In this corner : Chico Mahalo

When I first set out with the idea of expanding Less Idiots and Those Bastards writing corps, I had only a few goals in mind, but I was firm about what few goals that I had. I absolutely wanted to have great writers, and most certainly people with well defined styles. I wanted to maintain a balance; I did not want the content tipping too far to the right, and I certainly didn’t want to lean too far to the left. There are too many people with the mistaken impression that I am way out in left field, while in reality I am just a tad bit to the left of the center of the dial. I am apt to float to either side, primarily because I attempt to approach issues logically. With this in mind, the only real demand I have placed on these new columnists, was if they went after one side or the other, they had to have their facts straight, and they left their bias at home.

Chico Mahalo is as close to dead center as one could possibly align themselves. While his first post may be a tad bit rusty, as it’s been awhile since Chico has worked in the editorial opinion sector, right from the start, Chico walks the middle a road with his inaugural post. While I have my suspicions about what directions he may take his column, I am quite certain he will leave his bias at home.

Does this mean that Chico does not possess a personal bias on any subject? Positively, absolutely not, however this individual has perhaps the most refined control over what he allows to rise to the surface, of any writer I’ve ever read. Chances are if you detect a bias in his writing, it’s because you do not have the capability to accept that there are any faults in your ideology, and you’ve just read a piece of his that exposes a flaw in your dogma. If this concept sounds foreign or new to you, this sort of standard is what used to be expected in the field of journalism.

As for his writing capabilities I have only to point to the writing of one Lingo Slinger, to validate the competency of Chico as a writer. Lingo spent several months dutifully studying, as well as intensely playing with Chico on his own blog. If you visit her blog now, you will detect the influence of Chico in her writing. Lingo Slinger regularly lays down truly fantastic essays, and she has her own well-defined style. She charts off in her own direction, and marches to the beat of her own drum, but take the time to ask her how she sharpened her pen, and I promise you she will point a finger in the direction of Chico.

As in the case with Reverend Gillmartin, Chico’s column will run once weekly, but if he decides to write more he’s quite welcome to. If you’re smart, you’ll check this thread daily just in case he does.

Note: Chico’s first column will appear tomorrow.