Another Change In Direction (Wizbang)

Upon further reflection about my previous announcement, and the reaction to it, I've changed my mind. After a lengthy e-mail exchange with Paul (and a shorter one with Jay Tea), I've decided to rescind my decision to make Paul's hiatus permanent. The reasons are a private matter between the two of us. As for Jay Tea, I've assured him that the conflict he feels will be dealt with when he returns from vacation.

There's one other reason I've changed my mind...

April Fools!!!

We've been planning this for a while, so whatever you thought you knew about the relationship between the three of us is probably wrong.

Paul Adds: OK- so it ended with a whimper and not a bang.... But it was fun watching a few of you jump on command. For the record Kev, my wife has been telling me for days this was lame... She's right as usual. (sorry honey)

Update: Some people REALLY don't like being shown to be an (April) fool.

Kevin Adds: Other than the April 1st post by Paul, his previous posts that generated so much controversy were not done to further this plot. It's actually the opposite - the only reason we thought of this and were able pull this off is because those previous posts had been so contentious and so many other bloggers had called for his head.

Comments (111)

Okay, it's time to come cle... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by Jeff Harrell | April 1, 2005 7:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Jeff Harrell:

Okay, it's time to come clean. Who was in on it, and who was duped?

Posted on April 1, 2005 19:44

Only myself, Paul, and Jay ... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Kevin | April 1, 2005 7:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Kevin:

Only myself, Paul, and Jay Tea were in on it.

Posted on April 1, 2005 19:48

Yeah, and thanks Jeff for d... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by Paul | April 1, 2005 7:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Paul:

Yeah, and thanks Jeff for doing all you could to blow for us! Yabigjerk. (grin)

Posted on April 1, 2005 19:57

Clever. And why I hate Apri... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by jen | April 1, 2005 7:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

jen:

Clever. And why I hate April Fool's Day.

Hey, Paul, you started this... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by Jeff Harrell | April 1, 2005 7:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Hey, Paul, you started this. If you hadn't gone over to the Politburo and quoted my comment which I wrote to defend you, I never would have gotten the two hundred pieces of hate mail I've accumulated over the past couple of weeks.

(Okay, it's not 200. It's 179. But I like to round up.)

Posted on April 1, 2005 19:59

You're a dick. Seriously. '... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by mikem | April 1, 2005 8:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

mikem:

You're a dick. Seriously. 'Nice' touch reassurring your readers that it was not an April Fools joke.
Reminds me of a friend who used to call a crisis hotline that I volunteered for, change his voice and drag me out for two or three minutes while he poured out his heart and I to him as I tried to keep him from "giving up" and ending it.
He was always quite pleased with his ability to sucker caring people into taking him seriously.
Real claim to fame, guys.
I hope you have a good sense of humor because I am sure there will be many who do not feel constrained by a calender in returning the favor.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:00

you know what they say abou... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by Paul | April 1, 2005 8:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

you know what they say about the company you keep.

Hey, Mike, I'm getting olde... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Jeff Harrell | April 1, 2005 8:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Hey, Mike, I'm getting older and my vision isn't what it once was, so I'm pretty sure I misread your comment. I'm pretty sure you didn't just compare a prank pulled on a blog to crank-calling a crisis hotline.

I'm pretty sure you didn't do that. Did you?

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:03

I wasn't in on it, but I su... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by Eric (snarky nickname to be announced) | April 1, 2005 8:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Eric (snarky nickname to be announced):

I wasn't in on it, but I suspected. In short, I questioned the timing.

However, this does bring up another question.....

how much of Paul's past few posts on evolutionary theory has been baiting for the setup?

To be sure, the point that there are still many unknowns with regards to it all is well taken, but some of the posts were somewhat inflamatory.

I got called a hypocrite for things I hadn't even said. Jeepers! I may even have to say, gee willakers!! (sorry for the profanities, but that got my dander up.)

Anyways, more than a few people got took by this, judging from the comments. It was well played, but -- honestly, it was the 1st of April.

Duh.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:04

Better than "Paul is Dead" ... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by epador | April 1, 2005 8:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

epador:

Better than "Paul is Dead" or if you read all his posts backward you get a secret message...

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:05

However, this does bring... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Michael | April 1, 2005 8:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Michael:

Did you notice that all of those posts were categorized as Humor?

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:09

So does this mean all the p... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by tee bee | April 1, 2005 8:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

tee bee:

So does this mean all the people I accused basically of being crapweasels about the evo flogs were duped in the run up, and are therefore only incidentally crapweasels, or what? 'Cause you say no one else is in on the fun.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:11

goddamn... That wan't funn... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by John | April 1, 2005 8:12 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

John:

goddamn... That wan't funny. Wizbang is a must first thing in the morning.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:12

Yeah, I did. I don't think ... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by mikem | April 1, 2005 8:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Yeah, I did. I don't think much of pranks that count on the compassion of others and repeated claims that 'I'm not kidding' to show how gullible the suckers are if you just count on them being caring people.

My friend was a recovering alcoholic who I was probably too forgiving of, but I can live with that.

I just don't get it guys. What is the point in proving that you have trusting readers? Either your readers are gullible or they trust the wrong people.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:18

Actually, the first one was... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by andy | April 1, 2005 8:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

andy:

Actually, the first one was filed under "Tech Stuff."

This is good news. Looking forward to dissecting Paul's vacant arguments in the future.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:20

Overall a well planned and ... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by Darby | April 1, 2005 8:21 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Darby:

Overall a well planned and executed prank on the part of the Wizbang staff. The only problem I had with it was the overly seriousness of it. I always saw April Fools day as a light hearted and fun thing.

Oh well, live and learn.

I was suprised at some of the seriously hostile feelings that certain people have towards others on the staff of this Blog.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:21

>Did you notice that all of... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by Paul | April 1, 2005 8:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

>Did you notice that all of those posts were categorized as Humor?

Not all of them Michael... Some were Tech Stuff.. But even with you repeatedly saying it was filed under humor, many people did not realize they were proving Pavlov was.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:24

The writer in Jay Tea gave ... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by Leopold Stotch | April 1, 2005 8:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Leopold Stotch:

The writer in Jay Tea gave it away for me: he says he's all bummed about Paul leaving, then he keeps posting ...

Now what do you do with all the "Kevin's a dick" commenters?

Darby- Being popular with a... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by Paul | April 1, 2005 8:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Darby- Being popular with a large group of people always means others hate you... It's like the 5th law of physics or something...

It used to bother me... Now I have fun with it.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:27

Funny stuff. You got me, fo... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by Will Franklin | April 1, 2005 8:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Will Franklin:

Funny stuff. You got me, for like 10 minutes. But still, I didn't think this was an April Fool's joke kind of thing.

Well, that was remarkably s... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by Pixy Misa | April 1, 2005 8:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Pixy Misa:

Well, that was remarkably stupid and unfunny. What do you do for an encore?

Paul: Yeah, your wife was right. You should listen to her more often.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:32

>Now what do you do with al... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by Paul | April 1, 2005 8:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

>Now what do you do with all the "Kevin's a dick" commenters?

Well for my part Leopold, I'm doing my level best to convert them to "'Paul's a dick' commenters" but it is sometimes an uphill battle.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:33

And it leaves the question:... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by Pixy Misa | April 1, 2005 8:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

And it leaves the question:

Paul, do you actually believe any of the crap you've been spouting, or have you been lying to everyone for the past week just to annoy people?

Just wondering what sort of idiot you are, that's all.

Yeah, I'm ticked off.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:34

No Pixy, watching you make ... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by Paul | April 1, 2005 8:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

No Pixy, watching you make an ass out of yourself was hysterical.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:35

*shakes head*You a... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by SilverBubble | April 1, 2005 8:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

SilverBubble:

*shakes head*

You are turds. I mean that in the nicest mean possible way.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:36

Thanks, Paul. You're both ... (Below threshold)

26. Posted by Pixy Misa | April 1, 2005 8:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Thanks, Paul. You're both kinds of idiot then.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:37

Kevin, if you're reading yo... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by Pixy Misa | April 1, 2005 8:41 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Kevin, if you're reading your own blog, that was one of the stupidest, most ill-considered and poorly excuted April Fools jokes I have ever seen that didn't actually result in physical injury.

Nice going, guys.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:41

I vote that Pixy's reaction... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by Chadster | April 1, 2005 8:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Chadster:

I vote that Pixy's reaction alone makes this comedy gold.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:44

I vote that Pixy's react... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by Amen Brother | April 1, 2005 8:47 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Amen Brother:

Amen bother- Amen.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:47

Well, nice for you guys.</p... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by Pixy Misa | April 1, 2005 8:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Well, nice for you guys.

Now, will you point out where any of this is actually funny? You know, apart from all the pointless lying and stuff?

Okay, so all three bloggers at Wizbang decided to lie to their readers. For a week, in Paul's case. (Unless Paul really believes that crap, which is something he refuses to say.)

Funny? How, exactly?

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:51

And yes, I am aware of what... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by Pixy Misa | April 1, 2005 8:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

And yes, I am aware of what category many of Paul's posts were placed in, thanks. I had assumed, based on the evidence, that he was just being an dick. Am I wrong?

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:53

Because:#1: It's r... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by Chadster | April 1, 2005 8:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Because:

#1: It's refreshing to see it done on somewhere else besides DKos for a while...

#2: There's gonna be so much egg scraped off the faces of some bloggers tomorrow, I'll be havin' breakfast for life.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:54

How does it feel to make FO... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by Caveman | April 1, 2005 8:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Caveman:

How does it feel to make FOOLS out of your loyal readers? I am not amused - nor will I be back.

Funny? How, exactly?... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by julie | April 1, 2005 8:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

julie:

Because it was so out of character. There is a name for that, but I forgot what it was.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:55

Now, will you point out ... (Below threshold)

35. Posted by Mr. Obvious | April 1, 2005 8:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Mr. Obvious:

Now, will you point out where any of this is actually funny?

Your posts for starters.

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:56

There is a startlingly larg... (Below threshold)

36. Posted by Jeff Harrell | April 1, 2005 8:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

There is a startlingly large number of people here who seem to feel that this was some sort of betrayal, some sort of personal affront to them. Yes, I'm looking at you, Pixy.

I know this will come as a shock to each and every one of you in the "I'm mad as hell" camp, but I'm gonna say it anyway: These men owe you nothing. They run this blog because it pleases them to do so. They chose to play an elaborate prank because it pleased them to do so. Nobody gives a tinker's dam whether you thought it was funny or not.

You know what? I was fooled. I was fooled hard. I even went so far as to send Kevin a sincere and serious e-mail on the occasion of his shutting Paul down the first time. I thanked him for putting a stop to the senseless bickering.

I was made to look like a complete and utter fool.

And you know what? It doesn't bother me a bit. Christ, if you write anywhere near the number of words I do a week, you're bound to look like a fool every day or two anyway. Looking like a fool is nothing new to me; it doesn't trouble me in the slightest. Why should it bother any of us?

Kevin, Paul and Jay pulled the strings and made their puppets dance, and then they pointed and laughed. If we can't point and laugh at each other once the strings are cut, then what's the point of living?

Posted on April 1, 2005 20:59

Because it was so out of... (Below threshold)

37. Posted by Pixy Misa | April 1, 2005 9:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Because it was so out of character.

Okay, that may be a point. Now, Kevin I'm familiar with, but I haven't been around Wizbang enough lately to be sure what to expect of Paul. Out of character for Wizbang, yeah. Our of character for Paul, dunno. Funny? No.

Now, unlike Caveman, for me this will blow over, and I will be back. I wasn't going to delink Wizbang just because Paul was being a jerk, and I'm not going to delink Wizbang just because all three of you had a week-long lapse of reason.

But I still don't think it was funny. Paul, listen to your wife next time, okay?

Another Change In Direction

April Fools!!!

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Comments (111)