Brewbaker’s owner James Callaway aka “the cup guy”, has called me out for having “zero integrity” for revealing a detail of a conversation with him I had agreed to keep private. (I did this in the comments here, number 104.) Here’s the voicemail James left me this morning where he calls me out and makes a vague threat against “you guys”, (presumably Sam and I, or perhaps all liberty activists) “You guys really like to play games, and unfortunately you’re gonna learn. Goodbye.”
One of the fundamental tenets I live by is to honor my agreements, so why would I reveal a conversation I’d agreed to keep private?
Before I answer, I’d like to give you a little more detail. This weekend, I received a message from James via facebook:
I just had an interesting talk with the Keene PD. You may want to talk to me privately. Send me a phone number where I can reach you.
I gave him my number and a little while later he calls from an undisclosed phone number. He asked that I keep our conversation private, and I agreed. I also agreed with him that Sam was out of line in how he behaved and that James should receive a new cup to replace the one Sam damaged. James insisted he was assaulted and was very careful to say in one breath that he didn’t want to see Sam go to jail, while in another breath talking about how he believes Sam would go to jail for a year if he was arrested and that he has a full year in which to file charges against Sam. His “suggestion” (he denies it was a demand) was that Sam work 50 hours at the local battered women’s shelter in addition to his earlier and more reasonable demand that his cup be replaced. He wanted me to pass this info along to Sam and play mediator, and as much as I didn’t relish that role, I agreed as I wanted to help the two of them come to an amicable agreement. Despite James’ veiled threat against Sam, I felt I should keep the conversation private in the hopes that an agreement between the two could be reached.
By the time I talked to Sam about this he had already had time to reflect, with the help of attending the local Quaker meeting, on his previous refusal to replace the cup. He had changed his mind and was willing to replace the cup for James complete with writing the phrase “FREE KEENE FROM THE FREE STATERS”, as per James’ original request. He wrote to James and expressed his willingness to provide this restitution and requested a sit-down with James where the restitution could be made and a conversation could be had. Here is the message I sent back to James from Sam:
I have been discussing this with friends and at the Quaker meeting this morning. I would be happy to replace the cup that was damaged … I’ll even rewrite the message he wrote on the cup, provided we can meet to discuss the situation. Again, this can be private or public, on camera or off.
If the meeting is without cameras, I will require a witness to accompany me, and this person can be agreed upon in advance. Let me know if this works, and of course James can contact me directly at contact at obscuredtruth.com.
This was James’ reply, sent directly to Sam:
Sam, you really don’t seem to get it, do you. The Keene Police are chomping at the bit to lock you up for a year. And they would laugh till they piss their pants if it is for something as minor as this. But make no mistake, the assault occurred when you got in my face. I don’t think you are in a position to set conditions on an apology. If I were you, I would admit guilt, apologize and offer something to show you are serious. I suggested 50 hours community service working at a battered women’s shelter. That would go a long way to show sincerity. But you decide. I have a year in which I can file charges. If you want to have a short conversation about this instead of email, send me a number where you can be reached.
James
You can clearly see what James is up to. He is not interested in building bridges via a private conversation with Sam or even accepting the original restitution that he himself suggested. He’s interested in having Sam do what he wants, or else.
Having given James the opportunity to remedy this outside of public view, and considering the threats he is making, it is clear his request for privacy was to cover for his tacking on an additional demand (I mean, “suggestion”) and his threatening of Sam. His image as merely the annoying cup guy would be tarnished further if people knew about his shenanigans going on behind the scenes.
The irony is that in his voicemail to me he accuses us of being the ones playing games! Sam apologized, but James wasn’t happy with the apology as Sam did make an excuse at the time for crushing the cup. That’s understandable on James’ part as Sam didn’t own up completely. However Sam reconsidered and agreed to make restitution if a conversation could be had. James refused, because he wanted Sam to do all that he’d “suggested”. I think it’s clear who is playing the games here. James was the one fooling around and interfering in Sam’s interview, tacking on increasingly absurd demands (first it was replacing the cup with the words on it, then it was having Sam write the words in front of James, and then the 50 hours), making veiled threats, and being unwilling to sit down and talk when presented with a reasonable restitution offer.
I honor my agreements, but only with those who act honorably. James Callaway is not one of those people.
So, should I have protected James’ threats and kept them private or did I do the right thing by revealing his true nature? Please post your thoughts.
