There are dumb moves, and then there are really dumb moves.
This past weekend, in a fit of smart-alecness I announced on social media that I was going to sponsor a “Most Politically Punchable Face” tournament. It was going to be bracket style and include seeds for each region. It was an open call for nominations.
Yeah, terrible idea. What I put up in a smart-alec way, quickly turned…well scary.
No kidding I had every intention of putting up a ‘who has the most punchable face in politics bracket’, excluding myself to allow others to have a chance to win.
In fact, I had gone as far as starting to program it, had seeding for east, west, south and north divisions completed, written the “rules” and had selected an equal number of members of both parties.
It was going to be a riot. I thought in today’s media environment, it would be an eye-catching, silly stunt to drive some PR and “engagement.”
Instead, it was a total and complete lack of judgment on my part, and I apologize.
I have since deleted the social media posts and will issue a variation of this post on those channels.
At times, today’s politics veers into actual political violence because norms are eroding and people are … upset.
Upon seeing some of the comments and DMs, I quickly realized I want no part in contributing to this environment or erosion of norms.
Violence is not acceptable in politics, and I can’t ask for civility and then engage in nonsense.
I am sorry.
