Truth comes at a cost sometimes and I'm absolutely fine with that.

Hey everyone, I'm following up on my four-part post yesterday about the Gaza conflict. Thank you so much for your feedback and support.

I’m taking a day out today to explore expanding my work to other platforms and write a submission to Politico to see if they have any interest in my ramblings now that I have a body of work to speak of.

Don’t let anyone tell you that writing about Gaza does not come at a cost. I lost close to 600 subscribers overnight. The first time this has ever happened to me since I began writing here.

I mentioned this not to complain, but merely to note that it appears Gaza remains a very divisive subject, which elicits a strong reaction. Despite the exodus, comments have mainly been positive and respectful.

As stated in the piece, religion and politics have long been the third rail when it comes to opinion and commentary. I made myself a promise when I began to attract paid subscribers here, that I would never write based on popularity or pandering to trends, and I can hand on heart say that I have, and will remain faithful to my word ALWAYS.

The truth can sometimes be uncomfortable for people in the new world of me, me, me. Quick fixes and short attention spans now rule the thinking of far too many. Feelings and tribal grievances have become the new truth, while honesty, integrity and moral decency have become thought of as weakness.

I was deeply, deeply moved by a comment by Jill Brotman, who commented:

“I am completely blown away by the quality, the truth, the courage, the integrity, the decency, the brilliance, and the fullness of your description of what has happened. What have we become? What is MY legacy as an 81 year old Jewish grandmother and great grandmother, if the truth is not told!….”

“.. Your research and your analysis and your writing are a gift that overwhelms with the truth. Martin, I am so grateful to you I cannot say. All the parts of what you have written are like a SCREAM in the night. Thank you.

I include this not to take a lap of honour, although it made me take six laps in my mind. But instead, because these are the words of an 81-year-old Jewish woman, who embraced my words in a way that made my soul sing.

I would rather not earn a cent if it requires just telling people what they want to hear. I’ve been on this planet long enough to know that moral principles matter regardless of the cost. Truth doesn’t just matter when telling the truth people want to hear.

I will always be eternally grateful to those paid subscribers who invest their hard-earned cash in my work. I can never thank them enough. It is their belief that truth is worth a few cents a day, which provides the fuel to invest in my now extensive research resources that enable me to write pieces like yesterday. It’s also their stake-holding in my work that keeps it free for those who can’t afford to subscribe, because a paywall should stand between people's access to the truth. This is about community, and this community matters to me A LOT.

I will NEVER turn my back on giving voice to the voiceless and those left behind. I was given the ability to write, and with it comes a responsibility to use my work to advocate for those unable to have their voices heard.

To those who chose to walk away, I wish you well and regret that my words led you to make that decision. Truth Matters will continue to provide daily doses of truth in your absence. Please know that you are always welcome here, even if only to voice your disagreement with me.

Tomorrow, I’ll be doing my deep dive on Project Esther and its relationship to my four-part piece yesterday because there IS a link, and it’s alarming.

Hi there, thought I’d take a moment to say hello. This is me, a face for radio, I’m sure you’ll agree, but it’s the only one I’ve got, and it’s important, I think, to put a face to the uncomfortable words I sometimes write.

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