368 Comments

1,012 words isn't a 'brief rant.'

oh well, it was supposed to be brief when I sat down to write it.

happy Christmas Eve, everyone!

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I quit CNN after that insufferable Scott Jennings polluted my airwaves once too often. And now he's on the L.A. Times editorial board. Happy Christmas Eve to you, Jeff. You are a national treasure. Thanks for your courage in speaking truth to power. And thanks to your wife for supporting your work.

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Jebus! I quit all mainstream media quite awhile ago. Now I only read the substacks that I subscribe to. I'll find out anything earth-shattering from them.

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I quit all mainstream television news (cable, networks) about two years ago.

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I quit all TV altogether last month. Unsubbed NYT, WaPo, was thrown out of the Xitter.

In diplomat-speak, they are media non grata.

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Doc, you were "thrown out of Xitter"? 🇺🇸 Thank you for your service. 🗽

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Hahahaha, that Elbow Mush is a laugh riot, isn’t he? 🎇

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me too

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Definitely haven’t been back to mainstream news either. It’s just a lot of noise

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Yep. +1.

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Me too. I read a Substack and a newsletter from my local public radio station and so far the newsletter has not violated my personal rules of no drumpf. I just couldn’t look at it anymore.

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Ditto.

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Me too! April 14, 2023. I celebrate this anniversary every year

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Here is what Public Notice says today about legacy media, where they say that liberals trust the mainstream media foolishly. I am not that fool. No trust there and no money to them.

https://www.publicnotice.co/p/ryan-cooper-interview-democratic-messaging?r=f0qfn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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Linda, one of the biggest shocks of 2024 for me is that WAPO and NYT are partisan as hell, not to be believed, and untrustworthy. For most of my 68 years I had held them in the highest esteem.

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Teri,

In all honesty, WaPo changed hands relatively recently, when Jeff Bezos bought it around 2013 or so. Prior to that, WaPo was owned by the Grahams and was a proud defender of civil rights. Published the Pentagon Papers and regularly stuck it to the DC establishment.

I canceled my long-term sub when Bezos hired Will Lewis as CEO. Lewis came from Murdoch's papers in the UK. If I had wanted to read that garbage, I would. I don't, so I canceled.

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Absolutely, and now that all of the big legacy media outlets are owned by billionaires, they definitely don't deserve our trust for that reason either. Cable news has been trash for a while since the invention of 24-hr news.

There are still some good journalists, but at the organizational level, the only concern is the bottom line for the owners. Add in the fact that most local papers have either been bought up by hedge funds or gone under, and we're extra screwed in terms of accurate news that speaks truth to power.

I'm so glad to see how many people have switched to various Substacks, and we need more independent/non-profit journalism. Support your local paper if you have one or nonprofit outlets like Pro Publica!

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One of the red flags for CNN (Now accurately called, Conservative Non-News) was the axing of Brian Stelter's Reliable Sources.

Reliable Sources began on Turner's network in 1992. Thirty years of a run, well managed by Brian Stelter at the end, in spite of Mr. Stelter's soprano voice, it was a valuable perspective, critical of media reporting--- until CNN laid on the kibosh in 2022.

What do you know, CHRIS LICHT was in charge of CNN when that happened? Knock me over with a feather.

I refer our Good Reader to Keith Olbermann's over-familiarity with Mr. Licht.

The question of whose butt Chris may have Licht to become Prez of Conservative Non-News is perhaps, an open question, so to speak. Not in my wheelhouse, as the attorneys like to say. Turn the other cheeks,

I don't agree With The Guardian on everything, but they're still not co-opted by the MAGATs.

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Truer words Linda, thanks for sharing!!

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"For paid subscribers," phooey.

Anyway, EVERYBODY who trusts any corporate media does so 'foolishly'

How wise is it for con-servatives to 'trust' Fucks 'news'?

So there's a bias right there. Only "liberals" are "foolish" to trust mainstream (a.k.a. billionaire) media, blah-blah-blah. This thing feels like click-and-subscribe bait, and I'm not bitin'.

And their paywall can go kick sand.

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I quit CNN when they hosted post Jan 6 Trump for a 2024 presidential run town hall - as if Trump were a normal guy. That was a ring-kissing moment by CNN I will never forgive or forget.

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That was it for me, too. And Scott Jennings is insufferable. Sounds like they have him on every single night.

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Same.

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Scott Jenning’s smirk made my blood boil! I quit all TV news and canceled the NYT the day after the election. Only Substack now.

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The only "newspaper" I've kept is the Kansas Reflector, part of States Newsroom. There could be a real opportunity there--they have outlets in all 50 states and concentrate on local.

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Impossible for it to be brief! Too much bullshit going on!!! Well said and spot on rant!

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Happiest of Holidays to you and everyone else here!!

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I’m with Tess!

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I'm with Tess too. We're in this together 🫂.

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We’re not counting, Jeff - we ALWAYS want to hear what you’re thinking! Write away! And Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah/Happy Kwanzaa, and, lest we forget, Happy Festivus, for those who celebrate .. 🎄🕎 ❤️

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Yes. Like maybe a max of ONE only?

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Happy holiday to the Tiedrich family and extended digital family. And for a workaholic like Jeff, if writing makes you happy, then by all means do so, holidays or not!

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I have to assume Fetterman is trying to fill the void created by the departure of the dickwad duo of Sinema and Manchin. Just what the Dems need...not.

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I would hope that you are wrong about Fetterman but I am certainly concerned about the senator’s change in position.

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Posting on Truth Social? I think we have a clue Fetterman's left the reservation and forgot who brought him there in the first place.

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Amen. I had such high hopes for him when we elected him. At that time, he was like a breath of fresh air.

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Informative “rant”! Wasn’t taking Trump’s threats seriously enough because it was Trump and it is the holidays.

Also, didn’t know about Gaetz’s gun ownership. You are correct that the Republicans are incredible hypocrites and proving there are 2 justice systems. One for them and another for everyone else - especially their “enemies”.

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I had never thought about that part until I read Jeff’s rant. We need to start putting that point out there in the social media world. Keep focused and repeating it; maybe some day someone in the msm will catch on.

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Agreed! Great call out on the gun/drug felony opportunity. I just sent your suggestion to my congressperson to pursue a special counsel and get to the bottom of the gun purchase/not a drug user box. Nice call out. Brilliant. Thanks!

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Honestly, one of the reasons I never got a medical marijuana card. I don't own a gun and have no plans to ever do so. But, I buy what I need at a legal dispensary to help manage my arthritis pain (legal in CA, where I live) and pay the taxes, rather than get a card, just in case I want to acquire a gun for whatever reason.

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Same back at ya Jeff. It’s hard staying within a specific word count when dealing with Donnie dumbfuck. Rant on.

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Wouldn't it be blissful if Donnie Dumbfuck had to stay within a certain word count?

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We can’t even get him convicted and imprisoned so he would never stay within any boundaries but gawwwwwd…I wish he would!

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Happy Hanukah Eve 🕎

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Happy Holidays to all..

Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer !

I had a suspicion that Fettermann might be a pol who could switch parties, just a feeling at the time. No chance of voting for him, I'm a long ways away from PA.

But I still donated to his campaign, hoping for the best.

Now he's sounding pretty F'ing iffy. Patterning his behavior going forward might be scary.

I would hope that he won't turn out to be a turncoat sonuvabitch.

But he needs to get a ton of feedback from all over on his apparent drift to the dark side. Especially from the Dem Party leadership, who should take him quietly aside and instruct him on the reality of our times (as if they fully realize it themselves, it's not too F'ing apparent from their actions so far).

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Ditto Jeff, the more words the better!!

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Happy Hannukah to you Jeff.

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---> it was supposed to be brief when I sat down to write it.

Oh, believe me, I know how that goes.

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Seemed brief to me.

From the history, it's plausible that Mr. Fetterman may have an undiagnosed medical condition or is consuming counterproductive anti-depressants which are, separately or together, causing his (in strictly medical terms) mental train to jump the tracks, careen down the irony mountain, turn over and burst into flames.

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Hmmm…Huge possible consideration going forward

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Happy holidays to you, Jeff, and to all the readers!

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"And so this is Christmas, and what have we done? Another year over, and the chaos has begun."

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Merry Christmas to you and your family! Thank you for saying what needs to be said.

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I couldnt be more disillusioned in Fetterman. WTF? He's let a lot of people down with that crap. And YOU BET Matty should be prosecuted for the gun/drug business.... but hey...It's a big club and we aint in it"...right? And....CNN is appalling.

Jeff you have gathered a fantastic group of people here and I hope you and everyone has a happy, peaceful day...if there was ever a day for self care, this is it!

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no, you people gathered yourselves, and I'll never stop being amazed and grateful that it happened

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I think most of us are equally amazed and grateful. To find this many fun, like-minded, snarky and intelligent people in one place is a gift! Ive made good friends here! ❤️ HUGS to all!

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A total gift. You are my people and I am grateful every day.

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Absolutely, Susan! You are all the people I’d like to meet for a party - in a great hall - with Jeff as our guest of honor. I have a regular dinner group of 8 progressive and politically active people that’s been going for years and y’all would fit right in. Also an annual holiday party with our state representative who hosts a wonderful party in their great big welcoming home of like minded folks. I’ll raise a glass to each of you with gratitude this holiday season. Thanks to Jeff and Mrs. Jeff for keeping us sane, laughing, crying and swearing, yesterday, today and tomorrow and especially for at least 4 more years!

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Oh, wouldn't that be something!! We could all meet up-I've actually met three from this terrific community in person! Cheers to you! And to us all! 🥂

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Agreed! I am quite pleased and entertained having found this group of humans to belong to. ❤️ happy holidays, merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah to all!

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Right on!

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Back at you Susan ❤️

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Agreed!!

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You're the gift that keeps on giving, Jeff! What an awesome community of like-minded spit-take funny people! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year to all!

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jeff, here's my take on Federman. He realizes he's going to have to run for re election in a presidential year when the MAGA's will be out in force, and he wants to start soliciting their votes now.

The other possibility is that his stroke scrambled his brains.

AND I love you, and you're just gonna have to live with that!

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I'm heartbroken over this shit. Loved fetterman 💔.

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Would you consider being the press secretary to the independent country of California (possibly WA and OR), with a look back to that other country?

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Ellen, it's Cascadia, the I-5 from BC to Mexico.

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Hannah, I like it!

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Excellent suggestion! Let's do it!

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I don't live in PA and I had donated a small amount of money to Fetterman because I felt he was a breath of fresh air. I don't know what happened to him. Don't feel that it's stroke related. I began to wonder about him after I kept seeing his Israeli tweets and his 100% support of Netanyahu and his refusal to acknowledge that there are any issues with what is going on in Gaza also. I'm not Jewish nor Muslim so this is just my opinion of an outsider watching what's going on. I never cared for Netanyahu and feel like in some ways he's just a smarter Trump type crook. So maybe it shouldn't be a surprise if Fetterman now is Morning Joe Lite about Trump. I hope he gets primaried and I'll never support him again. Then add Hegseth and Patel to the mix. A huge disappointment. Becoming just a larger version of Manchin.

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Right? He used to be a fighter….I donated and supported him. Now, I’m just pissed off. I cant imagine what happened to him.

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Fetterman- the new Sinema 😡

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Somebody got to him. 💵💵💵💵

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Damn … I’m sure you’re right. 😭

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It’s sooooo disappointing … wrote him a letter expressing my anger. Haven’t heard back. Imagine that.

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I'll be sending him something...it might be 💩 in a 📦.

HAHAH!!

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Susan, same. No more donations or support from CA. Angry email to JF on To Do list.

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I'm not bothering to email him. That $15 two years ago is more than enough.

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My guess is kompromat

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Hmmmm.... I wonder..... Are there ANY decent people left in our government? Jamie Raskin, please dont go to the dark side!

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Can't imagine Raskin ever going to the dark side - too intelligent and too sane, and too committed to the Constitution and the rule of law. I would love to see him run for president, but I doubt that would ever happen; being Jewish would make it impossible - the MAGA mouth breathers would not stand for it.

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Raskin is a brilliant man - but remember JFK was Catholic and people freaked out. I don’t know… Jamie Raskin is so incredibly intelligent. He is a great leader.

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I lived in PA most of my life and made the mistake of moving to Jersey 5 or 6 days ago.

I supported Fetterman and was so grateful for his truth telling. I hadn’t realized he was saying the bs until I just saw Jeff’s column tonight. wtf happened to him? Seriously, what?

Everyone have a wonderful holiday whether you celebrate or not. I hope we’re able to make it out alive after the upcoming 4 years of hell we’re going to go through.

Everyone give yourselves a bit of not thinking about a damn thing for the next week.

We’ve got to gather our strength so we can Resist.

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I just realized I wrote I moved to Jersey “5 or 6 days ago.”

It should read 5 or 6 years ago.

Sorry about that

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Finger in the wind. 👆

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I don’t live in Pennsylvania either, but I donated to Fetterman a couple of times and feel betrayed. What the fuck happened to him? Years ago I donated to Sinema (I’m in AZ), who was supposed to be a breath of fresh air, and we all know how that turned out.

I am so tired of being disappointed and angry about damn near everyone and everything!

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Maybe we should start donating to stale air candidates. LOL. I don't trust any of them. I think we would be utterly appalled if we knew what went on behind the scenes in our government. I just think some are better than others, so I will continue to support those.

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I’m sure you’re correct about the back room deals & the dirt. There has to be something behind all of the threats to expose “everyone” issued by especially Republicans; Madison Cawthorn, Matt Gaetz, EmptyG, & others that I missed hearing about.

Basically, too many of the citizens of America has not paid attention while our democracy has deteriorated over the last 4 decades; corrupted by money & a lust for power. It’s going to take decades to fix it, especially with the far right religious conservative takeover of the scotus & a large swath of the federal courts throughout the country. That thought is very demoralizing.

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I donated to Fetterman also even though I don’t live in PA. I am so disappointed in him. I will never donate to him again. I wish this Substack community peace and happiness this holiday season.

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I also am a non-PA resident and threw some money his way! How disappointing! Think how Pennsylvanians feel! 😤

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Wow, there are a lot of us from outside of PA who supported Fetterman.

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Just like you, I donated to buy a Fetterman shirt and stickers just to help him, even though I am not in PA. What a mistake.

Either he tricked us all or he changed dramatically after entering the Senate.

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Tricked us all.

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I did the same as all of you, not in PA but donated to him because I believed he was a great man. Blown away.

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I agree with you, Deborah, and I am Jewish. I too gave $ to Fetterman and am extremely worried about his stance on things. We already had had enough of Manchenema and we don’t need any more mishegas (craziness) from the big guy! Anyway, Happy Chrismanukkah!

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Me too.

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