tied up in a knot
Michael Hussey isn’t feeling well. Seeing my note about online activism has apparently gotten him upset.
Tommy latched on to Tampa’s left-leaning blog scene. And Tommy started out by linking to everyone to earn brownie points. I don’t have a problem with that. I do have a problem with Tommy using progressives to further his blogads money.
Because of an error on my part, the post he complains about disallowed comments. Hussey responded anyway:
Tommy, you aren’t an activist. So why are you asking for activists to send you material? You haven’t backed a political candidate, you won’t write about the courthouse scandals, you haven’t written one post on Diebold etc. If you wsnt to run Tampa Linkfilter then that’s fine. If you’re just using activists so you can get more traffic for your blogads then that is f*cked up.
It’s not the first time he has suggested Sticks has issues. He notes different Sticks writers taking different stances on the same issue (I thought this was pretty weak, so I didn’t address it). And before that he demanded I address serious political issues.
Tommy, if you refuse to blog about serious political issues then ask Kevin Hayden to take you off the Progressives’ Peer Directory. That is one of the most prestigious lists for lefty bloggers.
That prestigious list continues to link to Sticks’ old blogspot site. You’d think a site so “prestigious” would do some background checking now and again, huh?
Offline, Hussey and I have discussed politics now and again. Admittedly, he’s much further to the left than I. Specifically because of that, I asked him contribute to the voices here at Sticks, so his viewpoint can get the attention it deserves. He declined. Then he derisively calls Sticks of Fire Tampa Linkfilter, InstaTampa, and says I am ”the most popular blogger in Florida.”
Because we have had such discourse before, I think Hussey has actually held back his true feelings a bit here. Nonetheless, the hyperbole is a bit much. And he’s made some bad assumptions.
To clarify, I did not sign up to be on LeftyBlogs. That site started in the Summer of ‘05. Someone there (or a reader) must have thought I should be included. Again, I did not submit my site, so at the time I considered asking to be removed. But then I thought, well, why should I do that? I assume they needed content, and I sure didn’t mind having a link.
Having said all that, maybe he’s right. I do try to keep a balanced perspective on this site. I welcome comment from all over the political spectrum. I’ve taken the conservative side of some issues. Although I have made my opinions known on various issues, I generally don’t use this fantastic forum to preach.
At any rate, Sticks of Fire is not intended to be only a political blog. In addition to local politics (including endorsements!), we have a healthy dose of history, local blog coverage, entertainment, development, and various other junk. Maybe we shouldn’t be included on LeftyBlogs. So I’ll leave it up to him.
Michael, if you think I am unfairly listed on both of those sites, I’ll take your word for it. Feel free to contact them and ask them remove Sticks of Fire from their list. I didn’t complain when they added the site, and I won’t complain if they now see fit to remove it.
But if you are going to continue to ask self-described progressives to link to other progressive sites, don’t be surprised if you end up with a list of blogs with varying degrees of what you consider progressive. If you ask me, getting diverse viewpoints with differing opinions is what “progressive” is all about.
Tags: online, site-info, tampa
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April 4th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Hear, hear!
April 4th, 2006 at 5:55 pm
How did this turn into a “lefty” thing? The Times article was about online activism. Tommy’s original post was about online activism. Online activism is not limited to “lefties”. Let’s hear from some libertarians, or some Ron Paul Republicans.
April 4th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
So that’s why critics say progressives are humorless. I didn’t know “filler” precludes your ability to become a progressive or progressive activist.
And if anyone was still unsure as to why progressives and Democrats seem more disorganized than their counterparts on the other side of the political fence, the snobbish exclusionary tone of many of Michael’s comments should clue you in. I read Pushing Rope often and enjoy it, and he should be proud of his recognition, but all of this feels like anything but progress.
April 4th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
To be blunt and frank, it’s a pissing match and utter bullshit. Pardon my french.
I’m saying that as a progressive — getting into knots and being anal about SOF’s inclusion on a liberal blog aggregator is a joke and a waste of time and energy. I’d sooner complain there weren’t more progressives who were showing up on those blogs than complaining about who IS showing up.
I mean, it’s not like the Sticks is “Ranting Right Wing Howler” or something of that nature that fosters homophobia, xenophobia, racism, sexism and facism. All in all, it comes down to more not-politically-important blog entries showing up on Leftyblogs from SOF than from other sources. Tommy’s not to blame for that… The lack-of Florida progressives in Leftyblogs.com is.
April 4th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
I just want to know where my cut from the google ads is tommy!
April 4th, 2006 at 10:16 pm
Edit knows where his priorities are
April 4th, 2006 at 10:48 pm
You’ve made it Tommy. Only when insulted and attacked can you truly be considered a success. Mazel Tov! And Joel, some progressives are way funny. And cute, too. We’re not all sticks in the mud.
Come visit my site, if you don’t believe me.
April 4th, 2006 at 11:50 pm
Don’t worry, Kate - I do (believe you and visit the site, that is), and I’ll keep visiting even when you move to Colorado. Unless of course the thin mountain air turns you into another self-righteous bore - but even then I’m pretty loyal.
April 5th, 2006 at 7:18 am
BTW I am very upset with every one of you contributers that has ever disagreed with anything I have written. Therefore you are no longer to be allowed to post anything ever. In fact stop having opinions of your own at all. Tommy make that happen.
April 5th, 2006 at 9:41 am
Michael who? Editengine is hilarious. SOF Rocks!!!!!
April 5th, 2006 at 10:25 am
With the continued explosion of chain restaurants, retail stores, and canned everything else; has America become such a place of mediocrity that opinions cannot be expressed ? Thank God for Blogs - even those I don’t agree with - for allowing freedom of expression and thought. Freedom from persecution is a significant part of why America exists today. GET UP, STAND UP ! Thanks Sticks !
April 5th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
I can kinda see what MH is getting at. I’m sometines a little surprised at the pandering and self-congratulation here which is tangential to what he’s saying, but still somewhat related.
Frankly, I liked it better when Sticks was a one-man show. All these Tommy-bots who couldn’t quite swing their own blogs lack credibility with me.
April 5th, 2006 at 1:40 pm
Count on Rachel to turn on the uncomfortable spotlight. But, I get it. This isn’t Gawker. It’s a local blog. If Tommy wants to take it the Gawker route, fine, but I think it’s been mentioned before that that certain “Tommy-ness” is now missing.
April 5th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
Not every soldier can be a general. Not every Indian can or should be a chief… And not every Tampa Bay blogger should be a SOF contributor. I agree with that sentiment.
April 5th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
I liked it when it was a one man show as well, but then I never saw him (away from the computer) and really had to read too find out what he was thinking about. I never realized how political this blog was or is, I thought it was just stuff about Tampa, all areas not just politics. If Tommy is making money on this from advertising, I don’t see it either so don’t worry editengine. This was or is just for fun, a place to read and give comments. A place to meet people living in the same area and see how they feel about the area. A place for me to write about a drunk night out and running into local celebs. I agree Tommy brags a bit but I think we all do that in one way or another and hey it is fun and he deserves it.
Wifey
April 5th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
Wifey, you’re getting back to basics - I liked when I could read to find out Tommy’s thoughts. And I like when Tommy congratulates himself. He deserves it. I like reading about drunken nights out in Tampa and local celebs and new businesses, etc., etc.
Really, though, his are the only posts I read. The rest are long-winded without being engaging or simply asinine.
April 6th, 2006 at 12:38 am
It all comes down to what Tommy wants though as this is his sight.
I’m the clown who talked him into getting a dot-com address (as I host the site mostly for free and help with the technical side of things) and I’m also the clown that tries to keep things grounded at times with ideas that Mr. Duncan has.
But I digress. I thought this post/thread was about SOF appearing on Leftyblogs.com and Michael Hussey being angry about it? We could have an entirely seperate post about “What do you want Sticks to be?”
April 6th, 2006 at 9:37 am
You know what, critics? STFU!!! This is Tommy’s blog and it can be whatever he wants it to. If we like it, we’ll read it. If not, we’ll ignore it like I do “Pushing Rope.” Some of us are just tagging along and know our role, avoiding self importance. How about you?
April 6th, 2006 at 10:34 am
How about me? I’m really, really important. That’s why I rile you up so much.
April 6th, 2006 at 11:39 am
No, Bama - No STFU. I love hearing everyone’s opinion. That’s what makes this medium so wonderful.
Here’s mine:
Soon as I can figure out how to get 40K/year with this damn thing, I’ll quit my job, write more, and hire some of you commentors to teach my very gracious and unpaid contributors how to write more like you.
Another 40K/year, and I can hire consultants to see if this blog leans left, right, or straight up, and to monitor all links to make sure they are proper.
Another 40K/year, and I can hire more consultants to see which direction is best for the site.
40K more, and then I can hire someone to pretend to be me and run the whole thing, so I can read other blogs and criticize them.
One donation of $40,000 can get it started - email me now!
April 6th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Man, what’s with all the ganging up on Rachel. Is Sticks a place where only the gang can be in the comments section. Now that’s elitist. I’ve had off-the record conversations with Tommy. So I will not share what I told him. That is a mutual understanding. But I’m not bothered by people having disagreement with me or Tommy’s post. You Stickheads do have a problem about being challenged.
Personally, I agree with Rachel. Bama, you have a serious self-esteem problem. You jumped on me in a thread about me.
That’s a statement coming from someone who writes on Sticks. For the record: I voted for another blog up for that award.
Who’s Rachel? The tbt covergirl and Weekly Planet pick for best blogger.
Who am I? Someone who’s old blog was linked to Metafilter, Wired News, Outside the Beltway, Daily Kos, Democratic Underground and I could go on. A blog post I wrote was even cited in a “>civil suit (pdf file) against the DoJ for publishing allegedly classified materal. Truth is, none of that is a big deal.
I know who you are, Bama. Another guy who feels brave behind an anonymous handle who attacks other bloggers higher up the food chain. If you got the exposure from tbt (no links back to you like me and Rachel.) We would have to put up with your chest-thumping.
April 6th, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Well now we’re just sniping like a bunch of kids on a long car trip! All I’m saying, if you’ll look past my playful jabs, is that we don’t need to take ourselves all that seriously (that means you, Michael Milhous Hussey). This is blogging for God’s sake, not ivory tower publishing!
When SOF stops being fun and/or thought provoking, I’ll tap out. Tommy doesn’t need some “rival” blogger going Bill O’Reilly on him. But that $40K initial investment sounds like a grand idea. I’ll throw a Jackson in the houndstooth hat and start passing it around.