Conversation with Kathleen Parker, Columnist

This is an exchange I had with Kathleen Parker, columnist with the Orlando Sentinel in reference to her put down column of bloggers. HDH
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Forwarded Message:
Subj: Re: Blogs
Date: 12/30/2005 5:08:01 A.M. Pacific Standard Time
From: kparker1@mindspring.com
Reply-to: kparker@kparker.com
To: Hhuseland@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)



Don't feel betrayed. I spotted you for a philosopher. (That's why I used that word - to give enough space to include all of those smart bloggers out there who don't fall into a particular category) And, of course, not all bloggers are alike, just as not all of us journalists are part of the smear known as the MSM. Some bloggers, in fact, are fabulous and I've written extensively about them. But the mob mentality of the blogosphere is troubling and good bloggers ought to recognize that. I suspect many do. Among the many differences, which I should have mentioned, is that bloggers (so far) don't get sued for defamation, libel and slander and are not held to the standards professional journalists are. When we mess up, we are unemployed and unemployable. Perhaps, too, you have to have seen your own head on that stick a few times to know of what I have written.

All best,
Kathleen
----- Original Message -----
From: Hhuseland@aol.com
To: kparker@orlandosentinel.com
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2005 1:28 AM
Subject: Blogs


Ah, Kathleen, I feel betrayed. I am a blogger, with a three year high school journalism education. I don't rightly know whether I'm into narcissism or just a bore. What I think I am, is a senior citizen that has seen much, lived much, and possibly has something to share.

I read your columns in the Spokesman-Review, which is located in Spokane, Washington. I live in a little town called Bayview, in Idaho, about 70 miles from Spokane.

My blog covers everything from what I call humor,world events, and local stuff. Just two hours ago, the night reporter for the Spokesman-Review called me to check out a breaking story here in Bayview.

I recognize that there are many infantile bloggers that just want to see their four letter words in print. I'm not one of them.

We have a guy, Dave Oliveria, Associate Editor for the Spokesman-Review, that has an on-line column called "Huckleberries". (A local thing) He links to other blogs, (mine included)

The best away to check me out is to log on to my blog, either independently, or through the spokesmanreview.com/blogs/hbo.

Mine is Bayviews.blogspot.com.

I am, if you bother to check further, a moderately conservative guy, and think a lot along the lines that you write. Please don't lump us serious amateurs with the screwballs.

Herb Huseland
Bayview, Idaho