In order to put my blog in proper context, I suppose I should lay out my position in the societal scheme of things. Not surprisingly, as a Texan and a (retired) career sailor in the U.S. Navy, I'm generally on the conservative end of things, with a sprinkling of "little-L" libertarian principles. I'm definitely not a Republican, although I have participated in the Republican "process" locally, to help a good friend of mine.

Another of my facets revolves around the fact that my late father was a retired Southern Baptist minister. My oldest brother was a Southern Baptist missionary to Mexico for about twenty years, and is now the pastor of a Southern Baptist church. I have certainly strayed from the ways I was taught in my youth, but I still hold the vast majority of values that were instilled in me. And lest anyone want to accuse me of hypocrisy, I'll be the first to say that I'm not always true to my values. I stumble quite frequently, but that doesn't undermine the fact that they are my values.

Back to the political end of things. Let me state right here that I'm going to paint politicians with a broad brush, and acknowledge that there are some exceptions, but they constitute a minuscule proportion of the group. With very, very, very rare exception, I have little respect for politicians. The way our political process has evolved, they have to spend way too much time lying for my taste, and all too often have to violate their own principles, those that have them.

I tend to vote for Republicans, because they tend to be most closely aligned with my own opinions on issues, but there are times when I'm torn, and a few where I have to go with the Democrat. Very few, but they're there. I usually don't like either the Democrat or the Republican running for office, so I have to hold my nose when I vote.

So, when a politician with whom I mostly agree steps over the line, I'm going to call them on it. If I'm convinced you're a liar (well, that's kinda redundant for a politician), a thief, and so on, I'm not going to give you a pass, no matter how much we agree politically.

So, in the context of this blog, I suppose that's me.