I apologize to all of the concerned followers of my posts who emailed me over the last few days wondering about my silence on the list. I was unavoidably detained as my darling and lovely wife went into labor 2 weeks early and delivered our wonderful daughter on Thursday. She, apparently, could not take the wait and wanted to be here for Don Samuels' win tomorrow. I'll resist the urge to say, "Another Newborn For Samuels".
First of, I think what Dennis was surprised at was that a Sample Ballot was done for only one race. Granted it's the only one going on, but generally ballots that have special circumstances like only have one candidate are financed by a specific group other than a party as I understand it. For example, in 2001, there was no endorsement for Mayor so the DFL did not do a sample ballot, but the Stonewall DFL did and sent it out to at lease DFL members(Brian or someone correct me if I'm remembering incorrectly). It seems strange because these are usually done by a party or organization so that all of their supporters know ALL of the candidates they are supporting. It can get confusing with a lot of candidates. If it's getting confusing with just one candidate, I don't know what that says... And while Eric has tried to EMPHASIZE the point that this will be a "DFL" victory no matter who wins by mentioning this as many times as possible in his posts, that would seem to be contradicted by among other things, the sample ballot coming on the heels of his statement that no State Party resources are being used for this race. It very much seems that the point was trying to frustrate non-DFL members by claiming this as a victory solely for the DFL on either side. That, however, is not the case. If Olin wins, it will be a DFL victory. If Don wins, it will be a 3rd Ward victory for everyone, be they Green, Republican, Independent, DFL or anyone else. It will be a victory for the people. It will be a victory for children because Don understands their issues, having raised and worked with and for them. It will be a victory for small businesses because Don has one and shares their struggles and challenges. It will be a victory for artists because Don is one, he understands the passion, the need to create and the trials they endure. It will be a victory for neighborhoods because Don has been working on their level day in and day out, putting his money where his mouth is. And it will be a victory for integrity because Don says what he means and means what he says, and would never stand idly by while venomous statements and lies were spouted in his name. It will be a victory for the City because Don has a platform and will use it to address the issues. Olin can say none of these things. This isn't about anti-DFL either. There are plenty in the party such as Brian Melendez and Angela Burkhalter who are following their principles and trying to reach out and be fair and unbiased. I, and other Samuels supporters know and recognize this. No, this is about being pro-People, pro-Neighborhood, pro-3rd Ward. It's about not being so blinded by ideology and structure that you cannot see forest for the trees. It's about doing the right thing no matter what the cost. Is it ever too late to do the right thing? I say no. And when people go to the polls tomorrow and they make a choice to judge the candidates by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin, they will do the right thing. When they go to the polls and pick their Council Member by the measure of his experience and not by the measure of someone elses, they will do the right thing. When people hold up their candidate and support them and can give cognizant clear arguments why they should be elected (and for me it is Vote for Don Samuels who has been tested by real life experience), it is the right thing. And when the polls close, and Tuesday comes and we put away the axes and the anger and join together to work for the good of the 3rd Ward and the City it will be the right thing. Is it ever too late to do the right thing? I say again no. I say it is right, it is just, and Lord knows it's about time. Saying VOTE FOR DON SAMUELS Jonathan Palmer in Victory TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ 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
