Independent Blogs: The Daily Kos

The Daily Kos can't really be described as a single blog, but more of as a blogging entity. Any user can create an account, and begin their own blog, regardless of qualifications. This user freedom makes for a very interesting content stream. If one were to view the main Stream, the titles and opinions range all over the map, from extreme right wing conservatives, all the way to Anarchistic ideas and thoughts.

The true Independent entity is one that does not filter its users, but instead allows anyone to post and be viewed based on ideas, and not be viewed because of the corporate backing.

Independent Blog: Perrspectives

Perrspectives was created by Jon Perr and has many subsections in it. It has a place for articles ad well as resources. But our analysis lies in the blog. The blogs are informative with pictures and/or video clips in them, as well as links on many things essential to the main point of the post. Links to news articles litter each post to help the reader clarify anything they may not know about. The blog isn't really done in a professional or childish voice, but there are many words that just don't seem to fit in with the scheme of a political blog. All in all, this blog is very informative, complete with a search engine, links to other blogs and resources. A good place to look if you're interested in politics.
http://www.perrspectives.com/blog/

Independent Blog: Bipolar Nation

Bipolar Nation was started in 2006 by Dan Kenitz and is co-authored by Aaron Robertson. It aims to bring people of every race and political view to one place to discuss current events. Along with the post made, people are encouraged to respond to the post with links directing you to make a comment or visit a forum. BPN is very good at giving the reader related topics at the end of each post, and on the home page a month by month break down of posts that have been added. The only thing I reccomend to this site would be a search engine to allow readers to find particular topics. Otherwise this blog is very informative and promotes a healthy community for the discussion of politics.
http://www.bipolarnation.com/

What makes an Independent Blog?

There are a few factors that go into these Blogs being categorized as Independent. One of the main ones is their ownership. For a truly Independent Blog, it is not owned or sponsored by anyone. However, the bulk of these blogs do not get viewed regularly, and so we are discounting these from our research. The kind of Independent Blog we are focusing on is not always related to their cause or opinions, but rather to who owns and operates them.
For example, let's look at a Blog that supports electing Mitt Romney in the 08 Elections. The Blog, titled CoMITTed to Romney, is owned by a 33 year old self described "wife, mother, and business owner of the technology solutions company BlodgetTech" (Source). This Blog is privately owned and operated by Ann Marie Curling, and is posted on by a small group of bloggers. There is no major corporate ownership or sponsorship that is present, and the site is hosted by Blodgetech, a Blog Tech company.
This Blog is the perfect example of an Independent Blog. It's views are controlled by the few Bloggers who post, and by the owner, an average person.

Independent Blogs are not defined by the views, but by the ownership. However, the viewpoints and opinions of Independent Blogs seem to be different from the Mainstream Blogs.