Peace Arena Oklahoma Netroots Awards

I promised to announce on Friday or Saturday, but this weekend has been nuts. Whatever possessed me to do this piece of business on a holiday weekend? Oh, yeah, my blogiversary. Okay, what kind of nut starts blogging on frakkin’ Thanksgiving!!!

Anyway, due to this being a last minute brainstorm, please forgive the lack of detail the awards deserve. I’m sure I’ll think of a dozen more good blogs and categories five minutes after I publish this!

I decided to do a freeform category, based on blogs/sites that have impressed me this year, basing the name on whatever niche or contribution the owner has made. Keep in mind these are just my opinion, based on my own biases/interests and factored by what has crossed my path. Now that I’m giving my own funky awards out, I’ll try to be more conscious about it — I dunno, maybe even make a few notes as I go along.

With all that said, here are the Peace Arena Netroots Awards for 2008.

Woody Guthrie Award – for best ambassador for Oklahoma to the wider Netroots:
droogie6655321 blogging at Daily Kos
Through sheer talent and consistency, droogie managed to rise through the thousands of Daily Kos bloggers and commenters to become one of the site’s most inspiring and beloved contributors. Through his humanity and intelligence, which were abundant in every post, the Tulsan countered the prevailing stereotype of Oklahomans that is rampant in the Netroots. With Oklahoma’s election results giving Oklahoma progressives that much more to fight against, even among those who are supposedly allies, droogie’s outreach is more necessary than ever.

Mason Jar of Red Dirt Award – for best Netroots ally outside the state
Down With Tyranny! for his knowledgeable and repeated advocacy for Andrew Rice and exposure of the many political crimes of Jim Inhofe. (The title of this award is meant to signify a gift given, or a memento taken, from Oklahoma by which to remember the state.)

Buffalo Stampede Award – for best blog with a cause
At Oklahoma Women’s Network Blog, Jean Warner has brought attention to every aspect of women’s lives in Oklahoma. While non-partisan, Jean has helped to give voice to the news, history and concerns of women and girls in the areas of business, politics, education, religion and more, and that in itself, is progressive in my book. It’s been a wonder to behold the volume of her blogging and her attention to stories and people that would otherwise be overlooked. And it’s just the tip of the iceberg of her work, as she has recently helped found the Oklahoma Women’s Coalition whose mission is to “advance the potential and equity of women and girls in Oklahoma”.

Wind Power Award – for most sustained rant
Okie Funk‘s resident doctor, DocHoc, is never better than when he is decrying the shameless waste of tree pulp that is The Oklahoman. Fortunately for his readers, the paper has given him plenty to work with, and doesn’t look like it will stop any time soon — more’s the pity.

Land Run Award – for most promising newcomer
When John Sutter was working at the Oklahoman, he wrote for Go Green, one of the NewsOK.com blogs, which focused on the environment. “Let go” during a “budget crisis” purge at the paper, he decided to keep right on blogging, and Concrete Buffalo is the result. Oklahoma is way behind in this area, and John’s blog can help make a difference.

Black Blizzard Award – for best images
Phototune – because sometimes words fail

Well, that’s what I got for this year, folks. I hope the winners get some joy and sense of accomplishment from being recognized by my little corner of the blogosphere — and maybe they will get a few more readers. As soon as possible I whip up some corny graphic they can plop in their sidebar, if they are so inclined.

Please share other award-worthy blogs in the comments.

P.S. I should add that Bartcop was excluded from consideration in this competition. He exists in a stateless realm — but we appreciate the progressive glow he emits from his Tulsa studio.