"the work is done by those who show up" I love that phrase. It is a vitally important sentiment to allow an organization to move forward with its mission -- always waiting around for unrepresented group of people can turn into the quagmire which paralyzes action.
Unfortunately it is also the phrase which allows for a never questioning the underlying premises of "who" it is that shows up. It allows us to avoid the serious questions about systemic marginalization and disenfranchisement of those with less access to political power. It is also not a very strategic political move. The group who shows up in the DFL has become increasingly disconnected with the larger group of voters who share the DFL values but can't justify the time and energy it takes to "show-up" to the labyrinth of meetings that make up the DFL infrastructure. A quick review of statewide races would show that the work being done by those who show up at the DFL has not proven very effective in the end goal of electing statewide candidates. I would argue a review of the last city election would equally show that in a review of competitive races the DFL delegates didn't do so well. (Kallenbaugh, Campbell, Cherryholms, Abbot lost. And two candidates who were perceived as blocking DFL endorsements: Rybak and Niziolek went on to win [for fairness reasons this does not include the DFL endorsement for Herron]) The determining factor of victory was not status in the DFL -- but active involvement in the community. The Stonewall DFL held their screening before filing was closed. All of the candidates who have announced their intention to run were not invited -- in fact all of the candidates who we have announced their intention to run as DFLers were not invited. I certainly support any organization's right to conduct their own endorsement process in anyway it sees fit -- but the fact that these process reinforce a process which is inherently marginalized authentic community voices who have not been "invited" into the DFL establishment bodes poorly for both the party, the city, and those of use who care about the values the DFL professes. Joseph Barisonzi Lyndale -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Tim Bonham Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 3:44 PM To: mpls-issues Subject: [Mpls] RE: Minneapolis Third Ward Politics Some information about 3rd Ward: At the Stonewall DFL Screening on Friday, both Olin Moore & Kari Diedzic stated that they would not run against an endorsed DFL candidate. Margo Ashmore stated that she would, and that she was not sure that she would even seek DFL endorsement -- she was undecided, but might run as an Independent. I don't understand the apparent indignation of some people about the fact that several of the candidates live in the new (redistricted) 3rd ward but not in the old 3rd ward. It isn't like these are carpetbaggers moving in just for the election -- they have lived & worked & volunteered in this ward for many years, and are well known to people in the ward. The DFL delegates (and DFL primary voters) will soon let them know if they haven't done enough for the ward! For some of them, the ward line is literally just across the street. The only legal requirement is that they reside in the (old) ward as of Saturday, Jan 5th, 2003. After all, Robert Lilligren & Dean Zimmerman were not required to relocate when their ward moved out from under them in the redistricting. And at least one candidate, Kari Dziedzic, has already moved to an address that is in both the old & new ward lines. I also don't agree with the comments denigrating the DFL endorsement convention. I really expect that there will be as many delegates at this convention as at the last one, even though that one was much closer to their election as delegates. And if delegates have moved out of the ward, no doubt other delegates have moved in, and can be seated at this convention. And in the end, as the saying goes, "the work is done by those who show up". Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson _______________________________________ 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
BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:2.1 N:Barisonzi;Joseph FN:Joseph Barisonzi ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) ORG:CommunityLeader.com TITLE:Community Knowledge Specialist TEL;WORK;VOICE:612-518-5536 EMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:[EMAIL PROTECTED] REV:20021022T222414Z END:VCARD
