Last night, we passed the 43,000,000 mark in views on the blog. The blog continues to grow at a record and accelerating pace. The continued growth is due primarily to our loyal readers who return every day to discuss contemporary legal, political, and occasionally bizarre stories. We have used these moments to give thanks for our many regular readers around the world and give you an idea of the current profile of readers on the blog. We continue to rank with the top legal blogs in the world and I am particularly proud of our growing international readership. As always, I want to offer special thanks for Darren Smith who has continued to help manage the blog and help out folks who encounter posting problems.
So here is our current profile:
Yesterday, we hit 19,185 posts — an amazing figure. We have also experienced a huge increase in those following us by email and Twitter. On Twitter alone, we now have roughly 200,000 active followers.
In the last 90 days, our ten biggest international sources for readers came from:
1. United States
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. Australia
5. Germany
6. Netherlands
7. European Union
8. France
9. India
10. Ireland
The top five posted in terms of readership in the last 90 days are:
1. Two New York Attorneys Arrested For Throwing Molotov Cocktail At Police [Updated]
2. President Obama Declares “There Is No Precedent That Anybody Can Find” For The Flynn Motion
3. Seattle City Council Member Suggests Firing White Officers In Massive Reduction Of Police Department
4. Did The Mueller Team Violate Brady and Flynn Orders?
5. University of Massachusetts Nursing Dean Fired After Saying “Everyone’s Life Matters” [Updated]
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.
In my dream I saw a snail crawling on the edge of a razor. I said ah,. that is Professor Turley, trying to thread the needle of free speech in an age which is watching it die a slow death.
Thanks for the space to vent JT
Thanks to all the regular interlocutors. I welcome all sincere partners in dialogue
Mere discourse, however, is just trolling. Aim for dialogue folks, not just discourse.
A Seth Warner Exclusive:
WE EXAMINED A TURLEY COMMENT THREAD.. AND THIS IS HOW IT LOOKS
Column: “Seattle City Council Member Suggests Firing White Officers In Massive Reduction Of Police Department” Friday, July 17
Times correspond to both comments and replies. Moderation may have adjusted some comments before report was posted.
334 Comments as of noon, July 19
July 18
06:11 PM
Blather: “What happens when you let women and Kneelgroes rule you”.
12:57 PM
Rita: 5 comments total. Bizarre claim she is often stopped by police but doesn’t mind (so Blacks shouldn’t complain). Phony, flippant humor insulting both women and Blacks. 4 other comments at 01:10, 01:17, 01:19, 01:24.
09:29 AM
Texan: Blacks would “lose a race war”.
07:58 AM
p38arover: Lives in Australia. “No Blacks here. So why are they seen in adverts?”
10:52 AM
Young: “Maybe I’ll retire there” (moderated)
July 17
08:06 PM
YourFuture Ex: “Racist pieces of filth like this lefty need to be taught a lesson. That no one has the balls to it is pathetic”.
07:35 PM
makemyday1000: “This crazy, racist DemonRat is going to be in a lot of trouble”.
07:31 PM
makemyday1000: “This crazy libtard DemonRat beatch is in for some BIG problems!!”
06:45 PM
CK: “So exactly where does Lisa Herbold live? I’ll bet we can make her beg for a white cop to come and rescue her”
05:58 PM
Casey: “When do we start rioting and exterminating these leftist subhumans? It is time to refresh the Tree of Liberty with the blood of these traitorous and seditious petty tyrants, despots and leftists!!!”
05:12 PM
nuthinmuffin: 5 name exchange appears cynically contrived.
04:22 PM
Hates Stupidity
04:28 PM
MaxTheShoe
04:29 PM
LAS
06:36 PM
WeeWayne
02:45 PM
Werty: “I sincerely hope with all my heart she dies a miserable death”.
02:53 PM
toandfro9: “It’s time to show these radicals what power looks like. If some die, their families can say they died for their cause. Let’s roll”.
01:15 PM
P Knutson: “Millions of anti-Christian citizens having been given over to a depraved mind. BLM is the new, improved, Marxist KKK”
01:30 PM
Threeper: “Looks more like we need to get rid of emotionally ignorant white females in any government position. Sorry ladies but it appears that women are not cut out to be in any kind of power position”. (edited down)
12:55 PM
Stogieguy: “Tie a rope to that ring in her nose and lead her off to be turned into glue like a good Marxist”
02:04 PM
Itsme1336: “Demonic-rats came up with new rules for everything”
12:46 PM
dribblesandbit: “Crackers need to clean house”
01:11 PM
Neil: “The white feminist will do anything to destroy what she believes created a country that oppressed her and her beliefs”
12:37 PM
Leslie Uggams: “And when they come for you, Lisa Herbold (and they will) who will you? Who will help you?”
NOTE: Leslie Uggams is a Black actress / singer prominent in the 1960’s – 70’s.
12:27 PM
Many Weliban: “Let Shee-it-hole burn to the ground”
12:23 PM
Barne: Banal comment. Exact same handle as Many Weliban
10:34 AM
Viet Vet: “I’m wonder what is it going to take for white American to wake up and take action”. ..”White American cannot continue to appease or negotiate with ignorance and the mob” Edited down.
09:57 AM
Mark Mattis: “Smash the filthy tribe swill for the evil they have done to this world! They are the sewage providing the funding and planning for this terrorism. SMASH THEM!!!”
09:14 AM
Harold McAlpine: “BLM is a terrorist organization! The little tiny black lives matter is a squeaky wheel, they the attention”
PECULIAR NAMES ON THREAD
In addition to the noteworthy comments above, there are a significant number of names unknown to this reporter. All their comments are hostile to the subject of Turley’s column, Seattle City Council member Lisa Herbold.
Said names are: Frank Lyall, Bobdog, jnobfan, nutthinmuffin, LiberalCouncilwomanVillageIdiot, Bernie Danosil, Hates Stupidity, Kim JongUn, bbj2465, thetenants1970, LaNukka, Aytac Ercen, MikeTheTyke, Guy Gadbous, Lawrence Duffield, DaJa Dags, Ozzone Layer, SomeDude, Jodet, rockyballbuster, donnieboy71, Chanamc, W Perkins Jr, DaMag, The Saint, WW3, Impeach List, suiris2, Dirty Dog1776, Rusty, Jimpeel, Mr Hinky Dink, Patricat, Bullright, Denile Riverafter.
Comments linked to these names were uniformly conservative. But one can see by repetition the goofiness these names project. Could so many eccentrics debut on this blog all at once? Most are lone wolfs logging a single comment.
These goofy names echo three of four ideas: ‘Ms Herbold should be fired and, or, jailed’. ‘Cops should sue the City of Seattle’. ‘White feminists can’t be trusted’. And ‘Herbold is a racist!’ This last idea is echoed incessantly up and down the thread.
THE PUPPET EFFECT
This reporter believes a very high ratio of comments on this thread were posted by either one person, or a small group of activists. Since early spring this has been the case on many Turley threads; ‘a parade of goofy-sounding puppets echoing the same points.
TURLEY REDUCED TO PUPPET ON HIS OWN BLOG
Professor Turley himself wound up as a Puppet this past Thursday at about 9:40 AM. Incident occurred on the July 14th Column entitled, “A Digital Thunderdome: Another Times Editor Leaves Under Fire For Opposing Views”.
On the thread to that column this reporter was attacked by malicious puppets. This reporter responded by linking the puppets. At that point Johnathan Turley appeared, as a puppet, asking this reporter, “How do you know who is whom exactly?”
Said comment featured Turley’s photo on the handle giving it a very official look. It was the second time this pattern played out. Once before, in May, this reporter was swarmed by puppets. And when this reporter linked them as puppets, the Turley puppet appeared to warn he “owned the blog”. And anyone was ‘free to comment’, or something to that effect.
On that occasion, in May, this reporter was duped. It appeared Professor Turley was actually siding with malicious puppets. But when this happened again, Thursday morning, Commenter Paul C Shulte asked the Turley puppet if he was really the professor.
This reporter was inspired to lodge a formal inquiry. Professor Johnathan Turley replied that it was not ‘he‘ who commented. Turley went to explain the blog was having difficulties with a certain “poster”. Turley’s difficulties are such that smears by that “poster” remain on the thread to Thursday’s column, “Joy Reid Loses To La Liberte”.
One might expect the professor to address this issue. But for some ‘legal’ reason, perhaps, Professor Turley would rather not. As a legal scholar he might have justification for ‘not’ telling his readers an imposter exists. The Professor apparently reckons that upsetting this “poster” would be worse than telling readers.
Oh, my goodness, Seth, you sure spent a lot of time cataloging comments from people you don’t know on a blog you never agree with. That must’ve taken incredible focus and energy. In all honesty–I mean this sincerely, and without sarcasm–you should be proud of yourself. Well done!
Thank you for the window into how the Warner mind functions. It was very enlightening.
it is good form for people to select a screen name and stick to it. but, good form is never a restraint for a propagandist
we see all kinds of spurious and idiotic remarks being made from all sides, under rarely seen bogus screen names
I have stuck to this screen name and none other.
i appreciate the ability to remain quasi anonymous, as part of our hallowed American tradition of political speech
Professor Turley, a large part of res ipsa loquitur’s success is your even-handed commentary on free speech and the rest of the law. Your blog is remarkable for its unwavering focus on facts, not feelings. Thanks, and please keep up the good work!