Bloggers as journalists?

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“Let’s see here, I have three Whopper Jr’s, a Thune press release, a hidden server and STYX blaring on my stereo. I’m ready to blog!”

The Argus is at it again, asking if Bloggers are journalists. I ask the bigger question, are their journalists very good bloggers? Well, during the State Legislative session, David Montgomery had the most extensive coverage of any journalist of the session. Fair, balanced and accurate, but you didn’t read about it in the newspaper or even on their website, all of this very well balanced ‘reporting’ by a ‘journalist’ occurred on David’s BLOG.

Do I think I am a journalist? No. I prefer citizen advocate. I don’t have a degree in journalism, and I often misspell words and use poor grammar. But the main reason I don’t consider myself a journalist is because 1) I am not getting paid to write on my blog 2) I don’t consider what I do as writing ‘news’ stories. I see things happening, I get a couple of good sources, I ask questions. I also offer my opinion, which makes me more of an editorialist then anything (the main reason I started the blog to begin with).

I did get a kick out of the cast of characters rooted up for the Robo-call trial though;

He and several high-profile Republicans have been called by Willard as witnesses for the defense, along with Secretary of State Jason Gant, state senator Dan Lederman, and Tony Venhuizen, a senior adviser to Gov. Dennis Daugaard. (also Powers, Joel Arends and Shawn ‘The Tornado’ Tornow are involved).

Joel Arends VS. Shawn Tornow. Would love to see that Sh*t Show. I hope they don’t slip on each other’s slime. Then you have Powers as a ‘Journalist’ (I didn’t know publishing Thune and Noem press releases was considered ‘journalism’)

So do I agree with the judge that bloggers are journalists? I dunno?

Just for clarification

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I will admit, I was blindsided a little bit ago. During the LIVE meeting of the SF City Council informational meeting, councilor Staggers questioned why he could not access certain ‘blogs’ on his city computer. He iterated that it was perfectly acceptable for the administration to block certain sites from city employees. And I agree. While I would love it that people read my blog, I would prefer they DID NOT do it on the taxpayers dime. However, he brought up the topic of ‘research’ and they should be able to access it for that. He also reminded the ADMINISTRATION they are welcome to block their employee’s internet access, but they have NO RIGHT to block elected officials. And he is right.

I will also say this. Kermit and I had a splendid convo today about tonight’s city council meeting’s agenda. He never once brought up blocking blogs. (We were not in cahoots on this) Like I said before, people will still read my site. They will just have to do it with their morning coffee at the breakfast table or with their end of the day night cap.

I think they referred to my sites as ‘MSN’ and ‘Hotmail’, LOL!

UPDATED: Forum Response . . .

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Got this interesting email after forum, by someone who has worked in government for several years;

Your mentioning the fictitious name issue and Pat Powers yesterday brought a question to mind — fictitious names can be filed with either the Secretary of State or any county register of deeds in the state.  Have you verified that PP did not file in Brookings, Hughes, or any other county?

This is in response to a Democratic Forum attendee (attorney) who questioned if Pat Powers ever registered his name, or a fictitious ‘business’ name for Dakota Campaign Store in Brookings or Hughes county. It is a misdeameanor to not register your business with the SOS of state’s office, if your business is not named after your own name. I know we have talked about this in the past . . .

At least one Jackass in the room. Democratic Forum Review

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Though I was a little nervous about speaking at FORUM, yesterday, it went well.

Some topics I touched on;

• The lack of professionalism or at least substance in our local media.

• The AG’s ‘Faux’ investigation of SOS Jason Gant and Pat Powers,

• The money and influence in Pierre from ALEC and similiar organizations (I told them the only way Dems would take back Pierre was if they shut down the money machine from the right).

• The lack of ethics rules in our state for government employees and politicians.

• Political satire and the Dan Scott/Janklow VS. Randell Beck (Argus Leader) case.

• Sharing stories with the MSM.

• Suppression of editorial cartoons.

• Rigged bids in our city, the Events Center (I had a retired city employee approach me after FORUM that pretty much verified that it goes on).

• The city of Sioux Falls exploding debt.

• Tips and conspiracy theories and sorting it all out.

• What I ‘hold back on’

• My prediction that Huether and Staggers would be in the runoff for mayor. I told them about how they both were veracious campaigners.

• PREDICTION OF DAY: Huether is running for governor in 2014.

I really enjoyed actually ‘talking about’ what I do. People who know me, know I am not short on what I do (no pun intended).