I’ve re-read my article plenty of times. Maybe I missed something. I thought that, due to the backlash that I’m currently getting, maybe I was honestly unfair or harsh. I’ve gotta say, upon reading it back numerous times, I feel more strongly than ever that I wrote the appropriate article and that I did what made sense to me. It continues to make sense to me. When addressing Villalobos directly, which was only a small portion of the article, what I wrote was not harsh. If anything, I went out of my way to praise them, while laying out what the published dynamics of this legislation aims to do, and then asking them to reconsider their support for it. That’s basically it. The “harsh” sections were reserved for Councilman Glenn Green and the legislation itself. Those stating otherwise must not have read it, because it’s still online and you can see it for yourself.

Literally no one is disputing anything specific about what I wrote. I’ve been dealing with this for a solid 6-8 hours now, since waking up, and no one is attempting to point out irregularities or inaccuracies. The vast majority of those disagreeing with what I wrote are basically attacking me as a person, calling me names, cursing at me, comparing our “popularity,” and so on and so forth. Can I get some kind of a thoughtful discourse? The lack of that is usually proof enough that I made a valid point.

^Do you not see this? They keep saying that that doesn’t mean that they support everything that’s in the bill. Okay, fine. But it’s in the proposed bill. So if the bill passes, it happens. They support the bill. They are supporting what Councilman Green is proposing. Yet, I’m called the “liar” for simply pointing this out and then trying to break down what’s being proposed, and then asking Villalobos to reconsider their support for it. It’s being said by many that that apparently amounts to an “attack” on Villalobos. Not at all.

So I’m simply going to state a few things that I’ve also stated on my Facebook page…

This backlash that I’m getting for my statement on Villalobos’ position on the BSL in Westwego thing, as if I’m “jealous” or “uninformed” or “not reading,” or “not understanding,” or being a “hypocrite,” is totally off the charts insane. It’s really sad that some people can actually read something that was pretty darn clear, and still come to the vapid opinion that I’m somehow throwing rocks at the throne. It’s really sad that some people can read something that was fully sourced and essentially a response to information that is OUT IN THE OPEN, and then try to imply that I’m basically an “uninformed hater” that knows nothing about nothing. Where is the disconnect?

A hater? Of Tia and Villalobos? How?? I respect the hell out of both. I’m a hater for pointing out the obvious? I’m a hater for noticing that they are supporting some egregious compromise on BSL, and then trying to tell their hundreds of thousands of fans that this legislation actually is not BSL and that I’m somehow lying or misrepresenting their position? How? Why? For what? Wow. Humanity never ceases to let you down.

What’s most stunning is how so many people are just piling on me for reasons that don’t even make sense, as if they didn’t read a single word of what I wrote, and then calling me the hypocrite for “not reading.” A lot of this type of stuff seems to be coming from people who would rather follow someone because of “who” they are, instead of respond back to what I wrote with any kind of substance at all. What didn’t I read? How is what is being proposed in Westwego and supported by Villalobos not BSL? Can someone explain this to me? Can someone retort anything that I said, instead of just attacking the messenger? Someone even went so far as to actually compare me to Colleen Lynn!! You actually have to laugh at this stuff to keep from crying.

This world seems to be more and more awash in celebrity worship and so many people actually live their lives as if that kind of stuff somehow trumps any and everything. I love what Tia does, but she isn’t above criticism and neither am I. Criticize away at me, but please base it in something. I went out of my way to write the most thorough piece that I could, and to make it clear that I love what VRC does, but to also lay out my case for why I think that what they’ve chosen to do in Westwego is extremely damaging. I explained why, and thoroughly. I then simply asked them to reconsider their stance. That’s it. It wasn’t an “attack,” it wasn’t me “slamming” Tia, as so many people are now saying. My goodness. I’m in no way “jealous” of her fame, rather the opposite, and extremely happy that she has the platform that she has in order to show the true and wonderful nature of these dogs. I think that’s like the 50th time that I’ve said this now! Yet so many people are trying to boil the genuine stuff that I said down to “he’s just hating.” Really? I mean, really?

You can kill me all you want. Whomever wants to say whatever, go for it. I just wish that it was actually based in something, or in an effort to substantially retort something that I said. Instead, it seems to be the opposite. I’m just “bad” because I dared make a statement against a position that is clearly discriminatory and clearly meant to demonize Pit Bulls as a whole. I’m not saying that that’s what Tia wants, I’m saying that by her supporting the legislation that’s what she plays a role in basically allowing to have happen. It’s not my fault that Villalobos is supporting Councilman Green’s legislation, and backing a “compromise” that is totally wrongheaded and tyrannical on numerous levels. Yet, so many people have completely lost sight of that, simply based out of who this person is. It’s Tia, so we can’t dare question it. Um, why? Things shouldn’t work like that, where substance and principles go flying out the window, context out the window. Your dogs are going to be the ones affected! I’m all about compromise, and working together with people in all facets of my life. But I’m not up for “compromising” when it comes to people (like Green) who are hellbent on scapegoating Pit Bulls, demonizing them, perpetuating stereotypes, flaunting open discrimination and then passing unjust laws that usher all of that stuff in. I’m not for compromising with that.

In closing… What’s being lost here, and what’s most discouraging to me personally, is the clear disconnect between what is truly BSL and what many people actually do consider BSL vs. what they do not consider BSL. It’s beyond depressing that this definition is actually being fractured and that thousands of people don’t even seem to understand the basic nature of the legislation. For that, Tia should be ashamed. Because she is currently perpetuating that, and now doubling down on it by coming after me and attempting to turn my comments into something that they were not. Too many people will just listen to her, and take it as scripture, instead of even attempting to understand what is being discussed. That’s sad.

Thanks to those that actually know the difference.

Villalobos then came out with a statement, and then a 2nd statement, which was especially dramatic and pretty much out of bounds.

In the 1st one they tell me to “read before I write” and that I’m “spreading rumors,” while doubling down on this fearmongerish line of thought that had they not “compromised” then there would have been a total ban. That’s untrue, but okay. Telling me that I should read before I write is degrading and disingenuous. You bet I read before I wrote, why wouldn’t I have? This kind of a dismissive response is insulting everyone’s intelligence, their own supporters included, by taking petty shots at me while they ignore the actual statements and positions that their own organization made and took in regards to the legislation that is being discussed here.

The 2nd statement was far more over the top, where they imply that I’ve somehow ruined the day for their adorable Puma, who was just adopted. This ignores the fact that Villalobos’ own post was what linked these 2 events together, by posting a picture of Puma and then ranting about me for 5 paragraphs. That was their choice. They took the focus off of Puma, not me. They then accuse me of actually wanting them shut down, blame me for their donations drying up and then attempt to blame me for losing future adopters. If that wasn’t enough, they then claim that due to my blog post they “will no longer be commenting, discussing, talking, posting about BSL.” So it’s now become MY FAULT for their failure to use their massive platform to positively counter BSL around the country. Then comes the accusations of me wanting attention at their expense, and that I was getting my “15 seconds of fame.” Nice. They even source an article that they recently re-posted of mine from 2 years ago, calling it “one of the best reads ever” in regards to BSL and California. Less than a week later my rather consistent opposition to BSL is no longer legitimate for that praise…

Regarding this notion that I’m “wanting them shut down.” This is a totally absurdist statement. Just for the record: I HAVE NO DESIRE TO SEE VILLALOBOS SHUT DOWN, NOR DID I MAKE MY STATEMENTS IN AN EFFORT TO CAUSE THEM TO “LOSE SUPPORT.” My statements were made because I am against breed-discriminatory legislation. That’s it. Read what I wrote. It’s totally out there and available for people to read. Not only what I wrote, but what they wrote, and what Councilman Green is pushing for. For the 958th time: I SUPPORT VILLALOBOS and resent these accusations that I want them shut down, or that I’m trying to garner “fame” off of their reputation. Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t give a rat’s ass about fame. I don’t do what I do for “fame.” It’s total and utter bologna. If 5,000 people want to unlike my page in mass, that’s okay. People can be as nasty as they want to be with me, call me names, tell me all kinds of things that I can’t exactly repeat here… But it sucks that Villalobos are actually using reverse psychology and will probably succeed in turning massive amounts of people against me, people that don’t even know or care to even read what I actually wrote. Ultimately, people can make up their own minds on my reputation and my motivations. What I wrote is out there, I stand by it. I’m against BSL, not Tia, not Villalobos. I’m against “compromising” with people who are hellbent on scapegoating Pit Bulls for the individual incidents that irresponsible people repeatedly cause. This Council would never succeed in achieving a ban. We (Pit Bull people, Villalobos, myself, you) are in the right. BSL is totally backwards and wrong, and giving in at any ratio is extremely harmful. But again, saying that I want to see VRC shut down is an absolute falsehood. That’s the last thing that I’d ever want. They also can’t have it both ways, calling me a “nobody” that is “piggybacking on your fame,” while at the same time blaming me for “tons of donations lost” and the potential “closure” of your hugely massive and amazing rescue. If I’m a “nobody” then how in the world would I even remotely be able to accomplish that? Again, I have no desire in the world to see Villalobos close, or have their donations dry up. People can continue to put words in my mouth but I’ve been beyond clear and pretty darn consistent in the face of all of this.

Here’s my responses to basically the only criticisms that I’ve received, and they are constant and almost always the same:

That I should “go away” or “shut up,” coming from random people…

Folks, I’m here as a PIT BULL ADVOCATE that is stringently anti-BSL, in all forms. This is my page. I also run a website. I’m an American, which means the Constitution applies to me. You can’t tell me to “be gone” from my own page. I’m allowed to have my own opinion, I’m allowed to critically think, I’m allowed to discuss Pit Bull-related issues. Clearly I’ve made valid points, or this wouldn’t even be an issue. How do you think this has become an issue, on any level, if I didn’t make valid points? If you think rock-solid people from the Pit Bull community don’t stand behind what I wrote, which was much more anti-BSL and didn’t even address VRC until the end, then you’re sadly mistaken.

That I’m “seeking attention,” or “fame” by saying what I’m saying, coming from random people and also from Villalobos…
That Villalobos has done “way more than me,” and “more than I’ll ever be able to do,” coming from random people…

I’ve kind of already addressed this one numerous times above, but someone actually said to me that I’m saying all of this “to get a few readers.” Uh, not quite. My page has received around 100 likes since they shared my 2-year-old article this past week. I’ve actually earned my support, thanks. Same as them. Further, for every person that chooses to no longer support me, there’s likely 2 or 3 that have now chosen to support me. That goes for taking on any position of difficulty. Some people actually don’t like puff pieces. Also, like I said above, it doesn’t matter to me if I lose thousands of followers over my blog post regarding Villalobos. That isn’t what this is about. This is about BSL, not me, or Tia or Villalobos. I absolutely do not care, AT ALL, about having “followers.” The entire premise of that phrase is derogatory. I’d much rather have 1,000 critical thinking, compassionate and rational supporters than have 500,000 people that don’t even understand me or get where I’m coming from. This isn’t a popularity contest, or a dick-measuring contest, despite all of these people constantly throwing that vapid and empty stuff in my face. I do not care about your perception of fame. I care about opposing breed-discriminatory legislation in all of its forms. I support Villalobos, just not their position on this issue. Read what I wrote.

That I should stop “spreading lies,” because Tia is all of a sudden “wanting to make this breed-neutral,” coming from random people…

Councilman Green’s legislation is NOT breed-neutral. This is a total misrepresentation of the current truth. Villalobos stated quite clearly that “we are actually in support of what Councilman Green is proposing.” Those are her words, not mine. So whether it eventually becomes breed-neutral, and whether Villalobos eventually supports all of these discussed things for all dogs in Westwego, that doesn’t change the fact that they first supported his initial proposal that was and still is breed-specific. Stop rewriting history.

That these laws “won’t even be enforced anyways,” so it’s “not to worry about,” and that Tia is being “tactical,” coming from random people…

Did you get that? The implication that the eventually passed law will not be enforced, therefore it’s not a big deal and people are making a big deal out of nothing. So why the law in the first place then? That’s a pointless situation, a dog and pony show. If any of that is even remotely true then Villalobos’ stance should be that this law is pointless because it’s unenforceable and does nothing good besides villainize Pit Bulls and Pit Bull owners. Yet that’s not their stance.

That I need to “apologize,” and that I’m clearly in the wrong based around the “backlash” that I’ve gotten, coming from random people…

This isn’t about me, or them. I am not perfect, neither are they. Nobody is and nothing will ever be. But there will absolutely be no apology from me, as I did nothing wrong. I talked about the proposed legislation at length, and simply asked Villalobos to change their STATED position on it. Okay? And just because there’s a “backlash” doesn’t mean that that’s the majority of people. It just means that I’ve gotten backlash. Big deal. I don’t choose what to do based on how much backlash or how little backlash I’m going to get.

And that I’m “attacking” Villalobos/Tia, being “negative,” or “infighting,” coming from random people…

Since when has trying to have a genuine discourse become “attacking”? How is talking about the injustice of breed-discriminatory laws, and the hedging against those principles, a “negative” thing? And when did “infighting” all of a sudden become the go-to response for every single person that never wants to have a public opinion or give their own thoughts on anything?

For the absolute last time: I have no ill will towards Villalobos, or Tia Torres. I respect the hell out of what they do, and their rescue in general. I have no desire for them to be shut down (asinine). I have no desire to see their donations dry up. None. People should continue supporting Villalobos! But people should also be against BSL and BDL. If those things cross then people need to figure it out for themselves. I asked questions. I then asked Villalobos to reconsider their position on Green’s proposed legislation. That’s all. All of this misinformation is out of control. Everything I’ve written is publicly available. In closing, I’m most definitely not the type to cower to intimidation from a lynch mob. If that’s what comes then I’ll just get more and more outspoken about it. I support Villalobos and continue hoping that they will eventually oppose Councilman Green’s pathetic demonization efforts.