Gregory Djerejian, the author of Belgravia Dispatch, has long been a favorite blogger in the AlsoRight blogroll. There's about a half dozen links here to blogs which better represent my "right of center, anti-neoconservative, counter-intuitive" positions, all of them from the paleocon Christian community. But those friendly folks seem convinced all the world's woes are the fault of liberals (who've been basically powerless for five years, making global destruction at their fiendish hands an enormous improbability). So, demonizing the weak is something I usually avoid, and frankly, detest.
Djerejian, on the other hand, writes with concern, insight and balance; and generally hasn't the time or space for anger and name calling. I wish I was equally restrained. I occasionally disagree with him, but I always appreciate his willingness to address objections before they come. He writes long detailed posts in order to do so, and considers the issues from multiple angles. It's refreshing. I try to do the same, time permitting.
Which is why regularly scheduled posting, from me anyway, will be temporarily stalled. There's three topics I'm trying to cover. None of them can be addressed in brief posts, and my tyrannical daughter is ruling the realm this weekend.
The first topic in the hopper has a working title: "The Good The Bad and The Ugly-- Fear and Loathing on the Mexican Border." And it would be best handled by Sergio Leone and Hunter S. Thompson, but you're stuck with me. The modern day spaghetti western just south of our border deserves a dose of gonzo journalism, which I haven't the talent to emulate. So a long detailed post on the barbarity will have to do, in good time. If you've followed my associated commentary, what's coming is most distressing.
Another topic, which has been alluded to, from time to time, since the conception of this blog, is the Hunt for bin Laden. A pastime of mine. You didn't think I was headed to Uganda just for the kids, did you? That's a big reward!
It's a worthless topic without dispelling the common myths, and I want to remain reality-based. So, my thoughts go back to 1982 Beirut (therapy for terrorists according to some), get very involved from there, and may someday be edited down to a readable essay. For now, I recommend The Dread Pirate Bin Laden for ideas I've long endorsed for a serious war on terror.
Finally, I'm studying answers to the question: "Should we pull out of Iraq?" This one's getting plenty of attention lately, with officials in both the US and Iraq endorsing withdrawal. They remain in the minority, and after much reading and consideration, I'm undecided but determined to discuss the possibilities (or lack thereof) in detail. Djerejian sides with Rumsfeld, as does Torrid, I believe. So does Juan Cole, who predicts Armageddon if we pull out and aren't saved by the UN. Don't tell the theocons, or they will demand withdrawal.
Back to Djerejian and recommending his Belgravia Dispatch (BD). Currently, he's seeking right leaning names for a list he calls the Conscience Caucus: Conservatives opposed to torture. It's disturbing such a list needs to be developed, but give the comments under that post a read. Really disturbing. I certainly qualify for the caucus, feel guilty for not addressing the topic more often, and find it astonishing the Left hasn't made serious "moral values" headway in exposing a very unfortunate right wing lapse in American ideals. Torture is a deadly serious topic that BD has handled indepth, with honor and decency. If that post isn't gut wrenching and slapping his readers into reality, then maybe Billmon's right and many are just beyond redemption. Too many.
Another current post on Troop Morale is a bullseye, but I won't hold my breath for this administration to follow sound advice. Finally, he's promising (like me) a detailed analysis of the increasing rattling of sabers directed at Syria. I notice he has Josh Landis in the blogroll, and I hope he considers these comments in his analysis.
So, why did I write such a long post while complaining about not being able to write long posts? Because this one was easy, took less than an hour, and those other posts I mentioned require too much thinking for someone with a six year old climbing on his head. Also also because I know many of our readers from the Left are fed up with the onslaught (understandably so), and I thought BD would be a breath of fresh air, an appeaser.
I have a question related to sending progressives to BD. It's been on my mind for a couple weeks.
Is it just me, or is the Right far more interested in foreign policy than the Left?
I'm well aware of Juan Cole, Marc Lynch, Praktike (BD's good spirited nemesis) and several others, but I bet if we lined up the top 200 blogs left vs. right, we'd see a remarkable disparity favoring the Right in the attention given to foreign affairs. I also wonder if this doesn't play heavily in presidential elections. The Executive Branch is empowered to conduct foreign policy, and the extra attention alone may well be worth enough votes to change the outcome of our extremely tight national elections. You know the idea: Vote democrat locally, but republican nationally. Could foreign policy have a major psychological influence in that? I think so. Should the Left be a little more attentive? Obviously, but why isn't it?
Enjoy the links that aren't back to A2. There may be a test later. I'm going to teach this kid the proper way to use a slip 'n slide.
-- Zap
I have been working on a project at work and it relates to political blogs. I don't see much beyond left-right blog memes. As you can see from PunditDrome
Which brings up is there space or a category for "mixed" political views?
So far my list contains: Left, Right, Mixed, Gay/Lesbian, Center-Moderate, Independent, Libertarian, Green-Environmentalist-Animal Rights, and Religious (could be further defined if needed). This makes 9 categories for my project. Does this seem to be enough for a complete taxonomy of political blogs?
Thanks for all. And still reading about Kelo!
Posted by: Ron Rutherford | June 25, 2005 at 16:49
Torrid has concluded it's over; we're doing more harm than good, and piling up more dead bodies we can't stop from getting killed if we stay.
Posted by: Torrid | June 25, 2005 at 17:51
Unfortunately, we may have another meeting of the minds on this one, but as I loosely suggested, the lack of it (withdrawal) being a probability probably makes the discussion moot. We're there. We're not leaving unless Sistani makes us.
Whew, I guess I don't have to write that post now! :)
Ron, that sounds like an interesting job you have there. Thanks for Punditdrome. It reminded me that I want to freshen this place up with a few new categories as a couple of blogs there are must reads that fit our divided format. Protien Wisdom's Sean Hannity piece both shocked me and made me laugh pretty hard. I read that blog weekly but didn't think it fit in around here, maybe I should rethink that.
It seems the best way to find mixed opinions is to read the truly centrist popular blogs. They attract comments from both perspectives. The hard left and right seem to attract trolls or like minded partisans. There's just not many popular centrists that I'm aware of, but the libertarian bloggers have enormous popularity and while mostly attracting other libertarians they certainly get a healthy mix of opinion. Here you'd want to read Wizbang, Samizdata, QandO, Dean's World and Buzz Machine. Mark Kleiman doesn't take comments, but he's very near the center as is Dan Drezner.
Also there are tons of "expert" and "specialty" blogs that would add to your 9 categories. Some focus on a country, some focus on a topic, etc.
Posted by: Zap | June 25, 2005 at 22:02