I am just back from spending a day in Carbondale, and so I did not post on the various updates. You should know the undergrads I met with yesterday had pointed questions about Capitol Fax, how it works, who follows it (Of course, I outed everyone’s pseudonym), and what impact it has on our civil discourse. What was interesting about their questions was that the students already knew the Capitol Fax brand. Compare that to this time 17 years ago (eeep) when I was having to explain to my classmates who exactly my internship was with and how it was more than a blog.
Isabel, you’re doing exceptional work. A lot of friends on the Rail independently bring it up, too, even when you’re not around. Many of them say they really have to check bylines on the blog and in the Fax because they cannot differentiate between yours and Rich’s writing (they mean that as a compliment). I have long believed that “Capitol Fax” and “Miller” are synonyms and you have proven that to be 100% correct. Your style is a very cool blend of your Dad, your uncle, and your own voice. I look forward to your byline because the writing is clear and concise and supported by genuine shoe-leather reporting. If you’re sharing it, you’ve got it cold.
Rich, you expect more of yourself than most anyone else in media and politics. To wit, I don’t think many of your subscribers fully appreciate how much goes into producing Capitol Fax and the toll it can take. Many have tried, and some are still trying, to recreate Capitol Fax or even just keep up with your ’round the clock pace (myself included). It cannot be done.
Consider all of the different spaces you go in to get information reliable enough for the Fax. Some of them are the stuff of nightmares or widely believed to only exist in fantasies. Finding and getting into them is one thing. Knowing all the different languages you have to speak in there is another. Being mindful of all the interests at-play is next level. How you survive some of those experiences to get home and publish the story…I’m still trying to figure out how you pull that off. It must be Oscar.
Oh yeah, and you have to monitor comments between it all.
Thank you for the lessons, opportunities, and friendship over the years. I’m sorry you are going through this latest scare and pain. How your body has been able to keep up with the Capitol Fax lifestyle defies any medical explanation I’m aware of. There is more to it than grit and determination.
Kick cancer’s @$$, boss.
- InTheMiddleOfEverything - Thursday, Oct 22, 26 @ 8:58 am:
Doesn’t really feel like fall where I am to be honest. Most trees are still green where I am and its been a high of 70’s Apparently El Nino is making things warmer this year so that with average temps being higher due to climate change the process is a lot slower. At least the nights feel cold.
Now that the ‘26 elections are essentially over this looks like a golf day and then the Bears if I can fire up Prime Video. Hope the recovery still going well. BTW Barton’s observations are very on point. Hard to believe that was 17 years ago. He is getting old
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Oct 22, 26 @ 11:17 am:
Not feeling very autumn-ish here in beautiful DuPage County. Supposed to hit 72 today. Enjoying the cool evenings and a few trees starting to turn color.
- Anotheretiree - Thursday, Oct 22, 26 @ 12:04 pm:
I recall we raked leaves in October in the 60’s and now its a November thing. Guess the leaves didn’t get the email about change being a hoax. State retiress losing access to Barnes/Wash U is a very clever diminishment. Medicare advantage is looking like a bad idea. Guess you can’t keep your Dr in 2027.
I’m so old, I remember when life, in general, was quite predictable… even the weather has changed…still doesn’t take a weatherman to see which way the wind blows?…forecast?…Nasty weather ahead…Hold tight!
- Barton - Thursday, Oct 22, 26 @ 8:53 am:
Good morning!
I am just back from spending a day in Carbondale, and so I did not post on the various updates. You should know the undergrads I met with yesterday had pointed questions about Capitol Fax, how it works, who follows it (Of course, I outed everyone’s pseudonym), and what impact it has on our civil discourse. What was interesting about their questions was that the students already knew the Capitol Fax brand. Compare that to this time 17 years ago (eeep) when I was having to explain to my classmates who exactly my internship was with and how it was more than a blog.
Isabel, you’re doing exceptional work. A lot of friends on the Rail independently bring it up, too, even when you’re not around. Many of them say they really have to check bylines on the blog and in the Fax because they cannot differentiate between yours and Rich’s writing (they mean that as a compliment). I have long believed that “Capitol Fax” and “Miller” are synonyms and you have proven that to be 100% correct. Your style is a very cool blend of your Dad, your uncle, and your own voice. I look forward to your byline because the writing is clear and concise and supported by genuine shoe-leather reporting. If you’re sharing it, you’ve got it cold.
Rich, you expect more of yourself than most anyone else in media and politics. To wit, I don’t think many of your subscribers fully appreciate how much goes into producing Capitol Fax and the toll it can take. Many have tried, and some are still trying, to recreate Capitol Fax or even just keep up with your ’round the clock pace (myself included). It cannot be done.
Consider all of the different spaces you go in to get information reliable enough for the Fax. Some of them are the stuff of nightmares or widely believed to only exist in fantasies. Finding and getting into them is one thing. Knowing all the different languages you have to speak in there is another. Being mindful of all the interests at-play is next level. How you survive some of those experiences to get home and publish the story…I’m still trying to figure out how you pull that off. It must be Oscar.
Oh yeah, and you have to monitor comments between it all.
Thank you for the lessons, opportunities, and friendship over the years. I’m sorry you are going through this latest scare and pain. How your body has been able to keep up with the Capitol Fax lifestyle defies any medical explanation I’m aware of. There is more to it than grit and determination.
Kick cancer’s @$$, boss.
- InTheMiddleOfEverything - Thursday, Oct 22, 26 @ 8:58 am:
Doesn’t really feel like fall where I am to be honest. Most trees are still green where I am and its been a high of 70’s Apparently El Nino is making things warmer this year so that with average temps being higher due to climate change the process is a lot slower. At least the nights feel cold.
- Annon'in - Thursday, Oct 22, 26 @ 11:03 am:
Now that the ‘26 elections are essentially over this looks like a golf day and then the Bears if I can fire up Prime Video. Hope the recovery still going well. BTW Barton’s observations are very on point. Hard to believe that was 17 years ago. He is getting old
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, Oct 22, 26 @ 11:17 am:
Not feeling very autumn-ish here in beautiful DuPage County. Supposed to hit 72 today. Enjoying the cool evenings and a few trees starting to turn color.
- Anotheretiree - Thursday, Oct 22, 26 @ 12:04 pm:
I recall we raked leaves in October in the 60’s and now its a November thing. Guess the leaves didn’t get the email about change being a hoax. State retiress losing access to Barnes/Wash U is a very clever diminishment. Medicare advantage is looking like a bad idea. Guess you can’t keep your Dr in 2027.
- Dotnonymous x - Thursday, Oct 22, 26 @ 4:02 pm:
I’m so old, I remember when life, in general, was quite predictable… even the weather has changed…still doesn’t take a weatherman to see which way the wind blows?…forecast?…Nasty weather ahead…Hold tight!