Kontos Column: Looking for a partner, from an unlikely source

By Dan Kontos

When the Metro Wire solicited the community for columnists, they specifically called for someone to write on topics from a conservative viewpoint, and one from a liberal viewpoint.

If you haven’t guessed it, I’m the conservative. However, except for a few one-offs, no progressives have applied. Curious.

The strategy seems to be logical. The more viewpoints, the greater the reach, the more discussion, and ultimately more subscription sales. I get it. I’m sure you do too. So, what’s the deal?

I like a good discussion. One based on facts and reality. I enjoy exploring new ideas and listening to well-reasoned and well-thought-out points of view. From what many tell me, a lot of people enjoy my columns, and apparently, those that don’t let their voices be heard on social media. 

I’ll have to take their word for it, I don’t look at that stuff. I think social media has its place, but it certainly can be a sewer at times. I’d rather put my time into something more constructive than battling with valiant keyboard warriors. So sorry, I don’t read your comments.

In my columns I take care to embed links to several sources along the way, I cite facts, and I use sources from across the political spectrum. Honestly, sometimes I do it just for fun. To be sure, my columns are my opinions, but I don’t blindly hold to ideas that I cannot ground to reality.

Surely there must be someone who can do the same, who believes that modern liberalism makes total sense, that the mere existence of Donald Trump is an existential threat to humanity, that socialism would work this time if we only did it right, or that Joe Biden actually received more votes than any other presidential candidate in the history of the United States; c’mon man.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. But seriously, not one taker?

All you need to do is be logical, use actual facts, understand history, and live in the real world. Now how hard is that? Frankly, that’s why I suspect that after an entire year of waiting, no one has stepped up to the plate.

I’m not calling for a sparring partner. Rather, it would be interesting to have someone sit on the other side of the teeter-totter. Perhaps we could collaborate on hyper-local issues and each put forth our best arguments. Let the best idea win—no participation trophies allowed.

What do you say? Take off your double mask, stop obsessing about bovine flatulence, and pick up the gauntlet that I have thrown down. Sorry, was that too aggressive? 

Sorry, sorry, sorry… That was a microaggression, wasn’t it? Well, was it? I’m not sure what one is, really. Sorry.

So, with that, let’s meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, boldly, unafraid, and with a healthy respect for each other. Until then, God bless.

Dan Kontos is a paid columnist for the Metro Wire. He chooses his own topics and his opinions do not necessarily represent the staff of the Metro Wire. He lives with his family in Whiting. 

Interested in becoming a columnist for the Metro Wire? Email [email protected].