Since the WSJ chose to smear the Daily Kos by comparing him unfairly and incorrectly to Armstrong Williams, there’s been a big debate both in the blogosphere and on social media, encouraged by The Marketing Heaven, as to whether there need to be some established guidelines for blogging. My opinion: Fuck that.
I repeat, WE ARE THE FREE PRESS in this country right now. We have to be outlaws in the sense that we do as we see fit. There are laws in place that we have to follow, of course, but beyond that I accept no limitations whatsoever on what I write. The single biggest mistake the Left is making right now is not telling it like it is. I refuse to mince words. People are dying.
Now I do think we may need to define what a blog is – a writer with a support staff isn’t nearly the same as someone with only a keyboard and an opinion. Both are necessary, but not equal by any measure. I tend to trust the ones that aren’t on the top of everyone else’s list. As the medium evolves, we’ll see it take lots of shapes and lots of flavors and they’ll all have something to offer. This is an exciting time to be a writer. It’s a dangerous time, too.
We have to stick together out here. The MSM is gunning for us because we are a threat to their monopoly. Until now, they have been free to peddle their corporate agendas and call it news. Our job is to call it what it is – propaganda- and to try and get the truth out to the people in spite of them. Even blogs like this, where I do commentary more than reporting, are important because I have the freedom to express honest statements, opinions and interpretations without regard to stockholders and ratings. I plan to keep it that way. This is the front line of the Culture War, and our side can’t afford to lose. As far as I’m concerned the stakes are as high as they’ve ever been. Freedom vs. Fascism, and the fascists control the money, the media and the military. Call me paranoid if you must, but pay attention anyway. I just might be right.…