Almost certainly 2016 will be known as a year, if not the year, in which pundits, commentators, opinion writers, et al were proven wrong as a group. In a way, that is totally unsurprising, because they are never held accountable for their words.
Stating one's opinions, including forecasts, is essential in exercising free speech. Equally essential is being able to do so without being accountable. Other than possibly losing viewership or readership, leading to loss of reputation, expressing one's opinion carries with it little real world accountability. And this totally differs from the words and actions of those about whom the pundits, commentators, opinion writers, et al ply their trade.
Stated differently, it is very easy to criticize when your actions have no actual consequences. And so it should be. Free speech, whether accurate or offensive, is absolutely crucial to our country. If pundits, commentators, opinion writers, et al were actually held accountable, it would be stifling.
Just consider the ramifications. Were the social activist/commentator held accountable for his/her mistakes or offensive commentary, it is most likely end their time on radio or television. Just think of all the shows that would be cancelled on MSNBC, Fox, ABC, CBS, and the like. Likewise for Twitter, Facebook, etc.
All the so-called news offerings would see a drastic reduction, which would not reflect positively on free speech.
So while the pundits, commentators, opinion writers, et al offer their views without fear of true accountability, much to the aggravation of those upon whom the pundits, commentators, opinion writers, et al write and speak, it is absolutely essential they be able to do so in a free society that values free speech.
Friday, December 23, 2016
Friday, December 16, 2016
As 2016 draws to a close
As 2016 draws to a close, family was always number one, including getting together and visits for Christmas, birthdays, and vacations. Kids, kids of kids, mother, brother, in-laws, and all.
But life on two wheels was another major element in the year, providing excitement, riding with fellow veterans, and the annual road trip with my best friend Nick. This year we road to the Hollister Independence Day Rally.
Some of the time in the saddle was spent supporting our active duty military and veterans with the Patriot Guard Riders. Riding with fellow veterans, we are determined that our men and women in uniform and veterans will not be forgotten.
Some missions provided honors for either the fallen or a veteran.
Other missions joined the joyous celebrations in welcoming home Marines and sailors from deployments.
On some days it was just the joy of being out on the bike, enjoying the quintessential American biker lifestyle, made easier by living in southern California with its great weather. But whatever the reason for throwing a leg over the saddle, uppermost is the pride of being an American...an American veteran...a Marine.
Looking forward to more miles and smiles in 2017.
But life on two wheels was another major element in the year, providing excitement, riding with fellow veterans, and the annual road trip with my best friend Nick. This year we road to the Hollister Independence Day Rally.
Some of the time in the saddle was spent supporting our active duty military and veterans with the Patriot Guard Riders. Riding with fellow veterans, we are determined that our men and women in uniform and veterans will not be forgotten.
Some missions provided honors for either the fallen or a veteran.
On some days it was just the joy of being out on the bike, enjoying the quintessential American biker lifestyle, made easier by living in southern California with its great weather. But whatever the reason for throwing a leg over the saddle, uppermost is the pride of being an American...an American veteran...a Marine.
Looking forward to more miles and smiles in 2017.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Far from the maddening crowd
It is great to be away from the maddening crowd.
Away from southern California on travel, it so refreshing to be among folks -- regular folks -- just working to make a living and enjoy their lives. Folks who smile and share a bit of humor with strangers during breakfast. Folks who talk about enjoying the great outdoors. Folks enjoying a more pedestrian pace of life.
Yeah, the weather in southern California is certainly enjoyable. But the cost of living, frenetic pace of life, expanses of pavement, and incessant crowds are not missed even a little bit.
It may be purely illusory, but the folks encountered during this period of travel seem more genuine. They seem more concerned with one another. They seem calmer. They seem happier. All in all, it seems a much friendlier environment.
All too soon it will be time to fly back to southern California.
Before then, it is uplifting to be away from the maddening crowd.
Away from southern California on travel, it so refreshing to be among folks -- regular folks -- just working to make a living and enjoy their lives. Folks who smile and share a bit of humor with strangers during breakfast. Folks who talk about enjoying the great outdoors. Folks enjoying a more pedestrian pace of life.
Yeah, the weather in southern California is certainly enjoyable. But the cost of living, frenetic pace of life, expanses of pavement, and incessant crowds are not missed even a little bit.
It may be purely illusory, but the folks encountered during this period of travel seem more genuine. They seem more concerned with one another. They seem calmer. They seem happier. All in all, it seems a much friendlier environment.
All too soon it will be time to fly back to southern California.
Before then, it is uplifting to be away from the maddening crowd.
Thursday, December 8, 2016
The Christmas season
The Christmas season is rapidly approaching. For small children, it is a wondrous time of expectation. For Christians, it is an important religious period. For (all too) many it is a time of excessive consumerism. For families, it is a time of looking forward to gatherings. For some families, however, it is an unfulfilled time.
Military families across our great nation experience the Christmas season from a vastly different perspective than the majority of citizens. With less than one-half of one percent of our nation serving in uniform, it is not surprising that most do not think of the servicemen and women who spend Christmas away from loved ones.
It may be the family of the soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine deployed overseas or forward deployed on one of our Navy's ships. It may be the family of the soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine who is just unable to travel home, be it due to finances, duty assignments, or other causes beyond his or her control.
America should offer their prayers for these soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and their families during this Christmas season.
Most importantly, we need to offer our prayers for the surviving military families of warriors lost this year: Captain Frederick, Captain Kuss, Staff Sergeant Cardin, Chief Petty Officer Finan, and Major Norton.
Military families across our great nation experience the Christmas season from a vastly different perspective than the majority of citizens. With less than one-half of one percent of our nation serving in uniform, it is not surprising that most do not think of the servicemen and women who spend Christmas away from loved ones.
It may be the family of the soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine deployed overseas or forward deployed on one of our Navy's ships. It may be the family of the soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine who is just unable to travel home, be it due to finances, duty assignments, or other causes beyond his or her control.
America should offer their prayers for these soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and their families during this Christmas season.
Most importantly, we need to offer our prayers for the surviving military families of warriors lost this year: Captain Frederick, Captain Kuss, Staff Sergeant Cardin, Chief Petty Officer Finan, and Major Norton.
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