Greater Respect For Columnists

Something different.

In doing my little Blogs I have come to appreciate the work of Columnists who must write their pieces - often on a daily basis to severe time constraints.

But it is not that so much that earns my respect.

They bare their souls - so to speak, by telling the public what they believe and in doing so, open themselves up to criticism. They also can and do injure the feelings of some of those who do not concur with their writings. This must be a heavy toll for them to endure - especially over an extended period of time.

We though, the readers, are forever in their debt - regardless of what their positions may be, since their writings force us to think. The fact that we agree or disagree with them is not the issue.

For me it is much less an issue given my tiny following. But I do find myself second guessing myself often on what people may think of what I write and I struggle with that.

I will though perservere.

Now back to basics.

A friend sent me the following web address dealing with pizza purchasing in 2012. It can be accessed at: http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf

It's a good laugh but I suspect it is not too far off the mark.

From time to time I have had to go to the bank to arrange a loan - let's say for a new car. I am often surprised by what the bank knows about you - that you do not know or have even forgotten. "It says here that you have a line of credit with a competitor bank - is that true?" Now that you remind me - I guess it is - but I have never used it. Suspicious eyes glare over at you...

So I guess if the pizza purchase is an indicator it will only get worse.

I used to be and for that matter still am quite open when it comes to privacy on the basis of 'I really do not have anything to hide - so let it all hang out". But I am starting to rethink all of this and in that sense the pizza scenario is timely.

Enough said.

"Galagher"

p.s. did I tell you my new car is constantly tracked by satellite. If someone steals it, it can be demobilized and the police sent to aprehend the thiefs. In that sense, it can also be stopped and demobilized from above even if I was driving...K