Divide and Conquer
Breaking Apart the Renaissance
Some people focus their Substacks on a general theme or write about related topics. When I launched this “newsletter” in December 2021, I really didn’t know what I wanted to write about, just that I wanted to write for an audience again. In the years since, and most recently, I’ve come to know what I want to write about.
Up until now, this newsletter has mostly featured personal narratives, and for the most part, that will continue. However, as an educator and former journalist, I have recently discovered two needs that I can fill.
First, I again see a need for the information we published in Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine for ten years — information on simple living, self-reliance, and independent survival. With permission from those columnists to re-publish their educational articles, we will start presenting that valuable information again. Those archival posts and new posts related will be listed in the “Surviving Life” section of this online magazine.
Second, I see a need to hold our local media accountable. Yes, I am an “old school” journalist bound to sound and ethical presentations of community stories and developments. And yes, I think “bloggers” and “columnists” and “editors” who dominate our local “news” media should be held to those journalistic ethics as well. I am fed up with the malingering, misinformation, self-absorbed, and non-objective coverage being provided by The Glenville Democrat/Pathfinder’s “county editor,” written by the publisher of The Ridgeview News, and presented by The Calhoun Chronicle. Those who claim to “stand for the truth” (not facts), who bow to the bullies and serve as their personal megaphones, or who operate as bullies themselves. Half-truths, misrepresentation, lazy research, and “as I see it” attitudes.
Those who do not accept my letters to the editor, who manipulate my written words if they do, or who simply ban my input from their publications. That’s all fine and dandy because I have a publication of my own. Locals will now have access to how I see these issues — and the coverage of them — in the “Local” section of our magazine.
Automatically, as a Two-Lane Renaissance subscriber, you will receive these separate section updates as well. But, if you are not interested in Local dramas, or don’t feel the need to simplify your life and prepare your family for possible upcoming cultural and national challenges, you can choose to opt out of these specialty section updates.
I know I’m going to take a beating for my local section. In fact, I already have. The president of a local non-profit is chastizing folks for associating with a “witch,” (not as a slang name, but as a pagan God-fearing people should be burning at the stake), my car was keyed and airs let out of my new tires, and the president and vice-president put great effort into getting me fired from a job I just gave up and quit. She even celebrated my resignation by posting a meme of the roadrunner putting the coyote in a trash can, noting “her work here is done.”
So yeah, it’s gonna cost me. It’s gonna cost me sleep, peace, friends, and perhaps more car paint and tires. But I’m going to interview folks to get the facts, and I’m going to provide a platform for other local voices who fear they aren’t being heard. I’m going to continue to ASK QUESTIONS. And I’m going to actually do research, which seems a skill our local reporters and editors lack (which, by definition, makes them hacks). In other words, I’m going to do their jobs correctly, ethically, and with a concentrated effort to hold them accountable by comparison.
I hope this change doesn’t run you off. It doesn’t have to, just unsubscribe from the Local features if you wish. It will not unsubscribe you from the magazine. There will be drama. There will be anger, rage, and attitude in the local section. But you do not have to be exposed to that if you don’t want to be.
And if you are ready for reliable local information and coverage, seeking facts instead of truth, have been attacked and bullied and misrepresented — reach out to me.
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you that this is a reader-supported publication. These new sections will cost money, and I will not be beholden to advertisers who are already supporting half-ass, manipulative, non-objective media. A simple upgrade of your free subscription to a paid subscription (a single month is $5) will help offset the costs of these efforts.
I’m dividing Two-Lane Renaissance to address concerns for all of us, locals and Americans who are suffering while wealth and politics continue to keep us under control. Let the games begin.