“Two Different Worlds Part II”

There is a letter to the editor about my column last week and I would certainly encourage our readers to read that letter. I clearly offended some folks with my comments about rednecks and homosexuals. Let me say right up front that I thought the comments made in the letter to the editor are for the most part well articulated and I am man enough to accept that others are going to have different opinions about the way we look at the world.

My intent was never to offend anyone. My intent was simply to show how in a short period of time I was in two different environments that could not have been any further apart. And I will confess that, as I often do, I was attempting to write my column with some humor. While I have had more than several folks comment that they saw the humor in my column, clearly there are those who would say that my attempt at humor was a very poor choice.

I can accept that some would say that my attempt at humor was a poor attempt and that as a sports editor maybe it would be best if I just stuck to sports. I was not attempting to bash anyone. I recognize that Ms. Sharp does not know me, except through my articles. But I think the people that do know me would tell her that I am not a basher. If anyone was offended by my comments last week, please accept my apology.

I don’t think it was fair though for Ms. Sharp to attempt to connect my article in some way to gay kids committing suicide for being bullied. My faith doesn’t teach me to do anything that might appear to be of a bullying nature. And suicide has touched my family twice, so I would never intentionally do anything that I thought would even remotely be part of that. However I should not have said anything that might have been construed by some as being mean spirited. Again those people that know me I think would attest that I am not a mean spirited person.

Ms. Sharp certainly has the right to express her opinion about me and I applaud the paper for running her comments. But even more so I would appreciate the opportunity to talk with Ms. Sharp either by phone or in person. Since I don’t know her or her phone number, this is my invitation to Ms. Sharp to call me (209-7319). From her letter I suspect that we probably have different opinions about the subject matter. But I’d like the opportunity to attempt to show her that I am not a mean spirited person, that I am not out to bully anyone and that I can agree to disagree with folks in a civil and respectful manner.

Simply Put, I’d welcome that opportunity.

From the Front Porch: Coach said words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.