BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother

Subject: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: PHJim
Date: 21 Aug 13 - 06:50 PM

Newcastle is about 15 minutes down the road from where I live. I found it hard to believe that anyone would put this in writing. I'm pretty sure that the "Pissed Off Mother" regrets writing the letter after the publicity it's received.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/08/19/ontario-family-shocked-when-they-receive-letter-telling-them-to-euthanize-autistic-child/

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Aug 13 - 07:58 PM

The letter in question

I don't know about Ontario, but that letter writer would be in real trouble if she lived in our Newcastle...

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Aug 13 - 03:25 AM

That letter gets worse as it goes!

I've run into a few people who fit this special category of writer - someone able to compose a grammatically lucid letter, but having no ability to consider what it is they are in fact writing. Critical thinking is totally absent.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: gnu
Date: 22 Aug 13 - 06:24 AM

I hope she is never found. That's a cruel thought considerin she must be shittin bricks an losin sleep over what she did.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 Aug 13 - 12:04 PM

How much do you wanna bet that it:

Wasn't actually written by a neighbor
by a mother, or
by a person with normal children?

We do live in the age of fakery.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Aug 13 - 12:10 PM

It reads like a rant from someone who feels very entitled. Perhaps she was a bit drunk when she wrote it. That's no excuse, but it could explain the poor judgement and total lack of a filter.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 Aug 13 - 12:23 PM

I think the probability is 75% that it was written by

a man
a loner
probably ex-military
had been drinking.

He pretends to be the mother of children because he knows that will shock people and gain publicity.

If he claimed to be a male, would the media make up headlines saying "Newcastle Father Writes Letter?" Probably not. But 'mother' packs a punch.
========
Remember the people in St Louis who drove a teenage girl to suicide by pretending to be an attractive young boy who led her on, then humiliated her? Those people were not the age, sex or number of the lad they claimed to be.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: PHJim
Date: 22 Aug 13 - 02:18 PM

I hate to say anything positive about this letter, but there have been some positive outcomes, although not those intended by the author. The community of Newcastle has rallied around the family and shown their support. Many folks have become more aware of and knowledgeable about autism because of this hateful letter.

leeneia, It seems odd that you are 75% convinced that this letter was written by a man. Do you not think that a woman is capable of this kind of venom? Until I read the letter, I didn't think anyone, male or female was capable, but hatred, anger and poor judgement are not confined to the male sex. I think if the writer had signed it, "A pissed off father," that the headlines would probably be "Newcastle Father Writes Letter?"

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Aug 13 - 07:13 PM

I would think the outrage would be as great if the writer had identified himself as a man. And if it was the same letter, specifically writing about his own children, I can't imagine that the coverage wouldn't emphasize that it was a self-proclaimed father who wrote it.

I've never heard anything to indicate that poison pen letters are more likely to be written by men than women.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,Jack Sprocket
Date: 22 Aug 13 - 07:23 PM

Well done lLeenia. You've shifted the focus from discrimination against autistic (and other damaged) people, to whether it's men or women who hate mongs most.

Me, I'm a man. I don't hate them, I hate whoever wrote that letter... especially if it's a fake.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: gnu
Date: 22 Aug 13 - 07:40 PM

Right then. Even tho my comment fits all scenarios (so far - I am sure someone will dream one up that it doesn't fit)... gnightgnu. Have fun.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Neil D
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 12:20 AM

Scorn Not His Simplicity

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: PHJim
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 12:12 PM

Thanks for that Neil. Great song.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 10:45 PM

I have no trouble believing that there are people who think like the letter writer in question. I'm just surprised that they were willing to put it all down on paper. And even more surprised that the coward took a chance slipping it under the door and taking a chance on being spotted.

Luckily the letter writer in an anomaly. Brendan and I have received stares while we've been out - he makes odd noises too - but never any comments to our faces. Occasionally a little kid has asked outright why Brendan doesn't talk - but I'm fine with that. I just see it as an educational opportunity.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 10:56 PM

"We do live in the age of fakery."

Sadly when I read that line my first thought is that there are some parents - hopefully not this one - who would write a letter like this and send it to themselves in order to get sympathy/attention. Let's hope that isn't the case here.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 11:23 PM

What that letter writer said has been said here often on Mudcat. Where were you then?

The young boy's name is Max. The police will have the author identified within a few days if indeed they don't already. So don't worry about it. The Durham County PD are doing their job.

However, it makes one wonder why this instance is a problem when others like it have not been addressed here before by many of the same posters.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 08:32 AM

A "GUEST" who has evidently read everything that has been posted on the Mudcat...

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Greg F.
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 10:16 AM

Not that I in any way condone what the author of the letter has done, but all you folks spouting righteous indignation should try living in the situation the author describes for a while, & see what YOUR reactions would be.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 10:26 AM

And maybe the author of the letter could try walking in the shoes of a parent with a special needs child? That door swings both ways. Or would that be too much to ask?

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Greg F.
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 10:54 AM

Exactly, Wes. But from the article, we have no idea if the parent in question is being considerate of the neighbors or not, do we?

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 11:06 AM

The child was with his grandparent when this happened, he was for a visit during the summer. It's too bad all of the people living in close enough proximity to hear utterances from the back yard don't know each other and understand some of the basics in the dynamic of each family. Familiarity is much more likely to lessen the anger caused by different behavior.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Greg F.
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 11:16 AM

Amen, SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 04:27 PM

It would've been helpful if one or two of the neighbours could have offered fellowship and support to the grandparent while the child was staying there. If the boy was able to accept another person's presence, people could pop in and offer to sit for say fifteen minutes while the principal carer took a short break. Knowing there were supportive neighbours would I think give a lot of strength to carry on. There must be many a dark moment for the carer of a severely autistic person. In modern times we all seem to live isolated in our boxes feeling spiteful about those in adjacent boxes. Not an ideal way to live.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 04:41 PM

How do you know the other neighbours weren't good neighbours, Eliza?   All we know is that some unknown person wasn't.

I'd be very concerned for the wellbeing of the writer"s children, assuming the letter can be taken at face value, which it likely can't. She sounds on the edge of a psychotic break.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Greg F.
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 06:52 PM

Conversely, how do you know that they WERE good neighbors, Kevin?

And in the first instance, why should it be the neighbors' responsibility to spend their time being caregivers for someone else's child?

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Aug 13 - 10:06 PM

"why should it be the neighbors' responsibility to spend their time being caregivers for someone else's child?"

You're right - it's not a responsibility - it's called a kindness. It's what neighbors and friends do for each other. Good lord - you have such a negative view of the human race it's a wonder you get out of bed in the morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: PHJim
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 12:17 AM

The neighbours have certainly rallied around the family now. Today there was a street party in the neighbourhood that made Global news to show support for the family in question.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Greg F.
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 08:51 AM

You're right - it's not a responsibility - it's called a kindness.

Ya think maybe the neighbors have their hands full and their time occupied taking care of their OWN children & families, Wes? When was the last time YOU babysat for an autistic child?

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Wesley S
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 09:11 AM

"When was the last time YOU babysat for an autistic child?"

I could say every day - but since it's my own son it's actually called "parenting". But babysitting? We had a classmate of Brendan's over to the neighborhood pool for a couple of hours this week while his mom went shopping. It's what friends do.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Greg F.
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 09:50 AM

you have such a negative view of the human race

Sorry to inject a bit of reality into your personal utopia.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Greg F.
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 10:01 AM

To avoid further ambiguity, let me rephrase that slightly:

When was the last time Y'ALL babysat for an autistic child?

vide: 24 Aug 13 - 10:16 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Wesley S
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 01:43 PM

As a misanthropist I'm sure you have a world view that works for you but that doesn't make it a reality. I have no personal utopia. I DO have an autistic son which may skew my view of the world too. I have no wish to convert you - but I may suggest that reality lies somewhere between your views and mine. A lot closer to mine actually but lets not belabor that point. Enjoy your world and I'll enjoy mine.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 09:09 PM

When the writer of that note is revealed, I hope that information is shared as widely as the note was.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 09:28 PM

Like Wesley we looked after our autistic daughter for over forty years, till my cardiac arrest and stuff mean't we passed it over to paid careworkers fulltime, and we often took over care for other people with similar needs.

Not too much practical help from neighbours, though a few helpful friends. But people have always been accepting of the kind of things mentioned - and we certainly never came up against this kind of unpleeasantness. Either the letter writer, or the attitudes Greg appears to have, for that matter - perhaps he's giving a misleading impression, I hope so.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: PHJim
Date: 25 Aug 13 - 10:46 PM

Greg said, "To avoid further ambiguity, let me rephrase that slightly:
When was the last time Y'ALL babysat for an autistic child?"

I am Canadian, so have never had the occasion to use the term "Y'ALL", but I have friends from Texas who use the term as a singular pronoun. When they're talking to a group and want to be inclusive, they say, "ALL Y'ALL".

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Greg F.
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 08:54 AM

Well Jim, Texas always has been - how shall I say?- different?

the attitudes Greg appears to have

And these attitudes you ascribe to me are what, exactly, Kevin?
All I'm saying is that one has to give as much consideration to the neighbors as to the child in question.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 12:24 PM

Not neighbors - plural. No neighborhood petition was received. It doesn't sound like the police were even called with noise complaints. Just one singular note from someone that MIGHT be a neighbor. And why should any family change their lifestyle to satisfy one grumpy old troll who doesn't even have the courage to sign the note?

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 01:10 PM

All I'm saying is that one has to give as much consideration to the neighbors as to the child in question.

Of course - consderation means taking people's circumstances into account.

"Buying a ticket gives me an equal right to a seat as anyone. So there's no reason I ought to stand up for a woman who's heavily pregnany or a tottering old man"...

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Greg F.
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 05:16 PM

Buying a ticket gives me an equal right to a seat as anyone. So there's no reason I ought to stand up for a woman who's heavily pregnany or a tottering old man"...

Fuck off, Kevin. YOU said that, I certainly didn't.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 05:38 PM

Of course Greg didn't say it, and I didn't say he said it.

Excellent.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Greg F.
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 06:21 PM

Then your point in posting it was........?

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Crowhugger
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 07:06 PM

In the Province of Ontario for the last couple of decades there has been a legislature that chooses to cut taxes on the backs of society's vulnerable on one hand and parents of autistic children on the other. Parents and groups representing autistic kids & their families are doing their best to lobby government and the voting public to put more money into supports for their kids to allow respite care as needed, in-home support workers as needed, school support workers as needed, specialized schooling as needed, parental education as needed, and research to establish best practices for all that stuff (and probably more). Those efforts have effectively got nowhere--I recall hearing stats in the last few months indicating that only a small percentage of families with autistic kids get even a modicum of support.

If memory serves me, within the past year or less a parent (or parents) felt so desperate as to drop off their child somewhere--maybe social services, I don't recall those particulars--and walked away. She/they and family had endured physical harm and could not cope with their post-pubescent son's strength, nor was there any place for him to go. I don't recall if the problem was long waiting lists or simply no such facility. (All but a very few residential services for several needful populations were shut down in favour of "community placement." But the cost savings were not put into community care.

I suppose it's possible that the letter under discussion was written by
..an angry, unfiltered neighbour (as indicated by the letter), or
..an angry, desperate yet strategically-thinking parent whose many logical, fact-backed pleas for supports have long gone unanswered, or
..one or more people connected to the autism community whose many logical, fact-backed pleas for supports have long gone unanswered.

I do not hope that the writer is publicly identified. If the author is the first case, I think the probability of physical and/or stalking/harassing types of injury is pretty high. Much as I think her attitude is abominable, I don't wish her children to suffer; I expect they are already living with some dysfunction given this parent willing to write AND DELIVER so extreme a letter. If the writer is connected to the autism community, budget-slashing politicos will try to spin it to mean the autism community is somehow not deserving of sufficient funds.

I'm not an expert, I'm just sharing my sense of what has been in the news over twenty-ish years. Let me also mention that I have no good solution to propose--the number of kids on the autism spectrum is high and growing even if one subtracts those who can manage with relatively minor adaptations to available rearing and teaching methods and easily manageable behaviour issues. Multiply the rest by however much it would cost to provide decent supports (never mind research to establish best practices!) and the cost is astronomical. Just for the heck of it, why not also tally up the cost of meeting similar needs of families managing every other deeply challenging childhood affliction.

To provide the funding support needed by autistic families to keep some sanity and family function will be, I believe, crazy-expensive, making the problem extremely difficult to solve. The one great thing coming from the very foul letter is that issue is front and centre in general public conversation, and public awareness has grown by leaps and bounds.

For the record there is no one autistic in my family nor have I any children whether on the spectrum or so-called "normal".

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 07:47 PM

The letter in question could be used so many ways.We can use it as a template. All we have to do is take out the word "autistic" and substitute the name of anyone who offends us. Black, gay, down syndrome,Muslim,Irish,HIV,Canadian, rap fans, motorcycle owners,dog owners, banjo players. The list goes on and on...

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 08:26 PM

Not too hard to see the relevance, Greg.

It lies in the previous sentence, in which I concurred with what you said about the importance of due consideration for oths, and added the comment "Of course - consideration means taking people's circumstances into account."

I then gave on instance of an instance of failure to do that, with the imagined words of someone failing to do so, and treating "equality" as a justification for doing so.

It's quite a common failure, for example in arguments about "positive discrimination" in a number of contexts.

It doesn't apply to you? Good.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 26 Aug 13 - 10:36 PM

As the parent of a child with disabilities, I've heard everything in the letter, and usually from "concerned" acquaintances, family members,
neighbors, teachers, and even health care professionals. It's never been shoved under the door anonymously though, probably because people who say things like that tend to think that they have a right, if not an obligation to let you know what they think. So...

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 03:35 AM

No Wesley, you cannot make that sort of substitution. The original writer of the letter appears primarily to have been annoyed by the wailing noises made in the grandparents' back garden. The accusation of making that noise cannot as a matter of course be levelled at the others in your list.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 04:52 AM

We have a slightly similar situation in our little corner of the village. A very old and infirm couple have an old, blind dog which they put out in their back garden at night for a time. The poor old souls then fall fast asleep in their armchairs and the dog screams and barks, sometimes until 1am. We've come to an amicable arrangement that I phone them (they don't hear the doorbell!) at 11pm and remind them to bring their dog indoors, which they then do immediately. Another younger, fitter chap than us has offered to take the dog out for a walk each evening, as the old couple can't do this. By phoning, I can also check that the two are alright, so it works very well. We could all have complained and made a fuss, but instead one has to have compassion and try to find a kind solution. I detest malicious anonymous letter writers, so spiteful and cowardly.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 09:36 AM

Wailing noises?

I stepped out yesterday to water the cherry tomatoes and heard wailing noises from the house across the street. It was young guys trying to produce rock music. It made me smile.

I've talked to the DH about this. We hate it when neighbors jack up their stereos, but we don't mind it when the music is original, no matter how bad it is. I guess we are being surrogate parents.

Anyhow, the point is that anybody in a city is going to hear noises - neighbors, dogs, cats, kids, sirens, motorcycles, airplanes, helicopters, cube vans. The letter writer doesn't have a legitimate beef over the sounds the boy makes.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 10:13 AM

Eliza, thanks for showing what normal, intelligent people do when they have a problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 10:18 AM

As a someone who lives two doors away from a gobby woman and her screaching kids, I don't know why the annoyed author of that letter with her "normal" children presumes that the noises "normal" children make, are to those near by any more pleasant than those made by autistic ones?

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 03:31 PM

leeneia, you're so right. Unless one wants to live completely isolated on a desert island, one must accept (and even embrace) the sounds of human life all around one. Our lovely neighbours next door are very early risers, and the dad gets his little tractor out to load on his trailer at 6.30am. He works so hard for local farmers and landowners cutting and tree-trimming etc. I'm up by 6am anyway, and like to hear him getting ready, thinking what a good dad he is to his family. In the evening his children jump up and down on their trampoline shouting 'Hello!" to me as their heads bob up above the fence. Our other neighbours have hens and we always know when an egg is about to be laid because of the loud cackling. Their son has a drum kit, and he's rather good, wish I could do that! Now if all these homely and pleasing sounds were absent, what a dead and miserable place we'd be in. I would hate it I know.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 07:49 PM

It's encouraging that at least this story has generated public concern - all too often what happens to people with learning difficulties of all kinds gets pushed to the side.

Consider for example the case of Ethan Saylor, a young man with Down's Syndrome who was asphyxiated by police in a cinema in Maryland earlier this year. A lot of anger about this locally, but did it get the kind of attention the killing of Trayvon Martin did?

Killing of man with Down's syndrome

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 09:44 PM

McGrath, earlier this evening I signed the petition referred to in that article.

When I wrote earlier that "When the writer of that note is revealed, I hope that information is shared as widely as the note was," I don't mean I care about the writer's name, which of course would not mean anything to me even if it was revealed. Will the writer be discovered? I want to know if the writer really is a neighbor and mother of "normal" children or is it someone else. I also want to know what triggered the writer to write this note and deliver it at this particular time. Had the writer planned to do this for a while, or had the writer just "snapped?" Has the writer done anything like this before? (In fact since I have heard nothing about this since it first hit the news, I wonder if anyone else has come forward with a similar note.) How will all of this be resolved?

Though sadly all too real, this is a mystery and I want to know how it concludes.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: Bettynh
Date: 03 Sep 13 - 02:48 PM

As a partial antidote for this toxic thread, there's this:

(CNN) —A dinner out turned into an experience of a lifetime for a North Carolina family thanks to one stranger's heartfelt gesture.

Ashley England and her family want to thank a customer who paid for their meal Friday night and left behind a touching note about their special needs son. A photo of the note has gone viral, shared with thousands of people on Facebook.

England told CNN her family, including husband, Jason, 8-year-old son Riley, 4-year-old brother Logan, the boys' grandmother and their great-grandmother were together at the Stag & Doe restaurant in China Grove, North Carolina, for a family meal when their special needs son, Riley, started to get frustrated. He was hungry and couldn't get the Netflix on his mom's phone to work.

Since Riley suffers from epilepsy and is non-verbal, England said, it's hard for him to communicate and he screams and acts out when he's frustrated. England said he started to make screaming noises, beat on their table and threw her phone, catching the attention of some nearby customers.

Although a few customers were looking, it wasn't the worst experience her family has had out in public since Riley's condition was diagnosed when he was a toddler, England said. But she was frustrated, she said, and in the past few weeks it has been really tough controlling Riley's behavior.

So what happened next was just what the family needed.

As their waitress was delivering food to the family's table, England noticed another waitress, Tonya Griffin, walk up with a few tears in her eyes. She passed along a message from another customer that the England family says they will never forget.

Griffin told the family, "your meal's been paid for and he wanted me to give you this note." The note written on a customer's order slip read, "God only gives special children to special people."

England told CNN the gesture was really needed and it made her cry. "I just broke down, the past month has just been so hard."

She added, "He just doesn't know what we've been going through and how much it was needed at the moment."

When England updated her Facebook page about the family's experience Friday night, she ended it with this message: "Dear stranger, thank you for giving me a blessing tonight in a way you will never know."

England says she will be back at the restaurant when it reopens Wednesday -- its hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday -- in hopes she can find the man to thank him personally.

Found here

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 03 Sep 13 - 05:24 PM

A very moving story Bettynh. God bless that man, he truly showed how you can 'love your neighbour'.

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 03 Sep 13 - 10:17 PM

Nice!

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: meself
Date: 04 Sep 13 - 03:44 AM

There are sick people who write and deliver nasty, anonymous notes - it's been going on for as long as I can remember, and I'm sure much longer. I suspect the writer of this one was delighted with all the fuss. I don't understand why anyone would take anything in such a note seriously, let alone argue about the validity of the letter-writer's points. (Which is not to say that I don't understand the hurt such a letter can give).

Incidentally, off the top of my head I can think of three short stories on the theme of poison-pen letters, by Claude (right name?) MacKay Brown, Alice Munro, and Shirley Jackson. (Don't know the titles).

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 04 Sep 13 - 04:37 AM

I think you probably meant --

"George Mackay Brown (17 October 1921 – 13 April 1996), was a Scottish poet,
author and dramatist, whose work has a distinctly Orcadian character." wikipedia.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Pissed off Newcastle Mother
From: meself
Date: 04 Sep 13 - 10:35 PM

Yup.