meet the bloggers at Brave New Films

Why bloggers do what they have to do (especially liberal and "Secular-Progressive" such)

2008-12-19T12:18:07Z

Hanlon's Razor offers up the following interesting item as explains what motivates bloggers across the blogosphere into posting content as they do (especially such who identify themselves as Liberal or Secular-Progressive):

Being a blogger is considerably more difficult than it seems at first blush, particularly whenever the site picks up and gets some visibility. To keep the site going with any kind of success, you have to write as often as possible, which means finding an endless stream of things to give a damn about.
So the best way to do that is to find a lot of stuff to get really, really pissed off at. For the most part, Bush's administration has provided a pretty excellent source of things to get me fired up. The campaign was even easier. It seemed like every half hour or so we'd have a horrifying statement from Sarah Palin or some boneheaded ad from the RNC. Easy pie.
Now though, I'm feeling a little empty. Oh sure, we've got it being confirmed (as though we didn't realize) that Gonzo et al misled the country concerning Iraq, there's a story about the United States not signing an article that calls for global decriminalization of homosexuality, and look, that auto bailout finally went through. On the surface, I should be shooting steam out of my ears.
Things feel different though. Part of it's the holiday season and I'm having a hard time getting wrapped up in politics when I'm putting up my Christmas tree and hanging lights outside. But beyond that, with the incoming Obama presidency and the likelihood of even a greater Democratic majority in Congress, there's this pervasive feeling that, no matter how much of a kitchen sink approach to screwing things up Bush takes in his last few weeks, things will be on the road to recovery soon.
Don't feel hopeful? Gates is calling for the closing of Guantanamo Bay. That guy who threw shoes at Bush is having wealthy families offer him their daughters in marriage. Even the fact htat Obama is finalizing his cabinet picks is encouragement that things will be smooth in January.
Patton Oswalt, one of my favorite comedians, once said that happiness was the foil of comedy. He said that it's hard to be funny when everything is going well, because he'd just gotten into a relationship and realized lines like "You know what helps when you've had a bad day? Snugglin'!" doesn't bring out a lot of laughs. Politics is the same way. When the "bad" stories don't seem to matter, and there's an abundance of good stuff on the horizon, it's hard to get motivated to write.
You might ask why, specifically, that is. Writers all have delusions of grandeur, and like to think that what we're doing will change the world. When the wind's blowing against you, it's not hard to work up the strength to fight it. When it's at your back, the temptation is to just relax and let it take you where you want to go. You might get hit with a pebble now and again or stumble on a log, but overall there's just too much optimism floating around to get fired up and rant.
...not that I won't find something.

Better words explaining the whole concept of blogging could not have been said.

===============================

Calm whisper of the praying which heighth of the celebration noise you inform: The Exaggerator (... and forget thou not The Exaggerator Collection)

Van Jones Offers a Green Solution Friday on Meet the Bloggers

2009-01-06T15:46:48Z

As we look toward the new year, our economy is in crisis and our environment is in distress. What we need from our next president is a plan of action that simultaneously saves our planet from pollution and puts our economy back on track. What we need is a "green" solution.

Our guest on the next Meet the Bloggers is activist and environmental leader Van Jones, author of the best-selling new book, The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems. Jones is the founder and president of Green For All, a national organization dedicated to building an inclusive, green economy, strong enough to lift millions of people out of poverty. Jones proposes the creation of green collar jobs that do not require extensive degrees, but will allow our working population to be employed and have a more meaningful purpose in the workplace.

Tune in as Van Jones joins host Cenk Uygur, Chris Rabb (Afro-Netizen), and Simran Sethi (Huffington Post). This episode will be online with a live blog Friday, December 19, at 1pm ET/10am PT, and is available anytime after on MeetTheBloggers.org. In the meantime, here's what you can do to learn more about creating green collar jobs and saving the environment:

Can We Save the Planet and Rescue the Economy at the Same Time? -- Al Gore, Mother Jones
Your Top 20 Econumdrums -- Solved! -- Ben Whitford, Mother Jones
9 Christmas Presents You Can Give Your Mother...Earth -- Tara Lohan, AlterNet
Lifting the "Body Burden": How to Fight Toxic Exposure and Keep Chemicals Out of Your Home -- Simran Sethi, Huffington Post
Attend the Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference in Washington, D.C. (Feb 4-6)

Stop the death penalty in Mexico!!! Detenga la pena de muerte en Mexico!!!

2008-12-15T17:07:47Z

I am very proud to post this piece from our show 'Meet The Bloggers' (www.meetthebloggers.org) because it is not only our first all Spanish segment, but it also touches on a very important issue, which is the death penalty. Violence in Mexico rises by the day making people fear for their safety every time they step outside their homes. I hate to see how my beautiful country has become infested by corruption, and is now better known for its organized crime and kidnappings rather than for it's history, scenery, and culture. I too fear for my loved ones who live among such chaos, and have lost a relative due to corrupt government leaders. We have all discussed whether there is truly a solution to fix our home, or if it has become hopeless. The ones who have the power to do something about it have become the same ones who allow this madness to continue. The death penalty may seem like a step towards a solution, but in such a Catholic country, it is also a topic of controversy. Religion aside however, we cannot expect to stop killers by becoming killers ourselves, and in this segment, Axel Woolfolk explains why. Watch and please pass along to everyone you know. Re-post on your MySpace bulletin, blog, Facebook, and anywhere that might reach people and encourage them to think, unite, and do something!

meet the bloggers at Brave New Films

Why bloggers do what they have to do (especially liberal and "Secular-Progressive" such)

Van Jones Offers a Green Solution Friday on Meet the Bloggers

Stop the death penalty in Mexico!!! Detenga la pena de muerte en Mexico!!!

Does the Bible Support the Death Penalty?

"Troy Davis on Death Row" Liliana Segura, Meet the Bloggers

The Death Penalty Is Dying

"Gov. George Ryan and the Death Penalty" Mike Farrell, Meet the Bloggers

End the Death Penalty This Friday on Meet the Bloggers

Sustainable Santa

Jdimytai Damour, We Will Slow Down!

Responsible Shopping with Reverend Billy This Friday on Meet the Bloggers

If It's Friday, It's 'Meet the Bloggers'

Meet The Bloggers: Dr. Marion Nestle on Why We Eat More Than We Actually Need

Meet the Bloggers: How Food Companies Have Caused Obesity

What We Eat Is Making Us Sick -- Friday on Meet the Bloggers

Meet The Bloggers: Living a Sustainable Life

Only One Day Left to Tell Your Senators 'Lieberman Must Go!'

Why There's Still a Need for 'Norma Rae'

Friday on Meet the Bloggers: Fixing the Middle Class in Obama's First 100 Days (1pm ET/10am PT)

The Best of Meet the Bloggers

TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE — Brave New Review

Meet the Bloggers: Jonathan Alter on How the Economic Bailout Timing Benefits Obama

Meet the Bloggers: Jonathan Alter Says Stop Bush from Signing 'Midnight Executive Orders'

Meet the Bloggers: What Should President Obama Do First? (Friday 1pm ET/10am PT)

Meet the Bloggers: Hale Stewart Calls for a Return to Frugality