When we got our first batch of seed investors, the largest at the time was a well-known member of a family with significant media holdings. And, he happened to be a staunch conservative.
I was tangentially aware of that, but it hadn't really mattered to me until the day of the close when I got a message that I urgently needed to call him.
Sweating, heart racing, I dialed the phone...
"Mike, there's a very important thing I never asked you. I really need to know-- Where does Pegasus News stand politically?"
I didn't even wait a beat: "We're equal-opportunity offenders."
After reassuring him that we'd give the same type of razzing to both donkeys and elephants alike, when their travails happened to be local, he was satisfied.
As political season heats up, I thought I'd remind everyone of this. And that extends to intra-party contests. Yesterday we made light of the media frenzy over Obama. And today we ran a goofy picture of Hillary that seems to ring true with her hunger for office.
Nope, not all jokes are created equal. But they do help call attention to the activities of the candidates as we Texans are in the rare position of having a meaningful say in the primary process. And I can assure you that we'll dish without regard to whom we might or might not vote for.
Yes, I know that the election is serious business -- But I also know that I pay attention to/learn more from The Daily Show than I do the nightly news. And I suspect many of our readers are of similar minds.
There's a big brouhaha discussion among the mediati right now about whether journalists should vote. Regular readers know that I find that question preposterous.
But, I do agree with transparency regarding one's biases. I'll list mine related to the national elections here and any PegNews staffers who want to do the same are welcome, but not required, to do so in the comments.
I'm registered as unaffiliated with a party, so I don't have a vote in the primary. I'm not particularly enthused about any of the candidates right now, so I'm in the undecided camp. (Not much of a revelation, I know. But it's reality.)
Comments
Scott Doyle Verified
I'd like to think I'm an equal-opportunity offender in pretty much all walks of life, Miko. Good to see you're of the same mind, at least politically.
Do y'all have any kind of checks-and-balances to ensure that you're offending equally? Or do you just call 'em like you see 'em?
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Scott, you're using the check-and-balance -- It's our comment board.
Otherwise, no, we don't keep score.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
Can I have veto power? Impeachment power? At least gimme some judicial review, mang.
How about power to appoint dunces? Anything I can potentially abuse would be much appreciated.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Brett Hoerner Staff
You are hereby appointed a dunce, Doyle.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
No no, I want the power to appoint. If it takes one to know one, so be it.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
I will note that I have to give credit to the Clinton camp for knowing that we exist and keeping us updated on happenings. No love from Obama yet...
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
I'm gonna have to nix any further democratic primary coverage then, Miko. You said equal-opportunity offender...and now you're expecting love?!
As much as I appreciate y'alls efforts, the Commenting Branch of PegNews has to maintain site integrity.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Finally, someone with a bigger name joins me in my crusade vs. the silliness of endorsements:
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=...
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
CastleHills Anonymous
Even though you are independent, or not "affiliated" with any party, you can still vote in any primary you like. You just can't vote in both party primaries.
Furthermore, a vote in a primary does not hold you to voting a certain way in the general election.
For example, if you temporarily lose your mind and vote in the Republican primary on March 4, you can still come to your senses and vote for a Democrat for President in November.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Wow. I didn't know that. (Feeling dumb.) So presumably the primary to vote in (assuming one feels strongly) is the more contested one.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
CastleHills Anonymous
Don't feel bad. Our government does a bad job of making it easy for people to vote. The rules are confusing, and your voting place probably changes with every election.
The primary to vote in is the one with the candidate you support.
I like the idea that, even if you are undecided between Obama and Hillary, go vote for one or the other in the primary on March 4. You can still change your vote in November. And besides, the huge turnout at Democratic Primaries that we are seeing across the country is making the Republicans sweat. A lot. That's fun.
Here's some more helpful info: If you are not registered to vote by now, it's too late to vote in the primary. However, stop by your polling place and pick up a voter registration so you can vote in November. Registering to vote has NO effect on being called for jury duty. They use drivers license info now. You do NOT need your actual voter registration card to vote in a primary or general election. You DO need some form of ID to vote, like a drivers license or Texas ID. If you do not have one of these, you can also use some form of government correspondence, or a utility bill or passport. You CAN bring your children who are under 18 to the voting booth. You CAN bring a voter guide or list to the voting booth. You can only vote in ONE primary...either Democratic or Republican. It does not matter which one you voted in in the past.
Dallas County voting places, info: http://www.dalcoelections.org
Denton County voting places, info: http://elections.dentoncounty.com/go....
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
omg can't believe you left out Collin Co: http://www.collincountytx.gov/electio...
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Teresa Gubbins Staff
nice helpful informative comment, CastleHills!
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
And Miko, my poli-sci prof in college consistently voted for who he felt was the worst candidate in the opposing party's primary. Rationale was that his primary vote is maximized by helping the least attractive opponent get the other party's ticket - squawking over who's best within your party is for the birds, as far as he's concerned.
Needless to say he's a Dem, and since Rep primary is winner-take-all in Texas...he felt it's much better use of his vote to hurt the Rep's in their WTA format than just pick a Dem in proportional representation format.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
CastleHills Anonymous
You're welcome. As George Nathan (some famous dude) said, "Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote."
Another good source of non-partisan voting info is the League of Women Voters: http://www.lwvtexas.org/votersintro.htm
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Pavel Lishin Verified
CH, thank you. As someone who's too interested enough to feel bad about being so apathetic, and yet too apathetic to take an active interest, I found your simple list very helpful, and short enough so that my ADD doesn't plastic bag plastic bag plastic bag
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
CastleHills Anonymous
pavel, lol
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
FoodCzar Anonymous
Soapbox briefly, guys? Thanks. VOTE!!!! You don't have to vote in the primary but please vote in November. I know, I know. "Don't vote, it only encourages them." But really, as far as I'm concerned, if you don't vote in November, I don't want to have to listen to you complain for the next four years. "But, my vote doesn't matter." It matters to YOU. When you vote, this is your vision of where you want this country to be headed in the future. Off soapbox now. Thanks again.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
xdavidwattsx Anonymous
Interestingly, the vote in March is pretty important as well. The delegate distribution in Texas is quirky and partially decided by voter turnout in 2004 and 2006. This is the reason urban locations are stronger this election than the hispanic south with respect to population.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Appropriate to the original topic, and the funniest SNL opener in a while -- the writer's strike has served them well.
Funny because it's true.
(Sidenote to NBC: If you want Hulu to take off, you need to be as fast as the amateurs on YouTube to post timely vids.)
7 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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