I had my first threatening phone call earlier today. Between 11:10 and 11:15. Up till then, it was a fairly standard Saturday.
Richard was in town to hang out with “the guys” for a while (and since “the guys” are gay, he brought pastries, which we enjoyed much). He has so much going on right now that getting away from it for even a few short hours is a bit of a treat, I think. I can take care of a sick person, but add a small child into the equation, and I don’t know what I would do.
After he left, someone called. We didn’t answer the phone because everyone from the ACLU to the Democratic Party to some company that thinks I owe them for a Visa card I never had keep calling. We don’t have spare money for the ACLU or the Democrats (they’re going to have to self-fund this go round), and, as I said, I’ve never had a CitiBank Visa. (I filed a complaint with the FTC on that one.)
Anyway, someone called. He didn’t like a letter to the editor that I had submitted to and was published this morning by the Austin American-Statesman. He sounded kind of drunk, but that could just be stupid.
He started out by saying “You don’t know who I am” and ended up by saying “I know where you live, so watch your back, bitch.”
In the middle there was a bunch of nonsense about me not being a valid member of the neighborhood because I rent an apartment and “don’t pay taxes”. I don’t guess the he realizes that a big chunk of my rent pays taxes.
And he had the nerve to call ME a hill-billy. Hill-billies don't write letters to the editor: they try to intimidate, whether it's a brick through the window, a burning cross or a threatening phone call.
But that’s beside the point.
When did a Wal-Mart moving in across the street escalate into threatening phone calls to people who just want to let the permitting process to proceed as it should legally and who question the motivations of those who oppose the development?
More importantly, why?
When, exactly, did land-use issues descend into threats on persons and/or property?
It’s not like I plan to actually shop at the newly approved Wal-Mart, because I really don’t like being in those big stores. I get claustrophobic in them. The shelves are too high and the aisles too narrow. They just seem to fall in around me. I wouldn’t really care what opened up there as long as it made good use of the land.
Urban land is a scarce commodity, but large tracts of it like Northcross that have been fallow for so many years are a potential source of increased tax revenue that will help everyone in the city. But only if they’re utilized to their fullest extent.
I’m mouthy when I want to be, I know. And sometimes my goal is to provoke the other side into a new discussion. And also to point out their hypocrisy.
I thought it could be a civil discussion. Apparently not.
I didn’t think it would end up with “I know where you live, so watch your back, bitch.”
And if whoever was on the phone reads this, you’ve already been reported to ATT as a harassing and criminal phone caller, and a police report has been filed. A criminal complaint will be filed if it is deemed actionable. Your phone number has been traced and will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
My door is locked and God help you if you try to get around all the crap in front of the windows. And my cat is staying in at night, much to her dismay. She'll live, and that's the point.
Oh. And I still have your message recorded. Bet you regret that. Too bad.
See you in court.
Who’s the bitch now?
No comments:
Post a Comment