Let’s start out this political-opinion column with a challenge. The last column in this space, like many others in the past, has generated a sizable number of comments and replies from readers of The Costa Rica Star. The record to date is over 65 comments and replies on a single column. These comments overtime have been overwhelmingly negative toward the right-of-center writer who – by the way — also has many supporters. So the challenge is this — who among you wants to step up and speak out? It’s OK to be an opinionated SOB — so show your stuff. Don’t rant and rave at the writer, let The Star rant and rave about what you think of today’s politics in Washington and across the USA.

Who among you has the guts and determination to write a thoughtful consistent weekly opinion piece — instead of bashing the writer who really could not care less what you say about him like “despicable,” “bizarre,” “crap”, “no shame” — and that’s just a sampling of the last few columns from the far-left wingnuts.

Here’s an example of a thoughtful comment from Star News reader Dick Fowler responding to the last column published Dec. 16 about President Donald Trump’s White House staff changes and his preparing to run again in 2020.

“Most of the problem is the voter … and their own ignorance. If they were selecting a baby sitter for their child’s care, or a board member picking a president or CEO to run a corporation, the vetting process would be far more rigorous and stringent than selecting candidates for public office. Through our own stupidity we – both parties — gravitate to that candidate which (1) lies, a fundamental requirement to get elected; (2) is charismatic, with the ability to follow a well-scripted teleprompter, and (3) makes promises we want to hear, but they rarely deliver. I call them ‘empty suit’ candidates. They lack substance, true moral values, never made a payroll nor have any viable real experience (outside of politics) qualifying them for the job.

“Then our opinions are molded by slick TV cable newscasters, sitting in our rooms on that big flat-screen TV giving us the feeling that we know them personally and can trust what they are saying. They peddle their trade by using their forked tongues, extreme biases and the ability to effectively use deflection, deception, or simply exclude pertinent news that you really need to know to make a valid choice. As ‘news’ it has become little more than mind-altering propaganda machines.

“The common denominator is what I call the ‘trial lawyer syndrome.’ Now lawyers are not known to be good businessmen and I question their moral values for good reason. Theirs is a profession that is adversarial meaning they do not fight for justice, but to succeed and are praised by getting the guilty party free through any means necessary. Their mecca is of course Washington, DC where they rule supreme.

“We the people get exactly what we ask for … then live to regret.”

Good job Mr. Fowler.

In the past, the The Star has asked for guest columns with opposing views and received absolutely ZERO response.

So come on pink-vagina-hat-Trump-hating Libby Nation show us your stuff … accept the challenge … give us all you got … both barrels … blast away … don’t be bashful … don’t hold back … stir the pot … step up and speak out … let us all read your battle cry. No guts … no glory! Start something different for the New Year 2019.

Send all inquires to The Costa Rica Star Contact page here – Editor: Weekly Guest Column.

About the Author Britt Nelson relocated to Costa Rica in 2011 from Florida, where he served as news editor for the Palatka Daily News, a newspaper owned by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group (NYT-RNG) for 20 years.

Nelson served the NYT-RNG for 18 years in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida as a correspondent, reporter, staff writer, senior staff writer training new reporters, copy editor, page designer, editorial writer, editorial page editor and editorial board member.