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Misc: My Own Way
I have a problem with “blogging groups.” Not groups like this (which might just work and have some redeeming value), more like groups like this (which is a front for political hacks).
Since I started this new trend around here of making things I write about more relevant to the world I live in, specifically local things, I made a conscious effort to be a nicer guy. There is no real turning point, but I just decided that I would make less fun of stuff, and focus on more facts. But I can only take so much.
There has been a renaissance in this town of late. Local people are popping (I know it’s been there, but it’s recently become far more active) up all over the web scene (and that doesn’t include Laura – I won’t hold the Sparks thing against you, Laura – or Ed – seriously, Ed, if you don’t do something, your domain will expire), and I like it. And now that we appear to be a bit more represented locally, with people who actually care about Reno itself, I feel like this city has made it to the point we should have been a while ago. And with the newer people, the consciousness is raised. They spend time propping other locals (read the comment, it rules). I’m down. What’s missing from both Myrna’s place and Sully’s is that they feel no need to manufacture community. They are building it, slowly, but strongly. I think if those guys stick with this, which is often an issue, we’ll have a kick-ass local club that doesn’t make me put a banner on my site.
Maybe it’s bitterness. Maybe I just think it’s dorky. Either way, I might want to consider changing my position on it. After all, I have done this blogging stuff for a long time, it seems, and I’m still not famous. In fact, one local is catching me, and she just started.
Something that might really be eating at me about it is that I’m a pretty “Nevada” guy. I was not born here, but that’s not my fault. I grew up in a very Nevada town, went to a Nevada university, was a member of a fraternity in college that has the most Nevada tradition of any at the school, and continue to support Nevada stuff. In fact, after a few years of trying to find where we’d be happiest, Christy and I decided it was right here. we like it here. And what’s my problem? These dudes are hijacking my state’s motto and flag for their political blogger club. I dislike that. They probably have no idea what that flag symbolizes; its history and tradition. Hell, most of them are probably Vegas people.
Now I realize I’ve gone plenty far from my original intent, which is to say that blogging clubs are dorky, especially when it’s about what you believe. Why can’t we just hear what’s happening, give a quick take on everyday life, not relatively meaningless political bullshit that serves to get someone elected or not? We can, but you may have to look for it. You won’t find any clever banners telling you what to listen to.
Comments
Scott Schrantz, Feb 25, 07:05 AM #:
Yeah, I’ve known about Battle Born Blog (www.battlebornnews.com) for a while, and it’s been fiercely right-wing from the start. But I didn’t know they were trying to sucker others into joining their “network”. I wonder if they’d accept any left-wingers, or if they only take their own?
I don’t know why everyone feels they have to join or create a network of blogs anyway. Just link to a bunch of people, and if they like you they’ll link back. I don’t see the point to this.
Of course, this is from someone who took a pledge to never blog about anything political (computer-vet.com/weblog/2005/03/31), so what do I know?
That’s a great point, Scott. They are right-wing, but that’s not why I care so much. I tend to stay away from politics as well. I think I tried to do it at the very beginning, because I really didn’t know what I wanted from my site, and I sucked, so I stopped. The thing is, I agree with those guys on a lot of things. I just think it’s a weak attempt at sounding “Nevada” for them to have that name.
I wasn’t recruited or anything either. I just came across it and started laughing, especially when I saw one of them was running for the Assembly up here. I’m also angry because a few of them took over the comments on Anjeanette Damon’s blog, but wouldn’t leave names. At least, that’s how it appeared to me.
Interesting…
You claim that I am “right wing” yet you ignore the fact that Battle Born News has worked to expose corruption with two Republican lawmakers and constantly thrashes those on both sides of the isle. You say right wing, I say Libertarian.
You may be right, but I don’t see your link on the RGJ blog “Inside Nevada Politics” and I’m stepping out on a limb here, but I’m willing to bet you’re not seeing more than 600 unique visitors per day.
And to the comment above, I don’t operate “Battle Born Alliance”. I’m only a member. I own Battle Born News and the two are quite different.
If you want a link, I’ll hook you up. It’s just that that no “left wing” folks have asked me to link to them. Yes, it’s that simple.
If you’re curious as to why blogs like mine don’t link to you and talk about you, perhaps you should think about the fact that you have no communication with us; Rather, you insult us without even reaching for an opinion or explanation from the “other side”.
Furthermore, if you did a little research, you would have found this article that was on the front page of the RGJ last year.
http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2005/06/17/102100.php
I’m a 26 year old INDEPENDENT who is sick of the BS coming from BOTH major parties. My PAC is now working hard to get people elected who can keep our state tax friendly, begin working on ways to FIX our education system, and stop wasting tax dollars and put them to better use. I find it insulting that you write in a way that makes it appear as though people like myself don’t “care” about Reno. How do you draw that conclusion? Did you contact me? Did you ask what I’m up to?
Look, I’m making a difference. I have dinner with top state officials now and am running campaigns for several upcoming elections. what are you doing? If you want to get involved and trully give a shit about Reno then let’s quit bitching about each other, go somewhere to grab a beer, and find some kind of common ground where we can work together to expose corruption and get our state back up to par.
My two cents…
Eric Odom
ericjodom@gmail.com
Wow! Awesome! Eric, because I know you care, check out my response here:
http://www.mrjerz.org/blog/676/flaming
Just noticed this via Technorati… Nice link. And I agree with you on this. I don’t feel a need to be all about “Battle Born Bloggers” but I like the banner, so I joined. And if I can get a few extra viewers as a result… Sweet. I hold nothing against them for trying to start a ‘club’. I’m not even political at all, and they had no problem letting me in. I hope that you don’t think less of me for signing up with this.
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