Just joined your Substack but am a longtime fan. I cannot express how grateful I am (especially as a middle eastern woman) that someone like you has spoken up so steadfastly for years about this. Sometimes - especially in a post 9/11 America - I’ve felt misunderstood and maligned when I’ve tried to bring up Palestinian rights (and Lebanese, and Syrian, and I could go on). The other side sometimes resorts to name calling and what about-isms instead of taking the time to understand what’s at stake. To fight genocide isn’t to take up the mantle of anti-Semitism. That’s not what it’s about. But it’s hard to make people understand, especially when your skin is a certain color and you’re from that region. So to hear you and others like Bobby G. make these statements so poignantly - well, that’s been extremely meaningful to me.
Speaking of whataboutisms - I do shake my head that Thom acts as though this is all new information for him. I recall a prior instance some years ago where folks, en masse, asked him not to play in Israel and he turned it right back around and said something to the effect of “well I don’t like American leadership, so should I not play there?” Well, Thom, yeah maybe you shouldn’t play here either given that we’re funding this and other genocides. That’s your decision. But you definitely should give some thought as to the message you’re sending to the world by playing in Tel Aviv and giving legitimacy to a government that is taking that funding and burning children alive, bombing hospitals and food relief workers, and so on. None of these acts are in question. They’re doing it and they’re doing it out in the open and proudly. You can watch it on the news, on YouTube, or read it in the paper. Nobody is hiding it anymore. It should be a no brainer and a moment of education and growth and empathy. Instead, and disappointingly, he’s acting so personally offended.
Anyway, just dropping a line to say what I’ve wanted to say for a long time. Thank you tremendously and keep on.
Not everyone is cruel, evil, selfish, or bigoted. There are many of us who support you and your values, views, and beliefs. We even support your right to disagree with us about favorite foods and such. We are even brazen enough to say these things while living in a red state.
There is goodness. Even if you alone hold love in your heart, it is good. Don’t let anyone’s words or darkness dampen your joy and brightness. Love wins…as soon as it gets the right lawyer. 😘♥️
You have always been my biggest inspiration politically and woke me up to it all as a child. You continue to stand by your beliefs and I stand with you. I am beyond comprehension as to why we are all not doing more about all gathering together in millions and doing something about this once and for all. This world has gone fucking crazy.
Most humans are Good Germans, herd animals to rival any sheep or dog. So unlike cats.
That is why I have more respect for Macklemore for putting out "Hind's Hall" than for all the members of Radiohead and everything they ever sang, said, wrote or thought to date.
Dear Roger , I am from Uruguay and I wanted to tell you that we are more and more every day protesting against this genocid@l r@ts, and this makes me feel happier as days go by . Unfortunately this government ( which is ending in march) have stayed silent and on their side, but… with the future government starting on march, I only can hope that this will change . You are my hero , love.
I mean, they had that one great song that literally everyone covered, and those covers were all better than the og. I’m genuinely just taking the piss, but Thom basically pointed his fingers at himself and made me do it. 😂. Honestly, so much of the population at large is so self absorbed they barely notice the smoke from the world being on fire.
This morning I watched the Al Jazeera documentation on the war crimes that I had missed two months earlier. I had to watch it, although I was sure the atrocities were too much for me to bare. I felt physically sick for the rest of the day, on the brink of vomiting.
But yet I was far away, and I don’t have to endure any of the terrible suffering these people of all age have to every... single... day. But yes, seeing and having just a bit of empathy it is enough to cause PTSD.
Dear Roger, don’t waste your time on Thom. Invest it into people who don’t are so ignorant, but rather lack the right information because Western media still doesn’t cover it (although, to my surprise, there was a noticeable shift in reporting for Der Spiegel, no longer taking everything Israel says for granted, one year too late!). Speak to those who will listen. And even if we are angry, we all must first convey why we are rightfully so, because emotions will destroy the conversation.
Then again, I can’t see that talk will change anything to what our “elite” leaders have in mind by (still!) supporting this genocide, live and in realtime. I honestly don’t know what to do anymore.
Totally with you, Roger, heart n soul. I sign every petition, go on Peace marches, donate to Medical Aid for Palestine, other charities & big causes. We cannot do more but the majority of us, over 70% in the U.K. cannot change our politicians, all main parties in hock w corporates, arms trade n Israel. They do not heed our pleas, our so called democracies a sham, meaningless - revealed to be totally unrepresentative.
We have the same oligarchs in U. S. They’ve used gerrymandering in such a way that even when a majority votes for one person the other candidate wins, the candidate favored by industry and tech. Clearly, anything can be bought here. Just ask P. Diddy (Puff Daddy, Sean Combs, etc)
Had a little cry reading your post Roger. I sometimes wonder if I am suffering from PTSD or empathic distress is another term I've heard used as a response to the last year of what we have witnessed.
Christmas has felt torturous for me, watching my kids open their presents, seeing their faces light up at the prospect of Santa and having to smile through gritted teeth knowing babies are freezing to death, well I just wanted to cancel it all. But of course we are the lucky ones.
Thank-you for continuously showing up, using your voice, and being relentless in calling out people.
Sending love from Western Australia x ❤️ #freepalestine
I love you Roger, thank you for your Humanity and Always being on the right side of history. Free Palestine and all my love to my arabs brothers and sisters in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iran,etc
Thank you so much Roger. Our individual voices seem small, but when people like you, with a huge reach, write so passionately about the appalling situation in Palestine, it validates us. Please keep speaking about Palestine 🇵🇸. Never give up on them xxxxxxx
Dear Roger, thank you for being the voice of reason and the main inspiration for so many people in this uneven fight to save humanity in the times of genocide, wars an deception. I never stop admiring your courage. Thank you one more time.
Thank you Roger for continuing to speak up for what matters . I try to speak up but my voice is so small . You continue to be consistent in your beliefs and values and that matters so much . We hear you speaking up for those who cannot .
Hi Roger -
Just joined your Substack but am a longtime fan. I cannot express how grateful I am (especially as a middle eastern woman) that someone like you has spoken up so steadfastly for years about this. Sometimes - especially in a post 9/11 America - I’ve felt misunderstood and maligned when I’ve tried to bring up Palestinian rights (and Lebanese, and Syrian, and I could go on). The other side sometimes resorts to name calling and what about-isms instead of taking the time to understand what’s at stake. To fight genocide isn’t to take up the mantle of anti-Semitism. That’s not what it’s about. But it’s hard to make people understand, especially when your skin is a certain color and you’re from that region. So to hear you and others like Bobby G. make these statements so poignantly - well, that’s been extremely meaningful to me.
Speaking of whataboutisms - I do shake my head that Thom acts as though this is all new information for him. I recall a prior instance some years ago where folks, en masse, asked him not to play in Israel and he turned it right back around and said something to the effect of “well I don’t like American leadership, so should I not play there?” Well, Thom, yeah maybe you shouldn’t play here either given that we’re funding this and other genocides. That’s your decision. But you definitely should give some thought as to the message you’re sending to the world by playing in Tel Aviv and giving legitimacy to a government that is taking that funding and burning children alive, bombing hospitals and food relief workers, and so on. None of these acts are in question. They’re doing it and they’re doing it out in the open and proudly. You can watch it on the news, on YouTube, or read it in the paper. Nobody is hiding it anymore. It should be a no brainer and a moment of education and growth and empathy. Instead, and disappointingly, he’s acting so personally offended.
Anyway, just dropping a line to say what I’ve wanted to say for a long time. Thank you tremendously and keep on.
Not everyone is cruel, evil, selfish, or bigoted. There are many of us who support you and your values, views, and beliefs. We even support your right to disagree with us about favorite foods and such. We are even brazen enough to say these things while living in a red state.
There is goodness. Even if you alone hold love in your heart, it is good. Don’t let anyone’s words or darkness dampen your joy and brightness. Love wins…as soon as it gets the right lawyer. 😘♥️
Thank you, Roger, for everything.
You have always been my biggest inspiration politically and woke me up to it all as a child. You continue to stand by your beliefs and I stand with you. I am beyond comprehension as to why we are all not doing more about all gathering together in millions and doing something about this once and for all. This world has gone fucking crazy.
"Or are you just a sociopathThom?"
Most humans are Good Germans, herd animals to rival any sheep or dog. So unlike cats.
That is why I have more respect for Macklemore for putting out "Hind's Hall" than for all the members of Radiohead and everything they ever sang, said, wrote or thought to date.
https://youtu.be/fgDQyFeBBIo?si=G3tFUUKVon5Z6HeG
Dear Roger , I am from Uruguay and I wanted to tell you that we are more and more every day protesting against this genocid@l r@ts, and this makes me feel happier as days go by . Unfortunately this government ( which is ending in march) have stayed silent and on their side, but… with the future government starting on march, I only can hope that this will change . You are my hero , love.
Ines
And you are a hero, Ines ♥️
♥️
Thank you, Roger. Radiohead have torched their legacy.
I mean, they had that one great song that literally everyone covered, and those covers were all better than the og. I’m genuinely just taking the piss, but Thom basically pointed his fingers at himself and made me do it. 😂. Honestly, so much of the population at large is so self absorbed they barely notice the smoke from the world being on fire.
This morning I watched the Al Jazeera documentation on the war crimes that I had missed two months earlier. I had to watch it, although I was sure the atrocities were too much for me to bare. I felt physically sick for the rest of the day, on the brink of vomiting.
But yet I was far away, and I don’t have to endure any of the terrible suffering these people of all age have to every... single... day. But yes, seeing and having just a bit of empathy it is enough to cause PTSD.
Dear Roger, don’t waste your time on Thom. Invest it into people who don’t are so ignorant, but rather lack the right information because Western media still doesn’t cover it (although, to my surprise, there was a noticeable shift in reporting for Der Spiegel, no longer taking everything Israel says for granted, one year too late!). Speak to those who will listen. And even if we are angry, we all must first convey why we are rightfully so, because emotions will destroy the conversation.
Then again, I can’t see that talk will change anything to what our “elite” leaders have in mind by (still!) supporting this genocide, live and in realtime. I honestly don’t know what to do anymore.
I did what I could so I made this video (demo) a year ago and it didn’t change the situation for the people in Gaza: https://youtu.be/dP808Qc9lgM?feature=shared
Totally with you, Roger, heart n soul. I sign every petition, go on Peace marches, donate to Medical Aid for Palestine, other charities & big causes. We cannot do more but the majority of us, over 70% in the U.K. cannot change our politicians, all main parties in hock w corporates, arms trade n Israel. They do not heed our pleas, our so called democracies a sham, meaningless - revealed to be totally unrepresentative.
We have the same oligarchs in U. S. They’ve used gerrymandering in such a way that even when a majority votes for one person the other candidate wins, the candidate favored by industry and tech. Clearly, anything can be bought here. Just ask P. Diddy (Puff Daddy, Sean Combs, etc)
Had a little cry reading your post Roger. I sometimes wonder if I am suffering from PTSD or empathic distress is another term I've heard used as a response to the last year of what we have witnessed.
Christmas has felt torturous for me, watching my kids open their presents, seeing their faces light up at the prospect of Santa and having to smile through gritted teeth knowing babies are freezing to death, well I just wanted to cancel it all. But of course we are the lucky ones.
Thank-you for continuously showing up, using your voice, and being relentless in calling out people.
Sending love from Western Australia x ❤️ #freepalestine
I love you Roger, thank you for your Humanity and Always being on the right side of history. Free Palestine and all my love to my arabs brothers and sisters in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iran,etc
Thank you so much Roger. Our individual voices seem small, but when people like you, with a huge reach, write so passionately about the appalling situation in Palestine, it validates us. Please keep speaking about Palestine 🇵🇸. Never give up on them xxxxxxx
Dear Roger, thank you for being the voice of reason and the main inspiration for so many people in this uneven fight to save humanity in the times of genocide, wars an deception. I never stop admiring your courage. Thank you one more time.
Beautifully said ❤️
Thank you, Roger💕
Ilysm roger
Thank you Roger for continuing to speak up for what matters . I try to speak up but my voice is so small . You continue to be consistent in your beliefs and values and that matters so much . We hear you speaking up for those who cannot .
All our small voices together can make a thunderous noise. Every drop contributes to the ocean. ❤️🕊️,Dx