I thought I might be breaking a little news this afternoon, but others beat me to it yesterday. For those who haven’t heard, today is my last day at Commentary before I start at the Washington Free Beacon next week. When John Podhoretz brought me on board to write for Contentions, I had no idea how quickly the next two years would go by and how many incredible opportunities and experiences they would bring. It has been a thrill and a privilege to write for an outlet that had such a formative influence on my political views, and continued to shape them during my time at Contentions.
I can’t thank John enough for his kindness and support, and Jonathan Tobin for his daily editorial guidance, advice and encouragement. It has also been great to learn from and write alongside our phenomenal Contentions contributors.
I also want to thank our readers for sharing a part of your busy days with me. Your comments have often provided valuable insight, wit and inspiration. Perhaps the most rewarding part of this job has been watching the vibrant Contentions community grow over the last couple of years.
This isn’t goodbye. I know many of you are also Free Beacon readers, and look forward to hearing from you when I start there next week. I’ll be joining my friends on the news staff who have been scooping the mainstream outlets and striking fear into the hearts of White House officials for the past year. While my role there will be a different than it was at Contentions — reporting without writing opinion — my commitment to advancing the cause of freedom won’t change.
And of course, this isn’t goodbye to my colleagues. I’ll always consider myself a part of the Commentary family. Thank you for everything.
Bless you, Alana. Best wishes.
Best of luck with the new job!
nThanks, Alana, for your consistently thoughtful and incisive writing. When I see your name on the by-line, I know it's going to be worth my time. Blessings on your new venture!
Nicely done, Alana! Best wishes and good luck!
Your contributions to this site have consistently been of great value. Best wishes for you at the Washington Free Beacon.
Best wishes with the new job , as a Free Beacon reader I look forward to your work with that fine on-line publication.
Thank you for enhancing each day for me the last few years!
My favorite writer leaving? Say it isn't so! Reporting for the Beacon is great, but we'll miss your incisive opinions. G-d bless in your new gig.
You did great work here. Best of luck in your new position.
Alana, I know how much you like investigative journalism, how good you are at it, and I suspect that you will find no shortage of things to report on. n nBut don't forget to take credit for what you have accomplished. n nIf Hagel's nomination goes down in flames, you will have been no small part of why it did — you hung on long enough for the opposition to him to broaden into quite an interesting mosaic of opposition. A lot of things about him are now in the public domain and even if he is confirmed, he will be held to a far higher level of scrutiny and thus somewhat neutered. n nYou likely gave Team NoBama heartburn with the WARN act, and simply taking the initiative to call Planned Parenthood of Virginia and reporting that *they* require an ultrasound prior to an abortion was a stroke of pure genius. Your interviews with the North Korean artist and disabled veterans were not only well done but gave voice to a perspective that very rarely appears in print. n nYou have done well — be proud of your accomplishments.
Oh, god, I hope this doesn't mean even more Tobin.
Good Luck with your new home base, I keep me eyes open for your byline when I get my morning WFB email.
good luck Alana. n nthe Free Beacon hasn't of yet struck fear into the hearts of anybody, but when and if they're noticed by anyone perhaps they will have some sort of an emotional impact. n n
All the best to you, Alana. You will be sorely missed.
You have done excellent work at Commentary, and I look forward to seeing your work at the Free Beacon.r nr nGod Bless, and Very Best Regards,
Congrats on your fine reporting and commenting at Commentary and I'll look forward to reading your columns at the Free Beacon!