Help me get a job at the Washinton Post.

brainshrub

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Mon Apr-10-06 04:03 PM
Original message

Help me get a job at the Washinton Post.

Edited on Mon Apr-10-06 04:59 PM by brainshrub

Okay, here's the deal: I don't really think I have a shot, but it's worth a try.

On Friday evening I was reading TheRawStory, when I came across news that The Washington Post (WaPo) is looking for a Liberal blogger:

Washington Post searching for bloggers from the right and left

The paper’s ombudsman, Deborah Howell, has informed RAW STORY that Jim Brady, executive editor of washingtonpost.com, is looking for a liberal blogger, along with a conservative one, to replace Ben Domenech who resigned after only three days of blogging, when his earlier writings were discovered by mostly liberal bloggers to be racially insensitive and – in multiple cases – plagiarized.

Somewhere on the blogosphere, a person in his or her pajamas is going to be the next blogger for the Washington Post; one of the most prestigious papers in the country.

Why shouldn't that person be me?

Some people might be concerned that working for a corporate conglomerate would somehow compromise the respected outsider status that blogging has made for itself.

Those people don't know what they are talking about.

On the literary hierarchy, political bloggers are just below the guys who compose fortune cookie predictions. If political bloggers work reeeeeeeal hard, we someday collectively might earn the same respect in the public eye as weirdos who compulsively scribble their phone number in bathroom stalls.

So if the WaPo wants to try again, and this time hire a couple of writers who don't need to use the cut-and-paste feature for their posts, I think they should be applauded. A great blogger at a respected mainstream paper, regardless of politics, would do a lot for the blogosphere.

I'm a great blogger. This post is my official application for the job of: "Liberal Blogger." I know it's rather informal, but that's the nature of the blogging medium. Embrace it.

The next few paragraphs is my thumb-nail resume.

Training: I have a degree in journalism and I've worked for newspapers.

Liberal qualifications: I'm a net-roots activist and Democrat. I sat in a ditch with Cindy Sheehan for two-and-half weeks, I've helped organize peace marches and spent lots of time volunteering for liberal causes.

Skeletons in the closet: None. Seriously, I'm that dull. I am one of those good Catholic boys mothers wish their daughters would hook up with. If I was into any debauchery, I would admit it. (Prudishness is for Republicans.)

Blogging experience: Brainshrub.com is an established blog. It has been updated with new content practically every day since November of 2004, it has a page-rank of "5", and, is always on the top 20 list at BlogTopSites.

Having said all this, the ultimate qualification for a liberal blogger is that he look fetching in pajamas.

Thankfully, I meet that criteria in spades. Behold:

I should add that I write from a space of love. I know that sounds corny, but it's true.

I don't resort cheap to attacks on people I disagree with, I don't buy into tin-foil hat theories, I love intelligent debate, and, I understand the blogosphere better than most people.

Of course, the odds of me being considered for the job are about as slim as a Fruit Roll-up© in a classroom full of 3rd graders. I have a better chance of Fiona Apple asking me to do interpretive dance on stage at her concerts, than the WaPo hiring me to blog for them.

Still, hope springs eternal. Perhaps you can help make my dream of becoming a paid blogger come true.

In keeping with the informal and democratic spirit of the Liberal blogosphere: If you'd like to help me get a job with the Washington Post (Or if you don't.) post a comment below and ask the WaPo to hire me.

Or even better, visit my blog and also post a comment there:

www.brainshrub.com/wapo-petition

Let's see how many blog readers will sign this petition.

Please kick or nominate this. With your help, this is going to be a fun project.