Nah, this is NOT a big deal. It's an idea AND a place. It's freedom, it's about the rights of the individual (it used to be) AND It's America First. But his point is that ideas are flimsy, manipulated, bloodless. A place is tangible. It's home. It's something people can get their minds around. And yes, let's hear how Kamala is better. You just always attack people on our side for small things. They aren't perfect. Nobody is.
Agree, Alex had to make a very long reach to find this issue. The man love the USA is and it’s people, supports legal immigration, is skilled, smart, and will work hard.
You state, J. D. said that America is not JUST an idea… He is not denying that it started (has roots) as an idea. I don’t agree with your argument and disagreement with J. D. here. Such a stretch!
In my humble opinion J.D. Vance does NOT look weird but the dude who dresses like a woman & claims to be the first woman whatever leader & the dude who dresses like a woman who stole luggage & clothes & was in charge of nuclear whatever are WEIRD. But hey, what do I know.
Alex is a patriotic citizen who risked a great deal defending our rights against government tyranny. I am proud that I wore a uniform & served my country. Alex also serves his country.
It's not disagreeing, that's fine overall. It's that he is picking up on Democrat talking points that are going to cost Trump the election and put us into a totalitarian nightmare. Look at how Trump behaved vs. these people. Forget narratives. And that is the narrative they are pushing. We can't afford that right now. Now JD is a Nazi.
Chris, I agree that Alex has indeed reported on many subjects that were truth forward, BUT this article is (pun intended) 'outa left field. It's ironic that he, while attacking J.D. about his ties to his "homeland", would revert back to his leftist "roots".
I really don’t see this as “an attack”. Alex has a different view & partially because of upbringing. JD’s message may have a bit of trouble connecting to people like Alex. I understand his point. I personally connect more with the idea of the USA. It’s kinda splitting hairs. However, votes maybe in the balance. Of course, I’m not sure the my “follow the Constitution” is a message that would gather middle, left supporter. It’s wonderful that we can disagree here without the name calling the left usually brings.
Agree 100%. He stuck his neck out and lost friends, job, experienced a lot of pain. We have benefited, and it’s easy to forget his sacrifice is part of that.
Alex was the first "dissenter" I found during the early days of covid in 2020 and made me realize I wasn't going crazy. For that, I will always be grateful and I've been a happy subscriber ever since.
War is the greatest threat to our liberties, since it always occasions authoritarian measures justified by the war emergency. That includes 911, which fathered the Patriot [sic] Act, which is still in force twenty-three years later.
War is justified by the alleged threat/danger to our freedoms or sovereignty. Not always, but this is usually a bogus narrative - just like "Covid" is/was an existential threat to our health and lives.
I say beware politicians telling us they are going to save us all.
No kidding. If it’s just the idea they value they may think they can settle elsewhere and nurture their idea with an American beer in one hand and the flag in the other, or, if they’re of the intelligent kind, with a meaty discussion over FaceTime or dinner in some little bistrot.
To cite one example of subtle indoctrination, there's a reason the NFL goes all-in on pre-game and halftime shows celebrating the troops. The system needs these troops to prosecute all our unnecessary wars. So we celebrate the people who actually have to go put their lives at risk.
I agree, as well. But there is a connection with "the land" that is a part of the rural community. That is why you see farmers in anguish over the prospect of losing the farm that has been in his/her family for generations. That isn't just a loss of livelihood (not inconsequential), but the loss of the actual section of the earth where their ancestors are buried. My ancestors are buried in Europe. My grandparents are in various cemeteries in the Midwest. My family sold the homes of my grandparents, we've sold the homes of our parents, and even sold the home where our children were raised. No anguish. Just real estate transactions.
I'm a New York City kid---and my love of place is exactly the same as a rural cousin. The land is important, but that's not what gets you emotional about it. My neighborhood in Queens is not the same as before. Its the passage of my past and history and though less tenable than owning a piece of land the emotions are the same. For God's sake are we gonna do this as to who's more American? or deserving of more sympathy? Welcome to the intersectional Obama experiment where they prey on our differences for their power and lust. City mouse and Country mouse had their own sets of promise and problems but we are all rats in this maze.
Totally agree! Didn't read Alex's take on JD Vance's speech like that at all! I think you can both love and protect the area you're from and consider it your Homeland as well as viewing America as the larger Homeland you're in. And I guarantee you 100% that Miss Cackling Kamala in no way shape or form thinks Appalachia is part of her homeland.....
If that is the biggest concern about JD Vance....I'm going to sleep even better at night when he's the Veep. Not a policy question, not a character question, AB simply doesn't agree with JD's attempt at pulling some heart strings using the term "homeland". Zzzzzzzz......
Actually, when it comes to actually fighting, we're fighting for our comrades-in-arms. The men (and now women) in the foxholes with us. Take Pat Tillman as an example.
He graduated from Arizona State University, recognized as one of the best linebackers in the country. He became an all-pro safety in the NFL. After 9/11, he turned down a multi-million-dollar contract to continue playing football and enlisted in the Army instead. He participated in the invasion of Iraq, became an Army Ranger, and was then sent to Afghanistan. He became increasingly uneasy with the war, and intended to speak out after his tour was over. He died due to friendly fire before he could.
The key question to me is why did a Pat Tillman – and the myriad others who doubted the rightness of the wars they fought – continue on until they paid the ultimate price. Clearly he – as did so many others – joined the military because of his idealism. But as one who’s been there I can tell you: there are few idealists in foxholes. My own experience (backed up by a fair amount of research) says that in those moments of crisis when the shooting starts the one thing that drives us is the thought that we can’t let our buddies down.
We have been bound together by common circumstances. We’ve all undergone the same bullying by drill sergeants. We’ve all had to leave family and loved ones behind. We’re all in some misbegotten hellhole and have to rely on each other for our very survival.
So arguing over whether we fight for ideas or for location misses the point. Ideas start wars. Countries start wars. But the ones actually doing the fighting are doing it because they have formed a community with their comrades-in-arms.
Pat Tillman's idealism was misplaced, alas. He may have thought he was fighting for his country, but he was wrong. He was really fighting for wealthy arms manufacturers and others who control this accursed planet. The days of joining any of the armed forces because one wants to defend one's country are long gone. Anyone who does so these days is a fool, a dupe. Propaganda is extremely effective.
I wonder if citizens care more about themselves and their own families' present and futures than they do about preserving some political union.
A country's government is not - or should not - define an entire country. When the government, in the view of large swaths of the population, becomes irrevocably toxic or tyranical, should people - who are supposed to be the ultimate rulers in their nation - just accept this?
I don't know the answer ... but I guess we might find out soon.
Read the writings of the founders. We can’t accept this outcome. We as citizens that love our country & the Constitution must be engaged to return power to the people. Voting from the ground level up is the key. Get involved. You can make a difference.
Not where I live, in California. With our completely corrupt elections, the people who desire change are powerless. Black box voting machines will continue to guarantee the "election" of whichever candidate the hidden powers desire. This has been true for at least 2.5 decades, perhaps longer.
The rest of America should consider this: California currently has only 26 Republicans in State office. The Democrats have 104. Every single one of the top elected officials is Democrat...Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Controller, Insurance Commissioner, Sup. of Education (on the BOE are 3 Dems and 1 Repub). Both U.S. Senators are Democrat, and in the U.S. House are 40 Democrats and only 12 Republicans. So out of 130 government officials in California (including U.S. government) there are 130 elected officials in high office, and 104 are Democrat. That's 80%. In state voting, in order to attain dominance California created this ridiculous jungle primary so most of the time the top two candidates for any office will both be Democrats. I think a lot of Californians don't know about the Democrats now controlling 80% of everything, they don't pay attention. Many probably don't care. Hollywood and big tech loves it. Ultimately, the Conservatives have absolutely zero voice any more, nor does it look like they ever will. I would ask the rest of America if you would like to see a similar situation in the rest of the country. That will be a total takeover with no hope of reversing things. That is what the Marxists are after.
CMCM, you describe Ca well, Californians went from Governor Reagan to Governor Newsome, and throw in Schiff to add insult to injury. This trajectory started in '65 with Ted Kennedy-sponsored legislation to change the immigration patterns and countries of origination. When Kennedy said at the time "This bill has nothing to do with voting", it meant it had everything to do with voting.
It's POSSIBLE that Vance may turn out to be a perfect choice which is illustrated by the 'unease' Alex tries to rationalize in this essay. Vance is not someone who grew up 'safe' in the NY vicinity. He is part of the forgotten American he describes; descendants of those who had to dig deep roots into their places and have been fighting for it ever since, part of the deplorables (Hillary), part of those who cling to their guns and religions (Obama), those who are MAGA extremists (Biden) and weird (Harris) and smugged at daily by the elites in the press and on CNN. If there are still 20,000-25,000 or so left of these likely low propensity votes still in each Ohio, MI and PA and Vance can mobilize them, Trump will turn into a political genius. I think what really bothers Alex is that Vance's 'peripatetic' (50 cent word) background didn't turn him into 'his type'. He put his roots back down in Ohio where he came from while he could have stayed on a coast where his wife was from.
"Nah, this is NOT a big deal. It's an idea AND a place."
The "idea" is the U.S. Constitution and the unique-though-imperfect brilliance of the Founders put down into words.
The "place" is our Federal Republic. Founded as the United States - united, but each unique.
Might we all agree (and Alex especially) that FREE SPEECH as guaranteed in the FIRST AMENDMENT is the most important idea of the moment? I will base my vote on whichever party or candidates act in support of free speech because I see it as the essential right upon which all other rights rely.
Yep, Trump did not take away free speech or weaponize the justice dept. So let's not agonize over every turn of the phrase JD Vance makes. He once called Trump Hitler, so it's not likely he has any intention of being overly nationalistic. Yep, most important idea of the moment. Nicely said.
Well, I think you are saying it's both. And it is. Even if you leave your family and your roots to fight, it's to protect that. I wish I had confidence in human nature that we didn't need borders. I used to be totally libertarian. Open the borders but don't put anyone on the dole. They have to get a job. Now, there is a deliberate effort to change America by doing this not to mention we put them on the dole AND have drugs and terrorists. But America is both an idea and a place and we have families. Socialists are trying to get rid of the family and JD is appealing to that. However, I am against most of these wars. We need to stop them asap and stay out of them if we can.
I think that part of the Founders' brilliance was a deep understanding human nature. It's actually amazing that the U.S. experiment has lasted this long. Human nature does not change.
I completely concur with you Dale. There just didn't seem to be much substance in this critique that I could get my arms around. I kept waiting for the punchline and it never came. But it did seem to be fairly whiny for some reason.
Agree 100%! I read it and reread it wondering where is Alex coming from on this one? I'd like to see a part one of two (or 100) on why Kamala is bad.....
I read Alex's column later than most of you, so glad to see this thread summarizing my reaction as well. What JD did is called "rhetoric." He was trying to create emotion. Whether he succeed or not is irrelevant to his ability to be an effective VP or President. The article's title of "The Problem with..." says more about Alex than JD. Dems are desperate to paint JD as a lunatic and sadly, Alex is helping.
This is what I don't like about Alex. He gets some little bur up his behind about something and thinks we all need to care and need to fall in line cuz he said so. A couple days ago, he criticized Vance's looks. You don't like him, we get it. Move on. And I won't be reading Part 2.
Sometimes I write opinion pieces for my Substack and then decide, "Nah, I don't need to run that."
Alex should have maybe done the same thing with this piece. However, this said, I've enjoyed the Reader Comments this article prompted ... so I'm glad he went ahead and hit the "send" button.
Is it typical New York to have to find fault when someone seems too good to be true? I grew up in the suburbs of NY and left at 10, but this tendency hung onto me for a long time, like maybe last year.
Alex and JD grew up in multiple different worlds. Ex: Manhattan is its own country and culture, by itself. And that's just a start at how different they are.
It is very hard for Alex to relate to JD. In fact, I think Alex makes a decent attempt to TRY to relate, which most people in his shoes would not.
Good point Joseph. My impression is that Alex is normally open minded. Perhaps he will have a better understanding of his antipathy to JD after this discussion, particularly the excellent email he posted from an “unpaid” subscriber.
Dale, love your comments, agree 100%, but don't agree with this particular comment but still love ya. Alex is often not open minded at all, and over these last 4 years I've yet to see him admit he might be very wrong when it becomes more and more obvious that he's been wrong on some major issues. He's been overall very good on calling out many of the outrageous covid lies and orchestrated mayhem we've witnessed since the Wuhan lab leak/wet market bull crap, but he consistently refuses to entertain ideas that many of these same Democrats and Rinos (and some Republicans) were behind a totally orchestrated Jan 6 non-Insurrection, Pelosi's recent video yet one more nail in that coffin, never addressing/acknowledging the since-released videos that confirm its heavily planned actions and optics and its sham one-sided investigation and horrible punishments handed out to noisy protestors, at the very worst, vandals, nor will he entertain the many facts of the 2020 election fraud, never once addressing and of the mountains of evidence seen then and more now that we know were never adjudicated instead thrown out for "lack of standing" etc. nor will he address it now since several big examples of fraud, only labeled as "Interference", like Hunter's lap top w/censoring the New York Post story on all media platforms and enlisting the 51 Intelligence officials to vouch for its inauthenticity (reversed and confirmed as the real deal by the FBI, which had previously withheld it) and the 4 years of hiding the total implosion of Biden's mental state up to the last minute when the debate was the biggest most indelible Presidential implosion on TV ever witnessed since the first televised debate in 1960, and the subsequent secretive handling of Biden's withdrawal and succession, if nothing else proving the ongoing subterfuge Democrats often engage in behind-the-scenes to subvert We The People's (Voters) "input" (with actual real votes) on Democrat candidacies, and one of Alex's strangest actions I've witnessed at the height of his good work on exposing the mountains of nightmare Government lies re: Covid was his surprise national TV angry attack (ambush) on fellow Covid warrior Dr. Malone, which I witnessed in real time and was repulsed by his snarling ignorance and dogged negativity towards a man that has done as much and now more than Alex ever has to expose the lies, for one by (largely) working and fighting to recruit/maintain a united front against the powers-that-be who were pushing the across the board false Covid narrative, and Alex clings to this day (as far as I know) to his wrong-headed fight against Ivermectin, and more absurdities (including a seeming reluctance to fully inspect or embrace some (but by no means all) aspects of the mRNA's dangers, seeming adverse to the idea of fully throwing in with a crowd that had been ridiculed mercilessly in the early days by Alex's former left-leaning weak ass crowd, despite Alex's experience with such as well. He's not 5th Column but in some instances it takes me a few minutes to get past how easy it would be to imagine he is before sorta completely ruling it out... I mean... right? Ha, that's crazy! Right? But... what's wrong with Ivermectin? I guess he was on the side of our NIH making it nearly impossible to get from pharmacies across the land despite its effectiveness and near total lack of side effects after its 65 years of vetted use compared to other Covid "cures" heavily backed by our beloved NIH and CDC agencies that were "95% effective at stoping the spread" but weren't, as far as I remember.
I agree that Alex has produced excellent journalism on many Covid and free speech topics, but has whiffed on other topics.
Off the top of my head, I've never seen Alex discuss the copious evidence of "early spread" and how this evidence - if "confirmed" or acknowledged - would harpoon the "deadly virus" narrative.
Per an interview with Tucker, he's not convinced that cancer rates are exploding because of the non-vaccines.
As cited, he doesn't seem to believe there's any credible evidence of election fraud from 2020 - where this evidence is also copious (or anecdotal evidence).
Alex has also not run one story on the "embalmers clots," which is the one piece of evidence that could probably instantly stop these shots ... if it was known by more people and if we could somehow force "authorities" to investigate these horrifying and new white, fibrous clots.
I think there are a few more examples of topics where I disagree with Alex and the poster above cites other examples.
Still, Alex allows free speech at his site (for subscribers). I understand the economic reasons for this, but personally I allow any free subscriber to make comments at my newsletter. The comments are very important. IMO the more you have, the better.
When you join the military, you take an oath to support & defend the CONSTITUTION. That’s the overwhelming reason for our success. I don’t discount the importance for the love of our land. However, the Constitution & concepts behind the Constitution are what my family has fought for since the Revolutionary War. My relatives in New England fought to defend their homes (the land) but, they fought for the ideas that created our great nation. I have no problem with JD Vance & his statements. However, I agree with Alex.
This is an odd interpretation because he said it is BOTH an idea and a place... and you're reading it backwards, and as someone who hasn't gone to war under the guise of spreading an "idea" to places that have zero interest in that idea.
It's okay not to like Vance, or anyone for that matter, but his statement was specifically related to the concept of NOT fighting wars all around the globe under the guise of an idea. This is a VERY common theme amongst past military members, and you can hear it on podcasts every single day of the year. Our people are willing to defend their family, their community, their life, but they are not willing to consider to shed blood across the globe under the guise of spreading an idea.
To understand that you only need to look at how badly abused the constitution is here at home, to see why those who fight are MUCH more focused on protecting their community/land than they are on fighting for ideals that aren't even recognized, much less upheld, by half the people they share a nation with.
I would like to see Alex write a piece in which he identifies the Americans who he believes disagree with his view that “the United States of America…is the greatest idea the world has ever had.” Based on my own experience of having lived in New York City and its environs for four decades, I suspect that enclaves dominated by Democrats and other Leftists would be heavily populated by such disagreers, but I would reserve judgment until I see what Alex writes.
Pay attention. JD said our country is MORE than an idea. I went to Middletown OH when JD announced his bid for US Senate seat. He was fantastic. Humble. Articulate. Smart as a whip. Conservative. Proud of his family--many who were with him at this first political event. Standing for God, family and country. All in for JD!
This, too, was my first thought, referring JD as a chameleon, concerned about his background, blah blah blah ; I wanted to know where’s the decisive take down of heels up Kammie; you bring up the complicated history of "the South," slavery, the Wahr Between the States (pronunciation is everythang) but Alex are you gonna do an exposé on Heels Up and her family OWNING and making money off the backs of slaves; how do you feel about the American Revolution throwing off the yoke of a repressive regime and would you compare/contrast that to The South throwing off the yoke of the industrial Noth and enduring 4 long years of Nothun Aggression. Keep in mind that Appalachia had little to do with Slavery, West Virginia split off from greater Virginia and that KENTUCKY sided with the North and is the birthplace of Lincoln and the ancestral home of the Vance Clan. Maybe I need to reread and/or read deeper but still trying to understand the myopic view/s.
But I suspect a good part of this may be due to your NYC roots, life?, and how that filters your view of people who’ve woken to cocks crowing and where the air smells of something other than taxi exhaust.
Yeah, I call Appalachia home, one of the few places I’ve ever felt "centered" and not lost, married in Kentucky back when you were popping zitz ( <- sorry, gratuitous insult 🤣) and while I’ve lived 40 years of my life west of the Mississippi and my diction is closer to the mid-west than the hardwood hollers, despite my poor upbringing in the northeast, born in upstate NY - your unjustified attack agin JD rankles.
Curiouser and curiouser about Part Deux. bring it on, city boy.
Bob, did he drop out because of Dementia? Is he hidin for the most part? If you get the chance watch Tucker’s interview of Mike Lee, it was Priceless. While Biden Does have Dementia IMO, Tucker explains a new conspiracy theory (so says Dems as usual): but I believe without a doubt this True, Obama the Almighty is behind the entire plan. Mark Kelly will be her pick. That’s who King Obama really wanted to be president cause us racist aren’t ready for a minority woman. If her numbers don’t pan out til convention, the delegates will pick him over her, Democracy at its best, Not. Scares me badly.
Biden dropped out because he was threatened with the 25th Amendment because he had dementia. I don't doubt Obama was involved but other Democrats were in on it too. I live in Arizona and wouldn't mind losing Mark Kelly as a Senator. He has a good life story but has done little during his four years in the Senate. I suppose Kamala is looking for someone who won't outshine her. I don't see him getting the Presidential nomination but l'm not sure he wouldn't be better than Willie Brown's former mistress.
Trump and JD need to make it about issues, policy in order to win. The media must also try to appear in the middle because if they pile on, it may backfire. This obsession with JD is because they are afraid of him IMO.
Disagree strongly. He's genuine. They hate that. He's heartland; they hate that. He achieved it all despite his beginnings and people are jealous. Ever notice that authenticity is now questioned when we know what it is in our bones? Vance is the real deal, and we need more than identity politics, and childish words like weird. His story is amazing. American to the core.
My experience in politics and as a gubernatorial campaign district coordinator, is politicians and those who report on them are unfamiliar with genuine people. Honestly is a currency they don't understand. When people are honest, establishment politicians start to squirm like prostitutes in church.
Comparing establishment politicians with prostitutes is unfair to prostitutes. Prostitutes obtain money by providing a service to customers who seek and pay for such service. Establishment politicians obtain money by using the coercive power of the state - enforced, if necessary, by state agents who carry firearms - to extort money from taxpayers, money that is often squandered on boondoggles or on advancing the politicians’ wealth or influence.
YES! Also true of bureaucrats in high places. However painful, it's key to keep your core values and stand up. Eventually, they may not understand you, but they steer clear slightly, knowing you're tenacious and calm. Standing up is not easy these days or for the last decade, but it's vital.
Yes, and to add insult to injury, he worked his way into the “elite“ and walked away. Like Trump, he is not awed by their accoutrements of status, invitations to cocktail parties and beach vacations, or flawed value systems.
Lea7- “heartland and genuine”- I imagine that Alex hasn’t run into very many people from the heartland who are genuine when he admittedly has only lived in and near NYC. I am an Ohioan, and people like JD are normal to me. The media talking points of calling JD weird is literally weird to me! My gosh, the left loves weird! Strange times we are living in.
Having lived in many places, there is something to love about different regions of our country. I would expect Alex not to have to live somewhere to understand the nuances of a different lived experience. Part of me thinks this entire 'Stack was written for just this purpose. If so, I fell for it!
Alex, I read Vance's speech that you shared four times and I absolutely believe when he mentions homeland, he is referring to the US. I think yes, like many people, he has an affinity for his roots (i.e. where he grew up, who his people are), but homeland is the US -- that everyone born all over, in Appalacia to California to the deep south -- share a home, not just a set of values. That the US is an ideal, but it's also a place. And this is crucial I think for the future of the country. Too many on the left hate America -- not just American ideals, but they hate their home. I rarely disagree with you, but this is one time I think you got this wrong. Vance wasn't my first choice, but I don't think he's as bad as people are making him out to be. He's a little too populist on economic policy for me, but he's better than anything the left has on offer.
It's hard sometimes in politics to just take a breath and not immediately react. Harris is having her honeymoon phase (with the full support of the MSM) and the Democrats have plenty of money to run focus groups and try different things to see what sticks. This isn't one of them. The only thing I see really sticking over time is the ads where Harris is running to the right of Trump on crime and immigration. Those are two of the three big issues in this campaign (economy/inflation is the third) and Trump can't let her get away with it. So he needs to respond with clear, focused ads about Harris's failures on crime (her comments about defunding the cops and bailing out looters will go far) and how she failed at the border (I think letting surrogates do this will go far -- i.e. DeSantis & Abbott)
I’m not sure how you can read the words JD Vance said and then honestly say you think he “criticized the idea of America.” I think you missed the mark here Alex.
Did you actually say that Joe stepping down from reelection makes him a close second to Lincoln ? I’m sorry - and I mean this kindly - are you Crazy ? He was forced out - they threatened him with the 25th amendment- and this was nothing but a save face move . He doesn’t go from yelling on Wednesday that he wasn’t going anywhere to stepping away on Sunday because he’s humble. He was shamed into it - that doesn’t make him great - it makes him a sham .
I sure hope so but the main stream media is selling just exactly that to gullible people. I’m all for sarcasm but sometimes in this climate it’s hard to tell !
I was waiting for something to say "wow, good point Alex." I never found one. This is the first post I've read since you started your substack that I felt like I wasted my time reading it.
I'm not looking for you to echo my thinking, or be contrary to me. I like reading your posts because you normally make me think- agree or disagree.
This post you're taking the democrat talking points of weird, parroted them, and tried to make a stretch that he was preferring Appalachia over America? You're better than this Alex.
So Vance writes a 149 word passage that includes the word "country" five times, and somehow this columnist misinterprets the passage to mean that his people only love and will only fight for "the tiny neck of Appalachia from whence I came."
I swear only New Yorkers think of America as an Idea. Maybe because most New Yorkers work in finance or some kind of paper pushing industry. America is a homeland. With more resources than anywhere else in the world. Those of us who have seen the actual resources, (oil and gas rigs, long wall coal mining, Steel manufacturing, etc..) know that this is a very important part of who we are. How can idea be the most powerful economy and military in the world? It' can't it just abstraction. We should be like every other civilization in history before us and actually protect the homeland and our resources. That means protect domestic industry with moderate tariffs and lower taxes on our business and workers. That is why JD meant buy protect the homeland.
This was my take too. Alex doesn't like Vance because he's not a New Yorker. I lived in NYC for 5 years! You can't pay me enough to live there, it's a third world country, and not really America.
I am going with Tucker Carlson’s take on JD Vance. He said all of the right people in the DC NYC swamp hate him. It’s the same effect that Trump has on these same people who are destroying our country. The entire Democratic Party and the vast majority of the Republicans in DC who every election talk like their conservative to get elected and then go back to DC and vote to keep the swamp well funded and never ever cut any program ever in my 66 yrs. So Alex go ahead and not like him but your letting your NYC superiority show through. Every liberal in the world love his story and praised him because of Hillbilly Elegy yet these same folks hate his gut now those are the same folks who are destroying this country they are liars and fakes.
Democrats (e.g., Ron Howard who directed the Hillbilly Elegy movie) loved J.D. Vance and his life story until he ran for office as a Republican. Now he's "weird." Democrats also liked Trump when he built tall buildings, financed their campaigns and was a TV star. Once he announced as a Republican candidate, he became evil.
Usually a fan, but not here. Your argument seems so contrived…as if you’re deeply looking for a reason to dislike him. Stick to the thousands of REAL POLICY reasons to dislike Kamala.
Nah, this is NOT a big deal. It's an idea AND a place. It's freedom, it's about the rights of the individual (it used to be) AND It's America First. But his point is that ideas are flimsy, manipulated, bloodless. A place is tangible. It's home. It's something people can get their minds around. And yes, let's hear how Kamala is better. You just always attack people on our side for small things. They aren't perfect. Nobody is.
Agree, Alex had to make a very long reach to find this issue. The man love the USA is and it’s people, supports legal immigration, is skilled, smart, and will work hard.
None of the above is an attribute of Harris.
Yes, a far reach for sure. The article felt very strained and as though Alex thought a long time on how to write a dissenting opinion on JD.
He could have stuck with how big his head is and how fat his face looks - especially without the beard.
Looks like he's allergic to peanuts but still eats them everyday because he can't help himself.
You state, J. D. said that America is not JUST an idea… He is not denying that it started (has roots) as an idea. I don’t agree with your argument and disagreement with J. D. here. Such a stretch!
And when exactly does degrading a person’s looks have anything to do with anything related to Alex’s post🤷🏻♀️
Well, I think it cuts to the criticism du jour that he's somehow 'weird'.
He looks kind of weird, so that's why they thought of it most likely.
Although in reality he's an intelligent, hard-charging overachiever which is more "exceptional" than "weird".
Alex's philosophical difference seems more like he was out picking fresh nits today compared to anything I have read from him previously.
In my humble opinion J.D. Vance does NOT look weird but the dude who dresses like a woman & claims to be the first woman whatever leader & the dude who dresses like a woman who stole luggage & clothes & was in charge of nuclear whatever are WEIRD. But hey, what do I know.
an excellent point!
Post your Mug so we can see if you LOOK weird, or just have weird thought on the interwebs.
Well, I'm very handsome, but I'll give you the weird thoughts.
Yeah, Alex may as well have focused on, “What is he hiding behind that beard? Kamala has no beard so she is obviously not hiding anything.”
Amen.
Alex will be grateful we have people that believe in the idea of America AND it being our "homeland" if we ever have to defend our sovereignty.
Alex is a patriotic citizen who risked a great deal defending our rights against government tyranny. I am proud that I wore a uniform & served my country. Alex also serves his country.
I agree. Big fan of AB precisely because of what you're saying.
He's a patriot and yet we can still have healthy disagreement, yet be on the same team.
It's actually refreshing.
The Reader Comments are the best feature of Substack ... Post while you still can!
It's not disagreeing, that's fine overall. It's that he is picking up on Democrat talking points that are going to cost Trump the election and put us into a totalitarian nightmare. Look at how Trump behaved vs. these people. Forget narratives. And that is the narrative they are pushing. We can't afford that right now. Now JD is a Nazi.
Chris, I agree that Alex has indeed reported on many subjects that were truth forward, BUT this article is (pun intended) 'outa left field. It's ironic that he, while attacking J.D. about his ties to his "homeland", would revert back to his leftist "roots".
I really don’t see this as “an attack”. Alex has a different view & partially because of upbringing. JD’s message may have a bit of trouble connecting to people like Alex. I understand his point. I personally connect more with the idea of the USA. It’s kinda splitting hairs. However, votes maybe in the balance. Of course, I’m not sure the my “follow the Constitution” is a message that would gather middle, left supporter. It’s wonderful that we can disagree here without the name calling the left usually brings.
Agree 100%. He stuck his neck out and lost friends, job, experienced a lot of pain. We have benefited, and it’s easy to forget his sacrifice is part of that.
Alex was the first "dissenter" I found during the early days of covid in 2020 and made me realize I wasn't going crazy. For that, I will always be grateful and I've been a happy subscriber ever since.
I couldn't agree more. AB will go down in the books as a true force for freedom.
I certainly won't forget his commitment to seeking the truth and being a resource for so many of us "little guys".
Most of the times we went to war to defend our "freedoms" ... our freedoms weren't actually at risk.
If they were, or now are, at risk, the entity that is putting them in peril is our own government.
War is the greatest threat to our liberties, since it always occasions authoritarian measures justified by the war emergency. That includes 911, which fathered the Patriot [sic] Act, which is still in force twenty-three years later.
War is justified by the alleged threat/danger to our freedoms or sovereignty. Not always, but this is usually a bogus narrative - just like "Covid" is/was an existential threat to our health and lives.
I say beware politicians telling us they are going to save us all.
No kidding. If it’s just the idea they value they may think they can settle elsewhere and nurture their idea with an American beer in one hand and the flag in the other, or, if they’re of the intelligent kind, with a meaty discussion over FaceTime or dinner in some little bistrot.
To cite one example of subtle indoctrination, there's a reason the NFL goes all-in on pre-game and halftime shows celebrating the troops. The system needs these troops to prosecute all our unnecessary wars. So we celebrate the people who actually have to go put their lives at risk.
It works.
The military pays to be featured at NFL games.
I agree, as well. But there is a connection with "the land" that is a part of the rural community. That is why you see farmers in anguish over the prospect of losing the farm that has been in his/her family for generations. That isn't just a loss of livelihood (not inconsequential), but the loss of the actual section of the earth where their ancestors are buried. My ancestors are buried in Europe. My grandparents are in various cemeteries in the Midwest. My family sold the homes of my grandparents, we've sold the homes of our parents, and even sold the home where our children were raised. No anguish. Just real estate transactions.
You are absolutely right. A New York city boy will never understand this.
My thoughts exactly. People who have lived in a large city for their entire life do not understand rural people.
I'm a New York City kid---and my love of place is exactly the same as a rural cousin. The land is important, but that's not what gets you emotional about it. My neighborhood in Queens is not the same as before. Its the passage of my past and history and though less tenable than owning a piece of land the emotions are the same. For God's sake are we gonna do this as to who's more American? or deserving of more sympathy? Welcome to the intersectional Obama experiment where they prey on our differences for their power and lust. City mouse and Country mouse had their own sets of promise and problems but we are all rats in this maze.
Yes, he's appealing to the heartland and people with roots here as opposed to open borders. Alex needs to give some things a rest sometimes.
Totally agree! Didn't read Alex's take on JD Vance's speech like that at all! I think you can both love and protect the area you're from and consider it your Homeland as well as viewing America as the larger Homeland you're in. And I guarantee you 100% that Miss Cackling Kamala in no way shape or form thinks Appalachia is part of her homeland.....
If that is the biggest concern about JD Vance....I'm going to sleep even better at night when he's the Veep. Not a policy question, not a character question, AB simply doesn't agree with JD's attempt at pulling some heart strings using the term "homeland". Zzzzzzzz......
Yes, he thinks it's a Nazi thing. It's isolationist maybe, but that doesn't make it bad. Sovereignty. We are losing that. He should see that.
Actually, when it comes to actually fighting, we're fighting for our comrades-in-arms. The men (and now women) in the foxholes with us. Take Pat Tillman as an example.
He graduated from Arizona State University, recognized as one of the best linebackers in the country. He became an all-pro safety in the NFL. After 9/11, he turned down a multi-million-dollar contract to continue playing football and enlisted in the Army instead. He participated in the invasion of Iraq, became an Army Ranger, and was then sent to Afghanistan. He became increasingly uneasy with the war, and intended to speak out after his tour was over. He died due to friendly fire before he could.
The key question to me is why did a Pat Tillman – and the myriad others who doubted the rightness of the wars they fought – continue on until they paid the ultimate price. Clearly he – as did so many others – joined the military because of his idealism. But as one who’s been there I can tell you: there are few idealists in foxholes. My own experience (backed up by a fair amount of research) says that in those moments of crisis when the shooting starts the one thing that drives us is the thought that we can’t let our buddies down.
We have been bound together by common circumstances. We’ve all undergone the same bullying by drill sergeants. We’ve all had to leave family and loved ones behind. We’re all in some misbegotten hellhole and have to rely on each other for our very survival.
So arguing over whether we fight for ideas or for location misses the point. Ideas start wars. Countries start wars. But the ones actually doing the fighting are doing it because they have formed a community with their comrades-in-arms.
Well said John! Only someone who has served can understand.
Pat Tillman's idealism was misplaced, alas. He may have thought he was fighting for his country, but he was wrong. He was really fighting for wealthy arms manufacturers and others who control this accursed planet. The days of joining any of the armed forces because one wants to defend one's country are long gone. Anyone who does so these days is a fool, a dupe. Propaganda is extremely effective.
I wonder if citizens care more about themselves and their own families' present and futures than they do about preserving some political union.
A country's government is not - or should not - define an entire country. When the government, in the view of large swaths of the population, becomes irrevocably toxic or tyranical, should people - who are supposed to be the ultimate rulers in their nation - just accept this?
I don't know the answer ... but I guess we might find out soon.
Read the writings of the founders. We can’t accept this outcome. We as citizens that love our country & the Constitution must be engaged to return power to the people. Voting from the ground level up is the key. Get involved. You can make a difference.
"Thinking local" can still make a difference with local policies. I've written off the leaders of the federal government and most state leaders.
The federal tyrants dominate the local leaders - just look at the Covid response.
Not where I live, in California. With our completely corrupt elections, the people who desire change are powerless. Black box voting machines will continue to guarantee the "election" of whichever candidate the hidden powers desire. This has been true for at least 2.5 decades, perhaps longer.
The rest of America should consider this: California currently has only 26 Republicans in State office. The Democrats have 104. Every single one of the top elected officials is Democrat...Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Controller, Insurance Commissioner, Sup. of Education (on the BOE are 3 Dems and 1 Repub). Both U.S. Senators are Democrat, and in the U.S. House are 40 Democrats and only 12 Republicans. So out of 130 government officials in California (including U.S. government) there are 130 elected officials in high office, and 104 are Democrat. That's 80%. In state voting, in order to attain dominance California created this ridiculous jungle primary so most of the time the top two candidates for any office will both be Democrats. I think a lot of Californians don't know about the Democrats now controlling 80% of everything, they don't pay attention. Many probably don't care. Hollywood and big tech loves it. Ultimately, the Conservatives have absolutely zero voice any more, nor does it look like they ever will. I would ask the rest of America if you would like to see a similar situation in the rest of the country. That will be a total takeover with no hope of reversing things. That is what the Marxists are after.
CMCM, you describe Ca well, Californians went from Governor Reagan to Governor Newsome, and throw in Schiff to add insult to injury. This trajectory started in '65 with Ted Kennedy-sponsored legislation to change the immigration patterns and countries of origination. When Kennedy said at the time "This bill has nothing to do with voting", it meant it had everything to do with voting.
I keep saying that our country and our government are not the same thing. Not even close.
Listen to Tucker's latest podcast with Sen. Lee...he says this same thing.
Please keep saying this ... and so will I.
It's POSSIBLE that Vance may turn out to be a perfect choice which is illustrated by the 'unease' Alex tries to rationalize in this essay. Vance is not someone who grew up 'safe' in the NY vicinity. He is part of the forgotten American he describes; descendants of those who had to dig deep roots into their places and have been fighting for it ever since, part of the deplorables (Hillary), part of those who cling to their guns and religions (Obama), those who are MAGA extremists (Biden) and weird (Harris) and smugged at daily by the elites in the press and on CNN. If there are still 20,000-25,000 or so left of these likely low propensity votes still in each Ohio, MI and PA and Vance can mobilize them, Trump will turn into a political genius. I think what really bothers Alex is that Vance's 'peripatetic' (50 cent word) background didn't turn him into 'his type'. He put his roots back down in Ohio where he came from while he could have stayed on a coast where his wife was from.
"Nah, this is NOT a big deal. It's an idea AND a place."
The "idea" is the U.S. Constitution and the unique-though-imperfect brilliance of the Founders put down into words.
The "place" is our Federal Republic. Founded as the United States - united, but each unique.
Might we all agree (and Alex especially) that FREE SPEECH as guaranteed in the FIRST AMENDMENT is the most important idea of the moment? I will base my vote on whichever party or candidates act in support of free speech because I see it as the essential right upon which all other rights rely.
Yep, Trump did not take away free speech or weaponize the justice dept. So let's not agonize over every turn of the phrase JD Vance makes. He once called Trump Hitler, so it's not likely he has any intention of being overly nationalistic. Yep, most important idea of the moment. Nicely said.
Exactly
Well, I think you are saying it's both. And it is. Even if you leave your family and your roots to fight, it's to protect that. I wish I had confidence in human nature that we didn't need borders. I used to be totally libertarian. Open the borders but don't put anyone on the dole. They have to get a job. Now, there is a deliberate effort to change America by doing this not to mention we put them on the dole AND have drugs and terrorists. But America is both an idea and a place and we have families. Socialists are trying to get rid of the family and JD is appealing to that. However, I am against most of these wars. We need to stop them asap and stay out of them if we can.
I think that part of the Founders' brilliance was a deep understanding human nature. It's actually amazing that the U.S. experiment has lasted this long. Human nature does not change.
Sorry Alex but you aren't convincing here. It sounds like you have more of an aversion to Vance rather than specific reasons for disliking him.
I completely concur with you Dale. There just didn't seem to be much substance in this critique that I could get my arms around. I kept waiting for the punchline and it never came. But it did seem to be fairly whiny for some reason.
I also support your comment Dale. I read the essay twice and came away with: He's splitting hairs to make a point. Why?
Agree 100%! I read it and reread it wondering where is Alex coming from on this one? I'd like to see a part one of two (or 100) on why Kamala is bad.....
Indeed you’re correct. It’s a word salad of nothing in my humble opinion. It’s hard to understand what he’s asserting exactly but ..
What would disturb me more is any Vance quotes where he sang the praises of the non-vaccines and the lockdowns.
That's my litmus test for the "intelligence" of political leaders and whether they truly believe in the U.S. Constitution.
I read Alex's column later than most of you, so glad to see this thread summarizing my reaction as well. What JD did is called "rhetoric." He was trying to create emotion. Whether he succeed or not is irrelevant to his ability to be an effective VP or President. The article's title of "The Problem with..." says more about Alex than JD. Dems are desperate to paint JD as a lunatic and sadly, Alex is helping.
I mostly agree with you Jeff.
But I’m not making any snap judgments. There’s time to find out more before I vote.
I don’t know a lot about Vance. From everything I do know, I’m pretty much aligned with him. But I’m going to do my due diligence.
This is what I don't like about Alex. He gets some little bur up his behind about something and thinks we all need to care and need to fall in line cuz he said so. A couple days ago, he criticized Vance's looks. You don't like him, we get it. Move on. And I won't be reading Part 2.
JDs looks?
I think this article drips with New York style bias. Alex, you took two steps back with your credibility.
Sometimes I write opinion pieces for my Substack and then decide, "Nah, I don't need to run that."
Alex should have maybe done the same thing with this piece. However, this said, I've enjoyed the Reader Comments this article prompted ... so I'm glad he went ahead and hit the "send" button.
Is it typical New York to have to find fault when someone seems too good to be true? I grew up in the suburbs of NY and left at 10, but this tendency hung onto me for a long time, like maybe last year.
Interesting.
Maybe. Same.
Let's be fair to both.
Alex and JD grew up in multiple different worlds. Ex: Manhattan is its own country and culture, by itself. And that's just a start at how different they are.
It is very hard for Alex to relate to JD. In fact, I think Alex makes a decent attempt to TRY to relate, which most people in his shoes would not.
God bless us all for trying to bridge our gaps.
Good point Joseph. My impression is that Alex is normally open minded. Perhaps he will have a better understanding of his antipathy to JD after this discussion, particularly the excellent email he posted from an “unpaid” subscriber.
Dale, love your comments, agree 100%, but don't agree with this particular comment but still love ya. Alex is often not open minded at all, and over these last 4 years I've yet to see him admit he might be very wrong when it becomes more and more obvious that he's been wrong on some major issues. He's been overall very good on calling out many of the outrageous covid lies and orchestrated mayhem we've witnessed since the Wuhan lab leak/wet market bull crap, but he consistently refuses to entertain ideas that many of these same Democrats and Rinos (and some Republicans) were behind a totally orchestrated Jan 6 non-Insurrection, Pelosi's recent video yet one more nail in that coffin, never addressing/acknowledging the since-released videos that confirm its heavily planned actions and optics and its sham one-sided investigation and horrible punishments handed out to noisy protestors, at the very worst, vandals, nor will he entertain the many facts of the 2020 election fraud, never once addressing and of the mountains of evidence seen then and more now that we know were never adjudicated instead thrown out for "lack of standing" etc. nor will he address it now since several big examples of fraud, only labeled as "Interference", like Hunter's lap top w/censoring the New York Post story on all media platforms and enlisting the 51 Intelligence officials to vouch for its inauthenticity (reversed and confirmed as the real deal by the FBI, which had previously withheld it) and the 4 years of hiding the total implosion of Biden's mental state up to the last minute when the debate was the biggest most indelible Presidential implosion on TV ever witnessed since the first televised debate in 1960, and the subsequent secretive handling of Biden's withdrawal and succession, if nothing else proving the ongoing subterfuge Democrats often engage in behind-the-scenes to subvert We The People's (Voters) "input" (with actual real votes) on Democrat candidacies, and one of Alex's strangest actions I've witnessed at the height of his good work on exposing the mountains of nightmare Government lies re: Covid was his surprise national TV angry attack (ambush) on fellow Covid warrior Dr. Malone, which I witnessed in real time and was repulsed by his snarling ignorance and dogged negativity towards a man that has done as much and now more than Alex ever has to expose the lies, for one by (largely) working and fighting to recruit/maintain a united front against the powers-that-be who were pushing the across the board false Covid narrative, and Alex clings to this day (as far as I know) to his wrong-headed fight against Ivermectin, and more absurdities (including a seeming reluctance to fully inspect or embrace some (but by no means all) aspects of the mRNA's dangers, seeming adverse to the idea of fully throwing in with a crowd that had been ridiculed mercilessly in the early days by Alex's former left-leaning weak ass crowd, despite Alex's experience with such as well. He's not 5th Column but in some instances it takes me a few minutes to get past how easy it would be to imagine he is before sorta completely ruling it out... I mean... right? Ha, that's crazy! Right? But... what's wrong with Ivermectin? I guess he was on the side of our NIH making it nearly impossible to get from pharmacies across the land despite its effectiveness and near total lack of side effects after its 65 years of vetted use compared to other Covid "cures" heavily backed by our beloved NIH and CDC agencies that were "95% effective at stoping the spread" but weren't, as far as I remember.
I agree that Alex has produced excellent journalism on many Covid and free speech topics, but has whiffed on other topics.
Off the top of my head, I've never seen Alex discuss the copious evidence of "early spread" and how this evidence - if "confirmed" or acknowledged - would harpoon the "deadly virus" narrative.
Per an interview with Tucker, he's not convinced that cancer rates are exploding because of the non-vaccines.
As cited, he doesn't seem to believe there's any credible evidence of election fraud from 2020 - where this evidence is also copious (or anecdotal evidence).
Alex has also not run one story on the "embalmers clots," which is the one piece of evidence that could probably instantly stop these shots ... if it was known by more people and if we could somehow force "authorities" to investigate these horrifying and new white, fibrous clots.
I think there are a few more examples of topics where I disagree with Alex and the poster above cites other examples.
Still, Alex allows free speech at his site (for subscribers). I understand the economic reasons for this, but personally I allow any free subscriber to make comments at my newsletter. The comments are very important. IMO the more you have, the better.
Exactly.
When you join the military, you take an oath to support & defend the CONSTITUTION. That’s the overwhelming reason for our success. I don’t discount the importance for the love of our land. However, the Constitution & concepts behind the Constitution are what my family has fought for since the Revolutionary War. My relatives in New England fought to defend their homes (the land) but, they fought for the ideas that created our great nation. I have no problem with JD Vance & his statements. However, I agree with Alex.
Our Founders worked their fannies off trying to create a government template where government could not rule/control so many of our lives.
It worked for a while.
This is an odd interpretation because he said it is BOTH an idea and a place... and you're reading it backwards, and as someone who hasn't gone to war under the guise of spreading an "idea" to places that have zero interest in that idea.
It's okay not to like Vance, or anyone for that matter, but his statement was specifically related to the concept of NOT fighting wars all around the globe under the guise of an idea. This is a VERY common theme amongst past military members, and you can hear it on podcasts every single day of the year. Our people are willing to defend their family, their community, their life, but they are not willing to consider to shed blood across the globe under the guise of spreading an idea.
To understand that you only need to look at how badly abused the constitution is here at home, to see why those who fight are MUCH more focused on protecting their community/land than they are on fighting for ideals that aren't even recognized, much less upheld, by half the people they share a nation with.
Extremely well said. Thank you.
I would like to see Alex write a piece in which he identifies the Americans who he believes disagree with his view that “the United States of America…is the greatest idea the world has ever had.” Based on my own experience of having lived in New York City and its environs for four decades, I suspect that enclaves dominated by Democrats and other Leftists would be heavily populated by such disagreers, but I would reserve judgment until I see what Alex writes.
THANK YOU!
Pay attention. JD said our country is MORE than an idea. I went to Middletown OH when JD announced his bid for US Senate seat. He was fantastic. Humble. Articulate. Smart as a whip. Conservative. Proud of his family--many who were with him at this first political event. Standing for God, family and country. All in for JD!
Can't wait for your incisive and brutal critique of Biden, Kamala, and whoever she chooses for VP.
We'll all be waiting........................
This, too, was my first thought, referring JD as a chameleon, concerned about his background, blah blah blah ; I wanted to know where’s the decisive take down of heels up Kammie; you bring up the complicated history of "the South," slavery, the Wahr Between the States (pronunciation is everythang) but Alex are you gonna do an exposé on Heels Up and her family OWNING and making money off the backs of slaves; how do you feel about the American Revolution throwing off the yoke of a repressive regime and would you compare/contrast that to The South throwing off the yoke of the industrial Noth and enduring 4 long years of Nothun Aggression. Keep in mind that Appalachia had little to do with Slavery, West Virginia split off from greater Virginia and that KENTUCKY sided with the North and is the birthplace of Lincoln and the ancestral home of the Vance Clan. Maybe I need to reread and/or read deeper but still trying to understand the myopic view/s.
But I suspect a good part of this may be due to your NYC roots, life?, and how that filters your view of people who’ve woken to cocks crowing and where the air smells of something other than taxi exhaust.
Yeah, I call Appalachia home, one of the few places I’ve ever felt "centered" and not lost, married in Kentucky back when you were popping zitz ( <- sorry, gratuitous insult 🤣) and while I’ve lived 40 years of my life west of the Mississippi and my diction is closer to the mid-west than the hardwood hollers, despite my poor upbringing in the northeast, born in upstate NY - your unjustified attack agin JD rankles.
Curiouser and curiouser about Part Deux. bring it on, city boy.
Biden dropped out because of dementia but Kamala (and much of the MSM) can't recall that she was Border Czar.
Bob, did he drop out because of Dementia? Is he hidin for the most part? If you get the chance watch Tucker’s interview of Mike Lee, it was Priceless. While Biden Does have Dementia IMO, Tucker explains a new conspiracy theory (so says Dems as usual): but I believe without a doubt this True, Obama the Almighty is behind the entire plan. Mark Kelly will be her pick. That’s who King Obama really wanted to be president cause us racist aren’t ready for a minority woman. If her numbers don’t pan out til convention, the delegates will pick him over her, Democracy at its best, Not. Scares me badly.
Biden dropped out because he was threatened with the 25th Amendment because he had dementia. I don't doubt Obama was involved but other Democrats were in on it too. I live in Arizona and wouldn't mind losing Mark Kelly as a Senator. He has a good life story but has done little during his four years in the Senate. I suppose Kamala is looking for someone who won't outshine her. I don't see him getting the Presidential nomination but l'm not sure he wouldn't be better than Willie Brown's former mistress.
Agree 100%, and I do think he’s the man.
Trump and JD need to make it about issues, policy in order to win. The media must also try to appear in the middle because if they pile on, it may backfire. This obsession with JD is because they are afraid of him IMO.
Don’t hold your breath
Yep, any one that voted against Trump and put Biden's senile ass in office has little credibility in political opinion.
If you're referring to Alex, he didn't vote for Biden or Trump in 2020.
Disagree strongly. He's genuine. They hate that. He's heartland; they hate that. He achieved it all despite his beginnings and people are jealous. Ever notice that authenticity is now questioned when we know what it is in our bones? Vance is the real deal, and we need more than identity politics, and childish words like weird. His story is amazing. American to the core.
My experience in politics and as a gubernatorial campaign district coordinator, is politicians and those who report on them are unfamiliar with genuine people. Honestly is a currency they don't understand. When people are honest, establishment politicians start to squirm like prostitutes in church.
Comparing establishment politicians with prostitutes is unfair to prostitutes. Prostitutes obtain money by providing a service to customers who seek and pay for such service. Establishment politicians obtain money by using the coercive power of the state - enforced, if necessary, by state agents who carry firearms - to extort money from taxpayers, money that is often squandered on boondoggles or on advancing the politicians’ wealth or influence.
My apologies to prostitutes.
YES! Also true of bureaucrats in high places. However painful, it's key to keep your core values and stand up. Eventually, they may not understand you, but they steer clear slightly, knowing you're tenacious and calm. Standing up is not easy these days or for the last decade, but it's vital.
Yes, and to add insult to injury, he worked his way into the “elite“ and walked away. Like Trump, he is not awed by their accoutrements of status, invitations to cocktail parties and beach vacations, or flawed value systems.
Elitism rings hollow to substantive people. My two cents.
Lea7- “heartland and genuine”- I imagine that Alex hasn’t run into very many people from the heartland who are genuine when he admittedly has only lived in and near NYC. I am an Ohioan, and people like JD are normal to me. The media talking points of calling JD weird is literally weird to me! My gosh, the left loves weird! Strange times we are living in.
Having lived in many places, there is something to love about different regions of our country. I would expect Alex not to have to live somewhere to understand the nuances of a different lived experience. Part of me thinks this entire 'Stack was written for just this purpose. If so, I fell for it!
Alex, I read Vance's speech that you shared four times and I absolutely believe when he mentions homeland, he is referring to the US. I think yes, like many people, he has an affinity for his roots (i.e. where he grew up, who his people are), but homeland is the US -- that everyone born all over, in Appalacia to California to the deep south -- share a home, not just a set of values. That the US is an ideal, but it's also a place. And this is crucial I think for the future of the country. Too many on the left hate America -- not just American ideals, but they hate their home. I rarely disagree with you, but this is one time I think you got this wrong. Vance wasn't my first choice, but I don't think he's as bad as people are making him out to be. He's a little too populist on economic policy for me, but he's better than anything the left has on offer.
Same here! I heard it and now read it as the entire USA. This article was dumb.
It's hard sometimes in politics to just take a breath and not immediately react. Harris is having her honeymoon phase (with the full support of the MSM) and the Democrats have plenty of money to run focus groups and try different things to see what sticks. This isn't one of them. The only thing I see really sticking over time is the ads where Harris is running to the right of Trump on crime and immigration. Those are two of the three big issues in this campaign (economy/inflation is the third) and Trump can't let her get away with it. So he needs to respond with clear, focused ads about Harris's failures on crime (her comments about defunding the cops and bailing out looters will go far) and how she failed at the border (I think letting surrogates do this will go far -- i.e. DeSantis & Abbott)
Bravo! You are exactly right!
I’m not sure how you can read the words JD Vance said and then honestly say you think he “criticized the idea of America.” I think you missed the mark here Alex.
Did you actually say that Joe stepping down from reelection makes him a close second to Lincoln ? I’m sorry - and I mean this kindly - are you Crazy ? He was forced out - they threatened him with the 25th amendment- and this was nothing but a save face move . He doesn’t go from yelling on Wednesday that he wasn’t going anywhere to stepping away on Sunday because he’s humble. He was shamed into it - that doesn’t make him great - it makes him a sham .
Not to speak for the author, but I think that little aside was a joke.
Pretty sure that was sarcasm.
I sure hope so but the main stream media is selling just exactly that to gullible people. I’m all for sarcasm but sometimes in this climate it’s hard to tell !
If you've been reading Alex for a long time, you'll pick up on his sarcasm - also he's been railing against the MSM's portrayal of Bidet on twitter.
Albeit, He should have made that clear, because, yes, the assholes at the MSM are trying to make Bidet seem like the hero he never was.
Biden's best move during his Presidency was declining to seek a second term - even if he did so at gun point.
Biden was blackmailed into not seeking reelection
He could undo a 25th amendment removal by writing a letter. The story about that was a cover story- a lie.
The Deep State had plenty of dirt on Biden and his family. No doubt they used it to get their way.
I was waiting for something to say "wow, good point Alex." I never found one. This is the first post I've read since you started your substack that I felt like I wasted my time reading it.
I'm not looking for you to echo my thinking, or be contrary to me. I like reading your posts because you normally make me think- agree or disagree.
This post you're taking the democrat talking points of weird, parroted them, and tried to make a stretch that he was preferring Appalachia over America? You're better than this Alex.
THIS!!!
There is no joy in Mudville,
Mighty Alex has struck out.
YES YES YES
So Vance writes a 149 word passage that includes the word "country" five times, and somehow this columnist misinterprets the passage to mean that his people only love and will only fight for "the tiny neck of Appalachia from whence I came."
Project much?
I swear only New Yorkers think of America as an Idea. Maybe because most New Yorkers work in finance or some kind of paper pushing industry. America is a homeland. With more resources than anywhere else in the world. Those of us who have seen the actual resources, (oil and gas rigs, long wall coal mining, Steel manufacturing, etc..) know that this is a very important part of who we are. How can idea be the most powerful economy and military in the world? It' can't it just abstraction. We should be like every other civilization in history before us and actually protect the homeland and our resources. That means protect domestic industry with moderate tariffs and lower taxes on our business and workers. That is why JD meant buy protect the homeland.
This was my take too. Alex doesn't like Vance because he's not a New Yorker. I lived in NYC for 5 years! You can't pay me enough to live there, it's a third world country, and not really America.
The "unease" people like Alex feel about J.D. Vance is literally snobbery -- they cannot cope with the "deplorables" rising.
I am going with Tucker Carlson’s take on JD Vance. He said all of the right people in the DC NYC swamp hate him. It’s the same effect that Trump has on these same people who are destroying our country. The entire Democratic Party and the vast majority of the Republicans in DC who every election talk like their conservative to get elected and then go back to DC and vote to keep the swamp well funded and never ever cut any program ever in my 66 yrs. So Alex go ahead and not like him but your letting your NYC superiority show through. Every liberal in the world love his story and praised him because of Hillbilly Elegy yet these same folks hate his gut now those are the same folks who are destroying this country they are liars and fakes.
Democrats (e.g., Ron Howard who directed the Hillbilly Elegy movie) loved J.D. Vance and his life story until he ran for office as a Republican. Now he's "weird." Democrats also liked Trump when he built tall buildings, financed their campaigns and was a TV star. Once he announced as a Republican candidate, he became evil.
Excellent point. Tucker was spot on.
Oh well, Alex. Even Babe Ruth struck out once in a while
Bahahahaha
Usually a fan, but not here. Your argument seems so contrived…as if you’re deeply looking for a reason to dislike him. Stick to the thousands of REAL POLICY reasons to dislike Kamala.