"I feel like writing an obituary for the conservative movement would be more appropriate," noted Patrick Poole of Pajamas Media, sponsor of Bloggers Row at last week's CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference), who wrote a critical assessment of the event.
Poole points out that CPAC organizers missed a huge opportunity to educate conference goers about the threats of Islamic Jihad and its impact on freedom of speech – the appearance of an internationally recognized modern-day Salman Rushdie who is being persecuted for producing FITNA, a film that reveals the influence of the Quran on Islamic Jihad.
Poole writes, "What should have been one of the most important events of this year's CPAC, the appearance by Dutch parliamentarian and anti-jihad activist Geert Wilders, was relegated to the opposite side of the hotel, divorced from all of the other conference proceedings. There were no official announcements that this event would even be taking place…
"There is a growing discontent among the grass roots as seen in the recent 'tea party' events popping up around the country. And as President Obama, Senate Leader Harry Reid, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi impose their massive New Squeal program that grass-roots discontent might lead to the overthrow of the 'official' leadership of the conservative movement, including CPAC. In my humble opinion that change couldn't come quickly enough."
The Wilders event was underwritten and hosted by activist bloggers Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs, Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch, Dr. Andrew Bostom, author of The Legacy of Islamic Anti-Semitism and David Horowitz of the David Horowitz Freedom Center.
Out with the old!
While Rocky Mountain News employees were being told their employer was closing the doors after being in operation since 1859,
the power of the new media was evident at last week's CPAC 2009 in Washington, D.C., where political bloggers assembled on "Bloggers Row" to post real-time reports on Twitter and blogsites as conference events unfolded.
In with the new!
Ed Morrissey of Hot Air made news, combining blogging with podcasting, interviewing several politicos who, understanding the value of today's new media, made sure to stop by Bloggers' Row.
Address to the nation
Podcaster Fausta Wertz, who blogs about Latin American and Cuban politics, live-blogged Rush Limbaugh's rousing "address to the nation" which capped off the conference.
Worth a click
Other CPAC bloggers definitely worth a click:
Rick Moran of Right Wing Nut House;
and Justin Higgins of Shots on the House.
Pepsi logo
File this under "Things I noticed while in Washington DC for CPAC": Pepsi's new Obama-like logo is evident everywhere in the nation's Capitol.
'Tea party' updates
Putting principles into practice, the Top Conservatives on Twitter (TCOT) was the impetus behind 42 nationwide "tea party" protests last Friday.
The street protests were just the first wave of demonstrations that have organizers, led by conservative author and Republican strategist Michael Patrick Leahy, planning at least two more: The Nationwide April 15 Tax Day Tea Party Street Demonstration
and a National July 4 Independence Day Tea Party and Celebration.
Keep up with what’s happening at the daily TCOT Report.
Challenging eligibility
Also joining us was Dr. Orly Taitz, the California attorney representing these lawmakers and other plaintiffs including former US ambassador and presidential candidate Alan Keyes.
Pushing abortion
Creating transformation
Groups like MoveOn and Heritage started from very little, and achieved massive success. The Websters' Dictionary, a free download book, shows how to create communities of thousands, even millions, and channel their energy to effect political, social and cultural transformation. Written by Ralph Benko, a principal of Capital City Partners, LLC of Washington DC, a public affairs firm.
Reminiscing
YouRememberThat is an online community that shares and reminisces about pop-culture video, audio, and images that stir our memories of the past - old television, theme songs, commercials, print advertisements, and more. This site has the sights and sounds you remember from the '30s, '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond.
Uncovering presidents