Comments for Watch this space...

Watch this space...

2007-09-15T04:59:06Z

Breaking news...

Today, the Armorer and a group of milbloggers participated in a tiny bit of history.

We got to meet the President of the United States. And talk with him for an hour.

With two of us linking in courtesy of the 3rd Infantry Division in Baghdad, we sat down a little before 10AM in the Roosevelt Room of the White House and literally had a chat with the President.

President Bush observed, that as far as he knows, this was the first time that a sitting President had hosted a group of bloggers for a chat at the White House. If that's in fact true - then we got to make a little history today. If it's not true, I'm sure the Peasants with Pitchforks will quickly disabuse us of the notion!

Present from the White House were:

President Bush
General Lute
Kevin Sullivan
Mark Pfeifler
Dana Perino
Tony Snow.

The milbloggers present were:

The Armorer of Argghhh!
Matt Burden of Blackfive
Mrs. Greyhawk of Mudville Gazette, standing in for the deployed Greyhawk
NZ Bear of the TTLB and the Victory Caucus
Steve Schippert of Threats Watch
Ward Carroll of Military.Com
CJ from A Soldier's Perspective
Mohammed of Iraq the Model

Linking in from Iraq were:

Bill Roggio of the Long War Journal
Bill Ardolino of INDC Journal.

More to follow - I just wanted to get this out there because it was, in fact, a good time. I've got several posts worth of stuff from the chat - but I'm just going to leave you with this group photo:

Lookit those s**t-eating grins.

I'm still stunned.

To quote President Bush "I looked at my schedule today, and I found it interesting that I would be sitting down with bloggers."

No more interesting than we found it, sir. Trust me on that.

Update: Hi to NRO visitors! For anyone coming in via a link - here's a link to my second post on the visit - covering the first impressions of the meeting.

Comment from Ymarsakar on 2007-09-16

2007-09-16T23:17:56Z

Some major firepower there, John.

Comment from linda on 2007-09-16

2007-09-16T21:57:29Z

Great going! Good to know the president knows where the real news is being spread!

Comment from CDR Salamander on 2007-09-16

2007-09-16T11:49:46Z

Quite the respectable gaggle! BZ. Now I just need to find something in my wardrobe that matches green......

Comment from Texas on 2007-09-16

2007-09-16T05:29:36Z

Congratulations!!! I want to thank you & all of the bloggers, that were at the meeting with President Bush, for giving us in the USA a place to go to hear the truth. Ya'll are the new media and I am glad the President recognized your importance as journalists. Keep up the great work....you ARE making a difference. God Bless the Troops! God Bless President Bush! & may God continue to Bless America!!!!!!

Comment from Iraq War on 2007-09-15

2007-09-15T22:51:27Z

Bill Reggio Rocks! I am not a big Rudy fan (for President anyway) and I am not voting for him. But he is right... To call a 4 star general who has received the bronze medal of valor a LIAR? Bad, Bad, move. Find out who Gen. David H. Petraeus is at: General David Betray Us Heres the video of Hillary "flip flopping" like the professional she is at: Hillary: I Keep Forgetting What I Think A lot of good things going on in Iraq right now. Heres a Photo Essay (35 pictures) taken this month (Sept 2007) Enjoy! Iraq Photo Essay For September 2007 And last but not least Heres the link of the NEW moveon.org video (TV ad) coming out Monday Sept 17th 2007. Basically calling President Bush a 'traitor'. The Democrats need some 'common sense" soon...or the 2008 election will be over before 2007 is over. MoveOn.org TV Ad Peace! Dan

Comment from MaryAnn on 2007-09-15

2007-09-15T21:55:29Z

What an honor! And a well-deserved acknowledgement for all you do. This just rocks big time. Congratulations!

Comment from MR T's Haircut on 2007-09-15

2007-09-15T16:51:23Z

Did the President serve cocktails? Could you all get a cold beer?

Comment from Trias on 2007-09-15

2007-09-15T14:52:38Z

Congratulations. Must have been an interesting experience.

Comment from lawhawk on 2007-09-15

2007-09-15T13:57:00Z

Kudos and congrats on such a momentous occasion. I look forward to reading about what you had to discuss.

Comment from scrup'ls r us on 2007-09-15

2007-09-15T13:14:59Z

I scooped you all, but, unlike congress and the CIA, I can keep a secret. Heh. Forgot the NYT in the Unholy Trinity...

Comment from kat-missouri on 2007-09-15

2007-09-15T07:01:39Z

I was at dinner with them Wednesday before they left. I scooped you all, but, unlike congress and the CIA, I can keep a secret. ;)

Comment from BillT on 2007-09-15

2007-09-15T05:49:17Z

Heh. I'm surprised all the buttons didn't pop on that jacket while you were trying to keep yer little secret bottled up. Uhhhh -- did you happen to mention that I'm *not* still over there to keep a lid on the "Hillary for Sacred Cow" movement?

Comment from Yehudit on 2007-09-14

2007-09-15T04:00:32Z

Great meeting! However Bush has a bad memory because he met with the Iraq the Model brothers in Dec 2004. (I also have a long email report of that meeting from the CEO of Spirit of America, here. (Scroll down to the bottom.) [Actually, oddly enough, he mentioned the meeting - he greeted Mohammed and mentioned the meeting, but didn't mention where (which makes sense, since Mohammed knew where it happened, eh?). Good catch. Okay, first 'Murican bloggers, with a reprise for Mohammed! - the Armorer]

Comment from ry on 2007-09-14

2007-09-15T02:51:49Z

He was bragging about it late last night, Kat. Being all coy and secretive while using all caps to tell us/me there was a big announcement. I guess you have to be real damn annoying before he does stuff like that.;)

Comment from Kevin Baker on 2007-09-14

2007-09-15T02:36:55Z

I expect to hear about this visit in minute detail at the Rendezvous!

Comment from AFSister on 2007-09-14

2007-09-15T02:11:56Z

That's a really cool way to celebrate my birthday, John! I'm sure that was one of the topics du joir. DAMN COOL.

Comment from Alan on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T23:17:13Z

John: I knew you were going to come through, buddy. The syrup is in the mail. Damian: you should be very proud of that post. I learn more about the CF from you than any other source and I have been one degree or another of second hand base rat for most of my 44 years.

Comment from streeter on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T22:54:45Z

I was trying to guess which one of you is which from the group photo, but I must confess that all milbloggers look alike to me.

Comment from Boquisucio on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T21:50:32Z

So you this means that there is only two degrees of separation between us Denizens and Barney. All Castle Scru'ples will be happy of the honor. Well Done Boss

Comment from Damian on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T21:29:33Z

You freaking rock, John. And here I was all proud of my meeting with Commander CEFCOM on Wednesday. Well done!

Comment from wolfwalker on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T21:23:15Z

My mind has done been boggled, but good. Congrats to all who were there, and especially to you, John. WAY TO GO!!

Comment from kat-missouri on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T21:01:41Z

Ah...I see angel pins. ;)

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T20:53:21Z

Alan - there are some things we don't discuss in Open Fora. You have no idea what I might have passed to General Lute or the NSA guy who was there... Just sayin'.

Comment from kat-missouri on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T20:48:03Z

Huh...and the 1% got busy and couldn't even tease anyone with hints. Nice suite by the way. ;)

Comment from Jane on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T20:43:24Z

Yay!!!!!!!! Congrats! Its recognition of a job well done. Keep up the good work.

Comment from Raven on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T20:40:12Z

Awesome! I'm very proud of you John, and everyone else who had the LUCK of this!

Comment from Janette on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T20:37:55Z

Awesome! Just awesome! I'm so excited for you all!!!

Comment from Ith on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T20:31:05Z

How wonderful for you all! Congratulations!

Comment from Flea on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T20:30:04Z

I think our chances of winning this thing just got better.

Comment from Alan on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T20:29:05Z

The one freaking chance to say "I know a guy who says he knows where the canoes are hidden" to the President of the United States and you miss it!!??!!?

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T20:19:47Z

Um, yep, Alan, you bet. We were all over ending the Maple Syrup supports and Collectivized Healthcare and the Wearing of Funny Hats. And we pushed hard to put the "U" back in labour. 8^ )

Comment from Alan on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T20:02:26Z

I trust you represented my views fairly and on an equal time basis. [Way to go. That is the second coolest thing blogging ever got for anyone. Right after having free beer mailed to you.]

Comment from Barb on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T19:49:32Z

That is soooo AWESOME! You totally Rock :-) Looking forward to the coming posts to fill us in !!

Comment from fdcol63 on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T19:18:12Z

Apparently, some of you did not get the memo about the uniform of the day .... red/white striped regimental tie. LOL

Comment from fdcol63 on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T19:13:53Z

WOW! Excellent. You were right .... I'm in the 99%! LOL

Comment from MajMike on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T19:10:19Z

holy crap-a-floppy!! so who's the bulky one towards the left rear? ..and how did that back pack make it that far inside the perimeter???!!!

Comment from Enfields on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T19:03:26Z

So that's where the Armorer went. Looking forward to his return and a touch of greatness!

Comment from FbL on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T18:55:23Z

*finishes picking jaw up off the floor* WOW. I can't wait to hear the reports that come out of this. Too cool!!! Did I meant, WOW?!!!

Comment from Maggie on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T18:12:38Z

Wow! How wonderful for all of you! Congratulations!

Comment from J.M. Heinrichs on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T18:02:48Z

Yawn .... Interesting parking lot. Cheers

Comment from Barb on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T15:40:50Z

I must be in the 99%, since I have no idea what you are hinting at. Look forward to the important news :-)

Comment from Yu-ain Gonnano on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T14:32:05Z

And what if I refuse to be surprised? I don't care what you throw at me, or how long you throw it at me. Not even playing the Bratney* Spears VMA Video on continuous loop with do it. I.WILL.NOT.BREAK. *I only wish I had come up with that

Comment from Damian on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T14:20:13Z

All this, and cliff-hangers too? *reaching for the popcorn, sitting on the edge of my seat*

Comment from kat-missouri on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T13:59:39Z

The 1% who will be interested to here the outcome.

Comment from BloodSpite on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T12:34:36Z

Yay.

Comment from Greta on 2007-09-14

2007-09-14T11:40:53Z

Holding my breath for the big post!