Kudos for standing firm. I've enjoyed your writing since you were at The New Yorker. I run a tiny independent news site in Central Florida and have experienced this on a smaller scale than you are now when a city tried to ban me from covering its commission meetings. But bullies are the same no matter the size. They only respond to strength. When you demonstrate you won't be pushed around, they usually cave. Guess that WHCA dinner will be awkward. ;)
I'm looking forward to more great reporting from Telos.
Well done, well done. I had no Idea who you were before I saw your conversation on The Warning with Steve Schmidt, where I am an avid long time supporter. It is he who is responsible for my paid subscription to Telos.news, and to be honest, I'm itching to read the 9000 word investigative piece coming this Tuesday! Tara Palmeri of The Red Letter a Substack that I support has also been threatened with legal action for telling the truth. The threats against both of you informs me that I am supporting and receiving straight up factual reporting, a rare thing in this moment. Best success!
At the risk of sounding like a stalker, I will follow you wherever you may end up sharing your writing. You may be one of the best political analysts I’ve come across. I feel like I’ve hit pay dirt finding you on Substack.
You had no choice but to stand for your principles even if they won’t. We are here with you and will stand up for your right to speak truth to power. I am a paid subscriber as a result of your introduction by Steve Schmidt. Happy to be here.
Well done, Ryan. I just subscribed because I want to support independent journalism and your work. This moment reminds me of the story of the Chinese emperor who came to power and demanded that all monks put his picture on their altar and worship him as their deity. At first some monks complied, and others refused. When the emperor had a monk killed, all the monks but one fell into line. This emperor began to obsess about this monk, issuing harsher edicts and threats, and still the monk did not comply. In a rage, the emperor rode assembled his entourage of attendants and soldiers and rode out to meet the monk and demand his compliance.
When the monk saw the emperor and his terrifying entourage approaching, he left his garden and went inside his hut to prepare tea for his guest, which he brought out on the tray he used for his guests. This infuriated the emperor even more, and by the time he arrived at the hut he jumped off his horse and strode up the monk, saying, "Do you know who I am?"
"Yes," replied the monk. "You're the emperor who has asked me to worship you."
Perplexed and even more furious, the emperor shouted "Do you not understand that I have the power to put you to death?"
"I do understand that," said the monk. "And I have the power to make you."
Very well said. That you offered solutions was an amiable way to toss the ball in their court. Please keep us updated.
Kudos for standing firm. I've enjoyed your writing since you were at The New Yorker. I run a tiny independent news site in Central Florida and have experienced this on a smaller scale than you are now when a city tried to ban me from covering its commission meetings. But bullies are the same no matter the size. They only respond to strength. When you demonstrate you won't be pushed around, they usually cave. Guess that WHCA dinner will be awkward. ;)
I'm looking forward to more great reporting from Telos.
Excellent response letter. They should be ashamed. I think the lawyers are overzealous in their lawyering.
I am now a paid subscriber!
Keep up the great work.
Hang tough, Ryan. Just bought a subscription.
Well done, well done. I had no Idea who you were before I saw your conversation on The Warning with Steve Schmidt, where I am an avid long time supporter. It is he who is responsible for my paid subscription to Telos.news, and to be honest, I'm itching to read the 9000 word investigative piece coming this Tuesday! Tara Palmeri of The Red Letter a Substack that I support has also been threatened with legal action for telling the truth. The threats against both of you informs me that I am supporting and receiving straight up factual reporting, a rare thing in this moment. Best success!
Great response letter. Unreal that you had to send it.
At the risk of sounding like a stalker, I will follow you wherever you may end up sharing your writing. You may be one of the best political analysts I’ve come across. I feel like I’ve hit pay dirt finding you on Substack.
You just got an annual subscription to support your ability to continue your work. Very well written and quality content. I look forward to more!
You had no choice but to stand for your principles even if they won’t. We are here with you and will stand up for your right to speak truth to power. I am a paid subscriber as a result of your introduction by Steve Schmidt. Happy to be here.
Well done, Ryan. I just subscribed because I want to support independent journalism and your work. This moment reminds me of the story of the Chinese emperor who came to power and demanded that all monks put his picture on their altar and worship him as their deity. At first some monks complied, and others refused. When the emperor had a monk killed, all the monks but one fell into line. This emperor began to obsess about this monk, issuing harsher edicts and threats, and still the monk did not comply. In a rage, the emperor rode assembled his entourage of attendants and soldiers and rode out to meet the monk and demand his compliance.
When the monk saw the emperor and his terrifying entourage approaching, he left his garden and went inside his hut to prepare tea for his guest, which he brought out on the tray he used for his guests. This infuriated the emperor even more, and by the time he arrived at the hut he jumped off his horse and strode up the monk, saying, "Do you know who I am?"
"Yes," replied the monk. "You're the emperor who has asked me to worship you."
Perplexed and even more furious, the emperor shouted "Do you not understand that I have the power to put you to death?"
"I do understand that," said the monk. "And I have the power to make you."
Hahaha! I'll bet you enjoyed every moment of writing that letter. Well done, you.
Let's meet in The Big Middle, where most Americans are (launching on Substack in May)