I know the target and I know her to be kind and gentle. I have no idea whether the charges are true or not. I don't care, because this isn't about that. It's about someone's ability to post on a blog anything they want and the willingness of people to believe something because it is said. I have a sense of outrage over this injustice. If a person is suspected of a crime, the proper authorities need to be notified and the legal process needs to be put in place. To charge and try someone online under the cover of anonymity is the antithesis of our judicial system, not to mention our Constitution. A person has a right, under our law, to face their accuser. How can you do that in a situation such as an internet blog?
I am an old school Constitutionalist, and I don't think that is a bad thing. I do believe it is a disappearing thing. And I am very sorry that this has happened in a country that has a guiding document of conduct which most of the population has no knowledge of.
As you can see, this has nothing to do with the individual, although I personally like her, but about the behavior of the individual who started this attack. In a world of sanity, the charges would have been made, the case would have been tried and guilt or innocence would have been determined. At that point an internet blog about this would have been appropriate. But that's not how we do things anymore.
If the person charged and convicted online is innocent, how do you take it back?
I have a sense of unease because I have never kept my internet persona anonymous.
8 comments:
Have been following the entire story, and I appreciate your words. While I have no idea what the truth might be, I am also old fashioned, and still believe in "innocent until proven guilty".
Thank you for your comment. I looked at your blog and I hope your husband comes home soon. You have adorable children.
Thanks so much. Husband is due home in December - we can't wait. If you are in contact with Gina, please let her know that...
My feelings toward Gina have not changed. I have been praying for her peace & healing for months. I still am. Before yesterday, I fully believed that she deserved God's love & grace. I still do. She still has my love, and my sympathy. As always before, I hope Gina receives the help she needs, and that she will one day be fully healed, and truly happy. Everyone deserves that, Gina included.
l, I believe that freedom of speech is also a very important part of the US constitution. Gina, has every opportunity to respond to these public accusations. She could very easily lay the whole controversy to rest by answering the charges with very minimal 'proof'. A photo of herself in the hospital, a notarized letter from her physician, a police report alleging that Paul used her name and identity (as a horse rider) and her friend's picture to start a phony fund raiser. Her opportunities are almost limitless in terms of how to 'answer' these public accusations. Many years ago these debates took place in the town square, now they happen online as our 'communities' are no longer geographically defined. Gina should enact her 'rights' and answer these charges or at least go to the authorities herself if in fact she did not intentionally delude a man into lavishing her with sympathy and attention.
I linked to your blog because you seem to be one of the only ones to post that you knew Gina.
If you find this comment too offensive please delete it. Bye the way, my blog in invite only and always has been. I think it is wise to keep your internet persona and identity private espeacially as I have kids.
Respectfully,
Ashley
Hi Ashley,
I also am a believer in free speech, just not public lynchings. The town square meetings often ended in public stoning, tar and feathering and being run out of town on a rail. I don't know what I would do if I were in Gina's shoes. I don't know that she needs to answer an anonymous persons accusations against her. I think that I would not, but I would be getting ready for a lawsuit if the accusation where not true. I think there may be something that none of know about that is going on. I do know Gina, she has been a friend of mine on the horse level. She is more than half my age, but I have always enjoyed her company and her spirit. I cannot imagine or believe she is the mastermind behind this seemingly elaborate scheme.If she has had involvement, it was periphery at best.
Let me tell you what offends me most out of this whole mess. First, of course, what was done. But, that aside, this was something that went on in the small confines of a specific group of people, those with CF. I can on some level understand if there is compelling information that one among you is faking the disease and therefore diminishing everyone else's struggles that there would be an outcry about it. This went beyond that. How do I know about this? I know because I am very involved with horses and I look in on some horse forums, which is how I met Gina. Lo and behold, the author of this blog about Gina posted this on the horse forums. The sole purpose was to defame and cause harm to her. We on our forums had no problem with her, we weren't being saved from her (she REALLY does have horses and she REALLY does like them) so it was not our business. I'd much rather this had not spilled into my life. But, airing dirty laundry is something else that was done in the town square.
As far as deleting your post, I wouldn't think of it. I have an open blog and I have voiced an opinion on this topic over there and here. You are welcome to voice your opinion, even if I don't agree. I also understand anonymity because you never know who is out there, but I just can't bring myself to do that. If I say something, who I am is behind it. It keeps me honest and hopefully civil. I do appreciate your comments
I'm very glad you will have husband and father home soon. I will keep him in my thoughts.
I don't know what has happened, other than what I have recently read, but the person I know is a kind and gentle soul without, in my opinion, the capacity for so much complicated deceit. If I am wrong, well then I am. I know Gina would appreciate your words and I know I do. If she did indeed do these things, she will need your prayers for her future well being.
I understand that this has been very hard for anyone who knows Gina . I must say that as the DWT blog has developed, I might have spoken too soon. I am appalled at the nature of the comments. I suppose anonymity is the culprit here. And I agree that 'lynching' someone is a lot different than making 'answerable' accusations.
I followed the FOP website and truly cared for 'Pepe' and wanted to understand what had happened, but although the website administrators seem to be trying to take a somewhat reasonable stab at discovering the truth, the commenters are certainly more like the tar and feather gangs that you mentioned.
I am terribly sorry for your friend's situation. She must file a lawsuit if she was not involved and must seek help if she was. Regardless I think that you were right in your assessment of how this was playing out. A cruel lynch mob has been riled up not a compassionate community of folks trying to stop a possible scam through honest, open communication.
On a side note, my daughter and I are taking show jumping lessons together for the first time. We have been taking lessons for about 4 months. It has never been an interest of mine but I must say it is so exciting and enchanting to ride a horse. I really enjoyed reading your other posts about horses. I am VERY new to the horse world and as my daughter LOVES them I am enjoying reading about horses and eventing.
Thanks for responding to my post. You seem to be a very gracious and thoughtful person.
Ash
Show jumping! How much fun that must be. I have never had the courage to ride a horse over jumps, but I sure enjoy watching it.
I believe it was Winston Churchill who said 'The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man" This includes women and girls, too! My dad loved and had horses, so I was doomed from birth to live my life with them. I'm so glad you and your daughter have discovered the majesty of the beast and that you are having fun.
My little blog is just someplace to rattle on about my thoughts or my day, but since you are new to and enjoying horses, please look in now and then. I do like rambling on about them.
On appreciate your reasoned response to this other issue. It is easy to see how quickly things can go wrong.
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