Don Redman responds to resident's email by calling him a "miserable individual"

[Tacachale]

Actually, he called him a "miserable individule":

Pete Hull never expected to be called a “miserable individual” in need of prayers when he wrote an email this month criticizing a Jacksonville City Council vote.

But that’s the response he got from Councilman Don Redman after Hull said council members should be ashamed of voting against expanding the city’s anti-discrimination policies to cover gays and lesbians.

Hull, 31, said in an Oct. 4 email to all council members that the vote wrongly injected religion into public policy and hurts the city’s ability to attract new business. Redman emailed a reply on the same day with a few misspellings.
“You sound like a misguided & miserable individule [sic], who needs our prayers,” Redman wrote. “I pray that god will speak to your heart & show you the truthes [sic] of his word.”

...

From David Bauerlein at jacksonville.com

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-10-17/story/councilman-don-redman-responds-residents-email-calling-him-miserable

[sheclown]

I'm drowning.

[Debbie Thompson]

Did Redman really use a small g for God?  Doesn't the city's email program have spell check, for crying out loud?  If people have elected someone who can't spell simple elementary school level vocabulary words to an important job like running the city, at least the email program should do spell check and not let us know it.

For the record, I disagree with the council vote against 296.  God spoke to my heart and showed me the truths of his word.   Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Love thy neighbor as thyself.  Be ye kind one to another.  I could go on, but you get the point.

[Tacachale]

As a certified awful speller I'm not going to criticize someone for their spelling and grammar errors. But errors or no, you can't cover up that awful content.

Just sign me up for the "miserable individules" society.

[Debbie Thompson]

Good point, Tachchale. You're right. Phonetically I can read it.  (Unfortunately.)  Oh, and I guess I'm a member of the "miserable individules" society too. 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Are either of you elected officials that have to abide by sunshine laws - knowing that every e-mail or letter that comes out of your office can and will be read by others - especially one criticizing a voting constituent?

Yeah, I didn't think so.

I hope it's just another nail in the coffin.

[fieldafm]

What's hilarious is that Redman NEVER, and I mean never, responds to email.

Now I know why. 

[Debbie Thompson]

Are you mad at me and at Tachachale for commenting, Non-RedNeck?  No, I'm not an elected official.  Did I imply I was?  Did I leave you with the impression I agreed with Councilman Redman's comments?  I was agreeing with Tachachale that I should not be worrying about criticizing the spelling.  I believe I made my point about the content.

[sheclown]

Actually, I think Non-Redneck was implying that one had to live up to higher standards (ie spelling) than the average person if his emails were a matter of public record.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Actually, I think Non-Redneck was implying that one had to live up to higher standards (ie spelling) than the average person if his emails were a matter of public record.

^^ This.

I'm not an elected official or, for that matter, a person with any real authority at all, but I do proof-read every e-mail that I send which is work related - for spelling, grammar, content and most importantly, did I get my point across. 

As someone who solicits bids from other companies, if there's multiple errors in the spelling and/or grammar and/or content, then how seriouisly can I take their bid?  Maybe they didn't scope the job correctly, maybe they didn't notice the details.... 

So, again, what Sheclown said.

[Josh]

I think the funniest (or saddest I suppose) thing about this is that Redman replied on his iPhone. I applaud the councilman for somehow defeating that liberal spell check not once, but twice!

[RiversideLoki]

I think the funniest (or saddest I suppose) thing about this is that Redman replied on his iPhone. I applaud the councilman for somehow defeating that liberal spell check not once, but twice!

Or he's just misspelled those words enough times that his phone said "screw it, do it your way!"

[Captain Zissou]

Sooooo many things can be said about our city from this one little exchange.
-Our government officials are backwoods dolts that aren't fit to have their secretaries jobs.
-We're dumb enough to vote for them.
-That's sad.
-We need drastic change or we're about 30 years away from watering our plants with Brawndo! The Thirst Mutilator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vw2CrY9Igs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Bativac]

The spelling thing is bad enough, but I've known extremely smart people who cannot spell to save their lives. The bigger concern is an elected official basically telling one of his constituents that he needs Jesus. Until religion is totally removed from the governing of our city, state, and country, we will continue to spend time (and money) dealing with issues about which there should be no room for debate.

[Jimmy]

Yeah, in my mind, the question is this: is it unconstitutional to use government resources to proselytize? I think so.

(Leaving aside the spelling challenges and uncivil and insulting language.)