But, in my humble opinion, it has certainly evolved. And it has undoutedly helped me grow. In trying to join the conversation of a surprisingly large political blogosphere in the Palmetto State, I had to educate myself. Sometimes I get down on myself just for not knowing a lot of stuff, mostly because it's too passe to blame my parents, or the education system, or anyone. If you want to know something, you have to learn it. Simple math. But it's incredible how much goes on behind the scenes, between the lines of newspaper print and press releases. I don't understand how people involved in politics keep track of everything, let alone the common folk who just want to know what's going on in their government. But the learning process has been nothing if not entertaining.
And frustrating. It's disturbing to see that a lot of political discourse in South Carolina is controlled by partisan consultants, people who aren't necessarily tied to any discernible values other than what their "client" (i.e. elected or wannabe officials) dictates. So while the theatrics of South Carolina politics are incredibly entertaining, the impact of reducing important debates to vacant drivel is just sad. In the last year alone we've seen South Carolina catch national attention for rejecting a gay tourism campaign and supporting state-sponsored Christian license plates. There was also that time some asshat called me a traitor. It's hard to figure out if politicians around here are pandering to a reliable base or if they're really just that backwards. In the end, stupid is as stupid does. When given the opportunity, I moved most of my political rants over to Indigo Journal. IJ was fun and I'm grateful to Tim and Jennifer for the community they are building. Liberal and progressive South Carolinians are behind the eight ball at the ballot box, but it's not for a lack of trying. It's just going to take a lot of hard work, communication and leadership, but I have no doubt SC will eventually be pulled kicking and screaming into modernity.
One of the best parts of hosting a blog is that it's like moving into a new neighborhood where you can pick your neighbors. I haven't met many "blog friends" over the years (They probably wouldn't like me anyway. My teeth can be frightening...) but it's great to know that while I'm moving 1600 miles from Columbia, they will still be just a click away. I really don't want to list everyone in my Google Reader, but I do my best to feature posts in the Snead Feed. That certainly won't change.
Obviously this is why I don't write many long posts; they get way too long way too fast. So here's the deal: I'm moving from Columbia to Denver, enrolling in the University of Colorado at Denver's School of Public Administration and going after a Master of Public Administration with a planned concentration in nonprofit management. Katie Rose, the girlfriend, is moving with me and starting her social work career and campaign to save the world. It's very exciting and although our two-day road trip doesn't kick off until next week I'm already surrounded by boxes and waiting for our ReloCube. After this post I'll put a more permanent "We've Moved" sign here and then it's time to put the finishing touches on my new blog home, Snead 303.
The idea behind Snead 303 is that I'll be writing more often, with more personal events/observations/experiences and, for now at least, I'll be leaving South Carolina in my rear view and immersing myself in any and everything Denver, Colorado and the West have to offer. There might even be some of this and I can only hope more of this. Advice on people to do and things to see while I'm out west would be greatly appreciated. The majority of my life has been spent between Walterboro, Beaufort and Columbia, and from what I've been told it's a big world out there.
As always, thanks for tuning in. I hope you'll follow along at Snead 303.
2 comments:
You ARE a traitor.
See, here's what you're about to find out: Not everywhere else is like SC. There are places where what passes for political thought here are viewed by the vast majority of the electorate as either (a) frightening or (b) hilarious. You're going to find that incredibly liberating.
I suppose you were going to find that out sooner or later, but it makes it much less likely that you'll be back here fighting the good fight against neanderthals any time soon. That pisses me off.
For a while I've thought you're SC's best political blogger. I'm not sure what all the criteria for that title are, but they include:
1. When I see your by-line, I know it's going to be worth my time.
2. Your smarts shine through.
3. You're apparently motivated by all the right things, and seem to have no hidden agendas.
4. You call 'em like you see 'em.
5. You're a funny guy.
Somebody around this asylum of a state owes you thanks for your blogging and political efforts. Since there's no one else to step up, I'll do it: Thanks.
And carpe diem.
Thanks NVB. Kind words from someone who should spend more of their time writing. I won't begrudge you for it though, I know you've got better things to do, one of the sad ironies of blogging.
You may not recall this, or even know it, but I had my first blog-spurred activity (activism?) via your site when you wrote about the biology text book controversy. Next thing I knew, I was actually watching my government in action as well as reading and writing about it on the Internet. I hope to get a lot more involved in the future and I can only hope my writing winds up half as polished as yours.
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