The Week That Was: A Carousel of Chaos
What a circus we've witnessed this week. The American political space has outdone itself with a particularly red performance that I am sure is making McCarthy look up and smile. Trump's muzzling of Jimmy Kimmel (because heaven forbid a comedian should do comedy), RFK Jr.'s methodical dismantling of yet another pillar of public health—apparently determined to return us to the days of polio—and the nation's mystifying canonization of a figure whose misogyny and racism was matched only by his talent for self-promotion.
Meanwhile, the First Lady touched down in Britain sporting what can only be described as millinery from another galaxy, while I, in a fit of insomnia-induced masochism, subjected myself to two episodes of "With Love Meghan." Truly, it was a week that defied both logic and good taste, and I've barely scratched the surface.
The coming week promises even more absurdity. Tiffany has finally embraced her full Trump destiny—snout firmly planted in the family trough—floating about on some Libyan oil magnate's yacht and then dinner with the Kind. I'll be unpacking that little Mediterranean escapade next week.
RFK Jr.'s newly minted Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices concluded their charming gathering today, having apparently decided that natural selection needs a helping hand. I'll brief you on their conclusions once I've finished ordering my new hazmat suit on the Washington Post sorry Amazon.
And if you missed Kash Patel's theatrical debut this week, do yourself a favor and catch up. The man has that peculiar quality of looking perpetually guilty of something—put him in a police lineup and he'd be fingered for crimes he's never even contemplated. A walking advertisement for the Peter Principle in action, if ever there was one.
Free speech, like everything else in this inflationary hellscape we call Trump 2.0, has become prohibitively expensive. I'll be exploring this theme, along with the agricultural apocalypse facing our Midwestern farmers and China's starring role in that particular tragedy. It's all becoming more expensive and more violent as we navigate this brave new world ruled by septuagenarian white men with questionable legal histories. What fun we're having.
Reader Mail: The Brightside Chronicles
I confess I've been delinquent with my promised reader correspondence. I want to really stress that most of what I get it so nice and supportive and I write enough on the negative stuff so here is something I got about writing from a woman, Anne, whose earnest inquiry deserves a proper response amidst all this mayhem.
From: Anne
Subject: Quick questions about The Powell House Press
Hi Josh, I'm Anne, an aspiring writer who's been following The Powell House Press. Love what you're doing! I have a few quick questions if you don't mind: Do you ever host other writers or feature guest work? I'd be interested in contributing if that's something you do. Also, I'm curious about your writing process and how much time you spend on the project overall. Always fascinated by how other writers make it work. You post so early in the morning, what time do you wake up??? No worries if you're swammed, but any insights would be awesome! Thanks, Anne
Dear Anne,
Your enthusiasm is exactly the sort of thing we need in these trying times. The question about hosting other writers is one I've been grappling with lately—several people have raised it, and I find myself in a rather delicate position.
I did attempt this experiment once, soliciting submissions with the best of intentions. What followed was an exercise in diplomatic torture. Friends submitted work that ranged from the merely unsuitable to the genuinely problematic, and I found myself in the impossible position of having to reject people I care about (who am I kidding I pretended often not to have received stuff). Having spent years collecting rejection letters myself—that special brand of hurt we all endure—I simply couldn't bear to inflict that wound on others.
Now that The Powell House Press has gained some momentum and established its own voice, I've become rather protective of the brand. It's become distinctly mine—a singular perspective in an increasingly cacophonous landscape. While I recognize the potential to use this platform to elevate other voices (and I do intend to, eventually), the timing simply isn't right. When it is, I'll announce it on both Substack and Medium.
As for my schedule, the early morning posts are something of an illusion. I'm not some masochistic pre-dawn writer—I simply wake early to give yesterday's work one final look before posting.
Writing, as virtually every writer will tell you, is about routine. Mine has the considerable advantage of being my full-time occupation at the moment, which transforms the entire enterprise from heroic struggle to manageable discipline. I supplement subscription income with client work, which provides both financial stability or sorts.
My daily ritual is mechanical: coffee, New York Times, Apple News, final edit, then post. By eight, I'm at my desk, armed with a notebook full of potential topics—my literary wish list, if you will. I dedicate at least two hours to "future projects"—free-form writing that often produces material I wouldn't show to my worst enemy, but which serves as raw clay to be sculpted later.
Given the research-intensive nature of my current work, I've become a devoted patron of libraries—both municipal and university. The resources available for free are not to be underestimated; I've canceled countless subscriptions. There's something about the energy of these institutions that feeds the creative process as well and spend a few hours a day there writing.
I write with outlines, which horrifies some, but it keeps me from disappearing down the sort of rabbit holes that I naturally will dive into. Topic selection is simple: healthcare (my professional background) and whatever genuinely excites me. You'll never catch me analyzing football statistics or pretending to care about cryptocurrency.
That's the unglamorous truth of it—no mystical inspiration required, just discipline and caffeine.
When you begin publishing, let me know. I'm always happy to comment and share work that merits attention.
Thanks for your note.
JDP
As always readers - thank you for your support. If you can swing a paid subscription it helps keeping this man’s speech free - I know even though you’re paying for it. What I will say is that now more than ever, spaces like Substack and supporting writer telling truth with references is vital. We’ve now seen the LA Times, The Washington Post, NBC, Disney and CBS all censor their writers and reporters - it is chilling. I never thought I’d be seeing this happen in my America in my lifetime.
If not me, take some time to read and support another writer who is doing the work, telling the story and not being afraid to tell the truth.
If you can’t support me financially, you can be helping me get more eyes on what I am doing and sharing. Restack and subscribe is still free in Josh’s America (well until it goes behind the paywall).
Keep on with what you are doing. We don’t need any more synthetic, managed voices. Whatever happens with Substack the total independence of trusted contributors will outlast any attempts to absorb individual thought. I more or less achieved your state through never fully buying into the “lifestyle” but rather am content to live independently on an amount so small it would terrify any self respecting friend from the middle class.