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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Tyranny of the Mob

The Gracedale Goons and their hateful invective are posted here all the time. Usually, it's anonymous attacks aimed at me, Ron Angle or John Stoffa. But if someone agrees with me, this mob goes out of their way to shout that person down. It gets pretty ugly. Now, it's also becoming racist, too.

One of my commenters is a person named Brenda. She thinks Gracedale should be sold. Until now, Gracedale Goons been claiming that I am Brenda. But last night, they charged that Brenda is actually Tricia Mezzacappa, a Registered Nurse who spoke at a recent Council meeting. They have posted her name, her home address, her email address and her phone numbers on their hate blog. They note that Ms. Mezzacappa does massage therapy from her home for seniors and adults. They follow that up with a bigoted "ah so" comment, a swipe at people of Asian ancestry.

I guess it's OK to be bigoted against Asian people.

But it does not stop there. They go on and certainly imply that Ms. Mezzacappa is a prostitute, and that I am one of her clients. "I wonder if that beached whale is getting the discount? Happy Endings."

I certainly don't care what they say about me, but doesn't it bother anyone that these goons would so casually accuse another person of prostitution? Isn't anyone offended by the racist slur at Asians?

These are the people who call themselves "We the People." But what they really are is a lynch mob, and their latest target is a registered nurse whose sole offense is that she supports the sale of Gracedale.

I have passed along their hateful attempt to interfere with Ms. Mezzacappa' business.

40 comments:

Sanctifying Grace said...

Hopefully, publically confessed Christians would denounce such bigotry and distance themselves.

Peace be with you, ~~~alex+

Sanctifying Grace said...

Hopefully, publically confessed Christians would denounce such bigotry and distance themselves.

Peace be with you, ~~~alex+

PippySqueek said...
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PippySqueek said...

If that is what they are writing on a public site about someone, does not that person have the right to sue for slander?

dj said...

Pippysqueek....in that case BERNIE would have been sued a long time ago!!!

Sparticus said...

Bernie, thank you for clearing it up. Their comments dont deserve my response.

I forgive these people for what they have done

dj said...

Tricia....first you must take a look at their site! THEY did not post anything about you, someone made an anonymous comment. Bernie's own blog writings have been no better and then when you add the comments that have been posted it is even worse!!!

michael molovinsky said...

bernie, you should read the gracedale site again. i don't see any implication of prostitution. the discount refers to massage as offered by ms. mezzacappa. i honestly don't see the asian smear either. please have a third person read those comments and give you another opinion.

Sparticus said...

DJ,
I have also looked at their blog to see where my name address and phone numbers were posted. I saw that they were posted. I have encouraged the anonymous posters to come out of hiding and fess up to the hiddeuos comments that were made.

I am waiting to see if that happens. I have no idea who is posting as Brenda and I could actually care less.

Movolinsky,
The "hooker" remark was posted on this blog last night by an anon

The "happy ending" remark was on both blogs

unless you are unable to read, I dont see how else it should be interpreted

michael molovinsky said...

ms. mezzacappa, sorry, i only read this post and didn't know about previous posts with a "hooker" reference.

Sparticus said...

I wasnt aware of it either until I got a phone call, and went through the posts this morning.

I will not mimic the behavior of the unfortunate soul who wrote these things, or what led up to this incident. I will keep his name, phone number and email address to myself, as I am now 99.9% certain of who it is.

dj said...

Would not put it past some people to post such comments just to stir the pot and make other people look bad....not mentioning any names, I'll let you figure it out!

Bernie O'Hare said...

"bernie, you should read the gracedale site again. i don't see any implication of prostitution. the discount refers to massage as offered by ms. mezzacappa. i honestly don't see the asian smear either. please have a third person read those comments and give you another opinion."


Perhaps you should stop speed reading. There is a suggestion that I get both discount and "happy endings." The "Ah so" comment, along with the references to massage, is a smear at people of Asian ancestry.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Would not put it past some people to post such comments just to stir the pot and make other people look bad"

That must be why this comment is still there, 14 hours later. In fact, Ms. Mezzacappa has posted a comment taking exception, but this slime is still up.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Bernie's own blog writings have been no better and then when you add the comments that have been posted it is even worse!!!"

I have never posted the personal address, phone numbers and email addresses of a private person, suggesting that they are prostitutes. Nor have I ever slurred people of Asian ancestry. My grandson is half Asian, and I resent the suggestion that people like his mothers are prostitutes.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"I forgive these people for what they have done"

You're better than I. It's hard to forgive people who have no remorse.

Sparticus said...

Bernie,

There is one person I know of (at least where I am concerned), and only one, who performs tricks, like a tiger without its stripes, in the middle of the night, desperate and alone, behind a closed door, in front of a computer. A nice computer.

It gives new meaning to the word coward. It is not my first interaction with the coward. The coward knows who I am, and I know the coward. The coward continued to hide behind an otter, because the otter is tougher than the tiger. Doesnt say much for either.

Now there is the issue with the flyers. Lets see what involvement the otter has with this one..the election guru, right? This should be interesting

Bernie O'Hare said...

"If that is what they are writing on a public site about someone, does not that person have the right to sue for slander?"

I believe Ms. Mezzacappa has a cause of action for an intrusion into her privacy, defamation and a malicious attempt to interfere with business relationships.

Sparticus said...

Bernie, that would be much too polite, and very unlike the italian heritage.

But I continue to pity the frail and misinformed, and do forgive what has been done.

I have learned in life that demonic people usually self destruct on their own, even without lawyers. Its actually way cheaper, and much more satisfying.

Monkey Momma said...

It is a shame that the fake reverend has hijacked the "save gracedale" movement - he certainly isn't doing anyone who wants to keep Gracedale from being privatized any favors. There are plenty of good and decent people who want the county to keep possession of Gracedale, but the insanity of the "Saving Private Gracedale" blog drowns out any voices of reason. It's a shame, as there are two sides to this coin that need to be evaluated by voters.

The owner of any blog has a big responsibility when it comes to moderating comments. Obviously, it's not the post that's so offensive - it's the comments. The comments posted about Ms. M are WAY out of line, and certainly cross into defamation territory. Anyone who thinks they are truly anonymous on these blogs is an idiot - myself included. Everyone is ultimately responsible for their words - it will just take the right judge and/or jury to make it so.

I encourage Ms. Mezzacappa to keep speaking her mind and doing what she believes is right. Anyone who reads these blogs can easily see that she is not the bad guy here.

Cost Prohibitive Idealism said...

The current movers of the left have done more to harm race relations than a thousand hood wearers.

They oppose the sale of a union jobs program dinosaur and start throwing racists stones; thinking it discredits their opponents.

Obama has his academic record questioned by an idiot and that's called racist. It wasn't a problem when Bill and Hillary, and Biden and McCain and Kerry and W. Bush had their credentials questioned by idiots.

The louder they scream about hate from their opponents, the more they project the insidious racism they hold in their miserable hearts. They do the same for civil rights that clinic bombers do for the anti-abortion movement.

Racism is sinful and unpatriotic.

Sparticus said...

Monkey Momma,
Thanks for the support. I dont know the fake reverend personally, but have seen him in various meetings, forums and TV shows. I dont think he means to harm anyone or anything.

What I see is a person who needs to be propped up by a group of supporters so that he can find a sense of meaningfulness in his life. Its really no sin to desire a sense of popularity , well being and belonging.

It just reminds me of the terrified little man behind the curtain in that famous scene in the Wizard of OZ

michael molovinsky said...

this comment may have a short shelf life, and furthermore, i usually regret commenting here. i'm so square, i was not familiar with the "happy ending" expression. ms. mezzacappa felt the comments were lewd, and i accept that perception, same for bernie with "ah so". i support the county ownership of gracedale, based on my experience regarding lehigh's cedarbrook. i've known people who ended up there, and it served them at their most vulnerable time. both sides of this issue have been pushed into unbecoming behavior. i even suspect iannelli is more interested in drama than information. since the question will now be on the ballot, perhaps the time has arrived for more facts and less emotion.

Ethel said...
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Ethel said...
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Ethel said...

As a registered voter, I am still up in the air about how to vote on the Gracedale issue. Neither the Gracedale people nor the CC has done a very good job of convincing me one way or the other. Any suggestions?

I had a few loved ones in Gracedale and a few private facilities and I don’t see much difference in any. They are all basically the same. The big difference naturally is the pay scale and benefits package. The private places paled in comparison to their counterparts at Gracedale. I think all the places have some exceptional workers and those that ride the backs of them. As for unions, I personally would not want to be paid the same as someone who doesn’t toe the line. We are crucifying the teachers and demanding merit pay for them when nursing homes should clearly be on a merit pay basis.
It seems one or all of the places leave patients in soaked diapers for a long time unless you are there and bring it to someone’s attention. But then you worry how they will be treated when you are not there. They all seem to be super attentive when patients have visitors. Some places leave the dead for hours in the same room with their roommate not knowing what to do or where to go. They don’t place tenants according to their capabilities, incapacities or compatibility. The nursing home doctor(s) have a tendency of changing or taking patients off meds that their specialists put them on for a reason. The food is disgusting and not very nutritious. I personally think the management and the workers should be made to eat the same thing the patients get served every day.

I was never bullied or deceived by anyone into signing any petition. No one ever came to my house either, unlike someone else I know.

I will say this; the CC admitted they did not run Gracedale very well. With that being said, maybe the county needs to get out of numerous businesses because if they did not run this facility right, then it only makes me wonder how many others they are incapable of running. If the county could guarantee that by privatizing this facility that the poor would definitely have a place to go and if CC could guarantee they would use the money frugally and not for some other pet project, then maybe, just maybe, I could vote to privatize it. But we all know that is not possible.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"As a registered voter, I am still up in the air about how to vote on the Gracedale issue. Neither the Gracedale people nor the CC has done a very good job of convincing me one way or the other. Any suggestions?"

On my sidebar, I have a link to numerous articles about Gracedale.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"i usually regret commenting here."

I usually regret when you comment here, too.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"It just reminds me of the terrified little man behind the curtain in that famous scene in the Wizard of OZ"

That sick bastard has just accused me of posting your personal information.

Anonymous said...

Ethel.....a huge difference is Private nursing homes can and do turn people away! Their #1 concern is the bottom line figure. They look at the assets of a prospective resident and pick and choose who to accept! Trust me, this doesn't only happen with senior citizens, this scenario can/does happen with young people that have suffered from a debilitating injury.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Ethel, This is an attempt to scare you. Private homes can and do accept Medicaid patients. Just two weeks ago, I know someone who is indigent and chose a private home over Gracedale.

This has not always been true, but it is true, now.

Another point. If Gracedale goes private, it will be contractually obligated to make 85% of its beds available to the indigent.

brenda said...

Well, I thought I owed it to the blog to straighten out a few things here. I see that I inadvertantly caused stress to Ms. Mezzacappa, and called her to apologize. Of course I did not reveal my true identity, by calling from a prepaid cell....she wont know who I am thank the lord...unless of course

she has one of those fancy new gadgets that the state police use for decoys?

At any rate, I had to leave a message. I am hoping all is well with her, and hope she calls back.

Anonymous said...

BERNIE, the words are Private Homes CAN and DO turn away! Of course they accept Medicaid but they can and ARE selective!!! Not a scare tactic but TRUTH!

Bernie O'Hare said...

It is a scare tactic when used with respect to a buyer who commits, in writing, that it will make 85% of its beds available to Medicaid residents. It is a scare tactic when this Buyer is willing to make this a specifically enforceable covenant, is willing to submit to quarterly reviews and s even willing to make it part of the deed. It is a scare tactic when it is known that County Council would never sell under any other circumstance.

Bill Coker said...

Gracedal is down 100 beds because it's obvious people shop around and private homes are often better and cheaper.

Anonymous said...

Yeah and are you gonna enforce it Bernie!

Bernie O'Hare said...

As indicated, there would be quarterly audits to make sure that indigents are being given priority. If the Buyer fails to do that, there will be a host of remedies available to the County, from daily fines to specific enforcement. The County is unable to sustain the high cost of running a nursing home. A private entity, which receives higher reimbursements, can do so. And it would be subject to scrutiny designed to ensure that they do what they promise to do. The whole point of all this s to continue to assure high quality care from an entity whose sole concern is running a nursing home.

dj said...

Bernie....seriously, once again WHO IS GOING TO ENFORCE quarterly audits. Once the county sells it, they will FOREVER wash their hands of it! They won't give a crap about about future owners not meeting contract requirements. These types of contracts rank right up there with covenants in deeds.....nothing but extra paper you can wipe your butt with! I also have to agree with anonymous 9:18am. Private nursing homes can and do turn people away. Just talking to a friend this morning who it is presently happening to! Also, ManorCare, of which is private with a lower rating, told her they would charge her $12,000 monthly......$4000 above Gracedale. So keep posting your rebuttals but people that have been exposed to these issues or do the proper research, will find out the truth!

Bernie O'Hare said...

You are assuming that only you care about people. My experience as been that County officials care very much. They would likely set up an authority including clerics and medical people.

Anonymous said...

This is a blast in the past. It's odd to think that you got along at one point with all the drama that's happened in the past year.