The latest storm cloud hanging over my head is the result of a story The Monroe Times published Wednesday about Kim and Jane Lee, the owners of the Garden Deli on the Square.
Their story intrigued me. A local business owner is approached by a national news organization for his reaction to the national furor surrounding a fiercely contested bill put forth by Wisconsins new governor. He agrees to an interview and sees his business decline as a result.
We wrote a story about Mr. Lee and how what he calls a misrepresentation of his viewpoint on the bill, or more specifically unions, has brought trouble to his shop.
Since then, theres been a deluge of online comments and the formation of that aforementioned storm cloud over my head.
Im troubled by those who vow to never frequent his business again because of his views, or alleged views. But of course, it cuts both ways. Theres been plenty of demeaning comments aimed at teachers and others in unions that are equally troubling.
For the record, I dont know Mr. Lee. I have no idea if his views were misrepresented or not: I wasnt there, and I wasnt in the editing room. But frankly, it doesnt really matter where Mr. Lee stands on the issue.
The real problem is expressed in the comments that suggest Mr. Lee should have known better and just kept his mouth shut.
Whatever happened to a free exchange of ideas and agreeing to disagree?
Through my years in Monroe, Ive heard various rumblings about local business people being hesitant to join a particular board or committee because its too political or too controversial and they cant afford to speak their mind, lest they offend someone.
I respect the prudence of keeping controversial views to oneself. Theres a reason your mother told you never discuss religion or politics. But Mr. Lee was asked his opinion on the situation. We as reporters ask people for their opinions all the time not to get anyone in trouble, but to gauge public reaction and find out what people are thinking.
Are we really supposed to keep our mouths shut in our own home town?
Apparently, a line was crossed. Im just not sure where the line is anymore.
Recently I wrote how gratifying it is to live and work in a close-knit community that rushes to the aid of a friend or neighbor in need. We protect our own here.
Community trumps everything else.
Pro-Walker or anti-Walker, pro-union or anti-union, we owe it to each other to keep the ammunition aimed off each other as individuals. Its ideas were opposed to, not individuals.
Some day, this debacle will be resolved. The war will be over. The national spotlight will be off Wisconsin and on the next issue, the next debate, the next circus.
And what will be left will be you and me and every other Monrovian who is working hard to carve out a decent life and make sense of a very complicated world.
A community.
n n n
A reader suggested we publish a copy of Gov. Walkers budget repair bill in The Monroe Times.
Its a great idea the amount of misinformation being generated and passed around on this issue has been alternately amusing, confusing and outrageous. Its coming from all sides, and from all sources from the parties directly involved to the pundits on MSNBC and Fox News to friends on Facebook. (Thats a topic for another day.)
Unfortunately, the actual bill is more than 100 pages so were not able to provide the complete text. But we can provide a link to make it a little easier for readers to locate the text.
Mary Jane Grenzow is the editor of The Monroe Times. She can be reached at editor@themonroetimes.com.
Their story intrigued me. A local business owner is approached by a national news organization for his reaction to the national furor surrounding a fiercely contested bill put forth by Wisconsins new governor. He agrees to an interview and sees his business decline as a result.
We wrote a story about Mr. Lee and how what he calls a misrepresentation of his viewpoint on the bill, or more specifically unions, has brought trouble to his shop.
Since then, theres been a deluge of online comments and the formation of that aforementioned storm cloud over my head.
Im troubled by those who vow to never frequent his business again because of his views, or alleged views. But of course, it cuts both ways. Theres been plenty of demeaning comments aimed at teachers and others in unions that are equally troubling.
For the record, I dont know Mr. Lee. I have no idea if his views were misrepresented or not: I wasnt there, and I wasnt in the editing room. But frankly, it doesnt really matter where Mr. Lee stands on the issue.
The real problem is expressed in the comments that suggest Mr. Lee should have known better and just kept his mouth shut.
Whatever happened to a free exchange of ideas and agreeing to disagree?
Through my years in Monroe, Ive heard various rumblings about local business people being hesitant to join a particular board or committee because its too political or too controversial and they cant afford to speak their mind, lest they offend someone.
I respect the prudence of keeping controversial views to oneself. Theres a reason your mother told you never discuss religion or politics. But Mr. Lee was asked his opinion on the situation. We as reporters ask people for their opinions all the time not to get anyone in trouble, but to gauge public reaction and find out what people are thinking.
Are we really supposed to keep our mouths shut in our own home town?
Apparently, a line was crossed. Im just not sure where the line is anymore.
Recently I wrote how gratifying it is to live and work in a close-knit community that rushes to the aid of a friend or neighbor in need. We protect our own here.
Community trumps everything else.
Pro-Walker or anti-Walker, pro-union or anti-union, we owe it to each other to keep the ammunition aimed off each other as individuals. Its ideas were opposed to, not individuals.
Some day, this debacle will be resolved. The war will be over. The national spotlight will be off Wisconsin and on the next issue, the next debate, the next circus.
And what will be left will be you and me and every other Monrovian who is working hard to carve out a decent life and make sense of a very complicated world.
A community.
n n n
A reader suggested we publish a copy of Gov. Walkers budget repair bill in The Monroe Times.
Its a great idea the amount of misinformation being generated and passed around on this issue has been alternately amusing, confusing and outrageous. Its coming from all sides, and from all sources from the parties directly involved to the pundits on MSNBC and Fox News to friends on Facebook. (Thats a topic for another day.)
Unfortunately, the actual bill is more than 100 pages so were not able to provide the complete text. But we can provide a link to make it a little easier for readers to locate the text.
Mary Jane Grenzow is the editor of The Monroe Times. She can be reached at editor@themonroetimes.com.
