It was sad to read Josh Feit’s announcement of the death of Publicola yesterday. Publicola has become a daily stop for me, and an important source for certain types of news. They filled a unique niche in the Pacific Northwest mediasphere.
It seems like the success of Publicola as media emerged from pure hard work–Erica and Josh appeared to be working their asses off. They hunted down political stories with enviable energy and tenacity, and presented it in their own style.
It took some time, but the mainstream media eventually warmed up to Publicola (indeed, folks at KUOW sounded like they had lost their best friend this morning). You can only break so many stories before your competitors have to sit up, pay attention, and consider you a peer.
The good news is that it looks like Crosscut will pick up Josh and Erica in some form or another–Publicola will live awhile longer under new management. (It’s almost like Crosscut wants to become relevant or something.) I hope the Publicola part of Crosscut can be as inspired as the independent Publicola.
An interesting and not so well known side story is Goldy’s role in the gestation and birth of Publicola. There is more behind that story for Goldy to divulge….
Finally, it is only fitting to point out that today is the 8th blogoversary of HorsesAss.
Goldy started this blog on May 10th, 2004 with this first post, with its first “fuck”, first commenter, and even the first fucking troll.
Eight years later, this is post number 10,222. We’ve had something over 511,000 comments, too many “fucks” and way too many fucking trolls to count.
Thanks to you, dear reader, we still have reason to be here because, like Publicola, our “financial model” certainly isn’t providing it.
Wouldn’t
be a more appropriate way to say it? I mean, for a moment there I thought maybe my pedantry had driven away so many readers that HA was folding too.
In any case, HBD to HorsesAss, from a blogger who’s been here over 16 months longer than HA (and has had an infinitesimal presence in blogtopia the whole time).
I first heard of HA when “Brownie” blamed it/Goldy for all his problems leading FEMA in the face of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. It seemed oddly familiar a theme for the Bush administration – screw things up, then blame someone else for interfering with your attempt at “damage control” of your P.R. situation. It’s not the problem, it’s the public perception of the problem that he didn’t like.
So I had to go look for this website. And the first comment I saw was created by a troll, arguing that we should turn over Social Security to Wall Street, because they are “much better” at handling money than any government program or employee. Funny, that them kind of dissapeared in 2008, didn’t it? But I’m sure Romney intends to bring it back.
Front Pagers and Goldy,
Congratulations on your blog blogoversary!
In the span of HA’s existence I’m still relatively new, but y’all do a damn fine job.
Thank-you.
Regarding PubliCola, it is regrettable, but it fell off of my daily visit list quite a while ago. When they modified their layout I found it a little too cute. And while there was some good reporting it just was not …. I don’t know; consistent? edgy enough?
Maybe Josh and Erica will benefit over at CC.
Lastly, I do miss Goldy’s attitude over here. The man has a knack for both muckraking and manhandling trolls in the comment section.
Way too many fucks? I say not enough fucks!
How the fuck can you have too fucking manny fucks?
Fuck having too many fucks
Fucking Happy Birthday!
I was fucking terrified when I saw the headline – I too thought the 2004-2012 indicated the fucking demise of this fucking awesome community.
Fucking WHEW!
And fuck you puddles!
Carl, Michael,
Too many “fucks” (and way too many fucking trolls) TO COUNT.
I hope that clears it the fuck up!
Fuck! Wow has the years gone by fast.
I came here from all places – (un)SP.. and before that got going – Shark Blog. I don’t believe I ever read a comment from Goldy there but I remember people talking about him lurking and challenging the Minnow on this and that..
Then it struck me.. Oh that’s the Horses Ass initiative guy. Perfect. Came here in Dec 2004 and been here ever since.
Happy B-day HA! Long may you live!
@8,
I prefer to read it as you being a fucking prude.
New and improved Horses Ass, now with 50% more fuck.
Obligatory.
I showed up in 2007 to call out wingnuts for their goatfucking. Heh. Actually, the liberal-fascist bullshit written by the BIAW’s Mark Musser brought me here. I was fed up and took it out on any lying, treasonous goatfucker who dared showed up here.
Fucking, fuckit, fucksake, fuckitude!
I will miss PubliCola. Anybody else have a problem with disqus (commenting)?
BTW: Anyone seen from Roger lately?
@14
He said he was going to be gone – away from posting – for awhile – I forget how long, a week or two. Didn’t say where he was going – it’s been about a week, I think.
@15: Thanks, I was worried about him, health issues, etc. I just sent him an email. I’ll let you know.
╰─$ ob hacols -f c –size
+——–+
| size |
+——–+
| 512952 |
+——–+
1 row in set
I never get back here any more, and that’s too long. Congratulations to you all, and cheers to Roger Rabbit as well. Heard him once on Goldy’s radio show, and it was a great moment.
“way too many fucking trolls to count”
You mean way too many stupid trolls …
If HA has a weakness, it’s that we’ve never had halfway decent trolls on this blog.
14, 15 — Roger Rabbit arrived at SeaTac from New York City about 3 hours ago. I’m going to a wedding tomorrow, but it’ll be troll-bashing business-as-usual again as of this Sunday.
@16 I either didn’t get your e-mail or deleted it because I didn’t recognize the sender,* so you’d better resend it.
* I get a lot of bombs and stuff like that in the mail. There’s some real sickos out there in Wingnut Land.