Chris raises excellent points. My guess is when you read Ron's chapter 16, where he discusses mediation, you would have a different sense of that and I do look forward to discussing it once you have had a chance to read that chapter. You will raise more good points. Once you read Chapter 16 you would not call my quote of Ron inflamatory. Impatient, perhaps, frustrated maybe. Reflective of citizens being whip sawed by the city certainly (detailed in Chapter 16). From the standpoint of the community involved and how the city has handled it you would call it a measured response. And he is not being self promoting with his comments (now my comments were certainly promoting of the book, you bet). And you are correct that there is more to it, as can be seen in City Pages piece and in the fact that the city has laid down these three conditions, which would render the writ of mandamus moot. Please pause before shooting the messenger. There is more but I don't have the evidence so would rather not say just now. But no matter how you look at, community people of color are having tense times with police and are being blocked from having mediation by who? Whites. On one of my trips to Minneapolis last year I was shocked to learn that most Blacks were indoors as police raced up and down their neighborhoods, sirens blasting. When a segment of the community is afraid to be on the streets because of the police, open dialogue is needed. Ron has persevered to help make that happen. But the city doesn't want to talk. There is no other way to put it. My sense is that if you read Ron's other chapters your opinion of him would rise again, dramatically. He is truly a wonderful city asset. He indeed "pulls the covers back" and shows things others haven't seen before. He has, simply put, written one of the most extraordinary and explanatory books on Minneapolis seen in some time. You will find it well researched. He is truthful to what he has seen, which is why there are also Blacks in Minneapolis who wont' read the book (although they condemn it nonetheless). Read Chapter 14 and you'll see why. I have yet to hear one person tell me that even one thing he has written is untrue. They have not liked his exposing it, reporting it, but no one has told me it wasn't true. How did I get involved? I was helping Sandy Stephens with his book when Sandy prematurely died. That was my connection to Ron. Are we trying to sell the book? Of course. There is nothing unethical here. I just assumed that I was being very clear that I felt the readers should read the book, and to do so they need to buy it. Which is OK to do, just as it is OK for me to point out its existence. Besides, it is the selling of goods and services that raises the money that generates taxes. But selling his book won't raise that much money. Ron wrote the book to tell his story and to provide people with an understanding of the city that most Blacks know and many Whites can't accept. We will feel fortunate if we can break even. The sellers and vendors get more out of the book than the writers. And if you purchase a copy we thank you not for buying it but for learning more about Minneapolis so you'll have an even better sense of how to better improve the quality of life for everyone living in Minneapolis. I consider it an essential thing to do, a duty, to point out that there is more information available to help explain better the dynamics of Minneapolis. Ron's book is a lodestone. And his very positive statements, and his positive suggestions for resolving key problems and relationships (Interlude 16, Chapters 5 and 17, and the Conclusion) are classics. We write short posts here. The book provides the missing information. It gives, as one radio show states, "the rest of the story." If we can sell the books that were printed we will be happy. As the old joke goes, we aren't about to quit our day jobs. For Ron this was a labor of love for a city he loves for a people he loves. For me it was also a labor of love about a city I lived in and long felt was one of the best cities in the United States. I was sorry to have to leave, although I get back several times a year). And, as a veteran of the community battles of the 70s in Washington, D.C., I know the value of what Ron does and the price he has paid to do it. I did it for a man I truly respect, honor and admire. You can learn more at the web site for the book (www.TheMinneapolisStory.com). Ron gets excited and knows that the Minneapolis Story continues. He keeps calling me and telling me "put this on the web." So, to make it easier, we are converting the site to a mini-Blog or web log, in which he'll provide his take several times a week. It should be ready no later than this coming Wednesday. It should be fun, informative, and useful in helping him to meet his mission, which is to help everyone find the common ground on which all can stand regardless of their difference in viewpoints, so everyone can stand up for everyone else, as he continues his efforts to promote getting equal access and equal opportunity for everyone within the bounds of justice and fairness.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Chris Johnson Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2003 7:05 PM To: Mpls Forum Subject: Re: [Mpls] (1) Council will duck mediation tomorrow, and (2) Minneapolis Human Resources Director resigns Peter Jessen wrote: > It would appear that the City Council will pass a resolution tomorrow, > 3/21/03, sponsored by CMs Johnson and Zirby, to direct the police chief to > proceed with mediation IF, IF, IF these three conditions are met: (1) the > writ of mandamus (writ from superior court to lower court directing some > action) is dropped; (2) that a recognized community organization sign off on > the mediation, and (3) that the Federal mediation office agree to proceed. > With these three, the City Council and the Mayor will then direct the chief > to participate. [snip] The information about the writ of mandamus was interesting and useful knowledge. It really wasn't necessary to cloud it in the self-promoting inflammatory rhetoric of Ron Edwards. But I guess I do thank you for including those choice quotes from Mr. Edwards, as my opinion of him has now dropped several dozen notches. The "Jills" will never drop their lawsuit? They have stated publicly that as soon as Chief Olson shows up at mediation, they will drop it. I see no reason for them to lie about that. I'd sure like to get to the bottom of this whole issues -- it stinks like a pile of dead fish, but just exactly who is doing what for what obscure personal gain is impossible to see. I do know that you ought to have let us know with each of your recent references to Ron Edwards book that you make money for each copy sold. Otherwise we might come to think you're trying to promote sales of it on this list, which strikes me as rather unethical. Chris Johnson Fulton 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 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
