Two Crazy Interesting Years

It was two years ago today that I made my first blog post over at blogger here. I'll just post the lede, it was a longer post than it needed to be, but it was why I started blogging after stumbling across Captains Quarters through a search engine. I then began reading and commenting on blogs before launching my own.

I was twelve in 1969. My uncles and a much older brother had tattoos. They were admirable men who served from the Pacific to Korea and Vietnam and came home to drink beer and work as steel workers, plumbers and businessmen. They were my heroes, somewhat mystical, a cross between John Wayne and my Father and I loved and respected them for who they were and for what they had accomplished. But something went horribly wrong somewhere and I lost a part of them and, consequently, a part of me ... for a time.

I had always been frustrated with the media and the culture and how it seemed to have shifted after the late sixties. Around 91 or so I read Limbaugh's first book and while I haven't read one of his since, it did codify my thinking around the MSM to a degree.

But when Clinton beat George Bush, Sr. in 92, I was angry and wrote off the American electorate for a time, figuring they got what they deserved. I could see Clinton, who I never trusted, coming from a mile away.

I had always remembered that when Bush 41 lost, a fair amount of the blame was put on the economy - though he didn't run a great campaign. But I had watched Bush try and implement program after program to get the economy going, only to be frustrated by the Dems in Congress and the Fed. I recall thinking, why isn't the media reporting it honestly?

Fast forward to post 9/11 when Kerry was facing Bush 43 in 04, I decided to stop being a total bystander and jump into the fight however I could. It appeared to me that the Liberal media was up to its old tricks, again.

Anyway, that's how I got here. Lord knows why I've stayed, or how long I will. lol I had wanted to do it for at least one year. Somewhere along the way, it just became two.

Comments

[Jo]

Congrats Dan! Two years! And can you believe it's been two years since Rathergate?! Time flies when you're exposing the MSM.

[Sonar]

Glad you're writing.
I have the same memories, and have them further back. I remember Reagan fighting and fighting for spending cuts. He conceded to an agreement to approve some tax increases in exchange for spending cuts. Once any tax was approved, not another penny of spending was cut.
When Bush Sr. campaigned "Read my lips. No new taxes." he won the American people, but not the American press. From before the election, during the campaign, he was called unrealistic, unreasonable, his platform unworkable. He fought Congress and the press in a daily, grinding fight on the evening news and in the daily papers. When he conceded to sign a tax increase, his opponents (proponents of taxes) held it against him in their campaigns. Saying he flip-flopped. Hutzpah.
National Review's conservative music poll gave first to "Won't get fooled again"

[Phoenix]

Congratulations, Dan. I can't say I blame you for wondering whether or not to keep it up, but please DO keep it up. Your presentation is sublime. That is, your integrity keeps you focused and away from hyperbole and speculation, and that's why you're one of the best. In old hippie terms, your laid-back approach is soothing in the wild world of blogs, but your analysis is anything but laid-back as it is extremely thoughtful and precise.

I stumbled across Cold Fury one day and from there linked around and found you and Steel. Or, rather, Steel found me at another blog. I've been to many many blogs over the last couple of years, but yours and Steel's are the ones I go to every day. I have to say, you handle the trolls more gracefully than anyone I've seen. You must be one hell of a good boss in your real job. :} ............... wait a minit. What am I saying? You spanked me once.

oh...wait...... ha ha ha... I deserved it. (I think I liked it, too. :)

Take a break. But please come back...... You're great. And fair. <--- That's the best.

[nova]

Congrats Dan. Thanks for all you do. I like your take on things. I dont like a lot of what The Washington Post does but they do pay Howard Kurtz who is my favorite journalist. He is the Media critic for the Washington Post. He always seems to get it right. I respect his intelligence and he is always honest I think. He has good sources and he doesnt slant things to make the Post editors happy. He tells it like it is. You do too Dan. Keep up the good work.
Remember we had to suffer 8 years of The Clintons. So their followers have to suffer 8 years of George W. Bush. It all balances out.

[big fan]

integrity? you made up a pack of lies with the Sidarth "expose" and still refuse to admit that you either lied intentionally, or have such a basic understanding of the internets that you got your "research" totally wrong. If you're going to argue that Sidarth posted those comments on xoxo, then you have to accept the real possiblity that the ones under your name - on that site, from 2005 - were written by you (and those are ten times worse).

Get some integrity and fess up. it would be a great way to celebrate your success at blogging.

[Fausta]

Happy blogbirthday!

[CARRY NATION]

Best blog EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dan, if you quit blogging I'll be forced to get a life. Don't make me do that.

[Stella]

Conblogulations, Dan!! RWV continues to be an interesting and thought-provoking read.

(If I may indulge in a bit of op-ed) Why don't you treat yourself to a Blogiversary gift by deleting any off-topic comments? Your readers certainly won't miss them!!

[jolari]

Happy BlogBirthday Dan--
Baked you a cake--check your fax--Now close your eyes, make a wish & blow out the candles. I was just going to say "blow" but thought of the postings that could generate-Yes SinLater, I thought especially of you :)
Have a wonderful third year. Thank you for giving so many of us a place to spend our time and speak our mind.

[splashtc]

I began reading blogs last year when I saw you being interviewed on TV. Were you the first? Humm what is this blog thing-and what was his name? a google search -which recognized some form of spelling of your name - brought up this page. Then it was lots of fun reading about the Hollaway case and clicking links....it's all been very, very interesting-like nothing you can get from tv or a newspaper. Congratulations and keep up the great writing.

[lurk]

Cool stuff! I don't agree with much of what you say but you are sincere. I've re-examined some issues because of reading here.

I watched the same news programs as a child, Walter Cronkite especially. I think this probably more than anything else shaped my views about politics and the US. I came away with a completely different point of view.

Anyways, Happy 2nd Birthday and keep on truckin!

[SinCerely]

Plain and simple from my view point......your the best! My youngest son just went off to college. One of things I packed in his bag, or PC was a link to your sight. And if you ever get to Bucks County....the offer still stands ,.

[SinCerely]

OH, and congratulations on your two year anniversary!

[Dan Riehl]

OH, and

OH my ..! LMAO