Welcome

And so I begin my first foray into the modern blogosphere!

Having never ventured here before nor actually ever attempted to put thoughts to paper, all reading this will have to forgive my errors, in form, language and syntax.

My opinions are my own, influenced by my education, interests, outrages and peccadilloes. Read, respond, ignore, whatever your pleasure. I hope to prick your interest and perhaps institute some spirited discussions. I don’t anticipate nor expect agreement in all areas. What I do expect, however, is a reasonable, intelligent discussion without vitriol. If you are a zealot, regardless of your leanings, and cannot have a reasonable discussion of issues without hate, threats or insults then please spare us your wisdom and travel to one of the myriad of sites designed for self fulfilling arguments.

I should, perhaps, start by explaining why I chose now to start The Occasional Curmudgeon (hereinafter, The OC). The direct answer is, I don’t know. Perhaps I have reached the stage in life where my gray hairs and arthritic joints entitle me to claim the title. The passing of well known curmudgeons like Andy Rooney and Christopher Hitchens perhaps inspired me a bit, although I don’t pretend to try to fill their sizable shoes.
More than likely, it is because our society is filled to overflowing with extreme positions supported by extreme “news” organizations and talking heads. A society where people don’t gather facts and listen to opinions on all sides before making a rational decision. Rather, we develop a mindset based on sound bites and half truths and then surround ourselves with “news” and commentary that spins the truth and presents only those “facts” that support our preconceived position.
I hope that the existence of the OC will be one small step to move the cultural and political discourse in a more reasonable and balanced direction. Anyway, the venting will make me feel better!

That said, I am sure much of the discussion on these pages will revolve around extreme positions taken by public figures, particularly because one of my pet peeves the hypocrisy displayed thereby. I do hope, however, that all topics, political, cultural, and social will be explored.

Secondly, I should explain the origin of the name, The Occasional Curmudgeon.
"Occasional " should in no way be interpreted as a belief on my part that I am a reasonably sensitive individual on most occasions and only drift into curmodgeonry from time to time. No, far from it. I think most who know me would attest on whatever book of holiness they would choose that curmudgeonry remains with me daily. No, the "Occasional" stems from the aversion to commit to these pages on a regular basis. The Daily Curmudgeon or the Weekly Curmudgeon would instill, I fear, an anticipation of these pages of wisdom on a regularly scheduled basis.
While I am sure that posts to these pages will be eagerly awaited by all, I am unwilling to predict or define the periodicity of their release. My hope is that the spirited debates of others will serve to sate the hunger of the participants until new topics of interest are opened and explored.

Until then my friends, be well.

The OC