Over at his blog Eric Ingemunson is not a fan of progressives. He uses the word in a way different than most people.

Theodore Roosevelt was a progressive.

Eric, was TR a great president?

Who do you think is an underrated President?

Question for Eric Ingemunson , do you believe there should be a minimum wage? He thinks minimum wage laws hurt low wage workers.

My fellow Ventura County Star blogger Eric Ingemunson believes that this picture of Michele Bachmann is evidence of media bias. He isn't alone in criticism of their photo choice.

In response to the critics Newsweek has released more photographs of hers to prove that she often has that crazy eyes look.

I don't think their photo choice is based on political ideology as much as it reinforces the narrative that Michele Bachmann is an unelectable true believer that has a record of making crazy statements.

Review their photographs and tell us what you think. Is this media bias?

Eric,

Please don't defend Rush Limbaugh. He isn't worth your effort after the very offensive statements he has said many times including this line:

You put your kids on a school bus you expect safety but in Obama's America the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering 'yeah, right on, right on, right on.' Of course everybody said the white kid deserved it he was born a racist, he's white.

You are much more thoughtful than Rush Limbaugh. Why conservatives want to claim him as a leader I don't know.

I am interested if you think this story is an example of bias at Fox News or just an example of inaccurate reporting:

( UK Prime Minister David Cameron sharing that It Gets Better. I look forward to the day American conservatives join him.)

I like Eric Ingemunson's blog. I also find him to be a decent person. He mostly has a predictable conservative Republican opinion but sometimes he really surprises me. It is important that we learn from people we agree with and from those that challenge our views.

I am a huge fan of Reason Magazine and Christopher Hitchens. It is good for democracy for us to understand each other, even if we don't agree. I know that Eric feels the same way.

I was disappointed in Eric Ingemunson's recent blog post. It started with this offensive and misleading headline:

Planned Parenthood finds Ventura County gay sex ed lacking

The headline would make you think Planned Parenthood was promoting the instruction of how to perform sexual acts. Instead they meant an inclusive discussion, as mandated by state law, of human sexuality.

Eric then has this quote from the article:

Furthermore, Planned Parenthood noted that "only six districts completely cover healthy image, which includes sexual orientation, gender roles, self-esteem, and positive body image."

Which he then adds this line of analysis:

It sounds like our schools aren't pandering to homosexuals enough.

Eric if you think high schools are too inclusive of young gay people I am not sure what to tell you.

High school can be a horrible time for many kids, especially gay kids. Young people can feel like they aren't accepted by their friends, family, and community. A common insult that is acceptable to many people is to call someone or something gay.

I know you were focusing your attention on the groups the Republican Party has been opposed to like Planned Parenthood. I know there are many extreme gay rights groups and I don't expect you to accept their agenda as I don't either. Most gay people don't attend gay pride parades just as most straight people don't go to Mardi Gras.

But how about we agree to post a few videos from the It Gets Better campaign?

The It Gets Better campaign is a grassroots idea to remind young people that life can get much better. The messages are especially poignant to young gay people but the message is true for young people trying to get through tough times because of other reasons too.

Steven Hintz is using Facebook to reach out to voters. I will be putting his Fanbox on every entry I post on the campaign to be the next county tax collector. If you are supporting another campaign send me the html ( or send me a message and I will help you create it) and I will post your Fanbox too.

I am excited that web 2.0 technologies are making it easier and easier to join a campaign. If you like a story I post on a candidate you can click become a fan on the end of the post and you will be connected to the campaign.

Steven Hintz has already loaned his own campaign $150,000 to get things started. It must be nice to be able to risk that type of money. Eric Ingemunson has a blog post that includes some biographical details that is a quick read. Eric, it looks like I know who you are going to be supporting. Send me a message if you want to include his Fanbox on your page too.

I heard of Steven Hintz's interest in politics from Natalie Panossian when she was organizing a Federalist Society event that he moderated. I am looking forward to all of the campaigns for local office. I will be covering the campaign for Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector more than any other local source of news.

( Check out Barack Obama roasting Michael Steel)

There is a book signing and a free lecture at the Reagan Library with Republican Party Chair Michael Steele. Go to the Reagan Library website to RSVP.

Think any reporter will ask him to explain how this is possible?

I would like to see him explain what he meant when he said he wrote a book that discusses current events before he became Chair of the RNC. I assume he meant he wrote parts of the book before he took over the party.

Michael Steel has made many statements that have created discord in his own party including his assessment that Republicans would not be winning back control of congress in 2010.

What do you think of his leadership so far? If you want to give any Republican bloggers a hard time ask them to rate his leadership on a scale of 1 to 10 thus far.

Rush Limbaugh has been rejected in his attempt to buy a NFL team because of the reactions to some of his racially inflammatory comments. While some of the comments that were attributed to him are either unverifiable or blatantly false, many of the others are true.

When he was in the news before the Huffingtonpost had an article that repeated some urban myths that were not said by him. I sent in a correction and blogged about it at the time. They ran the correction. Here is a screenshot:

http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/dennert/archives/2009/03/

Rush Limbaugh has a long history of making racially inflammatory comments. But when attacking him people should be accurate. I don't support him and I know he is purposefully divisive and inflammatory to provoke a response. That's great for his ratings but bad if we want a thoughtful and elevated debate.

He doesn't represent the best ideals of the Republican Party and they would be best served by not wasting their time defending his record.

Democrats have tried to make him the spokesperson for the Republican Party because his approval ratings are so low.

There are many more conservative or right leaning pundits who are worthy of attention and accolade.

I am sure many of my conservative readers will read this as an attack on a leader of theirs and ignore my opinion. That's fine. But I am telling you that the conservatives I know are much better representatives of your values than him.

I have listened to Rush Limbaugh for years, especially when my old line of work had me drive during the day. He is a skilled broadcaster and has many talents. But why he commands the loyalty of so many is beyond me.

Recently a reader challenged me to read a Glenn Beck book they gave me and then share my thoughts. I am taking you up on the challenge. Let me know when to pick it up. I would prefer his latest book with all of the pictures.

In other news we have a new blogger here at The Ventura County Star. Eric Ingemunson , a conservative Republican activist, has posted his first few blog entries. So far I have found him to be a well reasoned and interesting writer. Let's see if his blog lives up to my hype.

Check it out and leave him a comment:

http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/ingemusings/

Eric,

I just defended a right wing pundit from some inaccurate attacks. I challenge you to post a defense of a progressive that has been unfairly maligned by the right wing. Deal?