This DePat Tuesday Open Thread honors the author of the original Tuesday open thread on this site, namely the late Susie Sampson, a.k.a. Deplorable Patriot, among her other handles, pen names, etc.
For more on the untimely passing of Dear DePat, please see these three posts.
At one time, DePat handled FOUR daily open threads here, in addition to taking care of her relatives, choir duties, and numerous other responsibilities. She was a powerhouse – a dynamo – a true force of nature.
DePat’s faith in Trump, Q, “The Plan”, the White Hats, and “the anons” in general, was legendary. Although I didn’t always agree with her quick acceptance of some sketchier evidence and fringier theories, I will gladly admit to “coming around” to numerous so-called “conspiracy theories” which she championed first. I was always careful to give her credit for being right, too, when I had been wrong.
It is impossible to overstate how much DePat did for not only this site, but for her country. I urge all to say a quick prayer of thanks, whenever you think of her, for the privilege of knowing, in life or after death, such an exemplary human being, and lover of God.
And thank you, Susie, for the firm foundation which you left us, when you were called to your true home!
Private Messaging – The Role of This Site in Keeping with the Gospel
I had a bit of a revelation today, as I read today’s verse.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.”
Matthew 18:15
I feel that this has several levels of impact on this site.
One of those levels is how we criticize people OUTSIDE this blog, in our analysis of the news. I think we are reasonably safe there, because we are generally not well known. If we bring attention to our discussion on X or Gab, that gets a bit trickier, because that is very public. And while it can be very difficult to DM famous people on X, it isn’t hard to drop them a kind word or a courteous critique in the depths of their timeline, knowing that hardly anybody is going to see it. Sadly, however, that “hardly anybody” typically does not include the intended recipient.
Other times, I believe that public critique of public figures is more than permissible – it’s our duty. But where do we draw lines around this? I think that’s a valid question.
I do believe that much of what we say here gets looked at by anonymous “white hats” – and that’s a good thing! So if you think somebody in the administration made an error, and needs counsel, your stated opinion here may actually find its way to them.
Here on the blog, between ourselves, it’s a bit tougher, because our interactions are DESIGNED to be public, and I encourage public communication as a way to keep things honest and “sunlight-disinfected”. Courteous speech allows quite a bit of conflict to be resolved publicly, in a surprisingly low-key way, thankfully.
People here do PM me sometimes using PMTW, but conflicts with other members are – between public crises – surprisingly few. People can always approach each other on Gab, X, or through me as well, although in keeping with the Gospel, it is perhaps better if one approaches another party directly. Sometimes people just sharing a frustration with me fits directly into what the Gospel advises (since I may be the one in need of counsel on doing my duty to resolve a conflict), or it can be a “private” way to get me to hint to another person that there is a problem. No matter what, I strive to do what God would want, as best as I can tell, at all times.
I would love to hear other people’s thoughts on this, ranging from personal experience to theology, and that is why I chose that for today’s topic. Please keep the message of Christ in mind – particularly Matthew 18:15 – as you do this. I am seeking not to drum up conflict, but rather the opposite.
I’m all ears! And thank you in advance!
W
(Oddly, in the past, I always read this as “CURIOUS” – and only today realized it says “GLORIOUS” – which makes far more sense! LOL! Now, I absolutely cannot see the word “curious”. I guess that is a minor proof of how it can be impossible to unsee truth.)