Let me take my descriers straight on, by responding to the six most frequent criticisms of the Wide World of News:
1. WHY DO YOU START NEARLY EVERY EDITION WITH A REQUEST THAT READERS BECOME VOLUNTARY PAYING SUBSCRIBERS OR CONTRIBUTORS?
I don’t write this newsletter for fun (although, oh, what fun it is!).
There are no ads, sponsors, investors, staff, or corporate backers.
It is just me doing this, seven days a week.
On days when I begin an episode of WWoN asking folks to step up and support my work, guess what?
Many people become paying subscribers and contributors.
On days when I put the request further down, far fewer step up.
So skim through this next part if you want to, but I’m trying to make a living here!
To become a voluntary paid subscriber, click this blue button and sign up to be a monthly or annual subscriber – or, if you are feeling super generous, a Founding Member:
You can also contribute ANY amount you wish:
* Buy me a cocktail (at Gotham City prices….), tax and server tip included, by clicking here.
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* Check. send a simple email to markhalperintalk@gmail.com and ask where you can send a piece of paper.
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• Zelle. markhalperinnyc@gmail.com
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2. WHY ARE YOU SO TOUGH ON JOE BIDEN?
He’s the president of the United States (chose to run, was not drafted), with a drop in public support that is nearly unprecedented, at a time of scary inflation and a new threat of stagflation, while demonstrating stunning indecisiveness over matters such as cancelling student loan debt and the Mexican border, while even David Brooks says Mr. Biden’s actions (and inactions) are opening the door to the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the ruination of his own party’s brand:
The Democrats’ largest problem is this: We are living in an age of fear, insecurity and disorder on an array of fronts. The Republicans have traditionally been known as the party of toughness and order. Democrats are going to have to find a posture that is tough on disorder, and tough on the causes of disorder.
Also, despite the suggestions of some of my readers, the fact that Joe Biden is not Donald Trump does not entitle him to a journalistic Get Out of Jail Free card for the duration of his time in the Oval Office.
The Biden administration’s rallying of the coalition of the willing against Putin has been heroic and historic (a point I have made repeatedly), but that doesn’t represent the entire record.
Plus, most of my readers who are actual Democratic strategists (who don’t work from armchairs) think, if anything, I am too easy on Team Biden.
Plus, my polling and focus groups suggest that the Fake Ron Klain memos are one of my most popular features.
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3. WHY DO YOU SO REGULARLY FEATURE THE WORK OF DAVID IGNATIUS AND PEGGY NOONAN?
Because they are both genius reporters (who happen to now work as columnists), whose articles are both singular and universal.
As it so happens, both write about the threat of nuclear war today in twin essential reads.
Related complaint: Why do I link so often to publications whose content is behind a paywall?
Answer: My solemn responsibility is to point you to the best stuff daily. Your job is to outfox the paywall.
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4. WHY DON’T YOU COVER CHINA MORE?
I generally think China is on any given day, even during Putin’s war of aggression, the biggest story in the world. In fact, it is so vast, I have a hard time figuring out what is going on, what to emphasize, and how I can possibly fire up Google Translate fast enough to do the narrative justice.
Basically, I know my lane – and I know when I shouldn’t try, as the Chinese proverb goes, to cut bait while I sit on the pot.
Also, if you want more daily Chinas coverage: this is what John Ellis is for.
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5. WHY AREN’T YOU AS COMMITTED AS HEATHER COX RICHARDSON AND THE NEW YORK TIMES TO HOLDING DONALD TRUMP ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA?
I am. I just play a longer, different game than they do.
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6. WHY ALL THEA TYPOS?
They keep you (and my mother) on your toes!
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Have a great day and a great weekend.
I will be right back here in your inbox Saturday morning before my first maskless long flight in many a moons.
So think about becoming a paying subscriber today!