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Feb

17

They don’t call me Mom for nothing (High and Broad blogger apologizes)


One fun thing about blogs, particularly for the reader, is that they allow you to reference innumerable sources of information.

One not so fun thing about blogs, particularly for the blogger, is that they make you feel like you have to reference innumerable sources of information simply because you can.

This is my way of saying, I’m not referencing every single post that discussed this week’s events which began with a dispute about the reasons why scheduling a screening interview between the Ohio Democratic Party and Eric Fingerhut became blog fodder. Michael Meckler does a good enough job here (with a slight footnote which I’ll mention shortly), and my posts about it are here, here, here and here.

What I am going to reference is an approximately thirty minute phone call I had this morning with John Kohlstrand. I will not provide choice bits for others to chew off and spew out in their own way. Those who have spoken or interacted with me before, and then read blog posts that resulted from our interactions, know that I omit scenery and detail that would do nothing but invite others to use the observations in a negative way.

What I will tell you is that, as noted in this post on Brewed Fresh Daily, John Kohlstrand (who works for the Democrats in the Ohio legislature) was in fact the person responsible for the now defunct blog, High and Broad. John apologized to me for the headline and post (which Meckler’s post detailes), in several ways, and I accept his apologies. He told me on the phone that he expects to speak with and apologize to Eric Fingerhut as well, and said at least a few times that he feels badly and he really likes and respects Eric.

Since I got to hear his voice for half an hour, you will have to trust me, and my judgement, that I believe John was and is being sincerely contrite.

Although others continue to speculate, John insisted to me that he blogged from home. He also said that it was his blog alone. John told me that he chose to shut the blog down, on his own and that no one in a position over him or superior to him or in a position to do so, requested or demanded that he shut down the blog. John said that he shutdown the blog because he decided it was the right thing to do.

John told me that he did not deny to Michael Meckler that he, John, was the author of the blog. John says that he told Meckler simply that the person responsible didn’t want to be identified, or that he wasn’t going to identify him. Something along those lines, but not a denial that it was not himself. (I will editorialize here to say that John was adamant that my saying this not be seen as him, John, speaking through me to Michael, but rather that it’s just a clarification for my sake – which is fine, don’t go getting all in a tizzy about it.)

Everything else that was discussed shall remain off the record except with how I closed the conversation. In my usual fashion, I reiterated my dislike for all things mean and my routine dismay at why people act in a mean way, often in arbitrary and capricious ways. Then I said, I pray that this post was a one time mistake and that it will never happen again.

They don’t call me Mom for nothing.

In conclusion, I’ve learned a lot this week – about other people, about blogs, about passion, about politics, about myself. Mostly, I’ve learned that no matter how many times someone calls you an idealist, if you believe in your values and in your beliefs about what is right and wrong, trust yourself and do not let others’ agenda become yours. Remain focused and do not let others drag you off your mark. Repeat until you’re blue in the face if you have to and in as many different ways as it takes: your questions, your request for answers and your reasons for continuing to believe that you deserve whatever it is you believe you deserve.

Listen to others. Adjust if it’s wise. But never, ever give up your search until you feel ready to put closure on it.

Like I do now, with this matter.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:39 pm February 17th, 2006 in Politics 

Comments

12 Responses to “They don’t call me Mom for nothing (High and Broad blogger apologizes)”

  1. 1 CindyZawadzki on February 17th, 2006 2:53 pm

    I was hoping whomever it was would just apologize. Mistakes happen all the time, no need to let the speculation and resentment grow. Maybe they’ll act quicker next time. Thanks for nice diary.

  2. 2 Eric on February 17th, 2006 2:57 pm

    I dub thee Jane Paul Jones!

  3. 3 scott bakalar on February 17th, 2006 3:00 pm

    Glad you got some good closure on this Jill. Hope all is well.

  4. 4 Jill on February 17th, 2006 4:15 pm

    Cindy, Eric and Scott –

    Thanks very much. Just a Voter’s Voyage. Sounds like a good oped title, no? Or a column during an election year…hmmm…

    Btw, Scott – that avatar – I swear, everytime I see it, it still makes me laugh. Thank you.

  5. 5 Frank on February 17th, 2006 4:26 pm

    Jill, I’ve said it before – you’ve done a real good job reporting on this matter.

  6. 6 Jodie on February 17th, 2006 6:19 pm

    Have you ever seen the http://www.redblueproject.com site. I am from Kansas (we are not all conservative nuts!) I found your site a few weeks ago and have really enjoyed it.

  7. 7 rrunyon on February 17th, 2006 10:37 pm

    Excellent.

  8. 8 Jill on February 19th, 2006 2:01 am

    Thanks, Frank and RRunyon (you’re a newbie or someone who just wanted to comment, and I thank you).

    Jodie – I’ve been hanging at your blog this evening reading – I like it! Thank you so much for commenting here. I will definitely check out the website you reference. Thanks!

  9. 9 Blue Dog Rising on February 19th, 2006 3:49 am

    If they don’t call you Mom for nothing, then you have some lucky kids…
    You report and write well…I can attest because I did the former for 14 years for the PD and BJ and have been doing the latter professionally for 3 decades. (My blog is temporarily down for retooling and a better canine logo.)
    You also display great insight into the Hackett situation in your recent posts and sensitivity toward the High and Broad guy in your interview and report.
    Keep writing like you talk.

  10. 10 Jill on February 19th, 2006 1:15 pm

    Thank you very much for the compliments, BDR. I tried de-cloaking you last night and found a few things, but nothing definitive yet. I promise, I’m driven, in your case, more because of my love for hunting and discovering, than a feeling that I deserve to know who you are. I also like to see how long it takes until either I figure it out, or someone else reveals it. Just a quirk I guess. (Interesting comments you make around the sphere, btw.) ;)

    Again, thanks for reading and complimenting.

  11. 11 steveg on February 19th, 2006 3:39 pm

    Well done. What I don’t understand is the dichomy between idealism and pragmatism. If we stick to your advice, (Mom), the ideals will be reality and not a fantasy for the dreamer. The failure in the past has been when the rationalisation via pragmatism (can be replaced with politics) pulls the effort off the visionary goal. It starts very innocently, but becomes a habit to where we get into situations much like the state of Ohio is in now.

  12. 12 Blue Dog Rising on February 19th, 2006 5:25 pm

    You’re welcome on the compliments… well deserved. And thanks for finding “interesting” my paw prints around the ’sphere.

    Maybe I’ll de-cloak in an email to you sometime. Meanwhile, your dog hunting (be careful of PETA) may be more fruitful once George gets my web site back up with a new pic.

    I have a couple of other blogs that are more client-oriented (not candidate, party or campaign clients)so you might hunt for them too.

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