Carlson is a most repulsive human being. But he is smart, and he can see that the #DirtyOldMan's ship is sinking. So like all rats, he's getting off as fast as he can. No one should ever believe a word he says.
He was flame thrower one. And pro Russian. Could not be more contemptible. Maybe he'll join putin when he comes to Florida. And maybe he can help Russia crush Ukraine. Its all part of the package.
This is a very important message and beautifully expressed-thank you for this! If we look at the MAGA supporters breaking away from Trump now most have one thing in common…antisemitism (among other prejudices but because of the alignment with Israel I think this is front of the line). I believe that’s the straw that is creating the current schism. I celebrate the schism if it breaks their hold on our government AND I don’t believe it’s driven by any moral awakenings so no thank you to your false apologies.
If only a handful of members of Congress would similarly confess to buyer's remorse, and throw their weight into an impeachment and then conviction.
One way for Tucker--and all the others who have recently abandoned ship--to try for just a bit of redemption would be to lobby the Republican House and Senate with everything they've got.
Trust and verify. Now Carlson’s work of atonement begins with telling the truth to his many followers and working for small d democracy. It is not the job of big D Democrats to “welcome” him - or anyone - back to the fold as if the party were a religion. Following without questioning, no matter the “fold", is the danger. Watch what he does now, not what he says.
Your editorial laid it out in stark and no uncertain terms…Tucker is a dangerous man who wields his words like a sword to persuade the most persuadable. What is heartbreaking is that so many of us are in search of someone or something that is fine, true, and strong; steadfast and, ironically, UNPERSUADABLE. How far must our country bend before it breaks? We haven’t far to go…and Tucker is the leader of the band. He has demonstrated that lies and hate engender no consequences for the perpetrators. They can mortally wound, slash and tear at the curtains of decency and then walk away from the damage they cause. Not this time. Not this moment. Not this citizen. I’m learning the lesson of liberty…that it lives within each of us and all of us, not “Little Tommie Tucker”, who “sings for his supper.”
You are right to be skeptical of Carlson's apology. All of us should be skeptical. The proof of our need to be skeptical is in what he has not said. He haas not denounced his racism. He has not denounced his lust for power and authoritarianism. He has not reversed his attitudes about immigration. He has not denounced his Christian nationalist, misogyny, xenophobia, and his antisemitism.
Carlson is just mad a 47 for getting America into an unnecessary and dangerous war, and being a blithering, old man with vision of being a god, and imposing tariffs that cost him money. In other words, he has not denounced any of 47's core political and ideological ideas or policies.
One of your best, Steve. Truly. Carlson is definitely making moves to be the Republican nominee for president in 2028. He'll be Donald Trump on steroids, more dangerous because he is smart and media savvy and commands a huge following. He's to the right of the groypers, a fascist in Ralph Loren sweaters. If the Democrats can get their act together by then and field a reformer and a fighter, they can keep Carlson out of the electoral arena. Failing to take him seriously will be at our peril.
I was with a bunch of progressives who were appreciating latest adverse Trump polling, especially celebrating Tucker's recent comments last night. I said something like this. Tucker Carlson is not just a commentator but a powerful shaper of grievance-driven narratives that erode trust in all democratic institutions and the Democratic Party is not immune, as polls show. . By blending selective facts with provocation, Carlson amplifies division and normalizes extremism. Giving him even partial credit is risky, as it legitimizes a broader pattern of distortion. That validation strengthens his credibility and reinforces both his manipulative storytelling and polarization ,while creating long term damage to belief that government can do anything right.
Yes Steven, agree, it is NOT enough to apologize, and I also fear it will take decades to recover. Recovery will require reinforced focused formidable Will, bereft of politeness.
Excerpt from your essay brought tears:
“The future depends on re-engagement
with foundational values, including equality, justice, commitment to the rule of law and treating everyone with respect, dignity and basic humanity.
It’s hard to overstate the challenge of rebuilding unity in a nation so gravely rended by the rich and powerful.”
I agree that it is not enough for Tucker Carlson and others to say that they are sorry. That is not taking responsibility, which requires working to undo the damage that they did. The idea of penance is not to buy forgiveness but to encourage the wrongdoer to reflect on what he or she has done and in doing so to understand why he or she did it and not to do it in the future. The next step would be atonement or actively taking steps to mitigate the wrong that was done that cannot be undone. What I see so far is the realization by Carlson and others that the ship is sinking, so they are looking for a way off, but only if they do not have to jettison the racism, elitism and desire for power that underpins why they supported Trump and the Republicans.
Exactly. They are positioning themselves to keep the money stream coming in life after trump. Tucker isn’t sorry one bit about what he’s done. He’s worried about his next gravy train.
He’s the guy who never dreamed his texts would come out in a Dominion lawsuit after trump lost in 2020. The ones he sent to his producer about how he passionately hated Trump & said “We are very, very close to being able to ignore Trump most nights. I truly can't wait." Something that was a continuing theme apparently.
This bigoted hypocrite, who has been building his brand since his early days as a bowtie-wearing popinjay on CNN, has done untold damage to our nation and our values. The fact that he is now clutching at his pearls should fool no one.
It is a condemnation of our system of politics that he is even spoken about as a potential presidential candidate.
Our Allies are pragmatic. They will not punish America for the Trump abberation. This will be particularly true if we harden the rules for Voting, DEI, Vaccines, and jail those Cabinet members, after due process, for their crimes - including Trump.
As for America, it will not take decades to right the ship. If Trump, Patel, Hegseth, Kennedy, Bondi et.al. can fire competence, the Democrats can fire for incompetence. If those scientists and Federal employees and high ranking service members who were fired are willing to return for the good of their country we can refit the government, but only if the Progressive Democrats can be prepared with Project 2027 and 2028 NOW. Waiting until 2030 is a dereliction of duty! It is past time the Democrats worked together.
Carlson is a most repulsive human being. But he is smart, and he can see that the #DirtyOldMan's ship is sinking. So like all rats, he's getting off as fast as he can. No one should ever believe a word he says.
He was flame thrower one. And pro Russian. Could not be more contemptible. Maybe he'll join putin when he comes to Florida. And maybe he can help Russia crush Ukraine. Its all part of the package.
It’s all performative. An act. He sees the tide is turning. Ignore him.
Hi Al
Yes, “Image Laundering”
Perhaps as Steven suggests, preparing to run for office.
Oh yuck!
Yuck! Great word
This is a very important message and beautifully expressed-thank you for this! If we look at the MAGA supporters breaking away from Trump now most have one thing in common…antisemitism (among other prejudices but because of the alignment with Israel I think this is front of the line). I believe that’s the straw that is creating the current schism. I celebrate the schism if it breaks their hold on our government AND I don’t believe it’s driven by any moral awakenings so no thank you to your false apologies.
Antisemitism, racism, and misogyny +
If only a handful of members of Congress would similarly confess to buyer's remorse, and throw their weight into an impeachment and then conviction.
One way for Tucker--and all the others who have recently abandoned ship--to try for just a bit of redemption would be to lobby the Republican House and Senate with everything they've got.
Trust and verify. Now Carlson’s work of atonement begins with telling the truth to his many followers and working for small d democracy. It is not the job of big D Democrats to “welcome” him - or anyone - back to the fold as if the party were a religion. Following without questioning, no matter the “fold", is the danger. Watch what he does now, not what he says.
Your editorial laid it out in stark and no uncertain terms…Tucker is a dangerous man who wields his words like a sword to persuade the most persuadable. What is heartbreaking is that so many of us are in search of someone or something that is fine, true, and strong; steadfast and, ironically, UNPERSUADABLE. How far must our country bend before it breaks? We haven’t far to go…and Tucker is the leader of the band. He has demonstrated that lies and hate engender no consequences for the perpetrators. They can mortally wound, slash and tear at the curtains of decency and then walk away from the damage they cause. Not this time. Not this moment. Not this citizen. I’m learning the lesson of liberty…that it lives within each of us and all of us, not “Little Tommie Tucker”, who “sings for his supper.”
Truth, consequences, and reparations. Nothing else will suffice.
You are right to be skeptical of Carlson's apology. All of us should be skeptical. The proof of our need to be skeptical is in what he has not said. He haas not denounced his racism. He has not denounced his lust for power and authoritarianism. He has not reversed his attitudes about immigration. He has not denounced his Christian nationalist, misogyny, xenophobia, and his antisemitism.
Carlson is just mad a 47 for getting America into an unnecessary and dangerous war, and being a blithering, old man with vision of being a god, and imposing tariffs that cost him money. In other words, he has not denounced any of 47's core political and ideological ideas or policies.
One of your best, Steve. Truly. Carlson is definitely making moves to be the Republican nominee for president in 2028. He'll be Donald Trump on steroids, more dangerous because he is smart and media savvy and commands a huge following. He's to the right of the groypers, a fascist in Ralph Loren sweaters. If the Democrats can get their act together by then and field a reformer and a fighter, they can keep Carlson out of the electoral arena. Failing to take him seriously will be at our peril.
I was with a bunch of progressives who were appreciating latest adverse Trump polling, especially celebrating Tucker's recent comments last night. I said something like this. Tucker Carlson is not just a commentator but a powerful shaper of grievance-driven narratives that erode trust in all democratic institutions and the Democratic Party is not immune, as polls show. . By blending selective facts with provocation, Carlson amplifies division and normalizes extremism. Giving him even partial credit is risky, as it legitimizes a broader pattern of distortion. That validation strengthens his credibility and reinforces both his manipulative storytelling and polarization ,while creating long term damage to belief that government can do anything right.
Yes Steven, agree, it is NOT enough to apologize, and I also fear it will take decades to recover. Recovery will require reinforced focused formidable Will, bereft of politeness.
Excerpt from your essay brought tears:
“The future depends on re-engagement
with foundational values, including equality, justice, commitment to the rule of law and treating everyone with respect, dignity and basic humanity.
It’s hard to overstate the challenge of rebuilding unity in a nation so gravely rended by the rich and powerful.”
💙🇺🇸💙
Why would anyone watch/listen to a person such obvious poor judgement?
I agree that it is not enough for Tucker Carlson and others to say that they are sorry. That is not taking responsibility, which requires working to undo the damage that they did. The idea of penance is not to buy forgiveness but to encourage the wrongdoer to reflect on what he or she has done and in doing so to understand why he or she did it and not to do it in the future. The next step would be atonement or actively taking steps to mitigate the wrong that was done that cannot be undone. What I see so far is the realization by Carlson and others that the ship is sinking, so they are looking for a way off, but only if they do not have to jettison the racism, elitism and desire for power that underpins why they supported Trump and the Republicans.
Exactly. They are positioning themselves to keep the money stream coming in life after trump. Tucker isn’t sorry one bit about what he’s done. He’s worried about his next gravy train.
He’s the guy who never dreamed his texts would come out in a Dominion lawsuit after trump lost in 2020. The ones he sent to his producer about how he passionately hated Trump & said “We are very, very close to being able to ignore Trump most nights. I truly can't wait." Something that was a continuing theme apparently.
Then he campaigned for DJT to be elected in 2024.
This bigoted hypocrite, who has been building his brand since his early days as a bowtie-wearing popinjay on CNN, has done untold damage to our nation and our values. The fact that he is now clutching at his pearls should fool no one.
It is a condemnation of our system of politics that he is even spoken about as a potential presidential candidate.
Our Allies are pragmatic. They will not punish America for the Trump abberation. This will be particularly true if we harden the rules for Voting, DEI, Vaccines, and jail those Cabinet members, after due process, for their crimes - including Trump.
As for America, it will not take decades to right the ship. If Trump, Patel, Hegseth, Kennedy, Bondi et.al. can fire competence, the Democrats can fire for incompetence. If those scientists and Federal employees and high ranking service members who were fired are willing to return for the good of their country we can refit the government, but only if the Progressive Democrats can be prepared with Project 2027 and 2028 NOW. Waiting until 2030 is a dereliction of duty! It is past time the Democrats worked together.