About

About the author:

I can't decide yet what's useful to say here.
Meanwhile, consider what I've posted - that's what's most useful.
By the way, the photo is pretty old - I'll get a newer one soon.

The nickname "Thatch" comes from ThThCh (THinkingTHroughCHoices).
I don't know where I got "Derkens."  When I get more comfortable with this thing, I will probably post my real name.

As yet, I don't do "social networking" but please feel free to share this blog on those sites.


About the BLOG: 

The PURPOSE: 
      To sort out the pros/cons/facts/info/spin of candidates/issues (political, economic,social),  in order to help me and others decide who/what to support (or not), and WHY.  Whichever way the country goes, it should go there based on informed choice, and not vagueness, trickery and deception.

The CONTENT of the blog:
      Since I am new to this medium, I have not worked out a firm format.  My initial concept is to:
       a. take a topic that is confusing but important,
       b. research it, think on it, and
       c. try to express the essential aspects in a clear way to make it easy (as much as I can) for people to make an informed choice on the matter.  I will try to include as much documentation as I can reasonably do.  I will try to be concise;  people don't come here for fine literature or humor.

How it STARTED:
      This blog actually began in July 2011 when the debt crisis was the main news topic.
      I was extremely frustrated (and I heard it in the comments of other friends, writers, and interviewees) that the politicians and news media were just confusing the issues with unexplained and misused terms, mixing apples/oranges, and not clearly laying out THEIR position for people to understand so they (the people) could figure out whether they like it or not, and compare it to the other plans available, or think of tweaks to it.
      So I did a lot of focused research over several weeks and understood the issue much better.  Then I wrote a couple of long emails of clarification of the issue, and sent them to a lot of my friends.  Just writing it out, helped me organize and understand it, and to see things I still need to get answers to.  I had not previously done this because of lack of time, the same reason most have not done it.  But it needs doing (it's helpful to me), and I can share it in a condensed form to save others time in their efforts to get informed.
      I got several responses saying that they appreciated the details that helped them get some handle on the situation.  Many suggested that I write a blog.  I didn't want to do that because I had too many other things to do, and I didn't want to become too public of a person.
      However, as the presidential election of 2012 approached, I saw among some voters the same confusion that I had seen before.  And I saw that the consequences of this election were extremely serious.
So, I decided to start a blog, to do my little part in stamping out ignorance and confusion.

SUGGESTIONS:
      Do some research on your own as well.  I'll try to provide references for you to verify everything I say, and for you to branch off from.  Please send me any information, comments, and links you find useful, so I can use and share them also.  Start your own letters to editors, legislators, and/or your own blog! 

Disclosure: 
      As a result of my research, I have often formed my own opinion about what's valid and useful.  That opinion will certainly show through.  Please don't let that shut off your brain;  I have often learned a great deal from listening to people with whom I disagreed on most issues.  Do yourself the same favor.
   Which brings me to the last topic of the "About" page...


EDITORIAL POLICY:
      If you find any factual errors or poor logic, please call it to my attention, and I will check it out and correct it as appropriate. 
      If you have disagreements with my points, please comment or email me and explain them.  I am open to other views;  that's how I have arrived at my current views - by listening to and considering others' opinions and observations. 
      But please be civil and respectful in your replies, as I try to be. 
      Though we all make mistakes often, I think it will be helpful to be reasonably mindful of spelling and grammar.  Misspellings and grammar errors are not only distracting and confusing, they can easily make one's words say something very different from what is meant.  Feel free to point out my errors, too.

   Thank you,
   "Thatch"