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{{Short description|American blogger and political commentator}}
'''Allahpundit''' (born June 12, 1950) was the [[pseudonym]] of the [[blogger]] and senior editor<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=https://hotair.com/about/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112062755/https://hotair.com/about/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-01-12|website=Hot Air}}</ref> for the American political news and commentary website [[Hot Air]] from its founding is 2006 through his forced retirement on September 2, 2022, at which time he revealed he was the scholar [[Marvin Olasky]].
'''Nick Catoggio''', who previously used the [[pseudonym]] '''Allahpundit''', is a [[blogger]] and former senior editor<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=https://hotair.com/about/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112062755/https://hotair.com/about/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-01-12|website=Hot Air}}</ref> for the American political news and commentary website [[Hot Air]] from its founding in 2006 through his resignation on September 2, 2022. After moving to [[The Dispatch]], Catoggio writes a daily newsletter, "Boiling Frogs", under his own name.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Morning Dispatch: Big News! |url=https://thedispatch.com/p/the-morning-dispatch-big-news |website=The Dispatch |date=6 September 2022 |access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref>


== Hot Air ==
== Hot Air ==
Line 5: Line 6:
The persona of Allahpundit first appeared through a parody blog, ''Allah Is In the House'', which rose in popularity circa 2003 by being referenced throughout the [[Conservatism|conservative]] and anti-jihadist blogosphere. In March and April 2006,<ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2006/03/ michellemalkin.com (March 2006 archives)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714200747/http://michellemalkin.com/2006/03/ |date=July 14, 2007 }}</ref><ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2006/04/ michellemalkin.com (April 2006 archives)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013090234/http://michellemalkin.com/2006/04/ |date=October 13, 2007 }}</ref> Allahpundit guest-blogged for [[Michelle Malkin]] before becoming the most active contributor to Malkin's Hot Air.
The persona of Allahpundit first appeared through a parody blog, ''Allah Is In the House'', which rose in popularity circa 2003 by being referenced throughout the [[Conservatism|conservative]] and anti-jihadist blogosphere. In March and April 2006,<ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2006/03/ michellemalkin.com (March 2006 archives)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714200747/http://michellemalkin.com/2006/03/ |date=July 14, 2007 }}</ref><ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2006/04/ michellemalkin.com (April 2006 archives)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013090234/http://michellemalkin.com/2006/04/ |date=October 13, 2007 }}</ref> Allahpundit guest-blogged for [[Michelle Malkin]] before becoming the most active contributor to Malkin's Hot Air.


Hot Air is widely referenced by political bloggers and news reporters<ref>James Taranto, "[http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110009107 Best of the Web Today] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426114429/http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110009107 |date=April 26, 2009 }}", ''[[The Wall Street Journal]] Opinion Journal'' (October 17, 2006).</ref> and Allahpundit's commentary has become a reliable source for those seeking a [[Libertarian conservatism|Libertarian-conservative]] take on the political news of the day—such as former ''[[The Daily Show]]'' host [[Jon Stewart]], who cited Allahpundit as one of the bloggers he read for show preparation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/arts/tv/profiles/68086/ |title=Why the Worst of Times for Politics and Media Has Been the Best of Times for Jon Stewart and 'The Daily Show' -- New York Magazine |accessdate=2014-01-03 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110002407/http://nymag.com/arts/tv/profiles/68086/ |archivedate=2016-11-10 }}</ref> In February 2010, [[Salem Communications]] purchased Hot Air from Michelle Malkin and it was said Allahpundit and his co-blogger, [[Ed Morrissey]], were a central part of the deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/exclusive-hot-air-acquired-by-salem-communications/|title=Exclusive: Hot Air Acquired By Salem Communications|publisher=[[Mediaite]]|date=2010-02-17}}</ref> Salem is known for its [[social conservatism]], but Hot Air has maintained its more [[Cultural liberalism|social libertarian]] tone. On 3-August-2022, Allahpundit announced on Twitter that his last day at Hot Air would be 2-September-2022.
Hot Air is widely referenced by political bloggers and news reporters<ref>James Taranto, "[http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110009107 Best of the Web Today] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426114429/http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110009107 |date=April 26, 2009 }}", ''[[The Wall Street Journal]] Opinion Journal'' (October 17, 2006).</ref> and Allahpundit's commentary has become a reliable source for those seeking a [[Libertarian conservatism|Libertarian-conservative]] take on the political news of the day—such as former ''[[The Daily Show]]'' host [[Jon Stewart]], who cited Allahpundit as one of the bloggers he read for show preparation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/arts/tv/profiles/68086/ |title=Why the Worst of Times for Politics and Media Has Been the Best of Times for Jon Stewart and 'The Daily Show' -- New York Magazine |date=10 September 2010 |accessdate=2014-01-03 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110002407/http://nymag.com/arts/tv/profiles/68086/ |archivedate=2016-11-10 }}</ref> In February 2010, [[Salem Communications]] purchased Hot Air from Michelle Malkin and it was said Allahpundit and his co-blogger, [[Ed Morrissey]], were a central part of the deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/exclusive-hot-air-acquired-by-salem-communications/|title=Exclusive: Hot Air Acquired By Salem Communications|publisher=[[Mediaite]]|date=2010-02-17}}</ref> Salem is known for its [[social conservatism]], but Hot Air has maintained its more [[Cultural liberalism|social libertarian]] tone. On August 3, 2022, Allahpundit announced on Twitter that his last day at Hot Air would be September 2, 2022.


== Viewpoints ==
== Viewpoints ==


Allahpundit's prominence on Hot Air has been a contentious issue for some of the site's ardent [[Christian right|Christian conservative]] readers, as he is often criticized by his own readership for his [[atheism]] and for his frequent disagreement with "[[hard-right]]" political opinion, especially on social issues. But his viewpoints are not easily characterized; for instance, he is in favor of [[same-sex marriage]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hotair.com/archives/2008/11/08/pelosi-prop-8-supporters-might-have-been-too-dumb-to-grasp-what-they-were-doing/ |title=Pelosi: Prop 8 supporters might have been too dumb to grasp what they were doing |website=[[Hot Air]]|date=November 8, 2008|accessdate=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909211041/http://hotair.com/archives/2008/11/08/pelosi-prop-8-supporters-might-have-been-too-dumb-to-grasp-what-they-were-doing/ |archivedate=November 9, 2015 }}</ref> but does not support amnesty for undocumented immigrants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twitchy.com/2013/06/21/even-candy-ass-rino-allahpundit-is-disgusted-by-gop-amnesty-sell-outs/ |title=Even 'candy-ass RINO' Allahpundit is disgusted by GOP mmnesty sellouts|website=[[Twitchy]]| date=June 21, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101236/http://twitchy.com/2013/06/21/even-candy-ass-rino-allahpundit-is-disgusted-by-gop-amnesty-sell-outs/ |archivedate=March 4, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hotair.com/archives/2013/10/24/whos-up-for-a-new-republican-amnesty-push/ |title=Who's up for a new Republican amnesty push? |website=[[Hot Air]]|date=October 24, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305071805/http://hotair.com/archives/2013/10/24/whos-up-for-a-new-republican-amnesty-push/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 }}</ref> Allahpundit's overall writing tone is one of conversational, [[deadpan humor]], and he is known particularly for his self-deprecating tone and general lack of enthusiasm, for which he has earned the nickname "Eeyore" or "Eeyorepundit."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://67.43.12.61/keyword/Allahpundit |title=The Donald Keeps Getting Stronger|magazine=[[The Weekly Standard]]|date=September 10, 2015 |accessdate=January 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222139/http://67.43.12.61/keyword/Allahpundit |archivedate=March 3, 2016 }}</ref>
Allahpundit's prominence on Hot Air has been a contentious issue for some of the site's ardent [[Christian right|Christian conservative]] readers, as he is often criticized by his own readership for his [[atheism]] and for his frequent disagreement with "[[hard-right]]" political opinion, especially on social issues. But his viewpoints are not easily characterized; for instance, he is in favor of [[same-sex marriage]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hotair.com/archives/2008/11/08/pelosi-prop-8-supporters-might-have-been-too-dumb-to-grasp-what-they-were-doing/ |title=Pelosi: Prop 8 supporters might have been too dumb to grasp what they were doing |website=[[Hot Air]]|date=November 8, 2008|accessdate=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909211041/http://hotair.com/archives/2008/11/08/pelosi-prop-8-supporters-might-have-been-too-dumb-to-grasp-what-they-were-doing/ |archivedate=September 9, 2015 }}</ref> but does not support amnesty for illegal immigrants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twitchy.com/2013/06/21/even-candy-ass-rino-allahpundit-is-disgusted-by-gop-amnesty-sell-outs/ |title=Even 'candy-ass RINO' Allahpundit is disgusted by GOP amnesty sellouts|website=[[Twitchy]]| date=June 21, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101236/http://twitchy.com/2013/06/21/even-candy-ass-rino-allahpundit-is-disgusted-by-gop-amnesty-sell-outs/ |archivedate=March 4, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hotair.com/archives/2013/10/24/whos-up-for-a-new-republican-amnesty-push/ |title=Who's up for a new Republican amnesty push? |website=[[Hot Air]]|date=October 24, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305071805/http://hotair.com/archives/2013/10/24/whos-up-for-a-new-republican-amnesty-push/ |archivedate=March 5, 2016 }}</ref> Allahpundit's overall writing tone is one of conversational, [[deadpan humor]], and he is known particularly for his self-deprecating tone and general lack of enthusiasm, for which he has earned the nickname "Eeyore" or "Eeyorepundit."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://67.43.12.61/keyword/Allahpundit |title=The Donald Keeps Getting Stronger|magazine=[[The Weekly Standard]]|date=September 10, 2015 |accessdate=January 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222139/http://67.43.12.61/keyword/Allahpundit |archivedate=March 3, 2016 }}</ref>


In September 2004, Allahpundit was key to debunking of the [[Killian documents]] controversy, in which ''[[60 Minutes]]'' anchor [[Dan Rather]] aired a segment about documents purporting to prove that [[George W. Bush]] went [[AWOL]] from the [[Texas Air National Guard]] in 1973 - documents ultimately revealed to be forgeries. [[Mary Mapes]], producer of ''60 Minutes'', blamed Allahpundit, among others, for "working anonymously in what appeared to be huge numbers, in unison, to destroy the Bush-Guard story."<ref>{{cite book|first=Mary|last=Mapes|author-link=Mary Mapes|title=Truth and Duty: The Press, the President, and the Privilege of Power|date=31 October 2006|publisher=[[St. Martin's Griffin]]|location=New York City|isbn=978-0312354114|page=201}}</ref> Largely due to this controversy, the website was among the Top Blogs Cited in Political Postings for the [[2004 United States presidential election]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050805234241/http://politics.blogpulse.com/politics_summary.html Blogpulse Campaign Radar 2004].</ref>
In September 2004, Allahpundit was key to debunking of the [[Killian documents]] controversy, in which ''[[60 Minutes]]'' anchor [[Dan Rather]] aired a segment about documents purporting to prove that [[George W. Bush]] went [[AWOL]] from the [[Texas Air National Guard]] in 1973 - documents ultimately revealed to be forgeries. [[Mary Mapes]], producer of ''60 Minutes'', blamed Allahpundit, among others, for "working anonymously in what appeared to be huge numbers, in unison, to destroy the Bush-Guard story."<ref>{{cite book|first=Mary|last=Mapes|author-link=Mary Mapes|title=Truth and Duty: The Press, the President, and the Privilege of Power|date=31 October 2006|publisher=[[St. Martin's Griffin]]|location=New York City|isbn=978-0312354114|page=201}}</ref> Largely due to this controversy, the website was among the Top Blogs Cited in Political Postings for the [[2004 United States presidential election]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050805234241/http://politics.blogpulse.com/politics_summary.html Blogpulse Campaign Radar 2004].</ref>


Allahpundit's moniker harkens back to his original blog, Allah Is In The House, which was a highly irreverent parody of "a jihadist's version of Allah" and a way to vent frustration about [[geopolitics]] in a post-[[9/11]] political climate. He did note on his original blog a disclaimer to the effect that his moniker was not "anti-Muslim" and that he differentiated between extremists and peaceful practicing Muslims. Despite his relative fame, Allahpundit has managed to remain anonymous "in an era when most bloggers treat their names like precious branding manna, his insistence on keeping a pseudonym has an anachronistic, early 2000s feel to it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/25-bloggers-you-need-to-know/2/ |title=Mediaite Presents: 25 Need-To-Know Bloggers You May Not Know Already|website=[[Mediaite]]|date=October 21, 2009 |accessdate=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211041127/http://www.mediaite.com/online/25-bloggers-you-need-to-know/2/ |archivedate=December 11, 2016 }}</ref>
Allahpundit's moniker harkens back to his original blog, Allah Is In The House, which was a highly irreverent parody of "a jihadist's version of Allah" and a way to vent frustration about [[geopolitics]] in a post-[[9/11]] political climate. He did note on his original blog a disclaimer to the effect that his moniker was not "anti-Muslim" and that he differentiated between extremists and peaceful practicing Muslims. Despite his relative fame, Allahpundit has managed to remain anonymous; "in an era when most bloggers treat their names like precious branding manna, his insistence on keeping a pseudonym has an anachronistic, early 2000s feel to it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/25-bloggers-you-need-to-know/2/ |title=Mediaite Presents: 25 Need-To-Know Bloggers You May Not Know Already|website=[[Mediaite]]|date=October 21, 2009 |accessdate=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211041127/http://www.mediaite.com/online/25-bloggers-you-need-to-know/2/ |archivedate=December 11, 2016 }}</ref>


In October 2021, Allahpundit expressed agreement with [[Bill Maher]]'s criticism of [[Donald Trump]]'s [[Stop the Steal|false claims of fraud]] in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]] and his ongoing attacks against the results and integrity of elections, saying "[Maher is right], even if Republicans don't want to hear it. And it's a show of integrity on his part that he felt obliged to drop this truth bomb at the very moment that he's gaining right-wing fans for his anti-[[woke]] commentary."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stelter|first=Brian|date=October 11, 2021|title=Bill Maher is right about Trump's 'slow-moving coup.' Here are 6 reasons to take it seriously|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/11/media/donald-trump-slow-moving-coup/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=October 11, 2021|website=[[CNN Business]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011171539/https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/11/media/donald-trump-slow-moving-coup/index.html |archive-date=2021-10-11 }}</ref>
In October 2021, Allahpundit expressed agreement with [[Bill Maher]]'s criticism of [[Donald Trump]]'s [[Stop the Steal|false claims of fraud]] in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]] and his ongoing attacks against the results and integrity of elections, saying "[Maher is right], even if Republicans don't want to hear it. And it's a show of integrity on his part that he felt obliged to drop this truth bomb at the very moment that he's gaining right-wing fans for his anti-[[woke]] commentary."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stelter|first=Brian|date=October 11, 2021|title=Bill Maher is right about Trump's 'slow-moving coup.' Here are 6 reasons to take it seriously|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/11/media/donald-trump-slow-moving-coup/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=October 11, 2021|website=[[CNN Business]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011171539/https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/11/media/donald-trump-slow-moving-coup/index.html |archive-date=2021-10-11 }}</ref>


== Allah Is In The House Blog ==
== Allah Is In The House blog ==


''Allah Is In the House'' began on August 27, 2003. The author wrote using the name of [[Allah]], using similar language to that of [[terrorist]] organizations but assuming the viewpoint of Allah as interpreted by mainstream Muslims. The blog specialized in written and [[Photoshopping|Photoshop]]-based political satire. After a hiatus in May 2004, the blog reemerged, continuing its satiric nature while largely abandoning the "Allah voice". However, after October 2004 the blog stopped being regularly updated and abandoned the web address allahpundit.com without explanation. After occasional entries at allahakbar.blogspot.com, the blog shut down altogether.
''Allah Is In the House'' began on August 27, 2003. The author wrote using the name of [[Allah]], using similar language to that of [[terrorist]] organizations but assuming the viewpoint of Allah as interpreted by mainstream Muslims. The blog specialized in written and [[Photoshopping|Photoshop]]-based political satire. After a hiatus in May 2004, the blog reemerged, continuing its satiric nature while largely abandoning the "Allah voice". However, after October 2004 the blog stopped being regularly updated and abandoned the web address allahpundit.com without explanation. After occasional entries at allahakbar.blogspot.com, the blog shut down altogether.
Line 25: Line 26:
== Ranking ==
== Ranking ==


"Hot Air is one of the biggest, most influential conservative sites on the Web" and has been since its 2006 founding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2010/02/sale-of-hot-air-shakes-up-conservative-blogosphere/25484/ |title=Sale of 'Hot Air' Shakes up Conservative Blogosphere - the Wire |accessdate=2014-01-03 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053844/http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2010/02/sale-of-hot-air-shakes-up-conservative-blogosphere/25484/ |archivedate=2016-03-04 }}</ref> In 2007, Michelle Malkin credited AllahPundit with "turn[ing] the site into a must-read," thus causing it to rise in popularity "from nowhere to a top-30 site on [[Technorati]]'s Top 100 list."<ref>Michelle Malkin, "[http://hotair.com/archives/2007/03/19/drudge-disses-hot-air/ Drudge disses Hot Air] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220031902/http://hotair.com/archives/2007/03/19/drudge-disses-hot-air/ |date=December 20, 2016 }}", ''hotair.com'' (March 19, 2007).</ref> To this date, Hot Air regularly places in the top ten rankings of politically conservative commentary websites.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rightwingnews.com/john-hawkins/the-40-best-conservative-websites-of-2013/ |title=The 40 Best Conservative Websites of 2013 &#124; John Hawkins&#039; Right Wing News |accessdate=2014-01-03 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612035501/http://rightwingnews.com/john-hawkins/the-40-best-conservative-websites-of-2013/ |archivedate=2016-06-12 }}</ref>
"Hot Air is one of the biggest, most influential conservative sites on the Web" and has been since its 2006 founding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2010/02/sale-of-hot-air-shakes-up-conservative-blogosphere/25484/ |title=Sale of 'Hot Air' Shakes up Conservative Blogosphere - the Wire |accessdate=2014-01-03 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053844/http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2010/02/sale-of-hot-air-shakes-up-conservative-blogosphere/25484/ |archivedate=2016-03-04 }}</ref> In 2007, Michelle Malkin credited AllahPundit with "turn[ing] the site into a must-read," thus causing it to rise in popularity "from nowhere to a top-30 site on [[Technorati]]'s Top 100 list."<ref>Michelle Malkin, "[http://hotair.com/archives/2007/03/19/drudge-disses-hot-air/ Drudge disses Hot Air] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220031902/http://hotair.com/archives/2007/03/19/drudge-disses-hot-air/ |date=December 20, 2016 }}", ''hotair.com'' (March 19, 2007).</ref> Hot Air would regularly places in the top ten rankings of politically conservative commentary websites.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rightwingnews.com/john-hawkins/the-40-best-conservative-websites-of-2013/ |title=The 40 Best Conservative Websites of 2013 &#124; John Hawkins' Right Wing News |date=11 December 2013 |accessdate=2014-01-03 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612035501/http://rightwingnews.com/john-hawkins/the-40-best-conservative-websites-of-2013/ |archivedate=2016-06-12 }}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Anonymous bloggers]]
[[Category:Anonymous bloggers]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Pseudonymous writers on Islam]]
[[Category:Pseudonymous writers on Islam]]
[[Category:1970s births]]
[[Category:1970s births]]

Latest revision as of 03:49, 9 March 2024

Nick Catoggio, who previously used the pseudonym Allahpundit, is a blogger and former senior editor[1] for the American political news and commentary website Hot Air from its founding in 2006 through his resignation on September 2, 2022. After moving to The Dispatch, Catoggio writes a daily newsletter, "Boiling Frogs", under his own name.[2]

Hot Air

[edit]

The persona of Allahpundit first appeared through a parody blog, Allah Is In the House, which rose in popularity circa 2003 by being referenced throughout the conservative and anti-jihadist blogosphere. In March and April 2006,[3][4] Allahpundit guest-blogged for Michelle Malkin before becoming the most active contributor to Malkin's Hot Air.

Hot Air is widely referenced by political bloggers and news reporters[5] and Allahpundit's commentary has become a reliable source for those seeking a Libertarian-conservative take on the political news of the day—such as former The Daily Show host Jon Stewart, who cited Allahpundit as one of the bloggers he read for show preparation.[6] In February 2010, Salem Communications purchased Hot Air from Michelle Malkin and it was said Allahpundit and his co-blogger, Ed Morrissey, were a central part of the deal.[7] Salem is known for its social conservatism, but Hot Air has maintained its more social libertarian tone. On August 3, 2022, Allahpundit announced on Twitter that his last day at Hot Air would be September 2, 2022.

Viewpoints

[edit]

Allahpundit's prominence on Hot Air has been a contentious issue for some of the site's ardent Christian conservative readers, as he is often criticized by his own readership for his atheism and for his frequent disagreement with "hard-right" political opinion, especially on social issues. But his viewpoints are not easily characterized; for instance, he is in favor of same-sex marriage[8] but does not support amnesty for illegal immigrants.[9][10] Allahpundit's overall writing tone is one of conversational, deadpan humor, and he is known particularly for his self-deprecating tone and general lack of enthusiasm, for which he has earned the nickname "Eeyore" or "Eeyorepundit."[11]

In September 2004, Allahpundit was key to debunking of the Killian documents controversy, in which 60 Minutes anchor Dan Rather aired a segment about documents purporting to prove that George W. Bush went AWOL from the Texas Air National Guard in 1973 - documents ultimately revealed to be forgeries. Mary Mapes, producer of 60 Minutes, blamed Allahpundit, among others, for "working anonymously in what appeared to be huge numbers, in unison, to destroy the Bush-Guard story."[12] Largely due to this controversy, the website was among the Top Blogs Cited in Political Postings for the 2004 United States presidential election.[13]

Allahpundit's moniker harkens back to his original blog, Allah Is In The House, which was a highly irreverent parody of "a jihadist's version of Allah" and a way to vent frustration about geopolitics in a post-9/11 political climate. He did note on his original blog a disclaimer to the effect that his moniker was not "anti-Muslim" and that he differentiated between extremists and peaceful practicing Muslims. Despite his relative fame, Allahpundit has managed to remain anonymous; "in an era when most bloggers treat their names like precious branding manna, his insistence on keeping a pseudonym has an anachronistic, early 2000s feel to it."[14]

In October 2021, Allahpundit expressed agreement with Bill Maher's criticism of Donald Trump's false claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election and his ongoing attacks against the results and integrity of elections, saying "[Maher is right], even if Republicans don't want to hear it. And it's a show of integrity on his part that he felt obliged to drop this truth bomb at the very moment that he's gaining right-wing fans for his anti-woke commentary."[15]

Allah Is In The House blog

[edit]

Allah Is In the House began on August 27, 2003. The author wrote using the name of Allah, using similar language to that of terrorist organizations but assuming the viewpoint of Allah as interpreted by mainstream Muslims. The blog specialized in written and Photoshop-based political satire. After a hiatus in May 2004, the blog reemerged, continuing its satiric nature while largely abandoning the "Allah voice". However, after October 2004 the blog stopped being regularly updated and abandoned the web address allahpundit.com without explanation. After occasional entries at allahakbar.blogspot.com, the blog shut down altogether.

The blog's approach and humor caused it to become mocked days after its inception, though it was cited by many of the top conservative bloggers[16][17][18][19] and many blog-sympathetic writers [20][21] of the time including Roger L. Simon, who wrote, "These days I learn more from Allahpundit, where I found this link, than I ever do from Meet the Press."[22] Posts from Allahpundit's old Allah Is In The House blog are archived at the Internet Archive, although the image files are not.[23]

Ranking

[edit]

"Hot Air is one of the biggest, most influential conservative sites on the Web" and has been since its 2006 founding.[24] In 2007, Michelle Malkin credited AllahPundit with "turn[ing] the site into a must-read," thus causing it to rise in popularity "from nowhere to a top-30 site on Technorati's Top 100 list."[25] Hot Air would regularly places in the top ten rankings of politically conservative commentary websites.[26]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "About". Hot Air. Archived from the original on 2017-01-12.
  2. ^ "The Morning Dispatch: Big News!". The Dispatch. 6 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  3. ^ michellemalkin.com (March 2006 archives) Archived July 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ michellemalkin.com (April 2006 archives) Archived October 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ James Taranto, "Best of the Web Today Archived April 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine", The Wall Street Journal Opinion Journal (October 17, 2006).
  6. ^ "Why the Worst of Times for Politics and Media Has Been the Best of Times for Jon Stewart and 'The Daily Show' -- New York Magazine". 10 September 2010. Archived from the original on 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2014-01-03.
  7. ^ "Exclusive: Hot Air Acquired By Salem Communications". Mediaite. 2010-02-17.
  8. ^ "Pelosi: Prop 8 supporters might have been too dumb to grasp what they were doing". Hot Air. November 8, 2008. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  9. ^ "Even 'candy-ass RINO' Allahpundit is disgusted by GOP amnesty sellouts". Twitchy. June 21, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  10. ^ "Who's up for a new Republican amnesty push?". Hot Air. October 24, 2013. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  11. ^ "The Donald Keeps Getting Stronger". The Weekly Standard. September 10, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  12. ^ Mapes, Mary (31 October 2006). Truth and Duty: The Press, the President, and the Privilege of Power. New York City: St. Martin's Griffin. p. 201. ISBN 978-0312354114.
  13. ^ Blogpulse Campaign Radar 2004.
  14. ^ "Mediaite Presents: 25 Need-To-Know Bloggers You May Not Know Already". Mediaite. October 21, 2009. Archived from the original on December 11, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  15. ^ Stelter, Brian (October 11, 2021). "Bill Maher is right about Trump's 'slow-moving coup.' Here are 6 reasons to take it seriously". CNN Business. Archived from the original on 2021-10-11. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  16. ^ instapundit.com Archived January 4, 2014, at the Wayback Machine (September 17, 2004).
  17. ^ "Called To Ministry?" [dead link‍], hughhewitt.com (April 21, 2008).
  18. ^ "New York Times vs. News York Sun" Archived October 16, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, michellemalkin.com (September 13, 2004).
  19. ^ "Allah Has Got the Pictures" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, captainsquartersblog.com (December 11, 2003).
  20. ^ James Taranto "Best of the Web Today Archived October 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine", The Wall Street Journal Opinion Journal (March 22, 2004).
  21. ^ Jim Geraghty, "Interesting Suspects of who gave CBS the memos Archived April 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine", National Review Online (September 14. 2004).
  22. ^ rogerlsimon.com Archived September 8, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ Archives of Allah Is in the House.
  24. ^ "Sale of 'Hot Air' Shakes up Conservative Blogosphere - the Wire". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-01-03.
  25. ^ Michelle Malkin, "Drudge disses Hot Air Archived December 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine", hotair.com (March 19, 2007).
  26. ^ "The 40 Best Conservative Websites of 2013 | John Hawkins' Right Wing News". 11 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2016-06-12. Retrieved 2014-01-03.
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