When Tim Sweatman and I were getting our Press Credentials (observer status – means we can listen but not ask questions), we were introduced as bloggers. One of the ladies behind the desk – while we were standing 18 inches from her and filling out the paperwork – said to the lady next to her, “[Name Withheld] is going to have to do something about these bloggers. I mean anyone can just sign up for a blog.”
A few observations:
That anyone can sign up for a blog is the beauty of the whole deal.
I understand that press credentials cannot be handed out to everyone in the convention, so they do need to deal with the situation in some way.
The condesceding attitude that pervades many within the convention concerning the blogs remains baffling.
The attendace, issues, contested election, recent reversals of direction, etc. are all a result of the blogosphere. I am frequently asked for perspective on the influence of blogs and know of at least two stories being written on the subject by prominant publications.
Here’s an anecdotal occurance that may shed some insight. Dorcas, Kevin, Tim and I (there were other non-bloggers there as well) got on an elevator going down so that we could head over to the Waffle House for some food and fellowship. A young man got on the elevator a few floors down and rode the rest of the way with us. I asked if he were here for the convention and he said he was. I introduced myself and the rest of the elevator. He gave his name and said that he was a seminary student (he told where, but I’ll keep that private). After a moment he said, “So this is the blogging crew,” and we all looked around and agreed that, yes, we were the blogging crew – or at least part of it. When we got to the lobby he came to me directly and asked how I saw the convention going. We talked for a few more minutes and parted ways. Really nice guy.
My point is this: Blogging is the free flow of information. It has its drawbacks – no question – but no other one thing is doing more to shape the convention than blogging. There is some action right now to archive our posts from the last year so that history will be able to read what we wrote and people will know how the current climate of the convention came to be.
I said it before and I will say it again: Trying to control the SBC at this point is like trying to scoop the ocean with a butterfly net.
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K. Elijah Layfield
on Jun 12th, 2006
@ 1:59 pm:
Typo here: “asked if he were here for the convention and he said he was”.
Anonymous
on Jun 12th, 2006
@ 3:35 pm:
Under your logic then, all those who are bloggers in the world should have the “right” to be a part of the white house press core. All under the definition of “the free flow of information”. Come on. . .
art rogers
on Jun 12th, 2006
@ 7:07 pm:
Err… “Anonymous”
What part of:
“I understand that press credentials cannot be handed out to everyone in the convention, so they do need to deal with the situation in some way.”
do you not understand?
No straw men here, thank you. Keep that stuff at home with your identity.
If you are going to flame me, sign your name. Cowards use harsh words anonymously. Read the post and read the rules for comments.
Thank you and good night.