In my recent post (since amended) about the deaths of Lucas and Tammy Menard, I was guilty of the very thing I have accused state officials of doing: Treating real people as symbols or statistics or props. My post caused further distress to the people who knew the Menards. And I apologize for that.
I ventured beyond my knowledge in depicting their situation, which was terribly unfair to them, their family and friends. I painted them as hopeless poster children when, according to Lucas’ sister, they had agency, they had help from those closest to them. They addressed their situation with intelligence and grace, and handled it far better than I could possibly imagine myself if I were in their situation.
The sister’s account can be found in the Comments section under the post originally entitled “How Many More Menards?” (Hell, the title itself reflects my thoughtless presentation of Lucas and Tammy as props for my argument.) I won’t quote the comment here; I’ll leave her words in the way she expressed them.
I should have known better. The people I’ve met who are struggling to find security in this world are not victims; they are smart, resourceful, and enterprising. They have their challenges, but they do their level best to adapt and rise above.
I write about political issues from a 30,000-foot perch, which has its advantages but risks losing sight of the real people in the crowd. That’s what I did in this case, and again, I apologize.
The Vermont Political Observer. 
It is refreshing to see someone in the public eye admit to a mistake.
I would appreciate your zooming in from that 30,000 foot level on occasion. Contacting the persons you’re writing about before passing judgment, for example, could lend depth, if not accuracy, to the important topics being covered.
If you believe your previous article was that far off, why would you hide the Menard family members response in another post acknowledging how far off you were?
There’s a hell of lot more to that family response then you’re hinting at here, and it deserved to be front and center.
I didn’t “hide” their response. I’m doing the best I can here, and I will carry on despite your slings and arrows.
We are grateful for your immediate apology and retraction.
I apologize as well, I guess I was loaded for bear, because of several inaccurate news pieces, yours happened to be the one I could reply to. You got the brunt of my emotion, though your article has not been the worst we’ve seen.
Your apology matters.Today, WCAX should have asked you to hold their beer while they show you how to really screw up, because they decided to show up here, at the house, while we were at Troll and Tammy’s church’s memorial, to get photos and footage for their misinformation. 🤦🏽♀️ your apology meant we could end this day with a positive, I’m grateful for that.
We all make errors in judgement, I’m better at it than most, if I can forgive myself mine, forgiving you yours is easier.
Thank you again.
Lia Mari Menard
I think, at this point, the author was striving not to use my words without permission.
Your concurrence with his posting of your message is enough. I am very sorry for your loss.
Both of you are right. Our lost community members are not poster children for the cause. And those who are unhoused own little enough for sure, and have a right to own their own stories.
However, there is also a public lament to be had here, and anger and sorrow expressed that the larger community isn’t stepping to the plate. The stories of the deceased and others need to be brought to our doorstep for us to pay attention, and feel. Our empathy needs to be aroused. And that’s a painful necessity for all. It’s as if those with the least must continue to teach us who have the most. Sad state of humanity.
And your apology was eloquent and sensitive, and raised important points in itself. We never know if apologies are enough (and it’s not for us to decide), or accepted, but they are important to make, anyway.
I am thankful for both of your pieces, and for the response from the relatives of the deceased. You all are teaching us something valuable.
My continued condolences to the family.
I love your comment, thank you.
and I agree.
My family is truly grieving, and while my brother and sister-in-law didn’t die Of the cold, living rough is not something anyone should have to do in Vermont in the winter, and living rough with serious health problems can turn tragic in an instant.
These two Human Beings did not die because they lived in their tent, but I’d call it a contributing factor. And we Know, too many will die in tents until our society makes some changes. We understand the need to draw attention to this crack in the system, we need to save lives. We get that. We are striving to get the truth out, while also bringing attention to the serious issues at hand.
This tragedy isn’t all our family has faced these past few weeks, it seems as though we’ve been drop-kicked down a rabbit hole, but we will grow on.
I’m grateful for your thoughtful comment.
“The stories of the deceased and others need to be brought to our doorstep for us to pay attention, and feel. “
Yep. Another homeless individual died yesterday in Berlin. I read that the person had been evicted through a no-cause eviction, though not am sure from where. They were living in a tent. There is little other info right now.
American exceptionalism at work.