Those are inspiring words you shared this morning. I often think of those whose demise feels especially painful now, when you think of how they could’ve contributed here. John McCain, Christopher Hitchens, even comedians like Robin Williams and Greg Giraldo. Would we be where we are now? Probably. But as Charlie Sykes does, they’d help ease the pain, by reminding us that the urgency of the moment was born of a clear-eyed understanding and empathy for our fellow man, woman, and everyone in b/w.
At the “parade.” the media should avoid showing the commander in chief at all and focus on the supposed focus of celebrating the 250th birthday of the US Army. This is the media’s greatest failure: they give DJT the attention his shriveled soul desires.
I’m certainly curious about what you would write about if politics was going swimmingly here and you could stand down for a stretch of free expression + discovery??? Would you write or would you put your creativity into some other mode?
Thank you, Charlie, for understanding that good and right politics underlies all that is good and right in our lives. And acting on that understanding. And thank you for being that wise voice in my life that was lost when my wise, kind, brilliant, very political dad left this earth in 2018. It’s less scary with you around.
George Washington, in his farewell address on September 17, 1796, said:
"However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."
Unfortunately, his fear may just have reached its penultimate stage.
One of the best entries I've read on Substack. Krauthammer was before my time - the time before I started paying attention to politics - it's misuses and the cultural carnage that follows. We're at that point now.
Thank you for a take that gets overlooked by other tremors coursing through our country!
I appreciate your insights and without people like you we would be in a media dessert with little thoughtful dissection of what is happening. I immediately snap to attention when I see you pop up on MSNBC because I know the discussion will be thoughtful. Please do not give airtime to Jake Tapper for his ugly hit job. If Joe Biden slowed down, he at least was smart enough to surround himself with incredibly competent people. I, for one felt that when he wasn't always in your face saying inane things he was actually getting things done, like pulling NATO together and supporting Ukraine. Let's see the orange monster take the train into Kiev.
Thank you, as always, for the thoughtful piece. Yours is the only newsletter I consistently read. (And dogs!)
I know you want to address Biden’s decline so Democrats don’t let it happen again. (Predictably, it’s happening now with the current president and the press ignores it.) The details are out. Dems are talking about age and health litmus tests. Message received. I have zero interest in listening to Jake Tapper while CNN ignores the current president’s cognitive decline and treats this like a normal presidency. Also, his shameless book promotions from his anchor chair are, well, shameless.
For the first time since I subscribed, I will be skipping your pod when Tapper is on. Truth be told, I am disappointed you are giving him a platform.
And for the record, even though we were classically opposed politically pre dumfuk I always liked and respected both your opinions and your approach. You had good reasoned arguments. So much so that now and then we were on the same page. Its even better being on that page with you now.
“…none of the police officers attacked by Babbit and her confederates …”
Ashley Babbit did not attack any police officers in the Capitol on January 6. Is Sykes’ false statement what passes for journalism now? I don’t think Charles Krauthammer would approve of Mr. Sykes’ writing here.
Thank you Charlie for this amazing and reflective post. You finally made me a paid subscriber!! I’ve followed you since the Bulwark and need this clear headed analysis to keep me sane. Sometimes when I see the news I feel like I’m watching some crazy sitcom.
Loved the dogs. Nomi runs away if she feels a drop of water. 😍
Need to start screaming at the old folks - that big, beautiful bill is cutting Medicare by $500 BILLION. Bet nobody told them that all those tax breaks to the rich will trigger an automatic decrease in that sacred cow. That little fact was revealed by CBO in the middle of the night.
Those are inspiring words you shared this morning. I often think of those whose demise feels especially painful now, when you think of how they could’ve contributed here. John McCain, Christopher Hitchens, even comedians like Robin Williams and Greg Giraldo. Would we be where we are now? Probably. But as Charlie Sykes does, they’d help ease the pain, by reminding us that the urgency of the moment was born of a clear-eyed understanding and empathy for our fellow man, woman, and everyone in b/w.
Thank you
I feel the same way and I didn’t spent my professional career anywhere near politics but felt it impacted my profession usually in a positive way.
Please don’t host Jake Tapper
From a gracious fan and former Chicago native
At the “parade.” the media should avoid showing the commander in chief at all and focus on the supposed focus of celebrating the 250th birthday of the US Army. This is the media’s greatest failure: they give DJT the attention his shriveled soul desires.
I’m certainly curious about what you would write about if politics was going swimmingly here and you could stand down for a stretch of free expression + discovery??? Would you write or would you put your creativity into some other mode?
What you do Charlie is a sacrifice (and not just for you but your family and friends). Thank you.
Thank you, Charlie, for understanding that good and right politics underlies all that is good and right in our lives. And acting on that understanding. And thank you for being that wise voice in my life that was lost when my wise, kind, brilliant, very political dad left this earth in 2018. It’s less scary with you around.
George Washington, in his farewell address on September 17, 1796, said:
"However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."
Unfortunately, his fear may just have reached its penultimate stage.
One of the best entries I've read on Substack. Krauthammer was before my time - the time before I started paying attention to politics - it's misuses and the cultural carnage that follows. We're at that point now.
Thank you for a take that gets overlooked by other tremors coursing through our country!
I appreciate your insights and without people like you we would be in a media dessert with little thoughtful dissection of what is happening. I immediately snap to attention when I see you pop up on MSNBC because I know the discussion will be thoughtful. Please do not give airtime to Jake Tapper for his ugly hit job. If Joe Biden slowed down, he at least was smart enough to surround himself with incredibly competent people. I, for one felt that when he wasn't always in your face saying inane things he was actually getting things done, like pulling NATO together and supporting Ukraine. Let's see the orange monster take the train into Kiev.
Thank you, as always, for the thoughtful piece. Yours is the only newsletter I consistently read. (And dogs!)
I know you want to address Biden’s decline so Democrats don’t let it happen again. (Predictably, it’s happening now with the current president and the press ignores it.) The details are out. Dems are talking about age and health litmus tests. Message received. I have zero interest in listening to Jake Tapper while CNN ignores the current president’s cognitive decline and treats this like a normal presidency. Also, his shameless book promotions from his anchor chair are, well, shameless.
For the first time since I subscribed, I will be skipping your pod when Tapper is on. Truth be told, I am disappointed you are giving him a platform.
Love the dogs.
I feel your pain.
And for the record, even though we were classically opposed politically pre dumfuk I always liked and respected both your opinions and your approach. You had good reasoned arguments. So much so that now and then we were on the same page. Its even better being on that page with you now.
“…none of the police officers attacked by Babbit and her confederates …”
Ashley Babbit did not attack any police officers in the Capitol on January 6. Is Sykes’ false statement what passes for journalism now? I don’t think Charles Krauthammer would approve of Mr. Sykes’ writing here.
Thank you Charlie for this amazing and reflective post. You finally made me a paid subscriber!! I’ve followed you since the Bulwark and need this clear headed analysis to keep me sane. Sometimes when I see the news I feel like I’m watching some crazy sitcom.
Loved the dogs. Nomi runs away if she feels a drop of water. 😍
Need to start screaming at the old folks - that big, beautiful bill is cutting Medicare by $500 BILLION. Bet nobody told them that all those tax breaks to the rich will trigger an automatic decrease in that sacred cow. That little fact was revealed by CBO in the middle of the night.
Loving the dogs trip.