I have been wondering lately how we can determine if what we write is progressive? When does a tweet from Twitter become a blog? Maybe we progressive bloggers need to ask some serious questions about what constitutes a progressive, and what constitutes a blog?
I, for one, appreciate the initiative of progressivebloggers.ca. Google Analytics tells me that as many as 30 per cent of the daily readers of Babel-on-the-Bay.com find my thoughts through this aggregator. It has helped built a substantial readership.
So far, nobody has said that progressives need be liberals or new democrats. Nor would I suggest that all liberals or dippers are progressive. Liberals in Canada are often referred to as a ‘big tent’ party. I have participated in policy discussions with liberals for close to 60 years and I can assure you that there is a wide range of attitudes.
I remember one time at a policy conference at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, I was asked to keynote a session on labour relations. Charles Caccia was the minister of labour at the time and he just sat there looking daggers at me while I, figuratively, tore his department to shreds.
But before we get off the track, let me come back to the point about progressives. In any election, there is always some rumour going around about this leader or that candidate. It is a terrible timewaster. It is certainly not productive. I stopped reading Warren Kinsella’s material when I saw where he was headed in this election. He is entitled to his opinion. I do not share it. Neither do I read the Toronto Sun nor the National Post.
As writers, we can only stay with the truth as we see it, strive for balance and build some hope. Sure, we have our bias, but as long as we recognize our bias, we can wrap it in good humour, fairness and compassion.
I also treasure the comments from my readers. I am sorry I do not display these comments for other readers. Most are positive, some controversial and a few scathing but I am never sure if the writer might regret something said casually. And maybe, I am a bit selfish. If you want a soapbox to disagree with me, get your own!
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Copyright 2019 © Peter Lowry
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