Bloggasm

Taylor Marsh: I was on the web before Al Gore invented it – going on 10 years – but I went to blogging in late August 2005. I’m up for a Koufax Award for “best new blog,” so I’d really appreciate it if you’d check out what I do every day, which includes podcasts. See, I’m also a Democratic talk radio host without a home, so I could use the support. Mike Bunge of KXEL radio says: “Taylor Marsh consistently generates more response from my listeners than any other guest I’ve ever had.” As for my blog, the discussion ranges from politics to Iraq to illegal aliens to military issues to culture.

That statement above about Gore truly pisses liberals off, which just goes to show you some of our problems. We’ve got to be able to make fun of ourselves, as well as live with our monumental mistakes. The emails I’ve gotten, lambasting me for using it and explaining the facts about it, are hilarious.

But most of the comments I get are hate mail from right-wingers and Republicans, which I display on my blog, at least the better ones.

I’m an author, been published in alternative newsweeklies, was managing editor to the first soft core site on the web to make money (back in 1997), and I just launched a political theatrical show entitled “Weeping for J.F.K., in June 2005. My roots include being a Broadway performer, not to mention former Miss Thang (you’ll have to go to my blog to see what that means). I’ve been interviewed all over the country, as well as interviewed the likes of John Dean — yes, that John Dean.

I’m a former Reagan Democrat, pro-gun progressive, who believes Congress needs to take back their authority. I also believe that women and men need to take more responsibility over their sexual lives so we can get the number of abortions down. The numbers are obscene and it’s the fault of every modern man and woman who don’t use protection and don’t take their personal liberation seriously. Nuff said.

Simon Owens: Which conservative bloggers do you think create the most spin? And if you had to pick a conservative blogger to label a worthy adversary, which blogger would that be?

TM: Oh, that’s easy, Michelle “pro-internment” Malkin. As a Democrat, I’m one of the few out there talking about border security. But thinking that Japanese internment was right and writing a book about it? Wow, now that’s something. In addition, whenever there is a breaking story that impacts the Republicans negatively, she tends to tune it out. When the Abramoff scandal really broke open in 2006, Malkin basically offered one post with a bunch of links on it, but never outlined the story or did any original commentating of her own. She blithely moved on, but not without first saying the Abramoff scandal hit both parties. That’s a lie that’s been proven. Yes, Democrats take lobbying money, but they didn’t pay to play in Abramoff’s pay off scheme.

As for a worthy adversary, the Volokh Conspiracy. On radio over the last few years, I’ve done quite a few “smack downs” opposing Republicans on the air. I’ve pretty much stopped doing those types of interviews, however, because the Republicans offered up only give lap dog talking points from the Bushies. It’s very frustrating and not enjoyable to debate someone who can’t be objective about his or her own political party or ideology. I come down against Democrats all the time, but that seems not to be allowed with right-wing talk radio hosts. Just look at what’s happened to Rush Limbaugh. He tells abject falsehoods on the air every day, not bothering with the facts. He’s just lazy. As for Ken doll Sean Hannity, well, when it comes to facts, the man doesn’t know the definition of the word.

SO: In a world where every political stance must be put into some kind of context, do you think that there is any real truth that we can strive for? Or is it all based on who can argue his or her side the best?

TM: I’ll first offer up a great quote from Robert Evans, who produced “Chinatown,” among other movies: “There are three sides to every story: your side, my side, and the truth, and no one is lying. Memories shared serve each differently.”

A perfect example is the Iraq war intelligence fairy tale. Dick Cheney’s office, in association with Bill Kristol’s Weekly Standard and Stephen Hayes, are still pushing the Saddam – al Qaeda link, regardless of what CIA officers, David Kay and every other expert has said. These guys are living in an alternative universe, where they can never be proved wrong or have to admit they blew it. But that’s their reality, their truth.

It’s the George W. Bush strain of truth telling, which has been far more damaging to our culture than Bill’s bj ever was. This sort of mentality even seeped into Oprah’s consciousness recently when she chose to stand by that fraud who wrote “A Million Little Pieces.” The powerful now believe that if he or she says it is so, it is.

Truth doesn’t have much of a chance when ego rules the day.

SO: Which issues do you think hurt the Democratic party the most, and how can they win public support on these issues?

TM: Paul Begala and James Carville have a new book out and one of their points is that the Democratic Party’s problem isn’t “…ideological, it’s anatomical. We need a spine.” Amen, baby.

That said, the one single issue we have to conquer is national security. Democrats need to say what we believe, mean what we say and not apologize for saying it plainly, frankly and passionately, in a sound bite that resonates.

Anybody who tries to be all things to all people is just not worth taking seriously. People don’t mind disagreeing with a politician for whom they vote. But nobody in this country is going to vote for anyone they feel isn’t telling it straight. When someone asks you a question, answer it. Don’t worry if they don’t like it. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

To win back support on national security, we have to communicate that it is also about protecting our nuclear and chemical plants, trains and railways, ports, you name it. Democrats need to also find religion on the border issue, like Governor Janet Napolitano, who called on Rumsfeld to help her seal the Arizona border. We need to make clear that U.S. energy policy is one of the most critical aspects of our national security, and what we’ll do about it.

Let me add one last thing, we must protect the tenets of our democratic republic. We can’t have a president, regardless of party, going around the law and the Congress to illegally wiretap and whatever else he or she chooses to do, all in the name of “national security.” National security does not trump our democracy, because if we lose the republic, what do we have?

SO: What are the five blogs everyone should be reading (besides your own)?

TM: Wow, only five? I read a ton of blogs every day. Of course, the biggest blogs everyone knows, but I still have to single one out. Crooks and Liars is simply an amazing blog. John and Mike do a great job. It’s a must read, several times during the day.

Juan Cole’s “Informed Comment” blog is one of the most important blogs on the web. He’s an expert on Middle Eastern issues and knows his stuff. The insight he brings to the table is invaluable, especially if you don’t speak Arabic.

Steve Clemons of the “WashingtonNote” doesn’t do rapid response blogging, but he’s a good reporter who offers things you don’t see anywhere else. He truly takes an honest stab at bringing the two sides together on issues. Steve also takes the time to respond to serious thinkers who have a point to make.

“Mahablog” is a good blog by a broad. It’s dense, strong commentary. For more fabulous femmes, head over to the blogroll on “BlogSisters.”

Joe Gandelman on “The Moderate Voice,” is indispensable. The team at TMV offers a truly moderate perspective, with strong commentary. They take each issue as it comes, as I try to do, and don’t genuflect to either side.

You can find Taylor Marsh over here