So, which side do you believe...The handful of hateful zealots who don't see anything wrong with their bullying, heartless, uncharitable, behavior...Or the down and out folks who would have had to file 285 false complaints in less than a year...The following two items come from: A comment from the PDN's coverage (such as it is - original typos included) of this story, and a commenter who wishes to remain anonymous because of their fear of retribution.
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Laurie Larson1 hour ago
Your fear is irrational Mom.
These men have done nothing wrong and there is nothing to procecute as was stated repeatedly. Their names should never have been released since no crime was committed
They have a right to open carry firearms for their own protection.
With people like you bullying and spreading lies and hate we are all danger. Thanks for that.
Ignoring the issue that no one should have been there when they went looking and Our Town had permission to clean up City property. We tried to stay as closely connection with LE as we could to make sure we did things right. We learned as we went and adapted to the towns needs. No one in the group is doing any of the vigelante things its accused of and those that are bullying it like you Mom have no room to talk.
The hate and destruction needs to stop.
This town is being destroyed because people like you would rather attack good people trying to protect the community than criminals destroying it.
Laurie Larson1 hour ago
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There's that old punchline to an old joke: "Who are you gonna believe - me or your lyin' eyes?"
For me, I'm going to believe the people who filed 285 complaints, at great personal risk, with no real hope of follow up, but with a real fear of ("Our Town" sponsored) retribution. Why do I believe that? Because it is nonsensical to think that there was a coordinated effort to file 285 false complaints. Think about it: Even if half of them are fake, that would still leave a whopping 140+ complaints of illegal, cruel harassment. What would the payoff be for some people who are down and out to file false reports? How would they know who to say was harassing them? What possible motivation would they have?
On the other hand, we can see what the motivation would be for the "Our Town" clowns. They're small, mean people who need to feel some sense of power in their otherwise chaotic and sad little lives. They need to feel bigger and better than someone - anyone - and to assert themselves in this world they have trouble navigating in some way, any way, however cruel. They're hypocrites, and false Christians, and just plain creepy.
But, let's face it, they can see who there is to pick on. They can see how the power structure or pecking order is set up in Clallam County. You don't have to get all the way up to 285 complaints that haven't been acted on to realize that such complaints aren't going to be acted on. Law enforcement gave these goons a green light, and they just want to keep stepping on the gas.
And on their fellow citizens.
There but for the grace of God...Goes someone I'd like to treat in a harsh and inhumane manner. That's the "Our Town" way. It's the way of arsonist assassins, lynchings, and sociopathic fascists throughout history. "Our Town" doesn't sound like a very nice place to visit, or to live.
If the city did give permission for them to be on the property and the city used them as volunteers it's time for a lawsuit. That makes them part of the crime. I suggest the police and parks protect its vulnerable citizens better.
ReplyDeleteI believe because I have personally experienced the Chelsea Ward wrath. Long before she came along there were many people volunteering and getting things done just fine. Chelsea thought she could do it better and chased people away. If you did not do it her way you were a target. Brianna Kelly went out of her way to hurt me. Their time will come.
It is time to get the City Council on record as to where they stand about this situation. Lee Whetham, the fake progressive, is a BIG supporter. Let's put the heat on the City Council!
DeleteMaybe a good way to frame the issue is to ask the City Council members a question during public comment: "Do you, personally, believe that there is a problem when the police department has received 285 complaints of harassment? Do you, personally, have concerns that this number was allowed to balloon to 285 before the police responded in a significant way?"
DeleteLee is not a "big supporter".
DeleteLaurie Larson is a Our Town groupie and class A liar.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me sick. Mark Nicols met with Our Town many times. Now we need a meeting with him. The most disadvantaged people in the community were just told they do not matter.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHow does the author get to remove one's own comment?
DeleteI've been wondering that myself. It's the first time I've seen it.
DeleteSomeone please help me understand what to ask for when I file a public records request documenting the harassment reports. What is the specific document name to ask for? If I don't get the doc name correct then I may have to make multiple requests to get the right document and they have 5 days to respond to each request so the timeline may become elongated. I want to nail these fuckers ASAP as they feel vindicated and we know that means they will simultaneously go further underground and ramp up intensity of operations. I also want to request the social media posts geotagged but what agency collects that data?
ReplyDeleteAsk for the 285 complaints reference by Sgt Viada in the newspaper article. He can tell you how they are filed. He referenced them, he can produce them.
DeleteI will join that request. City Hall tomorrow. I would like to put common themes together and investigate. Anyone know a good PI? Hahaha!!!! Doesnt Adam Chamberlin have a license?
Do you think decent residents would be willing to stand up to these assholes publicly? People have been pretty scared to speak out against this simple-minded gang of losers.
DeleteACLU may be interested or the US DOJ.
DeleteWell, so much for Martin fearing the fallout...But, in any case, the rest still goes. Goons are goons, and I've heard no credible defense of their actions. Or even why their actions were necessary. Or why the need for so much secrecy for a supposedly "community minded" group. And on and on...
ReplyDeleteIt may be time for concerned citizens to get together and spend a couple nights out in the cold. Maybe set a few traps for Our Town members that our Prosecuting Attorneys cannot ignore. I've got got hotdogs and rum, anyone else out there got buns and coke.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to take a camera or three.
DeleteGame cameras would be an awesome idea. Hide them in the trees to take pictures of the goons as they go by.
DeleteI heard that if a person disagreed with someone in Our Town they were banned from the group and/or sent private messages meant to bully. Those tactics are similar the ones Nazis used to gain power. Shut people up, intimidate, scapegoat, violate...what a bunch of dumb, ignorant, hateful people.
ReplyDeleteNow, Skeeter...The Nazis weren't on Facebook. (Though they are now...) Let's dial it back a bit, maybe keep it a little more generic - like, the pathetic, bed-wetting, wannabe tough guy pseudo-fascists who hang out in "Our Town."
DeleteThat is, when they're not at home mommy...
What a great reputation for the town.
ReplyDeleteSorry to go off-topic; I was curious if anyone had thoughts on some local races: Kilmer v. Bloom, Wege v. Turissini, Tharinger v. Alger? I noticed Chapman is not endorsed by this blog, but thoughts on Vrable? Also, does "downvoting" in these races matter?
ReplyDeleteChapman is a self-serving, serial liar. He has switched parties (from Republican to independent to Democrat to..?) as it best served his needs. He is lazy and a great disappointment; and sadly, his opponent is nearly as bad.
DeleteUnfortunately, this election cycle is bringing us a bigger selection of bad candidates than usual. Mostly it's just current office holders switching to a new position (Chapman, Van De Wege) or the same old same olds who have been disappointing us for years (Tharinger). There are also a few newish right wing zealots (Turissini) to liven things up, or, perhaps more accurately, keep voting down.
I wrote in candidates for almost all the local/state races.
Can I beg you for write-in options? I found Steven Buechler for congress district 6.
DeleteIt's official. Howie, the camouflage commando has taken over the Corner House Cafe downtown. Maybe they have enough Our Town members to keep them in business but for my money I hope to see that place go dark for one reason--to show the rest of the town we do not support assholes who pick on defenseless women. Stay away from Corner House Restaurant unless you support bullys.
ReplyDeletehttp://portocallpublishing.com/2016/11/prosecuting-attorney-mark-nichols-declines-charging-gun-wielding-terrorists/
ReplyDeletePort O Call has updated the story. Thank you Dale Wilson and CK for getting this important story out there.
ReplyDeleteElection Day.
ReplyDeleteLet's get this over, and find out which greedy liar will be occupying the White House for four years.
As for looking ahead in another arena, this will be the last day of this blog.
Walking away from it? Interested in another media endeavor?
DeleteWell, fuck.
DeleteWe elected Betsy Wharton, and she immediately became best buddies with the despicable Karen Rogers.
We elected Larry Little and he immediately quit.
We elected Max Mania, and he fought hard for four years, then moved away.
We elected Sissi Bruch, and she has gone mushy on us in order to not make waves.
Port O Call came along, and tried to break up the news drought here, but I hear they're calling it quits.
And now Unearthed is going down too?
I don't know how many more signs we all need to see before we admit that this place is not, and likely never will be, a place for progressive, good government supporting people. It seems like it's destined to remain a backwards backwater pit, with little to offer economically or culturally.
Anyway, thanks, CK. You tried. Fuck.
Now we're left with, what? The PDN? The Ripley Report? Fuck, fuck, fuck.
What! The last day of this blog?!?! I hope this is some kind of election day joke.
DeletePort Angeles still sucks. Who will tell the stories?
If it is true, I do want to say a sincere "Thank you" for all the work you put into maintaining this blog, over the last couple of years.
It looks like we are to descend into the darkness, again.
Can't say as I blame you. Hopeless causes get old quickly.
DeleteBigger fish to fry?
DeleteWell folks, it's like this...This blog started two and a half (!!!) years ago, with the thought that, maybe, just maybe, by providing an alternative means of sharing information in and about Port Angeles and Clallam County, it might help knock down some of the wicked problems there. Problems like high unemployment, lethal rates of drug abuse, massive amounts of political corruption and incompetence, skyrocketing public debt, etc.
DeleteWell, here we are, over a year and a half later, and all those problems are as bad as they ever were, if not worse. Pat and Cherie are still in charge at City Hall - such as it is. And, lo and behold, there's even a new, wicked problem: Vigilantes.
So, I feel that I gave it the old college try, and I believe that things there are unlikely to change any time soon. And, even though maintaining this blog only takes an hour or so a day, that time adds up. Those are a LOT of hours that I could have been at the gym, or reading, or watching a movie, or fill-in-the-blank. In any case, it's time for me to put that time and energy into other projects, things that might show better results.
But PLEASE don't take that last part as a slam of anyone who participated here. Achieving progress in Port Angeles is like pushing a big, huge, heavy boulder up a steep, steep hill. You all did some pushing. It's no one's fault if there just didn't turn out to be enough people pushing to get that damned boulder up and over the crest of the hill.
(If anyone wants to read something that captures the "mood" of my decision, there's a new column today at Counterpunch that I really liked. It's at: www.counterpunch.org/2016/11/8/america-its-over.)
Anyhow, I'll keep this blog current through the end of the night. Thank you all for the part you've played in making this such an interesting, informative and occasionally infuriating site.
And remember: Life is too short to live in Port Angeles.
I've appreciated your efforts and perspective. Personally I wondered why you would continue to put so much time into it since you don't even live here anymore. It is due time for you to focus on the things that matter in your life, where you are now, and the people you choose to surround yourself with. Happy trails!
DeleteThank you, CK.
DeleteYes, I agree with what you are saying. Things are going from bad to worse.
Thanks for all those hours you've put in to try to help the community. Don't ever doubt you are appreciated. This blog will be missed.
From afar, I'm sure you will occasionally check in, and see how much more Port Angeles can decline.
Enjoy not being here.
Not a Sisyphean effort! The collective conscious is elevated from where we were a year-and-a-half ago. Thank you for your immense effort. May we unite, physically, within the community to show each other we're really here- not just in the comments section!
DeleteWell, you kept it lively. Happy trails.
ReplyDeleteWithout you or the Port O Call, who are going to call out these Our Town idiots (and others like them) and defend the homeless? If you're really calling it quits I'm going to miss this blog. It's something that Port Angeles needs, regardless of whether it makes much of an impact.
ReplyDeleteCK, you wanted something better, but like most warzones of ideas, it's just not possible these days. So the slide just continues.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU
I appreciate your staying in here long enough to kick Our Town square in the balls. If nothing else, you can stick that feather in your cap.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure those little mommy's boys HAVE balls, but I might just be being mean...But I do mean it. In any case, those goons certainly deserve having SOMETHING kicked.
DeleteDid someone get to you?
ReplyDeleteNo. I got to me. I initially was going to end it on Halloween, but then the whole "Our Town" thing came along, and I thought it was important to get that out. As someone who really hates bullies, I wanted to get that out. Now, it's just time for me to get me out.
DeleteDon't get me wrong. There have been - right up until yesterday - plenty of classic, hot air "I know where you are and I'm a-gonna get you" messages that have come in. Net result: Hot air. Remember that about bullies; they're mostly hot air. The one thing they can't stand is for someone to simply stand up to them.
Thank you for all the interesting reading
ReplyDeleteIt is a very dark day in America.
ReplyDeleteAs of right now, the race has not been called. It doesn't matter. Trump has won.
More accurately, that he could insult and lie throughout his campaign, and so many Americans validated those qualities by voting for him, is nothing less than disgusting. But, that is how so many Americans have expressed themselves with their votes.
Regardless of who becomes president, it is easy to see the country is in deep shit. Just like Port Angeles has demonstrated for the last?? years.
CK, how did you know? Was it the emergence of the vigilantes? Tea leaves at the bottom of your cup?
If it was hard before, do we even bother, now?
America, embarrassment to the world.
It has been PROFOUNDLY DEPRESSING sitting here watching CNN. Trump needed a thorough clock-cleaning and national repudiation. Instead, he is, at this point, at the very least, getting frighteningly widespread validation.
DeleteDark days ahead, folks, no matter the final result. Stock up on bottled water and duct tape, and always speak up for what is right.
And against bullies, like the racist/sexist/xenophobe/know-nothing who might well be our next President.
Now, back to the (depressing!) results on CNN...
P.S. - Per some questions that have come in...I will not be deleting the blog. Whatever is up there will stay up, so long as the cyber gods don't come in and wipe it out. The information will remain available. I may even check the email account from time to time.
ReplyDeleteAt least Washington State has an educated electorate..although a good friend of mine actually voted for TRUMP....he has no idea what danger he is putting this country in...I think he thinks it is a joke..no it's real..the American dollar and futures have already dropped.
ReplyDeleteYep. We have (collectively) just empowered a sociopathic racist, sexist, pathological liar and con man to...Do whatever he wants. Mind you, both Clinton and Trump are greedy liars, but he is of a magnitude far above her. He is exactly the wrong leader, at the wrong time.
DeleteI trust the bad news from this election will not be long in coming. His crowd is already chanting "Lock her up! Lock her up!" The American experiment in fascism starts...Now.
Americans need to take a good long look at themselves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for what you've done for PA lately. Making positive change in this town is similar to hitting your head against a wall - repeatedly. It's frustrating to say the least,and you got the brunt of it a while back. You didn't need to expose Our Town for all its ugliness, but you did, so thanks.
ReplyDelete