tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13073631.post1542913997548938381..comments2024-01-04T07:21:18.243-05:00Comments on John In Carolina: Response To Sceptical (Post 1)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13073631.post-68375883230025958642009-06-06T15:12:01.803-04:002009-06-06T15:12:01.803-04:00Jim, While I understand your sentiment, I must res...Jim, While I understand your sentiment, I must respectfully disagree. I think it’s that kind of thinking that has generated much of the lack of outrage and moral inertia that allowed this terrible Frame to move forward. <br /><br />Over and over in this case, we saw that so few people were willing to “call out their own.” I’m sure they felt they had many good “reasons” and they wrapped themselves in their own cherished “causes” to comfort themselves. There were so many “excuses” for silence, weren’t there? . Certainly, there must have been some ADAs who disapproved of Nifong’s tactics, but no doubt they felt they owed “The Boss” their loyalty or owed the “office” their loyalty; someone at DUMC must have realized Levicy was off the tracks, but perhaps the larger goal of “wanting victims to be believed” shut them up; some prominent members of Durham’s Black community did indeed know the truth…but opted for the comforting excuse of racial solidarity and sympathy with Sister Survivor; and certainly some of Duke’s faculty were appalled at the Listening Statement and the public denunciation of their own students by their fellow faculty members…but elected to be “collegial” with fellow faculty members with whom they work and socialize regularly.<br /><br />Silence is the easy thing. What John did..calling the so-called Hoax Hero to task ..that is an act of courage.<br /><br />"Brendan, we are so few. We must stick together. Your words, justified or not, will be used against me and against our cause by those who would oppose us".<br /><br />These are beautiful words…but they imply that some “solidarity” is more important than personal integrity. I don’t think you’ll ever convince JinC of that. .” No, because this “Loyal Silence” philosophy weakens our arguments and enables our enemies. When we treat ANYONE as “too valuable” to even face the few small criticisms originally leveled, you are asking we adhere to the same tactics we condemned in others. We never criticize or call out our own. We tolerate any “tactics” and justify any means if it works toward our larger goal. . If we allow ourselves to say that someone is TOO important to be accountable for his own words and actions …then we must allow others to use that excuse too. <br /><br />We didn’t , did we? <br /><br />There are lots of “causes” out there and lots of “good” excuses. Read John’s original post again: are all of you saying KC Johnson is SO important he cannot even face four minor criticisms? If so, you are undermining one of our strongest arguments against what these kids and families endured….that we have a duty to our own integrity that demands we occasionally support our enemies …even if we must confront our friends. Do you think that those of you who want to shield KC do him a service? Well, I believe John does him the greater service. Because those “who would oppose us” have no better weapon to destroy all the good that KC has done (which is plentiful) …than for us to indulge KC when he betrays his own avowed , clearly stated philosophy and ethics and indulges in the same types of behaviors he berates constantly in others. Why arm them with our hypocrisy when…PLEASE…we have truth on our side? <br /><br /> I think our society in general was a better place when we had a standard of civility and decency that did not change or waver…depending on whether the guy was wearing OUR tee-shirt or not.joan fosternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13073631.post-69125103592669783042009-06-06T12:31:22.959-04:002009-06-06T12:31:22.959-04:00To cks and Jim,
I'll respond to both of you t...To cks and Jim,<br /><br />I'll respond to both of you tomorrow.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />JohnJWMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08275423713054782480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13073631.post-35448921503900775072009-06-05T17:48:59.926-04:002009-06-05T17:48:59.926-04:00Edit to previous post:
You of course realize by n...Edit to previous post:<br /><br />You of course realize by now my memory was faulty - the erring friend was not, of course, Brendan Behan.<br /><br />Sorry.<br /><br />But the essence of the story, and the sentiments I express, are accurate.<br /><br />Jim PetersonJim in San Diegohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07032079086884503680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13073631.post-8196455500019268602009-06-05T15:28:10.332-04:002009-06-05T15:28:10.332-04:00John,
We already miss you.
I will end this short...John,<br /><br />We already miss you.<br /><br />I will end this short letter with a final thank you.<br /><br />But, in the middle of this, I vote with those who think it was a mistake to choose a critique of KC Johnson as the subject of virtually your last publication.<br /><br />There are so many others more worthy of your sharp attention.<br /><br />I am reminded of Winston Churchill's comment when one of his few allies during the "Locust Years", Brendan Behan I believe, spoke critically of Winston in Parliament.<br /><br />The criticism was probably justified, although what it was escapes my mind (See, if I were a scholar, I would stop and find my sources - but, alas, I have a family and job and do not have time!). Nevertheless, Winston was angry, and wrote privately to Brendan.<br /><br />Winston wrote to his friend in words to the effect (I do not have the exact quote at hand):<br /><br />"Brendan, we are so few. We must stick together. Your words, justified or not, will be used against me and against our cause by those who would oppose us".<br /><br />You and KC, and some of the rest of us, share a cause in which we are still in the "locust years". We do not yet know what the end result will be, but we know you are in the minority and face a long, long struggle.<br /><br />Now, let me close by thanking you again for your public service. <br /><br />That is exactly what it is. As valuable to all of us as elected office, or military service - perhaps more so, since it is so rare and selfless.<br /><br />I hold the hope you will eventually relent, and return from your well-deserved "retirement"!.<br /><br />Jim PetersonJim in San Diegohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07032079086884503680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13073631.post-60222801215555988562009-06-05T08:49:04.769-04:002009-06-05T08:49:04.769-04:00JinC -
I second the comments of skeptical above. ...JinC - <br />I second the comments of skeptical above. <br /><br />I too believe that Nifong deserves much more than a day in jail for the abuse of the justice system that he perpetrated. However, I am not as sanguine as you about how much Nifong has really suffered. While he was forced to declare bankruptcy and he (hopefully) will have to expend sums of money in (hoepfully) the upcoming civil suits, the fact is that he still has a large number of supporters who are more than willing to claim, and claim loudly that he was a "victim". I can forsee a day, particularly if the civil suits do not go forward, in which his license will be restored and his supporters will claim a victory. The fact that he still believes that "something happened" that night - and it is not that Crystal Mangum made up a story - means that he has learned nothing at all. <br /><br />You have provided thoughtful commentary and a forum for all those who have been concerned about the system of justice that prevails in Durham. Additionally your many posts on various subjects and the commentary of your various readers has always been illuminating. Most of all, despite the claims of others at verious other blogs, you have always maintained and insisted upon a high level of civility. Your willingness to politely engage those who have taken umbrage at your comments demonstrates that civil discourse is possible even when people hold very strong views. <br />Always,<br />cksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13073631.post-1289829163087472482009-06-04T18:23:23.342-04:002009-06-04T18:23:23.342-04:00John,
Thank you for you excellent summary insight...John,<br /><br />Thank you for you excellent summary insights about Crystal and Nifong. I find it important that you believe Nifong know about the case as early March 14-- do you have any source(s) for that? I look forward to your next post. <br /><br />I acknowledge that you were critical of KC Johnson in the past, but I still believe the type of summary post you are putting up now would have been the appropriate way to "close down" your blog.<br /><br />In any case, I hope you will have the time in the future to comment once in a while at other venues, whether that be Liestoppers or elsewhere, about the case.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />scepticalscepticalnoreply@blogger.com