Try to imagine the reaction of an out-of-towner reading the comments in a Patch political blog. Then, suppose this foreigner is considering a move to San Diego. This person is an Independent—we’re just supposing. She is an attractive university graduate, a wealthy widow, with children, 10, 2, and 4. Her husband, a very successful physician—Dr. Pepper—was also politically Independent.
As she reads Jac Flanders’ political blog in the Encinitas Patch—let’s suppose—she has a wry smile that slowly turns into to slight scowl, then a distinct frown; her mouth drops open, and she begins to scream. People in neighboring rooms run into the hall and out of the hotel—a posh beachfront Holiday Inn overlooking La Jolla Cove—as I said, you have to use your imagination. A crowd has gathered outside, as the police arrive and run, guns drawn, into the hotel. Ms. Pepper is found, mouth agape, tears still flowing, the Patch still on her lap, staring up from her laptop. An officer asks, What's the matter, lady?
What's the matter, she sobs, What’s the matter? Have you seen the way these people talk to each other? Do they talk this way in Rancho Santa Fe?
The officer holsters his weapon, and kneels beside Ms. Pepper and takes her hand. Tenderly he says, "Some of them do, yes Ma’am."
