Hey everyone,

I just finished recording this week’s pre-recorded episode.

​

The video centers on the arrest of Don Lemon, but not in the way most coverage has handled it.

I’m not interested in litigating whether you like Don Lemon, agree with Don Lemon, or think Don Lemon has ever been fair to people you care about. That’s not the point.

What is the point is how the federal government arrested him.

Here’s the part that stopped me in my tracks:

Two federal judges reportedly looked at this case and said, in plain terms, there was no evidence of a crime.​
After that, the Department of Justice didn’t walk away, they went to a grand jury instead and secured an indictment that automatically triggered an arrest warrant.

That shift matters.

This episode is about process over outrage:

• What it means when prosecutors bypass judges
• How conspiracy charges are used when intent is hard to prove
• Where the line is between journalist, activist, and participant in a world where everyone has a camera
• And why “you don’t have to like the messenger” is not a cop-out — it’s a constitutional principle

I also reference a few outside voices that helped frame this correctly, not emotionally:

• Chris Cillizza on why the process itself can be the punishment
  👉

​

• Chris Cuomo on how the arrest may have backfired strategically
  👉

​

• Kara Swisher & Scott Galloway on the chilling effect this has on independent journalism and creators

​

You’ll find all of those linked directly above in this email so you can watch them yourself and come to your own conclusions.

That’s the whole idea here.

This project isn’t about telling you what to think. It’s about slowing the moment down long enough so none of us outsource our thinking to talking points — on either side.

The episode will be live Sunday, and we’ll absolutely keep talking about it in the 8AM Room this week:
​Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 8:00 AM ET.

Watch the video. Disagree with it. Push back on it.
Just don’t ignore the process.

More soon,
Charles

I invite dialogue. Reply to this email, let me know your thoughts. Disagree, compliment, or insult me. All is welcomed!

No one knows anything. Keep learning. Stay curious. Never stop questioning.

Thank you again for joining Marketplace of Ideas (what I'm calling this for now). I look forward to embarking on this exciting journey with you! To an independent-thinking, knowledge-seeking, and skeptical you.

​​​​​

P.S - If you think a friend would enjoy this, forward them a copy! Have them subscribe at ​Chakkalo.com​!

P.S.S - Did you miss any of the past newsletters? Check all my past posts out here.​

569 Ave Y, Brooklyn, NY 11235
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​