Someone this week said that I have no business writing my commentaries because I am not acting like a journalist. Here is a news flash... I am NOT writing a news story. I am, instead, publishing an Op-Ed piece.
But, here is an update folks. The Old Grey Lady and the Washington Post aren't presenting pure news, either. Nor are the TV networks. Opinion abounds in all news articles and stories, all throughout the media. Journalism 101, in America at least, is no longer practiced.
Commentators, or "bloggers", are presenting their opinions of the news as the writer sees it. Most of us, including me, are not paid to express our opinions. But our opinions are invaluable because the reader can get a sense of other people's opinions.
Most of us have a plethora of opinions on every possible subject, whether it is political, sports, music, religion, social or any other facet which affects our daily lives. As I have said before, most recently on Tuesday to a friend, I went to college and majored in Political Science and History, and minored in Journalism, and finally I am using those studies. In fact, those areas of study, along with Latin, were my forte' in high school, too.
So, please understand that I will opine on the news of the day, not report it. From time to time, I may provide a link to the story I am writing about for your information. Or, I may provide a link to a prior commentary so that you judge whether my views are consistent. But, that will not be the norm, and it is only for your convenience.
In addition, I WILL NOT generally respond to your comment. I am not looking for a debate which can turn ugly. Instead, I share my view on a topic I choose to discuss and your comments are always welcome. I thank you for your feedback and I respect it. Please respect mine.
I said to someone on Tuesday, knowing he does not generally agree with me, that he is my Voltaire because, while he may disagree with what I say, he respects my right to say it. Here in America, for my non-American audience, this is what we call our Freedom of Speech, our most important right, since it was the First Amendment to our Constitution and our first of ten rights in our recorded and published Bill of Rights.
So, finally, understand you will not intimidate me from posting to a group, a forum or an entity where and which I deem important enough to discuss my view. While you may not think my view conforms to your restricted definition or philosophy of what should be published, as a free-thinking American, I beg to differ.
If you choose to disagree with my commentary, please keep it respectful, because you look like a buffoon trying to show how superior you are by denigrating me. It is just so pompous, unbecoming and stupid, and you sound ridiculous, childish and shallow.
This is my Philosophy, which is the sharing of ideas and opinions, freely and respectfully. Thank you for yours.
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