February 09, 2008

Who Penned This?

I came across a partial printout from September or October of 9/11, from a column addressed to the 9/11 attackers: "You have no idea what you have started, here. But you are about to find out."

Anyone have time to track down who wrote it? I had this on the door to my office at Condé Nast in late 2001 and early 2002, but I'm having trouble remembering who it was who actually wrote it.

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February 08, 2008

The Blogger of the Year Title

. . . has been passed along from N.Z. Bear to the Ace of Spades. During Robert Bluey's introduction, Ace sat with his face in his hands, looking as if he'd rather be anywhere else but in a group of his fellow homo sapiens. Bluey's introduction referred to Ace's distinctive verbal style, and referenced Hackbarth's description of Ace as "the Kurt Cobain of the blogosphere." (When I first heard that, I asked who, exactly, our Courtney Love might be. "I dunno," he told me. "Maybe Allahpundit?")

I was sitting next to James Joyner during the presentation. When Bluey remarked that that "some blogs have made larger contributions than others," I hissed angrily "not true!" (Speaking of which, why is Ace getting the award, rather than me? There is such prejudice against blogs that do not actually get read.)


When it came time to speak, however, AoS gave a rather thoughtful set of remarks on the why New Media is an important part of policy making, and drew a straight line between the history of policy debate in a town-hall setting and the Reagan Revolution, which rejected the notion—now so prevalent in Europe and elsewhere—that the political class can consider itself our "betters," and simply make policy decisions on our behalf.

We have, he reminded us, not simply an opportunity to inform ourselves about politics, but a "duty" to do so. Naturally, alternative streams of information will play a large role in that process.

Ace=BotY.jpg
Ace to the political establishment: "we're the New Media, and we're here to help you."

UPDATE: More from Hawkins; a mention on Newsbusters. Karl at Stud/God of the Cerebrasphere Jeff Goldstein's site, Protein Wisdom, weighs in on the critical Allahpundit-as-Courtney issue.

UPDATE II The link to Protein Wisdom has been fixed, as a way of hinting to the ACU that Goldstein might just be next in line, depending on whether he actually posts a bit over the next year. Besides, he has better arms than Ace, and a bitchin' tattoo.

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Lunch with David Foster

After the Blogger of the Year Award, I had lunch with David Foster of Photon Courier and Chicago Boyz.

David's good on management issues. Actually, so am I—mostly because I've worked at a lot of badly run companies. But what David is also good at—and I am not—is making money, and holding onto it. So we talk a lot about my ideas for starting new businesses. As with others I've spoken to, he thinks I should go with The Really Scary Idea, rather than the Only Moderately Scary Idea. He has the right to be wrong, just like all the others.

And I, of course, have the right to be a rank coward.

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Washington, D.C. Notebook

Poor McCain can't get a break—Stacy McCain, that is. He and Matt Vadum hosted the social event of the season last night, a "VIP-only" reception in a hotel near CPAC.

The noise levels led to security emptying out the suite Stacy and Matt had rented for the night, so a number of us ended up at the hotel's bar. Over the course of the next few hours, people migrated in ones and twos back up to the suite, and spoke in hushed whispers; security patrolled the hall, ready to bust the party up if there were any more noise complaints. But the beers were free (as opposed to the situation at the hotel bar, wherein it was an accomplishment simply to get served by the overwhelmed staff).

As was not uncommon at a Stacy-promoted event, the place was crawling with young people.

There was tremendous temptation to simply sit on the sidelines and observe the changes that came over people after drinks number 4, 5, and 6. And yet when I was there I introduced myself to people, trading cards when the situation demanded it and talking about everything from Bible translations to how one might bring about a resurgence in interest in old right-wing talk radio and television hell-raisers.

And then it was time to leave; I came back here to my own hotel and downloaded the pictures, which look like they may have tremendous value as blackmail material.

But despite all the effort, we were unable to achieve the level of debauchery Stephen Glass once envisioned. A bittersweet thing, that.

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February 07, 2008

And In the End . . .

In the wake of the Romney withdrawal . . . um, suspension . . . there are a lot of depressed-looking people wandering around.

Joyner thinks the GOP still has a chance of winning the election. He also thinks that it'll make a difference, for the obvious reason—the only possible reason: McCain will prosecute the War on Terror for more-than-aesthetic/political reasons. Because the things McCain believes, he actually believes. As opposed to the case with Mrs. C.

I hear that argument a lot. Some of the time I find it seductive. But not today. Today, I simply mourn.

And I don't know what to do: I have a deep sentimental attachment to the Bill of Rights, and I don't think John McCain shares my feelings, there.

More on Saturday, after I infiltrate a group of Johnny Mac's supporters tomorrow to find out why they really like this guy whom I may or may not find marginally acceptable.

As I told Attila the Hub today, I'm done waiting for people to "come to their senses." There has to be work that one can do—beyond blogging—to bring them to their senses.

I talked to Mark Steyn very briefly earlier, and he remarked that the success of the McCain candidacy is "ominous."

I think it is. But there has to be a way to get the word out about some of the issues that are at stake right now, beyond the security issues that get the "airplay."

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And So It Begins

I arrived here yesterday morning on the red-eye, checked in, and slept for several hours before meeting up with John Hawkins of Right Wing News, Bettina Inclan from the House Republicans Policy Committee, and Sean Hackbarth of The American Mind.

We went out for a lovely Ash Wednesday meal at a local sushi place (fish for the normal people who eat seafood; vegetable tempura and edamame for me).

Bettina is working with some of the House people on how to reach out better to New Media (that is to say, bloggers, podcasters, vid-bloggers, etc.). It's nice to hear that the subject is being taken seriously, although neither of our best ideas seem like they're going to fly with Bettina's Legislative Overlords.

Best Idea #1 (John Hawkins): Post lots of pictures of women in lingerie. (Modified by Joy: balance this out every now and then with beefcake. Preferably pictures of firefighters wearing red suspenders, and members of the U.S.M.C. in tank tops.)

Best Idea #2 (Joy McCann): Ditch the boring blog, and start a whole new one called "CongressCritters." Because that's what the rest of us call 'em anyway, behind their backs.

"Won't happen," she told us. "They want to be hip, but not . . . not that hip."

What a shame, I remark. "And here I thought I could bring our legislators over to the Dark Side of online prurience."

UPDATE: Hawkins tells me the sake is interfering with my memory, and the "post beefcake and cheesecake" joke was all my very own.

Beyond the jokes, however, we did have some concrete suggestions for Bettina. I sent her an extensive email the next day that had what I thought were sound suggestions. Anyone who would like to enhance cogressional outreach to New Media should feel free to send them to me, and I'll see that they are forwarded.

Sorry, John!

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February 06, 2008

Come On, Big Town.

I'm here in D.C. (Not Desert Cat; not David Coons. The nation's freakin' capital.)

The CPAC bloggers are starting to arrive tonight. A couple of us feel that violence can be avoided if we don't hear any of the following words over the next four days:

1) President;
2) delegates;
3) Republicans;
4) Democrats;
5) Election;
6) Maverick.

Of course, I haven't placed any bets on that, myself.

Remember O My New Media Brethren, to practice safe senseless mayhem: do not get caught. Or, if you do get caught, don't ask me to bail you out. I'm way afraid of the cops out here. And I'm broke.

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February 05, 2008

Okay. I Voted.

It wasn't as bad as I'd feared. Of course, I took the precaution of shooting up beforehand; that helped.

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Listen, Kids.

Until or unless we have some kind of real evidence—something other than horrific allegations—McCain's service in Vietnam is off the table. Off the fucking table.

I'm not voting for him. But some things are below low.

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Vote McCain

. . . Because He Won't Come in Your Mouth.


More here, from your friendly neighborhood "morons."

My favorites?—

ZombieReagan'08—Death is no excuse.

—toby928

and

McCain 08!*

*violation of federal law to have this bumpersticker on your car within 60 days of the election.

—by Sort-of-Mad Max

as well as

KY Jelly '08—You're Gonna Need It!

—eman

and

Tired of settling for the lesser evil? Cthulhu/Nyarlathotep '08.

—BK Willis

Tomorrow's super-duper Tuesday. So off I go to do my duty, joylessly.

Well . . . you know what I mean.


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February 04, 2008

"The Other McCain"

Stacy has a nice clip up of Tammy Bruce making mincemeat out of Bob Beckel.

I think Tammy may be out of the closet now . . . as a conservative. I know, I know: she didn't leave the Democratic Party. As with so many people before her, it was the Party that moved.

Did I ever tell y'all about the day Tammy bought me breakfast? It was perfectly innocent, I assure you. Unfortunately.

Speaking of Matters Most Superficial: I have mixed emotions about those glasses The Tamster is wearing. I think I may prefer the glamour-doll Tammy over the bespectacled one. But I myself prefer to wear glasses (not that I have beauty to spare . . . I'm probably simply hiding).

And Tammy's glasses do lend a certain nerdy charm. Hard to pick. Fortunately, I'm married, and largely straight . . . so I guess it ain't my call.

With Tammy, of course, it doesn't matter whether or not she telegraphs her intellect in advance: she always wins. And she does it honestly, without resorting to the trick that various media whores (male and female!) employ.

Did I say media whores? I meant, Fourth Estate prostitutes.

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Today's Quote

Men don't pay for sex. We pay so y'all will leave afterward.

—IRA Darth Aggie

It just sounds so logical and reasonable when you explain it like that . . .


Full disclosure: I changed "afterwards" to "afterward." I feel that this is within my purview—not because I have to actually style quotes in this space, but because the "afterwards" really, really bugged me.

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"Fool Me Once, Shame on You . . ."

I really hope Mrs. Clinton is menopausal. 'Cause if the crying thing is happening on purpose, it's just not working, and she should know better.

Yeah, yeah: everyone's going to get mad at me for saying the "m" word. Given the severe reality of my "peri-m" experiences, I'd say I'm damn well entitled.

By the way—my pledge drive is still running! Send me money for CPAC, or I'll cry!

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February 03, 2008

Conversations with . . .

what are we calling them these day?—oh, yes: males.

(1) Conservative guy calls me. "Yeah, fine," I tell him. "Meet the other bloggers and me for a drink on Friday or Saturday night. If you haven't gone back to bed at that point, with a bottle of cheap booze."

"The place in the lobby, the one across the street, or the pub that's catty-corner to the hotel?" he asks.

"God knows," I tell him. "Ask the boys at RedState. I'm just concentrating on not slashing my wrists—one day at a time."

"Oh, yes," he remarks. "That little McCain problem. Do you think Stephen Glass was prescient?"

"Downright psychic," I reply. "He should get hired back at New Republic. Just a bit ahead of his time. It'll be ugly this year."

"Should the bartenders and pub-owners start arming themselves?" he asks.

"Fuck, yeah," I reply. "In the short term, they need to start stashing Louisville Sluggers behind the bars. Long-term, things are looking good for our beloved Second Amendment; the Cons will be on the prowl this year."

(2) Liberal guy meets me at the Italian place near the old mall Santa Monica Promenade for a plate of pasta and a walk.

"I've been accused of being hostile," I tell him.

"Your blog is hostile," he reminds me.

"Just toward John McCain! And other people like that."

"What? Men?" He's joking. Sort of.

He decides we should see a movie, and I'm on-board because my lack of media exposure makes me well-nigh unemployable in L.A.

But we squabble over the fact that George-fucking-Clooney is the star of the show, and give each other the silent treatment afterward, on the way back to our cars, for no discernable reason.

"I took my blog down," he remarks.

"Fine," I tell him. "It was only a matter of time."

"How many glasses of wine did you have with dinner?" he enquires.

"Not many," I respond. "Circa three."

"You're tipsy," he informs me.

"Fine," I respond. "When was the last time you decided you had to fucking pay for fucking sex?

This is all cool, though: if we squabble, he doesn't have to rag on his sisters. And I, in turn, don't have to take it all out on my brother. Or my father. So all is well.

Wait—if I sound like a man-hater, there is a perfectly good reason for that . . . and someday, I'll blog about it. Or post my brother's pay stub. Or something.

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February 01, 2008

A Reply to The Anchoress:

How is blind loyalty to a party any better than blind loyalty to an ideology? Can't a person make the party an idol just as easily as one can a philosophical leaning?

I'd really like to know.

The only possible advantages I see to McCain over Hillary have to do with (1) national defense; (2) the vague potential of him maybe appointing constructionist judges, and (3) theoretically less damage to the economy.

But once you've taken away free speech, anything can happen. I'm just not excited about the idea of voting for "Mr. Ball Gag." Why should I be? Is this the election that turns on S&M?

The fact is, Ann Coulter—bless her media-whoring little heart—has a freaking point. And the fact that she's expressing it in as exaggerated a manner as usual (yeah—she'll "campaign" for Hillary, all right) does not mean she isn't essentially correct: how do we know McCain is less-bad than Hillary? We're supposed to, um, trust him? Are you fucking kidding me?

I'm considering writing in my mother's dog for President this year, because Mandy would tear the Islamists limb from limb in a methodical, spirited fashion. With her strong, strong teeth. No emotion involved whatsoever: just doing her job.

The fact is, women are more brutal than men in the final analysis. I caught a glimpse of this once when some incompetent pharmacist delayed filling a prescription for my husband, who was recovering from oral surgery. I lowered my voice, explained what she needed to do, and watched her do it. My husband was in the car, and he needed this medicaton. I would have filleted her cheerfully on the spot if the process had taken 20 minutes longer. Nothing personal about it. Not at all.

While McCain's writing his hands about interrogation techniques, and agonizing about how wicked money is, people could very well die.

Talk to me, Johnny Mac. Convince me. 'Cause you sure haven't, so far.

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Happy Birthday, Jeff G!

He is (1) a year older than he was around this time in '07;

(2) a badass;

(3) healthy;

(4) married to a gorgeous woman;

(5) about to start posting a lot on his blog. (Yes: like Fox Mulder, I want to believe.)

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Yeah. I Know I Haven't Said Anything About the Bombings Today.

It does seem like AQ and their affiliates are getting a bit desperate.

Glenn talks about the silver lining in this darkest of clouds, and remarks that "good suicide-bombers are hard to find, and retention is even tougher."

They should unionize!

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I'd Just Like to Get One Announcement Out of the Way

Actually, a few of them:

1) There isn't anything going on between RightGirl and me;

2) If there were, it wouldn't be a lesbian thing, or somehow un-conservative;

3) And we wouldn't necessarily get it on video;

4) Or if we did get it on video, it wouldn't necessarily be reasonably priced.

But keep hitting our tips jars; the odds are better than they are for the state lotteries, after all. And what do you have to lose, other than the price of a lunch/drink at CPAC?

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Would I Bust Another Girl's Balls?

Well, maybe.

Please send us money, because RightGirl and I will not be posting risque pictures of ourselves if we don't get some scratch.*

Remember: the Little Miss Attila CPAC pledge drive goes on through the 9th of February!

*Actually, we won't be doing that anyway. But we'd like you to hit our PayPal buttons and pretend.

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