I am sorry David, but perhaps I did not understand. Were you apologizing for misusing my name or was it the delusional part. Apparently Minneapolis has deluded me by having approximately 25% of its City Council be openly from the Gay community. And deluded me by having an openly Gay Deputy Mayor, not to mention the number of openly GLBT Legislators. How about openly gay police officers, even Deputy Chiefs of Police? Perhaps the number of City politicians from every level of government who openly and gladly participate in the Gay Pride parade and event has hoodwinked me in some way. Perhaps I could be enlightened by similar information about Canada. Which Canadian City was it that had as much political power being controlled by the GLBT Community? I must have missed it. Of course it could be that Canadian Cities just are not as "Open" about it?
While Minneapolis can be improved upon, I still think Minneapolis very much leads any Canadian city I know in that respect. The problem for some seems to be in using outstate attitudes to define Minneapolis. Minneapolis is simply different. I have not seen Minneapolis regress one inch, in fact I have witnessed advances. I think that pretty much describes this situation. A gay drain from Minneapolis would not solve that problem. Even though San Francisco exists in the same State with Orange County, and is the State that elected Ronald Regan, I don't think those folks should flee to Canada either.
One of the great things about Minneapolis is that people can openly live as they wish, without too much fear. Increasing such fear will not solve the problem it will exacerbate it. A real concern might be for women fleeing to Canada. I just heard a terrible statistic about women, apparently the greatest cause of death for pregnant women in this country and city is from violence to them. When was the last woman murdered in Minneapolis for being a woman? Is that rate increasing or decreasing? Should Black people flee to Canada also? We need to stop running anywhere and just make our already great City a better City.
As Churchill said "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself". We in Minneapolis need to continue to "step forthrightly" into the bright sunshine with pride. Not hide or flee in fear. Black booted fascists depend on fear, and kick in the doors of those who are fearful, not of those who are willing to fight. In Minneapolis we have nothing to fear, after all we are willing to fight to make a better City.
Of course I do not think this subject is worth much of an argument, because I just do not see too many people fleeing to Canada. A whole lot of Canadians I know would love to flee to Minneapolis.
Now I must admit these may only be the "delusional" opinions of someone who has always believed that living openly in our Minneapolis community is something worth fighting for. Of course some have said that I personally look for, and find, a whole lot of things worth fighting for. And I believe that pretty much describes Minneapolis.
Jim Graham,
Ventura Village Neighborhood, Phillips Planning District, Sixth Ward of Minneapolis
"If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there."
- Will Rogers
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