Bear Flagger, The Irish Lass is starting a new blogroll, “Chicks for Bush.” No, not bush, but Bush (just to preempt confusion about that particular double meaning). Check it out and contact her if you’re a chick and you want to be in that number.
Guess those pics of a young and beauteous GWB had an effect! /joke
Get ready for the onslaught, new media. After the huge role that bloggers have played in both the Swift Vets story and the CBS/Rather document story, some members of traditional media are scared and they’re ready to strike back.
The current controversy over the validity of documents pushed in large part by bloggers and purporting to prove that President Bush received special treatment in the National Guard shows that partisan Internet pundits are having a growing impact on mainstream press, for better or worse, according to several newspaper editors.
Although editors from four major dailies contend that their product remains the most trusted source of news for most readers, they admit the blogging community is offering competition and provoking even more skepticism of the mainstream media than usual. But they are divided on whether or not this is a positive trend or not.
"It lends itself to a lot of manipulation," said James O'Shea, managing editor of the Chicago Tribune. "You can have information anarchy. You have to look at who these people are. We have to put some scrutiny on the bloggers."That’s right. (sarcasm) The identity and leanings of the bloggers matter more to Mr. O’Shea than whether the truth of any situation is brought to light. Next he'll call for background investigations.
Some pundits, including columnists who write for newspapers, have claimed this week that the blog uprising over the CBS documents signals the end of "old media" dominance. But O'Shea believes "that's a lot of baloney. Wait until people start relying on THEIR information and getting burned."Mr. O’Shea still doesn’t quite get it, why blogging is so popular. Bloggers (including this one) make mistakes all the time, but are instantly accountable for the information they put forward. Anyone can research, use and dispute and assertion put forth on a blog. And anyone who gets “burned” relying solely on information found on blogs isn’t doing enough of his/her own research. As we suspect, that’s what happened to CBS with its vetting of the “Bush” documents, totally without the assistance of bloggers.
"It is an increasing burden," said Dennis Ryerson, editor of The Indianapolis Star, who admits daily papers are feeling the impact of bloggers. "It hurts because now anyone can publish on the Web. You have people who are politically aligned raising questions about our standards, but there is no attention given to their standards."Sure there is, Mr. Ryerson. If a blogger consistent puts out information found to be bogus, he/she loses readership and the word is out like lightening. By the way, this is the same reason that some traditional media outlets--like yours--have lost viewers and readership. Some things are universal. You've just chosen to ignore it until it jumped up and bit you.
"These are not disinterested observers," he [Ryerson] said of the bloggers. "I've long maintained that the Internet can be a great thing, but it is also a curse."Of course bloggers aren’t disinterested observers! (duh!) Most of us put our biases right up front and center. Would that most traditional media did that. As for the curse thing, you’re correct there also: a curse for people like you.
There are two more newspaper editiors-- Doug Clifton of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and Phil Bronstein of the San Francisco Chronicle--quoted in the article who have more positive, if guarded, things to say about blogging. But at the end, Ryerson squeals a little and fires a parting shot.
"I don't have a crystal ball," he said. "It is hurting and having an impact. They are now using us more as a punching bag."
Asked what he thought about criticism from the blogs that mainstream papers downplay certain stories, O'Shea said, "I write for our readers, not the bloggers."
Do you smell it? I do. It’s the smell of fear.
Look out, Cox & Forkum! You've got some fast rising competition.
A work of art, Frank. However, was it necessary to draw Dan Rather with no clothes on? Ewww!!!
The next few days will be devoted to dropping massive linkage on the readership (not exclusively).
Guns and Poses: John of Arrggh! points out yet another inconsistent stance of the Democrat nominee for president.
Bleeding Brain proposes an Olympic Games for the “enhanced” set. Sound like one for the long-in-the-tooth set as well.
DGCI notes anecdotally that more and more mainstream Democrats are becoming disillusioned with their party and its choices.
I-lyk-a-Da-Men. Yeah, me too, girlfriend.
Francis is moving all of his better screeds from his Curmudgeon site—which he plans to shut down on September 30th--to his new one at Eternity Road and he needs our help to choose which to keep. A tough task indeed!
David, one of my favorite token leftists, notes the rather annoying blog-snobs and asserts the right of an individual blogger to use his/her platform as he/she sees fit. Amen, brother!
S-Train can’t seem to escape the onslaught of political talk. A desert island is your best hope, darling.
Triticale passes along a recipe for a “yummy” Swiss delicacy.
Anna, ever the sensitive sort, laments “hurricane blogging.” (sense of humor alert: if you don’t have one, don’t bother.)
And, Cassandra’s come up with a fantastic idea: a contest for best (bogus) New York Times headline. Actually—as Cassandra points out--some of the real ones are good for a giggle or two as well.
Cobb is calling The Conservative Brotherhood (and others) out! I’ll see your challenge and raise you three substantive posts a day! Not a problem for you, but for me… (Forgive me if my reference makes no sense; I don’t know jack about poker).
This blog made a couple of humorous and informative lists.
First there’s Jeff's Pocket Guide to the Blogosphere.
Actually I don’t dislike Maxine Waters, I just think she’s wrong most of the time. Occasionally, she's also good for an unintentionally funny line or two.
Then there’s Prometheus & Sabrina’s Typepad Vocabulary Challenge. (Prometheus is not to be confused with Prometheus 6).
I managed to come in sixth. Guess that Word thesaurus is pretty handy after all. Webster’s dead-tree three-volumed Third is used around here as well, in spite of its microscopic, ever shrinking print. ;-)
While you're at it, take this vocabulary test. I took it some months ago, when Michele linked to it and took it again yesterday: 153 out of 200 with a considerable number of WAGs. Fun, if you have geek tendencies like your hostess.
John Hawkins pecks out “how-to” posts periodically for the new blogger who wants to get those big traffic numbers.
As my hit count approaches 300,000, the only advice I have to give to the new blogger who wants to accrue big numbers is this: give up blogging. If your main goal is to get the big numbers, then you’re fighting a losing battle. With blogging, your main goal should be—as with any endeavor—to love what you’re doing.
I basically fell into to the numbers that I acquired. I discovered blogs in mid 2001, let the reading of them slide a bit for several months in the wake of The Day, and picked up the blog-reading again in late 2002. When I finally got up enough nerve to comment on a couple of them, I found that no one was calling me stupid and I’d even elicit a laugh or two on occasion. On purpose, even.
I found myself wondering how I could get one of these things called ‘blogs.’ From the beginning of that horrible interval of time called puberty, I had used writing to let out the frustrations I was feeling for any given situation. I wrote down my feelings intermittently from ages eleven to thirty, but almost never gave anyone a peak into my moldy old soul. I did it because it calmed me. At least it kept me from going postal; an extremely useful purpose all on its own.
I have taking many classes that required written composition and analysis; I have been required to compose formal missives for military and civilian purposes. In many of those cases, I’ve received accolades on the quality of my writing: utility, flow and originality. Each time I was—and still am—surprised. For me, a compliment on my writing skills is great but, in a sense, it’s like complimenting me on the rate and quality of my breathing; it’s become just something that I do to live. (Perhaps it’s genetic.)
When I started blogging, I had been commenting frequently on a few sites. After a short interval, I worked up the nerve to send a couple of site proprietors, my url and the site was immediately blogrolled and promoted. After that, I gained a few regulars, both assenters and dissenters. From there, it’s been uphill.
Simply put, my advice to new bloggers is to build it. Let them come or not come. Love what you’re doing and take care of it. Wash it, cut it and groom it, like you do with your hair (hopefully). Go back to you old posts and fix your grammar and spelling. (Write the long ones in Word so you can spell- and grammar-check them.) Go back to those old posts and clarify your ideas; or, heck, even delete a post that is a lost cause.
I’ve never sought to get 300k hits. I just write and let the consumer make his/her own decision. And when I look at a missive that I’ve composed and say to myself, “hey, that’s good,” all’s right with the world. For the moment, at least.
...from the Blogspot prison that my Mozilla browser hates with a passion. Go check out LaShawn Barber's new digs.
Prometheus 6 and I are having a stimulating conversation on his blog, stemming from his link to the Crutches post. Suffice it to say, we disagree on many things. However, this discussion is forcing me to again question what I think and believe and to flesh out those things verbally. Though my posting style here is blunt and confrontational, when I’m engaging in conversation, I try to calm that aspect of my communication down (emphasis on the word ‘try’). P6 is a tough customer and pulls no punches on what he thinks and believes: an admirable trait. (Of course I would think that. :-)
One of the great things about this conversation is that it is helping both of us clear up misconceptions that we have about the other. And related to that, we’re using clear language to set forth our conclusions and the premises behind them. Also, not the least, our assumptions are being made plain to the other.
Be advised, however, this is no parlor conversation going on here. Enjoy. I am.
As the post count approaches 500, I’m thinking of posting a top ten list. I have my top ten. What are yours? (Doesn’t have to be ten.) I’ll take suggestions up to Monday Night.
LaShawn takes on the black American versus black immigrant conundrum. I may have a tangential post on the subject later.
Cobb, as always, has many excellent posts up. Here’s a post-mortem on the Civil Rights Movement.
Did you know that President Bush turned down an invitation to speak before the NAACP? Sheesh, it’s like James Byrd being murdered all over again! Michael has the scoop.
Ambra finally updates her treatise on being/not being a Republican.
Samantha let’s get a peak on the preps that go into a West Indian wedding.
Shay highlights an African success story—Botswana—featuring an article by the great Walter Williams.
Darmon won’t be lining the pockets of a certain propaganda artist film-maker.
Avery debunks the assertion that some people don’t notice race.
And Scott discovers something strange on the internet. Call the law! :-)
Leave it to bloggers to take something and run with it. Er, I’ll sit this one out.
Besides inventing the internet, it appears that Al Gore's ill-chosen words have spawned yet another blog alliance. I’m not offended by the twist of the Digital Brown shirt meme that Gore has foisted upon us, er, Digital Brown Shirts. However having done a little too much homework on the Third Reich and, as someone who likely would not have been born had that Reich been victorious, I’d be just a bit uncomfortable jumping on this particular bandwagon.
That does not mean, however, that I think this new alliance is advocating the actual aims of the real Brown Shirts. It also doesn’t keep me from giggling with…what’s that German word…Schadenfreude at Al Gore being hoist on his own petard, assuming he has one.
(Thanks to the Commissar)
There was a frivolous quiz posted here, but it wasn't worth my right border.
UPDATE: Fine! :-)
A draining week of mourning and a subsequent week of travel and business--yes, I got on a plane again--have inspired me to take an impromptu break. I do have a couple of posts that need a little fine-tuning, however, so they'll be up today or tomorrow.
...is the Creator of Worlds. All praise is due.
Generally, I don’t make a big to-do about linking or de-linking to a blog. If a blogger has a nice body of work, I’ll simply add it to the blogroll. Conversely, if a blogger hasn’t posted in a while, states his/her intent to quit blogging or the blog manifestly no longer exists, I’ll simply de-link the blog without comment (with one or two exceptions). I’ve only de-linked one blogger for cause.
Once upon a time, there was a mass de-linking of a popular blog. The post for which the de-linking occurred was indeed offensive, and, for me, personal. The sentiments expressed in that post I agreed with, to a point. However, the way it was expressed and the use of my blog to back it up were over-the-top. As we all know, one can express a thought in whatever manner one chooses. If they choose to be blunt—as I often am here—they can still choose the proper queue of words: straight-forward need not mean distasteful. The words used were racialist (to borrow Francis W. Porretto’s term). Now, I’m not one of those people who believes that the n-word coming out of any non-black person’s mouth is automatically a fighting word. If you’re using it to make a non-offensive point (as Francis does in the post linked, or as Mark Twain famously did), I’ve no problem with it.
To give a contrasting example, in Mr. Porretto’s post, he also uses the words “honky” and “ofay,” offensive terms for white people among black Americans. The blogger in question even consistently refers to himself as a “cracker.” I would never use those terms, except to make a specific point—as I am doing right here.
Before the posting the widely-denounced missive in question, this blogger had used the n-word to spell out specific, cogent points. That wasn’t the case in this post, however: it was used to intentionally inflame and it served its purpose indeed. Additionally, a link to my blog was used to back up its validity.
More even than having the n-word batted around carelessly, I hate being embarrassed in public or used for any purpose (without my permission), especially when it comes from someone I consider to be a friend. However, I usually won’t reciprocate the offense to that friend, even if the friend deserves it—not unless they push me.
So I quietly de-linked him and we handled our business in private. I hate unnecessary drama.
“A gentleman never gives offense intentionally,” Francis reminds us. (I thought that a gentleman never gave offense *unintentionally,* but either version is rhetorically useful.) Call it Christian charity, call it mercy, call it caring about someone who never claimed to be a gentleman, call it whatever the heck you want to call it. I am choosing to publicly re-link Gut Rumbles.
I don’t expect the crazy old buzzard to be grateful. I accept him as he is which, of course, doesn’t mean that I won’t call him on his BS when warranted. I may do it private, I may not. Does he deserve being re-linked? Heck, no. But who among us deserves anything we get?
We’re nuts. Bloggers, that is (registration required).
For some, it [blogging] becomes an obsession. Such bloggers often feel compelled to write several times daily and feel anxious if they don't keep up. As they spend more time hunkered over their computers, they neglect family, friends and jobs. They blog at home, at work and on the road. They blog openly or sometimes, like Mr. Wiggins, quietly so as not to call attention to their habit.Does that mean bloggers have become a protected class? Will there be a twelve-step program?
Of course, most of those millions are abandoned or, at best, maintained infrequently. For many bloggers, the novelty soon wears off and their persistence fades.Ignore it, says the Gray
Suu-EEEEE!
(Thanks to Memeorandum)
I'm on the "road" again. I may drop a post or two in the next few days, however.
The imbecilic may be part of a protected class, but they sure aren’t members of a minority group.
(Thanks to Mr. Green)
If anything can crack you up after seeing (and hearing) the things that have transpired in the last few days (weeks, years, decade), it’s this. It’s even relevant. (Thanks to John of Argghh!!)
Nykola jumps ugly (for her) on a telemarketer.
And, Jeff has a photo that just has to be seen to be appreciated. The captions are funnier than the picture, of course.
Thanks, folks. I needed to laugh.
Donald Sensing indicates the levels of (in)competence with which the United Nations has handled situations under its purview. And that’s not counting the Oil-for-Food free-for all.
Roger Simon has more Abu Ghraib abuse pictures. They’re scandalous, but they aren’t what you’d expect.
(Thanks to Glenn Reynolds for both links)
The Laughing Wolf prays for the enemies that hide their tracks too well to be preyed upon.
And Jeff Jarvis points out--as many others have--what (else) Nick Berg and Daniel Pearl had in common.
You may have noticed that I now look suspiciously like a bag of Kenyan coffee with an elephant on it; the latter a commentary on my party affiliation, rather than my weight (hopefully).
That picture was created by Aaron, the Liberal Slayer, Bear Flag Leaguer in good standing and a nice, friendly guy, nom de guerre and riotously hawkish site notwithstanding.
Other Bear Flag members that I met this weekend for the first time:
Citizen and Mrs. Smash
The Interocitor
The purveyor of SoCal Law Blog
The Window Manager
Still others that were there this weekend but whom I had met before:
The Master of None
Xrlq
Patterico (and Mrs. Patterico)
Ith and Nin of Absinthe&Cookies
Conspicuously absent were:
Calblog(gers)
Right on the Left Beach
BoifromTroy
King Buzz (okay, so he’s 3000 miles away and busy defending the country)
And all the Others!!! Maybe next time. (Understandable that Northern Californians were missing.)
Good conversation and good kosher food were had by all. Pictures are forthcoming (maybe).
If Darmon can do it, so can I. I’ll answer and post any three questions asked of me, provided they're not too personal. (If they are, I let you know, nicely even. No harm in trying.) Go and do likewise in your own rented space.
Introducing…somewhere to the left of me—a vast territory to be sure—a new voice to add to the cacophony (drum roll please)…King Buzz!
I’ve known His Majesty for around sixteen years (long story about the nickname). Back then, I was somewhere to his left. Times and things change.
Buzz is a smart and accomplished guy, who I felt had valuable things to say regarding his ideas and experiences. (I’ll let him tell you about those.)
Don’t worry. I haven’t invited a yes-man to co-blog. That wouldn’t be any fun. Buzz and I certainly disagree on a lot of things, but have managed to maintain admiration for each other, nonetheless. (Would that it were so with the rest of the world!)
In the meantime, be nice to the new guy, at least for a little while and…
Hail to the King, baby!
A Milblogs-lanche is just about as good as that other kind. However, all attention is welcome.
Okay, yes, I'm home on Friday night. Got a problem with it?
Goodbye, TigLaw, and good luck.
Good salad. Stank breath. Croutons, if that’s your thing.
Ocean Guy, he of the beautiful website, links to a cynical, sad satirical piece in the Jerusalem Post (registration required) on the great puzzle of the twenty-first century (for anti-Semites at least): why Jews are not taking the world’s crap anymore.
Boy Blog plus girl blog equals blog baby. No accident, though.
Happy Tenth Anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Straight White Guy! They had a Marine wedding with Scottish overtones. Talk about cross-cultural marriages!
Yes, Chris, that’s what it’s pretty much all about (read to the end).
And LaShawn has all the intellectual fun at the Cato Institute. (And, yes, LaShawn, you, too, should get off Blogspot.)
Thanks to the brilliant Francis W. Poretto, who listed my blog as one of his daily visits, I was made aware of the lastest in blogging chain letters, Blog it Forward—name inspired by the movie I’ve never seen, nor plan to see. Paying a kindness to a third party after someone has done you a good turn is definitely a concept I believe in, however.
And anyway, listing my daily reads/favorite blogs is something I’ve been meaning to do for a time. I would have posted this last week, but events overtook. Between terrorist attacks and democrat presidential candidates saying all manner of skewerable things, I figured that it could wait.
Fran’s blog would be on this list, had he not “sent” it to me in the first place. Be advised that these aren’t my only daily visits!
The missives “penned” by the blogosphere’s two power couples, the Esmays and the du Toits, are the breakfast of champions. Who needs coffee?
I swing by every morning to find out what the Paratrooper of Love--or the Paratrooper of Guinness in his St. Patrick’s Day incarnation—is up to.
Coffee-spitting hilarious in character, the “Creator of Worlds” is in da House and is devastating when he lets the mask slip.
Proof that some are capable of change for the better and that brilliant minds are often hiding behind tough exteriors; very much the independent thinker.
If I had been this smart and this focused when I was twenty-two, I’d be ruling the world now. This young lady, Condi Rice and I still might. HAHAHAHAHA!!!! <----diabolical laughter
Uplifting, inspiring, humourous. I never go away from this site without something to chew on.
One of the first to welcome me to the ever-expanding blog civilization was the erudite Paul Jané. Paul’s a Canuck, but don’t hold that against him. :-) He keeps the spotlight on many important issues of the day, including the cesspool that is North Korea.
You want good food? He’s got it. You want beer? He brews it You want music? He tinkles the ivories. You want legal representation? He’s got your back. You want a rip-roaring rant? Steve H. is definitely your man.
Leave it to a novelist and screenwriter to get one hooked on his writing. This gentleman always has a unique and informative take on the never-ending, fast-moving events. Additionally, he will often have the scoop on an event under-reported by the “professionals.”
Here, I always know that the feces will always be hitting the fan, but, somehow, Michele never manages to get any on her.
Hugh Hewitt gives Milblogs its props in the Weekly Standard. Hard work pays off, eh, Greyhawk? Check out the ever-growing military, ex-military and retired military voices. This isn’t your father’s Armed Forces.
(Thanks to Blackfive)
Food is good.
Good food is better.
Good company and good food is best.
I had the pleasure of the latter today: Saturday Brunch with the Bear Flag League.
The participants:
Patterico
Xrlq
Absinthe&Cookies (Ith and Nin all the way from Monterey)
Calblog (Justene with Maddy; Justin)
Boi from Troy
Right on the Left Beach
Little Miss Attila
Master of None
And me.
Most fun I’ve had with five lawyers in attendance in quite some time. Seriously, fun and laughs were had by all. Again when?
UPDATE: Michael has evidence (don't let my mug frighten you; I'm not very photogenic).
The Watcher’s Council appreciates my work; a good feeling. Check out the work of the other nominees, too.
And here’s the second half. More conservatives in Cali than anyone thought, eh? The good things about this roundup are: I get to update my links to sites and get to find little hidden gems. Here we go again.
Michael Williams has a word or hundred for Andrew Sullivan.
The Space Alien over at Pathetic Earthlings rants about a few of the many faults of …wait for it….pathetic earthlings.
Martin’s mom visits family in Old Europe and is ready to kiss the ground when she comes home.
Remember the old TV game show “To Tell the Truth” (or is it “What’s My Line”)? This self-described soulless misanthrope does.
Patterico gives a lesson on how to read my local rag the LA Times.
Greg Ransom posts a great quote from Thomas Sowell.
The gentleman at Right on the Left Beach has strong views about the Left.
I know the feeling well, Stefan.
Shucks. John Kerry has figured out the Bush re-election strategy.
SoCalLawBlog chronicles that other rape trial: that of the son of an Orange County assistant sheriff.
The Accidental Jedi is pretty mellow and live-and-let-live of late. Wonder why? ;-) At least she’s blogging.
The Angry Clam illustrates how out-of-touch San Francisco is with the rest of California. And he’s not even talking about same-sex marriage.
Kevin Murphy notes the LA Times’ handling of two SCOTUS judges. One is liberal, one is conservative.
The Irish Lass is gearing up for…what else?....St. Patrick’s Day.
The Legal Reader points us to a number of weird interesting cases.
My friend Robert is thinking outside the (check) box.
Here’s some fine rantage by Tom Smith on the imbalance of liberals and conservatives in academia, featuring none other than Kevin Drum.
Mitch laments the drawbacks of working for a large organization. Ever worked for the government, Mitch?
Hey, Tonecluster! I hope you don’t run into any of the feline inhabitants of that area. Or are they all in Orange County?
Patrick Prescott had a hard day at work a week ago.
Oh yeah. Then there’s yours truly, just doing what I love to do.
Well. Here’s a portion of the Bear Flag League Roundup that I’ve been promising for months. Next half tomorrow.
Aaron wants to know who it was that was really “AWOL.”
The Girl from Ithilien finds out that the phrase “guess who’s coming to dinner” means something different than it did forty years ago.
It appears that Smith and Wesson forgot to do a background check on its last CEO, reports Zacariah of Below Street Level.
No, McGehee. You weren’t the last holdout. (Actually, I’ve had one before, but don’t now.)
BoifromTroi says turnabout is fair play.
Justene’s chickens forgot to come home to roost.
Streetsweeper at California Republic rants on the political courage/cowardice of California Attorney General Bill Lockyer. (I knew there was something I forgot to do.)
The good commander has a story that puts an interesting twist on the homosexual marriage controversy.
Cobb does a fine job of reviewing the film, The Passion of Christ.
“We can’t have that sort here.” No big surprise.
Dale Franks has a rather interesting photo posted.
The Xrlq family has spawned been fruitful and multiplied!
Only the Dead are truly free, Claire.
Dustin over at eTalkingHead asserts that marriage is a right.
Feste reports that the VLWC is in business. Good looking out! ;-)
Howard Owens expounds on the evolution of Internet civilization.
Infinite Monkey Love: hey, whatever knocks your socks off.
For all you NFL fans, the Proprietor of Jockularocracy has all the trade gossip rundown.
Dave J, the Left Coast Conservative, makes his opinion quite clear regarding the Bush ad controversy.
Peter of Lex Communis gets to hear a John McWhorter lecture--I’m jealous--and communicates about a subject near and dear to a blogger’s heart: communication.
And Little Miss Attila is eating hearty and she knows the place to get the goodies.
Got back from the other coast last night. It was a very pleasant, un-DC-like sixty degrees during the two days of my visit. I had a good time, didn’t care if I weighed thirty more pounds than I did when most of these people last saw me and actually have nothing to complain about. Even got a little network action going and was invited to submit a resume. My dream job situation? Telecommuting (for now, due to a family issue which would make it difficult to leave this coast). There is always hope.
(Sidenote: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World was the in-flight movie on the return leg. Liked it--swash got buckled and any flick in which the French get a beat-down is okay by me--but was it my imagination or did the end leave the viewer hanging?)
Of course, my little trip kept me from blogging on Haiti and I won’t even try to backtrack in order to catch up. The situation is changing too rapidly and too many others are all over it, including two obvious stakeholders in the matter, Haitipundit and Caribpundit, along with Citizen Smash.
So here’s a tiny sample of what I’ve been reading today.
Piercing, poking commentary from Francis W. Porretto. Best line: “Must the argument be engraved on your flesh?”
My second favorite Communist notes that February 2004 was a milestone for the Coalition of the Willing.
Jennifer Martinez has the Warrior blueprint.
Knuckleheads wrestle each other to the ground.
Tony, the Oriental Redneck, has a photo chronicle of the USA’s “unilateral” efforts in Iraq.
(Thanks to Blackfive)
Well, I guess getting chewed out by Him is better than getting a lightening bolt.
Myria reminds us that nature abhors a vacuum. She also has an excellent post about the low quality “bedside manner” of many medical professionals/technicians.
Will Collier, subbing for the procreating Vodkapundit, has an excellent casting suggestion for the next James Bond saga: Sean Connery.
And, Jim-on-the-Water makes cigars sound almost yummy.
When someone ticks you off in an email, is it permissible in your response to say “bugger off” in one sentence and then to say “have a lovely evening” in the very next sentence?
I only ask because the obtuse are very often sarcasm-impaired in the bargain.
As for the rest of you, thanks, one and all, for your kind, thoughtful email comments.
Steven Den Beste gets more literate trolls than the rest of us. He has more artful ways of saying “bugger off” than we do as well.
The ever hilarious Iowahawk parodies Dennis Parrin momma’s boy snit on James Lileks for what it so obviously is: green, raging envy. (Thanks to the Inoperable Terran)
The cat-lovers have run amok at the notoriously cat-hatin’ Big Daddy’s house while he’s sampling the natural wonders of Jamaica. There's also an informative post for the males of our species regarding the well-being of, er, cats; a public service announcement to be sure.
Beth has a run-in with an extremely rude British guest. If he really thought Americans were so ready to bust a cap in anything that moved, he would have kept his mouth shut.
Jack does the math. Too bad they don’t teach it anymore.
The chicks have come home to roost.
And, that crazy chick, Anna, lets loose on the, er, phallus-brained thinking of a certain actor and exposes the wild-life habitat growing on the chest of another.
Including me. Dean gives a list of his favorite bloggers, all distaff.
"You're no lady," observed a long-ago boyfriend, after I had said something a bit rude. I said 'thanks.'
Now that’s a party! I have to befriend some Columbians and learn to Merengue by New Year’s Eve 2004.
The lovable drunk, as opposed to the fighting one.
The Lion parties in the well-secured Apple.
Gnotalex at Dodgeblogium gets a late start. Last time I looked, you were supposed to go to the party before 12AM on New Year’s Eve; unless you’re having a better party at home. ;-)
The flu picked a really rotten time to catch up to Geoffrey. Hey, guy, I’m sure that there are some remedies that involve alcohol.
RedSugar Muse is back with a new design and a vengeance.
Jim, you’re welcome; our privilege.
Solomon has had an interesting year. He gives us some history regarding his French ancestry and a short update on the burglar who broke into his home and received a bit of lead for his trouble. (I blogged about it here.)
Tiger, in answer to your question, no; but I’m glad you know the meaning of TMI.
Hook up the Afghanistan-bound Sgt Hook for the New Year, so he can reach that 50,000-hit mark. And while you’re at it, check out the fantastic pictures on his site.
...as opposed to his alterego.
One of the other authors of the misery of many recently had a blogiversary. Happy ‘birthday,’ Big Daddy.
The Serious:
Here, Greyhawk gives a compliment to AP and its coverage of American Aid to victims of the Bam, Iran earthquake and tears into CNN's coverage of same.
There are a lot of talented writers ‘over there!’ ‘John Galt,’ another who is stationed in Iraq, gives us various posts on the situation there and other matters. Read his post regarding the allocation and distribution of funds designated for the rebuilding of Iraq.
Responsibility versus compassion: are they really at odds? Or is it simply that today’s widely accepted definition of compassion really isn’t compassionate? Ian expounds.
The Funny:
After achieving success in his quest to earn the coveted Jump Wings, Major Bejus is enjoying the, er, comforts of home.
Blackfive has been enjoying the comforts of his home as well and will soon have another little paratrooper to show for it. He also gives a rundown to Heather concerning which North American cities are best for seeking another sort of comfort.
The subjects of sex and blogging tend to attract blogger attention says JPCarter. True. They attracted mine.
JBrookins discovers the hazards of disagreeing with the disagreeable.
The Poignant:
Dan, an ROTC cadet, salutes one of the fallen, a friend of a friend.
Thor, on leave from deployment, appreciates the wonders of Christmas that much more.
And, in spite of several homecoming SNAFUs, so does a guy named F.
A partial roundup of Milblogs, as promised. (Hey! There are a lot of us.) Ten more or so will be here tomorrow.
Neptunus Lex has yet another Return of the King review.
The good squid—a little inter-service ribbing--at Haze Grey and Underway gets promoted and reassigned.
David at Better Living Through Blogging gives his thoughts on a prospective movie based on Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.
Sgt Hook shows us how Bam, Iran used to look.
Major Pain at Magic in the Baghdad Café is thankful for her fellows this Holiday season, as am I.
Dogtulosba must have been a good boy or Chocolate Santa has the big bucks.
Chromedome’s in the Big Sandy, so his wife is keeping the home fires burning with some Saddam Christmas cards. (No permalinks. See the December 28 entry.)
The Navy runs amok! Well, at least a couple of centuries ago, that is.
You know if they’re crying, a nerve is being hit:
Blah, blah, Blogs: Probably the most hyped online development in 2003 (along with growth in site registration), but will these self-important online journals actually change the way newspapers do journalism on the Web?Self-important? Well, only when I’m driving.
If the “professionals” and the “experts” felt no threat from us "self-important" amateurs, they’d feel no need to pass their snide, condescending blurbs on to the non-blogging masses.
Bloggers are important, as are the non-bloggers and the non-computerized majority. Remember the line from that obscure document, "We, the People?" From Editor and Publisher's little blurb, however, the elite attitude oozes.
"Professional"/"Expert" Whine: What competence could a writer have when he/she has never been to indoctrination camp J-school? They need to shut up and return to getting their opinions handed to them like good little sheep citizens.
Keep crying and we’ll keep laughing. And blogging.
(Thanks to Instapundit)
Boi From Troi saved me from having to do the Bear Flag Roundup. Thanks, guy.
California bakes, then it shakes. You'd think Someone had it in for us. Ith has some personal anecdotes and Citizen Smash has some good links to the recent tremblings. God go with the Bear Flaggers and other Califonians who were affected.
Bill Whittle had descended from Vesuvius and posted again, two in one day, some six days ago. But the posts are so short I think that someone has him tied up and gagged somewhere and is posting in his place.
I wasn’t going to mention it, but I got to meet and shake the hand of Mr. Whittle a couple of weeks ago. Pretty cool, eh? But I’m such an airhead; I forgot both pen and paper to take notes for the lecture (the reason that I was there in the first place). Needless to say, it was interesting and fascinating. BW, in spite of suffering from the flu or some other sort of respiratory ailment, expounded eloquently on the subjects that he ‘talks’ about in his blog and more.
Did I mention he’s good-looking, too?
I hope to have the opportunity to see him speak again. I have to learn to keep pen and paper in my backpack, like a good little nosy pundit.
An extraordinary man, at least for these days.
Jim claims he can’t write. Yeah, right.
Major Bejus finally takes the plunge. He also lets his hair down, so to speak, at Jen’s Place.
And Cobb’s hilarious comic strip deserves much more, um, exposure. So allow me. (If it's too small here, go check out his site.)
Expect a Bear Flag League and a Milblogs roundup in your near future.
See what a little fun will get you? (Thanks to Allison Kaplan Sommer)
Warning: Viewing this post may trigger peristalsis in your esophagus; in the direction that you don’t want.
Eric has a Yuletide brew recipe that I just may have to try out.
And, in spite of an erroneous assumption at the beginning of this post, Tony Pierce body slams the notion of the “holiday” known as Kwanza. (Thanks to Vodkapundit)
Thanks to the sustained upswing in traffic from Right Wing News’ 2003 Warblogger Award and to a plum link from His Imperial Caninity, it appears that my humble (hah!) blog will reach the 50,000 hits mark at some time today.
Knowing that my rants and musings touch a chord with some people is exhilarating in the manner in which I would imagine that skiing downhill at 90 miles an hour is. (No flocking way will I ever go skiing.)
Also, the fact that some better bloggers than I toiled in obscurity for exponentially longer than I have keeps my considerable ego in check. I am also aware of the Man-bites-Dog nature of this blog’s content (conservative black woman), so that keeps Ye Olde Id from getting out of control.
That said, welcome and thank you.
Allah has seen fit to diversify his “Funny in the Pants” section and added yours truly to his harem. Sleep with one eye open, Allah.
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