A few days of invigoration

The past few days have indeed been busy, away from the computer.  I will have several items to report in the coming week.  Saturday was an incredible day.  As Hanna rolled by amazingly well over 100 citizens attended the RightOnline blog training seminar.  Steve Lonegan director of Americans for Prosperity New Jersey (AFPNJ) sponsored the event with 14 speakers providing a wealth of information and education.   Here is a brief on the lineup of great speakers. There is a lot of great writing in the many links I’ve added and do hope you will explore.

Interesting discussions of the threats to freedom were highlighted.  John Fund author and columnist for the Wall Street Journal discussed the political prospective.  Phil Kerpen  director of policy for AFP is also a contributing editor for National Review Online and Chairman for the Internet Freedom Coalition presented threats from a policy perspective.  Not only are spending cuts to our bloated government needed, they must be accompanied by structural reforms to the systems that created the monster.

Matt Lewis contributing writer for Townhall.com educated us on the enormous powers of online writing.  Through blogging, news not covered by the media, information can be brought into public view and provide a different perspective.  Online writing brings media and politicians into the ‘light of day’.  It is a great tool to promote change and accountability.

Erik Telford from RightOnline.com  and Michael Illions a powerful activist from Conservatives with Attitude! taught us the basics, called blogging 101.  A blog can be created and writing done about local level news such as a school board, or local government.  If ones interest is more national the blog can be written on how these federal issues impact families, citizens, and the economy in your area.  Blogs can address and counter the bias of traditional media.  Eric talked about making YouTube videos and using Flip cameras.  I will be checking into a flip, sounds like a valuable non-costly tool.

Virgil Huston, founder of Kudzu Media gave us a taste of podcasts that are recorded shows.  They can be done as monologues, panel discussions, call in shows, or interviews.  Although very interesting I will be leaving this task (at this time) to blogs such as Conservatives with Attitude! who do a great job with podcasts.

William Beutler represented New Media Strategies and provided us a lot of insight of the workings of Wikipedia.  I’ve always wondered how Wiki was kept so professional and upstanding.  His presentation answered a lot of questions.  He pointed to a New York Times article, “Don’t Like Palin’s Wikipedia Story? Change It”.

Aaron Marks, President of Three Group Media and blogger talked about social media and networking. We saw one aspect of networking in action right at the event as we were entrenched in exchanging information and soaking up new knowledge.

Trent Seibert discussed investigative research and reporting.  Trent is credited for exposing the enormous energy consumed by Al Gore.  He uses public records such as state business registrations, court records, local campaign contribution records, and even FBI public records to gather information.

State Senator Steve Oroho spoke about those who live off the state systems and how they work the bureaucracy.  Oroho takes a tough stand against bloated government and state borrowing without voter approval.  He is a powerful advocate for the citizens and taxpayers in New Jersey.

Ralph Benko is the author of “The Webster’s Dictionary: how to use the Web to transform the world”.  It will be available in the next few weeks.  Ralph pointed out to us that 5% of the populous has the power to change the world with the tools available around them.  I found this statement amazing.  This brings us to one of the 5% with the power.

Steve Lonegan has a proven track record of the ability to effect change.  His experience and knowledge of economics and proactive conservative measures covers vast ground that is outlined in the Wikipedia link.  Lonegan’s book “Putting Taxpayers First: A Blueprint for Victory in the Garden State” is highly recommended reading.  Lonegan ‘practices what he preaches’ in his book and one can see this in action through the many successes he has administered winning for taxpayers.

Many thanks to Steve Lonegan along with RightOnline for this wonderful gathering, and all the speakers and staff who made this event dynamic.  The culmination of the evening was a fabulous barbecue graciously given by the Lonegans.  Hanna was a mere inconvenience on this invigorating day.