Wonder if Mr. Neuburger (or Mr. Taibbi) realize that the explanation for the left's vehement rejection of Taibbi is found in narcissism theory, a la Lasch's "The Culture of Narcissism"? Taibbi ceased mirroring them by telling the truth, and the associated narcissistic injury results in narcissistic rage. These individuals and their collective manifestation are pathologically incapable of being reasoned with. The vote-with-us-or-you're... reflects the split representation of objects per psychoanalyst Otto Kernberg.
I've been following Taibbi for a few years (loyal Substack subscriber). What baffles me is how anyone can honestly interpret his behavior as anything but genuine, open, and forthright. Like you said, he responds to ordinary people and "notables" the same way. He's been completely transparent about the process and the (the few very reasonable) conditions agreed upon. His critics think he just made all this stuffed up? If he cherry-picked he certainly picked from some especially fruitful section of the orchard. And seriously, a go-it-your-own reader-supported subscription model on a brand new platform under attack by the rest of the mainstream media is his get-rick-quick scheme? How many of these critics could survive on that same model--ON THEIR OWN? These people are delusional or horrible, and probably both. The Democrats have lost the plot, and they will eventually--as will all of us--suffer for it.
Great piece. The "it's a lie because you made money from it" is an argument worthy of a 7th grade debate class. I wish Matt just said, "I'm a professional journalist. That means I receive compensation for my work. It doesn't mean what I say is false." Then again, Congresspeople get paid to lie for their donors, so I can see why they are suspicious. They just see themselves.
Conversely, these people will say "just because I/they made money from it doesn't make it a lie" when defending, say, prominent Democrats caught in corruption. Actually, I got that from Republicans before too, with the two values reversed of course. Tribalism knows no party. But last few years the Dems have raised it to a hysterical fever pitch.
Making money from lies is only wrong when the other side does it. Making money is evidence of lying only when the other side does it.
Apr 8, 2023·edited Apr 8, 2023Liked by Thomas Neuburger
Nice piece. Raise all the important questions about what’s going here. Disturbing to say the least. If this keeps up, Taibbi is the next Assange. Cue the IRS at his door. Charging him with 34 felonies is always an option. Somewhere, somebody is probably building a case right now that the Twitter leaks were a national security breach. Taibbi will be charged with espionage as a result just like that other “journalist” Assange and placed in a dungeon awaiting trial. Goldman Sachs will raise a glass in celebration.
This type of "thing" is exactly why I am not a member of a political party. It is all a con; the tell is when they resort to ad hominem rather than acknowledge any of the myriad valid alternate motivations Taibbi may have.
That Congressional hearing was quite revealing in how low into the authoritarian swamp Democrats have sunk. They really think stripping away free speech is the best thing for our country, and any criticism of it makes you the enemy. It's like they read that line from Orwell, "if you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face -- forever," and took it as a good idea rather than a warning.
Just like the war in Ukraine, more Orwell: "war is peace." Either shelling out hundreds of billions for war as the only peace, or you are a Putin lover. Looking how they've deplatformed and demonetized anyone who doesn't tow their line (Consortium News is one example that comes immediately to mind). They are so excited to raise the defense budget, and do nothing about what their voters care about (such as abortion).
The Democrats have become just as irredeemable as the Republicans, and I simply cannot stomach them. I think they do actually want our votes, its just they also demand to simultaneously press our heads into a mound of shit. They are nothing but imperialists and wealthy aristocrats, and belong nowhere but in the dustbin of history.
"The Democrats have become just as irredeemable as the Republicans." That is a quote I am going to borrow/steal. Thank you! It really nails it! I certainly am no longer going to affiliate myself with the Democratic party again.
Dems are obviously still not over the 2016 election loss. When the made up Russia-gate excuse proved to be bull shit (which Taibbi consistently wrote about), Dems had no rationalization for losing to the worst presidential candidate ever. So of course Taibbi must be an evil Republican.
Wonder if Mr. Neuburger (or Mr. Taibbi) realize that the explanation for the left's vehement rejection of Taibbi is found in narcissism theory, a la Lasch's "The Culture of Narcissism"? Taibbi ceased mirroring them by telling the truth, and the associated narcissistic injury results in narcissistic rage. These individuals and their collective manifestation are pathologically incapable of being reasoned with. The vote-with-us-or-you're... reflects the split representation of objects per psychoanalyst Otto Kernberg.
I've been following Taibbi for a few years (loyal Substack subscriber). What baffles me is how anyone can honestly interpret his behavior as anything but genuine, open, and forthright. Like you said, he responds to ordinary people and "notables" the same way. He's been completely transparent about the process and the (the few very reasonable) conditions agreed upon. His critics think he just made all this stuffed up? If he cherry-picked he certainly picked from some especially fruitful section of the orchard. And seriously, a go-it-your-own reader-supported subscription model on a brand new platform under attack by the rest of the mainstream media is his get-rick-quick scheme? How many of these critics could survive on that same model--ON THEIR OWN? These people are delusional or horrible, and probably both. The Democrats have lost the plot, and they will eventually--as will all of us--suffer for it.
Great piece. The "it's a lie because you made money from it" is an argument worthy of a 7th grade debate class. I wish Matt just said, "I'm a professional journalist. That means I receive compensation for my work. It doesn't mean what I say is false." Then again, Congresspeople get paid to lie for their donors, so I can see why they are suspicious. They just see themselves.
Conversely, these people will say "just because I/they made money from it doesn't make it a lie" when defending, say, prominent Democrats caught in corruption. Actually, I got that from Republicans before too, with the two values reversed of course. Tribalism knows no party. But last few years the Dems have raised it to a hysterical fever pitch.
Making money from lies is only wrong when the other side does it. Making money is evidence of lying only when the other side does it.
Nice piece. Raise all the important questions about what’s going here. Disturbing to say the least. If this keeps up, Taibbi is the next Assange. Cue the IRS at his door. Charging him with 34 felonies is always an option. Somewhere, somebody is probably building a case right now that the Twitter leaks were a national security breach. Taibbi will be charged with espionage as a result just like that other “journalist” Assange and placed in a dungeon awaiting trial. Goldman Sachs will raise a glass in celebration.
Thanks for summary. Taibbi is heroic for truth and the ankle biters are just chaff.
He should have called them "so called public servants."
That's brilliant, Daren. Nice.
I have to say, though, the viciousness is stunning. This piece went live at a number of places today, and the hate is visceral.
> "Because he's a Russia/Trump apologist who is now an Elon Musk lackey?"
> "Any person capable of critical thinking can see he's an opportunistic sell-out, not a journalist with integrity."
Do people actually believe this of him? I'm stunned.
Thomas
This type of "thing" is exactly why I am not a member of a political party. It is all a con; the tell is when they resort to ad hominem rather than acknowledge any of the myriad valid alternate motivations Taibbi may have.
It is stunning but when you turn on the lights you see the cockroaches.
That Congressional hearing was quite revealing in how low into the authoritarian swamp Democrats have sunk. They really think stripping away free speech is the best thing for our country, and any criticism of it makes you the enemy. It's like they read that line from Orwell, "if you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face -- forever," and took it as a good idea rather than a warning.
Just like the war in Ukraine, more Orwell: "war is peace." Either shelling out hundreds of billions for war as the only peace, or you are a Putin lover. Looking how they've deplatformed and demonetized anyone who doesn't tow their line (Consortium News is one example that comes immediately to mind). They are so excited to raise the defense budget, and do nothing about what their voters care about (such as abortion).
The Democrats have become just as irredeemable as the Republicans, and I simply cannot stomach them. I think they do actually want our votes, its just they also demand to simultaneously press our heads into a mound of shit. They are nothing but imperialists and wealthy aristocrats, and belong nowhere but in the dustbin of history.
"The Democrats have become just as irredeemable as the Republicans." That is a quote I am going to borrow/steal. Thank you! It really nails it! I certainly am no longer going to affiliate myself with the Democratic party again.
Tribal Logic 101.
Dems are obviously still not over the 2016 election loss. When the made up Russia-gate excuse proved to be bull shit (which Taibbi consistently wrote about), Dems had no rationalization for losing to the worst presidential candidate ever. So of course Taibbi must be an evil Republican.
Hearted this one just for the subheading.