Wednesday, December 06, 2006
A speaking engagement
Hey, one good thing about getting caught up in a spirited debate is that people invite you to come talk to them. I thought I'd share an email exchange in the spirit of furthering discussion about the topic below. David's email certainly represents one way people could easily interpret the newspaper story.
----Original Message Follows----
Subject: "Dabbling in hate"
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 12:27:19 EST
Lakewood City Councilman Walter Neary describes those critical of a council funding proposal for gays and lesbians as "dabbling in hate" (TNT, 12/6/06, B8).
To my knowledge those opposing the use of tax payers money for the Oasis Center for Youth did so on the basis of the agency's avowed purpose as described on it's website (oasisyouthcenter.org), as well as it's exclusivity (straight and family members not allowed).
No character assassinations were made.
No Council motives impugned.
But Councilman Walter Neary labels critics as 'hateful'.
Tax payers have every right to say how they'd like their money spent.
But to do so and be labeled is libel.
An apology is expected from Councilman Walter Neary and an admonishment from fellow council members is as well - both to this database and in person at our Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association meeting this Thursday, December 7, 6:30 PM at the Community Center in Tillicum, just south of the Elementary School on Washington Ave.
David Anderson
TWNA President
My comments -
Hi David,
I won't apologize for something I don't believe I said. The article is a summary of a very complex discussion. What I said, I thought, is that those people who were raising the twin issues of the gay support group AND illegal immigration were trying to raise political support by dabbling in hate.
That's a pretty clearly reference to the politician(s) involved. I don't believe I referred to you. If I got all riled up and upset on behalf of my daughter, which did happen, and chose words that could be interpreted as a personal insult to any member of the public, I absolutely apologize for that.
I don't claim to know what is deep in someone's heart. Only God knows that.
But that said, I do reserve the right to attribute political motives and manipulation. People should know when they are being manipulated. People deserve to hear the truth from their lawmakers.
One is always welcome to disagree with me on whether my description is, in fact, the case and the truth; this being a democracy, I would expect someone to disagree with me.
Among other things, someone who thinks this was not manipulation will have to explain to me why this funding suddenly became an issue after three or four years of years of support for this group.
It's almost as if an election year is coming up.
I'm not really big on being unilaterally summoned to a neighborhood association meeting when I don't believe the neighborhood association had taken a position on the subject. But out of respect to the many hours you have given the city and community, I will interpret your letter as an invitation and be glad to attend unless something goes haywire in my workplace. If that happens, I will give you a call and come the next month.
These sorts of discussions are best had face-to-face, anyway. My assumption is that when passions are heated, the chairman would observe Robert's Rules and hand the meeting over to someone else when he/she wants to participate actively in a discussion; but how the meeting is conducted is certainly up to the association.
Best,
Walter
Forward this post
----Original Message Follows----
Subject: "Dabbling in hate"
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 12:27:19 EST
Lakewood City Councilman Walter Neary describes those critical of a council funding proposal for gays and lesbians as "dabbling in hate" (TNT, 12/6/06, B8).
To my knowledge those opposing the use of tax payers money for the Oasis Center for Youth did so on the basis of the agency's avowed purpose as described on it's website (oasisyouthcenter.org), as well as it's exclusivity (straight and family members not allowed).
No character assassinations were made.
No Council motives impugned.
But Councilman Walter Neary labels critics as 'hateful'.
Tax payers have every right to say how they'd like their money spent.
But to do so and be labeled is libel.
An apology is expected from Councilman Walter Neary and an admonishment from fellow council members is as well - both to this database and in person at our Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association meeting this Thursday, December 7, 6:30 PM at the Community Center in Tillicum, just south of the Elementary School on Washington Ave.
David Anderson
TWNA President
My comments -
Hi David,
I won't apologize for something I don't believe I said. The article is a summary of a very complex discussion. What I said, I thought, is that those people who were raising the twin issues of the gay support group AND illegal immigration were trying to raise political support by dabbling in hate.
That's a pretty clearly reference to the politician(s) involved. I don't believe I referred to you. If I got all riled up and upset on behalf of my daughter, which did happen, and chose words that could be interpreted as a personal insult to any member of the public, I absolutely apologize for that.
I don't claim to know what is deep in someone's heart. Only God knows that.
But that said, I do reserve the right to attribute political motives and manipulation. People should know when they are being manipulated. People deserve to hear the truth from their lawmakers.
One is always welcome to disagree with me on whether my description is, in fact, the case and the truth; this being a democracy, I would expect someone to disagree with me.
Among other things, someone who thinks this was not manipulation will have to explain to me why this funding suddenly became an issue after three or four years of years of support for this group.
It's almost as if an election year is coming up.
I'm not really big on being unilaterally summoned to a neighborhood association meeting when I don't believe the neighborhood association had taken a position on the subject. But out of respect to the many hours you have given the city and community, I will interpret your letter as an invitation and be glad to attend unless something goes haywire in my workplace. If that happens, I will give you a call and come the next month.
These sorts of discussions are best had face-to-face, anyway. My assumption is that when passions are heated, the chairman would observe Robert's Rules and hand the meeting over to someone else when he/she wants to participate actively in a discussion; but how the meeting is conducted is certainly up to the association.
Best,
Walter
