KEVIN HALPERN
Monday, December 14, 2009 4:58 am

News watchers in Cannon County were witness to a soap opera playing out on the local stage this past week.

The plot is a familiar one, almost as old as time itself:

Two persons meet. A relationship commences. Trouble develops. One party wants to end things. The other can't let go.

Emotions reach a boiling point. Accusations fly. Relatives and friends choose sides. Tongues wag. Rumors spread.

"As The Cannon Turns" might give "The Young and the Restless" a run for its money were it on TV.

Where the situation only fiction, it would make for some interesting viewing. But in reality, there are some serious issues at stake.

At the forefront are allegations of domestic violence and stalking, and the trauma they bring upon victims.

Lisa Baird, director of Cannon County's domestic violence program, S.A.V.E., sees these type of incidents play out nearly every day. Over 200 cases have crossed her desk since she became head of the agency in September 2008.

If there is one thing Baird is adamant about it is this: Violence and abuse are never the answer to one's problems with a spouse, lover, family member or friend.

We wholeheartedly agree. While love, hate and jealousy are among the most powerful of emotions, they are not an excuse for doing someone physical or mental harm.

The moral of this soap opera is that life can sometimes be tough, and love hurtful. The lesson is that one never comes out for the better if they allow their emotions to get the best of them.

Our advise for dealing with heartache comes courtesy of the Wizard of Oz:

"A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others."