A Simple Goodbye

 I was never interviewed before the strange post attacking my comments. If I had been, this would have been my response...

“Some have misconstrued my comments as a defense of heinous criminal actions or to indicate that certain crimes should not be given media coverage.  

They clearly are not, and should never be taken as such. Never.”

___________________________

I believe in speaking my mind, treating others with kindness and respect, and reaching out to look for consensus among neighbors. And in the same vein, attacks or lies about or by others are never allowed to stand - this is what I was taught as a child. Its based on the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as they do unto you". Its probably why I was never the successful target of bullies, and why I defended others who were - you don't cower nor do you back away when someone needs you. 

Now imagine having to read a post containing a few of your random quotes and finding the blanks filled in with someone else's words. I imagine it happens all the time. I recently sent a personal note to a colleague telling him that I refused to join others in condemning him for a single word he used he thought was quite correct, but sent others into a frenzy. I know he didn't mean is as it was read - unlike others I have no reason to attack him - left, right or center. 

The reason I'm writing this is that this personal assault, full of so much confused rhetoric, was taken as fact by the media who did not bother to contact me either. Of course, then I realized the truth, that this entire charade was done for a single purpose, to find a target to balance the political attacks on the other party. I will not be used as a pawn against my party or to further the political standing of this blogger.

So I'm posting my last post here, and wanted to say goodbye. I really do want to thank all the good people I have met on Patch, people I've agreed with and those I haven't. You have given me a wonderful experience, and a chance to voice my opinion, help share information, and mostly communicate with others whom I would never have had a chance to meet in the real world. Thank you.

I leave you to the mercy of unfiltered comments, to the bomb throwers, the stalkers, and nasty repetitive remarks with half truths and downright lies. I leave behind the hate, the shouting with the CAPITAL letters - but the one thing I will truly miss are my new friends and neighbors I will never meet in person.

I wish you all well in the future,

    Jan Schmidt