The Troublemaker . . .

. . . strikes again.

All of the usual suspects showed up. They haven't called him a "whackjob" yet, but it's probably coming. Thank God for Chewie.

My second-ever post on this blog was after I was thoroughly "coned" (also known as "gang-snarked") one weekend. I did not coin the word. I first heard it when another blogger e-mailed me (behind the scenes) to encourage & sympathize (what a novel idea) . . . and then actually congratulated me on my entrance into "the club". Not long after . . . demoralized, insulted, baited and even "diagnosed" with "PTSD" by a "bloggingunderapseudonymselfdescribeddidiotandproudof it" on John Robinson's blog, I considered quitting altogether.

But some behind-the-scenes blogging angels pointed & clicked to my rescue, just when I needed it. They assured me that I did indeed have the right to be ear-smoking furious about what had happened to me in Asheboro - and I had every right to ask WHY neither our precious laws, nor the local newspaper(s) had worked for me.

I'm right. The "status quo" is wrong. Viva la revolutione!

I got mad enought to put my thoughts about the N&R's peculiar brand of journalism down. Then I got brave enough hit "publish post". And now here I am, in the "echo chamber".

I am considerably suspicious and skeptical of the News & Record's foray into blogging for exactly the reasons Mr. TroubleMaker describes (and I must say he did a good job on his original post). From my view (in the blogging cheap seats of Randolph County), the N&R hasn't kept any of its promises . . . from being a trustworthy "alternative" to the Courier Tribune (the N&R's disasterous foray into "investigative journalism" in Randolph County needs to be in textbooks in journalism schools everywhere - as an example of what NOT to do) . . . to the "citizen journalism" stuff that apparently applies only to the kingly & priestly who are paid for their thoughts (be they Editors, or "high-profile" bloggers).

The Troublemaker's point is well taken: The News & Record hasn't really bucked the "status quo" in Greensboro (or Asheboro) for years . . . because the newspaper is a part of the quo.

Advertisers, not "commoners" (I like the terms "plebes"), matter . . . as do those influential types that sit on Boards of Directors. And if you think they do not influence what stories get told or what columnists get space . . . well, you're a "whack-job".

The TroubleMaker's post also comes in the wake of the decision of several bloggers to step back, slow down or stop. I am seeing more than a little discontent amongst "the commoners" as I surf these days. Many of us were sucked into the medium by the "enlightened" News & Record, only to be belittled (because we weren't doing it right) . . . or (worse) ignored when what we say/think does not jive with that "status quo" . . . or the sensibilities of snarks.

"Blogging matters", the blog-kings say. It really matters! "One voice can change the world!" Come play with us! I'm working on a project to test that theory. Hope to get it up sometime this week.

I was turned on to blogging by the News & Record over a year ago . . . the day after my Father's sudden death . . . as I sat in his office, surrounded by his things, and worked on his eulogy . . . a eulogy that, in part, paid tribute to his unwavering support of a daughter wronged.

One of these days, I will post it. But not today.

He was there when that daughter, a doctor formerly in public service, mustered up her courage (twice) and protested alone in front of Randolph Hospital (as opposed to the thousands of illegal immigrants of yesterday . . . a patient population that the doctor served and still serves). He was there when she appeared before the Asheboro City Council to tell her story and ask for help in addressing perjury, contempt and fraud on the part of senior Randolph Hospital administrators.

(This means YOU Bob Morrison. This means YOU Steve Eblin. You are liars. You got caught red-handed.)

It's help the doctor has yet to get. The same guy who lied and cheated (that would be Bob) is now planning our future (with the City of Asheboro's blessing).

There ARE stories there - stories that shed light on exactly what is wrong with our systems of government, medicine and justice.

Blogging is supposed to be about getting light and air on those stories.

But the Greensboro News & Record, a "leader" amongst the newspapers that have embraced blogging, was (and is) nowhere to be found.

**7 pm addendum (more mindless surfing): I'm still learning . . . and playing with colors and font and phrasing and editing . . . so this post has been altered slightly several times today. But it's my blog and I'll play with it if I want to;)