Thursday, April 09, 2009

Dealing with Bad Publicity

A fellow I know just got a blast of highly personal, heavily negative national publicity. It's the kind of scrutiny of a person that borders on inhuman, every aspect of his life touched on.

It must take big-time courage to show up at work, at lunch, at the gym, or wherever, after that kind of exposure. I'm not even going to say who or where the article was, so as not to further spread the stories. The fact that the writer said some good things doesn't really help a lot; it gives an air of credibility and balance and makes the watching of the man seem more unrelenting.

Unless you've sponsored a genocide, or at least committed a crime, I don't think this kind of treatment is warranted. Some arguable business decisions don't merit such an attack.

And I am someone who has spent decades as a reporter writing for magazines and newspapers, and who relishes reading the trashiest of gossip publications. So maybe I have a double standard for people I know and like. Or maybe I have a double standard for movie stars and other people. Likely both are true. Even so, this particularly brutal extreme close-up shocks me. I wouldn't want my own life treated this way. There aren't many people, if any, who'd look spotless in that kind of light.

Again: the guy is super-bold to keep showing up and making the effort.



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5 comments:

Debra said...

Peggy, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. It makes my blood boil when someone makes a personal decision about something and then is totally bashed for it. Free-will is what makes us all human, and tearing someone else apart almost always shows some sort of insecurity on the part of the "tearer". It's like an animal waiting for its prey. Some people just cannot wait for others to do something for which they can be torn down.

Obviously, I have no idea who you are referring to, but I wish them well. I hope that he will continue to show up in public, live his life and pay very little merit to what is being said about him. I am disgusted to hear that he is being treated this way.

Debra said...

I wanted to let you know that I wrote a blog about The Flower Fields that I recently told you about. You were actually the one that reminded me to take a trip down there! Thank you!

Hugs,
Deb

Debra said...

Okay, it's me again! I was browsing around your website trying to find an address or email for you because there is something that I would like to send you. Please email me at fourangelsmomma@yahoo.com when you get a chance, so I can get your info.

Thanks!
Debbie

Peggy Payne said...

Debbie, your flower Fields photos are amazing. Such saturated color I could almost taste it.

Debra said...

Thanks for popping over, Peggy. I am glad that you enjoyed the virtual visit!