You know what, I’m pissed. (I can almost hear a few lips curling up into the beginning of a smile out there in Web Land, saying, “angry is good, pissed is good.”) And if you don’t like the word “pissed” don’t read this post, ok? I’m tired of tippy toeing around on egg shells, afraid I’m going to piss people off.

I’m pissed that I can be sued, because as a blogger I am considered a “publisher.” And from all the research I’ve done, people are suing bloggers a lot, mostly to shut them up. I’m not exactly thrilled by that.

I’m also pissed because I LOVE working on the Newburyport Political Blog, and I still haven’t figured out if it’s safe or sane to blog or not.

I’d like to say for the record, I may have political and philosophical differences with our mayor (well of course I do, that’s obvious,) but I like the man. He’s a good, good-hearted man. And he also has a heck of a gorgeous lawn. I enjoy it every time I walk by it, which is almost every day, because the lawn is on my walking route. It’s pretty.

If anyone has a right to call up and be upset with me, it’s our mayor. But you know what, he’s been classy. Who would want a blog with the bloggette disagreeing with him all the time? I sure wouldn’t. Not that if I keep on doing the Newburyport Political Blog (still a very big question mark) I’d become all rosy and wonderful.

And for the record, for all those people who are upset about what could happen to the back of the Wheelwright property, our city government canNOT do anything about it! It’s the owner. And he lives in town. If you want to change someone’s mind you’ve got to change HIS mind. Go picket in front of his house or something. (Good grief, I hope that doesn’t get me sued!)

Picketing might actually work. Would you want your house picketed? I sure wouldn’t. There’s a group forming (read this week’s Newburyport Current, don’t call ME, under any circumstances, do not call me for how to figure out who they are. The Newburyport Current is at the Library and at Richdales downtown and probably at the White Hen Pantry, just to name a few places.)

And I was very, very flattered, Ulrika Gerth the editor of the Newburyport Current, Tom Ryan the editor of the Undertoad and John Macone, the editor of the Newburyport Daily News all offered to let me write for them. To protect me from people who threaten or who could threaten or who might threaten to sue me or who actually would sue me. Thank you so much to all three individuals. I am very, very moved.

And I’m also very moved by all the emails, phone calls, visits, even food (I guess people didn’t want me to waste away.) I was, am, still am unbelievably moved by those deeply kind gestures.

And one last word here. I am fricken relieved that Nancy Colbert has applied to be Newburyport’s Planning Director and has been picked by our mayor. She’d be great. And I’m assuming that she will get a 100% nod from the Newburyport City Council. Oh, City Councilors (all of whom I am very fond of, believe it or not) I will personally come and stamp my little feet in front of your door if you don’t vote for this woman.

I don’t know if I’m back or not (I still haven’t figured out this being sued thing, being a “being sued phobic,” which I think is sane,) but I gotta admit it, it sure was fun to blog again, pissed and all.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport