Blog Meister
USA
The Blog Meister of Blogging
National Summary had the opportunity to interview
Pam from Blog Meister USA to ask her about the web site she runs and
about her insight to politics.
Blog Meister USA
see the blogosphere as a necessary component to today's
politically charged times, providing a much-needed alternative to
the stifling leftwing views of the MSM.
Below are her responses to our interview
questions. And National Summary would like to thank Pam for her
time and effort for this interview.
Web Site: Blog Meister USA
Q. Please give us a little bit of personal
background about yourself.
I'm a married mother of two and currently work in the publishing
industry, although I am a credentialed elementary school teacher
looking for a teaching post. My hobbies include reading
biographies of notable historic figures and acting in Community
Theater.
I was born in Nevada,
but have spent more than 20 years in the Northeast. I love to
watch cartoons on Nickelodeon, both with and without my kids
around!
Q. And also give us a background about your interest in
politics.
I was only marginally interested in politics until 9/11. Before
then, I was your typical "Star Trek liberal" and voted for
Democrats -- I was registered as an independent, though.
In the aftermath of
9/11, I found myself thanking God that Al Gore was not
president... even though I had voted for him! I then began
paying more attention not only to what was going on in politics,
but how it was being reported--and found both the Democrats and
the coverage by the MSM to be sorely lacking. I re-registered as
a Republican, voted for George W. Bush in 2004, and have not
looked back.
Q. What inspired you to create your web site?
I've become a political junkie. While I can talk to my mom about
politics until we are both blue in the face, she's not always
available, and my husband (although he shares my views on most
topics) doesn't eat, breathe and sleep politics the way I do.
So, I started my blog as a way not only to blab about politics
(and any other topic that strikes my fancy, like obnoxious
celebrities), but also to get back into writing--something I
have always enjoyed and am good at.
Q. What have been the biggest challenges to maintaining your
web site?
Technically, my blog has been easy. I started on Blogger. It's
free and, for technical dummies like me, easy to use. Still, it
has its problems, and I have recently been invited to join the
Mu.nu family of websites. I'm still maintaining my Blogger site
until my new one (http://blogmeisterusa.mu.nu) is up to speed.
As far as posts are
concerned, having the time is my main worry. I have a long daily
commute, which cuts into whatever free time I have. If I have a
free moment at work I write a post, and I often write one in the
evening after dinner. If I could get paid to do this, it would
be one of many dreams come true!
Another problem is
dealing with the harsh criticism by some of my readers, who are
not shy about voicing their opinions. Thoughtful debate is one
thing; vitriolic diatribes are another. I try to remember that
these people find it easy to rant, rave and make personal
insults because it's not a personal encounter. Still, you have
to have a thick skin, something I'm slowly developing. I also
wonder if my blogging activities will have an impact on my
chances in the job market, especially in education--educators
aren't known for their conservative views. It's a chance I've
taken, though.
Q. What has been the greatest satisfaction you have gotten
from your web site?
Aside from the fact that I love seeing my opinions right there
on the Web, I enjoy the many Internet friendships that I have
developed. By posting comments on other sites and by e-mailing
various bloggers, I've created an interesting network of
friends. While it's not likely we will ever meet in person, it's
nice to know there are so many people out there who are
interested in you and care about you and what you think.
I also contribute to a
group blog (http://www.lifelikepundits.com), and that is a great
group of people I've gotten to know as well. One blogger I am in
contact with happens to live in my town. I just love those weird
twists!
Q. The 2004 presidential election has been one of the most
polarized elections in recent memory. Do you think that today
people are more politicized than ever before?
That's a tough call. I don't know that people are necessarily
more politicized, but I do think that because of the constant
availability of information (via cable news and the Internet);
those who want to be informed are the ones who are very
passionate about their beliefs. There are many people out there
who don't know, or even care, about what is going on. Those of
us who do have endless sources of information and commentary. Is
it too much of a good thing? I'm not sure.
Q. Do you think the bitterness and divisiveness in politics
will recede or are things just getting ready for something
bigger in 2008?
If we look back at elections in our country's history -- and not
just recent history -- we see that politics have never been for
the faint of heart. I do think that the radicals (especially on
the left) are trying to hijack their party, and while it makes
for exciting press, many are turned off by it. Those who are
running the parties now came of age in the turbulent ‘60s;
something I think has a lot to do with the current political
landscape.
While I think 2008 will
be pretty ugly, I think that politics, like anything, goes in
cycles. Within a few years we might see things slow down to a
more even keel before picking up again.
Q. The president's approval ratings are dismal. In your
honest opinion, do you think that the media has been unfairly
biased against the George W. Bush?
Absolutely. After his winning in 2000, the MSM has done
everything in its power to make Bush look bad. Approval ratings
rise and fall like the tide, and in this, Bush is no different
than any other president. However, the MSM has a bias that it
will not admit. A few examples: they barely talked about the
Swift Boat Veterans who denounced John Kerry's candidacy; Dan
Rather's attempted hack job about Bush's National Guard past
became a rallying cause for reporters to claim they're being
oppressed (which couldn't be any further from the truth); their
fawning over Cindy Sheehan this past summer was beyond
sickening; they count up the dead in Iraq like Scrooge counting
his gold; they go out of their way to report all the bad news in
Iraq and ignore much of the good that is going on there.
Hurricane Katrina was a gold mine for them -- another thing to
lay at the doorstep of the president, even though local
government was responsible for the initial response and it
failed miserably.
Q. If so (to the above question), do you think that the
Democrats have gotten a free ride from the press?
Does a bear live in the woods?
Q. What has been your overall impression of the Bush
administration?
Like any administration, it has had its good times and bad. Bush
made a point of appointing excellent people to top posts in his
Cabinet, but he has made errors (Mike Brown of FEMA, for
example). It's so easy for the rest of us to sit here and
criticize from the vantage points of our keyboards, when we
don't have to make the really tough calls.
I think that Bush is an
honorable man and it shows--his presidency has not been beset by
the kind of scandals that the Clinton presidency was. My main
beef with this administration has been its stance on illegal
immigration. It has to be dealt with, and soon. Unfortunately,
this president has fallen victim to the PC gods on this topic.
Q. Who do you see as being the major contenders for the 2008
Republican nomination for president?
John McCain, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Newt Gingrich (if he
goes for it)
Q. Who do you think will be the 2008 Republican nominee?
I think Rudy Giuliani probably has the best chance. Of course,
I'd love to see Condoleezza Rice run. I'd vote for her in a
nanosecond!
Q. Who do you think would be the worst 2008 Republican
nominee?
Without a doubt, John McCain. While his support for Iraq has
never wavered and is a great thing, he has too great an opinion
of his self-styled "maverick" image. He's pulled too many
annoying publicity stunts over the years for me to feel
comfortable with him as president.
Q. Who do you think are today's most influential conservative
female authors, columnists, or bloggers?
Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Tammy Bruce, Peggy Noonan, Mona
Charen, Star Parker, Kathleen Parker, Linda Chavez, Suzanne
Fields, Lucianne.com
Q. Is there a female author or politician that has greatly
inspired you?
I'd have to say Michelle Malkin. She's not afraid of her
critics, she has a great way with words, and she is totally
committed to her craft. She also calls a spade a spade--even
though she is a Bush supporter, she doesn't hesitate to
criticize him when she feels he's wrong about something.
Q. There are so few women in the blogosphere. What is your
opinion on why there are so few?
This question has been bandied about and some have tried to pin
it on the sexist attitude of men. This is nonsense. Anyone can
start a blog, at any time, about any subject. No permission is
needed from anyone. I think it really boils down to an interest.
As much as women have
made inroads in politics, I think that most women don't really
want to become more involved than a casual conversation and
pulling the lever at election time. They have other concerns,
and politics and political commentary aren't usually high on the
list. Those who are interested go against the grain. Only a few
of my female friends have a real interest in politics.
Q. Many segments of the media have all but declared Hillary
Clinton as the Democratic nominee. What kind of impact do you
think she will have on undecided female voters?
For women to vote for Hillary "just because she's a woman" is
probably the biggest mistake they could make. Would Hillary make
a good president? I personally don't think so. I don't like her
political agenda, and I don't like the way she does things. It's
the same with any candidate--voting for the black, gay, Hispanic
or Asian "just because." You have to look at the whole person,
not just the outside packaging.
I think one of the
things Hillary has going against her is her "shrill" factor. She
often comes across as a banshee, which can be very off-putting.
She has a tough balancing act to maintain--keeping the radical
left happy while appearing to be a moderate in order to win over
some conservatives. I think it's too early in the game to know
for sure, but ultimately, I don't think Hillary will win it. Dr.
Rice, on the other hand...
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