And he didn't even know why.

A woman came to see me yesterday at my office. That's not unheard of in itself, but she had a bone to pick with me.

I wish I could have spent more time with her, but since it was deadline day, I didn't have the time. I invited her to return today or Friday, but she refused.

She took issue with a couple of lines in a previous issue of Connect Statesboro that referenced her husband in a rather oblique way. The gentleman's been referenced before, and some pretty stinging criticism was leveled at him a while back.

I guess she didn't read those issues.

Apparently she and her sons had picked up a copy of Connect at a local restaurant, and she was dismayed to see some of the thoughts - written in an opinion column, mind you - about her hubby.

That's fine. I don't blame her for disagreeing, and she did have a point that her sons might not like reading negative stuff about their dad. Nonetheless, he's a very public figure. Others have said far worse things about him. None of that should affect their love for their father - if my dad was on the front page of the New York Times as a pedophile, I'd still love him.

Would'nt necessarily endorse his behavior, but he's dad. Gotta love the dad. And that's how it is for public figures - the fame (and huge paycheck) means that you've got to put up with some crap that Joe Sixpack won't ever have to face.

Still, I'm here to extend the olive branch. I spoke with the writer of the piece in question, and told him to pursue an interview with the gentleman, and even with he and his wife if they're so inclined.

If the two want to set the record straight, here's their chance, especially noting how recalcitrant they've been to respond to media requests. I'll let them sit down, have their say, and answer some of the questions that have been swirling around.

Should they take me up on it, it'll be in next week's Connect.