The Daily Background

I’m very pleased to note that the situation with John Edward’s netroots outreach/blogger situation has been amicably resolved and that the Edwards Camp did not cave into the likes of Billy “secular jews!‘ Donahue– despite the grossly unfair one-sided media coverage that the situation got. Below are brief statements from those involved.

First John Edwards:

The tone and the sentiment of some of Amanda Marcotte’s and Melissa McEwan’s posts personally offended me. It’s not how I talk to people, and it’s not how I expect the people who work for me to talk to people. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that kind of intolerant language will not be permitted from anyone on my campaign, whether it’s intended as satire, humor, or anything else. But I also believe in giving everyone a fair shake. I’ve talked to Amanda and Melissa; they have both assured me that it was never their intention to malign anyone’s faith, and I take them at their word. We’re beginning a great debate about the future of our country, and we can’t let it be hijacked. It will take discipline, focus, and courage to build the America we believe in.

Melissa McEwan, aka Shakes:

Shakespeare’s Sister is my personal blog, and I certainly don’t expect Senator Edwards to agree with everything I’ve posted. We do, however, share many views - including an unwavering support of religious freedom and a deep respect for diverse beliefs. It has never been my intention to disparage people’s individual faith, and I’m sorry if my words were taken in that way.

Amanda Marcotte, from Pandagon:

My writings on my personal blog Pandagon on the issue of religion are generally satirical in nature and always intended strictly as a criticism of public policies and politics. My intention is never to offend anyone for his or her personal beliefs, and I am sorry if anyone was personally offended by writings meant only as criticisms of public politics. Freedom of religion and freedom of expression are central rights, and the sum of my personal writings is a testament to this fact.

Matter settled. Let us never speak of this again, unless it is in talking about examples of when the media gave bigots a platform to wrongfully accuse others of bigotry. Or examples of when campaigns refused to buckle to pressure. Or examples of when bloggers defied media expectations and handled things extremely professionally, doing more than was required. Shakes even thanked me for my awkward meta-blogging moment the other day. Aw, warm and fuzzy moment.

Okay, back to the real issues, namely damage control for the President’s last two years in office and electing a better President next time. Moving on…

Filed under: Presidential election, Z-TDB Blog