“I used to think I could start conversations,” he says on the subject of engaging politically minded young readers. “Now, I do it for my own sake.”

I think you’ve accomplished more with the blog than you think. I didn’t really start paying attention to it until about a year ago but since then it has become a daily source of news and has helped me learn a lot about the dynamics of the war in Iraq and U.S politics. I’m very greatful for the information you post daily, your own opinions and recommended articles included. That said, doing it for your own sake may be for the best because it seems as though a lot of people like to come on the attack.

Blogging has really been nothing but good for me.

I’ve worked on my writing, I’ve developed a sense of community with some really bright and well-informed people, and I’ve continually been challenged to learn and re-consider my ideas.

I also got my current job, met one of my closest friends, walked through a health crisis with a ton of support, raised funds for a few different causes that are dear to me, and laughed my ass off more than once.

I’ve gotten shit for things I’ve said, but that’s not a bad thing, necessarily. Sometimes I was being a jackass and I needed to hear about it. If not, I’d just move on. People have been really cool, though, for the most part.

Bloggers start and stop and pause and hide and shift and redesign and fuss about their blogs all the time, and I think that’s a pretty natural process. You’re going to end up flipping out now and then when you put yourself out there for all the world to see.

But writing every day remains a good thing. Writing where you can get feedback is a good thing. Learning from criticism is a good thing. Being honest about what you think and believe is a good thing.

Decent writers can turn into great writers with work and focus and openness. It’s not always fun, but it’s worth it.

And you’re already a great writer. So I’m excited to see what the next level will be.

I would just like to add, that I have only just recently started reading this blog, and actually have come to enjoy it, maybe even look forward to it.

I have come to the realization that this world (as I have said in my other comments) has gone to shit!

I am convinced that most of the population would rather know (as you have said) who Anna Nicole Smith was screwing at the time she conceived, than know, for instance, what the government is doing to make this country a better place to live.

Alot of people don’t care! Where do people like ourselves go to express the fact that we actually do? Its people like you Matt, who start these blogs, and open the flood gates of “Freedom of Speech”

We need you….don’t give up….!

I too thought of scrapping the ol’ blog. But then what would the tens of people who drop by every month do to fill that 5.37 second void in their lives?

So I gut it out for the team cause that’s the way I was raised dammit!

If a squared-away dude like me can do it a hippy like you certainly can!

I stopped taking a newspaper and newsmagazine several years ago because I couldn’t stand the paper waste and alot of it was fluff, so now I rely largely on the internet for my news (with a sprinkle of Mercer and Stewart of course).
Trouble is finding the news I care about, finding the balanced articles on the news I care about, and filtering out the garbage news (which can admittedly be distracting).
I love this blog because I know you care about the same topics and will have already done your own finding and filtering. You always have intelligent and informed commentary as do your contributors and many of the readers that also comment.
It is the younger readers that I think benefit the most because they might not otherwise be exposed to these topics (sad but true).
It is my opinion that you don’t usually enjoy an intelligent debate on this blog because most informed people tend to agree with your opinion.
I have very briefly visited other blogs, and yours is comparatively light on the moron content.
Then, of course, there’s the music, too …