There's really two issues here: the legal prosecution for "an act of public corruption" (as CM Biernat's attorney tellingly frames it) and the damage done by the appearance of wrongdoing. Even if CM Biernat is acquitted (though I'm predicting a deal on a much lesser charge), the appearance of impropriety remains, and I'm not sure it can be overcome, both in terms of damage to Biernat and also (as few have pointed out) to labor.
I continue to be piqued by the language used by Biernat's attorney to describe the allegations: "It's simply stretching things to say that this set of facts amounts to extortion." Strib: The timing and sequence in the indictment "don't prove what was in Joe's mind and how he carried on his business at City Hall." Obviously, we're in for a court battle about the mindframe of CM Biernat and what conclusions can be made from the alleged mindframe. The batle apparently won't be over the actual facts. If that is truly the case, then I think it would serve the City best if Biernat resigns before trial. A battle over the intricacies of intent will only add fuel to many folks' belief that government otherwise remains corrupt. Gregory Luce Project 504/Minneapolis (North Phillips) ----- Original Message ----- From: loki anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Mpls Issues List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, April 19, 2002 9:49 PM Subject: Re: [Mpls] Re: Biernat > I'm happy to see this clarification. Thank you, Lori. > > I voted for Joe and have known him since he was my DFL > Senate district chair back in 1990. Quiet, > consciencious and more than a bit more moderate than I > am is how I would have described him. Corrupt? No. > That's not the person that I knew and still cannot > believe that he took part in the allegations he is > accused of. The feds are going to have to prove it to > me. > > Fran Guminga said that he has been acting the part of > a feudal lord. Well, she has lived in this ward much > longer than I have and I will take her word for it. I > will say that I don't necessarily have a problem with > council members having a strong "territorial" attitude > toward their wards. "Ward heelers" may be out of > fashion, but I'm more than happy with a council member > who will fight like hell for the interests of their > ward. They may not change the world, but they do make > their constituents' lives easier and what's wrong with > that? > > Personal note: I'm feeling a bit bad for having signed > a couple of my posts " Ward 1 and loving it" since > redistricting. I never meant it as a personal affront > against Joe and would have been quite satisfied to > remain a member of the Third Ward. I just really think > alot of CM Ostrow. (Thank you, I feel better now!) > > Loki Anderson > Marshall Terrace > newly elected Board member > of CCMT, the neighborhood > association! > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > --- Lori McCready <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > When I asked, "What do Joe's supporters have to say > > now?" I didn't mean to > > infer that his supporters bear any responsibility > > for his actions. Nor did I > > intend to infer that he is guilty of any charges > > brought against him. His > > guilt or innocence is not for me to decide and > > remains to be proven. > > ===== > "In their styes with all their backing > They don't care what goes on around > In their eyes there's something lacking > What they need's a damn good whacking" > -George Harrison > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Games - play chess, backgammon, pool and more > http://games.yahoo.com/ > _______________________________________ > 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 _______________________________________ 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
