The trouble is establishing credibility. My son’s HS English teacher required them to use database search engines that weeded out blogs, for instance. I checked to see if those databases had any information about Obama’s eligibility problem, and all it had (that I could find) were some of the news articles about the Cold Case Posse’s first press conference - articles in which no evidence was cited and most of the story was about Sheriff Joe being investigated by Eric Holder (and wrongly implying that the CCP was in retaliation when in fact the CCP’s investigation PRECEDED Holder’s investigation of Arpaio so that if retaliation was being done it was being done by Holder, not Arpaio). None of the eligibility cases showed up in searches.
These 3 search engines - which the teacher said are required for use by colleges as well, which is why she didn’t balk at the censorship of it - censored out anything not done by professional “journalists” who are supposedly trustworthy because they have degrees.
Using your real name gives a degree of accountability that enhances credibility, but it’s hard on family members. Several of the researchers I’ve worked with are women who were trying to keep their involvement hidden from their husbands because their husbands were either apathetic about “politics” or afraid the families would be endangered. There is a reason the objector in the KS ballot objection dropped the objection once the national media reported on the issue: the threats to his family were intense.
Glenn Beck can speak because he’s got protection for himself and his family. He left Fox because Fox would not provide protection for his secretary. What kind of security can I provide for myself and my family? The long and short of it is that we’ve got the mafia running the media AND law enforcement (as evidenced by the Breitbart and Cormier deaths, for instance) and until we get the rule of law it is very dangerous for citizen investigators. Think also of the SWAT raids called in by the flaming homos on various internet reporters. Those are genuinely life-threatening situations and can be done at the drop of a hat by any enemy willing to go there (and our enemies are very willing to go there). As long as we pose no real threat (because what we’re doing can’t translate into actual arrests or judicial rulings, for instance) they can battle us by calling us crazy, trying to diminish our credibility, and sending us on wild goosechases. But when we get anywhere near the ability to make arrests or have a legal result.... that’s when the threats take over. If the threats aren’t enough, then stuff like Breitbart’s death and Rush Limbaugh’s received package referring to 2 famous assassination (both on the same day as the Cold Case Posse’s first presser) happen.
The courts pretend that the “little people” like me have nothing vested in curtailing the gang operations within our government, media, and law enforcement (we have no “standing” so it’s none of our business...) but that’s just not true. When the mob is in control and there is no rule of law, we ALL suffer the consequences.
Not that I’m a threat to any established Louisiana newspapers, but I can say I hold my own in reporting North Central Louisiana local government. I have broken several stories no one else would touch, and have had a part in getting several local politicians put out of commission.
http://lincolnparishnewsonline.wordpress.com/
Not state or national stuff, to be sure, but my credibility level is pretty high among my readership. County commissions, city councils, school boards, is what I report on. As I grow, I will eventually do some statewide stuff, which translates into clout when senate and congressional races come along.
Can’t be anonymous - you have to be out front and willing to take the abuse for stepping on toes. Not everyone can do this, but I’m retired, financially independent, and proof against economic retaliation.
Finally, you have to PUBLISH!! Something, anything just about every day. A flurry of posts for a couple of weeks, and then nothing for a week or two, then another flurry of stories will not work. Folks have to get used to seeing something new on your blog and make a habit of checking every day to see what you have.
The schools must have restricted internet access in case the students pull up porn or some wacked out site. Sometimes the blocks go too far. Ours won’t bring up anything related to “rock” so forget about doing a science report. I can understand why blogs aren’t allowed and it’s easier on them to make a blanket decision rather than make exceptions. You can bet your school has a staff member who does nothing but monitor every site your kid visits.
I’ve never heard of a college being restrictive.