In today’s dispatch I linked to four recent Substack essays, all with a similar theme. These talented writers lament a world where they’ve lost friendships, not because of a decision they made, but because family members or former friends decided to end these relationships. In actuality, none of these former close friends or family members respected the views of a person who had the courage and principles to dissent from a false or dubious contemporary narrative.
I’d like to re-publish a response Mark Oshinskie published from one of his subscribers, a man named Steve:
Wrote Mark: “I asked (Steve) what, specifically, made him the angriest about the whole (Coronamania).” Wrote Steve:
“Although I've been losing trust in the honesty/integrity of our government for about 20 years, I was angry because the covid scam was a much bolder move of ridiculous rules, lies, manipulation, intimidation, economic/physical threats, censorship and information control.
“It was something that I had never seen before. It was much worse than I imagined. It was dystopian. It was coordinated between the government, the media, the medical industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the education system. I was angry because the propaganda and intimidation worked on so many people and those people turned on the people that saw it as a scam. It exposed our system as something that I didn't think it was and it worked too well.
“Even though most people on the planet are living the best lives that has ever been achieved in the history of the world, I can't unsee what is beneath the veneer of our system.”
***
FWIW, I believe the frustrations adeptly expressed by Steve are commonly-held among my readers as well. I also liked Mark’s addendum comments:
“As did Steve, I knew governments lied often and that many people are clueless. And since mid-March 2020, I’ve known I was being lied to.
“But these lies directly worsened my life and the lives of those around me. I expected other people to see the Scam. Few did. The past five-and-a-half years have shown me that many … who are in various ways, canny, can’t detect lies, even when they’re obvious. It’s been painful to watch.
“Peoples’ Covid gullibility would have been bad enough if this trait only victimized them. They alone would have suffered the consequences of their naïveté. But during Coronamania, the viral mob members demanded that everyone be as naive as they were.
“I see people differently now. It’s disturbing and disorienting to be surrounded by legions who are easily misled by their government and the media or are so out for themselves that they’ll victimize others by going along with a lie.”
***
My comment: Losing the trust or respect of so many neighbors and family members is a bitter and sad pill to swallow, but, I guess, it is what it is.
That’s another piece of Christmas coal that “Covid” bequeathed the world.
Thank you for your analysis of the history leading up to the “pandemic” response. The vast majority of those with whom I interact had no issues with trusting the medical fraternity and our Ministry of Health “experts” regarding the need for vaccination to end the “pandemic”. My brother in law’s wife was a victim having contracted covid and been hospitalised for a few weeks before dying in hospital after being put on a ventilator. The disease may have been real but the response was uncalled for in my opinion having also tested positive for it twice and survived with the help of ivermectin, vitamin C, Zinc and probably the use of various herbal teas. I hope that some day the truth will be widely circulated in mainstream media. Keep up the good work.
I must be very fortunate. Most (almost all) of my family has been of the "COVID Skeptic" variety, including many in the young adult cohort refusing the jabs. Some were forced to take them due to work but they did not make an effort to get boosted routinely once the employer mandates were cancelled. But I did lose some friends and eventually, I closed my Facebook account. My life is simpler without it.
Yo Bill - the score when I last checked was 17-14 in favor of Alabama...and the odds approaching 80%. Now let me tell you when the odds were down to 2.5% for the Bills in the first game I told some friends - place your bets now!
I think this would be a good bet for Vandy - at 80% just now....80% projected they loose the game.
The score is only 3 points apart.
So - place enough bets this way - pretty soon these betting companies - which I DON'T support will go out of business - tis a racket Bill - it ain't random.
Guess I got that wrong - and that guess ain't random!
But listen - when you place a bet 5-1 if you win half-the-time you are ahead!
If not for that damn interception....well...oh well Bill!
I'm cheering for both teams, but lets be honest there are only so many "Doug Fluties" in the NFL and if you are a short quarterback then your vision is limited and that is a fact - just like you got to be tall to play in the NBA most of the time - there are a few exceptions including a fella from NC State I won't mention - but Bronny James all he has is his Papa? And could be he could of been a better player if not well....lets not go there I reckon....but it ain't random.
~
I cant resist this edit from the "ai" -but it missed the other player I had in mind:
~
Several short players from NC State have made it to the NBA, showcasing their talent despite their stature. The most notable is Spudd Webb, a 5-foot-6 guard who played two years at NC State before being drafted in the fourth round of the 1985 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks.
Webb had a 12-year NBA career, finishing with 8,072 points, the fourth-most by a Wolfpack player, and became the shortest player to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1986.
~
OK Bill - prove your sports mettle - and tell me the other player I was thinking about?
Does "Mugsy" ring a bell?
~~~~~
okay, okay - this is not random - I admit I got it wrong!
Muggsy Bogues did not play college basketball at NC State. He played for Wake Forest University, where he was a standout point guard from 1983 to 1987. Standing at 5-foot-3, he is the shortest player in NBA history and won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the top player under six feet tall in 1987. He was drafted 12th overall in the 1987 NBA draft by the Washington Bullets and became a fan favorite during his 10-season tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, where he ranks as the franchise's all-time leader in assists and steals.
Although not an NC State alum, Bogues is a North Carolina sports legend and was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
Not Muggsy's head mind you nor Dell Curry or his son - Stephen....goes by Steph I think....played at the local college Davidson...went on to a fine career in the NBA with a team that won - unlike any team from Charlotte these days - as for the whats his name - that slime-ball owned the hornets took them to New Orleans and now tis Mikey owns the Hornets - seems like he was a better player than owner and the owner of the Panthers is now some hedge fund manager after Richardson got "me-tood".....oh pathetic.
Whatever - I like short players but hard to be a QB in the NFL if you can't see the field - that is why Josh Allen was such a good pick by the Bills just to wrap this random commenting up Bill!
Now remember Bill- you said in your article above "random comments" - so get this Bill!
On June 21, 1991, Bogues and Hornets teammate Dell Curry appeared in a Minor League Baseball game for the Gastonia Rangers of the South Atlantic League. George Shinn, as owner of both teams, arranged the publicity stunt. Bogues and Curry were scheduled to play the entire nine-inning game but it was shortened by rain. Bogues played second base and was hitless in both of his at bats.[8][61]
Hello BRJr! Firstly, for me, I have pulled back from social media in general (which may be what is reflected in your other readers too?)- I find it can be, for lack of a better phrase, a HUGE time suck 😒 . Secondly, I’d like share the Creed my father 💕lived by and perhaps we should ALL try harder to incorporate in our lives:
Bill, first, this is my first comment on one of your articles. I've been reading your newsletter for three years now. Your writing is concise and to the point. Thanks for that. I'd like to add what I believe is another "red letter event." Following the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September, 2008, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. When the Tea Party movement began organically in 2009, he sicced the IRS on political groups seeking tax exemption whose names included any words which might be associated with the Tea Party. [See Lois Lerner]. This was the first significant censorship by the government since the McCarthy era.
Peter, your first comment is a great one. Thank you, as I should have included some event that suggests everything Covid might be some kind of cover-story for events that could produce an economic Black Swan event or meltdown.
I still think more digital control and eventual digital currency (banning cash) might be the real and most important objective of the Powers that Be.
I remind people as often as I can that in 2008 99% of US citizens were completely united against the bank bail outs. Red, Blue, working class, academics, every religion, democrat, republican, old, young, everyone saw the blatant theft.
The American people were against the bank bailouts and they wanted the culprits who orchestrated this financial meltdown punished. As far as I recall, though, not a single person was criminally prosecuted in connection with the 2008 – 2009 "Great Recession."
I don’t follow any of the “new” substack authors who have, as you put it, “the same views that have been amplified in the MSM for years and decades.” I mean, why bother? Instead, I continue to follow—with great interest—the Covid contrarians.
Lets just admit - none of these comments have been truly random!
I admit it!
Peace!
Go Bills!
~
And now if you will excuse me the Alabama - Vanderbilt college football game is fixing to commence - and that ain't random either! May the best team prevail.
Hi Bill. First time comment from me too. I'm a Brit living under our oppressive Labour government. I've read your substack for a couple of years now. Thank you for all your blogs.
Bill, I comment occasionally and here is another one. In general your pieces are pretty self contained (and very good) so comments seldom warranted to produce clarity or alternative views.
I subscribe to covid contrarian writers exclusively, and it looks like Jeff Childers is one of the only ones who consistently gets over 1,000 likes on each article. Yet writers in the opposite camp get thousands and boast huge numbers of subscribers even if they’re relatively new! Something is definitely off.
“While “Covid contrarians” can still post stories on Substack, the voices that are now conspicuously “amplified” on this platform trumpet the same views that have been amplified in the MSM for years and decades.”
I’m here and I’m reading you. This is the first time I’ve commented because of what you said. I also subscribe to over 50 Substacks so I do a lot of skimming. I’ve learned to speed read out of necessity, and am considering culling the list in the next few months out of the need for a quieter life. I won’t drop you so no worries.
Bonus Content:
In today’s dispatch I linked to four recent Substack essays, all with a similar theme. These talented writers lament a world where they’ve lost friendships, not because of a decision they made, but because family members or former friends decided to end these relationships. In actuality, none of these former close friends or family members respected the views of a person who had the courage and principles to dissent from a false or dubious contemporary narrative.
I’d like to re-publish a response Mark Oshinskie published from one of his subscribers, a man named Steve:
Wrote Mark: “I asked (Steve) what, specifically, made him the angriest about the whole (Coronamania).” Wrote Steve:
“Although I've been losing trust in the honesty/integrity of our government for about 20 years, I was angry because the covid scam was a much bolder move of ridiculous rules, lies, manipulation, intimidation, economic/physical threats, censorship and information control.
“It was something that I had never seen before. It was much worse than I imagined. It was dystopian. It was coordinated between the government, the media, the medical industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the education system. I was angry because the propaganda and intimidation worked on so many people and those people turned on the people that saw it as a scam. It exposed our system as something that I didn't think it was and it worked too well.
“Even though most people on the planet are living the best lives that has ever been achieved in the history of the world, I can't unsee what is beneath the veneer of our system.”
***
FWIW, I believe the frustrations adeptly expressed by Steve are commonly-held among my readers as well. I also liked Mark’s addendum comments:
“As did Steve, I knew governments lied often and that many people are clueless. And since mid-March 2020, I’ve known I was being lied to.
“But these lies directly worsened my life and the lives of those around me. I expected other people to see the Scam. Few did. The past five-and-a-half years have shown me that many … who are in various ways, canny, can’t detect lies, even when they’re obvious. It’s been painful to watch.
“Peoples’ Covid gullibility would have been bad enough if this trait only victimized them. They alone would have suffered the consequences of their naïveté. But during Coronamania, the viral mob members demanded that everyone be as naive as they were.
“I see people differently now. It’s disturbing and disorienting to be surrounded by legions who are easily misled by their government and the media or are so out for themselves that they’ll victimize others by going along with a lie.”
***
My comment: Losing the trust or respect of so many neighbors and family members is a bitter and sad pill to swallow, but, I guess, it is what it is.
That’s another piece of Christmas coal that “Covid” bequeathed the world.
Thank you for your analysis of the history leading up to the “pandemic” response. The vast majority of those with whom I interact had no issues with trusting the medical fraternity and our Ministry of Health “experts” regarding the need for vaccination to end the “pandemic”. My brother in law’s wife was a victim having contracted covid and been hospitalised for a few weeks before dying in hospital after being put on a ventilator. The disease may have been real but the response was uncalled for in my opinion having also tested positive for it twice and survived with the help of ivermectin, vitamin C, Zinc and probably the use of various herbal teas. I hope that some day the truth will be widely circulated in mainstream media. Keep up the good work.
Condolences for your family's loss.
Hi Bill. I read your articles regularly. I always hit the like button but do not alway comment. Keep up the good work
I must be very fortunate. Most (almost all) of my family has been of the "COVID Skeptic" variety, including many in the young adult cohort refusing the jabs. Some were forced to take them due to work but they did not make an effort to get boosted routinely once the employer mandates were cancelled. But I did lose some friends and eventually, I closed my Facebook account. My life is simpler without it.
what these three comments and the main article say about humanity is as bad as what the lizards did and are still doing. Very disheartening.
Good job on the main article. That must have taken much time and thought.
Yo Bill - the score when I last checked was 17-14 in favor of Alabama...and the odds approaching 80%. Now let me tell you when the odds were down to 2.5% for the Bills in the first game I told some friends - place your bets now!
I think this would be a good bet for Vandy - at 80% just now....80% projected they loose the game.
The score is only 3 points apart.
So - place enough bets this way - pretty soon these betting companies - which I DON'T support will go out of business - tis a racket Bill - it ain't random.
Guess I got that wrong - and that guess ain't random!
But listen - when you place a bet 5-1 if you win half-the-time you are ahead!
If not for that damn interception....well...oh well Bill!
I'm cheering for both teams, but lets be honest there are only so many "Doug Fluties" in the NFL and if you are a short quarterback then your vision is limited and that is a fact - just like you got to be tall to play in the NBA most of the time - there are a few exceptions including a fella from NC State I won't mention - but Bronny James all he has is his Papa? And could be he could of been a better player if not well....lets not go there I reckon....but it ain't random.
~
I cant resist this edit from the "ai" -but it missed the other player I had in mind:
~
Several short players from NC State have made it to the NBA, showcasing their talent despite their stature. The most notable is Spudd Webb, a 5-foot-6 guard who played two years at NC State before being drafted in the fourth round of the 1985 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks.
Webb had a 12-year NBA career, finishing with 8,072 points, the fourth-most by a Wolfpack player, and became the shortest player to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1986.
~
OK Bill - prove your sports mettle - and tell me the other player I was thinking about?
Does "Mugsy" ring a bell?
~~~~~
okay, okay - this is not random - I admit I got it wrong!
Muggsy Bogues did not play college basketball at NC State. He played for Wake Forest University, where he was a standout point guard from 1983 to 1987. Standing at 5-foot-3, he is the shortest player in NBA history and won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the top player under six feet tall in 1987. He was drafted 12th overall in the 1987 NBA draft by the Washington Bullets and became a fan favorite during his 10-season tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, where he ranks as the franchise's all-time leader in assists and steals.
Although not an NC State alum, Bogues is a North Carolina sports legend and was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
~
Lots of short guys in NC who play a mean game!
And Dell Curry - don't his son play for Golden State?
Tis a small world Bill - nothing is random I reckon and time for some heads to roll I reckon....overdue.
Not Muggsy's head mind you nor Dell Curry or his son - Stephen....goes by Steph I think....played at the local college Davidson...went on to a fine career in the NBA with a team that won - unlike any team from Charlotte these days - as for the whats his name - that slime-ball owned the hornets took them to New Orleans and now tis Mikey owns the Hornets - seems like he was a better player than owner and the owner of the Panthers is now some hedge fund manager after Richardson got "me-tood".....oh pathetic.
Whatever - I like short players but hard to be a QB in the NFL if you can't see the field - that is why Josh Allen was such a good pick by the Bills just to wrap this random commenting up Bill!
🦬🦬🦬🦬🦬
I got a feeling me and Muggsy have been close apart in Charlotte, NC!
I swear - why did they play him at 2nd base? He ought of been the shortstop!
Now remember Bill- you said in your article above "random comments" - so get this Bill!
On June 21, 1991, Bogues and Hornets teammate Dell Curry appeared in a Minor League Baseball game for the Gastonia Rangers of the South Atlantic League. George Shinn, as owner of both teams, arranged the publicity stunt. Bogues and Curry were scheduled to play the entire nine-inning game but it was shortened by rain. Bogues played second base and was hitless in both of his at bats.[8][61]
It might be fun to see a sample of completely random comments!
Hello BRJr! Firstly, for me, I have pulled back from social media in general (which may be what is reflected in your other readers too?)- I find it can be, for lack of a better phrase, a HUGE time suck 😒 . Secondly, I’d like share the Creed my father 💕lived by and perhaps we should ALL try harder to incorporate in our lives:
👉 I shall pass through this world
but once.
Any good, therefore,
that I can do, or
any kindness that I can show
to any human being,
let me do it now.
Let me not defer nor neglect,
for I shall not pass this way
again.
❣️
Thanks, Pops 🥹🙏
What a beautiful statement.
Bill, first, this is my first comment on one of your articles. I've been reading your newsletter for three years now. Your writing is concise and to the point. Thanks for that. I'd like to add what I believe is another "red letter event." Following the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September, 2008, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. When the Tea Party movement began organically in 2009, he sicced the IRS on political groups seeking tax exemption whose names included any words which might be associated with the Tea Party. [See Lois Lerner]. This was the first significant censorship by the government since the McCarthy era.
Peter, your first comment is a great one. Thank you, as I should have included some event that suggests everything Covid might be some kind of cover-story for events that could produce an economic Black Swan event or meltdown.
I still think more digital control and eventual digital currency (banning cash) might be the real and most important objective of the Powers that Be.
I remind people as often as I can that in 2008 99% of US citizens were completely united against the bank bail outs. Red, Blue, working class, academics, every religion, democrat, republican, old, young, everyone saw the blatant theft.
It's good to remember.
17 years ago.
The American people were against the bank bailouts and they wanted the culprits who orchestrated this financial meltdown punished. As far as I recall, though, not a single person was criminally prosecuted in connection with the 2008 – 2009 "Great Recession."
I don’t follow any of the “new” substack authors who have, as you put it, “the same views that have been amplified in the MSM for years and decades.” I mean, why bother? Instead, I continue to follow—with great interest—the Covid contrarians.
I am monitoring them as an intelligence operation for my subscribers. Some of their numbers are impossible to believe.
Thanks for performing this intelligence operation. Something definitely seems fishy. I hope you can determine what’s going on.
I don’t usually comment, but I am now since you asked.
Me too.
Here is my "random" comment. :-)
here is my random comment in response to yours - is it still random?
This is my random concurrence to your random comment to a random comment....
Me too
You guys are too funny. 🤣. I always appreciate those who can make me smile/laugh👍
Lets just admit - none of these comments have been truly random!
I admit it!
Peace!
Go Bills!
~
And now if you will excuse me the Alabama - Vanderbilt college football game is fixing to commence - and that ain't random either! May the best team prevail.
BK
Hi Bill. First time comment from me too. I'm a Brit living under our oppressive Labour government. I've read your substack for a couple of years now. Thank you for all your blogs.
Bill, I comment occasionally and here is another one. In general your pieces are pretty self contained (and very good) so comments seldom warranted to produce clarity or alternative views.
I like that comment … from a doctor too!
I subscribe to covid contrarian writers exclusively, and it looks like Jeff Childers is one of the only ones who consistently gets over 1,000 likes on each article. Yet writers in the opposite camp get thousands and boast huge numbers of subscribers even if they’re relatively new! Something is definitely off.
“While “Covid contrarians” can still post stories on Substack, the voices that are now conspicuously “amplified” on this platform trumpet the same views that have been amplified in the MSM for years and decades.”
Yes, it's a bit disturbing to me. The MSM parrots already dominate every institution. It was nice on Substack before they moved in.
I read Jeff C every day. Love his work too. But sadly he is a bit out of our price range for paid subscribing😔
Until recently, I didn’t know how much tons of NGO money was being used for nefarious purposes.
My late mother loved visiting your country, which must have changed a great deal since her trips. Thanks for chiming in today!
I’m here and I’m reading you. This is the first time I’ve commented because of what you said. I also subscribe to over 50 Substacks so I do a lot of skimming. I’ve learned to speed read out of necessity, and am considering culling the list in the next few months out of the need for a quieter life. I won’t drop you so no worries.
Spouse woke me up from my nap, said I had to comment.
I wasn't going to comment but you asked me to, so I will.
You better. I plugged one of your recent pieces!
But not the most recent! ;)
I'm sure it's disheartening to see the manipulation of your reach - please don't give up! What you do matters.
Even in the woods where I live the long arm of The Authorities make their presence known.
There is no escape, is there.