Reply #425: okay, replying

[Kire]

sorry I didn't see your post sooner

FIRST, right. I know there are a lot of state workers who prefer to be called Mr. or Mrs. and their lat name. Initially, it's a little embarassing, but I prefer to be addressed that way myself, or at least in some sort of formal capacity if I am doing business in certain situations like this. Obviously, I fully intend to reciprocate. It's just a matter of respect. Gallaglas repeatedly referred to the judges and election workers by their first name, and once used addressed a woman as "ma'am" in a way that I would be offended by if somebody talked to my mother that way.

that's part of the SECOND, he also answered questions with "yep" and "nope", demonstrating that he is demanding the letter of the law from these workers, but is not sympathetic at all with the fact that they may not have been trained properly. moving down to FOURTH to continue this line of argument, it was very clear that these workers were not "knowingly violating the laws". they believed that it was the law to ask for photo ID. If he did know that it was against the law he wouldn't have acted all surprised when, as Galloglas wrote: "One of the last things that Leroy was heard to say to the Election Board was "Then we don't get the signatures??"

as far as your THIRD comment, I see a lot of myself in Galloglas, so yes, I'm projecting, as other people have put it. I used to think I was a big hero, and going to change the whole world, comparing myself to everybody from Ghandi, to Rosa Parks and one of the founding fathers. Let's just say I see things a bit differently now.

I just think Gallaglas should be more careful. Being a martyr is one thing, but shouldn't that be a last resort? People don't get arrested for causing a disturbance for no reason in this country. How many other people were arrested at that polling place. How many other people got their chests bumped yesterday.

I think there are a lot of things wrong with the system, mostly having to do with people not knowing the rules, but I think Gallaglas made up his mind that it was a consipiracy and it justified him to kick and scream and create a disturbance. I just think if he had seen the poll workers as simply mistaken, or uninformed, instead of something sinister, he could have spent his day going down and gotten someone at the election board on his side. And then, if there was anything wrong, like the rules not being posted at the polling place, I would have written a letter to the editor.

Just be nice, that's all. Everybody is so nasty. It's a free country, but if things are done a certain way, changes can be made without people going to jail.

Well, the good thing that came out of this was that Leroy will probably not ask for signatures ever again. The bad thing is that it will probably cost Gallaglas the fine and the court costs and the court dates and a lot of frustration, plus it opens himself up to retaliation (which would be wrong, and not officially his fault, but it happens and it could be avoided) and, now that it's on the internet, if his real name is associated with this story somewhere, he is going to have to explain why he got arrested to potential future employers and it also raises questions, should he decide to run for public office himself. If he doesn't want to do that, fine, but it does diminish all kinds of prospects for his life.

Like I said elsewhere, I am on his side. Please don't think I'm not.

Warm Regards,
Kire