LIKE George W. Bush, I love free speech. It is an integral part of our democracy. My recent post "Council starts making Friends" has drawn a diverse range of opinions and I have delighted in reading and posting them all. And I have published them without fear or favour, without alteration or editing of any kind, and I have refrained from commenting on people's personal opinions.
Unfortunately several anonymous respondents have today commenced making reference to my mother. I can assure all readers that the writer "E.F.B." is not my mother, nor even a relative, which is unusual in the Derwent Valley. My mother's initials are J.M.B. and while she once purchased an overlocker on eBay, I do not believe she is a blogger.
My mother has committed no offence other than giving birth to an opinionated son and I will not tolerate nor publish any further derogatory references to her.
The intemperate remarks of many of the anonymous posters reflects my view that the past failures of the council and Valley Vision have driven a wedge between many in the Derwent Valley and caused good people to trade insults with one another.
I am looking forward to working with any person wanting to develop Willow Court and advance the Derwent Valley. What say you?
"Failures of the council and Valley Vision have driven a wedge between many in the Derwent Valley"
ReplyDeleteCouncillor Bester you need to have a good look at yourself before you blame others for what you yourself do!!
Happy to oblige, Anonymous. Where do you suggest I start on my self-analysis? I have certainly made my share of mistakes in my life. Would you like to be more specific?
ReplyDeleteI thought you loved 'Free Speech'. Then why aren't you publishing blogs that are sent to you Councillor Bester! Especially when you have asked Anonymous to be more specific
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous, the only comments I have not published are those which continue to make reference to my mother. Some people just can't help themselves, it seems. Cheers, Damian
ReplyDeleteNo again you have got it wrong the blogs clearly explain why you have the bull by the tail re the word mother - now let the readers get 2 sides to the misinformed blog that you have put out
ReplyDeleteBester's reply - "Happy to oblige, Anonymous. Where do you suggest I start on my self-analysis? "
ReplyDeleteI have given you sugestions and you have not published it?
Keep digging your hole there Anyonymous. How could you know what the unpublished comments say? Did you write them all?
ReplyDeleteThere is no point continuing this discussion, my Anonymous friend. You can hardly get cranky with me about transparency when I am the only person putting my name to my opinions.
Kind regards,
Damian
I thought your blog says it's not your mother? What is going on? MISTRUTHS!!
ReplyDeleteSigh. Anonymous, if you were the person who suggested I make a list of Valley Vision's failures and the council's failures, I have not published your remark because it included yet another crack about "mother".
ReplyDeleteLet's move on, people. I love a good debate but the whole mother thing is pointless.
So, to address your issue, Anonymous, you suggested I "have a good look at yourself before you blame others for what you yourself do!!" not what the council or Valley Vision have done, and I in return asked where I should start my self-analysis. Over to you.
Happy thoughts,
Damian
Pauline speaks....
ReplyDeleteLet's be specific. I have just come back on to your blog and have caught up with some postings this afternoon.
1. I am informed that at the November Council Meeting you called for the buildings around the oval not to be sold. In a recent addition of the Gazette you are quoted as saying something like let's sell the buildings for community benefit. Is the quote correct and secondly how do you justify this backflip in such a short space of time? Please specify the Community benefits which apparently are now available however were not available in November?
2. You have made several statements about the importance of community consultation. I can only assume that you consulted with local residents when you called for not selling the buildings.
Please describe how you consulted with those same people when you did your backflip?
Please explain..
In your first paragraph of Free Speech you claim that you have published all blogs without fear or favour. Given the conversations on your site this afternoon and your backflip on the buildings around the oval how are we to believe that you have published all postings in the past?
Why don't you people stop the attacks and get behind our new councillors. Give these people a chance to prove they can get something done and stand themselves apart from our previous rabbles. If, in a few years time, nothing has changed, go right ahead and bring out the noose, but for now, get behind what seems to be a rejuvenated council and an exciting group of people.
ReplyDeleteHEAR HEAR SCOTTY!
ReplyDeleteI KNOW KATRINA IN PARTICULAR WOULD BE HORRIFIED WITH SOME OF THE COMMENTS MADE TO SOUND LIKE COMING FROM HER AND FRIENDS - I DONT BELIEVE THAT IS HER WAY AT ALL.
LET THE NEW CREW GET ON WITH IT, THEY ARE DOING PRETTY WELL IN MY BOOK ALREADY.
LOUIS