Early this morning, we hit 29,000,000 views. It is an impressive milestone for our blog and its achievement is due to this entire virtual community at RIL. We continue to rank in the top legal blogs in the world and we are continuing to see a growing international readership. We often use these milestones to look at the current profile of the blog and its supporters around the world.
Today I have a sad development to report to our community. I was just informed that Richard Thompson, who posted regularly under the name “Aridog,” has passed away after a struggle with cancer. Richard was a voice of passion and civility on our site. While we have achieved a large circulation, we retain a sense of community with our regular contributors. Aridog was one of our most prominent voices. Our thoughts go out to Richard’s family and friends. We benefitted greatly from his insights and contributions and we will miss him in our discussions.
As always, I want to offer special thanks for our weekend contributors: Mike Appleton, Larry Rafferty, Darren Smith, Kimberly Dienes, and Cara Gallagher. I particularly want to thank Darren who has continued to help manage the blog and help out folks who encounter posting problems.
So here is our current profile:
In the last full month, our ten biggest international sources for readers (after the United States) have been:
Canada
United Kingdom
Australia
Germany
France
India
Pakistan
The Netherlands
Italy
Welcome to all of our new readers from those countries. I have always found our foreign commentators particularly valuable in giving us an insight from beyond our borders — and domestic media coverage.
The top ten posted in terms of readership in the last 30 days:
The Clinton University Problem: Laureate Education Lawsuits Present Problem For Clintons [Updated]
Embracing Mob Rule: Columnist Calls For Violence Against Trump Supporters
Federal Judge Finds Justice Department Lawyers Knowingly Lied And Orders Team To Take Ethics Classes More stats
10 Reasons The U.S. Is No Longer The Land Of The Free
Hillary Clinton and The New Nixonians
Clinton Offers New Explanation For Email Scandal
Tangled Webb: Virginia Congressional Candidate Posts Screenshot Of Computer But Fails To Close Pornography Tabs [UPDATED]
Orlando Killer Identified As Muslim Extremist Who Pledged Allegiance To ISIS
New York Times Reporter Asks Sanders If He Is Sexist For Continuing to Oppose Hillary Clinton
“The Mystery Emails”: State Department Report References Key Emails That Were Not Previously Turned Over [UPDATED]
The most frequent commentators in the last 1000 comments were:
Paul C. Schulte
tnash80hotmailcom
Nick Spinelli
issacbasonkavichi
EltonLongDong
Karen S
KCFleming
ERIC
Thank you to all of our regular commentators. We remain an extraordinarily broad and diverse body of commenters from different parts of the world and different political and social backgrounds. Thanks again.
We are currently around 22,000 followers on Twitter. It actually puts us at near the top of legal commentator twitter accounts.
Thanks again to everyone for keeping our discussions passionate but civil. It is possible to learn even from those with whom we disagree. What is most interesting to me about this blog is how smart people can look at similar cases from vastly different perspectives. That does not mean that everything is relative or that there are no true answers. Rather it can help us better understand the motivations and perceptions of people on the other side of these issues. Many of the issues that are raised in posts have people of good-faith on both sides. It is neither fair nor productive to attack them personally. You do not have to agree with each other, but the participation on this blog reflects an interest in exchanging different views and values. I hope that that can continue and that this forum can remain a pluralistic and open forum for mature people to engage in mature discussions.
Thanks again everyone and congratulations on the latest milestone.
Nick, thanks for the info on Aridog´s funeral. The Catholic children´s mass is such a lovely way to celebrate his life. I had a lot of respect for his opinions, because he had a massive amount of life experience to base them on. I´ve really missed him on this blog.
Riesling, Aridog’s wife, Judith, and daughter, Kim appreciate all the kindnesses. KarenS has been a blessing, helping them read Aridog’s writing. They knew Aridog loved to comment on blogs, but that was his world. Judith and Kim say his writings are so comforting because they are just like him speaking. Aridog was a Viet Nam vet. Judith and Kim are working to have his remains buried @ Arlington. They are having a Catholic Mass, the children’s Mass @ their Catholic Church, as his memorial on July 10th. Aridog didn’t want the traditional funeral where people say, “My doesn’t he look good.” Aridog was cremated in his favorite blue jeans and Army Corp of Engineers hat. Judith and Kim appreciate all the kind words.
Kudos to our host and contributors. I enjoy this forum, I contribute from time to time. Thanks for allowing me to come is “and sit down awhile”. Frank
RIP Aridog.
I am watching the movie Blazing Saddles on my other laptop. This is a movie which you should all watch.
I think that more readers of the blog should give comments on the blog. We need to know your thoughts.
Chinggis say good work. Chinggis like yaks so keep yakking. Yak milk good for you. Watch out for chocolate yak pies on ground.
Congratulations!
Reblogged this on Truth Troubles: Why people hate the truths' of the real world.