In a 2001 City Pages article featuring Saint Basim http://www.citypages.com/databank/22/1067/article9550.asp
Sabri had this to say about those who "believe Sabri is nothing but a manipulative bully who will fill his pockets by any means necessary; a man who needlessly divides people to achieve his own goals." "You know what? I don't give a shit. I'm not a charity, I'm a businessman. I'm not Catholic Charities. I'm not the welfare office. I'm here to make a business go. Running a business is different than being a nice guy." At least he is clear about his priorities. The only problem is that when it suits his needs he goes into his sotto voice and dons the mantle of community acitivist doing all he does to help poor unfortunates. Based on his own statement, I would say that profit and power are his motive and that he has identified a market where he can dominate. If a struggling business man from the community or a community leader threatens his business, "You know what?" Meanwhile, Mayor Rybak continues to demonstrate his confusion about how to "help" communities, having but two tools in his box--cutting deals and spinning the deal as good for the abstract "community." I hope someone runs for mayor that has the ability to go beyond marketing speak and involve residents in the future of the city. . . . Rybak clearly cannot. Russell Raczkowski Bancroft 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
