Page 8 - LIN DEC WEB

Potpourri
NAPLES

BILL BARNETT

will share with you a true story that I would have never than call me. Others did similar creative responses although I
I would say there wasn’t anyone who didn’t know it was bogus from
imagined would happen to me. It’s not necessarily about the
fact that it happened to me, but the impact that it had. It
the beginning. What was so emotionally heartwarming to me was
started while we were vacationing in New York from the end of the fact that so many wonderful people reached out to me to make
July through mid-October. I am constantly checking my e-mail sure I was okay and if in fact I truly did need something they were
and using my computer as many of us do for just about everything willing to do it for me. They texted my wife Chris as well. It was
from sports to recipes and finding new restaurants. Well, much to something that we don’t see a lot of in today’s society and it was a
my dismay one morning when I booted my computer up, I realized real act of kindness that they all exhibited. It also opened up the
I had been hacked. Now that within itself isn’t unusual, but I’m opportunity to renew old friendships, and touch base with friends
pretty careful with my passwords and changing them regularly so that went as far back as high school and that’s a long time ago! It’s
I was definitely miffed. I found out I had been hacked by receiving definitely difficult to turn a negative into a positive but in this case
responses from friends that I haven’t that’s what happened!
heard from in years to current ones. It was something that we Although I don’t write much
It was easy to figure out what the about City politics anymore (I could)
hacker wanted from their responses don’t see a lot of in today’s there is a City Council election
and copying me. It was actually society and it was a real coming up in February 2022. Please
comical to a point because as it take some time and learn about the
usually happens the hacker takes over act of kindness that they all new candidates that are running
your identity and sends messages or for office. In Naples I have so many
e-mails to whomever they can find in exhibited. It also opened up people tell me emphatically that
your contact list or on Facebook, or the opportunity to renew old they wouldn’t become a politician no
whatever information they can find. matter what because of the abuse and
The bottom line since it’s friendships, and touch base disdain that is shown for politicians
allegedly me sending the e-mail and today. I would only say to you that’s
I am asking for a favor from you. with friends that went as far all the more reason to give them a
In this case and where the comical back as high school and that’s chance if they are putting themselves
part comes in is this was not a very out there, we owe them the respect to
bright nor original hacker. Whereas a long time ago!" at least see what they have to offer.
my grammar for the most part is My repeated advice at holiday
very good, this favor that I needed time is if you are going to have
had many flaws and some misspells in it. The subject matter visitors or friends either staying with you or at one of our great
varied as they had a few different varieties to try and all of them lodging places make sure you tell them to make dinner reservations
had the same ask. I was either traveling, or ill, or in poor health if they plan on dining out. Nothing can ruin a special evening
generally and I needed you to go online or to a store and buy then walking in to one of Naples awesome restaurants without a
some gift cards for me because I couldn’t do it myself and I would reservation and being turned away. Have a Happy Holiday Season
pay you back. The responses I received from my friends were all which includes the New Year, and I will emphasize may 2022 be
skeptical that I wrote that e-mail and some of them went so far an especially healthy one for all of us!
and responded with a question to me (the hacker). One of the best
was the following from a Canadian friend of mine who said, and I
quote “Hey Bill, I forgot who is your favorite NFL football team”? Bill Barnett
When there was no response, he of course knew it was phony and Retired Mayor
never responded. The answer would have been the Buffalo Bills,
but I don’t think that would have swayed him to do anything other I do respond to e-mails at: mayornaples@gmail.com

8 Life in Naples | December 2021