I was saddened to read Mayor Rybak's statement that he will veto any city council resolution opposing was in Iraq.
I take issue with the mayor's contention that supporting such a resolution is not an appropriate action for the city's government. At a time when broadly-held anti-war views are portrayed in the mass media as a fringe movement or as anti-American, local government leaders have an obligation to speak up to dispell these perceptions. The negative impact of this war on the fiscal crises already facing our state and city governments should, by itself, indicate the need for city leaders to stand together, publically and in their official capacities, in opposition to a war with Iraq. However, when thousands of lives stand to be lost, there is an even higher obligation for such officials to act. This is a moral obligation that will not bend to technical distinctions over who should be making what kind of policy.
Mayor Rybak, I pray that you will reconsider your statement and express your support for a city council resolution opposing war with Iraq. I believe that it is your duty to speak out about how this war will hurt our city.
Sincerely,
Paul C. Rohlfing (formerly Linden Hills and Lyndale, now in Bethesda, Maryland)
(240) 498-2555
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Mayor Rybak wrote:
From: "Rybak, R.T." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>_________________________________________________________________
To: "Minneapolis Issues" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Mpls] Anti-war resolution
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2002 08:21:44 -0600
I am opposed to action in Iraq.
However I did want to make it clear that if a resolution opposing the war did pass the city council, I would veto it.
We were not elected to run the country's foreign policy. We were elected to run the city of Minneapolis, where we have huge issues on our plate. We need to keep focused on them.
I will continue to make my feelings clear as I have in the past by marching in the protest at the Capitol, joining a protest at the Federal Building and communicating my opposition to the war to my federal elected officials.
R.T. Rybak
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