Christine Viken
Thu, 27 Oct 2005 08:39:37 -0700
PART 2 Despite efforts by De LaSalle supporters to frame this issue in moral terms by calling attention to De LaSalle's accomplishments and mission, a football stadium is NOT a moral issue. However, the very tactic of raising such arguments successfuly muddies the waters and increases the political pressure. It frames any politician in opposition as being against "the kids." In reality, an athletic complex on public land for shared use with a private, parochial school involves issues like: 1 - the validity of prior agreements, 2 - the cost and benefit to the public, 3 - the impact on the historical and natural environment, 4 - impact on parking and traffic, 5 noise and light pollution affect, 6 - affect on public safety, 7 - appropriate us of regional parkland, and 8 - legality of such an association between a public body and a religious entity. The issue is NOT the merit of De LaSalle and its mission. Nor is De LaSalle's strong desire to have a field directly adjacent to its school the issue. But what frightens and appalls me is what it HAS become. It's become an issue of how political candidate's positions on the De LaSalle proposal will affect their vote totals for Park Board and City Council seats, plus the question of whether that potential is being manipulated. Is this any different from an issue that involves any other private entity with a proposal moving through the political system? Does it make a difference that the newsletter of the St.Paul Archdiocese, owner of the school, carried an article on De LaSalle student's who are involved in the issue -- even if that article doesn't directly advocate? Are some candidates "using" De LaSalle? Is De LaSalle "using" the candidates and the election? Is this, in effect, a political reciprocal agreement -- a quid pro quo? Those are questions for the public to weigh and decide. In planning for the country's future, the founders understood the potential for dangerous results, even if unintended, when issues of church and state become intertwined. There's a folk analogy that seems to apply: When you stir red and white paint together in a bucket, you don't have to WANT pink to get pink. I invite explanations to me and to the electorate as to why this issue will have no undue influence on the upcoming elections for the Minneapolis Park Board and the City Council. Show me that my worst fears are baseless. Please don't reply with namecalling and accusations, but explain why the public should not be concerned. Demonstrate in detail why this hasn't become just the kind of threat to an independent democratic process that our founders tried to avoid. Christine Viken Stevens Square/Loring Heights REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls