Well over a year ago, before the back-tracking and flip-flopping of the GSO News & Record (and some of our more prominent local bloggers) . . . before expressing empathy for David Wray was "cool" . . . I published a piece called "Burned Citizen Journalism".
Got labelled a "whack-job" for my trouble. But I look back at the post now, and I go, "Wow!"
And I also admonish those who piled on that, (1) it was despicable, and (2) time doesn't heal some wounds. Moreover, I won't shake hands with people who dirtied theirs typing out that kind of vitriol.
From the start, I've found many similarities between my situation as a physician dealing with the medically clueless, micro-managing (not to mention, greedy & lying) administrators of Randolph Hospital . . . and David Wray's relationship (as Police Chief) with Greensboro City Manager, Mitch Johnson.
We were both professional "valued employees" in a state that doesn't really value professional employees.
And we were both done in by petty, cowardly, amoral, back-stabbing little men. Small men with cover from friends in high places.
On this thread, at Cone's, a commenter named Tim . . . talking about Wray and Mitch's relationship (and offering, as another commenter said, perhaps the best analysis ever of the situation) . . . has nailed my own experience in the GSO blogosphere:
"How many times have we had a disagreement with someone, where our point was clear in our own head and it was completely opaque to that someone else? What do we do? We repeat ourselves, but louder the second time. It doesn’t make the other person see our point, it just annoys them, and makes us seem loud and irrational, even if the other person is just being a bonehead.
Wray (substitute Mary Johnson) was just loudly repeating himself (herself), and Johnson (substitute Ed Cone/John Robinson/Sue Polinksky/Roch Smith) was just hearing what he (they) heard the first time. "
Like a complete fool, I believed the "citizen journalism" drivel that John Robinson was spewing, and I jumped through ALL of Edward Cone's hoops (witness "short versions" and "long versions" in my profile/on my sidebar).
It's the biggest reason (much more so than the fact I'm working nights in a Peds ER in a city many hundreds of miles away - still trying to financially catch up after a huge chunk of my life was stolen), that I don't feel the urge to converge.
So no. I won't be seeing you there.
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4 comments:
One of my brothers said it something like this... When you are in disagreement with someone...the best place to settle is in a public place where intelligence and honor normally prevail.
If I were you and had your feelings for some of the local bloggers I would be front and center with head held high. You might just be shocked at how friendly these same folks are in a face to face meeting.
I am sorry, MeB, to me shaking the hands of people who spew the names and make the kind of nasty (false) accusations they have (of course, I'm not alone) is catering to the lowest common denominator. It's saying what they've done is okay.
And it's not.
Of course, when one confronts the behavior ("front and center" as you say), one is de-linked and ignored. One's "voice" is muted - and it appears to be a group effort . . . the same group that's planning this event.
You see it's called "looking forward". And it's very convenient because in not dwelling on your actions in the past you don't have to be responsible for them.
I've been on the corporate side of that equation for ten years. And that's part of the reason I find it so despicable. But the Dr. Sue's of this world - with all of their education and insight don't get that.
I hold these "leaders" of the local blogging "community" to a higher standard.
When you're building "community", the FIRST place to act with intelligence and honor is at the keyboard.
I agree with most of your thoughts.
I further believe that folks are capable of fantastic change.
Alas, MeB, I've been burned on too many occasions.
I believe what I see.
Must go and batten down the hatches. A bad storm is coming my way - tornado warnings and all.
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