Index of SPPS Budget Discussion http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/spps-posts.html _________________________________________
At 9:05 PM -0600 3/21/04, Dave Thune wrote:
Okay, we'll make it official. It has been suggested that the St. Paul City Council go on record opposing the anti-family legislation masquerading as the anti-gay marriage ammendment.
I'll author it, who wants to talk about it?
Now that this has become an official St. Paul Issues Forum topic, I think it would be helpful if someone shared their thoughts on what role (if any) our city council has in this debate.
There are hundreds of issues on which the city council could take symbolic action or pass resolutions. Why this one?
I would encourage participants to think creatively about why this issue is (or is not) important to St. Paul as a city. If we are going to talk about this issue in St. Paul, we can and should try to make it as specific to St. Paul as possible.
In short, let's be thoughtful AND NOT lazy. This is a serious and emotional topic, please put thought and care into your comments and our discussions will be more interesting and constructive.
Bob Spaulding's contribution moves us in the direction of exploring why the city council should get involved:
"Sometimes, local governments are uniquely
equipped to address the failings of the
larger political environment. This may
be just such a moment."
Can anyone take this argument further?
Where is the St. Paul delegation to the legislature on this issue - anyone?
I suppose it would also be appropriate to use this forum to submit possible language for a city council resolution.
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NOTE ONE: Regardless of how one feels about this issue, I would agree that we can and should be able to have this discussion without relying on terms like "bigot" or "pervert".
NOTE TWO: The forum should not be used exclusively by those who already have clear and defined positions. Those of you who are undecided should feel free to ask questions and/or explore this (or any St. Paul) topic, without necessarily taking a firm position (hint).
Best wishes,
-- Tim Erickson List Manager St. Paul Issues Forum http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/ Hamline Midway Resident 651-643-0722 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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