OMG I do remember now about your wife and of your family troubles. If Joseph hadn’t given me the tip on where to find the particulars I would have never made the connect. Wow you guys really had horrific issues to deal with. I certainly hoped your wife received the treatment she so obviously needed and has stayed on top of it. As for who is the blame…..I guess it depends upon your point of view…..how you view matters after all the dust settles and how much stress you are still feeling. I hope you, your children, and your wife are working closely in family counseling to help thread the waters. The struggle in dealing with mental illness becomes ten-fold when you have to deal with it publicly. Circle the wagons around each other and don’t let go….. family first.

Barbara–
You can read all about it in our paper. I don’t remember the details in their entirety, but seem to recall it began with his wife, Holly, who sat on the Lemoore City Council. Catherine wrote the stories. Google Catherine Doe Holly Blair Valley Voice.

Here Paul take this virtual hankie….you apparently need it far more than I. I don’t know you or anything about your family or recall ever hearing about any family being destroyed for speaking out against corrupt local police. But I am getting old and memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be. Enlighten me please. Just how was your entire family destroyed for exercising free speech? Share the who, what, and where info. I

“You want to discuss having a minority opinion try being a moderate Democrat in this partisan extremely conservative Republican town and county. I have relatives who won’t speak to me.”

Oh, boo hoo.

Try being an actual Democrat and having your entire family destroyed for speaking out against corrupt local police.

Did that happen to you for being a “moderate Democrat?”

Barbara: thank you for speaking your mind! If I wish to disagree with you I hope I can do it in a diplomatic way! Too many people believe the 1st amendment is only for them. They’re too much like Trump; who feels he can shred everyone apart who doesn’t agree with his narcissistic behavior! “It is what it is”!

Very good post. Thank you.

I have been called every name under the moon and told to go to places that don’t physically exist. It ain’t easy speaking out when the majority of people disagrees with every breath you take. My motto is that they don’t put food on my table, they don’t pay my bills, they don’t take care of me when I’m sick or down and out or share in my personal happiness so to heck with their opinion about me. Last I checked I’m still an American citizen with the right of free speech. I won’t be silent when I see something that I feel needs to be addressed. You want to discuss having a minority opinion try being a moderate Democrat in this partisan extremely conservative Republican town and county. I have relatives who won’t speak to me. Sad but true …. politics before family and politics before old friends and neighbors and politics before country. Sad but true …. it is what it is.

Barbara,

People around here are routinely bullied and harassed for speaking out publicly against police and the monied interests that they represent.

You’ll have to excuse people for not wanting their lives ruined over having a minority opinion.

Nothing says “citizens rule” like old dudes, law and order types at that, taking multiple positions and encouraging their buddies to do so too.