Oliver, with this post, you convinced me to renew after I had first chosen to not renew.
Absolutely 100% time to move on from current Dem royalty: the Clintons, the Obamas, Jon Stewart, Chuck Schumer, Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries (sad to include him, but Oliver is spot on with his appraisal of Jeffries), and anyone else who practices fake populism. AOC, Raskin, Murphy, and others like them who seem more grounded and for the actual people need to be lifted up.
This was what I thought Joe would have said (have posted it before - but it's the only sort of statement I 'expected' of him):
Jim Stewartson
@jimstewartson
My fellow Americans,
Today the federal government has taken bold action to prevent an existential threat to the homeland. The FBI, in cooperation with DOJ, has executed a series of raids on people engaged in illegal cooperation with our foreign adversaries.
My administration has also undertaken a massive investigation into the results of the election - not just the results, but how the American people were systematically lied to in a way that benefitted our enemies, and billionaires.
What we know is that the Russian government, under the direction of Vladimir Putin, called in a series of bomb threats to election locations. We will undertake a hand recount in every state that was affected to ensure the integrity of the vote.
Moreover, the damaging effect of propaganda funded and directed by our adversaries, including Elon Musk, on the American people cannot be overstated. To that end, I have directed that X, which was purchased by Elon Musk and blatantly used to interfere with the election, be seized, along with the rest of his assets, including SpaceX and Tesla to prevent further damage to our citizens.
The federal government will not allow, much less subsidize, a man who would threaten our democracy.
The apps Truth Social and Telegram are banned from the United States, along with the dangerous website Rumble. FoxNews has been shut down.
Donald Trump and a number of his co-conspirators have been arrested for Treason against the United States. The evidence is public. You don’t have to search for it. As Maya Angelou said: “When they tell you who they are, believe them.”
I know these may seem like extreme steps, but I have to level with the American people and most importantly to defend you. That was my solemn oath when you elected me - and I’ll be damned if I’m the president that hands over our nation to our enemies.
Here’s another question: NINE out of the top 10 RICHEST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS ARE 💙. Where are the ‘liberal’ oligarchs? Why are they not stepping up and saying ‘Cut the CRAP’.
I feel the same way you do. The current leadership of the Party don’t seem to have the vision or energy to lead the Democrats out of the wilderness. I wonder if it’s time for the Justice Democrats to start a third party that is clearly focused on a progressive vision. They could caucus with the Dems but only if they are given leadership positions and a greater say in setting policy priorities. In more progressive districts they could mount challenges to the milquetoast moderates that still dominate the establishment.
If you have been in a corporation when downsizing starts - that is how it seems they are acting … like a group of senior mangers (in survival mode) taking no risks to keep their comfortable jobs… not a pretty sight. ‘Corporate Dems’ indeed… I really don’t understand- Harris had said ‘they had a plan’ if questionable s*it happened. 🦗❔
The Democrats need to shut down the White Supremacist wing of their party. These are the folks who perpetually SCOLD progressive activists for "asking for too much." Ya know, the GOP wants to yank the USA back to 1877, and I don't see any of the centrists attacking that. I'm a local activist in a community that is multi-racial and multi-religious. We *ARE* the future of the USA and locally we win in blowouts. But then again, we're the uppity wing when it comes to the national Dems. At age 61, I'm done supporting national Dems.
I would STRONGLY encourage you to focus on your LOCAL party. Turn your local into a Democratic powerhouse. ONLY then will the state, then national leaders come to you. THAT's what you want. We're working hard on this. Do NOT kiss any rings along the way. Stick to your beliefs and values. NEVER, EVER bend the knee.
I remember how pathetic the Dems were, lead by Pelosi at the time; in capitulating to the war criminal bush. No investigations, no one held accountable, he was the worst president we had, until trump rolled along.
I will say this: Biden has NOT seemed like himself since he (was forced to) step down. Not sure if Covid or the *party elites* broke him... something has been off ;/
The geriatric leadership of the Dem party relies on tribal Democrats (for want of a better term) to keep themselves in power. Those voters didn't turn out in 2024. That in itself is grounds for getting rid of all the people who are old in years and ancient beliefs. The tell is simple: do they punch the dirty hippies? If yes, then leave.
I was in Danny Davis' district before the last redistricting. He just ran for reelection at the age of 83. He's never done anything with his power. The last time I talked to one of his staffers I was told I didn't understand how the House works.
Dick Durbin is 80. He was chair of the judiciary committee when we learned of Clarence Thomas' corruption, Sam Alito's allegiance to MAGA, and the grotesque amount of money "earned" by John Robert's wife for services to the legal establishment. Durbin couldn't be bothered holding hearings.
There is no Democratic Party. It's a bunch of politicians who claim a label, use an infrastructure, adhere to the principles laid down by filthy rich self-satisfied donors and loser consultants. It's disgusting.
Hi Oliver. I am contacting all the Substackers I subscribe to regarding a recent announcement by the owners of the Substack platform, which is detailed in the link above - a post from Marisa Kabas, The Handbasket via beehiiv.
I had gotten an email from the Substack founders yesterday trumpeting their plans to partner with Bari Weiss and her Free Press. I know Substack also supports (and monetizes) other Nazi and Nazi-adjacent publishers, like Bari Weiss. Because 10% of my subscription to Substack sites I support, ends up also supporting hate speech from other Substack sites, this is very troubling. This latest announcement seems like an escalation on the part of Substack founders to amplify hate speech.
We desperately need information we can trust from sources we can trust. I trust and admire all the writers I currently subscribe to. There are many excellent, trustworthy sites published on Substack. But, as with Twitter, when it became obvious it was descending into a fascist sewer, I had to bail. I hope reputable Substack publishers are considering their options, and possible move to some other platform which doesn't require subscribers to hand over a percentage of their subscription fee to Nazis. I hope you know how much I love Oliver Willis Explains, and appreciate your long history of journalistic excellence. But given the rise of fascism worldwide, I don't wish to support a platform that has now expanded to partnering with the Nazi-adjacent Bari Weiss Free Press.
My subscription is up for renewal. Is there some way to continue supporting your work without also supporting Substack. Thank you.
this is deeply troubling. I just read the referenced article. I'm fairly new to substack and subscribe to only a few newsletters. That said, I am wondering about something I came across on Substack a few weeks ago. The writer was making a point about how the accusations of "antisemitism" has been used to restrict/control the criticism of the Israeli-Zionist destruction of Gaza/Palestine. At first, I thought his argument offered clarity. I was wrong. His follow-up statements excoriated all Hebrew people saying (paraphrase): "if you're Hebrew and you don't like what the Zionists are doing, then renounce Judaism." When I responded, questioning his apparent bias, his responses went over-the-top with every antisemitic trope imaginable. Worse, the wave of people agreeing with his stance went even further, attacking Jews, transgenders, Blacks: you name it. It was a complete fascist menu of grievances. I was very concerned by this level of fascist misinformation being disseminated on Substack. I haven't investigated any further. Perhaps I should.
The founders of Substack, Chris Best, Hamish McKenzie, and Jairaj Sethi have claimed they just run a neutral, hands-off, free speech platform. They further claim monetizing ultra right wing, fascist, Nazi-adjacent, and overtly Nazi sites on their platform is perfectly fine.
But their recent announcement that they have chosen Bari Weiss's Free Press (a bigoted, transphobic, Nazi-adjacent, right wing propaganda site) as a headliner account which they will use to roll out fancy new updates and features, while also promoting her publication, is alarming. Substack owners and founders appear to be escalating fascism, while maintaining their preposterous "What fascism? It's not our job to worry about what our platform publishes" stance.
Their choice of Bari Weiss, whose site generates around $1 million/year, over Heather Cox Richardson, whose site, Letters From an American, the #1 most popular Substack site, worth around $5 million/year, is only surprising unless you understand that the goal of the Substack owners is to PROMOTE the global rise of fascism.
I fear the rise of fascism can be understood as similar to a quote from a Hemingway character, who replied when asked how he went bankrupt, "Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly." If we ignore the gradual, but clear signs of rising fascism, and continue to support those who actively support fascism, we are going to get to the "suddenly" phase before we know it.
Having said all that, we all need trustworthy information, from qualified journalists, like Oliver Willis. It isn't easy, or inexpensive to just move an ongoing site from Substack to another publishing platform. The last thing I want to suggest is we abandon dedicated journalists who are a lifeline during the horrifying #MumpRegime. Some sites have a Donate button, which allows support without forcing the donor to make a mandatory 10% tithe to Substack owners. Whenever that option is available, I will use it.
Instead of giving up on the Democratic Party get involved, attend the boring meetings, support new ideas, volunteer for committees at your local level, join Red Wine and Blue, Swing Left, Indivisible, etc. if you don’t want to work in the party. It’s all hands on deck if we want to preserve democracy for the future. Don’t just moan and complained. Write or call your senators and representatives, state and federal, daily or weekly, refute or support them on their social media sites. There are so many ways to get involved make it a daily priority.
Democrats did everything they could to warn Americans about Trump and yet he easily won. What more do you expect Democrats to do now that Americans have turned over the entire Congress to Republicans? If I was a Democrat in Congress, I’d vote against Republican initiatives every chance I got. I’d speak out against them. But that’s about it. Elections have (severe) consequences.
I understand. I was there with you. But lately.... I see no strong voices (at least none being given any press), I see no action by Biden (mass pardons, signing the ERA, etc etc etc), and instead I see a lot of "Hail, fellow, well met" handshakes and grins. I finally am in agreement with my sister-in-law who has been disgusted with the Democratic party for many years: the Dems stand for NO ONE.
Agreed with the sentiment. But isn't it far too late for this? I mean, where would you go? A third party that can't get it's shit together? The media has been complicit in silent outside voices, but Third Parties have had a golden opportunity for three straight elections to run a competent challenger to the walking Rorschach blot that is Useful Idiot Donald Trump, and they didn't do it.
How hard is it to find a candidate who knows policy and can verbally punch that soft clown in the mouth? At this point, you can send an actual insult comic up there with some cursory talking points, and he could win a debate with the changed face of the electorate (which includes a lot of Extremely Online Manchildren). And all third parties have failed this simple strategy.
The time to leave the Democratic Party for a more politically viable option was decades ago. Now you'd just be on the Island of Misfit Toys, hoping someone can get together enough paperwork and policy to impress a blog to elevate you to Jill Stein levels. I wouldn't advise it, personally. Democrats need a chaos agent, but that chaos agent being an opposing Third Party is something that should have materialized but hasn't. I doubt that alternative voice would grow more powerful during a Free Speech-eradicating Trump II term.
100%. I'm sick of the "3rd Party" whine campaigns, but I'm also sick of the Dem leadership (or lack thereof). But it where is the voice, the voices, the courage, the clarity??? Is there a chaos agent? Or are we, as a huge group of millions, meant to stand up, walk up, and fight back? If so, how? We have no Fourth Estate. We have no voice, or even a megaphone to hear that voice/our voices.
I think for now, on a one-to-one basis, we need to hold the line. It used to be "us" versus "corrupt systems." But when people have willingly joined the side of corrupt systems, to their obvious detriment, then we realize the fight is literally in our backyards. We need to show people that we're not going to be "convinced" that fascism "works."
Oliver, with this post, you convinced me to renew after I had first chosen to not renew.
Absolutely 100% time to move on from current Dem royalty: the Clintons, the Obamas, Jon Stewart, Chuck Schumer, Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries (sad to include him, but Oliver is spot on with his appraisal of Jeffries), and anyone else who practices fake populism. AOC, Raskin, Murphy, and others like them who seem more grounded and for the actual people need to be lifted up.
+ Crockett
This was what I thought Joe would have said (have posted it before - but it's the only sort of statement I 'expected' of him):
Jim Stewartson
@jimstewartson
My fellow Americans,
Today the federal government has taken bold action to prevent an existential threat to the homeland. The FBI, in cooperation with DOJ, has executed a series of raids on people engaged in illegal cooperation with our foreign adversaries.
My administration has also undertaken a massive investigation into the results of the election - not just the results, but how the American people were systematically lied to in a way that benefitted our enemies, and billionaires.
What we know is that the Russian government, under the direction of Vladimir Putin, called in a series of bomb threats to election locations. We will undertake a hand recount in every state that was affected to ensure the integrity of the vote.
Moreover, the damaging effect of propaganda funded and directed by our adversaries, including Elon Musk, on the American people cannot be overstated. To that end, I have directed that X, which was purchased by Elon Musk and blatantly used to interfere with the election, be seized, along with the rest of his assets, including SpaceX and Tesla to prevent further damage to our citizens.
The federal government will not allow, much less subsidize, a man who would threaten our democracy.
The apps Truth Social and Telegram are banned from the United States, along with the dangerous website Rumble. FoxNews has been shut down.
Donald Trump and a number of his co-conspirators have been arrested for Treason against the United States. The evidence is public. You don’t have to search for it. As Maya Angelou said: “When they tell you who they are, believe them.”
I know these may seem like extreme steps, but I have to level with the American people and most importantly to defend you. That was my solemn oath when you elected me - and I’ll be damned if I’m the president that hands over our nation to our enemies.
America is not going anywhere. Thank you.
NOT @JoeBiden (!?)
Here’s another question: NINE out of the top 10 RICHEST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS ARE 💙. Where are the ‘liberal’ oligarchs? Why are they not stepping up and saying ‘Cut the CRAP’.
Devastating.
I feel the same way you do. The current leadership of the Party don’t seem to have the vision or energy to lead the Democrats out of the wilderness. I wonder if it’s time for the Justice Democrats to start a third party that is clearly focused on a progressive vision. They could caucus with the Dems but only if they are given leadership positions and a greater say in setting policy priorities. In more progressive districts they could mount challenges to the milquetoast moderates that still dominate the establishment.
If you have been in a corporation when downsizing starts - that is how it seems they are acting … like a group of senior mangers (in survival mode) taking no risks to keep their comfortable jobs… not a pretty sight. ‘Corporate Dems’ indeed… I really don’t understand- Harris had said ‘they had a plan’ if questionable s*it happened. 🦗❔
The Democrats need to shut down the White Supremacist wing of their party. These are the folks who perpetually SCOLD progressive activists for "asking for too much." Ya know, the GOP wants to yank the USA back to 1877, and I don't see any of the centrists attacking that. I'm a local activist in a community that is multi-racial and multi-religious. We *ARE* the future of the USA and locally we win in blowouts. But then again, we're the uppity wing when it comes to the national Dems. At age 61, I'm done supporting national Dems.
it took me too long to concede that the Dems are a lost cause. But what now?
I would STRONGLY encourage you to focus on your LOCAL party. Turn your local into a Democratic powerhouse. ONLY then will the state, then national leaders come to you. THAT's what you want. We're working hard on this. Do NOT kiss any rings along the way. Stick to your beliefs and values. NEVER, EVER bend the knee.
I agree about that action. I will never kiss those rings.
THIS
I remember how pathetic the Dems were, lead by Pelosi at the time; in capitulating to the war criminal bush. No investigations, no one held accountable, he was the worst president we had, until trump rolled along.
Sadly, maybe (post Citizens United) they don't *have* to win - just keep the funders happy...
Agree 💯. Gutted.
@ericrosen1.bsky.social
In 4 years the US Constitution will only be the 2nd Amendment
He:
suggests running for a 3rd term (anti 22nd Amendment)
is going to sue a pollster who was wrong (anti 1st Amendment)
shouldn't have been able to run for office (14th Amendment)
should have been removed in his 1st term (25th Amendment)
oh and they’ve been ‘questioning’ the 19th as well…
I will say this: Biden has NOT seemed like himself since he (was forced to) step down. Not sure if Covid or the *party elites* broke him... something has been off ;/
The geriatric leadership of the Dem party relies on tribal Democrats (for want of a better term) to keep themselves in power. Those voters didn't turn out in 2024. That in itself is grounds for getting rid of all the people who are old in years and ancient beliefs. The tell is simple: do they punch the dirty hippies? If yes, then leave.
I was in Danny Davis' district before the last redistricting. He just ran for reelection at the age of 83. He's never done anything with his power. The last time I talked to one of his staffers I was told I didn't understand how the House works.
Dick Durbin is 80. He was chair of the judiciary committee when we learned of Clarence Thomas' corruption, Sam Alito's allegiance to MAGA, and the grotesque amount of money "earned" by John Robert's wife for services to the legal establishment. Durbin couldn't be bothered holding hearings.
There is no Democratic Party. It's a bunch of politicians who claim a label, use an infrastructure, adhere to the principles laid down by filthy rich self-satisfied donors and loser consultants. It's disgusting.
@ericrosen1.bsky.social
After ABC capitulating it’s clear we’re losing the fourth estate (and, this democracy.)
Maybe Mark Cuban can start a newspaper that reports the news and doesn’t capitulate to a rapist, seditionist, fraud?
https://www.thehandbasket.co/subscribe?ref=QQNqL9J36t
Hi Oliver. I am contacting all the Substackers I subscribe to regarding a recent announcement by the owners of the Substack platform, which is detailed in the link above - a post from Marisa Kabas, The Handbasket via beehiiv.
I had gotten an email from the Substack founders yesterday trumpeting their plans to partner with Bari Weiss and her Free Press. I know Substack also supports (and monetizes) other Nazi and Nazi-adjacent publishers, like Bari Weiss. Because 10% of my subscription to Substack sites I support, ends up also supporting hate speech from other Substack sites, this is very troubling. This latest announcement seems like an escalation on the part of Substack founders to amplify hate speech.
We desperately need information we can trust from sources we can trust. I trust and admire all the writers I currently subscribe to. There are many excellent, trustworthy sites published on Substack. But, as with Twitter, when it became obvious it was descending into a fascist sewer, I had to bail. I hope reputable Substack publishers are considering their options, and possible move to some other platform which doesn't require subscribers to hand over a percentage of their subscription fee to Nazis. I hope you know how much I love Oliver Willis Explains, and appreciate your long history of journalistic excellence. But given the rise of fascism worldwide, I don't wish to support a platform that has now expanded to partnering with the Nazi-adjacent Bari Weiss Free Press.
My subscription is up for renewal. Is there some way to continue supporting your work without also supporting Substack. Thank you.
this is deeply troubling. I just read the referenced article. I'm fairly new to substack and subscribe to only a few newsletters. That said, I am wondering about something I came across on Substack a few weeks ago. The writer was making a point about how the accusations of "antisemitism" has been used to restrict/control the criticism of the Israeli-Zionist destruction of Gaza/Palestine. At first, I thought his argument offered clarity. I was wrong. His follow-up statements excoriated all Hebrew people saying (paraphrase): "if you're Hebrew and you don't like what the Zionists are doing, then renounce Judaism." When I responded, questioning his apparent bias, his responses went over-the-top with every antisemitic trope imaginable. Worse, the wave of people agreeing with his stance went even further, attacking Jews, transgenders, Blacks: you name it. It was a complete fascist menu of grievances. I was very concerned by this level of fascist misinformation being disseminated on Substack. I haven't investigated any further. Perhaps I should.
The founders of Substack, Chris Best, Hamish McKenzie, and Jairaj Sethi have claimed they just run a neutral, hands-off, free speech platform. They further claim monetizing ultra right wing, fascist, Nazi-adjacent, and overtly Nazi sites on their platform is perfectly fine.
But their recent announcement that they have chosen Bari Weiss's Free Press (a bigoted, transphobic, Nazi-adjacent, right wing propaganda site) as a headliner account which they will use to roll out fancy new updates and features, while also promoting her publication, is alarming. Substack owners and founders appear to be escalating fascism, while maintaining their preposterous "What fascism? It's not our job to worry about what our platform publishes" stance.
Their choice of Bari Weiss, whose site generates around $1 million/year, over Heather Cox Richardson, whose site, Letters From an American, the #1 most popular Substack site, worth around $5 million/year, is only surprising unless you understand that the goal of the Substack owners is to PROMOTE the global rise of fascism.
I fear the rise of fascism can be understood as similar to a quote from a Hemingway character, who replied when asked how he went bankrupt, "Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly." If we ignore the gradual, but clear signs of rising fascism, and continue to support those who actively support fascism, we are going to get to the "suddenly" phase before we know it.
Having said all that, we all need trustworthy information, from qualified journalists, like Oliver Willis. It isn't easy, or inexpensive to just move an ongoing site from Substack to another publishing platform. The last thing I want to suggest is we abandon dedicated journalists who are a lifeline during the horrifying #MumpRegime. Some sites have a Donate button, which allows support without forcing the donor to make a mandatory 10% tithe to Substack owners. Whenever that option is available, I will use it.
Instead of giving up on the Democratic Party get involved, attend the boring meetings, support new ideas, volunteer for committees at your local level, join Red Wine and Blue, Swing Left, Indivisible, etc. if you don’t want to work in the party. It’s all hands on deck if we want to preserve democracy for the future. Don’t just moan and complained. Write or call your senators and representatives, state and federal, daily or weekly, refute or support them on their social media sites. There are so many ways to get involved make it a daily priority.
Democrats did everything they could to warn Americans about Trump and yet he easily won. What more do you expect Democrats to do now that Americans have turned over the entire Congress to Republicans? If I was a Democrat in Congress, I’d vote against Republican initiatives every chance I got. I’d speak out against them. But that’s about it. Elections have (severe) consequences.
I understand. I was there with you. But lately.... I see no strong voices (at least none being given any press), I see no action by Biden (mass pardons, signing the ERA, etc etc etc), and instead I see a lot of "Hail, fellow, well met" handshakes and grins. I finally am in agreement with my sister-in-law who has been disgusted with the Democratic party for many years: the Dems stand for NO ONE.
Forwarded this to Bluesky and about a dozen friends – sad sad truth
Agreed with the sentiment. But isn't it far too late for this? I mean, where would you go? A third party that can't get it's shit together? The media has been complicit in silent outside voices, but Third Parties have had a golden opportunity for three straight elections to run a competent challenger to the walking Rorschach blot that is Useful Idiot Donald Trump, and they didn't do it.
How hard is it to find a candidate who knows policy and can verbally punch that soft clown in the mouth? At this point, you can send an actual insult comic up there with some cursory talking points, and he could win a debate with the changed face of the electorate (which includes a lot of Extremely Online Manchildren). And all third parties have failed this simple strategy.
The time to leave the Democratic Party for a more politically viable option was decades ago. Now you'd just be on the Island of Misfit Toys, hoping someone can get together enough paperwork and policy to impress a blog to elevate you to Jill Stein levels. I wouldn't advise it, personally. Democrats need a chaos agent, but that chaos agent being an opposing Third Party is something that should have materialized but hasn't. I doubt that alternative voice would grow more powerful during a Free Speech-eradicating Trump II term.
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
100%. I'm sick of the "3rd Party" whine campaigns, but I'm also sick of the Dem leadership (or lack thereof). But it where is the voice, the voices, the courage, the clarity??? Is there a chaos agent? Or are we, as a huge group of millions, meant to stand up, walk up, and fight back? If so, how? We have no Fourth Estate. We have no voice, or even a megaphone to hear that voice/our voices.
I think for now, on a one-to-one basis, we need to hold the line. It used to be "us" versus "corrupt systems." But when people have willingly joined the side of corrupt systems, to their obvious detriment, then we realize the fight is literally in our backyards. We need to show people that we're not going to be "convinced" that fascism "works."
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
😔