2005

Today we begin the first full year of blogging in the post-Rathergate world.

I realize that many bloggers have been blogging for several years. But it is impossible to compare blogging today with what it was at the beginning of this decade or even 6 months ago. The Rathergate affair changed everything. Blogging is much more popular now than it was prior to forgerygate. Bloggers (including even conservative bloggers) have received much more MSM attention than they ever did prior to forgerygate. More new bloggers (including myself) have popped up since September than . . . well, I don't really have any numbers to support a conclusion, but you get the idea.

The question is, where do we go from here? Now that the blogosphere and the new media as a whole have obtained a degree of the country's attention for the benefit of conservative ideas, what next? How do hold on to our gains? How do we promote a deeper understanding of conservativism? How do we move further into the mainstream without parroting the previously "mainstream" beliefs that we seek to replace? How quickly will the MSM fade? How will the MSM respond?

We are only beginning to frame and answer these questions. Just as the five years following WWII were the most important in framing the cold war and the post-war world, 2005 will be crucial in framing the post-MSM world. Rathergate was only the beginning.

In the spirit of looking forward as we begin 2005, I provide the following peek around the blogosphere. This is where we begin the year:

Powerline comments on MSM attempts to bury news of a Bush stock market rally.

Powerline also provides non-MSM assessment of Tsunami relief and the status of Iraq.

Belmont Club comments on UN tsunami relief efforts.

Cold Beverage's most recent post is an item reflecting growing public reliance on the internet - instead of the MSM - for news.

Digital Brown Pajamas has provided some of the blogosphere's best coverage of the Washington State election fraud.

Free Will comments on 2004.

La Shawn Barber remembers what is most important of all.

Michele from New York comments on her year.

Michelle Malkin comments on how Chris Matthews just can't let it go.

The Commissar talks about his own blogging future.

Sortapundit comments on UN aid favoring areas with heavy Islamist terror cell affiliation.

Uncivil Rights laments the increased minimum wage in Illinois.

What will we learn by looking back at all of this at the end of the year? I don't know. We will find out in one year. Happy new year.