Next, I need to figure out how to rewrite a couple of WordPress database queries. Unfortunately, I’m a SQL noob, so if anyone knows anything about rewriting queries, leave a comment or drop me a line.

Update: Looks like everything went ok with moving files and data. Now to update DNS entries…

Update: Ok, it should be working now. I actually had changed something, but it was to my server configuration, not my WordPress install. I used to have the server set to allow use of either “www.pleadthefirst.com” or “pleadthefirst.com” (with no “www”). I recently changed it to redirect the “www” version to “pleadthefirst.com”, so the www never gets used. However, in my WordPress options I still had the blog address entered as “www.pleadthefirst.com”. Apparently, that discrepancy is not good. Please let me know if you have any problems. (And a big “thank you” to meblogin for bringing this to my attention.)

While there, I saw someone who looked an awful lot like Sarah Beth Jones walking up the steps to the balcony. Apparently, it was her. Patrick Eakes was there as well, and though I didn’t see him, I’m sure I must have heard him clapping.

Today, my family and I went over to the Greek Festival on Friendly Avenue (again, with some folks from work). The food was very tasty, and the pastry line very long, but well worth it. On the way out, I ran into Lenslinger. Actually, I walked right past him while focusing on an engaging and contentious conversation with my three-year old daughter. Luckily my wife saw him trying to get my attention and let me know so I could say hi.

The sun and warmth are on their way out. If you’re still reading this, you should get outside, too.

Update: Joe wrote to point out that Lance Jones responded last week as well. Thanks Joe!

So this week I relaunched the site with a complete redesign. The focus now will hopefully be geared towards exhibiting more of my illustration work and sketches, though there are still areas for icon and desktop picture downloads. And of course, a blog on the home page, which should focus on art, design, the Mac, and other related things. Head on over and take a look if you’re so inclined.

onebuttonmouse.com

So I spoke with Allen Johnson at the beginning of the year about reducing the frequency of my cartoons for the News and Record, and fortunately, he was very understanding. We agreed that I’d aim for submitting a cartoon roughly every other week. This has worked out great for me so far, allowing me some breathing room and making it more enjoyable again.

So if anyone was wondering about the increased length of time between cartoons, that’s the reason. I’d like to thank Allen for being willing to work out a new arrangement, and everyone else for your kind words and support over the past year.

One thing these blog comments have had in common is that they all make reference to North Carolina senator Fred Smith, extolling his virtues and praising his stance on a variety of issues. The comments are usually tied in to the topic of the post, but due to the repeated fawning over Smith I get the sense that they are little more than blog spam designed to build up Smith’s name recognition. A few recent examples of these comments may be found at Hoggards, Cone’s, and TheConAlt. Many more can be found by using a Google search.

Now, there are a couple of curious things here. In September, one of these comments showed up on David Boyd’s blog. In the same thread, another commenter, also claiming to be Nathan Tabor, denied that the first comment was left by him. So it’s very possible that someone is posing as Tabor to spam blogs on Smith’s behalf.

Lending support to this possibility is a strange series of comments on a post at Melissa Westmoreland’s blog. The first is left as an anonymous comment, but contains the usual Fred Smith blather, and is signed at the end as “Nathan Tabor”. The very next comment says:

Sorry, I shouldn’t have used anonymous.

The blogger account name used to post that comment is JimKouri.

Jim Kouri is fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and a columnist for several law enforcement publications and conservative websites – including Tabor’s The Conservative Voice. Kouri himself seems rather fond of Smith, having written at least one very flattering article about him.

At the very least, we have what appears to be a Republican persistently spamming North Carolina blogs. Who is really behind it isn’t quite as clear. Are all these spam comments originating from Kouri? If so, why is he posing as Tabor, and is he doing this with Tabor’s consent?

Update: “Tabor” responds in the comments below. I’ve also found that he seems to be blog spamming on behalf of John Cox, a Texas businessman running for President.