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Ms. Marcotte (and I can only assume Ms. McEwan, as I've never spent that much time reading through her blog) is an emotional, strident, clever, and intelligent writer. That's what she was hired to be. That's what she's always been. That's what I hope she continues to be for as long as her fingers allow. What she is not, however, is strong.
Don't read this as an indictment, mind you. In the current political/media environment, strength comes from money. Strength comes from working within the constraints of the television and print world. Strength comes from being well-connected to the powers that be. The joy of reading blogs is watching the weak speak truth to power. It is patently unfair to condemn Ms. Marcotte for "giving the rightwing a victory". Only a blind idealist could possibly expect a regular citizen, with nothing more than a website, to effectively counter a coordinated media assault.
It is John Edwards who bears responsibility for this rightwing victory. He had the strength to stand up to Bill Donohue and his digusting ilk. He could have held a press conference and vociferously stood up for his bloggers' right to speak. He could have refused to accept their resignations. He could have counterattacked Mr. Donohue and sparked a real conversation about those who hide their bigotry behind false piety. That Mr. Edwards did not is his own failing, not Ms. Marcotte's. He had the strength to make a difference and chose instead to sit back and wait for the storm to blow over. I have nothing but the utmost respect (and apologies, for the embarassing actions of the worst elements of my gender) for Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan. I am sorry most of all, however, for the respect I lost for John Edwards.
