Thank You

Back in July 2007 I showed up at HuffPost's Manhattan office with a suitcase packed with enough clothes to get me through the month while I looked for an apartment and launched OffTheBus. Even before our official launch many of you were peppering my inbox with emails, wanting to know what you could do to help. Among that initial circle of my newfound friends and acquaintances were Mayhill Fowler -- who later rocked the campaigns and campaign journalism with what we now know as "Bittergate"; Beverly Davis -- a veteran reporter who provided invaluable insight into the role that citizen journalists could play on the trail; Richard Riehl -- the editor of the much loved Roadkill, that tasty, daily collection of candidate gaffes; and Ethan Hova -- a Shakespearean actor from Los Angeles who co-wrote our first big story, "Romney Buys Conservatives."

Sixteen months later and our network has grown by the thousands. The staff also grew, as I was joined by Marc Cooper, Neil Nagraj, John Tomasic, and Hanna Ingber Win and intern Gabriel Beltrone. Mayhill, Beverly, Richard, and Ethan have been joined by a remarkable cast of home-makers, retired journalists, aspiring journalists, lawyers and doctors, actors and actresses, some curmudgeons and, yes, a few professional journalists. New friends are now old friends, and old friends are friends forever.

Together we have been credited with creating the genre of citizen journalism (New York Magazine). You have broken some of the election cycle's biggest scoops. You have also been described - by none other than the New York Times - as a "force in journalism."

We -- Marc, John, Hanna, Neil, Gabriel, Amanda -- couldn't be more proud of what we have all achieved together.

For just this once we are not going to ask you to write or report anything. Celebrate! Break out that champagne, beer, or wine (or for those young enough or so inclined, a coffee or chocolate cake) and make a toast! Or two. Or three.

Journalism isn't and never has been a monolithic craft. The profession has a rich and varied history that often gets lost in defensive justifications of the status quo. In this election cycle journalism as we know it evolved tremendously, and you played no small role in it. A unique breed of citizen journalists -- at OffTheBus and elsewhere -- opened up public access to information that conventional reporters cannot.

Yay!

If that toast turns you tipsy and you're inclined to express yourself in print, make your way to the comment thread below.

Here's to OffTheBus!

~ Amanda, Marc, John, Hanna, Neil, and Gabriel

Follow Amanda Michel on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AmandaRMichel

Comments

[mamacat]

Yippee!!!

[notanicegirl]

Well, instead of champagne I tried Nitrous Oxide (well, I was at the dentist) and they kept saying just breathe and I realized I'm not ready to breathe. It just hasn't sunk in. The only thing I can visualize is thousands of puppies ending up on the Obama's doorstep. Also, in 1994 I survived an earthquake that pretty much destroyed my house. I could stand there on the outside and see the obvious damage, but until we could get back in with an engineer did we understand the degree of destruction to the structure and foundation. And that's what I think is going to happen on January 21st when the Obama administration goes in and finds out what has really gone on these last four years. But, to end on a more uplifting note - Sojourners published this quote on November 5th:
Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.

- Martin Luther King Jr.,
Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, Dec. 11, 1964.

[bosse]

I HOPE EVERY MINOROTY PERSON REMEMBER ML KING JR AND MANY OF HIS ASSOCIATES BLACK AND WHITE THAT FOUGHT AND SUFFERED AND WON THIS OPPORTUNITY, FOR ALL1
PLEASE ACCEPT THIS FACT, WORK HARD, NEVER AGAIN BE CRITICIZED FOR LAZINESS IRRESPONSIBILITY CRIME.LET US WORK IN THE POOR COMMUNITIES LIKE OBAMA DID TO HELP
PEOPLE ON DRUGS, AND MISERY, EDUCATE THEM SHOW COMPASSION, AND TRUE LOVE.
THESE MISFITS ARE THE CREATION OF A SOCIETY THAT NEGLECTED, THEM FOR SUCH LOND TIME.LET EVERY FATHER THINK TWICW AND CAREFULLY BEFORE HE PRODUCE AN OFF SPRING THAT IT WILL BE HIS RESPONSIBILITY, MORE THAN THE WIFE'S. LET EVERY YOUNG WOMAN THINK 3 TIMES BEFORE ENGAGING IN SEX, TAHT SHE IS GOING TO JUMP INTO A BIG HOLE FOR A FEW MINUTES OF PLEASURE.

[bluenoser]

Hey, Amanda - You guys all did an awesome job...Enjo­yed reading (and writing, even though I wasn't published - boohoo) everything in "Off the Bus".....I­sn't there some way to continue this? Even once a week? Opinions on the new government? What's Hillary doing? What's Palin doing? C'mon - you have a good thing going here!

[TAIsabel]

It is an honor and a constant source of pride and joy to be a contributor and part of this incredible time in history. Thank you Amanda! Thank you Huffpost! Thank you America for reading and listening!

I like to think that we all had a role in the election of President Obama (WOW that sounds great!). Let's help him trough the difficult times ahead by continuing to contribute in positive and creative ways to both Off the Bus and to our communities. "Block by block, brick by brick".

[xkater]

Thanks Amanda for your patience with me.

Liberation
(Celebrating Victory 2008)

It crumbled paradigms
And came with a roar!
In the form of a man
Shook us to the core.

Brothers and sisters
Of the Human Race,
Celebrating in awe,
Thanking in grace.

Tears on their faces,
Of myriad shades
A gathering so huge
Obama to embrace.

Nov. 5, 2008

By Mary Kenez

November 4 should become a national holiday and people should take the day off to celebrate. If it happens to be an election year, at least it will be easier for many to vote.

[Waitingon4th]

Mark you are now a poet. I saved that. Peace!

[chucklasker]

As I mentioned in a comment on "A New Era Begins," I believe we need something like Off The Bus to keep on-the-ground reporting going on issues and to report on citizen organizations. Maybe not 1000 posts a day, but there WILL be news on the ground, and I'd like to read about it from citizen journalists instead of through the lens of local media.

So I suggest "Off The Bus" become "On The Beat" and continue using individuals to keep us up to date.

[Jennifer Bogut - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks to Amanda, John and Hanna for not only publishing my self-serving rants but for making my writing better. Thanks to all of my fellow posters and all of the contributors for making this project fun, interesting and ground-breaking. I am proud to have been a part of it. Best to all and - hopefully - we will all work together again soon.

[Claudia Cruz - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you so much for the opportunity to post!

[Goldenllite]

What a tremendous effort...y­ou all blew me away with your integrity and truthfulne­ss...hones­t journalism is back...Dav­id Haberstam is RIP ! KUDOS !!!

[windycityjim]

NIXON HAD HIS PLUMBERS
AND SO DID JOHN MCCAIN
BUT WE GOT OUT OUR PLUNGERS
AND THIER DRECK WENT DOWN THE DRAIN

[Quarkyatom]

Love the poem! Keep on writing. It is hilarious. Do you mind if I share it with others?

[KarenDaltonBeninato]

It's been a pleasure, from that first conference call last September. See you all on the next campaign trail . . .

[Christine Escobar - Huffpost Blogger]

Amanda, you have done an incredible job of organizing, inspiring and guiding the many writers, bloggers, vloggers, and researchers that make up Off the Bus. Since I began my first assignment, pouring over campaign finance reports in the summer of '07 until now, it has been quite a ride. What you, Mark, Jay, Neil, John, Hanna and Gabe have shaped Off the Bus into is amazing, given the task.

You should all be very,very proud! I'm just glad to have been part of the team and have had plenty of unforgettable experiences as a result.

[Aquarius52]

Yes, Amanda. Thanks for all you have done. Off The Bus provided a unique type of reporting with its brand of citizen journalism. The information was more multi-layered, local and flavorful than that usually captured by more traditional journalists. I have no doubt HuffPost and OffTheBus helped to inform and frame debate in this election more than they could ever have fathomed.

So the election is over. Now what for OffTheBus journalists??

-Glen McDaniel

[Rusel deMaria - Huffpost Blogger]

I've been honored and privileged to be part of OTB, even if I joined it late in the game. All of the people I've dealt with have been wonderful, kind, responsive and committed. Thank you all. OTB reporting has been amazing, inspiring and insightful. Let's keep it up!

[rcksgl]

Amanda, Marc, John, Hanna, Neil and Gabriel...
Your allowing me to participate in Off The Bus has rekindled my love and yes, addiction, for critical writing. And I cannot be more grateful for the honor and privilege.

I have gotten incredible notes of support and encouragement. I may have also swayed some voters to see things in a way they hadn't previously considered.

I tried to give you my best and I now wish you the best.

Rick Siegel: proud graduate of the Huffington Off The Bus Journalism Program