I grew up without much. No handouts, no shortcuts. Everything I got, I earned. That shaped who I am today.

I spent 13 years in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserves. I learned what it means to serve something bigger than yourself. I learned that freedom costs something and always has.

Then I spent 27 years as a firefighter. That meant running toward danger when everyone else ran away. It meant making fast decisions where mistakes could cost lives. It meant helping people on their worst days.

Now I'm retired. But I'm not done.

Why This Newsletter

I started Between the Lines because I got tired. Tired of being told what to think by people who never worked a real job. People who never served. People who never had to make a hard choice and live with it.

I got tired of news that sounds like it was written by the people it covers. Tired of politicians who say one thing on Monday and something else on Friday. Tired of watching good people get more confused because nobody will just tell them straight.

So here's what I won't do. I won't tell you which side to pick. I won't wave a red flag or a blue flag. I won't turn every story into an emergency or try to make you angry about something new every week.

Here's what I will do. Look at the facts. Follow them where they lead. Ask the questions that need asking. And tell you what I see as clearly as I can.

What I Believe

I believe in conservative values. Not the talking points or the slogans. The real principles this country was built on. Personal responsibility. Limited government. Constitutional rights. The idea that freedom comes with duty.

I believe you're smart enough to make up your own mind if someone gives you honest information. I believe clarity beats outrage. I believe principles should last longer than politicians.

And I believe a lot of Americans feel like they're being lied to but can't quite figure out how. This newsletter is for them.

What You'll Get

Each week Between the Lines gives you one thing. Clarity. A featured essay that takes one issue and looks at it carefully. No headlines. No hot takes. No fake urgency. Just real thinking about what matters and why.

You won't find me telling you to call your congressman or share this post or get mad at the other side. You'll find me doing what I've always done. Looking at the situation. Sizing it up honestly. Giving you what you need to make your own call.

That's what you deserved from the press all along. That's what I'm building here.