A Political Pistachio Interview: Bushwack

American And Proud is home to Bushwack's blog, which began its journey at blogger nearly two years ago. Bushwack is a sturdy force in Conservative Blogging, and the first political blog I encountered when I began blogging a year ago. His site inspired the creation of Political Pistachio, and the first three comments ever on this site were posted on May 17 and 18 of last year by Bushwack. It was Bushwack, in my opinion, that truly got the word out regarding my humble little blog, as well as help me along my journey to making Political Pistachio the engaging blog that it has become.

His third comment on the site nearly a year ago is one that has stuck with me ever since he wrote it, and I refer to its message constantly when referring to the illegal alien invasion. It read: "About the time we get an WMD unleased here in the states they might decide to do the right thing with the border. Unfortunately, a lot of people must die before something gets done."

Yesterday, I caught up with this nearly legendary blogger, and asked him a few questions about blogging, politics, motorcycles, and golf. The following is a transcript of that interview.

First off, I understand you plan to attend "A Gathering of Eagles", which is a Pro-Military march on Washington DC on March 17th. Can you tell us a little about it, what made you wish to attend, and what are you expecting out of your trip?

The Gathering of Eagles is a chance for me to actually do something to show support for those that are standing in harm's way. I saw it advertised on a blog about a month ago and mentioned to my wife that we should go, she said sure lets do it. I guess I am expecting to see face to face the other side, up close and personal, and let them see me.

Your wife is going too, that's awesome. Apparently, you both share the same political point of view, or at least when it comes to supporting the troops.

We are on the same page on most things. She is a little less condemning of our border issue, at least nicer about it...my oldest son is going too.

My first blog is Defender of the blahs, my writer's blog, created in March of last year. After a couple months of that site, and a baseball site which no longer exists, I created Political Pistachio in May of 2006. My inspiration was your blogger site, "American and Proud of it". When did you start that site, and what was your original motivation?

Oh, man, I think I started it about a year and half ago, I'm not even sure...My original motivation was the anti-American sentiment I was hearing on news channels. I really didn't use my computer much at the time, and I was more into golf and motorcycles. I got fed up and learned of blogger then started voicing my opinions on issues.

As a writer, my love of the written word is what motivates me to blog. What is your current motivation now that you have surely increased your writing skills through your blogging experience?

I suck at writing. I know what I want to say, I just don't structure or punctuate well. Most of my writings are emotionally based and are more rants than logical thought. You are a writer, I am a opinionator.

So getting across your opinion in this mad world is your current motivation?

I guess you could say that. I also enjoy talking to my friends and discussing politics. I've met some terrific folks blogging and a few morons. I boot the morons and develop friendships with those that have similar viewpoints.

How is your new home at American and Proud going in your opinion?

I like it. WordPress has a lot of power and I am learning all the inner workings of web design, if I could make a living at it I'd quit my job now.

One of the main reasons I wished to interview you is because you are the first person ever to comment on any of my blogs, especially Political Pistachio. In fact, the first three comments are by you, back on May 17th and 18th of 2006. Do you remember when you discovered Political Pistachio?

Not really, Doug. I remember running across your blog and reading it and saying dang, this guy can write.

You know, when I first came across yours my first thought was "dang, this guy is on the money. I can't agree more."

Thanks, I have changed some viewpoints since that blog, but overall I'm still a Conservative trying to battle the liberal mindset.

How has the blogosphere changed since you have been a part of it, and where do you see blogs heading in the future?

There are many more blogs now, it seems. I think there are a lot of different views out there now. A year ago it was about "Support Bush" or "You are a liberal". Now it's in my opinion more volatile because some of us [conservatives] aren't supporting Bush [anymore in some aspects]. We need to support the country first.

I often sum up my conservative beliefs by saying that I believe in being independent and self-reliant. How do you sum up your conservative belief system?

Good question. I sum it up very similar. However, I add to it that we must put God & Country before individuals. Man is fallible, so trusting man to be perfect is a hopeless task, therefore, we need to let them know when they make mistakes.

As I tell folks, follow man and you will be disappointed. Follow God and you will be fulfilled.

I believe that also. I am not a practicing Christian (in the sense that I don't attend church regularly), but I am a believer.

One who believes Christ died for their sins, and has a relationship with Him, is a practicing Christian, regardless of their church-going frequency. Not going to Church does not keep you from praying, though church is great for fellowship and the such. You ought to join me sometime at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside.

You do know that my wife is an associate pastor right? IF I went to church it would have to be hers, or else she'd kill me otherwise.

ha ha ha. Yeah, I know she's a pastor. That's actually a funny thought. "News just in, husband killed for not attending wife's church where she's a member of the clergy, details at eleven."

(Laughing Emoticon)

Do you have any military experience, be it directly or indirectly, and how has that affected your belief system as it pertains to politics?

Nope, I never served in our armed forces. My family tree is littered with vets, though. I chose a different path in life, and frankly, military service would have been much easier. I had a lot of time to think and read the Bible when I was younger, and my belief system is one of real life experiences coupled with Biblical teachings. Political beliefs are easy, you pick the issues most near and dear to your heart and try to vote or promote those most closely aligned with those views.

Which are your favorite blogs?

Well, in no particular order, TexasFred's, Freedom Gunz and Ebyjo, Gawfer, Yours, Jarhead John's, Sue's. I also like Sue's Monster hunting site (Warriors For Innocence), she has done a terrific job with that and is a big help to law enforcement tracking down pedo-freaks. I read a lot of blogs and anyone reading out there please don't be offended if I left someone out, I comment frequently at a lot of them. My blogrolls are full of folks I read.

Do you ever find yourself trying to emulate any of them?

I guess on occasion. You guys are all great writers. I am decent with code, and I bring that to the table. As far as emulation, I try not to, but on some issues I find myself opinionating like Gunz or Fred.

How do you decide what to write about on your blog?

At first I wrote about issues that pissed me off. Now I try to find issues that are not so cut and dry. They are hard to find. I am trying to interject more humor in my blog these days, as well, but I haven't really started that yet. I also like to get different news, like from Middle East newspapers that we don't see here, like al-jazeera. I like to see what they see type thing.

I do that every once in a while on myspace and yahoo 360. That's where I posted stories about Castro's artificial anus, and the Tijuana cops losing their guns and having them replaced with slingshots.

Those were good.

What is your strategy with moonbats?

Well, Doug I'm an aggressive, type A, personality, I guess. I don't believe anyone should write something in a blog that they wouldn't say to your face. Moonbats are famous for breaking that rule and therefore I have no respect for them. My strategy is if they are respectful in tone they can voice their opinion on my site. The minute they resort to name calling (Me or my friends) they can take a hike. I won't let a moonbat use my place as a forum to spout ridiculous ideologies.

Does your wife being a pastor affect how you write your posts, or affect your political belief system?

Nope, she reads it often and occasionally I'll get the "look", but like I said, I won't say anything on my blog that I won't say in public, or in front of the target.

Mrs. Pistachio is that way - I tend to be careful when I write sometimes. She's trying to break me of that.

Life's too short to go through life walking on egg shells. Let it out Doug.

You mentioned motorcycles earlier. How often do you ride? Harley, Victory, or Rice Rocket?

Neither. I ride dirt bikes, and I am the proud owner of a KTM EXC450. I had a Harley once and took it to Daytona beach for bike week. That's where My path was changed......

Are you a good golfer, or are you just a hacker like the rest of us?

Well, there was a time that I was thinking of turning pro. I played in quite few tournaments, played a couple of Pepsi tour events (Not well). These days I'm a hacker, I guess, played trilogy last week shot 79.

What's the funniest thing ever to happen to you on a golf course or a blog?

On a golf course? I guess it was playing with Gawfer. He was not having a great round and he was hitting the ball all over the place. Almost every time he hits a ball that should be Out of Bounds, it bounced back in. I was just in awe, he should have shot 200, but the ball would hit a rock or house or tree and bounce back in. On a blog I was once accused of being a liberal, and I guess that was kind of funny. They came to my blog and apologized later.

Any advice for your fellow bloggers as the liberal cloud continues to spread its shadow over our fine nation?

Duck! LOL. Well, I don't really have to deal with them (liberals) much. I mean I am not an avid supporter of Bush right now, his border policy, the agents in jail for doing their jobs, Iraq is a mess because we refuse to fight the war that needs to be fought. I mean, the Libs don't bother me, they'd rather go after the folks that are singing Bush's praises. They will have to come at me with more than "Bush Sucks" or they get no argument. When they show up and say dumb stuff like that our border should be open, or Bush lied and that's why we are at war, then they get an argument they can't win.

Anything to add?

Nope, Doug, I thank you for your interest in my humble existence and I wish you well on your writing career.

And as expected, the conversation with Bushwack was interesting and illuminating. I learned something from him during the interview, that folks like Gunz and Fred and Mrs. Pistachio have been trying to pound into my hard head for a while.

All I can say about what I am learning is, Trolls, beware - or be deleted.