After paying to subscribe to Fang and The Free Press to get behind the paywalls, I quickly decided I wanted to become a paid subscriber for you as well. There is so much honor in what you do to provide free access to everyone. The gatekeeping of information leads to the predictable tragedy of ignorance that afflicts us. Thank you for not being a part of the problem. In so many ways.
Fang's piece on USAID funding what basically (in my understanding of his framing) amounts to state-sponsored psyop propaganda was very disillusioning to me, and I'm still trying to form my interpretation of that information. I don't necessarily agree with the criticism. Sometimes I don't know if my defensive reaction to news like that is my own cognitive dissonance, and whether or not that then leads me to overcorrect due to my tendency towards "devils-advocatism" (contrarianism is harder to admit)....and so there is kind of a constant push and pull yanking me back and forth in pursuit of greater understanding.
Fang put out a piece today seemingly defending the anti-DEI EO. Once again, I wince in dissonance. I love what you said above about journalism, like science, being a process of striving for the truth. I crave an omniscient source who can tell me what is right and true, who absolutely knows The Answers. I guess growing up is coming to terms with the fact that doesn't exist. Still, I trust you. Your initial post-mortem right after the election was what brought me to follow you and subscribe to you. I will never forget it because it was truly a hallelujah moment. For once someone was articulating exactly how I felt. Your interpretation matched my intuition exactly. I cannot emphasize enough how refreshing and exciting it was to see someone with.....idk how to explain....an ability to bring psychology into the analysis? Emotional intelligence? Common sense? Your take was my take. And I really needed that validation and kindred spirit. You're my goldilocks journalist.
I'm embarrassed to admit I subscribed to The Free Press though. I can't believe I fell for that shit. Who knows how many lies or distortions or bad takes they are exposing people to. Luckily I only read what came through my inbox a couple of times. Last week I read one that made it glaringly obvious it was a right-wing rag. One of their writers was pontificating about T's declaration to turn Gaza into "the riviera of the Middle East" and they actually framed it as a potentially successful negotiating tactic as evidenced by, get this, "quick concessions on border security from both our northern and southern neighbors" after his tariffs/trade war fuckery. Thankfully I had already read your analysis on that topic so I was able to see through the bullshit! They had a bulleted list, multiple theories, and none included the obvious ethnic cleansing. It doesn't matter if Trump is too stupid to know that's what it's called or lacks the self-awareness to understand what his intentions amount to. Why can't all these pointed heads understand that? They are either fucking idiots or complicit/supportive.
Trump’s also gonna give the children measles, bird flu, Covid,TB and a chance to get theIR INNOCENT brains splattered up against the school wall too Because he’s an equal opportunist
It seems like the maga are OK with the measles, polio, and all of the rest of those diseases.. and who am I to stop them from getting it… I’m a female Vietnam vet and I’ll tell you right now. I was forced to take so many vaccinations and basic training that a lot of the girls actually passed out…. None of us ended up autistic or dead from the vaccines.
Bryan Tyler Cohen just said the “USAID inspector General was investigating Musk’s space-x starlight satellite terminals purchased with agency funds and used in Ukraine’s war … so Musk was under investigation by the agency he immediately moved to dismantle.”
Wow! You are on fire in this piece! As always, you complete the Orwell-directed task of rendering concrete the consequences of abstract politics vs. creating more Orwellian political media bullshit. Your moral outrage is inspiring. I hope that you’re taking care of yourself as well. Now that all the funding has been taken away from CRS, I wonder if any Catholic bishops—or those many Catholics who voted for 47–are regretting their affinity with Trump. Talk about making a deal with the devil.
Exactly describes TFN and other essential journalism - “…the Orwell-directed task of rendering concrete the consequences of abstract politics vs. creating more Orwellian political media bullshit”
Thanks so much for all your writing. It’s been a solace to me to feel how enraged you are. The calm of those around me, the lack of screaming, is painful. Your wit, intellect and rage are sustaining. These are the people that claim to be pro-life. All they want to do is save the babies…. No it’s not. And I do feel sorry for anyone who voted for this thinking that’s what they would get. Nope.
Thanks, Shannon. I'm actually a big cheerleader for calm...but we can respond and take action with both rage AND calm. I've always loved the phrase "This is no time to panic" because it implies that some other time panic might be well-advised. Not in my experience. Anyway, thank you for the kind words -- it means so much to hear that my work is of some use and help and, in your case, solace. I love a good solace.
thanks Jonathan—your reporting is the best I have read on USAID. MAGA uses faux stupidity as a cover for their cruelty, honestly I can’t believe any other explanation for their behavior. And agree with take on the political consultant class— trying to craft a democratic message based upon undecided voters is a fool’s errand. Literally taking insights from the least informed and engaged voters is always going to lead to muddled messaging. people want coherence and don’t want assholes in charge.
Thanks, Henri. I know what folks mean when they refer to my reporting, but I do want to make sure people understand that here on TFN mostly what I'm doing is aggregating/curating. I say that not out of modesty but because I hope people see that the pushback I do against media framing is done with facts that come from GOOD reporting that those very same outlets are doing. It's the framing and the focus that are the issue. We still need all those reporters and more -- just aimed at other targets, too, and in different contexts.
Why do the democrats insist on being so ineffective? I've known since at least 2008 that they keep losing hearts and minds because they keep letting republicans define the terms. That's like letting your enemy always choose the battlefield! Of course it's always going to be heads I win, tails you lose! Fucking infuriating!
I don’t really know how you walk this tightroap between humour, outrage, and accuracy. But somehow you do day I and day out. And it is a boon to me and so many others. Your passion and dedication to reporting craft burns through.
Wow. Thank you. If there's a secret I have to all of that, I'd guess it's...failing sometimes? I see journalism, like science, not as Absolute Truth but as a process for approaching it. None of us is perfect, after all. But to be seen the way you describe me and the work is amazing affirmation. Thank you.
Above, I labeled you the Energizer bunny of consequential reporting - I don't know how you generate so many words into so many coherent paragraphs into so many vitally important essays. Do you never sleep?!? Anyway, thanks for all you do not only to inform us with facts but also to educate us about the consequences.
We need a civilian equivalent of war crimes with which to charge Musk, his minions and his catchfarts.
After paying to subscribe to Fang and The Free Press to get behind the paywalls, I quickly decided I wanted to become a paid subscriber for you as well. There is so much honor in what you do to provide free access to everyone. The gatekeeping of information leads to the predictable tragedy of ignorance that afflicts us. Thank you for not being a part of the problem. In so many ways.
Fang's piece on USAID funding what basically (in my understanding of his framing) amounts to state-sponsored psyop propaganda was very disillusioning to me, and I'm still trying to form my interpretation of that information. I don't necessarily agree with the criticism. Sometimes I don't know if my defensive reaction to news like that is my own cognitive dissonance, and whether or not that then leads me to overcorrect due to my tendency towards "devils-advocatism" (contrarianism is harder to admit)....and so there is kind of a constant push and pull yanking me back and forth in pursuit of greater understanding.
Fang put out a piece today seemingly defending the anti-DEI EO. Once again, I wince in dissonance. I love what you said above about journalism, like science, being a process of striving for the truth. I crave an omniscient source who can tell me what is right and true, who absolutely knows The Answers. I guess growing up is coming to terms with the fact that doesn't exist. Still, I trust you. Your initial post-mortem right after the election was what brought me to follow you and subscribe to you. I will never forget it because it was truly a hallelujah moment. For once someone was articulating exactly how I felt. Your interpretation matched my intuition exactly. I cannot emphasize enough how refreshing and exciting it was to see someone with.....idk how to explain....an ability to bring psychology into the analysis? Emotional intelligence? Common sense? Your take was my take. And I really needed that validation and kindred spirit. You're my goldilocks journalist.
I'm embarrassed to admit I subscribed to The Free Press though. I can't believe I fell for that shit. Who knows how many lies or distortions or bad takes they are exposing people to. Luckily I only read what came through my inbox a couple of times. Last week I read one that made it glaringly obvious it was a right-wing rag. One of their writers was pontificating about T's declaration to turn Gaza into "the riviera of the Middle East" and they actually framed it as a potentially successful negotiating tactic as evidenced by, get this, "quick concessions on border security from both our northern and southern neighbors" after his tariffs/trade war fuckery. Thankfully I had already read your analysis on that topic so I was able to see through the bullshit! They had a bulleted list, multiple theories, and none included the obvious ethnic cleansing. It doesn't matter if Trump is too stupid to know that's what it's called or lacks the self-awareness to understand what his intentions amount to. Why can't all these pointed heads understand that? They are either fucking idiots or complicit/supportive.
Trump’s also gonna give the children measles, bird flu, Covid,TB and a chance to get theIR INNOCENT brains splattered up against the school wall too Because he’s an equal opportunist
I feel like "Like" is the wrong emoji for this.
I’m sorry I’m just really over all of this bullshit Jonathan…
I mean, it's not like there was a point when we were okay with measles!
It seems like the maga are OK with the measles, polio, and all of the rest of those diseases.. and who am I to stop them from getting it… I’m a female Vietnam vet and I’ll tell you right now. I was forced to take so many vaccinations and basic training that a lot of the girls actually passed out…. None of us ended up autistic or dead from the vaccines.
Bryan Tyler Cohen just said the “USAID inspector General was investigating Musk’s space-x starlight satellite terminals purchased with agency funds and used in Ukraine’s war … so Musk was under investigation by the agency he immediately moved to dismantle.”
And USAID isn't the only one!
Axelrod, Emanuel, Carville (oh dear God, make this one hit wonder go away) have probably all
made these announcements after a good meal, picking their teeth. Envisioning the human
condition as a chess board, the people pawns.
We are the richest country, and yet we think it's so absurd to share, even among our own. These
men - this is depraved talk.
Thank you Jonathan. Just thank you for every minute you spend reporting and educating.
Thanks, Jon! I appreciate this and it's nice to know people find it worthwhile.
https://youtu.be/90WD_ats6eE?si=ii-BxEM99H-n4dKk
One of your most compelling pieces, Jonathan. I thank you.
BTW, as an old lawyer, I think you write beautifully. Clear, well-reasoned, and persuasive.
Edit: and sardonic as hell.
Thank you kindly.
I love the article and the deleted part most of all!!!
Next we’ll hear that Trump grants farmers $$$ for their loss on USAID food items sitting in Houston!!
Wow! You are on fire in this piece! As always, you complete the Orwell-directed task of rendering concrete the consequences of abstract politics vs. creating more Orwellian political media bullshit. Your moral outrage is inspiring. I hope that you’re taking care of yourself as well. Now that all the funding has been taken away from CRS, I wonder if any Catholic bishops—or those many Catholics who voted for 47–are regretting their affinity with Trump. Talk about making a deal with the devil.
Thanks, Brian!
Exactly describes TFN and other essential journalism - “…the Orwell-directed task of rendering concrete the consequences of abstract politics vs. creating more Orwellian political media bullshit”
Sicko needs to be removed
Thanks for compiling all of this so we can more understand the big picture
Thanks so much for all your writing. It’s been a solace to me to feel how enraged you are. The calm of those around me, the lack of screaming, is painful. Your wit, intellect and rage are sustaining. These are the people that claim to be pro-life. All they want to do is save the babies…. No it’s not. And I do feel sorry for anyone who voted for this thinking that’s what they would get. Nope.
Thanks, Shannon. I'm actually a big cheerleader for calm...but we can respond and take action with both rage AND calm. I've always loved the phrase "This is no time to panic" because it implies that some other time panic might be well-advised. Not in my experience. Anyway, thank you for the kind words -- it means so much to hear that my work is of some use and help and, in your case, solace. I love a good solace.
^^^^ What she said ....
Thank you, Katie. Would that I had your succinctness!
thanks Jonathan—your reporting is the best I have read on USAID. MAGA uses faux stupidity as a cover for their cruelty, honestly I can’t believe any other explanation for their behavior. And agree with take on the political consultant class— trying to craft a democratic message based upon undecided voters is a fool’s errand. Literally taking insights from the least informed and engaged voters is always going to lead to muddled messaging. people want coherence and don’t want assholes in charge.
Thanks, Henri. I know what folks mean when they refer to my reporting, but I do want to make sure people understand that here on TFN mostly what I'm doing is aggregating/curating. I say that not out of modesty but because I hope people see that the pushback I do against media framing is done with facts that come from GOOD reporting that those very same outlets are doing. It's the framing and the focus that are the issue. We still need all those reporters and more -- just aimed at other targets, too, and in different contexts.
Why do the democrats insist on being so ineffective? I've known since at least 2008 that they keep losing hearts and minds because they keep letting republicans define the terms. That's like letting your enemy always choose the battlefield! Of course it's always going to be heads I win, tails you lose! Fucking infuriating!
It is.
I don’t really know how you walk this tightroap between humour, outrage, and accuracy. But somehow you do day I and day out. And it is a boon to me and so many others. Your passion and dedication to reporting craft burns through.
Thank you for stating so effectively what I'm guessing many of us feel - Jonathan is the Energizer bunny of consequential reporting.
Wow. Thank you. If there's a secret I have to all of that, I'd guess it's...failing sometimes? I see journalism, like science, not as Absolute Truth but as a process for approaching it. None of us is perfect, after all. But to be seen the way you describe me and the work is amazing affirmation. Thank you.
Above, I labeled you the Energizer bunny of consequential reporting - I don't know how you generate so many words into so many coherent paragraphs into so many vitally important essays. Do you never sleep?!? Anyway, thanks for all you do not only to inform us with facts but also to educate us about the consequences.