I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

I am a left-of-centre progressive. I do not pretend to be neutral. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

I do not take money under the table from political parties, lobbyists or special interest groups. In fact, I make no money from blogging. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

I do not drive a Mercedes or a BMW. Nor do I live in a gated community or attend ritzy cocktail parties. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

I am not beholding to any ideology or political beliefs other than my own. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

I do not make false equivalences to bolster an argument. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

When I make a mistake, I acknowledge it, correct it or retract it. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

If I do go over the line or make a mistake, I have no army of lawyers, no editors to back me up. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

If I disagree with a fellow blogger, I will call them out as they will me. I will not circle the wagons to protect my own when they are wrong. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

I don’t use my family to make a political point. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

I don’t go on TV and insult others nor do I shout over those to whom I am speaking. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.

I am responsible for what I post. When attacked for what I write or if I attack others for what they write, I do not resort to claiming to be the victim. I am a blogger. I am not a journalist.