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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- It's so nice to be loved. My life as an Internet newspaper editor and publisher is one of constant bombardment of messages -- good and bad.
For the most part, I take the bad with a grain of salt.
There's the adage that if you are doing something right, you are going to have enemies.
But I have to admit that lately the hate messages have gotten to me. Perhaps I'm more vulnerable because my friend and former business partner, Peter Mallory died. Perhaps it's because the one blogger I had counted on for the last four years, but never had the pleasure to meet, died as well just a couple of weeks ago.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'll plow through a brick wall to get to the truth, if necessary. The message above was written on an Internet opinion forum called the NSB Shadow. There are no filters and those with an axe to grind can spew their venom. I would have far more respect for the messenger if he or she didn't hide behind anonymity.
The name calling doesn't bother me much as the message behind it. I realize there are people out their filled with envy. With deep-seated anger. Perhaps they find solace in making me their target. Maybe the alcohol they drown themselves in is not enough to coat their pain. When you are in the public eye, you have to let these kinds of things roll with the punches.
Whoever this person is, the message is consistently personal. I have a pretty good idea who it is and I've filed at least two police incident reports for anonymous hate messages directed at me and my family on this site, one of the reasons why I've disabled the comment section for the time being.
Whoever it is, they need to realize they are are only hurting themselves. It's nothing more than a cry for help. I have rarely responded on the other site and have reached out to its operator, but it continues unabated. For the longest time, the anonymous hater labeled his messages as "Oh Henry." The site operator has removed more of those postings recently, but this person just doesn't stop.
Should I be worried? Am I over-reacting? Am I giving this too much attention? Whatever. For every person like this who hides , there are scores more who appreciate who I am and what I am about. There is no way this hate monger is going to stop me from living my life and being a productive citizen, family man, journalist and small business owner. My life is pretty much an open book. Many people know where I live, what I drive and how I go about my business.
I decided to turn the tables on this stalker and see how he likes it. He hides in shame -- nameless, faceless and pointless. I hope he'll understand the message behind this and move on in his own life.
I know that with God's guiding spirit, hard work and heart brings success, no matter the odds.
There were some naysayers who laughed when Peter and I talked nearly five years ago about creating an electronic medium to inform, educate and provide another point of view. Judging by this cyber stalker's deeds, he hasn't let go of his envy.
Yes, my life is busy. Those who know me well understand that I'm far from perfect and I make mistakes as much as the next person. I've been thrown for a loop more times than I can count, but I get back up on my feet and continue on my path. I love this community as much, if not more, than anyone else. I enjoy the journalism the electronic media affords me. As long as I have enough to take care of my family and to continue my reporting , that's all that matters to me.
This person who calls me "fat and stupid," needs to lay off the booze and see the real world or just check out the videos from the debate. I look and feel pretty good in a suit. What matters is I'm healthy, I have my family and loyal online followers.
Life isn't easy, but you do your best and hope for the best, not only for yourself, but others. Perhaps this cyber stalker will read this and understand such petty behavior has no value. Life's too short to be calling people names.