Blogging, Elections, And SOB's

My posts here became much more infrequent recently, partially in response to the increasingly hostile atmosphere on some of Virginia's political blogs, and partially due to an increase in demands on my time by my career. If the truth were known, it may well be that the former reason held the greater influence subconsciously. I was disheartened by the lack of ethics shown by some, and refused to join in that type of political battle.

The election is now over. My side lost. Neither Diebold nor ACORN is to blame. The Republicans who swept into power in 1994 on the ideas and platforms of Newt Gingrich somehow metamorphosed into the Democrats they replaced. Did the Republican party deserve the spanking it recently received? Sure it did. The party now must look back at the past twelve years and (hopefully) see where it lost it's way. Here's a hint guys, look somewhere between my wallet and a bridge in Alaska. Of course there were other factors involved. Many of them in fact. Duke Cunningham. Tom Delay. Jack Abramoff. Dennis Hastert apparently ignoring Mark Foley's indiscretion. (Why do conservative politicians and evangelical preachers always seem to go for either strippers or young boys? Whatever happened to an old fashioned fling with the secretary?) A complete abandonment of border security and immigration law violations. And then there is Iraq. While not the primary reason cited in exit polls, the situation we find ourselves in now after an easy victory in a very brief war contributed in no small way to the Republican party's defeat.

Now, in the immortal words of Rocky, (the squirrel, not the boxer), here's something you'll really like;

Several weeks ago I received an e-mail from Conaway Haskins briefly describing an idea he had for an "association" of sorts for Virginia bloggers. Bloggers who may fit in any slot of the political spectrum. He has been working on a plan for a Virginia blogger's association, something along the lines of Media Bloggers Association. Conaway's own explanation is much better than any treatment I can give his idea here. Mash your mouse here to read it.

As for me, I'll be pleased to become a Commonwealth SOB.