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Stephen Lewis: Columnist regrets inappropriate comments, asks 2nd chance



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By: STEPHEN LEWIS, Post Columnist
Posted: Sunday, November 16, 2008 8:32 am
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Where do I start? In the beginning there was an obnoxious fellow reading the paper who said, “I can write something better than that.” From that first column – about how I hate sales parties (candles, cookware, etc.) that women are always inviting my wife to – to the most recent one, which has caused no end of trouble, I have written about things that either irritate me, amaze me or make me laugh. Some of them must have been pretty good based on feedback I received and others were probably just barely good enough to keep me on as a columnist. Either way I have enjoyed writing for the Murfreesboro Post and thank Mr. Mike Pirtle for allowing me to do so.

Before you jump to conclusions, I’m not leaving my position as a columnist. The Murfreesboro Post is giving me the opportunity to use my column in an attempt to mend some fences with folks for the trouble that last week’s column caused. I hope you will give me the same opportunity.

To those who were offended I apologize and deeply regret the inappropriate comments I made and the format with which they were presented. My wife has kept track of the Web comments, which I never read, and said many people have screamed about my First Amendment right to freedom of speech. I wholeheartedly agree with freedom of speech, but I will not stand behind that as a shield to offend others. My columns have been known to push the envelope and, unfortunately, I pushed it too far this time.

To the community, I offer my heart felt apology for the embarrassment I have caused our fine city and county. I am proud to be a part of a community that embraces diversity and believes we truly are all created equal. It was never my intent to hurt my neighbors or cause people from communities outside of Middle Tennessee to categorize us as part of the racist south.

To the Murfreesboro Post staff, columnists and advertisers I apologize for putting a fine newspaper in a negative light. I hear comments regularly about how much people enjoy the Post. I also get to hear the complaints from the ladies in my church when they don’t get their paper, so if you carriers could be a little more diligent I’d really appreciate it.

To my friends, Calvin, Steve, and others, I put them in a position of worry that they should not have been placed. They have been very supportive but I am sorry to both and others who have called to offer their support. Of course with Calvin and Steve their biggest fear was probably me trying to borrow money from them if I had lost my job. Thanks guys, true friends.

To my parents who have taken this far worse than me, I apologize for not only this but for 41 years of pain and heartache. From the seven jars of baby food I went through each day as a 3-month-old to the near burning down of our house on Susan Drive to my well-documented eight-year college plan and now this, I think I owe you a big one.

This a great community in which to live and work, and again I regret my 15 minutes of fame (or infamy) arising from a poor choice of words that caused so much trouble. I hope you will give me another chance.
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Member Opinions:
By: thisone on 11/16/08
Well said

By: deelew on 11/16/08
justdance, where are you?

By: fred on 11/16/08
I generally enjoy your column. Look forward to many more.

By: CFW0914 on 11/17/08
I agree, well said. Since there has only been one person who lived a perfect life on this planet (& that was about 2,000 years ago), I hope everyone will accept your apologies and not place more judgment and cast stones! I'm glad you are going to continue as a journalist.

By: justdance on 11/17/08

I'm right here, and I'm still a fan. Thank you Mr. Lewis for your apology.


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