About

I began this blog in January 2006. Both the name and, in part, the plan for the blog were triggered by the following quote: “You’re not very bright and you’ll just have to live with that.” That was John Graham Altman, then a SC Representative, to a reporter asking him about legislative priorities. She was asking some pretty good questions, and got attacked personally.

A lot like what happens in blogs, isn’t it? I’m pretty fed up with all that. There has to be a way to elevate political discussion. Or maybe not. But it’s worth a try.

We have forgotten how to have intelligent debates on the issues that really matter. And how to listen to each other. We seize on gotchas and talking points. That’s not very bright either. It’s possible to have these discussions honorably and intelligently. At least that’s the premise I’m operating under. I’m also operating under the premise that there are smart grown-ups online in South Carolina, not just the immature adolescents who seem to predominate.

It’s one of my goals to focus attention on the questions we should be asking when we consider voting for a candidate. Like: “Is he or she smart?” Or: “Is he or she concerned about the right things?” It’s just not very bright to keep electing politicians who serve us so poorly.

I have no specific political agenda. I’m mostly about how to fix the things that leave this little upside-down triangular state of ours perpetually at the top of bad-things lists and the bottom of good-things lists.

You’ll also notice that entirely aside from political issues, the blog focuses on the natural world. That’s largely an antidote for the political pettiness I have to write about.

The main header pictures on the front page, which will rotate in and out, were taken by me. To the extent anybody out there wants poorly lit, out-of-focus shots, I’m claiming a copyright.

Also, I’m open to the idea of guest posts. Email me about that.

Update: As of November 6, 2008, I’m done with my blogging career. Thanks for reading.