My first post was 16 years ago. I can’t say this blog is still going strong, but it’s still going. When I started, I kind of had in mind a resource that Hoosiers could use to comment on topics of the day and maybe provide some links to legal resources, commentary on legislation, and discussion of legal opinions. With respect to the legislature, in part, I wanted to show that there was more going on with the General Assembly than just the stuff that hit the headlines. I was also inspired by the national blogs that were starting to go strong back then but whereas that space already seemed crowded, the state level seemed wide open. On top of that, my experience at Legislative Services (only 5 years prior at that point) could be helpful.
Early on, I had the notion that maybe I’d recruit some friends with other areas of expertise: business, science, medicine, etc. That never panned out. I was a little surprised by what seemed to draw traffic and what didn’t. People were *really* passionate about Daylight Saving Time. I could put up a quick hit on DST and get a lot of traffic. Meanwhile, a deep dive into a complicated piece of legislation would be less popular. It gave me some sympathy for what news organizations must struggle with.
Social media — mainly Facebook and Twitter came along — and made it easier for me to scratch my writing itch by just posting something quick there. So, I wrote less here. Which was probably just as well because that’s where people re-located in any case. It wasn’t just me – the entire blogosphere shrank. But, I keep plugging along – usually going through a burst of productivity when the General Assembly introduces its bills. I’m happy to still have this place to write and still interact with some old friends.
At the moment, I feel like social media isn’t giving me what it used to. The algorithms seem to feed me angry political stuff which gets old after awhile. I don’t have a good sense of whether my friends are still posting about their kids or what they had for lunch or cat pictures or whatever. I don’t see that stuff, but it could be that the algorithm buries it. So, maybe I’ll be writing more here. Maybe not. We’ll see. That’s been one of the joys of having a blog – I can do it when I feel like, and not do it when I don’t feel like it. For those of you who are still dropping by, thank you!
Happy 16th birthday! I have only been around for 14 years but it’s been informative and fun!
I know the people I care about I go to their pages and look for any updates.
That being said looking forward to many more years of your posts! I promise no more lawyer jokes.
I almost miss lawyer jokes. Haven’t heard any in awhile!
Happy hexadecibloggy day!
Thanks! Love that term!
I always greatly enjoy your legislature posts. I don’t always understand them, but do enjoy them.
Keep at it. We all appreciate what you do.
I, for one, look forward to your posts at the beginning of each year that show the staggering heights that our legislators are trying to take the state of Indiana via the bills they’ve proposed.
I also laugh when the cursive bill gets reintroduced.
As sure as babies love onions, Hoosiers need to be legally compelled to learn cursive!
It may be a curse but the beginnings of your blog correlate with almost sixteen years of mostly technocratic, unbroken Republican control of the statehouse. Presently national politics seems to be destroying the Democrats all across rural Indiana. It was shocking to watch Myers come in 3rd in the gubernatorial election in 34 counties. At the same time I wonder if the state GOP is losing some if its suburban Indy power base to the Democrats. The most interesting thing about the last election were the hints that Holcomb’s suburban based, technocratic (and somewhat autocratic) rule may be quietly losing ground in the suburbs to the Democrats and in the rural counties to a conservative GOP revolt in Libertarian drag.
The wheels really came off the train for the Democrats in 2010, I think. The 2008 gubernatorial election was a disaster but, if I recall, the Democrats retained control of the House. In 2010, they got thrashed and nothing has really improved their fortunes since then. The Republican lock on rural areas is, of course, not peculiar to Indiana. And it may be that this national trend isn’t something state Democrats can do much about on their own. Hard telling.
I watch a lot of the show “Survivor.” The split you describe between conservative Republicans (in Libertarian drag!) and Holcomb’s more suburban sensibilities reminds me of what happens when one tribe or alliance becomes dominant. There is always a fracture when the opponents become too weak to pose a threat to the dominant tribe (and encourage unity).
Oh, I find your blog very informative, and just posted it on a FB group I belong to whose members will appreciate it as well. It’s well moderated. I hope that was OK. If not, say so and I will delete it. What goes on in the legislature is fascinating, mundane, important, frivolous, maddening and heartening, sometimes all at the same time. I hope you keep this up for a long time to come.