Public Apology

First of all I want to begin by saying how distraught I have been the
entire day, aftergetting wind of yesterdays post, and further Mama J's reaction.

I was initially torn between whether to completely remove the post (as
the blog admin) in an effort to calm the fire, or leave it intact and
resolve the matter. As you can tell I opted for the latter under a
notion that I firmly believe in: sorting out issues in an immediate,
transparent and sincere manner. Keeping the post up has not been an
easy thing to do becuase with every passing minute, the post reflects
badly on the OVERALL blog with every visitor that graces our page. On
the other hand, what has been said has been said - It is my hope this
scar will help us remind us ALL, in and out of VI, to use the Power
that comes with blogging with severe caution.

To further compound the issue, all concerened parties are in 3 diff
timezones, and this does not help in expeditng a resolution. So I
hope you will additionally forgive our timing. I will not speak on
anyones behalf but mine. But that is neither here nor there: what i
really came to say before this turns into a diatribe of sorts:

To the Kihoro Family
I believe the comments made on the post mentioned above were insensitive to the pain and suffering that you all have bourne. I know the author personally however, and i can say with almost 100 percent certainty that the comments were not made out of malice or in an effort to cause the reaction that it elicited.

Nathan is a good friend and becuase i know he was an aspiring doctor, his comments did not strike me as thoughtless banter. They still dont. It is again my opinion (we will have to wait to hear from him personally) that the final remark was not another stab but was rather at his remarks on your mothers situation, but rather a scapegoat to his opinions on the POPE. Just my opinion.

Regardless, I felt it necessary, from the bottom of my heart apologise for all the HURT caused, on behalf of the virtual insanity team of bloggers. You may at this point feel like this is just damage control to save the rep of the blog - but really, let me make it clear that our blog is of no use and downright retrogressive if it provokes anger, disgust, and distaste. Hopefully lessons have been learnt by ALL.


To VI Readers
That said, this issue definitely got me thinking about blogging: the gift and the curse. The reason this particular issue is so absorbing is becuase i feel it stems from the very nature of blogging. Part of the reason it is so intriguing is becuase it gives an personal but interconnected forum to voice ones opinions. I think we have all been in that aura/zone of blogspiration - my coined phrase for that spontanious inspiraiton to write whats on our mind - the free writing that is unplanned and flows. Noting that VI for a majority of the time is a playground for ruminations on current significant and not so significant affairs, this blogspiration happens often, relative to news blogs, or gadget blogs etc.

Dont get me wrong. No excuses being offered for insensitivity. But With a growing kenyan blogosphere it appears that degrees of separation are narrowing alarmingly fast we are at increasing risk of having nothing to 'freely' and 'careful' ruminate on. In the greater scheme of the blogosphere, this is already an issue being dealt with folks being fired from their jobs about their clande blogposts, Journalists being fired for their 'off the cuff' blog remarks etc etc. I mean sooner, at every angle we will be at the risk of offending every single person who visits our blog!

A relatively bad analogy would be (and JUST an analogy) would be say for example one of KIBAKI's kids began reading Thinkers room. Those of you whove read his blog would agree that perhaps, in this hypothetical situation, Kibaki's son wouldnt be too pleased after one sitting. Whether or not an apology would be in order is not the issue: it is the fact that thinkers room is personal room - apoint of HIS own opinions. This is the DISTINCTIVE, alluring feature that blogs carry from forums, such as Mashada, Mambogani et al. Something must be said of preserving the ability of Individuals within a blog to freely express their opinion within their personal space - and for readers to take it as JUST that. An example of this would be in the divergent fashion with which Mama J reacted to the post: Her comment on VI exuded calm and respect for our opinion(at least in comparison to Ciru's), but on Begins at home it was another story. I use this only to illustrate that there is a sense of freedom one has on their blog to voice their opinion. I would want this appropriate impertinence, this cautious liberty, to prevail even after this episode becuase it allows for discourses, for us to learn and grow from our mistakes.

At risk of sounding Nazi, I will say that ordinarily, I would honestly not apologise. This is no ordinary situation though: It is the feeling that we are all family in the k-blogosphere. It is like the 'small church' phenomenon. It was easy for me to empathise with the Kihoro family, and I have a tremendous respect for the strength that Mama J esp has exhibited. ( elieve Natizzo aluded to that in the beginning of his post as well). Let us not take away from that closeness we have fostered thus far. I got so tired of the hate and useless, discourse on kenyan forums that I would not like to recreate the scenario here.

TUKO PAMOJA.
Pole Im sure this one is riddled with typos like no other..
PS. MAMA J and Fam Please give some feedback , I hope we can continue to respectfully engage in social intercourse. What does not kill us..makes us stronger.
PS2 VI writers I would like to hear your comments about this about this as well! Speak or forever hold your peace!