In a message dated 10/8/2007 1:25:06 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Bull. You've done nothing but complain. You took a half hearted shot a putting together a group for aging gays. You were certainly "touting and wearing on your sleeve" when you got your name in the paper for the idea. Mr. hero was going to help people for once in his life. Did you follow through? Show me the "paper trail" at your one promised shot at public service. "Nothing but complain" is an outright falsehood. I've suggested, commented, criticized, inquired, praised, reminisced, waxed nostalgically, presented anecdotes, and complained. But it is true that the majority of posts across the board from everyone in most groups is comprised of complaints. Same at council meetings and BOE meetings. What's the ratio in your collective writings of complaints to commendations? Your research and sources are very limited and incomplete. My attempt to facilitate a local chapter of SAGE was a trial balloon; I made no attempt to tout it; but Joe D'Andrea put in on his site. I never used "hero" in reference to myself, and I don't recall that it appeared any where in any paper, certainly not at my request. I didn't seek out any publicity except through Yahoo groups announcing months of meetings to brainstorm ideas and discuss the need for a local group. Like others who attempted similar special interest groups, everything was put on hold until there was a permanent home base for QSpot. I probably could take some lessons in how to facilitate a local franchise of a national group; however, as a teacher I don't need to prove to anyone or to publish shoe boxes of grateful letters over the years about lives I've positively impacted. My paper trail to help local charities and fund raising is none of anyone's business. I am a professional whose domain has been the written word, and I specialized in the use and misuse of words to promote ideas in the media. And I'm a johnny-come-lately to applying that expertise to issues outside the classroom. When asked on 60 Minutes why he continued to write, Bruce said because he has the chutzpah to believe he can make a difference, an impact, with what he writes. I'm no lyricist, but I can hitch my wagon to that concept. Similarly, finally, he and so many others have revived a quaint old idea: That's it's a citizen's civic duty to speak up and challenge ideas in the public square. And with that territory I fully expect the slime attacks that will be channeled through you. To paraphrase John Milton then, "They also serve who write and speak out to question and to challenge...." You see fit to excoriate weekly: the Chamber of Commerce, Call for the Resignation of an elected councilman, Tillie groupies, Bruce, Pallone, presevation "nazis," the APP Press, Clearwater, patriots with whom you disagree, etc. Where is it written that a Howell resident has a right to be critical (and not be taken to task for his words), but an AP resident doesn't? You are a public columnist among other things. Comments on what you say come with that territory. And if you can't take the heat, get out of the proverbial kitchen. It's your published/posted/blogged words that haunt you; own up to them and direct your responses to justifying your own "paper" trail without creating bogeymen who are stalking you. Daily, every public figure has to confront his or her own previous remarks. Why should you be an exception? You left this group twice because you were pissed by a host of others here who had taken you to task for what they saw as some reckless remarks. I left briefly to take a breather and post exclusively at four other groups where posts are moderated. It was the moniker MMM given me here which I accepted with pride and which ironically brought me back, along with some kind private notes like, "You are missed," and from strangers at places like _Click here: Historic Building Architects_ (http://www.hba-llc.com/) I am not embarrassed by the content of any of my posts; I do not feel the need to retract any of them, nor have I been asked to do so by anyone. But if anyone finds some blatant hypocrisy, inconsistency or untruth, I will address what I said without exclusively relying on stock distractions, sarcasm, dismissals, or shooting the messenger. Would that you could do the same. "My Country [ and City] Right or Wrong. When right to be kept right. When wrong, to be set right." ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
