On Doing this commentary

A new commentary every Wednesday - August 19, 2015

ON DOING THIS:

Reading and responding to 50 or more eMails a day and slogging though nearly as many Facebook postings, many of which are extended "videos," just about fills my every day. At 88, you would think I would be retired in one of those beautiful, graceful centers filled with nice folks who love playing bridge and having their food cut up for them. That's not a bad thing.

But no, this is the most fun I've ever had. When I first started this website nearly four years ago, I tried attempting to publish/respond to all of those who replied on my eMail link, or Facebook, but that means either re-typing, cutting, pasting and perhaps responding to dozens of followers (Now exceeding over 63,000), or letting some lout ruin my day with what I feel is unacceptable content. On the main though, you are wonderful, interesting, inventive, caring, and best of all—funniest folks on this planet. You have the most expansive sense of—and talent for humor— of any group of humans I've encountered in a long, event-filled life.

Okay, so this is not really a blog: a "weblog." A real blog can be a truly democratic, bloody mud-wrestle. There are plenty of opportunities for that on the Internet, including regrettably, criminality of the worst kind: the recruiting of impressionable young people to become cut-throats for ISIS/ISIL. Real ones.

Infinity's mail service permits an individual to send up to 100 eMails in one bundle without charge. Commercial and other entities can send more, but it is going to cost. I am a firm exponent of being stingy. That easily overcomes the egotistical desire to spend money to reach more people (eMail lists are for sale). One can also bid for space on Google (costly). I have proven that one can do pure commentary, and inspire others to share it, by asking them to please forward stuff they like to others on their eMail lists and to their Facebook followers. I thank those of you who do that, even once in a while. I try to keep my reciprocal commercial arrangement with Amazon to a minimum.

I do a lot of research on many sites, often desperately trolling for what I believe is a compelling topic. If you are anything like this writer, you must be as disturbed as I am by some of the unfiltered, untrue, dangerous, snake-oil that outright fraudsters—the Bernie Madoff's of cyberspace—fob off on the unwary. If I had my way, they would be drawn and quartered (look it up).

Yet the wealth of informative, instructional, and entertaining material on the Web is endless. I usually have a "hands-off' approach to things political sent to me by others. One only has to consider what I chose for the title (above) to realize I am opinionated, in a sort of haphazard-registered-independent-voter sort of way. I am also inclined to be persuaded to change my mind, radically, with little warning.

The greatest on-air personality with whom I have worked, Tucson's own Frank Kalil, once told me that the secret of his on-air success (I don't know anyone else who had 80+ percent of the radio listeners, in a multi-station market ), was not broadcasting what he considered would be offensive to anyone. Frank is now spectacularly successful as a broker in broadcast and outdoor advertising (Billboard) properties.

Some of you so believe in freedom of the speech that you exercise your right to use the F-bomb when it is not only totally unnecessary, but a turn-off for many. I cannot support your cause. It is degrading. I do not want it or an entire lexicon of words used that might embarrass my great-grandchildren—or any that would embarrass me, if they should utter them. Chances are, if you use what momma would have called "bad words" (and you know what they are) and they somehow make their way to my Facebook account, I will eventually get around to zapping the posting. There are plenty of other crude people who will think you are cool. Go huddle with them around their campfire.

Final Rule: I do not want to say something untrue about any public figure, but by most rules, they are fair game, especially if they're arrogant, a bore, or worse, a bully. (please try and fit "insane" as well, in there).

A PLUG: I've a friend, Jim Bromley, who resides in Glendale, Arizona, who keeps all of my output in an "Archive of Prior Commentary." The link to it is found below.

A true blog, where many of my mental meanderings appear is The Southern Arizona News Examiner. Although the Editor and Chief and I disagree at times, I am constantly astounded and grateful that he is still willing to help propagate my weekly mental meanderings. When I visit there almost daily, I am compelled to browse around for a long time, due to the breadth of information and punditry found on the site. Great photos and FUNNY political cartoons. Visit soaznewsx.com

-Phil Richardson, Observer of the human condition and storyteller. "He goes doddering on into his old age, making a public nuisance of himself" - Joseph L. Menchen.

Phil's current post can be read at: http://www.imrightagain.com

If you wish to comment, Phil can be reached at:

k7os (at) comcast (dot) net

"AgainRight"

THE PROSPERITY COAL COMPANY: My book about hard times and union wars in the coal fields, in times past.

$9.95, plus shipping For details on the novel, click: http://www.Amazon.com and enter "Prosperity Coal Company" in the search window.

Shop Amazon Fire TV - Say it. Watch it.

Our unending thanks to Jim Bromley, who programs our Archive of Prior Commentaries

Learn About the Savings with Prime from Amazon.com