>I can say with confidence that I have not seen any effort to promote
>unqualified candidates who are also members of the GLBT community within the
>DFL. This past spring the Stonewall DFL chose endorse a highly qualified
>straight candidate, Brian Herron, over another candidate, Robert Lillegren,
>who we did not feel was prepared to be a city council member.
Actually, I'd like to hear more specifics about this. Stonewall endorsed
Brian Herron, and found two well qualified openly Gay candidates
unacceptable. My understanding is that question 2: the abide by
endorsement question was the litmus test here. Wizard had mentioned that
Brian did real well on a question about TIF -- and yes, Brian and Robert
have quite different philosophies about TIF financing. Robert Lilligren
opposes TIF subsidy for projects such as the Target store downtown. Brian
Herron didn't even mention the Stonewall Endorsement during his speech to
the 8th ward convention, which shows how much he valued that endorsement.
In some ways the lack of endorsement by Stonewall of Robert Lilligren,
reminds me of Stonewall's failure to endorse Catherine Shreves -- who has
turned out to be a very able school board member.
Residents, straight and gay in the 8th ward deserve a full time City
Council person, who attends the city council meetings and is a player in
important decisions affecting our city and our ward. We are not getting
that with the incumbent. Personally, the reason I'm supporting Robert
Lilligren for City Council is not because he is an openly gay man, it's
because of he is a hardworking person, who will work full time to represent
our ward.
>There will be an attempt to paint these candidates as "Gay" candidates. To
>diminish them in the eyes of the electorate and paint them as "single-issue"
>candidates solely on the basis of their sexual orientation. It is
>interesting that Mr. Sabri sees it fit to mention his support of Dan N. but
>not say why. If you believe he is a better candidate say why but it is
>disturbing that you do not see fit to say why you support him in a post
>where you only discuss the sexuality of his opponent.
----------------------------------------------------------
Megan, good point on Sabri -- however you make the same point as Sabri does
about the 8th ward race. You mention that Brian Herron is "qualified"
without mentioning specifics, and then only mention Robert Lilligren's
sexual orientation/preference.
>I am not accusing Mr. Sabri of a malevolent act of homophobia. As a society
>I do think we have progressed beyond the point of open hatred, excepting
>some isolated dips of course. Certainly Mr. Sabri's experience as an
>immigrant and in Israel have given a perspective on life that is to be
>valued. (Besides I like anyone so willing to call Lisa McDonald to the
>carpet) Most acts of bias today are acts of ignorance and not deliberate.
>The way we advance now is to recognize this and change the subconcious
>attitudes that produces it.
-------------------------------------
Funny. I find Sabri's rants about Lisa McDonald rather bizzarre. One of
the reason many folks in Central like Lisa is because she stands up to
Sabri when necessary.
By the way, a friend of mine received an email from a Mayor staff member
confirming that the Mayor is considering campaign office space supplied by
Basim Sabri. What is the story on that one?
Meanwhile, Sabri in the Central Neighborhood has never missed a chance to
exploit divisions based on race or sexual orientation.
Eva
Eva Young
Central
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