It’s been four years since I started this blog. The first post was a memorial to my dog Shady. She died young. By the time the fifth anniversary of this blog rolls around, it will be older than she was.
I had been dabbling with blogging on a blogger site. Mainly I was holding forth on national politics. But, at that point, like now, you couldn’t swing a dead cat around the Internet without hitting a blog complaining about the Bush administration. Not that I’ve completely given up on those roots, but with my new blog, I had it mind to focus on Indiana. Back then, that was fertile ground. Not too many people were focused on the state. Now, of course, there are a great number of excellent state blogs.
Anyway, I’m happy I got started with this blogging thing. It gives me a reason to write and discuss politics, the law, sports, and whatever else comes to mind. Something that seems endlessly entertaining to me. More importantly, from my perspective, it’s led to some pretty great commenters coming here and making it a community of sorts; a remarkably thoughtful and articulate community. I had not really anticipated that when I was firing this up.
So, thanks everyone. And maybe we’ll make it another four years.
Many thanks, Doug, and best wishes for the next four. Here’s hoping we all can afford the electricity required to enjoy ’em.
“But I want our turnips boiled this week.”
“Sorry kids, Daddy’s gotta use the electricity to blog.”
You could run it off an exercise bike, or make a big hamster exercise wheel and throw the kids in it to make enough power.
Your’s is an excellent information source, and like a fine wine is getting better each year.
Exercising on the big wheel would also keep the kids warm when it gets cold. That’s win-win right there.
But Doug we’re making our kids prone to all sorts of illnesses by wimping them out in warm houses.
Were our ancestors toasty warm?
Long live the blog;-)
You folks are very kind. Thanks.
I have only very recently discovered this blog, but it is one of my favorites for the diversity of topics, well-thought out and articulated opinions, and above all, civility of posters. I suspect Doug is a commenter on several other sites I read.
Mary, you are correct on all counts. This is a great blog and yes, Doug pops up on a lot of others that represent a lot of diverse views.
Keep up the good work Doug, you are a worthy “sparring” partner!
Thanks again. I consider it a badge of honor when those who don’t agree with me can at least tolerate me.
Your blog is indeed likeable enough.
The first post I remember reading on Massons blog was the eulogy on Shady the family dog,and I’m surprised to learn that was the start of this blog.It means I haven’t remembered the sequence of events well. I had followed links trying to get information on the time issue in Indiana and I was directed to Massons Blog as being the most up-to-date source of DST (and later TZ)updates. Was time actually a running issue in November of 2004? It must have been.
I enjoyed the time issue ,but for me it was cultural and academic without the passion.
I continue to enjoy the law and political issues through this blog and have long had great respect for our legal profession and Constitution which started when my parents were assigned a public lawyer when they couldn’t afford one and I realized then that our legal system was set up to serve everyone even if they didn’t have standing or money.
Not sure when exactly I stumbled on Masson’s Blog, but it has been over two years and it’s been a daily read for me that entire time (except when Doug goes on vacation which is when I realize just how much I look forward to it). I’ll lift a glass to you tonight!
I’m mostly a lurker but this is a great place to read a little bit about a great number of things.
Hoping for another 4 years…
d
Congratulations on a superb four years of quality content! The posts are well-written, the topics interesting and the commenters a motley bunch – just how I like my blogs! Way to go, Doug!
Yep, no day is complete without checking out what Doug has to say today. It is amazing too, although there can definitely be sharply divided opinion in the comments, it’s intelligent back & forth and you haven’t been infected by trolls (knocking furiously on wood…). Here’s to it staying that way.
Congratulations, Doug!
Congratulations, Doug! This blog is invaluable.
Great job Doug! I don’t comment much but I’m a daily reader and enjoy your insights – particularly into state politics…
Many thanks from the SW corner of Hoosierdom.
We love it when you quote from our Courier and Press – because we often worry that the rest of yawl don’t know we’re here.