Tuesday, August 02, 2005
That's it I quit blogging forever.
Well not really. But I can really understand the downsides of blogging as a political communication tool. The temptation to use inflamed rhetoric and overdramatize is just too great. I mean, I'm not a professional writer by any means, and I just write this blog for my friends (and well-wishers) and as a diary of sorts, I'm not expected to be entirely rational or respectful of the intelligence of my audience (smart folks that you are) 100 percent of the time. Sometimes I just have to type away. But what if, say, I had an audience of thousands of anonymous people and a national online forum to discuss my views in a spirited way, would I be able to refrain from oversimplification, from ridiculously grandiose language that makes me look insane to my political opponents and those who might not hang on my every word??
If the standards of blogging are popularity among conservatives, then a glance at another Powerline quote
, one that was referenced in the long link from the previous post, convince me that while I shouldn't quit my day job, there is an extremely low bar set for online political discussion:
Throughout American history, until now, there have been limits. There have been depths beneath which Americans would not sink for the sake of partisan advantage. Even during the Civil War, when the Democrats were fighting to preserve slavery, limits were observed. Now, all civility is gone. There is no depth to which some Democrats will not sink. Hold your nose. Things are only going to get worse. With MoveOn and the Daily Dose dominating Democratic politics, all constraints are gone.
This passage convinces me to make Powerline the first conservative blog I will check in on a regular basis. It will absolutely fascinating and sometimes hilarious to see these bloggers, with law degrees mind you, continue to debase political discussion this way. For the context, read the link in the political post below, but basically because of one reference to one blogger making a little joke about Supreme Court nominee possibly being homosexual because of an old photo of him wearing plaid pants (yeah that's all there is too it) John from Powerline made that ridiculous generalization. What was even more amazing was while reading that for the first few times, I ignored the ignorant and revisionist and cheap pot shot that said that the Civil War Democrats who fought to preserve slavery can be lumped together with the Democrats of today. It's the exact same political party folks! And there were even civil limits to the conflicting parties then, during the deadliest war in U.S. history, unlike the anarchic hell that we live in now! You see how multi-layered the crap is! Even the rhetoric used to blow this out of proportion is based on fabricated shallow talking points.
You know what, throughout American history, until now, there have been limits. There have been depths beneath which Americans would not sink for the sake of partisan advantage. Even during the aftermath of 9/11, when Republicans were fighting to get rid of our civil liberties, limits were observed. NOW, YOU KNOW WHAT? CIVILITY IS GONE!!! AAAHHH!!!! There is NO DEPTH to which some conservative bloggers will not sink. Hold your nose. Things are only going to get worse. With relgigous nuts and greedy white males dominating Republican politics, all constraints are gone!!! It's a FREE-FOR-ALL!!!! Protect your women and children, spread some lambs blood on the doorpost of your liberal homes, lest the spirit of conservatism come and kill your family!
You know what, it's awfully fun to demonize opponents this way. I can see why it's so attractive, and why I resorted to poor choices of words before (only once or twice though). I think I'm going to have a lot of fun looking at Powerline over the next few weeks. These blog posts will begin writing themselves before too long.
Well, that was a nice way to end my work day.
If the standards of blogging are popularity among conservatives, then a glance at another Powerline quote
, one that was referenced in the long link from the previous post, convince me that while I shouldn't quit my day job, there is an extremely low bar set for online political discussion:
Throughout American history, until now, there have been limits. There have been depths beneath which Americans would not sink for the sake of partisan advantage. Even during the Civil War, when the Democrats were fighting to preserve slavery, limits were observed. Now, all civility is gone. There is no depth to which some Democrats will not sink. Hold your nose. Things are only going to get worse. With MoveOn and the Daily Dose dominating Democratic politics, all constraints are gone.
This passage convinces me to make Powerline the first conservative blog I will check in on a regular basis. It will absolutely fascinating and sometimes hilarious to see these bloggers, with law degrees mind you, continue to debase political discussion this way. For the context, read the link in the political post below, but basically because of one reference to one blogger making a little joke about Supreme Court nominee possibly being homosexual because of an old photo of him wearing plaid pants (yeah that's all there is too it) John from Powerline made that ridiculous generalization. What was even more amazing was while reading that for the first few times, I ignored the ignorant and revisionist and cheap pot shot that said that the Civil War Democrats who fought to preserve slavery can be lumped together with the Democrats of today. It's the exact same political party folks! And there were even civil limits to the conflicting parties then, during the deadliest war in U.S. history, unlike the anarchic hell that we live in now! You see how multi-layered the crap is! Even the rhetoric used to blow this out of proportion is based on fabricated shallow talking points.
You know what, throughout American history, until now, there have been limits. There have been depths beneath which Americans would not sink for the sake of partisan advantage. Even during the aftermath of 9/11, when Republicans were fighting to get rid of our civil liberties, limits were observed. NOW, YOU KNOW WHAT? CIVILITY IS GONE!!! AAAHHH!!!! There is NO DEPTH to which some conservative bloggers will not sink. Hold your nose. Things are only going to get worse. With relgigous nuts and greedy white males dominating Republican politics, all constraints are gone!!! It's a FREE-FOR-ALL!!!! Protect your women and children, spread some lambs blood on the doorpost of your liberal homes, lest the spirit of conservatism come and kill your family!
You know what, it's awfully fun to demonize opponents this way. I can see why it's so attractive, and why I resorted to poor choices of words before (only once or twice though). I think I'm going to have a lot of fun looking at Powerline over the next few weeks. These blog posts will begin writing themselves before too long.
Well, that was a nice way to end my work day.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Backup
I by no means expect you read this whole thing , but I want to preserve as a more intellectual criticism of the very scary political philosophy exemplified by the Powerline quote I was annoyed by in the last post. I think the link provides some historical (which in blog time means a few weeks ago) examples and reasons why a little post from some blogger online bothers me a great deal and shapes my current view of the most visisible parts of the conservative movement.
Enough of that though.
I had a great time with Leigha (tallfleur) and Vy, who came to visit me yesterday. We went on a half hour boat ride that all those touristy types do, and it was very cool. I got really excited that I live here in Chicago after seeing the whole skyline laid out from the water. We walked all around the parks around the museums afterwards, hoping to find a discount admission day in the future, but enjoying the scenery nonetheless. Although I'm not going to become attached to my car, I realized that if I really need to I can get to downtown Chicago using the freeway without too much trouble on the weekends, so that's good to know.
Finally, I had an unexpected great concert experience seeing the legendary Olivia Tremor Control at an outdoor festival. The stage was right next to the elevated train tracks, making it a neat setting. I'm always tired at concerts nowadays so I have to seperate my objective analysis of the experience with the gnawing physical exhuastion that occurs when it's hot, cramped, you have to stand, and smoke is blowing in your face. That being said, it was incredible. Their albums were recorded with lots of instrumentation but through a 4-track recording process (for budget or artistic reasons I don't know), which makes the album I have of them sort of flow into the background with nothing standing out. Seeing it live (with 8 musicians!) and seeing the songs actually pack a punch had a great effect. It's a very energized performance and it's probably one of my favorite concerts that I've been to ever. So there.
Well, type to enjoy another day of weekend freedom.
Enough of that though.
I had a great time with Leigha (tallfleur) and Vy, who came to visit me yesterday. We went on a half hour boat ride that all those touristy types do, and it was very cool. I got really excited that I live here in Chicago after seeing the whole skyline laid out from the water. We walked all around the parks around the museums afterwards, hoping to find a discount admission day in the future, but enjoying the scenery nonetheless. Although I'm not going to become attached to my car, I realized that if I really need to I can get to downtown Chicago using the freeway without too much trouble on the weekends, so that's good to know.
Finally, I had an unexpected great concert experience seeing the legendary Olivia Tremor Control at an outdoor festival. The stage was right next to the elevated train tracks, making it a neat setting. I'm always tired at concerts nowadays so I have to seperate my objective analysis of the experience with the gnawing physical exhuastion that occurs when it's hot, cramped, you have to stand, and smoke is blowing in your face. That being said, it was incredible. Their albums were recorded with lots of instrumentation but through a 4-track recording process (for budget or artistic reasons I don't know), which makes the album I have of them sort of flow into the background with nothing standing out. Seeing it live (with 8 musicians!) and seeing the songs actually pack a punch had a great effect. It's a very energized performance and it's probably one of my favorite concerts that I've been to ever. So there.
Well, type to enjoy another day of weekend freedom.
