Posted by Sen Feingold at MyDD: Blogs Don't Need Big Government

[Rose Siding]

Blogs Don't Need Big Government
by Senator Russ Feingold

I have always promoted diaries from Democratic candidates and officials, but this looks particularly good. Although I am not a policy wonk, I have read it twice and it seems to contain everything that would be necessary for political blogs and the netroots to operate as they have so far.—Chris
My kids often tease me about the time I pre-heated a toaster before putting some bread in to toast it. I deny it. I still maintain to this day that I DO know how to use a toaster, but I also admit to some not-so-brilliant moments with technology, if you can consider a toaster technology. But, today, even my kids would have to pause to give me a pat on the back for this first ever "Russ Feingold Blog Post."

I am enjoying reading many blogs, and am fascinated by their immediate reporting that is covering the important issues of the day. Many of the positive comments I have been lucky enough to read about my work relate to the fact that I was the only member of the U.S. Senate to oppose the USA PATRIOT Act. That experience taught me a lot, but one thing I learned for certain is that millions of ordinary citizens support efforts to make sure the government doesn't try to take more power than it needs. Resisting overreaching by the federal government is appropriate and, yes, even patriotic. I feel very strongly about this, and have made constitutional issues in general, and First Amendment issues in particular, one of the central focuses of my work in the U.S. Senate.

While the days of campus protests are not the same today as when I was in college, many people don't realize that campus protests are going on every day, all over the country, when thinking people, from all different states, generations, and ethnicities are drawn more and more to participate and exercise their First Amendment rights in an exciting venue: the Internet in general and blogs in particular.

....MORE....

http://senator-russ-feingold.mydd.com/story/2005/3/10/112323/534

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. kick

[GetTheRightVote]

2. This is very cool and must be kicked

:kick: