This point doesn't fit into any of the questions neatly, but one thing I find invaluable about blogging is the fact that news stories and viewpoints that don't get a lot of space in the MSM get it in the blogosphere, and that energy can and has created enough momentum to get people to stand up and take notice. Even though the bankruptcy bill passed in Congress, communication via blogs got a critical mass of people to call and fax their representatives--to the point where the lines were jammed.

I think we also have to be careful--there's this idea that blogging is somehow pure because it's not controlled by GiantMegaCorp, Inc. But blogs are used in guerilla and viral marketing schemes, and they are used to astroturf for companies and industries.

Hope this is useful.