I Suppose It Was Inevitable

When I first started blogging, the Wisconsin blogosphere was pretty simple.  TAM had been around for a while.  In 2003, there were only a handful of Wisconsin bloggers.  Lakeshore Laments, The Blog General, Folkbum, Ann Althouse, and a few others that I’m sure I’m forgetting.  In any case, perhaps I’m being nostalgic (I’ve been known to do that), but it was pure.  It was almost literally a bunch of people sitting around in their underwear discussing the world around them. 

I recall having very lengthy and enjoyable discussions with folkbum about a variety of issues.  I’m sure if I went back through the archives, I’d find quite a bit of that (as well as a lot more gun pr0n).  Even on the righty side, we had debates about issues where we disagreed - even vehemently at times. 

But in the toddler age of the Wisconsin blogosphere, there was a crucial element: respect.  There was respect for the fact that the other guy sitting behind his keyboard was a normal guy like me.  He or she had a job, a family, likes, dislikes, prejudices, a lawn to mow, etc.  He or she had good days, bad days, great days, was grumpy, happy, sad, etc.  He or she was a person - with all of the texture that means.  So when we engaged each other, we did it from the standpoint that we were a couple of ordinary guys talking about stuff. 

Even as recently as 2006, this held true.  I had a lengthy and respectful debate with a lovely young lady from FAIR Wisconsin regarding the gay marriage amendment.  We debated the issue and went our separate ways.  We never came to agreement, but we had the debate respectfully. 

I don’t see this happening in the Wisconsin blogosphere anymore.  It has evolved, or devolved, into the crass identity politics which everyone laments.  It’s rarely about debating the issues.  It’s about tearing each other down.  It’s sad and pathetic.  And, with all due respect, it ticks me off. 

I read with great interest the debate in the Wisconsin blogosphere regarding the latest Wisconsin Supreme Court election.  There were lengthy posts on the race.  Some of them were of depth and substance.  But even of those, far too many were also laced with insults and filth.  It seemed to matter less about what was said than who said it.  This has become commonplace. 

I, for one, lament the decline of the Wisconsin blogosphere.  I suppose it was inevitable, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t change it. 

Forthwith, I promise that I will engage my fellow bloggers on the content of their arguments.  I further promise that I will ignore and possibly remove from our blogroll those who engage in constant personal attacks.  We should shun those who engage in this behavior and deprive them of the traffic they crave.  If I slip up, I invite our loyal seven readers to correct me.  I’m human, after all. 

As I said, it saddens me to watch the Wisconsin blogosphere decline.  But I refuse to be a part of it.