In response to what Jim Graham said, I think there are those who go off the deep end in bitter recriminations with the police. They fail to make discrimination between those who have clearly tried to rein in the loose cannons, often running afoul of lousy contracts signed off by politicians who are now out of office; and the people on the force who take advantage of the apathy of most city residents about violent acts that don�t affect them. I think it is foolish to write off any allies on the force in the battle to get a more responsible and professional force. There is no way for citizens to do it all themselves. We need those people who share our definition of �law enforcement professional�.
As to the Mayor�s experience with the Native American community, I�d like to see our native friends more eager and ready to respond to any olive branch. And the �elders� to save their bardish endeavors for meetings where politicians aren�t present. Long speeches that get in the way of the rank and file expressing themselves are not helpful to the community. These should be working meetings, not ceremonial exercises. There is a LOT of change needed to get police and minorities working together properly. And extended rhetoric is not part of how you get work accomplished. I�m not rapping these speeches absolutely. I think they are a necessary part of community, but when two communities meet for the purpose of greater understanding, that is not ceremonial. -------------- Jim Mork--Cooper "Save yourself from this corrupt generation....All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need". Acts 2:4-45 "The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers". Acts 11:29 "From each according to his ability...to each according to his need." Karl Marx Get your free Web-based E-mail at http://www.startribune.com/stribmail 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
