Thoughts on consequences of speech
The recall crowd is good at trying to deflect responsibility for the things they say and do. I have some thoughts about that, and how the blogs and The Gray News folks try to escape it.
The recall crowd calls Gary and Andy names, cruelly depict them negatively in cartoons, and malign their reputations. They lampoon them in the newspaper, on blogs, on television, and in social circles. They construct hate blog after hate blog and relentlessly attack them politically and sickeningly, they attack them
personally, too. They depict Gary as a puppet, a Three Stooge, a chicken, and Mini Me, the tiny midget from the Austin Powers movies. They call him a mama’s boy, claim the town is FUC’d (Acronym for Foster-Upham-Crane), said he is “panicky,” a “sycophant,” “clown,” “abusive,” “closed-minded,” part of a “Town council from hell,” “incompetent,” “paranoid,” and a “petulant thug.” They make allegations about his romantic life, his sexual identity, and his social life. They claimed he ‘ruined the town.’
Mr. Foster took all that with dignity, statesman-like aplomb, and went about the business of representing the people. He remarked, that “those who say such things and use such speech are hateful and intolerant." (entire statement here,)
A local blogger named TinMan said: “You would think that any normal thinking chairperson would have NEVER taken such a strong one sided action against the very people he represents.”
Really? It think it’s funny that Tinman, Batgirl, Tsukroff, Clark, Crandall, and Proudian are constantly surprised that one might have an opinion about the hateful things they say.
Tinman doesn’t understand that when one uses hate speech, there is a consequence. People will have opinions about what you are saying and doing, and how you are saying and doing it. People react with disgust to hate bloggers Batgirl, Tinman, and to community problem-makers Ray Clark, Paul Proudian, Nathan Tsukroff, and Don Crandall, because they recoil from hate and intolerance. One cannot say hateful and intolerant things with impunity and expect no comment. They funny thing is, they do.
Bloggers, and community problem-makers Clark, Proudian, Crandall, and Tsukroff: freedom of speech goes both ways. Frederick Douglass said, "Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want rain without thunder and lightning." Gentlemen, if you gush rain on people, then get used to the thunder and lightning. Or if you're Gary Foster, a polite "ahem."
The recall crowd calls Gary and Andy names, cruelly depict them negatively in cartoons, and malign their reputations. They lampoon them in the newspaper, on blogs, on television, and in social circles. They construct hate blog after hate blog and relentlessly attack them politically and sickeningly, they attack them
personally, too. They depict Gary as a puppet, a Three Stooge, a chicken, and Mini Me, the tiny midget from the Austin Powers movies. They call him a mama’s boy, claim the town is FUC’d (Acronym for Foster-Upham-Crane), said he is “panicky,” a “sycophant,” “clown,” “abusive,” “closed-minded,” part of a “Town council from hell,” “incompetent,” “paranoid,” and a “petulant thug.” They make allegations about his romantic life, his sexual identity, and his social life. They claimed he ‘ruined the town.’
Mr. Foster took all that with dignity, statesman-like aplomb, and went about the business of representing the people. He remarked, that “those who say such things and use such speech are hateful and intolerant." (entire statement here,)
A local blogger named TinMan said: “You would think that any normal thinking chairperson would have NEVER taken such a strong one sided action against the very people he represents.”
Really? It think it’s funny that Tinman, Batgirl, Tsukroff, Clark, Crandall, and Proudian are constantly surprised that one might have an opinion about the hateful things they say.
Tinman doesn’t understand that when one uses hate speech, there is a consequence. People will have opinions about what you are saying and doing, and how you are saying and doing it. People react with disgust to hate bloggers Batgirl, Tinman, and to community problem-makers Ray Clark, Paul Proudian, Nathan Tsukroff, and Don Crandall, because they recoil from hate and intolerance. One cannot say hateful and intolerant things with impunity and expect no comment. They funny thing is, they do.
Bloggers, and community problem-makers Clark, Proudian, Crandall, and Tsukroff: freedom of speech goes both ways. Frederick Douglass said, "Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want rain without thunder and lightning." Gentlemen, if you gush rain on people, then get used to the thunder and lightning. Or if you're Gary Foster, a polite "ahem."
posted by Gray Maine at
8:14 AM
5 Comments:
A polite Amen!
By
Anonymous, at 1:35 PM
In politics today there seems to be a degradation factor, whether local or National. Say negative things, as often as possible, and the uninformed will believe it is true. Sadly, it is working in some places. Fortunately, not in this town yet. Places like Portland, Biddeford, Lewiston, Bangor are susceptible. People who have less are easily led and it seems to work in these places. Extend that across the country and you see the strategy of some. Don't be one of those people who follow blindly. Seek out different sources of information and VERIFY what is written. Be an informed citizen and good will prevail. It doesn't mean we agree on everything everyday but we have a common goal, are not single issue oriented, and debate our different opinions civilly. Join the solution orientated not the problem focused.
By
Anonymous, at 3:43 PM
Biasbuster: Do you have any insight on the possibility of a Hannaford Store and Home Depot being constructed in the By-Pass Area?
By
Anonymous, at 8:47 AM
Yes, I do. I have heard for two years that either a Shaw's or a Hannaford's was coming. Persistent rumors or wishful thinking, no one was quite sure.
This past summer, the rumor narrowed to Hannaford's. I asked a zoning savvy lawyer and he said that the grocery stores typically buy land adjacent to major intersections, whether or not they intend to build immediately. It would make sense now that the bypass is being completed.
Then later in the summer someone told me they visited their friend at work and saw the actual plans for the store at the intersection across from the Fire-Resucue, Seagull lane, the trailer park. Then I heard that there were three pieces of residential property had been sold to make way for Hannaford's; the large newish house next to Van Mourik's owned by Brown, and two homes others adjacent. If you look on thegraymaine aerial property maps you can see the properties run quite deep from the road.
I think that is pretty specific and pretty persistent to be only rumors, but try as my source might, could not get Hannaford to confirm or deny any plans. My gut tells me it's true. But my gut is not the same as confimration. :)
I have heard nothing about a Home Depot.
personally, I think the location across from Seagull Lane is tragic for a big box store, not only because of the issues around the Fire Department apparatus needing to get out and the school busses needing egress, but also because the area is the least suited for retail and most suited for low-key mixed use. Aesthetically, it'd ruin the last best gateway we have.
You could always ask Dick Cahill if he has received any inquiries from the Hannaford folks.
Hope this helps.
By
Gray Maine, at 3:42 PM
Thank You for this indepth information! You are so much appreciated.
By
Anonymous, at 9:36 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home