Jeff Jacques, a paid Journalist for The Daily Astorian

A few weeks ago I applied to be one of new members of the Board of Contributors for The Daily Astorian and frankly didn’t expect to be picked. Steve Forrester the Publisher emailed me back today to say they wanted me to be one of the 9 contributors. It's hard to believe he chose me. I’ve been very critical of the paper’s editorial pieces and in particular Forrester’s editorials. I have to give him some credit, he’s the biggest Liberal you’d ever want to meet but if he’s willing to let me have a forum in his paper I have to show him a measure of respect.

Supposedly I’ll get to contribute one 750 word article of my choice that will be published in the Astorian over the next year. In the email I received Steve Forrester said it was possible that they may ask for more than one, so I may get to submit another. He also said that he wanted a head shot of me so when the article is published they can attach my photo to it.

The coolest part of the whole deal is that I’ll be paid $50 per article published. I know it isn’t much money but it’s the principle that matters. Getting paid to write an opinion is awesome. Jeff Jacques, the Conservative Bubba from Wyoming is now a paid Journalist, who’d of thunk it? I’m definitely going to have my wife review my articles for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors. The content of what I write I believe is good I just need to get help with editing.

It’s ironic and funny what each new day brings, this was the last thing I ever expected to happen to me, so I’ll accept it and do the best writing I can.