When one chooses to express themselves in this sort of way, one can’t pick or choose who becomes part of their audience. And when one has the exceptionally modest levels of regular engagers that I currently have, one truly cannot afford to alienate those who consider this important enough to make it a regular clickable destination, let alone consider out musings impactful enough to directly engage with moi.
But in one particular case, I’m willing to make an exception.
My so-called “fan” goes by the name Noah Andeark, although I’m exceptionally leery that’s this person’s actual name. Doing a quick Google search on it reveals nary a site anywhere–even those spam-laden inducements willing to sell one access to arrest records and court cases for a nominal fee. And what it does connect to leads me to conclude that it’s more likely than not a trolling pseudonym.
But the alleged Mr. Andeark does indeed make it a priority to let me know “his” opinions and feelings, especially when they involve anything related to the current right-wing ideologies controlling Israel and the United States, and “he” is apparently extremely upset at my musing from Friday where I offered the new CEO of TURNING POINT USA some advice as to how to maximize their publicly announced intent to disrupt the upcoming Super Bowl’s halftime show featuring what an awful lot of “his” ideological colleagues consider to be a horrifically disrespectful choice, U.S. citizen Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, aka “Bad Bunny”. At least we can identify Senor Bunny’s real name from a search.
In the ensuing 48 hours, usually at times that would indicate “he” is either somewhere on the other side of the world or just as much of an insomnia sufferer as moi, Mr. Andeark has been even more dismissive and argumentative that usual, sending me several incendiary personal attacks on my opinions, my experience and even my employability, mostly because in “his” mind I dared to insult the memory of Erica Kirk’s late husband. I’ve left “his” most recent diatribe on this site for the moment where “he” has allegedly threatened to out me by directly sending that musing to her. I’m linking to another recent one which I initially considered unworthy of anyone’s time or attention; I’ll let you make that choice. According to “him”, I’m a liar and a heathen, as I apparently have been time and time again when I dare say anything whatsoever that “he” considers contrary to “his” views on his heroes and their views. In this case, I’ve apparently crossed yet another line.
Look, “Noah”, unlike you and so many of those whose level of anger, consternation and vitriol pollutes the internet with one-sided arguments, I base my observations on actual facts and objective sources. My sources for Mr. Kirk’s past statements is the website FACTUALLY, which provided this balanced recap of what I personally heard and observed for many months:
The analyses provided suggest that Charlie Kirk has made several statements that can be perceived as racist, including denying the existence of systemic racism, calling white privilege a ‘racist idea’, and vilifying critical race theory [1]. He has also been reported to have referred to George Floyd as a ‘scumbag’ [1], and made comments about Black pilots being incompetent, and criticizing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Martin Luther King Jr. [2]. Additionally, Kirk has been accused of making comments questioning the intellectual capabilities of women and black people, and calling immigrants and transgender people threats [3]. Some sources also mention that Kirk’s rhetoric was controversial and sparked strong reactions, with some individuals losing their jobs over social media posts about him [4] [3] [5]. It is essential to note that while these statements are attributed to Charlie Kirk, not all sources provide direct quotes or statements from him.
So I suppose from the last caveat alone one can allow “Mr. Andeark” the benefit of the doubt that in his mind Mr. Kirk was indeed the saint-worthy potential president sadly slain far too young. And at the risk of being redundant, considering he’s no longer alive I’m willing to wipe his slate clean–unlike a whole bunch of others I know who are literally dancing on his grave.
My caveat to Ms. Kirk was simply to alert her that my generous offer to optimize her organization’s goals of disruption that she not utter anything that is even remotely consistent with anything her husband even allegedly said. All indications are she is her own person and fully capable of such behavior; indeed, what we’ve publicly seen so far is that she’s a shining example of the Biblical parable to turn the other cheek. So I come from a place of hope and optimism.
When “Mr. Andeark” attacked my worth as a media consultant it was triggering, and my response to “him” was in hindsight wholly inappropriate and immature. I could defend that response in the “whatabout” fashion that defines this never-ending culture war that honestly both sides of the divide use as a crutch, but I’m beyond the threshold of mere exhaustion. So even though I’m not even sure of the actual existence of “Mr. Andeark”, I publicly flog myself for such a response and humbly apologize to whomever or whatever you are.
But seriously–and I sincerely ask this of those who barrage my timeline with countless paragraphs of defense of their views one way or the other–what in G-d’s name motivates you to care so freaking much about something that essentially does not affect you in any direct way? I get why those who directly benefit monetarily and/or an appointment to a cabinet position–or being able to stay out of jail–would be so impassioned.
And I’m also looking directly at those on the so-called “side of democracy” who somehow believe if they hold up picket signs and exercise their Constitutional right to peacefully protest it will somehow make a damn bit of difference to anyone anywhere with the power to actually change anything. News flash: it hasn’t, and it won’t. You may feel personally cleansed somehow, and if that’s your primary goal, so be it. But please, stop with your “hope”, your “prayers”, your “wishes”. And yep, I’m even including the likes of nuanced observers like those attached to the Bulwark and Robert Reich. I read, watch and listen to an awful lot of your stuff and I can only include your motivation to be this considently defensive and angry has something to do with your relentless requests for subscriptions and purchasing books you author. You’re no less opportunistic than those you relentlessly criticize for using the Oval Office as a merch station, but since we’re still a nation based on capitalism I’m willing to let bygones be bygones with y’all, too.
I know darn well how insignificant I am and we are in this so-called battle for our lives. I also know the reasons I’m not getting the opportunities I strongly believe I still deserve have much more to do with my age, lack of diversity and the fact that virtually no one I’ve previously worked with has either the power, need or desire to care any more because they made better life choices than did I. I know this all too well, “Mr. Andeark”, and I don’t need to be reminded of that by someone like you.
Still, at least I have a history and a verifiable footprint. I know what I’ve done in my life and I’m damn proud of it. Long before this world turned into a seemingly irreversible chasm where anyone who dares utter a single thought contrary to one’s own orthodox ideology is grounds for justifiable homicide. I have far more spartan personal goals these days, “Mr. Andeark”. Keeping a roof over my head, staying alive and somehow scraping up enough from whatever sources I can to see my best friend in person at least once more before you get your fever dream wish that I join Mr. Kirk whereever he may be. Know that you’re not alone with such hopes. Maybe you’ve met my ex?
What about you, “Mr. Andeark”? Who exactly are you? Where are you really from? What have you accomplished with your career and life? What are your immediate future goals–besides seeing the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the most truly deserving candidate? Do you have a family? A nice home in the suburbs or even a government-subsidized flat in a shtetl? Most importantly, why does what I say or think matter so freaking much to you?
If you’re willing to actually answer honestly–maybe provide a real picture or two as proof and not the limited AI image my balanced platform allowed me to generate (I know damn well how to actually spell MAGA), I’m willing to listen. I’m willing to allow you to prove me wrong, so to speak.
But if you’re merely going to harass and harangue and spit out the same sort of defensive bullsh-t that belongs to much more significant people, I’ll ask you as politely as possible–get the hell off my site and out of what’s left of my life.
Until next time…