Political Incorrectness of a One-legged Man

I use to be a pastor in Mountain Home in the 90's. I'm now a disabled, divorced man who unfortunately has nothing but time on my hands and looking for ways to productively burn time.

Not so much political.

Posted Friday, June 18, 2010, at 10:16 AM

This might not be politically correct or even political in nature at all, but it's something that I need to get off my chest, and maybe educate some who may be guilty.

Recently, there have been a couple of little girls(7ish) that have come up to me when I'm sitting outside my apartment with my little dog, and one of them asked me if she could walk her on a couple of occasions. I didn't encourage them to do that and if I had my way, I would've told them to move on because of my fear of being labeled a molester, however, I didn't want to appear as a grumpy old man either so I let her walk my dog.

Anyway, yesterday I was outside fixing up an abode for my son's bullfrog that he had captured. Their father came by riding his bicycle and than stopped at the sidewalk in front of my apartment. When his son(11)asked me if he could walk the dog and began to, the father told him to take her back to me.

Later, I learned that the little girl was no longer allowed to talk or visit me. The little girl's friend informed me that the mother told her that there was a man there(my apartment)who was a child molester.(by the way, this woman has stared at me intently a couple of times while driving past my apartment as I was outside. It would appear that there are a few women in the area of the mother's apartment, that are now looking at me in "that" way.

Where she got her information, I can't imagine. I'm not on any sex offenders lists. I've never molested any children or women. I live alone because my wife divorced me 2 years ago after being married for 35 years. My daughter, her husband and my 4 grandchildren live in an apartment next to this woman, and I see them very often, sometimes coming to my apartment to see me. I assume this woman has seen that and it has made her suspicious.

I don't understand why this woman would spread a rumor like this about me. This has seriously disheartened and humiliated me. I used to be a pastor in my town and if this rumor spreads, I'm going to have to move back to Boise, where I won't see my son, daughters or grandchildren very often.

Why are some women so paranoid as to smear someone like this without any evidence whatsoever. If this isn't "Defamation of Character", I don't know what is. Hopefully, this woman will read this and correct her poor behavior. Also, just because a man lives alone, it doesn't make him some kind of pervert.

If anyone suspects someone of this kind of "behavior", check the online sex offender's list that is updated on a regular basis.

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Frank here's the sex offender web site. Check there and see if any of them live where you do.

http://isp.idaho.gov/sor_id/SOR?form=3&cty=MOUNTAIN%20HOME&rad=A&srt=1&sz=1280&p...

I would confront the neighbor lady who is spreading lies about you and tell her to go to the web site to check it out for herself.

I wouldn't let the neighbor kids walk your dog unless you know them very well.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Fri, Jun 18, 2010, at 11:10 AM
It's pretty sad when small town america has become this way... You need to go talk to that woman, and ask how she would feel if allegations like this were spread about her husband...

-- Posted by Idahogrinder on Fri, Jun 18, 2010, at 12:27 PM
Im the "grumpy old man" I don't talk too anybody, except my wife and she calls me "grumpy old man" can't help it, Im just grumpy and like being left alone, I just walk away mumbling to myself, makes for a better day for me. don't bother nobody, look down at the ground when I walk, keep a good 20 feet away from anybody if I can. thats what works for me, safe for me is sitting in my kitchen drinking java, can't drink beer anymore, and bedtime.

-- Posted by Freedom on Fri, Jun 18, 2010, at 2:41 PM
Unfortunately, I can't speak to the neighbor. Anyone that has an idea about such things knows that the chances of that backfiring are pretty darn good. As far as informing her regarding the sex offender's website is that it wouldn't convince her that I "just wasn't caught" yet. No win situation.

Thanks for your responses.

-- Posted by Franco8274 on Sat, Jun 19, 2010, at 7:39 AM
It might be too late with the publishing of your letter but I would have just let it go. As you stated, the only kids you talk to are your own, you don't really talk to or evenlike most other people the way it reads to me, and that is fine. Writing this letter and posting your picture may make you feel better but had you not, only a few people were really even involved in this situation and the opinion these people have of you shouldn't even matter. You don't speak to these people, you have nothing to benefit from knowing these people and they have already formed a false idea about you that you aren't going to be able to changed. Best to go about your life of solitude, continue loving your children and let mean people be, even something as ugly as this will pass.

-- Posted by obamaman on Sat, Jun 19, 2010, at 8:15 AM
First of all, I do like people in general, and that's what makes this so difficult. As I've stated, I live in an apartment complex and the last thing I need is to have people suspicious of me for no reason other than the rumors spread from a paranoid individual. The fact is that most men, whether married or not, aren't guilty of child molestation. Spreading accusations, rumors and lies is a blight against my reputation and the reputation of all men that happen to live alone. I've said that I used to be a pastor in Mountain Home in the 90's and there are "some" people that would get a get some satisfaction knowing this kind of information is floating out and about in the community at large. Let me ask you how you would like to have your reputation placed under the scrutiny of the community at large? If a person can't fight for their word and reputation, what exactly can they fight for. Political beliefs? I don't think so. You seem to think that If I just "let it go", it will fade away, but that's not my experience here in Mtn. Home. If I remain silent, am I not verifying that it may be true? In addition, I have a 12 year old son that's being affected by this as well.

-- Posted by Franco8274 on Sun, Jun 20, 2010, at 9:03 AM
If this woman believes, even for a second, that you are a molester that just hasn't been caught yet, then it is her duty to contact the police and let them investigate. To look the other way and ignore it if she thinks a child may be in danger is a "crime". I would be willing to bet, though, that she won't step up to the plate and make that call. She'd probably just rather tiptoe around the issue/rumor that she is helping to fuel. Good Luck to you with putting an end to nasty rumors.

-- Posted by Fairytaleforme on Sun, Jun 20, 2010, at 10:25 AM
Franco, keep your head held high. If you have not done anything then you should not worry what some idiot thinks of you. Their loss, not yours. If they have nothing better to do than gossip about you---you should feel sorry for them. I am sorry for your situation. Not everyone in MH is nasty like this group. Maybe when the VA clinic opens you could start a support group. You have good to offer this community. Try to focus on that and to heck with the hags that have nothing more to do than say nasty things. You are better than that. Rise above. Good luck and hold your head high. I hope they read this rag.

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sun, Jun 20, 2010, at 1:20 PM
I live in an apartment that was once the abode of a man who was a RSO.I recently found out that he was still regestered at my house. He had notified the police of his change of address when he moved. They failed to post his new address on line. Maybe if they paid some attention to what they are supposed to do instead of eating donuts the RSO'S wouldn't disappear and children would not be in so much danger.

-- Posted by hereforever on Sun, Jun 20, 2010, at 8:18 PM
Thanks for all your responses.

-- Posted by Franco8274 on Mon, Jun 21, 2010, at 8:51 AM

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