The Shakeout and Its Blessings
By Mitch Berg
Back in 2004, there was a flood of new center-right blogs in the region. I called it the “Class of ’04“. Some amazing talent came out onto the blogging market back then. It was a great time to be a blogger.
But blogging – especially blogging by yourself – can be a pretty lonely, trying thing. Some of us – Ed would be a great example – do it because they can earn something of a living at it. Others – the local left’s lonesome voice of reason Flash, and the great Leo the Psycmeister, who is perhaps the most criminally-undertrafficked blog in the MOB – keep their work load in check by keeping the blog in careful perspective. Others – me – do it because we’re crazy and/or we love doing it.
But it’s not for everyone. The mortality rate among the “Class of ’04” bloggers – while much lower than among the blogosphere in general (where about 99.5% of blogs expire after about three posts) has been high.
Or has it?
One of the phenomena I’m happiest about lately is the amalgamation of so many of the smaller center-right bloggers into some of my favorite group-blogs.
- Kool-Aid Report has added The Analog Kid and the Iron Matron (both of whom are well-known and exceptional bloggers, whose real identies are as closely held as Joe Tucci’s, er, was).
- Anti-Strib up to 17 writers, now.
- True North – my other blog – has a deep, deep roster.
- Freedom Dogs has absorbed quite a few – Diamond Dog, Lassie, Mannske, Guy – great local bloggers.
- And now, word comes that Truth v. The Machine has added Ricard from Lazy Gopher Pachyderm (in addition to Pat Shortridge).
So it looks like it’s going to be a fun year!
November 21st, 2007 at 11:35 am
Flash isn’t on the left, and you’re not in the center. Those are both fictions, unless you think the political spectrum starts on the extreme right and ends at George HW Bush. Even then, you’re still only barely millimeters from that right edge. Your list of blogs is a roll call of right-wing writers including extremists like Truthiness vs. Facts and Professional Republicans Exposed.
November 21st, 2007 at 11:41 am
And then there’s little old me, Champion of All Things Poop-Related! Or, as Peev would label me: “Mr. Offensive!”
“Mr. Offensive” would be a great television show.
So would “Champion of All Things Poop-Related.”
I could be a Hollywood writer.
November 21st, 2007 at 12:13 pm
you’re not in the center.
Really?
Do you really really think so? Because after almost six years of calling myself a conservative blogger, I’m glad that finally sank in, Mister Remedial Reading Comprehension!
Even then, you’re still only barely millimeters from that right edge.
Oh, hell. I’ll bite.
What exactly does that mean, PB? How am I “millimeters from the right edge” of anything? Unless your idea of “centers” starts with John Edwards and moves left to Mao Zhedong.
Please express this in terms of things I’ve actually said, as opposed to your frankly fantastic interpretations.
November 21st, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Your list of blogs is a roll call of right-wing writers
THAT WAS THE INTENTION
November 21st, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Mitch…honestly…is PB or Peeb or whatever the turd wants to call himself deserving of a suspension or a ban or something? I’ve read his tripe today and its getting pathetic. How long does this moonbat get to use your bandwidth to bark at the moon?
November 21st, 2007 at 1:15 pm
is PB or Peeb or whatever the turd wants to call himself deserving of a suspension or a ban or something?
He’s actually been banned, twice. He’s also an old friend [you may gape in muted wonder for the moment], so I tend to forgive and forget.
How long does this moonbat get to use your bandwidth to bark at the moon?
Always a great question.
November 21st, 2007 at 1:50 pm
“the political spectrum starts on the extreme right and ends at George HW Bush.”
Say what you want, at least he has the awareness that Bush isn’t on the extreme right. Baby steps people. Baby steps.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Center Right? Them’s fightin words, Berg!
There’s really only about 7 of us. Tracy just likes the looks of a full stable. I think some of those folks are actually dead.