Does an RSVP list really make much of a difference? I mean, will the guest list be compared to some master list of terrorists that the American Cinema Foundation has on hand?

It's so typical. Right-wing extremist nutballs like Charles Johnson are represented, and the so-called "liberal" side of the spectrum is represented by a moderate like Kevin Drum.

Will there be any text or audio available online?

What I find most amazing, even beyond the rightwing-paranoia-inspiring upping of security, is that Drum, upon being invited to this panel, promptly cyber-buttkissed Miss Seipp immediately after being invited.

Uh, it wasn't exactly the charity of Cathy Seipp who got you on this panel, Mr. Drum.

KD's link is broken, but it's still here, I hope.

No, it was the charity of Kevin Drum to drive all the way up from Irvine to be on the panel, something I would have hesitated to ask had Matt Welch not insisted to me that Kevin D is the sort of generous-minded person who wouldn't mind doing it.

PS: Joseph, you are easily amazed.

Forgive me for asking, but WTF is the charity in driving "all the way up from Irvine"? I drive that far before breakfast almost daily.

If you were worried about distance you could have at least asked someone within walking distance of AFI. No, I wouldn't have turned the opportunity down to engage Roger Simon and Mickey Kaus and that rightwing bigot Charles Johnson and the other turds on your panel in any discussion. After all, I've been engaging precisely those people on my blog, almost daily. But go ahead and pick your cream-puff, and enjoy your polite discussion.

Well, at least we'll be spared the presence of left-wing bigot joseph, eh what?

Hey, this name calling stuff is fun *and* easy. Gosh, I oughta do it more often.

[/snark]

wow, I can't wait to blog this live from the event...

Joseph, where would we be without you for huffy-man comic relief?! Cathy brings in another voice, yet it's still not good enough for you because you, Jesus-like, walk barefoot on nails all the way from Irvine every day, so no biggie. PS You have an odd idea of what buttkissing is, unless I read the wrong link.

Clearly you're aching to come...just do it! We let in all kinds! Even the huffy kind!

Hard to believe Joseph isn't invited everywhere.

There has always been a vicious and bloodthirsty component to the American character, and people like Charles Johnson and Roger L. Simon have shown their ability to tap it. But perhaps warblogging has already seen its crest -- as events in Iraq undermine warbloggers' credibility, interest in them will likely fade.

Wednesday update: Look what happens when you invite over the kids from Little Green Footballs. The comment count on the original post has shot up to 145. They all seem to be arguing about the same stuff they argue about over there.

But Kevin--that's the kind of stat that impresses Cathy Seipp so much.

Kevin,

They all seem to be arguing about the same stuff they argue about over there.

As for me, I engaged them because they so rarely show their faces in public. It was a great chance to grab them while they were blinking in the light so that others can get a taste of their particular brand of hatred. Sadly, as they made clear yesterday, they lack the courage to stand up for the actions they call for in their own echo-chamber. At least 'Brennan Stout' swallowed his better instincts to be honest that he favors genocide as a situational solution. For whatever that's worth. He's not alone over there, not by a long shot.

I apologize for being attack dog du jour yesterday. It was a rare chance to show others how they are. And let me say, they filled the bill admirably.

Expect the rabid puppies to bound in en masse to the event. Fortunately that probably won't include the well-armed 'Powderfinger' who I believe lives quite some ways away. The probability of any valuable exchange of ideas is very slight with the LGF mob there browbeating the centrists. Forget the liberals. They'll need kevlar.

Funny how the LGF post is considered "hate speech" by the library's filtering device. Heh.

Ah, the sound of thrashing, the heat of the flame. I'd warm my hands by it, but they're not asbestos. The sarcasm quotient in these comments alone could light a small neighborhood in the Gaza strip. It'll be interesting to see what security is really like tonight.

You should invite Jake Sexton from Lying Media Bastards. He lives pretty close to the AFI, and has a popular leftist blog. He's even got some kind of graduate degree in media.

Lying Media Bastards is indeed a leftist blog, but With just 30 links (1% of LGF's), calling it popular is a stretch. And ten points off for the graduate degree in media.

Listen, folks, if the event turned out well -- as most people seemed to think it did -- I'd say two reasons were that (a) I invited blogs with actual readers, and (b) didn't worry about pleasing everybody.

Cathy,
You're welcome for my part in building hype for the event. I wonder how it went? Sorry, couldn't make it. : (

But I'd like to let you know that I'm available for hire to harry whomever you assign me in the pursuit of building interest for your events. Just contact me at the email associated with my name on this board. I'll contact 'Powderfinger' to shill for the other side, and together we'll more than justify the sobriquet 'controversial' no matter how inconsequential the target. Even if 90% of his or her posts are 'me toos,' even if he or she is simply an anachronistic loon, Simon & Powderfinger, Inc., will 'bring the heat' to an otherwise cold event.

Reasonable rates • Personalized service • Contact us today!

Just curious - what sort of statistics or whatnot are used to determine how "popular" or "read" a blog is?

Not all statistics gathered are the same. Each method would seem to have its ups and downs though.