The world is a large and more often than not a quite confusing place. Each person views it and life in their own unique way. Is there a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to view it? It depends on who you ask.

It is this variety of perspectives and experiences that prevents life from being boring. Try to imagine life if everyone looked at it the same way. Not exactly the epitome of Utopia to my way of thinking.

Along with perspectives come opinions. It goes without saying the world does not lack for opinions.

Here you will find both.

This is neither the first time nor the first place I have placed my thoughts, perspectives or opinions out there for all to see. This is merely the newest, and perhaps the last or perhaps not. As with much in life not much is certain. All that is certain with the Raven is that I am never at a loss for opinions.

It will come as no surprise considering current events that many of my opinions deal with politics. But much will also be said of culture and current events. To me everything is interconnected in one way or another anyway so it is nigh impossible to speak of one thing without it relating to something else.

The World as seen through the eyes of the Raven is viewed in a long view, the big picture perspective. It is much too easy to get bogged down with minutia of a certain aspect of a subject, all the while ignoring the affect it has on the larger scheme. Much like the ripples in water life is not a vacuum.  

Do I claim the perspective and views of the Raven are somehow ‘better’ than the next persons? Absolutely not. I do however claim them to be based on intelligence, experience, common sense and logic.  Logic is the guiding force in my thinking, my opinions.

Logic does however appear to be rapidly threatening to be added to the Endangered Species list. Thought based on logic and reason is slowly, or perhaps not as slowly as I hope, giving way to thought simply based on how one feels. While this is easier it is also quite detrimental. But let’s not worry about that when it is more important how a person ‘feels’ than what actually may make the more logical sense.

Side by side with logic on its way to the wayside is common sense. Again simply accepting something based on common sense is now giving way to accepting something based on how it makes a person feel or worse yet basing it on how somehow else may or may not feel.

How would I describe the Raven? I tend to try to avoid labels. To me labels are appropriate for food and clothing and not much else. However society has a tendency to be obsessed with labels, whether or not the labels are even accurate. This to me is one of the biggest impediments we have to fixing anything in the world today.

But, since we live in a World of ‘labels’, I can be easily labeled ‘conservative’. I have no problem with that considering the other ‘labels’ out there. It would however not tell the whole story about me, as labels never do. Just as there is many things I believe and agree with that are considered ‘conservative’ there are just as many things that I do not agree with, hence the problem with ‘labeling’. Labeling tends to lead to stereotypes and grouping of people. Yet more impediments to anything constructive.

I am also very sure of myself when it comes to the way I perceive things and what I believe. Which is why I am sure some could also affix the label ‘opinionated’ to me. Which if you think about it is not a bad thing. Everyone has, or should have, an opinion so in that sense we are all ‘opinionated’. It is how these opinions are formed and the manner in which they are shared that the differences lie. A person can hold strong opinions without coming across as ‘arrogant’. That is what I strive for, hopefully successfully. Yet I do not usually worry too much about how a person takes what I say. Worrying about how something may be taken does nothing more than stifle discourse and the sharing of ideas. One more of the many legacies of the dark cloud of ‘Political Correctness’.

One does have to know that others are entitled to their opinion, and that there will always be more than one way to look at things. Having an open mind is never a bad thing, which is why I have no problem discussing topics with people who have opinions different than my own. However, if it becomes clear to me that the other person is merely parroting things they have heard or basing their opinions on something other than their own thoughts and beliefs, or it denigrates into personal attacks, I quickly tire of the discussion. Continuing such things only leads to frustration.

The world is a large, confusing, sometimes chaotic but always changing place. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Hey, I'm your first commenter; yay!

Very cool, Raven. One suggestion? Since your name is underlined at Townhall, and links to your blog there, just headline an essay with a link directly here. It'll make you easier to find and visit, especially for newer users who don't know all the ins and outs.

Congrats!
:)

Congratulations on the blog launch!

Thank you Brian and Sarge.

I took your suggestion and posted an essay announcing move Brian, we'll see what happens.

Glad you like the place. I like all the bells and whistles. Has pretty good potential. Will take some getting used to but shouldn't be too tough. As grateful as I am for TH for allowing me to begin to delve into the blog world felt was time to put thoughts somewhere else. It seems to me posting at TH seems to lend itself to essays needing to be political in nature. While I have no problem with that I have opinions on other things too. :)

Again thanks for stopping by and keep an eye out for new little nuggets added now and then.

Yeah, I saw your post at your TH place. It looked good.

PS, Raven, speaking of bells and whistles, I see you have a plce for a photo album. I looked, and there's nothing there.

So.......... when you8 gonna post some pics? After all, I posted one of me with that wharf rat and a purportedly "pink" shirt. I welcome the self-embarrassment of others at this stage.

I saw that pic Brian, and being color blind (officially a red/green deficiency) shirt looks ok to me. ;)

I do have plans on posting somepix in near future. The first thing I may do is link to where I have pix of my dogs. the two I have left and my fur angel. Look for them later on today.

Also, ya notice the net subscription feature in corner 9right corner I think). it will automatically email you when I post essay. Again glad you like. There is always room for a guest poster too. ;);)