Sometime Friday, Winds had its 5,000,000th visit.
I'd been keeping an eye on the counter, wondering if it was going to happen this year. Does it mean anything? No, not really. We're a very small fish in a very large sea of information.
But it's an occasion to express my appreciation not only to Joe for opening the joint, but to my co-authors for making it consistently interesting to be here, and mostly to all of you - the community of folks who read and comment here.
I get asked why I'm doing this (occasionally by Tenacious G, who asks "Why are you doing that? Weren't you going to clear the table?") - and the reason is that I learn a lot by doing it. Writing things I'm thinking down sometimes makes me realize that sometimes they're just lame - you should see the posts that never get put up - and even when I'm happy with them, folks who comment often make me sharpen my game or change my views.
So if you're reading this - if you're one of the 5 million visitors - step up and engage us, become part of the dialog. Because really, at the core, the only reason I'm writing these things down is to start a conversation.
It was me. I was the 5 millionth.
I got a call from a guy at the NSA that has been working on Bush's illegal spying on the American public project. Your site happens to be on his case load and he mentioned that I was the 5 millionth (i guess they count traffic) and because of my foreigner handle and my positions usually in oposition to his handlers' he'd thought he'd check in on me.
I guess I passed the test because I'm still freezin' my ass off in NY instead of enjoying the balmy environs of the GITMO.
At any, it was an honor and a priviledge to be the 5 millionth.
Hopefully, I have the same for being the 10 millionth!
Thanks, avedis. Ed McMahon will be getting back to you soon.
And I'm up here in freakin' Toronto. How can I get to Gitmo?
'heh.'
OK, A.L., I'm willing to take you up on your offer! :-)
But seriously, thanks to all of you for running such an interesting and classy establishment.
I've never been able to understand why Winds does not win all the group blog awards. It is certainly my favorite.
Thanks to you all.
Good statement, that your comments are meant to start a conversation. William Raspberry has a decent column today about the value of civil discourse.
Thank goodness there is a gentleman here in the personage of Armed Liberal.
Would that his grace be a beacon for Joe.