Speaking to the people of Stafford

Speaking to the people of Stafford
When I first heard the news stories about Mid Staffs hospital, my first reaction was an inward groan - "what's happened now?" I assumed that the media would be exaggerating the problems a bit, but I had no reason to doubt the essential narrative. However, my conversations with Cure et al and Stafford locals left with me with a rather different impression. Things just didn't quite add up. So I arranged to speak to some Stafford people - and they were very happy to. Their openness and willingness to dialogue was in contrast to Cure, whose members very quickly become defensive and/or abusive if anyone challenges any part of their narrative.
My conversations proved to be an epiphany. Certainly no one denied that there had been problems at Mid Staffs. Some of my interviewees didn't wish their quotes to be attributed, such was the atmosphere created by this small group of protestors. I had the impression that the whole town was cowed to an extent. Fortunately community organizers mobilized the majority and the march of support which attracted 51,000 people was the result.
Cure do not speak for the people of Stafford, and their attempts to smear the town have earned them a certain amount of enmity. However, the woman who was used by Cure to try and spoil the march was treated with only compassion and kindness. Cure were invited to be involved with the campaign to save the hospital, but chose not to be involved.
Even now the local newspaper presents a balanced picture of the hospital, despite requests from Cure to silence certain locals. They even accuse the local press of inflaming an alleged hate campaign, which the local police investigated but found insufficient evidence to proceed:
 http://skwalker1964.wordpress.com/2013/08/25/bailey-hounding-investigation-dropped-now-theres-a-surprise/