A Few Words About The Blog And My Readers

(Note.  On May 2, 2021, I wrote a post called "A Few Words About The Blog And Me."  This post is more about readers' comments, and how some (many) on the left perceive me.)

In various posts this past year I have said things that should have gotten agreement from those on the left.  Here are some examples that come to mind.  Following the events of January 6, 2021, I wrote that I was appalled by what I saw.  I said then, and more recently, that I wanted Trump out of politics.  I said that Trump was wrong when claiming that Pence could, and should, overturn the December, 2020 Electoral College.  I made it clear that the Vice President does not have that power, nor should any Vice President have the power to overturn election results.

I wrote back in November, 2020, that I accepted that Biden won late on election night.  That was days before any media outlet had called the election.   More recently, I explained that I opposed the Texas abortion law.  

And twice recently, I spoke in favor of the Covid vaccines.  I explained that I had gotten the two Pfizer injections, and more recently the booster.  I discussed the positive history of vaccines in our country helping to eradicate disease.  

I received no agreements from those on the left to any of the above.  I used to get agreement.  I did get some disagreements from those on the right.  But here is the difference.  When I hear from readers on the right, they do not mock me, or stop being friends with me (if we are friends).  They engage.  They will tell me why they believe that I may be wrong, or may have overlooked somethings.  Some will send links to articles.

It is difficult to engage with those on the left.  I recently told someone on the left that the world ended for him on January 6.  Not matter what I say, the reply is always "January 6" and "Trump."  He is not the only one.  As long as Trump is alive, there is no other issue of any importance.  Anything that Biden and the Democrats are currently doing to harm the country is insignificant compared to Trump.  

As I hear non-stop about the "insurrection," I suggested that one reader take a look at my March 12, 2017 post, "The Deposing of an American President."  I suggested that the three year effort to "depose" a duly elected president was worse that the few hours of violence at the Capitol on January 6.  Of course, there was disagreement.  Trump was trying to overthrow the government.  So imagine my surprise when I was told that this particular reader had no problem with any lawful means being used to unseat Trump from the day he took office.

Let's think about that for a moment.  It astounds me to think that this individual has no qualms about seeking to immediately remove a duly elected president from office, while telling me that my blog causes great damage to our country and democracy.  What an excellent idea.  Every time a new president takes office with the opposing party in control of Congress, the Congress should immediately impeach that new president because...?  That's some way to keep a stable democracy.  

What I have also noticed from readers, and even family, is their usually unstated belief that I am a right-wing extremist.  Why?  Because I voted for Trump.  Which is all they need to know about me, my beliefs and my character.  So when I said that I wanted Trump out of politics, one reader was upset that I did not explain why.  When I said that I was vaccinated, and believed in vaccines, I was told that I did not tell unvaccinated people that they needed to get vaccinated - it was part of their civic duty.  Well, whether or not you believe it is a civic duty, one thing is certain - it is not my civic duty to tell other people what they must do.