I started a new assignment today. It looks good so far.
I am also wrestling with a decision. For months, I've thought about it. Agonized over it. Prayed about it. Asked for guidance and "signs" as to what course I should take. And I mulled it over at Arlington, as I stood in silence amongst genuine valor.
The following was in my Inbox late last night . . . after my arrival at the house where I'm staying . . . a comment posted to this post (an oldie but goodie):
Dr. J,
I followed your link here from The Blogging Poet to find your personal trial upsetting and I feel compelled to comment here. Your story is becoming the typical one for how the good-guy gets mowed down by the powerful, arrogant, good-old-boy cabals who run this country now. We don't even have to speculate how it happened. It happened when our Illustrious Leaders decided to cover for each other when discovered doing wrong. From the top down 'accountability' has been stripped from being a responsible human being. Our Illustrious Leaders don't carry much weight in "character" anymore. There is no integrity, honesty, humility, justice, protecting the under-dog anymore. Our country's entire infrastructure has been undermined by power and greed. Those who rule over us are hollow human beings without conscience, without shame, without the spiritual blood that flows through the veins of those who are driven by principle.
Let me just tell you that you are the hero in this game the powerful like to play. They love batting us around like the fat cats they are - playing with smaller, defenseless, mice massed at their feet, lured into the arena by their cheesy socks. (Sorry, can't help myself.)
Today's real heroes are the truth tellers, truth seekers, the truthful.
When We as a Society start demanding accountability from those who betray the public trust, then our nation and public servants can restore the greatness that was once ours.
What they did to you is deplorable. That your colleagues did not step up to the plate in your behalf is unconscionable and cowardly. The actions of the NC Medical Board is the action of an elite mindset I call The Bloated Avarice Club. The elite are taking over, taking liberties, and taking bribes. Corporations now own the executive and legislative branches of our .government. The Heads of hospitals are part of this corporate empire and they revel in their power, and will make examples of anyone who dares to question their policies or privileges, as your case clearly demonstrates.
I wish there were something I could do beside linking to your blog, but at least it's a start. I hope it gives you some comfort to know that you belong to a small number of people who put principle over personality and have the balls to speak truth to power. I salute you for your bravery in such 'interesting times'.
janet leigh
Now this is the kind of response I had hoped to generate when I first entered the blogosphere nearly three years ago . . . at the invitation of a local newspaper editor who told me/us that blogging was the way to get stories "out there" (to the general public) that otherwise might not be told. Of course, that journalist (awash in the arrogance fostered by his new & not-so-transparent alliance with other big-name local bloggers) then ignored the story . . . failing to take it on to his readers. Pandering to the institutions and politicians involved, he never so much as sent a reporter to look at the evidence . . . in a story that happened right under his nose . . . in an area his newspaper supposedly covers. He spouts a lot of noble noise about truth and justice and accountability and openness in government. He says he wants health care in this country to be/get better (especially when it comes to children). He says corruption in our legal system needs to stop. But my story (which embraces all of these themes) lacks "relevancy" in his book.
This journalist "leads" a local newspaper whose decisions about what is "relevant" and what is not (using his paper to dictate what we should think . . . rather than inform us and let us do the thinking) have contributed to falling circulation, open disdain from readers and bloggers (as expressed in the threads of his own blog), layoffs of his people (good people I'm told), and (it appears) a sale of the paper in the near future.
I wonder if he will survive the sale. Speaking as someone who'd like to see "change" take hold in something more than national politics, I honestly hope he does not.
Perhaps finally then he will be able to sympathize with an "ordinary" local girl who saw all of her hopes and dreams die . . . and after that (slowly and one at a time) every single ideal she was ever taught to believe in . . . someone who is now compelled to stand and fight for those ideals . . . who cannot "just go away" and ever live with herself.
It kind of hit me on Chaplain's Hill. Those at Arlington did not fight and die so that the greedy scumbags running Randolph Hospital could do what they did and feel safe in getting away with it.
It's my hill and I've got to charge it.
The newspaper editor (along with other prominent players in the blogging "community") have jeered and taunted and called names . . . telling me to "just get over it", "move on", or go hire a lawyer. They have marginalized and de-linked. And at times, they have been way-beyond-cruel.
But today I think found my "sign" in the Inbox.
And I think my decision is made.
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7 comments:
That was a great letter.
I have spoken and emailed with some of the folks that you believe hold you in low regard. They do not. They may not know how to help but there is no ill will to be found in current time that I could detect.
Yes, it was a great letter.
MeB, I've been on the receiving end of a LOT of BS for a long time . . . in real life and in this blogosphere. You missed a good portion of it in the beginning.
No, I suppose many "ordinary" bloggers don't know what to do. But please DO NOT tell me that the JR's and Edward Cones of this world . . . the so-called "journalists in this blogosphere . . . do not know how to help - and cannot help. It's ludicrous. I'm not that stupid.
I think this letter demonstrates what I've known all along . . . that if I had been given (by those who decide "relevance") just one-tenth of the MSM print space afforded a certain Predsiddential candidate (whose argument to be elected seems to be "Let the greedy trial lawyer work for you "ordinary" nobodies in Washington" . . . not that he EVER did when he was in Washington), I would not be having to do what it appear I'm going to have to do.
My Mom and I were talking about the coverage of the Edwards campaign over the weekend. He spent YEARS in Iowa sucking up to nothing but "ordinary" people (with his "message" of fear and division), and could not pull off a win. We were all told he "had" to win or he was dead in the water. But the NC newspapers (and national media) seem to be determined to keep him alive.
This letter speaks to the kind of "good-ole-boy" garbage that is keeping him alive. They know what's best.
And it's best to keep the story of Dr. Mary Johnson's return home to Asheboro, North Carolina buried.
I hear you.
Journalists, reporters and the like do what they do. They report on topics of their interest and editors publish what they believe will sell more newspapers.
You desire for them to print your story and you will offer them all the proof you have of wrong doing if I correctly recall from earlier conversations.
As talented as you are with the written word...maybe it is a good idea for you to put together a written version and submit it to a few NC papers of your choosing. This may not be quite as good as meeting face to face but it would offer at least an opportunity for positive press.
I have had the opportunity in the past few weeks to meet several bloggers and have found them to be very interesting and enjoyable to visit with.
Anyway, time for me to move on to other topics. Maybe the above idea has merit and offers an alternate approach.
"Alternative approach"???
MeB, do you seriously think I have not made the rounds?
And do you seriously believe that my story would not "sell newspapers"?
It's about power. Who has it, and who wants to keep it.
I have fairly well established that the ONLY way my situation is going to see newsprint is for me to sue someone/something. Don't let the theory behind First Amendment (the press is our last/best defense) fool you. Investigative journalism in this country is dead.
And (as I have said before) law is America's newest "religion".
People like John Edwards are the priests. And JR/Cone/etc. are the choirboys.
There are some local bloggers that I really do want to meet (yourself included) - some even who have changed their tune since I first dived in. But I've lost a lot (because I was the only one who played by the rules), and I will not sit down/dine/shake hands/socialize with people who have treated me like a disease for the losing.
"Bygones" and "we wish you wells" won't cut it.
YOu are exercising your freedom of speech right now by blogging. I believe that your story has been read by many that could offer to help if they were so inclined. For some reason they have not. I don't know why. I could speculate but won't.
I believe you have made the rounds with phone calls and blogging. My thought was a little different. If you have delivered a nice powerpoint presentation/or printed version...weird that no one picked up. Why?
As far as what sells newspapers..I gave up long ago trying to figure out why half the trash is printed.
We reach back many months ago that several have said as you....nothing will happen until you sue.
With regard to bygones....I would offer that some may be hearing your story but need your support and not anger. We all make mistakes and have the chance to simply agree to disagree.
Does your anger towards a few bloggers or an editor serve any purpose for your cause? What if your anger towards a select few causes others that could help or the precise ones you are trying to reach to move on?
There are always multiple paths to success. If yours is working...great. If not then reconsider and adopt a new direction to attain your goals.
My heart is with you and I believe you were wronged. I don't have the evidence or proof beyond your words...but I am prayerful that you will find the justice you seek.
"I believe that your story has been read by many that could offer to help if they were so inclined. For some reason they have not."
And we're back to power - who has it and who does not.
On that subject, I was reading the posts up about the N&R's "coverage" of Howard Coble. One commenter (and forgive me that I don't remember the exact wording) said that Coble was the ONLY poltiician who ever answered correspondence and actually did something to help in his/her situation. The same was true for me. Howard rode in on a small white horse - prompting the Feds to take a harder line with the hospital (making them pay my malpractice tail coverage nine months after the fact - in accordance with the agreement they breached). But the Feds did NOTHING to address the monopolization of public/local resources to destroy my practice & reputation (for their own gain). It was way too little, too late. So Howard gets points - but not many.
Since then, he's been pretty useless.
And then we have John Edwards, who for all of his blather about championing "the little guy" and being the "most accessible Senator NC has ever seen" (not to mention advocating MORE young people "give of themselves" in the very kind of public service situation I got screwed in) did not so much as lift a finger. So I really don't care, at this point, if my righteous anger offends him, his wife, or their camp. His so-called "representation" in Washington offended me. He's a total fake.
MeB, please understand (and I know you're just trying to help). For YEARS, I did "nice". I played "by the book". I was blown off.
Being "nice" does not work.
I'm angry now (as, it appears, are a number of other people who cannot get the time of day from the very people who are supposed to represent and protect us). Long ago, I decided I was not going to apologize for being angry.
And I'm WAY-tired of a lot of the "cheap grace" and "forgive and forget" and "go along to get along" stuff that hae been directed at me for being angry. My situation makes many people uncomfortable. Too bad. The question really begs - why are they uncomfortable?
It's a question you'd think the press would want answered.
Forgive me, MeB. But some of the "advice" I've gotten (from people who mean and "wish me well") amounts to blaming the victim.
As for the newspaper Editors and local "journalists" (particularly the ones who blog - and want so desperately for it to be "relevant"). Over and over again, they pointificate and print stuff like "no one is above the law". They drone on endlessly about truth, justice and the American way. But they don't DO anything to help someone fight for it. If these people cannot walk the talk, I'm not interested in making them feel better about their hypocrisy and GROSS inadequacies.
Some of these local big-gun bloggers . . . particularly the ones who call themselves "journalists" . . . owe me an apology for the way they've acted and the nasty things they've said. I won't get it, I know.
The direction I'm going is far from "new" to me. But it appears to be the only way to go . . . mostly because some of the VIP's in this blogosphere - that I came to for help - do not begin to practice what they preach . . . OR demand it from our "leaders".
Dear Dr. J,
I think everyone of us ought to be roaring angry at those who profess to be the guardian of free speech, watchdogs of crime and corruption involving our Illustrious Leaders. It's healthier for people to be angry because it forces us into action. Being "nice" in the face of rebuff from those who ought to know better only makes for a depressed psyche.
We have a big problem here in the US with our main stream media. They're not doing their jobs which is to keep those in power honest and above-board. They're all too cozy with the political elements, rubbing elbows with the rich and famous, and more concerned about becoming pals with the very people they're supposed to hold at arm's length in order to stay objective and emotionally detached enough to report the facts of any story. There's no professional decorum left in business anymore. The upper echelon knows if they can break down the boundaries and decorum between the people's watchdogs, that the watchdogs will eventually gravitate towards them and away from the public good, the little people they swore to protect against big government and corporate crime, corruption and greed. The WH has an annual bash where the press gets to hobnob with the politicians and socialities. Our press would rather network among those who would do us wrong, than to take the high road and do what's right - and that is talking truth to power. Everyone in DC is subject to graft and bribery. That's how they get things done.
Reporters, investigative reporters, and journalists all have the power to make wrongs right and get any story out into the public domain. Only problem is they all belong under the huge umbrella of a few media conglomerates; all doing the bidding of their Illustrious Leaders. Over the years, our government has managed to ignore anti-trust laws and instead have allowed about 5 gazillionaires to own us, to feed us trash TV and pablum news. Heck, it's not even "news" anymore. Our news has been usurped by entertainment personalities who wouldn't know a legit news item if they tripped over it. If you really want to see what's causing our biggest problems, check out the affiliations of the "newsmen" in our midst. You'll find that many of the press belong to the same "clubs" and affiliations as the politicians and the big corporate heads. There's a hellava percentage of media, government and politicians who belong to the Council on Foreign Relations. These people are bent on global governance, leveling the playing field, bankrupting the US, and stripping our nation's sovereignty. Their allegiance is not to Americans or our country - they belong to the internationalists who want one big happy world family. Only problem is they're also the ones who want to "run the show". Americans no longer have consumer advocates and watchdogs to speak truth to power because they're too busy trying to grab their piece of the elite world pie.
And, oh, just look at how brazen they've become lately. A lot of them are getting sloppy and getting caught. They never think their "insider" friends will abandon them if they're caught in a crime. Why? Because they tend to protect each other - unless of course one starts to oppose the big guys big ideas, or interests.
No, Dr, J, there's plenty of news media that could help your situation and bring a shoddy enterprise into the light of day, but now they're running scared. They are so beholden to their "handlers" and now must do the bidding of those who "own" them.
Not very many people help others anymore. How can they? For the last 7 years everyone in the US has been under warrantless surveillance. The powers that be have the "goods" on everyone of us. Even Congress and federal employees. Everybody can be blackmailed or bribed into doing the will of those who hold the pliers. Really. One of the reasons our former statesmen banned domestic surveillance is for that very reason. They knew that those holding the most power would eventually abuse it and resort to blackmail and bribery to get their way. Think about it. How many people are being brought down right now as a result of blackmail? How did a brilliant man like Gov. Spitzer get that sloppy with his personal, albeit, illegal activities? There are no accidents in poli-gov machinations. They just make it look like there are, heh heh.
Over the last 20-30 years, our society has been hardened, and filled with fear and loathing. We're all at each other's throats. Who started the confrontational, in-your-face revolution? Who started tearing Americans apart and hyphenating our ethnicity? Divided us into little clusters of nationalities? Who came up with the big idea to militarize our neighborhood policemen to the point where they no longer trust ordinary, law-abiding people. They look at us like we're common criminals. That's what the elite does to justify putting us in our place - they reduce us to "little people" as Theresa Heinz-Kerry likes to call us. I mean, really! Too bad more Americans don't know the mind-set of the elite because they'd stop sucking up to them and start taking this country back from those who do not have our best interests in mind.
I'm really sorry for messing your blog up with my comments, Dr. J, but, believe it or not, your treatment and situation is the result of what's going on in this class war between the little people and the privileged elite among us. Everything they do is fueled by self-interest and the all mighty dollar.
And this business about people not knowing how to help you. BS! Here in VA, years ago, the intersection at Rte 50 & 28 was a death trap. People were having serious accidents by what I found out was a faulty traffic light. I went to the Police Station and told them my theory. Nothing happened. I told them to test the lights under the same conditions the lights were malfunctioning, which was in high humidity and/or rain. They went out in bright day light to run a test. I insisted they get the damn fire trucks out there and douse the damn lights to simulate conditions. But no, that was asking too much from our public servants. I told them if I had an accident at that intersection, I was going to own their farm. To peals of laughter.
Well, I went about getting signatures on a petition, asking drivers to sign while stopped at red lights. I got many, many signatures. Still nothing. Then, I had my accident there at 50 & 28. The lights malfunctioned in both directions of traffic and we both had green lights. I can tell you what it feels like to hit a car broadside going 45-50 mph. I sustained some serious injuries. I got myself a lawyer. Thank goodness I had written letters to the Dir. of VDOT, documenting what was going on at that intersection. To make a long story short (ha! too late, right?), I was in the process of suing the state, and only then did they decide to tackle the problem in all seriousness. I told the state I'd drop my case if they installed new traffic light system at 28 & 50. They agreed and I dropped my case; I only wanted them to pay my medical bills. One person against Goliath.
I did a similar thing with malfunctioning elevators at the Reston International Center building. People actually quit work rather than fall in another elevator car, get their arms crushed by slamming doors, cars dropping many stories, you name it we endured it. I got my petition material out and had people write their experiences on the petition. I hounded the director of maintenance. I told them if I fell a foot into an elevator again, or had my arms black & blued one more time, I was going to own their farm. Long story short. I was hurt a number of times, but I finally got Winkler to refit those damn elevators. Of course, I had a number of meetings with the Dir. of Winkler but I never stopped until they fixed the 4 malfunctioning, dangerous elevators! And I'll bet if you brought my name up to Dan Tanna, he'd blanche and head for the nearest exit. lol
So, don't give up the good fight, Dr. J. One day, you'll be exonerated. Until then, state your case forcefully, don't give in or give up. Your day will come! You'll come out of this the victor. Truth!
janetleigh
Poetmeister...on the road to Parnassus
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