After an afternoon spent reading posts by other Substack writers - and more importantly reading the posts from the Looney Left deplatforming morons in the comments sections - I realize I got taken in by the “Nazi” business a few weeks ago. The Looney Left’s definition of that term differs significantly from mine (in which I try hard not to do “I don’t like what you say, you must be a nazi” and limit my opprobrium to actual national socialists). The majority of the “we must deplatform them and Hamish is a money grubber!” crowd are the kind of uncreatrive typists (I hate thinking of using the word “writer” to describe their kind of semi-literate hack) I have spent the past 50 years actively avoiding. At least those whose blithering I took time I will never get back to read certainly fit that category.
Hang around. Politically we usually disagree, but that’s OK. If one only reads or listens those we agree with, our arguments get fat and lazy.
Not sure what Popehat was (really) getting at, but no matter. I believe let everyone speak. We are perfectly capable of sorting out the truth on our own. Besides we might learn something new. I find censorship in any form both dangerous and patronizing.
I used to read op-eds by repubs, back when repubs were Republicans. Even the “new George Will” is not palpable anymore. Of course that was decades ago.
Buckley likely flipping in his grave these days. Certainly don’t think it’s the path he envisioned for his GOP. Led by master shyster chump. I’d laugh if it wasn’t such a slap in the face to all that America means to me and legions of others who are or have been the world’s “huddled masses yearning to be free” in one generation or another. Current Repub insanity creates or makes worse every problem facing us today. Quite a feat. Sorry for the rant, it’s not just “normal political discourse”for me.
I’m sure Hubert Humphrey is rolling right there with him. The insanity is bipartisan and each is codependent on the other’s lunacy. It’s like each is like “Oh yeah? Hold my beer”.....Plus there hasn’t been normal political discourse after “Hey, Hey, Hey, LBJ. How many kids did you kill today?” And it continues its unbroken trend downward.
Popehat does have a lot to say, and he has a unique way of expressing his thoughts. He asks questions of himself and gives thoughtful answers with great depth. You are correct to recommend the Nazi problem on Substack piece. I wonder how he will decide what to do.
I started into the comments but quickly walked away exhausted.
I’m not leaving Tom. I do need some time to digest all of this though before I comment on it. I’m not thinking as clearly as usual. I have come down with fucking shingles. Advice to all: get the shingles vaccine.
My mom got shingles in her 70s. I sympathize utterly. And I got shingles vaccine when it first came out and then the newest one as soon as IT came out.
I know that shingles is a revival of the virus that causeds chicken pox. What I am wondering is whether the vaccine for chickenpox can cause a similar revival. Do my kids (all vaccinated vs. chickenpox and now approaching 50)) have to look at the shingles vaccine? Because I have to say, it was the most PAINFUL vaccine I've ever had.
Unfortunately Susan It is recommended that even those who received the chicken pox vaccine should get the shingles vaccine. I highly recommend it and wish I had gotten it. My doctor kept saying to wait because a better one was coming out. And then I would forget about it. UNTIL NOW😳that I have it. The vaccine has to be better than getting shingles.
Bless you. I had relatives who had them, and worked with a woman who had them in her right eye (well, side of her face). I have been first in line for vaccine. No anti-vaxxer here. Great advice.
Many, many years ago, I knew a woman (almost 90 years of age) who had shingles on her shoulder and neck. She was in absolute misery and the only relief she got was from applying *hot* washcloths. The minute Kaiser offered the original shingles vaccination, I got it immediately. Just checked, that was 2007. The Shingrix 2-shot shingles shot was available in 2018 and I got that immediately on my doctor's recommendation. As Karen(?) says below, they now recommend it for everyone whether or not they've had chickenpox. I've now known several people more recently who developed shingles - do *not* hesitate to go get yours on Dec. 26 or as soon thereafter as you can. Same for flu and covid shots - not worth the gamble and at worst, if you do get covid or flu, it will have a milder effect.
I've been fortunate that none of the shingles shots, flu or covid shots have resulted in anything beyond local discomfort in my arm. I've always had a strong immune system (knock wood) and, approaching 80, I'm even more careful about keeping up to date on immunizations.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Karen. Yes, I got the vaccine but I’ve had several acquaintances who didn’t come down with shingles. I know it’s painful and disruptive as all hell. Wishing you the fastest recovery on record.
I subscribe to 3 or 4, including you, Substack writers, and get a couple more that I don't subscribe to (yet), and have never been bothered by Nazis. So this is all a little inside baseball to me.
OK, I'm confused. I just read Popehat's "Substack Has A Nazi Opportunity" post of earlier today. Is that the one you mean? Because right now (7:51 PST) there are a total of FOUR comments.
Perhaps Popehat approached his problem by deleting comments?
On the general issue, I also define Nazis as those who actively cite, quote, and approve of actual Nazis. All others of similar views I think of as fascists. And by "actively" I mean quoting with conscious approval of Hitler and his gang. So I'm not of the persuasion that trump's recent use of "vermin" and "poison blood" makes him an actual Nazi. Authoritarian, fascist, inciter of stochastic terrorism, inflamer of prejudices, yes. He uses Nazi techniques. But so have a whole lot of other authoritarian regimes. I think trump just lets Stephen Miller suggest words he thinks will advance his inflammatory ends.
The thing about Substack is that even if they DO allow Nazis, you have to go LOOKING for them. They aren't in your face everywhere you look. Partly this is because Substack is in fact monetizing its platform by allowing really interesting people to charge for making comments. That's the upside of monetizing: trolls rarely actually want to PAY to spread their blather to sites they otherwise wouldn't bother with.
So I'm not going to get in a serous sweat over whether or not Substack allows these. I don't think doing so endorses them, any more than allowing a Pro-Palestinian or Pro-Israeli Substack is the platform endorsing either view. We have much better use of our energy--opposing the "wannabe" Nazis who take up far more political space than actual one do.
I started out noticing the similarities between Goebbels propaganda and Repub/Rupert strategies. Way before chump. Karl Rove and W in Texas in 1994. Then Fox took off with more of Goebbels rules for propaganda and nobody seemed to notice. Needless to say, I have watched decades of this and now it seems to be the norm and chump’s favorite verbiage. What next?
I know I sound like a broken record sometimes, but a lot of it has to do with a national tendency to avoid any real teaching of history or government outside of some excellent AP classes. and oh yeah...that "Core Knowledge Curriculum" really does what it promises. the school I attended for kindergarten is a Core Knowledge School and most of Queens is trying to get its kids into there for K-9.
That is totally weird. I just went back too and there are 207 comments. A momentary glitch in the Force? Anyway I tuned out about the time it started going on about whether pro or anti-sex work was Nazi.
*edit* This is currently the second wave of "Ban Substack Nazis" callouts. Reminds me of how chain letters ran in spurts and rashes. Never have been a bandwagoneer myself, triggers my scepticism whenever I see a group forming pointing and saying "Burn them, burn them!"
I'm not getting it either. I found Pope Hat but not the correct article. In fact, there were differences in the article list between two times when I checked. I see there has been some problem with loading some of the substack articles, but a link to the correct one would help. Otherwise I will have to go back and check tomorrow if I can remember because it's late here, and I find the reference without a link confusing.
That said, it is crazy Substack doesn't let someone erase an article once written. You'd think we were in the stone age with chisels...
You probably know this already, but if you save a link (uri) to an offending comment and go there in a browser, the addl options menu (3 dots) has a delete option. Might help.
Hang around. Politically we usually disagree, but that’s OK. If one only reads or listens those we agree with, our arguments get fat and lazy.
Not sure what Popehat was (really) getting at, but no matter. I believe let everyone speak. We are perfectly capable of sorting out the truth on our own. Besides we might learn something new. I find censorship in any form both dangerous and patronizing.
Yes, EZ, I'm glad you do hang around. Please continue.
I used to read op-eds by repubs, back when repubs were Republicans. Even the “new George Will” is not palpable anymore. Of course that was decades ago.
Both parties have lost their way. But Republicans being Republicans are the perennial fast-followers, and never the trend setters.
They trend backwards these days, in my humble opinion
Well, they aren’t called the Stupid Party for nothing. But we’re stuck in a two-party system so it’s dumb and dumber.
Buckley likely flipping in his grave these days. Certainly don’t think it’s the path he envisioned for his GOP. Led by master shyster chump. I’d laugh if it wasn’t such a slap in the face to all that America means to me and legions of others who are or have been the world’s “huddled masses yearning to be free” in one generation or another. Current Repub insanity creates or makes worse every problem facing us today. Quite a feat. Sorry for the rant, it’s not just “normal political discourse”for me.
I’m sure Hubert Humphrey is rolling right there with him. The insanity is bipartisan and each is codependent on the other’s lunacy. It’s like each is like “Oh yeah? Hold my beer”.....Plus there hasn’t been normal political discourse after “Hey, Hey, Hey, LBJ. How many kids did you kill today?” And it continues its unbroken trend downward.
Popehat does have a lot to say, and he has a unique way of expressing his thoughts. He asks questions of himself and gives thoughtful answers with great depth. You are correct to recommend the Nazi problem on Substack piece. I wonder how he will decide what to do.
I started into the comments but quickly walked away exhausted.
I hope he, and all the other Substack writers I like, and you and all my subscribers, hang around.
I’m not leaving Tom. I do need some time to digest all of this though before I comment on it. I’m not thinking as clearly as usual. I have come down with fucking shingles. Advice to all: get the shingles vaccine.
Oh, that's terrible. I had a good friend here in LA get that 10 years ago - took him six months to get over it.
Hopefully mine won’t last that long. But sometimes it does. The nerve pain can hang around for a long time. That’s my problem now.
Yeah, nerve pain is what lasted six months for my friend.
My mom got shingles in her 70s. I sympathize utterly. And I got shingles vaccine when it first came out and then the newest one as soon as IT came out.
I know that shingles is a revival of the virus that causeds chicken pox. What I am wondering is whether the vaccine for chickenpox can cause a similar revival. Do my kids (all vaccinated vs. chickenpox and now approaching 50)) have to look at the shingles vaccine? Because I have to say, it was the most PAINFUL vaccine I've ever had.
Unfortunately Susan It is recommended that even those who received the chicken pox vaccine should get the shingles vaccine. I highly recommend it and wish I had gotten it. My doctor kept saying to wait because a better one was coming out. And then I would forget about it. UNTIL NOW😳that I have it. The vaccine has to be better than getting shingles.
EVERYBODY tells me that.
out of about twenty people, only one of them reported that it was no big deal.
Wow, I have no memory of problems. Wonder why the difference.
jeez, Karen. get better FAST.
and I'm gonna schedule my shot for next week.
Thank you David. I’m glad you are scheduling your vaccine.
Bless you. I had relatives who had them, and worked with a woman who had them in her right eye (well, side of her face). I have been first in line for vaccine. No anti-vaxxer here. Great advice.
Damn, I’m sorry Karen. My mother-in-law got shingles while going through chemo. I got the vaccine as soon as I could.
I’m glad you did Ally
Many, many years ago, I knew a woman (almost 90 years of age) who had shingles on her shoulder and neck. She was in absolute misery and the only relief she got was from applying *hot* washcloths. The minute Kaiser offered the original shingles vaccination, I got it immediately. Just checked, that was 2007. The Shingrix 2-shot shingles shot was available in 2018 and I got that immediately on my doctor's recommendation. As Karen(?) says below, they now recommend it for everyone whether or not they've had chickenpox. I've now known several people more recently who developed shingles - do *not* hesitate to go get yours on Dec. 26 or as soon thereafter as you can. Same for flu and covid shots - not worth the gamble and at worst, if you do get covid or flu, it will have a milder effect.
I've been fortunate that none of the shingles shots, flu or covid shots have resulted in anything beyond local discomfort in my arm. I've always had a strong immune system (knock wood) and, approaching 80, I'm even more careful about keeping up to date on immunizations.
Karen RN, I am so sorry. Wishing you as speedy a recovery as possible.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Karen. Yes, I got the vaccine but I’ve had several acquaintances who didn’t come down with shingles. I know it’s painful and disruptive as all hell. Wishing you the fastest recovery on record.
Thank you Jeri.
Thank you Pat.
Not going anywhere. I love walled gardens and TAFM is
a wonderful place to voice our feelings and thoughts,
without being ridiculed.
Do you mean I should be careful of my physical health
because of the posts I make
on Substack?😁
Thank you for your concern Ransom. Let them bring it.
Anyone shows up here, in
my walled garden, is in for a
big surprise.
Be careful Victoria, We all read your comments.
I subscribe to 3 or 4, including you, Substack writers, and get a couple more that I don't subscribe to (yet), and have never been bothered by Nazis. So this is all a little inside baseball to me.
You're lucky. :-)
No worries!
has anybody actually cancelled on you? or are you just being proactive??
OK, I'm confused. I just read Popehat's "Substack Has A Nazi Opportunity" post of earlier today. Is that the one you mean? Because right now (7:51 PST) there are a total of FOUR comments.
Perhaps Popehat approached his problem by deleting comments?
On the general issue, I also define Nazis as those who actively cite, quote, and approve of actual Nazis. All others of similar views I think of as fascists. And by "actively" I mean quoting with conscious approval of Hitler and his gang. So I'm not of the persuasion that trump's recent use of "vermin" and "poison blood" makes him an actual Nazi. Authoritarian, fascist, inciter of stochastic terrorism, inflamer of prejudices, yes. He uses Nazi techniques. But so have a whole lot of other authoritarian regimes. I think trump just lets Stephen Miller suggest words he thinks will advance his inflammatory ends.
The thing about Substack is that even if they DO allow Nazis, you have to go LOOKING for them. They aren't in your face everywhere you look. Partly this is because Substack is in fact monetizing its platform by allowing really interesting people to charge for making comments. That's the upside of monetizing: trolls rarely actually want to PAY to spread their blather to sites they otherwise wouldn't bother with.
So I'm not going to get in a serous sweat over whether or not Substack allows these. I don't think doing so endorses them, any more than allowing a Pro-Palestinian or Pro-Israeli Substack is the platform endorsing either view. We have much better use of our energy--opposing the "wannabe" Nazis who take up far more political space than actual one do.
I started out noticing the similarities between Goebbels propaganda and Repub/Rupert strategies. Way before chump. Karl Rove and W in Texas in 1994. Then Fox took off with more of Goebbels rules for propaganda and nobody seemed to notice. Needless to say, I have watched decades of this and now it seems to be the norm and chump’s favorite verbiage. What next?
I know I sound like a broken record sometimes, but a lot of it has to do with a national tendency to avoid any real teaching of history or government outside of some excellent AP classes. and oh yeah...that "Core Knowledge Curriculum" really does what it promises. the school I attended for kindergarten is a Core Knowledge School and most of Queens is trying to get its kids into there for K-9.
Sadly, a problem that is getting worse.
the crazy thing is that it doesn't have to be that way (as witness my old elementary school).
that the other side has the balls to blame teachers' unions for any of this is a very, very sick lie.
I just went back and checked (11:25 EST) and there are hundreds of comments with long circular arguments. So I don't get why saw only four.
And I agree with your last two paragraphs, proud vermin that I am.
That is totally weird. I just went back too and there are 207 comments. A momentary glitch in the Force? Anyway I tuned out about the time it started going on about whether pro or anti-sex work was Nazi.
Yup.
*edit* This is currently the second wave of "Ban Substack Nazis" callouts. Reminds me of how chain letters ran in spurts and rashes. Never have been a bandwagoneer myself, triggers my scepticism whenever I see a group forming pointing and saying "Burn them, burn them!"
On the order of BOOKS - ban them ban them!
I guess I missed the tempest in a thimble as Covid has had my attention this week. Lucky me.
Indeed.
You did nothing wrong, Tom. You have nothing to apologize for.
Tom, I subscribe to six substacks, but I am not an insider. I confess that I don't understand this at all. Help?
I'm not getting it either. I found Pope Hat but not the correct article. In fact, there were differences in the article list between two times when I checked. I see there has been some problem with loading some of the substack articles, but a link to the correct one would help. Otherwise I will have to go back and check tomorrow if I can remember because it's late here, and I find the reference without a link confusing.
That said, it is crazy Substack doesn't let someone erase an article once written. You'd think we were in the stone age with chisels...
You probably know this already, but if you save a link (uri) to an offending comment and go there in a browser, the addl options menu (3 dots) has a delete option. Might help.
Not for the original article after publication.