State Policy Network & Samsphere SPN Bloggers

Bill Smith, Editor: Yesterday, I flew to Arizona to attend the State Policy Network and the Sam Adams Alliance Samsphere SPN Blogger meet-up. Sam Adams Alliance has been the gracious host and funded limited government bloggers to meet together.

Since my flight took me through Houston with my return trip scheduled back through Houston, I was advised my return has been placed on hold thanks to Hurricane Ike. Our take off from Houston was delayed not because of commercial aircraft but by the increased traffic of private airplanes from surrounding smaller airports all taking to the air to leave Ike behind. For a short while it was like one big aircraft traffic jam in the sky. Although eventually I may be rerouted and arrive back at Little Rock, my concern is for the people of Texas and the surrounding areas that will get the brunt of Hurricane Ike. The heavy rains and potential tornadoes may even reach into Arkansas which has already had a very wet stormy year.

The gathering here in Scottsdale is a "mixed bag of policy types, activists, bloggers, journalists and the like, spanning the spectrum from some kind of libertarian to some kind of conservative." However all are in agreement about the need for government transparency and limited government appropriate to community, county, state and national level. However, at a more in depth level, the group is somewhat fractious. The majority are pulling John McCain / Sarah Palin with special interest on Sarah Palin. But there are also Bob Barr supporters. To quote J.D. Tuccille of the Disloyal Opposition,

There's a growing chasm between many libertarians and conservatives, but people seem to be tripping over the damned thing without noticing that they've stubbed their toes.

The one thing the libs and cons do seem to agree on is that Sarah Palin was an inspired choice. The staff of one organization told me they pulled down their office Barr memorabilia after she won the nod. Maybe Palin is lying across that chasm all by herself as a human bridge.

Meeting with old and new bloggers and policy network people has been worthwhile. Besides current events and the special SPN presentations, many were interested in the new Let's Get This Right movement and the various things that went on "back stage" at the RNC 2008 and "life after the election." Bloggers reviewed various strategies and tactics. There has been the continued 's emphasis on Web 2.0 and online social networking here -- tutorials and advice that are ideal for anybody who needs to promote a blog or a Website.

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Tags: Arizona, Arkansas, Houston, Hurricane Ike, Let's Get This Right, SPN, State Policy Network To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!