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Now, let’s get to your questions (and my answers):

Sir Bernie, As evidenced in this video, some progressive pundits claim that the U.S. embargo on Cuba is what’s causing these protests by the Cuban people. Do you think this is true? What are your thoughts on this? –“End The Embargo” Regards from The Emperor 

What’s causing the protests is that the Cuban people are losing their fear of the dictatorship. It takes a great deal of courage to protest against people with guns. As for the embargo, it hasn’t done much good to get rid of the bad guys, has it?

I don’t know if you have been following much this walk-out of the legislative session by Texas Democrats due to new voting legislation under consideration. What is your opinion of this tactic – brave and gutsy move by the minority party or a spineless dereliction of duty? How do you think this will end – Will Dems stay gone long enough to wait out this session until August 2022? They certainly have the monetary backing to do so with the wealthy-white-privileged-empty-golf-shirt known as Beto O’Rourke providing funding. How will this play regionally and nationally in the 2022 mid-terms? — Steve R.

Taking off for DC doesn’t help the Democrats in Texas — or anyplace else. Sooner or later they’ll be back home and even if the governor has to call a special session of the legislature, the vote on the new voting law will proceed — and will pass. My main thought, Steve is this: If they were Republicans and flew on a private jet … without masks … and several of them came down with COVID … and they could have exposed the VP to the virus … the media would be all over the story and play it just the way you think they’d play it. And when someone calls them on their bias, they dismiss it. And their approval numbers continue to plummet.

I equate Biden winning fair and square with the earth being flat. We have seen these people in action for many years, why would you be surprised by anything they do? Need hard proof? I watched it happen right before my eyes. The FBI? Don’t make me laugh. I have also witnessed their selective adherence to law and order and have come away far less than impressed. Love you Bernie but you are not being fair. — Thomas C.

You can deny the obvious all you want, Thomas. But Trump lost and Biden won, and it wasn’t because the Democrats cheated. If there was proof of that, Trump’s lawyers wouldn’t have lost more than 60 times in various courtrooms in front of judges appointed by both Democrats and Republicans. Were there some shenanigans? Probably. But not enough to throw the election. But if it makes you feel better thinking Trump got robbed, that’s your choice. It’s a free country. But I’m guessing you don’t buy that either.

Bernie, I want to encourage you and others to read Dr. Steven Koonin’s book, “Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn’t, And Why It Matters.” Pretty darn interesting, especially when the President, the EU, world leaders, and others are using the phrase “existential threat” with frequency and planning to act on that, and yet the technical reports prepared and reviewed by scientists do not (remotely) make that forecast.

Recently, Angela Merkel said that the heavy rains in her country are due to “climate change,” but Koonin points out several times, with numerous supporting citations, that all recent weather events are within the past historical variations. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (“IPCC”), through it’s most recent Assessment Report (AR5) and the U.S. Government’s National Climate Assessment 2018 indicate, using 20 economic analyses of worst-case scenario RCP8.5 in climate models (40 models) forecast >3% economic impact in 2100 – the US is forecast to grow at 2.00%/yr. and the worst-case climate change scenario would cause that growth, on average, to reduce to 1.96%/yr. Does that seem to be ‘existential’? The EU just heralded a proposal in which import tariffs on goods will be imposed on countries not meeting specific CO2 emission targets set by the EU. The Biden Adm. is preparing multi-trillion-dollar spending programs to address this ‘existential threat’ of -0.04% GDP annually. Is it worse that human’s contribution of CO2 grow from 0.043% (0.00043) to 0.056% of greenhouse gases, or to have multi-trillion-dollar programs implemented based on wild speculation (note: models’ accuracy ratings by IPCC and UD Gov = low confidence, and model uncertainty ranges from 17% to 83%)? Koonin is not some right-wing denier, he was Obama’s chief scientist in the Dept. of Energy after spending 20 years at Cal Tech and a stint at BP. We are betting a lot of money on who knows what! (apologies for the length) — DonEstif

They call it an “existential threat” either because they honestly believe the world will end if we don’t act right now on climate issues … or they use that term because it scares people and they can get tax dollars for the green world they dream about. In some cases, it’s both. But politicians often buy into issues simply because they think it’s a good political move. Too bad we don’t have journalists who’ve done as much research as you, Don.

Under your Monday column, a longtime commenter on your website (others pointed out that he’s been here 10 years) concluded that you — Bernard Goldberg — “seem to assume that the Mainstream Media are entirely objective”.

In reality, you’ve been one of the country’s top alarm-sounders and consummate critics of mainstream media bias for over 20 years (books, television, columns, radio, etc). Does it ever get you down that in today’s crazily tribal political environment, people manage to memory-hole literally everything you’ve ever said about the “other side” the very moment you say something critical about someone on “their side” (which in this case was Fox News)? –Jen R.

Thanks for asking, Jen. It used to bother me more than it does now. I used to have more faith in people who read columns about the media, politics and the culture generally. But over time I’ve come to understand that some people only want their side represented … and if I acknowledge that the other side may have a point, I suddenly become a “typical liberal.” It’s hard to take stuff like that seriously. In the example you mentioned, I never said anything that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that I assumed that the mainstream media are “entirely objective.” So his observation doesn’t really bring me down. It does make me shake my head and then … simply move on.

While Tucker Carlson continues to give anti-vaccine conspiracy theories a platform on his show, I noticed this week that other Fox News commentators including Sean Hannity and Steve Doocy have suddenly gotten VERY pro-vaccine in their rhetoric, actually PLEADING with Fox viewers to get vaccinated. I don’t think either of those guys were ever necessarily “anti-vaccine,” but they’re now taking on a pro-vaccine advocacy role, which was quite a change. GOP leaders including Mitch McConnell and Steve Scalise have started doing it as well (this after Scalise had been holding off on getting the vaccine himself for quite some time). Do you think these people are having a Come to Jesus moment in that they’ve realized that rhetoric on their side of the room has contributed to a lot of Americans not getting vaccinated (and suffering because of it)? — Ben G.

Maybe … but a wise man once said: The answer to all questions is money. So, I’m thinking there’s a ratings angle someplace in here. I hate to be cynical but that’s what cable news people do to me.

What are your thoughts on Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk taking a lot of criticism from the left for spending their and their corporations’ money on space travel as opposed to earthly aid type issues like poverty, cancer research, etc? Personally, I’m all for people spending their money however they want to, as long as it’s not MY money. But the left also seems to forget that these individuals and companies also dedicate a lot of money to the very issues they’re talking about. — Alex D.

I’m with you, Alex. It’s their money so they can do whatever they want with it. And you’re right when you say they also spend money on things the left likes. I’m sure they give a lot of money to worthy charitable causes. The left isn’t happy unless we’re all making decisions based on what they think is right.

Bernie, I’m on vacation at the moment, and am too busy turning heads on beaches to come up with one of my trademark brilliant questions. So, I’m going with this one today: What’s the song that you’re most embarrassed to admit that you really like? — John D.

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by the Shirlelles. I’m well aware that it’s a “chick song” but I love the arrangement and the strings — the work of Carole King and Jerry Goffin. There I said it. And if I get heat for admitting it, I’ll kick your ass to prove I’m not a girly man.

Thanks, everyone! You can send me questions for next week using the form below! You can also read previous Q&A sessions by clicking here.

Welcome to this week’s Premium Q&A session for Premium Interactive members. I appreciate you all signing up and joining me. Thank you.

Editor’s note: If you enjoy these sessions (along with the weekly columns and audio commentaries), please use the Facebook and Twitter buttons to share this page with your friends and family. Thank you! 

Now, let’s get to your questions (and my answers):

I just read an opinion piece in Politico by Jeff Greenfield titled, “The Democrats Need A Reality Check”. Greenfield is pretty open about being a partisan Democrat who wants the Dems to win both at the polls and in policy, but thinks propping up Biden as an advocate for FDR/LBJ transformative politics is a ridiculously losing proposition. Greenfield finds Biden and Congress have no mandate for such extremism. I found myself agreeing with some of Greenfield’s analysis but not some others – a perfect combo platter of opinion journalism that we need more of. I had two thoughts and wanted to get yours: I wish we could see more pieces like this from both sides – partisan analysis that is open, objective and realistic. I also remember Jeff Greenfield from his days as a Nightline and ABC News “objective reporter”. Isn’t it interesting that he, Sam Donaldson, etc. who used to masquerade as neutral journalists feel that it’s entirely safe now to wade into the waters of an openly liberal viewpoint? — Steve R.

Greenfield was covering media for ABC News yet I can’t remember him ever doing a story about liberal bias in the news.  so how objective was he even back then? On the broader subject, I have no problem with reporters who holds liberal or conservative views — but keep them private while reporting the news. If they want to openly express political opinions when they’re no longer hard news journalists, I’m good with that. I was a reporter for quite a while and don’t think my biases slipped into my stories. Now I’m a commentator and everybody knows where I stand.

Hi Bernie, I trust you are well. I’m writing to suggest that you read Andrew Sullivan’s latest work (on Substack) entitled “What happened to you?” It’s an excellent, full, deep, sophisticated, cogent, repudiation of the current woke culture, critical race theory and the proponents of these political theories/movements. I’d love to hear your reaction. — Andrew M.

I read it. All of it. And there was a lot to read. In fact, I’m quoting from it in an upcoming column. Sullivan is an old fashioned liberal — one who, for example, believes in free speech. The radical leftists in the Democratic Party have trashed traditional liberalism. Sullivan nails it. I hope you think I do too in my upcoming column.

So it appears Hunter Biden, seemingly overnight, has become Picasso esque painter. His paintings are offered for sale reportedly for between 75 and 500K ! What we will not know is who purchases them. Daddy in the WH has determined that no purchaser is to be known/named publicly. Why is that? I’ll tell ya, the Bidens have really bought in to “we’re untouchable”. And why not, who has pushed back at them, actually investigated them? So they have no problem doing things like this in plain view. You’ll never convince me that the Biden’s potentially aren’t one of the most corrupt political families in history. Oh yeah, and I thought Daddy was not aware of the business opportunities Hunter was involved in. –John M.

Let’s see if I have this right: The White House wants to make sure no one is buying Hunter Biden’s art in order to, at the same time, purchase accessibility to the president. So how do they do this? By not telling us who’s buying the paintings. This raises a question: HUH?

I grew up in Ohio. After college and grad school, I lived and worked in Japan (18 years) and Singapore (9 years). I now live in Arizona after a short stint in San Francisco (1 year) and NYC (2 years). My wife is Japanese and my son is half US/Japanese. Whenever I hear people claim that the US is “the greatest county on the earth”, it gives me pause. If I were to ask my wife, she would say Japan. If I were to ask my son, he may not answer. While I think the US gives a lot more opportunities, Japan and Singapore has a lot more safety and stability. I’ve had fun and enjoyed my life in all three countries. So if I were asked if the US is the greatest country, I can only respond it is one of many. Am I somehow not a patriot for answering this way? Our even if asked “are you proud to be an American?” While the US has done a lot of great things, it’s also has done many bad things. To me, all I can say is that I am happy and fortunate to be an American, the only thing I’m proud of is my son. Is that wrong? Maybe a good question for your Friday column. — Tony P.

Your patriotism is not in question — not from me anyway, Tony. But you say Japan and Singapore have more safety and stability. Japan is not a melting pot. It’s a homogenous society. We welcome people from all over the world. That may create a certain instability. As for Singapore, I went there to report how restrictive things are. Sure there’s more safety — because if you step out of line — even a little — you just might get arrested. You’re entitled to feel uneasy when someone says America is the greatest country on earth. But I hope we can agree that America gives its people more opportunity than just about anyplace else. That’s why so many people want to come here. And so few want to leave. But hey, it’s a free country. Feel free to believe whatever you want.

What are your thoughts on Ron DeSantis forbidding private companies in Florida from requiring proof of the COVID-19 vaccination from their customers? Norwegian Cruise Lines is currently suing the state, arguing that they can’t safely resume operations (in an industry that was hit especially hard by the pandemic) without ensuring passengers and their crews are vaccinated. They have a point, and it’s pretty strange to me that a Republican governor is imposing this level of government intervention on private businesses. A few years ago Republicans would have been standing up for the rights of the company, like they did the Colorado cake-baker. — Ben G.

You make a strong point about how it’s strange that a GOP governor is intervening in private business as DeSantis is. When Democrats get political and try to tell people how to run their businesses, conservatives holler. Whether it’s a good idea to require proof of the vaccination is a secondary matter. It may in fact be a good idea. But this is political in that, by and large it’s the right that’s complaining about “mandatory” vaccines. Is anything free of politics? Even baseball isn’t.

Bernie, Great evidence that fact is indeed stranger than fiction. That fact that Hunter Biden can nonchalantly turn to art as a money making scheme is a sad commentary on our media’s uselessness. If his last name where Trump, his escapades would be the stuff of outrage and vitriol. I can barely look at the guy quite frankly. — Thomas C.

Sure, the mainstream media would be going nuts if his name were Hunter Trump. No question about that. But you have to give Hunter credit: He’s figured out how to make money — with very little talent.

The good people of Cuba are rebelling against the Marxist tyrants, demanding freedom and basic civil rights, all the while carrying those symbols of systemic racism and white supremacy known as the AMERICAN FLAGS during the protests (cue the left wing pearl clutching)! Okay so the Biden Administration is spinning this as a protest inspired by Covid. Funny but with that free government healthcare in Cuba that genius Michael Moore brags about, I’m shocked…but I digress.

I’m NOT hearing any opinions about the current revolution in Cuba from Bernie Sanders, AOC (and the rest of the SQUIDS), Ta’Nahesi Coates or BLM leaders or ANTIFA. I find that odd since these folks had a lot to say about the affairs of Israel and Palestine, but again…I digress. I know I’m asking you to speculate here, but I’d really like to know your thoughts on why you believe these normally vociferous and opinionated people are being so quiet about such big news, and do you think that they are angry and upset about the rebellion, since it pretty much debunks THEIR Marxist vision of what they want the U. S. to be? — “VIVA LA REVOLUCION” Regards from The Emperor

Those pesky Cuban protestors are putting the American woke left in a bad spot. If the demonstrations were happening in a right wing dictatorship the progressive left would have plenty to say. You wouldn’t be able to shut them up. But this is happening in the dictatorship they’ve been praising for decades. How inconvenient. Reasonable people know that the hard left’s refusal to flat out condemn the Cuban communist dictatorship makes them look hypocritical. Good. Maybe they’ll lose some credibility along the way.

All true [regarding your “Off the Cuff” on Hunter Biden], but this joins the long list of nothing new under the sun. Neil Bush (son of George H. W. Bush) was put on the board of directors for the Silverado Savings and Loan. Why you don’t ask? Because his father was President. Heck go back further to Billy Carter, Jimmy’s brother. Remember those loans Billy got from Saudi Arabia? Have you ever gotten a loan from Saudi Arabia? Everybody does it is no defense, but alas everybody in power does do it. Nice to have it pointed out, but this is a non-partisan moral deficit in our country. — John R.

OK.

I’m curious if any of your (former) Real Sports colleagues have reached out to you since leaving the show to talk about your departure. — Darrin S.

When my resignation letter circulated, I received notes from some producers and two on-air reporters. Gumbel had already sent me a note. Let’s just say the ones who didn’t say, “Sorry to see you go” probably weren’t sorry to see me go. Fine with me.

On Wednesday, former president Donald Trump sent out an email to supporters in which he praised Jesse Watters’ new book. That praise, however, was quickly discovered to have been copied and pasted directly from the publisher’s description of the book on Amazon.com.

My questions:

1. Which of these three things is harder to believe: that Trump actually read the book, that Watters actually wrote the book, or that anyone who’s bought the book will actually read it?
2. Being that Watters served for 5 years as one of Trump’s most embarrassing media sycophants, don’t you think he deserved more from the former president than essentially a photo-copy of the back of his own book?
3. Do you think that Trump would still be president today if he had spent all of those hours on Twitter tweeting Amazon product descriptions instead of angry nonsense?

Thanks. — John D.

Coming from you, John D, these are surprisingly good questions.

1. I don’t believe Trump’s actually read the book. Nor do I believe that Watters wrote the book without massive help. I do think anyone who would actually buy a book by a lightweight like Jesse Watters might actually read it. Hardest to believe? One and two are tied.
2. For all the ass-kissing Watters did, of course he deserved more from Donald Trump than a fake review. But anyone who expects Donald Trump to care about them enough to actually write a real review is delusional.
3. Maybe.

Thanks, everyone! You can send me questions for next week using the form below! You can also read previous Q&A sessions by clicking here.

Welcome to this week’s Premium Q&A session for Premium Interactive members. I appreciate you all signing up and joining me. Thank you.

Editor’s note: If you enjoy these sessions (along with the weekly columns and audio commentaries), please use the Facebook and Twitter buttons to share this page with your friends and family. Thank you! 

Now, let’s get to your questions (and my answers):

The left has been very effective and in two tactical areas: incrementalism and enforcement. What starts as a request for acceptance ends up encoded and enforced into the culture by a strident leftist mob. In what policy areas can we on the right employ these same tactics to fight back and implement our agenda? –Steve R.

Very smart observation, Steve. First let me say that the left — if they haven’t already flat-out won — are definitely winning the culture war. I keep hoping the American people — including many traditional liberal Democrats — will wake up and see what’s happening to their country. We can see the beginnings of what we can do to fight back: Parents are saying NO to what their kids are being taught about racism in America, about how it’s pervasive and in our DNA. That might spread to other parts of our culture; at least we can hope it does. That’s the best I’ve got, Steve.

Regarding [Monday’s] article on San Fran-stinko which similarities are also prevalent again in The Big Crapple; why is it these progressives think this is the way to go? Do they think chasing away tourism income and high income tax payers who are moving out while increasing their public “dole” expenses is sustainable? Shouldn’t Economics 101 be a prerequisite for politicians? I like you grew up in NYC, sadly I won’t be going home to visit the Five Boroughs or to SF anytime soon, maybe never again. –ScottyG

You ask a good question: Why do they allow chaos in their cities that costs them tourist dollars and income tax from residents who are saying bye-bye. The only answer I’ve got, Scotty, is because their left wing ideologues. They want to fundamentally change America and the traditions that brought us this far. And they don’t think their policies will really destroy their cities. If rational people stop electing these clowns, there’s hope. If they continue to elect progressives who don’t have a clue about governing, their cities will slowly fade away. The ball is in their court.

I visited [San Francisco] from Australia in 2012 and again in 2019. The downward slide in the disparity gap was obvious. Not a fan of people trying to bum a cigarette off you as soon as you walk out of the international terminal to having mentally ill demanding food in your hotel foyer. Not going back again. –Tom F.

You’re not alone, Tom. Trust me, you’re not alone.

There’s been some major-paper reporting over the past few weeks that Tucker Carlson (despite attacking the mainstream media nightly on his show) has been one of the MSM’s best sources of leaked information in recent years — both on happenings in Trump World and the drama and gossip going on behind the scenes at Fox News. In a NYT report, almost 20 journalists confirmed this to be true. Carlson was supposedly even a major source for Brian Stelter’s anti-Fox book. This revelation has gotten some Fox people like Sean Hannity and Mark Levine (who’ve been at the forefront of some of the leaked reports) very upset. They’ve both attacked Carlson on-air, though not referring to him by name.

As a longtime journalist and someone who worked for Fox, does any of this surprise you? — Jen R.

First, Jen, let me share with you (if I haven’t already) a very brief story involving George Carlin. I interviewed him when I was at CBS News. We hit it off. Two former blue collar guys from New York. At one point said, “Bernie, I root for chaos.” He thought things had gotten so bad all over the place that he wanted to see chaos which might set the stage for a new beginning. Either that or he just liked chaos. Carlin wasn’t just funny. He was also smart. So if Hannity and Levin and who knows who else are fighting with FNC’s biggest star, that, Jen, is media chaos. And it puts a smile on my face. I want even more chaos. Those doofuses deserve what they get given what they’ve done to our culture. Does it surprise me? Nothing Carlson does surprises me. Nothing any of what the giant TV egos do surprises me. If Carlson thinks his opinions are so important that the world needs to know about them, he’ll share his “brilliance” with reporters who want to know what he thinks — even if they comprise the supposed “enemy.” He’s a mean-spirited person who attributes the worst motives to people he doesn’t like. If he’s now in the crosshairs, GOOD!

The decay in big cities seems to have accelerated with COVID (more graffiti, homeless camp sites, boarded-up businesses). I can’t help but think that many workers will not want to return to downtown. This would in turn depress commercial real estate. Richard Riordan (Los Angeles) and Rudy Giuliani (NY) won Mayorships when city dwellers were exhausted by similar circumstances. Do you think we could see more competitive Mayor races in big cities as a result of this decline? — John R.

Here’s my hope: that people who live in these big cities and who reflexively vote for the Democratic candidate (even when he or she is a left wing progressive who couldn’t run a lemonade stand) might finally wake up and say, “ENOUGH!” If that happens we will see more competitive races. If the voters continue to reflexively cast ballots for the kind of politicians who don’t know how to govern, their cities will go into further decline. They can vote any way they like … but they deserve what they get.

Recent polls have revealed that more Republicans now place blame for the January 6th attack on Joe Biden than do Donald Trump.

I remember when Bobby Jindal took a lot of party criticism back in 2013 for calling the GOP the “stupid party” but does it now seem he was being too generous? Yes there are a lot of stupid Dems too, but this is just beyond normal partisan dumbness. — Ben G.

I saw that poll, Ben, but if true, “STUPID” doesn’t begin to describe Republicans who think that. And you’re right, (again if the poll is accurate) it goes way beyond normal partisan dumbness. Way, way beyond.

“President Obama launched My Brother’s Keeper in February 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color and to ensure all youth can reach their full potential. In 2015 the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK Alliance) was launched, inspired by My Brother’s Keeper, to scale and sustain this mission. In late 2017, MBK Alliance became an initiative of the Obama Foundation. Within the Obama Foundation, MBK Alliance focuses on building safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color where they feel valued and have clear pathways to opportunity”.

This was taken from the MBK’s website. At the risk of boring you yet again, why not write a column decrying the national news media’s lack of coverage of MBK and other such groups aiming to alleviate some of the major problems in the inner city – i.e. Fatherlessness and gang violence? You’ve loudly made the point several times that groups like BLM and some liberal whites (showing their “racial good manners”) hypocritically will not focus on these statistically greater risk to lives of African -Americans. While much of the right-wing media lecture about these problems, they do so as a rebuttal to BLM and certain white supporters’ reaction to the injustice of unwarranted police violence to African-Americans and their supposed hypocrisy for not focusing on the inner city problems of gang violence and Fatherlessness. You’ve repeatedly – and correctly – bemoaned the profit motive of the national news media overriding good reporting. Isn’t this another instance of the hypocrisy of much of the right-wing medias and of the national news media in general? — Bob H.

Fair point, Bob … but there’s a tendency in the news business, as I’m sure you know — and that is to focus on bad news. I’m not suggesting this is a good thing, but it’s not new; it’s always been the nature of news. But your suggestion is worthy of consideration. Thanks.

Sir Bernie, your weekend column about immigration and the hatred of America by the woke left got me to thinking about a possible scenario. Let‘s Imagine What would happen IF…

The U.S. became two separate countries not through civil war but by consent. That is, the Red States of America and the Woke Blue States of America. Now let’s imagine that Red State America is enforcing strict immigration policies and The Woke Blue States are having the immigration policies that are more to their liking. Let’s also imagine that Red State America is pro law enforcement and pro military but still welcomes people of all skin colors, religions, ethnic backgrounds etc. as long as they are law-abiding citizens.

Now let’s speculate—- which of the two countries do we think would have more people trying to immigrate to it? This includes Black people, Latinos, Muslims, as well as foreigners from other countries, gays, and other disenfranchised groups that the left wingers claim are constant victims of White Supremacy and the systemic racism that is so prevalent in current historical America? I welcome all thoughtful comments from you as well as the rest of this community that I’m pleased to be a part of. –“Nation Building” Regards from The Emperor

I’ve written about my friend who suggested to me that we do just what you’re suggesting — have Blue State America and Red State America … and we can all choose to live where we want. I don’t think he was kidding, though it’s obvious in real life this could never work. But — as to your question — if we did have Two Americas, while just about everybody on the right and some on the left would choose to live in Red State America, the hard core progressives wouldn’t. They’d rather live in a culture of like-minded folks even if it means more crime and more cultural decay. You, and others, might think just about everybody would make the choice to live in a country with sensible policies and values. But don’t bet on it. Being rational is not a strong point of ideologues — on the left or the right.

In the wake of this year’s July 4 tantrums (coming courtesy of Cori Bush, NPR and The Squad’s Godmother Auntie Maxine, among others), can we now conclude that for many who hold high political office or work in national media there are no remaining constraints on their expressing disdain and hatred for America, the Declaration of Independence, The Flag and various other aspects and symbols of our history and values? All of this begs the question of what exactly do they want? We all should be holding our collective breath each time an American wins a gold medal in Tokyo. At least those of us who have reverence for the Flag, the Declaration and the Constitution. Care to predict how the NBC sports announcers will discuss or ignore the obvious elephant in the room when it comes to these matters? –Mike F

I agree with you Mike that there likely will be political fireworks at the Olympics regarding the American flag. Unless NBC sport has gone totally woke, the announcers will have to acknowledge what just happened. In my opinion, they should do it without commentary — either bashing it or praising it or even understanding it. Just the facts.  If they ignore it, they’ll be making a big mistake — and I won’t be the only one pointing that out.

Bernie G! I just received my copy of Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy by Andy Ngo. Any decent human being will feel some form of frustration watching the cowards shown in the videos Andy posts on his Twitter. I hope folks would fight fire with a hotter fire when coming across these punks, but that’s unwise and uncivil.

THREE questions: what are some of your thoughts on Andy, his work in general, and his book, if you read it? And, how should law enforcement and our elected representatives and officials deal with the problem of Antifa, specifically since they’ve largely ignored the issues that causes Antifa to grow? Finally, what do YOU want Christians to do and say about Antifa? –D-Rock

All I know about Andy Ngo is what I’ve seen and heard directly from him on television. He seems like a reasonable guy who’s gone through a lot. He’s described as an independent journalist — but I think it’s fair to say he leans right. As for how law enforcement should handle Antifa: the way they’d handle any criminal element. But in places like Portland they get away with all sorts of mayhem. That’s got to stop or they’ll be at it again in full force soon enough. Finally, I don’t want or expect Christians to respond any differently than any other American regardless of religion.

With your statistics [on the political leanings of college professors] in mind, will the chasm between the haves and the have nots widen? So many middle class parents have sacrificed to send their children to higher education institutions for a better financial future. A “degree” is/was the key to success, although the building trades suffered. It could be that intellectual diversity is gained by simply reading worthwhile books or mentored on-the-job training. — Sandy S.

Don’t underestimate the power of ideological teachers (in college or kindergarten) to influence impressionable young students. So while reading good books is certainly a plus, colleges that preach diversity need to recruit a more diverse teaching staff if we’re going to produce a more intellectually diverse citizenry. I don’t know if the chasm between the haves and the so-called have nots will widen — let’s just hope economic policies lift the have nots so they have easier lives. I agree with you that we’ve neglected the building trades. Not everybody should go to college. We need good plumbers too.

Earlier this week, Michael Flynn posted pictures of himself, along with fellow pro-Trump conspiracy theorists Lin Wood and MyPillow guy Mike Lindell, posing in front of the enormous whiteboard pictured below:

At the center of the whiteboard is an image of Donald Trump, with hundreds of lines and arrows connecting notable Trump sycophants, Trump family members, and even Jesus to the former president. There’s also lots of scripture.

After studying this colossal, cryptic, and complex flowchart for 9 hours straight, I believe it could hold the key to Trump regaining the presidency (and perhaps ultimately ruling the universe). What I don’t get is the mysterious inclusion of famed self-help guru Tony Robbins. How does Robbins play into all of us this? Could he be the secret ingredient in the MAGA stew that could change everything? — John D.

Let me see if I understand your question: They have Jesus as a prominent player in this thing … suggesting that Jesus and Donald Trump and the 2020 election are somehow connected … that Jesus may know something about the foul play that went on in the election, primarily in Pennsylvania … and that Jesus may have had a conversation with the pillow guy about how Trump gets back to the Oval Office sometime this summer … AND YOU’RE ASKING ME ABOUT TONY ROBBINS???

Good question. But I don’t know. Thank you for asking. You lunatic.

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Now, let’s get to your questions (and my answers):

We all love science. Who wouldn’t? My liberal friends defend “The” science about climate change, defunding police, COVID origination, and numerous other so called indisputable scientific evidence. I respond to them saying I’ll pay more attention to “The” science when “The” science can indisputably prove that Subway uses real Tuna in a Tuna sandwich. So my question is, do you like your Tuna sandwich with or without Mayo? — Tim H.

A very important question, Tim — and indisputable proof of the intelligence of my audience. With mayo.

Bernie, I loved you on HBO Sports and now with Bill O’Reilly. Realizing that your co-hosts were basically …especially Mr. Gumbel. I always thought his speech at Ali’s funeral is something of a classic. I also was a great Letterman fan …but both he and Bryant have seemed to allow their views to overwhelm almost everything they do. Do you think this “woke” treat” will continue on forever or at some point (similar to Bill Maher) are we reaching the point of “enough is enough!” — Rich T.

I’ve already reached the point of “Enough is enough!” And I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. The crazies always go too far. And when they do, the sane crowd tells them it’s time to knock it off. It can’t come soon enough to satisfy me.

Professor B, what do you think about video cameras in the classroom? — Tony P.

Haven’t given this any thought — until now. If I were a teacher the only way I’d want a camera in the classroom would be to protect me from malicious and fake allegations about almost anything. Otherwise, don’t think I’d be a fan. That said, if the teacher is preaching political propaganda, it would be nice to have video evidence.

Bernie, I wanted to get your thoughts about the upcoming Olympics and the decision of he US Olympic committee to permit “protests” at the start line and medal ceremonies. I read the statement of the USOC and my two cents is that it smacks of the two sets of rules approach that we see all too often these days. I expect we will see quite a lot of ” I am here for myself and not the systemically racist USA” on display. Care to venture a prediction of how low TV ratings will be for this Olympiad? — Mike F.

First, a clarification: The rule allowing protests is for the trials … not the games themselves. But I have little doubt that there will be demonstrations at the Olympics. And I hope the ratings suffer because of it. Check out my Off the Cuff from Wednesday. It’s on the subject of your question, Mike.

Hi, Bernie, from your 4th Patreon member! What do you think African Americans who rose to the top of their profession — let’s pick Bryant Gumbel and Lester Holt, not that news-o-tainment is the only profession where blacks have risen to the top because Kenneth Chenault became CEO of American Express 20 years ago and Barack Obama was elected POTUS twice, if I remember correctly — whether their success is due to ability or race? In contrast, if there is a distinction to be made, what do you think today’s successful black Americans would say? Hmmm, I bet I know the answer(s). Happy Independence Day! — James P.

I’m more than willing to acknowledge that black Americans who have risen to the top of their profession had a great deal of ability. You don’t become a news anchor or a corporate CEO if you’re not good at what you do. Does race play a part at the jump, in hiring? Yes. And let’s be honest here — whites have taken advantage of their race, too over the years.

Nice article [on Monday], and I guess I’m part of the problem. Another problem in 2024 is that Joe Biden is too old to serve another four years and his Democratic natural successor, Kamala Harris, won’t be able to win a national race. So I’m wondering if Biden will run for re-election, with all the incumbent advantages, win, then a month or two after being inaugurated, resign. That’s the only path I see for Harris becoming President. Do you think this is plausible? — John R.

Could be, John, but if I had to guess this far out, I’d say, Biden doesn’t run and the race for his successor is wide open. Harris being just one of many candidates. But 2024 is a very long way off.

I saw this video of Kory Yeshua and his young daughter calling out Critical Race Theory for what it is—- a bunch of hateful racist foolishness embraced by cowards and idiots. THEY seem like the All-American family next door that many of us would like to have as neighbors in our communities—-Mr. Yeshua is NOT allowing himself or his daughter to be seduced by the racist hatred of the left, and we need MORE people like him calling out the left wing weasels.

We can reasonably speculate on how the liberal media members and Liberal Democrats would have responded to this video had this message been delivered by a white man with his young daughter, but then this begs the question——why don’t more liberals (and this includes those in the mainstream media and the Democrat party) actually EMBRACE this message from Mr. Yeshua and his daughter? Logically speaking, wouldn’t it actually be to their benefit to prop this man up as a great example of fatherhood and as a promoter of unity? However it appears to me that only the right wingers are promoting this man. Your thoughts? — “Love Thy Neighbor” Regards From The Emperor

The kid is very cute, no question about that. Here’s the handy dandy rule of thumb, Your Worship: If conservatives are for something, the left will be against it — and that goes for just about everything, including a cure for cancer. But let’s be honest: If liberals are for something, right wing TV types will be against it. But on the particulars of the video: Father and daughter make a lot of sense. Common sense … that as you say, more of us should embrace.

I found your summary of the poll on Qanon interesting, scary but interesting. Doing some basic Googling, I found this article that delves into the subject of why and how people answer polling in at times bizarre ways. I am not trying to discredit the polling summary; I found that full polling report as well. You want to put any faith in maybe those polling results being inflated or tilted? –Rocco S.

Not all polls are created equal, Rocco. I agree with that. I simply thought I’d share that one and everyone is free to make of it what they will. I do find the crazies on the right different than the nutballs on the left. The loony left finds fault with just about everything in America. The wacko right is deep into conspiracies. I don’t want to get too close to either side.

What are your thoughts on Tucker Carlson trashing General Mark Milley, calling him a “pig” and “stupid” for Milley voicing his thoughts on reading about Critical Race Theory. Also, do you think the NSA is spying on Carlson, and trying to take him off the air, as Carlson is suggesting? I’m thinking there’s nothing Tucker wouldn’t say for ratings. — Ben G.

First … I think Carlson is one nasty piece of work. He goes out of his way to put the worst spin on everything he dislikes. I thought he was the one who looked bad when he called the general a “pig” and “stupid.” If Carlson disagrees with the general then rebut his argument without the childish name-calling. As for his contention that the NSA is spying on him: When you make a charge like that you better have hard, indisputable facts to back it up. At this rate, Carlson is going to step over a very bright line and even the money people at Fox (who masquerade as news executives) may have to do something about it.

After driving efforts to (successfully) strip Liz Cheney of her committee assignment, and successfully block the bipartisan independent commission on the January 6th attack, Kevin McCarthy is now threatening to strip any GOP member of his or her committee assignments if they agree to serve on Pelosi’s 1/6 commission. Meanwhile, McCarthy has NOT stripped committee assignments from Paul Gosar (who meets with genuine white supremacist groups) or Marjorie Taylor Greene (who’s done everything possible to warrant internal party punishment). 

I know the Democrats haven’t stripped Ilhan Omar of committee assignments either (they’re hopeless), but at some point I keep hoping that the GOP leadership returns to some moral and ethical high-ground, but it just doesn’t seem in the cards. Your thoughts? — Jen R.

Keep hoping, Jen. But bring your lunch while you’re hoping. It may be a while. As for Kevin McCarthy: Let’s just state the obvious. He’s no profile in courage.

Donald Rumsfeld just passed away. What are your thoughts of him as a public servant? — Marco

I think he was a decent man but one who got us into some very bad situations. For example, he said that getting rid of Saddam Hussein had “created a more stable and secure world.” I don’t think so. And in a farewell address at the Pentagon he said that — as the NY Times reported –“quitting Iraq would be a terrible mistake, even though the war, the country learned, had been based on a false premise — that Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi leader, had been harboring weapons of mass destruction.” The best and the brightest often make big mistakes.

Bernie, You were recently a guest on Mark Reardon’s Show. At the end of the discussion, Reardon complimented your website and said something along the lines of, “Both you and John Daly do a great job over there”… at which point, you failed to acknowledge Daly in any way. Is it possible that you had fallen into a bit of a trans, in which you were thinking about just how great of a job Daly does, and you couldn’t really formulate it in words? Or were you unsure of who Reardon was even taking about? Asking for a friend. — John D.

I have a confession to make to all my subscribers. I’ve lied to you for too long. Way too long. I am not Bernie Goldberg. Bernie Goldberg does not exist. I made up the name. I am John Daly and I use the name Bernie (or sometimes Bernard) Goldberg because it’s so much classier than … well … than John Daly. The guy who saw on TV for so many years … was me, John Daly, posing as some goofball I called Bernie Goldberg. So when radio host Mark Reardon said that Bernie and John Daly do great work, I panicked. I didn’t want to reveal the truth, that there is no Bernie. I’m so ashamed. Will all of you forgive me? I was, am, and always will be the GREAT JOHN DALY … pure and immodest but GREAT. But you may call me Bernie if it makes you feel better. Next time, I’ll share my family’s plans for Hanukkah 2021. Thank you all.

Thanks, everyone! You can send me questions for next week using the form below! You can also read previous Q&A sessions by clicking here.

Welcome to this week’s Premium Q&A session for Premium Interactive members. I appreciate you all signing up and joining me. Thank you.

Editor’s note: If you enjoy these sessions (along with the weekly columns and audio commentaries), please use the Facebook and Twitter buttons to share this page with your friends and family. Thank you! 

Now, let’s get to your questions (and my answers):

[The conspiracy theory culture is] a worrying trend. I wonder what it will take for people to come to their senses? I hope it isn’t an all out war with a certain country because a global pandemic apparently wasn’t enough. — Tom F.

I keep hoping for good old-fashioned common sense to kick in. But some people NEED conspiracies. Without them, their life is sort of dull. Others believe in conspiracies because they see crazy stuff going on all around them — cops being tarred as the villains while violent demonstrations don’t get prosecuted — that make no sense. Conspiracy theories fill the void.

Loved you on Real Sports for years but understand and support why you left. Thrilled to find you on substack. I’m a registered independent and a Big fan of your work. — Nick P.

Many thanks, Nick. Very much appreciated. Check out my column coming out on Monday which is more about my departure from Real Sports.

Interesting the questions [last] Friday regarding conspiracies, like the FBI participating in Jan. 6. Even bin Laden’s niece (Noor) was promoting the “Trump Won” theory on Lake Geneva last week while Joe was relecting on his quick meet with Vlad. While there is very low/near zero probability of a change in this election outcome, it seems wise that we establish some protocols to manage such an improbable situation. Apparently there are presently no guidelines to handle such a situation. We should plan for that possibility now to avoid an even bigger mess than the chaos (& violence?) that would ensue upon any overturned election. (Can you imagine how nuts it would get if it was determined that Trump won? – phew!) — DonEstif

I’m for whatever needs to be put in place to avoid the craziness we witnessed after the last election. But — and this is important — the craziness was pushed hard by you know who. If he were out of the picture, we wouldn’t need too many new protocols.

Hi Bernie, Do you think Chris Christie would have any shot at getting the GOP nomination in 2024, with or without Trump in the race? — Artie A.

With Trump in the picture, Christie would have little to no chance. I doubt he’d even run. Without Trump in the picture, maybe. But 2024 is a very long way off. Let’s revisit your question over time.

Good column Monday about the ACLU and its embrace of broad liberal ideology. I’m noticing this among several groups whose name appears to narrowly focus their mission but are all too willing to take on greater political causes to the left. As you say, the ACLU will gladly sacrifice free speech rights if it hurts Trump. Teachers unions regularly advocate for leftist platforms like LGBTQ issues and anti-poverty programs that have nothing to do with education. BLM is for transgender rights and distancing from “the Western-prescribed nuclear family”. What do these have to do with race? Major League Baseball moved their all-star game out of Atlanta due to objections over changes in voting rules that were democratically passed. Why are sports leagues part of the leftist enforcement of their version of voting laws? So why do these seemingly narrow interest groups lose focus on their mission? I think deranged thinking and hatred over Bush and then Trump got them off their game. Could it also be a desire to be part of the hip leftist crowd and accepted in their tribe? — Steve R.

I think it’s very much a desire to be part of the hip leftist crowd. I’ve long thought that, actually. They want too how how “With It” they are. And if you don’t like it, they don’t care. Unless and until it hurts their business, which I hope it does.

Apparently diversity was an issue even back in the 1970s. I was watching an old “All In The Family” rerun. It’s the episode where there is another home for sale on Hauser Street. Archie Bunker is worried that more black people might move in, so he begins circulating a petition basically stating that no homes should be sold to minorities since they will likely bring property values down in the neighborhood. Meathead explains to Archie that his property values are likely to rise, citing that studies have shown that multi-ethnic neighborhoods tend to raise property values. As expected, when Henry Jefferson (George Jefferson’s brother) hears about Archie’s petition, he is enraged and enters Archie’s home, threatening to tear up the petition. Henry Jefferson immediately changes his tune however, once the prospective new neighbors enter the Bunker household and reveal themselves to be Puerto Ricans. Jefferson demands that Archie give him the petition so that HE himself can sign it. After that, Archie Bunker and Henry Jefferson are now drinking buddies. Of course the irony of that episode in relation to the current climate is not lost on me.

From your perspective, was Meathead correct that neighborhood property values actually do increase when diverse people are living there?  If so, then why would that make a difference? I would assume that it was the average income of the residents rather than ethnic or religious backgrounds that increase property values.  –“Stifle yourself, Edith, and bring out a coupla’ beers for me and my friend Henry Jefferson!” regards from The Emperor

I have no idea if property values go up when there’s more diversity in the neighborhood. Studies may have indicated that — and those studies may even have been accurate. Or they may have been biased based on the ideology of the “scholars” doing the research. But as I say, I don’t know. I do know that in some places at points in our history, it wouldn’t matter if a black family had a lot of money — some people didn’t want them in the neighborhood anyway. And the excuse they’d use was that “property value would come down” with them living there. They’d rather have a white family with less money than a black family with more money. Sad but true. And there’s something else I know: Norman Lear, the genius behind All in the Family, was way ahead of his time in pinpointing issues that matter to people and influence the broader American culture.

Thankfully it appears that parents across the country are pushing back on CRT in their children’s schools. I know that many on the left are denying that CRT is being taught (or used) in schools but it appears those denials are being rebutted quite effectively from what I’ve read.

What right do parents have with regard to what is being taught in their children’s schools, especially when the subject matter appears to be unrelated to reading, writing and “rithmetic?” Perhaps one of the silver linings of teachers and their unions keeping schools closed (and the resulting use of zoom learning) was that parents got a very clear picture of what was being “taught” to their kids. The desire of the unions, politically oriented school boards, and politicians to keep parents in the dark as to the curriculum is very telling. Bravo to all those soccer parents out there who are making their voices heard at school board meetings across America. The contrast between these parents and many of the CEOs across the country is breathtaking and is proof that only a bottom up approach will help us move past this insane period or wokeness and cancel culture. I also would give a shout out to Bill Maher and Jon Stewart (and others) during the past few months for having the courage to speak “truth to power” as the saying goes. — Michael F.

I’m with you, Michael. Whether it’s technically Critical Race Theory or something just like it parents are speaking up and I wish them success. My next column which will appear on Monday is about Bill Maher’s recent comments about the woke culture.

If you had the opportunity to have a round table discussion with 4 or 5 other journalists on national TV pertaining to todays journalistic standards who would you want on that round table and what would be the subject matter. I hope you include liberals? — Tim H.

Brit Hume (Fox) … Juan Williams (Fox)  … Gerard Baker (WSJ) …. Peggy Noonan (WSJ) … Bret Stephens (NYT) … Lance Morrow (essayist)… and for giggles Brian Stelter (CNN). Why do so many Americans have so little trust in the news media?

Meghan McCain brought up what I thought was a good point on Twitter the other day: “Same journalists and pundits who go OUT OF THEIR WAY to bring up my Dad and applaud him for his maverick ways are sure spending a lot of energy ripping apart and defaming Krysten Sinema.”

The media hypocrisy is obvious, but what I like about Sinema is that she doesn’t seem in the least detoured or intimidated by those on her side of the aisle who are coming after her for being a “maverick” herself. My guess is that Biden won’t run for re-election in 2024, and that Harris probably will but won’t get very far (her phoniness is very off-putting). Do you think Sinema would be a strong presidential candidate if she decided to run? The far-left is mad at her at the moment, but the Dems don’t seem to hold grudges like Trump era Republicans do. — Ben G.

First, Ben, let be say I agree with you 100% about VP Harris’s phoniness — and how off-putting it is. And that cackle. Make it stop!

I think Sinema would have a hard time if she ran because the far left, I believe, will stay mad at her. Progressives won’t vote for the GOP candidate, but they might sit home on Election Day. The sanctimonious left is very unforgiving. (So is the sanctimonious right.)

I’ve been watching a CNN mini-series on the history of late-night talk shows, and one common theme that seems true of most of the hosts (including the most successful ones like Parr, Carson, and Letterman) is how miserable they were in real life, EXCEPT for when they were in front of the cameras doing their nightly thing. Do you think that same thing is true a lot of news people? I ask because I can’t figure out why someone like Jeffrey Toobin would ever come back to CNN after what happened, or why Larry King would take so many weird TV gigs after CNN (I think he was even on Russian TV and/or Al Jazeera at some point). Do you think that being in front of the cameras is a lifeblood for some people, and they don’t know how to be happy otherwise? — Alex D.

For some TV people air time is … air. They need it almost as much as regular folks need real, actual air. That’s why they do gigs like Russian TV and Al Jazeera. I’m on TV therefore I am … kind of a thing.

Earlier this week, actor Michael B. Jordan publicly apologized for culturally appropriating the name of his rum brand, “J’Ouvert,” from a Caribbean holiday. He says he’ll be changing the name to something else.

In that spirit, Bernie, would you like to take this opportunity to finally apologize for culturally appropriating the title of your book, “Crazies to the Left of Me, Wimps to the Right” from the Scottish rock band, Stealers Wheel, and their hit song, “Stuck in the Middle with You”?

This is unless, of course, you can provide genealogical information, or a long-form birth certificate, to prove that you are of Scottish descent. — John D.

I resent your question, Michael Jordan was a great baseball player and if he wants to change the name of his rum brand that’s his business — and maybe he would let Phil Jackson weigh in.  Shame on you, Mr. John D.

Now to the rest of your question: I am of Scottish descent and my name alone is all the proof you’ll need. What? You think Bernard Goldberg is not a typical Scottish name? What’s wrong with you?

Yer bum’s oot the windae, JD. (Look it up).

Thanks, everyone! You can send me questions for next week using the form below! You can also read previous Q&A sessions by clicking here.