Amazing how just a few seconds of an elected commissioner’s video can squeeze the noggins of presumable ‘normal’ folks more than famed body builder Jack LaLanne’s Juice-Matic. The old “I’m willing to carry this ridiculous narrative to an unheard of extreme” act is odd, yet particularly fun to watch.
| Subject: | My tourist dollars |
|---|---|
| Date: | Wed, 3 Feb 2021 16:36:16 +0000 (UTC) |
Every year I visit the Grand Traverse and Sleeping Bear Dunes areas. I spend vacation money in your area. Because your commissioners have made light of the proud boys and you have laughed and displayed a weapon at a zoom meeting when a concerned resident brought to your attention the dangers of these radical groups, I am reconsidering whether to spend anymore of my money in your county. You have freedom of speech. But I also have freedom where I spend my vacation dollars. xxxxx xxxxx, Michigan resident
Honestly, I could probably name a thousand cities to avoid based on my own prejudices (not the bad “prejudices”- you know, ..actual consideration for how they are run?), but generally look for the reasons to travel – versus what makes my undies extra tight. I mean, it’s one thing to decide not to actually LIVE in a place but to punish myself for what I think is craziness?
Clearly, the effort to pressure the involved parties in the manufactured crisis of the day needs such words, so that the chamber of crony commerce and it’s lickspittle tourism and lobbying arms try to push the right buttons. Of course what the writers don’t realize is that this board shut down those guys a couple years ago when they were begging for dollars.
Oh well. Its not as if the concerned citizens would use the old “I’m not moving there NOW routine, ..right?
| Subject: | Appalled by the threatening and intimidating action of Ron Clous |
|---|---|
| Date: | Fri, 22 Jan 2021 20:42:16 -0800 |
Dear Board of Commissioners, As someone who grew up in Michigan and dreamed of moving to Traverse City one day, I was appalled and horrified to read the news and see the photo of Ron Clous with his gun. I wonder if he understands how threatening that image is, and it makes me think that Traverse City has lost its appeal as a place to live or even visit. No longer does it hold the aura of fudge shops, Cherry Festivals, fireworks and lake water for me. At least for the moment, those Traverse associations have been replaced in my mind by guns, hatred, racism, violence and a personal sense of disgust for a place I always loved. When did the Traverse area change to that? Having someone show up at a meeting with a weapon, even if it is an internet based meeting, is clearly threatening. If I saw that in a meeting, I would hesitate to speak my mind because a gun implies retribution for different perspectives. What a horrifying feeling to associate with your community. -xxxxx xxxxxxx
OOPs.
But Ron Clous didn’t carefully select the image that is being shared from the four seconds it was at-all visible. That was the local fish-wrap we call the Record-Eagle. And unfortunately, these letter writers are too lazy to actually take five minutes to watch and objectively analyze the event as it happened.
I suppose some might still have a “horrifying feeling” because that is the way this nation has been pacifying it’s citizens. You know, .. alongside the general dumbing down of those same persons who cannot understand the difference between ‘brandishing’ (look up the law) and brushing teeth.
And unfortunately there are plenty of those. Yes one more for you before I finish. It was passed along tonight.
| Subject: | Decision by Board if Commissioners |
|---|---|
| Date: | Thu, 04 Feb 2021 15:12:19 -0800 |
Dear Board of Commisioners, My husband and I have visited your lovely city a number of times and were looking forward to visiting again when we made another trip to Michigan to see friends (post- Covid vaccine). However, we just read that the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners voted to not censure one of its members for displaying a rifle in response to a public commenter during a board meeting. That's incredible. Sadly, it changes our view if how things are being administered now in your city, and we'll take a pass on our visit this time. Hopefully, you will change how you deal with "bullies with guns" in the future, so we feel safe again to visit. Best of luck, xxxx xxxxxxx
‘Bully’ for them! Hate to see them go because of how the commission is running the “City.” Oh, well never mind those little mistakes. Its not as-if legitimate outrage hasn’t quashed the need to be accurate before. Or at the very least dulled the need to know the difference between city and county.
Hate and discontent trumps facts. Every single time.
I might stop short of saying “just don’t bother” to those who pretend such fright from afar. But if that is what they bring with them?
Mm%ph. (<–me taping my typing fingers together)
Till next time.
