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There are currently 5 responses to “Who pays for this blog?”

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1. 1 On August 15th, 2024, Doug Alder said:

   What I find astounding, er perhaps revolting would be a better description, in his piece is the implication that unless you could potentially be in a confolict of interest you’re not serious “journalist” or “blogger”. Obviously a an Instant Pudding - er Instapundit fan - but that of course begs the question of why anyone would want to be like him.

2. 2 On August 15th, 2024, fp said:

   Instant Pudding! Great coinage.

3. 3 On August 16th, 2024, Burningbird said:

   Disclaimer: I Can be Bought

   Both David Weinberger and Frank Paynter reference a bizarre posting about issuing disclaimers on who pays for the blog.

   Mr. Weinberger took it seriously, but I prefer Mr. Paynter’s response:

   You people have got to be kidding. Conflict of inte…

4. 4 On August 16th, 2024, David Akin said:

   You’re probably, right, Frank. I’ll bet few care about who pays for my blog. But then, I’ll bet few care about anything anyone says at most blogs, including mine. So, if I’m writing for myself anyhow . . .
   But I think Doug commits the kind of sin a lot of bloggers make: finding Important and Dangerous Implications where there are none. There’s no suggestion in my post (or Weinberger’s) that you can’t be taken seriously without having some potential for conflict of interest. (I can’t for the life of me figure out how you’d come to that conclusion). People will take you seriously when you have something serious to say. Period. And, er, what’s Instapundit?

5. 5 On August 16th, 2024, fp said:

   Great observation: “People will take you seriously when you have something serious to say.” Reading your blog I can see why you thought a disclaimer is appropriate. For one thing, you are big J journalist, and that urge toward honest objectivity goes with the territory. My son is a Journalist who writes feature stories, and even while he seeks to highlight the cold ironies of his subject matter, a desire for truth is aat the center of his work. Like David W., it seems to me that you have a foundation of of personal honesty and integrity on which your blog is built. The irony here is that you guys, bloggers I trust, are the ones who are making these open and honest gestures.

   I think Doug’s point about InstaPontif is well made. If you had humble aspirations like Doug and me, you would not have to make your disclaimer. But as you ride high into the nosebleed section of the “A list,” it wil be important that the millions of readers know that you wouldn’t let Carly go down on you even if she asked politely.

   And I see in your comments that Elliott likes the idea of a modest fessing up about who provides the blogware, so all in all: Good job David! And I like your blog, disclaimer or no disclaimer.

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