The emails published here are real. They are the product of anger, hatred, misunderstanding, confusion, partisanship, or perhaps even a little insanity. I will produce them as completely as is possible, and in no particular order, and no names will be used. This introduction will accompany each post.
A soft start is warranted. As suggested in yesterday’s edition, brevity is often the best way to get a point across, ..or other wise be ignored quickly. I guess it only matters what the message actually is saying.
| Subject: | Ron Clous & Rob Henshtel |
|---|---|
| Date: | Mon, 25 Jan 2021 10:29:30 -0500 |
I demand these two “men” be removed from this board. They do NOT represent the citizens of this county!!!!! Sent from my iPhone
Well, they do. They do represent the constituents of their districts, and no manufactured outrage can change that without their consent.
But moving rapidly along. There are those who feel that the first amendment is important, ..until it isn’t.
| Subject: | Requesting Resignations of Commissioners Clous and Hentschel |
|---|---|
| Date: | Wed, 27 Jan 2021 22:38:39 +0000 |
Dear Grand Traverse County Commissioners, Displaying a gun during the public comment section of a Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners meeting is not "well-intentioned". It is threatening and infringes upon the speakers' first amendment rights to free speech. I am requesting that both Commissioner Ron Clous and Commissioner Rob Hentschel resign from the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners. Thank you, xxxxxx xxxxxxxx, PhD. Grand Traverse County
Aside from the fact that someone can walk into a county commission meeting in Michigan fully dressed out in a camo outfit, carrying a loaded rifle and a holstered pistol, and it is perfectly legal? What would such an effort mean? Is the person considered to be ‘brandishing’ for merely carrying? Michigan law protects that ability to bear arms, even in a public meeting. What if they stare hard at one of the commissioners the entire meeting?
What if it was only an exercise in messaging? What if the person merely wanted to point out (and in every way as legal as a phone call comment) that second amendment rights are legitimate, and as important as the chatter box activities we call first amendment exercise?
Mr (or MRS) PhD forgets that for one side of free speech to work, so must the opposition. Opposition isn’t the end of the world. Conflicting views should be welcomed, but some folks of a particular political persuasion can’t have any of that, can they?
Liberty is dangerous, yet delicious. It’s kind of an ..American thing, you know?
Some folks take their first amendment rights seriously however. Seriously.
| Subject: | Seriously |
|---|---|
| Date: | Sat, 30 Jan 2021 01:08:04 -0500 |
YOU ARE A JOKE! henshel & clous...you have made a joke out of yourselves! You can continue to ignore the serious concerns of THOUSANDS of citizens of the community you are supposed to be working for but it will NOT change the reality you are living in. From the time you took over the county commission, you have done everything you can to silence and then ignore the voice of the people of Grand Traverse County. First you change the time of the meetings so less people can be involved...WHY? What is your agenda...certainly not to engage the people you supposedly represent! Everything you have done reflects the fact that you don't care what people think unless they back up your corrupt motives...and you are unquestionably corrupt. After making a mockery of the commission you are on and the county you represent as true rednecks...you call a meeting with 18 hours notice! You continue to belittle your own selves and you obviously are just too STUPID to see it! What a joke you are...a bad fricken joke. It won't be long until you're gone and you can take your redneck, good old boy ways with you! Fuck off! xxxxxxxx xxxxx
One of my favorite biblical lessons is the ‘Parable of the Talents.’ (Matthew 25:14) It speaks about working what is given to us and what we do with it. Some folks are given much, and do well with it. Some folks are given little, and do even better.
And some folks simply take for granted their God given blessings, and squander it in hatred and non-constructive efforts. They hide their ‘talent’ (for lack of a better word) loaned to them for the duration, and produce little or nothing of value. Hatred is not only a waste of our gifts, but sears the soul in a way that cripples our humanity.
Amazingly, there are those so consumed with who the proud boys are reported to be (as they have never personally had interactions), that they cannot even recognize the characteristics they openly loathe are being exhibited by their words and intolerance for views they do not share.
And while this batch has no mention of the Proud Boys, it is partly the unlikeliness of the board chair or any of the others that is driving these letters. (save two) To denounce an organization that has not attempted to spread hate, has not caused any issues for the county, and likely would not at any time in the future hardly invites legitimate reproach.
The other component is simple partisan maneuvering. The first district commissioner is known for her political activism, and while presenting a reasonable facade publicly, is actively organizing in the background to isolate and eliminate her political opposition on the board.
I will leave you with this
The Snake
A woman was walking along the road one day when a snake crossed her path. The snake stopped, turned to her and said, “Please lovely lady, please pick me up.” The woman looked at the snake and said, “I cannot pick you up. You’re a snake. I clearly know what snakes do. You will bite me.”
The snake replied seductively, “Oh but my beautiful lady. I am just a lonely snake looking for a little warmth. You have that beautiful cloak around you. All I want is a little hug. Could I get just a little hug? That’s all I need. I am just a little, old, lonely, snake. Please, please pick me up?”
The woman looked dubiously at the snake, and replied, “Surely, you really think I am that foolish? I’m not picking you up. You’re a snake. You will bite me, I know it. Forget it.”
“But I am not like every other snake. I am a good snake. I don’t bite people, especially a lovely lady such as yourself. I am just cold and you have that beautiful warm cloak. All I want is a little hug, just for a moment. Please. Please. Take pity on me.”
The lovely lady suddenly felt compassion for the snake and said, “That’s all you want? A little hug? That’s it? And if I pick you up, you promise you won’t bite me?”
The snake said, “Of course not. If you pick me up, I give you my word, I will not bite you.” “Really? I have your word? You won’t bite me?” the lovely lady repeated. “Really. You have my word.” the snake replied.
The woman thought for a moment and then said, “Of course, it will only be for a moment and the snake gave me his word.” She picked up the snake and wrapped him in her cloak. At that moment, the snake struck her with his fangs, right on the neck. “Ouch! That hurt! What did you do that for?” the lady exclaimed, as she threw the snake on to the ground. “You gave me your word you wouldn’t bite me?!”
The snake hissed and laughed, “Lovely lady, what do you expect? I’m a snake. Snakes bite. That’s what snakes do. It’s in our nature. You knew I was a snake when you picked me up.” At that, the snake slithered off into the bush leaving the lady to die by the side of the road.
Till next time.
