I don’t often think about the medium of blogging; I’m usually focused on the message. But tonight, I’ve been thinking about blogging itself, and thinking seriously about a question that many people have asked, dismissively for the most part: What good is blogging? Isn’t it a waste of time?
If you were to ask me after I read today’s news, I’d say, “no good,” and “yes, a colossal waste of time.”
Museum, Bel-Wood bonds may top $90M (PJS)
Hotel options keep expanding (PJS)
Mel’s Cafe closing soon to move to East Peoria (PJS)
Committee backs partial settlement of Firefly suit (PJS)
Central Illinois Railroad Co. to Cease Operations (Peoria Station)
Preview: Schock on Top Chef (Word on the Web)
Obama flops on Snooki? It’s an awkward situation… (Peoria Pundit)
These headlines illustrate that our elected leaders are going forward with additional bad investments even as they pay the price for previous poor decisions from which they should have learned something. Meanwhile, some of our highest elected officials are being treated like celebrities (and acting like them, sometimes) instead of adults with serious responsibilities.
I’d say our nation is pretty much doomed. What’s the use of blogging?
CJ – I think for someone like yourself, that has started to get mainstream credibility within the local media you have the power for tremendous influence. The the lack of “wins” for your point of view don’t mean you’ve lost – the Peoria Blogosphere has had an increasing influence over the past couple years. Two or three years ago would WMBD have worked with unpaid community members to show the D150 school board they need to show the community some respect?
I’ll even point to a personal example, last night I wrote a post (http://inmymind.blogpeoria.com/2010/07/30/build-the-block-please/) that has to do with the new museum. Your point of view – which I frequently disagree with – has influenced mine of late. You didn’t “change my mind” , and it wasn’t your thoughts alone – but you made me think critically about the holes in the museum plan. People pushing others to think in that way has great value – without a minority or contrary point of view progress becomes a bit incestuous.
Its great for all of us to cheerlead Peoria – but we have to have good discussions about serious issues too.
So thank you for putting your critical thinking and concern into the public dialogue. Who knows – maybe the “Block” would be 80% public financing without a dissenting view.
The pharohs and their task masters will continue to oppress the people.
Start with civil.disobedience against the state kleptocracy.
That will lead to change or a violent backlash by the taskmasters.
Their violence will justify the violence against them.
Now is the time to begin the discussion of the time, nature and measure of violence that will be appropriate.
Failing to have this discussion dispatinately in the present will inevitable result in a greater degree of violence in the long run.
Samer,
Read your post on your website. Very good. When you say that most Peorian’s want to see this ‘museum’ succeed, do you mean people living in the city proper, or Peoria County? Most people seem to forget, when the final tally was in, the entire county with the exception of Peoria City voted against the tax.
Ah well………
New Voice,
When I said Peorians, I didn’t honestly have a specific geographic boundary in mind.
Really, what I was trying to say is – as the project moves forward anyone who really cares about the well being of the community would, I think, would rather see the project be a smashing success than a colossal failure.
It would be like someone was running your retirement account for you – and you really don’t want them to invest in a given fund, but they do. Once you are in you want that investment to succeed – because it is in your best interest.
I certainly wouldn’t give The View the doom and gloom meaning you seem to.
Given the topics being discussed on the show, this was just a piece of fluff to break up the seriousness. And why in the world would Obama say anything else, anything that might give some legitimacy to that dog of a show, Jersey Shore?
“When I said Peorians, I didn’t honestly have a specific geographic boundary in mind. ”
Really? Just the entire universe of “Peorians”? (including those in Peoria, Arizona, not to mention Panama City or Ft Meyers)
11% of the entire county’s registered voters voted for the museum… the vast majority from within the city, and even more so from the Grand View Drive, Moss Ave crowd.
“I think one of the fundamental things Peoria lacked was a great local museum”
Except for the Wheels of Time, Peoria Art Guild, and Lakeview and 8 others. 11 in all… if they aren’t great, it says more about Peorians than the museums… and I mean specifically the residents of the city of Peoria.
http://attractions.uptake.com/museums/illinois/peoria/835307961.html
Charlie,
You are getting a bit technical on me. Perhaps my point of view on who is a Peorian is skewed by the fact that I live in North Carolina – but can’t wait for the point where I can move back. I consider myself a Peorian. That said I was thinking more regional in a certain context is an East Peorian or a Mortonite not a Peorian? I stayed away from Central Illinoisan because I think that casts the net a bit wide (I don’t think those in Springfield care, as an example). Just think those who are directly impacted by the museum decisions (Peoria County) and those who have some interest (financial, emotional, whatever) in downtown Peoria doing well and those who have an interest in having a high quality museum.
As far as the “11% of the county” line – everyone always seems to forget that city residents are also part of the county. So I view that as a false dividing line.
As far as the quality of the 11 places you mention. All but Lakeview lack the scope of what I said in my post, a world class regional museum. I don’t really mean to insult any of these facilities/organizations for what they do – but to act like they are of the highest caliber is not of any value. The ones that are great at what they do are too small to be a major attraction. Perhaps you have never been to the type of museum I am talking about – they are rare, but they bring you into the exhibits they don’t just show you things on laminated boards. Think thousands of people through a week not 10s.
As far as the list you linked to
1) Pettengill Morron House – I have to admit I’ve never been, I’ve heard it is fun to go through, but underfunded having limited hours. It is a beautiful old house – not an engaging regional attraction. It can compliment something else for someone coming from 3 hours away – but it won’t be why they come.
2)Lakeview – I’ve I think Lakeview is nice. That’s it though. There are some cool things to see – but nothing all that unique that isn’t of limited interest. The exhibits that are interactive are clearly off the shelf purchases. I’ll include the planetarium in this section to – I love that Peoria has its own planetarium. The Lakeview facility is a little congested -but from what I hear the new projector is awesome.
3)Wheel’s O’Time – Once again I must admit I’ve never gone. I tried once – they were closed and from the outside it didn’t look that interesting. I’ve heard that for a transportation museum it is solid. Perhaps it just needs a face lift and better marketing – but I’ve never heard anyone say I went to Wheels O’ Time and it was awesome. You could do this and you could do that. Once again it is also limited in scope – from their own website it says to allow 1-1.5 hours to view it. If you can see it in under 2 hours it is not a regional draw.
4)African American Hall of Fame – Peoria has some rich African American history, of which I am sure I am only aware of a small piece. I have never been here – but it too is of smaller scope and is only open a few hours a day a few hours a week. Its apparently at the Proctor center – which is a good community center, but no one is coming from Rockford to go to the Proctor center.
5)Flanagan House – similar commentary to Moron house, though I think I did tour the Flanagan House years ago. It didn’t really make an impact though it is nice to drive by.
6)Apollo – I enjoyed seeing the Glass Menagerie there a few years back. It is a beautiful space and they try to utilize it well. Not really a museum though.
7)Contemporary Art Center – Very cool space, I had some family in town and we spent a few hours there. Not really a museum though – some nice gallery space though that is interesting.
8 ) Lakeview Planetarium – we are double counting here it is one of the best parts of Lakeview Museum.
9)Peoria Historical Society – Same basic points made for the other houses.
10) Peoria Historical Society Tours – I am not 100% on what is being referred to here but if these are the trolley tours they are a fun way to spend an afternoon. Once again local history can be interesting for a local or someone already visiting – but most people don’t visit a mid-size city just to learn about its own history.
11 )Lakeview – a third time.
All of this said – these are great community assets – just not a world class regional museum. They can be interesting to a teen or adult – but Lakeview (and maybe Wheels O’ Time) are the only ones that are going to engage kids.
As a Peorian (in spirit) I think Peoria deserves something that is world class. While it won’t be larger, more grand, or more expensive than say a Chicago museum – I want someone who practically grew up in a great museum to go to the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Caterpillar Experience – and be able to identify things in both that were unique, revolutionary ideas that took them into the experience.
Charlie – my suggestion, get over the petty boundaries (I used to think about the city/county differences much more harshly too). I realize now that Peoria’s competition isn’t really East Peoria, it’s Evansville, IN and Durham, NC and Peoria, AZ.
well said Samer
I was thinking the other day that Lakeview could esily be converted to an awesome museum once they no longer devote space to art. Make the art museum downtown on wter street. Make Lakeview an interactive children’s museum.
Samer:
You wrote …. “Perhaps you have never been to the type of museum I am talking about – they are rare, but they bring you into the exhibits they don’t just show you things on laminated boards. Think thousands of people through a week not 10s.”
What is the proposed PRM plans, in your opinion, will make the PRM a ‘rare’ museum?
Thank you for helping us to understand.
CJ – Are you kidding me? You’re a rock star! Hang in there, buddy. You are definately changing the paradigms.
150 observer… rah rah rah
Samer: the proposed riverfront museum is hardly a “world class” museum. A cardboard river model and some concession stands…
Also, any criticisms you might have about Lakeview need to be tempered by the fact that they are running the Riverfront Museum Project.
Please remember that the planetarium is a projected slide show. There is hardly anything world class “science” there.
And the 11% percent represents the total votes in favor of the proposed tax to pay for the museum from the number of registered voters in the entire county.
You guys got it all wrong. That new building tax that those 11% voted for is going to end up going to Bellwood Nursing home. I wonder if a new planetarium can fit at the end of the nursing home’s new building.
CJ – Most people mock the traditional mainstream media and have turned to alternative news sources such as blogs. If government agencies *really* did not care what bloggers had to say, they would not be working hard behind the scenes to try to shut blogs like yours down:
http://rense.com/general91/frees.htm
Take comfort in the fact that you could be a nuisance to the powers that be!
“Most people mock the traditional mainstream media and have turned to alternative news sources such as blogs”.
I think that is hyperbple—-I think a growing number do, but “most” means a majority—I don’t think a majority of people have dropped CNN, Fox, newspapers, newspaper websites, mgazines, magazine websites, etc for “blogs” in order to get their news.
Karrie and Charlie,
Just to bring this back around – the reason I posted my original comment on this post was to highlight that different points of view (namely CJs) have an impact – even if they don’t “win” an argument. Specifically some of CJs posts have forced me to think about the museum project more critically. If you read the full post on my blog (http://inmymind.blogpeoria.com/2010/07/30/build-the-block-please/) you will find the post questions the new museum rather than just blindly supports it – thus to my point that CJs thoughtful comments about the museum have influenced my own.
So I don’t know what about the new museum will be world class (though as far as the entire site goes I think the Caterpillar Experience probably will be quite good) – but I surely think that Peoria DESERVES a world class museum. I hope we get one.
As far as the 11% of registered voters – the referendum “won” to issue the bonds for the museum and the new Belwood. So clearly the argument is that a lot of people didn’t go out to vote. That ship has sailed – if you thought it was that important you should have worked a get out the vote effort – if people were too lazy or indifferent to vote I don’t really care what there opinion is. They had fair opportunity to voice opposition – and didn’t.
For those who rail on planetarium shows – BOOOO! It is true there are some weak planetarium shows – but there are really good ones too. It is also is not quite fair to compare a planetarium projector to a slide projector. The one thing I will give you is that I’ve seen better planetarium shows than I’ve seen a Lakeview – but the times I’ve gone to Lakeview (excluding middle school field trips) they have done a solid job of educating and entertaining. I just can’t win – I am too negative against Lakeview – and then I say I like the planetarium and its not world class either. A good planetarium show is immersive and draws interest – that’s I think why I like it. That’s really what I want for the whole place – engaging exhibits. The museum should be compelling and seem authoritative all at once. If I can learn everything the museum is going to tell me by spending 5min on Google – they’ve failed.
150 Observer if you watch the news even more than you are on the blogs then when Dear Lord would you have time to sleep?
Laugh. This is actually the only blog I regular visit. I don’t get my “news” here. I read this for opinions more than news.
“I think the Caterpillar Experience probably will be quite good”
How long have you worked for Cat?
Have you been to a power parade? I’ve been to half a dozen and the only exciting thing about them was the lady serving lemonade with the sagging tank top.
Samer,
The museum debate has been going on for YEARS. Not sure how long you have been in the loop. The discussion has always centered round one of two things [or both], the tremendous economic impact of the PRM on the area, and Peoria CITY finally acquiring a ‘World Class’ museum.
Opponents of the current museum plan have argued that this…..’museum’ will never, NEVER begin to cover the cost of construction – never mind the cost to maintain this ‘thing’ over the years. World class museum? Really?!?!?!?!? I guess that depends on what ‘world’ you come from.
Like I said, your post was very good. I can see that you do not blindly support this museum project like 150 Observer & Co. Maybe you should research this project a little more…. go back a few years?
Anyway…. all that for ONLY $140 million!!!! What a bargain!
As far as blogging is concerned I have learned a lot of indepth information that the typical news media does not offer. In the blogs, and inparticular, CJ’s, we have discussed pros and cons and ups and downs just like we were all in a huge room talking to one another. I’ve learned a lot of things through these blogs. I’ve made friends because of them. I’ve gotten a different vision on a lot of old standard things I took for granted in my life. I think I’ve felt the heartbeat of the Peoria area through the blogs and I think they have been very beneficial for all of us. After having been immersed in these blogs I know I for one would be devastated if they were to discontinue. And CJ you DO NOT have our permission to quit, ever. You have been an inspiration, brother, friend, buddy, pal, controversial figure and opinion throughout your blog and I love it and I know many others here do also. This (backyard gossip) has become a part of our daily lives. You grab the newspaper and a cup of coffee in the morning. I grab a glass of orange juice and sit down to my computer to check the blogs for the daily news, then I look at the newspaper later. So that’s my take on blogs.
One more……..
The reason many of us make the distinction between city and county, is because this is a county-wide tax, but for the life of me, I can’t possibly see how the PRM will benefit townships, etc, outside Peoria city-limits? That is why the rest of the county voted NO!
CJ, your work here helps clarify a lot of issues facing Peoria and Peorians. We need information to make decisions and what you do here is very useful.
C.J.,
I still believe that blog sites, etc. still provide a great platform for the ‘people!’
P.S. What Peoria needs is another hotel…to handle the future museum crowds…..coming on the future rail-link…coming when FIREFLY II goes into business….right after Big Al’s has had enough Peoria B.S. and moves to East Peoria…right after Peoria FINALLY gets its own gambling boat [until ownership finds out how difficult it will be to compete with our ‘WORLD CLASS MUSEUM,’ and decides to move the boat to East Peoria…giving them not one, but TWO boats]…………..
Most people blog for a reason. Some do it to show off their art such as photography, writing or paintings. Other, such as yourself, do it as a service. You fill in the blanks regarding local government. You are priceless!
Charlie,
I have worked at Caterpillar since the beginning of 2007. That said if you look at the plans for the Caterpillar Experience (on BuildtheBlock.org) – it is my opinion that there will be some very interesting pieces to that exhibit. It looks like there will be a fair number of interactive exhibits – plus the main theatre. That said I think we need to remember the Caterpillar piece is more branding and less education – but I do think it will be a draw similar to say a John Deere Pavillion). In short I think it will be “cool”. It is purely opinion though based on seeing the publicly released plans. And no – I haven’t been to a Power Parade – but I have been to a few product demos – and I thought those were fun and interesting.
New Voice,
I have actually followed (relatively closely) the debate on the museum since it was public knowledge. Back when the planetarium was going to be a floating orb type of time frame. I also recognize that no one is ever promising a “true” self funding venture (that admissions would fund the museum). That said I think a truly high caliber museum would be able to augment admissions with a broader private donor base which could make it largely independent of government funding. There is also the idea of “critical mass” downtown. Which I think is a worthy pursuit. There are a lot of “ifs” in that I realize.
As far as the amount $140M lets be honest and recognize that $55M is coming from Caterpillar and of the remainder there are millions of private funding. Yes we are talking about significant public financing – but no where near $140M.
“…for the life of me, I can’t possibly see how the PRM will benefit townships, etc, outside Peoria city-limits? ” This is an interesting point of view to me. I feel like it is saying if it isn’t adjacent to my house it can’t benefit me. Someone in West Peoria or Hannah City or some vague place towards Dunlap – or wherever in the county can benefit as much as someone who lives in Central Peoria or down in the Twin Towers. You drive the 15-35 minutes and you go to the museum. I’ll agree that there are further removed areas that will have to drive further – but Peoria County is only so big. No one will be driving 2 hours to get to downtown Peoria from within Peoria County. If you are referring to economic benefit – economic impact is not so localized that all of the impact will be in downtown Peoria. In fact one could argue that a decent portion of Tazewell county could benefit as much as downtown Peoria will.
There are always county funded things that benefit some more than others. Think about a county maintained road in more rural parts of the county. Should the road not be built and maintained if it only benefits 300 people in a town? Should the county not send snow plows out where the population density gets too low? The bottom line is the townships and unincorporated areas around Peoria (City) benefit from the city existing. A population center brings more influence in state and national government (just compare the type of representation Southern Illinois gets vs Central Illinois – and then compare that to Chicago). Population centers allow for medical centers that are of a higher caliber and broader scope than say a lone country hospital. Beyond that though – population centers have jobs. If you think unemployment is bad in Peoria (MSA) then look at rural areas and small towns across the country. Not to be one sided – unincorporated areas provide fresh produce and individual townships have their own character and may be worth a day trip to see. Things aren’t perfect – but that’s why we have levels of government, and to me the county is about the appropriate level for the bond decision. It would have been nice to get Tazewell county to help too – but whatever. The issue clearly shouldn’t be statewide and in my opinion the goal is to have a regional impact, so the city is too small. In the middle we find the county.
I had my say under my usual posting place. However, in case it was missed, I certainly have tremendous appreciation for C.J.’s contribution to keeping the public aware of the other side of issues and, of course, for letting us spout off.
– Just what does “World Class” mean…exactly? We have heard this phrase thrown about since this thing began.
“I have actually followed (relatively closely) the debate on the museum since it was public knowledge. Back when the planetarium was going to be a floating orb type of time frame. ”
– Samer, you are going to have to go back a bit, before Lakeview took over, before LaHood stuck his nose in everything…keep going…
“I also recognize that no one is ever promising a “true” self funding venture (that admissions would fund the museum). That said I think a truly high caliber museum would be able to augment admissions with a broader private donor base which could make it largely independent of government funding.”
-Maybe a high caliber museum would have no trouble establishing an endowment, etc, but we are talking about the PRM [Lakeview Mark II]. Truly world class museums across the nation are having great difficulties maintaining a private donor base, but for some reason you and the rest of the group believe the PRM will be immune to that little problem. “Independent of government funding?” Do you mean tax-payer funding?
“There is also the idea of “critical mass” downtown. Which I think is a worthy pursuit. There are a lot of “ifs” in that I realize.”
– Samer, that is the only thing you got right so far. There are far too many ‘ifs,’ especially when tax-payers money is on the line. $140 million is $140 million. What ever CAT spends on this project is meant to benefit CAT and their Visitor’s Center, not the museum. Construction has yet to begin. The PRM is still short how many millions?
– No…the rest of Peoria County voted against a tax increase because they knew that this museum would in no way benefit them. Does not matter how you try to sugar-coat it. No one going to the museum will stay in Chillicothe hotels, eat in Limestone restaurants, shop in Brimfield stores, etc….. Most towns that size vote on a tax to fund their own projects; schools, history museums, parks, pools, etc.
– Remember, when this started, PRM promised that they would never need to go to the tax-payers for this. Now you say Tazewell should have come on board? That would have been worth a dollar to see!!!!!
New Voice,
Let’s try this rapid fire.
World Class – one of the best of what it is – having the traits described in my original post
Following the project – I followed the project in my opinion long enough – back when Sears was still there, etc. Anything that happened that far back is going to change little at this point – because the project has changed that much.
Self Funding – as I’ve said before I want the PRM to be a great museum, I don’t think it will be without some leadership changes. Yes governments funding is obtained through taxes and fees paid by corporations and the citizenry.
Amount – $140M is not $140M when its only really ~$50M. You cannot count private donations or Caterpillars contribution as tax payer money.
Rest of Peoria County – We clearly disagree on the fact there is benefit from living close to an institution, such as a museum. I stand by my earlier point – almost everything local governments do benefits one group more than another. Over half of Peoria county residents that voted on the tax referendum were in favor – thats it. It is part of living in a democracy – and one of the few cases where you get to voice your opinion directly rather than through elected representative. No one really likes taxation – but the county had representation.
Tax-payer funding – > you are right, I remember some vague commitments that they wouldn’t come to local tax payers. Though I remember thinking at the time that they worded it in a way that that left the option out there. At any rate -I’ve said I think the group needs new leadership and more transparent communication.
CJ Question for you. Have you secretly become the new editorial writer for the Peoria Journal Star and not told us?
i vote for cj to continue blogging and making his voice heard.
“Tax-payer funding – > you are right, I remember some vague commitments that they wouldn’t come to local tax payers. Though I remember thinking at the time that they worded it in a way that that left the option out there. At any rate -I’ve said I think the group needs new leadership and more transparent communication.”
– “Vague commitments?!?” This entire project has been NOTHING but vague commitments from the beginning [how many millions short?]!
– Even if we are only talking about $50 million in tax money [which we are not], that is still too much for a project that will generate no taxable revenue for local govt, employ 12 full-time & 30 part-time employees [you can’t count the temporary construction workers], and will be anything but ‘world class’ [calling it world class does not make it so]. In the end, this thing will become even more of a tax burden on the county.
– The original plans called for a Peoria History museum. Renovations being made to an existing building would have cost millions less, not to mention possibly save an exisitng landmark. Lakeview could have been up-graded, the land downtown turned into something that made money, rather than spend [tax payers] money.
– More PRM smokescreen.
[Group hug for CJ]
Hug from me too.
You are all very kind. Thanks.
Blogster — It was a good editorial today, wasn’t it? Nope, I didn’t write it. I’d never heard of the word “stanch,” for one thing. 🙂
I maintain a rather organized listing of bookmarks on my computer.
I long ago moved this blog to the “Local and National News” folder.
It is the only blog in it. All other blogs are under “Blogs”
Your professionalism and dedication to the area is to be commended.
I agree CJ. I know many teachers and admins and board members that use your blog to find out what the eduacted public is feeling. Great discussions of issues happen here.
C.J.,
Well done.
I think you’re right, we are doomed, but I think we keep on fighting anyway. As Churcill said, “NEVER SURRENDER!”
I hope somebody else read the Journal Star Op Ed; chastising East Peoria government for bilking their tax payers out of millions to support incoming business ventures [Bass Pro, the new Holiday Inn, etc].
Wait a minute!!!!! Is this the same Journal Star that supports a $140 million – Peoria County TAX PAYER SUPPORTED Regional Museum?!?
Wherever you go…. there you are.
C.J.: Remember this when you get down: IT WOULD BE WORSE WITHOUT YOU.
You make it harder for them to lie. They know that can’t be the bald faced outright liars they have been int he past. You make them work for it.
As deep as the pile of crap we find ourselves now, that pile would be deeper were itr not for you.
Always remember that.
Well said, Billy.
CJ-Do you know anything about Lutheran Social Services moving from their present location into a transformed private residence in West Peoria? How can they move into a house zoned as residential?
The spreading of knowledge ALWAYS is worth it.
You are a huge credit to this area and the regions best blogger. We are lucky to have you.
Besides, no one said starting a revolution (of fiscal responsibility) was going to be easy.
If anything else, you probably make Sandberg feel a little less ignored at council meetings.
CJ,
Your blog is a cut above the rest because you do your homeowrk and present the facts. I know I can go to your blog and get both sides of an issue and make a more educated decison on issues. Thnak you for eveything you do.
Without dissent? As a member of a “special interest” County Board, my dissent has been voiced at every meeting. (and seldom get a honest answer) I am the one who asks the hard questions. I never see you commentors at any of these meetings and the liberal JS columnist covering the county meetings rarely mentions what I or what others say in studied opposition to this one day to be “another white elephant on the riverfront”.
Many of you may not remember that I, Karrie Alms and C.J. spearheaded the drive to stop this boondoggle and alsmost suceeded. Now are fears are coming true. Instead of 75% funded by the public and 25% from the private sector, is now is reverse with much of the private sector monetary pledges just that, pledges.
Plus $12 million of the $14 million cash raised has been spent without a shovel turned.
At the committee meeting C.J. details, I was cut off from reiterating the facts by member Andrew Rand, because he indicated they had heard me before and decisions to go forward without the money on the museum, had already been made and my points where useless. Board member Bob Baeitto said that he did not want his name on the plaques for either the museum or BelWood.
Dissent on mis-use of taxpayer dollars for non-tax paying projects appear in the JS or by the JSEB, Heaven forbid.
Despite your “leaning the wrong way” for them, I am really surprised that the PJStar has not offered you any sort of freelance reporting position. You could provide some really nice balance to their otherwise leftist leanings. Your writings are always insightful, well thought out and point out the facts from both sides of the issue. You also have real credibility within the community.
Keep up the good work. It is appreciated.
Dunlap Observer: Amen! 🙂
Please don’t tell me that C.J. leans to the right. I have been happy with how well he stays balanced in the middle. Actually, I do know that C.J. has a tendency to lean to the right (so do I but I fight it more than C.J. does 🙂 Please don’t anyone take this too seriously–I am just trying to pay C.J. a compliment. Blogging doesn’t require a journalist’s objectivity, so I believe C.J. does very well in maintaining an honest, well thoughtout subjectivity–and accepting other points of view and/or giving them a fair hearing.
CJ, keep blogging. This is coming from someone who leans left and enjoys discussions with you. I would like to ask Dunlap Observer one simple thing, though: If the PJS is so “left leaning”, can you tell me why since I moved here in 1996 they’ve endorsed virtually zero Democrats in any election, even when said Democrat is obviously going to win in a landslide and is the better candidate? It always cracks me up when people parrot the Limbaughs and Hannitys (i.e. “liars”) of the media and say that papers “lean left”. The PJ Star is FAR from a left leaning paper.
BJStone: What democrat has been the better candidate? Have the ones that won their election proven to be worthy to you? Why were they the better candidate?