Tom Murphy
RedwoodAge.com
Someone must have traduced Mary-Kay Gamel.
In a Kafkaesque experience that could only happen in the Internet era, the mild-mannered UC Santa Cruz classics professor finds herself on the leading edge of a political hurricane for a letter she did not write but cannot seem to disown fast enough.
The letter in question describes an allegedly dreadful week on vacation on Turtle Island in Fiji with none other than John McCain, who is portrayed throughout as a sexist, racist, insensitive boor. After suffering through days of indignities, the "English lit major" finally blows up during a pancake breakfast and gives the arrogant senator what for. The letter concludes by asking readers to share it "far and wide."
The only problem is, it never happened. After the letter found its way to RedwoodAge.com, we smelled a rat and contacted Gamel, who promptly denied the whole thing.
"I have never been to Turtle Island (which costs $2000/day), have never met Senator McCain, was a classics major (not an English Literature major), and don't like pancakes," she said in a tone of confused desperation that conjured up memories of Joseph K. in Franz Kafka's novel The Trial.
"I have received thousands of emails and phone calls about the Turtle Island account. I spend many hours every day replying but still can't keep up," she said. "I did NOT write that account (or any version of it, since I gather there are different ones circulating), forward it under my name, or ask for it to be distributed 'far and wide.'"Who did write it? That's a bit of a mystery. There was another woman's name listed as the author when it came to Gamel, and the professor admits she forwarded to three friends with whom she regularly discusses politics. Subsequently, someone attributed the letter to Gamel, and now it's been read by many, many, many people.
"I regret any misinformation which is circulating," said Gamel, "I hope you will pass this information on to anyone interested in this story."
Consider it done, professor. We will share it far and wide.
