Editor's Note: I (Facebook) "Like" You. No, I Really Really Like You

As the political season starts, and people start to declare their candidacies for offices local, state and national, it might be a good time to talk about what I "like."

Everything seems politicized nowadays, and I realize that the Bellevue Patch Facebook page, Twitter feed and my own personal Facebook page might be scrutinized, analyzed, poked and prodded by anyone trying to read the tea leaves on what influences my coverage of certain topics.

Well, I am here to tell you that I am an equal opportunity liker, as much as I can be.

The Bellevue Patch Facebook page (here at http://www.facebook.com/BellevuePatch) and the Bellevue Patch Twitter feed (here at http://www.twitter.com/BellevuePatch) contain a diverse interests and views connected to Bellevue. What they do have in common is that they are newsmakers or news sharers--they are people and organizations with their fingers on the pulse of what is important to Bellevue.

"Like" and "Follow" are the practical ways for us to stay connected to everyone we can, and to get information from people and organizations into our view so we can share them with you. As I've pointed out on everyone of the Bellevue Patch pages, and on my personal page, these connections don't imply endorsement of a certain position, candidate or topic.

Does this mean I really like you, and not just "like" you? Well, I will say that most people in Bellevue have the best interests of the community at heart. Even when they disagree on what action to take, everyone seems to want the best results for Bellevue and for their community. So, yes, it's true--I really do like everyone, and not just Facebook "like" everyone.

If there's a Facebook page we've missed or a Twitter we should follow, please let me know and we'll fix that ASAP.

Speaking of endorsements and the political season, this would also be a good time to state that, in this first campaign season of Patch, we won't do endorsements. We don't have an editorial board, and we will write all our stories with an aim of fairness and impartiality.

However, I welcome anyone to do their own endorsement, as a letter to the editor or in a blog provided to Bellevue Patch. Please feel free to contact me at venice.buhain@patch.com if you are interested in making your political views known on Bellevue Patch.