TreeHuggers last entry - June 27, 2005 (pulled from the Google cache)
As he mentioned Treehugger and I had a couple of opportunities to get together for pizza and wine, and fish and chips and [lots of] beer at Patty’s Pub, and end up in a punk rock bar in The Market for more beer… I believe the last get together was dubbed the BeerNuts gathering :-)Tempus abiciendi
The time has come to bid you all farewell. In two days or so I will be closing up the shop, shutting down the ole blog. I make this post only as a courtesy to those who have been so kind as to link to me.
Blogging was once fun. It no longer is for me. When I first started this back in October 2004, I couldn’t get enough of it. Now, I look back and think that it was a worthwhile experience; one that has served its purpose. I made many friends in this blogosphere, even had the good fortune to meet several for a pint or two (or pizza) in person. I also learned a lot about political debate, where my blind-spots are and how to respect an adversary’s viewpoint.
Throughout the experience I have tried (and failed at times) to ensure that Heart of the Matter was a place where people could come to discuss an issue in a mature fashion, without a flame war ensuing at every opportunity. I am proud that there were some really insightful, in depth and respectful discussion threads here over the last eight or so months. I learned a great deal from all of you and that is a gift that is truly priceless.
There were some memorable occasions along the way:
- Meeting Balbulican and Stageleft for pizza and some decent house wine while in Ottawa on business a few months ago
- Babulican and I in “epic” battles with “Captain Carver”, from Spinkiller - truly the good ole days of blogging for me.
- Going for lunch with Damian. He is a true gentleman
- Just reading the comment threads between RJ and Balbulican and some of the remarkable discussions they had at great length which were common place in the earlier days of this weblog.
- Being involved in a full on flame war with Mike Brock over at Spinkiller’s blog only to have RJ make his first appearance in our circle of bloggers to remind us to “play nice”. Indeed.
- Getting a link from both Warren Kinsella and Calgary Grit in the same month - two guys I respect very much.
- Having the feisty Libertarians contributing here.
I may still comment here and there but I doubt it. One thing is for sure, it will not be as “Treehugger”. That pseudonym will not live on past this post.
When I started this blog I referred to Henry David Thoreau in the masthead: “If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. Men will believe what they see.” I hope that everyone who came here saw that I tried to provide a blog that was not an ideological echo chamber. I tried to set an example that it was possible to have people from all walks of political belief talking to, instead of yelling at, each other. That was my goal from day one.
But now, it is time to venture on to a new hobby. Politics will never leave me even if I don’t have a place to vent regularly. Instead, I will take the very next opportunity to re-join the Liberal Party and work (with so many others) to undue the damage that the Martin regime has done. I have stood on my soap box here and preached as much long enough.
So ends my foray into blogging. Until recently, it has been a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and commented, or just read the discussions from time to time. I am very grateful and wish you all my best.
I would also like to thank, individually, the following bloggers who made this experience memorable:
Stageleft, Balbulican, RJ, Mike Brock, Andrew, Timmy, Greg, Declan, Jonathan, Damian, Alan, Ian, Princess Monkey and last but certainly not least Jim.
Posted by Treehugger on June 27, 2005 at 04:14 PM
Treehugger definately falls into the category of “good people” and we’re gonna miss his thoughts and ideas - I certainly hope we see you here now and again TH….. until then, slan leat
Thanks for reposting that in full - I was kicking myself for not quoting the whole thing when he said he was going to take the site down “in a couple days”