Steven Beschloss Banned Me from Commenting. Boo-Hoo!

Who is he, and why do we care?

Aug 06, 2021

Steven Beschloss is the brother of Presidential Historian Michael Beschloss. By all appearances, he is a successful man. I have subscribed to Steven’s content for a while now. I disagree with almost everything he writes. But I read almost everything he posts on Substack.

I believe that it is important to seek out and listen to ALL voices and every point of view. Isn’t that the point of writing in general, and books/platforms in particular? But now, it is apparent that Steven Beschloss does not believe that.

I actually enjoy his writing style, and he has caused me to analyze my thoughts and ideas and see if I can maintain my point of view. Occasionally, he has caused me to change my mind about a perspective I cling to. So I am not writing this as a burn piece.

For the second time in two months, Steven Beschloss banned me from commenting on his posts. I guess he is concerned about reading something he doesn’t like or that will offend his delicate sensibilities.

The first time he banned me, I was really surprised. He said I was hateful and hurtful. Ok. I had asked some questions about the Russia Collusion story, and the reporting that the FBI had committed grave errors, per the IG report.

I posted links to some of the authors and their posts that I have included below. He was having none of it. No alternate points of view allowed in his tolerant diversity orbit. The replies to my comment were hilarious. Literally, people calling me a Nazi and White Supremicist. That’s hurtful. And hateful.

A day or two later, I thought about writing about being banned. I looked for my comment thread, and they were deleted. WTF?! Why? I tried on Twitter to ask Steven Beschloss why he banned me. Crickets.

The ban lasted for 22 days. I still read his stuff. But then, the ban was lifted, and like the juvenile delinquent I am, I could not resist.

I made sure to use “perfect” language, as it were, and see what happens. Didn’t take long to get them to clutch their pearls and hit the fainting couch. I made sure to copy the comment thread, and have posted it below in its entirety.

I came across his latest post and read it. I actually agreed with the sentiment of his piece, if not the actual particulars of his essay. Titled Listen to the January 6 Survivors and subtitled Kevin McCarthy's refusal to face the facts must not determine democracy's fate

It is important to listen to the survivors of any trauma, I agree. But Steven gets mired in emotion and name-calling and blaming stereo-types for the “insurrection.”

And I am not entirely sure Kevin McCarthy really has the power to “determine democracy’s fate.” No, actually, I am sure. The Congressional Minority Leader does not.

Understanding the events of January 6 is a little more complicated than calling all Trump voters terrorists and insurrectionists and blaming all Trump voters for “the gravest threat to democracy since the Civil War.”

I pay to read the following three writers:

Michael Tracey does some great investigative writing in this piece “DC Guantanamo Bay”? Attorney Alleges Torture Of Jan. 6 Defendants and here In Radical Affront To Civil Liberties, The Government Is Branding Non-Violent Jan. 6 Defendants "Terrorists"

One of the most consistently-correct and intellectually-honest writers is Glenn Greenwald. I strongly urge you to check him out. His latest is a must-read if one is to be in the know on what the government was aware of prior to January 6.

In this post Exploiting Police Emotions for Partisan Gain and Security State Power. Plus: Preview of Imminent News. The subtitle gives it away The only unanswered question answered about January 6 -- how embedded was the FBI in the groups that planned it? -- is notably off the table.

FBI Using the Same Fear Tactic From the First War on Terror: Orchestrating its Own Terrorism Plots describes how the FBI used 12 paid informants in the “plot” to kidnap the Michigan governor. Scary. But not as scary as bad orange voters.

Matt Taibbi is just a great writer. Period. I loved to hate him when he was at RS. His recent piece Has the Media's Russiagate Reckoning Finally Begun? is pretty damning of our lazy media. I always include a link to his stuff when I comment on other’s posts. Just read this and then if you still don’t have any questions, God Bless You!

Well, in my comments, I asked those questions. But alas, some people are uncomfortable when the narrative that has filled their bubble slowly leaks out. Instead of answering a question, it becomes a semantic sparring match.

I must admit, their resistance to comprehend and admit to clearly observable circumstances and situations that counter their “truth” is admirable. What husband hasn’t uttered the phrase “Who you gonna believe? Me, or your lying eyes?”

So, please enjoy my banning moment:

Listen to the January 6 Survivors

Steven Beschloss Aug 2

Kevin McCarthy's refusal to face the facts must not determine democracy's fate

Write a comment…

James S Aug 2 Liked by Steven Beschloss

Shout it from the mountaintops. Scratch the sores, expose them to the sunlight so they can heal. Aside: My first chance to express sympathies on the loss of your mom.

2 Reply

author

Steven Beschloss Aug 2

Thank you, James.

1 Reply

Irene Aug 2 Liked by Steven Beschloss

I know the republicans can't read...but are they deaf also???????????????

2Reply

Karen Bennett Aug 2 Liked by Steven Beschloss

Excellent, Steve. Thank you!

2 Reply

Defendario Aug 2 Liked by Steven Beschloss

Get to the Main Instigators. We *must*

1 Reply

Sharyn 16 hr ago

Keep writing and tweeting. A lie only lives if repeated over and over.

Carol Graham Aug 2

The men in blue are America’s true patriots. Thank you for your service. I’m sorry you were traumatized by Trump’s terrorists.

1 Reply

Ric Leczel (Banned)Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… Aug 2

User was banned for this comment. Show

Wow, that's a lot of Kool-Aid, man, this early in the morning. I wish you cared at least the same about the FBI or other security apparatus abusing their power. Maybe you should try Greenwald, Tracey or Taibbi. Or even read a post or two of mine to maybe start to understand the group of people you label as a monolith. riclexel.substack.com At least I read what you write. I may not agree with it, but I am interested in differing points of view.

Reply Delete

Defendario Aug 2

Anyone who aid or abet Mutiny share the odium

1 Reply

Ric Leczel (Banned) Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… ·Aug 2

Does that include the Russia Hoax?

ReplyDelete

DefendarioAug 2

Not a hoax, brah. Putin used djt like a puppet

Ric Leczel (Banned) Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… ·Aug 2

OK. Obviously you don't read anything outside of your own little bubble. Non-Trump fans Taibbi, Greenwald and Tracey, among others, are exposing the FBI as corrupt. One was the "kidnap" plot against Whitmer, it had 12 paid FBI informants, one was the VP of the group plotting the thing.

ReplyDelete

DefendarioAug 2

Obviously you have no idea what I look at. The FBI is corrupt, duh

Now buzz off, insurrectionist

Ric Leczel (Banned)Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… ·Aug 2

Two words for you: Hunter Biden.

ReplyDelete

Ric Leczel (Banned)Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… ·Aug 2

great argument: name-calling. Absolutely brilliant on your part, really put me in my place!

ReplyDelete

DefendarioAug 2

I reject unreal. Hagd

author

Steven BeschlossAug 2

Ric L has been banned from commenting. This community is not for attacking each other.

2Reply

DefendarioAug 2

Please accept my apology

Publish on Substack

America, America is on Substack – the place for independent writing

I just read that again and laughed my ass off! Seriously?

Steven Beschloss Aug 2
Ric L has been banned from commenting. This community is not for attacking each other.

C'mon Man, to borrow a phrase. Attacking each other. Please explain how I attacked anyone in my comments. And how does Steven Beschloss square accusing me of “attacking” others when clearly the commenters called me a “terrorist” and an “insurrectionist”.

And it started off with this comment, liked by Steven Beschloss

James S Aug 2 Liked by Steven Beschloss
Shout it from the mountaintops. Scratch the sores, expose them to the sunlight so they can heal. Aside: My first chance to express sympathies on the loss of your mom.

So, who are “they” and what sores do “they” have? And what, exactly, and who, precisely, needs to heal? But at least he is sympathetic to the author for the loss of his mother, as was I when Steven Beschloss posted about it.

Now, ordinarily, I wouldn’t consider that an attack. Hell, I been insulted by a lower class a people than that. Sounds like the commenter has an itch, and should put some ointment on it. But in this context, I think it might be insightful to explore the wordcraft a bit here.

Scratch the sores so they can heal.

Who has sores and who needs healing? Sounds a bit morally superior. Hmmm. Let’s move on to the next “attack”. Also liked by Steven Beschloss.

Irene Aug 2 Liked by Steven Beschloss
I know the republicans can't read...but are they deaf also???????????????

Ok, let’s unpack this doozy. I am not a republican, I am an independent. Just for the record, I think some republicans are as idiotic as some democrats. So be it. I vote for the person, not the letter. No comment on the 15 question marks. How many cats she owns, maybe?

I can’t decide where to start with this. The offense and slight to the illiterate and the deaf? Or labeling a group of people (who are thought of as evil for having voted for the bad orange) as deficient because of medical conditions like deafness or limited intelligence faculties.

Is that like calling someone you disagree with a “retard”. Pretty close. But I am glad Steven Beschloss “liked” a hurtful and hateful comment. On to the next…

Sharyn 16 hr ago
Keep writing and tweeting. A lie only lives if repeated over and over.

Aw, sweet irony! That’s the whole point of Taibbi’s piece! That was the one that got me into trouble. I actually agreed with this statement, as it is factually so. The rub lies in the lie.

And we tell many lies. To ourselves and everyone else. Vulnerability, people. It hits the weakest and most powerful all the same.

Part of the defense of Vulnerability is rejection and projection. The demons that chase you and that you chase are the most easily identified and transferred onto the objects of your displeasure. Dr. Spencer Reid, Psych 101.

Commenting before I did, Carol made the observation

Carol Graham Aug 2
The men in blue are America’s true patriots. Thank you for your service. I’m sorry you were traumatized by Trump’s terrorists.

I agree 100% that the men and women in law enforcement and its many manifestations are amazing. There are several in my family. The last sentence is laughable. Labeling a group of lawbreakers as belonging to one specific cohort allows you to blame the entire cohort for said lawbreakers actions.

Is this the case for all Uncle Joe voters? Are they all culpable for the destruction of America’s cities last summer? Of course not. The people committing the illegal action, and they alone, are responsible for their crimes.

According to Carol, all Trump voters are terrorists. It gets better. Hold on. I removed all the clutter to make the comment thread easier to digest and really just to laugh at. Again, I am not writing this as a burn piece. I write about listening to all voices all the time.

Banning me for “hurtful and hateful” comments is absurd. I was banned because Steven Beschloss’ audience does not like differing points of view. Period. See for yourself.

Defendario Aug 2 Liked by Steven Beschloss
Get to the Main Instigators. We *must*
Ric Leczel (Banned)Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… Aug 2
User was banned for this comment. Show
Wow, that's a lot of Kool-Aid, man, this early in the morning. I wish you cared at least the same about the FBI or other security apparatus abusing their power. Maybe you should try Greenwald, Tracey or Taibbi. Or even read a post or two of mine to maybe start to understand the group of people you label as a monolith. riclexel.substack.com At least I read what you write. I may not agree with it, but I am interested in differing points of view.
Defendario Aug 2
Anyone who aid or abet Mutiny share the odium
Ric Leczel (Banned) Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… ·Aug 2
Does that include the Russia Hoax?
DefendarioAug 2
Not a hoax, brah. Putin used djt like a puppet
Ric Leczel (Banned) Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… ·Aug 2
OK. Obviously you don't read anything outside of your own little bubble. Non-Trump fans Taibbi, Greenwald and Tracey, among others, are exposing the FBI as corrupt. One was the "kidnap" plot against Whitmer, it had 12 paid FBI informants, one was the VP of the group plotting the thing.
DefendarioAug 2
Obviously you have no idea what I look at. The FBI is corrupt, duh
Now buzz off, insurrectionist
Ric Leczel (Banned)Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… ·Aug 2
Two words for you: Hunter Biden.
Ric Leczel (Banned)Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… ·Aug 2
great argument: name-calling. Absolutely brilliant on your part, really put me in my place!
DefendarioAug 2
I reject unreal. Hagd
author
Steven BeschlossAug 2
Ric L has been banned from commenting. This community is not for attacking each other.
DefendarioAug 2
Please accept my apology
Reply
© 2021 Steven Beschloss. See privacy, terms and information collection notice
Publish on Substack
America, America is on Substack – the place for independent writing

Wow, who is attacking whom?

DefendarioAug 2
Obviously you have no idea what I look at. The FBI is corrupt, duh
Now buzz off, insurrectionist

Uhm, I voted for Trump. I did not riot for him. Why would I be called an “insurrectionist”? Isn't that an attack? But the most beautiful thing was his sincere apology for upsetting the apple cart and rocking the boat.

What a whine

DefendarioAug 2
Please accept my apology

And furthermore, “buzz off”? What is this, ``Laugh-in”? That is really funny. I got told to buzz off. Like I was in 5th grade. Glad to know the debate skills learned in elementary school are being effectively utilized in life.

This is the comment that got me banned:

Ric Leczel (Banned)Writes Red Neck, White Skin, Blue Coll… Aug 2
User was banned for this comment. Show
Wow, that's a lot of Kool-Aid, man, this early in the morning. I wish you cared at least the same about the FBI or other security apparatus abusing their power. Maybe you should try Greenwald, Tracey or Taibbi. Or even read a post or two of mine to maybe start to understand the group of people you label as a monolith. riclexel.substack.com At least I read what you write. I may not agree with it, but I am interested in differing points of view.

Mr. Steven Beschloss, what exactly did I get banned for? Please, I am sincerely asking you to engage in a dialogue. I suspect you will not. I just cannot understand a person that has less than zero curiosity about all sides of a subject.

And just out of sheer ego and curiosity, why haven’t you even clicked on my link? Does a different opinion really scare you that much? I mean, you are not too busy to click to ban me, but too busy to read one post? To see actual diversity?

Just a thought…

Readers of your post, commenters on your thread verbally attacked me and called me a terrorist and an insurrectionist. In this climate, those are powerful and loaded terms. And you liked those comments.

That is what is so fascinating about this divide, and why some think it may never be bridged. I have my doubts, but my optimism outweighs the negative. That’s why I write. It helps me learn.

It is hard to imagine a person like Mr. Steven Beschloss that writes so many words but doesn’t seem to have a curious bone in his body about groups of people he pejoratively labels.

I remain proudly banned.

Ric

Compass Star Wordsmith

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