FISHERS, IN -- After five years of posting some of Indiana's finest libertarian insights, Mike Kole has announced his intention of taking his blog, Kole Hard Facts, offline.
Undoubtedly the decision by Kole, the 2006 LPIN candidate for Secretary of State and Dr. Barbara Bourland Light of Liberty Award winner, came after much deliberation. Weighing the time taken to blog and the perceived impact of the posts played an important part in that decision.
Kole writes:
Because I believe in markets, it's impossible to ignore the pointlessness of carrying on with the ol' Kole Hard Facts. My message is freedom, and nobody's buying. What's worse is that the viewer doesn't even have to buy. And yet, 30 hits a day? Forget it. (Read the remainder of the entry here.)
Ever the usual optimist, Kole's defeatist tone can certainly be felt by many involved in third party and libertarian circles. However, we must remind ourselves that Bob Barr stands to gain more votes this year for the Libertarian Party than any candidate in our history. Locally, Steve Keltner, KP Nfr, Rex Bell, Ed Angleton and Eric Schansberg -- among others -- continue to run active and energized campaigns.
While Mike's thoughts will be missed from the blogosphere, opportunity for new bloggers continues to exist. The LPIN will begin a new feature on this website offering a critical review of political blogs, libertarian and non-libertarian alike. If you have interest serving as feature editor for Blogs of Note, please email LPIN at news@lpin.org.
To get bloggers started, check out Kenn Gividen's excellent suggestions for driving traffic to your blog.
Not Closed
Kole Hard Facts is still going. I was angry and depressed. Can you blame me? The trends are moving the wrong way- towards more intrusive government in every area of life, and away from liberty in every area of life.
The Libertarian message is needed now more than ever. I was having my doubts that I was effective in bringing it to people. In the end, I've decided that it's more important to keep bringing the message than to not, and of it only reaches one new person, then it's progress.
-Mike Kole