Are you friends with Rich Dupree? I was asked Tuesday as I stood in a hospital cafeteria line behind a man clearly upset by my report on the Pineville mayor’s decision to resign. 

Answering yes opened the floodgates. I haven’t heard such a vituperative stream since my daily newspaper editing days ended. 

Do I realize what he has done? How can I defend it? Have I heard what else he and others have done? 

Before I could answer one query another would follow. Finally he shook his head and departed, tray in hand. Didn’t notice whether he paid.  

Let’s take it from the top. Dupree is a long-time acquaintance and, I believe, friend, though I’ve neither seen nor talked to him in at least the 21 years since I left the parish. Same can be said regarding three Pineville council members. 

Do I condone Dupree’s behavior? Of course not. Do I feel for him? Of course. Do I believe all that social media asserts? Of course not. 

What does Dupree do next? Don’t have a clue, but 50 years of journalism tells me he will overcome it. 

And that the outrage will subside. That doesn’t mean we forget but we are, after all, a forgiving populace. 

Examples abound near and far of public officials’ faulty decisions overcome. 

Back to the question that started all this — some of my friends and/or acquaintances are still active in public affairs though the number is diminishing. 

But growing in number are the children of friends and/or acquaintances who are now active in government. 

None ask favors, none are given.