Friday, April 28, 2006

One Year Anniversary

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." ~ George Santayana

One year ago today, I started this blog. It began as a simple commentary on news of the day, an opportunity for me to express my particular opinion as seen from my peculiar perspective. Hence, the rather odd blog address, describing my perspective as coming from somewhere out in left field.

One of the first commenters I ever had in the beginning pointed out that I should have named it right field perspectives, since my ideology is decidedly right wing. He had a point. I responded brilliantly, of course, by saying, when you are seated 4 rows back in the bleacher seats in left field, and facing left field, it is on your right.

Looking back over the past year, There have been many changes, both to America, and to the style and substance of my blog. As a way of celebrating this milestone I have decided to republish what I consider to be the best opinion piece I ever wrote.

And announce, that after today, I will not be quite as committed to making sure I post something everyday, as sometimes I just don't seem to have an idea of what to write about. I will try to write as often as I can, and indeed, I still may post something everyday, but if I don't, you will understand. I lost a personal relationship due to my commitment to this blog, and that will not happen again. I learn from my mistakes.

The following was posted here July 2, 2005:

A Question

Someone asked me today, "Do you really believe all the things you write about in your blog?" I had to stop and give it some thought.

So, I thought back, to a 7th grade classroom and the intercom crackling to life with the news that the President had just been shot. The ultimate disrespect for the office of President.

Then I thought back 5 years later and the bullets of the false revenge struck again. Twice.

And I think about all the rights that we were supposed to be guaranteed to us by the constitution, the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And how they are being continually and methodically stripped away.

A court case decided that a woman has the right to kill her baby. It was called Roe vs. Wade.

I remember how my belief in the integrity of the senate was drowned in the murky waters of Chappaquidick.

And the images of soldiers returning from Viet Nam being spat upon and called "baby killers" by the people with whom I had once identified. And the way they were reviled by the very government that should have thanked them for their service.

Murderers and child molesters being freed by technicalities and "race cards". And innocent people being persecuted for their faith in a God whom the founders of our country based our system of government on.

I can think of cases where children are being suspended and expelled from public schools for writing essays on Jesus, the Bible, or their personal belief in God. And being sent home for wearing T shirts that proclaim "Jesus loves you" while other students are allowed to wear T shirts with the images of Marilyn Manson,Godsmack, and other "death metal, Satanic Bands, and pentagrams.

I remember Dr. Jack Kevorkian and his commitment to legalize murder of the elderly and infirmed.

I think of how the Supreme Court keeps ordering the removal of the ten commandments from Courthouse lawns, the very rule of law our system of justice is based on.

Hate speech by politicians, news media organizations, and radical associations.

Then I remember the pain and anger I felt when terrorists flew jet airliners into the world trade center towers and pentagon. And then there were people who blamed the attacks on our own government and those who support it.

Muslim extremists terrorists sawing off the heads of innocent civilians, some of who were in their country to help them.

Then there was the starving to death of a young comatose woman in Florida, not just a mercy killing, but a long agonizing death, and the numbers of people that think it is ok to do that to someone.

A hurricane strikes New Orleans, causing a canal wall to break apart, flooding the entire city, leaving death and destruction in it's wake, and some reprehensible people use the suffering to politicize and take advantage of it for political capital.

The mother of one of our brave men who sacrificed his life for our country uses his death shamelessly to protest the war against global terrorism, to the point that she has made his death meaningless and herself a national shame.

People lobby to keep cold blooded murderers alive and/or complain that the execution by painless lethal injection is not painless enough, while the families of the victims receive little or no sympathy.

And now, My President is being called a liar and a loser and a murderer by politicians and news media who want to undermine him and his efforts to create a better world for our children

And on, and on, and on, and on.

So, Whenever someone asks me, "Do you really believe the things you write about in your blog?" I smile, and wink, and say, "Hell no, but the money's good."

For what else could I say to such a question?

21 comments:

Daffy76 said...

Gosh, Mark. A whole year. I guess my blog anniversary must be coming up soon too. I didn't realize that yours was so new when I started mine.

Here's to a great 2nd year!

Anonymous said...

As the new saying goes, "Happy Blogiversary." And a wish for success in all you endeavors.

Gayle said...

Now why is it I never thought of that? I've had two blog anniversaries and just let them slide by without notice.

Mark, that is a wonderful post. You said it all, and said it very well at that. All the events that you listed are the things that drive all of us conservative bloggers to blog in the first place. I wonder what drives the left?

Great post! :)

The WordSmith from Nantucket said...

Mark, congratulations on your anniversary. I can't believe it's only been a year. You've been around for as long as I've been blogging, so it's felt like you've been around forever. You just seemed like an old pro at it- like you've been around for years, while I was "the n00bie on the block".

I lost a personal relationship due to my commitment to this blog, and that will not happen again. I learn from my mistakes.

Mark, I'm sorry to hear this. We should never forget our priorities nor suffer a lapse in knowing what is more important in our lives. I wish you well.

Poison Pero said...

Congrats, my friend!! I can't believe it's only been a year.

Keep up the good work, and I hope you don't cut back too much. The last blogger I saw say this has now cut back to about one per monthy.......William at The Briefing.

Have a great second year, and keep your head about you.

Dionne said...

Congrats on the One year anniversary!!! Excellent post.

tugboatcapn said...

Congrats, and Happy Anniversary, Mark.

Wow, only one year, Huh?

I thought that you had been blogging so long that when you started, you had to chisel your posts into Stone Tablets!

Turns out, you have been at it about a month longer than I have...

Seriously, though, I would not know what to do if you quit. Your blog is one of the few that I make a point of checking every day.

Here's to the past, today, and the future!

Chipper said...

Congratulations on a fantastic year! I always look forward to reading your blog and I am eagerly awaiting another wonderful year of your commentaries!

Eric said...

Very powerful post. I must take exception to one item, however.

While the antics of Cindy Sheehan HAS made her a "national shame," her antics have NOT made the death of her son Casey "meaningless." It falls to Casey's family, and every American to insure that that never happens.

Congratulations on your 1st year.

The Liberal Lie The Conservative Truth said...

Good post and congrats on the one year anniversary. This June will be my second! Keep up the great work and Happy Anniversary!!!

Ken

Mike's America said...

Happy Blogaversary Mark!

Glad to see you continue to let your form evolve. Who knows where you will be a year from now.

As for the many comments to the effect of "gee it seems longer" I'm sure it was meant as a compliment :)

juanitagf said...

Congratulations, Mark! Keep up the good work.

Francis Lynn said...

Happy BlogDay, Mark - 2yrs in Jun for me. Maybe we can all meet in Centralia & have a pArTi.

Lone Ranger said...

Congrats on a year. I don't keep track myself. One birthday a year is all I can handle.

rich glasgow said...

Excellent post, Mark! Surely you've been around longer than a year...even so, happy first blogoversary. I can't remember how or when I first stumbled across your blog, but I've always admired your ability to wax eloquent about so many subjects. Keep up the good blogging and I always appreciate your visits and comments at my blog.

Best blog wishes for the upcoming year...I have a feeling there will be no shortages of things to blog about!

Jim said...

Congratulations, Mark.

But why do you hate America?

The Game said...

well done mark...
I love how your cronicled a whole generation of things that have happened...

many sad things have happened over the years...not all of them from the Left, but quite a few of the things you quote do....

I know you are one of the ones that LOVES what America used to be, and still is at times...

Mary said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MARK!

What I find so compelling about your blog is your candor. That sets it apart from so many others.

And just a little bit of unsolicited advice:

Remember that you own your blog. Don't let it own you.

My friend, I raise a cyber glass to toast you and your first year of blogging. Here's to a second wonderful year.

Cheers!

Mark said...

Thanks to all who read my blog and have congratulated me. For me, it is a labor of love. And an effort to calm my own outrage.

Jim, you said, "But why do you hate America?"

I have often wondered the same about you. After all, I don't criticize America and glorify our enemies the way you folks on the left do.

Even when I disagree with certain things the administration does, I always stay respectful. Can you say the same?

Pamela Reece said...

I have been fortunate to have been reading your blog and watching you grow and change along with it. It has been my pleasure to read your insight, read your opinions and I value your heart. Among so many other bloggers, you, my friend, are among the best. Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary and thank you for your friendship.

Jim said...

I have NEVER EVER criticized America here or anywhere else. I have criticized some of its leaders and their policies, nothing more.

I have NEVER EVER glorified our enemies.

You have lied to accuse me of such things.

And if the president of the US lies, and it can be shown that he lied, is it disrepectful to point out that he lied? Or must we be silent?

Were you silent and respectful when Clinton lied?

We have irrefutable evidence leading us to either or both of two conclusions:

1) Bush lied, or
2) Bush is unbelievably incompetent.

We know that Bush was personally made aware that it was unlikely that the aluminum tubes could be used for enriching uranium. Yet he claimed in several speeches including the 2003 State of the Union that Iraq possessed aluminum tubes used to enrich uranium.

That's a lie.