CAtO Blog Award Endorsements

If you want to vote on the 2004 Canadian Blog Awards, you can do so here. You are allowed to vote once per day (per computer, I suppose) between now and the 15th when voting closes. So without further delay, here are the...

Crawl Across the Ocean Editorial Board Endorsements:

...applause...

Best Blog: Blogs Canada E-Group¹

One of the hardest things for a Blog to do (IMO) is to incorporate a diverse range of views and to maintain this over time without degenerating into a shouting fest or an echo chamber. So far, the e-group has managed to do this quite well - there aren't many issues which have come up in the last few months for which you can't find an interesting, informed discussion on the e-group, with strong cases being made on both sides of the issue.

Best Liberal Blog: Peace Order and Good Government, Eh?

Notwithstanding a recent bout of intensive cat-blogging, this remains the best spot for keeping track of any threats to the rule of law in Canada, as well as a good spot for subtle wit, lots of green text and a nice homey feeling.

Best Conservative Blog: Bound By Gravity

A winner almost by default as the only Blog in this category I read regularly. I don't really agree with Andrew all that often, but he generally makes sense and he doesn't fall into the narrowness of focus or nastiness of tone which turns me off most 'conservative' Blogs.

Best Group Blog: Blogs Canada E-Group

See above.

Most Humourous Blog: Bacon and Eh's

I hadn't really followed too many of the Blogs on this list, so I did some, uh, procrastination, I mean research, and of all the nominees, this one made me smile the most. And for those who know me, no, I didn't just pick it because of the title.

Best Non-Political Blog: Darren Barefoot

Not everything he posts is interesting, but a lot is and he posts so much that there's usually something there that catches my fancy. And I'm still a big fan of 'The Night the Aztecs Stormed Glasgow'

Best New Blog: Against All Flags

And I'm not just saying that because Captain Flynn is the holder of the prestigious first commenter award here at CAtO.

I like the way the pirate theme is integrated throughout the whole site, the design is good, and while he's (like any pirate worth his salt) a little confrontational for my tastes, he makes good points and starts good discussions. A (sea)worthy choice indeed.

Best Blog Design:

I don't really know too many of the nominees here, but luckily, for this category I don't have to. To me, the clear choice is Photojunkie.

Overall, I was kind of disappointed with the choices in this category, I mean, 'Tilting at Windmills??' Don't get me wrong, it's a great site, but best design? I remember showing my girlfriend some Blogs to get her opinion on a good design for Crawl Across the Ocean (my taste leans towards garish orange and purple, left to my own devices I probably would have ended up with Bloggers diseased pumpkin template). As I recall, when she saw Tilting at Windmills her reaction was, 'Ugh'. I didn't have the heart to show her the rotting pumpkins.

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So there you have it, my thoroughly biased opinions. Personally I don't like to see the Political categories divided into Liberal and Conservative Blogs since I sometimes think this division is more a product of groupthink on both sides than any real ideological differences. I also agree with James Bow's point that there should be more categories to reflect the non-political Blogs (although I know nothing about these, I'm sure they're out there).

All in all, a fun idea, and it will be interesting to see who wins come the 16th.
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¹ Disclaimer: As a member of the e-group, it's possible I might be a little biased in its favour.