Valley Independent Sentinel

posted by: Paul on September 10, 2010  6:13am

Years ago, when people had common sense this caper would have been handled properly. The toilet would have been removed quietly from the gazebo without a word mentioned. The perpetrator would have been satisfied that their childish statement was made and things would go back to normal. But these days that is not satisfactory. Stamping our feet and whining “poor me” is the new American Way. It saddens me.

posted by: Ed Spruck on September 10, 2010  8:24am

Dear Paul, years ago people burned crosses too. Most of us have grown up since then and matured. These night riders are still ten years olds with Potty mouths, just low down clowns. Comparing them to teenagers is disrespectful to the teens.

posted by: Paul on September 10, 2010  10:38am

Ed, I sure hope you’re not equating this prank to a black man’s lynching at the hands of Klansman. The over-the-top rhetoric we’ve already seen is bad enough, I don’t want to believe you meant it that way. Did you?

posted by: eyes open in Oxford on September 10, 2010  1:42pm

Ed is right
this is an act by desperate people. We saw the same thing last year when the political signs were stolen and torn down because they did not agree with the republicans point of view nor KOG’s.
That was stopped only by threat of prosecution for theft of property if caught or some charge such as that.
the cowards stopped the practice, but my guess they are the same cowards.
When Mr. Palmer ran for Selectman remember all the defaced stop signs that cost the taxpayer money to have cleaned? Was that harmless? Think of Mr. Palmer and his family.
Now the same cowards (in my opinion) strike again.
What is next for them a blanket party for anyone who disagrees with them.Would you think that a harmless prank as well?
Let this hate crime go and someone will get hurt physically next time.
I hope the police are Questioning one from the school board that yelled out at a public meeting “there goes the Queen”. Birds of a feather flock together.

posted by: Ed Spruck on September 10, 2010  9:02pm

Dear Paul, No I don’t equate this with the struggles of Blacks. I should have used bullying. Once bullying was excepted, now it’s not. It’s immature behavior.
Hiding in the shadows, doing things you know most people would not approve of. 

Why do all you people feel you need to hide? What are you all afraid of? If you have what you consider fair things to discuss why hide?

How about it Paul, come on out in the light with Dick, Mike & myself. Let’s discuss things out in the open. We’re here.

Is it because you’re school employee?
Or a town official?
Or a town service provider?
Or does it just give you a feeling of power to be able say anything and not have to be accountable for what you say?

So Paul who are you?

Don’t be afraid we won’t bite or put you in the toilet, we’ll just disagree with you.

posted by: eyes open in Oxford on September 12, 2010  3:35pm

ED don’t hold your breath it take intelligence to have a discussion. They would have nothing to say. You heard all the rhetoric and character assassination that went on and then when all was lost they resorted to a criminal act.
Judy Palmer left them high and dry holding the bag.
This New BOE is doing things for the children that the past boards can’t even hold a candle to. After 8 years of stagnation finally the Oxford education system is moving forward and will be the pride of the state when all is said and done. Our children’s futures are in good hands

posted by: OxfordResident on September 13, 2010  9:51am

Republicans fighting with Republicans, great job!  Sounds like the good old days of Augie Palmer all over again with the Republican Party fighting amongst itself.

posted by: timetogo on September 13, 2010  6:22pm

It is frightening to see that as of today, more people feel it is acceptable to harass local officials than those who see it as a crime that should be prosecuted. I always believed Oxford was a wonderful place to raise children, but our children don’t have a chance when the adults around them have no morals. I will never tell my children that it is acceptable to publicly humiliate another person when they have a difference of opinion with them. Nor will I teach them to trespass on town property or the public officials private property for the purpose of causing destruction of the official’s mailbox. I will never teach them that it is acceptable to rudely scream at another person, public official or not. It is said that our children are growing up to be a “me” generation. They are concerned only with themselves and do not have the character and values of children several generations ago. After looking at the results of this survey, I can see that the children have no role models to look up to.
Think about what you are saying, would you find this same behavior acceptable in your child? Would you like someone do it to you?
Grow up people

posted by: Tombo on September 14, 2010  4:36am

The comparison even to bullying is a bit much. To call it a hate crime is ridiculous. Folks, it was a toilet in a gazebo… Think of it as a 3D political cartoon.

posted by: not again on September 14, 2010  6:43am

To OxfordResident. Yea, your democratic team should talk. Former Democratic First Selectman Kathy Johnson publicly wrote a letter for a Republican to run and not Drayton Rogers or Mckane. Your former Town Committee Chairman resigned in disgust and a host of other infighting you have going on. Don’t throw stones in glass houses.

posted by: Rachael R on September 14, 2010  6:45pm

As much as some would like to down play the mean-spirited nature, and creepy element this crime has, one need only think how their family would feel if this were done to them. This was not a prank, for its intention was anything but good natured, and the “pranksters” refuse to identify themselves to say “just kidding”. Nor was this an example of political satire since I doubt the culprits understand the genre. This however was a malicious act meant to demean and intimidate Mrs. McKinnon. What it has done though has farther reaching consequences that hint at a pretty ugly side to some of our friends and neighbors.

posted by: Paul on September 15, 2010  2:42pm

@ Rachael R: You say we should imagine if it was one of our family members who was the target of the prank. I have already done that. If it was me or a member of my family we all would have had a hearty laugh and insisted that nobody blow the incident out of proportion. You see, my family and I are rational adults. It seems that there are far too few of them in the Oxford GOP these days. I’m glad I moved away from that crybaby atmosphere.

posted by: Eugene Driscoll on September 15, 2010  2:47pm

I would have been disturbed. Regardless of political views, the act was weird, creepy and apparently criminal.

posted by: MadHatter on September 15, 2010  3:37pm

Criminal to the point of “Breach of Peace”, as the State Police were quoted as saying, which is not a felony, but only a simple misdemeanor.

This was not a hate crime by any imagination (look up the legal definition), it was a prank that went too far and was in poor taste.  The person or people responsible should be held accountable, but only to the extent that the law applies.  Beyond the criminal aspect, the person or people responsible will also be subject to the ridicule of the townspeople through various means, so they will ultimately pay the price for their act.

But, people like to blow things out of proportion for the simple sake of progressing an agenda, which I believe the backers of McKinnon are doing.

posted by: Rachael R on September 15, 2010  3:46pm

Paul: Please remember that this act was also coupled with vicious commentary and threats to “run her out of town”. Perhaps,if your wife ,or daughter were targeted in this manner by a group of “adults” that still remain unidentified you rational self would find this disturbing. I choose to believe in a civilized society this would give most a chill, rather than a chuckle.

posted by: Ed Spruck on September 15, 2010  9:35pm

Hey Paul, we’re all glad you moved out of town too. So stop commenting on us and focus the issues where ever you moved to. Is it hot down there?

posted by: Dick Burke on September 16, 2010  8:35am

To All the white knights here,

I now have a sense of who our Mr. “PAUL” is.  Just as OxfordResident (aka MadHatter) claims to be an Oxford Greens resident (NOT) ... our Mr PAUL is no republican.  He is just another one of the decitful democrats ... who make good democrats look bad.  A person who held a high position in the ODTC and moved to another CT town to the north about five years ago.

Best to all the good Oxford folk,  Dick

posted by: Paul on September 16, 2010  9:05am

The guessing games are amusing but they have yet to hit the mark. I am and always have been a registered Republican. While in Oxford I never did anything for the party other than loyally vote for their candidates. Nobody involved in Oxford politics ever heard of me other than a little small talk in chance encounters. I am sure they would not recognize my name. While I am critical of the over-the-top political grandstanding of the Oxford GOP I still believe they are far better at leading a school system than the Democrats. The leadership in the town I now live is socialist Democrat to the core and I thank God none of my grandchildren have to suffer under it.

posted by: Dick Burke on September 16, 2010  10:07am

Mr Paul,

Glad to know Oxford keeps you amused.

You’ve admitted to being no more involved than casting your vote.  You say that you no longer live in Oxford ... so some on this blog wonder why you simply don’t focus your valuable time on your own town. 

To your comment concerning “over-the-top political grandstanding”, please don not confuse it with plain old commitment.

Each of us lead different lives.

Some live completely outside all forms of government and political going-ons. 

Some read about it, but stop short of going any further (some choosing to be quiet & accepting, and others who complain, but do nothing to change that which they disapprove of).

That brings us to the last group.  People who not only read and stay informed, but also choose to act for change.  Some of this group are liberal, and some are conservative.  Within each are people who have varying levels of time, energy, and enthusiasm. I chastise none, because each care enough to act.  The unfortunate within all this ... some carry criticism too far. 

I’m sorry that you view sheer and honest caring as political grandstanding; wondering what type of world we’d have if no one took a committed interest in improving this planet we share.

As to your identity ... still thinking my guess may be correct.  Until you’re honest and open with us, there’s little reason to trust your input.

If you are as you claim, my advice to you is ... life is short ... so move to a town that will more align with your thinking and get involved.

Dick

posted by: eyes open in Oxford on September 16, 2010  10:32am

Paul maybe if you got off involved in your new town you could make it better,but if you like socialist Democrats keep doing what you’re doing.Nothing.
Comment on your own towns troubles.

posted by: Paul on September 16, 2010  11:00am

What office have you run for, Dick? I am content to stay out of the arena for a number of reasons, not the least of which is people like you who pretend to be important while avoiding the slings and arrows of actually running for office. Making observations and stating opinions is the right of all. Disagreeing is fine, too. Don’t you think your ridiculous assertions have gone a bit farther than just disagreement? You’re no better than the toilet dropper with your verbal attacks. Should you be arrested, too?

posted by: Dick Burke on September 16, 2010  11:54am

Paul,

1st, my sincerest apology for not realizing that you haven’t attacked throughout your various posts to these VIS article which don’t concern you.

As for my own posts ... a pledge to be more sensitive.

Quite honestly, I thought you and I were on our way to a healthy debate.  I very much appreciated your recognition that the Oxford GOP is doing a far better job than the democrats in leading the Oxford School District.

I’ll give strong consideration to your comment regarding my involvement.  I really do need to get involved.  Thanks for the push.

... and as far this VIS involvement, signing off for awhile.  I hope my Oxford friends continue to keep you amused.

Best,  Dick

posted by: eyes open in Oxford on September 16, 2010  2:19pm

Paul it’s hard to understand you with your foot in your mouth!