It seems like I can always come up with a country music song appropriate for any occasion. Last night, the words of a Billy Currington’s song kept coming to mind:
“God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.”
I realized that human nature runs darker than even I suspected. Here I thought I was a cynical bitch, but when I received hate mail for being nice, my suspicions about what evil lurks inside the hearts of others were confirmed. Yep, people really can be crazy.
Some folks were upset with me for yesterday’s columns because I had the audacity to say nice things about North Miami Beach Councilwoman Phyllis Smith and North Miami Mayor Lucie Tondreau. Apparently I’m expected to serve up only venom to those elected officials who are not, in the eyes of some of my readers, worthy of kindness. I obviously didn’t get a copy, but apparently there’s a whole list of people who are only deserving of coal in their stockings this year. Send it to Santa!
Another interesting thing I discovered is that there appears to be an intense, albeit one-sided, rivalry between our two cities. My NMB peeps don’t take too kindly to my saying anything nice about North Miami. Oddly enough, my North Miami readers don’t appear to have the same animosity toward us. (Or, frankly, any animosity whatsoever.) I could say I wonder why, but I do have an inkling. Suffice it to say there’s no app, but definitely a Commandment for that.
Gee I’m sorry, but I find it really odd, not to mention distressing, that some of my readers are only happy when I’m being nasty. This is exactly the type of nastiness they deplore in their elected officials, but expect from their local blogger. No, make that demand from their local blogger.
I suspect that some of these critics are the same people who, if I found fault with President Obama, would be the first ones to call me a racist. But, God forbid I have the chutzpah to even dare suggest that I find anything remotely redeeming about Phyllis or Lucie, and they bite my head off. Well, excuse me!
Will someone please tell me exactly when and by whom I was appointed the maven of malice in North Miami and North Miami Beach? Just because I’ve gone after fraudulent and corrupt politicians with a vengeance, and yeah, with barbed sarcasm, does that mean I’m not allowed to be nice? Ever? Wow! Talk about trying to put me in a box! Sorry, not gonna happen.
Here’s the thing. This blog wasn’t even my idea in the first place. You can thank (or blame – your choice) The Webmaster for getting me into this mess. He just happens to be an old childhood friend who read some of my previous essays published elsewhere and liked the way I write. Even though I was, and still am, primarily a humor writer, for some weird reason he thought I’d be good at political punditry. So he suggested that I start a blog and even offered to create a website for my venue. Hence, VotersOpinion.com was born.
I’m not quite sure what The Webmaster expected, but he had enough faith in my ability as a writer to take me on as a project, and well, here we are. Neither of us get paid for this gig, although if you click on any of the Google Ads here, he does get a few pennies a click. (Hint: Please click generously.)
What we do receive in non-monetary compensation is merely a sense of satisfaction that every once in a while some good comes out of this grand experiment.
Like Myron getting his just deserts, for one example.
Beyond that, this blog is merely an outlet for my thoughts, put into words, and posted on a website. If you like what I have to say, great. If not, that’s fine, too. Your opinion of me is none of my business.
As long as The Webmaster wants to keep this website going, I’ll keep writing. As long as I’m bemused enough by whatever inspires me to write, you get what you get. Whether you read it or not is entirely up to you. I’ll assume that no one’s got a gun to your head forcing you to log on. At least I hope that’s the case.
If you want to send me hate mail, knock yourselves out. In fact, I welcome it. If I’m entertained by your vitriol, I’ll respond in kind with my favorite brand of communication – sarcasm. If not, I’ll merely ignore you (which is the ultimate insult). Give it your best shot, let it fly and see what happens.
As for what I choose to write about, for the record, I am no one’s personal blogger. I’m not here to be anyone’s PR woman or promote someone’s agenda. I’m in no one’s pocket, despite accusations by some of my more ardent haters. However, I have nothing to prove to anyone, and I certainly don’t need to justify my opinions.
Yesterday’s columns really touched a few nerves out there. Jeez! Some of you guys really do have thin skin.
Regardless of politics, I merely reported on two events I attended over the weekend. One was the Taste of North Miami event on Sunday night, and the second was the Veterans Day ceremony on Monday morning. I don’t know about any of you, but I had a wonderful weekend filled with some rare feel-good moments, and I felt compelled to share them with my readers.
When I met Lucie Tondreau, I was genuinely amused by her vivacity and spunk. She made me smile and laugh. I call that a good thing.
I was also deeply moved by Phyllis Smith’s speech at the Veterans Day ceremony yesterday. It truly touched me when she implored each one of us to try to be a better person and to be nice to one another. Apparently her plea for kindness was lost on some. I’m happy it wasn’t lost on me.
The ceremony also made me think of my dear departed friend, John Patrick Julien, who until yesterday never missed this cherished Veterans Day tradition in NMB, nor did he miss an occasion to thank our veterans. John also never had an unkind word to say about anyone. I was inspired by his memory to try to be a better person.
In answer to your query, Phyllis, I guess some folks just can’t be nice. Sadder still is the fact that they aren’t happy when anyone else tries to be nice, either. Maybe misery really does love company after all.
So, yeah, this issue can be summed up in the chorus of a country music song. No, make that two songs:
“God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.”
“That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.”
Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”
SK is a local treasure worthy of celebrating in some capacity. We could all benefit from her hosting a community forum by way of television or radio. How can we make this happen? Would you be willing, Ms. Kenzle? We need someone other than the Putneys of the world.
SK well said!
I’ve realized that there a great number of people who want you to think like them and be just like them otherwise they get pissed at you. If you happen to have a dissenting viewpoint then suddenly you get crossed off their list. I call these people “idiots’ and refuse to allow them to suck up my time or energy.
You are completely correct about Lucie. She is aweet and kind. This I say despite the fact that she is part of a very crooked gang.
“…exactly when and by whom I was appointed the maven of malice in North Miami and North Miami Beach?” May 24, 2013?
Cool! I also have stated on more than one occasion that I reserve the right to change my mind. Quite a few good friends of mine started out as enemies. They know exactly who they are, and they’ll tell you if you ask them. It’s kind of a thing.
Wow. What a breathe of fresh air. Many times, I’ve been directed to your blog, perhaps by the very people who now feel scorned by your humanity towards Phyllis and Lucy. I left civic activism b/c of these people. When you disagree with them or allow for some opinion other than theirs, you are labeled a traitor and treated as such. I will now read your blog with a wholly different view of who you are. Thank you for your contributions to a better community.
Thank you, Serendipity. I’ve been labeled more than a traitor. I’ve been accused of being in the pockets of people. Sorry, but I’m no one’s puppet. I simply seek the truth, regardless of who it offends. Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you keep doing so.