Follow up on Dissent
Wolfpack left a comment to an earlier post, suggesting that Mayor Stebbins would be crazy to accept an "unchecked ass kicking" from the commenters. He asked me to "guarantee her honor safe passage."
First, let me say, that from what little I know of our Mayor I have no doubt that she can take care of herself. Any "ass kicking" would be far from unchecked, if nothing else by her own keyboard.
Second, I would be willing to guarantee her some safe passage. I would be willing to censor any comments that I thought were offensively worded and/or unsubstantiated or unsubstantiatable. (Is that a word?) That would be a warning to the posters: If you want to engage in the discussion, you can ask the tough questions, but you better refrain from personal attacks and bullsh*t conspiracy theories. If you want a dialogue, act like a grown up.
So, I'll say it again. Please?
18 comments:
Geeguy is more than reasonable to a fault.
There is no three minute rule here. She only has to answer reasonable questions and present documentation.
I seriously doubt an "unchecked bum kissing" would keep her away.
Puh-lease....All she has to do is come clean, tell the truth, and define what "is" is in her mind. As long as she is preceived as honest, the ol' girl will do just fine.
Treat her just like every poster is treated. If her answers spark off hot replies, I agree, it's no different than other posters have received. I don't see a lot of name calling or profanity on this site, so why does she need special protection and from what? Honest answers will be seen as just that. CA
Why don't you sponsor a debate for the mayoral candidates? Maybe 5 questions total from different bloggers, with 1 follow up question to each candidate and then let the general blogosphere chime in with some moderating as you described. Request that the candidates promise to respond to some of the general public comments. As long as the questions are fair and not such that only one candidate is on the defensive you might get some takers. It would make a great ECW Offline edition.
The questions needing answering are from this elected contingency and all the turmoil surrounding their doings. As for conspiracy theories, none were to be had under Grey and I don't remember any under Bennett. Old adages can be true, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Honest answers are not hard to produce if there are honest deeds behind them.
How about an independent auditor or a federal probe?
Nothing to hide right?
wolfpack, That's a fine idea, after some housekeeping. Let's not cloud the specific issues at hand with an election debate. We'll have time for that later.
TL
There is a federal investigation into money missing from the coal plant money. That should be a question. Where is it?
I remembered a post a while ago in some thread but don't want to take the time to find it.... It had to do with money going to the county not the city... and in doing some searching I found this: (my emphasis in bold)
Opinion-Sunday, October 3, 2004
Early design work is under way for the 250-megawatt coal-fired power generating plant planned near Great Falls.
The $450 million plant would employ 350 to 450 during construction and some 65 to 75 full-time employees when operating. If built as planned, it could become the county's largest taxpayer at nearly $7 million a year.
PL
The ~1.0 billion dollar plant if built as planned will become the county's largest toxic pollution source.
TL
Gee Guy, your blog is a public service. Don't change a damn thing! You are simply unafraid of free speech and public discourse. Now, why is the city council unable to follow YOUR example?! I mean, my God, WHAT is primadonna and her hitman, chief Dorky, SO afraid of that they need coppers to ARREST people who attempt to express an dissenting opinion?! Why ARE these people so averse to democracy? And a personal note to Chief dorky, a man who I have the highest respect for: Chief Dorky, just WHY do you feel that it is necessary that YOU and you COPPERS be the enforcers to prohibit dissenting opinion at the city council meetings?! I mean, really, dorky, this is conduct unbecoming an officer! Hey, Dorky, we ALL gotta live here. How's it feel to be a thug for SME????? Just askin'. No disrespect intended. But you see, Dorky, I couldn't live with myself if I was a corportate pimp. How do you do it? Just curious.
Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers!
Reno 911 has nothing on the GFPD
Dear Larry,
Public Discourse - simply stating your case.
Public Incivility - name calling.
How can one persuade you stop calling people names?
Dear Wolfpack,
Since this is an equal opportunity forum it would seem candidates should simply post information important to them. Candidates have the advantage of anonymity in asking their supporters to post questions they want to answer.
A written discourse helps candidates refine themselves. It also leaves a paper trail of thought out conversations showing how well they listen and speak the language of those they represent.
On the other hand, it is only fair they take the heat from opponents in the same fashion.
The great thing about Ecity blog is candidates merely have to post and document like Geeguy does to have a reasonable conversation.
Dear Anonymous Post 5,
I missed the federal probe documentation - can you post it?
PL
Wolfpack, I have been batting around ideas for the election and some of them involve the offline blog.
My invitation to Mayor Stebbins is something different than that, though. I am not looking for canned responses to 'campaign questions.' I am looking for information supporting what I perceive to be a change in her viewpoint. I like Dona and I think she is an honest person. I think there are probably explanations.
I don't know anything about a federal investigation into missing money. If that were at all public, I think I would know about it. Either support the allegation, or we all know it's just a rumor.
Larry, I will let you post whatever you want within the confines of what I believe to be...well, not reasonable, but not wholly offensive either. I am sure you already know that some of your points get lost in your colorful language. You don't need me to censor you (usually!). And I doubt anyone at the City much cares what Larry thinks anyway.
Finally, PL has a great point. We don't need a forum. Any person can come on and post what he or she wants at any time. In fact, I think that is what Dona Stebbins used to do.
QUOTE: If you want to engage in the discussion, you can ask the tough questions, but you better refrain from personal attacks and bullsh*t conspiracy theories. If you want a dialogue, act like a grown up.
Question: Does the post by Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers at 8:37 PM, July 19, 2007 fit your description?
Yes, if Dona were to show up, I would probably edit out comments like Larry's, as well as the unsubstantiated allegations about missing money.
Sorry, but the situation at the city council is SO outta control in my estimation that it merits no respect what-so-ever. It merits contempt. Occassionally, one must use the tone commensurate with the actions being taken. Remember Charlie Chaplan's Little Dictator routine of Hilter? Now, I'm not saying that the city council is like Hitler. All I'm saying is that they DO indeed need to be made fun of for the mockery of democracy that they are perpetrating. I'll try to restrain myself in the future.
LK
PL, I'm working on getting the name of the investigator and his division for you. He was at a Commission meeting a few months back, began to state his case and was shut down by Stebbins and escorted out. Sound familiar? "A5"
Thanks A5!
Documentation is always good so alledged investigations remain open and visable to the public, otherwise they can be easily discounted by unseen powers.
PL
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