(Journal Date: January 9, 2021)

Newspapers – What part do they play in our nation and in this effort? It is a question worthy of discussion. Newspapers, news reporting, written news stories and written opinions have played an enormous part in our nation and have everything to do with this effort. The idea in America is for the press to be the gate keeper of freedom. News reporters are our citizens who dedicate their time and talent to gathering information to educate the population not for their own use, but for ours.

“Freedom cannot persist in the absence of a knowledgeable public who is engaged in the business of governing our nation.” – Thomas Jefferson

The longer I live and the more engaged I become, the more truth and necessity I see in newspapers. I would hope by now we are all realizing the intention of many news sources, particularly those on television, is to not only inform us but to entertain and thus captivate our attention. Was it always like this? I am certain it was to some extent, but my how it has accelerated and intensified. The challenge now is how to recognize the trend and manage the situation.

I decided when I became aware of the desire of television news sources to control my thinking, that I would consume my news only by reading the newspaper. For me, this is an example of how a simple decision has changed my life. I choose to read the newspaper rather than watch news on TV for several reasons but foremost was the need to slow down the inflow of information and lower the emotions produced from the news itself. Reading rather than watching accomplished both of these, but also so much more.

By choosing to read my news I have not only elevated my knowledge on a broad range of issues but also met new people and developed a deeper understanding of community, state and nation. Indeed, I am a changed man by virtue of reading the newspaper. I believe changed for the better.

Newspapers have many advantages over both television and social media. Newspapers in addition to the advantages of slowing down the flow of information and lowering the opportunity for manipulation of our human emotions, have the advantage of encouraging “thoughtful” input and discussion through reader input in the form of letters to the editor.

Social media is likely as an important factor as television in today’s news environment. Newspapers also have the upper hand here in my opinion, if the goal is to inform our people and preserve our republic. The problem with social media is that the platform does not encourage “thoughtful” interaction but rather reactionary and incendiary interaction. Newspaper editorial letters require the writer to give real thought, engage in editing and submit to an editor for review before printing. Of course, social media requires none of this and herein lies the problem.

How do newspapers play into this story? In a word – greatly! This whole thing started with my decision to read the newspaper. I feel divine influence in my involvement in many places and this is the first. I can’t tell you how this all began but here is what I am able to piece together.

I have long admired Tom Coburn as I have stated. I have long been unafraid to assert myself. I had what I feel is a funny first meeting with Tom. Here is the story of our first meeting. I was at an OSU football game in Stillwater in what I am going to say was the fall 2013. I had decided to walk outside the stadium at halftime and was returning to the stadium about midway through the 3 ^rd quarter. As I approached the stadium Tom was walking away from the stadium. His silhouette was unmistakable with the stadium lights behind him and me in what would be the shadows. With the stadium lights and shadows it is likely he could not see my face well. Something came over me and I called out loud and confident “Tom is that you?” purposely trying to sound like a long-lost friend. It worked. Tom turned and came to me. He asked “Do I know you?” I responded honestly “No, you don’t, but I am a huge fan of yours. You might say you are my hero. Please keep up the good work.” He shook my hand, thanked me for the compliment and went on his way. Tom as a U.S. Senator at the time had two men – that very much seemed like security – with him. The men watched carefully but said nothing. This illustrated Tom’s willingness to engage the common man. A sign of Christian humility in my opinion. He would demonstrate this humility again years later and change my life.

(Journal Date: January 17, 2021)

The presidential election of November 2016 was setting up to be quite a contrast.

Hillary Clinton was making her way to the forefront of the Democratic candidates. She had to overcome many challenges but you always kind of knew she was going to get the nomination, like it or not. In rural Oklahoma it was primarily “or not.” Hillary was widely disliked in rural Oklahoma in a profound way. Not universally. I am a firm believer that just because you may not hear dissenting views it sure does not mean they don’t exist. What you did hear was a dislike that often was bordering on hate.

On the Republican side there was a profound, nation-changing thing going on. Donald J. Trump, businessman and reality TV star was steadily gaining ground. Before most voters even realized the shift, he had done what only a short while before seemed impossible and captured the Republican nomination. He did it in a way I believe all would say was very different, some would say disrespectful, but none could deny it was effective.

So here you had it, either it was going to be Hillary Clinton, a well-known and largely despised political figure or Donald Trump, someone completely different from any president before, to be our president. What can you say but “only in America.”

I longed for something different. I wanted someone who you could trust to put principle over politics.