Toward a Progressive West Michigan Blog

Suggestion (4.00 / 2)

I think tis sounds great Phil.  I would carry that line on up another couple of counties to include Grand Traverse and Leelanau, both west-side counties in the mitten and tied to the counties you highlight through various districts.

Cheers,
Julie

To prepare for when your life flashes before your eyes, make sure it's fun to watch.

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by: JNelson @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 06:26:51 AM CST

I suggested that too, (4.00 / 1)

but I think Phil might have a point of the site not getting too big for it's britches right off the bat.

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 09:59:37 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Great idea Phil (4.00 / 3)

I'm sure this will succeed because I've how dedicated you can be and I admire that greatly. And having Lisa on board will also help to ensure this blog takes off. I love MichiganLiberal and will continue to participate here a great deal but I really like your idea of being more localized.

As for as names, West Coast Rising sounds good or maybe something like Michigan's Left Coast?

The end of the human race will be that it will eventually die of civilization.

 - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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by: michmark @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 10:05:25 AM CST

Thanks michmark (4.00 / 3)

right back at ya.

I think we'll get Left Coast in the subtitle at least.

I did find two more intra-state regional blog,

VA's 6th district: http://www.cobalt6.net/
Illinois's 12th district: http://www.fireside14.com/fron...

They're not quite as active and localized as I'd plan on us being.

I'm listening about Traverse City.  I suppose once we get another one or two people on board then we could actually make a "board" decision (beware, as a Russian historian of socialist revolutionaries, I tend to make everything sound way more important than it is).

West Michigan Rising: The Progressive Blog for Our (future) Left Coast

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by: philgoblue @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 10:17:11 AM CST

[ Parent ]

The are a ton of intrastate blogs in NY (4.00 / 2)

my homestate. Check out The Albany Project and their blogroll for more. I am very interested in this new blog, and not just because my wife will be a front pager :O)

"Kill the headlights and put it in neutral..."

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by: AikoAdam @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 10:25:46 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Advice... (4.00 / 4)

In my mind there is this thing called a blogger who frequently is a sometime journalist, sometime candidate advocate, sometime neutral Democrat.  What advise do you have for generally having the goal of advancing the interests of the Democratic Party and the progressive movement, but also remaining independent and being willing and able to criticize Democrats?  How does one move from being a staff blogger to a citizen-journalist blogger and back again?

I prize independence mostly because I come from a journalistic background and because the issues that affect my day-to-day life are more important to me than promoting one political party.  As far as separating the Democratic Party from the issues and going back-and-forth ... I can't really describe how you do it.  Mostly, what I do is place the issue first and foremost ... say global warming, which to me is very much the biggest issue of the day.

Democrats, by and large, are more likely to take global warming seriously, so I consider it beneficial to see Democrats elected.  Even if that means electing someone who is borderline on the issue, a Democratic majority means putting critical committee chairmanships in the hands of people apt to do something.  The difference is Barbara Boxer in charge of the Senate environment committee or Jim Inhofe, who still thinks global warming is a hoax.

To me, it's about advancing the individual issue.  Others might be more deeply invested in the party for various reasons, so it's probably helpful not to get too rigid in your thinking.

I will offer this further piece of advice ... don't bother trying to keep everyone happy.  Things don't work that way, and someone will always be angry at you for something, even if your decision is as innocuous as changing the color scheme of your blog.  Just keep in mind what it is that you're trying to accomplish, and work towards it.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 10:53:51 AM CST

I think it's possible to be a Dem and still have problems (4.00 / 3)

with the Democratic Party leadership.

I honestly believe that the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party leadership is in many cases almost like two entirely separate entities.

Quite often the direction the Party leadership wants to take the party is not at all the direction the general membership wants to see the party heading in and vice-versa.

I think too often the party leadership gets too into the beltway mindset and completely misses the ball on the concerns and issues of the general party membership... and that's why I put so much of my time into the party.

I quite often disagree with the party leadership, but if I sit back and don't say anything or try to change anything... Then I think that makes me part of the problem.

I also think that if more of the rank and file membership spoke up, then we could really effect the way the Party leadership does things, because after all... It's not just their party, it's our party too and there are way more of us than there are of them. The only way they can win is if we give up before the fight is over... They only way we can lose our party is if we let them win.

I'm just way too competitive to let anyone win anything without a fight... Especially in a situation where my side is stronger and outnumbers the opposition. The party leadership is nothing without us and I think too often that fact is forgotten... By both the party leadership AND by the rank and file party membership.

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 11:57:42 AM CST

[ Parent ]

::waves at Phil:: (4.00 / 2)

Hey. :)

::wink wink::

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by: PerfectStormer @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 11:37:19 AM CST

You'd have to go to county party meetings, (0.00 / 0)

events and whatnot.


I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 11:59:36 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm not sure (4.00 / 1)

I like the implication of this comment...? It seems you're saying that I'm not willing to do that?

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by: PerfectStormer @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:24:41 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I wasn't implying you wouldn't be willing, (0.00 / 0)

I just said that you'd have to if you were the Muskegon county person.  

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:52:38 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Hey Phil (4.00 / 1)

Stormy would be great!  

"Kill the headlights and put it in neutral..."

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by: AikoAdam @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 19:42:14 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Thanks for the promotion Eric (4.00 / 2)

I have to say that one piece of advise I took about a week ago was from Laura who strongly urged me to make it a group blog and not try to do it alone.  I think that's really good advise for anyone thinking of doing a regional blog.  Eric and others could way in but the obvious regions seem to be

Northern & UP (basically Stupack land)
Detroit and Southeast (incl A2)
Southern
Mid
Tri-cities and thumb


West Michigan Rising: The Progressive Blog for Our (future) Left Coast

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by: philgoblue @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 11:46:25 AM CST

Group decision making... (0.00 / 0)

An anecdote ... one of the things I do around town here is sit on the board of directors for our local cooperative grocery store.

The coop is organized around the cooperative principles.  If you've ever heard the Rochdale principles ... these would be those principles.  The bottom line is that no one's vote or opinion carries any particular greater weight than anyone else's when it comes to decision making.  There are other forms of coops -- perhaps you've heard of cooperative housing, and there are farmer coops, too.

It sounds good in theory, but in practice it's a nightmare in addressing needs that need immediate attention.  Our coop is in serious need of a remodeling, for instance.  The wiring is old, the floors are stained, and our members want a deli.  We're also looking at a new model for membership, because the in-store discount offered right now is an uncontrollable expense that regularly throws our general manager's budget out of whack.

The problem is that when you have this kind of decision making, it's very easy for you to sink into paralysis, where everything is always being debated.  We've had lots and lots of meetings on both of these topics, stretching back the better part of a year, but no action.  Because this kind of decision making also creates a great potential for micromanaging, it's led to an entirely different management structure called Policy Governance.

The whole point of Policy Governance is to keep the board of directors out of the hair of the store's general manager, and focused on something else.  The board sets the vision for where they want to see the coop go, and the store's general manager implements it and (in our case) her progress is monitored through various reporting mechanisms.

The reason why this is a growing trend in coops is because coops have realized that at the end of the day, it's not a very strong model on which to thrive.  It's good to have long, drawn-out debates over things like vision and mission and strategic priorities (I've learned a whole new lexicon since getting involved in this), but at the end of the day you need someone there, managing the employees, paying the bills, handling angry customers, and making sure the produce isn't rotten.

I don't know if any of this is helpful to you at all, but I'd recommend that you organize yourself with the notion in the back of your mind that you'll have big questions to answer -- "where do we see this going?" -- and small questions -- "how do I handle this angry customer?" -- and that answering both kinds might require a different approaches.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 13:18:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Some semi-coherent thoughts... (4.00 / 1)

Use TypePad. The interface is pretty spiffy, and it's fairly easy to play with under the hood.

You need a front page for general posting, announcements, news, drunken ramblings, etc.

Then at the top, throw up links to regional pages. Give Lisa the North Country, you take GR and the surrounding area, let your Kalamazoo person take Kazoo, BC, St. Joe, etc. I'll take Muskegon and Newaygo counties if you'll let me. (And I'll also take Ottawa on a temporary basis until someone in GH/Holland can be recruited.) See Firedoglake for an example of the layout I'm thinking of...

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by: PerfectStormer @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 11:59:08 AM CST

Oh yeah... (4.00 / 1)

As far as administrative backchanneling, you COULD use a Google group, but since you're probably only talking about 4-5 FPers, email is sufficient, don't you think?

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by: PerfectStormer @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:00:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

And the thoughts keep coming... (4.00 / 1)

Gotta work "Port" into the title somewhere, because of both the lefty and water connotations...

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by: PerfectStormer @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:08:44 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What about Mark's suggestion "Michigan's Left Coast?" (0.00 / 0)

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 15:49:08 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Phil wants a soapblox set-up (4.00 / 1)

so that county parties, Unions, local elected officials and local activists can post also.

Can you do that with typepad?

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:02:07 PM CST

[ Parent ]

No (4.00 / 1)

But SoapBlox is fairly expensive to run (do we REALLY want to open the whole ad can of worms that has repeatedly gotten Eric and Kos in trouble?) and I hope I'm not giving away any behind-the-scenes secrets by saying this, but the general consensus with the MichLib frontpage crew is that they hate it.

Just sayin'.

I agree that encouraging local orgs/unions/bigwigs to post is a good idea, but perhaps these would have to be submitted to an admin and posted on the relevant page from there.

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by: PerfectStormer @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:07:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Nevermind (4.00 / 1)

I just did some checking and I was wrong about SB. For some reason I had the figure of $75/m in my head, but I was wrong.

SoapBlox is probably the best choice.

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by: PerfectStormer @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:24:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]

:-D (4.00 / 1)

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 12:53:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Wonderful Idea (4.00 / 6)

I think regional blogs are the next logical step. There is a dearth of information and analysis at the regional (and local) level when it comes to politics.

Good luck to you, Phil, and Lisa and to whomever else decides to join you in your efforts. I'm sure it's going to be a great success.

I think Lisa's right to say that the membership and the leadership sometimes have different agendas. Since the Democratic party is the party most receptive to pushing progressive/liberal ideals, I'm a Democrat. But that doesn't mean the leadership shouldn't have to stand for criticism when it does things that the membership believes are counterproductive or go against the ideals of the party (NAFTA, Primary date movement, Telecom de-regulation, Reproductive-Rights restrictions, etc.).

The membership IS the party. It's the people that keep the leadership honest. It's why blogs are such a great tool for informing and motivating people.

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by: rich @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 14:25:51 PM CST

Here is the logo in Phil's preferred red... (4.00 / 3)

And here is a more polished version of the blue logo...

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 14:43:18 PM CST

I think I might like the red better. (4.00 / 1)

Although I could just do the blue the same way I did the red one and it would probably look just as good...

I don't know, what do you guys think?

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 14:47:21 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Adams right (4.00 / 4)

"Go Blue". (Are you serious about phil(goblue) wanting it red?)

The end of the human race will be that it will eventually die of civilization.

 - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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by: michmark @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 14:57:41 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Hold me up! (4.00 / 3)

Someone said I was right! Mark the calendar honey! Get your coat we're going out to celebrate!

"Kill the headlights and put it in neutral..."

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by: AikoAdam @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 17:46:26 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Here's a better blue version. (4.00 / 2)

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 15:18:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Best version so far! (4.00 / 3)

The only change I would recommend making to this version is adding the remaining two counties (Barry and Ionia) of Michigan's Third Congressional District.

Best wishes for success to Phil and allies from myself and Lady TaeKwonDo!

"I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell." -- Harry S Truman

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by: Butch Snider @ Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 18:38:12 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Thanks for the heads-up! (4.00 / 1)

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 19:05:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

egads! (4.00 / 2)

keep it blue! please!

"Kill the headlights and put it in neutral..."

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by: AikoAdam @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 14:48:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The red (4.00 / 2)

is sexier than the blue (and blue gets old), but red has all sorts of icky connotations. Maybe green? Maybe a nice bluish-purple?

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by: PerfectStormer @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 15:02:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Something like this? (4.00 / 2)

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 16:11:21 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I think I like the green better than the purplish-blue. (4.00 / 2)

I'm leaning either red or green now.  

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 16:47:31 PM CST

[ Parent ]

How about... (4.00 / 2)

My problem with the red one is the lack of contrast between West Michigan's counties and the rest of the state.

How about red counties sort of coming up out of a light-blue Michigan?

On a more important note, this is a great idea, Phil. It'd be great to have regional group blogs in Michigan, and the west side of the state and the UP are probably the two best places to start. I haven't lived in West Michigan for a lot of years, but if there's ever anything I can do to help this project, I'd be glad to.

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by: Fitzy @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 15:03:55 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What about this one? (4.00 / 2)

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 15:23:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Or is this more what you had in mind? (4.00 / 2)

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

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by: LisainManistee @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 15:30:03 PM CST

[ Parent ]

great project idea and great discussion (4.00 / 3)

good luck phil.

Check out my mediocre blog.

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by: nirmal @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 15:13:46 PM CST

Regional Blogging (4.00 / 2)

Thanks for posting this very useful resource. I recently added a contributor to my blog in hopes of having it regularly updated so that it can be part of the regional network of blogs. Thanks to nirmal and others who have supported me so far in these efforts; I hope I can actually find the time to move forward with it, but my job as well as time and internet accessibility have prevented me from doing so. I love the blogosphere.

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by: petrolcide @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 17:13:51 PM CST

Great resource for West Michigan alum residents too (4.00 / 2)

I haven't lived in Western Michigan in twenty-five years, but I try to follow the going-ons as I can.  This will be a GREAT addition to reading my old daily on-line.  It is a good paper, but this blog will provide a depth and texture to the stories.  

I look forward to the launch!

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by: BEmama @ Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 21:48:35 PM CST

Wow, thanks for all the responses (4.00 / 3)

I hope we can live up to all this.  I've been terribly busy since noon yesterday, but I will look everything over quickly.

We'd love to hear from someone interested in joining us who is in Kalamazoo.

-- Phil

West Michigan Rising: The Progressive Blog for Our (future) Left Coast

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by: philgoblue @ Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 07:33:59 AM CST

What about memiller? (4.00 / 2)

I think he would do a great job.

The end of the human race will be that it will eventually die of civilization.

 - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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by: michmark @ Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 20:37:26 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I have asked him (4.00 / 2)

he would be an excellent addition.  We're talking.

West Michigan Rising: The Progressive Blog for Our (future) Left Coast

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by: philgoblue @ Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 09:03:10 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Looking forward to the launch as well. (4.00 / 1)

Phil: as website manager for www.muskegondemocrats.com, I'll be happy to cross-post and put you in touch with Muskegon Dem Party members.  Just keep me away from Stormy :0).  Good luck!

Walk a mile in the other guy's shoes. That way, you're a mile away from him; plus, you have his shoes.

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by: lakeshoremmm @ Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 08:06:55 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I was wondering (0.00 / 0)

who was posting the diaries on your site. BTW you might want to give a heads up or an email or something when you do, just friendly advice.

"Kill the headlights and put it in neutral..."

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by: AikoAdam @ Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 08:12:55 AM CST

[ Parent ]

lakeshoremmm (0.00 / 0)

can you email me at michiganforedwards AT gmail DOT com

Thanks, -- Phil

West Michigan Rising: The Progressive Blog for Our (future) Left Coast

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by: philgoblue @ Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 09:19:14 AM CST

[ Parent ]

West Michigan Rising Facebook Group (4.00 / 1)

If you're in West Michigan or otherwise are interested in getting some news about the new blog, I've formed a West Michigan Rising Bloggers: Progressives On Our Left Coast facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group....

West Michigan Rising: The Progressive Blog for Our (future) Left Coast

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by: philgoblue @ Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 09:53:19 AM CST

http://www.westmichiganrising.com/ (4.00 / 1)

We're moving forward.  We have a domainname/url and a temporary website: http://www.westmichiganrising....

We'll now begin working with SoapBlox to build the blog.

We hope to launch in 7-10 days and be in beta for about a month after that before going with a Grand Opening sometime at the end of March.

West Michigan Rising: The Progressive Blog for Our (future) Left Coast

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by: philgoblue @ Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 12:22:48 PM CST