Interview with Blogger Wip Scott

By The Pakistani Spectator • May 19th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • (2,667 views) • No Responses

Sword-At-The Ready (swordattheready.wordpress.com) is a blog dedicated to the presentation and opinion of news, politics and events from a Conservative American Christian perspective. Our view of the world and the events taking place in it, are guided by the scriptures, true American history and Christian heritage.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

Both reading and writing assist me in growing my writing skills. The more I write, the more comfortable I am with expressing my views. The more I read, the better informed and more articulate I am in expressing my views.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

Breaking news that news services had not covered, and as always, commenting on our cultural and news events from a deliberate perspective.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

I do not necessarily keep in communication with other bloggers. I write from my own specific perspective. But I do read many blogs and forums and news outlets from across the world. Some blog commentary does stir me to link to their news and opinions in the entries I write.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

The blogosphere has definitely become a shaping force in American politics. Many talking points are served up on blogs and then regurgitated by political candidates and vice-versa ad nauseum.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

Most people still get their news from television or the radio, but blogging has given the news media the source material they use and refer more than they should. Press releases and blog entires should not replace investigative journalism - but it has unfortunately.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

There are many political blogs and Conservative blogs. Sword-At-The-Ready is unique in that it is presented without apologies from a deliberate American Christian biblical perspective in the effort to encourage the American churchgoer to recapture our true
religious heritage, and restore those values to our cultural decline. Most of the essays and commentary chronicles the threats to our liberties and culture, and is presented in a manner to awaken Americans to their disappearing heritage and freedoms.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

My willingness to follow God and His truth, no matter the costs.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

Japan, Jamaica, India

What is your favorite book and why?

‘The Light and the Glory’ - By Peter Marshall and Rob Emmanuel

The true story of America’s history and Christian heritage and how it shaped our history by the actual diary writings and speeches/sermons given from America’s patriarchs from Christopher Columbus to Abraham Lincoln.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

What kind of spirit they are of and whether or not they are sincere.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

Third Grade English teacher.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

I do not know. I am not interested in making a profit from my blog. I provide my thoughts as a service to my fellow countrymen and Christian brethren.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

Depends on the nature of the site and the kind of blog it is. News and current event blogs are often very time consuming if they wish to stay on top of every news story.

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?

Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing, whether individual or corporate. The risk with corporate blogs is that they begin to dominate the spectrum with the ability to finance and staff the site, and eventually they may become an online version of the mainstream
corporate media if any efforts or lobbying to limit the blogosphere are attempted.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?

I think Bloggers can help contribute to dialogue and expressions of views that otherwise would not occur in the course of our daily lives with people from other nations and cultures. In that regard, blogging eliminates our governments having to speak for us on our behalf.

However, I do not believe that blogging alone can make the world less hostile. Human nature is not changed with technology, and the beliefs and ideas that create hostility have a more open forum for dissemination with the internet than before.

I think bloggers are vital in allowing the everyday average person the ability to communicate and share their beliefs and thoughts outside of the prism of government or the mainstream press that controls the news.

Blogs can be a wonderful way to circumvent propaganda, but they can also be a tool of propagandists and caution and discernment are needed in reading material in the blogosphere.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

I respect quite a few, but do not have any particular favorites.

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

My entry “Neocon on the Brain, Ron paul People are Certifiably Nuts” had the most powerful negative and positive reaction among readers.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

Some of my best neighbors ever are Pakistani. I love Pakistani hospitality, Pakistani food, and highly respect the Pakistani culture and the devoutness of her people. In January I will be attending a Pakistani wedding reception and look forward to it with great
anticipation. Moreover, I have a bridge of commonality with my Pakistani neighbors in that we can dine together as we share the same dietary laws and ideals, and my dear neighbor is a tremendous cook and her biryani is second to none.

That said, I do worry about the internal and political/religious strife within Pakistan. I worry that hardline Jihadists will take over Pakistan, and what freedom the Pakistani people have will be subjugated to religious tyranny and edict.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

No, not really.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

Religious liberty.

What is the future of blogging?

I fear that governments and the corporate media in conjunction with governments will begin to clamp down and restrict blogging and any kind of news and media dissemination to maintain power and control. In America this is already taking place by media and news outlets forbidding the reprinting, snippets or linking of any of their material to blog sites they reject.

Without any government intervention, I think Blogging will become a powerful political tool used to shape the thoughts and feelings of their readers in pushing political candidates and agendas. That in itself is not a bad thing, as long as freedom exists for anyone to
express themselves without being regulated or shut down.

Blogging allows you to not only write your opinions, but cite the many sources via links in the text to back-up your opinions and claims. In this regard, Blogging is more responsible and provable than the mainstream press is. It is possibly why many mainstream media outlets are restricting their material for dissemination on the blogosphere.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

It takes much more time out of my life to Blog. Also, the subject matter and opinions I express put me in controversy and even danger.

But the liberty to express my thoughts in truth of how I view the news, politics and events shaping our future is more valuable than the risks and sacrifice I make for my blog.

What are your future plans?

To keep doing what I am doing, as long as the Lord is willing that I continue.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good.