f.a.q.'s

A: At birth, it was John Evangelist Songe Ross, and then I legally changed it to John David Lewis Ross (I used Jonathan for a few years, too.)

The David part was my mother's choice (after my grandpa's name) and the Lewis part was my choice, from the name of writer C.S. Lewis.

Q: Why so secretive?

Um... to get some idea of why I value my privacy, read my petition on electronic voting machines or my past postings at The Link. Or go to the New York Times forum and look up all comments by the user named "goandhi" - including one in which I ask exactly who were the 75 U.S. senators opposing the Road Map. Or find the archives of the (now-defunct) political magazine George, and read the comments of one "dodge" who made wild prophecies about the aftermath of the Florida recount in 2000 (none of which came true.) These days, I follow politics like people follow the results of baseball games. And I avoid reading the news very frequently since it is often bad. Books are safer, I think.

Q: Did you post at the [insert name here] blog?

A: Chances are the answer is no. There are a few personal blogs that I read from time to time, and a few political sites that I once frequented. If you see a post that looks like it is from me, check to see if it has the mail "johnwebpage2003 jonathanedd at yahoo dot com" Somebody was posting (on LGF and elsewhere) with my name but not my email address. Or dropping personal details to appear as me. Basically an assault on my reputation.

... Read another explainer here.

... Comedian George Carlin (a critic of the Bush administration) had a similar thing happen to him.

Here is a random link for your edification.

Q: (not really a FAQ, but neither are any of these) Can I read the archives of your Torah blog?

A: No, Jonathan's Tanakh Page has been expunged from this world. But if you like Torah study, read Richard Friedman's Commentary or wade your way through the Kitzur Shulhan Aruch. If you want to start learning Talmud, I am told a good place to start is Pirkei Avot. There's a lot of good religious and secular books out there. Have fun.

Also: These days, I am sort of agnostic. Sometimes I do the prayers. I still get a thrill out of exegesis, but in the comfort of my apartment.

Q: Why a home page?

A: A few years back, I thought I had contracted Bird Flu and, it was intended as a means to leave my mark on the world. In 2003, I posted a lot of my songs here. Later, during my Jewish learning phase, it was a means to connect with like-minded people. Right now, it is my main PR vehicle. Not much, but better than nothing.

Q: Do you have a radio show?

A: No. That's the British Jonathan Ross.

Q: Do you really think anybody will read this homepage?

A: I don't think about it. It was fun to make, though.