As a reader of Daily Kos for several months, I have been reading the many diaries of many excellent people. I have been intrigued at this blogging thing, as it is a new concept to me. I read and learned and read some more.
Ultimately, I created an account and waited my week to post a diary and then, on diary day, I found myself staring at a blank text field on the "New Diary" screen not knowing what to say.
More on the flip:
So, I decided to read even more about what kinds of things to post (and what not to...) and what makes a good diary.
I think I am "there" now.
First though, a brief history about my views/experiences that have culminated in my being here.
About six years ago, following a contentious presidential race, I watched Al Gore lose the election. At that time I didn't fully grasp what was going on, but I am not a stupid person; I knew something funny had happened. Being a Democrat (although not an active one -more on this in a moment), I was not pleased with what I saw, and started to look around for information -any information- to help me in my quest for understanding what I saw happening before my eyes. My eyes cracked open and I started to "see" for the first time
In my quest for this information, I started to compare the answers that I found, and grew dismayed at how skewed MSM cound be. Even my favorite radio station NPR showed signs of not being what I thought it was, as the move to make Public Broadcasting "more conservative" had changed it (http://www.washingtonpost.com/...)
I had already come to the conclusion that MSM wasn't the best source for information, so I started to read more from alternative sources, and yet, my eyes were still partially closed. I still wasn't achieving the level of understanding I wanted.
And then 9/11, and then the war and the 2004 elections (and the shenanigans around that), and the dissolving of our rights, and the expansion of the Executive and on and on. My eyes were half open, and I struggled to open them further.
Being an IT professional, the Internet was under my fingertips, and yet, the world of blogging was a mystery to me, and I never ventured into it's realm until recently. I checked out MyDD, Kicking Ass, some Democratic sites and started to learn about the truly organic nature that this form of communication possesses. Only today I read about "The Myth of the Echo-Chamber" (which is bullshit because there are PEOPLE behind these diaries -with brains). My eyes were three quarters open now.
Finally, the kicker came as I was preparing to write this just this evening. The event that opened my eyes all the way: I was watching the excellent Frontline show online about Cheney (check it out! it is EXCELLENT and frightning: http://www.pbs.org/...) I recieved a call from my local Democratic Party -a volunteer- who convinced me that I should volunteer, WHICH I AM! I will be meeting them this week and hope to offer more than just a few hours a month (I am a busy guy already).
That is the key, you see. No more watching, no more just reading. I have learned that if I value my country, which I do, the one and only thing to do is get involved.
So I encourage all of you who aren't involved to do so as soon as you can. What is happening in our blessed country as of late has been a travesty. Time to take control back and move forward.
Eyes Wide OPEN!