I thought that the Newburyport Political Blog was pretty neutral. Sure it has a “progressive” lean to it. The editor of the Newburyport Political Blog (me) is for “smart growth,” obviously I think Nick Cracknell is a first rate planning director and we as a city should do everything we can to keep him.

I disagree with a lot of points of view and policy making, but I try my best to see different points of view and appreciate them. One of my favorite quotes is “reasonable people can disagree.” (I’m not going to tell you who said that, because that will get even more people upset and I really don’t want that.)

I realize that I may not agree with people, but I also try to appreciate that I am talking about human beings, most of whom try really, really hard. The editor (me) is also willing to post different points of view as long as they are expressed according to the guidelines of the Newburyport Political Blog. I’m also more than willing to admit that I’m not exactly perfect and make tons of mistakes.

So I find it fascinating that the Newburyport Political Blog is somewhat “controversial.” And that the editor (me) is up there on the “controversial” scale.

“Progressives” are upset with me because I have the audacity to talk about Newburyport’s local journal, the Undertoad, with some seriousness. And probably anyone that’s been “Toaded,” i.e. raked over by Tom Ryan the editor of the Undertoad, no doubt is also pretty upset with me as well. And that’s a whole lot of people, if not almost everybody that’s been involved in politics or seriously involved in the city in someway. What nobody seems to get is that one day I most probably will be Toaded too. And when I do, I have my post all ready.

“Good old boys,” aren’t exactly thrilled with me because of my discussion about Byron Matthews.

And, yes, I will admit, I’ve been discussing John Moak’s learning curve as mayor in an unbelievable amount of depth. Unfortunately for Mr. Moak, he’s the first Newburyport mayor whose administration has been discussed in detail on a blog. No other mayor has had that awesome distinction simply because blogs are relatively new. Heads-up to all future mayors, apparently this is the “year of the local political blog”–evidently they are about to become an institution.

I realize too as I do various research on various subjects, that I’ve offended all kinds of people, even by saying things like Lime Street was once referred to as “Slime” Street, which btw it was (see earlier post.)

And I’m also a woman. And the fact that a woman (like we haven’t had women involved in politics before) has something to say about what’s going on seems to surprise people.

Advice to the editor of the Newburyport Political Blog (me), “Well, kiddo, that’s life, welcome to Blog-Land.”

Mary Eaton, Newburyport