Dec 19, 2023·edited Dec 19, 2023Liked by Matt Welch
Dude, Matterino... I typically don't care for "feeling seen" or any such granola-tinged fare, but the way you write these— first of all, it's impossible to *not* read them in your voice. And second of all, it's like you speak my language. Thanks for all the laughs and the links and the enthusiastically nodding and the everything.
You know it never ceases to amaze me how many people don't understand freedom of speech as a concept. I mean really don't understand freedom of speech as a concept. I mean at all.
It's people who have never been on the receiving end of censorship and can't imagine their faction not being the one doing the wielding. Therefore, it is a good weapon, and should be used as often and as broadly as possible.
The shocker to me is that somehow the fact that Trump got elected a little less than 8 years ago didn't dissuade them from this view. We have a _very_ recent example of the leader of the federal government being someone that most of these people think is a literal fascist, and yet they still can't seem to understand why it's important to have strong protections (including cultural and social ones that go beyond the government).
If Donal Trump as president and Musk as owner of Twitter didn't convince the left of the importance of freedom of speech protections, nothing will.
Matt, Blackie Onassis drummer from Urge Overkill passed this year. "Back On Me" or "Bottle of Fur" are two really good songs that aren't "Sister Havana" or "Positive Bleeding" (which I both also like). Also, their album Exit the Dragon, is probably my favorite album of theirs. "Monopoly" is a highlight.
They used to be so good all the time. Everyone has their SNL eras of love; mine is the early 90s Carvey, Meyers, Hartman, Sweeny, Farley, Cleghorn, etc. Jesus they were funny.
I’ll never never ever understand the current obsession (2014-???) with “Nazis”. There’s like 100 neo Nazis in all of America yet the media and the establishment would have you believe we are constantly on the verge of a white nationalist takeover. I fucking hate society, man.
In today’s overly delicate, hyperpartisan, social media-obsessed society, the easiest (laziest) way to demonize anyone with whom you disagree, or those who disagree or simply don’t wholeheartedly agree with you, is to paint them as an easily identifiable, mostly universally despised villain. Voila! “Nazis” are everywhere!
I'd like to hear the story of how you decided never to sign a group letter, Matt! Was there a bad experience? Was it something your dad would have advised against?
I selected not to register for the Selective Service. Tried like hell to avoid signing an oath to defend California as a pre-condition for working for UC Santa Barbara. Tried like hell to avoid taking a drug test to work for the L.A. Times. Never give money to any stranger who asks me for it (though often give to those who don't). Don't like peer pressure, don't like being put on the spot, am fundamentally immature, and if my name's on it, I'm fucking writing it.
I just made a list of about 30 uncouth things California could be "defended" from. My best is if they made you fight the *possibility* of wildfires...but only the ones that would hit Montecito. So like, you have to spend a weekend a month watering the polo fields or some shit.
I think since adding his name to the "Jeffery Epstein/Harvey Weinstein/Jimmy Savile. Men Of Honor, Men Of Destiny" Letter, he has wanted to keep a lower profile.
I wish that all of you on the Fifth would discuss the latest Atlantic issue which is entirely devoted to articles about horrible things Trump is going to do after he gets elected.
Given the onset of winter weather here in New Princeland, I find myself frustrated by the idiots running around wearing keffiyehs in support of Palestine/Hamas/whatever. I've been using several keffiyehs as my normal winter scarf for many years now.
So now I have to be careful that nobody gets the wrong idea.
Maybe I need to get a few Israeli flag patches to put on them.
It's like the butthead militia LARPers that Michael routinely mocks ruining things for people who enjoy tactical firearms and accessories.
That SNL segment — the first I’ve watched in years, and I’m not just saying that to appear cool — was indeed funny. I’m not convinced they don’t see the jokes before they read them on air, though. I doubt they’re that daring.
I wish these lefties like Katz would realize how censorship contributes to more radicalization. Still have a Q-pilled family member and it’s really sad. Really nauseating amount of censorship demands this year!
Thanks for doing these Matt. I always find a gem or two I somehow missed the prior week.
Dude, Matterino... I typically don't care for "feeling seen" or any such granola-tinged fare, but the way you write these— first of all, it's impossible to *not* read them in your voice. And second of all, it's like you speak my language. Thanks for all the laughs and the links and the enthusiastically nodding and the everything.
Edit: also, Bobby Caldwell is white whaaaaaaaaat
You know it never ceases to amaze me how many people don't understand freedom of speech as a concept. I mean really don't understand freedom of speech as a concept. I mean at all.
It's people who have never been on the receiving end of censorship and can't imagine their faction not being the one doing the wielding. Therefore, it is a good weapon, and should be used as often and as broadly as possible.
The shocker to me is that somehow the fact that Trump got elected a little less than 8 years ago didn't dissuade them from this view. We have a _very_ recent example of the leader of the federal government being someone that most of these people think is a literal fascist, and yet they still can't seem to understand why it's important to have strong protections (including cultural and social ones that go beyond the government).
If Donal Trump as president and Musk as owner of Twitter didn't convince the left of the importance of freedom of speech protections, nothing will.
Anyone with a brain struggles with it, so I think you're good.
Screaming Trees bassist Van Conner!
Here’s one co-written by Van-
https://youtu.be/GAmZsfFKCxU?si=T0vFqEn4ndh4vpMR
And another one where he’s just totally shredding-
https://youtu.be/con4KqlWGdI?si=Cr2lEU1PdZFCj5vF
RIP Van!
Thank you!
Matt, Blackie Onassis drummer from Urge Overkill passed this year. "Back On Me" or "Bottle of Fur" are two really good songs that aren't "Sister Havana" or "Positive Bleeding" (which I both also like). Also, their album Exit the Dragon, is probably my favorite album of theirs. "Monopoly" is a highlight.
Thanks for writing this Matt!
A surplus of humor indeed. Humoverload, even. Going to cleanse my palate by watching “Schindlers List” or something.
Might need to throw another Yule log on and do a double feature with "Sophie's Choice".
I look forward to the SNL Christmas News every year. Once again, they served it up, and I'm glad you served it up here. "Am I right?"
it shows how funny SNL could be, but aren't because they don't want to offend almost everyone
They used to be so good all the time. Everyone has their SNL eras of love; mine is the early 90s Carvey, Meyers, Hartman, Sweeny, Farley, Cleghorn, etc. Jesus they were funny.
I'm old so for me it is the original cast. And there was nothing else like it.
I’ll never never ever understand the current obsession (2014-???) with “Nazis”. There’s like 100 neo Nazis in all of America yet the media and the establishment would have you believe we are constantly on the verge of a white nationalist takeover. I fucking hate society, man.
In today’s overly delicate, hyperpartisan, social media-obsessed society, the easiest (laziest) way to demonize anyone with whom you disagree, or those who disagree or simply don’t wholeheartedly agree with you, is to paint them as an easily identifiable, mostly universally despised villain. Voila! “Nazis” are everywhere!
I'd like to hear the story of how you decided never to sign a group letter, Matt! Was there a bad experience? Was it something your dad would have advised against?
I selected not to register for the Selective Service. Tried like hell to avoid signing an oath to defend California as a pre-condition for working for UC Santa Barbara. Tried like hell to avoid taking a drug test to work for the L.A. Times. Never give money to any stranger who asks me for it (though often give to those who don't). Don't like peer pressure, don't like being put on the spot, am fundamentally immature, and if my name's on it, I'm fucking writing it.
#individualism You're the Djokovic of Substack (OMG did I just use Moynihan's joke structure without meaning to?)
I just made a list of about 30 uncouth things California could be "defended" from. My best is if they made you fight the *possibility* of wildfires...but only the ones that would hit Montecito. So like, you have to spend a weekend a month watering the polo fields or some shit.
I think since adding his name to the "Jeffery Epstein/Harvey Weinstein/Jimmy Savile. Men Of Honor, Men Of Destiny" Letter, he has wanted to keep a lower profile.
I wish that all of you on the Fifth would discuss the latest Atlantic issue which is entirely devoted to articles about horrible things Trump is going to do after he gets elected.
It might come up in the taping we do today; was referenced in the first half of Monday's Reason Roundtable.
I am not looking forward to Trump 2.0 but The Atlantic seems unhinged.
Full derangement
Given the onset of winter weather here in New Princeland, I find myself frustrated by the idiots running around wearing keffiyehs in support of Palestine/Hamas/whatever. I've been using several keffiyehs as my normal winter scarf for many years now.
So now I have to be careful that nobody gets the wrong idea.
Maybe I need to get a few Israeli flag patches to put on them.
It's like the butthead militia LARPers that Michael routinely mocks ruining things for people who enjoy tactical firearms and accessories.
That SNL segment — the first I’ve watched in years, and I’m not just saying that to appear cool — was indeed funny. I’m not convinced they don’t see the jokes before they read them on air, though. I doubt they’re that daring.
I wish these lefties like Katz would realize how censorship contributes to more radicalization. Still have a Q-pilled family member and it’s really sad. Really nauseating amount of censorship demands this year!
Thank you!