I made a mistake. I’m sorry.

On Tuesday, I wrote an opinion piece. In it, I used a local Halloween display as a jumping off point for a conversation about our discourse. My intention, regrettably lost in the resulting news cycle, was to point out the rhetoric used today. We’ve lost the substance of debate, instead engaging in ad hominem attacks on people with whom we disagree. These hyperbolic statements have been deemed actionable by those who do not recognize the hyperbole and real lives were endangered — all in the name of disagreement.

Several local news outlets picked up the story, and it morphed into a headline grabbing calling out a private citizen by someone running for office. Rightfully so, people immediately claimed I was doing this for publicity. No amount of apology could reverse that opinion. The sad fact is that this follow-up will never garner the same level of attention.

I should have known better. In fact, I did know better. My original draft of the article didn’t include the specifics of the Halloween display. A subsequent revision added the details back in to focus on the precise language used as a contrast to events over the last week and to fully articulate where our discourse is today.

I am truly, deeply sorry for not recognizing ahead of time the obvious direction this story would take. I sincerely apologize to the homeowner for any unwanted attention, invasion of privacy and inconvenience this may have caused.

Brett Haddock is a Canyon Country resident and a candidate for the Santa Clarita City Council.

The Santa Clarita Valley Proclaimer’s opinion section does not represent the official opinions of Radio Free Santa Clarita, its board and its supporters.

Summary

Article Name

Brett Haddock | I made a mistake

Description

Canyon Country resident Brett Haddock apologizes for his previous opinion piece, which included specifics about a Newhall resident's Halloween display.

Author

Brett Haddock

Publisher Name

The Santa Clarita Valley Proclaimer