This is a short entry, and I apologize for the violation of house rules, but I feel a need to write this.
I read Rep. Pelosi's first post, and was pleased with the varied and critical responses to her post, especially those noting her periodic lack of clarity and backbone. Nice work.
Then I read her response. "Not bad," I thought. At least her people are paying attention, and quickly sought to address some of the issues raised. Were some of her points weak, especially regarding Feingold/censure? Of course. But I have had (and have currently) representatives who are wonderful about maintaining contact with me and answering my queries and demands in a timely manner, and others who are terrible at it. It makes a real difference when your rep pays attention (Jesus, we've sunk so far democratically that we have to be thankful for basic respect), and Pelosi/Pelosi's staff obviously did.
NOW - here's my gripe. So many of us are freaking out about unbelievably pointless, trivial matters that it is really starting to scare me.
First, the debate about her referencing MyDD is just stupid. Read the fucking paragraph - context does matter, kids. She was simply using another blog as an example of why she claims to appreciate the political power of the internet. Those of you quibbling about this would all flunk basic comprehension.
Second, the idea that she should be sitting at her computer, breathlessly awaiting the comments and replying to as many as possible, is really bizarre. The House Minority Leader has time to personally sit and blog for hours? If that's the case, the party has more problems than we realize.
She should farm that shit out. And yes, that's probably what she did. But she has to answer for what appears under her name, and no one is going to scrutinize what she says more than us - this is not a press release to the local paper, this is a message to the party members/supporters/fellow travelers who will be largely responsible for whatever Democratic victory takes place this November. So I would read it under the assumption that regardless of who did the typing, she approved.
Finally, there are a lot more relevant issues to discuss, in case you hadn't noticed. Many brought those up, and for that I thank you - made me feel a little better. Stick with Pelosi's actions. There's a lot to criticize (such as how much she will push for public financing or real election reform; I personally would not be surprised if it were bullshit), as well as a lot to praise.
Leave your ego and your tiny world, where the only thing that matters is whether or not someone is meeting your standards of blog etiquette, out of it. For the sake of the party, for the sake of the rest of us.