Can you name the liberal non-profits and foundations pulling back? It would help to know so we can pressure them and not support them with contributions.
Just a sliver of an answer: yesterday, I marched in protest for the first time since the women’s march. People of all ages in a respectable crowd chanted ‘Congress, do your job’ as we circled the reflecting pool in front of our nation’s capitol. (Quite a contrast to 1/6). It’s been many decades since my first march, as was true for many other marchers, but while it does not require bravery, it might help to ignite it. And, just like your reminder that we once were brave, it inspires bravery when we act together.
Like Hitler, Trump’s wanton cruelty provided a permission to unleash the formerly suppressed collective inner psychopath. The decent and brave are rare indeed. Praying for strength and justice for all.
Anand, The pace and intensity of your writing and work ethic is breathtaking. This is what you were born to do. Could I offer a suggestion? Please ask John Flannery to talk with you live about immigrant deportations, ICE, about “rights and statutes” as they relate to “persons” and “people” in the language of the U.S. Constitution. Check Flannery out on YouTube, episode February 15, I think, recorded over Valentine’s weekend at home at night, distinct from his usual “walk and talk” pieces. I’d like to see Flannery exposed to your audience. I find Flannery as central to my awareness, grasp of issues as critical as your probing writing in The.Ink, and no less, Monday conversations with Ruth about the tyrants in the Oval.
This is the first read of the day, and wow. How depressing. But I, for one (and I know I'm not alone) refuse to be depressed, because that way lies collapse, and I intend, if I have to go down, to go down fighting. Of course, I am not a billionaire or a kleptocrat. Our country is in the midst of a kind of death within life. For too long the members of those two classes have been effing us over in ways large and small: they have captured our attention with a bewildering array of distractions, many of which are demonstrably toxic to our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. Name your poison. Thus lulled to sleep or worse, we've rolled over passively while they picked our pockets. My hope, and more, my fast intention, is to open my mouth and talk about it, to refuse to buy stuff from bad actors, to embrace REAL change, which for me includes the establishment of a government more akin to those of the Scandinavian 'democratic socialist' ones. So I will be sending what I can afford to people who support REAL economic power to the people, meaning in part real opportunities for a decent, modest life, an end to the diseases of racism, sexism, toxic nationalism, etc. A tall order, a tall mountain of change. And that is the mountain I CHOOSE to live and die on.
Perhaps we need to be more forceful against media companies who are collaborating-my local YMCA no longer has CNN on after I asked them to remove it-at least for now it’s not been on-MSNBC is -which is slightly better but still corporate owned and cooperative-and the ABC pablum of GMA etc -but never had Fox and now no CNN-small victory
Give MSNBC a chance. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Anand is a frequent contributer. So is Sarah Longwell & Tim Miller from the Bulwark. Charlie Sykes, Tyler Cohen, Joyce Vance, Michael Steele, Judge Luttig has been on a lot of various times, and several other familiar people if you follow a lot of independent, pro truth & democracy media. It has been through MSNBC that I have discovered multiple activist groups who are taking action, other sources of media like the Bulwark & now the Contrarian, Meidas Touch, the organization Indivisible, & several others. I will 100% vouch for MSNBC. They got me through COVID & Steve Kornacki (& the rest of the team) got me through the 2020 election. He is amazingly brilliant.
I don't know what is going on behind the scenes but the hosts/ journalists certainly don't seem afraid to speak up to me! In fact, Lawrence O'Donnell, especially, seems to quite enjoy intentionally taunting him. It's refreshing honestly, after seeing how many people with extreme wealth crawling on their knees into the Oval Office.
For me, the one group Anand cites the most is the corporate community...It's great to be an advocate for people when it seems like the popular thing to do. And we've seen many great examples of that. It's another when we see so many once courageous CEOS running away from fast from their DEI commitments. Let's face it. In 2023, we say many once strong LGBTQ allies go silent and retreat from us. In 2024, we saw an even greater retreat of companies who abandoned their public commitments for the LGBTQ+ population (and we need to be careful about totally damning them as they still supported colleagues, etc.). Now it's a full force marathon against three words that truly represent the American ideal, diversity, equity and inclusion. Yes, in some cases, it is about a license to operate. And it's easy for us to say that people should leave their jobs or stop using their products/services. It's not so easy. But it is easy to speak up and speak out. And put pressure on these CEOs. As much as we call legislators, we can call corporate offices. We can send mail. And yes, we can stop shopping for their goods and services. But let's also remember, for some of us, this choice is a luxury we can make.
Anand is the only freelance commentator I follow with an actual spine that really speaks truth to power. His voice needs to be spread wide to match the left wing BS. Maybe a newer network like the old Air America broadcasts we all loved. Bring back all the hosts like Al Franken and such and get some well heeled money types like Mark Cuban to start the ball rolling. Millions of people would flock to the programming and a modest subscription price would be a better value then any cable providers ever offered. imho.
Anand as always you bring your exceptional analysis to us whether in a writing like this one or a podcast. I think your timing on this article is perfect. First and foremost we need to support those individuals and institutions standing up, showing bravery, to do the right thing. For those who know collaborating is wrong, we need to help them find their spine. I have been actively engaged in advocacy work for a while now and too many of my friends and family have chosen to take a back seat. Last week I started to share articles, interviews etc more broadly, to make sure they are getting the facts and they share them with others. I’m want to pull them out of their complacency and hopefully inspire them to do something. Last week was overwhelming for me, but I became engaged with a group of former colleagues, attorneys, about 15 in number now. We keep one another updated on articles, interviews, protests, lawsuits. It was just what I needed to re-energize. I believe thousands of these informal groups exist all over the country and continue to grow. I’m increasingly optimistic we will harness this momentum and energy to make some good trouble. Thank you Anand for being one of those analysts who inspire me every day.
As someone who just established a nonprofit to teach high school students, the next generation of journalists, and media producers and consumers to think critically, act responsibly, and support our democratic ideals, I look to leaders in media, the arts, and journalism to help out. Here is our website: broadcastalliance.org
Let your reps, whoever and wherever they are, know what you want and need. Vote, with your dollars and your feet. Talk and write and let your convictions fly like a star spangled banner that means something. And hold your ideals closer than close. They are what makes us truly human. Oh, and one more thing: like Winston Churchill, a flawed and courageous man said in similarly dire times: NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP.
Thank you. I saw you on MSNBC this morning and tears broke the dam of my anger. I closed my Facebook account on January 6,2021 and last week I canceled my Amazon account. I’ve never been on X
Done. I cancelled Prime, telling them, as my reason for leaving, "CEO Jeff Bezos censoring The Washington Post to curry political favor with a tyrant." If a lot of us do this it'll send a real message.
Unfortunately, my company uses AWS services, which is sufficiently profitable to keep the lights on at Amazon even in the absence of subscribers.
Thank you for saying it and publishing it. My father is 91, a retired journalist. I am retired from the DHS/USCIS. I have seen many bad things in my life, and then I look over at my father, and I wonder what is going through his head right now. Keep doing what you're doing, and thank you.
Great fire in the belly of this essay.
Can you name the liberal non-profits and foundations pulling back? It would help to know so we can pressure them and not support them with contributions.
Yes, names please.
I had the same question about non-profits.
Just a sliver of an answer: yesterday, I marched in protest for the first time since the women’s march. People of all ages in a respectable crowd chanted ‘Congress, do your job’ as we circled the reflecting pool in front of our nation’s capitol. (Quite a contrast to 1/6). It’s been many decades since my first march, as was true for many other marchers, but while it does not require bravery, it might help to ignite it. And, just like your reminder that we once were brave, it inspires bravery when we act together.
To be more specific: REPUBLICAN Congress do your job.
Yes, I kept amending during the march.
Like Hitler, Trump’s wanton cruelty provided a permission to unleash the formerly suppressed collective inner psychopath. The decent and brave are rare indeed. Praying for strength and justice for all.
you are an American treasure!!
Anand, The pace and intensity of your writing and work ethic is breathtaking. This is what you were born to do. Could I offer a suggestion? Please ask John Flannery to talk with you live about immigrant deportations, ICE, about “rights and statutes” as they relate to “persons” and “people” in the language of the U.S. Constitution. Check Flannery out on YouTube, episode February 15, I think, recorded over Valentine’s weekend at home at night, distinct from his usual “walk and talk” pieces. I’d like to see Flannery exposed to your audience. I find Flannery as central to my awareness, grasp of issues as critical as your probing writing in The.Ink, and no less, Monday conversations with Ruth about the tyrants in the Oval.
I like Flannery too.
This is the first read of the day, and wow. How depressing. But I, for one (and I know I'm not alone) refuse to be depressed, because that way lies collapse, and I intend, if I have to go down, to go down fighting. Of course, I am not a billionaire or a kleptocrat. Our country is in the midst of a kind of death within life. For too long the members of those two classes have been effing us over in ways large and small: they have captured our attention with a bewildering array of distractions, many of which are demonstrably toxic to our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. Name your poison. Thus lulled to sleep or worse, we've rolled over passively while they picked our pockets. My hope, and more, my fast intention, is to open my mouth and talk about it, to refuse to buy stuff from bad actors, to embrace REAL change, which for me includes the establishment of a government more akin to those of the Scandinavian 'democratic socialist' ones. So I will be sending what I can afford to people who support REAL economic power to the people, meaning in part real opportunities for a decent, modest life, an end to the diseases of racism, sexism, toxic nationalism, etc. A tall order, a tall mountain of change. And that is the mountain I CHOOSE to live and die on.
Perhaps we need to be more forceful against media companies who are collaborating-my local YMCA no longer has CNN on after I asked them to remove it-at least for now it’s not been on-MSNBC is -which is slightly better but still corporate owned and cooperative-and the ABC pablum of GMA etc -but never had Fox and now no CNN-small victory
Give MSNBC a chance. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Anand is a frequent contributer. So is Sarah Longwell & Tim Miller from the Bulwark. Charlie Sykes, Tyler Cohen, Joyce Vance, Michael Steele, Judge Luttig has been on a lot of various times, and several other familiar people if you follow a lot of independent, pro truth & democracy media. It has been through MSNBC that I have discovered multiple activist groups who are taking action, other sources of media like the Bulwark & now the Contrarian, Meidas Touch, the organization Indivisible, & several others. I will 100% vouch for MSNBC. They got me through COVID & Steve Kornacki (& the rest of the team) got me through the 2020 election. He is amazingly brilliant.
I don't know what is going on behind the scenes but the hosts/ journalists certainly don't seem afraid to speak up to me! In fact, Lawrence O'Donnell, especially, seems to quite enjoy intentionally taunting him. It's refreshing honestly, after seeing how many people with extreme wealth crawling on their knees into the Oval Office.
That IS a victory. That’s what he’s talking about
Devastating truth.
For me, the one group Anand cites the most is the corporate community...It's great to be an advocate for people when it seems like the popular thing to do. And we've seen many great examples of that. It's another when we see so many once courageous CEOS running away from fast from their DEI commitments. Let's face it. In 2023, we say many once strong LGBTQ allies go silent and retreat from us. In 2024, we saw an even greater retreat of companies who abandoned their public commitments for the LGBTQ+ population (and we need to be careful about totally damning them as they still supported colleagues, etc.). Now it's a full force marathon against three words that truly represent the American ideal, diversity, equity and inclusion. Yes, in some cases, it is about a license to operate. And it's easy for us to say that people should leave their jobs or stop using their products/services. It's not so easy. But it is easy to speak up and speak out. And put pressure on these CEOs. As much as we call legislators, we can call corporate offices. We can send mail. And yes, we can stop shopping for their goods and services. But let's also remember, for some of us, this choice is a luxury we can make.
And don’t use Amazon goods (Whole Foods) and services or work for them. Or, if you do, gum up their works.
Anand is the only freelance commentator I follow with an actual spine that really speaks truth to power. His voice needs to be spread wide to match the left wing BS. Maybe a newer network like the old Air America broadcasts we all loved. Bring back all the hosts like Al Franken and such and get some well heeled money types like Mark Cuban to start the ball rolling. Millions of people would flock to the programming and a modest subscription price would be a better value then any cable providers ever offered. imho.
Anand as always you bring your exceptional analysis to us whether in a writing like this one or a podcast. I think your timing on this article is perfect. First and foremost we need to support those individuals and institutions standing up, showing bravery, to do the right thing. For those who know collaborating is wrong, we need to help them find their spine. I have been actively engaged in advocacy work for a while now and too many of my friends and family have chosen to take a back seat. Last week I started to share articles, interviews etc more broadly, to make sure they are getting the facts and they share them with others. I’m want to pull them out of their complacency and hopefully inspire them to do something. Last week was overwhelming for me, but I became engaged with a group of former colleagues, attorneys, about 15 in number now. We keep one another updated on articles, interviews, protests, lawsuits. It was just what I needed to re-energize. I believe thousands of these informal groups exist all over the country and continue to grow. I’m increasingly optimistic we will harness this momentum and energy to make some good trouble. Thank you Anand for being one of those analysts who inspire me every day.
As someone who just established a nonprofit to teach high school students, the next generation of journalists, and media producers and consumers to think critically, act responsibly, and support our democratic ideals, I look to leaders in media, the arts, and journalism to help out. Here is our website: broadcastalliance.org
Creators, not just consumers! Awesome program.
Everything you say is true. What do we do and how do we do it?
Let your reps, whoever and wherever they are, know what you want and need. Vote, with your dollars and your feet. Talk and write and let your convictions fly like a star spangled banner that means something. And hold your ideals closer than close. They are what makes us truly human. Oh, and one more thing: like Winston Churchill, a flawed and courageous man said in similarly dire times: NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP.
Thank you. I saw you on MSNBC this morning and tears broke the dam of my anger. I closed my Facebook account on January 6,2021 and last week I canceled my Amazon account. I’ve never been on X
I challenge everyone to do the same.
Done. I cancelled Prime, telling them, as my reason for leaving, "CEO Jeff Bezos censoring The Washington Post to curry political favor with a tyrant." If a lot of us do this it'll send a real message.
Unfortunately, my company uses AWS services, which is sufficiently profitable to keep the lights on at Amazon even in the absence of subscribers.
Thank you for saying it and publishing it. My father is 91, a retired journalist. I am retired from the DHS/USCIS. I have seen many bad things in my life, and then I look over at my father, and I wonder what is going through his head right now. Keep doing what you're doing, and thank you.
100% Agree with you. Where are our former Presidents or Kamala Harris?