It’s time to say goodbye.
Thursday, August 9th, 2012Correction: In trying for brevity, I made the third paragraph of the blog post below misleading, as Dave pointed out and as is clear from some of the many reader comments. Dave is NOT de-emphasizing politics in the magazine or on the website in general.
What he actually said was that the overabundance of politics on our Facebook page does not reflect what the content of BHM is about and that it made BHM look like a political magazine, which we are not. As a result, he wanted to stop posting politically-oriented blog updates on Facebook. Clearly, I should have said, “de-emphasize politics on Facebook.”
Further, his decision was in no way responsible for my ending this blog. It was merely something I chose to interpret as a coincidental message that reinforced what I was already thinking.
My apologies to Dave and to any readers who were misled.
***
It’s strange how things happen.
For a few weeks now, I’ve been thinking that the hour or two I devote each day to reading for and writing my blog post could really be better spent on other things.
Then yesterday, Dave called and said he’s decided to de-emphasize politics and since politics and current events are what I most enjoy writing about, it seemed like the universe, through Dave, was telling me to listen to myself and call it quits, so that’s what I’m going to do.
I think I’ll use those hours to do a bit of non-political writing, get things done around the house, and to spend time with my new grandson. After all, someone has to teach him the really important English words like liberty, freedom, rights, libertarian, honor, justice, commitment, character, and responsibility and what they really mean.
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to read my various scribblings, especially those of you who visited daily. I very much appreciate the time you gave me and the many comments you left, even the ones that disagreed with me or took me to task.
Some final thoughts, or rather, quotes I hope you’ll think about:
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. ~Thomas Jefferson
The first duty of a man is to think for himself. ~José Martí
When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty. ~Thomas Jefferson
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. ~Oscar Wilde
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. ~Thomas A. Edison
Revolution is just another word for “nothing left to lose.” ~Me
It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~George Eliot
And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love, you make. ~Paul McCartney
August 9th, 2012
Best of luck to you! I will definitely miss your blog posts. I’m a johnny-come-lately to the party, but I’ve enjoyed the short time I’ve been coming here. Enjoy your “newfound” time!
August 9th, 2012
Oliver I have enjoyed your blog. Best of luck with your future projects.
August 9th, 2012
Oliver…
Best wishes on your new adventures.
BTW, grandkids are a blast!!!
Shake ‘em up and give them back!!!!
Mike
August 9th, 2012
Oh Oliver, I will miss your blog. Knowing you had a growing audience, I know I won’t be alone in that.
Of course, it’s not as if you don’t have plenty of other things to do!
August 9th, 2012
You have been thought provoking, entertaining and fun. Grandkids are wonderful. You’ve made a good choice for him, Grandpa’s are very special to the little guys.
Thanks Oliver. Gonna miss you in the mornings.
Brian
August 9th, 2012
Godspeed and best wishes for your new endeavors.
August 9th, 2012
Thanks for your time and posts :)
August 9th, 2012
Have enjoyed your observations & opinions. Makes me glad to live in Texas & not “The People’s Republic of Mass”. Enjoy the grandkid(s), spoil ‘em & send ‘em home, but above all, teach them the words & their meanings, that you mentioned.
August 9th, 2012
You’ll be missed, enjoy that grandkid, many blessings to you :)
August 9th, 2012
What a great lose to this magazine , you were at least a 1/4 of the reason that I read the magazine.
August 9th, 2012
Oh, no! You are kidding? I am going to miss your columns SO much… Too bad for your readers…
You are my my morning cup of coffee. My something to think about for the day. E-mail and let me know if you start a blog site somewhere else so I can sign up. How about a Facebook page??? Ok?
Whichever way the wind blows you, I wish you the best of luck. Make sure to have a ton of fun. Take care of your health. Laugh a lot, enjoy your family.
I cannot thank you enough.
Kelly
August 9th, 2012
To de-emphasize politics when we need to really need keep it in the forefront is a disappointment. With out shedding light on what the greedy politicians are doing, especially about all the new rules and persecutions of small farmers and people who are self sufficient, is another coffin nail into this magazines reader base. Shall we go along to get along? Shall we give into government taxing the rain water collected off of ones own roof? Shall we stop talking about organic farmers and raw milk producers being raided? This was one place I knew to look for news and conversation on real issues that are plaguing the average person. Soon there will be no one self sufficient enough left to read the magazine. I’m sorry you are not going to continue your blog! Best of luck with your future projects… You will be missed!
August 9th, 2012
I wish you and yours well and know that your decision was not easy and your commentary will be missed. Thank you for making us all think.
August 9th, 2012
Oh, Oliver! This is sad news. I loved reading your blog! You will definitely be missed.
However, life is still out there somewhere and grandkids are truly a blessing. They somehow help us find the good and fun things in life when everything else is chaos.
Best of luck to you. If you decide to start a new blog, please let me know. I will miss your view on current events.
Christie
August 9th, 2012
Sorry to see you go!! I understand the need to de-emphasize politics but not everything you posted by any means was political. Read your blog about every day and agree with most of your views in things. You will be sorely missed.
That being said, enjoy your time with your family. That is the most important thing.
August 9th, 2012
Oliver, I will REALLY miss your posts! Despite the fact that I agree with you pretty much 100% of the time, you still have always managed to make me think! You were the main impetus that got me back subscribing to BHM after a hiatus of several years. Best wishes for all of your future endeavors!
August 9th, 2012
Oliver-
Enjoy your time with your new grandson and being ‘retired’!
It will be quite interesting to the see the paring down of BHM in the political arena both online and in upcoming issues. Thanks for the thought-provoking conversation starters, and best wishes to you with your newfound free-time.
August 9th, 2012
Sorry to hear this. Your posts were what made me sign up for the FB page. I guess I can remove Backwoods Home from my list now. Good luck in your future endeavors.
August 9th, 2012
Well, I’ll certainly miss seeing your writings. Take care, OK? EJ
August 9th, 2012
I must admit that following your blog,as others have said, was the main reason for adding BHM’s facebook page. I haven’t always agreed with you but your articles have always been thought provoking. I have noticed many whiners who have not liked your blog have threatened to cancel their subscriptions in the past. One can only hope that this and other political pressure has not been a deciding factor in Dave’s decision. Enjoy the extra time but if you start a separate blog please be sure to let us know. Many thanks again for your thought provoking blog.
August 9th, 2012
Sorry to see you hang it up. I have enjoyed your blog. You will be missed.
August 9th, 2012
Teach your grandson well. Will miss your postings.
August 9th, 2012
Oliver, thanks for your efforts here. i have not read daily but i have looked at your facebook links and have enjoyed them. so again thanks and i do hope your new writings are linked to FB but most of all i wish for you to enjoy your grand child and it is the time to teach them when they are young, it stays with them for life.
Cheers
dean
August 9th, 2012
Well . . . ain’t this a kick in the head?!
I find it hard to believe Dave wants to “de-emphasize” politics when that’s what drives at least half of the magazine, particularly his own writings and that of Silveira and Wolfe. You have offered up intelligent observations for our consideration and treated us with respect, which is more than I can say for 98% of the other webforums. By inviting our input you have allowed Dave to sample the mood of the readership in an orderly manner. I will miss this blog, particularly since it is always the first thing I read when I make my daily visits here . . . frequently more than once a day. I suspect my visits will not be nearly so frequent in your absence.
That said, I can understand your desire to move on. Perhaps I should take your lead and spend less time on the ‘puter and more time on the rest of my life. Not a bad thought, that.
Let us know where we can find you, if you so desire.
Very best in your future endeavors and “thanks for all the fish”.
KK
August 10th, 2012
I, as well am extremely disappointed. I would also like to know if you start another blog or FB page etc, where I might gain some more extremely informative political information which I am usually in complete agreement with. I loved having your like minded point of view, and it was what had me sign up several friends and family members for subscriptions to BWH and I cannot imagine the magazine being as much of a priority financially if they take away the political views from it. I will truly miss your blog. I am sorry to see you go.
I am glad you will be enjoying your family, and I am glad you will be teaching that younger generation those IMPORTANT words. We will try to do the same.
Yours Truly
Tawnya
August 10th, 2012
Enjoy life and liberty. Will miss reading your posts. Always learned something.
August 10th, 2012
be safe
August 10th, 2012
We’ll miss you and the reading material you provided. Have fun in your other endeavors!
August 10th, 2012
I will miss reading your perspective on things, but sometimes we need to take a step back and re-evaluate our priorities. Teaching and training our own children and grandchildren is a responsibility that is not to be taken lightly.
August 10th, 2012
Take care, I’ll miss your musings!
August 10th, 2012
This person from the country north of you will miss you. Always a good read esp. when I didn’t always agree! You’ve made a lot of us to actually think and investigate our beliefs.
That’s got to be a good thing. Thanks Oliver.