An additional point beyond morality is the question of resource priorities. If one couches war time public expenditures in light of the dollars it drains from domestic security in the form of human capital and investment, then cities have a strong obligation to take positions supporting their constituencies' interests, particularly if the war being proposed lacks the moral authority Mayor Rybak seems to agree this one does.
Andy Driscoll Saint Paul -------- Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err. It passes my comprehension how human beings, be they ever so experienced and able, can delight in depriving other human beings of that precious right. --Mahatma Gandhi > From: "Paul Rohlfing" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Wed, 04 Dec 2002 10:33:57 -0600 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [Mpls] Anti-war resolution > > Dear Mayor Rybak and other list members, > > 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 > > _________________________________________________________________ > STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail > > _______________________________________ > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls > _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
