After decades of feeling mostly ignored by government, I awoke this morning to a happy reminder that the net has given us a voice. Today’s column by Joan Vennochi reminds us that we have become an important player in the Massachusetts political landscape.
From her piece:
But to really feel my pain, you must keep up with the bloggers over at bluemassgroup.com. Just like Kitty Dukakis, they are not so happy with my decision to name Paul Kirk as interim US senator.
The Net-roots are as precious to me as the grassroots were to Michael Dukakis. They helped elect me. They believed in me. So did Kitty.
I am convinced that the reason for our success is the careful balance that the moderators continue to strike between “candid and frank exchanges” and the pointless flame-fests that so many net-based communities fall prey to.
Kudos to David, Bob, and Charley for a job well-done.
doug-rubin says
I agree, BMG has become a very important player in the political landscape here in MA, and David, Bob and Charley deserve credit, along with all of those who participate in the lively debate on the site.
<
p>Although I do think some in the mainstream media too often mistakes the lively debate, strong opinions and great back and forth on the site for disatisfaction with the Governor when it suits their political stories. I continue to believe that the debate on the site, both pro and con, is healthy for all of us and good for the Governor and other elected officials.
eb3-fka-ernie-boch-iii says
Pag’s tie is crooked in his commercial.
<
p>Who let that happen?
<
p>And for a rich guy he skimps on his hair dye. For crissake what does he use on his head Kiwi shoe polish?
<
p>I bet Pag’s is real quick to take advice too. LOL.
<
p>he also should lose some weight. He is rolley polley and doughie. Too much sitting on his ass and eating big expensive meals I bet.
<
p>Good to hear from you Doug.
<
p>Remember
<
p>”Deval in 2010. He sucks the least!”
doug-rubin says
We can always use the help. Not sure about the slogan for the Governor though – I am sure we can come up with something better than that.
eb3-fka-ernie-boch-iii says
Keep on keepin On
bob-neer says
Personally, I think the reason people read BMG is for the comments, not the posts. The latter are just a jumping off point for the former. So, thanks to you (gets all choked up, wipes away tears of emotion as he hits the little “post” button).
dcsurfer says
She called David a mere “founder”, as opposed to an “editor” or one of the three BMG bloggers, imputing much more influence to the rest of us here than perhaps is warranted, but that’s the way she sees it. That’s why she thought BMG was down on Kirk, even though Charley’s post on Kirk, which seemed to speak for the “founders”, was very agreeable toward him. It is the rest of us who are down on Kirk, particularly me, who knows he is one of the Lizard People you can only see if you’ve got these special sunglasses. (standing up and bowing as he hits the little “post” button)
joeltpatterson says
Hope you still got some bubble gum.
charley-on-the-mta says
Is that a “V” reference? Nice!
lasthorseman says
Immuno-sterilization
<
p>I have to let the wife buy my grandson Christmas presents even if I doubt it. People want normal, makes them happy.
I like to stand watch,keep them safe even as I loose the capacity to do so.
liveandletlive says
This comment reminds me of this commercial…
kbusch says
SPAM
pablophil says
There’s EDITING going on here?
Perhaps self-editing, though some of us need to copyread better, and frequently re-write (usually realized AFTER hitting the “post” button.
stomv says
In fact, BMG is the only source for local news I check every day. I don’t always check the Globe or Metro, and my local news is weekly.
<
p>BMG highlights articles that I care about, and that’s the diaries themselves, not the comments.
<
p>I like the comments too, of course, but don’t sell the importance of starting from a good place short.
trickle-up says
What makes BMG is the whole political community, from content to style to group dynamics.
<
p>A big part of the glue holding it all together is, in fact, the work of the the three editors:
<
p>–by setting the tone through example and cheerleading
<
p>–with some darned good writing of their own
<
p>I’m not sure we’d come back here regularly without that.