Well, here we are, one day removed from Ned Lamont’s defeat of joementum.  Say what you want about Joe (for instance, that he’s a whiny little bitch), at least it’s fairly certain that nobody will accuse him of having too much testosterone in his urine.

Of course, the Republicans, the DLC, and the media whores are trying to pin Joe’s loss on the crazy left-wing loonies out there in the blogosphere, which clearly shows that they just don’t get it (although, based on the early, and rather open support for Lamont that the Democrats are showing, I think it’s just possible they realize the times are changing; maybe it’s just pandering, but goddamn it, it’s about time they started pandering to us, instead of to the right-wing Kristo-facist zombie brigade out there).

The Internet is playing a huge part in politics, to be sure, but not because of some class of all-powerful bloggers like Kos or Atrios or even the freepers (with the possible exception of the Seditionists, who are a small but feared fringe group).  It’s because we now have a way to communicate with each other, and spread information quickly, without having to settle for whatever crap the “traditional,” for-profit media decides to feature.  Sure, some of that information is crap, but compared that big steaming pile of dung that is Fox News, well, how crappy can it really be?

Of course, the pundit class doesn’t care for this too much, ‘cuz, after all, once we the people figure out we can have our own opinions, what’s the point in paying somebody else to have them (oh, people with talent – like Rich, Krugman, and Ivins – don’t have to worry, but all the iditotic hacks out there – yes, I’m talkin’ to you, Cokie, Sam, and George :jerk: –  might want to think about a back-up plan)?  And the politicians are terrified that we’ll actually go beyond the 30 second soundbite, see who’s bought and paid for them, and hold them accountable.  That’s why this Net Neutrality stuff is so important.  If they’re allowed to set up a pay to play Internet, free speech and the exchange of ideas on the web will become a quaint memory (kinda like the Geneva Conventions), and all we’ll be left with are big flashy graphics and infomercials from jug-headed, blotchy-faced, loudmouth falafel perverts.

Of course, one primary victory doesn’t exactly mean things are gonna be fine now.  For one thing, Ned has to win his election (and then we have to see if he does – or at least tries to do – what he says he will), and the Republicans need to be given a timeout to go sit in the corner and think about their behavior for a few years.  And we all need to keep pushing the Democrats to the left, so that they at least wind up in the center.  Who knows, if a few more of their sacred cows get spanked, maybe we can even get them to the left of Barry Goldwater again.

Now, if we could just find a left-leaning radio network….