For over twenty years, Naked Capitalism has been an essential resource for me. It has provided clarity and insight during some of the most tumultuous times in our history.
Back in 2000, I was an incredibly naive liberal. My journey began with Bush v. Gore, where I gained unique insights by working closely with key insiders from both campaigns, transitioning into a focus on GW Bush’s Global War on Terror™. This experience prompted me to abandon corporate media, as their narratives often contradicted what I was actually witnessing.
Initially, I gravitated towards the partisan “Netroots” blogs, which connected me with others who shared a disdain for the Bush-Cheney administration. I invested significantly in what I hoped would evolve into a robust movement. Yet, this enthusiasm dwindled rapidly following Obama’s election, revealing that the “Netroots” lacked any substantial ideological foundations beyond mere opposition to Bush and a longing for the 1990s status quo.
Our perspective was shallow, forever reacting to the narratives spun by cable news and the New York Times. However, during this time, I stumbled upon Naked Capitalism. Yves Smith’s analyses offered genuine explanatory insights and predictive capability. The community she fostered engaged in critical thinking, constructive debates, and shared valuable reports and experiences from their various fields of expertise.
A handful of other blogs initially pointed me in this direction: Matt Stoller’s BOPNews, Sean Paul Kelly’s The Agonist, Ian Welsh at Firedoglake, and Stirling Newberry. Yet, of all those, only Naked Capitalism has withstood the test of time, which speaks volumes about its significance.
This platform under Yves’ guidance is invaluable, and I urge everyone to contribute generously. Visit the donation page to support this vital community.
Through Naked Capitalism, I was forewarned about the impending crisis that precipitated the Great Recession. It also revealed the true nature of the Obama administration early on. This community provided reassurance in those moments when I felt isolated, standing against the tide of skepticism from friends and family.
Naked Capitalism helped me maintain my sanity, even when former political allies embraced Obama’s extension of many Bush-era policies. It equipped me with insights that foretold the disastrous trajectory of U.S. involvement in Ukraine since 2014, and it continually clarified the implications of the rising McCarthyism surrounding the Democratic Party’s narratives during events like the RussiaGate scandal.
Furthermore, it offered timely warnings about COVID-19, enabling me to see through the misleading narratives surrounding the pandemic in 2021. As events unfolded, I found solace in the facts that Naked Capitalism presented, preventing me from being overwhelmed by the propaganda surrounding Biden’s foreign policy maneuvers.
The challenges of the 2000s and 2010s were significant, but the current decade appears even more perilous as we face a generational crisis. In this context, Naked Capitalism not only persists but thrives, delivering crucial analyses, such as Conor Gallagher’s piece on Social Murder as a Necropolitical Governance Technology, which highlights the dire challenges we face.
Naked Capitalism has never been more essential. I urge you to donate and support this invaluable community. Act now.
