You should win a Pulitzer for this series. I didn't mind waiting whatsoever. And it was a nice surprise to learn the final two articles are coming out today. Merry Christmas!
I completely agree; the wait has not a big deal and I greatly appreciate Matt's reporting on the matter. It is super interesting to see a detailed case study of the new physics of the American culture.
I am 100% onboard here. I literally said this very thing to my wife just yesterday. Soberingly enough I also had to add that I didn’t see it happening because of the way the media milieu is.
Also, I’ve been quite pleased with the pace of the releasing of articles. Maybe it’s just me, but I thought the rhythm was just right.
No, they award the Pulitzer these days for entirely fabricated stories implying that the President of the United States is on Putin's payroll. Someone should fund an alternative award for truly independent, reliable, and brave journalism. We could call it "the Taibbi."
I thought the series has been fascinating. You seem to be apologizing for something but idk what exactly. And breaking it into 4 parts was fine by me, avoided me spending an entire afternoon reading it all at once.
Just for one person's opinion, I strongly feel that if you are compelled to a deep dive, multi-part piece about a particular subject, you should do it. Especially when there is an angle not being covered by the traditional media. TK News is what journalism used to be, at least ideally. And that means that sometimes you have to go deep to really understand what's really going on. I will continue to support you fully and completely.
Don’t change a thing IMHO. I subscribed Specifically for the long form pieces. The Loudoun articles have been Highly anticipated “pour me a fresh cup of coffee and settle in” reads.
Been a fan of your work since before the financial crisis. The way you took deep dives into Greece, Goldman Sachs, and all the other countries/players was phenomenal. Really glad to support your new book, which (Not surprisingly) will probably expose many of the same crooked players…
Thanks, Matt, from a longtime "conservative" (whatever that means these days). Your commitment to the integrity of reporting is a beacon of hope in the fog of narcissism, nihilism, and stupidity that passes for major media these days. All the best to you and yours as the year ends and the next adventure begins . . .
And pirated them! Here is a great article: Hudon, Edward G. “Literary Piracy, Charles Dickens and the American Copyright Law.” American Bar Association Journal, vol. 50, no. 12, American Bar Association, 1964, pp. 1157–60.
The wait is always worth it. You are a phenomenal journalist and this is what we signed up for. All the best to you and your family in this holiday season.
Also, one of the best things about this series was the actual reporting: going to interview people, FOIA requests, etc. That shouldn't be rushed in the interest of speed. There's too much of that already. If anything, I'd prefer more in depth reporting pieces like this. The speed was perfectly fine, given the election only happened less than two months ago.
Living in N. Virginia and reading the Post I found your Loudoun articles a sad confirmation of what we are living through. I did not have trouble with the four parts. It was too much for one article. In fact, like some others, its the "long form" reporting that drew me to you and this site.
For my work on World War II books I have been reading the New York Times day by day through the war. It is great to see the war as it was reported day by day nationally and internationally. It is a great cure for accepting later narratives as "the way things were." Not that everything was correct or that the Times did not have viewpoint. But they played news pretty straight and were very clear about what was opinion. The contrast between what journalism was then and now is stunning when you go from that to recent reporting.
Meanwhile, best wishes for the holiday and the New Year.
I really enjoyed the four parts. Reminded me of younger days when you actually had to wait for some things. Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday Season.
I trust whatever direction you go in and have for decades now. I’m one of the faithful readers from the Rolling Stone days. Investigative journalism has practically disappeared. Without it, we can’t be free. So we all raise our glasses to you Matt, a Freedom Fighter who is also an old school gentleman with an acid wit.
My husband, a VN veteran, watched Imus and always called me into the room when Matt was on. I dropped my sub to RS when Matt was no longer there as he was the reason to subscribe.
You should win a Pulitzer for this series. I didn't mind waiting whatsoever. And it was a nice surprise to learn the final two articles are coming out today. Merry Christmas!
Agree! I actually loved it in four parts, I was excited for the next one to come out each time. Thanks Matt!!
I completely agree; the wait has not a big deal and I greatly appreciate Matt's reporting on the matter. It is super interesting to see a detailed case study of the new physics of the American culture.
I am 100% onboard here. I literally said this very thing to my wife just yesterday. Soberingly enough I also had to add that I didn’t see it happening because of the way the media milieu is.
Also, I’ve been quite pleased with the pace of the releasing of articles. Maybe it’s just me, but I thought the rhythm was just right.
No, they award the Pulitzer these days for entirely fabricated stories implying that the President of the United States is on Putin's payroll. Someone should fund an alternative award for truly independent, reliable, and brave journalism. We could call it "the Taibbi."
We're with you for the long haul.
I thought the series has been fascinating. You seem to be apologizing for something but idk what exactly. And breaking it into 4 parts was fine by me, avoided me spending an entire afternoon reading it all at once.
Just for one person's opinion, I strongly feel that if you are compelled to a deep dive, multi-part piece about a particular subject, you should do it. Especially when there is an angle not being covered by the traditional media. TK News is what journalism used to be, at least ideally. And that means that sometimes you have to go deep to really understand what's really going on. I will continue to support you fully and completely.
Yes!
Loved the Loudoun County pieces. The detail and analysis was great. I don’t mind the separate installments either. Have a wonderful Christmas holiday!
Don’t change a thing IMHO. I subscribed Specifically for the long form pieces. The Loudoun articles have been Highly anticipated “pour me a fresh cup of coffee and settle in” reads.
Been a fan of your work since before the financial crisis. The way you took deep dives into Greece, Goldman Sachs, and all the other countries/players was phenomenal. Really glad to support your new book, which (Not surprisingly) will probably expose many of the same crooked players…
Thanks, Matt, from a longtime "conservative" (whatever that means these days). Your commitment to the integrity of reporting is a beacon of hope in the fog of narcissism, nihilism, and stupidity that passes for major media these days. All the best to you and yours as the year ends and the next adventure begins . . .
If Matt Taibbi believes something warrants four installments, I will read every word of it.
No problem with the installments, Matt! This is where we have to turn for this kind of reporting.
For real. I like installments. It's positively 19th century.
Remember--Crime and Punishment was published as installments.
Dune was.
I loved Analog. Those covers.
That work and many others ... I was thinking of how people in NYC waited on the dock for the latest from Dickens. So romantic.
And pirated them! Here is a great article: Hudon, Edward G. “Literary Piracy, Charles Dickens and the American Copyright Law.” American Bar Association Journal, vol. 50, no. 12, American Bar Association, 1964, pp. 1157–60.
As was David Copperfield.
So Matt is following a long tradition.
He should start the titles of the pieces: “Part the Second, in Which….”
The wait is always worth it. You are a phenomenal journalist and this is what we signed up for. All the best to you and your family in this holiday season.
Feel free to “get carried away” all you want Matt, that’s what we signed up for!
Also, one of the best things about this series was the actual reporting: going to interview people, FOIA requests, etc. That shouldn't be rushed in the interest of speed. There's too much of that already. If anything, I'd prefer more in depth reporting pieces like this. The speed was perfectly fine, given the election only happened less than two months ago.
Living in N. Virginia and reading the Post I found your Loudoun articles a sad confirmation of what we are living through. I did not have trouble with the four parts. It was too much for one article. In fact, like some others, its the "long form" reporting that drew me to you and this site.
For my work on World War II books I have been reading the New York Times day by day through the war. It is great to see the war as it was reported day by day nationally and internationally. It is a great cure for accepting later narratives as "the way things were." Not that everything was correct or that the Times did not have viewpoint. But they played news pretty straight and were very clear about what was opinion. The contrast between what journalism was then and now is stunning when you go from that to recent reporting.
Meanwhile, best wishes for the holiday and the New Year.
Long pieces, short pieces, installments - it’s all good!
Irregular schedule is fine too. Don’t fall into the columnist’s trap of writing crap just to meet deadline.
Write when you got something to say, when it’s ready, in whatever form fits best. That’s the beauty of Substack!
Keep up the great work!
I really enjoyed the four parts. Reminded me of younger days when you actually had to wait for some things. Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday Season.
I trust whatever direction you go in and have for decades now. I’m one of the faithful readers from the Rolling Stone days. Investigative journalism has practically disappeared. Without it, we can’t be free. So we all raise our glasses to you Matt, a Freedom Fighter who is also an old school gentleman with an acid wit.
My husband, a VN veteran, watched Imus and always called me into the room when Matt was on. I dropped my sub to RS when Matt was no longer there as he was the reason to subscribe.