I got involved in politics at the ripe old age of 12. I rode my bike around my little town – handing out bumper stickers for a friend of my mom’s who was running for the Virginia House of Delegates.
By the time I was 18, I had already spent complete days driving state candidates around and had been chosen by my county to be a delegate to a state nominating convention. In my 20’s I campaigned for Ronald Reagan over and over again. In my 30’s I campaigned so much for Jeb Bush that people thought I was Jeb Bush.
And then abruptly, my politicking stopped.
Why? I stopped being active in politics because I became a pastor of a church.
You see, the law says that churches and their pastors cannot be politically partisan. It violates campaign laws and infringes on the so-called separation of church and state. Churches can risk losing tax-exempt status if they are involved in supporting specific candidates for specific offices.
I guess President Obama believes himself above the law. I looked the other way when he incessantly campaigned in churches – that is done a lot. However, his latest gimmick is beyond the pale.
President Obama has asked churches to re-elect him. He has asked them to organize. He has asked them to appoint congregation captains. He is asking them to break the law.
The media needs to report on this. The IRS needs to hold these churches accountable. The Attorney General needs to hold the president accountable. Oh wait – the media is in the tank and the president runs those two agencies.
Okay – the people need to hold him accountable. Maybe in November they just will.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Catching Up
Well - it's nice to be back. However, life has temporarily taken over my hope to be an alternative to a pay-to-view Florida Today website. Even though Matt Reed challenged me as their "competition," with kids and parents to take care of - I'm not sure how much time I can put into being the grand alternative.
I will continue to write - I hope that you will read when I do write - and tell your friends about it. But doing any marketing or ad selling is not happening in the near future. Maybe we can mount at least a small protest to their experiment.
I did notice as the Florida Today changeover occurred this week that one can still view the obituaries for free and can still read headlines for free - so I'm pretty good to go. How about you?
Now to some news commentary:
Interesting take - When Republicans are in the White House and gas prices rise, it's Republicans' fault because they are in the pocket of Big Oil. When Democrats are in the White House and gas prices rise, it's Republicans' fault because they are in the pocket of Big Oil. I love the consistent logic.
Recent articles in "The Economist" note that maybe it's okay that Islamists are winning elections in the Middle East. At least they are not al Qaeda, they note. However, these rising factions in Egypt and Libya (and probably in Iraq too now that we lost the diplomacy war) will curtail human rights and institute strict theocracies. I see a bad moon a'risin...
Syria and Afghanistan - one blunder after another...and heroes keep getting killed.
Talk at you later...
I will continue to write - I hope that you will read when I do write - and tell your friends about it. But doing any marketing or ad selling is not happening in the near future. Maybe we can mount at least a small protest to their experiment.
I did notice as the Florida Today changeover occurred this week that one can still view the obituaries for free and can still read headlines for free - so I'm pretty good to go. How about you?
Now to some news commentary:
Interesting take - When Republicans are in the White House and gas prices rise, it's Republicans' fault because they are in the pocket of Big Oil. When Democrats are in the White House and gas prices rise, it's Republicans' fault because they are in the pocket of Big Oil. I love the consistent logic.
Recent articles in "The Economist" note that maybe it's okay that Islamists are winning elections in the Middle East. At least they are not al Qaeda, they note. However, these rising factions in Egypt and Libya (and probably in Iraq too now that we lost the diplomacy war) will curtail human rights and institute strict theocracies. I see a bad moon a'risin...
Syria and Afghanistan - one blunder after another...and heroes keep getting killed.
Talk at you later...
Sunday, February 5, 2012
To See Florida Today - You Now Must Pay
Beginning Monday February 6, you will have to pay - not only to read Florida Today in print - but to read its news website as well.
I don't know about you - but generally I scan the headlines, read the obituaries, and then glance at local opinion. Hmmm...
Florida Today columnist Matt Reed asks in a column today whether their content is worth a bag of Doritos. Since I don't eat Doritos I wouldn't know.
I do know I am not going to pay for the little bit of news I get from it.
A local commenter noted that - in the past - subscription costs paid for distribution and ads paid for everything else. Since there is virtually no distribution cost for an online site, it is curious why Florida Today must charge for their website.
The answer is clear. Advertisers do not see the value - so that revenue stream is dammed up.
Here is a free site that will be expanding as we move along. I hope to have other local contributors. Let me know if you want to participate.
Blessings!
I don't know about you - but generally I scan the headlines, read the obituaries, and then glance at local opinion. Hmmm...
Florida Today columnist Matt Reed asks in a column today whether their content is worth a bag of Doritos. Since I don't eat Doritos I wouldn't know.
I do know I am not going to pay for the little bit of news I get from it.
A local commenter noted that - in the past - subscription costs paid for distribution and ads paid for everything else. Since there is virtually no distribution cost for an online site, it is curious why Florida Today must charge for their website.
The answer is clear. Advertisers do not see the value - so that revenue stream is dammed up.
Here is a free site that will be expanding as we move along. I hope to have other local contributors. Let me know if you want to participate.
Blessings!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Matt and Me
I had a little smackdown with Matt Reed this morning on “Bill Mick Live” – a talk radio show on WMMB. Matt is a regular guest and generally I find his opinions on things legit and not too over-the-top. This morning was different.
First, Matt was discussing a piece he had written regarding an interview with a national ACLU person. I had not read the piece when I heard the radio show, but Matt began this segment calling the ACLU “kind of liberal” and “non-partisan.”
The topic then segued to new rules in Florida that require a voter to show a picture ID before they can vote. Matt called this a “poll tax.”
I called into the show and called him on these comments. I said that there is a long history of the ACLU being liberal and partisan. I noted that I was driving and couldn’t back my claims at that moment, but would surely be able to if I had computer access. However, I will not waste my time with that now – as it is surely fact, not fiction that the ACLU predominantly sides with liberal causes.
Secondly, I noted that since we provide people without means with safety nets, we could certainly provide those without means with a picture ID so that voter identity could be assured. I hung up so Matt could respond.
Smarmily, Matt started by saying (I’m paraphrasing), “I’m not getting into that liberal/conservative nonsense because it is tired and old.” Well Matt, you brought it up in the first place. I was responding to your off-handed remark about the ACLU. If you’re tired of labeling – then stop the labeling.
You see, it is the classic liberal ploy to decry labeling liberal-ness. Conservatives know who they are and proudfully self-identify. Liberals or “progressives” (since they post-modernly changed their name) like to change the subject.
Then Matt went on to even more smarmily say (and I’m paraphrasing), “That guy (that would be me) is driving and on a cell phone so he has no idea what poor and old people go through to get a picture ID.”
Well, Matt this “guy” is a school teacher with a kid in college and a kid in braces. I certainly know what it is like to be on the short end of a paycheck. Secondly, my cell phone is a free one.
Another classic liberal ploy – attack your opponent instead of confronting the charge. The fact that I have a job and a car and a cell phone does not mean that I don’t understand the poor and the elderly. And it doesn’t change the argument that it would be very easy to provide low income and elderly people with free IDs so that they can vote.
Since my conservative “Opinion" doesn’t "Matter” anymore for Florida Today – it is not surprising that Matt Reed now feels free rein to castigate success and expose his liberal/progressive agenda whenever and wherever he can.
First, Matt was discussing a piece he had written regarding an interview with a national ACLU person. I had not read the piece when I heard the radio show, but Matt began this segment calling the ACLU “kind of liberal” and “non-partisan.”
The topic then segued to new rules in Florida that require a voter to show a picture ID before they can vote. Matt called this a “poll tax.”
I called into the show and called him on these comments. I said that there is a long history of the ACLU being liberal and partisan. I noted that I was driving and couldn’t back my claims at that moment, but would surely be able to if I had computer access. However, I will not waste my time with that now – as it is surely fact, not fiction that the ACLU predominantly sides with liberal causes.
Secondly, I noted that since we provide people without means with safety nets, we could certainly provide those without means with a picture ID so that voter identity could be assured. I hung up so Matt could respond.
Smarmily, Matt started by saying (I’m paraphrasing), “I’m not getting into that liberal/conservative nonsense because it is tired and old.” Well Matt, you brought it up in the first place. I was responding to your off-handed remark about the ACLU. If you’re tired of labeling – then stop the labeling.
You see, it is the classic liberal ploy to decry labeling liberal-ness. Conservatives know who they are and proudfully self-identify. Liberals or “progressives” (since they post-modernly changed their name) like to change the subject.
Then Matt went on to even more smarmily say (and I’m paraphrasing), “That guy (that would be me) is driving and on a cell phone so he has no idea what poor and old people go through to get a picture ID.”
Well, Matt this “guy” is a school teacher with a kid in college and a kid in braces. I certainly know what it is like to be on the short end of a paycheck. Secondly, my cell phone is a free one.
Another classic liberal ploy – attack your opponent instead of confronting the charge. The fact that I have a job and a car and a cell phone does not mean that I don’t understand the poor and the elderly. And it doesn’t change the argument that it would be very easy to provide low income and elderly people with free IDs so that they can vote.
Since my conservative “Opinion" doesn’t "Matter” anymore for Florida Today – it is not surprising that Matt Reed now feels free rein to castigate success and expose his liberal/progressive agenda whenever and wherever he can.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Newt-ered
Florida is a microcosm of the country. Some high tech, some cowboy, some military, some Hispanics, some retirees, some big cities, some rural communities, some coastline, some other stuff.
For Republicans – Florida is vital. The Republican nominee has to win Florida in November to win the presidency. Ask George W. Bush – and then ask John McCain.
In Florida, Newt Gingrich and his Super PAC threw everything they had at Mitt Romney. And Mitt kicked butt.
Sadly, Newt has begun to sound like President Obama – blaming everyone else for his own past deeds. He needs to understand – Republicans and conservatives have principles and love candidates with them. But reasoned thinking GOPers do not forget ethical lapses – and Newt has more than his share.
Romney won in all parts of the state. Romney won in many demographic groups.
Marco Rubio – the conservative rising star basically endorsed Romney. Fred Thompson endorsed Newt. Fred who?
Romney can now settle in – raise some more cash and collect more votes in Nevada and Michigan. He can get ready for Super Tuesday in the beginning of March.
Newt and Rick have to scramble. Their money will begin to dry up. Their supporters will begin the bandwagon jump. Ron Paul will still be Ron Paul.
Mitt has shown that he can beat all three of his opponents at once – in a diverse state. Not in Iowa where evangelicals rule. Not in South Carolina where southern born trumps Massachusetts bred. But in Florida – where every time you turn around there’s someone different standing in front of you.
Florida is Romney country. It is the true beginning of the end for the rest of them.
For Republicans – Florida is vital. The Republican nominee has to win Florida in November to win the presidency. Ask George W. Bush – and then ask John McCain.
In Florida, Newt Gingrich and his Super PAC threw everything they had at Mitt Romney. And Mitt kicked butt.
Sadly, Newt has begun to sound like President Obama – blaming everyone else for his own past deeds. He needs to understand – Republicans and conservatives have principles and love candidates with them. But reasoned thinking GOPers do not forget ethical lapses – and Newt has more than his share.
Romney won in all parts of the state. Romney won in many demographic groups.
Marco Rubio – the conservative rising star basically endorsed Romney. Fred Thompson endorsed Newt. Fred who?
Romney can now settle in – raise some more cash and collect more votes in Nevada and Michigan. He can get ready for Super Tuesday in the beginning of March.
Newt and Rick have to scramble. Their money will begin to dry up. Their supporters will begin the bandwagon jump. Ron Paul will still be Ron Paul.
Mitt has shown that he can beat all three of his opponents at once – in a diverse state. Not in Iowa where evangelicals rule. Not in South Carolina where southern born trumps Massachusetts bred. But in Florida – where every time you turn around there’s someone different standing in front of you.
Florida is Romney country. It is the true beginning of the end for the rest of them.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Mitt Romney WIll Get My Vote
Though I’m not a full-time pastor anymore, I had the wonderful opportunity to preach this morning at the First United Methodist Church in Cocoa Beach. My sermon was about how Jesus was seen to have authority by those who heard him teach – even in the early days of his ministry – because he had a combination of knowledge and experience.
As I was driving home, I thought about my words and made sure that I reinforced them so that I could try – with God’s help – to live as I had preached. I called on the church today to keep growing in wisdom through worship and Bible study and then to share the experiences of their faith with others. Facts and feelings together – I told them – are more likely to garner peoples’ trust than either of those by themselves.
This then led me to think about the presidential contest – and my vote on Tuesday. Which candidate has my values? Which candidate has a positive meshing of knowledge and experience? Which candidate would I feel comfortable as an authority figure in my life?
The earlier conclusion I had reached that Mitt Romney will get my vote was clarified and solidified after I went through this process.
Since I am a protestant Christian and Mitt Romney a Mormon, our faiths are somewhat dissimilar. But our doctrinal differences are not great enough to offset the common values that we share.
There is no question in my mind that Mitt Romney is a smart man – in business, in organizational management, in politics. He has certainly been successful in the first two. In politics, he has had his ups and downs, his wiggles and wobbles. However, he has generally run a solid campaign this time and will be a force against President Obama in state-to-state contests.
Finally, he has lived a wide range of life experiences – and this is always a plus. Romney has committed time away from home to serve his church, he has been a chief executive, he is a faithful husband and loving father. He has not been a Washington insider – but knows enough of them to know how it works.
He is not perfect in this conservative’s eyes. However, no candidate ever has been. I pick the one I think is best for the particular job – at the particular moment. For me, this time, the only answer is Mitt Romney.
As I was driving home, I thought about my words and made sure that I reinforced them so that I could try – with God’s help – to live as I had preached. I called on the church today to keep growing in wisdom through worship and Bible study and then to share the experiences of their faith with others. Facts and feelings together – I told them – are more likely to garner peoples’ trust than either of those by themselves.
This then led me to think about the presidential contest – and my vote on Tuesday. Which candidate has my values? Which candidate has a positive meshing of knowledge and experience? Which candidate would I feel comfortable as an authority figure in my life?
The earlier conclusion I had reached that Mitt Romney will get my vote was clarified and solidified after I went through this process.
Since I am a protestant Christian and Mitt Romney a Mormon, our faiths are somewhat dissimilar. But our doctrinal differences are not great enough to offset the common values that we share.
There is no question in my mind that Mitt Romney is a smart man – in business, in organizational management, in politics. He has certainly been successful in the first two. In politics, he has had his ups and downs, his wiggles and wobbles. However, he has generally run a solid campaign this time and will be a force against President Obama in state-to-state contests.
Finally, he has lived a wide range of life experiences – and this is always a plus. Romney has committed time away from home to serve his church, he has been a chief executive, he is a faithful husband and loving father. He has not been a Washington insider – but knows enough of them to know how it works.
He is not perfect in this conservative’s eyes. However, no candidate ever has been. I pick the one I think is best for the particular job – at the particular moment. For me, this time, the only answer is Mitt Romney.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
New Blog to Serve the Community
Evidently, Florida Today has decided to end their relationship with local contributors and change their business model. This is media-speak for "we are going to start making you pay for our website."
Some other Gannett newspapers do this - including the Tallahassee Democrat - so I'm not surprised. The mainstream news business has been hurting as of late - for a bunch of reasons - so changing up is an option.
I remember years ago when Florida Today tried some similar antics. It was right after the genesis of USA Today. They tried to make Florida Today a "local" paper and tried to make the public bundle the Florida Today and USA Today. Scores of customers fled to the Orlando Sentinel. They changed back - adding at least some world, national, and state news.
The role of the community bloggers has been curtailed since last summer. A change in leadership meant a change in the use of community input.
First, in the print edition, they had been running a "Yes-No" question on Sundays and then a compilation of community blogs on Monday. That changed to "Yes-No" on Mondays and no blogs printed.
Next, they had been meeting with us once a month to discuss their coverage of issues and events. We haven't had any input with them in months.
Of course, they have changed the comments sections - so you have to use your Facebook page for that now. That surely ticked many of you off!
Now - it appears it will all go away.
Oh well - that now gives me the opportunity for a new platform. I have sent an email to the other community bloggers to see if any want to come along. I hope some of the liberals do - I don't mind some healthy give and take.
I'll have to see how all this works, but I hope that you will make this a "Favorite" and stop by often!
Some other Gannett newspapers do this - including the Tallahassee Democrat - so I'm not surprised. The mainstream news business has been hurting as of late - for a bunch of reasons - so changing up is an option.
I remember years ago when Florida Today tried some similar antics. It was right after the genesis of USA Today. They tried to make Florida Today a "local" paper and tried to make the public bundle the Florida Today and USA Today. Scores of customers fled to the Orlando Sentinel. They changed back - adding at least some world, national, and state news.
The role of the community bloggers has been curtailed since last summer. A change in leadership meant a change in the use of community input.
First, in the print edition, they had been running a "Yes-No" question on Sundays and then a compilation of community blogs on Monday. That changed to "Yes-No" on Mondays and no blogs printed.
Next, they had been meeting with us once a month to discuss their coverage of issues and events. We haven't had any input with them in months.
Of course, they have changed the comments sections - so you have to use your Facebook page for that now. That surely ticked many of you off!
Now - it appears it will all go away.
Oh well - that now gives me the opportunity for a new platform. I have sent an email to the other community bloggers to see if any want to come along. I hope some of the liberals do - I don't mind some healthy give and take.
I'll have to see how all this works, but I hope that you will make this a "Favorite" and stop by often!
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