While I value and respect your introspection, I do not agree with your revised assessment of self as "unhinged". You are a concerned citizen, as we, who can see the depths of depravity going on, all are. These are not times to be silent. I have just recently been turned on to your writing and appreciate your well balanced and intelligently shaped viewpoints having a voice alongside clever cuts and quips- your pieces make for entertaining and informative reads. Thank you! I commend your courage to stand up to this vile twerp, as well as anyone else who deserves a public calling out. These people need to be revealed for who and what they really are. They choose to prop themselves up in the public arenas to perpetuate their propaganda pushing, dangerous fear flaming false narratives and outright lies, so it is there in those spaces that they and their abhorrent behavior should be admonished for all to see.
Cheers to you and Chris Kluwe and so many more speaking out! We can not be silent in forums where these hideous creatures collect to spew their dangerous and divisive vomit.
I don’t agree with this at all. Unless you were in the room, it’s hard to explain the magnitude of what went down in there and the impact on the audience. It was a gross display of gaslighting and blame shifting, and you were right to call this guy out. He was acting like official staff or security. He’s a fraud who’s been causing chaos all over Southern California. If you hadn’t done it, we wouldn’t have this documentation that they rigged what should have been a fair and transparent meeting. He was forced to scurry out of there instead of taking up any more oxygen in that room. I appreciate you.
At least you have the self-awareness and a friend that is able to let you know when you are acting unhinged. This is in contrast to our president, who lacks both self-awareness or people within his inter-circle that would call him out when he steps out of line.
七転び八起き (Nana korobi yaoki): Fall down seven, get up eight.
I respect your reflection (and your friend, Bev). Like others, I'd agree that while you weren't exactly unhinged, your actions became part of the story, perhaps distracting from the story you were telling. Meh...fall down seven, get up eight.
The lens your talent and experience focuses on Orange County politics not only illuminates the craziness going on there, but also inspires others (e.g., me) to turn that same lens on the craziness in other parts of the world.
Me becoming part of any story here in Texas dilutes the message I'm trying to convey: that the actions being taken by some factions here are, in fact, unhinged and dangerous. So I try to focus the lens on them rather than me. I learned that from great journalists. You know...like you.
You're human, Pearlman. I agree that your actions may have distracted a little from the danger someone like Frank Rodriguez presents. But you know what? Fuck that guy. Maybe no one would have paid as much attention to what he was trying to do if you hadn't had the fortitude and courage to stand up and scream, "THIS GUY'S DANGEROUS!"
Honestly, I though you were calm and confident. Everyone will perceive things differently but it is educated passionate people like yourself who have the courage to defy these agitators and I thought you did it very well.
Hats off to you for digging into stories that need to see the light of day and then sharing it with the community. Hats off to your friend Bev for inviting you to engage in some thoughtful introspection. No doubt many applauded you for yelling. Lots of people get their kicks from obscenities and gotcha moments. But they are mostly a vicarious and ultimately toothless discharge for overwhelming frustrations. They might get people charged up, but I doubt they actually move the dial. Years ago, I was working on communication for a school board campaign in our small community in Washington state. I had devised a pithy takedown of one of our opponents for a mailer. A friend glanced at it, then looked up with a troubled expression. Shaking her head, she said “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” Yes, it’s prosaic, but it was a turning point for me. I rewrote the mailer, determined to be articulate and punchy without being divisive. That’s still my plan of action. I fall short plenty of times — I shake my head even as I write this, wondering how they can be so cruel — but I know I’m way more persuasive channeling the graceful messaging of Rebecca Solnit or Gloria Steinem than the unsavory spewing of Marjorie Taylor Greene. I’m not Christian, but I hope we all strive to be more like Bev.
While I agree with other commenters that you are righteous, I also agree that it is important to demonstrate self control. This is not easy to learn. It takes practice to overcome the part of us that is sometimes referred to as “the lizard brain.” That’s the part that react’s without thinking things through. The question is not whether you are righteous. It is whether you are communicating effectively with those who do not know what you are talking about. According to Bev, you did not. I appreciate her calling you on it. It is a skill we all need to learn and practice.
I was impressed that you spoke up and called him out, but even more impressed with your self reflection and willingness to accept that another way might be more effective. As someone who has been angry a lot lately, it’s a good lesson for me too.
I don’t think you’re unhinged but I do think it’s wise to remember that in the social media age, our public image matters. They’re recording you and trying to make you look bad in front of the voters and neighbors who aren’t aware of what’s going on.
So I think your course correcting now is a smart move, but don’t take me saying that as a negative on who you are as a person or as a member of this movement. This is just a means to get the work done. I hope you can remember that you were right all along and the things you’ve been saying have been true.
I dunno. . . when you said "unhinged", I expected something a lot worse than what I saw in that video. I mean, it wasn't an academic colloquy, but a circus (which is what that "meeting" was) isn't really conducive to reasoned and highly structured debate. And damn it's hard to sit quietly while watching extremism and dishonesty being normalized by elected officials.
Now, that said, the question (besides "how did that work out for you?", my usual variation on "what were you trying to achieve?") is: were you there as an advocate, or as a journalist? I don't necessarily think those things are mutually exclusive, and either would be an honorable role to assume. It's up to you to decide whether, in that moment, you stepped out of the role you'd actually intended to play.
I too thought your video of yourself supporting your (our) beliefs was a bit over the top. It's awful when we see ourselves on video. It's inspiring when we can say mea culpa.
While I value and respect your introspection, I do not agree with your revised assessment of self as "unhinged". You are a concerned citizen, as we, who can see the depths of depravity going on, all are. These are not times to be silent. I have just recently been turned on to your writing and appreciate your well balanced and intelligently shaped viewpoints having a voice alongside clever cuts and quips- your pieces make for entertaining and informative reads. Thank you! I commend your courage to stand up to this vile twerp, as well as anyone else who deserves a public calling out. These people need to be revealed for who and what they really are. They choose to prop themselves up in the public arenas to perpetuate their propaganda pushing, dangerous fear flaming false narratives and outright lies, so it is there in those spaces that they and their abhorrent behavior should be admonished for all to see.
Cheers to you and Chris Kluwe and so many more speaking out! We can not be silent in forums where these hideous creatures collect to spew their dangerous and divisive vomit.
I don’t agree with this at all. Unless you were in the room, it’s hard to explain the magnitude of what went down in there and the impact on the audience. It was a gross display of gaslighting and blame shifting, and you were right to call this guy out. He was acting like official staff or security. He’s a fraud who’s been causing chaos all over Southern California. If you hadn’t done it, we wouldn’t have this documentation that they rigged what should have been a fair and transparent meeting. He was forced to scurry out of there instead of taking up any more oxygen in that room. I appreciate you.
At least you have the self-awareness and a friend that is able to let you know when you are acting unhinged. This is in contrast to our president, who lacks both self-awareness or people within his inter-circle that would call him out when he steps out of line.
Is "righteously unhinged" a thing? Asking for a friend...
七転び八起き (Nana korobi yaoki): Fall down seven, get up eight.
I respect your reflection (and your friend, Bev). Like others, I'd agree that while you weren't exactly unhinged, your actions became part of the story, perhaps distracting from the story you were telling. Meh...fall down seven, get up eight.
The lens your talent and experience focuses on Orange County politics not only illuminates the craziness going on there, but also inspires others (e.g., me) to turn that same lens on the craziness in other parts of the world.
Me becoming part of any story here in Texas dilutes the message I'm trying to convey: that the actions being taken by some factions here are, in fact, unhinged and dangerous. So I try to focus the lens on them rather than me. I learned that from great journalists. You know...like you.
You're human, Pearlman. I agree that your actions may have distracted a little from the danger someone like Frank Rodriguez presents. But you know what? Fuck that guy. Maybe no one would have paid as much attention to what he was trying to do if you hadn't had the fortitude and courage to stand up and scream, "THIS GUY'S DANGEROUS!"
So, yeah...good job. Now on to Cincinnati.
“Fall down seven, get up eight.” Beautiful. Thank you.
Honestly, I though you were calm and confident. Everyone will perceive things differently but it is educated passionate people like yourself who have the courage to defy these agitators and I thought you did it very well.
I don't think you were out of line at all. Your point was valid and he had no defense for his presence at the meeting.
Hats off to you for digging into stories that need to see the light of day and then sharing it with the community. Hats off to your friend Bev for inviting you to engage in some thoughtful introspection. No doubt many applauded you for yelling. Lots of people get their kicks from obscenities and gotcha moments. But they are mostly a vicarious and ultimately toothless discharge for overwhelming frustrations. They might get people charged up, but I doubt they actually move the dial. Years ago, I was working on communication for a school board campaign in our small community in Washington state. I had devised a pithy takedown of one of our opponents for a mailer. A friend glanced at it, then looked up with a troubled expression. Shaking her head, she said “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” Yes, it’s prosaic, but it was a turning point for me. I rewrote the mailer, determined to be articulate and punchy without being divisive. That’s still my plan of action. I fall short plenty of times — I shake my head even as I write this, wondering how they can be so cruel — but I know I’m way more persuasive channeling the graceful messaging of Rebecca Solnit or Gloria Steinem than the unsavory spewing of Marjorie Taylor Greene. I’m not Christian, but I hope we all strive to be more like Bev.
While I agree with other commenters that you are righteous, I also agree that it is important to demonstrate self control. This is not easy to learn. It takes practice to overcome the part of us that is sometimes referred to as “the lizard brain.” That’s the part that react’s without thinking things through. The question is not whether you are righteous. It is whether you are communicating effectively with those who do not know what you are talking about. According to Bev, you did not. I appreciate her calling you on it. It is a skill we all need to learn and practice.
I was impressed that you spoke up and called him out, but even more impressed with your self reflection and willingness to accept that another way might be more effective. As someone who has been angry a lot lately, it’s a good lesson for me too.
I don’t think you’re unhinged but I do think it’s wise to remember that in the social media age, our public image matters. They’re recording you and trying to make you look bad in front of the voters and neighbors who aren’t aware of what’s going on.
So I think your course correcting now is a smart move, but don’t take me saying that as a negative on who you are as a person or as a member of this movement. This is just a means to get the work done. I hope you can remember that you were right all along and the things you’ve been saying have been true.
I dunno. . . when you said "unhinged", I expected something a lot worse than what I saw in that video. I mean, it wasn't an academic colloquy, but a circus (which is what that "meeting" was) isn't really conducive to reasoned and highly structured debate. And damn it's hard to sit quietly while watching extremism and dishonesty being normalized by elected officials.
Now, that said, the question (besides "how did that work out for you?", my usual variation on "what were you trying to achieve?") is: were you there as an advocate, or as a journalist? I don't necessarily think those things are mutually exclusive, and either would be an honorable role to assume. It's up to you to decide whether, in that moment, you stepped out of the role you'd actually intended to play.
I too thought your video of yourself supporting your (our) beliefs was a bit over the top. It's awful when we see ourselves on video. It's inspiring when we can say mea culpa.