Having been inspired by comments from our viewer comments page, I'd like to talk about negative stories and political bias. Sometimes I wish every story I read was happy. No one ever got hurt -- no one ever got struck by disease -- no group ever had to raise money -- and everyone told the truth...even politicians. Well we all know that "ain't" the way it is. It stinks, but that's life. So what do we do? Some people stick their head in the sand...they ignore children in need. They don't give what they can to others. They sit back and say nothing when those in power abuse their position. If the world was made up of only these people there would certainly be no negative stories. Nope, you wouldn't ever read about anything bad. There would also not be ANY stories on this website.

You see, adults and kids get sick. Non-profit groups are hurting because the economy stinks. Not everything is the way it should be -- but because we address these issues...because we don't run away from life and we tackle it head on, we CAN and DO make a difference.

A negative person can find something negative in anything, and a positive person can find good in everything. Positive people get things done. They make a difference. Luckily in Barnegat I think we have more positive people than negative people.

When I hear generic criticism that I write negative stories, I lose just a little hope for a better Barnegat. Of course this criticism is never specific and it usually concerns political bias. The truth is, it's really not my bias, but the bias of the person making the criticism.

If you didn't want anything negative, you would say don't talk about disease...it makes me uncomfortable...don't talk about people needing money, I've got my own problems...don't talk about helping others, I only care about myself. But of course you wouldn't say that, because if you did, you would be a jerk. But when politics is involved, bias raises its ugly head and those who are either un-informed or biased themselves will often be the first to accuse others of being biased. You see the truth is the truth, and if a public servant lies, or simply makes an honest mistake, or just doesn't do a good job...it is our duty as good Americans to speak out. If you speak out -- and it's true -- that's not biased, that's the truth. Also, that's not negative! Pointing out a problem whether political or involving people in need, is not negative because the reason we talk about these things is so we can SOLVE PROBLEMS and HELP PEOPLE. Good honest people do this when they talk about problems and unfortunately, problems sometimes involve politics.

I consider myself a good person...an honest person. Believe me I have plenty of faults...just ask my wife. I could do a better job with everything, and I try hard every day. I make my share of mistakes but I also try to make things better, and I see that same quality in many people in our community. That's why I take it very personally when someone unfairly questions the good work that this website does. With the help of my family and many members of this community, I feel we have made a POSITIVE difference. If you want to criticize, great. I do it all the time. But do it fairly. Talk about SPECIFIC events, words, or comments...don't generalize with labels of "negative" or "biased" or throw out the ridiculous accusation that this website "bashes" anyone. Facts are funny things...they often lead to truth and understanding.

For those of you who know me, you know that I have never written a "negative" story. Each story is done with a purpose. We may talk about something important like someone in need, or something overlooked by the press like an unnecessary sidewalk replaced when other areas have none. No story is ever done to be "negative" or "biased". They are done to inform, get results, solve problems, or help people. In the 6 years of providing this website, I have yet to receive a specific comment that proved we were anything but truthful. This is not simply opinion, this is fact and I'm darn proud of it. I'm also darn proud of the people in this town that make a difference. That's why we do this website.

As far as "negative" stories and "political bias", you won't find it here. I won't write it...and good people who read -- and understand -- this site won't let it happen either.

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