Re: [Mpls] Coddling the Criminals: CUAPB Statement on Latest Police Brutality(?) Incident
So assuming the allegations are true, it sounds like Dyna saying it's OK to rape someone with a toilet plunger if they're a drug dealer or a member of a gang? I sure hope that's not the case. But thinking rationally, such an assault is going to leave some physical evidence. Does anyone really think that might have been self-inflicted by the perps in order to take attention away from their alleged crimes? That seems like an awfully painful approach, especially considering how many on this list have lamented about drug dealers who get arrested are often back on the streets before anyone even notices they were ever gone. Why couldn't the cops just arrest the suspects and go from there? I think those who automatically jump down the throats of CUAPB or others who come forward with such charges are missing a point. The reason we even have an organization like CUAPB in Minneapolis is because there have been so many different incidents of police brutality over the years. Defenders of the cops like to trot out the innocent before proven guilty phrase. That works both ways. If the cops get the benefit of the doubt, so should those who allege police brutality, whether they are innocent victims or criminals. Mark Snyder Windom Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Analysis of Jennings departure continues
On Wed, 15 Oct 2003, Diane Wiley wrote: Why is it that so many of the white men think that Jennings was opposed because he was a white male, when they can clearly see that the process was flawed, whatever the legal requirements were? It's like harrassing the umpire. Next time around there will be a free ride for any white male whatsoever, no questions asked. That's the way they like it, white power forever. --David Shove Roseville REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Analysis of Jennings departure continues
I never heard any of the critics say as Jim Boyd does that the candidate needed to be a person of color because the majority of students are of color. I heard that people were upset that David Jennings had historically taken political positions antagonistic or contrary to the views of the vast majority of residents of Minneapolis on questions related to race(i.e. divestiture in South Africa to end apartheid). These historic positions I believe rightly cause one to question whether David Jennings would be the best qualified individual to head the Minneapolis Public School System. I have been further unimpressed by his reaction to the controversy. Rather than explaining his past positions and how or whether his views have changed or expressing a willingness to discuss his past views and current views to answer community members questions and concerns he appeared to immediately become defensive and dismissive of the concerns. I also find it remarkable that people don't understand that equal opportunity does not exist when only one internal candidate is interviewed for the position. I believe that the school board needs the community's support behind a superintedent and this is even more important when the internal candidate being considered is not traditionally credentialed. I don't understand why David Jennings could not have continued to benefit the district as a lobbyist, consultant or in some other capacity if his presumed political connections or influence or experience are what the school district found so desireable. I find it sickening when someone calls rascism in a situation when it is their views that are in question and not their race. I believe it was David Jennings' views and sensitivity to questions of race that were of concern and not the color of his skin. The views of concern were expressed as a matter of public record when he was a state legislator and I believe it to be perfectly valid for community members to want answers to their questions about these past votes and positions even if they were taken 20 years ago. It's a shame he did not take the opportunity to respond in a constructive manner by respectfully offerring to meet with the questioners and attempt to address the concerns. I believe his reaction to the questions confirmed his discomfort with the questions and in my mind supports the verisimilitude of those community activists who question his sensitivity and understanding of questions of racial and cultural diversity. The reaction of the broader community (including on this list) has been very disappointing. Personally, I am gravely disappointed that the community seemed unable to engage in a conversation about this without making broad accusations of those with whom they disagreed. Whatever happened to there being no stupid questions? Since when did it become inappropriate to raise questions about a school board decision simply because they are elected? David Strand Loring Park --- Chris Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Shawn Lewis wrote: Jim Boyd: Jennings deserved a chance to try Jim Boyd Published October 12, 2003 David Jennings and the Minneapolis school district got the shaft. It was administered by perennially angry rabble-rousers who can't see beyond their own narrow agenda. They were aided by a school board that didn't lay the proper groundwork for naming Jennings, but for this crowd that probably wouldn't have made any difference. http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/4147542.html I think Jim Boyd's Sunday editorial gave the clearest and most accurate view of the situation I've seen yet. It should be required reading for anyone wanting to comment on the topic of David Jennings as MPS superintendent for, if no other reason, it clears up just what the laws say and do not say about what requirements a school district superintendent must meet and what obligations the school board has with respect to choosing a superintendent. I happen to agree with Boyd's position as well. Chris Johnson Fulton REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls __ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe,
[Mpls] Media Coverage of Stephen C. Porter and Mpls Police
Man who accused Minneapolis police speaks out David Chanen, Randy Furst and Paul McEnroe, Star Tribune Published October 16, 2003 The 25-year-old man who accused two veteran Minneapolis police officers of sexual assault took his case to the public Wednesday, saying he feared for his life. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4156864.html Police, community representatives confer for three hours Rosalind Bentley, Star Tribune Published October 16, 2003 There was no marching in the streets. There were no chants of no justice, no peace. http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4157022.html Allegations won't affect vision of what's wanted in new chief Rochelle Olson, Star Tribune Published October 16, 2003 The latest allegation of Minneapolis police misconduct has solidified rather than shaken city leaders' commitment to qualities that they are seeking in a successor to Chief Robert Olson, whose contract expires in January. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4156995.html New complexities, new clashes, new glimmers of hope Doug Grow, Star Tribune Published October 16, 2003 All things considered, Minneapolis Police Chief Robert Olson seemed to feel pretty good when he left a meeting of community leaders Wednesday morning. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4156864.html Posted on Thu, Oct. 16, 2003 'I felt threatened for my life. I'm scared.' BY AMY MAYRON and HANNAH ALLAM Pioneer Press A 25-year-old man who has accused Minneapolis police of assaulting him spoke Wednesday about the terror he said he felt as officers sodomized him with the handle of a toilet plunger during a drug raid earlier this week. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/7024010.htm Posted on Thu, Oct. 16, 2003 RUBÉN ROSARIO: Allegations disturbingly similar to Louima's RUBÈN ROSARIO Pioneer Press Columnist AbnerLouima. The name still evokes horrific images of sadistic torture. And it is one Twin Citians could become more familiar with after disturbing allegations of police brutality during a drug raid this week at a home in north Minneapolis. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/columnists/ruben_rosario/7023547.htm Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood -- __ Sign-up for your own personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup CareerBuilder.com has over 400,000 jobs. Be smarter about your job search http://corp.mail.com/careers REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Community Meeting on Mpls Police/Community Relations Oct. 17
Mayor R.T. Rybak met Wednesday with City Council Members Natalie Johnson Lee, Don Samuels and Dan Niziolek. They agreed to hold a community meeting at 7 p.m. Friday at Fairview Park at 29th Street and Lyndale Avenue North. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/7024010.htm Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood -- __ Sign-up for your own personalized E-mail at Mail.com http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup CareerBuilder.com has over 400,000 jobs. Be smarter about your job search http://corp.mail.com/careers REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Coddling the Criminals: CUAPB Statement on Latest Police Brutality(?) Incident
Mark says But thinking rationally, such an assault is going to leave some physical evidence. Does anyone really think that might have been self-inflicted by the perps in order to take attention away from their alleged crimes? I agree. Is there any evidence? Have you seen the medical report? Shawn says I hope Rev. Staten took Mr. Porter to the hospital for a medical examination before the press conference. I don't know if they did, but in watching the news clips of Mr Porter leaving the Hennepin County Jail, he didn't seem to need medical help when he left the jail. The reporters were hurrying to keep up with him and he did not walk in a manner indicating he was in pain. It wasn't until he walked into the Press Conf on the arms of Staten and Moss that he needed assistance. Did something happen to the man after he was released from jail? I agree with Dyna (never thought I would say that, girl). Before I would take Mr Porter's word that the sky is blue, I'd step outside and make sure. How many of the people on this list, members of CUAPB included, would want to be convicted solely on Mr Porter and his buddies say so? If, and I know this is going to be hard for some of you to imagine, but if Mr Porter's allegations are not true, what do you think the officers deserve to get? They have been accused, in public, named in the media and by their accuser of one of the most perverted acts one man can commit on another. If they did not do this, will all these people, including CUAPB, apologige as loudly and as publicly as they are now condemning them? Or will this act just be considered one of the risks of the job? Anne McCandless Jordan REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Local bad actor takes the plunge/Moon crackstasher swoon chafes critics
In the matter of Stephen Porter. He has been convicted and released to his own devices, repeatedly, for cocaine selling. He had reportedly acknowledged past storage of drugs in his rectum; for safe keeping. Over and over, it appears, local community leaders rally around a poster boy of criminal behavior, and his jailhouse allegations. Over and over, such words are treated like Gospel by a coalition of local preachers as publicity, and photo-ops, abound. Certain cops make high-risk entries into criminal lairs on behalf of a much broader community. They take huge risks to enforce the law against organized cocaine selling; and the gun violence that accompanies it. They do this 40 hours a week. It is their job. They rarely, if ever, are given credit for the danger they face; over and over. Now, let one serial cocaine seller, and Moon crackstasher with possible diaper rash, allege that the police violated him. Place him on a platform of media coverage, to swoon into the arms of the most strident civil critics of our police force. Pat his head as he cries to high heaven how brutal those people are to him. Drug addicts and sellers will do, and say, anything, and everything, to get away with it. Former addicts to the drug would attest to that fact. I am sure someone, among the fair minded, righteous, and reverend critics of our police force, might have some first hand experience with coke. He could probably tell all about how low the devil-cocaine can lead an individual. In the mean time I will consider the source and not jump to damning conclusions regarding the narcotics raid; nor the policemen who's forced entry was MOST likely only through the doors of the drug house. Keith Reitman NearNorth I wish for a thorough investigation REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Northeaster on Jennings/Johnson
For those who like to debate the David Jennings affair, there's an interesting editorial in the Oct. 9 issue of the Northeaster newspaper. The editors recycle their June, 1997 editorial questioning the school board's process in hiring a superintendent, using strikeouts and underlines to substitute Jennings' name for Carol Johnson's. Presumably it was sent to press before Jennings withdrew. It's not available online. Steve Brandt Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Analysis of Jennings departure continues
In a message dated 10/16/2003 4:33:34 AM Central Daylight Time, David Strand writes: I never heard any of the critics say as Jim Boyd does that the candidate needed to be a person of color because the majority of students are of color That argument was out there, nonetheless. Two examples: A column by Clarence Hightower in Insight News. An opinionated news item in the Pulse of the Twin Cities by Ed Felien. Passages from both pasted are below, after two short paragraphs of commentary by me. The Strib doesn't have a problem with reverse racism, when it can be utilized to support the status quo. The Strib supported Carol Johnson because she was a trusted team player, not a boat rocker or feather ruffler. Johnson was qualified and black, and could therefore help to muzzle the NAACP. No need to look further. The Strib doesn't have a problem with reverse racism when it serves to stifle dissent and paralyze opposition to the status quo. The Strib never took anyone to task for saying Isn't it wonderful that we have a black female superintendent! and How dare you criticize our black superintendent! --- In Minnesota, its one and done for our people by Clarence Hightower President/CEO Minneapolis Urban League http://www.insightnews.com/commentary.asp?mode=displayarticleID=924 Many will say that I am wrong. Some will say that I am off base. A few will say that I am barking up the wrong tree. Well, a few days ago this great state could have proved me wrong. Carol Johnson, a person of color, vacated her position as superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools. Did the school board hire another person of color? No! Did the school board interview another person of color? No! Did the school board seek the opinion of folks of color? No! There couldnt have been a better opportunity to prove me wrong. I mean, after all, the Minneapolis Public Schools system is 70% students of color. There is a tremendous achievement gap between students of color and White students. The district has acknowledged this gap and fashioned a 12-point plan to improve the achievement of students of color. Here was a great chance to prove me wronghire a superintendent of color! What is the School Board doing now? Wednesday 01 October @ 14:04:48 by Ed Felien http://www.pulsetc.com/article.php?sid=641mode=order=0 Now, they have appointed Dave Jennings as Superintendent of Public Schools for Minneapolis. Why would they appoint a former head of the Republican Party to lead the schools in a heavily Democratic city? Why would they appoint a white male to lead a school system that that now counts a non-white majority and furthermore a person who voted against making Martin Luther King Day a State holiday and who voted against sanctions for South Africa when it was practicing apartheid? Why would they appoint someone with no education experience and no education credentials to run an education system? -Doug Mann, King Field Mann for School Board web site: http://educationright.tripod.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Coddling the Criminals: CUAPB Statement on Latest Police Brutality(?) Incident
Actually, Dyna, we don't pick our cases--the cops do that for us. If they would stop beating and abusing people, we wouldn't have any cases. CUAPB doesn't have any problem with people who commit crimes being prosecuted and, if found guilty, punished for those crimes. What we have a problem with are the extrajudicial punishments that are meted out on a regular basis by our local cops. No matter what you believe a person has done, they are still entitled to a fair trial. We cannot allow a person to be made indefensible by accusations and we cannot allow the police to become judge, jury and executioners. Michelle Gross Bryn Mawr At 09:34 AM 10/15/03 -0500, Dyna wrote: With all due respect for CUAPB, they need to be a bit more selective in the cases they take on. The fact that the alleged assualt is virtually identical to the one alleged to have occurred at the jail makes the story suspect. This was not a bunch of average citizens mistakenly attacked by police. The perps who operated out of 2519 3rd St. were veteran gangbangers who slickly raised havoc in our neighborhood. It would not be unusual for a veteran gangbanger to cop a story like this to try to take the attention away from the criminal charges they face. REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Local bad actor takes the plunge/Moon crackstasher swoon chafes cr...
In a message dated 10/16/03 9:10:20 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Certain cops make high-risk entries I don't think plungers are the recommended instrument for full cavity searches. The medical report as stated in todays Strib said there was evidence consistent with the claims of the defendant. I believe a full investigation IS underway and everyone is aware of how much veracity to grant the guy. Evidence is evidence, let's let the pros stack it up for us before too much more commentary. Jon Gorder Loring Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Old Highland
Chris Johnson wants to know where Old Highland neighborhood is. Old Highland is part of Near North. It goes from Plymouth Ave. to West Broadway (south to north) and Bryant to Girard. It sits next to the Lyn Park neighborhood (from Bryant east to the freeway). Near North, which spans the northside from the river to the city limits, has other neighborhoods within neighborhoods too, including Willard Hay. Linda Higgins president of Old Highland sometime in the early 80s REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Coddling the Criminals: CUAPB Statement on Latest Police Brutality(?) Incident
I can't speak for Staten, Moss or any of the folks in that crowd but I can tell you that as soon as we got called about the incident, we sent a team of investigators to meet with three different sets of people who witnessed the incident, including folks who were not arrested. At this time, to protect their safety and keep our word to them, we cannot reveal anything else about them. However, they each gave nearly identical descriptions of the incident (though some did not see all of the incident) and they were not together when we talked to them and they had not communicated with each other since the incident occurred. We also conducted other research that I am not at liberty to divulge at this time. Believe it or not, CUAPB doesn't want to get snowed so we investigate cases to the best of our ability before we put out any kind of public statement. That's why we did not put out a public statement until very late Tuesday night after our team had done it's preliminary work, despite being hounded by the media for a statement. Our team continued to investigate yesterday and has some information that even the media is not privy to. I feel we have acted in a completely responsible manner. However, I personally can't say the same about Moss, Staten and company. It was the height of irresponsibility to bring a man straight from jail after such an ordeal and let him spill his guts to the media, thus possibly blowing any legal case he could have. Michelle Gross Bryn Mawr At 08:40 AM 10/16/03 -0500, Anne McCandless wrote: I agree with Dyna (never thought I would say that, girl). Before I would take Mr Porter's word that the sky is blue, I'd step outside and make sure. How many of the people on this list, members of CUAPB included, would want to be convicted solely on Mr Porter and his buddies say so? If, and I know this is going to be hard for some of you to imagine, but if Mr Porter's allegations are not true, what do you think the officers deserve to get? They have been accused, in public, named in the media and by their accuser of one of the most perverted acts one man can commit on another. If they did not do this, will all these people, including CUAPB, apologige as loudly and as publicly as they are now condemning them? Or will this act just be considered one of the risks of the job? Anne McCandless Jordan REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Police cleared in alleged abuse
Sources told WCCO Officer Jindra recently received a letter from the FBI saying it had finished investigating allegations against Jindra and concluded that evidence does not establish a prosecutable violation of the federal criminal civil rights statutes. This is from a WCCO story about an alleged police butality case from last summer. I hope people who are complaining about the recent alleged abuses read this story and take it to heart. Allegations are often proven false. Sometimes they do turn out to be true, and if so, the officers should be punished appropriately, but sometime they are not true. Mark Wilde Windom Park __ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Community Meeting on Mpls Police/Sardines
In a message dated 10/16/03 3:49:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Mayor R.T. Rybak met Wednesday with City Council Members Natalie Johnson Lee, Don Samuels and Dan Niziolek. They agreed to hold a community meeting at 7 p.m. Friday at Fairview Park at 29th Street and Lyndale Avenue North. Keith says; There will NOT be enough room in that space to accommodate the crowd that will show up. I predict a VERY uncomfortable, and crowded event, and media circus. This meeting should be at North High auditorium; or the equivalent. Who chose that small space? When? And why? Keith Reitman NearNorth REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Analysis of Jennings departure continues
It is unfortunate that people are so ready to throw around the terms racist and reverse racist. We all know how much baggage they carry. If you can't craft your arguments without actually using those words, it's probably not very well considered. I understand that there is mixed opinion on why Jennings was not a suitable candidate, depending on what your sources are, but can someone explain to me why it *would be* wrong for a community of color to express their preference for a leader of color? Should not the school board be making an attempt to keep their finger on the pulse of what their community wants? If you're going to reply, I again encourage you to try and justify your statements without using loaded words. Regards, Jason Stone | Hale --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 10/16/2003 4:33:34 AM Central Daylight Time, David Strand writes: I never heard any of the critics say as Jim Boyd does that the candidate needed to be a person of color because the majority of students are of color That argument was out there, nonetheless. Two examples: A column by Clarence Hightower in Insight News. An opinionated news item in the Pulse of the Twin Cities by Ed Felien. Passages from both pasted are below, after two short paragraphs of commentary by me. The Strib doesn't have a problem with reverse racism, when it can be utilized to support the status quo. The Strib supported Carol Johnson because she was a trusted team player, not a boat rocker or feather ruffler. Johnson was qualified and black, and could therefore help to muzzle the NAACP. No need to look further. The Strib doesn't have a problem with reverse racism when it serves to stifle dissent and paralyze opposition to the status quo. The Strib never took anyone to task for saying Isn't it wonderful that we have a black female superintendent! and How dare you criticize our black superintendent! --- In Minnesota, it’s one and done for our people by Clarence Hightower President/CEO Minneapolis Urban League http://www.insightnews.com/commentary.asp?mode=displayarticleID=924 Many will say that I am wrong. Some will say that I am off base. A few will say that I am barking up the wrong tree. Well, a few days ago this great state could have proved me wrong. Carol Johnson, a person of color, vacated her position as superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools. Did the school board hire another person of color? No! Did the school board interview another person of color? No! Did the school board seek the opinion of folks of color? No! There couldn’t have been a better opportunity to prove me wrong. I mean, after all, the Minneapolis Public Schools system is 70% students of color. There is a tremendous achievement gap between students of color and White students. The district has acknowledged this gap and fashioned a 12-point plan to improve the achievement of students of color. Here was a great chance to prove me wrong…hire a superintendent of color! What is the School Board doing now? Wednesday 01 October @ 14:04:48 by Ed Felien http://www.pulsetc.com/article.php?sid=641mode=order=0 Now, they have appointed Dave Jennings as Superintendent of Public Schools for Minneapolis. Why would they appoint a former head of the Republican Party to lead the schools in a heavily Democratic city? Why would they appoint a white male to lead a school system that that now counts a non-white majority and furthermore a person who voted against making Martin Luther King Day a State holiday and who voted against sanctions for South Africa when it was practicing apartheid? Why would they appoint someone with no education experience and no education credentials to run an education system? -Doug Mann, King Field Mann for School Board web site: http://educationright.tripod.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls __ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Revenge of the Nerds (was Old Highland)
on 10/16/03 9:52 AM, Linda Higgins at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Chris Johnson wants to know where Old Highland neighborhood is. Old Highland is part of Near North. It goes from Plymouth Ave. to West Broadway (south to north) and Bryant to Girard. It sits next to the Lyn Park neighborhood (from Bryant east to the freeway). Near North, which spans the northside from the river to the city limits, has other neighborhoods within neighborhoods too, including Willard Hay. Here's where some of the confusion may come in. On city maps (several in my office), Willard Hay is listed as a distinct neighborhood, but Old Highland is nowhere to be found. From Linda's description, it looks like Old Highland is a part of what the city labels the Near North neighborhood. My question (as list manager and ignorant south-sider) is, Is Old Highland a separate neighborhood, with a neighborhood organization, etc., or is it a piece of the Near North neighborhood and its neighborhood group. Mostly, this is just curiosity, but list rules ask for city neighborhoods that are identifiable (i.e., on city maps) so others can easily figure out locations. Nerdily, David Brauer List manager REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Revenge of the Ners (Old Highland)
David Brauer asks about the Old Highland neighborhood group. Linda Higgins can correct me if I'm wrong, but here's my understanding: Old Highland does have an association, but I don't think it's city-recognized in terms of having an MCDA-funded citizen participation function for feedback on development issues. It doesn't appear on the city's list of neighborhood groups. I believe that it is represented for that purpose by Northside Neighborhood Redevelopment Council. It does appear on a privately published map of neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul put up for sale recently by a company out of Chicago (www.bigstick.com). That said, I'm all for preserving the identities of these nooks and crannies of the city by using them as identifiers for people who post on the list Steve Brandt Star Tribune REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Coddling the Criminals: CUAPB Statement on Latest Police Brutality(?) Incident
Michelle, Here's what I don't quite understand. How do you reconcile this statement: No matter what you believe a person has done, they are still entitled to a fair trial. We cannot allow a person to be made indefensible by accusations... -[Mpls] Coddling the Criminals: CUAPB Statement on Latest Police Brutality(?) Incident with this one: We denounce in the strongest possible terms this heinous attack on a member of our community, stated Michelle Gross, spokesperson for CUAPB. She added, It is shocking to the conscience that two similar incidents involving sexual assault should occur nine days apart by two different law enforcement agencies in Minneapolis. Communities United Against Police Brutality will continue to advocate for and assist these survivors of police brutality and their families. We are calling for independent medical examinations and for appropriate medical and psychological care for these men in the aftermath of their assaults. -[Mpls] CUAPB Statement on Latest Police Brutality Incident While there is still investigations going on? Any rational person recognizes that there are disproportionate numbers of people of color and poor people in the criminal justice system, as well as there are police officers who abuse the power that they have, and who should never have a badge in the first place. What I'm not sure of is why a criminal, especially a repeat offender, is more worthy of being innocent until proven guilty than a police officer? When police officers violate the very law they are sworn to uphold, I would be the first to argue that the penalties and punishment should be more severe than the average person on the street, and if any of these officers are guilty of these crimes, there is no amount of punishment that would be severe enough in my mind, and I would harken back to some medieval techniques that would be closer to appropriate treatment for this. However, isn't it just as appropriate to give these officers, if not the benefit of the doubt, than at least the same fair trials you call upon for criminals? Is it not right that they as well should be afforded an unbias investigation into this matter? And if they are found to be innocent, I will echo Anne's question of will you as strongly exonerate them as you have pre-emptively condemned them? No one has said that these individuals deserved the alleged assaults, but they have raised the concern that people could make up these allegations in order to draw attention from their crimes. How is it more plausible that an officer assaulted an individual with a plunger than that a individual created a story for leniency? Is this not what investigations are for discerning? And should we not wait for all the facts to emerge and investigations to be completed before coming to the conclusions of what happened? Having been a victim of police harassment and assault, I strongly believe that those who we have trusted with power have a higher responsibility not to abuse it. But as someone who believes strongly in principles of law and order, in fair and equal treatment, in appropriate measures for dealing with one another in a civil society, I submit that we have to adhere to the self same principles and ideals that we call for from our officers. Most noted among these is giving the same right of due process to our enemies or those we despise as much as we do to those we love or support. The validity of being able to call for an end to abuse and unfair treatment, requires that the ethic be consistent across the board and that all people, including police officers, be afforded equal treatment under the law and in public. Jonathan Palmer Victory REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Coddling the Criminals: CUAPB Statement on Latest Police Brutality(?) Incident
Michelle Gross Writes: I can't speak for Staten, Moss or any of the folks in that crowd but I can tell you that as soon as we got called about the incident, we sent a team of investigators to meet with three different sets of people who witnessed the incident, including folks who were not arrested. At this time, to protect their safety and keep our word to them, we cannot reveal anything else about them. However, they each gave nearly identical descriptions of the incident (though some did not see all of the incident) and they were not together when we talked to them and they had not communicated with each other since the incident occurred. We also conducted other research that I am not at liberty to divulge at this time. Dennis Plante Responds: I was under the impression (based upon previous published statements) that there were no witnesses to the allegations. Wth three sets of witnesses (to the allegation), it appears it should be an open and shut case. Whereas this is criminal investigaton, I do hope there is the ability to substantiate that the witnesses (to the event) had not had the opportunity to speak with each other, prior to being interviewed by CUAPB. Believe it or not, CUAPB doesn't want to get snowed so we investigate cases to the best of our ability before we put out any kind of public statement. That's why we did not put out a public statement until very late Tuesday night after our team had done it's preliminary work, despite being hounded by the media for a statement. Our team continued to investigate yesterday and has some information that even the media is not privy to. Dennis Plante Responds: Based upon the statement that CUAPB DID put out, it would appear that the investigation (initiated by CUAPB) confirms the allegations made by the individual. Is this the case? I feel we have acted in a completely responsible manner. However, I personally can't say the same about Moss, Staten and company. It was the height of irresponsibility to bring a man straight from jail after such an ordeal and let him spill his guts to the media, thus possibly blowing any legal case he could have. Dennis Plante Responds: It all depends upon what you feel the height of irresponsibility (in the matter) is. The subsequent actions of those that you've mentioned however, do beg the question as to whose's interests they have in mind. Are they really interested in affecting a positive change to a problem? Or, are they only interested in maintaining their own power-base? Shame on them As an individual that has a vested interest (I live in Jordan) in the outcome of such allegations, I am deeply interested in where this issue goes. I didn't just fall-off the vegetable truck, and I wasn't born yesterday. False allegations (made against police officers) DO afect my quality of life. The officers responding to calls I make (to protect myself and my property) become hyper-senstive to policing minor offenses, because of these allegations. In recent memory I have called on individuals for the following offenses committed against myself and my property - public urination, dealing drugs, playing craps, throwing beers cans into my yard, burglary, theft, swindle, public riot, death threats, selling stolen property, etc... Forgive me for saying so, but based upon the evidence that has been made available thus far, I tend to lean towards the accused. The allegations have been made... Regardless of the outcome, the (unfair) cycle continues. If the allegations are proven to be unfounded, then it still remains the fault of the system. Roughly 3 months ago, I watched in disbelief as a MPD squad followed a group of 4 yound women who were walking down the middle of my street. The officer repeatedly told them that they needed to move to the sidewalk, as they were blocking traffic and creating a hazard. The officer (yes he was white) wated until one of them called him a name which I can't repeat and defiantely threw a soda can on the street next to his squad before getting out and writing a ticket. When this occurred, the officer was accussed by both the perp and her friends of sexual harrasment AND racial profiling. The only thing that I ask of members (on this list) is that they first ask themselves whether or not this is the type of life they would want for themselves and their neighbors. And secondly, how do we change it? Do we become less-lenient of offenders? Do we make-up for 300 years of racial discrimmination by policing differently in neighborhoods predominantly of color? Dennis Plante Jordan _ See when your friends are online with MSN Messenger 6.0. Download it now FREE! http://msnmessenger-download.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore
Re: [Mpls] Coddling the Criminals: CUAPB Statement on Latest Police Brutality(?) Incident
Making no judgement on the veracity of the claims made by the perp/victim or the questionable methods opted for by the officers, if true, I have heard no discussion of the long history this perp has had with the police or the fact that he tried hiding a bag of cocaine in his butt crack on a recent arrest. I mention this because it was brought up on Channel 9 news last night and throws a slightly different light on the idea that--if the incident acctually occurred--this was a sexual assault instead of a badly handled cavity search. Thrown in only for the fact that it created a whole different picture of the events in my mind than what had emerged here over the last few days. What seemed to be coming out was a picture of a punitive attack by out of control police. Steve Nelson Willard Hay (near Old Highland that was official enough to have city signs saying Welcome to Old Highland for years--don't know why the city maps are quiet on it.) - Original Message - From: Anne McCandless [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mark Snyder [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Minneapolis Issues Forum [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 8:40 AM Subject: Re: [Mpls] Coddling the Criminals: CUAPB Statement on Latest Police Brutality(?) Incident Mark says But thinking rationally, such an assault is going to leave some physical evidence. Does anyone really think that might have been self-inflicted by the perps in order to take attention away from their alleged crimes? I agree. Is there any evidence? Have you seen the medical report? Shawn says I hope Rev. Staten took Mr. Porter to the hospital for a medical examination before the press conference. I don't know if they did, but in watching the news clips of Mr Porter leaving the Hennepin County Jail, he didn't seem to need medical help when he left the jail. The reporters were hurrying to keep up with him and he did not walk in a manner indicating he was in pain. It wasn't until he walked into the Press Conf on the arms of Staten and Moss that he needed assistance. Did something happen to the man after he was released from jail? I agree with Dyna (never thought I would say that, girl). Before I would take Mr Porter's word that the sky is blue, I'd step outside and make sure. How many of the people on this list, members of CUAPB included, would want to be convicted solely on Mr Porter and his buddies say so? If, and I know this is going to be hard for some of you to imagine, but if Mr Porter's allegations are not true, what do you think the officers deserve to get? They have been accused, in public, named in the media and by their accuser of one of the most perverted acts one man can commit on another. If they did not do this, will all these people, including CUAPB, apologige as loudly and as publicly as they are now condemning them? Or will this act just be considered one of the risks of the job? Anne McCandless Jordan REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A 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. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Analysis of Jennings departure continues
A casual look at the gap in major metro school districts suggests no advantage associated with race of the superintendent, but I don't think formal studies exist on this very provocative subject. Can anyone cite formal research here? Ann Berget Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Local bad actor takes the plunge/Moon crackstasher swoon chafes critics
Excellent post Keith, cutting through CUAPB's fog and providing insight on what more likely happened in Mr. Porter's rearmost body cavity... On Thursday, October 16, 2003, at 09:08 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In the matter of Stephen Porter. He has been convicted and released to his own devices, repeatedly, for cocaine selling. He had reportedly acknowledged past storage of drugs in his rectum; for safe keeping. Which suggests a more plausible explanation. In cocaine culture body cavities are not special places, being considered ideal pouches for the routine storage and transport of drugs, or a means of earning money for purchase of more drugs. Mr. Porter already has prior experience in the use of his rearmost body cavity for at least the first of these applications, safe(?) storage of cocaine. Which neatly leads us to a more plausible explanation of what happened to Mr.Porter's rearmost body cavity on the day of his arrest. What if Mr. Porter, noting an imminent bust and in possession of cocaine, decided to conceal it in his rearmost body cavity. Mr. Porter is also perhaps already high on cocaine, his nervous system is quite preoccupied by the rush of same and feeling no pain, and his judgement processes are as short term as you would expect a cokehead's to be. Perhaps then Mr. Porter took his prized cocaine and as was his habit in the past, inserted in his rearmost body cavity for safekeeping. Now a brief review of any decent anatomy text will reveal that this rearmost body cavity is extremely lengthy. However, Mr. Porter's hands are nowhere near as long and given their awkward positioning for this task he would without tools be barely able to insert it in said rearmost body cavity, never mind insert it far enough into said rearmost body cavity to avoid detection. This part of the Northside appears not to have received sanitary sewer service until 1937, thank you FDR and the WPA. Much of that 1930s plumbing is still intact, and as such the plunger is standard issue in homes such as this deteriorating rental property. Perhaps Mr. Porter remembers the previous failure of his cocaine storage strategy and the limitation of his own hands in more deeply storing said cocaine beyond the reach of the gloved hands of public employees stuck performing such searches. So perhaps Mr.Porter, in a split second of drug induced inspiration, seizes upon this lowly tool and puts it to work. But perhaps also Mr. Porter, in racing fear of getting busted again and already under the influence of cocaine and who knows what else, botched the job. And perhaps when this safe storage strategy failed, Mr. Porter grabbed the currently popular rape alibi and ran with it? Over and over, it appears, local community leaders rally around a poster boy of criminal behavior, and his jailhouse allegations. Over and over, such words are treated like Gospel by a coalition of local preachers as publicity, and photo-ops, abound. I continue to be amazed at CUAPB's failure to properly investigate the allegations they trumpet. I have an excellent view of the drug house in question, and may be an eyewitness to the incident. Yet no one from CUAPB has interviewed me or even contacted me. Certain cops make high-risk entries into criminal lairs on behalf of a much broader community. They take huge risks to enforce the law against organized cocaine selling; and the gun violence that accompanies it. They do this 40 hours a week. It is their job. They rarely, if ever, are given credit for the danger they face; over and over. This was indeed a drug house, and since the bust we've slept well in the homes nearby. The bust confirmed my suspicions that this drug house was wholesaling tp street dealers as well as retailing- last night the dealers indicated they were out drugs and inquired if I had any to sell! Now, let one serial cocaine seller, and Moon crackstasher with possible diaper rash, allege that the police violated him. Place him on a platform of media coverage, to swoon into the arms of the most strident civil critics of our police force. Pat his head as he cries to high heaven how brutal those people are to him. Agreed- I'm amazed at the way some of our local leaders have fallen for Mr. Porter's suspect story. Drug addicts and sellers will do, and say, anything, and everything, to get away with it. Former addicts to the drug would attest to that fact. I am sure someone, among the fair minded, righteous, and reverend critics of our police force, might have some first hand experience with coke. He could probably tell all about how low the devil-cocaine can lead an individual. Amen! In the mean time I will consider the source and not jump to damning conclusions regarding the narcotics raid; nor the policemen who's forced entry was MOST likely only through the doors of the drug house. A drug house so obvious it begged to be busted. enjoying our new found peace in
[Mpls] Source for community improvement ideas
I bumped into a new web site in the UK with all sort of community improvement articles that can be applied to Minneapolis: http://www.renewal.net/WhatsNew.asp Together: tackling anti-social behaviour (Anti-social behaviour action plan) 14/10/03 Policy Guidance 1132 Kb Graffiti and vandalism on and around public transport 13/10/03 Policy Guidance 169 Kb Clean, safe and green: approaches that work 13/10/03 Policy Guidance 1143 How schools can contribute to area regeneration 13/10/03 Evaluation of a contracted community policing experiment Also see: http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/ The one thing I like about non-U.S. sources is that they seem much more willing to gather best practices from around the world. Steven Clift Carag Resident ^ ^ ^^ Steven L. Clift-W: http://www.publicus.net Minneapolis- - - E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minnesota - - - - -T: +1.612.822.8667 USA- - - - - -M: +1.612.203.5181 Join my Democracies Online Newswire: http://e-democracy.org/do My blogging experiment: http://travelscoops.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] NAACP gag order // reverse racism cuts both ways
NAACP gag order http://members.tripod.com/educationright/id283.htm Minneapolis NAACP Branch parliamentarian offers advice regarding Mr. Mann's coverage of NAACP's involvement with the Hollman Consent Decree. - Reverse racism cuts both ways In the Sunday Star-Tribune, editor Jim Boyd complained about reverse racism as a factor in motivating opposition to the Jennings appointment. But the Star-Tribune has never complained about reverse racism when it served to stifle dissent and paralyze opposition to the status quo, as in misplaced loyalty to Carol Johnson. -Doug Mann, King Field REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] A new challenge for Minnepolis- Americans returning to their rural roots.
A few observations along the Floyd B. Olson Memorial Highway: Here in the thereabouts of North High, Governor Olson's alma mater, the For Rent and For Sale signs are popping up like mushrooms. There are new tenements going up in Bassett's Creek bog, but not much of anyone is moving in. Head west a bit, further out than the tract homes popping up in Medina and such. Buffalo, beyond the MUSA, is becoming a full fledged suburb, with all the attendant problems. The tract houses are popping up as far west as Watkins, over an hours drive west of downtown Minneapolis. Not quite as far though from the western suburbs, where much of our job base has moved. Around Paynesville it hits you- every little 10 acre plot with a bit of woods, a hilltop, or water in view is sprouting new homes like mushrooms after a drenching. Paynesville doesn't have much of a job base to speak off, especially not living wage jobs. So it's not the locals that are building these lake homes and hobby farms. Neither does St.Paul or Willmar, a half hour away. If you want a clue of what's going on, take a look at the local tractor dealer or who's buying up tracts of land. The only new tractors moving off the lot in any numbers are the little ones aimed at the hobby farmer market. And the real farmers are bemoaning the hunters from the cities who are bidding up the price of farm land above what there kids can afford. About now someone will rise to Minneapolis' defense, throwing out the census numbers for Minneapolis (growing) and Boondocks, MN (stagnant). As long as you've got the census figures out, look at that Baxter, Alexandria, and some of the other rural towns that boomed during the 1990s. These towns portend a trend that is spreading across rural Minnesota. After flocking to metropolitan areas for over a century, why are folks headed home to the country? The industrial revolution drove millions from the now mechanized farms to the city's factories. The captains of industry has since subcontracted such work to China and other low wage sweatshop economies. This leaves many of those that still have jobs often free of the factory and able to live where they wish. The same loss of our manufacturing base has resulted in a loss of jobs which have forced many to government economic assistance- over 10,000,000 working ages americans now draw SSDI or SSI checks. The treasury department will be happy to deposit these checks in most any bank. Then there are the retiring baby boomers, who can again live where the please, free of the metro area's workplaces. For the first time in over a century we have increasing hordes of citizens who need no longer commute to work. In fact, in many areas of the country already over half of the adult population is not working. This forces core cities like Minneapolis into competition with the whole country and even foreign countries in the race to attract residents and their tax dollars. In such competition Minneapolis currently has little to offer, with a few downtown neighborhoods being able to offer amenities like easy mobility and diverse goods and services. However, much of Minneapolis is in comparison with greater Minnesota overpriced and crime ridden. If Minneapolis is to survive it will have to offer as secure and affordable an environment as greater Minnesota. on Highway 55, Dyna Sluyter REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Seward Art Crawl
Once again Ed has his facts straight. The story is in the details however. On Saturday, November 8, from 11:00 a.m. 'til almost dawn the next day, the Seward Arts Festival will rumpus! With over 50 visual artists and more than 30 performing artists this year's Seward Arts Festival will be an opportunity to revel in the arts. From early in the morning 'til late into the night, you can explore art, music, spoken word, and dance. Pick up a program starting October 24 at the Birchwood Cafe, Second Moon Coffeehouse, Seward Co-op, Matthews Center, and the Northern Clay Center. It's going to great fun! Off list inquiries receive a special invitation to Erik Riese created events. Ed Felien wrote: To Constance Nompelis and interested others: The 4th Annual Seward Art Crawl will happen Saturday, November 8. For more info contact Beth Marie at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or www.sng.org -- In cooperation, Erik Riese Seward: a great place to live, work, learn, and play! (612) 724-3217 home ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] more on Old Highland
Yes, Old Highland has its own neighborhood association, a 501(c)3, called, cleverly enough, Old Highland Neighborhood Association (see www.oldhighland.org). For city purposes, we're part of Near North and are represented by neighbors on the Northside Neighborhood Redevelopment Council (www.nrrc.org), as are Willard Hay, Homewood and Lyn Park. In fact, until recently, the NRRC office was located in Old Highland. We were the first neighborhood in the city to have a spring Clean Sweep, back in the 80s, and continue each year, combining with a neighborhood picnic afterwards. We've had several wonderful porch parties this summer, go caroling at Christmas, plant Blooming Boulevards together, and are enjoying our new neighbors who have built new houses in former vacant lots. We're the home, both original and current, of Sister Jean's Cookie Cart. We are proud of the Queen Anne Victorian house on Dupont Avenue that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (You may have toured it on one of the city's Home Tours.) Our churches include The Church of the Ascension and St. Joseph Hien, the first, I believe, Vietnamese Catholic Church in Minnesota. Both throw great fall festivals, where you can eat yourself into nirvana. North High School is just outside our boundaries, but we have their football field. Go Polars! linda higgins old highland REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Star Tribune: Don Samuels: City must seek accountability and healing
Don Samuels: City must seek accountability and healing Published October 16, 2003 Recent allegations that two members of the Minneapolis Police were involved in a felony assault at a north Minneapolis apartment have shocked us all. The event is made more challenging because of its racial overtones. On the one hand we are tempted to act as if we are totally unaware of this racial factor and hope it goes away. On the other hand, our reaction might become so emotional that we are unable to make constructive contribution to the ensuing dialog. Both extremes are avoidable. It is possible to approach this dilemma in such a way that accountability is justly pursued and healing is initiated. The African-American community has been, historically, at the lowest end of America's racial hierarchy. Long centuries and decades of this abuse should not be covered up in the cause of peace. When this willful denial happens, hate inevitably erupts, inconveniently and often violently. Instead we should examine how this alleged incident has become the eventuality of America's continuum and then change course toward a better future. The violence of black gangs and the genocidal repercussions of the drug trade testify to the fact that the externally inflicted lynchings of the Jim Crow era have now been replaced by internally inflicted homicide. Young black men in gangs might not have learned much in school, but they have learned well the diminished value of their lives and the lives of their people. From these lessons in inferiority, they have emerged as master scholars. They know now, more than anyone else, the true insignificance of their worth. In turn they treat each other accordingly. They occupy residential communities where their women, mothers and children live at great risk. They fight turf battles, destroying the lives they hate and putting at risk the depreciated lives they share. They train disposable recruits in their fatal trade like crops for the grim reaper. That is why we must try our best to send them new messages of their full humanity and provide opportunities, for those who are open, to learn new ways to survive and thrive. And that is why we must, with even swifter urgency, dispatch the incorrigible among them to institutions of constraint, where they are no danger to those of us whose lives they so despise. On the other hand, the genocidal violence and humiliating actions of renegade police also testify to the lingering strains of virulent racism. Men armed with lethal weaponry, official sanction and racial hate will degrade and destroy life, sully community relationships and debase the profile of our city's authority. Their hate of black bodies becomes justifiably expressed in the vile humiliation of the deserving inferior. There is this class of men, who have found in the city's sanction of their use of force a perverse opportunity to violently express their rabid disregard for the human dignity of people born brown. That is why we must mandate effective training in racial sensibility for all our officers. That is why we must actively screen officers for racist and abusive tendencies and that is why, when racial crimes are perpetrated, we must also put away the offenders. And so, these two faces of the one coin continue to flicker in a society that continues to bet its future on the naïve notion that things are different now. What we must do instead is commit ourselves to strident intolerance of all forms of racial hate, whether it is expressed intraracially or interracially. We must unwaveringly face the reality that the wanton disregard for human life is possible from all quarters. It exists in denser concentrations in the smoldering cauldron of race. As a society, we must act swiftly to address the dehumanizing of people of color and especially black people. We must name it when it appears in the form of community defilement by gang terrorism. And we must identify it even when it erupts in the guise of justice, inflicting degradation on the very perpetrators of intraracial hate to which they were dispatched. We must recognize the hate of brown bodies in any form. We must call it hate in every guise and we must address it with a sure and even hand. In this case, should the allegations against the alleged community perpetrators be true, then let us act according to the remedies prescribed by law. And should the charges against the alleged official perpetrators be true, then we must act with even swifter, impartial justice. After all, they are the face of our justice. In either case our deep wound gouged by history and exacerbated by this incident will begin to heal. Our diverse community will begin to recognize our common enemies. And we will realize that the common values of human dignity and peace make siblings of us all. Don Samuels represents the Third Ward in the Minneapolis City Council. Joseph Barisonzi Willard-Hay Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but
[Mpls] The Nonpartisan Party
The Nonpartisan Party From: Joseph Barisonzi Holle Brian Carleton Crawford Lee Eklund Cameron Gordon Brian Melendez You and your friends are cordially invited to the Nonpartisan Party on Saturday 8 November, from 7 p.m. until Whenever, at Brian Melendez's home, 1777 Dupont Avenue South, Minneapolis. (Please see below for directions.) The Concept This time most years, we are in the midst of campaigning. But this year, for the first time in many years, there are neither federal, state, legislative, nor municipal elections scheduled in Minneapolis. The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November will come and go without a general election. The co-hosts are volunteer activists in different political parties. We spend practically all our volunteer time around politics, helping get our candidates elected. But some of the most decent and interesting folks that we have met in local politics are not necessarily members of the same party as we are. Unfortunately, those folks seldom deal with each other outside the partisan political context, so building relationships and actual friendships with each other is tough. But local politics would be much more civil, and perhaps focused more on issues and less on personalities, if there were more opportunities for building relationships and friendships among volunteers across party lines. To that end, we are throwing a party next month--the Non-Partisan Party--as an opportunity for volunteer leaders in all the political parties to meet and mingle outside partisan politics. The date is Saturday 8 November, the weekend after what would have been Election Day if there were an election this year. If this event is a success, we are hoping that it will become an annual event, a chance for coming together after an actual election, taking off our hats as partisans for a moment and looking at the candidates and at each other as neighbors and fellow citizens. The Rules There will be a few ground rules: 1. The party is a private event, hosted by individuals and not by political parties, organizations, or titles. Everyone who cares about local politics, regardless of partisan affiliation (or lack of affiliation), is welcome. 2. No agenda or program. 3. The party is mostly in honor of volunteer activists. Publicly elected officers are more than welcome. So are candidates for those offices. But nobody gets a soapbox or a formal introduction. 4. No campaigning allowed. (Gossip and speculation are okay.) 5. No speeches! We will supply some beverages and munchies (and maybe even some Mel-O-Glaze and Krispy Kreme donuts). You don't need to bring anything. But if you do want to bring something, you can bring a favorite beverage or snack for sharing. The Directions 1777 Dupont Avenue is a red-brick house with white trim, in Lowry Hill, three blocks west of Hennepin Avenue, between Summit and Douglas (three blocks north of Franklin). You can park on the street in front. Brian's phone number is 612.377.1777. We hope that you can come! Please write or call any co-host if you have any questions: Brian Melendez [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cameron Gordon [EMAIL PROTECTED] Carleton Crawford [EMAIL PROTECTED] Holle Brian [EMAIL PROTECTED] Joseph Barisonzi [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lee Eklund BRM Brian Melendez Lowry Hill (Ward 7) REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Minneapolis in CNN's Spotlight. Council Member Samuels to be interviewed live.
Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels will be CNN's Anderson Cooper's guest on 350* at 6:00 pm tonight. My understanding is that there will be a 45 minute segment starting at 6:25 pm CST about Minneapolis, community-police relations, the alleged police brutality, and the FBI involvement. Interviews with numerous City and community leaders have been (or are being) taped. Council Member Don Samuels will be interviewed live. Joseph Barisonzi Willard-Hay REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Minneapolis in CNN's Spotlight. Council Member Samuels to be interviewed live.
Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels will be CNN's Anderson Cooper's guest on 350* at 6:00 pm tonight. My understanding is that there will be a 45 minute segment starting at 6:25 pm CST about Minneapolis, community-police relations, the alleged police brutality, and the FBI involvement. Interviews with numerous City and community leaders have been (or are being) taped. Council Member Don Samuels will be interviewed live. Joseph Barisonzi Willard-Hay REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Analysis of Jennings departure continues
St. Paul's superintendent, a woman of color, is now resident on the board of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, the same body that opposed - as she did - the last referendum passed by the city's voters. She openly defied her own board in her opposition and her membership on the Chamber board is without justification and loaded with conflict. A superintendent of color - or the color of a superintendent - is hardly indicative of the personal tastes or positions of the holder of the post. I find Pat Harvey's Chamber board membership and sticking her thumb in the eye of her employer(s) utterly inexcusable. It takes chutzpah and the kind of arrogance that throws public confidence in their elected board members in complete disarray. The Board should dismiss her forthwith, in my view. David Jennings had shown by his work in the district - not in the legislature - that the experience had a profound effect on his views of public education and the Constitutional responsibility to provide a system of quality public teaching and learning. That says nothing about the idiotic move to hire him without allowing public input and explaining and defending their choice. Andy Driscoll Saint Paul From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 13:18:11 -0400 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Analysis of Jennings departure continues A casual look at the gap in major metro school districts suggests no advantage associated with race of the superintendent, but I don't think formal studies exist on this very provocative subject. Can anyone cite formal research here? Ann Berget Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Assault
Assault Thousands and thousands of people are falsely accused every year by the state. They have to empty their bank accounts in their own defense. And when the jury acquits, they feel lucky to walk away. Now, tell me why the police should suddenly be DIFFERENT. One thing we can safely expect. We can count on it that this officer, if innocent, will not spend 20 years in prison on a false charge as has happened to some civilians. The fact is that NO ONE would believe the accuser in this case except there have been quite enough cases where police have beaten people, suffocated them to the point of death, browbeaten handcuffed prisoners on video. It is THAT which makes this charge credible, not the track record of the accuser. Some of the sympathizers don't think it right for the police to be judged on their history, but that's the way it happens. Moreover, that is exactly what the POLICE do. They haul in usual suspects before they go after unknown offenders. In any case, a public review of objective facts can decide this one way or the other. The worst thing the police can do here is try to sweep it quietly under the rug. Innocence wouldn't avail anything if they go the secrecy route. If police were more concerned to discipline their own, they wouldnt be dealing with this sort of thing now. I think Olson is FINALLY getting this, as he heads for resignation. Laux never got it at all. There was a question to the effect how would you like to be convicted on the word of these guys? Well, first, prosecutors have convicted LOTS of people on the word of these sorts of people. None of the convicted were police. All were African American residents of Minneapolis. So, though this hypothetical has no history in discipline of police, it has a LOT of history in the prosecution of African Americans accused by local prosecutors. But, more than THAT, no one will be convicted on the WORD of the accusers in these recent cases. No, first it is unlikely, no matter how STRONG the case, that internal affairs will recommend a prosecution. List off the police prosecuted, despite killings and beatings, in the last decade. You can't. I don't think there has been one. But if history should change, it will ONLY because they DON'T have to depend on the word of the alleged victims. So the question is not even relevant. Basically, it is a way to try to make people fearful. That is a standard way to make the white community passive and uninvolved, thereby isolating African Americans AGAIN from community protection. It is a shame that this has worked in civilization for millenia. We have advanced so LITTLE in so many years. And such a pattern is unworthy of a city like Minneapolis. Jim Mork Cooper Neighborhood Crimes against Peace: namely, planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression, or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances, or participation in a Common Plan or Conspiracy for the accomplishment of any of the foregoing; -- Nuremberg War Tribunal _ Surf and talk on the phone at the same time with broadband Internet access. Get high-speed for as low as $29.95/month (depending on the local service providers in your area). https://broadband.msn.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Rybak: ready to put my butt on the line for Twins ballpark
Says Twins cannot play Minneapolis versus St. Paul. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4159191.html David Brauer List manager REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Eastside Food Co-op Investing
this is a forward [a.n.]: From: kevin reich [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Eastside Food Co-op investing The Eastside Food Co-op is About to Open Make History With It Make a Great Social Investment with a Wonderful Financial Return! The Eastside Food Co-op is about to open a 6,500 square foot natural foods grocery store in the building it owns at 2551 Central Avenue NE. This project, close to 10 years in the making, will cost $1.96 million. The Co-op's 800 members have made this possible by investing almost $500,000 in equity and loans. Neighborhood association support has also been critical; five neighborhoods are loaning another $510,000. The Co-op is now conducting its third member-owner loan drive, with the goal of raising $150,000. Buying inventory will cost $135,000. These funds will stock the shelves. Over 90 member-owners have taken out loans totaling over $200,000 to date. Many of these are no interest loans. The financial support from member-owners has been incredible, far exceeding, on a per capita basis, any loan campaign of any area co-op. With this final funding push, the Co-op is offering a strong financial investment to match its great social investment. Get an annual return of 4 to 8 percent and a total return of up to 64 percent on loans of at least $8,000. Loans of up to $5,000 will have an interest rate of 4%, for a 5 year, CD-type lump sum payout. Loans of $5,000 to $7,000 will have terms of 5-5-5, 6-6-6, and 7-7-7. Anyone lending $7,000 for 7 years will get 7% interest. You get the idea. The Co-op needs your money now and is willing to pay a premium for it (when it matures). Are you able to help? You must be a member-owner to make a loan. An ownership share in the Co-op is $100. As a fellow member-owners, that will be your 1.96 million beauty at 2551 Central Avenue. You will be so proud when you see it. You will be so glad it is conveniently located when you enter it. You will be so excited to be shopping in it. Dream, expand your vision, and invest in paying for it. Go ahead. You own it. Your help is needed to pay for it. You can say to your friends I (or we) own that great grocery store on Central Avenue. You can say and my loan was crucial to getting it open. And you will be right. Consider these words from W.E.B. DuBois: Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime. There is some risk involved. Your investment is not insured. Still, consider the stock market of the last three years and guess ahead. Where else can you get a 4-percent annual return on $1,000? Please call Ken Jerome-Stern, project manager, at 612-788-0950. He wants to speak with you. REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Re: FBI to probe claims of felony assault by Minneapolis officers
Terrell Brown writes: Writing about a couple of Minneapolis cops accused of assault Dyna Sluyter writes: The house where these perps were busted has been supplying drugs and prostitutes for months now. aaron neumann asks: ok...my tongue was getting sore for biting it this long...ms. sluyter mentioned a couple of times that the individual who is charging the police with this horrific allegation is a veteran criminal and drug dealer, and that there is history of this which warranted a search warrant in the first place. fair enough. but, why was mr. porter released and NOT charged with ANY crime? (according today's strib front page article) aaron neumann holland REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
