Joho the Blog
An Entry from the Archives

Great point, David. Thanks.

What you're describing is what Cindy Adams and Liz Smith do.

As a major supporter of the Democratic party, why aren't you calling for the Kerry campaign to release all records of their contact with Sandy Burgler, and categorically deny that they had access to any of the documents that he is purported to have removed from the National Archives?

Doesn't this negate the validity of the 9/11 commission, since that didn't have access to documents that potentially could have exonerated Bush?

Journalist are expected to cover the important issues. That's what their readers expect. Bloggers can get away with writing fluff except for the times when they feel like getting a little snarky.

Monday, Jay Rosen was on WNYC and was asked what do bloggers provide that professional journalists cannot. He said that journalists, like those from Newsweek have "specific obligations" that bloggers don't have. But if these obligations are so specific, why couldn't he name them? He didn't answer the question.

American voters will resent any attempt to whitewash serious issues surround "the podium." And, this will wind up hurting the Dems more than if you covered the salient matters. This whole process of credentialling certain favored bloggers smacks of cronyism.

BTW, what's the color of the sky in YOUR world?

Anything else you want to get off your chest, Rick? I'm listening...

I'm not a journalist. I'm a blogger. I write about what's interesting to me, from my perspective. If that's not interesting to you - and why should it be? - then don't read what I write. I do think, however, that there's room for opinionated observers outside of the gossip columns.

As for the Sandy Berger affair: It looks like he done a real bad thing. Kerry was right to end his association with him. I call on all parties to let the investigation proceed without interference and with full cooperation. There, now I've called upon someone to do something. Happy?

"I'm not a journalist." Hmmm, Sean Hannity is saying the same thing these days.

I think you should give me your credentials to attend this convention. I have the anger, the passion and the will to show that "business as usual" won't do.

The blognoscenti do not have to work hard to repeat the cants that serve as self-justification for all the blogoteers. It's a small world run by white men. Most of America could not care less. Witness Iowa.

Do this: round up a contingent of gay, lesbian, disabled, single-parent, black, polish, mexican, et al. Americans and bring them to the convention and demand that you and your group get a chance to speak with all the podium people, so that you can ask questions and voice your concerns.

If they come to the conclusion that maybe next time they shouldn't invite bloggers again, then you'll know that you're doing your job.

For goddamn once forget the blogging role (and that silly Gregor Samsa metaphor).

Fact is, blogger have "specific obligations" just as much as the Newsweek journalists do. I wish someone would explain that statement to me. As the blogosphere becomes more of a hierarchy (Oh, I was credentialed!), the echo chamber becomes even smaller and the thinking more orthodox and rigid.

I'm having trouble following what you're saying, Rick. Who's using the cockroach metaphor? What is the blogging role I'm supposed to forget? Why should I forget it?

What specific obligations do bloggers have? What do you base this "fact" on?

Do you maybe have bloggers confused with political activists? It's of course possible to be both (in some small sense I am both), but is activism a requirement for blogging? Who says?

And am I supposed to think that anything Hannity says must be false? I haven't ever seen his show, but it's entirely possible that he's not a journalist. So what? Fallacy of Association, as far as I can tell.

"but I can only cover the Convention the way a bed bug covers a bed." If this isn't Kafka-esque, well I deserve to be bitten on the ass.

"What specific obligations do bloggers have? What do you base this 'fact' on?" This is Rosen's term and I'm still waiting to hear his explanation. Fact is, you're allowed in and I'm not. If you claim you do not have a responsibility for this privilege, that's elitism. Why you?

"but is activism a requirement for blogging?" What's required is progress out of this mess. Watch "Network." I'm made as hell,...and all that. Tell me that it's your desire to watch THIS election from the rumble seat. 'Snothing wrong with stamping your feet and yelling at the top of your lungs. It's important now. I want to see the 35 or so credentialed bloggers demand an audience with the podium people.

"And am I supposed to think that anything Hannity says must be false?" Here's that post-modern equanimity poking through. By Hannity saying he's not a journalist, he's suggesting that it's not his job to be obligated to search for any sort of truth. He's proud of what he doesn't know.

I would have tremendous respect for you if you demanded to talk to Peter Jennings on camera and say something like, "This convention is bullshit, it's just a big room full of glad-happy idiots. The people in this country are angry, and Lurch and his prom date are playing it safe by not encouraging the average person to be an activist. The average twenty-something is just worried about what the next iPod will look like. If Bush offered every enlistee in the Army a free iPod and 1,000 free downloads, we wouldn't have to worry about troop strength to attack Iran. Time to get scared and angry, and by the way, fuck the FCC."

This would definitely give blogging a good name. Now, don't you see why I should take your place?

Ah. The point of the bed bug metaphor was so removed from Kafka's beetle metaphor that I didn't even know that's what you were referring to.

I only have the same guesses as you do about why I got credentialed and you didn't. (Did you apply?) Yeah, it's obviously elitist in some sense. But hey had to decide somehow.

I don't know what Hannity means by saying he's not a journalist. I mean that I'm not obligated to provide comprehensive convention coverage and I'm not obligated to pretend to be objective.

If I think the convention is bullshit, I will not "demand" to talk to Jennings (every msg you post has to do with people demanding things, a technique I've never seen actually work), but I will blog it.

Basically, you're saying that you should take my place because you would do a better job accomplishing your agenda. Undoubtedly so. But I don't share your agenda. So, I wish you well with your activism outside the walls of the Fleet Center.

Jay now defines his term "specific obligations" on his blog. These are the parameters that the snakebit journalists must work within. Bloggers on the other hand are unencumbered with any sense of usefulness. My point is "So What?"

My agenda? How about ANY agenda?

All I'm saying is that you don't realize how silly it appears in other media, radio, TV, newspaper...when somebody talks about the wonders of blogging but nothing beyond that. It's vapid. Paris Hilton laughs at you. Also laughing are the younger folks when they hear y'all talk about how blogging is the NEXT BIG THING. You know this.

"activism outside the walls" Yeah, let them eat cake and all that. Inside it's nice and comfy and carefree. Balloons and confetti. I'm glad your fucking happy. Sorry for my "misunderestimation" of anyone's sense of social conscience. Instead of talking about Norman Mailer, your idol,...aw forget it. Blogging is blind hubris!

David, if the bloggers who are certified and attend the Convention actually *do* "fill in the gaps" and truly "go behind the scenes", providing the sort of coverage the major news outlets won't provide (they will be too busy fawning over Kerry and Edwards and their spouses), then they will do us all a great service. Here's hoping.