March 01, 2007

Blogger Spotlight: SC Politics

The pseudonymous Syd of SC Politics is our spotlighted blogger for today's session. Tomorrow we close out South Carolina talking to life long conservative The Blogland of Earl Capps.

What is your full name?

Syd, just Syd

How old are you?

40

What’s your hometown?

Charlotte, NC

Where do you live now?

York County, SC

What is your educational background?

Masters in journalism.

What is your occupation?

Communications Consultant, Freelance writer

When did you first get involved in politics and why?

First time I became aware that politics meant something to people was in 1972 when my mother scolded me for wearing Nixon re-election buttons on my jacket and posting Nixon bumper stickers on my bike. I thought it was cool because it was free stuff. She was not so pleased and proceeded to lecture me at length about "what that man stands for." Been in my blood ever since. Got "involved" when covering politics for newspapers in the 80s and 90s first as a college student and then professionally.

When did you start blogging and why?

Built my first website in 1998 but didn't really start blogging until the fiasco that was the 2000 Election got me so steamed I couldn't sit still. Been fighting the forces of evil ever since. For a while I was blogging the old way by posting and reposting HTML pages, but then advances in content management systems like blogger.com came along and in 2002 I really got going.

How are blogs changing politics in your state?

I haven't seen any tangible differences in voting behavior yet -- this is still a solidly red state -- but I can say that progressives are certainly more open and getting more visibility than they once were when the only forum for political expression was letters to the editor. I see a lot more events for progressive and alternative views than ever before and that has to be because of the online communities that have spring up since blogging went mainstream.

Posted by Conn Carroll at March 1, 2007 01:59 PM