I think that one’s actions are the representive function of that apology.

I hope that is Rod above and I hope there are more steps taken towards resolving what ever happened or will happen.

I also think that it is hard for a person to speak thier mind when confronted by negitive behavior. Alot of people are conflictaviodent and remove themselves from negitive behavior especially when confronted by athourity figures.

My father was one to speak his mind about what was going on in the world and never backed down from a debate. Is not the belief that you are doing the right thing enuff for all of us?
And as long as we are not impacting someone’s life in a negitive manner doing good.

Peace

I understand your anger, and I doubt Rod’s response did anything to appease anyone. But if you wouldn’t say those things to Rod’s face, why would you write them here? If you care enough to be that angry, and if you see Rod face to face all the time, why not tell that face that you’re sick of dealing with the kind of crap you’ve witnessed? If you work for him and something happens to your job after you make those statements, that would be grounds for a wrongful dismissal suit, wouldn’t it?

I guess what I’m saying is don’t let the situation make you a victim as well. I confronted Rod over the business issues we had between us, and (after a few choice words via emails–we both can be hot heads!) we discussed them in person and put an end to them. Perhaps if enough folks who have witnessed his poor behavior with women had confronted Rod regarding his behavior over the years, we wouldn’t be having this discussion…? Perhaps not?

Suffice it to say, it pissed me off. I know Rod, too, and I have to deal with him face to face all of the time. I have watched him ogle and harass my closest friends over and over and over again.

No, he didn’t have to post to PDD. But he did…and he played the victim, which enraged me. It’s a joke.

Should I be dropping f-bombs? Probably not. Do I have the right to protect my identity from Rod Raymond and anyone else? Yes, I absolutely do.

1. The report says that in one case, Rod invited a married student to come to his house to go snowshoeing, but kept putting off the trip until he knew her husband was out of town. Rod answered the door shirtless, and proceeded to serenade her for 40 minutes with a guitar while she kept asking to go snowshoeing (they never did).

2. The report says in another case, a student said Rod invited her over to his house to discuss an exciting new business venture, only to find out that he wanted to make sexual advances on her (the report says that other female students, responding to this female student’s allegations, said “That is just how he is.”).

3. The report says that Raymond intimidated and threatened women making harassment allegations.

There are many other allegations in the report. One might think that if the report is true, it is likely just the tip of the iceberg. The report is the result of an internal UMD investigation, in which a number of current and former UMD female students were interviewed.

While Rod and I have certainly had our major differences, disagreements, and full-out arguments over the years (I have known Rod since 1987) and I do not condone, excuse, nor defend the behavior he has been accused or even found guilty of–and while his words continue to show some insensitivity–at least he had the guts to post under his own name instead of cowardly hiding behind a pseudonym while tossing out f-bombs, s-bombs, and multiple exclamation points like some overly excited pre-teen. He certainly did not have to respond to PDD nor does he owe PDD an apology, and he should have been advised against speaking publicly at all on this issue from the start, but he did. And he signed his name to it.

If you don’t even believe in your own words enough to sign your real name to them, then keep them to yourself. If all you want to do is spew hate and call people names, well, isn’t that what the Duluth Citizens Blog and the DNT’s comments section are for? This highly sensitive topic deserves more thoughtful insight than your “contribution.”

Is this the craziest thing ever on PDD?

Why is he apologizing to PDD?

Is he truly insane?

For his “son’s sake”? Come on, Rod. That’s not gonna work.

Rod, you have sexual/power/boundary/social issues. Get help. As in…counseling. Don’t keep playing this “I’m the victim” bullshit. “I am powerless”? My fucking God, Rod!!! Are you kidding me?

It isn’t about “You and Duluth”. It’s about the young women you continually harass.

I’m done.

I just want everyone to know that I am so sorry for this. I honestly didn’t mean to disrespect or hurt anyone.

I know it’s way too late to say this and I know that I am powerless over this, but I truly apologized last May and we had resolve.

When the DNT called me, I was so shocked that I foolishly reacted. Again, I didn’t mean to disrespect or hurt to anyone.

I wish for my son’s sake, and for all of my friends that have been embarrassed by this, I could turn back the clock.

Again, I am really sad. It ruined a Perfect Duluth Day for a lot of people.

I truly hope you can accept my apology.

I love this city and the people. I intend on staying and positively impacting the city the best I can.

Sincerely and I mean sincerely,

Rod Raymond