I’ve been asked why Andraste’s comments in the John Pollinger-Anne-Marie Shaffer case were approved, considering their lavish innuendoes and borderline slanders. I’ve asked myself the same thing. The decision bears explaining as a case study of this site’s comment policies and what we may be looking at through the end of this year’s distinctly foul election season.
The issues Andraste raises aren’t new. The matter of the Pollinger-Don Fleming “deal” (that the two Republicans are hoping to split the vote in Fleming’s favor, leaving Ray Stevens in third place) was reported here in an April 26 story. Considering the amount of money Pollinger is pouring into his campaign from his own pocket, it’s an outlandish claim. The matter of Pollinger’s retirement-resignation controversy in New Jersey was first reported in Flagler County on FlaglerLive in a January 4 story. It didn’t go further than that because it didn’t need to: a man’s quarter-century career with hardly a blemish isn’t defined by an end-of-life smash-up with the town manager, which clearly had more to do with two massive egos (Pollinger’s and the manager’s) clashing than any earth-shattering revelations about the character of either.
There is such a thing as news judgment, which also explains why the American Legion business was not worth reporting: insider-baseball type issues of the sort happen all over the place, whether the individual involved is Mother Teresa or Ray Stevens or John Pollinger. It’s gossip. It’s not news, however “true” it may be. And in this case Andraste’s account is quite far from the truth, from what I’ve learned: Pollinger will have his version told soon.
Same thing with Andraste’s innuendoes about the Dennis Craig-John Pollinger connection. Without naming her, Andraste was referring to Ann Martone. So she apparently worked for Judge Craig’s election, and is now working for Mark Dwyer, who is a lawyer in Chiumento’s firm, the firm that represented Pollinger. Dig a little deeper and we might find that Ann Martone was in a movie with Kevin Bacon. So what? This is the sort of conspiratorial dot-connecting that attempts to suck scandal out of implications, where there’s no there there. Absolutely none. For us to report that sort of thing would itself have been verging on slander, or whatever it is that the check-out counter gossip rags do. Ann Martone—with whom I’ve had nothing but disagreements over the years, incidentally—has as much right to work for whatever campaign she pleases as Andraste does, without being turned into a pawn to someone else’s conspiracy hysterias. I don’t see her hiding what she does, either.
No one is “gang-raping” Shaffer, as Andraste claims. She filed a lawsuit in the most high profile race in the county. What did she expect—an appearance on Dancing with the Stars? Amazing how certain people want to have it both ways: fire their artillery but claim absolute innocence and victimhood on a pile of apple pies.
This site could not possibly have spent more time reporting the Shaffer-Pollinger case, essentially giving Shaffer a broader platform than she could have dreamed of (though that was the intent of the lawsuit) and Ray Stevens more exposure than a month’s worth of community appearances, until Craig’s decision. Shaffer was repeatedly contacted for comments about all this even before the suit was filed, when we heard it was coming. She refused to speak with FlaglerLive, though she’s commented here under an assumed name (itself a deceptive tactic for someone involved in the news in which she’s commenting).
Ray Stevens has done the same. He used to speak with me, and had no issues doing so when his motives weren’t being questioned. No longer. His choice. But let’s not claim one-sidedness and poor victim status when the subjects involved are themselves choosing not to tell their side of the story while bitching about the one-sidedness of the press and relying on nameless proxies like Andraste to keep the artillery going, and pile on the claims about one-sidedness. I can also assure you, knowing the folks there as I do, that there’s no intention at either the Observer or the News-Journal to “smear” Stevens or Shaffer. (Their staffs are stretched enough to report basic news. The effort required for a smear campaign is simply not in their budgetary means.) Simply going by what the record has revealed through this lawsuit—simply going by what’s in the depositions, what’s been said in the courtroom—the smearing has been self-inflicted. Let’s not now pretend to dress up damage control as fault-finding with everybody else.
I could care less what Republicans and Democrats do to each other, or within their ranks: I don’t know what has been more contemptuous this season—the juvenile idiocies of Republican ideology and infighting, or the hide and seek antics of Democrats, who don’t even have the courage of their convictions. My only concern is the credibility of this site and the relevance to a broad readership of what’s being reported. So let me address Andraste directly: You’ve been granted this broad platform to make your claims. Fine. It’s borderline permissible. It’s politicians we’re talking about, and the threshold of the permissible when politicians are in play is quite low. But it’s not non-existent. To call what you’re doing “vetting” is stretching the definition of the word. It’s closer to sniping. To use everyone else, the press included, as a whipping boy, to do it behind a mask, and to do it here, jeopardizes our own credibility, and cheapens the debate.
I would much prefer that you unmask yourself, given the extent you’ve gone to speak of and for candidates, their proxies or the supremely ironically named Ronald Reagan group. The I-have-children-in-the-community argument doesn’t wash. So do I. You know them. One of them is hanging on my shoulders in the image above. We all have our stake in the community. We stand by them, honestly and openly. There’s always a place for anonymity, and in most cases it doesn’t matter one way or the other when ideas and policies (as opposed to people and reputations) are being discussed. That’s no longer one of those cases: these anonymous comments are like nameless financial contributions to campaigns, exploiting advantage without accountability. They’ll still be allowed. But much less permissively.
Pollinger is going to be given a chance to respond, and his response will be featured prominently. Beyond that, comments regarding these and all other election issues—the county judge’s race especially—will be moderated much more strictly. Discuss, debate, take on a candidate’s policies and ideas all you like. But sail your swift boats elsewhere.
Pierre Tristam is FlaglerLive’s editor. Reach him by email here.
palmcoaster says
This image broke my heart and sadden my day! In spite that yes, I know …we all consume meet, maybe I should stop then! And yes I know, my comment has nothing to do with the editorial… No wonder my child is a vegetarian…
Out of curiosity says
I knew Kevin Bacon was involved….
Ralph Belcher says
Pierre, what a most brilliant editorial! Thanks for “hitting the reset button”, and setting things in proper perspective. This article NEEDED to happen. I’m glad your news outlet is not being “used” by extremists to impose thier will on us. Great for them (sincerely!) that they have a candidate for Sheriff or other office that is held in such high esteem that they will go to no limt to support. However, I hoped the media wasn’t being used to smear other candidates. If they don’t like the othere candidates, then they don’t have to vote for them, naturally. Keep it a clean fight.
I chalk the New Jersey gig as a clash of egos, turning into an UGLY grudge match. I wasn’t there. Just a view from the cheap seats having heard both (three?) sides of it. The motivations for this smear campaign is clear. And quite shameful.
Thank you, Flagler Live for shining your flashlight into a dark corner of local politics. You ROCK!
PalmCoast says
GREAT GREAT article Pierre!!!! so well said!! :)
Geezer says
They say that human flesh tastes like pork….. Ever eat pigs feet?
I read Christopher Hitchen’s “God is Not Great” and within those pages he mentions
(i believe) that Indonesian firefighters call fatally burned humans “long pigs.”
We share much DNA with these intelligent creatures, in fact most human heart valve transplants
are of porcine (pork) derivation. I know that we use piggies for other “spare parts” too.
I don’t eat pork. If I did, I wouldn’t after seeing that macabre picture atop this probably fine article.
I’ll read the article now.
Just say no to pork. I understand that they rank close to dolphins in intelligence too.
Smarter than dogs for sure…
Magnolia says
Kevin Bacon….pig…I get it!
Will says
Very well said, Pierre.
Thank you.
Kendall says
Looks to me like a certain group including Stevens and his supporters are working hard to make their antics work despite being on a sinking ship.
Thanks to the Supervisor of Elections deposition we now have proof that Stevens was the first person to address the old NJ voter registration so it’s obvious where this began. But it backfired tremendously because we got to see how admirably Mr. Pollinger conducts himself under intense scrutiny and pressure. Had it not been for the smear campaign Shaffer and Stevens cooked up, Flagler County residents would not have had this level of exposure to Pollinger but as it stands, this ridiculous lawsuit has won more votes for Pollinger than all the campaiging and $$$ in the world could have. Mine is one of them.
And as for the group behind Stevens and Shaffer, I’m sure the man who’s name they jacked for their little “club” is turning over in his grave in disgust for their behavior. Reagan had more class than to pursue such a transparent agenda.
patty says
I have met Pollinger and Stevens both recently around town, face to face and one on one at several political functions. In my personal opinion, while Pollinger appeared even- tempered, polite and even humble in seeking the vote, Stevens appeared agitated, bitter and rambling about the evils of his opposition. Who do you think would get the vote based on such a performance?
I believe the lawsuit brought about by Stevens’ supporters reflects mean this spiritedness and has, if anything, boosted Pollinger’s chances.
Magicone says
Very well written Pierre, 5 stars on this one; please keep up the good work !!
Dudley Doright says
Pierre, you nailed it! One of your best opinions to date.
NortonSmitty says
I heard the “Long Pig” thing came from cannibals in Africa. A White Hunter in the 1920’s or 30’s when that sort of activity was acceptable, pressed one of his guides from a cannibal tribe what part of a human was the favorite. After much pressuring the Pygmy gourmet finally said “the part where one sits”.
So the next time you get full of yourself, remember the only reason your ass is actually exceptional is that it is just like a ham only longer.
There have been many comparisons of the DNA of Humans that show a closer relationship with a few animals than the Neanderthals we were always taught were our closest genetic relatives. Turns out we are more closely related to animals such as dolphins, whales and pigs. Not surprising to me.
Every day we all see our fellow humans where the traits of these varied ancestries come to the fore. Some Dolphinesque among us are sleek, swift and smart, even if they stutter. And the Whale traits are obviously becoming more common every day as we all become more and more obese.
And every time I turn on Fox News I have no doubt that the porcine strains of Dioxin-Rhibo Nucleic Acid
not only are proudly displayed, but are required to become the dominant personality trait in order to attain the status of a successful politician in America today.
Will says
The trial came to a close before finding out who is or was bankrolling Ann Marie.
As a matter of principle, I think both Pollinger and the public have a right to know.
Geezer says
Thanks for that sublime reply. But at this moment I’m trying to shut my mind’s eye.
Geezer says
We already have too much in the “Dirty Tricks” category in the Sheriff’s office.
The mean-spiritedness you speak of would translate into a mean-spirited sheriff.
I wish Ray Stevens luck, but not in this election.