I have plenty of friends who follow this blog, right along with plenty of foes and critics.
Many of my critics happen to be friends. Some of them are good friends, too. One of those friendly critics has chided me because my blog isn’t “fair and balanced.” I’ll answer my longtime good pal here.
High Plains Blogger strives for fairness in its criticism. Whether it achieves fairness, I suppose, depends largely on who’s reading it. As you know, a huge chunk of the criticism of late has centered on Donald J. Trump, the nation’s 45th president. I detest the idea of this man representing the nation I love dearly. I am unapologetic in my harsh feelings toward him.
My friend thinks I should be more “fair and balanced.”
I’ll ponder that for a moment. OK. I’ve pondered it. This blog will continue to strive for fairness in its criticism of any public official. However, the balance isn’t part of the equation. I wear my bias proudly and do not shy away from it. It’s a blog intended to comment on public policy and politics.
Still, I have pledged to compliment the president when opportunities present themselves.
I can think off hand of two such occurrences: the president’s decision to launch missiles at Syria in response to Bashar al Assad’s use of chemical weapons; and the president’s signing of a veterans administration reform bill into law that protects whistleblowers who tattle on VA officials who mistreat veterans.
I should add here, I suppose, that not a single regular or frequent critic congratulated this blog for its complimentary tone on those instances. Hey, no worries. It goes with the territory. I believe that’s what I’ve cautioned the president as he rails against critics of his public policy.
So … the beat — and the criticism goes on.
Hear, hear! I quite approve that you should eschew “balance” – much like that shining star on the “rock across the pond” – The Economist.
Have no doubt that I’ll occasionally call you out when you’re not fair – and try like hades to be fair, myself.
Keep It UP
Will do. ?
FWIW, I too agree with Trump’s missile launch, if only he’d gotten that criminal as well (in this case, there ought to be less chance of a power vacuum).
It’s a compliment when I say you seem like a sixties democrat when you approve of limited American projection of power like that.
I am no fan of the President, however, I’ll add my approval to one other Trump assertion – to demand that NATO allies fulfill their 2% of GDP military commitment. In fact, I’d privately stump for more (let our Diplomat-in-Chief do it privately before “turning up the heat”)
Europe’s debt to us for our Cold War resistance to Putin’s far-worse predecessors is much greater – for which we will never be explicitly paid.
Wouldn’t you agree?