Since I am still working on a more compressive post I thought I'd use my second post today to clarify some issues.
David Brauer wrote: > There is nothing "criminal" here that I can see. There is, > according to NRP, no "rule" being violated. And then Jim Graham wrote: > Michael Atherton seems to be saying they were neighborhood > residents, but that it was in some way "criminal" to not vote > the way he thought correct. Funny how rumors are initiated. I'll assume that both Mr. Brauer and Mr. Graham are using quotation marks for emphasis and not to infer that I had used the word "criminal," since I did not. I believe that I did use the word "rule" in response to Mr. Cross' use of the word "sanctions." It is hard for me to imagine sanctions without rules, but I suppose it maybe possible. Jim Graham wrote: > It is not criminal to pack meetings with residents; it's > what NRP is supposed to be about. Even if he does not agree > with the outcome Michael should be celebrating the democracy > and resident involvement. No, it's not criminal to "pack" meetings, but nevertheless I'm not sure that it results in wise or representative decision making. If packing meetings is what the NRP is about then I think the city has a real problem on its hands. Democracy? Hmmm...you should reread my second post in this thread: http://www.mnforum.org/pipermail/mpls/2003-February/021055.html I hope that I am not a knee-jerk anything and that I stop to give thought to issues of importance. I think that I have done so in regards to democracy. I know well enough that democracy does not always result in wise, fair, or just decision making. I'm sure that you could have used a democratic procedure with the White mob in Duluth and still have ended up with an unjust and "criminal" act with a great deal of "resident involvement." In evaluating the effectiveness and fairness of the NRP we should not rely on catch phrases and popular rhetoric. Doesn't anyone remember seeing "The Ox-Bow Incident" in high school, or don't they show it any more? Michael Atherton Prospect Park 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
