Saturday, July 18, 2009

Some got it right the first time

Fringe extremist Russ Rector approached other media about his false allegations before he went to WPEC.

But experienced reporters quickly realized that Rector was wrong and they knew there was no story here. They showed good journalistic judgement.

Read more about Rector in an earlier post.

36 comments:

  1. My wife and myself have visited the Palm Beach Zoo and the only negative comment I have is the weather in August is way hot! I was really impressed that most of the animals had an area that was like their natural habitat. Personally I know that when the zoo was threatened by hurricanes, the responsible personnel stayed at the zoo instead of with their families overnight to help the animals. My tour of the zoo was so nice I chose to take lots of pictures like walking in the mist to see a tiger! It only takes one bad apple to "try" to spoil it for the rest. We have a nice zoo in Jacksonville,Fl too! Mike Cooper

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  2. It is very interesting to me that the Palm Beach Zoo is blaming everyone but themselves. What the zoo fails to mention is that they are supposed to provide leadership from the top not receive leadership from the bottom. Blaming a person who was so far down the chain of command for all of the zoo’s problems is ludicrous at best and doesn’t even pass the straight face test. If calling me an extremist makes them feel better so be it. Name calling in my opinion just accentuates the zoo’s guilt. What is needed at the zoo is better leadership; from my experience with the Palm Beach Zoo there is no loyalty on the employee level. NONE! The zoo tries to frighten and intimidate their employees into doing what they want done. When you hire people with no prior animal experience and then blame everything on them, who really is to blame? Fear is not a good management style.

    Zoo management needs to take a good long close look at themselves, and all the employees at the zoo need to realize you could be next because the zoo management has no loyalty to its employees. But like most animal abusement parks they always blame the messenger and try to ignore the message.

    I would hope that the board directors of the zoo would take a good long close hard look at the zoo management. When any management team starts blaming lowly little employees for all their problems something is seriously wrong with management. I would hope other employees past and present who know what is really going on at the zoo would come forward for the sake of the animals. Because this is all about the animals. I also find it very interesting that people receiving a paycheck always seem to protect their paycheck, not the animals. But every now and then a person stands up and takes a stand for the animals; those people are few and far between and always are attacked by the facility abusing the animals. It has been my experience that the more a facility attacks the people exposing the abuse the guiltier the facility appears!

    It really comes down to a quote from Shakespeare “Thou doust protest too much methinks”!

    And as always the 24/7 animal abusement bitch line is open 954 830 3511


    Russ Rector

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  3. I am at this zoo every single week with my young children. I can tell you I have never been to any public venue with such pleasantly dedicated people. I have seen them stay to work late 'off the clock'. This is not the behavior of people abusing animals. These people are truly dedicated. I happen to know that these people go to small workshops monthly to extend their knowledge on their own time and dime on a variety of animal conservation or training topics.

    I believe if this Russ Rector knows so much about animals and wants to see the best for them, then as with most things in life - Put up or Shut up. Get in and get your hands dirty and sweaty; and clean up after these animals and people and make things better. (Though I can't see where he might improve things.) If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.

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  4. I must still agree with Voltaire:

    I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it.
    Voltaire
    French author, humanist, rationalist, & satirist (1694 - 1778)

    And Rouge if youre such a zoo supporter why not post your name. Got something to hide?

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  5. Pardon my momentary board flame please...
    Russ Rector you are a complete and utter moron aren't you? First rule of internet Flaming, check your post. The internet handle is Rogue-, believe me I have been around long enough to know you and your petty ways are nothing new.

    As if you deserve an answer why I post under an internet handle, security. After reading your posts I can see you are a dangerous half baked and half educated fanatic capable of libel. Who knows what else you are capable of. Any smart person on the internet does not post their name or other personal information. I sincerely hope no one will have the misfortune of revealing any personal information that could allow a crack pot to track them down in person.

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  6. AS ALWAYS YOU CAPTIVITYOPHILES CHOOSE TO HIDE IN THE NAME OF SECURITY! IF YOU WONT STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE, RIGHT OR WRONG JUST MEANS YOURE A COWARD. AND AGAIN THE BIATCH LINE IS ALWAYS OPEN,IF YOU GOT THE STONES. AND ROGUE WE BOTH KNOW YOU DONT! DONT WE? 954 830 3511

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  7. Michelle (Animal Trainer)July 19, 2009 at 11:03 PM

    Russ Rector, an animal activist, and Grace, the past Commissary Manager, are accusing the zoo of mistreating it's animals. They claim that the zoo keepers feed their animals spoiled food. Grace also claims that the zoo's commissary is infested with rats and is completely filthy! They have taken their story to local news channel 12. The report will be aired tomorrow, Monday, on the 11PM news. The station has not interviewed any zookeepers, and we feel that the story will be unfair and one sided.

    I have been a zookeeper and animal trainer for the Palm Beach Zoo for about 4 years. I work in the Commissary every day, and it’s ALWAYS clean and organized. The keepers here love the animals and would never jeopardize their health by feeding out spoiled food. All of the keepers work weekends and holidays…yes, even Christmas day! During Hurricanes, we work for days preparing the zoo and even stay there during the storm! The Animal Care staff and management are all completely dedicated to the health and well-being of the animals. That is why we became Zookeepers in the first place! We are not in this profession because we want to make a lot of money. The zoo itself is a Not For Profit organization. We work 10-12 hours a day in the heat and rain because we are dedicated to our job. That dedication comes from the fact that we are living out our childhood dreams here. To accuse us of these horrendous acts is ludicrous.

    I grew up as the child of a veterinarian, so needless to say, I LOVE animals! ALL of the Palm Beach Zoo employees are here because they love animals. I started my Animal Care career at Busch Gardens, and worked there as a zookeeper and trainer for 5 years. I think the Palm Beach Zoo is equally as educational, beautiful and knowledgeable. Many of our keepers have completed degrees in biology and have worked at zoos and sanctuaries all over the world! We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in our staff and management.

    BJ's Wholesale had been kind enough to donate produce to the zoo every week, until now. There were times that the produce we received was spoiled or molded (This is what was photographed by Grace). We would go through this produce and throw out anything that was not in perfect shape. There is absolutely no way any keeper would ever feed rotten food to any animal. To add to that point, several of our keepers are vegan or vegetarian for animal-right's reasons. Unfortunately, due to the accusations being made, we can no longer take BJ's donations. This donation provided enrichment foods to our animals such as watermelon, tomatoes, pineapple, avocado, green beans, lettuces, strawberries, ect. These foods are not necessary for the animals, but make excellent treats! Now, we no longer have these items available for our animals thanks to Russ and Grace. Additionally, this donated food also saved the zoo thousands of dollars, and kept perfectly good food out of our land fills.

    To say that the commissary is infested with rats is a complete lie. The building is full of college educated zoologists. I think we would know if a rat was present. It seems a little strange that Grace is the only person to ever see a rat in the building. The zoo has had professional exterminators inspect the building, twice. They found no evidence of ANY pests.

    Again, I just want everyone to know that the Palm Beach Zoo is a wonderful place to work for. We have species from all over the world. Our animals are happy and healthy. The evidence is in the many zoo babies born here every year. If it was an unhealthy environment, they would not successfully reproduce. I can definitely say that no animal has ever been harmed at my zoo because of it's living conditions, diet, deficiency of proper care or lack of love. Please come visit our wonderful zoo. You will see a baby Jaguar, the only Pondicherry Vulture in North America, a Binturong that smells like popcorn, monkeys hanging from their tails, a white alligator, a Komodo Dragon, and open air free-flying birds at our shows with lots of smiling children and adults.

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  8. Jacob B SchumacherJuly 19, 2009 at 11:04 PM

    Wow, she is right. You are an idiot.

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  9. Mr. Rector's comments are baseless.

    I'm a zoo volunteer and have never seen a hint of management pressuring, intimidating or abusing employees, or animals either for that matter. Yes, there were job cuts last year. Show me a nonprofit agency or for-profit business that isn't hurting or having layoffs these days. The biggest "stress" I've seen at the zoo lately has been caused by the usual summer heat and these insulting, illogical "allegations" that zoo staff, volunteers and supporters fear could hurt the zoo.

    What's a "captivityophile," someone who supports zoos? I've been lucky enough to visit many of our nation's national parks and observe the wildlife. Some folks aren't so lucky, and well-run zoos like the Palm Beach Zoo help children and adults gain an appreciation of wildlife, while also supporting conservation and breeding programs.

    Read the comments on this blog. Visit the zoo and talk to the staff and volunteers. THINK. You'll find absolutely nothing wrong with the Palm Beach Zoo.

    George P.

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  10. KEEP PROTECTING THAT PAY CHECK MICHELLE. AND I MUST STILL AGREE WITH VOLTAIRE!

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  11. @EVERYONE!!
    Please, please, please…DO NOT give News Channel 12 the publicity they want. DO NOT tune into their broadcast about the zoo on Monday night. I will copy it and send it to you so you can all watch if you want. But PLEASE DO NOT TUNE IN!!! If you do, THEY WIN!!! FYI…Even recording it without watching gives them the ratings hit that they are looking for.

    @ Russ Rector:
    How many times have you been Baker Acted? Looks to me like you are due for another dose of psychiatric treatment. "CAPTIVITYOPHILES"???? Right…Uh..."Name caller" much yourself?

    You call the keepers who CARE for these animals "lowly little employees". But you seem to be a lowly little man from where I stand.

    I volunteered at this zoo after the hurricanes a few years ago. Not a single person was there the days directly after the storms because they had to be. Do you get that? They were there because of love. Period.

    You could learn something from REAL activists such as Dr. Martin Luther King or Jane Goodall. Peace goes much farther than the hate that you breed.

    You will NEVER be a productive ANYTHING in ANY way as long as you are a hate mongering fascist. Move along you troll.

    Why not be an activist for animals that could truly use your help? Such as animals that are endangered right here in Florida. Here, take the following link to a site that might help you get started:

    http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112739/

    Now...know that Jesus, Alah, Buddha, & Barack Obama love you and leave. Take your ball and go home little boy. You are not wanted here.

    PS…bring it bitch!!!

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  12. THE PIECE HASNT EVEN RUN AND YOU PEOPLE ARE RUNNING SCARED, I CAN SMELL THE FEAR FROM HERE. DONT WATCH CH 12! LMAO, YOU ALL WILL BE GLUED TO THE TV MONDAY NIGHT AND YOURE GOING TO BE FLOORED BY WHAT AND WHO YOU SEE ON CAMERA! THEN WE WILL SEE WHO LAUGHS LAST! AND I STII HAVE TO AGREE WITH VOLTAIRE AND THE BITCH LINE IS OPEN IF YOU GOT THE STONES!!!!!!! 954 830 3511 OPERATORS STANDING BY

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  13. @Russ Rectum:
    WAIT A DAMN MINUTE!!!! I am soooo not done with you yet!

    #1...quit quoting people and say SOMETHING ORIGINAL you hack!

    #2...Did you really tell "Michelle" to keep protecting her paycheck? You really are a douche nozzle. READ YOU MORON!! READ!!!!!!! She stated, and I quote, "We are not in this profession because we want to make a lot of money."

    ARE YOU F**KING STUPID????? Holy crap. I literally slapped myself in the forehead when I read that from you.

    #3...you are SOOOO Trolling this site!! LOL!! You half wit. You love this crap don't you?? People talking trash to you and what not?

    #4...I LOVE the eye patch!!!! I truly am a fan. Lose the eye in a Dolphin accident? Ok. That was rude. Oh wait...or was it when you got ran over by a ship in the ocean?

    #5...??? (This will come after you have the "Stones" to reply directly to me) They're testicles by the way. They in no way shape or form resemble stones. You tool.

    @Rogue...this is how ya flame baby!!

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  14. I am a proud staff member of the Palm Beach Zoo. I am proud because our Zoo is a clean, safe, and above all, healthy home to some of the most amazing animals I have ever seen. I have the daily privledge of working with an animal care staff and Zoo managment staff that LOVE and RESPECT our animals and provide education and inspire a love of wildlife to thousands of children and visitors that may not have the opportunity without our conservation and preservation work. The Palm Beach Zoo is a NON-PROFIT organization, there is not another agenda for our existence other than to inspire the love and understanding of wildlife.
    I find it sad that an organization that is 100% committed to animal welfare has found itself in the middle of a media attack and now has to take time from the animals and their care to defend itself. The "protests" we are accused of having too much of are simply the responses to having the wind punched out of us. Our care for animals is the CORE of our being and any accusations strike us at that core. No response would mean we didn't care. WE CARE!!!

    Shame on WPEC for taking this road and not reporting in an unbiased manner. Shame on WPEC for creating drama and sensationalism for the simple result of ratings and another man's agenda. Was it worth it?

    Come see for yourself, our Zoo is a haven for our animals and our visitors. Come see, come learn, come and be inspired! Be inspired for the good of the animals and their future generations.

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  15. IF IM THE TOOL YOURE THE NUT! CALL THE HOT LINE IF YOU WANT FLAME YOU WEENIE ASS HOLE. CALL OR STFU! 954 830 3511

    PS. IM FIRE PROOF

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  16. I somehow new you would focus on the testicles. No further comment.

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  17. GOOD COME BACK FOR A PR MAN! JUST WATCH THE PIECE THEN LETS HEAR YOU ALL CRY!

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  18. "PS. IM FIRE PROOF"

    What the hell?? Being "Flamed" has nothing to do with catching on fire. What are you, 70? And if so, I will give you props on knowing what STFU means...but MediaProne PWND the SHT out of you just the same!! LOL!

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  19. http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2004-05-13/city-life/best-hero/

    AND JASON YOU CAN STFU TO OR KMRRA!
    FOR YOU 12 YEAR OLDS THAT MEANS, KISS MY ROSY RED ASS!

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  20. @RussRectum

    Why are you typing in all caps? Holy crap, use proper punctuation man. What is a PR? Sounds a tad gross.

    Why would anyone cry? You are a hack, with a hack story, and a hack news station to run it. Not to mention your severely uneducated "puppet" that they are using in the piece. Oh, and the fact that we, the people from the Palm Beaches, love our local zoo and will forever and always protect it from losers such as yourself. So no, no one will cry. Not even you...cuz you have to have eyes for that.

    Oh yah, apparently you are such a hack that you were told by a real news reporter just the other day to get the hell out of their office with your BS story. Hmmm? Not because you are full of the crap you’ve been spoutin all night here? Nah, it couldn’t be. Well, I am off to bed…because I have a paycheck and can afford it. HAHAHA! I am still laughin about that one. Thanks for the laughs douchie!!

    PS...RE: Your Best Hero story. No one ever said you have never done anything good before. But my friend, you are barking up the wrong tree for self promotion here in Palm Beach. There is nothing anywhere near as bad as what you just posted anywhere at that zoo. You have fabricated this for no other reason than to get your name out there again for self gain. Period, end of statement. Now grab that ball (no, not your "stones") and leave. In fact, I would recommend leaving to see a doctor for the Baboon Butt issue you are having (if you don't get that, you have no business defending animals).

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  21. LETS SEE WHOS CRYING ON MONDAY NIGHT! SLEEP WELL IT GETS ROUGHER AFTER MONDAY TRUST ME! AND GO EARN THAT BLOOD MONEY!

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  22. Um, I don't work at the zoo. You poor, mean little man.

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  23. I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO BED LMAO. IM SO MEAN LMAO MEAN MEAN MEAN!

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  24. I have been an outside vendor to the zoo for well over 10 years. My work there takes me to all parts of the zoo, including all behind the scenes areas. I have never seen or heard about any abusive or neglectful behavior. On the contrary, the employee's at the zoo have gravitated to this work, because of their love for the animals. The underlying attitude at the zoo is caring and loving, with the animals well being always the top priority.

    I believe these allegations are ludicrous, unfounded and mean-spirited.

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  25. Go MediaProne! And, Russ, you are showing your true colors. I feel sorry for any unfortunate animal that had to be around you. What a horrible being you are...

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  26. Russ Rector, the man behind the allegations, has never been to the Palm Beach Zoo. He is a person who is against all zoos and aquariums. He used a commissary employee to fabricate information which a young reporter, more interested in a hot story than the truth, bought hook, line, and sinker.

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  27. I've been reading these comments and I'm shocked at how juvenile and uneducated this man, Russ Rector, sounds. It's hard to believe that anyone takes him seriously. His comments read like a junior high play. I'm sure people will see him for what he really is and the Palm Beach Zoo for what it is, a wonderful place with a staff full of people who really love animals. This man sounds so full of anger and hate that I hope he never spends time around animals.

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  28. I, want you to go to your dictionaries and look up these two words,integrity and compassion, I will let you know that they are from the 14th century and they still mean the same thing today. If people want to question these two things in our staff, then I would like to know where they were when our director and animal curator waded in chest deep water, pulling a pontoon boat to save stranded animals? If that is not compassion I do not know what it is. Where were these people when hurricanes devastated our zoo? Who is to question our staff that sit up all night worrying about a sick animal? Where are these people when our staff endanger themselves climbing trees to cut perching to make the animals more comfortable?
    I just think that people that question our staff like this are always in the background, never on the front lines.

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  29. Dear Animal Lovers,

    For the past 20 years I have been a volunteer and have served on the Zoo Board for many years. I have worked doing everything including the commissary and food prep. I assure you that all the food given is fresh and prepared daily for the animals. Even in our own homes we purchase food and then when we check the refrigerator it may need to be thrown away. This is true at the Zoo as well.

    Our staff and board have a commitment to our animals for the best care that can be provided. The addition of the first "green" vet hospital and the hiring of one of the best conservation vets in the world is part of our program for complete care of our animals.

    I assure you that the staff continues to provide all that is needed for the animals and we take this matter very seriously. You only need to visit the Palm Beach Zoo to see for yourselves the care and healthy habitats which our animals enjoy.

    Yours for the animals,
    Kathie Comerford
    Zoo Ambassador &
    Palm Beach Zoo Board of Directors

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  30. For those who have asked - I am not the person tagged "MediaProne" - Brian

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  31. Hey Russ,

    How's Lolita doing?
    Despite your claim she'd dying it seems she's still alive and kicking.

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  32. If that's the real Russ Rector, he comes across as a complete lunatic with no agenda but personal revenge against the world. Each post makes his claims seem less substantive and more purely venomous.

    And Mr. Rector, for God's sake, calm down a moment, climb down off the ledge, and edit your posts, would you? You're sounding like a spiteful weirdo (with terrible English skills) instead of a respectable activist. I pity the innocent people who raise your ire and fall in the path of your desperate need for attention.

    And I'm not posting anonymously at all.

    Gail Simone
    Writer
    Florence, OR
    Gailcbr@yahoonospam.com

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  33. "KEEP PROTECTING THAT PAY CHECK MICHELLE. AND I MUST STILL AGREE WITH VOLTAIRE!"

    Mr. Rector, I assure you, Voltaire would be embarrassed that someone of such poor intellectual vigor was using his words so baselessly. No one in this thread looks more ridiculous than the ranting, leaping lunatic with the obvious bias. The zoo defenders have been polite, well-spoken, and lucid, while you seem to get a step closer to the asylum with every keyboard-bashing post. And please, if you're going to quote Shakespeare to appear more rational and intelligent than you are, do all of us who actually write for a living a favor and get the spelling and punctuation right. The literate public will thank you.

    As for the use of the made-up (and clumsy as hell) word, "captivityophile," I'd say it represents a pretty clear bias against zoos of all kinds, which makes your claims a bit more suspect immediately. Did you make it clear to the television station that you object to any animal captivity of any stripe? Because I sincerely doubt that you showed that kind of integrity. Between that made-up word and your deranged demeanor here, I believe you will hang yourself on your own words long before you successfully besmirch the reputations of others.

    Best get to it, I say.

    Gail Simone

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  34. I am shocked that anyone would take this person seriously but here he is raising the blood pressure of normally well-adjusted people and he's able to cause problems costing a fortune to the well-intentioned and dedicated folks at this wonderful zoo. Why do we permit these sad, sad people needing attention, to waste our money like this and why would be permit him or this disappointing news channel to waste our time?

    We do need to get behind our Palm Beach Zoo that has employees who's dedication is to be envied and where the zoo has a foundation for which to be proud. This is insanity!!!

    West Palm Beach,
    A proud Zoo Member

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  35. Ok lets get a few things strait.

    1. Russ Rector has a cap lock issue.
    2. Russ Rector has an issue with all zoo's
    3. Russ Rector likes to badly quote other people much smarter then himself.
    4. Russ Rector has to make up information just to make himself seem more important.
    5. Grace, I thought you had more class then that.You are mad at the zoo for what you feel thay have done to you but why take it out on the animals/ YOu know as well as anyone those animlas are loved and cared for by the keepers.
    6. I have no paycheck to protect there, I was laid off last year due to the poor economic times.
    7. I have never worked in a job where I have seen more people do stuff on there own time just for the love of doing it. I have seen from the lowest level of employee all the way up to the zoo director give of there own time to help animals.
    8. As a last point. You say that people hide behind there keyboards and are anonymous because they are cowards. You are so out of line it is unbelievable. People do not list there name because frankly they are scared of people like you. You talk about how a dieing man has a haertattack and you hope it hurts. You rant and rave on the keyboard like a mad man and think everyone should see that as normal. Well Mr. Rector you need to know that that is not the way to get people to listen to the facts. I for one know the truth of the zoo so it tells me the lies of you. When the dust settles and your current 15 seconds of fame are up, I hope that the trail of crushed people and ruined reputations or not to long. I hope you will see how this man has used you to his own ends Grace and you will find the courage to tell the truth one day. It is never to late to stand up and come forward with the truth. You have let down people who called you friend and who stood by you when you needed them Grace. I know it is hard to do, to stand up and say you where wrong, but you have the strength in you to do it. Ether way the truth will come out and you Mr. Rector will be seen for the lier and fool you are.

    With Regards, D.Johnston

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  36. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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