Why Backsplice

This is my first stab at blogging.  I've been opinionated for as long as I can  remember.  I love a good argument and I frequently contribute to other blogs through commenting.  Once I got a post published on Anchor Rising under the "Engaged Citizen" byline but, either through fear, procrastination or some other character defect I've been loath to put my own writing on the web on a regular basis.  Lately I've been trying to change a number of things about me so I figure it's about time for this.

My first choice for the title of this blog was "Seasmoke."  Sea smoke is a meterological phenomenon usually seen in colder climates consisting of a layer of mist no deeper than one or two feet resting on the surface of some body of water.  I first saw sea smoke while stationed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Reliance, home ported in New Castle, NH.  While traveling to and from the ship I would see the mist covering the ponds and streams along the roads of Maine and New Hampshire.  I later adopted the term as my CB handle because it reminded me of one of the Coast Guard's nicknames - "The Smokies of the Sea."  Unfortunately, when it came time to name my blog, someone had already taken the name.

So I cast about for another image, preferably from my Coast Guard days, that would hold some significance and I came up with "Back Splice."  A back splice is a splice put in the end of a length of rope to prevent it from unraveling.  Depending on how the splice is made, it can also prevent the end of the rope from running through a block.  Essentially, a back splice stops a situation from deteriorating.

I believe that our country is deteriorating economically, politically and socially so the back splice is a good illustration of the need I see for something to prevent us from losing the blessings we inherited as Americans.

I don't know if anyone will actually read this but, if nothing else, this will be a good exercise to develop my writing and rhetoric skills.  If someone should view this site, know that I welcome comments.  I especially welcome arguments.  If you choose to comment please observe simple courtesy.  Stick to the point.  I don't like ad hominem arguments and I don't like non sequiturs and irrelevancies.