When in doubt, threaten boycott

As the saying goes, I was born at night but not last night.

Tuesday’s blog, which promised a week’s worth of political writing, you the loyal Just Wright Citrus reader responded by enthusiastically ignoring the post.

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I am nothing if not responsive to my reader’s whims, so we will drop that idea and instead check in with the latest antics of the Library Guy Gang.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Josh Wooten is one of the few community leaders who have really stood up to Library Guy and his attempts to rally citizens around the idea that it makes perfect sense to  beat up on the marginalized in our community.

Library Guy’s minions have taken to sending nasty emails to chamber members, demanding Wooten be fired or threatening boycotts if he’s not.

They are basing their argument around a lie that the library has gay pride displays every hour of ever day, shoved into the faces of our innocent little dears, and the only answer is to Do Something About It. Forgetting that there is, under closer inspection, zero truth to their argument and therefore has not an ounce of credibility.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Wooten sent an email message to chamber members, of which I am one. Here’s some of it:

“It has been brought to our attention that our Chamber members may have been contacted with false and/or misleading information regarding a statement our President/CEO, Josh Wooten, made at a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting. We want to assure you that the comments were not derogatory toward any designated group or entity, and instead, encouraged our commissioners to refocus their meetings and attention to the real issues that are affecting our business community and the growth facing Citrus County.”

And: “We apologize that these agitators are targeting our county, library, cities and now the Chamber.”

Two thoughts:

1. We can debate the wisdom of the chamber of commerce president going on the offensive against a small number of narrow-minded people. Recognition is what “agitators” seek, and knowing they forced Wooten to send an email to his chamber members may be perceived as a victory in their camp.

1. That said, this is absolutely the right stand to take, in my book. Of course we want a thriving business community, but we don’t want to be bossed around by people who use deception to make a point and threaten to boycott businesses if they don’t fall in line.

I know you’re tired of reading about this but please stay with it. There’s an underbelly in Citrus County whose objectives each morning are to play gotcha with people who seek only to help and improve our community. It’s a constant battle, but one well worth fighting.

But it’s not for the faint at heart. Last week, someone got into the county commission District 4 race on a Monday and was out three days later, supposedly because the Library Guy Gang was playing havoc with him. The candidate blamed his withdrawal on “haters.” I’m told not to be surprised if it happens again this week in another race.

Campaigning is very difficult under normal circumstances. It’s even harder when unseen forces are trying to wreck your life.

So count me solidly in Wooten’s corner in the Library Guy stakes. Leadership and some bravado is needed to stand up to bullies. I’m hoping chamber members see that too.

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