With the advances in digitial video cameras, my requested interview with Chief McManus about homelessness in Mpls would take 15 minutes....not much out his day.
So, the time factor for refusing an interview seems a weak argument. The refusal for my request for an interview was given so quickly I did not have the opportunity to let the Chief's office know the following: 1. I will give the Chief a list of questions he can pre-approve--- I am not into suprising people I interview. 2. I promise I will not debate the chief-- again, I don't like doing that when I interview...I want to let the person speak for themselves, not have to defend themselves. 3. I really want to hear what the chief of police feels, thinks, plans to do to improve police interactions with persons experiencing homelessness. To refuse to have such a discourse seems insensitive to the issue. Here are the questions I would ask the Chief: 1. What is his understanding of the issues faced by persons experiencing homelessness in Mpls? What are the issues they face in dealing with Mpls Police? 2. What does he believe the police are doing well in interactions with persons experiencing homelessness/what does the chief see as room for improvement? See, two very straightforward and honest questions...no tricks...no suprises. What I have found in interviewing people is that they often have much more to say then I have asked them... Perhaps this will be the case with the chief. I prefer to not have to go to public forums where the Chief might be to try to get the answer to the above questions. What so many public figures don't seem to understand is that the dynamic they create by trying to avoid dialogue are unnecessary. I think 15 minutes is a reasonable request and I think this is an important issue. I was pleased when McManus was hired...I had heard that he was committed to respect for all of our residents....even those living homeless. Margaret Hastings Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
