Love you and your work, Matt—twenty years running. But now of all times, you don’t get to pull the whole “bemused and somewhat concerned observer above the fray,” another of those “cringy” op-ed tropes you cataloged.
Sure, when it comes to the Maté-Dore-The Young F*cks matter, there are personal beefs at play. But Dore’s doing something …
Love you and your work, Matt—twenty years running. But now of all times, you don’t get to pull the whole “bemused and somewhat concerned observer above the fray,” another of those “cringy” op-ed tropes you cataloged.
Sure, when it comes to the Maté-Dore-The Young F*cks matter, there are personal beefs at play. But Dore’s doing something long overdue when it comes to the whole left-liberal “progressive movement” that’s been ascendant over the last decade or so. Now that it’s pretty much run its course and self-liquidated, both unwittingly and wittingly bolstering neoliberal and Democratic Party power, there are some (from left libertarians to social democrats to orthodox Marxists) who think it’s important to at least call out the opportunists and fight The New New Left (DNC-sanctioned/subservient) from the left.
That’s what Dore’s doing—been doing since he saw the writing on the wall at least as far back as 2016 and certainly during the BlueAnon Russiagate conspiracy. And you’ve indicated elsewhere that this thing between Maté, Dore, and The Young F*cks isn’t just some internecine “spat.” It’s a symptom of something much bigger, more significant. The people who frame it as a mere “spat” are the same sort who come at you with “what happened to you man” on Twitwit.
This is definitely a time to take sides and duke it out—making it clear who’s got whose backs, making it clear who’s cashing in by running interference for the ultra-powerful few by selling out the majority of everyday people. Dore’s one of the few high-profile lefties doing it.
Recently one of the best Dore's best lines was this nugget: "Joe Biden, whenever he goes off script, he immediately goes to being a pedophile or a racist."
It’s a different battle, but there’s a similar dynamic to the TYT vs. Mate/Dore fight; principled journalists are attacked for, well, being principled journalists.
A long time ago I patiently explained to a friend that when they scream "hypocrisy" the real point of attack is not that a principle or standard was breached, but that someone has the temerity to have principles and standards.
Thanks for citing the Jonathon Cook piece, and I concur with Ben's succinct comment. I was particularly impressed with Cook's cogent take in saying:
"Robinson implies that Greenwald has been embittered by these experiences, and is petulantly hitting back against the “liberal” establishment without regard to the consequences. But a fairer reading would be that Greenwald is fighting against knee-jerk, authoritarian instincts wherever they are found in our societies – on the right, the centre and the left."
Thank you both for contributing some calm and thoughtful reasoning to what hopefully continues to be a "cautiously optimistic" weekend.
Love you and your work, Matt—twenty years running. But now of all times, you don’t get to pull the whole “bemused and somewhat concerned observer above the fray,” another of those “cringy” op-ed tropes you cataloged.
Sure, when it comes to the Maté-Dore-The Young F*cks matter, there are personal beefs at play. But Dore’s doing something long overdue when it comes to the whole left-liberal “progressive movement” that’s been ascendant over the last decade or so. Now that it’s pretty much run its course and self-liquidated, both unwittingly and wittingly bolstering neoliberal and Democratic Party power, there are some (from left libertarians to social democrats to orthodox Marxists) who think it’s important to at least call out the opportunists and fight The New New Left (DNC-sanctioned/subservient) from the left.
That’s what Dore’s doing—been doing since he saw the writing on the wall at least as far back as 2016 and certainly during the BlueAnon Russiagate conspiracy. And you’ve indicated elsewhere that this thing between Maté, Dore, and The Young F*cks isn’t just some internecine “spat.” It’s a symptom of something much bigger, more significant. The people who frame it as a mere “spat” are the same sort who come at you with “what happened to you man” on Twitwit.
This is definitely a time to take sides and duke it out—making it clear who’s got whose backs, making it clear who’s cashing in by running interference for the ultra-powerful few by selling out the majority of everyday people. Dore’s one of the few high-profile lefties doing it.
You have been, too.
Recently one of the best Dore's best lines was this nugget: "Joe Biden, whenever he goes off script, he immediately goes to being a pedophile or a racist."
Geez I really have to start proofing before I hit "post." I type like my fingers are having a seizure. Bad fingers. Very bad fingers.
I am on Jimmy’s side.
So really, who gives a shit about some hacks who make a living ranting like cunts on YouTube or something>?
I think this piece lays it out pretty well. https://www.jonathan-cook.net/blog/2021-06-22/greenwald-trump-happened/
It’s a different battle, but there’s a similar dynamic to the TYT vs. Mate/Dore fight; principled journalists are attacked for, well, being principled journalists.
A long time ago I patiently explained to a friend that when they scream "hypocrisy" the real point of attack is not that a principle or standard was breached, but that someone has the temerity to have principles and standards.
Re: NatteringNabob9
Thanks for citing the Jonathon Cook piece, and I concur with Ben's succinct comment. I was particularly impressed with Cook's cogent take in saying:
"Robinson implies that Greenwald has been embittered by these experiences, and is petulantly hitting back against the “liberal” establishment without regard to the consequences. But a fairer reading would be that Greenwald is fighting against knee-jerk, authoritarian instincts wherever they are found in our societies – on the right, the centre and the left."
Thank you both for contributing some calm and thoughtful reasoning to what hopefully continues to be a "cautiously optimistic" weekend.
As Usual,
EA
Great piece by a writer I admire. I agree with you about it being applicable to a whole bunch of what’s going on these days.
We are coming full circle and real life is turning into Jerry Springer TV. It's ok to not want to participate.
Who rarely pulls the “objective, disinterested observer paring his fingernails” maneuver. Who’s usually suspicious of those who do, in fact.
Thanks for that, i hadn't seen it before. I grew up a few towns away from Camden, my dad actually worked at that RCA.