Tanni Haas is a professor of speech communication arts and sciences at CUNY’s Brooklyn College. He’s written a number of books and scholarly articles on the subject of public journalism, which is fond way to describe this thing of ours, i.e., blogging. His Amazon.com page – I need to get me one of them – describes him as an “avid political blog reader,” which must be true, since he reached out to me via the email pipe to see if I was interested in reading his latest oeuvre.
Entitled, “Making it in the Political Blogosphere – The World’s Top Political Bloggers Share the Secrets to Success,” Professor Haas explores the phenomenon of political blogging, also known as “participatory”, “democratic”, “guerrilla” and “street journalism”, descriptions that invoke a whiff of the Weather Underground as much as it does pajama-clad heroes tapping feverishly away at the keyboards in the dark o’ the night.
There are roughly 160 million blogs in existence in one form or another, although many represent damp squibs that either never took off, or became too cumbersome to maintain. The blogosphere covers a lot of ground, but many of the more popular portals deal with politics. There’s little doubt that the heavy hitters in the political blogosphere have left their mark on our political discourse, for better or worse, shaping public perceptions in ways often congenial to their readers’ preconceptions, if rarely challenging them. They have, I would submit, widened the gap between our various liberal, conservative and libertarian elements, hardening prejudices and contributing to the toxicity of the national dialogue. But there you are, and the toothpaste is out of the tube. No squeezing it back in.
As Professor Haas explains in his opening chapter, “the top 10 blogs account for 48% of (political blog) readers,” and are widely read in turn by mainstream journalists and opinion writers, who use their less constrained cousins in no-man’s land to get a sense of the country’s political mood. If you doubt the reach of the political blogosphere, ask Trent Lott or Scooter Libby what they think.
Haas surveys the top 20 political bloggers for their opinions – bloggers are never short of opinions – on how to write, reach and influence the nation. For his subjects he chose Arianna Huffington, of the HuffPo, Taegan Goddard, Jane Hamsher, Eric Olsen, Andrew Malcolm, Nick Gillespie, Thomas Lifson, Eric Garris, Tyler Cowen, Rogers Caldenhead, Lew Rockwell, Jim Hoft, Steve Clemons, Ben Smith, Matt Yglesias, John Hawkins, Juan Cole, Cheryl Contee, and finally, Neptunus Lex.
Just kidding about that last one.
Tough crowd.
If you haven’t heard of half of those bloggers, you may be reinforcing my thesis in paragraph 3. If you’ve heard of roughly half of them, but remember Juan Cole unkindly for his opposition to Bush’s wars and his support for Obama’s, you’ve read the man correctly. If you’ve never heard of any but that fellow at the end there, congratulations on your refined sensibilities. If you’ve heard of them all, mazel tov. Now push away from the keyboard and get some sunshine.
They are distributed thusly: 9 left/liberal, 3 ostensibly neutral, 4 conservative, and 3 libertarian. I lumped Cole into the left/liberal category, and Contee as well – officially Jack & Jill Politics is an ethnic blog, but a quick scan of the matter there leads me to the conclusion that their politics are aligned more with the Democratic Party than otherwise.
A diverse selection, properly weighted I think – the conservatives are mostly at the office – and it’s not hard to argue, as Professor Haas does, that they are making a difference:
The political blogging A-list has also had a direct impact on recent election campaigns. The support of Ned Lamont among several top liberal bloggers, notably Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake, is widely credited with helping him win over Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) during the 2006 Democratic senatorial primaries, although Lieberman defeated Lamont during the general election later that year while running as an Independent. More generally, the political mobilization and fundraising efforts of top liberal bloggers is widely credited with ensuring the Democratic takeover of Congress in 2006, making possible a number of crucial wins, including those in Montana, Ohio and Virginia.
So there’s that.
I found “Making it in the Political
Blogosphere” an interesting read, partly for the insights the bloggers share, and partly for the techniques they used to, well: Make it Big. It’s possible to make a living in your pajamas – the ultimate work-from-home-gig – if you have a defined point-of-view, a broad scope of interest and the willingness to put it all out there: Part of the “participatory” journalism thing is take your lumps in comments from time to time. It’s time consuming of course, requires the intelligence to write well, research carefully, earn trust and engage with your audience. If you can carve out a certain niche, that’s all to the better: Although there’s a lot of competition in the “Obama sucks” or “Bush Still Sucks” categories, it helps if you can differentiate, according to Haas’ research.
It also helps to have a technical strategy. That’s more than just a good look and feel, its partly to do with interacting with other blogs. Link blegging is one way to go about it – one I never put much investment in – as is making thoughtfully written comments to important posts: Raises your stock among the audience.
If you’re at all interested in how these people, some of them veteran journalists, some influential in their previous industries, others more like hobbyists with an unbridled passion for all things politics, “Making it Big” could be just the jump start you need. It’s well written, without being stuffy. How’d you get started, what were your motivations, who are you trying to reach, and how? What makes for an outstanding blog? To what do you credit your success? What advice would you give?
Good questions in almost any field of endeavor, I should think. Excellence often being fungible. And even if you’ve no interest in the act of blogging, it was thought-provoking to learn the back-story behind these peoples’ lives, especially considering their not inconsequential impact.
Which brings an interesting point, one I asked of Professor Haas:
I’d be pleased to take a look at your book, and share it with my audience, although – admission against interest – we are mere hobbyists in that part of the world compared to those you’ve researched, and not much more elsewhere.
Just out of curiosity, what brought your attention to my little corner of the ‘net? I’m flattered and all, but the world is so big, and we are so small.
To which he answered: “I enjoy your site very much. That explains it.”
Give the man credit for taste.
quote: To which he answered: “I enjoy your site very much. That explains it.”
Well, it’s why I keep coming back, for what it’s worth.
Me too. Although I had to look up “oeuvre”.
Me too. I miss Free Market Fairy Tales but this is a nice place with nice people.
I had a bit of self back patting welling up inside until I saw the j/k part. Ya know, sniff, being a fairly regular reader and all. Oh well.
As someone occupying the extreme middle WRT politics and blogs, I still cannot suffer through more than a paragraph of several the blogs listed.
Thank you, sir!
Tanni – stand up and comment from time to time.
P.S. – Jammy Jobs are great! That is almost half my workweek (remote systems support). Though I prefer shorts and a t-shirt with my Bunny Slippers.
” His Amazon.com page – I need to get me one of them…” um, all you have to do is write a book…
Gee, and I thought that flit was our only commie. I guess he is only our most vocal commie.
Paul
Ha! Extreme middle means that in the northeast I am still an extreme right knuckledragger in comparison. No commie here (though I did spend a few days in East Germany back in the day….)
PLQ: “Gee, and I thought that flit was our only commie. I guess he is only our most vocal commie.”
Hey, PLQ. Please repeat after me:
‘Flit’ is a Democrat.
‘Flit’ is not a “Commie.”
‘Flit used to kill Commies.
QED
flit:
I used to think that there was a difference between Democrats and communists; now, not so much. Take a good look at those around you who are claiming to be Democrats and decide if that is who you wish to stand with when the whip comes down.
Paul
Paul, I’ve disagreed on many occasions with Flit; I’ve never once questioned his love of country or his service to it.
Flit: Thanks for killing Commies. It was a shitty job and next to no one wanted to do it; you didnt’ waver.
Byron:
I don’t think I’ve ever questioned his love of country; I just don’t think that I would like the country if it were to change to his way of thinking (or as much as I can understand what it would be if he had his druthers).
Paul
flit,
you may want to repost the thing. it was most certainly why I leave you alone now yet others may benefit from knowing you.
with respect,
Thank you Curtis. I really appreciate that. However I am not sure exactly which “thing” I should repost?
AFAIK, only 3 people here know my true identity, much less my background… except for some vague hints. And I would like to keep it that way. Especially since most all of my old long-time friends are hard-core conservatives, and have no idea that I may be a wishy-washy liberal. In fact some of my friends are also commenters here, but don’t know (I hope) who Fliterman is. We go back too far to change things and start arguing about politics in person. So this is my secret outlet for years of pent-up liberalism and debate.
My old background is neither here nor there (although I really enjoyed what I did, and was very good at it, albeit under very bad circumstances). Rather I would hope my ideas and positions, sometimes obnoxious as they may be, be judged strictly on their own merits, or rebuked and dismissed by their faults, rather than by who I may be, my politics, or my history.
While sometimes I may stir the pot for fun and/or learning, I usually truly believe what I post. (Oh yeah, maybe I do cheat sometimes too.) Nevertheless I love the debate, and I learn a lot, great thanks to Lex’s graciousness. Best to all…
Sir,
You unveiled here a while ago. Years ago now. I thought you could do it again but it is very much your call.
Curtis –
Thanks. I really don’t remember what I may have unveiled in the past. Occasionally I accidentally let some things slip, mostly because it was a passionate part of my past that never leaves me, but that I am most proud of, despite some circumstances.
Maybe Babancourt’s younger cousins sometimes have something to do with it? Nevertheless I do have a very thick skin and don’t mind being called names. However, given my past, being labeled as a ‘commie’ is one example of when I do let things slip out! It does set me off!
I think I will keep my past private. It is irrelevant here. However, anyone doubting my bona fides please check with Lex.
Meanwhile, ready on the right? Ready on the left? All ready on the firing range! Let the debates/comments/entertainment and Lex’s great stuff continue!
PS: Don’t call me sir. At least not here. Here, if I am full of sh*t, call me out, just as I will you. But if I am right – as most always – read it and weep. (Although if either you or I are right on any issue, crickets are to be expected on both sides.) On this plane, we are equals. Ok?
flit:
I have read that you were once an F-4 driver. That being the case, you were likely in Viet-Nam. If you were USAF at that time, perhaps you went through the survival school at Fairchild AFB during the time I was an instructor there. I honor you, as I honor all those who served, for your service, which, I think, I have said before. As I have also said, sometimes you make reasonable statements and I value your opinion on those occasions. Other times (to my mind at least) you sound no different than any communist I have ever heard or read. Which is the real you, perhaps only you know. I do know that you provide a balance here that I and, I believe, others find of value.
I have a tendency to be a bit thin skined about some things. On the whole, I would feel poorer not to have you among the people who share their ideas and a bit of their lives here at Lex’s place.
Paul
Ah, Lex knows us both. A kindly gentleman with a most charming wife.
PLQ – If both a frog and a snake both speak the same truth, would that mean the frog is truly a snake?
Likewise if a frog and a snake both speak the same lie, does that mean the frog is also a snake, or vice versa?
BT
Fairchild AFB I think was too wet and cold for me. I “survived” more than once in other venues, in the heat and wet.
Nevertheless, thank you for your uniquely important and special service there. (Good thing you didn’t know me then, there, I think.)
Paul, Flit did drive F-4s. His Airbase is tied up at San Diego just of Harbor Drive and is named after a certain famous battle of WW2.
IOW, Flit was a Navy F-4 driver.
I thought you used Flit to kill mosquitos?
Paul: Maybe the more euphamisstic term “socialist” would have fared better…knowing the difference anymore is but a razor’s thin edge.
Xformed:
My wife said the same thing about socialist vs. communist. As for the rest, I agree.
Paul
Oh yes, Fairchild and survival school. Learned how to pronounce Pend Oreille. Didn’t care at all for that “special” survival school after the trek in the woods was over.
Rivetjoint:
A shame that you didn’t attend when it was at Reno. One of the big casinos threw a party each week for the class which just came back from the field. The instructors were invited to one of the last ones before the school was moved to Fairchild. As I had just become an instructor, I went and can say that it may have almost made up for the field training part of the course.
Paul
Lex,
Just last evening I finally got around to reading a recent issue of Fortune and ran across an article that I thought I should forward on to you.
Now that you’ve brought up the general topic, I may as well simply send you the link:
http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/11/15/career-twitter-linkedin-self-promotion/
It may prove to be of value to some of your readers who have actual careers. As far as I can tell, you already meet, or exceed, the list of five recommendations at the article’s end — for which I’m thankful and that keep me returning.
Not being a social media kind of guy, I’ll simply be satisfied to continue reading the “Adventures of Neptunus Lex.”
Regards,
Mick
Why I tune into this “tiny corner” daily:
I respect the man and his commentariot.
I love Lex’s particular brand of dry humor.
It is a refreshing read—both Lex and comments—that has provided much information and food for thought.
And it is 99.9% free of personal attacks and other nasty items that often appear over the broad range of blogs, particularly in the comments.
You are ALL gentlebeings, despite many having to put life and limb at risk for the benefit of the rest of us.
You give me hope for mankind.
Alas, we are a distinct minority in this world.
I am pleased to be part of the crew, share ideas and have fun while doing so….making a spare $$$ or two would be nice, but based on ” scale of economy”, unlikely.
My corner of the blog universe, US NAVY JEEP just had the largest number of hits in a single month ever in November….just something I enjoy doing, not something I’m doing to pay the bills.
In regards to writing, I fall back on the words of Sir Mark Twain:
” To get the right word in the right place is a rare achievement. To condense the diffused light of a page of thought into the luminous flash of a single sentence, is worthy to rank as a prize composition just by itself…Anybody can have ideas–the difficulty is to express them without squandering a quire of paper on an idea that ought to be reduced to one glittering paragraph.”
I think the most interesting & valuable blogs are those which don’t deal strictly with politics, but with politics and something else, or even several something-elses. Such blogs are generally written by people who know something about things other than political inside baseball, and hence may even know how to think rationally.
It is scary, when you think about it, that for 60 years are so our national feedback system has been routed through people with journalism degrees and generally not much knowledge of anything else.
I also note that when you go from strictly-political blogs to political-and-something-else, the much criticized statistic that “they’re mostly males” goes away.
They take Sociology and Cookbook Statistics and think they’ve had math and science.
I can only parrot the above remarks as to what keeps me coming back. I’ve not the literary skills to gather my thoughts into the “glittering paragraph” but I “do know it when I see it”.
I have perused some of the more left of middle blogs but usually wind up leaving in disgust and disagreement before I finish. And the usual level of civility amongst the comments leaves much to be desired.
“the top 10 blogs account for 48% of (political blog) readers”
Congratulations, Lex. YOU ARE THE 99%!
You need a sign, a stupid outfit, some John Lennon glasses, and an odor of urine and body odor. Fight da man.
By the by, I come here because I enjoy your writing and your perspective.
Well I knew several of the people on the Professor’s lists. Ariana and her brood over at the Puffington Host, little Matty Yglesias who can be counted on to be wrong, and Jane Hamsher at Firedoglake. She and her staff put out some pretty vile stuff during the Lieberman campaign. Andrew Malcolm wrote some surprisingly conservative stuff for the Los Angeles Times blog–which is why Andrew isn’t there anymore. Juan Cole I knew of etc.
But none of them can be thought of as my particular cup of tea.
But as for why folks keep coming back to Neptunus Lex? I think the answer can be found in your recent Fallon Squiblets post where you mentioned seeing a couple of a certain age in a local diner. They’d reached a point in their lives where they were comfortable with themselves and comfortable with each other. They knew who they were, and the were satisfied with it. Or at least you had words to that effect.
The Brits call it “bottom” or “bottle”. But reaching the stage where you know who you are, and what you believe doesn’t happen for everybody. If you’re going to be a good leader of men and women, it has to happen fairly early in your life. Or at least the ability to successfully lead will be delayed until you get comfortable in your own skin and know what you stand for.
For me Lex’s stories, even his “sea tales” are interesting because they’re told by a man who knows what he is, and is comfortable with it. It helps of course that he has a felicitous turn of phrase upon occasion. Neptunus Lex is where you go for tales told by a grownup for other grownups.
While Neptunus Lex is a fine blog and all of that, Capt, you should write that book.
This is a great place to get perspective of military besides aviation. The surface, submarine and carrier speak, plus the nuts and bolts navy chatter is really cool. There are a lot of folks here who and have done things. Folks with skills. Sorta like an unending can of mixed nuts. Lots of great flavors that you can experience again and again.
Capt. I’ve said it before, you write a lot like John Dos Passos(at least his contributions to Life’s Picture History of World War II).
You got us salivating with “Fallon Squiblets”.
What a-b said…in spades.
I come here because a) the writing is not only thought provoking but is also just beautiful prose. It’s about the hardest thing in the world for a writer to grab the readers imagination and pull him into the story; Lex does it like breathing.
I come here because b) Its a nice place with great people, some of whom are now good friends of mine.
Can’t ask for much more than that…
Speaking of nice people….when are you gonna get a Hall Pass from the Wife and come have breakfast with the Old Corps and “medium aged” swabbies? This Sat, we are at it again…every other, ya know…for all of you history lovers, when you’re way down by the Gulf of Mexico. Good place to say you shook hands with Charlie Hunter, it is…
Lex: See? Someone besides us in the peanut gallery think you’re a quality show…time to get that book(s) out of your head….
I come here because Lex pays me. Doesn’t he pay you guys?
Ok, seriously, I don’t remember how I stumbled upon Lex but he took the time to answer my dumb questions so I looked around and loved the writing/stories.company.
I think I got here through Johns AAARGGH blog about the time the Capt. retired.
I’ve only stayed ’cause of the occasional breakins of the booze cabinet.
And the writing….OK maybe you goofballs too.
William the Coroner found this place. how and why, a mystery. I like to think he abides. He has “Stand By To Start Engines” next to his bed.
I think DVG and Lex have a bit in common. Lex still needs to write the book though.
I was feeling GREAT about myself, seeing ONE blog on the list that I read daily! And then… you said you weren’t REALLY on the list. And I realized, I must live under a rock, although I kinda sorta knew that, shunning all that is mainstream. Not that you’re not mainstream… I’ll stop while I’m ahead.
I found you, good grief, six years ago? Almost seven? My youngest son was in kindergarten and now he’s in 7th grade. A blogger friend of mine, Tammi of Tammi’s World, told me one day I should read you, since I was all about the Navy, having grown up in an Aviator’s family, retired O-6 and all. I don’t think I’ve missed a post yet, not intentionally anyway.
They are really nice people.
I have _heard_ of all of those blogs, but I mostly never read any of them, except for Lew Rockwell’s.
My daily reading? Well, this blog, and The Donovan’s, and SayUncle, and Jerry Pournelle, and Steve Sailer, and Our Tam, and many autie-blogs, not to mention HBDchick and Dennis Mangan.
Basically, milblogs, autie-blogs, gun-nerd blogs, and reactionary blogs.
As Professor Feynmann said, “Why should I care what other people think?”
P.s. I forgot Sipsey Street Irregulars. Everyday baby, everyday.
Been here for 7 years; camped out for sure. Got here thru the former Lt. Smash blog and have stayed. Love the blog, love the writer, love the Lex Babes and the Legions of Lex.
Lots of something for everyone. Lex inspired me to start my own blog; I wonder how many people out there would consider Lex their Blog-Father.
As he has said – a friend I’ve never met in person. Now if he’d just write the damn book and have that mid-country book singing, we could fix that!
The Donovan is _my_ blogfather.
I wonder how many people out there would consider Lex their Blog-Father.
Me. But ya knew that.
I have two blog fathers. It’s a weird story.
If you had two Blog Mothers you could probably wrangle a free education ah Hahvuhd.
If you had two Blog Mothers you could probably wrangle a free education at/b>, Hahvuhd.
&#*@!! spelling!
I give up
*Grin*
flit:
In your reply to Curtis–”But if I am right – as most always” How can you be right if you are so left? I don’t understand.
Paul
flit defined himself once. Here.
I would that he do it again.
I find that I can disagree with everything he says but he’s one of the elect who has earned the right to say any damned thing he wants to.
PLQ – “Right if Left?”
A: Anti-matter!
flit:
If she’s your auntie, then how can she be your mater?
Paul
Flit, I no longer read what you wright on political issues because it is the same recurring claptrap.
But, you’ve earned your spurs, faced the dragon, gave for your country: all of which I admire and respect -you can say any darned thing you want, not that you need my, or anyones (well, maybe Lex’s) to do so. Just not the political BS. Broken record and a bad tune to begin with. Just my opinion, which is worth precisely what you have paid for it.
Truly v/r
I don’t remember where I got here from. Probably Theos place or XbradTC, but it was years ago, and I’m back every day.
Thanks, Lex.
I enjoy your writings, and those of the commenters, even Flit(!), and Flit, thank you for your service!
Me neither, but I’ve been reading everything written here since our genial host was but an O-5, and enjoying every minute of it.
I come here everyday because the good Captain, and his commentators have the best grasp of the world as it exists today. I thank each and everyone of you.
Plus the Captain can really write, gets his point across, and leaves me asking for more.
Mike
Palm Coast FL
I can’t remember how I came across Lex. And then I read for a long time before I got the courage to comment before this very astute crowd. But I do know why I keep coming back…it’s very simple…Leptunus Lex is simply the best of all the blogs I read. And the only one I read religiously every day.
Thanks, Lex. And keep them coming!
This is a site where Badgers and Wienerdawgs can find common ground, and drink root beer together.
Here. Have another dad’s. For Strength!
Or a Virgil’s RB from Trader Joe’s. Rather tasty.
Sprecher’s from Milwaukee makes a very good root beer. It has an interesting taste, as they use honey as the sweetening agent.
Lex attracts a quality crowd (both intellectually, experiential and personality-wise) both on the strength of his writing and the kind of guy he is. I, for one consider this place quite therapeutic in allowing me to a) vent and b) realize that I’m not totally crazy, as I finally, after years fighting the lonely fight in democrat-controlled cities and leftist academia, managed to locate a place where most share (roughly) my values and have the same, in the main, military background even down thru the various generations represented here. Yet even within this common ethos I am always amazed at the wide range of opinions and experiences represented here. And lets not forget the great civilian input, either–to include the distaff side to be sure. I have learned A LOT just by rubbing figurative shoulders. What a great group of people!–you’ve ALL kept me sane–you have no idea..
“Whom knows?” If I hadn’t found this place back in 2004/5 (just to lurk) y’all might have been reading years ago the story of yet another guy who crawled to the top of a tall tower w. a high-powered rifle, a good scope and LOTS of extra ammunition. Thanks to this place I was reminded that “I am not alone!” Max Damage once opined here as to the extent to whether our analog selves might actually correspond w. our digital ones. In a way I think it’s almost just as well we never find out. This way we’re all still slim, trim, killer handsome (or beautiful, as the case may be
) and still have all our hair, none of it gray.(lol.) Some illusions deserve not to be punctured but preserved. This digital reverie is, imho, one such–which is why I’ve never gone to a HS or Squadron re-union–I like to remember everyone in the prime of their lives.
PS: I forgot: And here all of us AND our children are above average..
VX:
Re: the guy in a tower w/ a rifle. Shortly after the guy in Texas did just that in early the ’70s, one of my professors said, in class, to me “when you do that, I have a list of names for you”.
So far I’ve disappointed him, but there is always tomorrow. Never did get his list and mine is far too long, so probably not.
Paul
Heh! When I took the tour at UT, back in ’92, the silly girl was not able to tell us what weapons the guy had with him. I had to wait for Wikipedia to find out.
Had not the local volunteers kept the embrasures swept with their deer rifles, I suspect the death toll would have been much greater.
Y’know, there is a t-shirt, with the image of a scoped rifle on it, and the legend, “Vote from the Rooftops!” It would take a lot of nerve to wear something like that at, say, a County Council meeting.
I no longer own any sort of rifle at all, let alone one of an “electoral” caliber, so please don’t come looking for me, Mr. Fed.
I might wear the t-shirt, though, just to to see who objects. Hey, I bought an orange t-shirt just to wear on St. Patrick’s day! (I am wearing it at this moment.)
I just laughed out loud. You shouldn’t ought to do that.
A few things Mr. Keillor is correct about VX.
This way we’re all still slim, trim, killer handsome (or beautiful, as the case may be)…
You mean – we aren’t???
PPS: Of course, it’s too late for Xairboss–thanks to his avatar I already know what HE looks like, lol.
You’re just jealous VX. That photo was taken some years ago. I’m even better looking now. lol
If yer basing that on avatars, well then I’m not quite that handsome…
I’ma beeyouteefull Wienerdawg. Wienerdawgs is all beeyouteeful.
Don’t believe that Badger. He’s biased and can’t be trusted on such important matters.
…a revealing thread indeed…diverse viewpoints from an amazingly diverse commentariat…a general respect for all…occasional humor…some good some lame…but none vicious…
….I get all flippen warm and fuzzy just thinking about it…but this too shall quickly pass…rest assured…my cold prickly self shall re-emerge anon…ICSFTH….
…good weekend all. Best
That’s our old Snake. Who stole you ID and Avatar last time?
I must echo the comments about re: I know a good place for reading commentary when I see it. I limit myself to mostly milblogs (love Galrahns site; it’s how I found Lex) and Volokh; there just isn’t enough time to see what else is out there.
I’ve made the mistake of wading in to HuffPost (blech!) but I will read Mother Jones regularly. According to the various political alignment tests (which I kinda thought were like alignment in AD&D) I’m left/libertarian but I really can’t stand some of the left/libertarian blogs I’ve checked out. Maybe I just like the slew of views from the other side of the spectrum present here.
xairboss, Flugelman – your two avatars are the best. If somewhat disturbing.
That’s not an avatar, it’s my actual photo.
That’s really a picture of my nephew…
Flugelman:
Well, technically a chimp is not a monkey, but it’s close enough for internet work.
Paul
Paul
Were you part of the ‘POW’ compound at Stead?
Skip:
As an field instructor, I sometimes pulled bunker guard duty, but I wasn’t a Resistance to Interrogation instructor. However, I didn’t do that until the school was at Fairchild. Some of the stories I heard about how things were done in “the old days” made me really glad that I had not been one of their guests then. Were you? I’d be happy to hear your tales about the school from when you attended.
Paul
I found Lex’s place the first time about 4 years ago, but didn’t book mark it at the time and lost it. About a year later Lex was linked through either Hot Air or Michelle Malkin’s main site (can’t remember which and both were her’s anyway) and bookmarked it that time. The Wienerdawg has been the scourge of Dad’s drinking Badgers ever since.
I kinda like this place, like most of y’all.
I still come through Maggie’s Farm
Awww, what a lovely thread to read. Didn’t realize how much I’ve been missing you guys…
It’s been a rough few months (just a lot going on, things are ok for now) and I guess I had neither the intellectual nor emotional bandwidth to more than at most some days askim of the headlines over here.
Took me down memory lane, this did. Been reading more or less since late 2004, IIRC. Got sick a few times not long after and took the opportunity of reading the archives cover to cover. Never regretted it, and could probably write a book myself about how both commenters and host have enriched my life. Sadly, said book wouldn’t be nearly as good as Lex’s, even if he IS my co-blogfather…
FbL:
Welcome back. Someone commented the other day that you hadn’t been around lately and that you were missed.
Happy to hear that things are better; may they continue to improve.
Best, Paul
Good to see you back. Hope all stays well. You already know they miss you over at the Castle as well.
Thanks guys! It’s always good to be missed.
I’ll try to hang around a bit more…
I don’t ask every beautiful girl out for dinner. For all of me I can’t figure out why I don’t. I’m a couple of thousand miles east but if you need anything, you know how to reach me.
You have been missed FuzzyBearLionesss. Nice to see you back. JTG was ponderins on your absence.
Welcome Baci to the clan! and doing better.
I spend way too much of my time reading political stuff on the Internet and I’ve never touched on anyone on that list.
I hit on Lex because the only thing I fly now has a 100HP engine and weighs 855 pounds with empty tanks. He’s my age and still doing really cool stuff. Sigh… my hero.
(However, I do not miss the stink of a flight suit. Now, I’m in shorts and a t-shirt when I try to decipher the garbled mutterings coming from Navy Approach at NAS Key West.)