Personal attack(yours) vs comments about a group of people(mine).

Enjoy your book.

I see that “persistent” means “continuing to exist despite interference or treatment.”

I believe that’s an accurate description. I have received some pretty poor treatment and nasty interference, yet I’m still here. The light needs to be shined on our decision makers and elected officials whenever and wherever they fail to honor their fiduciary obligations and our trust in them.

You do that, occasionally, and I appreciate that. But there’s a lot more light that needs to be shined on our local leaders. Are you up to that?

Truth is, I believe we all have a hot-button issue. I’m pretty sure you do, as I’ve received some pretty blunt emails from you.

I would say this, try walking in my shoes (or Elisabeth’s, Laura’s, Camille’s, Suzie Q’s, citizen’s, spinnwolf’s, Todd2’s, WORST EVER’s, SilentMajority’s, Jurgen’s, or Bellinghammer’s). [You can try walking in AFY's shoes, but they're hard to fill; and Apexnerd's are... you know, a little ripe!]

It’s not easy to get the attention of those who decide on important issues that directly impact our lives. You can try until you’re blue in the face. When you see nothing but a blank stare, you might try talking louder, or sending more emails, or making more phone calls. We don’t get paid to do this, as you do. And we are very invested in the outcome, while you probably are not.

Trying to influence public opinion and public officials is a blood sport, and in rare cases, can feel like a matter of life or death. Please don’t minimize what these active people do. Respect them, like I do, regardless of whether I share their beliefs.

AFY!!thesheepdog!!!

The memory one has of being wronged never dies
and nobody ever forgets where they buried the hatchet.

You’ve done a great job of covering the elections and local policy issues. I’ve read some of the posts accusing you of bias, but I do not agree with the authors of those posts.

I appreciate you sharing your perspective on Silent Majority, DJ, Laura, etc. And, perhaps I have over estimated Laura’s understanding of government. Nevertheless, we all have a duty to educate ourselves. Unfocused anger and paranoia will not change the course of this nation. It just creates more irrational fear and anger.

Silent Majority, Pioneer, Fred Farkle and a handful of others (I don’t know about Bellinghammer or DJ) have been conducting a massive disinformation campaign on health care and local elections for many weeks now. How do I know? They post the same comment over and over again on every article they can find. That’s the sign of a true disinformation artist!

If they are “acting out” because they don’t understand government, I’ll eat my hat! I’m a geek, not a political operative, but I recognize a disinformation campaign when I see one!

Suzie Q,

I hope you are right. Concerned property owners would be better served by an organization that provides training on how to effectively work with local, state and federal legislators and staff.

“I appreciate Lucky 7’s work on this but he doesn’t help himself by constantly attacking absolutely everyone ever involved in any of this.”

Does that ring a bell?

Ciz, a good spankin can be fun some times!

AFY!!thesheepdog!!!

I, for one, appreciate all of your efforts. I also appreciate how easy it is to get worked up; I have been told by many, including Sam, that I “attack” everyone I come into contact with.

You have every reason to feel “worked up.” Besides reading, writing your blog, and commenting here, I’m surprised you’ve kept it together as well as you have.

If we all would listen a little more, we might actually all arrive where we’re trying to go. The shouting at each other is nothing but noise, and we have all simply covered our ears. Unfortunately, when decision makers stop listening, as some (many, in my experience) have, there are few options besides raising your voice. I appreciate Sam’s perspective, but he’s not in the trenches like you and I are. A casual observer can always keep his cool; not so for an avid participant.

Elisabeth, I may not always agree with your positions; but I always listen to your arguments. I hope you’ll continue to express them as well as you do and continue to be an avid participant. I’m pretty sure you will.