Inagural Post: The Introduction

The Pride Report is a journalistic blog. I am Bob Pride, the journalist, and the topics posted are of interest to me and, hopefully, many others. I found in recent years that I spend a lot of time writing and responding to emails on controversial or interesting topics, often in a role of setting the facts straight. A soapbox with a broader audience appealed to me because I could share the information, ideas and opinions with a far larger audience.

This blog is USA centric. I may touch on other parts of the globe, but my main focus will be the US and the Mid-Atlantic region, especially Virginia. I will research my facts and not deliberately post incorrect information. I will clearly separate my opinions from the facts so there will be no illusion about my stance or spin on a given topic.

I will occasionally be crude or irreverent, although that is not my general nature. If I offend some people and please others, I am probably striking the right balance.

My intent is to post regularly, but life will certainly interfere at times.  Topics will include politics, tax reform, illegal aliens, salt water fisheries management, and human events; but, as the lawyers say, not necessarily limited to just those.

About me. Born in Virginia, I have also lived in PA, MD, TX, GA, FL, and NJ. I have visited all the states except Alaska, New Mexico, Arizona, the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana for business or pleasure. I am an entrepreneur. I've started 4 businesses and haven't finished yet. I have also consulted to many start-ups and hundreds of established companies, governments and non-profit organizations. I've worked for a Fortune 50 manufacturer, a national consulting firm, a billion dollar media company and a defense contractor. My expertise is business strategy and the application of technology to strategic business processes. I am also comfortable with accounting and finance --- I have an MBA from the Darden School and CPA certificates from Maryland and Virginia.

I have a lot of interests and, like most of the men in my family, can easily be distracted by anything interesting to me. My brother says "shiny things" distract us, although he and I both know that "shiny" really means "new", "not routine" or "not what I'm doing right now".  However, I can focus on a single goal and concentrate for hours when I am truly interested and engaged.  So I suppose I don't really have ADD, I'm just a person with a lot of interests.

I have a lovely wife, Pat, who has been by my side for more years than she likes me to say. We have 1 living grown sons and three grandsons. We lost a son to vascular disease in 2009, and a second to drug addiction in 2010.  We were blessed with a new grandson in 2009 and a great granddaughter in 2010. Yin and yang, I guess.

My home is in Poquoson, a little community on the Chesapeake Bay in Southeastern Virginia; but I have traveled all over the US. I also have traveled internationally, but not often. My body does not tolerate long flights well. I'm over 30 and under 65, so I am old enough to be sensible and young enough to be far from senile. So, I take 100% responsibility for my postings and the opinions contained therein.

Well, enough about me. I don't want this blog to be about me. I want it to be about the controversies and issues of our time. If I can just get a few hundred, a few thousand, or a few hundred thousand Americans wanting to learn more about the topics I post, I will be delighted and proud of my work.