49 Comments
Feb 1, 2021Liked by Bari Weiss

Your post is essential, but it’s really sad that it is so essential. Ten years ago, only a lunatic would publicly urge removing the names Lincoln and Washington from public spaces, let alone accomplish their removal as in San Francisco.

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Feb 1, 2021Liked by Bari Weiss

Thank you! Common sense, at last. I am so happy you're striking out on your own. I'm grateful that someone with a public platform isn't acting like a sheep.

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Feb 1, 2021Liked by Bari Weiss

Thanks for doing this important work Bari. Your discussion with Megyn Kelly had made me realize the importance of having real life community connections. Covid has taken so much of that away. We need to fight to get it back. (By quitting Twitter and going outside).

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Feb 1, 2021Liked by Bari Weiss

No one says what we're all thinking quite like you, Bari Weiss. May you always be free to speak your brilliant mind.

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Thank you, Bari.

In 2021 most Americans are moderate. However, the two extremes seem to dominate the conversation. On the right are small numbers of white nationalists, conspiracy theory devotees and Trump devotees. They are generally less educated and hold little power. On the left there is the “Woke Community”. They adhere to an orthodoxy that holds America is now and always has been an evil, racist, homophobic, misogynistic, unjust, and unequal nation. That it was founded by murderous colonialists who waged genocide on indigenous people and is currently controlled by a corporate cabal indifferent to common people.

They are the most dangerous because they and their orthodoxy hold sway at major universities, formerly great newspapers, entertainment companies and major broadcast networks. Recent graduates of major universities now working in the corporate world are bringing their indoctrination with them to work. As you point out the enforcement of their orthodoxy is swift and violent.

However, they are now turning on one another. I am reminded of the Reign of Terror that followed the French Revolution. When “The Committee for Public Safety” ran out of aristocrats and priests they began to accuse on another counter revolutionary thoughts. Robespierre himself eventually went to the guillotine. Your call to resist is courageous and timely. My belief is that they will eventually implode, and the center will hold.

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Feb 1, 2021Liked by Bari Weiss

Thanks, Bari. This post is both enlightening and very useful. And so beautifully written!

In passing, you used the word "totalitarian" ("They are acting, increasingly, like subjects in a totalitarian country.")

I completely agree. "Totalitarian" is exactly the right word and should be distinguished from "Authoritarian."

Authoritaians require compliance.

Totalitaritarians require compliance and conversion.

I find it to be a useful distinction.

Again, thank you. You (and the enthusiasm of your readers) give me hope.

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Feb 1, 2021Liked by Bari Weiss

Bari you did it again! Brought wise solutions for moving forward and clarity to what is important in our lives.

Much needed this Monday after hearing what the Illinois educational dept. plans for curriculum mandates. Scary and sad....

Congrats on front page billing at the Post too. Well deserved👏

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Feb 1, 2021Liked by Bari Weiss

Excellent article, and so very timely!! The “divisions” are no longer Democrat-Republican but “the people vs THE POWERFUL”. We have numbers but little power so “asymmetric” warfare is called for (ex. Wallstreetbets vs the hedgies). I agree we must be honest, courageous and SHREWD!! I also believe this is ALL much more about “class” then race. The Corporations and Wall Street are GLAD for it to be about race as they rake in billions.

Thanks again and CONGRATULATIONS on front page spot!!

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Feb 1, 2021Liked by Bari Weiss

Nice post, Bari! Number 7 rings especially true. Our worship of credentials is especially damaging these days. As we've seen countless times, Harvard and Yale graduates can be just as stupid as anyone else and are often arrogant besides. We'd be spending a lot less time obsessing about politics, climate change, racism, etc., if we made at least some room in our lives for God. In short, the "experts" in medicine, politics and the media aren't very expert, and God will listen to your thoughts and concerns to a far greater degree than they will. Oh, and congrats on "making the wood"! Glad you explained what that meant... :-)

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Feb 2, 2021Liked by Bari Weiss

Thanks Bari - Love the 10 principles.  However, I believe our country has a lot of work to accomplish.  I'm center left, abhor violence and looting from either side of the political spectrum. You ask if it even needs to be said that "America is imperfect". I believe the answer is yes.  I am patriotic, love my country, but believe we have serious issues to address and worry that we are sliding backwards.  

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Feb 2, 2021Liked by Bari Weiss

Thank you Bari. Love the principles. A great perspective

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I came across Bari Weiss' work when I read her resignation letter from the New York Times. And now, having read several more pieces of her work on this newsletter, I am so impressed with her writing style, clarity and common sense. Don't agree with her on everything but do find her a refreshing voice of reason. Keep up the writing, Bari. The culture needs your voice.

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Thank you, Bari. I'm afraid the combination of social media, Trump and COVID has kicked out country in waves of mass hysteria. The only way it ends is if people stand up to it and brave the attacks. So thank you for being one of those.

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Bari, I just had to send you a note telling you how much I admire your work! As an increasingly concerned liberal (or what used to be liberal until like five minutes ago), I've been horrified with the excesses of cancel culture. You really put yourself out there (and take a lot of heat), so from the bottom of my heart thank you. I loved you at the Times, and I now love your Substack :)

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Hi Bari, You made a great list of principles. Thanks for that.

Reading the Post is a guilty pleasure, particularly if you live in NYC.

They can be pretty careless, however, with their fact checking. They pout the face of the CEO of The Robin Hood Foundation, a wonderful, poverty fighting 501c3, on a cartoon about the CEO of the Robinhood app. That caused a lot of needless confusion and distraction from the Robin hood Foundation's essential world.

And yesterday in a piece about the Dalton School (which appropriately called out Dalton for woeness run amuck), some proof reader capitalized the adjective 'tony" to refer to the "Tony Dalton School." That one was funny.

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Such a clear voice of reason. Thank you!

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