— Which just happens to be my birthday, as well. Yay, me!
Now, aging generally puts me in a foul mood, I won’t lie. But this past year saw the birth of my second boy and the continued growth of pride I feel in my first, so I can’t feel anything but joy today, despite my determination to feel really shitty — not only because I’m getting older, but because my country has now very clearly lost its way, and it shows every sign of luxuriating in its unmoored state, having re-elected a radical President who even a certain California DDA has finally decided ain’t such a good fella after all.
And while it’s true that protein wisdom, which just recently entered it’s 12th year of existence, is still suffering a bit from the freeze-out that was orchestrated against it — based as it was on whispered lies, special pleadings, and private agreements among prominent right-side writers, many of whom I’d criticized in one way or another when I felt they were offering poor advice or advancing dangerous arguments — this past year has also shown a revival of interest in the site from certain quarters, as old readers re-discover us and new readers find us for the first time, not knowing that they’ve wandered into a cesspool of uncompromising (and unhelpful) Purity that brooks no dissent ever ever ever, (God Bless Sarah Palin and her Magical Uterus of Conservatism, amen).
So while it’s a sad reality that advertising has virtually dried up around here, it is also the case that pw — though weakened — has survived its banishment and is starting to make its way back to where it will one day, I hope, have to be reckoned with by those who have collaborated and networked to create an incestuous nucleus of sites that dominate the right-side narrative, an often unctuous GOP cheerleading squad wherein Visigoths and Hobbits are relegated to the fringe, and flaccid pragmatists in Beltway wannabe garb usurp the label of “conservative” and then hold conferences and summits in which they decry the fringy fidelity of the True Believers to hoary first principles, particularly when there are elections to lose!
The moral being, if you’re going to come after an outlaw, you’d do well to make sure you’ve killed him dead. Otherwise he’ll just find his way back to your town and start causing a ruckus all over again — which takes a little bit of shine off that star you wear on your chest.
Thanks to all of you in advance for your continued and constant support — many of you having been here for much of the 12-year ride. Your collective smarts and your willingness to disagree with me and with each other keeps the conversation lively and keeps all of us on our toes, intellectually speaking. For that I’m eternally grateful.
I’d also, in my advanced age, like to offer a special thanks to those old-school bloggers and personalities who never gave up on me, even when it was clearly the hip thing to do: Glenn Reynolds, RS McCain and Smitty, Doug Ross, Dr Melissa Clouthier, Sister Toldjah, Kat McKinley, Andrew Malcolm, Bill Quick, Cam Edwards, Mike Hendrix, Jim Hoft, Pamela Geller, Jim Geraghty, John Hawkins, Rob Port, Bob Owens, Jimmie Bise, Donald Douglas, Ed Morrissey, Kate, and others who I’m forgetting at the moment (and for that I apologize).
I like that one of the regulars here — leigh, I think it was — called me the Honey Badger of the blogosphere. It was in many ways a flattering description — not because protein wisdom don’t give a shit, but rather because I do.
But protein wisdom don’t give a shit who that irritates.
****
update: when I named old school bloggers who hadn’t helped banish me, I failed to mention Steve Green. A terrible oversight. He’s a good man.
Tuesday update: About half-way to my monthly goal. Thanks to all who’ve contributed to what Robert Reich my “indefensible wealth.”
Happy Birthday, boss!
Happy birthday, honey badger! (I bet I’m still older.)
Many happy returns, Jeff. My next birthday is exactly one month from today and I will turn 50 at that time. I’d like to fret about it, but I’ve got 3 small children (ages 3 to 10) myself who are an endless source of joy so I’d feel kind of stupid doing so.
I’m not old school-and I rarely have time to blog anymore- but you’ve always been on my go to list for intellectually honest discussion. Take some solace in the list of bloggers who’ve continued to support you. That is a strong and influential foundation which, unfortunately, does not translate to big bucks for you.
Happy Birfday.
It’s my mom’s birthday, too. I gave her an Etsy gift certificate. You want one too?
Thanks, Darleen!
Thanks, Cranky D!
Thanks, William, for the very snazzy Night Vision goggles! The Zombies are beginning to worry, I suspect.
di —
What’s Etsy?
Physics Geek —
Thanks for the kind words. Lots of the old school bloggers who comment here frequently I didn’t mention because I appreciate you every day that visit.
Similarly, there are a lot of newer blogs that link me and I appreciate them, as well. Camp of The Saints, in particular, has been very supportive.
Thanks, Geoff B!
Behold! Etsy!
http://www.etsy.com/
If you don’t know Etsy, do yourself a favor and don’t learn. Way too many tempting goodies over there.
Here I was trying to be all fiscally prudent, thinking if I could keep my head down for just four weeks I could hold out until the next fundraiser — and then I start reading the post.
Happy birthday, Jeff.
May God give you many years, many blessed years.
I was actually kidding about Etsy. It’s very much a chick site.
From which I’ve purchased many a girly and delightful thing.
However, Mr. Squid, the squid mug is most excellent, and I just pinned it to the “cephalopods” board I created last night.
Thanks, palaoemerus!
Thanks, McGehee!
Thanks, di!
Nothing girly about a scrimshaw marlinspike.
But STILL no budget for “Enter the Dillo”…
Funny how being violently rogered tends to focus one’s mind. Alas, many are afflicted with Chuck Hagel syndrome, the utter inability to recognize that you were wrong. Which makes me wonder to what they attribute that uncomfortable sensation in their hind end.
Happy Birthday, Jeff.
Di, here are some more squids and octopi for your collection:
Big Finned bent-armed squid that dangle long sticky tenacles below them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5hEmZCuX0Y
Tiny little Vampire Squid: shares features of both primitive octopi and squid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5ZQH2Uzpew
FlapJack octopus (also called Dumbo Octopus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNNBGqy1Oe4
Here’s that first squid in color:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJV5mH3YY70
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajjix-kemdw
Etsy is chick centric but not in a creepily “this is what the world will be like when you are finally all gone” quasi-hostile manner like The Cheese Cake Factory. I went to the cheese cake factory once to get some cheesecake to go, once and I wouldn’t be surprised if the men’s restroom was just a door leading out to an alley with a wall thats has “piss here you stupid dirty pigs” painted on it.
This Ground Hog wishes you a Happy Birthday, Jeff! Hope it’s wonderful.
Thanks, Kevin B!
Thanks for the wishes, Lyndsey!
Thanks, Tom W!
Happy birthday, Jeff! Hug your kids and wife and bag a couple of zombies for us.
Roy
Happy Birthday, Jeff! Here’s to many more years of great writing!
Thanks, Mike LaRoche!
Thanks, John B!
Thanks, Toni R!
Happy Birthday! \o/
Wow Jeff, first, Happy Birthday!! second, has it really been that long? I’ve been here since 92. Doesn’t feel that long, but then again I’m older than you and time does fly.
My usual contribution is coming.
Thanks, Lillian!
Thanks, Ed!
Obviously, I meant 20012…..Hard day, tired. OOPS?
And I did it again…shit, not even drinking yet!!!…2002…fuck it.
Thanks for the wishes, Blitz!
Too broke to pay much of anything besides bills, Jeff — any more Hope and Change and I am undone.
Sorry… will catch you up when things improve. If they do.
Happy Birthday, Jeff. I hadn’t anticipated unemployment, but got a reality cheque. Paypal is screwing up and Canada isn’t a country anymore. Please send snail mail address.
Well, Jeff, we share something else in common — today is my birthday too.
Although I don’t have a panzer rat to plan my parties….. which may help me make it to next year.
HB, SDN! You two share a birthday with Breitbart (RIP), as well.
What’s really interesting is I was actually 8 weeks premature… couldn’t wait to start causing trouble….
[…] February fundraiser begins today [sticky; new posts will appear below] | protein wisdom […]
Happy Birthday,
Mr. Adams, er, Mr. Goldstein.I offer you a toast taken from the words of General John Stark:
Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.
And thank you for the kind words, Jeff.
WOLVERINES!
Seattle Times: Wolverines are actually making a comeback
‘Mountain devil’: Feds want to list wolverine as endangered species, stop trapping, citing climate change
Thanks, Cameron R!
Thanks, SDN!
Thanks, Terry H!
Thanks, Stephen L!
Thanks, Bill Q! Re: your note. Just did: 250 rds of 7.62×51 NATO at a gun show last weekend.
For a rifle that, unfortunately, is at the bottom of a lake.
What can I say? I’m nostalgic.
Minnesota, soon to be the land of 10,000 [iron bottom] lakes.
Hm. I’m late for your birthday, which was the 1st, but at least it didn’t take me most of a week to make a donation this time. Yay, months starting around a weekend. ;-)
Happy Belated Birthday! :-D
Thanks, Patrick C!
And don’t fret the rest of you if times are tight. Trust me, I understand.
Thanks, serr8d!
Thanks, Fred W!
Happy B+1Day!
For some reason I’ve this massive Hillary-class headache this morning. But I don’t remember any problems with embassies or foreign operatives? What’d I miss?
So.. You’re the High Plains Drifter of the blogosphere? Here’s for painting the country red!
[…] of it’s readers. At the beginning of each month, Jeff posts an appeal for funds. The one for February may be found by clicking here. If you can spare a few denarii, no matter the amount, to help keep PW going, you would be […]
There is a marathon about the Honey Badger on NatGeoWild today.
Coincidence? I think not.
Enquiring minds want to know: did the ‘dillo make it home yet? or should the wimmenfolk still be on lockdown?
Huh. The Corner marks its 11th anniversary this week.
COINCIDENCE???
I think you know the answer to that.
My pittance is on the way.This blog is a strong assist to groups like the NRA, as well as a kick in the butt to political parties that should know better….
Hey, happy belated b-day, Jeff.
Thanks, John P!
Thanks, BT!
Thanks, Pablo!
Thanks, David H!
Thanks again, Evan C!
Thanks, SW!
Thanks, Michael S!
Thanks, Kevin K!
I’m glad that you and Vodkaboy are still on good terms. I’m pretty sure I first arrived here from his site, back in the day.
Check’s in the mail, boss!
Thanks, Squid!
I still think wolverines give less of a shit than honey badgers. Happy B-day!
Thanks, Gary M!
Thanks, William E!
was gonna ask why no one had mentioned regretsy, but I see it’s died.
Thanks, Olmsteds!
Thanks, LMC!
Thanks, Thomas D!
Thanks, Chris W!
Thanks, Robert K!
*** The Japanese remake of Clint Eastwood’s Western “Unforgiven” is in production. ***
ha. turnabout as exquisitely fair-play
Thanks, guins!
Well, Jeff, I guess I’d better get my wallet out before the world ends tomorrow in the latest storm of the century/Nemo/aka winter.
Jeff, will drop what I can into the bucket. Haven’t been here in some time, my bad. I have a question and I hope you’ll answer. What happened with you and Ace? I was around during the podcast days and then the fallout happened. You and Ace were my two no shit go to sites every day. What happened?
Thanks, Michael S.O!
Thanks, RI Red!
Stourma —
Nothing, really. I believe Ace thinks me too much of a purist, but in all honesty, he became very big and he has his group of sites that he links to and, since my dustup with Patterico, he, Malkin, Hot Air, etc., all stopped linking to me. For whatever their reasons.
It’s funny in a way because Patterico, who I know held conversations with many bloggers behind the scenes, running me down, telling people I was crazy, dishonest, what have you, continues to have very public feuds where he claims people are lying about him and besmirching his honor; whereas on the right I’ve had feuds with…well, him. For supposedly besmirching his honor.
Bottom line is, I called bullshit where and when I saw it — right, left, didn’t matter to me (see, eg., my first post today, and you’ll note I continue to do the same thing) — and that didn’t win me a lot of points with many of the tight networked blogs.
Meaning I don’t think there was a falling out so much as, because I would consistently disagree with, say, Gabe Malor, they felt ultimately the best way forward was to kinda pretend I didn’t exist, not respond, and rob me of oxygen.
It’s a perfectly legitimate reaction. I just figure it is what it is.
Thanks Jeff, I appreciate you responding. Ace has gotten big and it’s very clickish over there, but I believe you guys are talking about the same problems; your just a bit more outlawish about it.
Thanks, Russell S!