...and my comment was directed at notablogger. Didn't see your post while I was typing mine.

gazettefan, "would".

I think you should follow what interests you, but remember to grow a thick skin. Ms. Wicket

Steve,

You're the one who gave out your real name.

BTW, I've started a new "Janesville Area Forum" where all are invited to discuss area issues.

URL: http://jvl.selfip.org

A topic "You" is included. This is a test topic for blogging. Reference the "You" announcement for details.

You are a silly, smart guy. I enjoy your blog. I agree brave one too.

Did you mean "would" or "wouldn't?"

I fail to see why Steve's blog about his visit to Washington, representing Credit Unions, would be seen as anything but positive. The "inside baseball" aspect was fascinating.

Steve, what is the purpose of referring to the council with the disparaging term "lily white" if a non white person on the council would effectively make no difference in the matter of representing all people in Janesville?

As for your statement: "I'm just simply wondering when or if we will have an opportunity to have a broader candidate base. Just a question."

The answer is: When a non white person networks and campaigns with a presentation that appeals to enough voters.

Steve
If you mentioned your work in your blogs, they would probably not be happy about it. If you visit this site during working hours, I am sure they can monitor it and may have a major concern if you happen to spend your working hours online.

I think since most people know where you work, your company also knows about this activity.

I don't find your blog very interesting but do love it in the trainwreck way that another blogger mentioned. I am afraid you use it to pat yourself on the back and the massaging of your ego is what makes it amusing.

As a member of the credit union you represented recently in Washington, I feel you are on thin ice on how members may intrepret what you say. The same separation that you save for your work may also apply to the position at the credit union.

You asked for an opinion so I felt I should reply.

I try to minimize my comments on my own blogs but I will respond because I did actively solicit comments on this blog.

Gazettefan-  Please don't lump me in with any council contender...I think the message of Briarmoon was lost a few carriage buildings ago.  My blog on diversity was simply why?  Have you taken a look at our community?  It isn't lily white.  That's a good thing.  I'm just simply wondering when or if we will have an opportunity to have a broader candidate base.  Just a question.

Comments aren't the reason for writing (except for this one).  For those who really know me know this is who I am. I enjoy sharing my thoughts.  I'd be crazy to think everyone will agree.  If you do you do and if you don't you don't.  If you care to comment, fine.  If not, no skin off my back.

TCB - the blog represents who I am.  The weird, silly and serious.  Of course there are a few things I will not write about (specific work issues is one).  I will admit I struggle with the fine line of what and when to write.  There are a few topics I'd love to explore but it would require a ton of time.  Maybe I'll explore if I ever have the time.

In general, if you have a specific question just email me.  I try to be timely in most of my email responses.  Good, bad and ugly - I get all kinds of emails.

Thanks for reading...and sharing.

Steve K

Me too. I guess I forgot to mention that!!!

;~)

steve: i like your blogs. some of them are quirky(bathroom etiquette:) and i think that shows your personality. you have a lot of good, logical points and you still have the ability to talk about bathroom etiquitte:) agree/disagree w your points i think a future employer would be more wise to take into account the fact that you voice your opinion than what the actual opinion is.

lots of anonymous people sit here and post in judgement of those they dont agree with. props to you for taking those judgements as steve knox vs some random i.d...

My assumption as an employer is that you would be a "high maintenance" employee.

I think you should write this blog because its a passion of yours and not be consumed by who reads its. You cant please everyone all of the time and if you try you'll end up pleasing no one-including yourself.

If writing this blog takes away from your duties at your current employer or any prospective employers-you have a choice-turn your avocation into a vocation or shut it down and concentrate on your current duties.

Do I think I know you? I think I have a basic understanding of "where you sit" relative to your blog posts-but I dont pretend to know you. I am sure there are topics you wish to keep private or topics that you do not or have not formed an opinion on.

Is the blog good for your brand? Maybe. As long as the blog is representative of you, persoanlly. Take Tiger Woods for example, In October 2009 I bet most people thought that Tiger Woods was this devoted husband and father and the worlds best golfer... a person with the perfect life: fame, money, beautiful family. Now we know the "brand" Tiger is nothing like the "real" Tiger. THe question that you must ask yourself is your community blog representative of you? If it is great-people agree to disagree all the time. If its a charade of who you are then I suspect your time on this site will not be long.

On the other hand, billnewbie, re: your post here, is it courage or is it the need to garner attention at almost any cost? (Though I'm sure his need for attention isn't on the scale of B'moonian.) After all, Steve has indicated that he has political aspirations . I even said he should run for state assembly on one of his political blogs -I was impressed by him on that blog.

The flack he gets here is more than offset by the pleasure he feels from getting a lot of posts -regardless of content. Not that I'm cynical about his motives; if I were cynical, I would explain Steve's religious blog as a tactic to garner large numbers by poaching the posters of Kathy Idzerda -but I'm not saying that.

Here's where I'd take Steve to task. He announced his spiritual problems on this site but failed to respond to reasonable questions and comments re: those problems.

Now if that isn't condemnable enough, consider this:

With Steve's political aspirations you'd think he'd respond to reasonable comments and questions on his political blogs. Especially since he hounded Mike Sheridan for a response to a voice mail or other such message.

Here's my post from his "diversity" blog. Did he respond? No!!!

--------------
Steve, the emptiness (and possible race baiting and demagoguery -unintended, we're sure) inherent to your point demands the following question:

How are the people of your concern supposed to end up on the council but for the process that's available to them now?

A description is required too. Name the ethnicity or gender or group that would be represented by one of the people you have in mind and describe the change(s) that that person would effect.

This a municipality of 62,000 people. This is a place where diversity only ranges from meaningless to something insignificantly above meaningless. If a white male were to represent "pro-diversity", what would his platform be if he ran for council in Janesville?

Steve: I would not do one thing differently if I was in your running shoes. If you truly believe something, you should never have to hide from it. Your "real" friends will accept you no matter what the topic. They understand what makes you tick, therefore, they appreciate your unique nature.

Never apologize for having a take on anything. As you are well aware, there is a sense of exhilaration when you take ownership of your words. No one is perfect. We live in a country that allows free speech, and I appreciate you taking full advantage of that gift. Cheers.

You do need to know Steve, that there are many who post on the internet who, if you take a strong stance that they don't like, will try to make a pariah out of you. For those of us that post anonymously, that's not really a problem since that kind of debasement doesn't follow us into our real lives. But you use your real identity, therefore you are at risk of that debasement being associated with you in real life by people who have only heard of you through this blog and are aware of and might believe the criticism you've received whether fair or not. You probably have already experienced some of that with those blogs you've written about your spiritual struggles. You may well be fully aware of this already and if so, I admire you for sticking out you real neck and not just a virtual one.

Yeah, you're pretty much screwed. ;-)

The more important question is, would you rather work with or for someone who accepts you or someone who doesn't?

Speaking only to your forthright nature, Steve, I would be more inclined to hire you. All else being equal, your blog would be a net positive. JMO

Following the same idea, do you think that companies read these Gazette comment boards to get an overall impression of the city when considering to start or relocate a business here? If they do, I don't know if that is a good or bad thing.

"I started thinking - who reads my blog? Does my current employer or potential future employers read my blog? Is it a strike against me or refreshing because I'm willing to share an opinion or two?"

How much did you think about this before you started? I think it's somewhat brave to put yourself out there, both for taking criticism from anonymous people posting comments, and for the risk you may be taking by offending your employer at some point. It's not something I would do, but I'm glad you are.

A guy with a lot of time to post...and post...and post -- BUT I always read :)