Great commentary.....but it seems EVERYBODY, even guests are smitten with the use of the word LIKE every sentence like (a cpmparativeand properly used) none of you progressed beyond the 15-year--old oh,socool stage in destroying the Engllisj language.. It distracts badly from your intelligent commentarty. Tim and Sarah are the chief culprits in this terrible retorical habit. I was watching Tim interview Peter Hamby tonight, aware of his command of the language, but alas, he too threw in streams of like fillers! C'mon. grow up. Adults should be using sound sentnces without nervous expostulatiions!
I am interested in what Bulwark community thinks about the potentials of positive investments, implemented by the Biden Admin, to build bridges for a reset of our country’s democracy for a healthy economy to support all workers invested.
These may be the growth market, minus greed and corruption, that our writers of the US Constitution had in mind to support a vibrant, peaceful economy for all citizens.
I was at the delightful Seattle event, which fits JVL's L.A. event description. I was really encouraged by the multi-generational audience which probably represented a broad spectrum of political perspectives. I'm a leftist Boomer whose pretty fed up with the self-righteous, sanctimonious and autocratic members of both parties. What I like about the Bulwark is the refreshing honesty, humility, kindness and general good humour of the informative contributors as well as of the members. It strikes me that the old delineations of party and ideology are dissolving and something new is emerging. Change is challenging but it's good!
I'm a center-left Democrat who brought two friends with me to the LA event. One of them had told her very-liberal daughter that she was going to a "Bernie" event - Neither of them had heard of The Bulwark. Boy, were they in for a surprise.
We all had such fun! We laughed, we called out answers, and we were grateful to experience the humor, insights, and self-reflection you all shared about your experiences as former righties. I wish more Americans could have political discussions like this and realize we are all better off when we have a sense of humor when discussing politics.
Thank you for taking a chance and getting on a plane to be in a theater full of mostly unmasked people... it wouldn't have been the same without you there, and I was so glad to finally see you all in person!
Thanks JVL! I know that I am just as thankful for you, Sarah, and Tim. You all remind me on a weekly basis that there is still more good than bad in the world, and as long as we stick together, the good will prevail. Thank you for what you do!
I was a listener to the Weekly Standard podcast, occasional reader too. I read and listened to it because it challenged my conservative-ish but Democratic viewpoints. When the Bulwark happened it was like being able to say "oh thank goodness I'm not the only Jeb-->Clinton voter constituency."
Perhaps there is always the veneer of community among a readership, but this one feels a lot more real.
Sarah made a comment that totally sums up my own feelings: I don't ever want to be on the same team with Matt Schlapp again. I'm like Mona and Charlie and Tim and you rethinking all of my old positions. Am I still pro life? Yes, but I don't think passing more restrictive laws is going to achieve our goal of actually saving lives. Do I care about spending? Well hell, clearly nobody else actually does so why should I? Tim said he's full Beto when it comes to guns now. Same. Come take mine. It's still in the box. I only bought one because I believed the hype that Obama was going to "take all our guns." I made an observation that politics in America now is just deciding which group of people you relate to and picking a team. And I don't want to be on the team with election deniers, vax opponents and racists. But I don't want to be on the team with the socialists, enviro terrorists and teachers who don't want to use phonics either. So I have no team. This effects my relationships with EVERYONE now. I'm scared to talk to my coworkers (who are rabid team red) or fellow church members for fear of alienation. My only support is The Bulwark and a private Facebook group where we've built up a community.
Out of curiosity, can you explain why you bought into the entire thing that "Obama was going to take all our guns" thing. That has been said of every Democratic President and presidential candidate of my long lifetime, and yet it's never ever happened. What made you believe it - do you know? (Except in Beto's case, for the first time - it would have been true)...
I'm only asking because there are a lot of people who believe all of the hyperbole, and those are the ones we have to reach going forward, before today's GOP takes all of us to places we don't want our children and grandchildren having to deal with.
Well, part of it honestly was that up until a few years ago, I didn't CARE! I was a liberal in my 20's. I didn't grow up in the "gun culture." My dad (foolishly) kept a handgun stashed in the bedside table and my mother put the fear of God into me not to even THINK about picking it up! But I started listening to talk radio around 1998. Got older. Eventually became more conservative and after 2008 got involved with the local Republican party. Kept getting invites to fundraisers at the local gun range and was just too embarrassed to admit that I'd never fired a gun before! So, I had a friend take me to the range and give me a couple of lessons. Wanted my own firearm so that I wouldn't look like a rookie at the next fundraiser. (Also had a public run in with one of the local whackos with a reputation for stalking women and thought I'd better get a gun. Pronto. Which was stupid. Like I'm going to carry it every time I take out the recycling?) And with the inevitable 2nd Clinton administration on the horizon, I CLEARLY needed to act soon while I still could. My next door neighbor did the same thing. Actually bought the same model I did. And his gun is likewise still sitting in the original box. Never loaded. Never fired. We joke about how we both feel like chumps.
Wow! Thanks for the honesty. I'm not sure if that applies to a wide range of people who subscribe to the same fear that the Democrats are going to take their guns away, but it is illuminating to hear your story. Poll after poll tell us that a huge majority of both gun-owners and non-gun-owners are in favor of universal background checks, and other "common-sense" measures, but it never seems to translate into who they vote for, as other issues rank higher in importance to them, I suppose.
I was just trying to understand, thinking it might show a way forward.... Thanks again for taking the time to answer me!
I can not express my gratitude for you, Sarah, Time, Charlie, heck all the Bulwark personnel...and for the comment section of the Triad especially.. And especially the kindness you did for me personally early on.
I wish I could have been there, and hopefully at some point, there will be one closer to me...
This is why we love you JVL, we can have disagreements on some very weighty issues and still have the utmost respect and affection for each other. Until recently that was SOP. I loved the show and look forward to more live shows. Come to Boston!!
As a long time listener [liberal listener, mind you] of Charlie Sykes I knew he would never put his name, much less his energy behind a shallow, clickbait community. I was not disappointed. The Bulwark and the many podcasts related are a first stop for me and many of my friends. Keep it up, keep it real and this could not have happened to a nicer, more real group of people. Thank you!
I discovered Charlie’s podcast at the very beginning of Covid and his perspective, sanity and sense of humor were and still are a balm for crazy and stressful times. I can’t believe it took me so long to become a bulwark + member. All the content is so great. I never miss a podcast...next level, Sarah’s focus groups, and especially the secret podcast :) Such and awesome team and community. Thank you ❤️
Listened to this show with my daughter (we attended the first live show in D.C.) and it’s like listening to old friends by now. Loved hearing that Tim is going all “Beto” on guns - always with the youngs that one!
Your triad piece on Friday made me cry. You give me hope that kind, rational, smart humans can possibly redirect the county in the right direction. I’m a silent bulwark member, but they’re in soul.
I think a Thursday night bulwark should schedule a show in the Bay Area. I have the venue. 1560 Forth Street, Unit B, San Rafael Barbra Bright Interior Design. It is not a big place. but beautiful.
If Tim Miller wants a new kitchen with an induction cooktop, Barbra is his designer.
Great commentary.....but it seems EVERYBODY, even guests are smitten with the use of the word LIKE every sentence like (a cpmparativeand properly used) none of you progressed beyond the 15-year--old oh,socool stage in destroying the Engllisj language.. It distracts badly from your intelligent commentarty. Tim and Sarah are the chief culprits in this terrible retorical habit. I was watching Tim interview Peter Hamby tonight, aware of his command of the language, but alas, he too threw in streams of like fillers! C'mon. grow up. Adults should be using sound sentnces without nervous expostulatiions!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/25/biden-place-based-industrial-policy-muro/
I am interested in what Bulwark community thinks about the potentials of positive investments, implemented by the Biden Admin, to build bridges for a reset of our country’s democracy for a healthy economy to support all workers invested.
These may be the growth market, minus greed and corruption, that our writers of the US Constitution had in mind to support a vibrant, peaceful economy for all citizens.
LU2
I so wish I could have attended. I do a daily gratitude practice, and find it necessary during these tough times. Love you all!!!
I was at the delightful Seattle event, which fits JVL's L.A. event description. I was really encouraged by the multi-generational audience which probably represented a broad spectrum of political perspectives. I'm a leftist Boomer whose pretty fed up with the self-righteous, sanctimonious and autocratic members of both parties. What I like about the Bulwark is the refreshing honesty, humility, kindness and general good humour of the informative contributors as well as of the members. It strikes me that the old delineations of party and ideology are dissolving and something new is emerging. Change is challenging but it's good!
I'm a center-left Democrat who brought two friends with me to the LA event. One of them had told her very-liberal daughter that she was going to a "Bernie" event - Neither of them had heard of The Bulwark. Boy, were they in for a surprise.
We all had such fun! We laughed, we called out answers, and we were grateful to experience the humor, insights, and self-reflection you all shared about your experiences as former righties. I wish more Americans could have political discussions like this and realize we are all better off when we have a sense of humor when discussing politics.
Thank you for taking a chance and getting on a plane to be in a theater full of mostly unmasked people... it wouldn't have been the same without you there, and I was so glad to finally see you all in person!
Thanks JVL! I know that I am just as thankful for you, Sarah, and Tim. You all remind me on a weekly basis that there is still more good than bad in the world, and as long as we stick together, the good will prevail. Thank you for what you do!
I was a listener to the Weekly Standard podcast, occasional reader too. I read and listened to it because it challenged my conservative-ish but Democratic viewpoints. When the Bulwark happened it was like being able to say "oh thank goodness I'm not the only Jeb-->Clinton voter constituency."
Perhaps there is always the veneer of community among a readership, but this one feels a lot more real.
Cheers.
Sarah made a comment that totally sums up my own feelings: I don't ever want to be on the same team with Matt Schlapp again. I'm like Mona and Charlie and Tim and you rethinking all of my old positions. Am I still pro life? Yes, but I don't think passing more restrictive laws is going to achieve our goal of actually saving lives. Do I care about spending? Well hell, clearly nobody else actually does so why should I? Tim said he's full Beto when it comes to guns now. Same. Come take mine. It's still in the box. I only bought one because I believed the hype that Obama was going to "take all our guns." I made an observation that politics in America now is just deciding which group of people you relate to and picking a team. And I don't want to be on the team with election deniers, vax opponents and racists. But I don't want to be on the team with the socialists, enviro terrorists and teachers who don't want to use phonics either. So I have no team. This effects my relationships with EVERYONE now. I'm scared to talk to my coworkers (who are rabid team red) or fellow church members for fear of alienation. My only support is The Bulwark and a private Facebook group where we've built up a community.
Great post, Merrie.
Out of curiosity, can you explain why you bought into the entire thing that "Obama was going to take all our guns" thing. That has been said of every Democratic President and presidential candidate of my long lifetime, and yet it's never ever happened. What made you believe it - do you know? (Except in Beto's case, for the first time - it would have been true)...
I'm only asking because there are a lot of people who believe all of the hyperbole, and those are the ones we have to reach going forward, before today's GOP takes all of us to places we don't want our children and grandchildren having to deal with.
Well, part of it honestly was that up until a few years ago, I didn't CARE! I was a liberal in my 20's. I didn't grow up in the "gun culture." My dad (foolishly) kept a handgun stashed in the bedside table and my mother put the fear of God into me not to even THINK about picking it up! But I started listening to talk radio around 1998. Got older. Eventually became more conservative and after 2008 got involved with the local Republican party. Kept getting invites to fundraisers at the local gun range and was just too embarrassed to admit that I'd never fired a gun before! So, I had a friend take me to the range and give me a couple of lessons. Wanted my own firearm so that I wouldn't look like a rookie at the next fundraiser. (Also had a public run in with one of the local whackos with a reputation for stalking women and thought I'd better get a gun. Pronto. Which was stupid. Like I'm going to carry it every time I take out the recycling?) And with the inevitable 2nd Clinton administration on the horizon, I CLEARLY needed to act soon while I still could. My next door neighbor did the same thing. Actually bought the same model I did. And his gun is likewise still sitting in the original box. Never loaded. Never fired. We joke about how we both feel like chumps.
Wow! Thanks for the honesty. I'm not sure if that applies to a wide range of people who subscribe to the same fear that the Democrats are going to take their guns away, but it is illuminating to hear your story. Poll after poll tell us that a huge majority of both gun-owners and non-gun-owners are in favor of universal background checks, and other "common-sense" measures, but it never seems to translate into who they vote for, as other issues rank higher in importance to them, I suppose.
I was just trying to understand, thinking it might show a way forward.... Thanks again for taking the time to answer me!
Your letter made me weep, but in a good way.
I can not express my gratitude for you, Sarah, Time, Charlie, heck all the Bulwark personnel...and for the comment section of the Triad especially.. And especially the kindness you did for me personally early on.
I wish I could have been there, and hopefully at some point, there will be one closer to me...
This is why we love you JVL, we can have disagreements on some very weighty issues and still have the utmost respect and affection for each other. Until recently that was SOP. I loved the show and look forward to more live shows. Come to Boston!!
Yes, please! Time for some love in the northeast.
As a long time listener [liberal listener, mind you] of Charlie Sykes I knew he would never put his name, much less his energy behind a shallow, clickbait community. I was not disappointed. The Bulwark and the many podcasts related are a first stop for me and many of my friends. Keep it up, keep it real and this could not have happened to a nicer, more real group of people. Thank you!
Come to Australia! I’d love to have you all here. I can show you koalas and stuff haha. Love you guys and JVL, you made me weep again.
I discovered Charlie’s podcast at the very beginning of Covid and his perspective, sanity and sense of humor were and still are a balm for crazy and stressful times. I can’t believe it took me so long to become a bulwark + member. All the content is so great. I never miss a podcast...next level, Sarah’s focus groups, and especially the secret podcast :) Such and awesome team and community. Thank you ❤️
Listened to this show with my daughter (we attended the first live show in D.C.) and it’s like listening to old friends by now. Loved hearing that Tim is going all “Beto” on guns - always with the youngs that one!
Your triad piece on Friday made me cry. You give me hope that kind, rational, smart humans can possibly redirect the county in the right direction. I’m a silent bulwark member, but they’re in soul.
I think a Thursday night bulwark should schedule a show in the Bay Area. I have the venue. 1560 Forth Street, Unit B, San Rafael Barbra Bright Interior Design. It is not a big place. but beautiful.
If Tim Miller wants a new kitchen with an induction cooktop, Barbra is his designer.
Don’t get mad Sunny.