Bob Smith fans can't get no satisfaction from me
QUESTION FROM ANONYMOUS BLOG PERSON:
May I please ask what your problem with Rep. Smith is that would cause you to comment on his hearing aid? Not trying to start anything (?)....just curious.....
Answer from your truly,
Dear Oconee County Ga. Blog person (I do not really know your gender or anything so, you could be a woman or a man) - thanks for making me so popular with all the local Republicans. Watch out, wonkette.
I have no problem with the hearing aid of Rep. Bob Smith. Sometimes I try - however painfully - to come up with a little comedy writing to poke fun much in the vein of Saturday Night Live or the Daily Show. I am not ashamed or apologizing for trying to inject a little humor into an otherwise boring local political landscape.
Satire is an accepted manner of political derision and humor for several centuries. OK, it was wrong and insensitive of me to make light of his hearing aid. It would be equally insensitive to make fun of your physical impairment or disability, so for that I apologize. I know I have greatly diminshed my hearing listening to too much rock music too closely over the last several decades. I salute Rep. Smith and Rush Limbaugh for what they have done for the hearing impaired.
I am not ashamed of pointing out Mr. Smith's accepting of the gratuity to go to the concert by the Rolling Stones. I hope he had fun. I would imagine Mick Jagger might teach Smith a thing or two about showmanship at the very least.
What I am ashamed of is how our current local political leadership is so beholden to the development interests to the negative effect on our populace. I am also exceedinly ashamed of how certain local G.O.P. leaders offered bribes to get the votes of local minorities.
I am ashamed when Smith compares the Athens-Clarke County government's actions to that of Nazi Germany and does not apologize for it. I am ashamed of how he was the only representative to vote against an appropriation for DFACS a few sessions back immediately after the notorious death of a girl in state care a few days earlier.
I have heard from a lot of local Republicans with their embrassment and dissatisfaction with Mr. Smith's performance in office, both on this side of Wall Street and the other.
I went and saw the Rolling Stones at the Fox Theater in 1981 and it was the single greatest concert of my life at that point. I am sure Smith has put a lot of money in the pockets of Ameriquest mortgage over the decades since then with his real estate interests. For them to slip him some tickets to the show is not really that big a deal but an easy mark for political writers, pundits and bloggers. I would well imagine this is on the bottom end of the gratuities offered our local elected officals.
Look - we have finally found a topic we can all agree on - the stupid plans for a truckstop in Farmington (tabled by the person asking for the rezone at Tuesday night's meeting). Before I go any farther with my diatribe on Rep. Smith I have to at least ask your particular relationshiip to him? Have you personally benefitted from any of his land sales or decisions in the statehouse?
I meant it more in the putrid political gratuity sense and how I have seen Smith at various Ashford Manor events gladhanding the usual Oconee County develop-homebuilder-realtor crowd in his particularly personal approach. I have no problem with Bob Smith making a living and selling property and representing Oconee County in the statehouse. But it is some of his decisions and actions outside the normal scope of the public limelight of which I have the most disdain, disgust and disagreement.
I respect Rep. Smith for running and holding elected office. I do not respect anonymous flamers. Sure I am a hypocritical sometimes and change the tone and scope of my blog. My inappropriate comment about his hearing aid was wrong. I wish he would listen to his constiuents more than just pestering mayors on the street wanting to move light poles for his parade lackey's precious vehicles. I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen Smith at local municipal government meetings outside of a dinner or seven in Bishop.
Lighten up - what is your favorite Stones song? Mine would be "Shattered" or "When the Whip Comes Down" off of the LP Some Girls or just about anything off of Exile On Main Street. Have you ever been to a concert?
Democratically yours,
Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
ps You? Not trying to start anything? Sounds just a little disingenuous given your track record.
May I please ask what your problem with Rep. Smith is that would cause you to comment on his hearing aid? Not trying to start anything (?)....just curious.....
Answer from your truly,
Dear Oconee County Ga. Blog person (I do not really know your gender or anything so, you could be a woman or a man) - thanks for making me so popular with all the local Republicans. Watch out, wonkette.
I have no problem with the hearing aid of Rep. Bob Smith. Sometimes I try - however painfully - to come up with a little comedy writing to poke fun much in the vein of Saturday Night Live or the Daily Show. I am not ashamed or apologizing for trying to inject a little humor into an otherwise boring local political landscape.
Satire is an accepted manner of political derision and humor for several centuries. OK, it was wrong and insensitive of me to make light of his hearing aid. It would be equally insensitive to make fun of your physical impairment or disability, so for that I apologize. I know I have greatly diminshed my hearing listening to too much rock music too closely over the last several decades. I salute Rep. Smith and Rush Limbaugh for what they have done for the hearing impaired.
I am not ashamed of pointing out Mr. Smith's accepting of the gratuity to go to the concert by the Rolling Stones. I hope he had fun. I would imagine Mick Jagger might teach Smith a thing or two about showmanship at the very least.
What I am ashamed of is how our current local political leadership is so beholden to the development interests to the negative effect on our populace. I am also exceedinly ashamed of how certain local G.O.P. leaders offered bribes to get the votes of local minorities.
I am ashamed when Smith compares the Athens-Clarke County government's actions to that of Nazi Germany and does not apologize for it. I am ashamed of how he was the only representative to vote against an appropriation for DFACS a few sessions back immediately after the notorious death of a girl in state care a few days earlier.
I have heard from a lot of local Republicans with their embrassment and dissatisfaction with Mr. Smith's performance in office, both on this side of Wall Street and the other.
I went and saw the Rolling Stones at the Fox Theater in 1981 and it was the single greatest concert of my life at that point. I am sure Smith has put a lot of money in the pockets of Ameriquest mortgage over the decades since then with his real estate interests. For them to slip him some tickets to the show is not really that big a deal but an easy mark for political writers, pundits and bloggers. I would well imagine this is on the bottom end of the gratuities offered our local elected officals.
Look - we have finally found a topic we can all agree on - the stupid plans for a truckstop in Farmington (tabled by the person asking for the rezone at Tuesday night's meeting). Before I go any farther with my diatribe on Rep. Smith I have to at least ask your particular relationshiip to him? Have you personally benefitted from any of his land sales or decisions in the statehouse?
I meant it more in the putrid political gratuity sense and how I have seen Smith at various Ashford Manor events gladhanding the usual Oconee County develop-homebuilder-realtor crowd in his particularly personal approach. I have no problem with Bob Smith making a living and selling property and representing Oconee County in the statehouse. But it is some of his decisions and actions outside the normal scope of the public limelight of which I have the most disdain, disgust and disagreement.
I respect Rep. Smith for running and holding elected office. I do not respect anonymous flamers. Sure I am a hypocritical sometimes and change the tone and scope of my blog. My inappropriate comment about his hearing aid was wrong. I wish he would listen to his constiuents more than just pestering mayors on the street wanting to move light poles for his parade lackey's precious vehicles. I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen Smith at local municipal government meetings outside of a dinner or seven in Bishop.
Lighten up - what is your favorite Stones song? Mine would be "Shattered" or "When the Whip Comes Down" off of the LP Some Girls or just about anything off of Exile On Main Street. Have you ever been to a concert?
Democratically yours,
Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
ps You? Not trying to start anything? Sounds just a little disingenuous given your track record.
Comments
You should my closet full of dashikis.
OK, open season on me. Get out all your jokes now so we can get on with some serious plotting of ways to prevent truck stops in Farmington, or work together to make Oconee County better in any number of ways.
What have I done to you? What is your answer? I want to solve our mutual disagreements and problems. What do you want by continuing the negativity toward me? OK, you don't like what I said about Bob Smith's hearing aid. Crucify me all you want. I've heard it all before. Next.
Who are you? Why do remain in the shadows? Show yourself. I am glad you like my choice in eyeware.
They are gradient tints, i.e. go from clear to dark as you go outside to inside. I got them from Adams Optics on Clayton. Be sure to mention me and the Oconee County Democratic Committee when you go in and you will get the 10% discount (more humor here - not a real offer). Just wanted to enlighten you before you attempt to condemn me again.
I am fully responsible for what I say, of that there is no question or doubt. Again, thanks for making my site meter go off the charts.
I do sincerely hope we can end this latest bout of a pissing match and progress toward something more positive.
You actually occaisonally possess some keen insight and I have been far too harsh in blindly groping toward some kind of rational opinion of your blog. They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, and the local GOP has flattered me a good bit lately. Let's have a debate on the radio. Or we can keep sniping at each other on the blogosphere.
I seek solutions, not animosity. I crave cooperation, not consternation. Sure, I know I create controversy without even trying.
The wind is whistling in the trees.
Telling me to go to sleep.
I wish you joy and reflection.
I wish the world peace and harmony.
Yours in Christ,
Dan
If you don't want to accept his apology, that's one thing. But to be flabbergasted over his comments while ignoring the apology is another.