shotbanner.jpeg

May 21, 2005

Where's The News?

How's this for timely - the Strib, in a piece by Mark Brunswick, covered last Tuesday's reception at the Governor's Mansion.

On Saturday morning.

No, that's actually the best part.

Brunswick wrote:

Some members of the new media found out this week that they like the old idea of schmoozing with people in power.
And Brunswick knows this how?

I talked with Brian "Saint Paul" Ward and Captain Ed on the show today - none of us got a call from Mark Brunswick. He knows what "ideas" we "Like?"

He's a reporter and he's clairvoyant!

A group associated with the largely conservative Northern Alliance group of bloggers and radio commentators
"Largely" conservative?

The NARN are all conservatives. The MOB actually is largely, but emphatically not exclusively, conservative - but never mind, it's just the readership that's getting half the story.

McClung said those invited were culled from groups associated with the local conservative blog Powerline, which received acclaim for its role criticizing CBS' now-debunked report on memos related to President Bush's National Guard service. McClung said there was no intent to exclude local bloggers who might be critical of Pawlenty or have more left-leaning or progressive points of view.
Although even if there were, what'd be the problem? Do you think Mark Dayton or Howard Dean or, for that matter, Anders Gyllenhall invite hostile opinions to their semi-official get-togethers?

Here's a funny bit:

Reviews of the get-together were universally positive.

The posting on the blog Kennedy vs. The Machine, for instance, made no bones about its enthusiasm over Pawlenty's invitation to those of a particular political bent, ensuring that it is likely to pay dividends.

"The governor -- or someone on his staff -- is to be commended for fostering goodwill among the center-right blogging community," the posting said. "These are the folks who will provide cover during the looming special legislative session during which Pawlenty's 'no new tax' pledge will be put to the test like never before."

Captain Ed at the blog Captain's Quarters was among many who commented favorably on Pawlenty's potential as a candidate for national office.

"If you like to handicap presidential primary candidates, I'd suggest including Tim Pawlenty in your calculations," he posted afterward, remarking as well about being struck by Pawlenty's "youth and fitness."

Interesting choice of quotes, from among the many quotes by all the blogs present. No, really - interesting.

It's almost like a local columnist and amateur "talk host" whose stock in trade is making "gay" jokes about anyone who criticizes him might have had a word with Mr. Brunswick.

Want a good laugh?

At least one nonconservative blogger wasn't surprised by the invitation list -- and by who was not included.

The owner of Mnleftyliberal accused the local conservative blogs of getting caught up in the heady world of digital age punditry.

"These bloggers are so intent on being the next Powerline, they are willing to jump on it, hiding behind the fact they are not 'real news' or their anonymity," said the owner, who identifies himself only as Trillin.

Now, Mark Brunswick didn't try to contact me - and my email is pretty readily available on my site. My phone numbers isn't rocket science, and there are people at the Strib who have it in their rolodex; a simple Lexus/Nexis shows that Eric Black talked with me not three months ago.

Nobody talked with King, Ed, the Powerguys, the Fraters - nobody. Even though all of us, every one, are a model of accessibility. Yet who do they talk with?

"Trillin"? Huh-whaa? With all due respect, MNLeftyliberal, while a perfectly noble effort, is not exactly a well-known regional blog, and if you'd ask 100 bloggers who is the biggest expert on the regional blog scene, I doubt "Trillin" would get a mention. And - I know this is a fine point - he's also anonymous!

By the way, I have no interest in being Powerline; as Rocket Man himself noted, all of the NARN bloggers have our own niches. The NARN guys - John, Scott, Chad, Brian, Atomizer, King, Ed - are all good friends of mine after this past year; we all cover our own beats, and enjoy it. While I'd love a piece of Powerline's ad revenue, "Shot" is what "Shot" is.

And all you had to do was ask, Mark.

The cost of the event was less than $200, McClung said. After a reporter inquired about the event, McClung said Pawlenty decided to pay the tab out of his own pocket. McClung said the event turned out well for Pawlenty.
"A reporter" inquired, huh?

A reporter who's nobody's monkey, perhaps? One who makes a living writing about trifles, rather than news?

Because "a bunch of bloggers", guys exercising their first amendment rights to write freely, "meeting with the governor" is a lot of things, but it's not news.

Just gimme a call sometime, Mark. You might get the story, such as it is, correct next time.

We know how important that is to you guys.

And by the way, thanks, Governor, for picking up the tab. I'll get the next one - although it'll probably have to wait until you're out of office.

Hopefully in January of 2017.

Posted by Mitch at May 21, 2005 03:54 PM | TrackBack
Comments

Are you sure he talked to Trillin - or just quoted from his blog?

Brunswick missed the story about how Kool Aid Report and the Nihilist were irritated about being left out in the cold.

It was inappropriate for taxpayers to pay for this, so it's good that Pawlenty's office thought better of that.

Posted by: Eva Young at May 21, 2005 10:14 PM

"Are you sure he talked to Trillin - or just quoted from his blog?"

It doesn't matter - of all the people to go to for an opinion about the NARN et al going to see the Governor, it's an odd choice.

However, no. It's not in his blog.

And why didn't ANY of us get an email from Brunswick?

Why the ironic references about "anonymity" from an anonymous blogger - when *every single member* of the NARN's identity is public knowledge in some forum or another? Not to mention, ironically, the "reporter" who complained about the event. Riiiight. Try "Hack columnist".

"Brunswick missed the story about how Kool Aid Report and the Nihilist were irritated about being left out in the cold. "

Because it was obviously tongue in cheek.

"It was inappropriate for taxpayers to pay for this, so it's good that Pawlenty's office thought better of that."

A gracious guest doesn't ask where the money's coming from. I'm glad Pawlenty spent the time with us, whomever paid for it.

Posted by: mitch at May 22, 2005 12:27 AM

"Brunswick missed the story about how Kool Aid Report and the Nihilist were irritated about being left out in the cold. "

Because whatever his faults as a reporter, Brunswick doesn't obsess endlessly over meaningless bits of trivia.

You could learn a lesson, Eva.

Posted by: Allison at May 22, 2005 10:11 AM

Seems like David and Margaret from Ourhouse weren't invited either.....

I didn't take the Captain Ed's comment about Pawlenty's "youth and fitness" to be some homoerotic comment. To me, it seemed more a comment about how he's a telegenic governor - and that's true. It's not like Tom Barnard calling Bachmann a "hot, sexy, minx".

You all wrote something on the event on your blog - so why was there a need to do more than take your reports at face value?

Minnesota Democrats Exposed - who is an anonymous blogger, claims to have been invited to this - but decided against it in order to maintain his anonymity.

According to Brunswick - from interviewing the Governor's Office, the people who were invited were connected to Powerline. If that's the case, I'm not surprised that KAR and Nihilist weren't invited - after all, on the KAR site Nihilist has this testimonial:

"I read you guys before Powerline...Hell, I don't even read Powerline anymore!" Nihilist in Golf Pants

Posted by: Eva Young at May 22, 2005 11:25 AM

"Seems like David and Margaret from Ourhouse weren't invited either....."

Well, duh.

"You all wrote something on the event on your blog - so why was there a need to do more than take your reports at face value? "

Because Brunswick a) went beyond face value, trying to infer our motivations and doing so incorrectly, and b) getting facts wrong.

"According to Brunswick - from interviewing the Governor's Office, the people who were invited were connected to Powerline."

Not connected; *associated*.

" If that's the case, I'm not surprised that KAR and Nihilist weren't invited - after all, on the KAR site Nihilist has this testimonial:

"I read you guys before Powerline...Hell, I don't even read Powerline anymore!" Nihilist in Golf Pants"

Er, yeah. It's called a "joke". Some of us conservatives use this thing called "humor".

Posted by: mitch at May 22, 2005 11:42 AM

KAR clearly uses humor all the time. My point is that Hinderaker is clearly thin skinned, and doesn't take humor at his expense very well.

And give me a break - from the breathless schoolgirl tone of the many posts by the bloggers about the event at Pawlenty's from the folks at this party, it was clear that just like many others, you like to get invited to the parties of the powerful.

Brunswick struck a nerve.

Posted by: Eva Young at May 22, 2005 12:06 PM

KAR clearly uses humor all the time. My point is that Hinderaker is clearly thin skinned, and doesn't take humor at his expense very well.

And give me a break - from the breathless schoolgirl tone of the many posts by the bloggers about the event at Pawlenty's from the folks at this party, it was clear that just like many others, you like to get invited to the parties of the powerful.

Brunswick struck a nerve.

Posted by: Eva Young at May 22, 2005 12:06 PM

Sorry about the double post - the first time I posted this, the software gave me a server error.

Posted by: Eva Young at May 22, 2005 12:08 PM

Just wondering - are Mitch and "Allison" the same person?

Writing styles are rather similar - and "Allison" leaves a no@no.com email address.

Posted by: Eva Young at May 22, 2005 12:13 PM

Just wondering - are Mitch and "Allison" the same person?

Writing styles are rather similar - and "Allison" leaves a no@no.com email address.

Posted by: Eva Young at May 22, 2005 12:14 PM

Aaargh... it's happened again. I reloaded several times to see if the comment took.

Posted by: Eva Young at May 22, 2005 12:15 PM

Eva,

The only "nerve" that will be "struck" will be struck by the relentless drip drip drip sound of you relentlessly intoning that things have "struck nerves".

I was there in the room, Eva, when I and most of the NARN guys read Brunswick's piece for the first time. The only "nerve" that was "struck" was the one that responds "what a crappy piece of reporting", and "what, does Brunswick or his editor owe Coleman a favor?"

One person's "breathless schoolgirl tone" is another person's "admiration".

Were we honored by the invite? Surely. Was anyone star-struck? Pffft. They have the same vote we do.

Of course, in your head I'm sure there's a more interesting story.

Posted by: mitch at May 22, 2005 12:16 PM

Oh, yeah - speaking for myself alone, Allison is not me.

Posted by: mitch at May 22, 2005 12:25 PM

Allison:

Are you calling KAR and Nihilist "meaningless trivia"??? Don't make us turn our wrath towards you as well.

And if Eva doesn't get our humor, I guess we're just not that funny.

Looks like it's time for the Nihilst and KAR to hang up the pajamas; we've jumped the shark.

LF

Posted by: LearnedFoot at May 22, 2005 12:28 PM

Mitch, got a question for you.... You say:

Now, Mark Brunswick didn't try to contact me - and my email is pretty readily available on my site. My phone numbers isn't rocket science, and there are people at the Strib who have it in their rolodex; a simple Lexus/Nexis shows that Eric Black talked with me not three months ago.

EY: I looked along the front of your site for a contact email, and did not see where it is. On King's site, it's the same way - nothing really clear on contact info from the main page. I found King's email address when he responded to one of my comments on his site. Powerline does have contact information on their site.

Learned Foot - where does that name come from?

Posted by: Eva Young at May 22, 2005 06:45 PM

Eva, sorry. I'm a little flattered you think I write like Mitch, but I'm me.

Sorry to disappoint you!

Posted by: Allison at May 23, 2005 08:18 AM

I have to second Eva. I don't know how to contact you, Mitch, aside from commenting on your posts. ( Leaving out digging up personal information based on clues left on this site. )

Posted by: aodhan at May 23, 2005 02:34 PM

Well, blow me down. I thought I had an email in the lower-right corner.

I'll put it there.

Posted by: mitch at May 23, 2005 03:42 PM

The move left investors both optimistic and over-extended -- as became apparent at the end of last week, snickersonline co uk when the rally hit a roadblock -- and the stock market could be due for a bit more selling in the short term before attempting another run up, analysts say free-games-webdirectory com http://www.free-games-webdirectory.com/wdir/1-free-games-webdirectory_webdirectory_shopping.php

Posted by: free-games-webdirectory com at May 6, 2006 09:34 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?
hi