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Today I want to speak to an issue which has been a recurrent, although not overwhelming, theme in the comments section lately. Certain readers seem to think that I have an obligation to write about this or that thing which is bothering them. In addition, if I haven't written about their topic of choice, they thereby automatically assume all sorts of things about my motivation.

It doesn't work that way.

This is my blog. I get to choose what I focus on. You can read it, or not read it, and of course express your (civil) opinion in the comments. But the direction of the blog is not determined by the readers. It's not a ouija board, and I don't "owe" anyone, so to speak. (Although I am open to suggestions.)

It brings to mind the wonderful words from Dennis Lane's disclaimer on Tales of Two Cities:

DISCLAIMER STUFF

THIS IS A PERSONAL WEB LOG ABOUT STUFF AROUND HERE. THE OPINIONS AND VIEWS OF THE BLOGGER ARE JUST THAT, OPINIONS AND VIEWS OF THE BLOGGER, NOT THE BLOGGERS EMPLOYER, PARISH PRIEST, PROBATION OFFICER OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. COMMENTS POSTED HERE MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO OTHERS. IF THE CONTENT PRESENTED HERE OFFENDS YOU IN SOME WAY YOU ARE PROBABLY TAKING YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY. IF IT IS JOURNALISM THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, BUY A NEWSPAPER.

Now, I completely understand frustration at not seeing people write about things that one would like to see covered. I have a list as long as my arm of things I would like to see HoCoTimes/Baltimore Sun cover. And I have expressed that here on several occasions. But in the end I have no illusion that I get to pick what is covered. Nor do I have the audacity to say, "if they don't cover it, this obviously means ____________."

That being said, I'm grateful that I keep finding things to write about every day, I'm grateful for readers, and I'm grateful for (civil) comments. (Please note: civil does not mean "must agree with me." It means polite or courteous, not rude.) Yesterday's post was one I cared about but didn't think would draw any response at all.

I was wrong. As I said to Barb in the comments, "I really wrote this from a feminist perspective, but in retrospect I think the timing was not good because feelings about the election are heightened and that led to some misinterpretation of what I was driving at. Live and learn."

*****

I attended the PTACHC meeting last night. The main event of the evening was a presentation on what being a member of a Board of Education entails. I need some time to go through my notes and process information, but I'll be writing about my impressions tomorrow.

 

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