Farewell & Best Wishes
Someone cue up "Happy Trails."This is my last post.
With the election over, I am headed off to a new assignment. I will be working with Chris Satullo, editor of the Inquirer Editorial Board, on a year-long project dealing with the Philadelphia mayor's race.
When I started this blog in April, it was drawing about 140-odd visitors a day, some of them quite odd. In October, it was up to about 900 unique visitors a day. I offer thanks to all of you who took the time to stop by.
Things I liked about blogging: the chance to report and comment in real time and the ability to link to the good work of others.
Let's be honest, blogging is a parasitic exercise. We stand on the shoulders of the folks -- in my case, mostly political reporters -- who do the hard work of harvesting facts and offering analysis.
One thing I disliked about the blog: Most of the comments are anonymous. I'd prefer a system where everyone takes public ownership of their views, instead of hiding behind a curtain. That said, I rejected only a handful of comments, mostly because they contained falsehoods or were obscene. The rest I let flow.
Now, with a final bow of thanks, I depart.
posted by Tom Ferrick Jr. at 5:48 AM
16 Comments:
Tom, say it ain't so! I'm addicted to your column and your blog and will miss it tremendously. Though it will be interesting to follow your perspective on the mayor's race!
Best of luck.
Good luck on your new assignment, Tom. We'll miss you. You're always a good read.
Thanks for the hard work and great insights over the past many months. This blog has been a must-read throughout Campaign 2006.
Tom, best of luck. You are one of the best. Very to hear about your mother.
Tom, Sorry you are giving this up, but obviously it takes time away from other things. Looking forward to your thoughts on the mayor's race. Love your column, hope that is continuing. Best wishes.
I was one of the new unique visitors in October. I enjoyed it and look forward to your perspective on the Mayor's race. I do find it interesting that, after you said you wished there hadn't been so many anonymous comments, you received 4 anonymous comments. Oh well. Progress is slow. Good Luck.
you'll be back, in one venue or another. this blogging is an addictive bug...
Good luck with the mayoral election project. I was a "citizen voice" in 1999 and enjoyed the experience and experiment in a citizen-driven issues campaign.
I know how hard Chris Satullo worked on the project and that some of the reports, including yourself, were tangentially involved.
Good luck with the 2007 "citizen voices". Philadelphia will be far better for your efforts.
Tom, very sorry to hear about your loss. Also, I'll miss checking in on your blog -- good luck on the new assignment, I'm sure you'll do a fine job.
Tom, best wishes on your new challenge, look forward to reading your perspective on the mayor's race. Hope you will find a way to blog what will surely be an entertaining (if not depressing)election. Condolences on the loss of your mom and thanks for making the mid-terms so much fun.
Thanks for the political insight, Tom. I enjoyed reading your blog. Hopefully, you can continue this in some format for the mayoral race. Good luck!
Sorry to see you go , Tom. I enjoyed your blog, as I turned into a total politics junkie in the months before the election. Best of luck in your new assignment.
Tom,
Hate to be the skunk at the garden party, but the real question for your new mayoral election assignment will be whether you will hold local Philly Democrats as accountable as you held national Republicans during this election.
Will you hammer away with numerous posts at the corruption, inefficiency, and wrongdoing of the majority party here to effect regime change like you did the Republicans? Or will you explain the last four years away with rationalizations and excuses to enable the continuation of over 55 years of one party rule?
Time will tell, but if history is a guide, nothing will change - regime or reporting.
Thanks Tom. Love your work. i hope we'll continue to see your column a few times a week in the print edition.
I've enjoyed catching the blog. It's one thing reading your column but the interactiveness of a blog with the associated comments is a unique medium.
I linked you on my blogroll at The Pennsylvania Progressive so this means I'll have to update that information. This means you're making work for me and I should be sore, lol.
Thanks for all the great posts, and good luck on the new assignment. Will you be posting on the mayor's race?
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