F.T. Rea at SLANTblog has proposed that bloggers post only original material for the weekend of July 21-23, in response to comments made by Michael Shear of the Washington Post and Gordon Morse of the Daily Press at last month’s blog summit. I discussed this issue in an earlier post. I’m looking forward to this experiment, as I believe we have some fine writers in the Virginia blogsphere who are extremely capable journalists.
I’ve added a box in my sidebar for those who have announced they will be participating. As others come on board, I will be adding their links as well.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Vivian,
Thank you for your initiative with that sidebar device and list. There’s one more blogger who has emailed me that he will participate, but I’ll let him make his own announcement. So, to my knowledge, at this writing, we have 10 bloggers who will be part of the Weekend Without Echoes.
This is going to be fun.
— Terry
I noticed this earlier today on Conaway’s site. Now Vivian, you’ve convinced me. I’ll do it too.
Cool beans 🙂 I’ll update the list.
No f-ing way I take my cue from journalists. Count me out. In fact, I’ll make all my posts that weekend links to articles.
Jim Hoeft,
If by “journalists,” you mean Mike Shear and Gordon Morse, then I suggest you’re seeing this scheme through a narrow focus. Their comments at the Blog Summit set my thoughts in motion. But where such brainstorming came to rest is another thing, altogether.
So, I’m not saying anyone should do as those cats say. This isn’t about marching orders.
What I am saying is that it would be an interesting experiment to see a group of blogging writers work with restrictions they normally don’t have. Those who don’t see themselves as writers can simply skip it.
Hey, I’m not against linking to other sources. I use that device all the time. What I am into is encouraging creativity in a time, and in a realm, that in my view overvalues conformity.
Now, if by “journalist” you mean me, because I’ve been writing and drawing professionally for over 30 years, then OK. Guilty. That’s surely part of why I still see writing original copy as a virtue. But I don’t think there’s much chance I’m part of any establishment mindset.
However, if you see my suggesting a three-day variation from the ordinary as being a threat, or a put-down, that’s not my fault. I like experiments. And, I still hope you will reconsider, and get in this. What will it hurt?
Jim – it’s not a matter of taking orders from them; rather, it is to show them that we are as capable as they are – and I think we are. If you haven’t already, read thru Terry’s post and mine from after the summit, both of which are linked above. I think that may give you a better sense of what’s going on.
Vivian — I’m in! (see my post)
Vivian — Sorry about the previous post. “Webdork” is my WordPress login which I use for my work blog, completely unrelated to my political blogging. Apparently that I.D. was cached when I attempted to comment above.
Anyway, I am in and looking forward to this. Thank you for helping to publicize F.T.’s grand idea.
Semi – good to have you on board! I’ve added your link to the sidebar.
Note to all: in case you hadn’t noticed, the listing in the sidebar includes the links to the blogs, so just click on the name to go there.
Vivian,
On her blog Anonymous Is A Woman wrote: “…Vivian Paige and Rea signed on with the enthusiasm of teenagers being invited to their first prom.”
Yeah, I knew this vacation from the ordinary notion would not please everyone, but I can’t say I anticipated anything like that.
In light of the blogger-for-hire semi-scandals in the news lately, hypothetically, if someone had hired AIAW to write that post, would it be more likely to have been a Democrat or a Republican?
— Terry
Terry – I’m far from being a teenager, that’s for sure! I signed on enthusiastically because I came away from the Blog Summit with the exact same idea that you put forth. I think the post I linked to up there explains it. So if someone who didn’t attend the blog summit wants to take a pot shot at those of us willing to reduce the noise – if only for a weekend – then, go for it.
I am looking forward to taking part in the “Weekend Without Echoes.” I think it will produce a lot of interesting posts that might not otherwise happen.