On Garth Turner and Blogging
One thing that has intrigued me the last day since Garth Turner has been booted from the Conservative caucus: every report I have seen, every quote from people involved, even every cartoon I have seen, Garth Turner’s blog has been mentioned. If the principles can agree on nothing else, they seem to agree this all has something to do with his blog.
As more politico’s get involved in blogging, I have wondered how long until a political death by blogging would occur. That it would be Turner was probably an even money bet.
But since getting involved in blogging, one thing has surprised me, it is political parties allowing their representatives to blog. It is such an off the cuff way of writing, and thus outside of the control political masters like to have (hey, isn’t that why they become political masters?). The blogger basically runs a whole newspaper, thus a political blog can offer comments on TV, pop culture, music &tc. It is often written quick, posted and forgotten. Stupid things will be said by most bloggers. But what if an MP says something stupid?
Never mind giving policy secrets, what if an MP was cheering for one of the racial groups in Survivor? Declared themselves an unabashed fan of the Battered Wives? What if a justice critic declared themselves thoroughly hooked on Grand Theft Auto? Never mind if a male MP posts about bumping up against Rona Ambrose at the Christmas party.
The point is, there is a lot of places where a blog can be a disaster for a sitting MP, and it is not surprising that Garth is in trouble, apparantly because of his. It is a surprise that it took this long, and it will be a surprise if he’s the last.
I totally agree. It’s probably why Monte Solberg disbanded his after the election. Way too risky.
Yea, I thought of the Monte Solberg example. Too bad too, his was great.
The other day I received an email from a fellow blogger, asking me what I thought about the Garth Turner situation. I replied as follows…
I only know what I see in the papers, but I think Garth is all about, well… Garth. He obviously feels his own needs, whether it’s just ego, or a totally separate agenda, are more important than the party line.
Do I think he was unfairly booted out of caucus? Lemme put it this way… if he was an outlaw biker, he’d be lyin’ in a shallow grave with a small hole behind his ear.
Monte was one of my must reads. As far as writing stupid things on blogs, I do it all the time. I find it hard when blogging to maintain the same level of conduct that a person would have if they were face to face with the target of their attack. Live and learn, I guess.
if he was an outlaw biker, he’d be lyin’ in a shallow grave with a small hole behind his ear.
Holy Macademia don’t hold back! Tell us how you really feel!
As far as writing stupid things on blogs, I do it all the time. I find it hard when blogging to maintain the same level of conduct that a person would have if they were face to face with the target of their attack.
Exactly – we all do it. It is such an irreverant medium, you can’t help it sometimes.
Don’t see how a politician uses the medium preperly without taking a big risk.
The blog must have played a role, but Garth is Garth — be it blog or tv interview — most of what he says begins with ‘I’ and ends with ‘me’. It never occurred to him when he mentioned other people on his blog that his lofty editorials of their political choices might make them feel a bit uncomfortable voicing their opinions in the privacy of caucus.
Those who live by the blog, die by the blog….