In the April 3rd edition of the Halls Shopper, local alternative publication writer Betty Bean in her column wrote the following paragraph.
Local party bosses like county Mayor Mike Ragsdale - not the voters - will choose most of the new candidates. GOP party chair and Ragsdale loyalist Brian Hornback, for example, spent the weekend boasting that he will be rewarded with the plum political office of his choice.
On the eve of this story going to press, I filed a compliant with the writer's editor and publisher. On Wednesday April 5, 2006, the editor and I had a professional and civil conversation about this line.
spent the weekend boasting that he will be rewarded with the plum political office of his choice
On Monday April 3, 2006 as a guest on The Voice, Lloyd Daugherty asked about this paragraph, I said I was as shocked as anyone that this reporter would print such a thing and that it was a lie and fabrication. At the Fountain City Republican Club on Monday April 3, 2006, I re-iterated to many in attendance that this is a lie. On Tuesday April 4, 2006 at the Karns Republican Club and the Powell High School PTA candidate forum, I informed many of the people that this story is a lie. At the taping of Inside Tennessee on Thursday April 6, 2006 at the conclusion of the taping WBIR anchor Bill Williams asked me about it and I told him it was a lie.
This writer doesn't like me for some reason, and has verbally expressed that to me.
Many people that dislike me, the party or are conspiracy theorist want to believe that the story is true. The story is not true.
My philosophy in life is you can get bitter or better, instead of getting upset about it and disliking the reporter like she does me, I chose to set the record straight and live a better life, instead of a bitter life.
7 comments:
Brian;
Don't worry anymore about what lies are told about you in the press. As I have learned, when you tell the truth, there are just certain folks who will continue to lie about you and what it was you said.
If you did get selected as a candidate, I'd be proud to cast a vote for you.
Dave,
Thanks for your kind words, as a former elected official I do let 90% of the comments that are close to the line, go with out my response. However, with certain media in this community it is a common occurance, to get as close to the line as possible without going over and occasionally they do go over.
When a particular writer has an agenda and is blatantly wrong and inaccurate about me. I feel the need to correct it. Maybe I am too quick to respond , this one took me 19 days, as I was giving the Editor an opportunity to correct it, as she said she would.
Most elected officials tell me to let it go. I believe in defending myself and exposing those individuals with hidden, biased opinions that mask them as a "journalist".
99.8% of the writers and media in this community are fair, balanced and good. Two out of the whole lot give everyone else a bad name, that is sad.
Good advice, gregmac. Thanks.
I don't care what you call just on't call me late for dinner!
:-)
SteveMule
good one, SteveMule. The only thing is I have been cutting back on some meals. But, great line.
Here's another:
I don't care what you call me; just don't call me collect!
:-)
There's a bunch of these, kind'a like knock-knock jokes. I won't bore you with any more :-)
SteveMule
send them on, if you want to.
I have made the decision that from this point forward to non reponse any hypothetical, rumor monger, gossip promoting and slander spreading by anyone.
As the old saying goes "if, ands and buts were candy and nuts we all would have a Merry Christmas"
I realize that if the publication that employees this particular writer would discontinue the practice of hypothetical, rumor mongering, gossip promoting and slander spreading than this writer would be unemployed and the writer would have to attend job training provided for her by Jobs Now.
This publication within the past year was purchased by a large media conglomerate, which is an indication they struggled to make it on their own.
There are other publications that have and continue to make it on their own Three publications that immediately come to mind are South Community Times, Farragut Press and Fountain City Focus, none of which resort to hypothetical, rumor mongering, gossip promoting, and slander spreading.
To everyone that has sent private emails, called about situations regarding this incident. I appreciate your support and Thank you for it.
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