While writing some posts this week, it occurred to me that folks who read Polimom may not know which political blogs I read…. or why. I realize that there have been occassions when my sourcing has caused confusion (as one local Houston blogger discovered).
Polimom doesn’t read opinions from one side or another of an issue, and that becomes progressively less likely as the heat of a debate increases.
Why? Because part of my goal (Ha! Didn’t know I had one, did you?) is to find the places on difficult issues where people can agree. If I only read (or write about) opinion sources that mirror my own, I really don’t have much to add to the blogosphere, do I? It already functions pretty much as an echo chamber.
However, I discovered long ago that all liberals are not moonbats, and that all conservatives are not wingnuts. (For the record, though…. many from both sides do seem to be totally around the bend.)
Not only do I read these folks, I’m highly likely to go out of my way to link them when they take a position on an issue that might surprise their political opposites. A great example is Paul at the Wizbang blog. If you think all of conservative America hates New Orleans, or thinks New Orleanians somehow brought “the Thing” down upon themselves, you might feel soothed while perusing his archives on the subject (and his personal note).
By the same token, when a blogger consistently demonstrates an unhinged mind, Polimom has been known to link them, too — as examples of the insanity.
Some folks have drawn the rather odd conclusion that because I’m open-minded, or inclusive, I’m “undecided”. *blows raspberries* No. However, I don’t like either party these days, and I believe that compromise is the only way we’re going to salvage the tatters of our system.
So… over the next few days, I’m going to be radically adding to my blogroll(s). You’ll likely notice links you’ve historically considered too far from your own position to normally read, and since I don’t know your positions, you may be right. You may also be one of those folks who can’t read an opposing position without a dangerous rise in blood pressure. (sigh… I’m sorry….)
In the interim, I wanted to bring a couple of blogsites out of my “favorites” closet. They may not realize that Polimom considers them to be rational (nor will they care, I’m sure), but in this increasingly polarized political atmosphere, there’s a real need for sanity and wider views.
Outside the Beltway – James Joyner’s analysis, even when I don’t agree, is thoughtful and reasoned. His post today on the “outing of Armando” controversy is a great example.
The Gun Toting Liberal – Just in case you’re one of those folks who thinks that all the liberals are not pleased about al-Zarqawi’s death, his post on the subject might bring you back to earth.
Look for these, and others, to hit the links in the left nav in the next few days. I’m slow with some of this maintenance “stuff” in the summer, but at least it’s a start…