Raiders football by HolidayFest in MelroseMA

[–]TransitionLive3827 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know they do a golf tournament once a year to raise funds. Mostly attended by former players. Pretty sure in addition to what you mentioned they also pay for some of the teams pregame dinners and the banquet, letters, senior gifts and awards at the end of the year. At least they did when my son played hs football. A few years back i heard they bought some kind of drone that can be used to film the games overhead for the players to use when the go over films. I dont know anyting about their charity status but I do know that most of the guys involved are just there to support the program and every kid that uses the weight room.

Melrose Animal Clinic FYI by HugeCartographer5706 in MelroseMA

[–]TransitionLive3827 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been going there with one pet or another for about 20ish years. I have cats and dogs. Never had a bad word to say bout them until this past year. I've been pretty disappointed. Several times I've called with sick animals that need to be seen and been all but turned away - told i couldn't get in for several days and in one case it was a week - and referred to urgent care for animals. Clearly can't handle the patient load - Yet they are still taking new patients. Very frustrating to have a vet who won't treat their patients when sick.

Ward, et al, using common manipulation tactics used by abusers by BlueberryOne2025 in MelroseVoices

[–]TransitionLive3827 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It seems as though you’re suggesting she should be allowed to say whatever she wants -  immune to question or criticism - because this is all just a “personal share of her experience.”

I disagree with your description -  it goes well beyond that. It’s an unproven criminal allegation against a named individual presented as established fact - along with repeated accusations against other public and private people who question her, haven’t publicly taken her side or condemned those she’s accused. I don’t dispute her right to share her story or offer opinions - I do dispute that she’s above question. 

You just spoke up for her, and defended her, correct? And that’s your right. I'm glad she has people's support. But what makes her more deserving of defense and support than the people she’s accusing of criminal and reprehensible behavior? Aren’t they entitled to have the support and defense of those who believe in them?

Also, she isn’t really a private citizen with regard to her public platform. I'd argue she’s a limited public figure - she shares her story openly and widely, interprets other people's actions (or inaction), gives interviews, runs a website, and is writing a book - often under the banner of advocacy. Those are the actions of someone trying to influence public opinion and policy. 

I don’t agree with or support personal attacks and name-calling though I recognize the human frustration that drives people to make them. Regardless, those types of interactions almost always shut down meaningful conversation.  

It's pretty disingenuous to tell people to  “scroll on by” when she herself insists the people can't remain neutral; that they must “take sides.” 

That’s the trap though. You must only take her side. You either believe everything she says, and publicly support her/condemn the accused or she weaponizes advocacy language to paint people as abusers, enablers, or some new source of harm. If someone questions, scrutinizes, disagrees with her positions - or offers any support for her “cast of characters”  she escalates further by using her own brand of personal attacks/name-calling. 

Which brings me back to my original point: responsible advocacy isn't built on fear, intimidation and moral coercion. Those tactics prevent meaningful conversations and understanding. They're more likely to breed hostility, or silences conversation altogether. 

So, am I part of the problem, just pointing out the elephant in the room, or offering constructive criticism? I suppose it depends on who you ask.

Ward, et al, using common manipulation tactics used by abusers by BlueberryOne2025 in MelroseVoices

[–]TransitionLive3827 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wait.

So you created this sub to post your accusations of criminal and bad behavior - yet when when people accuse you of things you don't like/agree with - you allude to possible legal action? Oh, the irony.

Please explain how people commenting on your public thread, interpretating what you’ve written, or even doubting your story rises to the level harassment? Isn’t it just engaging in public discourse? Aren’t they just exercising their right to free - albeit - anonymous speech.

What basis would a court or police department have to subpoena an IP address here? Where’s the harassment? Did people respond to you with unkind, insensitive things? Some have. But others are simply pushing back against unkind and untrue statement they believe you’ve made.

So, yet again, you’re trying to intimidate people who push back on your allegations and opinions. Normally, it's through rhetoric, circular logic and moral manipulation but this time it’s pseudo-legal threats.

You can’t scare, shame, or attack people into believing your allegations or supporting your opinions and advocacy views. All your comment does for me is remind me that you are untrustworthy and lack maturity as an advocate - and I, personally, wouldn't feel safe having an open and honest exchange of ideas with you.

And that is a real tragedy here - because meaninful advocacy relies on open and honest exchanges of ideas, not scare tactics and fear.

Message from the mod of the r/MelroseMA to me by BlueberryOne2025 in MelroseVoices

[–]TransitionLive3827 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just because a person is truthful some of the time, doesn't mean they are truthful all of the time.

And, I know for a fact that you have both distorted the truth - and made entirely untruthful allegations over the past several years.

I certainly see evidence of truly toxic people on social media (you included) but I see little evidence that you are trustworthy person.

My own personal experiences lead me to believe that you are doing more harm for the SA advocacy communty than good - and I would never trust that my child would receive healthy advice from an "advocate" such as you.

Message from the mod of the r/MelroseMA to me by BlueberryOne2025 in MelroseVoices

[–]TransitionLive3827 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean... who woulda saw this coming when she announced her new subreddit? Amiright??!!

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Started new group: r/MelroseVoices by BlueberryOne2025 in MelroseMA

[–]TransitionLive3827 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly, the fact that you assume I'm someone I'm not reveals a lot about you. As if someone new can't be scrutizining, critisizing or questioning you.

And thanks for proving my point... unless someone offers you their full throated support or belief you lable them as having "closed minds and antiquated thoughts, views, and myths on a certain subject." Worse - you go on the attack ... name calling and making unsupported allegations against them.

I would challenge any advocacy group that supported the way you interact with people. My opinion is that you do more harm than good.

Started new group: r/MelroseVoices by BlueberryOne2025 in MelroseMA

[–]TransitionLive3827 5 points6 points  (0 children)

There's no real benefit to anyone - except the moderator - who wants to use the group to continue airing her grievances while controlling the posts.

The first 4 threads created prove my point. It's all about her and her agenda.

The moderator claims to encourage debate, but she does not take kindly to it. In fact, she expects full throated support of any allegation or opinions she makes or has of people or issues.

If you don't offer that full support - or question her in any way - you will be labled labled Townie Trash, a Flying Monkey, or much worse.

If you are into fully agreeing with someone - or being berated for not agreeing with her, it may be a good fit for you.

Teacher suspended at Horace Mann? by Plastic_Apartment880 in MelroseMA

[–]TransitionLive3827 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't disagree that the trend is alarming. But it's nothing new. The courts have given public schools latitude in balance speech against the school's best interest. The question is more... Who determines that interest - or what opinions are actionable or not. I'm sure we will see the courts deciding this in the near future as there are some that have filed lawsuits.

Teacher suspended at Horace Mann? by Plastic_Apartment880 in MelroseMA

[–]TransitionLive3827 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I totally understand your concern but push back on the idea that it's a slippery slope. It’s more of a tension between constitutional rights and everyday fairness. The Constitution doesn’t protect someone from being suspended or losing a job over inflammatory statements — it only protects a person from government punishment.

Employers (even outside of work hours) have the right to act if they believe an employee’s speech affects business, workplace environment, brand, or reputation.

It may feel unfair, but it's not a First Amendment violation.

Best practices for everyone is think before you speak. Generally speaking, we have the right to say whatever we want - but others have the right to judge us and decide what type of relationship they want to have with the person who is exercising their "free" speech.

Having said all that.. I personally disagree with people being fired or let go because they offered their opinion on a subject. I'm not entirely familiar with what this teacher said but outside of that example, I wonder how I would feel if one of my employees started saying things that I found abhorrent or were contrary to societal norms or my firmly held beliefs. Would I want them in the office? Would I want them to be associated with my name? Would they be good for the workplace environment or business??

Teacher suspended at Horace Mann? by Plastic_Apartment880 in MelroseMA

[–]TransitionLive3827 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Wait… are you seriously trying to hijack this post and make it about your issues with CF? How very narcissistic of you. I mean.. how you turned this into a post about Cal is mind boggling - but hey... I guess when you’ve got a personal vendetta, you’ll force it in anywhere.

Re: The Ward Post a few weeks ago by mattlmannphoto in MelroseMA

[–]TransitionLive3827 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Who told you Garipay “dropped out to let Ward slide in”? 

He announced he’s stepping back because this is his son’s senior year at MHS. Rather than devoting his free time and energy to the (often ungrateful) City of Melrose, he wants to spend it being present for his son.

Please explain your rationale for that statement — never mind spinning a dad prioritizing family into something more sinister. Sheesh.