Yep, I'm Back

I know - you knew I'd be back, eventually. I'm too opinionated to keep away.


The Thompson campaign thing didn't work out as planned (I'll probably end up blogging about that at some point, but those thoughts still need to organize themselves in my brain first) so here we are again...


Before I re-start this in earnest, a few housekeeping notes on what will (and won't) be on this blog, and in the comments.


First, I'm unlikely to discuss the relative merits of those still running for President. If you haven't figured out by now that I was supporting Fred Thompson because he was the consistent conservative, that's your problem, not mine. In the mean time, I just don't find myself enthused enough about the remaining choices to actually discuss any of them. I will probably post mortem those who fall by the wayside as they go (both of my former bosses sadly included), and note any truly interesting developments in the race, but all in all, don't expect this site to talk much Presidential politics.


I am likely to talk conservative issues - that has always been my passion and will remain so. These include: life, liberty, small government, the conflict between Western Civilization and Islamism, taxes, immigration, crime, national defense, government incompetence, school choice, and the myth known as "Man-made Global Climate Change". (OK, I'm pretty sure a large number of you just cringed on one or more of those lines, including in the Governor's Mansion. Heh. Told you I'm back...) I'm also likely to experiment with polls, pictures, video, and the rest of the whole "web 2.0" technology stuff. I don't know what web 3.0 will look like, but if I'm still around, we'll all get to play with that, too.


Now, at the moment, I'm a consulant without much in the way of a clientele (an unfortunate, but natural after-effect of working 110-hour weeks on an all-consuming campaign...) I am quite glad to be back on SC talk radio (on occasional Charleston mornings with Andy Thomas on WQSC), and as the next round of elections approach, I expect to be busier with work (and thus less blog-busy). Those of you who read my work on the old "Body Politic/SCHotline" site know that's happened before, but I'll still try to stay on top of the blogging thing.


Affiliations: with the new blog name comes a split with SCHotline - but this is merely in name. I'm still good friends with Mike and Jeffrey, and still wish them the best with the site (and am very grateful for our past work). I never was a co-owner of Hotline (much to the confusion of many), nor was I remunerated for work there (outside of a few free lunches...) Still, they're doing good work over there, and we're all on friendly terms. Bierbauer is a great addition to what they're doing, and I encourage folks to read his stuff.


Comments: Still moderated. No profanity, no weird baseless/conspiracy theory accusations about the author, and no comments promoting Ron Paul's Presidential campaign (which pretty much count as profanity anyways, but that's a separate issue). Civil discourse that disagrees is not only acceptable, it's encouraged; I'm not interested in quashing points of view. That said, if you keep posting long passages in comments, you might consider starting your own blog instead of trying to hijack mine - most blog sites are free, y'know. Don't assume that just because your comment doesn't come up that I've blocked it - I may just not have gotten to comment moderation duties yet that hour... patience is appreciated - I do have to make money somehow...


Speaking of making money... I need a good name for the new consulting business. I've got a few ideas kicking around the brain, but nothing firmed up yet. Probably want something witty, filled with multiple meanings, having to do with either music or animals (or both). (Ok, hidden talent moment - I write and play music. If you knew that, you're definitely a friend...) Anyhow, any name suggestions are welcome in comments of this post. (as long as they follow the other comments rules...)


Also welcome in comments or email: suggestions for additions to the blogroll. I reserve the right to accept or reject any applications. For the national roll, bloggers should be hitting major national/international topics from a conservative perspective, and be willing to reciprocate linkage. For the SC roll, a conservative perspective is also strongly recommended, though with more room to maneuver within the right-middle sphere, or just be objective on relevant SC topics. If you routinely bash conservatives, conservatism, or our ideals (or me by name), don't expect a link here (Michael Reese, the aptly named "notverybright", and Harden Gervais/Ross Shealy - this means you. Don't waste the bandwidth or the time.)


So... it's good to be back in the 'sphere. I'll see y'all around the 'net. More to follow...