the party is wary of bloggers, who tend to be less predictable than mainstream journalists.

Now what does that mean?

That we dont subscribe verbatim to their agenda?

Posted by: Redneck Texan at June 20, 2004 02:42 PM

I never seem to know what Michele’s going to do next … now I understand!

Posted by: Alan at June 20, 2004 07:48 PM

Wow, embedded bloggers!! Is that like, fully cool, or what?

But all seriousness aside, let’s hope the bloggers give the “mainstream journalists” a run for thier money. time we had a viable alternative to their poor product.

Posted by: skip at June 21, 2004 11:53 AM

let’s hope the bloggers give the “mainstream journalists” a run for thier money

I sorta feel like we already have: www.command-post.org

Posted by: Alan at June 21, 2004 05:41 PM

let’s hope the bloggers give the “mainstream journalists” a run for thier money

I sorta feel like we already have: www.command-post.org

Posted by Alan at June 21, 2004 05:41 PM

I had hoped so, Alan. However, there are far too many Ann Coulter and Christopher Hitchens types here for me to consider the site as one without an agenda. My guess is that most of the site’s posters/bloggers consider both to be journalists, indendent journalists at that.

I haven’t seen any “Bush is a Nazi” posts but have come across “Kerry is a Commie”. I disdain both descriptions.

Aaaah, for a good, truly independent blog site.

I don’t like it when I can discern whether a reporter, journalist, news commentator, anchor, pundit or interviewer leans toward one candididate or the other, one party or the other.

Doesn’t happen anymore, anywhere.

Posted by: Indie2004 at June 23, 2004 01:23 PM

From Redneck Texan at June 20, 2004 02:42 PM

the party is wary of bloggers, who tend to be less predictable than mainstream journalists.

Now what does that mean?

That we dont subscribe verbatim to their agenda?

____________________

Well, Tex, let me know if the GOP will issue credentials to all and sundry. Neither party is naive enough to believe that blog sites and their journalists have no agenda, or do not, however subtly, support one party or the other.

For instance, after being here for a day or two, my guess is that this site will present Dem convention news as negatively as possible, GOP as positively as possible.

Posted by: Indie2004 at June 23, 2004 01:31 PM

I don’t think you’re going to find any truly independent blog sites. Any that claim to be should be suspect right from the starting blocks. However, if you feel that things are unbalanced/out of kilter, then you’re certainly welcome to join Command Post as an author and present “balancing” views.

Example - Every time I get a private e-mail denouncing me as some psychotic Zionist fascist Arab-hating, Islam-bashing nutcase, I invite them to join up and present their selection of headlines.

And it goes without question that the opportunity to respond to extremist posts here in the comments is always available. The more extremist the view, the greater the moderating force of comments. It’s only when the “balancing view” gives up posting or commenting that the extremist views become echo chambers.

Posted by: Laurence Simon at June 23, 2004 01:32 PM

You are correct in that there are no truly independent blog sites. What makes a blog enjoyable is the back and forth between posters. My disappointment is rooted in the tone and attitude of those respondents attracted to this site.

We all come with a point of view, and most have probably already made up their mind as to the 2004 election.

I did come here looking for knowledge to either support my choice, or give me good, thoughtful, truthful reasons to reconsider that choice.

For moderates and independents, that is the usual quest.

Posted by: Indie2004 at June 23, 2004 02:22 PM