1. Starting with the new issue, I'll be doing a (mostly) weekly column for The Stranger as the paper's token conservative.

That's kind of sad in a way. Now Stefans going to be all lovely dovey with the Stranger. They co-oped him. First a lefty, then right, and now left again.

That's the problems with Washington politics, there's no middle left.

Now Stefan will get his salary paid by those porno type ads in the back of the Stranger. Oh well.

Posted by: Erik on March 9, 2005 09:12 PM

2. I find it fitting that the Stranger has given the Shark a comic book-style banner heralding his arrival.

"Now in the Stranger...Sharkansky!"

Posted by: Alex on March 9, 2005 09:15 PM

3. Erik,

There is no such thing as a middle. The "middle" is the place where those without convictions hang out.

Posted by: dkpcowboy on March 9, 2005 09:18 PM

4. I find it fitting that the Stranger has given the Shark a comic book-style banner heralding his arrival.

Yeah. Ha. Good one. They will probably make the comic book icon with him in pink tights.

I have wonder where they will place Stefan's column. By the "I, ANONYMOUS" column?

Since he's the newbie there, maybe it will be near the back between the 1 900 ads and alternative lifestyle.

In any event, the Stanger appears to scored a Coup and remained leading edge. The Log Cabin types will love him.

Plus, as Seinfield would say they are "neat, clean, and thin."

Posted by: Erik on March 9, 2005 09:27 PM

5. Josh Feit? How's the egregious misquoter doing? I don't miss him down here in the Portland area when he attacked from the left in Willamette Week. (He did a lot of groundwork for my Democratic opponent in 1998.)

Posted by: Josh Poulson on March 9, 2005 09:34 PM

6. Who knew Erik had a sense of political propriety?

Posted by: South County on March 9, 2005 09:41 PM

7. Cool!

I actually think this is very good. One of the biggest problem with the red/blue divide is we don't talk to each other enough.

I'm not saying we are going to agree, or that 'compromise' is always possible, it often isn't, but I think it's positive for our country if we understand each other and where the other one is coming from.

Posted by: Cliff on March 9, 2005 09:56 PM

8. Leave it to Erik to begrudge Stefan's invite to add balanced opinion to a very liberal rag.

Indicative of liberals. Jealous, and most of them just want to stay isolated inside the Blue Cocoon, secure that Gregoire is in office, even if she got there with thousands of illegitimate votes.

I'm sure we'll be reading Goldy's "How come I didn't get a column" whinings at HA soon.

Posted by: Jeff B. on March 9, 2005 09:58 PM

9. I'm honored that they offered me this opportunity.

Slow down a minute. The Stranger's is trying to increase their circulation. More people are interested in what the Shark has to say than in what the stranger has to say.

Posted by: Brian on March 9, 2005 10:03 PM

10. Leave it to Erik to begrudge Stefan's invite

No I don't. Lighten up. More power to Stefan with the Stranger. If Michael Moore can appear on the Bill O'Reilly show, Stefan can write for the Stranger. Kudos.

Though, if he's going to write there as a regular, he might want to brush up on his alternative slang language. A condo on Capital Hill might make writing there more convenient.

Of course, once you are on Capital Hill, there's alot of entertainment around....

I'm sure we'll be reading Goldy's "How come I didn't get a column" whinings at HA soon.

Goldy's used to being left behind. He didn't get much talk radio time like Stefan did after the election. But the guy is hanging in there and has got a knack for picking topics.

The Stranger's is trying to increase their circulation.

That's funny and probably true. Just imagine the Stranger will now be mandatory reading for republicans.

Posted by: Erik on March 9, 2005 10:18 PM

11. wow! I had totally given up on reading the Stranger. I used to like reading it to see what the extreme left had to say, but I got tired of always feeling like I had to take a shower after reading it to get all the filth off and frankly a lot of the writers just sound depressed.

But now that you're in it, I'll probably be able to actually find an article to read that isn't laced with four-letter words and multiple sex references. I mean hey-- you seem to do just fine here on Soundpolitics without all that stuff. Tell them they just got me back as a reader. (at least of your stuff!)

Posted by: Michele on March 9, 2005 10:23 PM

12. One thing I have noticed about The Stranger is that their views are less left than libertarian. This might explain a willingness to hear some of the less ideological voices of the right.

Posted by: DeadWood on March 9, 2005 10:33 PM

13. Editorial opinion may be more diverse in The Stranger than it is in the P-I.

Posted by: J.A. on March 9, 2005 11:10 PM

14. 'Like a single flower in a otherwise DEAD field'

Stefan,
Kudos!

It will be a 'breath' of fresh air except to those without independent thought processes . . . Oops, sorry, Erik. [;-P

Posted by: Arky on March 10, 2005 04:43 AM

15. Make sure those a$$wipes don't "editorialize" anything in your column Stefan. Dropping or adding a word here or there can change an entire meaning or tone making the writer look foolish.

Stefan, your writing skills are "as cool as the underside of a pillow". Thoughtful, well-researched and humorous.

Goldy, on the other hand, has never had an original thought of value in his entire pathetic, miserable life. Goldy merely "parrots" LEFTIST talking points. "SQUAWK!!! GOLDY wanttsa a cracker!"

The other thing is don't allow these a$$wipes to comment on your column in the same issue. That gives them the last word.

Make sure you have clear, written agreed to ground rules Stefan.

Posted by: Mr. Cynical on March 10, 2005 05:51 AM

16. Brian wrote "Slow down a minute. The Stranger's is trying to increase their circulation. More people are interested in what the Shark has to say than in what the stranger has to say."

Brian's got a point. Here in Central Texas, the main talk radio in town is KLBJ as in Lyndon B. Johnson (late, Democratic President, for those who do not remember) and guess which 2 day time shows are syndicated? Dr. Laura and Rush.

Johnson must be rolling (rotating? spinning?) in his grave ever since Rush was signed on....

Posted by: DannyHSDad on March 10, 2005 06:24 AM

17. I wouldn't read the Stranger if my Dad & Mom had a column in that filthy rag. No way.
But it seems to be a good thing for you Stefan. Be careful with it. You know the old saying, 'Keep your enemies close', they are not trying to do a good thing for you Stefan, they probably dont like you at all. So why the column? Its your readers and the huge amount of people who are reading your blog. So its a smart move on their side.
So be the cancer and the cure. Show them what it is and how it should be. And if you should start leaning left and go soft, we will notice it first and go someplace else.
Good luck, but be careful.

Posted by: Son of Liberty on March 10, 2005 07:10 AM

18. Erik: You watch O'Reilly? Wow, I guess I would have to retract some of those negative thoughts I had about you. There is hope for you yet.

Since I live in Snohomish County, what is "The Stranger"? Is it similar to those newspapers you see in the paper boxes on Castle Street in San Francisco? If you don't know where Castle Street in SF is then you have no idea...

Stefan: You go where your heart says to go. Just pray on it before you make any moves and God will be your guide!!!!

Pudster

Posted by: Puddybud on March 10, 2005 07:33 AM

19. I probably disagree with almost every position taken by the Stranger and Mr. Savage, but I find it to be interesting reading (and Mr. Savage to be a very good and thoughtful writer - when he isn't being merely provocative or snarky).

We approach issues from entirely different worldviews (most of our metaphisical and philosophical presuppositions are opposeites) and thus reason to different conclusions.

You should generate some interesting letters and hate mail there.

Posted by: krm on March 10, 2005 07:43 AM

20. What does this mean for :
"Oh, THAT Liberal Media!" ?

Posted by: Bleeding heart conservative on March 10, 2005 08:11 AM

21. Awesome! I don't agree with a lot of the views taken at the Stranger, but I feel that they have more respect for their readers than the other papers. The other papers are condescending and/or they assume that all Puget Sounders are yuppies or baby boomers.

Posted by: coastygirl on March 10, 2005 08:27 AM

22. Yeah, Stefan. Don't let those "a$$wipes" change your words and make you look foolish!We know you'd never do that! Mr. Cynical is more innocent than he thinks he is...

Posted by: headless lucy on March 10, 2005 08:52 AM

23. Congrats, Stefan! I don't think you need to worry about them monkeying with your words. You'll be too busy responding to your hate mail--so will Dan Savage for bringing you on.

I'm a lefty who reads the Stranger more for entertainment than reporting. It was through that "liberal rag" that I found out about Sound Politics. They actually were very respectful of you. If anything, they're probably going to push you to be more snotty and jaded. Watch your back or they might replace you with a more cynical sound politician...

Posted by: ChrisW on March 10, 2005 10:15 AM

24. It's mostly young people that read that publication so maybe you could mold some minds, or maybe there are some of them already *molded*. Either way Good luck to you and have fun with it.

Posted by: Adriel on March 10, 2005 10:55 AM

25. Congrats Stefan! When I grabbed the paper off the stand yesterday I just about fell over backwards. But it's truly a great thing. It means that the left is starting to take us seriously and I think, in some weird way, that The Stranger might actually be some sort of ally in our crusade. Although many of their writers and editors are immature nutbars there are a few over there that do think for themselves (one of them even told me that if it was up to him he would have endorsed my candidacy last year).
As far as dkpcowboy's comment that the middle is where those with no convictions hang out, sorry to burst your bubble but 80% of the population is very close to the middle. Name the last extremist (especially on the Republican side) that won any major election (national, statewide, etc.) We have Baghdad Jim but then just look at the district he represents. He can afford to be way out in left field, which, of course, means anyone who takes him on has to be as moderate as possible (not an extremist like Cassidy).

Posted by: Mark Griswold on March 10, 2005 11:22 AM

26. http://www.thestranger.com/2005-03-10/soundbite.html

Posted by: bmvaughn on March 10, 2005 01:19 PM

27. Mark,

You are aware that McDermott could rape a 14 year old girl, kill three people, and run down the street naked screaming 'I love Adolph Hitler!' and he STILL wouldn't lose the general election, arn't you?

Just thought you'd want to know. We could nominate a R as liberal as Arlin Specter or Lincoln Chaffee and he still wouldn't win.

Posted by: Cliff on March 10, 2005 01:20 PM

28. Strange Days in The Savage Nation: And our Miss Congeniality Award goes to ... the Shark & Doorknob Dan! (Savage, by the way, presented the clear cogent case for Iraq war that our president was unwilling or unable to provide. Check it, as they say, out: thestranger.com/2002-07-04/ex3.html)

Posted by: sandalista on March 10, 2005 01:22 PM

29. Freakin sellout.

Oh wait, um... They're paying you, right? If not, then nevermind.

Posted by: Vexorg on March 10, 2005 05:30 PM

30. While I am not one to agree with the Stranger often, I have always held an odd respect for it's honesty in it's political and social leanings and now have an even greater admiration for the folks there as they brought the Shark onboard...GO SHARK! GO!

P.S.
Neither can I still call Gregoire Governor...whenever I hear the term "Governor Gregoire", it just sounds wrong. It's like the kid (in this case Gregoire) who threw a temper tantrum and then got her way. I guess in my little world, I consider Brad Owen Governor....

Posted by: flexnfx on March 10, 2005 08:40 PM

31. Congrats! Good job!

Posted by: Jacqueline on March 10, 2005 08:51 PM

32. Disappointed. I don't mind debate, but after a quick trip to the Stranger's web site, I'm surprised Mr. Sharkansky isn't embarrassed to be associated with such a yellow rag. Stefan, all you are likely to accomplish is to be a regular punching bag for the Stranger's readers, while at the same time allowing the Stranger to say they're balanced because they have someone like you on board. You've been duped. Be smarter next time.

Posted by: Neil on March 10, 2005 11:31 PM

33. Awesome!

Posted by: TADD on March 11, 2005 12:18 AM

34. Shark:

Non Carborundum Illegitimi!!

So it's a "clueless/liberal" rag, so what? The coolness about this democracy thingie is that EVERYBODY gets a say, even the far-freakin'-out likes of Michael Clueless Moore. Hey, if we can have a drunkard like Ted Kennedy in the Senate, and weasels like McDermott in the House, then even the likes of The Shark can have a say. No, Shark, I'm NOT comparing you to the likes of the aforementioned...

Keep your edge, keep your hand on your wallet, and above all KEEP BLOGGING! Kudos to you, buddy!

Igor

Posted by: Igor on March 11, 2005 08:10 AM

35. Cliff, just because you say it doesn't make it true. I'm not saying that it's going to happen this upcoming year, maybe not even in 2008. But, if you study history, you'll see that the pendulum swings both ways. AND! if you'd been out campaiging with me last year (I ran against Frank "Pork" Chopp for 43rd District Leg) you'd see how wrong you are. People are starting to get fed up with this being a one party town just as many folks got fed up with the Communists in Russia. The Politburo kept saying it would never happen to them. But, hey, as I always say, good luck with that, everybody's gotta have a dream.

Posted by: Mark Griswold on March 14, 2005 03:45 PM

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