Roadman

Thu, Dec 9, 2010 : 6:48 p.m.

I would like to point out: The Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office declined to press stalking charges against Shirvell, noting that Armstrong was a public figure and that Armstrong did not want a police detective to impart to Shirvell that Shirvell's conduct and communications were unwelcome when the police detective volunteered to do so. Victory for Shirvell. Armstrong dropped his personal protection order circuit court application proceeding against Shirvell. If Shirvell was such a dreaded threat why did he do so? Victory for Shirvell. The U-M police issued a trespass notice against Shirvell which Shirvell fought and was significantly modified after Shirvell's counsel argued it was overbroad. The action by Shirvell in this regard has underscored important concerns about the constitutionality of the trespass notice procedures employed at U-M and brought inquiry and expressions of concern about First Amendment abridgments by the University on this issue. Victory for Shirvell. I fail to see what significant harm has befallen Mr. Armstrong. He has chosen to thrust himself into the national media spotlight and appears to enjoy it. he did not lose his employment with Nancy Pelosi due to Shirvell's phone calls nor has he dropped out of school or alleged that his education has been interfered with in any way. Even though he claims that his friends and family have been harassed by Shirvell, he is the only one who has gone out to hire a high-powered lawyer to issue press releases. I do not equate Armstrong with any type of heroism or martyrdom; he is a publicity hound. In 1962, James Meredith, a black American, integrated the University of Mississippi in near-riot conditions, guarded by federal marshals while receiving numerous threats on his life. He completed his studies quietly and received his law degree. Meredith eschewed the organized black civil rights movement of the 1960s and contended that he simply enforced his individual legal right to enter that university through judicial means. Meredith went on to work as an longtime aide to U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, who himself described the black civil rights movement as unnecessary. James Meredith is a credit to his people and an example of heroic persistence in the face extreme opposition and bigotry. Chris Armstrong is trying to play the Shirvell issue to the hilt to further his own agenda, which may include a civil suit to generate monetary revenue for himself. I am weary of his non-stop self-congratulations and media opportunism.

Matt Cooper

Thu, Dec 9, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.

@The Black Stallion3: No. What started this is the irrational and homophobic behavior of Andrew Shirvell. Mr. Armstrong being gay, openly or otherwise, did not start any controversy. If his sexuality is such an issue for you or Shirvell, the problem is yours, not Mr. Armstrongs. Secondly, what Shirvell did was not "commenting" on anything. His behavior bordered on stalking and other criminal behaviors. Mr. Armstrong has done nothing to incite, invite or otherwise exacerbate the near-criminal behavior of Shirvell, and quite the opposite, Mr. Armstrong has made efforts to leave this situation behind and get on with his life. Thirdly, just because Mr. Armstrong, or any other gay person for that matter, chooses to live the lifestyle of being openly gay does not invite any other person to attack them, belittle them, berate them or otherwise try to embarrass them, their friends and their families in any way, shape or form. Finally, it is people that blame the victim for the acts of the attacker, such as you have done here, that perpetuate hatred of the "other". If it's not gays, it's blacks, if not blacks the Mexicans, if not Mexicans....... You get my point. Just sayin'

Heidi Hess Saxton

Wed, Dec 8, 2010 : 8:14 p.m.

Okay, at what point does AnnArbor.com support Chris Armstrong in his desire to "move his presidency past the controversy" by not dropping Shirvell's name each and every time Armstrong's name (and, inevitably, sexual orientation) is mentioned? Just sayin'.

The Black Stallion3

Wed, Dec 8, 2010 : 6:05 p.m.

Seems to me that this young mans willingness to bring out his sexual preference is what started this controversy in the first place. You can not talk freely about your private life and then not expect people to comment on it when you are in a position such as this young man is. Just sayin'

Bertha Venation

Wed, Dec 8, 2010 : 4:34 p.m.

I'm glad Chris is being the bigger person and moving on with his goals and life. Sometimes it's best to ignore the attention seekers and let them hang themselves. Just sayin'