The post below represents iePolitics’ 1000th post since we changed formats with the decision to use mostly original material earlier this year. You have participated by making 4830 comments on those posts.

I’m a big believer that all things happen for a reason.  When Jim and I split off into two separate blogs, many wondered if the local readership could and would support both.  But instead of dividing readership, we have increased it exponentially.   We both receive more hits than some local newspapers.

Jim and I share many of the same readers and we both have those readers that are loyal to one or the other.  For that reason, we cross-post some of one another’s original content.  If the title starts with “InlandPolitics:,” it means the story was written by Jim or a member of his blogpen.  If it starts with “iePolitics:,” then I or a member of my blogpen wrote it.

One of the criticisms I hear often is that we slant the news.  I have always looked at iePolitics as sometimes the antithesis and sometimes the supplement to our local mainstream newspapers.

Jim and I both have sources from decades of being part of the system that local reporters couldn’t cultivate in a lifetime of investigative reporting.  We also have an inside track because we know how the system works.  I think that frustrates me most.  The obvious is not obvious to those who don’t fully understand the intricacies of the system and the idiosyncrasies of the individuals we report about.

The next six months will be interesting because the planets are almost in alignment.  We thought so much of what is about to happen would have happened long ago and it has been frustrating at best.  Now that the feds are involved, we are at their mercy and speed is not one of their priorities.  But results are.  And I expect to see results that make some of our mainstream newspapers look like the fools they are, especially when, like us, they already have some  information available but refuse to print it.

For now, we appreciate your readership and participation.  Here is to the next 1000 posts.