What is happening at www.CGBLOG.org?

We here at the Center for Blogger Studies have been watching the recent turn of events at www.cgblog.org very closely. Over the past 24+ hours Ryan Erickson introduced a new set of posting rules. In these rules, Erickson threatened to moderate (nice term for censor) the comments of posters. True to Erickson's word, he began immediately. His first step was to edit out the Center for Blogger Studies link. He also proceeded to ban what we believe are multiple commenters. Peter Stinson, the publisher of the Unofficial Coast Guard Blog, chimed in with support for Erickson's move. Peter went so far, as to add his own comments to the rule page, which included ones specifically saying that "moderating" might occur and that they didn't subscribe to the same "rules" as official blogs or other unofficial blogs. We found this ironic, not only because Stinson's disclaimer at the bottom apparently champions a poster's "First Amendment Rights", but also because in the past Stinson has claimed to lead by example. Wishful thinking? That's what we think. Sparky WD chimed in that he was disappointed by the censorship (my words, not his) on the site. Within 12 hours, someone at CGBlog had removed the "Rules". The Unofficial Coast Guard Blog however continues to censor its posters and blocks posters who do not voice agreeing sentiments. In the past Stinson said he would not allow this to happen.

Is Stinson's Unofficial Coast Guard Blog leading by example, or do the wish to become ineffective. How long with Stinson allow, underqualified (however tech-savvy) people to maintain his blog?

Threats and intimidation

We here at the Center for Blogger Studies were recently threatened by people we believe are working for Thomas Jackson.

The Unofficial Coast Guard Blog Transforms

It has come to the attention of the Jackson Thomas Center for Blogger Studies, that Ryan Erickson recently suspended anonymous posting at the Unofficial Coast Guard Blog. We don't find this surprising. It has been in the works for some time now, and cgblog.org has now officially joined the ranks of Thomas Jackson's Coast Guard Report.

Not long ago Peter Stinson, the publisher of CGblog.org, claimed that he maintained a censorship-free blog. He was even praised by fellow blogger Thomas Jackson for allowing "other opinions" to be posted. Of course, these opinions followed rank and file, Peter Stinson and Ryan Erickson.

Then came the arrival of "controversial" posters; the likes of "No one important", "Sparky the Wonder Do", "Blogjam", "Gary Tawp" and from time to time "Anonymouse". These posters challenged the status quo in the small "Coast Guard related" blogs. In no time Stinson and Erickson went on the defensive. Ryan Erickson, apparently untouchable even made less than professional comments about an admiral, all while including his name, rank and unit information in his profile. Erickson began to challenge one poster specifically "No one important", calling him a "troll". Why did this occur? Because "No one important" had challenged Erickson's assertion that cgblog.org was a place to get real time, important operations related information. Erickson got support for this claim too...from his father-in-law. As Erickson began to agree less and less with these renegade posters of truth, he threatened to "BAN" them.

Is this censorship you may ask? YES! THE UNOFFICIAL COAST GUARD BLOG IS CENSORING YOUR POSTS!!!

Peter Stinson, confronted by these claims of course immediately denounced them, but they began to take shots at "No one important" in blog posts, all while restricting posting to "registered" posters. Stinson even went to far as to request all anonymous bloggers to IDENTIFY THEMSELVES. When this didn't work, CGBlog began to systematically stop anonymous posting.

Ryan Erickson however made it official on December 1, 2008. Erickson claims that this is because of "copy cat" posters, however the Jackson Thomas Center for Blogger Studies has recently received information that the "copy cat" posting may have come from Erickson himself, to push the blog into an "anonymous poster free" state. Erickson has even created a list of "rules" and admits that posts will be moderated (read censored).

We at the Center for Blogger Studies wish to know who is in control of cgblog!? Why have you censored this website?

Blogging would make sense if we all lived in West Virginia

Many people wonder why bloggers are the bastard children of the media. Putting the world "blogger" and "media" in the same sentence doesn't do the media justice.

When I think of Blogs, I think about "The Lion King". I can just imagine the monologue from a wise middle aged Blog Lion, talking about the Circle of Blog. Maybe Elton John could even create a sound track. Without trying to recreate the wording from Mufasah, I will try to explain what the Circle of Blog is.

Bloggers has very narrow support network. The VAST majority of this little support network comes from other bloggers. The end product is bloggers supporting, and blogging about bloggers who support and blog about them. If it a surprise that a blogger refers to another blog for evidence.

Recently Thomas Jackson referred to evidence that Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, was being looked at for the next Secretary of Homeland Security (a claim that has since be overcome by events). Thomas Jackson supports this claim with the idea that it had been proposed in the bloggosphere. At the same time the "Unofficial Coast Guard Blog", published by Coast Guard civilian Peter Stinson, and contributed to by "admiral questioning" LTJG Ryan Erickson and Court Martial Trail Blazer Webster Smith. referred to Thomas Jackson's claims on their own blog.


In fact Thomas Jackson and Peter Stinson's blogs seem to be a home to quite a few "damaged goods". Michael DeKort and Miike McGrath, each man claiming to have some of the greatest Coast Guard knowledge ever. Some say that Mike McGrath (MM)'s experiences have rivaled CAPT Healy and Hopley Yeaton. Certainly the man has a GREATER knowledge than 98% of those who have serve, or are currently serving. What is surpising...is Mike McGrath our surprised draft pick? No one listens to him, no one cares what he has to say. The "experts" out there never include Mike in their secret meetings. What gives? Only 2% of the people serving or have served in the past have an understanding of the Coast Guard which even approaches Mike McGrath's. Then there is Michael DeKort, a guy who was fired, is currently jobless, has no connections to current contracts, but still posts like he has knows what's going on. It's been two years Michael. Webster Smith, the first cadet Court-Martialed at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He maintains his innocence, despite the finding of the Court Martial, and the Coast Guard Court of Appeals. This trail blazer has the audacity to comment that he hoped the first candidates for SEALs would not embarrass the Coast Guard. That's right, the center of one of the most embarrassing events in Coast Guard Academy history wanted to comment on his fear of future CG embarrassment. Save it for people who haven't yet embarrassed their service. And then there is Kingpin himself, Thomas Jackson, leader of the Thomas Jackson Center for Civil Rights. According to his profile Thomas Jackson (please do not confuse him with me, I am Jackson Thomas), he is a retired Naval officer. A retired naval officer with an apparent obsession with the Coast Guard, Terri Dickerson, and conspiracy. It has been suggested that Thomas Jackson leaked Operation Flying Monkeys, an event I will cover in the future, including a recreation create by our experts here. So who is Thomas Jackson? Some suggest that he is Terri Dickerson, trying to generate press for the Office of Civil Rights. Any press is good press right, especially when it's on a blog and isn't REAL media. The theory I believe however, is that Thomas Jackson had an inept friend in the Office of Civil Rights who was fired. When this happened "Thomas Jackson" picked up the flag an marched on.

We'll figure it out, because here at The Coast Guard Report, we're working for you.

Until then, you can rest assured that the relationship between the Coast Guard Report, Unofficial Coast Guard Blog, and Friends of Webster would make much more sense if we all lived in West Virginia.

The Beginning of the End

This is my first blog entry, and I will use it to explain what it is I'm doing.  My name is Jackson Thomas.  I am here to show you that, as a blogger, I am not a journalist.  My posts will offer evidence of nothing.  I will sometimes support my claims with articles, and sometimes these articles will be reputable.  Sometimes they won't.  I will have misspellings.  I will say controversial stuff.  Much of what I say will not make the Blogosphere happy.  The name of this Blog is "The Coast Guard Report" however, I will not report on the Coast Guard.  

You may enter anonymous posts, sometimes angry, and you will try to argue points.  At any time, I will delete posts that I do not agree with.  I reserve the right to delete posts that do not further my claims.  I will show you what is wrong with the Blogosphere.

You will say "But you're using it, you hypocrite!  You are arguing against the very thing you are using".  You're right.  When you bring those claims up, I will delete them.  

I am Mr. Jackson Thomas, and I am the anti-thesis of Thomas Jackson.  

Welcome to my blog.  Welcome to the Beginning of the End.