So as I understand it, today is National Blogger Appreciation Day or something along those lines.  My, my, how far we have come.

I began reading blogs in earnest around the time of the 9/11 attacks.  I guess all of us were looking for some understanding about how and why things had gone so terribly wrong.  I found the insights, opinions, and analysis from some truly great thinkers to be so much more in depth and incisive than what I was finding in my daily rag (The Washington Post).

And it wasn’t long before I discovered something else–there’s a helleva lot of news that just doesn’t get reported by the mainstream media information gatekeepers.  I’d read the Post every morning during my long ass commute to D.C. and then go to the internet to get “the rest of the story”.  Now, I was not so naive as to believe that there was no liberal slant in news reportage, but I was shocked to discover how “news” was being shaped to fit a certain narrative.  And in most cases this “shaping” was accomplished by leaving contrary facts (inconvenient truths)  completely out of the story.

I guess this was the way things had always been, but bloggers have changed all that.  I don’t think it’s a coincidence that newspapers are losing subscribers and that many are on the verge of bankruptcy.   They’ve been exposed as frauds and agenda driven propagandists and as such have lost nearly all credibility.

Anyway, my point is that blogging (serious blogging, unlike what you find here at LTG) has moved beyond mere commentary and opinion.  More and more I’m seeing the MSM beaten out on major stories by blogging journalists.  This is a great thing for democracy and scares the hell out of repressive regimes around the globe who can no longer easily control what information will be consumed by the masses.

Geez, I didn’t mean to go off on such a rant.  What I really wanted to do was throw some appreciation out to the bloggers I read everyday.  So, in no particular order here goes:

Big Hominid’s Hairy Chasms.  Kevin Kim is one of the smartest people I’ve never met.  His blog is generally apolitical, but his insights on a wide range of topics have got me thinking about subjects that I would never have otherwise considered.  It helps that he’s a great writer with a wicked sense of humor as well.

Instapundit.  The Blogfather.  One of the most widely read blogs on ‘net.  Glenn Reynolds is a libertarian who leans right on foreign and domestic policy and left on social issues.  His links are always carrying me off to interesting stories in places I might not have otherwise traveled.  Or as Glenn might say: “Good stuff.”  “Heh.”

Althouse.  Ann Althouse is a law professor at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, one of the most liberal cities in America.  She steadfastly refuses to be categorized politically.  She voted for Obama (I think I’ve forgiven her that) but leans right on most domestic issues, and left on social issues.  She’s a Feminist in the truest sense of the word and often battles with those who demean women by insisting they need special protections in the work place and society.  Her blog is often political, but it is also a nice mix of the personal (she married one of her frequent commenters), pop culture and stuff she finds interesting.  And I usually do too.

PowerLine. A group blog that brings a view of the world from a decidedly conservative perspective.  Sometimes the writers disagree on issues (like viable Republican presidential candidates) but they are always insightful, honest, and respectful (I have a hard time with similar blogs from the left, because it is usually just name calling and insults versus reasoned commentary).  These guys are Republican party insiders and that perspective is sometimes quite revealing.  They also have guest writers like Stephen Hunter who knows about Hollywood and movies, his books, and other popular culture stuff.  They are big music lovers, so you get some good stuff on lesser known musicians (or stuff you didn’t know about well known acts).  Oh yeah, the like to post photos from the Miss World beauty pageants as well.

ROKDrop.  This is my favorite Korea-centric blog.  Always something of interest here, often from a military perspective, but just as often about the joys and hassles of living in Korea from an outsiders perspective.  Great photos, great links, and excellent interaction in the comments section.

Thanks to all of you for helping me fill the hours and my mind with some great reads.

And so ends another long ass post that will likely go unread.  Such is the life of a blogger.  I’ve been at it for going on 7 years, so I guess it is still filling some need in me.  Folks who happen along for a looksee are frosting on the cake.  Thanks to both of you!