I've read elsewhere about other bloggers who are skipping the bloggers' conference. I am too, and here's why.
After reading about the event's description early on, I realized that it would be largely a Republican affair. Since then a few Democratic speakers have been added, but looking at the list of attendees I feel no special need to attend.
That's not to say that Republicans shouldn't have a bloggers' conference. I think they should; I'm sure they have a lot to talk about.
It's nothing personal. Political blogging is partisan, and I am a very partisan person. If and when I attend a convention, it will be to discuss blogging, writing and political strategy with people I consider my friends and allies.
Hopefully, in the not too distant future, Democratic bloggers will have an opportunity to get together and compare notes as well.
In the meantime, I hope that my Republican rivals enjoy their conference and find lots of interesting things to talk about.
Some additional comments here.
12 comments:
I's sorry that you have the impression that this is a Republican affair, since it is not. There are a number of Democrats, myself included, who will be there. Also coming are Creigh Deeds, Brian Moran, Susan Mariner and Danae Jones, the new communications director for DPVA.
I'm skipping it, too, but it has nothing to do with the partisanship one way or the other.
I simply am going to be attending a wedding in Ohio that weekend.
It has never been a Republican conference and I am deeply saddened you feel this way. I am deeply saddened any Democrat feels this way.
I hope you will reconsider, for this event is non-partisan and is, exactly as you said, to discuss blogging and writing, but not political strategy.
This conference is about furthering the new media and learning from one another.
I am not a Republican, as you know very well, and I am still going. I heard the same stuff about the conference last year, and in the end, it sounded like a great time.
I'll write up a report, I hope you stop by to read it. :)
The partisanship isn't as big a deal as you might think, but don't kid yourselves. Look at the website and the list of presenters. Look at the list of sponsors. Recruiting a handful of Democratic electeds at the last minute doesn't change that.
I think this is going to be a great event, for Republicans. If you are a Republican I encourage you to go. If you like hanging out with Republicans, by all means go.
For the record, I just don't think it's possible to have a bipartisan blogging event. If a Democrat had planned this event it probably would have slanted left.
Also for the record, I did not coordinate my decision with anyone. I am skipping for my own reasons and if others choose to go or not go it is of no concern to me.
"For the record, I just don't think it's possible to have a bipartisan blogging event. If a Democrat had planned this event it probably would have slanted left."
It is sad to see that partisian politcs runs so deep, that bloggers can't get together and discuss blogging, as human beings, regardless of political affiliation. I understand that this blog conference is for political bloggers, and naturally will have some political heavy weight speakers, but the idea that people can't talk about blogging, cause it was set up by any member of any party is absolutly sad, we are humans first, party followers second...
it is a shame people are so head strong and stubbron
Political blogging is about politics.
The idea of "talking about blogging" makes me drowsy.
By the way, ethical bloggers don't blog anonymously or hide behind a pseudonym.
Vivian, it's because of people like this "Ethical Blogger" character that I'm passing this one by. He's just another one of these cowardly snipers that hang out on the right side of the blogosphere.
"The idea of "talking about blogging" makes me drowsy."
Granted, but that isn't the reason you stated for not attending.
"By the way, ethical bloggers don't blog anonymously or hide behind a pseudonym."
Are you thus stating that you yourself are unethical?? unless, "The Richmond Democrat" is your name...
"Vivian, it's because of people like this "Ethical Blogger" character that I'm passing this one by. He's just another one of these cowardly snipers that hang out on the right side of the blogosphere."
way to show some ethics, to prove me the unethical one...first you show yourself as being ethical, by trying to convince another leftist blogger, that I am from the right, but if you go to my site, you will notice, I praise this specific leftist blogger. So, may I ask where you get the idea that I am from the right? And may I ask why you didn't state in your original post "I am not attending this blog conference due to bloggers like "ethical blogger"?
Everyone in the Virginia blogosphere knows that the Richmond Democrat has a single author: J.C. Wilmore.
You seem to know very little about the blogging community you've set yourself up to be judge of.
The Richmond Democrat,
I may have known that or not, but thank you for addressing one of my points, how about the other two??
sorry, if i came off as snippy, wasn't intended.
"So, may I ask where you get the idea that I am from the right?"
A simple examination of your blog made that obvious. Likewise, your decision to blog anonymously points to the SOP for Republican bloggers in Virginia.
"And may I ask why you didn't state in your original post "I am not attending this blog conference due to bloggers like "ethical blogger"?"
I would have thought that was implicit. I have no interest in meeting or spending time with Republican bloggers, especially Republican bloggers who blog anonymously. I simply don't believe I have anything to learn about ethics from someone who hides their identity in order to attack without suffering adverse consequences.
Sorry, but a complete lack of accountabililty on your part causes me to reject you as an authority on "ethical blogging."
I have found that I have a greater time and learn more when I attend meetings with people who I do not agree with. If you are simply avoiding this because you can not put your partisan views aside for one day then that says more about you than the conference.
On another note, assuming that people know who you are when you blog under a name other than your own is misleading yourself. When you visit other sites and comment, you do not sign your name, you sign The Richmond Democrat. You're assuming everyone knows who you are when that is not the case. Many people new to blogging have no idea, many people who haven't bothered to read your site have no idea, and so on and so on. It's the same argument the SWACers use to say they're not pseudymnous bloggers, it's an open secret but only among some bloggers. If the Ethical Blogger happens to not be one of that group, you'll have to excuse him and the majority of the blogosphere and everyone else who doesn't normally read blogs.
Sorry you won't be in attendance, JC.
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