We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:32:59 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification President George W. Bush meeting with military bloggers in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Friday, Sept. 14, 2007. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian The sit down with President Bush was, I've got to note - fun. It was serious. He talked to us, and with us, not at us. And, unusual for the personality types that populate the blogging world - we listened. We got in our questions, and I think they were good ones, and the President made his points, which were a mixture of the thrust of his message this week and new... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:57:40 -0600 This is nice. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64443 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64443 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:03:56 -0600 Maggie: That's just Mark's style. He shows up, drops an extremely insulting comment into the well, then acts like he's been scalded when people react predictably (Dude.. you mean sycophant is not a compliment?). But then unlike libs, who are invariably peaceful and non-aggressive, rethugs are nasty, mean-spirited poopy heads. What is the world coming to? It's getting to where one can't even vilify them with impunity anymore. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64427 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64427 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 06:23:27 -0600 I get an invite? :-)]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64425 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64425 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 02:39:03 -0600 **The deceiver in chief invites his sycophants into the throne room.** Mark - What exactly is the point of this comment? Does it move debate/discussion forward? I don't see how. You want people to believe that you are not envious, but what else are people to believe? The comment screams sour grapes. Although I don't believe it's the visit to the White House that you covet. I think it is the fact that John has a group that is enjoying this with him. I think it is the Castle you are envious of. I am unfamiliar with any discourse you have had with Cassandra, Carrie or John at VC and you don't ring a bell here. Therefore, I can only draw (or jump to) my conclusions from what I am reading in this particular post. This post isn't particularly political, it's more about celebrating good news with a friend. You seem very petty indeed coming into the Armorer's place and ridiculing this moment. John is apparently in such a good mood that he is allowing you to break the Rulez. You comment - IMO - should have been deleted. As for the actual comment as opposed to the motivation for posting it......the whole idea that Bush "deceived" or "tricked" or "lied" us into Iraq is simplistic and speaks to a low intellect and poor reading comprehension skills. Further, anyone who could refer to John or Matt or Steve or Mrs. G (they are the ones I've met) as "sychophants"...........well, it's just so silly that from here on in I can't take anything you say as anything other than nonsense. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64394 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64394 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:39:23 -0600 What a GREAT story to tell the grandkids... Blogs are the new wave ham radios. You guys do good work. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64392 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64392 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 11:52:58 -0600 worse place to come and try to continue your interactions with Cassandra than this one.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64390 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64390 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 11:38:42 -0600 still trying to absorb the "coolness" aspects and implications of that meeting. Just amazing. I may expire of jealousy. :P]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64389 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64389 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 11:33:44 -0600 Mark is just jealous he'll never get invited to the big white house on pennsylvania ave. His sycophant tendencies will be forever in a closet in Irvine. where everything in Irvine belongs as far as I can tell. I have the personal letter to me from President-elect John F. Kennedy [this is the God's-honest truth], so I'm not jealous of invitations to the White House ("envy" would be the better term, but I'm not envious either). People who know me (or who stalk me) know I'm not a sycophant. In addition to being one hell of a terrific writer, Cassandra is obviously a seer, because in our many intimate on-line conversations, I NEVER revealed my lingering ambivalence concerning the bottle and the breast. Carrie is still bearing a torch, er ... grudge over her embarrassing vulgar public outburst on V.C. in response to one of my postings, and John of Argghhh is "da man" because he spoke truth ("I was *not* a fan of the invasion of Iraq") to "power" without fear. p.s. If you knew Irvine, you WOULD be jealous (envious). Have a good day, y'all.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64387 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64387 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 11:19:31 -0600 Your report and those of your fellow guests of the Leader of the Free World are making my day. What a trip! Question: Will you be blogging about how it all came about? I'm wicked curious. Keep up the totally awesome work. :-) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64381 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64381 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 08:59:23 -0600 Brian - what you said is already happening, and I've already used yesterday's meeting to get on to two mailing lists I was refused before. The question is - if the Roosevelt Room changes over from Teddy to Franklin 18 months from now... while I don't expect the same level of personal access, will we be given the same level of staff access? I hope so, at least in terms of general info we're now getting that we didn't get before. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64378 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64378 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 08:19:10 -0600 Let me suggest that this is part of a deliberate and very smart campaign to give props and prominence to the growing new comm channels to counterbalance the frequently malign influence of the fading "broadcast" gatekept ones we grew up with (us old folks, i.e.) So expect more acks and interaction, probably some scoops and "heads up" contacts that you're not used to having. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64376 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64376 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 07:59:07 -0600 Congrats, John, that's really terrific. Something that you'll never forget and something very much deserved. And let me second Cassandra re: Mark.. His "style" is passive/aggressive whiny sophomore girl with a little stalker thrown in. The boy ain't right. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64375 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64375 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 07:34:28 -0600 Don't mind bark.... err... Mark. He was bottle fed as an infant :p The psychic scars can linger well into adulthood. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64371 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64371 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 07:06:14 -0600 Mark - I even managed to drop in the conversation with the President that I was *not* a fan of the invasion of Iraq. Yet no Secret Service guy stepped up to cap me, amazing! Nor was I led away in chains, even. Terry - the crude "pied face" is because I don't have photoshop on my laptop, and those two people have requested that their faces not be posted on the 'net. Same reason we're all smiley-faced in the post above. As for what passed between Barney and me, well, those who know, know. And those who don't... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64370 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64370 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 06:40:01 -0600 Ahh...but what a great way to suck up. Mark is just jealous he'll never get invited to the big white house on pennsylvania ave. His sycophant tendencies will be forever in a closet in Irvine. where everything in Irvine belongs as far as I can tell. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64369 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64369 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:13:12 -0600 The deceiver in chief invites his sycophants into the throne room. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64367 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64367 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:59:20 -0600 #1 in Google for "I bayoneted myself today" and you have an Outhouse Naming Contest, in America, you can still get invited to the White House to talk to the President. That was pretty funny.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64366 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64366 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:12:04 -0600 That was terrific. I have had online access for about 9 years now, and have learned so much more in the process than I would have had I kept my satellite/cable account. Totally way kewl. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64362 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64362 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:24:28 -0600 Why do two people at the table appear to have something white over their faces? The possible covers would seem to be: (1) whipped cream from getting "pied", possibly (2) paper towels from the White House crapper, or (3) Phantom of the Opera masks. Do tell. Thanks...... Terry http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64361 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64361 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:37:41 -0600 Why do two people at the table appear to have something white over their faces. The possible covers would seem to be (1) whipped cream from getting "pied", (2) paper towels from the White House crapper, (3) Phantom of the Opera masks. Do tell. Thanks http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64360 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64360 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:35:49 -0600 Oh please, don't tell me you embarrassed us by getting down on the floor to play with the dog. And did the President call you Big Tribble with Legs? (aaaiiiieeeee, the Big Boot, it burns usssss). http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64357 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64357 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:55:25 -0600 And yet you taunt me with Barney. You fiend... You will pay, Donovan. Oh yes, you will pay. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64350 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64350 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:14:52 -0600 It's true that the key to the Castle is the quality and variety of blogging and discussions, so we all contributed. But your rulez have kept this place from winging off to the radical edges, and without your heart, John, the Castle would not be the place it is. Very proud to be a tiny part :-) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64348 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64348 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:50:59 -0600 wouldn't have happened if you'd quit all the times you thought of it... ;) So proud of you and all you've done, John. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64346 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64346 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:22:17 -0600 Yes! I've always thought of blogging as being the "pamphleteers" of our days. I can't wait to hear what your questions were and the answers. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64337 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64337 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:25:48 -0600 Over here in the UK we had a similar comment about the beauty and effect of blogs: "In a dizzying, energising and raucous return to the pamphleteering days of the 18th and 19th centuries, the people have, through the worldwide web and easy-to-use publishing software, been given a voice. They will not easily be silenced." (The 'Scotsman') Well done all. In such a target rich environment as the left side of the political sphere, let us continue the mission - educate, inform and if we can annoy the "DailyKos/UK Guardian" nutters at the same time let it be thus! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64336 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64336 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:12:58 -0600 I am so happy for you & the group. Maybe all this blogging doesn't fall on deaf ears. Maybe even Barney is reading blogs. Hooah! John and the rest of the gang - I'm proud to know all of you & be part of our Milblog family. I may be the strange Aunt from time to time - but we sure are pioneers! Keep blogging and stay away from sharp objects! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64328 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/09/my_question_to.html#comment-64328 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:58:17 -0600