Lakeland's self-appointed military/veterans czar recently attacked service members and veterans at a Memorial Day presentation to a civic club at a church fellowship hall. It was a disgrace.
At least one member walked out. Other than that, it was embarrassed silence from what I can tell from the video. But that's challenging setting for someone to speak up in -- to interrupt a presentation, which went long, to have a public confrontation. I probably would have interrupted it; but my personality is little more oriented to the value of confrontation. I've already spoken about this to the club in an open meeting. No one objected, and I got some thanks for it. It's a good club, with good people.
First, thank you for supporting Kiwanis and the children. I am also a Kiwanian.
I have some advice. Skip part 2. Few will read it or care to. You made your point with your long winded part 1. You made a few good points, too bad you do so in a hate filled tirade.
You call him a lazy, racist, liar, bigot, coward and more. I didn't see hard evidence of that in your piece. A man of no integrity you say. None? You claim with no evidence he is pissed because he wants the military to take over the government for Trump. I know hundreds of Trump supporters and I can assure you none have ever expressed that sentiment. Not one. Nor I suspect has Mr Clark. Its utter nonsense. A fantasy.
The left accuses the right of hate. Then you spew this hate. I read this hate piece on FB. Since taken down. Fortunately not many will read it.
Its hard to believe you would treat a guest speaker at your club this way. He might be twice your age. I hope you feel better.
Lol didn’t want to quote anything, I guess. You don’t have to read. I didn’t post it on Facebook. Maybe you should spend less time there. I have plenty of subscribers and this has had *exactly* the effect on my community that I wanted it to. I had multiple people I actually know and respect thank me for it. That’s who I’m interested in. You have now wasted quite a bit of time attempting to lecture somebody you don’t know on his free website with actually quoting a single sentence you will call untrue.
Is this not essentially what you wrote? "You claim with no evidence he is pissed because he wants the military to take over the government for Trump." Do you believe Trump supporters want the military to take over the government for Trump? Or no? Do you hate Mr Clark and Trump supporters?
Short answer to your Trump/Trump supporter questions: 1) Yes 2) No.
More in-depth answer: No one has the power to make me hate them, which is why I'm very effective at what I do -- as you are currently demonstrating, to my great gratitude. I didn't "essentially" write anything. I wrote stuff. I meant every word. You can't quote any of it and say "this is incorrect." But you're aghast that I wrote it at all because it causes you feels. Welcome to Billy.
I don't need to believe. Belief is irrelevant. I listen and observe and relate honestly the facts as I see them. The former president was just indicted over the lynch mob he sicked on Congress in an effort to overthrow my vote and the government of the United States. He was desperate to use the military to accomplish that. And he will be the GOP nominee, could become president again on an open platform of being a vengeful dictator, and, I suspect, you will vote for him. Feel free to correct anything there that is not true. These are grim facts. I agree. But I try not to look away from reality.
None of this causes me to hate you. It interests me morally and intellectually, as does the fact that deep down, I sense that *you* think these facts, if true, *should* cause me to hate you. Which is why you are so desperate to somehow pretend these facts are not facts. I think this is why you're lingering here with a stranger who apparently has the power to wound you with his disapproval. Ya'll had a lot of fun with MAGA in 2016 and 2020. This is going to be a no fun for MAGA zone for the next 14 months and beyond.
Indeed, here is a sneak preview of a piece I'm working on called "After the meth bender." I find it apropos of your questions. This is how it will open:
"Why would you rather end 247 years of imperfect, but aspirational American representative government than share the country with the libs? Why is a gross J6 dictatorship, with a terrible economic record, better than just muddling through with your neighbors?
"Why would you kneel in abject loyalty to someone you know would rape your daughter and force her to have abortion; you know would steal and cheat you at any time; and you know would sick a lynch mob you (because you watched him do it to his vice president)?
"Just to spite me — when you can’t even spite me? When that is beyond your power?
"Those are the only questions I find interesting — in an intellectual or moral sense — about the dreary 14 months to come that you’re all going to put us through, yet again. There will be no campaigning or efforts to persuade you in this space. There are no actual issues that matter anyway. I’m not going to beg you not to murder/suicide the country like a weak addicted husband.
"No one can persuade anyone to give up an addiction if they’re unwilling to ask for help. I’ve never cared about or stressed about Trump. You, the addicts, are who matter.
"And MAGA is your meth.
"But you are well past the fun stage of this multi-year meth bender.
"At this point, you’re in the final scenes of Requiem for a Dream (watch at your own peril.) The fun is over — only the dehumanizing addiction remains and the shredding of all human dignity. Maybe you destroy all of us and America with that — maybe you don’t. But you’re not gonna have fun this time. This ain’t 2016 or 2020. You will not be the aggressors around here. I will.
"And I will do whatever I can to make addiction intimately painful for you; so that maybe, just maybe, you get some sort of treatment or look in a mirror. "
I wasn't wounded. I was surprised by your article. I've never met a Kiwanian that acts like this. I was hoping to persuade you to rethink how you dealt with what we agree is an issue with Mr Clark saying inappropriate things at our meetings. Admittedly I got sucked into a debate over the contents of your ridiculous post. Again, if there are any Trump supporters who think the military should overthrow the government, I haven't met them. Poke around and see if you can find one. I bet you can't.
That is all for me. I do in fact have better things to do. Thanks for pointing that out. Be well and maybe I'll see you at a civic event. Hopefully we can work together for a good cause in the future.
I should add: you will *always* find me eager for honorable collaboration with any fellow citizen. I too look forward to working together with you, hopefully not under the J6 dictatorship you seem to want to impose on me and my family. You're also welcome to inquire with my fellow Kiwanians about the kind of Kiwanian I am. I'm confident in their answers.
They represent about 1% of 1% of Trump supporters. You probably have trouble believing that. And the doors were open to let many of them simply walk in. So not all of them had bad intentions. Many did not. What happened to Ashley Babbitt is tragic. Most people will either not go to prison or be incarcerated for about 60 days. Ms Babbitt, a veteran who loves her country, received a death sentence. When police shootings happen with unarmed perps, there are often consequences for them. There should be in this case. No question. I haven't decided who I will vote for yet. MAGA policies were mainstream 20 years ago in the Democrat party. Border security. America first. Limited government. Skeptical of the agencies and their unlimited power. My how far the Democrat party has fallen.
Indeed Billy's portrayal of Colonel Clark is not just misleading but egregiously so. The irony is glaring: his write-up exemplifies laziness, bigotry, and deceit, the very attributes he inaccurately tried to assign to Colonel Clark. The methodology he employed — a mishmash of unfounded conjectures and audacious assumptions with zero facts — is disturbingly reminiscent of tactics utilized by far-right demagogues. Our community wholly rejects this absolute garbage.
LOL. Look, it's OK for both of you to stop thinking about me. I'm sorry I'm in your heads this badly. I'm very unimportant; no one cares what I think. But to your point, Matt, we are all no more than what we do. You supported in the past and are going to support again a guy who openly wanted and wants to overthrow representative government with military power. That means you want it. Because you are what you do, not your whiny intentions or excuses. But, again, it's ok to stop thinking about me. I'm not going to try to end representative government with the military. :)
You seem strangely fixated on how my mind works; if you're going to waste your time and energy lurking here, you might actually learn something about it here:
What I wanted from this war was not to have it in the first place, not for America to "get beat". Russia isn't going to tolerate missiles in Ukraine. As a matter of fact, they want the missiles out of Romania that are there now. Precisely as we wanted no missiles in Cuba. A neutral Ukraine is a GOOD thing and the US overturned that with the 2014 CIA coup. Too bad you've been duped into supporting the perpetual war faction in this country. BUT that's where the rich and powerful are, so there are social benefits for many. As far as military accidents to compare the rigor and realism of training today with what went on in 1980 is a pretty big stretch. The death rate is down because of improvements in safety standards and less dangerous realism in training. Not because we now have brilliant transexuals who don't get into accidents. The military is unable to recruit and are lowering the standards for admission and for all kinds of jobs. That's a national story that you must have somehow missed. Israel took women out of combat because, in general, it was a failure despite the fine performance of many individual young women. So grand social experiments don't always work. Even though their's was born of some necessity rather than blind commitment to equality at all costs. This guy is probably more right than wrong.
I LOVE the guy. If he's on the ballot I'm voting for him. I'm hoping the Democrats will wise up and nominate him. He's the one guy who is tailor made for my politics.
He's not going to be on the ballot in the general. But you can write him in and be true to yourself. And you should. And tell me exactly how much of Ukraine should Ukraine give up to your weak idol Putin, the single most militaristic and aggressive colonialist in the world. I support the defense of Ukraine for the exact same reason I opposed the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Why are you on the side of the colonial aggressor? How many rapes and kidnapped children and missiles strikes on apartments are you cool with in the name of being "anti-war?" Or is that all a lie?
Ukraine is going to have to give up the Russian parts of Ukraine now. Donetsk and Luhansk. They didn't have to give up any. There was a treaty back in March that Zelenskey was willing to sign. This left those parts of Ukraine as semi-autonomous territories within Ukraine. But Boris Johnson flew over there at Biden's behest and blew it up. It is laughable to hear you talk about Russia as a militaristic and aggressive country, when the US has 10X the defense budget and 800 military bases around the world. He has 2. And the US is working overitme to deprive him of both of them- namely Kherson on the Black Sea, which was Russian territory for hundreds of years and the one in Syria. Of course those atrocities are mostly lies. First of all those apartments are mostly in Russian Ukraine. Ukraine loves to set up artillery bases in civilian apartment common areas PRECISELY so they can scream atrocity. How many rapes were being committed by Ukrainian troops all these years in Donetsk and Luhansk that you were silent about? We don't know, but we do know that 14,000 Civilians were killed by indiscriminate Ukrainian artillery and bombs. Absolutely most of the reports of atrocities are lies. Just like the lies that Assad gassed his own people. And the lies that Saddam was throwing incubator babies on the floor and was in cahoots with Al-Queda(worst enemies). And the lie about Gulf of Tonkin and the lie that Lusitania was a passenger ship with no arms and ammunition. And the lie that Spain blew up the USS Maine in Havana Harbor. Being a patriot does not include allowing our soldiers to be killed in one immoral war for resources after another based on flimsy pretexts and lies. At least you admit the CIA overthrew the Ukraine Government in 2014 and Victoria Nuland was recorded on cell phone picking their next President.
LOL. Russia thinks every inch of Ukraine is Russia. And would have taken it if it could. What does the retreating/invading army have to give up? I really think you ought to defect to Russia, where men are men, and people tend to fall out of tall buildings. You're under such a militaristic dictatorship here. And you hate it here so much because of libtards like me. Go fight for Russia's anti-war effort. LOL.
Yeah, you guys have been propagating this nonsense that he's trying to conquer the world since 2014. You could just as easily volunteer to fight for Ukraine. They're taking volunteers. For a libtard(a term I despise JFYI), you sound more and more like a Neo-con right winger every day. Move to Russia, Trust the government, don't question authority. That's a poor repost to my long list of FACTS that show a clear record of dishonesty on the part of the US government in the area of foreign policy. That' just scratches the surface. I could write pages. Must be nice to live in a world where you trust the state so implicitly. You're a TOP investigative reporter. This naivte you show in foreign policy at the highest levels doesn't match your findings at the local level. Anything I said above NOT accurate?
Your recent attempt to smear the reputation of Colonel Gary Clark has only highlighted the recklessness of your writing. Instead of achieving whatever aim you had in mind, it has become evident that the community, and even members of your own inner circle, are not in support of such baseless allegations. The entire episode seems to have backfired on you spectacularly.
Colonel Clark, with his impeccable service record and unwavering commitment to our veterans, will continue to host the Veterans Day program, as he has honorably done for over two decades. This decision by the Rotary Club speaks volumes about the respect and trust the community has in Colonel Clark, and conversely, the skepticism they hold toward your tactics.
Your style of journalism, which leans heavily on speculation and unfounded assumptions, is reminiscent of the tactics employed by far-right extremist figures like Alex Jones and Nick Fuentes. Drawing conclusions without concrete evidence and making sensationalist allegations is neither journalism nor is it in service to the truth or community. It's simply demagoguery.
It would serve you well to reflect on this episode and understand that the Lakeland community values integrity, truth, and respect. Casting aspersions without evidence, especially against individuals who have devoted their lives to service, only undermines your credibility.
First, thanks. I'm glad you decided to come here rather than keep attacking my wife, who had nothing whatsoever to do with it. I didn't even know Gary Clark was in Rotary when I wrote my article.
Second, I would encourage you to accurately quote verbatim a paragraph from the article you find false or unfair. I will happily address that. I also encourage you to highlight anywhere where I misquoted Gary and his presentation.
Third, my piece was about my Kiwanis Club. Rotary is none of my business or concern, other than the fact that my wife is president. Multiple members of my *Kiwanis* Club walked out of Gary's presentation in disgust. And it was brought to my attention by a concerned member -- after I had missed it because I was out of the country. Not a single member of my Club has complained about my account of the presentation. And many have thanked me. If you would like to understand why that might be, I'm easy to reach by phone. 813-404-7420.
I am always willing to discuss anything I write with anyone. The goal is always to address misbehavior accurately and move forward.
1) Regarding Your Perception of My "Attacking" Your Wife: I find it troubling that you've construed my communication to the Rotary Club President as a personal attack. It was a sincere address of the unfolding situation, not a personal attack. Perhaps your perception stems from a reluctance to acknowledge the ramifications of your article. The predicament Julie found herself in, feeling compelled to send clarifications to the entire Rotary Club, was an avoidable consequence of your smear campaign. The narrative isn't about you or Julie being victims; it's about Colonel Gary Clark, an esteemed community member known for his unwavering dedication to our veterans for over two decades, who has been unfairly maligned by your baseless allegations. I am glad to know, however, that my email to her and the board members apparently had an effect that helped lead to a just outcome.
2) Tolerance of Different Viewpoints: Interestingly, I lean left politically, much like you seem to. This means that, on a broader spectrum, we likely share many political beliefs. However, the significant difference appears to be in how we address and respond to contrasting viewpoints. For instance, I've witnessed firsthand, through interactions with family members and others who hold different political beliefs, that it's entirely possible to navigate differences with understanding and mutual respect. The ability to coexist and converse despite disagreements is a hallmark of mature dialogue. Calling an esteemed member of our community a lazy racist bigoted liar is not illustrative of mature dialogue. At best, it underscores a notable deficiency in emotional IQ.
3) Knowing Colonel Clark: Your admitted unfamiliarity with Colonel Clark's respected and valued position in the community and his longstanding role in the Rotary Club, coupled with the baseless accusations you've made, is quite concerning. It underscores the need for thorough research and deep understanding when slandering someone so integral to our community.
4) Impact on Broader Audience: Given your supposed profession as a journalist, it's crucial to consider your target audience and the impact of your words. If your goal is to influence or inform a vast majority of readers, particularly the significant demographic of independent voters, the extreme tactics employed in your articles will certainly alienate them. Pro-Tip: Sensationalism, especially when it delves into character assassination of esteemed community members like Colonel Gary Clark, narrows the audience to only those who relish such extreme narratives. If the intention is to only converse with a select few who share extreme views and thrive in echo chambers, then your brand of journalism is spot-on. If your goal is to be the Gateway Pundit of the left, you could well be on your way.
In wrapping up, my intent in penning this response isn't to engage in an ongoing dialogue with you but rather to express my concerns and hopes that you may reflect upon your journalistic approach. I suspect any further dialog would devolve into fallacious reasoning, deflection, and bad faith argumentation. The potential consequences of your articles, particularly those that engage in character assassination, and by your own admission without due research, can be far-reaching. Not only can they affect esteemed members of our community, such as Colonel Gary Clark, but they can also place others, including your wife, in difficult and challenging positions. It's disconcerting to observe that instead of recognizing the potential fallout of such character assignation hit pieces, there seems to be a trend to position oneself as the victim. This deflection, especially when used as a shield against accountability, is both counterproductive and ironic.
Your assertion that the goal of your article was merely to "address misbehavior and move forward" is difficult to reconcile with the harsh and unsubstantiated accusations you've made. It's a sentiment that I find hard to believe, particularly given the gravity of the allegations you've peddled (Colonel Gary Clark is a lazy racist bigoted liar). Your portrayal of yourself now as merely an observer pointing out minor transgressions, especially after launching such severe critiques, comes off as disingenuous at best.
Colonel Gary Clark, retired, has dedicated over two decades to tirelessly advocating for and supporting the veterans of our community. His leadership within the Polk County Veterans Council and myriad other organizations has provided a lifeline to countless veterans, from the youth in JROTC units to the heroes of WWII. Whether forging partnerships with educational institutions, spearheading "Flight to Honor" trips, or addressing the needs of homeless veterans, Colonel Clark's unwavering commitment has deeply impacted and uplifted the veteran community, solidifying his reputation as a beacon of service and advocacy in Polk County. How exactly do you contribute to and uplift our community in your spare time, Mr. Townsend?
While you are entitled to your opinions and viewpoints, it would serve the community better if they were expressed with a higher degree of integrity, research, and maturity. For the sake of all involved, and for the cohesion of our community, I hope you consider this feedback seriously.
How did Mr Clark impact the honor of your Dad, your Son or millions of veterans? I think Mr Clark works for them. I'm a veteran and while I may not agree with everything he says or believes, I'm thankful for his work on behalf of veterans.
The article explained why, Go read it. Perhaps you do not agree. You do not need to. But I was not vague. You are welcome to quote something and call it incorrect. I'm not going to explain the article's plain language to you. It is its best evidence of it intent. Quote something.
That's a question for you to answer. This is a voluntary, free-to-read website. I know that I feel personally obligated to defend the honor of my dad and my son and so millions of others who serve this country in so many different ways. And I will be morally merciless in doing so.
At least one member walked out. Other than that, it was embarrassed silence from what I can tell from the video. But that's challenging setting for someone to speak up in -- to interrupt a presentation, which went long, to have a public confrontation. I probably would have interrupted it; but my personality is little more oriented to the value of confrontation. I've already spoken about this to the club in an open meeting. No one objected, and I got some thanks for it. It's a good club, with good people.
First, thank you for supporting Kiwanis and the children. I am also a Kiwanian.
I have some advice. Skip part 2. Few will read it or care to. You made your point with your long winded part 1. You made a few good points, too bad you do so in a hate filled tirade.
You call him a lazy, racist, liar, bigot, coward and more. I didn't see hard evidence of that in your piece. A man of no integrity you say. None? You claim with no evidence he is pissed because he wants the military to take over the government for Trump. I know hundreds of Trump supporters and I can assure you none have ever expressed that sentiment. Not one. Nor I suspect has Mr Clark. Its utter nonsense. A fantasy.
The left accuses the right of hate. Then you spew this hate. I read this hate piece on FB. Since taken down. Fortunately not many will read it.
Its hard to believe you would treat a guest speaker at your club this way. He might be twice your age. I hope you feel better.
Lol didn’t want to quote anything, I guess. You don’t have to read. I didn’t post it on Facebook. Maybe you should spend less time there. I have plenty of subscribers and this has had *exactly* the effect on my community that I wanted it to. I had multiple people I actually know and respect thank me for it. That’s who I’m interested in. You have now wasted quite a bit of time attempting to lecture somebody you don’t know on his free website with actually quoting a single sentence you will call untrue.
Is this not essentially what you wrote? "You claim with no evidence he is pissed because he wants the military to take over the government for Trump." Do you believe Trump supporters want the military to take over the government for Trump? Or no? Do you hate Mr Clark and Trump supporters?
Short answer to your Trump/Trump supporter questions: 1) Yes 2) No.
More in-depth answer: No one has the power to make me hate them, which is why I'm very effective at what I do -- as you are currently demonstrating, to my great gratitude. I didn't "essentially" write anything. I wrote stuff. I meant every word. You can't quote any of it and say "this is incorrect." But you're aghast that I wrote it at all because it causes you feels. Welcome to Billy.
I don't need to believe. Belief is irrelevant. I listen and observe and relate honestly the facts as I see them. The former president was just indicted over the lynch mob he sicked on Congress in an effort to overthrow my vote and the government of the United States. He was desperate to use the military to accomplish that. And he will be the GOP nominee, could become president again on an open platform of being a vengeful dictator, and, I suspect, you will vote for him. Feel free to correct anything there that is not true. These are grim facts. I agree. But I try not to look away from reality.
None of this causes me to hate you. It interests me morally and intellectually, as does the fact that deep down, I sense that *you* think these facts, if true, *should* cause me to hate you. Which is why you are so desperate to somehow pretend these facts are not facts. I think this is why you're lingering here with a stranger who apparently has the power to wound you with his disapproval. Ya'll had a lot of fun with MAGA in 2016 and 2020. This is going to be a no fun for MAGA zone for the next 14 months and beyond.
Indeed, here is a sneak preview of a piece I'm working on called "After the meth bender." I find it apropos of your questions. This is how it will open:
"Why would you rather end 247 years of imperfect, but aspirational American representative government than share the country with the libs? Why is a gross J6 dictatorship, with a terrible economic record, better than just muddling through with your neighbors?
"Why would you kneel in abject loyalty to someone you know would rape your daughter and force her to have abortion; you know would steal and cheat you at any time; and you know would sick a lynch mob you (because you watched him do it to his vice president)?
"Just to spite me — when you can’t even spite me? When that is beyond your power?
"Those are the only questions I find interesting — in an intellectual or moral sense — about the dreary 14 months to come that you’re all going to put us through, yet again. There will be no campaigning or efforts to persuade you in this space. There are no actual issues that matter anyway. I’m not going to beg you not to murder/suicide the country like a weak addicted husband.
"No one can persuade anyone to give up an addiction if they’re unwilling to ask for help. I’ve never cared about or stressed about Trump. You, the addicts, are who matter.
"And MAGA is your meth.
"But you are well past the fun stage of this multi-year meth bender.
"At this point, you’re in the final scenes of Requiem for a Dream (watch at your own peril.) The fun is over — only the dehumanizing addiction remains and the shredding of all human dignity. Maybe you destroy all of us and America with that — maybe you don’t. But you’re not gonna have fun this time. This ain’t 2016 or 2020. You will not be the aggressors around here. I will.
"And I will do whatever I can to make addiction intimately painful for you; so that maybe, just maybe, you get some sort of treatment or look in a mirror. "
This is great.
I wasn't wounded. I was surprised by your article. I've never met a Kiwanian that acts like this. I was hoping to persuade you to rethink how you dealt with what we agree is an issue with Mr Clark saying inappropriate things at our meetings. Admittedly I got sucked into a debate over the contents of your ridiculous post. Again, if there are any Trump supporters who think the military should overthrow the government, I haven't met them. Poke around and see if you can find one. I bet you can't.
That is all for me. I do in fact have better things to do. Thanks for pointing that out. Be well and maybe I'll see you at a civic event. Hopefully we can work together for a good cause in the future.
I should add: you will *always* find me eager for honorable collaboration with any fellow citizen. I too look forward to working together with you, hopefully not under the J6 dictatorship you seem to want to impose on me and my family. You're also welcome to inquire with my fellow Kiwanians about the kind of Kiwanian I am. I'm confident in their answers.
How about the ones who took part in trying to overthrow the government? Including Ashli Babbit. Do these guys count? https://www.cbsnews.com/news/two-active-duty-marines-plead-guilty-jan-6-capitol-riot-charges/
Have fun supporting your J6 dictator. But don't expect me to protect your feelings. No MAGA fun zone here.
They represent about 1% of 1% of Trump supporters. You probably have trouble believing that. And the doors were open to let many of them simply walk in. So not all of them had bad intentions. Many did not. What happened to Ashley Babbitt is tragic. Most people will either not go to prison or be incarcerated for about 60 days. Ms Babbitt, a veteran who loves her country, received a death sentence. When police shootings happen with unarmed perps, there are often consequences for them. There should be in this case. No question. I haven't decided who I will vote for yet. MAGA policies were mainstream 20 years ago in the Democrat party. Border security. America first. Limited government. Skeptical of the agencies and their unlimited power. My how far the Democrat party has fallen.
Indeed Billy's portrayal of Colonel Clark is not just misleading but egregiously so. The irony is glaring: his write-up exemplifies laziness, bigotry, and deceit, the very attributes he inaccurately tried to assign to Colonel Clark. The methodology he employed — a mishmash of unfounded conjectures and audacious assumptions with zero facts — is disturbingly reminiscent of tactics utilized by far-right demagogues. Our community wholly rejects this absolute garbage.
Nicholas,
Do know any Trump supporters that think the military should take over government for Trump?
Matt
Totally agree. Billy should seek help.
LOL. Look, it's OK for both of you to stop thinking about me. I'm sorry I'm in your heads this badly. I'm very unimportant; no one cares what I think. But to your point, Matt, we are all no more than what we do. You supported in the past and are going to support again a guy who openly wanted and wants to overthrow representative government with military power. That means you want it. Because you are what you do, not your whiny intentions or excuses. But, again, it's ok to stop thinking about me. I'm not going to try to end representative government with the military. :)
You seem strangely fixated on how my mind works; if you're going to waste your time and energy lurking here, you might actually learn something about it here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/billytownsend/p/four-complaints-citizenship-can-discipline?r=56jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
What I wanted from this war was not to have it in the first place, not for America to "get beat". Russia isn't going to tolerate missiles in Ukraine. As a matter of fact, they want the missiles out of Romania that are there now. Precisely as we wanted no missiles in Cuba. A neutral Ukraine is a GOOD thing and the US overturned that with the 2014 CIA coup. Too bad you've been duped into supporting the perpetual war faction in this country. BUT that's where the rich and powerful are, so there are social benefits for many. As far as military accidents to compare the rigor and realism of training today with what went on in 1980 is a pretty big stretch. The death rate is down because of improvements in safety standards and less dangerous realism in training. Not because we now have brilliant transexuals who don't get into accidents. The military is unable to recruit and are lowering the standards for admission and for all kinds of jobs. That's a national story that you must have somehow missed. Israel took women out of combat because, in general, it was a failure despite the fine performance of many individual young women. So grand social experiments don't always work. Even though their's was born of some necessity rather than blind commitment to equality at all costs. This guy is probably more right than wrong.
LOL, Al. Promise me you're writing in RFK Jr. this time. That's all I ask.
I LOVE the guy. If he's on the ballot I'm voting for him. I'm hoping the Democrats will wise up and nominate him. He's the one guy who is tailor made for my politics.
He's not going to be on the ballot in the general. But you can write him in and be true to yourself. And you should. And tell me exactly how much of Ukraine should Ukraine give up to your weak idol Putin, the single most militaristic and aggressive colonialist in the world. I support the defense of Ukraine for the exact same reason I opposed the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Why are you on the side of the colonial aggressor? How many rapes and kidnapped children and missiles strikes on apartments are you cool with in the name of being "anti-war?" Or is that all a lie?
Ukraine is going to have to give up the Russian parts of Ukraine now. Donetsk and Luhansk. They didn't have to give up any. There was a treaty back in March that Zelenskey was willing to sign. This left those parts of Ukraine as semi-autonomous territories within Ukraine. But Boris Johnson flew over there at Biden's behest and blew it up. It is laughable to hear you talk about Russia as a militaristic and aggressive country, when the US has 10X the defense budget and 800 military bases around the world. He has 2. And the US is working overitme to deprive him of both of them- namely Kherson on the Black Sea, which was Russian territory for hundreds of years and the one in Syria. Of course those atrocities are mostly lies. First of all those apartments are mostly in Russian Ukraine. Ukraine loves to set up artillery bases in civilian apartment common areas PRECISELY so they can scream atrocity. How many rapes were being committed by Ukrainian troops all these years in Donetsk and Luhansk that you were silent about? We don't know, but we do know that 14,000 Civilians were killed by indiscriminate Ukrainian artillery and bombs. Absolutely most of the reports of atrocities are lies. Just like the lies that Assad gassed his own people. And the lies that Saddam was throwing incubator babies on the floor and was in cahoots with Al-Queda(worst enemies). And the lie about Gulf of Tonkin and the lie that Lusitania was a passenger ship with no arms and ammunition. And the lie that Spain blew up the USS Maine in Havana Harbor. Being a patriot does not include allowing our soldiers to be killed in one immoral war for resources after another based on flimsy pretexts and lies. At least you admit the CIA overthrew the Ukraine Government in 2014 and Victoria Nuland was recorded on cell phone picking their next President.
LOL. Russia thinks every inch of Ukraine is Russia. And would have taken it if it could. What does the retreating/invading army have to give up? I really think you ought to defect to Russia, where men are men, and people tend to fall out of tall buildings. You're under such a militaristic dictatorship here. And you hate it here so much because of libtards like me. Go fight for Russia's anti-war effort. LOL.
Yeah, you guys have been propagating this nonsense that he's trying to conquer the world since 2014. You could just as easily volunteer to fight for Ukraine. They're taking volunteers. For a libtard(a term I despise JFYI), you sound more and more like a Neo-con right winger every day. Move to Russia, Trust the government, don't question authority. That's a poor repost to my long list of FACTS that show a clear record of dishonesty on the part of the US government in the area of foreign policy. That' just scratches the surface. I could write pages. Must be nice to live in a world where you trust the state so implicitly. You're a TOP investigative reporter. This naivte you show in foreign policy at the highest levels doesn't match your findings at the local level. Anything I said above NOT accurate?
Exactly right Billy. We don't care what you think.
Mr. Townsend,
Your recent attempt to smear the reputation of Colonel Gary Clark has only highlighted the recklessness of your writing. Instead of achieving whatever aim you had in mind, it has become evident that the community, and even members of your own inner circle, are not in support of such baseless allegations. The entire episode seems to have backfired on you spectacularly.
Colonel Clark, with his impeccable service record and unwavering commitment to our veterans, will continue to host the Veterans Day program, as he has honorably done for over two decades. This decision by the Rotary Club speaks volumes about the respect and trust the community has in Colonel Clark, and conversely, the skepticism they hold toward your tactics.
Your style of journalism, which leans heavily on speculation and unfounded assumptions, is reminiscent of the tactics employed by far-right extremist figures like Alex Jones and Nick Fuentes. Drawing conclusions without concrete evidence and making sensationalist allegations is neither journalism nor is it in service to the truth or community. It's simply demagoguery.
It would serve you well to reflect on this episode and understand that the Lakeland community values integrity, truth, and respect. Casting aspersions without evidence, especially against individuals who have devoted their lives to service, only undermines your credibility.
First, thanks. I'm glad you decided to come here rather than keep attacking my wife, who had nothing whatsoever to do with it. I didn't even know Gary Clark was in Rotary when I wrote my article.
Second, I would encourage you to accurately quote verbatim a paragraph from the article you find false or unfair. I will happily address that. I also encourage you to highlight anywhere where I misquoted Gary and his presentation.
Third, my piece was about my Kiwanis Club. Rotary is none of my business or concern, other than the fact that my wife is president. Multiple members of my *Kiwanis* Club walked out of Gary's presentation in disgust. And it was brought to my attention by a concerned member -- after I had missed it because I was out of the country. Not a single member of my Club has complained about my account of the presentation. And many have thanked me. If you would like to understand why that might be, I'm easy to reach by phone. 813-404-7420.
I am always willing to discuss anything I write with anyone. The goal is always to address misbehavior accurately and move forward.
1) Regarding Your Perception of My "Attacking" Your Wife: I find it troubling that you've construed my communication to the Rotary Club President as a personal attack. It was a sincere address of the unfolding situation, not a personal attack. Perhaps your perception stems from a reluctance to acknowledge the ramifications of your article. The predicament Julie found herself in, feeling compelled to send clarifications to the entire Rotary Club, was an avoidable consequence of your smear campaign. The narrative isn't about you or Julie being victims; it's about Colonel Gary Clark, an esteemed community member known for his unwavering dedication to our veterans for over two decades, who has been unfairly maligned by your baseless allegations. I am glad to know, however, that my email to her and the board members apparently had an effect that helped lead to a just outcome.
2) Tolerance of Different Viewpoints: Interestingly, I lean left politically, much like you seem to. This means that, on a broader spectrum, we likely share many political beliefs. However, the significant difference appears to be in how we address and respond to contrasting viewpoints. For instance, I've witnessed firsthand, through interactions with family members and others who hold different political beliefs, that it's entirely possible to navigate differences with understanding and mutual respect. The ability to coexist and converse despite disagreements is a hallmark of mature dialogue. Calling an esteemed member of our community a lazy racist bigoted liar is not illustrative of mature dialogue. At best, it underscores a notable deficiency in emotional IQ.
3) Knowing Colonel Clark: Your admitted unfamiliarity with Colonel Clark's respected and valued position in the community and his longstanding role in the Rotary Club, coupled with the baseless accusations you've made, is quite concerning. It underscores the need for thorough research and deep understanding when slandering someone so integral to our community.
4) Impact on Broader Audience: Given your supposed profession as a journalist, it's crucial to consider your target audience and the impact of your words. If your goal is to influence or inform a vast majority of readers, particularly the significant demographic of independent voters, the extreme tactics employed in your articles will certainly alienate them. Pro-Tip: Sensationalism, especially when it delves into character assassination of esteemed community members like Colonel Gary Clark, narrows the audience to only those who relish such extreme narratives. If the intention is to only converse with a select few who share extreme views and thrive in echo chambers, then your brand of journalism is spot-on. If your goal is to be the Gateway Pundit of the left, you could well be on your way.
In wrapping up, my intent in penning this response isn't to engage in an ongoing dialogue with you but rather to express my concerns and hopes that you may reflect upon your journalistic approach. I suspect any further dialog would devolve into fallacious reasoning, deflection, and bad faith argumentation. The potential consequences of your articles, particularly those that engage in character assassination, and by your own admission without due research, can be far-reaching. Not only can they affect esteemed members of our community, such as Colonel Gary Clark, but they can also place others, including your wife, in difficult and challenging positions. It's disconcerting to observe that instead of recognizing the potential fallout of such character assignation hit pieces, there seems to be a trend to position oneself as the victim. This deflection, especially when used as a shield against accountability, is both counterproductive and ironic.
Your assertion that the goal of your article was merely to "address misbehavior and move forward" is difficult to reconcile with the harsh and unsubstantiated accusations you've made. It's a sentiment that I find hard to believe, particularly given the gravity of the allegations you've peddled (Colonel Gary Clark is a lazy racist bigoted liar). Your portrayal of yourself now as merely an observer pointing out minor transgressions, especially after launching such severe critiques, comes off as disingenuous at best.
Colonel Gary Clark, retired, has dedicated over two decades to tirelessly advocating for and supporting the veterans of our community. His leadership within the Polk County Veterans Council and myriad other organizations has provided a lifeline to countless veterans, from the youth in JROTC units to the heroes of WWII. Whether forging partnerships with educational institutions, spearheading "Flight to Honor" trips, or addressing the needs of homeless veterans, Colonel Clark's unwavering commitment has deeply impacted and uplifted the veteran community, solidifying his reputation as a beacon of service and advocacy in Polk County. How exactly do you contribute to and uplift our community in your spare time, Mr. Townsend?
While you are entitled to your opinions and viewpoints, it would serve the community better if they were expressed with a higher degree of integrity, research, and maturity. For the sake of all involved, and for the cohesion of our community, I hope you consider this feedback seriously.
How did Mr Clark impact the honor of your Dad, your Son or millions of veterans? I think Mr Clark works for them. I'm a veteran and while I may not agree with everything he says or believes, I'm thankful for his work on behalf of veterans.
The article explained why, Go read it. Perhaps you do not agree. You do not need to. But I was not vague. You are welcome to quote something and call it incorrect. I'm not going to explain the article's plain language to you. It is its best evidence of it intent. Quote something.
This piece is brutal. Does he really deserve this public roasting? And it's only part 1? Good grief.
That's a question for you to answer. This is a voluntary, free-to-read website. I know that I feel personally obligated to defend the honor of my dad and my son and so millions of others who serve this country in so many different ways. And I will be morally merciless in doing so.
I’m curious about the audience reaction. Supportive? Any pushback? Or embarrassed silence?