SO heres the story.
http://politicsvt.blogspot.com has decided to shut down its coverage of VT statewide issues, due to mean-spirited posts.
It has been an excellent site, one where people from all sides come and hash out their territory; sometimes with namecalling, but generally the posts are worth considering. The site administrators occasionally write articles, but usually, they highlight newsworthy issues by posting articles from traditional media. Perfectly legitimate. But lately, a bunch of posters has been attacking the site itself for reposting articles from other media sources and poor grammar. Theyve had it and have posted a final "we're taking a break" piece that I encourage all to read. Then please check out the posts attached to this final article.
I was harboring a conspiracy theory that rightwingers were criticizing the site-- these people tend to be grammar nazis and they have little regard for fair use. Then a poster attacked the site for being a "republican hack" blog. But his rhetoric was all right wing ("Get real jobs"), confirming my suspicion.
politcsvt.blogspot has highlighted Repub Senatorial candidate Rich Tarrant's residency issues (looks like he was a Floridian for tax break purposes) and Gov Jim Douglas' cavalier attitude about segregation and the bombing of Cambodia as college student. VT is a very small media market and this blog has gained some authority. When they highlight an issue they make it hard for the traditional media to ignore. And some ones gunning for them.
SO I posted the theory that dark forces on the right have targeted the site. Please keep an eye on this, and encourage the site administrators to return to doing a great job. But be aware it is not a partisan site, it maintains neutrality and that has given the dialogue a lively quality. There is a real problem with the blogosphere dividing up into people who agree with each other and then the whole point becomes preaching to the converted and hairsplitting. http://politicsvt.blogspot.com had actually created a forum where different ideas and opinions mixed it up around relevant statewide issues. It would be a shame if that forum would die due to a flurry of hostile posts in an election year.