Brogan: The Power of Words Can Inspire ... and Horrify

In March of this year, I wrote a blog on Concord NH Patch in which I noted the annoyed frustration of one of our sitting city councilors. Sitting in The Barley House one evening, they vented their anger about my ongoing public discussions about what I felt was right and wrong in Concord.

“Paul Brogan is a real annoyance and I wish he’d stop running his mouth complaining about what is going to happen, whether he likes it or not. The only time that faggot should open his mouth is when he has sex.”

The remark was greeted by those at the table with laughter.

As often happens in a city where you have lived for many years, several diners at surrounding tables couldn’t get to the phone quickly enough to share the news with me. Believe me, I’d heard worse and haven’t ever really minded being the punchline since it spares someone else that distinction.

Hitting the campaign trail lately has only seemed to stir the ire of a great many people who feel I should not be running for public office. In an era when individuals can hide behind screen names and spill vitriol about any subject, there seems to also be a fearlessness in making clear their opinion of my candidacy.

In the past few weeks I’ve been approached by numerous individuals – some wishing to have a serious chat about the city and its direction. There have been some who have politely asked me to withdraw from the race. And there have been more than a dozen who are seemingly delighted to share an almost scary inner rage about my nerve in running for Mayor.

Among the more unsettling remarks were these:

“I thought we eradicated you Fruit Loops thanks to AIDS back in the 80s but apparently we missed you. We need a man sitting in the Mayor’s seat.”

And even more disturbing:

“You’re a reason to bring back Hitler and the ovens.”

I sincerely regret that my run for office has stirred such inflammatory remarks and these are only two of more than a dozen instances. It clearly indicates to me that regardless of who wins the election on Nov. 3, there needs to be some serious discussions about intolerance and how outbursts like these can help to poison a community.

Personal remarks directed at me don’t bother me nearly as much as remarks targeted to the horrible AIDS epidemic or at those of a Jewish faith. I can take someone calling my book “trashy” without blanching. I know otherwise because of the thousands of “thank you” messages that I received from people whose lives had been changed, made better or enlightened from my journey. In fact, potential voters may know more about me than any other candidate running because of the book.

I held nothing back. I talked about every mistake I ever made, every law I ever broke, every lesson I ever learned. There was no sugar coating nor have I ever attempted to expunge anything because that would represent to me, a lie.

I don’t expect everyone to jump on the “Paul Brogan Bandwagon” and rush to the polls to help elect me to office. I am a realist and feel I have something to offer the city that no one else can bring to the table – endurance, survival, attitude, compassion and a sincere belief that the best years for Concord are ahead. Only when you have been at the very bottom with little remaining, can you fully comprehend the suffering of others and have an iron will to make it better for all.

When I do speaking engagements, I never accept money, a stipend, or even mileage. I believe that when we are fortunate enough to have been given another chance, we must give back. Concord has given me second and third chances, so it’s a debt I’ll be repaying for the rest of my life.

Voters deserve to know their candidates completely – their virtues and their failures. Otherwise, how can they make a truly informed decision when they look at their ballot? Anyone wishing to know the true story can e-mail me at pebrogan@gmail.com and I’ll e-mail them a copy of my book. Fragments and pieces out of context do not tell the real story. The people of Concord deserve that.