Dear George:

Wow. Mary MacNeil's letter tonight was a bit harsh, don't you think?

I am not a resident of the fine city of Charlottesville, so perhaps this is not my concern, but I do enjoy reading your website, and am interested in the lively political discussion found there.

Consequently, I did feel compelled to write and say that I do NOT feel that "your penchant for mischief has clouded your judgement." I was unaware that you even had a penchant for mischief, (although, a penchant for mischief isn't necessarily a bad thing). I thought you maintained your webpage to support and encourage communication and dialogue among fellow Democrats and other interested citizens of your city. Ms. MacNeil's accusation was not only harsh, it was also misguided.

From 66 miles away, it appeared that you had published the extract from the Virtual Chalkboard to provide background to Alexandria Searls' note, not to stir up a hornet's nest. There have been some truly dreadful rumors on the Virtual Chalkboard, and I admire you for staying away from all of that. However, if the targets of accusations printed on the Virtual Chalkboard approach you, and want to use your website to make a statement, then it seems reasonable that you would publish enough of the background information to make the statement comprehensible.

In any case, I have been reading your website fairly regularly, and am enjoying the drama, and am looking forward to seeing the results on Saturday. Keep up the good work George, I think your judgement is unclouded, your motives are only the best, and your heart is in the right place.

Cathy Pemberton (electronic mail, February 19, 2002)