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If America since Jan 2025 hasn’t broken your heart, you haven’t loved her enough.

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

Consistently wrong since 2002

I’m more christian than these people and i’m an atheist.

You cannot love your country only when you win.

The revolution will be supervised.

Dear elected officials: Trump is temporary, dishonor is forever.

Those who are easily outraged are easily manipulated.

Marge, god is saying you’re stupid.

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

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75% of people clapping liked the show!

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the 10% who apparently lack object permanence

The republican speaker is a slippery little devil.

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Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

I am pretty sure these ‘journalists’ were not always such a bootlicking sycophants.

“Until such time as the world ends, we will act as though it intends to spin on.”

Polls are now a reliable indicator of what corporate Republicans want us to think.

You are here: Home / Elections / Election 2012 / Post Convention Write Up, Part Two

Post Convention Write Up, Part Two

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I re-read my write-up from last night, and one of the things I failed to mention was how cool Imani’s friend Heather was. She’s a doll, and I know I will be accused of being a super sexist for describing her that way, but I actually know her and she will not be offended if I say she is super hot and super sweet. For a good bit of the trip, it actually felt like Heather and I were the parents of some rogue crazy black woman named Imani. Regardless, Heather was super cool and exceptionally good looking, so it was like I was on some mad trip with crazy hot girls. When we were all together out and about, it took all my strength to not say “Hi! My name is John Cole and these are the top fillies in my herd.” I, of course, never said that, mostly because I know one of them would have kicked me in the junk. But really, the whole trip was like going on spring break with hot women. So I had that going for me.

We talked about the Murder Motel situation last night, and again, we were exaggerating. I even called Deffina, the front desk clerk who was so good to us, last night, and just told her thank you so much for taking care of us. I talked to her about 6 times on the phone making reservations, and she was always like “Hi, Mr. Cole, how are you?” every time I called. When we finally checked in and met, we sat and chatted for a lil’ bit. Just a real sweetheart, a genuine person, and one of the nicest people I have ever met.

Back to the conference. We got there on Sunday, and while things started officially on Monday, they really didn’t. Regardless, on Monday, we drove into Charlotte, learned where to park, etc., and we all went our separate ways. The most important goal for me was to get ABL networked, so we spent a solid bit of time at http://theppl.us networking qand meeting people. I am kind of comfortable where this website is now- it started out as me being a wingnut with my mother and me reading it, now ten years later, we have a dozen brilliant people writing here. Personally, my goal from the convention was spreading the word about ABL and getting her on her feet, networked, and on tv and building her site. I think we were largely successful with that, as she did a bunch of TWIB’s and also networked with HuffPo people.

Just a quick aside. Many of you misanthropic pricks have chastised ABL for writing posts and then linking back to her website for a fuller post. Some of you assume the worst, and think she is somehow using me. You are wrong. I told her to do that. I told her to write teaser posts and link back to the Angry Black Lady Chronicles to try to drive up her traffic and to help build a readership. I don’t always agree with her, and I manage to remain friends with Glenn Greenwald and others, but I do think that one of the really major priorities for any established blog is to reach a hand out and pull up other bloggers. I think ABL has something special to offer, and I am so happy that DougJ, a couple of years ago, almost demanded that I promote her to the front page. As always, he was right. I think we have really failed the last two years linking to smaller bloggers who have a lot to say- a perfect example is the Doghouse Riley post Mistermix Anne Laurie linked to earlier today. As an established blog, we should be spending much more time than we are promoting new talent. There are so many smart and clever people out there. One of these days you all will figure out I am not one of them, but until then, I think it is our job to promote new and interesting voices.

So, at any rate, we spent the day on Monday kind of walking around and doing our own thing. The one thing that stood out to me about Monday was that before I went to Charlotte, I participated in a thread at OTB on how the Conventions should really be just one night. Man was I ever fucking wrong. After being there, I recognize that a one night convention would be impossible. The sheer logistics of everything, whether it be the thousands upon thousands of smiling volunteers, the thousands of cops, the thousands of people working to make credentials available, etc. There simply is no way to make this a one night affair. It would be like asking a circus to come to town, set up the Ferris Wheel for one night, and then beat a hasty retreat the next morning. Not only would it be physically possible, but no one would agree to it. So if you are wondering why the conventions take multiple days, the answer is simple- logistics.

I will continue this tomorrow with another write up, to include my meeting with Elon James and the lovely (EVEN MORE SO IN PERSON) and delightful Susie Sampson.

And once again, I just really want to thank all of you who pitched in via paypal to make this happen. You all know what a misanthrope I am, and the way this went down is kind of comical. If by comical, you mean me having too much scotch, calling ABL at one AM and saying “I’M GOING!,”, her thinking “He’s drunk and full of shit” and then waking up the next day to see I already had the fundraising efforts in hand. I’ve kind of been in a shell for the last decade, but a couple weeks ago, you all provided me with the perfect opportunity to say “Fuck it. I’m changing.” And I did. I’m already planning my trip to Netroots next summer.

Reader Interactions

66Comments

  2. 2.

    Ash Can

    Oh, fuck all that. Did ABL get Cory Booker’s phone number or what??

    (Seriously, your con write-ups have been great, and I’m delighted to have been a contributor to your delinquency trip. It’s terrific that you all went, and that ABL in particular accomplished so much.)

  3. 3.

    Cain

    You’re wrong Cole. Most of hte time, you’re my favorite blogger on this site. And it’s because there is something of the heart in the way you write. It’s less brainy, you’re not just giving an opinion. You deliver a delicious smackdown that is EPIC.

    You rock! This site is what it is because of you.

  7. 7.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    Oh my freaking God. I’ve been working on getting you out of your shell now for years and years and you just give all the credit to ABL. This hurts.

  8. 8.

    Publius39

    John, you and ABL are good people that I can only hope that I have a chance to buy a drink one day. That is all.

  11. 11.

    rammalamadingdong

    And to think it all started when you posted your mug one night. This is what they call a breakthrough. Go on…

  14. 14.

    Anne Laurie

    I think we have really failed the last two years linking to smaller bloggers who have a lot to say- a perfect example is the Doghouse Riley post Mistermix linked to earlier today.

    Speaking of credit where it is due, that was not MisterMix who linked to DHR.

  15. 15.

    Redshift

    I’ll be interested to hear more of your perspective. I got to be there for Thursday, and had a lot of fun. One thing I noticed is that even more than at SF conventions, I found that anyone was happy to have you strike up a conversation with them. I suppose that’s probably due to not just having a common interest, but a common purpose, but it was pretty striking.

  18. 18.

    RossInDetroit, Rational Subjectivist

    Can’t sleep. Running out of records to play. This post is just what I needed.

  21. 21.

    Jester

    I am one of those misanthropic pricks who complained about the linking, I believe I was misunderstood – most certainly my fault.

    I knew she was doing it to drive traffic, amd I had no problem with that. I like her writing too. The thought that you, John cole, were possibly being taken advantage of never entered my head.

    What I found slightly annoying was the teaser posts weren’t clear enough to see whether I wanted to continue reading or not. Sullivan is actually pretty good at this – he’ll put in a paragraph or two, and then hide the rest. But he does a good job in those initial paragraphs to let me know what the post is about that I can decide whether I want to read the rest, or skip on down to the next one.

    ABLs initial posts didn’t do a great job of that, so I found myself regularly reading posts that I otherwise would have skipped. When it happened several times in a short period of time it was irritating in a First World Problem kind of way, so I said so. I thought I was being polite about it, but maybe not.

    Anyways, that’s the context for why I complained. I apologize for any offense, and I wish ABL luck in building up her site. FWIW I find the teasers are much improved lately.

    Cheers

  22. 22.

    RossInDetroit, Rational Subjectivist

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    You don’t have a ballpeen hammer?

    I have Sonic Youth, which is close.

    On topic, I really appreciate this blog for introducing me to Mr. J.B.S. “Doghouse” Riley. He’s on my RSS feed now and I read all of his hilarious posts. Funny and true, with just enough snark. A real find. Please keep looking and promoting the interesting ones.

  23. 23.

    taylormattd

    I manage to remain friends with Glenn Greenwald

    You have no business remaining “friends” with Greenwald.

    You just spent half a page describing how wonderful Imani is, and how much you like her.

    Greenwald said she’d cheer on Obama if Obama raped a nun on live TV. You should tell him to apologize or to fuck off. Period.

  24. 24.

    Anne Laurie

    @John Cole: True.

    Speaking of linkage, I work from the other direction — when there’s a blogger, professional or not, who deserves to be brought to the attention of the BJ commentariat, I want to let people know. I turned even that stubborn putz JC into a Charlie Pierce reader, and by goddess, given enough time I’ll do the same with Paul Constant, not to mention Doghouse Riley.

    In my defense, pointing out the eternal wrongness of people BoBo Brooks, Ross Doubthat, and Megan McArglebargle is quite adequately handled by some of my fellow underbloggers.

  28. 28.

    Villago Delenda Est

    . Many of you misanthropic pricks have chastised ABL for writing posts and then linking back to her website for a fuller post. Some of you assume the worst, and think she is somehow using me. You are wrong.

    You know, this is in plain English, it’s clear, concise, and absolutely unmistakable, and yet, some will ignore its plain and obvious meaning and rant on about that…one…even more.

    Cole, fuck it all, you fuckin’ rawk like a fuckin’ hurricane…for that, and for your extended rant on how bloggers help bloggers. No one seems to get that this is a new paradigm that has been needed for a very long time.

    But then again, you and I both know about how you build teams.

  37. 37.

    eemom

    ok, this circle jerk has officially gotten nauseating.

    fwiw, mindless dumbass hero/heroine worship was what gradually transformed FDL from the once-cool place it was (and yes, it once WAS) into the joke it is today. Jussayinzall.

  42. 42.

    Rita R.

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    Cole, fuck it all, you fuckin’ rawk like a fuckin’ hurricane

    Oh damn… you had to bring up the Scorpions. That forced me to head over to YouTube to watch “Rhythm of Love,” which made my hair instantly pouf out into a big ’80s do. Gonna have to blow it out tomorrow.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIWPD6GCME8

    Thanks John and ABL for these funny, entertaining and even at times touching (sniff, wipes away tear) wrap-ups. But sorry, no hero/heroine worship from me. I save that for Shatner and, this week, Psy.

  43. 43.

    ? Martin

    I do think that one of the really major priorities for any established blog is to reach a hand out and pull up other bloggers

    True liberals believe everyone should pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Cut her loose. It’s not like they don’t serve cat food in the veal pen.

  46. 46.

    Schlemizel

    Dude – I’m worried about your liver. Seems like every time you post you are bagged. Your a young guy, pace yourself! 8-{D

  47. 47.

    Cermet

    Your a good dude, John. Really great you help other up-and-comming bloggers. Glad you both had a really good time.

  48. 48.

    gnomedad

    You are wrong. I told her to do that.

    I like ABL, but I confess I was feeling cranky about this. Thanks for straightening me/us out. I will dutifully click the links hereafter.

  50. 50.

    RoonieRoo

    John, for my part you are doing a great job promoting other bloggers. Most of who I read I “found” via BJ. If I’m feeling bored and looking for a new read Balloon-juice is usually my starting point for looking for a new blogger.

  51. 51.

    chrome agnomen

    i worked for circus vargas in the 70s. biggest tent circus in the usa. we set up and tore down and moved to a new city every day. just sayin’. but i agree that the conventions need to be multi-day to have a bigger impact.

  53. 53.

    Svensker

    Yay, you.

    You have too many friends and too many folks/critters you love to be a misanthrope. We all knew that. Glad you’re finally figgering it out. Long as you don’t stop yelling at stuff.

  54. 54.

    Gex

    Your modesty becomes you. However, we all know what it says about a leader if they bring in top rate talent…

  57. 57.

    TaMara (BHF)

    @Cain: This. I love all the FPs, but I’m hear because of John. There is something sensible and full of heart in his posts. And any day he tells us we’re all fuckers and he hates us all, is a good day.

    hugs and kisses big guy.

  60. 60.

    Tractarian

    She’s a doll, and I know I will be accused of being a super sexist for describing her that way, but I actually know her and she will not be offended if I say she is super hot and super sweet.

    Oh, well, as long as she’s fine with being called “super hot”, “super sweet”, and “exceptionally good-looking”, then I guess it’s OK for you to objectify her.

    Just a quick aside. Many of you misanthropic pricks have chastised ABL for writing posts and then linking back to her website for a fuller post. Some of you assume the worst, and think she is somehow using me. You are wrong. I told her to do that.

    So she’s using you with your permission? Hey, you’re consenting adults I guess. Whatever floats your boat!

  61. 61.

    Ming

    thanks JG and ABL, for your post-con write-ups… am interested in whatever you have to say about it. I’m curious what it felt like, to be there. Any guesses as to how the live experience was different from just seeing youtubed videos of the speeches?

  62. 62.

    Spatula

    @eemom:

    ok, this circle jerk has officially gotten nauseating.
    fwiw, mindless dumbass hero/heroine worship was what gradually transformed FDL from the once-cool place it was (and yes, it once WAS) into the joke it is today. Jussayinzall.

    Bingo, eemom. But it is kind of entertaining in an anthropological study kind of way. The peeps here are completely blind to their own behavior.

    Plus, Cole writes enough good shit from time to time that it’s worth checking in, as I do every day. Unfortunately, in promoting all these half wit front pagers he has almost completely buried the original “voice” of BJ, his own.

    All that said, how the hell are you? Hardly ever see you here anymore. Distancing from the circle jerk?

    I hope you don’t mind me asking, as I know you may be crucified for associating with me, but I figure they will do it anyway and can fuck off. :D

  64. 64.

    hitchhiker

    What’s weird is that I can’t remember how I found this place . . . probably somebody else linking to you, just as you describe doing for ABL.

    Whatever, bj is home & will stay that way, as long as the grand fp-ers keep bringing their special combination of smarts, good writing, quirky interests, and soul.

    Love the DNC posts so much, also too. Any chance we could hear from Heather herself?

  65. 65.

    Ms. D. Ranged in AZ (formerly IrishGirl)

    “Fuck it. I’m changing.” And I did. I’m already planning my trip to Netroots next summer.

    Woohoo! I think it’s fantastic and am really happy that it was such a transformative experience.

  66. 66.

    Heather

    @Tractarian: Thank you for your concern for me. John was also very concerned about my well-being, and spent a lot of time during the trip trying to make sure I was comfortable and happy. On the morning of the second day at the DNC, he picked me up early so that he could help me get my arena credentials, and when I got into the truck he had bought me a diet green tea just in case I wanted something to drink. Maybe that seems small, but he was constantly doing little thoughtful things like that, and I am unused to people who I don’t know very well being so kind as he was.

    John never once made me feel objectified, or that I had to do anything that I didn’t want to do. It’s comments from anonymous people on the Internet who don’t know me, speculating about my hotness or general fuckability, that make me feel objectified. That’s one of the reasons why I keep a low profile and prefer to work in the background for much braver women like Imani.

    @hitchhiker: What would you like to hear? If John wants me to do I write up, I’m happy to do it. I haven’t because I know how people tend to frown on really long comments on other people’s blogs.

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