> States McL: "The fact of the matter is, we've got a crime problem in > Minneapolis." > RT replies: "It's a page from Karl Rove's book: scare people so they'll > vote for you." > > Now this honks me off more than a little bit. What in heaven's name is > RT smokin?
RT can deny the escelating crime problem all he wants. The citizens know better. We see it. Others may try to point out police statistics that indicate fewer arrests. This is the result of shifting police patrol priorities (to revenue generating ticket writing - Rybak's policy), and inadequete police numbers (thanks to Rybak's budget priorities). Over the span of one week, on my normally pleasant, realtively quiet block, there was a drive-by shooting, the intended victims being a group of teenage (and younger) kids in the alley behind my house. My neighbor's upstairs window was shot out. The next morning, I awoke to an alley freshly spray-painted (nearly every garage on the block) with gang tags. The next weekend, the other side of my block was blocked off by police, with the most police line tape I've ever seen used anywhere roping off dozens of houses on two streets. The Mothers Day ambush shooting which was on the news, and many of you are probably familliar with. While my best friend, Gary Schiff has been concerning himself with leaf blowers, cigarettes, and idling semis, our neighborhood is being taken over by violent gangs. People are getting killed. My alley has suddenly become an outdoor drug mall. I'm no fan of McLaughlin, but if given no other options, he'll get my vote over Rybak in a heartbeat. I suggest that the entire bunch of our elected city representatives be tossed out on their ears this November. Let's elect some people who will deal with real problems, not try to gloss them over to do business with shady developers, and focus on pet projects. It's time for a clean sweep. > Yes, we have a crime problem in Mpls. and it is not a Karl Rovism to > point it out quite forcefully. > Yes, the budget changes RT made did negatively impact police service > (and library services, and park services, and etc.). Each of which > contributed to the current and endlessly on-going crime problem. > > Admittedly, of the two, I think McLaughlin is the better choice. RT's > defense, in my estimate, should put a lot of delegates right in > McLaughlin's pocket Saturday if, and only if, delegates think about the > city's needs as a whole in choosing an endorsee. Dan McGrath Longfellow http://www.subversivepictures.com http://www.smokeoutgary.org REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls