Tag: Bloggers

Perhaps it is by design.

One thing of particular interest to bloggers and out-of-mainstream writers is the legislative effort to curb access to information and the ability to report by 'just anyone'.  It had popped up a couple of years ago when a Michigan legislator, State senator Bruce Patterson (perhaps twirling his handlebar mustache a little too tight) had the idea of 'licensing journalists'.

"Introduced by Sen. Bruce Patterson (R) on May 11, 2010, to create a government "Board of Michigan Registered Reporters" to pass on the qualifications under criteria established in the bill for an individual who seeks to use the title "Michigan Registered Reporter." An individual who writes or creates news stories, commentaries or editorials for a newspaper, online news outlet or radio or TV broadcaster, and who wants to use this title, would have to pay a $10 fee, and have either a journalism degree, at least three years experience as a reporter, submit writing samples, present evidence of awards or recognitions, present a letter of recognition from a reporter who is "registered," etc."

In fairness, it should be noted he was 'cool' with non credentialed types using the title 'reporter'.

However, other efforts to control information are still surfacing as Michigan legislators are attempting to limit the flow of information to the public in a way that allows only CERTAIN reporters access to public records. :

"The bill considers a journalist to be "an employee of a radio or television station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission" or "an employee of a newspaper."

If it were only these efforts?

Jen Kuznicki - The Bible Not Welcome

Motor City Times - Young Girls Get Morning After Pills?

Right To Life of Michigan - Heard The Child Scream

The Shekel - Cartoonist Gone Wild?

Thoughts And Rantings - Evangelicals are Terrorists?

Bill Johnson - Protests From Hell

The well being of our nation might well fall on the reporting and writing done here, on other conservative blogs, and in new media in general.  

The dead tree media has no interest in printing the whole truth.  Obama's pet peacock is certainly not going to offer a scintilla of balanced challenge to the president, even while their stockholders take some of the hits that come with a failing economy.  CNN?  Right.  None of the news 'giants' are expected to offer a fair balance of criticism towards 'the won', and Romney might have gains seen, only to be followed up by another revealing look at his childhood; perhaps a toilet papering incident.

And THEN we have to deal with the folks who don't seem to like us so much (as we pad their electoral majorities) like Brooks Patterson.  Someone who might consider a veteran and engineer unsuitable because he cannot be put underfoot.  That kind of battle is unnecessary and unfortunately bruises feelings a bit.  It stresses the relationships we need in the November cycle.  The one's that used to spawn THEIR question: "will you support our guy in Nov?"

We have.  Will they reciprocate?

With a multifaceted task at hand, we proceed.  We have a responsibility to provide the truth, and speak out for our true conservative brothers.  We also can have some fun in the meantime.