Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Searching for signs of intelligent life in the Blogosphere

Reading blogs can be an odd thing. I mean, you can basically read a blog for one of two reasons: (1) to learn about what other people are thinking, or (2) to have your own beliefs reinforced by reading the words of people who think just like you do. I used to think that most of us were reading for option #1, that is, to find out other people's ideas and points of view.

Man, was I wrong!

This campaign has really brought out the lowest common denominator in both the Clinton and Obama supporters. I freely admit that I support Clinton at this point, warts and all. She was not my first choice (Kucinich), but in my humble opinion she's the best choice at this point. But I welcome an intelligent challenge from Obama supporters. An excellent blog for this is Mauigirl's Meanderings. Mauigirl and most of her readers are solid Obama supporters, yet I find their ideas intelligent, well-supported, and I also feel they are open to hearing what I have to say as a Clinton supporter. When I read their comments, I feel a little better about possibly having Obama on the ticket in November, because I feel that we have the same basic values even though we have different opinions.

But then there are the "progressive" blogs -- places like americablog, Huffington Post, Raw Story, Crooks and Liars. I won't link to them here because, frankly, they're not worth the trouble anymore. Go there and read one of the 99% of the stories which are now nothing more than criticisms of Clinton, and here's what you'll read in the comment section: "Hillary Clinton is a big fat poopy head."

Except that it will be much nastier, and it will be full of typos -- or in all CAPS.

These are the blogs that used to cover issues like impeachment, the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, global warming, hunger, AIDS. Now all they cover is "Why isn't Hillary Clinton denouncing Eliot Spitzer?" Only, the commenters aren't saying it quite so ... um ... articulately.

Folks, it's got to stop. We've got two well-qualified people running for the Democratic nomination, and the election of either one of them will truly be a major advancement for our nation. Are we really unable to have a grown-up discussion about their stands on the issues? Have we really turned into Beavis and Butthead? Because while we fight like a bunch of schoolyard bratts, the Republicans are watching, taking notes, and raising money.

9 comments:

Sara said...

because clearly, two brilliant minds- yours and mind- think alike.

I completely agree.

but does this mean we don't do shots anymore?

Sue J said...

Gee -- i "hope" not!

Whoops! There's a shot!

Anonymous said...

i agree, i am tired of all the name calling and bad behavior. i now mostly skit over any blog posting having to do with the democratic nomination, even on your blog. i will support whichever one wins the nomination. but, i fear that the infighting by the democrats will come back to bite them in the ass. seems neither side can hold intelligent debate, they just hate each other. i won't even talk about it with some of my best friends anymore!

Sue J said...

even on your blog

I promise to only write about events of substance having to do with the democratic nomination.

In other words, I won't be writing very much about it these days!

Anonymous said...

So instead of blogging you're just going to be doing shots listening to all of "those" words..?

Sue J said...

cootamundra w.:

... is that a problem?

Anonymous said...

It is not a problem if we can join you.

Sue J said...

LOL It's a party!

Mauigirl said...

Sue, thanks so much for the compliment and the link. I try to keep an open mind as I can generally see both sides of every story. It is when people close their minds that we liberals/progressives end up fighting among ourselves. Some people say they won't vote for Hillary if she wins and they are forgetting the big picture - if we don't support whoever is nominated, McCain wins. And that should be unacceptable to all of us.