Today We Are One!

I'm very happy to say that Modia Minotaur has reached its first birthday today.

When I began this blog, I certainly didn't expect it to amount to much, other than a way to amuse myself at work, and a way to provide a perspective on politics as it is refracted through the always-imperfect lense of the mainstream media. I certainly didn't anticipate my blog being featured in Crikey's Blogwatch section, and even the Weekend Australian.

When you look at it, it wasn't a bad year to start blogging - we saw the resignations of Bob Carr, John Brogden and Geoff Gallup; the Federal Government assume control of the Senate, the adventures of Barnaby Joyce, the march of WorkChoices, the disintegration of the Bush Administration, and now, turmoil in the Federal Liberal Party. Not to mention the sad end of many great blogs like Redrag and Margo Kingston's Webdiary, and the transformation of others, such as Wsacaucus and Cut Price Commentariat.

Nevertheless, it doesn't seem too long ago that I was telling a fellow blogger `Well, I just don't see the point of blogs. All that banging on about nothing in particular ...'

Clearly, I've since learned the point. It's a point that becomes especially important as we face a government increasingly eager to close off other avenues for the sort of alternate opinions that are seen in the blogosphere. Recently, Guy at Polemica said that a vocal minority - even if it is a minority - carries more weight than a silent majority, by virtue of their desire and effort to speak out. It's an idea I tend to agree with. Though I have no time for people who do nothing, I have even less time for people who complain endlessly about what's wrong in the world but go to no effort to fix it. Blogging may not change the world, but at least it gets us discussing about ways to go about it.

This week, my readership is at an all-time high - I'd like to say it's because of my scintillating writing; in fact, it could have something to do with my posts on Alan Jones - and I'd really like to thank everyone who has visited the site over the past year, linked to it, mentioned it and or just plain gave it the time of day. It means a lot to think my opinion is worth something. And thank you, as always, for your opinions too. I hope to see as many of you as possible at Stoush.net's upcoming get-together.

Cheers,
Minotaur.