Blog Power, from John Conyers: [View All]

http://www.conyersblog.us/archives/00000402.htm

Blog Power

There is an interesting confluence of events right now that highlight the growing effectiveness of our progressive online efforts. Markos of DailyKos.com and Jerome of MyDD.com just published a book on the growing influence of the netroots in democratic politics. I haven't read it yet, and I understand it includes some pointed criticisms, but what can't be denied is the profound impact blog sites such as theirs have had in 1) covering news ignored elsewhere, 2) reaching out to networks of grassroots activists, and 3) providing valuable analysis of mainstream media coverage.

Today, as Rusty highlights in the previous thread, Jane Hamsher at Firedoglake.com has considered the increased attention on the censure option and has noted a change in the way the press covers the warrantless wiretapping from, it was a "national security matter" to "the President broke the law." If this is as widespread as she suggests, it is a dramatic development. Liberal media and blog sites such as MediaMatters.com, CrooksAndLiars.com and Firedoglake.com provide valuable resources for media monitoring that simply never existed before.

The netroots have come to the fore in Congress as we will soon be considering legislation, HR 1606, to protect the freedom of bloggers to play an unfettered role in online politics. What blogs represent is the democratization of both news and politics. Where we have traditionally relied upon centralized, national infrastructures to coordinate media coverage of political activity, the internet and blogs in particular have empowered anyone with fresh ideas and a will to make a difference.

I will be supporting HR 1606 when it comes to the floor for a vote on Thursday because I have the highest regard for ordinary citizens who love this country enough to become civicly minded. Thanks to the internet and blogs, the communities in which these people may now become active are national in scope.