Monday, March 31, 2008

A Disapproving Caller

I got a call at home today about my column in the West Bend Daily News last week.  This happens from time to time.  People call to offer their opinion, agree, thank, or whatever.  It’s great to have the opportunity to talk to folks and get their feedback. 

The lady who called this evening was not happy with me.  She thought I was wrong about the three West Bend Aldermen who walked out of a meeting last year in protest.  She objected to my “Gang of 5” label.  She said that she thought that she thought that the whole reason we were fighting the Iraq War was to enact democracy and yadda yadda yadda. 

I appreciate the commentary.  Really I do.  One of the frustrating things about writing a column is the lack of - or extremely delayed - feedback. 

But I think the lady who called got frustrated with my responses.  In essence, my responses were limited to things like, “okay,” and “uh huh.”  The reasons for this were two-fold.  First, she called in the middle of dinner and I was anxious to return to the marvelous meal that Wendy had cooked me.  For this reason, I declined to engage my caller in debate. 

Second, with all due respect, I just didn’t care.  She disagreed with my opinion.  Fine.  Good for her.  Whatever.  I write an opinion column.  I’m fine with people disagreeing with my opinion.  It just doesn’t rankle me.  But I think it might have rankled her that her disapproval didn’t rankle me.  Oh well.  When you’re opinionated, you get used to people disagreeing with you.

(12) Comments
Posted by Owen at 2040 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. I’m surprised you don’t have a unlisted number considering your celebrity (seriously) and some of the cranks that come around this blog.  I’m surprised this hasn’t happened before.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 31, 2008 at 2136 hrs


  2. Nah.  I’m just a guy in the community.  True, I’m a very heavily armed guy with an itchy trigger finger… but still just a guy.

    Posted by Owen on March 31, 2008 at 2149 hrs


  3. Ah yes, this is why I read your blog everyday.  Honesty- in its purest form is SO refreshing.

    Second, with all due respect, I just didn’t care.  She disagreed with my opinion.  Fine.  Good for her.  Whatever.  I write an opinion column.  I’m fine with people disagreeing with my opinion.  It just doesn’t rankle me.  But I think it might have rankled her that her disapproval didn’t rankle me.  Oh well.  When you’re opinionated, you get used to people disagreeing with you. 

    I wish more people had this attitude.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 31, 2008 at 2211 hrs


  4. Perhaps you are just a disagreeable sort.
    Maybe we should get the Whitewater Police Chief to call you and harrass you, stop by your home to give you an “in-living room interview” as he called it.  Call yourself John Adams and see how things go from there.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 01, 2008 at 0243 hrs


  5. Ok, now I read that column.  April Fool’s.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 01, 2008 at 0247 hrs


  6. That is why I don’t answer the phone during dinner time.  We have caller ID and voice mail.  If it is important, they will leave a message.

    Posted by Clint on April 01, 2008 at 0737 hrs


  7. How is it refreshing, that in our society, we are celebrating the fact that someone doesn’t care what another person says?  I see that as one of the reasons that our society is moving in the direction that it is moving.  To a less caring and more individualistic society.  It is less and les about community and more about what one person thinks is best for himself or herself.

    I value candor, but not at the expense of society.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 01, 2008 at 0902 hrs


  8. It is refreshing that, from what I understand, he heard her out, politely listened, hung up and went on with life, rather than sitting in angst pulling his hair out and becoming a bitter person.

    Some people have the capacity to understand that others have differring opinions from their own and they are OK with that.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 01, 2008 at 0908 hrs


  9. I used to write letters to the Post Crescent. One letter in particular got people going. I received a call as I was about to head out the door to get some food (it was SA & I was real hungry) and a call came in.

    Dude, who my caller id tagged as another frequent Post Crescent writer asked if I was for real. He then started going off on me and when I raised an objection to what he was saying he got all huffy about the interruption. I just hung up the phone. Later on, I decided I should have noted who was interrupting who. Shortly afterwards I got my number unlisted. Later that day another call came in this time thanking me for the letter.

    Fun-fun-fun!

    Posted by Marcus Aurelius on April 01, 2008 at 1125 hrs


  10. I can hear it now. 

    I’m offended that you are not offended at my offensive remarks to your offensive statement.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 01, 2008 at 1338 hrs


  11. I know that many will disagree with this idea, but if Owen puts himself out in the public arena like he does he has more of a duty to the public than the average person.  That is my opinion.  I will not become angst ridden or pull out my hair if someone disagrees with me.  I will definately not become bitter.  I just believe that if you are going to use the public arena to make a living, I know that is not his only job, you have an obligation to that public. 

    It is similar to, but identical to, the idea of stars not wanting their pictures taken by photographers.  They are glad to stand their when they are promoting a movie or other piece of work, but any other time they have a fit.  I know Owen is not throwing a fit, but the point remains the same.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 01, 2008 at 1428 hrs


  12. I figured it out.  She is a liberal, so by definition she thinks she is smarter than you, and wanted you to acknowledge her superios intellect.  In fact, did she inform you she was a public school teacher, to make you shake in your boots from her superior accredations?  She certainly sounds like a Public school teacher - she expects you to be honored she would bequeth you her wisdom.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 02, 2008 at 0441 hrs


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