By Sherman Frederick/Properly Subversive
If you have not been following the so-called “Twitter Files” story, you should. Whether you come at the world from the left or the right, the release of Twitter documents shows clearly that the FBI ran a covert operation to manipulate news coverage and put its thumb on the political process. This time it was to disadvantage Donald Trump in favor of Joe Biden.
But next time it could go the other way. Who’s to say the FBI won’t see Bernie Sanders as a threat and suppress him. Hell, how do we know they haven’t done that already.
Remember: Between 1960 and 1974, the FBI kept files on one million Americans, and investigated 500,000 so-called “subversives” – all without a single court conviction.
They are at it again and it is a clear and present danger to democracy.
ZELENSKY SPEECH
Every once in a while, it takes a foreigner to remind us of who we are as Americans. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky did that last week before a joint meeting of Congress. Here are a few pieces of his speech I found particularly meaningful.
“Dear Americans, in all states, cities and communities, all those who value freedom and justice, who cherish it as strongly as we Ukrainians in our cities, in each and every family, I hope my words of respect and gratitude resonate in each American heart ….
“Against all odds and doom-and-gloom scenarios, Ukraine didn’t fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking. Thank you. And it gives me good reason to share with you our first, first joint victory: We defeated Russia in the battle for minds of the world. We have no fear, nor should anyone in the world have it. Ukrainians gained this victory, and it gives us courage which inspires the entire world ….
“This battle is not only for the territory, for this or another part of Europe. The battle is not only for life, freedom and security of Ukrainians or any other nation which Russia attempts to conquer. This struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live, and then their children and grandchildren ….
“It will define whether it will be a democracy of Ukrainians and for Americans — for all. This battle cannot be frozen or postponed. It cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will provide a protection. From the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America, and from Africa to Australia, the world is too interconnected and interdependent to allow someone to stay aside and at the same time to feel safe when such a battle continues ….
“Just one thing, if I can, the last thing — thank you so much, may God protect our brave troops and citizens, may God forever bless the United States of America. Merry Christmas and a happy, victorious New Year. Slava Ukraini. [Glory to Ukraine.]”
Whoa. That’s gotta be the best political speech given in American in 2022. Too bad it wasn’t by an American.
ART IMITATES LIFE
The new season of Jack Ryan on Amazon contains a story line similar to the Zelensky message. Tune in. It’s shaping up to be a pretty good season. Better than Season 2, for sure.
CHEAPEST GASOLINE
As I was editing a history piece for the newspaper (not this one) a blurb from 100 years ago came up, reporting that a local gas station had gas on sale for 21 cents a gallon.
The cheapest gas price I can remember was actually something close to that. In the mid-60s a high school friend and I took his dad’s Mustang to a local college town to show how “cool” and “groovy” we were. I bought the gas, which I’m pretty sure was the first time I ever bought gas. It was 27 cents a gallon.
What’s the cheapest price for gas that you remember?
ONE MORE THING
– I don’t have a train of thought. I have seven trains on four tracks that narrowly avoid each other at all crossings. The conductors are screaming.
– This is the time of year when people in commercials buy cars without telling their significant others, like complete psychopaths.
– Amazonesia: When you forget what you ordered.
Happy New Year! It’s been a total pleasure writing for you this past year. As always, avoid soreheads, laugh a little, and question authority.
And that will do it to start 2023. As always, avoid soreheads, laugh a little, and question authority.
“Properly Subversive” is commentary written by Sherman R. Frederick, a Nevada Hall of Fame journalist and co-founder of Battle Born Media, a news organization dedicated to the preservation of community newspapers. You can reach him by email at shermfrederick@ gmail. com.