I see no conflict between Michelle Gross' take on racism and the dictionary definition. The dictionary calls it a belief that one race is superior and discrimination based on that. Michelle says it is a matter of a belief and power. Well, one can hardly discriminate without the underlying power. Consider Minneapolis. The African American community right voices its protest. But it does not have the POWER to dictate a termination of Jennings' contract, so it can hardly be racist. At no POINT does it ever say or even IMPLY that Jennings' race makes him inferior. That was not contained in the message at all. The complaint was based on two things: the total lack of consultation with the city group MOST affected by Jennings' position, i.e., the African American community. And, too, Jennings' lack of education background. Those are two legitimate grounds for protest. And if they are complaining about power, it is their LACK of power, and the district's LACK OF RESPECT for the very people they claiming to educate. Objecting to a show of disrespect is not "racism". But these sorts of charges are an example of the "poor me" tactic now often seized upon by the rightwing to defend their maneuvers. They play victim when such a charge is blatantly ridiculous coming from those who own the lion's share of power in our society.
Superintendent
Today I watched a video called "The Clinton Years", giving me a chance to recover a lot of memories. And from that perspective, I can see that the school board might have wanted what Clinton wanted when he went for Gergen, Panetta, and Morris. That is, there were two power centers he needed to see from the inside, so he got people who would do that without pushing a particular party agenda. So maybe the board SHOULD get an expert political consultant to advise them on the political ramifications of various moves. The hitch is THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE PRIME DISTRICT DECISIONMAKER. Clinton always reserved the ultimate decision for himself. The superintendent should always ultimately make the decisions as an educator, not as an accountant, not as a party politician. I think the board somehow forgot that.
Cop-killing
List manager reins in Krasnov who attempts to troll with Mumia case. But that reminds me of a case that WAS a Minneapolis case, i.e., Jerry Haaf. What was the final upshot. I believe where I checked out of that story, they had arraigned suspects. I know its a long time back, but we have some news hawks here who should be able to dig in their resources and supply the final outcome. My assumption is two or three perpetrators in state prison on life sentences.
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Jim Mork
Cooper Neighborhood
"whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness"----Declaration of Independence
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