I had the urge to post yesterday, but I wanted to sleep on it first. I have to admit, I have contributed to the downside of LR- I have used aliases to post mean spirited comments in the name of the cause and in an attempt at humor. Before yesterday I had never met Kip Litton. Yesterday, I believe I had an epiphany.
Due to a connection through my wife, yesterday morning at 10:30 am I found myself at a funeral at St. Daniels Church in Clarkston. I will not use the deceased name, but it turns out it was Kip Litton's best friend and running coach. I am not a religious man, but the priest's message deeply touched me. Life is short. Have a servant's heart. Forgive. Love.
I also had the opportunity to briefly meet Kip and Kent along with a couple other runners. What I saw genuinely saddened me. Kip is a broken and shattered man. Regardless of where blame lies, there is no doubt that this thread ignited his downfall. When a man has lost his wife, his children, his best friend, his home and some of his business there is a distinctive empty look in his eyes. In this case, the punishment far outweighs the crime.
I realize that I will probably be mocked, but only a rapist or a murderer deserves this kind of treatment. All I ask is that you think before you post. This is a real person with innocent loved ones that you must realize are affected by these kind of threads. I hope that nothing I posted contributed to this debacle. I for one, am out. And I do feel better.