Matthew Mandell (RTM District 1) was “dispersing aspersions” again this week. In his e-mail newsletter to fans and constituents, Mr. Mandell said:
All of you must know by now there was an incident at Town Hall at a hearing last week. One resident did not like a decision and went off at the commissioners. The Town is very jumpy about citizen unrest, so to speak, and are [sic] worried about the Y hearings. Let’s all keep our cools [sic].
The lawn signs going up created a stir this week. A couple of loose cannons who support the Y’s proposal went out of their way to create problems, make accusations and tried to turn a free speech issue into something unseemly. Let’s not allow a couple of “Pompous Muchachos” to fan the flames of incivility. We are all neighbors, we can leave lawn signs up for a couple of months and be tolerant. And let’s hope we can respect our senior citizens who don’t need to be insulted in blogs when they write what they think.
“Pompous Muchachos” obviously fits the initialism of this blog. “Initialism” is a big word. Perhaps we are becoming prolix. No wait, perhaps it‘s pompous to use “prolix.”
We’re confused, we admit. Does Mr. Mandell want us to lower the level of our language? If it’s pompous to use a word like prolix then we at PM are guilty. But we certainly are not muchachos. At least not like the kind in the video below.
1 Comment
March 8, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I don’t understand why Mr Mandell thinks that he and Ms Ancel should get to decide when it is acceptable for them to violate rules, like the ban on political signs on state property, and then get so upset when we point out transgressions. This is, however, consistent with the behavior we have seen since our very first unpleasant encounter with him. Any comment on his actions is used to portray himself as a victim. Somehow, though, it is OK for him to publicly assert that I have gone back on my word (a complete fabrication) and that I am using my children for political purposes. That last one is especially laughable, considering the source. This is one can of worms he should be careful about opening.
His “senior citizen” hardly needs defending if he is capable of writing 18 strongly worded letters to the editor. When one makes such public statements, one can expect strong responses. I certainly do. However, it is consistent with the “helpless victim” theme.
Finally, if using proper grammar and a high school vocabulary, or insisting on adherence to the rules of law and logic makes us pompous, I can live with that.
Adrian Bowles