There's nothing like transferring a post from Word to AOL to add a little levity to a situation. This is the same post without the messed up codes which made it look like I was initially cursing at people cleaned up. If you weeded through it, you don't have to read this, if you couldn't get past "#8217" this if for you.
Original message follows: Rick, you've missed the point of my post and question, and as the campaign manager for the 6th ward DFL candidate, I would expect, first of all, that you would not make unfounded assertions and accusations because you are unhappy with being questioned. As a constituent and as a DFL member, it is my right and more specifically my responsibility to question those seeking elected office, especially those representing my party. Do not attempt to minimize the concerns I've raised simply because you or the campaign do not like them. And I am asking questions of the campaign, you signed your post as speaking on your behalf and not writing for the campaign officially, if that's the case, then I still have no answers from the campaign. To address the unfounded assertions, I have not made my decision, and that is the reason why I am raising these questions. Zimmerman has been at functions in the African American and communities of color, so I've had the opportunity to question him. Kallenbach has not shown up at any that I am aware of, and since he doesn't come to them, I am raising the questions here in a public forum because they are of concern to me and to many other members of the communities of color. To not respond officially is validate the concerns I raise. If the campaign cannot be bothered to address the issues of concern to the African American community and communities of color, then it has made our decision for us. Regardless of whether you or the campaign thinks that I or anyone else have made up their mind, to not respond to the questions, to not take a stand on issues that are of concern to our community is political disenfranchisement, and is akin to political suicide. To blow off responding to legitimate issues becau se you believe I or anyone else has made their decision is to disregard the issues themselves. Should you not respond to a question of where you stand on Affordable Housing because you think someone has made up their mind? But since the campaign has spoken on those issues, it casts doubt on its priorities on the others I've raised. Since you're not speaking for the campaign, it makes your statements and defense akin to rumors, but I'll deal with them anyway. You said that several other campaigns didn't receive calls either, can you specify which ones, because all of the other campaigns showed up with the exception of Brock who called in ill. Again, you have deflected the issue which is why doesn't the campaign show up at events within the communities of color, why has it not taken a position on the issues of concern, why has the candidate either been shielded or hidden away from the African American community and the communities of color? I have surmised nothing. You state that the Kallenbach campaign will continue to listen to all people in the Sixth Ward regardless of race, income, etc. Well I'm a resident and voter in the Sixth Ward, I'm raising concerns and questions and rather than listening or addressing them you have responded with unfounded attacks and assertions. So I will ask specifically again, why has the Kallenbach campaign not attended events, programs, etc. (especially the major ones that are held annually) in the African American community, and communities of color? If it has, which ones and why not the ones I've mentioned? Where does the Kallenbach campaign stand on issues of concern to the African American community such as Reparations, out of home placements, and redistricting? If the campaign will not answer these, I want to know why? I am a voter, I am a representative of the African American community, and these are valid questions that we've asked of other candidates. There is no reason why the Kallenbach campaign should not respond. Any public official should listen to all of his/her constituents and take positions on issues raised. To attempt to deflect them by talking about other forum that you've attended or busy schedules is disingenuous and disrespectful. It leads one to believe that either the campaign and its candidate believes that everyone has the same issues and only those issues, or that the other issues are not important and the candidate will only work on those it deems worthy. That, is not being representative of the people I have asked or stated anything about the "machine" so I'm assuming that those portions were for someone else. I'll save my questions regarding stated endorsements, campaign literature questionnaire writing, etc. for another email. Right now, I'm speaking specifically about the issues I've raised. I have not made my decision yet, and I have many others in my community who have questioned me regarding the candidates. I don't know if Zimmerman is a better candidate or Kallenbach, the difference is that I've been able to question him, and the responses I get from the Kallenbach campaign are all in line with what you've posted. I happen to think Kallenbach is a really nice guy. Nice, however does not get the job done. I want to know where he stands on the issues that are important to me as anyone does so that I can make the best decision possible. I'm unclear as to why this should be a problem. Jonathan Palmer Stevens Square-Loring Heights Now off to question Microsoft! _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
