We are at a fragile moment in the life of the Resistance, and it seems people’s nerves and judgment are fraying the longer the war wears on. Pissants scatter dispiriting remarks about like litter. Fanatical contingents accuse anyone who holds a different view of being controlled opposition. Self-righteous inquisitors feel they have the right to tell you what you should and shouldn’t write about, how you should and shouldn’t spend your time. Purported allies ambush individuals of supreme integrity.
How to Be an Upstander
I have taken pains to protect the identity of my saboteur [I’ll call her S] because—as will become evident when you read these exchanges—she appears to be suffering some sort of psychological crisis, and I don’t blame her but rather her mental illness. As such, I have substituted any terms that could be traced back to her posts and indicated these substitutions in brackets.
Ode to a Whistleblower (Video Tribute to Daniel Ellsberg)
After Daniel Ellsberg passed away, I republished my poem Ode to a Whistleblower to honor his memory and further Dan’s dying wish to #FreeAssange. Then a couple of weeks ago, Diane Perlman asked if I would be willing to provide a video of myself reading this poem for the tribute she and her co-director Todd Pierce are organizing at the Whistleblower Summit on July 30, National Whistleblower Day.
What Noam Chomsky Can Teach Us About Freedom of Speech
“If you believe in freedom of speech, you believe in freedom of speech for views you don’t like. Goebbels was in favor of freedom of speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you’re in favor of freedom of speech, that means you’re in favor of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise. Otherwise, you’re not in favor of freedom of speech.”
—Noam Chomsky
You Cannot Break Us
“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” —John F. Kennedy
This Independence Day, let us celebrate the indomitable nature of truth, the infectious spirit of freedom, and the resilience that empowers us to triumph over adversity.
Ode to a Whistleblower
I am republishing my poem Ode to a Whistleblower to honor the memory of Whistleblowers’ Whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg (April 7, 1931–June 16, 2023) and shine a light on the looming extradition of his treasured friend Julian Assange.
Remembering Gerard Van der Leun: Bon Voyage, — Mon Semblable, — Mon Frère!
“Sorry but I am dealing with some health issues that require I conserve my efforts. I do admire your work intensely and hope to help along to the extent of my ability. Best Christmas to you and God Bless.” When I read those words from American Digest publisher Gerard Van der Leun on Christmas, I did not realize they would be the last ones he would write to me.
Profiles in Courage: Prof. Dr. Sucharit Bhakdi
“Where there’s no danger, there’s no courage.… Anyone can ‘endure’ security and well-being. The real challenges—the ones that force our endurance to grow from mere perseverance into true courage—arise in the face of hazard. So it is with moral courage, where danger is endured for the sake of an overarching commitment to conscience, principles, or core values.”
—Rushworth Kidder, Moral Courage
My Croatian Weekly (Hrvatski Tjednik) Interview
After being on the questioning end of Dissident Dialogues interviews for luminaries such as CJ Hopkins and Meredith Miller, I switched roles for this written interview conducted by Vanja Vinković on behalf of Croatian Weekly (Hrvatski Tjednik), an ad-free, print-only publication he describes as “the most-read newspaper in Croatia.”
My Two-Year Stackiversary: Lattice of Coincidence + The Courage to Face the Truth
For my two-year Substack anniversary, I am publishing an essay I started last summer to accompany a guest article by Paul Cudenec. It seemed a fitting anniversary piece because it covers connections, collaborations, community, and courage—four C’s that have defined my transformative experience at Substack.
Mistakes Were NOT Made: One Poem to Wake the World
WE DID IT. We pulverized the Overton Window. Even former mainstream straddlers are saying it aloud now: “Mistakes Were NOT Made.” Deftly filmed by Mark Lawrie and poignantly scored by my husband, Dr. Tess Lawrie’s knee-buckling reading of my poem has shattered the few remaining shards dangling in the window frame.
Mistakes Were NOT Made: An Anthem for Justice (Video)
I am elated to present this video of Dr. Tess Lawrie reading Mistakes Were NOT Made: An Anthem for Justice. My veteran Substack readers may recall it was Tess’s fearless confrontation of Andrew Hill that inspired me to launch my Profiles in Courage series. I also crowned Tess the Queen of Integrity (to Mike Yeadon’s King of Integrity) in my one-year anniversary post.
Requiem for a Smear Victim: Clemens Arvay
This is one of the more important pieces I have published. I have been given the honor of hosting a letter written by Jews around the world who unequivocally condemn the weaponization of “anti-semite” to character-assassinate people guilty of nothing but questioning approved narratives; exercising free speech; exposing corruption, lies, and harmful policies; and practicing independent, critical thinking.
Mistakes Were NOT Made: An Anthem for Justice
The following poem was inspired by a conversation with Mike Yeadon. We have both independently noticed the increasing use of terms like “bungled” and “blunder” to describe the crimes against humanity perpetrated under the cloak of COVID. Even well-meaning people who share similar values and goals sometimes fall into this trap being set by those preparing their parachute jump from culpability.
Do You Remember? (Video)
One of the deepest joys of my Substack journey has been connecting with members of my karass from nearly every cranny of the globe as we pool our knowledge, efforts, and talents to resist tyranny; awaken the sleeping; save lives; restore liberty; and work toward justice.
Letter to Senator Ron Johnson
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
—Robert F. Kennedy
Baby Alex: The Definitive Account—in His Mother’s Own Words
Many of you already know Baby Alex’s heartrending story. Unfortunately, what you know is likely inaccurate. I reached out to Cornelia Hertzler, Baby Alex’s mother, to request clarification regarding the conflicting details I found floating around online, and she was gracious enough to recount exactly what occurred. Cornelia appreciated the opportunity to set the record straight. Please help us get the true story of Baby Alex out to the world.
Dialogue with a Narrative Believer
Much to my glad surprise, one narrative believer was plucky enough to respond to 30 Questions for a Narrative Believer! While I received numerous responses from narrative skeptics, this has been my first (so far) from someone who identifies as pro-lockdown, pro–social distancing, pro-masking, pro–school closures, and pro-vaxx (although against mandates and vaxxports).