In the midst of posts proposing we stage an Olsen buy out party and other suggestions for hastening his removal from the police department, I like to take this opportunity to bluntly wonder out loud whether the sensibility behind these calls for his departure are symbolically akin to the ritualistic stoning episode depicted in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery." There seems to be an unmistakable rush for catharsis - inducing expiation and renewal: ah yes, getting rid of him will change everything! Do we really think this? Or has our need for a more realistic and skeptical civic thinking simply been mislaid? Perhaps the gleeful prospect of dancing around a bonfire is just too enticing. Might I suggest we bring in a regiment of crystal healers and stage a healing ceremony for the city as well? In any case, mere celebration is no solution.
As Dean Zimmerman, quoted in the Strib today, comments: We've got a real serious gulf between the citizens and police (in the Phillips neighborhood). Nobody's shown me whether firing this chief and getting a new one would help or hinder that situation." True enough. While I have no particular stake in whether Olsen stays or goes, I 'd nonetheless like a clear statement of where the disparity exists in Olsen's and the Mayor's views on the role, function, and policies of the police department. Thus far, understandably, these discussions have been held behind closed doors for reasons of personal deference. But the topic - and the differences between the two - should be made public. In the absence of that, we're merely reaching for an easy "good guy/ bad guy" dichotomy which, realistically, is of no service to anyone. While the police chief serves at the pleasure of the Mayor, we are also talking about a police chief with seven years of tenure in this department and additional years in previous others. Whether or not we like what he thinks, his views are based in real world experience and should be conceded some credence. Certainly understanding his views, as well as the Mayor's, will go a long way toward helping determine the sort of police force we do want, if not understanding the realities the police face. So, put away the sacrificial kits and put out the bonfire, folks, because there's still much to be understood and work to be done. _______________________________________ 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
