It's just that Pro-Lifers or EcoTerrorists are quicker to cross the line
into breaking the Nuisance Ordinances. Which are what, I wonder...? I
suppose I would have to support the KKK or Nazis if they wanted to parade
around the Farmers' Market, but they might find themselves surrounded
afterward.
Speaking of the Market, I wonder if there are any underlying WASP-Hmong
stirrings going on. (Is it against a Rule to speculate?) I've sold apples
undercover for ten-odd years and know about the resentment that exists
there. (This is fact, not speculation.) The Hmong are able to produce
vast amounts of good food at low cost, while at the same time feeding
themselves. Their low market prices are more annoying to we Euros than
their noses or height or whatever else people seem to find uncomfortable.
It's "culturism" more than "racism." Americans expect instant
"assimilation," but that takes time, at least one generation. The Farmers'
Market Hmong have no other choice than to use the land they have, use the
labor they have, sell where they can, etc., and the fact that they can
subsist on far less than I can is indicative that I must have far more than
I need. Which is, I remind myself, why al-Qaeda highjacked the jets. But I
digress...
With 15,000 more Hmong arriving, the Market Euros must be shaking in their
Wellies. Could this be a motivating factor in the Market's
expansion/improvement? How many or the soon-to-arrive Hmong farmers are
expected to be farmers here? Is it unfair that they have the ability to
undersell non-Hmong marketers, or does everyone benefit when market forces
drive costs down? How many more markets (St. Luke's, Aldrich, 3M, etc.)
can the TC support? Will there be a "super-market" somewhere? What's up
with the Frogtown market?
AMH
Andrew M. Hine
Corporate Research Materials Laboratory
3M Center 201-1W-28
St. Paul MN
55144-1000
USA
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tel: (651) 733-1070
Fax: (651) 737-5335
Lab 201-W110
Tim Erickson
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "St. Paul Issues Forum"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent by: cc:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [StPaul] Farmers Market &
free speech
orum.org
07/06/2004 11:56
PM
This has been an interesting discussion and an interesting parallel
to the "civility" discussion that's taking place in our RULES list.
I think that MOST (not all) of us agree on the following two principles:
1) That FREE SPEECH is a very valuable commodity in our
Democracy and a right that must be defended and protected.
2) That some level of restriction on how that RIGHT might
be exercised, in the context of the Farmers Market, is
appropriate. For example, most of us would agree, that
the Farmers Market (or the city) has the right to
curtail behavior which is flagrantly intrusive and/or
obstructive to farmers market shoppers.
Where there is some disagreement, is in regards to exactly how
restrictive the Farmers Market can be (there are a WIDE range of
options).
We've gotten some very interesting legal background AND we've also
heard anecdotal evidence that suggests that candidates of various
persuasions and positions have been allowed access (or ignored) to
the Farmers Market.
I suspect that most of us would be happy with a clear and consistent
policy that grants some level of access to political activists.
What would be really interesting, would be if someone called the
Farmers Market and asked for what the rules are and how they are
enforced? Does a clear and consistent policy exist?
Thanks Paul:
>I wonder how charitable ......... and others would be if the RNC or
>pro-life groups sent in their toadies to accost unsuspecting
>market-goers?
YES - its easy to defend the Free Speech of those we agree with. A
much more important and challenging task is to defend the Free Speech
of the those we disagree with. Let's just remember, that the rights
we grant to DNC canvassers will also be available to PRO-LIFE
canvassers, School Choice Canvassers, or Young Republican Recruiters.
This is a good thing!
I don't expect that an open policy will create many difficulties, as
it has been pointed out, its bad business for groups to abuse this
RIGHT, because if they become intrusive or obstructionist, they just
alienate the audience that they were seeking to start with.
Tim Erickson
Hamline Midway
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
=================================================
Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com
St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722
[EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim
=================================================
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