by Mark Silva
Welcome to my 5,000th posting in the Swamp.
So says the automatic counter at the e-publishing platform that delivers the Swamp to your e-step every day of the week and weekend and at most hours of the day.
In honor of the occasion, this is a posting about nothing.
Nothing, that is, except the pleasure I have had, since my colleague Frank James in the Washington bureau of the Chicago Tribune, with the blessing of our bureau chief at the time, Mike Tackett, launched this blog dedicated to all things Washington.
Since we started, in January of 2006, our readership has soared. We are counting more than a million "page-views'' each month, upwards of 3 million at peak points in the presidential campaign underway. And we have collected, and posted, hundreds of thousands of comments from readers such as you.
Our coverage has reached beyond the boundaries of politics and government. I have a place in my heart for my posting, "Sweet Home Chicago,'' the account of a late-night session with a very-old bluesman. It has drawn a loyal following of its own, people who spend more time these days talking to one another than to us here at the Swamp. Which is what we hoped to build here: A community. "Homies,'' you know who you are. Rock on.
Join us, please, during the next two weeks, as the Swamp takes you to Denver and to St. Paul for the formal nomination of the presidential candidates of the two major parties. If it's starting to feel like peak season again, here in the Swamp, wait 'til fall.
Heading to Denver in the morning.
5,000 and rolling.
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Comments
Great job, Mark. Here's to the next 5,000 (sounds like they may get posted before November!).
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport☮ | August 21, 2008 5:06 PM
Mark & Frank:
I haven't been here since the very beginning, but I've thoroughly enjoyed being here since I found this blog. You've posted stories that I haven't read about elsewhere, and people who respond to your articles have sometimes posted great information that I would have never known without them.
That, to me, is a definition of success.
BC
Posted by: BC | August 21, 2008 5:15 PM
Sweet Homies do appreciate every thing. Even when we get "uppity". Here is to 5000 more.
Posted by: bill r. | August 21, 2008 5:21 PM
Congratulations to Mark & Co.,
I hope the Swamp Monsters who post here agree that you've made the 1st Amendment a better, stronger, better Constitutiion - I know I do.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 21, 2008 5:34 PM
Congrats.
I hope this makes it up.
Posted by: C.Morris | August 21, 2008 5:43 PM
My god, going on 3 years and 5000 posts and with all that you still haven't figured out how a blog should work (especially a news/politcal blog)?! I'll tell you since you don't get it -- instantaneous posting with a Report Abuse button... without the arbitrary censorship and the 5 hour delays. Y'know, the whole "timely" thing that goes with News?
That's how the rest of the Trib's website works... guess you haven't noticed.
"Community", my butt! OK, now censor away!
Posted by: MJ | August 21, 2008 5:57 PM
Congratulations. Now can we expect some balance and lack of bias in reporting of the presidential race?
Posted by: Norman | August 21, 2008 6:18 PM
"Community", my butt! OK, now censor away!
Posted by: MJ | August 21, 2008 5:57 PM
He didn't play well with others as a child either.
Posted by: bill r. | August 21, 2008 6:21 PM
MJ,
Here's your song. It fits the Swamp, hey?
♬
Welcome my son, welcome to the Swamp.
Where have you been? its alright we know where youve been.
Youve been in the pipeline, filling in time, provided with toys and
scouting for boys.
You bought a PC to punish your ma,
And you didnt like school, and you know youre nobodys fool,
So welcome to the Swamp.
Welcome my son, welcome to the Swamp.
What did you post? its alright the RNC told you what to post.
You dreamed of a big pol, he played a mean smear,
He always ate in the steak bar. he loved to drive in his Hummer.
So welcome to the Swamp.
Posted by: NeutralLady | August 21, 2008 6:35 PM
MJ is all about 'instant gratification' I think; Everything that is wrong with America is wrapped up in MJ.
Posted by: OldCreaky | August 21, 2008 7:24 PM
MJ,
Looks like you're doing the beer run. Tell the clerk Cindy McCain sent you.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport☮ | August 21, 2008 9:45 PM
Posted by: NeutralLady | August 21, 2008 6:35 PM
"NeutralLady", obviously you're neither. And I'm assuming you fancy yourself to be a writer of sorts. Sorry. Wrong there too.
Posted by: MJ | August 21, 2008 9:47 PM
I agree with MJ, the ridiculous arbitrary censorship weakens the Swamp as does the normal one-note, far left, biased reporting of the Tribune staffers. But when items get censored purely for ideological reasons, then what is the point?
Posted by: John D | August 21, 2008 11:32 PM
I agree with MJ, the ridiculous arbitrary censorship weakens the Swamp as does the normal one-note, far left, biased reporting of the Tribune staffers. But when items get censored purely for ideological reasons, then what is the point?
Posted by: John D | August 21, 2008 11:33 PM
Thanks M & F, you guys rule. Amazing how you keep your cool with all the whiners on here. I look forward to the home stretch, things should get really interesting.
Mark--If I see ya in Denver I'll buy you a beer (and I don't mean Coors).
Posted by: dt | August 22, 2008 1:20 AM
I would rather hear the number of posts that were censored. There's NOTHING like watching some get to post outlandish comments and not be able to respond grrrr.
TOOTLES , and Congrats.
Posted by: Ta Ta | August 22, 2008 7:47 AM
"I hope the Swamp Monsters who post here agree that you've made the 1st Amendment a better, stronger, better Constitutiion - I know I do.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 21, 2008 5:34 PM
I'm curious. Exactly how does overbearing and yet unpredictable censorship, and ridiculously slow posting time achieve this?
Oh, and way to torture the ol' syntax, Dougie!
Posted by: Anonymous | August 22, 2008 8:43 AM
I'm curious. Exactly how does overbearing and yet unpredictable censorship, and ridiculously slow posting time achieve this?
Posted by: Anonymous | MJ?August 22, 2008 8:43 AM
Yes ..this place isn't enough of a cesspool already. Lets really stink it up. I on the other hand would love to see civility return...but hey...thats just me.
Posted by: bill r. | August 22, 2008 10:07 AM