Photo: Michael W. Bunch / Metro photographerWe’ve talked before about how Mayor Barry’s kind of fame was more like that of a celebrity than a regular politician's level of fame, and how that was good in some ways, but obviously opened her up to problems our other mayors have not had.

Well, apparently those problems continue, because Brad Schmitt’s over at The Tennessean tut-tutting about Barry’s behavior.

I'm sure no one, including me, begrudges Barry moving on with her life. It's the regular posting online with big shots and celebs — I'm with the March for Our Lives organizer! I'm with Demetria Kalodimos! I'm friends with guys in Old Crow Medicine Show! — that feels a little showy to some folks. Dozens of nasty comments have been written on her social media accounts, and there is a fair amount off-Internet conversation about her behavior. [...] Lots of folks have broken the law — myself included — and have been extended grace and the chance at redemption. But that takes time — and often, some contrition and humility.

Oh, boo fucking hoo. Megan Barry’s not behaving how people want her to behave. Is she supposed to run around in sackcloth and ashes for the next … how long?

First of all, Barry pleaded guilty and she resigned. That is all she owes anyone in this city. She doesn’t have to go on some Fallen Woman Apology Tour just because a bunch of busybodies don’t have anything better to do than gossip about her.

Second, I’m glad Brad Schmitt cleaned up his life and got his act together, but liking to fuck tall balding men isn’t an addiction. There’s no LFTBMA that Barry needs to be going to. And trying to cram everyone’s bad behavior into an addiction mold and then demanding they behave like a recovering addict is stupid.

Third, and foremost, it’s not women’s jobs to manage other people’s emotions. You can have all the feelings you want about Barry and those feelings don’t instill any kind of obligation in her. And yet, that’s the same bullshit trap our society is constantly trying to push women into. “Oh, some man is unhappy with you? Be sweet.” “Oh, some man wants to dance with you? Well, don’t hurt his feelings.” “Oh, some man wants to fuck you? You better change your whole life around to let him down easy.” And now, also, apparently we have “Some man doesn’t think you’re acting right.”

Fuck that shit.

Megan Barry was the mayor. She did some stupid, stupid stuff and she did what the situation required to make it right. She was not the city’s mommy, so she doesn’t owe it to us to make sure we all feel better. She was not the city’s girlfriend or wife, so we were not betrayed by her.

Megan Barry doesn’t have to soothe us in order to earn the right to get on with her life.

And it’s gross that anyone is publicly suggesting otherwise.