Barb writes: > So I turned on Channel 11 this morning to find that > there are now republicans working to overturn the > conceal and carry law in Minnesota. It appears that > only 16,000 people applied for a gun permit instead of > the 75,000 they originally thought. Involved in this > effort is former Governor Arne Carlson.
My comments are NOT aimed specifically at Barb, but we've had some non-Minneapolis-specific stuff crop up in several posts lately, so I'm using hers as an example for newcomers and an old-timer reminder. When you post on topics broader than Minneapolis city issues, you risk diluting the local nature of the forum - which is why this forum exists. (There are links to state and national discussion groups at the bottom of this message.) To work here, there must be a clear and direct link to a Minneapolis-specific action that can be taken locally, or a unique Minneapolis effect. Barb's statement, above, is fair comment on state politics. However, the topic is not Minneapolis-specific, and there's nothing that makes the observation unique to our town. The risk is that we'll get into a general gun-control debate, or a state-level gun control debate - not a Minneapolis-o-centric gun control debate. Recent positive examples include: Gay marriage - obviously a national issue, but mostly discussed in the context of a Minneapolis action: whether Minneapolis or RT Rybak should engage in civil disobedience/constitutional challenge. (They local focus did start to fray at the end, but was largely on-point.) Schools - state funding clearly comes into play, but posts have concentrated on Minneapolis's decision-making. We don't want to exclude larger forces, which clearly play a role here, but if the debate (or posts) begins to center on matters beyond our borders, they must go to a larger forum. The bus strike thread is in a gray area so far: clearly it affects Minneapolitans, but posts on the list haven't offered much that's Minneapolis specific, or actions Minneapolitans specifically can take on the issue. I'm watching this one. As long-timers have heard me say, I really don't enjoy policing discussion threads - honest. However, Minneapolis-issues was set up to make LOCAL issues prime - a parochial corner of the vast information sphere. Obviously, the tension is between the understandable desire to discuss "the big picture" and retaining that local focus - thus this reminder to keep that focus in mind. Sincerely, David Brauer List manager REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
