Not to piss in the pool or anything, but “Best Of” polls are simply traffic generators for the publications that host them. I am flattered that anyone thinks I am “best” at anything and nominated me as such, but the new Phoenix so thoroughly bums me out that I won’t encourage you to grace their nomination form with your presence. I’ve seen my views on the paper trivialized as “elitist,” but I conflate these views with my having standards. Last I checked there were still some good folks writing for the paper, but over all I’m all set.
Not thinking, I’d publicly mentioned the nomination on behalf of our company yesterday—which was also nominated—but was quickly reminded by one of its former employees of the times the new ownership had thrown great writers and journalists under the bus. This happened, of course, after they sued their upstart rival (with which I have a whole other host of issues) to death. I’d suffered a momentary lapse of reason in that de facto endorsement. Notice of nomination retracted. Great point. I appreciate the positive recognition, but no thanks. (Again.)