Over the years that I have been writing articles for Webb Weekly, I occasionally get feedback in the form of cards and letters sent to our office and also from face-to-face discussions. The biggest response I ever received was an article defending Dr. Seuss’s books. The pushback against the ‘cancel culture’ fanatics who somehow found his books outdated and insensitive depictions of racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender differences was wonderful to behold. If the response to my article celebrating Dr. Seuss was any indication of the national mood, I believe it is safe to say that my great-grandchildren will probably be reading his books in the decades ahead.

More recently, I have had a number of people remark how much they enjoyed reading the LION article on Abby McCoy, the equestrian champion in college who is now looking forward to a life after sports. To be frank, many parents and relatives of younger folks are seriously concerned about the upcoming generation. The world they have been living in has vastly changed from the time of their parents, and they appear less prepared than ever for the ‘real’ world. Abby McCoy is proof positive that the upcoming generation has some very sharp and well-grounded folks in there.

Many people have asked me what my sources of general information relating to politics are. I have discovered that the vast majority of folks get much of their knowledge about national affairs from television sources like Fox or MSNBC or social media, especially Facebook. Personally, I avoid Facebook like the plague, and sometimes weeks go by for me without checking it out. (My wife tells me when there is a post from one of our children or grandchildren that is worth viewing.)

And as far as television, I cut the cable a long time ago, so my only exposure to the television news media is when I am on the treadmill at the YMCA. (It helps elevate my heart rate). I am a reader, and I prefer to check out news sites on the internet. The best one-stop shopping for news I have found is realclearpolitics.com. The advantage of this site is that it presents articles from every perspective. I love to read what the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal have to say about the same subject. (Which, at times, makes me wonder if they are talking about the same subject!) The other feature of this site is that it has search headings for science, health, education, defense, etc. This site leapfrogs me all over, and I believe that I get a good perspective of an issue from both sides of the spectrum.

But by far, my greatest satisfaction is when I hear that an article I wrote helped someone. I was recently assisting my local library at a children’s event, and a woman introduced herself to me. She was married to an individual who I have highlighted in my articles several times in past years. She commented on how stressful his job was and the toll it took on the family because her husband did not want to burden his family with the struggles he was going through.

The woman told me that whenever I wrote something about her husband, she would cut it out and post it on a board with other kids’ achievements. It was sort of a ‘brag board,’ I suppose, but I was incredibly humbled that my affirmations of excellence of this individual were that important to this family. It makes me wish I have featured this man more often because he certainly deserves it.

And in some ways, that is why I write for Webb Weekly. It is a labor of love because I try very hard to find those who are making a positive impact in our community. It is very hard because these people are almost always self-effacing; they do not want to be recognized. Thus, it seems that all we hear about are those who complain. I know it is valuable to point out problems in our society, but it seems that this has become everyone’s full-time job! I am so humbled when I am with those who have sacrificed so much on behalf of other people, be that from the military, community, or public service. Why is it that we cannot celebrate those people who are silent servants, who do so much and get so little credit?

Thanks for checking in, my faithful readers. I appreciate you all greatly.