Later: I don't think I was clear. Good writing, effective writing, is helped along by the ability to turn a clever phrase, whip up a unique metaphor or frame a proper quote. But what makes writing good is that it communicates the idea you intend it to. That's the whole purpose of writing, and the sole means by which I judge it. Billmon put across exactly what he intended to, so effectively that it immediately became a thing (I'm really trying to avoid the word "meme"...). That's why it's good writing, and it's why, if you're going to write it should be for real. Make sure you get what you want to say on paper or screen or whatever. Everything else is just decoration to make it more or less attractive.

Later-later: Eric Alterman has a Clip and Save Lying Guide that is Billmon's list with hypertext to the sources of the quotes. He returns when he found out the list wasn't original with his source and gives proper credit to Billmon. That Alternam is a mensch.