Reasons to Be Thankful 1 – 10

Everything looks better sitting in the Ritz. So I’m in a magnanimous mood, surfing the web on TTAC readers’ behalf. Needless to say, I wandered into “ Top Ten Things Autoblog is Thankful For.” Normally, I’d pour sarcastic sprinkles on AB’s vanilla prose, and then smother it in chastising chocolate. In fact, AB inspired me to write my own top ten higher power hat tips. And here they are, in descending order. Feel free to add yours. Or, just to tweak Stephan Wilkinson, not.

1. My wife. Sam was the one who created this site, when I asked if I should publish a piece on the internet critical of Autocar’s Steve Sutcliffe– the magazine that provided our income at the time. Without hesitation, she told me to “go for it.” And so I have, from that moment to this.

2. Our readers. Without you, I wouldn’t have a job. But more than that, you give myself and our writers the motivation to keep going, to seek out the truth about cars. Equally, our success relies on insightful commentary from our “Best and Brightest.” You keep us honest, focused and open to the ever-present possibility that we’re wrong.

3. Our contributors. I am privileged to work with a large number of passionate, talented, determined and prolific freelance writers. Their copy is a joy to edit and a pleasure to read. Their patience is much appreciated.

4. NameMedia. They sign the paychecks. They “get” TTAC and have never interfered with our editorial choices. NM’s technical staff perform miracles with limited resources. {PLEASE fix the posting delay]

6. The mainstream media. As TTAC doesn’t have its own front line reporters, yet, we depend on The Detroit News, The Detroit Free Press, Automotive News, The New York Times, the AP and dozens of other media sources for mill grist. Without them we’d be flying blind.

7. Engineers, They make the machines that make the whole world drive. I never forget how much hard work goes into every part of a vehicle, moving and otherwise. And I never forget that no one sets out to make a bad car.

8. The Internet. Without it, I’d never be published. A point I proved in two countries over ten years.

9. The domestic automakers. They have provided the story line that sustains this site’s editorial arc. Their rebirth– or the birth of their replacements– will give us work for many years to come.

10. Coffee.