Now that I’ve written two blog posts, I want to give a quick aside in my posts about the Sheriff’s race on my intent and philosophy in blogging on this subject (I may blog on other subjects as well). I hope to blog at least once a week, and so now at the outset I want to put my cards on the table. Foremost, I want to make clear that I think this race should not be about personalities–I don’t know Bob Braudis personally but he seems like a stand-up person–but the policies and need to reinvigorate an office.

I think the Aspen Post is a great forum, particularly in that you can be unfliltered in your views and forthright in your intent. I don’t agree that, despite Bill O’Reilly’s in your face claims, there is any “spin-free” writings about politics. Blogs, and even “mainstream” news outlets, are spin zones. Thus, herein lies my agenda:

• My intent is to start a vigorous community dialogue about an office that has not seen competition in four elections.
• I am throwing early support to Rick Magnuson, as I have known him for seven years, think he has a serious and progressive platform, and feel that he could bring a lot of positives to the Sheriff’s office, which after four unopposed elections needs to be reinvigorated.
• In that, I am going to post some blogs here at the Aspen Post to give an alternative viewpoint, to question policies, to comment on articles and other bloggers, and catalyze an exciting discussion.
• Importantly, I know Rick fairly well, and have not met Bob Braudis, but both candidates seem to have strong character and be good people that fit the culture of this Valley. At some point if I have the opportunity I’d like to meet Bob and hang out with him–he seems like a really smart, down-to-earth, free thinking guy. As well I’ve read many good things about his deputies. To me, this race should not be about the “personal” or “character”–it should be about policies, philosophies, and actions. Hence…
• I will never personally attack the candidates as people. I encourage others to do the same. I don’t like it when bloggers have personally attacked Bob or Rick. It’s not what this community is (or should be) about–although their policies or actions (e.g., what Rick did to get the Daily News to call Bob at the Canyon Ranch) are fair game.

In the end, I want to foster a great dialogue about this race, invite discussion and action, and in turn help reinvigorate an office. I think competition is good. That said, I want all my posts to be provocative but “above board”, hitting the issues not the people. If you think I am not honoring this, please call me out. That is why I’m putting my name and picture with my posts–I’m holding myself accountable and will not hide behind an anonymous user name.

Because at the end of the day, this is what I cherish most about Aspen. We can passionately disagree (or agree) about politics, but at the end of the day we’re more likely to be sharing ski stories over a beer (or herbal tea) than arguing about election races, entrances to Aspen, global warming, etc. I look forward to carrying this over into the virtual sphere.