Follow Friday Blogs, October 7, 2011

Quite an eclectic mix this week, from comedy to spirituality....

The intersection of politics and comedy has a long and noble history, one that continues over at Dr. Lerna Lott's House of Edumacation.  Though at times uneven, some of her ideas--like the Rick Scott MadLib--are priceless.  The site favors the left, and could probably gain credibility if it laughed a bit more at itself now and then but, still, it reminds us that comedy as social commentary is an important contributor to the political dialogue.

Ever wonder exactly how the political process works?  What a PAC or SuperPAC is and how it can impact you?  Tired of fumbling through all the changes in primary dates? If so, check out Audrey Perry's Legally Political. She covers "campaign finance, election and ethics law" in a way that's refreshingly balanced.

For a moment of spirituality and compassion, spend some time at The Beatitudes Society blog.  Their mission statement says it all: Today in America, the widespread perception of Christianity -- one centered in nationalism, materialism and intolerance -- bears little resemblance to the life and teachings of Jesus, particularly as they concern justice, compassion, and peacemaking. To counter that, The Beatitudes Society develops and sustains a national network of emerging Christian leaders who:    advocate for justice, compassion and peace; reclaim a Christianity that welcomes all people, especially those at the margins, and; articulate a Christianity that dares to speak and act for our fragile planet and our most vulnerable citizens.

Follow Friday Blogs, Sept. 30th

This week" Very left, not so left, and pretty right.....

Sometimes anger works, as in George Kelley's "Ayn Rand Hates America," an unapologetically leftist take on politics and current events that uses, as its trope, the seduction of the right by Ayn Rand.  I've always found this ironic, since Rand was an atheist and adulteress...

Keeping with the "anger" theme--but adding a healthy dose of humor, wit and irony--I recommend taking a look at some old posts from "Phil in the Blank."  Partly I'm pimping Phil's blog because I want him to write more; the site's been dormant for a while, but even the old stuff is great. So come on, Phil. Get to it!

And for a taste of the reasonable, take a look at "Every Day Conservative," a blog that offers a series of short bursts on conservative thought and politics. Written by a Cain supporter, you'll get a healthy dose of candidate info, but look through the archives and you'll see a nice mix of things, including occasional pieces on science and foreign relations.

And remember to check out my Letter to Jon Huntsman; I welcome your comments.

Follow Friday Blogs, Sept. 23rd

The first of this week's blog profiles centers on leadership and accountability, two topics I feel very strongly about and which--as we all see every day--is an area our political world seems largely to ignore.  The blog from @takingcommand sometimes addresses politics directly but more often centers on the broad concepts of leadership and accountability.  Sadly, though, if you simply think about our political leaders when you read it, it quickly becomes a political blog. Nearly every flaw or concern named is one both parties share in abundance...

I'm Sick of It wins my award for most self-explanatory political blog title ever.  Written by a self-proclaimed Tom Paine, the site's mission is to "explore the perils of our current path and to warn of what I believe to be the very real possibility that both our society and our system of government have the potential to collapse unless drastic measures are taken." It may sound aggressive, but the approach--"a negative inquiry seeking positive results"--is often quite provocative.

And, finally, the bizarre Bazaar from Jim Lanier, an "author and musician, poet and philosopher, all round nice guy and terribly, terribly funny, not to mention exceedingly humble and at times capable of writing real corkers of run-on sentences." Plus, you've gotta love any blog with a weather report for cyberspace.

Also, don't forget to check out my blog.  And if you like what you've seen, then "Like" what you've seen!

Thanks.

Follow Friday Blogs, Sept. 16th

Stumbled across an innovative political blog the other day from Janice Sterling.  Janice, a freelance writer and self-described political activist and satirist, writes her political opinions as poetry. Coming largely from the Robert Service ballad school, her work is both amusing and cutting in equal parts.

If you've spent any time reading my own entries either here or on Facebook, you'll know that nothing irritates me more than attempts to manipulate the body politic through marketing, spin and hypocrisy. Well, it seems I've found a kindred spirit in Flaming Emilia. Her blog--Hoos Left? -- is for "Speaking Truth to the Power of the Lying Liars of the US Media, Right AND Left." Gotta love it.

Finally, this week, I recommend checking out the US Daily Review, a multi-contributor blog site from a conservative perspective.  Covering not only politics, but media, technology and even humor--with entries generally written by an even and reasonable hand--it's a good source for the conservative viewpoint.  But, as I always caution, read both sides, not just one or the other, and be on the lookout for spin...

Follow Friday Blogs: September 9th

This week I want to focus on blogs that I believe do an excellent job of analysis and which, importantly, don’t derive conclusions exclusively from ideology.

First up is Kevin’s Korner, from Kevin Snyder.  Kevin’s two most recent blogs—one on how to interpret early poll data and one offering a breakdown of the recent GOP debate—are both excellent examples of the kind of thought and logic we should all aspire to when engaged in political dialogue.

Jeffrey Feldman’s Frameshop, while unapologetic in its slant to the left, is intelligent, potent and amusing all at the same time.  I can pretty much guarantee it’ll get you thinking; it might even get you irritated—and that’s not a bad thing.

Okay: focus is over; now for my bizarre find this week…

Check out @sjsturkie’s blog at, what else, sjsturkie.  There are pictures of pasta and cats, all mixed together with those little anarchic observations that make me smile…

Also, for my current blog, "4 Things You Should Know About the GOP," click here.