Well. I agree.

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Page 1 of this week's newspaper has a callout quote which part of the staff here would prefer I had not included, or at least not plastered on Page 1.

The quote is: “... if she don’t get to be chief, we’re going to do like the black folks and have a riot. The blacks told me they will help.”        Trudy Craft

I have yet to hear from Ms. Craft.

I have, however, received 1 phone call from a lady. She said she objected to this because she and her daughter read the paper (WOOHOO!) and her daughter did not understand the comment. She said she had her daughter look up the word (WOOHOO!) "riot" to get a definition. She said she does not believe her daughter should have to read comments like that.

After the lady got finished speaking, and she was very polite, very direct and very calm, I said "Thank you for your comment." My reply was as sincere as I could make it 'cause I truly do like hearing from readers. It rocks.

reader feedback = AC/DC's '74 Jailbreak

Yanno what? I totally agree.

Her daughter should not have to live in a world where such comments are made. Her daughter should not have to live in a world where such comments make the news. Her daughter should not have to live in a world where people are judged by their tan line.

For that matter, my children should not have to live in such a world. Your children should not have to live in such a world. The children (if he has any) of the guy  hiding behind the corner and staring at you should not have to live in such a world.

No one should have to live in such a world.

However, we all do live in such a world.

As a journalist, it's my job to report the news, whether people want to read it or not and especially whether those making the news or not want to have it reported.

A politician reacts to one of my news stories.

As a journalist, I shed light on things which people would rather keep hidden. This sunshine, as we call it in Georgia, is a lot like regular sunlight to a traditional vampire.

Sunlight is a curative. It sterilizes. It heals. It drives away the bad. It welcomes the good.

So as for the comment plastered on Page 1, yeah I did it. Part of me took joy in posting the comment. That part is what delights in exposing hypocrisy, double-standards and bringing the truth to everyone. One of my college professors Jim Joseph remarked that "Ben delights in deflating stuffed shirts."

Guilty.

Part of me did not want the comment to be on Page 1, much less in the story. That same part was a bit aghast that the person would make such a comment in a public meeting.

But I have a duty to present the truth, reality and the facts. I'm gonna do it too.

And I know the cost.

That you and I and anyone else does not like reality, truth or facts will not change them. I regret the caller's daughter had to experience this reality.

But if we plan to change something, we must first admit it exists. Putting on rose-colored glasses and stayed chained to the wall means we are the bigger fool.

Ah, but I have chanted this refrain in the past. Likely I will continue to do so. As long as the world has the deliberately stupid, intentional morons and active idiots who prefer darkness, I will shed light on them and listen to them scream until I am no longer able.

This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!

Say on Say on.