Well, This Is Ridiculous - I Apologize

I am convinced that Dan Riehl took advantage of Michelle’s direct link to his video to create some publicity for his weblog.

FYI - The fact is my web log has grown over 100 times since I stopped playing the link game and decided to simply write what I felt about issues people were interested in reading about beyond politics. And, with respect, I'm not doing the radio show above and didn't do Fox because of a link from Michelle Malkin, or anyone else. Though I have often admired her conservative commentary - even if we aren't close to the same wave length socio-politically.

As to your other issue:

I'm the "Internet hack without a life – probably fat" that you mentioned here. I'd be pleased if you would make it publicly clear that I had absolutely nothing to do with switching the Kanye West video for the male stripper video, lest any of your readers misunderstand and think I "duped" michelle malkin into posting it, or that I am some "troublesome troll" that lurks on your website. I don't believe it is sufficiently clear in your explanation.

Here is a notice I received in email from Michele:

From: "Michelle Malkin" <deleted>
To: "its Just Dan" <deleted>
Subject: Here's the error message
Date: Saturday, September 03, 2005 4:39 PM

I received (an error) after that John Stringer guy alerted me that the link to your
video was broken:

Not Found

The requested URL /carnivorous_conservative/files/wnbc_katrina_telethon.wmv
was not found on this server.

Now here is the email address of a nasty troll that has been hanging around this web log for months and has even gone so far as to have threatened a few female individuals in phone calls, along with several emails - which can be confirmed by several people:

stynger_m-at-yahoo.com

You're correct and it appears I owe you an apology. I'm sorry and I sincerely apologize that my initial misunderstanding of the dynamics around my appropriate complaint as regards Michelle's direct linking of the video - along with confusing your name as provided by Michelle with that email address - caused me to associate you with someone else. To my knowledge you are not the individual to whom I was referring. Hopefully this is clear and public enough to meet your much deserved satisfaction in that regard. Now here's what really happened.

I incorrectly made the assumption that Michelle had first linked the post appropriately and was duped into the hot-link. Her first email to me made it appear as though she linked it as nearly every other blogger did, as it included the full text of the posting I had sent out - AND NO DIRECT LINK TO THE FILE - except what was embedded in my post text:

From: "Michelle Malkin" <xxxxx>
To: "Its Just Dan" <xxxx>
Subject: Re: NBC Video-George Bush doesn't care about black people,  they've been given permission to go down there and shoot us.
Date: Friday, September 02, 2005 10:34 PM

thanks, dan. just linked.

At 09:39 PM 9/2/2005, you wrote:

http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2005/09/nbc_video.html

NBC Video

Just listen to this via NBC - went over every network, I'm told.

George Bush doesn't care about black people, they've been given permission to go down there and shoot us.

Michelle Malkin
Syndicated columnist/author

www-dot-michellemalkin-dot-com

malkin-at-comcast-dot-net

Now that I have established the FACT that when I am wrong I graciously admit it - I will repeat my position in this as to the greater matter. When any blogger breaks a significantly newsworthy video on the Internet, it is INAPPROPRIATE and UNETHICAL to h/t said blogger with the text h/t Whomever, without even the courtesy of posting a generic link to the the individuals web log, or even mentioning that they are hosting a web log where the video itself was broken and is ultimately hosted. And EVERY blogger worth a damn, despite the over-rationalization of a few toadies knows it.

That issue has been further complicated by Michelle's unwillingness and inability to own up to the fact that what she did gave every appearance of it being her that broke the video on the Internet, perhaps being sent it by a reader and subsequently leading to many bloggers linking to HER POST, unknowingly by-passing my web log altogether.

And for critics of my feelings, you are damn right a part of web logging is about APPROPRIATE credit and traffic - and any blogger who tells you differently is either a saint, or a liar.

And I do not back down from positions based upon principle based upon anyone's sitemeter, or their potential to maybe toss me some traffic once in a while.

So, welcome to the Riehlworld, John - and please do accept my sincere apologies for any confusion. However, if you also linked the 2MB video file directly, you were wrong to do so, whether hosted by me OR Michelle - though perhaps you credited her in some manner which was a bit closer to ethical. I did not look at your post.

Hopefully this nonsense is done now and everyone can get back to what they would prefer to be doing.

Comments

[Isabell]

So let me get this straight, every one who calls themselves a web blogger is basically nuts?

[Dan]

Absofreakinglutely - you didn't know that?? ha ha ha

[usmcmom]

Dan,
I can't believe that you are STILL having to deal with this stuff. oh well, guess that means you're becoming successful at what you do Dan!!

[FukMichelleMalkin]

Screw Michelle Malkin then lock her up in a camp of her chosing.

The bitch blew Rush. How smart can she be?

[Paulo]

Dan,

I totally agree with usmcmom insofar as there are certain idiosyncrasies that go along with success. Unfortunately for most, people have the tendency to envy the accomplishments of others. Especially when viewed within the same context.

Please, if you will allow me my two cents: You are so above this kind of ridiculous rubbish. Everyone with any internet savvy whatsoever knows that hot linking is a no-no as it is very much akin to plagiarizing.

Personally I think the redirect was imaginative; moreover, it was extremely successful. Dan, you have much integrity and anyone who ever reads your work can see this and other qualities as well. It is time to rise above this “inside-the-Beltway-ego” mentality and let it die. After all, it is really only assisting the readership of lesser know blogs.

Paulo

[*flo*]

Dan, you are saying here you are not doing your radio talk show???? Stop this nonsense Dan! Only the BEST have critics .... Get ready for the BIG TIME Dan, because you're one of the better. DAMIT, GO FOR IT! Don't ignore the critics, but listen to your posters...GO FOR IT!

[donnaanna]

Dan,
You have many loyal fans who were looking forward to hearing you on the radio talk show and seeing you on TV!
You would let us down because of a misunderstanding or because some people are jealous?!?!?!

[Dan]

Flo - the radio show is a go from my perspective. That isn't what I meant. Early AM blogging and all. LOL

[Dan]

Also, I wanted to thank some of the above for their support of the blog - it means a great deal, as I hope you know by now. I'm sorry this had to go on.

I've been told at times I'm like a bulldog and I don't let go. That can be an issue - but the other side of that coin is that it also has some benefits in things I like to see through.
Live and learn and all that.

[*flo*]

Posted by: Dan | Sep 7, 2005 10:41:54 AM

Good for you! I will be there;)*flo*

I've been told at times I'm like a bulldog and I don't let go.
Posted by: Dan | Sep 7, 2005 10:47:47 AM

Its called Dedication, important to your cause;)

[FloridaPatty]

yawn...

but I guess some people are really into the superlatives page of the yearbook.

[Anna]

Now if you will just be man enough to apologize to Michelle for that ludicrous article you wrote claiming she was linked to a male stripper, I think you come away from this not looking quite so bad.

After all, all she did was use the link you sent her and changing it to something raunchy was your doing, not hers. Maybe the title of that article should have been Dan Riehl linked to male stripper. Michelle is a real classy lady and I am very disappointed that you did that to her. As you always told us posters, just ignore things that bother you instead of getting into a spitting contest with every other blogger you can.

[clintcarter]

Remember, Dan, it's not what they say about you, it's whether they spell your name right.

Unless it happens to be Blanco...

[jolari]

I guess I have to ditto Isabell-LOL We are all nuts, but are in such wonderful company here!! Keep doing what you are doing Dan. Jealousy is raising its ugly head again. You are the man-hands down

[Josh]

Jealousy had nothing to do with this fiasco, unless it was from Dan himself. He's a weasel and a liar. He did a post bragging about switching the link on Michelle. Lie about it all you want Dan. Unfortunately, for you, someone saved it. http://patterico.com/2005/09/04/3538/dan-riehl-tries-to-flush-embarrassing-post-down-the-memory-hole-and-fails/#more-3538