Reminder

Much like some ocean fish have little parasitic Remora fish that attach themselves to them, I have a particularly energetic and deluded stalker who writes dozens of comments a week just to let me know how terrible both myself and this blog is in every conceivable respect. Of course, they don't have the cajones to even contact me by anonymous email where I could at least respond, but that's expected from that sort.

And of course, all this rather disturbing bitching and complaining always leads to one obivious question; why don't they start their own blog? Put up or shut up?

But this crank also brought to mind the open invitation that has stood since the blog began. I haven't mentioned it for a while and so it's probably time to remind readers again.

As has been stated multiple times here, anyone who wants to to submit a post of their own and have it published here is not only free to do so, but encouraged to.

Anyone is more than welcome to say their piece, express their opinion, examine an issue that has captured their interest, anything they want, and send it in by e-mail for consideration. I'll even work with you to edit it into a more readable form if necessary, and you can be credited by your name, your screen name, or have it posted anonymously. I don't need to know who you are and frankly don't care. As long as you have something which would be of interest to readers, you're more than welcome to send it in.

Anyone who won't comment or participate simply because they don't agree with my views or opinions 100% or because I've deviated from the party line is proving my suspicion that the area is too petty and gossipy to ever support an open forum on local political issues and deserves it's unfortunate backwater reputation.

And anyone who refuses to participate because they're too syncophantic to local politicians is pretty small-minded as well. What a shame. How about partipating and telling us how and why you support the guy or why you disagree instead? A little back and forth where you have to justify your views really helps to either solidify them or reveal them to be shaky to begin with. Either way, it's a good exercise and seems a little more sensible to me.

This is the Democratic party after all. There'll always be a lot of room for differences of opinion. Why not hash it out? As long as people don't get petty and stomp off in a huff, everything will be fine. Apparently, most people aren't capable of that yet and sadly I'm beginning to think it's impossible in this area with this cast of characters who feel that if they don't have complete control over something, they must try to destroy it and people who feel that loyalty to a candidate trumps tolerating any debate or argument about policies, ideology, or process.

So if by chance you feel terribly disappointed with the blog and feel that things aren't being covered that should be, or wish to put out a point of view that you feel is missing here, or .... if you just have something to get off your mind that you'd like to share with a wider audience, put something together and send it to theinsidedope at gmail dot com (just click the email link in the sidebar) and we'll take it from there.

Others have done so in the past and done a great job at it and lived to tell the tale. Don't be afraid. I won't bite.

And who knows? You may like the postitive attention and you might discover a hidden talent. So try your hand and send something along. Putting down your thoughts is the hard part. I'll take care of the rest. If you have any questions, email me and I'll be happy to help.

Not to put too fine a point on it, if you don't like the blog or think it isn't on top of things or doesn't address things you feel needs attention, don't sit and bitch, CONTRIBUTE.

And while we're at it, I supposed I need to reiterate that it's important that you send in any suggestions, story ideas, constructive criticism, or topics you feel would be of interest to the email link in the sidebar. Feedback is always welcome because unfortunately, I'm not clairvoyant, can't tell what you think unless you send email, and welcome a different perspective. If you're sitting there doing nothing but complaining or downing the blog, that isn't too helpful. Blogs are collaborations between the blogger and their readers and contributors. You have a stake in what the blog is.

So it's up to you. Participate and make it what you want, or sit there and do nothing. But if you choose the latter course, you lose a lot of your right to complain if you don't see what you want here.