Why Do We Blog?

Some leftist bloggers are declaring the right wing blogosphere dead. This is a ridiculous assertion. Paul Mirengoff in Powerline takes them on:

Although Bowers' oft-repeated conclusion is silly, some of the differences he cites between conservative and left-wing blogs are real. They reflect the fact that conservative blogs have never focused on the avowed goals of blogs like the Daily Kos and MyDD, which Bowers describes as "build[ing] communities of activists and generat[ing] new political activity online." We have focused instead on providing commentary, especially commentary that rapidly debunks biased reporting by the MSM. It would be interesting to speculate on why left-wing and conservative blogs have gone in different directions. It may have to do with the fact that the left in this country is so far removed from power. In any event, if the left's activist blogging model turns out to be advantageous, conservative blogs of the same nature will spring up and prosper.

It is true that the genesis and purpose of many blogs is to challenge the mainstream media where we find ample evidence of reporting bias, factual errors, and underreported stories. That is one of the reasons I started this blog, to challenge the two major city papers, as well as the local suburban real-estate rags, where you might only find out what's really going on in the community in letters to the editor (if they weren't edited beyond recognition).

As far as the activist blogging model, it is growing among conservatives in Illinois. One reason is, of course, that Illinois is a blue state and the city of Chicago has been blue forever. The suburbs and downstate have to network to have any chance of overtaking the city's clout. With recent shifts in population to the suburbs and exurbs our chances may improve over time.

I believe right-wingers in general, though, have been less likely to need to network online because they are usually very involved in their communities just by virtue of having families. At some point though, whether it be dissatisfaction with local newspapers, local schools, or local government, many conservatives are turning to blogging to demand transparency and accountability, and share ideas for reform as well as highlight what works.

And we don't need talking points, because we talk to our neighbors.