Opinions Matter - 15,000 Unique Visitors

This week we went over the 15,000 unique visitors mark on this blog. We have seen a lot of growth and I have been happy with the progress that we have made and I look forward to this site continuing to grow.

I would like to address the issue of the opinions that I share with the viewers of this blog. This blog is meant to be a blog of advocacy. I study issues and then I try to state my opinion on those issue and bring understanding as to how I interpret those issues.

When someone disagrees with me, then I do want them to let me know. Sometimes I am vitriolic and/or sardonic when I see things happening that totally go against the grain of justice and what is right or best for this community, especially when I feel that it is a myopic or self-serving view or action. But, if one feels that I am misinterpreting an issue or action then my e-mail is readily available or many of you see me in public and can address me there. I am always willing to listen. No one can legitimately state that I am not willing to meet with them and listen to their grievance toward me.

One word that I constantly hear is the word Credibility. The definition of Credibility is the capability of being believed. I can assure you that I do my homework on the issues that are addressed on this blog. I don't just make the stuff up that goes on here. I spend 30 to 40 hours a week on this. I meet with people constantly that help me to shape the direction of the issues we address. This has been a truly educational and life changing experience for myself and the game changers that help me with this project.

Since I have started this blog, I have had many people thank me for what this blog represents, but I have also had some people thoroughly chastise me and rail against some of the issues and context of what we propose and write about. Sometimes I believe our local media outlets have had there content and coverage of issues unduly influenced by such pressures. People cry about our local paper, but such constraints are the reason that we don't see relevant content and ideas addressed there. They are tired of having there toes stomped on by people who won't even tolerate constructive criticism.

That is the reason why I have been wary of accepting any money for advertising on this blog from local sources. I don't want the possibility of anyone telling me that they would yank financial support, because I addressed such and such in a manner that they don't like or an associated party doesn't like.

You see, I have never been a part of the club and frankly I am not looking to join in with any social groups here in this town, unless they are open and accepting of people who come from diverse backgrounds and have diverse ideas and opinions. I am thoroughly ashamed of the caste system that I have seen on display in many parts of this city. It is my opinion, that this caste system has played a major role in the economic implosion that we have been experiencing and until the status quo goes and we start moving away from the old ways, then I feel that we are going to continue spinning our wheels, instead of moving towards the progress that we all claim to want to see.

Creativity is fostered from people who have differing points of view and if one cannot function and communicate with others who have differing opinions and come from different backgrounds, then one will never be able to grow mentally or spiritually. If you want change, then put your money (and/or influence) where your mouth is!!!

***By the way, several parties are aggressively pursuing a means to have a Town Hall meeting in which all of the candidates for the upcoming election will be invited to speak with the public about where they stand on the city's issues and what they propose to do should they be elected to Hickory's City Council in the upcoming Election. We will be informing people early next week if this is a go or not. Remember that this upcoming week each candidate will be on First talk with Hal Row on WHKY at 8am. His show comes on at 7:05am on Monday through Friday.

***I will be working further on the Hickory Revitalization Conference I attended last week. Next up will be Champions of Education - Education Matters and the Address by Dr. Garrett Hinshaw about what CVCC is doing to help change the culture in this area.