Muncie Politics Just Got Uglier

A social media post on the Delaware County Democrat Facebook page has many wondering, how dangerous AI and photo shop can be, in misleading the public.  The now infamous “Coldplay Kiss Cam” saga has come to City Hall, as Mayor Dan Ridenour was visually implicated in a “photo,” superimposing his face on to to the body of a now reported adulterer, citing what some say are misleading half truths about some of Ridenour’s decisions as Mayor.

We reached out to Mayor Ridenour (R), and he provided this texted comment:  “I heard this statement recently in an online podcast. I believe this sums up my thoughts about the inappropriate, half-truths post that was made: ‘People love to give opinions on paths that they have never personally walked. They want to weigh in on decisions that they have never had the courage to face themselves.’ I think those words say it all.”

Andrew Dale (D) wrote on the Facebook page of his party, “As chairman of the Delaware County Democratic Party, I want to offer a sincere apology for a Facebook post made earlier today by one of our volunteers.”

We asked to see the deleted post,  but Dale refused to provide it.  We also asked for the name of who posted it, but Dale refused – providing this emailed statement:  “My statement, which included an unvarnished apology from myself, as chairman of the Delaware County Democratic Party, speaks for itself. The post was deleted shortly after I was made aware of it, therefore I do not have an image of the post any longer. The volunteer who made the post (who I will not name) was excused from having access to our party’s Facebook account. Although I had not approved the post, nor had I seen the post at any time prior to its posting, I take full responsibility for the post as chairman of our party. The post questioned Mayor Dan Ridenour’s spending priorities (certainly fair game and I believe a topic of relevance for Munsonians) but the post also included a meme that I felt was a disrespectful and uncessasary parity on the well-cycled-through Coldplay meme. There’s no place in our party’s social media messaging for such content. While a certain stroke of levity is fine in our messaging, we’re here to elevate rather than weaken civic discourse.  Best, Andrew.”

We also asked for a comment from Stephen Brand (R), Delaware County Commissioner, District 1, and he shared this:  “As an elected official and a proud member of the Republican Party here in Delaware County, I believe it is essential to address the tone of our local political conversation.  Recently, a post targeting the Mayor of Muncie was circulated online by individuals associated with the local Democrat Party.  While I appreciate that the post has since been removed and an apology issued, it is disappointing that such a message was shared in the first place.  This is not the first time we’ve seen commentary that focuses not on ideas or policies, but on personal attacks and appearances. Such tactics do not elevate our political debate, they diminish it. And they do not serve the people we are trusted to represent. They are not funny.  Both parties claim to stand for values like fairness, tolerance, and respect. We must hold ourselves to those standards, not just in words, but in action. In particular, when we disagree. Disrespectful memes, name-calling, and personal ridicule are beneath the dignity of public service, no matter who they come from.  As public servants and community leaders, we have a responsibility to model civil discourse, even in times of passionate disagreement. Our constituents deserve nothing less.  I encourage all people….Republican, Democrat, and beyond to focus on substantive issues, listen with respect, and speak with integrity. Let’s work together to foster a political environment that encourages debate without demeaning, disagreement without being disrespectful, and leadership without lowering ourselves.  The good people of Delaware County deserve a political environment that puts them first, not petty division.  Let’s make this change together.  The citizens of Delaware County have my commitment.”