Well, I need to keep this brief today (and will keep this post on top here for a few days, scroll down for the latest) but The BRAD BLOG is now, officially, 14 years old! Good lord.
As I noted on yesterday’s BradCast, it feels like, of late, that most of those 14 years may have occurred over the past year alone. Still, here we are, now heading into our 15th year of independent investigative, journalism, blogging, broadcasting, trouble-making and muck-raking!
As long time readers and listeners have certainly noted by now, I’ve taken pains over all of these years — for good or ill — to remain fiercely independent in all that we do, a feat that has not become any easier over the years within either this political or media landscape.
While we continue to barely break even and/or lose money every day in the bargain, getting rich at this has never been the point. (Though making a living to keep going would be nice!) My hope, instead, has always been to tell the truth, report on actual, independently verifiable facts in a moderately entertaining or engaging way and, in the bargain, do my duty as a journalist by helping to educate the electorate so you, in turn, can better do your job as an educated voter.
Also, paying my rent and keeping food on the table is helpful as well. To that end, yes, I ask you to consider a birthday present to The BRAD BLOG here, so that we can continue doing alll of the above for as long as possible, particularly as we barrel into another — and exceedingly important — election year.
To be frank, this work, at least for me, has never been more difficult on a whole bunch of levels. The toll it has taken, emotionally, physically, psychologically, economically — particularly over this past year or two — has been rough. But if you all can step up, as you have in the past, I hope we can keep going and make it through our 15th year.
But, yes, I need your help very much to do that. Please consider becoming a “subscribing member” of The BRAD BLOG and BradCast and Green News Report with a sustaining monthly subscription pledge of any amount you can comfortably afford. Or, of course, generous one-time donations are welcome as well! You can do either or both very quickly on the form below!
From Desi, Ernie, ‘PDiddie’ and all of the others who have made this site and our work what it is, has been, and will become, my great thanks for the past exhilarating, exhausting, fulfilling, rewarding, maddening, eye-opening and otherwise extraordinary 14 years!
Here’s to a 15th…with your support! — Brad
(Snail mail support to “Brad Friedman, 7095 Hollywood Blvd., #594 Los Angeles, CA 90028” always welcome too!)
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Happy Anniversary to my favorite investigative reporters! The BradCast is my favorite podcast!
I don’t know how you stay so positive but it’s appreciated
Roxanne in Whittier
Happy 14th anniversary to Brad Friedman, The BradCast and The Brad Blog! Thanks for your work on election integrity & more. You are a national treasure! #NoHyperbole #ForRealsYo
Pony up, people. Support independent media working not to get rich, but for YOU.
Congratulations! Great Blog!
Thanks, Roxanne, Natalie and Dredd! The kind words are MUCH appreciated!!!
Congratulations on your 14 years, and thank you for all your valiant work, especially for valid election results. I wanted to comment on your concern yesterday, 2/6/18, that the Clinton campaign was subject to the same criticism of foreign intervention as the Trump campaign. I think the contrast is stark, and that Steele is the example of doing the right thing, and contacting the FBI, while the Trump campaign appears to have been desiring, and getting, the intervention of the Russian government.
Thanks, Charlotte!
I concur with your thoughts on the contrast between what Steele did with the info, versus what Team Trump did (though, of course, we don’t know if they actually received any “dirt” on Clinton in that Trump Tower meeting at this point or not.)
But the broader point I was hoping to make, and believe is still a concern for the Dems, is that if they are going to build their own public opinion case that Trump “colluded” with Russians by pointing to that Trump Tower meeting, they will run into problems. It can and will be thrown right back at them.
Team Trump sought “dirt” from Russians on Hillary. Team Hillary sought (and paid for) “dirt” from Russians on Trump.
Whether or not their are narrow distinctions of the kind you make will be all but lost in a public fight and/or impeachment over this. So, unless and until there is other evidence of “collusion” between Trump and Russia regarding the election (his business dealings are a separate matter, as is lying to the FBI, etc etc.), I believe it’s a mistake to hang the public case on “collusion” on that Trump Tower meeting and seeking “dirt” from Russians.
Don’t know if that helps make my case any better than I did on air yesterday, but I hope so! 🙂
Finally saw a couple of new comments here. Ah, false alarm.
C’mon folks. NOV 2018 needs ALL the help it can get and this is your first stop.