Recently, in another thread, there was a statement about me posting in The Olympian again.  I'll confess.  I'm guilty.

Now, before I lose my Olyblog card and decoder ring, allow me to explain a few things.

While it's true that The Olympian still has a rather "liberal" policy on the quality of some of the posts, I have to hand it to the webmaster(s) for allowing discourse on a wide variety of subject matter.  It has become the venue for discussion on subjects of interest on national politics and other issues. I've learned to recognize subject matter that won't interest me or that I know will contain some of the more ignorant posts, so I avoid them.  If I see a thread heading down that road, I'm welcome to stop anytime I want.

Toxic?  At times, and yet, remembering what a friend shared with me long ago, in a conversation about racism - "words can't harm me".  I guess I'm adopting the theory that if I'm not part of the solution, I'm part of the problem.  My posts can add a bit of sanity to an insane world, as long as I control me and don't fall prey into the games of others.  It's an art called "ignoring" and I've found that it can be exercised on Olyblog also.  Of course, AOL perfected the art with their ignore feature, which removed offensive posters from your screen, leaving only those with which you want to converse.

Sorry, folks, I've remained as quiet as I can be on this.  After reading the docent mail, I finally have decided to put in my two cents.  It is my understanding that opinions are still allowed (I had to correct a Freudian typo, I had written "aloud" - now THAT is funny)

I posted a blog on the anniversary of MLKs death.  A part of it WAS a comparison to Reverend Wright - not my idea, something that a TV journalist (sorry, his name escapes me, but he's not a screamer) presented.  It reminded me that King was demonized for his activities by those that opposed him.

A docent threw the caution flag that my blog wasn't "hyperlocal" enough.  I'm not going to pretend to have a clue where the word "hyperlocal" came from as the dictionary responds "No results found for hyperlocal' when I seek a definition.

Thus it becomes a pool of subjective thinking that, in this man's view, seems to ebb and flow with emotional tides.  This reminds me of playing football at the park as a kid. One goal was the flagpole, but considering that there wasn't another point of reference, goal line stands became the subject of controvery due to the constantly moving imaginary line.

I'm not sure why Olyblog's community has sought to sterilize conversation to the point of avoiding the slightest controversy.  Is this the only way we can survive differences of opinion?  I think not.

African American Pastor

Angry with the challenges society has placed upon his people.

Speaks out against American Foreign policy

Becomes media target and political target

Finally, becomes a real target, 40 years ago today.

Names change, but situations sometimes remain.

In Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey, Thurston County and all over the United States, take a moment and reflect. Then don't stop thinking.

We, the people, control our destiny.  Will it be anger and violence or peace and harmony.

It's up to us.

There are those that speak without saying a word.

Link

From Obama's speech this morning:

I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy. For some, nagging questions remain. Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely - just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.

I have been a previous church member and have disagreed with my pastor, without the need for public denouncing.  Any of us have.  The beauty of our county is our ability to disagree and publically state our disagreements.

I think Obama has put this issue to rest.  Let's get on with the real issues of the campaign.

Joan and I were at the Dr. John Show at Jazz Alley last night.  Hopefully the pics I took will load.

Keep watching.

Oh....yes.....we were in the right place, and wasn't the wrong time.

Nobody do the voodoo like you do.

Does anyone know 110 Household electrical?  I have a circuit that isn't working and I've cleared all breakers and the GFIs.

Help!!

JT's apology addressed to me comes under the category of doing a "right thing" and needs to be acknowledged.

A lot of people could have dodged my challenge and he didn't.  That takes real integrity.

We can all take a lesson here.

I just finished posting a well thought out paragraph or two on the blog that Rob just closed and my post did not get through.

Considering what I go through just to type something, that really pisses me off royally.

One hamburger, one serving of beef at home.

I'm limiting meat, substituting mushrooms and it's great!

Let's see how this goes.