Posted by Mark Silva at 8:30 am CST
My children still are sleeping. They are 22 and 19.
This is the first time, in my recollection, that they haven't been awake early on this long-awaited day clawing at the Christmas tree. They are sleeping the sleep of college kids, or women and men. They are home from school, which, for me, is the greatest Christmas present that I could ever have.
The reflecting pool on the National Mall, as seen on Christmas Eve. Photo by Mark Silva
For any of you who, like me, have wandered into this place where news is shared and often broken, tips are tipped, ideas are floated and sometimes smashed and the occasional overheated broadside is launched, I'd like to take this quiet moment before the storm of torn gift wrappings, and on behalf of all at the Tribune and sister papers who contribute to this site, wish you a very merry Christmas.
At my own house, we also lighted the eight candles of Hannukah this year, as we always do, and the Star of David sits atop our Christmas tree as a nod to our ecumenical celebrations. So, in whatever holiday you have celebrated this year, we also wish that you found the warmth of family and friends.
During the long maiden year of the Swamp, which Frank James of the Tribune's Washington bureau conceived and has nurtured like Father Christmas himself, I and many others who labor at this site have been deeply gratified by the following it has found. You may not know that, beyond the many people who contribute comments from time to time -- and they have exceeded 1,000 on a single posting -- many more people drop by, turn the page and move on without comment. There have been days when 50,000 and more have tuned in to Swamp, with some leaving their thoughts behind and many more silent.
All of this interest has contributed to making the Swamp many times the most visited place on the Tribune's Web-site. For all of that interest, and for all your thought, we thank you.
I'd also like to echo a sentiment that has been voiced in these electronic pages from time to time, that a civil discourse offers our best hope for understanding all that occurs around us, and encourage all to keep on reading, and keep on posting, in that spirit in the year ahead.
And, to Frank and all the others who have contributed to making this place as interesting as it is, let's all voice that wish which I've read in a few recent postings, too:
Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
But say it quietly, please. My kids still are sleeping.
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Comments
Merry Christmas to all the swampers...and to Mark and Frank for putting up with all our blather. From an older Man....enjoy those kids forever, no matter how late they sleep. This year
I became a grandfather and it brought back so many memories of Christmas when mine were young.
No matter how you celebrate or what faith you are, this time of year everyone seems a little more friendly and it seems we have it in us, so it gives me hope that one day we'll realize lets take it just 364 more days.
Merry Christmas to all !!!!!
Posted by: bill r. | December 25, 2006 8:52 AM
Merry Christmas to all even John D and Paulo
Posted by: Dale Peters | December 25, 2006 9:27 AM
Mark,
Blessings of the season.
I have seen little hope for civil discourse not being drowned out by the rude, ignorant mob. I've been a fairly regular visitor to this forum for about half of it's young life. In that time I've met a few interesting, intelligent, well read and good hearted people. I've met many others who have none of those characteristics.
It's the former group who seem to tire of the squabbling and drift away, while the latter remain.
Nevertheless, I guess we should cling to the sliver of hope, however slim it may be, and especially in this season -- which after all is about hope.
So in the interest of more civil, thoughtful and productive conversation we who read and post comments could do so much more carefully; don't type reflexively, when you're angry, folks; don't answer every childish insult with another childish insult. Ignore the barbs rather than respond to them.
Try this: type your comment in a word program. and save it. Reread it several times, think carefully about it and revise it; then cut and paste it here if its worthwhile or JUST TRASH IT if it's not.
In other words comment BETTER even if it means commenting LESS.
Mark, Frank et al:
On your end you could do a better job administering this blog. I would like to see less concern for maximizing the traffic. For example we have yet to see "irrelevancies and unfair attacks" removed from the commentary. And frankly, a few of your posts seem to be (intentionally, it appears) red meat thrown to the snarling pack.
So what say you all? Should we make an effort in the coming year to make the Swamp into what it could be and should be -- that is something that would have made jefferson, Franklin, Madison and co. proud? I think it's worth a try.
Now all, enjoy a Toddy or two, and your holiday.
Pax vobiscum.
Posted by: Juanito | December 25, 2006 9:31 AM
Juanito.....Merry niggling!
Posted by: bill r. | December 25, 2006 1:58 PM
Mark,hope your Christmas was Merry.
The Swamp does a great job of letting people express their opinions,however they choose.The civil dis-course that's been going on since Clinton became President,shows no signs of slowing with the likes of Fox news available.
There always seems to be a few whiners,who never seem to be satisfied.My suggestion,start your own blog,where you can have total control.
As long as you have people un-willing to take a stand and play the middle of the road game,they prefer to be commentators rather than contributors.
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 26, 2006 8:57 AM
WASHINGTON - The tally for Hurricane Katrina waste could top $2 billion next year because half of the lucrative government contracts valued at $500,000 or greater for cleanup work are being awarded without little competition.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE "FISCAL CONSERVATIVES"
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 26, 2006 9:07 AM
Mark,
Don't listen to Juanito. It's not called "The Puddle" or "The Sponge Bath". It's "The Swamp", where things get muddy and dirty. If it is offensive to some, maybe you should start a "G" rated version where thin-skinned bloggers like Juanito can spend all day complimenting each other on proper grammar and syntax.
Ok Juanito, don't get your knickers in a twist, I'm just kidding.
Tom Waits told a story once about how he has a "Swear Jar" in the kitchen. If he or any of the kids were caught swearing, they had to put a dollar in the jar. One day they decided to see how much money they could raise. Great fun.
I think "The Swamp" should have such a day. But what would be a good date?
Peace All
Posted by: Bubba | December 26, 2006 11:43 AM
Bubba, Juan, All,
Perhaps we could have a 'best sophisticated, subtle insult day', using flowery English (Like the Victorians.)
EG:
'You my good Sir, are a blot upon the page, a silly twit of a man, incapable of even posturing as scribe, wit, pundit, or sage.
You, Sir are a bumpkin, a swell, a dandy, a pimple upon the face of correct society; One who knows not when to stop; One who is applauded by fools and dismissed by the wise and learned of our fair land. Let me be out of your site, sound, and pen scrawl!'
Something like that??
Posted by: c.morris | December 26, 2006 5:15 PM
As if on cue, in bumbles the Loon to illustrate my comments perfectly.
When have you EVER contributed to a dialogue? Have you ever, even once engaged in an exchange of ideas? Have you ever been a party in a conversation here that WASN'T simply an exchange of schoolyard insults?
All you have ever done here is parrot vacuous slogans, toss around not-very-clever insults or cut-and-paste brief news items. Why do you even bother? Do everybody a favor and find some other way to kill time.
PS to Bryan,
I understand that some level of snarkiness goes with the territory -- no, I'm not talking about good manners. Also, anybody who is really good at grammar, syntax and spelling knows that my language skills are just so-so -- that's not an issue with me. Rather, I would like to see fewer canned ideas; some critical thinking; some sound reasoning, however it may be expressed. Maybe I expect too much.
I'm outa here.
PPS: that was not aimed at you, Bryan.
Posted by: Juanito | December 26, 2006 8:18 PM
c.morris, what a fun idea! Swampers? Maybe Mark and Frank could set a date or piece of a day's blog just for "civilized insults" a la Dorothy Parker, Winston Churchill, Mark Twain, et al.
A toast to the New Year!!
Posted by: Karen Up North | December 27, 2006 1:09 AM
I'm outa here
Posted by: Juanito | Dec 26, 2006 8:18:41 PM
FOREVER HOPEFULLY! WE'LL MISS YOU MARV ALBERTS.
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 27, 2006 8:40 AM
CORRECTION;
I seem to have mixed up my "B"s "Bryan" above should read "Bubba". I regret the error. (But Bryan's OK too.)
Karen, C.M.,
Yes, that might be fun, if people would play along in the right spirit.
NOW I'm outa here. Bye all.
Posted by: Juanito | December 27, 2006 8:41 AM
Juanito,
Not to niggle but it was with an "i" before I was hijacked by some boorish twit.
CM,
Your deliberate wit is only outmatched by your uncanny command of elementary language.
I like it.
Posted by: Bubba | December 27, 2006 8:47 AM
Juanito,
I seem to have mixed up my "B"s "Bryan" above should read "Bubba". I regret the error. (But Bryan's OK too.)
I was wondering how I got wound up in this mess! Anyway, I generally agree with your point here, though I admit to being a big fan of snarkiness.
One thing I don't want to see is an assault on "irrelevancies." This is a fatally subjective term, and as others have noted sometimes the sidebars are the best discussions we have. Everything is interconnected, so one man's irrelevancy is another's insight.
Keep up the good work, Swampers, I look forward to a new year that will begin with a hopeful return to sanity and responsibility on Capitol Hill.
Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Bryan | December 27, 2006 11:04 AM
Wednesday, December 27, 2006; Page A01
The Bush administration has decided to propose listing the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, putting the U.S. government on record as saying that global warming could drive one of the world's most recognizable animals out of existence.
I know this is just another cut and paste,but my hope is that this article could produce some thought provoking dialogue from the "Intelectual Right",who up until now,continue to ignore Global Warming.How about an exchange of ideas on this issue that appears to prove Al Gore has had it right for quite a while.
Childish remarks and brief commentaries are not needed or wanted.
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 27, 2006 12:19 PM
"c.morris, what a fun idea! Swampers? Maybe Mark and Frank could set a date or piece of a day's blog just for "civilized insults" a la Dorothy Parker, Winston Churchill, Mark Twain, et al.
A toast to the New Year!!
Posted by: Karen Up North | Dec 27, 2006 1:09:00 AM"
I like this idea.
Posted by: c.morris | December 27, 2006 7:46 PM
I'm with Up North and CM. Great fun. I picture John Cleese doing Shakespeare for some reason.
Posted by: Bubba | December 27, 2006 8:04 PM
OK, I think it's up to Mark or Frank now to set it up.
Maybe in one of their 'Swamp Sunrise' entries, with a blurb on the front.
Flowery English only. No 'hard' cussin.
Bub,
CLeese is a perfect model.
I think in one of the Holy Grail movies he fried somebody in this way.
Posted by: c.morris | December 28, 2006 8:40 AM
Mark, Frank, Bill Neikirk PLEASE set up The Swamp Civilized Insult posting. I think this would be right up Mr. Neikirk's alley.
I really want to call people fops, vulgarians and Rum-tum-tuggeries. Maybe we could call it The Swamp Box Social? Anyone who does not support this idea is a base, low, putrescant poop whose own ancestors were beaten back and forced off this shore by our own forefathers who were made of sterner stuff.
Posted by: Bill | December 28, 2006 2:55 PM
Bill, All,
I'm already laughing. I'm already getting one in the can. (Not Really!)
This could be good.
Posted by: c.morris | December 28, 2006 9:15 PM