| Just as my focus protected me from (some) criticism, the Sheriff's focus damaged his campaign beyond repair. Throughout his campaign, he frequently referenced "accusations of assault" and "negative residents." He focused more on me and the "negative residents" than he did Deana Finnegan. (Though he spent some time on her as well) He may have attempted to scare away Deana, but his focus was on defeating bloggers.
Example - my bumper sticker -
I support the Shiawassee Deputies - Why doesn't the Sheriff?
His bumper sticker -
I support Sheriff Wilson - If you knew the facts, you would too
Restraint - Along with focus, this helped keep me from looking like a kook. (as if) I didn't fire even half of the bullets I had. Over the course of Wilson v bloggers, I accumulated some damning documentation on issues in the department. However, two things were happening ... first of all, the Sheriff was reacting so badly to everything, that I didn't need to do much more than say "Look at the Sheriff." Second, it was becoming clear that this might continue all the way through the election in November. (I had originally hoped he or the commissioners would simply take action on the hostile work environment, and I'd be done with it) As such, I began to squirrel away the best stuff I had on the Sheriff, so I could pull it out in the fall.
Had I published everything I had on the Sheriff, I wouldn't have had anything to use at election time. Furthermore, it would have been easy for Sheriff to say that I was just 'out to get him.' (He said that anyway, but it never really took off outside of his core supporters) It also would have diluted my message of, "you can't grab people."
The role of the blog - The Sheriff focused heavily on the blog, but the blog was just one of many ingredients that made the cake rise. It wsn't BFM or the Shiawassee Forums that defeated the Sheriff. We had bumper stickers, tv news, newspaper reports, and passionate face-to-face advocacy. Deana Finnegan was an excellent primary opponent ... she is articulate, has an excellent professional background, and she knows how to raise money and spend it wisely. While she was talking about issues like renting out jail-beds, the Sheriff was talking about her car. This was a perfect storm, working against the Sheriff.
Without question, the blogs and forum played an important role. Not only did we investigate the allegations of abuse, we also provided a 'pressure valve' ... a place for anonymous informants to send information that otherwise would have been concealed by our government.
But we should never think of this important role as being the reason for the Sheriff's defeat. The people who voted for Deana Finnegan or Don Gauthier on August 5 ... they weren't reading the blogs. They were watching the news, and reading the newspapers, and talking in coffee shops. They were in the 'offline world.'
A new era in Shiawassee politics - This is the first time that the Internet has played a significant role in a Shiawassee election. The Internet is where we created our community of activists. (Or at least, it's how some of us were made aware of a community that was already out there) It's how we shared information and gave each other ideas. It was the tool we used to organize. (Additionally, it was how I met Chet Zarko years ago, and Chet played an important role in this as well)
Having been a blogger for so long, I often forget the sense of empowerment that comes with speaking up, or taking the first steps into online politics. It can be exhilarating. One person commented,
" The balance of power has shifted. Permanently to the people. No more will elected officials be able to lie and cover bad behavior. We are experiencing a first in our country. True government by the people. Will some fear it and wish to return to the status quo? Of course. Will it matter that they do? No. True democracy will happen either way. Either they will get with the program or they will not. "
And another -
I too would like to thank my2cents and all the so called bloggers. Whether a person used their real name or a pen name the truth about what is and has been going on in our county needed to be exposed.
Needless to say there are a lot more hidden secrets going on in this county and they need to be exposed. I hope you all begin hearing about those as well and begin exposing them just the same.
IMO once the dirty in this county is cleaned out there will be no better place to live than Shiawassee County.
And my personal favorite -
I think this election confirms that the Shiawassee Forums are a new and important fixture on the political landscape. The next sheriff will never say, "I'm not responding to a blog."
This 'battle' with the Sheriff was a transformational experience. It changed our county, and it changed me personally. If we allow it, it can change the way that we think of blogging. A blogger doesn't have to have millions of readers to make a difference. You just have to focus, strategy, alliances, and a big toolbox.
Related on BFM:
Shiawassee Sheriff Roundup - edited to add links to all recent diaries |
