I am able to get reflective on occasion. This is one of those moments.
As I look back on the history of High Plains Blogger, I am struck by the thought that it is quite negative in its approach to discussion of politics and public policy.
Frankly, I remind myself of the people of whom I used to poke fun back when I was working for a living.
I toiled in daily journalism for nearly 37 years and I would hear the following from readers of the work I produced:
“Hey, I really like what you said the other,” they would say.
“Oh, what was that?” I would ask in response.
“Shoot! I can’t remember. I’ll have to think about it,” they’d say.
Now, if they disagreed with something I wrote, they likely could recite it back to me, virtually word for word and have a ready-made method for me to change my way of thinking.
That’s human nature, I suppose. I passed it off as such.
My blog is taking on much of that narrative.
Those of you read my musings know, for example, how strongly I feel about the man who won the 2016 presidential election. I’ve spoken frequently — and almost always angrily — about Donald John Trump.
I admit to being quick to point where I believe the president has failed, and is failing. I also admit that I while I’ve been long on complaints, I’ve been short on solutions.
I am going to seek to change — when it is possible — my approach to discussing this man’s time as president. Also, I intend to make good on my earlier pledge to speak positively of actions he takes, or words he says when the opportunities present themselves. I did so just the other day when commenting on a speech Trump made in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; I thought he sounded reasonable and said so — which drew some sharp rebukes from a couple of readers of this blog.
I get that we are drawn more readily to respond to negativity with more negativity. I lived through all of that during many years writing editorials and columns for daily newspapers. Readers get their hackles up and speak out quickly and forcefully. They are much less inclined to do so with the same vigor when they read something with which they agree.
So it is with this blogger.
Don’t expect a huge change overnight. If public officials mess up, I’ll be all over ’em like ugly on an ape; that includes the president of the United States. However, I intend to seek to add some constructive thoughts along the way. When they do something that pleases me, I’ll weigh in on that, too.
I never will forsake my humanity, though, by muffling my own righteous indignation.
