12:47 phdinparenting: You can read her wonderful blog on many important issues here: http://hoydenabouttown.com/
12:48 [Comment From Jeff Hume Jeff Hume : ]
Margaret, I don't see how your job as a generalizing, opining, columnist is different from what bloggers do. You're drawing an arbitrary distinction and looking down from on high.
12:48 [Comment From Guest Guest : ]
My goodness, the sexism and gender essentialism going on here is breathtaking. Is it really necessary to make sweeping statements about *any* gender?
12:49 MOMmagRocks: Hey Jeff, good point but she has a major newspaper backing her AND is a legit journalist. Most bloggers are not
12:49 [Comment From Loulou Loulou : ]
Hey all... my thoughts on this issue: http://tinyurl.com/ylplvzm
12:49 [Comment From amotherworld amotherworld : ]
Jeff Hume - well said.
12:49 phdinparenting: Jack Spratt: Give me a moment and I'll find the link.
12:49 [Comment From Bernie Bernie : ]
Jeff- there is a huge difference between a newspaper and blogging.
12:49 [Comment From amy_boughner amy_boughner : ]
Let's not forget that there's a difference between a columnist and a journalist
12:50 MOMmagRocks: Yes, Bernie and amy, there is... legit journalists vs columinist vs bloggers.. its SUCH a different forum
12:50 [Comment From Guest Guest : ]
Canadian Women Bloggers include Renee @ Womanist Musings, Catie Cat @ Shakesville, Anna @ FWD/Forward, Anti-Choice is Anti-Awesome, Jaded Old Hippy - there are Canadian Women Political Blogger Awards every year as well.
12:51 [Comment From Margaret Wente Margaret Wente : ]
is my job different from what bloggers do? Yes, in a couple of ways. It's far more structured. I do it three times a week, and it's longer than the average blog, so it has to have a structure and an extended argument. It has to pass muster with my editors (who DO give me tremendous freedom), and it has to be popular with a whole lot of readers. It's also got to be intelligent, informed and well written -- although whether it always meets those standards is of course a subject of some debate.
12:52 [Comment From Shari Shari : ]
Not all bloggers are floggers. Some Mommy bloggers are literate,insightful and funny. My 24 yr old follows feminist/antitracist bloggers. I follow crafters/cookers/social scientists/journalist/economists/travelers/science blogs, and don't care if they're by women or men. As for Mommagrocks and phdinparenting, if their blogs are as shallow as their comments here I will not read them.
12:52 MOMmagRocks: Wow, Margaret, you think quite highly of yourself don't you...
12:53 MOMmagRocks: That last column was not intelligent, well written OR informed
12:53 MOMmagRocks: which is why we are here
12:53 Margaret Wente: Do I think highly of myself? I will tell you a secret. Most newspaper columnists are incredibly insecure. I do think very highly of The Globe and Mail and its readers.
12:54 MOMmagRocks: Well you have to, they pay you.
12:56 Jennifer MacMillan: We're going to wrap up shortly, but just wanted to say it's been one of our more raucous live discussions so far ;)
Margaret - considering the response that your column got, has it changed your opinion? Do you think you'd write the same column again?
12:56 MOMmagRocks: Look, I'm not here to offend anyone, I am merely trying to state a position that Women Blog, Women can throw down and Men are not stupid, incompetant barbarians
12:57 MOMmagRocks: Thanks Jenn... truly enjoyed this!! A pleasure chatting with you ladies! Truly!
12:57 [Comment From shoeism shoeism : ]
MOMMagRocks, that isn't a fair comment. Margaret just illustrated the difference between blogger and her job. Just facts.
12:57 [Comment From sashaeskie sashaeskie : ]
Margaret, I just read your column and I think you are absolutely right! Every word. I read lots of blogs and every single author is male.
12:57 [Comment From JP JP : ]
