In a message dated 2/22/2003 11:35:30 AM Central Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

> One's option about a local anti-war resolution is not a litmus test for 
>  whether or not they TRULY oppose a war.  Please, please try to consider 
the 
>  fact that I plainly and simply don't believe that such a resolution falls 
>  within the jurisdiction of the Mpls city council.  And I don't believe the 
>  city council should spend its time debating such issues.  One can make 
wide 
>  ranging arguments that every issue that comes before our state and federal 
>  governments affects us at the city level.  But that doesn't mean the city 
>  council should inject itself into these situations.  I mean, what would be 
>  off the table?  We elect people at the state and federal levels to make 
>  decisions for us at those levels.
>  
This argument (which is made by all the opponents of the resolution) 
presupposes that if the Council passes a resolution regarding the war then 
that means nothing else within the jurisdiction of the City can ever be 
addressed by the Council. Of the 70 plus cities who have passed one I haven't 
heard of any that were precluded from conducting city business as well. In 
fact, since most of them passed their resolutions on the first try, they 
actually spent less time on this issue than Minneapolis (which hasn't passed 
one). So, this is why proponents often suspect that something else besides 
the time or effort of the CMs is the reason for the opposition.

This "something else" might not necessarily be support for the war (although 
I'm sure that's the case with some of the opponents); it could be fear of 
offending the Right. Until the real reason comes forward, we can only 
speculate.

Linda Mann
Kingfield

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