Taibbi once derided prominent right-wing crank Lara Logan as a pathetic hack and establishment suck-up. Now that he's one too, Taibbi has become her fan and political collaborator.
For years, I looked forward to every piece that Taibbi wrote. They were scathingly funny and the comparison with Hunter Thompson was a deserved compliment.
When he started to make his descent into right-wing madness, I canceled my Substack subscription and wrote him a note. I was astonished when I received a detailed reply the same day, which seemed heartfelt and genuine. So I let it ride a bit longer, but it didn’t take too long before it was apparent my modern day Mencken/Twain/Liebling/Hunter Thompson had morphed into a deranged defender of right-wing insanity.
(Another less prominent parallel is Jim Kunstler, who had his own stint at Rolling Stone in the 70s, whose blog “clusterfuck nation” was also laceratingly funny, and certainly far far away from right-wing nuttery. Now he’s a full throated Trumper.)
Although I’m sure Matt’s making a tidy pile, I actually don’t think his conversion is primarily due to greed.
There is of course speculation that his wild days in Moscow left behind something Putin’s goons could use as Kompromat. I’m not so sure that’s the explanation either.
I’m really not sure what it is, but I look forward to someday reading an explanation that makes sense to me.
Well, first of all I am very pressed for time at the moment, but I’m gonna respond to this a little bit and more detail in a note unstack because I’ve been thinking about it as well. But I expect that you got a lengthy reply because you wrote him when he began his descent and at some level, consciously or subconsciously, he was aware at that time as he no longer is after convincing himself that he didn’t do anything wrong, he was about to proceed on a very, horrible path.
And secondly, I am absolutely certain I know what provoked the Transformation that key and other of the turncoats like Greenwald, etc., have gone through and I I agree that it wasn’t pure direct cash, and I do not believe he has Moscow gold, but I am very sure that it’s the same basic reason that everyone sold out before him and Will after him, which is more subtle, but it is entirely self interest, financially, personally, and professionally, which if I ever have babysitting help will be the last piece of that series which addresses all of them.
Makes sense yes, but isn't Logan just a bridge too far? I have been watching Tiabbi and Greenwald dance around this stuff. Yes, the Democratic Party has profoundly betrayed much of its base and Washington is a cesspool of corporate influence but you don't have to get in bed with Logan or Flynn to expose this. SMH
There was always something strange about Matt Taibbi. No surprise he’s turned total heel. Apologists for burgeoning American Fascism come in all stripes it seems. Just like former high-minded “journalists” in Italy in the 20s and Germany in the 30s long ago. Same as it ever was. Good on you for calling him the f**k out.
…yep, i already wrote about him in other comments, i was working for New York Press about 30 years ago and he was a regular contributor to the publication, and even then he was the “wacky writer”, but then was much less antagonism in our politics, now he’s a full blown idiot taken by other idiots in our country
For a while I kept telling myself Taibbi was just going undercover, like when he joined an evangelical church for one of his earlier books. No, like deep undercover...
I do not always like what he reports on, but it is information we need to make informed decisions. Shining a light on the corrupt genocidal government on both sides (yes, Trump is the worse and Taibbi thinks so too)
Mr.Taibbi is doing a service for all of us, providing JOURNALISM with INTEGRITY, BALANCE, and HUMILITY.
Thanks Duchess, sorry you've had to bear the brunt of Taibbi's sad sack fans & apologists but I just don't have the strength or interest to bother with them.
...and I scanned the article. It is a flimsy smear piece with little actually facts that would "align" the two. One thing I agree from the piece:
"Take it straight from the self-professed words of Taibbi, he’s the same self-professed independent journalist he’s always been. He hasn’t changed a bit since 2014 when he slammed Logan, ..."
How is defending her professionally and being a fellow headliner at a major right-wing rally not amount to aligning with her. And it is a smear piece but entirely accurate, you either can’t read or more likely you’re on the right as well, but if you seriously believe the story doesn’t demonstrate he has made a dramatic shift from left to write it may be the former.
In my opinion, your focus on Taibbi via his relationship w/ Logan is misleading. If you look at the whole of Taibbi’s work, recent and when you did respect him, you may see that he is also neither left or right and presents his work as such.
You may be familiar with Taibbi’s Munk debate with Douglas Murray on “Mainstream Media” (link below). I REALLY dislike Douglas Murray for his racist xenophobic and dishonest framing of immigrants, but I also know that Taibbi does NOT have the same opinion of immigrants as Murray.
Munk Debate Podcast: Mainstream Media Debate | December 2022
Folks like Greenwald and Taibbi are journalists with integrity and present the information with as little bias as possible but also honest about their opinions when they are presented unlike mainstream media.
I am not right or left. To me these phrases are twisted and meaningless without context and even then are not reliable.
From the very little I know about Logan, I personally have a low opinion of her and do not consider her a journalist. As you note, Taibbi also “took down” Logan in the past and will likely do it again.
Are you familiar w/ Chris Hedges? What is your opinion of Mr. Hedges?
Ahem, Matt Taibbi, opening statement September 29:
“So what do all of us at “Rescue the Republic” have in common? Nothing!”
But Ken’s reaction to this comment will probably be that I must be right winger. Attempts at objective, non team mentality takes, are apparently beyond his grasp.
Cicero said he who does not learn what happened before he was born remains forever a child. Just like those that think the war in Ukraine started in 2022.
Ken EXAGGERATES when he portrays M appearing at the same event as Logan and writing a tweet that her fall was politically motivated (he didn’t say she was an excellent journalist!) as ALIGNING with her.
Apparently, his days in Moscow are an embarrassment. Ugly American sort of stuff on a beer budget, But, of course, what happens in Moscow, stays in Moscow.
Actually, I have never thought much of Taibbi as a journalist, ever. His famous 'vampire squid' article is basically a child's tantrum, an emotional rant about the unfairness of it all, that the big banks were getting bailed out after the Crash of 2008 while the ordinary citizens were getting thrown under the bus (a very large bus). The vampire squid image apparently had traction, but it's really not a helpful way to understand our situation, in the sense of finding any way to improve it.
The financial system in American capitalism is more like a chronic parasite than a biting predator gluing itself to your face. The whole idea is to make the parasitism painless and not noticeable. To make it seem like the natural order of things. The big activity always happens out of sight. Perhaps like having a tapeworm in your gut, so you just feel hungry more often. Or maybe like getting your heels nibbled by a vampire bat, which takes blood so gently that cows don't even notice it.
Taibbi was a hack journalist in 2009 and he's a hack journalist now. Some things don't change.
For years, I looked forward to every piece that Taibbi wrote. They were scathingly funny and the comparison with Hunter Thompson was a deserved compliment.
When he started to make his descent into right-wing madness, I canceled my Substack subscription and wrote him a note. I was astonished when I received a detailed reply the same day, which seemed heartfelt and genuine. So I let it ride a bit longer, but it didn’t take too long before it was apparent my modern day Mencken/Twain/Liebling/Hunter Thompson had morphed into a deranged defender of right-wing insanity.
(Another less prominent parallel is Jim Kunstler, who had his own stint at Rolling Stone in the 70s, whose blog “clusterfuck nation” was also laceratingly funny, and certainly far far away from right-wing nuttery. Now he’s a full throated Trumper.)
Although I’m sure Matt’s making a tidy pile, I actually don’t think his conversion is primarily due to greed.
There is of course speculation that his wild days in Moscow left behind something Putin’s goons could use as Kompromat. I’m not so sure that’s the explanation either.
I’m really not sure what it is, but I look forward to someday reading an explanation that makes sense to me.
Well, first of all I am very pressed for time at the moment, but I’m gonna respond to this a little bit and more detail in a note unstack because I’ve been thinking about it as well. But I expect that you got a lengthy reply because you wrote him when he began his descent and at some level, consciously or subconsciously, he was aware at that time as he no longer is after convincing himself that he didn’t do anything wrong, he was about to proceed on a very, horrible path.
And secondly, I am absolutely certain I know what provoked the Transformation that key and other of the turncoats like Greenwald, etc., have gone through and I I agree that it wasn’t pure direct cash, and I do not believe he has Moscow gold, but I am very sure that it’s the same basic reason that everyone sold out before him and Will after him, which is more subtle, but it is entirely self interest, financially, personally, and professionally, which if I ever have babysitting help will be the last piece of that series which addresses all of them.
It’s not easy to make a person (journalist) understand when their paycheck depends on them not understanding.
Makes sense yes, but isn't Logan just a bridge too far? I have been watching Tiabbi and Greenwald dance around this stuff. Yes, the Democratic Party has profoundly betrayed much of its base and Washington is a cesspool of corporate influence but you don't have to get in bed with Logan or Flynn to expose this. SMH
And also, sorry about all the typos, but I am holding my seven month old daughter in my arms and dictating so that can’t be helped
I swear, money makes people stupid.
There was always something strange about Matt Taibbi. No surprise he’s turned total heel. Apologists for burgeoning American Fascism come in all stripes it seems. Just like former high-minded “journalists” in Italy in the 20s and Germany in the 30s long ago. Same as it ever was. Good on you for calling him the f**k out.
…yep, i already wrote about him in other comments, i was working for New York Press about 30 years ago and he was a regular contributor to the publication, and even then he was the “wacky writer”, but then was much less antagonism in our politics, now he’s a full blown idiot taken by other idiots in our country
For a while I kept telling myself Taibbi was just going undercover, like when he joined an evangelical church for one of his earlier books. No, like deep undercover...
Me too. Then I hoped he was being forcibly held in a home for the criminally insane. Then I hoped...
Matt Taibbi does NOT suck.
I do not always like what he reports on, but it is information we need to make informed decisions. Shining a light on the corrupt genocidal government on both sides (yes, Trump is the worse and Taibbi thinks so too)
Mr.Taibbi is doing a service for all of us, providing JOURNALISM with INTEGRITY, BALANCE, and HUMILITY.
THANK YOU MATT TAIBBI.
Then why is Tiabbi aligning with Logan?
Please provide context regarding Taibbi “…aligning…”
A team mentality permeates Ken’s outlook. You said something complimentary about someone on the right once?! Well you must be on THAT TEAM.
Did u read the post? Appearing at this confwrwnce with her…
Thanks Duchess, sorry you've had to bear the brunt of Taibbi's sad sack fans & apologists but I just don't have the strength or interest to bother with them.
"appearing" does not equate to "aligning"
...and I scanned the article. It is a flimsy smear piece with little actually facts that would "align" the two. One thing I agree from the piece:
"Take it straight from the self-professed words of Taibbi, he’s the same self-professed independent journalist he’s always been. He hasn’t changed a bit since 2014 when he slammed Logan, ..."
How is defending her professionally and being a fellow headliner at a major right-wing rally not amount to aligning with her. And it is a smear piece but entirely accurate, you either can’t read or more likely you’re on the right as well, but if you seriously believe the story doesn’t demonstrate he has made a dramatic shift from left to write it may be the former.
Read his speech from the Rescue the Republic event and it answers this question. It’s a great speech!
In my opinion, your focus on Taibbi via his relationship w/ Logan is misleading. If you look at the whole of Taibbi’s work, recent and when you did respect him, you may see that he is also neither left or right and presents his work as such.
You may be familiar with Taibbi’s Munk debate with Douglas Murray on “Mainstream Media” (link below). I REALLY dislike Douglas Murray for his racist xenophobic and dishonest framing of immigrants, but I also know that Taibbi does NOT have the same opinion of immigrants as Murray.
Munk Debate Podcast: Mainstream Media Debate | December 2022
https://youtu.be/3vkgROIINEs?feature=shared
Folks like Greenwald and Taibbi are journalists with integrity and present the information with as little bias as possible but also honest about their opinions when they are presented unlike mainstream media.
I am not right or left. To me these phrases are twisted and meaningless without context and even then are not reliable.
From the very little I know about Logan, I personally have a low opinion of her and do not consider her a journalist. As you note, Taibbi also “took down” Logan in the past and will likely do it again.
Are you familiar w/ Chris Hedges? What is your opinion of Mr. Hedges?
Ahem, Matt Taibbi, opening statement September 29:
“So what do all of us at “Rescue the Republic” have in common? Nothing!”
But Ken’s reaction to this comment will probably be that I must be right winger. Attempts at objective, non team mentality takes, are apparently beyond his grasp.
Cicero said he who does not learn what happened before he was born remains forever a child. Just like those that think the war in Ukraine started in 2022.
then why is he aligning with Logan?
Ken EXAGGERATES when he portrays M appearing at the same event as Logan and writing a tweet that her fall was politically motivated (he didn’t say she was an excellent journalist!) as ALIGNING with her.
Taibbi discusses government censorship activity on Unherd.
Give it 5 minutes and to get a sense of the Mr Taibbi's journalistic integrity.
https://youtu.be/TSf8iMZkv0s?feature=shared
Apparently, his days in Moscow are an embarrassment. Ugly American sort of stuff on a beer budget, But, of course, what happens in Moscow, stays in Moscow.
Rob Schneider and skillet. Kid rock too busy? That’s enough stupid to go no further
Actually, I have never thought much of Taibbi as a journalist, ever. His famous 'vampire squid' article is basically a child's tantrum, an emotional rant about the unfairness of it all, that the big banks were getting bailed out after the Crash of 2008 while the ordinary citizens were getting thrown under the bus (a very large bus). The vampire squid image apparently had traction, but it's really not a helpful way to understand our situation, in the sense of finding any way to improve it.
The financial system in American capitalism is more like a chronic parasite than a biting predator gluing itself to your face. The whole idea is to make the parasitism painless and not noticeable. To make it seem like the natural order of things. The big activity always happens out of sight. Perhaps like having a tapeworm in your gut, so you just feel hungry more often. Or maybe like getting your heels nibbled by a vampire bat, which takes blood so gently that cows don't even notice it.
Taibbi was a hack journalist in 2009 and he's a hack journalist now. Some things don't change.