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Hi all – it has been some time since we had an update because I have been extremely busy working on the details of the future of the site. There are a few administrative issues that you should all know, so this post deals with those.
By the end of this month we will have moved the site to WordPress VIP which is a special hosting set up that WordPress (the people who wrote the software this site runs on) run for high traffic blogs. Some of their current customers are FoxNews blogs, Flickr Blogs, Failblog, ICanHasCheezburger, and the Time Magazine blogs. The new setup will not change much on the site, but it will give us the stability that we have been longing for since day one. It will put an end to downtime or quirky behavior. It will also reduce the cost of running the site and cut my admin duties by half. There are a couple of caveats, the biggest of which is:
WordPress VIP doesn’t allow us to transfer our registered users because they have a different set of terms and conditions which our users must accept. This means that people who are registered on the site will need to re-register on wordpress.com. Unfortunately not all usernames will be available so we may have to get used to a few nicknames being slightly different after the move. This is, of course, entirely optional, as you will be able to post using your current nickname on the new system – just not as a registered user. There are no benefits being lost in this move so I hope that people won’t mind too much. The commenting system will remain the same and all comments will remain intact.
I recently made some changes to the front page of the site – the main change is the introduction of tab links to popular and controversial lists. I have added 5 pages of popular lists but still need to finish adding the controversial ones. We are using comment count as a measure of controversy. Hopefully these new categories will make it easier for people to find our best content. You may also have noticed the new “Share This List” option at the top and bottom of each list. Clicking this will open a small window which will let you email, SMS, twitter, facebook, or share the site using all of the most popular social networking and bookmarking sites. Be sure to use this regularly.
I was able to negotiate recently with the person who registered the Twitter “listverse” account some time ago so it is now in our hands. If you use Twitter and want to include our latest lists in your twitter feed, you can follow Listverse on twitter. We have over 1,000 followers already so why not join in the fun? I will also be using this feed for occasional site updates if they are needed.
NOTE: This item is now defunct – I have made my own replacement logo (using the same symbol but different layout and font).
In March we had a competition for list submissions. The contributions were large in number and high in quality – many thanks. The winner of the competition has (finally!) been selected and it is: Blogball for the 10 Fascinating Only Existing Photographs. Congratulations Blogball – please contact me so we can organize the delivery of the $150.00 prize.
We have moved the site forums! This is because we need to get all of our site functionality off the site before the WordPress move. The new address for the forums is http://forums.listverse.com. If you go there and have trouble staying logged in, leave the page, delete your cookies, and try again. The move has modified the cookie structure which can cause a few blips. Thanks to everyone for being so patient with this move!
The Ultimate Book of Top 10 Lists was completed on time and send to the publisher. It was a hell of a lot more work than I expected but it was well worth it. It should be published and on-sale by November this year – in time for the Christmas rush. If you want to pre-order a copy of it you can already do so. Here is an amazon link for The Ultimate Book of Top 10 Lists. The pre-order price is only $10.17 which is a real bargain. The price may return to its recommended price of $14 when it is published so it is a good idea to get in now.
May 18th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Congratulations on getting the move all finalised and sorted! I’ve just checked out the book on the Amazon UK site and it seems we don’t get the same price as US users?
May 18th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Ryan: that is quite typical of the UK – everything is overpriced.
May 18th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
RIGHT NOW I am commenting about Listverse’s twitter page.
RIGHT NOW I am clicking Submit.
RIGHT NOW I’m sorry but I’m never going to read the Twitter page…
…but everything else looks swanky RIGHT NOW.
May 18th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Congratulations on the win, Blogball. Your list was fascinating, and you deserve the prize. It must have taken ages to find all those photos!
-Jay K.
May 18th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
HELL YEAH!
congrats
May 18th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Sounds great. Maybe if I were older and able to have a Paypal account I would donate to this site =) Congrats Blogball, and staff, keep up the good work.
May 18th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Great job, Blogball!
Congrats JFrater!
I would donate if I had any freaking money!!!!
May 18th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Cool changes. I am glad that we get avatars now.
Congrats to Blogball.
I will be ordering the book today.
Thanks for all that you do!!!
May 18th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Can’t wait for the book!!
May 18th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Wow I just saw the news about the March competition! I completely forgot all about it and really wasn’t trying to win anything when I wrote the list. After I write a list just a few positive and appreciative comments from Listversers makes all the work worth while so this is icing on the cake. Anyway I am extremely flattered. Thank you Jamie and all those with congratulatory wishes.
That picture above looks like me just before my wife grabs the money out of my hands.
May 18th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
if we keep commenting, this update will be controversial…
May 18th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Doin’ big thangs, I’m happy for you.
May 18th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Have the computer attacks on vistors to the site been eliminated? Jamie needs to fix this problem, my internet security was comprimised here, by Bloodhound exploit.6. Until I unfuck my compueter I can’t do any online banking or make any purchases. I bet the advertisers are going to love hearing that.
May 18th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
13. BongoShaftsbury: The bloodhound virus is a low-level one that’s easy to fix. Just run CCleaner. If you don’t have it, its free to download. Bloodhound hides within the cookie files. Once CCleaner runs, then you use whatever security scan you have and it should be gone.
This can be used for anyone else that might come across this virus. They happen once and a while. At least this one is small.
May 18th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
i am very excited about all the changes coming to LV…
but changing the logo? c’mon, Jamie! the contest to choose the current logo was entertaining & we all had a vote in it…
not to sounds cliche…but are you letting LV’s success get to your grey matter? we don’t even get a vote on the new logo? LV wouldn’t be anything without it’s faithful contributors & commentary, visitors & forum attendees.
oh-we… guess if i started KICK ASS website i could decide what to do with it too.
congrats & looking forward to seeing the new changes!
ringtailroxy
May 18th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Thanks for the info oouchan. Why didn’t Jamie address this though when someone asked about it yesterday? Instead, he deleted the comments. I’m glad Bloodhound isn’t serious, still WTF do I now have to go through the bother? This site either sends my security a false-postive or it’s actually phishing. It’s not acceptable.
May 18th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Hmm…but is the name is still listverse or tmiint?
aside from that everything great especially the forums…^_^
May 18th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
BongoShaftsbury: what are you talking about? I didn’t delete any comments yesterday. Furthermore, this is the first I have heard about any kind of virus – perhaps it would be more useful for you to email me rather than hope I see your comment out of the hundreds each day.
Furthermore, a Google search reveals that the virus is caused by Internet Explorer due to Windows Help files and has nothing to do with this or any website – it causes anti-virus software to give false-positives from files in the temporary internet files. Just to be sure you understand what I am saying: this site did not give you a virus – your virus software is broken and you need to complain to Norton about it – not me. I looked over the comment archives and I see three of four from you regarding this issue – did you perhaps just not notice them?
Bloodhound Virus information
Cholo: the logo above is an example of the logo guys style – it is nothing to do with us though
May 18th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Jamie, this is the only site where I get that message about Bloodhound Exploit. I’ve read numerous complaints about it here. Then there is the freezing problem. Adobe Reader shuts down, giving a message that my memory is being used improperly.
May 18th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Bongo: did you actually read the webpage I included? It is a false positive that can come from ANY website – your norton anti-virus just happens to have picked up this one. And I just searched every comment on the site and found yours to be the first mention of bloodhound virus. Furthermore, we do not use pdfs on this site so I have no idea why adobe reader would shut down on your computer. Perhaps you need to get a technician to give it a once over.
May 18th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Hahaha using Norton, that explains it all. Giant resource hogging POS. Try Avast and MBam. Both free and both run quietly in the background. No false positives.
May 18th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Good work Jamie! keep it up. This is now one of the first sites I visit every morning, the lists are usually fascinating, and the comments keep me laughing all day.
May 18th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
jfrater: as a long time reader of your lists (although I do not write that often), I want to congratulate you on where you took the listverse concept. This site is one of the most entertaining of the webverse right now and I wish it (and yourself of course) a long life!
Good luck with the book. I am sure it will sell very well!
May 18th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
BongoShaftsbury:
I’m sure it’s Windows Explorer. Use Firefox or Google Chrome. No use blaming your technological illiteracy on someone else. I visit this site multiple times every day and I don’t have a problem. Just clear your temp. internet files or something.
Plus Adobe Reader’s being all retarded currently. It wasn’t working yesterday at all on any of my computers and it’s still messed up, which is too bad because I had super important college stuff coming to me in pdf format and had to ask for it to be sent differently.
Oh, and congrats on your new site
I hope everything goes smoothly in the transition!
May 18th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
RandomPrecision: thanks – it is very heartwarming to hear such positive things about the sites. It is the only true way for me to gauge people’s reactions oftentimes
twitus: thanks
My fingers are crossed regarding the book 
May 18th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Hello, I’ve been a somewhat long reader myself, and just like twitus (23) I’d like to send my congratulations on all these new developments, and I hope you get the recognition you deserve. Good job on a very entertaining website, mate.
All the best,
Sunshine
May 18th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Re: Google Chrome
. Been checking it at least once a week for a while now to see if I can finally get it.
Merely pointing out that google chrome is still only available for the windows platform
Congrats Blogball! I really liked that photo list. You definitely deserved the win!
And congrats to Jamie making the book deadline! I can’t wait to see it in the bookstores!
May 18th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Hello Jamie, If I might make a suggestion here? Why dont you rin a contest here for all our readers about the logo design contest? That way you will have a much broader range of designs to select from, and it will be more fun? Do think about it will you? I am sure many users will love to contribute to it.
May 18th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
arrrrrrrgh…… I hate typing on someone else’s notebook, grrr those typos, but Iamsure you understand what I meant.
May 18th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
17. Cholo
For a second, I also thought listverse was changing its logo and name to tmiint, lol.
May 18th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
SsDd: I did do that for the current logo – it worked rather well but I think it is time to actually pay someone for the work
People will have to trust in my good taste and know that the end result will be good 
May 18th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Confusious say: We shall see.
May 18th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Jamie, congratulations with all these upgrades, ive been visiting listverse for more than a year and i have seen how popular it have become. People lean a LOt with these site and it is so fun and interactive. Im really happy for you. Also i can see that you are really envolved with the user, because i see that you comment and fallow on every list! You have a really big fan in dominican Republic!
May 18th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
I, for one, am pissed. My beloved username is already spoken for on this newfangled wordpress thing. Wtf Jamie??!! This nic means allot to me and has much sentimental value. All of my monogrammed sweaters will be rendered worthless, as will my professionally commissioned coat-of-arms that I have prominently displayed above the fireplace in our formal living room (right next to my stuffed moose head and singing bass on a plaque). The thought of losing my entire Listverse identity has me seeking spiritual guidance. I have already made an appointment with my therapist and by gum I am sending Listverse the bill. Not to mention, my wife will have to get that tattoo of my nic that is tastefully rendered on her [unmentionable area] either removed or altered. Oh the humanity.
May 18th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Maggot: I assure you that you can just post without logging on on the new servers – so you will be able to call yourself Maggot
May 18th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
is the delivery free???…
I’m from Philippines,Asia…
I doubt that it’s free….
May 18th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Hunkydaddy: yes it is free – I will order the books to my home, sign them, and post them for free.
May 18th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I’m talking about the book….
I love your site…
It’s very Interesting…
May 18th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
sheesh, Maggot…you are quite the drama queen.
segue’s name was taken but Spange said that while a new nic is needed to register, you can alter the display name to once again show your beloved Maggot screenname. Spange’s name was also taken. (mine was not! neener neener neener!
)
May 18th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Hunkydaddy: oh- if you don’t do the donation thing then you will have to pay for shipping yes. It will be available in bookstores too – not just online, so you may find a copy there if they sell lots of English language books.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Woohoo! Updates! Can’t wait for the new website, and hoping to check out that book in stores =]
May 19th, 2009 at 12:05 am
gabi319: Thanks for that tip! I don’t post a lot but I was still a little upset that I couldn’t registre my name Signe, but now it turns out I can keep my name
May 19th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Its cool to have and read the book.I wish that my mom will buy me one on my birthday or Christmas
May 19th, 2009 at 12:26 am
jfrater-
yea for you jamie!
i’m so happy this site is finally, really “paying you back,” with the book and heightened traffic and all. LV is one of my very favorite places on all the internet (and that’s saying something). thank you. jamie, thank you
be seeing everyone at the new hosting site soon (hopefully this will end my ‘dropped connection, server busy’ woes).
for any LV friends, and sigh, enemies, i registered at wordpress as lo1580.
May 19th, 2009 at 2:24 am
Blogball- That research musy have taken forver! Good job
And Jamie- I haven’t been commenting much lately (busy, busy!) but this is the first site I check every morning. I always learn something new 
Looking forward to the book!
May 19th, 2009 at 3:06 am
Jamie, is there a list of included lists for the book anywhere? I think I’ve either missed it or notice!
Also, my username is (quite obviously) already taken on the new site. So,can we have a display name that shows instead of the username or is this not possible?
May 19th, 2009 at 3:08 am
Yay!!! I can’t wait for the book!
May 19th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Ryan: you can set your display name to be different from your registered name – so have no fear
Also, at present the table of contents is not available – obviously I have the one I sent to the publisher but there may be changes made at the editing level.
May 19th, 2009 at 3:37 am
A big congratulations to you j, I’ve been a silent lurker for the most part, but I’ve enjoyed the lists and debates in the comments.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:47 am
I is silent no more ….
After being a silent lurker for a [i]very[/i] long time, I’ve jumped in feet first and have been having a ball.
Love the site J … God Bless.. good luck .. and ..
Let the good times roll!!!
May 19th, 2009 at 4:56 am
#31 Oh, ah. Okay Jamie, whatever you think is best.
In Jamie We Trust
May 19th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Excellent work! Looking forward to the book — and it will make a great Christmas present for my father-in-law, who loves triva, lists, etc.
May 19th, 2009 at 6:54 am
I am so excited for you Jamie! I’m sure the book will be fantastic. I can’t wait to get it!
I’m new to this site. I only found it a month ago, but it has quickly become one of my most frequented stops on the Internet (behind my gmail account and Facebook). I am just really impressed with the general intelligence displayed not only in the list content, but in the comments as well. There is a really great community of people here, and I love reading what they have to say.
Again, great job, Jamie!
May 19th, 2009 at 7:13 am
As I have posted before – thanks for all the hard work Jamie, good luck with the book and wishes for increasing success in the future.
Blogball – congrats, enjoy your lists
May 19th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Congratulations on everything!
I remember when I first came here and it was like a little blog with adds everywhere
I have learned a lot from this site and have enjoyed doing so too
May 19th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Looking forward to your book for Christmas presents. You have done a great job with your site.
May 19th, 2009 at 10:42 am
If I say CONGRATS again is that too repetitive?
I´ll definately have to get the book the next time I´m in the States… I dont think Amazon delivers to Peru…
May 19th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Welcome to msulli222, CatChick1964, Melody Kitn, and all you former lurkers. Fresh faces and a different take on things is always appreciated.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I’ll miss the new/now old logo.
And I will lovingly place your book next to my other random knowledge texts… as soon as I have money again.
LV 4 LIFE!
May 19th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I kinda like the logo as is
May 19th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
oh and great job on the book!
May 19th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I wish I could get the book, but living in U.A.E, I dont think I will be able to get it … My God damned luck
May 19th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH …. I cant believe it, why only me … I neeeeeeeeeeedd the boooooooooook
May 19th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
See what you started Jamie? They’re all kicking and screaming. Now Everyone is going to want one.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Jaime I think this site is one of the best ones out there and I can’t wait for the book to come out …im thinkin about buying it from amazon
Keep doing ur thing and I hope everything goes well
May 19th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Jaime,
I became a Listverser during my tour in Iraq. This was the FIRST website I looked at when I got up and the LAST I looked at before I went to bed. It gave me a sense of routine and normalcy in a place that was neither. At times there have been people I have really enjoyed bantering with and some that I really wished would troll other places so I could get back to the enjoyment part of the lists. Congratulations on the new website and book, once I get paid at the end of the month I will gladly contribute to the new logo fund.
Blogball,
Glad to see that you got the recognition you so deserved for that list. I found it to be a very interesting list, well thought out and researched. Heres hoping to see some more interesting lists coming from you soon.
May 19th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
asimonsays, thank you so much for your service and also your kind words.
May 20th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Is this the new look to the website? I got some funky looking view and missing some stuff. Just wondering.
May 20th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
oouchan: I was here like thirty minutes ago and it didn’t look like this.
Please tell me that I won’t have to stare at another cookie cutter template too much longer. This format sucks.
May 20th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I know…I was here just as it turned. One minute…just fine and the next…this…I am not really happy with this. I can’t get to the lists easily…where did the forum button go, along with the home button. Where are the recent comments section? I know I am bitching here, but someone moved my cheese!
May 20th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I hit the blogroll thinking that it was ours (LVs) and I ended up across the world. I like to travel, but I felt like I’d been kidnaped. *Twitch*
May 20th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
oouchan: I can’t get to the lists easily…where did the forum button go, along with the home button. Where are the recent comments section?
Wtf? My whole world is crumbling around me…
May 20th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Guys – that was not the new look – it was a glitch caused by a server outage
The new look is very very similar to this one – there won’t be much to get used to 
May 20th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Jamie: Guys – that was not the new look
I was hiding under my desk in the fetal position screaming for it to end…
May 20th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Maggot: hahaha
May 20th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
74. Maggot: cute.
“A déjà vu is usually a glitch in the Matrix. It happens when they change something.”
May 20th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I’m so out of the loop. Stupid work for making miss “The Look”…
May 20th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
77 gabi: I’m so out of the loop.
OMG it was horrible! I’m still hyperventilating. I’ve had brain aneurisms that were more enjoyable. Projectile vomiting would’ve been like a walk in the park in comparison. I might have to sleep with the lights on tonight.
May 20th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
hehe Maggot – don’t hold back
May 20th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Does anyone else here play Grand-Strategy games? Because I was just thinking “Top 10 Grand Strategy Games”… That would be awesome….
May 20th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
80. Mark: Not sure what a Grand-Strategy Game is…can you give an example?
May 20th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Hearts of Iron? Europa Universalis? Victoria… etc… Pretty much any Paradox Interactive game.
May 20th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
82. Mark: Good idea…I have never played any of them as I prefer RPG.
May 20th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
83. oouchan : Hmm… Me too! I have about 120 hours of play time on my main Oblivion character. However, I find it easier to just do a couple of hours on EU3 or HOI2 whenever I get the chance seeing as I have a lot of school and sporting commitments.
I thought it would be a cool list as it might get some people interested. Maybe wait ’till HOI3 comes out…
May 20th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
asimonsays: thanks for your comment – I am glad it helped to pass the time while you were involved in such a dangerous job! I have now designed my own logo so there is no need to make a donation. You can, however, pre-order the book if you like
May 20th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
84. Mark: I might be interested then. The closest I got to stategy is ‘Assassin’s Creed’. I can’t wait for the sequel of that to come out! It will be in Italy this time…very cool!
May 20th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
#87 Bravo Jamie! Maybe there’s hope for you yet. Now pull the hate list off of the site before you get him killed. I’ll hold off for 24 hours before I contact Kaiser Permanente.
May 20th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Wow, just wow. Resorting to blackmail because someone doesn’t do what you want? I can’t believe it. Over one list? You don’t have to respect it or even like it but you should “as an American” believe in its right to be published. You want your own brand of censorship. Didn’t we have a list about hypocrisies somewhere?
May 20th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Mom, would you kindly remove #87. I signed my name because Jamie wasn’t posting my comments. I get enough death threats in my day job, thank you!
May 20th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
BongoShaftsbury: if you don’t want things to appear on the site, don’t submit them as comments.
May 20th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Mom424, one of the reasons I find that list so offensive is because many of the comments were ridiculing Canada. Rightwing Americans don’t know a damn thing about your history. They hate you, they hate your healthcare, they hate your superior public education, they hate your liberalism. Posting the list was an enricement from the haters.
BTW blackmail isn’t the right word. Jamie didn’t do anything illegal, he was just being a fool.
May 20th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Yeah, I can be an asshole, that’s true, I’ve got a dirty job, but someone has to do it.
May 20th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Okay – this needs to end now. Here is my final say on this matter BongoShaftsbury:
1. The list is not being removed.
2. You are free to comment and come to the site, but I will not allow any more comments relating to this issue to leave moderation. The other moderators will be told to delete them if they show up.
May 20th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Oh – and I am sorry for calling you an asshole and telling you to fuck off. Now be nice
May 20th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
BTW I also DO appreciate comment #85. I fucking wept when I read #66. I know I’m the troll he’s referring to, but that’s not what made me cry. The most important thing to me is to get that soldier back home where we need and love him. That’s why I put my heart and soul into getting Obama elected.
May 20th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
OK, Jamie. You traded your soul to the devil for a few clicks, it’s a prideful decision with no upside. But you sure showed me whose boss.
Goodbye
May 20th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
BongoShaftsbury: I do understand your point of view. But do you think that I or anybody with half a brain believes that the rabid faction actually represents all Americans? Did you read my post? Most Canadian’s I know feel the same way about America. And we’re hopeful that Obama will shift some of your Country’s priorities. But this site is not right wing and nor is Jamie. Holy smokes many,many of our regulars are bleeding hearts like myself. And you needn’t worry – Regulars (not the trollz) that have the “OMG you’re a bunch of commies, Socialized medicine (which we don’t have really, we have socialized health insurance)is gonna ruin the country”, I take on. One at a time.
But to resort to blackmail? And to bow to it? I wouldn’t pull the list either – that’s a slippery slope to go down.
May 20th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
BongoShaftsbury: comment moderation is not your personal way to communicate with admins. As I said, no more comments on this issue. If you send in another I will IP ban you which will prevent you from accessing the site completely.
May 21st, 2009 at 4:36 am
OK,first I apologize IF I started something here that was not my intent. Second, I am a she not a he and in all honesty it probably doesnt really matter as here on the listverse boards its a moot point. As for trolls Im sure you do know who I am talking about Bongoshaftsbury because you see one in the mirror everyday. I myself find 99% of the lists here to be inoffensive and for the most part relatively informative. I dont believe that the Is America Ready For A Black President opinion poll offensive as the ENTIRE country was asking its self that for quite some time. Personally, while I really do want the conflict in Iraq to end soon I DO NOT want it to end in such a manner that we leave the innocent (yes there are innocent people in Iraq Ive been there twice and would know) people in Iraq hanging in the breeze hoping for the best. As for my opinion on people who complain about Iraq and dont want to be there (nothing personal to anyone just my personal opinion) if you had been there in 2003 when THIS conflict started you would have seen things that would have made the strongest man cry and Im not talking about the things that were happening to the soldiers. There were many young Iraqis who genuinely wanted us there and wanted to have a life that didnt involve running in fear from a tyrannical government.
Any way its early in the morning I must go to work ,so I shall step down off my soap box.
May 21st, 2009 at 6:31 am
99. asimonsays
There’s no need for you to apologize…that issue above has been going on for a while now.
I’ve a few relatives who’ve served. A cousin who volunteered for a tour in Iraq (better pay if you volunteer or so I heard) and then was sent to Afghanistan. A friend who had to go there right before starting college. A few others who are there right now. While I’m not happy with it, I (like you) understand the need to finish things properly.
Thank you for sharing a little bit about your experience and thank you for serving.
“I myself find 99% of the lists here to be inoffensive and for the most part relatively informative.”
Even if I’m not overly pleased with something (usually comments), I still read through it. What better way to understand how the other side thinks than to hear what they have to say? Censorship and the ignorance that follows merely compounds prejudice and hate-speech. …and so does the hate-speech that reacts to hate-speech.
A kindred spirit!
“Any way its early in the morning I must go to work ,so I shall step down off my soap box.”
No work for me until much later but plenty to do until then. If you don’t mind, I’ll stay on my soap box. I like feeling taller.
I hope to see your name throughout the comment boards more often, asimonsays. A new perspective is always appreciated.
May 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 am
I see you didn’t fix the pop-up problem yet…