Those who really know me understand that I am a non-confrontational person; I don’t fear confrontation but I do try to avoid it when it is unnecessary. They also understand that I am not afraid to fight. The thing about fighting is I like to know who I am fighting. That is why I was annoyed as I read this submission this morning as I was heading to my first meeting:
A new comment on the post #432 “Thomlinson For Sheriff” is waiting for your approval
http://joelmaxwell.com/2008/01/08/thomlinson-for-sheriff/ Author : Anti-joel (IP: 75.116.15.2 , 75.116.15.2)
URL : http://www.greenecountymo.org
Whois : http://ws.arin.net/cgi-bin/whois.pl?queryinput=75.116.15 .2
Comment:
Hummmmm …. so what position has Thomlinson promised you IF he gets elected? I know your not doing this just out of kindness and I cant think of anything that you would be qualified for.You were very under qualified as training officer - you screwed up a perfectly good training department. The only thing you knew about police work is what you read in books and “war stories” that other officers have told you.
Please do us a favor and make another attempt at a restaurant in Alaska or somewhere. Leave the politics and law enforcement to those who do know what they are talking about.
When I first read it I was hurt, thinking someone I used to work with had written this about me; however, after just some limited research, that is not the case. The person I am nearly certain wrote this I have never met. They don’t know me and to the best of my knowledge have never sat in a training event I instructed. They don’t live in Greene County and have no affiliation to the Sheriff’s Department that I am aware of. They do work at a Sheriff’s Department, which does lead me to draw a reasonable conclusion of why they want to comment here.
I only have about 500 readers on my blog, and the vast majority comes here to follow my story of financial recovery. That is why I am confused by people that hate me, yet still follow my blog religiously. No where on my blog will you find me spreading hate.
So Bill, can you tell me why you would leave such a comment and be too scared to put your name or your web site to it? I think anyone who follows my blog and read my post from Christmas Day knows what my future plans are; so yes my support for Gene is really out of kindness.
Joel, as you already know, take the high road. This person is obviously too cowardly to directly confront you…let them have whatever grudge they have; it will only cause emotional cancer within them and will never be able to match your track record of integrity.
Bill Cosby once said:
“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody”.
This ‘Bill’ character obviously needs to get a life; put his name on your ‘not-a-fan-of-Joel-Maxwell’ list and move forward with integrity.
Comment by Patrick — January 29, 2008 @ 12:26 am
Wow, what a dumb thing to waste time doing, trying to be dis-encouraging!
Yep, take the high road, and don’t let the little people get you down. You and Amy are doing a fabulous job, and I for one am proud to “know” you and follow your story.
Keep up the good work!
Comment by Marti — January 29, 2008 @ 2:24 am
I don’t know why people would attack you so personally. Especially when you only gave your reasons for supporting your candidate, and said nothing about the others running (that I remember, so you must not have said much to their detriment). I don’t know who said it, but it works for me “mean people suck”. Hopefully the language isn’t too strong for your website here, and if it is, edit or remove it. Read a little about your extension, hopefully it isn’t for too long.
Your obvious integrity in so many parts of your life keep me coming back every day to see how things are going.
Comment by triple-e — January 29, 2008 @ 2:29 am
Joel, You have nothing to be ashamed of in your past career with the Sheriff’s Department. I sat in a number of classes you taught, and found them to be interesting, well prepared and professionally presented. I have been following your blog since leaving the Department myself. I am most impressed with the honesty and determination of your quest. I am fascinated with your progress every time I catch up on your blog. Speak your mind on the topics that have meaning to you. There are few that truly can. Those that don’t agree and those wishing to detract will always be with us. I am happy to be one of the 500 wishing you well.
Comment by Mark — January 29, 2008 @ 9:31 am
As a wild guess, you could interpret such a comment as based upon jealousy.
Whoever it is needs compassion and a little sympathy for having such negativity in their lives that they feel a need to be destructive.
You could easily believe that jealousy is the motive. Your experiences make a great story. They inspire people.
Personally, I’ve drawn strength from your story and could only wish you a fantastic and happy future.
It’s sad that someone could actually find time to spread such negativity and draw not just you, but regular readers off-track.
I count this blog as one of the reasons for my turnaround. When I found it, I was about to declare myself bankrupt. At the same time, I was struggling to negotiate a settlement for a business debt that was virtually impossible.
Since then, I got the deal on the personal debt - full and final settlement.
I have since avoided bankruptcy and re-scheduled all of my personal debts into a long-term plan (to pay the lot back).
So the see the source of my inpsiration needlessly and jealously attacked hurts.
Comment by Ian Denny — January 29, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
I disagree with you around 82% of the time politically & religously, but your story and writing style have me hooked
I will leave comments for people who know you personally.
Comment by anonymous #2 — January 30, 2008 @ 10:42 am
It amazes me that someone would be so hurtful and petty. I’m glad that you know it wasn’t a person you’d worked with, though, even if that makes it more weird.
He is a lesser being, and you are a good man - I know you will stay on the high road.
Comment by Barb — January 30, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
Thanks all for the comments; I guess it all goes to show what politics can do to people. Very weird to say the least!
Comment by Joel — January 30, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
Well Joel, what can one say about someone who hasn’t the guts to identify himself. He must have been passed over many times in his job because of his attitude. It shows through hs writing that he is jealous, an ingrate, and very unhappy with his own position. He is also not capable of being complimentry to anyone, and he doesn’t even like himself. You are way above him in integrity and honesty so put whatever he said in the wastebasket and continue on with your life. There will always be bad apples in every barrel, you just discard them and enjoy the good ones.
Comment by Thom — January 31, 2008 @ 2:15 am
I absolutely agree 100% with the reader above that you have been a source of inspiration. I was researching personal finance for my husband and I’s situation. I had never heard of Dave Ramsey and your story was so information and inspiring. I own the book, I use your Excel budget sheet and we ARE gazelle intense!!! Husband is working 2 full time jobs, I am doing 60 hrs a week and expenses have been slashed. I know exactly how long it should take us to be out out debt and living like no one else. It is a HUGE nut to crack, but knowing that you have come so far has meant SO much to us.
I disagree with you on very little…but I am a Democrat! =) Have never seen you post anything that wasn’t positive or uplifting.
Still think you should sell ecookbooks with your Lazy Susan recipes!! 500 readers at $10 bucks a cookbook could add some snowflakes to your snowball!
We love you, keep up the great work!
Comment by Phluffie — January 31, 2008 @ 3:01 am
No need to make assumptions about a commenter’s motives.
People tend to act ridiculous during an election season. Blame it on some sort of political fever which causes delusions, outbursts, mud slinging and other irrational behavior.
Careful it can be highly contagious.
Instead of telling anonymous what I thought of him a few days ago… I think it would be better to say,
Don’t worry Joel. We know who you really are.
Comment by Amy — January 31, 2008 @ 4:16 am
On word here Joel.. Integrity.
The jerk off obviously doesn’t have it, but if they had looked at what your are doing, going from 500k in debt and knocking it out, they would know you do! Keep on rockin the finances, don’t let these immature, ignorant, hiding behind an annonymous name, stop you from what you believe in.. IF they are not man/woman enough to say it with a name attached, then they are just cowards. Doesn’t even require your attention.
Comment by Frank — February 4, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
Joel,
Your blog’s great. I’ve linked to it several times from mine! I wouldn’t worry about negative comments. There are individuals in the world whose sole mission is to destroy the success of the people around them, only to try to build themselves up by doing so. It rarely works. Negativity only brings on more negativity.
So, be positive, keep positive, and the negative reactions will be seen in a positive light.
Kenneth
Comment by InvestorBlogger — February 8, 2008 @ 3:18 pm