You keep doing this to me -- conjuring up an unforgettable image. This time it was "Quietly, while we were learning our craft, someone bought the floor under our feet."
Wow, this was an incredible informative and helpful read. I thank you for putting the truth and investigation behind it.
I read about these journalists you mentioned losing their job because they did exactly what you did here.
You are giving me a hard lesson that many of us are learning from and wanting more of - honesty and deep investigation in journalism and writing. The truth can be hard to read, but so necessary for our democracy.
Sadly this is disappearing and especially now in our nation’s most difficult time.
We’re out here fighting for the truth and for each other, and are feeling overwhelmed and fearful by this trump regime and the billionaires.
Vickie, I can’t tell you how much it means to wake up from a half sleep slumber and read this. Half the time I’m here wondering if anybody else feels this ache, if anybody else feels the pain in their chest about what’s happening to the press and to the country, and your comment felt like someone across the room quietly raising their hand and saying, “Fuck yeah, I see it too.” When you say you’re out here fighting for the truth and feeling overwhelmed and fearful, that lands, because that’s exactly the energy I was writing from, an energy too tired, too scared, but still too stubborn to look away.
I’m really struck that you connected the dots between the journalists who lost their jobs and what you’re craving more of: honesty, depth, real investigation instead of spin. That tells me you’re not just reading this like content; you’re carrying it like a responsibility, and lemme tell you Vickie, that humbles me. I’m glad you’re here on Substack too, because people like you are the only reason folks like me can keep doing this without losing our damn minds. Thank you for letting me know the writing stays with you and your words are going to stay with me the next time I’m staring at that blinking cursor wondering if it’s worth it.
I can tell you with a straight face that they are reading it. I’m seeing traffic and whispers I never expected to notice a retired cop with a Substack. They may not all hit “like” or drop a comment, but the work is bouncing around Slack channels and group texts in the places we’re talking about.
Knowing you’re out here hoping this lands in their laps makes it feel a little less like yelling into the void, so I appreciate you right back Stan.
Sitting here staring out at the dark sky and streetlight lit snow and putting two and two together… cops, journalists… engineers, athletes… I grew up wanting to be an astronaut- I don’t have the same wonder for space exploration anymore and I doubt it ever was about the learning and science now it was about status and global power. I ended up working on private jets. international sporting events were sold to us as peace building- better than war - apolitical… but FIFA watched as Qatar literally sacrificed lives to build their stadium… and it wasn’t “an ideal of peace not accepting the reality of the world” but instead… supported… on purpose… because creating a peace prize for someone who murders fishermen isn’t a denial of reality in search of a better world, it’s celebrating the death of humans perceived as disposable… celebrating death isn’t sporting… this isn’t what we were sold.
A lot of very good people (and I do still believe it’s the majority of the population) are being lied to and manipulated by excessively powerful evil people and trying to find a way through life that doesn’t aid and abet them is exhausting. While also picking apart which lies I personally still believe… and trying not to feel like a crazy conspiracy theorist in the process.
"In 1983, fifty companies controlled most of American media. By the time you were fighting for your first byline, that number had shrunk to a handful."
On our watch.
"A country full of people who no longer trust their own pain is a country that will accept almost any cruelty as long as it arrives with a chart and a calm voice."
Or even a shrill one, if it dominates the "narrative". But perhaps not if enough people care and collaborate.
Thanks X for your profound insight and comments. You look inside your soul on those lonely night shifts (as a nurse) you also have the responsibility of being a competent, learned, and compassionate person who understands the physiology of the mind and body. We are all striving to gain the insight and stamina to continue through our shifts. When that flash of sparkling insight hits you, you must listen and re-evaluate your own life, I’m working 12 hour shifts, caring for 6-10 lives on that shift and cannot fail them, physically or mentally in giving them care to heal and go home to their families. You and I both chose professions to service the public, so this resonates heavily with me. I started nursing in 1974, almost a decade before you, and have given my life, heart and soul into my profession for over 50+ years. It’s taken a physical toll on my body, but I’m still grateful and learning to see the inequalities that this society has created, only few super monopolies control this country, be it healthcare, news, or goods & services, leaving the lower & middle classes with trying to pay for food, rent, utilities, and essentials to live, and wondering how to pay for everything from that paycheck. I hear you, and you present the news and issues as they should be by the mainstream media, but alas, their journalists voices have been muted to be compliant with the oligarchs who own the media.
Continue to write these articles as you are talented in relating them to those who are trying to find their way through this morose and destructive regime.
You forgot Fred Hampton -- assassinated by the Chicago Police. Not exactly on topic but Hampton's murder may have been the first time I saw through the bullshit.
You keep doing this to me -- conjuring up an unforgettable image. This time it was "Quietly, while we were learning our craft, someone bought the floor under our feet."
"True wit is nature to advantage dressed,
What oft was thought but ne'er so well expressed"
(Alexander Pope)
Wow, this was an incredible informative and helpful read. I thank you for putting the truth and investigation behind it.
I read about these journalists you mentioned losing their job because they did exactly what you did here.
You are giving me a hard lesson that many of us are learning from and wanting more of - honesty and deep investigation in journalism and writing. The truth can be hard to read, but so necessary for our democracy.
Sadly this is disappearing and especially now in our nation’s most difficult time.
We’re out here fighting for the truth and for each other, and are feeling overwhelmed and fearful by this trump regime and the billionaires.
Your writing stays with me.
Thanks again and I am glad you here on substack.
Vickie, I can’t tell you how much it means to wake up from a half sleep slumber and read this. Half the time I’m here wondering if anybody else feels this ache, if anybody else feels the pain in their chest about what’s happening to the press and to the country, and your comment felt like someone across the room quietly raising their hand and saying, “Fuck yeah, I see it too.” When you say you’re out here fighting for the truth and feeling overwhelmed and fearful, that lands, because that’s exactly the energy I was writing from, an energy too tired, too scared, but still too stubborn to look away.
I’m really struck that you connected the dots between the journalists who lost their jobs and what you’re craving more of: honesty, depth, real investigation instead of spin. That tells me you’re not just reading this like content; you’re carrying it like a responsibility, and lemme tell you Vickie, that humbles me. I’m glad you’re here on Substack too, because people like you are the only reason folks like me can keep doing this without losing our damn minds. Thank you for letting me know the writing stays with you and your words are going to stay with me the next time I’m staring at that blinking cursor wondering if it’s worth it.
X, not only do your posts resonate with me and all that you uncover, but it’s the “how you say it” that also keeps me coming back for more. Thank you…
Thank you for a well written and to the point piece. I appreciate your voice and I hope some mainstream journalist are reading you.
Stan, thank you for this right here.
I can tell you with a straight face that they are reading it. I’m seeing traffic and whispers I never expected to notice a retired cop with a Substack. They may not all hit “like” or drop a comment, but the work is bouncing around Slack channels and group texts in the places we’re talking about.
Knowing you’re out here hoping this lands in their laps makes it feel a little less like yelling into the void, so I appreciate you right back Stan.
Keep up the good work. I know you will!
Sitting here staring out at the dark sky and streetlight lit snow and putting two and two together… cops, journalists… engineers, athletes… I grew up wanting to be an astronaut- I don’t have the same wonder for space exploration anymore and I doubt it ever was about the learning and science now it was about status and global power. I ended up working on private jets. international sporting events were sold to us as peace building- better than war - apolitical… but FIFA watched as Qatar literally sacrificed lives to build their stadium… and it wasn’t “an ideal of peace not accepting the reality of the world” but instead… supported… on purpose… because creating a peace prize for someone who murders fishermen isn’t a denial of reality in search of a better world, it’s celebrating the death of humans perceived as disposable… celebrating death isn’t sporting… this isn’t what we were sold.
A lot of very good people (and I do still believe it’s the majority of the population) are being lied to and manipulated by excessively powerful evil people and trying to find a way through life that doesn’t aid and abet them is exhausting. While also picking apart which lies I personally still believe… and trying not to feel like a crazy conspiracy theorist in the process.
"In 1983, fifty companies controlled most of American media. By the time you were fighting for your first byline, that number had shrunk to a handful."
On our watch.
"A country full of people who no longer trust their own pain is a country that will accept almost any cruelty as long as it arrives with a chart and a calm voice."
Or even a shrill one, if it dominates the "narrative". But perhaps not if enough people care and collaborate.
I’m glad you are here.
"Like someone locked in a trunk, using their heel to Morse-code a plea: Please hear what I can’t say."
Thank you for sharing your writings. You're so good at metaphors-always makes for a fun read.
But don't forget to let yourself take some time off, you deserve it!
thank you for all that you are doing and your clarity!
ianmacfarlane.substack.com
we're on the same page
I respect the Police -- a tough job and often a thankless job. But you are one helluva journalist!
There is so much here it's gonna take me awhile to read all the references.
Independent: Not one of a “handful.”
Journalism: Hard, truth-telling delivery of power-checking by the Fourth Estate like we were promised.
Integrity, honesty, piercing , and with receipts.
This is why I’m here.
Thank you X for your service. You were a great cop. People need to be educated what good police look like you.
Your journalism is fact-based and well-documented. But I keep comin’ back cuz it reads like a song. You have a gift. Please keep singin’ it.
X you’re definitely doing exactly what you should be doing as far as explaining and exposing the truth as it is right now.
I would say you have definitely found your calling in these desperate times!
Thanks for all you say‼️
Thanks X for your profound insight and comments. You look inside your soul on those lonely night shifts (as a nurse) you also have the responsibility of being a competent, learned, and compassionate person who understands the physiology of the mind and body. We are all striving to gain the insight and stamina to continue through our shifts. When that flash of sparkling insight hits you, you must listen and re-evaluate your own life, I’m working 12 hour shifts, caring for 6-10 lives on that shift and cannot fail them, physically or mentally in giving them care to heal and go home to their families. You and I both chose professions to service the public, so this resonates heavily with me. I started nursing in 1974, almost a decade before you, and have given my life, heart and soul into my profession for over 50+ years. It’s taken a physical toll on my body, but I’m still grateful and learning to see the inequalities that this society has created, only few super monopolies control this country, be it healthcare, news, or goods & services, leaving the lower & middle classes with trying to pay for food, rent, utilities, and essentials to live, and wondering how to pay for everything from that paycheck. I hear you, and you present the news and issues as they should be by the mainstream media, but alas, their journalists voices have been muted to be compliant with the oligarchs who own the media.
Continue to write these articles as you are talented in relating them to those who are trying to find their way through this morose and destructive regime.
Webb. Donahue. Lyon. Attiah. Telnaes...
You forgot Fred Hampton -- assassinated by the Chicago Police. Not exactly on topic but Hampton's murder may have been the first time I saw through the bullshit.