Special thanks are due to Racket's subscribers and contributors, after the Twitter Files reports win the first Dao Prize, a $100,000 award for "truth-seeking journalism."
Dao Feng He deserves our appreciation for funding this. Next year, the New York Times will receive a Pulitzer Prize for attacking this whole endeavor as right-wing misinformation from Russian bots. Stacey Plaskett will hold a Congressional hearing to investigate this "so-called" award given to "so-called" journalists for uncovering "so-called" censorship.
Yes. The Twitter Files brought more evidence, however folks like Whitney Webb (Unlimited Hangout) & Ryan Cristian (The Last American Vagabond)) were accurately reporting the Covid Event since the BEGINNING. Aaron Mate & Matt both need to apologize sincerely for actively promoting the injection. #NeverForget
Stacey Plaskett has entered the chat….looking back on the history of that little escapade will hopefully draw chuckles and looks of bewilderment. If sanity ever makes a surprise return, big on the if.
We'll be embarrassed to inform our great-grandchildren that we indulged in an extended binge of kakocracy and blame it primarily on social media induced derangement, which most of us didn't know at the time was more dangerous than heroin, and on the general madness evident in all collapsing empires. It'll be fine.
2020: “give everyone heroin & fentanyl and let them burn-loot-murder behind a face mask and watch the the zombies off themselves for sport.”
2050: “this shiny volcanic glass at Grant Ave & Lombard sure looks fun. Our forefathers sure did have their shit together. Perhaps we can kill White Walkers with it. Can anyone remember the formula for cement?”
It's four parts gravel, three parts sand, two parts water, and one part a mysterious alchemical concoction reputed to have been derived from application of fire to a particular stone. But all the physical books about it were burned to prevent white supremacy and nobody can figure out how to get them out of these "computer" things anymore in spite of assurances by our ancestors that they were the best way to keep records.
Indeed. "Piercing the veil" has a critical urgency in these times.
Also, at the risk of being mean to the guy, but there's just something appropriate about a Twitter exec involved in the censoring being named "Nick Pickles".
This is a bit off topic, but whenever possible I try to steer Times ditto heads towards Substack, which as we know is under constant attack. This was actually accepted by Times moderators and can only help all:
“Seymour Hersh has a Substack article in which he claims that U.S. sources told him that Israel's plan is to obliterate Gaza City, and apparently much of northern Gaza, and to force the residents into a giant tent camp across the border in Egypt, with Qatar footing the bill.”
Reply
@John Mitchell
“Thank you for that. A very important article by a very important journalist in an increasingly important platform.”
Yes. A writer should never be ashamed of being paid for their craft. Every professional collects money for their time and expertise. Keep the money, Matt!
Matt & Co. were not paid for what they wrote; it wasn’t an exchange of service for money. This money is an “award” for the recognition of outstanding Investigative Journalism. (The “bad guys” always find a way to pervert the facts.) I think Matt shud use the prize in any way he deems worthwhile. If he donates it, all the more “power to him”!! (He is a decent and principled human being, (a rare breed these days).
Congratulations, Matt. You and the rest earned it. I'm surprised their is a journalism organization out there that is even willing to recognize you and your team's huge contribution.
That’s incredible, and well deserved. It’s heartening to see that an organization like that is paying attention and recognizing/rewarding solid journalism. Congratulations.
Edit: it’s also very refreshing to see kudos aimed at the folks behind the scenes who keep the trains running on schedule and often get little or no credit. Many thanks to all of them as well for helping to keep us informed.
Congratulations to Matt, Michael, and Bari, as well as to all of their support teams!! It took a tremendous amount of courage and commitment to dig so deeply into this story and then to withstand the attacks from all the usual suspects. Racket News, and Michael & Bari's substack accounts are my best investments for 2023 and I thank all of you.
Yeah, despite my Boomer age, I was an early adopter of Indy Media. I was one of the first to subscribe to:
- Michael Tracey
- Breaking Points w/ Krystal & Saagar (I even bought their book)
- Jimmy Dore (Gold Member: $125/year)
I've since cancelled all of them.
- Tracey's Lazy as hell: hardly ever posts. His claim to fame is he's a regular on Glenn's show. Yeah, he's an example of an old school reporter: dumpy/lazy and self-inflated; except they had editors riding them for output.
- BP has become MSNBC lite on Krystal's side and a MIC apologist on Saagar's side
- Jimmy Dore saddens me. He's got an idiot running the show now- Greg Pasta or something- who is sooo shallow and mis-informed I actually cringed a few times watching.
So yeah, Bari's put up a hella website. My $ is going there.
Thank you for this post. I cannot believe the content we get on THIS site. If the only thing this site shared with me this year was The Twitter Files, that would have been enough. Exposing our government overlords is worth the price of admission. Without listing everything, including the MT/WK podcast . . to me this site has made the template for how it can/should be done.
Congratulations, Matt. It's refreshing to see a real journalist get a real award for hardcore investigative journalism instead of a slobbering Mockingbird lapdog getting a payoff for duty served.
I think that I’d enjoy one of Matt Orfalea’s mish-mash videos of the Plaskett/Taibbi affair, the Kamala/Kavanaugh senate/SCOTUS hearings, Biden IRS Whistleblowers being torched for reporting basic facts et al condensed into a 5 minute video. The vitriol and disrespect shown in that so called “sacred chamber” to those and others has been astounding to watch over the past handful of years.
OK, I'm jumping in b/c there's only 24 comments so far and maybe you'll see this...
KEEP THE F'N MONEY MAN
Seriously. Put it in the bank and a huge chunk of the boys' college is taken care of. Or blow it on blow; I don't care.
You mentioned that people accused you of 'monetizing' the TFiles. Well... DUH...
Excuuse me! I thought this was your business. Hear me out:
You went out on your own, leaving the cosseted life of being a fair size wheel at Rolling Stone. Going independent is always frightening. I'm a self pubb'd novelist (who ain't married to a doctor...) so I get the stress. Sure, I'll bet that having a few best sellers under one's belt and a few awards eased some of the stress, but only a liddle bit.
You're as transparent about the product you provide to your consumers as you possibly can be. (I still laff over 'Russia Is NOT Invading Ukraine!')
You provide a fantastic product for a great price. Because of the quality of your product and the great price you've achieved astonishing success.
How about this?
Instead of giving the $ away to some charity, why don't you use it and send a colleague or two out on the campaign trail? I'd LOVE to see Racket's take on this election, and frankly, I'd love some insider skinny on RFK's campaign; I think there are some surprises in that quest.
Again, KEEP THE F'N MONEY! Geez! You earned it!
(Now if you REALLY want to give it away... OK... PM me for my bank details....)
'Instead of giving the $ away to some charity, why don't you use it and send a colleague or two out on the campaign trail? I'd LOVE to see Racket's take on this election, and frankly, I'd love some insider skinny on RFK's campaign; I think there are some surprises in that quest.'
Now look. If the Big Guy gets 10% of everything his son "EARNS" at least take a couple hundred bucks of the prize money, buy some nice prime steaks and a nice bottle of Cab, cook them off on your backyard grill and CELEBRATE with your family!!! You all sacrificed to make the story happen and you should enjoy the moment!
PS: The steak will taste even better when you think how people tried to belittle and harass you for your efforts. ENJOY!!! You, your family and your companions deserve this recognition.
Yes, it shelters income, but then you apparently also have to shelter your dysfunctional adult children who leave cocaine lying around the house and bum rides from you when on business travel.
Not bad for “so called” journalists
Dao Feng He deserves our appreciation for funding this. Next year, the New York Times will receive a Pulitzer Prize for attacking this whole endeavor as right-wing misinformation from Russian bots. Stacey Plaskett will hold a Congressional hearing to investigate this "so-called" award given to "so-called" journalists for uncovering "so-called" censorship.
And let's not slight Debbie Wasserman Schultz. She deserves to be part of that too.
Yes. The Twitter Files brought more evidence, however folks like Whitney Webb (Unlimited Hangout) & Ryan Cristian (The Last American Vagabond)) were accurately reporting the Covid Event since the BEGINNING. Aaron Mate & Matt both need to apologize sincerely for actively promoting the injection. #NeverForget
And yikes. Totally forgot. FAUCI RECEIVED AN ETHICS AWARD
Well her sex tape and Epstein connection haven’t propelled her into the spotlight enough, what’s a carpetbagger to do?
I just threw up a little bit. Did you really have to go there.
Hahaha. She really did have a sex tape scandal.True story, google it there’s articles about it. Of course one wants to see it.🤢🤮
Hahaha
Stacey Plaskett has entered the chat….looking back on the history of that little escapade will hopefully draw chuckles and looks of bewilderment. If sanity ever makes a surprise return, big on the if.
We'll be embarrassed to inform our great-grandchildren that we indulged in an extended binge of kakocracy and blame it primarily on social media induced derangement, which most of us didn't know at the time was more dangerous than heroin, and on the general madness evident in all collapsing empires. It'll be fine.
2020: “give everyone heroin & fentanyl and let them burn-loot-murder behind a face mask and watch the the zombies off themselves for sport.”
2050: “this shiny volcanic glass at Grant Ave & Lombard sure looks fun. Our forefathers sure did have their shit together. Perhaps we can kill White Walkers with it. Can anyone remember the formula for cement?”
It's four parts gravel, three parts sand, two parts water, and one part a mysterious alchemical concoction reputed to have been derived from application of fire to a particular stone. But all the physical books about it were burned to prevent white supremacy and nobody can figure out how to get them out of these "computer" things anymore in spite of assurances by our ancestors that they were the best way to keep records.
I thought it was oatmeal and milk as per P. J. O’Rourkes comments on Soviet architecture in his wonderful Hollidays In Hell.
👏🏽🙌🏽
I’m coining it:
She’s a real PLASKETT CASE!
Oh PLEASE let the "So Called Representative" Stacey Plaskett enter the chat!!!!
Indeed. "Piercing the veil" has a critical urgency in these times.
Also, at the risk of being mean to the guy, but there's just something appropriate about a Twitter exec involved in the censoring being named "Nick Pickles".
Actually, sounds more like the name of a NASCAR driver.
Dick Trickle’s Nick Pickles. Nah, I’ll take Don Rickles.
You guys better stop before I piss my pants
Could be a children’s rhyme:
Nick Pickles picked a peck of pickled peppers
I think if it were Pick Nickles that would be wonderful.
Crying over here!
And he kept his composure. On a bad day I might've leapt across the table and bit her face off.
I just laughed out loud, thanks man!!
SO well deserved🥰 Congratulations to you, Weiss and Shellenberger
And Fang
there were a number whom Matt acknowledged @ the award ceremony.
And Nick Pickles.
This is a bit off topic, but whenever possible I try to steer Times ditto heads towards Substack, which as we know is under constant attack. This was actually accepted by Times moderators and can only help all:
“Seymour Hersh has a Substack article in which he claims that U.S. sources told him that Israel's plan is to obliterate Gaza City, and apparently much of northern Gaza, and to force the residents into a giant tent camp across the border in Egypt, with Qatar footing the bill.”
Reply
@John Mitchell
“Thank you for that. A very important article by a very important journalist in an increasingly important platform.”
I meanwhile try to steer WAPO readers towards substack. Amazingly my posts are still there!
Though it may seem trivial, I think once Substack and Rumble reach critical mass, people like Klobuchar will have no traction. Avanti!
I wonder!
Keep the money, Matt, you've earned it!
Yes. A writer should never be ashamed of being paid for their craft. Every professional collects money for their time and expertise. Keep the money, Matt!
Matt & Co. were not paid for what they wrote; it wasn’t an exchange of service for money. This money is an “award” for the recognition of outstanding Investigative Journalism. (The “bad guys” always find a way to pervert the facts.) I think Matt shud use the prize in any way he deems worthwhile. If he donates it, all the more “power to him”!! (He is a decent and principled human being, (a rare breed these days).
Matt should save the award for future legal fees, when Democratic prosecutors accuse him of—something.
Matt does great work, wins a prize and plans to donate some of the cash. Obama does nothing, wins a prize and pockets the cash. Makes you wonder.
You deserve a million for that story.
I agree! It's YOUR award. F those idiots who "accuse you of monetizing!"
And agree entirely. Nothing wrong with gaining some reward for a job well done.
Matt - if you do not keep the money then you should give it to the ancillary people who helped you so much (and NOT some goody-goody charity!).
Congratulations, Matt. You and the rest earned it. I'm surprised their is a journalism organization out there that is even willing to recognize you and your team's huge contribution.
Keep it up. We're all behind you.
National Press Club! Maybe there is still a smidgeon of integrity left in the journalism profession.
Ha! More like the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. "If there are still 15 real journalists . . ."
That’s incredible, and well deserved. It’s heartening to see that an organization like that is paying attention and recognizing/rewarding solid journalism. Congratulations.
Edit: it’s also very refreshing to see kudos aimed at the folks behind the scenes who keep the trains running on schedule and often get little or no credit. Many thanks to all of them as well for helping to keep us informed.
Nothing wrong with getting paid for the FANTASTIC job you did!!!! Keep the money and keep going.
Congratulations to Matt, Michael, and Bari, as well as to all of their support teams!! It took a tremendous amount of courage and commitment to dig so deeply into this story and then to withstand the attacks from all the usual suspects. Racket News, and Michael & Bari's substack accounts are my best investments for 2023 and I thank all of you.
Yeah, despite my Boomer age, I was an early adopter of Indy Media. I was one of the first to subscribe to:
- Michael Tracey
- Breaking Points w/ Krystal & Saagar (I even bought their book)
- Jimmy Dore (Gold Member: $125/year)
I've since cancelled all of them.
- Tracey's Lazy as hell: hardly ever posts. His claim to fame is he's a regular on Glenn's show. Yeah, he's an example of an old school reporter: dumpy/lazy and self-inflated; except they had editors riding them for output.
- BP has become MSNBC lite on Krystal's side and a MIC apologist on Saagar's side
- Jimmy Dore saddens me. He's got an idiot running the show now- Greg Pasta or something- who is sooo shallow and mis-informed I actually cringed a few times watching.
So yeah, Bari's put up a hella website. My $ is going there.
Thank you for this post. I cannot believe the content we get on THIS site. If the only thing this site shared with me this year was The Twitter Files, that would have been enough. Exposing our government overlords is worth the price of admission. Without listing everything, including the MT/WK podcast . . to me this site has made the template for how it can/should be done.
Mine, too.
Congratulations, Matt. It's refreshing to see a real journalist get a real award for hardcore investigative journalism instead of a slobbering Mockingbird lapdog getting a payoff for duty served.
"a slobbering Mockingbird lapdog getting a payoff for duty served" - Most excellent!
Waitaminit…. Someone is named Nick Pickles? …and they aren’t a shortstop or a bank robber from the 1930s?
Damon Runyon character!
Wait 'til you hear about Elvis Chan.
Stacey Plaskett... BITE ME.. WELL DONE TEAM...
I think that I’d enjoy one of Matt Orfalea’s mish-mash videos of the Plaskett/Taibbi affair, the Kamala/Kavanaugh senate/SCOTUS hearings, Biden IRS Whistleblowers being torched for reporting basic facts et al condensed into a 5 minute video. The vitriol and disrespect shown in that so called “sacred chamber” to those and others has been astounding to watch over the past handful of years.
I was going to say "barf out" , or "gag me with a spoon"! ;-)
Best comment so far
OK, I'm jumping in b/c there's only 24 comments so far and maybe you'll see this...
KEEP THE F'N MONEY MAN
Seriously. Put it in the bank and a huge chunk of the boys' college is taken care of. Or blow it on blow; I don't care.
You mentioned that people accused you of 'monetizing' the TFiles. Well... DUH...
Excuuse me! I thought this was your business. Hear me out:
You went out on your own, leaving the cosseted life of being a fair size wheel at Rolling Stone. Going independent is always frightening. I'm a self pubb'd novelist (who ain't married to a doctor...) so I get the stress. Sure, I'll bet that having a few best sellers under one's belt and a few awards eased some of the stress, but only a liddle bit.
You're as transparent about the product you provide to your consumers as you possibly can be. (I still laff over 'Russia Is NOT Invading Ukraine!')
You provide a fantastic product for a great price. Because of the quality of your product and the great price you've achieved astonishing success.
How about this?
Instead of giving the $ away to some charity, why don't you use it and send a colleague or two out on the campaign trail? I'd LOVE to see Racket's take on this election, and frankly, I'd love some insider skinny on RFK's campaign; I think there are some surprises in that quest.
Again, KEEP THE F'N MONEY! Geez! You earned it!
(Now if you REALLY want to give it away... OK... PM me for my bank details....)
'....monetizing the TFiles...' reminds me of the scene in The Big Short where the ratings woman at S&P calls Steve Eisman a hypocrite
'Instead of giving the $ away to some charity, why don't you use it and send a colleague or two out on the campaign trail? I'd LOVE to see Racket's take on this election, and frankly, I'd love some insider skinny on RFK's campaign; I think there are some surprises in that quest.'
I like that idea.
Matt, et al - KUDOS!!!!!! Well DONE!!!!
Now look. If the Big Guy gets 10% of everything his son "EARNS" at least take a couple hundred bucks of the prize money, buy some nice prime steaks and a nice bottle of Cab, cook them off on your backyard grill and CELEBRATE with your family!!! You all sacrificed to make the story happen and you should enjoy the moment!
PS: The steak will taste even better when you think how people tried to belittle and harass you for your efforts. ENJOY!!! You, your family and your companions deserve this recognition.
Meanwhile, Stacey Plaskett, how's that crow taste?
Congratulations and well-deserved. Fingers crossed for a Pulitzer. :)
Ever since the NY Times got one for their Russiagate reporting, I see it as a strike against the author v a feather in a cap.
Kind of like someone getting the Nobel Peace Prize and joining that esteemed club of peacemakers like Barack Obama and Henry Kissinger.
Don't forget their Pulitzer for Walter Durante's reporting.
Oops... IDK the topic. Moseying off to Google now... :)
Congratulations! Sadly this will get ZERO coverage in the corporate media
I fear you're correct.
Congratulations to the three of you. You did a kick ass job .
May legacy media keep screwing themselves and their future in the most distasteful ways imaginable 🙏🏽
Congratulations! Just remember Matt to declare the $100K as income: I read somewhere the IRS can be persnickety sometimes...
No, write it's a loan. I hear this works to shelter income.
Yes, it shelters income, but then you apparently also have to shelter your dysfunctional adult children who leave cocaine lying around the house and bum rides from you when on business travel.
Small price to pay for all the sheltered income.