Leo at Pscymeistr’s Ice Palace bestowed upon me a Thinking Blogger award last week, and since I’ve been so busy thinking and working (and only lightly blogging) I haven’t had a chance to acknowledge his kind honor or carry on the meme by naming five other bloggers who’s work makes me think. I think, therefore, it’s high time to say “thanks” and “aw, shucks” to Leo. Your blog also makes me think — and usually my thoughts are “Amen!” You are both passionate and prolific and those are admirable qualities in a blogger.
Naming five other bloggers that make me think is kind of hard, not because there aren’t worthy ones out there, but because so many of my favorite thinking blogs such as Port McClellan, Portia Rediscovered and Surly’s Soap Box have all shut down recently. Like shark’s teeth, however, when some wear out there are others ready to move up — and they’re just as sharp. I have a comparatively short blogroll but everyone on it is well worth reading and have moved me on a regular basis with their wit, analysis or writing skill. In particular, though, I will point out five that are especially thoughtful or thought-provoking.
- Jay Reding. I first stumbled onto Jay’s blog shortly after I began blogging. If I had read him before then I may have been totally discouraged in my own abilities and never started. Jay provides articulate but concise analysis of the political and legal (funny how much those two intertwine) news of the day. I kind of miss the often intriguing Point/Counterpoint of his Comments section (and participated a few times) now that he’s all but eliminated it, but like bugs to a zapper on a summer night, he was attracting too many insects driven by mindless instinct rather than intellect. Good move, Jay. That kind of thing can be amusing and even satisfying for a little while, but there are far too many other interesting things to do on a summer night than fry insects’ brains.
- Over at the Wide Awake Cafe, it’s usually time to wake up and smell the coffee as proprietor Laura Lee Donoho serves up a stimulating blog. Her background in a military family and as an officer’s wife brings a certain clarity and perspective, while her artistic skills and sensibility add cream and sugar. It’s a great place to sit a spell and enjoy the genteel southern charm — but sometimes the crockery does fly!
- Fireworks are usually on the agenda over at Amy Ridenour’s National Center Blog. Crisp and to the point, Amy and her contributors hold forth on politics, global warming, the free market, individual liberty and personal responsibility. This site is a great source for blogging ideas and useful facts when you’re feeling a little stale. Currently I’m appreciating the excerpts Amy is putting up from the National Center for Public Policy Research’s book, Shattered Dreams: One Hundred Stories of Government Abuse.
- Uncorrelated is a blog I discovered a few months ago and keeps me coming back to read Mick, Mark and Dave’s take on national and international news and events — often from stories you’re not seeing in the MSM. Their blog was about the only reliable source for details of the Trolley Square shooting in Salt Lake City last February (where an armed citizen an off-duty policeman, stopped a maniac who had already killed six people and was gunning for more). The guys have an ambitious and wide-ranging Categories list in the left sidebar that also makes for interesting browsing.
- Half a World Away. As much as I like staying informed and reading good, witty analysis, my greatest joy in the blogosphere is coming across great writers, regardless of what they’re writing about. Peter Kelley toiled for a number of years in high-powered business but has recently experienced a huge shift in his life, moving his young family to Amsterdam where he gets to share their discoveries and his own eye for detail and description with readers. This blog really makes me think … about how much I wish I could have the experiences Peter is having!
One thing I’ve just realized about each of the blogs I’ve listed is that they’re not really the kind of blogs given to memes such as this. If they want to participate, however, the rules are simple:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think; 2. Link to The Thinking Blog so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme; 3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ graphic!
