Everyday Inaugurated

Welcome! Thank you for visiting my weblog! As I am completely new to the process, allow me to first state that I will be open to comments, suggestions, tips and advice on just about anything, but especially common weblog courtesy or practices.

As I sit here with my year old son on my lap, I'm trying to decide why I want to even attempt to enter the world of blogging. Clearly, there are many. What do I have to offer, if anything, different or useful. Perhaps this isn't to offer anything, but rather to get something, something therapeutic.

Regardless, I've become interested in the capabilities of this mass communication medium. My intent is to try to communicate a view of the world, our politics, media, religion among other topics, from the perspective of a relatively regular, normal and unspectacular guy. To that end, some information about me, I am:

• a native of Toledo, Ohio
• a Mid-American Conference college graduate
• a married father of 4 boys
• currently living in the non-swing state of Illinois

I suppose when it's relevant I'll discuss my past in more detail. For now, back to my one year old...

My one year old has amazing communication capabilities. He is able to clearly and unambiguously inform me of his current level of satisfaction. I've always been amazed how well a scream with spit lets me know the peas just don't cut it for dinner. Yet at the same time, I am increasingly frustrated when there appears to be no specific reason for his outbursts, whether laughter or tears. At 3 in the morning, I've frequently asked "What? What is it? diaper, bottle, to hot, to cold, bad dream, music, Kerry in the Whitehouse, what???" To which I receive... more of the same.

Which is my point really. Some political communication, I'm convinced, is modeled after babyspeak. Since we are in a current election cycle, I may as well be specific. John Kerry lets you know that...

1. He is dissatisfied (his crying)
2. He can do better
3. He has a plan
4. He's on your side

I have no doubt that, like my one year old, he effectively communicates these mantras. Look at all those who believe him! My wife would contend she can tell what is wrong by how our child is crying (though it doesn't seem to work at 3am). Maybe the left just understands what Kerry is saying and I'm not privy to that understanding.

From the victory of Kerry in the primaries, I believed Bush would win and win big. I am actually quite surprised it is as close as it is today. My reason was simple, Kerry seems either incapable or unwilling to disclose what he would do in detail, how it would work better in practice and why he believes it in theory. Now I've done some research on his website, and there are details to some degree. He does have some ideas in some areas. He just doesn't communicate them, perhaps for fear of alienating that oh-so-valuable 'undecided'. He panders to the Bush haters, of which there are plenty. Hopefully, just not enough to win an election.

Whew!! Thanks for sticking it out with me. I'll be trying to post an article a day (since this is called everyday), and maybe even keep things a little shorter. As you can tell, I support the re-election of President Bush, even though I know he isn't the 'great communicator'. He at least lets you know unequivocally that bi-lateral negotiations with N. Korea are bad because they've abused it before, breaking our agreement, and we'd potentially lose China, Japan, etc adding pressure. He let's you know that he wants the tax cuts made permanent because he believes flat out that lower taxes boost the economy and increase jobs. (supported by This Nobel Prize winning economist). He has no problem letting America know where he stands on abortion (whether you agree or not) and how that affects his views on stem cell research. (what's that? consistency?) He believes Americans are the good guys.

I'm a Notre Dame football fan (please don't hold that against me). A knock against golden domers is their belief that ND is better than other programs, cleaner, more honest, higher education standards, tougher schedule etc etc. My non ND friends would deride me as naive, claiming ND cheats just like all other schools. Look at 'Under the Tarnished Dome'. And just when my hope in ND was sinking, they hire Ty Willingham. This guy doesn't shrink from the pressures or high standards of Notre Dame, he elevates them. He states flatly and honestly that Notre Dame is different, special, unique. He is a believer. I know where many people, cynics, stand on such belief, but I stand with Ty. I stand with President Bush. It is called idealism. It isn't a bad thing, it challenges us to try harder, to aim higher, to act nobly and serve justly. It is a belief that we can be an influence, a force for good. Stand not with the cynics. Perfection is no goal, it is an act. It is the never ending effort to make things better than they are, knowing they can always get better. Anyway, longer than I had intended, thanks for staying with me, if you did.

yjso