursuit of truth infused journalism.
Congrats on a strong start and having the courage to make your own way. I love that you call it "Common Sense Media". We, the public, are STARVING for common sense in the press. Hurrah!
Thank you, Bari, for providing sanity in a world slowing losing it. I also found this website today and joined it - you might like it. I hope this isn't considered spam: Emergency Committee for America - it's supposedly bi-partisan. https://www.ec4america.org
I first hear about you last November. I appreciate your voice and speaking truth. In a world that feels like truth no longer matters, it is refreshing to have a common sense voice. I even sent your newsletter to my left leaning husband. He likes your work and I believe you are speaking to so many liberals who feel utterly lost by the party. Thank you!
Bari, Your conversation with the rabbi was inspiring. You express yourself beautifully.
Problem is, the poor rabbi is woke. His use of buzzwords like "ally" and "systemic" as well as his admission of "confusion" reveal that he has absorbed the ideology of critical race theory which requires his participation in order to be a righteous person. Now he's in a state of cognitive dissonance, because your Jewish credentials are impeccable and you speak his language better than he does. How will he juggle these two conflicting positions?
This dynamic is familiar. These days I'm getting nowhere trying to discuss cancel culture, the problems with CRT, and the foundational importance of the First Amendment with woke family and friends who get all their opinions from the Times and MSNBC. Did you know that literally EVERYONE IN AMERICA who voted for Trump is a "white supremacist" with a stockpile of automatic weapons? And that in order to save the country, we're going to have to ban Fox News. Really?
The rabbi was upset with you for leaving the Times rather than sticking it out and "changing it from the inside." I'm assuming he read your resignation letter, which spelled out clearly the intolerable conditions there and the total lack of support you received when you specifically asked for it. The cultish ideology espoused by the Times precludes any changes from the inside. If anything, it's only gotten worse since you left. But he wants you to stay at the Times so he won't have to give up his fealty to CRT which he's worked so hard to integrate into his world view. You're telling him he doesn't have that luxury. You're asking him to take a stand, to choose.
"Social Justice" has a powerful ring to it. What Jew could be opposed to it? Even if it's a trojan horse...
It's going to be interesting times for the rabbi and his congregation, as they confront the suppression of free speech, the imposition of controlled speech, the subversion of their children's educations, and the escalation of anti-Semitism by the very same people they want to support and champion. How long will they remain "confused"?
It's a strange thing for me, a lifelong libertarian-leaning conservative, that three of my favorite writers are classic liberals writing for Substack (Greenwald, Taibbi, and you, Bari). I love your stuff and find you a breath of fresh air in a media world filled with narrative-pushers. Best of luck, and I'm happy to support you with my hard-earned $$$.
Hey Bari: I was just contemplating why / how this works for you; your success. I’m a two time Trump voter. I read every word you write. Glen too. I really have not disagreed with anything that really matters. I know you don’t like Trump. (That’s probably an understatement) but you engage me. Good for you Bari. I’m a combat veteran and no doubt a few years your senior. Good for you, for not tagging along with the rest of your generation and being willing to discuss complicated topics. Because you have thus far demonstrated that you possess ideas (ideas do not possess you) when I do find something that I disagree with you on - no doubt your credibility will make me pause and think very hard about my position
Is it too ingratiating to say your pieces help me feel sane? Ok. ok. Your pieces help me feel sane.
I’m not surprised you’re off to a good start. People are starving for reasonableness and grace, and you embody both. Thank you for starting this newsletter. I look forward to your new podcast as well.
Thank you Bari. I subscribed very recently.
Over the past several years I have been disgusted by both the media's bias and their continued usage of Twitter as a megaphone for the fraction of our population that was offended by any particular development. More recently, I have grown increasingly angry as cancel culture continues to surge on like a runaway freight train. My anger probably peaked when a woman as charitable and inspiring as JK Rowling was cancelled. I asked myself: How could so many actors that owed their entire careers to Rowling throw her to the wolves without a second thought for having a very well reasoned thought / opinion on a single topic? I presume most, if not all of them we're acting out of fear. After all, saying anything that could potentially be perceived as supporting or agreeing with a cancelled person like JK would inevitably result in sensationalistic messages or disgust and '-ism' labels being hurled at them by the Twitter minority. Worse, the actors knew these Tweets would percolate through the echo chamber that is modern media. This could possibly result in their own cancellation.
Most recently, I have been bombarded with politics at work. The majority of Americans have always believed that politics should not enter the workplace. Those days are long gone as I am now forced to include actions that I plan to take in support of equity, inclusion and anti-racism in the workplace as part of my annual goal setting. Just like those Harry Potter actors, I am reluctant to express my reasonable reservations. I now act out of fear every single day. If many people are honest with themselves, they'll admit they do the same.
Fortunately, reading your common sense articles make me feel sane. They give me hope that we will emerge from this regressive period in Western Civilization. Thank you for being so brave.
You are awesome. Keep doing what you’re doing! Hag Purim Sameach! ;)
Thank you, Bari!!! So happy for you and appreciative of the work you're doing.
Bari, I'm a 64 year male of white privilege (which was just the happenstance of a genetic dice roll); a non-practicing Jew who hasn't entered a synagogue since my youngest sibling's Bar Mitzvah; a voracious reader of Holocaust literature; a fanboy of self-deprecating Jewish humor; a man who grew up in a household of formidable women, including my matriarchal mother who recently passed away; a person who's had face-to-face encounters with antisemitism in America, one starting in a crowded bar with the accusatory question, " You're a Jew, right? "; a fervent supporter of the Jewish State of Israel...a safe haven for a people who've historically never been safe in integrated societies; and of an antipodal mindset to the Progressives who see only good in the plight of the terrorist controlled Palestinian cause (i.e. Hamas, Hezbollah, and the PA), and only bad in the parliamentary democracy of Israel.
My father's side of the family found their way from Poland-Lithuania to the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh in the 1880's, which is perhaps why I feel so connected to you. My father's parents called the Weequahic section of Newark "home", when it was predominantly composed of working class Jews (circa 1920's-30's). My Dad grew up in a "poor Jewish" household, which contemporary gentiles might think to be oxymoronic, but it certainly wasn't the case during the Great Depression. My mother's side of the family fled the pogroms of Russia in the 1890's, finding a home Brooklyn. My mother's father, who preferred Yiddish to English, labored for peanuts as a cloth cutter, crafting the linings of coats that only the rich could afford to buy...another poor Jewish immigrant pursuing the American Dream.
Bari...You're courageous and brilliant. I'm proud to be a new subscriber to your Substack. I wish you the best of luck in your continued pursuit of truth infused journalism.
“ No matter what: thank you for reading. I’m grateful.”
No, thank you.
Congrats on a strong start and having the courage to make your own way. I love that you call it "Common Sense Media". We, the public, are STARVING for common sense in the press. Hurrah!
Thank you, Bari, for providing sanity in a world slowing losing it. I also found this website today and joined it - you might like it. I hope this isn't considered spam: Emergency Committee for America - it's supposedly bi-partisan. https://www.ec4america.org
I first hear about you last November. I appreciate your voice and speaking truth. In a world that feels like truth no longer matters, it is refreshing to have a common sense voice. I even sent your newsletter to my left leaning husband. He likes your work and I believe you are speaking to so many liberals who feel utterly lost by the party. Thank you!
The more the better! Thank you for all that you do.
Dear Bari, i hope to meet you someday.
Debora
Seattle, Washington
Bari, Your conversation with the rabbi was inspiring. You express yourself beautifully.
Problem is, the poor rabbi is woke. His use of buzzwords like "ally" and "systemic" as well as his admission of "confusion" reveal that he has absorbed the ideology of critical race theory which requires his participation in order to be a righteous person. Now he's in a state of cognitive dissonance, because your Jewish credentials are impeccable and you speak his language better than he does. How will he juggle these two conflicting positions?
This dynamic is familiar. These days I'm getting nowhere trying to discuss cancel culture, the problems with CRT, and the foundational importance of the First Amendment with woke family and friends who get all their opinions from the Times and MSNBC. Did you know that literally EVERYONE IN AMERICA who voted for Trump is a "white supremacist" with a stockpile of automatic weapons? And that in order to save the country, we're going to have to ban Fox News. Really?
The rabbi was upset with you for leaving the Times rather than sticking it out and "changing it from the inside." I'm assuming he read your resignation letter, which spelled out clearly the intolerable conditions there and the total lack of support you received when you specifically asked for it. The cultish ideology espoused by the Times precludes any changes from the inside. If anything, it's only gotten worse since you left. But he wants you to stay at the Times so he won't have to give up his fealty to CRT which he's worked so hard to integrate into his world view. You're telling him he doesn't have that luxury. You're asking him to take a stand, to choose.
"Social Justice" has a powerful ring to it. What Jew could be opposed to it? Even if it's a trojan horse...
It's going to be interesting times for the rabbi and his congregation, as they confront the suppression of free speech, the imposition of controlled speech, the subversion of their children's educations, and the escalation of anti-Semitism by the very same people they want to support and champion. How long will they remain "confused"?
Thank you Bari, keep fighting the good fight.