Blue Like You

Some feedback - I read your blog routinely because of your ability to take topical issues and present them in a clear, no-nonsense fashion. As it happens, I agree with you on most issues but even if I didn’t, I enjoy your writing style and choice of topics. Keep up the good work.

jo,

first, welcome back…missed ya!

there are a few blogs I read every day…yours being one of them.

I come back because it is nice to know that there are like-minded people out there- even if we don’t agree on every topic

I certainly don’t get that from much of the MSM these days…

feedback -

1) I frequent blogs which treat me as an intellectual, don’t talk AT ME but discuss issues WITH ME. Ranting for the sake of hearing or seeing your words on a screen really doesn’t cut it for me.
Blog owners who come off as entitled or know-it-alls turn me off. Not you Joanne…I think you’re fair and lean on folks when appropriate.

2) there’s also a sense of comfort that folks out there think and feel about issues the way I do. Sometimes that translates into a Misery Loves Company feel(way too much of this I think), while at other times it can encompass a positive pride feel to it(like Sandy’s list of Harper’s accomplishments).

3) I too enjoy your style. You speak in plain language and don’t remind me every two seconds as to what your qualifications or experiences are…which I like. You’re real grassroots.

4) There’s also a satisfaction in some of the humour
on your blog. It’s so necessary and I often think we need more of it. God knows Canada is a very funny place.

5) I also do like that you take a break from time to time and don’t get too sidetracked….although it can happen on breaking news items.

6) I like also that you relate your local experiences in Waterloo. Gives us a chance to compare your region to ours.

Anyway that’s why I prefer your blog to most. I also visit Kinsella’s blog because I find him oddly entertaining in a car wreck kind of way. Maybe that’s the blogging equivalent of rubbernecking. I also like Calgary Grit on the Liberal side of things.

Thanks for the kind words, Tori. That’s true about like-minded people wanting to get together to discuss things.

And I make no pretention about what party I support, although if there is a screw-up, I try not to gloss over it. I suppose that John Tory is a good example of that, although he wasn’t totally to blame for the past election disaster.

Jo:

Don’t forget. Encourage all those you know, to send a missive of congratulations to those giants of France: Nick Sarkozy ad Steve DeYawn. Wish them and their fellow
country-men, and -women: Happy Bastille Day!! Storm the Barricades!

Because, as Kermit the frog sez: It ain’t easy being green.

tj

t.e.& o.e.

a suggestion - it would be wonderful if you could offer some interactive surveys or polling on issues like Jack and Sandy have done from time to time.

If you read Gerry Nicholl’s blog today he’s got a great article there that will explain why it’s important for any political party to get their message out loudly and often. One thing we seem to lack is any polling from conservative pundits that we can hold up to media as examples.

Jo, I agree with all the other posters so far. I read your blog because of the choice of topics, the humour, the even-handedness of your responses. By responding as much as you do, you really encourage a discussion. As someone who posts quite often on a variety of blogs, I really do appreciate a response, from the blogger or others.

Going O/T here, the Wicked Witch of Macleans has posted Green Shift’s Statement of Claim here. Scroll down to Defendants’ Prior Knowledge of Green Shift, section 20 for something to give you a big smile !

Today’s vent. “Expert Contradicts Cadman Tape Claims.”
subtitle: “more evidence needed to declare recording as doctored says former FBI agent hired by Harper’s lawyer.” By Tim Naumetz, the Canadian Press, July 14, 2008.

The title of the article appears to contradict the content of the article?

“Mr Koenig reported irregularities in the copy tape and portions where an earlier recording had been taped over, but concluded Mr. Zytaruk’s original recording, his tape recorder and an external microphone if Mr Zytaruk used one — “are required to conduct a conclusive authenticity examination in a forensic audio laboratory.”

“That kind of examination is required to “scientifically” determine whether the original information is truly original or has alterations, such as deletions or additions, Mr Koenig said in the report he submitted with his own sworn affidavit.”

If Mr Koenig’s examination has only been partially completed (he still needs to exam the original tape); how can Tim Naumetz draw the conclusion that Mr Koenig’s findings contradict the other two anaysts?

It is interesting that Tim Naumetz drew his conclusion before all the evidence has been analyzed?

Thank you for letting me vent!

Hi Joanne,
I’ve been reading a few different blogs on a regular basis, getting a range of opinion on issues. I like yours because it’s fair and balanced, and I do check in every day - almost - unless you are writing on an “Ontario” issue; then, I tend to skim. But I think you do a great job! Don’t know how you find the time for it all!

I agree with what the others have said. I like your blog because you let your personality show, you do not just link to an article, you give your opinion on it as well, allowing us to either agree or disagree with you. Keep up the good work.

DWT - Please feel free to leave a comment anytime. Truth be told, I do this for the feedback - whether positive or negative.

That — and your temperate approach to trolls and boors, even the even-handed way you handle dolts like me -
tj

TJ, I may not always understand exactly what you’re trying to get at, but I’m luvvin’ it!

[...] difference from the original headline. As reader Kathy observed in a previous post: …If Mr Koenig’s examination has only been partially completed (he still needs to exam the [...]

…As someone who posts quite often on a variety of blogs, I really do appreciate a response, from the blogger or others…

Thanks, Jad. And thanks for that link to the Wicked Witch of the Left. Garth continues to be a liability for the Liberals.

I do try to respond but as I mentioned earlier, it is sometimes absolutely impossible to respond to every comment. I am trying to do so today though, due to the nature of this post. I am really appreciating the feedback and suggestions.

…Your kindness comes through with the way you deal with others (even the mean ones). I’ve often thought that you would be a person I would like to hang out with in the “real” world. The blogging world needs more of you.

Wow, that’s very kind of you, Barb! Yes, this is the fun part of blogging - that like-minded people from all over Canada can be chatting and exchanging ideas and opinions. It’s a vast country but the internet means we can all connect here.

…Your blog is one of the best out there.

Thanks Frmgrl. Again I’m blushing. I wouldn’t be doing this without the support of folks such as yourself.

I like your blog because you let your personality show, you do not just link to an article, you give your opinion on it as well, allowing us to either agree or disagree with you. Keep up the good work

Thanks, Hunter. Again that goes to the nature of a blog which should be a jumping off point for a discussion - not simply a news site.

Hey Jo,
I came across your blog during the whole Brenda Martin sickening saga,and I need to come here often to ‘vent’ as well.As for the addiction possibility,that is true.I am a johnny-come-lately to the political blog junkie status,and hey…it’s way less disgusting than porn,and a lot cheaper than gambling!! We need a blogoholics site,and maybe some meetings eh? My blog name is Sammy and I’m a blogoholic!

I can yell at my wife, or even my cat, when I’m upset, but this is much more satisfying.

Listening to Liberal sycophants define what it is to be Canadian, of course in their own self-centred terms, and slagging them for it, is entertaining enough.

As frequently as I disagree with the direction of the CPC and Harper, I’m pretty sure they’re not setting up a scheme to steal taxpayer’s money to the benefit of themselves. The LPC became institutionally corrupt, and still hasn’t purged itself.

My favourite Joanne quirks: we both think John Tory stinks on ice, and is the reason for the (continuing) destruction of the Ontario PC party!

We also both voted for Bob Rae in the ’90’s. Worse, I voted for Chretien back then, in a protest against PC corruption. Ironic, n’est pas?

We’re a sad pair.

I have to admit, I’ve become addicted to political blogs. I read about 80 blogs daily, sometimes more. A mix but mostly Conservative and with Liberals thrown in just to keep an eye on them!

For me, it started during the last provincial election (Ontario) when I came across blogs by accident and because I had a personal interest in the election’s outcome, I read them faithfully and found alot of information that normally wouldn’t have come to light for us.

Since then, with absolutely nothing of interest happening at QP, I now am an avid reader on federal politics. It makes my blood boil how slanted the MSM is against Harper and his government.

My absolute favourite blogs are yours, Angry in the Great White North, Climbing out of the Dark and Crux of the Matter. Your blogs always have the latest news presented in a not-in-your-face way, and you offer your readers a chance to offer their thoughts and opinions without treating them like idiots if they disagree with you.

Please keep it going. Your blog is great and appreciated by many!

We need a blogoholics site,and maybe some meetings eh? My blog name is Sammy and I’m a blogoholic!

lol! I think there are a lot of us who should be attending those meetings. I guess I owe Brenda Martin something for the extra readership she brought my way though. Actually I heard the other day that she is well into a plan to make a movie, and is hoping to move to Kitchener someday. Oh joy.

My favourite thing about blogging is the discussion, so if I have a large reader support, it doesn’t satisfy me as much as seeing comments…

Interesting thoughts, Raphael. I suppose it’s the same with me. If a post isn’t getting any comments but still getting a lot of hits, I think to myself, ‘Boy did I screw that up or something?’ But usually it’s because I accidentally turned comments off.

Moebius, you’re too funny, but I have to correct you here: “we both think John Tory stinks on ice”. That’s you, my friend who thinks that. I think Tory is a bit bone-headed, and has poor judgement, but stink? Nah. Dalton’s the one who stinks.

there can be only 1 Cherniak. God bless him.

Amen to that, Chucker.

My pleasure, Kathy. I hope you continue to comment here even if you do decide to start your own blog.

Sammy, lol! I hear you. I feel that way whenever I read anything by Antonia Z.

Hey Sammy, you may want to avoid this one too:

http://conservativequeen.blogspot.com/2008/07/too-friendly-relations-between-liberals.html

Moebius, you’re too funny, but I have to correct you here: “we both think John Tory stinks on ice”. That’s you, my friend who thinks that. I think Tory is a bit bone-headed, and has poor judgement, but stink? Nah. Dalton’s the one who stinks.

That goes without saying. But which PC leader condemned us to endure Dalton’s brilliant economic plans for the next 5 years? It wasn’t Mike “the Spike” Harris!

Poor judgement is an understatement for a leader who brings up an idiotic idea like religious school funding, when he had the lead in the polls before the election was called.

I still like the free donuts, with every comment.

Write Joanne, and she’ll email you a few….

…You’re smart, and civil, you have a sense of humour, and your posts are well-written. I must admit though, that those attributes alone wouldn’t necessarily be enough to cause me to return, as I do, as a daily reader and occasional commenter; the “X factor”, to me, is a subtle, particular, hard-to-describe combination of common grace and guts which is somehow more than the sum of its parts…

Wow! I should do this kind of post more often. Marvelous for the ego.

But seriously EBD, I’ll try to live up to that praise. Thanks.

Just returned home after 2 days in Calgary, and first thing I did after turning on the computer and checking e-mail was log on here to catch up on what has happened since Sunday. Most of the above posters have said everything that I could or would say. To me you are a comfortable pair of slippers and a good cup of coffee. Can’t do without either.