Still here

** Lo, here it is several months later and this blog is still around. Two reasons: 1.) I lost so much interest I forgot to delete it. 2.) If I don't do something, it doesn't have to be done. The other side of that is, if I do something, it has to be done no matter how difficult or unpopular, etc.

So I'm still wondering what to do with it. I have to admit, getting SEW's one comment has given me pause. Somebody was reading it!

Also, blogging continues to grow and I do like to be part of what's happening. I'm in Boston while the Democratic convention is in full swing. I notice that much of the blogging content is more interesting that the punditized stuff being broadcast by the commercial networks. It's on-the-street journalism that gives me access to thinking people who don't have to censor themselves in any way. It's a lot harder to get the news this way, but it seems more honest. While I respect certain commentators and try to keep up with the likes of Daniel Shore, it's refreshing to get the views of those who would not typically get national exposure through the commercial (or even public) media.

The other resource I've come to respect and use more than CNN and the other networks, is CSPAN. After last night's series of stirring speeches, especially by Barak Obama and Teresea Heinz Kerry it was so refreshing to just turn the TV off and think - instead of listening to some pundit nit-pick or issue sweeping generalizations. In fact, CSPAN might be called a video blog. Not quite as free-swinging as Web logs but you hear a lot of lower-tier journalists and of course a lot of ordinary people on the call-in shows. I think Brian Lamb conducts a fine, rational and fair interview. He does his research and pulls good answers out of guests.

I'm also getting interesting impressions from just being in Boston, across the street from the Sheraton hotel, which is a focual point for many rallies and meetings. People-watching is great and I get a sense that delegates are for the most part happy to be here (and BTW, it's nice walking around Boston with so many happy people here instead of the usual assortment of grumpy Bostonians). 

I also get the advantage of having a wife who is attending many of the functions as a guest of the Minnesota delegation. I wish she had a blog! I get frequent cell phone calls from the various meetings and wish I could be with her more.

But for the most part, I've been content to gather my impressions of the convention from my post in an office and occasional saunter across the street.

The other issue about maintaining a blog is a prohibition on personal publishing that has been a tradition for a long time in the company for which I work. I've tried to maintain an objectivity that isn't quite bloggy but it's been for that reason primarily. I don't want anyone reporting me for standing on a soap box of my own.  It's probably a good idea, but as I said, I like the idea of being involved with a major communication trend.

Well, we'll see how this goes.