Kenneth Krause, the man who wrote a letter to WKBT Anchor Jennifer Livingston, has responded to Livingston's anti-bullying speech. In a recent statement, he doesn't apologize for his critique on her weight. Instead, he stands by his message and continues his judgement
Lacrosse, Wisconsin news anchor Jennifer Livingston received a harsh letter from a viewer named Kenneth Krause. In the letter, Krause makes comments about Livingston's weight. Livingston tried to forget about the letter, but her husband posted it to the television station's Facebook page on Sept. 28. With an outpouring of support, Livingston decided to publicly address Krause.
She read the letter on live television on Tuesday. It read:
"It's unusual that I see your morning show, but I did so for a very short time today. I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn't improved for many years. Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular," the letter read.
"Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain. I leave you this note hoping that you'll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle," Krause continued.
Livingston then decided to respond to the issue. She pointed out the fact that she knows that she is overweight and then defended herself.
"You don't know me. You are not a friend of mine," Livingston said in response. "You are not a part of my family and you have admitted that you don't watch this show, so you know nothing about me but what you see on the outside. And I am much more than a number on a scale."
Livingston then related Krause's letter to the issue of bullying. She mentioned how October is National Anti-Bullying Month and how messages like this are taken seriously by children.
"That man's words mean nothing to me. But what really angers me about this is there are children who don't know better, who get e-mails as critical as the one I received -- or in many cases, even worse -- each and every day," she said. "Learn from my experience that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many."
WKBT reached out to Krause for a response to Livingston's on-air editorial. He refused to appear on camera or to reveal details about his age and job, but he did release a statement. He continues to stand by his message in the new statement that reads:
""Given this country's present epidemic of obesity and the many truly horrible diseases related thereto, and considering Jennifer Livingston's fortuitous position in the community, I hope she will finally take advantage of a rare and golden opportunity to influence the health and psychological well-being of Coulee Region by transforming herself for all of her viewers to see over the next year, and, to that end, I would be absolutely pleased to offer Jennifer any advice or support she would be willing to accept."
Krause told the Associated Press that his letter had nothing to do with bullying.
Here is a video of the response read on WKBT:
Here is the original video of Livingston responding to Krause's letter:
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