Bob Owens, author of the daily political blog, Confederate Yankee, was interviewed by Hal Straus of the Washington Post about his political ideology. Bob’s answers are here.
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Here are my answers to the same questions:
How would you characterize yourself politically? — I am for small government, low taxes, personal responsibility, the muscular projection of foreign policy, dead terrorists, secure borders, de-funding the United Nations, privatizing social security, and “gay families with closets full of assault weapons,†to borrow a phrase from Glenn Reynolds. (quoted almost directly from Bob Owens)
What one issue do you think readers should be most concerned about, and what’s your position on that issue? — Radical Islamism, which is becoming more-and-more the face of mainstream Muslims. We cannot reason with them; we cannot appease them; the cost of ignoring them much longer will be devastating. They have to be eradicated.
What or who first got you interested in writing opinion columns (or blogging)? — The first columnist that I ever read regularly was the late Lewis Grizzard from the The Atlanta Journal. Soon after that I became an avid reader of William Safire and George F. Will, too. But it wasn’t until I discovered Michelle Malkin’s blog (the first blog I ever read) that I realized that I could do it too.
Where’s your home town? — Even though I only lived there for 6 years, I still consider Conroe, Texas to be my hometown. It’s where I went to High School, and 20 years later, my closest friends in life are still a small group of people that I graduated with from that small town (about 45 miles north of Houston). An ex-girlfriend once told me that I was a big city boy, with small town values. That’s what I got from growing up in Conroe, and I think it still applies today.
What books have most influenced your thinking? — Education of a Wandering Man (Louis L’Amour), which ingrained in me a raw enthusiasm for life and for books; If I Never Get Back (Darryl Brock), which reinforces my love for the history of baseball, and makes me wish I could go back; and A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving), which challenges my beliefs on predestination, faith, doubt, politics, love, hate, family, and friendship.
What Web sites (if any) do you find most useful? — Memeorandum, Google, and Technorati are my primary blogging research tools. I surf a variety of blogs listed on my blogroll, and mainstream media sites like the Austin American Statesman, the Houston Chronicle, Fox News, and the Washington Post.
If you weren’t a blogger, what other occupation(s) would you consider? — Well, I’m only a blogger by hobby, and not vocation. I’ve been many other things in the past — merchant marine, bartender, and EMT just to name a few. But the one job I had that I miss the most and wish I could have made a career out of was being a Soldier. A medical discharge after a training accident cut that dream way too short.
Of the jobs I’ve never held that I would consider — I’d be a great sports talk radio host, the radio play-by-play guy for a Major League baseball team, athletic administrator for a school district or university, or a sports agent.
Please ask yourself a question that wasn’t listed above and provide an answer. — I’m going to steal Bob Owens’ question and response in its entirety, as it’s a good question and his answer matches my own thoughts on this question exactly.
Question: What makes your thoughts and opinions more correct or valuable than mine or someone else’s?
Answer: Thoughts and opinions only have the value a reader assigns to it. On matters of fact, I try to establish credibility by doing research the reader may not have time to conduct on his own, and in matters of opinion, I try to offer a reasonable level of support for my position. Whether you are a Pulitzer-winning journalist or a Weblog Award nominee, your value comes from your credibility and your ability to substantiate what you say, and your ability to admit and correct mistakes.
(My own words added) Also, I feel my voice and many of my opinions are shared by a majority in this country. And yet, the minority voices and opinions are the ones that we most hear and read about every day from our traditional mainstream media (MSM) sources. This blog is my way of countering that imbalance.
I may just have to look you up in October when I will be in Austin attending a vintage jewelry convention. I’d love to have a drink with you and the fair Mrs. Cooper. I almost feel as though I know you already.
Left by dianne on February 28th, 2006 at 1:56 pm