Updates

As I mentioned previously, I finished my work on the Mississippi campaign. I am now in the process of moving up to DC to take a job with a research firm. Because of confidentiality, I don't think I'll talking much about the work I'm doing. I've been thinking about this website . . .

This blog has never been a regional or state level blog. I know I got caught up in the Webb-Allen race of 2006, but generally I haven't tried to exclusively focus on Virginia politics. And I know we are a rather geographically diverse bunch.

I've never had the time to make this "my blog." So the purpose that runs a lot of other blogs (one guy, giving his opinion, love it or leave it) doesn't work here. We are a community interested in libertarianism and the Democratic Party. I'm fine that not everyone here considers themself a Democrat, that you are interested is good enough.

So looking ahead, what sorts of features do you think would improve your experience here at Freedom Democrats? I'm looking at restructuring how the website is set up. But I'm also curious as to what brings you regulars back again and again. What motivates you?

First, I'm very glad that you made this a community blog and not an individual's blog. Individual blogs require a massive amount of effort to be worthwhile, and us laymen (non-professional pundits) need someplace where we can spout our views.

...which is why I come back. When I make a post or comment here, I know that I'll get some thoughtful responses. Sometimes I post because I read something shocking and I say "I've just gotta tell someone who would understand why this is shocking".

As for user interface, I've recently wanted to have some way of tracking responses to my comments. I like how DKos does it (each person has a comment page, where each comment has a "replies" counter), but I've think it also helps when websites allow people to follow particular discussions with RSS or email updates (like Kevin Carson's blog at Google).

Just the interface isn't as useful.

Is this what you mean by "reply button"? I don't have any problem with the interface here.

Anyway, there isn't anything to notify me when you reply to my comment. The only way I know if anyone replied is to go thru all of the old discussions and manually check to see if there is a reply... or is there something in my settings?

I didn't see the relevant options in my settings.

Currently, the "recent comments" box helps me to follow discussions, but it is useless if there have been a lot of comments since I last looked at the site.

I'll look into what I can do.

I've not just given up on the GOP, I find their warmongering and lawless authoritarianism intolerable.

Yet, many Democrats/liberals/leftists find me, as a libertarian, highly suspect. This site assists me in feeling that I can veer Dem and my beliefs are not subjected to all manner of accusation, such as that I hate the poor and am a "corporatist." (I am so, so NOT a corporatist.) Simply, I like reading the reasonably like-minded in a sea of blogospheric vitriol.