Sometmes, atheism ain't so bad

Oh, blasphemy! you say.

Nope, just my realistic view of political labels.

For years now and over a bountiful number of difficult intersections of national crisis, I have tried to describe my viewpoints in conversation without success. I have voted for or supported candidates and elected officials who identify as Democrats, Republicans and Independents Labels just get in the way.

I've been "accused" of being one of these label's followers. Like it's a scarlet letter to those who disagree. The truth is, I really don't like politics. Maybe it's just how I was brought up - by parents who never gave me the indication that they were (D), (R) or (I) enthusiasts. What was fair and good for all mattered. Add a journalism education and there you have me -- hopeless, according to some, I'm sure they think I'm adrift with no real world viewpoint.

Truth is, my own brand of viewpoint helps me to report -- not shape -- a story. Without an underlying prejudice that one's word or actions are predicated on their label, I'm confident in reporting the story that is there, not one that I want to be there.

That might be a good blueprint for today's journalists. As someone who tries to catch as many newscasts and newsprint as possible, I'm alternately amused and disgusted by how stories are reported. No wonder we have such deep divisions within our country. If one is fed only one brand of political elixir, it is easy to understand why they believe it is the cure-all.

It's long past the time that journalism got back to presenting the entire medicine cabinet and let the populace begin to make its own decisions. Of course, that also would require the populace receiving an egalitarian-esque political upbringing and education - a whole other matter.