2005 Koufax Awards --- Best Blog (Non-Professional)
UPDATE FROM MB: So we've had the Wampum Koufax powwow, and here is the outcome: A blog can only be nominated for one of the three top categories - Best Blog - Non-Prof, Best Blog - Prof, or Best Blog Community. Therefore, the half-dozen or so community blogs which were in the best community category have now been removed from this category. If you have already voted for one of those blogs, you may vote again, and we will not disqualify your second vote. I've reopened comments, so please feel free to start voting in this group once again. Thank you for your patience.
This is the last list of nominations of the fifteen categories of the 2006 Koufax Awards. It is for Best Blog in the non-professional category. Congratulations to all nominees. You have something in common with Sally Fields. Your public adores you.
There is a serious collection of talent below. Take some time and visit the nominees, particlarly those with whom you are not familar. It will be worth your while. I promise.
In compiling the nominations, I was struck not only by the number of nominations but by the diversity of the nominees. There are many types of blogs that focus on a large variety of subjects. There is also diversity in style, age, race, ethnicity, and gender. I quickly scanned the list to see how many women bloggers were on it. Off the top of my head, I could identify whether or not the blog had substantial input by women for about 70 of the blogs. Of those, at least 30 are written wholly or substantially by women. The next time the periodic debate erupts over where the good women bloggers are, please point to this post. There are a lot of good women bloggers and, at least around here, they get some recognition.
Here are the nominations for Best Blog:
Living the Scientific Life now here
Looking for Someone to Lie to Me
Pharyngula now here
Random Thoughts: Unfair and Unbalanced
Comments are open only for corrections. No voting yet, please. I will soon open the voting in all categories so that we can narrow the list to 6-10 semi-finalists in each category. As always, when you notice my mistakes, let me know and I will try to fix them.
Please read and enjoy.
Comments
I noticed that Think Progress doesn't have a link; furthermore, isn't it a professional blog connected with the Center on American Progress? I guess Huffington is right on the edge of that definition.
Posted by: norbizness | March 3, 2006 03:53 PM
I fixed the link. I agree about Think Progess (pro category) and Huffpost (blog community). Tom Dispatch is pro too, I think. Kicking Ass is DNC. New s from the Underground is pro, IIRC, and I do not know how to categorize Media Matters. Nonetheless, they were nominated in this category and I thought I should at least post them to raise the issue. Do you think I should remove them?
Posted by: dwight Meredith | March 3, 2006 04:27 PM
can you also add a link to my new site? Living the Scientific Life's new site URL: http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/
--Done. My apologies for using the old link. Dwight
Posted by: GrrlScientist | March 3, 2006 04:39 PM
And now - how about a gigantic hand of applause for your efforts up to this point in getting this all compiled!!!!
Posted by: PSoTD | March 3, 2006 05:22 PM
what happened to www.courtingdestiny.com ?
--- Sorry, I must have missed it. Courting Destiny has been added. Dwight
Posted by: joe | March 3, 2006 05:46 PM
Thank you so much for all this work and care.
Also, Sivacracy.net should be under the S's instead of T's.
Thanks, again.
--- Thanks, I fixed the order. Dwight
Posted by: Support Science to Reverse Global Warming, if still possible | March 3, 2006 08:09 PM
I got nominated?
In that case, I think you should eliminate the ThinkProgress and other funded blogs.
:-)
Seriously, I suspect the folks who nominated them read the categories as blogs FOR rather than BY non-professionals.
Posted by: P6 | March 3, 2006 08:19 PM
I sent Dwight an e-mail saying this, but I thought I should point out that I probably shouldn't be on this list, since I'm also in the 'Professional Blog' category. Mine is not a funded blog, but I am a professional writer.
--- Yes, David, you are as your book, Strawberry Days (which is sitting on my shelf) will attest. Nonetheless, I think I will leave your nomination up as I have not removed any others. BTW, Strawberry Days is a great read. I highly recommend it to all. --Dwight
Posted by: David Neiwert | March 4, 2006 12:44 AM
Am I too late to nominate someone for Best Commenter? I didn't realize that was a category.
If possible, I'd like to nominate Lone Primate, who comments regularly on my blog we move to canada, one of the many "deserving wider recognition" nominees. He is indispensable - informative, knowledgeable, sharp, biting, hilarious, open-minded, fierce. Indeed, many people read my blog primarily to read Lone Primate's comments.
Please do nominate him if possible. Thank you.
Posted by: L-girl | March 4, 2006 10:05 AM
A vote: Norwegianity.
And a plea: please don't simply vote for blogs with the highest readership!
Posted by: helmut | March 4, 2006 01:01 PM
I agree with the comments on Think Progress and Huffington Post, both excellent blogs, but they aren't non-professional blogs.
I second Helmut's suggestion, too. There are many great blogs out there that don't have the hits.
Best blog: Random Thoughts: Unfair and Unbalanced
Posted by: Susan Nunes | March 4, 2006 01:04 PM
I thank you for your support - whoever nominated Iddybud Journal for this award. You're awesome. I can see that I am in the company of some wonderful talent. Win or lose, I am just happy to be part of such a vibrant blooging community. Your recognition of my efforts is important to me. Thank you again.
Posted by: Iddybud (JudeNagurney Camwell) | March 4, 2006 01:17 PM
I'm OK with Daily KOS
Posted by: Jim Shirk | March 4, 2006 01:22 PM
Helmut's right that everyone should look at all the good blogs out there and not vote for them on the basis of their traffic numbers.
I'm still voting for Pharyngula, but it's only because I'm grossly biased.
Posted by: PZ Myers | March 4, 2006 01:36 PM
I Blame the Patriarchy. I'm a big patriarchy-blamer.
But Pharyngula and Science and Politics are close behind...
Posted by: Kate | March 4, 2006 01:58 PM
I would cast a vote for Living the Scientific Life. This is one of the better blogs out there anywhere, and the amount of scientific knowledge imparted by the author ...... and through the links is incredible. Truly a joy to read every week.
--- Name deleted at the request of the individual involved. Dwight
Posted by: Brett Wolfe | March 4, 2006 02:11 PM
This is really hard. There are a number of blogs nominated that I read religiously - picking one is almost impossible. I'm going to have to go with a blog I've read from the beginning - Dark Wraith. That doesn't mean I don't think so many others aren't wonderful - and I congratulate everyone on some damn fine work!
Posted by: The Fat Lady Sings | March 4, 2006 02:12 PM
Another vote here for Living The Scientific Life.
Posted by: Chris Clarke | March 4, 2006 02:14 PM
Firedoglake
Posted by: Roxanne | March 4, 2006 02:17 PM
Where would the world be without Pharyngula?
Posted by: todd. | March 4, 2006 03:06 PM
I'm very pleased that Sivacracy got nominated, but I feel compelled to vote for "I Blame the Patriarchy," for which I blame the patriarchy.
Posted by: Ann Bartow | March 4, 2006 03:14 PM
Pharyngula, although I could easily vote for a dozen others
Posted by: The Captain | March 4, 2006 03:17 PM
Although now in retirement - shouldn't Gorenfeld's blog get some kind of an award for what it has done the last couple years?
Someone should recognize it. lmho...
http://www.iapprovethismessiah.com/
Posted by: Dale | March 4, 2006 03:41 PM
Are we voting yet?
Yes?
OK, The PoorMan. The Editors...pure genius.
But also Firedoglake, First Draft, Pandagon and Hullabaloo! How to choose! Or is it best to just vote for the most electable blogs? Kos? Atrios?
This is hard. But, The Editors have it. Best Blog: The PoorMan
Posted by: maggiemay | March 4, 2006 03:49 PM
Daily Kos
Posted by: Mark H | March 4, 2006 03:57 PM
the biogeek choice: Pharyngula
Posted by: Peter | March 4, 2006 04:03 PM
Pharyngula.
Posted by: Ricardo Azevedo | March 4, 2006 04:13 PM
hey, i've email you guys at Wampum, but no one has responded yet. but PLEASE, can someone edit my real name out of comments?
GrrlScientist
--- Done. Sorry it took so long but I was out of the house for a few hours and when I returned we had rather a lot of comment traffic to process. If it appears again, let me know and I will fix it. it is very helpful if you reference the offending comment so that I can easily locate it. Dwight
Posted by: GrrlScientist | March 4, 2006 04:30 PM
Damn, this is quite difficult. So many blogs, so little time....
Pharyngula
Posted by: Sine.Qua.Non | March 4, 2006 04:54 PM
Thank you for all the work. I must vote my bias and vote for The Heretik.
Posted by: The Heretik | March 4, 2006 05:20 PM
Sisyphus Shrugged
Posted by: dean | March 4, 2006 05:33 PM
This is beyond the pale in terms of picking... we need proportional representation and instant runoff voting for this category.
Posted by: spyder | March 4, 2006 05:46 PM
Tempted to say Pharyngula, but I also Blame the Patriarchy, so I cast a vote for good Doc Hedwig @ Living the Scientific Life.
Posted by: Jamie | March 4, 2006 05:54 PM
Kudos and thanks to all, but tops is absolutely firedoglake.
Posted by: rascalsout | March 4, 2006 06:02 PM
I vote for The Reaction.
Posted by: Jasmin | March 4, 2006 06:08 PM
Creek Running North
Posted by: the_bone | March 4, 2006 06:14 PM
Pharyngula
Posted by: IAMB | March 4, 2006 06:26 PM
This is so hard. I have to cast my vote for Hullabaloo.
Posted by: Unstable Isotope | March 4, 2006 06:27 PM
Feministe
Posted by: Lauren | March 4, 2006 06:40 PM
Michael Berube
Posted by: ana | March 4, 2006 06:46 PM
Creek Running North
Posted by: pinkko | March 4, 2006 06:46 PM
Fortunately, this preliminary round of voting is really easy for me in all categories because I have a home team to pump up. The real tough thing will be next round when I have to vote for things other than:
My Left Wing.
Posted by: Raybin | March 4, 2006 06:52 PM
americablog
Posted by: thel | March 4, 2006 06:58 PM
The Carpetbagger Report
Posted by: Minipundit | March 4, 2006 07:03 PM
The Maha blog ...Barbarba rules!!!!
Posted by: justme | March 4, 2006 07:13 PM
This is virtually impossible, but First Draft gets my vote. Always good and getting better.
Posted by: hoppy | March 4, 2006 07:14 PM
I can't get enough of Firedoglake
Posted by: Julie Zuber | March 4, 2006 07:29 PM
My Left Wing.
Posted by: eugene | March 4, 2006 07:36 PM
My Left Wing, natch
Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor | March 4, 2006 07:38 PM
Firedoglake
Posted by: sammie | March 4, 2006 07:41 PM
My Left Wing - potent but unfocused, or something like that :)
Posted by: sassy texan | March 4, 2006 07:45 PM
Sisyphus Shrugged
Posted by: Bill Hooker | March 4, 2006 07:48 PM
Like it says on the pizza box— You've tried the rest, now try the best.
The Mahablog
Posted by: Swami | March 4, 2006 07:48 PM
A lot of good choices, but I vote for Hullabaloo.
Posted by: MattT | March 4, 2006 07:51 PM
Truly, an embarassment of riches: congratulations to everyone.
My vote goes to Michael Berube. How many of *you* have undertaken secret missions to Brasil?
Posted by: Theophrastus Bombastus von Hoehenheim den Sidste | March 4, 2006 07:55 PM
First Draft
Posted by: virgotex | March 4, 2006 08:03 PM
Booman Tribune
Posted by: FranM | March 4, 2006 08:03 PM
Firedoglake
Posted by: Wren Dishon | March 4, 2006 08:08 PM
Pharangula (I think I spelled it wrong) ;)
Posted by: Cindy | March 4, 2006 08:25 PM
Pharangula (I think I spelled it wrong) ;)
Posted by: Cindy | March 4, 2006 08:27 PM
my left wing
Posted by: wu ming | March 4, 2006 08:33 PM
Bitch PhD
Posted by: MR | March 4, 2006 08:38 PM
My Left Wing
Posted by: musicsleuth | March 4, 2006 08:47 PM
My Left Wing
Posted by: billybush | March 4, 2006 08:49 PM
Bitch PhD
Posted by: TD | March 4, 2006 08:58 PM
This is incredibly, hard. But day in day out, I must vote for Berube for consistency, range, Jamie stories and pictures of Rod Gilbert.
Posted by: Steve E | March 4, 2006 09:01 PM
My Left Wing
Posted by: Lynda Rice | March 4, 2006 09:04 PM
My Left Wing
Posted by: mirrim | March 4, 2006 09:07 PM
Daily Kos, but let's retire it this year.
Next year, Dkos inelegible.
Posted by: Armando | March 4, 2006 09:13 PM
Crooks and Liars, Bitch, The poorman
Posted by: Bob Barsanti | March 4, 2006 09:13 PM
My Left Wing
Posted by: Cathy | March 4, 2006 09:19 PM
Shakespeare's Sister
Posted by: tart | March 4, 2006 09:30 PM
firedoglake
Posted by: LindyH | March 4, 2006 09:33 PM
Far too much talent in this list. Crooked Timber gets my vote.
Posted by: Urizen | March 4, 2006 09:44 PM
A tough call, but I've gotta go with Driftglass. Dohiyi Mir a close second. dKos on principle, but it's not really a non-professional blog, at least for some of the people there.
Posted by: Michael | March 4, 2006 10:08 PM
Michael Berube
Posted by: astroprof | March 4, 2006 10:24 PM
firedoglake
Posted by: thingwarbler | March 4, 2006 10:27 PM
Thank you for nominating me--and I will vote for me
Courting Destiny
Posted by: pia savage | March 4, 2006 10:33 PM
My Left Wing
Posted by: Nonetheless | March 4, 2006 10:35 PM
Legal Fiction.
Posted by: Josh | March 4, 2006 10:39 PM
I Blame the Patriarchy
Posted by: sa | March 4, 2006 10:43 PM
Pandagon
Posted by: julie | March 4, 2006 10:43 PM
WhirledView
Posted by: CKR | March 4, 2006 10:55 PM
BradBlog! Still doing the best blogging around.
Posted by: liberalgirlnextdoor | March 4, 2006 11:01 PM
I vote for ME! BitchPhD, darn it.
Posted by: bitchphd | March 4, 2006 11:04 PM
bitch phd
Posted by: ben wolfson | March 4, 2006 11:05 PM
Crooked Timber
Posted by: MJ Memphis | March 4, 2006 11:06 PM
Dark Wraith
Posted by: oldwhitelady | March 4, 2006 11:08 PM
My Left Wing
Posted by: Pluto | March 4, 2006 11:10 PM
My Left Wing
Posted by: beagleandtabby | March 4, 2006 11:17 PM
Legal Fiction. Needs to be in the finals. Who am I going to vote in the finals - I have no idea yet!
Posted by: coturnix | March 4, 2006 11:19 PM
Legal Fiction. Needs to be in the finals. Who am I going to vote in the finals - I have no idea yet!
(BTW, Grrrlscientist has been identified by real name on another voting thread, too....)
Posted by: coturnix | March 4, 2006 11:21 PM
Pharyngula!!!!
Posted by: Torris | March 4, 2006 11:27 PM
hey, i apologize, i didn't realize we were nominated for best blog (non-professional), and i want to thank mary beth and dwight, not only for their hard work on the koufai (plural of koufax?), and also for including us, but for their continued good work on their blog.
Posted by: skippy | March 4, 2006 11:27 PM
...too many nominees.
BOPNews.
ash
['Yeah, and?']
Posted by: ash | March 4, 2006 11:29 PM
BitchPhD
Posted by: Judy | March 4, 2006 11:35 PM
Courting Destiny
Posted by: Bone | March 4, 2006 11:37 PM
First Draft
Posted by: BuggyQ | March 4, 2006 11:41 PM
i must apologize, because this is the first i heard that my site was nominated in this category!
in that case, i have to thank whomsoever nominated me and my fellow co-bloggers. we didn't even have a clue we were being considered.
i also want to thank mary beth and dwight for the hard work on all the koufai (plural of koufax?), as well as their continual great blogging in general.
and, if you don't vote for us, at least drop by and take a look at the new lay out that lauren (formerly of feministe) and august j. pollack put together for our site.
just to be clear, though, i am voting for march of the penguins for best documentary.
Posted by: skippy | March 4, 2006 11:41 PM
This is definitely The Year of Firedoglake, IMHO.
Posted by: Sandia Blanca | March 4, 2006 11:41 PM
BitchPhD
Posted by: taddyporter | March 4, 2006 11:42 PM
firedoglake
Posted by: mpower1952 | March 5, 2006 12:06 AM
firedoglake
Posted by: neurophius | March 5, 2006 12:08 AM
i must apologize, because this is the first i heard that my site was nominated in this category!
in that case, i have to thank whomsoever nominated me and my fellow co-bloggers. we didn't even have a clue we were being considered.
i also want to thank mary beth and dwight for the hard work on all the koufai (plural of koufax?), as well as their continual great blogging in general.
and, if you don't vote for us, at least drop by and take a look at the new lay out that lauren (formerly of feministe) and august j. pollack put together for our site.
just to be clear, though, i am voting for march of the penguins for best documentary.
Posted by: skippy | March 5, 2006 12:10 AM
Courting Destiny
Posted by: cooper | March 5, 2006 12:30 AM
Majikthise
Posted by: Lindsay Beyerstein | March 5, 2006 12:35 AM
Eschaton. Because Atrios and the Atriots have built the best community on the web.
Posted by: flory | March 5, 2006 12:42 AM
Gotta go with PZ: Pharyngula.
Posted by: RBH | March 5, 2006 12:52 AM
NTodd at Dohiyimir
Posted by: ellroon | March 5, 2006 01:28 AM
Firedoglake
Posted by: ccmask | March 5, 2006 01:31 AM
Tough choice. I don't understand why Media Matters and Raw Story are considered "blogs".
Regardless, I vote for Crooks and Liars to make it into the finals.
Posted by: anonymous | March 5, 2006 01:36 AM
Firedoglake for creating a blog that moves beyond blogging and is able to keep us laughing while outraged; for transforming readers into activists, and for forming a genuinely caring community.
Posted by: siun | March 5, 2006 01:46 AM