The Tate-LaBianca Homicide Research Blog

Someone commented on another blog:
"I read a comment on another blog where one of Paul's passages was flagged as suspect because he remembered exactly how a window sounded when he opened it. Um, he was a "Military Intelligence Officer". Those guys are trained to remember everything. Sights. Sounds. Smells. Nothing gets past them.

In open forums everyone has an opinion. Sometimes I'm impressed with the deep thought and consideration put into peoples' comments. Other times I'm reminded that many people speak from a point of their basest fears and hates.

As an old favorite comedian of mine Gallagher says, "The public are bovine".

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It is my blog, and my words, this individual is referring to.

This particular individual has never gone out of his way to insult me in the past… so, I’ll clarify a couple things (which need clarification), as politely as I possibly can.

#1) My words have been taken out of context and distorted.

I wasn’t surprised that PJ remembered how difficult the window was to open… or… that PJ remembered the window made noise (as he opened it). 
That assertion is simply incorrect, and not accurate. 
I wasn’t surprised at PJ's recollection or recall skills, at all.

What did surprise me… was that a middle-aged man (PJ in this case) would relate his memory of that noisy window, with the words used in the book.
“The front window squawked in protest as I raised it."

It’s the way his memory was expressed (not his recollection of it)... which aroused my suspicion (as to whether this was truly, a firsthand account taken directly from PJ’s transcript).
I doubted that the memory was expressed "in his own words”… to be exact.

It sounded rather…much more likely (to me)… that the memory was actually expressed "in Alisa’s own words”.
That was my point.
It’s a slight difference… but a significant one, nonetheless.

Allow me to explain the significance...

My statement regarding the window was just one tiny example of an overall theme, which I had observed throughout the book.

I could have dug out any number of similar tiny examples.

It just so happens… I chose that one (the window).

The “theme” which I‘m referring to… is that Alisa speaks in the first person on behalf of everyone contained in the book.
That’s certainly not a major tragedy or deal breaker by any means… but nonetheless… an observation worthy of mention in a review.

Based on what I read… I believe this is Alisa Statman’s book.
What I mean specifically:
I believe this is Alisa Statman’s own personal recount (or retelling) of events... based on her research of (and access to) several original Tate sources.
That’s how I would most accurately describe what I (personally) found within the pages.

There’s no denying that Statman DOES speak in the first person… on behalf of ALL the Tate’s found in ths book.
That is not a profound statement… since ALL the Tate’s (who tell their story in this book) are deceased.

Look:
If you don’t use original transcripts and writings from the deceased… you most certainly will (by default) HAVE to end-up, with the situation I described (above)… which is... Alisa relating PJ’s memories "in her own words"… "and from her own interpretation"… FOR HIM.
Dead people don’t talk.
That’s not bovine thinking… it’s airtight logic.

PJ did not tell his military friends:
“The front window squawked in protest, as I raised it“. 
Trust me folks… that didn’t happen.
That’s Alisa’s “book rendition” of the account.

This is what PJ actually said to his comrades:
“That f#cking window definitely wasn’t opened the night of the murders guys.  It was sealed tighter than a bull’s ass”. LOL (Or… something to that effect).

Anyway…

All this minutia is DEFINITELY much-a-do about nothing.
Mountains out of molehills, as it were.
I really think the blog world gets bored sometimes, and needs an occasional feud to spice things up.
I mean…
What are we really analyzing to death here?
It’s just a book for cripes sakes. 
How and why, did this subject (and book) become so personal to some folks?

The second thing I’d like to clarify is this:

I have no “base fears or hate” towards Alisa… zero.
This is such an over-exaggeration, it’s really beneath me to respond.
I don’t know Alisa from Adam.

I don’t know if “hate” is being used these days as some kind of new Jerry Springer buzzword… which I’m too old and “out of touch” to understand… but, “hate” only means one thing to me.
I’ve probably hated 2 or 3 people total… in my entire life… and Alisa Statman definitely isn't one of them.
I read her book… and I’ve read a dozen (or so) of her comments on the blogs.
That’s the absolute extent of my knowledge of the woman.
I certainly don’t hate the woman.

I wrote my opinion/review of her book on my blog, which is my prerogative.
My review was not particularly defamatory or harsh, by any means.
No… I probably didn’t enjoy the book quite as much, as some other folks did… but I didn’t hate it either.
That’s life.
I paid for the book. I read it. I gave my opinion of it. It’s over… or, at least it should be.

There isn’t a single book ever written which was liked equally and universally by every reader… not even the Holy Bible.
Why would we expect this book to be different?
If other folks love this book, that’s fine with me.
It seems to me (ironically).. that even the lightest criticism of this book... is not allowed... under any circumstances... and arouses the most "hate".
It seems anyone who doesn't LOVE every aspect of this book, is considered a wretch... a closet gay-basher... and heaven knows what else.
Is that really realistic?

Let's face it... this entire book topic has become completely overblown.

My "Restless Souls" thread was open to the public for several days initially.
In that time… the author of the comment (above) never stopped-by to discuss his opinion with me. 
Now… my words are being taken out of context, after-the-fact at another location?
C’mon folks… let’s be fair about things.
If anyone wants to discuss my commentary (regarding any topic)… please come on down and let's communicate directly and amicably.
That's the most sensible route... and best for everyone concerned.
This kinda stuff is just silly.
I've never deleted any comments posted by the author of this comment.
There's no reason he should feel unwelcome here.

Peace… Lynyrd

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PS.. and, as an aside:

I find this whole situation quite ironic... as, I actually did Alisa a BIG favor.

My book review thread was open to the public for several days. 
Ultimately… I closed it down, because the topic (of the thread) was straying from the book itself… into personal opinions of Alisa herself (and her personal business). 
I wanted no part of any personal assessment of Alisa… so, I halted the comments/thread. 
I know my bloggers better than anyone… and the subject (just as elsewhere) was going south quickly. 

Believe me…
I did Alisa a BIG favor by ending that thread. 
I could have entertained a weeklong Alisa “Rib-fest” if that was my goal. 
Like I said… I know my bloggers. 
Lines were being drawn… and believe me… if I left things to destiny... Alisa would have been handed her hat by some of my bloggers. (That’s putting it politely). 
That whirlwind had already begun. 
Without mentioning any names... it would have been two "Pro-Alisa" bloggers outnumbered.
I did the right thing… whether folks believe that or not.

I DO attempt to be fair (to the best of my ability)... given the cards I'm dealt (blogger-wise).
Sometimes.. many times actually... that's difficult.
Every location has a few "wild cards" (bloggers) which are hard to play... and my location is no different.
Sometimes you simply have to take the path of least resistance... out of practicality and necessity.

For the record… my opinion of the whole Statman/Olsen/Debra situation is this:

The entire situation is clearly dysfunctional. 
Who’s at fault for this dysfunctional situation… is none of my business, and way beyond my level of information.  I don’t know any of these folks well enough to pass judgement… so, I won’t. 

I will leave everyone with this apt story though:

When I was a kid… my brothers and I would fight like cats and dogs constantly. 
During some of those feuds… my Mom would just throw up her hands… and thereafter, bring us before my Dad, for some type of mock “tribunal”. LOL

My dad was supposed to “sort it out”.  Decide “who was right”, as it were.

My brother and I, would both explain our case… and look to my Dad for his decision.
Inevitably… my Dad would always say with simplicity, but equally profound insight:
"Eh… one’s as bad as the other.” LOL
Then he’d ruffle his newspaper, and continue reading! Ahahahaha
Something to think about.

Some things are better left "unsorted" by the general public.
I believe this Statman/Olsen/Debra feud is one of them.

Peace Again... Lynyrd