I am a 53 year old white male who is an Independent voter. I have been both a Democrat and Republican in my life, but find myself disillusioned by the extreme points of view of both parties. I would say I am more of a moderate left thinker. My day job is a consultant, but I spend a lot of volunteer time helping those in need – the impoverished, hungry and homeless. Yet, the Republican in me, wants to see a return on investment, so I am very big on helping people climb a ladder to self-sufficiency. We need fewer band-aids and more ways to empower people to improve their condition.
I am writing this as I believe the moderate, more rational view of political debate is not getting its fair share of air time. I am frequent watcher of the PBS News Hour which is the most unbiased view on what is happening in the world. I would encourage others who tend to watch the more conservative propaganda disguised as news or the extreme liberal outlets to watch this with me.
We need people to discuss the issues at hand and listen to each others’ arguments. We need to always look for context and the source of information. There is a lot of misinformation out there and anyone can be made to look like a fool by taking things out of context.
I completely agree and am looking forward to reading your posts!
Like your blog as well. Here’s a shout out to newsofthetimes.wordpress.com. Thanks for following an Old Fart.
I also agree and regularly watch PBS Newshour.
Thanks Kenneth. I appreciate your brother’s plug.
Thanks for the encouragement and nice quote.
Thanks for your feedback. Please feel free to share. Best wishes.
Thanks for the feedback and counsel. I will check into that.
Thanks. I hope you like your roommate. Cheers
Thanks for your feedback and good luck with your volunteers and new scheme.
Many thanks for your comments. I hope your wedding season is a good one.
Thanks for your note. I am glad Louis got something out of it. Best wishes to all.
I just nominated your blog for the Sunshine Award. Congratulations and thanks for inspiring me every day! http://newsofthetimes.org/2012/05/27/i-won-they-do-love-me/
Good day sunshine. I am also an old Beatles fan. Many thanks for the nomination.
Thanks to you and Gloria. I appreciate your well wishes and encouragement.
Welcome. Thanks for your interest and comments.
Thanks for your kinds words, time and interest. Best wishes.
Thanks for your feedback Darren. I appreciate your constructive criticism. I will try to be crisper.
Many thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks to you and your cousin. Best wishes.
Many thanks for your time and interest.
I just had to swing by your blog after you left that wonderful comment on mine. I am glad I did. I’d love to hear more about your views and experiences on life it sounds like you have a lot of wisdom stored up in an Old Fart. By the way, I can’t see any no old farts here, only wise, experienced, thinking people who have better things to do than iron out any wrinkles in their skin. Am now following :).
Thanks for joining in the fun. I like your website. I told my wife I was bragging on her during an evening walk. When I said you liked Nigella, she said she loves her because Nigella ends her show sneaking in the kitchen for a snack. My daughter is almost fifteen and I am always bringing up female heroes – Rosa Parks, Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, etc. Best wishes and thanks. Keep up the good work.
Many thanks. I am a crossword junkie.
Thanks for your time and interest.
Thanks for your time, interest and comments.
Thanks for your time and interest. Interesting blog title by the way.
Many thanks for your time, interest and comments.
Thanks for tuning in. Always like having learned counsel reading this.
Many thanks for your comments and endorsement.
Many thanks for your time and interest. Best wishes.
Many thanks for your time, interest and comments. I will try and keep rocking.
Thanks for tuning in.
Thanks for finding me after your lengthy search. I will try and do justice to your efforts.
Thanks for your interest and time. I have thought about newsletters, but no I don’t have any.
Many thanks for your thoughtful words of encouragement.
Many thanks for spending time to look it over.
Many thanks for your time, interest and comments. Did the CNN tour recently. Very interesting.
On another note entirely, didn’t your legislature recently make it illegal for the sea to rise along your coastline!!?? First a ban against gay marriage now this! In Minnesota our legislature recently made it legal to carry a concealed weapon. But we don’t have any Atlantic coast line — or they probably would have followed your legislature. What an enlightened group of men and women. Kind of warms your heart, doesn’t it? Cheers!
Our poor environmental stewards in Raleigh have decided to ignore a scientific forecast that the sea will rise by 39 inches by 2100. A group of 20 counties fought it and after revalidation of the forecast, the state legislature said we should only accept a historically relevant forecast of 8 inches. Maine, Louisiana and California all have forecasts much higher than 8 inches. Bald Head Island on the coast has overbuilt too close to the water and some houses have been consumed by the sea and others are sandbagged. My question is where are people going to buy insurance if they ignore what is happening?
Clearly the developers have a powerful lobby in your state. Sad business. You cry or you laugh — as Stephen Colbert did. Have you seen his take on this? It’s classic!
I have not, so I will check it out. Colbert may go down in history for his invention of the word “truthiness.” Thanks.
I couldn’t love your blog more. So, I nominated you for 4 awards!! newsofthetimes.org/2012/06/15/thank-yous-and-appreciation-an-embarassment-of-riches/ Do with these whatever feels right. Thanks for a fantastic blog!!
Likewise. Many thanks for reading my wanderings and writing the way you do. You make me think.
You are very kind. Thanks for your words of encouragement.
Thanks for your time and comments. I look forward to future comments.
You are very kind. Thanks for your interest, time and comments.
Thanks for your kind words and reading my blog. Best wishes.
Thanks for writing and following my blog. Best wishes.
Many thanks for stopping by. I look forward to future comments.
Thank you for stopping by for a visit and your time and comments. I look forward to future comments.
Thanks for stopping by. Look forward to future comments.
Thanks for stopping by and for your comments. I look forward to future comments.
Thanks for your comments. I am glad Kim got some use out of the site. Best wishes.
Thanks for your note. I like you quote, as well.
My friend, I think you are dutifully responding to spam! Your wordpress engine should cut it out, but it seems to be lying down on the job. I have noticed this before. You are too patient!
Thanks for your note. Keep coming back and offer your comments. Cheers
Hola! I’ve been following your blog for some time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the great job!
Thanks for your note. Best regards in Texas.
Hi there – I noticed that you have some comments posted that are word for word what show up in my wordpress inbox – usually as spam. Check your askimet filter and usually a good clue is multiple web addresses and links, very poor grammar, or a comment that really has no relation to what you posted about. From one noob to another, better safe than sorry – your blog site could get highjacked.,so delete delete delete. 😉 Looking forward to reading much more from a kindred spirit. I also suggest you check out barneysday at mountainperspectives.wordpress.com if you haven’t already. Best, Donna
Thanks. I think Jennifer or Hugh suggested Barneysday. I agree as I like what he says and how he says it. You too.
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You are the best. Many thanks for the shout out.
A triple treat of blog awards awaits you OF: http://raisingthecurtain.net/2012/08/21/paying-the-blog-love-faward/. Do with them what you will 🙂
Many thanks. Does Australia see this kind of greed in their CEOs?
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Thanks Hugh. I look forward to reading.
No problem! Let me know what you think!
Just read it. Outstanding piece of work.
Please note how I leaned on BTG!! (Thanks!)
I like how you wove it in. We have been fighting this panhandler impression for years. Thanks
😉
I know you know this already, but I nominated you for the Booker Award! Hope you will play along! http://newsofthetimes.org/2012/08/23/travel-photo-of-the-year-contest-and-the-booker-award/
Many thanks. You are the best. I was attempting a draft yesterday and my pals at the cable company had yet another hiccup and I lost 2/3 of what I did. I will put something together. The hardest part was getting down to 10 and 5 recommendations.
Hi Old Fart!! I love your blog and have nominated you for several awards! Please don’t feel obligated to participate – just know that you are appreciated. Here’s the post: http://newsofthetimes.org/2012/08/28/tuesday-tunes-ramble-on-and-awards-galore/ Keep up the great work!
Many thanks for thinking kindly of my efforts. Check out the Dot Connector post and it might make you smile. Thanks, BTG
🙂 Will do!
Thanks for sharing this usefull post
Thanks for writing. I look forward to future comments.
Bin Laden was taken out on Obama’s watch, and it galls conservatives they cannot attack the POTUS for becoming weak in opposition to foreign terrorist threats. n nHad this accomplishment been made when Bush was nevertheless President, Rove, Sununu, and other suitable wing blowhards would be singing his praises and hailing him like a genius for his military leadership and clandestine operation decision-making.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Obama’s foreigh policy has been strong and others around the world see it as evidenced by the higher survey marks he gets over Romney and how much our position has improved since Bush. What is also interesting about your point is Romney was advocating calling off the search for Bin Laden AND Obama overruled is generals saying we need to send two helicopters in to make sure we can verify we got him. So, it was not something anyone could do per Romney later. I look forward to future comments. BTG
Congratulations, BTG!
I have nominated your blog for the Very Inspiring Blogger award.
The rules are at
http://lilypetal91.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Enjoy
You are very kind to do this. I’ll check out what I need to do. I just got back from “The Hobbit” and I am beat. Great movie. Check it out in 3D. Thanks again, BTG
Excellent blog BTG- I would like to add you to my blogroll if i may.
Great thought-provoking posts and comments.
I shall return 🙂
Thanks Cynthia or is it Cindy. I visited your blog as well and enjoyed. Please come back again. We have some great commenters and they will share when they disagree with a point, which is good. Take care, BTG
You may call me Cindy if you wish…
I do love your interaction as well as the great feedback and view points of others…very worthy of sharing you.
Excellent !
Thanks Cindy.
I’ve nominated you for the Beautiful Blogger Award. There’s no pressure..you can accept and move on with your life or pass it on to others you feel deserve the recognition! You can find my nomination post here:
http://crankycaregiver.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/beautiful-blogger-award/
You are so very kind. I appreciate your support. I am not into the award thing, but will try to list some blogs I like in a future post. Yours would be one of them. Take care. BTG
No obligation..I use these awards to guide other followers towards posts I find interesting, touching or just plain fun to read. Take it and run! 🙂
Many thanks. You are the best. Take care.
I’ve nominated you for THE WORDPRESS FAMILY AWARD
THE RULES FOR THE AWARD ARE:
1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate 10 others you see as having an impact on your WordPress experience and family
4. Let your 10 Family members know you have awarded them
I’m proud to point my readers in your direction!
You are so very kind. Thanks for the tribute. I really don’t do the awards thing, but your vote of confidence is much appreciated. Best wishes and thanks, BTG
I read every word that you write and I’m sure my readers would love to be introduced! Keep up the good work.
Many thanks. I can say the same for the D&O. Take care, BTG
Has to be one of the best blogs I’ve come across in a very long time. Would be very interested to speak with you.
Many thanks Jason. You are very kind. I look forward to future comments.
Hello my friend. Check out my review of “White Plague” by James Abel. http://bit.ly/1vrse74 I think it will be right up your alley. I know it blew me away. Bio-terror, Arctic warfare, and a bit of historical context as well. Best, Leiah
Thanks for the recommendation. I will look for it, or maybe ask for as a present.
Prezzies are good! 😉
I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blogger Award because I really enjoy your blog.
http://redcarpetsquare.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/one-lovely-blog-award/
If you would like to accept the award
post the One Lovely Blog Picture.
List seven random things about you.
Nominate other bloggers.
🙂
Many thanks and I appreciate the nomination. I am not into the awards, so if it is OK with you, I am going to pass. But, I greatly appreciate your vote of confidence.
🙂
What a great idea for a blog. Thank you for trying to be as unbiased and fair as possible!
Many thanks for stopping by Anna or is it Anna Rose? Please do come again and feel free to opine. BTG
Nice to meet you. I think you are correct — we need to balance what we read and read more than one viewpoint. You wrote: “…We need people to discuss the issues at hand and listen to each others’ arguments. We need to always look for context and the source of information.” I totally agree with you on this view! I feel the news media is so controlled and true journalism rarely exists. We are told what to think. Great blog! Keep on writing!
Johann, many thanks for dropping by. I appreciate your thoughtful comments and invite you to share your thoughts on future posts. Best regards, BTG
Hi, I nominated you for the Liebster Award as a thank you for you following me. Here is the post: https://erikakind.wordpress.com/2015/08/29/my-liebster-is-back/
Erika, danke schoen. Your endorsement is greatly appreciated. BTG
So happy you like the nomination. Sehr gerne geschehen/You are very welcome 🙂
HI Keith, the post is up. I hope you like it 🙂 : https://erikakind.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/what-connects-us-and-of-what-use-are-differences/
Many thanks. I look forward to reading it.
🙂
Hi Keith, here is an award for a loyal friend 🙂 https://erikakind.wordpress.com/2015/09/26/the-fire-of-the-dragon/
Erika, many thanks. I am very flattered. I must confess, I don’t do the awards thing, but the sentiment is greatly appreciated. You have an eternal new fan, though. All the best, Keith
Awh, thank you, Keith, that made me smile 😊 That doesn’t matter at all. When I am passing on awards it is because I want to show my appreciation and also hope that some people will find their way to your blog 😊
Erika, your efforts are greatly appreciated. Thanks for the endorsement. I checked out Amanda’s VLOG and I told her it was fun to hear her voice. It was the next best thing to meeting her. The post I wanted you to see will be up tomorrow. It is called “Don’t hesitate to chat someone up.” Thanks my friend, Keith
Hey, you met Amanda!!! Yeah!!! She is my Amazing Amanda. Isn’t she a gem? She is awesome!!! I am looking forward to your post. I hope I can catch up a little now already with reading posts… Have a nice Saturday, Keith 😊
Nice to meet you sir.
Thanks for stopping by. Please feel free to offer comments. Best wishes. Keith
Hi Keith, hope this makes you smile 😊 https://erikakind.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/the-liebester-award/
Many thanks Erika. Loved your answers.
Thank you, Keith 😊
Pleased to meet you. Can’t believe I haven’t run into your site before this!!
Welcome. I look forward to your comments. Keith
Quick note to say how thought provoking I always find my visits here.
Regards Thom
Thom, many thanks. I greatly appreciate your time and input. Best regards, Keith
Hi Keith. I just wanted you to know that I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award. I love your stories and your comments on mine and believe you deserve to be recognized. If you choose not to participate, I do understand; however, I hope that you do – even if you don’t pick 15 people 10 or 5 will do! The details are at https://beinglydiadotcom.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/another-nomination/
Lydia!
Lydia, you are so thoughtful and I greatly appreciate the nomination. I must tell you I don’t participate in the various awards. It does not mean the recognition is not appreciated. Many thanks, Keith
That is perfectly fine, Keith. I want this to be an honour to those I nominate, not a job! I am glad you took it that way. 🙂
Many thanks. I am honored.
Okay, you are an American! I think you are very cool, because of your views, and that you like Gordon Lightfoot! Right on!
Resa, many thanks. I appreciate the thumbs up. Keith
PBS is unbiased? If so many were not being taken in by it, that would be funny.
I was in my teens when NPR and PBS started broadcasting. At first I thought government-financed news and entertainment was a good idea. Then I slowly began to understand I was being very skillfully propagandized. When government (politicians) and crony capitalists see is able to control the mass media, propaganda is what happens.
Entertainment and news programs always tend to be biased. That is the way market segmentation works. Crony Capitalism just makes it one-sided, and that’s a big problem.
Citizen Tom, thanks for your comment. Market segmentation is a huge problem as people tend to flock to sources that tell them things that make them feel better about their beliefs. I understand your point about PBS and NPR, but do not agree with them propagandizing the news. With that said, I watch and read several news sources to make sure the issues are being well covered. I read enough to better understand when I am getting a more liberal or conservative view given the source. One of the things I do detest is too much focus is made on “who benefits politically” from an event or legislation. I care about the event or legislation more not who wins or loses. I feel this focus gets in the way of needed debate and change. Thanks for stopping by and offering your thoughts. Keith
@Keith
When we use government funds to propagate views that some of our fellows disagree with, we violate the rights of our fellows. Thus, PBS and NPR were problematic from their founding. It impossible for us to be entirely unbiased. If the people funding us are politicians, it is absurd to believe we would be unbiased.
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Thanks for the shout out. Keith
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