Ronald Reagan died last week. I didn’t happen to mention that fact in last Friday’s free edition — which “naturally” brought a grumpy complaint from Jeffrey in Florida:
I thought you were a class act. I have read your free version for a couple years now, was about to upgrade to premium for my Wife’s birthday… but no longer. You are going to say that this is overly sensitive, but I don’t think it is. Your failure to even mention the passing of President Reagan in your weekly newsletter establishes once and for all that you do indeed have a political agenda. I have defended you in the past, despite the fact that your stories slamming conservatives always outnumber (and outplace) ones which gently chide liberals… the stuff you come up with is by and large so good I had blinders on. But now you have spoken volumes more with your silence than you ever did with your verbiage. I am disappointed that you let your partisanship stand in the way of paying even the slightest respect to a man who I am sure a great many of your readers idolize. My next email unsubscribes.
Sigh.
If True was indeed a partisan political publication, and a liberal one at that, why wouldn’t I have used my bully pulpit to lash out at Reagan? That would be proof that I have “a political agenda.” That I didn’t do so is indeed proof True is not partisan.
I do mostly respect Reagan, and took most of Thursday off to watch his procession and state funeral, but who cares what I think about him?
Yeah, I could have given space on Friday, nearly a week after he died, to mention Reagan’s passing — but that would be political indeed, jumping on a bandwagon about something everyone already knew about. That’s not what True does, and never has.
But I did have a one-sentence mention that Ray Charles had died, even though he was wasn’t featured in the Honorary Unsubscribe in that issue. Why? He only died the day before — in the middle of wall-to-wall Reagan coverage. I got several notes from people who found out about his death in True Friday. Everyone already knew about Reagan’s death, and appreciated that someone took the effort to tell them something they didn’t already know.
And a Liar to Boot
As for Jeffrey’s “and GOSH, I was THIS CLOSE to upgrading!”, yeah yeah yeah. People pull that all the time, as if hearing that will change my mind. Yeah, sure — I’m really going to sell out for a few bucks. Sorry, but I don’t believe that he was reaching for his wallet. And Jeffrey crows he “defended” me? I think I have sufficient grounds for appeal….
Is there more conservative bashing at the moment than liberal bashing in True? Well yeah! Who’s in power? We have a Republican president, a Republican-controlled Senate, and a Republican-controlled House of Representatives for the first time in how long? And he’s surprised that there’s more commentary about conservative politics? Hello?
When Clinton was in power, it was exactly opposite (duh!) So much so that I got lots of complaints that I was a “Rush Limbaugh conservative.” Anyone who thinks about it ought to understand that I of course talk about stupid things that are in the news now, regardless of the culprits’ political affiliation. I wouldn’t have it any other way, and neither would most readers. To think otherwise is — yep — just plain stupid.
– – –
Bad link? Broken image? Other problem on this page? Please Let Me Know using the Help button in the lower right, and thanks.
This page is an example of my style of “Thought-Provoking Entertainment”. This is True is an email newsletter that uses “weird news” as a vehicle to explore the human condition in an entertaining way. If that sounds good, click here to open a subscribe form.
To really support This is True, you’re invited to sign up for a subscription to the much-expanded Premium edition.
This is why I pay for True. Kick butt, Randy. I love it.
Taking a partial line out of your last paragraph “Anyone who thinks about it ought to understand” pretty much says it all.
You know, Randy, I used to defend you. What a wasted effort that was. You do a good enough job of that, yourself and, besides, no one listens to me anyway. But I’m not only this close, THIS close, I’m telling ya, I still have my premium subscription, because it’s good to know that there are still bigger idiots than me out there.
—
Actually, I don’t really need to defend myself. All I need to do is publish the letters; I hardly even need to point out the facts…. -rc
Back then even the senile understood this concept.
Are you a liberal? Well you have displayed above average intelligence, And a willingness to help those in need. (First responder after all) so… Yup THAT spells “Liberal”.
—
Perhaps, but not a “Stinking” Liberal. -rc
Go ahead. Irritate me by not agreeing with me. I’ll still subscribe because I like your work.
—
As I’m pretty sure you realize, but I’ll still explain for others who happen across this: I’m not trying to convince anyone of “my side,” I’m trying to convince people to think. Your conclusions will be colored by your own situation and experience, and that’s a good thing, not a bad thing. As we both know, very few actually think things through, exploring the ramifications, and that’s why the world is such a mess. -rc
At the present time (09 June 2026 @ 15:46 local time), if being a Liberal stinks, the smell of the Conservative side resembles that of the titan arum plant. I can smell the Washington D.C. Republicans from here!
Seriously, though, I believe you were right not to mention Reagan’s passing but to make us aware of the death of Ray Charles for the exact reason you gave: Reagan was all over the news wheread Ray Charles’ passing went almost unnoticed.
Just keep doing what you know how to do well Randy. “Haters gonna hate”, your work speaks for itself.
Wait…I’m only supposed to subscribe if you agree with me? Heck, most days I dont agree with myself.
—
Some think they should only subscribe to things that reinforce their world views, like the echo chamber of Facebook. Since TRUE is about thinking, I don’t play that game. I’m happy to challenge readers to think, to examine their beliefs. I’m not trying to change them, since I don’t know what they are, and I’m fine if their beliefs are reinforced by a story. -rc