[Mpls] Campaign lit incident

[Michael Atherton]

Phyllis Kahn wrote:

> It was wrong for me to have taken four pieces of campaign literature
> that fell out of doors as I was door-knocking for another DFL 
> candidate in July.  I acted thoughtlessly and I gave my candidate's 
> opponent an issue on which to attack.  I apologized to both candidates. 
> I was sorry right after I did it and I'm still sorry.  I also need to 
> apologize to all my associates and constituents many of whom have had 
> spent an inordinate amount of time supporting or defending me. 

I have to say that Ms. Kahn's statement has certainly made me 
reevaluate my opinion and given me a basis for respect, but
what had previously been a matter of honor is now a question
of perspective.  I believe that Ms. Kahn still has not realized
what the fundamental issue is; Ms. Kahn only seems to view this 
event as a strategic failure. 

"Several  candidate (in both parties) told me that my example was enough 
to make them stop while reaching for a piece."

"I acted thoughtlessly and I gave my candidate's opponent an issue 
on which to attack." 

These statements seem to imply that removing other candidates' literature 
is a standard practice and getting caught an unexpected stroke of bad
luck or a dirty trick.

I believe that Ms. Kahn's entire statement completely misses the point.  
It is essential to me that Ms. Kahn understand what is important to me
as a voter before I could consider supporting her.  Ms. Kahn should not 
be apologizing to the candidates, her associates, or her constituents.
She needs to apologize to the citizens from whose literature she
removed.  Although many people in this state and on this list may
see the democratic process as just one big political game, what that 
game is really about and what so many people in American History have
died for are the hopes, dreams, and goals of individuals. Ignoring the
rights and dignity of individuals is to deny the primary intention
of our legal system and the reason this country was founded.  Ms. Kahn's 
failure to recognize that her actions violate the dignity of individuals 
is the important issue here, not her public embarrassment or the harm
done to her party.  What still brothers me is the unabated arrogance
that would have been required to remove something intended for someone 
else from their doorstep.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park