On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
On October 2nd and 3rd, I submitted my first posts to Ricochet. On October 4th, I was in Denver to speak on a panel at the Mountain West CPAC meeting. It was the day after the Denver presidential debate. Following my talk, I was standing in a line, waiting to say hello to Hugh Hewitt, who has published my weekly columns on his website for more than four years. Hugh was broadcasting, so he could only talk during breaks. I got to chatting with a woman waiting too. It turned out she and her husband lived nearby (Colorado Springs, I think). Eventually we introduced ourselves. When I said my name, she started. "Don't you post on Hugh Hewitt," she said, "but didn't I see you on Ricochet?"
Now understand, since leaving the Reagan White House at the end of the second term, I had published hundreds of articles in journals, newspapers and online. Never before had a stranger not in the media recognized my name because of my work and, particularly surprising, associated it with a presence that began only two days before. In that moment I realized that, like Hugh's audience, the Ricochet community is remarkably alert, attentive, smart and serious.
In the month and a half since then, I have had that first impression confirmed in the comments to each of my Ricochet postings. Not every commenter has agreed with me. But all have been insightful, civil, goodwilled, a pleasure to be in the same community with. And in this turbulent world, that is a gift.
So on this Thanksgiving weekend, my list of gratitudes extends to all Ricocheters -- and to Peter and Rob for inviting me to join this warm and remarkable congregation.
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Comments:
Sep '11
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
And thus, to disprove Clark's point about comity and civility, let the semi-annual food fight about the proper plural reference to the denizens of Ricochet begin.
Ricocheters? How drearily Anglo-Saxon, dahling.
Personally, I prefer Ricochetoise...others, perhaps having had more than eight weeks of French in 7th grade, prefer Ricochetoisie.
Let the food fight commence!
Feb '11
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
Ricochetti. It's the plural, so does not need any "s."
And Clark Judge, we Ricochetti thank you too!
Aug '10
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
I know full well that Ricochetoise is grammatically incorrect (men would be Ricochetois, women Ricochetoise), but I agree that it's my preferred nomenclature.
Ricochetoisie is also nice.
May '10
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
John Murdoch: And thus, to disprove Clark's point about comity and civility, let the semi-annual food fight about the proper plural reference to the denizens of Ricochet begin.
Ricocheters? HowdrearilyAnglo-Saxon, dahling.
If we are going that way, shouldn't it be the more swashbuckling Ricocheteers? You are welcome Clark!
Jun '10
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
Ricochet Members are the smart wing of the conservative movement (just don't call us "intellectuals," which is a dirty word around these parts).
We do have a few subjects that really get things going here. A sample:
Same-sex marriage (believe me, this subject has been delved into here: I just don't understand why the pro-SSM forces haven't capitulated in the face of superior arguments).
Libertarians v. traditional conservatives. The conservatives ask, "why do Libertarians keep messing things up?" Or, from the Liberatarian perspective, "just how dumb are traditional conservatives?" [Our monthly dust-up is entertaining, if not enlightening].
Atheists v. the Religious. I won't attempt to characterize this one other than to say "you where these can go." The Agnostics lurk around the edges, pouring a bit of gas on the fire from time to time.
Other than these, and often these, our conversation are conducted with decorum and mutual respect. People who insult others often seek forgiveness later in a thread (I can think of two times I've done it). It really is a nice place to hang out on the web.
Clark: We're glad you're here.
Edited on November 23, 2012 at 6:26pmSep '11
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
Misthiocracy: I know full well that Ricochetoise is grammatically incorrect (men would be Ricochetois, women Ricochetoise), but I agree that it's my preferred nomenclature.
Ricochetoisie is also nice. · 59 minutes ago
Wait--so by using Ricochetois without the 'e' I can be smugly pseudo-European and sexist at the same time?
Wow--who knew French could be so cool?
(I studied German for six years. My German grammar isn't any better.)
Sep '11
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
Trace
John Murdoch: And thus, to disprove Clark's point about comity and civility, let the semi-annual food fight about the proper plural reference to the denizens of Ricochet begin.
Ricocheters? HowdrearilyAnglo-Saxon, dahling.
If we are going that way, shouldn't it be the more swashbucklingRicocheteers?
Okay, so long as when the show comes on, I get to wear the Ricky Ricochet ears....
(Sad, sad story of childhood deprivation....)
Aug '10
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
Who's the leader of our club, friend to you and me?
H-o-w-a-r-d-R-o-a-r-k!
;-)
Jun '10
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
Misthiocracy: Who's the leader of our club, friend to you and me?
H-o-w-a-r-d-R-o-a-r-k!
;-) · 4 minutes ago
Even though his name doesn't fit the rhyme, John Galt resents this.
Aug '10
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
tabula rasa
Misthiocracy: Who's the leader of our club, friend to you and me?
H-o-w-a-r-d-R-o-a-r-k!
;-)
Even though his name doesn't fit the rhyme, John Galt resents this.
Then he can go sulk in a gulch.
Sep '10
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
Ricochet should spawn latin plurals
Nov '11
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
So glad you're among the Ricochetti, Clark! Thanks again for gracing us with your insights on the Audio Meetup - and since.
Jun '10
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
Misthiocracy
tabula rasa
Misthiocracy: Who's the leader of our club, friend to you and me?
H-o-w-a-r-d-R-o-a-r-k!
;-)
Even though his name doesn't fit the rhyme, John Galt resents this.
Then he can go sulk in a gulch. · 4 hours ago
He's been sulking in the gulch since 1957.
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
"Never before had a stranger not in the media recognized my name because of my work and, particularly surprising, associated it with a presence that began only two days before. In that moment I realized that, like Hugh's audience, the Ricochet community is remarkably alert, attentive, smart and serious."
Happy Thanksgiving back to you, Clark, my oldest and best of friends. And stick with us, baby. We'll make you a star.
Feb '12
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
Misthiocracy: I know full well that Ricochetoise is grammatically incorrect (men would be Ricochetois, women Ricochetoise), but I agree that it's my preferred nomenclature.
Ricochetoisie is also nice. · November 23, 2012 at 8:27am
Ricochetoisie looks like something you order off a menu, I like mine with a side cheese fries and a Tall Cold Amber Ale
Aug '10
Re: On Thanksgiving Weekend, a Word of Thanks to Ricocheters
CuriousJohn
Misthiocracy: I know full well that Ricochetoise is grammatically incorrect (men would be Ricochetois, women Ricochetoise), but I agree that it's my preferred nomenclature.
Ricochetoisie is also nice. · November 23, 2012 at 8:27am
Ricochetoisie looks like something you order off a menu, I like mine with a side cheese fries and a Tall Cold Amber Ale · 12 hours ago
Maybe that's why I like it?