Three Steps Beyond

This blog is designed to allow discussion of issues occurring in the world around us, either domestic or foreign. It is NOT designed to be politically correct but offers clear and distinct viewpoints on any issue. That being said, postings that are blatantly rude and outright disrespectful will be removed. I don't mind sarcasm done in good taste and backed up with honest ideas and a factual foundation. I do mind sarcasm that is designed only for ridicule and an attempt to needlessly shame others just for the sake of it. In the spirit of all that, I give you our three mantras:

Honesty. We need to be honest in how we evaluate ourselves and our roles as citizens and contributing members of the community. We must look beyond ourselves and discuss how we can make our society better for everyone, not just cuddle up to certain interest groups that we like. We can only do this by an honest exchange of ideas and points of view.

Respect. I may not like your point of view but I have to respect it if it is clear you are sincere in your belief and wish an honest exchange. If you try and use this site as bully pulpit for some crazy social or political agenda, I will shut you down and you will have to find another place. But keep in mind also that I am not politically correct nor will aI try to be, so be prepared ti defend your position as I relish the idea of playing Devil's Advocate every chance I get.

Innovation. A keen exchange of ideas keeps us moving forward as a society. I will do my best here to make "thinking outside the box" the norm rather than the exception to productive discourse. I expect other contributors to do the same.

The discussion of those three steps is what this site is all about. It isn't designed to encourage finger-pointing. We get enough of that from people who aren't willing, or able, to accept personal responsibility for their own thoughts or actions. Neither is Three Steps Beyond a complaint forum. We all know we hear enough complaining without seeing any action or suggestions, for improvement. Neither is this site intended to be the answer to all the problems we have in our communities. I chose those three steps because they are simple and can lead to some serious thinking on our part, and hopefully some serious motivation to try new things that will last longer than a few weeks or months until the "next big thing" comes along. I don't know about anyone else, but for me waiting for that thing, whatever it is, to come along is getting old and accomplishes nothing.

So, let's get to it and see if we can retake our communities and start leading them into the future rather than holding on so hard to the past.