Why the whole world love our voice?
By DougJ, Head of Infidelity January 14th, 2011
Since John is the proprietor of this blog, I’m not bragging on myself, baby, when I say that we had a fantastic year of traffic last year, with nearly 25 million total page views. We peaked in March 2010 around the time of HCR passage and went down a little after that, but remained quite stable relative to other political blogs with comparable traffic.
Any ideas for new stuff to try this year?
Posted in Blogospheric Navel-Gazing
moar bunnies
January 14th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Nothing, except for the site rebuild that is going to happen Any Day Now.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Um, tautology alert?
January 14th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Impeachment drive to win back the firebagger demo.
Range night with JC and Tunch, targets shaped like elephants.
Speech in a park in Portland with indy rock darlings opening.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@PeakVT: There is that. I’d really like to be able to write “sockialist” correctly without getting thrown into moderation. Also, fixing those “permission denied” messages during editing would be nice.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Maybe a post on the meaning of liberalism by each of the front pagers (well, those who identify as liberal, anyway). It wouldn’t hurt to take away some of the enormous attention that has been paid to libertarianism here and focus it on liberalism instead.
Anyway, congrats and keep up the good work.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
More calls to action like Tim F. made during HCR, please.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Contests with fabulous prizes!
eta: a jrt is not a fabulous prize.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
The appeal of this place to me is the commentariat isn’t comprised of a handful of people all gabbing about like some kind of knitting circle. People keep on topic generally, and even the open threads are generally informative and spawn some stimulating if not sometimes heated discussion. A lot of blogs I have followed can’t say that.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Ooo-er. That’s what she said.
(Also, we want more pictures of Tunch. Or pictures of more Tunch. Whichever.)
January 14th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Avoid stunts involving sharks and water skis.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
OT:
WSJ:
Europe hasn’t been thrilled about being called “PIIGS” -– the acronym that refers to the pain points of the Continent’s sovereign debt troubles: Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain.
Then this morning, J.P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon instead referred to his bank’s exposure to the “GIPSI” countries, or Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Italy.
Classic.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
More cats and dogs.
Less libertardian fapping.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
If those page views include every time I updated a page, you can send me your thanks. And a check.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
This place could use a bar. I asked makewi to fix me a drink the other day and got nothing.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Front pagers should be required to post pet pics (their own) once a week, at least.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@Ija: The meaning of liberalism is in the bible: ‘my brothers’/sisters’ keeper’.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
How about letting a real progressive be a FP?
And instead of beating up on limpy right-wing blogs, go take on a real ego like Protein Wisdom again.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
We can do much betterer this year if we put our minds to it. Libertarianism and epistemic closure need further discussion. Kittens, also.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@TooManyJens: This.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
How about occasionally formatting posts and comments so they run on on & on & on & on & on & on & without a line break so that the blog is virtually unreadable? That always makes my day.
This blog would be the most popular in the entire universe if it weren’t for tech troubles.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Yeah, but 24.9 million of those were from a severly butthurt Glennnnn Greenwald, trying to see the latest mean stuff we said about him.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
weekly whisky raffles.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Moar puppehs. And Stillers. There is never enough Stillers. Or Penguins, for that matter.
Other than that? Well, I’ve been missing your media criticism, Doug. You seem to have let that go lately. Or perhaps I’ve missed any posts you’ve had about how much our media sucks.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
yes, yes – less of you. More of food blogging. More Cole. Less you.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
I think the increase in traffic, and I could be wrong here, is the sound of a LOT of liberals/progressives giving up on the traditional “netroots” like DKos, FDL etc. Methinks their readership hasn’t done the same. Plus the diversity of authors.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Tom! And general mayhem.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@Ija:
I very much like this idea. Very, very much, in fact.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@beltane:
On the other hand, the baked goods are delicious. Try the pie!
January 14th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@beltane:
Don’t complain. Yer lucky you got nothing.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
More of the same baby. Create a safe environment where people can feel that everything left leaning is good and pure and everything to the right of that is the work of something which is evil, if such concepts of good and evil where something which were not just a GOP ploy.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
battle of the blogging stars—glibertarians v. john coles of the center.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
@Professor:
Well, I really want to know the meaning for each of them personally. And how they become a liberal. Maybe stories about flirtations with libertarianism in college, etc. Just to get to know them better. We know John Cole’s story because his progression is in the blog, but not so much about the others.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Have you done the one where your evil twins from the anti-universe replace you (except that E.D.’s twin turns out to be good)? Or the one where you find yourself living the day backwards? How about the one where you discover you have a real life and you were simply imagining your life as a blogger … or were you?
Oh, and a “Biggest Loser” contest with pictures and charts for each of the FPers.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Weird. I kind of thought of it as a knitting circle, but perhaps one in which I’m in one of the upper tiers of knitting ability instead of, as is usually the case with a real knitting circle, a lower tier.
But, it would ruin your perception of the blog as one “generally on topic” (that probably says more about all the internet traditions than maybe this blog, buy anyway) to ask whether you think if a five year old requests a “rainbow” scarf whether a variegated yarn would look good or I should just change off colors, so I won’t.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Have Aaron Sorkin write a musical about the origins of BJ.
Score by Elton John and Justin Bieber.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
In this weekend’s NYTimes magazine, Krugman cites a “Yes, Minister” episode where the British sausage, due to new European requirements, is to be referred to as an “Emulsified High-Fat Offal Tube.”
I think this phrase should be added to the list of rotating sub-titles under the “Balloon Juice” title for 2011.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Which political blogs are comparable in size to BJ? How much bigger are the ‘big’ blogs like Sullivan?
January 14th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
It would be nice to tag each post with the author’s name so we can pull up all the pieces by a specific author.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
@srv:
Good luck with that.
Balloon-Juice has a thing for bad boy libertarian and mildly right of center blogs because after the big fight the make up sex is teh hawt.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Say that 3 times fast
January 14th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
And more baby pictures. Pets are not enough.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Fix whatever makes the blog double load & crap out on IE.
I’d also too like to see an Old Leftie. And make every front pager use at least one picture per post.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@beltane:
You got exactly what you deserved, which is the recognition of your peers that your work of opposing the violent rhetoric of the right is going to bear fruit.
Am I allowed to say fruit or is that offensive?
January 14th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Balloon Beauty of the Day – Photo of a topless aspiring model/actress. Include lots of puns on balloons and juice in the caption.
“Palin” in every thread title.
Photoshop an ambiguous image of people having sex into the fur of every pet picture. Or do you do that already?
Make Snooki a front-pager.
Have Tunch sport an AK-47 and triple the price of all his merchandise.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@Punchy:
And Jake Tapper. Can’t forget when Jake stops by to let us know his fee fees are throbbing with pain.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@sven:
Sully is about three times as large, I think.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
More surveyor marks, please.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Octopi fighting with lasers?
January 14th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
More pimping of fabulous Balloon Juice CafePress Store products* by front pagers!
It is just absurd that we’ve not sold one OBEY throw pillow.
I blame you, DougJ.
*Every penny in profit goes to Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue
January 14th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
I personally like the libertarian stuff, if only because it historically hasn’t gotten a lot of light shone on it. I’ve always found big ideas put out by (popular) libertarianism to be fishy, like it’s not showing you all the cards in the hand, so to speak. Conservatives like to play sly too but their game is way too obvious and ultimately offer a straightforward deconstruction.
I like how the FPers here actually challenge libertarians to be more concrete, if you will, pinning their thoughts down and in the process confirm a lot of my instincts about libertarianism and it’s key failures. Most libs are content to waive it off as “just so much justification to be selfish,” which is true. But I guess because I tend to be a process thinker, BJ’s approach appeals to me.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Pics of Tunch attacking John for not following proper cat care etiquette. How about we organize a get together for BJ readers as an alternative to the GOS annual event? What to call it is the question.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@srv: wow, Protein Wisdom reference… I haven’t read that blog in years, just checked in, probably shouldn’t have.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Gravatars and self-important commenters who think they own the place. Oh wait, never mind, too many places like that already… Carry on.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Make the Balloon-Juice Lexicon a wiki.
I’m not kidding. WordPress “Pages” are not a good fit for the concept.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
back when FDL was not such a fucked up place they had a Friday afternoon rock and roll thread that was really good.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Less Muslim-y.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Second this:
I usually pump up the font so my tired old eyes can comfortably read the posts and comments. But I always have to adjust down when logging on to this site. Reading this blog at 200X compresses to about three words per line. And half the time when I do drop down to 150X then it scatters the margin from here to Indiana. On the other hand the light blue background is rather soothing…
January 14th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Increase traffic?
Reach out to Latinos, like Jeb bush is doing, albeit from Barclays.
I imagine you will be marginally more successful.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Doesn’t T-Bogg do some random 10 tracks from his I-pod? Be cool to see what we all are listening to.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
FEED Posters everywhere.
Watch for one this Sunday!
January 14th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
more cowbell
January 14th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
more cowbell
January 14th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@handy: Urm, well, Madame Defarge’s knitting circle isn’t so far wrong some days. And you vastly underestimate the rhetorical emphasis of a good 2mm poke to the eye or a swift persuasive throat-tourniquet administered by a pair of circular needles. This lot certainly has needling down.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
On a serious note, I’d like to see a front-pager try periodically running a coordinated book reading and discussion thread. Pick a book (preferably not one that has confirmation bias problems with this audience), give us all a month to read it, and let the fur fly.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@ThatLeftTurnInABQ: ugh
January 14th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
New trolls. The ones we have right now can’t even form coherent sentences anymore.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
In the past week, I’ve had two separate friends post links to BJ in Facebook. Gave me a happy and led me to wonder if either of them are commenters.
My suggestions:
– Ban change
That is all.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@Redshirt:
I already have plans to be watching for it. I told my sister I’m coming to her house with the 60” flatscreen. When she asked why, I told her I had to look in the crowd for a Tunch poster. And she said “But the Steelers play on Saturday!”
LOL
January 14th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@ThatLeftTurnInABQ:
Seconded. A BJ book club could be a lot of fun. Pandagon does it well if you want a model.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
No no NO. With apologies to some of my favorite bloggers (like Amanda Marcotte and cleek), “post random 10 songs” are among my least favorite blog posts, ever. Not only are the comment threads mind-numbingly monotonous (just a list of songs, with a smattering of commentary) but they tend to turn into displays of “look how interesting/obscure my musical tastes are” wankery. Especially at Pandagon.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Retcon the blog so that the Republican Cole only appears on Earth-Two.
(I’m not sure if this joke actually makes any sense)
January 14th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@ThatLeftTurnInABQ:
Maybe we should all be reading Ayn Rand to see what the fuss is all about.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Less Balloon Juice, more BJ.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@scav:
I’m just pointing out that some places you go the front page stuff can be great, and you get to the comments and it’s like 900 inside jokes between 3 or 4 people. I think you know the kind I’m talking about.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@Loneoak:
Ta Nehisi Coates does a decent book club. Chapter by chapter.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
@Loneoak:
change was banned last week.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
What to call it is the question
“Group BJ”
January 14th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
For some dumb reason, I’m dying to see what DougJayvis Dug-Jealous looks like. I picture him as either a guy with a red ‘fro or a comb-over.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@DougJarvus Green-Ellis: according to sitemeter BJ gets about 71,000 hits per day, Sully gets 240,000 per day, Kos gets 725,000; Hot Air is #17 on sitemeter’s traffic list, but I can’t find their stats, and it doesn’t look like Instapundit has a public sitemeter anymore.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@Cris:
Agreed.
I, personally, miss bad ‘80s music video nights Cole used to have every now and again.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
More appearances and recognition on Rachel Maddow.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
@stuckinred: Sorta like that idea. I like discussing music.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Yes, please try to fix the problem that causes the right margin to fail, sending text flying off into the netherlands. It was pretty bad last year, but it’s been horrid this year so far, as in 80-85% margin failure on the two computers that I use to access the site.
I know that people are going to comment that this problem doesn’t exist if I approach the blog with just the right combination of software. Screw that. This is the ONLY web site that I read where this problem occurs. It happens nowhere else. It’s a Balloon Juice problem. I hope it can be fixed.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@ThatLeftTurnInABQ:
Yep, this…book a month.
and moar baby animals.
and please, Cole should have to do one righteous rant bi-weekly.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
I was going to suggest more posts where Cole gets upset at us and calls us assholes, but if he did it all the time it wouldn’t be special anymore.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@Chyron HR:
There aren’t any blogs training new trolls.
In the present business climate they’re all just churning the same limited supply, everyone taking in each others’ trolls pre-trained, even if they aren’t any good. How many blogs is Al trolling at this point.
This happens in every recession… We’ll know things are looking up when we see trolls we’ve never seen before.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@Ija:
Don’t make me have to come there and whup you.
No fucking way I’m subjecting myself to such stupidity and horrid writing every again. Hell, I could only make it about 200 pages in the first time I tried to read her dreck and I was still of an age when reading dreck was pretty much an every day thing.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@geg6: Yes – bring back bad 80s music video nights…and more Tunch pics plz!
kthnxbai
January 14th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
We could have nude bellydancing & blogging sessions, but in the mode Bill Gates and Esther Dyson used to have “virtual” dates with one another while in different, far-apart cities. Except we wouldn’t talk about the nude part of the session, no webcams allowed, and only a bit about the bellydancing part. Still, the communal idea that’s what we were all doing would be…well, interesting.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
The FPers need to find some way to space their posts out a bit. Maybe by 10-15 minutes.
OT: When we were discussing Palin, et al’s use of “blood libel” someone joked about waiting until they used pogrom. Well, guess what, they now have.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Laura W.:
It WOULD make a pretty good wedding gift.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel): Did anyone stand athwart it and shout “Stop!”?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@geg6: Is there any other kind of 80’s music?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
@Professor:
No, no, no. I’d say “liberal” means supporting a just order.
The problem with “brother’s keeper” is that it seems to validate right-wing shibboleths that liberals are interested in stealing their hard-earned money and redistributing it to the less deserving. When in fact if you look at the actual economy, it’s quite the opposite: the flow of wealth redistribution is upwards, to rent-collecting parasites, which includes most of the wealthy.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
John should continue to add the tag “assholes” to 75% of his posts.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@Punchy:
My father was a guy with a red ‘fro THAT HE COMBED OVER!
true story.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@Ija:
I’d like that.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@stuckinred: Somewhere the members of Flock of Seagulls weep quietly.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@Makewi:
Use of fruit is highly encouraged. As in: right-wingers luv themselves some kleptocracy, in which the fruit of our labor is stolen by parasitic rent collectors.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
I think you’re good; it ain’t broke.
@srv:
Whoa, that goes back. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a 15,000-word blog post about… Well, to be honest, about something I’ve completely forgotten by now.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Fix.the.fucking.coding. Try that.
Also.
Since there’s a whole range of voices now posting, including a goofy libertarian, I think the natural progression would be to include a firebagger and a teatard.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
@Davis X. Machina:
It all happened so fast. Then he was gone.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
@meh:
Here’s a better idea. Eliminate (by force, if necessary) all front-pagers except for John Cole, Tim F., and DougJ.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
adult swim
January 14th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@Ija:
Unfortunately my liquor cabinet isn’t that well stocked. Even if it was, my liver would protest. Mr. Spleen isn’t too happy about this proposal either.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@Belafon (formerly anonevent): Next stop, Kossacks,
These idiots are nothing if not literally-minded.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@geg6: Hahaha. That’s what I was going to mention. I can’t remember if it was JSF or Laura who posted the Badger youtube. That has to be the most annoying video over.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@debit: Stay Alive
January 14th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Did anybody say tasteful nudity?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@Cris:
how dare you!
yes, that actually is exactly what the posts are for… well, not entirely. they also work as ways to learn about new stuff. find someone who has a lot of stuff you like, then see what else they have in their list. it’s like a low-tech, manual, version of Amazon’s “you might like”
January 14th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@cmorenc:
Blech. A monopolist and a blowhard.
Teh google makes it seem like it wasn’t Dyson but rather “Ann Winblad,” but I don’t know much about this. Don’t want to know much, either.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
I think that’s too vague. An objectivist who believes that creators and producers should be rich and free, while the leeches and moochers should die in a ghastly train wreck, would consider their vision a just order.
My wife used to say that “liberals” believe in the rights of people while “conservatives” believe in the rights of businesses. That’s pretty incomplete, but I like it.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@eemom: Hey, I hollered at OK Kiddo!
January 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
If the frequently promised but ever in the future site redesign doesn’t fix all the FYWP quirks in the comment box, I think a FYWP tips and tricks section should be added to the (currently blank) FAQ section. Or given a link of it’s own.
I see people struggle all the time with formatting blockquotes, getting snagged in the moderation filter and setting off hyphen/italic bombs because they don’t close tags.
It would be helpful though I doubt anyone would read it before firing off their vitriolic screeds ;)
January 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@Professor:
Interesting choice, since the guy who says it has just killed his brother.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@freelancer:
Perhaps some of those exotic OBEY throw pillows would be of use there?
How about a fund we donate to every month and send our favorite media personalities a BJ Care Package? I’m sure you could call MSNBC and get an office address.
*While BJ has made punching hippies a new marketing segment, there are alternatives.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@JPL:
Oh, I don’t know. I’m of the opinion that pretty much any video by Madonna would win that prize.
Edited to add: Though I exempt “Vogue” from that. For some reason, that’s the one Madonna song/video that I can’t resist. Can’t explain it.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@Ija:
Yes, now that you mention it, I like TNC’s model better than Pandagon’s. It’s easier to discuss books by the chapter/section. Another suggestion: how about you let some of us regular commenters take turns running the book club?
@Parallel 5ths (Jewish Steel):
Ah, I’ve been too busy traveling to notice that. Good news for sure.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@BGinCHI: Hey, David Lowrey is gonna teach at UGA!
Whoever he is.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Keep all frontpagers. More animal pictures. Fix the format. Hottie of the week (male AND female). Other than that—you’re good.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@handy: Yeah, but any good excuse to drag in Madame Defarge you know . . hard to resist.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@DougJarvus Green-Ellis:
how ‘bout FDL? Cuz if BJ was bigger than FDL I would haz a big fat happy.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@Redshirt: I was almost gonna post something about this for you. So you got it then?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@BGinCHI:
Already been done:
http://www.balloon-juice.com/2.....-calendar/
January 14th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@srv:
Heh. I kinda like that idea.
Tunch takes over the emessem!
January 14th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
More dogs, fewer cats. You may now flame away.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
That’s why your “tastemakers” series is so ultra awesome. The trouble being that it’s a lot more work, of course.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@stuckinred:
you found him?? Not back THERE, surely…...
January 14th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Selma Hayek pictures.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
This year is the Rugby World Cup. Bring in somebody to blog about it like Randinho did for the world cup of some other minor sport.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
I hear p0rn0graphy is quite big on the internet. That could increase site traffic.
Just don’t post pictures of yourselves.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Because you guys are awesome, that’s why.
I have commented exactly once this week (I think) because between the insanity of the topics that were the center of attention, and a variety of insanities in my wee little circle, I just couldn’t bring myself to focus on the news very closely at all.
But please don’t misunderstand!
The BJ front pagers are among my very favorite front pagers anywhere on the intertrons, and that is just a fact. Y’all are awesome.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@ThatLeftTurnInABQ:
Yeah, now that I think about it, I’d rather eat dirt myself. Hey, maybe one of the front pagers can be the sacrificial victim and read her whole oeuvre, giving us just the summary. I volunteer DougJ. How about it, DougJ?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@eemom: sorry, FDL gets about 120,000 hits per day see @KG for other numbers.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
MOAR fights with firebaggers!
January 14th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@Omnes Omnibus: Flame? Flame?
I give this sentiment my full support.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@Gin & Tonic: Rugby good. Me like.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Tasty nudity
(ok, enough of me linking to cleek.)
January 14th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@eemom: Facebook, I launched a preemptive strike on SanderO and eChan whats her face and was quickly deleted. Follow up posts went up about how much OK, me and some other expats were missed! Someone mentioned the OKK was on FB so I wrote him a note and told him he was well remembered.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther:
Traitor! What about Ta Nehisi? I’m telling :)
January 14th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@Mako: haha, when I was actually actively blogging, one of the small blogs that I developed a friendship with use to post pictures of Jessica Alba’s ass. As he said, “hey, I know where my bread is buttered.”
January 14th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@Cris:
ah. glad you like it! i had no idea anybody cared about that – they got such little response.
i will strive do more.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
How about mocking Jane Hamsher? That could be a crowd-pleaser.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Omnes Omnibus: No way! Cats rule dogs drool.
Suggestion
More Tunch
January 14th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@eemom:
They have about 50% more traffic. I think that if one of us could start going on cable tv somehow, we might be able to catch them.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@KG:
Is it even valid to compare this place to Kos or FDL? Sully, probably, Instapudnut too. But the GOS feels like a totally different animal. And, frankly, I don’t see Cole or DougJ hopping aboard the TV circuit to push those numbers up.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
More margaritas. And cats.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@DougJarvus Green-Ellis:Wouldn’t your comb-over be an issue on TV?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@Ija:
You know, I could read one of the books and give weekly reports. That would be fun.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
@handy: someone asked for a comparison to the big blogs, and those were the one’s that jumped to my mind. Just trying to provide some perspective.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
@freelancer:
@srv:
I told DougJ I was thinking the FEED poster Redshirt will be waving around might catch Rachel’s eye! But I do like your idea, srv, and will give it some more thought.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@Omnes Omnibus:
Like there’s never been anyone on tv with a comb-over.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@Omnes Omnibus:
More cats, fewer dogs. Hiss! Scratch!
January 14th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@geg6: To me, she only has 2 good songs: Papa Don’t Preach & Material Girl.
However, I will defend your right to enjoy Vogue to the death ;-)
January 14th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@DougJarvus Green-Ellis:
Is that why (you and) John’s (are) dieting?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
somebody said something like this above, but I think a weekly golden oldies flashback flashback flashback to a pre-2005 John Cole post would be eleventy kinds of awesome.
Useful historical instruction for those of us who didn’t know him back then.
Also, ya know, to keep him humble. : )
ALTERNATIVELY —pix of the front pagers.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Aside from the warm camraderie of this gang, and the joy of of baiting obots/conservadems, I mainly come here for those perfect moments of Cole-snark. So I support many ideas of improvements – and compatibility with internet explorer will actually make my life better – but just keep delivering stuff under Hoot-Smalley tags and I’ll be a happy guy.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
@handy:
How about a sitcom? “$#!7 My Cat Eats”
January 14th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
1. Global Conspiracy to get Cole a woman.
2. Bring back Firefly and Arrested Development.
3. A Pony (one that doesnt bite)
January 14th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@Chyron HR:
i don’t know all what my cats eat. but i know all about what they throw up.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
@Chyron HR: That might be too long a series in Tunch’s case. How about ‘Stuff he won’t Eat’?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
@freelancer (itouch): I’m good with just #2.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@Tom Hilton:
Tee hee. One can never get enough of a good thing.
‘sides. Mocking Jane Hamsher is healthful. It’s like high-fiber food for the mind.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@Chyron HR:
I like it! Who would Shatner play?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@Laura W.:
SPEAKING of pix. How are they ever gonna get Cole on teevee if he’s only a pair of hairy legs and an elbow??
January 14th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@DougJarvus Green-Ellis:
This is exactly why we have to start sending KO, Rachel, and The Daily Show/Colbert Report some BJ swag.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
The most frequent commenter in any month gets automatically banned, with an announcement of the lucky winner, for the succeeding month. This would benefit both the individual and the blog.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
I’d like to see a “foreign correspondent”, and then specifically someone who, although proficient in English, doesn’t live in or was born in an English speaking country. Chinese, French, Latin American, Arab, German, it doesn’t matter much which, but some outside perspective in the mix of frontpagers would be nice.
(What got me thinking about this is the revolution that is going on at the moment in Tunisia.)
January 14th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@DougJarvus Green-Ellis:
Talk about self-sacrifice. I tip my hat to you, Doug, for volunteering for such a dangerous mission.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@jibeaux:
Indeedy do! Right up there with the OBEY thong and the uber sexy boxers.
Hot!
January 14th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
@eemom: It could be like the neighbor (Wilson?) on Home Improvement.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
I’m adding my voice to those asking for a fix to the darn type running off into the ads and you can’t read it and you have to refresh and it takes forever, Fix that please. You reallly have to love BJ to come here everyday.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Instead of dogs and cats, how about photos of rattlesnakes?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@Calouste:
Yeah, I saw that at Sully’s. I was surprised he hasn’t turned the blog green this time. Or whatever color he decides best represents a Tunisian revolution.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
try something new?
i recommend Jerky USA for all your beef jerky needs.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@Laura W.: I’ll find out when I get home tonight, or at the latest tomorrow. Big storm may have delayed delivery.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@asiangrrlMN:
Good God, I hope you don’t mean frontpagers OR commenters.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@Tom Hilton: Do you have a pet rattlesnake?
January 14th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Fix the filter, please!
More beer blogging. I forgot who was the front-pager who did his own brewing, but those threads were fun.
Am I the only one who has trouble with the search option? Once in a while I forget which thread I posted on. Searching for the comment rarely works.
Page 3 Girls! It works for The Sun!
January 14th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@Poopyman: I am quite attractive, if I do say so myself.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Take a look at the structure of your blog. it is user enemy.
Investigate the connection between Glenn Beck and Area 51.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@Omnes Omnibus: Sure, sure. Go right ahead and say so.
I just don’t want this suggestion coupled with the “tasteful nudity”one.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@Redshirt: Damn. Hope it comes through for you.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the nice woman from NC who ran right over to the store and bought our first OBEY throw pillow!
Can I interest her, or you, Redshirt, in a FEED Modern Wall Clock?
January 14th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@freelancer (itouch) Can you add Terriers to (2) on your list?
January 14th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@Poopyman: Need a link?
January 14th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@eemom: I’m pretty sure Santa brought John his very own Tunch Is Watching You gym bag for Christmas. By summer, we might even see the back of his neck in a shot!
January 14th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
I like the idea of a “whatcha listenin’ to” thread.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
perhaps a couple ongoing places where you can nominate comments that you especially liked…call it the “Right On Motherf**er Moment or some such
like smackdown comment of the thread that gets highlighted by the thread creator
recognizing notable trolling efforts du juor
vague cultural reference bingo
weakest attempt at inappropriate humor medal
granted that would mean more work for the folks in charge, but you asked…..
January 14th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
I would like an explanation of how exactly one skullfucks a kitten. Purely for academic reasons. Really. I have no intention of doing anything of the sort. Besides I don’t even have a kitten. Both sides do it.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
@Omnes Omnibus: Noooooo!
January 14th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Fer sure tips on snaggin’ more traffic:
Shattered bones—definitely not worth the traffic.
[it woud seem my “bullet points” have created some weird formatting. sorry, and FYWP]
January 14th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Congratulations!
Any ideas for new stuff to try this year?
Have Mr. Cole go back to being a Republican.
Kidding! But do fix that maddening right margin glitch others have mentioned. Please . . .
January 14th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Occasional porn would be nice.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@Omnes Omnibus: Only one side needs it explained.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@Omnes Omnibus: No, snakes are just way cooler than dogs and cats. This was one that wandered through my campsite in Little Yosemite Valley.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Naked puppy photo shoots!
January 14th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@cleek: Glad I’m not the only one with occasionally lurid thoughts when looking at a peach. Great pix.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
@eemom:
I’d be alright with more Venture Bros and I still tune in when they have the Cowboy BeBop marathons.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@Ija: The only way I was able to be anywhere on the intertrons was being places where all kindsa stuff came up and not just the Late Unpleasantness….
/hangs head in commenter shame.
January 14th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
A shrubbery! One that looks nice. And not too expensive.
January 14th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Yesh – some upgrades to the blog and commenting software. Would like to be able to “like” or recommend other comments – or see threading, blah blah blah.
Maybe the ability to rate the posts, too.
More interactive. I suggest Dioramas or Taiwanese-animation.
January 14th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
—Troll-throwing contests (and better trolls, while you’re at it).
—Try to talk David Brooks, Peggy Noonan, and Jonah Goldberg into showing up in the comments here. Promise them desserts and tell them we’ll all be very friendly and polite to them.
—MOAR TUNCH
January 14th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
how about a pie-fight commercial?
January 14th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
I say we just ride this thing into the ground with glibertarian threads.
January 14th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
I adore the lexicon. Can you put it to music, please?
January 14th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
@Poopyman: Well, I was thinking of political hottie of the week or Alan Rickman and Salma Hayek every week, but your suggestion has merit. I would be willing to peruse the pictures of front-pagers and commentariat for hotness.
January 14th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Have me write from the left for you. You need the perspective and I’m as angry in my online persona as the rest of your writers.
January 14th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
I would like to add my voice to the “please fix the damn formatting problem”.
John needs a “How to train your hyperactive JRT” daily blog post written by an expert. Tunch any time, because I can point and say “At least my cat isn’t that fat!”
“Return to home page” link at the bottom of comments.
January 14th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
3-D. Need sense of depth on pet pictures.
January 14th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
proof reading your post’s headline?
January 14th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Here’s a suggestion that I forthrightly admit is self-serving, but what the hell… How about a monthly thread about commenters who have causes, and where they could make pitches for their causes? I have a non-profit, and the two times I’ve brought it up in open threads, three people—three each time—gave money to my non-profit. I’m guessing I’m not the only one who could use a platform once a month here or so. The people here really seem willing to step up for good causes, so maybe we could harness that. Any thoughts?
January 14th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
@Ija:
+1
January 14th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
@Nina:
Indeed. I’m still bummed they didn’t go for another season.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
I love this site. I’m a refugee from the GOS, who just couldn’t take the constant harping and negativity any more, even though I hung out there for years.
Not to be sappy (well, OK I’ll be sappy), but it has been important to me to meet a community where there is dialogue, kitties, and mostly reasonable argument. And kitties, and puppies. The pet rescue stories are wonderful, and a reminder of the priority of compassion in our every day lives.
January 15th, 2011 at 3:00 am
cool
January 15th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
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January 22nd, 2011 at 9:25 pm