Three years. 8,156 posts. Over 109,000 comments and 16,000 trackbacks. 23 million visits. And the best blog community in the 'sphere.

It all started with this post:

Welcome to the Captain's Quarters!

So, naturalists observe, a flea
Hath smaller fleas which on him prey
And these have smaller still to bite 'em,
and so proceed ad infinitum.

Thus every poet, in his kind,
Is bit by him who comes behind.

-- Jonathan Swift

I love this quote, and I've had it memorized since I first read it in Tom Burnham's Dictionary of Misinformation. In fact, I think it explains blogs and their popularity, and in some degrees their incestuousness. Glenn Reynolds or Andrew Sullivan read a news story, and they post a commentary, and then other blogs post commentaries to their commentaries, and so proceed ad infinitum.

Don't get me wrong - I think that's terrific! We need an open market for political discussion. Hash things out to the nth degree. Argue, bicker, and scold. The trick is to keep your head, check your assumptions, and expose yourselves to differing points of view. That's what I will try to do here. I hope you enjoy the hell out of it.

When I first started this blog, I expected it to serve two purposes: an archive of my thoughts and important stories on current events, and a way to hone my writing skills and discipline. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect the success I have experienced. In fact, had I known it would get anywhere near this kind of attention, I would have used a different nom de plume. "Captain Ed" was a nickname well known to my friends and family, who were the only people I thought would ever read this.

On the other hand, I've made a lot of friends through this blog, friends that I never would have made otherwise. People like Hugh Hewitt, Mark Tapscott, Jonathan Last, Glenn Reynolds, and so many more. Some, like Jon Henke, started almost from the beginning of the blog. Others, like Michelle Malkin, came a bit later and are just as dear to me. I've met people across the political spectrum, like Joe Gandelman and E. J. Dionne, who proved that political differences don't have to translate to personal animosities. I've worked with the New York Sun, the New York Post, the Washington Post, the Weekly Standard, and now I get to work with the Examiner and the Heritage Foundation.

I also get to do a great radio show every Saturday with outstanding folks like Mitch Berg, King Banaian, Brian Ward, Chad the Elder, John Hinderaker, Michael Brodkorb, and even occasionally Scott Johnson. All of these are great friends and terrific bloggers, whose links are at the top of my blogroll for a reason.

So I feel very, very blessed, but most of all I feel blessed by having such a great community of readers and commenters. Most of the CQ experience comes from this group, not from me, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of you, regardless of your perspective. Sometimes I fret too much about keeping the rhythm of the comment threads to a high standard, but my impulse is pure even if my implementation is sometimes clumsy. I look forward every day to the debate that gets facilitated at this site, and I hope you do, too.

In three years, I have never taken a day off, which I believe means that I've solved that writer's discipline problem. I may at some time take a few days to recharge the batteries, but for the moment, I'm delighted to have this outlet for my opinions and perspective. I'm enjoying the hell out of this. I hope the rest of you continue to do so, too.

And I do have one person to thank most for these three years:

If it wasn't for the First Mate, I'd never be able to do this.

NOTE: Another great blogfriend, The Anchoress, celebrates 2 million visitors. Congratulations on my blog-twin Sister Toldjah for her 3rd blogiversary, too, and big thanks to Joe for a nice post at TMV.

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry is

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Three Years Of CQ:

» Take A Peek.... from The Moderate Voice
...at Captain's Quarters...not that Captain Ed Morrissey real... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 8:50 AM

» Take A Peek.... from The Moderate Voice
...at Captain's Quarters...not that Captain Ed Morrissey real... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 8:51 AM

» Happy 3rd blogiversary to the ST blog :) from Sister Toldjah
Today marks my 3rd anniversary in the political blogosphere - the first year and a half or so started out as a bit of a bumpy ride, but it’s smoothed out a lot in the last year and a half. Here’s the post I wrote on my 2nd blogiversary, w... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 8:58 AM

» First Cup 10.03.06 from bRight & Early
... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 9:11 AM

» Happy Anniversary from Blue Crab Boulevard
Ed Morrisey's Captain's Quarters blog turns three years old today. Congratulations, Captain Ed. ... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 9:31 AM

» Happy Blogoversary Captain's Quarters from Stix Blog
Captain's Quarter turns 3 years old today. It is one of the first blogs that I read everyday. Captain Ed is a very good writer and has a very good blog. I wish his blog a Blogoversary and many more [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 9:58 AM

» Happy 3rd To Sister Toldjah! from Iowa Voice
Just a quick note that today is ST's 3rd blogiversary (anniversary, to all you newbies =D). Head on over and wish her many, many more. **Update**: Another anniversary. Capt. Ed is 3 years old today. =D [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 10:22 AM

» Twin Anniversaries from The Political Pit Bull
Two of my favorite bloggers, Captain Ed and Sister Toldjah, are celebrating three years of blogging today. Congrats guys!... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 10:52 AM

» Congrats to Ed Morrissey! from The Anchoress
Congratulations to my biggest and best blogfather the very gracious Ed Morrissey of Captains Quarters Blog - the classiest, most even-handed and well-mannered blog in the sphere, with some of the most insightful and well-researched writing to be found ... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 11:21 AM

» Some Blogging Milestones to Celebrate from The Real Ugly American.com
Congratulations Cap’n on all of your well deserved success. You serve as a fine example of citizen journalism that we should all aspire to. ... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 11:31 AM

» Congratulations Captain from HILLARYNEEDSAVACATION
The great success is well deserved. Because of Mr. Morrissey's fine quality. [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 11:43 AM

» Captain’s Quarters is Three Years Old from Never Yet Melted
CQ’s anniversary posting celebrates Three years. 8,156 posts. Over 109,000 comments and 16,000 trackbacks. 23 million visits. Well done. ... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 12:38 PM

» Congratulations Captain from Don Singleton
Congratulations Captain on your Blogaversary [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 12:59 PM

» Congrats To Ed from Liberty and Justice
Why? you ask. Well, firstly because Ed simply is one of the best - and most principled - bloggers in the entire blogosphere. He is an outspoken conservative and Republican, yet, when he disagrees with the Republican Party, he disagrees with it: he is n... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 1:38 PM

» Milestones and Anniversaries from Sensible Mom
The Anchoress hit the 2 million visitors milestone earlier this week and Ed Morrissey is celebrating his three year blogiversary today. Congratulations to both! After reading their posts I remembered that I started my blog around this time two years [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 1:45 PM

» Milestones and Anniversaries from Sensible Mom
The Anchoress hit the 2 million visitors milestone earlier this week and Ed Morrissey is celebrating his three year blogiversary today. Congratulations to both! After reading their posts I remembered that I started my blog around this time two years [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 1:47 PM

» Milestones and Anniversaries from Sensible Mom
The Anchoress hit the 2 million visitors milestone earlier this week and Ed Morrissey is celebrating his three year blogiversary today. Congratulations to both! After reading their posts I remembered that I started my blog around this time two years [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 1:56 PM

» Midday Cute and Not Cute from Pirate's Cove
Cute:   Not Cute And, in an attempt to get banned in countries other then India, I bring you Dashboard Mohammed (h/t to Michelle Malkin and Ogre): Beth at Blue Star Chronicles has more. Back to cute (well, at least for one. Don't think the o... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 2:10 PM

» Happy Birthday, Capn'! from Tapscott's Copy Desk
Congratulations to Ed and First Mate and all the great sources who have helped make Captain's Quarters an absolute must-read-first for thousands of smart people across the country. [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 2:19 PM

» A Salute To The Captain from Decision '08
Three years on, 23 million (!!!) visitors…the man is a big dog, and it’s well-deserved.  Many, many more, Captain Ed… ... [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 3:05 PM

» Happy Blogging anniversary from The Florida Masochist
To Ed at Captain's Quarters and to Sister Toldjah. They've both been doing it for three years. Congrats and hope to be reading both of you for many more years. [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 8:12 PM

» Happy Blog Anniversaries Go To..... from Conservative Musings
both Captain Ed at Captain's Quarters, and Carol Platt Liebau. Ed celebrates 3 years of blogging, and Carol celebrates 2. May they both celebrate many blogging years to come! -Colonel Steve [Read More]

Tracked on October 3, 2006 8:26 PM

» Don't Get Me Started.... from All Things Beautiful
It's time for some celebration to lift the mood, I say. Congratulations are in order to my dear friend Ed Morrissey on his three year anniversary of unstoppable brilliance and simply awesome stats. My darling friend the Anchoress, my mentor and guide i... [Read More]

Tracked on October 4, 2006 6:11 AM

» Hochmut and Demut: Pride and Humility from benning's Writing Pad
Congratulations are in order to Sister Toldjah on her 3rd Blogiversary, as well as Captain Ed at Captain's Quarters on his 3rd Blogiversary. And congratulations to The Anchoress whose visitors recently passed the two-million mark! Well done, Folks! Kee... [Read More]

Tracked on October 4, 2006 10:27 AM