I've felt we were on borrowed time for a while now. It's hard to let go, but if it makes him happy, fly, be free!
Posted by iamcoyote at December 28, 2006 09:47 PMIf you stop writing, the bushorists have won.
If serious talented writers like you are having second thoughts, what chance does a superficial crap spewer have?
Please keep up the good fight, don't send us to the kingdom of the rabbit-ears.
Posted by TIKI AL at December 29, 2006 04:08 AMAh. I, too, followed billmon, and others, from dkos. I do believe I have clicked onto his site more than any other, often several times a day in hopes of reading his latest.
I learned much from his early economic posts. His mini "plays" made me laugh and cry. And his juxtaposition of quotes proved brilliant. Not a word of his own, just using quotes told a compelling story.
He's left us before. You can bet I won't lose that bookmark. Part of that hope thing.
Posted by vicki at December 29, 2006 04:33 AMI always appreciated the depth of thought and amount of research Billmon put into his posts. I never really considered him a "blogger" by anything other than definition. Rather, I always assimilated his perspectives in the same way that I do through conversations with like-minded friends or family. I live in Patagonia now, so those conversations don't happen on a regular basis, which makes Billmon's departure all the more sour (pun intended, I like my whiskey straight up). I have a huge appreciation for the time and effort Billmon dedicated to his public writings, so I hope he doesn't feel that it was ultimately without result. Best wishes to him and many thanks for the "conversations."
It's a small collection of blogs that I visit on a regular basis anymore, a good bit smaller now that Billmon has closed shop. The LC is one of the few others I always appreciate and even though I don't speak up very often I hope you all realize that your readership is probably larger than the comment sections would indicate. So, this would be an appropriate time to say thanks to the folks at LC for the serious effort and thought that goes into making this site an indispensable stop on my daily rounds.
Posted by KD at December 29, 2006 04:56 AMBillmon was definitly one of the best. His "Heart's of Darkness" story should have won an award.
Hopefully we will find out that he has won a job with a larger audience. We all know how important and valuable his work is.
If your reading this Billmon, stay in touch, we care!
I would not like to subject all to the obvious, but post election, there have been many sites that have changed, radically. There has been a feeling of self gratification from some bloggers that they made a difference. This is certainly true
however, the power is to get people behind the issues, to get people motivated. but toward what end? personally, I have wondered greatly at some folks new opinion of things. I have seen an atmosphere of, "next election" as though now is the time to relax.
new news about ford doing nixon because he was a friend, what bull? he ruined our country and removed the rule of law because he was a puppet, and a lot of our country is okay with that. Are you? I am disgusted to find anyone saying good things about a man that specifically allowed organized crime to control our country, whose grip has not been relieved to this day.
perhaps it was disgust? perhaps there was no more to say. seeing how little victories make some people get big heads, perhaps it was revulsion?
for me, the list of sites worth visiting has become a short list, or perhaps it is only that some of the ones I follow have turned
I hope so, for some of those voices highly regarded mean nothing to me, and some others certainly do. personal bias is everything!
this site still has it guts and does not seem to have compromised, that I am very happy about
thanks
Posted by oldtree at December 29, 2006 05:44 AMBillmon archives saved. From commentator, Crone, at 'Moon of Alabama'.
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://billmon.org
Posted by Seven of Six at December 29, 2006 06:48 AMI love Billmon and am angry that he has left us again. He has a gift that needs to be shared. So he's tired and thinks his efforts have been for nothing. Big f**kin' deal. I've felt that way for most of the past 35 years (since McGovern lost) but I haven't, and won't give up. Because of Billmon (and Kos, Gilliard, Soto, Meteor Blades, et al), I am fighting with a vengeance. I will not give up my country to those bastard Republicans or to my lazy, apathetic Democratic friends. I discovered the blogosphere in the lead-up to the 2002 midterms and was motivated to work beyond my wildest imaginings just because I knew I wasn't alone.
Billmon, if you are lurking, get your ass back in the game. You have no idea of the impact you have on the rest of us. It is your duty to continue fighting.
Posted by Susan S at December 29, 2006 06:52 AMBillmon is brilliant and let's not forget all those great photo collages he created.
Posted by Vivy at December 29, 2006 06:52 AMI don't think I ever saw his commentary and barely noticed Daily KOS despite its weight, but the essential mission of all this is to eat away in sure steady increments at the hegemony of stunted MSM from many directions.
I have frequently been pleasantly surprised at the deftness and speed TLC applies to breaking important stories, usually up to a day and a half before MSM goes through its command chain gyrations.
The accuracy is impressive too.
So please don't lose sight of the essential function of this medium as the larger national arena issues are handled from day to day.
The blogosphere is the growing sucking sound of credibility air seeping away from the sloppy monstrosities heretofore supposedly 'informing' us.
Posted by Chris Rich at December 29, 2006 06:59 AMOnly George Bush and his ilk have the power to dictate massive, immediate, destructive, soul-less change. His kind of changes sour the planet.
But the movements initiated and fueled by the one-at a-time grassroots people can recapture our collective souls. Movements are by nature virtually invisible, frustrating and achingly slow but what is easily overlooked is that for every Billmon out there who led, challenged & analyzed so we could learn, there are millions who will indeed carry that torch now.
It's not always about the destination Paradox, but it is often about the journey. My dad used to say that the challenge in life is not about getting the job, it's about showing up each day no matter what and then kickin' ass.
Your voice is heard Paradox.
Posted by mainsailset at December 29, 2006 07:01 AMI don't get the complaint taht blogs failed to change anything, or prevent the war, so blogging doesn't mean anything. The function of political blogging isn't to order troops into a country, or to prevent them from being used politically--blogs are not part of the actual administration of any country and bloggers are not elected officials. What bloggers are, at their best, are informed citizens trying to influence the debate *among the citizenry* and among the inhabitants (even non citizens) of their respective countries. also, they are often self absorbed people diarying their uninteresting lives (e.g. lileks). There is no doubt in my mind that blogs have played a huge role in re-energizing the citizenry, giving them access to huge amounts of information on their political system and its players that they previously would not have been able to access. In addition some blogs, notably dailykos and talking points memo have actively served as sites and sources for serious political action (I'm thinking here of JMM's various scorecards on social security etc... In effect, they've taken the "horse race" mentality of the media and turned it into a good thing--where individiual citizens can actually keep track of the legislative and policy initiatives of their political leaders.
This is a good thing. Bilmon's voice will really be missed. He had an incredible perspective, historical depth, and a distinctive, witty, crushingly prescient voice. I hope he comes back, someday just as I hope mediawhoresonline comes back some day. But the work they did while they were up was worth suffering their loss now. Truly has it been said
"'tis better to have blogged and lost, than never to have blogged at all."
aimai
Posted by aimai at December 29, 2006 07:25 AMBillmon was the best, bar none.
This is very depressing, despite the excellent philosophical statements so eloquently presented in the above comments. He is a shoo-in for the Blogger Hall of Fame.
Bloggers like Billmon ANALYZE, which intelligent people hunger for, and which today's press categorically refuses to do. Blogs also can focus on and magnify seemingly meaningless facts or occurrences reported by the press, but which are (of course) not put in any context by them.
Posted by euzoius at December 29, 2006 07:38 AMIt seemed this was a long time coming. I missed Billmon's perspective each time he took hiatus but understood that you can only burn that intensely for so long. Now, if he's gone for good, I only hope that he'll throw a few comments our way from time to time. If not, then, so long Billmon, and thanks for thinking.
Posted by T2 at December 29, 2006 08:32 AMI'm just a person who reads the blogs and, occasionally, comments, but the blogs have been an alternate source of news and political comment for me since at least 2004. Prior to that, I had been writing to the ombudsman at the New York Times complaining bitterly about the way the news was presented, what news was presented, and where it appeared in the newspaper, only to read in each ombudsman's column, his disdain for me and other readers of the paper.
The first time I began to feel queasy about the press was a panel discussion I saw some years ago on CSpan on the modern press. There was a particular false story about Clinton that was being chewed over. There were five journalists on the panel. Only two refused to run the story - a newspaperman from Minnesota and a CNN news producer. Both said that they refused to run the story because it couldn't be verified. One reporter on the panel was asked why he wrote an article about the story that implied that the story was true. He replied, somewhat petulantly, that Clinton refused to speak to him so he had a right to publish the article assuming that the story was true.
At least one of the posts above expresses some anger toward Billmon. Billmon's comments about how he sees his contribution sounds very much like fatigue to me. I know this feeling because I have felt this myself, although in a very limited, very local situation. I was on a board of a non-profit where some real ethical problems appeared and I dedicated myself for three years to overcoming that problem, including a board reluctant to act. When it was all over, the fatigue was incredible and I needed years to overcome it.
My feeling toward bloggers is one of utmost gratitude for the time spent digging out facts that would otherwise remain, if not secret, obscured by the abdication of its responsibilities by the MSM, and for the commentary and the place for us to contribute our own thoughts.
In this vein, I think we should just express our appreciation for Billmon's efforts and real inspiration in this amazing popular movement of progressive political blogging.
**
however, the power is to get people behind the issues, to get people motivated. but toward what end? personally, I have wondered greatly at some folks new opinion of things. I have seen an atmosphere of, "next election" as though now is the time to relax.
-- posted by oldtree at December 29, 2006 05:44 AM
I agree with bolded portion of the quote above, and I think the blogs have had that effect. If some of the people seem somewhat scattered right now, I think it's because we've done the major work we can do for the moment. By that, I mean that the netroots have had an enormous effect on the 2006 elections, which showed an incredible amount of grass-roots power. The money that the netroots raised, the individuals inspired by the netroots who went out and campaigned actively for candidates - all of this results in a natural high that culminates in an election. And then the action stops. This is difficult to deal with. Now we are back to commenting, petitioning, supporting, and it must seem like a letdown.
However, one of the lessons of the past thirty years or so is that taking our democracy for granted can result in its corruption. I don't know how many times I have seen comments on the web "I don't recognize my country anymore." There's only one way to not finding ourselves every saying that again - and that's to be jealous of our liberties and watchful over our public servants.
Hopefully, people will regain their energy and keep on fighting.
Posted by workingclassannie at December 29, 2006 08:32 AMEuzoius you do touch on an important point. From my standpoint, coming to TLC is like perching in a candy store for a choclaholic; the current events analyzed in depth in blazing speed, literally by the hour, day after day, month after month, year after year. I am now spoiled rotten.
From the dear writers' perspective here who toil over
these pieces, virtually unpaid (glory doesn't count)
feeding the daily beast that is our curiosity must seem relentless. The stale popcorn and MSM is impossible to return to. Hey, it's the end of the year and I am a better person for TLC. Thanks!
Stick around, you make an impact and it is a way to channel your righteous anger. Billmon is going on different things and we probably will hear from him again I hope.
Posted by john griffith at December 29, 2006 09:18 AMWithout Billmon - So go immediately to, Do Not Pass Go, to TPM and read Josh's takedown of the absolute sham of an execution that is pending in Iraq.
TLC & Paradox - Know that you are relied on by many many people who care about this country and need the kind of commentary you and other progressive bloggers provide. Billmon was truly a nonpareil, but you, Digby, FDL, Gillard and the others will continue to inspire liberals everywhere.
Happy New Year
Posted by reveal at December 29, 2006 12:10 PMi pray he comes back. he is simply the best of the best.
thank you billmon, come back to us someday.
a rose by any other name
Posted by faithful at December 29, 2006 05:34 PMI live in Patagonia now,
KD, how can I get in touch with you?
phidipides
Posted by phidipides at December 29, 2006 06:02 PMI loved Billmon for his insightfulness, his humor and his anger. The fact that he came back in October after he said he was done is indication enough that he felt what he had to say needed to be heard and could have an impact.
Same goes for Paradox and every other blogger/person/writer out there who speaks truth to power and corruption.
Posted by Miles at December 29, 2006 10:41 PMphidipides, leave your mail and I'll drop you a line :-)
Posted by KD at December 30, 2006 08:58 AMDear me... - I just very much hope that he continues writing. That stuff was brilliant, approaching Orwell. Haven't seen anything else like it in the blogosphere, not that many sites wouldn't do absolutely essential work, but just that his writing was absolutely amazing.
Posted by llwyd at December 30, 2006 01:51 PMparadox, please keep on keeping on, there is a long, long way to go as you state.
as for billmon, he wrote that he intended to lighten up posting just as the ?foley scandal broke, and then as it got towards the nov 06 elections (afair), he couldn't stop (one time writing: "i picked a fine time to stop blogging").
one of the reasons he gave was that blogging so much was imperilling his day job.
Posted by at January 2, 2007 06:02 PMI don't know why, but I have this slightly silly urge to sing some of the lyrics of Mrs. Robinson:
Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio Our nation turns its lonely eye to you. What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson Joltin' Joe has left & gone away Hey hey hey
I feel privileged to have been able to read Billmon's brilliant commentary. Some of it has made me howl with laughter. Several times I wrote to him calling him "brilliant" to his face. Probably embarrassed the hell out of him. Maybe that's why he never wrote back.
I will so miss his writing. And sorry, despite my awe of his talents I don't fully buy the self-criticism that he didn't really stop the war. If you set for yourself a task of changing the world you set yourself up for disappointment. I say write for yourself, your friends, your readers. Write to comfort yourself & those you love (& who love you). Write of course to afflict the comfortable. But mainly if you write with some sense of awareness of the limits of yr influence, you won't diappoint yourself too much & perhaps you will actually change the world in some small way. But only if you carry on.
Come back to the fray, Billmon.
Posted by Richard Silverstein at January 3, 2007 12:49 AMThanks for the wayback link, SoS. It's not everything he did; but it's better than nothing...
Posted by (: Tom :) at January 3, 2007 10:39 AMThanks for the wayback link, SoS. It's not everything he did
Wayback is about 6 months behind. So in another few months it will pick up the remainder of Billmon's posts. Right now, it goes all the way up to May, 2006. It will pick up the rest in time.
Posted by Richard Silverstein at January 3, 2007 02:23 PMI, too, love Billmon and was sorry to see him close down the site. He stopped blogging once before, only to return. Perhaps we have not seen the last of him?
I got the idea from his hints that he is indeed a professional writer in some capacity. He is writing, somewhere.
Let's just hope that he writes a book one day and then comes out of the closet so we all know to buy it. Are you listening, Billmon?
Whether or not writing in a blog can change the world - who knows? My main blog is about asserting that good exists in the middle of the Middle East mess. I have often wanted to give up on it. Yes good exists, good people keep on being good, but does it matter?
This is a metaphysical question better addressed to a rabbi, philosopher, priest or imam. The California answer is that yes, doing good and focusing on good create a ripple effect. I live in California so I can say this. It is also true for me - my life is filled with good people and good experiences - here in California. The rest of the world is going to hell but I'm pretty happy with things here (although there's much room for improvement - national healthcare anyone? Expanded public transit would be nice too.)
Is it enabling oppressors to chirp about good deeds when all hell is breaking loose? If I talk about painting Iraqi schools, or about nice Jewish peaceniks harvesting olives with Palestinians in Gaza, does that give a pass to Abu-Ghraib torturers or Israeli bomb-droppers?
I don't know. I just know that you can read all about torturers, bombers and oppressors on other people's blogs. My blog is still largely about all the decent people who won't go away and won't give up.
Whether this will change the world is an open question. Maybe not. I just can't stop doing it for the moment.