I’m so glad you’re back, Bear. Thank you for putting into words the horror that many feel when they see what is happening across the pond and the influence that creeps on to this side too.
Welcome back Bear. Please look after yourself though. I read your articles to make it make sense in my head. With you away, the foul noise and actions during this week's decaying pumpkin's visit has been deplorable without you here. A banquet which could have probably funded a pay rise for doctors and nurses was too much for me. Thank you to Led By Donkeys for their antics which made it more Bearable 🐻 Sending hugs x
Not to be downhearted, but the left can't afford to be complacent. It already has its share of the pitchfork brigade - and conspiracy theorists. I've known people silenced - and it's not pretty. It also leads to the chilling effect - where people don't (or daren't) speak out. It's like a malevolent Emperor's New Clothes.
As you say, the money is with the right - but if that ever changes, the grifters will follow it. (Remember when Russell Brand was the darling of the left? I do!) I'm not sure that the left has worked out how it will deal with that. The first step may be being comfortable hearing things that make you uncomfortable - but it's not easy. Bit it's a way of escaping the echo chamber.
This is a brilliant point made - I don’t think the left is immune to the lure of entertainment value over accuracy, and it’s something I’ve tried to be careful of. Always worth keeping a very close eye on as well - and being able to say the things that might make your own side uncomfortable is front and centre in this.
Welcome back, dear Bear. As ever, nail hit squarely on head. How very dare the US lecture us on the suppression of free speech when we see genuine oppression going on over there! Thanks also for pointing out the oft-ignored fact that we don't have free speech in the UK, we have freedom of expression. Its a very different thing. Sadly the Free Speech Union never quite copped on 🤣 Now take care of yourself, promise?
Just subscribed have followed you for while now and bought my husband your books . I try and follow as many independent news outlets as as possible . Good to see you back
Please keep up the good work, I’m glad things are back on a more normal even keel for you. As an ex NHS employee I understand how tough and often thankless your task is, I am grateful you still have the bandwidth to do your paid job, and be creative and incisive to the current world political shit storm. Please keep it up 👏👏
Welcome back Bear, but please take a break from time to time! You're right about the threat to free speech in the US and potentially here too. In 1950's in the US the McCarthy era meant the same thing they arrested journalists, actors and others, accusing them of being Communists. In fact the intention was to clamp down on free speech. We have to work hard to prevent it happening here.
I really enjoy your sanity and writing Bear. My only offering is to encourage people to Boycott the press and media who peddle lies. Hurt them where it matters, their off-shore accounts.
As a full time carer for a parent I view what's going on in the wider world but I have no one to turn to and say "is this really happening?" Fortunately the Bear is there to reassure me that I'm not overreacting, it is happening and it's worse than I could ever give Trump, Farage et al credit for if I had to dream up what they'd call a good idea.
Welcome back but don’t overdo it again, please! You’re a voice of sanity in the wilderness that is Brexit Britain & you’re needed.
I’m so glad you’re back, Bear. Thank you for putting into words the horror that many feel when they see what is happening across the pond and the influence that creeps on to this side too.
Welcome back Bear. Please look after yourself though. I read your articles to make it make sense in my head. With you away, the foul noise and actions during this week's decaying pumpkin's visit has been deplorable without you here. A banquet which could have probably funded a pay rise for doctors and nurses was too much for me. Thank you to Led By Donkeys for their antics which made it more Bearable 🐻 Sending hugs x
Good to see you back!
Not to be downhearted, but the left can't afford to be complacent. It already has its share of the pitchfork brigade - and conspiracy theorists. I've known people silenced - and it's not pretty. It also leads to the chilling effect - where people don't (or daren't) speak out. It's like a malevolent Emperor's New Clothes.
As you say, the money is with the right - but if that ever changes, the grifters will follow it. (Remember when Russell Brand was the darling of the left? I do!) I'm not sure that the left has worked out how it will deal with that. The first step may be being comfortable hearing things that make you uncomfortable - but it's not easy. Bit it's a way of escaping the echo chamber.
This is a brilliant point made - I don’t think the left is immune to the lure of entertainment value over accuracy, and it’s something I’ve tried to be careful of. Always worth keeping a very close eye on as well - and being able to say the things that might make your own side uncomfortable is front and centre in this.
Thanks, Bren.
I am glad that you recognise you need to take care of yourself sometimes. We can wait - life can't.
Welcome back, dear Bear. As ever, nail hit squarely on head. How very dare the US lecture us on the suppression of free speech when we see genuine oppression going on over there! Thanks also for pointing out the oft-ignored fact that we don't have free speech in the UK, we have freedom of expression. Its a very different thing. Sadly the Free Speech Union never quite copped on 🤣 Now take care of yourself, promise?
Yet another masterpiece from you. Glad to see you back and hope the wobble is well and truly steady for you now. Take care.
Just subscribed have followed you for while now and bought my husband your books . I try and follow as many independent news outlets as as possible . Good to see you back
Please keep up the good work, I’m glad things are back on a more normal even keel for you. As an ex NHS employee I understand how tough and often thankless your task is, I am grateful you still have the bandwidth to do your paid job, and be creative and incisive to the current world political shit storm. Please keep it up 👏👏
Welcome back Bear, but please take a break from time to time! You're right about the threat to free speech in the US and potentially here too. In 1950's in the US the McCarthy era meant the same thing they arrested journalists, actors and others, accusing them of being Communists. In fact the intention was to clamp down on free speech. We have to work hard to prevent it happening here.
I really enjoy your sanity and writing Bear. My only offering is to encourage people to Boycott the press and media who peddle lies. Hurt them where it matters, their off-shore accounts.
Good to see you back, I hope you're ok.
As a full time carer for a parent I view what's going on in the wider world but I have no one to turn to and say "is this really happening?" Fortunately the Bear is there to reassure me that I'm not overreacting, it is happening and it's worse than I could ever give Trump, Farage et al credit for if I had to dream up what they'd call a good idea.
Thank you for a coherent, well-written and reasonable read!