Introducing Behind Blue Lines

I am a relative latecomer to blogging. Although I have been an avid reader of political blogs since the 2004 election, a busy practice and community matters have prevented me from jumping into the fray myself. While I have written on law and information technology over a dozen years, I have been reluctant to provide public comment on political matters. I suppose a certain inbred modesty was at work: I seriously wondered who would be interested in my poor comments when so many commentators already jostle for attention. I have at least a dozen large writing projects sitting in heaps but I have long needed a warmup by which I could write in smaller bites and not feel overwhelmed. So, with the encouragement of my wife, I now begin my blog on Election Day 2008. I plan to provide regular entries, quite possibly several a day when ire or the muse take me.

The blog’s name reflects the dominant political and cultural leftism of New England. While conservatism is alive, well and vigorous here, it is only now organizing itself into winning political and cultural coalitions. I expect great things in the years to come but for now New England conservatives have the sense of being strangers in a strange land. I have also noticed that precious few of the leading conservative political blogs in the country seem to originate in New England. I hope partially to rectify this imbalance. I want BBL to be both a leading political blog and a credible representative of thoughtful New England conservatism.

In terms of format, BBL will reflect a synthesis of several blogging styles. The blog roll on the right is fairly long, but of that list I have several favorites: I assiduously read the Powerline boys (John, Scott and Paul). I admire their political insights and while their entries are somewhat reactive to events, they also tackle more global issues. I love reading Ed Morrissey and Allahpundit at Hot Air. They are excellent and insightful writers with a delightful edge. I do wish, though, that Allah would take a happy pill occasionally.

My beau ideal, however, is Wretchard at the Belmont Club. I have been fascinated by his geopolitical analysis and encyclopedic knowledge of military history, tactics and hardware. Any man who knows about the tied-down circuit breaker on the USS South Dakota at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal has reached – and quite possibly exceeded – my own level of obsession. Yet he was able to connect this seemingly trivial detail to a larger historical point. Not many people can connect such dots and Wretchard does it effortlessly. If my blog is half as insightful as his, I shall be doing well indeed. As you may gather from my stated preferences, BBL will contain both reactive and reflective posts.

A word about comments. Generally, my posts will be open for comment. All commenters must register, however. I expect commenters to be respectful and to add meaningfully to the discussion at hand. If I think that a particular commenter is a troll, I will block that person. But, like I say, I look forward to productive discussion.