TOLEDO (OH)
Toledo Blade
Russ Lemmon
A hand-written letter — a true rarity these days — caused me to change plans for today's get-together.
Originally, I was not going to write about Twist of Faith, the Oscar-nominated documentary set in Toledo. After all, I had mentioned it the three previous weeks.
But I was taken aback by the tone of Martin's one-page correspondence. I've received my share of "hate mail" through the years, but his ranks among the most vile.
In this space two weeks ago, I said we were small-minded because Twist of Faith couldn't get a public screening here. If I were to build a case in support of my statement, Martin's letter would be Exhibit A.
The film chronicles the life of Toledo firefighter Tony Comes around the time he went public with allegations of sexual abuse by a former priest, Dennis Gray. I don't see how it's possible to watch it and not have heartfelt sympathy for Mr. Comes.
Martin, however, might be the exception.
"Media creep, phony Tony Comes, the $50,000 Hollywood crybaby, has gotten enough out of this," he wrote, making reference to the $50,000 settlement Mr. Comes received from the Toledo Catholic diocese.
All I could do is shake my head over his astonishing lack of compassion.
Martin wasn't finished. He spewed his remaining venom at me.