American Warmonger

Jeremy, nothing taken personally by me, dude. You contributed a lot to my impetus for starting a blog, and I hope our relationship can extend past TWA. You're on a new mission and it sounds as if you're quite content about it. I wish you well. Will keep you blogrolled, pop by to see how your correspondence campaign is growing. Keep up the great writing.

And, I'll always know at least one more site that has that American Flag bidness blogroll, besides Pirate's Cove.

Jeremy you rock when it comes to speaking the truth.

We make many friends through our blogs and it's easy to get caught up in the negative crap. It takes a strong person to see that for what it is and to walk away from it. I salute you for being able to define what you need to do.

You can make a difference just by being who you are. Your opinions are valuable- and I look forward to reading your posts again. (Don't I owe a post about body parts ;)

Keep in touch my friend.

Hey, Jeremy - good to see you writing again; I was getting worried.

I'm still ticked at myself for never making the time to have lunch or dinner with you and your family. (Will humbly take my 20 lashes with a wet noodle anytime)

I think you've got the right focus. I ran around on blog-traffic sites and angsted about traffic and links for too long before I figured out why I blog. You're correct: it's not really about anyone else.

Now that you've decided "to thine own self be true," I bet you're going to write more, write even better than ever, and enjoy it again - which is really what it ought to be.

So, go on, have fun! (Like you need my permission) I'll be stopping by and commenting and giving verbal hugzz!

Much luv,
-- R'cat
CatHouse Chat

You helped me get my blog out there when I first started, and you are still on my list of "most helpful people in the blogosphere".

That being said, I'm really sorry to see the manner in which you chose to resign from your groups. While it may have been cathartic to get all of it out, I think there were classier ways to do it than this.

Cao does request help on her blog, but she just as often is over at mine, or someone else's. If her analyses are flawed, it would make more sense to simply respond with the correct information rather than insult her on the front page of your blog, wouldn't it?

Bottom line is, there was no reason to publicly call out the leaders of various groups who in their own way are trying their best to make a difference. These types of issues would have better taken up with them privately.

Just my two cents.

Hey, Jeremy...no one ever asked you to march lockstep. No one always agrees on every issue. I also agree you could have left us in a more polite manner. Don't give up on trying to change the world. You sound depressed. Best of luck.

Oh, and another thing...I don't think I ever asked you to delink Reynolds. The offer was there for whoever WANTED to. I didn't cut ties with people who decided not to. Too bad you want to.

Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark.

I'm glad to see that you back to blogging. Some of us have actually missed your writings you know ;) But who says you aren't changing the world? You made me think about buying a Dyson. lol. Who knows what else you may be doing for others out there.

Jeremy: to follow up (after my initial shock), the more I think about your method, and the more I see what other TWAs are commenting here, I too have to at least say (as a friend, mind you) that I'm a little embarrassed for you in the way you chose to say goodbye to Cao and TWA. There's no way getting around it: an attack on our leader is an attack on all of us.

While I still don't take your statement personally, let me clarify: I do take it as a public affront to a good friend.

Jeremy - while I can certainly understand a change in one's focus, and a public declaration thereof, I have a few questions.

Regarding #1-3 above, if you don't believe publicly voicing your opinions to the world at large can make a change I politely disagree. I have generally liked what you have said in the past, and found many thought-provoking things here.

WRT # 4 above - Disassociation from online groups happens all the time, but I fail to see how a public attack on (the two people/groups I know) is called for. If you have a problem with someone, isn't it generally a better practice to state grievances in private? (I believe the phrase is "praise in public, criticize in private") ... and even discounting that, being rude to a person / people who thought you were a friend is not right.

Granted, you certainly don't need my approval for jack - but it strikes me as a bit trite, and tasteless.

Best wishes in changing the world, in whatever method you decide to do so, as I am sure it will be a better place for it.
/TJ

Good to have you back, young man. Now, quit strutting around and get back to fighting evil and defending truth, justice and the American way.

I'm sorry you guys feel this way. I didn't mean it as an attack. I meant it in a manner where Cao would see it and actually try to get help for her afliction. I doubt that if I said it in the Yahoo Group it would be nearly as polite as this. It's unfortunate that you now feel you have to choose sides. We are individuals after all. You can choose to be freindly with whomever you want.

I've seen others leave this group the "internal" way and there was always something that didn't feel right about it. It was the quiet "bowing out" that bothered me. People were being too polite to say what they really felt inside. I have kept silent for a full month. Cao is why I stopped blogging. I knew that if I continued I would have to quit in a way that might help her see what she is doing and seek help. I felt doing this publicly was the only option.

I'm sure Cao has said she's upset about this, feels like I'm a traitor, I stabbed her in the back, how I've gone vile, mean or contemptful. I didn't do this to be any of those things. I tried to do this in a manner that would get to her enough to actually take a look at what she does and reassess herself and her work. I felt this was the only way.

If you still feel that this is me against you now that is your problem not mine. I don't take marching orders from anyone and will not be silenced by anyone, including those that think I'm going about this the wrong way. Quite frankly, anyone who's trying to tell me how I should or should not run this blog or what I should or should not say in it can politely FUCK OFF!

...and Jay, it's not about the Instahack de-linking. I've never linked to Glenn in the first place so there would be no link to de-link. More than anything I just don't want to have an idea or an ideal backing me. My ides are my own and any focus towards this concentration or that would hinder me. I don't want to be tied down to a school of thought. I hope you understand.

I really do care for all of you as people. I just can't be in groups such as these anymore. Thank-you for having me.

As far as quiting my group, I understand. I have a lot of people who never post, I think just want on the blogroll for linkage purposes.

As far as Cao goes, I'm sorry you feel that way about her. I am the one who checks your blog daily, and I'm the one that brought this post to Cao's attention. If you want to know, the only thing she has said is that it hurt. Nothing mean whatsoever about you actually.

So, I understand you not wanting to be tied down to any set of ideas or school of thought. So, no hard feelings about quitting my group.

I still take issue with your depressing post on how you can't change the world. Who asked you to? Change minds.

See, obviously you must have started out with high intentions you are disappointed you can't reach. The post really sounds like self pity. We all do it however. I get frustrated all the time. Glad you worked it out.

I don't want to be tied down to a school of thought.

I'm sorry if I made you feel that way. I think I remember talking to you about this. I never asked you to post anything outside of your own beliefs. For future advice, when you join a group, expect a common ideology. You joined for some reason, so have your ideologies changed?

Welcome back Jeremy. I've missed you.

I would like to know why GW hasn't done more to secure our borders. I like the guy and I think he's doing a pretty good job under very difficult circumstances, but I really have a problem with his attitude toward illegal immigrants coming across the Mexican border. What do you think? What is his policy exactly. It's all pretty confusing for us regular folks to understand.

Yes, Jeremy...what are your thoughts about the illlegal immigration issue? It bugs me a lot too Patty Jo. I'de like to get some opinions on this.

I did a nice piece on that a while back. It was called "La Migra" if you can find it in my mess. I'll look up the URL and repost it. I'm working on a Katrina piece at the moment.

Illegal immigration? Bah, small potatoes.

Jeremy, do you have a nice cheese recipe to go along with all this whine?

ooolaa...It's that Mad Dog Vinnie again making fun of we the French. Each time he mentions the word CHEESE I get...hungry...and offended...
all at the same time.
What tis' that smell anyway?? I took a bath two weeks ago.

LOL

Dude blog on stuff that interests you and do it when the motivation strikes you. I as many bloggers know have gone through the same malaise and will again. It is however hard to stay away from friends and readers forever. Welcome back!

Welcome back my friend! Sounds like you've been thru some stuff.
I agree with Billy Budd. You get to blog on things that interest YOU, WHEN YOU want to.
I figure all things happen for a reason and I'm betting you're bigger, better and badder than ever!
Lisa

Great to have you back Jeremy. I have missed your insightful posts.
Isn't it interesting how all through our life we meet new people, learn from them and move on.
I have always felt it was like separating the wheat from the chaff.
Keep on blogging. There are many of us who truly enjoy reading what you have to say.
The others really don't matter at all.

Jeremy,
Thanks for sharing your feelings. I have experiences the same but on the other side of the spectrum. I am glad to see you are back, just for that I will post an honorary Jeremyh interview in the next few days.

Much love,
Jess

"I can not influence change in my city, state, country or world. This blog is effectively worthless for these functions so I am going to stop doing that. I officially quit trying to make a change in the world with my blog. It is pointless to try. The only thing that is ever realized is people patting you on the back or running snark raids on your site. It accomplishes nothing. This blog has accomplished nothing towards a political end."

Good show, man. Good show.

Now you (and I) can actually start a conversation.

Now you (and I) can actually start a conversation.

We have NEVER been able to have a conversation. I don't believe we are capable of doing so. Between you and I there was only fighting. I do not care to continue that.

May you find peace in your heart and the anger subside from your soul.

Hey Jeremy, glad to see you back. Your poor site was lookin' like a ghost town.
Change the world? Wow. Me, I just hope to whittle away at parts of it! ;)

Change Shmange. Sheesh! I'm doing good if I can change my sox! In fact the only thing I've ever been good at changing is my mind!