Wednesday, March 10, 2004

Is That a Promise or a Threat?

When I was a rabblerousing teenager, still living at home, my Mum, at times, had a difficult time dealing with me.  Two particular incidents involving my Mum stay with me.  One, during the summer of 1975, when I was pushing the envelope of my mother’s patience, and my Dad just happened to overhear me disrepecting her.  It is one of the few times my Dad manhandled me.  It isn’t that, that stays with me.  It is these words.  My Dad said, “I don’t care how you speak to me, but you will, John, treat your Mother with respect.  If you don’t, John, you’ll be out on your ass so fast you won’t know which way to turn.” My Dad wasn’t kidding.

The second incident’s catalyst also involved my Mum and my disrespect for her in 1978.  This time my oldest brother “corrected” my lack of respect by cold cocking me at 6:45 A.M. as I attempted to walk by him at the lumberyard where I worked.  As he had informed me he would do if I didn’t straighten up and fly right.

You see, those were promises made good by my Dad and my brother, to me, for not respecting my Mum.  They weren’t threats.

This morning I read about Karen DeCoster receiving email threats from one Jeffrey Sandor Orling Architect employee.  What a dick, threatening a woman.  I’d like to tell Orling that I would kick his ass for just such conduct, but I think Karen has the situation well in hand. If she doesn’t, and requires additional assistance, may I be the first to state that I would willingly stand by her side.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/10 at 03:54 AM
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