My friend Always on Watch has included me in her list of five favorite bloggers, and she has written some very generous and kind words as to why she considers me to be among the best.
While I think that I am great
:)
I am always surprised when others recognize my obvious talent!
And, to be perfectly honest, I am truly honored. (Enough joking, huh?)
This is one of those Meme things where we are supposed to pass it around the blogosphere. The thing is, I'm supposed to choose my "five" favorite bloggers, but the truth is, there are too many writers who are part of my daily life.
Therefore, I will name my top five, and then I will add my "Honorable Mentions", and please do not believe that they are any less important to me than the ones I name in my top five.
Anyway, this is called the Blogger Reflection Awards because the idea is for us bloggers to acknowledge the work of those who have inspired us.
So here goes.
My five favorite bloggers?
Little Green Footballs
I heard Charles on Dennis Prager's radio show in April of 2002, and that's how I got hooked into blogging. I am a jazz musician, like Charles, so I immediately recognized his slang and his attitude, and I was glad to find another ex-Liberal who understood the changes our world had undergone. Additionally, I learned about Roger Simon from Charles. Roger, also, is a kind of ex-Liberal. I am an ex-Chomskyite (which I'm sure is very hard to believe but it is true.)
Atlas Shrugs
I learned about Pamela through my friend Tom the Hamstermotor, who has unfortunately disappeared from the blogosphere (I think he fell in love.) Anyway, Pamela, is brilliant, and beautiful, and she is a lightning rod for controversy, and it is very easy to underestimate her, because she has a knack for making the complex very simple (as when she recently freaked out Tony Snow by asking him why Muqtada al-Sadr is still alive. I had, in an interview, personally asked Donald Feith the same question, but it took me about 50-60 words to pose the question and by that time he had fallen asleep and everyone was ready to kick me out of the room!)
Only geniuses have the knack for making simple things complex, and Pamela is, in my opinion, a genius.
Gates Of Vienna
Baron and Dymphna are both, in my opinion, scholars with a heart. In other words, they are people who combine immense analytical, organizational, and intellectual ability with a real empathy for human beings the world over. I love them.
Always On Watch is among my favorites for several reasons. She is a great friend and support. She is an impeccable writer, and a rigorous thinker. And, she has an incredible ability to generate conversation. To my mind, that is one of the most important traits of a successful blogger.
My fifth favorite blogger is Yaacov Ben Moshe at Breath of the Beast. He has not been at it nearly as long as the others I have named. However, he is a guy who needs to be reckoned with. He is quite the genius. Check out his writing. I'll bet you will agree.
Honorable mentions:
Wretchard at Belmont Club.
IraqWarWrong at IraqWarWrong.
ScreamingMemes at Screaming Memes.
Reliapundit at the Astute Bloggers (who I really should have included in my top five (because he is white-hot brilliant) except that I had to tell everyone about Yaacov.
Jonz at Drunken Blogging, even though he does not like me anymore and considers me to be a "Fascist."
:)
Jonz is the inspiration behind Infidel Bloggers Alliance. I guess he feels like he created a monster, but well, I'm sorry Jonz. In my opinion, you have contributed to the futherance of the progress of Freedom in history.
As we Americans say, "You da' man."
While I think that I am great
:)
I am always surprised when others recognize my obvious talent!
And, to be perfectly honest, I am truly honored. (Enough joking, huh?)
This is one of those Meme things where we are supposed to pass it around the blogosphere. The thing is, I'm supposed to choose my "five" favorite bloggers, but the truth is, there are too many writers who are part of my daily life.
Therefore, I will name my top five, and then I will add my "Honorable Mentions", and please do not believe that they are any less important to me than the ones I name in my top five.
Anyway, this is called the Blogger Reflection Awards because the idea is for us bloggers to acknowledge the work of those who have inspired us.
So here goes.
My five favorite bloggers?
Little Green Footballs
I heard Charles on Dennis Prager's radio show in April of 2002, and that's how I got hooked into blogging. I am a jazz musician, like Charles, so I immediately recognized his slang and his attitude, and I was glad to find another ex-Liberal who understood the changes our world had undergone. Additionally, I learned about Roger Simon from Charles. Roger, also, is a kind of ex-Liberal. I am an ex-Chomskyite (which I'm sure is very hard to believe but it is true.)
Atlas Shrugs
I learned about Pamela through my friend Tom the Hamstermotor, who has unfortunately disappeared from the blogosphere (I think he fell in love.) Anyway, Pamela, is brilliant, and beautiful, and she is a lightning rod for controversy, and it is very easy to underestimate her, because she has a knack for making the complex very simple (as when she recently freaked out Tony Snow by asking him why Muqtada al-Sadr is still alive. I had, in an interview, personally asked Donald Feith the same question, but it took me about 50-60 words to pose the question and by that time he had fallen asleep and everyone was ready to kick me out of the room!)
Only geniuses have the knack for making simple things complex, and Pamela is, in my opinion, a genius.
Gates Of Vienna
Baron and Dymphna are both, in my opinion, scholars with a heart. In other words, they are people who combine immense analytical, organizational, and intellectual ability with a real empathy for human beings the world over. I love them.
Always On Watch is among my favorites for several reasons. She is a great friend and support. She is an impeccable writer, and a rigorous thinker. And, she has an incredible ability to generate conversation. To my mind, that is one of the most important traits of a successful blogger.
My fifth favorite blogger is Yaacov Ben Moshe at Breath of the Beast. He has not been at it nearly as long as the others I have named. However, he is a guy who needs to be reckoned with. He is quite the genius. Check out his writing. I'll bet you will agree.
Honorable mentions:
Wretchard at Belmont Club.
IraqWarWrong at IraqWarWrong.
ScreamingMemes at Screaming Memes.
Reliapundit at the Astute Bloggers (who I really should have included in my top five (because he is white-hot brilliant) except that I had to tell everyone about Yaacov.
Jonz at Drunken Blogging, even though he does not like me anymore and considers me to be a "Fascist."
:)
Jonz is the inspiration behind Infidel Bloggers Alliance. I guess he feels like he created a monster, but well, I'm sorry Jonz. In my opinion, you have contributed to the futherance of the progress of Freedom in history.
As we Americans say, "You da' man."
34 comments:
Hey Pastorious, "you da man" too, you have the ability to put into writing everything I think about the "muslim situation" far, far better than I ever could.
We seem to have the same sense of humour too. I tried blogging, couldn't put my thoughts down coherently, and had a big wake up as to how much time and effort even one post a day takes. Keep up the good work dude, and thanks for everything you do !
Pastorius,
I'm blushing. But I'm smiling too.
Again I say, "You did a great thing when you established IBA."
I don't think that you can ever know just how much you have affected my life. No BS.
God bless you, my fellow counter-jihadist!
PS: BTW, I recently discovered Breath of the Beast. Excellent site!
Thanks Fellay. Thanks AOW.
Gee, this is just one big gushfest.
It ought to be. I know we all put a lot of effort into it.
No mate, thank you.
If there is ever anything I can do from over here, let me know.
Thanks again
Fellay
Congratulations--it's very well deserved. :-)
Good for you!
merely an honorable mention!?
you're fired.
heh.
seriously: great choices, all - and some very interesting bloggers, too.
must add them all to my blogroll!
udabess!
Pastorius-
I know what you meant but your closer on Pamela at at Atlas was "Only geniuses have the knack for making simple things complex, and Pamela is, in my opinion, a genius."
Isn't that a wardsback?
I'm usually the first one to give a miss to a gushfest but this is an exception. "Honored" dosen't begin to cover it for me. I have almost gotten used to getting the kind words from people that I hold in exceedingly high regard (look in the mirror Jaco). But to be mentioned in the same breath (no pun intended) with such a group of warriors, writers and thinkers is overwhelming for this little old upstart.
Thanks, JP and back attcha.
YBM
Yaacov,
I am honored that you are honored by my words. I love what you do. In fact, if you read my blog CUANAS, you will see that I am going more in the direction of you and Pat Santy, and the other philisophical/psychological bloggers.
I don't want to be a political blogger anymore. I don't think it is reaping any benefits.
I think the problem Western Civilization faces is Psychological. We are very fucked up, to be honest.
We need to deal with our problems, before we can deal with our enemies.
Anyway, thanks for the kind words.
Turn,
If I recall correctly, you are from Australia.
I do not know what the word "wardsback" means.
Could you explain?
Excellent you deserve to be honoured by all righteous people.
That being said........Atlas should top the list of contemporary bloggers, as Charles stood down (no blame intended) a few years ago.
Kol Ha'kavod haver,
Michael
Do I read your blog? I read everything you write.
Michael,
Charles has fought a long, long battle. It is not an easy one.
I would imagine he has suffered financial hardships because of it, and I know that he faces signifigant death threats.
He chose to work with Pajamas Media, which seemed like a good idea at the time, but has simply turned into a bunch of little boys trying to wear their big boy pants.
I don't like PJ Media much.
But, that ain't Charles fault, and I would imagine that, because he is paid by them, he has to tow the company line a bit.
I don't blame him.
He deserves to be paid for all he has done for all of us.
I honestly have no idea what is going on in his head, but it seems to me that he has recently been changing back more into his old direction.
Watch carefully.
Yaacov,
Woo hoo!
I had no idea.
:)
Charles IS Pajamas Media......he is very successful, one of only a handful in this [Blogging] business...and deserves every shekel.
Everyone gets burned out at some point....and with creative people, the priorities change. I was one of the very first posters on LGF, and am very proud of Charles' accomplishments. His priorities changed, that's all. He will forever be known as the Godfather of the serious Blog......ain't that enough?
Meanwhile back at the WarRoom....The Infidel Bloggers Alliance, Atlas and a few others are doing in 2007 what LGF did in 2002....and to paraphrase a certain infamous Liberal..."Doing work that the Lizardoids won't do".
You have a lot of responsibility.
Peace and Shlomzion
Michael,
I really appreciate the kind words. They are very encouraging, but I can not find it in me to give Charles anything but respect.
That is not to say that he has not ever disappointed me. He has.
However, having gone through what I have gone through, with about 1/10th of his audience, I know a little bit of what it is like to lay your ass on the line and get constant criticism and threats from people.
It isn't easy.
The only criticism which hangs on Charles accurately and continuously that CAN BE MADE must be that he has chosen not to monitor some of his commenters as closely as he 'ought'.
Now as one who believes it should all hang out there, I understand, but ... one day you wake up and find that the BNP is crawling close to you if you are not careful.
I won't level such criticism .. but I wish he would personally point out such comments, and commenters in order to distinguish his efforts from what they have to say.
The left of left will always abandon the facts to make emotional arguments pinned on such comments which WILL affect those outside this small world, and SCORE with it.
Epa,
I'm glad you brought that up.
We used to have a lot of those types of commenters here at IBA. I, basically, fought against it everyday.
What's funny is, I believe I successfully eliminated all those assholes from this site.
And now, my friend Jonz, who lives over there in the UK, and who has even more reason to be opposed to the BNP, is calling me a "Fascist."
Go figure.
I believe that I have been more clear about my direction and allegiances than almost any other writer in the blogosphere. For God's sake, not only do I spout this shit, I fucking live it.
When I think about the people who have been my friends and abandoned me because I have become a "fascist", I honestly don't know one of them who is married, or even spends their time primarily with people who are not of European descent.
I spend almost all my time with people who are not of European descent.
And somehow, I am the "Fascist/Nazi/Racist."
Whatever.
When all is said and done, this will all be clear to all of us.
I don't know that everything I do is right, but I do know that I am giving it my best shot.
Why would anyone waste time reading the hundreds of comments per post on LGF? Most of them have no useful value.
True, but sometimes they are pretty damned funny, so here's why I read them (sometimes). If something really pisses me off, I find it to be comic relief.
Do you see what I mean?
I have found that at about the 40 comment mark it becomes bloviating self centered conversation.. (Not that we all are not additcted to our own hot air anyway) ..I find that when I see 283 comments an hour after a post is made it is a deterrent to trying to read them...I read Charles' posts most days, but I have been on a hunt for the off beat as of late, I still say my favorite single post of all time (which really needs an update)has nothing to do with all this.
First up, i was really unimpressed when i tuned into i-bloga radio on recommendation looking forward to some interesting articles, only to listen to some guy prat on about fucking his wife. Is that really necessary?
This site, like LGF, does have a tendancy to veer into childish rants - or anti-anyone-that-isnt-American mode, needling, poking and piss taking at any opportunity. Not restricted to the comments, im referring to the posts here and at LGF. As an example LGF is a site that consistently fails to get its facts straight. On one occasion it pointed to an article in a British paper that it said supported jihadism or whatever you want to call it, notched up some 300 vile anti British comments, only for the piece in question to have been discovered to be innocent of all charges, guvnor. Did we ever see a retraction from Charles? No. Why? Because it adds to the constant diatribe of Europe Is Doomed that I can only imagine makes Americans feel better about their own problems and frankly (sadly) keeps LGF alive. Hardly a case of us all 'hanging together buddy' and 'on your side'. It never for example cites any of the incredible ball busting posts stuck up at Harrys Place the UK site. Why? Because it has this whole left right thing going on -which is poison.
The Right should be the first to bash that door down to the Left. But to do that it needs to bring in a sense of proportion. The whole We Hate Islam thing thats going on wont help. We wont ever make progress towards getting the issues sorted out with that sort of focus. Think about it.
And two years ago the UK MSM was devoid of strong opinion pieces on jihad, now its full of exposes. A large part of this credit is down to the blogs but imho we need to move a step along now. Whats up with the US media tho'? Theyre still stuck on stupid.
'Jonz' has raised an issue bluntly but he isnt wide of the mark. There are a few of us over here in Blighty that have noticed this. When you get US blogs linking to I Bloga and the BNP you have to wake up and smell the coffee. It shouldnt and doesnt mean selling out your core principles of fighting jihadism.
Dan, I don't want to speak for Pastorius, but I know his thoughts on the BNP, and they parallel mine.
Which is to say ..how must bleach do they need for those white sheets?
BTW, what's the difference between a rant, and a childish rant?
As far as 'Europe is doomed'. Not necessarily, ..there's always civil war.
Given the proportions, reproduction rates, and immigration policies in place since the 70's (thank you Ms Yeor, and Mr Steyn)the outcome is obvious save for a deus ex machina solution.
Always possible, but the 'normal' processes are not in your favor.
That does not make ME feel better about diddly.
Dan,
First off, I'm the guy prattling on about "fucking his wife."
I'm actually very amused by the fact that that bothered you.
It was just a joke.
I try to add humor to this serious subject, because I believe we all need a little bit of levity along with all the intensity of our times.
You see what I mean?
Beyond that, I agree with much of what you have said.
I don't think Jonz is right in his assessment of me as being a "Fascist."
You would have to know me personally to understand.
If you are interested in continuing this conversation futher, I am willing to do so, but if you have decided that I am just an American asshole, then sorry, but I am not going to simply argue.
Dialogue is great. Argument for the sake of winning is a waste of time.
I'm sure you understand what I mean by that.
You sound like a good guy to me.
Let's lay everything out on the table, so that confusion and dispute can be clarified and resolved. What are your ultimate goals and how do you plan to achieve them? I have followed IBA for a while now and have yet to see the contributors come up with a systematic plan like Project Samson that they can all agree and focus on.
Epa,
I agree with you that most threads that go past 40 comments are bloviating, and we are running dangerously close to that here.
I do want to say this:
I am pretty sure that that quote
"In The Future Everyone Will Be Hitler For Fifteen Minutes" is from Don DeLillo's White Noise.
Am I right about that?
Anonymous,
There are multiple answers to your question:
1) We are a group blog, and everyone who posts here has the right to express his, or her, opinion.
2) I believe, personally, that I know where all this is headed, and I am a writer of fiction, in addition to being the leader of this blog, and so, I choose to unfold my narrative over time. In other words, I'm not going to tell you what my plan is.
3) Your favorite blog (The Samson Option) may have a great idea. However, I know what I think, and I think I will stick with it. If you don't like me, then don't come back. As I said, you sound like a good guy. Here's where I think you are going wrong in judging me: You seem to take everything we do here at IBA at face value. What I do is much more complex than that.
God Bless You, and I mean that.
I am not, simply, being sarcastic with you.
My God, you've come from the future !
Epa,
Heh!
No, I'm just a dumb goofball.
But, I am a goofball who is going to stick by his convictions.
:)
Hi Pastorius,
But picking up on what anonymous said what are the aims of this blog? And is it bigoted towards Europe? I'll feed you into a forum (when i find it as in at work and cannot look up the address) that has discussed the increasing awareness of a sort of odd attitude towards Europe. Quite a few blogs are simply delinking LGF for example.
Im afraid whilst we have a huge concern about certain religious, bigots, not all of us share the rather hysterical accounts from Gates of Vienna, Mark Steyn eg anti-anyone-that-isnt-American.
I reckon that stories and critiques that come up on US blogs about home affairs are given a more even handed 'ride' than European matters. The scaremongering is down to scale sure but unless you want some sort of muslim holocaust approach which im sure Europe would be able capable of, its pays to be careful what hornets nest you stir. The internet is a powerful tool hence the concern at US sites advocating the BNP or jumping up and down about 'the muslims the muslims the muslims!' in Europe. If you use an even handed approach to issues at home i think that can be extended to Europe, do you agree?
Do you check out Harrys Place at all. I havent seen anyone like David T deconstruct muslim fascists quite so well. He is better, dare i say it, than Spencer or Charles. Why? Because he actually gets the head of the groups we all talk about the MCB Hitz, the useful tools in the media, to engage in discussions on line and then wipes the floor with them.
Its interesting that LGF cant or wont acknowledge that.
The net result of their influence with the Euston Manifesto has been, to some degree to ensure the MCB has been shelved. Can the same be said of CAIR? I wonder with all the hullabaloo about the uK and European approach, why the US seems to be blundering down the same path just when the UK and Europe seems to be attacking their zits. Pretty well too. To use an ugly analogy - squeezing zits isnt pretty, so sure the stories come up all over the place, but its a must.
Thats why id be interested to hear what your aims are.
Thanks
Dan, those are valuable comments.
Let me give you a bit of my back ground .. on this anyway... I am a liberal democrat circa 1964, civil rights activist at one time, vietnam protest organizer .. on 9/13/01 I began discussions with Muslims in the gulf. I have been speaking with then nearly every day since. From 1987 to 2002 traveled outside the USA more than being in it and hit > 150k actual miles a year, avg.
Any opinions I have, have been shaped mostly by their words. They do not favor killing us personally, but they expect us to be killed and they think we deserve it (so sorry). Sayd Qutb to them is Thomas Jefferson and Jesus rolled into one. His word is the call back to the Message in the Modern world. They completely buy into the dialectic of the most extreme. They UNIFORMLY for instance not only believe the Protocols of Zion are true, they are surprised to learn anyone doesn't believe it. Facts are a cover for the underlying plans of others. Facts are therefore not needed (for the dialectic, anyway). They do not believe what they think about the jews is racism, since god is no racist and he has condemned the jews (in their eyes). They all intend to be certain their children are taught more of the same. They feel we are doomed (to hell) unless we convert. Many tried in a very heartfelt and touching way to get me to see the mercy of coming to Islam and what it teaches. Not necessarily to convert me, but to get me to see it. They ALL uniformly believe that resistance to dawa in any form is reason for the struggle to ensue, and THAT Dan is why we are where we are.
For me resistance to dawa and it's goal is why I am here. The people I have been speaking with, all feel that it is their PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to ensure for the good of their own souls they do all they can to be certain Islam becomes supreme.
Ironically, every Muslim I know HERE in the USA says they have come here to 'escape the madness'.
These are guys in medical research, so they are not the middle of bell curve, but still....
Dan, let me add one more thing, as it was explained to me carefully .. as, I believe it was explained to them in Friday quttbas...
If we run around making up laws right out of our own heads, we are not only not following god's (ipso facto), we have usurped HIS authority, and made gods of ourselves.
Now this last part caused an argument among them, since it makes us idolators and polytheists ... but they all agreed that the mere act of creating your own law as SOVEREIGN is to deny Shariah, and therefore ultimately dooming.
Only God is sovereign.
Therefore democracy != Islam, ever.
Not my conclusion..theirs.
Epa,
Well said.
I agree with everything you said, and like you, I'm a liberal, lifelong registered Democract.
This whole situation pains me greatly. It is not easy for me to do and say the things I do and say here. However, I think they are necessary.
The one thing I would say in response to your comment to Dan is, I have to wonder if he is going to know the words Dawa and quttbas.
This is not to say that I think Dan is ignorant. He is clearly intelligent. However, I am saying that you and I have spent years famiiiarizing ourselves with Islam.
Dan, if anything Epa said doesn't make sense, please tell us, and we will give you the necessary definitions.
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