Blogger Meet-Up

Tweetey and her lovely daughters in Green Bay, Easter weekend. It's fun to put real faces with the words people write.

One More Thing Before I Get Off This Infernal Machine

You might notice that I have posted a new book in my "currently reading" space on the sidebar, A Good Dog. I am a big fan of Jon Katz's work. He doesn't just write dog stories that are cute and heartwarming (although at times they are.) I look at his writing as much more of a road map for living. Anyway, I discovered his Bedlam Farm website, and contained within that, a lovely journal called Live Your Life. Check it out, if you've a mind to. He is a very good writer.

A New Blog!

In all of the happenings of this past week, I have been remiss in not noting that my eleven year old daughter has started a blog -- Rainbows 'N' Unicorns. (Blogging is contagious in our house.) She blogs under the name of "Sparkly Sea Cow", which might give you a little clue about her personality. Please drop over and give her a peck on the cheek from her mom.

Just askin' ...

I can't help but notice a hierarchy of coolness in the lefty blogging world. It bugs me sometimes, but it seems to be a natural human tendency, and I don't worry about it a whole lot. I've never been one of the cool people, I never will, and to paraphrase my hero Howard Zinn "what's wrong with being number two?"

But this is really getting my undies into a bundle, and I need to vent. Why is it, on so many blogs in the upper echelon of lefty coolness, that when they link to a bookseller it is almost always Amazon? Amazon donates primarily to Republicans! Yes, to those Republicans -- not the nicey- nice, touchy-feely, pro-choice, anti-war, cuddly bunny Republicans. The ones who wish they could diddle pages (not the kind you get from Amazon) and demonize homosexuals. The ones who cozy up to the Christian Right.

What gives? Do they not know? Do they think there aren't viable alternatives? Do they not care?

Today I am venting in particular about Crooks and Liars. But This Modern World and Bob Harris link to Amazon as well, on a regular basis.

Crooks and Liars also has an advertisement for Marriott Hotels on their site. Apparently you can get a special "Crooks and Liars" discount. The problem is, according to The Hightower Lowdown, that Marriott International made total political contributions of $230,000 in 2006, 82% of which went to support the very crooks and liars that that site skewers!

I have a problem with that. A big problem. I believe that their high visibility in the progressive blogosphere makes it important -- no, imperative -- that they put their money (and ours) where their mouth is. No exceptions. They do not need to advertise for companies whose policies are ruining our country (not to mention Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Colombia ...)

If you are reading this, and you have personal connections with any of the aforementioned blogs, please feel free to pass along my concerns. Thank you.

(I want to quote Ed, from the comments section: "Every dollar you spend is a vote. When you buy Republican, you vote Republican. Where you do or don't spend your money probably has a greater impact than how you vote at the polls." Bingo! You have to vote with your wallet. And your feet. I probably will not be visiting those blogs so much anymore.)