Jab: an abrupt insult or critical remark

"The Jesus Chick" just couldn't help herself, I'm sure

By Lisa Hayes-Minney
Editor’s Note: This post was originally made public on my Facebook page, listed six hours for open public comment — fair access provided so anyone could comment, as opposed to here on Substack. I had hoped critics might share (flame) their opinions, but none stepped up in that time frame. I now share it here so only paying subscribers can comment.

I share this link because of one comment late in the article by the editor who touts her dedication to the truth:

"This has infuriated the previous powers who are using other press outlets in an attempt discourage the community in the vilest most disgusting manners that I’ll not relay, so as not to promote it myself." (Grammatical errors are hers, not mine.)

<sigh> Notice how she uses the same exact words as her buddy and pal who torched me. Does she even think for herself?

This is a perfect example of her local news coverage on her quest for "truth." I'm sure she just couldn't help herself; just couldn't resist that little jab...

This kind of county coverage and biased presentation in the name of "truth" is one of the main reasons WHY I stepped up to fill this NEED even after telling myself I wasn't going to.

For many of us, the only power we have is the power of our voices and the power of our votes. I encourage you to use both.

Meanwhile, most folks are unable to stoop to the level required to fight those who don't fight fair. Me? I'm a mirror. I match and reflect energy -- and I don't mind getting dirty.

Push my buttons too far, and by golly, I'm gonna push back.

And when it comes to writing for the public, research, news coverage, journalism, nonfiction, information, education, and documentation -- you've stepped onto my playing field.

I've watched them play their games and then they came at me. Okay, we'll play.

I have no problem sharing their posts and information. If one of my goals is to seek out fair and balanced representation (can't say we're there this early in the game), then yes, please, examine their issues, progress, work, posts, slams, attacks, and games.

Yes. PLEASE.

Look at all 1982 has accomplished! (I touted and supported their efforts early on, and have even written a letter of support for the EZ Zone grant application). How people have rallied and come together is nothing short of a miracle. Progress continues daily. Yes! A BIG DEAL is happening in Calhoun County, of all places!

TO THIS VERY MOMENT, I hope all the promises and plans come true.

But I no longer trust (or like) their leader. Therefore, I have to withdraw my support -- even when I know Calhoun will never have this chance again and I REALLY wanted to be a part of their EZ Zone.

THAT'S what I had been planning toward over the last year. Not this.

(You can ask Teresa -- oh wait... Teresa's not here anymore.)

Funny how things work out.

Yes. It sucks to find ourselves here.

****

Am I, as a person, being used? No. I am offering my platform and my services. I am financially compensated for such by those who wish to purchase a subscription. I am beholden to no advertisers, no traditional publisher, etc. Only to my readers and subscribers, a small percentage who pay to subscribe.

(Which, I really wasn't expecting that side-perk-jump in folks who will pay for the opportunity to comment... In fact, the nearly-viral response scared me a little, fully grasping that I had REALLY stepped into it this time.)

Are these services being used? Is the opportunity to ask and address community concerns without punishment being used? Yes.

Am I taking punishment for providing a platform for silenced and scared voices? YES.

But what I know? What they hate in me is what they hate in themselves. What I hate in them is what I hate in me. At least I can admit it.

(And, I now admit that the anecdotal story about a suicide spurred by me doing my job as a reporter to present the power of words and the press was not just an anecdote to those who knew and loved him. That was my lack of full consideration of this new audience. My bad, and I do apologize. But at the same time, I can't take it down because then I'll be playing by the same tactics they've been using.

I wrote it, it was in poor taste for this audience, and that was wrong. I was wrong.

Vile? Disgusting? It's open and before you - reader, follower, witness -- to judge me, and I throw myself at your virtual feet.

It was a significant, life-changing moment in my life, and is one of the main reasons I departed from local news reporting and swore it off the last two decades. That story hasn't hit home when told to strangers over the past 20 years to express the impact of that on my career. I did not think about the impact and power of such a story when using it to show the impact and power of such a story. I CAN be an idiot sometimes.)

<Sigh. Deep breath. Let's move on.>

I have been clear. This is not something I wanted to do. If I was a reasonable, sane person, I would NOT be doing it. But I saw a NEED that I have the skills, experience, and education/training to FILL, and a few people directly placed their bees in my bonnet and got in my craw so deeply that I could not shake it off and go on my merry way.

Don't attack me and then cry victim when I hit you back. Don't operate and fight below the belt for three years and then boo hoo when someone dishes out a hard gut punch.

Yes, that's where and how this started. But now that it has started, it has taken on a life of its own.

(3,000 views in 12 hours? Holy crap. 8,000 visits in a week? Wowzer. 42 emails and messages in a single day? Tell me I haven't stumbled into something that wasn't needed.)

Am I totally winging it due to an overwhelming response? Yes.

Am I twenty years out of practice for community news? Yes.

Did this come from some kind of agenda or plan? No. There's been no plan. Again, I wasn't going to do this. It just... kinda happened. (Though some may call it heresy, I might venture that doors have remained closed to me for three years just so I would be available when this one opened.)

Am I developing a plan to encourage a hyper-local citizen journalism platform for Calhoun/Gilmer counties where I live (but will never be "from")? Yes.

Am I protecting names? Yes.

But I will ALWAYS put my name on anything I write.

Citizens are welcome to USE my platform to address their concerns. I will protect them as best I can, fact-check the best I can, and provide documentation and source material as best I can.

If that's using ME, I'm okay with that. I offered.

Here’s the Link to the Ridgeview News Article: Understanding Why AMC is a Big Deal

And she’s open to feedback on her coverage of local news and events here.