I will ask you as I have Booker, what evidence you have for any of this? What makes it an "elite social club"? How do you know this? What do they do that you're defining as elite? What proof do you have for your assertions that it "joined forces" to do anything? It would be real nice if those of you making accusations could provide some support for what your saying rather than merely making unsubstantiated claims. Perhaps while you're doing this you can comment on the "elite" nature of their HBCU bus trips, high school student scholarship awards, adopt-a-family programs and Juneteenth activities just to name a few. I would expect if they were an "elite social club" that they would be sitting on the veranda, drinking mint julips and eating tea biscuits over the latest gossip rather than doing volunteer and service work, but maybe you have a different definition of "elite"...
And I'm unclear how "RT made his pick before the screening / selection process was done, and without opportunities for public comment." when this is the same process that the Police Chief search followed. The opportunity for public comment comes at the public hearing once the nomination goes through Exec. Committee. More to the point, the finalists were announced mid-April. The advisory panel well before that, at any point anyone could have called, written or emailed to RT, Natalie Johnson-Lee or any advisory panel member and "commented". And isn't want you're doing now making public comment? I'm unclear how you can legitimately make this statement and would appreciate you expanded on how this process hasn't been fair. Because again, I've yet to hear a valid concern. On to Booker's point about the degree, I too, was concerned about it...until the situation was explained to me, and whoever sent you [Booker] the information either didn't know the whole story or intentionally left it out, but my understanding is that she thought she completed her degree, she walked in commencement, and went on with her life. She just recently found out that there was some snafu with a few credits (I think a professor who forgot to turn in a grade or something) and the professor has since passed away. She is currently rectifying the situation, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong on any of this. It is not a flag for me because junk like this happens and it's not the same as dropping out of school or never going. And for those of you who think jobs are the key to empowerment vs. education, I would think that seeing how much she's accomplished since that time would be impressive to you. Again, let's raise the level of debate. Let's take a serious look at the nominee and the issues, and ask the serious questions. Making unfounded or incomplete accusations doesn't get us to the truth faster, it merely obfuscates the situation and creates more confusion. More to the point its disingenous and beneath anyone who is legitimately concerned about this position. Let's leave the phantom fears and menaces for the next bad Star Wars installment. Jonathan Palmer Victory In a message dated 4/30/2004 2:33:56 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I agree with Mr. Hodges that as much care should be taken to engage the community in the process of selecting the head of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department as was taken in selecting the police chief. We need to talk about how civil rights enforcement is going to be done before deciding who is the best qualified to do it. However, RT made his pick before the screening / selection process was done, and without opportunities for public comment. We have a civil rights problem in Minneapolis that is no less serious than the police conduct problem. Just consider the issue of race-based discrimination in the job and housing markets. The city can take some steps to enforce fair housing and employment laws that it (and the state and federal governments) have not taken. Why isn't that happening? I do not question Jayne Khalifa's qualifications for any number of top administrative jobs. However, I am concerned that she may be too well-connected. A organization to which Ms. Khalifa is afilliated, the Links, for example, is the elite social club that joined forces with DFL politicians to install the current leadership of the Minneapolis NAACP back in 1999. Hello. Doug Mann, King Field Minneapolis school board candidate - - 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. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ 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
