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Katy Citizen Watchdog$ |
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We’re Taxpayers. It’s Our Money. |
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To All The “Jamie’s” Of The World |
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From time to time I venture over to the Chronicle blog that is hosted locally by Katy’s own, Helen Eriksen. It is always interesting to see what people in our community are saying about various news stories and issues facing our community. The Katy Watchdog$ love the fact that the Chronicle gave this opportunity to Ms. Eriksen, and we applaud the many topics she has asked Katy for their opinion on. My only criticism is that it allows individuals to hide behind aliases. For simplicity sake let’s refer to these people as the “jamie’s” of this world. “Jamie”, along with some others, are big critics of the Watchdog$. My original plan was to post my comments on the blog but I was a tad concerned that I might be censored due to the fact that I sometimes am not very “sensitive” to my critics. So with that said….
Since helping to form the Katy Citizen Watchdog$ some three (3) years ago, I have had the unfortunate “pleasure” to come into contact with many (too many) in our area that have lost any sense of distrust for any kind or form of government. There are many (too many) that believe that our elected officials (no matter what level) have every right NOT to be questioned by constituents and that those same government officials have NO obligation to be either transparent or accountable. All too often the “jamie’s” criticize any and all that have a differing opinion or view. Those of us in Katy that have stood up against wasteful spending and have demanded that our school board and district be both accountable and transparent to the taxpayers, are labeled as “intolerant”, “divisive”, Nazis, Birchers, and a whole host of other names, some of which I cannot print in this commentary. We are described as people that “hate the district”, are “long-time critics” and people that are never happy with ANYTHING that the district does. All of which couldn’t be further from the truth. Once again I ask; why does it seem that the word “dissent” has become a four-letter word?
Kevin Tatum and I listened to 2+ hours of the attacks, ravings and name-calling from these “jamie’s” at the “Bond Inquisition Meeting” this past August; after we had been promised by the Merrell regime that this wouldn’t occur. So why do the “jamie’s” of the Katy area feel the need to hide in the shadows? Is it because it is safer to criticize using a fake name? I believe that if you have something to say or feel the need to debate an issue then you should have the courage of those convictions to sign your name to your opinion or criticism. Doing otherwise, in this author’s opinion, brings one’s character into question in my book. A recent blog comment from “jamie” stated that “mistrust” is an “epidemic” in this country. I would offer that it’s “trust” of government that is the real epidemic in this nation! When we challenge their misstatements and misinformation they jump down our throats; yet when we offer to meet with them one-on-one to discuss our differences in the spirit of healthy debate we are accused of being obsessed with “meetings”. A coward by any other name…..
It is indeed a frightening realization when it seems that I am encountering more and more “jamie’s”; not just locally but all across this state and nation. I say that it is not just the duty of every American, but the responsibility of every American to hold our governments and our elected officials accountable for their actions. No American should EVER lose their healthy distrust of government. Having a healthy distrust of our government is what this nation was founded on. Remember, that Thomas Jefferson believed that a revolution was needed every twenty (20) or so years to get ourselves back on tract with the principles that founded this great nation.
Now I l suppose now I’ll be accused of inciting armed rebellion!!!
© 2008 by Chris Cottrell. All rights reserved. |
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Chris Cottrell, Katy Citizen Watchdog$ |
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Date: 02/18/2008 |
