About the Oh!pinion weblog
News with insight, to provoke thought
There's an old saw that goes, "Freedom of the press belongs to the man who owns one." For a very long time that was true, but no more. The Internet makes it possible now for nearly everyone not only to write but to publish his or her ideas to the world. Although not everyone chooses to get in on this act, the proliferation of Web sites of all kinds is mind boggling. In numbers and for the incredible variety of types and content being produced, it's not too much to say the Web is the world online.
Weblogs, or blogs, are among the fastest-growing of Web site types. They vary greatly, from personal diaries to de facto bulletin boards for a group with common ties or interests, to business-oriented, to general news and/or commentary. Some of the latter challenge quality print magazines as to content and writing, and beat print publications in timeliness. At the other end of the quality scale, some blogs are little more than collections of ill-informed, poorly written rants.
Raison d' etre
Oh!pinion is a weblog devoted to evaluating current events, public policy, politics and trends in society, among other things. Oh!pinion strives for quality in both thought and writing. It consists of commentaries, which means that while most items include straight news and factual material, subjective analysis and conclusions are to be expected.
The Oh!pinion viewpoint reflects the writer's values, ideas, ideals and aspirations. We will question and criticize, rap knuckles, step on toes and pass out rhubarbs at times. We will not be mean-spirited, resort to hate speech or knowingly hit below the belt. Oh!pinion is not about urging people toward their darker side, toward vengeance or violence.
Because no two people see everything the same way, commentary poses a challenge for writer and reader alike. For the writer, the challenge is to choose interesting subjects and make sense of them, being honest about intent and purpose. The challenge is also to write in such a way that what is stated as fact is true and what is offered as opinion is clearly distinguishable as just that. For the reader, the challenge is to consider what is presented as being food for thought. It's both unlikely that you will, and unnecessary that you should, agree with all that you read here. And, it's a given that you may at times really dislike what you disagree with. That's fine: intellectual curiosity prompts mature people to venture into areas where they will come up against differing viewpoints; intellectual honesty makes it possible for them to gain from the experience.
The key to appreciating commentary is to be able to say, "You make a good (or interesting) case, some valid (or plausible) points, some worthwhile (or tenable) conclusions, all right, but I see it this way, because . . ." And then, you're agreeing partly, completely or not at all. To get there, you have to read, think, weigh and reach your own conclusions.
Therein lies the value of commentary. Most of us are inundated with straight, so-called hard news throughout our every day. We watch, listen and read, passively. A lot of it is shorthand, slenderized, quickie sound bites. "So, that's what happened. That's what was said. That's what they're going to do." And that is that.
With commentary, it can be different. We can be triggered to think and feel. We can be inspired to agree or disagree. We can be prompted to write to the writer of the commentary or write to a senator or congressman, or get out and vote for or against something or someone.
In the end, it's your call
Is Oh!pinion liberal or conservative; Democrat, Republican, Green or Libertarian; pro-business, pro-consumer, pro-labor or anti? Those judgments and more, dear reader, are for you to make.
Whatever other conclusions you come to, we sincerely hope you'll leave feeling you've had a good read, have gained some insight and believe that Oh!pinion is worth returning to.
There's an old saw that goes, "Freedom of the press belongs to the man who owns one." For a very long time that was true, but no more. The Internet makes it possible now for nearly everyone not only to write but to publish his or her ideas to the world. Although not everyone chooses to get in on this act, the proliferation of Web sites of all kinds is mind boggling. In numbers and for the incredible variety of types and content being produced, it's not too much to say the Web is the world online.
Weblogs, or blogs, are among the fastest-growing of Web site types. They vary greatly, from personal diaries to de facto bulletin boards for a group with common ties or interests, to business-oriented, to general news and/or commentary. Some of the latter challenge quality print magazines as to content and writing, and beat print publications in timeliness. At the other end of the quality scale, some blogs are little more than collections of ill-informed, poorly written rants.
Raison d' etre
Oh!pinion is a weblog devoted to evaluating current events, public policy, politics and trends in society, among other things. Oh!pinion strives for quality in both thought and writing. It consists of commentaries, which means that while most items include straight news and factual material, subjective analysis and conclusions are to be expected.
The Oh!pinion viewpoint reflects the writer's values, ideas, ideals and aspirations. We will question and criticize, rap knuckles, step on toes and pass out rhubarbs at times. We will not be mean-spirited, resort to hate speech or knowingly hit below the belt. Oh!pinion is not about urging people toward their darker side, toward vengeance or violence.
Because no two people see everything the same way, commentary poses a challenge for writer and reader alike. For the writer, the challenge is to choose interesting subjects and make sense of them, being honest about intent and purpose. The challenge is also to write in such a way that what is stated as fact is true and what is offered as opinion is clearly distinguishable as just that. For the reader, the challenge is to consider what is presented as being food for thought. It's both unlikely that you will, and unnecessary that you should, agree with all that you read here. And, it's a given that you may at times really dislike what you disagree with. That's fine: intellectual curiosity prompts mature people to venture into areas where they will come up against differing viewpoints; intellectual honesty makes it possible for them to gain from the experience.
The key to appreciating commentary is to be able to say, "You make a good (or interesting) case, some valid (or plausible) points, some worthwhile (or tenable) conclusions, all right, but I see it this way, because . . ." And then, you're agreeing partly, completely or not at all. To get there, you have to read, think, weigh and reach your own conclusions.
Therein lies the value of commentary. Most of us are inundated with straight, so-called hard news throughout our every day. We watch, listen and read, passively. A lot of it is shorthand, slenderized, quickie sound bites. "So, that's what happened. That's what was said. That's what they're going to do." And that is that.
With commentary, it can be different. We can be triggered to think and feel. We can be inspired to agree or disagree. We can be prompted to write to the writer of the commentary or write to a senator or congressman, or get out and vote for or against something or someone.
In the end, it's your call
Is Oh!pinion liberal or conservative; Democrat, Republican, Green or Libertarian; pro-business, pro-consumer, pro-labor or anti? Those judgments and more, dear reader, are for you to make.
Whatever other conclusions you come to, we sincerely hope you'll leave feeling you've had a good read, have gained some insight and believe that Oh!pinion is worth returning to.