Recently in Blogs Category

The Bermuda First website is now offline after a reader pointed out to me that the draft site was up last night.

The site looks quite promising from a design and function perspective, much more so than gov.bm which is an elaborate brochure.

There needs to be a non-partisan gatekeeper to keep the partisan attacks out of it however. Populating it with a laundry list of party propaganda isn't the way to go.

This was pitched as a non-partisan fact gathering exercise and it should remain that way.

Hopefully when it relaunches they will have stripped out the PLP attack pieces masquerading as opinion.

Brace yourself, the PLP's election-time-crazy-with-dishonest-spin blog is back. (The dormant website has been creaking back to life since the elitism criticism started. The first change was to the restart the slideshow on the site's main page with their candidates posing for photos with the public).

See. We're not elitist. We have photos to prove it.

It's starting to feel like the election never ended and was just a short chapter of the Brown soap opera.

A reader writes:

Speaking of spin, in the "The Blog is Back" post leading with "We're back and we're better than ever", the PLP blog announces today that: "We put Bermudians first by making sure that all Bermudian families will have access to free, high quality day care."

and

"Thanks to your PLP government, all Bermudian parents will be able to send their kids to free, high quality day care"

(note , ALL)

But the announcement a few days ago from the House is that "MPs passed a bill yesterday to pay child care bills for families or single parents earning under $70,000 a year"

Sigh indeed.

The Bermuda Sun has launched a new Bermuda Sports Blog: Talk Sport.

As Sports are generating plenty of attention lately, and interact with all sorts of social and political issues, it could turn out to be a lively site.

Enjoy.

The suspended Police Officer/blogger story found its way into the print media today, with both the Gazette and The Bermuda Sun covering it.

I think, notwithstanding the accuracy or inaccuracy of his comments, the now-removed post which has resulted in his suspension was bound to cause problems for the reasons highlighted in the Sun's article:

In the article, Mr. Palmer, who is originally from St. Vincent, claims there is a strong Barbadian faction within the BPS, which is known by serving officers as the BM, or "Barbadian Mafia."

Mr. Palmer claims that the BM holds the balance of power within the force and makes some serious allegations about its conduct. He goes on to name a superior officer who he believes controls the BM.

However, sources told the Bermuda Sun that among the rank-and-file, few have qualms about Mr. Palmer's suspension. Originally, many officers were sympathetic of Mr. Palmer's attempts to bring more transparency to the BPS. However, most believe he went too far by naming individuals.

It goes without saying that calling superior officers part of a "Barbadian mafia" is going to cause a problem and result in some sanction.

Every police officer knows that you can't comment publicly on internal matters. I'm sure PC Palmer knew that, so I can only guess that he was willing to deal with the consequences, or was perhaps inviting them.

Most employers, whether the Police or corporate, aren't going to take too kindly to their employees airing the dirty laundry and internal politics in public.

A Police blog would be very helpful, particularly if challenging the constant political spin, however it's probably safest done with anonymity.

Police Officer and blogger Allan Palmer, who helpfully pointed out the fudged crime statistics, to subsequently remove that post under pressure, and follow up that post about some internal pressure that was being applied, has today posted that he is on suspension:

By now the world should know that I am on suspension from the Bermuda Police Service, pending the outcome of an investigation which was initiated, after I posted the last article on this blog. That article was posted as a last minute ditch to abort a devious plans which was orchestrated and initiated for my demised [sic]. To ensure that my character and integrity was bring [sic] into disrepute. It was also in defense of my parent’s [sic] legacy. I will explain later.

As I said previously, PC Palmer was breaking new ground as a serving Police Officer with a blog, as officers are prohibited from speaking in the media (ie. interviews, Letters to the Editor etc.), and it appears this is now being tested with new media.

A new blog is out:

Bermuda Longtail

Well, The Limey has wound things up (not surprising) and Denis over at 21 Square is unsure of whether he'll continue. In the words of Bill Clinton, "I feel your pain".

Phil at Limey never really came back with any gusto during the election run-up and his heart seemed half in it.

Blogging actively is very time consuming and with such a frenzy of activity in 2007 with leadership challenges, BHC leaks, libel suits and an election, I think the active bloggers were exhausted by year end. I know I was.

After that, particularly with the holidays, there is bound to be a time for recharging and refocusing or reassessing.

Some might feel that the election was a heavy defeat for the UBP, and some would argue reality based politics. I think that's true but only to a point.

The seat distribution of 22-14 presents a picture of a much bigger win for the PLP than occurred. Dr. Brown really only managed to replicate what Jennifer Smith managed (twice), so he really didn't bring anything to the table, other than perhaps preventing a loss of support that was anticipated by many; he managed to hold things steady seat-wise though a small popular vote increase.

The UBP still represent almost half of the island by popular vote, although their voice in Parliament is far less than that.

But what is more interesting about the election outcome is what is suggests about the future prospects for the UBP, because they have appear to hit a brick wall.

As they are prone to do they're methodically working through the issues and implications of the last election internally, and I believe will make the decision that needs to be made.

I know what I think, which is pretty much in line with what Phil said in his farewell post, and other commentators have said:

[T]he only people who can criticise today's PLP government are other members of the PLP. Anyone else should expect to have their criticisms met with an ad hominem attack, not with a reasoned rebuttal.

If you're white, you will be accused of being a racist. If you're black, you will be accused of being a race traitor. If you're a non-Bermudian, you will be told to keep your mouth shut and go back to the country you came from. If you're a journalist, you'll be accused of being in league with the UBP. If you're in the UBP, you'll be accused of wanting to take the country back to the days of segregation, or even slavery.

I have no desire to participate in such a dysfunctional system any longer. Indeed, I've come to believe that by continuing to criticise the government, I will only make things worse.

I think he's correct. Those who have been vocal critics of the PLP do need to sort of take a back seat for awhile. Sadly it is mostly because of their race, but that's the reality of Bermuda right now.

Whites also I think need to recognise that if a new organisation is born out of the 2007 election it needs to be black conceived, created and controlled. (And there are lots of black Bermudians who would welcome another political choice without the stigma of 'UBP' on it - whether a deserved stigma or not).

If whites have a dominant role (or perhaps any role) it will be seen as illegitimate.

So on that basis I think the UBP's time is limited, and that a new entity will eventually arise, although the UBP needs to persist for awhile to allow a new organisation to be created that doesn't just see UBP support flow right over to it.

Because let's be real, the PLP's racist election campaign has ensured that white voters will not join that party in any meaningful numbers, but will instead feel disenfranchised for awhile.

Whites (and I really hate talking 'whites' and 'blacks') need to take a back seat politically for awhile, and by 'awhile' I mean at least one election cycle.

Regardless, the election has created the first real opportunity for another viable political entity to be created. Single seat constituencies killed any prospects for a third party or independents, but the 2007 election result has opened a window.

In the short term I think we'll see three political entities (and I have no insight or involvement whatsoever in starting something new - nor will I for the reasons I stated above).

On a personal note, I must admit that I'm not particularly motivated to write right now, although my brain continues to refuse to take a break; but I don't feel like spending long hours in front of a computer screen hashing out issue after issue.

I'm marginally interested in the local news. Mostly I'm enjoying being a consumer of news, analysis and opinion with the US campaign and also catching up on some good books and movies.

This site will continue on. As I've said before, I have some ideas for new directions to take Politics.bm, but in the meantime things will be relatively low-key here while I enjoy some other interests and then retool things a little.

There's a couple of new blogs on the scene, which I've added to my Daily Reads sidebar (which I need to pay more attention to as I have discovered people actually use/follow those links).

Firstly, there's Breezeblog (which is actually new-ish) by Chris Gibbons.

And just launched a couple of days ago is A Radical in Bermuda, written by a far left-winger, but a true left winger. I imagine this will be a good and thoughtful read.

Take this post today:

This is going out to all my fellow Bermudians, it is a call for us to be ever vigilante of our government and the ways in which we slip into tyranny. The Premier's post election decision to half the number of women in his cabinet and senate appointments, his dissolving then reforming of the Ministry of Justice, the racial insensitivity by members of his party, both in parliament and outside, the xenophobia of many members of his party, including cabinet level appointees, and now from what I have heard, the formation of cliques within the party that adhere to the worst forms of Christian fundamentalism (a certain one of these cliques would seem to be quite powerful, though I will not name names for safeties sake) and male chauvinism are dangerous signs of where this wonderful island of ours could be headed.

Well yes, the current leadership and direction of the Progressive Labour Party is neither Progressive nor Labour. But that's obvious to any reasonable observer.

It is a fraud.

"Progressive" and "Labour" have been made synonymous with 'Black' and are being used as cover for some seriously bad policy under the shield of 'blackness'.

But it's a recently-validated-at-the-polls fraud, so things will get worse before they get better.

It was very inconsiderate to call an election at peak reinsurance renewal season, so I'm going to be partaking in a study in sleep deprivation for the next several months. Let me know when I become truly incoherent.

But I suppose I can't complain, it's the most wonderful time of the year; elections and reinsurance renewal season are great fun for nerds like me.

So, I'll be producing as much content as I can here, but I wanted to remind readers of the other Bermuda sites in my Daily Reads links over at the left hand side (which includes a couple of non-Bermuda blogs).

In particular I've been enjoying:

Vexed Bermoothes, New Onion and 21 Square, as well as old favourite Limey in Bermuda who's back for more punishment.

The Limey in Bermuda has returned, for now at least.

No comments this time though. Smart move.

Welcome back Phil. Watch your back.

There's a new Bermuda forum called:

Bermuda Is Another World

There's a new Bermuda blog out there Vexed Bermoothes.

So far so good. It's singing a similar song to me, but with far less sarcasm and attitude!

There's a new blog out by Mike Hind (aka Uncle Elvis) called The Devil Island.

It looks so good that it reminds me that I don't have an artistic bone in my body.

Enjoy.

Interesting legislation being worked on in the US House this week:

WASHINGTON--A congressional panel on Wednesday voted, against the Bush administration's wishes, to shield journalists including advertising-supported bloggers from having to reveal their confidential sources in many situations.

By a voice vote only after politicians spent nearly two hours airing various misgivings, the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee approved an amended version of the Free Flow of Information Act. Chiefly sponsored by Reps. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) and Mike Pence (R-Ind.), it proposes protection for a wider set of people than previous years' versions.

"Today, we are reclaiming one of the most fundamental principles enshrined by the founding fathers in the First Amendment of the Constitution," Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) said before the vote.

In response to concerns raised by the Bush administration and other politicians, the revised bill attempts to exclude the "casual blogger" from reaping those benefits by stipulating the protections apply only to those who derive "financial gain or livelihood" from the journalistic activity, Boucher said Wednesday. That broad rule could, however, include part-time writers who receive even a trickle of revenue from Google Ads or Blogads.com.

The bill defines the practice of journalism as "gathering, preparing, collecting, photographing, recording, writing, editing, reporting or publishing of news or information that concerns local, national or international events or other matters of public interest for dissemination to the public."

Full article here.

In Bermuda the Government takes a different approach, and sues.

A reader sent in a link to a blog post, or actually a blog post on another blog post, that addresses the age old - or at least blog old - topic of comments.

Seeing as the village idiot showed up this weekend to spam the Caption Competition with his usual idiotic lies and racist hatred, I figured that now was an appropriate time to throw this out there.

This very much encapsulates my philosophy on blog comments, particularly in Bermuda's political arena: They're not worth it; a few mindless idiots insist on shouting down anyone who dare challenge their ideology and will destroy an otherwise interesting site:

"...to the extent that comments interfere with the natural expression of the unedited voice of an individual, comments may act to make something not a blog.... The cool thing about blogs is that while they may be quiet, and it may be hard to find what you're looking for, at least you can say what you think without being shouted down. This makes it possible for unpopular ideas to be expressed. And if you know history, the most important ideas often are the unpopular ones.... That's what's important about blogs, not that people can comment on your ideas. As long as they can start their own blog, there will be no shortage of places to comment."

For those interested in the nuisance suit, I was served Friday, as was the Royal Gazette and the Mid Ocean News with a writ.

So I now know that this is apparently the article at issue that involves me. Good luck finding anything libelous.

Sadly, my lawyer has prohibited me from wise-cracking about it here. Damn him.

A reader sends in a sign an election is imminent:

Progressive Minds (PLP 'Youth Blog') appears to have been effectively shut down, thereby insuring that no one says anything 'off-message'.

Another reader sent in their experience on what appears to be the now defunct site, which hasn't had any activity in weeks and was reigned in through selective comment approval and selective comment editing after they couldn't control the message post-BHC scandal:

Not impressed with the "progressive" minds site at all. Understanding that it is a strictly partisan site, with most posters being full 'dyed in the wool' party supporters, I still would have thought, as the forum was open to any and all who registered, that they would expect non PLP views or even overtly ant-PLP views to be expressed. Arguments and heated discussions would of course be expected, and if you go by other blogs, name calling could certainly be anticipated. After some particularly vitriolic comments were made (more so from a certain PLP fanatic) the admin(s) pulled the plug. They restricted posting to most posters it seems, but amazingly, the one who was most in need of control... the one who was MOST offensive and quite frankly out of control... was allowed to continue posting. Out of complete disgust I have ceased to make any attempts to post after being blocked. Not that I thought that would upset anyone.... but low and behold I get an email from PM, asking me to come back.... they miss me! This just has to be an auto generated email... nobody would have the gall to send that out on purpose.... surely!!!

A new Bermuda blog is out.

PLP Watch

It seems to be targeted at debunking the daily drivel.

One of the fun things about running this blog is the email that I receive with tip-offs, compliments, critiques and the occasional insult which are usually fun too.

Unfortunately lately one individual who shall remain nameless for now, has been making a complete and utter fool on himself with a series of emails that he has sent me.

Originally I replied to a few but stopped once it became clear how pathological and uninformed this individual was. His responses weren't only usually wrong on the facts, but also never remotely connected to the thrust of my argument, instead just making that predictable racism attack.

The best example of this individual's ignorance was a multiple email exchange where he blamed the UBP for shutting down Berkeley in an act of racism, even though they never did such a thing. Then it morphed into the UBP closing it down as a successful black high school for a middle school, which of course didn't happen either. He never did admit that he was wrong, he just kept attacking.

So, that should give you some insight into the type of mental midget that he is.

Once I began ignoring him however, things became more and more demented and I started to realise that this individual was potentially more than just a nuisance.

I began to receive emails from someone purportedly called "ronnie foster" with an email address of "whiterulebermuda@yahoo.com" (spam away at that). I ignored those as well and after the second of them I realised who it was.

The emails never really had any content but subject lines such as:

"your blog roks - stoopid blks"

"good going CHRISTian - we're going to get them!!"

"keep up the good work - we are with you".

Anyway, I guess that my silence just got this nut-case even more worked up (I presume the hope was that I'd respond with a supportive comment which could then be used against me).

Last week, and then again today just a few minutes ago, I received an email from a Yahoo! email address in my name (and I don't, nor have I ever, maintained a yahoo email account).

Here's what that email said:

"fat angry white guys r real funny - try killing your..."

So, while I won't dispute the fat part, I think it's clear how mentally unstable this individual is, even going so far as to set up an email address in my name.

On Friday however, he tried another stunt which crossed a line. I won't comment on what that was, but it shows just how nasty a piece of work he is. We should be fortunate that he doesn't live in Bermuda right now.

So, while I'd been encouraged by a friend who is well acquainted with this individual that I should post the emails on the blog, I felt that if I simply ignored him that he'd go away. But that doesn't seem to be the case so I decided to let everyone judge for themselves.

The funny thing is that the behaviour that this individual is engaging in is everything that he'd argue was so wrong in the past.

Mental midget indeed.

I actually feel sorry for him. He clearly needs professional psychological help, and in Canada there are plenty of resources available for him. I'd encourage him to seek it out.

I'm just getting back into the swing of things after spending the better part of the past two weeks in airplanes, and I do have a few things that I'd like to catch up on that I think deserve some attention.

But in the meantime, there was a great article in the LA Times about the impact that blogs can have on driving issues into the main stream media.

The specific example is how Josh Marshall's blog, Talking Points Memo, easily the blog I'm most addicted to, was the main medium that dug out the huge story in the US right now over the firing of US Attorneys.

The second half of the article included a section that I felt sums up pretty well what I try and do over here - that is write opinion not journalism.

So while I certainly come at things from a specific angle, my potential biases are declared, whereas those in the traditional media can be much more subtle and undeclared (take the Bermuda Sun's rather rapid swing lately towards unadulterated fawning of the PLP in their news articles - more on that in a subsequent post).

Here's a few paragraphs that capture political blogging versus journalism pretty well:

The blogs that have captured the most attention are those that devote themselves mainly to politics and public affairs. These are almost always run by partisans of one side or the other. In that, they are nearly the opposite of the sort of coverage presented in traditional media, whose coverage at least attempts to be neutral on questions of policy.

This neutrality is a favorite target of bloggers who say that mainstream journalism objectivity disguises hidden biases of the form, if not the writer. The bloggers contend that these biases can render neutrality into bland, even neutered reporting that rewards those intent on manipulating it.

Many critiques from both sides of the blogging-MSM divide are accurate, if sometimes misplaced. The chief criticisms of blogging from defenders of the MSM are, one, the pajama charge — that is, bloggers are not professional journalists and don't do much reporting (thus the image of them sitting at home in their pajamas) — and, two, the incivility charge, that many bloggers use impolite language.

Most bloggers, in fact, are not journalists and do little if any reporting. But most bloggers don't claim to be journalists. They're bloggers. The incivility charge is true too. Many bloggers use bad language, but so occasionally does the New Yorker, and no one accuses it of lacking manners.

I try not to use bad language, but I can be impolite at times.

And, as a reminder, my declared intent here is to "Inform, amuse, provoke"...with "provoke" in the sense of not merely aggravating people - although my opinions clearly can have that effect on some of the blind followers - but as in provoking thought.

I never spent any time at bermudasucks.com, but I've been told the forums are no longer available.

In light of that someone who was suffering from 'serious withdrawal symptoms' has created a new forum, The Bermuda Talks Forum.

You need to register.

There's a new Bermuda blog on the scene called newonion.com by an anonymous author.

A reader writes:

"The picketers were not upset by your specific editorial; they are angry that you dare question the PLP at all. Rather than engage your legitimate criticisms, it is easier for them to shut you up by calling you a racist and being a nuisance to your employer. Bully tactics.

This is a trend. The limey blog had become a popular gathering point, and in recent months there was a noticeable push to intimidate and harry him into silence, either through the posted threats by Laverne Furbert and through the more ominious quiet legal threats by politicians' lawyers [Note: Phil Wells never received any direct legal threats from a lawyer.]. Limey gave up for now; I hope you do not.

"I am sure that many notice the sad irony: the PLP complain that they suffered in the past for speaking up publicly. Now that they are in power, they are amplifying that suppression while pouring money into control of public information sources (such as the impending TV station and the amazing amount of government advertising that appears in the Bermuda Sun)."

First the PLP came for the expats. Next the bloggers?

An Egyptian court has sentenced an internet blogger to four years' prison for insulting Islam and the president.

It's not that far from being reality, with the PLP/BIU's blog police, Laverne "Nails" Furbert, threatening to report Phil Wells to the Minister of Immigration:

Firstly, although you are married to a Bermudian, you need to be reminded that permission for you to work in Bermuda is still at the behest of the Minister of Immigration and Labour (the Hon. Derrick Burgess, JP, MP). Please refer to the Immigration and Protection Act to confirm this.

We're on a very slippery slope. I like the suggestion in today's Letters to the Editor (brilliant satire alert for the humourly challenged):

Government announces "Know Who I Am" Campaign, The Premier, like all Bermudians, is concerned by the recent confrontation involving Canadian foreign worker Curtis Macleod and Member of Parliament George A. Scott.

Of course, the most troubling aspect of this unfortunate incident is that Mr. Macleod was obviously unable to recognize MP Scott as the distinguished public figure that he is. No member of the ruling party in Bermuda should have to present a business card and repeated ask "do you know who I am". This is truly regrettable. As usual, Government has acted swiftly to address this issue. The Ministry of Labour and Immigration is proud to announce the launch of its "Know Who I Am" programme. Effective immediately, all foreign workers will receive, upon arrival in Bermuda, a pocket size guide to the luminaries who comprise Bermuda's ruling class.

The guide will include professional colour photographs as well as details of the MPs' children, spouses, former spouse(s), former spouse(s)' children, significant other(s), former significant other(s), former significant other(s)' children etc., to ensure that the appropriate degree of deference, obedience and reverence is demonstrated in all situations. As a related measure, work permit renewals (if any) will now include a short examination based on the guide. This examination will be administered in cooperation with the new Ministry of Expatriate Rehabilitation.

Opinionated white boys (that's a direct quote from one of my readers) unite...and then disagree.

Sadly, the Royal Gazette website doesn't include our stunning glamour shots.

[UPDATE: The Limey is accepting insults over at this week's caption competition. Be gentle.]

Hmmm. This could be interesting. Seems a student at Berkeley has set up an anonymous blog called "Inside the Berkeley Institute".

First two posts touch on sex and race. Now this looks to promise for some good reading...although the grammar could use some attention.

Remember that post I put up last night that the President of Iran had launched his own blog? Well, the latest news is that Israeli's are claiming that it attempts to send a virus to you if you're coming from an Israeli IP address and Israeli hackers are retalliating by trying to take the site down.

They certainly fight on all fronts in that region. Amazing.

Wake-up call to Bermuda's politicians.

The President of Iran lauched a blog today in four languages.

Time to get with the program Bermuda.

Productivity has just sky-rocketed at several offices around Bermuda with the news that Phil over at A Limey in Bermuda is pulling back for awhile to recharge his batteries.

The Limey will be back, of that I have no doubt. He just needs a break to play Warcraft again and realize that being the target of the PLP attack machine is actually quite flattering.

Life is about striking a balance, and sometimes before you know it circumstances overtake you; particularly when you've got a rabble of scrappers fidgeting in their corners every morning waiting for you to ring the bell and begin the rumble.

I feel your pain Phil. I shut down commenting here ages ago after my patience for baby sitting some of the more malicious or nutty commenters ran out.

In Phil's case the final straw appears to have been the storm in a teacup that erupted after it was hinted (and then confirmed by the individual himself before mounting a hasty retreat) that a commenter using the pseudonym 'Bud' was a (rather foul-mouthed) PLP Senator (hint: who has been holding a lot of press conferences lately) spewing the party line under the guise of just another Bermudian.

Riiiggghhhttt. And Berkeley will be finished on time and on business.

No wonder Phil got annoyed, as did others who dropped some shrewd hints about who it was.

"Bud" confessed, before angrily retracting the next morn, after briefly confirming that his anonymity had been blown. What ensued was a furious backpedal and the classic PLP counter-attack when caught red-handed.

"Bud" had no choice really but to act so schizophrenically, if he is indeed who he appears to have been that is.

Firstly, he has a particularly foul mouth, one that makes Alex Scott's use of the word 'crap' seem angelic.

Secondly, for a sitting Senator and prominent PLP mouthpiece to be posing as Average Joe is pretty desperate, particularly after the PLP recently denounced the "voices of division", with special mention for the internet. But the PLP have no defenders, so it's not surprising they've resorted to fabricating them.

And finally, "Bud" wasn't very flattering about his boss at times, otherwise never straying from the talking points.

I wish Phil well and encourage his jousters to take a breather as well, and then return with even more vigour.

The island needs voices of reason and good sense. Lord knows, there's plenty of irrational nonsense eminating from the Cabinet Office.

This post over at NewDonkey.com on the rise of blogging is worth a read.

In case you're interested in the sites NewDonkey refers to, I read Talking Points Memo religiously, rarely look at Wonkette and occassionally read DailyKos. NewDonkey is a recent addition to US political blogs, but it provides some insightful analysis from the left.

My take on blogging and the use of blogs is that they are entirely complimentary to the main stream media. They couldn't exist without it. I'm not a subscriber to the theory that blogging will change the world or wrapped up in some identity as a 'blogger'. For me, it's simply a very effective way to distribute information through efficient personal publishing tools like MovableType, TypePad, Blogger or LiveJournal for example.

If the content sucks then no-one's going to read it. The blogging format and the associated tools put the focus on the content and not web design, that's what is appealing to me.

Maybe more importantly, blogging gives people who might not have the ability to publish their ideas a platform. As NewDonkey's post points out, how people use this varies greatly.

But Tim Hodgson is right in last Friday's Mid Ocean Editorial. Bermudians are retreating from community involvement and are becoming immersed in their computer screens. I'd like to hope that technology is a means of enhancing communication, spurring people to become more involved with each other - face to face.

We shouldn't replace personal contact and community involvement for the anonymity of discussion boards and email, regardless of its convenience.

There's a new (anonymous) Bermuda Blog out there. I've added it to my links below.

Here's another interesting article on blogging with a perspective that I tend to concur with. A lot of bloggers I come across seem to think that they are changing the world and become quite enamored with themselves:

Washington Post: 'It's a Little Too Cozy in the Blogosphere', Nov. 16, 2003

Here's a good article on blogging in USAToday, with a focus on political blogs.

USAToday: 'Freewheeling 'bloggers' are rewriting rules of journalism', December 30, 2003

The Onion | Mom Finds Out About Blog

The Onion never ceases to amuse me.

How Not to Get Fired Because of Your Blog

The folks at Blogger have put together a useful guide for all those bloggers out there.

I've now officially moved over to movabletype as the publishing tool for this blog. The additional flexibility and features that Blogger lacks are too good to pass up.

New features in politics.bm include:

- Comments
- Permalinks
- Site Search

I'm currently implementing and testing the trackback feature of MT.

Several templates need to be completed or tweaked (like Comment Previewing) but the bulk of the site looks to be good. Please email me if you notice anything that looks suspicious.

Blogs and politics are mixing heavily thanks to innovations at Howard Dean's campaign. Every US presidential candidate has one now (including Bush) but Dean is using them in their purist form and started the political phenomenon.

Wired is the latest to write about this. [Wired: November 2003]

There's an interesting debate emerging about the vailidity of Weblogs as journalism. Scott Rosenberg is leading this but also there is a good summary by Jay Rosen