Ahh, Jim. I have missed the opportunity to discuss and debate with someone of your caliber. You are probably the only person on the forum who writes longer and denser posts than me (or at least run equal to) and it's always a joy to exchange thoughts, especially when you're wrong. I did, however, expect you to be able to write your own posts rather than rewrite mine, but it's probably more difficult to come up with original material. Let me know if you need help coming up with your own phrases and colloquilisms, I've got a couple in my spare pocket. ;-) On to the matters at hand.
Just like the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth didn't endorse Bush and explicitly said they were not for any candidate (or maybe it was "anybody but Kerry"), it was apparent that their message was designed specifically to support Bush, if for no other reason than he was Kerry's main political rival. Just as Delmonico's "Anybody but Rybak" is designed to benefit his main political rival, Peter. The only people who seem to be questioning this are those who support Peter. No, Delmonico never openly endorses Peter, but I also never said he did. He does utilize a tragedy to further Peter's campaign agenda, which, in case you were not paying attention to the stumping you've been doing for him, is to defeat Rybak. Use rhetoric all you want Jim, but it's clear to everyone paying attention that this is parallel to the Swift Boat ads, and if you really, truly believe that this is about supporting ANYBODY but RT, then you are not the brilliant political mind that I have come to know and respect and I'll have to rethink my assessment. But on to campaign tactics, you said that mostly supporters visit Peter's campaign website and that he's posting the food drive where it will have the most impact on people he will have the most influence over...if it's mostly supporters, couldn't you just send out an email like Barb did for you all? I would think you'd have a network together for supporters that you could contact directly, but if it's not about campaigning and really about influence, wouldn't his page on the County website: 1. be seen by more people supporter or not, and 2. serve as an additional way of getting the word out if you did both sites? My point with all of this, is that I don't see the COMMISSIONER using his influence or doing anything, I see the CANDIDATE. The more ways to get the word out the better. Tattoo it on supporters foreheads if it will help victims, but shouldn't Peter as the Commissioner be doing something, especially if his supporters are going to criticize Rybak's efforts? I'm just saying, he's in a pretty powerful position, it would be real helpful to have him working on things... And while we're on the subject of utilizing power and influence, you must have missed the meeting because it was Rybak who lobbied for the restoration of some LGA which has led to the 71 more cops. It was legislators and few other individuals who made this happen, but RT has never claimed sole credit for it. He does deserve credit for getting it done and making the case, just as the others involved deserve credit for their part. The bottom line is MORE COPs, which is one of the issues that you've been railing about Jim. Yet, now you don't like that we have more cops because RT had something to do with it now? I don't care if the Easter Bunny negotiated the deal, I'm happy that we have more public safety resources and I'm surprised you or anyone else would criticize that. I'm not going caricature Peter like you have with RT, because I would rather credit him for his work him rather than paying false compliments as you've done with RT. Peter has done a good job as a County Commissioner, I haven't supported everything he's done, but no politician is perfect. But credit where credit is due. He did make things like the light rail happen and was instrumental in the Phillips Partnership, but Jim you do the Mayor and yourself a disservice when you deny his accomplishments and those of his administration. Significant efforts have reached fruition due to his leadership and under his watch, and you have to give him credit, because if he and his administration have been as ineffective as you state, all of the projects underway in the last 4 years would have stalled or completely broken down. Midtown Exchange will open this December with it's Global Market, Minneapolis has a Police Chief who understands and relates to impacted communities, especially those of color, a Civil Rights Director who's streamlining processes to make them more effective and helpful. The City is doing huge things in employment, not the least of which is the Northside Job Connection. Thy City's opened a Safety Center in the heart of one of the most troubled neighborhoods in the City with 5 Probation Officers and have rebuilt Franklin Avenue, Lake Street and are working on West Broadway. The list goes on and on, huge things are happening, and while the Mayor doesn't take full credit for them, he deserves credit for what he does do, and each of those projects he's had a significant part in, and to state anything else is disingenous. Jonathan Palmer Victory 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
