Molly Janczyk: Opinion

From Molly Janczyk, May 23, 2007
Subject: Request To Blog: Dear Blogger Kathie:

If I may respond to your message which came to me as a result of our conversations and then was blogged under "Das Blog: To a Retiree:" Since I feel I am that retiree, may I have my thoughts blogged as well.

The following is a general statement : MY OPINION: not towards the blogger who does a fabulous job posting mostly informative items and only hopes to open doors to allow freedom of expression. I totally agree and applaud that effort and the inordinate amount of time it takes for her to edit, post and go through enormous amounts of emails. Thank you. The following is only a result of our debate on some issues and not intended for anyone who wishes to further communication or provide information.

However, there are some items I personally and continually question under this Defending the Right the Speak with no restraints. Let me explain and I hope to make this a real debate with both sides presented. Email me with any thoughts on my position in the event this is blogged: mollyjanczyk@hotmail.com

Defending 'The Right to Free Speech': I wonder if our forefathers meant that maligning a person reputation with no foundation falls under this right. Let me use an example though I am hestitant to raise old issues.

When Dennis Leone was publically and statewide maligned impuning his integrity, basically calling him a liar, questioning his motives with not one shred of truth but only to through out cruel misgivings in the hopes 'the chips would fall where they may' and to see what happens hoping for some of it to stick so as to very intentionally malign him. What did he do wrong? He blew the whistle on STRS Board Members abusing funds. Why did the organizations NOT up and defend his research which was totally 100% verified and for which Dennis Leone received a Journalist Award? We can only assume they were caught and embarassed for not providing oversight properly and for turning away when they knew what was occuring. Their stand is that they do not interfere under advise from their attorney. Not even when Ethics Violations were evident. That does not seem to be in the best interest of membership. Perhaps, their policy should be changed.

Dennis Leone has not ever recovered from that onslaught. His name continued to be impuned in newsletters, at meetings with locals, at Board Meetings both addressing the Board thinly veiling an address to the Board when it was clearly directed at Leone. He has never received anything recanting this mean and purposeful attack. His reputation is forever tainted in some loyals minds devote to the organizations and never steppiing outside that comfort zone.

Point: That 'free speech' WAS NOT OK and I doubt very strenuously that it was our founding forefathers' intent. Since then we have had vitriolic , mean spirited exchanges and hurled our own accusations without foundation and without giving the person a chance to answer first, just as Leone was not allowed to address this issue first. It steals one's ability to recover, to make things right because it is forever gone on into the vast chain and cannot be recanted and won't be totally even if an answer is given.

When we throw out accusations without taking a MOMENT instead to direct our question to the proper individual, we do no better than what happened to Dennis. It takes no time to hit send to the proper persons and wait for a response and THEN present the issue for informed debate and open conversation.

Folks go through us because they know we have the contacts and can get the information. No one wants to stop one word of constructive criticism or challenging of issues. I sure enter the fray on plenty of issues.

Point: If all we are is accusing and throwing out comments with no substantiation, how are we better and what have we done to improve matters for retirees? Valid points and questions need spoken and asked. Debate is a wonderful tool for learning all sides. But, I sure don't want to waste time (which I have done countless times) researching someone saying something is true when it is not. So many sources are at our fingertips to ck out items. How does that take more time than preparing an item for publishing. If one does not wish to take time to ck it out, I will for the same of sane and reliable information to debate. Debate is for convincing and presenting ideas.

I want 'free speech' too. I just don't want to abuse it by throwing out accusations hoping for someone else to take a minute to find answers or to start rumor maligning and hurting someone underservedly. We all know they are PLENTY of occassions to address REAL and OBSERVED bad bahaviors. Why inflame just for the sake of it? We gain respect by 'hearing' all sides and then making informed decisions followed by real debate.

This is only my opinion and certainly not my decision on what gets published by anyone. I only ask for consideration and debate on this issue cause educators or postman or salesman, few take the time to ck out what they read and some of it 'sticks' right or wrong. Shouldn't we err on the right side?

My take. No one has to agree. Not meant to be antagonistic in any way. Thanks for listening to another view on 'freedom'. I will defend anyone's right to speak but not to hurt or cause needless rumor or false accusations. I hope to encourage a minute to be responsible for what we all say. A blog, an email: it's public and it can hurt or help. History: NEVER FORGET THE PAST SO AS TO IMPROVE THE FUTURE AND AVOID PAST MISTAKES BUT DON'T LET THE PAST IMPEDE PROGRESS AND MOVING ON. USE IT TO CARVE NEW INROADS TO MAKE NEW CONNECTIONS AND RESOLVE ISSUES:

Again, no matter who you are, I use Tom Mooney as an example of how to gain trust and solely work for membership: "Ask what will it take to sit down and resolve this issue so we can move to the next one as we have so much to do!"

And Nancy Boomhower's wise words: 'f we don't do all we can to work together, we are hopelessly irresponsible to retirees.' (paraphrased)

GUIDING PRINCIPAL: How would it feel if directed to us or ours if not true or just thrown out carelessly.
[A reminder from blogger: nobody (that I know of) is forced to read this blog.]