Seeing Art LaRue's post in response to Rick Stafford's continuing interest
in litmus tests, I'm led to share with mpls-issues some suggestions I've
made to the campaigns in the Sixth Ward; namely, that
"Credentials challenges � quoting from the MPHA draft lease document I have
been privileged to help create that will be used in the Sixth Ward�s eleven
public housing highrises (and likely also in other public housing leases as
well) � ought to be accompanied by �written, accurate, current, objective
and verifiable information�. For the good of the party � and we may take a
lesson from the Ninth Ward here � a decision to exclude someone from
participation should be based on evidence, not inflamed opinion."
The MPLA lease language spells out standards for ascertaining eligibility
for continued tenancy in public housing.
"What about Art LaRue? I have a copy of the Secretary of State�s
over-the-counter page printout of the public record related to the filing
for the Green Party of Minnesota � there are no Sixth Ward DFL delegate
names on that document. Absent written, accurate, current, objective and
verifiable information to the contrary, Art remains on the roll until and
unless he himself comes to a decision to change his original written
affirmation at the DFL 2000 precinct caucus."
This suggestion to the Sixth Ward credentials committee leaves the
initiative about declarations of intent to the individual, patterned after
the predisposition we Chair Election Judges have in the City of Minneapolis
to accept voter affirmations at face value. This conveys a message of trust
and respect for individual responsibiity.
"What about Nader signs? There were one hundred Nader signs in the Whittier
precincts alone, far more than all the other political signage combined.
Take a hint from the Gary Schiff/Michael Guest contest � move on to new
horizons. Absent written, accurate, current, objective and verifiable
information to the contrary, a given individual remains on the roll until
and unless that person comes to a decision himself or herself to change his
or her original written affirmation at the DFL 2000 precinct caucus."
It behooves any political party to examine its conscience about litmus
tests. These are voluntary associations, after all, and the winds of change
sometimes blow more strongly for individuals than for groups - sometimes
briefly, sometimes more permanently. Attaching a near religious intensity to
party loyalty and sending dissenters to conventry in the heat of the moment
says more about power and control than about differences of opinion.
We now learn from Art that he will not seek a seat as a delegate in the
Sixth Ward convention. Good enough. Bon voyage to Art, who remains a good
friend of Minneapolis progressives whatever his choice of party affiliation.
Any informal attempt to slice the Greens out of the DFL delegate lists
around town is certainly problematic - reminds me of Joe McCarthy, the Salem
Witch trials, the Grand Inquisitor... not Minnesota Nice!
Fred Markus, Horn Terrace, Ward Ten
_______________________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:
http://e-democracy.org/mpls
