"Print the Legend"

For John, BLUF:  Sometimes it is hard, but we have to keep digging for the facts.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

This blog doesn't generate much interest, in that it is not focused on local politics and personalities.  Again on City Life this AM the discussion was about Left in Lowell and Gerry Nutter's Lowell.  Dick Howe and I were left out.  Actually, that isn't all bad.  What is it Bill Taupier says, "Blogging is the most important thing unimportant people do."?  And, he is correct.  And that is why the freedom to blog is so important.  It represents a conversation amongst the unimportant people, the ones who collectively elect people to office and sustain them in office by their tacit support.♠  But, that isn't the focus of this blog post.

The focus of this blog post is the question of non-partisan opinion.  At a blog of the Federation of American Scientists is an article on the Congressional Research Service and the question of non-partisan research and support to the US Congress.  The title is "Behind the Scenes at the Congressional Research Service".  Already it doesn't sound good.

The article discusses a former CRS Director, Daniel Mulhollan, and two of his employees, retired AF Col. Morris Davis♥ and retired long term CRS analyst Richard F. Grimmett.  Both show that non-partisan does not mean finding some wimpy middle of the road position.  On the other hand, I believe it means learning how to disagree without being disagreeable.  There is a difference between believing someone is wrong on an issue and believing they are stupid, evil, corrupt or otherwise a person of no consequence.

Sergeant Joe Friday says it the best—"Just the facts, ma'am".♦

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Tacit support is what Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi lost on the streets of Cairo and other places, resulting in his being replaced by the Mamluks, the tradition Egyptian arbiters of Government.
♥  Like City Life's own George Anthes, Colonel Moe Davis was an Air Force lawyer, a JAG.  I believe Colonel Davis now teaches at Howard University.
♦  Well, it seems he never actually said that, but that is what millions of people think he said.  "This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend".