I wasn't going to do this. Seriously, I wasn't. But I kinda' have to. Tradition and all that nonsense. It must be done, so let's do it.
Announcing the Montana Weblog Awards for the year 2006. Things are a bit different this year, so let me explain. I have several categories, organized under general headings, and for the next week, one week only, I am calling for nominees in those categories. Responses are required in email to [email protected] or comments at this website. No category will be displayed for the final vote if there are not more than 3 nominees. You may nominate up to 3 in each category. Any submission that nominates more than 3 per category will be dismissed. Clear enough? If it's not, then email me, and I will explain.
Heading: Political
Categories:
Best left leaning blog.
Best right leaning blog.
Best independent or libertarian blog.
Best Political blog.
Blog that had the most impact on the 2006 elections.
Heading: Culture
Categories:
Montana Blog that best represents popular culture.
Best Montana history blog.
Most exemplifies Montana lifestyle.
Heading: Creativity
Categories:
Most creative Montana blog.
Best photographic Montana blog.
Best written Montana blog.
Most humorous Montana blog.
Heading: Special
Categories:
Best post. (include a link, please.)
Best series of posts relating to given topic.
There. That's only 14 things that one must nominate for. One week, and then the real voting begins. Let's have the nominees, folks.
And just for the record, YES! you may nominate yourself for any category. No need to be bashful, folks.
Political
Best left leaning blog.
-Intelligent Discontent
Best right leaning blog.
-Montana politics
Best independent or libertarian blog.
-Dave Budge
Best Political blog.
-Left in the West
Blog that had the most impact on the 2006 elections.
-Left in the West
Culture
Montana Blog that best represents popular culture.
-Patia Stevens
Best Montana history blog.
Most exemplifies Montana lifestyle.
-Wulfgar
-Big Sky Blog
Creativity
Most creative Montana blog.
-MOTTO
-Watermark
Best photographic Montana blog.
-Patia Stevens
-Sarpy Sam
Best written Montana blog.
-4&20 Blackbirds
Most humorous Montana blog.
-Secular Franciscan
Special
Best post. (include a link, please.)
Best series of posts relating to given topic.
-A History Lesson I II and III
Part I
Part II
Part III
Note I took the high road and did not nominate myself. PLEASE DO IT FOR ME!!!. I'll pay for votes.
Posted by: Shane C. Mason | November 28, 2006 at 05:43 PM
Let's see...my nominations...
Political blogs:
Left-leaning: Intelligent Discontent, LiTW, Rebels Are We! (Apologies to Shane, but does your blog exist anymore?)
Right-leaning: mtpolitics.com, Dave Budge, Big Sky Blog
Independent: City Lights, Billings Blog
Best political blog: LiTW, Intelligent Discontent, Rebels Are We!
Blog with most impact: LiTW, Intelligent Discontent, City Lights
Culture:
MT blog that represents popular culture: What I Think (as if you give a damn), Patia Stephens, Thoughts From the Middle of Nowhere (How is this different from MT lifestyle?)
Creative:
Most creative: Patia Stephens; Livingston, I Presume; Montana Jones
Best written: Patia Stephens; Livingston, I Presume; City Lights
Most humorous: mtpolitics.com, Montana Jones, What's Right in Montana
I'll have to think about best post...
Posted by: Jay Stevens | November 28, 2006 at 05:47 PM
Wait! Does Wrong Dog qualify? can I change a couple of votes?
Posted by: Jay Stevens | November 28, 2006 at 05:54 PM
Yes, Jay. We're talking nominees here.
Posted by: Wulfgar | November 28, 2006 at 06:05 PM
Heading: Political
Categories:
Best left leaning blog: (LitW, 4&20, Wulfgar)
Best right leaning blog: MTPolitics
Best independent or libertarian blog: Dave Budge
Best Political blog: (LitW,Intelligent Discontent,4&20)
Blog that had the most impact on the 2006 elections. (LitW, 4&20)
Heading: Culture
Categories:
Montana Blog that best represents popular culture. Better Living Through Blogging
Heading: Creativity
Categories:
Best written Montana blog. City Lights
Most humorous Montana blog. Montana Jones
Posted by: Jeff | November 28, 2006 at 06:10 PM
Yes, but are you going to tell on us if we nominate our own blog?
Posted by: SB | November 28, 2006 at 06:16 PM
Nope.
Posted by: Wulfgar | November 28, 2006 at 06:26 PM
Best Post: Truly Tragic by Wulfgar
Granted, it was in 2005, but it was in December so it's post-last-awards. If I've got to find another post, I will.
Posted by: Matt Singer | November 28, 2006 at 06:53 PM
Oh hey, I missed a few:
Most exemplifies Montana lifestyle:
+Pragmatic Revolt
Best written Montana blog.
+Wulfgar
+Intelligent Discontent
Best Collaborative Blog
+Montana Netroots ;)
Best Looking Blogger:
+Shane Mason
+Patia Stevens
Posted by: Shane C. Mason | November 28, 2006 at 07:18 PM
Heading: Political
Categories:
Best left leaning blog: Wulfgar
Best right leaning blog: MT Politics
Best independent or libertarian blog: Dave Budge
Best Political blog: Dave Budge
Blog that had the most impact on the 2006 elections: LitW
Heading: Culture
Categories:
Montana Blog that best represents popular culture: Pop Snark Hooligan!
Best Montana history blog: I would have said my own A History of Montana, but I'm a slacker when it comes to updating it, so... GF Fire Fly and Electric City Weblog
Most exemplifies Montana lifestyle: Sarpy Sam
Heading: Creativity
Categories:
Most creative Montana blog: Martha's Art
Best photographic Montana blog: Peace of my Mind
Best written Montana blog: Pop Snark Hooligan!
Most humorous Montana blog: Gotta be the Monkey Cage and Bah Weep Grahna Weep Ninny Bon
Heading: Special
Categories:
Best post. (include a link, please.): No idea.
Best series of posts relating to given topic: GF Fire Fly and Electric City Weblogs series on JP Sam Harris
Posted by: Courtney | November 28, 2006 at 09:09 PM
Okay, I thought of one, here's my nomination for best post: The Secret Reason Why Nobody Writes Good War Stories Anymore
Posted by: Courtney | November 28, 2006 at 10:22 PM
Best photographic Montana blog: Thoughts from the Middle of Nowhere
Best written Montana blog: Prairie Mary
Best wishes and much appreciation to both of these bloggers whom I enjoy greatly.
Posted by: Genevieve | November 28, 2006 at 10:36 PM
OK, here goes! And yes, I am nominating myself for a few items. It that makes me vain, so be it:
Heading: Political
Categories:
Best left leaning blog. -> Wulfgar!
Best right leaning blog. -> MT Politics
Best independent or libertarian blog. -> TSJ
Best Political blog. -> ECW
Blog that had the most impact on the 2006 elections. -> ECW (at least on one race, the JP race in GtF. It actually caused the sitting judge and front-runner to resign and propelled the challenger to the bench).
Heading: Culture
Categories:
Montana Blog that best represents popular culture. -> What I Think (as if you give a damn)
Best Montana history blog. -> no vote
Most exemplifies Montana lifestyle. -> Sarpy Sam
Heading: Creativity
Categories:
Most creative Montana blog. -> MOTTO
Best photographic Montana blog. -> Sarpy Sam
Best written Montana blog. -> TSJ
Most humorous Montana blog. -> Secular Franciscan Life
Heading: Special
Categories:
Best post. (include a link, please.) -> no vote
Best series of posts relating to given topic. -> A History Lesson I, II and III on ECW. I think you already have the link
Posted by: Aaron Weissman | November 29, 2006 at 08:44 AM
well I would have nominated myself, but I don't think I fit in anywhere. :o)
Posted by: Alicat | November 29, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Glad to see you're doing it again Wulfgar, I was beginning to wonder, LOL. I'll get you my nominees via email within the next few days, this weekend latest. It looks like my lagging blog efforts are taking their toll on my popularity however, I don't see myself mentioned a lot this year. I also have decided to take the high road and not nominate or vote for myself, so I guess I should start doing some campaigning! I am however disapointed to see that you haven't included a category for "Blog with the most videos of RC airplanes", I'd win that one hands down. ;)
Posted by: Justin | November 29, 2006 at 11:46 AM
I had no idea there were this many Montana Blogs. Guess I'll get busy reading.
Can there be a Best Montana Art Blog: http://marthasart.typepad.com
Posted by: Martha | November 29, 2006 at 12:16 PM
LiTW, best and most productive political site
What I think...as best of everything else
Dumbest (is this a category?)
WRiM, hands down...
As last years Numero Uno...dont let it happen again, a shitty blog sneaking in because there werent enough votes otherwise...
Posted by: Tony | November 29, 2006 at 01:15 PM
Most Creative:
http://fishcreekhouse.blogspot.com/
Special:
Series- -A History Lesson I II and III
Part I
Part II
Part III
Montana History:
http://montana-history-by-kodak.blogspot.com/
Posted by: ZenPanda | November 29, 2006 at 01:54 PM
Note: all of these are in 3-d technicolor unordered lists!
Best left leaning blog:
Best right leaning blog:
Best independent or libertarian blog.
Best Political blog:
Blog that had the most impact on the 2006 elections.
Heading: Culture
Categories:
Montana Blog that best represents popular culture.
Best Montana history blog.
Most exemplifies Montana lifestyle.
Heading: Creativity
Categories:
Most creative Montana blog.
Best photographic Montana blog.
Best written Montana blog.
Most humorous Montana blog.
Heading: Special
Categories:
Best post. (include a link, please.)
Best series of posts relating to given topic.
Posted by: Craig | November 29, 2006 at 05:27 PM
Oh, wow. Feel free to nuke the formatting on that comment if you want.
Posted by: Craig | November 29, 2006 at 05:28 PM
I ain't nukin' nothin, Craig. You hit the whole nomination ideal right on the head. Thanks.
Posted by: Wulfgar | November 29, 2006 at 05:35 PM
Best left leaning blog. Pragmatic Revolt, Left in the West, 4&20 Blackbirds
Best right leaning blog. The Hammond Report, The Montana Misanthrope, mtpolitics
Best independent or libertarian blog. Dave Budge, What I think as if you give a damn, The Last Best Place
Montana Blog that best represents popular culture. Better Living Through Blogging, Revolving Duck
Most exemplifies Montana lifestyle. Praire Mary
Best written Montana blog. Praire Mary, R-Squared Energy Blog, City Lights
Posted by: Sarpy Sam | November 29, 2006 at 08:28 PM
Just e-mailed mine in. Thanks for doing this. I think it is a pretty motivating deal.
Posted by: Colby Natale | November 29, 2006 at 10:41 PM
Blog that had the most impact on the 2006 elections:
Electric City Weblog -> No other blog can (truthfully) claim to have single-handedly rid a constituency of an undesirable elected official -- in this case, JP Sam Harris. The blog broke the story, enticed the Tribune to report on it, and followed through with commentary that was intelligent and insightful, at least more so than the ho-hum partisan song-and-dance routine one sees from other political blogs.
Let's face it: the impact other blogs made on the election is going to be speculative and immeasurable -- and, I believe, quite small -- but ECW was unquestionably the initiatory and driving force in getting rid of JP Harris in a race that doesn't automatically arouse the interest of voters.
Posted by: TRK | November 30, 2006 at 01:35 AM
I'm not from Montana, but my wife went to school there. Can I vote?
Heading: Political
Categories:
Best left leaning blog: speedkill
Best right leaning blog: montana politics
Best Political blog: montana politics
Heading: Special
Categories:
Best post: "My Big Sky Voting Story", jhensley, Big Sky Democrats
Best series of posts relating to given topic: "The Bischoff Chronicles", craig, montana politics
I'd also like to take the moment to plug a new blog that I hope will get many votes in next year's balloting: Montana Moonshine, the chronicle of a couple attempting to start a distillery in Butte. Hope you all back east there like quality vodka and gin!
Posted by: Chad Johnson | November 30, 2006 at 08:20 AM
Heading: Political
Categories:
Best left leaning blog. Wrong Dog's Life Chest
Best right leaning blog. Electric City Weblog or Para-Bellum
Best independent or libertarian blog. n/a
Best Political blog. MT Politics
Blog that had the most impact on the 2006 elections. Electric City Weblog
Heading: Culture
Categories:
Montana Blog that best represents popular culture. Better Living Thru Blogging
Best Montana history blog. MT History by Kodak
Most exemplifies Montana lifestyle. Karbon Kounty Moos and Sarpy Sam
Heading: Creativity
Categories:
Most creative Montana blog. MT Peace Of Mind
Best photographic Montana blog. Out There With Tom
Best written Montana blog. Wulfgar!
Most humorous Montana blog. The Monkey Cage (duh)
Heading: Special
Categories:
Best post. Homeless Sheep
Best series of posts relating to given topic. Hair Color in Jr High School
Posted by: david | December 02, 2006 at 06:27 AM
Montana Blog that best represents popular culture: Better Living Through Blogging.
Best Photographic : Snapshotz (http://wildshots.blogspot.com)
Most exemplifies Montana lifestyle: Karbon Kounty Moose
Most creative Montana blog: Peace of My Mind
Posted by: Leesa | December 02, 2006 at 07:32 AM
Best Political blog. Mt Politics
Blog that had the most impact on the 2006 elections. Gotta be Electric City weblog.
Montana Blog that best represents popular culture. Better living through Blogging,
Most exemplifies Montana lifestyle. Karboncountymoos, What I Think,
Best Montana history blog. A History of Montana by Kodak
Best photographic Montana blog. Sarpy Sam, Karbon Kounty Moos, A History of Montana by Kodak
Best written Montana blog. Electric City Weblog, Gffirefly, Mt Politics
Most humorous Montana blog. What I Think, Monkey Cage
Best series of posts relating to given topic. A History Lesson 1,2,3. ECW
Posted by: firefly | December 02, 2006 at 08:11 AM
you did get mine right, Wulfgar?
Posted by: Colby Natale | December 04, 2006 at 10:41 PM
Yes I did, Colby.
Posted by: Wulfgar | December 04, 2006 at 10:59 PM
This has been a tough one. For one thing, there are so many new Montana blogs that I'm not familiar with, and did not have time to get acquainted before this deadline (though I've added a few to my Bloglines.) So most of my nominations are for blogs I have been reading for awhile -- including this one. And yes, I have nominated my own blog, where I felt it would be competitive.
I didn't nominate in areas I don't know, and I didn't nominate for "Best Post" -- just too overwhelming. If anyone feels that one of my own posts is that good, hey -- go for it. You have until the end of the day to nominate; then the voting begins.
Here are my nominations -- go give them a look, and Happy reading! Oh -- and please stop by and Introduce Yourself!
Posted by: SB | December 05, 2006 at 01:31 AM