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| example for camera tossing foto technique, done by Nadja (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Have you voted on my most recent Battle of the Bands? I've gotten a number of votes so far but as always I could use more. In my highly biased opinion it's an outstanding Battle related to an interesting topic. So if you have not voted on this Battle I'd appreciate it if you'd do so now. After all, Battle of the Bands is really my main focus on Tossing It Out despite of what things might have appeared in recent months. I try to revolve all of my posts around those music battles and not politics. Maybe hard to believe, but it's true.
Back in November I started my series about Donald Trump in response to some encouragement of sorts from other bloggers. Originally my intent was to blog about the negativity concerning President Trump and related issues until the Inauguration. But the lies and hate spewing continued after that day and since I still had more to say I kept presenting what I felt were calm reasonable posts in response to the nasty mentally unhinged ranting from the liberal left and others who didn't like our new president. The dishonest negativity continues in the mainstream media as well as social media. My series could continue for months, maybe years. Still there are other considerations for me to heed.
Looks like it's time to end my President Trump Acclimation Series, not because I'm giving it up, but because I want to "sanitize" Tossing It Out from contentious politics as we head toward A to Z April. For those who are not aware, there is this little blogging event coming next month and I have participated in this event for the past seven years. This next one will be my eighth year of involvement. If you want to know more you can visit the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge blog to get more details.
My April theme will not be politics (unless I change horses again) so that's why I need to step back from my intelligent countering to anti-Trump absurdity. On Monday March 20th I'll tell you what my theme will be as this will be A to Z Theme Reveal day--the day when many participants will jointly tell the world what they will be blogging about in April.
As for the posts on President Trump and politics in general there will likely be more to come unless the world suddenly gains sanity and the United States has begun to progress in the direction of becoming greater. And even if I don't blog politically, I will continue to Toss It Out with controversy now and then. I might make some readers angry, annoyed, amused, or just contemplative. It's what I've usually aimed for on this site in one way or another.
So stay tuned. My Wednesday post will be my announcement of the winner of my current Battle of the Bands match. Will your favorite version be the winner? My Friday post will likely upset a few readers--it's not meant to be political, but since so many celebrities insist on sharing their opinions then some might construe my post to be a revenge based on politics.
Hope you'll stay with me in whatever I discuss in my posts. And most of all, I hope you'll keep contributing to the comment section. The comments are the best part of the blog.
When do you have a tendency to "change horses in midstream"? Do you think it's best for me to avoid politics during A to Z April? Do you think the topic of President Trump is worth coming back to later?
The world isn't likely to gain sanity anytime soon...
ReplyDeleteAlex, the world may get worse and many of the nuts who already were off the deep end will probably become certifiable.
DeleteLee
I spend most of my time on FB hiding stories and links and pages because I'm so sick of politics. So it wouldn't bother me if you avoided the topic! lol I don't like what Trump is doing to the environmental monies earmarked for the Great Lakes and my beloved Salish Sea up in Washington State. Or gutting the National Endowment for the Arts.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, so many of the stories we are seeing are either false or utter absurdities. And the government has to reign in the spending of tax dollars in some way. A lot will need to be cut and maybe some of the wealthy like celebrities can step up to start paying for these other things like arts and certain environmental projects.
DeleteLee
I enjoyed reading your post. Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, thanks for stopping by. Hadn't seen you in a while.
DeleteLee
I'm open to reading anything and from any point of view. Right now politics is a bad word, but if we don't try for some sane dialog, we are in danger of losing one of our basic rights as U.S. citizens.
ReplyDeleteC.Lee, I've been attempting sane dialog and it has occurred on this blog, but what I've been talking about is also very unpopular with those who don't want to hear another side--or in some cases anything at all.
DeleteLee
I've grown weary of the subject of politics, so can't say I'm sorry about your news that you'll be cutting back. Looking forward to your A to Z Theme Reveal and the April Challenge!
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, I'm pretty sick of all the negativity, but my small voice reaches relatively few. It's difficult to go up against dishonest media organizations and what I say here makes little difference anyway.
DeleteLee
Did you lose followers due to writing positive about Trump? I don't mind political posts when they have sane arguments, which is rarely the case :) Sanity is not a characteristic to be found often in today's age and time, sadly. We have presidential elections in April in my country and you would not believe what kind of dirty methods the current prime minister is using to get rid of rivals and to put obstacles in front of them.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of diapers, did you know that about three quarters of the world don't use diapers on their babies at all? It turns out it is another field in which Western society is trying to milk money from you making new parents into their money slaves. Apparently the rest of the world raises their babies without the usage of diapers, it turns out babies actually give signs when they're about to do the business, parents just need to listen and learn.
Dezmond, after I started posting my "Trump Defense" I lost over 30 followers. I guess there is a correlation, but it's a weird response I think considering the reasonable nature of my posts. They were apparently just upset that I voted for someone they didn't like--that's my speculation at least. We live in disturbing times politically speaking, but I guess politics have always created rifts of disagreement.
DeleteI did not know this about diapers in the world community. I guess this is another form of laziness that can be found in Western culture that eventually transfer to the babies as they become older. How much easier it is for parents to pay less attention to their babies and for babies to just evacuate their waste into a cloth or disposable receptacle for someone else to clean up later. Interesting to contemplate the aspects of this.
Lee
Lee, I changed horses when I was coming up with my A-Z theme. Since last year's vintage theme I thought I'd revisit that idea but going a different direction and then it hit me to try my hand at art sketches. This is an area I've long wanted to strengthen and I'm so very glad that I decided to go this route because I'm having a lot of fun unlocking my ability to create. I'm not delusional. I know I'm can't pass for a pro but there's hope that this can mushroom into more. You asked about politics for your theme. I believe most are looking for themes on the lighter side that motivates and politics isn't always seen on such a positive note. I enjoy your posts but I'd say the majority of those signing on won't. That's just my opinion. Well, I must dash for now. I'll be eager to see what your theme reveals on the 20th. Thanks for stopping by today!
ReplyDeleteCathy, April A to Z is a great way to experiment and practice through repetitive posting. Short and light is usually best for A to Z and I agree that many would be turned off by political posting. I need a break anyway. Wish the media would do the same.
DeleteLee
Right now, I just can't do a lot of political posts blaming one side or the other. I don't like Trump and never have, but some things he has said I would agree with. I have enough stress at this point with my husband and his failing kidneys. I just can't handle a lot more. I keep abreast of what is going on and that is where it has to end.
ReplyDeleteRuth, it's no wonder that many people don't like Trump because of all the negative reporting that's out there. Consider how differently people would view him if the reporting were encouraging and positive. And he'd likely get more done and not feel compelled to respond to all of the nastiness.
DeleteYou might be better off to ignore most of the news and tend to your own family needs which are the most important to you and your sanity.
Lee
I don't know if I like horsing around in a diaper...
ReplyDeleteCW, or diapering a horse for that matter...
DeleteLee
All this politic stuff is giving me a migraine. Stepping back is often good for our sanity. ;)
ReplyDeleteChrys, mainstream media is giving me a brain trauma. I wish they'd give a more positive spin to events. And the democrats too--they're not making the country a better place with all of their negativity and obstructionism.
DeleteLee
If I ever have kids, I strongly hope to use cloth diapers. The ones they make now are so much more advanced than when I was a wee one. They have really awesome patterns and colors, disposable liners, and snaps and velcro in place of pins. I've had a medium-sized, brown, dog-shaped scar on my right hip for almost my entire life, thanks to my father accidentally poking me with a diaper pin. I think the scar is kind of cool, and actually had to tell some of my nurses, after my car accident, that that wasn't one of the scars from my accident!
ReplyDeleteI suppose I could be said to have changed horses in my blog's direction, in that I no longer almost exclusively blog about writing (either mine in particular, including contests, or the craft of writing in general). I wanted to branch out more and blog about things related to my love of history and the eras I write about. I do see myself writing some posts of a political nature, and may be revisiting the topic of transactivist zealots and their neoliberal handmaidens. I was really worried I'd get lots of Facebook unfriendings when people saw those posts last year, since I know so many neoliberals and SJWs who buy into that rhetoric, but it never happened.
Carrie-Anne, when my son was born we received a gift of a cloth diaper service and that was handy and probably better for the environment. Later for my son and for all of my daughters we always had to resort to disposables since we were on the road with a show and any other choice would have been highly impractical. But I can see the advantage of those modern style cloth diapers.
DeleteI like to write about a variety of things and as whims strike me. I've tried the niche blogging and it wasn't too much my thing. My mind kept getting sidetracked with other things I wanted to talk about.
Lee
A restorative swap of horses can be quite revitalizing - sans water moccasins. Yet the untamed beast cannot survive unfed. Maybe that’s where all the diapers are going…
ReplyDeleteDespite temptations to do otherwise, what say we all throw politics out the window for April? Fighting is no fun without a foe – they can self-destruct while we dance and reload ;-)
Looking forward to the A to Z Challenge and all of the stimulating posts you have to share!
Diedre, the political blogs are also time consuming. I'm going to try to keep things short, sweet, and lacking in much depth.
DeletePosts that should be easy to comment on.
Lee
I would say 98% of my clients never use cloth diapers but I had a client, last summer, who actually used cloth diapers and was saving tons of money. More should follow this direction..but they won't. I find it strange you think that the liberals are left as if they are goi towards communistic thoughts. I think being too far right is also dangerous and I am so thankful that I live in a country where we have free health care, do get the proper treatment(don't believe the media!) and we don't have to pay through the nose. Women also can have up to one year maternity leave or they can go back to work earlier and their spouse can take paternity. I say, follow what you feel in your heart and if that means stepping on toes,....oh well. You could never sway me that Trump is good for your country just like I could never say you that he is horrible. We all have our beliefs. I'm dabbling about what I will do for the A to Z...same theme but will try to switch it up a bit
ReplyDeleteBirgit, overly right can be bad as well. Extremes are dangerous. I tend to be fairly in the middle and libertarian in many ways. I think anyone who doesn't see the positive possibilities with a Trump presidency are being influenced by the wrong media. Common sense directs me to believe the way he indicates in his words, but I'll have to wait to see what his actions will turn out to be.
DeleteLee
Looking forward to reading your A to Z posts this year, regardless of your theme. I haven't decided whether I'll jump back into the project this year or not. Maybe...
ReplyDeletePatricia, whatever you do I hope it works to your benefit.
DeleteLee
I am not a fan of the President at all, but it is always nice to read political discussion that isn't just kneejerk, overly emotional insults. I'll check out whatever comes down the pipelines on this page!
ReplyDeleteHarry, I don't think my posts are typically "kneejerk" if ever. I prefer to reason things out though I know some people don't think my reasoning is all that sound. They are entitled to be wrong though and might see the light later if they keep their eyes and minds open.
DeleteLee
Hi Lee, glad you've moved away from your Trump acclamation posts. Not everyone in the world want's to hear about American politics all the time, some of us have our own lives to contend with. To be quite frank, the comments were quite often very negative and that is something I'm desperately trying to get away from.
ReplyDeleteNappies? Well I was a single father and having to wash 28 nappies a day, much cheaper than paying a fortune to throw disposable nappies away, they're damn expensive.
Go well my friend, Geoff.
Geoff, the Trump posts were more explanation than acclamation and more intended for the purpose of acclimation to the fact that he was president. If you don't like hearing about American politics then you should be glad you don't live in American. The constant bombardment of negativity is what led me to write my positive spins. And it was good to have the dialogue even if it was sometimes negative--at least it was primarily a rational exchange.
DeleteThe disposables are indeed expensive, but they are convenient. When you live on the road like I mostly did when my kids were babies it was the only practical choice to make.
Lee
Hi Lee.
ReplyDeleteYes I do understand what you were getting at but the BBC, CNN, And Sky news all have the same thing going all day long ad nausium. For a while I started watching RT news but that is just a whole bunch of bad mouthing American politics and quite frankly it gets really boring after a while.
Now I don't really take much interest in the news, once a day in the morning and then on to things like reading my Bible or work, much more uplifting and productive.
I'll probably start writing blog posts again soon as you are the only friends I have who allow me to express my views which I do appreciate much more than listening to other people ranting and raging about how "Medieval" belief in God is and how backwards. At least when people get to view my blog posts they hear the truth about a real God who loves them way more than they could possibly love Him.
Sorry about the long comment but sometimes I need to get things off my chest and your blog is my favorite, sometimes the only one I'll visit. Take care my friend, Geoff.