I appreciate Jordan's original attempt to make a statewide issue
Minneapolis-specific. (I think the low number of Minneapolis DFL legislators
voting against the Pledge was newsworthy and appropriate here).
A "pure" discussion of the pledge's merits, as Jordan hints below, really
isn't appropriate to the list, though the tit-for-tax exchange between
Jordan and Barbara hits the major points and is fine as long as it stops
there. I'd suggest members interested in debating further contact Jordan
directly.
Although I've come to hate the post-millennial cliche "teachable moment,"
this is one of those. While the Pledge itself is not a Minneapolis issue
(there's no special Minneapolis relevance to this state-wide law), it IS an
appropriate to ask whether the legislators of Minneapolis - commonly thought
to be liberal or at least skeptical of loyalty oaths - truly represented
their city constituents, also thought to be progressive. In other words,
Jordan hit on a unique Minneapolis angle: the potential disconnect between
reps and city voters' opinions.
It's fine to discuss that disconnect further, and I do hope some
"pro-Pledge" legislators will explain their decision, especially whether
they think they went against their constituents' principles. (Note to clever
debaters: yes, you can probably wedge in an argument on the pledge's merits
within your responses, as long as you hew to discussing whether legislators
adequately represented city voters.)
Thanks,
David Brauer
List manager, Minneapolis-issues
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
Jordan S. Kushner
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 10:01 PM
To: Barbara Nelson
Cc: Jordan S. Kushner; Minneapolis Issues
Subject: Re: [Mpls] pledge to the cloth
I will try not to prolong the debate about the pledge of allegiance
since it probably is not a Minneapolis topic. (I originally fit it in
by announcing by how Minneapolis legislators voted). But I think it is
fair to briefly respond to the criticisms of my position that were
raised. Here is a brief summary of why I think requiring the pledge is
a bad thing:
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