Friday Random 10: Subvert the Dominant Link Hierarchy

I've missed a couple of weeks but that doesn't mean I'm uncommitted to the subversion of the inbred linking of the left. So here, for your reading pleasure, is the latest Friday Random 10 - again in no specific order.

1. Texas Native: This is my favorite conservative blog, written by - what else - a Texas native. Boyd writes thoughtfully and personally, with a willingness to stake his own positions out regardless of whether or not they align with the latest GOP talking points. He avoids the echo chamber and welcomes discussion from the left and right.

2. Blue State Red: Originally posting at the Detroit News Political Weblog, the third-year law student who runs this blog lives in a blue state but tilts right. The blogger may take the left to task but is willing to criticize the right where warranted, avoiding the echo chamber that is so much of the right blogosphere. I was caught by the posts on whether the reaction to the activism of the religious far right was in response to their message or their method.

3. Rampaging PMS: The warning here is that the site contains adult content - it does so reader beware. The blog is a mix of the political and personal with a healthy insertion of items like "hunk voting" and the occasional sex toy. I offer it here because I enjoy reading it and to counter the sites like ISOU that intermix political postings with pictures of scantily clad women - something that compels me to not visit.

4. Sunday Morning Talk: As a wonkish sort, the Sunday morning talk fest contains a wealth of blog-worthy material but I can hardly bring myself to watch. This site saves me the time and tells me which Tivo recorded shows to spend my time on. Beyond simple recaps, the blogger identifies trends, summarizes issues across shows, links to transcripts, and even gets feedback from a host like Stephanopoulos. Worth reading throughout the week and not just on Monday.

5. Reading A1: This is a classic leftist blog, covering topics that are familiar to readers of the left blogosphere but with a refreshing originality in approach and opinion.The excellent writing doesn't hurt either.

6. Here's What's Left: It's nice to indulge in a rant now and then and this blogger does so this week in multiple posts on the alleged liberal bias in academics. Posts cover the usual topics but the voice of the blogger is audible and engaging. Check it out.

7. Bartholomew's Notes On Religion: Off the beaten path, this blog is devoted to covering religion in the news. It's pretty comprehensive, covering religions beyond the standard Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. It's also not limited to the domestic front alone. Whether you're interested in the latest shenanigans of the Christian groups at UNC or the reprimand issued to Shinto teachers for refusing to sing the Japanese nation anthem, this is the place to go. My only criticism is that the page loads can be slow sometimes.

8. NewsHog: This group blog spices up its well written posts by offering a good sidebar aggregator of some of the more well-known but not a-list lefty blogs. I find items here I don't find elsewhere, like the Polish news coverage on the influence of the Christian right in American politics. Worth frequent visits, since posts are frequent.

9. Tsuredzuregusa: I wish I knew how to pronounce this blog name, but despite the fact that I can't say to my friend "Hey! Did you see that post on Tsuredzuegusa?" I still manage to talk about the content there. The writer, Shaula Evans, is active in Virginia politics and has an occasional insider's view that may inform, alarm, or encourage. Here writing is solid, informative, often regionally based but nationally relevant, and personal. This was the first women's blog I encountered as a new blogger and she led me to the Progressive Women Bloggers Ring, which she has helped populate.

10.  Dem Diatribe Project - This group blog has been around since November and combines topical coverage of news with informed and occasional snarky opinion. The blog seems to have been started by an Ohio voter who despaired after the election and decided to "add to the noise".  The posts by SlappyCat, the original blogger, are my favorite.

Okay readers - that's it for this week. If you know of a blog I should include, email me. And happy surfing.

UPDATE: I know it's only Thursday but tomorrow I'm spending the morning with my nephew and the afternoon with my sister (lucky me) so you all get the Friday Random 10 a day early, lucky ducks.

Comments

[Cernig]

Thanks for the kind words,Citizen. They are much appreciated.

Cernig @ Newshog

[wanda]

Well, here's a good afternoon's reading for me.
Speaking of worthy blogs, YOU haven't visited me recently. Of course recently I haven't been hanging to high with the left. Just goes to show ocassionally I do fall over on my right side. Which shores up my claim to independent status.

[Kathy]

Wanda - Don't be so sure that I haven't been by. While a lot of the time I visit sites from this site, so bloggers know I'm visiting, lately I've been clicking through using bookmarks without paying attention to what site ends up listed as the referrer site. I did take a two week hiatus from all things blog recently, but I'm back and surfing madly to keep up with all the great blogs - your included.

Keep posting, and tilt whatever way your principles lead you - we'll holler if we think you're off.

Regards,
Kathy

[eRobin]

I visited Texas Native and you're right. It is good. I've been a fan of Reading A1 since his first day. He's so brilliant. I'm glad Shaula is back. Thanks for the links - I didn't do my list this week. And I'm way behind on my Bumiller blogging too!

[Shaula Evans]

Thanks for the kind words. :)

And I know, I made a baaaad choice of blog names: no one else can pronounce it either.

The name goes back to a rather esoteric, classical Japanese literature in-joke.

But, FYI, you pronounce it tsoo-reh-dzoo-re-goo-sa. You know, just the way it looks. ;)

[last chaos gold]

Buy last chaos gold is the chance. Since I buy last chaos gold ; I had not had the bad memory.

[writing a dissertation]

Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!