She Said He Said

Mark Russell used to joke, “If you call your opponent a politician, it’s grounds for libel.”

But I must admit I was amazed as the minions of the McShane machine mobilized to march

Mark Russell used to joke, “If you call your opponent a politician, it’s grounds for libel.”

But I must admit I was amazed as the minions of the McShane machine mobilized to march

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Mark Russell used to joke, “If you call your opponent a politician, it's grounds for libel.”

But I must admit I was amazed as the minions of the McShane machine mobilized to march against Northwest Citizen, rout out Servais and silence the speaking of anything less than flattering to the master and mistress.

All this blather about libel and slander; don't they understand libel is a representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression.

It was however an absolute howl to read the innumerable anonymous statements by whomever, if even there be reason to count them. Recognizable of course were the usual suspects. Why are the worst hypocrites the most self-righteous?

Of course Elizabeth Britt, who fashions herself the Ms Manners of political correctness, got up on her soap box to lament the ugliness of attacks on present and former community leaders, particularly Kremen, McEachran, and the McShanes. Hell she even resurrected her old wise guy friends, or whatever they called themselves. Britt piously tells us, "... launching personal attacks against others just to cause them harm is very ugly behavior."

All this from one who not only delivers the cheap shot for her pals, but provides the cover of anonymity to her allies who wish to start really vile rumors about their political enemies. How many months did her diatribe last after McShane lost the mayoral race? Has it even ended?

What could be more hilarious than Lisa McShane playing the victim of “political libel” after a career of successfully putting her horse first across the line with a last minute sneak attack on the competition.

Goose or gander, get used to it. You're going to get roasted sooner or later. Hey, till now, Lisa's been about the most effective operator in these parts. Maybe it's not so easy to work the magic when you're being watched more closely.

Sorry if it upsets the Dems. They need to realize there's nothing particularly noble about such strategies. But the righteousness of these people is just overwhelming. Attack! Slander! Libel! Where do they get off?

Not only did they try to start the rumor that Dan Pike was beating his wife, at the close of the campaign they were spreading some other story about Pike “stalking” one of their female comrades.

Britt even let one of her pals post some tripe suggesting Pike engaged in perverted acts in front of their friend's house.

And then she's got the gall to worry that Dan and Lisa's kids might read that someone finds their parents' motives self serving.

I'm sorry, but this is a political machine. Next they want to return their pal Laurie to the council. And isn't it just a hoot that Dan McShane now admits he's in fact considering a run himself? How coy. That ought to dampen anyone else's interest and set the stage for the draft.

Lisa ran Carl Weimer's campaign; though it's not clear she runs him now. She of course got Bob Kelly on without his even having to break a sweat. And Ken Mann? He started off working for the machine. Has he become his own man?

There apparently are a lot of people ready to let the McShanes be the gatekeepers to political office. And quite a little crowd hoping to share in the spoils.

Is it really any better than the Realtors and Building Industry folks holding the reigns on a Sam Crawford? Have they made it impossible for independent people to make it on their own?

But watching the McShanes recoil from criticism, and their astonishingly well orchestrated counter attack, I'm reminded of the old English proverb, “Character is easier kept than recovered.”

“Ill deeds are doubled with an evil word. The sting of a reproach is the truth of it.” William Shakespeare

About g.h.kirsch

Citizen Journalist • Member since Jan 16, 2008

Comments by Readers

Tip Johnson

Apr 14, 2009

Hey, Greg! I know where there’s a hornet’s nest.  Maybe we could go poke a stick in it?

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Tip Johnson

Apr 14, 2009

PS - I like the graphic, but what the hell is a mongerer?

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Tom Pratum

Apr 14, 2009

Greg-
I am sure you and I agree regarding the McShanes, but I don’t think this is an effective way to communicate your point(s). Especially when taken in light of some of the other questionable things you have posted here recently (e.g. your idiotic tirade against global warming).

Please don’t make this your personal blog - you can make your own blog for free at blogspot.com.

Give it a rest, spend some time with your wife and daughter…..

Just my 2 cents worth of course.

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g.h. kirsch

Apr 14, 2009

Wow Tom, a penny for your thoughts and I get two cents worth.

You of course needn’t read these posts.  You’re a registered writer on the site, maybe you’ve got an article that would be better reading.

And maybe you need to read things a little more carefully and thoughtfully.  You may be pleased to dismiss my opinions as “idiotic” because they seem to contradict your beliefs, but I think you miss the point.

First I’m not denying global warming.  I am opposing cap & trade because my study of the evidence and arguments has lead me to understand that global warming is not the result of anthropogenic CO2.

Global warming has been employed to create an economic, financial and perhaps political Trojan horse.  It would be regrettable if you succumb to the dogmatism and give up the principles of science you usually follow.

Curiously, why haven’t you criticized those articles?  Do you find name calling enough?

And while we’re on the subject of mis characterizations;  you and Friedman both seem to savor tying me to Palin because I wrote an article early on that I thought was about the phenomenon of her early popularity.  You on the other hand took it as an affront to your man.

I did not campaign for or vote for the McCain Palin ticket.  But that probably doesn’t matter does it?

I am by nature critical.  I look at things with suspicion.  I admit it.  Too much of what has gone on and is going on in this society, financially, economically and politically, is wrong and should be stopped.

About all I can do is write.  And you’re not going to shut me up.

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Tom Pratum

Apr 14, 2009

Greg-
I am only making suggestions, of course you needn’t follow them.

And, of course, no one needs to read what anyone writes here, and a lot of folks don’t. I have read most of the stuff you have written here. Some is really good, but a lot of it is just not worth commenting on.

Oh, and I would say that your qualifications regarding the “principles of science” are thin at best. In the scientific community there is little debate about climate change at this point. It is one of those things we need to either do something about or live with. Ignoring it is not an option.

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g.h. kirsch

Apr 15, 2009

Tom,

Scientific credentials are not required to realize that consensus is far from the case amongst the world’s scientists.

For those of you who would fall in line behind Al Gore, at best a political scientist, could I humbly, a mere mortal with a bent for philosophy, suggest you read the piece I wrote about Freeman Dyson who I think has some credentials. 

If global warming is caused by the CO2 produced by the industrial nations of the world, how do you explain the warming on Mars and Saturn?

But more importantly it isn’t whether climate is changing, or the globe is warming, or that the solar system for that matter is warming.  These are facts.  It has been warmer and cooler throughout history.

The question is what significant affect is human activity having on these changes. 

From what I can learn, little.  And on that I will guarantee you there is no scientific consensus.

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Sharon Crozier

May 21, 2009

Your enumeration of allegations made against your preferred candidate—inferring that their sheer number automatically makes them lies—just doesn’t make that so. Good try, though.

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