Eva writes:
>I went to the forum with the Mayor advertised on this list. ... I mentioned
>that there was a message on this list that said she was planning on
>avoiding joint forums until after the endorsement and she told me not to
>believe everything I read on Minneapolis Issues, and that people should
>write her directly about such things and she will respond.
Of course, the Mayor is right: you shouldn't believe everything you read
here. As an open discussion forum, anyone can post, and there's no "truth
filter" we can possibly build. Skepticism is a virtue (I've found this holds
true with politicians, too).
The only antidote is further discussion. That's why it would be nice if,
like her opponents, the Mayor or a campaign representative participated.
It's less credible to decry lies when you have an open opportunity to
correct the record.
Mark E. notes:
>I've been a member of this list for more than two years because I find it
>oftentimes is informative and entertaining. But I doubt that the members
>are at all representative of Minneapolis voters or Minneapolis citizens. I
>also think it's fairly obvious that many participants here are strongly
>opposed to the mayor's re-election effort. ... Perhaps the mayor feels her
>efforts should be placed elsewhere.
Sadly, Mark is right, too. And as a co-founder, this is one of my great
disappointments.
But I want to remind everyone that the forum is NOT inherently
anti-anything. When we set it up two-plus years ago, we sent invitations out
to everyone, including the mayor and all council members, including the
majority bloc. Those who have shown up have made it what it is. And those
still to show up can make it something else again.
I'm not surprised that the mayor's/ruling bloc's opponents have
predominated...it's easier to play offense (criticizing policies) than
defense (defending decisions). However, this is a democratic forum, and I am
grateful to the non-opponents (using the term broadly), who have chosen to
participate and engage in a debate. It's a big reason I insist on decorum,
so people of all opinions will feel welcome.
As I have said before, a one-sided debate is boring. But I can't muzzle the
side that shows up to get the other side to participate. They have to want
to, to believe in open public discussion in all forums.
We may not be representative, but we are 480 strong, from all corners of the
city, and believe it or not, reflecting many opinions. Whatever our personal
tics and dysfunctions, we care about the city. Most of us give massive
amounts of our time to making this city better. Our questions and concerns
are (for the most part) valid and sincere. Simply put, I think the members
here are terrific citizens. And I think they have earned some slice of the
mayor of Minneapolis's time.
On a personal level, I find it ironic that a mayor willing to "don Kevlar
underwear" once every four years to answer "tough questions" won't explain
her policies (or have a supporter/campaign representative do so) when not
running for re-election. It is politically logical for the mayor not to
venture into uncertain waters, but it doesn't reflect leadership.
A funny aside:
At the 9th ward convention last Saturday, I ran into a Sayles Belton
supporter who was quite mad at me for posting Brian Shackleton's original
Chatterbox invitation to the list. "You took advantage of a kid!," she
practically spit at me. (Although she knew me, I didn't recognize her and
she didn't offer her name.)
I told her that I emailed Brian for permission to forward the notice. Since
I'd never met Brian, I had no idea how old he was. I told her that I
generally assume people involved in campaigns are old enough to know what
they are doing. Unfortunately, I was so flustered I never got the chance to
ask her how, in good conscience, she could rely on child labor to organize a
campaign!
After all that, it sounds as though I didn't ruin the Chatterbox event last
night. The Minneapolis-Issues barbarians didn't storm the gate, and the
mayor survived intact. In the end, putting this info in the public domain
increased participation (a little) and generated what has been entirely
respectful discussion. Not a bad thing in a democracy, huh?
>Lastly, I'm not convinced that this is the
>most forward-thinking community forum in the country.
The final, and perhaps bitterest truth -- especially from someone I respect
as much as Mark. I still aspire to this goal, and hope other list members
do, too. Minneapolis-Issues is nothing if it doesn't help positively affect
life in the city. That's why I started it. If we remember we are all in this
together, and we all want this to be a better place, the forward-thinking
should take care of itself.
Best,
David Brauer
King Field - Ward 10
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