Hi Rick, would you mind removing all my comments for you on Substack. On reflection, they were unclear, had typos etc. that could be misconstrued and hurt our efforts to continue democracy. I'll be back soon. Meanwhile, best to you and yours, Leigh.
Oh my God. I wish I would have read this a long time ago. I first learned who you were from Molly Jong Fast. She was my first follow, I think. I knew the last name " Jong" from her Mom's book Fear of flying. I figured out she was her daughter. I remember reading about the vicious scum that harassed you and your family 💝....and then your book came out. I hope it burned so many people's asses.When it became familiar to millions of people : ETTD...I was so happy for you. I had no real idea about the back story. I'm sure there is so much more to it. Thank you for reposting this. I never knew about much of this. Grateful for you, Rick. Love StacyO 💕
Wow, Rick, that was quite an essay. It still astounds me that more than 70 million people voted for this buffoon and that Republicans are transforming into neo-fascists.
I am democrate and quite honestly I can't understand conservatism. I'm hoping you vote. for the dems for now because the republicans don't exist anymore and too many of them have gone to the dark side.
Wow Rick. Now that's a stream of neoliberal consciousness for the books. I'll always appreciate your humor, even though it can mask some dubious conservative "principles". At least we can discuss policy; something the Maga folks find quaint...like the Constitution.
We'll miss your vote, but for now we must rely on a blue wave to cleanse the nation.
Rick, are you still against a woman’s right to control her body? Are you opposed to gun control even for assault rifles? Are you still enamored of trickledown economics and tax cuts for the wealthy? Are you opposed to same sex marriage? What about the social safety nets, what is your position on those? Do you worry about climate change? Does the war in Ukraine concern you? What do you think of Tubby Tommy’s single-handedly imperiling our military readiness?
Just wondering because it seems like you were pretty much a toe the hard line Republican until trump ran in 2016.
Well I wish you had voted for Clinton in 2016. I wish a lot of people in key states had.
Also, I never expected that Trump was or would revert to pro choice, pro gun control, etc. And he didn’t.
You didn’t really talk about how your perspective has changed in the 7.5 years since you wrote it. That you seem to support Biden is a good sign I assume.
Your comment on Schmidt is right on target. As you probably know, he got a lot of blow back and subscription cancellations because of the Phillips folie a deaux.
I've never agreed w Rick Wilson re policy. Since Reagan the whole idea of trickle down economics, smaller government & conservatism has been a lie as the wealthy grow obscenely wealthy, capitalism has run amuck, the military machine grew ever larger and equitable social values & services always placed last. Yet I wholeheartedly agree that Schmidt's attacks on Biden & attempts to split the party are ill-founded. Being a never Trumper (anti psycopathic criminals in gov) should also mean being proDemocracy /antiFascist. No one fits that bill in the current Republican party. They are long gone. If Schmidt is able to split the Democrat party by attacking Biden & offering the no name, no accomplishment Phillips as a ridiculous poor substitute, he facilitates the destruction of our democracy. Sadly, Schmidt sold out to the dark side. No reasonable Dem should ever fund such a campaign. So who is. Brilliant strategist or not, his candidate won't win, but he could leave the door open for a convicted rapist, convicted fraud, white nationalist, traitor, and purposeful killer of hundreds of thousands during COVID to turn our country into a Putin leaning fascist state.
Courage is lacking in every part of society today (except service members). It’s not courageous to simply decline to run for office again because you know you won’t win. It’s not courageous to say Trump was responsible for 1/6/21 but not vote to impeach him. It’s not courageous to NOT break the law. The threshold has been obliterated. I too don’t understand Steve Schmidt’s move to support a Biden challenger. Hopefully that campaign will go nowhere, but Steve is a brilliant campaign op so it worries me. Thank you, Rick, for risking everything to do the right thing.
I've never agreed w Rick Wilson re policy. Since Reagan the whole idea of trickle doen economics, smaller government & conservatism has been a lie as the wealthy grow obscenely wealthy, capitalism has run amuck, the military machine grew ever larger and equitable social values & services always placed last. Yet I wholeheartedly agree that Schmidt's attacks on Biden & attempts to split the party are ill-founded. Being a never Trumper (anti psycopathic criminals in gov) should also mean being proDemocracy /antiFascist. No one fits that bill in the current Republican party. They are long gone. If Schmidt is able to split the Democrat party by attacking Biden & offering the no name, no accomplishment Phillips as a ridiculous poor substitute, he facilitates the destruction of our democracy. Sadly, Schmidt sold out to the dark side bc no reasonable Dem should ever fund such a campaign. Brilliant strategist or not, his candidate won't win, but he could leave the door open for a convicted rapist, convicted fraud, white nationalist, traitor, and killer of hundreds of thousands to turn our country into a Putin leaning fascist state.
Even as a tree-hugging, bleeding-heart liberal, I couldn't agree more, Rick.
I lived in New York when that strangely-thatched lout began sloping along 5th Avenue. I was equally repulsed and mystified as he and the press began this ritual dance that continues to this day to our collective detriment.
There is a tragic absence of moral courage. Thank you for being a bright light and eloquent voice that is much-needed.
Rick, with the Republican Party now dead, esp with a new Preacher of the House that religiously follows Trump, we need to create a New Party, Central Right, Constitutional-istic, Realism Party that offers REAL solutions to REAL Problems. One this IS fiscally Conservative (and not giving rich and ultra rich donors huge tax breaks, because they DO need to contribute to the workings of this nation); Providing for a strong Defensive military that is able to be an outstanding Offensive force to be reckoned with (and also not feeding the Military Industrial Complex to where they need to be building the same weapons for both sides of the possible and active conflicts); One that works for voters rights because every vote counts and an active and informed electorate provides for a healthy democracy; And one that respects everyone's humanity and not needing to be in your doctor's office or your bedroom. A party of Integrity... Can we try to get a new party that is along those lines going, built out of the ashes of the old Republican party and people that have been leaving them for decades now (like myself, I left mid-Reagan, after Iran-Contra). Can we try to get something like that? Let the Trumpist take the sycophants of what is left of the Republican Party, we can make something new for those that are sick of them to go to that ISN'T Democrat?
Hi Rick, would you mind removing all my comments for you on Substack. On reflection, they were unclear, had typos etc. that could be misconstrued and hurt our efforts to continue democracy. I'll be back soon. Meanwhile, best to you and yours, Leigh.
It's pretty amazing that Schmidt did that. Why am I not surprised?
Oh my God. I wish I would have read this a long time ago. I first learned who you were from Molly Jong Fast. She was my first follow, I think. I knew the last name " Jong" from her Mom's book Fear of flying. I figured out she was her daughter. I remember reading about the vicious scum that harassed you and your family 💝....and then your book came out. I hope it burned so many people's asses.When it became familiar to millions of people : ETTD...I was so happy for you. I had no real idea about the back story. I'm sure there is so much more to it. Thank you for reposting this. I never knew about much of this. Grateful for you, Rick. Love StacyO 💕
Wow, Rick, that was quite an essay. It still astounds me that more than 70 million people voted for this buffoon and that Republicans are transforming into neo-fascists.
I was a Republican until theDonald showed up... I guess "the dark side" is the cleanest way to describe them.
I am democrate and quite honestly I can't understand conservatism. I'm hoping you vote. for the dems for now because the republicans don't exist anymore and too many of them have gone to the dark side.
Well, you nailed it then and it sure as hell holds up.
Wow Rick. Now that's a stream of neoliberal consciousness for the books. I'll always appreciate your humor, even though it can mask some dubious conservative "principles". At least we can discuss policy; something the Maga folks find quaint...like the Constitution.
We'll miss your vote, but for now we must rely on a blue wave to cleanse the nation.
"As God is my witness, I thought these turkeys could fly."
The GOP turkeys flew straight into the ground.
Rick, are you still against a woman’s right to control her body? Are you opposed to gun control even for assault rifles? Are you still enamored of trickledown economics and tax cuts for the wealthy? Are you opposed to same sex marriage? What about the social safety nets, what is your position on those? Do you worry about climate change? Does the war in Ukraine concern you? What do you think of Tubby Tommy’s single-handedly imperiling our military readiness?
Just wondering because it seems like you were pretty much a toe the hard line Republican until trump ran in 2016.
Well I wish you had voted for Clinton in 2016. I wish a lot of people in key states had.
Also, I never expected that Trump was or would revert to pro choice, pro gun control, etc. And he didn’t.
You didn’t really talk about how your perspective has changed in the 7.5 years since you wrote it. That you seem to support Biden is a good sign I assume.
Your comment on Schmidt is right on target. As you probably know, he got a lot of blow back and subscription cancellations because of the Phillips folie a deaux.
I've never agreed w Rick Wilson re policy. Since Reagan the whole idea of trickle down economics, smaller government & conservatism has been a lie as the wealthy grow obscenely wealthy, capitalism has run amuck, the military machine grew ever larger and equitable social values & services always placed last. Yet I wholeheartedly agree that Schmidt's attacks on Biden & attempts to split the party are ill-founded. Being a never Trumper (anti psycopathic criminals in gov) should also mean being proDemocracy /antiFascist. No one fits that bill in the current Republican party. They are long gone. If Schmidt is able to split the Democrat party by attacking Biden & offering the no name, no accomplishment Phillips as a ridiculous poor substitute, he facilitates the destruction of our democracy. Sadly, Schmidt sold out to the dark side. No reasonable Dem should ever fund such a campaign. So who is. Brilliant strategist or not, his candidate won't win, but he could leave the door open for a convicted rapist, convicted fraud, white nationalist, traitor, and purposeful killer of hundreds of thousands during COVID to turn our country into a Putin leaning fascist state.
Courage is lacking in every part of society today (except service members). It’s not courageous to simply decline to run for office again because you know you won’t win. It’s not courageous to say Trump was responsible for 1/6/21 but not vote to impeach him. It’s not courageous to NOT break the law. The threshold has been obliterated. I too don’t understand Steve Schmidt’s move to support a Biden challenger. Hopefully that campaign will go nowhere, but Steve is a brilliant campaign op so it worries me. Thank you, Rick, for risking everything to do the right thing.
I've never agreed w Rick Wilson re policy. Since Reagan the whole idea of trickle doen economics, smaller government & conservatism has been a lie as the wealthy grow obscenely wealthy, capitalism has run amuck, the military machine grew ever larger and equitable social values & services always placed last. Yet I wholeheartedly agree that Schmidt's attacks on Biden & attempts to split the party are ill-founded. Being a never Trumper (anti psycopathic criminals in gov) should also mean being proDemocracy /antiFascist. No one fits that bill in the current Republican party. They are long gone. If Schmidt is able to split the Democrat party by attacking Biden & offering the no name, no accomplishment Phillips as a ridiculous poor substitute, he facilitates the destruction of our democracy. Sadly, Schmidt sold out to the dark side bc no reasonable Dem should ever fund such a campaign. Brilliant strategist or not, his candidate won't win, but he could leave the door open for a convicted rapist, convicted fraud, white nationalist, traitor, and killer of hundreds of thousands to turn our country into a Putin leaning fascist state.
Even as a tree-hugging, bleeding-heart liberal, I couldn't agree more, Rick.
I lived in New York when that strangely-thatched lout began sloping along 5th Avenue. I was equally repulsed and mystified as he and the press began this ritual dance that continues to this day to our collective detriment.
There is a tragic absence of moral courage. Thank you for being a bright light and eloquent voice that is much-needed.
Oh, and please donate to the Internet Archive, as they do good service for donations
Rick, with the Republican Party now dead, esp with a new Preacher of the House that religiously follows Trump, we need to create a New Party, Central Right, Constitutional-istic, Realism Party that offers REAL solutions to REAL Problems. One this IS fiscally Conservative (and not giving rich and ultra rich donors huge tax breaks, because they DO need to contribute to the workings of this nation); Providing for a strong Defensive military that is able to be an outstanding Offensive force to be reckoned with (and also not feeding the Military Industrial Complex to where they need to be building the same weapons for both sides of the possible and active conflicts); One that works for voters rights because every vote counts and an active and informed electorate provides for a healthy democracy; And one that respects everyone's humanity and not needing to be in your doctor's office or your bedroom. A party of Integrity... Can we try to get a new party that is along those lines going, built out of the ashes of the old Republican party and people that have been leaving them for decades now (like myself, I left mid-Reagan, after Iran-Contra). Can we try to get something like that? Let the Trumpist take the sycophants of what is left of the Republican Party, we can make something new for those that are sick of them to go to that ISN'T Democrat?