This is not an easy thing for me to do, because truly I had such high hopes for this blog and our success in making a true difference. Fulfilling a vision that I had for my country's future. I know I am not the most eloquent writer so I left some of the really tough ones to those more equipped to do it justice and tried to put my unique spin on things. Lately, as most of you have probably noticed we have pretty much disappeared off of the face of the earth and have only been kept up to date with Ken and TAO's guest posts. (Thank you by the way!)
My emotions and feeling have been through the ringer lately because I just don't feel like I fit in anymore. I consider myself a conservative because I truly want less government interference in our lives, and less spending. I thought conservatism was about individual responsibility! What I was truly surprised to find though was this blind hatred. This all or nothing mentality. I just don't have it in me to hate the man and wish his failure. To some, this does not make me conservative and so be it. I am tired of trying to convince people of my views. I personally think it makes me an optimist. It makes me realistic and practical...to steal TAO's words. I have fought hard against Obama, since he first became a candidate and don't like him any more now. He scares me, especially when I think of what he has done with this stimulus bill, or BULLSHIT as Patrick likes to describe it. :-) I have a feeling that there are a lot of emails in store for me, to my lovely NJ representatives. in the future.
I am not giving up the fight nor am I giving in. I just don't feel that this blog is right for me anymore. I feel like everything I've written lately has brought in some people and opinions that completely contradict everything I am trying to say and these are not liberals, but conservatives. I am not accomplishing my goals and that really was my whole point in this endeavor. This blog is better run by those that share the same views and opinions and mine definitely seems to be completely my own right now. I treasure all the authors and commenters here, and hope that you will continue to fight the good fight in whatever way you think best. I will continue to visit and give you my input (I'm too stubborn to stay away) but being an author here will only continue to cause questions about what conservatism means or doesn't mean and that is another issue that has been talked about to death. I find the constant bickering harmful in the big scheme of things, and that was never my purpose here.
I also have some personal issues that have been taking up a good majority of my time, and if I can't do something with my whole heart, I don't do it. It's not fair to me and it certainly isn't fair to the readers. So I will leave with a heavy heart knowing that what I am doing is best for me and the sake of the blog. Thank you for giving me this chance to write and be heard even if you didn't happen to agree with me all the time, or any of the time for that matter. I truly am thankful for the friends I've made and the times we've spent together bringing this blog to fruition.
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25 comments:
Dear Jenn,
Well, we started off very awkwardly and have slowly become away that we had more in common that we thought inititially.
The one fundamental principle that all of us seem to be forgetting is the one about democracy and the fact that the people have spoken.
The people have spoken and Obama is OUR President...he deserves the same respect and support of any other POTUS...regardless of ones own personal belief at the end of the day we are AMERICANS first and foremost.
We seem to have lost the ability to fight the good fight over our President and then after the election we should shake hands and move on together.
That does not mean we all agree but it does mean that we accept the winner and respect the individual who wins.
Obama is not planning on destroying this country anymore than George Bush planned on destroying this country.
I personally believe that our biggest issue is not government spending and or tax policy but rather the issue of irresponsiblity of leadership: That includes the political, the economic, and our religious leaders.
It includes everyone.
Our economic crisis has been caused by this irresponsibility. I think Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity are also guilty because they hold Democrats to a different standard than they do Republicans.
But as long as we hate each other and get angry at each other we will never see the real problem and never be able to deal with it.
In times such as these a party that focuses on the negative, on attacking, and on anger will never grow and become the majority.
A party that believes that once in power that the spoils belong to the victor is not going to be in power very long.
Winning is about leading not conquest.
Good luck to you!
Jenn, I hate to see you stepping aside and hope it is only temporary.
I am also glad to see that you are not giving up the fight. Looking forward to your visit both here and over on my site. Stay strong and take care!
You are right, TAO, we had a very awkward beginning but with an open mind, we realized we had more in common than we thought. I also learned a lot from you. I was always sort of a follower. I didn't know enough about anything to honestly form my OWN opinions. I was a conservative and I thought that was enough. I am finding though, that it is not. The more time that went by, I started forming my own views and opinions and realized that I couldn't follow along anymore. I realized that we are all different people and come from different walks in life, and we are bound to differ on things, and that is okay. For the first time I put my opinion out there realizing that it probably wasn't the most popular, but it was mine and I just might have to work hard at defending it. I actually thank everyone I've came in contact with, because by listening, debating, discussing and yes even fighting at times, I've figured out that my ideas don't fit in a nice little box. They are my own, and damned if I didn't gain a little gumption along the way.
Robert, TAO, TP, Ken, Patrick, Joe, Gayle, CB....You have all brought something different to the table and I am so thankful for that. I may not fit in perfectly anywhere, but for the first time in a long time, I know who I am and what I stand for. Some of you may agree, some of you may not, but that is fine. I've realized that by opening our minds to new ideas or views, we grow stronger in who we are.
Thank you both for your messages. This leaves me a little more time for me so I will be sure to stop by your places often!
I may not fit in perfectly anywhere...,
Jenn, join the club.
As others have said, we hope this isn't a goodbye and that you'll be back posting like mad after you get the batteries recharged. Personally, I think we're all a little burned out from dealing with both liberal domination of the political landscape, and extremist asshats in the GOP (McCain moderates, angry wingnuts, and the Paulistas).
So I won't say goodbye.
Until we meet again is much better. :)
Nah, I'm not going anywhere, permanently, that is. I'll be around, and I will certainly be at your place quite a bit, so you'll be sick of me after a while.....LOL
Jenn,
This was your idea, you should not go. I'm not falling on my sword here but I think I should be the one to bow out. I have strong opinions that I stand by that can be overbearing and are often not compatible with the concept of a team blog.
Besides, I haven't written much because I'm on the road trying to make as much money as I can putting it into a tax free environment and buying as much gold as I can before Obama taxes me into oblivion, inflation erodes what I've made or the government declares a force majeure.
I'll come back to comment occasionally but I will end my posting contributions. I'll leave you all with this. What we are trying to "conserve" are the principles established at the founding of our country. These principles are the classical liberal principles of natural rights to life, liberty and property. These rights are also codified in the Bill of Rights and amendments to the Constitution, except the 16th. The States formed the federal government and not the other way around.
I'll be attending a "Tea Party" tomorrow in Nashville at the State Capitol Legislative Plaza. These are apparently taking place all over the country. We are in serious peril but there is hope if we fight now.
CB....Thank you, but it's honestly not necessary. Your opinions fall in line with most of the others here. I'm finding myself in a way and on a blog like this, it is very difficult. Please continue, you offer a great deal that I couldn't even begin to attempt. You are in no way to blame for my decision to leave, please understand that. It's just something that I needed to do for me!
Actually CB, you are on the road trying to make as much money as you can because just like the rest of us you are damn scared that our economy is toast.
As you consult you will earn income and as a consultant you will receive a 1099 which you will pay taxes on that income if you report it.
The only way that income can be "tax free" is if you do not report it and or ship it off to some tax haven overseas.
Obama just represents a good excuse for you...it is easier to say you fear him and his policies than to acknowledge that you actually fear the complete and utter meltdown of our economy.
You of course want to blame government rather than acknowledge that something seriously is wrong with capitalism as it has been practiced the last few years.
Gold is a great investment and you should have bought it anytime there is great uncertainty in the world...like after 9/11 which is when I bought gold.
The issue of states rights was resolved by the civil war and with the tea party concept why not just go ahead and call yourself a libertarian....or maybe a revolutionary. It looks like Paul Revere will be riding shortly...
"Obama is OUR President...he deserves the same respect and support of any other POTUS..."
That would be the same kind of support given to President Bush, right.
Jenn, you will be missed, but I fully understand your frustration. Sometimes it just seems futile.
While I enjoy blogging and will continue to do so (it gives me a place to exercise my spiritual gift: sarcasm...see II Hezakiah 4:12), the real power is in persistant nagging of the ones in power with emails, letters and phone calls.
God bless you, my friend.
Maybe you should quit blogging , it may not be for you. Admitting failure is never easy, and it’s harder when often you’ve put your heart and soul into creating your own blog. But ultimately, blogs fail. You may not be cut out for it. There is no shame in quitting something that’s just not for you. Maybe you should try baking cookies. Or knitting quilts.
Jenn,
Just read about your sabbatical. I hope you return.
Yours is a voice that conservatives AND librals need to hear. And your blog contributed to a dialog that is needed.
I respect what you've tried to do and reject those who try through intimidation or hate speech to force you to run a blog the way they see fit or to think exactly like them.
Stand your ground, Jenn. There is nothing wrong with your ideas and opinions.
Unfortunately, some people don't want you to be independent minded. Forget that. Don't ever be afraid to NOT be part of the group think.
I give you a lot of credit for what you've tried--we disagree on politics--but you have been brave in sticking to the values you set up for this blog.
Don't let the bullies win. Come back. Soon.
PS. To "It's My Choice." You don't "knit" quilts, you sew them. And you're condescending remarks to Jenn are more a reflection on the kind of person YOU are rather than on her.
Joe....Thanks! Yours is a blog that I truly respect and admire. I won't be a stranger, you can be sure of that! Besides, maybe I will just concentrate on my Palace for a princess blog. I can say what I want without worrying about what I represent. Just calling things as I see them.
It's my choice...I really don't know why I am bothering with a response as you've already showed your character by what you've written on Shaw and Patrick's blog. In fact, I won't even bother with a response to what you wrote.
Shaw...Thank you for your kind words. We've known each other for a while, and while we don't agree on politics like you mentioned you are always there with an intelligent and thought provoking comment. I don't think I am leaving the atmosphere altogether, because I am finding that the only way to really find answers is through debate, discussion and an open mind. That is probably the biggest lesson I've been taught through all this. This blog started with a vision and although it's veered from that, my convictions are too firmly grounded and I think that the purpose is too important to give up entirely. Your words are an inspiration and I thank you for that!
Please don't give up. We need your voice.
Jenn: Let me respond to IMC. And hand out the Asshat of the Week award before I even get the post written.
IMC: If you haven't heard of my Asshat of the Week award, then you're about to be awarded it, you whiny little pissant.
You (and your malcontent ilk) get this award because you are one of the small-minded small-titted/small-dicked (depending on your equipment, maybe both) morons who hasn't had an original thought since you fell out of your mother in between customers.
You can only show up and spew insipid vitriol at those who don't conform to your politically-brainwashed idea of what is "right" rather than add one iota of thought, humor, or human kindness. The Ron Paulistas threw you out for being too much of an asshat for them, didn't they. And the fact that you're too cowardly to have a public identity, or a blog, or anything other than an anony-name just annoys me.
And the fact that you come here to shit on Jenn indicates the kind of ill-bred, half-bred, inbred scum you are. So go do something more productive with your life, like molesting squirrels. Maybe they'll chew through your bile-sacks and you can sing happy music after they throw your ass in a round room and tell you to piss in a corner.
Dear Patrick,
Have I told you lately that I luv you?
IMC needed that.
Signed,
Shaw
(This, however, doesn't mean I won't fight with you in the future.)
Shaw....I was thinking the same exact thing too! You so rock Patrick! My hero.........
I just love that mouth or yours!!
I came over here from Passadena Closet Conservative. I am also in Pasadena and NOT a closeted conservative. Let me just share with you that I have been seriously blogging for about two plus years. And there have been a lot of ups and downs. But lately I have felt UP! You know when we are getting to the lefties (and conservatives that have fallen over the cliff) is when they come to our blogs to troll, spout off the Daily Kos or Puffington Post talking points. My traffic has gone up lately. Because conservatives NEED TO KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE! It is our obligation to make those who are elected and or leaders within the conservative movement to keep them to their word. I would encourage you to try to keep blogging. You have a team, I am but a lonely blogger. DO NOT GIVE IN! Let your team keep it up. Think about it. BUT DO NOT GIVE UP OR GIVE IN! Good Luck!
Tao, How can you possibly know better than CB what he "actually fears?" Are you aware that you come across as very condescending and that detracts from your often very valid and at the least original ideas? You're not the smartest person in the world you know - that's me. Ha Ha
p.s. I would guess that as a consultant CB is well aware that his income is reported on a 1099 and that he will pay taxes on those original earnings. My further guess would be that the taxes he is trying to avoid are those on any wealth he may left over - wealth that short of buying gold and burying it in the backyard, OBAMA and the Democrats are looking for to tax again and again until there's nothing left. Ha Ha again.
Righty...Thank you for the encouragement! Actually I didn't stop the blogging process altogether. My sabbatical lasted all of one day. I started another blog, just for politics that express my opinion and mine alone. It's a little easier defending my own opinions rather than a blog with many different authors. Just a personal preference right now.
Dear Jennifer,
I have a daughter of the same name who serves proudly in our military, so when I read the name "Jennifer," there will always be a kind ear and fatherly attention.
Although recent years have been polarizing and partisan, I am not sure the labels "conservative" and "liberal" will mean much in the future. First, conservatives and liberals come in various flavors, and the labels are becoming paper thin in some places.
There are liberals who want smaller government, smaller deficits, more fiscal and personal responsibility, a respect for law and human rights, and less international adventurism ... just like a great many conservatives. TAO and I have shared this conversation and agree ... there is a new political realignment taking shape with "old" conservatives and "new" liberals forming a new center.
TAO and I have virtually identical views on economics, for instance; yet we self-identify as conservative and liberal respectively. For us, labels make little sense anymore. Both independent in our thinking, we arrive at similar conclusions.
What we see, for example, is an economy that has NOT benefited everyone, only a select few. There is a culture of chicanery and corruption among conservatives and liberals that has wasted our national treasure. There is no need for name-calling, both parties are at fault; but we will not come together as one nation until we drop the labels, drop the name-calling, and find our common ground.
I can well understand your frustration with our body politic: Incivility has gone too far, there is no more future in it, and we are running out of time.
I hope you will continue to hang around. Who knows? Things might actually improve one of these days ... and we'll celebrate with a party.
Meanwhile I wish you peace and tranquility.
Octopus, thank you for your kind words. I will take fatherly attention and a kind ear any day!! I think you are right, labels are becoming more and more irrelevant as we discuss ideas. I have found much in common with those that I never thought I would and realized that I had less in common with those that have the same "label." I truly hope that one day the name calling will stop and we will find the common ground you speak of and that will be what brings us together. I find I have no taste for the negative aspects of politics.....name calling, labels, back stabbing...it gets us absolutely nowhere. I'm not going far.....actually just switched locations. I hope to see you around blogland!!
Jenn,
Octopus hit on a very fundamental point when he states that as individual thinkers we are starting to come to the same conclusion.
That is VERY insightful and deserving of some deep reflection.
The more and more one does think and study, and most importantly, have to live with this disaster of an economic crisis, as you are personally aware, the more and more one realizes that there is only one conclusion to draw.
Once time goes on more and more Americans are going to realize that there is a transformation in our political thinking and that the labels conservatives and liberals no longer mean the same thing.
Once the emotion leaves the argument all of the sudden you realize the reality of our situation and the precarious position all of us find ourselves in.
The bottom line is I may be conservative but I am American first and foremost and I cannot stand to see what is going on with my fellow citizens right now and I think that as an American WE can find a better way!
There is absolutely no way that I can compete with Patrick's comment here, but I sure do second it. And I second Shaw's comment too, Jennifer, and commend Shaw for having made it!
My apologies for not having been around more. I've been without a computer for almost a month. I'm back, but won't be posting at my blog as heavily as before. Time is precious on a farm at this time of year, at least here in Central Texas.
Jennifer, I'm sorry you feel you don't belong here. I hope you don't mind, but it's my opinion that you do belong here, probably far more than I do. You have written some excellent posts and have proven yourself to be fair minded and are far more eloquent than you give yourself credit for. Dear Jennifer, you are always going to get negative feedback when you post, and some of it will be from other conservatives. But your opinions are valid and as valuable as anyone else's. This blog will lose far too much should it lose you. I hope you will reconsider.
Jenn and CB, I've been reading if not commenting and I am saddened to see both of you go.
I think that Barry has succeeded in polarizing nearly all of us. I am a strict originalist when it comes to our country. Some aren't. Some are socialists, they just don't have the balls to say so. So be it.
We may not agree but since the bastard took office, we've all taken a good look at what we DO want and believe and have come to know ourselves better. Congrats on the new blog Jenn. I'll be by soon.
Farewell to this one time excellent blog...This post is a little depressing for me to write as it may be for you to read, but it needs to be made.
Good bye
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