I am glad to hear that Mr. Ostrow understands that to act out of fear of the influence of the MFC(Minnesota Family Council) at the state legislature would simply be giving encouragement to those who oppose equality for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Too bad Barb Johnson does not understand that. Barb's statements to Que Press following the vote on the equal benefits ordinance specifically referenced fear of the influence of the MFC through the state legislature. She stated the possibility of retribution from conservative legislators towards Minneapolis by threatening the cities LGA. What message does this send to state legislators? The bigots are powerful and will hurt the interests of your district if you don't comply with their agenda? Be afraid, be very afraid? I'm glad to hear that Mr. Ostrow was not acting from such a position even if I disagree with his vote. Hopefully Barb Johnson will be less careless in making statements that only serve to encourage those who want to have bigotry drive our state's(or by deference city's) public policy. David Strand Loring Park --- "Ostrow, Paul T" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Tim Bonham writes that Barb Johnson and I voted > against the Council resolution requiring city > contractors to provide the same benefits to GLBT > employees as they give to straight employees because > of specific and direct threats from Republcan > leadership at the Legislature. This is incorrect. > I voted against this resolution because I believe it > is inappropriate for the City of Minneapolis to > require its contractors to provide benefits we > ourselves cannot provide. I continue to believe > strongly in domestic partner benefits. It is an > injustice that hardworking men and women, including > three of my colleagues, are not eligible for these > beneifts. > > > > > Paul Ostrow > > Council President/Ward One > > 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 __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online http://webhosting.yahoo.com 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
