Fox Loses More than Money, Pillow Guy Loses $5 Million and His Mind, 3 Insane Shootings, Cops Want to Lynch Blacks, GOP Pol Okays 12-Year-Olds to Marry, Bob Lee Stabbing Propaganda, Ahmad Jamal Plays
Fox Loses More than Money, Pillow Guy Loses $5 Million and His Mind, 3 Insane Shootings, Cops Want to Lynch Blacks, GOP Pol Okays 12-Year-Olds to Marry, Bob Lee Stabbing Propaganda, Ahmad Jamal Plays
kareem.substack.com
My take on news, pop culture, sports, and whatever else interests me.
...much needed videos--a monkey saving a kitten warms the heart & soothing music from a master!! You’re right, it may not make the craziness go away, but it sure does help us endure through the madness & chaos!!
As always, THANK YOU for your wisdom, decency & humanity!!
Dear Kareem, I’m overwhelmed with admiration at the range of your deeply researched commentary and also your terrific passionate artistic writing, including the humor and great turns of phrase. I laughed out loud at your remarks on Fox’s statement about adhering to the highest standards. Truth said. Their demonic arrogance is a comment to make one retch!! As was the sell out settlement. You were the best on reporting on it with your annotations. What a terrible disappointment, with Fox able to disappear the news on their sick station. Thank you for your service to us. And the backstory of what energy and research it takes to provide. You have been a celebrity of course and as well a hero now of American resistance to lies and misinformation, a champion of civil rights.
Kareem, your writing is absolutely fabulous (raised as a child in England may I say AbFab?). Anyway, as a dedicated New Yorker consumer and English major in college, I live for the written word. You have mastered it. And the breadth of your interests keeps me on my toes. Music and monkeys made my day. Many thanks as always.
As I will continue to repeat, KAJ for IU.S. Senator. Diane Feinstein, it is (past) time for you to retire, and you would a have a unique and eminent successor.
Your citation of Gerard Ford in the discussion of the Fox News settlement was interesting. When the pardon happened, I was angry as I wanted Richard Nixon brought to full account. But as years have passed, there have been other perspectives. As you may know, Ford was awarded the “Profiles in Courage” award by the Kennedy Presidential Library. At the event, Senator Kennedy said this: --
In his book, President Kennedy told the stories of courageous political leaders who faced crucial decisions and made them under great pressure, and often at great risk to their own careers. I believe my brother would be especially pleased with our winners this year. He would feel that their stories of courage would have made outstanding new chapters in his book.
At a time of national turmoil, America was fortunate that it was Gerald Ford who took the helm of the storm-tossed ship of state. Unlike many of us at the time, President Ford recognized that the nation had to move forward, and could not do so if there was a continuing effort to prosecute former President Nixon. So President Ford made a courageous decision, one that historians now say cost him his office, and he pardoned Richard Nixon.
I was one of those who spoke out against his action then. But time has a way of clarifying past events, and now we see that President Ford was right. His courage and dedication to our country made it possible for us to begin the process of healing and put the tragedy of Watergate behind us. He eminently deserves this award, and we are proud of his achievement.
---
I don’t think Kennedy was wrong. But I still want Fox News, Murdoch, Carlson and all the rest held to account annd acknowledge their lies.
I love the Ahmad Jamal performance. It was so joyful. I was smiling from beginning to end. Thank you! I’ve been listening to him for years, but never before saw him perform. Another reminder to me that music is also visual.
This week in shooting American people: American men have become unhinged by fear and anger. Is this the fault or the media, social sites like Nextdoor and FB, politics, podcasts like Joe Rogan, toxic masculinity, a reckoning of women's and minority rights? It's a problem America needs to unpack and address.
Not that I needed to in order to see the similarities between the rise of Trump and 1930s Germany, but I’m watching the NatGeo series “Hitler: The Lost Tapes of the Third Reich” and finding little comfort in doing so. The similarities run far deeper than even I had imagined…and I’ve been preaching it since 2015.
Great letter, as usual. We all know Kareem as an excellent writer and thoughtful observer of the human condition. Since it is once again time for the NBA playoffs, I want to remind everybody that Kareem was also the greatest basketball player who ever lived. We can debate this among Kareem, MJ, Lebron, Wilt, Bill Russell; Kareem is definitely in this conversation (just ask Bill Walton). I watched him play in person numerous times in the 1960s and early 1970s. This video is Exhibit A.
After hearing the Fox News-Dominion news, I was curious to read what the take was on the Fox News web site. They had an article buried way way down on their main page, and the article itself is a one-minute read and is some of the funniest spin you'll come across. It's almost as if they won.
In regards to gun violence, this year, I unfortunately witnessed a murder in public. I saw two men struggling on the ground. I went to get a security officer, and the moment I turned around (I was about 20 feet away) a gunshot went off.
One man lay on the ground lifeless, the other got up and ran out of the front door as the entire place devolved in the pandemonium. Everyone assumed the man who ran out was the person who brought a gun to this Dave & Buster’s restaurant, and killed the other man.
Overtime, we learned the truth. The person who was lifeless on the ground, the father who had brought his kids and wife to the restaurant for fun, he was the one who brought the gun.
Guns are killing machines. You may know how to shoot one, but there’s a good chance you don’t know how to fight. And if you don’t know how to fight then the gun may get taken away from you and you will die from it.
Even though my story is anecdotal, I encourage people to look up the data on owning a gun. It is far more likely that someone you know will die from that gun you own, not some stranger, trying to break into your house.
Overall, worldwide, and in the United States, crime has been going down since 1993. So why are we so scared now - all the time?
The masses are asses - the proof is in the modern-day "Emperor Has No Clothes" that permits Trump and the like to continue to inflict abusive and asinine procedures, policies, rhetoric or whatever you choose to put after "abusive and asinine".
As for Mayor McCheese (Trump) and Ronald McDisney (DeSantis), it's going to be fun to watch the two of them gore each other on the way to a bitter end. Maybe Trump will choose Lindell as his VP candidate? Ever notice that his TV ad for his bed linens show him bragging about the quality of the fabric - then there's a map displayed, clearly showing Egypt, but Fraudulent Freddie fails to state the Egypt aspect - rather referencing the region instead.
Fox - you can't lose what you never had. Integrity, honesty, truth in broadcast? Those virtues are for OTHER networks..."we're Fox."
Throughout history we've had "ages" - the paleolithic, neolithic, so-called "Dark Ages", and now "The Dumb Ages" - the masses are indeed asses. Peace and Serenity to All
Great commentary this week Kareem! You hit the nail on the head with everything. I didn't even know that the police made Ralph Yarl put his hands up on his head as he is bleeding out, even though he was the one that was the victim. Thank goodness it ended up being national news and the community was galvanized to stand up for him, because it seemed like the police and DA were originally going to let the shooter off the hook. Absolutely bonkers and it goes to show how we have to continue to fight for justice, because those in power or elected positions won't go out of their way to help us.
On a separate note, I'm surprised by the amount of Republicans that seem to be doubling down on Trump and the hateful, unreasonable and illogical rhetoric of the GOP. I get that Trump is basically a grievance vote for a lot of people, but they have no popular policy positions and keep doubling down on stupid. I don't see how this ends well, I think their bench is full of extremists now as is their party. The inmates officially run the GOP now.
The only thing FOX cares about is making money. They recognized they could make lots by catering to a specific clientele. I suggest law suits will force FOX to modify their message because it hits their bottom line.
FOX claims they are only reporting what their audience wants to hear but wiser people know they are developing the audience to make money not for an altruistic reason. If a modified message makes some of their audience modify their mind set to be more open to other viewpoints, then that’s a win from my POV. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to the bottom line.
...much needed videos--a monkey saving a kitten warms the heart & soothing music from a master!! You’re right, it may not make the craziness go away, but it sure does help us endure through the madness & chaos!!
As always, THANK YOU for your wisdom, decency & humanity!!
Dear Kareem, I’m overwhelmed with admiration at the range of your deeply researched commentary and also your terrific passionate artistic writing, including the humor and great turns of phrase. I laughed out loud at your remarks on Fox’s statement about adhering to the highest standards. Truth said. Their demonic arrogance is a comment to make one retch!! As was the sell out settlement. You were the best on reporting on it with your annotations. What a terrible disappointment, with Fox able to disappear the news on their sick station. Thank you for your service to us. And the backstory of what energy and research it takes to provide. You have been a celebrity of course and as well a hero now of American resistance to lies and misinformation, a champion of civil rights.
Kareem, your writing is absolutely fabulous (raised as a child in England may I say AbFab?). Anyway, as a dedicated New Yorker consumer and English major in college, I live for the written word. You have mastered it. And the breadth of your interests keeps me on my toes. Music and monkeys made my day. Many thanks as always.
As I will continue to repeat, KAJ for IU.S. Senator. Diane Feinstein, it is (past) time for you to retire, and you would a have a unique and eminent successor.
"An empty pillowcase." Love it!!!!!
Your citation of Gerard Ford in the discussion of the Fox News settlement was interesting. When the pardon happened, I was angry as I wanted Richard Nixon brought to full account. But as years have passed, there have been other perspectives. As you may know, Ford was awarded the “Profiles in Courage” award by the Kennedy Presidential Library. At the event, Senator Kennedy said this: --
In his book, President Kennedy told the stories of courageous political leaders who faced crucial decisions and made them under great pressure, and often at great risk to their own careers. I believe my brother would be especially pleased with our winners this year. He would feel that their stories of courage would have made outstanding new chapters in his book.
At a time of national turmoil, America was fortunate that it was Gerald Ford who took the helm of the storm-tossed ship of state. Unlike many of us at the time, President Ford recognized that the nation had to move forward, and could not do so if there was a continuing effort to prosecute former President Nixon. So President Ford made a courageous decision, one that historians now say cost him his office, and he pardoned Richard Nixon.
I was one of those who spoke out against his action then. But time has a way of clarifying past events, and now we see that President Ford was right. His courage and dedication to our country made it possible for us to begin the process of healing and put the tragedy of Watergate behind us. He eminently deserves this award, and we are proud of his achievement.
---
I don’t think Kennedy was wrong. But I still want Fox News, Murdoch, Carlson and all the rest held to account annd acknowledge their lies.
The only silver lining to the Dominion settlement is that it has hardened Symantic’s resolve to go to trial and not accept a settlement.
I love the Ahmad Jamal performance. It was so joyful. I was smiling from beginning to end. Thank you! I’ve been listening to him for years, but never before saw him perform. Another reminder to me that music is also visual.
This week in shooting American people: American men have become unhinged by fear and anger. Is this the fault or the media, social sites like Nextdoor and FB, politics, podcasts like Joe Rogan, toxic masculinity, a reckoning of women's and minority rights? It's a problem America needs to unpack and address.
Not that I needed to in order to see the similarities between the rise of Trump and 1930s Germany, but I’m watching the NatGeo series “Hitler: The Lost Tapes of the Third Reich” and finding little comfort in doing so. The similarities run far deeper than even I had imagined…and I’ve been preaching it since 2015.
Great letter, as usual. We all know Kareem as an excellent writer and thoughtful observer of the human condition. Since it is once again time for the NBA playoffs, I want to remind everybody that Kareem was also the greatest basketball player who ever lived. We can debate this among Kareem, MJ, Lebron, Wilt, Bill Russell; Kareem is definitely in this conversation (just ask Bill Walton). I watched him play in person numerous times in the 1960s and early 1970s. This video is Exhibit A.
https://youtu.be/6dCR8B0SFp4
After hearing the Fox News-Dominion news, I was curious to read what the take was on the Fox News web site. They had an article buried way way down on their main page, and the article itself is a one-minute read and is some of the funniest spin you'll come across. It's almost as if they won.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/fox-news-media-dominion-voting-systems-reach-agreement-over-defamation-lawsuit
In regards to gun violence, this year, I unfortunately witnessed a murder in public. I saw two men struggling on the ground. I went to get a security officer, and the moment I turned around (I was about 20 feet away) a gunshot went off.
One man lay on the ground lifeless, the other got up and ran out of the front door as the entire place devolved in the pandemonium. Everyone assumed the man who ran out was the person who brought a gun to this Dave & Buster’s restaurant, and killed the other man.
Overtime, we learned the truth. The person who was lifeless on the ground, the father who had brought his kids and wife to the restaurant for fun, he was the one who brought the gun.
Guns are killing machines. You may know how to shoot one, but there’s a good chance you don’t know how to fight. And if you don’t know how to fight then the gun may get taken away from you and you will die from it.
Even though my story is anecdotal, I encourage people to look up the data on owning a gun. It is far more likely that someone you know will die from that gun you own, not some stranger, trying to break into your house.
Overall, worldwide, and in the United States, crime has been going down since 1993. So why are we so scared now - all the time?
Thanks again, Kareem.
The masses are asses - the proof is in the modern-day "Emperor Has No Clothes" that permits Trump and the like to continue to inflict abusive and asinine procedures, policies, rhetoric or whatever you choose to put after "abusive and asinine".
As for Mayor McCheese (Trump) and Ronald McDisney (DeSantis), it's going to be fun to watch the two of them gore each other on the way to a bitter end. Maybe Trump will choose Lindell as his VP candidate? Ever notice that his TV ad for his bed linens show him bragging about the quality of the fabric - then there's a map displayed, clearly showing Egypt, but Fraudulent Freddie fails to state the Egypt aspect - rather referencing the region instead.
Fox - you can't lose what you never had. Integrity, honesty, truth in broadcast? Those virtues are for OTHER networks..."we're Fox."
Throughout history we've had "ages" - the paleolithic, neolithic, so-called "Dark Ages", and now "The Dumb Ages" - the masses are indeed asses. Peace and Serenity to All
Great commentary this week Kareem! You hit the nail on the head with everything. I didn't even know that the police made Ralph Yarl put his hands up on his head as he is bleeding out, even though he was the one that was the victim. Thank goodness it ended up being national news and the community was galvanized to stand up for him, because it seemed like the police and DA were originally going to let the shooter off the hook. Absolutely bonkers and it goes to show how we have to continue to fight for justice, because those in power or elected positions won't go out of their way to help us.
On a separate note, I'm surprised by the amount of Republicans that seem to be doubling down on Trump and the hateful, unreasonable and illogical rhetoric of the GOP. I get that Trump is basically a grievance vote for a lot of people, but they have no popular policy positions and keep doubling down on stupid. I don't see how this ends well, I think their bench is full of extremists now as is their party. The inmates officially run the GOP now.
The only thing FOX cares about is making money. They recognized they could make lots by catering to a specific clientele. I suggest law suits will force FOX to modify their message because it hits their bottom line.
FOX claims they are only reporting what their audience wants to hear but wiser people know they are developing the audience to make money not for an altruistic reason. If a modified message makes some of their audience modify their mind set to be more open to other viewpoints, then that’s a win from my POV. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to the bottom line.