Secondly, Michael I think you hit on something. One thing that occurred to me is that “ignoring” and “ignorance” have the same root word. The idea that you’re going to ignore a whole class of writers or people is going to end up making you ignorant of the good people out there. Yes, there are some blogs that are full of ignornance and hatred. I don’t read them. I pity the people who will read this in newspapers and stay from blogs. It will truly be their loss.

Kathleen is dead on with this one. In an early post at Pam’s Blend I made the same comparison to “Lord of The Flies.” They are grouped together by common interest. Many of the blogs are filled with people who feel marginalized and weak. They often lash out at anyone who doesn’t agree with their agenda regardless of what they say. You will be labeled a bigot or worse by the same people who Compton about being labeled themselves.
It just shows that people are pretty much the same no matter the groups to which they belong. But the great thing about the blogs is that you always come across someone who is willing to actually listen. Despite feeling attached to a particular group they can still think for themselves. There are a couple of people who are well reasoned and brave enough to handle criticism.
When I encounter these folks it reminds me of a time in Paris. The rudeness and disrespect of the French are legendary. Particularly when it comes to Americans. When I asked for directions from one middle aged man I got the typical initial reaction I have seen so often. I have no idea why this time turned out different. I could tell we were both thinking the same thing. For the life of me I could not get over why we should be at such odds. Then all of a sudden, without a word being exchanged his whole demeanor changed. He led myself and my girlfriend a few blocks toward our destination and then attempted to give us further directions. When it was clear I could not understand him he led us several more blocks thru the twisty winding roads s\despite the fact that he was not going that way. I’ll never forget that guy and that moment. It is one of the reasons I am able to not dismiss a medium such as this. It’s worth being called a chickenhawk by a few hundred so called “liberals” to reach that one open-minded individual who will listen and respect what I have to say.