Let me be very clear from the beginning that this is not discussion of "List
rules" and someone violating them. I do not wish to be "warned" by Mr.
Brauer because I view language in quite different ways than he. It is a
discussion of how we treat candidates and private people in Minneapolis and
on this "Opinion" List.
"PERSONAL SNIPING" simply does not include politicians and political
candidates. It is NOT sniping, because they have put themselves up to be
shot at. Unfortunately, or fortunately , we simply do not have ANY
political figures in Minneapolis and Minnesota who are so good that they do
not absolutely deserve to be verbally shot at sometimes. Even that god of
political people Hubert Humphrey on occasion did something stupid and
deserved to get "shot at". All the rest do so on a very regular basis.
Politicians use such colorful imagery when describing each other and
detractors, why should they be exempt from the same such imagery and humor.
The "sock puppet" in question, Dean Kallenback, is one of my dearest
friends. And while a friend of Rick Stafford, Dean was hardly his puppet,
and it was an untrue statement. Though as the writer indicated it WAS the
opinion of some political wonks; (the general public has no idea of who Rick
Stafford even is). That being said, I think we need to be a little
differentiating between personal attacks and personal conflict among list
members, and humorous verbiage, verbal imagery, and descriptive analogy when
attached to candidates and holders of public office.
Public figures are accorded very different status as far as commentary for a
very real reason. Candidates are fair game for such commentary because of
that different status. The need for glasses and blinders comment I believe
falls into that category, even though I personally like Marie Hauser. It is
"editorial" license. Perhaps David Brauer would not allow such in the
newspapers he controls, but an opinion & comment forum such as the "List" is
a very different thing. Perhaps Mr. Brauer has mixed up the two "forums" he
apparently controls.
Language styles vary greatly among people, and I believe this might be the
List Manager's problem. Apparently he might have found acceptable a comment
such as "Marie Hauser's bias and closed mindedness on the DeLaSalle issue
has blinded her to the very real possibility of better uses for urban green
space". Personally while not agreeing with this statement I find it no
different than the need for glasses statement. The imagery of one is no
different than the other just because different verbiage and style is used.
Personally I much prefer the humorous imagery even if it is aimed at me, a
friend, or one of the candidates who I support. Personally I remember
statements made about me that were allowed "On List" that I found far more
insulting than if the person making them had simply called me a scurolous
dog. Both might have been true, but personally I would have preferred the
simple honesty of the latter.
Sometimes we take ourselves way too seriously. Issues may be serious, but
political candidates are by their very nature not to be taken seriously.
Those who insist on such treatment are the least qualified to hold office in
a free city and country. I believe that is how most petty autocrats begin.
Jim Graham,
Ventura Village
"Without conflict communication and novel synthesis of information cannot
take place. Conflict is the fertile soil in which creativity grows."
----- Original Message -----
From: "List Manager" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2005 10:42 AM
Subject: [Mpls] LIST ALERT: Keep the personal sniping out
Let's not make things personal, people. Election season raises emotions,
but
list rules require respectful discourse. Calling people "sock puppets," or
remarks like the ones below, will draw warnings.
Stick to the issues. - David Brauer, list manager
Would anyone like to contribute to buying Marie Hauser some new, stronger
glasses? Okay, okay. Maybe they'd have to have super powers, considering
her
blind spot.
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
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
