Where’s Mike?
Some of you have been asking “what’s happened to Mike?”, and please forgive me for leaving you all wondering. I have been very busy lately with illness in the family as some of you may know, plus I recently lost a close friend and Pastor, whose life has had a great influence on me. I don’t think I am interested in doing the blog anymore, not out of any discouragement, as you know we have been doing gangbusters in the numbers (usually when I’m not around LOL)! Plus a lot of the problems I have been discussing seem to be handling themselves because of the budget numbers, which except for war has consistently been the impetus for change in historical militaries.
I will miss all the great people I have met and wish all the best to all of you! Thanks again for tolerating the occasional rant, plus silly ideas, and sorry if I have ever demeaned anyone’s opinion, as I promise it was unintentional. Take care and God bless!
Mike Burleson
Hello Mike
I want to buy 2 links from your blog. If you are interested, would you please response to nanjamiller (at) gmail.com?
Thanks
Miller
@ Mike B. : congrats on the 1,500,000 mark !
And a (slightly belated) merry Christmas to all the (neo- and paleo-) Burlesonians !
It’s been a year now, Mike.
That you still get a decent level of hits (for a dead blog) goes beyond stray researchers keying in “battleships” to google. Hopefully you are planning your comeback even as these words are typed.
P.S. – Rufus said to say “hello”.
I would take the host at his word that personal matters led to his abandonment of the blog. The point about budgets essentially making the choices that this blog advocates also hits closer to home than many would like to admit. Still, it was a more interesting corner of the internet with him & his cadre of faithful posters around – maybe he’ll come back given that nearly a yr later we’re still ruminating about the blog’s demise.
It is intriguing that this blog was abandoned when it became clear to everyone that China has determined to get a blue water fleet centered around heavy aircraft carriers.
One possibility is that the whole thing of advocating small navy for low intensity littoral wars was part of a US funded misinformation campaign to distract other countries (especially China) away from building a real navy. Now the plan has failed, money has been pulled off, and of course this blog has no need to exist anymore.
If winter comes ,can spring be far behind ?
I hope that after some more time off that you return. Your site was the best.
Mike, here’s hoping that time has helped to heal your soul and that you’re rekindling your passion for writing about military affairs. Your words and the debates here are missed.
Dear Mike,
You will be missed — until your return.
I learned a lot here. You provoked a constructive debate, and I appreciated your candor.
Best wishes,
Nick
More LCS spin : Mr. FLIP-FLOP strikes AGAIN !!!!!!!!!
FLIP : here is what he said back on September 9, 2010
“The LCS is a $25 billion shipbuilding program that makes no sense at all from a strategic view, tactical view, or doctrinal view. I understand the need to build a few to resolve the mission module issues and test mothership concepts, but come November 1st the only good choice the Navy has is to cancel the LCS program in total and start over.”
FLOP : here is what he said today :
“The LCS is the starting place for this, and I have long advocated purchasing 24-26 LCS for that specific purpose.”
BRING BACK MIKE BURLESON !!!
Just a general heads up to everyone, there are still some interesting discussions going on in the dept. of silly ideas and the build your own navy threads.
Mike, We still miss your work.
While I can’t say I agree with you on much more than minor issues it’s been an interesting debate and some interesting points raised, I followed for a long time, plucked up the courage to post rarely towards the end…
Sorry to see it go but sometimes fantasy doesn’t take priority, good luck with all your future ventures.
- Alex.
Hello,
Mike Burleson may not be posting any more but there are many little read posts hidden in the archives which can be accessed from the menu on the right of the page.
Here are the earliest posts:
http://newwars.wordpress.com/2005/01/
Having only found New Wars a year or two ago,these early posts are all new to me.
tangosix.
Sorry to see you go Mike., and thanks for provinding the venue for us ranty denizens.
You have made a real contribution to the debate about the way forward for national Defense these last few years.
God bless and take care
Hi Mike sorry to hear of your troubles. Hope everything works out. I will miss your blogs allot.
i agree with everything thats been said below this is a great blog you even gave me a few ideas for my dissertation.
good luck and thankyou mike
Farewell.
If you do not return.
May the wind always be at your back,
your sword wet and your feet dry.
Cheers,
Scathsealgaire
I never did post here but discovered the blog about 3 months ago. Have read through some of the archives and came to appreciate both the resource quality of the site and the back and forth in the threads. I feel for you going through all the tough times at present, and can only say I hope things get better with time and prayer.
Godspeed Mr. Burleson
Awww. It’s a shame to see such a first class blog end. Your writing and take on things will be missed.
Mike, I’m going to miss you. Always a gentleman. You helped me clarify my own thoughts. You challenged us and made us think.
Obviously you are burned out right now, but I hope you will come back to the blog.
Tried to find you on “Facebook.” They indicated 314 Mike Burlesons although it looks like there are actually fewer than that. If you wouldn’t mind publishing your e-mail address I might be able to find you.
As Spock would say, Live long and prosper.
I can’t follow up what all these other people have said, I just don’t have the words.
Good luck, Mike.
Al
Mike >I am not good with words.But War New Updates said what I (and I think a lot of people ) wish to said
I’m sorry to hear it, Mike! I hope things get better for you soon. Good luck!
Hate to see you go Mike, I always enjoyed your pieces. Best wishes and smooth sailing.
Greets from the Netherlands.
Mike – I will dearly miss New Wars. Have been a reader/non-poster for a long time. As many have said previously this has been a place for civilized discussion and passionate opinions and I have enjoyed it all. I will be at a loss to find another place such as this to read about technical issues that seem to find their answers in Occam’s razor. Best to you and yours. Hope to see you back at some time in the future.
Gene
Mike,
Thanks for all the great posts. Your site has been on my daily read for almost a year now. Lots of great information and discussion. I admire the amount of time and your efforts will be sorely missed. I hope you find fulfillment in your future endeavors.
Thanks!
God bless Mike. I will miss your posts.
Best wishes, Mike. I enjoyed New Wars for the pressing issues, historical reminders, good writing and good cheer. As an army of one, you raised a host of a million readers. Well done, sir!
Best wishes Mike, already looking forward to your return.
I wish you all the very best Mike. Your blog has, for me, been a wonderful place to be both the sender and the receiver of thought-provoking information and commentary. I have also made some great connections that do and will continue through other means.
Ya done great..and thanks.
Best wishes to you and yours Mike. Ta mukkle for all your work here.
Dear Mike,
Best wishes and fortunes. It’s been a pleasure to follow your blog off and on for several years. The crazy ideas, the rants and the deep, delving questions have been a part of an utterly enjoyable experience. You’ve constantly brought in a new perspective and new ideas and have helped guide a vibrant and passionate community. We’ve been fortunate to have your guidance and vision behind this project.
Whatever you decide to do, Mike, be confident that it is for the better. Take the time you need for what you need to focus on.
Best,
Charley
I’m completely overwhelmed by all the responses and the kind words, though I already knew you were a great bunch of guys!
Concerning the archives, they will be here as long as there is a WordPress, one of the benefits of having a free blog. Glad now I resisted the temptation with a pay site.
One final thing, if anyone is interested, I am on Facebook, though a word of warning, it is not New Wars, just boring old Mike Burleson talking about and to his family and friends.
But of course you all have become like family over the years…
Good luck Mike
Mike
It’s always been a daily pleasure to come and read your take on Naval affairs; as well as the community of readers you have hosted. Thank you.
I appreciated very much your gracious welcome to the blog when I have made a comment or two.
God keep thee and thine. Fair winds and following seas, Sir.
Darrell Campbell
Turtle Airships
HI Mike
Thanks for the blog, hope everything works out in the future.
Regards
Chris b
Hi Mike !
I hope the best for you and your family.
Hopefully that you come back (New wars blog) in the next month !
Best regard
Oh no, Mike is leaving!
Well I haven’t been following this blog for that long, but it’s always been refreshing and interesting to read. Anyway, good luck with whatever’s next for you.
Mike,
Godspeed with all your future endeavors. Have enjoyed your blog.
Mike, my father had a stroke that seriously paralyzed him until his passing away a few years ago. I know too well the impact that family illness can have on one’s professional and personal life …. as well as having the free time to maintain a blog when there are so many other commitments that need to be met.
Your blog has touched hundreds of thousands of people …. not many people can say that …. but it is a testament to your style of writing and covering the subjects that you deem are important. My suggestion …. take some time off and reconsider your decision a few months from now. I did a few years ago …. and when I came back I was more fired up and eager to continue …. and grateful that I did not close up shop.
If you cannot and/or do not want to come back …. I know that all of us will understand. In that case we are grateful for the work that you have done, and the impact that you have had on this small but important blogging community.
Mike,
None of us know precisely what you are dealing with and going through. All we can do is wish you the very best as you deal with each new day. While the decision as to what to do per this blog is, as always, yours, I second the suggestion made by B. Smitty. That could make for a good step, even if only on in interim basis.
Why not invoke your own sort of “25th Amendment” clause and temporarily step aside? This would give you more time to deal with the issues that are foremost in your life right now and, most importantly, give you a break.
Right now, with the passing of your friend and the illness issues, I can imagine the blog leans more towards feeling like an obligation than anything…and there are times in life we don’t need extra obligations. I kind of go back in my mind to the “debate” you held where we gave our opinions on whether you should keep this as a blog or transform it into a forum. I think we were collectively right in convincing you to keep it as a blog, but the price of our victory meant you shall forever be “Chief cook and bottle washer”. That’s a tall order to fill and still deal with everyday life.
I speak as someone who’s has a parent that’s endured 3 surgeries in the past 10 months, and I know how crazy my life has been without having thousands of fans wondering what missive I’ve penned in the last 24 hours!! :)
If you do decide to shutter the windows, turn off the lights, and close down the blog, I will miss it. I’ll also miss wondering how many 5-hour energy drinks Alex B has had before he begins typing his replies/rebuttals to you, but that’s beside the point ;) It’s always been a place where experts in the field can come and exchange views and rank amateurs can occasionally make a few points, which is rare on the internet per this subject matter. Kudos to you on fostering that kind of atmosphere.
That’s all I have to say, Mike. I hope for the best with your family situation and wish you fair winds and following seas.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Mike!
Regards,
-Juramentado
I’ll miss you Mike. Happiness to you and yours now and always. Hope you drop by Triple P now and again and leave me a comment once in awhile.
good luck old freind, may all the best go with you whatever you decide to do
yours sincerely
Alex
There is a time for every season, under heaven.
Good luck.
Fair winds and following seas.
Are you going to shut NewWars down Mike? Maybe instead of shutting it down, you could take on some partners like Galrahn did?
It would be a shame to lose all of your blog posts, discussions and community.
Hello Mike Burleson,
I shall be sorry hear this is the end of NewWars but I hope everything works out well for you and your family.
You have given a great deal of pleasure to litterally thousands of readers and contributors over the years.
You have always been a fine host and a gentleman.
This has long been one of the most civilised blogs on the net and that is due entirely to you.
Thankyou.
tangosix.