Major Announcement
Today's column has been pre-empted, so that we may bring you a major announcement. To compensate, we have linked to a funny video at the end, in an effort to hold your attention until then. So, are you sitting down? Comfortable? OK, here goes:
ChrisWeigant.com is going to the Democratic National Convention!
The kindly folks at the Democratic National Committee have generously seen their way to awarding this organization a press credential so we can get access to the interesting parts of the convention hall. There is a great danger in offering such credentials to yours truly, and this danger is that if I walk by one of those blowdried helium-brains who is our society's poor excuse for a "national news anchor," that I will not be able to restrain myself from telling them exactly what I think of their "journalism." Heh. Even now, I am restraining myself from naming names as possible candidates to receive my valuable insights as to their shortcomings.
Kidding aside, though, we see being allowed access to the Democratic Party's biggest party as a great and signal honor, and are profoundly humbled by this measure of respect which has been offered to us.
Now, you may be thinking: "Big deal, he goes to Netroots Nation and doesn't even bother to blog about it..." and you may be forgiven for thinking such errant thoughts. Make no mistake -- Netroots Nation is also a conclave of bloggers, journalists, activists, and politicians, but it is a vastly different affair than a national nominating convention. Netroots is an insular affair, and we here have always believed that few folks outside the convention hall really have all that burning a need to hear our take on what's happening inside. Not so the Democratic National Convention. This will be a truly newsworthy and historic event which we will not only get to participate in, but will also be writing as much as is humanly and technologically possible about for the benefit of you, faithful reader.
Otherwise, when you think about it, it wouldn't make much sense getting a press pass, now would it? So relax -- we will cover as much as possible and give our own slightly unique perspective on the goings-on.
We do feel honored, though, and the reason may be traced to you folks, in large part. Emphasis on the "large." Four years ago, we applied for a press pass for the 2008 convention and were turned down cold. Back then, we regularly got something like 40,000 page views a month here. Today, getting 250,000 is more normal. That is not my doing, that is all of you out there. Press credentials are given out to folks who actually reach an audience, and that audience is all of you, so pat yourselves on the back for me.
As for how big an honor this is, I have no solid figures. In 2004, there were 100 press passes awarded to bloggers -- 50 to state-level bloggers (one from each state), and 50 to national political bloggers. It was reported that they got over 1,500 entries, so it's not hard to understand why we didn't get one, with such poor odds.
But whatever the numbers this time around, we do indeed feel that a responsibility and duty has been thrust upon us, and we will strive to keep that point of view throughout the proceedings.
Which sounds awfully noble and all of that sort of thing, so allow us to let the veil slip slightly for an insight into how we really feel about things:
We're going to Charlotte! Woo hoo!
[Note: As promised, we now have an amusing video to bring you from Ireland. Currently, London (at least according to its cabbies) is devolving into Hell On Earth. The city has something like eight million people, and they're expecting four million visitors for the Olympics. I find this staggering to imagine, personally. In any case, the folks at the Irish tourism board decided to use this theme to entice Brits to flee their city and have a vacation in Ireland until the whole thing blows over. It is downright hilarious, and has now "gone viral" in Ireland. Enjoy.]
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
And they say arguing on the internet has no value ;-)
Congratulations!
ChrisWeigant.com is going to the Democratic National Convention!
OH, WOW!!!!!! That is truly exciting, Chris! Congrats!! A great thrill for a political junkie. And, OMG, we're gonna be able to get first-hand reporting from the convention!!! You WILL be doing that, right? I'm sure Michale can hook you up with some kind of mercenary black-ops electronic gizmo to get some live reporting going on.
Okay, I'm gonna watch the video now.
ROFL! It's like trying to get cross-town in Manhattan during lunch hour on any given weekday.
Meanwhile, you couldn't pay me to attend the Olympics in London. They've got so much chaos going on over there. Here's the latest: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2175874/London-2012-Olympics-Train-drivers-stage-days-strikes-Games.html
Border guards are planning to strike on the eve of Olympics, too. What madness.
Fantastic news, Chris! Well deserved!
-David
Jealous much! Say hi to the gals of BubbleGenius, I think they're attending too.
Woot!!!! Awesome news, CW!!! :D
Congrats.. You've earned it!! :D
Michale....
well done!
Congratulations! :-)
Congrats! This is great news for everyone.
Congrats!
"if I walk by one of those blowdried helium-brains who is our society's poor excuse for a "national news anchor," that I will not be able to restrain myself from telling them exactly what I think of their "journalism."
Suck it too them I say!
Also I lived in London for a year. July and August are normally busy months but I don't think you can imagine how insane it will be. Just picture subway trains that are round, packed like sardines, with no air-con where temperatures can reach 50 degrees and now they will be packed 24/7 instead of 4/7!
Thanks to everyone!
I have to admit, I'm still rather stunned at this development, as I did not expect to make the cut.
Dang, this means I'm gonna have to wear a suit and tie...
See? The ramifications are still sinking in...
[Personal note to Matt -
Hey, AWESOME review of the new Judge Dredd movie! I linked to it here so everyone could see it! Didn't know you were a fan...]
Again, to everyone, thanks for the warm words. But I still fully believe it is YOU PEOPLE (heh, getting ready for today's column marathon... had to get that Ann Romney reference in there) who made this happen. If I was some guy blogging in pajamas in my basement with 10 readers, this never would have happened, so again my thanks to all of you -- the folks who comment occasionally, the folks who comment incessantly, the folks who "lurk" reading and never comment, and the folks who just browse by from other spots on the intertubes... if it wasn't for you, I'd have given up this nonsense years and years ago!
:-)
-CW
michty6 -
Did you watch the video? It's freakin' hilarious, and you'll get more of the references than the average American if you lived in London...
:-)
-CW
The review does make me want to check this out now. I was a big fan of the comic for a while but the first movie was just so bad. I'm sorry CW- I can't get Stallone out of my head!!! (Ok ... whew, he's gone.)
Anyways, may have to check out.
Also, on a movie note, here's the best use of the line "you people" in cinematic history courtesy of Robert Downey, Jr.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPxs0Qh72kY
-David
The review does make me want to check this out now. I was a big fan of the comic for a while but the first movie was just so bad. I'm sorry CW- I can't get Stallone out of my head!!! (Ok ... whew, he's gone.)
Stallone will ALWAYS be the ONLY Dredd!! :D
{{Michale runs and hides!!!}}
Also, on a movie note, here's the best use of the line "you people" in cinematic history courtesy of Robert Downey, Jr.
THAT was hilarious!! :D Good movie...
Michale.....
Michale,
Don't do that!
I think my heart actually stopped for a second!
Michale -
Dredd never takes his helmet off.
Stallone took his helmet off.
Therefore, Stallone cannot be Dredd.
QED.
Heh. Whenever I hear Stallone's "I am the law" I always think of Rainier Wolfcastle on the Simpsons trying to get the KEY line out in the "Radioactive Man" movie:
"Up and at them"
(prompter): "Up and atom!"
"Up and at them"
"OK! That was better!"
Heh.
-CW
I think my heart actually stopped for a second!
I do it just to yank CW's chain.. Apparently yers as well.. :D
I actually liked Stallone's DREDD, but as everyone knows, I am not really too cerebral when it comes to movies I like...
Matter of fact, all this talking about it makes me want to go watch it again.. :D
Michale.....
Dredd never takes his helmet off.
Stallone took his helmet off.
Therefore, Stallone cannot be Dredd.
QED.
The USS Enterprise would NEVER allow the destruction of Vulcan.
Vulcan was destroyed in Star Trek 90210.
Therefore, Star Trek 90210 cannot be Star Trek.
QED
:D
Michale.....
CW - just watched the video - funny stuff! Probably true as well!
The guy doing the voice is the guy from the IT Crowd (good comedy show if you've never seen it), starting to appear in a few movies as well (like Bridesmaids). He appears near the end of the video too...
I'm actually originally from Scotland, if you are planning on attempting this challenge go there instead :)
michty6 -
Yeah, it is the guy from Bridesmaids, I looked it up because I recognized the name. I think I know him more from seeing his appearances on Craig Ferguson's show. Is he the guy in the elevator in the clip?
Anyway, yeah, I encourage everyone to check the video out, it's hilarious!
-CW