Welcome

You've landed on the first post of The Standard Extract. This is my soap box where I talk about everything that puzzles me, frustrates me, or just provokes me to write.

I'm a 32 year old programmer from Jackson Michigan. The image that jumps into your head is much different than the one that is me, however. I don't fit the typical "geek" image when you see me in person. I keep my geekness at bay in favor of a fulfilling social life. :)

My politics can be summed up as "fair moderate conservative". I don't jump on bandwagons and I don't support a candidate because he is listed as a republican. I think that the moment you walk into that path, your credibillity is shot. Hannity and Rush are generally on the right track but we take everything they say with skeptisism because they hold too tight to the party line.

I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong but you had better have some hard evidence for me to deviate from my own well thought out logic. This leads some people to call me hard headed or stubborn but they are just mistakenly misreading the reason for my unwillingness to assume their every point of view.

I go though a rigorous process before I settle upon a point of view that I can defend with my credibillity. I start by attempting to prove myself wrong. I attack my own views with the viciousness that I know others would. In my mind, I have a fierce debate and I research every question that gets kicked up in the battle so that I can be as knowledgable as I can about the subject.

This process can take weeks or months. During the process, I will stick to the winning point of view, but will often let you know that my mind is not totally made up and I may be wrong. Those who defend whims with as fact risking their own honor are fools.

So, that's me and here I am so come back and read as I post.