THE SPECTATOR – CRAZY COUPLE OF WEEKS….
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks in Washington County. Probably the craziest I can remember. How often does Brenham make the national news….and even international news…..twice in just a few days! In case you missed it….here’s what’s been going on.
Bluebell had to shut down all of its plants and recall all of its ice cream products. A local veterinarian was lambasted on social media after killing what may or may not have been a feral cat with an arrow. A candidate for mayor withdrew from the race….re-entered the race….and then turned himself in to police on a charge of indecent exposure. Blinn College has been under attack in the Texas Legislature by a certain Bryan State Representative. A member of the Blinn College Board of Trustees resigned without explaining the reason to the voting public. To top it off, one of the worst storms in recent memory roared through the county toppling trees and power lines. TV stations are thinking about setting up their own offices in Brenham. And I’m not even getting into what’s going on in Baltimore and other parts of our country. Personally, I’m glad the month of April is over!
The firestorm that erupted over the vet killing a cat was especially unnerving. Many of the comments on social media from all over the country, even from England and Australia, were filled with an incredible amount of hate. People are out to ruin the vet’s life, and the life of her parents and anyone associated with her. It is really chilling to see how that hate spread across the globe and multiplied. Social media is a powerful tool. This is a good lesson for our children, and for adults too. Be careful what you put on the internet, even to your friends.
While I’d like to think the hate resides outside our county, personal experience in business has proved otherwise. There are some in the community who are too quick to judge others without even a moment of perspective. Some who let their emotions cloud their better judgement. But that’s a topic for another Spectator program.
For now, let’s put April in the rearview mirror and welcome the month of May in the German way. Let’s celebrate the 125th Brenham Maifest with our friends and neighbors, and maybe share a pitcher of German soda water.
And that’s the way it looks to this Spectator.
KWHI could “raise the bar” by not publishing any more comments unless accompanied by the writer name.
Stephen, I agree that everyone who posts a comment should be willing to also post their name. Unfortunately, requiring names would not keep someone from posting a fake name, just as they post using fake emails now. Verifying them would be a full-time job….
Sad, but true.
I’d like to point out that some anonymous commenters want to stay anonymous in an attempt to avoid becoming the target of some or all of that ‘hate’ you mentioned above. As far as I can tell, pretty nearly every comment, regardless of the nature of the opinion or stance, has more than one side or interpretation, and ‘hate’ doesn’t seem to be confined to any particular flavor. Frankly, assuming that anonymous commenters are ‘cowards,’ as has been written several times of KWHI comments, seems a pretty narrow perspective to me.
If somehow everyone who posted would have their real name revealed, just imagine how that might make posters consider more carefully the impact of their words. When the whole world knows who you are when you speak or write, you think about consequences.
There are times that I post things that, although honest and truthful, could cost me or someone else their job. Although I am very vocal at my job, putting it in writing and stamping my name on it could be grounds for termination……does this mean the public doesn’t need to know just because I won’t post my name?? That is for you to decide. There are also issues that I write about that could get someone else in trouble if truth be known. So to protect the innocent…..
While there is no excusing the vindictive responses of persons, the act itself was just as unnerving. They all need physcotherapy. Placing these events aside and joining in the celebration of a local festival is good medicine for all. Lets remember not to use these gatherings for more vindictive gossip about recent events, and quick judgements of others with no knowledge of facts. Keep it joyful and real.
I could not agree more with you. I was so upset at all the harsh comments that were made!!!!!