About us
Written by Audrie Zettick on October 6, 2008
Brain-Jockey focuses on getting readers to think for themselves about the issues being discussed in the public square. This isn’t a blog dedicated to a particular party (although we’re the first to admit we have our own biases toward one side). We’re not all about bashing, we’re about constructive thinking.
Aren’t there times when you want to reach through the television or cyberspace–sometimes even to people advocating your view–bop them with a ”nerf” bat and say “hey, that’s not what it’s about!” Then this is your place. Wield your Nerf bat freely, but there are some rules.
Our rules here are simple: state your case, show us where to get more information, ask questions, and be polite. Okay, we know that last point is a bit sticky in today’s blogosphere. We don’t mind when people disagree with us–in fact, it better happen. What we don’t want is name calling, four letter words, inane personal attacks. We reserve the right to edit comments, but we will do so only when these rules are broken.
Who is behind Brain-Jockey?
Audrie Zettick Schaller is Editor. What defines me and steers MY brain? I’m a mom….who also happens to have a long and eclectic background in public policy; business, government (federal, state, county) and nonprofit management; business communications; and teaching at the college level.
I ran for U.S. Congress two years before it was “cool” for women in sneakers and on bikes to do it (translation: I was a Republican versus two years later when all the “D” women ran). I went on to be elected as a county Clerk of (Criminal) Courts, then went to Harrisburg to try to help implement welfare reform. After being mind-numbed by bureaucracy, I returned to working for myself.
I’m the granddaughter of a coal miner and the first generation to attend college, hold an M.B.A. from George Washington University and a B.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences from The Johns Hopkins University.
Don’t hold those academic creds against me. I believe I have the most uncommon thing that REALLY matters: common sense.
I’ve been a consultant on nonprofit marketing and public policy since 1998 (yes, Republicans DO care about human services, although a hand up is preferred to a hand out), and involved in managing my family promotional products distributorship (jet specialties) since forever, having been lulled to sleep by the clack, clack, clack of mom typing invoices since the age of 6.
Yes, I’m old enough to have served in several appointed public policy positions in the Reagan Administration, at the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Transportation. (But I was only two years old…).
Bill Schaller is Co-Editor. He’s my hubby and his experience includes more than 25 years in the public affairs and campaign arenas, including working for a state legislature on state and federal issues including redistricting. He has worked for local, state and national campaigns in many capacities, including overall campaign manager, finance director and research.
Bill is an adjunct professor of History and General Studies at several colleges. He holds a B.A and M.A. in History from Temple University and is halfway through an M.A. in Political Science.
At times, I hope to convince my daughter Alex Schaller to contribute. An honors student in high school, she’s exploring her own viewpoints and has a lot to say about how people make decisions. And she’ll be voting in the next presidential election.
