There is an article making it’s way around the internet regarding the events of last Friday afternoon. Very thoughtful words credited to actor Morgan Freeman, who one would imagine was upset over what unfolded. I had the article read to me, and reread it myself later, taking some comfort in the words and the gist of the sentiment. I had a funny feeling in the back of my mind that Mr. Freeman may not have written this. Not that I doubt his compassion, wordsmanship or desire to reach out. I just don’t see him being as trigger happy to social media as say, Johnny Depp..

As it turns out, my hunch was right. Mr. Freeman did not write these eloquent words. In fact, there is a gentleman in Vancouver somewhere named Mark, who wrote the post, urging people to step away from the media frenzy, and not give the shooter his 15 minutes that he so desperately desired. In Mark’s statement, he joked that if his words were credited to Morgan Freeman or Betty White they would go viral. And they did.

I hope one day to achieve the intonation and delivery of speaking that both Morgan Freeman or Betty White share. Their voices convey a peaceful comfort, wisdom, and a generally calming effect contrasting my near tantrum like timber when I speak passionately about something. It’s unfortunate that Mark from Vancouver cannot bask in the glow of his nicely constructed blog words, safe in the knowledge that his words helped comfort a nation who was, and continues to grieve.  I also think of it as a loss for us as a whole, that we might not read this man’s future postings.

The wish of Morgan Freemans’ eschewing of the media, fell victim to the very thing that he hoped to avoid. The misconstruing and misrepresentation of the meanings of words by the media.  If you log onto Facebook and post a picture of your lunch, you are now a member of the media. Blogs, message boards, social media can disperse just as efficiently as any network can. It’s even created the need for Snopes. A website that acts as little more than a fact checker for social media stories.

The truth is, Mark from Vancouver’s words are heartfelt, well thought out and said beautifully. And whether those words come from Morgan Freeman or Joe Pesche, they are beautiful words, that need not be qualified by a beautiful voice.