Sorry, No post today

I am taking a break to day but have something better for you to think about than my usual trash anyway:

This is a snippet of the guidelines for writing essays/credos that could be read over the air as part of NPR's planned "This I Believe" series. It strikes me as a great opportunity for wider public exposure of "value" laden messages than is available to a bunch of liberal bloggers blogging to each other. There are a ton of good writers on this blogroll and a thousand thoughtful things you could say that might change somebody's mind...go for it!

Well, maybe the folks who listen to Rush won't be tuned in but we are after the swing vote not the heartless heartland of conservatism...you CAN reach people that matter!

From the NPR web page:

It may help you in formulating your credo if we tell you also what we do not want. We do not want a sermon, religious or lay; we do not want editorializing or sectarianism or 'finger-pointing.' We do not even want your views on the American way of life, or democracy or free enterprise. These are important but for another occasion. We want to know what you live by. And we want it terms of 'I,' not the editorial 'We.'

Although this program is designed to express beliefs, it is not a religious program and is not concerned with any religious form whatever. Most of our guests express belief in a Supreme Being, and set forth the importance to them of that belief. However, that is your decision, since it is your belief which we solicit.

But we do ask you to confine yourself to affirmatives: This means refraining from saying what you do not believe. Your beliefs may well have grown in clarity to you by a process of elimination and rejection, but for our part, we must avoid negative statements lest we become a medium for the criticism of beliefs, which is the very opposite of our purpose.

We are sure the statement we ask from you can have wide and lasting influence. Never has the need for personal philosophies of this kind been so urgent. Your belief, simply and sincerely spoken, is sure to stimulate and help those who hear it. We are confident it will enrich them. May we have your contribution?