Editor:
In regard to your review of the top stories of 2011 (“Top 10 Stories,” Dec. 22), I am compelled to express my indignation at the omission of the word “allegedly” in your reference to me as an abusive husband. In doing so, writer Ryan Burns has presented the allegation as fact, while veiling the Journal’s responsibility for the libelous nature of this statement by attributing it to Thadeus Greenson of the Times-Standard. General issues of journalistic integrity aside, I cannot help but believe that your article was retaliatory and overtly vindictive.?As one of the few persons privy to the broader circumstances leading to the tragic death of my daughter I can assure you that, although very well written, Mr. Greenson’s report was far from exhaustive. In fact, many of the direct references to my family that appeared in his article, and in your own subsequent blog posts, were derived from a very small number of uncorroborated anonymous sources and the third party account of a single person with an obvious agenda which was published in tabloid-style foreign press outlets. Thus, these elements should be approached with a substantial amount of skepticism. In addition, your choice of highlighting only the most gruesome of several conflicting and disconnected accounts allegedly made by my wife to authorities, while under a state of extreme duress, is particularly questionable.?Perhaps you have fallen victim to your own morbid fascination and the Journal has joined in the media frenzy which is alluded to in your review. I have greatly appreciated the compassion demonstrated by Mr. Burns and your publication in past coverage of Sophia’s untimely passing. However, if your true intent is to honor the memory of my daughter, and possibly provide a service to the community, then I would suggest in-depth coverage of critical issues affecting Humboldt County such as the state of funding for mental health services in our region. By doing this you may play a central role in saving a life in the future, while leaving the speculation, hearsay, and character assassination to the tabloids and Internet comments section posters.
Robert P. Parker, McKinleyville
This article appears in Aldaron’s Walkabout.
How defensive Mr. Parker is! I was actually neutral in my opinion of Mr. Parker until I read this letter. Yes – I found his previous interviews self-serving and in poor taste; yes – I have learned to listen when a family has concerns about domestic violence and controlling behaviors; and YES – one cannot help but notice how the guilty always reveal their true character by publicly going on the defensive. In this instance, I hope I am wrong, but Mr. Parker’s behaviors since the death of his little girl certainly contain all the elements of someone who feels the need to conduct a PR offensive in the wake of a very tragic death.
It seems to me Robert Parker is working very hard to control the story. To my ear his letter to the editor is overly authoritative, and shaming. He may not be an abuser, the courts will have to decide but he is certainly using the voice of one.
What? Doesn’t surprise me in the least that the “reporters” didn’t do their homework at all.
Pretty much half the stories printed aren’t even close to being reported correctly.
They don’t care, they want dirty laundry.
Sophia’s sad story broke my heart. As a mother who suffered the burden of post partum depression, I feel it is unfair to attack Mr. Parker’s character after he has suffered such heartbreak. My own husband, loving and supportive, had a difficult time in breaking down the walls I built in my own depression. Lack of sleep, the constant demands and overwhelming responsibility of parenthood were significant factors in my own experience with postpartum depression. If we cannot show outright compassion to Mr. Parker, we should at least demonstrate impartiality when reviewing Sophia’s story. My condolences to you, Mr. Parker, and to your wife and family.