Eva Young wrote: > ..... > One rather interesting and ironic note. Robert's campaign was going to be > getting phone bank support from labor -- but the union had it's own labor > troubles and their workers were on strike. So no labor provided phonebank. > The campaign managed without. > > Labor did do a lit drop for Robert -- but their "sample ballot" spelled his > last name incorrectly. >
Hey, I remember that Lilligren lit drop. I have a copy of the literature in hand right now. Was that a labor drop? That is, did labor distribute it? I did too. I remember when I picked up my assignment at Karen's; I was chagrined to see Robert's postcard piece stapled to a Mpls Central Labor Union Council sample ballot, with Sharon's name and picture on top (She was NOT my preferred Mayoral candidate). I gritted my teeth, played good soldier, and spent a couple hours distributing the combined package. Fortunately Robert won and Sharon didn't. (I was bugged too that the piece supported Marie Hauser instead of Scott Vreeland.) All said I am really happy to have helped a bit on Robert's campaign, and am thrilled he is on City Council. I think he will be great and will do us proud. And make important contributions to the City. I hope all the Council people follow three ideas I think are important in public service. First, don't enjoy the game (of power and politics) too much. The game's not why you should be there for, and the fun of "machinating", wheeling and dealing, will lead you astray. Second, one of the most important traits of a public official, a leader, should be humility. Pride will deflect you, and keep you from listening and learning. Some people don't understand humility. I know a guy in my party who, after being censured and after I counseled humility in his dealing with others, said that he had never been so humiliated in his life. He didn't get it. A third idea I came up with on Wednesday when I was consoling Barret Lane. It's this: "If it doesn't hurt then maybe it isn't really public service." If you are doing it right then maybe it's got to hurt some, and be a sacrifice, and not be all fun and glory. Though Paul Zerby is a good and honorable person, I really miss Cam Gordon on the City Council. I wonder how he would have negotiated the events of organizing the Council. To me Cam symbolizes reconcilliation and fairness, and a rejection of political maneuvering and self-aggrandisement. I wonder if he could have helped these people get through it all, or would they have dragged him down. Shame on us if we make politics too unpleasant for good (valued) people. As a footnote, let me toss in a citation. There is a great advice section in the first "Teachings of Don Juan: A Yanki Way of Knowing" book, about the enemies one faces on the path to becoming a "man of knowledge." They are fear, clarity, power, and (inevitiably) old age. The gifts of clarity and fear can in fact turn one to the Star-Warian "Dark Side." So beware. Sorry about going New Age here. And sentimental. Hey, before I forget: Happy New Year to all, and esp. to Minneapolis Issues and everyone in Minneapolis. Alan Shilepsky Downtown West _______________________________________ 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
