Unconventional women

Conventional blogging — (8/22/08) A New York Times headline* (in the Fashion and Style section) reads: “The Year of the Political Blogger Has Arrived.” Many bloggers raised money for the trip to Denver on their websites. But getting credentials has been a big challenge for less well known, less well-off political blogs, such as Pam’s House Blend and Phillip Anderson’s the Albany Project. But both of them managed somehow to do so because of generous readers. Others with more clout, such as Matt Stoller of Open Left, fared better.

There are two kinds of blog credentials, says the NYT. “The first is a national credential, which offers the same access granted to members of traditional news media organizations. The second, more coveted credential is the state blogger credential. It allows one blogger per state to cover the convention alongside its state delegation, with unlimited floor access.” Or they can hang out at The Big Tent. To quote further:

This year, both parties understand the need to have greater numbers of bloggers attend. While many Americans may watch only prime-time television broadcasts of the convention speeches, party officials also recognize the ability of bloggers to deliver minute-by-minute coverage of each day’s events to a niche online audience.

. . . But some bloggers see the procurement of credentials as less of a privilege and more of a right, in recognition of their grass-roots influence.

. . . One perk that bloggers will have access to in Denver is the Big Tent, an 8,000-square-foot two-story structure adjacent to where the convention is being held. For a $100 entrance fee, 400 credentialed bloggers will be allowed to enter the air-conditioned space, hosted by a coalition of progressive blogs and organizations and sponsored by the Web sites Google and Digg, where they can eat meals and find work spaces with Wi-Fi.

. . . Among the devoted readers who believe Mr. Odum deserves their donations is Nate Freeman, one of two Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor of Vermont. Mr. Freeman, 40, gave about $100 to Mr. Odum’s laptop fund, and said he would contribute $50 for Mr. Odum’s convention trip. “Barack doesn’t need my 50 bucks, Mr. Freeman said, but John does.”

Texas Politics reported that a “San Antonio lawmaker has a prime convention spot. Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, a co-chair of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, said she just found out she’ll be chairing the gathering on Wednesday.” But the entire Texas delegation did not fare as well. They got snubbed in the general seating. “When it comes to seating at the Democratic convention, Texas is no Idaho,” according to Trail Blazer’s blog at the Dallas Morning News. Perhaps it will help that Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas was to have been the speaker at the Texas delegation’s breakfast meeting Monday, according to DemConWatch.

My blog friend Fayrouz In Dallas wants us to know this. Her path is “The Pursuit of Happiness.” She has become a U.S. citizen. Congratulations, Fay!

My blog friend Txsharon at BlueDaze wants this — “Obama/McCain: End America’s Oil Addiction, ” partly because of this: “Big Oil. HUGE Money. ENORMOUS Influence.”

From WE/WeCanSolveIt.org., an 8/4/o8 e-mail from Cathy Zoi also decried the huge Exxon profits. She said:

Last week, Exxon Mobil announced record profits — at the same time that the rest of us were paying record high prices at the gas pump. It doesn’t need to be this way. Our energy prices don’t need to be this high. If we repower America and generate 100% of our electricity from clean sources within ten years, we can bring our energy costs down.

A lot of people are surprised when they find out how quickly we can make this transition. We’ve built a fun quiz to help show the way. How well do you know America’s energy? You might find the answers surprising.

Texas has always had a reputation for gutsy women. We will see some of them at the Democratic National Convention this week. And we will also read about it from some good progressive women bloggers who will give us more of the scoop on what is actually happening. I’ll get back to them as the week progresses.

*link from a gutsy woman from New York, betmo at life’s journey

(Cross-posted at The Reaction.)

My “creativity and dreaming” post today is at Making Good Mondays.

Technorati tags: news news and politics politics democrats convention texas women bloggers oil

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The Political Voices of Women

The year 2008 has all the potential to be a blowout in the realm of politics. One of the signs in the increase in the involvement of women. Senator Clinton let the way with her very meaningful run for the U.S. presidency. She remains in the news because those in the know do not really understand what to make of her right now. And women are the ones to ask. Here is a good place to start to at least find out what women who write about politics are thinking. It is the “List of 500+ women bloggers, by founder Catherine Morgan. Catherine explains:

When I first published this list back in October, we had links to 100 women blogging about politics. Today, the count is at 500, and still growing. Are you a woman blogging about politics? Are you on the list? If not, please leave me your link in comments, so I can add your blog. And, if you would like to be a guest blogger on The Political Voices of Women with a guest post, please join our community.

Those of us who keep up with such things know that neocons do not make the best friends for women. They are too fond of warring. At Think Progress, on Aug 6th, 2008 Faiz wrote this: “Bolton: Regime Change In Iran ‘Would Lead To Greater Stability In The Region’” My friend, betmo — who sent me this link — has some choice words in her accompanying e-mail:

oh- and it worked so well in iraq? does fuckwad realize that when we took the shah out that the ayatollah took over? i think i may have a stroke.

And far too often, Conservatives do not do well by women. Note the appointments of SCOTUS justices, Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, and Alito. Just remember what has happened to women under the Bush administration. To find out more check out these links from from my friend Jon:

• The first one is to a dispatch (8/6/08) to AlterNet by celebrated author, Thomas Franks: “How Washington’s Right-Wing Wrecking Crew Robbed Us Blind.” This is a great article about his new book, The Wrecking Crew — How Conservatives Rule.” To quote:
  

  Conservatives have turned a vast government built for our protection into a device for exploiting us.

  . . . So let us begin on the solid ground of these simple facts: this spectacular episode of misrule has coincided with both the political triumph of conservatism and with the rise of the Washington area to the richest rank of American metropolises.

• Second, this great little website is called Unfit McCain. The Home Page is titled, “Seven reasons why you shouldn’t vote for Sen. McCain in 2008.” There are several other pages with a raft of useful “ammunition” for arguments with women who are leaning Republican.

I am currently so discouraged about all the losses that I have been in avoidance mode for a few days. But I take heart from my women (and men) friends have not let their voices be stilled at this crucial time.

(Cross-posted at The Reaction.)

My “creativity and dreaming” post today is at Making Good Mondays.

Technorati tags: news news and politics politics women bloggers republicans mccain 2008 election

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On the road again…

This bitch is traveling to Boston today for the WAM! Conference.

Bags?

Check!

Sister Girl MacBook?

Check!

Bitchitude?

Check!

Looks like everything is in order (wink).

Toodles till we land…

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