Red County Link Back Up on Sharon's Blog
Posted by: Jessica Austin | 06/21/2008 12:21 PM
For any of you have yet to hear the news- our link is now back up on Sharon's Blog. Here is what she had to say:
Over the past year or so I have linked to or referred to Red County San Bernardino many times. All of us old timers over here consider the Red County people to be "Postmusites" or worse. However, in recent months several of the Red County bloggers have contacted me privately regarding various issues but with the request that I don't narc them out, which I have not done. I started commenting on some of the articles over there. However, I ticked off one of their writers with my "lack of professionalism" and rather than having one more battle on my hands, decided it was better to stay away.
Red County had been in shambles with their bloggers involved in one drama after another. I haven't talked to anyone who was a regular visitor who didn't notice how bad it had become. A little over a month ago, after Adam Aleman left, a new editor was appointed, Jessica Austin. She has taken some heat from a few of the old timers because she seems to be trying to clean things up and bring back the professionalism. That was part of the reason I decided to unlink and stay away as I knew she had her hands full and didn't need the added pressure of my presence since it is pretty well know how I feel about most of the Red County people. I emailed Jessica and thanked her for sticking up for me and being nice but explained what I would be doing. Apparently, she never received the email.
The other day I made a reference to my decision on this blog. Jessica asked me about it and I responded. We have emailed back and forth several times since, getting to know each other a little bit. One of the first things Jessica shared with me is that she interned during the month of May at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. I was there a few years ago and cannot recommend a visit enough. It is a wonderful place. I'm sure you all know Jessica got on my good side quickly with that tidbit of information.
The bottom line to all of this is that I have put the Red County link back up. Much to the dismay of some over there I will continue to comment when I feel like it. Jessica seems very committed to the Republican Party and to bringing unity back to it. As a lifetime Republican who is on the verge of switching parties due to what I see happening within our party, I cannot disagree with her goals.
Our two blogs exist for very different reasons but we serve many of the same people. We're not in competition but in some ways complement one another. I think if Jessica and I agree to disagree but do it cordially we will help both blogs to prosper and provide all of our readers with a variety of viewpoints on any given subject.
I am glad that we have spoken and cleared the air. We disagree on a lot of things- especially regarding support of some local elected officials and political people- but at the end of the day, our blogs do complement eachother with drastically different viewpoints. Our ultimate goal is to keep the residents of San Bernardino County aware and engaged in the political community. I appreciate all of the former and present County employees for all that you do, and appreciate their support of Red County San Bernardino.
I hope everyone can certainly feel free to comment away- and Red County takes pride in protecting the anonymity of our commenters or bloggers. As always, if anyone has any questions/concerns/comments for the blog- or anything you' d like to see on here- you can always drop me a line a sanbernardino@redcounty.com.
Thanks to all of our loyal readers, blogpen members, and the Editorial Staff that have all contributed to the success of this blog.
Best,
Jessica Austin
Editor
I would also like to EMPHASIZE, yet again, that just because our link is back up, that does not mean myself- nor anyone on the blogpen- endorses Sharon's opinions. As I stated in this post, I do not agree with her on many issues, especially most (if not all)all of her opinions on local political people. I think that is why our blogs stand to complement eachother! You will find my opinion very different than hers on people such as the all of the Supervisors, Uffer, etc.
Just because we disagree does not mean our blogs have to compete with eachother. As with everything in life, it is a balance. The yin and the yang. Plus, it makes it more interesting for County folks to read two very different opinions and views, anyways. Something like getting both sides of the story if you will.
Thanks Jessica for the plug! As you said, we do not agree on much in reference to local politicians. But as the statistics in the article above suggest, if as Republicans we don't start to open the lines of communication, try to find some common ground, and work toward strengthening our party, we are going to be the minority party in San Bernardino County in another two to four years.
And I think "communication" is a key word. You know by far the most popular subject on my blog to date has been Neil Derry. Those posts generated ten times the private email than anything else I have ever written. It had nothing to do with what I said and very little to do with what Neil said. It was the fact that he took the time to get on my blog, unsolicited, and answer questions and address concerns over a period of several weeks. He didn't make an appearance and disappear. Readers felt a connection they don't feel with most elected officials.
Look at things at the state level. We've got our elected leaders arguing about balloons while constituents are losing their homes, making choices between food and medical care, and are fearful of losing their jobs. The disconnect between voters and their leaders has never been greater. Republicans have a great opportunity to reconnect with the common citizen but seem to instead be shunning voters while courting special interests.
This November I will do something I have never done. I will be voting a straight Democratic ticket at the local level and third party at the Federal level. I know a lot of Republicans who will be doing the same thing. Do we expect the candidates we vote for to win? Not this year. But if Republican leadership doesn't start building bridges instead of alienating long-time supporters, you may see a different result in two to four years.
I do think it is a good thing that we have opened the lines of communication in this small way, agree to disagree, and maybe build on the little common ground we share.