"leave ted haggard ALONE" (for all my friends here in CO who might miss this) [View All]

this letter was in the colorado springs independent today, and I thought my friends here in CO (and the rest of you who know this sordid little story) might find this amusing. besides, we need a laugh today.

Worn out on Haggard

I have a personal and special request for the Independent: Please ask your writers — like Rich Tosches, specifically — to stop using Ted Haggard as a way to get a cheap laugh or snicker in your columns ("Dealing with TSA gropers," Ranger Rich, Dec. 2).

It's been over three years since his maximum embarrassment and public humiliation and he is trying to rebuild his life. This stigma will obviously be with him the rest of his life, and yet I find no further valid reasons why you, or others, should continue to publicly beat him down and harass him — especially with lewd comments.

His wife and five children (young adults) are trying to move forward and continue their emotional mending and public healing amidst the chaos Ted created by his confused choices at the time. Yes, he was high-profile and made national news. But now he knows the heartache of being down-and-out, broken and feeling totally rejected.

When Rich Tosches makes lewd comments about Ted's past as a cynical way to get a chuckle, it really doesn't help the human condition, nor does it build a tolerant society. Please don't squash Mr. Haggard's attempts to find restoration with further media humiliation. He is trying to rebuild his life. Just give the guy a break! We all need second chances and hope for our lives and future. Thank you.

— Rev. Tom Pedigo (director, colorado federation for decency, and founder of national alliance against christian discrimination, yes, one of our local reichwingnut fundies)

Colorado Springs

http://www.csindy.com/colorado/letters/Content?category=1064345#HomeJump

(for those interested, this is the column to which he refers--tosches is our local version of mark morford): http://www.csindy.com/colorado/dealing-with-tsa-gropers/Content?oid=1940508