Charlie - as a life long Democrat who started listening about a year ago, I’d like to say thank you for what you’ve done. Your work has been important to me and clearly many others. In crazy times your show has been an oasis of sanity.
Thank you for your words of wisdom over the past couple of years. I understand your reasons for leaving the Bulwark, and like so many other readers I will miss you dreadfully. Now, make sure you let Eli and Auggie put you on your lead and take you for lots of walkies!
For months now, my ritual -- which has kept me (oddly) sane -- has been first a cuppa joe, then a headful of Sykes, and as a chaser a brainful of Tiedrich. With tons of orange manure about to hit the world's biggest fan, I don't know how I'll get along without my Daily Sykes. Indeed, as our Diaper Wearng Rough Beast slouches across the landscape to be crowned, I despair. Now, more than ever, we need you. Please reconsider...for the sake of what little future remains...
Middle-aged, Southern, life-long Dem here, and subscriber to The Bulwark. I'm still in shock, 24 hrs. after hearing your announcement, Charlie.
I get that you've got to keep your sanity and do what's necessary to protect your health, I really do - but damn. I've repeatedly told myself I could get thru this year b/c of Sarah, Tim, JVL, and you to commiserate with on a regular basis. I can't emphasize enough how y'all remind me on a daily basis that I'm not alone in what I perceive happening and in what I fear.
I wish you all the best, and trust that whatever you do - even if it's just getting as much enjoyment out of life as possible - will be your way of continuing to contribute to trying to save our country. Thanks for the validation you've given me, and for your patriotism.
A faithful listener, I missed your acerbic analysis when you went on vacations and it is hard to imagine no longer having your voice to look forward to hearing regularly. Your sanity was your greatest draw for me, and now it is that very sanity that guides you to make changes to keep it. I appreciate you. You raised the bar for political analysis and commentary.
It's like learning the Horattii have been forced off the bridge, and the only remaining impediment to the permanent triumph of evil is our own unassisted miserably inadequate effort.
How shall we stand at the last extremity without your example to fortify us?
But I know a human being can only do so much. And you have given more, much more, than could be fairly asked of any human being. Now I know how much a person can invest in the honor, courage, honesty, and dignity of another. And what it really truly feels like to know you really are now on your own against malign forces inconceivably greater, ineluctable, and hopelessly overmatching your own.
We weaklings need heroes. So we draft them and if they are truly worthy of being heroes, this is unfair and unreasonable and asking of them more than we have any right to demand. Because you needed to speak truth and decided you could do no other than write your signature in letters large enough the tyrant could read it without his spectacles, you got elected by the rest of us. Sorry about that...
Charlie, you merit, what has been inexcusably cheapened and rendered fraudulent by persons not worthy to even eat the mud of the ground you have traversed in your journey --
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
For your honesty.
For your journey of self-understanding which is a beacon to all of us to guide us in our own lives.
For your humanity and decency.
For your curiosity and intelligence.
For your intellectual and personal integrity.
For your generosity and forbearance to those who really merit correction, contempt, or both.
For your example how to hold your head up in dire times against hopeless odds and yet remain uncorrupted by anger, hatred, and despair.
For giving us the respite of many moments where we know, hopeless though the battle may be, we are not alone. That there are true hearts by our side and whom we may draw upon for the courage we lack, but need, to persist.
For standing like Leonidas in obedience to the command, not of the Spartans, but of morals and decency and the proposition that government of the people and by the people should not perish from this earth.
I feel like -- God F America... I know this is unworthy of your example. I will try to overcome it.
You deserve a rest Charlie!! And to get off that hamster wheel. You will be sorely missed!! Thank you so so so much!!! You have helped me get through these past 5 years with your commentary and the wonderful guests you’ve had for us. Gods speed.
Best to you in your future endeavors. I miss you already. The Bulwark is hugely important in protecting one’s flank, yet the ship requires a fail proof, dependable rudder with which to steer the course. That rudder, my friend has been you.
Have I missed it, or have you said who might be taking the lead now?
Listening to you felt like being part of the most interesting and thoughtful news analyses of the day. I especially enjoyed the whispered asides you had while listening to a wacko recording of one “politician” in particular. The show was informative and entertaining! I will miss you!
It's been a great ride, Charlie! Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Not sure to whom I'll wake up once your newsletter stops! Please advise before you go...;-)
Charlie, I’m a progressive Dem who came to The Bulwark through Pod Save America. Your podcast and newsletters have been insightful and invaluable. Ben Wittes said it all in his Substack. Thank you so much for all you’ve done (and will do in new ways) to fight for our democracy and our great country.
We push on towards Mount Doom without you Charlie...
We remain hopeful that Sykes the Grey will return from the depths transformed into Sykes the White for the final pre-November battles!
Charlie - as a life long Democrat who started listening about a year ago, I’d like to say thank you for what you’ve done. Your work has been important to me and clearly many others. In crazy times your show has been an oasis of sanity.
Dear Mr Sykes,
Thank you for your words of wisdom over the past couple of years. I understand your reasons for leaving the Bulwark, and like so many other readers I will miss you dreadfully. Now, make sure you let Eli and Auggie put you on your lead and take you for lots of walkies!
For months now, my ritual -- which has kept me (oddly) sane -- has been first a cuppa joe, then a headful of Sykes, and as a chaser a brainful of Tiedrich. With tons of orange manure about to hit the world's biggest fan, I don't know how I'll get along without my Daily Sykes. Indeed, as our Diaper Wearng Rough Beast slouches across the landscape to be crowned, I despair. Now, more than ever, we need you. Please reconsider...for the sake of what little future remains...
Middle-aged, Southern, life-long Dem here, and subscriber to The Bulwark. I'm still in shock, 24 hrs. after hearing your announcement, Charlie.
I get that you've got to keep your sanity and do what's necessary to protect your health, I really do - but damn. I've repeatedly told myself I could get thru this year b/c of Sarah, Tim, JVL, and you to commiserate with on a regular basis. I can't emphasize enough how y'all remind me on a daily basis that I'm not alone in what I perceive happening and in what I fear.
I wish you all the best, and trust that whatever you do - even if it's just getting as much enjoyment out of life as possible - will be your way of continuing to contribute to trying to save our country. Thanks for the validation you've given me, and for your patriotism.
I just signed up for + last week. I want a refund Sykes!
P.S. Thank you for all of your work on behalf of maintaining our democratic republic and the best of luck to you.
As a left-handed person, I am mildly offended by your negative connotation of "gaucherie".
A faithful listener, I missed your acerbic analysis when you went on vacations and it is hard to imagine no longer having your voice to look forward to hearing regularly. Your sanity was your greatest draw for me, and now it is that very sanity that guides you to make changes to keep it. I appreciate you. You raised the bar for political analysis and commentary.
charlie... what can I say ... what a gut punch.
It's like learning the Horattii have been forced off the bridge, and the only remaining impediment to the permanent triumph of evil is our own unassisted miserably inadequate effort.
How shall we stand at the last extremity without your example to fortify us?
But I know a human being can only do so much. And you have given more, much more, than could be fairly asked of any human being. Now I know how much a person can invest in the honor, courage, honesty, and dignity of another. And what it really truly feels like to know you really are now on your own against malign forces inconceivably greater, ineluctable, and hopelessly overmatching your own.
We weaklings need heroes. So we draft them and if they are truly worthy of being heroes, this is unfair and unreasonable and asking of them more than we have any right to demand. Because you needed to speak truth and decided you could do no other than write your signature in letters large enough the tyrant could read it without his spectacles, you got elected by the rest of us. Sorry about that...
Charlie, you merit, what has been inexcusably cheapened and rendered fraudulent by persons not worthy to even eat the mud of the ground you have traversed in your journey --
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
For your honesty.
For your journey of self-understanding which is a beacon to all of us to guide us in our own lives.
For your humanity and decency.
For your curiosity and intelligence.
For your intellectual and personal integrity.
For your generosity and forbearance to those who really merit correction, contempt, or both.
For your example how to hold your head up in dire times against hopeless odds and yet remain uncorrupted by anger, hatred, and despair.
For giving us the respite of many moments where we know, hopeless though the battle may be, we are not alone. That there are true hearts by our side and whom we may draw upon for the courage we lack, but need, to persist.
For standing like Leonidas in obedience to the command, not of the Spartans, but of morals and decency and the proposition that government of the people and by the people should not perish from this earth.
I feel like -- God F America... I know this is unworthy of your example. I will try to overcome it.
Bye, bye, Charlie, We're gonna miss you so
Bye, bye, Charlie, Too bad you had to go,
No more podcasts, They may come back one day
We'll wait, Charlie, Tho' your words will always stay
You deserve a rest Charlie!! And to get off that hamster wheel. You will be sorely missed!! Thank you so so so much!!! You have helped me get through these past 5 years with your commentary and the wonderful guests you’ve had for us. Gods speed.
I liked Grassley better when all he did was yell at the History Channel on Twitter for not having any history…..
Hey Charlie,
Best to you in your future endeavors. I miss you already. The Bulwark is hugely important in protecting one’s flank, yet the ship requires a fail proof, dependable rudder with which to steer the course. That rudder, my friend has been you.
Have I missed it, or have you said who might be taking the lead now?
Listening to you felt like being part of the most interesting and thoughtful news analyses of the day. I especially enjoyed the whispered asides you had while listening to a wacko recording of one “politician” in particular. The show was informative and entertaining! I will miss you!
It's been a great ride, Charlie! Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Not sure to whom I'll wake up once your newsletter stops! Please advise before you go...;-)
Charlie, I’m a progressive Dem who came to The Bulwark through Pod Save America. Your podcast and newsletters have been insightful and invaluable. Ben Wittes said it all in his Substack. Thank you so much for all you’ve done (and will do in new ways) to fight for our democracy and our great country.