Poor, Poor Alex (formerly of Stuck On the Palmetto)

I can almost feel sorry for Alex. Almost because he placed himself in this predicament by freely associating with Rick, whose hatred for all things Cuban finally encompassed even him. Alex was the model second banana to Rick, unconditional in his support, or, more accurately, obeissance. We have more than once wondered why someone so infinitely superior to Rick in all matters of the intellect would apprentice himself to him and provide cover for him. Alex is certainly no less perceptive than Val & Henry, and if even they could see through Rick we must wonder what it was that prevented Alex from doing so to the very end. Misplaced loyalty, perhaps. Pride, most likely. What I do know for sure is that Alex's loyalty was not repaid in kind and his pride most seriously wounded in this transaction. The decision to shut down SotP and erase its contents was meanspirited on many counts. It was an affront to its readers and commenters and showed in what contempt Rick always held them. But, more than that, it was a personal betrayal of Alex. Rick could have walked away from SotP and left the blog to Alex. After all, Rick's conflict of interests did not touch Alex. There was no reason why Alex could not have continued the blog sans Rick. It was the most popular local blog in South Florida, which owed its success in part and most of its relevance to Alex. Why was he denied ultimately his part in its success but forced to share with Rick the ignominy of its end? I suppose the simple answer is that it was never Alex's blog. Rick unilaterally made all the decisions, and it was he who decided, without even consulting Alex, to kill the blog. Alex was not even accorded the simple courtesy of saying good-bye to his readers. Rick had the first say and the last.

In recent "Comments" on Critical Miami, Alex managed to contain (barely) his simmering discontent about being cheated of his share in South Florida's most successful local blog. He avers that he has been able to save some of his old posts, which means that Rick obliterated the blog without even giving him the opportunity to download all its contents. Certainly he deserved to retain a copy of SotP if Rick did (and we are sure he did, under some pumpkin patch). Another indication of Alex's resentment of Rick and break with him is the ferocity with which he attacked Alesh and to a lesser extent me on Critical Miami. It's called displacement. His real fury has nothing to do with either Alesh or me. Alex is too proud to acknowledge just what a dupe he was ever to become entangled with Rick, or how much Rick's betrayal has affected him. He would rather continue to be seen as Rick's co-equal (what a joke!) than acknowledge how greatly he was wronged by him. As I said, I can almost feel sorry for Alex.


POSTSCRIPT:

Alex @ Critical Miami, Wed Dec 19, 06:47 PM:

Thanks Ferfe. Pay no attention to Manuelito’s feverish conjectures and fabrications. He’s just baiting me into comment in one of the zillion posts he has dedicated to SotP in his otherwise unread blog. Getting a bit of my attention has always brightened his day. As to your offer, much honored. I’m out of blogging for the time being (lots of work and then vacation) but come 2008, who knows?

@Alesh: I don’t have any “sides." My opinion of your character changed, that’s all. That was clear on the comment.


Manuel A. Tellechea @ Critical Miami, Wed Dec 19, 08:40 PM:

Alex:

You are a proud man. Too proud ever to admit how you were conned by Rick. You prefer to continue playing the “yes man” rather than have the world know how badly you were used by one who should have appreciated your loyalty and reciprocated it. But anyone who analyzes your part (or lack thereof) in the dissolution of SotP cannot but conclude that you were evicted from “your” blog, thrown into the pyre along with 6000 posts and 100,000 comments. My humble blog, read by hundreds every day (including you), has somehow managed to survive SotP despite Rick’s recent prediction that it was doomed. I have re-posted his prediction as prove of the prescience that never failed him. Do not be so quick to turn down Ferfe’s offer. You seem to be predisposed to exercise the role of second banana, and you might as well be Ferfe’s Number 2 as Rick’s. There will be many more posts about you at RCAB.. Except one in particular. Because I, at least, can keep a trust. Too bad your friend Rick couldn’t.