This whole scenario reminds me of what happened in Fort Worth, Texas.
Mayor Kay Granger....
Mayor Granger constantly worked against Democrats in Fort Worth, basically doing everything the Republicans wanted at their beck and call. She really didn't get much to show for her sellouts either while Mayor. As soon as she was booted out, by the Republicans, no less, she was tapped to replace Speaker Wright [a freaking altarboy compared to today's GOP leadership]. I think at this point she was still insisting she was a Democrat, very much like Kelly, my memory on this could be failing though. Regardless, even as Mayor, she was known as a total sellout.
Anyhow, Kay got her rewards... Now she's Tom Delay's Chief Henchperson in the US House - Asst. Majority Whip. She makes Zell Miller look sane, seriously.
Kinda makes ya wonder what Tommie-boy has promised Kelly...eh?
I'm surprised Kelly didn't invite convicted Terrorist Randall Terry to camp out on Planned Parenthood's doorstep after they requested a simple security buffer zone for Good Friday, especially given whom Kelly hangs out with. I understand there are some in the anti-Choice movement that don't support the means of Terrorism, but the whole movement has killed more Americans than Usama bin-Forgotten, and Planned Parenthood's request for a simple security zone was legitimate.
Kelly was right about the right to protest in this country, although for some reason that didn't count when his buddy Bush was in town [how far away was the "free speech zone" that Kelly set up?] The anti-Choicers could have easily protested across the street from Planned Parenthood without effecting their rights. I mean if "Free Speech Zones" are "Constitutional" [sorry, bud, but I have got to say it: Can you say "Activist Judges"?], the anti-Choicers could have easily been given a permit to hold their protest on the other side of town from Planned Parenthood without violating any rights, and based on the Terrorist history of the anti-Choice movement in America [count the bodies], such could easily be justified in the exact wording of the said court opinions.
I understand that many Democrats in St. Paul are against abortion, and if it wasn't for the Terrorism, I would respect that, but the bottom line is that a Terrorist target requested a valid security zone, yet did not ask for the protest itself to be stopped, and even was accomodating enough to say it would be okay for the protesters to be across the street. Mayor Kelly did not respect this gesture, and chose to put potential Terrorists right on their doorstep. Again, I apologize to the anti-Choice Democrats, as most of you are decent people at heart, but you are hooked up with a movement that has a notoriously violent history of killing Americans, and of sending biological warfare agents as well, in the only such attack ever on American soil. The anti-Choice movement has a LONG way to go before they get any respect out of me....count the bodies.
Before any of you call me a freaking "baby killer" , I'll plainly state here and now that although I support Choice, that I think abortion is wrong, and should only be a last-resort. Most abortions are preventable. Most pregnancies are preventable. In this day and age of safe and effective contraception with very high reliability [yes, accidents happen, but hey], Family Planning, be it via Planned Parenthood, or be it through the Church, or be it through personal decisions can prevent almost all abortions by merely preventing pregnancy until it is wanted. Abstainence is admirable, but let's be honest, people. I'm hoping that the Catholic Church will rethink it's position on contraception after the Pope passes away. I think in many respects John Paul is a respectable man, but his insistance on maintaining against contraception has hurt the cause of the anti-Choice movement.
I lost my last shred of respect for Mayor Kelly when he chose to deny a Terrorist target a security zone. I personally thought Planned Parenthood was very accomodating by saying they had no problem with the protesters being across the street, especially given the history of the "movement" and the operative Supreme Court Opinions on protests [Activist Judges], and their widespread implimentation when it comes to anything Republican.
Anyhow, I was wondering why I haven't received an invite to any Kelly events, and I just thought [correctly] that Kelly was just being a prick. As if I'd vote for him to begin with [NOT!].
To any hardcore anti-choicers who will still diss me based on what I've stated here, I'll be more than happy to show you pictures of baby brains all over Fallujah streets, that you probably support fully.
I will add that I personally wore out the soles of my shoes doing flyers for a anti-Choice Progressive candidate for President that presented himself as a Christ-centered alternative to Bush this last election. I think he got something like 300 to 500 votes in Ramsey County, and just under 3000 statewide. Anti-choicers had a candidate to vote for that campaigned on Jesus' teachings as an alternative to voting for the evil and corruption of Bush, and I know EVERY Catholic in St. Paul was aware of him. There were many Priests, whom I would otherwise respect, that chose to support Bush instead of him - from the pulpit at Mass even [how many Hail Marys does it take for a Priest to absolve, or an Arch-Bishop for that matter?]. I was offended by the way the said Arch-Bishop and Priests [whom shall remain un-named] chose to stump for Bush from the pulpit, and yet chase off those who were helping a Catholic candidate campaigning on Catholic teachings of social justice, and in one case with a mob that was reminiscant of Nazi Germany or Fascist Italy calling him a "Traitor" and "Saddam-lover".
I was doing hardcore work with other campaigns this last year as well, but will always respect what Thomas Harens was trying to do, because he was doing it from the heart. It is sad that radical right Priests and the Arch-Bishop chose to slander him, when they really, in my opinion should have embraced what he was attempting to do, if they really took their oaths/sacraments seriously.
Note please that I am not dissing the Catholic church here, and I feel that other than the radical-right element, they are very respectable people who largely do many good things for the Community, as well as their fellow man. I grew up in a radical protestant sect known as the Assemblies of God, and honestly, if there is a Jesus, I don't think he'll have much to do with them when the time comes. I respect the Catholic social justice network, and when it comes to looking out for the least in society, they put their money, actions, and faith where their mouth is, and I find that highly respectable. As far as the Ass. of God, IMHO, if you think Ashcroft was a dangerous lunatic, you ain't seen nothing.
I have kept this limited to St. Paul issues, as requested. I was going to weigh in on the Planned Parenthood thing when it was an active topic, but after talking with some people this last week on the subject, decided to tone down what I had to say on the subject. I did feel that I should clarify some points with extended detail given the subject matter, and the presence of whackjobs like Tester who would take advantage of the situation had I not. I will, although, never apologize for being frank.
Jacob Dorer wrote:
I just got a letter from Mayor Kelly today, which some of you will get too. I noticed that it leads off with a big disclaimer - "While my personal choice for President last year was George Bush, I remain a Democrat". He explains that he made a decision to pick someone not in his party. Then, later, it says, in its own paragraph "Regardless of our disagreement on this matter, I remain a Democrat". He mentions others running for mayor have disagreed with the DFL and endorsed candidates in the past. He also says "I write you this letter to you today to let you know, respectfully, that I will not seek the endorsement of the DFL party for re-election as Mayor of St. Paul".
I would like to respond, respectfully, to the letter by saying "What a crock of foul smelling effluent!" For him to say he remains a Democrat, but voted for Bush is absurd. He is so interested in saying he is a Democrat, that it reminds me of the song "Straighten up and Fly Right" by Nat King Cole (if you are unfamiliar with the lyrics click this link and scroll down a little <http://www.geocities.com/cozynfine/nkclyrics-S2.html>). In this case he is so desperate to get us to believe him that he pretends his public announcement of endorsement and the silly trip he made with Bush, Coleman and Pawlenty, was just a personal decision transcending partisan politics. Come on man, "your story's so touching, but it sounds jes' like a lie." A public road trip with your buddies from the opposite side is not a decision you can make unless you plan on turning traitor like Zell Miller or Norm Coleman.
And then, to make his deceit seem less treacherous, he mentions that maybe Chris or Raphael didn't always march lock step with the party. Is that even in the same league, Mr (dis)Mayor? Is allying yourself with the least qualified, most partisan hack to hold office in the last 100 years and his two toadies really similar to supporting a non-endorsed Democrat in a local election? I guess that the Mayor's idea of a big-tent-party extends even to people who work against the rest of the people in the tent. It is nice to be so inclusive, but maybe his pals in the Elephant Tent would like to have him over permanently? As far as I can see, his endorsement was cheaply bought. The only thing I have seen from his sell out is a million bucks for the dike. You would think that sort of dirty work would get you an ambassadorship or some other political appointment at least, and maybe some gravy for the city.
Guess what? He isn't trying to get the DFL endorsement. A shock to all of us, I'm sure. Although he is certain of his qualifications as a Democrat, the party probably wouldn't understand the wisdom of his endorsement, his working against the St. Paul delegation at the Capital, nor his attempted bullying of the City Council. I just wonder how many people are going to agree with his rosy self assessment? I suppose he looked at the 63% of Ramsey County who voted for Kerry and started to get nervous. I can't see how this letter will help. Anyone who can still stand him doesn't need a letter to be convinced. Those who want a change aren't likely to be persuaded by his poorly reasoned statements. I haven't read the speech he included yet, but am looking forward to reading how he reconciles his stated love for unions, poor people and traditional Democratic values with his obvious love for the Republican values of big money and Tom-Delay-style "hard-fisted leadership".
Jacob Dorer
jim
--
"Religious fundamentalism is the biggest threat to international security that exists today."
United Nations Secretary General B.B.Ghali, 1995
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"The Fascist State organizes the nation, but leaves a sufficient margin of liberty to the individual; the latter is deprived of all useless and possibly harmful freedom..." -- Benito Mussilini, 1932
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/patriot2-hi.pdf -- The GOP agrees
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