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Mr. Lewis's avatar

You are doing the right thing. To thine own self be true!

Speaking only for myself as another life-long democrat who "defected" to the "Dark Side of the Force" (as they see it) I have come to really value your voice and your take. I happen to agree with almost everything you write or say, that helps, but where there are disagreements I'm fine with those too. Keep it up we love your work...and we need to hear your voice.

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Kidbuck's avatar

I agree, Billy Lewis.

Sasha, I personally like it when you includeTucker links. I believe he's a great journalist and we need more free and unrestrained journalists. FREEDOM!

Do I agree with every thing Tucker says? No.

The whining people need to stop the complaining about FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

If they don't want to follow a link then don't and STOP BITCHING ABOUT FREE SPEECH!

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Matt L.'s avatar

I just watched Tucker’s interview Walter Kirn and it was great. Walter sees the world / culture as stories and fascinating insights into the perfect ‘made for social media’ Luigi murder novel. Including the fact that everyone has long forgotten the name of the murdered CEO, how ‘perfect’ the video of the murder (only from shooters POV and you can’t see his face) and several other points. Walter predicts Luigi will be acquitted, and may even have his own podcast and beyond someday.

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Brian M's avatar

Sounds like the "end of a nation" to me, when the masses celebrate killers.

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Matt L.'s avatar

Yes Walter and Tucker speculated what it means when a culture loses its outrage over murder, due to political leanings. It’s parallels to late 60’s / early 70’s. It can lead to bad places (see the Roman empire)

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Mike flynn's avatar

Recall sacco snd vanzetti turned into martyrs. And that Leopold and Loeb. Still taught in high school?? 100 yrs ago. Though I agree with your long-term assessment.

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alpinelake's avatar

I think the ruling class is itching to start a civil war, keep us fighting amongst ourselves, so they can inflict more control...more cuts to civil liberties, make us desperate and destitute, and most of all, not come after them.

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Michael Constan's avatar

What you just described is, and always was, the problem with the media. They do not emphasize the life and humanity of the victim, and then humanize the murderer so that they end up being recorded in the history books, often as the victim.

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Matt L.'s avatar

Yes, it’s a feature of modern America media. Luigi story is made for media. It’s all ‘too perfect’

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Richard's avatar

I don't get my values from Tucker but he does have interesting guests.

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Kidbuck's avatar

Exactly, Richard! 💯

Even when it's Vladimir Putin and the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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Brian M's avatar

The Dems are definitely "The Empire" because they are the totalitarians that want to suppress and control everyone else, or destroy their opponents with a death ray. Just like in the fictional Empire, sure, there are a lot of creatures from around the Universe who have been caught up in the evil. Casting a "big tent" does not necessarily confer righteousness. It is the Federation that are the people who celebrate independence and freedom, at risk of life or death ray. That sounds like conservatives to me.

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Amkb's avatar

Yup. It's hilarious when I see leftist going on about being "the resistance", like something out of Star Wars, when in reality, they're like some First Order desk jockey, completely convinced they are on the "right side of history". Meanwhile, they're the baddies of the story.

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79SmithW60's avatar

100% agree, and great discussion below from @Kidbuck, and @Matt L. chain.

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Jonah's avatar

Take pride in your choice of enemies.

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Mr. Lewis's avatar

Living up to my goal of being hated by all the right people!

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Yolanda Pritam Hari's avatar

oh yes, what a noble goal Billy

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Mr. Lewis's avatar

And people like you keep helping me attain it every day.....all the right people....like you

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Matt L.'s avatar

Sasha, you’ve received pushback from me and others the past several posts because it appears you are sacrificing progress for truth.

Trump should release the documents. He is losing political capital from his base. He promised transparency. This looks like a government, deep state cover up. Offer a decent statement as to why it is necessary to not release the “files”.

My evolving thoughts are that Epstein was involved with financing international deep state shenanigans for many years, and the teen sex with power brokers was part of sealing those deals. And revealing all this might shatter the US-Israel relationship among its citizens, which is already under pressure from the far Left.

POTUS can craft a statement (without using capital letters or exclamation points) to explain that Epstein was intel (or intel adjacent) but those days are now over - Bondi, Patel, Tulsi & Bongino are working hard to drain this swamp, etc. We’re not stupid. But so far we’re being treated like it, and we resent it. That explains your ratio? 🤷

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Judith Cleveland's avatar

I disagree, there is so much more to the Big Picture. Trump hasn’t let me down so far or lied to me— so I continue to trust him. Should he not text when he’s hurt and or frustrated— yes definitely, but, even then I understand. This is a man that accepts no salary, has put in countless hours & money for frivolous court cases & even taken a bullet in 2 close calls, withstood hatred & ridicule & much more—to make America great again. I think I can have patience & understanding for him in an old case that was litigated years ago. Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.

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Dibble's avatar

I agree. I can't jump on the stock market/economy crash or the starting wwIII band wagon. So far Trump has done and continues to do more for to make the country and life better for the average middle class than any other president in my lifetime and I go back to JFK. Trump does things in ways that I don't always understand but they usually work out for the best.

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Linda Bonar's avatar

I agree. Especially after listening to Lance Wallnau's podcast on this subject, I believe he has earned our trust, even when we have our "wait, what?" moments. I think the President can smell a rat after all he's been through, and I'm willing to admit that I don't know everything about this and he doesn't have to "obey" my wishes.

Many times, children don't know why their parent is doing what they're doing and they throw a fit. It's been more than distressing to me to see so many MAGA podcasters and media types throwing a fit - not only going after DJT but others they used to call colleagues and friends. THAT is what I'm most afraid of. That we'll turn on each other over this issue and destroy everything we've worked for. America needs to be great and stay great. I hope we get it together. If not, adios.

We waited through 4 awful years waiting for THIS Trump who is vastly different from the 2016 version to make American Great Again. If we didn't have those 4 awful years...if HE didn't have those grueling 4 years, including the assassination attempts (that are ongoing)...we wouldn't have THIS Trump. I trust THIS Trump, even when I'm wobbly, I still trust him. But it would be a shame to lose MAGA less than a year into his 2nd term.

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Matt L.'s avatar

I appreciate what Trump has accomplished and your sentiments in his defense. But to me, it is also a tactic acceptance that the deep state rules our lives, and you’re okay with that. That is a bridge too far for me, currently. The deep state has fostered continual war and conflict since the end of WW2 until the present. And that deep state cares little for the poor and middle class among us, who make up our armed forces. Epstein represents a case to put the deep state on its heels. But fear it seems is holding back this administration.

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Linda Bonar's avatar

Hi Matt,

You've either misunderstood my comments or have purposely twisted what I said. Nowhere did I advocate for a permanent swampy deep state to rule over us.

What I did say was that our President has sacrificed much for this country and the first 7 months have been so consequential in a truly good way that it's mind-boggling. I'm willing to give him time and, more importantly, I'm willing to give God time to have this current situation play out.

I was upset for 4 long years after the 2020 election debacle and the endless raids, lawfare and piss-poor governing of the Biden administration. Hope for the future of America was waning.

BUT GOD.

The post-Butler Trump is a different man and he's governing much differently (and much better) than he did 8 years ago. And now I thank the Lord for those 4 years as they made us - and Donald Trump - ready for NOW.

The enemies of MAGA and the President will use any and all means to take him down or take him out. Is the whole J.E. episode an op to do just that? Or is it just the first real stumble of this term revealing that even he is infallible and imperfect, as well as members of cabinet?

I will give God and Donald Trump time to work this out and if it turns out in the end that he is a deep state operative and had us all fooled, I'll be the first to say you were right about Donald Trump after all. But I can never say that you were right about me being okay with deep state rule, because it's "180 degrees out of phase" as Rush Limbaugh would say.

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David Berg's avatar

I mostly agree with your comment on our President. He has endured unprecedented hate and I believe he is trying his best to foster peace. I like Tucker but don’t believe he sees how Trump is effectively striving for peace.

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Yolanda Pritam Hari's avatar

Matt, i couldn't have said this better. Great call!

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Elise Gowan's avatar

Here is the link to a July 15th article in the WSJ by Alan Dershowitz, who was Epstein’s lawyer. It settled my mind a lot on the whole issue.

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-inside-scoop-on-je"rey-epstein-b0da1cbe

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Matt L.'s avatar

Thank you, Elise!

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Dena's avatar

Trumps approval rating went up today according to the guy at cnn. He was surprised too.

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Matthew Wahrer's avatar

Your comment is congruent with actual reality, not the ‘reality’ we want’ to believe

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Ken Macko's avatar

Perfect. That is exactly the perfect analysis. There are ways to walk and chew gum at the same time. Unfortunately, someone stepped in the gum.

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North Country's avatar

Well said.

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Bonnie Beresford's avatar

I disagree. I have little interest in the Epstein files except to hear that they are being examined, appropriate consequences will follow, and can we please move on to more salient issues? There is nothing new under the sun including shallow public interest in sexual activities of the rich and famous.

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Matt L.'s avatar

Well, I do love the Book of Ecclesiastes so we share an appreciation for the hevel that permeates our world. Epstein saga captures the imagination due to the teen sex angle w/ the rich / powerful. But that isn’t the point. The point is the use of that tool to advance deep state plots (think Iran-Contra type activities) that general public doesn’t know about, and that helps keep us in a permanent state of ‘war or conflict’

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Fra Raymond's avatar

Bonnie - it is not the "sexual activities of the rich and famous" It is the statutory rape of minors to satisfy the deviancy of rich and powerful men. I just want powerful men that commit a crime be if not punished (they never are) at least paraded in front of cameras.

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Eddie Patterson's avatar

I’m a paid subscriber and I LOVE these columns no matter if I agree or not…love it…movies and politics…give me more. Thanks.

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Lisa's avatar

“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood for something, sometime in your life”

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William C Carlson's avatar

Brilliant.

I'm not a snowflake liberal, I treasure diversity of thought. The only way I quit subscribing is if you quit writing.

I disagree with your take on the Ep(over-blown bs)stein files, but it would be lame to cancel because we don't think in lockstep.

The new conservatives will not be divided by mainstream media, lying politicians in either party, or petty differences. Smaller government, fair trade deals, ending the grooming of children, border security, prosperity ... those matter!

The WININING is too sweet :)

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Steve's avatar

Diversity of views is good, BUT so is Discernment.

I subscribe to a number of sites/youtube channels But I try to use discernment, in viewing them.

We should know what The Opposition is really saying and Why they are saying it.

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Dick Minnis's avatar

Exactly Steve, you do yourself no favors if confirmation bias is allowed to fester in the information you seek.

Dick Minnis

removingthecataract.substack.com

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Steve's avatar

"We should know what The Opposition is really saying and Why they are saying it."

This is something I find so very often, on both sides. I do find it more often on The Left.

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John F Diedrich's avatar

Sasha, keep doing what you are doing. We don’t have to agree 100% on 100% of topics. Re: Tucker, I’m confused by his recent work but, like you seem to be, not willing to write him off. I think you made the right choice, to stop promoting Tucker; you don’t need the confusion negatively impacting your “brand.” I’m going to upgrade to a paid subscription today. 😎

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John Pisano's avatar

Sasha- I started following you from your MK appearance. Your voice and take have become an important factor in how I see certain things. You are intelligent and thoughtful and I appreciate what you do, very much. Thank you for your work!

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Chris Perreault's avatar

I found you the same way and am so grateful!

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Yolanda Pritam Hari's avatar

i like Sasha too - and found her by accident when the internet took me to her instead of Sacha Stone and Lazarus Initiative (which i recently unsubscribed from for many reasons, but that man is full of himself - smart and eloquent as he may be - and he's into BIG $$$$ with all his perfectly curated perma-villages for the rich investors. He also dropped the ROOTS brand people as soon as he launched his own costly product line. BOO)

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alpinelake's avatar

I started following Sasha when Matt Taibbi recently mentioned he follows her. Sooooo glad!

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Jim M's avatar

Well, I cancelled my TCN subscription. Yeah, his BS stance on Israel was part of it. But he's losing his F'n mind: Churchill was the bad guy in WW 2? The death camps were a mercy? And let's not forget how, right after eviscerating Ted Cruz he spends hours sucking up to Iran. Combine his Epstien mania w/ his 'demons in my bed'... well, I'm done.

Having said that, I came across this video, and I've been ff'g these guys for years now. It's such a breath of sanity:

https://youtu.be/pIlA7QGofFE?si=WlogFOtPDErt3y1p

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Steve's avatar

"Well, I cancelled my TCN subscription."

THAT is the worst thing that could happen to him...people not paying attention to him.

When he left Fox, a lot of people (myself) asked WHY? I think we're seeing Why. Or maybe he's gotten hooked on Controversy.

Triggernometry is really Good.

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michael holt's avatar

Amen as to Triggernometry.

Sasha, I love your use of the term "grapple," as it calls to my mind one of the greatest statements in literary history: "Let truth and falsehood grapple. Whoever knew truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter."

--John Milton 1644

I was alarmed by Tucker's sidling up to Putin, but the Darryl Cooper platforming was the absolute end for me. I canceled my subscription to TCN and haven't looked back.

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Yolanda Pritam Hari's avatar

ooh. the people SEE. imagine that!

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Steve's avatar

Understand IMO he has become a media/limelight whore. He's all about Clicks, Views, Likes.

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Danimal28's avatar

I hear ya, but I take the whole of who he is interviewing. He and Cooper really effed up their first interview, but most people saw through it due to other knowledge.

I shake off his commentary on Jews because all parties need a little scrutiny. Not slander, but scrutiny. There are more Israeli spies in D.C. than any other country...

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Suzie's avatar

Tucker has unequivocally lost the plot, and his thoroughly unwarranted and defamatory attack on Bill Ackman was pathological in its irrationality, and proof he’s gone over the deep end.

He’s lucky Bill doesn’t sue the socks off of him.

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Danimal28's avatar

Speak your mind and I love it....

Just watched the Charlie Kirk TPUSA Tucker speech and I don't have any issue with Tucka ripping on Bill Ackman and his Big Tech class of globalists considering the context. He was ripping Ackman for being the privileged dude who is doing nothing but enriching himself while his countrymen are dying; he needs to give back and doesn't(that I know of). Ackman is against the rightful Trump tariffs - helping Americans - due to globalist benefits for him and I have no sympathy as they are ruining this country.

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michael holt's avatar

Probably not a matter of luck so much as Ackman has better things to do than worry about a putz like Tucker.

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Jim M's avatar

I used to feel the same way you feel right now--you have to separate the wheat from the chaff, but I grew weary of it. I had grown weary of having to sort out his stuff in a similar fashion to the NYT.

Look, in a court case, his show on Fox, as well as Rachel Maddow's were sued for being full of shit. They got off b/c they're NOT news; they're ENTERTAINMENT.

Just like that other clown Alex Jones.

Well, I am NOT entertained! LOL

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reality speaks's avatar

You spewed every mainstream propaganda about Tucker Carlson and the Darryl Copper episode so it’s apparent to me that you might have not actually watched it nor listen to anything else Mr Copper has put out. There is nothing wrong with asking questions about what we have all been told and are to accept as the gospel truth. The facts can always stand that test. It’s the lies that are exposed.

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Jim M's avatar

I sooo much wanted to either flame you or just ignore you, but then I'd be as bad as the other side.

I listened to the infamous Cooper ep, and that was enough for me. The analysis by Victor Hanson in The Free Press, or the one on Triggernometry addressed the issues raised in that podcast enough to satisfy me; so no, I'm not going to look at any more of Cooper's work. It's been established as terrible scholarship at best, and fraudulent at worst by validated experts in the field of history. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but then they really need to stand up next to facts, and as Hanson so elegantly demonstrated Cooper is more of a fabulist than any serious critic.

Look, maybe in good faith, you take a gander to what I'm referring to? Here's the link to Hanson's article:

https://www.thefp.com/p/victor-davis-hanson-the-truth-about?r=r5fv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Otherwise, fuck off; you don't know what you're talking about and have nothing to contribute to a discussion.

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Tom Kennedy's avatar

When Victor Davis Hanson speaks about history and many other things - I listen.

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michael holt's avatar

The process of Critical Thinking requires that we expose ourselves to what "the other side" thinks. It does NOT require us to immerse ourselves in what we already know to be false, eg more Darryl Cooper idiocy. In my study of Winston Churchill, among other things I read all volumes of his WWII saga beginning with the best one, "The Gathering Storm." All true heroes begin their journey alone, which sums up Churchill's political isolation in the 1930s. To conclude that he was any kind of historical villain as Cooper does (and Tucker Carlson agrees) is utter madness.

" Sasha Stone" perfectly describes the ultimate rule of life in her Shakespearean credo "To thine own self be true." Sasha has paid the price of isolation in her own profession. She has likewise earned my respect.

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alpinelake's avatar

Tucker is questioning decades of State propaganda on who we're supposed to love and hate. What is everyone afraid of, that he might be right? Is everyone afraid to consider an alternative to the indoctrination? Don't be, it's the only way to create a country that doesn't finance a genocide.

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Fred Richmond's avatar

Keep doing what you're doing..Be true to yourself. I ALWAYS find your posts worthwhile. And I read all of them I see.

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TomD's avatar

Keep on doing what you're doing. We need the honesty that you bring, not pandering to bring more likes and subscribers. Thanks for what you do

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steven t koenig's avatar

I never click like on an article. I didn't know that was a thing. If I didn't like something you wrote I'd just ignore it. I do enjoy and appreciate your honesty and writing skills

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Chana's avatar

Liking helps the person. Do it for Sasha if you want to support her work.

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Yolanda Pritam Hari's avatar

i agree. AND, my computer loves to block those "likes" most of the time - like today - and here on this stack. Just letting y'all know. so i comment (but not to every thread)

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Anne's avatar

I listen to your podcasts and read your wonderful writing whenever (and wherever) I can, but I will make a better effort to provide feedback, Sasha. I know it's important. I'm very pleased with your careful decision-making process around presenting Tucker's content. You were clearly considerate of your audience throughout. Hang in there. What a difference you are making. And how beautifully and authentically you express your thoughts.

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Alan Domzalski's avatar

Stay true. Great plan.

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RSgva's avatar

Yes, Sasha you were right initially to include the links, when Tucker had been brave enough to defend January 6 participants, and show previously unseen footage to prove it. He doesn’t need you anymore so case closed.

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Kathy Stewart's avatar

I'm glad that I am not the only one who has "cancelled" Tucker.

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Gloria Fredericks's avatar

Sasha, I always enjoy your posts. I don’t always agree with you, but that’s OK. I don’t want to be following someone who parrots what I believe. I appreciate being challenged. I would say 99% of the time I agree with you. I appreciate your thoughts and your openness with us your listeners. I am a subscriber and I’m very happy to be able to contribute to keeping you on here. Thank you for the time and effort that you put into your work.

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Yolanda Pritam Hari's avatar

i appreciate deep thinkers, esp in realms where i feel basically ignorant. Sasha is that.

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Gloria Fredericks's avatar

Agree

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Jeffrey Phillips's avatar

As the Bard wrote, "to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." When speaking truth is a revolutionary act, one we are all craving, worry less about statistics and more about truth. As you well know, the bell curve of existing readers at any moment will include those who only want to hear their own thoughts justified.

Keep up the good work. Some of your work of late I haven't taken the time to read but that speaks more to overload than content. Your perspective is very much valued by this just right of center, Christian.

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