I read the strib article too, and I found some of Samuels comments to be very insensitive and rude, but we can play that game all day. I wonder if anyone else has noticed that among those who have taken sides in this race, there is a very noticeable class divide in the 5th ward race. This seems to be turning in to one of the nastiest races in the city, not so much because of the bitterness between the candidates (although I think there was a plan from the beginning to set Samuels against NJL...and I don't care what his campaign operatives say, I was told PERSONALLY that Samuels was inclined to move in to the 3rd rather than try to unseat NJL....but since SOME people are going to support their candidate no matter what...as will I).... ..., but because of the real bitterness between the supporters in either camp. I am a part of this as well. I really think the paranoid upper middle class block club types (the ones supporting Samuels) have the run of the city and most of the political power. That's the reason, for example, that police get away with using excessive force against people (something neither Samuels nor McLaughlin supporters will even acknowledge and and something Robert Lilligren seems to think doesn't actually happen.) It's why everyone is so whipped up in a frenzy about how bad crime is, when if fact Minneapolis is one of the safest cities of it's size. It's why MTN gets pressured into action with calls about Booker Hodges, but not about Larry Lienenger, a very open white supremacist whose language is far more threatening and disturbing. Being an avid free speech advocate, I may not agree with what they say, but I support the rights of both of these men to say whatever they want provided they don't violate the rules of MTN. Leinenger is not really threatening to the comfortable. Hodges is, and because NJL is one of the very few in city hall who is concerned about the people who aren't comfortable, don't own homes, have never heard of the NRP or the PEACE foundation but are struggling...NJL is obviously very threatening to the power structure in the city. By the way Don, police accountability is a legitimate issue to raise (not "complaining about the wrong things) and Natalie Johnson-Lee has white friends too! Tamir Nolley Holland
Dennis Plante <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I am somewhat confused by the statements attributed to CP Natalie Johnson-Lee in the following Strib article. Unless I am mistaken, she was a big supporter of the PEACE Foundation at its inception and even contributed financially. What has changed? http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5481301.html Dennis Plante Lind Bohanon --------------------------------- Discover Yahoo! Get on-the-go sports scores, stock quotes, news & more. Check it out! 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
