A Field House, Verbal Attacks & IP Addresses - What's Really Going On

 

If you’ve been following the blog lately you know that I made a remark about Heather Penichet being in the field house. I knew the remark was a slam but felt it was justified. There’s a whole stage of drama that takes place behind the curtain of the blog that people don’t know about. These things combined with my previous dealings with Heather played a part in why I responded to her as I did. I’m not saying it’s right I’m just explaining why.

Immediately, after Heather made her last comment using her name, nasty messages began rolling in. It was a full on assault against me and even Steve at times. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the comments were coming from the same people. When I said that it was of course denied.

I am now receiving messages mocking me for removing comments. Because I removed negative comments from the blog and not positive ones they think its evidence of my guilt. The messages were extremely condescending and mocking. The poster was saying she’d be sure to spread around what a liar I am. It never occurred to them that perhaps I had a reason for removing the comments, such as getting their IP addresses. Yep, that’s right. I’ve got every single one of them. 

It came as absolutely no surprise to find that it was indeed the same people. Heather made two remarks under her name but made others hiding behind the anonymous label. In one post she attempted to hide her identity by referring to herself as Ms. Penichet. Well, since Ms. Penichet doesn’t believe I have audio of our encounter at the field house I doubt she’ll believe I have her IP address. I don’t want there to be any doubt so here is part of one of her IP addresses: 98.65.232.XXX

On October 8, I received morning messages at 6:49 and 7:09. Afternoon and evening messages came at 12:50, 2:15, 8:29, 8:51, 8:54 and 9:29. That was fairly typical day of lies and insults and I’ve been dealing with them for months. This is what they do. They hurl insults and lies while hiding their identity in order to keep posting and give the illusion of many. They strike out of your sight because they know we will take the high road. Our willingness to play by the rules is their incentive to shred the rulebook.  

This time I detoured the high road. The constant lies, insults and cover-ups can get exhausting. It’s tough to maintain the straight path when everything in you wants to give back twice as what you get. That is my struggle. To them if you don’t give immediately back when they dish it out they assume you’re a coward. And like a shark smelling blood they began circling.

I’m many things but afraid of a fight isn’t one of them. But I’ve got to reach a point where I know that I don’t have to be verbally aggressive to remain in the fight. I’m well aware that the quick wit some admire me for has a dark side. I can snap off a remark that cuts deep before my mind has even processed the emotion. When I read Tim’s comment about my remark to Heather it pricked my conscience. And I realize he is exactly right. The remark I made was beneath me. Thanks Tim for the firm but gentle reminder.

I’m guilty of getting frustrated to the point of madness. I’m guilty of saying things I shouldn’t. But I am absolutely not guilty of lying. Every word about Bledsoe is true and all the hiding behind fake comments to dispute it only strengthens our case. Innocence doesn’t require repeated posts by fictional people to back it up.

I’d love to be able to tell you that I won’t make any more mistakes but I think making that statement would be my first. As I tell my kids, a mistake isn’t bad unless you hide it, deny it or blame it on another. A mistake can be made beautiful when we own it, confess it and use it to improve our lives and the lives of others. That is exactly what I intend to do.

Stand Up Clark County for the ability to accept our mistakes and change for the better.